US08659099B2
A method for manufacturing a micromechanical structure includes: forming a first insulation layer above a substrate; forming a first micromechanical functional layer on the first insulation layer; forming multiple first trenches in the first micromechanical functional layer, which trenches extend as far as the first insulation layer; forming a second insulation layer on the first micromechanical functional layer, which second insulation layer fills up the first trenches; forming etch accesses in the second insulation layer, which etch accesses locally expose the first micromechanical functional layer; and etching the first micromechanical functional layer through the etch accesses, the filled first trenches and the first insulation layer acting as an etch stop.
US08659097B2
A device includes a substrate, an isolation region at a top surface of the substrate, and a semiconductor fin over the isolation region. The semiconductor fin has a fin height smaller than about 400 Å, wherein the fin height is measured from a top surface of the semiconductor fin to a top surface of the isolation region.
US08659096B2
A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate; an element-forming region that includes semiconductor elements formed on the semiconductor substrate; a buried electrode plug formed so as to penetrate through the semiconductor substrate; and a trench-type electrode that is buried in a trench within the semiconductor substrate positioned between the element-forming region and the buried electrode plug.
US08659088B2
An SRAM cell includes six four-terminal double gate FETs formed on four semiconductor thin film plates, in which first and third FETs, fourth and fifth FETs, third and fourth FETs, and second and sixth FETs neighbor each other and logic signal input gates thereof are formed on facing side surfaces of respective semiconductor thin film plates; the second and sixth FETs sandwich second and third plates; the threshold voltage control gates of the second, third, fourth, and sixth FETs are connected in common to a first bias wiring; threshold voltage control gates of the first and fifth FETs are connected in common to a second bias wiring; and the word line and the first and second bias wirings are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the alignment direction of the first to the fourth plates.
US08659082B2
A semiconductor device having a super junction structure includes: multiple first columns extending in a current flowing direction; and multiple second columns extending in the current flowing direction. The first and second columns are alternately arranged in an alternating direction. Each first column provides a drift layer. The first and second columns have a boundary therebetween, from which a depletion layer expands in case of an off-state. At least one of the first columns and the second columns have an impurity dose, which is inhomogeneous by location with respect to the alternating direction.
US08659081B2
According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating a MOS transistor, such as an LDMOS transistor, includes forming a self-aligned lightly doped region in a first well underlying a first sidewall of a gate. The method further includes forming a self-aligned extension region under a second sidewall of the gate, where the self-aligned extension region extends into the first well from a second well. The method further includes forming a drain region spaced apart from the second sidewall of the gate. The method further includes forming a source region in the self-aligned lightly doped region and the first well. The self-aligned lightly doped region and the self-aligned extension region define a channel length of the MOS transistor, such as an LDMOS transistor.
US08659079B2
Provided is a transistor device including at least a vertical transistor structure. The vertical transistor structure includes a substrate, a dielectric layer, a gate, a first doped region, a second doped region, a third doped region, and a fourth doped region. The dielectric layer is disposed in a trench of the substrate. The gate is disposed in the dielectric layer. The gate defines, at both sides thereof, a first channel region and a second channel region in the substrate. The first doped region and the third doped region are disposed in the substrate and located below the first channel region and the second channel region, respectively. The second doped region and the fourth doped region are disposed in the substrate and located above the first channel region and the second channel region, respectively.
US08659076B2
Improved highly reliable power RFP structures and fabrication and operation processes. The structure includes plurality of localized dopant concentrated zones beneath the trenches of RFPs, either floating or extending and merging with the body layer of the MOSFET or connecting with the source layer through a region of vertical doped region. This local dopant zone decreases the minority carrier injection efficiency of the body diode of the device and alters the electric field distribution during the body diode reverse recovery.
US08659075B2
Methods of forming an array of memory cells and memory cells that have pillars. Individual pillars can have a semiconductor post formed of a bulk semiconductor material and a sacrificial cap on the semiconductor post. Source regions can be between columns of the pillars, and gate lines extend along a column of pillars and are spaced apart from corresponding source regions. Each gate line surrounds a portion of the semiconductor posts along a column of pillars. The sacrificial cap structure can be selectively removed to thereby form self-aligned openings that expose a top portion of corresponding semiconductor posts. Individual drain contacts formed in the self-aligned openings are electrically connected to corresponding semiconductor posts.
US08659071B2
The invention provides a SONOS structure, a manufacturing method thereof and a semiconductor device with the SONOS structure. The SONOS structure comprises: a first tunneling oxide layer formed on a substrate, a charge storage silicon nitride layer, a second silicon oxide layer, a thin graded silicon nitride layer having graded Si/N content formed on the second silicon oxide layer, a third silicon oxide layer formed on the thin graded silicon nitride layer, and a polysilicon control gate. The Si/N content ratio of the silicon nitride of the thin graded silicon nitride layer increases gradually, wherein the silicon nitride of the graded silicon nitride layer closer to the second silicon oxide layer contains higher nitride content, and the silicon nitride of the graded silicon nitride layer closer to the third silicon oxide layer contains higher silicon content.
US08659067B2
A method of forming a device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate prepared with a cell area separated by other active areas by isolation regions. First and second gates of first and second transistors in the cell area are formed. The first gate includes first and second sub-gates separated by a first intergate dielectric layer. The second gate includes a second sub-gate surrounding a first sub-gate. The first and second sub-gates of the second gate are separated by a second intergate dielectric layer. First and second junctions of the first and second transistors are formed. The method also includes forming a first gate terminal coupled to the second sub-gate of the first transistor and a second gate terminal coupled to at least the first sub-gate of the second transistor.
US08659050B2
Disclosed herein is a slim LED package. The slim LED package includes first and second lead frames separated from each other, a chip mounting recess formed on one upper surface region of the first lead frame by reducing a thickness of the one upper surface region below other upper surface regions of the first lead frame, an LED chip mounted on a bottom surface of the chip mounting recess and connected with the second lead frame via a bonding wire, and a transparent encapsulation material protecting the LED chip while supporting the first and second lead frames.
US08659048B2
An organic light emitting device includes a first electrode formed over a substrate, an intermediate layer that is formed over the first electrode and includes an organic light emitting layer, and a second electrode that includes a central electrode unit disposed in a central region and a peripheral electrode unit separated from the central electrode unit and disposed in a peripheral region. The intermediate layer is disposed between the first and second electrodes. The organic light emitting device can readily secure a uniform brightness characteristic.
US08659040B2
One aspect of the present invention provides a semiconductor light-emitting device improved in luminance, and also provides a process for production thereof. The process comprises a procedure of forming a relief structure on the light-extraction surface of the device by use of a self-assembled film. In that procedure, the light-extraction surface is partly covered with a protective film so as to protect an area for an electrode to be formed therein. The electrode is then finally formed there after the procedure. The process thus reduces the area incapable, due to thickness of the electrode, of being provided with the relief structure. Between the electrode and the light-extraction surface, a contact layer is formed so as to establish ohmic contact between them.
US08659039B2
A highly-efficient semiconductor light emitting diode with improved light extraction efficiency comprising at least a substrate having a plurality of crystal planes, a first conductivity-type barrier layer, an active layer serving as a light emitting layer and a second conductivity-type barrier layer stacked on the substrate. The semiconductor light emitting diode comprises a ridge structure configured from one flat surface and at least two inclining surfaces in the in-plane direction. The width (W) of the flat surface of the ridge structure is 2λ (λ: light emission wavelength) or less. The active layer is positioned in the laminating direction so that the shortest length (L) between two points is λ (light emission wavelength) or less, wherewith the first point is the shortest point where the light emitted from the center (C) of the active layer begins total internal reflection at the interface between the inclining surfaces of the ridge structure and air, and the second point is a point where the flat surface begins.
US08659035B2
Provided is a light-emitting device including a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a semiconductor multilayer reflection mirror of the first conductivity type, formed on the semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, formed on the semiconductor multilayer reflection mirror, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, formed on the first semiconductor layer, a third semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, formed on the second semiconductor layer, a fourth semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, formed on the third semiconductor layer, a first electrode formed on a rear surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a second electrode formed on the fourth semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor multilayer reflection mirror includes a first selectively oxidized region and a first conductive region adjacent to the first oxidized region, and the first conductive region electrically connects the semiconductor substrate and the first semiconductor layer.
US08659034B2
A light emitting assembly comprising a solid state device coupleable with a power supply constructed and arranged to power the solid state device to emit from the solid state device a first, relatively shorter wavelength radiation, and a down-converting luminophoric medium arranged in receiving relationship to said first, relatively shorter wavelength radiation, and which in exposure to said first, relatively shorter wavelength radiation, is excited to responsively emit second, relatively longer wavelength radiation. In a specific embodiment, monochromatic blue or UV light output from a light-emitting diode is down-converted to white light by packaging the diode with fluorescent organic and/or inorganic fluorescers and phosphors in a polymeric matrix.
US08659017B2
A method of fabricating an array substrate and a display device including the array substrate are discussed. According to an embodiment, the array substrate includes a gate electrode formed on a substrate; a gate insulating layer formed on the gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor layer and an etch prevention layer formed on the gate insulating layer, wherein ends of the oxide semiconductor layer and ends of the etch prevention layer are aligned with each other; source and drain electrodes formed on the etch prevention layer; a passivation layer including a contact hole formed on the source and drain electrodes and on the gate insulating layer; and a pixel electrode formed on the passivation layer and through the contact hole.
US08659016B2
Thin film transistor, method of manufacturing the same and flat panel display device having the same
A thin film transistor (TFT) using an oxide semiconductor as an active layer, a method of manufacturing the TFT, and a flat panel display device having the TFT include source and drain electrodes formed on a substrate; an active layer formed of an oxide semiconductor disposed on the source and drain electrodes; a gate electrode; and an interfacial stability layer formed on at least one of top and bottom surfaces of the active layer. In the TFT, the interfacial stability layer is formed of an oxide having a band gap of 3.0 to 8.0 eV. Since the interfacial stability layer has the same characteristics as a gate insulating layer and a passivation layer, chemically high interface stability is maintained. Since the interfacial stability layer has a band gap equal to or greater than that of the active layer, charge trapping is physically prevented.
US08659014B2
An object is to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, in which the number of photolithography steps can be reduced, the manufacturing process can be simplified, and manufacturing can be performed with high yield at low cost. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the following steps: forming a semiconductor film; irradiating a laser beam by passing the laser beam through a photomask including a shield for shielding the laser beam; subliming a region which has been irradiated with the laser beam through a region in which the shield is not formed in the photomask in the semiconductor film; forming an island-shaped semiconductor film in such a way that a region which is not irradiated with the laser beam is not sublimed because it is a region in which the shield is formed in the photomask; forming a first electrode which is one of a source electrode and a drain electrode and a second electrode which is the other one of the source electrode and the drain electrode; forming a gate insulating film; and forming a gate electrode over the gate insulating film.
US08659009B2
A locally gated graphene nanostructure is described, along with methods of making and using the same. A graphene layer can include first and second terminal regions separated by a substantially single layer gated graphene nanoconstriction. A local first gate region can be separated from the graphene nanoconstriction by a first gate dielectric. The local first gate region can be capacitively coupled to gate electrical conduction in the graphene nanoconstriction. A second gate region can be separated from the graphene nanoconstriction by a second gate dielectric. The second gate region can be capacitively coupled to provide a bias to a first location in the graphene nanoconstriction and to a second location outside of the graphene nanoconstriction. Methods of making and using locally gated graphene nanostructures are also described.
US08659007B2
Computing bus devices that enable quantum information to be coherently transferred between conventional qubit pairs are disclosed. A concrete realization of such a quantum bus acting between conventional semiconductor double quantum dot qubits is described. The disclosed device measures the joint (fermion) parity of the two 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 cubits, allows for the production of states in which the qubits are maximally entangled, and for teleporting quantum states between the quantum systems.
US08659003B2
A method of forming a disturb-resistant non volatile memory device. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a surface region and forming a first dielectric material overlying the surface region. A first wiring material overlies the first dielectric material, a doped polysilicon material overlies the first wiring material, and an amorphous silicon switching material overlies the said polysilicon material. The switching material is subjected to a first patterning and etching process to separating a first strip of switching material from a second strip of switching spatially oriented in a first direction. The first strip of switching material, the second strip of switching material, the contact material, and the first wiring material are subjected to a second patterning and etching process to form at least a first switching element from the first strip of switching material and at least a second switching element from the second strip of switching material, and a first wiring structure comprising at least the first wiring material and the contact material. The first wiring structure being is in a second direction at an angle to the first direction.
US08658982B2
An apparatus and method are presented for use in optical processing of an article. The apparatus comprises: one or more optical windows for directing predetermined electromagnetic radiation therethrough to illuminate a region of interest and collecting radiation returned from the illuminated region; and two or more ports operable for inputting or discharging one or more gases from the vicinity of the region of interest on the article being processed to create in the vicinity of said region a substantially static state of environment, non-absorbable for said electromagnetic radiation, thereby reducing amount of ambient gas in the vicinity of said region of interest and enabling optical processing of the article while maintaining it in the ambient gas environment.
US08658980B2
A radiation detector is provided that allows correction so as to identify incident gamma-ray positions accurately with no influence of afterglow of fluorescence. The radiation detector includes an intensity-data acquiring section for acquiring intensity data representing intensity of fluorescence outputted from a light detector for every temporally-constant sampling interval, and a correction-value acquiring section section for acquiring a correction value used for correction of variations in intensity data resulting from afterglow of the fluorescence. In addition, the radiation detector includes an integrating section for correcting the intensity data using the correction value. This allows correct calculation of the integrated value m with no influence of the afterglow of fluorescence.
US08658975B2
Disclosed is an image sensor for measuring illumination, proximity and color temperature, including: a light source unit configured to irradiate infrared with a wavelength of a specific band onto an object; a light source controller configured to control power supplied to the light source unit; an infrared transmission filter configured to allow only the infrared and visible ray with the wavelength of the specific band among light incident through a lens after being reflected by the object to selectively transmit therethrough; a first sensing unit provided with an image pixel for acquiring an image of the object introduced through the infrared transmission filter; and a second sensing unit configured to receive the infrared and the visible ray having passed through the infrared transmission filter and measure current illumination, proximity to the object and color temperature of the object.
US08658972B2
An ion mobility tube comprises an ionization source chamber having a center ionization source chamber hole, an ion door, a mobility region unit having a center mobility tube chamber, a constraining grid, and a Faraday disk, and the ionization source chamber, the ion door, the mobility region unit, the constraining grid, and the Faraday disk are laminated together in sequence in a front-rear direction, wherein the mobility region unit comprises a first insulator and first metal electrode sheets concentrically fixed to a front surface and a back surface of the first insulator respectively. The mobility region unit comprises the first insulator and the first metal electrode sheets which are integral. Therefore, the ion mobility tube is advantageous in simplified manufacturing, and convenient for detachment and assembly.
US08658970B2
An ion guide is disclosed comprising a plurality of axial groupings of electrodes, wherein each axial grouping of electrodes comprises a ring or annular electrode which has been radially segmented into a plurality of electrode segments.
US08658955B2
Optical assembly including a heat shield to axially restrain an energy collection system, and method
Some embodiments relate to an optical assembly that includes an energy collection system that collects energy and a heat shield that axially restrains the energy collection system. The optical assembly further includes a sensor and a structure which supports the energy collection system such that the energy collection system directs the energy to the sensor. Other embodiments relate to a projectile that includes a propulsion system, a guidance system and an optical assembly as described above. Other embodiments relate to a method of directing a projectile that includes collecting energy using an energy collection system; directing the energy to a sensor; axially restraining the energy collection system using a heat shield; using a guidance system to determine the position of the projectile based on data received from the sensor; and directing the projectile toward the destination using a propulsion system that is commanded by a guidance system.
US08658940B2
The present invention is directed to a remotely controlled welding machine. A remote control uses the welding circuit to transfer information to a welding power source. The information to be communicated to the power source includes welding power source output command information (amperage/voltage control), welding circuit on/off information (power source output contactor control), and power source mode control (constant voltage/constant current). A transmitter transmits the desired welding operational parameters to a receiver disposed in the power source. The transmitter is constructed to use only a small amount of power which, preferably, is supplied by one or two low voltage replaceable and/or rechargeable batteries. Additionally, an open circuit voltage is not created between the power source and an electrode holder when an arc is not present.
US08658933B2
The disclosure relates to a switching device with a vacuum interrupter chamber in which at least one moving contact piece is arranged. To considerably increase the switching rating and the dielectric strength, the disclosure proposes that two series-connected contact arrangements with a total of two contact levels which can be opened are arranged within a vacuum interrupter chamber.
US08658924B2
A seal structure for a switch mechanism includes a switch disposed in a housing, an operating member protruding forward from the housing through an opening formed in the housing and configured to turn on or off the switch, a rubber cover attached to the operating member from a front-side of the operating member and having a rear end engageable with the opening, and a fixing cover fixed to the operating member from outside the rubber cover so as to integrate the rubber cover with the operating member. In this seal structure, the rubber cover seals gap between the opening and the operating member.
US08658922B2
An electrical switch for a vehicle steering wheel assembly is provided. The electrical switch includes a pressure actuated cable having a compressible semi-conductive material between a plurality of conductors therein. The electrical switch further includes a mechanical actuator configured to compress the pressure actuated cable such that an electrical path is formed through the plurality of conductors to activate a component of the vehicle.
US08658918B1
A fast heat transfer device is provided. The device dissipates heat and generates power at the same time. A liquid flow is used to absorb heat for forming a vapor gas flow; then, the gas flow drives a blade turbine and a power generator; and, finally, the gas flow is cooled down to become the original liquid flow for recycling. Thus, the present invention dissipates heat and generates power simultaneously with a minimized size and a reduced cost together with energy conservation.
US08658917B2
Techniques for disambiguating touch data and determining user assignment of touch points detected by a touch sensor are described. The techniques leverage both user-specific touch data projected onto axes and non-user-specific touch data captured over a complete area.
US08658914B2
An electronic component device having a first sealing frame formed on a main substrate and a second sealing frame formed on a cover substrate, both of which are composed of a Ni film. A bonding section bonds the first sealing frame to the second sealing frame. For example, a Bi layer is formed on the first sealing frame and an Au layer is formed on the second sealing frame, and then the first sealing frame and the second sealing frame are heated at a temperature of 300° C. for 10 seconds while applying pressure in the direction in which the first sealing frame and the second sealing frame are close contact with each other to form the bonding section. The bonding section is constituted by a mixed layer predominantly composed of a mixed alloy of a Ni—Bi—Au ternary alloy and Au2Bi.
US08658913B2
The invention concerns a control box arrangement (1) with a control box (2) and a mounting plate (4) having a front side (18) and a rear side (11) and an opening (5) in which the control box (2) is inserted from the front side (18). It is endeavored to enable simple mounting and dismounting. For this purpose, the control box (2) includes at least one locking bar (7), which rests on the rear side (11) in a mounting position (9), a mounting element (10) being insertable in the control box (2) to displace the locking bar (7) to the mounting position (9).
US08658908B2
A multiple patterning wiring board includes a base substrate including a plurality of wiring board regions arranged in rows and columns, the wiring board regions each including an electronic component mounting region in a center portion thereof, a dividing groove at borders between wiring board regions in one main face of the base substrate, a lid member bonding region being formed between the electronic component mounting region and the dividing groove in the main face of the base substrate, and the lid member bonding region 1c including a groove, the groove having a width less than or equal to the width of the region and a depth that is less than a depth of the dividing groove.
US08658907B2
A conductive film has a transparent support, a first conductive silver image disposed on one main surface of the transparent support, and a second conductive silver image disposed on the other main surface of the transparent support. The first and second conductive silver images are obtained by forming at least one silver halide emulsion layer on each of the surfaces of the transparent support and then exposing and developing the silver halide emulsion layer. The first silver image and the second silver image each contain a net-like structure in a region required to be transparent. The net-like structure comprises thin metal wires having a line width of 10 μm or less, and forms a conductive layer having a sheet resistance of 50 ohm/sq or less.
US08658901B2
Motor vehicle conductor connection element includes a first flat part and an inlay arranged in the flat part so as to be substantially flush with a surface of the flat part. In order to ensure contacting with different conductors, the flat part is substantially coated with a metal and the inlay is partially coated with the metal.
US08658896B2
Disclosed herein is a temperature movable structure of a superconducting cable terminal. The superconducting cable terminal has sections of a high temperature portion, a temperature movable portion and an extremely low temperature portion. The temperature movable structure is disposed in the section of the temperature movable portion between the sections of the high temperature portion and the extremely low temperature portion. The temperature movable structure has upper and lower spacer members, a pipe body, first and third conductors, a second conductor and a contact connecting member disposed between the first and second conductors.
US08658894B1
A temporary cover for covering a central opening in an electrical box cover plate is disclosed. The cover has a front wall, a side wall forming a rim around the periphery of the front wall, a connecting mechanism on the rim for releasably connecting the temporary cover to the box cover plate in a position in which the front wall of the temporary cover is spaced forward from the central opening in the box cover plate, and a release mechanism on the front wall for removing the temporary cover from the box cover plate. The rim of the temporary cover is configured to function as a guide for guiding a cutting tool to cut an opening in the wall member prior to installing an electrical device in the electrical box. A cover assembly including such a temporary cover is also disclosed.
US08658892B2
A method to increase the coupling effectiveness of an AC electric field to a ferroelectric substance, thereby improving noise reduction. The method employs an electric field chamber, preferably a hollow conductive tube, to distribute the radiated electric field over a larger effective area without affecting the inductance or transmission qualities of the AC power conductor.
US08658889B2
A quantum dot thin film solar cell is provided, which at least includes a first electrode layer, an optical active layer, and a second electrode layer sequentially deposited on a substrate. A plurality of quantum dots is formed in the optical active layer. Since the plurality of quantum dots and the optical active layer are formed through co-sputtering, an interface adhesion between the plurality of quantum dots and the optical active layer is good in this quantum dot thin film solar cell.
US08658886B2
A photoelectric conversion module is disclosed. In one embodiment, the photoelectric conversion module includes i) a plurality of photoelectric cells spaced apart from each other, wherein a perimeter is defined to surround the photoelectric cells, and wherein the perimeter does not pass through the spaces between neighboring photoelectric cells, ii) an electrolyte provided in the photoelectric cells and iii) a plurality of sealing frits surrounding the photoelectric cells, respectively, wherein each of the sealing frits is continuously formed.
US08658882B1
Concepts and technologies described herein provide for providing power to an electronic device mounted to a moving apparatus. According to various aspects, a flexible solar panel is detachably mounted to the moving apparatus. A light emitting diode (LED) array is mounted on a flexible circuit board and is configured to emit light at a color temperature range that matches the effective response of the solar panel. The LED array is shaped according to the surface of the moving apparatus and is positioned a uniform gap width apart from the solar panel. When the moving apparatus is activated, light from the fixed LED array is received by the moving solar panel and converted into electricity for powering the electronic device that is electrically connected to the solar panel. Data from the electronic device may be wirelessly transmitted from the moving apparatus to a fixed receiver for storage or use.
US08658881B2
A thermoelectric generator comprises an electrical circuit having two or more thermocouple junctions (600, 615), a switch (620), a controller (640), and a series resonant circuit consisting of a capacitor (625) and an inductor in the form of a transformer (630). The thermocouple junctions operate between two temperature reservoirs (605, 610) operating at temperatures T2 and T1, respectively, that are sufficiently different to enable the circuit to supply power to a load (635). Using sense lines (650, 655) the controller forces the switch to advance to the next throw at the proper time, forcing the circuit to operate at or near resonance. With each operation of the switch, one junction at a time is connected to the resonant circuit, while one or more junctions are left in an open-circuit condition. By allowing the temporarily disconnected junctions sufficient time to reach thermal equilibrium with the temperature reservoirs, isothermal equilibrium is achieved. By reversing the polarity of each subsequently-connected junction, electrons in the thermally-equilibrated junctions experience a very rapid adiabatic expansion or compression when each junction is connected. The result is a thermoelectric generator that operates with an efficiency that is greater than the prior-art. Power regulation is accomplished through adjustments to the strength of the load and the temperatures of the reservoirs.
US08658871B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV683228. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV683228, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV683228 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV683228 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV683228.
US08658870B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV024124. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV024124, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV024124 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV024124 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV024124.
US08658868B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026437. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026437. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026437 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026437 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08658864B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XB74B11 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB74B11, cells from soybean variety XB74B11, plants of soybean XB74B11, and plant parts of soybean variety XB74B11. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB74B11 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB74B11, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB74B11, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB74B11. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB74B11 are further provided.
US08658856B2
The present invention relates to p450 enzymes and nucleic acid sequences encoding p450 enzymes in Nicotiana, and methods of using those enzymes and nucleic acid sequences to alter plant phenotypes.
US08658855B2
The present disclosure relates to the isolation, purification, and characterization of a diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), and genes encoding DGAT2, from algae. DGAT2 can incorporate very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in to triacylglycerol more efficiently than DGAT1. The disclosure concerns methods of regulating seed oil content, fatty acid synthesis and fatty acid composition using the DGAT2 gene and to tissues and plants transformed with the gene. The disclosure also relates to transgenic plants, plant tissues and plant seeds having a genome containing an introduced DNA sequence of the disclosure, and a method of producing such plants and plant seeds.
US08658837B2
Novel processes for preparing optically active cyclopentanones 1 which are useful for the preparation of benzindene Prostaglandins and novel cyclopentanones are provided. The invention also provides novel processes of preparing benzindene Prostaglandins and novel intermediates for benzindene Prostaglandins.
US08658832B2
The present invention relates to auxiliary ligands for luminescent metal complexes, particularly emitter complexes having such auxiliary ligands, and particularly light-emitting devices, and particularly organic light-emitting devices (OLED) having metal complexes, which have the auxiliary ligands according to the invention.
US08658831B2
According to the present invention, a method for separating a primary amine being an N,N-dialkylbisaminoalkylether, from mixtures comprising said primary amine and at least one of a secondary amine being an N,N,N′-trialkylbisaminoalkylether and a tertiary amine being an N,N,N′,N′-tetraalkylbisaminoalkylether, comprising the steps: (α) joining said mixture and at least one of a ketone and an aldehyde for reacting said primary amine with said at least one of a ketone and an aldehyde, thereby providing a primary amine based imine by a Schiff base reaction; (β) separating the primary amine based imine from said at least one of the secondary or tertiary amine; and (γ) recovering the primary amine from its primary amine based imine by hydrolysis of the primary amine based imine.
US08658825B2
The present application is directed to i) a method for synthesizing aminophosphine (P,N) and phosphine-aminophosphine (P,N,P) ligands, ii) the use of such ligands in the preparation of metal complexes as hydrogenation catalysts, and iii) aminophosphine (P,N) and phosphine-aminophosphine (P,N,P) ligands of various structures. In particular, the methods in i) involve reacting a protected tertiary amine of formula (I) with a metal phosphide of the formula Y—PR8R9 to afford an aminophosphine of formula (II), which can then be optionally further reacted with a phosphine of the formula (III) to afford the phosphine-aminophosphine of formula (IV).
US08658824B2
In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product, an alkylenating agent, and water. The process further comprises the step of contacting at least a portion of the crude product stream or a derivative thereof with an extraction agent mixture to form an extract stream and a raffinate stream. The extract stream comprises acrylate product and extraction agent. The raffinate stream comprises alkylenating agent and water. Preferably, the extraction agent mixture comprises at least two extraction agents.
US08658820B2
Various embodiments of the invention herein described generally relate to novel processes for the production of aromatic acids by fixed bed catalytic oxidation of aromatic compounds carrying at least one oxidizable substituent group attached directly to the carbon atom of the corresponding aromatic nucleus. In an embodiment, a novel oxidation process of the present invention comprises the steps of: a) catalytically oxidizing, with an oxidation catalyst, a liquid phase aromatic acid precursor in the presence of a gaseous oxygen source; b) separating a finished product; c) purging the solvent and the oxidation catalyst; d) optionally recycling at least a portion of the solvent into the oxidation reactor; e) recovering at least a portion of the oxidation catalyst; f) recharging the at least a portion of the oxidation catalyst over a solid recharging catalyst bed; and (g) feeding a reactivated oxidation catalyst to the oxidation reactor.
US08658815B2
The present invention provides a method for inexpensively producing di-μ-chloro-bis[chloro(η6-1-isopropyl-4-methylbenzene)ruthenium (II)] complex used as a catalyst raw material for a hydrogenation or metathesis polymerization reaction at a high yield. In the present invention, the above-described problem can be solved by reacting ruthenium chloride or a hydrate thereof with γ-terpinene in a solvent. In particular, by using an alcohol having a boiling point of 100° C. or higher as a solvent, the yield of the above-described complex can be increased.
US08658813B2
A new class of oleochemical based polyol esters of general formula 1 are prepared by esterification of different polyols having 5-6 carbon atoms and 2-4 hydroxyl groups with 10-undecenoic acid or/and undecanoic acid with a hydroxyl value of ≦1.0 mg KOH/g. Wherein R1, R2, R3 is selected from a group consisting of CH3—, CH3CH2—, —CH2OCOR4 wherein R4 is selected from CH2═CH—(CH2)8— or CH3—(CH2)9—, individually or in combination thereof. The resulting esters were characterized for lubricant properties like viscosity, viscosity index, pour point, flash point and copper corrosion tests. The properties indicate their potential as promising lubricant base stocks for automotive lubricants, metal working oil, hydraulic oil and other industrial applications. Vegetable oils provide most of the desirable lubricant properties such as good boundary lubrication, high viscosity index, high flash point and low volatility. Synthetic esters prepared from renewable resources like vegetable oils exhibit better performance at a lower cost compared to mineral oil based synthetic esters.
US08658810B2
Disclosed is a process to produce a purified vapor comprising dialkyl-furan-2,5-dicarboxylate (DAFD). Furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and an alcohol in an esterification zone to generate a crude diester stream containing dialkyl furan dicarboxylate (DAFD), unreacted alcohol, 5-(alkoxycarbonyl)furan-2-carboxylic acid (ACFC), and alkyl furan-2-carboxylate (AFC). The crude diester stream is fed to a flash evaporation zone to produce a vapor alcohol composition and a first liquid DAFD rich composition. At least a portion of the remaining alcohol can be separated from the first liquid DAFD rich composition to produce a second alcohol vapor and a second liquid DAFD rich composition, followed by separating AFC from the second liquid DAFD rich composition to product an AFC vapor and a partially purified DAFD rich composition, followed by separating a portion of the DAFD from the partially purified DAFD rich composition to produce a purified DAFD vapor.
US08658809B2
The subject of the present disclosure is a novel process for the preparation of N-[2-n-butyl-3-{4-[(3-dibutylamino)propoxy]benzoyl}-1-benzofuran-5-yl]methanesulfonamide of formula I: and the new intermediates of the preparation process.
US08658806B2
The present invention relates to a process of preparation of optically active antrocin. At first, to introduce the correct configuration of trans-decalone, alkyl aluminum/TMSCN was used to react with decalenone. The resulting racemic nitrile-decalone was resolved with chiral diol by ketalization to produce two chromatography separable diasteromers. After a simple column chromatography, optically pure compounds were obtained. Formylation was a critical step for the lactone formation. The rest of the synthesis is straight forward through oxidation and olefination. Accordingly, the total synthesis was completed in 10 steps with 7% overall yield from commercially available 6-methoxy-2-tetralone.
US08658805B2
A low-molecular-weight fused polycyclic heteroaromatic compound may have a compact planar structure in which seven or more rings are fused together. The compound may exhibit a relatively high charge mobility and enable the use of a deposition process or a room-temperature solution process when applied to devices, therefore realizing improved processibility. An organic thin film and electronic device may include the fused polycyclic heteroaromatic compound.
US08658801B2
Compounds of formula (I), wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1, and the agrochemically acceptable salts and all stereoisomers and tautomeric forms of the compounds of formula I can be used as agrochemical active ingredients and can be prepared in a manner known per se.
US08658792B2
Anti-virally active carbanucleosides such as entecavir are prepared by a process which utilizes, throughout the synthesis, an aromatic protectant group for the hydroxyl and the alkyl hydroxy groups of the starting material, removed as the final step of a multi-step synthesis. Such protectant groups yield intermediates which are solid and therefore easily purified at various stages of the process, for an economical and relatively fast process for synthesizing the final product.
US08658789B2
A method for preparing the linezolid (compound 1), which comprises the steps of: (1) carrying out the debenzyl reaction of compound 4 in solvent, to obtain the compound 5 or its acetic acid salt; (2) carrying out the acetylation reaction in the amino of the compound 5 or its acetic acid salt obtained in step (1) in solvent to obtain the compound 1. The intermediates to prepare the compound 1 and the acetic acid salt of compound 5. The present preparation method is easy to obtain the chiral materials and the chiral materials are cheap, the process and the post treatment are simple, the intermediate products and the end product are easy to be purified, the total yield is high, their purities are also high, this preparation method is easy to be used in the industry manufacture.
US08658775B2
The present invention is directed to chitosan-derivative compounds and structures, methods of making chitosan-derivative compounds and methods for controlling, inhibiting and enhancing microbial populations in a variety of environments. The present invention is also directed to the control, inhibition and enhancement of microbial populations in animals, particularly humans. The microbial populations include bacteria, viruses and other pathogens where control of microbial populations are a necessity. The chitosan-derivative compounds of the present invention include chitosan-arginine compounds, related chitosan-L/D unnatural amino acid compounds, chitosan-acid amine compounds, chitosan-L/D natural amino acid derivative compounds, co-derivatives of the chitosan-derivative compounds, salts of the chitosan derivative compounds, and chitosan-guanidine compounds.
US08658774B2
Meditope variants and methods for their use are provided herein. A meditope variant as described herein comprises a peptide having a sequence CQFDLSTRRLKC (SEQ ID NO:1) or CQYNLSSRALKC (SEQ ID NO:2) that has one or more modifications at of least one amino acid residue of the sequence. Multivalent meditope variant tethering entities are also provided. Such entities may include two or more meditopes coupled via a long linker, multivalent scaffold, biotin-streptavidin, or IgG Fc domain. Further, methods of treating, imaging or diagnosing a disease or condition are provided. Such methods may include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to a subject, the pharmaceutical compound comprising an antibody-meditope complex; a multivalent tethering agent in combination with a monoclonal antibody or functional fragment thereof; or a combination thereof.
US08658772B2
Methods for selective extraction and fractionation of algal proteins from an algal biomass or algal culture are disclosed. A method of selective removal of products from an algal biomass provides for single and multistep extraction processes which allow for efficient separation of algal proteins. These proteins can be used as renewable sources of proteins for animal feedstocks and human food. Further, lipids remaining in the algal biomass after extraction of proteins can be used to generate renewable fuels.
US08658770B2
[Object] To obtain an anti-integrin α8β1 antibody which binds to integrin α8β1 derived from mammals of different species. Also, to obtain an anti-integrin α8β1 antibody which inhibits binding between integrin α8β1 and its ligand.[Solution] Anti-integrin α8β1 antibodies which bind to integrin α8β1 derived from mammals of different species have been obtained. In addition, inhibitors, which contain an anti-integrin α8β1 antibody, of binding between integrin α8β1 and its ligand have been obtained.
US08658769B2
The present invention relates to an autoantibody specifically recognizing the epitope sequence of FASN (fatty acid synthase), more particularly, to the autoantibody or a fragment comprising an antigen-binding site thereof, a diagnostic composition for hepatocellular carcinoma comprising an agent capable of assessing the expression level of the autoantibody, a hybridoma cell line producing the autoantibody, a diagnostic kit for hepatocellular carcinoma comprising the composition, a method for detecting the autoantibody of hepatocellular carcinoma patient using the composition, and a method for screening a therapeutic agent for hepatocellular carcinoma by administering candidate materials for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment to confirm a reduction in the expression level of autoantibody.
US08658767B2
This invention relates to, inter alia, an isolated lipidated polypeptide including a lipid moiety at the N-terminus and a plurality of epitopes, and methods of making and using the polypeptide.
US08658766B2
Disclosed are soluble hybrid Fcγ receptor (FcγR) polypeptide compositions and related methods of using such polypeptides to treat IgG-mediated and immune complex-mediated inflammation. Also disclosed are related compositions and methods for producing the soluble hybrid FcγR polypeptides.
US08658757B2
Provided is a polyamide polymer in which a partial structure represented by the following formula (C) constitutes a portion of the main chain: wherein in Formula (C), RA and RB each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; n and m each independently represent an integer from 0 to 2; Cy represents an unsaturated 6-membered or 7-membered ring which may contain a heteroatom; and * and ** each represent a bonding hand, while * may be a bonding hand extending from RA.
US08658756B2
The present invention relates to a composition that can be used to manufacture an impermeable, sealing, tight envelope, to a process for manufacturing an impermeable envelope, and to a tank. The composition of the invention comprises in % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition: from 70 to 90% of a monomer (I); from 0.1 to 1% of an activator (II), in which R is chosen from the group comprising CnH2n+2, n being an integer chosen from 1 to 10; —OH; —OCnH2n+2, n being an integer chosen from 1 to 10; and —NHR′ where R′ is either CnH2n+2, n being an integer chosen from 1 to 10, or an amine functional group; from 2 to 6% of a catalyst (III), in which X is chosen from the group comprising MgBr, MgI, Li and Na; and from 10 to 20% of an additive (IV), with: This composition can be used, for example, to manufacture elements that are impermeable to fluids, for example impermeable envelopes, for example that can be used in the manufacture of type IV tanks or hydraulic accumulators.
US08658753B2
A transparent siloxane resin composition for optical applications is provided including: (1) a vinyl-oligosiloxane hybrid prepared by a non-hydrolytic condensation reaction of an organoalkoxysilane having a vinyl group or a mixture of an organoalkoxysilane having a vinyl group and a metal alkoxide with an organosilanediol; (2) an organohydrosilicone compound having two or more silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms; and (3) a metal catalyst. The resulting transparent siloxane resin exhibits excellent light transmittance, light resistance and heat resistance, has refractive index and hardness suitable for optical applications, including optical devices, displays, LEDs or the like, and experiences little contraction during processing.
US08658746B2
To provide an electrolyte polymer for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, made of a perfluorinated polymer having sulfonic groups, characterized in that in a test of immersing 0.1 g of the polymer in 50 g of a fenton reagent solution containing 3% of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and 200 ppm of bivalent iron ions at 40° C. for 16 hours, the amount of eluted fluorine ions detected in the solution is not more than 0.002% of the total amount of fluorine in the polymer immersed. The electrolyte polymer of the present invention has very few unstable terminal groups and has an excellent durability, and therefore, is suitable as a polymer constituting an electrolyte membrane for polymer electrolyte fuel cells and a polymer contained in a catalyst layer.
US08658745B2
An olefin polymerization process comprises gas-phase polymerization of at least one olefin monomer in more than one polymerization zones in one or more polymerization reactors using a high activity catalyst injected in the front end of the reactor to give solid polymer particles. According to the process of the invention, different hydrogen to olefin ratios are applied to the reactor leading to the production of very different molecular weights and therefore broadening the molecular weight distribution of the polymer produced.
US08658736B2
An epoxy resin composition comprising an epoxy resin [A], an amine-based curing agent [B] and a block copolymer [C] as components, wherein the epoxy resin [A] contains [Aa] an epoxy resin having at least one structure selected from a condensed polycyclic structure, biphenyl structure and oxazolidone ring structure; [Ab] an epoxy resin selected from a polyfunctional amine type epoxy resin [Ab1] and a liquid bisphenol type epoxy resin [Ab2], and the block copolymer [C] is at least one block copolymer selected from the group consisting of S-B-M, B-M and M-B-M. The present invention provides an epoxy resin composition that can be cured to form a cured product excellent in heat resistance, elastic modulus and toughness.
US08658732B2
Solid state draw a polymer billet, wherein at least 50 percent of all polymers in the billet is a continuous phase of polyethylene polymer having a density of 0.941-0.959 grams per cubic centimeter and a weight-average molecular weight that is 110,000 grams per mole or greater, at a drawing rate of 1.2 meters per minute or faster using a tensile force to create an oriented and cavitated polymer composition whose cross section dimensions all exceed two millimeters.
US08658722B2
An aqueous surface-treating agent, which comprises a silicone oil aqueous emulsion, a polyurethane resin aqueous emulsion, and a silane compound represented by the following general formula (where R1 and R2 each are an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and n and m are 1≦n≦3 and m=3·n, respectively), and/or a hydrolyzate thereof, wherein 100 parts by weight or more of the polyurethane resin in terms of the weight of solid matters is used on the basis of 100 parts by weight in terms of nonvolatile matters of silicone oil, can prevent sticking of rubber seal materials such as O rings, etc. themselves or sticking to a metal, a resin, etc., and can reduce the friction of rubber or resin seal members at the time of sliding motion.
US08658714B2
One embodiment is a composition comprising water; starch; natural fibrous materials; one or more additives to improve certain properties such as heat transfer, microbial resistance, scavenging activity or shelf life; a mold release agent; flavoring agents; coloring agents; and/or wax emulsions, proteins, or other natural polymeric compounds to adjust the product properties for particular applications.
US08658702B2
Novel macromolecules for filtering contaminants from water and non-aqueous solutions. Molecules such as polyethyleneimine (PEI) may be functionalized, cross-linked, and/or quaternized to improve their binding capacity or selectivity with particular water contaminants such as bromide, nitrate, and sulfate. The macromolecules may be either recyclable or non-recyclable, and may be recovered or separated from water using means such as ultrafiltration, flocculation, or immobilization on a substrate.
US08658693B2
The present invention provides novel selective androgen receptor modulators and their salts and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
US08658689B2
The invention features a series of heterocyclic derivatives that inhibit tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) induced necroptosis. The heterocyclic compounds of the invention are described by Formulas (I) and (Ia)-(Ie) and are shown to inhibit TNF-α induced necroptosis in FADD-deficient variant of human Jurkat T cells. The invention further features pharmaceutical compositions featuring the compounds of the invention. The compounds and compositions of the invention may also be used to treat disorders where necroptosis is likely to play a substantial role.
US08658685B2
We have identified classes of kallikrein inhibitors as compounds that are useful in the reduction of vascular permeability (e.g., retinal vascular permeability and cerebral vascular permeability) and astrocyte activation. Diseases and conditions associated with increased vascular permeability include diabetic retinopathy, hemorrhagic stroke, and macular edema. Diseases and conditions associated with astrocyte activation include Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, stroke, epilepsy, and brain trauma.
US08658684B2
A pharmaceutical composition comprises 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one and borneol, and can be used to prepare the medicine for treating cerebrovascular diseases.
US08658683B2
An alpha2 adrenoreceptor agonist eg. clonidine, brimonidine, monoxidine, lofexidine is useful for the treatment of siaiorrhoea, administered by the paraungual, sublingual or buccal route. The patient to be treated is also given an anti-muscarinic agent eg. oxybutynin, glycopyrrolate, ipratropium.
US08658680B2
Chemically stable aqueous dispersions of prothioconazole and processes for preparing them are provided. The dispersions comprise prothioconazole present in an aqueous medium, and a sulfur-containing compound present in an amount effective to render the dispersion chemically stable.
US08658677B2
Compounds are provided according to formula I: where R, R′, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are as defined herein. Provided compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are useful for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, Alzheimer's Disease, Down's syndrome, Parkinson's Disease, and others.
US08658669B2
Bridged bicyclic heteroaryl substituted triazoles and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds are disclosed as being useful in inhibiting the activity of the receptor protein tyrosine kinase Axl. Methods of using the compounds in treating diseases or conditions associated with Axl activity are also disclosed.
US08658660B2
This present disclosure is related to the field of 5-fluoro-4-imino-3-(substituted)-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)ones and their derivatives and to the use of these compounds as fungicides.
US08658644B2
The present invention relates to novel pyridazine derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1 is methyl or ethyl; R2 is H or chloro; R3 is fluoro or chloro; R4 is fluoro or methoxy; and R5 is chloro or methoxy or an agrochemically usable salt from thereof, as active ingredients which have microbiodidal activity, in particular fungicidal activity.
US08658642B2
Provided herein are arylsulfonamides that are useful for modulating CCR3 activity, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also provided herein are methods of their use for treating, preventing, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a CCR3-mediated disorder, disease, or condition.
US08658641B2
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I); to pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, to methods of using them to treat bacterial infections, and to methods for their preparation.
US08658634B2
The present invention relates to novel substituted bicyclic methyl azetidine derivatives which are useful as sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors modulators and useful for treating a wide variety of disorders associated with modulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors.
US08658630B2
The invention provides a means capable of effectively inactivating and removing allergen or a precursor thereof. The invention relates to an allergen-reducing agent containing water and a water-soluble polymer compound having units having hydroxy or carboxy groups wherein at least a part of hydrogen atoms of the hydroxy or carboxy groups are substituted by specific groups containing a polyether group.
US08658625B2
External preparations for treatment of painful skin wound having an analgesic activity which comprises acetylsalicylic acid or its pharmacologically acceptable salt as an active ingredient.
US08658624B2
The present invention relates to pharmacology, medicine, opthalmology, and, in particular, concerns a class of chemical compounds of structure (I) and also their solvates, isomers or prodrugs applicable when incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions also containing pharmaceutically acceptable carrier which can be useful for prophylaxis and treatment of different eye pathologies such as cataract and macular dystrophy.
US08658622B2
Contemplated compositions and methods are directed to prevent and/or treat various autoimmune diseases that are typically associated with glycan dysregulation, and especially autoimmune demyelinating diseases. Further especially contemplated aspects include animal models and systems for screening compounds to treat and/or prevent such diseases.
US08658619B2
Provided are methods of treating subclinical sun damage and of inducing a chemocytotoxic response in skin. Methods of treating subclinical sun damage include the steps of: topically administering to skin of a patient a composition comprising a chemocytotoxic agent in an amount effective to induce erythema, scaling, crusting, or combinations thereof and resolve at least a portion of the subclinical sun damage, where the skin has a condition of no clinical sign of sun damage and the patient was not previously treated for actinic keratosis or nonmelanoma skin cancer. The chemocytotoxic agent can comprise a fluorinated pyrimidine antimetabolite such as 5-fluorouracil (FU), 5-fluorouridine (FUR), 5-fluorouridine-5′-monophosphate (FUMP), 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR), 5-fluorodeoxyuridine-5′-monophosphate (FdUMP), or combinations thereof.
US08658617B2
The invention is related to salts of anti-viral compounds, compositions containing such salts, and therapeutic methods that include the administration of such salts, as well as to processes and intermediates useful for preparing such salts.
US08658616B2
Compounds having the general formula (I): are provided which have enhanced inhibitory potency and are thus useful in methods of prophylaxis or treatment of a viral infection such as hepatitis C virus. The compounds are phosphoramidate derivatives of nucleoside compounds derived from bases such as adenine and guanine. The glycoside moiety of the nucleoside compound can be substituted at the ss-2′ position with methyl and the phosphoramidate group can be 1-naphthyl linked by —O— to the P atom. These compounds can be administered as pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for their preparation are also provided.
US08658615B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising inhibitors of Prohibitin (PHB) for the prevention or/and treatment of hyperproliferative disorders.
US08658609B2
The present invention relates to novel compositions and methods to induce, and/or modulate bio-electrical rhythms (e.g. in cardiac, neuronal and pancreatic cells) by fine-tuning the activity of HCN-encoded pacemaker channels via a novel protein- and genetic-engineering approach to augment or attenuate the associated physiological responses (e.g. heart beat, neuronal firing, insulin secretion, etc) for achieving various therapeutic purposes (e.g. sick sinus syndrome, epilepsy, neuropathic pain, diabetes, etc).
US08658602B2
Multimeric fusion proteins of an Ig-like domain of Flt-1 are rendered functional by inclusion of a linker moiety. Vectors encoding the fusion proteins and host cells expressing the fusion proteins can be used therapeutically to block neovascularization in individuals with pathological conditions related to neovascularization. Such conditions include age-related macular degeneration, cancer, psoriasis, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, asthma, uveitis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The same means of multimerization used for an Iglike domain of Flt-1, i.e., a linker and a multimerization domain, can be used for other polypeptides, including extracellular receptors, antibody variable regions, cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors.
US08658601B2
Provided herein are peptides and nanoparticles conjugates thereof useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders mediated by GIPC/synectin, such as cancer.
US08658600B2
Disclosed is a general methodology to create nano fibers of therapeutic molecules that have a dual role, as both the delivery vehicle and the drug itself. It is shown that with proper molecular design, the integration of enzymatic reaction and self-assembly provides a powerful method to create molecular hydrogels of clinically-used therapeutics without compromising their bioactivities. In addition, the results disclosed herein demonstrate enzyme-instructed self-assembly as a facile strategy for generating the supramolecular hydrogels of molecules that inherently have poor solubility in water. For example, by covalently connecting paclitaxel with a motif that is prone to self-assemble, a hydrogel of paclitaxel can be formed without compromising the activity of the paclitaxel.
US08658597B2
The invention relates to chemically as well as physically stable kits and compositions comprising polypeptides, in particular Factor VII or Factor VII-related polypeptides, such that these compositions can be stored, handled and used at room temperature.
US08658592B2
Novel peptides are disclosed with their use as a pharmaceutical composition. A method is also disclosed for making pharmaceutical compositions and treatment of an individual.
US08658591B2
Disclosed herein are PACE4 inhibitors, compositions comprising PACE4 inhibitors and their uses thereof for lowering PACE4 activity, reducing cell proliferation, reducing tumor growth, reducing metastasis formation, preventing and/or treating cancer. Also provided are methods for lowering PACE4 activity, reducing the proliferation of a cell, reducing tumor growth and/or treating and preventing cancer. Methods for screening PACE4 inhibitors and cell proliferation inhibitors are further provided.
US08658578B2
The disclosure provides a lubricating oil composition and method for manufacturing the same. The lubricating oil composition substantially consists of a base lubricant oil, and an organic-inorganic composite particle uniformly dispersed in the base lubricant oil. This lubricating oil composition is applicable to a sliding section or sliding member of an automotive internal combustion engine or power transmission apparatus to significantly reduce friction coefficient, temperature of oil and wear rate.
US08658574B2
The invention discloses method of treatment and reuse of oilfield produced water. The method comprises: providing an aqueous medium comprised at least in part of oilfield produced water; contacting the aqueous medium with a zirconium compound; whereby the fluid viscosity and/or fluid drag reduction ability of the combination of the aqueous medium and zirconium compound is improved compared to the aqueous medium alone; introducing the combination in to the well; and allowing the combination to contact the formation. In another embodiment, the aqueous medium is further contacted by a friction-reduction additive. Still in another embodiment, the aqueous medium is further contacted by a gelling additive. Still in another embodiment, the fluid is energized with a gas.
US08658573B2
The invention relates to novel photo-generated carbohydrate arrays and methods of their use to detect the presence of one or more agents in a sample. The invention also relates to a high-throughput strategy to facilitate the identification and immunological characterization of pathogen-specific carbohydrates, including those of Bacillus anthracis. The invention can be used to determine the presence of a pathogen and whether a subject has been exposed to a pathogen, such as by screening for pathogen-specific antibodies.
US08658572B2
The present invention relates to a microarray comprising at least 50,000 oligopeptide features per cm2 where the oligopeptide features represent at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100% of the proteome of a virus or an organism. The present invention further relates to methods for the synthesis of such microarrays and methods of using microarrays comprising at least 50,000 oligopeptide features per cm2. In an embodiment of the invention, the oligopeptide features represent proteins expressed in the same species, wherein the oligopeptide features are presented in a tiling pattern representing at least about 5,000 to-at least about 25,000 proteins expressed in a species. In some embodiments, the oligopeptide microarray features represent proteins expressed in the same species, wherein the microarray features are present in a tiling pattern that represents at least about 5,000 to at least about 50,000 expressed proteins.
US08658569B2
Substituted quinolinones of the formula I in which the variables are defined according to the description, their agriculturally suitable salts, processes and intermediates for preparing the compounds of the formula I, compositions comprising them and their use as herbicides, i.e. for controlling harmful plants, and also a method for controlling unwanted vegetation which comprises allowing a herbicidally effective amount of at least one compound of the formula I to act on plants, their seed and/or their habitat.
US08658566B2
The present invention provides: a composition for controlling plant diseases comprising, as active ingredients, 4-oxo-4-[(2-phenylethyl)amino]-butyric acid and ethaboxam; a method for controlling plant diseases which comprises applying effective amounts of 4-oxo-4-[(2-phenylethyl)amino]-butyric acid and ethaboxam to a plant or soil for growing plant; and so on.
US08658555B1
Compositions and methods useful for removing toxic industrial compounds from air are disclosed, wherein said composition comprises a mixture of hydrous metal oxide and graphite oxide. In a most preferred embodiment the composition comprises a mixture of zirconium hydroxide and graphene oxide.
US08658548B2
One embodiment of the present invention is a nonwoven fabric comprising a support web and a fibrous barrier web, having a hydrohead of at least about 145 cm and a Frazier permeability of at least about 0.3 m3/m2-min.
US08658542B2
A layer of a mask material is deposited on a substrate. A beam of energy is scanned across the mask material in a rasterized linear pattern and in accordance with a scan pitch that is based on a pitch of conductive structure segments to be formed on the substrate. The beam of energy is defined to transform the mask material upon which the beam of energy is incident into a removable state. During scanning the beam of energy across the mask material, the beam of energy is turned on at locations where a conductive structure is to be formed on the substrate, and the beam of energy is turned off at locations where a conductive structure is not to be formed on the substrate.
US08658537B2
According to one embodiment, a mask manufacturing method includes acquiring positional deviation information between an actual position of a pattern formed on a mask substrate and a design position decided at the time of designing the pattern; calculating an irradiating amount and an irradiating position of radiation to be irradiated to a predetermined area of a square on the mask substrate according to the calculated positional deviation information; and irradiating the radiation based on the calculated irradiating amount and the calculated irradiating position to form in a part of the mask substrate a heterogeneous layer of which volume is expanded more greatly than that of the surrounding mask substrate region.
US08658529B2
An oxide film is formed on an inner surface of a via hole in which a through electrode is to be formed, and thereafter a Cu film is embedded in the via hole. When an excess Cu film formed on a first interlayer insulating film is removed by a CMP method, the oxide film is also polished and reduced in thickness. Using the oxide film reduced in thickness as a hard mask, a wiring trench is formed in the first interlayer insulating film. At this time, the oxide film is further reduced in thickness. After a conductive material is embedded in the wiring trench, an excess conductive material is removed by polishing. At this time, the remaining oxide film is removed entirely by the polishing.
US08658526B2
A method is provided that includes forming completely distinct first features above a substrate, forming sidewall spacers on the first features, filling spaces between adjacent sidewall spacers with filler features, and removing the sidewall spacers. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08658525B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method may include providing a substrate; forming a gate structure including a first dummy gate over the substrate; removing the first dummy gate from the gate structure to form a trench; forming an interfacial layer, high-k dielectric layer, and capping layer to partially fill in the trench; forming a second dummy gate over the capping layer, wherein the second dummy gate fills the trench; and replacing the second dummy gate with a metal gate. In one embodiment, the method may include providing a substrate; forming an interfacial layer over the substrate; forming a high-k dielectric layer over the interfacial layer; forming an etch stop layer over the high-k dielectric layer; forming a capping layer including a low thermal budget silicon over the etch stop layer; forming a dummy gate layer over the capping layer; forming a gate structure; and performing a gate replacement process.
US08658522B2
In a first aspect, a first method is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) preconditioning a process chamber with an aggressive plasma; (2) loading a substrate into the process chamber; and (3) performing plasma nitridation on the substrate within the process chamber. The process chamber is preconditioned using a plasma power that is at least 150% higher than a plasma power used during plasma nitridation of the substrate. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08658519B1
Various embodiments provide non-planar nanowires, nanowire arrays, and nanowire networks as well as methods of their formation and applications. The non-planar nanowires and their arrays can be formed in a controlled manner on surfaces having a non-planar orientation. In embodiments, two or more adjacent nanowires from different surfaces can grow to merge together forming one or more nanowire branches and thus forming a nanowire network. In embodiments, the non-planar nanowires and nanowire networks can be used for cantilever oscillation, switching and transistor actions.
US08658518B1
A method of fabricating a nanowire FET device includes the following steps. A SOI wafer is provided having a SOI layer over a BOX. Nanowires and pads are etched in the SOI layer. The nanowires are suspended over the BOX. An interfacial oxide is formed surrounding each of the nanowires. A conformal gate dielectric is deposited on the interfacial oxide. A conformal first gate material is deposited on the conformal gate dielectric. A work function setting material is deposited on the conformal first gate material. A second gate material is deposited on the work function setting material to form at least one gate stack over the nanowires. A volume of the conformal first gate material and/or a volume of the work function setting material in the gate stack are/is proportional to a pitch of the nanowires.
US08658514B2
A manufacturing process for a semiconductor-on-insulator structure having reduced electrical losses and which includes a support substrate made of silicon, an oxide layer and a thin layer of semiconductor material, and a polycrystalline silicon layer interleaved between the support substrate and the oxide layer. The process includes a treatment capable of conferring high resistivity to the support substrate prior to formation of the polycrystalline silicon layer, and then conducting at least one long thermal stabilization on the structure at a temperature not exceeding 950° C. for at least 10 minutes.
US08658513B2
An improved method of creating LED arrays is disclosed. A p-type layer, multi-quantum well and n-type layer are disposed on a substrate. The device is then etched to expose portions of the n-type layer. To create the necessary electrical isolation between adjacent LEDs, an ion implantation is performed to create a non-conductive implanted region. In some embodiments, an implanted region extends through the p-type layer, MQW and n-type layer. In another embodiment, a first implanted region is created in the n-type layer. In addition, a second implanted region is created in the p-type layer and multi-quantum well immediately adjacent to etched n-type layer. In some embodiments, the ion implantation is done perpendicular to the substrate. In other embodiments, the implant is performed at an angle.
US08658507B2
There is provided a MOSFET structure and a method of fabricating the same. The method includes: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a dummy gate on the semiconductor substrate; forming source/drain regions; selectively etching the dummy gate to a position where a channel is to be formed; and epitaxially growing a channel layer at the position where the channel is to be formed and forming a gate on the channel layer, wherein the channel layer comprises a material of high mobility. Thereby, the channel of the device is replaced with the material of high mobility after the source/drain region is formed, and thus it is possible to suppress the short channel effect and also to improve the device performance.
US08658496B2
A memory device and a method of making the memory device are provided. A first dielectric layer is formed on a substrate, a floating gate is formed on the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer is formed on the floating gate, a control gate is formed on the second dielectric layer, and at least one film, including a conformal film, is formed over a surface of the memory device.
US08658489B2
A CMOS device having an NMOS transistor with a metal gate electrode comprising a mid-gap metal with a low work function/high oxygen affinity cap and a PMOS transistor with a metal gate electrode comprising a mid gap metal with a high work function/low oxygen affinity cap and method of forming.
US08658488B2
A graphene layer is provided onto at least an upper surface of a first dielectric material which includes at least one first conductive region contained therein. At least one semiconductor device is formed using the graphene layer as an element of the at least one semiconductor device. After forming the at least one semiconductor device, a second dielectric material is formed covering the graphene layer, the at least one semiconductor device, and portions of the first dielectric material. The second dielectric that is formed includes at least one second conductive region contained therein, and the at least one second conductive region is in contact with a conductive element of the at least one semiconductor device.
US08658487B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises steps as follows: A first dummy gate having a first high-k gate insulator layer, a first composite sacrificial layer, and a first dummy gate electrode sequentially stacked on a substrate is firstly provided. The first dummy gate electrode is subsequently removed to expose the first composite sacrificial layer. The first composite sacrificial layer is then removed. Thereafter, a first work function layer is formed on the first high-k gate insulator layer, and a first metal gate electrode is formed on the first work function layer.
US08658470B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a die paddle having an internal portion with a trench along a perimeter of the die paddle; forming an interconnect having a concave indentation and an upper portion, the upper portion, opposite the concave indentation, aligned horizontally to the internal portion;attaching an integrated circuit device on the die paddle, the trench between the integrated circuit device and the perimeter; attaching an electrical connector to the integrated circuit device and to the upper portion; and applying an encapsulation over the integrated circuit device, the electrical connector, the die paddle, and the interconnect, the concave indentation exposed below the encapsulation.
US08658466B2
A semiconductor package structure includes a first substrate, a second substrate and an encapsulant. The first substrate comprises a plurality of first bumps and a plurality of first solder layers. Each of the first solder layers is formed on each of the first bumps and comprises a cone-shaped slot having an inner surface. The second substrate comprises a plurality of second bumps and a plurality of second solder layers. Each of the second solder layers is formed on each of the second bumps and comprises an outer surface. Each of the second solder layers is a cone-shaped body. The second solder layer couples to the first solder layer and is accommodated within the first solder layer. The inner surface of the cone-shaped slot contacts with the outer surface of the second solder layer. The encapsulant is formed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US08658458B2
An improved method of manufacturing a polysilicon solar cell is disclosed. To create the polysilicon layer, which has p-type and n-type regions, the layer is grown in the presence of one type of dopant. After the doped polysilicon layer has been created, ions of the opposite dopant conductivity are selectively implanted into portions of the polysilicon layer. This selective implant may be performed using a shadow mask.
US08658453B2
The first integrated circuit/transducer device 36 of the handheld probe includes CMOS circuits 110 and cMUT elements 112. The cMUT elements 112 function to generate an ultrasonic beam, detect an ultrasonic echo, and output electrical signals, while the CMOS circuits 110 function to perform analog or digital operations on the electrical signals generated through operation of the cMUT elements 112. The manufacturing method for the first integrated circuit/transducer device 36 of the preferred embodiment includes the steps of depositing the lower electrode S102; depositing a sacrificial layer S104; depositing a dielectric layer S106; removing the sacrificial layer S108, followed by the steps of depositing the upper electrode S110 and depositing a protective layer on the upper electrode S112.
US08658446B2
Presented is a method for fabricating a semiconductor substrate. The method includes implanting impurity material into the semiconductor substrate, and forming a reflective layer-like zone in the semiconductor substrate that includes the impurity material.
US08658444B2
A high resolution active matrix backplane is fabricated using techniques applicable to flexible substrates. A backplane layer including active semiconductor devices is formed on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The backplane layer is spalled from the substrate. A frontplane layer including passive devices such as LCDs, OLEDs, photosensitive materials, or piezo-electric materials is formed over the backplane layer to form an active matrix structure. The active matrix structure may be fabricated to allow bottom emission and provide mechanical flexibility.
US08658439B2
Disclosed herein is a quantum dot phosphor for light emitting diodes, which includes quantum dots and a solid substrate on which the quantum dots are supported. Also, a method of preparing the quantum dot phosphor is provided. Since the quantum dot phosphor of the current invention is composed of the quantum dots supported on the solid substrate, the quantum dots do not aggregate when dispensing a paste obtained by mixing the quantum dots with a paste resin for use in packaging of a light emitting diode. Thereby, a light emitting diode able to maintain excellent light emitting efficiency can be manufactured.
US08658434B2
The present invention relates to fluorescent pyrene dyes in general. The present invention provides a wide range of fluorescent dyes and kits containing the same, which are applicable for labeling a variety of biomolecules, cells and microorganisms. The present invention also provides various methods of using the fluorescent dyes for research and development, forensic identification, environmental studies, diagnosis, prognosis, and/or treatment of disease conditions.
US08658407B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the conversion of lignocellulosic material to fermentable sugars and to products produced therefrom (e.g., ethanol, foodstuffs, etc.). In particular, the invention provides lignocellulose-degrading compositions (e.g., generated via incubation of microbes with lignocellulosic priming feedstock in solid-state fermentation format) and methods of using the same (e.g., in saccharification and/or hydrolysis steps (e.g., on ethanologenic feedstock) and as food or feed additives).
US08658400B2
The present invention relates to novel phenylethanol dehydrogenase mutants, to a method for the manufacture thereof; to coded nucleic acid sequences therefor, to expression cassettes, to vectors and recombinant microorganisms that contain said sequences; to a method for the biocatalytic synthesis of substituted, optically active alcohols and to the use of said mutants; and particularly to a method for manufacturing duloxetine alcohol or duloxetine, comprising a synthesis step catalyzed biocatalytic by said mutants.
US08658399B2
Disclosed herein is a novel gluconacetobacter strain having cellulose producing activity. Specifically, the present invention relates to a novel gluconacetobacter strain producing nano-structured cellulose in a highly efficient manner. The cellulose produced by the strain, due to its superb thermodynamic properties, can be characterized as nano-structured bacterial cellulose and therefore utilized as a bio-nano-fiber. Particularly, the cellulose can be impregnated with a resin to form a cellulose-based resin which can be effectively adapted for a substrate for a liquid crystal display (LCD).
US08658394B2
The present disclosure pertains to methods of incorporating one or more non-canonical amino acids into a protein during a translation of the protein in bacterial cells. The present disclosure also pertains to methods of incorporating one or more non-canonical amino acids into a protein during an in vitro translation of the protein. In additional embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to isolated bacterial cells and in vitro translation systems (e.g., cell-free extract systems) for incorporating one or more non-canonical amino acids into a protein during a translation of the protein.
US08658390B2
Muscle degenerative diseases can be detected in the early stage and the therapeutic efficacy of a therapeutic agent and/or a therapy method for the diseases can be determined by measuring 11,15-dioxo-9α-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetranorprostan-1,20-dioic acid (referred to as “Tetranor-PGDM”, hereinbelow) in a sample isolated from a subject.
US08658389B2
Antibody/signal-generating moiety conjugates are disclosed that include an antibody covalently linked to a signal-generating moiety through a heterobifunctional polyalkyleneglycol linker. The disclosed conjugates show exceptional signal-generation in immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization assays on tissue sections and cytology samples. In one embodiment, enzyme-metallographic detection of nucleic acid sequences with hapten-labeled probes can be accomplished using the disclosed conjugates as a primary antibody without amplification.
US08658388B2
The present invention provides antibody-based arrays for detecting the activation state and/or total amount of a plurality of signal transduction molecules in rare circulating cells and methods of use thereof for facilitating cancer prognosis and diagnosis and the design of personalized, targeted therapies.
US08658386B1
Hybridoma cell lines which produce and secrete monoclonal antibodies which selectively bind to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis have been produced. Cells of M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis in biological samples may be detected and quantified by contacting the sample with the antibodies to form a M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis/antibody immunocomplex when M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis is present, which immunocomplex may then be detected. The monoclonal antibodies also may be incorporated into kits for the detection and quantification of M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis.
US08658380B2
The present invention relates to an in vitro method for assessing the risk that a subject suffers from a cancer, comprising measuring the expression level of Proline/arginine-rich end leucine repeat protein (PRELP) in cells from said subject, wherein an increased expression level of PRELP, as compared to healthy donors, indicates an increased probability of said subject suffering from cancer. It further relates to antibodies specific for PRELP and their use in diagnosis and therapy as well as a method for indicating a cell as a cancer cell.
US08658359B2
Provided herein is a method and apparatus for disrupting cells and purifying nucleic acids in a single chip. The method comprises irradiating a chip with a laser beam, wherein the chip comprises a solid support on which a cell lysis enhancing metal oxide layer, and a cell binding metal oxide layer have been deposited.
US08658345B2
The present invention relates to a fluorine-free photoacid generator (PAG) and a photoresist composition containing the same. The PAG is characterized by the presence of an onium cationic component and a fluorine-free fused ring heteroaromatic sulfonate anionic component containing one or more electron withdrawing substituents. The onium cationic component of the PAG is preferably a sulfonium or an iodonium cation. The photoresist composition further contains an acid sensitive imaging polymer. The photoresist composition is especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography.
US08658342B2
A material for a planarization film, a spacer, and a microlens that satisfies heat resistance and transparency requirements without impairing a refractive index. A negative photosensitive composition includes a photopolymerizable polymer (A) having a fluorene skeleton, a monomer (B) having a fluorene skeleton and a photopolymerization initiator (C). The photopolymerizable polymer (A) having a fluorene skeleton may include a moiety that is soluble in an alkaline developer solution, or a unit structure of Formula (1): herein each R1 is independently a C1-10 alkyl group or a halogen atom; each L is an integer of 0 to 4; X is an organic group having an unsaturated bond at a terminal thereof; and Y is a linking group including a portion that is obtained by removing an acid radical from a tetracarboxylic dianhydride.
US08658335B2
A lithography mask includes a plurality of patterning features formed on a mask substrate and a first plurality of sub-resolution assist features (SRAFs) formed substantially perpendicular to the patterning features on the mask substrate.
US08658331B2
A catalyst ink composition for a fuel cell electrode is provided. The catalyst ink composition includes a plurality of electrically conductive support particles; a catalyst formed from a finely divided precious metal, the catalyst supported by the conductive support particles; an ionomer; at least one solvent; and a reinforcing material configured to bridge and distribute stresses across the electrically conductive support particles of the ink composition upon a drying thereof. An electrode for a fuel cell and a method of fabricating the electrode with the catalyst ink composition are also provided.
US08658330B2
A composite seal having a multilayer elastomeric construction and method for constructing the same is provided. More specifically, the present invention provides a composite seal comprised of a low-durometer elastomer compliant layer coated with, or alternatively encapsulated by, a thin protective layer for securely sealing a bipolar plate and a membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell. The elastomer compliant layer is preferably a silicone constituent and the thin coat protective layer is preferably a fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent suitable for bonding to the elastomer compliant layer. The foregoing layers constructing the composite seal are preferably deposited directly onto the aforementioned fuel cell components along a predetermined periphery. The resulting composite seal is thin in construction, resistive to undesired chemical and thermal reactions and provides the necessary compressive compliance without undue stress on the fuel cell assembly.
US08658329B2
A method of preparing advanced membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) for use in fuel cells. A base polymer is selected for a base membrane. An electrode composition is selected to optimize properties exhibited by the membrane electrode assembly based on the selection of the base polymer. A property-tuning coating layer composition is selected based on compatibility with the base polymer and the electrode composition. A solvent is selected based on the interaction of the solvent with the base polymer and the property-tuning coating layer composition. The MEA is assembled by preparing the base membrane and then applying the property-tuning coating layer to form a composite membrane. Finally, a catalyst is applied to the composite membrane.
US08658328B2
A stack structure for a solid oxide fuel cell includes a plurality of stacked single cells, each having a fuel electrode layer including a fuel electrode and an air electrode layer including an air electrode, the fuel electrode layer and the air electrode layer being arranged opposite each other on either side of a solid electrolyte, separators arranged between the stacked single cells to separate the single cells, and non-porous seal parts located within the fuel electrode layer and the air electrode layer, are equivalent to either the separators or the solid electrolyte at least in terms of thermal expansion and contraction characteristics, and are integrated with an edge of the fuel electrode or an edge of the air electrode, and also with the adjacent separator and the adjacent solid electrolyte.
US08658327B2
Various aspects of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology are described. One specific application includes a seal for connecting an outer surface of a fuel cell to a cell manifold that supports the fuel cell and delivers a fuel mixture to an inside portion of the fuel cell. The seal also separates the fuel mixture from the outer surface at the seal. And the seal is electrically conductive to allow flow of electric current between the outer surface and the cell manifold.
US08658318B2
The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell for generating electrical power that includes an anode, a cathode, a charging electrode and an ionically conductive medium containing at least metal fuel ions and an additive for enhancing at least one electrochemical reaction in the cell. The cell also includes an additive sorbent material in contact with the ionically conductive medium that contains an excess amount of the additive, the sorbent material configured to release the excess additive to the ionically conductive medium as concentration of the additive in the ionically conductive medium is reduced during operation of the cell.
US08658312B2
A positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector, and a positive electrode active material layer formed on the surface of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode active material layer includes: a lithium-containing nickel oxide represented by the general formula (1): LixNi1−(p+q+r)CopAlqMrO2+y, where M is a transition metal (excluding Ni and Co) or the like, 0.8≦x≦1.4, and 0<(p+q+r)≦0.7); and lithium carbonate. The positive electrode active material layer has a high concentration region of the lithium carbonate and a low concentration region of the lithium carbonate. The high concentration region covers 2 to 80% of the total thickness of the positive electrode active material layer, the range starting from the surface thereof. The low concentration region covers the range remaining on the positive electrode current collector side of the positive electrode active material layer.
US08658311B2
Instead of CCS technique, a possible approach to mitigate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission is to decompose it into useful products. This invention shows a high temperature rechargeable battery system for decomposition of oxygen-containing gases (e.g CO2/H2O, NOx, SOx, in particular GHG), oxygen generation, and energy storage by using ODF/La2NiO4-based materials in Li/Ti/Mg—CO2 battery architecture. Different from ionic Lithium conducting electrolyte, the invention has a higher ionic oxygen conducting electrolyte to work efficiently at higher temperature without sacrificing safety. During battery discharge, GHG can be decomposed into syngas (CO+H2) or solid carbon, while renewable energy (e.g. solar/wind power) could be used to charge the battery and generate oxygen. The energy consumption for GHG decomposition is self-sustainable and the byproducts (i.e. carbon/syngas and oxygen) have good market values. The adoption of cost effective materials other than Lithium is significant for scaled-up applications and represents an entirely new approach.
US08658310B2
A high capacity electrode includes a conducting substrate on which a plurality of support filaments are disposed. Each of the support filaments have a length substantially greater than their width and may include, for example, a carbon nano-tube (CNT), a carbon nano-fiber (CNF), and/or a nano-wire (NW). The support filaments are coated with a material, such as silicon, having a greater ion absorbing capacity greater than the neat support filaments. A trunk region of the support filaments proximate to the substrate is optionally kept free of ion absorbing material. This trunk region allows for the expansion of the ion absorbing material without detaching the support filaments form the substrate.
US08658293B2
A magnetic recording medium includes: a substrate, and a magnetic recording layer that is made from a material having the chemical formula of FexMnyPtz, and that has a bottom surface and an upper surface; wherein x, y, and z indicate average atomic concentrations for Fe, Mn, and Pt, and x+y+z is 100, x and y being greater than 0 and not greater than 65, z being in the range from 35 to 60; and wherein atomic concentration of Fe is gradually decreased from the upper surface to the bottom surface, and atomic concentration of Mn is gradually increased from the upper surface to the bottom surface so that the ferromagnetic property of the magnetic recording layer is gradually reduced from the upper surface to the bottom surface.
US08658288B2
A method for manufacturing a porous device with restrictive layer comprises the steps of providing a porous structure having a micro pore structure, flattening the porous carrier to form a surface, and forming a restrictive layer on the surface of the porous carrier, a method for manufacturing said restrictive layer includes forming a nickel-chromium alloy layer on the surface of the porous carrier, forming a copper metal layer on the nickel-chromium alloy layer, forming a nickel metal layer having a top surface on the copper metal layer, and processing said nickel-chromium alloy layer, said copper metal layer and said nickel metal layer to form a plurality of channels communicating with the micro pore structure and the top surface. The restrictive effect and damping effect can raise anti-vibration ability of the porous device itself by formation of dual restrictive structure composed of the micro pore structure and the channels.
US08658284B2
A polysilane-polysilazane copolymer contains a polysilane unit of formula (I), and a polysilazane unit of formula (II), where each R1 and each R2 are each independently selected from H, Si, and N atoms, R3 is selected from H, Si, or C atoms, a≧1, b≧1, and a quantity (a+b)≧2. The polysilane-polysilazane copolymer may be formulated in a composition with a solvent. The polysilane-polysilazane copolymer may be used in PMD and STI applications for trench filling, where the trenches have widths of 100 nm or less and aspect ratios of at least (6). The polysilane-polysilazane copolymer can be prepared by amination of a perchloro polysilane having (2) or more silicon atoms per molecule with a primary amine.
US08658282B2
An optical film which has a hard coat layer provided on one side of a film substrate, comprising: a curl value smaller than 0, which has been measured after the film substrate of a manufactured optical film has been cut out into a size of 35 mm in a width direction and 2 mm in a longitudinal direction and has been placed under an environment with a temperature of 25° C. and a relative humidity of 65% for 1 hour, when the curl value is defined to be plus when the surface which shall be defined to be the hard coat layer side curls inward and is defined to be minus when the surface curls outward; and a curl value larger than 0, which has been measured after the film substrate has been cut out into a size of 2 mm in the width direction and 35 mm in the longitudinal direction and has been placed under an environment with a temperature of 25° C. and a relative humidity of 65% for 1 hour.
US08658281B2
In an apparatus for surface-treating a carbon fiber, wherein the carbon fiber is heated by resistive heating, a carbon-containing gas is disposed on the carbon fiber, and carbon nanotubes are grown on a surface of the carbon fiber.
US08658279B2
Storage tank loaded with an aqueous medium and made of porous, freely flowing particles, wherein the particles are formed from a hydrophobic polymer and the loading of said particles contains at least one particular mediator additive of the general formula (I), the use of which as an entrainer delivery agent for removing volatile components from plastics, for evenly doping intermediate plastic products and/or plastic articles with adjuvants as a soil improvement agent such as a delivery agent for a pest management agent or fertilizer
US08658276B2
Disclosed is an eco-friendly incombustible biocomposite including: a) a polymer matrix comprising a natural fiber; and b) a ceramic sheet laminated integrally with the polymer matrix. The biocomposite is eco-friendly since the natural fiber is used as a reinforcement material and is incombustible since it is laminated integrally with the ceramic sheet. Further, it has superior storage modulus, dimensional stability and flexural properties and lightweightness, and is processable into various structures. Thus, it is very useful for automotive or building indoor/outdoor materials.
US08658264B2
Embodiments disclosed herein include insulation used to insulate elongated members, such a pipe or duct, as examples. The insulation can address a number of features, including but not limited to expansion and compression of insulation material, expansion and compression of the elongated member insulated, and the ability to adapt the insulation for elongated member of different sizes and lengths. In one embodiment, the insulation is comprised of at least one plank comprised of a flexible polymeric foam configured to be wrapped around an elongated member. In order for the insulation to self-adjust to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the foam material, the plank is comprised of a plurality of flexible polymeric foam profiles. At least one flexible polymeric foam spacer may also be provided that self-adjusts to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the elongated member to prevent or reduce gaps in insulation.
US08658258B2
An improved method for forming a self-assembled monolayer on a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises plasma treatment of the substrate prior to formation of the self-assembled monolayer.
US08658246B2
A seed substrate is placed to face a formation substrate, and then a gas containing silicon is introduced and chemical vapor deposition is performed. There is no particular limitation on a kind of a material used for the formation substrate as long as the material can withstand the temperature at which the reduced pressure chemical vapor deposition is performed. A group of silicon whiskers which does not include a seed atom can be grown directly on and in contact with the formation substrate. Further, the substrate provided with the group of whiskers can be applied to a solar cell, a lithium ion secondary battery, and the like, by utilizing surface characteristics of the group of whiskers.
US08658236B2
The present invention provides beverages and pharmaceutical compositions containing a deuterated alcohol according to Formula 1, and provides methods for their manufacture and use. The compositions of the invention are expected to ameliorate some of the negative side effects associated with the consumption of alcohol, such as hangover and facial flushing.
US08658233B2
An apparatus for depositing a confectionery mass comprising at least one discharge passageway extending to at least one elongate discharge outlet, wherein at least one discharge passageway diverges in a direction towards the discharge outlet, and a machine for producing a confectionery product having at least one such apparatus for depositing. In a method of producing a confectionery product, the confectionery mass is deposited as at least one strip having a width in the range of 5 to 500 mm and/or thickness in the range of 0.5 to 100 mm.
US08658229B2
A package assembly encloses a plurality of individual elongate consumable products. The package assembly includes a plurality of products aligned in a side-by-side array. The package housing enclosed the array of product. The package housing has front and back walls for supporting the products therebetween and a closeable cover for closing a product dispensing opening. The package housing further includes a frictional product retention member insertably supported within the package for frictionally retaining the array of product within the package.
US08658221B2
The present invention relates to a process for the extraction of plant ingredients, which comprises a) comminuting plant material b) adding a solvent to the comminuted plant material c) subjecting the mixture of comminuted plant material and solvent to an ultrahigh temperature treatment at 95-150° C. over a period of 5-300 seconds.
US08658214B2
The invention provides a manufacturing method for processing polymeric microspheres which are suspended in a liquid. The invention also provides polymeric microspheres produced by the method which can be used in medical settings as tissue fillers, tissue bulking agents, embolization agents, and/or as drug delivery agents.
US08658213B2
Nanoparticles having a hydrophilic surface coatings having biological, molecular biological, biochemical and medical applications, and method for their production.
US08658212B2
The invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition containing micronized fenofibrate, a surfactant and a binding cellulose derivative, as solubilizing adjuvant, preferably hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. The cellulose derivative represents less than 20 wt. % of the composition. The association of micronized fenofibrate with a binding cellulose derivative, as solubilizing adjuvant and a surfactant enables to enhance the bioavailability of the active principle. The invention also concerns a method for preparing said composition without using any organic solvent.
US08658210B2
A therapeutic agent delivery system formed of a specific type of poly(ester amide) (PEA), a therapeutic agent, and a water miscible solvent is described herein. A method of delivering the therapeutic agent delivery system by delivering the therapeutic agent delivery system formed of a PEA polymer, a therapeutic agent, and a water miscible solvent to a physiological environment and separating the phase of the therapeutic agent delivery system to form a membrane from the polymer to contain the therapeutic agent within the physiological environment is also described. Additionally disclosed is a kit including a syringe and a therapeutic agent delivery system within the syringe.
US08658205B2
The present invention describes processes for the preparation of a lipid blend and a uniform filterable phospholipid suspension containing the lipid blend, such suspension being useful as an ultrasound contrast agent.
US08658199B2
Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.
US08658196B2
Described, in certain aspects of the invention, are multilaminate medical graft products, as well as methods for preparing and using the same. An illustrative multilaminate medical graft product of the invention comprises a first layer of remodelable extracellular matrix (ECM) material bonded to a second layer of remodelable ECM material, wherein the first material layer is enriched with a growth factor relative to the second material layer. Such a remodelable ECM material may be comprised of submucosa from a warm-blooded vertebrate, for example, porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS).
US08658187B2
Provided herein are beads comprising at least one structuring agent and least one powder, and a novel process for making same. In one aspect, the process includes solubilzing at least one structuring agent with a solvent in the presence of at least one powder under turbulent high shear mixing to form small, nonspherical nucleated seeds of about 3 mm or less in diameter, and thereafter allowing the nucleated seeds to accrete under laminar low shear mixing to obtain substantially spherical beads of a desired size.
US08658179B2
The present invention is directed to ligand/receptor and antigen/antibody specificity exchangers comprising a saccharide or glycoconjugate. Methods of making these specificity exchangers and methods of using said specificity exchangers to treat or prevent human disease are described herein.
US08658170B2
Provided is a method of treating a proliferative disease, condition, or disorder in a subject by administering a combination of an inhibitor of p53 and MDM2 binding and an EGFR inhibitor. Various embodiments of the disclosed methods provide a synergistic anti-proliferative or anti-apoptotic effect compared to administration of one agent alone.
US08658165B2
The present invention relates to modulators of the Neuregulin (NRG) family, particularly NRG1 and more particularly NRG1β, and most particularly NRG1β1. The present invention also relates to the use of such modulators to inhibit goblet cell hyperplasia and therefore also relates to the use of such modulators in the treatment or prevention of human diseases and disorders featuring pathological mucus production such as COPD, CF, chronic bronchitis and asthma.
US08658148B2
Dendrimers comprising N-acyl urea terminal moieties are described herein. The dendrimers can be used, for example, in the treatment of arthritis.
US08658147B2
The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a polymer hydrogel, comprising cross-linking a precursor comprising a hydrophilic polymer optionally in combination with a second hydrophilic polymer, using a polycarboxylic acid as the cross-linking agent. The invention further concerns the polymer hydrogel obtainable by the method of the invention and the use thereof in a number of different applications.
US08658144B2
Utilisation of (meth)acrylic comb copolymers with side chains of the hydroxy and alkoxy polyalkylene glycol type in which are present both ethylene oxide and propylene oxide links. These copolymers give a styling effect and an elimination of rinsing. The invention also relates to a cosmetic formulation containing such structures as well as a hair treatment process based on this formulation.
US08658143B2
A cosmetic or dermatological preparation which comprises an aluminum containing antiperspirant active ingredient, an α-hydroxycarboxylic acid, water and optionally, a plurality of particles in a stably suspended state. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08658131B2
Bipiperidinyl compounds and salts thereof are disclosed. The compounds include high affinity ligands for σ1 receptors. Some compounds are also highly selective for σ1 receptor compared to σ2 receptor. Compounds can comprise radioisotopes, including 18F or 11C. Radiolabeled compounds can be used as probes for imaging distribution of σ1 receptor in a subject such as a human using positron emission tomography (PET) scanning.
US08658130B2
Suggested are agrochemical compositions, comprising (a) biocides, and (b) alkoxylation products of di- and/or oligosaccharide esters.
US08658108B2
A limited-use blood glucose meter includes a printed circuit board assembly that includes a power source, a strip port, a strip reading device, a controller device, a bi-stable display, and a display controller. The strip reading measures a reaction between a blood sample present on the blood glucose test strip and the blood glucose reagent, generates a blood glucose signal, and calculates a blood glucose level. The controller device receives the blood glucose level from the strip reading device. The controller device provides display instructions to the display controller and the display controller provides drive voltages to the bi-stable segments such that the bi-stable segments persistently display the most-recent blood glucose level. The strip reading device performs a predetermined number of blood glucose tests and calculates a blood glucose level only for blood glucose strips associated with the disposable blood glucose meter.
US08658107B2
An isolator includes a work chamber, a sterilizing substance supply unit, a gas flow channel pressure adjustment unit, a work chamber barometer, and a controller. The controller is configured to control execution of a gas flow channel leak test for checking a gas leak in a gas flow channel based on a detection result by the work chamber barometer after making the gas flow channel pressure adjustment unit increase or decrease the pressure in the gas flow channel, and is configured to control supply of the sterilizing substance by the sterilizing substance supply unit. The controller performs heating of a heater, which accompanies the supply of the sterilizing substance, in parallel with the gas flow channel leak test.
US08658104B2
A honeycomb structural body includes a honeycomb unit having a plurality of through holes defined by partition walls and arranged in a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb unit and having macro-pores having an average pore diameter approximately 0.1 μm or more and approximately 0.3 μm or less. The macro-pores have a porosity approximately 30% or more and approximately 40% or less. The honeycomb unit includes a phosphate group zeolite and an inorganic binder.
US08658102B2
A chemical analysis apparatus comprising reaction containers containing therein a substance to be analyzed; an agitating mechanism spaced from the substance to be analyzed and agitating said substance to be analyzed with a liquid in said reaction container; and, a measuring portion for measuring physical properties of the substance to be analyzed, said agitating mechanism having a sound supply portion supplying sound waves to the substance to be analyzed, wherein said sound supply portion comprises a mechanism changing, in time, intensity of ultrasonic waves to be irradiated so as to apply pulsation to a swirl flow in the reaction container.
US08658099B2
Apparatus for conducting and monitoring chemical reactions comprises a base and a thermal cycler mounted on the base. A plurality of heat-conducting receptacles are mounted on the thermal cycler and in heat-communication therewith. Each receptacle comprises an opaque body defining a bore having an open end, a first window, and a second window. A cartridge is removably mounted on the receptacles. The cartridge comprises a plurality of light-transmitting reaction vessels, and conduits connected to the reaction vessels for processing and transferring fluid. The reaction vessels are received in the bores of the receptacles through the open ends of the bores. A light emitter is mounted on the base for illuminating the reaction vessels through the first windows of the reaction vessels. A light detector is mounted on the base for selectively receiving and detecting light emitted from the reaction vessels through the second windows of the receptacles.
US08658091B2
Treating absorbable sutures that have been sterilized using ethylene oxide with carbon dioxide at or near its supercritical pressure and temperature conditions to remove any residual ethylene oxide.
US08658087B2
The invention relates to a method of treating substances in divided solid form for thermal debacterization, in which the substances are stirred in a closed enclosure provided internally with controlled heating contact wall means acting directly on the substances while they are being stirred. In accordance with the invention, the substances for treatment are previously mixed, prior to reaching an inlet to the closed enclosure, with an anti-clumping agent likewise in the form of divided solids, the mixture then being stirred in the closed enclosure while being subjected to the combined action of the heating contact walls and of the superheated wet steam, and being recovered at an outlet of the closed enclosure.
US08658085B2
The invention relates to a method for irradiating partly formed packages (10) with electron beam irradiation from at least one electron beam sterilizing device (18), characterized in that it comprises: providing at least one partly formed package (10) to be irradiated in a gaseous environment, and exposing the gaseous environment to a pre-determined pressure regulation cycle and exposing the partly formed package (10) to irradiation at least during a portion of said pressure regulation cycle. The invention also relates to a device for realizing said method. The invention further relates irradiation of a packaging material web.
US08658073B2
ThemeTo provide a crawler unit having a light-weight and high-strength crawler belt.Means to SolveA crawler belt 20 comprises an endless steel belt 21 (high-tensile-strength belt) and a belt main body 22 made of rubber and attached around an outer periphery of the steel belt 21. The steel belt 21 has engagement holes 21a arranged at even intervals in a circumferential direction thereof. The belt main body 22 has escape recesses 23a formed therein. A wheel 10 has projections 12a arranged at even intervals in a circumferential direction on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The projections 12a are adapted to be engaged with the engagement holes 21a of the steel belt 21 and at the same time to enter the escape recesses 23a of the belt main body 22.
US08658072B2
A support gasket for use with a concrete panel mold system comprises an inner stiffener bar and engagement structure, attached to or formed integrally with the stiffening bar. The engagement structure is operable to engage an adjacent material. A pliable gasket material is disposed about the inner stiffening bar and is positively engaged with the engagement structure to secure the gasket material to the stiffening bar.
US08658064B2
Disclosed are new compound semiconductors which may be used for solar cells or as thermoelectric materials, and their application. The compound semiconductor may be represented by a chemical formula: InxMyCo4-m-aAmSb12-n-zXnTez, where M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr, Ba, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; A is at least one selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt; X is at least one selected from the group consisting of Si, Ga, Ge and Sn; 0
US08658051B2
A method of improving lithography resolution on a semiconductor, including the steps of providing a substrate on which a protecting layer, a first etching layer and a photoresist layer are sequentially formed; patterning the photoresist layer to form an opening so as to partially reveal the first etching layer; implanting a first ion into the revealed first etching layer to form a first doped area; and implanting a second ion into the revealed first etching layer to form a second doped area, wherein the first doped area is independent from the second doped area is provided.
US08658050B2
Techniques for minimizing or eliminating pattern deformation during lithographic pattern transfer to inorganic substrates are provided. In one aspect, a method for pattern transfer into an inorganic substrate is provided. The method includes the following steps. The inorganic substrate is provided. An organic planarizing layer is spin-coated on the inorganic substrate. The organic planarizing layer is baked. A hardmask is deposited onto the organic planarizing layer. A photoresist layer is spin-coated onto the hardmask. The photoresist layer is patterned. The hardmask is etched through the patterned photoresist layer using reactive ion etching (RIE). The organic planarizing layer is etched through the etched hardmask using RIE. A high-temperature anneal is performed in the absence of oxygen. The inorganic substrate is etched through the etched organic planarizing layer using reactive ion etching.
US08658047B2
A method for dispersing an additive from an additive cartridge disposed in a housing of an oil filter is provided herein, the method includes using stagnation pressure to disperse the additive from the additive cartridge; and regulating a flow rate of the additive from the additive cartridge by restricting an inlet opening of an outlet tube of the additive cartridge.
US08658046B2
The present disclosure is generally directed to devices and methods of treating aqueous solutions to help remove or otherwise reduce levels, concentrations or amounts of one or more contaminants. The present disclosure relates to a apparatus including a substantially self-contained housing or container which is adapted to receive components including at least one counterelectrode (e.g. cathode) and at least one photoelectrode (e.g. anode) provided or arranged around at least one UV light source, and/or receive, contain and/or circulate fluid or aqueous solution.
US08658040B2
The invention relates to a chromatographic process for substance separation in the context of the preparation of chemicals such as, for example, chiral pharmaceuticals, isomers or biomolecules on the small-scale and production scale, based on Simulated Moving Bed (SMB=countercurrent chromatography) technology.
US08658030B2
Provided herein are processes for deasphalting and extracting a hydrocarbon oil. The processes comprise providing an oil comprising asphaltenes and/or other impurities, combining the oil with a polar solvent an extracting agent to provide a mixture, and applying a stimulus to the mixture so that at least a portion of any asphaltenes and/or impurities in the oil precipitate out of the oil.
US08658029B2
Methods for preparing solvent-dry, stackable tailings. The methods may include a primary leaching or extraction process that separates most of the bitumen from a material comprising bitumen and produces first solvent-wet tailings. The first solvent-wet tailings are washed with a second solvent that removes the first solvent from the tailings. Second solvent remaining in the tailings is removed to thereby produce solvent-dry, stackable tailings.
US08658028B2
A process for removing elemental sulfur from liquid hydrocarbon steams such as transportation fuel streams, e.g. gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and jet, by contacting such streams with an immiscible aqueous solution under static mixing conditions. The aqueous solution contains a caustic and an effective amount of a Group I or Group II metal sulfide or polysulfide. The elemental sulfur in the stream is converted to a polysulfide that is not soluble in the hydrocarbon stream but is soluble in the aqueous solution, thus resulting in a hydrocarbon product stream having a substantially lower level of elemental sulfur.
US08658025B2
Biomass is used as a co-feed for a heavy petroleum oil coking process to improve the operation of the coking process and to utilize biomaterial for the production of transportation fuels. The coking process may be a delayed coking process or a fluidized bed coking process and in each case, the presence of the biomass will decrease the coke drying time so reducing coke handling problems in the unit besides forming a superior coke product. In the case of a fluidized bed coking process using a gasifier for the coke, the addition of an alkali metal salt improves the operation of the gasifier.
US08658016B2
Methods and systems for capture of carbon dioxide and electrochemical conversion of the captured carbon dioxide to organic products are disclosed. A method may include, but is not limited to, steps (A) to (C). Step (A) may introduce a solvent to a first compartment of an electrochemical cell. Step (B) may capture carbon dioxide with at least one of guanidine, a guanidine derivative, pyrimidine, or a pyrimidine derivative to form a carbamic zwitterion. Step (C) may apply an electrical potential between an anode and a cathode sufficient for the cathode to reduce the carbamic zwitterion to a product mixture.
US08658011B2
Provided is a glucose sensor that is capable of measuring a glucose concentration even in the case where Aspergillus oryzae type FAD-GDH (flavin adenine dinucleotide-glucose dehyrogenase) and a ruthenium compound are used in combination. The glucose sensor includes an insulative substrate, an electrode system having a working electrode and a counter electrode provided on the substrate, and a reagent layer provided on the electrode system, wherein the reagent layer contains Aspergillus oryzae type FAD-GDH, a ruthenium compound, and PMS (phenazine methosulfate).
US08658010B2
An apparatus for the application of coatings in a vacuum comprising a plasma duct surrounded by a magnetic deflecting system communicating with a first plasma source and a coating chamber in which a substrate holder is arranged off of an optical axis of the plasma source, has at least one deflecting electrode mounted on one or more walls of the plasma duct. In one embodiment an isolated repelling or repelling electrode is positioned in the plasma duct downstream of the deflecting electrode where the tangential component of a deflecting magnetic field is strongest, connected to the positive pole of a current source which allows the isolated electrode current to be varied independently and increased above the level of the anode current. The deflecting electrode may serve as a getter pump to improve pumping efficiency and divert metal ions from the plasma flow. In a further embodiment a second arc source is activated to coat the substrates while a first arc source is activated, and the magnetic deflecting system for the first arc source is deactivated to confine plasma to the cathode chamber but permit electrons to flow into the coating chamber for plasma immersed treatment of the substrates. A load lock shutter may be provided between the plasma duct and the coating chamber further confine the plasma from the first arc source.
US08658002B2
A sputtering method includes receiving etch time information for a first substrate detected in a dry etching process, calculating a deposition time for a second substrate from the etch time information for the first substrate, and executing sputtering for the second substrate based the calculated deposition time. The thickness of the thin film deposited on the substrate in the sputter device may be uniformly maintained by using etch end point information detected in an end point detection (EPD) device. A sputtering system comprises a sputter device for executing a sputtering process for depositing a thin film on a substrate by a sputtering method, an EPD device for generating EPD information including etch time information for the substrate for a calculation of a deposition time during which the thin film is deposited, and a controller for calculating a deposition time by using the EPD information, and for controlling the sputter device based on the calculated deposition time.
US08657987B2
A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing electronic monolithic ceramic components, including a sheet supplier for supplying a plurality of ceramic green sheets of a plurality of types in a predetermined order, and a laminator for laminating the ceramic green sheets supplied by the sheet supplier. A plurality of trays is set in two vertical columns in a rack which is vertically movable. Each tray holds a stack of a plurality of ceramic green sheets of the same type. A particular tray positioned to a predetermined level by the vertical movement of the rack is drawn by a tray drawer device, and one ceramic green sheet is picked up from the tray, and is then conveyed to the laminator. The utilization efficiency of area in the sheet supplier is thus increased.
US08657986B2
A method for producing an active substance-containing polyurethane plaster for transdermal application is described, said plaster containing at least one active substance at a highly accurate declared dose. In the described method, a solvent-free active substance-containing polyurethane is produced by reactively coating a solvent-free active substance-containing polyurethane material (40), which is mixed in a coating unit (60) immediately before or during the application process, onto an elastic backing foil (20) that has been rendered non-extensible at least in the direction in which the applied polyurethane material is processed by means of a supporting, adhering auxiliary foil (30) which is at least mono-axially non-extensible.
US08657976B2
An optical film laminate that has predefined slit lines for enhancing both product accuracy and manufacturing speed in liquid-crystal display element manufacturing to radically improve manufacturing yield. The optical film laminate formed as a continuous web with the predefined slit lines for use in a continuous manufacturing system by laminating optically functional film sheets to liquid-crystal panels. The optical film laminate having defect-free regions having a predefined length corresponding to the dimension of a liquid-crystal panel and defective regions having a predefined length different from the defect-free region, based on the detected position of defects. The optical film laminate having a carrier film releasably laminated to an adhesive layer, wherein defect-free normal polarizing sheets and a defective polarizing sheets are formed on the carrier film by forming slit lines corresponding to above regions along the transverse direction of the optical film laminate.
US08657975B2
A method of attaching an object to a tire includes providing a tire and providing a mechanical two-piece fastening system having a first portion and a second portion. The method further includes attaching a first portion of a mechanical two-piece fastening system to the tire and positioning an object to be attached to the tire on one of the first portion and the second portion of the mechanical two-piece fastening system. The method also includes attaching the second portion of the mechanical two-piece fastening system to the first portion of the mechanical two-piece fastening system.
US08657958B2
The present invention relates to a monosilane (SiH4) and hydrogen recycle process/system for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of monosilane-based CVD polysilicon. In particular, the present invention relates to the substantially complete silane utilization and unconverted (from the reactor) contamination-free complete silane and hydrogen recycle process of producing polysilicon chunk materials via the decomposition of gaseous silane precursors.
US08657950B2
An inorganic material board, which is a cured mat formed by dehydrating a slurry including 30 to 53 wt % of blast furnace slag, 2 to 5 wt % of gypsum having an average particle size of 200 to 2000 μm, 5 to 11 wt % of alkaline material, 5 to 15 wt % of reinforcing fibers, and 31 to 50 wt % of inorganic admixture with respect to a total solid content, and in which a weight ratio of the blast furnace slag to the gypsum to the alkaline material is 1:0.05 to 0.15:0.15 to 0.35. It is desirable that the blast furnace slag has a specific surface area of 3000 to 5000.
US08657947B2
The present invention relates to silylated amino resins, to processes for preparing them, to their use, and to coating compositions comprising them.
US08657946B2
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.
US08657943B2
1-OH-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine compounds and its analogs, pure or mixed, having formula WCH2CHXCH2PO3YCH2CH2Z, where W is preferably a hydroxyl group or an O-acyl group containing from 2 to 22 carbon atoms, and where X is preferably an O-acyl group containing from 2 to 22 carbon atoms or a hydroxyl (OH) and where Y may be an (O−) or OH and where Z is preferably a trimethyl-ammonium group [N+(CH3)3] can be protonated dimethyl ammonium [N+H(CH3)2] group. In the O-acyl groups containing 18 carbon atoms can be observed from 0 to 3 instaurations, useful as biocidal agents; processes for their preparation; and antifouling compositions, preferably paints useful in susceptible fouling surfaces, such as hulls of vessels. Methods to turn a surface into an antifouling surface, to a method to prevent fouling and to the antifouling surfaces comprising a coating of the said antifouling composition.
US08657942B2
A trap device includes means for separating a liquid compound from a waste stream exhaust from a process chamber, means for collecting the liquid compound separated from the waste stream, means for selectively isolating the collected liquid compound from the waste stream, and means for evaporating the collected liquid compound to return the compound in gaseous form to the waste stream. This can enable a volatile liquid to be collected at a defined location, isolated from the waste stream, and, when so desired, returned to the waste stream in the form of a gas for subsequent abatement.
US08657937B2
Each protrusion (42) of a first electrode (40) is formed to have a long plate-like shape extending across a plurality of grid holes (46) of the first electrode (40). Each grid hole (56) of a second electrode (50) is formed to have an elongate shape extending to conform to each corresponding one of the protrusions (42) of the first electrode (40). Protrusions (52) of the second electrode (50) are arranged in the longitudinal direction at end portions (54a) on the long sides of the respective grid holes (56) of the second electrode (50), so as to conform to the grid holes (46) of the first electrode (40).
US08657927B2
A filtration device 8 for filtering air used with a fuel vapor recovery system 100 may comprise a housing comprising an upper end 10 having at least one air inlet 18 and a lower end 12 having at least one air outlet 26, a first passageway 32 in fluid communication with the air inlet 18 and configured to increase the velocity of the air through the first passageway 32 compared to the air inlet 18, a collection cavity 34 in fluid communication the first passageway 32 and configured to reduce the velocity and abruptly change the direction of the air through the collection cavity 34 compared to the first passageway 32, a filter cavity 14 in fluid communication with the collection cavity 34 comprising a filtering media 16, and a clean air cavity 40 in fluid communication with the filter cavity 14 and the air outlet 26 of the housing.
US08657924B2
The present invention relates generally to a composite adsorbent comprising at least a zeolite-containing CO2 removal adsorbent and 10% or more of a metal oxide having a heat capacity of at least 20 cal/mol-° K (83.7 J/(mol·K). The composite is preferably used in a multi-layered adsorption system in a cyclic adsorption process. The adsorption system comprises two or more layers wherein the first layer is at least a water vapor removal adsorbent, such as activated alumina, and the second layer is the novel composite adsorbent. The adsorption system is preferably used in a PSA prepurification process prior to cryogenic air separation.
US08657912B2
A dust collecting structure for an air-cooling electric apparatus includes a plurality of first vortex generating members which are disposed at a predetermined interval in a case and form a plurality of suction inlets; and a plurality of second vortex generating members which are disposed in an inner direction of the case and are spaced a predetermined distance apart from the suction inlets, wherein each of the first vortex generating members projects inside the case and has a shape that allows the air, which is sucked through the suction inlets by a suction fan, to generate a vortex near a rear end of the first vortex generating member, and wherein each of the second vortex generating members has a shape that divides the air into air streams and allows the air streams to generate a vortex near a rear end of the second vortex generating member.
US08657911B2
A moisture separator/heater, including a cylindrical main shell, a moisture separator that removes moisture in steam to be heated that flows in through the bottom of the main shell, a heater disposed above the moisture separator in the main shell, and restricting members disposed in a heating space to sandwich a tube bundle side plate with an outer rail to restrict rounded-back deformation thereof and satisfy an expression of 0.2≦L1/L and L2/L≦0.4, L represents total length of a straight tube portion, L1 represents distance from one of the pad members closest to a steam heating header to an end of the straight tube portion on the side where the steam heating header is present, and L2 represents distance from one of the pad members closest to a curved tube portion to an end of the straight tube portion on the side where the curved tube portion is present.
US08657905B2
A cyclonic separation apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, the cyclonic separation apparatus comprising: a cyclone with a hollow cylindrical body, a hollow frustro-conical body tapering away from the cylindrical body and a longitudinal central axis through the cylindrical body and the frustro-conical body; a discharge nozzle through the frustro-conical body at a longitudinal end; an air inlet port arranged tangentially through a side of the cylindrical body; and an air outlet port through the cylindrical body at an opposite longitudinal end; a dirt container in communication with the cyclone; and a deflector fin arranged within the cyclone to deflect, in use, air flow from the air inlet port in a helical path around the cyclone and towards the discharge nozzle. A vacuum cleaner comprising a motor coupled to a fan and the cyclonic separation apparatus.
US08657889B2
An arrangement (1) for holding a substrate (10) in a material deposition apparatus, which substrate (10) has a deposition side (10a) upon which material (M) is to be deposited, and which arrangement (1) comprises: a shadow mask (20) comprising a number of deposition openings (Di); a support structure (30) comprising a number of surround openings (Si); and a support structure holding means (6) for holding the support mask (30) and/or a substrate holding means (5) for holding the substrate (10), such that the support structure (30) is on the same side as the deposition side (10a) of the substrate (10), and the shadow mask (20) is positioned between the substrate (10) and the support structure (30) such that at least one deposition opening (Di) of the shadow mask (10) lies within a corresponding surround opening (Si) of the support structure (30).
US08657887B2
A prosthesis covering comprising an outer layer having an exterior surface defining an outermost surface of a prosthesis; and an inner layer having an interior surface that lies adjacent the prosthesis when the prosthesis covering is on the prosthesis. The outer layer defines a space in which the inner layer is received such that an inwardly directed surface of the outer layer lies adjacent an outwardly directed surface of the inner layer. The inwardly directed surface of the outer layer and the outwardly directed surface of the inner layer are attached to each other at a plurality of spaced apart locations, the inwardly directed surface of the outer layer and the outwardly directed surface of the inner layer elsewhere being unattached to each other.
US08657876B2
Apparatus and methodology for inserting an intraocular lens (IOL) into an eye. The apparatus includes a cartridge for holding an IOL and a handpiece with a body member for receiving the cartridge, an injector rod that is receivable by the body member, and a drive mechanism that longitudinally oscillates the injector rod in the body member when a rotational force is applied about a longitudinal axis in a single direction. In other words, a constant rotation in a single direction of the drive mechanism causes the injector rod to move distally and proximally in discrete increments, with the distal increments being larger than the proximal increments. Accordingly, the injector rod urges an IOL out of the handpiece in a two-steps-forward, one-step-back manner, thereby minimizing or eliminating the chance of the injector rod engaging with the IOL.
US08657874B2
A method is provided of controlling a pump including a electrical motor coupled to a rotor which carries first and second impellers at opposite ends thereof. The method includes: (a) driving the rotor using the motor, so as to circulate fluid from the first impeller through a first fluid circuit, the second impeller, a second fluid circuit, and back to the first impeller; (b) determining a resistance of the first fluid circuit, based on a first motor parameter; (c) determining a flow rate through the first fluid circuit based on a second motor parameter; and (d) varying at least one operational parameter of the pump so as to maintain a predetermined relationship between the flow rate and the resistance of the first fluid circuit.
US08657873B2
A system for improving cardiac function is provided. A foldable and expandable frame having at least one anchoring formation is attached to an elongate manipulator and placed in a catheter tube while folded. The tube is inserted into a left ventricle of a heart where the frame is ejected from the tube and expands in the left ventricle. Movements of the elongate manipulator cause the anchor to penetrate the heart muscle and the elongate manipulator to release the frame. The installed frame minimizes the effects of an akinetic portion of the heart forming an aneurysmic bulge.
US08657868B2
A system for treatment of a vessel bifurcation and its method of use comprises a catheter having a catheter shaft, a portion of which is characterized as an axle about which a rotatable assembly is disposed and rotatable thereabout. The system employs a series of lumens, openings and/or ports to provide a balloon mounted on the rotatable assembly with fluid communication to the catheter shaft.
US08657860B2
A bone anchoring element is provided which has a shaft for anchoring in a bone. The shaft includes a tubular body having two open ends. At least one barb element is connected to the shaft. The barb element is cut into the tubular body. The barb element includes a free end and a base connecting the barb element to the shaft. The barb element has a first portion adjacent to the base and a second portion adjacent to the free end. The second portion is inclined relative to the first portion in a direction off said shaft.
US08657858B2
A spine screw assembly is adapted to be loaded from a bottom of a receiver member. The spine screw assembly includes a bone fastener with a head having a groove that removably accepts a clip. The clip acts to retain the head of the bone fastener in the receiver member.
US08657857B2
A bone fixation device has a housing on the exposed head of a screw mounted in a bone part from which it projects. A clamp for a fixation rod is mounted on a plate extending from each of opposite lateral sides of the housing in such a manner that allows the plate to rotate about a lateral axis relative to the housing. Each clamp is itself rotatable on its plate about an axis perpendicular to its respective lateral axis, and thereby provides universal movement relative to the housing. Mechanisms are provided for closing the clamps, for locking each plate against rotation about its lateral axis, and blocking each clamp against rotation about its perpendicular axis. In this way rods can be fixed in the clamps and relative to the device.
US08657855B2
A spinal implant has two pairs of mounting plates or “staples,” two rods, and a crosslink. Each mounting plate mounts to a lateral side of a spinous process. Each rod interconnects a pair of mounting plates. The crosslink is disposed through the interspinous space and interconnects the rods. The crosslink hinders movement of the rods away from each other. The rods have a flexural modulus less than the mounting plates. The rod flexibility allows a small amount of relative movement of the vertebrae, which may be helpful in promoting fusion.
US08657851B2
The invention provides tweezers for microsurgery, in particular opthalmological surgery, the tweezers comprising a one-piece working part (1) of U-shape, with the free ends (2a, 3a) of each branch (2, 3) being shaped into a point, the part being derived from a flat blank of thickness (e) constituting the dimension perpendicular to the plane (P) in which the branches (2, 3) move, and elements for manipulating the working part together forming a handle for gripping the tweezers, wherein each element is in the form of an elongate body (4, 5) presenting a convex outside surface (4a, 5a) and a substantially plane surface (4b, 5b) having a longitudinal groove (6, 7) hollowed out therein to house one of the branches (2, 3) of the working part (1), the end of each handle element facing towards the points being provided with centering means (8a, 8b, 9a, 9b) co-operating with a complementary centering member of the corresponding end of the other element.
US08657848B2
The disclosure pertains to magnetically retrievable vena cava filters having a low torque associated therewith when subjected to a strong external magnetic field and retrieval devices therefor. The vena cava filter may include a magnetically permeable sphere or a spherical dipole magnet located within the spherical cavity of the apical hub wherein the spherical dipole magnet is free to rotate about any of three mutually orthogonal axes. The retrieval device is capable of substantially containing the vena cava filter in a collapsed state and includes a magnetically active member capable of interacting with the vena cava filter. The retrieval device may optionally include a supplemental mechanical latch.
US08657847B2
An embolic protection device for use in medical, veterinary, non-medical or industrial applications where removal of an obstruction from a small diameter vessel or vessel-like structure could produce particles, which, if allowed to remain in the vessel, could cause undesirable complications and results. One embodiment comprises a catheter for insertion into a vessel and a trap operably connected to the catheter and to a rotatable member. Rotating the rotatable member relative to the catheter actuates the trap. One embodiment comprises a rotatable member that actuates a flexible strut between an arcuately expanded position and a helically twisted position, and a membrane operably connected to the flexible strut.
US08657846B2
A system for manipulating a guide catheter within a patient's nasal passages or sinus cavities includes a guide catheter formed from an elongate flexible member having a lumen passing there through. A wire guide is slidably disposed within the lumen of the guide catheter. The system further includes a steering member fixedly secured to a proximal end of the wire guide and a proximal hub secured to a proximal end of the guide catheter. The system further includes a recessed handle having a first recess for fixedly receiving the proximal hub of the guide catheter and a second recess for receiving the steering member, the second recess being dimensioned to permit axial and rotational movement of the steering member while disposed in the second recess.
US08657842B2
Various medical devices and methods for cutting, evacuating and/or performing work on tissue are provided. The devices and methods may utilize a reciprocating mechanism or motor powered by suction from a vacuum source. The medical devices and methods may be used on tissue in various regions of a patient's body and for treating various conditions, e.g., for performing a polypectomy.
US08657841B2
A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The inner cannula includes a hinge between a body section and a cutting section that allows the cutting section to pivot when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula. A tissue collector is also provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. The inner cannula and the outer cannula define an annular space between the inner cannula and the outer cannula, and a seal is provided at the proximal end of the annular space. The seal is preferably a thixotropic, semi-solid material such as a high vacuum, halogenated polymeric grease. The device may also include an inner cannula stop position control for selectively controlling the position of the inner cannula when it is at rest.
US08657840B2
A surgical instrument including a main unit and a suction conduit. The main unit includes at least one tubular body having a distal end, a proximal end, and an inlet disposed near the distal end. The suction conduit is slidably disposed over the main unit, and is slidably movable along the main unit between a retracted position, at which the suction conduit does not cover the inlet of the main unit, and an extended position at which the suction conduit covers the inlet of the main unit and a suction inlet of the suction conduit is placed in fluid-communication with the main unit inlet. The surgical instrument can be used as a suction tool by placing the suction conduit in the extended position and applying a vacuum through the inlet of the main unit and the suction inlet.
US08657839B2
Systems and methods for treating disc herniation include surgical and endoscopic access and removal of disc tissue. The tissue removal devices that may be used include flexible elongate members, such as a cable, that may be inserted into a vertebral disc and rotated to pulverize the disc material and facilitate its removal.
US08657833B2
A surgical tool handle for releasable connection to a surgical tool is described. The tool handle comprises a housing providing a linkage chamber extending from a proximal housing grip end to a distal housing tool end for receiving a tool. A tool linkage is partially housed within the linkage chamber. That way, manipulation of the tool linkage causes a locking pawl to pivot with respect to the housing from an open configuration ready to receive a tool for attachment to the housing to a closed configuration engageable with the tool supported at the distal housing tool end.
US08657828B2
A cutting guide for removal of bone during arthroplasty. The cutting guide includes a housing having a three-dimensional guide path and an arm coupled to the housing and extending through the guide path. The arm includes a burr. As the arm is slid along the path, the burr simultaneously cuts in two planes on the bone.
US08657826B2
Apparatus and devices for adding an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. In one arrangement the additional spinal construct extends an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an inline rod connector in a minimally invasive or preferably, percutaneous procedure. In another arrangement, the ipsilateral extension of an existing spinal construct uses an offset rod connector for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.
US08657822B2
A surgical kit for cartilage repair at an articulating surface of a joint, including a medical implant and a set of tools. The medical implant includes a substantially plate shaped implant body having a predetermined cross-section that substantially corresponds to the area of the damaged cartilage. The set of tools includes a guide tool including a positioning body and a guide channel. The positioning body has a cartilage contact surface that has a shape and contour that is designed to correspond to and to fit the contour of the cartilage or subchondral bone in the joint in a predetermined area surrounding the site of diseased cartilage. The guide channel has a cross-sectional profile that is designed to correspond to the cross-section of the plate shaped implant body. Additional tools in the set of tools have a cross-sectional profile that is designed to correspond to the cross-sectional profile of the guide channel.
US08657802B2
A pull-on wearable article includes a main portion including an outer cover, the main portion defining a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region extending between and connecting the front and rear waist regions. First and second extendable side panels extend between and connect the main portion front waist region and the main portion rear waist region to form the article in a closed waist configuration, at least a portion of each side panel being extendable between a relaxed state and an extended state. The article defines first and second side regions, each side region including one of the first and second side panels and a transverse region of the main portion bordering the respective side panel. An informational image is disposed in at least the first side region. The article may further include a texture feature formed in an outer surface of the article and positioned proximate to the informational image to form a composite image. Alternatively or additionally, the image includes a cognitively functional graphic.
US08657787B2
A powered injector that stores energy at a low rate when not in use and delivers energy at a high rate during injection. Energy may be stored in a highly responsive energy storage device, such as a capacitor, for rapid delivery of power to the injector motor. In certain embodiments, wires connecting the powered injector to a power supply may be relatively small and inexpensive because the current and voltage loads placed on the wires are relatively low.
US08657777B2
Catheters including guidewire tubes having a limited length and methods of using the catheters are described. The catheters may be delivered over guidewires in procedures that are commonly referred to as rapid-exchange delivery. In some embodiments, the catheters may be miniature flexible thrombectomy catheters that may be used to remove thrombus or other unwanted material from a body blood vessel or other small regions of body cavities in which the distal portion of the catheter has smaller external dimensions than the larger proximal portion.
US08657776B2
An ocular implant adapted to reside at least partially in a portion of Schlemm's canal of an eye. The implant includes a spine extending along a longitudinal axis of the implant, a plurality of curved supports extending from the spine, each support comprising a first end extending from a first location on a first side of the spine and a second end extending from a second location on a second side of the spine, the second location being proximal to the first location, so that each support forms a portion of a helix, the spine and supports defining a volume having a maximum width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between 0.005 inches and 0.04 inches, the ocular implant being configured to bend preferentially in a preferential bending plane.
US08657766B2
A means and method for arbitrarily coordinating a tactile vibratory stimulus with an audio stimulus. There is provided an adult-type sex toy, and associated method, with a vibrator and audio player in which the audio player is augmented with additional circuitry and firmware, such that the audio player is in signal communication with the vibrator to to control the speed of the vibrator motor. The motor speed, however, is not correlated with raw audio signal strength or frequency. Rather, the vibrator motor speed is regulated by motor speed information embedded with the audio file being played back. Accordingly, the apparatus audio player can play back an erotic story, for example, while automatically coordinating the vibrator motor speed in concert with the perceived content of the audible story as heard by the user-listener.
US08657760B2
Biopsy instruments having an ergonomic design are described. A biopsy instrument comprises a housing, a needle assembly, and a handle. The needle assembly includes a cannula that defines a lumen and a stylet slidably disposed within the lumen. The housing and the handle have longitudinal axes that intersect at an acute angle.
US08657759B2
A compartmentalized fitting system that may be used by a recipient to determine device parameters, such as threshold and/or maximum comfort levels, for a stimulating medical device is provided. The compartmentalized fitting system segregates the fitting procedure into separate sessions. For example, in an embodiment, the fitting system provides a clinician driven setup session whereby a clinician may specify parameters that are to be used in fitting the medical device. After which, the fitting system may enter a recipient driven fitting session that is used to determine one or device parameters for the stimulating medical device. Once determined, the fitting system passes control to a clinician driven approval session whereby the clinician can approve the determined set of device parameters; and, if approved store the determined device parameters. This storage may comprise loading the determined device parameters onto the stimulating medical device for subsequent use by the device.
US08657755B2
A medical diagnostic device performs diagnostics for assessing the ability of the arteries to respond to an increase in blood flow. The medical diagnostic device determines relative changes in arterial volume of the limb segment during a time period after a stimulus relative to the arterial volume of the limb segment during a baseline period using the amplitudes or other portions of the component pulse waves (such as early systolic components) of volume pulse waves during the baseline period and after the stimulus.
US08657751B2
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a transmission and reception circuit which electronically scans with a transducer array in an ultrasound probe for acquiring two-dimensional image data; an image producer which produces a three-dimensional ultrasound image using the acquired two-dimensional image data while mechanically scanning with the transducer array in a direction substantially orthogonal to the array direction of the transducer array; and a controller which, when the internal temperature of the ultrasound probe is equal to or higher than a first set value, controls the transmission and reception circuit such that a composite scan including two different electronic scans is performed.
US08657750B2
An ultrasound imaging system and method include acquiring first ultrasound data, the first ultrasound data comprising data of a first plane through a structure of interest. The ultrasound imaging system and method include tracking the motion of a landmark based on the first ultrasound data. The ultrasound imaging system and method acquiring second ultrasound data, the second ultrasound data including data of a second plane through the structure of interest, the second plane being distinct from the first plane, where the position of the second plane is adjusted to track the motion of the landmark. The ultrasound imaging system and method also includes generating an image based on the second ultrasound data.
US08657749B2
An ultrasonic puncture needle used in combination with an ultrasonic endoscope including a distal-end hard part, a bendable part, and an operation part, includes: a sheath inserted into an insertion channel of the ultrasonic endoscope; a needle tube that includes an opening; a releasing mechanism that releases a substance. In a state in which the needle tube is disposed inside the bendable part, a periphery of the needle tube receives a force from an inner wall of the insertion channel while the bendable part is in a bent state by the operation part. The needle tube is rotated around a long axis of the insertion channel by the force, such that an axis line matching the direction of the opening in the needle tube protruding from the insertion channel becomes substantially parallel with an ultrasonic scanning face of the ultrasonic endoscope.
US08657748B2
A blood vessel function inspecting apparatus including a first blood state index value calculating portion that obtains estimated hematocrit values at a plurality of points predetermined within a blood vessel, on the basis of values of a blood viscosity and values of a shear rate at said plurality of points, which are respectively extracted from a viscosity distribution and a shear rate distribution, and according to reference relationships between a hematocrit value and the blood viscosity, which reference relationships respectively correspond predetermined different values of the shear rate; and a second blood state index value calculating portion that calculates, as said blood state index value, a value relating to an amount of difference of the estimated hematocrit values at said plurality of points with respect to each other, which amount is minimized by transforming said reference relationships at the same ratio for all of the values of the shear rate.
US08657743B2
A control device for a medical system is provided. The medical system may be a medical diagnosis and/or medical therapy system. The medical system may include a control unit operable to be used to carry out control processes that control the medical system, and a mobile handheld control unit operable to control at least one controllable element of the medical system by a user. The control device may be configured so that one or more control processes may only be carried out by the control unit when the mobile handheld control unit is located at a predefined location.
US08657736B2
A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulatable instruments extending out of its distal end, an entry guide manipulator providing controllable four degrees-of-freedom movement of the entry guide, and a controller configured to limit joint velocities in the entry guide manipulator so as to prevent movement of tips of the articulatable instruments from exceeding a maximum allowable linear velocity when the entry guide manipulator is being used to move the entry guide.
US08657734B2
A system for implantation in a recipient comprising: first and second functional implantable components configured to interoperate in order to stimulate the recipient's ear, and an implantable docking station having a plurality of interfaces, the interfaces comprising: a first interface configured to at least one of detachably mechanically and electrically connect to the first component, and at least a second interface configured to at least one of detachably mechanically and electrically connect to the second component, wherein one of the plurality of interfaces is configured to at least one of detachably mechanically and electrically connect to a third component, and wherein the third component is configured to perform an analogous function as one of the first and second components.
US08657730B2
An umbilicus is provided for use in an umbilicus-driven fluid processing system. The umbilicus has a pair of anchor portions, at least one fluid-transmitting lumen, and a drive shaft. The fluid-transmitting lumen and drive shaft extend between the anchor portions. The lumen and drive shaft may be comprised of different materials. If multiple lumen are provided, they may either be separate from each other and the drive shaft or defined in a single umbilicus body which also provides a lumen for receiving at least a portion of the drive shaft.
US08657717B2
A multi step transmission comprising planetary gearsets (P1, P2, P3, P4), shafts and shift elements. The sun gear of gearset (P1) couples drive shaft (1). The carrier of set (P1) couples shaft (3), which couples housing (G) via brake (03), shaft (1) via clutch (13) and shaft (6) via clutch (36). Shaft (6) couples the ring and sun gear of gearsets (P2 P3) respectively, and, via clutch (68), shaft (8), which couples the carrier of gearset (P4). Shaft (1) couples the carrier of gearset (P4). Shaft (7) couples the ring gear of gearset (P1) and the carrier of set (P2). The sun gear of gearset (P4) couples shaft (4), which couples housing (G) via brake (04). The ring gear of gearset (P3) couples shaft (5), which couples housing (G) via brake (05). Output shaft (2) couples the carrier of gearset (P3) and the ring gear of gearset (P4).
US08657715B2
A torque distributor includes a friction-drive mechanism having a first roller rotatable together with a first rotary member, partly constituting a torque-transmission path to primary drive wheels, and a second roller rotatable together with a second rotary member, partly constituting a torque-transmission path to secondary drive wheels. Also provided is an eccentric-crank mechanism for revolving the second roller in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of power transmission of the second roller around an eccentric-shaft axis displaced from a second-roller rotation axis to produce a displacement of the second roller from a non-power-transmission position of non-frictional-contact with the first roller, thereby ensuring high-precision torque-distribution control with no reversal of a polarity of moment acting on a rotational-position-control system for eccentric cranks.
US08657713B2
A power train for a tractor includes an engine power transmission shaft extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body rearwardly of an engine, and a hydrostatic stepless speed changer unit (HST) configured to input power from the engine. A pump and a motor of the HST are juxtaposed along the transverse direction of the vehicle body. A planetary gear unit is disposed rearwardly of the HST in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The planetary gear unit is configured to input power from the engine via the engine power transmission shaft and power from the HST and to output a traveling power. A branch transmission mechanism is disposed forwardly of the HST in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and configured to transmit the power from the engine to an input shaft of the pump and to the engine power transmission shaft in distribution.
US08657708B2
A Portable Target Game Training Device for training play by a user that elevates a target comprised of a base, a stand connected to the base, a rotatable shaft connected to the stand, an arm connected to the rotatable shaft connection means between the arm and the rotatable shaft and a target secured to the remote end of the arm. The arm can be forced to bow by tethered cords connected to the rotatable shaft. When the target is hit, the arm, the cords and the shaft rotate. The speed and character of rotation and counter rotation is governed by stretching and easing an elastic cord connected to the base of the device and the top of the rotatable shaft. The angle of the shaft vis a vis the stand may be adjusted. The height of the stand may be adjusted.
US08657702B2
Golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) according to at least some example aspects of this invention include: (a) a heel; (b) a toe; (c) a crown; (d) a sole; (e) a striking face; (f) a cavity, wherein the cavity is at least partially open; (g) a rear face opposite the striking face, the rear face defining an opening to the cavity; and (h) a rear body member configured to be inserted into the opening. The rear body member may be releasably engaged with the opening to the cavity, rear face, and/or other portion of the club head body.
US08657687B2
Described are one or more embodiments that include a browser application (“browser”) with a first part (e.g., a toolbar, a dropdown, a pop-up, a widget, etc.) that presents first content associated with one or more wagering games and a second part (e.g., a main content display area) that concurrently presents second content independently from presentation of the first content in the first part of the browser. In some embodiments, the first content and second content are from separate content providers. Some embodiments are directed to determining, based on concurrent presentation of the first content and the second content, that one or more awards are available from a first of the content providers conditional upon performance of one or more activities indicated by a second of the content providers, and the browser application presents one or more indicators to indicate the one or more awards and/or the one or more activities.
US08657685B2
A trusted disaster tolerant system architecture supporting concurrently a number of distributed online gaming operations such as slip-scan lottery, video lottery, fixed odd betting terminals, Internet gaming, and interactive TV. A personality front end resolves the peculiarities of the various client systems before submitting the relevant transactional payload to a trusted transactional cache. A universal game random generator may be used either at the central game server or at each individual gaming machine, thus conferring a significant trust to the entire estate of gaming machines fitted with the game random generator. An auditable trusted log allows to rapidly resolve any dispute. The instant-draw model and the differed-draw model are supported. The system may advantageously be used in casino environments.
US08657682B2
An exemplary motion sensing controller includes an infrared light detection module, a spherical light output member, and a processing unit. The infrared light detection module is configured for detecting infrared light and includes a lens module. The spherical light output member is configured for outputting infrared light. The infrared light detection module has a sensing surface configured for capturing images of the spherical light output member. The processing unit is electrically connected with the infrared light detection module. The processing unit is configured for receiving signals of the images of the spherical light output member, computing dimensions and positions of the images of the spherical light output member on the sensing surface, and computing positions of the spherical light output member with respect to the lens module based on the dimensions and the positions of the images of the spherical light output member on the sensing surface.
US08657677B2
A client account managing arrangement on an online gaming system includes a game server system having at least one game logic managing clients participating in at least one game session. Each client has a permanent account on an accounting system. Proxies, one for each client/game session combination, are connected to the respective game logics. An asynchronous communication server system is connected to the proxies. The accounting system is connected to the asynchronous communication server system and is configured to i) create a temporary reservation account for each client/game session combination, ii) transfer money from the permanent accounts to the respective temporary reservation accounts as clients start to participate in game sessions, iii) update the temporary reservation accounts during ongoing game sessions, iv) transfer remaining money from the temporary reservation accounts to the respective permanent accounts as clients end their participation in game sessions, v) closing the temporary reservation accounts for each ended client/game session combination.
US08657673B2
A gaming machine includes a display device and a processor coupled to the display device. The processor is programmed to cause the display device to display a plurality of games using a plurality of frames and to partially execute at least a first game of the plurality of games to create an intermediate game play outcome. The processor is also programmed to cause the display device to display the intermediate game play outcome and a wager reallocation input, to transfer, based on the wager reallocation input, at least a portion of a first wager associated with the first game to a second game of the plurality of games, and to enable play of the second game based on a second wager associated with the second game and the transferred portion of the first wager.
US08657670B2
A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. The gaming machine includes a determining module for determining whether or not at least one further prize, following the awarding of an initial prize, is to be awarded, the determining module using the value of that initial prize in determining the probability of the player successfully winning the at least one further prize.
US08657661B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a multi-chance casino-based game that can include a roulette-style wheel, a deck of cards, and dice with a corresponding wager board. The multi-chance casino game can provide a player with multiple chances to win on an original wager and can provide an opportunity for wagers to be safe so that if the player does not win, the player will not lose his original wager.
US08657660B2
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate a skill calibrated hybrid game that includes: a gambling game; an entertainment game; a game world engine constructed to manage the entertainment game and communicate gameplay gambling event occurrences based upon a player's skillful execution of the entertainment game that trigger a wager in the gambling game; and a skill calibration module constructed to: receive player data for a player, where the player data is indicative of a player's gameplay performance at the entertainment game; analyze the player data to determine a player's skill level; determine whether the terms of a wager of a gambling game are calibrated in a manner appropriate to the player's skill level; and send a command during play of the skill calibrated hybrid game that causes the real world engine to calibrate the terms of a wager in the gambling game.
US08657656B2
Example methods and devices are set forth for playing a game. In some embodiments, an inventory of game indicia is arranged in a random but established, serial order. In some embodiments, for each hand of play the player makes a wager and game indicia are displayed in order from the inventory to define a winning or losing outcome. In some embodiments, a display, as hands are played, displays the remaining constituency of the inventory and the player, before any game, can order re-shuffling and re-constitute of the inventory. Other embodiments are described.
US08657635B2
A terminal configured to be pressed into and fixed to a base material has a press-fit fixing portion configured to be pressed into the base material, a branch portion extending from the press-fit fixing portion, a plurality of extension portions that extend from the branch portion in a meandering manner, such that at least one meandering slit is formed thereby, a tip portion integrated with a free end of the extension portion, and a movable contact portion formed on the tip portion that is configured to protrude out of a contacting hole of the base material so as to be taken in and out.
US08657633B2
A connector according to the present invention comprises a housing and a plurality of contacts. The housing includes a mating portion having a plate shape. The mating portion projects forward and has an upper surface and a bottom surface. The plurality of contacts is held by the housing. Each of the contacts comprises a contact portion, an end portion and a flat portion. The contact portion extends in a connection direction and is exposed at the upper surface of the mating portion. The end portion is embedded in the mating portion. The flat portion forms a boundary between the contact portion and the end portion and does not projects from the upper surface. The flat portion is able to be viewed from above the upper surface of the mating portion.
US08657620B2
A connector assembly for coupling an coaxial cable to an ultrasound probe includes a cable clamp having an opening extending therethrough, the opening sized to receive a coaxial cable therethrough, the coaxial cable including a strain member and a plurality of coaxial cables extending therethrough, and a collet configured to couple to the cable clamp, the collet including an arbor that is configured to tension the strain member to a predetermined tension. A method of fabricating a connector assembly and an ultrasound imaging system are also described herein.
US08657616B2
An electrical connector including a housing; and a plurality of first ground contacts. The first ground contacts each comprise a male contact blade configured to be inserted into a contact channel of a housing of a mating electrical connector. The male contact blade has a portion configured to contact the housing of the mating electrical connector, after the male contact blade makes electrical contact with the deflectable beam, to move the male contact blade in the contact channel, increase deflection of the deflectable beam by the male contact blade, and increase or maintain normal force between the mating contact and the ground contact generally.
US08657608B2
An electrical connector includes a grounding terminal, a signal terminal and an insulating body. The grounding terminal has an annular body. The annular body is formed by curling and has a seam. The seam extends to form at least one grounding pin. The signal terminal has a base located below the annular body. The base has one end provided with a soldering portion and the other end extending upwards to form a contact portion in the center of the annular body, and the base does not overlap a projection of the seam on a plane where the base locates. The insulating body wrapps the grounding terminal and the signal terminal, and the grounding pin and the soldering portion protrude out of the insulating body.
US08657592B2
A pumping apparatus includes a pump housing, a pumping member which is rotatable in the housing to pump fluid, the pumping member being provided on a support which is in use, driven, the housing including in communication with an inlet, a lower pressure region, and in communication with an outlet, a higher pressure region, there being a passage for fluid from the higher pressure region to the lower pressure region through the support when the fluid pressure in the higher pressure region exceeds a threshold value.
US08657589B2
A hydraulic machine has at least one working chamber (11) of cyclically changing volume, and low-pressure and high pressure valves (15, 13) to control the connection of each of the at least one working chambers to low-pressure and high-pressure lines (16, 14) respectively. A method of operating the machine includes holding the low-pressure valve means (15) closed during at least an entire cycle of the chamber (11), starting at minimum chamber volume, such that gas dissolved in liquid in the chamber is released therefrom during an expansion of the chamber volume and re-dissolved during a reduction thereof.
US08657588B2
A compression apparatus for compressing a fluid, the apparatus having a frame and a motor mounted to the frame, the improvement comprising a drive mechanism installed on the frame so as to be driven by the motor and at least one piston-cylinder unit operably connected to the drive mechanism, the piston-cylinder unit having a cylinder, a piston slidably installed within the cylinder, and a piston rod interconnecting the piston and the drive mechanism so as to shift the piston up and down within the cylinder.
US08657584B2
An apparatus for tuning pump speed at an optimal or desired speed using an automated method is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum pump connected to a chamber for evacuating gas from the chamber. A sensor measures one or more characteristics, such as pressure, of the gas in the chamber. The measured characteristic is compared to a predetermined value. The speed of vacuum pump is adjusted based on the comparison until it falls in a desired range.
US08657583B2
A liquid handling system having a tank with a centrifugal pump for pumping the liquid out of the tank is disclosed. The centrifugal pump is located beneath tank and has a coaxial inlet-outlet. Capacitive sensors are used to detect the level of liquid in the tank, and control circuits are connected to the capacitive sensors and control the operation of the pump.
US08657580B2
A blade retention system for retaining a foot of a turbine blade in a shoe of a turbine disc of a turbine wheel includes: a hook on a heel end of the blade foot that protrudes from a bottom of the blade foot to engage a heel end of the turbine disc shoe; and a compound fillet that engages the hook with the bottom of the blade foot.
US08657579B2
A method for assembling a rotary machine includes providing a rotor including a plurality of rotor wheels. The method also includes positioning the rotor such that at least a portion of a stationary portion of the rotary machine extends at least partially about the rotor. The method further includes providing a blade that includes a blade platform that is formed with a substantially double-C shape. The method also includes coupling the blade to the rotor.
US08657578B2
In an object to provide a gear box for a wind turbine generator and a wind turbine generator in which the life of the planet bearings are further enhanced, a gear box of the present invention includes a casing, a carrier, planet pins held to the carrier, planet bearings supported to the planet pins, respectively, a plurality of planet gears supported to the planet pin via the planet bearings, respectively, and a ring gear and a sun gear meshed with the planet gears. In the gear box, the carrier has an inclined surface facing the planet bearing as a part of an outer cylinder part provided on both ends of the planet pins in axial direction of the planet pin and surrounding the outer circumference of the both ends of the planet pins and the incline surface inclines such that the farther from an axial center of the planet pin, the longer a distance between the inclined surface and the planet bearing.
US08657561B2
A rotor blade comprising a core blade section; and a trailing edge section, the trailing edge section being attached to the core blade section along a join interface. The trailing edge section comprises a shape memory material which is actuable so as to cause selective deformation of the trailing edge section between a first condition in which a trailing edge of the trailing edge section follows a substantially smooth profile and a second condition in which the trailing edge is perturbed. The direction of the perturbation may be oblique or perpendicular to the direction of flow over the blade in use. The rotor blade may be a fan or propeller for a gas turbine engine.
US08657557B2
Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for use thereof for loading bulk material into freight containers. One apparatus comprises a hopper configured to receive bulk material that is sized and shaped to be at least partially enclosable by a container to occupy a substantial volume of the container and a ram. The ram comprises a plate and a driver configured to move the plate from a back end of the hopper to an open end of the hopper to expel material into a container. Another apparatus comprises a hopper configured to receive bulk material that is sized and shaped to be at least partially enclosable by a container to occupy a substantial volume of the container and a reciprocating conveyor floor system. Optionally, a chute can be employed in combination with a loader vehicle to quickly and efficiently load bulk material into a container.
US08657547B2
The present disclosure provides a wing nut including an arcuate body, an arcuate insert, a retaining ring, and a support member. The arcuate body defines a first portion of a mounting thread and the arcuate insert defines a second portion of a mounting thread. The arcuate insert and the arcuate body are complementary to one another such that when connected, the arcuate insert and the arcuate body define an upper ring and a collar and the first and second portions of the mounting thread define a complete mounting thread for receiving a threaded male pipe end. The retaining ring is for securing the collar, and the support member is for securing the upper ring. The wing nut is designed to replace an existing wing nut on a hammer union connection that has deformed lugs. The wing nut can be safely replaced in the field without any special equipment or training.
US08657546B2
Disclosed is a cover device for a fixing portion, including a coupling hole formed at a side of the fixing portion, and a cover member rotatably coupled with the coupling hole to selectively close the fixing portion, wherein the fixing portion includes a fastening member and a fastening hole, to which the fastening member is fastened. By forming the coupling hole at a side of the fastening hole and rotatably coupling the cover member to a case member, the cover device can prevent the cover member from being lost during fastening or separating the fastening member.
US08657545B2
An assembly includes a first structure and a clamp configured to clamp the first structure to a second structure. The clamp may include a top portion configured to extend through the slot, where the top portion includes a head, a neck portion coupled to the head and a cylindrical body coupled to the neck portion. The clamp may also include a rotatable nut located adjacent the slot, where the rotatable nut has an opening to receive the cylindrical body. The clamp may further include a spring nut configured to receive a portion of the cylindrical body. The rotatable nut is configured to be turned such that when the head of the clamp is aligned with the slot in the first structure, the top portion of the clamp is configured to lower into the opening and clamp the first structure to a second structure.
US08657541B2
In a spindle head for a machine tool in which a spindle (10) to which a tool is mounted is rotated around an axial line of a support shaft (58, 59), two rotating members (9, 58) that form a rotation transmission mechanism for rotating the spindle (10) and that transmit drive force of the rotation driving device (56) are fastened to each other at respective connection sections thereof by a bolt group (301) and are connected to each other so as to be prevented from rotating relative to each other by friction force resulting from the fastening. Rotation prevention torque based on the friction force is a value greater than torque applied to the connection sections during processing and smaller than torque applied to the connection sections when external force that causes the spindle (10) to deform beyond a permissible range is applied to the spindle (10). Therefore, even if the tool or the spindle (10) collides with, for example, a processing tool, the spindle (10) does not become deformed beyond the permissible range.
US08657539B2
A round cutting insert with a reverse anti-rotation feature that can be manufactured easily and inexpensively is disclosed. The round cutting insert includes a plurality of dimples formed on a first surface and another plurality of dimples formed on a second, opposing surface. The round insert is reversible and indexable. The round cutting insert is removable received in an insert receiving pocket in a tool body. The insert receiving pocket includes a single projection that is capable of being received in one of the plurality of dimples. The cooperation between the projection and one of the plurality of dimples prevents rotation of the round cutting insert when mounted in the insert receiving pocket. The plurality of dimples and the projection can be any desirable complimentary shape, such as a slot, a V-shape, a wagon wheel, a sports wheel, a pyramid, and the like.
US08657534B2
The floating platform (2) according to the invention is provided with anchors (9-11) which are arranged vertically below connecting locations (20, 21, 22) on a floating support structure (7). Mooring cables (26, 27, 28) extend from each anchor (9-11) vertically upward to corresponding connecting locations while other mooring cables (29) to (34) extend at an angle upward to connecting locations arranged beyond the center (19). As a result, a stable floating platform with high load-carrying capacity is obtained.
US08657524B2
Embodiments of a restrictor plate assembly are disclosed that are adapted for being installed into a curb box hood for restricting particulate flow through an inlet mouth of the hood and into a cavity of the hood. An exemplary assembly can include a lengthwise proximate member and a lengthwise distal member which slide lengthwise against each other for increasing a length of the restrictor plate assembly, so that the proximate member can engage a widthwise proximate internal side wall of the hood, and the distal member engages a widthwise distal internal side wall of the hood; thereby securing the restrictor plate assembly within the hood.
US08657523B2
The present invention is related to a fixed structure for faucets and bathroom accessories, which at least includes a base and an external part, wherein the bottom side of the base is fixed on a connected body and the base has a hollow chamber in the body, at least a functional hole is set on the circumference of the body, an elastic piece is extended inwards from a part of circumference of the functional hole, a convex column is set on the end of the elastic piece; the external part has a hollow chamber set on the bottom side for placing the body of the base, and at least a slipping hole set on the circumference of the hollow chamber is provided for the convex column of the elastic piece to buckle into for positioning, to thereby achieve the purpose of quickly assembly and conveniently installing and operating.
US08657522B2
A compression coupler contains a robust and simple mechanism to couple threadless tubes in bicycles and/or scooters. Particulrly, the handlebar/stem tube-to-fork joint is coupled with a compression sleeve. The coupler provides more surface area for binding and is tightened along a slot on the length of the coupler. The coupler can include a headtube bearing preloading mechanism, a keyway for aligning the handlebar/stem tube to the fork, and shims to accommodate different sized tubing.
US08657517B1
A container and applicator assembly that is used to hold and apply a liquid. The container has a threaded neck, through which the interior of the container is accessible. A removable cap is provided that selectively engages the threaded neck to create a leak-proof seal. An applicator brush extends downwardly from the center of the cap. The applicator brush extends into the interior of the container when the cap is engaged with the threaded neck. A support arm also extends from the cap. The support arm remains external to the container even when the cap is set. A magnifying lens is coupled to the end of the support arm. When the cap is separated from the container, the magnifying lens magnifies the bristle tip of the applicator brush. When the cap is set in place on the container, the magnifying lens magnifies a portion of the label.
US08657515B2
A cleaning pad (28) is disclosed. The cleaning pad (28) includes a base sheet (202) bonded to a fiber mat (203) and exhibits improved debris retention.
US08657514B2
A multipurpose case having an inlet opening element and ejecting, retracting and protecting a core part without using a conventional cap. The case can use core parts having different sizes and usages in addition to specified core parts. The case can be produced at low cost and can easily eject or retract the core part by rotating or pulling the lower cap. The case includes an upper cap; a lower cap having an opening at an end and receiving a lower portion of the upper cap; an inlet opening element mounted to the lower cap and opening and closing the inlet part of the upper cap; a rotary actuator received in the lower cap; and a core part received in the rotary actuator so as to be ejected outside the upper cap along a spiral groove of the rotary actuator when the actuator is rotated by the lower cap.
US08657510B2
In an aperture stop mechanism, two aperture blades are arranged so as to overlap each other and form a single light passage opening into which light utilized in imaging is introduced with the respective edge portions of the two aperture blades. A drive mechanism drives the two aperture blades in directions different from each other, whereby the aperture area of the light passage opening is changed within a predetermined range. When the two aperture blades are located at a minimum aperture position where the aperture area of the light passage opening is minimum within the predetermined range, the two aperture blades are provided so that the single light passage opening surrounded by boundaries including eight straight lines is constituted of the respective edge portions of the two aperture blades.
US08657508B1
In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus for stabilizing a camera, the apparatus including a first main body having at least front, top, bottom, left and right surfaces forming a wedge shape, the top and bottom surfaces including a concave back edge adapted to engage a stationary structure, the left and right surfaces including edges adapted to engage a stationary structure, the front surface including a surface texture adapted to engage the camera, and at least one of the edges of the top, bottom, left and right surfaces including a plurality of teeth along at least a portion of a length of the at least one edge. The first main body may be stackable with a second main body. In a preferred arrangement, the apparatus can be used to stabilize a trail camera.
US08657507B2
Apparatus for supporting a camera comprising two shoulder supports. Two elongate rods extend generally forwards, each rod having a front end and a back end. Each rod pivots about a point between the front end and the back end, the pivot point on each rod being supported by a respective shoulder support. The front ends of each rod are operably connected to each other via a support structure that is configured for receiving and supporting a camera, the support structure comprising three elongate plates connected to each other in series, namely, a left plate, a center plate, and a right plate, wherein each of two opposite ends of the center plate are rotatably pin jointed to an inner end of each of the left plate and the right plate.
US08657502B2
An inner ring of a wheel bearing device has a ring mounting surface on which a pulsar ring for detecting a rotation speed of an axle is mounted and first and second inner raceway surfaces which are arranged along an axis of the axle and on which rolling elements roll. The inner ring includes a first inner ring member that has the first inner raceway surface and the ring mounting surface and a second inner ring member that has the second inner raceway surface and a portion that is spaced apart in an axial direction from the second inner raceway surface toward one side at a distance that is longer than or equal to a distance in the axial direction between the first inner raceway surface and the ring mounting surface. A diameter of the portion is smaller than a diameter of the ring mounting surface.
US08657500B2
A bearing includes a housing and an assembly which consists of at least two elements. Each element has an axle hole to form an axial hole of the assembly run through by a shaft. At least one element has at least one set of multiple notches formed thereon directing towards at least one of two ends thereof to communicate with the axle hole, and at least one groove with an enlarged opening formed on the wall surface of the axle hole directing towards the notches. The groove on the wall surface of the axle hole has at least one set of multiple recesses formed thereon. The housing has a through axial cavity to house the assembly. The bearing has at least one storage chamber to store lubricating media. The notches on at least one set of adjacent elements form at least one set of multiple passages communicating with the storage chamber and the axial hole.
US08657491B2
This present invention discloses a detachable probe cover for an ear thermometer and a manufacturing method thereof. The detachable probe cover for the ear thermometer is for being mounted onto a measuring probe of the ear thermometer, wherein a combining mechanism is provided at a bottom of the measuring probe and the detachable probe cover comprises a main body of a hollow structure and a base, in which the main body has an open end and a closed end opposite to the open end, and the hollow structure has a diameter gradually reducing from the open end toward the closed end.
US08657489B2
An embodiment method for power switch temperature control comprises monitoring a power transistor for a delta-temperature fault, and monitoring the power transistor for an over-temperature fault. If a delta-temperature fault is detected, then the power transistor is commanded to turn off. If an over-temperature fault is detected, then the power transistor is commanded to turn off, and delta-temperature hysteresis cycling is disabled.
US08657484B1
An apparatus for mixing contents within an enclosed container, which includes a mixing element composed of a magnetically interactive material, which is configured for placement within the enclosed container, a movable member disposed outside of the enclosed container, the movable member being magnetically engageable with the mixing element, a base member for positioning the movable member proximate the enclosed container, and a motor adapted for driving the movable member in a continuous, reciprocating or oscillating motion relative to the enclosed container, wherein the movable member interacts with and urges the mixing element to translate between a first position and a second position within the container, and one of the mixing element or an end portion of the armature is a magnet.
US08657482B2
A system and method for mixing bone cement. The components forming the cement are contained in a cartridge. A motorized device, such as a surgical handpiece, rotates a blade in the cartridge that mixes the cement. The current drawn by the motor is monitored. The current draw is evaluated to determine the viscosity of the cement. If the current draw indicates that the cement is at the target viscosity, the mixing may be terminated. A low current draw measure may be interpreted as an indication that the cement is of low viscosity and that it may be necessary to continue the mixing process.
US08657475B2
Wherein the light source comprising: a monolithic emissive semiconductor device; and an array of lenslets, the lenslets being optically and mechanically coupled to the monolithic emissive semiconductor device; wherein the monolithic emissive semiconductor device comprises an array of localized light emission regions, each region corresponding to a given lenslet; wherein the lenslets have an apparent center of curvature (Ca), an apparent focal point (fa), a radius of curvature (R) and a lenslet base diameter (D), the base diameter being the width of the lenslet at the intersection with the monolithic emissive semiconductor device; wherein the distance along the lenslet optic axis between the Ca and the fa are normalized, such that Ca is located at distance 0 and fa is located at point 1; wherein each localized light emission region is located at a point that is greater than 0, and less than Formula (I); and wherein each light emission region has a diameter, the emission region diameter measuring one-third or less of a corresponding lenslet base diameter.
US08657469B2
A traffic light assembly includes at least one light module, at least one lens located in front of the at least one light module, a housing enclosing the at lest one light module and the at least one lens therein, and a foldable cover located in front of the at least one lens and connected to the housing. A cleaning device is located on an outer surface of the foldable cover to clean snow and dust accumulated on the outer surface of the foldable cover.
US08657466B2
An illumination device comprising a housing positionable at a distance from an area to be illuminated and having at least one lighting module, on a support in the housing, that has lighting units having the same light distribution characteristics. Each of the lighting units contains lighting elements and associated lenses arranged in front of the same in the light-emitting direction. Different lighting modules may include lighting units having different light distribution characteristics, while the lighting units have optical axes running parallel to each other. At least one lighting unit is configured such that its light distribution characteristics have at least one asymmetrical section relative to a central plane of the lighting unit.
US08657460B2
Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a portable lamp. Various embodiments of the portable lamp comprise a base having an upper surface, a substrate coupled to the base on the upper surface of the base, the substrate including at least one surface having a plurality of light emitting units disposed thereon, the substrate being movable relative to the base to direct light emitted from the light emitting units in a desired direction, and a light-transmitting cover surrounding the substrate.
US08657457B2
An LED surface cover (1) consists of a resin molding and has a main reflector (2) which reflects light forward from a surface light source and a subsidiary reflector (3) having a reflection surface which reflects light emitted from an LED light source (4) to the main reflector (2). The main reflector (2) has an aperture portion (2a) were the LED light source can be disposed and has a curved surface for traveling light reflected from the subsidiary reflector (3) to a region forward from the surface light source. The subsidiary reflector (3) is disposed above the aperture portion (2a) formed on the main reflector (2). The reflection surface of the subsidiary reflector (3) has an inclination with respect to a surface of the aperture portion (2a). The present invention provides a lighting system capable of accomplishing surface emission by carrying out a simple method, even though the LED light source (4) having a strong directivity is used.
US08657456B2
A display device where concentration of a stress in a display panel is suppressed, to allow improvement in display quality, reliability and the like. A display device includes a display panel, an adhesive layer and a supporting substrate. The adhesive layer is provided on the display panel. The supporting substrate is made up of a member previously provided with curved surfaces. The display panel is bonded onto the curved surface of the supporting substrate by the adhesive layer. The supporting substrate supports the display panel in a curved form along the curved surface.
US08657453B2
A display device is capable of freely setting a viewing location for a real image formed by an imaging optical system of real specular image. The display device includes: an object of view; the imaging optical system having a semitransparent substrate with a plane of symmetry to define an object side space in which the object exists and a viewer side space in which a viewer exists, where the imaging optical system forms a real image of the object of view in the viewer side space with light passing through the substrate; and a reflective mirror arranged in the viewer side space so as to reflect light beams supplied from the imaging optical system to guide the reflected light beams toward the viewer.
US08657450B2
A projection optical system includes a first optical system, a second optical system, and first and second reflection mirrors. The first and second reflection mirrors are arranged on an optical path between an image forming element and a reflection surface of the second optical system, so that a direction of an optical path of light beams from the second reflection mirror to the reflection surface contains a component of a direction opposite to a predetermined direction from the image forming element to the first optical system, and a projection image of the image forming element on a conjugate surface, a projection of the reflection surface onto the conjugate surface, and a projection of the image forming element onto the conjugate surface are arrayed in this order on the conjugate surface.
US08657449B2
A projection type display apparatus includes: an illumination optical system which has a first array lens and a second array lens each of which has a plurality of lens elements having a plurality of rectangular shape openings and arranged in a matrix form; an illumination light source device which has one or more light sources having a polarization degree not smaller than 50% and one or more polarizers for transmitting one type polarized light and reflecting other type polarized light. At least one set of the light sources are arranged so that the polarization directions of light fluxes having high polarization degrees may be perpendicular to each other, the light fluxes are combined by the polarizer, condensed to a single region by a light-flux condensing element, and then directed toward another illumination optical system located in a subsequent stage.
US08657447B2
Methods and devices measure eye blinks and tear film lipid and aqueous layer thickness before and following ophthalmic formula application onto the ocular surface, especially wherein the ophthalmic formula is an artificial tear. The methods and devices are suitable for dry eye diagnosis. The methods and devices are suitable for use to evaluate ophthalmic formula effects on the tear film and to use such information to diagnose ophthalmic formula treatment of ocular disease conditions such as dry eye in the absence of contact lens wear or post-surgical eye drop treatment and diagnosis. The methods and devices are also suitable for use in the optimization of ophthalmic drug dosage forms and sustained drug release.
US08657443B2
Provided are systems and methods to temporarily alter visual acuity of a subject. An example system includes a first light source configured to produce infrared light in an infrared wavelength spectrum for transient propagation into an eye of the subject and a second light source configured to produce visible light in a visible wavelength spectrum for transient propagation into the eye of the subject. The system further includes a transmission unit configured to propagate the infrared light and the visible light into the eye, wherein the light propagated into the eye temporarily alters visual acuity of the subject.
US08657439B2
Continuous Adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles are provided with lenses with continuously changeable optical densities, so that viewing of 2D movies is optimized for visualization in natural 3D. Method and means are disclosed for the continuous Adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles to perform two independent optimizations to achieve optimized 3Deeps visual effects on 2D movies. First they compute the optical density setting of the lenses for optimal viewing of 2D movies as 3D. Then they continuously render the lenses of the spectacles to these optical densities optimized for characteristics of the electro-optical material from which the lenses of the spectacles are fabricated. The invention works for both 3DTV and 3D Cinema theater viewing.
US08657435B2
Disclosed is a printing apparatus that includes color ink nozzle rows that ejects the color inks which are irradiated with light and cured, clear ink nozzle row that is provided in the recording head and ejects the clear ink which is curing with irradiation of a light, and a carriage that is provided with a light irradiation section, wherein a first operation in which the color inks are ejected and the light is irradiated from the light irradiation section to cure the color inks, and after the first operation, a second operation in which clear ink is ejected and then the light is irradiated from a light irradiation section to cure the clear ink are performed, and movement speed of the carriage in the first operation is different from movement speed of the carriage in the second operation.
US08657433B2
Provided is a porphyrazine dye suitable for use in ink-jet recording, the porphyrazine dye giving a cyan ink with a satisfactory hue, having various excellent fastness properties, in particular, ozone resistance, and attaining a high color density. Also provided is an ink composition containing the dye. The porphyrazine dye is a porphyrazine dye represented by formula (1) or a salt thereof. In formula (1), rings A to D each independently represents a benzene ring, a nitrogenous heteroaromatic ring, etc.; E represents an alkylene; X represents sulfoanilino, etc.; R represents a hydrogen atom, sulfo, carboxy, etc.; group F represents phenyl, a nitrogenous heteroaromatic ring, etc.; a is an integer of 1-6; b is 0.00-3.90, excluding 3.90, on average; c is 0.10-4.00, excluding 4.00, on average; and the sum of b and c is 1.00-4.00, excluding 4.00, on average.
US08657429B2
A liquid dispenser includes liquid supply, dispensing, and return channels. A portion of a first wall of the liquid dispensing channel defines an outlet opening. A second wall of the liquid dispensing channel, positioned opposite the first wall, extends along a portion of the liquid supply and return channels. Liquid supply and return passages are provided that extend through the second wall in fluid communication with the liquid supply and return channels, respectively. The liquid return passage overlaps the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid drop is caused to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel by selectively actuating a diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.
US08657422B2
A recording apparatus that comprises a case in the interior of which is an ink nozzle; an opening and closing member movably affixed to an upper side of the case, the opening and closing member being configured to open and close; an external tank located exterior to the case; a liquid supply flow path that provides a liquid from the external tank to the ink nozzle; and a securing member disposed between the opening and closing member and liquid supply flow path and that secures the liquid supply flow path.
US08657420B2
A fluid ejection apparatus includes a fluid distribution layer between a fluid manifold and a substrate. The fluid distribution layer includes fluid supply channels and fluid return channels. Each fluid supply channel receives fluid from the fluid supply chamber and circulates a fraction of the received fluid back to the fluid return chamber through a return-side bypass. The substrate include a plurality of flow paths, each flow path includes a nozzle for ejecting fluid droplets. Each flow path receives fluid from a respective fluid supply channel, and channel un-ejected fluid into a respective fluid return channel. Each fluid return channel can collect the un-ejected fluid from one or more flow paths and a supply-side bypass, and return the collected fluid back to the fluid supply chamber.
US08657417B2
A piezoelectric element, comprises a piezoelectric layer consisting of a complex oxide represented as a mixed crystal including bismuth ferrate and barium titanate and an electrode provided to the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer contains 1 to 15 mol % of lithium relative to the complex oxide.
US08657416B2
A piezoelectric element comprises a electrode and a piezoelectric layer made of a complex oxide having a perovskite structure containing at least bismuth, barium, iron, and titanium. A layered compound containing iron, barium, titanium and oxygen is formed between the piezoelectric layer and the electrode.
US08657415B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a common liquid chamber which is common to each pressure chamber and stores ink, a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber which communicate with the common liquid chamber, a first nozzle which communicates with the first pressure chamber and a second nozzle which communicates with the second pressure chamber, a first piezoelectric vibrator which causes pressure fluctuation in ink in the first pressure chamber and a second piezoelectric vibrator which causes pressure fluctuation in ink in the second pressure chamber, and a communication flow path which makes the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber communicate with each other, wherein the flow of ink is generated in the communication flow path by driving the first piezoelectric vibrator and the second piezoelectric vibrator.
US08657411B2
Disclosed is a fluid ejection device that includes a nozzle plate. The nozzle plate includes a plurality of nozzles. Further, the fluid ejection device includes a flow feature layer. The flow feature layer includes a plurality of flow features. The fluid ejection device further includes an ejection unit. The ejection unit includes a first layer. The first layer includes a plurality of fluid vias. Further, the ejection unit includes a second layer. The second layer includes a plurality of fluid channels. Further, the second layer is attached to the first layer through a first intermediate silicon oxide layer. The ejection unit also includes a third layer. The third layer includes a plurality of ports. The third layer is also attached to the second layer through a second intermediate silicon oxide layer. Further disclosed are an ejection unit for a fluid ejection device and a method for fabricating the fluid ejection device.
US08657409B1
In one embodiment, a hammer bank for a line printer includes a back plate and a plurality of elongated pole pieces extending forwardly from a front surface thereof. Each of the pole pieces has an electrical coil disposed about a circumfery thereof. A permanent magnet has a back surface coupled to the front surface of the back plate, and a shunt fret defining a plurality of elongated, downwardly extending shunts has a back surface coupled to a font surface of the permanent magnet. A hammer fret defining a plurality of elongated, upwardly extending hammers has a back surface coupled to the front surface of the back plate. Each of the hammers is interdigitated between a pair of adjacent shunts. Each hammer includes an elongated spring portion having a hammer head disposed at an upper end thereof, and each hammer head has a forwardly projecting printing tip thereon.
US08657408B2
An image recording apparatus includes an ink-jet head having a plurality of nozzles and configured to jet ink droplets from the nozzles; a carriage configured to carry the ink-jet head, and reciprocate in a predetermined scanning direction; a transport mechanism configured to transport the recording medium, on which the ink droplets jetted from the nozzles land, in a transport direction intersecting the scanning direction; and a control device configured to control the ink-jet head, the carriage and the transport mechanism to perform recording of the image. The nozzles include a plurality of first nozzles which are aligned at first interval with respect to the transport direction and from which first-type ink droplets are jetted, and a plurality of second nozzles which are aligned at second interval with respect to the transport direction and from which second-type ink droplets different from the first-type ink droplets are jetted.
US08657406B2
A liquid jetting apparatus is provided including: a liquid jetting head having a nozzle formed therein through which the liquid is jetted; a driving unit which is configured to output energy to the liquid jetting head; an energy recovery mechanism which is configured to recover and supply a part of the energy supplied from the driving unit to the liquid jetting head; and a mist removing unit to which the part of the energy recovered by the energy recovery mechanism is supplied so that the supplied energy is used to remove a mist generated under a condition that the liquid jetting head jets the liquid.
US08657405B2
A maintenance station for servicing a printhead mounted on a carrier includes mechanisms that separate a wiping function from a capping function. The maintenance station includes a housing mounting a maintenance sled that is movable between a wiping position and a capping position. The capping position follows the wiping position along a direction of travel by the carrier when it enters the maintenance station. As the carrier enters the maintenance station, a latch pivotably mounted to the maintenance sled selectively locks the maintenance sled in the wiping position without engaging the capping position based on a stop position of the carrier upon initial entrance into the maintenance area.
US08657404B2
A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes: a liquid droplet jetting head which has a liquid droplet jetting surface on which a plurality of nozzles including a first nozzle and a second nozzle are open to jet the liquid droplets; a cap member which covers the liquid droplet jetting surface of the liquid droplet jetting head and in which an opening, through which an interior of the cap member is communicated with atmospheric air in a state that the liquid droplet jetting surface is covered with the cap member, is formed; a moving mechanism which moves the cap member to make contact with and separate from the liquid droplet jetting surface; and a controller which controls the liquid droplet jetting head and the moving mechanism.
US08657402B2
An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feed device to feed a sheet along a sheet feed path, a sheet cutting device including a cutter and a cutter holder to cut the sheet to a desired length, a controller to control the sheet feed device and the cutter holder. The cutter holder holds the cutter and is reciprocally movable in a width direction of the sheet perpendicular to a sheet feed direction. The cutter holder, after cutting the sheet, is movable in the width direction with the cutter holder retracted away from the sheet feed path in a thickness direction of the sheet perpendicular to both the sheet feed direction and the width direction. The controller controls the sheet feed device to feed the sheet while the cutter holder moves in the width direction with the cutter holder retracted away from the sheet feed path in the thickness direction.
US08657397B2
The invention relates to a portable device for printing an image in a printing area provided on a material substrate, which includes: at least one removable benchmark (96-99) capable of being manually positioned on the substrate and associated with a corresponding point of the image being printed by means of a predefined relationship separate from the position of said benchmark on the substrate, a measurement unit capable of measuring the position of the printing head relative to the benchmark, and a control unit (14) capable of determining the distance separating the pen from the substrate, from the measurement of the position of the printing head, and of preventing the image from being printed on the substrate if said distance is greater than a predetermined threshold.
US08657390B2
A vehicle brake fluid pressure control apparatus includes: a normally open electromagnetic valve which adjusts a differential pressure between an upstream side and a downstream side; and a control unit including a memory part which stores a valve closing map which shows a relationship between the differential pressure between the upstream side and the downstream side of the pressure regulator valve and an output current value for closing the pressure regulator valve and a valve opening map which shows a relationship between the differential pressure and an output current value for opening the pressure regulator valve, wherein when attempting to reduce a fluid pressures, the control unit executes a current value switching control which controls a current flowing to the pressure regulator valve by selecting alternately an output current value of the valve opening map and an output current value of the valve closing map.
US08657387B2
An improved connecting system for a vehicle wheel spoke, including a spoke having an end portion, a span portion and a cross-section thereof, a connecting element; a bracing element such as a rim or hub, a tensile axis of applied tensile load along the span portion, and a longitudinal axis along the spoke. The connecting element is made of hardened molding material and the spoke is overmolded by the connecting element during solidification of the hardened molding material. The connecting element is joined to the spoke at an overmolded interface and the connecting element is connected to the bracing element.
US08657382B2
A structural part, such as for a backrest of a vehicle seat has at least one panel element, a first profile element, and a second profile element. The panel and profile elements are connected to one another by at least one weld. The panel element has first beads in a first connecting region of the first profile element, and second beads in a second connecting region of the second profile element. A minimum spacing is provided between the first and second beads.
US08657378B2
A seat assembly having a headrest disposed on a support post. The headrest has a front shell and a rear shell. The front shell and rear shell may be configured to move in unison such that the front shell moves a greater distance than the rear shell.
US08657371B2
A car seat includes a seat back and a back belt. The seat back is foldable from an erect position into a substantially horizontal folded position. The back belt is disposed in a position in which the back belt, when extending along the seat back, is able to restrain an item or a baby being placed on a back surface of the seat back in the folded position.
US08657358B2
An outer frame corresponds to a perimeter of a pickup truck bed. An plurality of upwardly bowed intermediate rail span between, and are coupled to, opposing sides of the outer frame. Each bowed intermediate rail is paired with a wire tension member that spans between, and is coupled to, each end of its paired intermediate rail member. A flexible textile member covers and is supported by the intermediate rail member and is coupled to the outer frame. The wire tension members operate to help reduce lateral deflection of the bowed intermediate rail members when a meaningful downward force is applied to the bowed intermediate rails. A method of assembling a tonneau cover is also disclosed.
US08657353B2
A vehicle cargo loading rail system includes inner vehicle rail portions connected to vehicle structure. Connecting rail portions have a rotatable connecting joint to rotatably connect the connecting rail portions to one of the inner vehicle rail portions. Step mounted rail portions are connected to a door rotatably connected to the vehicle and rotatable between closed and open conditions. The step mounted rail portions have a longitudinal slot. A roller fitting assembly is connected to the connecting rail portions and slidably received in the longitudinal slot. A trolley member is movable on a continuous rail surface created when the door is open having vehicle rail portion ends contacting connecting rail portion first ends, and connecting rail portion second ends in contact with step mounted rail portion ends. A trolley member cavity receives a support post of a member loaded into the vehicle by movement on the continuous rail surface.
US08657346B2
The FIMS system is for use with a pod composed of a lid having an engaged portion provided on the outer surface thereof and a pod body having a latch mechanism including an engagement portion that engages the engaged portion as it moves along a predetermined axis to fix the lid to the pod. The FIMS system has a latch mechanism drive means for driving the latch mechanism along a certain axis and an engagement portion position sensor that can generate a signal indicating whether the engagement portion is at an engagement position or non-engagement position when the latch mechanism drive means drives the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism drive means and the engagement portion position sensor are provided in the vicinity of a first opening portion of the FIMS system.
US08657341B2
A connecting element for establishing a frictional connection with a neck portion of a liquid container, like a vial. The connecting element may include a basic structure and contact elements connected with the basic structure that provide contact surfaces for contacting the neck portion. The contact surfaces may be configured to form a receiving space for receiving the neck portion. The receiving space can be enlarged by moving apart the contact surfaces.
US08657340B2
A rollover safety system for truck cab sleeper berths and other sleeper berths in moving vehicles. The system includes a rollover sensor which generates a signal in response to a rollover condition. The signal is used by a controller to tension a tether which is attached to a load bearing harness worn by a sleeper berth occupant. The tether is tensioned to prevent the occupant from injuriously contacting the roof and or walls of the berth The system moves the occupant away from the potentially injurious surfaces while allowing freedom of movement when there is no crash.
US08657339B2
In a steering apparatus configured by including: a steering shaft to which a steering wheel can be fitted; a steering column supported on a vehicle body and supporting the steering shaft rotatably; and a combination switch fixedly fitted to the steering column and constructed by combining a plurality of switches having different functions into one integral unit, the improvement comprises: a spacer having an inner peripheral surface that is fixedly fitted onto an outer peripheral surface of an end portion of the steering column on a rear side with respect to a vehicle body and an outer peripheral surface that is formed to have a dimension of an outer diameter enabling an inner peripheral surface of a fitting portion provided in the combination switch to be fitted onto the outer peripheral surface; and a rotation preventive mechanism preventing the spacer from rotating about the steering column. With this configuration, the same combination switch can be fitted to plural types of columns having different dimensions of outer diameters.
US08657335B2
A first front pair and second rear pair of stabilizer devices associated to the frame of an operating machine, defining, in operative position, a resting base, equal in length to the longitudinal distance between the pairs and equal in width to the transversal distance between the resting feet of each of the latter. Each stabilizer device includes a first and an interconnected second module, one of which is provided with linear elongation means and the other with compass elongation means, the linear and compass elongation means being aimed at being operated in phase relation to define a retracted inactive position, in which the corresponding resting foot is raised from the ground, and a withdrawn operation position, in which said resting foot contacts the ground, at a predetermined distance from the longitudinal midline, such that in this resting base the width distance is at least near to that of the relative length.
US08657331B2
In an airbag device to be mounted to a vehicle-body side wall, an airbag and a mounting bracket are temporarily, but securely, attached to each other, so that mounting of the airbag to the vehicle-body side wall can be easily performed.A bolt (50) is inserted through a plurality of mounting tabs (11) provided on an airbag (10) of an airbag device (1), a mounting bracket (40) having inner and outer plates (41) and (42), and an annular member (44) provided in the inner plate (41). In this state, a toothed washer (70) is fitted and temporarily attached to the bolt (50). The annular member (44) is fastened by screwing the bolt (50) into a nut (55) attached to the vehicle-body side wall (15) when the airbag (10) is mounted to a vehicle-body side wall (15).
US08657330B1
A side airbag including: an inflator that ejects gas and is provided at a side of a seat; a cushion that is deployed when receiving the gas from the inflator; a diaphragm that divides the cushion into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by partitioning the inside of the cushion along a first axis; a diffuser that supplies the gas ejected from the inflator to the upper chamber and the lower chamber separately; and a blocking portion which divides the upper chamber into a rear portion and a front portion by partitioning the inside of the cushion along a second axis, the blocking portion includes a plurality of communication portions formed there-through, wherein through each of the plurality of communication portions gas is communicated, and wherein the rear portion receives the gas from the inflator and the front portion receives the gas from the rear portion, whereby the rear portion and the front portion are inflated in sequence in the upper chamber when the cushion is deployed.
US08657319B1
The present invention is a device which can be used to provide rotation motion to a driving wheel by the application of lateral motion by the user. It consists of axial track plate having a plurality of track paths with said guide paths having a plurality of slope sections. Additionally the caliper element can enable movement of a wheelchair's wheel from a first position to a second position. The caliper element is responsive to slope sections such that the slope sections can engage or disengage the caliper element. The caliper element's broad face is parallel to the track plate's broad face. The broad face is perpendicularly connected to each other via cylindrical pegs along the guide paths. The caliper element has a mating surface enabled to rotate a sprocket which is concentrically connected to a wheel hub where wheel rotates at the same angular velocity as the sprocket while the sprocket is in the engaged mode. A locking arm component disposed between the caliper element and the track guide paths for locking the system into place so that no further movement is made possible.
US08657310B2
The wafer box conveyer includes a chassis, a transverse moving mechanism, a longitudinal moving mechanism, a loading mechanism and a shock reduction mechanism. The chassis includes a frame and a plurality of wheels mounted under the frame. The transverse moving mechanism is movably connected to the frame. The longitudinal moving mechanism is movably connected to the transverse moving mechanism. A moving direction of the longitudinal moving mechanism is perpendicular to that of the transverse moving mechanism. The loading mechanism includes at least one tray for a wafer box. The shock reduction mechanism is disposed between the at least one tray and the frame for absorbing a load of the tray.
US08657303B2
A scooter 1 is disclosed that may be linked to a child buggy or perambulator 100. A linking mechanism 200 is also disclosed for releasably linking the scooter 1 to the child buggy 100 thereby allowing the scooter 1 to be used as a scooter 1 or instead, to be linked to a buggy 100 and used in a linked configuration. The combination of a child buggy 100 and scooter 1 using the linking mechanism 200 is described along with a method of use of the mechanism 200.
US08657302B1
A skate sole assembly has a boot bracket, a frame, two cushioning bearings and two axles. The frame is mounted under the boot bracket and has an arcuate plate and two outer supporting arms. The arcuate plate has two inner supporting arms corresponding to the outer supporting arms. The cushioning bearings are embedded respectively in connecting ends of the outer supporting arms and respectively receive connecting ends of the inner supporting arms. Each axle is rotatably mounted through the connecting end of one inner supporting arm, the connecting end of one outer supporting arm and one cushioning bearing. The frame is made of rigid material to stabilize the motion of a user wearing skates which are assembled from the skate sole assemblies. The cushioning bearings provide a cushioning effect.
US08657299B2
Mounting rings and methods for mounting structures to shafts are provided. The rings and methods may be used to mount other rings or housings to a shaft. The rings are characterized by having flexible inner diameters that can deflect under a radial load. The radial deflection of the inner diameter permits the rings to deflect and engage an outer diameter of a shaft. The engagement of the rings with a shaft provides at least some resistance to movement, for example, rotation and/or axial displacement, of the shaft relative to the ring and structure. In one aspect, the ring has a closed, hollow, construction, for example, a circular, oval, or polygonal closed, hollow construction. The ring may include a plurality of indentations, such as slots, on the inside diameter of the ring that may relieve at least some of the circumferential stress in the ring. Methods for using the rings to mount a structure to a shaft are also disclosed.
US08657294B2
A lifting device for hammer game machine includes frame, a motor laterally mounted to a lower portion of the frame, a seat longitudinally mounted to an upper portion of the frame, a lifting unit partially received in and extending through the seat, a first bracket is secured on a lower end of the lifting device, a linkage assembly connected to the motor and a second bracket laterally mounted onto the linkage assembly through the frame. The first bracket and the second bracket are slidably relative to the frame and selectively connected to each other before being operated.
US08657290B1
In a Blackjack game, one or more bonus or “Shrimp” cards are introduced into the card decks from which cards are dealt to the players. When a player is dealt a Shrimp card, the next time he is dealt a Blackjack, his winning is increased (preferably doubled). This provides an incentive for the player to increase his level of wagering and the time he plays at the Blackjack table after he has been dealt a Shrimp card. The Shrimp card is forfeit when the player leaves the table, and it is not transferable.
US08657289B2
A board game may be played on a board or with an electronic version thereof, that combines chess, checkers and dice to create an original game that is more dynamic than checkers, easier to learn and play than chess, and has an element of randomness that makes it hard to know who will win until the final roll of the dice. The game of the present invention simplifies play by combining classic elements. The roll of the dice determines what kind of move can be made, but the player can choose any of his/her pieces to move. Whoever captures the king wins, or, in an alternative embodiment, whoever has the last remaining piece(s) wins.
US08657278B2
An image forming apparatus may include a first tray configured to accommodate one or more recording sheets to be supplied to an image forming unit, a body frame configured to position an upper part of the first tray, and an expansion members disposed under the body frame to position a lower part of the first tray. The expansion member may include a transmission mechanism configured to be engagable with a body-side gear provided in the body frame. The transmission mechanism may be configured to transmit a drive force, which is transmitted from a drive source provided in the body frame via the body-side gear, to an add-on mechanism, when the transmission mechanism is engaged with the body-side gear.
US08657275B2
A material-saving and energy-saving multifunctional bench clamp includes a movable clamp body, a fixed clamp body and a transmission pair of a screw and a nut. The fixed clamp body is provided with a holding accessory and a retractable locating-guiding device. The movable clamp body is made up of a left part and a right part. The left part is provided with two work heads, each head includes holding members, which form a holding assembly together with the accessories installed on the fixed clamp body. At least two axially locating-guiding key grooves are shaped on the cylinder guide rail of the right part and positioned the corresponding work heads of the left part. The bench clamp not only reduces processing surfaces and costs, but also saves about 30% material of clamper body under the same standard size and rated clamp force by comparison to the old multifunctional bench clamp.
US08657270B2
A cover member having plural peak portions and plural trough portions, and freely stretched and shrunk in an array direction of the plural peak portions and the plural trough portions or freely bent, the cover member includes: a hollow part formed in each of the plural peak portions, the hollow part being hollowed toward an inner side from a peak of each of the plural peak portions, being formed in a circumferential direction, and having edge parts, a bottom part and side parts located between the edge parts and the bottom part. The edge parts of the hollow part are brought into contact with each other before the side parts of the hollow part are brought into contact with each other, when at least one of the plural peak portions is subjected to force in a direction intersecting with the array direction from an outside.
US08657267B2
A condensing system is provided. The condensing system may include baffle plate units having a substantially flat surface and openings configured for cooling fluid to flow through; and baffles attached to the baffle plate unit, the baffles oriented at an acute angle with respect to the baffle plate unit, the baffles having a flat surface and figured to diffuse a cooling fluid into a thin, turbulent film at a similar acute angle. A method of condensing a fluid is provided. The method includes defining a path for the fluid to be condensed to flow; spraying a cooling fluid against a baffle thereby creating a turbulent film of cooling fluid in the path for the fluid to be condensed and orienting some of the baffles to create a film of cooling fluid oriented in one direction and orienting other baffles to create a film of cooling fluid in a second direction wherein the path of the fluid to be condensed causes the fluid to be condensed to flow over films oriented in both the first and second directions.
US08657254B2
A gas release device that includes a reservoir of pressurised gas and a passageway from said reservoir to an outlet. There is an elastic gas permeable membrane in the passageway that allows gas release only via the membrane. A gas impermeable member is provided in the passageway that includes an interface positioned to contact said gas permeable membrane. Displacement of the gas permeable membrane is responsive to the pressure of the gas in the reservoir such that there is a greater interfacial contact between the gas impermeable member and the gas permeable membrane at a higher gas pressure than at lower pressure to thereby vary the exposed cross sectional area of the permeable membrane available to the flow in an inverse relationship to pressure.
US08657250B2
A vibration and shock isolation mount for a mobile satellite antenna system securable to a transport vehicle such as a truck or boat. The isolation mount includes three isolators attachable between the mobile satellite antenna system and the transport vehicle. The three isolators are spaced substantially evenly about the central axis of the antenna system. Each isolator has a central spring element extending along a first axis between two block members wherein the spring element permits the two block members to move in virtually all direction relative to each other including toward and away from each other along the first axis of the spring element. Each isolator further includes two attaching members for respectively securing the two block members to the mobile satellite antenna system and the transport vehicle. The first axes of the spring elements are aligned to substantially intersect each other and the central axis of the mobile satellite antenna system within a protective, covering dome of the antenna system. The isolators are preferably positioned outside of the domed antenna system so that the domed antenna system itself can be as compact as possible to minimize its overall size and weight.
US08657247B2
A height adjustable platform and method include a ratchet platform having a platform upper assembly having a platform and a ratchet. The ratchet includes a platform riser tube and a ratchet rail. The ratchet platform further includes a platform lower assembly having a support column and a platform base. A ratchet end is proximate the platform and an opposing end of the ratchet is disposed within an interior of the support column. The ratchet platform also includes a platform upper assembly actuator having a pedal sub assembly and an upper linkage. The upper linkage is attached to the pedal sub assembly. Actuation of the pedal sub assembly actuates the upper linkage. In addition, actuation of the upper linkage actuates the ratchet to adjust the height of the ratchet platform. The ratchet platform also includes a strap retractor and a strap. The strap retractor retracts the strap upon achieving a strap threshold.
US08657238B2
A device and methods for low speed performance improvement of a lifting surface assembly are disclosed. At least one vortex generator is coupled to the lifting surface assembly, and the vortex generator is extended through the lifting surface assembly by drooping a hinged leading coupled to the lifting surface assembly to increase lift. The vortex generator is retracted inside the lifting surface assembly to decrease drag.
US08657216B2
A machine and a method for providing substrate for use in manufacturing of biogas. The machine is provided with an intake for input of moist and dry organic waste to the machine's interior chamber, where the organic waste may contain foreign bodies such as soft packaging, metal, glass, etc., a rotating shaft located in the chamber and provided with at least one tool which has a blunt shape, a stationary part mounted in the chamber acting as the tool's counter-tool, an outlet for milled particles, and an ejector for foreign bodies. The distance between the tool and the stationary part is such that the solid parts are milled into smaller pieces, while a milling effect on softer parts is prevented.
US08657215B1
A wheel apparatus includes a hub that is configured to be received by an axle of an irrigation system. The wheel apparatus also includes a rim assembly that includes a plurality of substantially flat feet that form a faceted circular arrangement. A support structure is disposed between the hub and the rim assembly to at least partially support the rim assembly. At least one of the substantially flat feet is coupled to at least one of the plurality of spoke structures. The wheel apparatus also includes at least one cleat disposed on an outside surface of at least one of the plurality of substantially flat feet to provide traction to the rim assembly.
US08657212B2
A coaxial syringe spray assembly that includes a first receptacle defined by the assembly, a second receptacle defined by the assembly and in coaxial alignment with the first receptacle, and a spray tip assembly configured to be in fluid communication with both the first receptacle and the second receptacle. The spray tip defines a first fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first receptacle, a second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first receptacle, and an outlet port that defines a blending chamber that is in fluid communication with the second receptacle, the first fluid chamber, and the second fluid chamber such that a first fluid introduced into the first fluid chamber and a second fluid introduced into the second fluid chamber are mixed in the blending chamber to provide a mixture having a helical flow pattern.
US08657208B2
A flow gate includes first and second body members, first and second flow control members, and first and second locking mechanisms. The first and second body members operatively attach to and detach from each other. The first and second flow control members adjust between an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of partially opened positions. The first and second locking mechanisms selectively prevent and allow adjustment of the first and second flow control members. The first and second flow control members prevent the flow of material from an associated spreader when both the first and second flow control members are in the closed position, and allow the flow of material from the associated spreader when either the first or the second flow control member is in the opened position or in one of the plurality of partially opened positions.
US08657207B2
Disclosed is a hot water circulation system associated with a heat pump and a method for controlling the same. The present invention allows the system to be defrosted while hot water supply or a heating operation is performed, making it possible to improve a phenomenon that heating efficiency is deteriorated.
US08657206B2
A terminal box for a centrifugal switch of a motor, having at least a housing, a movable control rod extending from the housing, a cavity disposed on end surface of the housing, and a thermostat disposed in the cavity. A protruding block is disposed on the inner wall of the cavity. A reversed hook is disposed on outer side wall of the thermostat. The bottom of the protruding block abuts against the top of the reversed hook whereby fixing the thermostat in the cavity. The invention effectively simplifies the installation structure of the thermostat and the cavity; the overall installation structure is simple and stable, the cost of the structure is low, and structure of electrical connection in the terminal box is simple and reliable.
US08657204B2
An information providing system includes the following elements. An IC card stores card ID. An information providing terminal reads out the card ID of the IC card, provides information to the IC card, and transmits the card ID and the information provided to the IC card or the ID of the provided information to a management server. The management server receives the card ID and the information provided to the IC card or the provided information ID from the information providing terminal, has a database to manage the card ID and the provided information such that the card ID is associated with the provided information, acquires the information provided to the IC card from the database in response to an information request from a client terminal, and supplies the provided information to the client terminal. The client terminal displays the provided information supplied from the management server.
US08657199B2
A compact, low-cost, high-performance, imaging engine for an imaging reader for, and a method of, imaging targets, include a single printed circuit board (PCB), an illumination light assembly supported by the PCB for illuminating a target, a single chassis mounted on the PCB, an imaging lens assembly supported by the chassis for capturing return light from the illuminated target, and a solid-state imager supported by the PCB for detecting the captured return light over a field of view, and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the captured light. A controller is mounted on or off the imaging engine, and is operatively connected to, and controls the operation of, the imager and the illumination light assembly, for processing the electrical signal into data indicative of the target being imaged.
US08657196B2
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for detecting and handling exception situations in an automated data reading system. In one configuration, an illumination source is triggered to generate light pulses and a security imager is triggered synchronous with light pulses of the illumination source. The security imager captures security images of items that are transported through an automated data reader, e.g. optical code reader. The captured security images are configured to be displayed for a user or operator to use to identify an exception item. A plurality of decode imagers capture image data that can be used to identify and read an optical code disposed on an item transported through the automated data reader. The decode imagers capture images synchronous with light pulses of the illumination source.
US08657193B2
Directional albedo of a particular article, such as an identity card, is measured and stored. When the article is later presented, it can be confirmed to be the same particular article by re-measuring the albedo function, and checking for correspondence against the earlier-stored data. The re-measuring can be performed through us of a handheld optical device, such as a camera-equipped cell phone. The albedo function can serve as random key data in a variety of cryptographic applications. The function can be changed during the life of the article through use of a variety of different card constructions (e.g., involving quantum dots, phase change materials, MEMS structures, etc.). A variety of other arrangements and features are also detailed.
US08657187B1
The invention provides systems and methods for transferring cash to and from branch banks. The method may include the steps of inputting first data relating to cash usage at a plurality of branch banks; inputting second data relating to cash usage at the particular branch bank, the second data including a known ending balance at the particular branch bank; and assimilating the first data and the second data to constitute forecasting data; and performing forecast processing to determine an amount of cash to be transferred to or from the branch bank. The forecast processing may include (1) forecasting a cash in amount and forecasting a cash out amount based on the forecasting data, and generating a projected ending balance based on the forecasted cash in amount, the forecasted cash out amount, and the known ending balance; (2) generating a forecasted ending balance; and (3) comparing the projected ending balance with the forecasted ending balance to determine a cash shipment amount. The method may also include generating a cash transfer request based on the cash shipment amount; and effecting a transfer of cash with the branch bank based on the cash transfer request.
US08657176B2
A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.
US08657165B1
The present invention provides a sock wearing frame, which comprises a base, wherein each of the two sides of the base is upwardly connected to two upright sticks, and the upper portions of the two upright sticks are horizontally installed with a lift stick. Also, the internal space surrounded by the upright sticks on the two sides of the sock wearing frame is installed with two supporting frames connected to the upright sticks and upwardly bended, a wearing ring is horizontally and backwardly installed over the supporting frame, and the front parts of the wearing ring along with the supporting frames on the two sides conjunctively constitute an opening.
US08657163B2
A draining device and a package with such a draining device for a liquid material. The draining device comprises a housing part and a draining part, which is articulated around an axis in relation to the housing part. The housing part comprises a first channel with an inlet which ends on the inside of the package. The draining part comprises a second channel with an outlet which ends on the out-side of the package. The housing part is arranged to be attached on the outside of the wall of the package. The draining part is arranged with at least one puncturing device in its end being arranged opposite to the outlet. The puncturing device is arranged to puncture the wall of the package so that at least one passage is formed through which liquid material being located in the package may be made to flow out through the draining part to the outside of the package.
US08657160B2
Fluid dispensers can be provided with a pump bottle that can have a fluid retaining portion, a pump neck that can be engaged with the fluid retaining portion such that the pump neck can be fluid communication with the fluid retaining portion, and a pump head that can be associated with the top portion of the pump neck, where the pump head can be configured to dispense a fluid retained in the fluid retaining portion of the pump bottle. The fluid dispenser can have an adapter ring that can be engaged with the pump neck, where the adapter ring can be selectively movable along a vertical length of the pump neck. The fluid dispenser can have a lock member, where the locking member can be associated with the adapter ring and the locking member can have a first unlocked position and a second locked position.
US08657159B2
A dispensing device includes a that is longitudinally movable in a second chamber and has an outer surface sealingly contacting an inner surface of the second chamber. An intermediate valve is positioned between an interior part of the first chamber and an interior part of the second chamber. The intermediate valve includes a valve seat plate having at least one opening and a valve flapper plate having at least one flapper for covering the at least one opening in the valve seat plate. The at least one flapper moves to an open position allowing the liquid product to flow from the interior space of first chamber to the interior space of the second chamber when the first chamber is moved in a first longitudinal direction and moves to a closed position limiting flow of the liquid product when the first chamber is moved in an opposite second longitudinal direction.
US08657153B2
The present invention provides a dispenser for moisturized sheets in the core of a toilet paper roll. Not only are wet and dry wipes provided coincidentally, the location is particularly handy for toilet use. In a utilization of existing bathroom fixtures, the novel concept offsets the rotational axis of the toilet paper roll to make an aperture available to dispense the moisturized sheets from the volume of the core previously occupied by the conventional spool. The invention further provides a hermetically sealed refill unit, a mechanism for singlating individual wipes, and means for preventing moisture loss from the sheets.
US08657152B2
To provide a wet tissue package that allows for easy taking out of a wet tissue accommodated in a package body. A wet tissue package includes: a package body having an opening; and a plurality of wet tissues accommodated in the package body in a state of being individually folded and stacked without being interfolded, in which each of the plurality of wet tissues includes: a first folding line parallel to the first side edge; a second folding line parallel to the first folding line; and a turn-back portion formed by folding the wet tissue on the first folding line and the second folding line, in which the turn-back portion is directed toward the opening and a part of the turn-back portion is disposed so as to be exposable through the opening.
US08657150B2
Exemplary embodiments include a seal between an open body end of a container body and an edge of a lid. The lid is pressable into the open end of the body in a sealing manner. The components may be made from a light gauge sheet metal. The lid can be removable affixed to the body. The seal is configured to securely attach to the body to provide a safe seal of the container to be capable of withstanding impacts, such as from a shock or fall. Accordingly, the embodiments are applicable to containers which contain hazardous materials.
US08657143B2
The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for coupling a fuel tank assembly to a combustion engine in which a cover configured for covering at least a portion of the combustion engine can include a recess configured for receiving a fuel tank therein. The recess can include a receptacle positioned against an inner wall of the cover and configured for receiving a protruding ear of the fuel tank, a first protruding tab extending from the inner wall of the cover at or near the receptacle, and a latch strike extending from the inner wall of the cover at or near the receptacle. A retaining clip with a first retaining portion and a latch arm can be positioned in a blocking position with respect to the receptacle to prevent the protruding ear of the fuel tank from being removed from the receptacle.
US08657140B2
A filler cap for a fuel tank wherein, when a pressure increases in the fuel tank, the valve body moves upward so an upper peripheral edge part of the valve body may be contacted to a first surface of shoulder cylinder portion, thereby shutting down a connection between a second space of cylinder main body and a third space connected to atmosphere. When the pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a pressure for a deformation strength of the valve body, a central part of the valve body enters into the third space causing deformation to shorten the outer diameter thereof; in the peripheral part of the valve body a concave portion not contacted to a lower end of a third surface that forms the third space, and the second space and the third space are connected via a space of this concave portion to release excessive pressure.
US08657138B2
A plastic container having a container body and a permanently attached container lid is provided. The container lid is attached to the container body by a living hinge such that the entire plastic container is a one-piece construction. The container lid is pre-curved such that in an open state the container lid is curved. However, when the container lid mates with the container body in a closed state, at least a portion of the container lid that was previously curved becomes substantially planar such that portions of the lid remain biased into the container body. The container can also incorporate a carrying feature for receiving and positioning articles therein, as well as a sealing chamfer for reducing the likelihood of the ingress of foreign matter into an interior cavity of the container.
US08657135B2
An artificial nipple can include a nipple tip section that can sufficiently reach the sucking fossa and can be appropriately squashed The artificial nipple can have a base section that widens to match an attachment object, an areola section formed contiguously to the base section and that extends while narrowing gradually, and a nipple section that extends from the areola section and that narrows more than the areola section. A flange section can be provided in the base section with a predetermined thickness. A check valve can be formed with a valve body so as to be entirely accommodated within the thickness dimension of the flange, and provided in the base section.
US08657130B2
A storage system comprises a rack of multiple platforms connectable to one another in a first direction, where each of the platforms has segments that connect to one another along a direction other than the first direction, via a user-operable coupling. The platforms are preferably rectangular, and are connected at their long ends. The segments of each platform are also preferably rectangular, but they are connected along their long sides. In such embodiments, the connection between platforms is perpendicular to the length of the rack, while the connection between segments is parallel to the length of the rack. The segments of individual platforms are preferably coupled together with snap fit connections, and supported from their undersides by transverse supports, and the transverse supports are supported from their undersides by longitudinal supports via recesses on the segments. The transverse supports are preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal supports.
US08657129B2
A foldable rack includes at least two segments rotatably coupled to one another such that the foldable rack can achieve a folded configuration and an operational configuration, the folded configuration being more compact than the operational position. The rack can be configured to support musical instruments such as cymbals, drums and the like and provide for adjustability of their positions while maintaining a clear and uncluttered appearance by concealing any electrical cabling involved.
US08657128B2
An improved golf club holder having a base, tubular casings, and pins. The base has a plurality of openings. The tubular casings are attached to the underside of the base at each plurality of openings. A golfer can insert a golf club into an opening in the base and allow the club to move down through the shaft of the tubular casing until the butt of the golf club rests upon a pin. Resting upon a pin, the golf club will stand vertically in the tubular casing shaft. This golf club holder differs in that it is an immobile apparatus fixed at ground-level by compression of ground to a golf course. Therefore, a golfer will not need to purchase their own golf club holder, transport it to and from the cart, insert a sharp object into the ground, bend to utilize, or attach it to a golf bag.
US08657123B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a composite semipermeable membrane which has excellent chemical resistance, separation performance, and water permeability, and the composite semipermeable membrane has the following structure. The present invention provides a composite semipermeable membrane in which an separation function layer is formed on a microporous supporting membrane, wherein the separation function layer is formed from (A) a silicon compound in which a reactive group having an ethylenically unsaturated group and a hydrolyzable group are directly bonded to silicon atoms, and (B) a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group other than the silicon compound, by condensation of the hydrolyzable group of the silicon compound (A) and polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated group of the silicon compound (A) and the ethylenically unsaturated group of the compound (B) having the ethylenically unsaturated group.
US08657119B2
A system and method of publishing digital media content works is provided in which an individual content work is divided into multiple segments, and when a subscriber initiates a subscription to the content work, each individual content work segment is published via email to the subscriber on a fixed periodic basis until either the work is completely published or the subscriber terminates the subscription. The subscriber may interactively access the segments of the digital media content work via directly accessing the publication website or via an embedded link in the published segment. During interactive access, the subscriber may update subscription control data controlling segment publication so that the next segment published to the subscriber will be the next successive segment after the segment being accessed interactively. A table of unique book positions is maintained to control segment publication and thereby avoid excess accesses to underlying subscription data for a subscriber. The subscription control data and book position data is recorded independently of segment positions to enable modification of segment boundaries data while assuring subscriber receipt of the entirety of the segmented digital media content work.
US08657109B2
Universal packaging for beverage containers of different sizes is described. The universal packaging includes a bottom support structure including an opening having an interior floor surface. A raised cylinder extends upwards from the interior floor surface. A beverage container of a first height fits within the opening in the bottom support by placing an open side of the beverage container down upon the interior floor surface, the raised cylinder extending into an interior of the beverage container of the first height. A beverage container of a second height, the second height being less than the first height, fits within the opening in the bottom support by placing a solid bottom surface of the beverage container of the second height down upon an upper surface of the raised cylinder.
US08657108B2
A packaging container is constructed by a packaging container main body with a lid portion, and a label adhered to an upper surface of the packaging container main body. An accommodating portion main body of the packaging container main body has a first flange portion around an accommodating portion, and second flange portions positioned at right and left side ends of the first flange portion and extending in an outward direction from an upper end of each of step portions having the same height as a thickness of the lid portion. Further, an engagement concave portion engaging with an engagement portion of the lid portion is formed in a front portion in the center of the first flange portion, and the label is adhered to upper surfaces of the lid portion and the second flange portions to seal the container main body, and is unsealed by a cut line.
US08657100B2
A conveyor slide plate for movably supporting a support element along a track or rail of a material handling system includes a body portion configured to be received at the track or rail and to move along the track or rail when driven by a chain of the material handling system. The body portion of the slide plate includes at least one reservoir formed in an upper surface of the body portion. The reservoir is configured to receive lubricating fluid therein, and is configured to direct the flow of the lubricating fluid toward a sliding interface between the body portion of the slide plate and the track or rail, such as to at least one perimeter region of the body portion of the slide plate.
US08657098B2
An apparatus for processing packages of eggs on a conveyor is disclosed which comprises an egg orienter configured and arranged with respect to the conveyor so as to adjust a position of one or more of the eggs in each of the packages so that each of the eggs in a given package assumes a particular orientation within that package. In some embodiments, the egg orienter may be located between an egg loading section and a package closing section of an egg packer. In addition, in some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a laser source and one or more optical steering elements configured and arranged to direct laser energy from the laser source so as to laser mark information on a surface of one or more of the eggs while the eggs are in a package disposed on the conveyor and in said particular orientation. Further, in some embodiments, the egg orienter may be further configured and arranged to adjust the position of the one or more eggs in each of the packages so that a long axis of each egg in a given package is tilted toward the back of the package so as to be at least slightly offset from vertical and/or so that so that long axes of all of the eggs in each row of eggs in the package form approximate right angles with respect to a line intercepting bottoms of receptacles holding the eggs in such a row.
US08657092B2
The safety coupling includes a driving part (10) and a driven part (12) able to rotate around the same rotation axis (X) and respectively provided with first torque transmission means (14, 24) and with second torque transmission means (30, 36, 40, 52, 60, 62) having front toothings (24, 40, 60, 62) normally meshing with each other for the transmission of torque between the two parts of the coupling (10, 12). The safety coupling also includes torque-sensitive opening means (66, 72, 110) arranged to disengage the front toothings (24, 40, 60, 62) of the first (14, 24) and second (30, 36, 40, 52, 60, 62) torque transmission means, thus interrupting the torque transmission, when the torque transmitted between the two parts of the coupling (10, 12) exceeds a given maximum value. The torque-sensitive opening device includes a pressure chamber filled with an incompressible fluid and a valve device adapted to automatically control the discharge of the fluid from the pressure chamber if a given maximum fluid pressure value is exceeded in the pressure chamber.
US08657085B2
An air damper capable of stabilizing a damping force of the air damper is obtained.When a rod member (16) is pulled out of a cylinder member (20), a suction member (60) hits against the other side surface (56) of a piston member (30) so as to close an air passage (28), and an airflow path communicating between an air chamber (26) and an outside is only orifice portions (42). On the other hand, when the rod member (16) is pushed into the cylinder member (20), the suction member (60) moves away from the other side surface (56) of the piston member (30) so as to open the air passage (28). Consequently, compared to a conventional structure in which an O-ring rolls by a friction force with an inner peripheral surface of a cylinder so as to open or close the air passage, the air passage (28) can be opened and closed as intended so as to be capable of stabilizing the damping force.
US08657081B2
Disclosed herein is a disc brake to allow a shim to be easily coupled to a pad plate and to maintain strong coupling between the shim and the pad plate so as to prevent separation of the mounted shim. The disc brake includes pad plates each having frictional pads, a piston and a caliper housing to press the pad plates toward a disc, a shim attached to one surface of each of the pad plates to be pressed by the piston or the caliper housing, a coupling hook protruding from the shim and having a coupling protrusion at an end thereof, and a coupling hole perforated in each of the pad plates to allow the coupling hook to be inserted and coupled into the coupling hole.
US08657072B2
The design is for a sawhorse with a collapsible support platform to support material that is being cut-off or worked on. The support platform keeps the material that is being cut from falling and/or splintering at the end of the cut and reduces or eliminates the need for an addition person to support the portion of the material being cut-off or for the person doing the cutting to attempt to hold the material being cut-off with one hand while cutting with the other and creating an unsafe condition. The sawhorse with support platform does not necessarily eliminate the need for a second sawhorse to support the opposite end of the material being cut or worked on. The sawhorse can be provided with the platform on both sides to provide additional cutting or material support surface which may then eliminate the need for a second sawhorse. Additionally the cutting support platform can be provided as a separate accessory that can be mounted to various manufactures' available sawhorses. An augmentation to the support platform would be to provide a platform with a telescoping extension as shown in FIG. 4.
US08657068B2
The present invention relates to a securing device for protecting individuals against falling, with two stop elements which can be attached releasably to a positionally fixed securing element and can be connected via a connecting element to the individual. Each stop element has a locking device which can be adjusted between an unlocking state, in which the stop element can be attached to the securing element or released therefrom, and a locking state, in which the stop element cannot be released from the respective securing element. A coupling device is coupled to the locking devices of the stop elements in such a manner that, in the unlocking state, the locking device of the other stop element is blocked in its locking state. A preferred construction of the coupling device has a blocking lever which can be pivoted into a blocking position for blocking the locking device in its locking state.
US08657067B1
A method and apparatus for reducing sound. A layer of material has holes extending from a first side of the layer of material to a second side of the layer of material. The holes are configured to provide a desired level of acoustic resistance to sound traveling through the layer of material. The layer of material is configured to be mounted to a platform.
US08657059B2
An attachment structure of a propeller shaft to a cross-member in a vehicle includes a pair of main frames (10) extending in a vehicle length direction; the cross-member (15) connecting the main frames (10) together; the propeller shaft (37) arranged between the main frames (10) and including a front shaft (37a) and a rear shaft (37b) connected together through a joint (65); a center bearing (67) fixed to the cross-member (15) and configured to rotatably support the front shaft (37a); a fuel tank (83) arranged between the center bearing (67) and one of the main frames (10); and a flexible connection body (170) configured to connect the center bearing (67) and part of the cross-member (15) on a side opposite to the fuel tank (83) and having a length which is substantially non-extendable.
US08657054B2
A front suspension and ski assembly for a snowmobile having a right and a left side, each side comprising an upper and a lower arm pivotally connected to the snowmobile frame and a spindle having an upper portion rotatably connected to the upper arm at a first connection point, a mid-portion rotatably connected to the lower arm at a second connection point, and a lower portion to which a ski is pivotally connected. A keel projects from and extends longitudinally along the ground facing surface of the ski, substantially along its outer surface. A runner projects from and extends longitudinally along the ground facing surface of the keel. A straight line extending through the first connection point and the second connection point extends to a point disposed within the ground engaging portion of the runner.
US08657050B2
A saddle-ride type vehicle includes an engine attached to a body frame and a fuel tank disposed above the engine. A seat is attached to the body frame on a rear side of the fuel tank via a pair of engagement members in spaced relation to one another. The engagement members define a space therebetween. A throttle body associated with the engine is disposed below a forward portion of the seat. A resonator is coupled to an air intake. The resonator is positioned on an upper side of the throttle body and covers and protects the throttle body.
US08657048B2
A hydraulic excavator includes a lower travel body, an upper swiveling body, an exterior door, and a louver. The upper swiveling body has a swiveling platform and a frame with a lower end part of the frame being secured to the swiveling platform, the upper swiveling body being swivelably supported by the lower travel body. The exterior door has a curved part in which an opening is formed. The exterior door is openably/closably supported by the frame of the upper swiveling body. The louver blocks the opening in the exterior door in a closed state, and the louver is mounted in the frame of the upper swiveling body.
US08657047B2
A bicycle hub comprises a hub axle, a motor case and an integrated motor. The hub axle has a pair of frame attachment ends. The motor case is mounted on the hub axle such that the bicycle frame attachment ends protrude out of opposite axial ends of the motor case. The motor case including a recessed portion that is configured to receive a bicycle frame that is mounted to the bicycle frame attachment ends of the hub axle. The integrated motor is operatively mounted between the hub axle and the motor case.
US08657044B2
The present disclosure relates to an pneumatic hybrid internal combustion engine with at least one combustion chamber composed of a cylinder in which a piston is arranged mechanically interconnected to a crank shaft via a piston rod. An inlet valve and an exhaust valve are both mechanically interconnected via a valve gear to the crank shaft. The engine further includes at least one charge valve which is actuated by a charge valve actuator in a fully variable manner such that the engine can be operated in a four stroke hybrid mode.
US08657041B2
A control system for a lawnmower vehicle having a plurality of electric motors may include at least one controller for controlling operation of the drive wheel electric motor in response to an operation amount of at least one operator. The controller may control operation of a driver for driving a mower-related electric motor to cause the mower-related electric motor to activate or stop.
US08657039B2
Restriction element trap for use with an actuation element of a downhole apparatus and method of use
A downhole apparatus for engaging a borehole in a subterranean formation includes a tubular body having a longitudinal axis and a first bore, an actuation element having a second bore and is positioned within the first bore of the tubular body, a drilling fluid flow path extending through the first and second bores, and a restriction element trap positioned within the second bore of the actuation element. The actuation element is configured to selectively retain an operable component of the downhole apparatus in an initial position and the restriction element trap is configured for retentively receiving a restriction element. A restriction element trap for use with an actuation element for retentively receiving a restriction element and an expandable reamer apparatus for enlarging a borehole in a subterranean formation are also provided. Further provided is a method of activating a downhole apparatus within a borehole of a subterranean formation.
US08657037B2
A core retaining device is provided for use with a core drill bit, which is adapted to cut a core from a material such as concrete. The core retaining device includes a core attachment mechanism for releasably connecting the core retaining device to the core. A bearing is connected to the core attachment mechanism and allows the drill bit to rotate while the core attachment mechanism remains statically connected to the core. A biasing arrangement operably connects between the drill bit and the core via the bearing, and axially biases the core away from the material preventing the core from slipping from the drill bit. The core retaining device further includes at least one auxiliary safety feature such as extensions which extend laterally outward from the drill bit.
US08657030B2
A cordless power tool (300) has a transmission (12) having multiple speed ranges In the light torque range, the speed of a motor (8) of the cordless power tool is held constant to hold an output speed of the transmission (12) constant until motor power reaches a predetermined percentage of the maximum watts out of the motor.
US08657028B2
A hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric tool may include a spindle that is adapted for rotational movement. A swing arm may be coupled to the spindle such that the rotational motion of the spindle is transferred to the swing arm. The swing arm may make contact with an anvil such that the rotational motion of the swing arm causes the anvil to move along a linear path. A piston may be operatively coupled to the anvil to follow the linear movement of the anvil. The piston may be adapted to interact with an energy storage medium when the swing arm moves the anvil in the first direction, causing energy to be stored. As the swing arm continues to rotate, the swing arm may lose contact with the anvil, thus allowing the energy storage medium to urge the piston and the anvil in a second direction opposite the first direction.
US08657024B2
A tractor-based box blade is used to move and condition soil. The box blade has a plurality of rippers, which are forwardly- and downwardly-extending shanks terminating in relatively narrow teeth that extend into the ground. Each ripper is deployable to extend into the ground independent of the other rippers, and each ripper is stowable away from the ground independent of the other rippers. At least one scraping blade is disposed behind the rippers for smoothing soil.
US08657016B2
A flow control device comprises a fluid pathway configured to provide fluid communication between an exterior of a wellbore tubular and an interior of the wellbore tubular, a flow restriction disposed in a fluid pathway, a flow blockage disposed in the fluid pathway, and a retaining member configured to maintain the flow blockage within the fluid pathway and allow access to the flow blockage within the fluid pathway. The flow blockage substantially prevents a fluid flow through the fluid pathway.
US08657008B2
A process for disrupting filter cake in an underground formation, which process comprises: (i) incorporating into a treatment fluid a solid polymer capable of being converted by hydrolysis into one or more organic acids; (ii) introducing the treatment fluid into the underground formation; and (iii) allowing the solid polymer to hydrolyse in the presence of water to produce organic acid such that acid soluble material within the filter cake or adjacent formation is dissolved.
US08657007B1
A hydraulic jar for delivering impacts downhole. The jarring mechanism includes a cup-type piston that moves through a seal bore. The cup is deformable in response to fluid pressure so that it expands each time it moves through the seal bore to compensate for wear on the lip. Since only minimum interference is required between the piston and seal bore, less material may be used. This reduces the force required to reset the tool, which is particularly advantageous in horizontal wells. The seal bore may be slightly wider at the exit; the cup expands to this exit diameter, ensuring an interference fit as the cup travels back through the smaller diameter entry section. The entry end of the seal bore may include longitudinal grooves. This prevents the piston cup from rupturing by preventing a fluid seal around the lip until the most of cup is inside the seal bore.
US08657006B2
A method of severing a well string that extends into an oil well from an oil platform with a deck includes supporting upper and lower sections of the well string, the lower section supported at the platform deck with a deck located string support. A shear mechanism cuts the well string at a position that can be above the deck located string support. The upper section is then lifted a selected distance and the deck located string support again supports the string at a position below the cut.
US08657001B2
An apparatus comprises a support member operable to be disposed within a tubular member that includes a threaded connection with a pin member. The tubular member is coupled to an expansion device that is operable to radially expand the tubular member and a pin catcher that is operable to engage the pin member as the expansion device and pin catcher move axially through the tubular member.
US08656993B2
A technique for improving the capability of measuring gas losses at the rig surface area uses a predetermined quantity of a preselected gas injected into the drilling fluid used in the drilling rig, which is then detected and compared to measure the gas loss. Various embodiments may use special-purpose gases. Other embodiments may use air or components of air, such as nitrogen or oxygen, as the gas to be detected and measured.
US08656992B2
The invention relates to treating of subterranean formations to increase the susceptibility (by way of chemical break down or solubilization, but not necessarily limited by these or any other theories) of large carbonaceous molecules therein, such as comprise coal, to bioconversion into methane and other useful hydrocarbon products by indigenous and/or non-indigenous microbial consortia, by introducing into the subterranean formations: (a) a solution containing at least one of an oxoacid ester of phosphorus or a thioacid ester of phosphorus; and (b) one or more other chemical compounds/chemical entities selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, carboxylic acids, esters of carboxylic acids, salts of carboxylic acids, oxoacids of phosphorus, salts of oxoacids of phosphorus, vitamins, minerals, mineral salts, metals, and yeast extracts. In an additional embodiment the treating of the subterranean formation further comprises introducing into the subterranean formation a microbial consortia (preferably comprised of methanogens).
US08656987B2
A process for making heat exchanger tubes includes the operating steps of cutting a piece of sheet, subjecting the piece of sheet (3) to a forming step to obtain a plurality of first elements (8, 9) which mirror one another, and bending the piece of sheet (3) to create a tubular element (1) which has two flat walls (4) with the raised elements (8, 9) on them, the flat walls being opposite one another and joined by two connecting walls (5). The first raised elements (8) have an extended shape according to their main direction of extension. The forming step involves making one or more higher second raised elements (9).
US08656977B2
Provided is an assembly system for assembling a double-side adhesive onto an electronic device. The assembly system includes a supporting portion and a pushing portion. The supporting portion includes a supporting surface. The supporting surface defines a cavity for receiving the electronic device. The pushing portion is supported on the supporting surface, and includes a pushing surface opposite to the supporting surface. A projection perpendicularly extends downward from the pushing surface. An elastic member is positioned on the projection. The distance between the supporting surface and the pushing surface equals to an elastic deformation value of the elastic member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface.
US08656973B2
A pneumatic tire is provided which includes a polymer sheet for an inner liner composed of a polymer composition including: a polymer component containing more than or equal to 5% by mass and less than or equal to 40% by mass of a styrene-isobutylene-styrene triblock copolymer and more than or equal to 60% by mass and less than or equal to 95% by mass of a rubber component of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, isoprene rubber, and butyl rubber; and more than or equal to 0.1 part by mass and less than or equal to 5 parts by mass of sulfur with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polymer component. The pneumatic tire has sufficient tackiness before vulcanization and vulcanization adhesiveness between the inner liner and a member adjacent thereto, and exhibits excellent air permeation resistance.
US08656966B2
A yard waste bag device is provided having a rectangularly tubular structure with rounded lower edges, adapted to maintain a bag opening while loading contents therein. The device comprises two open ends, a hollow interior and rotating corners adapted to allow a condensed, folded configuration for storage. A user may slide this assisting device into a yard waste bag in order to maintain the bag opening, whether in a vertical or horizontal position. Once the yard waste bag is full, the assisting device may be removed and stored. There is a designated marker within the device to identify the fill mark for the bag to prevent overfilling. A handle may be provided in the top edges of the device to facilitate removal of the device once the bag has been filled. The lower edges of the device are rounded to facilitate smooth entry into a yard waste bag.
US08656959B2
A hydraulic accumulator includes a housing with a pair of ends, a piston slidably disposed in the interior of the housing, and a biasing member that urges the piston towards one end of the housing. The accumulator further includes a fluid flow control device in communication with a fluid chamber defined by a face of the piston and the interior surface of the housing. The desired amount of fluid entering and exiting the fluid chamber is controlled by the fluid flow control device according to the desired pressure within the fluid chamber as determined by a pressure sensor which is also in communication with the fluid chamber.
US08656935B2
In a thin plate member washing apparatus, when a rotary arm member supporting a mesh member holding portion is rotated using a rotary handle, tap water flows over the surface of a mesh member, and medicinal fluid residue deposited on the mesh member is removed.
US08656926B2
A device and method for relieving head, neck, facial, joint and tooth pain. An intra-oral device, worn over the upper or lower incisors, allows at least one opposite tooth to contact the rear wall of the device, only within the user's freeway space, and prevents upper and lower posterior teeth from contacting. The device facilitates deprogramming and releasing of the upper and lower jaw muscles. The device includes an extruded or molded shell made of a hard polycarbonate or similar hard plastic material. The internal surface of the shell may be secured in place for the user or lined with a low molding temperature thermoplastic resin, allowing the user to mold the internal aspect of the device onto and over the teeth to produce a fitted device. This relieves the stresses, strains, pains and damage that can be caused by parafunctioning of the dental neural-muscular system.
US08656918B1
A method, system, and tool for fitting a compression stabilized prosthetic socket for a patient having an amputated limb and a remaining portion that includes a first socket portion for contacting a patient's remaining portion of a limb, and a second socket portion for attachment of a prosthetic device. The first socket portion has compression portions having a radius for compressing portions of the patient's remaining portion of a limb, and relief portions receiving any portions of the patient's remaining limb which bulge upon the compression applied by the compression portions. The relief portions may be formed as openings or as enlarged radius portions. The fitting method, system, and tool can include use of a mechanism to compress bar surfaces against the limb in areas selected to receive compression portions in order to prepare an image for creating the first socket portion.
US08656916B2
A convenient and highly accurate intravaginal device with wireless sensors for monitoring fertility and sexual health of humans and animals is proposed. Sensors in the intravaginal device measure fertility and sexual health and via wireless transmitter send this information to a terminal on which the information is processed and displayed in convenient form.
US08656907B2
A solar power plant includes central receiver modules arranged in a regular pattern. Each central receiver module includes a tower, a central receiver mounted on the tower, and a heliostat array bounded by a polygon. The heliostat array includes heliostats with mirrors for reflecting sunlight to the central receiver. The heliostats are grouped in linear rows and each of the rows is parallel to another row. The locations of the heliostats are staggered between adjacent rows. The power plant also includes a power block for aggregating power from the central receivers and power conduits for transferring power from the central receivers to the power block.
US08656898B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling a glow plug to a target value of the surface temperature while the engine is running. An effective voltage is generated by pulse width modulation of a vehicle electrical system voltage. This effective voltage is applied to the glow plug. The electric resistance of the glow plug is measured and compared to a resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature. The effective voltage is varied as a function of the deviation of the measured value of the electric resistance from the expected value of the electric resistance. A pressure sensor of the glow plug is used to measure the combustion chamber pressure. The resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature is determined as a function of the combustion chamber pressure.
US08656888B2
A method and apparatus for controlling an air input in a rotary engine, including selectively controlling inlet ports communicating with an internal combustion cavity of the engine, the ports located serially downstream of the exhaust port. The inlet ports are controlled to alter air intake at various engine operational stages, such as start up, idle, etc., to allow for varying operational requirements to be met. For example: when a power demand on the engine is lower than a predetermined threshold, control may be effected by opening a primary inlet port and closing a secondary inlet port; and, when the power demand exceeds the predetermined threshold, control may be effected by opening the primary inlet port and opening the secondary inlet port, the secondary inlet port being in communication with the exhaust port throughout portions of the engine revolution to purge exhaust gases.
US08656885B2
An engine for a vehicle can include an oil pan coupled to a lower portion of a crankcase, and a partition wall configured to partition a crank chamber in the crankcase and the oil pan. The partition wall can be disposed on the crankcase, and can include openings configured to return oil from a crank chamber side to an oil pan side. Bridges are configured to suppress back flow of the oil from the oil pan side to the crank chamber side. The bridges can be fixedly disposed below the openings so as to cover at least part of the openings from below.
US08656876B2
A primary resilient member urges a primary limiting member into a recess in an inserting direction in a state where a rotational phase is a limited phase in a limited phase range. A relative slide gap is radially provided between the primary limiting member and a secondary limiting member at a location adjacent to a working chamber. First and second primary slide gaps are radially provided between the primary limiting member and radially opposed wall surface sections of the receiving hole. A secondary slide gap is radially provided between the secondary limiting member and a radially opposed wall surface section of the receiving hole. The relative slide gap is larger than the first and second primary slide gaps and the secondary slide gap.
US08656873B2
An oil control valve assembly for an engine is provided that has a control valve with a valve body, and a manifold that defines a control passage in fluid communication with a valve lift switching component and an exhaust passage for exhausting fluid from the valve. The control valve is controllable to selectively direct fluid from a supply source to the control passage to actuate the valve lift switching component. An elongated tubular member is positioned adjacent the engine component and is operatively connected to the exhaust passage such that fluid flows from the exhaust passage to the elongated tubular member and through the elongated tubular member onto the engine component.
US08656853B2
A dome assembly comprises an upper hemispherical window having a first end surface with an upper ring assembly sealingly connected to the upper hemispherical window at or near the first end surface and a lower hemispherical window having a second end surface with a lower ring assembly sealingly connected to the lower hemispherical window at or near the second end surface. The dome assembly further comprises a spider retainer assembly comprising a spider ring assembly and one or more saddle arms having a first end and a second end with each saddle arm fixedly attached to the spider ring assembly at a first end and fixedly attached to one or more of the upper ring assembly and the lower ring assembly at a second end.
US08656842B1
A wall mounted portable desk where a first shelf and a second shelf are supported by hanging straps. The straps are hung on a wall by hooks and attached D rings. The straps are inserted through and folded over the rings creating a pair of front and rear straps. Each shelf has loop type fastening strips extending from each corner. The hanging straps each have one surface covered with hook type fastening material. The front shelf strips attach to the attach to the hook fastener side of the front folded hanging straps. The rear shelf strips attach to the rear hook fastening side of the rear hanging straps. The front folded hanging straps proceed to the underside of the first shelf and a slide into a support ring and then proceed down to the front edge of the second shelf and finally under the second shelf and onto the hook portion of the rear folded hanging strap.
US08656839B2
A railcar bogie includes: a cross beam configured to support a carbody; a pair of front and rear axles respectively provided on front and rear sides of the cross beam so as to extend along a crosswise direction; bearings respectively provided on both crosswise-direction sides of each of the axles and configured to rotatably support the axles; bearing accommodating portions configured to respectively accommodate the bearings; and plate springs extending in a front-rear direction so as to be respectively supported by both crosswise-direction end portions of the cross beam, end portions of each of the plate springs being respectively supported by the bearing accommodating portions. Each of the bearing accommodating portions includes: a case portion configured to accommodate the bearing; and supporting portions configured to support the plate springs. The plate springs are supported by the supporting portions on a center side of the axle in the front-rear direction.
US08656835B2
A printing device for printing on a printable media. The printing device comprises a rotating component (1), a gripper mechanically coupled to the rotating component (1) and configured for loading and unloading the printable media to and from the rotating component (1), an actuating element (5) configured for actuating the gripper, the actuation resulting in a disturbance to the rotation of the rotating component (1), and a compensating element (6) shaped such as to reduce the disturbance by applying a compensating mechanical force to the rotating component (1) during the rotation of the rotating component (1).
US08656826B2
Systems and methods for an improved espresso coffee machine are described. In one aspect, the improved espresso coffee machine includes one or more operating units, each of which at least includes a boiler, a pump, a heating unit, and a unit for aroma extraction and dispensing of the espresso coffee brew, including related conduits. Each unit is equipped with a system for controlling and adjusting the espresso coffee brewing parameters.
US08656823B2
A shock absorber system for use with a vehicle having a shield to reduce the effects of a shock event.
US08656820B1
An automatic weapon system that closely controls the operation of a weapon, such as a cam rotor gun. The system has, among other things, an actuator for firing ammunition, a feeder for supplying ammunition to be fired, and a counter for determining the amount of fired ammunition. An actuator sensor is in communication with the actuator and a counter sensor is in communication with the counter. A controller is in communication with the actuator sensor, the counter sensor and the feeder to control the operation of the weapon.
US08656810B2
Disclosed is a wave-type linear motion mechanism including a hydraulic pressure chamber for applying a retention force in the axial direction to a rigid screw member which moves in a linear fashion. Regulating valves are provided in the hydraulic pressure chamber, and these regulating valves open during the rotation of a wave generator so that no hydraulic pressure is exerted on the rigid screw member which moves in a linear fashion. During the rotation of the wave generator the regulating valves close to establish an airtight state in the hydraulic pressure chamber, and a hydraulic pressure is exerted as a retention force on the rigid screw member. Although restricted by the meshing strength between the rigid screw member and a flexible screw member and the buckling strength of the flexible screw member, the retention force of the wave-type linear motion mechanism is able to be increased.
US08656808B2
A transmission system for either a manual shift transmission, an automatic transmission or an automated transmission in which the electrical connections and the pneumatic connections including any ventilation port, for the internal components of the transmission are combined with one another so as to exit the transmission housing via a single unified connection formed in the housing wall of the transmission.
US08656797B2
A spindle drive has a first load path formed by a first nut which meshes with a threaded bolt and a second load path formed by a second nut which also meshes with the threaded bolt and is arranged to be movable relative to the first nut in an axial direction of the threaded bolt in at least one state of the spindle drive. A sensor unit detects relative movement between the first and second nuts.
US08656784B2
An enclosed, flat covered leadless pressure sensor assembly suitable for extreme environment operation including dynamic, ultra-high temperature heating, light and heat flash, and high-speed, flow-related environments. The pressure sensor assembly comprises a substrate comprising a micromachined sensing diaphragm defined on a first side. A cover is attached to the first side of the substrate such that it covers at least the sensing diaphragm. The top surface of the cover is substantially flat, thereby promoting uniformity in the distribution of stress and thermal effects across a top surface of the cover.
US08656781B2
A system and method for compensating ultrasonic sensors mounted on a vehicle for speed of sound variations. The ultrasonic sensor is operatively coupled to a power train control module having a pressure sensor that continuously monitors atmospheric pressure and a controller configured for computing a compensated speed of sound using the monitored atmospheric pressure. The ultrasonic sensor sends an ultrasonic wave and determines the time lag in receiving the reflected ultrasonic wave from an object. Subsequently, the ultrasonic sensor generates a signal corresponding to the relative distance between the vehicle and the object using the compensated speed of sound and the time lag.
US08656780B2
Disclosed are methods for diagnosing poor performance of natural gas meter stations which utilize tube bundle flow conditioners upstream of orifice plates and methods for retrofitting the natural gas meter stations to improve accuracy of orifice measurements. Diagnostic methods include making measurements of decibels of sound upstream and downstream of the orifice plate, detecting intermittent sounds from a check valve downstream of the orifice plate, and visually inspecting the internal surface of the meter tube downstream of the orifice plate. Accuracy of orifice measurements is improved by replacing a tube bundle flow conditioner with a one-piece plate flow conditioner.
US08656774B2
A method of determining if phase separation into an upper layer of a first fluid and a lower layer of a first fluid has occurred in a tank containing a first fluid, the method including determining a first density of the first fluid adjacent a top surface of the first fluid, determining a second density of the first fluid adjacent a bottom of the tank, and comparing the first density of the first fluid to the second density of the first fluid to determine if the first fluid has separated into the upper layer of the first fluid and the lower layer of the first fluid separated by a phase separation boundary.
US08656771B2
A device and method for measuring the thickness of a cloth when the predetermined pressing force is applied to the cloth. A device for measuring a cloth thickness includes a stationary part having a base surface; a movable member having a pressing end to press a cloth against the base surface; a movable member driving mechanism to move the movable member linearly without rotating around itself from an initial position up to an over-pressing position where the pressing end presses the cloth against the base surface with a force exceeding the predetermined pressing force; a load cell for detecting a force with which the pressing end presses the cloth against the base surface; and a pulse coder for detecting the space between the base surface and the pressing end when a force value detected by the load cell reaches the predetermined pressing force.
US08656768B2
A method for detecting a tire having decreased air pressure based on wheel rotation information obtained from the tire attached to a vehicle in which there is a predetermined difference between front and rear wheel loads. The method includes the steps of acquiring wheel rotation information obtained from the tire, storing the wheel rotation information, acquiring a load sensitivity of a tire dynamic loaded radius due to load shift during turning, acquiring speed dependency of the load sensitivity, comparing load sensitivity of the tire dynamic loaded radius at a speed acquired based on the speed dependency with preliminarily stored load sensitivities of dynamic loaded radiuses of various tires, estimating decreased pressure sensitivity of the tire dynamic loaded radius based on a result of the comparison, and determining that the tire has a decreased air pressure based on a result of the estimation.
US08656767B2
A tire work station and system for selectively holding a tire having work performed thereon in a side orientation or a front orientation. The tire work station comprises a work platform mounted to a vertically adjustable pedestal having a first support system and a second support system. The first support system comprising a pair of tread rollers inclined at a first inclined angle A1 and further forming a second angle A2 with a pair of sidewall rollers. The sidewall rollers spaced apart to define a passageway for the tire in its front orientation. The second support system mounted between the pair of tread rollers, comprising a tread support surface at a first distance from a top surface of the work platform lower than a support surface of the pair of tread rollers at a second distance from the top surface of the work platform.
US08656752B2
A body section having a main channel through which a fluid to be measured flows and sections for shunting the fluid to be measured from the main channel, and a fluid measuring section provided removably from the body section and measuring the flow rate of the fluid to be measured flowing through the main channel based on the detection results of the fluid to be measured introduced from the shunting section. The fluid measuring section is fixed to the body section and shunt ratio data, i.e. the adjustment data about measurement processing inherent to the constitution of the body section, is registered in the fluid measuring section before adjusting measurement processing.
US08656738B2
A scoreless separation device and method are described herein for separating a glass sheet without needing to score the glass sheet. In one embodiment, the device shears a stationary glass sheet without needing to score the glass sheet. In another embodiment, the device shears a moving glass sheet to remove outer edges from the moving glass sheet without needing to score the moving glass sheet.
US08656737B2
After a glass film ribbon is formed while allowing a glass to descend, the glass film ribbon is annealed while allowing the glass film ribbon to descend in an annealer to remove an internal strain. Then, when the glass film ribbon having a thickness at a center portion excluding both widthwise ends of 300 μm or less is cut, after processing in the annealer is executed and before a cutting step is executed, main tensile rollers that play a role as principal tensile rollers hold the descending glass film ribbon and are driven to rotate, to thereby provide at least the glass film ribbon in the annealer with tension in a vertical direction.
US08656731B2
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a main body defining a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, a door selectively closing the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, respectively, a plurality of receiving members spaced apart vertically from each other in the refrigerator compartment, and a dispenser between upper and lower spaces of the receiving members, the dispenser supplying drinking water.
US08656725B2
A thermal generator (1) comprises at least one thermal flow generation unit (2) that is provided with at least one thermal module (3) each containing a magnetocaloric member (4) through which a coolant flows. A magnetic arrangement (9) is actuated for alternatively subjecting each magnetocaloric member (4) to a variation in magnetic field, the alternating movement of the coolant is synchronized with the magnetic field variation, the magnetocaloric member (4) is integrated into a closed flow circuit (6) that connects the two opposite ends (7) of the magnetocaloric member (4), and the closed circuit includes a single element (5) for moving the coolant through the magnetocaloric member (4).
US08656721B2
This invention provides a gas turbine combustor including: a main burner at a head portion of a combustor cylinder; and a pre-mixing type supplemental burner at a downstream portion of the combustor cylinder and extending through a circumferential wall thereof. The supplemental burner includes: an introducing passage configured to deflect a part of the compressed air radially inward, the compressed air flowing from an air passage between the circumferential wall of the combustor cylinder and a housing surrounding the circumferential wall toward the head portion of the combustor cylinder, and introduce the compressed air into the combustor cylinder; and a fuel nozzle configured to supply the fuel from fuel injection holes to the compressed air introduced into the introducing passage to produce a pre-mixed gas in the introducing passage.
US08656719B2
A thermal power plant includes a boiler for burning fossil fuel to generate steam, a steam turbine including a high-pressure turbine, an intermediate-pressure turbine, and a low-pressure turbine which are driven by steam generated in the boiler, an absorber for absorbing and capturing CO2 contained in boiler exhaust gas discharged from the boiler in an absorbing liquid, a desorber for circulating the absorbing liquid between the desorber and the absorber and separating CO2 from the absorbing liquid that has absorbed CO2, a reboiler for feeding a heating source for separating CO2 from the absorbing liquid to the desorber, a steam pipe system for feeding steam taken out from the high-pressure turbine and the intermediate-pressure turbine to the reboiler, and a steam feed source switching device.
US08656716B2
A pneumatic actuator includes, but is not limited to a pressurized gas source, a cylinder, and a piston which is moveable between a rest position and an extended position. Together with the cylinder, the piston borders a first working chamber which is connected with the pressurized gas source via a first inlet opening and which can be pressurized with a first portion of the pressurized gas of the pressurized gas source for moving the piston out of the rest position, and a second working chamber which is connected with the pressurized gas source via a second inlet opening for moving the piston into the rest position and which can be pressurized in a delayed manner with a second portion of the pressurized gas.
US08656710B2
Some embodiments provide a waste heat recovery apparatus including an exhaust tube having a cylindrical outer shell configured to contain a flow of exhaust fluid; a first heat exchanger extending through a first region of the exhaust tube, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cylindrical outer shell; a second region of the exhaust tube extending through the exhaust tube, the second region having a low exhaust fluid pressure drop; an exhaust valve operatively disposed within the second region and configured to allow exhaust fluid to flow through the second region only when a flow rate of the exhaust fluid becomes great enough to result in back pressure beyond an allowable limit; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with an outer surface of the outer shell.
US08656706B2
In an internal combustion engine, inside of an engine exhaust passage, a hydrocarbon feed valve (15) and an exhaust purification catalyst (13) are arranged. On the exhaust purification catalyst (13), platinum Pt (51) is carried and a basic layer (53) is formed. At the time of engine operation, a main concentration changing action in which the concentration of hydrocarbons which flow into the exhaust purification catalyst (13) is made to change by a predetermined amplitude (ΔHA) and predetermined period (ΔTA) is performed. Furthermore, before each main concentration changing action, an auxiliary concentration changing action in which the concentration of hydrocarbons is made to change by an amplitude (ΔHB) smaller than the amplitude (ΔHA) at the time of each main concentration changing action is performed.
US08656703B2
The present invention provides an exhaust purification device for an engine, comprising: an ammonia supply system including an ammonia supply injector for supplying ammonia to a combustion chamber and a control unit for controlling the ammonia supply injector, and a NOx purification system provided in an exhaust passage and including a Selective Catalytic Reduction catalyst being able to fulfill a function for purifying NOx under the presence of the ammonia.
US08656688B2
A capper used for a great variety of containers and comprising a container carrier, which is adapted to be driven by a capper drive motor for transporting the containers on a lower part, and an upper part, which carries at least one closing element and which is also adapted to be driven by the capper drive motor, the upper part being vertically adjustable relative to the lower part at least for adaptation to different container heights, and where the upper part is vertically adjusted by the capper drive motor, and that a clutch system is provided, which is adapted to be selectively switched between a drive function and an upper-part height adjustment function.
US08656686B2
An improved net cutting assembly that may be used with an agricultural baler net wrapping system. More particularly, an up-cut net knife for improved cutting of wrapping material (e.g., a net) used to wrap bales of crop material in an agricultural baler. The up-cut net knife assembly improves net cutting performance by providing an up-cut net knife that moves in the same direction as the net whereby the motion of the net helps the knife get into the cut position. Further, embodiments of the up-cut knife assembly move the up-cut knife cutting edge at substantially the same speed and in the same direction as the net to be cut. This motion of the up-cut knife allows the up-cut knife to be lifted up into the net motion using a driver and then to continue on with no relative motion—or at least minimal relative motion of the knife to the net—until the knife gets into the cut position. In the cut position, the knife stops and the net is pulled against the knife blade resulting in cutting the net.
US08656683B2
A shutter 20 including an outer sheet 50 and a non-combustible insulating panel 51. The panel 51 is positioned between the outer sheet 50 and a frame 52. The outer sheet 50 overlies a broad face of the panel 51 and the frame 52 is attached adjacent to a second broad face of the panel 51 opposite the first broad face. The outer sheet 50 has a melting point of greater than or equal to about 840° C. The panel 51 is operable to retard heat transmission from the first face to the second face so that when the first face is exposed to a temperature of 730° C. for a period of 15 minutes, the temperature of the second face does not exceed 250° C. Each of the outer sheet 50 and the panel 51 are secured to the frame 52 and the frame is substantially resistant to distortion of up to a temperature of about 250° C.
US08656682B2
There is disclosed a method of laying a floor covering (14) on a floor (12). The method comprises the step of painting the floor to be covered (10) with a floor paint comprising ferromagnetic particles, and placing a magnetic floor covering (14) thereon.
US08656675B2
The invention is directed to a composite foam material that is alkaline and heat resistance. The composite foam material comprises a foam layer that having a film layer attached thereto and in which at least one of the film or foam layers includes a carbon free radical scavenger agent that is dispersed therein. The carbon free radical scavengers neutralize free radicals that are generated in the polymeric material (e.g., film or foam layer) and help prevent the degradation of the foam composite material. In particular, foam composite materials in accordance with the present invention can be used in underlayment applications in which exposure to heat can degrade the underlayment. As a result, the durability and useful life of the composite sheet material can be extended. In some embodiments of the present invention provides a floor underlayment material that overcomes many of the problems discussed above.
US08656674B1
A magnetic tile with a magnetic backing to enable attachment of magnetic objects to the tiles comprises an outer surface providing an aesthetic covering. A rear surface of the tile comprises an integral lattice constructed of a ferromagnetic material. The lattice provides a magnetic field allowing a magnetic object to be secured to the outer surface of the tile.
US08656666B2
The invention relates to a clamping holder as well as to a pane assembly comprising such a clamping holder and to a method for producing such a pane assembly. Pane assemblies, which are injection molded on the edge side by a frame section, are known in the state of the art. In response to the production of the pane assembly, a retaining strip, which is embedded into the frame section through this after the injection molding process, is furthermore inserted into the injection molding tool. A retaining clamp, by means of which trim can be attached to the pane assembly in a clamping manner, must be attached to the retaining strip after the completion of the pane assembly. To avoid the requirement of subsequently attaching a retaining clamp, provision is made for a clamping holder comprising a connecting section and a clamp section, which is embodied such that connecting section and clamp section can together be inserted into an injection molding tool.
US08656665B2
The invention concerns a multi-layered heat insulating window panel for constructing wall and/or roof surfaces of a greenhouse, comprising:a frame structure, a first pane (12), particularly a customary glass pane which has an edge that is framed and attached in the frame structure and which is kept in position by the frame structure, and a supplementary pane, for example, deep drawn from plastic material, a supplementary pane on at least one surface of the first glass pane, forming a double-glazing arrangement, wherein the supplementary pane has a tray-like shape and the circumferential edge region is glued hermetically to the first pane and wherein the cavity is evacuated and in the interior the supplementary pane is supported by means of a number of supporting elements in order to prevent the pane from collapsing because of the external atmospheric pressure.
US08656663B2
A cover structure for an outdoor casing includes a top cover and an inner cover-brow. A side wall is formed on the periphery of the top cover. The inner cover-brow has a first brow plate and a second brow plate. An inclined plate interconnects the first brow plate and the second brow plate. The inclined plate has a plurality of through holes. The second brow plate is connected to the side wall. The interior included angle of the first brow plate and the inclined plate is an acute angle. The cover structure not only helps the outdoor casing to ventilate and dissipate heat, but also enhances the outdoor casing's water repellency.
US08656661B2
A connecting device for photovoltaic-capable insulating glass comprises at least one retaining device laterally attached to the photovoltaic-capable insulating glass. In its installed state, the retaining device is open on at least one side which faces the intermediate space so that at least one ribbon is insertable into a clamping device inserted in the retaining device, and wherein the ribbon establishes an electrical contact for a photovoltaic device accommodated in the at least one intermediate space, and wherein the clamping device is provided with an electrical supply line such that the clamping device establishes an electrical clamping contact between the at least one ribbon and the electrical supply line.
US08656657B2
The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic roofing products for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. One aspect of the invention is a photovoltaic roofing element including a roofing substrate; a photovoltaic element disposed on the roofing substrate; an electrical connector operatively connected to the photovoltaic element, the electrical connector having a top side, a down-roof side and an electrical terminus; and a shield disposed adjacent the electrical terminus of the electrical connector on its down-roof side, its top side, or both.
US08656645B1
An access panel for an opening in a duct is provided. The access panel includes an exterior and an interior. The access panel further includes a section positioned on the interior and having a profile substantially corresponding to the opening in the duct. A plurality of fasteners is positioned about the section. Each fastener has a clip configured to move to a position defined to extend away from the profile of the section on the interior. When the access panel is positioned with the section on the interior against the opening in the duct and as the fasteners are moved to the locking position the clips rotate to extend over and to secure the duct edge adjacent to the opening to the interior of the access panel.
US08656643B2
A combined seal activation system positioned within a panel for use with a combination of the panel and a frame includes a first seal activation system and a second seal activation system. The panel pivots relative to the frame. The first seal activation system activates a first sealing system positioned within the frame, and the second seal activation system activates a second sealing system positioned within the frame. The first seal activation system is positioned adjacent a first side of the panel, and the second seal activation system is positioned adjacent a second side of the panel different than the first side of the panel. The first and second seal activation systems having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.
US08656642B2
Disclosed is a door assembly comprising a custom-built doorframe housing a main door which carries an integrally mounted, rectangularly-shaped leaf door. The trailing edge of the main door rotates about a vertical axis which is parallel to, and proximate the inner rear surface of the doorframe. The leaf door is rotatably attached, by a spring mechanism, to a cutout excised from the leading edge of the main door. As the main door rotates about its vertical axis, the leaf door is restrained, by tension of the spring mechanism, from closing with full force upon human fingers or any other object that may be proximate the door jamb, or inner doorframe area. The pivoting, or trailing edge of the main door may be abutted against elastomeric material affixed to the inner rear surface of the doorframe, thereby preventing the insertion of fingers into what otherwise would be a hazardous gap.
US08656637B2
A cold frame is formed with lateral wall elements containing transparent hollow chamber panels, and supports which are provided with lateral flanges. The lateral wall elements include lateral edge areas provided with through-passages and formed by the hollow chamber panels thereof, and rest against the flanges of the supports. The lateral wall elements are connected to the supports by clamping devices. The clamping devices include clamping elements which rest against the inner sides of the hollow cavity panels forming the edge areas of the lateral wall elements and are clamped between the hollow cavity panels and the tops of positioning bars belonging to the clamping devices. The bars protrude from the through-passages of the hollow chamber panels and they are rigidly connected to the flanges of the supports.
US08656634B2
A sinker or float that releasably clamps around a line, such as a fishing line, including two members shaped to define a channel for the line when in a closed position. A locking means is provided to releasably lock the two members in the closed position. Each of the members has at least a portion of high or low density material to provide a sinking or floating effect. A jacket may be provided that retains the high or low density material therein. The jacket may also include a hinge portion such that the two members can be hingedly opened and closed.
US08656629B2
A range finder includes housing, circuitry, a lens, a display, and a plurality of threaded apertures. The housing has a front end, a rear end, and a bottom portion extending between the front end and the rear end. The range finder circuitry is located within the housing. The lens is located at the front end of the housing. The display is located at the rear end of the housing. The plurality of threaded apertures are located in the bottom portion of the housing.
