US08610320B2
A linear generator has a fluid pressure cylinder structure for reciprocating a piston in a cylinder in the axial direction by applying alternately a fluid pressure in a left fluid pressure chamber in contact with the left end wall of the cylinder and a fluid pressure in a right fluid pressure chamber in contact with the right end wall of the cylinder to the piston. A permanent magnet band is formed between the left and right pressure receiving surfaces of the piston, and an electromotive coil band provided over the left and right fluid pressure chambers is formed on the cylindrical wall between the left and right end walls of the cylinder so that power generation in the electromotive coil band is induced by the reciprocating movement in the axial direction of the piston having the permanent magnet band.
US08610319B2
An energy harvesting device (EHD) and method including a hollow outer envelope (201) having an inner wall (200) with a first predetermined magnetic field distributed on an inner surface of the inner wall, at least one inner core (202), free to move in the hollow envelope (200) characterized by a second predetermined magnetic field distributed on an inner surface of the at least inner core, the inner core being characterized by one or more convex projections of magnetically active material, at least one conducting loop (203) disposed at locations selected from the group consisting of the outer envelope and the at least inner core, so as to be suffused with magnetic flux due to the magnetic field distributions of the at least one inner core and the at least one outer envelope and generating an alternating current due to movement of the inner core within the outer envelope and a rectifying circuit in electrical connection with the at least one conducting loop (203) rectifying the alternating current into a current having a DC component.
US08610318B2
A magnet carrier for a moving magnet actuator. The magnet carrier includes a single longitudinal beam extending in the direction of intended motion of magnet carrier and two pairs of transverse ribs, extending from opposite sides of the longitudinal beam. The longitudinal beam and the two pairs of transverse ribs are arranged to engage a pair of substantially planar magnets. The single longitudinal beam and the two pairs of transverse ribs each comprise a lip for engaging a chamfered edge of a pair of substantially planar magnets so that the lip opposes motion of the magnets in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the magnets. The longitudinal beam and the transverse ribs are adhered to the magnets by an adhesive with an elastic modulus of less than 5 MPa and a tensile strain of greater than 100%.
US08610306B2
A control system for a power plant is provided, configured to influence actual HV characteristics of an HV power line at a point-of-interconnection to a grid. The control system includes an MV-compliant measurement system configured for connection with an MV power line of the power plant, and an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is connected to the MV-compliant measurement system and is configured to determine calculated HV characteristics of the HV power line based on measurement values received from the MV-compliant measurement system at the MV power line and based on a model of a transformer. The transformer transforms from medium voltage on the MV power line to high voltage on the HV power line. The evaluation unit is configured to generate a control signal based on the calculated HV characteristics in order to control the power plant for influencing the actual HV characteristics of the HV power line.
US08610300B2
A device generates energy by harnessing gravitational and buoyancy forces acting on a moving member. The device includes a plurality of buoyant members, a first passage with fluid configured to receive at least one of the buoyant members so the buoyant member is free to move within the first passage due to buoyancy forces, a second passage configured to receive the buoyant member from the first passage so the buoyant member is free to move within the second passage due to gravitational forces, a first transfer mechanism that transfers the buoyant member from the first passage to the second passage, a second transfer mechanism that transfers the buoyant member from the second passage to the first passage, and at least one generator responsive to buoyant member movement within the first and/or second passage to generate electrical energy.
US08610297B2
The invention relates to a starter (10) for an internal combustion engine, comprising a starter motor (12) which can be coupled to the internal combustion engine by means of a pinion (22), and a device for engaging the pinion (22) in a gear rim (26) of the internal combustion engine and connecting the starter motor (12) to a DC voltage supply system (30, 31). In order to disconnect the sequence of operations, the device has separate means, in particular separate relays (57, 64; 60), for engaging the pinion (22) on one hand and turning on the starter motor on the other when the internal combustion engine is started, thus preventing reactions of the engagement dynamics on the contact system when the motor current is switched.
US08610292B2
A resin sealing method of a semiconductor device includes: positioning semiconductor devices at predetermined positions of an adhesive layer formed on a support body and adhering the semiconductor devices thereto, sealing a part of each of the semiconductor devices with resin by curing a first seal resin in a fluidization state so as to fix the semiconductor devices adhered to the predetermined positions of the adhesive layer formed on the support body, setting the semiconductor devices fixed to the predetermined positions of the adhesive layer formed on the support body in a mold and sealing the exposure parts of the semiconductor devices exposed from the first seal resin with a second seal resin, and removing the support body and the adhesive layer from the semiconductor devices sealed with the resin.
US08610285B2
A package component is free from active devices therein. The package component includes a substrate, a through-via in the substrate, a top dielectric layer over the substrate, and a metal pillar having a top surface over a top surface of the top dielectric layer. The metal pillar is electrically coupled to the through-via. A diffusion barrier is over the top surface of the metal pillar. A solder cap is disposed over the diffusion barrier.
US08610281B1
Methods and structures for a double-sided semiconductor structure using through-silicon vias (TSVs) are disclosed. The double-sided structure has functional circuits on both the front and back sides, interconnected by one or more TSVs. In some embodiments, multiple double-sided structures are combined to create 3D semiconductor structures with increased circuit density.
US08610280B2
Some embodiments include constructions which have platinum-containing structures. In some embodiments, the constructions may have a planarized surface extending across the platinum-containing structures and across metal oxide. In some embodiments, the constructions may have a planarized surface extending across the platinum-containing structures, across a first material retaining the platinum-containing structures, and across metal oxide liners along sidewalls of the platinum-containing structures and directly between the platinum-containing structures and the first material. Some embodiments include methods of forming platinum-containing structures. In some embodiments, first material is formed across electrically conductive structures, and metal oxide is formed across the first material. Openings are formed to extend through the metal oxide and the first material to the electrically conductive structures. Platinum-containing material is formed within the openings and over the metal oxide. Chemical-mechanical polishing is utilized to form a planarized surface extending across the platinum-containing material and the metal oxide.
US08610270B2
A semiconductor device includes a bump structure over a pad region. The bump structure includes a copper layer and a lead-free solder layer over the copper layer. The lead-free solder layer is a SnAg layer, and the Ag content in the SnAg layer is less than 1.6 weight percent.
US08610262B1
An integrated circuit package includes a substrate having first and second surfaces and a plurality of conductive traces therebetween and a semiconductor die mounted on the first surface of the substrate. A plurality of wire bonds connect the semiconductor die to ones of the conductive traces of the substrate and an encapsulant encapsulates the wirebonds and the semiconductor die. A heat spreader has a cap, at least a portion of the cap extending inwardly toward and being spaced from the semiconductor die. The encapsulant fills the space between the portion of the cap and the semiconductor die. The heat spreader further has at least one sidewall extending from the cap, the at least one sidewall disposed on the substrate. A ball grid array is disposed on the second surface of the substrate, bumps of the ball grid array being in electrical connection with ones of the conductive traces.
US08610254B2
Apparatuses are disclosed, such as those involving integrated circuit packaging. In one embodiment, a chip package includes: an encapsulation having a top surface and a bottom surface facing away from the top surface. The package further includes a leadframe including a plurality of leads. Each of the leads includes an exposed portion exposed through one of edges of the bottom surface of the encapsulation. The exposed portion has a length. At least one of exposed portions positioned along one of the edges of the bottom surface of the encapsulation has a length different from other exposed portions along the edge. The package can also include a dummy pad exposed through a corner of the bottom surface. The configuration can enhance solder joint reliability of the package when the package is attached to a printed circuit board.
US08610248B2
The presented application discloses a capacitor structure and a method for manufacturing the same. The capacitor structure comprises a plurality of sub-capacitors formed on a substrate, each of which comprises a top capacitor plate, a bottom capacitor plate and a dielectric layer sandwiched therebetween; and a first capacitor electrode and a second capacitor electrode connecting the plurality of sub-capacitors in parallel, wherein the plurality of sub-capacitors includes a plurality of first sub-capacitors and a plurality of second sub-capacitors stacked in an alternate manner, each of the first sub-capacitors has a bottom capacitor plate overlapping with a top capacitor plate of an underlying second sub-capacitor, with the overlapping plate being a first electrode layer; and each of the second sub-capacitors has a bottom capacitor plate overlapping with a top capacitor plate of an underlying first sub-capacitor, with the overlapping plate being a second electrode layer, the capacitor structure is characterized in that the first electrode layer and the second electrode layers are made of different conductive materials. The capacitor structure has a small footprint on the chip and a large capacitance value, and can be used as an integrated capacitor in an analogous circuit, an RF circuit, an embedded memory, and the like.
US08610243B2
Disclosed herein is a metal e-fuse device that employs an intermetallic compound programming mechanism and various methods of making such an e-fuse device. In one example, a device disclosed herein includes a first metal line, a second metal line and a fuse element that is positioned between and conductively coupled to each of the first and second metal lines, wherein the fuse element is adapted to be blown by passing a programming current therethrough, and wherein the fuse element is comprised of a material that is different from a material of construction of at least one of the first and second metal lines.
US08610239B2
A semiconductor device including an isolation layer structure including a doped polysilicon layer pattern doped with first and second impurities of first and second conductivity types at lower and upper portions thereof, the doped polysilicon layer pattern being on an inner wall of a first trench on a substrate including an active region in which the first trench is not formed and a field region including the first trench, and an insulation structure filling a remaining portion of the first trench; a gate structure on the active region; a well region at a portion of the active region adjacent to lower portions of the doped polysilicon layer pattern and being doped with third impurities of the second conductivity type; and a source/drain at a portion of the active region adjacent to upper portions of the doped polysilicon layer pattern and being doped with fourth impurities of the first conductivity type.
US08610226B2
Disclosed is a photosensor element that is provided with a gate electrode (11da) disposed on an insulating substrate (10), a gate insulation film (12) disposed so as to cover the gate electrode (11da), a semiconductor layer (15db) disposed on the gate insulating film (12) so as to overlap the gate electrode (11da), and a source electrode (16da) and a drain electrode (16db) provided on the semiconductor layer (15db) so as to overlap the gate electrode (11da) and so as to face each other. The semiconductor layer (15db) is provided with an intrinsic semiconductor layer (13db) in which a channel region (C) is defined and an extrinsic semiconductor layer (14db) that is laminated on the intrinsic semiconductor layer (13db) such that the channel region (C) is exposed therefrom. The intrinsic semiconductor layer (13db) is an amorphous silicon layer containing nanocrystalline silicon particles.
US08610223B2
Embodiments of embedded MEMS sensors and related methods are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US08610217B2
Disclosed are embodiments of a self-protected electrostatic discharge field effect transistor (SPESDFET). In the SPESDFET embodiments, a resistance region is positioned laterally between two discrete sections of a deep source/drain region: a first section that is adjacent to the channel region and a second section that is contacted. The second section of the deep source/drain region is silicided, but the first section adjacent to the channel region and the resistance region are non-silicided. Additionally, the gate structure can be either silicided or non-silicided. With such a configuration, the disclosed SPESDFET provides robust ESD protection without consuming additional area and without altering the basic FET design (e.g., without increasing the distance between the deep source/drain regions and the channel region). Also disclosed are embodiments of integrated circuit that incorporates the SPESDFET as an input/output (I/O) pad driver and method embodiments for forming the SPESDFET and the integrated circuit.
US08610216B2
A structure for protecting an integrated circuit against electrostatic discharges, including a device for removing overvoltages between first and second power supply rails; and a protection cell connected to a pad of the circuit including a diode having an electrode, connected to a region of a first conductivity type, connected to the second power supply rail and having an electrode, connected to a region of a second conductivity type, connected to the pad and, in parallel with the diode, a thyristor having an electrode, connected to a region of the first conductivity type, connected to the pad and having a gate, connected to a region of the second conductivity type, connected to the first rail, the first and second conductivity types being such that, in normal operation, when the circuit is powered, the diode is non-conductive.
US08610215B2
An electronic device includes a semiconductor substrate and a dielectric layer over the substrate. A resistive link located over the substrate includes a first resistive region and a second resistive region. The first resistive region has a first resistivity and a first morphology. The second resistive region has a second resistivity and a different second morphology.
US08610211B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure having sub-insulator layer void(s) selectively placed in a substrate so that capacitance coupling between a first section of a semiconductor layer and the substrate will be less than capacitance coupling between a second section of the semiconductor layer and the substrate. The first section may contain a first device on an insulator layer and the second section may contain a second device on the insulator layer. Alternatively, the first and second sections may comprise different regions of the same device on an insulator layer. For example, in an SOI field effect transistor (FET), sub-insulator layer voids can be selectively placed in the substrate below the source, drain and/or body contact diffusion regions, but not below the channel region so that capacitance coupling between the these various diffusion regions and the substrate will be less than capacitance coupling between the channel region and the substrate. Also, disclosed is an associated method of forming such an SOI structure.
US08610200B2
A method for making a nitride read only memory device with buried diffusion spacers is disclosed. An oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) layer is formed on top of a silicon substrate, and a polysilicon gate is formed over the ONO layer. The polysilicon gate is formed less than a length of the ONO layer. Two buried diffusion spacers are formed beside two sidewalls of the polysilicon gate and over the ONO layer. Two buried diffusion regions are implanted on the silicon substrate next to the two buried diffusion spacers. The two buried diffusion regions are then annealed such that the approximate interfaces of the buried diffusion regions are under the sidewalls of the polysilicon gate. The structure of a nitride read only memory device with buried diffusion spacers is also described.
US08610195B2
A non-volatile memory device includes a field region that defines an active region in a semiconductor substrate, a floating gate pattern on the active region, a dielectric layer on the floating gate pattern and a control gate on the dielectric layer. The control gate includes a first conductive pattern that has a first composition that crystallizes in a first temperature range, and a second conductive pattern that has a second composition that is different from the first composition and that crystallizes in a second temperature range that is lower than the first temperature range, the first conductive pattern being between the dielectric layer and the second conductive pattern.
US08610188B2
A decoupling capacitor arrangement is provided for an integrated circuit. The apparatus includes a plurality of decoupling capacitor arrays electrically connected in parallel with one another. Each of the arrays includes a plurality of decoupling capacitors and a current limiting element. The decoupling capacitors of each array are electrically connected in parallel with one another. The current limiting element is connected in series with the plurality of decoupling capacitors.
US08610178B2
A portion-to-be-melted of a fuse is surrounded by plates, so that heat to be generated in a meltdown portion of the fuse under current supply can be confined or accumulated in the vicinity of the meltdown portion of the fuse. This makes it possible to facilitate meltdown of the fuse. The meltdown portion of the fuse in a folded form, rather than in a single here a fuse composed of a straight-line form, is more successful in readily concentrating the heat generated in the fuse under current supply into the meltdown portion, and in further facilitating the meltdown of the fuse.
US08610176B2
An apparatus fabricated using a standard cell architecture including devices having different voltage thresholds may include a first set of polylines associated with a first channel length, where each polyline within the first set of polylines is separated by a substantially constant pitch. The apparatus may further include a second set of polylines associated with a second channel length and aligned with the first set of polylines, where each polyline within the second set of polylines is laterally separated by the substantially constant pitch. The apparatus may further include a first active region below the first set of polylines, and a second active region below the second set of polylines, where the first active region and the second active region are separated by a distance of less than 170 nm.
US08610173B2
An embodiment of the present invention concerns a layered epitaxial structure for enhancement/depletion PHEMT devices, an enhancement/depletion PHEMT device and a method for manufacturing an enhancement/depletion PHEMT device that finds advantageous, but not exclusive, application in the manufacturing of integrated circuits operating at millimeter-wave and microwave frequencies.
US08610170B2
An array structure solves issues that exist in conventional compound semiconductor photodiode arrays, such as large cross talk, large surface leaks, large stray capacitance, narrow detection wavelength bands, and bad manufacturing yield, simultaneously. A photodiode array has, laminated upon a semiconductor substrate, a buffer layer (8) with a broad forbidden band width, an I-type (low concentration photosensitive layer (2) with a narrow forbidden band width, and an n-type semiconductor window layer (3) with a broad forbidden band width, wherein photodiode elements are electrically separated from adjacent elements, by doping the periphery of the p-type impurity, and the detection wavelength band is expanded, by making the n-type window layer (3) on the photosensitive layer (2) a thinner layer with crystal growth.
US08610169B2
The invention discloses an ESD protection circuit, comprising a P-type substrate; an N-well formed on the P-type substrate; a P-doped region formed on the N-well, wherein the P-doped region is electrically connected to an input/output terminal of a circuit under protection; a first N-doped region formed on the P-type substrate, the first N-doped region is electrically connected to a first node, and the P-doped region, the N-well, the P-type substrate, and the first N-doped region constitute a silicon controlled rectifier; and a second N-doped region formed on the N-well and electrically connected to a second node, wherein a part of the P-doped region and the second N-doped region constitute a discharging path, and when an ESD event occurs at the input/output terminal, the silicon controlled rectifier and the discharging path bypass electrostatic charges to the first and second nodes respectively.
US08610167B2
An n-type layer of a light-emitting device has a structure in which a first n-type layer, a second n-type layer and a third n-type layer are sequentially laminated in this order on a sapphire substrate, and an n-electrode composed of V/Al is formed on the second n-type layer. The first n-type layer and the second n-type layer are n-GaN, and the third n-type layer is n-InGaN. The n-type impurity concentration of the second n-type layer is higher than that of the first n-type layer and the third n-type layer.
US08610164B2
A light emitting device includes a package equipped on a front face with a window for installing a light emitting element, and outer lead electrodes that protrude from a bottom face of the package. The package has, on the bottom face, two side face convex components provided on the side face sides and a center convex component provided at a center. The outer lead electrodes are housed in a concave components defined by the side face convex components and the center convex component. The side face convex component has groove provided on the side face.
US08610157B2
A light emitting device including a contact layer, a blocking layer over the contact layer, a protection layer adjacent the blocking layer, a light emitter over the blocking layer, and an electrode layer coupled to the light emitter. The electrode layer overlaps the blocking layer and protection layer, and the blocking layer has an electrical conductivity that substantially blocks flow of current from the light emitter in a direction towards the contact layer. In addition, the protection layer may be conductive to allow current to flow to the light emitter or non-conductive to block current from flowing from the light emitter towards the contact layer.
US08610151B2
There is provided a light-emitting element having a semiconductor film which includes a p-type current-spreading layer of GaInP or GaP; a first p-clad of AlInP; a second p-clad of AlGaInP; an active layer including of GaInP or AlGaInP; a first n-clad having a carrier density of 1×1018 cm−3 to 5×1018 cm−3; a second n-clad having a carrier density of 1×1018 cm−3 to 5×1018 cm−3; wherein the thickness proportion of the first p-clad in an entire p-clad, is 50% to 80%; the thickness of an entire n-clad is equal to or greater than 2 μm; the thickness proportion of the first n-clad in the entire n-clad is equal to or greater than 80%; and the thickness of the second n-clad is equal to or greater than 100 nm.
US08610140B2
Packages, systems, and devices for light emitting diodes (LEDs) and related methods are provided. The packages can include a lead frame with an electrically conductive chip carrier comprising an upper surface. An LED can be placed on the upper surface of the electrically conductive chip carrier. A casing can be disposed on the lead frame covering at least a portion of the lead frame. A reflector cavity can be in the casing surrounding the LED. The reflector cavity can have angled side wall portions and angled end wall portions with an angle at which the side wall portions are angled that is different from an angle at which the end wall portions are angled.
US08610136B2
A LED Chip-on-Board (COB) module comprises a plurality of LED die arranged on a substrate in one or more radially concentric rings about a center point such that each LED die is azimuthally offset from neighboring LED die. The module includes thermal conduction pads each having lateral dimensions at least as large as the combined lateral dimensions of the LED die attached to it and a total surface area at least five times larger than the total surface area of all the LED die attached to it. At the same time, the total light emission area of the module is no greater than four times larger than the combined total surface emission area of all the individual LED die disposed on the substrate. A variety of configurations are possible subject to these criteria, which permit good packing density for enhanced brightness while ensuring optimal heat transfer. A method of manufacturing the module is also provided.
US08610121B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for discretized, combinatorial processing of regions of a substrate such as for the discovery, implementation, optimization, and qualification of new materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes used in integrated circuit fabrication. A substrate having an array of differentially processed regions thereon is processed by delivering materials to or modifying regions of the substrate.
US08610120B2
A photolithography step and an etching step for forming an island-shaped semiconductor layer is omitted, and a liquid crystal display device is manufactured through the following four photolithography steps: a step for forming a gate electrode (including a wiring or the like formed from the same layer), a step for forming a source electrode and a drain electrode (including a wiring or the like formed from the same layer), a step for forming a contact hole (including removal of an insulating layer or the like in a region other than the contact hole), and a step for forming a pixel electrode (including a wiring or the like formed from the same layer). In the step of forming the contact hole, a groove portion in which the semiconductor layer is removed is formed, so that formation of parasitic channels is prevented.
US08610112B2
A subject for the invention is to provide a charge-transporting polymer having high hole-transporting ability and excellent solubility and film-forming properties and a composition for organic electroluminescent element which contains the charge-transporting polymer. Another subject for the invention is to provide an organic electroluminescent element which has a high current efficiency and high driving stability. The charge-transporting polymer comprises a group represented by the following formula (1) as a side chain: wherein in formula (1), the benzocyclobutene ring may have one or more substituents. The substituents may be bonded to each other to form a ring. The spacer represents a group which links the benzocyclobutene ring to the main chain of the charge-transporting polymer through three or more single bonds.
US08610108B2
A light emitting device which is capable of suppressing deterioration by diffusion of impurities such as moisture, oxygen, alkaline metal and alkaline earth metal, and concretely, a flexible light emitting device which has light emitting element formed on a plastic substrate. On the plastic substrate, disposed are two layers and more of barrier films comprising a layer represented by AlNxOy which is capable of blocking intrusion of moisture and oxygen in a light emitting layer and blocking intrusion of impurities such as an alkaline metal and an alkaline earth metal in an active layer of TFT, and further, a stress relaxation film containing resin is disposed between two layers of barrier films.
US08610100B2
A method including: a) depositing a masking material over a substrate comprising silicon; b) removing the masking material using a first process that removes the masking material in preference to silicon; c) removing silicon using a second process that removes silicon in preference to the masking material; d) continuously repeating the sequence of steps a), b) and c) to control the creation of nanowires; and e) stopping repetition of the sequence of steps a), b) and c).
US08610091B2
A charged particle beam writing apparatus according to an embodiment, includes a first dose calculating unit configured to calculate a first dose map for each set of a proximity effect correction coefficient map and a base dose map of a beam; a dimension map creation unit configured to create a dimension map of a pattern by using the first dose map calculated for each set; an adder configured to add dimensions of all sets for each position of the dimension map by using the dimension map of each set; a set map creation unit configured to create a set of a proximity effect correction coefficient map and a base dose map by using an added dimension map after addition; and a second dose calculating unit configured to calculate a second dose map by using a created set of the proximity effect correction coefficient map and the base dose map.
US08610087B2
The invention relates to a kit for detecting β-radiation on a solid surface in a manner that is not destructive to the solid surface, said kit including at least two films that are sensitive to at least two different types of radiation, including the β-type.
US08610069B2
A dual-coplanar sensor architecture is constructed by launching from coaxial airline to a unique arrangement of coplanar waveguides, arranged symmetrically on both sides of a thin dielectric substrate. The center conductor of the coaxial airline makes electrical contact with the middle conductor of both the top and bottom coplanar waveguides. The characteristic impedance of the top and bottom coplanar waveguides is designed to be approximately twice the characteristic impedance of the coaxial airline, such that the parallel combination of the two coplanar waveguides is the characteristic impedance of the coaxial airline. Further, steps in both the ground planes and center conductor at the point of transition from coaxial to coplanar are used to tune the launch and minimize reflection at the launch.
US08610065B2
There is provided a readout integrated circuit for an infrared signal that is able to operate at low power and reduce a pixel pitch without the use of a skimming capacitor.
US08610059B2
A method to determine a distribution profile of an element in a film. The method comprises exciting an electron energy of an element deposited in a first film, obtaining a first spectrum associating with the electron energy, and removing a background spectrum from the first spectrum. Removing the background value generates a processed spectrum. The method further includes matching the processed spectrum to a simulated spectrum with a known simulated distribution profile for the element in a film comparable to the first film. A distribution profile is obtained for the element in the first film based on the matching of the processed spectrum to a simulated spectrum selected from the set of simulated spectra.
US08610058B2
Silver nanoparticles as a sample matrix for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) along with a novel method for nanoparticle development is described herein. The silver nanoparticles were generated from silver ions on the surface of a MALDI plate utilizing a Soft Landing Ion Mobility (SLIM) instrument. Upon interaction with the surface the incident silver ions were labile and aggregated into the nanoparticle structures in a time dependent fashion. Post landing analysis were completed by Time of Flight mass spectrometry (TOF), and of particular interest in the spectra were the elimination of low mass interference peaks that generally plague organic based matrices. The approach of the present invention significantly decreases sample preparation time and may lead to a preparation free MALDI source by soft landing a matrix directly on the sample surface.
US08610044B2
A Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor includes a linear array of photodetectors. The photodetectors in the linear array are arranged into distinct sub-arrays with each sub-array including two or more photodetectors. An output channel is connected to each sub-array of photodetectors. Each output channel includes a horizontal CCD shift register and an output structure connected to an end of the horizontal CCD shift register in a linear arrangement with respect to each other. Each successive output channel is disposed on an alternate side of the linear array. Every other output channel is disposed on an alternate side of the linear array. One or more dark reference pixels can be connected to one or more additional shift register elements in the horizontal CCD shift registers.
US08610043B2
A proximity detector may include an array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) and an illumination source. Illumination from the illumination source may be reflected by a target to the array of single photon avalanche diodes. The SPADs may be operable to detect events. A number of events detected may be dependent on a level of illumination incident on the SPADs. The proximity detector may then determine a quality metric and calculate an output when the quality metric is at a predetermined level. A related method may include regulating the quality of the data on which such a proximity detector apparatus calculates its output.
US08610042B2
A fin retention and deployment mechanism includes a detent in each of a plurality of fins, a mechanism that engages the detent, and at least one spring clip that maintains each of the fins in a non-deployed position. The mechanism also includes a gas generator, a manifold, coupled to the gas generator and having a plurality of cylinders in fluid communication with gas from the gas generator, and a plurality of pistons disposed in the cylinders. A bottom of each of the pistons is coupled to each of the fins to provide deployment thereof when a corresponding top of each of the pistons is acted upon by gas from the gas generator. In response to the gas generator expelling gas, the pistons may move the fins to a deployed position.
US08610036B2
A device for monitoring a heating apparatus that includes a default deactivated motion detector for determining whether a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The device includes a default deactivated heat sensor for determining whether the heating apparatus has a temperature that is above a threshold. The device includes an internal timer for cyclically repeating a first countdown. The heat sensor is temporarily activated once during each of the repeated first countdowns. The internal timer performs a second countdown when the activated heat sensor determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold. The second countdown is reset each time the motion detector determines that a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The device includes an alarm configured to notify a user when the internal timer reaches the end of the second countdown.
US08610034B2
A heater for heating a wafer includes elements that are arranged at a distance from one another in a rotationally symmetrical fashion with respect to a shaft extending through a center of the wafer, an electrode being provided to each of the elements to heat the wafer uniformly.
US08610031B2
A method for root pass welding steel plate and pipe is provided that uses pulse arc welding having a current pulse waveform exhibiting a low constant background current and fixed frequency. The welding process may be performed without a backer or backing material.
US08610026B2
The method of lap-welding of metal plates using a laser beam, wherein at least one of the metal plates is surface-treated, includes putting a metal plate on the other metal plate and forming a gap between the metal plates so that gas generated at the treated surface at the time weld can be dissipated therethrough. A surface-treated first work and a surface-treated second work are placed one on the other and clamped by a clamp with an opening of the clamp centered at the location on the first work to be welded. Then a laser beam is directed to the location to form a weld. The beam is then directed near the inner periphery of the opening to form a heated portion so that the heated portion deflects to form a gap through which the gas generated at the treated surface dissipates thereby reducing gas pressure.
US08610024B1
An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a device and method for producing a lunar agglutinate simulant in which batch material is supported and moved through a plasma arc at a rate which partially reacts the batch material.
US08610019B2
Disclosed herein is the use of differences in x-ray linear absorption coefficients to process ore and remove elements with higher atomic number from elements with lower atomic numbers. Use of this dry method at the mine reduces pollution and transportation costs. One example of said invention is the ejection of inclusions with sulfur, silicates, mercury, arsenic and radioactive elements from coal. This reduces the amount and toxicity of coal ash. It also reduces air emissions and the energy required to clean stack gases from coal combustion. Removal of said ejected elements improves thermal efficiency and reduces the pollution and carbon footprint for electrical production.
US08610006B2
A lid for a micro-electro-mechanical device and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The lid includes a board with opposite first and second surfaces and a first conductor layer. The first surface has a first metal layer thereon. The first metal layer and the board have a recess formed therein. The recess has a bottom surface and a side surface adjacent thereto. The first conductor layer is formed on the first metal layer and the bottom and side surfaces of the recess. The shielding effect of the side surface of the board is enhanced because of the recess integral to the board, the homogeneous bottom and side surfaces of the recess, and the first conductor layer covering the first metal layer, the bottom and side surfaces of the recess.
US08609995B2
Disclosed is a manufacturing method of a multilayer wiring board. The multilayer wiring board includes an outer resin insulation layer made of an insulating resin material, containing a filler of inorganic oxide and having an outer surface defining a chip mounting area to which an electronic chip is mounted with an underfill material filled in between the outer resin insulation layer and the electronic chip and holes through which conductor parts are exposed. The manufacturing method includes a hole forming step of forming the holes in the outer resin insulation layer by laser processing, a desmear treatment step of, after the hole forming step, removing smears from inside the holes of the outer resin insulation layer, and a filler reducing step of, after the desmear treatment step, reducing the amount of the filler exposed at the outer surface of the outer resin insulation layer.
US08609992B2
The problem of the present invention is to provide a circuit board comprising a shape retention unit capable of thinning while maintaining mechanical strength. The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem by providing a circuit board comprising a metal supporting substrate, a first insulating layer formed on the above-mentioned metal supporting substrate, and a wiring layer formed on the above-mentioned first insulating layer, wherein an open area is formed in the above-mentioned metal supporting substrate, and the circuit board comprises a shape retention unit having a second insulating layer contacting with the above-mentioned metal supporting substrate and a reinforcing layer formed on the above-mentioned second insulating layer, and bridging the above-mentioned metal supporting substrate divided by the above-mentioned open area.
US08609990B2
A gasket for electric cables includes a main portion made of elastic material; a through hole that passes longitudinally through the main body and constitutes the seat of a cable to be insulated; a longitudinal slit passes through the body of the gasket and connects the through seat to the outside, allowing, by virtue of the elastic deformability of the material of the gasket, the insertion of the cable in the through seat.
US08609988B2
An electric wire with a terminal includes a conductor, and the terminal is connected to an end portion of the conductor. The terminal includes a first connecting portion connected to an electrical equipment and a second connecting portion connected to the conductor. The second connecting portion includes a first connection surface and a second connection surface opposite to the first connection surface. The conductor includes a first conductor and a second conductor that are connected to the first connection surface and the second connection surface, respectively, by ultrasonic bonding. The connecting portion of the first connection surface overlaps the connecting portion of the second connection surface in a perpendicular direction to an axial direction of the conductor.
US08609984B2
A photovoltaic cell comprising having improved absorption of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. The photovoltaic cell can include a rear contact, a first cell having a first band-gap energy, and a rear contact in electrical communication with an electromechanical device. The first cell can include InxGaySbz, where x+y+z=1 and z ranges from 0.00001 to 0.025. the photovoltaic cell can also include a second cell having a second band-gap energy, and a first tunnel disposed between the first and second cells. The photovoltaic cell can include at least a third cell and a second tunnel disposed between the second and third cells. The uppermost cell can include GaP or InP.
US08609969B2
A method of automatically acquiring a feature segment in a music file includes receiving, with a processing device, a music file; converting the music file into a character string; evaluating at least one character string segment in the character string based on one or more music features; and determining, based on an evaluation result, at least one music segment corresponding to at least one character string segment in the character string as a feature segment.
US08609963B1
A novel maize variety designated PH1DK5 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1DK5 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1DK5 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1DK5 or a locus conversion of PH1DK5 with another maize variety.
US08609950B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026170. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026170. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026170 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026170 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08609946B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024299. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024299. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024299 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024299 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08609922B2
An aromatics complex producing one or more xylene isomers offers a large number of opportunities to conserve energy by heat exchange within the complex. One previously unrecognized opportunity is through providing two parallel distillation columns operating at different pressures to separate C8 aromatics from C9+ aromatics. The parallel columns offer additional opportunities to conserve energy within the complex through heat exchange in associated xylene recovery facilities.
US08609920B1
A new family of aluminosilicate zeolites designated UZM-44 has been synthesized. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula. NanMmk+TtAl1-xExSiyOz where “n” is the mole ratio of Na to (Al+E), M represents a metal or metals from zinc, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and or the lanthanide series of the periodic table, “m” is the mole ratio of M to (Al+E), “k” is the average charge of the metal or metals M, T is the organic structure directing agent or agents, and E is a framework element such as gallium. These zeolites are similar to IM-5 but are characterized by unique compositions and synthesis procedures and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes and separation properties for carrying out various separations.
US08609917B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for increasing a mole ratio of methyl to phenyl of one or more aromatic compounds in a feed. The process can include reacting an effective amount of one or more aromatic compounds and an effective amount of one or more non-aromatic compounds to convert about 90%, by weight, of one or more C6+ non-aromatic compounds.
US08609916B2
Processes for preparing alkylation aromatic compounds are provided. One process for preparing alkylated aromatic compounds includes reacting an aromatic compound and an olefin in at least one primary alkylation reaction in the presence of a first alkylation catalyst to produce a first effluent. The first effluent is split into a first product-rich stream and a first recycle stream, and the first recycle stream is recycled to the at least one primary alkylation reaction. Unreacted aromatic compound from the first product-rich stream and an additional olefin are reacted in at least one downstream alkylation reaction in the presence of a second alkylation catalyst to produce a second effluent. The second effluent is split into a second product-rich stream and a second recycle stream, and the second recycle stream is recycled to the at least one primary alkylation reaction and, optionally, to the at least one downstream alkylation reaction.
US08609912B2
Separated volumes can be created in a reactor using interior dividing wall or interior conduit structures. Feedstocks can be hydroprocessed in the separated volumes to allow multiple types of hydroprocessing conditions and/or feeds to be processed in a single reactor. The feedstocks can remain separate for the entire volume of the reactor, or the dividing barrier can end at some intermediate point in the reactor.
US08609900B2
The present invention is in relation to a dendritic molecule having symmetrically sited branches having four or more generations of dendrimers wherein the branch points are tertiary amines linked together with oxygen atom of ether and the heteroatoms are separated by a substituted or non-substituted linear three methylene linker. In addition the invention also provides a process to prepare such dendritic macromolecules.
US08609895B2
A process for the oxidation of alcohol and/or aldehyde groups with a peroxo compound in the presence of a heterogeneous rhenium based catalyst, and a co-catalyst. The process of the invention may, for example, be applied to the manufacture of maleic acid which can be dehydrated to lead to maleic anhydride.
US08609887B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing polyisocyanates comprising biuret groups from diisocyanates or polyisocyanates and diamines.
US08609883B2
The invention relates to a continuous method for producing acyl peroxides. According to said method, an acyl chloride, carboxylic acid anhydride or chloroformate is reacted with an organic hydroperoxide or hydrogen peroxide in at least two mixed reaction zones that are connected in series, the acyl compound, the peroxy compound and an aqueous solution of a base being supplied to the first reaction zone. The first reaction zone comprises a cycle for the two-phase reaction mixture via a heat exchanger in which the reaction mixture is cooled. The method allows the reaction to be carried out reliably and with high space-time yields.
US08609881B2
The present invention provides compound(s) selected from the group of compounds represented by structural Formula (I): wherein X, Y and R1 are as described herein, use of such compounds as anaerobic cure accelerators, and compostions including such compounds.
US08609870B2
Novel compounds and methods for activating the TrkB receptor are provided. The methods include administering in vivo or in vitro a therapeutically effective amount of a compound containing four six-membered rings and a substituted or unsubstituted C5 or C6 heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl ring and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, and derivatives thereof. Specifically, methods and compounds for the treatment of disorders including neurologic, neuropsychiatric, and metabolic disorders are provided. For example, a method is provided of treating or reducing the risk of depression, anxiety, or obesity in a subject, which includes selecting a subject with or at risk of developing depression, anxiety, or obesity, and administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the described compounds. A further method of promoting neuroprotection in a subject is provided, which includes selecting a subject in need of neuroprotection, and administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the described compounds.
US08609861B1
Provided are hexaaza[3.3.3]propellane compounds represented by the following formula (I), which can be used as a main skeleton structure for novel molecular explosives and method for preparing the same: wherein, R is H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, arylalkyl or aryl, which may contain heteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, halogen, etc. or unsaturations; and X is H2, O or S.
US08609838B2
The present invention relates to purine compounds that are useful as kinase inhibitors. More particularly, the present invention relates to purine compounds, methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and uses of these compounds in the treatment of proliferative conditions or disorders. These compounds may be useful as medicaments for the treatment of a number of proliferative conditions or disorders including tumors and cancers as well as other disorders or conditions related to or associated with PI3 and/or mTOR kinases.
US08609829B2
Compositions are disclosed as nucleic acid sequences that may be used as amplification oligomers, including primers, capture probes for sample preparation, and detection probes specific for Legionella pneumophila 16S or 23S rRNA sequences or DNA encoding 16S or 23S rRNA. Methods are disclosed for detecting the presence of L. pneumophila in samples by using the disclosed compositions in methods that include in vitro nucleic acid amplification of a 16S rRNA sequence or DNA encoding the 16S rRNA sequence, or of a 23S rRNA sequence or DNA encoding the 23S rRNA sequence to produce a detectable amplification product.
US08609820B2
The present application discloses humanized 9E4 antibodies. The antibodies bind to human alpha synuclein and can be used for immunotherapy of Lewy body disease.
US08609809B2
Novel peptidomimetic macrocycles and methods for their preparation and use, as well as amino acid analogs and macrocycle-forming linkers, and kits useful in their production are provided.
US08609794B2
The present invention generally relates to a process that selectively polymerizes ethylene in the presence of an alpha-olefin, and to a metal-ligand complex (precatalyst) and catalyst useful in such processes, and to related compositions. The present invention also generally relates to ligands and intermediates useful for preparing the metal-ligand complex and to processes of their preparation.
US08609789B2
The present invention relates to halogen-free, oligomeric or polymeric phosphonic acids made up of units of the general formula (I) —[(O)m—{R1(X)n(Y)o}pR1(X)q]r—[(O)s—R5(X)t]v— (I), where: Xis —P═O(OH)2, Yis carbonyl or sulfonyl, R1, R5are, independently of one another, divalent or polyvalent, substituted or unsubstituted, heteroatom-free or heteroatom- comprising aromatic radicals, m, o, sare each, independently of one another, 0 or 1, n, q, tare each, independently of one another, 0 or an integer from 1 to 8, with n and s not simultaneously being 0, r, vare each, independently of one another, from 0 to 1, with the sum of r and v being from 0.95 to 1.05, and pis 0 or an integer ≧1, where the radicals X are substituents on R1 and R5 and the radicals Y are parts of polymer or oligomer chain, to a process for preparing these compounds and also to halogen-free mixtures comprising one or more compounds of the general formula (I) and a nitrogen-free solvent having a boiling point of >150° C.
US08609785B2
The use of a phenolic compound for producing a modified polyamide having enhanced mechanical properties is described. A polyamide composition including at least such phenolic compound and optionally reinforcing or filler loads is also described. The composition is preferably a composition for molding, for example in the form of granules or powder, that can be used for the production of articles by injection-molding.
US08609784B2
A UV-protective water-soluble polyaminoamide comprising UV-absorbing end groups, wherein the polyaminoamide absorbs ultraviolet light radiation having a wavelength of about 200 nm to about 420 nm, compositions comprising the UV-protective polyaminoamide and methods of treating substrates with the UV-protective polyaminoamide.
US08609780B2
The present invention relates to toughened cyanoacrylate compositions.
US08609777B2
Provided herein is a blend composition useful as a cross-linkable encapsulant layer and consisting essentially of two ethylene copolymers and optionally one or more additives. The first ethylene copolymer comprises copolymerized units of ethylene, optionally a first olefin having the formula CH2═C(R1)CO2R2, and a second olefin having the formula CH2═C(R3)COOH. The second ethylene copolymer consists essentially of copolymerized units of ethylene, optionally a first olefin having the formula CH2═C(R1)CO2R2, and a third olefin having the formula CH2═C(R4)D. R1, R3 and R4 represent hydrogen or an alkyl group; R2 represents an alkyl group; and D represents a moiety containing an epoxy group. Further provided are solar cell modules comprising the encapsulant layer. The encapsulant layer comprises the blend composition or the product of cross-linking the blend composition, in which some acid groups of the second olefin have reacted with some epoxy groups of the third olefin.
US08609775B2
An ink composition for forming a fuel cell electrode, and in particular, a fuel cell cathode layer is provided. The ink composition includes a first protogenic group-containing ionomer having an equivalent weight less than 800, an optional second protogenic group-containing ionomer having an equivalent weight greater than 800, and a catalyst composition. Electrode layers formed from the ink composition are also provided.
US08609771B2
Process for preparing a composition of a vinylidene chloride polymer and at least one ε-caprolactone polymer according to which: a) during the preparation of the vinylidene chloride polymer by polymerization of the vinylidene chloride and at least one comonomer that is copolymerizable with it, at least one ε-caprolactone polymer, preformed in a medium other than that of the vinylidene chloride polymerization, is added; and b) optionally, in addition, at least one ε-caprolactone polymer is added to the vinylidene chloride polymer isolated at the end of step a). Process for preparing articles, in particular films, which includes the use of a composition prepared by the aforementioned process. Single-layer or multilayer film comprising said composition and packaging or bag formed from this film.
US08609766B2
The invention provides a composition comprising at least the following: A) a thermoplastic polyurethane; B) an elastomer; C) a polydiene-based polyurethane or a polydiol-based polyurethane; D) a polyoctenamer; and E) a resin selected from the group consisting of the following: i) an indene-coumarone resin, ii) an aromatic hydrocarbon resin, and iii) an aliphatically modified aromatic hydrocarbon resin.
US08609764B2
There is provided a method of producing a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film polarizer having an excellent durability, the method comprising dyeing, cross-linking, stretching, and drying, wherein additives containing phosphorus is inputted into one or more of the dyeing, the cross-linking, and the stretching. In this case, the additives containing phosphorus may be selected from a group consisting of a phosphoric acid, potassium phosphate monobasic, potassium phosphate dibasic, magnesium phosphate dibasic, sodium phosphate monobasic, and ammonium phosphate monobasic. An amount of the additives containing phosphorus in an added solution may be 0.01 to 15 wt %. As described above, when inputting the additives containing phosphorus while producing a polarizer, cross-linking between iodine and a polymer matrix becomes strong due to the phosphorus contained in the additives, thereby producing a polarizer having an excellent durability, and particularly, an excellent thermal stability.
US08609753B2
An acrylic rubber composition which contains, with respect to 100 parts by weight of acrylic rubber, a compound which is expressed by the following general formula (1) in 0.1 to 50 parts by weight and a cross-linking agent in 0.05 to 20 parts by weight is provided. (where, in said general formula (1), Y indicates a chemical single bond or —SO2—. Ra and Rb respectively independently indicate substitutable C1 to C30 organic groups. Za and Zb respectively independently indicate chemical single bonds or —SO2—. n and m respectively independently are 0 or 1, at least one of n and m being 1).
US08609748B2
Provided is a modified perovskite type composite oxide in which the dielectric characteristics are equal to or better than those prior to modification, there is no substantial elution of coating components from the modifying coating components, and change in the specific surface areas over time and elution of the A-site metals are suppressed effectively, while the cracking traits are good. A modified perovskite type composite oxide in which the particle surface of a perovskite type composite oxide is coated with a first component of at least one selected from TiO2 and SiO2 and a second component of at least one selected from a group consisting of Al, Zr, Nd, La, Ce, Pr, and Sm, wherein the coating is formed by hydrolyzing at least one selected from a hydrolyzable TiO2 precursor and a hydrolyzable SiO2 precursor as a source of the first component and a salt of at least one selected from a group consisting of Al, Zr, Nd, La, Ce, Pr, and Sm as a source of the second component, and then calcining them.
US08609743B2
Disclosed is a method for producing an electrolyte membrane for fuel cells, which is characterized in that a radically polymerizable monomer is graft-polymerized to a resin without using a photopolymerization initiator by bringing the radically polymerizable monomer into contact with the resin after irradiating the resin with ultraviolet light. The electrolyte membrane for fuel cells obtained by ultraviolet irradiation graft polymerization has both excellent oxidation resistance and excellent mechanical characteristics. By using such an electrolyte membrane, there can be obtained a fuel cell exhibiting extremely high performance.
US08609741B2
A dental adhesive composition comprising (i) at least one non-acidic polymerizable monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, (ii) optionally one or more acidic compounds, (iii) at least one photoinitiator, (iv) at least one solvent, and (v) about 0-40% by weight of one or more fillers; wherein the weight ratio of non-acidic polymerizable monomers/acidic compounds in the adhesive composition is more than about 4.5; the viscosity of the adhesive composition is less than about 350 centipoise (cP) at 25° C.; and the adhesive composition excluding solvent and filler has an acid number of less than about 0.75 mmol NaOH/g. The dental adhesive composition is used with a dental primer composition, which may be provided together in a kit.
US08609737B2
A process for preparing an emulsion is disclosed comprising: injecting a first liquid as dispersed phase liquid through a central inlet of a microchannel system with a cross junction geometry chip and injecting a second liquid as continuous phase liquid through the outer cross inlet, which continuous phase liquid does not instantly mix with said injected first liquid prior to the cross junction, wherein the flow rate QC of the continuous phase in cubic meters per second is given by Q C = f × A γ μ d , where A is the exit area of the microchannel in square meters, γ the interfacial tension between the first liquid and the second liquid in Newtons per meter and μd the viscosity of the dispersed phase in Pascal-seconds, characterized in that f is in the range from 0.04 to 0.25.
US08609731B2
The invention relates to substituted tetrahydronaphthalenes and derivatives thereof, and also to the physiologically compatible salts and physiologically functional derivatives thereof, to preparation thereof, to medicaments comprising at least one inventive substituted tetrahydronaphthalene or derivative thereof, and to the use of the inventive substituted tetrahydronaphthalenes and derivatives thereof as medicaments.
US08609727B2
The present application relates to novel dicarboxylic acid derivatives, process for their preparation, their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, and their use for producing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular disorders.
US08609726B2
This invention relates to the use of a fatty acid composition comprising at least (all-Z omega-3)-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or derivatives thereof, and (all-Z omega-3)-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), or derivatives thereof for manufacturing of a medicinal product or a food stuff for the treatment and/or prevention of amyloidos-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, as well as treatment/prevention of cognitive dysfunction.
US08609725B2
The present invention relates to methods for the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer, and involuntary weight loss. In the practice of the present invention patients are enterally administered HMB alone or alternatively in combination with eicosapentaenoic (20:5 ω-3), FOS, carnitine and mixtures thereof. HMB may be added to food products comprising a source of amino-nitrogen enriched with large neutral amino acids such as leucine, isoleucine, valine, tyrosine, threonine and phenylalanine and substantially lacking in free amino acids.
US08609724B2
The invention relates to the use of dichloroacetate and chemical equivalents thereof for the treatment of cancer by inducing apoptosis or reversing apoptosis-resistance in a cell Preferably, the dosage is 10-100 mg/kg Preferably, sodium dichloroacetate is used. The dichloroacetate may optionally be given in combination with a pro-apoptotic agent and/or a chemotherapeutic agent Preferably, the cancers treated are non-small cell lung cancer, glioblastoma and breast carcinoma.
US08609716B2
A composition comprising a substantially purified compound of the formula: in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent, and methods of preventing or treating cancer and a condition treatable by the inhibition of vacuolar-type (H+)-ATPase.
US08609714B2
The invention relates to liquid-crystalline compounds of the formula I in which R1, R2, A1, A2, A3, A4, Z1, Z2, Z3, V, a, b and c have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, and to liquid-crystalline media comprising at least one compound of the formula I, and to electro-optical displays containing a liquid-crystalline medium of this type.
US08609712B2
Methods for purifying a compound of formula I are provided, wherein A, B, X, Q, and R1 are defined herein. The methods include mixing the compound of formula I and a solvent; adding a base to the solvent; and precipitating purified compound of formula I.
US08609709B2
The present invention is directed to novel opioid receptor modulators of Formula (I). The invention further relates to methods for preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in the treatment of disorders that may be ameliorated or treated by the modulation of opioid receptors.
US08609703B2
The present invention relates to modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (“CFTR”), compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using such modulators.
US08609690B2
The present invention relates to compounds defined by formula (I) wherein the groups R1 and R2 are defined as in claim 1, possessing valuable pharmacological activity. Particularly the compounds are inhibitors of 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) 1 and thus are suitable for treatment and prevention of diseases which can be influenced by inhibition of this enzyme, such as metabolic diseases, in particular diabetes type 2, obesity, and dyslipidemia.
US08609680B2
The present invention provides a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically salt thereof wherein R1, R2, Ra, L, Z, Z1 and Z2 are as defined herein, that act as Ghrelin antagonists or inverse agonists; pharmaceutical compositions thereof; and methods of treating diseases, disorders, or conditions mediated by the antagonism of the Ghrelin receptor.
US08609673B2
This invention relates to novel quinazoline derivatives of the formula: wherein each variable is as defined herein, and their acceptable acid addition salts. The invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions beneficially treated by inhibitory activity against the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase.
US08609668B2
A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of formulas (I-III) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Methods for treating a hepatitis virus in a patient comprising administering an effective amount of the compound of formulas (I-III) are also presented.
US08609641B2
The invention relates to a medicament containing (S)-2-N-propylamino-5-hydroxytetralin, the salts or prodrugs thereof. As a D3 agonist, (S)-2-N-propylamino-5-hydroxytetralin is suitable particularly for the treatment of dopa-sensitive movement disorders.
US08609636B2
The present invention relates to novel oxime derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors.
US08609626B2
A novel marker for diagnosis of liver cancer and use thereof are provided. To be specific, a marker for diagnosis of liver cancer using over-expression of NLK (neuro-like kinase) in liver cancer cell is provided, along with a composition for diagnosis of liver cancer, a kit, a microarray, and a method for diagnosing liver cancer using the marker. Additionally, a method for screening a substance to prevent or treat liver cancer by decreasing expression of the marker gene or protein, and a composition for preventing or treating liver cancer including such substance are provided. Accordingly, the NLK gene can be efficiently used as a target for diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer.
US08609625B2
The present invention pertains to a new approach for the treatment of infectious and malignant diseases. The present invention provides new DNA and protein vaccines for the treatment of infectious and malignant diseases through enhancing immune response.
US08609622B2
C-aryl glucoside derivatives, preparation processes and pharmaceutical uses thereof are disclosed. In particular, C-aryl glucoside derivatives represented by formula (I), with each substituent defined in the application, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or stereoisomers thereof, their preparation methods, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the derivatives as well as their uses as therapeutic agents, particularly as sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter (SGLT)-1 inhibitors, are disclosed.
US08609616B2
A method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of an osteonecrotic bone disease in a mammal in need thereof, such as, e.g., idiopathic or secondary osteonecrosis, avascular bone necrosis, glucocorticoid induced bone ischemia/osteonecrosis, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and femoral head necrosis, the method comprising administering an effective dose of a strontium-containing compound (a) to the mammal. A method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of an osteonecrotic bone disease, such as, e.g., idiopathic or secondary osteonecrosis, avascular bone necrosis, glucocorticoid induced bone ischemia/osteonecrosis and femoral head necrosis, in a mammal who is to be or is treated with a therapeutic agent (b) known to or suspected of inducing apoptosis and/or necrosis of bone cells, the method comprising administering a strontium-containing compound (a) in combination with (b).
US08609614B2
Methods are provided for preventing or attenuating pathoangiogenic conditions by administering at least one GBS toxin receptor polypeptide or at least one immunogenic fragment thereof. Also provided are a composition that includes a GBS toxin receptor polypeptide and a method for making such a composition. In another embodiment of the invention, immunized animals also receive GBS toxin, immunocompatible antibodies to the GBS toxin receptor, and/or expanded autologous T cells to the GBS toxin receptor. Also included in this invention are methods of identifying additional GBS toxin receptors.
US08609606B2
Disclosed is a polypeptide of use in the development of reagents or medicines favourable to application for prevention or treatment of ischemic disorders such as conditions caused by ateriosclerosis. The polypeptide has at least one part containing an amino acid of sequence ID 1, and also enhances expression levels of the amino acid in mammalian blood vessels removed from ischemic conditions by means of blood reperfusion.
US08609600B2
A fragrance composition to be incorporated into the core of a core shell capsule, including: I) 60-100% by weight of at least 5 different fragrance compounds, each of the at least 5 different fragrance compounds possessing any of the structural features a) to g) defined in the specification, and II) 0-40% by weight of other benefit agents which possess any of the structural features a) to g), pro-fragrances, and solvents.
US08609599B2
Trunk piston marine engine lubrication, when the engine is fueled by heavy fuel oil, is effected by a composition comprising a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity and a minor amount of one or more phenolic compounds comprising distilled cashew nut shell liquid or hydrogenated distilled cashew nut shell liquid. Asphaltene precipitation in the lubricant, caused by the presence of contaminant heavy fuel oil, is prevented or inhibited.
US08609591B2
Many herbicidal compositions have been developed and used, but there are many types of weeds to be controlled, and their development lasts for a long period of time. Accordingly, it has been desired to develop a herbicidal composition having a wider herbicidal spectrum and having a highly active and long-lasting herbicidal activity. The present invention provides a herbicidal composition which comprises as active ingredients (a) at least one herbicidal compound selected from the group consisting of a benzoylpyrazole compound represented by the formula (I): (wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4 and R6 is alky, and R5 is alkoxyalkoxy), sulcotrione and topramezone, and (b) amicarbazone.
US08609588B2
A synergistic mixture of penoxsulam and glyphosate controls weeds in crops, especially vines, range and pasture, industrial vegetation management, rights of way and in any glyphosate tolerant crop.
US08609587B2
An herbicidal composition containing (a) propyzamide and (b) aminopyralid provides synergistic control of selected weeds in oilseed rape and in broadleaf, grass and perennial crops.
US08609585B2
The present invention provides a composition for controlling plant diseases comprising, as active ingredients, a compound represented by formula (1) and ethaboxam.
US08609582B2
The present invention presents a thermosensitive recording medium having sufficient water resistance against water or moisture when the thermosensitive recording medium is used outdoors and also having a superior printing run-ability when printing at high speed (sticking resistance), color developing sensitivity, scratching resistance, plasticizer resistance and solvent resistance.The thermosensitive recording medium shows a superior water resistance and also shows a superior printing run-ability when printing at high speed (sticking resistance) etc, by installing a thermosensitive recording layer on a support and a protective layer on the thermosensitive recording layer, wherein the protective layer contains an acrylic resin with a glass transition temperature of higher than 50 degrees C. and lower than or equal to 95 degrees C.
US08609575B2
A catalyst of one or more complex oxides having a nominal composition as set out in formula (1): AxB1-y-zMyPzOn (1) wherein A is selected from one or more group III elements including the lanthanide elements or one or more divalent or monovalent cations; B is selected from one or more elements with atomic number 22 to 24, 40 to 42 and 72 to 75; M is selected from one or more elements with atomic number 25 to 30; P is selected from one or more elements with atomic number 44 to 50 and 76 to 83; x is defined as a number where 0
US08609573B2
The invention relates to methods of preparing metal particles on a support material, including platinum-containing nanoparticles on a carbon support. Such materials can be used as electrocatalysts, for example as improved electrocatalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEM-FCs).
US08609569B2
The invention relates to an adsorber unit for volatile hydrocarbons in order to control the emission of volatile hydrocarbons, comprising a hydrocarbon adsorber material, wherein the adsorber material is an iron-containing zeolite, which can be optionally promoted with monovalent metal ions. The invention further relates to a method for production of the adsorber material in question.
US08609567B2
A catalyst is present for use in an olefin cracking process. The catalyst is a zeolite that has been loaded with an alkaline earth metal. The alkaline earth metal loaded catalyst has an increased steaming tolerance and increases the useful life of the catalyst during the cracking process and the regeneration cycle.
US08609563B2
A sintered product presenting a mean chemical composition such that, in percentages by weight based on the oxides: Cr2O3: 72.0%-98.9% 2%
US08609562B2
Disclosed is a method of producing a plate brick, which comprises: adding an organic binder to a refractory raw material mixture containing aluminum and/or an aluminum alloy; kneading them; forming the kneaded mixture into a shaped body; and burning the shaped body in a nitrogen gas atmosphere at a temperature of 1000 to 1400° C., wherein: when a temperature of a furnace atmosphere is 300° C. or more, the atmosphere is set to a nitrogen gas atmosphere; and when the temperature of the furnace atmosphere is 1000° C. or more, an oxygen gas concentration in the atmosphere is maintained at 100 volume ppm or less, and a sum of a carbon monoxide gas concentration and a carbon dioxide gas concentration is maintained at 1.0 volume % or less. This makes it possible to form a large amount of fine and uniform aluminum nitride in a plate brick to prevent microstructural degradation due to hydration caused by formation of aluminum carbide and suppress oxidation of a carbon bond so as to improve surface-roughening resistance.
US08609560B2
The present invention relates to an optical glass having a refractive index nd of 1.86 or higher and an Abbé number v(nu)d of 28 to 36; a preform for precision press molding and an optical element that are comprised of this glass; and a method for manufacturing the optical element.
US08609556B2
Assembly and method for depositing a thin film including: providing an expanding thermal plasma plume, including at least one chemical component to be deposited; designating a first and a second deposition zone within the plasma plume, such that the first and second deposition zones have a mutually different relative content of the chemical component; providing a substrate, and transporting said substrate through the plasma plume along a substrate transport path having a substrate transport path direction; and providing a mask that is at least partly disposed in the plasma plume and that shields a portion of the substrate transport path from being deposited on, wherein said shielded portion of the substrate transport path extends in the direction of the substrate transport path and bridges at least the first deposition zone, while it starts or terminates in the second deposition zone.
US08609555B2
When forming complex metallization systems, a sensitive material, such as a ULK material, may be deposited on a silicon-containing dielectric material, such as an etch stop material, with superior adhesion by performing a surface treatment on the basis of fluorine radicals. Due to the fluorine treatment, silicon-fluorine bonds are generated, which are then broken up upon interacting with the chemically active component during the further deposition process. Consequently, the subsequent material layer is chemically bonded to the underlying material, thereby imparting superior stability to the interface, which in turn may result in superior robustness and reliability of the metallization system upon performing reflowing processes and operating complex packaged semiconductor devices.
US08609554B2
A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The method comprises following steps. A first silicon-containing conductive material is formed on a substrate. A second silicon-containing conductive material is formed on the first silicon-containing conductive material. The first silicon-containing conductive material and the second silicon-containing conductive material have different dopant conditions. The first silicon-containing conductive material and the second silicon-containing conductive material are thermally oxidized for turning the first silicon-containing conductive material wholly into an insulating oxide structure, and the second silicon-containing conductive material into a silicon-containing conductive structure and an insulating oxide layer.
US08609551B2
To form an insulating film with extremely low concentration of impurities such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, chlorine, etc in a film. There are provided the steps of forming a specific element-containing layer on a substrate by supplying source gas containing a specific element into a processing container in which the substrate is accommodated; changing the specific element-containing layer into a nitride layer, by activating and supplying gas containing nitrogen into the processing container; and changing the nitride layer into an oxide layer or an oxynitride layer, by activating and supplying gas containing oxygen into the processing container; with this cycle set as one cycle and performed for at least one or more times.
US08609527B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: preparing a semiconductor IC chip and an external electrode terminal which is positioned away from the semiconductor IC chip, wherein the semiconductor IC chip has first and second electrode pads thereon, the second electrode pad being positioned between the first electrode pad and the external electrode terminal; connecting the first electrode pad and the external electrode terminal by a loop-like wire; and pressing a portion of the loop-like wire toward the semiconductor IC chip, thereby connecting the portion of the loop-like wire with the second electrode pad.
US08609525B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a package carrier having a carrier top side; mounting an integrated circuit over the carrier top side; attaching a bottom attachment directly on the integrated circuit; dragging a sandwich connector from the bottom attachment, the sandwich connector having a connector diameter; and attaching a top attachment directly on the sandwich connector, the top attachment wider than the bottom attachment.
US08609519B2
In some embodiments of the present invention, methods of using one or more small spot showerhead apparatus to deposit materials using CVD, PECVD, ALD, or PEALD on small spots in a site isolated, combinatorial manner are described. The small spot showerheads may be configured within a larger combinatorial showerhead to allow multi-layer film stacks to be deposited in a combinatorial manner.
US08609516B2
An atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition method for producing an N-type semiconductive metal sulfide thin film on a heated substrate includes converting an indium-containing precursor to at least one of a liquid phase and a gaseous phase. The indium-containing precursor is mixed with an inert carrier gas stream and hydrogen sulfide in a mixing zone so as to form a mixed precursor. A substrate is heated to a temperature in a range of 100° C. to 275° C. and the mixed precursor is directed onto the substrate. The hydrogen sulfide is supplied at a rate so as to obtain an absolute concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the mixing zone of no more than 1% by volume. The In-concentration of the indium containing precursor is selected so as to produce a compact indium sulfide film.
US08609512B2
An improved method for singulation of compound electronic devices is presented. Compound electronic devices are manufactured by combining two or more substrates into an assembly containing multiple devices. Presented are methods for singulation of compound electronic devices using laser processing. The methods presented provide fewer defects such as cracking or chipping of the substrates while minimizing the width of the kerf and maintaining system throughput.
US08609477B2
A manufacturing method for an array substrate with a fringe field switching (FFS) type thin film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) includes the following steps. A pattern of a gate line (1), a gate electrode, a common electrode (6) and a common electrode line (5) is formed by patterning a first transparent conductive film and a first metal film formed successively on a transparent substrate. Contact holes of the gate line in the pad area and a semiconductor pattern are formed through a patterning process after a gate insulator film, and a semiconductor film and a doped semiconductor film are formed successively. A second metal film is deposited and patterned. A second transparent conductive film is deposited and a lift-off process is performed. And then, a pattern of a source electrode, a drain electrode, a TFT channel and a pixel electrode (4) is formed by etching the exposed second metal film and the doped semiconductor film.
US08609473B2
A method for fabricating a stackable integrated circuit layer and a device made from the method are disclosed. A stud bump is defined on the contact pad of an integrated circuit die and the stud-bumped die encapsulated in a potting material to define a potted assembly. A predetermined portion of the potting material is removed whereby a portion of the stud bump is exposed. One or more electrically conductive traces are defined on the layer surface and in electrical connection with the stud bump to reroute the integrated circuit contacts to predetermined locations on the layer to provide a stackable neolayer.
US08609470B2
A substrate-free semiconducting sheet has an array of semiconducting elements dispersed in a matrix material. The matrix material is bonded to the edge surfaces of the semiconducting elements and the substrate-free semiconducting sheet is substantially the same thickness as the semiconducting elements.
US08609465B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: a step of producing a semiconductor package intermediate by injecting a resin into a forming die in which electrodes, a heat dissipating pad, and a semiconductor element are disposed, providing a peel-off film on one side of the resin in the form of a still-uncured resin body opposite from the other side facing the heat dissipating pad and a rigid material on one side of the peel-off film, and curing the uncured resin body to form a sealant resin body; a step of forming a solder layer by reflow soldering between a substrate and the intermediate; and a step of removing the rigid material from the peel-off film, wherein the rigid material is integrated into the intermediate so as to make the thermal expansion coefficient and rigidity of the intermediate approximately equal to those of the substrate.
US08609458B2
A method of fabricating a graphene oxide material in which oxidation is confined within the graphene layer and that possesses a desired band gap is provided. The method allows specific band gap values to be developed. Additionally, the use of masks is consistent with the method, so intricate configurations can be achieved. The resulting graphene oxide material is thus completely customizable and can be adapted to a plethora of useful engineering applications.
US08609455B2
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to patterned glass that can be used as a cylindrical lens array in a concentrated photovoltaic application, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, the lens arrays may be used in combination with strip solar cells and/or single-axis tracking systems. That is, in certain example embodiments, lenses in the lens array may be arranged so as to concentrate incident light onto respective strip solar cells, and the entire assembly may be connected to a single-axis tracking system that is programmed to follow the East-West movement of the sun. A low-iron glass may be used in connection with certain example embodiments. Such techniques may advantageously help to reduce cost per watt related, in part, to the potentially reduced amount of semiconductor material to be used for such example embodiments.
US08609446B2
A method of light-emitting diode (LED) packaging includes coupling a number of LED dies to corresponding bonding pads on a sub-mount. A mold apparatus having concave recesses housing LED dies is placed over the sub-mount. The sub-mount, the LED dies, and the mold apparatus are heated in a thermal reflow process to bond the LED dies to the bonding pads. Each recess substantially restricts shifting of the LED die with respect to the bonding pad during the heating.
US08609437B2
Compositions and methods for use in methods and kits for the detection of an increased risk of pancreatic cancer are provided. Cyst fluid samples isolated from patients that are positive for at least three of the following markers, mucin 1, mucin 2, mucin 5AC, mucin 5B, mucin 6, CEA CAM 1, CEACAM 5, CEACAM 6, CEACAM 7, CEACAM 8, S100-A6, S100-A8, S100-A9 and S100-A11 indicate that such patients are at greater risk for the development of pancreatic cancer when compared to cyst fluid samples isolated from patients lacking these markers.
US08609432B2
Disclosed is a rapid, non-invasive and highly specific and sensitive diagnostic assay for the identification of individuals with autoimmune chronic urticaria, which makes use of CD203c, and in some embodiments, additional proteins, as a marker for the disease. Test kits for diagnosis of an individual suspected of having autoimmune chronic urticaria are also disclosed. Also disclosed are a method of identifying compounds useful for treating autoimmune chronic urticaria and a method of treating autoimmune chronic urticaria.
US08609431B2
The disclosure relates to a cassette, frame and mold for holding a tissue sample during an embedding and mircotoming process, and related methods. The cassette is sectionable in a microtome and includes a body with a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls. First and second side walls are generally V-shaped to present an apex of the “V” to the microtome blade. A lid of the cassette is stiffer than the bottom wall of the cassette to assist with positioning the tissue sample. The side walls of the cassette are perforated so as to significantly reduce the amount of cassette material that must be cut by the microtome blade. In one embodiment, to additionally reduce blade wear the ribs on one side wall are offset lengthwise relative to the ribs on an opposite side wall. An upper flange of the cassette includes depressions configured to register with detents in the frame.
US08609430B2
Sample processing units useful for mixing and purifying materials, such as fluidic materials are provided. A sample processing unit typically includes a container configured to contain a sample comprising magnetically responsive particles, and one or more magnets that are in substantially fixed positions relative to the container. A sample processing unit also generally includes a conveyance mechanism configured to convey the container to and from a position that is within magnetic communication with the magnet, e.g., such that magnetically responsive particles with captured analytes can be retained within the container when other materials are added to and/or removed from the container. Further, a sample processing unit also typically includes a rotational mechanism that is configured to rotate the container, e.g., to effect mixing of sample materials disposed within the container. Related carrier mechanisms, sample processing stations, systems, and methods are also provided.
US08609427B2
A sulfur dioxide sensor comprising a first beam having a functionalized sensing surface capable of sensing sulfur dioxide, the first beam capable of producing a first resonant frequency; and a second beam having a functionalized reference surface not capable of sensing sulfur dioxide, the second beam capable of producing a second resonant frequency, wherein differential sensing of sulfur dioxide may be performed, further wherein the first beam is functionalized with a liquid phase of a first polymeric compound and the second beam is functionalized with a liquid phase of a second polymeric compound is provided. In one embodiment, the sensor is a nano-sensor capable of low drift accurately detecting sulfur dioxide levels at the zeptograms level. Methods of making and using a sulfur dioxide sensor are also provided.
US08609423B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for labeling, separating and analyzing proteins, particularly a specific protein of interest within a cell lysate or in a mixture of proteins. The proteins are labeled with an amine reactive or thiol reactive fluorescent dye, or an amine reactive fluorogenic reagent that becomes fluorescent upon reacting to amine groups located on the protein. Following the labeling step, the proteins within the mixture can be separated and analyzed. In a further embodiment, a tag binding fluorogenic reagent that can bind to a tag on a tagged protein is added to specifically label the protein of interest.
US08609421B2
The present invention is generally directed to compositions, methods, and systems for performing single-molecule, real-time analysis of analytical reactions in which protein synthesis is occurring. The ability to analyze such reactions provides an opportunity to study those reactions as well as to potentially identify factors and/or approaches for impacting such reactions, e.g., to either enhance, inhibit, or otherwise affect such reactions including, but not limited to, affecting the reaction rate, processivity, fidelity, duration, and the like.
US08609420B2
Provided are methods for introducing a molecule of interest into a plant cell having a cell wall by using a QD-peptide conjugate having a quantum dot (QD) with one or more cell penetrating peptides (CPPs). Methods are provided for genetically or otherwise modifying plants and for treating or preventing disease in plant cells comprising a cell wall.
US08609414B2
The present invention describes stem cells and progenitor cells derived from hemangiomas, including testing of angiogenic inhibitors using these cells. The invention as described is useful in providing a process to culture and propagate hemangioma stem cells and generate xenograft models to develop treatments for infantile hemangiomas and other types of vascular lesions.
US08609410B2
Activated antigen-presenting cells that can induce immunocytes including disease antigen-specific CD8+ CTLs and/or γδ T cells efficiently in vivo and/or in vitro, a medical composition comprising the activated antigen-presenting cells, a treatment and prevention method using the activated antigen-presenting cells, and an induction method of immunocytes including disease antigen-specific CTLs and/or γδ T cells induced using the activated antigen-presenting cell, immunocytes induced by the above-noted method, a medical composition comprising the immunocytes, and a treatment and prevention method using the immunocytes are provided. By co-pulsing antigen-presenting cells with bisphosphonate in addition to the pulse with a disease antigen, the ratio of disease antigen-specific CD8+ CTLs and/or γδ T cells and the number of the disease antigen-specific CD8+ CTLs and the γδ T cells can be increased, compared with the case where the co-pulse with bisphosphonate is not carried out.
US08609409B2
The present invention provides a synthetic cell culture platform, comprising: a two dimensional and/or three dimensional surface comprising peptides conjugated to said surface and methods of using the platform for increasing cell adhesion, stable attachment and/or proliferation of cells grown on the platform and for promoting differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons.
US08609408B2
This invention relates to a method for the reconstruction of a tissue-engineered human corneal endothelium. Human corneal endothelial cells are cultured in vitro to logarithmic growth phase using 20% calf bovine serum-containing DMEM/F12 medium. Trypsin is used to digest epithelial layer of the freeze-dried human amniotic membrane in order to produce denuded human amniotic membrane as scaffold carriers. The scaffold carriers are tiled on the bottom of culture plate wells until they are dried and completely adhered to the bottom of wells. Human corneal endothelial cells at logarithmic growth phase are re-suspended in DMEM/F12 medium containing type-IV collagen and 20% calf bovine serum. Human corneal endothelial cell suspension is subsequently inoculated to amniotic membrane scaffold carriers that are tiled on the bottom of wells in culture plate to launch in vitro culture as well as in vitro reconstruction of tissue-engineered human corneal endothelium. This invention is scientific and rational. The reconstructed tissue-engineered human corneal endothelium can be produced on large scale to satisfy the great demand of tissue-engineered human corneal endothelium in clinical cornea transplantation for primary corneal endotheliopathy therapy. Meanwhile, costs for in vitro reconstruction of tissue-engineered human corneal endothelium and clinical therapy are low.
US08609404B2
Canine parvovirus vaccines and diagnostics and methods for their use are provided. The vaccines are effective against emerging canine parvovirus variants.
US08609403B2
A polynucleotide encoding the amino acid shown in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 5, or encoding an amino acid sequence having not less than 98% identity thereto; preferably a polynucleotide comprising replacement of the amino acid corresponding to glutamic acid at position 1202 of SEQ ID NO:2 (position 177 of SEQ ID NO:5) with glycine, replacement of the amino acid corresponding to glutamic acid at position 1056 (position 31 of SEQ ID NO:5) with valine, and replacement of the amino acid corresponding to alanine at position 2199 (position 1174 of SEQ ID NO:5) with threonine.
US08609402B2
The invention relates to vaccines comprising recombinant vectors, such as recombinant adenoviruses. The vectors comprise heterologous nucleic acids encoding for at least two antigens from one or more tuberculosis-causing bacilli. Also described is the use of specific protease recognition sites linking antigens through which the encoded antigens are separated upon cleavage. After cleavage, the antigens contribute to the immune response in a separate manner. The recombinant vectors may comprise a nucleic acid encoding the protease cleaving the linkers and separating the antigens. Further described is the use of genetic adjuvants encoded by the recombinant vectors, wherein such genetic adjuvants may also be cleaved through the presence of the cleavable linkers and the specific protease.
US08609399B2
The present inventors have surprisingly discovered that phytic acid tenaciously precipitates with soluble metals in food or fuel ethanol-processing fluid, producing insoluble organometallic salt deposit or scale on the processing equipment that must be removed in order to facilitate further ethanol processing. The present invention relates to converting phytic acid salts or phytates to inorganic phosphates to improve metal solubility and reduce deposition within processing equipment.
US08609396B2
Disclosed herein are a microorganism strain capable of producing the L-methionine precursor O-acetyl homoserine in high yield and a method of producing O-acetyl homoserine using the same. The microorganism strain is a strain of Escherichia sp. in which an acetyl-CoA synthase gene (acs) and/or a pantothenate kinase gene (coaA) encoding a pantothenate kinase gene refractory to feedback inhibition by CoA is introduced and expressed.
US08609387B2
Novel fungal endoglucanases with substantial performance at low temperatures are disclosed. The endoglucanases are conveniently produced by recombinant technology, and means for their production are described. The endoglucanases are used for treating cellulosic material, especially in textile industry, e.g. in biofinishing or biostoning. They may also be used in detergents, in animal feed and/or in pulp and paper industry or bioethanol production.
US08609386B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having tyrosinase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing, activating and using the polypeptides.
US08609385B2
The present invention relates to methods for the production of isoprene by the direct conversion of atmospheric carbon dioxide using metabolically engineered genetically engineered photosynthetic microorganisms. The present invention also relates to genetically engineered photosynthetic microorganisms, such as cyanobacteria, that are capable of producing isoprene from CO2.
US08609384B2
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
US08609378B2
Organisms are provided which express enzymes such as glycerol dehydratase, diol dehydratase, acyl-CoA transferase, acyl-CoA synthetase β-ketothiolase, acetoacetyl-CoA reductase, PHA synthase, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and glycerol-3-phosphatase, which are useful for the production of PHAs. In some cases one or more of these genes are native to the host organism and the remainder are provided from transgenes. These organisms produce poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) homopolymers or co-polymers incorporating 3-hydroxypropionate or 3-hydroxyvalerate monomers wherein the 3-hydroxypropionate and 3-hydroxyvalreate units are derived from the enzyme catalysed conversion of diols. Suitable diols that can be used include 1,2-propanediol, 1,3 propanediol and glycerol. Biochemical pathways for obtaining the glycerol from normal cellular metabolites are also described. The PHA polymers are readily recovered and industrially useful as polymers or as starting materials for a range of chemical intermediates including 1,3-propanediol, 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde, acrylics, malonic acid, esters and amines.
US08609368B2
Provided is a process for purifying a vancomycin wet body, comprising: dissolving a wet body obtained from a microorganism-fermented solution containing vancomycin into a water soluble solvent to a concentration of about 1 to 40 g/L and carrying out reverse osmosis filtration; and carrying out lyophilization of the filtered vancomycin. The process for purifying a vancomycin wet body provides high-purity vancomycin, while avoiding degradation of stability during a drying step.
US08609362B2
Gαq-Gustducin chimeric G-proteins that functionally couple to G-protein coupled receptors. The chimeras can be expressed in heterologous cell systems and can be used as the basis of assays for identifying modulators of taste response, in particular bitter, sweet or umami taste responses.
US08609361B2
This invention corresponds to an in vitro method that employs an electrophysiology technique; in particular, an embodiment of the patch-clamp technique in its perforated type, which will allow us evaluating the neurotoxic capacity of protein structures associated to the generation of neurodegenerative diseases. It addition, it allows evaluating potential pharmacologic capacities of candidate molecules (drugs) in order to prevent, treat, or cure the said diseases. The invention involves the use of peptides that cause neurodegenerative diseases in order to form a spontaneous perforated recording that only occurs with peptides in the patch clamp glass pipette.
US08609358B2
Described herein are methods of detecting a wound infection and for detecting the presence or absence of bacteria, for example, wound bacteria in a sample, by contacting a sample with a peptide substrate derived from the modification of the reactive site loop (RSL) domain of the α 1-proteinase inhibitor. In the current invention, we have demonstrated that these peptide substrates without the alpha 1 protein can be efficiently used as peptide substrates. The modification or the absence of modification of this peptide substrate by the enzyme produced and/or secreted by the bacteria, can serve as an indicator for the presence or absence of the bacteria in the sample. The present invention also features a biosensor for detecting the presence or absence of bacteria in a sample.
US08609355B2
Methods, devices, and kits are provided herein for the accurate and rapid detection of disease causing microbes in a sample by the detection of microbial components of which correlate to the presence of the microbe. Kits include a first binding agent operatively coupled to an immobilized support; and a second binding agent operatively coupled to one or more pH indicating moieties wherein the first and second binding agents bind with sufficient specificity to the microbial component to permit detection of that component which correlates to the presence of the microbe in the sample.
US08609353B2
Described herein are substrates, methods, articles, and kits that are useful for removing interferents from samples for diagnostic purposes. The interferents are removed with phosphocellulose and cation exchange materials. These materials could also be used in vitro to improve the performance of a diagnostic assay or in vivo to remove the interferents.
US08609350B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for the detection and treatment of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys infection.
US08609349B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for detecting the activation states of components of signal transduction pathways in tumor cells. Information on the activation states of components of signal transduction pathways derived from use of the invention can be used for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and in the design of cancer treatments.
US08609348B2
Bacteriophage adhesion proteins binding to the O-antigen of gram negative bacteria, but lacking the ability of binding to a bacteriophage and of hydrolysing lipopolysaccharides, are described, as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding the proteins. In addition, methods for generating the bacteriophage adhesion proteins and their use in detection, purification and enrichment of bacteria are described.
US08609343B2
Provided are methods for detecting bladder cancer in a subject. In some aspects, methylation of one or more of MYO3A, CA10, NKX6-2, SOX11, DBC1, NPTX2, and/or A2BP1 in DNA sediment from a urine sample may be evaluated to detect the presence or absence of a bladder cancer in a human patient.
US08609340B2
Methods are provided for the amplification of at least a first and a second target nucleic acid that may be present in at least one fluid sample using an internal control nucleic acid for qualitative and/or quantitative purposes.
US08609339B2
An embodiment of a method for extracting biological material from an emulsion is described that comprises the steps of a) breaking an emulsion comprising a plurality of aqueous droplets in a continuous phase of an oil using a solvent to produce a combined aqueous-oil mixture, where the solvent disrupts the aqueous droplets which release a plurality of biological elements each immobilized on a substrate into the combined aqueous-oil mixture; b) introducing an inorganic salt to the combined aqueous-oil mixture causing a phase separation of the mixture into a first phase comprising an aqueous solution and the biological elements and a second phase comprising the solvent and the oil; c) extracting the first phase from the second phase; and d) collecting the substrate immobilized biological elements from the first phase.
US08609338B2
The invention provides tandem single nucleotide polymorphisms and methods for their use, for example, in diagnosing Down Syndrome.
US08609329B2
Automated FRET imaging of membrane-bound receptor/ligand complexes can discriminate between a clustered organization of ligand/receptor complexes that occurs during the early endocytic stages following internalization and a random distribution characteristic of late stage disassociation of ligand from the receptor. In the case of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) and its ligand, LDL, this feature of FRET imaging forms the basis of an assay to monitor the endosomal release of cholesterol into the cell and identify compounds which alter pH in the endosome thereby inhibiting the disassociation of ligand and cholesterol from the receptor, a mechanism that is involved in regulation of plasma/serum cholesterol.
US08609327B2
Methods are presented of forming sub-lithographic patterns using double exposure. One method may include providing a photoresist layer over a layer to be patterned; exposing the photoresist layer using a first mask having a first opening; developing the photoresist layer to transfer the first opening into the photoresist layer, forming a boundary in the photoresist layer about the transferred first opening that is hardened; exposing the photoresist layer using a second mask having a second opening that overlaps the boundary; and developing the photoresist layer to transfer the second opening into the photoresist layer, leaving the boundary, wherein the boundary has a sub-lithographic dimension.
US08609314B2
According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a color erasable developing agent including preparing a dispersion containing a fine particle containing a leuco dye and a developer, a fine particle containing a color erasing agent, a toner binder resin fine particle and a medium, aggregating the fine particles in the medium, and heat fusing the aggregate to form a toner particle is provided.
US08609303B2
According to a mask pattern generating method of the embodiments, an undesired pattern, which is transferred onto a substrate due to an auxiliary pattern when an on-substrate pattern is formed on the substrate by using a mask pattern in which the auxiliary pattern is placed, is extracted as an undesired transfer pattern. Then, the mask pattern is corrected by changing a size of the auxiliary pattern according to a size and a position of the undesired transfer pattern.
US08609298B2
A method for manufacturing a subgasket for a fuel cell stack having a pair of plates disposed in a stack includes the step of positioning a membrane between the plates. The membrane includes an inboard portion and a tortuous form portion. The inboard portion abuts a proton exchange membrane of the fuel cell, and the tortuous form portion abuts each of the plates. The tortuous form portion defines at least one cavity between one of the plates and the membrane. A viscous sealant is injected into the cavity. The sealant is cured to form a compliant bead seal on the membrane.
US08609295B2
For an enhanced rigidity and suppressed occurrences of stress concentration, a solid-electrolyte fuel cell is configured with simplex cells, a metallic separator of a circular thin-sheet form having a gas introducing port and gas discharging ports in the central portion, and cell mounting parts for the simplex cells to be fixed thereto, another metallic separator of a circular thin-sheet form having a gas introducing port and gas discharging ports in the central portion, the separators defining a space in between, and a pair of flow channel members accommodated in the space and pressed to be brought into abutment, for communication of their channels with the gas introducing ports and the gas discharging ports to effect gas supply and gas discharge to and from the space, either flow channel member being joined, within the space, to one separator.
US08609289B2
Provided is a fuel cell system that can suitably control a voltage converter in response to a judgment that an abnormal condition occurs in a power detection unit that detects a power passing through the voltage converter. The fuel cell system has: a first power detection unit that estimates an effective value of a converter input power by multiplying the converter input power, which is obtained from a battery voltage and a battery current, by a converter efficiency; a second power detection unit that estimates a converter output power from a fuel cell voltage, a fuel cell current and a driving motor load power; and a third power detection unit that estimates a converter flowing power from a current of a reactor measured by a current sensor (shown in a separate drawing). The fuel cell system also has similar detection units for current, and using one of the detection units or a combination of some of them, specifies a malfunctioning sensor and prohibits correction of parameters.
US08609275B2
A battery pack having an improved a coupling force between a battery cell and a connecting bar of a connecting structure. The connecting structure includes at least one battery cell, a connecting bar electrically connected to the battery cell, a welding region formed at a connecting area of the battery cell and the connecting bar, and an anisotropic conductive film formed at the outer periphery of the welding region and connecting the battery cell and the connecting bar to each other.
US08609274B2
A cell housing includes a first half section having a longitudinal side having a first end and a second end. A first lateral side extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal side from the first end. The first lateral side has a first tongue. A second lateral side extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal side from the second end. The second lateral side has a first groove. A second half section is identical to the first half section. The first and second half sections are coupled to each other such that the first tongue of the first half section is inserted into the first groove of the second half section and the first tongue of the second half section is inserted into the first groove of the first half section, forming a closed perimeter.
US08609273B2
An anode for a lithium ion secondary battery includes an anode, and a LiF-based coating layer formed with LiF-based particles on a surface of the anode. The LiF-based coating layer has a thickness of 0.05 to 1 μm. The anode allows the LiF-based coating layer created by side reaction of LiPF6 during a battery charging/discharging process to be relatively uniformly formed on the anode surface, thereby elongating the life cycle of a lithium ion secondary battery.
US08609272B2
A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a first electrode plate, a separator, and a second electrode assembly are sequentially stacked forming a stack and is wound about one edge of the stack, and a plurality of finishing tapes attached to the outer surface of the electrode assembly and spaced apart from each other along the winding direction of the electrode assembly.
US08609270B2
Iron-sulfide redox flow battery (RFB) systems can be advantageous for energy storage, particularly when the electrolytes have pH values greater than 6. Such systems can exhibit excellent energy conversion efficiency and stability and can utilize low-cost materials that are relatively safer and more environmentally friendly. One example of an iron-sulfide RFB is characterized by a positive electrolyte that comprises Fe(III) and/or Fe(II) in a positive electrolyte supporting solution, a negative electrolyte that comprises S2− and/or S in a negative electrolyte supporting solution, and a membrane, or a separator, that separates the positive electrolyte and electrode from the negative electrolyte and electrode.
US08609267B2
An electrochemical cell comprises an inlet and an outlet for an electrolyte flow, and two unipolar electrodes. Each electrode comprises a structure with a network of through-passages, surrounded by a solid frame. The electrolyte enters via inlets, circulates via the passages of the electrodes, passes through the space between the electrodes and leaves via an outlet. The structure and the frame are based on carbon.
US08609265B2
A battery pack and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series or in parallel to each other, a protective circuit module (PCM) controlling charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells, and a coverlay electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells to the PCM, wherein the coverlay includes a plurality of wires, each of the plurality of wires includes battery connecting pads provided at its one end, the battery connecting pads connected to the battery cells, and module connecting pads provided at it's the other end, the module connecting pads connected to the PCM, and a solder layer is formed on the battery connecting pads.
US08609263B1
Systems and methods for forming magnetic media with an underlayer are provided. One such method includes providing a non-magnetic substrate, forming a seed layer above the substrate, the seed layer including MgO, forming an underlayer on the seed layer, the underlayer including a material selected from the group consisting of Pd, Pt, W, Fe, V, Cu, and Ag, and forming a magnetic recording layer on the underlayer, the recording layer including FePt oxide.
US08609262B2
A STT-RAM MTJ is disclosed with a MgO tunnel barrier formed by natural oxidation and containing an oxygen surfactant layer to form a more uniform MgO layer and lower breakdown distribution percent. A CoFeB/NCC/CoFeB composite free layer with a middle nanocurrent channel layer minimizes Jc0 while enabling thermal stability, write voltage, read voltage, and Hc values that satisfy 64 Mb design requirements. The NCC layer has RM grains in an insulator matrix where R is Co, Fe, or Ni, and M is a metal such as Si or Al. NCC thickness is maintained around the minimum RM grain size to avoid RM granules not having sufficient diameter to bridge the distance between upper and lower CoFeB layers. A second NCC layer and third CoFeB layer may be included in the free layer or a second NCC layer may be inserted below the Ru capping layer.
US08609261B2
There are provided titanium oxide particles capable of manifesting an unprecedented property, a manufacturing method thereof and a magnetic memory as well as a charge storage type memory employing the titanium oxide particles. Unlike-conventional bulk bodies phase-transited between nonmagnetic semiconductors and paramagnetic metals around about 460K, provided are titanium oxide particles 3 capable of manifesting an unprecedented property that Ti3O5 particles do not undergo phase transitions at room temperature and allow a paramagnetic metal property thereof to be consistently maintained in any temperature range.
US08609260B2
A coated article is provided which may be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered) in certain instances. In certain example embodiments, an interlayer of or including a metal oxide such as tin oxide is provided under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer so as to be located between respective layers comprising silicon nitride and zinc oxide. It has been found that the use of such a tin oxide inclusive interlayer results in significantly improved mechanical durability, thermal stability and/or haze characteristics.
US08609259B2
An organic electroluminescent device, which has a pair of electrodes, and at least one organic layer including a luminescent layer between the electrodes, wherein the organic layer contains at least one compound of formula (1): wherein Q11 are atoms for forming a nitrogen-containing hetero ring; Z11 to Z13 each independently represents CR, wherein R represents a substituent, CH or N; n11 is 0 or 1; M11 is a metal or boron ion that may further have a ligand(s); and a compound of formula (6): wherein R63 to R66 each is a hydrogen atom or a substituent; X61 to X64 and Z61 to Z66 each is CR, wherein R represents a substituent, CH or N.
US08609257B2
The organic electroluminescence device has, on a substrate thereof, a pair of electrodes and at least one organic layer including a light emitting layer between the electrodes, wherein the light emitting layer contains a phosphorescent complex material containing a specific monoanionic bidentate ligand and the device contains, in a layer sandwiched between the light emitting layer and a cathode, a compound represented by the following formula (1): (Cz)p-L-(A)q (1) wherein, Cz represents a substituted or unsubstituted arylcarbazolyl or carbazolylaryl, L represents a single bond or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene, cycloalkylene, or aromatic heterocycle, A represents a substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen-containing 6-membered aromatic heterocycle, and each of p and q independently represents an integer from 1 to 6.
US08609256B2
Described are LTCC devices, with external silver containing electrical contacts, that are sequentially plated with a nickel containing metal and a gold containing metal, with a defined silver paste composition for manufacture.
US08609254B2
Methods of preparing metal and metal alloys with partially microcrystalline anodic coatings are disclosed. Associated article therefrom are correspondingly disclosed. The partially microcrystalline anodic coatings exhibit steam, superheated steam, alkaline and acidic resistance. Partially microcrystalline anodic coating can be prepared by impregnation of micropores of a metal or metal substrate with metal precursor species, conversion of the metal precursor species into metal hydroxides, thermal treatment to dry out moisture and to promote phase transformation of the metal hydroxide product into metal oxides solids and bonding with metastable metal oxide substance in the pore structure of the metal or metal alloy substrate, and hydrothermal sealing to create sealed partially microcrystalline anodic coating.
US08609251B2
The rubber composite was fabricated by use of direct vulcanization adhesion method with a sulfenamide-based vulcanization accelerators, and the sulfenamide-based vulcanization accelerator is used for a rubber composite using a sulfenamide compound as a vulcanization accelerator, the adhesion properties of the steel cord/rubber adhesion boundary surface and the anti-scorch properties can be achieved simultaneously, the sulfenamide-based vulcanization accelerator being such that the bond order between an amine generated form the sulfenamide compound and a surface of a metal material is zero, and the distance of the S—N (amine moiety) bond of the sulfenamide compound is less than 1.67 Å, and the electric charge on N of the amine radical generated as a result of dissociation of the S—N bond is −0.295 or less.
US08609246B2
A conductive fine particle, which is used for conductive connection between fine electrodes and tends not to give rise to a crack in the solder layer or disconnection caused by breakage in the connection interface between an electrode and the conductive fine particle even with a drop impact and the like, and tends not to have fatigue even after repetitive heating and cooling; an anisotropic conductive material obtained by using the conductive fine particle; and a conductive connection structure.
US08609234B2
The multilayer film serves as a laminate. In some embodiments, the film is a multilayered structure that, in its base form, encompasses an intermediate layer with first and second outer layer affixed to opposing sides of the intermediate layer. In some embodiments, the first outer layer is a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer. In some embodiments, the intermediate layer includes a polyester and the second outer layer is an olefinic polymer.
US08609224B2
A fastening assembly includes a magnesium alloy member, a metallic sheet defining a through hole, a metallic bolt, and a nut positioned on an end of the bolt and attached to the metallic sheet. The magnesium alloy member includes a magnesium alloy base, and at least one resin coating layer formed in at least one portion of the magnesium alloy base. The magnesium alloy member defines a through hole penetrating through the magnesium alloy base and the at least one resin coating layer. The metallic bolt extends through the through holes of the magnesium alloy base and the metallic sheet. An inner width of the through hole of the magnesium alloy member is greater than a width of the metallic bolt, a material of the metallic bolt is different from a material of the magnesium alloy base or a material of the metallic sheet.
US08609223B2
A rectangular stack of interfolded rectangular napkins including a plurality of napkins, each napkin in the stack comprising a first fold in a first direction, and a second fold in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and bisecting the first fold and the napkin in the second direction, the intersecting first and second folds dividing the napkin into four panels with a pair of adjacent panels located on each side of the second fold, wherein each of the napkins within the stack includes at least one pair of panels arranged in the stack at a level between two pairs of adjacent panels of another of the absorbent napkins within the stack.
US08609222B2
A vehicle interior component in which a back-fastened member such as an upholstery or a noise insulator is fastened to a back side of a resin interior base material with a fastener, includes: a fastener-driven rib having plasticity and plate-like shape being integrally formed on the back side of the resin interior base material so as to protrude from the back side in such a posture that the fastener-driven rib is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the back side; and the fastener being driven into the fastener-driven rib so as to pass through the fastener-driven rib in such a posture that the fastener intersects with the fastener-driven rib, whereby the fastener is engaged with the fastener-driven rib.
US08609219B2
A composite article may include a plurality of fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers may include a first fiber and a second fiber which may be oriented in substantially parallel relation to one another. The first and second fibers may be connected to one another at one or more connection sites.
US08609211B2
A label that is removable from the article with which it is associated, or includes a removable section thereof, and includes only a single substrate. The substrate has a front side and a back side, and an ink disposed on the back side of the substrate, which remains with the substrate during removal of the substrate, or a section thereof, from an article. The label further includes an abhesive disposed adjacent the ink on the back side of the substrate. The label may have at least one set of perforations to provide a removable section of the label. These perforations may be provided by an apparatus for providing consistent perforations.
US08609200B2
In a hose having a resin layer as an inner layer, a plasma treatment is performed on the inner surface of the inner layer and a connecting portion of an end part of the hose to thereby perform surface modification. Then, a sealing layer made of an elastic material is coated on and bonded to the inner surface of the connecting portion.
US08609193B2
A method for ionic polymerization of ethylene oxide. In the first step of the method, a gaseous monomer composition comprising ethylene oxide at a first flow rate is mixed with a gaseous ionic polymerization initiator at a second flow rate, thereby forming a mixture. The formed mixture is then heated with at least one heated filament to thereby form at least one polymer. The method may also be employed to coat a variety of different substrates in situ during the polymerization reaction.
US08609179B2
Apparatuses, methods and systems for applying a coating to an ear of corn in a high throughput manner are disclosed. The system includes means for moving the ear of corn through the system and means for coating the ear of corn with a coating while passing through the system. The apparatus includes a carrying position for an ear of corn, an automated line having a plurality of the carrying positions, and an automated coating station adapted to apply a coating to the ear of corn on the automated line. The method includes staging a plurality of ears of corn on an automated line, passing the automated line through an ear coating process, and coating the plurality of ears of corn with a coating.
US08609178B2
A substrate (1) for spatially selective micron and nanometer scale deposition and/or reaction, which has a support (3), a conductive layer (5) on the support, a dielectric layer (7) to hold an electrostatic charge pattern such as a photoconductive layer of a material which dissipates an electric charge upon receiving incident radiation thereon, and a chemically functional layer (9), such that electrostatic charge patterns may be formed in a predetermined manner upon the substrate to influence the movement of charged droplets in an emulsion (15) on the substrate. The chemically functional layer either provides a surface for chemical functionalization of the substrate or prevents access or reaction to the dielectric or photoconductive layer.
US08609175B2
The present invention is related to a method for reducing the saturated fatty acid content of milk fat. The milk fat is subjected to fractional crystallization to recover an olein fraction. Then the olein fraction is subjected to short path distillation to obtain a residual milk fat fraction that has not been evaporated and has a reduced saturated fatty acid content.
US08609169B2
Methods of preserving fresh produce with a produce preservative, particularly cut fresh produce, are provided. The method comprises: providing a solution of produce preservative comprising: water; a preservative cation which is selected from the group consisting of a strontium ion, lithium ion, barium ion, aluminum ion, copper ion, ammonium ion, iron ion, manganese ion, potassium ion, or mixtures thereof; and ascorbate ions, or erythorbate ions; wherein the ascorbate ions or erythorbate ions and the preservative cation are present in an ion ratio of preferably from 0.2:1 to 8:1, more preferably 0.75:1 to 8:1, even more preferably from 1:1 to 4:1, yet more preferably 1.5:1 to 3:1; most preferably 1.1:1 to 2.5:1; and, applying said produce preservative to the produce. The invention also relates to fresh produce preserved with the produce preservatives.
US08609168B2
The invention relates to a food cooking control method and device. The method includes the following steps in which: at least one temperature detection device is inserted into a food; a final equilibrium temperature is defined; the detection device is positioned inside the food in a pre-determined detection zone so that a temperature (TC) can be obtained at all times during cooking; the TC temperature data obtained are processed using the detection device; the temperature of the surface through which the food receives heat (TP) is determined and processed and the variation in temperature TC is evaluated at least to the first derivative. The device includes a detection device intended to be inserted into the food, a device for determining the thickness of the food and a device for inserting the detection device into the food to a pre-determined depth.
US08609162B2
The present invention is an ingestable blended formulation which will cause a series of distinct biochemical changes in-vivo; initiate desirable psychological consequences in that person; and induce an observable increase in cognitive functions for that living human subject. In particular, the initiated psychological events will generate a positive change in one's personal perceptions, evoke optimism as the subjective state of mind, and elicit a more sociable attitude and favorable mood as the observable behavior of the affected human person. Moreover, in addition to the initiation of a more positive state of mind, another major result and effect of ingesting the blended formulation is an observable amplification of human brain functions and a substantive increase of human concentration, focus and memory.
US08609160B2
A method of treating a patient infected with a lipid encapsulated virus by administering to the patient about 1000 mg to about 5000 mg per day of a nutritional supplement having from about 40 to about 80 wt. % L-lysine, from about 20 to about 50 wt. % butylated hydroxytoluene and from about 1 to about 10 wt. % Echinacea. Administration of the nutritional supplement inhibits ulcer formation resulting from lipid encapsulated virus infections such as herpes simplex I and II infections.
US08609145B2
A water-dispersible particle is provided that includes struvite in an amount ranging from 5% to 99.9% by weight of the total dry weight of the particle. A binder component is present in an amount from 1% to 95% by weight. The struvite and the binder component on that contact with water causes particle dispersion into more than 100 pieces. A process for making a water-dispersible particle includes mechanical aggregation of a struvite into a pellet. A binder component is present in the particle in an amount ranging from 1% to 95% by weight. The struvite and the binder component are present in a form such that contact with water causes particle dispersion into more than 100 pieces. The particle is then dried and ready to be applied.
US08609134B2
Methods of transdermally delivering a therapeutic amount of an indole serotonin receptor agonist to an individual in need thereof, e.g., to provide a therapeutic level of an indole serotonin receptor agonist to an individual in need thereof, are provided. Also provided are transdermal formulations of indole serotonin receptor agonists that find use in practicing the subject methods.
US08609122B2
The present invention is directed to a stabilized bioactive hydrogel matrix coating for substrates, such as medical devices. The invention provides a coated substrate comprising a substrate having a surface, and a bioactive hydrogel matrix layer overlying the surface of the medical device, the hydrogel matrix comprising a first high molecular weight component and a second high molecular weight component, the first and second high molecular weight components each being selected from the group consisting of polyglycans and polypeptides, wherein at least one of the first and second high molecular weight components is immobilized (e.g., by covalent cross-linking) to the surface of the substrate.
US08609117B2
Cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula (I) and the corresponding salts thereof: wherein: R1 is a radical chosen from —COOR′, —CONR′R″, —CH2OR′, —COR′, —CH2R′, —SO2OR′, —PO3R′R″ and —NHR′, wherein R′ and R″, which may be identical or different, are defined herein; —R2 is chosen from saturated and unsaturated, linear, branched and cyclic hydrocarbon radicals comprising from 1 to 18 carbon atoms which are optionally substituted by from 1 to 5 identical or different entities chosen from —OR′″, —OCOR′″, —SR′″, —SCOR′″, NR′″R″″, —NHCOR′″, halogen, —CN, —COOR′″ and —COR′″, wherein R′″ and R″″, which may be identical or different, are defined herein; as well as the use of these compounds, for example, to promote skin desquamation, to stimulate epidermal renewal and/or to combat the signs of skin ageing.
US08609116B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a solid emulsified cosmetic that stably contains a large amount of a high refractive index silicone oil; gives a lustrous finish; and has a skin irregularity-correcting effect. Thus, a solid emulsified cosmetic of the present invention is characterized by comprising: (A) 4 to 18% by mass of a high refractive index silicone oil with a refractive index of 1.45 or higher at 25° C., (B) a (dimethicone/phenyl vinyl dimethicone)crosspolymer, (C) a hydrophobic or hydrophobically-treated powder, and (D) a wax.
US08609111B2
Antibodies that specifically bind to toxins of C. difficile, antigen binding portions thereof, and methods of making and using the antibodies and antigen binding portions thereof are provided herein.
US08609099B2
The present invention relates to blocking, inhibiting, reduceing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17A and IL-17F. IL-17A and IL-17F are cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. The present invention includes antibodies that bind both IL-17A and IL-17F, hybridomas that produce the antibodies, and methods of using the same in inflammation.
US08609096B2
The present invention provides and includes monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs or mAbs) specific or preferentially selective for PCBP-1 antigens, hybridoma lines that secrete these PCBP-1 antibodies or antibody fragments, and the use of such antibodies and antibody fragments to detect PCBP-1 antigens, particularly those expressed by cancer cells. The present invention also includes antibodies that are specific for or show preferential binding to a soluble form of PCBP-1. The present invention further includes chimeric and humanized antibodies, processes for producing monoclonal, chimeric, and humanized antibodies using recombinant DNA technology, and their therapeutic uses, particularly in the treatment of cancer. The present invention further includes methods and kits for the immunodetection and immunotherapy of cells for samples which express PCBP-1 antigens.
US08609095B2
The present invention relates to novel therapeutic antibodies directed against HER2 (ErbB2), as well as recombinant polyclonal anti-HER2 antibody compositions comprising at least two of said recombinant anti-HER2 antibodies, and use of the antibodies and antibody compositions for treatment of cancer.
US08609094B2
The present application relates to compositions of humanized and humanized/deimmunized anti-endoglin antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof. One aspect relates to antibodies having one or more modifications in at least one amino acid residue of at least one of the framework regions of the variable heavy chain, the variable light chain or both. Another aspect relates to antibodies which bind endoglin and inhibit angiogenesis. Another aspect relates to the deimmunization of humanized antibodies to reduce immunogenicity. Another aspect relates to the use of humanized and humanized/deimmunized antibodies which bind endoglin for the detection, diagnosis or treatment of a disease or condition associated with endoglin, angiogenesis or a combination thereof.
US08609093B2
This invention provides fully human monoclonal antibodies that recognize IL-17F and/or the heterodimeric IL-17A/IL-17F complex, but do not recognize IL-17A. The invention further provides methods of using such monoclonal antibodies as a therapeutic, diagnostic, and prophylactic.
US08609088B2
The invention provides a method to prevent, inhibit or treat one or more neurological symptoms associated with a lysosomal storage disease in a mammal in need thereof, which includes intranasally administering to the mammal a composition comprising an effective amount of a lysosomal storage enzyme or a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector comprising an open reading frame encoding a lysosomal storage enzyme. Also provided are compositions and devices useful in the methods.
US08609087B2
Compounds and methods for designing and identifying compounds which inhibit TFPP-like aspartyl protease enzymes by targeting the aspartic acid residues of the active site or mimicking peptides corresponding to the region surrounding the substrate's cleavage site are provided. Agents identified as inhibitors of TFPP-like aspartyl proteases such as type 4 prepilin peptidases are expected to be useful as anti-bacterial agents and in inhibiting development of drug resistant strains of bacteria.
US08609083B1
This invention relates to using bacterial metabolites to suppress phytopathogens, more particularly this invention relates to bacterial metabolites applied to Carya illinoensis and Prunus persica as a fungicide to suppress and inhibit Glomerella cingulata, Phomopsis sp., Phytophthora cactorum, Fusicladosporium effusum, and Monilinia fructicola.
US08609082B2
A method is provided including selecting a patient suffering from a condition, administering cells to the patient selected from the group consisting of: progenitor cells and genetically-modified cells, applying an electrical current to a site of the patient in a vicinity of nervous tissue, and configuring the current to stimulate the nervous tissue. Other embodiments are also described.
US08609075B2
A heparanase activity inhibitor comprising, as an active ingredient, a cyclic carboxamide derivative represented by formula (I): wherein n is an integer of 1 to 3, R1 is hydrogen or a C1-6 hydrocarbon group optionally substituted with hydroxyl, X is —CH2— or a group represented by —N(R2)—, and R2 is hydrogen or a C1-6 hydrocarbon group optionally substituted with hydroxyl, or a salt thereof.
US08609073B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for decreasing photosensitivity induced by photodynamic therapy (PDT). The compositions and methods of the present method employ porphyrin complexing molecules as agents for reducing photosensitivity.
US08609069B2
The present invention is directed to the use of rebaudioside C, or a stereoisomer thereof, for enhancing the sweet taste of carbohydrate sweeteners, such as sucrose and fructose. The present invention is also directed to consumables comprising a combination of a carbohydrate sweetener and rebaudioside C, or a stereoisomer thereof.
US08609061B2
A carbon nanotube array is provided. The carbon nanotube array includes at least two isotope-doped carbon nanotube sub-arrays. Each isotope-doped carbon nanotube sub-array includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes in different isotope-doped carbon nanotube sub-array are composed of different kinds of carbon isotopes. The present disclosure also provides a method for making the carbon nanotube arrays.
US08609059B2
To provide a production method for a nitride crystal, where a nitride crystal can be prevented from precipitating in a portion other than on a seed crystal and the production efficiency of a gallium nitride single crystal grown on the seed crystal can be enhanced. In a method for producing a nitride crystal by an ammonothermal method in a vessel containing a mineralizer-containing solution, out of the surfaces of said vessel and a member provided in said vessel, at least a part of the portion coming into contact with said solution is constituted by a metal or alloy containing one or more atoms selected from the group consisting of tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W) and titanium (Ti), and has a surface roughness (Ra) of less than 1.80 μm.
US08609056B2
Iron(III) orthophosphate of the general formula FePO4×nH2O (n≦2.5), prepared by a process in which iron(II)-, iron(III)- or mixed iron(II, III) compounds selected from among hydroxides, oxides, oxidehydroxides, oxide hydrates, carbonates and hydroxidecarbonates are reacted with phosphoric acid having a concentration in the range from 5% to 50%, any iron(II) present after the reaction is converted into iron(III) by addition of an oxidant and solid iron(III) orthophosphate is separated off from the reaction mixture.
US08609051B2
Disclosed is a composition useful in the hydrolysis of sulfur compounds that are contained in a gas stream. The composition comprises alumina, a group VI metal component and a group VIII metal component. The composition has a pore structure such that a large percentage of its total pore volume is contained within the pores having a pore diameter greater than 10,000 angstroms.
US08609040B2
A system for automatically creating a denaturation curve is disclosed. In accordance with certain embodiments, a movement system including a unit having a plurality of cannulas is used. The cannulas are in fluid communication with a fluid system, which allows the cannulas to draw in and dispense fluid. A measurement system is included which draws fluid from a well into a detector to determine a characteristic of the fluid. A controller is used to control these systems and also to create a denaturation graph from the measured characteristics. In another embodiment, a plurality of formulations may be created using the system.
US08609026B2
Various systems, devices, NO2 absorbents, NO2 scavengers and NO2 recuperator for generating nitric oxide are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, an apparatus for converting nitrogen dioxide to nitric oxide can include a receptacle including an inlet, an outlet, a surface-active material coated with an aqueous solution of ascorbic acid and an absorbent wherein the inlet is configured to receive a gas flow and fluidly communicate the gas flow to the outlet through the surface-active material and the absorbent such that nitrogen dioxide in the gas flow is converted to nitric oxide.
US08608991B2
A porous material having controlled void dimensions and method of forming the same includes forming an aerogel precursor, the aerogel precursor including a matrix material and a liquid dispersion medium for dispersing the matrix material. A plurality of particles having preselected dimensions is dispersed in the aerogel precursor. The aerogel precursor with the particles dispersed therein is frozen so that the liquid dispersion is solidified. The aerogel precursor is freeze dried to sublime the dispersion medium and form the porous material.
US08608987B2
The disclosure relates to positive electrode material used for Li-ion batteries, a precursor and process used for preparing such materials, and Li-ion battery using such material in its positive electrode. The disclosure describes a higher density LiCoO2 positive electrode material for lithium secondary batteries, with a specific surface area (BET) below 0.2 m2/g, and a volumetric median particle size (d50) of more than 15 μm. This product has improved specific capacity and rate-capability. Other embodiments of the disclosure are an aggregated Co(OH)2, which is used as a precursor, the electrode mix and the battery manufactured using above-mentioned LiCoO2.
US08608969B2
A nanotube separation method includes depositing a tag on a nanotube in a nanotube mixture. The nanotube has a defect and the tag deposits at the defect where a deposition rate is greater than on another nanotube in the mixture lacking the defect. The method includes removing the tagged nanotube from the mixture by using the tag. As one option, the tag may contain a ferromagnetic material and the removing may include applying a magnetic field. As another option, the tag may contain an ionic material and the removing may include applying an electric field. As a further option, the tag may contain an atom having an atomic mass greater than the atomic mass of carbon and the removing may include applying a centrifugal force to the nanotube mixture. Any two or more of the indicated removal techniques may be combined.
US08608966B2
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for dewatering mixture of ethanol and water. The method comprises steps for feeding mixture of ethanol and water (1) into an evaporator (2), evaporating said mixture of ethanol and water (1) and feeding a stream of vaporized mixture of ethanol and water (3) to a vapor recompression unit (4), pressurizing vaporized mixture of ethanol and water (3) in the vapor recompression unit (4) and feeding a stream of pressurized vaporized mixture of ethanol and water (5) to a membrane unit (6), and dividing said stream of pressurized mixture of ethanol and water (5) in to a stream of mixture of ethanol and water (8) and into a stream of dewatered mixture of ethanol and water (7).
US08608964B2
A spiral reverse osmosis membrane element that improves impregnation property of a sealing resin at edges of a membrane leaf and can effectively prevent micro-leaks. The spiral reverse osmosis membrane element comprises a cylindrically wound body comprising a perforated core tube and, spirally wound therearound, a separation membrane, a feed-side passage material and a permeation-side passage material in a laminated state, and a sealing portion for preventing a feed-side liquid and a permeation-side liquid from being mixed together, wherein the separation membrane facing the permeation-side passage material has a structure that a porous support and a skin layer are successively laminated on a non-woven fabric layer, and the sealing portion sealed with a sealing resin is provided at the edges of the separation membrane, wherein the separation membrane is impregnated with the sealing resin at least up to the vicinity of the skin layer through the porous support.
US08608963B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a twin tank water treatment system and method. The water treatment system includes first tank with a first set of sensors and a first resin bed, a second tank with a second set of sensors and a second resin bed, and a valve assembly with a flow meter and a controller in communication with the first set of sensors, the second set of sensors, and the flow meter. The method includes determining when the resin beds are exhausted based on input from the flow meter, the sensors, and a water hardness setting.
US08608957B2
An oil container has a container housing receiving an oil filter and fittings for an oil inlet, an oil outlet, for filling the oil container, and for an opening that can be closed by a cover for temporarily removing or replacing the oil filter, as well as, an air outlet opening. The container housing is divided into at least two chambers by a partition, each chamber including an oil filter. Each chamber has an oil inlet fitting, an oil outlet fitting, and an opening that can be closed by a cover for filling with oil and/or for removing the oil filter. The partition includes an oil overflow opening located above a minimum oil filling level height relative to a rest state determined for the individual oil circuits. A leak occurring in one of the oil circuits does then not affect the operational reliability of the other oil circuit(s).
US08608954B2
Liquid tank comprising: a first or storage volume for storing the liquid, bounded at least in part by a wall; a second or venting volume for venting the tank, bounded at least in part by the same wall; means of communication between the storage and venting volumes, situated in the top of these volumes; at least one orifice situated in the top of the venting volume, normally placing the venting volume in communication with a venting circuit; and means capable of closing off the means of communication, when the liquid in the venting volume reaches a predetermined level.
US08608951B2
A process for removing a metal from a crude oil includes contacting the crude oil containing the metal with a crude-immiscible ionic liquid to produce a crude oil and crude-immiscible ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a crude oil effluent having a reduced metal content relative to the crude oil feed. Optionally, a de-emulsifier is added to at least one of the contacting and separating steps.
US08608947B2
A process is provided to produce an ultra low sulfur diesel using a two stage hydrotreating reaction zone. The first stage hydrotreater may operate with a continuous liquid phase.
US08608936B2
A device for producing hydrogen in an electric field includes a shaft rotationally coupled via bearings to a vacuum protection housing, which encloses a disc like structure fastened to the shaft that supplies a split medium provided through inlet channels situated at one longitudinal end of the shaft to split cells arranged at a periphery of the disc like structure. Each split cell includes first and second electrodes. To the vacuum protection housing are fastened diffusor-spirals where a produced gas and a material residue from the split cells are provided through a plurality of nozzles, each of which is arranged inside one of the diffusor-spirals with minimal clearance between an outer wall of the nozzle and an inner wall of the associated diffusor-spiral. A rotation of the disk like structure is supported by a gas pressure generated by the produced gas emitted from the nozzles.
US08608929B2
Particles of interest, such as DNA molecules, are injected into a medium by applying a first field. Once in the medium the particles are concentrated by applying one or more fields that cause mobilities of the particles in the medium to vary in a manner that is correlated with motions of the particles. Particle injection and particle concentration may be performed concurrently or in alternation.
US08608908B2
A method for inhibiting deposition of multivalent saturated fatty acids on paper sizing equipment and/or devices which use a paper surface sizing composition containing higher starch solids levels of surface sizing starches and a source of multivalent cations, such as a multivalent metal drying salt, by including (wholly or partially) one or more low fatty acid surface sizing starches in the paper surface sizing composition. Also, a paper surface sizing system for carrying out this method.
US08608900B2
A plasma reactor having a reactor chamber and an electrostatic chuck with a surface for holding a workpiece inside the chamber includes a backside gas pressure source coupled to the electrostatic chuck for applying a thermally conductive gas under a selected pressure into a workpiece-surface interface formed whenever a workpiece is held on the surface and an evaporator inside the electrostatic chuck and a refrigeration loop having an expansion valve for controlling flow of coolant through the evaporator. The reactor further includes a temperature sensor in the electrostatic chuck and a memory storing a schedule of changes in RF power or wafer temperature. The reactor further includes a thermal model capable of simulating heat transfer between the evaporator and the surface based upon measurements from the temperature sensor, and a control processor coupled to the thermal model and to the memory and governing the backside gas pressure source in response to a prediction from the model of a change in the selected pressure that would compensate for the next scheduled change in RF power or implement the next scheduled change in wafer temperature.
US08608899B2
A heat-curing epoxy resin composition that includes an epoxy resin, a curing agent, an accelerator, and an optional toughener. The epoxy resin compositions are suitable in particular for use as bodyshell adhesives and for preparation of structural foams. An accelerator of formula (I) results in increased impact strength the of heat-curing epoxy resin compositions.
US08608895B2
In manufacturing an easy-open container (1), a flange (25) of a container body (2) and a lid (3) are heat-sealed, where a circular sealing board (7) having a curved surface on an inner circumferential edge and an inclined surface on an outer circumferential edge side is pressed onto an upper side of the flange (25) to form a swelling gathered resin part (6) formed of respective resin components of a surface layer (21) of the container body (2), a subsurface layer (22) adjacent to the surface layer (21) and a seal layer (31) of the lid (3), while heat-sealing the surface layer (21) of the container body (2) and the seal layer (31) of the lid (3). With the arrangement, the easy-open container (1) having both a high sealing performance and an easy-open performance can be provided with low cost.
US08608892B2
A method of making a color display device and color display device are provided for the display of metallic or special effect pigmented paint using commercially available or the manufacturer's paint. In the method provided herein, the metallic or special effect pigmented paint is sprayed onto a web behind a knife or onto a first roller which is a part of a roller roller coater.
US08608890B2
A method and support apparatus for providing structural support to a mold or mandrel, such as a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus configured for shaping a composite part. The support apparatus may comprise a rigid structural member and a plurality of SMP cells attached thereto and configured to inflate or deploy in a malleable state toward and against a surface of the SMP apparatus, mold, or mandrel. Then the SMP cells may be returned to a rigid state while still pressed against this surface, thereby providing structural support when composite material is applied to an opposite surface of the SMP apparatus, mold, or mandrel. After the composite material is cured into the finished composite part, the SMP cells may be deflated or otherwise collapse toward the structural member to provide enough clearance to be removed from the cured composite part.
US08608886B2
A method for connecting a first component to a second component, the method including: applying a fastening dome composed of material in a viscous state to the first component, hardening the fastening dome on the first component, and then inserting a connecting element through the first component, second component, and at least partially through the fastening dome.
US08608884B2
A mounting plate utilized to attach an object to a mounting system. The mounting plate includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the base is bonded to a membrane of the mounting system. A housing is raised from the top surface of the base, the housing creates a contact surface area to support the object. A first member is raised from the top surface; the first member has a surface at a height flush with the contact surface area of the housing. A hole extends through the thickness of the housing.
US08608881B2
A breast prosthesis is formed by providing a core of low density foam, shaping the core in the general form of a breast, and applying an outer layer of resilient skin to an outer side of the core to substantially resemble a breast. The inner side of the core opposite the outer side is shaped for mating engagement with a user. A plurality of interchangeable covers of flexible material are each arranged to releasably span the inner side of the core. Typically, coloring is provided on the outer side to resemble an areola of the breast and a protrusion arranged to resemble a nipple of the breast is releasably adhered to the outer side at various positions relative to the areola.
US08608871B2
There is provided a high-strength steel tube having excellent chemical conversion treatability and excellent formability and a method for manufacturing the high-strength steel tube. More specifically, in processing a mother steel sheet containing, on the basis of mass percent, 0.05% or more C, more than 0.7% Si, and 0.8% or more Mn into a pipe shape, the sum total of absolute circumferential surface strains each applied in individual process steps of the processing is 5% or more as nominal strain. A welded steel tube thus manufactured using a steel sheet even containing more than 0.7% Si can have excellent chemical conversion treatability without mechanical grinding or chemical pickling treatment.
US08608866B2
Embodiments of the present invention are related to a detergent dispenser configured to attach to an interior surface of a dishwasher door. The detergent dispenser may comprise a reservoir configured to hold detergent, wherein a portion of the upper wall of the reservoir has been removed to reduce a cross-sectional length thereof such that water flowing down the dishwasher door is encouraged into the reservoir. The detergent dispenser may also comprise a dispenser door comprising a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the dispenser door is configured to cover the reservoir in the closed configuration. The detergent dispenser may be configured to encourage water flowing down the interior surface of the dishwasher door to enter the reservoir when the dispenser door is in the open or closed configuration.
US08608864B2
A substrate treating method for treating substrates with a treating liquid includes a deionized water cleaning step for supplying deionized water from an injection pipe and cleaning the substrates inside a cleaning tank with deionized water, then a replacing step for injecting a solvent from a solvent injector and replacing the deionized water with the solvent, a separating and removing step for switching a channel to a branch pipe and causing a separator to remove the deionized water from the treating liquid, and an adsorbing and removing step for switching the channel to another branch pipe and causing a deionized water remover to adsorb and remove the deionized water from the treating liquid.
US08608862B2
A method for cleaning a gassing manifold includes providing a gassing module and a complementary clean in place module for coupling to the gassing module. Cleaning solution is pumped from the clean in place module to the gassing module above a minimum flow rate and velocity for effective cleaning.
US08608850B1
Diamond thin films were deposited on copper substrate by the Vapor Solid (VS) deposition method using a mixture of fullerene C60 and graphite as the source material. The deposition took place only when the substrate was kept in a narrow temperature range of approximately 550-650° C. Temperatures below and above this range results in the deposition of fullerenes and other carbon compounds, respectively.
US08608837B2
The use of solutions of ethylenically unsaturated polyesters for production of carbon membranes suitable for gas separation, and a process for producing carbon membranes suitable for gas separation, comprising the steps of a) coating a porous substrate with a solution of ethylenically unsaturated polyester, b) drying the polyester coating on the porous substrate by removing the solvent, and c) pyrolyzing the polyester coating on the porous substrate to form the carbon membrane suitable for gas separation, it being possible to conduct any of steps a) to c) or the sequence of steps a) to c) more than once.
US08608821B2
The invention provides a method for the combined production of (i) a fertilizer selected from the group consisting of ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphates or a combination thereof, (ii) a concentrated stream of CO2 through an indirect neutralization of ammonia with an acid selected from the group consisting of nitric acid, phosphoric acid, a salt thereof and a combination thereof; said method comprising: (I) reacting a carbonate product with a reagent selected from the group consisting of nitric acid, phosphoric acid, a salt thereof, and a mixture thereof to form CO2, and a fertilizer containing an ammonia component; and (II) separating at least a portion of said carbon dioxide from said fertilizer in a condensed and relatively concentrated stream.
US08608820B2
A filter for filtering particulate matter (PM) from exhaust gas emitted from a compression ignition engine, which filter comprising a porous substrate having inlet surfaces and outlet surfaces, wherein the inlet surfaces are separated from the outlet surfaces by a porous structure containing pores of a first mean pore size, wherein the porous substrate is coated with a wash coat comprising a plurality of solid particles comprising a molecular sieve promoted with at least one metal wherein the porous structure of the wash coated porous substrate contains pores of a second mean pore size, and wherein the second mean pore size is less than the first mean pore size.
US08608813B2
Disclosed are eco-friendly and low-price solid fuel, which is naturally dried, and a method of manufacturing the same. Disposable diapers or disposable sanitary pads, which are failed during the manufacturing process, are used to produce industrial alternative fuel having a low price through a predetermined process, so solid fuel having no pollution problem in combustion is provided. The solid fuel is mainly made of synthetic resin-pulp scrap including synthetic resin integrated with pulp like the disposable diapers or the disposable sanitary pads. The method includes introducing a scrap, such as the wasted disposable diaper or the wasted disposable sanitary pad, including synthetic resin integrated with pulp into a crusher to break the scrap into fragments, adding a slight amount of waste cooking oil serving as a binding agent to the fragments, performing an extrusion-molding with respect to the fragments, cutting the extrusion-molded fragments to make pallets, and then drying pallets.
US08608809B2
An oxidative dyeing composition comprises at least one oxidative dye precursor comprising further at least two structurally different reducing agents wherein the first is selected from inorganic reducing agents and present at a concentration of at least 0.1% by weight calculated to the total composition, and the second is an organic reducing agent and/or its salts selected from thioglycolic acid, acetylcysteine and cysteine, and their salts, wherein the composition is substantially free of ascorbic acid and/or its salts.
US08608804B2
A system and method for spinal fusion comprising a spinal fusion implant of non-bone construction releasably coupled to an insertion instrument dimensioned to introduce the spinal fusion implant into any of a variety of spinal target sites.
US08608802B2
Devices and associated methods are disclosed for treating bone, and particularly bone tissue at the joints. Disclosed are implantable devices that can be used either alone or in combination with this augmentation or hardening material for the repair of bone defects and which are particularly suited for use at the joints, and even more particularly, suited for use at the subchondral bone level.
US08608794B2
A stent comprises a generally cylindrical band having a pattern of alternating first and second struts, the first struts being wider than the second struts, the first and second struts being of substantially the same length.
US08608783B2
Aspects of the present disclosure include a bone plate and/or a bone plate system. The bone plate includes an elongate body, which elongate body includes a top and a bottom surface as well as a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an intercalating portion disposed between the distal and proximal portions. The elongate body also includes a flange member, which flange member is configured for contacting a bone portion, e.g., a fractured bone portion, so as to aid in the stabilization and correct anatomical reduction thereof.
US08608779B2
Prostheses and methods for repair of a cervical fact joint. The articulating surfaces of the natural facets of the facet joint are removed only a sufficient amount to allow the insertion of flat or slightly curvilinear portions of protheses therebetween in an overlapping relationship. The portions are so inserted and the prostheses mounted by attachment to adjacent vertebrae. Also, a single natural facet may be similarly repaired with a single prosthesis.
US08608778B2
An intervertebral stabilization system for at least three vertebraecomprising pedicle screws attachable to the vertebrae; at least one rod for the connection of at least two pedicle screws to form a rigid stiffening system; and at least one band which is capable of being pre-stressed in tension and which is surrounded in the implanted state of the stabilization system by at least one compressible pressure member arranged between two adjacent pedicle screws for the connection of the pedicle screws to form an elastic support system, wherein a common pedicle screw is associated both with the stiffening system and with the support system and the band is can be connected or is connected to the rod by means of a band attachment.
US08608763B1
A device and method for minimally invasive tendon sheath release. The device and method that enables a surgeon to cut (“open”) a pulley that is obstructing a nodule and keeping a tendon from sliding smoothly. A ball tipped guide probe goes through a small incision and is used to find the edge of the pulley. Once found, the probe is guided to an end of the pulley. After proper position is assured, a cutting blade is deployed by pushing and holding a blade deployment switch. This deploys the sharp end of a retractable cutting shaft beyond the sheath. The entire device is then pushed or pulled using the device handle along the pulley until the pulley is completely released or where resistance is no longer felt. In an alternate embodiment, the cutting blade is static.
US08608746B2
Instruments and methods are provided for manipulating a bone anchor and a spinal fixation element. The instruments and methods disclosed herein are particularly suited to facilitate rotation of a bone anchor relative to another bone to correct the angular rotation of the vertebrae attached to the bone anchor. The instrument does not require the spinal fixation element to be inserted into the bone anchor prior to manipulation. The instrument further may be used in the insertion of the spinal fixation element into the bone anchor.
US08608745B2
A bone saw tool includes a bone saw and a bone saw blade assembly. The bone saw blade assembly includes a bone saw blade and a bone saw blade guard. The bone saw blade guard is movable to an extended position to reduce the cutting effectiveness of the bone saw blade and/or the maximum cutting depth of the bone saw blade. The bone saw may be configured to activate the bone saw blade guard in response to a signal received from a computer system when the bone saw is moved outside a predetermined cutting region.
US08608737B2
The invention provides a system and method for percutaneous energy delivery in an effective, manner using one or more probes. Additional variations of the system include array of probes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.
US08608733B2
An electrosurgical generator is disclosed, which includes a closed loop control system having a sensor system configured to sense tissue and/or energy properties at a tissue site and to generate a sensor signal representative of the tissue and/or energy properties. The control system includes a controller configured to select an electrosurgical operational mode from a plurality of electrosurgical operational modes in response to the sensor signal. A radio frequency arbitrary source is also included which generates a radio frequency input signal corresponding to the selected electrosurgical operational mode and a radio frequency output stage configured to generate a treatment signal corresponding to the electrosurgical operational mode. The system includes a predictive signal processor configured to adjust the radio frequency output stage in response to the radio frequency input signal, such that the radio frequency output stage alters the treatment signal in real time based on the selected electrosurgical operational mode.
US08608728B2
A connector and method of connecting are described for connecting a first and second catheter at an overlap area where the first catheter fits within the second catheter. The connector includes a collar that surrounds a portion of the overlap area and a clamp that applies a radially inward force to the collar and encircles a portion of the overlap area.
US08608725B2
Embodiments are directed to eluting coils having a relaxed coiled state and a straightened state that may be deployed at a fixed location within a patient's body and may accurately dispense and distribute fluids and or dissolvable substances at site specific locations of the body. Some embodiments of eluting elements are configured to be subsequently retrieved from a delivery site.
US08608721B2
Methods and systems including an engageable material with a lane of plastic resin extending across an interface of first and second ends of an article, wherein the plastic resin is bonded to the first and second ends such that the first and second ends are joined by the resin; and an array of fastener elements extending from one side of the plastic resin. The fastener elements include engageable heads on stems integrally formed with the lane of the plastic resin such that the two ends releasably engage the engageable material to secure the article.
US08608720B2
A disposable absorbent article having a front end edge and a back end edge, wherein the front end edge is formed by a non-linear cut with an umbilical notch, and wherein the front end edge and the back end edge are complementary in shape.
US08608715B2
One aspect of the invention is a method to vent gas from a body cavity during an endoscopic procedure. A body cavity is in fluid communication with an exhaust gas inlet of a vacuum break device. The vacuum break device has a chamber in fluid communication with both the inlet and an outlet. The chamber may comprise one or more openings in fluid communication with the atmosphere. A conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust gas outlet may be connected directly or indirectly to a suction source. The suction source may be activated.
US08608714B2
The invention provides a surgical vacuum device including a vacuum cup sized for attachment to and manipulation of a target tissue. The device further includes a vacuum hose for applying a vacuum to the interior of the cup, and structure for applying a tensioning force to the cup once it has been placed and a vacuum applied. The vacuum device may be utilized with minimal or no trauma to the target tissue or surrounding tissues.
US08608713B2
An access port for providing subcutaneous access to a patient, and a method of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port. The access port includes a body capturing a septum that covers a cavity defined by the body, and a pattern of protrusions extending from an outer surface of the septum away from the cavity, the pattern of protrusions detectable through palpation to identify the access port as a power-injectable port.
US08608708B2
An injector apparatus includes a housing (101, 102) for a cartridge or syringe, a plunger (40) for cooperating in use with the cartridge or syringe to express successive doses, a dose setting arrangement (16, 20) to select a dose volume, and a drive mechanism (22, 24) releasable to advance the plunger in respective predetermined increments of magnitude to express the successive doses. The drive mechanism includes a drive spring (22) for imparting movement directly or indirectly to the plunger (40), and the dose setting arrangement includes a dose setting element (16) moveable in a dose setting routine to define a magnitude of an increment of movement of the plunger for a given dose. The drive mechanism further includes a clutch arrangement (56) operable during the dose setting routine to inhibit forward movement of the plunger and/or to isolate the dose setting element from the force of the drive spring.
US08608697B2
A method and apparatus are provided for a fluid level insertion indicator that provides immediate feedback to a surgeon by draining when a tip of a needle has entered a body lumen, such as peritoneal cavity. An apparatus includes a handle connected to a hollow needle and a hollow stylet that extends through the hollow needle and has a blunt distal end that includes an opening for passing fluid. A spring biases the stylet to extend past the sharp distal end of the needle absent resistance by tissue against the stylet. An at least partially translucent pressure chamber configured to hold a quantity of fluid under pressure is connected to the proximal end of the stylet. The pressure chamber and stylet form a conduit for passing fluid through the opening in the blunt distal end when the stylet extends past the sharp distal end of the hollow needle.
US08608694B2
The present invention relates to a new self-locking self-destroying safety syringe, which comprises a hollow barrel, a push rod sliding within the barrel, a rubber plug in front of the push rod, and a needle seat in front of the barrel. The push rod is provided with a round platform, which is provided with an elastic ratchet that slantingly extends toward the inner wall of the barrel. The barrel is provided at the end with an increasing-diameter portion. At the transient position between the normal-diameter portion and the increasing-diameter portion of the barrel is located a slanting step, below which is a groove where the elastic ratchet can be catched when the push rod is drawn backward. The increasing-diameter portion of the barrel is provided inside with a circlip that can press against the bottom of the round platform. For a syringe with the above-mentioned structure, the push rod can be locked after injection in the following way: The push rod is provided with the elastic ratchet that extends to the inner wall of the barrel; the elastic ratchet gets stuck into the groove when the push rod is drawn backward; the slanting step above the elastic ratchet prevents the push rod from moving forward, while the circlip below the elastic ratchet presses against the bottom of the round platform of the push rod so as to prevent the push rod from moving backward; and under the action of the groove, the elastic ratchet cannot move radially either.
US08608691B2
An angioplasty procedure wherein a balloon dilatation catheter is movably positioned within an anchoring catheter and which in turn is located within a guiding catheter or wherein a balloon dilatation catheter is movably positioned within a guiding catheter and the anchoring catheter in turn is positioned on the external surface of the guiding catheter, or wherein a balloon dilatation catheter is movably positioned within a catheter which serves both as a guiding catheter and anchoring catheter. Additionally, valve elements are attached to the guiding and anchoring catheters to provide points of securement between the catheters and the balloon dilatation catheter and to prevent the backflow of blood through the catheter assembly. Actuation of the valve elements allows a doctor to control the movement of the catheters.
US08608684B2
The invention provides a jet expelling assembly comprising a reservoir and an impulse chamber assembly. The impulse chamber assembly comprises a chamber portion defining a cavity having a general axis, a piston received in the cavity along the general axis and comprising a fluid inlet, thereby defining a variable-volume impulse chamber with an outlet nozzle. The inlet comprises a conduit adapted to slidably engage a reservoir outlet during relative movement therebetween. The chamber portion is arranged stationary relative to the reservoir, whereby expelling an amount of drug from the reservoir to the impulse chamber via the inlet causes the piston to move towards the reservoir, the impulse chamber thereby receiving the expelled amount of drug.
US08608671B2
A gait change determination device includes a main body unit, an accelerometer that detects an acceleration of the main body unit, and a control unit, and determines a change in the gait of a user that wears the main body unit on a predetermined area. The control unit specifies a trajectory of a predetermined area on which the main body unit is worn during walking based on accelerations detected by the accelerometer, calculates the temporal change amount of the specified trajectory, and determines the degree of change, which is the degree of the temporal change, based on the calculated temporal change. The degree of change in the gait can be more accurately determined.
US08608666B2
A surgical instrument includes a movable member having a proximal portion, the movable member defining an opening at the proximal portion. The instrument includes a stationary member defining an aperture. The stationary member is arranged relative to the movable member with a close fit between the stationary member and the movable member such that aspiration occurs through the movable member substantially only during a portion of a repetitive motion of the movable member. The instrument includes a surgical handpiece coupled to the movable member and the stationary member to provide suction and motion to the movable member. A method of regulating aspiration through a surgical instrument includes providing a close fit between a moving member having an opening at a proximal portion and a stationary member having an aperture such that aspiration occurs through the moving member substantially only during a portion of a repetitive motion of the movable member. The moving member and the stationary member are coupled to a surgical handpiece to provide suction and motion to the moving member.
US08608664B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a microelectrode capable of recording action potentials of nerve cellsneurons as large-amplitude waveforms and being appropriate for multi-channeling. The electrode 1 of the present invention comprises a conductive linear core material 2, an insulating coating layer 3a with which the outer circumference of the linear core material is coated, and an extending part 3b formed by extending the end part of the coating layer on one tip side of the linear core material beyond the tip in the longitudinal direction of the linear core material, in which a cavity that opens in the extending direction is formed within the extending part.
US08608661B1
A method including positioning a delivery device at a location in a blood vessel; advancing the delivery device a distance into a wall of the blood vessel to a treatment site beyond an external elastic lamina of the blood vessel; and after advancing the delivery device, introducing a treatment agent including a cellular component through the delivery device. A composition including a treatment agent comprising a cellular component associated with a matrix material, wherein the composition is suitable for percutaneous delivery. Also an apparatus suitable for delivering a treatment agent. Also, a kit including a treatment agent.
US08608660B2
A method of tracing the likely contour of an anatomical element in a sectional image of an anatomical site, the image being composed of pixels having different intensities, the method including the steps of: a) forming columns of pixels passing through the anatomical element; b) assigning each pixel a pixel score representing the probability of the pixel being situated on the contour of the anatomical element; c) constituting a matrix of pixel scores from a plurality of columns of pixels and defining numerous continuous paths of pixels, each passing through a single pixel of each column; d) assigning each continuous path a path score that is a function of the scores of the pixels constituting the continuous path; e) selecting from a set of continuous paths the path that has the best path score, that path representing the likely contour of the anatomical element.
US08608659B2
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe (2) for receiving and transmitting ultrasonic waves from/to an object (1), ultrasound image structuring means (6) for generating an ultrasound image from a reflected echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe, elastic image structuring means (7) for obtaining a physical quantity of the elasticity of a region of the object corresponding to the ultrasound image from the reflected echo signal and generating a color elastic image, display means (9) for overlaying the ultrasound image to the color elastic image, or arranging the ultrasound image and the color elastic input means (17) for variably setting a corresponding relationship between a hue of the color elastic image and the level of the physical quantity displayed on the screen. The level of the elasticity, such as the strain of each region in the tissue or an elastic modulus, is displayed with colors in accordance with the interest of the examiner, thus improving the convenience of use.
US08608655B2
A sleep evaluation device 1 is provided with a respiration detection unit 7 that detects changes in respiration and outputs respiration signals. CPU 6 generates six primary parameters indicating sleep states based on the respiration signals and four secondary parameters based on the primary parameters. The secondary parameters are linearly independent of one another. Evaluation unit 20 computes a sleep score indicating the degree of the quality of sleep by multiplying each of the four secondary parameters by second coefficients and totalizing results of the multiplications. Results of the evaluations are displayed on display unit 4.
US08608654B2
A method performed by a data processing system of registering patient-related data, the method including receiving, from a registration device, a set of identification data items and one or more identification time stamps, wherein each identification time stamp is associated with at least one of the identification data items, and the set of identification data items comprises a device identification data item identifying an electronic device and a patient identification data item identifying a patient; receiving, from the electronic device, patient-related data to be registered and an acquisition time stamp indicative of an acquisition time at which the patient-related data has been acquired; and associating the received patient-related data with an identified patient based on at least the received device identification data item, the received patient identification data item, the received one or more identification time stamps and the received acquisition time stamp.
US08608651B2
A retractor has a proximal portion comprising a first side portion having a first longitudinal edge and a second side portion having a second longitudinal edge. The first and second portions being movable relative to each other such that the first and second longitudinal edges can be positioned in close proximity to each or spaced apart by a selected distance. A distal portion has an outer surface and an inner surface partially defining a passage. The distal portion is capable of having a configuration when inserted within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of the passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of the passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location.
US08608645B2
A stereo-endoscope is provided having a hollow shank with two axially parallel optical channels, which channels run through the hollow shank and respectively form at least a section of an image path to respective oculars of a binocular observation device arranged on the proximal end of the hollow shank. Moreover, the stereo-endoscope includes a camera connection, and one of the optical channels also forms at least one section of an image path to the camera connection.
US08608643B2
An implantable device for anatomical support includes a sling, a first interconnecting member that is coupled to the sling, and a second interconnecting member that is coupled to the sling. An adjustable anchor is slidably coupled to the first interconnecting member to permit bidirectional movement along the first interconnecting member, and configured to exert a compressive force generating frictional interference between the adjustable anchor and the first interconnecting member, to inhibit the bi-directional movement of the adjustable anchor along the first interconnecting member unless sufficient force is applied to overcome the frictional interference. Also, a fixed anchor is fixedly coupled to the second interconnecting member.
US08608639B2
An intravaginal device has a working portion (e.g., intravaginal urinary incontinence device suppository, tampon) and an anchoring portion comprising at least one member extending beyond at least one end of the working portion to maintain the working portion in place during use.
US08608632B1
Methods and devices for minimally-invasive delivery of radiation to the posterior portion of the eye including a cannula comprising a distal portion connected to a proximal portion and a means for advancing a radionuclide brachytherapy source (RBS) toward the tip of the distal portion; a method of introducing radiation to the human eye comprising inserting a cannula between the Tenon's capsule and the sclera of the human eye and emitting the radiation from the cannula on an outer surface of said sclera.
US08608630B2
An elastic rope-type abdominal exerciser includes a main body, a retractable rod, and a lower cover. The main body includes a bottom board having an insertion hole, an inner pipe at a central portion thereof for the retractable rod to slide thereon, an elastic strip which is transversely connected to two sides of the bottom board, and a pair of sliding axles which are located close to two sides of the inner pipe and above the elastic strip. The retractable rod includes a hook pipe at a front end thereof. The hook pipe has a hook board on an outer wall thereof. The hook pipe is positioned by a screw. The lower cover is coupled to the main body. The lower cover has a slot corresponding in position to the center of the elastic strip. The present invention is simple in configuration and convenient for assembly.
US08608628B2
An exercise weight includes a weight member, a handle member spaced apart from and substantially surrounding the weight member, and at least one attachment member joining the weight member to the handle member so that the weight member is located inside the handle member. The exercise weight has a relatively narrow profile, or width, to avoid contact with the body during exercise.
US08608622B2
One embodiment of the present invention includes a system and method for alleviating symptoms of a medical disorder of a patient by forced exercise. The system includes an exercise machine having movable portions that move in response to a first contribution by a patient and in response a second contribution by a motor. The system further includes at least one mechanical sensor and a control system programmed to alter the second contribution by the motor in response to the sensed data.
US08608621B2
There is provided an audio pacing device including a sensing unit, such as heart rate monitoring unit, to obtain a parameter, such as heart-beat rate (pulse), of a user in physical exercise, a memory to store a plurality of audio signals having predetermined tempo indications (e.g. beats per minute values); and a processing unit configured to (1) determine whether the intensity of the parameter of the user should be increased, decreased or maintained by using the parameter of the user from the heart rate monitor and a predetermined reference value, and (2) dynamically select and render an audio signal having (or adjusted to have) an audio-tempo that enables the user to accordingly increase, decrease or maintain exercise intensity, respectively.
US08608620B2
A control method of an assist pump for automatic transmission of a vehicle is provided with an ISG system. The control method includes executing idle stop and go, detecting present transmission gear shift and operating an assist hydraulic pump at a predetermined standard RPM according to detected present transmission gear shift. The control method may reduce electric power consumption and enhance battery durability and fuel efficiency.
US08608599B2
A sport ball may include a casing and a bladder located within the casing. The casing may include a plurality of panel elements joined to each other with welds, and portions of the panel elements that include the welds may project toward an interior of the ball. A method of manufacturing a sport ball may include providing a plurality of casing elements that include a thermoplastic polymer material. Edges of the casing elements are welded to each other to join the casing elements. The casing elements may then be turned inside-out through an aperture formed by at least one of the casing elements, and the aperture may be sealed.
US08608597B2
A blade for a hockey stick which can readily absorb impact from the puck, and can allow the user to feel the puck on the blade in contrast to conventional carbon fiber blades. The blade can include a blade member integrally formed of composite material having discontinuous fibers bonded within thermosetting resin. The blade member can have a blade periphery surrounding a central blade region. The central blade region can have a plurality of openings arranged in a pattern to form series of elongate criss crossing ribs that extend between and connect different sides of the blade periphery to each other. The fibers in the blade periphery can be in a generally jumbled orientation, and the fibers in the central blade region can be positioned within the ribs in a manner wherein each rib contains a plurality of fibers that substantially extend in said each rib's elongate direction.
US08608594B2
A first golf ball 2 includes a core 4, a mid-layer 6, and a cover 8. The core 4 includes a center 10 and an envelope layer 12. The mid-layer 6 includes a metal ion source (C) that can neutralize an ionomer resin. The mid-layer 6 has a melt flow rate (at 190° C. and 2.16 kg) of 4 g/10 minute or greater. The difference (H3-H1) between the JIS-C hardness H3 of the cover 8 and the JIS-C central hardness H1 of the center 10 is equal to or greater than 45. A second golf ball 22 includes a core 24, a mid-layer 28, and a cover 30. The mid-layer 28 has a melt flow rate (at 190° C. and 2.16 kg) of 4 g/10 minute or greater. Preferably, the mid-layer 28 includes a high melt viscosity resin (A), a low melt viscosity ionomer resin (B), and a metal ion source (C1).
US08608592B2
A golf club component, such as a golf club head and/or a golf club shaft, can comprise a golf club component substrate having an outer layer of titanium carbide, typically comprising at least forty percent (40%) carbon content. Alternatively, a golf club component can comprise a golf club component substrate, at least a portion of which is enveloped by a first coating layer of, for example, electroplated nickel, a second coating layer of, for example, electroplated chromium or palladium, and a third coating layer of titanium carbide applied by physical vapor deposition. The titanium carbide layer is durable and can provide the golf club component with a desired aesthetic appearance, such as a black color. Additionally, the golf club component can be coated with a fourth coating layer, such as a layer comprising a sealant or clear coat material.
US08608589B2
A golf club with a new innovative construction to attach a high density weight to an external surface of the sole of a golf club head is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention relates to utilizing a thickened sole portion having a specific surface area to thickness ratio to provide adequate support for a high density weight having a significant amount of mass. The new innovative method of attachment also incorporates a unique mechanical lock to properly secure the high density weight to the club head, as materials used for high density weighting may not be easily weldable to the titanium material currently used for metalwood type golf club head. The present invention's mechanical lock mechanism utilizes a protruding extension stemming from an internal surface of the weight and an attachment socked located within an internal cavity of the golf club head to engage one another to help secure the weight to the golf club head.
US08608585B2
Golf club head or other ball striking device having a reinforced or localized stiffened face portion
A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a head that includes a face configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face. A brace extends from an inner surface of the body or from a perimeter weight system to a contact point on the rear surface of the face. This brace may extend from the sole or a sole oriented perimeter weight member to the rear surface of the face. The brace applies force to the face (at least when the face is flexed by a threshold amount) such that the area of the face surrounding the contact point has less flexibility relative to other areas of the face located away from the contact point. The brace and club head may include structures that allow one to control and customize the force applied to the face.
US08608582B2
This Invention is provided with a pair of strut 120 vertically arranged by the base substrate, a pair of swing member 131, a motor 133, and an arm provided to a rotating shaft of the motor. A pair of swing member 131 is swingably connected to an upper part of the strut 120, a guidance shaft couples each one end neighborhood of the pair of struts. Also a motor 133 is attached to the upper part of the struts 120 similarly, the arm 134 provided to the motor 133 is connected to other end neighborhood of one of swing member 131 among the pair of swing members 131, And, if the rotating shaft of the motor rotates, the other end neighborhood connected with the arm 134 is eccentric rotated, causing swing of the pair of swing member 131.
US08608575B2
A container (100) is disclosed comprising a compartment (110); a controller (120) for controlling access to the compartment (110); a near-field communication device (130) for providing the controller (120) with identification information, said controller (120) being responsive to said identification information, wherein the near-field communication device (130) comprises a plurality of antennae (132), each of said antennae being accessible in a different surface area of the container (100). The container (100) may be used in games using near-field communication (NFC) technology, such as a NFC-based version of pass the parcel. An electronic game system (300) comprising such a container and a game controller (200) for use in such an electronic game system (100) are also disclosed.
US08608574B2
A gaming machine includes at least a cabinet, a hopper unit, an insertion slot to which a game medium is inserted, and a coin sensor that detects the game medium that has been inserted. The coin sensor is disposed directly below the insertion slot. Since the guidepath is not needed between the insertion slot and the coin sensor, such a configuration can prevent coins from blocking the guidepath.
US08608565B2
An operating device used in a game machine for playing a television game includes a main body and first and second finger-manipulatable operating units positioned symmetrically on the main body. The operating device may include first and second grips projecting at spaced positions from the main body, with the first and second operating units being positioned adjacent the first and second grips. The operating device may further include vibration-imparting units for imparting vibrations to the user's hands.
US08608561B2
When a game apparatus detects a double-touch in an area other than an area where an enemy character is displayed, the game apparatus causes a player character to perform a forward roll motion. On the other hand, when the game apparatus detects a touch operation onto the enemy character, a prohibition area is provided at a position of the enemy character. When the game apparatus detects a touch onto the prohibition area, even if the touch operation is the double-touch, the game apparatus prohibits the player character from performing the forward roll motion and causes the player character to attack the enemy character.
US08608558B2
According to some embodiments, a method, apparatus and computer readable medium are provided for facilitating play of a game utilizing an encoded player number and a decoding key for decoding the encoded player number.
US08608556B2
A gaming machine 10 has a display 14 and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display 14. The game controller is arranged to play a game 16 in which at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display 14. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine 10 awards a prize to a player. When a trigger condition occurs in a base game of the game 16, a bonus game feature is awarded comprising a series of bonus games. If a particular special symbol outcome occurs during any of the bonus games, the particular special symbol outcome is collected towards a jackpot prize awarding event.
US08608555B2
The invention generally relates to gaming machines and methods implemented with use of a gaming machine. A prize awarded on a gaming device is awarded by obtaining a turnover value for at least one gaming device over a period of time, calculating a probability value based on the turnover value and using the probability value to determine whether the prize is to be awarded. In some implementations there may be two prizes that are awarded with different probabilities when the gaming machine system is in different configurations.
US08608553B2
A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.
US08608547B2
A game machine includes: an entertainment button that can move up and down from a normal operation position to a protruding position; an assigned object determining part that determines an assigned object that defines a result of a game; an assigned object display part that displays an assigned object symbol corresponding to the assigned object determined by the assigned object determining part; a prize determining part that determines a prize to be given to a player; a prize display part that displays a prize symbol corresponding to the prize determined by the prize determining part; a movement determining part that determines whether or not to move the entertainment button from the normal operation position to the protruding position; a drive control part to move the entertainment button from the normal operation position to the protruding position; and a push operation detecting part that detects the entertainment button being pushed down.
US08608541B2
A gaming device including a game apparatus configured to allow a player to play a game including moveable prize objects is disclosed. The gaming device may also include a prize object holder configured to hold the prize objects where the prize objects are allowed to move within the prize object holder. A controller may be in communication with the game apparatus. The controller may be configured to determine a game outcome and to move the prize object holder to display the game outcome to the player. In another embodiment, a dynamic prize object which is distinguishable from all other prize objects may be included among the moveable prize objects where the dynamic prize object may be used to convey special prizes to the player.
US08608530B2
The present invention is directed to an insertion tool (12) for a machine tool that has a hub (16) with at least one opening (42, 80) for insertion of a fastening means (40, 84), via which the hub (16) is clampable on a driving flange (22) of the machine tool connected to a drive shaft, the opening (42, 80) including a retaining region (54) and a releasing region (56), the releasing region (56) including a stop (66, 88) for limiting a release motion of the fastening means (40, 84).It is provided that the opening (42, 80) adjacent to the stop (66, 88) has a convex section (76, 90).
US08608526B2
An amusement apparatus 100 of the present invention comprises a mirror placed in the bath, a support 125, a lighting member 129, a half mirror 128, a transparent waterproof sheet 130, a waterproofing mechanism 145, and an inlet 146. The support 125 and the lighting member 129 is placed on the mirror 120, the half mirror 128 is supported to the support 125, placed to an inner wall of bath 110 watertightly. Transparent waterproof sheet 130 coats the aperture upper part of bath 110, by a waterproofing mechanism the transparent waterproof sheet is watertightly fixed in the bath. Also an inlet for injecting a liquid between the half mirror and transparent waterproof sheet is provided, by the lighting member lighting up a region between the half mirror and the mirror, a reflection of the light is repeated in the region.
US08608525B1
Certain example embodiments relate to organic light emitting diode (OLED) inclusive devices, and/or methods of making the same. A substrate supports a transparent conductive coating (TCC) based layer, and first and second organic layers disposed thereon. A reflective conductive layer is supported by the organic layers. An out-coupling layer stack (OCLS) interposed between the organic layers and a viewer of the device includes a hybrid organic-inorganic polymer matrix having scatterers dispersed throughout in a manner such that each scatterer is located in the far field of its nearest neighbor. The scatterers are dispersed to have a high Zeta potential, and promote Mie-like scattering of light passing through the OCLS. Mie-like scattering caused by the OCLS may help to frustrate the wave-guiding modes in the glass, e.g., by breaking down the in-phase coherence.
US08608520B2
A cable connector comprises a first connector and a cable. The first connector comprises a first connector body and a first circuit board. The first circuit board has first and second surfaces, a plurality of first connection points installed on the first surface, and soldering portions of the first conductive terminals correspondingly soldered to the first connection points. The first circuit board has a plurality of second connection points on the first and second surfaces, and the cable's conducting wires are correspondingly soldered to each second connection point. The first connector comprises a first coating partially encasing the first circuit board. The first coating comprises first and second portions. The first portion encases one side of the first surface in order to encase the first connection points. The second portion encases the edge of the first and second surfaces in order to encase the second connection points.
US08608511B2
A card connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a number of contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing, a metal shell (5) covering the insulative housing for defining a first space, and a pair of spring elements (3, 4) associating with the insulative housing and the metal shell for defining a second space. The insulative housing defines a pair of cavities (13, 14) and having a flange (133, 143) extending into each cavity. The spring elements have fixing portions (31, 41) retained with the insulative housing, front and rear flexible beams (32, 33, 42, 43) oppositely extending from the fixing portions, and first, second, third, and fourth floating portions (34, 35, 44, 45) formed on respective distal ends of the front and rear flexible beams. The floating portions protrude into the first space. Each floating portion has a protrusion (341, 351, 441, 451) suspending below the flange.
US08608506B2
A power terminal connector having a terminal body that has a socket configured to receive, and be electrically connected to, a pin of a power terminal. A spring clip is coupled to the terminal body. The spring clip is movable between a locking position and a clearance position. The spring clip is configured to engage the pin of the power terminal in the locking position to secure the power terminal connector to the power terminal. The spring clip is configured to be disengaged from the pin of the power terminal in the clearance position. A cap is coupled to the terminal body. The cap is coupled to the spring clip to move the spring clip between the locking position and the clearance position as the cap is actuated.
US08608502B2
A connection mechanism between two components may use one or metallic pins that are magnetically extended when the components are engaged, and a sloped groove that retracts and unlocks the pins when the components are rotated. The components are locked in place by the pins during engagement. Disengagement may be performed by rotating the two components with respect to each other. The connection mechanism may include one or more magnets mounted on either or both components. The magnets may be arranged to attract the components when the components are in the locking orientation and to repel the components when the components are rotated to an unlocked position. The connection mechanism may include electrical connections between the components.
US08608498B2
A connector includes a first terminal housing for housing plural first connecting terminals aligned, a second terminal housing for housing plural second connecting terminals aligned, plural insulating members, a connecting member for collectively fixing and electrically connecting the plural first connecting terminals and the plural second connecting terminals at each contact point by pressing the plural first connecting terminals and the plural second connecting terminals. The connecting member includes a ring-shaped support fixed to the first terminal housing and a pressing portion an upper part of which is inserted into a hollow formed inside the ring-shaped support so as to be pivotally supported by the support. The pressing portion is configured to turn relative to the support by turning the upper part of the pressing portion and to move relative to the support with the turning of the pressing portion in a vertical direction.
US08608496B2
A connector for multi-phase conductors. The connector includes conductors for conducting multi-phase currents, and at least one conductive plate corresponding to each phase. Each conductive plate defines apertures for the conductors to pass through, there being at least one aperture in each conductive plate for each respective conductor. Each conductive plate includes at least one connecting member for forming an external electrical connection. Each conductor passes through a respective aperture of each conductive plate. Each conductor is selectively coupled to form electrical connection only to a conductive plate corresponding to the respective phase of the conductor.
US08608493B2
A keying mechanism within a device bay allows a device connector of a device to make electrical connection with the device bay connector when a key slot of the device is located in one of a plurality of predetermined locations on the device. The keying mechanism prevents the device connector from making electrical connection with the device bay connector when the device does not have a key slot in any of the predetermined locations.
US08608489B2
An AC adaptor is disclosed, a plug extends in a first direction so as to penetrate a part of a case. A circuit board is disposed within the case. A contact terminal is disposed on the circuit board, and elastically contacts an end portion of the plug (without being soldered thereon). A first regulator is disposed within the case and regulates a position of the circuit board in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A second regulator is disposed within the case and regulates a position of the circuit board in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.
US08608480B2
A method is generally described which includes providing training by altering a user's motional response includes directing a user to perform specified motions in accordance with a training sequence and detecting the user's motions, by a feedback sensor device, the motions associated with the user. The method also includes generating, by the control program, control data based on the data representative of the detected motions and the training sequence. The control program is configured to receive data representative of the detected motions and to receive the training sequence. The control program has a control algorithm configured to generate control data based on the data representative of the detected motions and the information. Further, the method includes running the control program by a controller configured to output control signals based on the control data. Further still, the method includes delivering current, during a repeating phase in which the user is attempting to repeat the training sequence, from the current source to a vestibular stimulation device configured to deliver a stimulation current to at least one electrical contact, in response to the control signals. The at least one electrical contact is configured to contact flesh of the user.
US08608467B2
The present invention relates to a device for twisting elongated dough strips, comprising at least one pair of grippers, each arranged for gripping and respectively releasing one short side of a dough strip, and means for mutually rotating the grippers around an axis of rotation. In an embodiment, the device comprises a first conveyor for supplying dough strips oriented with their long sides perpendicular to the direction of conveyance wherein the width of the first conveyor is chosen smaller than the long sides of the dough strips so that the short sides of a dough strip protrude from the first conveyor, and a second conveyor for carrying off the twisted dough strips. The invention further provides a method for twisting an elongated dough strip.
US08608459B2
A vacuum pump having a vacuum pumping mechanism mounted for rotation by a shaft and a brushless motor for rotating the shaft where the vacuum pumping mechanism comprises a turbo pumping mechanism comprising pumping stages, and a molecular drag pumping mechanism comprising at least one pumping stage, and a shaft supported for rotation by bearings, and where the motor comprises a permanent magnet rotor fixed relative to the shaft and the rotor has four poles and a stator has non-overlapping stator coils.
US08608458B2
A pump assembly includes a pump housing (2) with a fluid entry (6) and a fluid exit (8) for a fluid to be delivered. A stator housing (4) is connected to the pump housing (2). At least one cooling channel (12) is formed in a wall of the stator housing (4) and is connected to cooling channels (22, 24) in the pump housing (2), which are in connection with the fluid entry (6) and the fluid exit (8), so that the fluid flows through the at least one cooling channel on account of the pressure difference between the fluid entry (6) and the fluid exit (8).
US08608455B2
A fluid rotary machine with a decreased footprint and a reduction in the number of parts. The fluid rotary machine has four heads wherein double-headed pistons are disposed inside cylinders in a crisscross arrangement. The rotational balance between rotational parts including the double-headed pistons is achieved only by first and second balance weights which are inserted and incorporated into both ends of a crank shaft coupled eccentrically to a shaft. The shaft is rotated for the double-headed pistons to linearly reciprocate in the cylinders. The fluid rotary machine has rotary valves for switching between the suction and discharge operations of the fluid for each cylinder chamber. The rotary valves are incorporated into a case to be coaxial and integrally rotatable with the shaft.
US08608452B2
A variable coolant pump for a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine that has a pump housing in which is mounted a hollow shaft that is driveable by a pulley. At one end of the hollow shaft an impeller is fastened which has vanes projecting into an inlet chamber and which is firmly connected via axial bridges to a cover disc. Through rotation of the impeller together with the cover disc, water can be sucked into the inlet chamber via an inlet connection piece of the pump housing and conveyed by the vanes into an annular passage of the pump housing. A guide disc with a contour corresponding to the impeller is further arranged between impeller and cover disc. The guide disc is guided by the axial bridges and can be displaced axially via a positioning unit by a piston located inside the hollow shaft.
US08608449B2
A support for a large vertical axis wind turbine including a tower frame, a platform, a vertical central axis, and a vertical axis windmill including a plurality of blades and supporting arms. The platform is disposed on the tower frame for installing and fixing a generator. The vertical central axis and the vertical axis windmill are supported by the tower frame. The tower frame is a truss structure and includes at least three sub-tower frames which are in parallel with each other and form a regular polygon from top view. The sub-tower frames are hollow tubes. The ratio of a diameter of the vertical axis windmill to a distance between two adjacent sub-tower frames is between 2.5 and 6. The ratio of the diameter of the vertical axis windmill to a height of the tower frame is between 3 and 0.5.
US08608440B2
A system for controlling propeller blade pitch in a turboshaft engine, including: a first track connected to a propeller blade, of which the rotation provides for the setting of the incidence of this blade; a second track; a member actuating the first track, arranged between the first and second tracks, and having a recessed angular portion; and at least one locking member provided between the first and second tracks, housed in the recessed angular portion and in the notch. The locking member can occupy a normal over-center position rendering the first and second tracks integral in rotation, and a release position authorizing the displacement in rotation of a unit including the first track, the locking member, and the actuating member.
US08608437B1
A portable air displacement system for introducing or removing air from a zone has a cylindrical fan housing with an exhaust aperture located on a housing side wall of a housing anterior end. The fan housing has a raised dome with a primary directional intake nozzle located on a raised dome posterior end. The raised dome has a plurality of secondary intake slots located around an arc on a dome anterior side, a dome first side and a dome second side. The system has a centrifugal fan located in the housing cavity connected to a power supply and a power switch. The system has a positioning platform with a first panel and a second panel pivotally attached to housing posterior end for clasping a planar object on either side.
US08608432B2
A fan configured for integration with a structure having at least two support members is disclosed. The fan comprises a fan guard, a fan blade surrounded by the fan guard, and first and second mounting brackets. Each of the first and second mounting brackets is configured for connection to a respective one of the support members. The fan also comprises first and second connectors oppositely disposed on the fan guard and configured for connection to a respective one of first and second mounting brackets. The first and second connectors are adjustable with respect to the first and second mounting brackets, and the fan is configured to rotate between at least two struts. Rotation of the fan between the at least two struts is limited such that an opening defined by one of the struts and said fan guard does not exceed a predetermined size.
US08608428B2
The present invention relates to a submersible centrifugal pump assembly comprising an impeller suspended in the end of a drive shaft, and driven in rotation relative to an impeller seat which is stationary in normal operation and which defines an axial intake for liquid to be transported by the impeller in rotation. The pump assembly is characterized in that the impeller seat is journalled in a pump housing for limited rotational movements in opposite directions of rotation relative to the pump housing, and in rotation controlled in guide means for limited linear displacements in opposite axial directions relative to the impeller.
US08608425B2
A wind compressor system having one or more wind turbines and a plurality of wind compressors located proximate the one or more wind turbines. The wind compressors optimize the energy created by the wind turbines by redirecting and converging the wind from the wind compressor to the wind turbines. Each of the wind compressors comprises an obstruction having a size and shape adapted to converge the wind currents by means of a Venturi effect toward the one or more turbines thereby increasing the velocity and force of the wind hitting the wind turbine. A plurality of transporters coupled to the wind compressors. The transporters configured to move at least one wind compressors to a location that maximizes the force of the wind encountered by the turbine.
US08608422B2
In order to prevent particles within a unit from sticking to a substrate in a substrate processing process, an ion generator charges the particles. At the same time, a direct current voltage of the same polarity as the charged polarity of the particles is applied from a direct current power source to the substrate. In order to prevent generation of particles when producing gas plasma, a high-frequency voltage is applied to the upper and lower electrodes at multiple stages to produce plasma. In other words, at a first step, a minimum high-frequency voltage at which plasma can be ignited is applied to the upper and lower electrodes, thereby producing a minimum plasma. Thereafter, the applied voltage is increased in stages to produce predetermined plasma.
US08608418B2
A bonding washer for making electrical connection between two metal pieces that are to be mechanically fastened together. The washer, to be interposed between the two metal pieces, may be constructed so as to fasten to one of the pieces before the two pieces are joined. Teeth on the washer, positioned at right angles to the plane of the washer, are forced into each of the two metal pieces when the fastener is tightened, making electrical connection between the two metal pieces.
US08608409B2
A pile driver for driving foundation piles, and having: a frame, in turn having a horizontal base, at least one upright extending upwards from the base, and a movable body which slides along the upright; a first lock device fitted to the horizontal base and which, in use, rigidly engages a connecting member of a foundation structure; a second lock device fitted to the movable body and which, in use, rigidly engages a shaft of a pile to be driven; and at least one hydraulic jack connected to the frame and to the movable body to move the movable body along the upright.
US08608406B2
A reeled pipe storage reel with a large diameter hollow cylindrical shaft, reel shaft bearing support structures installed on the vessel, and a reel drive arrangement mounted on the vessel. The shaft across the width of the reel provides structural stiffness and consistent alignment of the bearings on each end of the shaft. Each end of the shaft extends beyond the reel and includes a section for connection to a lifting sling, a section for the machine bearing surface, and a section for absorbing initial contact with the vessel during installation. The reel shaft bearing support structures on the vessel include a fixed portion to match the bearing area of the reel shaft and a movable portion to absorb initial contact during installation of the reel. The reel drive arrangement is located on linkages so they can be manipulated in the plane of the reel flange for movement into engagement with the drive gear on the reel flange.
US08608405B2
In some embodiments, methods of disposing of produced water recovered during hydrocarbon drilling, production, transportation or storage operations include collecting produced water, mixing Type I Portland cement with produced water to form a cementitious slurry, introducing the cementitious slurry into an underground void and allowing the cementitious slurry to set and form cement.
US08608403B2
A machine comprising a vibratory compactor assembly having a cylindrical drum connected to the machine with an axle. The assembly has a shaft extending concentrically through the center of the cylindrical drum that has a first end and a second end. The shaft has an electromagnet between its first end and second end. The electromagnet can receive electric current to create a magnetic field that applies an attractive magnetic force between the shaft and the drum that pulls the shaft and at least a portion of the drum toward one another.
US08608400B2
According to an example embodiment, a position arrangement device includes at least one joint module between a first base and a second base. The at least one joint module is configured to adjust a position of the second base relative to the first base based on elastic flexion in the joint module.
US08608393B2
A method for making an actuator includes forming a substantially planar actuator device of an electrically conductive material, the device incorporating an outer frame, a fixed frame attached to the outer frame, a moveable frame disposed parallel to the fixed frame, a motion control flexure coupling the moveable frame to the outer frame for coplanar, rectilinear movement relative to the outer frame and the fixed frame, an actuator incorporating a plurality of interdigitated teeth, a fixed portion of which is attached to the fixed frame and a moving portion of which is attached to the moveable frame, moving the moveable frame to a deployed position that is coplanar with, parallel to and spaced a selected distance apart from the fixed frame, and fixing the moveable frame at the deployed position for substantially rectilinear, perpendicular movement relative to the fixed frame.
US08608380B2
An air discharge valve for a vacuum-sealed clothes bag having a flexible container includes a valve body for openably closing the vacuum-sealed clothes bag. A hanger is attached to the valve body to extend upwards from the valve body, the hanger being arranged in a substantially coplanar relationship with the valve body. An anchor member is securely attached to the flexible container. First and second fixing caps are fixed to opposite surfaces of the anchor member. A cloth holder is suspended from the anchor member to hold a cloth contained in the flexible container. The valve body is fitted to the first and second fixing caps in a rotatable manner.
US08608371B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the creation and dispensing of a custom formulation within a package at a retail point of sale. In one aspect, the invention includes an automated dispensing apparatus including at least a two-axis robot arm. In another aspect, the invention includes an automated mixer adapted to mix the dispensed custom formulation within the package.
US08608368B2
An embodiment of a system for controlling loading of food products in a food mixing unit by using a loader unit, the system having: a weighing device, which is mounted on the mixing unit and has a memory for storing at least one recipe of food products to be loaded and, for each food product of the recipe, first geographic coordinates associated with the food product and identifying a stocking area of the food product; a GPS receiver associated to the loader unit to detect second geographic coordinates identifying the place in which the loader unit is located; and a processing unit configured to check the weight of the food products of the recipe as these are gradually loaded in the mixing unit, to acquire the second geographic coordinates for each food product being loaded when the loader unit takes the food product from a stocking area and to compare the second geographic coordinates with the first geographic coordinates for each food product being loaded in order to verify that the correct food product is being taken.
US08608366B2
A screw-shaped LED including a high power LED, a metal circuit board, power supply cords, and a screw-shaped housing. The high power LED and the metal circuit board are both mounted inside the screw-shaped housing. Within the housing, the high power LED is fixed on and electrically connected with the metal circuit board. The power supply cords are electrically connected with the metal circuit board and pass through the screw-shaped housing.
US08608359B2
A mobile terminal includes a first base having a first light transmission part, the first light transmission part is configured to transmit light from an inside to an outside of the first base. A light source is arranged inside the first base and in a location capable of emitting the light to the outside of the first base via the first light transmission part. A light reflector is arranged outside the first base and in a location corresponding to the first light transmission part, and the first light reflector has a greater strength than that of the first base.
US08608347B2
Embodiments of a lighting apparatus with a light source using one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) to generate light. In one embodiment, the lighting apparatus comprises a light diffusing assembly that generates an optical intensity profile consistent with incandescent lamps. The light diffusing assembly comprises an envelope and a reflector element having frusto-conical member and an aperture element disposed therein. The lighting apparatus can also comprise a heat dissipating assembly with a plurality of heat dissipating elements disposed annularly about the envelope. In one example, the heat dissipating elements are spaced apart from the envelope to promote convective heat dissipation.
US08608345B2
A portable device having within it a multicolor illumination arrangement comprising: a surface; a plurality of light sources, (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e),at least one of the plurality of light sources being capable of generating two or more emission colors; and drive means (17) for causing the emission color of the at least one light source to vary; whereby the illumination arrangement can produce a varying illumination through at least part of the surface.
US08608335B2
Lighting apparatus and structures are described to space electrical drivers from a light panel. In this way, a driver box housing the driver can be spaced from the light panel to communicate with pre-existing facilities (e.g. electrical wiring) and can serve the additional advantage of keeping the driver box out of standing water that may accumulate on the structure.
US08608332B1
A multi-function umbrella attachment assembly for cooling, lighting, and providing music to an area adjacent to an umbrella. The assembly includes a panel and an aperture extending through the panel. The aperture is configured for positioning around a pole of an umbrella. At least one light emitter is coupled to the panel. At least on speaker is coupled to the panel. At least one fan is coupled to the panel.
US08608324B1
A portable anti-condensation mirror apparatus for use while shaving in a shower environment includes a housing having a plurality of walls that together define an interior area. A front wall of the housing defines a slot. The apparatus includes a reflection panel having a first end operatively coupled to the housing and an opposed free end, the reflection panel being movable between a retracted configuration substantially inside the interior area and an extended configuration extending through the slot and substantially outside the interior area. At least one housing suction cup is mounted to a rear wall of the housing so as to selectively mount the housing in a shower. A heating member is positioned in the interior area and configured to generate heat inside the interior area when energized by a battery.
US08608322B2
A foreign substance removal apparatus detects how large difference is generated between a time phase of a vibration detected when a bending vibration of an m-order vibration mode is excited at an optical low-pass filter 410, and a time phase of a vibration detected when a bending vibration of an (m+1)-order vibration mode is excited at the optical low-pass filter 410. Then, the foreign substance removal apparatus calculates main driving parameters for use in a main driving operation based on the detected time phase difference.
US08608315B2
A device and method for pre-operative selection and determination of a position of an endoprosthesis using a first rear projection screen with variable opacity and a movable second rear projection screen located in front of the first projection screen in respect of rear projection. The device may include a first projection unit for generating at least one first projection of the region of a subject in which an endoprosthesis is to be fitted, onto the first rear projection screen, and a second projection unit for generating at least one second projection of the endoprosthesis onto the second rear projection screen, the scaling of the first and second projection being identical. In an alternative embodiment, the second rear projection screen can be omitted.
US08608311B2
A computer-implemented method of designing an iris region of a colored contact lens including providing an annular digital image representing at least a portion of an iris region of the eye. Applying a gradient fill algorithm to the digital image. And applying a halftoning algorithm to the digital image.
US08608307B2
A transfix roller is adapted for use with a thin walled image receiving member in an indirect printer. The transfix roller is centrally supported to present a more uniform pressure profile in the nip formed with the image receiving member. An interference fit between the central shaft and the roller sleeve enables the transfix roller to be made without an additional process to secure the shaft to the sleeve.
US08608296B2
An inkjet printer head includes: a semiconductor substrate; a vibration diaphragm provided on the semiconductor substrate and capable of vibrating in an opposing direction in which the vibration diaphragm is opposed to the semiconductor substrate; a piezoelectric element provided on the vibration diaphragm; a pressure chamber provided on a side of the vibration diaphragm adjacent to the semiconductor substrate as facing the vibration diaphragm, the pressure chamber being filled with an ink; and a nozzle extending through the vibration diaphragm and communicating with the pressure chamber for ejecting the ink supplied from the pressure chamber.
US08608293B2
Disclosed is a process for preparing an ink jet printhead which comprises: (a) providing a diaphragm plate having a plurality of piezoelectric transducers bonded thereto; (b) aligning an electrical circuit board having a fill joint with the piezoelectric transducers and temporarily attaching the electrical circuit board to the piezoelectric transducers, thereby creating a layered structure having interstitial spaces between the diaphragm plate, the piezoelectric transducers, and the electrical circuit board; (c) applying a thermoset polymer through the fill joint and allowing it to fill the interstitial spaces via capillary action; and (d) curing the thermoset polymer to form an interstitial polymer layer.
US08608290B2
A liquid ejecting head includes a plate which is composed of a material containing silicon, a titanium oxide layer which is disposed above the plate, a bismuth-containing layer which is disposed above the titanium oxide layer and contains bismuth, a first electrode which is disposed above the bismuth-containing layer and composed of platinum, a piezoelectric layer which is disposed above the first electrode and composed of a piezoelectric material containing at least bismuth, and a second electrode which is disposed above the piezoelectric layer.
US08608289B2
A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric layer, and an electrode provided on the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is composed of a compound oxide having a perovskite structure and containing bismuth lanthanum ferrate manganate and barium titanate. The molar ratio of the barium titanate to the total amount of the bismuth lanthanum ferrate manganate and the barium titanate is 0.09 or more and 0.29 or less. A liquid ejecting head includes a pressure-generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening, and a piezoelectric element as described above. A liquid ejecting apparatus includes the above-described liquid ejecting head.
US08608285B2
A liquid discharge head includes a recording element board provided with an energy generating element, an electrical wiring board to supply the energy generating element with an electrical signal, a supporting member to support the recording element board and the electrical wiring board, a plurality of wires to connect a plurality of terminals provided on the recording element board and a plurality of terminals provided on the electrical wiring board, and a sealing member. The plurality of wires include a plurality of transmitting wires contributory to transmission of the electrical signal and a plurality of non-transmitting wires non-contributory to the transmission and formed at a higher position than that of the transmitting wires from a surface of the supporting member which supports the recording element board. The sealing member is arranged to cover the plurality of transmitting wires as well only some parts of the plurality of non-transmitting wires.
US08608282B2
A first common tangent of a first pulley and a second pulley is in parallel with the scanning direction. A second external common tangent of the first pulley and a third pulley intersects with the scanning direction. A motor has a shaft extended in a first direction and connected to the third pulley. An endless belt is wound on the first, second, and third pulleys. A belt connecting portion is provided on the carriage and connected to the belt in a portion on the first external common tangent. The distance between the head passing region and the third pulley is greater than a radial difference obtained as the length of the radius of the motor minus the radius of the third pulley. The distance between the head passing region and the belt connecting portion is smaller than the radial difference.
US08608278B2
A printing device can be configured with different numbers of ink colors and ink types to print with a different cross-process direction print resolution for each ink color and ink type. The printing device includes a plurality of printhead arrays with each printhead array being configured to eject ink onto an image receiving surface at a first print resolution in a cross-process direction. Each ink supply in a plurality of ink supplies is configured to provide ink to one printhead array in the plurality of printhead arrays, and a controller is configured to operate the printhead arrays at one of at least two combinations of ink colors and ink types. The controller operates the printhead arrays ejecting a same ink color or a same ink type at a second print resolution in the cross-process direction that is different than the first print resolution.
US08608273B2
Methods and systems herein provide for print data compensation for a print head based on a lateral offset of a media relative to the print head. In one embodiment, a print controller of a printer identifies an edge of a media that is parallel to a direction of travel of the media, and determines a lateral offset between the edge of the media and a print head of the printer. The print controller then modifies data for the print head based on the lateral offset to compensate for a lateral motion of the media relative to the print head.
US08608266B2
A recording apparatus drives a recording element to perform recording on a recording medium. The recording apparatus includes: a drive waveform data acquisition device configured to acquire drive waveform data which contain waveform value information for a plurality of predetermined periods of time of a drive waveform for driving the recording element and contain identification information of the drive waveform data embedded in at least two pieces of the waveform value information; an identification information analysis device configured to extract the identification information from the drive waveform data and to interpret the extracted identification information; a waveform generation device configured to receive the waveform value information for each of the predetermined periods of time of the drive waveform data and to generate the drive waveform according to the received waveform value information, the waveform value information for the predetermined periods of time of the drive waveform data being sequentially inputted to the waveform generation device; and a drive device configured to drive the recording element according to the drive waveform generated by the waveform generation device.
US08608264B2
A repositionable rail system for a refrigerator includes first and second rails, each rail having a plurality of spaced-apart apertures. A crossbar has first and second ends adapted to fit within respective apertures on the first and second rails. After inserting the crossbar into the apertures, the crossbar is rotated to a fixed angled position. A half-width shelf having a hook is adapted to removably supported, in a cantilevered manner, by the crossbar. The half-width shelf can be slid along the crossbar for repositioning within the refrigerator cabinet, or may be placed alongside another half-width shelf on a crossbar, or replaced with a full width shelf mounted on the first and second rails in a corresponding, cantilevered manner.
US08608260B2
The workstation includes a cabinet 100 having a worktop 101 and a compartment 3 for tool storage, a compartment containing a paper towel dispenser, a compartment 7 which contains a waste bin, and compartments 6, 9 housing self-retracting hose reels for air and water. The hose reel compartments are recessed behind the front face of the cabinet to accommodate hose end fittings, and may occupy a lower portion of the cabinet. The space above may be occupied by a panel containing electrical and/or data connectors, the paper towel dispenser, and a dispenser for latex gloves. A further compartment 8 houses a personal computer carried by a drawer mounted on runners. An upstanding pegboard 30 is mounted on vertical sliders and operated by pneumatic cylinders or an electric motor allowing it to be stowed behind the rear of the cabinet when not in use. A flat screen monitor 40 is mounted on the pegboard, and a keyboard holder 42 may be provided for storing a computer keyboard in a vertical plane.
US08608259B2
A housing includes a main body, a cover coverable on the main body, and a latching mechanism for latching the cover to the main body. The main body defines at least one elongated hole. The cover defines at least one latching hole corresponding to the at least one elongated hole. The latching mechanism includes a driving member and a latching member coupled to the driving member. The driving member is rotatable around an axis A and drives the latching member sliding between a first position away from the axis A to a second position adjacent to the axis A. When the latching member is driven to slide to the first position, the latching member is detachable from the at least one latching hole, and the cover is unlatched from the main body; when the latching member is driven to slide to the second position, the latching member is latched to the at least one latching hole, and the cover is latched to the main body.
US08608255B2
When vehicle speed V decreases to or below a preset reference vehicle speed Vref during output of regenerative braking force from a motor in response to the driver's depression of a brake pedal, the vehicle of the invention performs a replacement pre-operation (steps S190 to S220 and S160) and a replacement operation (steps S240 to S280 and S160) and controls the motor and an electronically controlled hydraulic braking system to satisfy a braking force demand BF*. The replacement pre-operation actuates and controls pumps included in a brake actuator of the electronically controlled hydraulic braking system to exert their proper pressurization performance. The replacement operation decreases the regenerative braking force output from the motor and enhances a pressure increase by the pumps to replace the regenerative braking force with a pressure increase-based braking force BFpp.
US08608253B1
A locking hub that is useful for wheels on small vehicles. Such wheels may use a press fit or integrally cast version of the invention. The locking hub fits over a shaft. The hub has a bore for receiving the end of the shaft. An outer member is connected to and spaced from the hub. A finger is adjacent to the bore and has a protrusion that extends into the bore. The finger is resilient and movable between a first and second position. The first position has the protrusion protruding into the bore and the second position has the protrusion outside of the bore with the finger being bent radially outward. The shaft has a notch or hole that receives the finger. A locking device may selectively be placed between the outer member and the hub to prevent the finger from moving into its second position, thereby locking the hub onto the shaft.
US08608250B2
Methods and systems for turning a cutting drum of a mining machine at a maintenance speed. One mining machine includes a cutting drum with a plurality of bits mounted on the drum and a cutting drum turning mechanism. The cutting drum turning mechanism includes a power source, a cutter motor, a switch, and a variable frequency drive. The state has a first and a second state. The first state electrically couples the power source and the cutter motor to operate the cutting drum at a cutting, and the second state electrically couples the variable frequency drive and the cutter motor to operate the cutting drum at a maintenance speed less than the cutting speed.
US08608247B2
Seat belt shoulder strap comfort and safety devices provide increased comfort and safety for the user. Embodiments of adjustable clips allow positioning of the clip on the seat belt shoulder strap away from the neck and onto the torso minimizing neck or head injury in an accident or near accident also allowing for focus to be maintained on the road or matters that require attention. Embodiments of two channeled clips provide one channel for the shoulder strap and another channel for the waist strap and are designed to guide the should strap in a comfortable direction while reducing the force on the adjustable clip and the passenger. Embodiments of adjustable clips with locking mechanism are combined with a two channeled clip for optimum safety, comfort, and durability. Some embodiments allow for easy installation and removal or adjustment, which allows the seat belt to be fully retracted and not left dangling.
US08608238B2
A space between the trailing edge of a front fender and the outer surface of a front pillar lower in the vehicle width direction is covered with a synthetic resin enclosure inserted from the wheel housing side. The upper end of a main body of the enclosure is provided with an upper extending portion extending toward the lower end of the front pillar upper, and a reinforcing rib is formed on the outer surface of the upper extending portion so as to make the reinforcing rib in contact with the inner surface of a projecting portion of the front fender. A pressure applied to the projecting portion of the front fender is transmitted to the front pillar lower via the reinforcing rib, and thus the surface stiffness of the projecting portion of the front fender can be improved without adding a particular reinforcing member.
US08608236B2
The invention relates to a front module for a motor vehicle, wherein the front module is in one piece and is composed exclusively of plastic.
US08608227B2
A slideout room leveling device for supporting and leveling a slideout room floor of a recreation vehicle. The device may have a base mounted to a threshold of the trailer frame and a support arm that has a friction reducing member mounted to the support arm. A spring member may be mounted on the base to assist in supporting and leveling the slideout room floor. The support arm of the slideout room supporting and leveling device may remain in continuous contact with the floor of a slideout room during extension and retraction in order to support and level the slideout room.
US08608222B2
A tank inlet cover module is provided, which is installable in a motor vehicle, and a tank inlet cover mounted so it is pivotable thereon. The tank inlet cover module has a groove body having an end stop for limiting a pivot movement of the tank inlet cover. The tank inlet cover itself has a tank inlet cover body and a counter stop element, which interacts with the stop of the tank groove via a counter stop surface, furthermore, means being provided for damping a structure-borne noise propagation between counter stop element and the tank inlet cover body.
US08608221B1
A counterbalanced hinge system rotatably attaches a closure panel to a body for rotation about a rotation axis. The counterbalanced hinge system applies an assist torque to the closure panel to bias the closure panel about the rotation axis from a closed position into an open position. A pop-up system is moveable from an un-sprung position into a sprung position to apply an opening force to the closure panel. A reset system includes a connecting cable interconnecting the counterbalanced hinge system and the pop-up system. The reset system converts a portion of the assist torque applied by the counterbalanced hinge system into linear motion of the connecting cable to move the pop-up system from the sprung position into the un-sprung position automatically upon the closure panel moving from the closed position into the open position.
US08608220B2
Disclosed is a separating panel assembly for a vehicle with a rear trunk. An opening is defined in a portion of a separating panel and an access chute is located adjacent to the opening and leads into the trunk. A trunk release handle is located relative to the access chute such that the access chute guides a hand inserted from the passenger compartment through the opening to the trunk release handle. The opening is further located behind a foldable armrest when the armrest is folded up. A movable cover may be provided to cover the opening and reduce air flow between the trunk and the passenger compartment.
US08608218B1
A method of handling products on shelves comprises providing a pan member including a base portion connected to a back portion with the back portion including a handle member and being angularly oriented relative to the base portion, with the base portion including a front edge and the back portion being connected to the base portion opposite the front edge. The method includes placing the front edge of the pan member adjacent a plurality of products stored on a shelf, sliding the pan member and at least a portion of the products relative to each other such that at least a portion of the products are contained in the pan member. The front edge may be positioned perpendicularly relative to the elongate length of the shelf and a biasing force may be provided to the products, such as by way of a retention arm member.
US08608216B2
An elevator connector device designed with an opening for passage of a pipe having a socket, wherein a locking jaw complementary fitting in the elevator connector is arranged to come to abutment against the socket when the pipe is lifted, and wherein the elevator connector is provided with several connected, different locking jaws fitting different pipe dimensions.
US08608209B1
A downhole safety joint for use in a wellbore, including an upper tubular member having an upper threaded end and a lower external threaded section; a lower tubular member having a lower threaded end and an upper interior threaded section for engaging with the lower external threaded section to form a break joint, the break joint having one or more of a maximum compressive stress limit and a tensile stress limit; and one or more circumferential stress reliefs disposed into the outer diameter of at least one of the upper tubular member and the lower tubular member for transmitting a side load applied to the break joint to one or more of the circumferential stress reliefs less than one or more of the compressive stress limit and the tensile stress limit.
US08608205B2
A fluid pipe connection device includes a plug sleeve fixedly fastened and mounted on a pipe joint used for mounting an internal tooth snap ring and a push tooth ring in the pipe joint and the plug sleeve. The internal tooth snap ring clamps the pipe wall after the pipe passes through the plug sleeve, the push tooth ring and the internal tooth snap ring. The push tooth ring pushes away internal teeth along the pipe insertion direction so as to lead the internal tooth snap ring to release the pipe wall before disassembling a pipe. A top end of the push tooth ring is basically flush with an exposed element or contracted in the exposed element under the pipe connection state. The exposed element is the more prominent one of the plug sleeve and the pipe joint. Also provided is a pipe disassembly tool.
US08608196B2
A gas generating system (10) including a filter assembly (36) formed from a plurality of nodules (36b) positioned and secured in relation to each other so as to form a porous structure (36a). In one embodiment, the nodules (36b) are metallic and are secured in relation to each other using either a sintering process or a brazing process. The nodules (36b) may be bonded directly together, or the nodules may be secured within a metallic matrix material. The gas generating system may also include a first baffle plate (40) positioned between the plurality of nodules (36b) and a gas source of the gas generating system (10), and a second baffle plate (42) positioned between the plurality of nodules (36b) and a housing wall (12c) of the gas generating system (10). The baffle plates (40, 42) provide added structural integrity to the porous structure (36a) and increase the length of a tortuous flow path of gases through the filter assembly (36). Apertures (40a, 42a) and are provided in the baffle plates (40, 42) to aid in directing the flow of gases through the porous structure (36b), thereby ensuring a tortuous flow path for the gases. A vehicle occupant protection system (480) incorporating the filter assembly (36) is also described.
US08608191B2
A protection device comprising an inflatable member and one or more structures is described. The inflatable member comprises a first wall and a second wall that form an internal chamber. The one or more structures are housed in the internal chamber, and each structure in the one or more structures comprises a first mesh and a second mesh connected by a plurality of tie members. Methods for manufacturing such a protection device are also described.
US08608190B2
A telescoping handle assembly includes a first handle, a second handle, a first coupling member, a second coupling member and a driving member. The second handle is movably disposed in the first handle. The first coupling member is movably disposed in the first handle and the second handle. The second coupling member is movably disposed in the second handle. The driving member is coupled to the second coupling member and used for driving the second coupling member to move from a first position to a second position. When the second coupling member is located at the first position, the second coupling member is capable of moving with respect to the first coupling member. When the second coupling member is located at the second position, the first coupling member and the second coupling member are capable of moving together while the driving member is driven.
US08608177B2
A sealing system is provided which is intended to achieve an improvement in durability. A dust seal is composed of a first dust seal (100) and a second dust seal (200) which is arranged at a location nearer to an atmospheric air side than the first dust seal (100), wherein each of the first dust seal (100) and the second dust seal (200) has a seal lip formed so as to be slidable with respect to an outer peripheral surface of the shaft. The first dust seal (100) has seal lips (121, 122) made of urethane rubber, and the second dust seal (200) has only a single seal lip (221) which is made of a rubber higher in flexibility than urethane rubber, and which extends toward the atmospheric air side.
US08608173B2
According to one aspect, an apparatus to provide sealing contact between first and second fueldraulic components includes a metallic member, wherein the metallic member comprises a layer of metal that is formed into a spring energized seal member. The apparatus also includes a layer disposed on an outer portion of the metallic member to provide sealing contact between the first and second fueldraulic components.
US08608171B1
A game machine includes a cabinet, a shutter, a sensor and a drive mechanism. The cabinet has a chute for guiding items therein to a hatch accessible to a user. The shutter is normally disposed in a closed position in the cabinet to cover the chute in order to prevent the item from entering the hatch. The sensor is provided for detecting whether an item is deposited on the shutter, and if yes, sending out a signal. Upon reception of the signal, the drive mechanism is activated to cause the shutter to move to an opening position uncovering the chute to allow entry of the detected item into the hatch.
US08608168B2
A storage structure can be used as a target and bounce back for projectiles. The storage structure can include a fixed slightly angled wall (relative to the ground) or may include an adjustable angled wall. The face of the target may include markers to indicate desired projectile strike locations for one or more sports. These markers may be painted on, supplied as a tarp to place over a surface, or provided as colored building materials. For example, an 8 foot by 24 foot box may be indicated on the face of the target to mimic a soccer net. The storage structure may provide not only a storage facility, but also an invitation for users to play, practice and perfect their coordination, reaction time, and skill at various sports.
US08608163B1
An approach is provided for inverting a sheeted substrate processed by a printing system while continuously running the sheeted substrate through the printing system without stopping. The approach involves a series of rolls that cause an orientation of the sheeted substrate to be changed such that the sheeted substrate may be returned to a first process path when inverted for duplex printing, or otherwise diverted to a bypass path.
US08608160B2
A recording apparatus includes a slider that has a cam face with which a cam of the stopper comes into sliding contact and moves in the insertion direction from a first position to a second position with a resistance when the cassette is inserted into the mounting unit. The cam face includes a first cam face on which the cam slides when the slider moves from the first position to the second position and a press cam face against which the cam presses when the paper sheet comes into contact with the stopper. The press cam face has an inclination relative to a reference straight line which is perpendicular to a plane parallel to the insertion direction of the cassette which is greater than that relative to a straight line which extends from the contact point between the press cam face and the cam to the shaft.
US08608148B2
A tool holder (2) defines three stop surfaces (18, 20, 22), which lie in three planes (60, 62, 64), which are perpendicular to each other. A pin (24), which can be lowered into the base body (8) of the tool holder (2) and extended from it, is to be introduced into a receptacle (42) of the tool (4) and comprises a slanted active contact surface (26), which defines a fourth plane (66), which intersects each of the three planes (60, 62, 64) of the tool holder (2) at an acute angle, as a result of which the active pressure surface (26), upon the extension of the pin (24), exerts a force component toward each of the three stop surfaces (18, 20, 22). A corresponding tool (4) and a workstation with the tool holder (2) and the tool (4) attached thereto are also described.
US08608147B1
A workpiece carrier including an insert rail having a plurality of teeth, with each of the plurality of teeth having a first beveled upper edge surface.
US08608140B2
A dust removing and cooling apparatus is provided. High temperature dust-containing harmful gases are exhausted in a state where 99.9% of airborne particulates are removed from the high temperature dust-containing harmful gases at a temperature that is similar to the air so that dust collecting efficiency is very high and white plume can be avoided.
US08608138B2
The present invention comprises a method and system for the infusion of a gas into a liquid. The gas is passed through a container with ceramic filtering material of a specific pore size after which the gas enters the flow stream of the liquid.
US08608137B2
A carburetor including a columnar throttle valve, a fuel nozzle, a metering needle inserted into the fuel nozzle and a cam mechanism caused to rotate in accordance with the throttle operation, whereby the throttle valve is moved by the cam mechanism in the direction of the valve stem while rotating to adjust the air flow rate and the fuel flow rate. The cam mechanism has a cam groove provided with a cam surface so as to gradually deepen in the direction of rotation in a designated range on the external peripheral side of the bottom surface of the throttle valve, and a support pin for supporting the throttle valve from the bottom surface, wherein the support pin being disposed between the cam surface and the bottom surface of the columnar throttle valve chamber rotatably provided with the throttle valve.
US08608136B2
A dust seal structure for a valve stem in a rotary throttle valve The dust seal structure has a cylindrical throttle valve with a metering needle and a throttle through-hole, and a fuel nozzle disposed on the central axis of the throttle valve that is openable into the throttle through-hole with the metering needle inserted therein. The valve stem of the throttle valve, which protrudes at one end from the shaft hole formed in the cover body of a valve hole in the carburetor body, is caused to rotate in accordance with the operation of the accelerator pedal, whereby the throttle valve moves in the direction of a central axis thereof while rotating as a whole, and controls airflow and fuel-flow rate. A dust-proof member composed of a sealing ring is fitted between the valve stem and the shaft hole formed in the cover body.
US08608128B2
Non-contact torque, thrust, strain, and other data sensing of a valve actuator or valve is disclosed. A sensor may include a surface acoustic wave device.
US08608121B2
A reactor metering pipe fixing device fixes a reactor metering pipe disposed in a reactor to a cylindrical outer surface of a jet pump diffuser and reduces stress that may be induced in a weld zone in the reactor metering pipe. An outer holding member 41 is held on the cylindrical outer surface 18a of a jet pump diffuser 18 by a C-shaped holding member 30. The reactor metering pipe 19 is clamped from radial directions by the outer holding member 41 and inner holding members 42 and 43. Wedges 44 and 45 are wedged into a gap between the cylindrical outer surface 18a and the inner holding member 42 and a gap between the cylindrical outer surface 18a and the inner holding member 43 to fix the reactor metering pipe 19 firmly to the cylindrical outer surface 18a.
US08608118B2
A clamping device includes a flexible sleeve secured to one segment of a telescopic rod and having a collar for receiving the other segment, and two lugs displaceable between untightened and tightened positions, and an elastic lining member disposed on the collar such that, as a result of displacement of the lugs from the untightened position to the tightened position, the elastic lining member is strained to acquire a biasing force that biases the lugs back toward the untightened position, thereby facilitating telescopic movement of the telescopic rod during length-adjustment.
US08608114B2
A platform and launch initiation control system for secondary spacecraft for a launch vehicle includes an aluminum honeycomb core sandwiched between top and bottom structural aluminum skins and strengthened by a spider-like stiffener. Spool inserts for engaging the secondary spacecraft are arranged on the platform. A computer processor based auxiliary payload support unit (APSU) is provided on the platform and receives power and enable signals through a single cable from the LV to permit the APSU to control the release of the secondary spacecraft transparently to the LV without impacting LV operations.
US08608094B2
A tube mill for wet-grinding of lumpy material. The tube mill can have a mill cylinder, an inlet opening for charging the lumpy material, a means for adding an aggressive medium and a discharge opening. In addition, the mill cylinder can have an internal lining of epoxy material and the means for adding an acid to the lumpy material in the region of the inlet opening.
US08608092B2
The rotating sprinkler head valve includes an upper assembly with a stationary rigid cone received in a conical interior chamber of a rotor, and a cylindrical shaft extending through the stationary rigid cone and rotor. A lower assembly includes a bottom helix member, a strainer adapter having an internal transverse slotted plate and a rotatable slotted flow plate to permit flow when the flow plate slots are aligned with slots in the internal transverse slotted plate. A base top member includes a downwardly extending inner tubular portion and a lower interior edge surface with a helical lower surface forming an adjustable helical aperture in cooperation with the bottom helix member, and a recessed inner helical lip is configured to receive the upper helical surface of the bottom helix member for adjusting a helical aperture.
US08608087B2
A smart card capable of independently displaying information is wirelessly connectable to an external interface. The smart card includes a main body, an antenna module, an electronic paper, a drive member and a radio frequency identification chip isolated from the drive member. The antenna module includes a first antenna for receiving first electromagnetic wave and a second antenna for receiving/transmitting second electromagnetic wave. The first and second antennas are respectively connected to the drive member and the radio frequency identification chip. The information can be independently displayed on the smart card to ensure confidence of the data. Moreover, the smart card can be more conveniently used.
US08608079B2
The present invention relates to a cartridge adapted to contain a medicament, the cartridge further being adapted to be inserted into an associated medication delivery device. The cartridge according to the present invention comprises a plurality of electrode elements arranged on an exterior surface part of the cartridge, wherein an electrode element of said plurality of electrode elements comprises a receiver zone and a transmitter zone, said receiver and transmitter zones being electrically connected. The receiver and transmitter zones are adapted to electrically couple to one or more transmitters and to one or more receivers, respectively, said one or more transmitters and said one or more receivers being arranged on the associated medication delivery device.
US08608077B2
Fold mirrors permit the imagers to be closer to each other and permit an optical code reader, such as a tunnel scanner, to confine them to a smaller housing volume or capacity. A plurality of sets of fold mirrors can also be employed to convey at least a portion of at least two different perspectives or two different depths of field of a composite view volume to different regions of an image field of a common imager. The sets of fold mirrors may also include split mirrors that have mirror components that reflect images from different view volumes to different imagers or different regions of an image field of a single imager.
US08608070B2
Systems and methods for performing test procedures for measuring and defining the sensitivity of payment devices to ESD (electrostatic discharge) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a plurality of test equipment in a controlled environment are used to measure the peak discharge current (Ip) when a payment device is inserted into a charge/discharge device during several simulated conditions. Energy levels of the discharge currents are calculated using an energy calculation program. One or more reference current and energy levels are determined.
US08608059B1
The present disclosure provides a number of systems and associated processes for using machine-readable codes to perform a transaction. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and associated processes for consolidating and replacing various forms of payment (e.g. credit cards, debit cards, and cash) with a single payment system. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and associated processes for reordering a product provided by a product provider. Moreover, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and associated processes for accepting a gift, or gift transaction, associated with a gift card. In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and associated processes for performing an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) transaction using a machine-readable code.
US08608056B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for guiding an item of media travelling along a pre-determined transport pathway. The apparatus includes a guide body comprising an arcuate guide surface, at least one drive roller comprising an outer drive surface, and at least one pulley member having an outer item engaging surface that extends through an opening in the guide surface and is urged against the outer drive surface. The drive roller and pulley member co-operate to lift an item away from the guide surface at an arcuate region of the transport pathway.
US08608053B2
A mobile communication terminal can comprise a housing, a microprocessor disposed within the housing, a display incorporated into the housing, and a communication interface communicatively coupled to the microprocessor. The mobile communication terminal can be configured, responsive to receiving a byte sequence representing a character string containing one or more alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric characters, to encode the byte sequence into one or more bar code symbols having a minimum dimension of a smallest element equaling or exceeding a readability threshold value. The mobile communication terminal can be further configured to display the bar code symbols.
US08608052B2
A medical instrument for carrying out at least one medical function is proposed, more particularly a medical instrument embodied as a hand-held instrument. The medical instrument is designed to interact with at least one medical consumable in order to carry out the medical function. The medical instrument has at least one code reader for reading out at least one item of information from an optical code of the medical consumable. The code reader comprises at least one image sensor. The code reader furthermore comprises at least one areal light source, which is designed to illuminate the optical code in a transmissive fashion.
US08608047B2
A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
US08608040B2
A harness for breathing apparatus, comprising a structural support member 10 having a front for accommodating a gas cylinder and a rear for facing the back of a wearer, and left and right sides. Left and right shoulder straps 110, 120 are disposed towards the left and right sides of the structural support member respectively, and each shoulder strap has a first end attached to an upper portion of the structural support member and a second end attached to a lower portion of the structural support member. A plurality of flexible conduits 140, 150 extend from a lower portion of the structural support member along the structural support member, each to a position on either the left or right shoulder strap. Left and right guide channels 30, 32 extend longitudinally along the structural support member along left and right sides respectively, for accommodating the flexible conduits.
US08608037B2
An article support device for attachment to an automobile steering wheel is provided for the purpose of supporting an open book, magazine, tablet computer or the like. The device comprises a supportive body, a shelf member, a shelf lip and a securing means. The shelf member is rectangular, having a height similar to the diameter of a steering wheel. A plurality of slots on the body provide for modular securement of a shelf member. A shelf lip is secured to the outer edge of said shelf member and extends upward to restrain movement of items placed thereupon. The device is secured by a pair of hooks that fit over the top of a steering wheel, or alternatively the hooks may be utilized as a support stand to support the device in an upright position on a flat surface.
US08608032B2
A disinfectant dispenser includes a rotating assembly coupled to a base and rotatable thereabout and a first motor operatively coupled to the rotating assembly for rotation thereof when activated. A carriage is pivotally mounted to an upper portion of the rotating assembly and movable between vertical and horizontal configurations. A second motor is operatively connected to the carriage for moving the carriage between the vertical and horizontal configurations. A control unit is electrically connected to the power source and motors and includes programming for activation thereof. A delivery unit configured to hold a propellant container is attached to the carriage, the delivery unit defining an outlet to dispense the propellant when activated. A solenoid is positioned proximate the delivery unit so as to activate the propellant when the solenoid is actuated.
US08608029B2
A cosmetic container for mixing and using heterogeneous contents, which makes it possible to discharge proper amounts of heterogeneous cosmetics from a pair of discharge ports and simply mix the same, includes an elliptical mixing part which has an inwardly inclined surface at an upper side of a cosmetic container.
US08608018B2
A container including a base container having a side wall that extends about a longitudinal axis to define an internal volume and an overwrap positioned over the side wall, the overwrap including a first zone circumferentially extending about the base container, the first zone including a first pattern of bosses, and a second zone circumferentially extending about the base container, the second zone including a second pattern of bosses, the second pattern of bosses being different than the first pattern of bosses.
US08608006B2
A crown for a bottle or other container, the crown comprised of a pull tab ring and a pull tab secured to the crown by a rivet and one or more cut lines between the rivet and the rim of the crown. The crown may be formed from tinplate with a hardness of T4 as measured by the Rockwell 30T Hardness Scale so that the crown may be opened and removed from the container the a force of approximately 2.5 Kg.
US08607987B2
A packaging system includes an outer shell having a display frame structure. A transparent or plastic container may be disposed in the outer shell. The transparent container may include mounted therein, a box insert formed from a paperboard body blank. The box insert may include a pair of laterally disposed sidewalls each including a locking slot and an arcuate portion. A front panel is disposed between the pair of sidewalls being connected by a vertical fold line at each sidewall. A display panel has laterally disposed locking tabs that are received in the locking slots of the sidewalls to cause the display panel to form a curved region supported by the arcuate portion.
US08607967B2
The present disclosure is directed to a pitch for a modular conveyor belt. In some embodiments, the pitch may include a link having a first leg, including an opening formed in the first leg. The opening may be defined by a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge. In addition, the pitch may include a projection associated with the first edge. In a first position, the projection may extend substantially perpendicularly away from the first edge towards the second edge so that a free end of the projection is positioned proximate the second edge. Also, the projection may be configured to deflect to a second position, in which the free end of the projection is deflected within the opening towards one of the first side edge and the second side edge.
US08607963B2
A conveyor installation comprises carrier bags for material to be transported, wherein the carrier bags are suspended from carrier dogs which are moved in a transport rail in a transport direction. At a loading and unloading station, the carrier bags are rotatable from their transport position, which is transverse to the transport direction, into a position which points in the transport direction, wherein an upper loading opening is opened at the same time. Backwards rotation of the carrier bags is caused by the force of gravity.
US08607960B1
An egg orientation mechanism orients eggs within an egg handling machine including a plurality of randomly arranged eggs on a first egg conveying mechanism. A lifter mechanism located on the first egg conveying mechanism raises each egg away from the egg conveying mechanism to off balance and rotate the egg so that the egg is oriented to with larger end of egg leading as egg is released into a second egg conveying mechanism. A clamshell egg receiver includes a front wall, a rear wall and egg receiving space formed between front wall and the rear wall. Either one of front wall or rear wall pivots about a pivot point located below a centerline of the egg receiving space. A method of releasing an egg includes holding an egg by an egg holder, rotating the egg holder and releasing the egg at an angle greater or less than 90 degrees.
US08607959B2
The present disclosure is directed to a rotation assembly for a transfer member of a transfer assembly. The rotation assembly comprises a torque transmitting assembly comprising input and output members, a link comprising a first end operably coupled to the input member and a second end comprising a follower member, a shaft comprising a first end operably coupled to the output member and a second end engaged with a portion of the transfer member, and a track. The follower is movably engaged with the track and circumnavigates about a path in correspondence with the track. The follower member is moved radially relative to a first rotation axis by the track as it circumnavigates about the path to transmit torque through the torque transmitting assembly and to the shaft. The torque causes a portion of the transfer member to rotate between a first position and a second position.
US08607958B2
An escalator with a step belt or a moving walkway with a plate belt, which step belt or plate belt comprises at least one transport chain that is arranged to circulate between a first and second deflecting region of the escalator or moving walkway. Steps or plates are arranged at the transport chain and connected with the transport chain. In addition, at least one blocking device is arranged in stationary position and has at least one blocking arm. The blocking arm can be brought into a release position or into an engagement position, wherein this blocking arm in the engagement position engages in at least one link intermediate space of the transport chain and the blocking arm is fixable in the respective release position or engagement position.
US08607956B2
A device and method for receiving and detecting a bottle. The device includes a chute, a bottle inlet for receiving the bottle into the chute, and a bottle outlet through which the bottle exits the chute. A stop member is disposed to engage the bottle within the chute, the stop member being biased to allow the bottle to pass in one direction, but to move into and grip the bottle if the bottle is moved in the other direction. Sensors detect the position of the bottle within the chute, and can indicate that the bottle was received within the device. A method for receiving and detecting the bottle is also provided.
US08607950B2
A dual clutch having a first transmission-side output shaft and/or a second transmission-side output shaft having a first clutch comprising a first pressure plate that is axially movable relative to a first counterplate for engaging a first clutch disk connected to a first output shaft, a second clutch comprising a second pressure plate that is axially movable relative to a second counterplate for engaging a second clutch disk connected to a second output shaft, an actuating device for moving the first pressure plate and/or the second pressure plate and a fastening plate connected to the actuation device for axially fastening to a clutch housing, wherein the actuating device is designed to pre-center relative to the clutch housing and/or the transmission housing in a radially adjustable manner, and the fastening plate is designed to be radially fixed to the clutch housing and/or the transmission housing.
US08607947B2
On a piece of luggage having at least one inner volume, which is delimited by at least one luggage wall and by at least one side wall protruding from said luggage wall, wherein the inner volume is divided by at least one intermediate plate, it is provided that at least one luggage strap is attached to the intermediate plate with a first end, the luggage strap is adjustably guided by means of at least one deflection device along the wall of the piece of luggage and at least two side wall sections that are disposed opposite each other such that the distance of the intermediate plate to the luggage wall can be adjusted in a variable way, and that the free second end of the luggage strap can also be fastened to the intermediate plate.
US08607946B2
An exemplary system configured convert from a luggage back to a standing clothing rack and back. First, the lids rotate 180 degrees along the top edge of the base from a closed position to extend the height of the rack. While configured as a rack, the system is supported on each side by a support structure which also extends from the base. The luggage bag may be double sided, such that both sides mirror each other, and fasten to the handle, base, or upright lids. One or more hanger bars may either swing out from, or be fastened to, the upright lids, to support hanging garments. The hanger bars may also be configured to keep hanging garments evenly spaced by equally spaced grooves along the top edge of the hanger bar. The system may later be converted back into a luggage bag.
US08607945B2
A system and a method of a carbon fiber-reinforced intelligent wheeled backpack and human transportation seat with adjustable foot rest is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of simultaneous human being and luggage transportation through an airport may include coupling an upper part of a handle assembly to a hollow lower part through a connector wherein the upper part of the handle assembly may be permitted to be pulled in and out of the hollow lower part of the handle assembly. A backpack body comprising a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) material may be coupled to the hollow lower part of the handle assembly wherein the backpack body may include spinable wheels, an adjustable seat, and adjustable footrests for simultaneous human and luggage transportation.
US08607943B2
A shock absorber having an elongated pressure tube and a piston slidably mounted in the pressure tube which divides the pressure tube into a first and second working chamber. An elongated piston rod is attached to the piston and moves in unison with the piston in both an extended and a compression direction. Movement of the rod in a compression direction decreases the volume of the first working chamber and increases the volume of the second working chamber, and vice versa. A control orifice and adaptive valve are fluidly connected in series between the first working chamber and a reservoir. A check valve is fluidly connected between the control orifice and the adaptive valve which opens only upon movement of the rod in a compression direction.
US08607936B2
A roller arrangement (20) for a stairlift carriage is described, the arrangement including a central roller set (22), and outer roller sets (24) and (26). Rollers (42), (43, 44) and (45) in the outer roller sets are mounted in yokes (48) which are mounted for independent pivotal movement, relative to one another, in two orthogonal axes. The axes of each set preferably lie in common planes.
US08607930B2
The invention relates to an extendable/retractable ladder mounted to a boat trailer to allow access to a boat carried on the trailer. The ladder includes a pair of first vertically oriented bars and a pair of second bars. The vertically oriented bars have an inner cavity and a slot in one of its sides. The second bars have an inner cavity and a slot in one of its sides. The first end of the first bars and the second end of the second bars are connected such that the second end of the second bars can move along the length of the first bars between an extended position in which the first end of the second bars is a distance away from the first bars and a retracted position in which the first end and the second end of the second bars are adjacent to the first bars.
US08607918B2
A motorcycle is provided that includes a connecting pipe, a throttle body, an intake pipe, and an air cleaner, which are intake system parts disposed forward of a cylinder of an engine and are connected to the front side of the cylinder. The motorcycle further includes an exhaust pipe and a muffler, which are exhaust system parts connected to the rear side of the cylinder. The cylinder is inclined rearward, and the exhaust pipe of an exhaust system part extends forward along one side of the motorcycle in a widthwise direction of the engine 50 and detours the front of the engine and then extends rearward along the other side of the motorcycle in a widthwise direction of the engine.
US08607915B2
An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly.
US08607913B2
A system that steers the rear wheels of the three wheeled vehicle in coordination with the operator turning the front wheel that improves handling, performance and safety. The rear wheels are steered by a rear end mounted powered steering rack that is controlled by a steering control computer that receives input from a variety of sensors including a sensor for vehicle speed and a sensor in the steering neck that measures the angular rotation of the handlebars as they are turned by the operator. Based on these inputs, using proprietary programming the steering control computer calculates the rate, timing and direction to turn the rear wheels. Rear steering offers advantages over front wheel only steering including being easier for the operator to turn the vehicle, a smaller turning radius, better straight line stability, better high speed handling, improved corning performance, improved steering response and improved safety.
US08607912B2
A suspension system for a snowmobile has a rail and first and second suspension arms having lower ends pivotally connected to the rail. A first shock absorber pivotally connected between the first suspension arm and the rail. A second shock absorber operatively pivotally connected between the first suspension arm and the rail. Left and right brackets are connected to the second suspension arm. Left and right tie rods have lower ends operatively pivotally connected to the first suspension arm and upper ends pivotally connected to their corresponding brackets about a first pivot axis. The second shock absorber is disposed laterally between the left and right tie rods. The suspension is movable between a first position where the first pivot axis intersects the second shock absorber and a second position where the first pivot axis is spaced from the second shock absorber.
US08607908B2
An intake system of combustion air is provided for a vehicle. The intake system has an intake opening, an intake duct, and an air filter. The intake opening is situated on one side of a water separation container, which is fixed on a girder of the vehicle. The intake opening is situated in a front most front face of the vehicle in the travel direction for this purpose.
US08607905B2
Apparatus for moving a wheeled load comprising: a frame having a two end; at least one wheel attached to at least one frame end; drive wheel(s) between the ends; a drive means for providing drive wheel power; a power source; a load-lifting arm means, the lifting arm means having a proximal end rotatably attached to the frame and a distal end; affixed to the distal end is a locking pickup head having a multi-socket center adapted to receive a ball, and a sliding locking gate to releasably affix the head to the ball; extending outwardly from the second end is a handle; disposed on the handle is a control means for operating the apparatus; and drive disengagement means for mechanically disengaging the powered driving mechanism so that a user can manually move the apparatus in case of battery or other mechanical failure.
US08607902B2
A width variable structure using mecanum wheels is provided, which includes a plurality of mecanum wheels, a plurality of links connecting the mecanum wheels, and motors mounted on the mecanum wheels to transfer driving forces to the links, respectively. Since the width of the structure in the horizontal and vertical directions can be adjusted using the driving forces of the mecanum wheels, components such as actuators are omitted in the overall assembly.
US08607901B1
A lawnmower drive system for facilitating steering of a zero turn radius lawn mower and enhancing user comfort while mowing a lawn includes a lawnmower has a seat for supporting a person on the lawnmower. The lawnmower has a left drive wheel and a right drive wheel. A left armrest is coupled to the lawnmower. The left armrest is positioned proximate the seat. A right armrest is coupled to the lawnmower. The right armrest is positioned proximate the seat. A left joystick is coupled to the left armrest. The left joystick is operationally coupled to the left drive wheel. A right joystick coupled to the right armrest, the right joystick is operationally coupled to the right drive wheel.
US08607889B2
A tiller constructed in accordance to the present teachings includes a frame, a drive mechanism, and a tilling implement. The drive mechanism can be supported by the frame and include a motor having an output member. The tilling implement can have a drive shaft that is driven by the output member. The tilling implement can comprise a first tine plate and a second tine plate that are both selectively configurable along the drive shaft at a plurality of positions and orientations.
US08607883B2
A swellable packer for use in a subterranean well can include a seal element with a swellable material which contracts in response to temperature decrease, and a temperature compensator which applies increased force to the seal element in response to temperature decrease. A method of compensating for thermal contraction of a swellable material in a subterranean well can include a temperature of the swellable material increasing in response to installing the swellable material in the well, and a temperature compensator applying an increased force in response to a temperature decrease occurring after the temperature increasing step. A well tool for use in a subterranean well can include a swellable material and a temperature compensator which applies an increased force when the swellable material contracts.
US08607881B2
A rope socket comprises a slip cone subassembly having a straight outer diameter and a tapered inner diameter. A plurality of slips is positioned within the slip cone body. A retainer ring holds the slips together. A guide plug is positioned within the slips to maintain the slips in an opening position during insertion of a cable. A spring stabilizer having a spring thereon is coupled above the slip cone assembly to ensure even compression of the spring. A safety slot is located on the body of the rope socket in order to provide a visual indication of the cable position.
US08607877B2
This invention relates to equipment and a subsea pumping system using a subsea module installed on the sea bed, preferably away from a production well and intended to pump hydrocarbons having a high associated gas fraction produced by one or more subsea production wells to the surface. One object of this invention is achieved by means of the design of a pumping module (PM) which is linked to pumping equipment already present in a production well and which basically comprises: an inlet pipe (2), separator equipment (3), a first pump (4) and a second pump (8). In the subsea pumping system for the production of hydrocarbons with a high gas fraction, the other object of this invention, when oil is pumped from the production well (P) the well pump (13) increases the energy of the fluid in the form of pressure and transmits this increase in energy in the form of an increase in suction pressure in the second pump (8) of the subsea module (PM).
US08607871B2
A downhole jetting tool is provided for cleaning the interior of one or more hydraulic rams (14, 18) and one or more annular blowout preventers (26, 28). A unitary jetting tool body (40) has a central throughbore (42) and a plurality of radially outward jets (42, 46). A tapered landing shoulder (50) on the tool body engages a frustoconical surface of a landing ring (22) to position the tool in the well.
US08607866B2
The present embodiment is a method for decreasing the time required for a start-up phase in a steam assisted gravity drainage production. The present method begins by forming a steam assisted gravity drainage production well pair within a formation comprising an injection well and a production well, beginning a preheating stop by introducing heat between the injection well and the production well, beginning a steam squeeze stage by injection steam into the formation and beginning the steam assisted gravity drainage production.
US08607863B2
A method of servicing a wellbore extending from a surface and penetrating a subterranean formation is provided. The method comprises placing a workstring in the wellbore, wherein the workstring comprises at least a first downhole tool, a signal receiver subassembly, and a conveyance between the first downhole tool and the surface. The method further comprises the signal receiver subassembly receiving a first signal generated by contact between the wellbore and the workstring and initiating a first function of the first downhole tool based on the first signal.
US08607849B2
A heat radiating fin includes a flat body having a front side and a rear side, a plurality of protruded portions formed on the front side of the flat body, and a plurality of recessed portions correspondingly formed on the rear side of the flat body behind the protruded portions. The protruded portions on the flat body of a first heat radiating fin are partially extendable into corresponding recessed portions on the flat body of a second heat radiating fin located before the first one, allowing the first and the second heat radiating fins to be easily and stably stacked.
US08607848B2
A method of continuously casting thin strip dynamically controlling roll casting surface configuration by controlling the temperature of water flowing through the longitudinal water flow passages in a cylindrical tube thickness of no more than 80 millimeters of counter rotated casting rolls, and varying the speed of the casting rolls with attenuation of the ends of the casting rolls with a casting roll drive system responsive to electrical signals received from sensors during a casting campaign.
US08607838B2
A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.
US08607833B2
A routing machine comprises a plunge post, an electric motor, and a motor housing slideably connected to the plunge post. The motor housing defines an upper surface. A lockpiece selectively engages the plunge post between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lockpiece is allowed to slide relative to the plunge post along with the electric motor and motor housing when the lockpiece is in an unlocked position. The lockpiece is configured to lock in place relative to the plunge post and limit the extent to which the electric motor and motor housing may slide relative to the plunge post when the lockpiece is in the locked position. A fine adjustment mechanism is moveably connected to the lockpiece. The fine adjustment mechanism is configured to move the electric motor and motor housing relative to the plunge post when the lockpiece is in the locked position.
US08607827B2
A low profile downspout extension is formed in multiple segments including a flexible conduit, a splash block and an extension. The splash block transitions from a circular inlet into a low profile pentagon configuration with a central bead along the top surface of the low profile body portion to define an apex of the pentagon shape. The body portion is wider than the diameter of the circular inlet but has a height at the central bead that is more than half the diameter of the circular inlet. The body portion has ribbed side walls to strengthen the splash block without requiring internal reinforcement. The bottom surface of the splash block defines a flow path that extends generally linearly from the bottom of the inlet opening to the bottom of the pentagon-shaped outlet. An open configuration for the splash block provides an alternative above-ground splash pad structure for connecting to downspouts.
US08607825B2
A non-return valve includes a valve housing having at least one inlet, at least one outlet, a first valve seat and a second valve seat; and an at least partially flexible sealing member forceable into a scaling engagement with the first valve seat in response to a first differential pressure and forceable into a sealing engagement with the second valve seat in response to a second differential pressure.
US08607822B2
A heating and cooling system for a building utilizes lower vents which open into lower portions of rooms of a building, and upper vents which open into upper portions of rooms of the building. When the system is operating in a heating mode, heated air is delivered into the upper portions of the rooms through the upper vents and air is removed from the rooms through the lower vents. When the system is operating in a cooling mode, cool air is delivered into the rooms through the lower vents, and air is removed from the rooms through the upper vents. Operating the heating and cooling modes in this fashion provides the most efficient operation of the heating and cooling system.
US08607821B2
A stack valve 1 includes a boom direction switching valve 11 (first direction switching valve) connected to an unloading path 21 and a service valve 13 (second direction switching valve) connected to the unloading path 21 at the downstream of the boom direction switching valve 11. At changeover positions 11a and 11c at which the unloading path 21 on the upstream side is connected to one of the supply and discharge paths 29 and 30 and the other one of the supply and discharge paths 29 and 30 is connected to the unloading path 21 on the downstream side, the boom direction switching valve 11 is connected to a boom valve tank return path 27 which connects the other one of the supply and discharge paths 29 and 30 with the tank path 22.
US08607817B2
A control method of a filled water volume in a fluid space requiring a water filling test is disclosed. The method includes disposing a pipe in the fluid space and enclosing the pipe with an enclosure, detecting pressure of a water filled portion in the fluid space or outside of the enclosure, and controlling the volumes of filling fluid and water to a water filling portion in the fluid space inside and outside the enclosure based on the detected pressure such that the pressure in the enclosure becomes higher than the pressure at the water filling part in the fluid space outside the enclosure.
US08607809B2
The invention is a multi-legged walking cane where each leg operates independently of each other by employing compressible legs, enhancing stability thru the complete gait cycle.
US08607802B2
A method for forming a polycomponent fiber comprising a first, fiber-forming component comprising a polymer, and a second, component comprising an active ingredient that will selectively reduce or remove components of tobacco smoke, the method comprising the steps of: i. forming a dispersion, second solution or liquid comprising the second component; and ii. coextruding the first component and the dispersion, second solution or liquid through a jet or aperture to form a fiber comprising a first portion formed from the first component, and a second portion formed from the second component.
US08607799B1
A male chastity comprises a first loop, a cup, a second loop hinged to the first loop and optionally to the cup, and a removable fixing mechanism. The first loop is configured for being traversed by the user's penis and scrotum, and for encircling the penis behind the scrotum. The second loop is configured for being traversed by at least the penis, and for encircling the penis ahead of the scrotum, so that the user's testicles are located between the first loop and second loop. The cup is configured for enclosing at least a head of the penis. The removable fixing mechanism is configured, when joined to the device, for preventing removal of the device form the penis by limiting or blocking relative rotation between the first loop and the second loop, and, if needed, by limiting or blocking relative rotation between the cup and the second loop.
US08607790B2
This disclosure describes systems and methods for monitoring and evaluating ventilatory parameters, analyzing ventilatory data associated with those parameters, and providing useful notifications and/or recommendations to clinicians. Modern ventilators monitor, evaluate, and graphically represent a myriad of ventilatory parameters. However, many clinicians may not easily identify or recognize data patterns and correlations indicative of certain patient conditions, changes in patient condition, and/or effectiveness of ventilatory treatment. Further, clinicians may not readily determine appropriate ventilatory adjustments that may address certain patient conditions and/or the effectiveness of ventilatory treatment. Specifically, clinicians may not readily detect or recognize the presence of Auto-PEEP during various types of pressure ventilation of a patient exhibiting an obstructive component. According to embodiments, a ventilator may be configured to monitor and evaluate diverse ventilatory parameters to detect Auto-PEEP and may issue suitable notifications and recommendations to the clinician when Auto-PEEP is implicated.
US08607789B2
This disclosure describes systems and methods for monitoring and evaluating ventilatory parameters, analyzing those parameters and providing useful notifications and recommendations to clinicians. That is, modern ventilators monitor, evaluate, and graphically represent multiple ventilatory parameters. However, many clinicians may not easily recognize data patterns and correlations indicative of certain patient conditions, changes in patient condition, and/or effectiveness of ventilatory treatment. Further, clinicians may not readily determine appropriate ventilatory adjustments that may address certain patient conditions and/or the effectiveness of ventilatory treatment. Specifically, clinicians may not readily detect or recognize the presence of Auto-PEEP during volume ventilation of a non-triggering patient exhibiting an obstructive component. According to embodiments, a ventilator may be configured to monitor and evaluate diverse ventilatory parameters to detect Auto-PEEP and may issue notifications and recommendations suitable for a non-triggering patient to the clinician when Auto-PEEP is implicated. The suitable notifications and recommendations may further be provided in a hierarchical format.
US08607781B2
The present invention relates to a sun collector comprising a flat absorber body (1) on or in which one or more absorber channels (17) for the flow of a heat transfer medium are configured. In areas which are not occupied by the one or more absorber channels (17), the absorber body (1) of the present sun collector has penetrable openings (4, 10, 13) for sunlight to pass through. The sun collector therefore provides the double function of a sun collector with a partially transparent sun protection device.
US08607778B1
Systems, apparatus, devices and methods of using and mounting solar collectors and photovoltaic collectors in gutters or directly along fascia and eaves and on architectural ledges on buildings, along building walls at various heights above the ground, as well as in ground engaged collectors for providing heated water, power and/or lighting. The collectors can have a pair of conduits/tubes for passing water therethrough. Each of the collectors can be attached to one another by mateably interlocking male and female connectors on the sides of each collector to one another.
US08607776B2
The invention relates to a barbecue comprising a carrier element, a grilling area being substantial horizontal orientated and being located at the top of the carrier element and a cover, wherein the cover can be positioned in a first position in which the grilling area is covered and in a second position in which the grilling area is accessible. To improve the functionality of such a barbecue, the invention suggests that means are provided to allow the cover to move from the first position into the second position, wherein the cover is pivoted during the movement from the first position into the second position around a horizontal axis and wherein the barycenter of the cover is moved from a first level to a second, lower level.
US08607773B1
The pneumatically driven projectile weapon combines the tensioned line of a conventional crossbow or archery bow with mechanical and pneumatic compression, thus increasing the power and accuracy of the weapon. A spring-biased cylinder is mounted within a hollow weapon stock, similar to a conventional rifle or shotgun stock, and is interconnected via an internal pulley system to the tensioned line. Firing tension in the line to launch a projectile, such as an arrow or the like, is created by compression of the spring-biased pneumatic cylinder.
US08607766B2
When an abnormality determining process is cancelled when a fuel cut is stopped, an EGR valve (33), which is open wider than normal from the process, is returned to its original opening amount (i.e., fully closed), and fuel injection in an engine (1) is resumed. However, during execution of the abnormality determining process, an EGR passage (32) is full of air. Also, when the EGR valve (33) is returned to the fully closed state, there is a response delay in the change in the flowrate of air that flows from the EGR passage (32) into the air passage (4) following that return, such that excess air flows into the air passage (4). As a result, the intake air amount of the engine (1) becomes excessive for the fuel injection quantity after fuel injection resumes. The fuel injection quantity is thus increase corrected to inhibit this from happening.
US08607764B2
A fluid accumulator arrangement suitable for use with a compression ignition internal-combustion engine comprising a first storage volume, a second storage volume, and valve means fluidly connected between the first storage volume and the second storage volume. In one embodiment, the valve means is a three-way control valve wherein, in a first position, the first storage volume communicates with the second storage volume, in a second position the first storage volume is isolated from the second storage volume and, in a third position, one of the first or second storage volumes communicates with a low pressure drain. The arrangement may also include control means to operate the valve means in accordance with predetermined control strategies.
US08607759B2
A process for remanufacturing a cylinder head that includes a worn or damaged rocker arm stand adapted to receive a rocker shaft to which at least one rocker arm is mounted, the steps including machining a channel in a surface of the worn or damaged rocker arm stand, securing an insert into the channel, and machining the insert to form a remanufactured inner facing surface. The remanufactured cylinder head includes at least one rocker arm stand that has a machined channel with a remanufactured insert secured therein, the rocker shaft being disposed adjacent the inner facing surface, not the rocker arm stand.
US08607748B2
In an engine equipped with a variable valvetrain including a second cam phase alteration mechanism 31 for altering the phase of second intake cams 12 actuating second intake valves, relative to a crankshaft, the second cam phase alteration mechanism 31 is arranged at an end opposite to an end at which a cam sprocket is provided to receive power from the crankshaft, to be located outside a cylinder head 2, and an actuator cover 40 is fixed to the cylinder head 2 to cover at least a lower portion of the second cam phase alteration mechanism 31.
US08607743B2
A fuel reforming catalyst is installed in an internal combustion engine, the catalyst generating a combustible gas from a reforming fuel by using heat of the exhaust gas. In the reforming control, the combustible gas generated by action of the fuel reforming catalyst is refluxed into the intake system. An ECU varies a lower limit temperature of the reforming control depending on a mixture ratio of a gasoline and an ethanol in the reforming fuel. If the temperature of the fuel reforming catalyst is lower than the lower limit temperature, the ECU suspends the injection of the reforming fuel. The device can enlarge a temperature range to perform reforming control as much as possible, and perform the reforming control under suitable temperature conditions.
US08607740B2
The present invention relates to a device for carrying a small four-legged animal. The device wraps around the body of the animal and provides handles for carrying the animal.
US08607734B2
The invention relates to a milk tube for a milking unit, comprising two end regions lying opposite one another and an intermediate region, all regions being interconnected to form one piece. The intermediate region is composed of a soft material and at least one end region is composed of at least one hard material.
US08607732B2
In an in-liquid plasma film-forming apparatus having: a vessel 1 being capable of accommodating a substrate “S” and a liquid “L” including raw material therein; an electrode 2 for in-liquid plasma, electrode 2 which is disposed in the vessel 1; an electric power device 3 for supplying electricity to the electrode 2 for in-liquid plasma; the electrode 2 for in-liquid plasma is equipped with: a main electrode 21 having a discharging end 22; an auxiliary electrode 26 not only facing the discharging end 22 but also being disposed between the discharging end 22 and the substrate “S” that face each other; and a plasma generating unit 29 having a space that is demarcated by a surface 22a of the discharging end 22 and a surface 26a of the auxiliary electrode 26 facing the surface 22a, and being for generating plasma by means of electricity being supplied to the main electrode 21.
US08607728B2
Air is continuously supplied into upper spaces via an air supply duct, during coating of an object to be coated in a paint booth, whereby the air is jetted through jetting holes and flows downwards along side walls. The air flowing downwards along the side walls is sucked into lower spaces, via clearances, and is discharged out of the paint booth via air exhaust ducts.
US08607719B1
The effective length of a control arm having manually alterable stops repositionable along is rendered automatically changeable by means of a solenoid movable strip arranged to be either pressed against the control arm or removed from contact with the control arm by operation of the automatically operated solenoid which may usually be operated by a change in the surrounding ambient temperature.
