US08624536B2

In one embodiment, a system for controlling a motor is disclosed. The system has a driver circuit configured to drive a motor, a current sensing impedance coupled to the driver circuit, and an overload detection circuit coupled to the current sending impedance that has a transistor and a detection output node.
US08624535B2

A power supply circuit includes two half bridge circuits, a controller and two terminals for connecting a motor. The controller includes a signal input terminal, a phase inverter, a wiring board having four soldering pads, and two conductors. The four soldering pads are connected to the signal terminal, an output terminal of the phase inverter, control terminals of lower switches of the two half bridge circuits. Two ends of the first conductor are connected to the first and the fourth soldering pads and two ends of the second conductor are connected to the second and the third soldering pads. Alternatively, two ends of the first conductor are connected to the first and the third soldering pads and two ends of the second conductor are connected to the second and the fourth soldering pads.
US08624534B2

A control device for an electric motor driving apparatus, configured with a switching control unit that performs rectangular wave control in which a plurality of switching elements provided in a direct current-alternating current conversion unit are ON/OFF-controlled to output rectangular wave-shaped voltages of a plurality of phases. System voltage varies during execution of the rectangular wave control, the switching control unit performs rectangular wave width adjustment control to set ON/OFF timings of the plurality of switching elements on the basis of a rate of change of the system voltage such that time-integrated values of the rectangular wave-shaped voltages of the respective phases within a control period set at a length corresponding to an integral multiple of a single electrical angle period are substantially identical among the respective phases.
US08624530B2

Systems and methods in which output power that would conventionally be provided by surface equipment to drive downhole equipment, is transformed to increase the voltage before transmitting the power over a power cable to downhole equipment. The downhole equipment includes a step-down transformer that receives power from the power cable at a voltage which is too high to drive the motor or other downhole equipment and reduces the voltage to a level that is suitable for use by the downhole equipment. The step-down transformer may utilize toroidal transformers that are positioned around other components of the system, such as the shaft that couples a motor to an electric submersible pump. The step-down transformer may be configured as a modular unit that can be inserted between components (e.g. motor and seal) that are manufactured using conventional designs.
US08624522B2

A backlight control circuit includes a driver circuit, a sensing circuit, and a control circuit. The driver circuit adjusts an illumination intensity of a backlight source. The sensing circuit senses an environmental illumination intensity. The control circuit is set between the driver circuit and the sensing circuit. The control circuit controls the driver circuit to adjust an illumination intensity of a backlight source according to the sensed environmental illumination intensity.
US08624518B2

A power management circuit comprising a power-on signal input, an output terminal a control unit, a switching unit, and a discharge unit. The control unit configured to selectively turn on the switching unit to output a power-on signal to a display module and selectively turn off the switching unit to cut off an electrical connection between the power-on signal input and the output terminal. The discharge unit configured to discharge residual electrical charges in the display module when the switching unit is turned off.
US08624516B2

A power supply apparatus for LED is provided. The power supply apparatus for LED includes a detector, a voltage dropper, and a control switch. The detector detects whether an LED is connected to the power supply apparatus. The voltage dropper drops a voltage applied to the LED. The control switch is connected to the voltage dropper in parallel, and changes a path of a power applied to the LED according to the detected result of the detector. Accordingly, the power supply apparatus for LED compensates for a low impedance of an LED to an impedance equal to or higher than a predetermined impedance at a time when connection of the LED is detected, thereby inhibiting an overcurrent from flowing in the LED.
US08624512B2

The circuit eliminating threshold voltage differences between backlight LED strings includes a voltage supply input, a number of first switching units, and a number of LED strings. The LED strings are connected to each other in parallel, and one end of each LED string is connected to the voltage supply input and the other end thereof is connected to the corresponding first switching unit. The constant current controller includes a constant current source for supplying a constant current to each LED string, a current detector for detecting a working current of each LED string, a comparator for comparing the working current of each LED string and the constant current, and outputting a comparing result, and a square wave generator for outputting driving signals of different frequencies each which is capable of driving the corresponding LED string to work at the corresponding frequency.
US08624508B2

The present invention provides a LED device with voltage-limiting unit and voltage-equalizing resistance in which a light-emitting unit is structured through a LED being connected in parallel with a voltage-limiting unit in the same polarity, and two ends thereof being further connected in parallel with an voltage-equalizing resistance, so that when plural sets of the light-emitting units are connected in series or in series-parallel in the same polarity, the end voltage of each set is stabilized by the voltage-equalizing resistance connected in parallel with the two ends of the LED and the voltage-limiting unit.
US08624503B2

An electrohydrodynamic fluid accelerator includes an emitter electrode and leading surfaces of a collector electrode that are substantially exposed to ion bombardment. Heat transfer surfaces downstream of the emitter electrode along a fluid flow path include a first portion not substantially exposed to the ion bombardment that is conditioned with a first ozone reducing material. The leading surfaces of the collector electrode are not conditioned with the first ozone reducing material, but may include a different surface conditioning. The downstream heat transfer surfaces and the leading surfaces can be separately formed and joined to form the unitary structure or can be integrally formed. The electrohydrodynamic fluid accelerator can be used in a thermal management assembly of an electronic device with a heat dissipating device thermally coupled to the conditioned heat transfer surfaces.
US08624500B2

A lighting fixture and power supply are provided that allows a power factor correction (PFC) single ended primary inductance controller (SEPIC) that provides a controlled voltage output to provide a constant current to an LED load. The power supply provides an efficient and stable power supply for LEDs. Multiple power supplies can be provided on the same printed circuit board to control multiple LED channels.
US08624499B2

A power converter that receives a plurality of direct current (DC) powers, which are received in different modes and have a common ground and substantially the same potential, and operates a plurality of loads, wherein the power converter operates the respective loads according to input states of the plurality of DC powers and supplies the plurality of loads with power via at least a common switch element or a common coil.
US08624496B2

A magnetron of improved performance capable of stabilizing the frequency and phase of magnetron output for use in particle accelerators and other applications. Thin variable-permeability blocks are attached inside the resonant anode structures of a standard magnetron design. A variable bias electromagnet, with field orthogonal in direction to the RF magnetic field, is used to vary the permeability of each block and therefore the resonant frequency of each anode structure. An electronic feedback control circuit adjusts the bias magnetic fields to lock in the frequency and phase of the magnetron output to an external low-level reference signal. Such devices may be used to provide synchronized high-power RF to many locations (e.g. the RF cavities of a particle accelerator), while requiring the distribution only of electrical power and an appropriate low-level RF reference signal.
US08624493B2

An integrated gas discharge lamp (5) with ignition electronics integrated into the base, comprising an ignition transformer (TIP), an ignition capacitor (CIP), and a controlled switching element (SIP), wherein the integrated ignition electronics are configured to generate an asymmetrical ignition pulse, and wherein the voltage ratio between the first lamp electrode near the base and the second lamp electrode distant from the base ranges from 22:1 to 5:4.
US08624476B2

An ion-generating device includes a discharge electrode and an induction electrode. The discharge electrode has a needle-like tip. The induction electrode has a circular through hole. The tip of the discharge electrode penetrates the through hole of the induction electrode, and protrudes upward with respect to an upper surface of the induction electrode. It is thereby possible to obtain an ion-generating device capable of improving ion emission efficiency, and an electrical apparatus provided with the ion-generating device.
US08624465B2

A surface acoustic wave (“SAW”) sensor system comprises a signal generating part, which applies an electrical signal to a SAW sensor, the SAW sensor connected to the signal generating part, which converts the electrical signal into a SAW, senses a measurement target using the SAW, and converts a SAW output corresponding to the measurement target into an electrical signal, and a signal measuring part connected to one side of the SAW sensor, which detects a change in the electrical signal by time-gating a multiple-transit-echo wave.
US08624462B2

A rotating electrical machine includes: a rotor comprising a rotor core and a field winding wound round the rotor core; and a stator comprising a stator core and a stator winding wound round the stator core. The stator is arranged in opposition to the rotor with a predetermined spacing therebetween. the stator core is formed by punching a split piece, which comprises teeth for insertion of the stator winding thereinto and a core back on an outer periphery thereof, from a magnetic steel sheet, and laminating a plurality of those circular configurations in an axial direction, in which a plurality of the split pieces are arranged in a circle in a circumferential direction. The stator core has magnetic steel sheets, which are different in magnetic permeability in a diametrical direction, laminated at an axial end region of and in an axial central region of the stator core.
US08624461B2

A motor stator includes an insulating frame having a plurality of projecting rods, an induction unit, and a plurality of conductive members. The induction unit includes an induction circuit board, a plurality of induction coils embedded within the induction circuit board, and a plurality of coil windings wound respectively on the projecting rods. The conductive members extend through the insulating frame and the induction circuit board for establishing an electrical connection between each of the induction coils and a corresponding one of the coil windings. The turn numbers of the coil windings are not limited by the area and thickness of the induction circuit board, and can be increased. Alternatively, the coil windings may be positioned to increase the magnetic pole slot number when energized. As such, a driving force of the motor stator can be increased.
US08624448B2

The invention is an electrodynamic linear oscillating motor, which has high power densities in the magnet gap, a high efficiency, and magnetically restores the oscillating system to a center position. The linear oscillating motor has a stator system, which has at least one magnet, and an oscillating system, which is movably mounted in the magnetic field of the stator. The oscillating system has at least one core made of a soft magnetic material, and at least one driving coil. The electrodynamic linear motor combines the advantages of the known moving coil and moving magnet linear motor, achieving electrodynamic conversion levels of up to 99%. The motor is suited as a drive for refrigerating and air conditioning systems having low power and also for pumping and injection systems, and, reversing the electrodynamic principle, as a generator, such as for shock absorber systems in a motor vehicle.
US08624443B2

A solar photovoltaic monitoring system for monitoring and controlling a solar photovoltaic inverter is provided. The system includes a wireless transceiver coupled to a solar photovoltaic inverter that includes a device monitor for monitoring and controlling the inverter. The device monitor generates monitoring data defining a status of the system and transmits the data by using the transceiver coupled to the inverter. The system also includes a wireless repeater for receiving data from the inverter and retransmitting the data and a transceiver coupled to a gateway capable of communicating the received retransmitted data to a monitoring station. The gateway also transmits control data received from the monitoring station. The repeater receives control data from the gateway and retransmits data to the inverter. The inverter receives the retransmitted control data and controls its operation based on the received data.
US08624439B2

The system provides for one or more photovoltaic panels (3) or other energy sources, connected to a series of inverters (5) in parallel, the outputs of which are connected to a load (Z) and/or to an electricity distribution grid (7). One of the inverters operates as master unit and generates a power control signal in order to track the maximum power point that can be obtained from the panels (3). The other inverters operate as slave units. The control is performed so that all the inverters absorb a variable quantity of power according to the fluctuations in the power available at the output of the photovoltaic panels (3) or other source subject to fluctuations.
US08624431B2

A sub-sea power transmission/distribution network includes a plurality of standard proven power converter building blocks on each of the power source side and the sub-sea load side. The power source side converters and the sub-sea load side converters are each configured to provide a modular stacked dc (MSDC) converter architecture. The power source side converters are further configured to share the load equally or in proportion to their individual power ratings. The configurations are based on corresponding droop curves representative of MSDC link current magnitude data and average output voltage data of the power source side converters.
US08624429B2

A switching regulator is provided herein comprising a voltage source, a plurality of switching elements, an inductive element, and a controller. The controller coordinates the plurality of switching elements as to sequentially and periodically switching the inductive element to generate a plurality of regulated DC voltages. The controller adjusts a switching frequency of the regulator in accordance with at least one characteristic of a load current.
US08624427B2

Vehicular electrical systems are provided. The vehicular electrical systems include a source device including an electrical component, a load device, and a cable assembly interconnecting the source device and the load device. The cable assembly includes a conductive core electrically interconnecting the electrical component and the load device, a conductive shield surrounding and being electrically insulated from the conductive core, the conductive shield having a first portion and a second portion, and an insulating body positioned between the first and second portions of the conductive shield such that the first and second portions of the conductive shield are electrically separated.
US08624426B2

A power supply system includes a main power storage device and a plurality of sub power storage devices. A converter is sequentially connected to one of the sub power storage devices to convert voltage between the selected sub power storage device and an electric power feeding line bidirectionally. The sub power storage device undergoes a connection switching process, and when there is no new sub power storage device remaining for replacement, then, in accordance with that sub power storage device's SOC and the vehicle's state, a request is generated to disconnect the sub power storage device. Here, when a condition regarding a temperature of at least one of the main power storage device and the plurality of sub power storage devices is satisfied, generation of a disconnection request is prohibited, in order to protect the main power storage device.
US08624415B2

A generator system comprises an inner generator rotor, an outer generator rotor, and a stator. The inner rotor is mounted on the first shaft rotating at a first speed, while the outer rotor is mounted on a second shaft coaxial with the first shaft, and rotating at a second speed different from the first speed. The outer rotor is mounted coaxially with and radially outward of the inner rotor, and the stator is mounted coaxially with and radially outward of the outer rotor.
US08624413B2

Described is a power generating apparatus and a rotor locking method for the apparatus, which is capable of locking the rotor without using a huge braking mechanism. The power generating apparatus of renewable energy type includes a blade, a rotor including a hub and a main shaft, a hydraulic pump of variable displacement type driven by rotation of the rotor, a hydraulic motor driven by operating oil pressurized by the hydraulic pump, and a generator coupled to the hydraulic motor. The rotor locking method for the power generating apparatus may include the steps of: decelerating the rotor by adjusting a pitch angle of the blade: after the decelerating step, stopping the rotor by applying a braking force by the hydraulic pump to the rotor; and locking the rotor so that the rotor is immovable in a rotation direction.
US08624409B2

The shock absorber electrical generator includes a piston adapted for reciprocating motion within a cylindrical piston chamber as a vehicle's suspension system deflects. A working fluid is contained within the piston chamber. During the compression stroke of the piston, working fluid is forced through a circuit having at least one chamber in the cylinder opposite the piston. The working fluid communicates with at least one fan turbine motor disposed in the chamber, and with the piston chamber, which captures the working fluid on the return stroke. Upon compression of the piston, the working fluid passes through the fan turbine motor, thereby turning a shaft connected to a DC generator. The electric energy generated is routed to vehicle electrical components and/or charges the vehicle battery. Multi-generator systems, fan, and housing units are deployed in a plurality of shock absorber electrical generators that are attached to the vehicle's wheel system.
US08624404B1

Integrated circuit packages comprise vias, each of which extends from a pad in communication with an integrated circuit on a semiconductor chip through insulating material overlying the semiconductor chip to an attachment surface facing a substrate. The portion of each via proximate the attachment surface is laterally offset from the portion proximate the pad from which it extends in a direction away from the center of the semiconductor chip. Metallic material received in the vias mechanically and electrically interconnects the semiconductor chip to the substrate.
US08624403B2

A semiconductor device manufacturing technique which allows reduction of semiconductor chip size. First, a pad and other wires are formed over an insulating film. A surface protective film is formed over the insulating film including the pad and wires, and an opening is made in the surface protective film. The opening lies over the pad and exposes a surface of the pad. A bump electrode is formed over the surface protective film including the opening. Here, the pad is smaller than the bump electrode. Consequently, the wires are arranged just beneath the bump electrode in the same layer as the pad 10. In other words, the wires are arranged in space which becomes available because the pad is small enough.
US08624402B2

A mock bump system includes providing a flip chip integrated circuit having an edge and forming a mock bump near the edge.
US08624399B2

An interconnect is provided in a first insulating layer and the upper surface of the interconnect is higher than the upper surface of the first insulating layer. An air gap is disposed between the interconnect and the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed at least over the first insulating layer and the air gap. The second insulating layer does not cover the interconnect. An etching stopper film is formed at least over the second insulating layer. The etching stopper film is formed over the second insulating layer and the interconnect. A third insulating layer is formed over the etching stopper film. A via is provided in the third insulating layer so as to be connected to the interconnect.
US08624397B2

This wiring layer structure includes: an underlying substrate of a semiconductor substrate or a glass substrate; an oxygen-containing Cu layer or an oxygen-containing Cu alloy layer which is formed on the underlying substrate; an oxide layer containing at least one of Al, Zr, and Ti which is formed on the oxygen-containing Cu layer or the oxygen-containing Cu alloy layer; and a Cu alloy layer containing at least one of Al, Zr, and Ti which is formed on the oxide layer.
US08624390B2

An electronic device comprises a plurality of integrated circuit dies mounted on different areas of a carrier. The carrier is folded into a plurality of layers, each layer comprising one of the different areas of the carrier and one of the integrated circuit dies, such that the plurality of integrated circuit dies form a stack. Adjacent surfaces of neighboring layers are fixed together, for example by an adhesive layer, and the folded carrier and the integrated circuit dies are embedded in a molded material.
US08624389B2

An LED module includes a plurality of lighting sources each including a substrate, a first and second lead frames arranged on the substrate, an LED chip electrically connected to the first and the second lead frames, and an encapsulation covering the LED chip. The first lead frame of each of the lighting sources connects with the second lead frame of an adjacent lighting source electrically and mechanically.
US08624387B1

The present invention relates to a surface mount package for a silicon condenser microphone and methods for manufacturing the surface mount package. The surface mount package uses a limited number of components which simplifies manufacturing and lowers costs, and features a substrate that performs functions for which multiple components were traditionally required, including providing an interior surface on which the silicon condenser die is mechanically attached, providing an interior surface for making electrical connections between the silicon condenser die and the package, and providing an exterior surface for surface mounting the package to a device's printed circuit board and for making electrical connections between package and the device's printed circuit board.
US08624386B1

The present invention relates to a surface mount package for a silicon condenser microphone and methods for manufacturing the surface mount package. The surface mount package uses a limited number of components which simplifies manufacturing and lowers costs, and features a substrate that performs functions for which multiple components were traditionally required, including providing an interior surface on which the silicon condenser die is mechanically attached, providing an interior surface for making electrical connections between the silicon condenser die and the package, and providing an exterior surface for surface mounting the package to a device's printed circuit board and for making electrical connections between package and the device's printed circuit board.
US08624385B1

The present invention relates to a surface mount package for a silicon condenser microphone and methods for manufacturing the surface mount package. The surface mount package uses a limited number of components which simplifies manufacturing and lowers costs, and features a substrate that performs functions for which multiple components were traditionally required, including providing an interior surface on which the silicon condenser die is mechanically attached, providing an interior surface for making electrical connections between the silicon condenser die and the package, and providing an exterior surface for surface mounting the package to a device's printed circuit board and for making electrical connections between package and the device's printed circuit board.
US08624384B1

The present invention relates to a surface mount package for a silicon condenser microphone and methods for manufacturing the surface mount package. The surface mount package uses a limited number of components which simplifies manufacturing and lowers costs, and features a substrate that performs functions for which multiple components were traditionally required, including providing an interior surface on which the silicon condenser die is mechanically attached, providing an interior surface for making electrical connections between the silicon condenser die and the package, and providing an exterior surface for surface mounting the package to a device's printed circuit board and for making electrical connections between package and the device's printed circuit board.
US08624375B2

A semiconductor package includes: first, second, third and fourth semiconductor chips stacked while having the arrangement of chip selection vias; and a connection unit provided between a second semiconductor chip and a third semiconductor chip, and configured to mutually connect some of the chip selection vias of the second and third semiconductor chips and disconnect the others of the chip selection vias of the second and third semiconductor chips, wherein the first and second semiconductor chips and the third and fourth semiconductor chips are stacked in a flip chip type.
US08624372B2

A semiconductor component (10) has an interposer substrate (1) as stack element of a semiconductor component stack (25). The interposer substrate (1) has, on one of the interposer substrate sides (2, 4), a semiconductor chip protected by plastics composition (12) in its side edges (22). An interposer structure (3) partly covered by a plastics composition (12) is arranged on the interposer side (2, 4) opposite to the semiconductor chip (6). Edge regions (11) of the interposer substrate (1) remain free of any plastics composition (12) and have, on both interposer sides (2, 4) external contact pads (7) which are electrically connected to one another via through contacts (8).
US08624358B2

A semiconductor substrate having a semiconductor device formable area, wherein a reinforcing part, which is thicker than the semiconductor device formable area and has a top part of which surface is flat, is formed on an outer circumference part of the semiconductor substrate, and an inner side surface connecting the top part of the reinforcing part and the semiconductor device formable area has a cross-sectional shape of which inner diameter becomes smaller as being closer to the semiconductor device formable area.
US08624357B2

Described herein are composite semiconductor substrates for use in semiconductor device fabrication and related devices and methods. In one embodiment, a composite substrate includes: (1) a bulk silicon layer; (2) a porous silicon layer adjacent to the bulk silicon layer, wherein the porous silicon layer has a Young's modulus value that is no greater than 110.5 GPa; (3) an epitaxial template layer, wherein the epitaxial template layer has a root-mean-square surface roughness value in the range of 0.2 nm to 1 nm; and (4) a set of silicon nitride layers disposed between the porous silicon layer and the epitaxial template layer.
US08624339B2

A vibrating device has a package having an accommodating space in the interior thereof and a gyro element and an IC chip accommodated in the accommodating space. The package has a plate-like bottom plate having an IC chip mounting area and a vibrating element mounting area. The IC chip mounting area includes an IC chip mounting surface on which the IC chip is mounted. The vibrating element mounting area is arranged in parallel with the IC chip mounting area and includes a vibrating element mounting surface on which the gyro element is mounted. The thickness of the IC chip mounting area is smaller than that of the vibrating element mounting area. The IC chip mounting surface is located closer to a bottom side than the vibrating element mounting surface.
US08624322B1

Provided is a high voltage semiconductor device. The high voltage semiconductor device includes a transistor having a gate, a source, and a drain. The source and the drain are formed in a doped substrate and are separated by a drift region of the substrate. The gate is formed over the drift region and between the source and the drain. The transistor is configured to handle high voltage conditions that are at least a few hundred volts. The high voltage semiconductor device includes a dielectric structure formed between the source and the drain of the transistor. The dielectric structure protrudes into and out of the substrate. Different parts of the dielectric structure have uneven thicknesses. The high voltage semiconductor device includes a resistor formed over the dielectric structure. The resistor has a plurality of winding segments that are substantially evenly spaced apart.
US08624317B2

Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes first memory cell array layer, first insulating layer formed thereabove, and second memory cell array layer formed thereabove. First memory cell array layer includes first NAND cell units each including plural first memory cells. The first memory cell includes first semiconductor layer, first gate insulating film formed thereabove, and first charge accumulation layer formed thereabove. The second memory cell array layer includes second NAND cell units each including plural second memory cells. The second memory cell includes second charge accumulation layer, second gate insulating film formed thereabove, and second semiconductor layer formed thereabove. Control gates are formed, via an inter-gate insulating film, on first-direction both sides of the first and second charge accumulation layers positioned the latter above the former via the first insulating layer. The control gates extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
US08624313B2

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a non-volatile semiconductor memory element formed over the semiconductor substrate, including a variable resistance element including a laminate comprising a first electrode, a variable resistance layer, and a second electrode, and a volatile semiconductor memory element formed over the semiconductor substrate, including a capacitance element including a laminate comprising a third electrode, a dielectric layer including a same material as the variable resistance layer, and a fourth electrode.
US08624312B2

A capacitor structure includes a conductive region; a first dielectric layer over the conductive region; a conductive material within the first dielectric layer, wherein the conductive material is on the conductive region and forms a first plate electrode of the capacitor structure; an insulating layer within the first dielectric layer and surrounding the conductive material; a first conductive layer within the first dielectric layer and surrounding the insulating layer, wherein the first conductive layer forms a second plate electrode of the capacitor structure; a second conductive layer laterally extending from the first conductive layer at a top surface of the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer; and a third conductive layer within the second dielectric layer and on the conductive material.
US08624310B2

A method of fabricating an image sensor may include providing a substrate including light-receiving and non-light-receiving regions; forming a plurality of gates on the non-light-receiving region; ion-implanting a first-conductivity-type dopant into the light-receiving region to form a first dopant region of a pinned photodiode; primarily ion-implanting a second-conductivity-type dopant, different from the first-conductivity-type dopant, into an entire surface of the substrate, using the gates as a first mask; forming spacers on both side walls of the gates; and secondarily ion-implanting the second-conductivity-type dopant into the entire surface of the substrate, using the plurality of gates including the spacers as a second mask, to complete a second dopant region of the pinned photodiode. An image sensor may include the substrate; a transfer gate formed on the non-light-receiving region; a first dopant region in the light-receiving region; and a second dopant region formed on a surface of the light-receiving region.
US08624303B2

A lateral field-effect transistor capable of improving switching speed and reducing operationally defective products is provided. A gate wiring has a base, a plurality of fingers protruding from the base, and a connection connecting tips of adjacent fingers. The finger of the gate wiring is arranged between the finger of a source wiring and the finger of a drain wiring. The base of the gate wiring is arranged between the base of the source wiring and the fingers of the drain wiring and intersects with the fingers of the source wiring, with an insulating film interposed between the base of the gate wiring and the fingers.
US08624290B2

A display device is provided which includes: lower electrodes each have a light-reflective first metal material layer and a second metal material layer provided thereon which has a superior alkaline-solution resistance to that of the first metal material layer; an insulating pattern which is formed from a photosensitive composition material, which has opening portions to expose the lower electrodes, and which covers peripheries of the lower electrodes; organic layers each of which at least include an organic light emitting layer and which are provided in the opening portions so as to cover the lower electrodes; and a light-transmissive upper electrode provided to sandwich the organic layers with the lower electrodes.
US08624289B2

An optoelectronic component comprising the following features is disclosed, at least one semiconductor body (1) provided for emitting electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength range, an inner radiation-permeable shaped body (2), into which the semiconductor body (1) is embedded, a wavelength-converting layer (6) on an outer side (5) of the inner shaped body (2), said layer comprising a wavelength conversion substance (8) suitable for converting radiation of the first wavelength range into radiation of a second wavelength range, which is different from the first wavelength range, a coupling-out lens (10), into which the inner shaped body (2) and the wavelength-converting layer (6) are embedded, wherein the coupling-out lens (10) has an inner side enclosed by an inner hemisphere area having a radius Rconversion, and an outer side enclosing an outer hemisphere area having a radius Router, and the radii Rconverstion and Router meet the Weierstrass condition: Router≧Rconversion*nlens/nair, where nlens is the refractive index of the coupling-out lens and nair is the refractive index of the surroundings of the coupling-out lens.
US08624288B2

An LED having vertical topology and a method of making the same is capable of improving a luminous efficiency and reliability, and is also capable of achieving mass productivity. The method includes forming a semiconductor layer on a substrate; forming a first electrode on the semiconductor layer; forming a supporting layer on the first electrode; generating an acoustic stress wave at the interface between the substrate and semiconductor layer, thereby separating the substrate from the semiconductor layer; and forming a second electrode on the semiconductor layer exposed by the separation of the substrate.
US08624287B2

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose a light emitting diode (LED) and a method of fabricating the same. The LED includes a substrate, a semiconductor stack arranged on the substrate, the semiconductor stack including an upper semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type, an active layer, and a lower semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type, isolation trenches separating the semiconductor stack into a plurality of regions, connectors disposed between the substrate and the semiconductor stack, the connectors electrically connecting the plurality of regions to one another, and a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) having a multi-layered structure, the DBR disposed between the semiconductor stack and the connectors. The connectors are electrically connected to the semiconductor stack through the DBR, and portions of the DBR are disposed between the isolation trenches and the connectors.
US08624283B2

A light emitting device is provided. The light emitting device includes a first electrode layer, a light emitting structure, and a second electrode layer. The light emitting structure is formed on the first electrode layer to emit blue series light having a main peak wavelength region of about 430 nm to about 470 nm, and includes a light extraction structure. The second electrode layer includes a first layer, which is formed of a metal material different from a wavelength of the blue series light in Plasmon frequencies, on the light extraction structure.
US08624281B2

A method for increasing the luminous efficacy of a white light emitting diode (WLED), comprising introducing optically functional interfaces between an LED die and a phosphor, and between the phosphor and an outer medium, wherein at least one of the interfaces between the phosphor and the LED die provides a reflectance for light emitted by the phosphor away from the outer medium and a transmittance for light emitted by the LED die. Thus, a WLED may comprise a first material which surrounds an LED die, a phosphor layer, and at least one additional layer or material which is transparent for direct LED emission and reflective for the phosphor emission, placed between the phosphor layer and the first material which surrounds the LED die.
US08624280B2

A light emitting device package comprises a substrate, an electrode on the substrate, a light emitting device on the substrate and electrically connected to the electrode layer, and a pattern enclosing the light emitting device.
US08624270B2

Disclosed are a light emitting device and a light emitting device package having the same. The light emitting device includes a first chip structure including a first reflective layer and a first light emitting structure having a plurality of compound semiconductor layers on the first reflective layer; a second chip structure bonded onto the first chip structure and including a second reflective layer and a second light emitting structure having a plurality of compound semiconductor layers on the second reflective layer; and an electrode on the second chip structure.
US08624267B2

A high quality single crystal wafer of SiC is disclosed having a diameter of at least about 3 inches and a 1 c screw dislocation density from about 500 cm−2 to about 2000 cm−2.
US08624264B2

A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode and a first silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor part. The first electrode uses a conductive material and the first silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor part is connected to the first electrode, in which at least one element of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), and barium (Ba) is contained in an interface portion with the first electrode in such a way that a surface density thereof peaks, and whose conduction type is a p-type.
US08624263B2

The present invention is contemplated for providing a diamond semiconductor device where an impurity-doped diamond semiconductor is buried in a selected area, and a method of manufacturing the same. That is, a diamond semiconductor device having an impurity-doped diamond area selectively buried in a recessed portion formed in a diamond substrate; and a method of manufacturing a diamond semiconductor device, including the steps of selectively forming an recessed portion on the {100}-facet diamond semiconductor substrate, wherein the bottom face of the recessed portion is surrounded by the {100} facet and the side face of the recessed portion is surrounded by the {110} facet, and forming an impurity-doped diamond area by epitaxially growing diamond in the <111> direction while doping with impurities and burying the recessed portion.
US08624261B2

According to one embodiment, a nitride semiconductor device includes a first, a second, a third and a fourth transistor of n-type channel and a resistor. The first transistor has a first gate, a first source, and a first drain. The second transistor has a second gate, a second source electrically connected to the first gate, and a second drain. The third transistor has a third gate, a third source electrically connected to the first source, and a third drain electrically connected to the first gate and the second source. The fourth transistor has a fourth gate electrically connected to the third gate, a fourth source electrically connected to the first source and the third source, and a fourth drain electrically connected to the second gate. The resistor has one end electrically connected to the second drain and one other end electrically connected to the second gate and the fourth drain.
US08624257B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting device in which variations in an emission spectrum depending on a viewing angle with respect to a side from which luminescence is extracted are decreased. A light emitting device according to the invention has a transistor, an insulating layer covering the transistor and a light emitting element provided in an opening of the insulating layer. The transistor and the light emitting element are electronically connected through a connecting portion. Additionally, the connecting portion is connected to the transistor through a contact hole penetrating the insulating layer. Note that the insulating layer may be a single layer or a multilayer in which a plurality of layers including different substances is laminated.
US08624254B2

A highly reliable transistor in which change in electrical characteristics is suppressed is provided. A highly reliable transistor in which change in electrical characteristics is suppressed is manufactured with high productivity. A display device with less image deterioration over time is provided. An inverted staggered thin film transistor which includes, between a gate insulating film and impurity semiconductor films functioning as source and drain regions, a semiconductor stacked body including a microcrystalline semiconductor region and a pair of amorphous semiconductor regions. In the microcrystalline semiconductor region, the nitrogen concentration on the gate insulating film side is low and the nitrogen concentration in a region in contact with the amorphous semiconductor is high. Further, an interface with the amorphous semiconductor has unevenness.
US08624245B2

A semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor layer including a crystalline region over an insulating surface, a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer covering the oxide semiconductor layer, the source electrode layer, and the drain electrode layer, and a gate electrode layer over the gate insulating layer in a region overlapping with the crystalline region. The crystalline region includes a crystal whose c-axis is aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the oxide semiconductor layer.
US08624236B2

A device includes a substrate having a first region and a second region. The first region comprises a first field effect transistor having a horizontal channel region within the substrate, a gate overlying the horizontal channel region, and a first dielectric covering the gate of the first field effect transistor. The second region of the substrate includes a second field effect transistor comprising a first terminal extending through the first dielectric to contact the substrate, a second terminal overlying the first terminal and having a top surface, and a vertical channel region separating the first and second terminals. The second field effect transistor also includes a gate on the first dielectric and adjacent the vertical channel region, the gate having a top surface that is co-planar with the top surface of the second terminal.
US08624234B2

Disclosed is a light-emitting element with a good carrier balance and manufacturing method thereof which does not require the formation of the heterostructure. The light-emitting element includes an organic compound film containing a first organic compound as the main component (base material) between an anode and a cathode, wherein the organic compound film is provided in contact with the anode and with the cathode. The first organic compound further includes a light-emitting region to which a light-emitting substance is added and includes a hole-transport region to which a hole-trapping substance is added and/or an electron-transport region to which an electron-trapping substance is added. The hole-transport region is located between the light-emitting region and the anode, and the electron-transport region is located between the light-emitting region and the cathode.
US08624228B2

Objects of the invention are to provide an organic compound having excellent properties, which is excellent in eleclron-injecting/transporling performance, has hole-blocking ability, and is highly stable in a thin-film state, as a material for an organic electroluminescent devices having a high-efficiency and a high durability; and to provide an organic electroluminescent device having a high-efficiency and a high durability using the compound. The invention relates to: a compound having a pyridoindolc ring structure bonded with a substituted pyridyl group and an organic electroluminescent device comprising a pair of electrodes and at least one organic layer interposed between the electrodes.
US08624223B2

A graphene-based electrically tunable nanoconstriction device and a non-transitory tangible computer readable medium encoded with a program for fabricating the device that includes a back-gate dielectric layer over a conductive substrate are described. The back-gate dielectric layer may be hexagonal boron nitride, mica, SiOx, SiNx, BNx, HfOx or AlOx. A graphene layer is an AB-stacked bi-layer graphene layer, an ABC-stacked tri-layer graphene layer or a stacked few-layer graphene layer. Contacts formed over a portion of the graphene layer include at least one source contact, at least one drain contact and at least one set of side-gate contacts. A graphene channel with graphene side gates is formed in the graphene layer between at least one source contact, at least one the drain contact and at least one set of side-gate contacts. A top-gate dielectric layer is formed over the graphene layer. A top-gate electrode is formed on the top-gate dielectric layer.
US08624218B2

The disclosure provides a non-volatile memory structure and a method for fabricating the same. The non-volatile memory structure includes a first contact connected to a first transistor. A second contact is connected to a second transistor. A resistance-changing memory material pattern covers and contacts the second contact but not the first contact. A top electrode contacts both the resistance-changing memory material pattern and the first contact. An area of the resistance-changing memory material pattern is substantially larger than an area of its interface with the second contact.
US08624215B2

A new class of phase change materials has been discovered based on compounds of: Ga; lanthanide; and chalcogenide. This includes compounds of Ga, La, and S (GLS) as well as related compounds in which there is substitution of S with O, Se and/or Te. Moreover, La can be substituted with other lanthanide series elements. It has been demonstrated that this class of materials exhibit low energy switching. For example, the GLS material can provide an optical recording medium with erasability 3-5 dB greater than the erasability of GeSbTe (GST) material which is the standard material for phase change memories.
US08624198B2

A neutron detection system comprising a radiation portal monitor is disclosed. The radiation portal monitor includes a neutron moderator sheet and a neutron-sensing panel and is configured to receive incoming neutrons through a neutron collection portal area. The neutron-sensing panel comprises a neutron-sensing material optically coupled to a plurality of optical fibers such that the neutron moderator sheet and the neutron-sensing panel are disposed substantially parallel to the neutron collection portal area.
US08624193B2

A method for improving timing response in light-sharing scintillation detectors is disclosed. The method includes detecting an event, by a plurality of photo sensors, from a scintillation crystal. The method then includes sampling and digitizing the photo sensor outputs by an analog-to-digital converter. Then the method includes correcting associated timing data, by a processor, for each of the photo sensor outputs based on a lookup table. The method then includes selectively time shifting the photo sensor outputs based on the lookup table to generate corrected photo sensor outputs. The method then includes summing the corrected photo sensor outputs by the processor. The method then includes generating an event time, by the processor, for the detected event based on the sum of the corrected photo sensor outputs.
US08624190B2

The invention relates to a method and a device (1, 100) for determining the sex of fertilized, nonincubated bird eggs (13, 130), where an egg (13, 130) has a solid egg shell (14), an egg yolk (2) which is surrounded by the egg shell and further egg integuments and a blastodisc (3) associated with the egg yolk (2), and where a probe (4, 40) for measuring a spectrum is introduced through a hole (17) of the egg shell (14) towards the blastodisc (3) with blastodisc cells (23), with the following steps: —positioning of the probe (4, 40) in the region of the blastodisc (3), —spectroscopic in-ovo characterization of the blastodisc cells (23), and —identification of the sex by an automatic classification of spectra.
US08624186B2

The present invention generally relates to a detection unit of a charged particle imaging system. More particularly, portion of the detection unit can move into or out of the detection system as imaging condition required. With the assistance of a Wein filter (also known as an E×B charged particle analyzer) and a movable detector design, the present invention provides a stereo imaging system that suitable for both low current, high resolution mode and high current, high throughput mode. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied to a scanning electron beam inspection system. But it would be recognized that the invention could apply to other system using charged particle beam as an observation tool.
US08624183B2

The invention relates to a method for determining a reconstructed image using a particle-optical apparatus. The particle-optical apparatus comprises a particle source for producing a beam of particles, an object plane on which an object to be imaged may be placed, a condenser system for illuminating the object plane with the beam of particles, a projection system for forming an image of the object plane by imaging particles transmitted through the object on an image plane, and a detector for detecting the image, the detector comprising a semiconductor sensor having an array of pixels for providing a plurality of pixel signals from respective pixels of the array in response to particles incident on the detector.
US08624178B2

The invention relates to matrix image sensors, and more particularly to a method for correcting the spatial noise caused by the dispersion of the physical properties of the various pixels of the matrix. According to the invention, a signal Xi(L) is established pixel by pixel that corresponds to the illumination of a pixel Pi by a luminance L; a fixed reference K0 is defined for this signal, the value K0 being chosen such that, for a given luminance L0, the pixels all supply an identical signal Xi(L0) that is equal to K0; and a corrected signal X*i(L) is established by applying to the duly referenced signal Xi(L)−K0 a multiplying correcting coefficient specific to the pixel concerned, the correcting coefficient being determined from the signal Xi(Lr) supplied by the pixel Pi for a determined reference luminance Lr which is the same for all the pixels. The correcting coefficient is preferably stored in an initialization register REG1 specific to the pixel, which contains a value dTi for modulating the integration time of a counting frequency representing the luminance.
US08624164B2

A blanket for warming patients during surgery and other medical procedures. The blanket includes one or more temperature sensors and a shut-off timer to prevent prolonged exposure of excessive heat to a patient. Embodiments of the present invention provide a safety feature that cuts power to a heating blanket after a certain period of time has elapsed, irrespective of the feedback provided by a temperature sensor concerning the blanket temperature. That period of time is longer than it takes for the blanket to reach its threshold temperature but shorter than it takes to cause thermal burn injury.
US08624159B2

An approach is provided for fabricating a light emitting diode using a laser lift-off apparatus. The approach includes growing an epitaxial layer including a first conductive-type compound semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second conductive-type compound semiconductor layer on a first substrate, bonding a second substrate, having a different thermal expansion coefficient from that of the first substrate, to the epitaxial layers at a first temperature of the first substrate higher than a room temperature, and separating the first substrate from the epitaxial layer by irradiating a laser beam through the first substrate at a second temperature of the first substrate higher than the room temperature but not more than the first temperature.
US08624156B2

Providing a method of manufacturing a laser processed part by using a protective sheet for laser processing capable of effectively suppressing contamination of surface of workpiece by decomposition product, and processing at high precision, when processing the workpiece by optical absorption ablation of laser beam. It is also an object to present a protective sheet for laser processing for use in the manufacturing method of laser processed part.
US08624147B2

A method of welding a bearing is provided. The method includes providing an apparatus including at least one welding torch and a processor, positioning a holding fixture proximate the apparatus, securing a bearing in position in the holding fixture, applying a bead of weld to facilitate repairing a damaged surface of the bearing and incrementally rotating the bearing with the apparatus.
US08624139B2

A key button mechanism includes a retaining board, a sliding board, a key button and a stopping member. The sliding board is slidably mounted to the retaining board. The sliding board is capable of sliding between a first configuration and a second configuration. The key button is fixed to the sliding board so the key button can be slid relative to the retaining board. The stopping member is located between the retaining board and the sliding board. The stopping member, which can be overcome with fingernail pressure, holds the sliding board in either the first configuration or the second configuration.
US08624136B2

A conductor termination system for use with an electrical power transmission conductor includes a termination assembly and a connector. The termination assembly includes an end member and an integral retainer mechanism. The end member includes a receiver portion configured to receive a segment of the conductor. The retainer mechanism includes a moveable keeper member on the end member. The retainer mechanism is operable to selectively clamp a segment of the conductor in the receiver portion to the end member and to apply a retention load to the conductor segment. The connector is adapted to be applied to the end member and the conductor to securely clamp the conductor segment to the end member.
US08624111B2

A mobile device case including a housing sized to receive a mobile device; at least a portion of the housing including a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer of material, the second layer of material being disposed between the first and third layers of material and having a material with a higher durometer than the first and third layers of material.
US08624105B2

Energy devices such as energy conversion devices and energy storage devices and methods for the manufacture of such devices. The devices include a support member having an array of pore channels having a small average pore channel diameter and having a pore channel length. Material layers that may include energy conversion materials and conductive materials are coaxially disposed within the pore channels to form material rods having a relatively small cross-section and a relatively long length. By varying the structure of the materials in the pore channels, various energy devices can be fabricated, such as photovoltaic (PV) devices, radiation detectors, capacitors, batteries and the like.
US08624100B2

Systems and methods are operable to generate electric power from heat. An exemplary direct thermal electric converter embodiment includes at least a first recombination material having a first recombination rate, a second recombination material adjacent to the first recombination material and having a second recombination rate, wherein the second recombination rate is different from the first recombination rate, and a third recombination material adjacent to the second recombination material and having a third recombination rate substantially the same as the first recombination rate. Application of heat generates at least first charge carriers that migrate between the first recombination material and the second recombination material, and generates at least second charge carriers that migrate between the third recombination material and the second recombination material. The migration of the first charge carriers and the migration of the second charge carriers generates an electrical current.
US08624095B2

A musical instrument has an instrument body with a neck extending from the instrument body and including a finger board thereon and eight strings arranged to provide the sounds of a Violin, Viola and Cello. The strings cooperate with two separate bridges for supporting the strings and communicating the sounds to two compartments within the body. The strings connect with tuning pegs carried on a peg support mounted at the base of the body. The body is shaped and arranged to be carried in the manner of a guitar and to cooperate with a curved bow with a center handle.
US08624093B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated S110148. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety S110148. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety S110148 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety S110148 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08624092B1

A novel soybean variety, designated XB48E12 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB48E12, cells from soybean variety XB48E12, plants of soybean XB48E12, and plant parts of soybean variety XB48E12. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB48E12 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB48E12, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB48E12, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB48E12. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB48E12 are further provided.
US08624078B2

The present invention relates to a pressure sensitive, hot melt processable adhesive composition comprising a polar plasticising oil, a polar polyethylene copolymer and polyisobutylene and a layered adhesive construction and a medical device comprising the adhesive composition according to the invention.
US08624072B2

Chemical reactors with annularly positioned delivery and removal devices, and associated systems and methods. A reactor in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a reactor vessel having a light-transmissible surface proximate to a reaction zone, and a movable reactant delivery system positioned within the reactor vessel. The reactor can further include a product removal system positioned within the reactor vessel and positioned annularly inwardly or outwardly from the delivery system. A solar concentrator is positioned to direct solar radiation through the light-transmissible surface to the reaction zone.
US08624069B2

Methods for converting a carbon-containing feedstock into a fluid transportation fuel are described. The methods may include converting the carbon-containing feedstock into a producer gas comprising H2, CO, CO2, and N2, and reacting the producer gas with a substrate catalyst to produce a combination of Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) products, the F-T products including the fluid transportation fuel. A portion of the F-T products may be catalytically cracked to produce additional amounts of the fluid transportation fuel. A portion of the F-T products may also be hydrogenated to produce additional amounts of the fluid transportation fuel. Apparatuses are also described or converting a carbon-containing feedstock into a fluid transportation fuel. The apparatuses may include a producer gas reactor, a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, a cracking reactor, and a hydrogenation reactor.
US08624068B2

The present invention provides a gas oil composition for use in a diesel engine with a geometric compression ratio of 16 or less, equipped with a supercharger and an EGR, containing an FT synthetic base oil and having a sulfur content of 5 ppm by mass or less, an oxygen content of 100 ppm by mass or less, a bulk modulus of 1250 MPa or greater and 1450 MPa or less, a saybolt color of +22 or greater, a lubricity of 400 μm or less, an initial boiling point of 140° C. or higher and an end point of 380° C. or lower in distillation characteristics, and the following characteristics (1) to (3) in each fraction range wherein: (1) the cetane number in a fraction range of lower than 200° C. is 40 or greater and less than 60; (2) the cetane number in a fraction range of 200° C. or higher and lower than 280° C. is 60 or greater and less than 80; and (3) the cetane number in a fraction range of 280° C. or higher is 50 or greater. The gas oil composition is used in a summer or winter season, suitable for both diesel combustion and homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion.
US08624064B2

The present invention relates to a compound represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a monovalent hydrocarbon group; R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; X represents a divalent hydrocarbon group; and R4, R5 and R6 independently represent a monovalent organic group or a group represented by the following general formula (II): in which R7 and R8 independently represent a monovalent hydrocarbon group; and R9 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, with the proviso that R5 and R6 may combine together to form a divalent hydrocarbon group. The aforementioned compounds are useful as a polymerization inhibitor and the like.
US08624062B2

A method for producing a phenylacetamide compound represented by formula (1): wherein Q represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R4 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, Ar represents an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl group, R5 represents R4 when R2 is a hydrogen atom, and R5 represents a hydrogen atom when R2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; including reacting a phenylacetamide compound represented by formula (2): wherein Q, R2 and Ar have the same meanings as defined above; with a dialkyl sulfate represented by formula (3): wherein R4 has the same meaning as defined above; in the presence of a base.
US08624058B2

The invention relates to a process for transformation of lignocellulosic biomass or cellulose that uses tungsten-based heterogeneous catalysts that are dispersed on an oxide-based substrate, preferably with a base of oxide(s) of aluminum and/or zirconium and/or titanium and/or niobium. The use of these catalysts makes it possible to obtain directly lactic acid with high selectivity while limiting the production of oligosaccharides and soluble polymers.
US08624047B2

Solvent-less methods to convert oil derivatives, and modified oils to highly functionalized esters, ester polyols, amides, and amide polyols. The products can be used to make polyurethane and polyester films and foams.
US08624044B2

This invention relates to A crown ether of formula (I) wherein m is 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 and i is, independently for each occurrence, 1 or 2; each occurrence of R1 and R2 is independently selected from hydrogen; linear or branched and substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl, alkenyl and alkinyl; and substituted or unsubstituted aryl with up to 10 ring atoms; or R1 and R2 together form an oxo group; at least one occurrence in the crown ether of R1, R2 and the carbon to which R1 and R2 are attached, said carbon being bound directly to an ether oxygen of formula (I), form together a group of formula (II) wherein L is a linker which is absent or selected from a covalent bond and (CR5R6)n, each occurrence of R5 and R6 being independently selected from hydrogen; linear or branched and substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl, alkenyl and alkinyl; and substituted or unsubstituted aryl with up to 10 ring atoms, n being 1, 2 or 3; X and Y, independently from each other, are selected from O and S; Z, independently for each occurrence, is absent or an electron-withdrawing group; R3 and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from hydrogen; linear or branched and substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl, alkenyl and alkinyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl with up to 10 ring atoms; H(OCH2CH2)k— and H(OCH2CH2)kO—, wherein k is an integer number from 1 to 10; wherein substituents, if present, are selected from OH, O—CH3 and halogens.
US08624042B2

The invention describes a process for the selective dimerization of ethylene to but-1-ene using a catalytic composition comprising at least one organometallic titanium complex, said organometallic complex containing at least one alkoxy type ligand functionalized by a heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulphur, arsenic and antimony or by an aromatic group.
US08624034B2

The present invention is directed to a new class of hydroxamic acid derivatives, their use as LpxC inhibitors and, more specifically, their use to treat bacterial infections.
US08624026B2

Disclosed are a novel, simple and low-cost method for preparing sitagliptin of formula (I), as DPP-IV (dipeptidyl peptidase IV) inhibitor, which is useful in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus and key intermediates used in said preparation of sitagliptin:
US08624025B2

This invention relates to compounds of formula I their salts, and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and their use in the treatment of picornavirus infections in mammals, as well as novel intermediates useful in the preparation of the compounds of formula I.
US08624023B2

A synthesis approach providing an early ring attachment via a bromination to compound I-I yielding compound II-II: whereby a final product such as AA: can be synthesized. In particular, the 2,4-difluorophenyl-containing sidechain is attached before creation of the additional ring Q.
US08624017B2

A probe for detecting polymorphism in the ABCG2 gene is constituted by including, for example, an oligonucleotide which is complementary to a base sequence including the 301st to the 311th bases of the base sequence indicated in SEQ ID NO:1 and having a length of from 11 bases to 50 bases, and has an identity of at least 80%, and in which a base corresponding to the 311th base has been labeled with a fluorescent dye.
US08624013B2

The methods and compositions provided herein relate generally to IL-10 specific antibodies and uses thereof. More specifically, compositions of humanized IL-10 specific antibodies and methods to use such antibodies in modulating the biological activity of IL-10, particularly in autoimmune disorders and pathogen-mediated immunopathology.
US08624010B1

Polypeptides comprising ligands and receptors involved in T-cell activation are disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules that encode such polypeptides, and vectors and host cells for expressing polypeptides are also disclosed. In certain embodiments, the polypeptides, agonists thereof, and antagonists thereof may be used to treat T-cell mediated disorders.
US08624006B2

The present invention provides a one-pot method of preparing an unprotected α-O-glycolipid. The first step involves contacting a protected α-iodo sugar with a catalyst and a lipid comprising a hydroxy group, under conditions sufficient to prepare a protected α-O-glycolipid. The second step involves deprotecting the protected α-O-glycolipid under conditions sufficient to prepare the unprotected α-O-glycolipid, wherein the contacting and deprotecting steps are performed in a single vessel. The present invention also provides a one-pot method of preparing an unprotected β-O-glycolipid following the steps for the preparation of the unprotected α-O-glycolipid.
US08624003B2

This invention describes a method of conjugating a cell binding agent such as an antibody with an effector group (e.g., a cytotoxic agent) or a reporter group (e.g., a radionuclide), whereby the reporter or effector group is first reacted with a bifunctional linker and the mixture is then used without purification for the conjugation reaction with the cell binding agent. The method described in this invention is advantageous for preparation of stably-linked conjugates of cell binding agents, such as antibodies with effector or reporter groups. This conjugation method provides in high yields conjugates of high purity and homogeneity that are without inter-chain cross-linking and inactivated linker residues.
US08624002B2

The present invention encompasses prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) binding proteins. The invention relates to antibodies that are wild-type, chimeric, CDR grafted and humanized. Preferred antibodies have high affinity for prostaglandin E2 and neutralize prostaglandin E2 activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Methods of making and methods of using the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The antibodies, or antigen-binding portions, of the invention are useful for detecting prostaglandin E2 and for inhibiting prostaglandin E2 activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which prostaglandin E2 activity is detrimental.
US08623999B2

The specification discloses modified Clostridial toxins comprising a Clostridial toxin enzymatic domain, a Clostridial toxin translocation domain and an enhanced Clostridial toxin binding domain; polynucleotide molecules encoding such modified Clostridial toxins; and method of producing such modified Clostridial toxins.
US08623995B2

Polypeptides labelled with a donor and acceptor pair of dyes selected from a dibenzorhodamine dye and a diamino-benzophenoxazine dye are peptide conjugates which are useful for intracellular and bead-based assays with fluorescence detection. Peptide conjugates with a caspase-recognition site undergo cleavage into peptide fragments which may be detected, located, and quantitated by the changes in fluorescence. Intracellular cleavage of peptide conjugates is correlated with apoptosis.
US08623991B2

A process for producing an IPA/PET copolymer fiber that is homogenous having a substantially level, single IPA copolymer content, said fiber having improved pilling resistance and dye uptake.
US08623987B2

A room temperature fast-curing organopolysiloxane composition which has excellent fast curability as well as deep curability is provided without using an organic compound having C═O group and the organic compound having NH2 group which are the volatile components. A method for curing such composition is also provided. The room temperature fast-curing organopolysiloxane composition comprises: (A) 100 parts by weight of a diorganopolysiloxane having both ends terminated with hydroxy group and/or a hydrolyzable group; (B) 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of a silane and/or a siloxane having at least 3 alkenoxysilyl groups in its molecule and being capable of forming a compound having —NH2 group by hydrolysis; (C) 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of a silane and/or a siloxane having at least 3 aminosilyl groups in its molecule and being capable of forming a compound having —NH2 group by hydrolysis; and (D) 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of a curing catalyst.
US08623985B2

A silicone composition is described that includes components having SiH/SiOH groupings and that can be polymerized/cross-linked by a dehydrogenative condensation reaction in the presence of a zinc catalyst and requiring a low activation temperature.
US08623984B2

The present invention relates to compositions containing polyether-siloxane copolymers which are based on branched SiH-functional siloxanes, where at least one of the polyether-siloxane copolymers has a radical —OR8 where R8=hydrogen or an alkyl radical having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms which is bound to a silicon atom, a process for producing polyurethane foam in which these compositions are used as foam stabilizers, polyurethane foams containing these compositions and the use of these polyurethane foams.
US08623980B2

A process for making a substantially saturated dendritic hydrocarbon polymer. The process has the following steps: (a) polymerizing an amount of a first alkadiene monomer under anionic conditions in the presence of a first organic monolithium initiator to produce a linear polyalkadiene having a lithiated chain end; (b) reacting the linear polyalkadiene with an amount of a second organic monolithium initiator in the presence of tetramethylethylene diamine to form a multilithiated polyalkadiene; (c) reacting the multilithiated polyalkadiene with an amount of a second alkadiene monomer to form a branched polyalkadiene; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) with the branched polyalkadiene one or more times to prepare a dendritic polyalkadiene; and (e) hydrogenating the dendritic polyalkadiene to form the substantially saturated dendritic hydrocarbon polymer.
US08623974B2

This invention relates to a process for polymerization, comprising (i) contacting, at a temperature greater than 35° C., one or more monomers comprising ethylene and/or propylene, with a catalyst system comprising a metallocene catalyst compound and an activator, (ii) converting at least 50 mol % of the monomer to polyolefin; and (iii) obtaining a branched polyolefin having greater than 50% allyl chain ends, relative to total unsaturated chain ends. The invention also relates to the branched polyolefins and functionalized branched polyolefins.
US08623971B2

Polyethersulfones having Tg greater than about 225° C. and a notched Izod value greater than about 1 ft-lb/in, as measured by ASTM D256, comprise from about 5 mol % to less than about 40 mol % structural units of formula 1; and from greater than about 60 mol % to about 95 mol % structural units of formula 2 wherein R1, R2, and R3 are independently at each occurrence a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, a C1-C12aliphatic radical, C3-C12cycloaliphatic radical, or a C3-C12aromatic radical; n, m, q are independently at each occurrence integers from 0 to 4; and Q is a C3-C20cycloaliphatic radical, or a C3-C20aromatic radical.
US08623964B2

A room temperature crosslinkable polymer system comprising an anhydride containing polymer and an oxyalkylene amine and a polymer electrolyte derived therefrom are prepared and employed as ion conducting materials for batteries such as lithium ion battery, solar cells and electrochromic devices is disclosed.
US08623956B2

The present invention provides a rubber composition for a sidewall, an insulation, or a breaker cushion, which can achieve both excellent fuel economy (low heat build-up) and high flex crack growth resistance while having processability excellent enough to eliminate the need for mastication, and also provides a pneumatic tire produced using the rubber composition. The present invention relates to a rubber composition for a sidewall, an insulation, or a breaker cushion, including: a rubber component that contains a modified natural rubber with a phosphorus content of 200 ppm or less; and carbon black and/or a white filler.
US08623949B2

Disclosed is a rubber composition containing 100 parts by weight of a rubber blend comprising 99-85 by weight % of chloroprene rubber and 1-15 by weight % of chlorinated polyethylene rubber, (A) 10 to 30 parts by weight of a polyether ester-based plasticizer having a molecular weight of 450 to 650, or (B) 10 to 30 parts by weight of both of a polyether ester-based plasticizer having a molecular weight of 450 to 900 and an ester-based plasticizer having a molecular weight 350 to 500, and 3 to 10 parts by weight of two or more aromatic amine-based antioxidants. The rubber composition can simultaneously satisfy requirements for use as, for example, an automobile grease cup material, that is, heat resistance, ozone resistance, cold resistance, and adhesion to metal or resin.
US08623932B2

A foamed polyolefin composition comprising (all percent amounts being by weight): A) 50%-90% of a polypropylene component; and B) 10%-50% of a copolymer component of ethylene and at least one C3-C10 α-olefin, the copolymer containing from 15% to 50% of ethylene, and optionally minor amounts of a diene; the said amounts of (A) and (B) being referred to the total weight of (A) and (B); said composition having at least one of the following features i) and ii), or both: i) a Polydispersity Index of component (A) of 4 or more; ii) a value of viscosity [η] of the fraction soluble in xylene at room temperature equal to or higher than 3.5 dl/g.
US08623931B2

The invention relates generally to protein-containing polyurethane foams, methods and compositions for making the polyurethane foams, and articles comprising the polyurethane foams.
US08623923B2

A process for the preparation of ajoene, and of ajoene having a relatively high purity which may be obtained by the process. This invention also relates to processes for the preparation of allicin, and to a process for freeze concentrating allicin.
US08623914B2

The object of the invention is to find the actions of the crude drugs contained in Daikenchuto or their components and the synergistic effect of the components with one another or with other pharmacologically active substances, and to provide new drugs or pharmaceutical compositions based on the findings. The invention is directed to intestinal peristaltic motility-enhancers comprising an effective amount of hydroxy-α-sanshool or a plant containing the same or an extract thereof; compositions comprising a combination of hydroxy-α-sanshool or a plant containing the same or an extract thereof and capsaicin or a plant containing the same or an extract thereof or bethanechol or a salt thereof; as well as a method for improving intestinal motility which comprises administering the composition to a patient.
US08623911B2

This invention provides, among other things, novel compounds useful for treating protozoal infections, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, as well as combinations of these compounds with at least one additional therapeutically effective agent.
US08623909B2

Disclosed is a method for screening a compound having an activity that selectively modulates an androgen receptor, comprising a step of measuring the mRNA expression level of prostate-specific antigen or the production level of prostate-specific antigen in prostate cancer cells by contacting a test substance with the prostate cancer cells, and a step of measuring the mRNA expression level of uncoupling protein 1 or the production level of uncoupling protein 1 in adipocytes by contacting a test substance with the adipocytes. Additionally disclosed is a selective androgen receptor modulator, comprising as an active ingredient thereof a compound represented by any of structural formulas (I) to (III), and a composition for preventing or treating a lifestyle-related disease, comprising as an active ingredient thereof said selective androgen receptor modulator.
US08623908B2

Use of tellurium-containing compounds for treating conditions in which inhibition of caspase-1/interleuFkin-1β enzyme (ICE) is beneficial is disclosed.
US08623901B2

The invention relates to novel 1,6-disubstituted pyrazolopyrimidinones of formula (I), in which Hc is a tetrahydropyranyl-group and R1 is the group V−W−*, whereby V and W independently of each other may be an aryl group or an heteroaryl group, which independently of each other may optionally be substituted. According to one aspect of the invention the new compounds are for use as medicaments or for the manufacture of medicaments, in particular medicaments for the treatment of conditions concerning deficits in perception, concentration, learning or memory. The new compounds are also for the manufacture of medicaments and/or for use in the treatment of e.g. Alzheimer's disease, in particular for cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease.
US08623897B2

The invention is directed to novel compounds of Formula I: as well as its stereoisomers and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, for the treatment of diabetes and diabetes associated dyslipidemia.
US08623896B2

A compound of formula (I), wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, G1, L, R1, R2, R3, R4, Y1, Y2 and Y3 are as defined in claim 1; or a salt or N-oxide thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to processes and intermediates for preparing compounds of formula (I), to insecticidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal and nematicidal compositions comprising them and to methods of using them to combat and control insect, acarine, mollusc and nematode pests.
US08623884B2

The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), their use as PARP inhibitors as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, L1, L2, X, Y and Z have defined meanings.
US08623881B2

Methods of inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase delta isoform (PI3Kδ) activity, and methods of treating diseases, such as disorders of immunity and inflammation, in which PI3Kδ plays a role in leukocyte function are disclosed. Preferably, the methods employ active agents that selectively inhibit PI3Kδ, while not significantly inhibiting activity of other PI3K isoforms. Compounds are provided that inhibit PI3Kδ activity, including compounds that selectively inhibit PI3Kδ activity. Methods of using PI3Kδ inhibitory compounds to inhibit cancer cell growth or proliferation are also provided. Accordingly, the invention provides methods of using PI3Kδ inhibitory compounds to inhibit PI3Kδ-mediated processes in vitro and in vivo.
US08623868B2

In its several embodiments, this invention discloses a pharmaceutical formulation comprising at least one antineoplastic agent or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and at least one dissolution enhancing agent sufficient to substantially dissolve said at least one antineoplastic agent in at least one aqueous diluent, wherein said dissolution enhancing agent is urea, L-histidine, L-threonine, L-asparagine, L-serine, L-glutamine or mixtures thereof; a lyophilized powder comprising said pharmaceutical formulation, and articles of manufacture thereof.
US08623867B2

Disclosed are compounds of the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein R1 is R is —C(O)—N(R27)(R28) or and the remaining variables are as defined in the specification. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula I.Also disclosed are methods of treating cognitive or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating cognitive or neurodegenerative diseases comprising the compounds of formula I in combination with a β-secretase inhibitor other than those of formula I, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, a gamma-secretase inhibitor, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, a cholinesterase inhibitor or an anti-amyloid antibody.
US08623862B2

The present invention relates to compounds corresponding to formula (I): X represents a —CH— group or a nitrogen atom; R1 represents a (C1-C4)alkyl or a (C1-C4)alkoxy; R2 represents a group Alk; R5 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a group Alk; R6 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano, a group —COOAlk or a —CONH2 group.
US08623851B2

Bronchodilating compositions and methods are provided. The compositions are intended for administration as a nebulized aerosol. In certain embodiments, the compositions contain formoterol, or a derivative thereof, and a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Methods for treatment, prevention, or amelioration of one or more symptoms of bronchoconstrictive disorders using the compositions provided herein are also provided.
US08623849B2

Novel benzoic acid hydrazones of 5α-androstan-3,17-dione have been prepared on the basis of steroidal tigogenin of the plant Yucca gloriosa. The hydrazones of the General Formula (I), General Formula (II) and General Formula (III) as shown in the accompanying FIGURE of the drawing are synthesized. The hydrazones have shown promising anti-T.B., anti-cancer and anti-HIV activity revealing immense potential as more efficacious, less toxic drugs with fewer undesirable side effects. They could also prove valuable in correcting hormonal abnormalities that cause severe health problems.
US08623848B2

Pharmaceutical compositions for preventing or treating anxiety, comprising betulinic acid or derivatives thereof are provided. Methods for preventing or treating anxiety with betulinic acid or derivatives thereof are also provided. The invention further provides betulinic-acid containing preparations of plants of the family Marcgraviaceae having anxiolytic activity and methods for making such extracts and using them to prevent or treat anxiety in a subject.
US08623839B2

Compositions and methods are provided for treating joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis and/or the pain associated therewith. The compositions and methods utilize a first component, namely hyaluronic acid (“HA”), in combination with at least one stabilizer. The composition can include a stabilizer that increases the stability and shelf-life of the HA. In another embodiment, the compositions and methods can also include an additional component, such as one or more glycosaminoglycans (“GAG”) or GAG precursors. Examples of GAGs or GAG precursors can include chondroitin sulfate (“CS”), dermatan sulfate, heparin, heparan sulfate, keratan sulfate, and glucosamine (“GlcN”).
US08623837B2

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a nucleic acid, a gene delivery polymer, and at least one adjunctive chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of mammalian cancer or hyperproliferative disorders and methods of using thereof for the treatment of mammalian cancer or hyperproliferative disorders by intratumoral, intraperitoneal or systemic injection.
US08623835B2

The present invention pertains to a method for treatment of allergic diseases by administering a natriuretic hormone peptide (NHP), or a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP, to a patient in need thereof. In another aspect, the present invention concerns an expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a host cell genetically modified with a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising NHP or a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In another aspect, the present invention pertains to novel fragments of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) exhibiting bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory activity, and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the fragments.
US08623830B2

Methods and compositions for treating patients (e.g., patients who are insulin resistant, patients who have diabetes, or are at risk for developing diabetes) are disclosed herein. The methods can include administration of an a1 antitrypsin (AAT) polypeptide or an agent, such as a nucleic acid molecule or organic compound, that promotes the expression or activity of a1-antitrypsin.
US08623825B2

Disclosed is describes a method of increasing bone strength and/or increasing bone resistance to bending and/or improving bone architecture and/or maintaining bone status in a human, comprising administering to said human a composition comprising a fat source, wherein said fat source is a triglyceride fat source comprising triglycerides with 15-55% palmitic acid moieties out of the total fatty acids, and wherein the level of palmitic acid moieties at the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone is at least 30% (w/w) of total palmitic acid. Said method is particularly intended for subjects at risk of impaired bone strength. Further disclosed is said fat source, as well as food articles and a commercial package comprising the same.
US08623824B2

The present invention relates to improved human FVIII variants having at least one substitution in the A2 and/or C2 domain. The present invention also relates to their uses in the treatment of hemophilia A, particularly in patients with inhibitors.
US08623819B2

A method for enhancing glycemic control and/or insulin sensitivity in a human subject having diabetic nephropathy and/or metabolic syndrome comprises administering to the subject a selective endothelin A (ETA) receptor antagonist in a glycemic control and/or insulin sensitivity enhancing effective amount. A method for treating a complex of comorbidities in an elderly diabetic human subject comprises administering to the subject a selective ETA receptor antagonist in combination or as adjunctive therapy with at least one additional agent that is (i) other than a selective ETA receptor antagonist and (ii) effective in treatment of diabetes and/or at least one of said comorbidities other than hypertension. A therapeutic combination useful in such a method comprises a selective ETA receptor antagonist and at least one antidiabetic, anti-obesity or antidyslipidemic agent other than a selective ETA receptor antagonist.
US08623814B2

The present invention provides antiviral compounds of formula (I), as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods for synthesizing these compounds and methods of using these compounds for treating a viral infection.
US08623810B2

We have identified by molecular cloning a protease which originates from the larvae of Lucilia sericata and which was termed debrilase due to its activities useful for debridement of wounds. Described is a nucleic acid molecule encoding a serine protease having the ability to cleave fibrin and casein which is (a) a nucleic acid molecule encoding the serine protease comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 as well as to nucleic acid molecules encoding precursors or fragments of said serine protease; (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3; (c) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a serine protease the amino acid sequence of which is at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence of (a), preferably at least 85% identical, more preferably at least 90% identical, and most preferred 95% identical; (d) a nucleic acid molecule comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence which is at least 80% identical to the nucleotide sequence of (b), preferably at least 85% identical, more preferably at least 90% identical, and most preferred 95% identical; (e) a nucleic acid molecule which is degenerate with respect to the nucleic acid molecule of (b) or (d); or (f) a nucleic acid molecule corresponding to the nucleic acid molecule of any one of (a) to (d) wherein T is replaced by U.
US08623809B2

The invention relates to pumpable aqueous pearlescent concentrates having a high active content of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, mono and diesters of sulfosuccinic acid (sulfosuccinates), alkyl glycinates, alkyl sarcosinates, and/or alkyl taurates, and fatty acid glycol esters and/or carbolic acid amides as pearlescent agents, and to a method for the production thereof. The pearlescent concentrates according to the invention are suitable as additives for improving the optical appearance of tenside components, for example of liquid washing and cleaning agents or liquid body wash and body care agents and hair care agents. The pearlescent concentrates according to the invention comprise 35 to 85% by weight of a dispersant selected from alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, mono and diesters of sulfosuccinic acid, alkyl glycinates, alkyl sarcosinates and/or alkyl taurates, and mixtures thereof, 15 to 40% by weight of a pearlescent agent component selected from fatty acid glycol esters, fatty acid alkanol amides and mixtures thereof, optionally advantageous additives and water in the quantity short of 100% by weight, but not in a concentration greater than 30% by weight.
US08623802B2

An aqueous composition comprising: (a) an acyl isethionate of formula (I): wherein R1 is an alkyl or alkenyl group having from (7) to (21) carbon atoms and M+ is a cation; and (b) a further surfactant selected from nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and anionic surfactants other than those of formula (I); wherein component (a) and component (b) together comprise more than (12) wt % of the composition. R1CO2CH2CH2SO3−M+  (I)
US08623791B2

A copolymer and preparation method and application thereof are disclosed. The copolymer is random copolymer obtained from monomers consisting of acrylamide, acrylic acid, alkenyl sulfonate, 2-acrylamido-dodecyl sulfonate, p-styrene sulfonate or isoprene sulfonate and so on. The copolymer of present invention can be used as fluid loss additive and has good fluid loss properties, which would not make the drilling fluid thicken at high temperature of 200° C. and high salt conditions of saturated brine. It has a medium-pressure fluid loss after aging and rolling for 16 h at high temperature of 200° C., as measured in accordance with the American Petroleum Institute Standard Test at room temperature, and has good properties of high temperature-resisting and salt-resisting.
US08623788B1

The present invention provides a method of making a high temperature superconductor having a doped, nanoparticulate pinning structure. The method includes providing a nanoparticulate pinning material, providing a cuprate material, doping the nanoparticulate pinning material with a dopant to form a doped nanoparticulate material, depositing a layer of the cuprate material on a substrate, and depositing a layer of the doped nanoparticulate material on the layer of cuprate material. The invention also provides a high temperature superconductor (HTS) having a doped, nanoparticulate pinning structure including a plurality of layers of a cuprate material and a plurality of layers of a doped nanoparticulate pinning material. At least one layer of the doped nanoparticulate pinning material is stacked between two layers of the cuprate material.
US08623780B2

The present invention provides a complex oxide catalyst whose general formula is Mo12VaCubWcXdYeOf/Z. reducing agent needs to be added into the catalyst during the preparation process of the active component of the catalyst and (or) molding process of the catalyst. Specifically, X is at least one selected from a group consisting of Nb, Sb, Sr, Ba and Te; Y is at least one selected from a group consisting of La, Ce, Nd, Sm and Cs; “a” is ranging from 2 to 8; “b” is ranging from 1 to 6; “c” is ranging from 0.5 to 5; “d” is ranging from 0.01 to 4; “e” is ranging from 0.01 to 4; f is determined by the oxidation state of the component element; Z is silicon powder; the reducing agent is C2˜C6 diol or polyol.
US08623777B2

This disclosure relates to a method for rejuvenating a catalyst, comprising contacting the catalyst with a gaseous feedstock at rejuvenation conditions for at least one hour to form a rejuvenated catalyst and a gaseous product, wherein the catalyst comprises at least 10 wt. % of a molecular sieve, wherein the catalyst prior to the contacting step comprises from 0.001 wt. % to 45 wt. % of hydrocarbons and 0.001 to 10 wt. % nitrogen containing components based on the total weight of the catalyst prior to the contacting step, wherein the molecular sieve comprises at least one of a MCM-22 family molecular sieve, a molecular sieve having a framework type of *BEA, a molecular sieve having a framework type of FAU, and a molecular sieve having a framework type of MOR, wherein the gaseous feedstock comprises at least one of N2, H2, alkane, He, Ar, CO, and CO2, wherein the gaseous product has at least a portion of the gaseous feedstock and at least a portion of the hydrocarbons of the catalyst and at least a portion of the nitrogen containing components of the catalyst, wherein the rejuvenation conditions comprise a temperature in the range from about 400 to 600° C., a pressure in the range from about 101.3 kPa-a to 10130 kPa-a, a space hourly velocity in the range of from 0.05 to 10 hr−1.
US08623774B2

A printing blanket construction is provided which includes a reinforcing fabric ply comprised of a weft insertion fabric or a heavy gauge fabric, where the reinforcing fabric ply provides all of the necessary tensioning properties to the blanket. The use of the reinforcing fabric ply eliminates the need for additional reinforcing fabric plies in the blanket construction, and provides high tensile strength, low stretch, and resistance to gauge loss.
US08623764B2

Compositions and methods for forming metal films on semiconductor substrates are disclosed. One of the disclosed methods comprises: heating the semiconductor substrate to obtain a heated semiconductor substrate; exposing the heated semiconductor substrate to a composition containing at least one metal precursor comprising at least one ligand, an excess amount of neutral labile ligands, a supercritical solvent, and optionally at least one source of B, C, N, Si, P, and mixtures thereof; exposing the composition to a reducing agent and/or thermal energy at or near the heated semiconductor substrate; disassociating the at least one ligand from the metal precursor; and forming the metal film while minimizing formation of metal oxides.
US08623761B2

Interconnect structures including a graphene cap located on exposed surfaces of a copper structure are provided. In some embodiments, the graphene cap is located only atop the uppermost surface of the copper structure, while in other embodiments the graphene cap is located along vertical sidewalls and atop the uppermost surface of the copper structure. The copper structure is located within a dielectric material.
US08623758B1

A method includes forming an adhesion barrier layer over a dielectric layer formed on a substrate. A first stress level is present across a first interface between the adhesion barrier layer and the dielectric layer. A stress-reducing barrier layer is formed over the adhesion barrier layer. The stress-reducing barrier layer reduces the first stress level to provide a second stress level, less than the first stress level, across a second interface between the adhesion barrier layer, the stress-reducing barrier layer, and the dielectric layer. A metal layer is formed over the stress-reducing barrier layer. The metal layer, adhesion barrier layer, and stress-reducing barrier layer define an interconnect metal stack. Recesses are defined in the interconnect metal stack to expose the dielectric layer. The recesses are filled with a dielectric material, wherein a portion of the interconnect metal stack disposed between adjacent recessed filled with dielectric material defines an interconnect structure.
US08623757B2

Producing a vertical transistor includes providing a substrate including a gate material layer stack with a reentrant profile. A patterned deposition inhibiting material is deposited over a portion of the gate material layer stack and over a portion of the substrate. An electrically insulating material layer is deposited over a portion of the gate material layer stack and over a portion of the substrate using a selective area deposition process in which the electrically insulating material layer is not deposited over the patterned deposition inhibiting material. A semiconductor material layer is deposited over the electrically insulating material layer.
US08623754B1

Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to repairing anomalous stiff pillar bumps that may be detected above a metallization system of a semiconductor chip or wafer. One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a pillar bump above a metallization system of a semiconductor chip, and forming a plurality of notches in the pillar bump, wherein the plurality of notches are adapted to adjust a flexibility of the pillar bump when the pillar bump is exposed to a lateral force.
US08623752B2

An ohmic electrode for SiC semiconductor that contains Si and Ni or an ohmic electrode for SiC semiconductor that further contains Au or Pt in addition to Si and Ni is provided. In addition, a method of manufacturing the ohmic electrode for SiC semiconductor, a semiconductor device including the ohmic electrode for SiC semiconductor, and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device are provided.
US08623750B2

A film of silicon dioxide is formed on the silicon-germanium layer, and a high dielectric constant film is further formed on the film of silicon dioxide. First irradiation from a flash lamp is performed on the semiconductor wafer to increase the temperature of a front surface of the semiconductor wafer from a preheating temperature to a target temperature for a time period in the range of 3 milliseconds to 1 second. Subsequently, second irradiation from the flash lamp is performed to maintain the temperature of the front surface of the semiconductor wafer within a ±25° C. range around the target temperature for a time period in the range of 3 milliseconds to 1 second. This promotes the crystallization of the high dielectric constant film while suppressing the alleviation of distortion in the silicon-germanium layer.
US08623723B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a device isolation structure for defining an active region, forming a buried word line traversing the active region, forming one or more insulation film patterns over the buried word line, forming a line pattern including a first conductive material at a position between the insulation film patterns, and forming a plurality of storage node contacts (SNCs) by isolating the line pattern. As a result, when forming a bit line contact and a storage node contact, a fabrication margin is increased.
US08623706B2

A package for a microelectronic element 48, such as a semiconductor chip, has a dielectric mass 86 overlying the package substrate 56 and microelectronic element 48 and has top terminals 38 exposed at the top surface 94 of the dielectric mass 86. Traces 36a, 36b extending along edge surfaces 96, 108 of the dielectric mass 86 desirably connect the top terminals 38 to bottom terminals 64 on the package substrate 56. The dielectric mass 86 can be formed, for example, by molding or by application of a conformal layer 505.
US08623699B2

A system and method for chip package fabrication is disclosed. The chip package includes a base re-distribution layer having an opening formed therein, an adhesive layer having a window formed therein free of adhesive material, and a die affixed to the base re-distribution layer by way of the adhesive layer, the die being aligned with the window such that only a perimeter of the die contacts the adhesive layer. A shield element is positioned between the base re-distribution layer and adhesive layer that is generally aligned with the opening formed in the base re-distribution layer and the window of the adhesive layer such that only a perimeter of the shield element is attached to the adhesive layer. The shield element is separated from the die by an air gap and is configured to be selectively removable from the adhesive layer so as to expose the front surface of the die.
US08623695B2

A method for producing a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming an organic semiconductor layer on a substrate; forming a protective pattern on the organic semiconductor layer; and patterning the organic semiconductor layer by dissolving, in an organic solvent, or subliming the organic semiconductor layer using the protective pattern as a mask.
US08623689B2

In a package process of backside illumination image sensor, a wafer including a plurality of pads is provided. A first carrier is processed to form a plurality of blind vias therein. The first carrier is adhered to the wafer so that the blind vias face to the pads correspondingly. A spacing layer is formed and a plurality of sensing components are disposed. A second carrier is adhered on the spacing layer. Subsequently, a carrier thinning process is performed so that the blind vias become the through holes. An insulating layer is formed on the first carrier. An electrically conductive layer is formed on the insulating layer and filled in the though holes to electrically connect to the pads. The package process can achieve the exact alignment of the through holes and the pads, thereby increasing the package efficiency and improving the package quality.
US08623688B2

A method for manufacturing a solar cell from a semiconductor substrate (1) of a first conductivity type, the semiconductor substrate having a front surface (2) and a back surface (3). The method includes in a sequence: texturing (102) the front surface to create a textured front surface (2a); creating (103) by diffusion of a dopant of the first conductivity type a first conductivity-type doped layer (2c) in the textured front surface and a back surface field layer (4) of the first conductivity type in the back surface; removing (105; 104a) the first conductivity-type doped layer from the textured front surface by an etching process adapted for retaining texture of the textured front surface; creating (106) a layer of a second conductivity type (6) on the textured front surface by diffusion of a dopant of the second conductivity type into the textured front surface.
US08623673B1

A test structure and method for monitoring process uniformity. Embodiments of the invention include test structures having a first metallization layer, a second metallization layer formed above the first metallization layer, a defect-generating region in a first metallization layer, a defect-dispersing region in the second metallization layer above the defect-generating region; and a defect-detecting region in the second metallization layer adjacent to the defect-dispersing region. The defect-generating region of the exemplary embodiment may have zero pattern density, uniform non-zero pattern density, or non-uniform non-zero pattern density. The defect-detecting region may include a test pattern such as, a comb-serpentine structure. Embodiments may include more than one defect-generating region, more than one defect-dispersing region, or more than one defect-detecting region. Embodiments may further include methods of manufacturing said test structures and methods of utilizing said test structures to monitor back end processes and determine if such processes are within specification limits.
US08623665B2

A method for collecting and processing biological samples (e.g., fecal samples) is disclosed. The method may include obtaining a system comprising a container, a collector, and a lid. Using the collector, a user may collect a sample. The sample may be inserted within the container. The lid may be secured and the container and sample contained therewithin may be transported to a testing facility. At the testing facility, the container may be used throughout the processing of the sample. Accordingly, the risk of cross-contamination may be reduced.
US08623663B2

A new reaction apparatus including a capillary having an inner surface to which a probe molecule that specifically binds to an analyte is immobilized, allowing a short throughput time for completing the binding reaction, and achieving a highly efficient reaction using a small amount of a sample and a process of the reaction are provided. The reaction apparatus includes a capillary having an inner surface to which a probe molecule that specifically binds to an analyte is immobilized; a columnar magnetic body that is disposed in a fluid containing the analyte in the state that the fluid is placed in the capillary; end-fixing means for fixing one end of the columnar magnetic body in the capillary by a DC magnetic field; and end-moving means for moving the other end of the columnar magnetic body by an AC magnetic field so as to transfer the fluid.
US08623656B2

A test specimen that has one or more chemical substances fixed to prescribed plural independent positions on a substrate, and the quantities of the chemical substances fixed at the respective prescribed positions are the total of integer multiples of existence quantity units defined for the respective chemical substances in the range from 1 amol to 1 nmol (excluding the case in which the total quantity is zero).
US08623652B2

A system for ligase-free cloning and/or expressing a target gene is described herein. A preferred version of the invention includes an E. coli host. The host preferably includes a T7 RNA polymerase gene comprising a T7gpl coding sequence, a lacUV5 promoter, and a lac operator. The host preferably further includes a lacI gene comprising a lacI coding sequence with an ATG start codon, a promoter derived from the lacql allele, and a translational enhancer derived from a 5′ RNA leader sequence of T7 gene 10. The invention further includes a low-copy plasmid vector comprising a T7 promoter a lac operator operationally linked to the T7 promoter. The system is configured to inhibit target gene expression when uninduced and to permit gene expression upon induction by auto-induction.
US08623651B2

The isolation, cloning of an enhancin gene bel1 from Bacillus thuringiensis, and the use of an enhancin Bel1 in biological insecticides are disclosed in the present invention. A new enhancin gene bel1 is isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki YBT-1520, and its encoded product is a new enhancin Bel1. The enhancin has very strong effect-enhancing activity on the insecticidal action of insecticidal crystal protein Cry1Ac in killing Lepidoptera insects. The insecticidal activity of genetically engineered Bacillus thuringiensis BMB0187 developed on the basis of this enhancin is 5.7 times as high as that of the initial strain.
US08623650B2

The present invention provides compositions and methods for the culture and maintenance of pluripotent stem cells. More particularly, the present invention provides for compositions and methods for culturing, maintaining, growing and stabilizing primate pluripotent stem cells in a feeder-free defined media further comprising human serum, or a soluble attachment component of the human serum, for promoting cell attachment.
US08623649B2

The invention relates to methods of selecting a cardiomyocyte from a cell population derived from a whole heart or a differentiated cell population derived from a stem cell without genetic alteration. Specifically, the invention relates to a method of selecting a cardiomyocyte from a cardiomyocyte-containing cell mixture without genetic alteration of a cardiomyocyte, on the basis of a relative content of cellular mitochondria and/or a relative mitochondrial transmembrane potential of the cell. The invention also relates to methods of enriching a cardiomyocyte from a cardiomyocyte-containing cell mixture without genetic alteration of a cardiomyocyte, producing a cardiomyocyte without genetic alteration of a cardiomyocyte, and evaluating the ratio of a cardiomyocyte in a cardiomyocyte-containing cell mixture.
US08623648B2

The present invention is directed to methods to treat pluripotent cells, whereby the pluripotent cells can be efficiently expanded in culture and differentiated by treating the pluripotent cells with an inhibitor of GSK-3B enzyme activity.
US08623646B2

A method of enhancing the formation of extracellular matrix in culture. Cells in culture secrete most of the collagen into the media as unprocessed procollagen, i.e., the cells do not convert procollagen to collagen. In contrast, normal extracellular matrix deposition involves procollagen processing to collagen, fibril assembly and deposition into the cell layer to form a collagenous extracellular matrix. The addition of certain growth factors and the addition of a thin layer of a certain volume exclusion agent on top of the cells dramatically enhances the conversion of procollagen to collagen and will increase the amount of collagen and extracellular matrix associated with the cells. This invention advances bioengineering of connective tissues for medical applications that require an extensive and functional extracellular matrix with high tensile strength such as those in the cornea stroma, skin, tendons, ligaments, articular cartilage and the intervertebral disks.
US08623637B2

A thermal cycler is provided that may be used as a nucleic acid amplification apparatus. The cycler has at least three temperature zones that can be set at different temperatures, the temperature zones including a first temperature zone, an intermediate zone, and a second temperature zone. The cycler has a channel including a plurality of forward subchannels and a plurality of backward subchannels, with the forward subchannels being different from the backward subchannels in terms of cross-sectional area in the intermediate zone. The channel is configured to continuously flow a fluid alternately through one of the forward subchannels and one of the backward subchannels, so that the fluid travels repeatedly between the first temperature zone and the second temperature zone via the intermediate zone, whereby the fluid is thermally cycled while the fluid flows through the channel.
US08623626B2

It is intended to provide an extract, kit and a process for synthesizing a protein in a cell-free system. The extract is characterized by being prepared from mutant Escherichia coli cells having a mutation in the ribosomal protein S12 gene. In a preferred embodiment, the mutation is such a mutation as conferring a resistance or dependence to streptomycin on E. coli whereby the reading efficiency of mRNA codon on ribosomes can be improved and thus the protein productivity can be elevated.
US08623617B2

A method for monitoring breast conditions in a subject is disclosed. The method comprises determining a Paired Box 2 gene-to-beta defensin-1 gene (PAX2-to-DEFB1) expression ratio (the “Donald Predictive Factor” or “DPF”) in cells obtained from the breast of the subject, wherein the PAX2-to-DEFB1 expression ratio is correlated with breast conditions. Also disclosed is a kit for monitoring breast conditions and determining drug resistance.
US08623613B2

Stains that are specific for calcium ion are used to assess and predict the effects of various treatments on the viability of cell types contained in a sample, wherein said stain detects endothelial cells that have massive calcium accumulation death.
US08623610B2

Chondroitin sulfate polysaccharides with defined sulfation patterns can be synthesized. These chondroitin polysaccharides can be used to identify chondroitin sulfate binding proteins. Further, compounds that modulate the activity of chondroitin sulfate binding proteins can be identified. For example, TNF-α was found to bind specifically to CS-E and CS-E can be used to modulate the interaction of TNF-α with the TNF receptor.
US08623609B2

The present invention is directed to proteins expressed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and not by BCG and their use as diagnostic reagents.
US08623606B2

This invention relates to a method of identifying a compound capable of binding to a target domain of a G-protein coupled receptor comprising the steps of: (a) providing a receptor comprising said target domain and a first group linked to said target domain; (b) bringing into contact said receptor of (a) with a test molecule comprising a second group and said compound linked to each other, wherein said first group binds said second group; and (c) determining, subsequent to the binding of said first group to said second group, whether said compound binds to said target domain.
US08623603B2

The present invention is directed to methods, compositions and software for enriching low abundance alleles in a sample. It is directed in particular to the use of an excess amount of reference blocking sequence in an amplification reaction mixture in order to improve the enrichment efficiency, and reduce cycle time, of full COLD-PCR.
US08623601B2

Provided are methods of predicting or assessing the level of severity of cancer or cancer progression in a patient comprising measuring levels of SET expression in a biological sample from a patient and comparing levels of SET expression to a control sample or standard value. Methods for predicting or evaluating the efficacy of a SET therapeutic and kits comprising at least one reagent for measuring SET protein expression are also provided.
US08623596B2

The present invention provides a method and device for detecting and quantifying the concentration of magnetic-responsive micro-beads dispersed in a liquid sample. Also provided is a method and microfluidic immunoassay pScreen™ device for detecting and quantifying the concentration of an analyte in a sample medium by using antigen-specific antibody-coated magnetic-responsive micro-beads. The methods and devices of the present invention have broad applications for point-of-care diagnostics by allowing quantification of a large variety of analytes, such as proteins, protein fragments, antigens, antibodies, antibody fragments, peptides, RNA, RNA fragments, functionalized magnetic micro-beads specific to CD4+, CD8+ cells, malaria-infected red blood cells, cancer cells, cancer biomarkers such as prostate specific antigen and other cancer biomarkers, viruses, bacteria, and other pathogenic agents, with the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of bench-top laboratory-based assays.
US08623593B1

The present invention is related to a method of determining a test compound's ability to modify the biological activity of a GPR17. Said method comprises, among others, the step of contacting the test compound with a GPR17, or a functional GPR17 fragment in the presence of a suitable amount of a GPR17 agonist of formula I.
US08623592B2

The invention provides methods for treating patients which methods comprise methods for predicting responses of cells, such as tumor cells, to treatment with therapeutic agents. These methods involve measuring, in a sample of the cells, levels of one or more components of a cellular network and then computing a Network Activation State (NAS) or a Network Inhibition State (NIS) for the cells using a computational model of the cellular network. The response of the cells to treatment is then predicted124 based on the NAS or NIS value that has been computed. The invention also comprises predictive methods for cellular responsiveness in which computation of a NAS or NIS value for the cells (e.g., tumor cells) is combined with use of a statistical classification algorithm. Biomarkers for predicting responsiveness to treatment with a therapeutic agent that targets a component within the ErbB signaling pathway are also provided.
US08623588B2

A system and method are provided for writing patterns onto substrates. First and second beams of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation are produced. An exposure unit is used to project the first and second beams of EUV radiation onto a substrate. The first and second beams of radiation interfere with each other to expose a first set of parallel lines at an exposure field of the substrate.
US08623575B2

A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a color filter (CF) and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed in the present disclosure. The CF comprises a transparent substrate, a black matrix, first CF units, second CF units and a conductive layer. The transparent substrate comprises an active area and a dummy area. The first CF units in the active area have a trapezoidal cross section, and the second CF units in the dummy area have an inverted trapezoidal cross section. The conductive layer covers the active area continuously but covers the dummy area discontinuously; and thus, the active area can perform normal electrical conduction functions while an insulating effect can be achieved in the dummy area. In this way, even if conductive particles are present in the dummy area during the assembling process of the CF and a TFT, the discontinuous conductive layer in the dummy area can still prevent occurrence of abnormal conditions that the CF and the TFT are at the same voltage level. Thereby, abnormal short-circuits occurring when the CF and the TFT are assembled together can be prevented to improve the product quality.
US08623572B2

A method for preparing a metal catalyst includes a proton conductive material coating layer formed on the surface of a conductive material. Also, an electrode may be prepared using the metal catalyst. The method for preparing the metal catalyst comprises mixing the conductive catalyst material, the proton conductive material, and a first solvent, casting the mixture onto a supporting layer and drying the mixture to form a conductive catalyst containing film. The method further comprises separating the conductive catalyst containing film from the supporting layer and pulverizing the conductive catalyst containing film to obtain the metal catalyst. The method for preparing the electrode comprises mixing the metal catalyst with a hydrophobic binder and a second solvent, coating the mixture on an electrode support, and drying it.
US08623570B2

A fuel cell stack includes a casing containing a plurality of fuel cell units. A ridge is formed integrally at the center in the width direction of a side panel of the casing. The ridge contacts a load receiver to support the load of the fuel cell units. A plurality of separate reinforcement plates bridging a recess of the back surface of the ridge are provided on the side panel. The reinforcement plates are fixed to the side panel at welding points by spot welding.
US08623567B2

A system and method for determining a loss of cooling fluid from a thermal sub-system in a fuel cell system. The method includes monitoring current feedback from a high temperature pump that pumps the cooling fluid through a coolant loop. A measured current from the pump is compared to an expected current for the system operating conditions, and if that current is significantly less than what is expected, then it may be as a result of low cooling fluid. If the measured current is less than the expected current for a predetermined period of time, then the system can take mitigating action as a result of a low cooling fluid. Further, if the pump speed is too low to provide an accurate current measurement, then it can be increased if an overflow tank level sensor indicates a low cooling fluid level.
US08623564B2

A system and method for controlling the speed of a compressor in the event that an airflow meter that measures the airflow from the compressor to the cathode input of the stack fails. When a failure of the airflow meter is detected, an algorithm first deactivates the primary feedback control algorithms used to control cathode pressure and flow, and sets the cathode exhaust valve to a fully open position. The speed of the compressor is controlled by an open loop set-point and the airflow from the compressor is estimated by a model using compressor discharge pressure and the compressor speed. The cathode by-pass valve position is determined by calculating the difference between the requested cathode airflow and the modeled compressor output flow. The position of the by-pass valve is then adjusted using the valve characteristics and the compressor discharge pressure. The estimated airflow to the stack is used to control the maximum stack current.
US08623558B2

A non-aqueous electrolyte in which the proportion of diethyl carbonate is reduced, and a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the same that has high safety are provided. The non-aqueous electrolyte of the invention for use in secondary batteries includes ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate, and an additive, as a non-aqueous solvent. The additive is at least one of a fluorinated aromatic compound having a molecular weight of 90 to 200 and a fatty acid alkyl ester having a molecular weight of 80 to 240. A weight ratio WEC ethylene carbonate, a weight ratio WPC of propylene carbonate, a weight ratio W DEC of diethyl carbonate, and a weight ratio WLV of the additive are 5 to 30 wt %, 15 to 60 wt %, 10 to 50 wt %, and 5 to 35 wt %, respectively, to the total of the non-aqueous electrolyte.
US08623553B2

The present disclosure relates generally to a high capacity cathode material suitable for use in a non-aqueous electrochemical cell that comprises a mixture of at least three different cathode materials, and more specifically a mixture of fluorinated carbon, an oxide of copper and an oxide of manganese. The present disclosure additionally relates to a non-aqueous electrochemical cell comprising such a cathode material and, in particular, to such a non-aqueous electrochemical cell that can deliver a higher capacity than a conventional cell, and/or that possesses an improved end-of-life indication.
US08623548B2

A rechargeable battery includes a case containing an electrode assembly and an electrolyte solution; a cap plate sealing the case; an electrode terminal electrically coupled to the electrode assembly and extending through the cap plate; and a seal gasket positioned between the electrode terminal and the cap plate, wherein the seal gasket has a beveled edge extending around a circumference of the seal gasket.
US08623533B2

Methods and systems for maintaining near operational mode internal temperatures of a high temperature fuel cell system during a hibernation mode are provided. Embodiments of the claimed invention include powering an electric heater adjacent to the high temperature fuel cell system to heat the high temperature fuel cell system. The use of an electrical heater allows the fuel cell system to maintain approximate operation mode internal temperatures during a hibernation mode and eliminates the problems of excess noise, vibration and exhaust emissions typical of previous fuel cell system heating methods. Gross energy savings of 67% and a fuel consumption reduction rate of 33% have been shown when substituting this method with previous fuel cell system heating methods with no additional manufacturing costs.
US08623531B2

A battery pack that does not increase contact resistance when an impact is applied to a bare cell and a protection circuit module. The battery pack includes: a bare cell having a surface on which at least one coupling groove is formed; a protection circuit module electrically connected to the bare cell; at least one coupling member having one end coupled to the protection circuit module and another end in which at least one coupling hole corresponding to the at least one coupling groove of the bare cell is formed, and tightly adhered to the bare cell; at least one screw bolt coupled to the at least one coupling groove through the at least one coupling hole; and at least one space formed in an opening part of the at least one coupling groove, having a diameter greater than that of the coupling groove. Therefore, the battery pack does not increase the contact resistance between the bare cell and the protection circuit module against an external impact.
US08623528B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium (100) in which both of a coercive force Hc and reliability can be achieved at a higher level even with heating at the time of forming a medium protective layer (126) and to provide the perpendicular magnetic recording medium (100). Thus, in a typical structure of the present invention, in the method of manufacturing the perpendicular magnetic recording medium (100) including at least a magnetic recording layer (122b), which is a ferromagnetic layer of a granular structure in which a non-magnetic grain boundary part is formed between crystal grains each grown in a columnar shape, and a medium protective layer (126) with carbon hydride as a main component in this order on a disk base (110), the method includes a magnetic recording layer forming step of forming the magnetic recording layer (122b) so that the grain boundary part contains oxides of a plurality of types and a medium protective layer forming step of forming the medium protective layer (126) in a state where the disk base (110) having the magnetic recording layer (122b) formed thereon is heated at 160 to 200 degrees Celsius.
US08623524B2

An organic electroluminescence device comprising a cathode, an anode and at least one layer comprising a phosphorescent light emitting material and a host material which is sandwiched between the cathode and the anode and further comprising an electron injecting layer which is adhered to the light emitting layer and is capable of transporting electrons, wherein an ionization potential of the host material is 5.9 eV or smaller, and wherein an energy gap of the electron transporting material in the electron injecting layer is smaller than that of the host material in the light emitting layer or wherein a triplet energy of the electron transporting material in the electron injecting layer is smaller than that of the host material in the light emitting layer. It emits phosphorescent light with enhanced efficiency because it comprises a light emitting layer and an electron injecting layer both satisfying specified condition and employs a light emitting layer capable of electron transporting.
US08623514B2

A zinc-based metal plated steel sheet is excellent in tribological properties during press forming. An oxide layer containing crystalline 3Zn(OH)2.ZnSO4.xH2O is formed on a plated surface. The oxide layer has a thickness of 10 nm or more. The crystalline oxide layer is composed of 3Zn(OH)2.ZnSO4.3-5H2O.
US08623505B2

According to one embodiment, decolorizable color developing particle includes 41 to 50% by mass of a color material relative to the total amount, while the rest being a binder. The color material contains an amount mL of a color developing compound and an amount mD (mD
US08623503B2

Disclosed is a chromium-free rust-inhibitive surface treatment agent to form a siliceous film that rarely cracks or peels off and yields an excellent rust-inhibitive performance on zinc surfaces of a metal part. The chromium-free rust-inhibitive surface treatment agent is an alcoholic solution of alkoxysilane oligomer having weight-averaged molecular weight of 1,000 to 10,000, and 2.5 to 15% of silicon in molecules of the alkoxysilane oligomer has been replaced with titanium. To prepare partly titanium-replaced alkoxysilane oligomer, titanium compound, in which about a half of alkoxy groups in titanium tetraalkoxide has been chelated, is reacted with tetraalkoxysilane monomer or alkoxysilane oligomer in the alcoholic solution.
US08623496B2

A method of forming extremely small pores in a substrate that is used, for example, in patch clamp applications is provided that employs an energy absorbing material beyond a back side of the substrate to allow a laser to be focused adjacent the exit side of the substrate so as to generate a pore through the substrate and can also form a crater in the back side of the substrate and in which the pore may propagate from the crater in a drilling direction that can oppose a laser transmission direction.
US08623490B2

Impact absorbing padding includes a unitary piece including a polymeric material commingled with a structural element. The polymeric material includes a material having a first temperature-responsive stiffness, and the structural element includes an element fabricated from a shape memory alloy formulated to have a second temperature-responsive stiffness that is converse to the first temperature-responsive stiffness.
US08623470B2

Disclosed is a process for making a composite material that contains core-shell structured nanoparticles. The process includes providing a precursor in the form of a powder a liquid and/or a vapor of a liquid that contains a core material and a shell material, and suspending the precursor in an aerosol gas to produce an aerosol containing the precursor. In addition, the process includes providing a plasma that has a hot zone and passing the aerosol through the hot zone of the plasma. As the aerosol passes through the hot zone of the plasma, at least part of the core material and at least part of the shell material in the aerosol is vaporized. Vapor that contains the core material and the shell material that has been vaporized is removed from the hot zone of the plasma and allowed to condense into core-shell structured nanoparticles.
US08623464B2

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a process for production of a water-absorbing article including a substrate and a coating film formed on the substrate and formed of a water-absorbing urethane resin is characterized in that: the process comprises an application step of applying a coating liquid to the substrate; the application step includes a step of supplying the coating liquid from a nozzle disposed above the substrate to a surface of the substrate conveyed horizontally; the coating liquid includes a solid matter and a solvent; the solid matter includes a mixture of a polyisocyanate, a polyol having ethylene oxide and a hydrophobic polyol; a concentration of the solid matter in the coating liquid is adjusted within a range from 5 to 30% in mass; and a viscosity of the coating liquid is adjusted within a range from 1 to 3 mPa·s.
US08623462B2

The present invention pertains to a water-redispersible polymer powder composition based on at least one synthetic polymer and at least one natural latex. Preferably, the polymer powder contains up to about 90 wt. % of at least one water-insoluble, synthetic polymer, up to about 90 wt. % of least one natural latex, about 0 to 50 wt. % of at least one protective colloid, about 2 to 50 wt. % of at least one filler and/or anti-caking agent, as well as optionally further additives. In addition, the invention pertains to a process for the preparation of the polymer powder composition, the use thereof as an additive in building material compositions, as well as building material compositions containing the polymer powder composition.
US08623460B2

The present invention refers to a method of making an copper-free article having a metal coating deposited on a substrate comprising: providing a substrate; contacting a surface of said substrate with a solution comprising: at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Er, Ga, W, Al, Mn, Mo, Sb, Te, La, Sm or their mixtures; and applying a metal coating on said surface of said substrate. In another embodiment the present invention refers to a method of making a metal coated article: providing a substrate; contacting a surface of said substrate with a solution comprising a mixture of more than one metal ion selected from the same group as listed above; or contacting said surface of said substrate with more than one solution comprising in each solution at least one metal ion selected from the same group; and applying a metal coating on said surface of said substrate. Moreover, the present invention refers to a method of making a metal coated article comprising: providing a substrate; contacting a surface of said substrate with a solution comprising a Bi metal ion, and applying a metal coating on said activated surface of said substrate. Furthermore an article obtainable by any of said methods, is claimed.
US08623458B2

A layered structure comprising a self-assembled material is formed by a method that includes forming a photochemically, thermally and/or chemically treated patterned photoresist layer disposed on a first surface of a substrate. The treated patterned photoresist layer comprises a non-crosslinked treated photoresist. An orientation control material is cast on the treated patterned photoresist layer, forming a layer containing orientation control material bound to a second surface of the substrate. The treated photoresist and, optionally, any non-bound orientation control material are removed by a development process, resulting in a pre-pattern for self-assembly. A material capable of self-assembly is cast on the pre-pattern. The casted material is allowed to self-assemble with optional heating and/or annealing to produce the layered structure.
US08623449B2

A method for producing a laminated base material includes applying a liquid composition containing a solvent and a liquid crystal polyester to a substrate; and forming a covering material by removing the solvent. The substrate includes a conductor forming a circuit pattern on an insulating layer. The liquid composition covers the conductor. The polyester includes 30-50 mol % of (1), 25-35 mol % of (2), and 25-35 mol % of (3): -0-Ar1-00-  (1) —CO—Ar2-00-  (2) —X—Ar3—Y—  (3) wherein Ar1 is a phenylene or naphthylene group, Ar2 is a phenylene or naphthylene group, or (4), Ar3 is a phenylene group or (4), and X and Y each independently represent 0 or NH; and hydrogen atoms in Ar1, Ar2, or Ar3 are each substitutable with a halogen atom, or an alkyl or aryl group; —Ar11—Z—Ar12—  (4) wherein Ar11 and Ar12 each independently represent a phenylene or naphthylene group and Z represents 0, CO, or SO2.
US08623446B2

The invention is directed to an ion plasma deposition (IPD) method adapted to coat polymer surfaces with highly adherent antimicrobial films. A controlled ion plasma deposition (IPD) process is used to coat a metal or polymer with a selected metal/metal oxide. Exposing the coated surface to ultraviolet light significantly improves the antimicrobial properties of the deposited coatings.
US08623426B2

The present invention relates to herbal medicine extracts useful in the prevention or treatment of diseases caused by influenza viruses, and to a pharmaceutical composition or health food comprising the extracts. The herbal medicine extracts of the present invention are derived from natural materials, and are safe for the human body, and can be used in preventing and treating and in relieving symptoms of diseases caused by various types of influenza viruses.
US08623424B2

The present invention relates to a traditional Chinese medicinal composition for treating depression, which has a significant therapeutic effect and comprises as active components Fructus Gardeniae, Fructus Forsythiae, Rhizoma Pinelliae, and Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis. The present invention further concerns a method for the preparation of the composition, as well as a pharmaceutical formulation containing the composition.
US08623416B2

This invention relates to stable aminosterol phosphate compositions. The aminosterol phosphate compositions permit administration without associated tissue damage and achieve a sustained release effect.
US08623412B2

An abuse-resistant controlled release pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of discrete particles of an active capable of abuse, wherein surfaces of said particles are wetted with a water insoluble coating material, and preferably wherein said composition comprises a matrix, in which said particles are distributed, and which renders the abuse-capable compound within the matrix difficult to separate from the matrix; and a method for the preparation of a controlled release pharmaceutical composition having a reduced potential for abuse, comprising applying a pressure force to a mixture comprising a water insoluble material, and particles of a pharmaceutically active compound capable of inducing in a subject a reaction that is physiologically or psychologically detrimental if administered in an immediate release dosage form, thereby resulting in surface coated particles, and incorporating said surface coated particles into a pharmaceutical composition.
US08623407B2

The present invention provides a stabilized solid composition containing a 4-amino 3-substituted-butanoic acid derivative which can be obtained by incorporating a humectant as a stabilizer.
US08623402B2

The present invention relates to compositions of low molecular mass arabinoxylans for use as dietary supplements and to methods of improving growth performance and feed utilization of animals through the supplementation of their diets with the said compositions. In a preferred embodiment, the low molecular mass arabinoxylans are derived from natural sources, such as plant material and more preferably of cereals. They can be selected fractions of said natural arabinoxylans or can be obtained by acid and/or enzymatic depolymerization or fragmentation of said natural arabinoxylans or they can be structural analogues produced by chemical and/or physical processes.
US08623396B2

Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of immediate release bupivacaine or lidocaine and a sustained release clonidine at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days or longer.
US08623392B2

An allergen inactivating agent for preventing allergic manifestations or alleviating symptoms by reducing antigenicity of an allergen through contact with the allergen includes dissolved chlorine dioxide as an active ingredient.
US08623377B2

The present invention provides peptides that home to a joint of an animal, wherein said peptide comprises an amino acid motif selected from the group consisting of NQR and ADK. Also provided are methods of treating a subject having an arthritic joint, comprising the step of administering to said subject a pharmacologically effective dose of a composition provided herein.
US08623369B2

Anti-ICAM-1 VHH single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) are generated by immunizing a llama with recombinant ICAM-1. These antibodies are linked to an imaging moiety for in vivo or ex vivo imaging of ICAM-1-related pathological conditions including atherosclerotic plaques. The antibodies may also be linked to a therapeutic agent to specifically target and treat ICAM-1-related pathological conditions.
US08623367B2

The present invention relates to novel pharmaceutical formulations, in particular novel pharmaceutical formulations in which the active ingredient comprises human antibodies to human interleukin I beta (IL-1β), in particular ACZ885 antibody, pharmaceutical formulations which are stable and aggregate-free upon storage and delivery.
US08623356B2

The present invention relates generally to a set of synthetic immunointeractive molecules referred to herein as “demibodies” which are useful in targeting particular cells in a subject. More particularly, the present invention provides a set of demibodies wherein at least two molecules from within the set, each specific for a different antigen on a target cell, are required to interact together at the cell surface in order to form an active complex which directs demibody-mediated cellular or complement mediated cytotoxicity and/or reporter function and/or therapeutic activity. The demibodies of the present invention are useful in the targeting of particular cells such as cancer cells including leukemic cells, pathogens including malarial, bacterial and viral agents, and stem cells including embryonic and adult stem cells and pathogen cells. The present invention provides, therefore, methods of treatment, diagnosis and undertaking research and compositions comprising demibodies useful for same.
US08623352B2

The present invention relates to formulations of ADAMTS13 with enhanced or desirable properties. As such, the invention provides liquid and lyophilized formulations of ADAMTS13 that are suitable for pharmaceutical administration. Among other aspects, the present invention also provides methods of treating various diseases and conditions related to VWF and/or ADAMTS13 dysfunction in a subject. Also provided herein are kits comprising ADAMTS13 formulations useful for the treatment of various diseases and conditions.
US08623344B2

Provided are compositions comprising a depilatory active; and a surfactant, wherein the composition has a Yield Stress of from about 1 Pascal (Pa) to about 1500 Pa, and methods of use thereof.
US08623342B1

The present invention is directed to a series of polymeric citrate esters that has very unique rheology properties. These materials find applications as additives to formulations in personal care products where there is a desire to have a structured film and flow properties. These compounds by virtue of their unique structure provide outstanding skin feel and outstanding waterproof properties in cosmetic formulations most notable sunscreens.
US08623332B2

The present invention relates to a chewing gum having a high Surface Area to Volume ratio (SAV ratio), wherein said chewing gum comprises a water insoluble gum base matrix, a water soluble bulk portion and nicotine, wherein the gum base matrix, nicotine and the bulk portion are mixed and extruded to form a final extruded chewing gum product having a SAV ratio above 0.7, and wherein sustained release of nicotine is facilitated by adding 0.1-10% of C8-C10 triglycerides by weight of the chewing gum.
US08623330B2

Described herein are emulsions and compositions for the treatment of various dermatoses. The emulsions may be formulated as aerosol compositions. The aerosol propellant may be a hydrofluoroalkane propellant. Also described are methods of treating dermatoses, comprising the step of applying to an affected area of a subject in need thereof a therapeutically-effective amount of an inventive emulsion or aerosol composition. The dermatosis may be seborrheic dermatitis.
US08623327B2

In one aspect, a method of imaging blood flow in a region of interest of a subject using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. The method includes introducing an imaging agent into the subject, the imaging agent including a compound having at least one hyperpolarized nucleus having a T.sub.1 greater than 15 seconds and a water-octanol partition coefficient between −1 and 1, providing at least one excitation signal to the region of interest, the at least one excitation signal configured to invoke a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) effect at least in the introduced imaging agent, and detecting an NMR signal emitted by the region of interest in response to the at least one excitation signal. In another aspect, the imaging agent includes a carbon-13 enriched alcohol.
US08623324B2

Chemically reactive dyes that are intramolecularly crosslinked with a water-soluble bridge, their bioconjugates and their uses are described. Reactive fluorescent dyes that have a water-soluble bridge are superior to those of conjugates of spectrally non-crosslinked dyes or the dyes that are crosslinked with a hydrophobic bridge. The invention includes reactive fluorescent dyes, their biological conjugates and uses.
US08623320B2

The present invention relates to a novel Mg—Ti—Al composite metal hydroxide and to production method therefor. Mg—Ti—Al composite hydroxide particles can be obtained by subjecting a solution containing a magnesium salt and a titanium salt to ultrasound processing and carrying out a high-temperature and high-pressure reaction with a solution containing an aluminum salt in the proportions of the metal elements comprised in the Mg—Ti—Al composite metal hydroxide, thereby giving the advantageous effects that the halogen capturing ability is excellent and, when used in a polymer, degradation and early-staining prevention properties and transparency are outstanding.
US08623318B2

A method for continuous manufacture of higher-strength, lower-salt, aqueous sodium hypochlorite bleach from lower-strength aqueous sodium hypochlorite bleach that has some sodium hydroxide and that is essentially free of sodium chloride (salt) crystals, aqueous sodium hydroxide solution having a concentration by weight within a range from about 45% to about 51%, chlorine in gas and/or liquid phase that may or may not include inerts, and a recycle solution. Slurry is withdrawn from the tank at a level below where the lower-strength bleach, the sodium hydroxide solution, the chlorine, and the recycle solution begin to mix with slurry already in the tank. A first portion of the slurry is withdrawn and used as the recycle solution. A second portion of the slurry is withdrawn and processed to separate substantially all salt crystals from residual liquid that is recovered as the higher-strength lower-salt, aqueous sodium hypochlorite bleach. The separation processes uses a pre-thickening tank, a hydrocyclone, and a two-stage centrifuge to recover substantially dry crystalline salt having at least 96% salt content.
US08623316B2

The proposed invention uses a classical chemical equation where carbon dioxide CO2 is reacted with quick lime Ca(OH)2 to produce soda carb NaHCO3 and concentrating it to 6% using advanced membrane and resin technology. The invention requires three chemicals CO2, Ca(OH)2, and sodium chloride NaCl to produce NaHCO3. The output of many industrial processes lacks waste heat and in many instances CO2 and the present invention combines a solid waste processing unit to the above processes which allows the production of solid products or high % liquors. Availability of waste heat sources can lead to high efficiency in NaHCO3, Na2CO3, and NaOH production. The process is not chloro-alkali electrochemical or Solvay column ammonia processing technique. Advanced membrane uses technologies of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration systems while resin technology uses ion exchange systems. Therefore, we conveniently call it the solid waste-quicklime membrane SWQM process.
US08623315B2

Methods for the production of ammonium sulfate nitrate include (a) providing at a temperature of less than about 175° C. a melt including ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and water and the water content is greater than about 2 wt % based on the total weight of ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate and water in the melt, and (b) solidifying from the melt 1:2 ANS double salt by cooling at least a portion of the melt at a rate of less than about 100° C./min.
US08623310B2

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a material having the formula: (MxHy)+4(P207)−4: where M is a cation selected from the group consisting of monovalent cations, divalent cations, and trivalent cations; H is hydrogen, P2O7 is the pyrophosphate anion, and y is a number between 2.2 and 3.8; and x is a value sufficient to balance the overall charge of said compound comprising mixing and heating 105-112% polyphosphoric acid or pyrophosphoric and a compound having a monovalent metal cation or a compound having a divalent metal cation or a compound having a trivalent metal cation.
US08623295B2

A microfluidic system includes a bubble valve for regulating fluid flow through a microchannel. The bubble valve includes a fluid meniscus interfacing the microchannel interior and an actuator for deflecting the membrane into the microchannel interior to regulate fluid flow. The actuator generates a gas bubble in a liquid in the microchannel when a sufficient pressure is generated on the membrane.
US08623291B2

The present invention relates to an assay device capable of testing for multiple analytes such as drugs using individual test strips for each analyte.
US08623287B2

Systems and methods for treating a fluid with a body are disclosed. Various aspects involve treating a fluid with a porous body. In select embodiments, a body comprises ash particles, and the ash particles used to form the body may be selected based on their providing one or more desired properties for a given treatment. Various bodies provide for the reaction and/or removal of a substance in a fluid, often using a porous body comprised of ash particles. Computer-operable methods for matching a source material to an application are disclosed. Certain aspects feature a porous body comprised of ash particles, the ash particles have a particle size distribution and interparticle connectivity that creates a plurality of pores having a pore size distribution and pore connectivity, and the pore size distribution and pore connectivity are such that a first fluid may substantially penetrate the pores.
US08623284B2

Methods and systems for label-free multiple analyte sensing, biosensing and diagnostic assay chips consisting of an array of photonic crystal microcavities along a single photonic crystal waveguide are disclosed. The invention comprises an on-chip integrated microarray device that enables detection and identification of multiple species to be performed simultaneously using optical techniques leading to a high throughput device for chemical sensing, biosensing and medical diagnostics. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08623281B2

Disclosed is a semiconductor device (1) for determining NO concentrations in fluids such as exhaled breath. The device (1) typically comprises a pair of electrodes (18) separated from each other to define a channel region (16) in an organic semiconductor (14), a gate structure (10) for controlling said channel region, and a receptor layer (22) at least partially overlapping said channel region, said receptor layer comprising a porphine or phtalocyanine coordination complex including a group III-XII transition metal ion or a lead (Pb) ion for complexing NO. Such a semiconductor device is capable of sensing NO concentrations in the ppb range.
US08623276B2

An apparatus and method for use in sterilizing a surgical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a surgical instrument that includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes one or more grooves defined therein that extends at least partially along the length thereof. The one or more grooves is configured to allow a sterilant passage therethrough. The apparatus also includes a jacket that encloses the shaft and allows the sterilant to travel along the one or more grooves.
US08623270B2

A dual outlet injector is disclosed for use in a dual lance or dual port desulfurization station, whereby reagent from a given injector vessel may be injected into two separate supply pipes respectively corresponding to the dual lances or dual ports. The dual outlet injector enables a desulfurization station to be configured comprising only one supply vessel for powdered magnesium reagent and only one supply vessel for a carrier reagent such as powdered lime.
US08623268B2

A production method for a filament non-woven fabric includes a) obtaining filaments having a crystallization temperature not exceeding 112° C. by melting a resin containing polyethylene sulfide as a main component which is not substantially copolymerized with trichlorobenzene; b) pulling and drawing fiber threads formed by discharging the melted resin from spinning nozzles at a spinning speed of at least 5,000 m/min and less than 6,000 m/min by an ejector disposed such that a distance between a bottom face of the spinning nozzles and a compressed air emission outlet of the ejector is 450-650 mm; c) collecting obtained filaments on a moving net, forming a non-woven web; and d) thermocompression bonding the obtained non-woven web using a heating roller.
US08623265B2

A method of manufacturing a polymer foam composite is described, the method comprising forming an article having a first surface and an opposite second surface from a precursor composition, the precursor composition comprising a polymer foam precursor composition, and a filler composition comprising a plurality of magnetic, electrically conductive particles; foaming the precursor composition to form a plurality of cells in precursor composition; applying a magnetic field to the foamed precursor composition, wherein the magnetic field is of a strength and applied for a time effective to align the electrically conductive, magnetic particles into mutually isolated chains between the first surface and the opposite second surface of the article; and solidifying the polymer foam precursor composition to provide a polymer foam composite having a density of about 1 to about 125 pounds per cubic foot and a volume resistivity of about 10−3 ohm-cm to about 103 ohm-cm at a pressure of 60 pounds per square inch. Polymer foam composites made by this method are also described, as well as articles formed therefrom.
US08623264B2

A method and a device for processing light-polymerizable material for the assembly of a mold, utilizing a lithography-based generative manufacturing technique wherein a layer of a light-polymerizable material, the material being located in at least one trough (4) having a particularly light-transmissive, horizontal bottom (6), is polymerized by illumination on at least one horizontal platform (12), the platform having a prespecified geometry and projecting into a trough (4), in an illumination field, wherein the platform (12) is displaced vertically to form a subsequent layer, light-polymerizable material is then added to the most recently formed layer, and repetition of the foregoing steps leads to the layered construction of the mold in the desired form, which arises from the succession of layer geometries. The invention is characterized in that the trough (4) can be shifted horizontally to a supply position, and the supply device (8) brings light-polymerizable material at least to an illumination field of the trough bottom (6), before the at least one trough (4) is shifted to an illumination position in which the illumination field is located below the platform (12) and above the illumination unit (10), and illumination is carried out.
US08623263B2

A process for curing a porous muffler preform defined by a plurality of glass fibers and a heat-curing thermoset or thermoplastic materials applied to the plurality of glass fibers is disclosed herein. The process includes the step of enclosing the muffler preform in a chamber. The process also includes the step of surrounding the muffler preform with steam. The process also includes the step of causing steam to enter the muffler preform from multiple directions.
US08623261B2

A method of preparing a thermoformed article which is relatively isotropic in terms of shrinkage of the final thermoformed article along the sheet extrusion flow path (the longitudinal direction) and the transverse direction. The article is prepared from an isotactic polypropylene produced by the polymerization of propylene with an isospecific metallocene catalyst. The polymer has a melt flow rate within the range of 1-5 grams/10 minutes and a melting temperature of no more than 160° C. The polypropylene is extruded to provide a sheet which is oriented in at least one direction and has a thickness of 10-100 mils. The sheet is heated to a temperature of 135-160° C, and thermoformed in contact with a template having the desired configuration to produce the thermoformed article. The thermoformed article is then cooled and retrieved from the template to arrive at the final product.
US08623246B2

Polymeric structures, methods for making same, fibrous structures comprising same and fibrous product incorporating same are provided.
US08623242B2

Disclosed is a method suitable for large-scale producing silver nanostructures including nanoparticles and nanowires with high crystallization and purity in a short period of time. In this method, silver particles with mean diameter less than 200 nm and silver nanowires with length in micrometers are produced through a microwave-assisted wet chemistry method. Tens to hundreds grams of silver nanoparticles and nanowires are obtained in minutes by microwave irradiation treatment to a precursor pre-made by highly concentrated silver salt solution and other additives. These silver nanoparticles and nanowires have good dispersibility and are ideal for forming conductive adhesives.
US08623240B2

A method for converting carbon monoxide and water into carbon dioxide and hydrogen, with simultaneous removal of one or more products, is described. The method includes the following steps: in a first reactor, carbon monoxide from the gas phase is bound in a first solvent and converted into formate, in a third reactor, formate is decomposed and resultant hydrogen H2 is removed, and in a second reactor a solid which is a hydrogen-carbonate salt or a carbonate salt is removed. The thermal decomposition of the solid and the expulsion of the carbon dioxide are carried out in an additional fourth reactor, optionally in a second solvent. Further presented is an apparatus for converting carbon monoxide and water into carbon dioxide and hydrogen, including a fourth reactor which thermally decomposes solids formed in the course of the reaction, and gives off carbon dioxide.
US08623232B2

A method and device for treating silicon wafers. In a first step, the silicon wafers (22) are conveyed flat along a continuous, horizontal conveyor belt (12, 32) and nozzles (20) or the like spray an etching solution (21) from the top onto the wafers to texture them, only little etching solution (21) being applied to the silicon wafers (22) from below. In a second step, the silicon wafers (22), which are aligned as in the first step, are wetted exclusively from below with the etching solution (35) to etch-polish them.
US08623230B2

The present method relates to processes for the removal of a material from a sample by a gas chemical reaction activated by a charged particle beam. The method is a multiple step process wherein in a first step a gas is supplied which, when a chemical reaction between the gas and the material is activated, forms a non-volatile material component such as a metal salt or a metaloxide. In a second consecutive step the reaction product of the first chemical reaction is removed from the sample.
US08623226B2

A method of making a shaped electrical conductor (610, 630) includes providing a first sheet of metal (319) and applying a first and second thermoplastic adhesive pattern (311, 312) to a first and a second surface thereof. The second pattern is are fully justified with the applied first pattern. The first sheet is etched to remove metal not covered by the patterns so that no metal bridges remain between disconnected coated portions. A second sheet of metal (339) is provided and a third and fourth thermoplastic adhesive pattern (333, 334) is applied to a first and second surface thereof. The third and fourth patterns are fully justified. The second sheet is etched as for the first sheet. Contact regions (315, 335) in the second and third patterns are joined to form electrical contact between the first and second sheets.
US08623220B2

A simple, room-temperature method of producing CuO-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles was established by reacting zinc nitrate hexahydrate, copper nitrate trihydrate and cyclohexylamine (CHA) at room temperature. These nanoparticles may be used for photocatalytic degradation of cyanide in aqueous solutions. The degradation of cyanide is effective because electrons transfer from the p-type copper oxide to the n-type zinc oxide.
US08623219B2

Apparatuses and methods for level control in a fluid purification apparatus. The apparatuses and methods include a fluid purification apparatus and a level sensor that regulates operation of the fluid purification apparatus. The level sensor may further operate a bypass valve or a heater.
US08623218B2

Apparatuses and methods for improved operation of a fluid purification apparatus. The fluid purification apparatus includes a pressure sensor to energize and de-energize one or more components of the fluid purification apparatus based on the pressure entering or in the fluid purification apparatus.
US08623217B2

Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for providing a regeneration stage in a water treatment system. The method can include entering a first air bleed state to allow pressurized, deoxygenated air to exit the water treatment system, entering a second air bleed state to equalize a first air pressure of remaining deoxygenated air inside the water treatment system with a second air pressure outside the water treatment system, entering a backwash state to expel remaining deoxygenated air and particulates from inside the water treatment system, and entering an air draw state to allow oxygenated air to enter the water treatment system.
US08623212B2

A system and method are provided in at least one embodiment to filter water through a vortex leading into a disk-pack turbine having an expansion chamber and outlets into a discharge chamber that leads to at least one discharge port. In a further embodiment, the system includes an intake module, a vortex module, a disk-pack module, and a motor for driving the disk-pack turbine. The intake module brings water into the system and routes the water to the vortex module that speeds up the water into a vortex that flows into the disk-pack turbine that discharges into a discharge chamber that leads to at least one discharge port. The disk-pack turbine includes a plurality of disks that are spaced apart forming chambers between the disks that provide at least one passageway between the expansion chamber and the discharge chamber.
US08623206B2

A system, that may be portable, for purifying liquid flowing gravitationally from a source/reservoir into a purified liquid receptacle is described. The system includes a housing with a generally horizontal filtering space. More than one liquid inlet disposed at a top portion of the filter is provided as well as one or more liquid outlets disposed at a bottom portion. The liquid flows in a generally lateral direction through the liquid treatment medium. Two or more first walls extending upwardly into the filtering space from a bottom wall thereof and ending with an apex are provided inside the device. One or more second walls downwardly extending into the filtering space from a top wall thereof are also provided. Each of the walls defines a closed path. The first and second walls jointly cause the liquid to flow in a curvilinear flow path from the inlet to the outlet. Apexes of the first walls may be defined such that each apex more distal along the liquid flow path is at a lower level than an apex of a first wall more proximal along the flow path. One or more venting ports may be formed at a top wall portion of the housing for releasing gas from the filter.
US08623204B2

A stormwater gully comprises a chamber in which an outlet assembly is installed. The outlet assembly comprises filter units connected to an outlet housing. In use, stormwater can flow from the chamber in an upwards direction through filter units into the outlet housing. The outlet housing has an outlet, which extends from the gully. At high rates of flow, the water level in the chamber will rise until water can flow into the outlet housing through bypass inlets. The bypass inlets are connected to the interior of the housing by siphons defined by arched regions of a top cover. The siphons allow rapid discharge of water until the water level returns below the level of the bypass inlets. A slow drain down feature is provided which enables the chamber and outlet assembly to be drained below the level of the primary inlet.
US08623199B2

Compositions and processed for their use as additives for reducing the sulfur content of FCC gasoline employ a support material having deposited on its surface (a) a first metal component from Group IIB of the Periodic Table and (b) a second metal component from Group III or Group IV of the Periodic Table. The additive composition is preferably made of a montmorillonite clay support containing zinc and gallium, zinc and zirconium. Alternatively, the additive composition includes support material having deposited on its surface a metal component from Group III of the Periodic Table, preferably a montmorillonite clay support containing gallium. The clay is impregnated with the metal(s) using the known incipient wetness method and the dried powdered additive composition is preferably formed into shapes suitable for use in the FCC unit.
US08623189B2

An electrochemical gas sensor includes an ionic liquid as electrolyte. The ionic liquid includes at least one cation selected from the group of a monoalkylammonium cation, a dialkylammonium cation, and a trialkylammonium cation. The individual alkyl groups of the cation can be branched or unbranched and have 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The individual alkyl groups of the cation can be the same or different in case of the dialkylammonium cation and the trialkylammonium cation. In a number of embodiments, the individual alkyl groups have 2 to 4 carbon atoms.
US08623184B2

It is provided a device for supporting a rotatable target of a deposition apparatus for sputtering material onto a substrate, wherein the device includes a drive unit for rotating the rotatable target; a ring-shaped part connected to the drive unit for attaching the drive unit to the rotatable target; and, a shield for covering the ring-shaped part. The shield is adapted for rotating together with the ring-shaped part and includes a plurality of parts assembled together. Furthermore, a sputtering apparatus and a method for supporting a rotatable target are provided.
US08623181B2

A seawater desalinization device includes a container portion and a heat conduction cover covering on the container portion. The container portion defines a receiving chamber and a slot. The receiving chamber is configured for receiving seawater, and the slot is defined around the receiving chamber for receiving fresh water evaporated from the seawater. The heat conduction cover defines a plurality of guiding slots facing the container portion for guiding the fresh water drop into the slot.
US08623162B2

A fabricating method of a flexible display device includes forming first and second jig substrates that have a first groove and a second groove formed in a lower part of an edge of the first groove; spreading an adhesive over the second groove; fixing first and second flexible substrates to the first groove and the adhesive; fabricating an upper array substrate on the first flexible substrate and a lower array substrate on the second flexible substrate; bonding the upper array substrate to the lower array substrate and injecting a liquid crystal; and peeling the first and second flexible substrates from the first and second jig substrates.
US08623160B2

A method is provided for repairing an aircraft structural component which has a component fault in a portion adjoining a cavity of the aircraft structural component. The method includes removing a region of the aircraft structural component that has the component fault, introducing an expansion body into the cavity of the aircraft structural component through an opening that has been formed by the removal of the region of the aircraft structural component having the component fault, wherein the expansion body while being introduced into the cavity of the aircraft structural component is in a non-expanded state, converting the expansion body that has been introduced into the cavity of the aircraft structural component to an expanded state, and closing the opening by means of a repair material.
US08623157B2

An ANFO explosive composition includes a mixture of ammonium nitrate particles, an organic combustible fuel, and a chemical coupling agent having an aliphatic portion and an epoxy group. The chemical coupling agent may be selected from the group consisting of an epoxidized oil, an ester derivative of epoxidized oil and mixtures thereof. The use of such chemical coupling agents and a method of producing the ANFO explosive composition is also disclosed.
US08623155B2

Metastable beta titanium alloys and methods of processing metastable β-titanium alloys are disclosed. For example, certain non-limiting embodiments relate to metastable β-titanium alloys, such as binary β-titanium alloys comprising greater than 10 weight percent molybdenum, having tensile strengths of at least 150 ksi and elongations of at least 12 percent. Other non-limiting embodiments relate to methods of processing metastable β-titanium alloys, and more specifically, methods of processing binary β-titanium alloys comprising greater than 10 weight percent molybdenum, wherein the method comprises hot working and direct aging the metastable β-titanium alloy at a temperature below the β-transus temperature of the metastable β-titanium alloy for a time sufficient to form α-phase precipitates in the metastable β-titanium alloy. Articles of manufacture comprising binary β-titanium alloys according to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein are also disclosed.
US08623154B2

An electron-beam welded joint including, by mass %, C: 0.02% to 0.1%, Si: 0.03% to 0.30%, Mn: 1.5% to 2.5%, Ti: 0.005 to 0.015%, N: 0.0020 to 0.0060%, O: 0.0010% to 0.0035%, Nb: 0% to 0.020%, V: 0% to 0.030%, Cr: 0% to 0.50%, Mo: 0% to 0.50%, Cu: 0% to 0.25%, Ni: 0% to 0.50%, B: 0% to 0.0030%, S: limited to 0.010% or less, P: limited to 0.015% or less, Al: limited to 0.004% or less, and a balance consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities, wherein an index value CeEB is 0.49% to 0.60%, a number of oxides having an equivalent circle diameter of 1.0 μm or more is 20 pieces/mm2 or less, and a number of oxides having an equivalent circle diameter of 0.05 μm or more and less than 0.5 μm is 1×103 pieces/mm2 to 1×105 pieces/mm2 at a thickness center portion.
US08623152B2

A substrate is moved in a linear direction simultaneously between a processing face of an upper proximity head and a processing face of a lower proximity head. As the substrate is moved, a first meniscus of processing liquid is generated between the processing face of the upper proximity head and a top surface of the substrate, and a second meniscus of processing liquid is generated between the processing face of the lower proximity head and a bottom surface of the substrate. The first meniscus has a meniscus protrusion extending in the linear direction in which the substrate is moved and positioned on a trailing side of the first meniscus relative to the linear direction in which the substrate is moved. The meniscus protrusion is centered on the substrate relative to a diameter of the substrate as measured perpendicular to the linear direction in which the substrate is moved.
US08623150B2

A batch ware washing machine and/or related method of washing wares. The machine includes a moveable door which partially encloses a steam cavity. When the door is in the up or open position, hot moist air may be forcibly pulled from the steam cavity and into an exhaust plenum via an air inlet port that is strategically positioned above the top wall of the door when the door is in the closed position, but below the top wall when the door is in the open position. A controller causes the air to be forcibly pulled through the plenum for a predetermined exhaust time period, such as one minute, and then automatically stops the forced air exhaust movement. The exhaust plenum may be ducted directly to the outside of the surrounding building. The air conditioning load on the HVAC units serving the kitchen are reduced, thereby reducing energy consumption.
US08623149B2

An air wiping device for cleaning an elongated product that passes through the air wiping device. The air wiping device includes a housing having an internal tubular passage through which the elongated product extends with the housing tubular passage having an inlet end and an outlet end for respectively receiving and passing the elongated product; a plurality of air outlets mounted in the housing and adapted to direct a flow of compressed air in a direction having a component in an opposite direction to the flow of the elongated product through the housing; and a ceramic insert disposed in the internal tubular passage of the housing and through which the elongated product passes. The ceramic insert includes a tapered input through which the elongated product is received and an output through which the elongated product passes from the housing.
US08623144B2

An apparatus for manufacturing a large-area carbon nanotube film includes a reactor chamber, a helical-shaped substrate, and a supporter. The reactor chamber includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are aligned on an axis of the reactor chamber. The helical-shaped substrate and the supporter are located wholly inside the reactor chamber. The supporter is moveable along the axis of the reactor chamber, and the helical-shaped substrate is supported by the supporter.
US08623139B2

An apparatus for producing polycrystalline silicon which heats a silicon seed rod in a reactor to which a raw material gas is supplied, and deposits polycrystalline silicon on the surface of the silicon seed rod, includes an electrode extending in a vertical direction to hold the silicon seed rod, an electrode holder having a cooling flow passage circulating a cooling medium formed therein, and inserted into a through-hole formed in a bottom plate of the reactor to hold the electrode, and an annular insulating material arranged between an inner peripheral surface of the through-hole and an outer peripheral surface of the electrode holder to electrically insulate the bottom plate and the electrode holder from each other.
US08623138B2

A group-III nitride crystal growth method comprises the steps of: a) preparing a mixed molten liquid of an alkaline material and a substance at least containing a group-III metal; b) causing growth of a group-III nitride crystal from the mixed molten liquid prepared in the step a) and a substance at least containing nitrogen; and c) creating a state in which nitrogen can be introduced into the molten liquid prepared by the step a).
US08623136B1

The present invention consists of a method for imparting asymmetry to a truncated annular wafer by either rounding one corner of the orientation flat, or rounding one corner of a notch. This novel method of rounding corners impart a visual and/or tactile asymmetry which can be utilized by a person in order to differentiate between the two different sides of the wafer. This inventive wafer design and method for making an asymmetric wafer is especially useful in the field of semiconductor technology and may be used on sapphire crystal wafers or any other class of wafer.
US08623131B2

Provided are a surface treatment agent that can effectively suppress pattern collapse of an inorganic pattern or resin pattern provided on a substrate, a surface treatment method using such a surface treatment agent, as well as a surface treatment agent that can carry out silylation treatment to a high degree on the surface of a substrate, and a surface treatment method using such a surface treatment agent. A surface treatment agent is used that is employed in hydrophobization treatment of a substrate surface and includes a silylation agent containing at least one compound having a disilazane structure and a solvent containing a five- or six-membered ring lactone compound.
US08623130B2

A sulphur cement pre-composition, comprising sulphur, a first organosilane and a second organosilane, and a sulphur cement product comprising sulphur, a particulate inorganic material, a first organosilane and a second organosilane are disclosed. The first organosilane comprises one or more functional groups chosen from thiol, sulphide, amine or alkenyl groups. The second organosilane does not comprise any thiol, sulphide, amine or alkenyl groups. Processes for making the sulphur cement pre-composition and the sulphur cement product are also disclosed.
US08623128B2

The present invention relates to extrudable ceramic masses and other masses which set as a result of baking or sintering, which masses comprise specific additives based on water-soluble cellulose ethers, an extrusion process, the extrudates and their use.
US08623120B2

An apparatus and a method for recovery of sulfur hexafluoride is provided. Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) may be separated with high-concentration and improved recovery ratio through a multi-stage separation and recovery processes using a plurality of separation membrane modules, and as well, SF6 gas may be concentrated to maximize the SF6 recovery ratio before the separation and recovery processes through the separation membrane modules. Furthermore, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and moisture included in the SF6 waste gas may be removed effectively so as to extend the service life of the separation membrane modules.
US08623114B2

A method and system for the copper anode refining is provided in which coherent jet technology is employed to heat the molten blister copper and/or melt scrap copper charges using a melting flame, oxidize the sulfur in the molten blister copper, and reduce the oxygen in the molten blister copper using top-blown coherent jet gas streams from one or more multi-functional, coherent jet lance assemblies. The present system and method employs a microprocessor-based controller operatively controlling the flow of an oxygen-containing gas, an inert gas, a reducing agent and a fuel to the coherent jet lance. The disclosed copper anode refining system and method greatly improves copper production while lowering oxidation/reduction cycle times and minimizing NOx emissions.
US08623113B2

The present invention provides a metal component collection agent for collecting one or more metal components from a metal component-containing material; the agent containing, as an active ingredient, a compound containing one or more group 2 elements of the periodic table, or a compound containing one or more lanthanoid elements. The present invention further provides a method for collecting one or more metal components from a metal component-containing material; the method comprising heating the metal component-containing material and the metal component collection agent in such a manner that a metal vapor or metal oxide vapor produced by heating the metal component-containing material is brought into contact with the metal component collection agent. According to the present invention, metal components can be easily and efficiently collected from materials containing highly useful metal components such as noble or rare metal.
US08623110B2

Compositions comprising a protein and an isolated or purified amino acid product, and uses thereof are disclosed.
US08623107B2

In one embodiment, a gas hydrate conversion system is provided comprising a floating factory, an appendage for harvesting a gas hydrate from an oceanic hydrate deposit, and one or more storage tanks. The floating factory comprises one or more heat exchange assemblies, one or more heat pump assemblies and an engine. In another embodiment, a method for harvesting hydrocarbon hydrate deposits is provided, the method comprising providing a gas hydrate conversion system; inducing release of methane from an oceanic hydrate deposit; capturing the methane from a primary methane capture zone and/or a secondary methane capture zone; and converting the methane to hydrogen and carbon.
US08623106B2

A fluid reforming apparatus of the present invention includes: a flow channel (30) in which a catalyst (1) is fixed to an inner wall; a fluid heating device (40) which heats a fluid to be reformed by the catalyst (1) and/or heats the catalyst (1) in the flow channel (30); catalyst temperature measuring devices (51, 52, 53, 54) which measure temperatures of the catalyst (1); and a pressure control device (10, 20, 60) which controls a pressure of the fluid in the flow channel so that the fluid can have a target pressure. The pressure control device (10, 20, 60) increases the target pressure when a difference between the temperatures of the catalyst (1) in a flow direction of the fluid exceeds a predetermined value during a period while the fluid in the flow channel (30) is being heated up to a target temperature.
US08623093B2

The present disclosure provides a femoral prosthesis for use during a revision procedure. The femoral prosthesis includes a body, a neck, a stem, and a sleeve. The sleeve facilitates reattachment of an osteotomized proximal femur, specifically the greater trochanter, following a revision femoral prosthesis surgery involving an extended trochanteric osteotomy. Additionally, the sleeve promotes ingrowth of the osteotomized proximal femur with the sleeve.
US08623087B2

An intervertebral cage includes a thin main wall having two return parts at opposite ends of the wall. The wall has an approximately constant thickness. The return parts are extended by facing end parts having a gap between them. The wall, the return parts and end parts delimit an inner cavity. The gap extends parallel to the wall and has a length between 50% and 100% of the cavity length. The gap length is preferably between 70% to 90% of the cavity length.
US08623070B2

A tapered helical implantation device for peripheral arteries and other body lumina of locally varying diameter, including struts connected by loops and shaped in a helical winding. The helical winding defines turns and, when expanded, has a first end with a first expanded circumference and a second end with a second expanded circumference greater than the first expanded circumference to form a stent tapering outward from the first end towards the second end. Bridges connect adjacent ones of the turns. The struts, the loops, and the bridges define a series of pores aligned along the helix, the pores having a substantially uniform pore size. The pores has a substantially similar area. The pore size limits a size of a particle that can pass therethrough. In particular, the pore size limits a size of a spherical particle that can pass therethrough.
US08623064B2

A stent graft delivery system including a tip assembly, a middle member tube, a sheath assembly, a threaded assembly, and a unitary endoseal. The tip tube is disposed in and longitudinally slideable within the proximal portion of the endoseal lumen, the middle member proximal end of the middle member tube is disposed in the distal portion of the endoseal lumen and fixed to the longitudinal cylindrical endoseal body, the first cylindrical portion of the transverse cylindrical endoseal body is disposed in the first sidewall port of the threaded assembly, the second cylindrical portion of the transverse cylindrical endoseal body is disposed in the second sidewall port of the threaded assembly, and the longitudinal endoseal cylindrical body is disposed in the threaded assembly lumen.
US08623063B2

Provided is a medical treatment apparatus using laser beams, which is used for treating arthritis, myositis, chronic pains and so on. A medical treatment apparatus using laser beams includes: a body; a main laser unit irradiating a main laser beam in a direction perpendicular to an area to be treated; a plurality of auxiliary laser units irradiating auxiliary laser beams to form a focus on a central axis of the main laser beam; and an angle adjustment unit adjusting a focal distance by rotating the auxiliary laser units. The medical treatment apparatus using laser beams is capable of easily varying the angle and distance of the focus of irradiated laser beams. In addition, a treatment effect can be enhanced by the laser beams having different intensities, and the absorption rates of the laser beams can be controlled based on the color of light which is separately irradiated onto the skin of an affected area.
US08623062B2

A system adapted to be implanted in a patient to stabilize a spinal column of the patient comprises an anchoring plate having a shape generally conformal with at least a portion of a lamina associated with a targeted vertebra of the spinal column. The anchoring plate is securable to the targeted vertebra by two or more screws. A mounting bracket adapted to receive an secure a rod is connected with the anchoring plate.
US08623061B2

The present invention is directed to a pedicle screw fixation system which can be made for either posterior cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine, or elsewhere. With this type of system a surgeon can implant a pedicle screw system utilizing the same instrument set for an open or closed procedure. The system is designed to avoid cross threading and splitting of tulip heard by use of an outer threaded tulip and reducing donut. The system also provides the ability for superior angulation for hard to reach areas that are common in spinal procedures. The system allows for a bio-absorbable part (the reduction donut) that enhances fusion in the coming months after the procedure. With the elongate tulip portion of the system the user is able to avoid the need for other cannula type instruments; the need of additional parts; the need of additional instruments which could introduce bacteria into the patient and the need for fluoroscopy. The system is completely cannulated so as to permit a HOLDING wire driven procedure. The rods employed with these pedicle screws can be either flexible or rigid. Preferably a rod which is octagonal in cross section is employed with the system so as to prevent rotation in the tulip and slippage.
US08623059B2

An intervertebral stabilization device and method is disclosed. The device preferably includes a planar spring enclosed within a housing. The housing is joined to an articulation component at either end, and the articulation components have couplings connectable to anchoring components which are securable to adjacent vertebrae. The planar spring can flex and retract providing relative motion between the adjacent vertebrae. The articulation components are ball and socket joints which allow the entire assembly to flexibly follow the curvature of the spine. A fusion rod with articulation components and couplings at either end may be substituted for the spring device. The couplings enable interchangeability between a fusion rod assembly and spring assembly, so that dynamic stabilization can occur at one vertebral level and fusion at the adjacent vertebral level. An overhung spring assembly with a sideways displaced housing which allows for a shorter pedicle to pedicle displacement is also disclosed.
US08623057B2

A flexible connection unit for use in a spinal fixation device that includes: a longitudinal member having first and second ends and a flexible member interposed between the first and second ends, at least one of the first end and second end configured to be engaged by a first bone securing member; and at least one spacer located between the first and second ends, the spacer comprising a resilient element and a ring element encircling at least a portion of the resilient element, wherein the ring element is configured to be engaged by a second bone securing member.
US08623053B2

A spinal facet fusion implant includes an elongated main body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The main body has a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis. At least one stabilizer extends radially outwardly from the main body in the secondary axis. The main body has a length along the primary axis that is less than the combined width of the spinal facets making up a facet joint. The stabilizer has a width that is sized to make a press fit into the gap between the spinal facets making up a facet joint.
US08623051B2

A tissue repair device includes a closed knotless loop of multifilament flexible material, and a fixation member having a structure that defines a cavity that receives at least a part of the closed loop. The tissue repair device may include a flexible member traversing the loop. The loop may include a portion in which ends of the multifilament flexible material are thermally fused together. The multifilament flexible material may be braided or twisted.
US08623046B2

A device and method for using the device is used for clotting volumes created postoperatively. The device is inserted into a cavity formed by removal of tissue or organ within a patient. The device may have a flexible tubing having a surface material; a blood clotting material enclosed within the surface material of the tubing; a guidewire associated with the device that when placed under tension, stabilizes the tubing radially or longitudinally; and the surface material of the tubing being removable from the enclosed blood clotting material while the guidewire is under tension.
US08623040B2

In various embodiments, a phacoemulsification cutting tip with a straight shaft and an angled portion off of the straight shaft may include a hook on the angled portion to move an axis of rotation of the cutting tip closer to alignment with an extended centerline of the shaft. The cutting tip may be configured to torsionally rotate back and forth on an axis perpendicular to a centerline of the shaft (e.g., rotation around a y-axis). In some embodiments, lateral vibrations (e.g., side to side along an x-axis or z-axis perpendicular to the y-axis) that result from torsional rotation around the y-axis in a cutting tip without the hook may be reduced through use of the hook to balance the otherwise eccentrically weighted hook.
US08623037B2

A system and method is disclosed for making incisions in the sclera of an eye to form a scleral pocket to receive a scleral prosthesis. The system and method comprises a surgical tool comprising a surgical blade for making incisions in the sclera of an eye. When a surgeon places the surgical blade on the sclera of the eye a pressure sensor in the surgical tool determines whether there is sufficient pressure between the surgical tool and the sclera of the eye for the surgical tool to operate properly. The surgeon activates the surgical tool to cause the surgical blade to advance through the sclera to form an incision having dimensions to receive a scleral prosthesis. When the incision is complete the surgical blade is rotated back out of the incision. The incision has the exact dimensions to receive a scleral prosthesis.
US08623022B2

Embodiments include a system for manipulating a portion of the spine. A support body provides support for extender sleeves that are coupled to bone screws implanted in bone. The extender sleeves are coupled to the support body in a manner that allows translation and rotation of the extender sleeves relative to the support body. Movement and rotation of the extender sleeves in selected directions can be allowed while movement and rotation in other directions can be inhibited. The extender sleeves can be manipulated to move the bone.
US08623015B2

The invention relates to a method of treating obesity, insulin resistance and co-morbidities of these conditions by removing tissue from the abdomen. More specifically, it relates to a method of removing abdominal fat and omentum to which the fat is attached, in order to improve health. The invention includes a device for safely removing this tissue material.
US08623011B2

A surgical device comprises an ex vivo magnet and an in vivo sled magnetically attracted to the ex vivo magnet. The sled can be positioned and anchored within a patient by moving the ex vivo magnet. The sled defines a longitudinal axis. An arm extends from the sled. The arm being moveable relative the sled between a retracted position and an extended position. The arm comprises an end effector. A locking mechanism operatively connected to the arm to lock the arm in the retracted and extended positions. The mechanism may include a rack that both rotates about a pinion and translates tangentially about the pinion.
US08623005B2

A method for creating a channel through a foreign material located in a body of a patient, the foreign material defining a material first surface and a substantially opposed material second surface, the channel extending through the foreign material between the material first and second surfaces, the method using an apparatus including an electrode, the method comprising: positioning the electrode substantially adjacent to the material first surface; energizing the electrode with a radiofrequency current; and using the electrode energized with the radiofrequency current to deliver energy into the foreign material to create the channel, wherein the foreign material is included in a stent graft.
US08622995B2

Systems, methods, and articles for delivering an antimicrobial composition into the lumen of a trans-dermal catheter and to proximal elements of the transdermal catheter are disclosed. In an embodiment, the system comprises an elongate member configured for insertion into a lumen of a catheter, the elongate member containing an antimicrobial. In an alternative embodiment, an antimicrobial composition placed on an interior surface a cap element, and transfers antimicrobial to the exterior of the proximal end of the transdermal catheter.
US08622976B2

Systems and methods for infusion of fluids using stored potential energy and a variable flow resistor. In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an infusion device that includes a plunger situated within a vessel so as to define a chamber within which a volume of fluid can be accommodated between a downstream surface of the plunger and the vessel. The infusion device further includes an outflow path through which the fluid in the chamber can be dispensed upon displacement of the plunger by a force acting thereon. A variable flow resistor is situated within the outflow path and is configured to allow a substantially constant fluid flow rate from the vessel to be maintained as the force acting on the plunger decreases.
US08622972B2

A peripheral catheter assembly having a hollow catheter hub, a female proximal end, a distal end provided with a catheter tube, at least one infusion port located between the distal and proximal ends, a hollow needle module that includes a needle held by a male socket arranged to sealingly engage the female proximal end, and a sealing member engaged inside the catheter hub which serves for facilitating venipuncture without unintended splashing of blood. A sealing valve that includes a septum seal having a weakened portion surrounded by deflectable septum walls, and a hollow tubular extension which protrudes towards a free end from the periphery of the septum seal and extends inside the catheter hub past the infusion port towards the distal end of the catheter hub provide a self-closable sealing member which provide the physician the freedom to leave the patient when the needle module is retracted.
US08622970B2

An access device includes a body, a first tube, a second tube, and a mechanism. The first and second tubes extend through the body. The mechanism operably couples the first and second tubes such that at least one tube is pivotable about an axis with respect to the other tube. The body may form a substantially fluid-tight seal at the incision. In another embodiment, the access device further includes a third tube extending through the body and the mechanism operably couples the tubes together such that at least two tubes are pivotable about the axis with respect to the remaining tube.
US08622969B2

A trocar comprises a retention cannula comprising an inverted or incised retention pattern disposed thereon. Embodiments of the incised cannula exhibit reduced tissue trauma compared with screw-threaded cannula, improved fixation and/or retention compared with an unthreaded cannula, and good sealing between the cannula and the incision.
US08622962B1

A safety syringe that effectively prevents the administration of an injection in excess of a maximum injection pressure, and that provides a clear, immediate tactile feedback to the practitioner each time a maximum injection pressure is exceeded. The practitioner is provided a predetermined number of attempts to inject fluid without exceeding the maximum injection pressure, each time receiving a direct tactile feedback in the form of a ratcheting click within the plunger assembly of the syringe. After a final attempt, the next over-pressure event causes a disconnect between the thumb plate of the syringe and the piston that engages the fluid within the syringe barrel, positively prevent a potentially harmful injection. In an illustrative embodiment, the plunger assembly includes a distal portion connected to the piston and a proximal portion, connected to the thumb plate.
US08622954B2

A relay device transfers information between a sensor system, which measures a physiological characteristic level of a user, and a fluid delivery system, which infuses a fluid into a user. The relay device includes a sensor system receiver for receiving communications from the sensor system in a sensor system format. The relay device also includes a processor for processing the communications from the sensor system and converting the communications for transmission in a delivery system format. The relay device further includes a delivery system transmitter for transmitting the converted communications in the delivery system format to the fluid delivery system. The sensor system and delivery system formats may utilize different frequencies and/or different communication protocols for communications transmitted between the sensor system and the fluid delivery system through the relay device.
US08622948B2

The invention is a support device for the male anatomy, comprising a pouch with an opening at the top for inserting the penis and testicles, a waistband to which the top front of the pouch is attached, and side straps. Each side strap is attached at one end to the waistband, and the side straps are attached at their other ends to substantially the same place on the top rear portion of the pouch.
US08622944B1

A modular articulating splint includes flat slats; a covering that surrounds the slats and holds them in a fixed position spaced apart from each other so that adjacent slats can fold over atop one another to form a stacked deck of slats for storage; and a fabric hook-and-loop fastener for each slat so that the hook portion is affixed to the covering within the width of each slat on a first side and the loop portion is affixed to the covering within the width of each slat on the opposite side.
US08622932B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a guidewire having high safety and improved flexibility and rotation followability. This guidewire has an inner coil that surrounds a distal side portion of a core shaft, and an outer coil that surrounds the inner coil and the distal side portion of the core shaft. A front end of the outer coil and a front end of the inner coil are joined to a tip of the core shaft by a tip plug. Further, the guidewire has a coil joint that joins only the outer coil and the inner coil to each other. With this configuration, the flexibility of the inner coil is maintained. Moreover, rotation of a proximal side of the guidewire is transmitted to the inner coil not only from the core shaft but also from the outer coil. This leads to improvement in rotation followability.
US08622927B2

A biopsy device comprises a probe assembly, a holster assembly, a tissue sample holder, and a manually operated rotation mechanism configured to rotate the tissue sample holder. The probe assembly comprises a cutter configured to sever a tissue sample. The tissue sample holder includes a plurality of tissue chambers configured to receive discrete severed tissue samples. The holster assembly comprises the non-motorized, manually operated rotation mechanism configured to allow a user to align consecutive chambers to successively collect discrete severed tissue samples. The tissue sample holder rotation mechanism may comprise a first button, a first lever, a first pawl, a first ratchet, an indexing shaft, and a first gear, which are all configured to, ultimately, rotate a tissue sample holder. The tissue sample holder rotation mechanism may alternately include thumbwheels, a worm gear, or a ratcheting lever, among other things.
US08622926B2

A biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, and a cutter operable to sever tissue protruding through a lateral aperture of the needle. A vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the cutter. A fluid pump is in fluid communication with the needle. A fluid pump actuation assembly is operable to actuate the fluid pump to deliver a bolus of fluid to the needle based on movement of the cutter. A valve assembly responsive to cutter movement is operable to selectively couple the needle with the fluid pump, couple the needle with atmospheric air, or seal the needle relative to the fluid pump and atmospheric air. The fluid from the fluid pump and atmospheric air cooperate with the vacuum to urge severed tissue samples proximally through the cutter. Components operable to actuate the cutter and the fluid pump include coaxial lead screws having different pitch diameters.
US08622917B2

An electronic sphygmomanometer has a causing unit that causes a constant volume change in a cuff and a causing processing unit for controlling a drive of the causing unit for a period for which a first pressure control (for example, depressurization control) is made so as to execute a process for giving a constant volume change to the cuff. Further, the electronic sphygmomanometer includes a measurement control unit that controls based on a cuff pressure signal measurement of a pulse wave amplitude and a pressure change property with respect to the volume change. The electronic sphygmomanometer includes a correction processing unit that corrects the measured pulse wave amplitude based on the measured pressure change property and a blood pressure calculating unit that calculates a blood pressure value based on the corrected pulse wave amplitude.
US08622916B2

Present embodiments are directed to a system and method capable of detecting and graphically indicating physiologic patterns in patient data. For example, present embodiments may include a monitoring system that includes a monitor capable of receiving input relating to patient physiological parameters and storing historical data related to the parameters. Additionally, the monitoring system may include a screen capable of displaying the historical data corresponding to the patient physiological parameters. Further, the monitoring system may include a pattern detection feature capable of analyzing the historical data to detect a physiologic pattern in a segment of the historical data and capable of initiating a graphical indication of the segment on the screen when the physiologic pattern is present in the segment.
US08622910B2

A system and method is provided for substantially synchronizing the acquisition of blood-vessel data to an identifiable portion of heartbeat data. Specifically, a data-gathering device is adapted to acquire heartbeat data and blood-vessel data from a heart-monitoring device and a data-gathering probe, respectively. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blood-vessel data is acquired during a cyclical portion of the heartbeat data. By identifying a cyclical (or commonly reoccurring) portion of the heartbeat data and acquiring blood-vessel data during this cyclical portion (or during an interval that substantially corresponds thereto), the blood vessel can be analyzed as if it were standing still—i.e., not expanding and relaxing. In one embodiment of the present invention, the heart-monitoring device includes an EKG device, the data-gathering device includes an intra-vascular ultrasound (IVUS) device and a computing device, and the data-gathering probe includes at least one transducer. In another embodiment of the present invention, the data-gathering system further includes a retraction device adapted to move the data-gathering probe though a blood vessel at a substantially steady speed.
US08622909B1

This invention relates to diagnostic and screening medical ultrasound in general and to ultrasound-stimulated detection and location, Image-based Dynamic Ultrasound Spectrography, Acoustic Radiation Force Imaging, and similar modalities in particular. In this invention, an ultrasound signal is emitted into tissue and the resulting radiation force induces localized lower frequency oscillations, which are then received by various acoustic sensors and analyzed to determine certain features or characteristics of the interrogated region. The sensors can be arranged in the form of a ring, in any random arrangements, or positioned in specifically chosen locations. An ultrasonic imaging and excitation transducer generates certain stimulating signals which are received by the breast tissues and which, if they contact a microcalcification, other target, or any region with sharply different mechanical and visco-elastic properties, will result in reflected, demodulated, or re-radiated signals. These signals will propagate away from the targets and detected by the various receiving sensors.
US08622907B2

A biopsy system is disclosed that has a tissue removal system, an imaging system, an image display system and a common input console for these systems. The tissue removal system can have a mechanical tissue cutting blade or an electrosurgical cutting element and the tissue removal system is capable of handling both tissue cutting configurations. The imaging system is preferably an ultrasound imaging system and the image display system has a video screen for displaying diagnostic ultrasound images from an ultrasound probe. The common input console preferably has a touch screen display and a keyboard to facilitate operation of the tissue removal system, the ultrasound imaging system and the image display system from the same console.
US08622903B2

A continuous glucose monitoring system including a sensor configured to detect one or more glucose levels, a transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor, the transmitter configured to receive the detected one or more glucose levels, the transmitter further configured to transmit signals corresponding to the detected one or more glucose levels, and a receiver operatively coupled to the transmitter configured to receive transmitted signals corresponding to the detected one or more glucose levels, and methods thereof, are disclosed. In one aspect, the transmitter may be configured to transmit a current data point and at least one previous data point, the current data point and the at least one previous data point corresponding to the detected one or more glucose levels.
US08622895B2

In the present invention, a logical block of an FPGA is configured by a serial communication unit, a serial communication control portion, an EEPROM controller, an abnormal signal processing portion, an LED controller, an operation mode controller, a DPRAM, a clutch signal input portion, a jig substrate input output portion, a RAM, a motor controller, a motor drive waveform generating portion, an RL (right and left) motor current F/B portion, a UD (up and down) motor current F/B portion, a potentiometer control portion, a thermistor control portion, an RL encoder control portion, a UD encoder control portion, and an FPGA block abnormality monitoring portion.
US08622872B2

A system and method for selectively opening a drivetrain of a vehicle is described. In one example, an electrically operated clutch is opened during selected driving conditions to conserve kinetic energy of the vehicle. The method may reduce fuel consumption during selected conditions.
US08622870B2

An in-vehicle power transmission apparatus is equipped with a plurality of power split rotors and a power transmission control mechanism. The power split rotors work to split power among a rotary electric machine such as a motor-generator, an internal combustion engine, and a driven wheel of the vehicle. If rotational energy, as outputted from the power split rotors, is defined as being positive in sign, the power split rotors are so assembled that when the power transmission control mechanism establishes transmission of the rotational energy that is positive in sign as the power from a first rotor that is one of the power split rotors to the internal combustion engine, the other power split rotors are so linked as to provide output rotational energies which are opposite in sign to each other. This enables the speed of the first rotor to be placed at substantially zero.
US08622865B2

A speed change mechanism 1 includes first and second planetary gear sets 11, 12 enclosed within a sleeve ring 14. A first one-way clutch 141 transmits drive from an output 114 of the first gear set to the sleeve ring and second one-way clutch 142 transmits drive from an output 124 of the second gear set to the sleeve ring, both clutches operating in the same direction. A DC electric motor 2 is coupled to an input 111 of the first gear set to drive its output 114 in the opposite rotary direction to the input. The output 114 of the first gear set is coupled to an input 121 of the second gear set to drive an output 124 of the second gear set in the opposite rotary direction from the output 114 of the first gear set. Drive is transmitted to the sleeve ring 14 either through the first gear set 11 only or through a combination of the first and second gear sets 11, 12 depending on the direction of rotation of the power input to provide two different gear ratios.
US08622860B2

A vehicle driveline and a method for transferring energy from a flywheel is provided. The vehicle driveline includes a power source, a clutch drivingly engaged with the power source, a transmission drivingly engaged with the clutch, a power transmission device drivingly engaged with one of the power source, the clutch, and the transmission, a controller in communication with the power transmission device, and a flywheel drivingly engaged with the power transmission device. The power transmission device facilitates a transfer of energy from the flywheel to one of the clutch and the transmission. The power transmission device also facilitates a transfer of energy from one of the power source, the clutch, and the transmission to the flywheel. The controller directs the transfer of energy to and from the flywheel.
US08622859B2

A system for hydraulic hybridization of a motor vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention includes a planetary gear mechanism including a first, second, and third planetary member and planet gears, wherein one of the first, second, and third planetary members is a sun gear, one is a ring gear, and one is a carrier; an engine, the engine including a crank shaft; a transmission, the transmission including a transmission input shaft; and a hydraulic pump/motor, the pump/motor including a pump shaft; and wherein the first planetary member is mechanically coupled to the pump shaft, wherein the second planetary member is mechanically coupled to the crank shaft, wherein the third planetary member is mechanically coupled to the transmission input shaft, and wherein the hydraulic pump/motor is not part of a hydrostatic transmission system.
US08622839B1

Disclosed are various embodiments for enhancing the experience of a user with an application by presenting past usage of the application. An application is executed in a hosted environment in one or more computing devices. Multiple input commands are obtained from a client, and the input commands are provided to the application. A video signal generated by the application is encoded into real-time content, which is sent to the client. Recorded content from a library of recorded content is sent to the client. Each recorded content presents a past usage of the application.
US08622836B2

A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. The gaming system is configured to detect the presence of portable electronic devices and to determine whether to initiate a wireless communication session with the portable electronic device based on the strength of the signal received from the portable electronic device. If the signal strength exceeds a minimal threshold level, thereby indicating the portable electronic device is near a gaming device, a wireless communication session can be initiated. The signal strength transmitted from the portable electronic device can be monitored during a game play session to determine whether the wireless communication session should remain active or be terminated.
US08622822B2

A gaming machine includes a gaming operation execution device, a loading device and a processing device. The gaming operation execution device executes gaming operations. The loading device includes a connector for connecting a storage medium which stores gaming information, a program memory for storing an authentication program, and a processor for authenticating the gaming information with the authentication program. The processing device is connected to the loading device and includes a readable and writable memory, a reading unit for reading out the gaming information authenticated by the processor, a writing unit for writing the gaming information to the readable and writable memory, and an operation control unit for controlling the gaming operation execution device.
US08622815B2

Described herein are processes and devices that authorize and manage wagering agents and associated accounts. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can detecting a request from a first player account to utilize a shared wagering fund to wager on a wagering game. The shared wagering fund can be funded by a second player account. The wagering game system can make the shared wagering fund available to the first player account to wager on a wagering game. The wagering game system can determine a game award produced by the wagering game. The system can then allocate a portion of the game award to the second player account.
US08622811B1

A gaming system and method includes one or more input devices, display devices, processors, and memory devices. The memory device(s) store instructions that, when executed by the processor(s), cause the gaming system to receive an input indicative of a wager for a base wagering game, initiate the base wagering game, initiate a bonus game, and establish a minimum bonus payout threshold for the bonus game. At least one bonus game outcome is determined for the bonus game. An aggregate award is determined for the at least one bonus game outcome. In response to the aggregate award being greater than the minimum bonus payout threshold, the aggregate award is awarded. In response to the aggregate award being less than the minimum bonus payout threshold, the aggregate award is awarded plus a supplemental award. The supplemental award is equal to the difference between the minimum bonus payout threshold and the aggregate award.
US08622810B2

A gaming machine comprising a processor configured to execute a game displaying a matrix of symbol containing elements having a plurality of rows and a plurality columns; at least one column of said matrix comprising a portion of a simulated rotatable reel of a plurality of said symbol containing elements; said simulated rotatable reel comprising sections of symbol containing elements displaying a plurality of symbols; said simulated rotatable reel including at least one section in which a consecutive run of two or more of said symbol containing elements is populated by a first identical symbol so that, said first identical symbol being used for a first play of said game, a second identical symbol being randomly selected, the first identical symbol being replaced by the second identical symbol in said consecutive run of two or more of said symbol containing elements, said second identical symbol being used for a second play of said game.
US08622809B1

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a multiplay game with resultant symbols. The game is associated with a plurality of reel sets each including a plurality of reels. Each reel is associated with one or more symbol display areas. For each reel set, each symbol display area associated with a reel of that reel set is associated with a symbol display area associated with one of the reels of each other reel set. The gaming system independently generates and displays certain of the symbols on the reels of the respective reel sets at the corresponding symbol display areas. If associated symbol display areas display symbols having a designated relationship with one another, the gaming system forms a resultant symbol from those symbols. The gaming system determines any awards based on the resultant symbols and not based on any non-resultant symbols.
US08622806B2

A system provides a player tracking system and system gaming apparatus for playing non-base games by funding the credit side of a gaming cycle. The system further includes at least one gaming device having a base game. The player tracking system and system gaming apparatus includes a player tracking user interface. The player tracking user interface provides a player with an opportunity to select and play a non-base game that may be promotional-funded or player-funded.
US08622802B2

A gaming machine according to an embodiment includes a symbol display and a controller. The symbol display configured to display an arrangement and a rendering movement of a plurality of symbols for a game, and the plurality of symbols including first and second symbols different from each other. The controller is configured to receive an input from a player, to determine whether a time of the input from the player is within a predetermined time duration during the rendering movement when the rendering movement satisfies a first condition, the predetermined time duration starting at a predetermined frame before the first symbol reaches at a predetermined position, and to stop a group of the symbols including the first symbol in response to the input from the player when the time of the input is within the predetermined time duration.
US08622798B2

A method of and system for conducting multiple competitions of skill for a single performance are described herein. User generated competition groups and system generated competition groups allow users to participate in multiple competitions at once based on answering the same questions or making the same selections related to a single event. The users are informed of each competition either via email, text message or when logging into the network via a website. The users select which competitions groups to join. After joining the desired groups, the users then make their selections related to the event which are transmitted to the network where results are tabulated and transmitted back to the users. The results are separated based on each competition group, so that users can continually know where they stand in each separate competition. With multiple competition groups, users are able to have varying success from the same performance in multiple competitions.
US08622795B2

The systems and methods described herein attempt to provide data capture and analysis in a non-intrusive fashion. The captured data can be analyzed for qualitative conclusions regarding an object's actions. For example, a system for analyzing activity of an athlete to permit qualitative assessments of that activity comprises a first processor to receive activity-related data from sensors on the athlete. A first database stores the activity-related data. A second database contains pre-identified motion rules. A second processor compares the received activity-related data to the pre-identified motion rules, wherein the second processor identifies a pre-identified motion from the pre-identified motion rules that corresponds to the received activity-related data. A memory stores the identified pre-selected motion.
US08622793B2

Some embodiments of invention provide a method for creating a player made tournament. The method can comprise displaying a tournament creation page including a plurality of variables and at least one option for each of the plurality of variables. Some embodiments further provide receiving the at least one option for each of the plurality of variables. In some embodiments, operational parameters of the player made tournament can substantially comprise the at least one option for each of the plurality of variables received. Some further embodiments provide processing the operational parameters to create a player made tournament, and then displaying the player made tournament on a tournament main page.
US08622787B2

The present invention provides CMP pad dressers and methods for dressing or conditioning CMP pads. In one aspect, a method for conditioning a CMP pad can include cutting the CMP pad with superabrasive cutting elements and controlling a degree of contact between the CMP pad and the cutting elements using control elements. The degree of contact is established through placement of the control elements relative to the cutting elements.
US08622786B2

An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a multi-purpose sanding system. The sanding system includes a motor, a drive mechanism in mechanical communication with the motor, and a plurality of interchangeable sanding devices. Each of the interchangeable sanding devices is interchangeably coupleable with the drive mechanism.
US08622780B2

To provide a light-emitting element and a light-emitting device which can be designed and manufactured with redundancy. A light-emitting element of the invention includes a pair of electrode, and a layer containing a light-emissive substance between the pair of electrodes. The layer containing a light-emissive substance includes a layer containing a composite material, and the layer containing a composite material includes an organic compound and an inorganic compound. The concentration ratio of the organic compound to the inorganic compound changes periodically. The layer containing a composite maternal can be changed in electrical characteristics without changing the composition ratio of the organic compound to the inorganic compound in the layer or changing the kind of compounds used for the layer.
US08622778B2

A programmable automatic docking system for a marine vessel, wherein the programmable automatic docking system includes a set of starboard side transducers and a set of port side transducers to detect and transmit real-time distance, position and velocity information of the marine vessel in relation to an external object. A programmable processor control unit receives the real-time distance, position and velocity information to control a set of propulsion elements to automatically control the marine vessels direct path of travel toward an external object and maintain the marine vessel at a pre-selected distance once the pre-selected distance is reached.
US08622777B1

Systems and methods for maneuvering a marine vessel limit interference by the hull of the vessel with reverse thrust. A marine propulsion device provides at least a reverse thrust with respect to the marine vessel. The propulsion device is vertically pivotable into a trim position wherein the hull does not impede or interfere with the reverse thrust. A control circuit controls the propulsion device to move into the trim position when the reverse thrust of the propulsion device is requested.
US08622768B2

A connector with a capacitively coupled connector interface for interconnection with a female portion is provided with an annular groove, with a sidewall, open to an interface end of the female portion. A male portion is provided with a male outer conductor coupling surface at an interface end, covered by an outer conductor dielectric spacer. The male outer conductor coupling surface is dimensioned to seat, spaced apart from the sidewall by the outer conductor dielectric spacer, within the annular groove, when the male portion and the female portion are in an interlocked position, secured by a releasable retainer dimensioned to secure the male portion and the female portion in the interlocked position.
US08622758B2

A rotatable plug includes a casing unit having a first casing part and a second casing part with a pair of receiving spaces, a pair of conductive terminals respectively having conductive sections, and a rotatable unit including a pivot shaft, a pair of conductive prongs connected transversely to the pivot shaft, and a pair of conductive protrusions protruding out from the pivot shaft. The rotatable unit is rotatable relative to the casing unit between non-use and use positions, where the conductive prongs are accommodated in and extend out of the receiving spaces, respectively. Each conductive protrusion has at least two points of contact with the conductive section of a respective conductive terminal.
US08622752B2

Apparatus and methods for fabricating an interposer that may be used in testing a large number of electronic circuits or devices in parallel. The interposer may be fabricated from a plurality of modules that may be assembled into a selected shape, such that the assembled modules substantially fill the selected shape, e.g., a circle approximately the size of a semiconductor wafer. The plurality of modules may be formed from a single base shape (e.g., formed from a single injection mold). A portion of the formed modules may be machined into a first machined shape, or first and second machined shapes. The assembled modules may include only the base shape and first machined shape or first and second machined shapes. The limited number of shapes can reduce fabrication costs for an interposer.
US08622745B2

An aid is disclosed for a trainer teaching a student motor skills. A magnetically-inert shield receives a magnetically-inert screen fixed to the front side thereof. A token has a magnetically-attractive material, and a token controller has a first magnet, such that the token controller may be used to move the token around on the screen when the token controller is pressed up against the rear side of the shield. One of the screens may include at least one raised portion raised off of the front surface of the screen a distance sufficient to receive the token thereunder. Various activities and games may be played with the aid, revolving primarily about the student trying to grasp a token that is moved by the trainer about the screen.
US08622743B2

A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include initiating, at a gaming machine, an analysis mode of a wagering game training tool associated with a wagering game, and determining when a player has played a predefined number of rounds of the wagering game. The operations can also include determining a skill level associated with the player for one or more areas of skill associated with the wagering game based, at least in part, on the predefined number of rounds played by the player. The operations can further include identifying an area of skill associated with the wagering game where the skill level associated with the player is less than a predefined skill level, and initiating a training mode of the wagering game training tool to improve the skill level associated with the player in the identified area of skill.
US08622727B2

A device and a method for portioning food, in particular meat, into portions with a predetermined weight and/or predetermined thickness are proposed. To this end a press unit (1) with at least two elongated press chambers (3a, 3b) and with respectively one closure element (5a, 5b) per press chamber (3a, 3b), a closure element drive (7) in order to displace the closure element (5a, 5b) in the press chamber (3a, 3b) and to adjust the cross section of the press chamber (3a, 3b), at least one pressure ram (8) for the press chambers (3a, 3b), which is equipped with a pressure ram drive (38) in order to displace the pressure ram (8) in the longitudinal direction of the press chamber (3a, 3b), a portioning plate (2) with several portioning chambers (9), a portioning plate drive (12) in order to move the portioning plate (2) relative to the press unit (1), a cutting element between the press unit (1) and the portioning plate (2) and a cutting element drive (34) in order to move the cutting element relative to the press unit (1) are provided.
US08622716B2

In an oil-cooled air compressor for controlling a temperature of a lubricant by changing a flow rate of a cooling medium supplied to a heat exchanger for the lubricant, for obtaining an energy saving effect by variable control of the flow rate of the cooling medium and preventing securely a condensed water from occurring in a compressor unit even when an exhaust duct is arranged inappropriately, a lubricant flow rate adjustor is arranged to measure a temperature of the lubricant and decreasing a flow rate of the lubricant supplied to the heat exchanger so that the lubricant temperature becomes T1 to satisfy T0>T1≧TD when T0 is a control temperature of the lubricant and TD is a condensed water occurrence critical temperature at which a condensed water occurs in the compressor.
US08622714B2

A pressure vessel provided with a first port acting as a high pressure inlet of a first stream and a second port acting as a high pressure outlet. A rotatable valve element is located in the center of the machine. In operation, a fluid stream is introduced to the machine at high pressure where it then passes through the open ports of the valve element and into flow distributor causing upward displacement of a first duct piston, resulting in pressurization and flow of a second fluid. At the same time the second fluid is introduced to the machine at low pressure and flows into the pressure exchange duct, causing downward displacement of a second duct piston and resulting in flow of the first fluid below the duct piston, which then flows into the lower flow distributor, into the valve element, and then out of the pressure vessel.
US08622710B2

A wind turbine component has a laminate of fibrous material and plastic and an electrical line embedded in the laminate, wherein a profile is arranged on a lateral surface of the electrical line, the profile counteracting the formation of a hollow space or plastic nest between the lateral surface and a fibrous material layer which covers an upper side of the electrical line during the manufacture of the laminate.
US08622709B2

A wind turbine blade using a core member that is light and low-cost while maintaining strength and a wind power generator using the same are provided. A wind turbine blade (9) is formed of a fiber-reinforced plastic skin (13). The skin (13) or a main beam (15) uses a core member (39) formed integrally of fiber layers (55) arranged so as to intersect in plan view and each penetrate in the thickness direction to constitute flow paths for resin and plastic foam members (57) filling spaces between the fiber layers (55), in such a manner that the fiber layers (55) are impregnated with the resin.
US08622705B2

The device is intended to adjust the pitch of blades or propellers which are articulately coupled by means of end supports inside radial bearings which are solidly joined to a rotating head-piece of a wind generator. This adjustment may be performed either actively or passively. It is characterized in that the rotating head-piece incorporates a linear actuator (1), such as a cylinder, the shaft of which is connected to a crosspiece (14), the latter being associated with intermediate mechanisms connected to the end supports (7) of the blades (6) so as to vary the pitch thereof when the crosspiece (14) moves, being driven by the shaft of the cylinder.
US08622702B1

A turbine rotor blade with a root section having a cooling air feed hole opening onto a bottom surface of the root section of the blade. The feed hole includes a clam shell shape with a forward side wider than an aft side of the feed hole, and the feed hole is sloped upward from the forward side to the aft side to form a scoop so that cooling air flowing along a live rim cavity in a rotor disk will more easily flow into the feed holes with less loss of pressure.
US08622699B2

A device adapted to be fitted with propeller blades includes a first retention ring including over a periphery thereof a plurality of radial bores; and a second retention ring including over a periphery thereof a plurality of radial bores, the first and second retention rings being mounted one on top of the other in the radial direction, each bore in the first retention ring being positioned opposite a bore in the second retention ring, a bore in the first retention ring arranged opposite a bore in the second retention ring forming a bore pair adapted to receive a foot of a blade.
US08622697B2

A ram air turbine assembly includes a spacer that controls axial movement of a bearing assembly supporting rotation of a driven shaft to limit compression of a bearing biasing member. A gearbox includes mating gears that transfer power through a strut to a generator. Bearings support rotation of the driven shaft and the biasing member generates a biasing load to maintain desired alignment between the mating gears. Axial thrust reversals generated during operation are prevented from fully compressing the biasing member by a spacer that defines a minimum compressed height and that further limits axial movement of the bearing assembly responsive to the thrust reversals of the driven shaft.
US08622686B2

A device for moving containers or other objects relative to a surface such as a pallet includes a frame and a pin matrix movably attached to the frame. The pin matrix includes an array of pins and is housed in a plate having apertures for receiving the pins. The device further includes a pair of tracks that movably support the pin matrix. A method for moving containers or other objects relative to a surface includes the steps of moving the pin matrix over the objects, lowering the pin matrix, securing the objects within the pin matrix, moving the pin matrix and the objects relative to the surface, and raising the pin matrix.
US08622685B2

Apparatus and method for stacking objects on a transport carrier. The apparatus is provided with a forming platform, a loading platform on which a transport carrier to be loaded, such as a pallet or a roller container, can be placed, and a gripper which is movable between the forming platform and the loading platform. The gripper comprises a support frame which is provided with at least one row of parallel forks, which forks comprise an upright to which a horizontal beam is attached at a distance beneath the support frame, wherein the beams can be moved backward and forward in their longitudinal direction, wherein each fork is individually adjustable vis-à-vis the support frame. The forks are independently adjustable vis-à-vis the support frame.
US08622684B2

A workpiece orientation apparatus includes a base, two pushing bars, a linear actuator, a connecting member, at least one first connecting bar, and a second connecting bar. The two pushing bars are slidably connected to the base and aligned apart along a first direction. The linear actuator is mounted on the base. The connecting member is driven by the linear actuator to move back and forth along a second direction. One end of the first connecting bar is rotatably connected to the connecting member, and the other end of the first connecting bar is rotatably connected to one of the two pushing bars. One end of the second connecting bar is connected to the first connecting bar and is rotatably assembled together on the connecting member. The other end of the second connecting bar is rotatably connected to the other of the two pushing bars.
US08622677B2

A semi-trailer leg loading nut includes a screwed hole provided on a nut column and connecting two ends of the nut. Said nut is a two-layered structure formed of a top layer and an under layer or a three-layered structure formed of a top layer, an intermediate layer and an under layer. The outer outline of at least two layers of the nut is a square with the same cutting angle. The side length of the two layers of squares is equal. The outer outline projection of the two layers of squares overlap with each other along the column axis direction. The outer outline projection of the other layer is within the overlapped projection of the two layers along the column axis direction. A funneled oil cup or an oil groove is provided on the top layer of the nut and communicates with the screwed hole. A bottom of the under layer of the nut is plane and is pressed on a loading plate in a quadrate pipe to transfer load.
US08622676B2

A screw structure for securing a first object to a second object comprises a screw member, a blocking member and a pivot member. The screw member comprises a cap and a pole extending from the cap. The blocking member is captive on the pole and defines a latching groove. The pivot member comprises a latching portion elastically engaged in the latching groove and located beneath the cap. The pivot member can be raised up and lowered down, and twisted to activate the screw function.
US08622672B2

A self-piercing hollow press-in element, in particular a nut element for attachment to a sheet metal part, wherein the press-in element has a flange part of a larger diameter and a shaft part of a smaller diameter. The shaft part extends away from the flange part and has a circular piercing edge at its end face remote from the flange part. The side of the flange part facing the shaft part forms a sheet metal contact surface in ring shape and features providing security against rotation are provided at the shaft part which extend approximately from the level of the sheet metal contact surface over a part of the length of the shaft part along the latter. A ring-like recess is provided radially within the ring-shaped sheet metal contact surface in the flange part and excess material for the shaft part which arises during manufacture of the ribs providing security against rotation is located within the ring recess. Further designs of the press-in element and also of a component assembly and methods for the manufacture of the press-in element and of the component assembly are described.
US08622671B2

An anti-rotation lock device for preventing movement in an assembly which includes an endpiece carrying a thread screwed into a tube together with a nut suitable for being screwed on the endpiece, the lock device including a first washer provided with an anti-rotation lock component and a second washer having at least one key and wherein the first or the second washer includes a lug, and the faces of the first and second washers are configured to adjustably lock them mutually against rotation. The device further includes a third washer which includes a member for locking the nut in rotation and an outer periphery of the third washer has a tab adapted to co-operate with the lug so as to lock the first or the second washer provided with the lug against rotation relative to the third washer.
US08622665B2

A rotary tool accessory in one embodiment includes a base, a circular wall extending upwardly from the base about a central axis, the circular wall including an inner face, an outer face and a circular rim, a first cutting group including a first inwardly extending tooth extending from a location directly above the circular wall to a location closer to the central axis than the inner face, a first outwardly extending tooth extending from a location directly above the circular wall to a location farther from the central axis than the outer face, and a first gullet extending downwardly from the rim toward the base, a second cutting group including a second inwardly extending tooth, a second outwardly extending tooth, and a second gullet, and a toothless expanse of the rim extending between the first cutting group and the second cutting group.
US08622650B2

The instant invention describes a multi-purpose rotational barrier unit and a system of interconnected barrier units which function in multiple environments, including aquatic environments and land-based environments. The multi-purpose rotational barrier unit has a design configuration which provides hydro-dynamic stability in strong currents and high waves and resists roll over. The multi-purpose rotational barrier unit comprises a plurality of equally sized walls interconnected to form side walls and a bottom wall. Connected to the side walls and the bottom wall are two opposing end walls which define a hollow interior portion. The opposing end walls contain one or more rotation members which are constructed and arranged to provide the barrier unit rotational movement which is independent from the movement of other barrier units directly attached to its opposing walls or units which may indirectly be attached as part of a larger barrier wall system.
US08622645B2

A coupler for an excavator, the coupler having a body with first and second spaced-apart recesses for receiving respective pins of an excavator attachment. A first latching hook is movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining a respective attachment pin in the first recess. A second latching hook is movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining a respective attachment pin in the second recess. A blocking member may be provided that is movable into and out of a blocking state in which it lies in the path of the second latching member to prevent the second latching member from leaving its latching state. The blocking member may be movable into and out of the blocking state under the influence of gravity.
US08622641B2

A document-feeding roller mechanism includes a feeding roller assembly and a clamping-force adjusting module. The feeding roller includes a roller frame, a first roller unit, and a second roller unit. A document is conveyed by the first and second roller units through a printing module. The clamping-force adjusting module includes a cam unit and a resilient pressing unit. The resilient pressing unit is disposed between the roller frame and the cam unit. When the cam unit is rotated, the biasing force of the resilient pressing unit applied to the roller frame can be adjusted to change the document clamping force of the first and second roller units. Hence, just before a trailing end of the document is separated from the first and second roller units, the document clamping force can be reduced.
US08622640B2

A printing apparatus is supplied capable of printing without the occurrence of the slack of copying paper. The printing apparatus comprises a paper cut mechanism for cutting successive paper printed in a print mechanism; a first conveying section which holds and sends out successive paper to the print mechanism; a second conveying section which holds and sends out the successive paper that is printed out in the print mechanism and is sent out from the first conveying section to the paper cut mechanism; and a controlling section which returns a tip of the successive paper after being cut by the paper cut mechanism to between the print mechanism and the first conveying section.
US08622632B2

Small-form-factor fiber optic interface assemblies (180) for electronic devices (100) are disclosed. The fiber optic interface assemblies include a receptacle (120) configured to matingly engage with a plug (20) of a fiber optic cable assembly (10). Example assemblies include a flexible mount (228) supported by a circuit board (150) and configured to absorb a mechanical force when the plug is mated to the receptacle. The receptacle aperture (223) has at least one transverse dimension (L, W) of between about 2 mm and 4 mm. The assemblies can support both optical and electrical communication and functionality.
US08622630B2

An optical fiber connector includes a coupling portion. The coupling portion includes a first end surface and an opposite second end surface. The first end surface includes a number of lenses arranged thereat and a number of engaging holes formed therein. The second end surface includes a number of optical fiber holes formed therein and aligned with the respective lenses, and a number of posts formed thereon. Each of the posts has a spring member arranged thereon.
US08622628B2

An optical fiber connector includes optical fibers, a connector body, and a cover. The connector body includes optical lenses arranged at the first side surface. The connector body defines receiving grooves. Each of the receiving grooves has a V-shaped section and two slanted surfaces. The optical fibers are received in the grooves and as a result are correctly aligned with the respective optical lenses. The cover and the slanted surfaces of the receiving grooves cooperatively securely retain the optical fibers in the connector.
US08622623B2

A journal bearing assembly includes a journal shaft configured to be mounted in a pulverizer. The journal shaft has a lower bearing receiving surface proximate a lower end thereof, and an upper bearing receiving surface spaced apart from the lower bearing receiving surface axially. A lower journal bearing is mounted on the lower bearing receiving surface of the journal shaft. An upper journal bearing is mounted on the upper bearing receiving surface of the journal shaft. An upper journal housing is mounted on the upper journal bearing for rotational movement relative to the journal shaft. A lower journal housing is mounted on the lower journal bearing for rotational movement relative to the journal shaft. The lower journal housing is mounted to the upper journal housing for common rotation about the journal shaft. The journal bearing assembly has a loading point defined between the upper and lower journal bearings.
US08622621B2

To prevent a problem due to gas produced from an adhesive and to improve the productivity of a rolling bearing apparatus. The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a rolling bearing apparatus, including fitting a first rolling bearing and a second rolling bearing to a first member each in a pressed state, pressing the inner races of the first and second rolling bearings in a direction in which they are closer to each other in the axial direction with a second member sandwiched between outer races of the first and second rolling bearings, and welding at least a portion of a peripheral portion of the inner race of the pressed second rolling bearing in the axial direction to the outer face of the first member through irradiation with laser light.
US08622619B2

A package has a flexible top wall (3) joined at its periphery (6) to flexible side walls (4, 5) to form an enclosure, the top wall (3) being formed with a line of weakness (7) which is adapted to be torn to create an opening, the tear being confined between the peripheral join (6). The side walls (4, 5) may have transverse seals (1, 2), and top and bottom walls (3) folded inwards as gussets, and the line of weakness (7) extends substantially centrally along the fold line of the gusseted top wall (3) between the two transverse seals (1, 2). The package is easily gripped in both hands, one either side of the line of weakness (7), with a thumb on each side to press downwards and create a tear along the line of weakness. Preferably, the upper edges of the side walls (4, 5) are sealed to the adjoining edges of the top wall (3) to form a peripheral upstanding rim (6).
US08622618B2

An easy-open and reclosable package includes a pouch including a discrete laminate including a tape including a base strip coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a panel section, the inner surface of the panel section having an easy-open sealant, the panel section adhered by the PSA to the base strip; the discrete laminate anchored to a first side panel; and a product in the pouch. When the package is opened, the package can be reclosed by adhering the first or second side panel to the pressure sensitive adhesive. Methods for making the package, and a pouch, are also disclosed.
US08622616B2

A reclosable bag includes first and second side edges and a double zipper, which includes first zipper with first side seal adjacent the first side edge and second side seal adjacent the second side edge. The double zipper includes second zipper having third side seal adjacent the first side edge, and fourth side seal adjacent to the second side edge. One of the first side seal and third side seal has an end that is spaced closer to the second side edge than the other. A method for providing a sensory indication of double sealing in a reclosable bag includes closing a mouth by pressing opposing fingers against first and second zipper closures and moving opposing fingers linearly across the closures until there is a sensory indication of an end seal for each of the first and second zipper closures at different linear locations.
US08622608B2

A method for mixing a drilling fluid formulation that includes establishing a flow path for a base fluid, adding drilling fluid additives to the base fluid to create a mixture, aerating the mixture of base fluid and drilling fluid additives, and injecting a compressible driving fluid into the mixture of base fluid and drilling fluid additives to form a mixed drilling fluid is disclosed.
US08622606B2

A fluid micro-mixer and micro-reactor array is provided having at least two bonded layers of micro-channels. The micro-mixer can include at least one input port and one output port, and a mixing and/or reaction port. At least one inlet stream separator layer can isolate the inlet ports from one another.
US08622603B1

A backlight module includes a light source, a light guide plate and at least one optical film. The light source has a plurality of light emitting devices. The light guide plate includes a light entrance portion, a main body portion and at least one positioning structure. The light entrance portion has a top surface and a light entrance surface. The light source is disposed corresponding to the light entrance surface. The top surface is adjacently connected to the light entrance surface. The main body is connected to the light entrance portion and has a first light extraction surface connecting the top surface. The positioning structure is disposed on the top surface and corresponding to an interval between two adjacent light emitting devices, and has an accommodating space. The optical film is disposed above the light guide plate and has at least one protruding portion disposed in the accommodating space.
US08622600B2

An exemplary backlight module includes a frame, a light guide plate, a light source module and an optical film. The light guide plate is arranged on the frame and includes a light-incident surface and a light-emitting surface adjacent to the light-incident surface. The light source module includes a circuit board arranged between the frame and the light guide plate board, and a light emitting element arranged on the circuit board and facing the light-incident surface. The optical film includes a wavelength shifting portion arranged between the light emitting element and the light guide plate, a second extending portion arranged between the light guide plate and the frame, and a first extending portion connected between the wavelength shifting portion and the second extending portion and arranged between the light guide plate and the circuit board. A display device equipped with the backlight module is also provided.
US08622598B2

This invention relates to a light emitting device (100) having a movable collimating unit for adjusting the output direction of light being emitted from the light emitting device. The light emitting device comprises a base unit (110), and a light output unit (120) which is engaged with the base unit. The light output unit comprises at least one light source (121) for emitting light. The light emitting device further comprises a movably arranged collimating unit (130) for adjusting the direction of the emitted light, which is arranged such that it encompasses a light output portion (125), which is arranged on the light output unit.
US08622593B2

This invention relates generally to an illumination system that is configured for attachment to a hard hat or the temple arm portion of a pair of eyeglasses. The illumination system includes a light source and a multi-axis pivot assembly to permit directional adjustment and focus of a beam of light. An adapter clip is provided to facilitate attachment to the temple arm portion of the eyeglasses. The adapter clip includes a plurality of grooves positioned between two flexible side portions to allow the clip to be slid along the temple arm to a desired position and snapped into a locked position. The illumination system is fully adjustable in terms of light intensity and direction of the light beams.
US08622585B2

A lighting device has multiple light sources each having a primary optics; and a secondary optics for the multiple light sources; such that at the secondary optics the radiation patterns emitted from the multiple light sources have a substantially uniform luminance; and such that the secondary optics transforms the radiation pattern from the multiple light sources into an elliptical spot of light of substantially uniform luminance.
US08622575B2

A lighting assembly having a socket adaptor and a microprocessor for receiving user input and selectively actuating at least one LED based on that user input. The microprocessor is electrically connected to the socket adaptor. A processor-readable medium is in electrical communication with the microprocessor. An LED assembly comprising at least one plurality of LEDs is electrically connected to the microprocessor. A lens encloses the LED assembly and the microprocessor. An input device is electrically connected to the microprocessor to receive user input.
US08622571B2

A LED tube (41) comprises one or more LED components (34) and a current control unit (33) installed therein. Both ends of the LED tube (41) are provided with a contact pin pair (37, 38, 39, 40) for connecting the LED tube mechanically and electrically to tube holders of a fluorescent tube lighting fixture. The LED tube includes a safety unit (42, 43, S1) arranged to prevent a voltage from passing through the LED tube (41) from its one end to the other end thereof until at both ends of the LED tube, a voltage (U1, U2) fed from the corresponding tube holder of the lighting fixture to the contact pin pair (37, 38, 39, 40) has been detected separately.
US08622568B2

A power tool includes a lighting unit directed towards a detection field on a workpiece side, and a detection system that emphasizes the contrast between a marking applied to an underlying surface and the underlying surface.
US08622567B2

A portable light source for connection to a hardhat. The portable light source has a battery housing with an LED light mounted in a lamp holder that is connected either directly to or via a boom or wires to the battery housing. The housing or the lamp holder also has a mounting post that engages an aperture on the side of the hardhat for holding the portable light source in place. The lamp housing may be rotatably connected to the battery housing.
US08622566B2

A lighted glove includes a glove member configured to substantially cover a wearer's hand and having finger and thumb sections. A plurality of light modules is positioned in a spaced apart arrangement on a palm section and on interior surface of the finger and thumb sections. Each light module includes multiple LED's having different colors. The light modules are electrically connected to a battery. Different color LED's may be selected using a toggle switch.
US08622559B2

The present invention relates to a mirror support used in a door mirror vehicle which provides stability and distributes the forces in an uniform way due to two gear knees which are attached to the first ends of two perpendicular arms, a first arm and a second arm setting up a cross and also relates to a device to adjust the orientation of a mirror comprising the clutch mechanism.
US08622557B2

A Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors comprising a plurality of self-tilted micromirrors and configured to form a designed optical surface profile by self-tilted micromirrors. Each self-tilted micromirror comprises a substrate, at least one stiction plate configured to be attracted to the substrate by adhesion force, a micromirror plate having a reflective surface, coupled to the stiction plate elastically and configured to have a required motion when the stiction plate is attracted to the substrate, and at least one pivot structure disposed between the substrate and the micromirror plate and configured to provide a tilting point or area for the motion of the micromirror plate. The designed optical surface profile determines the required motion of the micromirror plate and a surface profile shape memory is built in the structure of the micro-mechanical elements of the self-tilted micromirrors so that each micromirror plate has the required motion.
US08622553B2

A laser projector includes a housing, a light source arranged within the housing, and a vibration module arranged within the housing to cause the light source to vibrate in a predetermined range.
US08622552B2

A media player includes a display and a main body. The display includes a cover and a display panel located on the cover. The host includes a housing, a control module received in the housing, with a projecting unit also received in the housing. The housing is rotatably connected to the cover and operable to be covered by the cover. The control module is for generating video signals to display in the display panel. The projecting unit is for converting the video signals into optical signals and projecting the optical signals out of the housing.
US08622548B2

System and method for 3D retinal disruption/elevation detection, measurement and presentation using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) are provided. The present invention is capable of detecting and measuring the abnormal changes of retinal layers (retinal disruptions), caused by retinal diseases, such as hard drusen, soft drusen, Pigment Epithelium Detachment (PED), Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV), Geographic Atrophy (GA), intra retinal fluid space, and exudates etc. The presentations of the results are provided with quantitative measurements of disruptions in retina and can be used for diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases.
US08622543B2

The present invention provides an actinically or thermally curable ink for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The ink of the invention comprises at least one colorant, a solvent and a binder polymer including ethylenically unsaturated groups and segments derived from at least one silicone-containing vinylic monomer or macromer. The ink of the invention is characterized by having capability to be cured actinically or thermally to form a colored coat on a silicone hydrogel contact lens, wherein the colored coat has good adhesion to the silicone hydrogel contact lens without being covalently attached to the lens material of the contact lens. The invention also provides methods for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
US08622542B2

The image display apparatus of the invention comprises a prism optical system using at least two optical surfaces, each having an optical function. At least two surfaces of the two optical surfaces are rotationally asymmetric surfaces, and one of the two surfaces which light transmits or leaves has a function of one transmission and two internal reflections.
US08622538B2

First humidified gas is supplied from a first supply port to a sheet to be conveyed, thereby increasing the moisture content of the sheet. Simultaneously, second humidified gas is supplied to a space where nozzles of the inkjet recording head are exposed, from a second supply port provided at a position closer to the inkjet recording head than the first supply port, thereby increasing the atmosphere humidity of the space. The part of the sheet of which the moisture content has been increased is made to enter the space where the atmosphere humidity has been increased, and recording is performed by the inkjet recording head.
US08622533B2

An inkjet recording apparatus is capable of an operation of removing air bubbles in a recording head that includes the ink supply step, the ink ejection step, and the refilling step. The ink supply step supplies ink to a common flow-passage in the state in which movement of the ink inside a second ink-flow passage is tolerated with an inflow side valve, and movement of the ink inside a third ink-flow passage is restricted with an outflow side valve. The ink ejection step ejects the ink together with the air bubbles inside the common flow-passage from an outflow port into the third ink-flow passage by tolerating movement of the ink inside the third ink-flow passage with the outflow side valve. The refilling step refills the ink in the state in which movement of the ink inside the second ink-flow passage is restricted with the inflow side valve.
US08622530B2

An ink tank includes an ink supply connection port connected to a main body of a recording apparatus for supplying ink thereto, a first ink reservoir reserving the ink supplied to a sub-tank, a first ink delivery passage supplying the ink reserved in the first ink reservoir to the ink supply connection port, a one-way valve disposed in the first ink delivery passage that enables the ink to move from the first ink reservoir to the ink supply connection port, a second ink reservoir reserving the ink returned from the sub-tank, and a second ink delivery passage supplying the ink reserved in the second ink reservoir to the ink supply connection port and joins with the first ink delivery passage at a position between the one-way valve and the ink supply connection port.
US08622529B2

A diaphragm unit includes an elastic film unit which seals an opening portion of a pressure chamber, and an island unit which is provided on the elastic film unit and to which a tip portion of a piezoelectric vibrator is joined. The width of the center portion of the island unit in the longitudinal direction is set to be narrower than the width of both end portions of the island unit in the longitudinal direction. The dimension of the center portion of the island unit in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the dimension of the piezoelectric vibrator in the same direction.
US08622520B2

Disclosed herein is an ejecting apparatus including: an upper body which includes an inlet through which ejectable fluid flows in from an external source, a channel which fluidly communicates with the inlet and through which the ejectable fluid flows, and an upper mounting portion which fluidly communicates with the channel and is opened downwardly; a lower body which includes a lower mounting portion which is opened upwardly to correspond to the upper mounting portion, and a nozzle slit which fluidly communicates with the lower mounting portion to eject the ejectable fluid to an outside, the lower body being fastened to the upper body, and a nozzle chip which is interposed between the upper mounting portion and the lower mounting portion to receive the ejectable fluid from the channel and discharge the ejectable fluid into the nozzle slit by being driven by an actuator.
US08622518B2

A printing apparatus includes: a first nozzle for ejecting clear ink to form a first dot; and a second nozzle for ejecting color ink to form a second dot, wherein, when forming a color image on a photoluminescent ground layer by means of the second dot, the first dot is formed at an area where the color image does not exist.
US08622512B2

A droplet ejection apparatus includes: a droplet ejection head which includes a nozzle surface having a non-nozzle forming region and a nozzle forming region of a prescribed width in a prescribed direction, a nozzle row being formed in the nozzle forming region; and a nozzle surface cleaning apparatus which cleans the nozzle surface of the droplet ejection head and includes: a wiping device which presses a wiping member having absorbency against the nozzle surface and wipes the nozzle surface with the wiping member by moving the wiping member relatively in the prescribed direction with respect to the nozzle surface; and a sweeping device which sweeps excess liquid from the non-nozzle forming region before the wiping member wipes the nozzle surface, by pressing a sweeping member having elasticity against the non-nozzle forming region and moving the sweeping member relatively in the prescribed direction with respect to the nozzle surface.
US08622511B2

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a carriage, a first recording head, a second recording head, and a maintenance assembly. The carriage is movable in a main scanning direction. The first recording head has nozzles in a nozzle face thereof to eject liquid droplets. The second recording head has nozzles in a nozzle face thereof to eject liquid droplets. The second recording head is displaced from the first recording head in a sub scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The maintenance assembly maintains and recovers the first recording head and the second recording head. The maintenance assembly includes a first maintenance device and a second maintenance device. The first maintenance device is held by the apparatus body. The second maintenance device is reciprocally movable between a first position to oppose the first recording head and a second position to oppose the second recording head.
US08622510B2

There is provided a cap device including: a cap unit which is tiltable in a plane direction of the jetting surface and which comes into close contact with the jetting surface of the liquid jetting head; a flexible discharge tube of which one end is connected to the cap unit, which communicates with an inner space defined by the cap unit and the jetting surface under a condition that the cap unit comes into close contact with the jetting surface, and through which a liquid in the inner space is discharged; and a fixing mechanism which fixes a portion, of the discharge tube, other than the one end to the cap unit.
US08622509B2

A method for automatic removal of a sealant member from a nozzle plate that includes applying a sealant member to a surface of the nozzle plate, attaching the sealant member with a pull tab, one end of the pull tab being attached to a maintenance sled of a maintenance mechanism at a first position, the maintenance sled moves from a first position to a second position thereby removing the sealant member at a 180 degree angle and with a speed of about 10 mm/sec.
US08622497B2

According to one embodiment, a direct current voltage which has positive and negative potentials relative to a ground potential interposed therebetween is used as a drive voltage for electric charging/discharging to/from an actuator.
US08622494B2

A shelf assembly for use in a refrigerator includes a glass panel having a central region and a perimeter region, with the perimeter region having an upwardly turned spill prevention lip. The upwardly turned spill prevention lip is upwardly turned relative to the central region via a glass forming process. The upwardly turned spill prevention lip includes upwardly turned lip portions at the front, rear, left and right sides of the glass panel. The central region of the glass panel includes a storage portion. The upwardly turned spill prevention lip circumscribes the periphery of the central region to limit spillage of liquid over the sides of the glass panel. The shelf assembly may include a pair of support rails bonded at lower surfaces of the left and right sides of the glass panel and having attachment elements configured to mount the shelf assembly at the refrigerator.
US08622483B2

A plurality of differing horizontal pairs of slot shapes are positioned in the upper body portion of a quick change type bit holder to provide access to a bit extractor tool for removing the bit holder from its associated bit block.
US08622480B2

A machine configured to travel across a surface is disclosed. A material removal mechanism is configured to remove material from the surface. A frame supports the material removal mechanism. A conveyor is configured to receive the material and to convey the material to a location off of the machine. A pivotal connection includes connectors connected to the frame and conveyor, respectively, which are configured to mate with one another to allow pivoting of the conveyor relative to the frame.
US08622478B2

A child safety seat has a seat back with an upper end, a back side, and a front facing side. A harness system has a pair of safety straps each with a back portion on the back side and a shoulder strap portion on the front facing side. A router is on the back side and has a fixed upper guide, a fixed lower guide spaced below the upper guide, and a slider vertically movable therebetween. The back portions are routed from the respective shoulder strap portions through the slider, up to the upper guide, down to the lower guide, and back up to the slider. The slider is vertically adjustable between a raised position and a lowered position and determines the height of the shoulder strap portions.
US08622475B2

A linear recliner assembly in use with a seat having a seat back pivotally engaged relative to a seat bottom. A housing exhibits a communicating interior between a first and second ends. A drive rod is supported in linearly displaceable fashion from the first end and is secured to the seat bottom. The second end pivotally engages the seatback spaced from its pivot point. A rotatable gear located at a fixed lineal position within the housing receives the drive rod in threadably inter-engaged fashion. A trigger mechanism pivotally secured to the housing exhibits a downwardly biased detent communicating through an opening in the housing to seat between succeeding teeth of the gear. A spring supported within the housing contacts the drive rod. Upon release of the detent, a reclining force applied to the seatback results in displacement of the housing against the drive rod to bias the spring. The spring influencing the drive rod in a reverse direction such that, upon release of said detent when the seatback is in the reclined position, the spring influences the seatback to reverse pivot to a returned upright position.
US08622474B2

An apparatus for sitting, including: a keystone assembly which connects various parts of the apparatus; a back that provides support for at least a person's back or shoulders; a floating lumbar support, which provides support for a person's lower back, attached to the keystone assembly; a seat that can adjust between a forward tilted and reclined position; a plurality of rollers, disposed on the keystone assembly, on which the seat rests; a central column, attached to the keystone assembly, on which the seat can spin; and a lower torsion spring connected to the seat and disposed on the keystone assembly allowing controlled movement of the seat.
US08622468B2

There is provided a seat back device including: a seat back that is placed on a rear side of a vehicle cabin and has a movable portion that is movably disposed in correspondence to a lower back region of a seated passenger and a forwardly collapsible portion that is forwardly collapsibly disposed on a vehicle upper side of the movable portion; a frame member that is disposed inside the seat back and in which is formed an open portion that has a size including the movable portion and the forwardly collapsible portion and that makes the vehicle cabin and a luggage compartment communicate; an angle adjusting mechanism which adjusts the movable portion about an axis along a vehicle width direction to a predetermined angle; and a trunk-through mechanism which forwardly collapses the movable portion and the forwardly collapsible portion from the seat back and opens the open portion.
US08622467B2

A reclining seating unit includes: a base; a seat; a backrest; a reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat and backrest, the reclining mechanism configured to move the seating unit between an upright position and a fully reclined position; a headrest that is positioned in front of an upper portion of the backrest; and a headrest mechanism attached to the headrest and to the reclining mechanism. The headrest mechanism is configured to move the headrest from a retracted position when the seating unit is in its upright position to an extended position when the seating unit is in its fully reclined position. In the retracted position the headrest is generally parallel with the backrest and in the extended position the headrest defines an angle with the backrest in which the front surface of headrest is rotated to partially face the front surface of the backrest.
US08622462B2

The disclosure comprises a pair of inflatable substantially inelastic lobes. A single lobe can be mounted on each of the rear trailer doors of a standard tractor-trailer unit. Each lobe can be inflated or deployed to provide an aerodynamic substantially planar contour extending rearwardly of the rear end of the vehicle. The aerodynamic shape of the lobes with stable and substantially planar external surfaces for air to pass over can be created by a series of internal cords and flag sets extending substantially horizontally and vertically in an array from one side of the lobe to the other side of each lobe. When the lobes are deflated, the trailer doors can be opened and latched to the side of the trailer in a conventional manner.
US08622459B2

A sliding retractable deck assembly is provided for use with recreational-type vehicles. The deck is adapted for use adjacent to and below the vehicle side door and is retractable by sliding back into place under the vehicle so as to be totally out of view and allow total use of vehicle door and all other components of said vehicle. A plurality of individually-adjustable ground-engaging leg members providing at least nine points of support for the deck thus allowing placement of the deck on uneven or sloping ground, while avoiding undue stressing of either the deck assembly or structural components of the vehicle.
US08622451B2

An endeffector for handling wafers at a relatively low temperature is disclosed along with an endeffector for handling wafers at a relatively high temperature. Both endeffectors include a base member and uniquely designed support members that are configured to only contact a wafer at the wafer's edge. Further, the support members have an arcuate shape that generally matches a radius of a semiconductor wafer. More specifically, each support member has a curved wafer contact surface that tapers from a maximum radius at a top surface to a minimum radius at a bottom surface. The endeffectors may also include a wafer detection system. The endeffector for handling wafers at relatively low temperatures may also include a pushing device that is used not only to position a wafer but to hold a wafer on the endeffector during acceleration or deceleration of the endeffector caused by a robot arm attached to the endeffector.
US08622447B1

A cellular telephone support device for releasably holding a cellular telephone having a top edge and a bottom edge is provided. The support device comprises a main support member having a first side, a second side, a first edge, and a second edge. A slotted first opening formed in the first edge. A second slotted opening is formed in the second edge. A ring attachment is positioned on the first side. A first clamping member is slidably receivable within the first slotted opening. A second clamping member is slidably receivable within the second slotted opening of the second edge. Upon positioning the cellular telephone against the second side, the first clamping member is slidable against the top edge of the telephone and the second clamping member is slidable against the bottom edge of the telephone thereby releasably securing the telephone between the first clamping member and the second clamping member.
US08622445B1

A rub rail assembly for a side wall surface of a vehicle includes a cleat support having a first body portion and a second body portion. The first body portion has a first fastener receiving hole for fastening the cleat support to the side wall surface of the vehicle, and the second body portion has an engagement structure. The rub rail has a hook that is engageable with the engagement structure of the support cleat to permit the rub rail to hang from the support cleat.
US08622443B2

A lost motion cam assembly for a vehicle lock. The assembly includes a lever, pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between locked and unlocked positions. A motor drives a gear mounted to a shaft in the housing. A cam is also rotatably mounted to the shaft, and includes a pair of opposing cam arms. When a cam arm engages a first interaction surface on the lever, the lever actuates. A second interaction surface on the lever stops the cam. The cam is operably connected to the gear by a lost motion connection that defines a range of free travel of the cam relative to the gear. Manually pivoting the lever while one of the pair of cam arms is in contact with the first interaction surface on the lever causes the cam to rotate within the range of free travel.
US08622419B2

A method of manufacturing a vehicle component is presented, wherein the vehicle component has at least one dimensional length, the method containing the steps of: providing an elongated perforated inflator substantially coextensive with said at least one dimensional length; fixing said elongated perforated inflator within said vehicle component along said at least one dimensional length, such that said inflator functions as a structural member of said vehicle component; providing a propellant bed substantially coextensive with said elongated perforated inflator; and providing an airbag in fluid communication with said inflator and substantially coextensive therewith, said airbag stored within said vehicle component.
US08622417B1

A frontal airbag has a first section, a second section, and a third section, the second section being in fluid communication with both the first and the third section. The first, second and third sections form a triangular structure upon inflation of the airbag. A gas generator is attached to the first section and in fluid communication with the first section. An end portion on the third section remote from the second sections attached to the first section in an area between the gas generator and the second section. Two side tethers attached to the first section and to one of the second and third sections or near transitional bend between the second and third section provide resistance against flattening of the airbag after inflation. The first section and the third section are directly attached to each other by a seam, by an adhesive, or by lamination.
US08622416B2

An airbag module for use in a vehicle to provide restraint to an occupant of the vehicle. The module includes a cushion pack having an inflatable airbag cushion configured to inflate to restrain the occupant of the vehicle. An inflator is provided to supply inflation gas for inflating the airbag cushion. The module also includes an annular retaining member engaged with the cushion pack to thereby retain a portion of the cushion pack in the airbag module during deployment of the airbag cushion. An annular locking member is connected to the retaining member and to the inflator and is configured to prohibit substantial displacement of the inflator relative to the locking member during deployment of the airbag.
US08622411B1

A bicycle assembly can include a bicycle frame that can have a main frame, a sub-frame and a shock absorber. The sub-frame can move in relation to the main frame and the shock can be used to regulate that relationship. A extension body can be used to establish a rear pivot point of the shock absorber. In some embodiments, the extension body can also be used to adjust the length of the combined shock absorber and extension body.
US08622410B2

A powered wheelchair includes a seat assembly configured to support an individual, a curved legrest assembly pivotally connected to the seat assembly, and an adjustment assembly including an actuator operatively connected to the central column through a piston slidably secured within a sleeve. The adjustment assembly is secured underneath the seat assembly. The powered wheelchair may also include an extension bracket that allows legrests and a central column of the curved legrest assembly to be separately and independently adjusted with respect to one another.
US08622403B2

The invention relates to a transport cart (10) for loading an aircraft galley, comprising a base element (12) and a plurality of wheels (14) attached to the base element (12). Two frame elements (20, 24) are connected to the base element (12) and disposed at a distance from each other. A first guide device (28, 28′, 28″) is set up for engaging a complementary second guide device formed on a box that is receivable in the aircraft galley to be loaded and for transporting on the transport cart (10). The first guide device (28, 28′, 28″) is further set up for securing the box against displacement on the transport cart (10) in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (L) of the transport cart (10) when engaged with the complementary second guide device formed on the box. The transport cart (10) finally comprises a locking mechanism (40, 40′) which is set up for securing the box against displacement on the transport cart in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the transport cart (10).
US08622400B2

A tool includes a chuck connected to a handle. The chuck includes a mandrel including a non-circular cavity defined therein, a slit in communication with the non-circular cavity, a first bore in communication with the non-circular cavity, and a second bore in communication with the slit. A bit with a non-circular profile can be inserted in the non-circular cavity. A flat bit can be inserted in the slit. A ball is located in the first bore. A pin is located in the second bore. A movable sleeve is located around and movable along the mandrel and formed with a thread. A rotary sleeve is rotationally located around the mandrel and formed with a thread engaged with the thread of the movable sleeve. By rotating the rotary sleeve, the movable sleeve pushes the ball into the non-circular cavity and the pin into the slit.
US08622399B2

An sealing gasket is shown for use in forming joints of plastic pipe. The gasket is formed as a composite elastomeric body with a leading region formed of a thermoplastic elastomer material and with a trailing region formed of a synthetic plastic material. The gasket body has an outer circumferential region provided with a series of recessed pocket which give it a scallop-like appearance. The relatively harder plastic region of the gasket body deforms the associated pipe socket end during manufacture of the pipe end, whereby the gasket is integrally locked within an internal pipe groove in the pipe socket end upon completion of the pipe belling operation.
US08622385B2

A medium receiving device includes a support shaft that extends in a width direction of the sheet that intersects with an ejection direction of the sheet at a position spaced from the apparatus body, a locking member that is fixedly provided at a position which is lower than the apparatus body in the gravity direction and on the side of the apparatus body with respect to the support shaft and extends in the width direction of the sheet, and a medium holding member that is hung between the support shaft and the locking member so as to form a receiving surface for the sheet which falls thereon and is capable of holding the sheet on the receiving surface, wherein the support shaft moves between a first position and a second position with rotative displacement about a rotation shaft that extends in the width direction of the sheet.
US08622384B2

A paper sheet processing apparatus that can detect in an inexpensive way that a bill housing part is full with bills. The paper sheet processing apparatus includes: a bill housing part that houses a bill in a stacked manner; a placing plate arranged in the bill housing part and moves as a bill is stacked and housed; a magnetic body magnetized and disposed on the placing plate; a magnetic sensor that detects an amount of magnetism from the magnetic body; and a control part that determines whether the amount of magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold value.
US08622381B2

An image recording apparatus includes a supply tray and a supply unit. The supply unit includes a supporting shaft, an arm configured to pivot around the supporting shaft, and, a first roller and a second roller which are provided in the arm. The first and second rollers are pressedly contacted with a sheet placed on the supply tray. The supply tray is provided with a contact portion. The contact portion includes a first contact portion facing to the first roller and second rollers, and a second contact portion disposed in an upstream side of the first contact portion in the supply direction. A friction coefficient of the second contact portion is smaller than that of the first contact portion. When the first and second rollers rotatingly moves on the sheet, a friction force is applied by the second contact portion to the sheet.
US08622375B2

A dual frequency damper includes a liquid inertia vibration eliminator (LIVE) portion and a fluid damper portion. LIVE portion and fluid damper portion operate in series and function so that dual frequency damper is optimized in both stiffness and damping at multiple frequencies. LIVE portion acts as a frequency dependent switch to selectively cause low frequency oscillatory forces to be treated primarily by the high spring rate and high damping rate characteristics of the fluid damper portion, and also to select high frequency oscillatory forces to be primarily treated by the low spring rate and low damping rate characteristics of the LIVE unit portion.
US08622373B2

A bearing (1) comprising a block (10) of flexible material, having two end surfaces (11, 12); and a first fixture element (20) and a second fixture element (30) connected at each of the end surfaces (11, 12); wherein at least one rotational damping device (40) is arranged between the first and second fixture elements (20, 30), the bearing thus providing high dampening between structural parts of a structure, such as buildings, bridges, elevated highways, and mechanical systems (machinery).
US08622372B2

A hybrid cooling tower apparatus that extends along a vertical axis is provided. The cooling tower includes a first housing structure having an inlet and a first outlet located a first position along the vertical axis, wherein the housing structure includes a base and opposing side walls that extend along the vertical axis away from the base. The tower also includes a heat exchanger disposed in the housing structure, wherein the heat exchanger is positioned adjacent the first outlet and extends at least partially all the way across the first outlet. Finally the hybrid tower employs an air current generator positioned in a plane normal to the vertical axis and oriented to direct an air stream toward the base and through the heat exchanger and the first outlet.
US08622369B2

A floor jack is provided having an integrated tool kit. The floor jack includes a jack body and a tool kit assembly disposed on the jack body for housing tools. The tool kit includes a storage housing pivotally coupled to an exterior side of a sidewall of the jack body. The storage housing defining a plurality of storage locations configured to secure tools, such as a socket wrench and a plurality of sockets such that they are exposed and readily assessable for use.
US08622367B2

A valve packing assembly for a control valve includes a seal assembly, a loading assembly, and a packing retainer. The seal assembly has a seal component to provide a fluid seal around a valve stem and an anti-extrusion component to substantially prevent extrusion of the seal component about the valve stem. The loading assembly is configured to advantageously provide a predetermined packing stress to the seal assembly that is in the same direction as a process stress applied to the seal assembly by a process fluid, thereby substantially reducing packing friction and packing wear in the control valve assembly.
US08622365B2

A pinch valve includes a spring disposed between a movable iron core of a solenoid and an end cover thereof, and which urges the movable iron core toward the side of a tube provided in a body. An elastic force of the spring is set to be smaller than a reactive force of the tube that is applied to a valve plug. In a non-excited state of the solenoid, the valve plug is pressed toward the solenoid by the reactive force of the tube, so as to enable a fluid to flow through a flow passage of the tube. Conversely, in an excited state of the solenoid, since an attractive force of the movable iron core toward the tube is added to the elastic force of the spring, the valve plug is pressed in opposition to the reactive force of the tube for thereby blocking the flow passage.
US08622363B2

A vehicle seat having an oscillatory scissor-type stand and a damper that is articulated at two parts of the scissor-type stand which are movable relative to one another. One end of the damper is articulated at a pin that extends in transverse direction of the seat and extends between two structural parts arranged at a distance from one another in transverse direction of the seat at a part of the scissor-type stand. A bearing bushing is arranged with its axial bushing opening on a tubular component part enclosing the pin, wherein the bushing opening has a spherical longitudinal section with the greatest diameters at the two axial ends and the smallest diameter in the middle of the bushing opening. The bearing bushing is enclosed by a bearing ring of the damper having a shorter axial length than the bearing bushing and is arranged on the bearing bushing at an axial distance from the two ends of the bearing bushing so as to be secured against axial displacement. The bearing bushing is arranged between the structural parts without axial play.
US08622354B2

A display includes: a display section; and a supporting section including a post and a base and supporting the display section. The post includes: a tubular upper post extending in a direction perpendicular to a horizontal plane; a tubular lower post separated from the upper post at a separating plane tilted with respect to the horizontal plane and having a variable mounting angle with respect to the upper post by rotating around a central line of the upper post on the separating plane; and a tilt mechanism disposed on a side opposite to the separating plane of the upper post and changing a tilt angle in an elevation direction of the display section. A tilt angle α with respect to the horizontal plane of the separating plane satisfies α=45°−(θ/2), where θ is a maximum tilt angle of the display section by the tilt mechanism.
US08622345B2

A passenger seat system including a plurality of seat modules, in which each seat module may be configured to form a more or less flat bed. The seat modules are arranged side by side in longitudinally offset relative positions, and each seat module is configured to form a bed from a convertible seat and a fixed footrest. The footrest is integrated into a box structure, which includes an upper surface arranged as a fixed shelf for the passenger in the adjacent seat module.
US08622341B2

A suspension rudder bar has the shape of a bar with a transversal axis (Y′Y), symmetrical with respect to a plane (PS) intersecting the rotation axis (X′X) of the engine, and includes links with transmission connecting rods between a rear casing for ejecting gases and a front casing hub of the fan, and a central link to a fastening fixation to an engine fastening pylon. The links of the rudder bar to the transmission connecting rods are arranged on the transversal ends of the rudder bar, and the rudder bar extends, perpendicularly to the axis of the bar (Y′Y), with spars over a sufficient portion and at a determined distance from the edges of the plate to act as an abutment to the plate in the case of a torsion around the central link or of a connecting rod breaking.
US08622340B2

An air intake for an aeroplane engine of type with unducted propellers, which intake can be connected by a pylon to a fuselage of an aeroplane, a local length of the air intake, measured parallel to the axis of the engine between a point on a leading edge of the air intake and a transverse plane situated at an inlet impeller of the engine compressor, is longer in a region of the air intake connected to the pylon and shorter in a region of the air intake opposite the pylon.
US08622339B2

In a supersonic aircraft, turbojet engine nacelles each containing two remote fans in the front half of the nacelle, for noise reduction at takeoff. During supersonic flight, a front wedge at the nacelle nose achieves external compression of intake air. The wedge is vertical, sending the airflow left and right inside the nacelle along its side walls. The two flows follow mirror image curved paths on their way to a turbojet, leaving unused space between them to house the fans in tandem. For takeoff, clutches connected to the turbojets's compressors are engaged. Driveshafts turn pinions against a gear on the same shaft as the remote fans. The fan output is discharged backward under the nacelle to produce thrust. The energy to turn the fans is taken from the turbojet cycle. The reduced exhaust jet velocity decreases its noise. Supercharging produces the extra power to turn the remote fans if multistage.
US08622337B2

An airship for facilitating transportation to and from one or more locations which are difficult to access or operate such as high above the ground level is disclosed. The airship can also be used in surface missions, The airship includes a cabin and a platform. The cabin is configured on a top portion of the airship. The platform is operatively connected to the cabin. The platform facilitates easy access to the cabin.
US08622333B2

A toilet tissue roll holder extender which extends the roll diameter capacity of the holder by adhesively attaching flat plastic extender bodies to the inside surfaces of the conventional toilet tissue roll holder arms. In the preferred embodiment, the extenders have compound diameter spindle-receiving holes formed therein and the combination can be used with a toilet tissue core restoring insert of rigid plastic.
US08622329B1

A combined pepper grinder and salt shaker (1) having an upper portion (2) of the device that stores salt and also having apertures (3) to dispense the salt. A bottom portion (9) comprises a pepper mill that grinds peppercorn. The upper portion attaches to the bottom portion via a pressure fit clip-top shell (20), spring retaining ring (21) and push buttons (22), that allow a user to easily remove the upper portion from the bottom portion.
US08622327B2

A machine for distributing loosefill insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the loosefill insulation. A lower unit is associated with the chute and includes a shredder configured to shred the loosefill insulation and an agitator configured to finely condition the loosefill insulation. The lower unit includes a shredder guide shell positioned partially around the shredder and an agitator guide shell positioned partially around the agitator. A discharge mechanism is positioned in the lower unit. The discharge mechanism has a top inlet positioned below the agitator such that loosefill insulation exiting the agitator is allowed to fall in a substantially vertical direction from the agitator into the top inlet of the discharge mechanism. The position of the shredder guide shell at a passageway is offset in a vertical direction from the position of the agitator guide shell at the passageway.
US08622325B2

The present invention relates to a process for the production of granules from a liquid composition with a decreased dust production, the process steps are as follows: applying the liquid composition onto solid particles that are kept in a continuous movement by a gas stream in a granulation zone of an oblong granulator, thereby depositing and solidifying liquid composition around the solid particles to increase the size of the particles and thereby form grown solid particles; discharging a stream of the grown solid particles from the granulation zone, dividing, in a size-sorting apparatus, the stream of grown solid particles into individual streams based on the size of the grown solid particles to thereby produce streams of undersized, oversized, and desired-sized grown solid particles; transferring the stream of oversized grown solid particles to a size-reducing apparatus; crushing the stream of oversized grown solid particles in the size-reducing apparatus, thereby reducing the particle size of the oversized grown solid particles and thereby producing a stream of crushed solid particles wherein that stream of crushed solid particles is introduced in the granulator at a place below the place where the gas stream leaves the granulator.
US08622324B2

Systems and methods for rapidly atomizing and dispensing electrostatically atomized insecticides and similar low electrical conductivity active materials without the use of VOCs. The active materials are dispensed via insertion of a disposable cartridge in a dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus is hand actuated and the exhausted cartridge is minimized to the size of a wad of chewing gum and it is doubly sealed to prevent any residual active material from leaking into the environment. Spray flow and configuration may be user selectable.
US08622320B2

A sprayer system having a sprayer assembly adaptable to a variety of sizes and shapes of containers. The sprayer assembly includes a dual venturi in the flow conduit to provide even pressure and consistent flow in the spray volume. A metering device is coupled to the flow conduit for accurate and reliable regulation of mixture ratios. A dip tube, coupled to the fluid conduit, is adaptable to a variety of container orifices. In addition to acting as a conduit for passage of concentrate into the sprayer assembly, the dip tube may also be used as a cutting device to open the container into which it will be inserted. By adapting to a variety of container orifices, the dip tube allows the sprayer assembly to fit to a variety of containers.
US08622303B2

The invention relates to decoding utilizing image data. The image data can be received from a source. A processor can process the image data for decoding. A processing for decoding can be responsive to determined information.
US08622286B2

A mobile user apparatus and associated methods useful for conducting payment transactions wirelessly, such as at point-of-sale locations. In one embodiment, the mobile user apparatus is a cellular-enabled mobile device that includes a short-range radio frequency device, such as an active-mode capable device, that generates a transmission to a point of sale apparatus, including information relating to an account of the user of the mobile apparatus that is to be charged for the payment. In one variant, the information stored on the mobile device is further configured to receive transaction data wirelessly in return.
US08622284B1

In certain embodiments, one or more images of a container may be received. The following may be repeated for one or more device codes of one or more devices of an image of the one or more images: locating a device code in the image; reading a device identifier from the device code; determining a device location according to the location of the device code in the image; and associating the device identifier and the device location to yield a device identifier-location association. The one or more device identifier-location associations may be stored.
US08622273B2

A stapling device includes an anvil arm bearing an anvil plate; a magazine pivotable about a transverse pivot on a bearing block in the rearward region of the anvil arm; and an arm bearing a driver for feeding the staples through a discharge slot at the front end of the magazine and pivotable about the transverse pivot. The discharge slot extends transversely through a bottom wall of the magazine between the magazine side walls which run from the front end towards the bearing block and is bounded with respect to the magazine front end by a stop plate for the staples. The discharge slot is closed with respect to the side walls of the magazine. The magazine is provided on each of its side walls and on each side of the discharge slot with a prong projecting from the bottom wall.
US08622252B2

A manually-actuable, non-aerosol dispenser to be used with a personal care composition having a relatively higher viscosity that gives a desired foamed composition generated from a manually-actuable, non-aerosol dispenser.
US08622237B2

Drink bottles, or containers, with bite-actuated mouthpieces. In some embodiments, the mouthpieces are self-sealing mouthpieces that are biased to return from a dispensing configuration to a closed configuration. The bottles may be rigid or collapsible and may include a removable cap assembly. In some embodiments, the bottles include a manual on/off valve adapted to prevent drink fluid from being dispensed regardless of the mouthpiece's configuration. In some embodiments, the bottles include a straw extending into the bottle and/or a drink tube extending from external of the bottle and/or an air return system. In some embodiments, the bottles include a dispensing spout that is pivotally coupled to the cap of the drink bottle. In some embodiments, the dispensing spout includes a mount for the mouthpiece and/or cooperates with the cap to provide a manual on/off valve to selectively restrict flow of drink fluid from the bottle regardless of the mouthpiece's configuration.
US08622236B2

A drinking vessel is provided for use in an upright orientation and an upturned orientation. The vessel includes a mouthpiece portion and a conduit portion fluidly connected to the mouthpiece portion. The conduit portion has a lower opening through which fluid may be drawn to the mouthpiece portion when the vessel is oriented in a substantially upright orientation. The vessel further includes an intermediate inlet (fluidly connected to the mouthpiece portion. The intermediate inlet is disposed intermediate the lower opening and the mouthpiece portion. The vessel further includes a flow controller operable to control flow to the mouthpiece portion from the intermediate inlet, according to the orientation of the vessel. A lid for a drinking vessel and a drinking conduit are also claimed.
US08622221B2

A filtering device (100) for plastic melts exhibits at least one screen plunger (10) arranged movably between an inlet channel (5) and an outlet channel (6) of a housing (1) and containing replaceable, three-dimensional filter elements (25). The inside of the filter elements (25) is connected to at least one melt channel (11, 12) formed in the screen plunger (10). The melt channel is connected to the inlet or outlet channel (5, 6) of the housing (1) when in the production position. The screen plunger (10) exhibits at least one receiving chamber (14) that can be closed using a cover (16) on the face side. Several filter elements (25) are bundled with a central distribution element (20) to a filter cartridge (30) that can be placed in the receiving chamber (14).
US08622215B2

The present invention relates to a novel device for the collection, storage, shipping and retrieval of hair follicles from animals for the purpose of isolating DNA or other genetic material from the follicles for analysis. The device has outer flaps for the protection as well as identification of the samples and an inner part where samples are placed. The inner device has thicker base and a clear plastic cover, the easy peel back of which is facilitated by a) low tack adhesives that hold the two together and b) a touch cut on one end, through the base sheet which creates a grip. This makes the device convenient and easy to use, and yet a robust collection device for hair follicles from animals in a farm or real-life situation. Hair follicles can be punched out through the inner device for direct DNA isolation and analysis.
US08622214B1

A keepsake arrangement comprising a cavity defined by at least one cavity wall and having an opening, an impressible material disposed in the cavity, a seal, sealingly coupled to a lip about the cavity, for sealing the impressible material in the cavity and for maintaining moisture in the impressible material while the seal is sealingly coupled to the lip about the cavity, a frame releasably coupleable to at least a portion of the lip that extends about the cavity, the frame comprising a shoulder section that extends over the opening when the frame is coupled to the at least one cavity wall, wherein the shoulder section is dimensioned to assist in retaining the impressible material in the cavity when the seal is removed from the lip about the cavity and the moisture is removed from the impressible material. A method of making a keepsake utilizing a keepsake arrangement as disclosed herein is also provided.
US08622208B2

A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.
US08622205B2

A portable hand drying device incorporates a case foldable to form a vertex having an interior surface and a zipper closure for a peripheral edge. A multilayer liner having an outer permeable layer and an inner absorbing layer is attached to the interior surface of the case with hook and loop fastener and a towel, foldable to be encased within the case, is attached to the liner at the vertex.
US08622200B2

Feeding device, for feeding bands having different lengths and bound in a direction transverse to the feeding direction, includes a driving roller and a rubber-covered pressure roller, both being activated by respective brushless motors. The feeding device is controlled by an electronic drive that allows the pressure roller to rotate at a greater speed than the driving roller, allowing the sliding of the overlapping band above the base band during feed motion, maintaining constant the required tension and eliminating the rolling up of the overlaying band in correspondence of the transversal bind with the base band.
US08622189B2

In a banknote recognition and counting machine (10), information concerning a count result on coins is inputted through an input unit (32, 53), and then the information concerning the count result on the coins inputted through the input unit (32, 53) is sent to a control unit (50). Thereafter, information concerning a count result on one or more banknotes counted by a recognition and counting unit (24) and the information concerning the count result on the coins inputted through the input unit are outputted, through an output unit (32p, 34, 52, 38).
US08622184B2

A one-way clutch includes an outer race, an inner race which is spaced from the outer race in an inside diameter direction and arranged concentrically so as to be relatively rotatable, a plurality of engaging members which are arranged between the outer race and the inner race to transmit a torque, and a cage which retains the engaging members. The one-way clutch is provided with volute springs which urge the engaging members in the direction in which the engaging members engage with a cam face of the outer race or the inner race.
US08622176B2

A gearbox for use in an auxiliary power unit has a plurality of gears received within a housing. A lube pump is mounted within the housing, and delivers oil to the plurality of gears and bearings. The lube pump has an oil supply tube for supplying oil to the pump for delivery to the plurality of gears and bearings. An oil reservoir maintains a quantity of oil above a lowermost end of the inlet tube, and is shaped such that a cross-sectional area at a lower end of the inlet tube has a first cross-sectional area. Other cross-sectional areas spaced upwardly from the first cross-sectional area are greater. A ratio of the second cross-sectional area to the first cross-sectional area is less than 3.
US08622166B1

The present invention provides a universal single switch driving system for power wheelchairs, which can be attached to any wheelchair joystick and remotely controlled, by any single switch available for persons with disabilities.
US08622165B2

A building machine, especially a road finishing machine, comprising a presence detection system. The presence detection system comprises a sensor which is integrated in the control panel of the building machine. By means of the sensor a distance measurement can be carried out, which determines whether the operator is properly seated on the driver's seat of the building machine or whether he stands properly at the standing work place. In order to determine the presence a tolerance range may be specified, which allows a slight movement of the operator on the driver's seat. If the operator approaches the limits of the tolerance range he is asked in time by warning signals to be seated again properly on the driver's seat or adopt a proper position at the standing work place. If the sensor detects no operator on the driver's seat or at the standing work place all of the functions of the building machine are stopped in order to make sure that the work site is safe.
US08622160B2

A universal steering and charger system is disclosed for a dual motor vehicle comprising a socket having socket terminals. A coupling defines a socket insert having socket insert terminals. A sensor is connected to the socket insert terminals with a hand control enabling an operator to manipulate the sensor. The socket insert is receivable within the socket for electrically connecting the socket insert to the socket. A motor drive control is connected to the socket for powering the first and second motors from a storage battery for steering the dual motor vehicle. A mast has mast terminals connected to a low voltage power source. The coupling is removable from the socket for enabling insertion of the mast into the socket for charging the storage battery. A plurality of sockets may be mounted at multiple location on the dual motor vehicle for steering the dual motor vehicle from multiple locations on the dual motor vehicle. The mast of the charging system may be utilized for charging a variety of electrical device.
US08622155B2

In one aspect of the present invention, a drill string has a drill bit with a body intermediate a shank and a working face. The working face has a plurality of blades converging at a center of the working surface and diverging towards a gauge of the working face. At least one blade has a cutting element with a carbide substrate bonded to a diamond working end with a pointed geometry. The diamond working end also has a central axis which intersects an apex of the pointed geometry. The axis is oriented between a 25 and 85 degree positive rake angle.
US08622153B2

A downhole assembly for insertion into a borehole comprising an articulated mandrel, a passive and an active damping mechanism operating on said mandrel for exercising control over torsional stick-slip and further proposing an improvement over the prior art which diminishes lateral shock.
US08622152B2

A down-the-hole drill hammer having a housing, a backhead and a tubular sliding check valve assembly that includes a distal end, a threaded male proximal end, a supply inlet and an exhaust port. The exhaust port communicates between an interior of the backhead and an exterior of the backhead. The tubular sliding check valve assembly includes a distributor, a sliding valve, and a biasing member. The distributor has a central opening extending through the distributor, an aperture extending through the distributor, and an exhaust gallery. The sliding valve is slidable along the central opening. The biasing member biases the sliding valve to a closed position.
US08622149B2

A ballistic transfer delay device and method of use. The ballistic transfer delay device does not include a firing pin and it is not pressure initiated. The device comprises a time delay fuse, a through-bulkhead initiator to initiate the time delay fuse, and an output booster to ballistically transfer the energy from the initiated time delay fuse.
US08622148B2

A hand-operated power tool, particularly a hammer drill (1), includes a drive motor (2), a tool spindle (3) to drive a tool in rotary manner, a rotary drive transmission (4) to couple the drive motor (2) to the tool spindle (3), a hammer mechanism (5) to drive the tool in percussive manner, a hammer mechanism transmission (6) to couple the drive motor (2) to the hammer mechanism (5), and a switching device (7) to activate and deactivate the hammer mechanism (5). The switching device (7) has a clutch (9) that is integrated in a force path (10) of the hammer mechanism transmission (6) and has an actuation stroke (11) for advancing and withdrawing the clutch (6), which stroke extends perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (8) of the tool spindle (3), or parallel to an axis of rotation (37) of an actuating element (28) that is rotated manually to actuate the switching device (7) for advancing and withdrawing the clutch (6).
US08622143B2

Device for transfer of equipment for a wireline operation in a well connected to a drilling derrick via a top drive. The device comprises a beam structured for releasable connection to said top drive; wherein the beam is structured in a manner allowing it to extend, when in its position of use, transversely relative to a center line between the top drive and the well; wherein the beam is provided with at least one hoisting device with a lifting line for vertical movement of said equipment; wherein a support point for the lifting line is connected to the beam and is structured so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the beam, whereby said equipment may be moved horizontally relative to said center line; and wherein said hoisting device and support point are structured for remote-controlled operation.
US08622137B2

There is disclosed a system comprising a subsea structure; and a carrier comprising an opening adapted to receive the subsea structure.
US08622135B2

Apparatus and methods for removing sand or other particulate from well fracturing return water are disclosed. In a sand separator box, a barrier element divides the tank into an upper compartment and a lower compartment. Particulate-laden return water flows through a gas separator and then into the upper compartment of the box. The barrier element allows the water in the upper compartment to pass into the lower compartment while keeping the sand or particulate in the upper compartment. As water accumulates in the lower compartment, it is pumped out to storage tanks or back to the well for reuse.
US08622134B2

Subterranean treatment fluids comprising one or more organic acids and methods of use in subterranean operations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a plurality of particulates, a gelling agent, and one or more organic acids; introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation; and depositing at least a portion of the particulates in a portion of the subterranean formation so as to form a gravel pack in a portion of the subterranean formation.
US08622128B2

Methods and related systems are described relating to monitoring particulates downhole at in-situ conditions. Solid particles being carried in the fluid as the fluid is produced from the reservoir formation are monitored. The downhole solid particle monitoring can include measuring the quantity (e.g., volume fraction, weight fraction, or the like) of solid particles, measuring the distribution of sizes of the solid particles, and/or measuring the shape of the particles. The solid particles can be monitored using one or more of sensors such as optical spectrometers, acoustic sensors, video cameras, and erosion probes. A sanding prediction is generated based at least in part on the monitoring of the solid particles, and the sanding prediction is then used to design a completion, lift system, and surface facilities for the wellbore and/or select operating conditions so as to control sanding during production.
US08622124B2

A technique provides an electric submersible pumping system to facilitate a well treatment, such as a hydraulic fracturing well treatment. The electric submersible pumping system is positioned downhole and oriented to intake a fluid delivered downhole for use in the well treatment. Once the fluid is delivered downhole, the electric submersible pumping system pumps, pressurizes and discharges this fluid to perform the well treatment, e.g. the hydraulic fracturing treatment. The pumping system reduces the pressure at which the treatment fluid must be delivered downhole.
US08622122B2

A rod reel includes a reel body having a central axis, a first rod receiving channel and a second rod receiving channel. The first and second rod receiving channels are centered about the central axis. The second rod receiving channel is adjacent to the first rod receiving channel. The rod reel may be used to repair a rod string by loading a supplemental rod string in one of the pockets, loading the rod string into another of the pockets, cutting the rod string, and attaching a desired length of the supplemental rod string to the cut in the rod string.
US08622118B2

An exemplary loop heat pipe includes an evaporator, a condenser, a vapor line and a liquid line each connecting the evaporator with the condenser to form a closed loop. A working medium is contained in the closed loop. A wick structure is received in the evaporator, and includes a bottom wall contacting the bottom plate, a support wall extending up from the bottom wall and contacting the cover plate, and guide walls extending out laterally from the support wall. The support wall separates an interior of the evaporator into a liquid chamber adjacent to the liquid line and a vapor chamber adjacent to the vapor line. The guide walls are located in the vapor chamber. Guide channels are defined between the guide walls for guiding the working medium in a vapor state to flow from the vapor chamber through the vapor line to the condenser.
US08622117B2

A heat pipe includes a casing, a main wick structure received in the casing, an auxiliary wick structure received in the main wick structure, and a working fluid contained in the casing. The main wick structure is attached to an inner surface of the casing. An inner peripheral surface of the main wick structure and an outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary wick structure cooperatively define a vapor channel. The auxiliary wick structure is hollow, and extends along a longitudinal direction of the casing. A liquid channel is defined in the auxiliary wick structure. Two ends of the auxiliary wick structure are both fixed on the two ends of the casing. The working fluid is saturated in the main wick structure and the auxiliary wick structure.
US08622114B2

A molded article includes a flat plate portion and a projected portion. A molding method includes filling a cavity with the semimolten or semisolid metal in plate thickness directions of the flat plate portion starting from a surface on an opposite side of the flat plate portion from the surface from which the projected portion projects. The cavity is a casting space of the molded article formed inside a forming mold. A molding apparatus for casting the molded article includes a forming mold having the cavity, and a separate insert or slide mold disposed between the cavity and a runner in order to form the runner in plate thickness directions of the flat plate portion starting from the other surface. The runner is used to fill the cavity.
US08622106B1

A pneumatic tire includes a carcass ply extending from one bead structure to another bead structure. Each bead structure includes a plurality of circumferentially wound metal wires defining a cross-sectional profile of a bead. The profile has a radial height to axial width ratio greater than 1.0 and a bead orientation angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.
US08622099B2

A hydrocarbon transfer arrangement for transfer of fluids between an offshore unit and a carrier which are placed in an offloading configuration, includes at least one transfer hose and a gas return hose, wherein the end of the at least one transfer hose is connected to a floating multi-function unit allowing for the transport of the transfer hose between the offshore unit and the carrier, wherein the floating multi-function unit can be lifted out of the water and can be held in a fixed position above water-level and is provided with connection elements for making a fluid connection between the transfer hose end and a manifold of the carrier and with emergency disconnect elements for the at least one transfer hose, placed at a distance from the connection elements.
US08622096B2

The spin improvement string pliers is a pivotally secured together plier device used to manually restructure and roughen the surface of a synthetic string on a strung tennis racquet by means of plastic deformation. The line grids on the pliers depress the string, leaving a series of indentations on the string surface that increases the friction between the string and the ball so that the tennis player can more easily generate top or under spin on a tennis ball or a racket ball.
US08622095B2

A structured fabric for use with a papermaking machine for the production of a fibrous web. The structured fabric includes a plurality of weft yarns and a plurality of warp yarns. The plurality of warp yarns interact with the weft yarns to produce a weave pattern. The plurality of warp yarns include a first set of warp yarns and a second set of warp yarns. The first set of warp yarns are woven as a plain weave. The second set of warp yarns form an impression layer. The first set of warp yarns are in a first plane, the second set of warp yarns have a surface in a second plane. The second plane is positioned farther from the machine facing side of the fabric than the first plan to form the impression layer. The first set of warp yarns have a first cross-sectional area and the second set of warp yarns have a second cross-sectional area. The first cross-sectional area is less than the second cross-sectional area.
US08622093B2

A vibration-resistant reinforced concrete watertight pipe, at opposite ends of which coupling units formed of a separate material are formed, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The vibration-resistant reinforced concrete watertight pipe includes a reinforced concrete pipe having a reinforcement mat, which is assembled with longitudinal reinforcements and transverse reinforcements, disposed in a concrete layer, and a convexity coupling part and a concavity coupling part that are coupled to opposite ends of the reinforced concrete pipe and have coupling ridges and coupling furrows respectively. Here, the coupling part and the concavity coupling part are formed of a synthetic resin, which is different in physical properties from the reinforced concrete pipe, and have the same shape and thickness as the reinforced concrete pipe. Each of the convexity coupling part and the concavity coupling part has a metal core installed therein to increase a coupling strength.
US08622084B2

A liquid-suctioning tank includes a liquid inflow port, a gas outflow port, a baffle plate and a guide member. The liquid inflow port communicates with an upper space of a surface of a liquid, and configured and arranged to be connected to a liquid-suctioning object. The gas outflow port communicates with the upper space, and configured and arranged to be connected to a suctioning device so that a negative pressure is applied to the upper space by the suctioning device to trap liquid from the liquid-suctioning object using suction. The baffle plate is disposed in the upper space so that the liquid flowing from the liquid inflow port collides against the baffle plate. The guide member has a guiding wall configured and arranged to guide the liquid that has collided with the baffle plate from the baffle plate toward the surface of the liquid.
US08622078B2

A method and apparatus for tapping into a pressurized multiple strings of coaxially situated tubulars for wells and/or platforms which have overturned wherein the tapping occurs underwater via a diver or remotely operated vehicle. The assembly includes a tapping tool connectable to the tubular via a saddle connection and an adjustable tapping clamp with adjustable support/locking feet, compression plate with view ports, and angularly adjustable hot tapping system, along with a drill/saw system.
US08622074B2

A venting system for a fuel tank may include a first vent valve having an inlet, an outlet through which fuel vapor may be vented from the fuel tank, and a valve. The first vent valve may be located within a first chamber of the fuel tank. A second vent valve may have an inlet, an outlet through which fuel vapor may be vented from the fuel tank, and a valve. The second vent valve may be located within a second chamber of the fuel tank that is separate from the first chamber during at least certain fuel levels within the fuel tank. The support may carry both the first and second vent valves within the fuel tank and be movably carried within the fuel tank to vary the height of the first and second valves within the fuel tank as the support moves relative to the fuel tank.
US08622070B2

A valve release mechanism has an actuator, a ring, a plurality of ball bearings, and a retainer. The retainer is positioned adjacent an inner diameter of the ring and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes therein. Each circumferentially spaced hole receives one of the plurality of ball bearings, which are movable therein. The ring has channels and lands along its inner diameter that allow the ball bearings to move varying distances relative to the retainer. The lands contact the ball bearings when the ring is in a first position and the channels receive the ball bearings when the ring is in a second position. The poppet has a groove that is vertically aligned with circumferentially spaced holes in the retainer when the poppet is in a first closed position. The ball bearings are pressed into the groove in the poppet by the lands of the ring. The resulting interference of the ball bearings with poppet locks the poppet in the first closed position. The ring can be moved from the first closed position to a second position by the actuator.
US08622069B2

A valve device for connecting two conduits in a unit for conducting a product comprises a first shut-off member and a second shut-off member and a first leakage space between the first and the second shut-off members, a first connection for one of the two conduits on a side of the first shut-off member facing away from the leakage space, and a second connection for the other of the two conduits on the side of the second shut-off member facing away from the leakage space. A third shut-off member and a fourth shut-off member and a second leakage space are present between the third and the fourth shut-off members, wherein a central third leakage space is present between the second and the third shut-off members, and wherein the second connection for the other of the two conduits is arranged on a side of the fourth shut-off member facing away from the second leakage space.
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