US08648639B2
A duty adjustment circuit is provided. The duty adjustment circuit is used to adjust a duty cycle of a first driving signal. The duty adjustment circuit includes a filter, a first comparator, and a first duty adjustor. The filter receives a comparison result signal and filters the comparison result signal to generate a duty information signal. The duty information signal indicates a duty cycle of the comparison result signal. The first comparator receives the duty information signal and determines whether a direct-current (DC) level of the duty information signal falls into a predefined voltage range to generate a first adjustment signal. The first duty adjustor receives the first adjustment signal and the first driving signal and adjusts the duty cycle of the first driving signal according to the first adjustment signal.
US08648613B2
In method and a control device for triggering person protection device, a signal of a planarly measuring environment sensor system and a second signal of a contact sensor system are evaluated separately in order to produce a respective trigger signal. These two trigger signals are then gated in order to produce a third trigger signal. A trigger circuit triggers the person protection device as a function of this third trigger signal.
US08648610B2
A signal input circuit includes: a signal input device having a signal input terminal; an inspection capacitor connected between the signal input terminal and a reference potential; a connection unit connecting/disconnecting an inspection path between the inspection capacitor and the signal input terminal; a charge and discharge unit charging/discharging the inspection capacitor; and a determination processing unit carrying out a terminal failure detection processing. The determination processing unit controls the connection unit to disconnect the inspection path and controls the charge and discharge unit to set the voltage of the inspection capacitor to a terminal inspection voltage in a charge and discharge procedure, controls the connection unit to connect the inspection path in a continuity establishing procedure, and detects the terminal failure at the signal input terminal or a communication path from the signal input terminal based on a voltage of the inspection path.
US08648606B2
A ground monitor is disclosed. The ground monitor may be configured to conduct a ground continuity test based on a determined ground resistance. The ground monitor may be operable to determine the ground resistance as a function of a voltage differential detected during application of a test current.
US08648605B2
This invention provides a sensor having such a structure that the area in which a sensor electrode comes into contact with a liquid, a mist or a gas containing an analyte has been previously specified. The sensor comprises at least an electroconductive first electrode, an electroconductive second electrode, electroconductive first and second wirings connected to the first and second electrodes, and an insulating part for insulating the first and second wirings from each other and from a liquid, a mist or a gas containing the analyte. The insulating part is formed of an organic material. In the first and second electrodes, at least the surface, which comes into contact with a liquid, a mist or a gas containing the analyte, is formed of a material which is insoluble in a liquid or a mist containing the analyte, or is not attacked by a gas containing the analyte.
US08648604B2
An ionization gauge to measure pressure and to reduce sputtering yields includes at least one electron source that generates electrons. The ionization gauge also includes a collector electrode that collects ions formed by the collisions between the electrons and gas molecules. The ionization gauge also includes an anode. An anode bias voltage relative to a bias voltage of a collector electrode is configured to switch at a predetermined pressure to decrease a yield of sputtering collisions.
US08648601B2
Method for control of stabilizer additives in electroless metal and metal alloy plating electrolytes
The present invention describes a method for the measurement of the stabilizer additive concentration in electroless metal and metal alloy plating electrolytes comprising a voltammetric measurement. Said method comprises the steps a. conditioning of the working electrode, b. interaction of intermediates on the working electrode, c. measurement of the Faradaic current and d. determining the Faradaic current.
US08648595B2
A method is disclosed for determining a location of a subarea of an area under examination in a magnetic resonance system. The subarea is arranged at the edge of a field-of-view of the magnetic resonance system. In at least one embodiment of the method, at least one slice position is determined for an MR image in which the B0 field at the edge of the MR image satisfies a homogeneity value. For the slice position determined an MR image is acquired which contains the subarea at the edge of the field-of-view and the location of the subarea of the object under examination is determined through the location of the subarea in the MR image.
US08648593B2
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with controlling a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus to perform a balanced steady state free precession (bSSFP) technique that includes magnetization preparation with differentiated velocity encoding and spoiling residual transverse magnetization are described. The example systems, methods, and other embodiments are also associated with acquiring a dark blood image in response to the bSSFP technique. A dark blood image is one in which NMR signal acquired from an object subjected to the bSSFP technique and magnetization preparation includes NMR signal from flowing spins and NMR signal from non-flowing spins in a desired ratio.
US08648587B2
The invention relates to the arrangement of a stepping switch on a control transformer, wherein either only the mechanical contact system (8) of the stepping switch or also its load changeover switch (7) is or are arranged within the tank (1) of the transformer, under the transformer cover (4) and above the iron yoke (3).
US08648584B2
A multi-hysteresis voltage controlled current source system having a variety of multi-hysteresis characteristics is provided. In the multi-hysteresis voltage controlled current source system, single-hysteresis voltage controlled current source circuits 21, 22, . . . 2N as fundamental components are connected in parallel, and a differential input voltage vid is applied to the single-hysteresis voltage controlled current source circuits 21, 22, . . . 2N, so that a plurality of discrete values of current can be output based on the single-hysteresis voltage controlled current source circuits 21, 22, . . . 2N.
US08648582B2
The present invention provides a programmable low dropout linear regulator using a reference voltage to convert an input voltage into a regulated voltage according to a control signal. The programmable low dropout linear regulator includes an operational amplifier having a negative input coupled to receive the reference voltage, a first transistor having a gate coupled to an output terminal of the operational amplifier and a first source/drain coupled to an output terminal of the regulated voltage, a first impedance coupled between a positive input of the operational amplifier and the output terminal of the regulated voltage, and a second impedance coupled between the positive input of the operational amplifier and a ground. The second impedance includes a second transistor having a gate coupled to receive the control signal.
US08648579B2
A supply circuit (1) comprising an inductor (2) coupled to switching means (7) and comprising a capacitor (4) is provided with an impedance (3) located between the inductor (2) and the capacitor (4), with a current injector (5) and with a feedback loop comprising a converter (6) for controlling the current injector (5) for compensating a ripple in an output voltage across the capacitor (4). The impedance (3) allows injection of a compensating current at a location different from an output location. This increases a number of possible detections of ripples in the output voltage and allows a ripple in an output voltage to be detected even in case of loads introducing much noise across the capacitor (4). The converter (6) detects a detection signal via the impedance (3) by measuring a voltage across the impedance (3) or across a serial circuit comprising the impedance (3) and the capacitor (4). The impedance (3) comprises a resistor or a further inductor.
US08648576B2
A first SVC is connected to a first bus. A first SVC control unit controls the first SVC. A first fluctuation-component-voltage generating unit includes a voltage reference circuit that outputs a voltage reference value. A second SVC is connected to a second bus. A second SVC control unit controls the second SVC. A second fluctuation-component-voltage generating unit includes a first-order-lag control block with limiter that generates a comparative voltage that follows a bus voltage of the second bus with a predetermined time lag characteristic and is limited within a predetermined range. An impedance value XS1 of slope reactance of the first SVC is set smaller than impedance value XS2 of slope reactance of the second SVC.
US08648571B2
When charging each electric power storage device from a power supply external to a vehicle is requested, then before each electric power storage device is charged the electric power storage devices charge/discharge therebetween. A battery ECU calculates a voltage-current characteristic of each electric power storage device, as based on each electric power storage device's voltage and current collected when the electric power storage devices charge/discharge therebetween. Each electric power storage device's OCV is calculated as based on the calculated voltage-current characteristic, and each electric power storage device's SOC is estimated from the calculated OCV.
US08648568B2
Systems and methods for management of a backup power system are described herein. At least one illustrative embodiment includes a backup power system configured to couple to a power source including a plurality of batteries, each comprising one or more cells, used to provide power if the power source fails, and processing logic coupled to the batteries and configured to monitor the state of each of the plurality of batteries and control the charging and discharging of each of the plurality of batteries. If the power source has not failed, the processing logic repeatedly and sequentially causes each battery to discharge while at least one of the remaining batteries remains fully charged, and monitors the power provided by the discharging battery. The processing logic determines the available energy stored in each fully charged battery based upon the power provided by the discharging battery during the time it takes to discharge.
US08648562B2
An apparatus for improving machine drive performance. The apparatus includes a controller configured to control an impedance of a converter. The converter is configured to be electrically coupled to a plurality of first ends of a plurality of windings of a machine. A plurality of second ends of the plurality of windings of the machine are configured to be electrically coupled to a power source.
US08648559B2
The system comprises a first motor for applying rotational energy to a respective first wheel of the vehicle. A second motor is arranged for applying rotational energy to a respective second wheel of the vehicle. A first inverter is coupled to the first motor, where the first inverter is capable of receiving direct current electrical energy from the direct current bus. The first inverter is configured to provide a first group of alternating currents with a corresponding reference phase. A second inverter is coupled to the second motor. The second inverter is capable of receiving direct current electrical energy from the direct current bus. The second inverter is configured to provide a second group of alternating currents with a phase shift with respect to the reference phase, such that the phase shift is effective to reduce the direct current ripple on the direct current bus.
US08648555B2
A data processor determines whether a composite torque command is larger than a preset torque threshold for a time interval. The composite torque command is convertible into a direct-axis current command and a quadrature-axis current command. The data processor determines whether a rotor speed of the motor is less than a preset speed threshold for the time interval. The data processor, the current adjustment module, or the current shaping module adjusts the direct-axis current command and the quadrature-axis current command to obtain a revised direct-axis current command and revised quadrature-axis current command for the time interval if the composite torque command is larger than the preset torque threshold and if the rotor speed is less than the preset speed threshold, where the revised current commands vary by the detected rotational position of the rotor to achieve a generally constant shaft torque output.
US08648553B2
The present invention relates to a system for controlling rotational speed on a rotating process machine (P), which for example is a turbine or a propeller, where the rotating process machine (P) is connected to at least one motor (M1) and arranged to rotate with a given rotational speed given by the motor (M1), the motor (M1) is connected to a control system (C) and the rotational speed of the motor (M1) is arranged to be controlled by a control system (C). The rotating process machine (P) comprises a load control (PC) arranged to be adaptable, the control system (C) is connected to the rotating process machine (P). With the invention, one achieves soft transitions between several selectable rotational speeds and lower energy consumption by step by step adjusting the size and the rotational speed of the motor (M1) to varying energy requirement.
US08648549B2
After discharge has begun in a high pressure discharge lamp, constant current control is performed so a lamp current becomes 4 [A]. Then, the current supplied to a pair of electrodes in the lamp is controlled so an electrode tip temperature t [degrees C.] at this time and an electrode tip temperature T [degrees C.] during stable lighting satisfy the relationship t [degrees C.]<=1.1 T [degrees C.]. When a power of the lamp reaches a rated power value, power control is changed to constant power control. This method enables suppressing an excessive rise in the temperature of the electrode tips in an initial lighting interval from lighting commencement until stable lighting, thereby preventing an increase in arc length due to melting of the electrode tips. Accordingly, illuminance does not readily decrease, particularly in a lamp unit including a high pressure discharge lamp mounted to a reflecting mirror.
US08648547B2
An LED lighting system may include one or more light-emitting diodes and one or more power management modules. Components of the LED lighting system may be selected and arranged, for example, to match a load voltage to an operating voltage. Matching the load voltage to the operating voltage may enable efficient use of power by the LED lighting system. A method of selecting components of the LED lighting system is provided. For example, the components may be selected based on a target luminance and a given operating voltage. The method may be facilitated and/or implemented with a computer.
US08648543B1
An illumination driving circuit for driving a light-emitting load includes a system voltage source, a switch component, an inductor component, an inductor-current sensing module and a control module. The switch component is coupled between the system voltage source and the light-emitting load. The inductor component is connected in series between the system voltage source and the light-emitting load. The inductor-current sensing module includes a sensing resistor component connected in series between the switch component and the inductor component. The control module is configured for controlling the conductive state of the switch component. An inductor-current sensing terminal of the controlling module is coupled to a node between the sensing resistor component and the switch component. The control module calculates an inductor-current through the inductor component according to a voltage level on the inductor-current sensing terminal.
US08648541B2
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided that include alterable characteristics and such alterable characteristics may be coordinated. Such systems, apparatuses, and methods may include wearable apparatuses and such alterable characteristics may relate to illumination conditions. In one example, a wearable apparatus includes an illumination device that may be manually manipulated between two different illumination conditions. In another example, two wearable apparatuses may each include an illumination device and operation of the two illumination devices may be coordinated. In a further example, operation of an apparatus may be controlled by a third party or venue. Still another exemplary system may include a capturing device for capturing a characteristic of an object and controlling an output device of an apparatus to operate with the same characteristic as the captured characteristic.
US08648534B2
The present invention relates to the new structure antenna to create the uniform large area plasma using microwave. The microwave antenna to create the plasma of present invention comprises the waveguide, main body of antenna and the coaxial structure connecting part which connects said waveguide and said main body of antenna electrically, the main body of antenna comprises the conductive block in donut shape forming multiple slots, and notches are formed between the multiple slots of the conductive block and multiple permanent magnets are inserted into the notches. The multiple slots can be formed by passing through the inside and outside of the conductive block and the multiple slots can be formed with repetitive square wave pattern.
US08648515B2
An electric motor has a pair of brushes for transferring power to windings of a wound rotor by making sliding contact with a cylindrical commutator. Each brush has a body with a pair of end surfaces, and a contact surface extending between the end surfaces and configured to slidingly contact a cylindrical circumferential surface of the commutator. The extending direction of the contact surface is inclined relative to the axial direction of the commutator, and the contact surface is V-shaped when viewed in the extending direction thereof.
US08648511B2
A magnetic component part for a rotor assembly of an electromechanical transducer is provided. The magnetic component part includes a base element having a first side and an opposing second side, a permanent magnet, attached to the base element at the first side, and a mounting structure fixed to the base element at the second side and adapted to be mechanically connected to a support structure of the rotor assembly. The permanent magnet is located in an offset position with respect to a central axis of the mounting structure, which central axis extends from the mounting structure through the second side to the first side. A rotor assembly, an electromechanical transducer and a wind turbine, which are all equipped with at least four magnetic component parts are also provided as well as a method for manufacturing a rotor assembly including at least four magnetic component parts.
US08648508B2
A small electric motor is disclosed, such as a claw pole motor. An exemplary small electric motor includes a housing, a stator having at least two stator windings, a rotor having a rotational axis, and a flexible conductor foil for the electrical connection of the stator windings. The conductor foil includes winding connection contacts, external connection contacts and conductor paths between the winding connection contacts and the external connection contacts. Taps of the stator windings are electrically contacted with the winding connection contacts of the conductor foil. The conductor foil can be configured as an elongated strip having at least two connection portions which are arranged in spaced-apart relationship with each other and include winding connection contacts.
US08648506B2
Some embodiments of the invention provide an electric machine module including a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly can include a rotor hub, a first set of rotor laminations which can include a portion having a first inner radius, and a second set of rotor laminations which can include a portion having a second inner radius larger than the first inner radius. At least one circumferential flow channel defined by the first set of rotor laminations, the second set of rotor laminations, and the rotor hub can at least partially circumscribe the rotor hub.
US08648498B1
The invention is a novel photovoltaic power system that uses a number of relatively low-power DC to polyphase AC power converters distributed within the photovoltaic array field. In prior art megawatt-scale systems, typically one or two central power converters would be used for every 1 MW of solar photovoltaic array. With the present invention, 100 distributed power converters may be used per megawatt. The distributed power converters are sized to convert power from one or two series string of crystalline modules or from a greater but limited number of thin-film module strings and in both cases at the highest possible DC and therefore AC grid-tie voltages, with respect to module ratings and local safety code compliance.
US08648494B2
An uninterruptible power supply and a method of power saving thereof the uninterruptible power supply includes a switch and a backup power generator. The switch is coupled to a public power and a load, and backup power generator is coupled to the switch, the public power, and the load. Furthermore, the backup power generator is for controlling the switch and providing backup power for the load when the public power fails. Additionally, the backup power generator stops working in response to a trigger signal outputted from the load while the load is disabled.
US08648493B2
A charging system for a mobile device such as a computer, and method of operating the same are disclosed. The computer is a system that includes: a system unit being provided with power output to an operation power supply terminal to carry out an operation; a battery unit outputting battery power to the operation power supply terminal; and a solar power unit being provided with feedback on a voltage of the operation power supply terminal and outputting solar power corresponding to a predetermined operational level of the system unit to the operation power supply terminal.
US08648490B2
A system configured to power a vehicle or vessel. The system may include an enhanced power control system. The enhanced power control system having a distributed architecture such that power conversion and/or management is provided for individual energy supplies and/or system loads. The distributed architecture of the power control system may enhance the power efficiency of the vehicle or vessel. The distributed architecture of the power control system may enable a plurality of different energy supplies and/or system loads to be incorporated into the power system in a selectable, configurable manner. This may facilitate the addition and/or subtraction of energy supplies and/or system loads from the system to customize the vehicle or vessel for a specific use and/or mission without having to reconfigure the power control system as a whole.
US08648487B2
A shaft power plant for energy conversion of a discharge between a headwater and a tailwater, comprising a vertical shaft, the top of which forms an inflow plane which is parallel to the bed and extends below the headwater water level, wherein the shaft is open toward the top and is closed by a base at its bottom end, a unit composed of a turbine and an electrical machine, wherein the unit is arranged entirely under water in the shaft and wherein the turbine is arranged for water to pass through horizontally, and an outflow, which is connected to the turbine, represents a closed flow channel and leads through a through-passage in the shaft to the tailwater, wherein a horizontal first cross-sectional area of the shaft is much larger than a vertical second cross-sectional area taken up by the turbine runner.
US08648486B2
A tidal energy storage, power generation method is disclosed. During one tidal period, the method includes the following steps: during the early stage, forming a float into an enclosed hollow float; during the flood tide stage, converting the ascending potential energy of the float into the gravity potential energy of an energy storage assembly; during the slack water stage, charging the float with water; and during the tide ebbing stage, forming the float into an enclosed body filled with water, and converting the descending potential energy of the float into the gravity potential energy of the energy storage assembly. A tidal energy storage, power generation system is also disclosed. The system can improve the utilization rate of the tidal energy.
US08648481B2
The present invention is a wind generator system particularly suitable for small wind applications that harnesses low velocity wind. The wind generator system has a drive shaft; retreating blades and advancing blades attached to the drive shaft and extending radially outwardly therefrom; a generator assembly coupled to the drive shaft for generating electrical power; and a housing having an inner chamber for receiving the blades and a wind directional apparatus that operates to adjust wind speed of the wind and to channel wind along a desired pathway towards the retreating blades and blocks airflow from impinging on the advancing blades.
US08648476B2
The present invention provides a dicing tape-integrated wafer back surface protective film including: a dicing tape including a base material and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed on the base material; and a wafer back surface protective film formed on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of the dicing tape, in which the wafer back surface protective film is colored. It is preferable that the colored wafer back surface protective film has a laser marking ability. The dicing tape-integrated wafer back surface protective film can be suitably used for a flip chip-mounted semiconductor device.
US08648469B2
A semiconductor device includes a wafer level substrate having a plurality of first conductive vias formed through the wafer level substrate. A first semiconductor die is mounted to the wafer level substrate. A first surface of the first semiconductor die includes contact pads oriented toward a first surface of the wafer level substrate. A first encapsulant is deposited over the first semiconductor die. A second semiconductor die is mounted to the wafer level substrate. A first surface of the second semiconductor die includes contact pads oriented toward a second surface of the wafer level substrate opposite the first surface of the wafer level substrate. A second encapsulant is deposited over the second semiconductor die. A plurality of bumps is formed over the plurality of first conductive vias. A second conductive via can be formed through the first encapsulant and connected to the first conductive via. The semiconductor packages are stackable.
US08648467B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment includes: forming a first stacked-structure; forming a first stripe part and a first hook part at the first stacked-structure; forming a second stacked-structure on the first stacked-structure; forming a second stripe part and a second hook part at the second stacked-structure; repeating the above-described four steps for a certain number of times; and forming a contact plug contacting the first or second hook parts. The etching is conducted to remove the first stacked-structure in a region at which the second hook part is to be formed in the second stacked-structure higher than the first stacked-structure by one layer. The etching is conducted to remove the second stacked-structure in a region at which the first hook part is to be formed in the first stacked-structure higher than the second stacked-structure by one layer.
US08648466B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a metallization for at least one contact pad and a semiconductor wafer having metallization for at least one contact pad. The invention relates to a metallization (and a semiconductor wafer having corresponding metallization) and to a method for the production thereof that first of all can be produced by means of physical gas phase separation (dry separation) and secondly ensures sufficient adhesion of a lot bump. The method for producing a metallization (40) for at least one contact pad (20) according to the invention comprises the following process steps: applying at least one contact pad (20) to a substrate (10), applying a barrier layer (30) to the top side of the at least one contact pad (20) and applying a metallization (40) to the top side of the barrier layer (30), characterized in that the barrier layer (30) and the metallization (40) are applied by means of physical separation and that the metallization (40) is designed as a layer structure having two multiple alternating metallization layers (41, 42), wherein the first metallization layer (41) is made of nickel or an Ni alloy having a layer thickness of less than 500 nm and the second metallization layer (42) is made of a material that is different than nickel and is electrically conductive.
US08648453B2
In a POP type semiconductor device comprising a second semiconductor package as an upper package stacked on a first semiconductor package as a lower package, a plurality of main surface-side lands formed on a first wiring substrate of the first semiconductor package are disposed distributively on both sides of a chip mounting region as a boundary positioned at a central part of a main surface of the first wiring substrate, thus permitting the adoption of a through molding method. Consequently, a first sealing body formed on the main surface of the first wiring substrate in the first semiconductor package as a lower package extends from one second side of the first wiring substrate toward a central part of the other second side of the same substrate.
US08648448B2
A plurality of stacked semiconductor wafers each contain a plurality of semiconductor die. The semiconductor die each have a conductive via formed through the die. A gap is created between the semiconductor die. A conductive material is deposited in a bottom portion of the gap. An insulating material is deposited in the gap and over the semiconductor die. A portion of the insulating material in the gap is removed to form a recess between each semiconductor die extending to the conductive material. A shielding layer is formed over the insulating material and in the recess to contact the conductive material. The shielding layer isolates the semiconductor die from inter-device interference. A substrate is formed as a build-up structure on the semiconductor die adjacent to the conductive material. The conductive material electrically connects to a ground point in the substrate. The gap is singulating to separate the semiconductor die.
US08648441B2
A semiconductor device has a substrate; a multi-layered interconnect formed on the substrate, and having a plurality of interconnect layers, each of which being configured by an interconnect and an insulating layer, stacked therein; a memory circuit formed in a memory circuit region on the substrate in a plan view, and having a peripheral circuit and at least one capacitor element embedded in the multi-layered interconnect; and a logic circuit formed in a logic circuit region on the substrate, wherein the capacitor element is configured by a lower electrode, a capacitor insulating film, an upper electrode, an embedded electrode and an upper interconnect; the top surface of the upper interconnect, and the top surface of the interconnect configuring the logic circuit formed in the same interconnect layer with the upper interconnect, are aligned to the same plane.
US08648440B2
A semiconductor device includes: a substrate configured to include cell regions and a peripheral region around the cell regions; storage nodes arranged in each of the cell regions; a first support pattern configured in each cell region to support the storage nodes; and a second support pattern configured in the peripheral region to couple first support patterns to each other.
US08648433B2
A method for producing oblique surfaces in a substrate, comprising a formation of recesses on both surfaces of the substrate, until the recesses are so deep that the substrate is perforated by the two recesses. One recess is produced going out from a first main surface in the region of a first surface, and the other recess is produced going out from the second main surface in the region of a second surface, so that the first surface and the second surface do not coincide along a surface normal of the main surfaces of the substrate. Subsequently, flexible diaphragms are attached over the recesses on each of the main surfaces. If a vacuum pressure is then produced inside the recesses, the flexible diaphragms each curve in the direction of the recesses until their surfaces facing the substrate come into contact with one another, generally in the center of the recesses.
US08648426B2
A transistor including a source; a drain; a gate region, the gate region including a gate; an island; and a gate oxide, wherein the gate oxide is positioned between the gate and the island; and the gate and island are coactively coupled to each other; and a source barrier and a drain barrier, wherein the source barrier separates the source from the gate region and the drain barrier separates the drain from the gate region.
US08648422B2
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate made of first semiconductor having a first lattice constant; an isolation region formed in the semiconductor substrate and defining active regions; a gate electrode structure formed above each of the active regions; dummy gate electrode structures disposed above a substrate surface and covering borders between one of the active regions on both sides of the gate electrode structure and the isolation region; recesses formed by etching the active regions between the gate electrode structure and dummy gate electrode structures; and semiconductor layers epitaxially grown on the recesses and made of second semiconductor having a second lattice constant different from the first lattice constant.
US08648414B2
Semiconductor structures that include bodies of a semiconductor material spaced apart from an underlying substrate. The bodies may be physically separated from the substrate by at least one of a dielectric material, an open volume and a conductive material. The bodies may be electrically coupled by one or more conductive structures, which may be used as an interconnect structure to electrically couple components of memory devices. By providing isolation between the bodies, the semiconductor structure provides the properties of a conventional SOI substrate (e.g., high speed, low power, increased device density and isolation) while substantially reducing fabrication acts and costs associated with such SOI substrates. Additionally, the semiconductor structures of the present disclosure provide reduced parasitic coupling and current leakage due to the isolation of the bodies by the intervening dielectric material.
US08648413B2
A super-junction trench MOSFET with split gate electrodes is disclosed for high voltage device by applying multiple trenched source-body contacts with narrow CDs in unit cell. Furthermore, source regions are only formed along channel regions near the gate trenches, not between adjacent trenched source-body contacts for UIS (Unclamped Inductance Switching) current enhancement.
US08648412B1
In one embodiment, a structure for a trench power field effect transistor device with controlled, shallow, abrupt, body contact regions.
US08648410B2
An electronic device can include a gate electrode and a gate tap that makes an unlanded contact to the gate electrode. The electronic device can further include a source region and a drain region that may include a drift region. In an embodiment, the gate electrode has a height that is greater than its width. In another embodiment, the electronic device can include gate taps that spaced apart from each other, wherein at least some of the gate taps contact the gate electrode over the channel region. In a further embodiment, at a location where the gate tap contacts the gate electrode, the gate tap is wider than the gate electrode. A variety of processes can be used to form the electronic device.
US08648404B2
A three-dimensional semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of conductive layers and insulating layers, and a plurality of contacts. The plurality of conductive layers and insulating layers are stacked alternately above the semiconductor substrate. The plurality of contacts extend in a stacking direction of the plurality of conductive layers and insulating layers. The plurality of conductive layers form a stepped portion having positions of ends of the plurality of conductive layers gradually shifted from an upper layer to a lower layer. The plurality of contacts are connected respectively to each of steps of the stepped portion. The stepped portion is formed such that, at least from an uppermost conductive layer to a certain conductive layer, the more upwardly the conductive layer is located, the broader a width of the step is.
US08648394B2
A method for forming a conformal buffer layer of uniform thickness and a resulting semiconductor structure are disclosed. The conformal buffer layer is used to protect highly-doped extension regions during formation of an epitaxial layer that is used for inducing mechanical stress on the channel region of transistors.
US08648393B2
An accumulation mode transistor has an impurity concentration of a semiconductor layer in a channel region at a value higher than 2×1017 cm−3 to achieve a large gate voltage swing.
US08648392B2
A plurality of PMOS transistors are provided on a substrate along an X-axis direction such that a gate length direction of each of the PMOS transistors is parallel to the X-axis direction. A plurality of NMOS transistors are provided on the substrate along the X-axis direction such that a gate length direction of each of the NMOS transistors is parallel to the X-axis direction, and each of the plurality of NMOS transistors is opposed to a corresponding one of the PMOS transistors in the Y-axis direction. Gate lines respectively correspond to the PMOS transistors and the NMOS transistors, and are arranged parallel to each other and extend linearly along the Y-axis direction such that each of the gate lines passes through gate areas of the PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors which correspond to each of the gate lines.
US08648361B2
An organic light emitting diode display includes a display substrate including a plurality of organic light emitting diodes, a plurality of color filters on the plurality of organic light emitting diodes respectively corresponding thereto, and a plurality of light scattering particles dispersed in the plurality of color filters.
US08648358B2
A mortar-shaped or funnel-shaped light emitting device (50) includes: a substrate (20); at least one LED chip (25) die-bonded to the substrate (20); and a wavelength converting portion (40) covering said at least one LED chip (25); at least four planes uprising from the substrate (20); and a lens having a top surface (10a) facing the substrate (20), the four planes being positioned in four directions, respectively, in such a manner as to surround said at least one LED chip (25), and the top surface (10a) having a concave portion.
US08648353B2
Silicon carbide semiconductor device includes trench, in which connecting trench section is connected to straight trench section. Straight trench section includes first straight trench and second straight trench extending in parallel to each other. Connecting trench section includes first connecting trench perpendicular to straight trench section, second connecting trench that connects first straight trench and first connecting trench to each other, and third connecting trench that connects second straight trench and first connecting trench to each other. Second connecting trench extends at 30 degrees of angle with the extension of first straight trench. Third connecting trench extends at 30 degrees of angle with the extension of second straight trench. A manufacturing method according to the invention for manufacturing a silicon carbide semiconductor device facilitates preventing defects from being causes in a silicon carbide semiconductor device during the manufacture thereof.
US08648350B2
Provided is a gallium nitride-based compound semiconductor light-emitting element, in which the concentration of Mg which is a p-type dopant in a p-GaN layer in which the (10-10) m-plane of a hexagonal wurtzite structure grows is adjusted in a range from 1.0×1018 cm−3 to 9.0×1018 cm−3.
US08648341B2
Methods and apparatuses for sharing test pads among function blocks under test within multiple layers of a die are disclosed. A semiconductor wafer comprises a first die and a second die separated by a scribe line. A first pad, a second pad, and a third pad are located in the scribe line. The test pads may be located within a die as well. The first pad and the second pad are used to test a first function block within a first layer, and the first pad and the third pad are used to test a second function block within a second layer of the first die. The shared first test pad are used to test multiple function blocks contained in different layers of the die. Therefore fewer test pads are needed which leads to reduced area for scribe lines in a wafer.
US08648340B2
A FET for driving an electric motor includes a source electrode. The source electrode has main electrode surfaces to which bonding wires, through which a drive current for an electric motor passes, are joined, and inspection electrode surfaces that are arranged so as to be independent of and apart from the main electrode surfaces. The inspection electrode surfaces are provided so as to contact a probe of an inspection device that performs an inspection of the FET 3.
US08648338B2
The present invention provides a TFT that has a channel length particularly longer than that of an existing one, specifically, several tens to several hundreds times longer than that of the existing one, and thereby allowing turning to an on-state at a gate voltage particularly higher than the existing one and driving, and allowing having a low channel conductance gd. According to the present invention, not only the simple dispersion of on-current but also the normalized dispersion thereof can be reduced, and other than the reduction of the dispersion between the individual TFTs, the dispersion of the OLEDs themselves and the dispersion due to the deterioration of the OLED can be reduced.
US08648337B2
A stratified organic light-emitting diode structure includes a thin-film transistor and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED). The OLED is fabricated on a planarization layer that has a top surface substantially parallel to the substrate, and the layers in the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) are substantially parallel to each other. The major part of each OLED layer has a uniform thickness so that the OLED produces a uniform brightness. The planarization layer covers the thin-film transistor entirely and the planarization layer on top of the thin-film transistor is also covered by an insulation layer. In order to electrically connect the top electrode of the OLED to the drain terminal of the thin-film transistor, an opening is made through both the top insulating layer and the planarization layer to expose part of the drain terminal. Spacers with uniform height are fabricated on the top insulating layer to protect the pixel structure.
US08648331B2
Computing bus devices that enable quantum information to be coherently transferred between topological and conventional qubits are disclosed. A concrete realization of such a topological quantum bus acting between a topological qubit in a Majorana wire network and a conventional semiconductor double quantum dot qubit is described. The disclosed device measures the joint (fermion) parity of the two different qubits by using the Aharonov-Casher effect in conjunction with an ancillary superconducting flux qubit that facilitates the measurement. Such a parity measurement, together with the ability to apply Hadamard gates to the two qubits, allows for the production of states in which the topological and conventional qubits are maximally entangled, and for teleporting quantum states between the topological and conventional quantum systems.
US08648319B2
The invention relates to a device for generating electromagnetic THz radiation with free electron beams, comprising a dynatron tube, where the dynatron tube comprises an electron source, an extraction grid, and, an anode preferably coated with a material composition for high secondary electron emission, arranged in vacuum. The dynatron tube is connected to a voltage supply supplying an extractor voltage and an anode voltage and the extractor voltage is higher than the anode voltage. An oscillator modulates the anode voltage and the anode voltage is set to a work point voltage.
US08648313B2
A silicon drift detector has an X-ray detection device, an electrode terminal subassembly for electrical connection, a Peltier device, and first and second shields formed between the electrode terminal subassembly and the Peltier device. The first shield is made of a material consisting chiefly of an element having an atomic number smaller than the average atomic numbers of the elements included in the material of the Peltier device. The second shield is made of a material consisting chiefly of an element having an atomic number greater than the atomic numbers of the elements included in the material of the Peltier device.
US08648312B2
A method of manufacturing a radiation detection apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a first scintillator layer, a second scintillator layer, and a sensor panel that detects light emitted by the first scintillator layer and the second scintillator layer. The method comprises preparing a sensor unit having the sensor panel and the first scintillator layer which includes a set of columnar crystals formed on the sensor panel, and a scintillator panel having a scintillator substrate and the second scintillator layer which includes a set of columnar crystals formed on the scintillator substrate, and fixing the scintillator panel to the sensor panel such that the first scintillator layer and the second scintillator layer face each other.
US08648311B2
A radiation detector including a scintillator structure comprising a first plane and a second plane which are not positioned on the same plane, the scintillator structure having an optical waveguiding property in a direction between the first plane and the second plane; and a two-dimensional light receiving element formed of multiple pixels which are disposed parallel to either one of the first plane and the second plane. The radiation detector includes at least one smoothness-deteriorate region which is positioned in one of the first plane and the second plane of the scintillator structure and has an area of 1/6 or more of a light receiving area of each of the multiple pixels. The region is repaired by an optically transparent material so as to be smoothed.
US08648309B2
Proppant placed in a subterranean fracture zone is detected with a spectral identification method in which capture gamma ray spectra are obtained during a logging run carried out with a logging tool having a neutron emitting source and at least one detector sensitive to thermal neutron capture gamma rays. Capture gamma rays from one or more high thermal neutron cross-section materials in the proppant are distinguished from capture gamma rays produced by thermal neutron capture reactions with other downhole formation and borehole constituents utilizing a spectral processing/deconvolution technique. The capture gammas rays from the high thermal neutron capture cross section material in the proppant are used to identify propped fracture zones either alone or in combination with other proppant identification methods which rely on measuring thermal neutron related count rates and/or thermal neutron capture cross-sections from neutron, compensated neutron, and/or pulsed neutron capture logging tools.
US08648307B2
An infrared ray detector comprises a prism element, a condenser lens, and an infrared ray receiving unit. The prism element is configured to convert the infrared ray irradiated from a detection area of a viewing field to the infrared ray proceeding toward the condenser lens. The condenser lens is configured to concentrate the infrared ray into the infrared ray receiving unit. The infrared ray receiving unit includes a plurality of the infrared ray detection elements. The infrared ray detection elements are arranged in an alternate fashion so as to output electrical signals of positive polarity and negative polarity. Consequently, the infrared ray detector is configured to detect the infrared ray irradiated from a plurality of the detection area, and is configured to detect the infrared ray on the basis of movement of the human in the detection area.
US08648299B2
Ion microscope methods and systems are disclosed. In general, the systems and methods involve relatively light isotopes, minority isotopes or both. In some embodiments, an isotope of Neon is used.
US08648297B2
An apparatus to separate and analyze components of a liquid sample include a high performance liquid chromatograph with a mass spectrometer utilizing desorption electrospray ionization. This permits separation and evaluation of different components in a liquid sample. Further, this can be combined with online derivation via reactive DESI and, further, can be used with further electrochemistry.
US08648294B2
Among other things, methods, systems, apparatus for performing on-the-fly apportionment are described. In particular, a mass spectrometry apparatus includes an ionization laser to produce a deionization laser beam. The apparatus also includes a particle beam path that receives aerosol particles and intersects the ionization laser beam at a location where aerosol particles are desorbed and ionized by the laser beam. The apparatus also includes an ion extractor located at or near the ionization location to separate positive ions and negative ions desorbed from the aerosol particles and to direct the positive ions along a first direction of an ion path and the negative ions along a second, opposite direction of the ion path. The apparatus also includes a first reflectron located at a first side of the ion extractor, on the ion path, to reflect the positive ions along a first reflection path that deviates from the ion path.
US08648292B2
A photoelectric switch reduces a cost load of a user while ensuring its protection function inherent to safety equipment without impairing its safety function, and an optical scanning type photoelectric switch is provided with a muting function settable by the user, which is a function of temporarily invalidating sensing of part or the whole of a protection area, and is provided with two output systems, with respect to each of which the muting function is settable and on each output of which an inspection signal is superimposed at a different timing in a time-division manner.
US08648282B2
A cooking apparatus and method of assembling the same includes an outer shell including a base, a heating element positioned inside the outer shell, and a thermally conducting liner removably located inside the outer shell over the heating element. The liner includes an annular flange, and a first integral handle including a first latch. The apparatus and method further includes a lid configured to be placed over the liner, the lid including a sealing ring at an outer edge of the lid, and a top surface, wherein the first latch is configured to contact the top surface of the lid to secure the lid to the annular flange of the liner.
US08648277B2
Laser direct ablation (LDA) produces patterns cut into a dielectric layer for the formation of electrically conductive traces with controlled signal propagation characteristics. LDA processing includes selecting a dose fluence for removing a desired depth of material along a scribe line on a surface of a workpiece, selecting a temporal pulsewidth for each laser pulse in a series of laser pulses, and selecting a pulse repetition frequency for the series of laser pulse. The pulse repetition frequency is based at least in part on the selected temporal pulsewidth to maintain the selected dose fluence along the scribe line. The selected pulse repetition frequency provides a predetermined minimum overlap of laser spots along the scribe line. The LDA process further includes generating a laser beam including the series of laser pulses according to the selected dose fluence, temporal pulsewidth, and pulse repetition frequency.
US08648274B2
Methods, systems, apparatus and devices for an arc resistant electrical enclosure that includes a duct system of adjacent pressure relief chambers separated by flame arresting ventilation partitions to provide a torturous mechanical maze to relieve internal pressure and extinguish internal hot flames within the flame arresting duct system prior to exiting the enclosure expelling gasses into the external environment. The adjacent partitioned pressure relief chambers for routing pressure and or flames through the duct system with ninety degree turns from one pressure relief chamber into the next adjacent pressure relief chamber. In an embodiment, a set of ventilation panels is located within one or more of the adjacent pressure relief chambers and each next pressure relief chamber can have a volume that is less than the volume in the preceding chamber.
US08648264B2
A terminal box comprises a box casing 2 including terminal elements incorporated into the interior thereof; a lid element 4 for closing an opening of the box casing; and an engaging mechanism 7 for fixedly engaging an engaging element 5 provided in the lid element with an engaged element 6 provided in the box casing by pressing the lid element against the box casing. The engaging element includes a projecting piece 21 extending in a pressing direction of the lid member, and an engaging pawl 23 extending in a direction vertical to the extending direction of the projecting piece and provided in part of the projecting piece other than a distal end portion 22 of the projecting piece. The engaged element has a receiving hole 24 opening toward an outer side of the box casing and allowing the distal end portion of the projecting piece to be exposed to the outside when engaged with the engaging pawl.
US08648262B2
The invention relates to an embedded multi-layer circuit board and a noise suppression method. The embedded multi-layer circuit board comprises at least two ground layers, a power layer and a plurality of vias. The power layer is between two ground layers. Each via is electrically connected with the two ground layers and electrically isolated from the power layer. The power layer is divided to a plurality of periodical cells. Each cell comprises the same number of the vias.
US08648258B2
A port entry device (100) is described for inserting a telecommunication cable (60) containing optical fibers into a telecommunications enclosure (300). In particular, the port entry device (100) is an oval port sealing device. The port entry device includes a tubular housing (110), a split sleeve (130) and a pair of clamping nuts (120). The tubular housing has an interior passageway (113) between a first end (110a) of the housing and a second end (110b) of the housing. The interior passageway can include a first cable channel (111) and a second cable channel (112). The housing can have an elliptical cross section. The split sleeve (130) positions the telecommunication cable (60) within the port entry device (100) when the split sleeve (130) is inserted into the interior passageway (113) of the housing (110). The clamping nuts are attachable to the second end (110b) of the housing to secure the split sleeve (130) within the housing (110).
US08648250B2
A multi-stack semiconductor device comprises: a substrate; a first conductive layer, a first group of the semiconductor material layers and a second group of the semiconductor material layers. The first conductive layer is formed on the substrate scribed by laser on the bottom of the first conductive layer to form a plurality of the first scribe lines. The first group of the semiconductor material layers is formed on the first conductive layer, and the second group of the semiconductor material layers is formed on the first group of the semiconductor material layers. The first group of the semiconductor material layers and the second group of the semiconductor material layers are simultaneously scribed by laser on bottom of the first group of the semiconductor material layers to form a plurality of the second scribe lines. Each second scribe line is comprised of a plurality of the second pores. The second conductive layer is formed on the second group of the semiconductor material layers and is scribe by laser on the bottom of the first group of the semiconductor material layers to form a plurality of the third scribe lines. The second pores are shortened for shortening the horizontal distance of the first scribe lines and the second scribe lines and/or the horizontal distance of the second scribe lines and the third scribe lines.
US08648247B2
A SolarTurf unit has a plurality of solar blades, each blade comprising a donor-acceptor conjugated polymer (DA-CP) disposed between and electrically contacting a working electrode and a counter electrode where at least one of electrodes is transparent and where the plurality of solar blades have like or different DA-CPs having like color or different colors, for example, green. The SolarTurf unit includes an interconnect strip having a first electrically conductive surface and a second electrically conductive surface separated by an insulator. The working electrodes are electrically connected to the first electrically conductive surface and the counter electrodes are electrically connected to the second electrically conductive surface. The SolarTurf units can be combined into a device for harvesting light energy to provide an electric output. The SolarTurf device can have the appearance of a lawn or other plant, fungi, rock, sand or animal.
US08648242B2
Embodiments are directed to a novel technique used to create electronic apparel that is powered by batteries and generates light, or sound in reaction to various sensors on the garment. The wearer through the use of various options or effects can further modify the output through the use of various options or effects. The electronic apparel includes an image of an instrument and a keypad that allows for user control of sounds generated by electronic circuits incorporated in the garment. Sound generation circuitry and speakers are coupled to the keypad in an electronic assembly that is detachably coupled to the garment in such a way as to allow regular washing of the garment without any damage to the electronic devices.
US08648236B2
A keyboard apparatus wherein a hammer body having movable and stationary engagement portions is configured such that, in its pivotal movement in a forward direction, a click feeling in a key depression touch is generated when the movable engagement portion comes into contact with and gets over the stationary engagement portion, wherein a distance from a hammer pivot shaft to the movable engagement portion at a certain key stroke position in a key depression stroke becomes smaller with an increase in a pressing drive force, and wherein the movable engagement portion comes into contact with the stationary engagement portion in the pivotal movement in the forward direction where a magnitude of the pressing drive force is less than a prescribed value, and the movable engagement portion does not come into contact with the same where the magnitude of the force is equal to or larger than the prescribed value.
US08648229B2
The present invention relates generally to transcriptional control sequences for effecting expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant. More particularly, the present invention relates to transcriptional control sequences that direct specific or preferential expression of an operably connected nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant seed or one or more particular cell or tissue types therein.
US08648224B2
A process for making a bio-naphtha and optionally bio-propane from a complex mixture of natural occurring fats & oils, wherein said complex mixture is subjected to a refining treatment for removing the major part of non-triglyceride and non-fatty acid components, thereby obtaining refined fats & oils; said refined fats & oils are transformed into linear or substantially linear paraffin's as the bio-naphtha by an hydrodeoxygenation or from said refined fats & oils are obtained fatty acids that are transformed into linear or substantially linear paraffin's as the bio-naphtha by hydrodeoxygenation or decarboxylation of the free fatty acids or from said refined fats & oils are obtained fatty acids soaps that are transformed into linear or substantially linear paraffin's as the bio-naphtha by decarboxylation of the soaps.
US08648218B2
In an embodiment of the disclosure, a method for preparing a phenolic compound is provided. The method includes providing a lignin depolymerization product, and hydrogenating the lignin depolymerization product under iron oxide and hydrogen gas to prepare a phenolic compound. The prepared phenolic compound is a crude phenolic composition including phenol, methylphenol, dimethylphenol or a combination thereof.
US08648213B2
Disclosed herein are compositions comprising an amide related to a prostaglandin and a biogenic amine. Other aspects relate to certain chemical compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treating glaucoma.
US08648209B1
A biodiesel plant includes a loop-shaped reactor which circulates reactants, e.g., feed stock and a methanol catalyst mixture through mesh to mix the reactants and form crude biodiesel. The feed stock is preferably heated to about 200 to 210° F. After the reaction, methanol may be recovered. There may also be a tank for removal of glycerin from the crude biodiesel. In another embodiment, there is a method for reacting the feed stock and methanol catalyst mixture by circulating the reactants through a turbulence-creating path, such as by using mesh in the reactor.
US08648204B2
1-Phenyl-2-pyridinyl alkyl alcohol compounds are effective as inhibitors of the phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) enzyme and may be used to prevent and/or treat certain diseases or conditions.
US08648199B2
The anti-angiogenic drug AMG 706 is provided in amorphous form. Also provided is AMG 706 drug substance wherein the AMG 706 is present, in at least a detectable amount, as amorphous AMG 706. Also provided is an AMG 706-crystallization inhibitor composite comprising particles of amorphous AMG 706 or a AMG 706 drug substance of the invention in intimate association with one or more crystallization inhibitors, for example polymers. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising such an AMG 706-crystallization inhibitor composite and one or more excipients. Also provided are processes for preparing amorphous AMG 706, AMG 706 drug substance of the invention, an AMG 706-crystallization inhibitor composite of the invention, and a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Also provided is a method of treating a medical condition or disorder in a subject where treatment with an anti-angiogenic is indicated, comprising administering, for example orally, a composition of the invention in a therapeutically effective amount.
US08648186B2
The invention relates to antisense oligonucleotidic sequences (ODN) against Smad7 suitably modified, and their uses in medical field as therapeutic biological agents, in particular in the treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
US08648185B2
The present invention concerns methods and reagents useful in modulating gene expression in a variety of applications, including use in therapeutic, diagnostic, target validation, and genomic discovery applications. Specifically, the invention relates to synthetic chemically modified small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules capable of mediating RNA interference (RNAi) against target nucleic acid sequences. The small nucleic acid molecules are useful in the treatment of any disease or condition that responds to modulation of gene expression or activity in a cell, tissue, or organism.
US08648178B2
The present invention relates to a method for purifying a protein belonging to the TGF-β, superfamily, preferably BMP, and more preferably BMP-2. According to the invention, the number of purification steps is reduced and the purification process is simplified, compared to the conventional BMP-2 purification method. Thus, the time required for purification can be shortened and the cost can be reduced. In addition, the invention solves the problem that as the time for purification increases and the number of purification steps increases, BMP-2 is degraded by protease or lost during purification steps, resulting in a decrease in the final yield of BMP-2. Thus, the invention increases the final yield of BMP-2. In addition, according to the invention, although the number of purification steps is reduced, BMP-2 having high purity is obtained in high yield by optimizing and using filtrations and chromatographies, and columns, types and concentrations of buffers, and a cut-off size of membrane used in diafiltration, which are different from those of the conventional BMP-2 purification method.
US08648168B2
A biodegradable polyesteretheramide for manufacturing films and molded products, for example for application in the protection of foodstuff products and films for agriculture, contains a compound with at least 3 groups capable of reacting with one or several types of the active groups present in the reaction mixture, that is, compounds which, while containing ether groups in their structure, have active groups capable of reacting in the reaction mixture to form amide groups, and which simplifies and shortens the preparation process, reducing its economic cost and obtaining products of greater transparency and higher strain at failure, while maintaining other properties such as resistance to tearing and puncture, and allowing greater widths of films to be made with smaller thicknesses.
US08648156B2
Polymerization process in a slurry loop reactor having a slurry loop reaction zone with a volume of at least 50 m3 and an internal diameter (D) of 50 cm or greater, a feed inlet for monomers and diluent, a catalyst inlet for polymerisation catalyst, and a discharge conduit for removal of polymer. Monomer, diluent and catalyst are passed into the reaction zone through their respective inlets where they form a slurry of polymer solids having a polymer solids concentration in the reaction zone of greater than 20 wt %. The space-time yield (STY) is greater than 100 kg/h/m3, and the catalyst inlet is an inlet pipe such that no part of the inlet pipe protrudes beyond the wall of the reaction zone and into the reaction zone by more than 1/10th of the diameter of the reaction zone at the point where the inlet pipe joins the reaction zone.
US08648151B2
The invention provides a piezoelectric polymer material including a helical chiral polymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 1,000,000 and having optical activity, the piezoelectric polymer material having a piezoelectric constant d14 at 25° C. of 10 pC/N or more, a degree of crystallinity obtained by X-ray diffraction of from 40% to 80%, and a haze of from 0.5 to 30.
US08648149B2
The invention relates to the field of chemistry and relates to radically coupled PTFE polymer compounds that can be used, for example, as tribo materials, and a method for the production thereof. The object of the invention is to disclose radically coupled PTFE polymer compounds which exhibit improved wear resistances with comparable gliding properties, and furthermore a simple and efficient method for the production of such compounds. The object is attained through radically coupled PTFE polymer compounds comprising radiation-chemically and/or plasma-chemically modified PTFE powders, on the particle surface of which olefinically unsaturated polymers are chemically radically coupled by a reactive conversion into a melt. The object is further attained through a method for producing radically coupled PTFE polymer compounds, in which PTFE powders are reactively converted with reactive perfiuoroalkyl-(peroxy) radical centers after a radiation-chemical and/or plasma-chemical modification into a melt with the addition of olefinically unsaturated polymers.
US08648145B2
The present invention relates to a thermoplastic elastomer vulcanizate having two respectively thermoplastic and liquid silicone elastomer phases, and the preparation process thereof. The invention also provides a elastomer having a first phase (A) based on at least one thermoplastic polymer; a second phase based on at least one two-component (B1 and B2) liquid silicone elastomer crosslinked by hydrosilylation; and a system for compatibilizing these phases that includes: at least one polymer (C1) chosen from grafted polyolefins, terpolymers containing poly(vinylaromatic/conjugated diene/methyl methacrylate) blocks, terpolymers containing poly(methyl methacrylate/alkyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate) blocks, ethylene/alkyl(meth)acrylate/acrylic acid terpolymers and polymers resulting from at least one glycidyl ester; and a polyorganosiloxane (C2) with SiH functional group(s), in order to obtain a homogeneous dispersion of these phases by reactive extrusion with at least the second phase which is continuous therein, according to a particular injection sequence and particular shear and temperature conditions, this blend having improved mechanical properties.
US08648138B2
Disclosed is a new composition of matter comprising a polymeric material of photosynthetic origin having embedded therein small particles of an inorganic material. The composition of matter is particularly suitable for use in processes whereby the polymeric material is converted to fuels in liquid or gas form, and/or to the valuable specialty chemicals. The polymeric material comprises biomass. More specifically, the polymeric material comprises cellulose and at least one of hemicellulose and lignin.
US08648130B2
The present invention provides a resin composition which enables to obtain a transparent member having excellent transparency, high refractive index and high strength and an optical component composed of such a transparent member. A resin composition of the present invention comprises a polymerizable compound or a resin component and an organically modified fine particle produced in the presence of a high-temperature high-pressure water as a reaction field, in which an organic material is bonded to the surface of a metal fine particle.
US08648129B2
A method of producing a synthetic composition having properties of marble includes blending a polymer resin with a stone gravel bit to form a mixture. The method also includes processing the mixture of polymer resin with the stone gravel bit to produce a synthetic marble composition through a polymerization of the mixture that is cast in a casting cell. Further, the method may include preparing a mold to form a casting cell, removing air bubbles from the mixture of polymer resin with the stone gravel bit to enhance a physical property of the synthetic marble material, casting the mixture in the casting cell, polymerizing the cast mixture through an autoclave polymerization of the mixture at a pressure ranging from 1 to 10 atmospheres and a temperature ranging from 50° to 100° C. to prepare the synthetic marble material composition, and curing the synthetic marble sheet in an oven.
US08648128B2
A polymer-bound writing substance for writing, drawing and/or painting tools, particularly for pencils or colored pencils, including at least one polymer bonding agent, at least one wax, and at least one filler material, wherein the writing substance is further provided with 0.1 to 5 wt % of palm kernel oil, and/or coconut butter, and/or coconut oil, and/or oleic acid.
US08648126B2
The present invention relates to new, radiation-curable coating compositions producing coatings of high flexibility and enhanced tensile strength.
US08648125B2
Disclosed is silsesquioxane resin composition that contains a free radical curable functional group that is stabilized with a hydrophilic inhibitor. The hydrophilic inhibitor that has the capability to scavenge free radicals such as ascorbic acid or salicylic acid is used to stabilize the resin. The resins are useful in semiconductor formation such as for anti-reflective coatings, hardmasks or photoresist layers.
US08648123B2
The present invention relates to blowing agent compositions comprising the unsaturated halogenated hydroolefin 3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFO 1243zf) and combinations including primarily 3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFO 1243zf). The blowing agent compositions are useful in that they provide sufficient plasticization to permit the production of low density insulating thermoplastic foams with improved k-factor.
US08648121B2
The present invention relates to processes for hydromethanating a nickel-containing (and optionally vanadium-containing) carbonaceous feedstock while recovering at least a portion of the nickel content (and optionally vanadium content) originally present in the carbonaceous feedstock.
US08648113B2
The present invention relates to a compound derived from mycelium of Antrodia camphorata. The present invention also relates to the composition or mycelium comprising the compounds of the invention. The composition of the invention decreases systolic blood pressure and increases high density lipoprotein.
US08648110B2
Selected 2-arylacetic acids, their derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions that contain these compounds are useful in inhibiting chemotactic activation of neutrophils (PMN leukocytes) induced by the interaction of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) with CXCR1 and CXCR2 membrane receptors. The compounds are used for the prevention and treatment of pathologies deriving from their activation. In particular, 2(ortho)-substituted arylacetic acids or their derivatives, such as amides and sulfonamides, lack cyclo-oxygenase inhibition activity and are particularly useful in the treatment of neutrophil-dependent pathologies such as psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, melanoma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bullous pemphigoid, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic fibrosis, glomerulonephritis and in the prevention and treatment of damages caused by ischemia and reperfusion.
US08648109B2
Novel forms of atorvastatin magnesium salt designated Form A, Form B, Form C, Form D, Form E, and Form F, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, methods for their preparation and methods utilizing the compounds for treatment of hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and Alzheimer's disease are described.
US08648108B2
Anti-cancer coating compositions comprising 3-hydroxymethyl-5-aziridinyl-1-1-methyl-2-[1H-indole-4,7-dione]propenol (E09) are disclosed. More specifically, the coating compositions comprise EO9 and a formulation vehicle. The formulation vehicle improves the solubility and stability of EO9. Additionally, the coating compositions can include coating agents that provide better adhesion of the coating composition to the bladder wall during intravesical delivery of the coating composition.
US08648099B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I, wherein R1 to R5 are defined in the description and claims, and to pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention relates also to the manufacture of said compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and methods for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases which can be treated with HDL-cholesterol raising agents, such as dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
US08648097B2
The present invention provides a novel pyridylaminoacetic acid compound represented by the following formula (1): (wherein R1, R2, R3, Y and Z are as defined in the description and claims), or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof. The pyridylaminoacetic acid compound has EP2 agonistic action and is therefore useful as a therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
US08648094B2
Disclosed herein is an isomer, enantiomer, diastereoisomer or tautomer of a compound represented by Formula I: or a prodrug, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or labeled with a detectable label or an affinity tag thereof; wherein R1, R1a, R100, R100a, R2, R200, W, B, and W1 are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using compounds of Formula I to treat proliferative disorders such as cancer.
US08648092B2
The present invention relates to hydroxamate compounds which are inhibitors of histone deacetylase. More particularly, the present invention relates to imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine containing compounds and methods for their preparation. These compounds may be useful as medicaments for the treatment of proliferative disorders as well as other diseases involving, relating to or associated with enzymes having histone deacetylase activities (HDAC).
US08648088B2
The present invention relates to ethynyl derivatives of formula I wherein G, X, R1, R2, R3, R3′, R4, and R4′ are as defined herein or to a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt, to a racemic mixture, or to its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer and/or stereoisomer thereof. Compounds of formula I are positive allosteric modulators (PAM) of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5).
US08648078B2
The present invention relates to novel crystalline, water-soluble salts of a plk inhibitor. Such crystal salts are for example L-tartrate, succinate, phosphate, mesylate, maleate, L-malate, hydrochloride, fumarate (half mole of counterion), fumarate, citrate (half mole of counterion), benzenesulfonate and L-aspartate (half mole of counterion). New crystal forms of the base as well as solvates and hydrates of such new salt forms, a process for their preparation, their utility in therapy and to the pharmaceutical compositions containing them are also claimed and described in the present application.
US08648074B2
The present application relates to: (a) compounds of Formula (I): and salts thereof, wherein Z′, Z″, L2, G2, R1, and R2 are as defined in the specification; (b) compositions comprising such compounds and salts; and (c) methods of use of such compounds, salts, and compositions, particularly use as calcium channel blockers.
US08648073B2
Provided are certain dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use therefor.
US08648072B2
The present invention provides novel pyrazolines that are useful as cannabinoid receptor blockers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of using the same for treating obesity, diabetes, inflammatory disorders, cardiometabolic disorders, hepatic disorders, and/or cancers.
US08648069B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutical acceptable salts, wherein A, R1, R2, R3 and m, are defined in the description. The present invention relates also to methods of making said compounds, and compositions containing said compounds which are useful for inhibiting kinases such as Glycogen Synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3), Rho kinase (ROCK), Janus Kinases (JAK), Cdc7, AKT, PAK4, PLK, CK2, KDR, MK2, JNK1, aurora, pim 1 and nek 2.
US08648067B2
The present invention provides compounds of formula I: their use as H3 antagonists/inverse agonists, processes for their preparation, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
US08648061B2
The use of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the ω-3 series such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 ω-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 ω-3), or their pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives is described for the primary prevention of major cardiovascular events in subjects who have not undergone previous infarct episodes.
US08648054B2
The present invention relates to the use of nucleoside derivatives of formula Ia wherein the symbols are as defined in the specification, and of pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.
US08648049B2
The invention provides a method for in vitro formation of anthocyanic vacuolar inclusion (AVI)-like structures, the method comprising the step of combining at least one anthocyanin, and b) at least one lipid. The invention also provides AVI-like structures produced by the method of the invention, compositions comprising such AVI-like structures, and uses of such AVI-like structures.
US08648045B2
The present invention relates generally to the mitochondrial protein, voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), polynucleotides encoding same and variants thereof, as well as peptide fragments, peptide derivatives and analogs. In particular, the present invention is directed to VDAC1 and specific amino acid and polynucleotide sequences thereof useful in inducing or regulating apoptosis and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising same useful in the treatment of diseases associated with aberrant apoptosis.
US08648043B2
A method of inhibiting the binding between N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and neuronal proteins in a neuron the method comprising administering to the neuron an effective inhibiting amount of a peptide replacement agent for the NMDA receptor or neuronal protein interaction domain that effect said inhibition of the NMDA receptor neuronal protein. The method is of value in reducing the damaging effect of injury to mammalian cells. Postsynaptic density-95 protein (PSD-95) couples neuronal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) to pathways mediating excitotoxicity and ischemic brain damage. This coupling was disrupted by transducing neurons with peptides that bind to modular domains on either side of the PSD-95/NMDAR interaction complex. This treatment attenuated downstream NMDAR signaling without blocking NMDAR activity, protected cultured cortical neurons from excitotoxic insults and dramatically reduced cerebral infarction volume in rats subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia. The treatment was effective when applied either before, or one hour after, the onset of excitotoxicity in vitro and cerebral ischemia in vivo. This approach prevents negative consequences associated with blocking NMDAR activity and constitutes practical therapy for stroke.
US08648031B2
The present invention relates to novel macrocyclic lactones, to processes for their preparation and to their use as fragrances and also to products comprising the novel macrocyclic lactones.
US08648029B2
The present invention relates to liquid compositions provided with durable pearlescent appearance, and to a process of producing said compositions.
US08648024B2
A cleanser composition is provided which includes: (i) from 0.01 to 5% by weight of a hydrophobic or cationic silica having a number average particle size ranging from 1 to 30,000 nm; (ii) from 0.1 to 30% by weight of a non-soap synthetic surfactant; and wherein the composition exhibits a UMT Test number of rubs to stick-slip from 1 to 12 under a 20 g load, and a foam volume ranging from 200 to 800 ml using a SITA Foam Tester.
US08648023B2
A process for inhibiting dyed hair fibers from losing their color during shampooing involving contacting the dyed hair fibers with a composition containing: (a) at least one polyamine compound having at least two amino groups; (b) at least one anionic silicone; and (c) optionally, at least one surfactant, and wherein (a) is present in the composition in an amount sufficient to inhibit the dyed hair fibers from losing their color during shampooing.
US08648020B2
Overbased MgO dispersions with high magnesium content and acceptably low viscosities are prepared without gel formation by heating to 280-360° C. under high pressure in a sealed reactor a mixture of MgO, selected dispersants, low MW carboxylic acids, water and a hydrocarbon solvent having a boiling point below 280° C. No additional solubilizing or dispersing agents, promoters or reactants such as carbon dioxide, amines, alcohols etc are needed to obtain the desired dispersions. Compositions such as lubricating oils and fuels containing the overbased magnesium dispersions as additives are also disclosed.
US08648015B2
The present invention provides methods for protein engineering. Specifically, the invention provides methods utilizing site evaluation libraries to design libraries that optimize two or more properties of a protein.
US08648014B2
The invention relates to herbicidal compositions, their preparation, and their use for controlling unwanted vegetation. The compositions include an effective amount of an active compound combination that includes: (a) a substituted thien-3-yl-sulphonylaminocarbonyltriazolinone of formula (I-2) or salts thereof; and (b) at least one of the known herbicides listed in the disclosure and, (c) optionally a safener.
US08648012B2
The present invention relates to herbicidal compositions comprising a) a herbicide compound A which is selected from Λ/-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (naptalam), the salts and esters thereof; and b) a herbicide compound B which is selected from b.1 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba), the salts and esters thereof; b.2 quinolinecarboxylic acid herbicides; b.3 pyridinecarboxylic acid herbicides; and b.4 aminocyclopyrachlor, the salts and esters thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of these compositions for controlling undesirable vegetation, in particular in crops, in turf or pasture, in rangeland, in fallow, or in forestry.
US08648010B2
The present invention relates to a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet including a dye receiving layer which contains a resin (A) including a graft polymer containing a main chain segment (A1) formed of a polyester resin having an acid value of from 5 to 40 mgKOH/g and a side chain segment (A2) formed of an addition polymer-based resin, wherein the segment (A1) is obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component containing an alkyleneoxide adduct of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane in an amount of 60 mol % or more with a carboxylic acid component, and the segment (A2) contains a constitutional unit derived from an aromatic group-containing addition-polymerizable monomer in an amount of 85% by weight or more.
US08648002B2
The present invention relates to a porous metal organic framework comprising a bidentate organic compound coordinated to a metal ion selected from the group of metals consisting of Al, Fe and Cr, with the bidentate organic compound being derived from a dicarboxylic acid, wherein the framework has a structure whose projection along [001] has a pattern in which each side of a hexagon is bounded by a triangle. The present invention further relates to shaped bodies and a process for preparing the porous metal organic framework and its use.
US08648000B2
Process for producing homopolymers or copolymers of conjugated dienes by contacting monomeric material including at least one conjugated diene with a catalyst system comprising (A) a first transition metal compound selected from Cr, Mo and W compounds, and a second transition metal compound selected from Fe, Co and Ni compounds, (B) a catalyst modifier and, optionally, (C) one or more catalyst activators.
US08647993B2
Described are methods of making silicon nitride (SiN) materials and other silicon-containing films, including carbon-containing and/or oxygen-containing films such as SiCN (also referred to as SiNC), SiON and SiONC films, on substrates. According to various embodiments, the methods involve electromagnetic radiation-assisted activation of one or more reactants. In certain embodiments, for example, the methods involve ultraviolet (UV) activation of vapor phase amine coreactants. The methods can be used to deposit silicon-containing films, including SiN and SiCN films, at temperatures below about 400° C.
US08647990B2
Methods of patterning low-k dielectric films are described.
US08647988B2
A memory device includes a mesa structure and a word line. The mesa structure, having two opposite side surfaces, includes at least one pair of source/drain regions and at least one channel base region corresponding to the pair of source/drain regions formed therein. The word line includes two linear sections and at least one interconnecting portion. Each linear section extends on the respective side surface of the mesa structure, adjacent to the channel base region. The at least one interconnecting portion penetrates through the mesa structure, connecting the two linear sections.
US08647984B2
The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: an insulating layer forming step of forming an insulating layer made of an insulating material containing Si and O; a groove forming step of forming a groove in the insulating layer; a metal film applying step of covering the inner surface of the groove with a metal film made of MnOx (x: a number greater than zero) by sputtering; and a wire forming step of forming a Cu wire made of a metallic material mainly composed of Cu on the metal film.
US08647980B2
Disclosed is a method of forming wiring. The method includes the steps of: depositing a metal thin film (12) of copper (Cu) on a glass substrate (11) serving as a base; forming an insulating film or a metal insulating film (131) containing no Cu on the metal thin film (12); patterning a photoresist (14) by photolithography on the insulating film (131); etching a liner film (13) by isotropic dry etching using the photoresist (14) as an etching mask; and after the etching of the liner film (13), removing the photoresist (14), and then removing part of the metal thin film (12) by isotropic wet etching using the liner film (13) as an etching mask, thereby forming metal wiring (12a).
US08647979B2
Conductive lines are deposited on a substrate to produce traces for conducting electricity between electronic components. A patterned metal layer is formed on the substrate, and then a layer of material having a low thermal conductivity is coated over the patterned metal layer and the substrate. Vias are formed through the layer of material having the low thermal conductivity thereby exposing portions of the patterned metal layer. A film of conductive ink is then coated over the layer of material having the low thermal conductivity and into the vias to thereby coat the portions of the patterned metal layer, and then sintered. The film of conductive ink coated over the portion of the patterned metal layer does not absorb as much energy from the sintering as the film of conductive ink coated over the layer of material having the low thermal conductivity. The layer of material having the low thermal conductivity may be a polymer, such as polyimide.
US08647973B2
A semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same reduce the likelihood of the occurrence of electrical defects. The device includes a first interlayer insulating film on a semiconductor substrate; a contact pad spacer on the first interlayer insulating film; and a contact pad in the first interlayer insulating film and the contact pad spacer. The cross-sectional area of an upper portion of the contact pad in the contact pad spacer in a direction horizontal to the substrate is equal to or less than a cross-sectional area of an intermediate portion at an interface between the contact pad spacer and the first interlayer insulating film in a direction horizontal to the substrate.
US08647972B1
Embodiments relate to a field-effect transistor (FET) replacement gate apparatus. The apparatus includes one or more of a substrate and insulator including a base and side walls defining a trench. A high-dielectric constant (high-k) layer is formed on the base and side walls of the trench. The high-k layer has an upper surface conforming to a shape of the trench. A first layer is formed on the high-k layer and conforms to the shape of the trench. The first layer includes an aluminum-free metal nitride. A second layer is formed on the first layer and conforms to the shape of the trench. The second layer includes aluminum and at least one other metal. A third layer is formed on the second layer and conforms to the shape of the trench. The third layer includes aluminum-free metal nitride.
US08647971B2
An integrated circuit, including a junction barrier Schottky diode, has an N type well, a P-type anode region in the surface of the well, and an N-type Schottky region in the surface of the well and horizontally abutting the anode region. A first silicide layer is on and makes a Schottky contact to the Schottky region and is on an adjoining anode region. A second silicide layer of a different material than the first silicide is on the anode region. An ohmic contact is made to the second silicide on the anode region and to the well.
US08647955B2
Methods for forming an electrostatic discharge protection (ESD) clamps are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes forming at least one transistor having a first well region of a first conductivity type extending into a substrate. At least one transistor is formed having another well region of a second opposite conductivity type, which extends into the substrate to partially form a collector. The lateral edges of the transistor well regions are separated by a distance D, which at least partially determines a threshold voltage Vt1 of the ESD clamp. A base contact of the first conductivity type is formed in the first well region and separated from an emitter of the second conductivity type by a lateral distance Lbe. The first doping density and the lateral distance Lbe are selected to provide a parasitic base-emitter resistance Rbe in the range of 1
US08647954B2
One embodiment of the present invention comprises a transistor having a source/drain region within a substrate, an extension region within the substrate adjoining the source/drain region and extending toward a gate on the substrate, and a dielectric spacer against the gate wherein the dielectric spacer covers at least part of the extension region. A silicide intermix layer is formed over both the source/drain region and a portion of the extension region. A silicide contact is formed through the silicide intermix layer over the source/drain region.
US08647951B2
Generally, the present disclosure is directed to various methods of making a semiconductor device by implanting hydrogen or hydrogen-containing clusters to improve the interface between a gate insulation layer and the substrate. One illustrative method disclosed herein involves forming a gate insulation layer on a substrate, forming a layer of gate electrode material above the gate insulation material and performing an ion implantation process with a material comprising hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing compound to introduce the hydrogen or hydrogen-containing compound proximate an interface between the gate insulation layer and said substrate with a concentration of the implanted hydrogen or hydrogen-containing compound being at least 1e10 ions/cm2.
US08647948B2
In the manufacturing steps of a super-junction power MOSFET having a drift region having a super junction structure, after the super junction structure is formed, introduction of a body region and the like and heat treatment related thereto are typically performed. However, in the process thereof, a dopant in each of P-type column regions and the like included in the super junction structure is diffused to result in a scattered dopant profile. This causes problems such as degradation of a breakdown voltage when a reverse bias voltage is applied between a drain and a source and an increase in ON resistance. According to the present invention, in a method of manufacturing a silicon-based vertical planar power MOSFET, a body region forming a channel region is formed by selective epitaxial growth.
US08647943B2
A metal oxide first electrode material for a MIM DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the first and/or second electrode materials or structures contain layers having one or more dopants up to a total doping concentration that will not prevent the electrode materials from crystallizing during a subsequent anneal step. Advantageously, the electrode doped with one or more of the dopants has a work function greater than about 5.0 eV. Advantageously, the electrode doped with one or more of the dopants has a resistivity less than about 1000 μΩ cm. Advantageously, the electrode materials are conductive molybdenum oxide.
US08647940B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a first select transistor, first stepped portion, and a first contact plug. The first select transistor is formed on a side of an upper surface of a substrate and has a first multi-layer gate. The first stepped portion is formed by etching the substrate adjacent to the first multi-layer gate of the first select transistor such that the first stepped portion forms a cavity in the upper surface of the substrate. The first contact plug is formed in the first stepped portion.
US08647936B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes forming a replacement gate structure on a portion of a semiconductor substrate, wherein source regions and drain regions are formed in opposing sides of the replacement gate structure. A dielectric is formed on the semiconductor substrate having an upper surface that is coplanar with an upper surface of the replacement gate structure. The replacement gate structure is removed to provide an opening to an exposed portion of the semiconductor substrate. A functional gate conductor is epitaxially grown within the opening in direct contact with the exposed portion of the semiconductor substrate. The method is applicable to planar metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) and fin field effect transistors (finFETs).
US08647935B2
A method patterns at least one pair of openings through a protective layer and into a substrate. The openings are positioned on opposite sides of a channel region of the substrate. The method forms sidewall spacers along the sidewalls of the openings and removes additional substrate material from the bottom of the openings. The material removal process creates an extended bottom within the openings. The method forms a first strain producing material within the extended bottom of the openings. The method removes the sidewall spacers and forms a second material within the remainder of the openings between the first strain producing material and the top of the openings. The method removes the protective layer and forms a gate dielectric and a gate conductor on the horizontal surface on the substrate adjacent the channel region. The second material comprises source and drain regions.
US08647934B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) including a gate, a gate insulator, an oxide semiconductor channel layer, a source, and a drain is provided. The gate insulator covers the gate, while the oxide semiconductor channel layer is configured on the gate insulator and located above the gate. The oxide semiconductor channel layer includes a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer located on the first sub-layer. An oxygen content of the first sub-layer is lower than an oxygen content of the second sub-layer. The source and the drain are configured on a portion of the second sub-layer. In addition, a fabricating method of the above-mentioned TFT is also provided.
US08647929B2
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes a semiconductor device comprising a workpiece, the workpiece including a first region and a second region proximate the first region. A first material is disposed in the first region, and at least one region of a second material is disposed within the first material in the first region, the second material comprising a different material than the first material. The at least one region of the second material increases a first stress of the first region.
US08647924B2
A method of forming a device stack is presented. The method includes providing a temporary substrate having a temporary mounting surface. A first chip is temporarily mounted to the temporary mounting surface. A first bottom surface of the first chip is temporarily mounted to the temporary mounting surface and a first top surface of the first chip comprises first interconnects. A second chip is stacked on the first chip. The second chip includes second conductive contacts on the second bottom surface. The method also includes bonding the first and second chips together to form the device stack. The second conductive contacts are coupled to the first interconnects. The first bottom surface of the first chip is separated from the substrate to separate the chip stack from the substrate.
US08647917B2
A method of manufacturing a solar cell includes the following steps. An ion implantation process is performed to a first surface of a substrate to form a first doping layer. Then, the ion implantation process is performed to a second surface of the substrate to form a second doping layer. After that, an annealing process is performed to the structure formed by the substrate, the first doping layer and the second doping layer, and forming a first passivation layer on the first doping layer and a second passivation layer on the second doping layer by the annealing process. A third passivation layer is formed on the first passivation layer formed after the annealing process and a fourth passivation layer is formed on the second passivation layer formed after the annealing process. Afterward, conductive electrodes are formed on the third passivation layer and the fourth passivation layer, respectively.
US08647907B2
A method includes the step of preparing a GaN-based substrate 10, the step of forming on the substrate a nitride-based semiconductor multilayer structure including a p-type AldGaeN layer (p-type semiconductor region) 26, the p-type AldGaeN layer 26 being made of an AlxInyGazN semiconductor (x+y+z=1, x≧0, y≧0, z≧0), and a principal surface of the p-type AldGaeN layer 26 being an m-plane, the step of forming a metal layer 28 which contains at least one of Mg and Zn on the principal surface of the p-type AldGaeN layer 26 and performing a heat treatment, the step of removing the metal layer 28, and the step of forming a p-type electrode on the principal surface of the p-type AldGaeN layer 26, wherein the heat treatment causes a N concentration to be higher than a Ga concentration in the p-type AldGaeN layer 26.
US08647905B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes an n-type semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor layer, and a light emitting part provided therebetween. The light emitting part includes a plurality of light emitting layers. Each of the light emitting layers includes a well layer region and a non-well layer region which is juxtaposed with the well layer region in a plane perpendicular to a first direction from the n-type semiconductor layer towards the p-type semiconductor layer. Each of the well layer regions has a common An In composition ratio. Each of the well layer regions includes a portion having a width in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of 50 nanometers or more.
US08647901B2
There is provided a method of forming a nitride semiconductor layer, including the steps of firstly providing a substrate on which a patterned epitaxy layer with a pier structure is formed. A protective layer is then formed on the patterned epitaxy layer, exposing a top surface of the pier structure. Next, a nitride semiconductor layer is formed over the patterned epitaxy layer connected to the nitride semiconductor layer through the pier structure, wherein the nitride semiconductor layer, the pier structure, and the patterned epitaxy layer together form a space exposing a bottom surface of the nitride semiconductor layer. Thereafter, a weakening process is performed to remove a portion of the bottom surface of the nitride semiconductor layer and to weaken a connection point between the top surface of the pier structure and the nitride semiconductor layer. Finally, the substrate is separated from the nitride semiconductor layer through the connection point.
US08647893B1
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of modifying a decomposed integrated circuit (IC) layout. The method includes providing a decomposed IC layout, the decomposed IC layout including a set of colors; determining a density of each color in the decomposed IC layout, wherein each color includes a plurality of features formed by a related exposure; separating the decomposed IC layout into a set of tiles; determining a first color with a minimum density in one tile of the set of tiles and a second color with a maximum density in tile, the first color including a first set of first features and the second color including a first set of second features; and replacing the first set of second features on the tile with a second set of first features, and the first set of first features on the tile with a second set of second features.
US08647888B2
An immunoassay test strip includes a sample pad for receiving a liquid patient sample; a conjugate pad fluidly coupled to the sample pad, wherein the conjugate pad contains a substantially uniform application of conjugate reagent; a contact pad fluidly coupled to the conjugate pad; a porous or bibulous member, e.g., made from nitrocellulose, fluidly coupled to the contact pad which is capable or transporting a liquid sample along the test strip, wherein the porous or bibulous member serves as the solid support upon which immunoreactions occur, and an absorbent pad fluidly coupled to the porous or bibulous member, which serves to draw sample fluid introduced onto the sample pad through the respective conjugate pad, contact pad and porous or bibulous member.
US08647887B2
The present invention relates to methods and polypeptides for detecting a compound in a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of a cell-free composition comprising at least one G protein coupled receptor embedded in a lipid Mayer which when expressed in a cell the N-terminus of the G protein coupled receptor, or subunits thereof, is outside the cell and the C-terminus is inside the cell, and which is capable of binding the compound. Optionally, the composition also comprises at least one accessory molecule that directly or indirectly binds an intracellular loop and/or the C-terminus of the G protein coupled receptor. The G protein coupled receptor, and/or accessory molecule when present, in combination comprise a bioluminescent protein and an acceptor molecule, which enables bioluminescent resonance energy transfer (BRET) to be used to detect the compound binding the receptor.
US08647883B2
A method of quantitatively measuring the concentration of a chemical species in a sample solution with a sensor film. A hydrogel sensor film is prepared having a chemical composition comprising an indicator that changes its optical property in the ultra-violet, visible or near-infrared spectral range upon being exposed to the chemical species in the sample solution. The film is exposed to a fixed amount of the sample solution. The concentration of the chemical species in the sample solution is quantified using the average absorbance measured from the sensor film.
US08647880B2
A method of detection of amino acid sequences and/or identification of proteins and peptides is based on derivatization of peptides or proteins using compounds comprising two or more sulfonyl groups, and subsequent analysis of the derivatized analytes using a mass spectrometer in its negative mode of operation.
US08647875B2
This invention relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding a CYP51H. The invention also relates to the construction of recombinant DNA constructs comprising all or a portion of the isolated polynucleotide of the invention, in sense or antisense orientation, operably linked to at least one regulatory sequence.
US08647870B2
A biological photoreceptor, which is a directly light-controlled ion channel, including (i) an apoprotein and (ii) a light-sensitive polyene covalently bound to the apoprotein, the polyene interacting with the apoprotein and functioning as a direct light-sensitive gate.
US08647853B2
The present invention relates to a method for controlling multi-phase chemical reactions using the architecture of surfactant foams to control mass transport of chemical reactants, catalysts, and products and the kinetics with which they react. More specifically, the invention relates to transformations that require both gaseous and liquid components with dissolved or suspended catalysts that are unstable when sheared.
US08647851B2
A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing in a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.
US08647850B2
Methods are disclosed for the production of high concentrations of ethanol from biomass using Zymomonas as the ethanologen. Zymomonas is grown under conditions of low impeller agitation with high concentration of insoluble solids in a saccharification-fermentation mixture during a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation reaction for the production of high concentrations of ethanol.
US08647847B2
An L-cysteine-producing bacterium is provided, as well as a method for producing L-cysteine etc. using the bacterium by developing a novel technique for improving L-cysteine-producing ability of a bacterium. By culturing a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, which has L-cysteine-producing ability and is modified so that activity of a protein encoded by the yciW gene, for example, a protein defined by the following (A) or (B), is reduced, in a medium, and collecting L-cysteine, L-cystine, a derivative thereof, or a mixture thereof from the medium, these compounds are produced: (A) a protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, (B) a protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, but which includes substitution, deletion, insertion, or addition of one or several amino acid residues, reduction of which activity in the bacterium results in improvement in the L-cysteine-producing ability.
US08647834B2
Novel glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase-like proteins (QPCTLs), which are isoenzymes of glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5), and to isolated nucleic acids coding for these isoenzymes, all of which are useful for the discovery of new therapeutic agents, for measuring cyclase activity, and for determining the inhibitory activity of compounds against these glutaminyl cyclase isoenzymes.
US08647814B2
Method for nanopatterning of inorganic materials, such as ceramic (e.g. metal oxide) materials, and organic materials, such as polymer materials, on a variety of substrates to form nanopatterns and/or nanostructures with control of dimensions and location, all without the need for etching the materials and without the need for re-alignment between multiple patterning steps in forming nanostructures, such as heterostructures comprising multiple materials. The method involves patterning a resist-coated substrate using electron beam lithography, removing a portion of the resist to provide a patterned resist-coated substrate, and spin coating the patterned resist-coated substrate with a liquid precursor, such as a sol precursor, of the inorganic or organic material. The remaining resist is removed and the spin coated substrate is heated at an elevated temperature to crystallize the deposited precursor material.
US08647813B2
Disclosed are a photosensitive composition containing an aqueous dispersion and having excellent storage stability, and a photosensitive lithographic printing plate material using the photosensitive composition and being capable of being developed using water, which is advantageous not only in that the photosensitive lithographic printing plate material exhibits high sensitivity and high image quality as well as excellent storage stability, but also in that even when the printing plate material is repeatedly subjected to developing treatment using water, the generation of sludge derived from the photosensitive composition in the developer repeatedly used is suppressed, achieving excellent developing properties.A photosensitive composition containing at least an aqueous dispersion comprising an oil-in-water emulsion of a photopolymerization initiator and an oil-in-water emulsion of a compound having a polymerizable double bond group, at least one of the oil-in-water emulsion of the photopolymerization initiator and the oil-in-water emulsion of the compound having a polymerizable double bond group being an oil-in-water emulsion obtained by emulsifying and dispersing the photopolymerization initiator or the compound having a polymerizable double bond group in water in the presence of a water-soluble polymer having a sulfonate group and an anionic surfactant.
US08647810B2
A resist lower layer film-forming composition includes (A) a polymer that includes a cyclic carbonate structure. The polymer (A) includes a structural unit (I) shown by the following formula (1).
US08647809B2
Metal-oxide films for lithographic applications are provided. The films are formed from compositions comprising metal-oxide precursor compounds including metals and metalloids other than silicon. These films are easily produced and can be modified with a variety of ligands, including alkoxides, phenoxides, carboxylates, beta-diketones, and beta-ketoesters.
US08647805B2
The present disclosure provides processes for producing toners. In embodiments, flow aids are added to a wet cake including the toner particles, prior to drying. The addition of the flow aid improves flow characteristics of the toner, thereby enhancing overall drying time, reducing the amount of coarse particles, and improving yield, without adversely affecting fusing and charging of the toner particles.
US08647794B2
A polymer composite prepared by melt blending, comprising an amorphous polymer; and a crystallizable polymer; wherein upon cooling the polymer composite, the amorphous polymer forms a continuous phase and the crystallizable polymer forms a dispersed phase, and wherein the dispersed phase is less than 200 nanometers in size.
US08647792B2
A fuel-cell stack includes a laminate having a plurality of unit cells laminated and accommodated in a box-like casing. The casing includes pairs of side plates arranged at the sides of the laminate and formed of a metal plate having a first thickness, and a plurality of hinge plates spot-welded to both ends of the side plates and formed of a metal plate having a second thickness greater than the first thickness. Of spot-welding electrodes, the spot-welding electrode has an end face formed with a concave. With the spot-welding electrode being arranged on the side of the hinge plate and with the hinge plate and the side plate being in press contact by the spot-welding electrodes, energization is carried out for welding.
US08647790B2
A fuel cell stack including an electricity generating unit and a pair of end plates is disclosed. The electricity generating unit includes membrane-electrode assemblies and separators interposed between the membrane-electrode assemblies. The separators have recess portions formed on side faces thereof and may be configured to hold an external device for replacement of a single membrane-electrode assembly within the fuel cell stack. The end plates are located sandwiching the electricity generating unit by using fastening members to press the electricity generating unit.
US08647789B2
Provided is a visualization apparatus for a PEMFC using a transparent window. More particularly, provided is a visualization apparatus for a large are PEMFC including: a plurality of visualization apparatuses for region cells including current collector plates each provided on both sides of a membrane electrode assembly of a PEMFC and formed with channels through which reaction gas and products flow and a transparent provided on the outer surface of the current collector plate. Further, provided is a visualization apparatus for a large area PEMFC electrically connecting the current collector plates of the visualization apparatus for region cells to each other in parallel.
US08647776B2
To provide a negative electrode material capable of giving a lithium ion secondary battery that is sufficiently small in the charge/discharge irreversible capacity observed at the initial cycle stage, has excellent high-temperature storage characteristics, and reduced in the gas generation at the initial cycle stage as well as during high-temperature storage.A carbon material for lithium ion secondary battery, wherein the surface functional group amount O/C value represented by the following formula 1 is from 1 to 4% and the sum (Cl/C+S165/C) of the surface functional group amount Cl/C value represented by the following formula 2 and the surface functional group amount S165/C value represented by the following formula 3 is from 0.05 to 0.5%: O/C value (%)=O atom concentration determined based on the peak area of the spectrum of O1s in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis/C atom concentration determined based on the peak area of the spectrum of C1s in XPS analysis×100 Formula 1: Cl/C value (%)=Cl atom concentration determined based on the peak area of the spectrum of Cl2p in XPS analysis/C atom concentration determined based on the peak area of the spectrum of C1s in XPS analysis×100 Formula 2: S165/C value (%)=S165 atom concentration based on the peak area of the peak near 165 eV in the spectrum corresponding to S2p in XPS analysis/C atom concentration determined based on the peak area of the spectrum of C1s in XPS analysis×100 Formula 3.
US08647765B2
A battery pack has a plurality of assembled batteries connected in parallel. Each of the assembled batteries has a plurality of cells connected electrically. A circulating current in each of the assembled batteries is calculated from an open circuit voltage of the assembled battery that varies according to the number of the cells connected in series, a value indicating a charge state of the assembled battery that varies according to the number of the cells connected in parallel, and an internal resistance of the assembled battery. The number of the cells connected in parallel and the number of the cells connected in series in each of the assembled batteries are numbers determined under the condition that the circulating current should not exceed an allowable current value for the assembled battery.
US08647761B2
There are provided an electrode assembly and a secondary battery using the same. An electrode assembly includes a first electrode plate having a first non-coating portion formed along one end portion in a length direction thereof; a second electrode plate having a second non-coating portion formed along the other end portion opposite to the first non-coating portion; and a separator interposed between the first and second electrode plates. In the electrode assembly, the first electrode plate, the second electrode plate and the separator are wound in a jelly-roll shape, and the electrode assembly further includes a clamping member that fixes at least one of the first and second non-coating portions. Accordingly, although the thickness of an electrode tab is increased, it is possible to simply manufacture high-power, high-capacity medium- and large sized batteries.
US08647754B2
Disclosed is an aromatic diamine derivative represented by the following general formula (I), which has a chrysene structure in which a phenyl group having a substituted or unsubstituted silyl group is a substituent for an amino group. Also disclosed is an organic electroluminescence device including an organic thin film layer formed of one or more layers including at least a light emitting layer and interposed between a cathode and an anode, in which at least one layer of the organic thin film layer contains the aromatic diamine derivative by itself or as a component of a mixture, the device having a long lifetime and high luminous efficiency. (In the formula, R1 to R10 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, or the like, and R11 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms or the like, and at least one of A, B, and C represents a substituted or unsubstituted silyl group, and the others each represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, or the like, a, b, c, and d each independently represent an integer of 1 to 5.)
US08647748B2
The disclosure relates to a composite thermoplastic product including a first polar engineering thermoplastic cohesively bound to a second thermoplastic that includes a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer and a polyolefin. The first thermoplastic can contain a polar thermoplastic polymer cohesively bound to the second thermoplastic. Methods for the production of the composite product are also described, including methods for forming an adhesive bond between polar engineering thermoplastics such as ABS, ABS/PC, PC or PMMA and non-polar thermoplastic elastomers containing styrene elastomers, such as SEBS or SEPS, combined with a polyolefin polymer.
US08647740B2
A method for labeling fabrics, such as fabric garments, and a heat-transfer label well-suited for use in said method. In one embodiment, the heat-transfer label comprises (i) a support portion, the support portion comprising a carrier and a release layer; (ii) a wax layer, the wax layer overcoating the release layer; and (iii) a transfer portion, the transfer portion comprising an adhesive layer printed onto the wax layer and an ink design layer printed onto the adhesive layer. Preferably, at least a portion of the ink design layer is printed using a variable printing technique, such as thermal transfer printing.
US08647729B2
[Problems] To provide an aluminum seamless can very excellent in stab resistance, corrosion resistance and productivity by using a resin-coated aluminum sheet.[Means for Solution] A draw-ironed aluminum can having a resin coating on at least the inner surface of the can, wherein the coating resin on the inner surface of the can has a tensile strength of 270 to 420 MPa.
US08647727B1
A optical assembly is utilized in various applications including in a display assembly. The optical assembly includes a first translucent substrate, a second translucent substrate, a first layer of adhesive, and a second layer of adhesive. The first layer of adhesive is bonded to the first translusive substrate and the second layer of adhesive is bonded to the second translusive substrate. The first layer of adhesive is configured for diffusive effects, and the second layer of adhesive is configured for diffusive effects.
US08647723B2
A method to achieve a conformal ultrathin film of platinum or one of its alloys on a substrate that can be economically used as a heterogeneous catalyst, such as automotive polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell catalyst. The method includes using a hydrogen plasma in platinum atomic layer deposition along with tungsten as a substrate or anchoring adhesive layer to assist platinum nucleation and deposition.
US08647713B2
A method for forming a protective coating containing aluminum on the surface of a metal part, wherein the part is contacted with a carburizer made of an aluminum alloy, at a treatment temperature and in a chamber, the atmosphere of which contains an active gas which reacts with the carburizer to form a gaseous aluminum halide, which decomposes upon contacting the part while depositing aluminum metal thereon. In the method the aluminum alloy of the carburizer includes at least one element, zirconium and/or hafnium, the active gas reacting with the carburizer to also form a halide of the reactive element which decomposes upon contacting the part while depositing the element thereon at the same time as the aluminum.
US08647706B2
The problem regarding volatileness of a solvent in an EL forming material, which occurs in adopting printing, are solved. An EL layer is formed in a pixel, portion of a light emitting device by printing. Upon formation of the EL layer, a printing chamber is pressurized to reach a pressure equal to or higher than the atmospheric pressure, and the printing chamber is filled with inert gas or set to a solvent atmosphere. Thus the difficulty in forming an EL layer by printing is eliminated.
US08647701B2
Methods of making surface hardened medical implants comprising providing a biocompatible alloy with a surface comprising an oxide or nitride layer, diffusing at least a portion of the respective oxygen or nitrogen from the oxide or nitride layer the substrate for a period of time to form a diffusion hardened zone of desired thickness. The period of time is based at least on (1) the diffusivity of a diffusing specie in the oxide or nitride layer, (2) a desired hardness profile of at least a portion of said implant defined by a function selected from the group consisting of: an error function, an exponential function, a near uniform distribution function, and any sequential combination thereof, or (3) a desired thickness of said oxide or nitride layer to be retained.
US08647698B2
A fermentation product (fermented food) that has high functionality by subjecting a fructan-containing material (in particular, a material including garlic or rakkyo containing fructan at a high concentration) directly to lactic acid fermentation without performing a heat treatment or an enzymatic treatment. More specifically, provided are: a fermentation product having an immunopotentiating effect, which is obtained by lactic acid fermentation of a fructan-containing material using a lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum S506 strain (MITE BP-643) having fructan-utilizing ability, a mutant strain of the S506 strain having fructan-utilizing ability, or a strain isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum and having the same bacteriological properties as those of the S506 strain; and a fermented food which contains the fermentation product.
US08647696B2
The invention discloses a shelf stable food product. The product comprises a continuous aqueous phase, liquid oil droplets dispersed in the continuous aqueous phase, and protein coated gas bubbles. The continuous aqueous phase constitutes from 20% to 80% by volume (or weight) of the food product and the liquid oil droplets and protein coated gas bubbles are from 0.5 μm to 10 μm in diameter. The protein comprises cysteine amino acid residues, but is not a hydrophobin. The invention also discloses a method of forming an aqueous dispersion of protein coated gas bubbles suitable for forming the above food product. The method comprises dissolving a protein capable of forming coated gas bubbles in water with stirring, sonicating the protein solution at a temperature below but within 6° C. of the protein's denaturation temperature in the presence of oxygen, and controlling the temperature within these limits. Any protein debris from the resultant dispersion of protein coated gas bubbles is separated out.
US08647694B2
A grooved noodle comprises: a core located at a center position of a noodle in cross section and having a circular shape with a diameter being 26% to 41% of a diameter of the noodle; and hook-shaped portions formed on a periphery of the core due to existences of grooves each extending spirally from the periphery of the core to a surface of the noodle, each hook-shaped portion having a leg with a width in a range of 18% to 30% of the diameter of the noodle and a blade extending from an outer end of the leg, an outer periphery of the blade extending along an arc from its base connected to the leg to its tip, the base being located further inwardly toward the center of the noodle than the tip.
US08647691B2
The invention proposes a brewing apparatus for extracting a portion capsule, having an accommodation element, which has a cavity for the portion capsule, and a closure element, it being possible for the closure element to move between a loading position, which is at a distance from the accommodation element, and an extraction position, which closes the cavity, and the brewing apparatus having a holding element for holding the portion capsule in the loading position, and furthermore the holding element being designed in such a way that the portion capsule is aligned substantially in the direction of the accommodation element by the holding element by virtue of the movement of the closure element from the loading position to the extraction position.
US08647681B2
The present invention provides a foodstuff comprising vitamin C, taurine, curcumin and aloe vera, it use in the control of skin disorders and methods for controlling skin disorders. The foodstuff of the invention assists in the management of a skin disorder such as inflammatory or allergic skin disorders. The foodstuff further assists in the management of secondary infections associated with the skin disorder. Use of the foodstuff may allow the reliance on conventional treatments for skin disorders to be reduced.
US08647679B2
Disclosed herein are core-shell type zinc oxide microparticles, a dispersion containing such microparticles, and a production process and uses of the microparticles and the dispersion. As disclosed herein, the core-shell type zinc oxide microparticles have an average particle diameter of from 50 to 1,000 nm. The core is a secondary particle of spherical shape to the surface of which a polymer is attached as a shell. Methods for making the microparticles include the steps of: mixing together a zinc salt and a polymer in an organic solvent so as to obtain a mixture; and heating/refluxing the mixture at a predetermined temperature so as to cause core-shell type zinc oxide microparticles to precipitate, wherein the zinc salt is zinc acetate; and uses such as cosmetics, resins and fibers which contain the core-shell type zinc oxide microparticles and have an ultraviolet light blocking action.
US08647678B2
The invention relates to a purified, novel anti-inflammatory population of macrophage and methods of making and using such macrophage.
US08647674B2
This invention is concerned with the use of date syrup used as a binder (agglutinant) for solid dosage forms, such as tablets. The features of the granules and the tablets have been studied in comparison with granules and tablets which use different types of agglutinants such as starch paste and sucrose syrup and the results have shown that the use of date syrup as a binder for tablets yields results superior to other kinds of binders. In addition, date syrups gives the granules and tablets a fair color, good taste, distinct and pleasant odor, and it is favorable in regards to shape and taste by patients.
US08647673B2
Compositions of nanoparticles and targeting moieties for imaging and treating Chlamydial infection are provided, including nanoparticles conjugated to folic acid and comprising at least one antibiotic effective against Chlamydia.
US08647668B2
The present invention provides rapid disintegrating tablets in oral cavity having a shortened disintegration time in oral cavity as well as a sufficient hardness compared to rapid disintegrating tablets of the prior art. The above objective is solved by a composition in which the inorganic excipient and the disintegrating agent are dispersed in the complex particles consisting of mannitol and other saccharide(s) in a specific ratio, and rapid disintegrating tablets in oral cavity obtained by direct compression of the composition.
US08647666B2
The invention provides a method of ameliorating systemic inflammation in a patient involving administering to the patient a therapeutically effective dose of composition including polystyrene divinyl benzene copolymer and a polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer. More particularly, the method relates to using these polymers as an enteral sorbent preparation to remove inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, from the intestinal lumen. The polymers can be in the form of a preparation of polystyrene divinyl benzene copolymer beads with a biocompatible polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer coating.
US08647660B2
This invention is directed to compositions for animal consumption (including foods, treats, etc.), particularly compositions that tend to improve kidney function, and particularly compositions that comprise enhanced antioxidants and reduced quantities of protein and/or phosphorus. This invention also is directed generally to methods for using such compositions.
US08647650B2
A method for producing a composition for external use containing a physiologically acceptable salt of a tranexamate as an active ingredient, which is dispersed in the composition in the state of fine particles, includes dissolving a physiologically acceptable salt of the tranexamate in a solvent to prepare a solution, to which a salting-out agent is added to precipitate the salt. Such salt is so dispersed in a composition for external use in the state of fine particles, that the tranexamate salt can be mixed without using a large amount of an oil component to obtain a composition for external use affording excellent feel of use and stability.
US08647639B2
Cosmetic compositions include a Clostridial neurotoxin component and a microsphere component. In certain compositions, the composition includes a botulinum toxin and a plurality of swellable microspheres. The compositions are administered to individuals, by injection and the like, to treat a cosmetic defect of deficiency.
US08647637B2
Immunogenic compositions and broad-spectrum vaccines containing newly identified isolates of canine distemper virus (CDV) collected from a geographic area are provided. The newly identified isolates exhibit attributes of both European wildlife lineage CDV and one or both of Arctic and American-2 lineage CDV. Therefore, the vaccines are broadly protective against infection with European wildlife lineage CDV and either Arctic lineage CDV or American-2 lineage CDV, or both Arctic and American-2 lineage CDV.
US08647634B2
A recombinant avian infectious coryza vaccine and a process for preparing the same are provided. A process for preparing a recombinant avian infectious coryza vaccine which comprises step of constructing E. coli that may produce as an inclusion body a fusion peptide consisting of peptides derived from outer-membrane protein of Avibacterium paragarinarum serotype A and serotype C, step of culturing said E. coli and collecting and purifying inclusion body from culture, and step of preparing a preparation comprising said purified inclusion body, and an avian infectious coryza vaccine comprising as an active ingredient the fusion peptide. A linker sequence may be inserted between the respective peptides comprising the fusion peptide. For the peptide derived from the serotypes A and C, an amino acid sequence region of Region 2 or its vicinity responsible for protection from infection may be used.
US08647617B2
The invention is directed to novel methods for modulating inflammatory and/or immune responses. Such methods utilize compositions comprising extraembryonic cells (herein referred to as EE cells) including but not limited to extraembryonic HLA-G positive cells (herein referred to as EHP cells) and amnion-derived multipotent progenitor cells (herein referred to as AMP cells); compositions comprising expanded EE cell populations, and/or cell lysates and/or conditioned media derived therefrom, alone or in combination with each other and/or in combination with various extracellular matrices and/or devices and/or other suitable active agents.
US08647605B2
The invention provides methods and systems for imaging vessels in a subject. In certain embodiments the vessels may be associated with a solid organ transplant.
US08647601B2
Aluminosilicate zeolite SSZ-33 is directly prepared using a 1,1′-(pentane-1,5-diyl)bis(3-methylcyclohexyl)piperidinium dication as a structure directing agent.
US08647598B2
Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is produced by apparatus and methods wherein a ClO2 gas produced in the apparatus is quickly introduced into a fluid stream to be treated with said gas. To this end, the apparatus has an interior chemical reaction chamber which houses an internal fluid flow tube having a fluid impervious upper section and a porous lower section that respectively define two zones within the interior chemical reaction chamber.
US08647591B2
A microarray reaction device includes a fluid container, a reaction chamber, a first channel connected with the fluid container, a second channel connected with the reaction chamber, and a valve. The valve includes a first and second support unit, respectively including a first and second penetration opening unit, extended through a first and second surface thereof. The first and second penetration opening unit is connected to a second end of the first and second channel, respectively. The second support unit includes a third penetration opening unit extended through a second surface thereof. The first and second surfaces contact each other, such that the first support unit and the second support unit are slidably disposed with each other. The microarray reaction device further includes a storing chamber connected with the third penetration opening unit, and a pump connected to the storing chamber and providing pressure to the storing chamber.
US08647587B2
A powder dispenser for a waste disposal system includes a mounting portion that is adapted to be secured to a waste disposal unit, and a container defining an interior space in which a powder such as sodium bicarbonate may be stored. The container is releasably mounted to the underside of a hinged lid member of the waste disposal unit. A directional dispensing system is provided for dispensing powder from the container into a targeted portion of the waste disposal system. The directional dispensing system is constructed and arranged to concentrate initial dispersal of the powder to a single side of the container and includes a dispensing orifice. The dispensing orifice is preferably oriented to limit initial dispersal of the powder within a defined angular range with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lid member, and is spaced axially and laterally with respect to the waste disposal unit at distances that facilitate distribution of the powder to desired targeted portions of the waste disposal unit. The container and waste disposal unit also define a venting path so that the powder within the container can also absorb odors within the waste disposal unit.
US08647579B2
The current invention provides a detector and method suitable for sensing vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide. The detector utilizes a chemiluminescent material comprising a peroxide reactive compound, a dye and a solvent. Upon reaction with hydrogen peroxide, the chemiluminescent material will generate detectible light.
US08647576B2
An acid or base is generated in an aqueous solution by the steps of: (a) providing a source of first ions adjacent an aqueous liquid in a first acid or base generation zone, separated by a first barrier (e.g., anion exchange membrane) substantially preventing liquid flow and transporting ions only of the same charge as said first ions, (b) providing a source of second ions of opposite charge adjacent an aqueous liquid in a second acid or base generation zone, separated by a second barrier transporting ions only of the same charge as the second ions, and (c) transporting ions across the first barrier by applying an electrical potential through said first and second zones to generate an acid-containing aqueous solution in one of said first or second zones and a base-containing aqueous solution in the other one which may be combined to form a salt. Also, electrolytic apparatus for performing the above method.
US08647574B2
A system and method for preparing and collecting samples for analyte testing. The system can include a sample preparation system and a sample collection system coupled to the sample preparation system. The sample preparation system can include at least one of a deformable self-supporting receptacle comprising a reservoir and a freestanding receptacle comprising a reservoir. The reservoir can be adapted to contain a liquid composition. The sample collection system can be positioned in fluid communication with a reservoir of the sample preparation system, and can be adapted to capture an analyte of interest. The method can include providing a fluid path defined at least partially by the sample preparation system and the sample collection system, positioning the liquid composition in a reservoir of the sample preparation system, and moving at least a portion of the liquid composition in the fluid path to the sample collection system.
US08647572B1
Method and system embodiments of the present invention control the ascorbate concentration in produce treatments and particularly are exemplified in fresh cut fruit and vegetable treatments via measured refractivity and/or electrical conductivity of, and/or calcium ions present in, the treatment solution.
US08647571B1
Method and system embodiments of the present invention control the ascorbate concentration in produce treatments and particularly are exemplified in fresh cut fruit and vegetable treatments via measured refractivity and/or electrical conductivity of, and/or calcium ions present in, the treatment solution.
US08647560B2
A groove and a recess are formed on one surface of a base material, the recess being communicated with the groove and having a width and a length longer than a width of the groove. After that, liquid droplets are landed on the recess to charge a liquid into the groove communicated with the recess. Further, the liquid charged into the groove is solidified. Accordingly, the liquid can be charged into the groove having the narrow width, by merely landing the liquid droplets on the recess having a large areal size. Therefore, a fine pattern can be easily formed on the base material.
US08647554B2
In nano-imprint lithography it is important to detect thickness non-uniformity of a residual layer formed on a substrate. Such non-uniformity is compensated such that a uniform residual layer may be formed. Compensation is performed by calculating a corrected fluid drop pattern.
US08647552B2
The present invention discloses a method for enhancing hardness of a nanoimprint mold comprising following steps of: providing a male mold, composed of a first material, for imprinting a female mold and producing a nano structural pattern on the female mold, and the female mold composed of a second material, wherein the hardness of the first material is higher than the hardness of the second material; applying a nano-indentation technique to the female mold onto the female mold by a nano-indentation apparatus having a diamond array probe so as to enhance the surface hardness of the female mold; and impressing a substrate by the female mold with the nano structural pattern having the enhanced surface.
US08647549B2
A method for producing a thermo formed part includes closing in a mold a heated sheet (L) made of thermoplastic material in such a manner as to deform the latter, then cooling it inside the mold until complete consolidation is achieved. During cooling, the sheet is cut along at least one edge portion (E) thereof, this cutting operation causing a bending of the edge portion against an abutment surface (1s) in the mold; and removing the upper half-mold from the lower half-mold once the consolidation of the deformed sheet has been attained. During the cooling of the sheet inside the mold, subsequently to the cutting operation a folding operation is performed, this folding operation includes moving the abutment surface away from the edge portion of the sheet, and operating on the edge portion in such a manner as to resume its bending towards a support surface (2s) of the sheet in the mold.
US08647539B2
The present invention provides a process for producing a near infrared cut filter glass by melting and forming a glass material blended; and from 0.1 to 5% as represented by mass percentage of an oxidant of at least of a nitrate compound, a sulfate compound, a peroxide, a perchlorate and chloric acid as well as a near infrared cut filter glass.
US08647535B2
A metal seed composition useful in seeding a metal diffusion barrier or conductive metal layer on a semiconductor or dielectric substrate, the composition comprising: a nanoscopic metal component that includes a metal useful as a metal diffusion barrier or conductive metal; an adhesive component for attaching said nanoscopic metal component on said semiconductor or dielectric substrate; and a linker component that links said nanoscopic metal component with said adhesive component. Semiconductor and dielectric substrates coated with the seed compositions, as well as methods for depositing the seed compositions, are also described.
US08647534B2
A copper-carbon composition including copper and carbon, wherein the copper and the carbon form a single phase material, and wherein the carbon does not phase separate from the copper when the material is heated to a melting temperature.
US08647533B2
A composition includes a chemical reaction product defining a first surface and a second surface, characterized in that the chemical reaction product includes a segregated phase domain structure including a plurality of domain structures, wherein at least one of the plurality of domain structures includes at least one domain that extends from a first surface of the chemical reaction product to a second surface of the chemical reaction product. The segregated phase domain structure includes a segregated phase domain array. The plurality of domain structures includes i) a copper rich. indium/gallium deficient Cu(In,Ga)Se2 domain and ii) a copper deficient, indium/gallium rich Cu(In,Ga)Se2 domain.
US08647530B2
A liquid crystal composition containing a polymerizable compound contains one or two or more polymerizable compounds having the general formula (I) as a first component and one or two or more non-polymerizable liquid crystal compounds having an alkenyl group as a second component. A liquid crystal display element is manufactured using the liquid crystal composition.
US08647529B2
A liquid crystal drop apparatus for dropping liquid crystal on a substrate includes a liquid crystal container filled with liquid crystal, a nozzle formed at an lower end of the liquid crystal container for dropping the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal container, and a control unit for controlling the nozzle when the nozzle drops the liquid crystal.
US08647528B2
The present invention provides a water absorbing agent that is excellent in a balance between a centrifugal retention capacity (CRC) and a saline flow conductivity (SFC), and a method for producing the water absorbing agent.The method for producing the water absorbing agent, the method comprising mixing (i) a water absorbing resin (A) and (ii) a polymer (B) being a polyamine polymer having a hydroxyl group on a main chain provides a water absorbing agent containing (i) the water absorbing resin (A) and (ii) the polymer (B) being a polyamine polymer having a hydroxyl group on a main chain.
US08647524B2
Disclosed is a chemical composition that may be used to fight forest fires. Such composition may be applied by aerial means by discharge from aircraft. The composition may also be used to create fire breaks, which facilitates the actions of land-based firefighters.
US08647521B2
The present invention relates to a method of forming micro patterns of a semiconductor device. In the method according to an aspect of the present invention, first etch mask patterns having a second pitch, which is twice larger than a first pitch of target patterns, are formed in a column direction over a semiconductor substrate. An auxiliary film is formed over the semiconductor substrate including a surface of the first etch mask patterns. An etch mask film is formed over the semiconductor substrate including the auxiliary film. An etch process is performed in order to form second etch mask patterns having the second pitch in such a manner that the etch mask film, the auxiliary film, and the first etch mask patterns are isolated from one another in a row direction and the etch mask film remains between the first etch mask patterns. The auxiliary film between the first and second etch mask patterns is removed.
US08647516B2
A filter assembly and method of filtering a fluid containing particulates is provided having a filter element mounted on a horizontal mandrel, whereby the filter element and mandrel are rotatable within a housing during a self-cleaning step, wherein the filter element is immersed and agitated in a cleaning liquid followed by high speed rotation while a rinsing liquid is delivered to the core of the filter element. An ultrasonic transducer in the housing may be activated while the filter element is immersed in the cleaning liquid to assist in removing accumulated particulates from the filter element.
US08647510B2
A method of preparing zirconia-containing nanoparticles and a method of preparing a composite material that includes the zirconia-containing nanoparticles are provided. A method of treating a zirconium carboxylate salt solution to remove alkali metal ions and alkaline earth ions is provided. The treated solution can be used as a feedstock to prepare the zirconia-containing nanoparticles. Additionally, a continuous hydrothermal reactor system is provided that can be used, for example, to prepare the zirconia-containing nanoparticles.
US08647503B2
A filter assembly for a fuel delivery system for actuators and fuel control system of an aircraft engine includes a wash flow filter. Fuel flow velocity is increased through the filter through use of a recirculating passage that is effectively achieved through use of an ejector pump. A portion of the pressurized fuel delivered by the main fuel pump is diverted and serves as a motive fluid that scavenges unfiltered flow from downstream of the filter and recirculates or discharges the recirculated flow to an inlet of the filter. This provides increased velocity to maintain sufficient washing of the filter openings.
US08647502B2
A sewage treatment apparatus includes a membrane separation active-sludge treating section which performs a biological treatment on a part of sewage, which is introduced by a water introducing section while flowing through a sewer trunk line, to generate first treated sewage; a membrane highly treating section which performs a membrane high treatment on the first treated sewage to generate second treated sewage; a membrane treating tank which stores the first treated sewage; a membrane highly treating tank which stores the second treated sewage; water level sensors which respectively measure water level of the membrane treating tank and the membrane highly treating tank; and a power-control section which controls water introducing quantity of the water introducing section on the basis of the water level data measured by the water level sensors.
US08647494B2
A method of electrolysing water, using a water electrolyser having cathode and anode compartments respectively on either side of a hydrophilic polymer cation-exchange membrane, the method comprising: (i) adding water to the anode compartment only, such that the cathode compartment is predominantly free of water in liquid form; (ii) electrolysing the water to form hydrogen gas in the cathode compartment and oxygen gas in the anode compartment; and (iii) re-circulating the hydrogen gas through the cathode compartment.
US08647489B2
A sensor system, device, and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample is described. Gated voltammetric pulse sequences including multiple duty cycles of sequential excitations and relaxations may provide a shorter analysis time and/or improve the accuracy and/or precision of the analysis. The disclosed pulse sequences may reduce analysis errors arising from the hematocrit effect, variance in cap-gap volumes, non-steady-state conditions, mediator background, a single set of calibration constants, under-fill, and changes in the active ionizing agent content of the sensor strip.
US08647472B2
The invention provides a method of producing paper with a higher proportion of mineral filler particles than is otherwise be possible without the expected loss in paper strength by preflocculating the filler particles. The method allows for the use of the greater amount of filler particles by coating at least some of the filler particles with a material that prevents the filler materials form adhering to a strength additive. The strength additive holds the paper fibers together tightly and is not wasted on the filler particles.
US08647464B2
A method for manufacturing a resin molding that uses a laser beam can provide a high level of adhesion, an excellent appearance, and can include very strong welded portions. The method can include preparing a light-transmitting resin member having a protruding portion formed on a rear surface of the light-transmitting resin member and having an end surface, the protruding portion having both side surfaces having asymmetric inclination angles with respect to the normal of the end surface of the protruding portion. The method can also include arranging and pressing together the end surface of the protruding portion that is a welded region of the light-transmitting resin member, and a welded region of a corresponding light-absorbing resin member so that they are opposed to each other. A laser beam can be emitted from a laser light source to be incident on a surface of the light-transmitting resin member while the laser beam is refracted. The method can also include repeatedly irradiating the laser beam onto the welded regions to heat and fuse the entire welded regions to weld the light-transmitting resin member and the light-absorbing resin member while opposed to each other and pressed together, wherein the inclination angle of the side surface of the protruding member near the laser light source is equal to or more than a travel angle of the refracted laser beam.
US08647462B2
A flexible implement grip is formed with an underlist of one rubber compound wrapped with a skin of a second rubber compound with multi-colored rubber based paint or ink air dried thereon and the assembled grip vulcanized in a mold. In one version, the skin pattern is cut from a sheet of cured rubber and curable adhesive employed with the wrapping. In another version, the multi-colored ink or paint is air dried on an uncured sheet prior to cutting the skin pattern; and, no adhesive is employed with the wrapping and bonding to the underlist occurs during final vulcanizing.
US08647459B2
A method of preparing and applying folded leaflets or coupons to packets in a cigarette packer includes the steps of cutting single leaflets from a continuous strip material, scoring them with transverse crease lines and then causing each one to wrap around one of a set of winding members operating in conjunction with a fixed restraint; a leading portion of the leaflet is taken up by the winding member, which is then set in rotation while also revolving in close proximity to the restraint, in such a way as to bend the leaflet along the crease lines and form a succession of folds.
US08647450B2
A bead wire has a composition of Mn: 5-35 at % and Al: 5-20 at % and the remainder being Fe and inevitable impurities, in which a steel structure is an austenite single-phase structure, and achieves weight reduction and high ductility without reducing strength.
US08647445B1
Cleaning processes for cleaning semiconductor devices or semiconductor tooling during manufacture thereof generally include contacting the semiconductor devices or semiconductor tooling with an antioxidant to form an insoluble adduct followed by solubilizing the adduct with a basic aqueous cleaning solution.
US08647442B2
A cleaning substrate that can prevent a decrease in the operating rate of a substrate processing apparatus. The cleaning substrate that cleans the interior of a chamber in the substrate processing apparatus has a removal mechanism that removes foreign matter in the chamber.
US08647441B2
A method of manufacturing cleaning solvents is provided. The method includes selecting a small plurality of test solvents from a large plurality of perspective solvents. The equilibrium composition of a multi-component solution is preferably described by the Hansen solubility model. A small plurality of test solvents is applied to solute samples and the degree of dissolution or swelling recorded. Based on the degree of dissolution or swelling, at least one solvent is selected from the large plurality of perspective solvents based on the Hansen parameters.
US08647435B1
HVPE reactors and methods for growth of p-type group III nitride materials including p-GaN. A reaction product such as gallium chloride is delivered to a growth zone inside of a HVPE reactor by a carrier gas such as Argon. The gallium chloride reacts with a reactive gas such as ammonia in the growth zone in the presence of a magnesium-containing gas to grow p-type group III nitride materials. The source of magnesium is an external, non-metallic compound source such as Cp2Mg.
US08647434B2
An apparatus and process for fast epitaxial deposition of compound semiconductor layers includes a low-energy, high-density plasma generating apparatus for plasma enhanced vapor phase epitaxy. The process provides in one step, combining one or more metal vapors with gases of non-metallic elements in a deposition chamber. Then highly activating the gases in the presence of a dense, low-energy plasma. Concurrently reacting the metal vapor with the highly activated gases and depositing the reaction product on a heated substrate in communication with a support immersed in the plasma, to form a semiconductor layer on the substrate. The process is carbon-free and especially suited for epitaxial growth of nitride semiconductors at growth rates up to 10 nm/s and substrate temperatures below 1000° C. on large-area silicon substrates. The process requires neither carbon-containing gases nor gases releasing hydrogen, and in the absence of toxic carrier or reagent gases, is environment friendly.
US08647415B1
The present disclosure provides for processes including a coke catcher that may be emptied during normal operation or steam standby, thereby overcoming the deficiencies in the prior design as discussed above, the coke catchers and process flows disclosed herein protecting the secondary transfer line exchanger from foulant while not limiting the time between heater cold shutdowns. The designs consider the impact of decoking options, such as when decoking to a firebox as opposed to a decoking drum. Further, flow and cost considerations are addressed in various embodiments; for example, decoke valves are fairly expensive, and process flows disclosed herein may provide for relocation of the decoke valve to facilitate coke catcher operations while not adding an expensive valve to the overall operating flow scheme.
US08647412B2
A sorbent article having a substrate having porous channel walls defining open channels, and an organic-inorganic hybrid sorbent material distributed on a surface of the porous channel walls, wherein the sorbent material is derived from an amino-functionalized alkoxysilane and a polyamine, wherein the sorbent material is present in an amount equal to or greater than 10 g/l, wherein at least some of the sorbent material resides in the porous channel walls and forms CO2 adsorption sites within the interior of the porous channel walls. The article may be useful, for example, for removing CO2 from a gas.
US08647405B2
A filter housing includes a duct having at least one registration flange and an access port sized to pass a plurality of seating rail assemblies. Each seating rail assembly is releasably engaged with the duct includes a seating flange. By locating the seating rail assembly at a particular distance from the registration flange, a channel of different sizes can be formed for receiving a filter having a corresponding dimension.
US08647404B2
An indoor unit of an air conditioner includes an indoor fan, an air filter for capturing dust in an air drawn by the indoor fan, a brush mechanism for removing the dust adhering to the air filter, and a dust storage container for storing the dust removed from the air filter by the brush mechanism. The dust storage container is provided with an opening in which the brush mechanism is positioned. A sealing member is attached to the dust storage container, the sealing member being provided in the dust storage container and between the opening and a storage space in which the dust is stored, for sealing a space between an inner wall surface of the dust storage container and the brush mechanism.
US08647399B2
The Present Invention is a fire starting device for use as kindling manufactured from pine straw, as the primary component, a vegetable oil, natural resins, and an herbal component. The device is hollow, having at least one vertical channel and at least one horizontal channel drilled from the outer wall of the device to the inner vertical channel. The fire starter device is ignited from the top, and it burns to produce a high, intense flame that ignites other flammable materials having a much greater kindling temperature. The height of the flame and the burn duration are controlled by the overall size of the device and the sizes of the channels. The device burns clean with a minimum of smoke and harmful or noxious fumes. Burning the device minimally creates air pollution. It burns completely with a minimum of ash residue.
US08647390B2
An intramedullary anchoring stem for an orthopaedic implant head. The stem is in one piece, is made of biocompatible material and is movable in relation to the head, with which it has connecting means, and it has a truncated or substantially truncated peg shape at least partially recessed longitudinally, and parallel or substantially parallel to the dorso-palmar plane.
US08647378B2
A medical implant (10a, 10b), in particular a stent (12a, 12b), for implantation in an animal body and/or human body (14a, 14b), comprising a base body (16a, 16b) which includes at least two segments (18a, 18a′, 18b, 18b′; 20a, 20a′, 20b, 20b′) having at least two deflection points (24a, 24b; 26a, 26b) that are diametrically opposed in the axial direction (22a, 22b), and at least one adjusting means (28a, 28b; 30a, 30b) that acts on the deflection points (24a, 24b; 26a, 26b) to adjust an extension (32a, 32b) of the base body (16a, 16b) in the circumferential direction (34a, 34b).
US08647377B2
The present invention relates to devices and methods for the treatment of diseases in the vasculature, and more specifically, devices and methods for treatment of aneurysms found in blood vessels. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a two part prostheses, where one part is an expandable sponge structure and the other part is an expandable tubular mesh structure, is provided. In the first embodiment, the expandable sponge structure is intended to fill the aneurysm cavity to prevent further dilatation of the vessel wall by creating a buffer or barrier between the pressurized pulsating blood flow and the thinning vessel wall. In the first embodiment, the expandable tubular mesh structure is placed across the aneurysm, contacting the inner wall of healthy vessel proximal and distal to the aneurysm.
US08647373B1
Vitamin D is supplemented in a human body by exposure of skin to light from a fluorescent lamp at a sub-erythemal dose of UV radiation. Wave lengths, emitted light intensities and repeat treatments without lamp refractory time are disclosed.
US08647356B2
A lancing system comprising a lancet with a handle portion and a needle bearing portion, the needle bearing portion retaining a thin needle protected by a safety cap. The safety cap includes first and second chambers, where the first chamber acts as a sheath and the second chamber having a surface positioned to compromise the structure of the needle when the needle bearing portion of the lancet body is inserted into the second chamber.
US08647352B2
A compression ring to grip and compress body structure such as diverticulum, hemorrhoids, and tissue adjacent a hole. A resilient ring-shaped body defines a compression channel, and one or more axially rigid elongated spikes extend from the body into the channel. The body defines a first axial segment surrounding the compression channel and a second axial segment surrounding the compression channel, with the spike being engaged only with the second axial segment. The first axial segment more tightly compresses the body structure than the second axial segment.
US08647351B2
The invention in certain aspects relates to a one-piece coil-shaped surgical fastener for fastening tissue segments, especially suitable for fastening segments of the lower esophageal sphincter and fundus in an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of GERD. The invention also relates to related methods and devices for insertion of such a fastener, especially along a juncture of the surfaces of such tissue segments.
US08647350B2
Devices, systems, and methods for closing the base of a left atrial appendage or other tissue structure comprise a device applicator having jaws, a shaft, and a handle. First and second triggers on a handle are configured to close the jaws and a closure device in a step-wise manner where tissue penetrating fasteners within the closure device are engaged by studs on the jaws, where the studs must be released prior to the opening of the jaws.
US08647344B2
A treatment instrument for endoscope includes a first and a second forceps members having a conductive electrode part; a forceps rotation axis that supports the forceps members so that they can rotate relative to each other, a first and a second link members being connected via a rotation axis to the forceps members respectively, and make the forceps members open and close, a link support member supporting the forceps members in a state where they are separated at a predetermined interval when they are opened and closed, an operation part connecting to the link support member, and opens and closes the forceps members by moving the link members, and a power supply wire, one end thereof being connected to the electrode part by being attached to the forceps rotation axis, and another end thereof being connected to a current supply means providing a current to the electrode part.
US08647343B2
A forceps includes an end effector assembly including a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one jaw member is moveable relative to the other between a spaced apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. The jaw members are configured to apply a pre-determined pressure to tissue disposed therebetween in each of the first and second approximated positions. A sealing pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the first approximated position. A cutting pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second approximated position.
US08647329B2
An osmotic pump includes a plurality of agent reservoirs; first and second solute chambers; a semi-permeable membrane separating the first and second solute chambers from one another; a flexible membrane separating a first one of the agent reservoirs from the first solute chamber; and a plurality of valves. Each of the valves is moveable between an open position in which a corresponding one of the agent reservoirs is open to an outlet of the pump and a closed position in which the corresponding one of the agent reservoirs is sealed with respect to the pump outlet.
US08647315B2
A medical canister connector is presented for connecting to a medical canister, which has a patient port and a reduced-pressure port. The medical canister connector includes a first connection member that is coupled to a patient-port-attachment member, which is for coupling to a patient port on a medical canister and has a patient-port opening with a first longitudinal axis. The medical canister connector also includes a second connection member coupled to a reduced-pressure-port-attachment member, which is for coupling to a reduced-pressure port on the medical canister and has a reduced-pressure-port opening with a second longitudinal axis. A spacing member or pressure transport member may be used to couple the first connection member to the second connection member. The spacing member or transport member flexes and twists during connection. The medical canister connector may also help organize one or more pressure-sensing conduits. Methods are also presented.
US08647310B2
Some embodiments relate to a luer connector comprising a housing having a hollow bore therethrough, a first end, and a second end, a male luer tip supported by the housing configured to rotate with respect to the housing, the luer tip having a first open end and a passageway through the luer tip in fluid communication with the first open end, and a substantially rigid internal member extending into the passageway of the luer tip toward the first open end of the luer tip. In some embodiments, at least one of the luer tip and the internal member can be axially moveable between a first closed position and a second open position relative to the other of the luer tip and the internal member. Further, the luer tip and the internal member can cooperate such that rotation of the luer tip in a first direction relative to the housing increases an axial displacement between the first open end of the luer tip and an end portion of the internal member.
US08647309B2
The present invention relates to a medication delivery device, to dosing mechanisms suitable for use in such medication delivery device, in particular in pen-type injectors, preferably having a dose setting member and a drive device enabling the dose setting and the administration of a medicinal product from a multi-dose medication cartridge, to methods using such device, and to methods of manufacturing and assembly of such device.
US08647308B2
Disclosed herein are disinfecting caps that can be used to cover and disinfect a male luer post of a medical connector. The caps are configured to engage threads of the connector. The caps contain a disinfecting agent within an absorbent pad disposed in a chamber of the cap.
US08647305B2
A syringe drive device drives a syringe including a cylindrical cylinder and a piston. The cylinder includes a solution supply port at one end, and an opening at the other end. The piston is inserted into the cylinder through the opening. The syringe drive device includes a cylinder holder to rotatably hold the cylinder of the syringe, and a piston driver to drive the piston in its axial direction with respect to the cylinder held in the cylinder holder.
US08647303B2
An autoinjector device comprises a drive housing 10 and a syringe housing 12 which can be disconnected to allow insertion of a syringe. A drive mechanism in the drive housing is cocked by means of a cord 8 connected between the drive housing and the syringe housing. The drive mechanism comprises a drive gear 22 rotatably mounted in the drive housing and acting as a rotary crank connected by a connecting rod 26 to a plunger 28. In use the drive gear 22 is driven by a torsion spring 35 so that the drive mechanism extends the syringe from the syringe housing and expels a dose and then retracts the syringe back into the housing. A firing button 14 releases the drive gear to be driven by the torsion spring but is also engageable as a brake on the rim of the drive gear.
US08647302B2
Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may include a construction that is resistant to external contaminants, such as precipitation, water splashes, sweat and the like. In particular embodiments, the infusion pump system can include a pump device that is removably attached to a controller device to provide an electrical connection therebetween. In such circumstances, the infusion pump system can be assembled as a sealed construction that protects the electrical connection between the pump device and the removable controller device.
US08647293B2
An ultrasound system has a catheter including an elongate flexible catheter body having at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The catheter further includes an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of the catheter body, the ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end connectable to a separate ultrasound generating device and a distal end coupled to the distal end of the catheter body. The distal end of the catheter body is deflectable. The ultrasound system also includes a sonic connector that connects the ultrasound transmission member to an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound system also provides a method for reverse irrigation and removal of particles.
US08647291B2
An extracorporeal blood chamber (12) comprises an expansion reservoir (47) having a first access (48) arranged laterally and a second access (49) arranged on the bottom of the chamber (12). The chamber comprises, integrally with the reservoir, a first conduit terminating in the first access, a second conduit terminating in the first access, and a third conduit terminating in the second access. The extracorporeal blood enters the reservoir through the first conduit and there mixes with an infusion fluid which enters through the second conduit. The resulting mixture exits through the third conduit. The chamber is used in a hemo(dia)filtration apparatus to mix the blood optimally with the replacement fluid.
US08647289B2
A blood processing device includes a venous-access device, a blood component separation device, a return line, a draw line, a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a first pump. The first pressure sensor is located on the return line between the blood component separation device and the venous-access device, and determines a first pressure. The second pressure sensor is located on the draw line between the blood component separation device and the venous-access device, and determines a second pressure. The first pump is connected to at least one of the return line and the draw line and controls a flow rate within the connected line based on a subject access pressure determined based upon the first and second pressures.
US08647287B2
Disclosed embodiments include a movement monitoring apparatus comprising a wireless synchronization scheme. Depending on the particular embodiment such wireless synchronization scheme is a master synchronization scheme or a mesh synchronization scheme. Additionally, in a particular embodiment, the movement monitor further comprises a robust wireless data transfer data controller. The disclosure includes a description of the complete system, namely, the wireless synchronized movement monitors with robust data transfer capabilities, the docking station, the access point, and the computer-implemented analysis system.
US08647286B2
The present invention is directed to the parenteral procurement of bodily-fluid samples. The present invention is also directed to systems and methods for parenterally procuring bodily-fluid samples with reduced contamination from dermally-residing microbes. In some embodiments, a bodily-fluid withdrawing system is used to withdraw bodily fluid from a patient for incubation in culture media in one or more sample vessels. Prior to withdrawing bodily fluid into the one or more sample vessels for incubation, an initial volume of withdrawn bodily fluid is placed in one or more pre-sample reservoirs and is not used for the incubation in culture media.
US08647278B2
Disclosed embodiments include a system and a method for determining intracranial pressure (ICP) of a subject that comprises: (a) applying transcranial Doppler (TCD) to determine the middle cerebral artery (MCA) velocity of the subject and estimating changes in the ICP continuously based on a functional mapping that relates arterial blood pressure (ABP) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) to ICP, resulting in an estimated ICP trend; (b) generating a flash visual evoked potential (FVEP) on the subject, processing a detected FVEP signal and obtaining an estimated ICP; and (c) combining the estimated ICP trend from TCD CBFV and ABP with the estimated ICP obtained by signal processing of the detected FVEP signal to periodically correct the trend and obtain a non-invasive measure of ICP.
US08647276B2
In a radiation-pressure elastography technique for transmitting a ultrasound focused beam into a test object body and diagnosing the hardness thereof, it is required to consider high sensitivity and safety.In the present invention, the focused beam is transmitted to two positions as a means for displacing a tissue and exciting a shear wave. In addition, time control is performed in such a manner that a transmit beam serves as a burst-chirp signal, and ultrasound waves are transmitted and received while sweeping a transmit frequency. On this occasion, when the distance between the two focused points and the transmit frequency become integral multiple of the wavelength, two waves interfere with each other, thereby obtaining a large amplitude. Furthermore, when the transmit frequency becomes equal to a resonance frequency peculiar to the tissue, the amplitude also becomes larger. Accordingly, a small intensity of transmit waveform enhances sensitivity. In addition, transmission using the burst-chirp signal facilitates widening of a bandwidth of the transmit frequency, enabling usage of a frequency highly sensitive for a target measurement site. Optional number of focused points and arbitrary positions thereof allow a wide area to be covered.
US08647273B2
Systems and methods for weight and performance management are described. More particularly, an embodiment relates to a system and method of employing a non-invasive, real-time, continuous blood glucose monitoring device to measure glucose levels in a subject. The determined levels are subsequently used to manage the subject's caloric intake and utilization multiple times during the course of a day.
US08647272B2
Systems and methods for non-invasively scanning and analyzing one or more characteristics of a sample utilizing electromagnetic radiation are described. More particularly, the systems and methods utilize an electromagnetic radiation source connected to a transmitter and an analyzer connected to a receiver. A sample to be analyzed is placed between the transmitter and receiver in a variety of different manners and a frequency sweep of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the sample to create a series of spectral data sets that are used to create one or more composite spectrograms, which are then analyzed to determine one or more characteristics of the sample. A magnetic field can alternatively be applied around the transmitter, receiver and sample to enhance some characteristic analysis applications. Samples include inert and living items, and the characteristics include a wide variety of different applications.
US08647271B2
An implant (110) for detecting at least one analyte (126) in a body fluid, in particular an eye fluid, is proposed. The implant (110) is designed to be implanted in a tissue layer and/or a chamber of an eye of a patient, the implant (110) having a hydrogel matrix (110) with at least one hydrogel (114). The implant (110) also has sensor particles (116) dispersed in the hydrogel matrix (110), the sensor particles (116) having at least one sensor matrix (120) with a sensor matrix material (122) and at least one sensor material (124).
US08647268B2
A monitoring system for a person in a building includes a plurality of wireless bases positioned in the building; a body mounted temperature sensor; a body mounted heart signal sensor; and a wearable device coupled to the temperature sensor and to the heart signal sensor and having a wireless transceiver adapted to communicate with the wireless bases; and an accelerometer.
US08647265B2
The invention relates to a hand access laparoscopy device having a gelcap, a retainer, a sleeve and a retention ring. The gelcap includes gel that is bonded to a cap. The cap includes an inner cylindrical wall to which the gel in bonded, thereby providing a sealing area between the device and the wound in a body wall. By securing the gel to the inner cylindrical wall, the thickness of the gel and corresponding cap is minimized along with the overall footprint of the device. With the gel thickness reduced and able to be substantially flush, the “doming” phenomenon produced by insufflation of a patient's abdomen is reduced.
US08647263B2
The invention provides lenses at low cost, which form an illumination optical system for endoscopes that has high efficiency and achieves improved light distribution. The illumination optical system for endoscopes is used in opposition to a light beam exit end 1 of a transmission means F for light emitted from a light source, and comprises, as viewed from the light beam exit end 1, a lens group 10 having positive power and an optical member 20 subsequent thereto which has a spherical surface 20a that functions as a lens, has a radius of curvature R, and satisfies the following condition: 1.48≦S/πR2≦4 (1) where R is the radius of curvature of the spherical surface, in mm, and S is a surface area of the spherical surface, in mm2.
US08647262B2
A deflectable tip videoarthroscope of 5.4 mm diameter or smaller, comprising a miniaturized chip-in-tip CCD with four-way angulations mounted on the distal end of the arthroscope. The deflectable tip videoarthroscope may be provided with a replaceable distal window made of a thin material (such as polycarbonate or acrylic) or a glass (sapphire or other) with very high light transmission properties, connected to a sheathing system that is disposable or limited-reusable, which could be discarded if a shaver burr or ablation probe contacts the lens. This design protects the distal window of the videoarthroscope during use and reduces scope repair costs and system down-time. The deflectable tip videoarthroscope may additionally include a steering wheel, which allows 360 degree rotation of the instrument during arthroscopic procedures. The videoarthroscope may further include an irrigation channel or a wireless imager control system.
US08647260B2
The invention relates to an image apparatus for endoscopes, which makes sure easier viewing especially at a peripheral portion of a screen while taking care of the observing angle of view and size of an optical system. The image apparatus comprises an optical system adapted to form an optical image of an object, an image pickup device adapted to convert the formed optical image into electric signals to obtain image data, and an image processing means adapted to move and transform a position of the optical image acquired by the image pickup device. A radiation direction magnification is transformable by the image processing means independently from a concentric direction magnification, and a magnification for a conformal object is higher at a peripheral portion than at a central portion of a screen.
US08647252B2
Techniques for applying torque to microscopic paramagnetic structures in a body includes exposing a body simultaneously to a first magnetic field oscillating at a first frequency in a first direction and a different second magnetic field oscillating at a second frequency in a second direction. The body includes a plurality of microscopic paramagnetic structures for which magnetic susceptibility to the first magnetic field is different from magnetic susceptibility to the second magnetic field. Such techniques are effective for ameliorating a symptom of a disease in an animal in which disease agents or diseased cells selectively include microscopic paramagnetic structures, including malaria.
US08647250B2
A panel structure having a low-density core that can withstanding loads normal to a first primary surface, and a first facing of high-density sheet material that can extend along the first primary surface. The high-density sheet material can be laminated on the core such that the laminated core and facing cooperatively resist bending loads and loads along the primary surface. The first facing can extend from the first primary surface on a side of the core along a secondary surface, which can be non-parallel to the first primary surface. The first facing can bend along a score line between the first primary surface and the secondary surface.
US08647243B2
An exercise device weight section (2) for mounting to a lifting bar (4) of an exercise device (1), in particular a dumbbell or barbell. The weight section (2) having an outer circumferential surface (15) comprising an outer skin (14) at least partially around the outer circumferential surface of the weight section (2) comprising a plurality of resilient projections (16) extending from at least part of the outer circumferential surface of the weight section (2). The plurality of projections (16) are disposed only in a discrete circumferential region (29) of the circumferential surface of the weight section (2). The projections (16) provide improved impact absorption when the weight section (2) is dropped protecting the weight section, floor and associated equipment form damage, and also reduce loosening of the mounting of the weight section on the bar (4). The projections (16) also provide areas of improved grip allowing the weight section and exercise device to be better gripped and lifted. Recesses (40) may also be defined in the weight sections to further define handles for gripping the weight section (2).
US08647242B2
A striking apparatus is provided. The striking apparatus may be mounted to a wall and at least partially supported by a movement device in contact with a floor. The striking apparatus has a plurality of pads which may receive strikes from a user. Spring assemblies are utilized to absorb force applied by the user.
US08647241B2
A supine cycling exercise machine includes a frame attached to a horizontal base and a rotation driving assembly supported by the frame. The driving assembly includes a rotatable crankshaft and two crankarms with proximal ends thereof attached to opposite ends of the crankshaft, with two pedals attached to distal ends of the crankarms. One or more crankarm includes a redirection connection mechanism at the proximal end thereof, and such a crankarm is adapted to be repositioned by an exerciser between an opposing and a parallel orientation relative to the other crankarm. The exercise machine can be used for two different cycling exercises, with either a reciprocating motion or a parallel motion of the exerciser's feet.
US08647238B2
An impact absorbing exercise device includes a stepping platform having an upper surface and a lower surface. An impact absorbing panel is configured to be releasably coupled to the upper surface of the stepping platform. The impact absorbing panel includes a resilient wear surface and an impact absorbing material positioned between the resilient wear surface and the stepping platform.
US08647227B2
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a first planetary gear set outputting a negative rotation speed by using a rotation speed input from the input shaft, a second planetary gear set converting the negative rotation speed into a positive rotation speed, a compound planetary gear set changing the rotation speed selectively input from the input shaft, the negative rotation speed and the positive rotation speed into nine forward speeds and one reverse speed, eight rotational members, and six friction members, and brakes interposed between a selected rotational member among the rotational members and a transmission housing.
US08647226B2
A sun gear is supported by an eccentric portion of a rotor via a bearing and rotatable eccentrically to the rotor axis. A ring gear includes inner teeth via which the ring gear is meshed with outer teeth of the sun gear. An output shaft is located adjacent to the sun gear in the axial direction. A fitted portion of the output shaft is loosely fitted to a fitting portion of the sun gear to transfer rotation of the sun gear to the output shaft. The bearing has a center position located in a fitting overlap region between the fitting portion of the sun gear and the fitted portion of the output shaft in the axial direction and/or located in a gear overlap region between the outer teeth of the sun gear and the inner teeth of the ring gear which are meshed with the outer gear.
US08647225B2
A motor vehicle powertrain includes a multiple speed transmission including a first lube circuit that supplies hydraulic lubricant to components of the transmission, a first oil sump, and a first pump driveably connected to an engine for supplying oil at a first pressure to the lube circuit, a transfer case including a first output, a second oil sump located in the transfer case, a second pump located in the transfer case and driveably connected to the first output, and a check valve for alternately opening and closing a connection between the first pump and the lube circuit and for opening and closing a connection between the second pump and the lube circuit in response to differential pressure between an outlet of the first pump and an outlet of the second pump.
US08647219B2
Based on a surface shape appearing at a predetermined point moment by moment during rotation of a golf ball having numerous dimples on its surface, a data constellation regarding a parameter dependent on a surface shape of the golf ball is calculated. Preferably, the parameter is a distance between an axis of the rotation and the surface of the golf ball. Another preferable parameter is a volume of space between a surface of a phantom sphere and the surface of the golf ball. Based on a maximum value and a minimum value of the data constellation, a fluctuation range is calculated. By dividing the fluctuation range by a total volume of the dimples, an evaluation value is calculated. This value is calculated for each of PH rotation and POP rotation.
US08647217B2
A hollow golf club head comprises a main body member provided with a face opening and a sole opening, a face member brazed/soldered to the main body member to close the face opening, and a sole member brazes/soldered/welded to the main body member to close the sole opening. The main body member has a thin front edge part of the sole opening and a thick heat blocking part between the thin front edge part and the face portion. The sole member has a front edge part connected to the sole opening's front edge part and a thicker sole reinforcing part positioned backward thereof. The thicknesses of the sole member's front edge part and the sole opening's front edge part are not less than 0.5 mm and less than 2.5 mm. The thicknesses of the sole reinforcing part and the heat blocking part are 2.5 to 10.0 mm.
US08647213B2
An apparatus is disclosed for climbing and sliding, including a first wall having a first interior surface and a first exterior climbing surface. The apparatus includes a second wall having a second interior surface and a second exterior climbing surface. The apparatus includes a slide having an upper end, a lower end, and a sliding surface descending between the first wall and the second wall. The sliding surface connects to the first interior surface and to the second interior surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of climbing holds. The plurality of climbing holds is secured to the first exterior climbing surface and to the second exterior climbing surface.
US08647212B2
An intersecting path ride providing close vehicle interaction without risk of collision. The ride includes a track assembly defining first and second linear, open channels bisecting at a vehicle path intersection point. The ride includes first and second vehicle guides movable within the channels. The ride includes first and second vehicle subassemblies supported by the guides, and the vehicle subassemblies move or reciprocate with the guides along linear paths defined by the channels. The ride includes a vehicle positioning assembly that concurrently reciprocates the guides back and forth along the linear channels through the intersection point. The vehicle positioning assembly includes a connection link pivotally coupled to the guides, a drive motor with an output shaft, and a crank arm rigidly coupled to the output shaft at one end and pivotally coupled to the connection link at another end moving the midpoint of the link through a circular drive path.
US08647204B2
A video game program and a video game device are disclosed. If there is no move instruction from the player through a touch panel, the game image displayed on the display screen is scrolled if the position indicated by an input position from the touch panel is included within a first peripheral area along the periphery of the display screen. If there is a move instruction from the player through the touch panel, the game image displayed on the display screen is scrolled if the position indicated by the input position from the touch panel is included within a second peripheral area, larger than the first peripheral area, along the periphery of the display screen. Thus, in a video game device using a touch panel, an appropriate scroll process according to the status of the game is established, thereby improving the operability of the device.
US08647201B1
One or more embodiments of the invention are related to a fantasy league aggregation system with a processor to bidirectionally communicate with a plurality of external servers, accept a first set of sports league data from a first user and accept a second set of sports league data from the plurality of external servers. The processor combines the first user selection and the second set of sports league data, displays an aggregate view of the combination with a player favorability view for one or more league players including a plurality of player strength categories associated with each player such as a list of players for the first user, a list of players favorable to the first user, a list of players neutral to the first user, a list of players that are unfavorable to the first user and a list of players that are against the first user.
US08647198B2
An illumination system includes an information processing device capable of communicating with a server via a network and an illumination device capable of receiving a signal from the information processing device. The information processing device includes a reception portion and a lighting control portion. The reception portion receives instruction data from the server, and the instruction data indicates an instruction to cause the illumination device to emit light in accordance with a television broadcast image and/or audio. The lighting control portion outputs a control signal to the illumination device, and the control signal controls lighting by the illumination device based on the received instruction data. The illumination device sheds visible light in accordance with the control signal.
US08647197B2
A game apparatus includes a CPU, and displays on a monitor a scene viewed from a virtual camera moving in a virtual game space. In the game apparatus, an aspect ratio of an image to be displayed on the monitor is acquired, and a moving speed of the virtual camera is set based on the aspect ratio. For example, a visual field of the virtual camera is set based on the aspect ratio, and as the image is laterally longer with respect to a longitudinal thereof, the visual field in a crosswise direction is made wider, and therefore a crosswise moving speed of the virtual camera is made smaller.
US08647196B1
Systems and methods enable players to play games of chance using gaming devices to win a progressive prize, a pari-mutuel prize, and a plurality of gaming device specific player prizes. A first gaming device enables a first player to win the progressive prize, the pari-mutuel prize, and a gaming device specific first player prize that is independent of the first player. A second gaming device enables a second player to win the progressive prize, the pari-mutuel prize, and a gaming device specific second player prize that is independent of the second player. The second gaming device prevents the second player from winning the gaming device specific first player prize while the second player is using the second gaming device.
US08647190B2
A data converter for gaming machines includes a read out unit that reads out credit information of a gaming machine recorded on a ticket, a data conversion unit that converts the credit information that has been read out into a data format suitable for an electronic medium, and a writing unit that writes the credit information with the converted data format to the electronic medium. A credit management system includes the converter and a data management unit that manages credit information, including credit identifying data and credit data that represents value of credit.
US08647189B2
A game function which is capable of achieving high entertainability is provided. In a case where an instruction for selecting any of a plurality of bet types is inputted via an input device, information for description of the bet type is displayed based upon information data according to the bet type selected by the instruction.
US08647187B2
A central gaming server communicates with a gaining workstation over a network, such as a local area network or wide area computer network. The gaming server makes an initial determination of payout percentage for an instance of a game engaged in by the workstation, and generates results of turns of the game in accordance with the initial payout percentage. In one embodiment, the payout percentage is dynamically changed by the gaming server, and it generates additional results of turns of the game using the new payout percentage. Triggers for determining a new payout percentage could be that a predetermined number of turns of play at the initial payout percentage have occurred, the elapsing of a certain amount of time, or the player logging off the game and then logging back on. In further embodiments, the gaming workstation includes a processor and instructions for locally determining an initial payout percentage, the results of play, and dynamically changing the payout percentage without requiring communication with a central gaming server.
US08647185B2
A game machine with a display, a storage medium storing a computer program, and a control method of controlling a computer to display a reference mark moving from a start position to an arrival position along a predetermined path is displayed on a game screen. The game machine comprises a path rotating device that rotates the predetermined path on a predetermined rotation axis during a game based on a predetermined condition. The predetermined path may vary by rotational angle, orbital distance from a rotational center, rotation timing, rotation timing data, rotational angle data, and angle specifying data. The game machine may also include a an audio output device, a music data storage device, and a music reproducing device that reproduces the music through the audio output device based on the music data, and wherein the music data timing is translated into operation timing sequence data for the rotation of the predetermined path. The storage medium stores a computer program in order to cause a computer incorporated into the game machine above to invoke the same. The control method above comprises the step necessary to cause the rotation of the rotating device detailed above.
US08647180B1
A method for shucking bi-valve shellfish, especially clams, includes imparting a wide array of infrared energy from at least one infrared heater from above to a first shell of the bi-valve shellfish sufficient to detach an adductor muscle from the first shell. The bi-valve shellfish are inverted to expose a second shell. Infrared energy is imparted again from above to a second shell of the bi-valve shellfish sufficient to release a shellfish meat from between the first and shell and the second shell. A system for carrying out this method includes a tank for washing the shellfish, a dryer, the infrared heaters, a device for inverting the shellfish, a tank for quenching the shellfish, and a conveyor for transporting the shellfish under the infrared heaters.
US08647179B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a polishing pad that is resistant to scratching and also has excellent flattening performance. One aspect of the present invention is a polishing pad, comprising a fiber-entangled body formed from fiber bundles made up of ultrafine fibers in which the average cross sectional area is between 0.01 and 30 μm2, and a macromolecular elastomer, wherein part of the macromolecular elastomer is present inside the fiber bundles, whereby the ultrafine fibers are bundled, the number of fiber bundles per unit of surface area present in a cross section in the thickness direction is at least 600 bundles per square millimeter, and the volumetric ratio of a portion excluding voids is between 55 and 95%.
US08647175B2
A radially inwardly open raceway formed in a nut centered on a nut axis is machined by of oscillating the nut about the nut axis while pressing a tool secured in a holder radially outwardly into the raceway of the nut. The holder is moved parallel to the nut axis and oscillated about a tool axis perpendicular to the nut axis synchronously with the oscillation of the nut about the nut axis. Springs brace the tool against the holder parallel to the nut axis such that the tool can move limitedly in the holder against spring bias parallel to the tool axis.
US08647174B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor wafer polishing method for polishing the surfaces to be polished of semiconductor wafers by use of polishing pads (16, 17) provided on fixing plates by relative movement of the polishing pads and the semiconductor wafers held by carriers. The shaping surfaces (25) of a polishing pad shaping jig (21) are shaped by inverting, with respect to ideal shapes, the shapes of the surfaces to be polished of each semiconductor wafer when the surfaces are polished by use of the polishing pads (16, 17) before shaping, and the shapes of the shaping surfaces of the polishing pad shaping jig are transferred to the pad surfaces (16A and 17A) of the respective polishing pads (16, 17). The surfaces to be polished of each semiconductor wafer are polished by use of the pad surfaces.
US08647173B2
A method of polishing a semiconductor wafer using a holding system including a lined cutout the size of the semiconductor wafer that is fixed to a carrier. The method includes holding the semiconductor wafer in the cutout through adhesion of a first side of the semiconductor wafer to a bearing surface in the cutout and polishing a second side of the held semiconductor wafer using a polishing pad that is fixed on a polishing plate while introducing a polishing agent between the second side of the semiconductor wafer and the polishing pad, the polishing pad including fixedly bonded abrasive materials. The carrier is guided during polishing such that a portion of the second side of the semiconductor wafer temporarily projects beyond a lateral edge of a surface of the polishing pad.
US08647170B2
There are three flat-surfaced rotary workpiece abrasive lapping spindles that are spaced apart from each other in a circle and are attached to the flat surface of a granite lapping machine base. Flat-surfaced workpieces are attached to the flat rotary surfaces of the workpiece spindles. Flexible abrasive disks are attached to the annular abrading surface of a rotary platen that is positioned to be concentric with the three spaced workpiece spindles. The platen is moved where the disk abrasive surface contacts the workpieces that are attached to the workpiece spindles. Both the platen and the workpieces spindles are rotated at high speeds to flat lap the exposed surfaces of the workpieces. Laser alignment devices are attached to an alignment rotary spindle that is positioned at the center of the workpiece spindle circle. These laser alignment distance sensors are used to co-planar align the top flat surfaces of the workpiece spindles.
US08647154B2
A network adapter with a wireless network access function includes a wireless network access point router, a socket, a network plug, and a metallic cover. The wireless network access point router has at least one set of electrode terminals. The socket has at least one connecting port. The connecting port is provided with a plurality of insertion slots for allowing the electrode terminals to be assembled therein. The network plug is electrically connected to the wireless network access point router. The metallic cover is a hollow body. The rear side of the body has two foldable plates. The wireless network access point router, the socket and the network plug are assembled in the body of the metallic cover with the network plug being exposed to the outside of the body.
US08647153B2
A shielded connector includes a conductive body having a plurality of receiving holes formed through, a plurality of insulating members respectively fixed in the receiving holes, and a plurality of terminals respectively fixed to the insulating members. Each terminal has a contact portion exposed upward to the insulating member and a soldering portion exposed downward to the insulating member. The terminal and the conductive body are in an nonconductive state. The conductive body is formed by integral injection molding, which does not require pre-molding an insulating body having a plurality of receiving holes and plating metal layers in the receiving holes, so that the process is simple yet novel and the problem that metal layers easily peel off is solved while ensuring a stable and good shielding effect.
US08647151B2
A ground contact plate in a contact unit includes fixing pieces provided at predetermined equal intervals in a longitudinal direction. The fixing pieces are respectively fitted in opposed slits in ground contact terminals via a transmission blade.
US08647120B2
A tooth separator apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a tong having two arms constructed of a resilient material and having a wedge disposed at each end. An expander member is coupled to the two arms, and a drive shaft is coupled to the expander member. When a user moves or rotates the drive shaft, the expander member is moved into a position which causes the two arms and wedges to separate by a distance sufficient to permit the wedges to be inserted in a patient's mouth and positioned adjacent to two teeth that are to be separated. When the user rotates the drive shaft in the reverse direction, the expander member returns to its original position thereby releasing the separating force on the resilient arms and permitting them and the wedges to move in a closing direction with sufficient force to separate the adjacent teeth.
US08647117B2
The invention concerns bone-adaptive surface structures for lateral jaw implants. Micromechanical and/or macromechanical surface structures having various body forms are incorporated into selected segments of the surface of the base and of the bar that connects the threaded piece with the base to accelerate the healing process after the implant is inserted into the jaw bone and to make a critical improvement in holding the implant firmly in place without rotation.
US08647116B2
An endodontic file (10) has at least a central longitudinal cord (12), a helically wound wire (14) at least partially surrounding the cord and an elastomeric grip (16) partially covering the helically wound wire near a first end thereof and having an outer diameter that is slightly wider than an internal diameter of a barrel of a dental instrument whereby on insertion into the barrel it is supported therein only by friction.
US08647114B2
An apparatus for applying a powdery or liquid substance includes a delivery device having a delivery pressurant connector and a substantially tubular applicator. The tubular applicator has an upstream portion for connecting to the delivery pressurant connector (16) and a downstream delivery orifice for delivering the powdery or liquid substance. The applicator is provided with at least one reservoir for the powdery or liquid substance and at least one valve permitting, when opened, delivery of the powdery or liquid substance by means of the pressurant via the delivery orifice.
US08647104B1
The present invention relates to a dough cutter for cutting a plurality of dough products from a dough sheet. The dough products are cut from the dough sheet into a defined geometrical shape and provide for easy pull-apart pastries once they are baked, cooked, or fried. The dough cutter consists of a plurality of dies, each containing a plurality of inner geometric cutouts.
US08647101B2
An installation (10) for the production of containers (12), includes a wheel (30) for transferring containers respectively between a first chamber (14) having a blowing unit (16) and a second chamber (18) having a filling unit, the wheel (30) being mounted such that it can move between at least: —a transfer position in which the wheel extends through an opening (24) which is common to the chambers (14, 18) in order to transfer the containers (12), and —a retracted position in which the wheel is displaced in order to close the opening (24) by element of associated closure element (26) in order to decontaminate the second chamber (18), and in which the displacement of the transfer wheel (30) between the positions is controlled manually or automatically from outside the first chamber (14) and/or the second chamber (18) of the installation (10).
US08647099B2
An extrudate transport apparatus comprises a free floating roller assembly, wherein the roller assembly controls a rotational pitch of a cylindrical green ceramic extrudate as the green ceramic extrudate moves longitudinally from a first location to a second location within the extrudate transport apparatus. The free floating roller assembly has a predetermined effective weight and comprises a contact roller having a deformable outer surface for frictionally contacting an outer surface of the green ceramic extrudate in motion adjacent thereto, while maintaining a constant contact force upon said green ceramic extrudate.
US08647095B2
A resin transfer molding (RTM) molding device is designed to mold a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) molded body by injecting a resin composition into a mold and by impregnating the molded body therewith. The resin composition is a chain curing polymer (CCP). A CCP accommodating layer is disposed adjacent to an outer side of the molded body. The layer contains the CCP. The layer is provided with a Vf limit value, the value defined by the curing characteristics of the CCP and the characteristics of dissipation of heat from the CCP to the exterior. An element for separating the molded body is disposed between the body and the layer.
US08647090B2
An injection nozzle for electrospinning including a first nozzle body and a second nozzle body detachably coupled with each other and nozzle members inserted in the first and second nozzle bodies and an electrospinning device using the nozzle. The electrospinning device basically performs air electrospinning wherein a source liquid for fiber is injected together with air while the source liquid for fiber is discharged through the nozzle members, and pure electrospinning without air injection can be efficiently carried out by separating the second nozzle body in such a manner that the lower ends of the nozzle members are exposed for a predetermined length or more. Therefore, according to the present invention, pure electrospinning, air electrospinning or hot air electrospinning may be selectively carried out.
US08647088B2
A rotary engine is described including: (1) a rotor located within a housing, the rotor configured with a plurality of rotor vane slots; (2) a vane separating an interior space between the rotor and the housing into at least a trailing chamber and a leading chamber, where the vane slidingly engages a rotor vane slot; (3) a first conduit within the rotor configured to communicate a first flow between the trailing chamber and the rotor vane slot; and (4) a lower trailing vane seal affixed to the vane, the lower trailing vane seal configured to valve the first conduit with rotation of the rotor. Optionally, a second conduit within the rotor is configured to communicate a second flow between the trailing chamber and the first conduit. Optionally, movement of the vane valves one or more additional fuel flow paths as a function of rotation of the rotor.
US08647083B2
An improved plunger has a north end, a south end, and a center region therebetween. A first northward angled shoulder is provided proximate the north end, for catching solids and preventing them from damaging an exterior of the plunger below the shoulder and potentially other pump components. In one embodiment, first and second northward angled shoulders are provided proximate the north end. First and second southward angled shoulders may be provided proximate the south end, making the plunger invertible when the north end becomes worn. The plunger may be comprised of separable regions, having different hardnesses. In one embodiment, the shoulders may provide a tapered outside diameter for the plunger.
US08647077B2
A cooling fan having motor and an impeller. The cooling fan may comprise a three-phase DC motor. The impeller may comprise a hub to house the three-phase DC motor and a plurality of blades extending from the hub. Each blade may have a height that is at least 25 % of the impeller diameter.
US08647058B2
In a cementless pump for pumping molten metal, support structure is suspended above the molten metal. A motor is supported by the support structure. A shaft is fastened to the motor. An impeller is mounted to a lower end of the shaft. A refractory base is supported in the molten metal and includes at least one impeller chamber in which the impeller is rotated and at least one discharge passageway. The base includes through holes. Support posts are each fastened to the support structure and to the base. Refractory sleeves are each disposed in one of the through holes. Post fastening members fasten the lower ends of the posts to the base without cement. A portion of each of the post fastening members is located inside the refractory sleeve. Also featured is a method of replacing posts in a cementless pump for pumping molten metal.
US08647051B2
An impeller for a centrifugal fan includes a hub, impeller blades, and struts for supporting the blades in a circumferential array spaced apart from the hub. The number of struts can equal the number of blades, each strut extended from the hub to support two blades while each blade is supported by one strut nearer to its leading edge and another strut nearer to its trailing edge. Another arrangement features two struts per blade, with one of the struts coupled to the hub and a given blade, and the other strut coupled between the given blade and an adjacent blade. The struts are recessed inwardly from the leading and trailing edges to promote smoother air flow. The blades and struts are provided with aerodynamic thickness profiles to further improve air flow.
US08647044B2
The light-weight live-floor module has a floor surface, parallel cables laid on the floor surface, a length of conveyor belt laid on the cables, a movable bulkhead and a winch system for moving the belt, the cables and the bulkhead back and forth in unison, such as a shuttle. The belt has just enough length to cover the return axis and the floor surface on which goods are transported, thereby reducing any unnecessary weight in the live floor structure. The cables and the belt are wrapped over different axes for eliminating relative movement between the cables and the belt. One axis is set higher than the floor surface for easily breaking static friction under the belt. In a method for breaking static friction between a conveyor belt and a floor surface, a first segment of the belt is jolted upwardly while tension is applied in the belt.
US08647037B2
A system for assembling an end cover of a combustor includes a connector and structure for engaging the connector to an insert positioned at least partially inside the end cover. The system also includes structure for moving the connector axially with respect to the end cover. A method for assembling an end cover of a combustor includes inserting a connector through at least a portion of the end cover and an insert positioned at least partially inside the end cover. The method further includes engaging the connector with the insert and moving the connector axially with respect to the end cover to compress the insert against the end cover.
US08647031B2
A semiconductor device includes a metal oxide channel and methods for forming the same. The metal oxide channel includes indium, gallium, and zinc.
US08647024B2
A cutting edge-replaceable cutting tool includes a tool body, and a cutting insert is removably installed on the tool body. The cutting tool-replaceable cutting tool includes an insert mounting seat formed on the tool body and on which the cutting insert is mounted, and a upper wall portion formed integrally with the tool body and overhanging the insert mounting seat.
US08647023B2
A slotting cutter includes a disc-like cutter body rotatable in a predetermined direction on a central axis perpendicular to a plane of the cutter body. A plurality of cutting insert receiving pockets and a corresponding number of thread holes are formed about a perimeter of the body. A cutting insert is replaceably mounted in each insert receiving pocket of the cutter body, and a clamping screw is replaceably threaded in each thread hole of the cutter body. A cantilevered portion is disposed between each insert receiving pocket and a respective thread hole that exerts a downward force to securely hold the cutting insert in the cutter body when the clamping screw is threaded into the thread hole.
US08647021B2
A pneumatic tube system, including at least one system control module for controlling delivery of a pneumatic carrier through pneumatic tubing. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station having a sealer, the sealer includes a heating pad and a sealing strip, where the sealer automatically grips the open end within the heating pad and the sealing strip upon insertion of the bag into the system. In one example, the sealer creates a vacuum to extract air from an interior space of the bag. The sealer applies heat to the open end to seal the bag. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station configured for sending at least one carrier, the at least one sending pneumatic tube station being in signal communication with the at least one system control module, where the at least one carrier is sent through the system by pneumatic tubing.
US08647019B2
An installation of bottom-to-surface connections having a plurality of bottom-to-surface connections arranged in a fan from a common floating support. The installation having a first number k of first bottom-to-surface connections, with each first number of connections having a first riser connected to a first undersea pipe tensioned in substantially vertical manner by a first float, and a diving first flexible connection pipe connecting the floating support and first riser. The installation further having a second number m of second bottom-to-surface connection, with each second number of connections having a second rigid pipe connected to a second undersea pipe and tensioned by a second buoyancy element, and a second flexible connection pipe providing the connection between the floating support and the second rigid pipe.
US08647015B2
A concrete pit containing radioactive waste is surrounded by a low diffusion layer of cement-based material, which in turn, is surrounded by a low water permeability layer of sodium-type bentonite and the leaching out of calcium ions from the low water permeability layer is inhibited by mixing sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate with the sodium-type bentonite/sand mixture of the low water-permeability layer so that leached calcium ions form a barrier layer having calcium carbonate as the main component in the vicinity of the interface between the layers.
US08647013B2
The present invention provides a marking system adapted for coating a surface of a substrate in which a drying agent is used. According to a first aspect of the invention, a binder layer, such as paint, is applied to the surface. A drying agent is dispensed into the spray of a binder and becomes incorporated with the binder on the substrate surface. The incorporation of the drying agent into the binder prior to application on the surface provides improved mixing of the drying agent and binder and improved performance. According to a second aspect of the invention, a combination of optical elements and a drying agent are stored in a common hopper and are dispensed into the spray of the binder and become incorporated with the binder on the substrate surface. The mixture of optical elements and drying agent prevents coagulation of the drying agent and the resulting clogging of the dispenser.
US08647003B2
A roll paper supply device has a roll paper compartment that stores roll paper with the axis of rotation transverse so that the roll paper can roll there inside; supply rollers that feed the roll paper from the roll paper compartment in a sheet; a roll paper cover that opens and closes the roll paper compartment; and a side pressure plate that contacts one side of the roll paper when the access cover is closed, and displaces away from the side of the roll paper when the access cover opens.
US08647000B2
Provided is a recording apparatus including: a holding tray which is inserted in a transportation path facing a recording head, and is capable of holding a recording medium on a front surface thereof, the holding tray having a plane area used to horizontally hold the recording medium and a sloped area provided in a rear end in a transportation direction and inclined toward a rear surface thereof as it becomes closer to a rear edge; a driving roller which comes into contact with the rear surface of the holding tray; a driven roller which comes into contact with the front surface of the holding tray and pinches the holding tray between the driving roller and the driven roller; and a control device which controls the driving roller in response to the case of transporting the plane area of the holding tray and the case of transporting the sloped area thereof.
US08646992B2
A receptacle structure for optical sub-assembly for transceivers includes a receiving tube; an optical fiber; an optical fiber retainer member having an interface section and an inclined head integrally connected with the interface section, the interface section being mounted in the receiving tube with the inclined head protruding out of the receiving tube, the inclined head defining an inclined hole for receiving a front end section of the optical fiber, whereby the optical signals can be mass-accumulated and coupled to the optical fiber; a sleeve mounted in the receiving tube and the optical fiber retainer member, the sleeve being formed with an internal through hole for receiving a front end section of an optical fiber module; and a fiber stub mounted in the optical fiber retainer member and the sleeve. The fiber stub has a passageway for receiving a rear end section of the optical fiber.
US08646989B2
A fiber optic connector and cable assembly is disclosed herein. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly includes a cable having at least one optical fiber, a jacket surrounding the optical fiber and at least one strength member for reinforcing the fiber optic cable. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly also includes a fiber optic connector having a main connector body having a distal end and a proximal end. The fiber optic connector also includes a ferrule supporting an end portion of the optical fiber. The ferrule is mounted at the distal end of the main connector body. The fiber optic connector further includes a spring for biasing the ferrule in a distal direction and a spring push for retaining the spring within the main connector body. The spring push is mounted at the proximal end of the main connector body. The spring push includes a main body and a stub that projects proximally outwardly from the main body. A crimp band is provided for securing the fiber optic cable to the fiber optic connector. The crimp band includes a first portion crimped down on the stub. The strength member is secured between the first portion of the crimp band and the stub. The crimp band also includes a second portion crimped down on the jacket of the fiber optic cable. The crimp band further includes an inner surface having gripping structures for gripping the strength member and/or the jacket.
US08646985B2
A sealed spherical roller bearing assembly, having an outer ring with a seal groove and an inner ring with a central bore. A plurality of rolling elements is arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring. A seal is provided that has a sealing element on an outer diameter of the seal, which sealing element engages in the seal groove in the outer ring.
US08646973B2
A fabric bulk bag and a method for constructing the same, the bag including a continuous sidewall, a top portion, and a bottom, all defining a bulk storage space therein; the bottom further comprising eight sides which define an octagonal shape having an enlarged footprint so that the bag wall is sewn to the bottom in less time than a round shaped bag, yet when filled stands more upright with less tendency to lean than the current square shaped bags thereby providing a safer more dependable stacking bulk bag. In the method of producing the fabric bulk bag, the bag is constructed in less time than the prior art round bottom bags, uses less wall fabric than prior art square bottomed bags and when constructed and filled, supports itself more stable on a floor or pallet because it provides substantially more base for the product to rest on. In other embodiments, the bag would be multi-sided with greater than four sides.
US08646960B2
A backlight includes a light guide and a first and second light source adapted for independent operation and arranged to inject a first and second light beam, respectively, into the light guide through different portions of the light injection surface. Each light source includes a lamp and a concave reflector to partially collimate light from the lamp. One major surface of the light guide includes prismatic structures that are parallel to a first axis. Another major surface of the light guide includes lenticular structures that are parallel to each other but perpendicular to the prismatic structures. The lenticular structures limit spatial spreading for light that remains in the light guide. Each light source cooperates with the light guide to provide light that is substantially laterally confined to a transverse band of the light guide, even though the light guide contains no gaps that define slats to accomplish such confinement.
US08646955B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor-type light source 2, a lens 35, an optical control member 6, and a driving member 7. The light control member 6 is made of a light transmission portion 61 and a mount portion 62 that has an opening portion 66. The driving member 7 is configured to position the light control member 6 in such a manner as to be changeably movable between a first location and a second location. As a result, the present invention is capable of obtaining a light distribution pattern for low beam LP and a light distribution pattern for high beam HP, and in particular, there can hardly occur a case in which the amount of light becomes insufficient in a part of the light distribution pattern for high beam HP.
US08646944B2
A light emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture for achieving a desired illumination pattern includes a support plate and a plurality of panels Connected to the support plate. Each panel has an array of LEDs mounted to a planar surface thereof, and each of the panels is rotatable in at least two dimensions.
US08646938B1
A portable distress light including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED's) and a light mode switch to power the diodes so as to provide at least one of, and preferably at least two of, a flashing white light, a flashing infrared light, a flashing blue light, a flashing colored light, a steady colored light, and a steady white light. The LED's are segmented into two circuits, each circuit strobing the respective LED's, where the additive illumination of the LED's creates a single extended illumination period and a respective single dark period. The single extended illumination period can be generated by a series of quick illuminating cycles of the LED's of each of the two circuits, thus providing multiple illuminating pulses to create the single extended illumination period.
US08646937B2
A switch panel illumination structure for mounting to an outer side of an indoor switch includes a panel provided with a receptacle, and an illumination mechanism detachably received in the receptacle. A conductive section is disposed in the receptacle and electrically connected to an AC/DC conversion module. The illumination mechanism has a first and a second light-emitting section electrically connected to an illumination control module thereof, and the illumination control module is electrically connected to the AC/DC conversion module via contacts and the conductive section. The illumination mechanism further has a switch section electrically connected to the first and second light-emitting sections and the illumination control module. The illumination mechanism can be securely located in the receptacle to serve as a night lamp or an emergency light or be easily removed from the receptacle for use as a flashlight without changing the appearance and the size of the panel.
US08646936B2
An electrical wiring device includes a dimmable night light therein. The night light includes one or more light sources for emitting light and an optional lens disposed over the light sources. The lens allows light from the light sources to be emitted therethrough. In some embodiments, the lens is used to turn on the night light, turn off the night light, and dim the night light. In some exemplary embodiments, manipulation of the lens selects an operating mode for the device. The device optionally includes an occupancy detection sensor to assist detecting occupancy within a monitored area.
US08646928B2
The present invention provides a backlight module including a plurality of illuminant units and two light guide plates respectively arranged at two opposite sides of the illuminant units. Each of the light guide plates has a light-incident surface and a light-emitting surface adjacent to the light-incident surface. A portion of the illuminant units emit light toward the light-incident surface of one of the light guide plates, and the other portion of the illuminant units emit light toward the light-incident surface of the other light guide plate. The dimension of the light-emitting surface of each light guide plate is positive proportional to the amount of the illuminant units emitting light toward the light guide plate. In addition, the present invention also provides a liquid crystal displaying apparatus including the above-mentioned backlight module.
US08646926B2
To constrain reductions in luminous efficacy while enhancing the color rendition index, the LED module includes a blue LED, at least one variety of phosphor particles excited by the outgoing light from the blue LED, and neodymium glass particles that include neodymium ions absorbing the outgoing light from the phosphor particles in a predetermined wavelength band.
US08646920B2
A display device capable of displaying a plurality of projection images is provided. The display device includes a light source within a base and a plurality of projection outputs. Each projection output comprises an optical modulation device and a projection lens system. The light source includes a switch and a plurality of light sources such as lasers or LEDs with different color to one another. The switch receives and diverts light beams from the light sources in a predetermined sequential order to the plurality of projection outputs.
US08646917B2
An apparatus is provided for generating or creating an autostereoscopic or three-dimensional (3D) display. The apparatus has a foreground display assembly including a display element such as a transparent projection screen film and a projector projecting a first set of two-dimensional (2D) content onto a rear surface viewable by a viewer via a front surface. The apparatus includes a background display assembly including a display element displaying a second set of 2D content. The apparatus includes an intermediate display assembly including a display element, such as an optical shutter window, positioned between the foreground display element and the background display element. This assembly includes a projector projecting a third set of 2D content on the front or rear surface of the optical shutter window. The first, second, and third sets of 2D content are concurrently visible and the use of three spaced apart display planes creates a 3D illusion.
US08646915B2
An ophthalmic apparatus comprises: aberration correction unit arranged to correct aberration of at least one of irradiating light directed to an eye to be examined and return light from the eye; light-receiving unit arranged to receive, as return light from the eye, the light whose aberration is corrected by the aberration correction unit and then which irradiates the eye; measurement unit arranged to measure the aberration of the return light; and control unit arranged to control the aberration correction unit based on a measurement result obtained by the measurement unit and a light reception result obtained by the light-receiving unit.
US08646911B2
A compensation optical apparatus for obtaining and image of an object without reduction in image quality irrespective of aberration compensation, includes: a division unit for dividing a return beam from a measured object; an aberration measurement unit for measuring an aberration caused by the measured object, with a divided beam from the division unit; an aberration compensation unit for performing aberration compensation based on the aberration measured by the aberration measurement unit; a projection unit for projecting a beam obtained by the aberration compensation in the aberration compensation unit to the measured object; an acquirement unit for acquiring a value exhibiting a state of the measured object based on the return beam from the measured object, which is obtained by the beam projected from the projection unit; and a control unit for retreating the division unit from an optical path based on the value acquired by the acquirement unit.
US08646909B2
The invention relates to a method for determining an ophthalmic lens for a person (i.sub.1, i.sub.2, i.sub.3) to wear said lens, comprising the following steps: i) determination of the size (T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3) or height of the eyes (H.sub.1, H.sub.2, H.sub.3) of the person to wear the lens; and ii) calculation of at least one characteristic of the ophthalmic lens according to the size (T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3) or the height of the eyes (H.sub.1, H.sub.2, H.sub.3) of the person to wear the lens. The ophthalmic lens can be progressive strength or unifocal. The invention also relates to an optimization method and a method for producing an ophthalmic lens implementing such a definition method. The invention further relates to a set of lenses having at least one characteristic that depends on the size and the height of the eyes of the person to wear the lens.
US08646907B2
A lens body comprising at least one form of boronic acid, boronic ester or boronic anhydride is provided. The lens body is contacted with a solution comprising at least one form of TRIS. A contact lens package including the contact lens, and methods of producing and using the contact lens, are also provided.
US08646905B2
A conveyor device includes a drive roller that conveys a tray or a sheet through a conveying path, a rotating shaft that rotates between a third position and a second position via a first position, a spur roller that moves between a fourth position and a fifth position, a first contacting portion that is disposed in the conveying path when the rotating shaft is in the first position and that contacts one surface of the tray passing through the conveying path when the rotating shaft is in the second position, and is separated from the conveying path when the rotating shaft is in the third position, a second contacting portion that moves the spur roller, and a rotating unit configured to rotate the rotating shaft from the third position to the first position.
US08646892B2
A solid ink stick delivery apparatus uses a rotating member mounted within a plurality of hollow sleeves to transport solid ink sticks to a melting device. The interior surface of the hollow sleeves are configured with a surface that frictionally engages the rotating member, but enables the member to slip past the interior surface when the hollow sleeve is stopped from proceeding along the length of the member.
US08646891B2
An inkjet recording ink, including: a pigment; a water-soluble organic solvent; a surfactant; a polyether-modified silicone oil; a dispersing agent represented by the following General Formula (1) or (2); and water, wherein the water-soluble organic solvent contains: glycerin as a first water-soluble organic solvent; and a second water-soluble organic solvent, wherein the second water-soluble organic solvent is dipropylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanadiol, or any combination thereof, and wherein a mass ratio of the first water-soluble organic solvent:the second water-soluble organic solvent is 1:0.75 to 1:2.25, where R1 represents a C1-C20 alkyl group, an allyl group or an aralkyl group, L is an integer of 0 to 7, and n is an integer of 20 to 200, where m is an integer of 1 or greater.
US08646890B1
An opening and closing structure for ink cartridge, the ink cartridge includes a cartridge body and a lid, engaged to form a container to house a replaceable ink bag. Each of the two corresponding sides of the lid where the lid and cartridge body engage is disposed with at least a protruding hook element. Each of the two corresponding long side walls of the cartridge body is disposed with at least a latch unit. The latch unit includes a trench and a resilient latch element. As such, the lid can be easily engaged to and disengaged from the cartridge body for replacing the ink bag.
US08646888B2
An ink cartridge has a label portion on a wall surface of one periphery of a case forming an ink accommodating unit. The label unit has a lamination structure in which a plurality of layers with different properties and states are laminated, and includes an optical functional layer that allows light (first wavelength of light) with a predetermined wavelength to pass and an optical reflective layer that reflects the first wavelength of light, and the optical reflective layer is a surface side of the case. When the optical reflective layer is heated from a thermal head of a heating unit directed to the label portion, the optical reflective layer irreversibly raises absorptivity of the first wavelength of light with respect to a received range.
US08646885B2
A tube support member that puts a tube connected to an ink jet head and an ink tank in a bent state is provided. Accordingly, when a pulling force acts between the bent support member and the tube, a component force acting as contact force occurs at the surface that makes contact with the tube, and a high degree of friction is generated in response to this component force. The tube is thus strongly supported in a state in which the tube does not shift with the dimensions of the tube changing. Meanwhile, when the pulling force is released, the component force is also eliminated, and the tube is freed; the dimensions of the tube return to normal, and the tension is eliminated.
US08646879B2
A piezoelectric element comprises a piezoelectric layer and an electrode which is provided with the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer comprises a complex oxide which has a perovskite structure including bismuth, iron, a first dopant element which is at least one type selected from a group formed from sodium, potassium, calcium, and strontium, and a second dopant element which is at least one type selected from a group formed from manganese, titanium, vanadium, niobium, and tin.
US08646877B2
A radiation curable gel ink printing system is provided that includes a radiation source configured to emit UV light having short wavelength components. The disclosed systems and methods transport a substrate having radiation curable gel ink deposited thereon to the radiation source to expose the ink to the radiation source. The exposure at the radiation source may be continuous or pulsed. The radiation source may be configured a distance away from the radiation curable gel ink deposited on the substrate. The radiation source pre-treats the radiation curable gel ink before spreading the radiation curable gel ink at a contact-leveling nip at which a contact member applies pressure to the partially cured radiation curable gel ink against the substrate. The radiation curable gel ink is preferentially cured to allow spreading of the radiation curable ink by the contact member while limiting offset of the ink onto the contact member.
US08646874B2
A method of adaptively controlling motion of a carriage in a carriage printer within a user's environment, the method includes controlling a motor to move a carriage of a carriage printer within a user's environment according to a first motor control profile; acquiring data relative to a motion of the carriage printer as the carriage is moved according to the first motor control profile; analyzing the acquired data relative to the motion of the carriage printer corresponding to the carriage being moved according to the first motor control profile; and controlling the motor to move the carriage of the carriage printer according to a second motor control profile.
US08646872B2
An inkjet recording apparatus includes an inkjet head to horizontally eject ink droplets to print on a recording medium and an ink receiving assembly to receive ink droplets ejected for dummy ejection from the inkjet head. The ink receiving assembly includes a non-porous ink receiving plate and a collection tank. The ink receiving plate has a hydrophilic receiving face broader than an ejection range of the ink droplets ejected for dummy ejection. The receiving face is substantially vertically disposed to receive the ink droplets ejected for dummy ejection. The collection tank is disposed below the ink receiving plate to collect ink droplets received by and dropped from the ink receiving plate. Ad/stance between the inkjet head and the receiving face of the ink receiving plate is set to be shorter than a distance in which the ink droplets ejected from the inkjet head for dummy ejection turn into mist.
US08646870B2
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head; a carriage to which the recording head is detachably mounted; and a first head protection member that is arranged on the carriage; wherein the recording head is positioned with respect to the carriage in a relative movement direction by moving the recording head relative to the carriage until a first position reference plane of the recording head and a second position reference plane of the carriage come into contact; the first head protection member is arranged at both sides in the relative movement direction of a nozzle face of the recording head and protrudes further than the nozzle face; and the first head protection member is movable with respect to the carriage in the relative movement direction and moves along with the recording head when the recording head moves relative to the carriage.
US08646863B2
An ink jet recording head includes a nozzle array and discharge energy generation elements. The nozzles include discharge ports to discharge liquid when recording, pressure chambers to communicate with respective discharge ports, and liquid flow paths to supply liquid to the respective pressure chambers. The discharge energy generation elements apply discharge energy to the pressure chambers to discharge liquid from the nozzles in a predetermined order during time-division driving. Arranging intervals of the liquid flow paths take at least two different values. When a drive timing difference average between the adjacent discharge energy generation elements is calculated by a particular expression, a relationship of D≧Y is satisfied between an interval D and an interval Y in a k-th discharge energy generation element and a k+1-th discharge energy generation element positioned adjacent to the k-th discharge energy generation element. The intervals D and Y represent distances between particular liquid flow paths.
US08646861B2
The optimal number of print passes and a head-to-platen distance are set according to a content of an image to be printed and the user's request (emphasis is put on quality or speed, etc.) to thereby appropriately meet the needs for higher image quality and higher productivity and to perform printing with high reliability. To this end, it is made possible to select whether to execute processing for issuing an instruction to set the number of print passes and the head-to-platen distance according to discrimination of the content of the image. When the execution of the processing is selected, the number of print passes and the head-to-platen distance are appropriately set according to the content of the image (duty, etc.). Meanwhile, when it is not selected, the image is printed by one-pass print with the head-to-platen distance set larger, regardless of the content of the image.
US08646860B1
A fluid level sensor measures a height of a fluid in a volume with a plurality of piezoelectric sensors arranged along at least one wall of a container. The sensors are positioned to enable activated sensors to interact with the materials adjacent the sensors to produce electrical signals in more than one of the sensors. These electrical signals are used to identify the fluid level in the volume.
US08646855B2
In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a cabinet is provided. The cabinet includes a plurality of drawer slide receiving modules and a plurality of hanging drawer slides, each hanging drawer slide coupled to one of the plurality of drawer slide receiving modules, and each hanging drawer slide includes a plurality of hooks of a first type. At least one of the hanging drawer slides is configured to be withdrawn from the cabinet laterally along a longest axis of the hanging drawer slide. The plurality of drawer slide receiving modules are configured to be removably coupled to the cabinet in a plurality of different configurations. Methods and configuration systems are also provided.
US08646848B2
In one aspect of the present invention, a pick assembly is configured that comprises a pick shank configured to be press fit directly within a bore of a block. The pick shank comprises an inside and outside surface. The pick comprises a pick head opposite the shank. The shank comprises at least one longitudinal recess extending towards the pick head along the shank from a distal end of the shank. The recess allows the shank to resiliently collapse upon insertion into the bore while maintaining a press fit between the bore and the shank.
US08646840B2
A vehicle seat assembly includes a base portion, a support bracket, a seatback frame and a cushion frame. The support bracket is pivotally coupled to the base portion about a first axis. The seatback frame is pivotally coupled to the support bracket about a second axis that is spaced apart from the first axis. The cushion frame is pivotally coupled to the support bracket about a third axis that is spaced apart from both the first and second axes, such that the seatback frame and the cushion frame move with the support bracket relative to the base portion when the support bracket pivots about the first axis.
US08646837B2
An aircraft passenger seat has at least one seat element characterized by at least one monitoring apparatus for monitoring the seat element. The seat arrangement has a plurality of seats, wherein at least one seat includes at least one sensor module for monitoring a seat element and a control unit for checking and controlling the monitoring, wherein the at least one sensor module is in a data exchange relationship with the control unit.
US08646836B2
A vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat includes a seat main body, and a duct that is provided in the seat main body. The duct includes an inlet port through which air is supplied, a first communication pipe which is branched from the inlet port and communicates with a first outlet port, and a second communication pipe which is branched from the inlet port and communicates with a second outlet port. The duct is provided with a heating device which is configured to supply or absorb heat to or from air flowing through at least one of the first communication pipe and the second communication pipe so as to generate a temperature difference between air discharged from the first outlet port and air discharged from the second outlet port.
US08646834B2
A vehicle body structure includes a roof ditch that is defined by a recessed support surface, first and second wall surfaces that extend longitudinally along sides of the recessed support surface. A cover includes a top portion that spans a width of the roof ditch between respective top edges thereof. The cover includes a cover attachment section and a molding attachment section. The cover attachment section couples the cover at a fixed position relative to the vehicle body panel. A molding member extends in a lengthwise direction along the roof ditch between the first and second wall surfaces. The molding member includes an attachment member mating with the molding attachment section of the cover to form a lengthwise movement connection that retains the cover to the molding member with a predetermined amount of movement along the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch.
US08646832B2
A lower wall portion of a bracket is attached to a motor compartment cross member via a charger. The bracket has an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration when viewed from a side of the vehicle, and includes a vertical wall portion which is bent from a vehicle-rear side end of the lower wall portion and extends toward the top of the vehicle. A DC/DC converter is attached to an upper portion of the vertical wall portion of the bracket. The DC/DC converter is located in such a position that an upper portion of the DC/DC converter overlaps with a cowling when viewed from a front of the vehicle.
US08646822B2
An apparatus and method for insertion of wire-ends into connector housings includes a wire gripper with two wire-end gripping jaws. The wire gripper has a slider apparatus with a guide element and a slider coupled to the first gripping jaw wherein the first gripping jaw and the slider are borne displaceably relative to the second gripping jaw along the guide element. A pressured actuator acts through a movement converter on the wire gripper to initiate a coarse movement of the first gripping jaw relative to the second gripping jaw and rotating movement of a motor is converted by the movement converter into a fine movement of the first gripping jaw relative to the second gripping jaw.
US08646819B2
A latch includes a base, a drive shaft and cam, and a handle attached pivotally to the drive shaft. The handle is moveable between a closed position, a pop-up position, and an open position. A slide plate is attached slidably to the base and engaged with the cam. A swivel arm is attached pivotally to the base and the slide plate. A bolt assembly is attached to the swivel arm, and a plunger is mounted within the base. In its closed position, the handle engages the plunger to engage a switch and the bolt assembly engages a structure. In the handle's pop-up position, the plunger moves to a retracted position and disengages the switch. When the handle is moved to the open position, the drive shaft and cam are rotated so that the slide plate slides and the swivel arm pivots to swing the bolt assembly away from the structure.
US08646818B2
A locking device includes a body, a first part, an engaging assembly, a link and a locking member. The body has an installation area and the engaging assembly is installed in the installation area and includes a first engaging member and a first resilient member which provides a force to the first engaging member to connect the engaging member to the first part. The link is movably located in the installation area to push the first engaging member to move relative to the first part to release the locked status. The locking member is located in the installation area and has a first recess and an operation end. When the first recess is located corresponding to the first engaging member, the first engaging member is movable in the first recess. When the first recess is located away from the first engaging member, the first part is secured to the body.
US08646813B1
An exemplary connector assembly includes an elongated body with an internal passage for a conduit or cables. A body aperture region with a body fastener aperture is set between two elongated slots. The body aperture region may radially bulge out from the body, and may alternatively or additionally include an aperture flange protruding from the body aperture region. A U-shaped connector clip includes two parallel teeth that are inserted in the two slots, and a clip body having a clip fastener aperture. A fastener is inserted through the fastener apertures, securing the connector clip to the body. A fastening clip secures the fastener to the connector clip and keeps the connector clip from falling back into the slots as the connector clip is being disengaged from the body. Each clip tooth includes an engaging end that is complementarily interfittable with grooves in the conduit, keeping the conduit in place.
US08646807B2
A roof side rail component arrangement structure capable of easily assuring space for arrangement of a curtain airbag inflator and a barrier net anchoring bracket at a roof side rail between a center pillar and a rear seat assist grip. In this roof side rail component arrangement structure, an inflator for a curtain airbag and a barrier net anchoring bracket are disposed at a roof side rail between a center pillar and a rear seat assist grip. The barrier net anchoring bracket includes a body fixing portion and a barrier net anchoring portion, and is formed in an open cross-section shape that opens diagonally to the lower side and to the vehicle width direction outer side. The inflator is disposed between the body fixing portion and the barrier net anchoring portion.
US08646796B2
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for extracting vibration data from a moving drive chain. In the preferred embodiment, the chain is that of a bicycle, or similar pedaled machine such as an indoor stationery bicycle, with two or more sensors placed on the chainstay of the bicycle to measure the vibrational frequency of the chain. Such vibration data can be used to determine the tension of the chain, and may also further compute the power transmitted by the chain, in conjunction with the measurement of chain speed. The invention provides a method and apparatus for conditioning and filtering the signals from the vibration sensors, as well as an arrangement for positioning the sensors on the bicycle.
US08646795B2
A seat for a wheelchair is provided. An exemplary embodiment of the seat includes a seat back portion, a bottom portion, and a linkage coupling the bottom portion to the seat back portion such that the seat back portion is movable relative to the bottom portion. The linkage generally includes a first link and a second link. The first link is generally pivotally connected to the bottom portion and the seat back portion. The second link is generally pivotally connected to the bottom portion and the seat back portion. The first link and the second link pivot relative to the seat back portion and the bottom portion as the seat back portion is moved relative to the bottom portion.
US08646792B2
A vehicle frame structure is adapted to absorb energy from frontal impacts. The frame structure extends under a front portion of the body frame. The frame structure includes a rear sub-frame located below and in front of a pair of side frame under-members, and a catching surface connected to the pair of side frame under-members for engaging the rear sub-frame and attached structures. A steering gear is attached to the rear sub-frame. The catching surface interacts with the steering gear to promote additional crushing energy absorption during sliding movement of the rear sub-frame relative to the catching surface during the frontal impact. The catching surface can be formed on ramps attached to the pair of side frame under-members. A tether can prolong crushing contact of the rear sub-frame with respect to the catching surface.
US08646791B2
A frame structure is adapted to absorb energy from frontal impacts and extends under a front portion of the body frame. The frame structure includes a rear sub-frame located below and in front of a pair of side frame under-members, and a reinforcement bracket attached to the pair of side frame under-members to facilitate formation and control a deformation shape in an energy absorption pocket in the side frame under-member during a frontal impact for temporarily restraining the rear sub-frame before releasing the rear sub-frame to slide past the reinforcement bracket. The energy absorption pocket is formed in the side frame under-member forward of and outboard of the reinforcement bracket during a frontal impact prior to the rear sub-frame be released from B-point bolt connections to the side frame under-members.
US08646787B2
A wheel suspension for a rear wheel of a motor vehicle includes a wheel carrier, a lower control arm and a track rod connected to the wheel carrier at first and second points of articulation and supported on a vehicle body by first and second bearings. A rotation movement by the control arm and the track rod in response to longitudinal and/or lateral forces causes a toe-in change to thereby adjust the first point of articulation of the control arm by a first transverse offset in a vehicle transverse direction and adjust the second point of articulation of the track rod by a second transverse offset in the vehicle transverse direction. The first bearing is configured elastokinematically such that the first transverse offset of the first point of articulation is greater than the second transverse offset of the second point of articulation in response to the longitudinal and/or lateral forces.
US08646784B2
A method and a system for improving performances of an ice skate blade on ice, comprising selecting a substrate for the blade and controlling wettability of the surface of the substrate, by selecting a surface finish for the surface of the substrate and depositing a thin film coating on the surface of the substrate. The method allows autolubrication of the ice skate blade. The autolubricating ice skating blade comprises a substrate and a thin film coating deposited on the substrate, the substrate having a first friction coefficient on ice, and the blade having a second friction coefficient on ice, the second friction coefficient being decreased compared to the first friction coefficient.
US08646779B2
Card-handling devices include a card-holding area and a card output shoe. The card output shoe includes a card-way for passage of cards from the card-holding area into a dealing-ready area. A movable gate is positioned between the card-way and the dealing-ready area to prevent cards in the dealing-ready area from re-entering the card-way. Card shufflers include a gate mounted to allow movement of randomized groups of cards from card-receiving compartments to proximate a terminal end plate of a card output shoe and to block movement of cards in an opposite direction. In related methods of moving cards, card movement through the card-way to the dealing-ready position is allowed by a movable gate and card movement from the dealing-ready position into the card-way is prevented by the movable gate.
US08646771B2
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus in which a pickup unit is arranged to be movable in association with the detaching/mounting movement of a detachable printing medium cassette. With such a movement of the pickup unit, it is possible to increase the number of printing media that can be stored in the printing medium cassette having a predetermined height.
US08646758B2
The invention is a method of formation and a structured packing for a fluid exchange column, which defines an exchange surface for at least one descending liquid phase to be placed in intimate contact with at least one ascending gaseous phase. The packing comprises a stack of plates having undulations, each plate being contained in a space included between two parallel planes L1 and L2 separated by a value of between 5 and 50 mm. The undulations are distributed on both sides of a center plane P separating the space into two equal parts and form a series of channels which extend along a direction D. The channels comprise wings contained in the space included between the two parallel planes. Each wing is composed of a strip B punched out in one of the channels according to at least two grooves C1 and C2. The width of the strip between the two grooves is between 1 and 15 mm. The strip B is stamped/embossed to create an orifice forming a discontinuity in the surface of the channel at the level of the two grooves C1 and C2.
US08646749B2
An electromagnetically actuatable valve, e.g., a fuel injector for fuel injection systems, includes an electromagnetic actuating element having a solenoid, a fixed core, a valve jacket, and a movable armature for actuating a valve closing body, which cooperates with a valve seat surface provided on a valve seat body. In addition, the valve has a restoring spring for resetting the valve closing body to its resting position on the valve seat surface. The restoring spring and an internal longitudinal bore hole of the armature are paired in such a way that the armature is guided during its axial movement only along the restoring spring.
US08646748B2
A fluid pressure regulator includes a regulation chamber arrangement in which a piston is received, in the regulation chamber arrangement, a first chamber and a second chamber being defined by opposite parts of the piston. The first chamber and the second chamber include respectively a first inlet and a second inlet for the fluid, the first inlet and the second inlet being connected to a first environment at a first pressure. The first chamber and the second chamber include respectively a first outlet and a second outlet for the fluid, the first outlet and the second outlet being connected to a second environment at a second pressure. The piston is movable in the regulation chamber arrangement in response to a variation of pressure of the fluid in the first chamber to open/close the second outlet to regulate the second pressure. The fluid pressure regulator includes a valve device to open/close the first outlet to induce the pressure variation in the first chamber.
US08646743B2
A child-safety attachment device is adapted to maintain a self-standing chair secure to a self-standing surface or table such that the seat of the chair is unable to be used by a child as a climbing tool and contains two attachment sets, each comprising a surface attachment part, a length adjustable chair attachment part detachably attachable to the chair, and both parts detachably attachable to each other, such that the chair is held secure to the surface when for one set the surface attachment part is attached to the surface and the chair attachment part is attached to one side of the chair and the two parts attached to each other and for the other set the surface attachment part is attached to the surface and the chair attachment part is attached to another side of the chair and the two parts attached to each other.
US08646723B2
An aircraft nacelle includes an air intake that makes it possible to channel the air in a pipe in the direction of a pipe of a power plant that is arranged in the extension of the pipe, whereby the pipe of the air intake includes at least one panel that integrates an acoustic treatment with an acoustically resistive porous layer that is in contact with the aerodynamic stream that enters into the nacelle, at least one alveolar structure, and a reflective or impermeable layer that forms the rear surface of the panel, a flange that ensures the connection between the air intake and the power plant including at least one wing that is connected to the air intake by a number of connecting elements, characterized in that some of the connecting elements have axes that are secant with the edge of the panel that delimits the pipe of the air intake.
US08646722B2
An aircraft wheel assembly comprising a wheel and an aircraft taxiing actuator comprising, a first shaft for connection to a drive source, the first shaft defining a first axis and a second shaft for connection to the wheel to rotate the wheel, the second shaft defining a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, in which the first shaft and second shaft are connected in driving engagement by a ball-worm gear.
US08646719B2
An unmanned, towable air vehicle is described and includes electronic sensors to increase the detection range relative to the horizon detection limitations of a surface craft, an autogyro assembly to provide lift, and a controller to control operation the autogyro assembly for unmanned flight. A forward motive force powers the autogyro assembly to provide lift. In an example, the autogyro assembly includes a mast extending from the container, a rotatable hub on an end of the mast, and a plurality of blades connected to the hub for rotation to provide lift to the vehicle. In an example, an electrical motor rotates the blades prior to lift off to assist in take off. The electrical motor does not have enough power to sustain flight of the vehicle in an example.
US08646717B2
Provided is a seat belt retractor capable of having its assembly readily performed to increase assembly efficiency, simplifying shapes of components to readily manufacture the retractor and reduce manufacturing cost, and preventing a webbing from being hooked when the webbing is rewound. The seat belt retractor includes a housing constituting a main body of the seat belt retractor, a guide drum rotatably installed in the housing, a connector inserted into one side of the guide drum, a base member surrounding the connector, a gear member inserted into the base member, a cylinder for operating the gear member, a torsion bar inserted into the guide drum, a locking member fixedly inserted between the torsion bar and the guide drum, a locking clutch installed at one surface of the locking member, a mechanism cover installed at one surface of the locking clutch, and a friction spring installed in the mechanism cover to stop operation of a lock arm fixed to the locking clutch.Therefore, an operator can assemble the base member and the gear member while viewing them. In addition, the clutch rollers rotate while moving outwardly along the slant surfaces of the slant gear to rotate the connector and rewind the webbing. Thus, shock applied to a passenger is lessened.
US08646712B2
Gyrator crusher has a crusher head on which a first crushing shell is mounted, a frame on which a second crushing shell is mounted, the first and second crushing shells forming a crushing aperture. Drive device rotates an eccentric causing the connected crusher head to perform gyratory movement for crushing. Dust seal seals a gap between the frame and a fastening portion situated close to the crusher head and includes a seal bellows and a seal slide ring. Seal slide ring connects sealingly to a lower portion of the seal bellows and has a lower slide surface adapted to slide along, and to sealingly abut, with a substantially vertical abutment pressure, against an upper slide surface on the frame. Upper portion of the seal bellows sealingly connects to the fastening portion so rotation of the crusher head rotates the seal slide ring about a substantially vertical axis of rotation.
US08646710B2
A vibratory mill principally for the treatment of cement and fly ash, which mill has a grinding chamber (1) with a wall (6, 7) at each of the two ends of the chamber, which mill includes an inlet (2) for material that is to be treated and an outlet (3) at the rear wall (7) of the grinding chamber (1), at the lower part of the grinding chamber, and a first wall (5) inside the chamber at the end at which the outlet (3) is located, which wall (5) is provided with one or several openings (8) at its upper part, which openings allow passage of material that has been sufficiently ground from the grinding chamber to the outlet (3). The inlet (2) is located in the lower part of the grinding chamber (1) at the wall (6) that is opposite to the location of the outlet.
US08646699B2
An image reading apparatus includes an RFID (radio frequency identification) detection unit that detects a reading RFID (radio frequency identification) tag disposed to a reading target; an image reading unit that reads an image of the reading target; a diagnosing RFID (radio frequency identification) tag capable of being detected by the RFID detection unit; and an abnormality determination unit that determines abnormality based on a state of detection of the RFID detection unit. When the diagnosing RFID tag is detected at the time the reading RFID tag is not detected by the RFID detection unit, the abnormality determination unit determines abnormality of the reading RFID tag, and when the diagnosing RFID tag is not detected, the abnormality determination unit determines abnormality of the RFID detection unit.
US08646692B2
The method includes automatically adjusting a first control parameter in a device for capturing a first plurality of images, automatically adjusting a second control parameter in the device for capturing a second plurality of images such that automatic adjustment of the first control parameter is interspersed with, separate from, and obtained generally concurrently with the automatic adjustment of the second control parameter. The adjustment of the first control parameter being determined differently compared to adjustment of the second control parameter. The method may include attempting to decode a decodable indicia utilizing one or more images of the first and second plurality of images.
US08646681B2
The fries and condiment holder is a combination of two open containers. The larger of the two open containers provides the user with a place to store a food item found at fast food restaurants such as French fries. The smaller of the two open containers is attached to the larger container by a nontoxic adhesive because the present invention makes contact with edible food. The smaller container provides the user with a place to store a condiment. The smaller container is also collapsible and can be flushed into larger container. The user obtains the present invention with the food item in the larger container and with the small container collapse. The user can choose to expand and fill the smaller container with a condiment if the user wants to dip his/her food item in the condiment.
US08646680B2
Suitably configured sheets of material and related folding methods provide self-latching clamshell folded boxes that may be used, for example, to securely package consumer goods such as shoes or other clothing items.
US08646668B2
A storage container for a vehicle is provided and includes a bottom wall and an outer wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The bottom wall and the outer wall together define a storage compartment. The storage container is configured to be removably secured to a rack of a vehicle.
US08646660B2
A reusable beer keg is disclosed including a hollow beer keg body with a dispenser tube assembly having a dispenser valve, dispenser tube, and a disposable bladder. The dispenser valve is releasably attached to a top portion of the keg body and the dispenser tube and bladder extend into the interior of the keg body. When beer flows through the open dispenser valve and into the bladder, the beer causes the bladder to expand until it contacts the inside surface of the keg body. When the beer keg has been emptied it can be returned to the brewery for reuse by cleaning the dispenser valve, dispenser tube and disposing of the used bladder. The beer keg parts can then be reassembled, using a new bladder in place of the used bladder.
US08646653B2
A dispensing assembly for dispensing articles such as disposable gloves. The assembly includes a container having a plurality of panels. The panels define a chamber and a dispensing region on the container. The assembly also includes a removable section in the dispensing region. The removable section has a first portion outlining a first orifice and at least a second portion outlining a second orifice that subtends the first portion. The dispensing assembly also includes a first component to remove only the first portion of the removable section and at least a second component to simultaneously remove both the first portion and at least the second portion of the removable section such that removal of the first component forms the first orifice and removal of the second component forms a second orifice into the chamber that incorporates the first orifice.
US08646651B2
An automated Braille inserter for inserting a Braille element into a surface including a container for containing a plurality of Braille elements; a drive pin in operative juxtaposition with respect to said container and adapted for movement along a drive axis between a receiving position and a driving position, and having a driving face for driving a Braille element from said Braille inserter; a Braille element passage operatively associated with said drive pin and providing operative passage of a Braille element from said container to a deployment position in operative alignment with said driving face of said drive pin; the drive pin being arranged in operative juxtaposition in respect of the container such that the Braille element passage is closed to receiving Braille elements from the container when the drive pin is the driving position, but may receive a predetermined number of Braille elements into said Braille element passage when the drive pin is in the receiving position.
US08646650B2
Dispensing systems and methods are disclosed that provide controlled advancement of product and provide controlled access to product stored within the system. Embodiments include a product pushing device having a track and a pusher that urges product stored on the track forward. Certain embodiments include mechanisms to limit the forward progression of the pusher along the track, such as a brake mechanism, and certain embodiments include mechanisms to block access to product located on the track. Some embodiments include mechanisms for providing a time delay in between the vending of products.
US08646638B2
Foldable container comprising a bottom plate, side plates and first hinges for connecting the side plates to the bottom plate, and a roof plate that is can be raised from the side plates, wherein the roof plate connects to opposite side plates by inter-positioned connecting rods, and wherein each connecting rod has at a first extremity a second hinge that connects to a side plate and at a second extremity opposite to said first extremity is slidably connected to said roof plate.
US08646635B2
The present invention is directed to a closure for a container. In one of the embodiments provided herein, the closure is provided with a roof portion, a shoulder portion that merges with the roof portion, and a skirt portion depending from the shoulder portion. Provided on the shoulder portion are recessed regions and full-depth regions. The recessed regions and full-depth regions alternate around the shoulder portion and are provided for improving a number of manufacturing, costs, and structural factors. In another embodiment provided herein, the closure is provided with a cylindrical skirt depending substantially from a roof portion, the cylindrical skirt having an inner wall with a plurality of narrow, elongated, vertical stand-off ribs thereon, the ribs having an upper edge below a tension ring and a lower edge below the upper edge and an elongated length causing the lower edge to be positioned about 50% to 25% above a bottom edge defined by the cylindrical skirt and measured against the entire length of the cylindrical skirt.
US08646627B2
An apparatus includes a display structure that supports products in a display area within reach of a customer location. The apparatus further includes a panel structure supported for movement along upper and lower tracks. The panel structure has a transparent viewing section and indicia relating to the products, but is not configured to support any products itself. The panel structure also has horizontally opposite side edges spaced apart at a width that is less than the width of the display area. A frame structure supports the upper and lower tracks at locations that provide the panel structure with a path of movement interposed between the customer location and the display area. The path of movement includes positions in which the display area can be reached from the customer location past either of the opposite side edges of the panel structure.
US08646614B2
Classifying kits useful in separating gold, other precious metals, gems, collectable rocks, fossils, and archaeological artifacts from earth material. Classifying sieves and other parts of the classifying kits herein are configured to be used within a bucket and can readily be removable therefrom. Depending on the parts used and the goals of a user, the kits herein can be used with dry sifting methods or with water.
US08646613B2
The present invention relates to a process for separating magnetic constituents from an aqueous dispersion comprising these magnetic constituents and nonmagnetic constituents by passing the aqueous dispersion through a reactor space in which the aqueous dispersion is separated by means of a magnet installed on the outside of the reactor space into at least one stream I comprising the magnetic constituents and at least one stream II comprising the nonmagnetic constituents, wherein the magnetic constituents in stream I are treated with a flushing stream, a reactor comprising a reactor space, at least one magnet installed on the outside of the reactor space, at least one inlet, at least one outlet for a stream I and at least one outlet for a stream II and at least one facility for treating stream I with a flushing stream, and also the use of this reactor in the process of the invention.
US08646608B2
A packaging system includes a tray that supports candy canes in a side-by-side presentation while maintaining the candy away from the outer walls of the packaging. A template of cardboard stock is cut and folded to define a candy can support tray that is covered by a transparent wrapper or inserted into a box. The tray includes a bottom base and sides that are folded upward and end portions that fold inward with tabs align to create the rectangular tray with an open top. A first end of the tray includes a portion extending downward from the top edge to the base at an oblique angle with orifices receiving ends of the candy canes. At an opposite end of the tray, a second support portion has a portion extending downward at an oblique angle from the end wall to the base of the tray. The angled support portion includes two sets of orifices, one above another aligned so that the candy canes insert with the straight portion inserting through the orifice at the second end into a corresponding orifice in the first end and the hook portion of the candy cane inserting into the top orifice at the second end. The second end also includes a loading window aligned so that the candy canes slide longitudinally through each of the orifices. The tray supports the candy canes in a position that minimizes breakage during shipment and provides a pleasing presentation to customers.
US08646606B2
A device for holding a gift card packet while providing graphical, mechanical and audio enhancements, alone or in combination, to entertain the gift card packet recipient and add value the gift.
US08646599B2
A transport safety device (8) for a nail coil or roll (7), the roll consisting of nails (1), comprising head (2) and shank (3), which, by connecting means (5), are connected to one another longitudinal side (4) by longitudinal side, with the heads oriented in one and the same direction, so as to form an elongate band (6) rolled up into roll form, in which form the heads in one winding turn partly cover the heads in the immediately external turn, intended to be fitted to a nail driver tool (20), where the transport safety device displays a ring (9) which surrounds the outermost turn of the nail roll in the region below the nail heads (2), in which the surrounding ring (9) consists of a configurationally stable material which displays means (10) which extend in towards the center (11) of the roll closely adjacent the upper side (12) of the nail heads.
US08646598B2
A rolling paper and packaging combination that individually seals each rolling paper substrate within its own individual, moisture resistant compartment. The moisture resistant compartments are fabricated by bonding a first wrapper and a second wrapper along each longitudinal edge and each transverse edge. The wrappers are fabricated of a moisture impervious material. A series of rolling paper substrates can be spatially arranged along a length of the wrappers, wherein the wrappers would be transversely bonded between adjacent edges of adjacently located substrates. The intermediary bonds can be perforated to aid in separation of one compartment from the series of compartments. The individual packaging extends the useful life of packaged rolling papers, particularly for rolling papers fabricated of moisture sensitive materials such as homogenized paper, and the like.
US08646592B1
A feeding control mechanism of packaging machine includes a chassis, a feeding guide, a forwarding device, a conveyor belt, and a feeding controller. The feeding guide is arranged at a front side of the chassis to forward a product into the chassis. The forwarding device includes a feeding channel defined by left and right pulleys for clamping and moving a product onto a conveyor belt. The feeding controller is arranged above the conveyor belt. The product tray carried by the conveyor belt are used to trigger first and second sensor of the chassis to activate the feeding controller for opening/closing stop pegs so as to control each product to be correctly positioned on each product tray of the conveyor belt.
US08646590B2
In a revolution transport system for manufacturing and assembly lines with work stations arranged along the transport system, workpiece carriers are movably supported on a track formed by horizontally spaced outer and inner carrier and support rails extending around the transport system wherein each workpiece carrier includes a carriage movably supported on the outer rail and upper and lower rollers in engagement with upwardly facing and downwardly fairing surfaces of the intermediate or inner rail to prevent tilting of the workpiece carrier by forces acting on an outwardly projecting workpiece support arm of the workpiece carrier.
US08646589B2
A transmission latching mechanism includes a component of a transmission gearset, a member secured to and able to rotate with the component, and a piston fixed against rotation and moveable alternately to latch the mechanism, thereby holding the member against rotation and to unlatch the mechanism, thereby releasing the member to rotate.
US08646588B2
A locking device for flaps or doors. A door or flap lock serves as a protection against collisions of objects or persons with moving or rotating machine parts, with the possibility of unlocking the door or flap lock by manual operation. A movable bolt is manually operable via a lever, handle, or knob. The bolt includes several engagement elements for interlocking with a housing- or frame-anchored receiving element. The interlocking engagement and receiving elements make it necessary at least on opening the flap or door to repeatedly operate the lever, handle, or knob in at least two opposite directions of movement, pivot, or turning.
US08646583B2
A bellows (2) of a dust boot (1, 30) having large diameter parts (3) and small diameter parts (4) disposed alternately covers a piston rod (R) projecting from a cylinder (C). A bump stopper (B) fixed to the cylinder (C) projects into the bellows (2) as a projecting portion. The bellows (2) comprises a first section (M) which passes a projecting end of the projecting portion according to the elongation and contraction of the piston rod (R) and a second section (L) located therebelow. By making the small diameter parts in the second section (L) have a smaller inner diameter than the small diameter part located at a boundary between the first section (M) and the second section (L), the bellows (2) can be made slim without interfering with the bump stopper (B).
US08646581B2
An elevator group management system capable of appropriately performing car assignment processing without leaving any one behind and enabling a passenger to recognize a car to board without fail. A fellow passenger group assignment section assigns fellow passenger groups to respective passengers based on the contents of hall call registration for each floor received from a hall operation panel, and causes the hall operation panel that has sent the hall call registration to display names of the assigned fellow passenger. A fellow passenger group car assignment section executes, on the fellow passenger groups assigned by the fellow passenger group assignment section, car assignment processing of assigning any of a plurality of cars as an assigned car and, in a case of determining the assigned car, provides car control sections with a passenger guide command containing at least combination information on this assigned car that has been determined and the fellow passenger group.
US08646580B2
An elevator installation comprises an elevator cage movable along guide rails and a counterweight movable along guide rails, wherein provided for braking the elevator cage and the counterweight is at least one brake device in which at least one gearwheel is disposed in mechanically positive connection with the guide rail and the gearwheel can be braked by a brake, wherein a first gearwheel is provided, which when the brake is triggered is disposed in mechanically positive connection with the guide rail, and wherein a second gearwheel is provided, which when the brake is activated is disposed in mechanically positive connection with the guide rail.
US08646579B2
An elevator installation has at least one terminal and at least one call control. The terminal communicates data with respect to an input floor and a destination floor to the call control by way of at least one signal bus. The call control is arranged on a first plug-in card. At least one signal-bus adapter for the signal bus is arranged on a second plug-in card. The first plug-in card and the second plug-in card are directly connected together to form a circuit board.
US08646568B2
An electric power steering device includes an electric motor assembly. The assembly includes a case, a motor, and a control unit. The control unit controls the motor based on at least a torque signal indicative of a steering torque applied to a steering wheel by an operator. A power connector is disposed to protrude toward radial outside from the case. A signal connector is disposed to protrude toward radial outside from the case. A torque signal connector is disposed on a case portion close to the control unit to protrude toward radial outside from the case. The torque signal connector and the power connector are disposed apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the torque signal connector has a connecting portion, which is prepared to be connected with the torque signal line, formed toward the motor along the axial direction of the case.
US08646567B2
A work vehicle comprises a front frame, a rear frame, an oscillation frame, a slew bearing, and a rolling-element bearing. The slew bearing and the rolling-element bearing allow oscillation between the oscillation frame and the rear frame about a fore-aft axis.
US08646566B1
A manual height-adjustment mechanism (MHAM) for a vehicle driveshaft, includes a movable bracket assembly configured to attach to the driveshaft and a vehicle cross-member; and a user input device remotely located with respect to the movable bracket assembly, configured to control the movable bracket assembly.
US08646562B2
A seat for a vehicle in which, when the vehicle has a side collision, pressing against a side support portion of a seat cushion by a vehicle body side portion and deformation of the side support portion to the upper side may be suppressed, and in which excellent seating comfort of the seat cushion may be maintained. At a rear seat, when a door trim (32) of a rear side door (30) collides with a side support portion (16A) due to an impact load F of a side collision, a dilatant member (46) provided at the side support portion (16A) hardens instantly. As a result, deformation of the side support portion (16A) is suppressed, and deformation of the side support portion (16A) to the upper side may be suppressed. Therefore, a waist area chamber (28B) of a rear side airbag (28) may be caused to deploy between the waist area of a seat occupant (14) and the door trim (32) as intended.
US08646561B2
An assembling structure for wheel and hub of an electric bicycle is disclosed, the structure capable of firmly assembling a hub and a wheel by separately manufacturing the hub embedded with a motor and a transmission gear box from the wheel, the structure including a hub accommodating a motor therein, a wheel coupled to one side of the wheel by way of a sliding fit, a groove unit circumferentially arranged at a periphery of the hub, and a lug unit formed at an area coupled to the hub of the wheel and meshed with the groove unit to allow the wheel to rotate with the hub, whereby coupling of the wheel and the hub is simplified to reinforce the coupling force therebetween.
US08646556B2
An engine hood for a construction machine is configured to be pivoted in a vehicle body back-and-forth direction about a hinge attached as a pivot center to a longitudinal side part of a counterweight. The engine hood includes an engine hood main body, a first operating force applying unit and a second operating force applying unit. The engine hood main body is attached to a vehicle body of the construction machine in a pivotably openable/closable state. The first operating force applying unit is configured to apply force in a direction of opening the engine hood main body until the engine hood main body reaches a vicinity of a predetermined opening angle. The second operating force applying unit is configured to apply force in a direction of closing the engine hood main body when the engine hood main body is pivoted at the predetermined opening angle or greater.
US08646551B2
A power driven wheelchair and a method for operating same are provided. In one embodiment, the power driven wheelchair includes a system controller with a main controller, a storage device, and at least one input device, a motor assembly, and a common bus. The motor assembly may include a drive motor, a local controller, and a sensor sensing a condition associated with the drive motor and in communication with the local controller. In another embodiment, the power driven wheelchair includes the system controller, an actuator assembly, and the common bus. The actuator assembly may include an actuator mechanism, a local controller, and a sensor sensing a condition associated with the actuator mechanism and in communication with the local controller. Multiple embodiments of the method are related to controlling various arrangements of motor assemblies or actuator assemblies.
US08646548B2
Drill bits enable the use of tools in a wellbore when it is undesirable or impossible to remove the drill bit. Drill bits include a drill bit insert, a latch assembly, a housing, a running tool, and a shaft trigger to operate the latch assembly.
US08646546B2
A handling system (1″) is for drilling equipment (200) of the ground, in which the drilling equipment (200) slides along a support tower (101, 501) fixed or movable with respect to the ground. The handling system (1″) includes at least one linear actuator (3, 3a, 3b) for handling the digging equipment. The linear actuator (3, 3a, 3b) being temporarily movable and releasable with respect to the tower (101, 501).
US08646532B2
A valving device includes a tubular with a port and a sleeve slidably sealingly engaged with the tubular between a first position and a second position. The sleeve is configured to occlude the port when in the first position and uncover the port when in the second position. The valving device is configured such that pressure inside the tubular does not urge the sleeve toward the second position while pressure applied radially outwardly of the tubular and the sleeve urge the sleeve toward the second position.
US08646531B2
A tubular actuating system includes a tubular, a plurality of same plugs runnable within the tubular, an actuator disposed within the tubular, and a seatable member disposed at the actuator configured to be respositionable relative to the actuator between an unseated position and a seated position upon passage of at least one of the plurality of same plugs.
US08646529B2
A method of well treatment includes establishing fluid connectivity between a wellbore and at least one target zone for treatment within a subterranean formation. The method includes injecting a treatment composition into the wellbore. The method includes contacting a subterranean formation with the treatment composition, providing a diversion agent to a desired interval in the wellbore and measuring a wellbore parameter while performing at least one of the contacting the target zone and the providing the diversion agent.
US08646522B1
A method for gripping a tubular with a tubular gripping mechanism includes the steps of moving the tubular gripping mechanism adjacent the tubular, positioning a jaw assembly of the tubular gripping mechanism around the tubular, applying a force by an actuator onto the jaw assembly of the tubular gripping mechanism such that the jaw assembly moves so as to clamp onto the tubular, removing the force from the actuator onto the jaw assembly such that the jaw assembly remains clamped onto the tubular. The clamping force is directed to surfaces of the tubular gripping mechanism away from the actuator.
US08646518B2
A radiant heating assembly for use with systems for heating an enclosed space by circulating a fluid through a closed tubing arrangement is provided. The inventive radiant heating assembly is made up of a radiant heating panel and tubing. The radiant heating panel is made up of a radiant heat transfer plate having a length and center line, and an elongated C-shaped or side opening receptacle that extends along the center line of the plate for receiving the tubing. A plurality of depressions extends along an inner surface of the C-shaped receptacle that interfaces with the plate. The tubing conforms to these depressions, thereby allowing the radiant heating assembly to achieve greater radiant heat dissipation capacity and efficiency.
US08646517B2
The invention relates to a heat exchanger plate for a plate heat exchanger, which plate has a number of ports, a distribution region, a heat transfer region, a first adiabatic region, a second adiabatic region and an edge area that extends outside the ports and the regions, which plate has a first gasket groove extending in the edge area outside the regions and around the ports, and a second gasket groove extending between the adiabatic region and the adjacent distribution region, whereby the gasket grooves are connected together to accommodate a gasket for sealing abutment against an adjacent heat exchanger plate in the plate heat exchanger. The invention further relates to a gasket for a heat exchanger plate and a plate heat exchanger having a package of heat exchanger plates and gaskets.
US08646516B2
A plate and fin type heat exchanger has a heat exchanger core made from a plurality of stacked, alternating first and second heat exchange plates of a generally inverted, U-shaped cross-section. Each plate has a top wall, closed peripheral sidewalls and open ends, and the open ends of the first plates are oriented at 90° to the open ends of the second plates. The sidewalls of the plates have end portions, which in adjacent plates, are aligned to form corners of the heat exchanger core. Opposed U-shaped manifold bodies are provided having open ends and lateral walls joined in a fluid tight manner to the aligned plate sidewall end portions. End plates close off the open ends of the U-shaped bodies to form manifolds. The corners formed by the aligned plate sidewall end portions allow for an improved connection between the heat exchanger core and the U-shaped manifold bodies. This helps to ensure that a fluid tight seal is created between the heat exchanger core and the manifold bodies when the components are joined together.
US08646498B2
A pneumatic tire having improved braking performance includes sides and a tread section between the sides. In each of two regions on opposite sides of a tire centerline in the tread section, two circumferential main grooves extend along a tire circumferential direction in a zigzag shape, first lug grooves extend from an inner circumferential main groove to a pattern end, and second lug grooves extend toward the pattern end from the outer circumferential main groove. A wall of the inside circumferential main groove includes wall surfaces with a wall angle varying along the circumferential direction. An outside land section between the main grooves includes a notched lug groove extending in a tire widthwise direction from either the inside or outside main groove and closes within the outside land section. A groove depth of the notched lug groove is shallower than that of the first and second lug grooves.
US08646497B2
A passive tuned vibration absorber is used to attenuate unwanted vibrations in the spokes of a non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly. Each spoke has a cutaway central portion having a tuned vibration absorber n the form of a protruding member having an axial width and a radial height and the radial height of the protruding member is less than a radial height of the spoke. Additionally, a method of determining the vibrational characteristics of the spokes of a non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly is included.
US08646488B1
Described is a device for protecting a pipe, tube or conduit end that is left open or exposed without a fixture or terminating end. Instead of tape placed over an open pipe end, a specially shaped and marked protective cap provides a seal and a unique marker for each pipe end. The marker may be color coded, bar coded or numbered. Such protective cap seals pipe ends against moisture, dirt and other debris thereby reducing or eliminating corrosion. Such protective cap reduces installation time as compared to removing tape and tape residue from each pipe end. The unique marker can indicate the purpose and identity of each underlying pipe or tube. Such protective cap also improves the visibility of the pipe ends during construction thereby increasing the safety of a job or construction site.
US08646482B2
Plastic microfluidic structures having a substantially rigid diaphragm that actuates between a relaxed state wherein the diaphragm sits against the surface of a substrate and an actuated state wherein the diaphragm is moved away from the substrate. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic structures formed with this diaphragm provide easy to manufacture and robust systems, as well readily made components such as valves and pumps.
US08646479B2
A method and apparatus for the singulation of valve plates and/or assembled valves from a lead-frame are described. The method and apparatus utilizes an electric current to fuse tabs which join the valve plate and/or the assembled valve to the lead-frame. The valve comprises a first and second valve plate with offsetting apertures and a flap disposed and movable between the first and second plates.
US08646476B2
A diverter assembly (12) for use with a faucet assembly (10) including a diverter valve (78) secured to an inlet end (80) of a sprayer tube (46) and removably received within a connector (62).
US08646471B2
A method of controlling a main fluid in a conduit using a microvalve is described. The microvalve includes a corresponding actuation aperture in an actuation aperture layer. A control fluid flows through the actuation aperture in response to an electric field applied via a charge distribution near an actuation aperture layer. In one embodiment, the electric field may adjust the opening and closing of the actuation aperture thereby controlling the flow of the control fluid. In a second embodiment, the control fluid is an electrorheological fluid where the electric field controls the viscosity of the ER fluid, thereby controlling fluid flow through the actuation aperture. In both embodiments the flow of the control fluid controls stretching of a flexible membrane into and out of the conduit, thereby controlling the flow of the main fluid by opening or closing the conduit.
US08646467B2
A shaving kit includes cartridge store for storing at least one spare blade cartridge and a container for storing a shaving fluid like a refreshing or cleaning lotion or a shaving foam. The container includes a volume of the shaving fluid which is sufficient for several series of shaving actions. After at least one shaving action, a blade razor may be coupled to the container to transfer shaving fluid to the blade razor. By transferring shaving fluid to the blade razor, the volume of shaving fluid in the container decreases. The container includes a replacement indicator for indicating a desired replacement of the blade cartridge. The replacement indicator operates in dependence on a volume of shaving fluid transferred from the container.
US08646465B2
A hair styling apparatus (10) is disclosed as including a heating barrel (20) and a protecting sleeve (28) which covers part of the heating barrel, the protective sleeve including a wall (30) with a helical slot (32) allowing a tress of hair to be received through the slot to contact the heating barrel.
US08646462B2
A non-heating flavor inhaler (1) comprises a suction holder (2) including an upstream section (10) extending from a front end thereof to a partition (4) in the suction holder (2), and a downstream section (14) extending from the front end thereof to a mouth end in the suction holder (2), the downstream section (14) having a front passage extending along the upstream section (10), an ambient air intake (12) provided in a circumferential wall of the suction holder (2) to connect the upstream section (10) to the outside, and a pouch (30) for releasing a tobacco flavor, the pouch (3) being located on the boundary between the upstream section (10) and the downstream section (14) and extending along a longitudinal axis of the suction holder (2).
US08646450B2
A forehead support for a respiratory mask. The forehead support includes a pair of arms. The arms are each adapted to locate a forehead cushion. The arms are also adapted to pivot relative to each other. The arms are also selectively lockable at two or more angular positions relative to each other. The forehead support can thus be adjusted to suit the facial topography of the wearer of the respiratory mask.
US08646449B2
An anti-asphyxiation valve is disclosed, which is adapted for incorporation within a breathing circuit including a ventilator. The valve comprises one or more apertures for enabling passage of gas between the breathing circuit and the atmosphere, and a valve member deformable between an open configuration in which the one or more apertures are at least partially exposed and the passage of gas therethrough is enabled, and a closed configuration in which the valve member occludes the one or more apertures and the passage of gas therethrough is substantially prevented. The valve member is adapted such that the pressure within the breathing circuit at which the valve member deforms from the open configuration to the closed configuration is greater than the pressure within the breathing circuit at which the valve member deforms from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
US08646447B2
In certain example embodiments, an air delivery system includes a controllable flow generator operable to generate a supply of pressurized breathable gas to be provided to a patient for treatment and a pulse oximeter. In certain example embodiments, the pulse oximeter is configured to determine, for example, a measure of patient effort during a treatment period and provide a patient effort signal for input to control operation of the flow generator. Oximeter plethysmogram data may be used, for example, to determine estimated breath phase; sleep structure information; autonomic improvement in response to therapy; information relating to relative breathing effort, breathing frequency, and/or breathing phase; vasoconstrictive response, etc. Such data may be useful in diagnostic systems.
US08646444B2
A rack for an appliance includes a main section having a support frame, and an arm coupled to the support frame and movable relative to the support frame between a first position and a second position. In one example, the arm is movable towards the first position and is configured for engagement with a stop portion of an appliance cavity for inhibiting removal of the main section therefrom. In another example, the appliance cavity includes at least one stop portion, and the arm is movable towards engagement with the stop portion for inhibiting removal of the main section from the appliance cavity.
US08646443B2
An electrochemically reacting composition which can be utilized as a source of heat as well as hydrogen, comprising the active materials aluminum, magnesium and iron, a filler material such as a silica sand, a hydrogen scavenger such as potassium permanganate, additives such as sodium silicate and an electrolyte such as sodium chloride.
US08646441B2
The invention relates to a fume box having a separation partition (16) in the upper portion thereof that comprises a removable catalyst block (17) offset relative to the inlet (10) and the outlet (8), and an intake passage that can be blocked by at least one insulating block. Deflectors slow down the gases and fumes and protect the catalyst block against falling soot and particle. The invention is particularly intended for manufacturers of domestic combustion heating appliances, in particular those using wood.
US08646438B2
An air intake duct (54) for fluid connecting between an air intake control valve unit (52) and a supercharger (60) includes a duct inlet (56) fluid connected with an outlet port (52b) of the air intake control valve (52) and oriented in a first direction (D1), a duct outlet (58) fluid connected with a suction port (60a) of the supercharger (60) and oriented in a second direction (D2) substantially perpendicular to the first direction (D1), and a duct body (74) for defining an air intake passage (78) extending from the duct inlet (56) to the duct outlet (58). The duct body (74) has a portion confronting the duct outlet (58), which is formed with a guide projection (80) that protrudes towards the duct outlet (58).
US08646437B2
The present invention relates to a new auxiliary system of cold start, preferably used in the internal combustion engines that use alcohol as fuel. The engines ‘Flex Fuel’ (alcohol/gasoline/GNV) are included in the possibility of the use of this invention. The cold starting system makes use of resistances (3) positioned in the entrance of the injectors (4); resistances (6) inside of each injector (1) or one resistance (5) for every pipe holder of nozzles (2), and the three possibilities can be used simultaneously, combined two by two or separately, depending on the necessity of warm up alcohol flow and the energy consumption. It can also make use of groups of resistances (11, 12, 13) positioned in the intake. Additionally one or two auxiliary injectors can be foreseen (supplementary) in the intake collector with the same alcohol heating system.
US08646430B2
A small planing boat includes a multi-cylinder engine, and a propulsion unit driven by the engine for propelling a hull by drawing up and jetting out water. The engine can be configured to change the number of deactivated cylinders in a phased manner corresponding to an engine speed when the engine speed becomes a prescribed speed or more, and can include a memory for storing cylinder deactivation sequence schedules for determining sequences of cylinders that are deactivated and increasing the number of deactivated cylinders in a phased manner. An operation control device configured to deactivate the cylinders of the engine in a phased manner in accordance with the cylinder deactivation sequence schedules stored in the memory. The operation control device shifts the cylinder deactivation sequence schedules to be read out from the memory to another cylinder deactivation sequence schedule corresponding to an operational state of the engine.
US08646429B2
A plasma generating device including: a supply circuit including a switch controlled by a control signal for applying an intermediate voltage on an output of the control circuit at a frequency defined by the control signal; a plurality of plasma-generating plug coils arranged in parallel on the output via connectors, each connector being adapted to be removably connected to a corresponding plug coil and including a mechanism adapted to offset the resonance frequency of the plug coil so that each plug coil has a distinct resonance frequency; a control device of the supply circuit, that determines the control frequency from the resonance frequencies of the plug coils to selectively control the plug coils according to the control frequency used.
US08646425B2
A valve mechanism is disclosed for a cylinder of an internal combustion engine which comprises two gas exchange poppet valves mounted in a cylinder head, a bridge 122 acting on the two valves, a cam for actuating the two valves, a slider 124 movable by the cam and slidable relative to the bridge 122, and a hydraulically controlled locking system having a latched position in which the slider transmits the force of the cam to the bridge 122 to actuate the two valves and a released position in which the valves are deactivated and the slider slides freely relative to the bridge. In the invention, the slider 124 is urged towards the cam by a spring 134 acting between the slider 124 and the cylinder head.
US08646419B2
When knocking occurs, a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine increases the rotational speed of a pump to increase the flow rate of a coolant supplied to an area near a combustion chamber wall surface, and controls an actual mechanical compression ratio to a low mechanical compression ratio lower than a mechanical compression ratio set based on the load of the engine. Thus, the pressure of end gas is decreased, and occurrence of knocking is suppressed. Then, the actual mechanical compression ratio is returned to the mechanical compression ratio at a time point at which the temperature of the combustion chamber wall surface has been sufficiently decreased due to the increase in the rotational speed. Thus, occurrence of knocking is suppressed while avoiding the situation where the actual mechanical compression ratio continues to be controlled to the low mechanical compression ratio that is lower than the mechanical compression ratio.
US08646418B2
A reduced size four-stroke engine and a working machine using the same are provided. A fuel tank is disposed in the space below a carburetor and an engine base is integrally formed with a fuel tank. By this means, the fuel tank is disposed in the space below the carburetor, and therefore the oil tank is not required to be disposed below the oil tank, so that it is possible to reduce the size.
US08646417B2
A cooling apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided in which a temperature detecting tip of a temperature sensor is arranged in a position where flow of a coolant is smooth, to thereby improve a measurement accuracy of coolant temperature. A thermoelement assembly 13 and the temperature sensor 17 which detects the temperature of the coolant are accommodated in the housing 11 arranged at a return channel of the coolant which flows from a radiator to a coolant inflow part of the engine. The temperature detecting tip 17a of the temperature sensor 17 is arranged to face the inside of a circulation hole 12 of the housing 11 between a valve body 23 which constitutes the thermoelement assembly and a frame support part formed in the circulation hole 12 of the housing 11.
US08646415B2
The present invention is a system and method for generating a mixture of steam and combustion gas in a direct contact rotating steam generator, using high solids content water, and without waste liquid discharge. The invention includes removing the solids with controllable water content in a stackable form. The system includes a longitudinally rotatable and controlled pressure enclosure being mounted at a slope and having a steam producing section, a water injection section and a discharge section. The enclosure can include a mixing and mobilizing rotating element to enhance the mixture and the heat transfer. The system can have an additional wet section to scrub contaminates and produce saturated steam. The system can be integrated with an enhanced oil recovery facility or with an open mine oil facility that generates non-segregate tailings to consume their discharge liquid waste and generate steam, heat and a stable solids waste.
US08646404B2
A modular tire spraying system includes a downdraft spray booth for receiving a tire, a fluid delivery system disposed in the spray booth, a robot for transporting the tire to the spray booth, and a platform on which each of the spray booth, the fluid delivery system, and the robot is disposed. The fluid delivery system includes at least one spray gun for delivering a coating to the tire.
US08646400B2
A movable platform assembly comprises a base portion, able to be fixed to a support structure, and at least one pivotable arm hinged at one end with the base portion, about a first hinging axis, and at the other end with a loading platform, about a second hinging axis, the pivotable arm being able to be rotated by means of actuating devices, which are designed to allow the platform to maintain a constant inclination with respect to the base portion during rotation of the pivotable arm. The actuating devices comprise a first and a second rotary actuator mounted on the first and second hinging axis, respectively. The first rotary actuator comprises a first part fastened to the base portion and a second part rotatable with respect to the first part and fastened to the pivotable arm, and the second rotary actuator comprising a first part fastened to the loading platform and a second part rotatable with respect to the first part and fastened to the pivotable arm, said actuating devices also comprising control devices able to control in a co-ordinated manner rotation of said first and second rotary actuators.
US08646398B1
This invention is mounted to a boat and consists of a tee, a pipe, a mooring rope, and a mooring buoy or a pipe, a mooring rope, and a mooring buoy. A mooring rope connected to the tee or to the dock extends through the interior channel of the standoff to a boat mooring cleat located on the side of the boat furthest from the dock. A mooring buoy secures the device to the boat. A rope, chain or cable mounted vertically to the dock and passed vertically through the tee allows the boat to move freely to compensate for movement caused by large waves or tidal changes while holding the boat away from the dock or a mooring rope attached to the dock allows the boat to move freely to compensate for movement caused by large waves while holding the boat away from the dock.
US08646397B2
A method and apparatus for forming a flat wiring harness having discrete wires in a predetermined orientation. The wires are positioned in grooves in a flat form, the grooves having the predetermined orientation and the form having connected thread openings extending therethrough and across the grooves. The wires in the grooves are stitched together by a sewing machine that is programmed to guide a sewing needle and thread through the openings in the form to produce the flat wiring harness having the discrete wires in the predetermined orientation.
US08646394B2
A burner 15 where a secondary air regulator 36 is provided on a forward end of a nozzle main unit 16 to be installed along the central axis of a burner throat 13 being installed on a furnace wall 12 and to be accommodated in a wind box 14, wherein the secondary air regulator has an end plate 37 having a bored hole 38 penetrating in an axial direction and for forming a cylindrical space 48 with peripheral surface opened in a space with the furnace core side surface of the wind box, a rotary damper 42 having a bored hole 45 penetrating in an axial direction and being capable to open or close the hole on the end plate by rotating in a peripheral direction, a sliding damper 52 for surrounding the cylindrical space and being slidable in an axial direction, air vanes 46 and 47 installed at a predetermined distance along circumference of the cylindrical space and for giving swirling to the secondary air 34, first driving means 54, 56 and 44 for rotating the rotary sliding damper, and second driving means 53 and 55 for sliding the sliding damper.
US08646383B1
A spiral oven and a method of cooking a food product in a spiral oven using a cooking medium wherein (a) the food product is conveyed within the oven cooking chamber by a spiral conveyor having a plurality of spiral flights and (b) the cooking medium is discharged either upwardly and/or downwardly within, or laterally into, one or more vertical gaps between adjacent pairs of spiral flights using one or more delivery duct structures which extend inside the interior of the cooking chamber.
US08646381B2
An oven rack and drip pan assembly is provided in an appliance, such as an oven. The oven rack includes a support platform and a pair of drip pan rails extending downwardly from opposing sides of the support platform. The drip pan includes opposing side portions configured to be slidably received within the drip pan rails and a plurality of vented portions provided through a surface of the drip pan. The vented portions are configured to allow heated air to pass therethrough.
US08646375B2
An elongated attachment hole is formed on a housing containing a magnetic sensor, a thin plate-like hole cover is placed on the housing to cover the elongated attachment hole, a single attachment bolt is disposed in such a manner as to go through the hole cover and the elongated attachment hole, and the attachment bolt is screwed in a screw hole of a cylinder body, thereby fixation of the housing on the cylinder body and fixation of the hole cover on the housing are performed at the same time by using the single attachment bolt.
US08646372B1
Present invention teaches a foldable multi-pane shielding device consisting of a number of connected rigid planar pieces that can be easily deployed when set up in a corner of a room or a classroom; a pivoting latch box will provide the central bow-like tensioning force to a central module of a plurality of rigid planar pieces, when turned to a horizontal orientation, and some inside bow pieces can be drawn out from the latch box and further providing overall bow-like tensioning force to the deployed structure, forming a temporary safety zone against incoming projectiles, such as bullets.
US08646361B2
A device of opening container closures of the type including a circular seal to container opening and a continuous, circular flange and the container including an opening with an inner wall, such as is commonly found in paint containers is provided. The device for opening container closures includes an elongated handle portion connected to an opener portion. The opener portion extends from a first end of the handle portion and includes a pry edge located at a free end thereof. The opener portion further includes an inner cam surface defined by a first radius from a center of rotation for the opening device. The inner cam surface is provided on an upper surface of the opener portion and extends from the pry edge toward the first end of the handle portion. The opener portion also includes an eccentric outer cam surface defined by a second radius from a second center of rotation for the opening device. The eccentric outer cam surface is provided on a lower surface of the opener portion and extends from the pry edge toward the first end of the handle portion.
US08646359B2
The pedal assembly includes a pedal and a cleat. The pedal has a spindle portion, a front portion with a front engagement member, a rear portion and a rear engagement member movably coupled to the rear portion. The cleat has a front engagement end and a rear engagement end. A front edge of the spindle portion is formed with a V-shaped positioning side. A U-shaped pad is attached under the front engagement end. Two legs of the pad are protrudent from the bottom of the cleat, and ends of the legs are separately formed with two abutment surfaces. The abutment surfaces abut against the positioning side.
US08646357B2
The present disclosure relates to various vehicle braking assemblies with gap management devices to manage the distance between the pedal arm and power booster under predetermined conditions.
US08646353B2
A bicycle brake operating device is provided with a handlebar bracket, a brake lever, an operation unit and a detection device. Rotation of the operation unit is detected by the detection device. The operation unit is arranged so that it does not readily hinder a braking operation. The operation unit also arranged so that it us not readily damaged when the bicycle falls over.
US08646347B2
There is provided a modular scanner and probe holding apparatus for inspection, which consists of an assembly of a plurality of connective links rigidly connected. The connective links are added or removed from the assembly to size the assembly so the assembly extends more than half way around a circumference of a tubular body to be inspected. At least one tail link is connected to an end of the assembly. The tail link is biased by a spring to apply a force against the tubular body to hold the assembly in place. A probe holder link is provided that connects to the connective links and has a probe holder for holding a probe.
US08646343B2
There is provided a pipette device capable of adjusting a collection amount in a short time. A pipette device 1 adjusting a volume of a cylinder portion “a” by the axial-direction movement of a plunger 3 caused by the rotation of a push rod 5 includes a speed increasing mechanism 35 provided between a pipette main body 2 and the push rod 5 and increasing a speed of input rotation to transmit the input rotation with the increased speed to the push rod 5.
US08646341B2
A device for gas analysis includes a detector tube (2) and can be used in the area of explosive or combustible gases. A filter material, which consists of a granular, porous material and has an impregnation for absorbing toxic gases, is provided between the detector tube (2) and a pump (6).
US08646335B2
A method for producing a contact stress sensor that includes one or more MEMS fabricated sensor elements, where each sensor element of includes a thin non-recessed portion, a recessed portion and a pressure sensitive element adjacent to the recessed portion. An electric circuit is connected to the pressure sensitive element. The circuit includes a pressure signal circuit element configured to provide a signal upon movement of the pressure sensitive element.
US08646330B2
A bicycle wheel balance machine includes a base having two spaced arms for engaging with a bicycle wheel, a casing slidably engaged in one of the arms and having a center member movable to engage with a wheel hub with an anchoring device, a spindle rotatably engaged in the other arm and engaged with the wheel hub, a motor coupled to the spindle for rotating the spindle and the bicycle wheel, two sensors attached to the arms for sensing conditions of the bicycle wheel, and the bicycle wheel balance machine includes a simplified structure to be easily operated by the users themselves at home.
US08646328B2
A level sensor for determining the presence or absence of a liquid in contact with the sensor includes an elongate probe, a transducer operably connected to the probe and configured to produce compressional waves in the probe, and circuitry for detecting acoustic energy emitted into the liquid when liquid is in contact with the probe. A mount for the releasably holding the sensor includes a base have a receiving region formed in part by a plurality of flexible securing fingers. The fingers have locking projections extending therefrom. A contact is mounted to the base and extends into the receiving region. A cartridge supports the level sensor and is received in the receiving region. The cartridge includes a circumferential recess for receiving the securing fingers. When the level sensor is positioned in the cartridge and the cartridge is inserted into the base, the level sensor is operably connected to the contact and the cartridge is resiliently secured in the base.
US08646321B2
A test system of a fluid pump which has a pump includes a test fixture which supports the fluid pump, a fluid flow path, and a connecting pipe arranged at the test fixture and having one end side connected to a discharge port of the pump and the other end side connected to the fluid flow path. The connecting pipe has a main pipe member, a movable pipe member arranged slidably inside the main pipe member and having an end which is positioned sticking out from the main pipe member, and a seal clamp provided at an end of the movable pipe member. When the movable pipe member receives fluid pressure inside of the main pipe member, the seal clamp which is pushed against the discharge port of the pump holds the discharge port of the pump liquid-tightly.
US08646316B2
A slide type liquid sample quantity determiner is provided that may enable the whole of a quantity determining flow path to be surely filled with a liquid sample, and also a quantity determination time to be shortened. An upstream side capillary flow path, a quantity determining capillary flow path, and a downstream side capillary flow path are reduced in diameter in this order. When a slide body is at a liquid sample quantity determination position X, an upstream side opening of the quantity determining capillary flow path is contained in a downstream side opening of the upstream side capillary flow path, and an upstream side opening of the downstream side capillary flow path is contained in a downstream side opening of the quantity determining capillary flow path.
US08646300B2
A method to check and control a roller bending machine for continuously bending an elongated workpiece at variable curvature radii in a bending machine using a series of rollers for bending, comprises the steps of measuring the distance of the elongated work piece in a point that is situated downstream the series of rollers for bending in successive instants, calculating a curvature radius of each bend section of the elongated workpiece, comparing the calculated curvature radius with the desired curvature radius and determining a difference between them, calculating the change of position to which an upstream roller has to be subjected in order to annul such a difference and operating the upstream roller on the base of the calculated change of position. A machine embodying the method is also described.
US08646291B2
An apparatus for forming laminated sheet glass and a method for forming laminated sheet glass or articles using the glass laminating apparatus, the apparatus including: a lower fusion pipe providing a first liquid stream that forms the core of the laminate; a first upper fusion pipe having a pair of adjustable baffles situated between the bottom of the upper fusion pipe and the top of the lower fusion pipe, the first upper fusion pipe provides a second liquid glass stream onto the first liquid glass stream that forms the clad of the laminate on the core of the laminate, the adjustable baffles being separated from the lower fusion pipe by a gap, and the adjustable baffles control the landing angle (φ) and drop point of the second liquid glass stream onto the first liquid glass stream.
US08646276B2
A combustor assembly for a turbine engine includes a combustor liner and a flow sleeve which surrounds the combustor liner. Compressed air flows through an annular space located between an outer surface of the combustor liner and an inner surface of the flow sleeve. A plurality of cooling holes are formed through the flow sleeve to allow compressed air to flow from a position outside the flow sleeve, through the cooling holes, and into the annular space. The height of the annular space may vary along the length of the combustor assembly. Thus, the flow sleeve may have reduced diameter portions which result in the height of the annular space being smaller in certain locations than at other locations along the length of the combustor assembly.
US08646265B2
An apparatus and method for providing hydraulic power to a turbine generator. A neutrally buoyant wheel having radially opposed first and second containment chambers is suspended in a reservoir containing a liquid. One chamber is filled with the liquid and the wheel rotated so that the chamber containing the liquid is in an uppermost position, which due to the configuration of the wheel results in the chamber that does not contain liquid being in a lowermost position. The uppermost chamber is coupled to an input port of the hydraulic turbine, the lowermost chamber coupled to an output port of the hydraulic turbine, and the liquid allowed to flow from the uppermost chamber to the lowermost chamber through the hydraulic turbine. After the liquid has drained from the uppermost chamber and filled the lowermost chamber, the wheel is rotated 180 degrees and the process repeated.
US08646263B2
In a work vehicle, a control section increases the displacement of a hydraulic motor for travel when the drive circuit pressure becomes larger than a target pressure determined according to the engine rotational speed, and reduces the displacement of the hydraulic motor when the drive circuit pressure becomes smaller than the target pressure. The control section increases the target pressure of the hydraulic motor for travel when changing the matching point of the absorption torque curve of the hydraulic pump with respect to the output torque curve of the engine.
