US08659230B2
An illumination control system includes: illumination apparatuses having respective addresses and perform a dimming control in response to a dimming signal inputted from an outside, and an illumination control terminal which has an imaging device, a capturing range of which is set to include illumination ranges of the illumination apparatuses. The illumination control terminal segments an image captured by the imaging device into a plurality of areas so that the areas correspond to the illumination ranges, detects a person based on the captured image, determines a segmented area in which the person is present if the person has been detected and performs dimming control on an illumination apparatus corresponding to the determined segmented area.
US08659223B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the OLED display includes i) a display substrate, ii) an OLED array, iii) an encapsulation substrate arranged opposite to the display substrate with respect to the OLED array, iv) a sealing member configured to seal the display substrate and the encapsulation substrate and v) a filler applied in a space formed between the display substrate and the encapsulation substrate. In one embodiment, the height of the filler is more than about 1.2 times the height of the OLED array.
US08659218B2
An organic light emitting display device that can prevent distortion of an image transmitted therethrough by preventing light scattering. The organic light emitting display device includes a substrate in which a plurality of transmitting regions and a plurality of pixel regions are defined. The plurality of pixel regions are spaced apart from each other by the transmitting regions. A passivation layer is formed in all the plurality of transmitting regions and the plurality of pixel regions. A first aperture is formed in a location on the passivation layer, which corresponds to an at least part of the plurality of transmitting regions; a plurality of pixel electrodes that are formed on the passivation layer and are disposed to overlap and cover the thin film transistors. An opposite electrode formed to face the plurality of pixel electrodes and to allow light to pass therethrough. An organic emission layer is interposed between the plurality of pixel electrodes and the opposite electrode to emit light.
US08659209B2
A multistage flextensional transducer includes at least one inner elongate driver member within and mechanically coupled to an inner shell that is nested within an outer shell; the inner shell comprising a pair of contact portions abutting the driver member and a pair of transmission portions on opposite sides of the inner shell between the contact portions; the outer shell being arranged so that the transmission portions act as bridging driver members between the said inner and outer shells, flexure of the outer shell being driven, on actuation of the transducer, by movement of the bridging driver members. The transducer may act as a push or pull actuator or sensor, may magnify displacement and may employ smart materials as driver members. Also cylindrical modules containing thin flextensional actuators may provide axial displacement in a downhole environment and may move a device axially along a downhole pipe or close a valve opening or inch along the pipe.
US08659204B2
A stator includes a stator core, slots, coils, an interphase insulation sheet, and wedges. The interphase insulation sheet is provided between coil ends of adjacent coils having different phases among the coils. The interphase insulation sheet includes a first sheet body portion, a second sheet body portion, and a first bridge portion. The first and second sheet body portions respectively have first and second retaining pieces. The first retaining piece projects from the first sheet body portion toward the second sheet body portion in the developed state of the interphase insulation sheet. The second retaining piece projects from the second sheet body portion toward the first sheet body portion in the developed state of the interphase insulation sheet. The first and second retaining pieces are retained by projecting portions of the wedges.
US08659194B2
A motor drive apparatus includes a motor; and an ECU. The ECU includes an ECU housing. The ECU housing includes a heat sink having a module receiving portion. The module receiving portion includes a heat-receiving surface and an opening portion open to one-end side of the ECU housing. The ECU further includes a control substrate received by the ECU housing to be perpendicular to the heat-receiving surface and to face the motor; a plurality of semiconductor modules each received in the module receiving portion and connected electrically with the control substrate to control a power supply of the motor. Each of the plurality of semiconductor modules includes a heat-radiating surface at an outer portion thereof. The ECU further includes a module retaining section pressing the heat-radiating surface to the heat-receiving surface to retain each of the plurality of semiconductor modules in the module receiving portion.
US08659192B2
A rotary electrical apparatus includes a housing, a stator including a center axis inclined by a predetermined angle relative to a horizontal direction in a case where the housing is fixed to a mounting member, a rotor, and an oil stored at a lower side within the housing relative to the center axis and functioning as at least one of a cooling oil, a lubricating oil, and an operating oil. The housing includes an oil inlet port and an oil discharge port allowing the oil to be discharged once a predetermined amount of the oil is stored within the housing, the oil discharge port being displaced from a first oil passage on which the oil supplied from the oil inlet port moves downward along an inner peripheral wall surface of the housing in a state where the housing is held so that the center axis is arranged to be horizontal.
US08659188B2
A method for maintaining reliability of a distributed power system including a power converter having input terminals and output terminals. Input power is received at the input terminals. The input power is converted to an output power at the output terminals. A temperature is measured in or in the environment of the power converter. The power conversion of the input power to the output power may be controlled to maximize the input power by setting at the input terminals the input voltage or the input current according to predetermined criteria. One of the predetermined criteria is configured to reduce the input power based on the temperature signal responsive to the temperature. The adjustment of input power reduces the input voltage and/or input current thereby lowering the temperature of the power converter.
US08659186B2
A power conversion system is described. The power conversion system includes a first power converter coupled to an electrical grid at a first point of interconnection (POI), a first processing device coupled to the first power converter and configured to control operation of the first power converter, and a first power measurement device coupled to the first processing device and configured to collect data associated with power output of the first power converter. The power conversion system also includes a first global positioning system (GPS) receiver coupled to the first processing device and configured to receive location information corresponding to a location of the first power converter and temporal information corresponding to a time at the location.
US08659180B2
A marine power generation apparatus is provided for generating power from an ocean current. The apparatus includes a turbine operable to generate power when within an ocean current. The turbine includes a pair of turbine blade assemblies each having a hub, a set of turbine spokes, stays or blades extending radially from the hub; and a circumferential ring extending around and connected to an outer periphery of the set of turbine spokes, stays or blades. The pair of turbine blade assemblies is mounted for same-direction rotation when placed in an ocean current and each being coupled with a common turbine shaft or a turbine shaft assembly. In addition, the turbine shaft is coupled along a shared axis with a rotor or an electrical generator. Means is also provided for anchoring the power generation means relative to a floor of the ocean and in alignment with the ocean current.
US08659178B2
A wind turbine control method for dampening vibrations of a transmission system, even in the presence of voltage dips and in any event that is susceptible to reducing active current generation capacity, is provided. First, for example, an initial torque or power instruction may be calculated based on a turbine operating state. Next, a torque or power adjustment term associated with dampening vibration modes of a turbine transmission system may be calculated. Then, a final torque or power instruction may be calculated by, for example, applying the adjustment term to the initial instruction. Finally, the final torque or power instruction may be transformed into a current instruction for controlling the wind turbine.
US08659175B2
An integrated circuit package system is provided including mounting a first integrated circuit device over a carrier, mounting a second integrated circuit device having an adhesive spacer over the first integrated circuit device in an offset configuration, connecting a first internal interconnect between the carrier and the first integrated circuit device with the first internal interconnect within the adhesive spacer, connecting a second internal interconnect between the carrier and the second integrated circuit device, and encapsulating the first integrated circuit device, the second integrated circuit device, the first internal interconnect and the second internal interconnect.
US08659171B2
Methods of forming microelectronic structures are described. Embodiments of those methods include attaching a patch structure to an interposer by thermal compression bonding, forming an underfill around an array of interconnect structures disposed on a top surface of the interposer, curing the underfill, and then attaching a die to the patch structure.
US08659160B2
A die structure, a manufacturing method and a substrate, wherein the die structure is constituted by a chip on wafer (COW) and the substrate, and the substrate is formed by stacking and then cutting a plurality of thermal and electrical conductive poles and a plurality of insulating material layers. Moreover, the fabricating of the die structure comprises a plurality of COWs carried on a carrier board is bonded on the substrate, the plurality of COWs are in contact with the plurality of thermal and electrical conductive poles on the substrate, and then the carrier board is removed. After that, a phosphor plate is adhered on the plurality of COWs so as to form a stacked structure. Thereafter, the stacked structure is cut, thus forming a plurality of die structures having at least one COW.
US08659151B2
The present invention provides a double-sided electrode package of a structure excellent in the reliability of connection and moisture resistance to another package, which is capable of being manufactured simply and at low cost. The present invention also provides a double-sided electrode package of a structure capable of forming inner wirings (electrode pads) in arbitrary layouts according to the number of pins of a semiconductor chip and the size thereof, which package is capable of being manufactured simply and at low cost. A copper foil is attached onto a core material formed with electrode pads, wirings, through electrodes, lands and a solder resist. The copper foil is wet-etched in several stages to form surface side terminals which stand on the wirings approximately vertically and each of which includes a plurality of protrusions (convex portions continuous in the circumferential direction) formed at their side faces over the full circumference along the circumferential direction. The peripheries of the surface side terminals are sealed with a sealing resin, and the end faces of the surface side terminals are exposed from a sealing resin layer, whereby redistribution wiring is performed at the surface of the sealing resin layer.
US08659142B2
A microelectronic assembly can include a circuit panel having first and second surfaces and panel contacts at each surface, and first and second microelectronic packages having terminals mounted to the panel contacts at the first and second surfaces, respectively. The circuit panel can electrically interconnect terminals of the first package with corresponding terminals of the second package. Each package can include a substrate having first and second surfaces, a microelectronic element, conductive structure extending above a front face of the microelectronic element, and parallel columns of terminals at the second surface. The terminals of each package can include first terminals in a central region of the respective second surface and configured to carry address information usable by circuitry within the package to determine an addressable memory location within the respective microelectronic element. Each central region can have a width within three and one-half times a minimum pitch between adjacent terminals.
US08659140B2
A microelectronic package can include a microelectronic element having a face and a plurality of element contacts thereon, a substrate having first and second surfaces, and terminals on the second surface configured for connecting the package with at least one external component. The substrate can have substrate contacts on the first surface facing the element contacts of the microelectronic element and joined thereto. The terminals can include first terminals arranged at positions within first and second parallel grids. The first terminals of each grid can be configured to carry address information usable by circuitry within the microelectronic package to determine an addressable memory location from among all the available addressable memory locations of a memory storage array within the microelectronic element. The signal assignments of the first terminals in the first grid can be a mirror image of the signal assignments of the first terminals in the second grid.
US08659130B2
A power module includes: a sealing body including a semiconductor element having a plurality of electrode surfaces, a first conductor plate connected to one electrode surface of the semiconductor element via solder, and a sealing material for sealing the semiconductor element and the first conductor plate, the sealing body having at least a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface; and a case for housing the sealing body. The case is configured by a first heat radiation plate opposed to the first surface of the sealing body, a second heat radiation plate opposed to the second surface of the sealing body, and an intermediate member that connects the first heat radiation plate and the second heat radiation plate. The intermediate member has a first thin section having thickness smaller than the thickness of the first heat radiation plate, more easily elastically deformed than the first heat radiation plate, and formed to surround the first heat radiation plate. The sealing body is pressed against and fixed to the second heat radiation plate via the first heat radiation plate by elastic force generated in the first thin section.
US08659126B2
The present disclosure provides an Integrated Circuit (IC) device. The IC device includes a first die that contains an electronic component. The IC device includes second die that contains a ground shielding structure. The IC device includes a layer disposed between the first die and the second die. The layer couples the first die and the second die together. The present disclosure also involves a microelectronic device. The microelectronic device includes a first die that contains a plurality of first interconnect layers. An inductor coil structure is disposed in a subset of the first interconnect layers. The microelectronic device includes a second die that contains a plurality of second interconnect layers. A patterned ground shielding (PGS) structure is disposed in a subset of the second interconnect layers. The microelectronic device includes an underfill layer disposed between the first and second dies. The underfill layer contains one or more microbumps.
US08659125B2
A chipset package structure includes a carrier, a plurality of pinouts, at least one semiconductor package preforms, at least one electromagnetic shielding layer and a protective layer. The pinouts are disposed on the carrier. The semiconductor package preforms is disposed on the second surface of the carrier and electrically connected to the pinouts. The electromagnetic shielding layer is disposed on the semiconductor package preforms and the electromagnetic shielding layer. At least one of the electromagnetic shielding layers comprises a carbon nanotube film structure. The protective layer covers the electromagnetic shielding layer.
US08659121B2
Semiconductor devices with orientation-free decoupling capacitors and methods of manufacture thereof
Semiconductor devices with orientation-free decoupling capacitors and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes at least one integrated circuit and at least one decoupling capacitor. The at least one decoupling capacitor is oriented in a different direction than the at least one integrated circuit is oriented.
US08659114B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a trench formed in an element isolating area of the semiconductor substrate, and a silicon oxide film that is embedded in the trench and contains an alkali metal element or alkali earth metal element.
US08659112B2
A method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) including a core and a non-core PMOS transistor includes forming a non-core gate structure including a gate electrode on a gate dielectric and a core gate structure including a gate electrode on a gate dielectric. The gate dielectric for the non-core gate structure is at least 2 Å of equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) thicker as compared to the gate dielectric for the core gate structure. P-type lightly doped drain (PLDD) implantation including boron establishes source/drain extension regions in the substrate. The PLDD implantation includes selective co-implanting of carbon and nitrogen into the source/drain extension region of the non-core gate structure. Source and drain implantation forms source/drain regions for the non-core and core gate structure, wherein the source/drain regions are distanced from the non-core and core gate structures further than their source/drain extension regions. Source/drain annealing is performed after source and drain implantation.
US08659111B2
A semiconductor device is manufactured by etching a semiconductor substrate including an active region, forming a bit line contact hole from which the active region is protruded, forming a first spacer exposing a top of the active region at each of an inner wall and a bottom of the bit line contact hole, forming a bit line contact plug and a bit line over the exposed active region, and forming a second spacer over the semiconductor substrate including not only the bit line contact plug but also the bit line.
US08659104B2
A field-effect magnetic sensor facilitates highly-sensitive magnetic field detection. In accordance with one or more example embodiments, current flow respectively between first and second source/drain terminals and a third source/drain terminal is controlled using inversion layers in separate channel regions for each of the first and second terminals. In response to a magnetic field, a greater amount of current is passed between the third source/drain terminal and one of the first and second source/drain terminals, relative to an amount of current passed between the third source/drain terminal and the other one of the first and second source/drain terminals.
US08659091B2
Multigate transistor devices and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. In accordance with one method, a fin and a gate structure that is disposed on a plurality of surfaces of the fin are formed. In addition, at least a portion of an extension of the fin is removed to form a recessed portion that is below the gate structure, is below a channel region of the fin, and includes at least one angled indentation. Further, a terminal extension is grown in the at least one angled indentation below the channel region and along a surface of the channel region such that the terminal extension provides a stress on the channel region to enhance charge carrier mobility in the channel region.
US08659089B2
An integrated circuit device and method for manufacturing the integrated circuit device is disclosed. In an example, the method includes providing a substrate; forming a gate structure over the substrate; removing portions of the substrate to form a first recess and a second recess in the substrate, such that the gate structure interposes the first recess and the second recess; forming a nitrogen passivation layer in the substrate, such that the first recess and the second recess are defined by nitrogen passivated surfaces of the substrate; and forming doped source and drain features over the nitrogen passivated surfaces of the first recess and the second recess, the doped source and drain features filling the first and second recesses.
US08659083B2
Transistor devices including stressors are disclosed. One such transistor device includes a channel region, a dielectric layer and a semiconductor substrate. The channel region is configured to provide a conductive channel between a source region and a drain region. In addition, the dielectric layer is below the channel region and is configured to electrically insulate the channel region. Further, the semiconductor substrate, which is below the channel region and below the dielectric layer, includes dislocation defects at a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, where the dislocation defects are collectively oriented to impose a compressive strain on the channel region such that charge carrier mobility is enhanced in the channel region.
US08659078B2
A gate trench 13 is formed in a semiconductor substrate 10. The gate trench 13 is provided with a gate electrode 16 formed over a gate insulating film 14. A portion of the gate electrode 16 protrudes from the semiconductor substrate 10, and a sidewall 24 is formed over a side wall portion of the protruding portion. A body trench 25 is formed in alignment with an adjacent gate electrode 16. A cobalt silicide film 28 is formed over a surface of the gate electrode 16 and over a surface of the body trench 25. A plug 34 is formed using an SAC technique.
US08659073B2
An ESD protection element is disclosed in which LOCOS oxide films are formed at both ends of a gate electrode, and a conductivity type of a diffusion layer formed below one of the LOCOS oxide films which is not located on a drain side is set to a p-type, to thereby limit an amount of a current flowing in a portion below a source-side n-type high concentration diffusion layer, the current being generated due to surface breakdown of a drain. With this structure, even in a case of protecting a high withstanding voltage element, it is possible to maintain an off-state during a steady state, while operating, upon application of a surge or noise to a semiconductor device, so as not to reach a breakage of an internal element, discharging a generated large current, and then returning to the off-state again.
US08659072B2
A device includes a first semiconductor fin, and a second semiconductor fin parallel to the first semiconductor fin. A straight gate electrode is formed over the first and the second semiconductor fins, and forms a first fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) and a second FinFET with the first and the second semiconductor fins, respectively, wherein the first and the second FinFETs are of a same conductivity type. A first electrical connection is formed on a side of the straight gate electrode and coupling a first source/drain of the first FinFET to a first source/drain of the second FinFET, wherein a second source/drain of the first FinFET is not connected to a second source/drain of the second FinFET.
US08659069B2
A method of forming a gate structure includes forming a tunnel insulation layer pattern on a substrate, forming a floating gate on the tunnel insulation layer pattern, forming a dielectric layer pattern on the floating gate, the dielectric layer pattern including a first oxide layer pattern, a nitride layer pattern on the first oxide layer pattern, and a second oxide layer pattern on the nitride layer pattern, the second oxide layer pattern being formed by performing an anisotropic plasma oxidation process on the nitride layer, such that a first portion of the second oxide layer pattern on a top surface of the floating gate has a larger thickness than a second portion of the second oxide layer pattern on a sidewall of the floating gate, and forming a control gate on the second oxide layer.
US08659065B2
A semiconductor device includes a drift layer, a base layer on the drift layer, and trench gate structures. Each trench gate structure includes a trench reaching the drift layer by penetrating the base layer, a gate insulation layer on a wall surface of the trench, and a gate electrode on the gate insulation layer. A bottom portion of the trench gate structure is located in the drift layer and expands in a predetermined direction so that a distance between the bottom portions of adjacent trench gate structures is less than a distance between opening portions of adjacent trench gate structures in the direction. A thickness of the gate insulation layer is greater in the bottom portion than in the opening portion.
US08659063B2
A pin capacitor of a semiconductor device includes a first isolation layer formed in a substrate and defining a dummy active area, a plurality of gates formed over the first isolation layer, a spacer formed at both sidewalls of each of the gates, and a plug formed over the dummy active area and in contact with the spacer. The substrate and the plug are coupled to a ground unit, and the gate is coupled to a pad unit. That is, the pin capacitor includes a first capacitor including the gate, the isolation layer, and the substrate and a second capacitor including the gate, the spacer, and the plug, which are coupled in parallel to each other.
US08659061B2
In one embodiment, a solid-state image capturing element of an embodiment has: a semiconductor substrate; a photodiode formed on the semiconductor substrate; a capacitor formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a first electrode layer, an insulating layer, and a second electrode layer which are stacked in sequence; a transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a floating gate and a control gate; and a first electrode portion electrically connecting the second electrode layer and an n-type diffusion layer or a p-type diffusion layer constituting the photodiode. Further, the first electrode layer of the capacitor is constituted by the floating gate of the transistor, and the second electrode layer of the capacitor and the control gate of the transistor are discontinuous.
US08659060B2
According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor layer including first and second regions, a pixel portion provided in the first region, electrodes provided in the second region and configured to penetrate the semiconductor layer, and a guard ring provided in the second region and configured to penetrate the semiconductor layer and electrically isolate the pixel portion from the electrodes. An upper surface of the semiconductor layer in the second region is lower than an upper surface of the semiconductor layer in the first region.
US08659058B2
Embodiments of the present invention describe a method of forming nickel sulfide layer on a semiconductor device. A nickel sulfide layer is formed on a substrate by alternatingly exposing the substrate to a nickel-containing precursor and a sulfur-containing precursor.
US08659054B2
A semiconductor structure including a p-channel field effect transistor (pFET) device located on a surface of a silicon germanium (SiGe) channel is provided in which the junction profile of the source region and the drain region is abrupt. The abrupt source/drain junctions for pFET devices are provided in this disclosure by forming an N- or C-doped Si layer directly beneath a SiGe channel layer which is located above a Si substrate. A structure is thus provided in which the N- or C-doped Si layer (sandwiched between the SiGe channel layer and the Si substrate) has approximately the same diffusion rate for a p-type dopant as the overlying SiGe channel layer. Since the N- or C-doped Si layer and the overlying SiGe channel layer have substantially the same diffusivity for a p-type dopant and because the N- or C-doped Si layer retards diffusion of the p-type dopant into the underlying Si substrate, abrupt source/drain junctions can be formed.
US08659052B2
A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate in which a diode region and an IGBT region are formed is provided. The diode region includes a first layer embedded in a diode trench reaching a diode drift layer from an upper surface side of the semiconductor substrate, and a second layer which is buried in the first layer and which has a lower end located deeper than a boundary between a diode body layer and the diode drift layer. The second layer pressures the first layer in a direction from inside to outside of the diode trench. A lifetime control region is formed in the diode drift layer at least at the depth of the lower end of the second layer, and a crystal defect density inside the lifetime control region is higher than a crystal defect density outside the lifetime control region.
US08659049B2
The present invention discloses an LED packaging structure, which comprises a metal housing having a cavity and two open ends, a sintered two-phase-flow heat transfer device having a flat top mounting plane, a lens disposed in the first open end, at least one LED chip mounted in the cavity of the metal housing and on the mounting plane of the two-phase-flow heat transfer device; the LED chip is connected with an electrical connection device, and wherein the sintered two-phase-flow, electrical connection device and LED chip are fixed together through a fixing base. Using a sintered two-phase-flow heat transfer device for heat dissipation, the heat generated by the LED could be expelled in time for dealing with long-term continual work, and thus the LED chip could have a longer service life. In addition, the lens used in the present invention could improve the luminescent efficiency.
US08659033B2
A light-emitting diode (LED) device is provided. The LED device has raised semiconductor regions formed on a substrate. LED structures are formed over the raised semiconductor regions such that bottom contact layers and active layers of the LED device are conformal layers. The top contact layer has a planar surface. In an embodiment, the top contact layers are continuous over a plurality of the raised semiconductor regions while the bottom contact layers and the active layers are discontinuous between adjacent raised semiconductor regions.
US08659030B2
In accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure, a III-Nitride heterojunction device includes a III-Nitride channel layer, a III-Nitride multilayer spacer situated over the III-Nitride channel layer, and a III-Nitride barrier layer situated over the III-Nitride multilayer spacer. A two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is formed near an interface of said III-Nitride Channel layer and said III-Nitride multilayer spacer. The III-Nitride multilayer spacer includes a III-Nitride interlayer. In one implementation, the III-Nitride multilayer spacer includes a III-Nitride polarization layer that is situated over the III-Nitride interlayer. The III-Nitride polarization layer has a higher total polarization than the III-Nitride interlayer, the III-Nitride channel layer, and the III-Nitride barrier layer.
US08659024B2
The disclosed technology is in connection with an array substrate of a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) and a method for manufacturing the same, and the array substrate comprises: a base substrate; a gate line and a data line forming on the base substrate and defining a pixel region, a pixel electrode, a thin film transistor and a common electrode are formed in the pixel region; a black matrix made of conductive thin film material, the black matrix is electrically connected with the common electrode.
US08659013B2
An object is to provide a semiconductor device using an oxide semiconductor having stable electric characteristics and high reliability. A transistor including the oxide semiconductor film in which a top surface portion of the oxide semiconductor film is provided with a metal oxide film containing a constituent similar to that of the oxide semiconductor film and functioning as a channel protective film is provided. In addition, the oxide semiconductor film used for an active layer of the transistor is an oxide semiconductor film highly purified to be electrically i-type (intrinsic) by heat treatment in which impurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or a hydride are removed from the oxide semiconductor and oxygen which is a major constituent of the oxide semiconductor and is reduced concurrently with a step of removing impurities is supplied.
US08659010B2
A photoluminescence diode which may decrease a driving voltage may include an anode, a cathode, an emission layer interposed between the anode and the cathode, and an electron accepting layer interposed between the emission layer and the cathode and including one material selected from fullerene, methanofullerene, doped fullerene, doped methanofullerene, a derivative thereof, and a mixture thereof.
US08658999B2
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes first and second memristors. The first memristor includes a first electrode made of a first material, a second electrode made of a second material, and a first resistive switching film arranged between the first and second electrodes. The first resistive switching film is connected to both the first and second electrodes. The second memristor includes a third electrode made of a third material, a fourth electrode made of the second material, and a second resistive switching film arranged between the third and fourth electrodes. The second resistive switching film is connected to both the third and fourth electrodes. The work function of the first material is smaller than that of the second material. The work function of the third material is larger than that of the second material.
US08658998B2
An intermediate layer including at least one of elements constituting a phase change material and silicon is arranged between a recording layer composed of the phase change material and an n+ polysilicon film to reduce contact resistance between the recording layer and the n+ polysilicon film, thereby simplifying the structure of a phase change memory and reducing the cost thereof. If the phase change material contains Ge, Sb, and Te, for example, the intermediate layer includes at least one of Si—Sb, Si—Te, and Si—Ge.
US08658995B2
Remote control systems that can distinguish predetermined light sources from stray light sources, e.g., environmental light sources and/or reflections are provided. The predetermined light sources can be disposed in asymmetric substantially linear or two-dimensional patterns. The predetermined light sources also can output waveforms modulated in accordance with one or more signature modulation characteristics. The predetermined light sources also can output light at different signature wavelengths.
US08658992B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for planning and delivering radiation treatments by modalities which involve moving a radiation source along a trajectory relative to a subject while delivering radiation to the subject. In some embodiments the radiation source is moved continuously along the trajectory while in some embodiments the radiation source is moved intermittently. Some embodiments involve the optimization of the radiation delivery plan to meet various optimization goals while meeting a number of constraints. For each of a number of control points along a trajectory, a radiation delivery plan may comprise: a set of motion axes parameters, a set of beam shape parameters and a beam intensity.
US08658989B2
A fluorometric assay apparatus comprising an LED light source configured with at least two types of excitation LED that have different principle wavelengths from each other and are disposed in a two dimensional array on a substrate; an imaging lens for imaging a subject; a single excitation filter provided between the LED light source and a subject, the single excitation filter transmitting each of principle wavelength components of the LED light source; and a single detection long pass filter provided between the imaging lens and the subject.
US08658986B1
The second repeller assembly includes a flat plate and two sleeves through which the legs of a filament pass in electrically insulated manner. The clamp assembly for the filament includes a pair of strap assemblies with three straps each for electrically connecting the clamps and filament to an electrical feed. The straps are in contact with opposite flat sides of a terminal pin.
US08658967B2
A method for sustaining a plasma includes providing a volume of a gas; generating illumination of a first selected wavelength; and forming a first plasma species in a first region of the gas and a second plasma species in a second region of the gas by focusing the illumination of the first wavelength into the volume of gas, the first region having a first average temperature and a first size, the second region having a second average temperature and a second size, the illumination of the first selected wavelength transmitted by the second plasma species, the illumination of the first selected wavelength absorbed by the first plasma species by tuning the first selected wavelength of the illumination to an absorption line of the first plasma species, the absorption line being associated with an ionic absorption transition or an excited neutral transition of the first plasma species.
US08658966B2
An image sensor includes a ceramic base with a cavity therein, the ceramic base including a sidewall forming a conductive layer embedded therein. A protrusion extends from the sidewall toward the center of the cavity. An infrared filter is mounted on the upper surface of the protrusion with a most upper surface of the infrared filter not higher than the upper surface of the ceramic base; and an image unit is mounted on the lower surface of the protrusion with a most lower surface not lower than the lower surface of the ceramic base.
US08658953B2
An antenna cover assembly for a high-temperature operating environment has a cover plate, gasket portions, and a retainer plate. The cover plate has an inner side and an outer side, the cover plate being translucent to at least one selected frequency of electromagnetic energy. The gasket portions are each located adjacent one of the inner and outer sides, each gasket portion being configured for sealingly engaging the adjacent side. The retainer plate is configured for attachment to a structure located in a high-temperature operating environment. The retainer plate has a sealing flange adapted for clamping the cover plate generally adjacent an antenna portion of a waveguide.
US08658952B2
A microwave heating construct comprises a first panel and a second panel, each comprising a microwave energy interactive material. The panels are partially joined to one another in an opposed, facing relationship such that an unjoined area is defined between the first panel and the second panel. The unjoined area is in communication with an open peripheral edge of the construct. The first panel includes an aperture in communication with the unjoined area between the first panel and the second panel.
US08658948B2
Disclosed is an exemplary surgical system employing a temperature controlled docking station. The surgical system may include an articulating arm that is selectively moveable within a range of positions. A tray for receiving items used in performing a procedure may be attached to the articulating arm. The docking station may be attached to the tray. The docking station may include a heating element for selectively heating the docking station, a temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the docking station, and a reader configured for collecting information associated with an article placed in the docking station. The surgical system may also include a controller operably connected to the heating element, the temperature sensor, and the reader. The controller may be configured to adjust a heat output of the heating element in response to a signal received from the temperature sensor and/or the reader.
US08658946B2
A control system for an appliance having at least a first oven and a second oven includes an electronic range control device for regulating a temperature of the first oven, an electromechanical thermostat assembly for regulating a temperature of the second oven, and a relay circuit assembly under control of the electronic range control device, the relay circuit assembly being configured to selectively enable operation of the first oven and the electromechanical thermostat.
US08658927B2
A solenoid plunger 14 of the switch 4 is moved by cam plunger 34 and is biased towards the cam plunger 34, a locking plate 40b is positioned between the plungers 14 and 34. Cam 34 is biased for movement towards a cam 22 and is moved towards the solenoid plunger by rotation of the cam 22 by removal of actuator 8 which causes retraction of the solenoid plunger into the switch 4. The locking plate 40b is lockable when the cam plunger 34 is biased into a detent 36 in the cam 22 when the actuator is inserted, to lock the cam plunger 34 and cam 22 and prevent removal of the actuator 8.
US08658912B2
A cable management apparatus includes a securing board and a cable management tray. The securing board has a securing arm extending upward from the securing board. The cable management tray is hung on the securing arm and includes a base and a door rotatably secured to the base. A hook is substantially perpendicular to the base, and a clasping hole is defined in the door. The door is rotatable relative to the base between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the hook is engaged in the clasping hole, the base and the door together define a space, and a cable is received in the space in a direction substantially parallel to the base. In the second position, the hook is removed from the clasping hole, to disengage the cable from the space.
US08658903B2
A wired circuit board includes an insulating base layer, a conductive pattern that is laminated on the insulating base layer, and an insulating cover layer that is laminated on the insulating base layer so as to cover the conductive pattern. The conductive pattern includes, when projected in a laminating direction of the insulating base layer, the conductive pattern, and the insulating cover layer, a terminal portion that is exposed from the insulating base layer and the insulating cover layer. The terminal portion includes an exposed surface that is exposed toward an external terminal side. A protruded portion that protrudes toward the contact direction with the external terminal is formed on the exposed surface.
US08658899B2
A shielded electrical cable (1802) includes a conductor set (1804), two generally parallel shielding films (1808) disposed around the conductor set (1804), and a transition portion (1834) defined by the shielding films 1808 and the conductor set (1804). The conductor set (1804) includes one or more substantially parallel longitudinal insulated conductors (1806). The shielding films (1808) include a concentric portion (1808′) substantially concentric with at least one of the conductors (1806) and a parallel portion (1808″) wherein the shielding films (1808) are substantially parallel. The transition portion (1834) provides a gradual transition between the concentric portion (1808′) and the parallel portion (1808″) of the shielding films (1808).
US08658895B1
A pre-wired TV bridge kit including a kit, package, or assembly of components for mounting a TV to a wall while eliminating disruption to the visible wall surface. The kit includes a first pre-wired electrical box with a pre-wired receptacle and attached electrical cable, a second pre-wired electrical box connected to the opposite end of the electrical cable, and a cord grip and flexible cord secured to the second electrical cable. Both electrical boxes include rotatable flags to enable installation to existing walls. The pre-wired TV bridge kit simplifies the task of providing an electrical outlet on a portion of the wall that is remote from an existing outlet. After mounting the pre-wired TV bridge kit to a wall, the flexible cord is simply plugged into an existing outlet in order to feed power through the flexible cord to power the first and second pre-wired electrical boxes and the TV.
US08658885B2
Provided is a substrate for a thin-film photoelectric conversion device which makes it possible to produce the device having improved characteristics at low cost and high productivity. The substrate includes a transparent base member, with a transparent underlying layer and a transparent electrode layer successively stacked on one main surface of the transparent base member. The underlying layer includes transparent insulating fine particles and transparent binder, and the particles are dispersed to cover the one main surface with a coverage factor of particles ranging from 30% or more to less than 80%. An antireflection layer is provided on the other main surface of the transparent base. The antireflection layer includes transparent insulating fine particles and transparent binder, and the particles are dispersed to cover the other main surface with a coverage factor greater than the underlying layer. The transparent electrode layer contains zinc oxide deposited by low-pressure CVD method.
US08658883B2
A solar cell module is provided. The solar cell module includes: a substrate; a plurality of unit cells including a first electrode, a semiconductor layer, and a second electrode that are sequentially deposited on the substrate; a first sub-module and a second sub-module having the unit cells, respectively; a first longitudinal pattern dividing the unit cells of the first sub-module, and a second longitudinal pattern dividing the unit cells of the second sub-module; a transverse pattern dividing the first sub-module and the second sub-module; and an insulating portion disposed near the transverse pattern, and insulating between the first sub-module and the second sub-module, wherein the unit cells of the first sub-module are connected in series through the first longitudinal pattern, the unit cells of the second sub-module are connected in series through the second longitudinal pattern, and the first sub-module and the second sub-module are connected in series through the transverse pattern.
US08658880B2
A method of drawing a glass clad wire is provided herein, the method comprising: (i) sealing off one end of a glass tube such that the tube has an open end and a closed end; (ii) introducing a wire material inside the glass tube; (iii) heating a portion of the glass tube such that the glass partially melts to form a first ampoule containing the wire material to be used in a drawing operation; (iv) introducing the first ampoule containing the wire material into a heating device; (v) increasing the temperature within the heating device such that the glass tube is heated enough for it to be drawn and wire material melts; and (vi) drawing the glass clad wire comprising a continuous wire of wire material, wherein the wire material is a metal, semi-metal, alloy, or semiconductor thermoelectrically active material, and wherein the wire diameter is equal to or smaller than about 5 μm.
US08658877B1
A lighting system. Implementations may include an AC input power source coupled with a power conditioning and control module adapted output a low voltage high frequency pulse width modulated (PWM) signal. A remote transmission cable may be adapted to carry the low voltage high frequency PWM signal to a remote transformer adapted to convert the low voltage high frequency PWM signal to a high voltage high frequency PWM signal. A charge pump may be included which is adapted to receive the high voltage high frequency PWM signal and increase a voltage of the signal. A gas discharge tube may be coupled to the charge pump. A controller may be coupled to the power conditioning and control module and adapted to operate the gas discharge tube at two or more light intensity levels with the low voltage high frequency PWM signal.
US08658860B2
A novel pea cultivar designated FP2292 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of pea cultivar FP2292, to the plants of pea cultivar FP2292, and parts thereof, for example pollen, ovule, berry or pod. The invention also relates to methods for producing a pea plant by crossing the cultivar FP2292 with itself or another pea line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a pea plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other pea lines derived from the pea cultivar FP2292.
US08658853B2
Genetically modified non-human animals and methods and compositions for making and using them are provided, wherein the genetic modification comprises a deletion of the endogenous low affinity FcγR locus, and wherein the mouse is capable of expressing a functional FcRγ-chain. Genetically modified mice are described, including mice that express low affinity human FcγR genes from the endogenous FcγR locus, and wherein the mice comprise a functional FcRγ-chain. Genetically modified mice that express up to five low affinity human FcγR genes on accessory cells of the host immune system are provided.
US08658851B2
Methods and compositions provide suitable support material for culturing cells with a desirable metabolic activity. For example, keratinocytes directly grown on flexible supports show metabolic activity. Therapeutic methods and compositions, including wound healing technologies, using the cells grown on flexible supports, wherein the cells exhibit increased metabolic activity are disclosed.
US08658850B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a beneficial method for detoxifying a harmful compound to detoxify the harmful compound containing arsenic etc., effectively.The method of detoxifying a harmful compound according to the present invention is characterized in that a methyl radical and/or a carboxymethyl radical is (are) contacted with a harmful compound comprising at least one element selected from the group comprising arsenic, antimony and selenium to detoxify the harmful compound. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the method of detoxifying a harmful compound according to the present invention, the method is characterized in that the radical is generated by the exposure to light. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the method of detoxifying a harmful compound according to the present invention, the method is characterized in that the resource of the radical is at least one selected from the group comprising acetic acid, methanol, ethanol, acetic anhydride, propionic acid, butanoic acid or formic acid.
US08658849B2
The present invention relates to a process for the separation of at least one unbranched C4-C2O hydrocarbon from a fluid mixture containing the unbranched hydrocarbon and at least one branched isomer of the unbranched hydrocarbon, which comprises the step of—contacting the fluid mixture with an adsorbent comprising a porous metal organic framework material, which material comprises at least one at least bidentate organic compound coordinately bound to at least one metal ion, to get the unbranched hydrocarbon adsorbed, wherein the at least one at least bidentate organic compound is a monocyclic, bicyclic or polycyclic ring system which is derived from at least one heterocycle selected from the group consisting of pyrrole, alpha-pyridone and gamma-pyridone and has at least two ring nitrogens and is unsubstituted or bears one or more substituents selected independently from the group consisting of halogen, Ci-6-alkyl, phenyl, NH2, NH(d-6-alkyl), N(C1-6-alkyl)2, OH, Ophenyl and OCi-6-alkyl, where the substituents Ci_6-alkyl and phenyl are unsubstituted or bear one or more substituents selected independently from the group consisting of halogen, NH2, NH(d-6-alkyl), N(C1-6-alkyl)2, OH, Ophenyl and OCi-6-alkyl. The present invention also relates to the use of said porous metal-organic framework material in a process for the separation of unbranched hydrocarbons from their branched isomers.
US08658848B2
A process for the production of para-xylene by simulated counter-current adsorption with high flexibility with respect to a reference run (100%) uses 2 adsorbers each with 12 beds, said adsorbers being able to be connected in accordance with 3 different modes; the flexibility obtained is 50% to 150%.
US08658843B2
The present invention relates to hydrogenation catalysts prepared from polyoxometalate precursors. The polyoxometalate precursors introduce a support modifier to the catalyst. The catalysts are used for hydrogenating alkanoic acids and/or esters thereof to alcohols with relatively low ether formation, preferably with conversion of the ester coproduct. The catalyst may also comprise one or more active metals.
US08658841B2
The invention provides a process for the preparation of an alkylene glycol from an alkene. A gas composition from an alkylene oxide reactor is supplied to an alkylene oxide absorber comprising a column of vertically stacked trays or comprising a packed column. Lean absorbent comprising at least 20 wt % water is supplied to the alkylene oxide absorber and is contacted with the gas composition in the presence of one or more catalysts that promote carboxylation and hydrolysis. At least 50% of the alkylene oxide entering the alkylene oxide absorber is converted in the alkylene oxide absorber. Fat absorbent is withdrawn from the absorber, is optionally supplied to finishing reactors and/or a flash vessel or light ends stripper, and is subsequently subjected to dehydration and purification to provide a purified alkylene glycol product stream.
US08658840B2
A production method of a β-fluoroalcohol includes performing a reaction of an α-fluoroester with hydrogen gas (H2) in the presence of a specific ruthenium complex (i.e. a ruthenium complex of the general formula [2], preferably a ruthenium complex of the general formula [4]). This production method can employ a suitable hydrogen pressure of 1 MPa or less by the use of such a specific ruthenium complex and does not require a high-pressure gas production facility when put in industrial practice. In addition, this production method can remarkably reduce the amount of catalyst used therein (to e.g. a substrate/catalyst ratio of 20,000) in comparison to the substrate/catalyst ratio conventional reduction of α-fluoroalcohol. It is possible by these reduction in hydrogen pressure and catalyst amount to largely reduce the production cost of the β-fluoroalcohol.
US08658839B2
In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to a corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid, the hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide of the general formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or from the groups SO3H, NH2, OH and NO2, or from the atoms H, F, Cl, Br and I provided that R1 and R2 can be linked to one another via a covalent bond; each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from C, CH, N and CR3; each of X and Z is independently selected from C, S, CH2, N, P and elements of Group 4 of the Periodic Table; Y is O or OH; k is 0, 1, or 2; l is 0, 1, or 2; m is 1 to 3, and R3 can be any of the entities listed for R1. The contacting produces an effluent comprising an oxidized hydrocarbon product and unreacted imide catalyst of said formula (I) and the effluent is treated with a solid sorbent to remove at least part of the unreacted imide catalyst and produce a treated effluent comprising said oxidized hydrocarbon product. The organic phase can then be recovered.
US08658838B2
The present invention is directed to inhibitors of tyrosinase, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such tyrosinase inhibitors, and methods of making and using the same. Specifically, included in the present invention are compositions of matter comprised of at least one 2,4-dihydroxybenzene analog, which inhibit the activity of tyrosinase and which inhibit the overproduction of melanin.
US08658836B2
In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to the corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid, a reaction medium comprising a hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide of the general formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or from the groups SO3H, NH2, OH and NO2, or from the atoms H, F, Cl, Br and I provided that R1 and R2 can be linked to one another via a covalent bond; each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from C, CH, N, and CR3; each of X and Z is independently selected from C, S, CH2, N, P and an element of Group 4 of the Periodic Table; Y is O or OH; k is 0, 1, or 2; l is 0, 1, or 2; m is 1 to 3; and R3 can be any of the entities listed for R1. The contacting is conducted under conditions such as to maintain the concentration of both water and organic acids in the reaction medium below 50 ppm.
US08658834B2
The present invention relates to a hydrogenation process that may be used in connection with the production of phenol. In the process, a composition comprising: (i) cyclohexylbenzene; and (ii) a hydrogenable component are contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions. The hydrogenable component can be one or more of an olefin, a ketone or phenol. The hydrogenation catalyst has hydrogenation component and a support.
US08658829B2
A method of preparing polyalkylated oligoalkylenepolyamines is provided. The method includes contacting oligoalkylenepolyamine with a reagent composition comprising (a) alkyl bromide and/or alkyl chloride; (b) a basic agent; and (c) iodide salt. The alkylation reaction may be carried out in a polar, aprotic organic solvent.
US08658816B2
The present invention relates to precipitated silicic acids, which have a particularly narrow particle size distribution in combination with a special pore size distribution, to a method for the production thereof, and to the use thereof as a filler for rubber mixtures.
US08658808B2
A process for the production of Dronedarone intermediates of the formula (I), by acylation of 2-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethanone, subsequent treatment of the ester with bases and a zeolite (alumosilicate) catalyst and optional subsequent demethylation. This process can be used for the production of Dronedarone.
US08658787B2
Aspects of the invention provide methods for treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and associated liver fibrosis. In particular, aspects of the invention relate to the use of a therapeutic formulation comprising a galacto-rhamnogalacturonate compound for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and associated liver fibrosis.
US08658785B1
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed.
US08658783B2
Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for reducing expression of PTP1B mRNA and protein in an animal. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, delay, or ameliorate metabolic disease, for example, diabetes, or a symptom thereof.
US08658780B2
The present invention relates to the use of cross-linking probes to covalently bind probes to nucleic acid targets. In some embodiments, the probe comprises an initiator region that is able to bind to a first portion of a target nucleic acid, a probe region linked too the initiator region that is able to bind to a second region of the target nucleic acid and that comprises one or more cross-linkers, and a blocking region hybridized to the probe region.
US08658779B2
A transcriptional regulatory region of perilla anthocyanin 3-acyltransferase is useful for altering the flower color of plants.
US08658778B2
Promoters that include a tissue-selective promoter sequence and a second promoter sequence operatively coupled to the tissue-selective promoter sequence, wherein the second promoter sequence includes a minimal viral promoter sequence, are disclosed. Nucleic acids and compositions that include these promoter sequences are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of improving the function of a tissue-selective promoter, involving operatively coupling a tissue-selective promoter sequence with a second promoter sequence that includes a minimal viral promoter sequence. Also disclosed are methods of delivering a gene into a cell, methods of treating a subject with a hyperproliferative disease, and methods of imaging a cell that involve use of the novel promoter sequences set forth herein.
US08658765B2
This invention describes soluble, monovalent, non-natural protein molecules that can activate NK cells and certain T-cells to attack specific cellular target cells by attaching the NKG2D-binding portions of monovalent MICA or MICB protein, i.e. their α1-α2 platform domain, to the intended target cell specifically. The α1-α2 domain is contiguous with a heterologous α3 domain that has been genetically modified to bind directly or indirectly to the extracellular aspect of the target cell, thereby serving as the targeting domain. The genetic modification to create a non-natural and non-terminal targeting motif within the α3 domain can include a portion of an antibody, another protein molecule or portion thereof, a peptide, or a non-natural, modified α3 domain of a MIC protein.
US08658763B2
The present invention relates to the field of tissue engineering and more specifically to amphiphilic peptides and peptide matrices thereof useful in vitro and in situ biomineralization and inducing bone repair. The present invention provides peptides, which are useful in hydrogels and other pharmaceutical compositions, and methods and kits of use for bone repair and promotion of biomineralization. Certain hydrogels according to the invention comprise cells within or adhered to the peptide matrix.
US08658762B2
The present invention provides compounds, compositions and methods for inhibiting D2R-DISC1 interaction. Specifically, the present invention provides a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence KIYIVLRRRRKRVNT (SEQ ID NO: 1) or SEQ ID NO:5, a fragment thereof, or a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1 or 5, or a fragment thereof, wherein the polypeptide is not a naturally occurring dopamine receptor. Also provided is a method of identifying an agent that inhibits the interaction of D2R with DISC1, a method of identifying an agent that binds to the polypeptide sequence defined by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 5, and a method of inhibiting D2R interaction with DISC1 in a mammal comprising administering an agent that inhibits the interaction of D2R with DISC1 to the mammal.
US08658754B2
A heat-conductive silicone grease composition is obtained by combining (A) a hydroxyl-endcapped organopolysiloxane, (B) a specific organopolysiloxane, (C) a silane compound having at least three hydrolyzable radicals and/or a hydrolyzate thereof, (D) a thickening catalyst, and (E) a heat-conductive filler. The composition is storable at RT, has a low initial viscosity enough to coat, and after coating, thickens with moisture at RT so that it becomes anti-sagging, remains re-workable, and has durable heat resistance.
US08658747B2
Ophthalmically acceptably wettable silicone hydrogel contact lenses are described. The lenses are derived from a polymerizable composition including a first siloxane monomer represented by formula (1): wherein m of formula (1) represents one integer from 3 to 10, n of formula (1) represents one integer from 1 to 10, R1 of formula (1) is an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each R2 of formula (1) is independently either a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, the first siloxane monomer having a number average molecular weight of from 400 daltons to 700 daltons; and a second siloxane monomer having a number average molecular weight greater than 7,000 daltons; wherein a total amount of siloxane monomers present in the polymerizable composition is from 30 unit parts to 50 unit parts; the lenses also include units derived from at least one hydrophilic amide monomer having one N-vinyl group that is present in the polymerizable composition in an amount from 30 to 60 unit parts. The lenses have ophthalmically acceptably wettable lens surfaces when fully hydrated. Batches of silicone hydrogel contact lenses and methods of making silicone hydrogel contact lenses are also described.
US08658744B2
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 controlled and applied to the reactor leading to the production of very different molecular weights and therefore broadening the molecular weight distribution of the polymer produced.
US08658741B2
The instant invention pertains to the preparation of polymers or copolymers wherein in a first step a controlled free radical polymerization process is carried out and in a second step the resulting polymer is modified by transesterification reactions. The final modified polymer or copolymer is useful as a dispersant for pigments. Further aspects of the invention are the thus prepared polymers or copolymers, a pigment concentrate containing the polymer or copolymer and a coating material containing the pigment concentrate.
US08658737B2
Provided is an acrylic rubber composition including an acrylic rubber and a functionalized silicone oil. Here, the functionalized silicone oil preferably has a particular polydimethylsiloxane structure having at least one binding site bonded with at least one of a monoamino group, a diamino group, a polyether group, an epoxy group, an alicyclic epoxy group, a hydroxyl group, a thiol group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen group (Si—H group), a methacryl group, a phenol group, an alkoxy group, an ester group, an amide group, an alkyl group, a fluoroalkyl group, and a diol group and has a functional group equivalent weight of 1 to 100,000 (g/mol). The composition is unlikely to be deteriorated even when it is exposed to high temperature for a long time and that has excellent heat resistance and a crosslinked product of the composition. The composition is unlikely to be deteriorated even when it is exposed to high temperature for a long time and that has excellent heat resistance and a crosslinked product of the composition.
US08658734B2
We describe methods for synthesis and formulations of stable elastomeric negative acoustic contrast particles with controllable compressibility and density. These elastomeric negative acoustic contrast particles have a density/compressibility ratio that is less than that of water and therefore exhibit negative acoustic contrast under acoustic radiation exposure. This negative acoustic contrast allows our elastomeric negative acoustic contrast particles to be acoustically manipulated (e.g. separated) differently from other components (e.g. cells) within an aqueous solution. This disclosure also describes methods for biofunctionalization of the elastomeric negative acoustic contrast particles and as an example their use as platforms for bioassays. Potential applications of these elastomeric negative acoustic contrast particles include sensitive bioassays based on acoustic flow cytometry and other types of techniques that utilize acoustic fields, including ultrasound imaging and ultrasound triggered drug delivery.
US08658730B2
The invention aims to provide a rubber composition for a tire which achieves a balanced improvement in the abrasion resistance under both low and high severity abrasion conditions, low heat build-up properties, and chipping resistance. The invention relates to a rubber composition for a tire, including: a rubber component containing 60% by mass or more of a natural rubber component; and a carbon black having a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) specific surface area of 140-160 m2/g, a ratio (CTAB/IA) of the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide specific surface area to an iodine adsorption number (IA) of 0.85-1 m2/g, and a ratio (ΔD50/Dst) of a half width (ΔD50) of Stokes' diameter distribution of aggregates to a Stokes' diameter (Dst) of aggregates, as determined by a centrifugal sedimentation method, of 0.9-0.99, the natural rubber component containing 20% by mass or more of highly purified natural rubber per 100% by mass of the natural rubber component.
US08658729B2
Topping rubber composition for canvas chafer which provides good rim chafing resistance, durability, sheeting processability, and less heat build-up. Topping rubber composition contains a rubber component with: (a) BR containing 2.5-20% by mass of 1,2-syndiotactic polybutadiene crystals, (b) BR having a cis content of 90% by mass or more, and/or (c) tin-modified BR obtained by polymerization with a lithium initiator and having a tin-atom content of 50-3000 ppm, a vinyl-bond content of 5-50% by mass, and a molecular weight distribution of 2 or less. Topping rubber composition also contains carbon black having N2SA of 65-130 m2/g. Total amount of (a)-(c) is 40-90% by mass per 100% by mass of the rubber component; amount of the carbon black is 50-75 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component. Also, pneumatic tire made with the composition.
US08658728B2
The present invention relates to a natural rubber that contains 200 ppm or less of phosphorus.
US08658726B2
Desirable composites of polysiloxane polymers and inorganic nanoparticles can be formed based on the appropriate selection of the surface properties of the particles and the chemical properties of the polymer. High loadings of particles can be achieved with good dispersion through the polymer. The composites can have good optical properties. In some embodiments, the inorganic particles are substantially free of surface modification.
US08658723B2
A composition capable of phase separation contains an epoxy resin and an impact modifier formed from at least one dimer fatty acid and/or dimer fatty diol. The composition is suitable for use as an adhesive, particularly in microelectronics.
US08658721B2
Disclosed is an antifoaming agent for vinyl chloride resin slurry. The agent of the present invention may prevent generation of Fish eyes and deteriorate in production efficiency caused by slurry foams without inhibiting inherent transparency of vinyl chloride resins, in the process of preparing the vinyl chloride resins by polymerizing a monomer mixture containing vinyl chloride as a main component in a polymerization reactor.
US08658720B2
Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic resin composition that can have improved compatibility by introducing a branched acrylic copolymer to a polycarbonate resin. The thermoplastic resin composition can have good scratch resistance in addition to good colorability and appearance without requiring the addition of a compatibilizer.
US08658719B2
In accordance with the present invention compositions are described which are useful, for example, for the preparation of metal-clad laminate structures, methods for the preparation thereof, and various uses therefor. Invention metal-clad laminate structures are useful, for example, multi-layer board (MLB) industry, in the preparation of burn-in test boards and high reliability boards, applications where low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is beneficial, in the preparation of boards used in down-hole drilling, and the like.
US08658718B2
A molding material of the present invention includes a polymer having a repeating structural unit whose part or whole contains an alicyclic structure, a phenolic stabilizer, a hindered amine light stabilizer and a phosphorus stabilizer, in which at least a part of the phenolic stabilizer and/or hindered amine light stabilizer is presently adhering to the surface of particles of the above polymer.
US08658713B2
A bone cement composition which contains titanium dioxide particles having a median diameter of 0.5 to 7.0 μm as measured by a laser diffraction/scattering particle size distribution analyzer and a BET specific surface area of 0.5 to 7.0 m2/g as measured by a nitrogen adsorption method, and a base-forming component comprising a (meth)acrylate polymer and a (meth)acrylate monomer, wherein the content of the titanium dioxide particles is 5 to 50% by mass based on the total mass of the composition. The bone cement composition has bioactivity and is capable of forming a hardened material having a high mechanical strength.
US08658707B2
A functional TFE copolymer fine powder is described, wherein the TFE copolymer is a polymer of TFE and at least one functional comonomer, and wherein the TFE copolymer has functional groups that are pendant to the polymer chain. The functional TFE copolymer fine powder resin is paste extrudable and expandable. Methods for making the functional TFE copolymer are also described. The expanded functional TFE copolymer material may be post-reacted after expansion.
US08658704B2
A chi (χ)-alumina dispersion and coating slurry of digital printing medium containing the same is disclosed, which includes flaked porous χ-alumina nanoparticles with high specific surface area but without gamma (γ)-alumina obtained by subjecting gibbsite to thermal treating, physical wet-milling and pH adjusting processes. Since the χ-alumina nanoparticles without dyes and pigments have high ink absorptivity and low cost, they can be applied to the coating layer of the digital printing medium instead of conventional silica material.
US08658700B2
Treatment of CNS disorders with (1R,4S)-trans 4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-napthalenamine; and (1S,4R)-trans 4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-napthalenamine is disclosed. A process for preparing 4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-napthalenamine is also disclosed. The process includes the preparation of all four isomers of N-[4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]formamide, which are also useful.
US08658699B2
Chemical permeation enhancers (CPEs) improve access of local anesthetics to the nerve, thereby improving their performance. Surfactants, representing three CPE sub-groups: anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants, were co-injected with tetrodotoxin (TTX) or bupivacaine at the sciatic nerve of Sprague-Dawley rats. All enhancers produced marked concentration-dependent improvements in the frequency and duration of block with TTX but not bupivacaine. An in vitro toxicity assay showed a wide range of CPE myotoxicity, but in vivo histological assessment showed no signs of muscle or nerve damage at concentrations of CPEs that produced a half-maximal increase in the duration of block of TTX. There was no systematic relationship between the enhancers' charge or hydrophobicity and their enhancement of block duration or potency. Thus, CPEs can provide marked prolongation of nerve blockade from TTX, without apparent local tissue toxicity, and therefore enhance the clinical applicability of TTX for prolonged-duration local anesthesia.
US08658698B2
A compound of formula (I) wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, G1, G2, R1, R2, L, Q1, and Q2 are as defined in claim 1; or a salt or N-oxide thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to processes and intermediates for preparing compounds of formula (I), to insecticidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal and nematicidal compositions comprising them and to methods of using them to combat and control insect, acarine, mollusc and nematode pests.
US08658697B2
Compounds, methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating viral infections, by administering certain novel sulfonyl semicarbazides, carbonyl semicarbazides, semicarbazides, ureas and related compounds in therapeutically effective amounts are disclosed. Methods for preparing the compounds and methods of using the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are also disclosed. In particular, the treatment and prophylaxis of viral infections such as caused by hemorrhagic fever viruses is disclosed, i.e., including but not limited to, Arenaviridae (Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia, Lassa, Tacaribe, Pinchinde, and VSV), Filoviridae (ebola and Marburg viruses), Flaviviridae (yellow fever, omsk hemorrhagic fever and Kyasanur Forest disease viruses), and Bunyaviridae (Rift Valley fever).
US08658694B2
Buffer solutions for pharmaceutical preparations that have bactericidal activity preferentially against gram negative bacteria are provided. The buffers have a pH of greater than about 10 or less than about 4.5 with low buffer capacity. Methods of their use in reducing the occurrence of blood stream infections in a mammal is also provided.
US08658687B2
The present invention provides a formulation comprising asenapine hemipamoate suspended particles, which formulation can be administered via a Depot provided by an IM injection of the formulation, and which depot does not display a particle-size dependent release rate. The present invention provides also methods of treatment using the same.
US08658679B2
Synergistic microbicidal compositions containing N-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one.
US08658678B2
The combination of any two of a polyol, a polyol ether, and a low carbon organic alcohol provides a synergistic effect on the solubility of azole compounds, such as metronidazole, in aqueous fluid.
US08658663B2
The present invention relates to a method for treating a patient suffering from a thermoregulatory dysfunction, especially hot flashes and flushes associated with hormonal changes due to naturally occurring menopause (whether male or female) or due to chemically or surgically induced menopause. The method is also applicable to treating the hot flashes, hot flushes, or night sweats associated with disease states that disrupt normal hormonal regulation of body temperature.
US08658654B2
The present invention provides compounds for modulating receptor kinase activity, particularly ephrin and EGFR, and methods of treating diseases mediated by receptor kinase activity utilizing the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Diseases mediated by receptor kinase activity include, but are not limited to, diseases characterized in part by abnormal levels of cell proliferation (i.e. tumor growth), programmed cell death (apoptosis), cell migration and invasion and angiogenesis associated with tumor growth. Compounds of the invention include “spectrum selective” kinase modulators, compounds that inhibit, regulate and/or modulate signal transduction across subfamilies of receptor-type tyrosine kinases, including ephrin and EGFR.
US08658647B2
A number of compounds and use of the compounds in a method for treating or preventing cancer in a subject by administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition including a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are described. The compounds can also be used to inhibit integrin-linked kinase in a cell, which has an effect on the Akt signaling pathway.
US08658645B2
The present invention relates to the use of certain quinolone antibiotics for controlling bacterial disorders of the oral cavity, in particular in veterinary medicine.
US08658607B2
Compositions and methods relating to immunostimulatory RNA oligomers are provided. The immunostimulatory RNA molecules are believed to represent natural ligands of one or more Toll-like receptors, including Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8). The compositions and methods are useful for stimulating immune activation. Methods useful for screening candidate immunostimulatory compounds are also provided.
US08658603B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for inducing an immune response in a subject. In particular, the present invention provides compositions comprising immunostimulatory ligands (ISL) and methods of inducing an immune response in a subject therewith. Compositions and methods of the present invention find use in, among other things, clinical (e.g. therapeutic and preventative medicine (e.g., vaccination)) and research applications.
US08658590B2
Coated sodium percarbonate particles comprising a core of sodium percarbonate obtainable by fluidized bed buildup granulation, and a coating layer comprising sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate in a weight ratio of from 95:5 to 75:25 and in which the proportion of sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate is at least 80% by weight, effect as a detergent component an improved washing power of the detergent and exhibit a high storage stability in detergent formulations.
US08658589B2
A surfactant concentrate is provided that includes C8-C22 acyl amido compounds, a polyol and C8-C22 fatty acids. The concentrate is formed via an interesterification reaction between a fatty acid ester and an amino compound or salt thereof in a polyol. The resultant surfactant concentrate will have a Hunter Lab Color Scale value L ranging from 70 to 100.
US08658581B2
A cosmetic preparation is disclosed, comprising (a) at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of non-alkoxylated anionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants, (b) a microemulsion, and (c) at least one cationic polymer.
US08658579B2
Lubricating grease composition comprising: (i) a base oil; and (ii) a thickener system comprising (i) a lithium soap of a first carboxylic acid selected from C12-C24 hydroxy carboxylic acids and (ii) a lithium soap of a second carboxylic acid selected from C12-C24 branched carboxylic acids, C12-C24 dihydroxy carboxylic acids and mixtures thereof. The lubricating grease compositions according to the present invention have improved oil bleeding and shear stability properties, as well as improved grease lifetime and increased relubrication intervals.
US08658576B1
A composition and method for reducing the coefficient of friction and required pulling force of a wire or cable are provided. A composition of aqueous emulsion is provided that is environmentally friendly, halogen free and solvent free. The composition is compatible with various types of insulating materials and may be applied after the wire or cable is cooled and also by spraying or submerging the wire or cable in a bath. The composition contains lubricating agents that provide lower coefficient of friction for wire or cable installation and continuous wire or cable surface lubrication thereafter.
US08658575B2
This invention provides a composition of insulating fluid and process for the preparation thereof that mainly contains alkyl benzenes. In addition to alkyl benzenes, the composition also contains an antioxidant, an antifoaming agent, a pour point dispersant, a corrosion inhibitor and a detergent-dispersant additive. The product of this invention has utility as an insulating fluid in electrical installations such as transformer.
US08658571B2
The invention relates to a method for the wet chemical production of an HTSL on a carrier, wherein an HTSL precursor solution comprising no trifluoroacetate may be utilized if the same is heated to a temperature Ts during the heat treatment of the HTSL precursor, wherein the remaining substances of the HTSL precursor solution form at least a partial melt, which is below the temperature at which RE2BaCuOx is formed, and which is deposited from the liquid phase while forming a peritectic.
US08658567B2
Compositions for modulating plant growth, seed germination and soil borne diseases comprising anthraquinone derivatives are disclosed.
US08658565B2
Compositions comprising a (A) dithiino-tetracarboximide of formula (I) and at least one agriculturally beneficial biological control agent (B) are disclosed. A method for curatively or preventively controlling phytopathogenic fungi of plants or crops is disclosed. A method for treating seed and a method for protecting seed are disclosed.
US08658564B2
The present invention relates to novel active compound combinations comprising the known fungicidally active compounds N-[2-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)phenyl]-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, metalaxyl and triazole (3), which are highly suitable for controlling unwanted phytopathogenic fungi. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for the curative or preventive treatment of phytopathogenic fungi on plants or useful plants, in particular to the treatment of seed, for example seed of cereals, and not least to the treated seed itself.
US08658558B2
In a process for forming a bulk hydroprocessing catalyst by sulfiding a catalyst precursor made in a co-precipitation reaction, up to 60% of the metal precursor feeds do not react to form catalyst precursor and end up in the supernatant. In the present disclosure, the metals can be recovered in an electro-coagulation reactor, wherein portion of the metal residuals in the supernatant reacts with the electrodes to form a slurry containing insoluble metal compounds. The insoluble metal compounds are isolated and recovered, forming an effluent stream. The insoluble metal compounds and/or the effluent stream can be further treated to form at least a metal precursor feed which can be used in the co-precipitation reaction.
US08658557B2
A process for the preparation of a promoted VPO catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises the mixed oxides of vanadium and phosphorus and wherein the catalyst is promoted with at least one of niobium, cobalt, iron, zinc, molybdenum or titanium, said process comprising the steps of (i) preparing a VPO catalyst comprising vanadyl pyrophosphate as the major component and containing less than 5 wt % of vanadyl phosphate, (ii) contacting the VPO catalyst with a solution comprising a metal source compound of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of niobium, cobalt, iron, zinc, molybdenum or titanium to form a metal impregnated VPO catalyst, and (iii) drying the metal impregnated VPO catalyst to form the promoted VPO catalyst. In one embodiment, a niobium promoted VPO catalyst is prepared.
US08658553B2
A catalytic composition for transalkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons which contains a zeolite and an inorganic binder and has an extra-zeolitic porosity higher than or equal to 0.7 cc/g for a fraction of pores of which at least 30% have a diameter greater than 100 nanometers. A catalytic composition having a crushing strength not lower than 1.7 kg/mm and an apparent density not higher than 0.5 g/cc. A process for transalkylating polyalkylated aromatic hydrocarbons using a catalytic composition.
US08658550B2
An oxide-ceramic forming clay comprising an oxide-ceramic forming material, a layered double hydroxide, a pore-forming agent, and water, wherein the amount of the pore-forming agent is between 3 and 50 parts by mass by superaddition to 100 parts by mass of a sum of the oxide-ceramic forming material and the layered double hydroxide and a sum of the pore-forming agent and an organic binder is between 5 and 55 parts by mass also by superaddition which has environment-friendly characteristics in a forming firing step, and usage thereof.
US08658547B2
The invention relates to compositions, containing (A) organopolysiloxanes, which have Si-bound hydroxy groups, (B) organopolysiloxanes, which have Si-bound hydrogen atoms, (C) platinum catalysts, (D) reinforcing fillers, (E) optionally non-reinforcing fillers, and (F) optionally inhibitors, which delay a platinum-catalyzed reaction of Si-bound hydroxy groups and Si-bound hydrogen atoms at room temperature, with the proviso that the organopolysiloxanes (A) have viscosities of 500 to 100,000,000 mPa·s at 25° C., that the platinum catalysts (C) are fame of phosphoric acid trisamide ligands, that the reinforcing fillers (D) are present in amounts of at least 3% by weight, relative to the total mass of the compositions, that the non-reinforcing fillers (F) are present in lower amounts than the reinforcing fillers (D), that the use of reactive silanes as bonding agents and the use of additional condensation catalysts, which accelerate the condensation reaction of Si-bound hydroxy groups and/or alkoxy groups, are excluded.
US08658545B2
A vapor deposition source (60), a limiting plate unit (80), and a vapor deposition mask (70) are disposed in this order. The limiting plate unit includes a plurality of limiting plates (81) disposed along a first direction. At least a portion of surfaces (83) defining a limiting space (82) of the limiting plate unit and surfaces (84) of the limiting plate unit opposing the vapor deposition source is constituted by at least one outer surface member (110, 120) capable of attaching to and detaching from a base portion (85). Accordingly, a vapor deposition device that is capable of forming a coating film in which edge blur is suppressed on a large-sized substrate and that has excellent maintenance performance can be obtained.
US08658543B2
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit is disclosed that includes, in accordance with an embodiment, providing an integrated circuit comprising a p-type field effect transistor (pFET), recessing a surface region of the pFET using an ammonia-hydrogen peroxide-water (APM) solution to form a recessed pFET surface region, and depositing a silicon-based material channel on the recessed pFET surface region.
US08658536B1
A process is provided for selective removal of one or more unwanted fins during FINFET device fabrication. In one aspect, the process includes: providing a conformal protective layer over multiple fin structures on a substrate; patterning one or more openings over the unwanted fin structure(s); and removing at least a top portion of the unwanted fin structure(s) exposed through the opening(s), the removing including removing at least a portion of the conformal protective layer over the unwanted fin structure(s) exposed through the opening(s). In enhanced aspects, the removing includes removing a hard mask from the at least one unwanted fin structure(s) exposed through the opening(s), and selectively removing semiconductor material of at least one unwanted fin structure(s). The conformal protective layer protects one or more remaining fin structures during the selective removal of the semiconductor material of the unwanted fin structure(s).
US08658521B2
Method for depositing a layer on a surface of a substrate. The method comprises injecting a precursor gas from a precursor supply into a deposition cavity for contacting the substrate surface, draining part of the injected precursor gas from the deposition cavity, and positioning the deposition cavity and the substrate relative to each other along a plane of the substrate surface. The method further comprising providing a first electrode and a second electrode, positioning the first electrode and the substrate relative to each other, and generating a plasma discharge near the substrate for contacting the substrate by generating a high-voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode. The method comprises generating the plasma discharge selectively, for patterning the surface by means of the plasma. A portion of the substrate contacted by the precursor gas selectively overlaps with a portion of the substrate contacted by the plasma.
US08658517B2
The present method of manufacturing a GaN-based film includes the steps of preparing a composite substrate, the composite substrate including a support substrate in which a coefficient of thermal expansion in a main surface is more than 0.8 time and less than 1.2 times as high as a coefficient of thermal expansion of GaN crystal in a direction of a axis and a single crystal film arranged on a side of the main surface of the support substrate, the single crystal film having threefold symmetry with respect to an axis perpendicular to a main surface of the single crystal film, and forming a GaN-based film on the main surface of the single crystal film in the composite substrate. Thus, a method of manufacturing a GaN-based film capable of manufacturing a GaN-based film having a large main surface area and less warpage is provided.
US08658515B2
The present invention aims to provides a method of manufacturing a film for a semiconductor device in which a dicing film, a die bond film, and a protecting film are laminated in this order, including the steps of: irradiating the die bond film with a light ray having a wavelength of 400 to 800 nm to detect the position of the die bond film based on the obtained light transmittance and punching the dicing film out based on the detected position of the die bond film, and in which T2/T1 is 0.04 or more, wherein T1 is the light transmittance of the portion where the dicing film and the protecting film are laminated and T2 is the light transmittance of the portion where the dicing film, the die bond film, and the protecting film are laminated.
US08658510B2
A phase change material may be processed to reduce its microcrystalline grain size and may also be processed to increase the crystallization or set programming speed of the material. For example, material doped with nitrogen to reduce grain size may be doped with titanium to reduce crystallization time.
US08658509B2
In sophisticated semiconductor devices comprising high-k metal gate electrode structures formed on the basis of a replacement gate approach, semiconductor-based resistors may be provided without contributing to undue process complexity in that the resistor region is recessed prior to depositing the semiconductor material of the gate electrode structure. Due to the difference in height level, a reliable protective dielectric material layer is preserved above the resistor structure upon exposing the semiconductor material of the gate electrode structure and removing the same on the basis of selective etch recipes. Consequently, well-established semiconductor materials, such as polysilicon, may be used for the resistive structures in complex semiconductor devices, substantially without affecting the overall process sequence for forming the sophisticated replacement gate electrode structures.
US08658508B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an SOI substrate, to improve planarity of a surface of a single crystal semiconductor layer after separation by favorably separating a single crystal semiconductor substrate even in the case where a non-mass-separation type ion irradiation method is used, and to improve planarity of a surface of a single crystal semiconductor layer after separation as well as to improve throughput. The method includes the steps of irradiating a single crystal semiconductor substrate with accelerated ions by an ion doping method while the single crystal semiconductor substrate is cooled to form an embrittled region in the single crystal semiconductor substrate; bonding the single crystal semiconductor substrate and a base substrate with an insulating layer interposed therebetween; and separating the single crystal semiconductor substrate along the embrittled region to form a single crystal semiconductor layer over the base substrate with the insulating layer interposed therebetween.
US08658503B2
A semiconductor device includes: a silicon carbide substrate having first and second main surfaces; a first silicon carbide layer provided on the first main surface of the silicon carbide substrate; first silicon carbide regions formed on a surface of the first silicon carbide layer; second and third silicon carbide regions formed on respective surfaces of the first silicon carbide regions; a fourth silicon carbide region formed between facing first silicon carbide regions with the first silicon carbide layer therebetween; a gate insulating film formed continuously on surfaces of the first silicon carbide regions, the first silicon carbide layer, and the fourth silicon carbide region; a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film; an interlayer insulating film covering the gate electrode; a first electrode electrically connected to the second and third silicon carbide regions; and a second electrode formed on the second main surface of the silicon carbide substrate.
US08658502B2
The present invention discloses a method for reducing the morphological difference between N-doped and undoped poly-silicon gates after etching, comprising the following sequential steps: depositing a hard mask layer on a substrate template having N-doped poly-silicon and undoped poly-silicon to form an N-doped poly-silicon hard mask layer and an undoped poly-silicon hard mask layer respectively, and etching the undoped poly-silicon hard mask layer to make a thickness difference between the N-doped poly-silicon hard mask layer and the undoped poly-silicon hard mask layer; depositing an anti-reflection layer, and etching according to a predetermined pattern until exposing the N-doped poly-silicon, wherein when the N-doped poly-silicon is exposed, the undoped poly-silicon is etched to a certain degree; and removing residuals on the surface of the above formed structure, and etching to form an N-doped poly-silicon gate and an undoped poly-silicon gate, respectively.
US08658500B2
Semiconductor devices and methods for making such devices are described. The UMOS semiconductor devices contain single-crystal gates that have been re-grown or formed at low temperature using microwaves. The devices can be formed by providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a trench in the substrate, forming an insulating layer in the trench, depositing a pre-gate layer on the insulating layer, the pre-gate layer comprising a conductive and/or semiconductive material (Si or SiGe) with a non-single crystal structure, contacting the pre-gate layer with a seed layer with a single-crystal structure, and heating the pre-gate layer using microwaves at low temperatures to recrystallize the non-single crystal structure into a single-crystal structure. These processes can improve the resistance and mobility of the gate either as a single crystal structure, optionally with a silicide contact above the source-well junction, enabling a higher switching speed UMOS device. Other embodiments are described.
US08658495B2
The present invention provides a method of fabricating an erasable programmable single-poly nonvolatile memory, comprising the steps of: defining a first area and a second area in a first type substrate; forming a second type well region in the first area; forming a first gate oxide layer and a second gate oxide layer covering a surface of the first area, wherein the second gate oxide layer extends to and is adjacent to the second area; forming a DDD region in the second area; etching a portion of the second gate oxide layer above the second area; forming two polysilicon gates covering the first and the second gate oxide layers; and defining a second type doped region in the DDD region and defining first type doped regions in the second type well region.
US08658479B2
A method of forming a transparent electrode includes forming a first transparent conductive material layer on a base; performing a plasma process on the first transparent conductive material layer such that the upper portion of the first transparent conductive material layer is changed into semitransparent; forming a second transparent conductive material layer on the first transparent conductive material layer; patterning the second transparent conductive material layer and the first transparent conductive material layer; and annealing the patterned second transparent conductive material layer and the patterned first transparent conductive material layer such that the upper portion of the first transparent conductive material layer is changed into transparent.
US08658471B2
The present invention relates to a multi-row leadframe for semiconductor packaging, characterized by: forming a plating pattern on a leadframe material (first step); forming a protective pattern on the plating pattern (second step); and forming a nano pattern by using the protective pattern as a mask (third step), whereby a protective pattern is formed on an upper surface of a plating pattern to increase reliability of a product by preventing damage to a plating layer caused by etching solution during pattern formation of leadframe and to thereby solve the problem of using the plating layer as an etching mask.
US08658467B2
A method of manufacturing a stacked wafer level package includes: preparing a substrate; forming a conductive layer on the substrate; forming chip connection pads and internal connection pads on the conductive layer; forming solder balls connected to the internal connection pads; mounting a semiconductor chip on the conductive layer to be connected to the chip connection pads; forming a sealing member to seal the solder balls and the semiconductor chip; separating the substrate from the conductive layer; forming a rearrangement wiring layer by etching the conductive layer; forming an external connection on the rearrangement wiring layer; forming contact holes in the sealing member to expose the solder balls; and stacking an electronic component to be electrically connected to the solder balls exposed through the contact holes.
US08658464B2
A method includes placing a mold chase over a bottom package, wherein the bottom package has a connector at a top surface of the bottom package. The mold chase includes a cover, and a pin under and connected to the cover. The pin occupies a space extending from a top surface of the connector to the cover. A polymer is filled into a space between the cover of the mold chase and the bottom package. The polymer is then cured. After the step of curing the polymer, the mold chase is removed, and the connector is exposed through an opening in the polymer, wherein the opening is left by the pin of the mold chase.
US08658462B2
Provided is a method of forming a method of forming a titanium dioxide (TiO2) array using a zinc oxide (ZnO) template. In the method, polymer nanopatterns are formed on the substrate, and monomolecular monolayers are formed between the polymer nanopatterns on the substrate. A seed layer pattern is formed between the monomolecular monolayers on the substrate, and a zinc oxide template is formed by growing zinc oxide on the seed layer.
US08658456B2
A tiltable micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) system lens comprises a microscopic lens located on a front surface of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and a semiconductor rim surrounding the periphery of the microscopic lens. Two horizontal semiconductor beams located at different heights are provided within a top semiconductor layer. The microscopic lens may be tilted by applying an electrical bias between the lens rim and one of the two semiconductor beams, thereby altering the path of an optical beam through the microscopic lens. An array of tiltable microscopic lenses may be employed to form a composite lens having a variable focal length may be formed. A design structure for such a tiltable MEMS lens is also provided.
US08658448B2
A conductive layer to be a gate electrode, an insulating layer to be a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, and an insulating layer to be a channel protective layer, which are each included in a transistor, are successively formed without exposure to the air. A gate electrode (including another electrode or a wiring which is formed in the same layer) and an island-like semiconductor layer are formed through one photolithography step. A display device is manufactured through four photolithography steps including the photolithography step, a photolithography step of forming a contact hole, a photolithography step of forming a source electrode and a drain electrode (including another electrode or a wiring which is formed in the same layer), and a photolithography step of forming a pixel electrode (including another electrode or a wiring which are formed in the same layer).
US08658447B2
A radiation-emitting body comprising a layer sequence having an active region for generating electromagnetic radiation, a coupling-out layer for coupling out the generated radiation, said coupling-out layer being arranged on a first side of the layer sequence, a reflection layer for reflecting the generated radiation, said reflection layer being arranged on a second side opposite the first side, and an interface of the layer sequence which faces the reflection layer and which has a lateral patterning having projecting structure elements, wherein the reflection layer is connected to the layer sequence in such a way that the reflection layer has a patterning corresponding to the patterning of the interface. A method for producing a radiation-emitting body is furthermore specified.
US08658442B2
A method for producing an electronic component comprising barrier layers for the encapsulation of the component comprises, in particular, the following steps: providing a substrate (1) with at least one functional layer (22), applying at least one first barrier layer (3) on the functional layer (22) by means of plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), and applying at least one second barrier layer (4) on the functional layer (22) by means of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD).
US08658437B2
Disclosed is a package method for electronic components by a thin substrate, comprising: providing a carrier; forming at least one metal layer and at least one dielectric layer on the carrier for manufacturing the thin substrate, and the thin substrate comprises at least one package unit for connecting at least one chip; forming at least one pad layer on a surface of the thin substrate; parting the thin substrate from the carrier; performing test to the thin substrate to weed out the package unit with defects in the at least one package unit and select the package units for connecting the chips; connecting the chips with the selected package units by flip chip bonding respectively. Accordingly, the yield of the entire package process can be improved and the pointless manufacture material cost can be reduced.
US08658436B2
[Problems] There are provided a chip separation method and a chip transfer method using features of dry etching.[Means for Solving the Problems] In the chip separation method, a multiple number of semiconductor devices or semiconductor integrated circuits are separated from a wafer 100 on which the multiple number of semiconductor devices or semiconductor integrated circuits are formed. The method includes forming, on a surface of the wafer 100, a mask layer through which a line-shaped pattern to be removed for separating the semiconductor devices or semiconductor integrated circuits is exposed; and etching the exposed pattern to a depth equal to or larger than about ⅔ of a thickness of the wafer. One group of separated semiconductor devices or semiconductor integrated circuits has a distinguishable shape from another group of separated semiconductor devices or semiconductor integrated circuits.
US08658433B2
Novel azo, azide, and sulfenate photoactive compounds and methods using the compounds for photodiagnostic and/or phototherapeutic procedures. The compounds have the formula E-L-DYE-X—Y, wherein DYE is a photoactive component comprising a photoactive diagnostic agent, a photoactive type 1 agent, a photoactive type 2 agent, or a combination thereof; Y is a photoactive component comprising a photoactive type 1 agent, a photoactive type 2 agent, or a combination thereof; E is a targeting component for targeting the compound to an anatomical and/or physiological site of a patient; L is a linking component for linking E to DYE; and X is a linking component for linking DYE to Y.
US08658425B2
The present invention relates to a composition for promoting differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into cardiac muscle cells, and a method for inducing differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into cardiac muscle cells and a method for preparing cardiac muscle cells.
US08658423B2
This invention relates to modified IGF-II binding domains of the Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 Receptor (IGF2R) which have enhanced binding affinity for IGF-II relative to the wild type IGF-II binding domain. Suitable IGF-II binding domains may be modified, for example, by substituting residue E1544 for a non-acidic residue. These modified domains may be useful in the sequestration of Insulin-like Growth Factor II (IGF-II), for example, in the treatment of cancer.
US08658418B2
The invention provides systems, including apparatus, methods, and kits, for the microfluidic manipulation and/or detection of particles, such as cells and/or beads. The invention provides systems, including apparatus, methods, and kits, for the microfluidic manipulation and/or analysis of particles, such as cells, viruses, organelles, beads, and/or vesicles. The invention also provides microfluidic mechanisms for carrying out these manipulations and analysis. These mechanisms may enable controlled input, movement/positioning, retention/localization, treatment, measurement, release, and/or output of particles. Furthermore, these mechanisms may be combined in any suitable order and/or employed for any suitable number of times within a system. Accordingly, these combinations may allow particles to be sorted, cultured, mixed, treated, and/or assayed, among others, as single particles, mixed groups of particles, arrays of particles, heterogeneous particle sets, and/or homogeneous particle sets, among others, in series and/or in parallel. In addition, these combinations may enable microfluidic systems to be reused. Furthermore, these combinations may allow the response of particles to treatment to be measured on a shorter time scale than was previously possible. Therefore, systems of the invention may allow a broad range of cell and particle assays, such as drug screens, cell characterizations, research studies, and/or clinical analysis, among others, to be scaled down to microfluidic size. Such scaled-down assays may use less sample and reagent, may be less labor intensive, and/or may be more informative than comparable macrofluidic assays.
US08658414B2
A biomass processing system is disclosed, with an algae biomass growth container and a pyrolysis reactor for pyrolysis processing of the algae biomass. A conveying apparatus links the pyrolysis reactor and the biomass growth container for conveying at least part of at least one of the pyrolysis products from the reactor to the biomass growth container for promoting algae biomass growth. The pyrolysis product is a nutrient-rich aqueous phase produced directly or indirectly through pyrolysis processing to the biomass growth container, e.g. an aqueous phase derived from the vapor products of the pyrolysis, or a char wash obtained by washing the char product of the pyrolysis.
US08658404B2
Compositions and methods for producing hydrocarbons such as aldehydes, alkanes, and alkenes are described herein. Certain hydrocarbons can be used in biofuels.
US08658401B2
Disclosed is a method for preparing L-α-Glycerylphosphorylcholine with high yields and purity. The method uses phospholipase A1-based enzymatic hydrolysis, ion-exchange resin purification and silica gel column chromatography to prepare L-α-glycerylphosphorylcholin with purity up to 99.8% and a final yield up to 78.4%. The method disclosed is simple, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and adaptable to industrial applications.
US08658398B2
The present invention provides for heterologous expression of termite and termite-associated symbiont cellulases. The cellulases can, for example, be codon-optimized and expressed in yeast host cells, such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The cellulases can also be co-expressed in host cells with other cellulases. The expression in such host cells of the termite and termite-associated symbiont cellulases, and variants and combinations thereof, result in yeast with improved cellulosic activity. Thus, such genes and expression systems are useful for efficient and cost-effective consolidated bioprocessing systems.
US08658392B2
The present invention provides a method for evaluating the toxicity of a chemical by using an alga, comprising: (a) a thawing step of thawing frozen algal cells by heating, and diluting the obtained suspension of the cells by adding a culture medium thereto; (b) a recovery culture step of culturing the algal cells obtained in the thawing step (a) to allow the algal cells to recover from the effects of freezing and thawing; (c) a confirmation step of collecting a part of the algal cells after the recovery culture step (b), diluting the part of the algal cells by adding a culture medium thereto, and measuring the amount of the luminescence of the delayed luminescence of the algal cells as initial value data; (d) an exposure step of mixing the algal cells after the confirmation step (c) with a solution containing a test substance to prepare an exposure sample, and culturing the exposure sample; (e) a measurement step of measuring the amount of the luminescence of the delayed luminescence of the exposure sample after the exposure step (d) as exposure data; and (f) an evaluation step of calculating an evaluation value based on the initial value data and the exposure data, and evaluating the toxicity of the test substance based on the evaluation value.
US08658387B2
Ehrlichia canis antigens that can be used to differentiate E. canis infected animals from animals that have been challenged with E. canis, e.g., vaccinated against E. canis, are disclosed. The invention also provides compositions and methods for determining the presence of E. canis antigens and antibodies.
US08658385B2
The invention relates to purinergic (P2X) receptors, to detection of protein in extra-cellular body fluids and to anti-bodies for the diagnosis or condition, especially cancer.
US08658381B2
The invention relates to a detection conjugate composed of a filament fragment, e.g. a cytoskeletal filament such as actin filaments or microtubules, and recognition elements bound to this fragment as well as kits comprising said detection conjugate and methods how to use said detection conjugate as well as the use for the detection of one or more compounds present within a sample, such as a biological sample.
US08658375B2
A method of reducing an inflammatory response in a subject is provided. The method comprising providing to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of reducing activity and/or expression of a scavenger receptor or of an effector thereof, thereby reducing the inflammatory response in the subject.
US08658373B2
This invention provides a new therapeutic or prophylactic agent for arthritis such as osteoarthritis. Specifically, it provides a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for arthritis such as osteoarthritis, or an agent for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte, comprising a guanyl cyclase B (GC-B) activator as an active ingredient; or a method for inhibiting arthritis or for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte by activating GC-B; or a method for screening an agent for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte or an agent capable of treating arthritis using the GC-B activity as an indication.
US08658372B2
A method of biochemical identification by: providing a plurality of capture species bound to one or more substrates and suspected of having one or more biological targets affinity bound to at least one capture species; detecting which capture species contain bound biological targets to generate a binding pattern; and identifying the biological target based on the binding pattern. The capture species are independently selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial peptides, cytotoxic peptides, antibiotics, and combinations thereof. A device having the capture species bound to the substrates. At least two of the capture species are capable of multi-specific binding to one or more biological targets and may have overlapping but not identical affinity properties.
US08658367B2
A microfluidic device is provided for analyzing or sorting biological materials, such as polynucleotides, polypeptides, proteins, enzymes, viruses and cells. The invention can be used for high throughput or combinatorial screening. The device comprises a main channel and an inlet channel that communicate at a droplet extrusion region so that droplets of solution are deposited into an immiscible solvent in the main channel. Droplets can thereafter be sorted according to biological material detected in each droplet.
US08658366B2
Methods, reaction mixtures and systems for detecting the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid variant from a selection of possible variants is described.
US08658364B2
Compositions, methods and systems are provided for the isolation of polymerase-nucleic acid complexes. Complexes can be separated from free enzyme by using hook molecules to target single stranded regions on the nucleic acid. Active complexes can be isolated from mixtures having both active and inactive complexes by initiating nucleic acid synthesis so as to open up a portion of a double stranded region rendering that region single stranded. Hook molecules are targeted to bind the sequences that are thus exposed. The hook molecules bound to active polymerase-nucleic acid complex are isolated, and the active polymerase-nucleic acid complexes released.
US08658363B2
According to one embodiment, a cell for measuring a level of Ah receptor transcriptional activation is provided. The cell is derived from a neural cell. The cell contains a chromosome into which a reporter construct and an Ah receptor gene are introduced. The reporter construct has a sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 and a reporter gene operably linked to the downstream of the nucleotide sequence. The sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 has a recognizing sequence of an Ah receptor and a nucleotide sequence which is operably linked to the downstream of the recognizing sequence and required to initiate transcription.
US08658362B2
The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of solid cancers. The invention also provides methods of identifying inhibitors of tumorigenesis.
US08658361B2
Disclosed is a method for in situ detection of one or more target nucleic acids based on a combination of an in situ hybridization (ISH) assay method and a general ISH signal amplification method. This new method produces high signal intensity and while keeps low background noise of signal amplification. The result can be consistently reproduced and the method can be easily adopted for routine clinic diagnostic use. Further, the invention relates to a kit, comprising the components of the ISH assay and a general ISH signal amplification assay, for sensitive detection of one or more target nucleic acids.
US08658360B2
The present invention relates to methods, kits, and compositions for generating purified RNA samples and purified DNA samples. In particular, the present invention provides methods for generating a purified RNA or DNA sample from a sample containing both DNA and RNA molecules using a binding matrix that preferentially binds DNA or RNA in the presence of an acidic dilution buffer, or using a binding matrix that comprises acid zeolites, as well as compositions and kits for practicing such methods.
US08658355B2
The invention provides general methods for quantifying any conceivable compound including small organic molecules and biological molecules in mass spectrometric measurements. The methods include the use of chemical or biological reporters such as artificial polypeptides containing proteolytic cleavage sites, which provide proteolytic reporter peptides for standardization of mass spectrometric detection efficiency. In addition to mass spectrometry standardization between different samples, the artificial polypeptides also standardize sample preparation amongst different samples undergoing mass spectrometric analysis when using electrophoresis separation prior to mass spectrometric analysis. Methods of the present invention also include methods for designing artificial polypeptides with peak to peak continuous liquid chromatography elution profiles spanning the complete or partial analyte elution profile for organic and biological molecules. Also included are the artificial polypeptides predigested with protease, which is compatible for use in experiments with native PAGE, in-solution proteolytic digestion of polypeptides, and small organic molecules undergoing fractionation separation followed by mass spectrometric evaluation.
US08658353B2
The disclosure provides methods for characterizing the toxicity of a candidate molecule to liver cells as defined herein; methods of culturing metabolically active liver cells on a biosensor as defined herein; and biosensor liver culture systems as defined herein.
US08658352B2
The present invention relates to cell culture methods and compositions that are essentially serum-free and comprise a basal salt nutrient solution and an ErbB3 ligand.
US08658351B2
The present invention provides various biomarkers for hepatotoxicity and various methods of using the biomarkers Some of the biomarkers within the scope of this invention are cholate, glycochenodeoxycholate, glycocholate, taurine, 3-hyroxy-2-ethylpropionate, 4-imidazoleacetate, tyramine, anthranilate, 2′-deoxycytidine, N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), beta-hydroxy-hexanoate, and sarcosine (N-methylglycine) The methods of using the biomarkers include exposing a first hepatocyte culture to a test agent and comparing the levels of the one or more biomarkers obtained in the first hepatocyte culture to the levels of the one or more biomarkers obtained in a second hepatocyte culture without the test agent, where differential levels of the one or more biomarkers in the first hepatocyte culture as compared to the levels in the second hepatocyte culture is indicative of the test agent being a hepatotoxicant.
US08658334B2
Provided is a transfer mask which has a transfer pattern formed in a pattern-forming thin film provided on a transparent substrate and is adapted to be applied with exposure light having a wavelength of 200 nm or less. The pattern-forming thin film is made of a material containing silicon an a transition metal other than chromium and the chromium content in the film is less than 1.0×1018 atoms/cm3.
US08658326B2
Disclosed herein is a heat transfer system comprising a circulation loop defining a flow path for a heat transfer fluid, and a heat transfer fluid comprising a liquid coolant, a siloxane corrosion inhibitor of formula R3-Si—[O—Si(R)2]x-OSiR3, wherein R is independently an alkyl group or a polyalkylene oxide copolymer of 1 to 200 carbons, x is from 0 to 100, and further wherein at least one alkyl group and at least one polyalkylene oxide copolymer are present, and a non-conductive polydiorganosiloxane antifoam agent, wherein the conductivity of the heat transfer fluid is less than about 100 μS/cm, and wherein the heat transfer system comprises aluminum, magnesium, or a combination thereof, in intimate contact with the heat transfer fluid.
US08658322B2
In a fuel cell system including a stack of polymer electrolyte fuel cells, the wet state of electrolyte membranes in the fuel cell stack is detected according to a variation in measurement value of an alternating current impedance (AC impedance) of the fuel cell stack. In an adequate level of water content of the electrolyte membranes, the measurement value of the AC impedance is substantially constant and has a very little variation. In an excess level of water content of the electrolyte membranes, the measurement value of the AC impedance has a significant variation. The AC impedance of the fuel cell stack is determinable by frequency analysis of high-frequency noise generated by an inverter included in the fuel cell system.
US08658320B2
A fuel cell system according to the present invention includes: a deodorizing device (20) configured to remove an odor component contained in a raw material gas; a reformer (32) configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas through reforming reaction using the raw material gas that is discharged from the deodorizing device; a fuel cell (1) configured to generate power by using the hydrogen-containing gas that is discharged from the reformer; at least one on-off valve (21a, 21b, 3a, 3b, 28, 29) provided on the combustible gas passage which is downstream from the deodorizing device and which extends through the reformer; and a stuck-state checker (13, 18, 7) configured to perform a stuck-state check on the on-off valve by supplying the raw material gas to the combustible gas passage.
US08658314B2
A cathode thin film for a lithium secondary cell, which uses a cathode active material substituting Sn for Mn in lithium manganese oxide, has a high discharge capacity and an improved cycle property.
US08658313B2
The characteristics of a power storage device are improved and the lifetime of the power storage device is prolonged. An electrode is manufactured through the following steps: a step of forming an electrode film; a step of forming a damage layer by ion doping on the electrode film; and a step of providing a damage region between the damage layer and a surface. Alkali ion insertion and extraction can be performed by dipping of an electrode, in which the damage layer and the damage region are formed, in a solution containing an alkali ion. A space in which the volume of the electrode is expanded can be secured by the formation of the damage layer and the damage region. Note that another lithium may be used instead of an alkali metal.
US08658307B2
A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a non-coating portion having a front surface, a rear surface, and a side surface; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate sealing the case; and a collector electrically connected to the non-coating portion of the electrode assembly, wherein the collector includes a front collector tab welded to the front surface of the non-coating portion and a rear collector tab welded to the rear surface of the non-coating portion, a collector plate electrically connected to the collector tabs, the collector plate being coupled with a bottom surface of the cap plate, and a protrusion protruding perpendicularly from one of the front collector tab or rear collector tab.
US08658304B2
Li/air battery cells are configurable to achieve very high energy density. The cells include a protected a lithium metal or alloy anode and an aqueous catholyte in a cathode compartment. In addition to the aqueous catholyte, components of the cathode compartment include an air cathode (e.g., oxygen electrode) and a variety of other possible elements.
US08658289B2
An electromagnetic radiation shielding device includes a first ply having a No. 1 surface and a No. 2 surface and a second ply having a No. 3 surface and a No. 4 surface. The No. 2 surface of the first ply faces the No. 3 surface of the second ply. A first coating having three or more metallic layers is provided over at least a portion of one of the surfaces, such as over at least a portion of the No. 2 surface. A second coating having three or more metallic layers is provided over at least a portion of one or more of the other surfaces, such as over at least a portion of the No. 3 surface.
US08658272B2
A basecoat including a pigment blend, the pigment blend including at least a calcined clay and a hyper-platy clay, the hyper-platy clay having a shape factor of at least about 40:1.
US08658270B2
A penetration-inhibiting material having a first component having a first layer with a first set of threads and a second layer with a second set of threads, wherein the first set of threads is oriented in a first thread direction and the second set of threads is oriented in a second thread direction, and the first thread direction is transverse to the second thread direction. The penetration-inhibiting material has a second component having a third layer and a fourth layer, wherein the third layer is a thread layer having a third set of threads and the fourth layer is a thread layer having a fourth set of threads, the third set of threads is oriented in a third thread direction and the fourth set of threads is oriented in a fourth thread direction, the third thread direction is transverse to the fourth thread direction, the third thread direction forms a first angle to the first thread direction and to the second thread direction, and the fourth thread direction forms a second angle to the first thread direction and to the second thread direction, the third set of threads and the fourth set of threads are joined to each other using at least a textile binding agent.
US08658269B1
A floor mat includes a perforated carpet and a thermoplastic rubber base. The base is formed around the perimeter of the carpet and through the carpet's perforations so that it integrates with the carpet and forms ribs and bosses adjacent the perforations, while leaving portions of the carpet exposed. The portions are left exposed by pinch-off ribbing within in the mold for forming the mat, which isolates the portions from the base.
US08658265B2
A molded article comprising sugar beet pulp is provided. In addition a method of making the such molded articles is described. Such articles are particularly useful in the packaging of food; and for medical applications where molded articles are needed.
US08658262B2
The invention provides emission control coatings. The coating includes a transparent conductive film over which there is an oxygen barrier film. In some embodiments, the transparent conductive film comprises indium tin oxide and the oxygen barrier film comprises silicon nitride.
US08658261B2
Disclosed is a composition comprising a polymer comprising a repeating unit represented by formula (I). Each of A1 and A2 represents a group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —NRa— (Ra represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent), —S—, and —CO—; each of R1, R2 and R3 represents a substituent; n is an integer from 0 to 2; X represents an alkenylene group, alkynylene group, arylene group, or heterocyclic group; each of L1 and L2 independently represents a linking group.
US08658259B2
A hybrid deposition process of CVD and ALD, called NanoLayer Deposition (NLD) is provided. The nanolayer deposition process is a cyclic sequential deposition process, comprising the first step of introducing a first plurality of precursors to deposit a thin film with the deposition process not self-limiting, then a second step of purging the first set of precursors and a third step of introducing a second plurality of precursors to modify the deposited thin film. The deposition step in the NLD process using the first set of precursors is not self limiting and is a function of substrate temperature and process time. The second set of precursors modifies the already deposited film characteristics. The second set of precursors can treat the deposited film such as a modification of film composition, a doping or a removal of impurities from the deposited film. The second set of precursors can also deposit another layer on the deposited film. The additional layer can react with the existing layer to form a compound layer, or can have minimum reaction to form a nanolaminate film.
US08658257B2
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber, comprises applying a UV cured resin to an outer circumference of a running glass optical fiber, forming an accompanying flow composed of an inert gas near a surface of the resin by passing the glass optical fiber immediately after having the resin being applied through an atmosphere of the inert gas, and forming a coating by irradiating the resin coated with the accompanying flow with ultraviolet ray to cure the resin while the glass optical fiber accompanied by the accompanying flow is passed through a UV transmission tube to which a gas containing oxygen is supplied.
US08658256B2
Methods include applying an electric charge to a coating material that includes carbon nanotubes and a carrier, such as paint, and depositing the electrically charged coating material to a substrate. In some methods, the applying includes utilizing an electrostatic sprayer. In some methods, the substrate is isolated from ground during the depositing. In some methods, the substrate is an insulator. Some methods result in regions of carbon nanotubes that are substantially longitudinally aligned after the depositing. Coated substrates may include a coating with carbon nanotubes that are substantially longitudinally aligned. Aircraft, spacecraft, land vehicles, marine vehicles, wind turbines, and apparatuses that may be susceptible to lightning strikes or other types of electromagnetic effects and that include a coated substrate also are disclosed.
US08658251B2
A method of producing a structural member having Prussian blue-type metal complex nanoparticles, the method including: constructing the structural member stabilized by a particular process in producing the structural member by providing nanoparticles consisting of Prussian blue-type metal complex onto a substrate; and a structural member having Prussian blue-type metal complex nanoparticles, the structural member having water-dispersible nanoparticles consisting of Prussian blue-type metal complex provided on a substrate and the structural member being stabilized in water by a particular process.
US08658248B2
A method for atomizing a liquid including providing an atomizer having a liquid supply conduit having an outlet at one end, a gas supply conduit opening into a port in the liquid supply conduit upstream of the outlet, and a means for imparting vibrational energy to the atomizer. In an embodiment, the liquid supply conduit and gas supply conduit are coaxially displaced relative to one another. The method further includes flowing liquid through the liquid supply conduit to the outlet while simultaneously flowing gas through the gas supply conduit, and imparting vibrational energy to the atomizer to atomize the liquid exiting from the outlet. The introduction of gas at the port results in a spray of droplets with improved dimensional properties.
US08658247B2
A disclosed film deposition method comprises alternately repeating an adsorption step and a reaction step with an interval period therebetween. The adsorption step includes opening a first on-off valve of a source gas supplying system for a predetermined time period thereby to supply a source gas to a process chamber, closing the first valve after the predetermined time period elapses, and confining the source gas within the process tube, thereby allowing the source gas to be adsorbed on an object to be processed, while a third on-off valve of a vacuum evacuation system is closed. The reaction step includes opening a second on-off valve of a reaction gas supplying system thereby to supply a reaction gas to the process chamber, thereby allowing the source gas and the reaction gas to react with each other thereby to produce a thin film on the object to be processed.
US08658245B2
A method for manufacturing a z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes depositing a liquid based material onto a top surface of a rotatable plate. The top surface of the rotatable plate has at least one cavity formed thereon that defines the shape of a layer of the z-directed component. The rotatable plate is spun to level a top surface of the liquid based material in the at least one cavity. The liquid based material is cured to form the layer of the z-directed component. A conductive material is applied to at least one surface of the formed layer. The z-directed component is formed including a stack of component layers that includes the formed layer.
US08658244B2
A method of making colored multifilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarn, including feeding at least one substantially untwisted multifilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarn, coating the substantially untwisted multifilament yarn with a coating composition comprising colorant in a thermoplastic resin carrier, with the coating composition being adhered to the filaments of the multifilament yarn, and heating the multifilament yarn while stretching the yarn without fusing of the filaments of the multifilament yarn. The resultant yarn is a colored multifilament yarn having improved color-fastness. The thermoplastic resin has a lower melting point than the filaments of the multifilament yarn. Preferably, a plurality of the substantially untwisted multifilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarns are processed together. Articles formed from the colored multifilament yarns may be prepared and subjected to a heating step to provide a colored surface coating of the thermoplastic resin over the article.
US08658242B2
A method and apparatus for forming magnetic media substrates is provided. A patterned resist layer is formed on a substrate having a magnetically susceptible layer. A conformal protective layer is formed over the patterned resist layer to prevent degradation of the pattern during subsequent processing. The substrate is subjected to an energy treatment wherein energetic species penetrate portions of the patterned resist and conformal protective layer according to the pattern formed in the patterned resist, impacting the magnetically susceptible layer and modifying a magnetic property thereof. The patterned resist and conformal protective layers are then removed, leaving a magnetic substrate having a pattern of magnetic properties with a topography that is substantially unchanged.
US08658240B2
In a paint plant which comprises at least one spray-painting device incorporating at least one application unit for painting workpieces and in particular motor vehicle bodies with a fluid paint, in order to enable the fluid paint overspray i.e. the paint particles which are not adhering to the workpieces that are to be painted and which are picked up and carried along in an air flow passing through the application area of the paint shop, to be re-separated from this air flow and also to enable the cleansed air flow to be returned to the application area in an air re-circulating system or else expelled into the environment of the plant, the paint shop comprises a device for separating fluid paint overspray from a stream of crude gas that contains overspray particles wherein this device comprises at least one filter element for separating the overspray from the stream of crude gas.
US08658234B2
A method of in-molding a food item in a package defining at least one cavity for holding the food item and having an opening for accessing the food item. Liquid food product is introduced into the at least one cavity and allowed to solidify to form a solid food product, which is then unseated.
US08658228B2
A tubular fuel cell module comprising a tubular fuel cell capable of improving current collection efficiency, and a fuel cell comprising the fuel cell module are provided. A fuel cell module (100) includes a plurality of tubular fuel cells (10A, 10A, . . . ) arranged in parallel and a first current collector (35), wherein the tubular fuel cells (10A, 10A, . . . ) are woven by the first current collector (35) in a direction crossing an axial direction of the tubular fuel cells (10A, 10A, . . . ) in a plan view.
US08658225B2
A nasal solution and method for treating nasal and sinus inflammation. The nasal solution includes vitamin C, an extract of scutellaria radix, an extract of eleutherococcus radix, an extract of chamomile, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier which is suitable for administering the vitamin C, the scutellaria radix extract; the eleutherococcus radix extract; and the chamomile to the nose of a patient. The method includes administering the nasal solution which suppresses early phase and late phase mediators of allergic mucosal disease in order to maintain long-term inhibition of nasal and sinus inflammation.
US08658222B2
A topical composition comprising at least one active agent selected from a depilatory agent (s), an agent (s) for preventing or reducing the growth or re-growth of hair and an agent (s) for preventing or reducing in-growing hair, and a gas, wherein the at least one active agent and gas are dispersed in a cosmetically acceptable medium.
US08658217B2
Described is an implantable medical material comprising a malleable, cohesive, shape-retaining putty including mineral particles, insoluble collagen fibers and soluble collagen. The medical material can be used in conjunction with biologically active factors such as osteogenic proteins to treat bone or other tissue defects in patients.
US08658202B2
The invention relates generally to methods of making formulations for delivering biological agents to a patient. In one aspect, proliposomal drug-delivery systems for medicaments are provided. In another aspect, coated proliposomal formulations for poorly water soluble drugs, and methods for making the same, are provided. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide enhanced stability and bioavailability for pharmaceutical formulations.
US08658193B2
Technologies are described herein for styptic compounds comprising a hemostatic or styptic agent suspended within a hydrophobic carrier medium. Example carrier mediums may include waxes, lipids, oils, or combinations thereof. The compound may be a semisolid at room temperature and soft enough to be easily dispensed and formed into or onto bleeding tissue of an animal or human. The hydrophobic qualities of the carrier medium can protect the styptic agent from absorbing moisture. The carrier medium can mechanically support positioning treatments adjacent to the bleeding tissue. The carrier medium can further serve to mechanically seal the tissue to aid in hemostasis while also protecting the tissue from debris and contamination. The carrier medium can aid in maintaining moisture within the tissue. Slurry-based manufacturing processes can support a substantially homogeneous dispersal of styptic agent throughout the carrier medium.
US08658192B2
Cationic polymers hydrolyzable to zwitterionic polymers, monomers for making the cationic polymers, surfaces that include the polymers, and methods for making and using the cationic polymers and surfaces. The cationic polymers include counterions and/or hydrolyzable groups that release active agents.
US08658188B2
Nanoparticulate material containing a matrix and embedded therein a radiopacifier are bioactive, show a high alkaline capacity and are radio-opaque. Compositions and formulations including such material are particularly useful in advanced dental applications, such as dental fillings and/or disinfection.
US08658182B2
A method of producing a phytoplankton extract includes obtaining seawater including phytoplankton. The seawater is stored in a tank and circulated within the tank. Air is mixed with the seawater. The phytoplankton is autolysed. The phytoplankton is collected. A compound includes an autolysed phytoplankton taken from an algae paste. The autolysed phytoplankton can be a powder or a liquid.
US08658167B2
Provided are methodology, compositions and kits to prevent and treat diseases associated with abnormal cell proliferation, angiogenesis and fibrosis, using processed lysyl oxidase or lysyl oxidase-like protein inhibitors, LOX inhibitors and LOXL inhibitors, or synergistic combinations of such inhibitors with therapeutic agents. Provided are methods for selecting tumor invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis inhibiting agents, by contacting cells in EMT states with candidate agents and detecting changes in such states; and methods, compositions, and kits for diagnosing or monitoring diseases associated with abnormal cell proliferation, angiogenesis and fibrosis, using molecules or agents specifically recognizing processed LOX or LOXL. Provided are methods, compositions, medical devices, systems and kits for preventing or treating diseases and conditions associated with fibrosis, including pathological cardiovascular conditions and diseases, e.g., hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, restenosis, liver fibrosis, kidney fibrosis, lung fibrosis, dermal scaring, keloid formation, and Alzheimer's disease, with LOX or LOXL inhibitors.
US08658164B2
Methods for diagnosing the presence of prostate cancer in a subject are provided, such methods including detecting the levels of expression of multiple polypeptide biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from the subject and comparing the levels of expression with predetermined threshold levels. Levels of expression of at least two of the polypeptide markers that are above the predetermined threshold levels are indicative of the presence of prostate cancer in the subject. Determination of the expression levels of specific combinations of biomarkers can also be used to determine the type and/or stage of prostate cancer.
US08658155B2
Methods and compositions for producing selected non-human mammalian germ cells and gametes and for making non-human animals using the produced germ cells and gametes are provided by the present invention. Methods of generating a non-human embryo and/or animal derived from donor stem cells, methods of generating chimeric non-human animals having substantially all gametes and/or germ cells derived from the donor stem cells, methods of producing a non-human host embryo lacking functional endogenous germ cells and non-human host embryos incapable of developing endogenous gametes of the present invention are described herein.
US08658151B2
Disclosed herein are cell cultures comprising expanded definitive endoderm cells as well as methods for expanding definitive endoderm cells in culture.
US08658138B2
The present invention related to the use of a pharmaceutical composition which is essentially free of pharmaceutically active ingredients for the treatment of human skin, especially in the treatment of rosacea, acne, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, psoriasis or neurodermitis, as well as for prophylactic and/or cosmetic purposes.
US08658137B2
An environmentally safe, non-phytotoxic pesticidal composition comprising natural plant oils geraniol and cedar oil and methods of controlling insects is provided.
US08658125B2
Positive electrode active material and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery containing the same
The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material comprising a lithium-containing composite oxide containing nickel with an oxidation state of 2.0 to 2.5 and manganese with an oxidation state of 3.5 to 4.0, the oxidation state determined by the shifts of energy at which absorption maximum is observed in the X-ray absorption near-K-edge structures, and to a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the same, the positive electrode active material being characterized in having a high capacity, a long storage life and excellent cycle life.
US08658115B2
Sorbent components containing halogen, calcium, alumina, and silica are used in combination during coal combustion to produce environmental benefits. Sorbents such as calcium bromide are added to the coal ahead of combustion and other components are added into the flame or downstream of the flame, preferably at minimum temperatures to assure complete formation of the refractory structures that result in various advantages of the methods. When used together, the components reduce emissions of elemental and oxidized mercury; increase the level of Hg, As, Pb, and/or Cl in the coal ash; decrease the levels of leachable heavy metals (such as Hg) in the ash, preferably to levels below the detectable limits; and make a highly cementitious ash product.
US08658114B2
A method for extracting cobalt from copper raffinate. First, a supply of raffinate containing at least cobalt, copper, ferric iron and nickel, is provided. The raffinate is pretreated by one or all of raising the raffinate pH level; removing solids; and, reducing ferric iron to ferrous iron. Substantially all copper is removed using first ion exchange resin selective for copper. A second ion exchange resin selective for both cobalt and nickel is used to remove the cobalt and nickel. Cobalt and nickel are separately eluted from the second ion exchange resin.
US08658109B2
The present disclosure relates to novel bis-maleic anhydrides and to the surprising discovery that bis-maleic anhydride cross-linking agents can be used for preservation/fixation of a cell or tissue sample. Various bis-maleic anhydride cross-linking agent scan be used in methods requiring fixation of a cell or tissue sample. These reagents and methods are especially useful in procedures that require that the fixation agent be removed in order to facilitate analysis with other reagents. The inventive reagents and methods make it easier to reliably assay for various proteins, a nucleic acid and the like using analytical methods such as like immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, and the like.
US08658106B2
A system and method are provided for sanitizing a gas pump handle. A cover at least partially encloses the gas pump handle. The cover is able to be moved from a covered position to an uncovered position. Located on the cover are one or more nozzles or foggers for dispensing sanitizing fluid onto the handle. Sensors detect the position of the cover or the detect whether or not the handle is in the rest position. A controller, in communication with the sensors, sends a command to a pump to spray sanitizer through the nozzle or foggers after a user has pumped gas and returned the handle or the cover to the rest position.
US08658101B1
A photocatalytic device has an ultraviolet light source and a plurality of photocatalytic structures, such as hydrated quad-metallic catalyst surfaces. The photocatalytic device has curved reflectors that are positioned to reflect ultraviolet light against a face of the photocatalytic structures. The curved reflectors are shaped to minimize the distance traveled by the ultraviolet light between the light source and the photocatalytic structure. The curved reflector is further shaped to direct reflected ultraviolet against the surface of the photocatalytic structure in a perpendicular direction.
US08658094B2
A device for measuring oxidation-reduction potential at operating temperature and pressure in hot water systems is disclosed and claimed. The device includes a flow-through cell, an oxidation-reduction potential probe, a temperature detector, and an external pressure-balanced reference electrode assembly. Each component of the device works in conjunction with the other components and each has electrical connections that transmit signals to a controller. The controller calculates and determines adjustments to feedwater chemistry for the hot water system.
US08658090B2
Methods and apparatus for liquid, gas, and gas plasma sterilization of items. The apparatus includes two chambers and a holder to connectorlessly secure a lumened instrument such that a first portion of the lumened instrument lies in the first chamber and a second portion of the instrument lies in the second chamber, a liquid medium contained within the two chambers, and pumping means for simultaneously increasing fluid pressure within the first chamber of said container while decreasing fluid pressure within the second chamber of the container in a reciprocating fashion. The pumping means displaces at least a total internal volume of the liquid medium through the lumen for a given highest volume of a lumened instrument during each stroke.
US08658088B1
A hand-held device and method of processing a biological threat agent sample such that any infectious organism is rendered harmless while preserving it for subsequent testing, the method comprising placing a sample comprising a biological threat agent in a reservoir; adding a first reagent comprising peracetic acid in sufficient concentration to reach a predetermined minimal concentration after mixing with the sample in the reservoir; inactivating the sample upon interaction of the sample with the first reagent for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature; removing the inactivated sample from the reservoir; and providing the inactivated sample for subsequent diagnostic testing, wherein the subsequent diagnostic testing is unaffected by inactivation of the sample. In another embodiment, the first reagent comprises a cupric salt, which is mixed with ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide to generate cupric ascorbate.
US08658083B2
This disclosure involves a new spinel and glass micro-composite material and process for making such. The composite has excellent transmission in the 0.5-5.0 μm wavelength region suitable for various visible and mid IR applications utilizing windows, domes and other geometric shapes. The composite can be made at a temperature about 40% lower than the glass melting temperature and about 50% lower than the spinel sintering temperature. The composite material has high modulus and fracture toughness which are important for impact resistance in armor and other practical applications.
US08658079B2
Process and device for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank equipped with at least one communication component, by molding a parison using a mold comprising two impressions and a core, said process comprising the pressing of the parison against the impressions and formation of a pocket in this parison, the communication component being fastened in this pocket by welding of at least one portion of its side wall to at least one portion of the side wall of the pocket.
US08658077B2
Oligoamines, such as a compound of the formula H2N(CH2CH2NH)nH in which n is an integer of 2-10, crosslink polymers containing carboxyl functionality unexpectedly faster than conventional diamines such as 1,6-diaminohexane. The combination of an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer with an oligoamine of this type is useful for, among other things, the production of crosslinked wire and cable insulation.
US08658076B2
The present invention provides a process for producing at least one three-dimensional object, comprising: providing a material to be solidified; delivering electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation in a pattern or an image to a building region for solidifying said material; wherein said delivering of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation is performed selectively to a defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; and wherein an energy density of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation is controlled and/or adjusted in a border region of said pattern or image and/or is varied in border regions of patterns or images of different building regions of said material, to have an energy density different from the building region other than said border region(s), wherein the controlling and/or adjustment is dependent on, alone or in combination: (a) intensity of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation delivered to said defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; (b) total shape or contour shape of said defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; (c) size of said defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; and (d) material to be solidified. A device is provided likewise.
US08658071B2
A method for enabling a lining (14) to be applied to a pipe elbow or bend C comprises the steps of connecting a tie member (12) to an end of a flexible elongate mandrel (1), drawing the tie member through the elbow or bend so as to draw the mandrel therethrough and locate opposing ends of the mandrel adjacent to opposing respective ends of the elbow or bend, and securing the mandrel ends in relation to the respective ends of the elbow or bend. The mandrel can be adapted to the elbow or bend by locating the elbow or bend in a given orientation and deriving a profile S of the elbow or bend while in that orientation, removing the elbow or bend and then locating the mandrel in the given orientation, and adjusting the mandrel in relation to the profile of the elbow or bend to adapt it thereto.
US08658070B2
This invention relates to the field of multilayer articles prepared by rotational molding with a robotized rotomolding machine wherein the mold is under direct heating.
US08658069B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing shrink films comprising: A) from 20 to 90% by weight of a biodegradable, aliphatic-aromatic polyester and B) from 10 to 80% by weight of one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of: polylactic acid, polypropylene carbonate, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxyalkanoate, chitosan, gluten, and one or more aliphatic/aromatic polyesters, such as polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate, or polybutylene succinate sebacate, or polybutylene terephthalate-co-adipate; and C) from 0 to 2% by weight of a compatibilizer, where a blow-up ratio smaller than or equal to 4:1 is selected.
US08658067B2
Described herein are apparatuses and methods of creating fibers, such as microfibers and nanofibers. The methods discussed herein employ centrifugal forces to transform material into fibers. Apparatuses that may be used to create fibers are also described. Embodiments described herein relate to apparatuses and methods for the deposition of fibers onto substrates.
US08658062B2
The present invention is related to nano-particle compositions, methods of their preparation and applications thereof. The nano-particle compositions include silicon-containing nano-particles, a graphite matrix, carbon nanotubes and an amorphous carbon interface formed between the silicon-containing nano-particles and the graphite matrix.
US08658060B2
A liquid crystal composition including a first neutral liquid crystal, a second neutral liquid crystal, a first polar liquid crystal, a second polar liquid crystal, and a third polar liquid crystal. A liquid crystal display device includes a backlight unit and a liquid crystal display panel to form an image using light provided by the backlight unit. The liquid crystal display panel includes a first base substrate, an opposing second base substrate, and the liquid crystal composition disposed between the first and second base substrates.
US08658059B2
A liquid crystal composite material and a liquid crystal electro-optical display device are provided. A liquid crystal composite material, includes: a liquid crystal; a polymer; and a modified inorganic layered material, wherein the modified inorganic layered material is formed by modifying an inorganic layered material with a conjugated oligomer, and the conjugated oligomer has a quaternary ammonium group or sulfonate group.
US08658052B2
Disclosed is a method for making a highly thermally conductive composite. At first, paraffin wax is subjected to apparent modification. Expandable graphite is oxidized and organically modified. The modified paraffin wax is melted and mixed with the modified expandable graphite so that the modified expandable graphite is evenly distributed in the modified paraffin wax. With the expandable graphite, which exhibits an excellent heat transfer coefficient, the thermal conductivity of the paraffin wax is improved. The melting and solidifying rates of the paraffin wax are improved.
US08658048B2
The present invention aims to prevent decreases in etching rate due to adhesion of an etched film to a substrate holder. A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium includes: forming a first film on a substrate holder not yet having a substrate mounted thereon; mounting a substrate on the substrate holder having the first film formed thereon, the substrate having a resist layer formed on a multilayer film including a magnetic film layer, the resist layer having a predetermined pattern; and processing the magnetic film layer into a shape based on the predetermined pattern by performing dry etching on the substrate. The first film is a film that is not etched as easily as the films in the multilayer film to be removed by the dry etching.
US08658044B2
A stormwater filter cartridge includes a housing with internal filter medium disposed along a flow path between a water inlet and a filtered water outlet. A solid wall float tube in a drainage space has an open lower end and open upper end and is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. As the housing fills, water level in the housing rises to cause the solid wall float tube to move to the raised position and a negative pressure draws fluid through the filter medium. As water level outside the filter cartridge drops, air enters the housing and causes the solid wall float tube to drop to the lowered position, and filtered water in a fluid reservoir backflows through the filter medium while air enters the housing by passing upward through the solid wall float tube so as to enhance rate of backflow.
US08658042B2
Relates to a microplate carrier (1) for a microplate (2), in whose wells (3) magnetic particles (5), which are suspended in a liquid (4), with or without samples adhering thereto are located, the microplate carrier (1) comprising permanent magnets (6) generating magnetic fields which are implemented to collect and retain the magnetic particles (5) on the floor (14) and/or on the walls (7) of the wells (3) of this microplate (2). The microplate carrier (1) according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises two permanent magnets (6) situated diametrically opposite in relation to the well (3) for each well (3) of the microplate (2), which have the same polarity directed toward the well (3) and whose magnetic axis (25) is at least essentially perpendicular to the footprint of the microplate (2) to be placed. A corresponding method based on the use of the microplate carrier (1) is also disclosed.
US08658041B2
The various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to sorbent fiber compositions. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fibers for pressure swing and temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise a sorbent composition, comprising a fiber comprising a plurality of tortuous pathways; and a sorbent material, wherein the sorbent material is in fluid communication with at least a portion of the plurality of tortuous pathways. Aspects of the present invention comprise compositions, devices and methods of using sorbent fiber compositions.
US08658034B1
A mobile phase delivery device for use with high pressure liquid chromatography includes a manifold having a plurality of inlets, wherein each inlet is fluidly coupled with a solvent source. The manifold further has a mobile phase outlet that outputs a mobile phase, composed of solvent or solvent mixture, onto an analytical line. The device further includes at least one pump for delivering solvent to the manifold, and a fluid branch in the manifold that is located at a point downstream of the plurality of inlets, and is fluidly coupled with at least one of a pressure sensor and a purge valve.
US08658020B2
A process is disclosed for converting distillate to gasoline-range hydrocarbons using a two-stage catalyst system including a first catalyst containing a Group VIII metal and a zeolite, and a second catalyst containing a Group VIII metal, tin and an inorganic oxide support.
US08658019B2
A process for cracking a heavy hydrocarbon feed comprising a vaporization step, a coking step, a hydroprocessing step, and a steam cracking step is disclosed.
US08657992B2
A method and apparatus for the bonding of one or more material layers to a display panel which yields a resulting bonded assembly which is transparent and substantially free of optical defects such as entrapped dirt and air bubbles. During the bonding process of the present disclosure, a moving dispensing probe, or needle, dispenses a liquid bonding material into an air gap between the surfaces to be bonded in a manner which continuously touches (wets) each surface simultaneously. By simultaneously wetting each surface, and by dispensing the liquid bonding material in a predetermined pattern between the surfaces, the introduction of entrapped dirt and the formation of air bubbles is prevented as the two mating surfaces are subsequently pressed together and the adhesive is cured.
US08657991B2
The present invention is directed to a process for manufacture of a solar panel string assembly for a solar canopy including: horizontally aligning two solar panel support channels substantially parallel to one another; applying an adhesive with a robotic tool to an upper portion of the solar panel support channels, the robotic tool comprising a fixed track aligned parallel with the two solar panel support channels, a robotic arm assembly movably supported by the track, a positioning member for adjusting the position of the robotic arm assembly along the track, and wherein the robotic arm comprises an adhesive applicator and a vacuum lift component; and lifting with the vacuum lift component of the robot arm assembly of the robotic tool and aligning a solar panel on top of the two solar panel support channels near opposing edges of the solar panel.
US08657990B2
Carbon nanotube interlayer assemblies, methods of manufacturing carbon nanotube interlayer assemblies, and methods of manufacturing composite parts with carbon nanotube interlayer assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a composite structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes producing a plurality of carbon nanotubes on one or both sides of a substrate, and attaching the substrate to a first fiber layer. The method can further include positioning a second fiber layer adjacent to the first fiber layer to position the plurality of carbon nanotubes between the first and second fiber layers. The method can additionally include infusing the first and second fiber layers with resin, and curing the resin. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube substrate can be attached to the first fiber layer by melt-bonding. In another embodiment, the carbon nanotube substrate can be attached to the first fiber layer with stitches.
US08657985B2
Encapsulated organic electronic devices including organic light emitting diodes are made using an adhesive component as a mask while the device is being constructed. An adhesive-coated liner can be applied to the device substrate and openings created therein by removing portions of the liner and adhesive, or a patterned adhesive layer having openings therein can be formed on the device substrate, followed by deposition of the device layers and application of a sealing layer.
US08657984B1
A method for fabricating a grid-stiffened panel which incorporates a network of fluid channels and passageways into the ribs and face sheet is described. The method is comprised of a base tooling assembly, an expansion tooling assembly, a composite prepreg, plugs, a face sheet and a network of valves and pumps, wherein the prepreg is draped over said expansion tooling and assembled with the base tooling assembly to form a rib structure. Channel plugs are placed therein such that gaps between adjacent expansion tooling blocks are filled, and the entire rib structure assembly is autoclaved. The face sheet may be comprised of a plurality of layers, whereby channels are machined into the lower layer(s). The upper layer(s) are bonded to the lower layer(s) to seal the channels, and said face sheet is bonded to the rib structure.
US08657981B2
The present disclosure is directed to a skin contacting product and a method of making same wherein the skin contacting product is formed of a laminated material having at least two distinct layers including a fabric layer and a film layer. The laminated material also has a film-like surface on a selected surface portion of the fabric layer which is formed by applying heat to the selected surface portion. The heat is applied at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to form the film-like surface wherein the temperature and the period of time are dependent upon the physical characteristics of the laminated material.
US08657979B2
A fluid-filled bladder with a reinforcing structure and a method of manufacturing the bladder and reinforcing structure are disclosed. In general, the reinforcing structure extends around the bladder, and the reinforcing structure is bonded to an exterior of the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure is recessed into the bladder and extends along side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process.
US08657971B2
A brake disk excellent in temper softening resistance and toughness comprising, by mass, 0.1% or less of C, 1.0% or less of Si, 2.0% or less of Mn, 10.5% to 15.0% of Cr, and 0.1% or less of N, the remainder being Fe and unavoidable impurities, such that the following inequalities are satisfied: 5Cr+10Si+15Mo+30Nb−9Ni−5Mn−3Cu−225N−270C<45 (1) and 0.03≦{C+N−(13/92)Nb}≦0.09 (2) wherein Cr, Si, Mo, Nb, Ni, Mn, Cu, N, and C each represent the content of the corresponding elements on a mass percent basis, and having a martensitic structure having prior-austenite grains with an average diameter of 8 to less than 15 μm.
US08657970B2
This hot-rolled steel sheet contains, in terms of mass %, C: 0.015% or more to less than 0.040%; Si: less than 0.05%; Mn: 0.9% or more to 1.8% or less; P: less than 0.02%; S: less than 0.01%; Al: less than 0.1%; N: less than 0.006%; and Ti: 0.05% or more to less than 0.11%, with the remainder being Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein Ti/C is in a range of 2.5 or more to less than 3.5, Nb, Zr, V, Cr, Mo, B and W are not included, a microstructure includes a mixed microstructure of polygonal ferrite and quasi-polygonal ferrite in a proportion of greater than 96%, a maximum tensile strength is 520 MPa or more and less than 720 MPa, an aging index AI is more than 15 MPa, a product of a hole expansion ratio (λ) % and a total elongation (El) % is 2350 or more, and a fatigue limit is 200 MPa or more.
US08657967B2
The present invention is related to process for producing an amorphous Fe-based bulk metallic glass product, formed of an alloy having a chemical formula of Fe100-a-b-c-d-x-y MaNbbSicBdIxJy wherein: • M is Co and/or Ni, •I is one or more elements of the group consisting of Al, Cr, Cu, Mn, C and P, •J is one or more elements of the group consisting of Ti, S, N and O and wherein a, b, c, d, x and y are satisfying the following conditions: 0 wt. %
US08657966B2
Embodiments of the current invention describe cleaning solutions to clean the surface of a photomask, methods of cleaning the photomask using at least one of the cleaning solutions, and combinatorial methods of formulating the cleaning solutions. The cleaning solutions are formulated to preserve the optical properties of the photomask, and in particular, of a phase-shifting photomask.
US08657957B2
A method of manufacturing a fused silica crucible by heating and melting a vitreous silica powder compact shaped into a mold using arc discharge of electrodes arranged around a rotation shaft of the mold, includes the steps of: arranging the electrodes in a ring shape, and setting a ratio W/R of a horizontal distance W between the electrode front end and the surface of the vitreous silica powder compact to a vitreous silica powder compact opening radius R, for at least a predetermined time during arc heating, to be in the range of 0.002 to 0.98.
US08657949B2
The disclosure is generally related to a coating composition, and more particularly to a decorative effect coating composition capable of producing a multi-colored and/or multi-shaded appearance in a single application.
US08657941B2
A dust suppression apparatus comprising: (a) a turntable; (b) an engine; (c) a water mist blower comprising an air conduit, a plurality of water nozzles positioned so as to supply a spray of water to the air conduit, and a fan positioned so as to supply a stream of air through the air conduit, the water mist blower and the engine mounted on the turntable, the turntable adapted to permit the air conduit to be rotated horizontally, and the air conduit mounted so as to permit the air conduit to tilt vertically; (d) a water conduit adapted to supply pressurized water to the plurality of water nozzles; (e) a belt drive connected to the engine and adapted to supply power to the fan, and (f) a constant velocity joint connecting the belt drive to the fan.
US08657932B2
A separator comprises a separation chamber (1) with at least one inlet (11a) in its upper part, a solids outlet (12) in its lower part and two outlet pipes (2 and 3) for fractions of gas. Also described is a method which the separator uses, with the fractions of gas being sucked out in two separation zones generated inside the chamber, one with reverse flow and the other with unidirectional flow.
US08657928B2
A versatile compact air precleaner, air cleaning method and disposable air filter cartridge for air precleaner for separating heavier-than-air particulate debris from debris laden air to provide a clean airflow, wherein a flow path for air passing through a separator chamber of the air precleaner is retroflexed en route to the outlet. A plurality of independently rotatably adjustable housing sections of a housing provide utility with multiple clean air outlet configurations, freedom of direction of ejection of particulate debris from the ejector ports, different inlet configurations, mounting of the precleaner from different sides, accommodation of different sizes of filters, and different clean airflow rate capabilities. A separator chamber end section including the ejector ports is connected to the filter as a removable, disposable air filter cartridge to obviate ejector port clogging with change of filters.
US08657925B2
A method of scrubbing flue gas includes introducing flue gas comprising an acidic gas through an inlet into a tower; spraying an acid-absorptive fluid into the tower such that the acid-absorptive fluid contacts the flue gas; accumulating the acid-absorptive fluid in a recycle tank portion of the tower; and introducing an oxygen-containing gas into the acid-absorptive fluid in the recycle tank portion of the tower, wherein the oxygen-containing gas is introduced through at least one opening of an aerator, each of the at least one openings are positioned to release the oxygen-containing gas at least at a distance greater than or equal to a predetermined radial distance from the flue gas inlet, the predetermined radial distance being equal to at least 10% of a diameter of the recycle tank portion of the tower.
US08657922B2
A method which separates a component which is easily adsorbed by an adsorbent and a component which is not easily adsorbed by the adsorbent, from a feed gas which includes at least two kinds of components, with adsorption columns, wherein the adsorbent is filled in the adsorption columns and has strong adsorbability with respect to at least one kind of component included in the feed gas, and also has weak adsorbability with respect to at least one kind of other components included in the feed gas, and a temperature of the adsorbents which is filled in the column is maintained to be higher than the highest temperature of an ambient temperature around the adsorption columns which is variable throughout the year.
US08657918B2
A cyclic adsorption process is provided having pressurization and depressurization steps and driven by one or more centrifugal machines operating under acceleration and deceleration conditions wherein the deceleration rate of the machine is controlled to minimize power consumption and maximize the efficiency of the process. The operating speed of the centrifugal machine during deceleration is matched to the measured ratio pressure conditions so that the centrifugal machine arrives at its minimum operating speed near the point required to begin acceleration.
US08657913B2
The present invention relates to a separator and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid. A centrifugal separator is provided as comprising a housing defining an inner space, and a rotor assembly for imparting a rotary motion onto a mixture of substances to be separated. The rotor assembly is located in said inner space and is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rotor assembly comprises an inlet for receiving said mixture of substances, an outlet from which said substances are ejected from the rotor assembly during use, and a flow path for providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned more radially outward from said axis than the inlet.
US08657909B2
The present invention relates to a separator and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid. A centrifugal separator is provided as comprising a housing defining an inner space, and a rotor assembly for imparting a rotary motion onto a mixture of substances to be separated. The rotor assembly is located in said inner space and is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rotor assembly comprises an inlet for receiving said mixture of substances, an outlet from which said substances are ejected from the rotor assembly during use, and a flow path for providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned more radially outward from said axis than the inlet.
US08657898B2
An air filtration unit for conveying bulk granular material from a tank trailer, and uses air pressure to achieve granular flow, the air filtration unit incorporates an intake that induces a spiral flow, the unit incorporates a lid at the back end of the filter housing, and a baffle structure at the intake inlet of the unit, to dampen sound.
US08657895B2
A deflector for a jet engine. The deflector may prevent the jet engine from ingesting birds during a bird strike scenario. The deflector may include a series of ribs, spokes, or vanes that may vary in width and/or thickness from fore to aft, and/or may be curvilinear in one or more planes of view, and/or may serve double duty as inlet vanes for redirecting inlet air.
US08657893B2
A method for producing a highly uniform and highly dense sintered cubic boron nitride compact having high hardness by sintering at a milder condition without a binder, is provided. The method includes deflocculating secondary particles in cubic boron nitride starting powders by dispersing the starting powders in a solution of a deflocculant; molding the green compact after removing the solution of the deflocculant from the starting powders; and then sintering the green compact in the presence of a supercritical fluid source in a supercritical state by pressing and heating the green compact together with the supercritical fluid source. The supercritical fluid source can be one or more selected from a group consisted of polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, a polyester and an ABS resin. In the sintering, the pressure is 5 GPa or higher, and the temperature is 1400° C. or higher. According to the method, a highly uniform and highly dense sintered cubic boron nitride sintered compact having high hardness, can be obtained.
US08657875B2
At least one aspect is directed to a totally artificial heart, and at least another aspect is directed to a method of controlling blood flow in a patient. The totally artificial heart may include a first rotary pump having an input to receive blood and an output to provide blood to a patient's lungs, a second rotary pump having an input to receive blood and an output to provide blood to the patient's body, a first sensor associated with the first rotary pump, a second sensor associated with the second rotary pump, and a control system coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, the first rotary pump and the second rotary pump and configured to control characteristics of the first rotary pump and the second rotary pump based on signals received from at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor such that an average flow of blood through the second rotary pump is greater than an average flow of blood through the first rotary pump.
US08657869B2
Medical systems and related methods are described. In some embodiments, the medical systems include an outer member defining a slot. In certain embodiments, the outer member at least partially surrounds an inner member, and the outer and inner members are configured so that an implantable medical endoprosthesis can be disposed between the outer and inner members.
US08657862B2
A light system for medical photodynamic applications comprises an incoherent light source emitting a light with a power and a light guide which has a distal end and an entrance interface. The entrance interface and the light source have a position relative to one another and are able to be positioned relative to one another. The light system further comprises a luminous power meter for measuring a luminous power emitted at the distal end of the light guide, a motorized positioning unit for positioning the entrance interface and the light source relative to one another, and a control unit which controls the positioning unit as a function of the luminous power measured by the luminous power meter.
US08657844B2
A medical expanding apparatus is disclosed that can separate adhered neural tissues or muscle tissues. The apparatus includes an expanding member, an air tube, a connecting part, a body, and a front cover. The expanding member is expanded in the human body using air pressure. The air tube, whose one end is coupled to the expanding member, holds the expanding member and guides the air into the inside of the expanding member. The connecting part, whose one end is fitted into the other end of the air tube to be tightly coupled to the air tube, guides the air into the air tube. The body has an air inflow pipe and transfers the air flowing in through the air inflow pipe to the connecting part in order to expand the expanding member. One end of the body is coupled to the other side end of the connecting part. The front cover, coupled to the one end of the body, closely couples the connecting part and the body, so that the body holds the connecting part. The apparatus allows the expanding member to be stably expanded and prevents the air tube from being torn or damaged.
US08657843B2
A shielded bladed obturator is provided with a shield lockout that prevents retraction of a shield to expose a blade for cutting. The shield lockout in one aspect has a rotational switch interacting with a longitudinal extending shield to lock and unlock the shield. A blade exposure and coverage system is also provided.
US08657836B2
The present invention provides a device that protects the tissue in the posterior part of the introitus vaginae, i.e. the commissura posterior. The origin of perineal tear starts here when the segment is stretched to double or triple its length during delivery of the head. Tears can be more extensive into the perineal body, continue into the anal sphincter and in worse cases even through the whole perineum into the anal canal. In use the device may protect against perineal tears of the posterior vaginal wall into the mucosa, perineal skin, muscles, even more profound down to the anal sphincter muscle and into the rectum and the rectal mucosa.
US08657829B2
Disclosed apparatus and methods confirm the depth of insertion of an acetabular component in the course of a total Mp replacement using a graduated shaft through a cannulated holder. Embodiments are disclosed including a version integrated into existing instrumentation, and an alternative, disposable version, one per case. All of embodiments confirm appropriate seating of the acetabular component against the inner wall of the acetabulum. Given the hemispherical reaming that is done during acetabular preparation, this would allow for maximal contact between the prosthesis and the host bone.
US08657820B2
Systems and methods for stabilizing portions of bone are provided. In some aspects, a bone plate system includes a plate configured to be fastened to at least one bone portion. The plate includes a keel slot and a locking assembly. The bone plate system also includes a keel configured to extend into the at least one bone portion through the keel slot. The locking assembly is configured to substantially prevent the keel from dislodging from the plate when the keel extends into the at least one bone portion through the keel slot.
US08657817B2
The invention relates to an HF surgical instrument for treating, in particular for cutting and coagulating, biological tissue by means of an HF current. The HF surgical instrument comprises an HF generator for supplying an HF current to a cutting electrode and at least one control device for interrupting an HF current circuit. The control device comprises a current monitoring device, which detects the amplitude of the HF current and then generates a first switch-off signal when the HF current decreases over a defined period of time and/or the HF current falls below a threshold value characterizing a state of the treated tissue, as well as an arc monitoring device, which generates a second switch-off signal when an arc is formed between the cutting electrode and the tissue. The control device is configured in such a way that the HF current circuit is interrupted in response to the first switch-off signal or the second switch-off signal.
US08657809B2
A surgical navigation system is disclosed including a camera that is fixedly attached to a patient. The camera space merges with the patient space and thereby eliminates the need for a separate patient tracker. The surgical navigation system calculates the position of a surgical tool with a tracking device in view of the camera and shows on a display device the position of the surgical tool with respect to the patient superimposed and in correlation with a scan image of the patient.
US08657798B2
An external patch containing diclofenac hydroxyethylpyrrolidine prepared by laminating an adhesive layer on a backing, wherein said adhesive layer is characterized by comprising 5-50% by weight of styrene•isoprene•styrene block copolymer, 20-50% by weight of a tackifier resin, 5-70% by weight of a softening agent, and 0.5-20% by weight of one or more solubilizers selected from N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, propylene glycol and dimethyl sulfoxide as essential ingredients, and 0.5-20% by weight of diclofenac hydroxyethylpyrrolidine as an active ingredient. The patch has excellent transdermal absorption, less skin-irritation and excellent stability of the drug.
US08657796B2
A containment arrangement for safely and effectively treating a wound on a patient without contaminating attending personnel. The arrangement comprises a patient receiving first enclosure having a patient contacting periphery, a pressurizable source in communication with the patient through a wall of the enclosure for enlarging the enclosure, and a sealing means arranged in the patient contacting periphery. A hand manipulable fluid discharge nozzle is extendably arranged through the enclosure for providing controllable treatment fluid to the wound on the patient within the enclosure.
US08657789B2
A splittable/peelable tubular body (2) of a catheter or sheath wherein the tubular body (2) has a splittable/peelable atraumatic tip (14) is disclosed. The atraumatic tip (4) is generally softer than the tubular body (2). The tubular body (2) and atraumatic tip (4) each comprise a peel mechanism longitudinally extending along their respective lengths. The peel mechanisms are formed by longitudinally extending regions of interfacial bonding (11) between first and second longitudinally extending strips (8, 10) of polymer material. Each strip (8, 10) forms at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the tubular body (2) and atraumatic tip (4). A region of stress concentration extends along the region of interfacial bonding. The stress concentration facilitates the splitting of the tubular body (2) and atraumatic tip (4) along their respective peel mechanisms.
US08657788B2
An infusion set comprises a base member (60), an introducer cap (64), and an infusion cap (54). The base member (60) preferably comprises a soft cannula (52) extending from a lower side (118) of the base member (60), and a port (62) on an upper side (92) thereof. The port (62) is configured to be in fluid communication with the cannula (52). The port (62) also comprises a septum (130) adapted to seal the port (62) against unwanted fluid flow. The introducer cap (64) is adapted to be mounted to the base member (60) and has a needle (66) adapted to extend through the septum (130) and said soft cannula (52) in an assembled position. The infusion cap (54) comprises a lumen (160) adapted to receive an elongate flexible tube (162). The infusion cap (54) also comprises a hard cannula (170) adapted to be inserted through the septum (130) and to place said soft cannula (52) in fluid communication with said lumen (160).
US08657784B1
A catheter stop includes an obstruction attached to a catheter at a location that represents the maximum acceptable insertion depth of the catheter into a tracheal tube without causing damage to a patient or the tube. In one embodiment, the obstruction is a pad having a pair of opposing adhesive wings for securing the pad to the catheter. In another embodiment, the obstruction is formed of a triangular housing having a pair of hinged sections that open and close in a clamshell-type fashion. Each section includes a longitudinal, semi-cylindrical, bore that cooperates with the bore on the other section to form a tubular passageway for accommodating the catheter when the sections are closed. A clamp on an edge of one section detachably engages a latch on the corresponding edge of the other section to secure the housing about the catheter.
US08657781B2
Systems and method are disclosed whereby elongate medical instruments may be registered to adjacent tissue structures and other structures, and may be navigated and operated in a coordinated fashion to maximize ranges of motion, ease of use, and other factors. A method for registering an instrument relative to nearby structures may comprise moving a portion of the instrument between two in situ positions, tracking movement during this movement with both a kinematic model and also a localization sensor based configuration, determining the orientation of the tracked portion relative to both the instrument coordinate system used in the kinematic modeling and also a localization coordinate reference frame, and adjusting the orientation of the instrument coordinate reference frame to minimize the difference between determined orientations using the kinematic model and localization sensors. Methods and configurations for navigating coupled and registered instrument sets are also disclosed.
US08657779B2
An apparatus comprising a pump configured to deliver insulin, an input configured to receive blood glucose data, a user interface, and a controller communicatively coupled to the pump, the input, and the user interface. The controller includes a blood glucose data module to compare the blood glucose data to a target blood glucose level for an insulin pump user. The controller is configured to present a question related to the blood glucose level via the user interface when the blood glucose level is different than the target blood glucose level, receive a response to the question via the user interface, and present a recommended user action based at least in part on the response. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08657774B1
There is provided a device for use with a patient. The device includes a first load line including an anchor attachment end and a first inline end. The anchor attachment end is sized and configured to be attachable in a terminating manner to an anchor object. The device further includes a second load line including a head attachment end and a second inline end. The head attachment end is sized and configured to attach to a head of the patient. The device further includes an elastomeric member disposed between and attached to the first and second inline ends. The elastomeric member has a significantly lower linear elastic modulus than each of the first and second load lines. The device further includes an adjustment element sized and configured to adjust the tension in an effective tension length of the device.
US08657773B2
An ankle brace which is positioned on an ankle of a person and which incorporates a tensioning structure which permits full range of motion to the ankle joint but which prevents the ankle joint from moving past its normal range of motion to protect the ankle joint.
US08657764B2
A gas-driven chest compression apparatus for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) comprises a flexible pneumatic actuator, capable of axial contraction when fed with a pressurized driving gas, and means for controlling the contraction thereof. Also disclosed are methods of providing chest compressions to a patient by means of a CPR apparatus comprising actuator(s) of this kind, and a corresponding use of the actuator.
US08657762B2
A blood test device (21) ensuring successful measurement wherein fingers scarcely slip out from the blood test device and blood never sticks to other sites in the course from the puncture of the patient's skin to the completion of the blood test. This blood test device (21) comprises a cartridge (24) in which sensors (23) pooling blood oozing out from the punctured skin are stored in a layered state, a transport unit transporting a single sensor sheet (23) from the inside of the cartridge (24) to the outside, a holder (25) holding the transported sensor (23), a laser emitting unit (26) puncturing the skin in the state where the sensor (23) is held by the holder (25), and a pump (28) keeping the inside of the holder (25) and the inside of the cartridge (24) under negative pressure.
US08657757B2
A method for determining a pulmonary volume change includes: receiving a respiration event from a subject in an airflow chamber; interrupting the respiration event by an occlusion of the airflow chamber initiated at a first time instant and terminated at a second time instant subsequent to the first time instant; taking a plurality of measurements of airflow rate through the airflow chamber between the second time instant and a third time instant subsequent to the second time instant; and determining a pulmonary volume change substantially equal to a reduction of a pulmonary air volume by a pulmonary response air volume and a normal air volume, wherein the pulmonary volume change is related to a change in density of air in the airflow chamber.
US08657754B2
In a sphygmomanometer, an elbow detection mechanism that detects the placement of a measurement subject's elbow is provided in a portion of a cuff unit above a rotation axis. Because the elbow detection mechanism is provided in the portion of the cuff unit above the rotation axis on the biological member (upper arm) exit side, the distance L between the elbow detection mechanism and the biological member (upper arm) exit of the cuff unit can be kept constant even when the cuff unit rotates. This enables providing a sphygmomanometer that has a mechanism for changing the inclination angle of the cuff unit relative to a base and includes a mechanism for achieving a constant distance between the elbow detection mechanism and the entrance of the cuff unit regardless of the inclination angle of the cuff unit.
US08657752B2
In measurement requiring application of pressure to a tissue of a living body such as blood pressure measurement, noise due to vibration tends to occur. It is difficult to accurately measure a pulse wave and a blood pressure value. It is also difficult to measure blood pressure in life activities or to measure blood pressure at intervals or continuously where a tonometer is always attached. There is consequently a problem of holding a biologic information detecting apparatus. The present invention solves the problems by providing an easy-to-wear biologic information detecting apparatus for stably detecting biologic information. The biologic information detecting apparatus includes a sensor for detecting biologic information in a pair of arms connected via a spindle, and the sensor is tightly attached to a projecting part in a living body, particularly, a tragus of an auricle.
US08657745B2
Systems and methods for dynamically and intelligently estimating analyte data from a continuous analyte sensor, including receiving a data stream, selecting one of a plurality of algorithms, and employing the selected algorithm to estimate analyte values. Additional data processing includes evaluating the selected estimative algorithms, analyzing a variation of the estimated analyte values based on statistical, clinical, or physiological parameters, comparing the estimated analyte values with corresponding measure analyte values, and providing output to a user. Estimation can be used to compensate for time lag, match sensor data with corresponding reference data, warn of upcoming clinical risk, replace erroneous sensor data signals, and provide more timely analyte information encourage proactive behavior and preempt clinical risk.
US08657739B2
An endoscopic image pickup device includes a tubing, an image pickup module consisting of a lens and an image sensor and installed in one end of the tubing, a first light source installed in the same end of the tubing relative to the image pickup module and having an illumination range directly intersected with the image pickup range of the image pickup module, a second light source installed in the tubing and having an illumination range deviated from the illumination range of the first light source a predetermined angle and intersected with the illumination range of the first light source directly or indirectly, and a light source control means adapted for controlling on and/or off of said first light source and/or said second light source. Subject to the design that the illumination direction of the second light source is deviated from that of the first light source, the invention provides an extra illumination range, enhancing image clarity.
US08657732B2
A comprehensive system for inducing cellular regeneration and/or degeneration processes and methods of treatment based on such processes through generating and applying a sequentially programmed magnetic field (SPMF) to the area to be treated. In the case of regeneration and degeneration of cells, the pulsing frequencies are in the range of about 0.1 to about 2000 Hz based on the indication of the disease type which was determined by either the patient's MRI, CT, Ultrasound or other diagnostic information. Methods for treating diseases or conditions that will benefit from regeneration and/or degeneration of cells. For example, methods for treating cancer, arthritis, neuro degeneration conditions, such as the age-related progressive loss of nerve cells, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and Huntington's disease, retinal degeneration, and other damage to sensory systems (e.g., visual, auditory, somatosensory), in stroke, head and spinal trauma, epilepsy, in drug and alcohol abuse, in infectious diseases, in exposure to industrial and environmental toxicants, and, perhaps, in mental disorders and chronic pain. Methods for treating non-healing fractures and other bone disorders are also disclosed.
US08657728B2
A cylindrical shaft is provided of which a pair of ends are formed in a cylindrical shape by a press work so as to form a joining portion therebetween. Here, the joining portion includes: a central linear section which is provided on a center portion in an axis direction of the cylindrical shaft and is formed in a linear shape to be parallel to the axis direction of the cylindrical shaft; and a folded section which includes a plurality of intersections which are provided on both ends of the center portion and are disposed so as to be extended in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction of the cylindrical shaft, and a connection linear section which connects ends of a pair of the adjacent intersections.
US08657727B1
A resistance training exercise device includes a stretchable cord having an internal cavity and a governor in the form of a limit band situated within that cavity and including first and second end segments. A retaining member attaches each of the end segments to the cord so as to impart stretching motion to the limit band when the cord is stretched during exercising. The retaining members provided at each end of the limit band each include a cup-shaped outer member and an inner, member having an outer peripheral surface. Each end segment of the limit band is positioned through an opening in the cup-shaped outer member and is secured to the inner member.
US08657724B2
A folding treadmill includes a base frame, a running platform having a first end thereof pivotally connected to the base frame, a lifting mechanism mounted to one end of the base frame and to the first end of the running platform for lifting the associated first end of the running platform relative to the base frame A damping device is mounted to the base frame, and a folding mechanism having a lift cylinder is installed in the running platform and a link is pivotally connected between the lift cylinder and the damping device.
US08657712B2
A multi-speed drive unit is provided for an electrically variable transmission having a variable-range output gear ratio for a motor vehicle. The variable-range output electrically variable transmission has improved final drive gear ratios that allow the motor to be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range during both city and highway vehicle operation. Further, the variable-range output electrically variable transmission allows for increased vehicle speeds during electric vehicle operation and provides for the use of the vehicle engine during reverse gear operation.
US08657709B2
An arrow, arrowhead and method of shooting an arrowhead are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a plurality of blades extend outwardly from the body of an arrowhead and a sharpened tip extends forwardly. A front laser diode is disposed in the arrowhead and is arranged so that a laser beam emitted by the diode projects forward from the arrowhead through an aperture in the tip and is coaxial with the tip's center axis. In another example embodiment, the housing includes a rear facing light source to selectively light the nock. The method includes indexing the arrowhead to the vanes by tightening a set screw disposed in a portion of the arrowhead disposed in the arrow shaft.
US08657700B2
Embodiments of golf clubs head sets with varying characteristics are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also generally described herein.
US08657699B2
A golf accessory for determining a gimme status of a golf putt in the form of a device that includes areas and/or indicia relating to at least two preselected conditions and by which a gimme status of a golf putt may be determined. Additional indicia on the device is associated with a practice putting game, and a method of playing the practice putting game also is disclosed.
US08657697B2
An accessory for a play system comprises a support configured to be suspended from or supported on the play system; and a sound module coupled with the support. The sound module comprises a motion detector for detecting motion of the support and a sound-emitting device for emitting sounds in response to motion of the support as detected by the motion detector.
US08657681B2
Technologies are generally described for a safety scheme for a gesture-based game. In some examples, a method performed under control of a gesture-based game system may include determining whether an obstacle exists within a playing space associated with a game being currently played on the gesture-based game system, and generating in a display area associated with the game a barrier image associated with the obstacle.
US08657675B1
Systems and methods for a providing a jackpot bonus in a gaming system A jackpot bonus element is generated in an entertainment game portion of a hybrid game and a gambling game in a gambling game portion of the hybrid game is triggered when a player initiates an encounter in the entertainment game with the bonus element. It is then determined if the player wins the gambling game triggered by the player's encounter with the bonus element in the entertainment game a payout is provided to the player when it is determined that the player has won the gambling game.
US08657672B2
The present invention relates to an electronic gaming machine having a game server to which a gaming apparatus can be connected, wherein the game server has a ticket block including a plurality of electronic game tickets which are each individually characterized by a winning number combination, wherein the gaming apparatus can be connected to a credit store associated with it which can be loaded by an input apparatus and including a ticket purchasing apparatus for purchasing a game ticket while reducing the credit stored in the credit store. The gaming apparatus has a gaming device which can be actuated in dependence on a course of a game while using as the basis the data of the same game ticket in a plurality of game rounds from the credit store and then from a winnings store.
US08657668B1
A method and system for providing virtual currency in a non-wagering game through activity in a wagering game includes non-wagering game terminals and wagering game terminals. As a wagering game is conducted at wagering game terminals, activity may be directly measured or measured through a proxy such as player units awarded by a player tracking server. Activity data may be received at an account server which accrues virtual currency to a player's virtual currency account. The virtual currency stored in the virtual currency account is accessible by the player in the non-wagering game.
US08657667B2
Certain embodiments provide systems, methods, and apparatus for game play, including cooperative reel and/or symbol game play. A method includes initiating a game for play by a player at a gaming system. The method also includes determining a player combination of one or more symbols. The method further includes determining a dealer combination of one or more symbols. Additionally, the method includes comparing the player combination and the dealer combination to determine a result. The method includes outputting the result to the gaming system for player view.
US08657664B2
A system provides a player tracking system and system gaming apparatus for playing non-base games by funding the credit side of a gaming cycle. The system further includes at least one gaming device having a base game. The player tracking system and system gaming apparatus includes a player tracking user interface. The player tracking user interface provides a player with an opportunity to select and play a non-base game that may be promotional-funded or player-funded.
US08657655B2
A device for the delivery of coins from a coin dispensing station to a mobile supply device or from the mobile supply device to a coin receiving module. The coin reservoir of the mobile supply device is designed such that the coins collected in the coin reservoir are delivered in portions to the coin inlet of the coin receiving module, depending on a supply request. An inventory memory unit is assigned to a control unit. The particular advantage of the device consists in that only one mobile supply device is required for supplying and/or filling a number of coin receiving modules.
US08657648B2
A processing apparatus includes a turn table rotatably provided and having an opening; at least five chuck tables provided on the turn table, each chuck table having a holding surface for holding a workpiece; a support bed inserted through the opening of the turn table; four processing unit supporting mechanisms each including a first support column provided on the outside of the turn table, a second support column provided on the support bed, and a support member mounted to the first and second support columns; four processing units respectively supported by the four processing unit supporting mechanisms, the four processing units respectively corresponding to four of the at least five chuck tables; and four feeding units for respectively moving the four processing units in a direction perpendicular to the holding surfaces of the chuck tables.
US08657646B2
A method of polishing includes polishing a substrate, making a sequence of measurements of light reflected from the substrate while the substrate is being polished, at least some of the measurements of the sequence of measurements differing due to material being removed during polishing, for each measurement in the sequence, determining a first value of a first characteristic and a second value of a different second characteristic of the light to generate a sequence of first values and second values, storing a predetermined path in a coordinate space of the first characteristic and the second characteristic, for each measurement in the sequence, determining a position on the path based on the first value and the second value, and determining at least one of a polishing endpoint or an adjustment for a polishing rate based on the position on the path.
US08657641B2
A method of forming an electrode for a spark plug is provided. The method includes machining locating holes within a blank material, inserting a rod of a different material into the locating holes and brazing the rod to the blank. An electrode receiving aperture is machined into the blank. The step of machining the aperture exposes a surface of the rod to form a contact portion of the electrode.
US08657640B2
A collapsible flotation device is provided that uses a coilable spring coupled to a panel to collapse the device when the spring is coiled, and to expand the device when the spring is uncoiled configuration. The spring can be contained within a sleeve along the outer portion of the panel. A support member that traverses the panel is provided. An inflatable bladder disposed about a part of the outer portion of the panel and coupled to the support member buoyantly supports a body weight of a user. The combination of the inflatable bladder and the support member provide support for a user in a seated position on the panel. Many configurations are disclosed, including a multi-user collapsible flotation device, multiple connected single-user flotation devices, and so forth. A back support member and a headrest, both of which can be inflatable, provide additional support for a user to maintain a seated position on the panel. A foot support member is provided for the comfort of the user.
US08657639B2
A water sport flotation device having an upper surface directed toward a user, an opposing bottom surface directed toward the water, and a pair of stabilizing fins, each fin having a top portion and a bottom edge. The flotation device further including a plurality of longitudinally disposed through slots in the upper surface and bottom surface, each slot partially surrounding each fin, and a flexible, resilient biasing means attached to the top portion of each fin and affixed to the upper surface so that the biasing means applies a downward force on each fin. The biasing means allows the bottom edge of the fin to retract through the slot and parallel to the bottom surface, if necessary, if the flotation device encounters an object in the water.
US08657637B1
A multiple engine jack plate, comprising, in combination, a transom plate, a center plate connector, a pair of outer slides and a pair of inner slides. There is at least one hydraulic cylinder coupling the transom plate and the slides. There is a hydraulic pump system having a pump and a hydraulic fluid flow control valve and a hydraulic fluid reservoir holding a volume of hydraulic fluid.
US08657619B2
A fixing mechanism includes a bottom plate, a base, an engaging component and a resilient component. The engaging component is installed on the base for engaging a side of a board. The engaging component includes a main body, a pivoting portion connected to an end of the main body and pivoted to the base, a hook portion connected to another end of the main body for hooking the side of the board, a handle portion connected to another end of the main body for driving the hook portion to separate from the side of the board, and a pin portion installed on a side of the main body. The resilient component sheathes with the pin portion for driving the engaging component to pivot relative to the base. An end of the resilient component contacts with the main body, and the other end of the resilient component contacts with the base.
US08657618B2
A high-voltage connector component for a high-voltage cable comprises an insulator made of a polymer material which surrounds a cable end portion of the high-voltage cable, wherein the insulator is received in a housing and is made of an elastomer material, wherein the elastomer material is filled, cast or injected into the housing in order to form the insulator. The connector component is designed such that upon connection to a corresponding connector component a basically closed pressure chamber is formed between the housing, the corresponding connector component and the cable end portion, wherein the pressure chamber is basically provided for being completely occupied by the insulator. Loading the insulator with pressure results in a gap-free, high-voltage-sealed pressing of the corresponding connector component to the insulator, a gap-free, high-voltage-sealed pressing of the insulator to the housing, and a gap-free, high-voltage-sealed pressing of the insulator to the sheath surface of the cable end portion.
US08657617B2
An electrical connector for connecting a flat conductive member includes a housing that has a receiving portion for receiving the flat conductive member; a plurality of terminals; a movable member; and a regulating member. The regulating member is disposed between the movable member and the flat conductive member. Accordingly, it is possible to securely confirm that the flat conductive member is not completely inserted. When the movable member is moved to the closed position, the movable member pushes the regulating member, so that the entire portion of the movable member is moved. If the flat conductive member is situated at the incomplete insertion position, the regulating member abuts against the flat conductive member and stays at the middle position, so that the regulating member restricts the movement of the movable member.
US08657614B2
A rotating lamp tube socket structure includes a seat body, a cover and a rotating element, and the rotating element is pivotally turned with respect to a cover to an installing position or a conducting position, such that when the rotating element is pivotally turned to the installing position, an elastic element is compressed to retract in a direction towards the cover, and when the rotating element is pivotally turned to the conducting position, an elastic resilience of the elastic element props the rotating element to be protruded towards the outside.
US08657609B2
Seal structure for electronic control device having a seal portion formed between an outer peripheral surface of a connector and an inner peripheral surface of a housing, and provided with a seal groove and a protruding line. The seal portion has a deep bottom portion having a seal groove, a shallow bottom portion whose seal groove is shallower than that of the deep bottom portion, and a connecting portion connecting these deep and shallow bottom portions. Width of the seal groove of the shallow bottom portion is set to be larger than the deep bottom portion As a position of a seal groove of the connecting portion gets closer to the deep bottom portion from the shallow bottom portion, depth of the seal groove of the connecting portion is set to be gradually larger, and width of the seal groove of the connecting portion is set to be gradually smaller.
US08657607B2
A socket connector includes an insulating body having a base portion and a holding portion extending upward from a front of the base portion. The holding portion defines a terminal fillister spread to the base portion. A plurality of openings is opened in a front face of the holding portion and communicates with the terminal fillister. A terminal group is molded in the terminal fillister of the insulating body. The terminal group has a plurality of elastic touching arms stretching outside the insulating body, and a plurality of contact slices exposed through the openings respectively. A magnetic body is curved from a magnetic metal board and defines a window. The magnetic body is mounted around the holding portion with the window facing the openings of the insulating housing to further expose the contact slices therethrough. The terminal group further electrically contacts with the magnetic body.
US08657604B2
A recipe book system and method are presented. The system allows non-readers to use a recipe book to prepare foods for cooking or baking. Recipes in the recipe book are presented with images representing ingredients, measuring devices, cooking tools, and instruction steps. Removably-attachable stickers are provided. The stickers may have duplicate images of one or more of the images in the cookbook. In a method for using the recipe book system, a non-reader uses the images in the cookbook to perform actions for food preparation, and then attaches image stickers to a page of the recipe book to indicate that particular actions have been completed.
US08657603B2
A system for authoring knitting, crocheting, weaving patterns and other fiber arts patterns, and for converting those patterns into stepwise voice and visual instructions comprising a hardware architecture and modular software including a database of predefined stitch objects each corresponding to a stitching step or sequence. Each stitch object is linked in the database to a sound bite enunciating that stitch step and to a graphic illustration depicting that stitch step with a written explanation. The software includes an authoring module with a pattern compilation user-interface that allows a user to construct a complete pattern by selecting knitting commands from a menu of predefined commands in the database. Once constructed, the pattern is loaded into a playback module which employs an enunciation engine that speaks the complete pattern step-by-step and a playback user interface that displays a visual depiction and description of each step all at a user defined pace.
US08657602B2
Disclosed herein is a waved implant integrating a soft tissue area and an osseous tissue area. The implant is connected at an upper end thereof to a process tooth. The implant includes a screw portion, a flange and a soft tissue area. The screw portion is inserted into an alveolar bone. The flange is connected to the upper end of the screw portion and inserted into the alveolar bone. The flange has on the upper end thereof a waved shape that is concave in front and rear portions thereof and is convex in left and right portions thereof. The flange comprises on the circumferential surface thereof a fine threaded portion having a thread pitch and/or a thread height smaller and denser than those of the screw portion. A plurality of waved microthreads is formed on the fine threaded portion. The soft tissue area is combined with the upper end of the flange in a body.
US08657600B2
A plastic material injection molding system includes a feeding nozzle, a forming mold having a cave therein, and a material-passing mold having a runner therein. The runner communicates both the feeding nozzle and the cave, and has two curved parts therein for slowing down the plastic material injected from the feeding nozzle in order.
US08657596B2
Methods and apparatuses for deforming a web are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method involves feeding a web into a nip that is formed between at least two intermeshing rolls. The rolls are configured for deforming a web with at least two sets of deformations that are oriented in different directions relative to the surfaces of the web.
US08657586B2
A piston-type fuel pump is provided. The fuel pump includes a housing bounding an internal cavity with a cylindrical tube disposed in the internal cavity. The cylindrical tube provides a bore extending along an axis and a piston is disposed in the bore. A spring is configured to bias the piston in a first direction along the axis. A coil is disposed about the cylindrical tube and a control circuit is disposed in the internal cavity. The control circuit is configured in electrical communication with the coil. The voltage supplied to the control circuit can be varied, with the control circuit compensating for the variable supply voltage to regulate the actuation of the coil from a de-energized state to an energized state. The piston is biased in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to the coil being actuated.
US08657566B2
A turbine engine, for example for a helicopter, the engine including a gas generator and a free turbine driven in rotation by a gas stream generated by the gas generator, the turbine engine further including a reversible electric machine for coupling to the gas generator, the reversible electric machine configured to set the gas generator into rotation during a stage of starting the turbine engine. To generate electricity, the reversible electric machine is also configured to be coupled to the free turbine after the turbine engine has started.
US08657564B2
A chopper pump is provided with a motor having a drive shaft and a casing connected to the motor and defining a bowl with an inlet for receiving waste material. A cover plate assembly is secured about the inlet. The cover plate assembly having a base with a central opening and a plurality of serrations formed into the base and spaced about the central opening, each serration being formed into a curved pocket and longitudinally tapered to form an edge on an inner surface of the base. The chopper pump also includes a cutter having a hub that is connected to the drive shaft. The cutter extends through the central opening of the base and includes at least two blades extending radially outward to guide waste material toward the plurality of serrations.
US08657556B2
A tactile wafer lifting apparatus includes a pedestal and a vertical drive connected to the pedestal. The vertical drive is defined to provide controlled upward and downward movement of the pedestal. The tactile wafer lifting apparatus also includes a wafer support member disposed over the pedestal. A tactile switch is disposed between the wafer support member and the pedestal such that sufficient downward force on the wafer support member causes activation of the tactile switch. The tactile switch is connected to the vertical drive so as to interrupt upward movement of the pedestal and wafer support member disposed thereover upon activation of the tactile switch.
US08657549B2
A long-term storage facility has an array of storage packages receiving respective cases containing radioactive materials. Each storage package has a lateral body delimiting a housing for receiving a case, the package body being closed at its top end and at its low end respectively by a removable head cover, and by a package base. The package base has a removable base cover, allowing insertion of the case via the low end of the body. The packages can be moved inside the facility by a mechanical lift. The facility includes a pivoting frame for swinging a storage package from a horizontal orientation in which the storage package is loaded to a vertical position in which the storage package is stored.
US08657544B2
A fixing device used for fixing a pivot shaft includes a latching member and a fastening member. The latching member has a hollow conical latching portion. The fastening member defines a conical hole corresponding to the conical latching portion of the latching member. The latching member is capable of deforming elastically along a radial direction, and the fastening member is tightly sleeved on the latching portion of the latching member.
US08657543B2
A device for mechanically linking with a rotating axis at least two parts, which is configured to extend in a longitudinal direction in coaxial bores formed respectively in the at least two parts hinged in relation to each other around the axis. The device includes: a cylindrical body including at least one end portion including at least one longitudinal slot, the cylindrical body including in the longitudinal direction a cylindrical bore extended by a frusto-conical bore extending in the at least one end portion configured to be located in another bore; an insert of frusto-conical shape substantially complementary to the frusto-conical bore, the insert including a tapped aperture extending in the longitudinal direction when the insert is accommodated in the frusto-conical bore, and a screw with a threaded end configured to cooperate by screwing with the tapped aperture of the insert allowing to lock the cylindrical body in the another bore and making a rotoide joint around axis.
US08657540B2
In a cutting insert, a cutting edge is formed on a peripheral border of a rake face; a protruding section is formed on the rake face; a pair of convex sections is formed so as to extend toward the cutting edge; the convex sections face toward a corner portion; the convex sections include first wall surfaces and second wall surfaces; the first wall surfaces and the second wall surfaces are inclined surfaces that are inclined toward the rake face as those are farther from ridgelines intersecting with each other; and the intersection ridgelines intersect with a wall surface of the protruding section, at a position lower than a top portion of the protruding section in the corner portion side.
US08657535B2
A sea-bed anchor of the plug-and-socket type, in which the depth of the socket (2) needed to keep the plug in the socket against tidal force is reduced by the downwards force from a hydrofoil (5). The same force is used to lock the plug and socket positively together. The effective area of hydrofoils (5) can be increased when the tide is flowing and reduced when it is not. Downwards force from the hydrofoils is also used to enable submersible vessels to drill sockets in rock or to embed suction anchors in sediment.
US08657526B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a gravity-lowered net that is housed above the surface onto which it is to be used, and is lowered by sliding weights that position the net to the correct height for use. Certain embodiments of the nets may be provided with one or more energy absorber elements associated with the net, which help enhance the energy absorptive capabilities of the net.
US08657519B2
An annular groove, in which a lower end of a boot is fitted, is formed in an outer periphery of an open end of a housing so as to extend in a circumferential direction of the housing. The annular groove is defined by a cylindrical face, an upper inner wall, and a lower inner wall. By fitting a clip onto a cylindrical portion of the lower end of the boot, the cylindrical portion is pushed against the cylindrical face, and an inner end portion and a folded-back portion are pushed against the upper inner wall and the lower inner wall, respectively. The inner end portion has an annular protrusion that is engaged with the upper inner wall and elastically contracted when the lower end of the boot is fitted in the annular groove.
US08657516B2
A surface treating implement, comprises a body including:— a container receiver; a nozzle assembly comprising a fluid conduit fluidly connected to the container receiver; a container mounted to the container receiver, containing a predetermined amount of a treating composition and having a dispensing opening in fluid communication with the fluid conduit; wherein the body is associated with a handle which includes at least a portion of an activation means for the implement, characterized in that the fluid conduit includes a valve, wherein the valve is operable by a container member attached to and/or extending from the container, adjacent the dispensing opening.
US08657487B2
A method for on-orbit calibration of the temperature sensors of a simulated blackbody is disclosed. The method may include selecting a simulated blackbody traveling in a micro-gravity environment and comprising a sensor, a container positioned proximate the senor and containing a material, and a heat transfer device positioned proximate the at least one container. The heat transfer device may transition the material through a phase change. The temperature sensor may monitor the temperature of the material during the phase change. A correction may be calculated to correct any disparity between the temperature reported by the temperature sensor during the phase change and the known plateau temperature corresponding to that phase change. The correction may be applied to subsequent temperature readings obtained using the temperature sensor.
US08657479B2
A light-guide illumination device and system comprises a light source, a light redirecting slab and a light guide slab assembly. The light redirecting slab includes a generally planar face having optical redirecting elements, the optical redirecting elements having respective optical coupling surfaces situated distally from the planar face. The light guide slab assembly includes a planar face having an optically transmissive interface layer assembled onto a first planar face of the light guide slab and optically coupled to receive transmitted light directed from the light source. The light guide slab is pressed onto the redirecting slab such that the interface layer is deformed, creating optical bonds at the optical coupling surfaces of the optical redirecting elements, the formed optical bonds providing optical apertures for light transmission therethrough.
US08657463B2
A lighting fixture for a poultry housing can generally include an elongated body and a transparent cover that is selectively coupled to the body and is configured to create an internal space with the body. A first light emitting diode (LED) can be disposed in the internal space and can be configured to emit a light having a first color. A second LED can be disposed in the internal space and be configured to emit a light having a second color that is distinct from the first color. A controller can be electrically connected to and independently control an output of the first and second LEDs.
US08657461B2
A solar-powered lighting apparatus having a light transmissible shade coupled to a housing that receives a solar cell, a battery and at least a portion of a lighting element assembly. In one embodiment, the shade may have a spherical shape achieved with a support unit or achieved by operation of gravity. A bottom device or bottom portion may be coupled to the shade and cooperate therewith forming and maintaining the spherical shape.
US08657458B2
A lighting device, uneven brightness of which is suppressed, is provided. A lighting device of the present invention includes LEDs 17, a chassis 14 that houses the LEDs 17 therein, and a chassis reflection sheet 22 that is provided on an inner surface of the chassis 14 and configured to reflect light from the LEDs 17. The LEDs 17 are provided on a bottom plate 14a of the chassis 14. The chassis reflection sheet 22 has a bottom portion 31 that extends along the bottom plate 14a and slanted portions 32 that extend from a periphery of the bottom portion 31. The slanted portions 32 slant to a direction in which the LED emits light with respect to the bottom portion. A boundary L between the bottom portion 31 and the slanted portions 32 is formed in a nonlinear shape in a plan view.
US08657451B2
A decorative plate module for a projector includes a base plate, a first elastic member, a hook member and a second elastic member. The base plate is attached to a periphery of the opening of the front cover and has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. A slide groove is formed on the first end, and the slide groove has an oblique wall. The first elastic member is disposed inside the slide groove and stretches in a first direction, and the hook member is slidably coupled to the slide groove. One end of the hook member leans against the first elastic member, and its another end slidably engages with the front cover. The second elastic member is disposed on a side wall of the slide groove and stretches in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
US08657448B2
A polarization separating element is configured to include a translucent substrate formed of a crystal material having birefringent properties and optically rotatory power and a polarization separating portion formed on the incidence-side surface of the translucent substrate so as to transmit a P-polarized light beam and reflect an S-polarized light beam. A reflecting element that reflects the S-polarized light beam reflected by the polarization separating portion is disposed so as to be separated approximately in parallel to the translucent substrate. A predetermined function is set such that the P-polarized light beam having passed through the polarization separating portion and been incident to the translucent substrate is converted so as to be parallel to the polarization plane of the S-polarized light beam so that the P-polarized light beam is output as the S-polarized light beam.
US08657438B2
Significantly faster state transitioning time between the optimal optical density for viewing 2D Movies as 3D movies through Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles can be achieved by using multiple layers (multi-layer) of electronically controlled variable tint materials to fabricate the right and left lenses of the 3Deeps spectacles. The use of multi-layered lenses may result in as much as a 50% decrease in transition time between states. The invention also relates to Multi-Use Electronically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles that house within a single spectacle frame several layers of optoelectronic material in which each layer of electronically controlled relates to a different method of viewing.
US08657430B2
This disclosure is generally directed to curable phase change inks, such as radiation-curable phase change inks, and their use in forming images, such as through inkjet printing. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to radiation-curable phase change inks, such as ultraviolet-light-curable phase change inks, that an ink vehicle and at least one crystalline polyester resin.
US08657425B2
An ink cartridge includes a case, an ink supply opening, and a light transmissive member positioned in the case and facing the ink supply opening. The light transmissive member is configured to allow light entering via the ink supply opening to pass therethrough. The light transmissive member includes a reflective surface having a first reflectance for light entering via the ink supply opening and passing through the light transmissive member when the reflective surface contacts ink stored in the ink chamber. The reflective surface has a second reflectance for light entering via the ink supply opening and passing through the light transmissive member when the reflective surface does not contact ink stored in the ink chamber. The first reflectance is different from the second reflectance.
US08657424B2
An ink supply container includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to hold a first volume of ink and is configured to be releasably connectable to a printhead. The second portion is configured to hold a second volume of ink and is in communication with the first portion. The second portion is configured to extend over a top of at least one other ink supply container upon releasable connection of the first portion of the container to a printhead assembly.
US08657414B2
A fluid-ejection printhead die includes a fluid-ejection firing element and an electrochemical cell. The fluid-ejection firing element is to cause droplets of fluid to be ejected from the fluid-ejection printhead die. The electrochemical cell is to measure an electrical property of the fluid. The fluid-ejection firing element and the electrochemical cell are both part of the fluid-ejection printhead die.
US08657413B2
A die attach composition is used for bonding a silicon chip on a flat substrate. The die attach composition includes a cross-linkable epoxy resin having a rigid backbone, an epoxy siloxane resin, a fumed silica filler, an amine curing agent, and a silane coupling agent. The die attach composition is particularly useful in bonding silicon heater chips on flat ceramic substrate in forming an inkjet printhead assembly. The die attach composition allows accurate placement of silicon heater chips on flat ceramic substrate and exhibits good ink resistance.
US08657412B2
There is provided a micro-ejection device including: an ejector ejecting a fluid; and a body having an installation space in which the ejector is installed, wherein the installation space is provided with a guide unit inducing a line-contact or a point-contact between the ejector and the body.
US08657395B2
An image forming apparatus includes a body, a recording head, a sub tank, a carriage, a main tank, a liquid feed unit, a displacement member, first and second detectors, first to third calculation units, a determination unit, and a supply control unit. When the first detector detects the displacement member, the determination unit determines a main scanning position of the carriage at which consumption amount of the liquid is equal to an amount corresponding to a difference calculated by the second unit, based on a relation calculated by the third unit. The control unit causes the feed unit to start supply of the liquid from the main tank to the sub tank when the carriage arrives at the main scanning position, and stop the supply when the liquid is supplied at an amount corresponding to a difference detected by the first unit after the first detector detects the displacement member.
US08657393B2
The present invention provides an ink jet printing apparatus that inhibits possible density unevenness in an image even though the apparatus performs printing by driving a fan mounted therein. The ink jet printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a print head having an ejection port through which ink is ejected and scanning a print medium in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the print medium is conveyed, while ejecting droplets to the print medium for printing. A fan performing rotational driving is mounted in the ink jet printing apparatus. The fan is driven so as to vary the number of revolutions thereof for every predetermined amount of scan performed by the print head.
US08657391B2
A merchandise display system and method which promotes self-service by customers. The system includes plurality of cabinets each having a top surface and a plurality of pull-out racks. The top surface has a plurality of display areas corresponding to the plurality of pull-out racks. Each display area and a corresponding rack is marked with a matching identifying indicia. A merchandise sample is provided for each display area and is also conspicuously marked with matching identifying indicia. An inventory of merchandise removably hangs from each of the plurality of racks having the same features as the corresponding merchandise sample. A consumer viewing a desired merchandise sample on display can easily locate the corresponding inventory of merchandise by matching the identifying indicia of the desired sample with the rack supporting the corresponding inventory of merchandise.
US08657386B2
There is provided a vehicle wheel which can reduce a rolling resistance by rising a tire temperature with a simple structure. A heat-insulation rubber is pasted on all circumference surface of a portion of an outer circumference surface of a rim other than a bead seating portion where a bead portion of a tire closely contacts and a rim flange portion. The heat-insulation rubber suppresses any heat transfer from air in a tire air chamber and from the internal surface of the tire to the rim at the outer circumference surface of the rim which contacts the air in the tire air chamber.
US08657384B1
A track scraper for removing rubber from a racetrack is provided. The scraper comprises rotating blades that are moved along the surface of the track and that skim off portions of rubber that has been deposited on the track by race cars. The scraper is installed on and powered by a standard garden tractor.
US08657381B2
The invention relates to an arm rest, particularly for a center console of a motor vehicle, comprising a carrier element (1) having a support element (11) moveably arranged on the carrier element (1), wherein the carrier element (1) and the support element (11) can be pivoted about a first pivoting axis (y) by means (3, 5, 7A, 7B or 3, 7A, 8) arranged in or on the carrier element (1). The support element (11) can be displaced with respect to the carrier element (1) by a connection to one of the arranged means (3, 5, 7A, 7B or 3, 7A, 8). According to the invention, pivoting of the carrier element (1) together with the support element (11) and displacing the support element (11) with respect to the carrier element (1) can be released or blocked by actuating a single control element (6) that acts upon the arranged means (3, 5, 7A, 7B or 3, 7A, 8).
US08657380B2
A seat assembly having a support post assembly and a moveable headrest assembly. The support post assembly has first and second posts and a cross member. The cross member extends from the first post to the second post. The headrest assembly includes a mounting unit that defines a post cavity that receives the first and second posts. The cross member extends through first and second slots in the mounting unit.
US08657377B2
A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a recliner assembly having an easy entry mechanism. The easy entry mechanism can be mounted to either an outboard or an inboard side of a seat back frame side member used in seat assemblies for both five-door and three-door vehicle models. The recliner assembly includes an adaptor to couple the easy entry mechanism to a recliner heart disposed on an opposite side of the seat back frame side member.
US08657375B2
A rocking furniture member includes an occupant support member supporting an occupant of the furniture member. A frame is connected to the occupant support member and supports the seat portion for rocking motion with respect to a furniture member support surface. An elastically resilient member connecting the occupant support member to the frame permits occupant induced rocking motion of the occupant support member with respect to the support surface. The resilient member is a monolithic bar having a uniform cross section.
US08657372B2
A vehicle seat including at least two components connected, directly or indirectly, by an adjustment mechanism. A locking means is provided, arranged to lock the two components relative to each other when predetermined conditions are experienced, to restrict relative movement of the two components. The locking means may be arranged to engage when a vehicle in which the seat is mounted is involved in an impact. The locking means reduces the amount of relative movement of seat components owing to compliance in seat adjustment mechanism in the event of a vehicle impact.
US08657369B2
A floor structure of a motor vehicle body is provided. The floor structure has two frame rail arrangements essentially extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle body. The arrangements are joined together by a cross member essentially extending in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle body. A floor panel extends between the cross member and the two frame rail arrangements. A diagonal reinforcement is located above the floor panel and abuts against the cross member in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle body. A reinforcing element essentially extends in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle body between the two frame rail arrangements. The diagonal reinforcement abuts against the reinforcing element in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle body.
US08657351B2
The GOLF DISC AND FLYING DISC AND MULTIPURPOSE PICK UP TOOL is a lightweight, collapsible, segmented shaft fitted with a durable suction cup. The suction cup provides a vacuum adhesion on either side, or any location, on the golf disc or flying disc or other generally flat and smooth objects. The disc or object can then be picked up (retrieved) from any surface or obstacle within reach. A flick of the finger to the suction cup edge breaks the vacuum and the tool and disc or object are separated. The tool can be deployed and used with one hand. The tool can be carried and used as extended or folded and stowed.
US08657350B2
An impact protection device for a motor-vehicle member mounted protrudingly beneath the body thereof, including a fairing element configured to be rigidly connected to at least one structural body element of the motor vehicle located between one extremity of the motor vehicle from which an obstacle may appear during a maneuver of the motor vehicle and the motor-vehicle member. The fairing element includes a lower support surface extending beneath the body substantially between the extremity of the motor vehicle and the motor-vehicle member along a negative incline, such that the low point of the lower support surface is lower than the low point of the motor-vehicle member along a vertical axis of the motor vehicle.
US08657349B2
A latching system includes a striker defining an outer width and a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes a support structure including a first side plate, a second side plate spaced from the first side plate, and a top plate fixedly attached to and extending between the first side plate and the second side plate. The first side plate and the second side plate are spaced from each other a separation distance that is greater than the outer width of the striker such that the outer width of the striker is completely disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate when the latch assembly is in a lock position.
US08657337B2
A protective device for use on an axle of a flatbed of a truck to protect air hoses and mechanical mechanisms of a braking system from accidental damage caused when trucks collide with objects on the roadway. The protective device includes a grated shield that integrally couples to the axle of the flatbed through a specially designed coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism includes a coupling bracket, having a pair of legs and a rod, and a clamping bracket for accepting the axle therein and providing stability, shock absorbency, and durability to the shield for withstanding accidental damage.
US08657328B2
The invention relates to an inflatable airbag arrangement (1) comprising an instrument panel body (2) having an aperture (3), a flap (10) closing this aperture (10) while being articulated to a transverse articulation edge of this aperture, a firing canal (4) fixed on the underside face of the instrument panel body (2). At least one tether (18) is fixed to the flap (10) and to the firing canal (4) so as to form a hinge and/or so as to limit the opening of the flap (10), and the firing canal (4) comprises at least one opening (28, 29, 42) establishing communication between an internal face and an external face of an edge (8, 9, 6) of the firing canal (4). The tether (18) passes through this opening (28, 29, 42) to be fixed while being held firmly at an external face of the firing canal (4) when the flap (10) opens.
US08657327B2
Provided are a vehicle interior panel and an airbag device wherein it is possible to prevent the weld strength and the rigidity of a panel from deteriorating. In a vehicle interior panel, a joint surface of a flap portion has first welding ribs, second welding ribs, and a third welding rib formed thereon. The first welding ribs include the first communication grooves each allowing adjacent grids and to communicate with each other. The second welding ribs include second communication grooves each allowing adjacent grids to communicate with each other. The third welding rib includes third communication grooves formed on sides substantially perpendicular to a hinge portion. The second communication grooves are formed so as not to be successively aligned in a direction perpendicular to the second welding ribs. The first to third communication grooves form an exhaust channel allowing the air in the grids to be discharged outside during vibration welding.
US08657325B2
The present invention discloses a stroller including a foldable stroller skeleton, a front-wheel assembly and a rear-wheel assembly installed on the foldable stroller skeleton, a frame pivotally connected to the foldable stroller skeleton and an assistant wheel pivotally connected to the frame for being capable of contacting a ground by cooperating with the rear-wheel assembly as the frame approaches the rear-wheel assembly by rendering the foldable stroller skeleton folded. The stroller can be in a standing state so as to facilitate users to carry after being folded. The assistant wheel is rolling as the stroller is dragged so that users can save more effort to drag the stroller. The stroller is standing by the assistant wheel and the rear-wheel assembly, instead of the front-wheel assembly and the rear-wheel assembly.
US08657317B2
A quick-release fixing structure for a fender of a bicycle is provided with a mounting member fixed to the front fork, an engaging member fixed on the fender, and a U-shaped control member. The mounting member is formed with an elastic piece, a receiving cavity, and two penetrating holes which have two cutting grooves in communication with the receiving cavity and the penetrating holes. The engaging member is received in the receiving cavity of the mounting member and formed with two arc-shaped cutting grooves for mating with the arc-shaped cutting grooves of the mounting member. The control member is inserted in the penetrating holes and formed with two arc-shaped grooves. The quick-release fixing structure is capable of assembling the fender onto the front fork of bicycle or disassembling it therefrom by a simple pressing operation.
US08657314B2
The present invention relates to a stabilizer link for a vehicle suspension and method for obtaining it, which allows reducing its cost, as a well as a faster and easier assembly, for which purpose it includes a longitudinal body having two ends with holes in which an articulation element is housed, and a central sector, having at each end a hole, wherein the longitudinal body is formed from two identical parts arranged such that they are facing one another and remain attached by means of a plastically deformable attachment element such that once it is deformed, it prevents the separation of the parts.
US08657311B2
A stroller frame includes a wheeled frame, a seat support, a handle bar and a limiting mechanism. The wheeled frame has a front wheel side and rear wheel side. The seat support is pivotally mounted atop the wheeled frame about a seat support axis, and selectively may have a forward facing direction and a rearward facing direction positioned by a locking member. The handle bar is pivotally and lockably connected to the seat support about a handle bar axis and associated with the locking member for interchanging the facing directions of the seat support. The limiting mechanism is associated between the wheeled frame, the seat support and the handle bar, for preventing the handle bar from rotating about the handle bar axis from the upright position to a position extending toward the front wheel side while tilting up the handle bar and rotating the seat support for interchanging the facing directions.
US08657306B2
A lifting machine base assembly for use in a machine tool includes a machine base and a lateral wheel set. The lateral wheel set includes two lateral wheel frames respectively pivotally connected to two opposite sidewalls of the machine base, and a wheel shaft rotatably inserted through the machine base and eccentrically connected between the lateral wheel frames. A driving member is fastened to one end of the wheel shaft and operable to raise and lower the lateral wheel frames relative to the machine base and to further force the lateral wheels into contact with the floor to lift the machine base partially or wholly from the floor, allowing the operator to conveniently move the machine tool to a desired position by rotation of the lateral wheels.
US08657305B1
A self-loading tow dolly that permits components of the dolly to be easily removed and replaced. The tow dolly also reduces overall weight by using aluminum slotted hubs mated with 8-inch aluminum slotted wheels and by employing dissimilar materials that do not require welding and improves lubrication by providing strategically placed lubricant ports and lubricant reservoirs for rotating components.
US08657300B2
The invention relates to a sealing element for sealing off component groups capable of being positioned in relation to one another, for use, in particular, in the vehicle and building technology sector, the sealing element has a first seal part 11 performing a sealing function and having a soft fraction and a second seal part 12 performing a reinforcing function and having a hard fraction. The sealing element is essentially an annular design and has an essentially accurately designed first seal part directed inward in the operating position, with a soft fraction, and an essentially frame-shaped second seal part arranged at the inwardly projecting end of the first seal part, with a hard fraction.
US08657297B2
An improved air-riding seal system for turbine engines is presented. The seal system includes a movable primary seal assembly, a stationary secondary seal assembly, and at least one structure to increase the stiffness of a thin film between the primary seal and a rotating component. The primary seal assembly includes an annular seal ring and an arcuate support arm. The annular seal ring has a cross section that is substantially L-shaped and a surface with a step face and a circumferential dam. The arcuate support arm has a tooth at one end adjacent to an outermost circumferential surface along the seal runner, which could include an optional notch. The tooth and outermost circumferential surface are separated by a gap. The secondary seal ring is disposed between and contacts the primary seal assembly and housing structure so as to form a bore seal and a face seal therewith. A plurality of radial dams disposed along the surface in an outward radial arrangement from the circumferential dam is provided to improve the stiffness of the thin film. Features of the invention allow for higher operating speeds.
US08657288B2
A three dimensional puzzle assembly 12 is formed of a plurality of puzzle pieces 18. The puzzle pieces 18 have tabs 28 that are received in recesses 30. The tabs 28 and recesses 30 have cooperating engagement features 32, 34 that prevent adjacent puzzle pieces from being displaced in a direction normal to an exterior surface of the puzzle pieces. The puzzle assembly 12 defines a guide 24 in which a lock 20 may be attached. A bayonet connector 88, 90 may be used to attach a liner 14 to the lock through a hole 52 in the puzzle assembly. A retainer 54 on the liner 14 may pass through the hole 52 and engage the lock 20.
US08657285B2
Provided are a sheet transport apparatus and a sheet transport method preventing false detection of multiple feeding when feeding sheets of different thicknesses. The sheet transport apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor including an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver disposed opposite each other across a sheet transport path, a type detector for discriminating between a first sheet and a second sheet thicker than the first sheet while one or the other of the sheets is being fed along the transport path, and a multiple feed detector for detecting the presence or absence of multiple feeding of sheets along the transport path, based on an output produced by the ultrasonic sensor and on a detection result supplied from the type detector.
US08657282B2
An image forming device, comprising: a device main body; a sheet cassette detachably attachable to a cassette accommodation space; an image formation unit; a re-carrying unit configured to re-carry the reversed sheet-like medium to the image formation unit and is exposed to the cassette accommodation space when the sheet cassette is detached; and a driving source supplying a driving force to the re-carrying unit, and wherein: the re-carrying unit comprises a driving roller and a pinch roller; a drive coupling mechanism having a transmission path transmitting the driving force to the driving roller is provided; the drive coupling mechanism comprises an acting part that brings the transmission path to a coupled state by moving in accordance with an attaching motion of the sheet cassette and brings the transmission path to a cut off state by moving in accordance with a detaching motion of the sheet cassette.
US08657269B2
A vibration damping device including a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting a second mounting member and a first mounting member being arranged on axially one side of the second mounting member and a cylindrical outer bracket fit onto the second mounting member. A stopper portion integrally formed with the outer bracket extends radially inwardly to provide a first pressure receiving portion. A bound stopper member that restricts mutually approaching displacement of the two mounting members in the axial direction is constituted by including the first pressure receiving portion. A cylindrical second pressure receiving portion in a dual structure is formed by having the first pressure receiving portion extend axially inwardly and then folded axially outwardly. An axis perpendicular stopper member that restricts relative displacement of the two mounting members in the axis perpendicular direction is constituted by including the second pressure receiving portion.
US08657259B2
A fish tape leader comprises a leader body extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. A spheroid cap is at the first end. A tail portion extends from the spheroid cap to the second end. An eyelet extends through the leader body transverse to the longitudinal axis. The fish tape leader further comprises an attachment portion configured to secure the leader body to a fish tape.
US08657258B2
A pump jack for driving a reciprocating pump is provided. The pump jack comprises a support base and a support frame mounted thereto. A hydraulic cylinder is mounted to the support frame. A pulley mechanism is connected to a piston of the hydraulic cylinder, the support frame, and to a sucker rod of the reciprocating pump. The pulley mechanism translates movement of the piston into movement of the sucker rod such that pushing action of the piston provides pulling action acting on the sucker rod. A drive mechanism connected to the hydraulic cylinder for actuating the hydraulic cylinder.
US08657253B2
Systems are provided for using position data of a piston connected to a ram block in a blowout preventer to determine a backlash of the ram block, and/or to record a position of the ram block, and/or to calculate an instant when a supplemental closing pressure is desired to be applied, and/or to determine when maintenance of a ram locking mechanism is due, and/or to determine when sealing elements are worn.
US08657252B2
A surface-treated mold that includes a mold, a metal layer that is provided on a surface of the mold and contains at least one metal selected from nickel, chromium, tungsten and brass, and a carbon film that is provided on a surface of the metal layer, wherein the metal layer contains carbon, and the carbon concentration in the metal layer is higher between the boundary with the carbon film and the center of the metal layer than that between the boundary with the mold and the center of the metal layer.
US08657240B2
An aircraft control input apparatus is configured to accept and provide to the aircraft control inputs from a user regarding the magnitude and direction of the aircraft's thrust vector. The present invention enables a user to continually provide control inputs to an aircraft in which both the magnitude and the direction of thrust vary. A rotational throttle interface is configured to alter its orientation within the aircraft based on the directional component of the aircraft's thrust vector. The rotational throttle interface enables the user to provide continual control inputs to command both the directional component of the thrust as well as the magnitude component. Accordingly the user can provide inputs regarding direction and magnitude throughout the operating envelope of the aircraft's thrust vector while maintaining continuous physical contact with the throttle.
US08657234B2
A door for an aircraft engine nacelle, comprising an opening leaf, locking device with which the opening leaf may be locked in the closed position, as well a device for setting the opening leaf into motion with which the latter may be displaced from the closed position to the open position. The locking device has a mechanical fuse intended to break under the effect of a force exerted by the opening leaf and resulting from an opening gas pressure being applied on the opening leaf, with a value greater than or equal to a predetermined value and causing displacement of the opening leaf from the closed position to the open position after breakage of the mechanical fuse.
US08657229B2
A method and apparatus is provided, including an actuator system that may be connected to a wing frame for controlling an active element. The actuator system may include sliding elements movable along an axis parallel to the span-wise axis of the wing. The sliding elements may be connected to fixed elements and a crank element, the crank element generally comprising a beam element and a pivot element. The beam element may be offset from the pivot element so that the crank element is rotatable about the pivot element with a negative stiffness under an external force that tends to pull the sliding elements away from the fixed elements.
US08657220B2
The invention relates to a rotor (139) for the acceleration of material, in particular a stream of granular or particulate material, with the aid of centrifugal force, with, in particular, the aim of causing the accelerated grains or particles to collide with an impact member at such a velocity that the particles are crushed. The invention provides ways to hinder that particles are pulled from the center space though vortex pulling. The sliding member (143) is provided with a closed space that provides the rotor with a closed center space. When the sliding member (143) are positioned some distance away from the metering member (141), a cover member (134) is positioned above the rotor (139) between the metering member and the sliding member. This enables to design the sliding members shorter and hence cheaper. It enables to place more sliding members on the rotor and hence increase continuous operation time accordingly.
US08657201B2
A filter-free projector includes a light source unit to generate light beams with different colors and a color control module coupled to the light source unit for switching the light source unit to emit one color light at a time. A digital mirror device panel having a plurality of mirror elements is provided so as to reflect light fed from the light source unit. A projection lens is positioned in the reflected light path from the digital mirror device panel to project the image.
US08657200B2
An indicia reading terminal can comprise an image sensor integrated circuit having a two-dimensional image sensor, a hand held housing encapsulating the two-dimensional image sensor, and an imaging lens configured to focus an image of a target decodable indicia onto the two-dimensional image sensor. The two-dimensional image sensor can include a plurality of pixels arranged in repetitive patterns. Each pattern can include at least one pixel sensitive in a first spectrum region, at least one pixel sensitive in a second spectrum region, and at least one pixel sensitive in a third spectrum region. The image sensor integrated circuit can be configured to capture a frame of image data by reading out a plurality of analog signals. Each read out analog signal can be representative of light incident on a group of two or more pixels of the plurality of pixels. The image sensor integrated circuit can be further configured to convert the plurality of analog signals to a plurality of digital signals and to store the plurality of digital signals in a memory. The indicia reading terminal can be operative to process the frame of image data for attempting to decode for decodable indicia.
US08657195B2
A method includes (1) obtaining a captured image of a document physically placed on a background having specifically designed patterns; (2) storing into a memory the captured image that includes an image of the document and an image of the background surrounding the document; and (3) analyzing the captured image to search for a boundary of the document in the captured image, where step of analyzing includes distinguishing the image of the background from the image of the document.
US08657188B2
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records corresponding to authorized user or financial account data. The automated banking machine includes a card reader for reading data from user cards. The automated banking machine causes financial transfers related to financial accounts that correspond to data read from user cards. The automated banking machine also includes devices that control the supply of power to transaction function devices such as the card reader to avoid exceeding power supply capacity.
US08657186B2
An itinerary travel tag attached to a piece of luggage, the travel tag including a code; a mechanism for retrieving and sending the code electronically; an internet server connected electronically to the mechanism for receiving the code, and for providing a website including a webpage associated with the code and used to provide information pertaining to the piece of luggage, such that the piece of luggage can be tracked and the information used remotely to locate and retrieve the piece of luggage at any time and in any location.
US08657185B2
A moveable mailbox tray for mounting in a new or existing mailbox wherein said mailbox tray is attached to the door of the mailbox and is repositioned, along with the contents of the mailbox, both horizontally and vertically in the direction of the user when the mailbox door is opened.
US08657177B2
The present disclosure is directed to an endoscopic surgical instrument and methods for performing a diverticulum treatment. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated member and a jaw assembly. The elongated member is operably coupled to the distal end of the handle assembly, while the jaw assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the elongated member. The jaw assembly includes a knife slot that is defined therewithin and is adapted to receive a knife blade to thereby cut tissue that is disposed between the jaw assembly. The jaw assembly is configured to approximate an esophageal tract and a diverticulum.
US08657171B2
A fracture splitting jig is fitted into a crank pin hole of a connecting rod, and a fracture load is applied in a longitudinal direction of the connecting rod via the fracture splitting jig to thereby fracture a big end of the connecting rod. A mandrel as the fracture splitting jig is divided into four parts to be separable from each other in a longitudinal direction of the connecting rod and in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. When the big end is fractured, a fractured portion thereof is allowed to come in contact with a predetermined portion of the fracture splitting jig.
US08657169B2
A backpack including a pack portion having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear and two sides. A strap arrangement can also be included for carrying the pack portion as a backpack. The strap arrangement can have a pair of carrying straps. Each carrying strap can be secured to the pack portion at about the bottom and extend upwardly along respective sides of the pack portion, and redirected at about the top of said respective sides to extend around to the rear of the pack portion, and being redirected at about the top of the rear to extend downwardly for securement at about the bottom of the pack portion at the rear. The strap arrangement can redirect forces to support a load in the pack portion from the sides of the pack portion.
US08657168B2
Golf bags and other shoulder borne devices have strapping systems capable of converting between a single strap configuration and a double strap configuration. The strapping system includes two main straps. In the double strap configuration, the first strap member has three ends, each of which is attached to a location on the golf bag (or other structure), and the second strap member has one free end attached to the golf bag (or other structure) and one free end attached to a central area of the first strap member. When converting to the single strap configuration, the first strap member is removed from the golf bag (or other structure) completely, and the free end of the second strap member that was attached to the first strap member is removed therefrom and engaged with the golf bag (or other structure).
US08657166B1
An apparatus that aids emergency personnel in transporting and carrying incapacitated people on stretchers or similar devices is herein disclosed. The apparatus comprises a belt worn by a user around the lower or middle back. The belt is designed to prevent back strain and injury by keeping the spine aligned and by forcing the user to maintain a proper posture when lifting a patient. The apparatus also comprises a harness to give additional support to the back and non-captive hook positioned on either the front or buckle area of the belt. The hook aids in supporting the stretcher or gurney when the user of the apparatus is an upright position. Its non-captive design allows for quick disconnection should the user stumble, fall or lose their balance.
US08657161B2
A beverages dispenser, particularly for carbonated beverages, comprises a cooled tank where beverage is stored, an inlet pipe to the tank, an inlet valve on the inlet pipe, a pump downstream the inlet valve for feeding a beverage to the tank in order to maintain a predetermined level wherein, an outlet pipe from the tank to a beverage dispensing nozzle, and an outlet valve on the outlet conduit. An auxiliary pipe is disposed between the inlet pipe downstream the inlet valve and the outlet pipe downstream the outlet valve and a control unit is adapted to close the inlet valve and to run the pump in order to empty the outlet pipe into the tank after the beverage is dispensed in order to prevent dripping.
US08657154B2
A merchandise dispensing apparatus for providing theft deterrence includes a housing defining an interior space adapted to hold a plurality of associated products. A vending door is mounted to the housing for selectively allowing access to the interior space. A bar is provided on which the associated products are supported, the bar extending in the interior space of the housing. An advancing assembly is disposed in the housing for urging product supported on the bar in a direction towards the vending door.
US08657148B2
A container including a main body and a removable lid. The main body defines an interior cavity accessible through an opening at an upper end of the main body, and the main body has a rim about the opening. The removable lid secures to the rim of the main body to enclose the interior cavity. The removable lid includes an upper portion having a convex surface and comprises a soft, flexible material. The removable lid also includes a spout integrally molded with the upper portion and extending from the upper portion at an off-center location. The spout is shaped and sized to be received inside a child's mouth. The spout includes a wall and a flexible membrane supported by the wall. The membrane has a convex surface facing a distal end of the spout and forming a cavity within the distal end of the spout, and a valve configured to provide fluid communication between the interior cavity and the child's mouth when sufficient pressure is applied to the distal end of the spout.
US08657142B2
A tank for holding liquid having internal partitions. The partitions have enlarged bottom ends fillable with liquid and restable on the bottom wall of the tank to limit sideways movement of the partitions. The partitions are mounted to the tank only above the liquid within the tank by a channel that loosely receives the top ends of the partition.
US08657132B2
A moveable bin divider is provided for use in a door bin. The divider includes a divider plate extending at least a portion of the width and depth of a bin within which it is used. The divider plate includes a panel integral and perpendicular thereto which extends vertically and includes a first portion connected by a bridge over a wall of a bin with which it is used to a second portion which terminates at an engagement mechanism such as a tongue or groove. The engagement mechanism is received or receives a corresponding tongue or groove on a wall of a bin in which the bin divider is received for securely holding the divider within the bin. The engagement mechanism is biased against the bin wall to prevent undesired movement of the moveable bin divider. A combination bin and bin divider is also provided.
US08657126B1
A plurality of product dispensing frames, each having a left side wall, a right side wall, a front end, and a rear end, and including an upper support deck extending between the front end and the rear end, a lower support deck positioned below the upper support deck, the lower support deck extending between the front end and the rear end and defining a product display area, and a dispenser door pivotably connected between outermost dispenser frames to cover and enclose the upper support decks.
US08657125B2
A tray cleaning apparatus having a top plate, a bottom plate, a first bearing plate assembly and a second bearing plate assembly. The first bearing plate assembly disposed between top plate and bottom plate comprises a first supporting plate, plural first blocks and plural second blocks, the first supporting plate comprises an inner surface having a first disposing area and a second disposing area. The first blocks are disposed at the first disposing area and the second blocks are disposed at the second disposing area. The second bearing plate assembly disposed between top plate and bottom plate comprises a second supporting plate, plural third blocks and plural fourth blocks, the second supporting plate comprises an outer surface having a third disposing area and a fourth disposing area. The third blocks are disposed at the third disposing area and the fourth blocks are disposed at the fourth disposing area.
US08657097B2
A squaring-up device for a package converting line, located between a blank folding section and a folded-blank assembly section. The device has a frame, at least one jogger, having a deployed active position for correcting a geometry of a folded blank, and a drive for transporting the jogger. The squaring-up device includes an effector for moving the jogger from the active position to a retracted inactive position, and vice versa, and control the effector.
US08657093B1
A PTO clutch assembly is directed to marine environment usage with a propeller drive shaft. The PTO clutch assembly can be operated at 7 degrees of axial tilt. A clutch friction disc has a recessed area that reduces the need for initial break-in.
US08657087B2
A retractable cord reel is disclosed. The retractable cord reel may have a spool having a conductor carried thereon. The cord reel may also have a conductor lead coupled to a ratchet. The spool and the ratchet may be configured to make an electrical connection with each other.
US08657086B2
An identical engagement hole 12b is formed in each of first and second brackets 1, 2. A first engagement portion 31c is formed in a damper body 31 of a rotary damper 3. A distal end portion of a rotor 32 of the rotary damper 3 is non-rotatably inserted in an adapter 4. A third engagement portion 46 is formed in an outer circumference of the adapter 4. The first engagement portion 31c is non-rotatably inserted in the engagement hole 12b of the first bracket 1. The third engagement portion 46 is non-rotatably inserted in the engagement hole 12b of the second bracket 2.
US08657083B2
A method for damping relative movements occurring between a first and a second part of a work vehicle during advance of the vehicle, which parts are interconnected by means of at least one hydraulic actuator, includes detecting at least one operation parameter of the vehicle, determining whether a damping condition is present based on the detected operation parameter and if the determined damping condition is present, controlling a displacement of a variable displacement hydraulic motor arranged downstream of the actuator in such a way that energy from a hydraulic fluid transmitted from the actuator is converted to a rotational energy in the motor, and transmitting the recovered energy from the motor to a power source.
US08657071B2
A support assembly for a tree-based platform includes a rod having a length greater than a diameter of a tree to which the platform is intended to be attached. The assembly further includes a first ring defining an opening configured to receive a portion of a tree, and a first plurality of extending members inwardly advanceable relative to the first ring. Each of the extending members has an end portion configured to engage the tree in the opening of the first ring when sufficiently advanced. The assembly further includes a second ring defining an opening configured to receive a portion of the tree, and a second plurality of extending members inwardly advanceable relative to the second ring. Each extending member has an end portion configured to engage the tree in the opening of the second ring when sufficiently advanced. The assembly further includes first and second supports. Each support has a bottom rail, a top rail, and two side rails. The top rails of the first and second support are configured to be coupled to the second ring, and the bottom rails of the first and second supports are configured to be coupled to the first ring. The assembly further includes a first tension element configured to couple to the rod and the bottom rail of the first support, and a second tension element configured to couple to the rod and the bottom rail of the second support.
US08657069B1
The present invention relates to a step assembly whereby the assembly can be deployed wherein person can climb a plurality of steps in a safe and secure manner, and whereby the assembly can be compacted for storage and/or transport. In one embodiment, the step assembly has two pieces hingedly connected to each other. The first piece is taller and wider than the second piece, wherein the second piece can be collapsed into the interior of the first piece for storage. A dual purpose handle is provided, and can be selectably extended into and retracted from the second piece for storage and transport, respectively. The handle can also be inserted into the first piece to act as a railing. A rod is also provided, and can be pivoted from a first position to a second position wherein it can contact a door to prevent the door from unintentionally closing.
US08657064B2
Earphone devices with a sealing section for acoustically sealing the meatus of a human ear are provided. An earphone device includes an inner ear canal speaker and an inner ear canal microphone, each connected to a logic circuit which can include a digital signal processor (DSP). A sealant element is operatively attached to an outer section of the earphone and acoustically seals the meatus of a human ear canal.
US08657063B2
A device structured to assist the hearing of a user by being removably connected to and disposing a user's ear in an enhanced hearing orientation. The device includes an elongated base, which may be disposable, and has a sufficient length to be disposed in an operative position behind the user's ear. Opposite ends of the base include an adhesive material secured to a common side thereof, wherein different ones of said opposite ends are respectively disposed and maintained in confronting engagement with a rear surface of the ear and adjacently disposed portion of the user's head. The base further includes biasing capabilities disposed and structured to exert a sufficient, forwardly and outwardly directed force on the user's ear to dispose and maintain it in the enhanced hearing orientation, when the base is in the operative position.
US08657062B2
In a steering system, an operation mechanism that includes an operation member includes: a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the operation member; and a steering direction detection unit that detects a steering direction of the operation member. The steering direction detection unit includes: a threaded shaft that is rotatable in the steering direction of the operation member; a nut that is screwed to the threaded shaft; a nut guide that causes the nut to move in accordance with rotation of the threaded shaft; a stopper that prevents movement of the nut beyond a predetermined position; a proximity detection sensor that detects a fact that the nut is in proximity to the stopper; and a variable axial length mechanism that reduces a clearance between the nut and the stopper in response to occurrence of a malfunction in the steering angle sensor.
US08657056B2
Pyrotechnic actuator in particular for lifting the hood of an automobile in the event of a collision with a pedestrian.The actuator comprises a return-braking arrangement (25) acting between the rod (17) and the body (13) of the actuator and having an inertial actuating threshold in order to brake the rod in return only if it is subjected to a force under a sufficient acceleration truly representative of a collision.
US08657045B2
A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed wherein the ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed varies continuously in some operating conditions and is controlled to be one of a finite number of preselected ratios in other operating conditions. The transition from continuously variable mode to discrete ratio mode includes selecting a virtual gear number and increasing the engine speed to the corresponding ratio to vehicle speed. Once in a discrete ratio mode, the virtual gear number can vary automatically in response to changes in vehicle speed or in response to driver activation of shift selectors.
US08657043B2
To provide a crawler type traveling device with few rotating wheel mechanisms and equalizing the pressure contacting the ground. A crawler type traveling device comprises a driving wheel driven by a driving axis; idler wheels having axes parallel to that of the driving wheel; and a crawler belt which is spooled around the driving wheel and the idler wheels and travels around the driving wheel and the idler wheels. The crawler belt comprises an inner crawler belt having an engaging structure engaging with the driving wheel, the inner crawler belt being driven by the driving wheel; an outer crawler belt encircling circumferentially the outside of the inner crawler belt; a plurality of elastic members connecting the inner crawler belt to the outer crawler belt; and a plurality of crawler plates mounted to the outer crawler belt, and having lag for engaging with the ground.
US08657022B2
A fire detection system includes a detection tube and a sensing device. The detection tube contains a sensing fluid having a first physical condition and a second physical condition. The sensing fluid is in the first physical condition below a temperature threshold, and is in the second physical condition above the temperature threshold. The sensing fluid is at least partially liquid in the first physical condition. The sensing device is movable to open in response to a transition of a portion of the sensing fluid from the first physical condition to the second physical condition.
US08657021B1
The present invention relates to smart monitor for fire hydrants. One embodiment of the smart monitor comprises an electronic module associated with an operating nut and nut shaft. The electronic module may be an integral part of the fire hydrant design or it may be a part of an upgrade kit for upgrading existing fire hydrant installations. The electronic module may be configured to detect when a fire hydrant has been accessed and transmit a data signal to a remote location. The electronic module may comprise any number of environmental sensors configured to monitor the water flowing through a fire hydrant, the status of the fire hydrant, and the environment surrounding the fire hydrant. One such environmental sensor a radiation sensor configured to detect ionizing radiation.
US08657019B2
Methods and systems of hydrocarbon recovery use treatment fluids comprising low salinity carbonated water. Certain embodiments comprise forming a carbonated aqueous solution formed of either fresh water or low salinity water and introducing the carbonated aqueous solution into a formation to enhance hydrocarbon recovery. Low salinity brines may be used in lieu of or in combination with the foregoing fresh water. The carbonated water or low salinity carbonated brine may be introduced as a treatment fluid through a secondary well and used to provide a motive force to sweep the hydrocarbons towards one or more production wells. The carbonated water may be produced at a well site through a desalination process that uses naturally occurring brine as its feed. Using fresh water or law salinity brines allows a higher concentration of carbon dioxide to be dissolved in the water, which enhances hydrocarbon recovery.
US08657017B2
Apparatus and methods for controlling the flow of fluid, such as formation fluid, through an oilfield tubular positioned in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation. Fluid flow is autonomously controlled in response to change in a fluid flow characteristic, such as density or viscosity. In one embodiment, a fluid diverter is movable between an open and closed position in response to fluid density change and operable to restrict fluid flow through a valve assembly inlet. The diverter can be pivotable, rotatable or otherwise movable in response to the fluid density change. In one embodiment, the diverter is operable to control a fluid flow ratio through two valve inlets. The fluid flow ratio is used to operate a valve member to restrict fluid flow through the valve.
US08657009B2
A tubing string assembly for fluid treatment of a wellbore includes substantially pressure holding closures spaced along the tubing string, which each close at least one port through the tubing string wall. The closures are openable by a sleeve drivable through the tubing string inner bore.
US08657004B2
A downhole tool provided within a casing string for use in cement staging operations. The tool includes an inflatable packer that is integral to the body of the tool and ports in sides of the tool. The ports are selectively opened and closed for circulating cement from within the tool so that cement can flow between the casing string and a wellbore. The ports are actuated by sliding the casing string upward or downward within the wellbore. The packer can be pressure tested after being set to ensure its efficacy.
US08656988B1
A heat exchanger has first and second sides and comprises a pair of tanks, with each of the tanks defining an interior and including a header. A plurality of openings is formed in the header; The heat exchanger comprises a plurality of tubes extending between the openings in the tanks, with each of the tubes having opposite end portions joined to the tanks to fluidly connect the interiors of the tanks through interiors of the tubes. The heat exchanger comprises at least one reinforcement ribbon element extending across a juncture between the header and the plurality of tubes to reinforce a connection between the header and the plurality of tubes.
US08656985B2
A heat exchange apparatus is provided and includes an external structure to support an airflow cooled computing device, first and second doors, each of which includes a heat transfer surface, sequentially coupled to the external structure downstream from the computing device, a water supply system fluidly coupled to a water supply and to the heat transfer surfaces of the first and second doors to thereby supply water to the heat transfer surfaces, first and second valves coupled to the water supply system for association with the first and second doors, respectively, and an exhaust system, disposed proximate to the external structure, configured to recycle the cooled airflow downstream from the first and second doors for repeated cooling of the computing device.
US08656984B2
The mold for aluminothermic welding of metal rails has two components made of identical rigid refractory material and suitable for fitting around two ends of rails to be welded, each component includes: a lower part having a face defining a mold cavity suitable for enveloping the foot and a core of the ends of the rails, and a channel opening at the bottom into a lower region of the mold cavity and having at the top an opening and an upper part including a cooling chamber connected to the mold cavity and capable of containing the heads of the rail ends, the cooling chamber forming a non-compartmentalized volume to which the channel is connected via the opening and which is bounded by an external wall of each mold component.
US08656983B2
Of the many embodiments provided, one embodiment is a drill bit mold assembly comprising: a mold having a bottom and at least one side; a core centrally disposed within the mold; and a filter disposed above the bottom of the mold and within a space formed between the at least one side of the mold and the core.
US08656982B2
The present invention arranges the part for removing impurities from a molten metal containing a filter holder constituted of a structure containing an organic fiber, an inorganic fiber and thermosetting resin and a heat-resistant filter in the runner of the mold.
US08656981B2
A root portion 7a of a sipe blade 7 that protrudes from a surface 12a of a plaster casting mold 12 is coated with a coating layer 10 of an easily collapsible refractory material. A string-shaped exhaust hole forming member 11 of a casting refractory material is attached to the sipe blade 7 so as to be in contact with the coating layer 10. Molten metal M is poured onto the surface 12a of the plaster casting mold 12 in this state so as to cast a mold with the shape of the surface 12a transferred thereon and with the root portion 7a of the sipe blade 7 cast therein. The coating layer 10 is thereafter removed to form a slit around the root portion 7a of the sipe blade 7. The exhaust hole forming member 11 is also removed to form an exhaust hole communicating with the outside of the piece. Therefore, the slit and the exhaust hole communicate with each other. In this way, a mold provided with an exhaust mechanism can be simply produced.
US08656971B2
A tire assembly includes a tire having an annular tread between and connected to outer edges of opposed first and second sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls terminate at radially inner edges defining first and second bead sections, respectively. The tire also has a first interior wall having one edge coupled to the tread and an opposite free edge. The first interior wall is positioned between and generally parallel to and spaced from the first and second sidewalls. A first annular spacer is positionable adjacent the first bead section between the first sidewall and the first interior wall on one side of the first interior wall. A second annular spacer is positionable on the opposite side of the first interior wall. The first and second annular spacers are configured to generally maintain a spacing of the first and second sidewalls and the first interior wall relative to one another.
US08656968B2
A snow protection device mainly includes a piece of waterproof cloth, two bars, and at least two rubber magnets. The waterproof cloth includes a piece of cloth that is light-weighted, windable, and resistant against penetration of water. The two bars are respectively mounted to opposite side edges of the waterproof cloth. The rubber magnets are of magnetic attraction and are flexible and are arranged on the waterproof cloth at locations adjacent to and beside the bars. As such, the two bars can be used to collapse and expand the waterproof cloth and the rubber magnets may be securely attached, by means of magnetic attraction, to locations around a windshield so as to securely hold the waterproof cloth in position. The waterproof cloth is thus set to shield and cover the windshield. The resistance against water penetration of the waterproof cloth prevents water from contacting and being frozen on the windshield.
US08656964B1
An auto-filling assembly for a refillable sprayer has a base device, a controlling device and a filling device. The base device has a base, an oil tank and a connecting jacket. The connecting jacket is mounted on the base and has a connecting disk, a switch and an engaging mount. The controlling device is connected to the base device and has an inlet valve, a first linking valve, a gas-controlling valve, a second linking valve and a triple valve. The filling device is mounted on the base device, is connected to the controlling device and has a storage bottle, a release valve and a mechanical valve. The auto-filling assembly can be used to fill pressurized gas and oil into a refillable sprayer conveniently and automatically.
US08656963B2
A wastewater drainage system for a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle (RV), is provided. The system includes a pump, such as a macerator pump, in selective fluid communication with the black water tank and the gray water tank, and a drainage hose connected to the exit end of the pump for directing wastewater to a wastewater storage area. The system allows the RV user to clean the black water tank using water from the gray water tank, and allows gray water to be stored in the black water tank so that less time is spent draining the tanks and more time is spent enjoying the RV experience.
US08656962B2
A gripper head of a weaving machine has a clamping device for clamping a band-shaped weft material to be inserted into a loom shed of the weaving machine. The clamping device includes a stationary clamping jaw and a movable clamping jaw that is loaded by a spring and movable about a rotation axis. Each clamping jaw respectively has a clamping surface. The movable clamping jaw is actuatable by a control device to open the clamping device. The gripper head includes a frame, and the clamping surfaces are arranged essentially outside of the frame, but the spring and the rotation axis are arranged inside the frame.
US08656960B2
A hydraulically controlled accumulator-chamber valve has a closing element and a tappet. The closing element is prestressed via a first compression spring and seals a valve seat in a valve body. The tappet reaches through a leadthrough in the valve body and is moved by an accumulator piston. The accumulator piston is loaded by a second compression spring. The tappet is moved to press the closing element out of the valve seat when there is a specified balance of forces between the spring prestressing forces and a hydraulically active force. The closing element and the tappet are configured as a single-piece component, in order to guide the tappet in the leadthrough in a longitudinally movable manner. The tappet bears against an end face of the accumulator piston during an opening movement.
US08656955B2
A rotary valve is designed to include a stator with multiple pairs of ports for connection to flow-through components and a rotor with elongated recesses that form flow channels with minimal dead volume and that permit a reversal of flow direction through any component by rotation of the valve through a very small angle.
US08656953B2
A method of preventing a mass flow controller from participating in crosstalk in an array of mass flow controllers is described. The method includes sensing and providing a signal indicative of a fluid pressure inside of a mass flow controller with a pressure sensor contained within the mass flow controller, determining a response of a control valve to a rapid pressure perturbation at the inlet of the mass flow controller using the signal indicative of the fluid pressure to avoid overcompensation for the rapid pressure perturbation, and adjusting a control valve contained within the mass flow controller downstream of the pressure sensor, based on the determined response, so that the mass flow controller avoids overcompensating for the rapid pressure perturbation. The pressure sensor is positioned such that the pressure sensor is sensitive to rapid pressure perturbations at the inlet of the mass flow controller.
US08656930B2
A scientific computer system with processor capable of recording, storing and reprogramming the natural electrical signals of cancer cells as found in tumors of humans and animals. The reprogramming process is designed to create a confounding electrical signal for retransmission into a malignant tumor to damage or shut-down the cellular internal electrical communication system. Altering the electrical charge on the glycocalyx of the outer cell membrane is also part of the treatment by application of ions. The invention causes cancer cell death as a medical treatment using ultra-low voltage and amperage encoded signals which are reprogrammed from cancer cell communication signals.
US08656927B2
An earplug is provided and includes a tip for use in forward and lateral sealing, which is formed to define a rearward recessed cavity, and a stem. The stem includes a user graspable elongate portion configured with a stiffness in a first direction that is greater than a stiffness in a second direction, which is transverse to the first direction, and a member, disposed at a forward end of the elongate portion and configured to be insertable into the cavity, the member including a surface to be adhered to an interior facing surface of the cavity and on which a channel is defined to allow for outflow from the cavity, and the member being formed with a shape to complement that of the cavity to axially and circumferentially align the tip and the stem.
US08656919B2
System for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers are described in which a portable support assembly may be worn by a bed-stricken individual around particular regions of the body where pressure ulcers tend to form. The portable support assembly may generally include one or more individual spring assemblies which are enclosed entirely within an inner fluid and/or outer fluid pad which extends over the entire assembly. Each of the spring assemblies may be secured to an outer shell which is relatively stiffer than the fluid layers.
US08656915B2
A respiratory valve apparatus with a housing having an inner chamber, an endotracheal tube connection port, a respirator connection port and a resuscitation bag connection port. A valve positioned within the inner chamber can switch the flow between a manual resuscitation bag port and a ventilator port enabling the patient to be treated without having to disconnect the respirator support system to thereby connect the resuscitation bag. This prevents the loss of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) in the lungs and guards against lung collapse and hemodynamic compromise. The valve includes preloaded seals that will create minimal dragging during valve actuation and work under both positive and negative pressure. The apparatus includes a tethered cover for closure of the resuscitation bag port for sealably covering the port when a bag is not attached or the ventilator connector during patient transport. A sealing arrangement within the resuscitator bag port insures that PEEP in maintained when the resuscitator bag adapter is inserted into the housing.
US08656913B2
One or more embodiments of the presently described invention provides a ventilator including a timing device, an electric power source and a flow control device. The timing device is electronically controlled and is capable of controlling a period of time that a fluid is delivered to a patient. The timing device can control this period of time using a solenoid. The flow control device controls a rate of flow that the fluid is delivered to the patient. The flow control device can control the rate of flow using a plurality of orifices. The timing device and flow control device are separate from one another and each is capable of being operated independent of the other.
US08656912B2
This invention relates to a breathing unit having an electric motor for driving a compressor, compressed air being conducted through a first heat exchanger cooled by cooling air of the compressor, and the compressed air being conducted through a second heat exchanger being cooled by cooling air of the motor.
US08656908B2
Methods and systems for aerosol delivery of agents to a patient are described herein. The present system can be used to administer various types of agents, such as a vaccine or other types of pharmaceutical substances. Certain embodiments of the present system utilize an actuator coupled to a disposable aerosolizing element that aerosolizes an agent for delivery to a patient when acted upon by the actuator. The aerosolizing element prevents the agent from contacting the actuator and other non-disposable components of the system so that little or no cleaning or maintenance is required. The present system also can include an aerosolization rate monitor that monitors the rate at which an agent is being aerosolized and provides feedback to the user to ensure that the proper dose is being administered.
US08656899B2
A crossbow may comprise a main beam, a trigger mechanism, a bow assembly, and a barrel cable suppressor. First and second cables may pass through a cable slot formed in a barrel member. The first and second cables may be received by first and second cams respectively such that the rotation of the first and second cams in a first direction causes the first and second limbs to be pulled generally inward towards the main beam. The barrel cable suppressor may be positioned at least partially within the cable slot and may at least partially suppresses vibrations and noise caused by the first and second cables when the bowstring is released from the trigger mechanism.
US08656896B2
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: a fuel property sensor which is provided between a fuel tank and a delivery pipe and which detects a component ratio of fuel; a fuel property value calculator that calculates an injector fuel property value for each cylinder using the component ratio detected by the fuel property sensor a period of time ago, which is equal to an amount of time required for the fuel to travel from the fuel property sensor to each fuel injector, as a value corresponding to the present component ratio of the fuel near the corresponding injector; and an engine-restart-time fuel injection amount calculator that calculates a fuel injection amount for each cylinder based on an engine-off duration in a case where the internal combustion engine is restarted after the internal combustion engine is stopped when the injector fuel property value varies from cylinder to cylinder.
US08656894B2
A gas intake device for letting gases into an inlet volume of a cylinder head of a motor vehicle combustion engine includes a valve (10) for supplying the cylinder head with gas, this valve communicating with the inlet volume of the cylinder head directly and indirectly via a heat exchanger (14). The valve (10) and the heat exchanger (14) are mounted on a plate (21) intended to be mounted directly on the cylinder head. The device is compact and relatively insensitive to vibration.
US08656893B2
A device for treating liquid carbonous fuel having external and internal electrodes having a dielectric insert positioned between and coaxially arranged to form a treatment chamber. The chamber is connected to a fuel line by an outlet channel located along the longitudinal axis of the electrodes and at least one inlet channel disposed in the external electrode, wherein the inlet and outlet channels are embodied according to a relationship (1), wherein Siin is the cross-section area of an i-th inlet channel, n is the number of inlet channels and Sout is the cross-section area of the outlet channel. ∑ i = 1 n S iin = ( 0.1 / 2.7 ) S out ( 1 )
US08656889B2
The control apparatus for a vehicle having a prime mover is applied to a vehicle having an air conditioning mechanism which performs the air conditioning in the vehicle interior by using the cooling water of the internal combustion engine. The engine stop permitting unit permits stopping the internal combustion engine based on the requested load of the internal combustion engine, when the cooling water temperature becomes equal to or higher than the engine stop permitting water temperature. The engine activating unit activates the internal combustion engine when the cooling water temperature becomes lower than the engine activation requesting water temperature, which is set to be lower than the engine stop permitting water temperature. The correcting unit corrects the engine stop permitting water temperature to be higher in the case that the vehicle speed is high, than in the case that the vehicle speed is low.
US08656881B2
A method for starting an internal combustion engine having direct fuel injection, comprising of adjusting a number of direct injections per combustion cycle based on a cylinder event number from a first cylinder event.
US08656880B2
A device for generating a radiofrequency plasma, which includes a supply module applying, on an output interface, an excitation signal at a setpoint frequency, adapted for generating a spark at the output of a plasma-generation resonator connected to the output interface of the power module, and a control module supplying the setpoint frequency to the power module upon a command for generating the radiofrequency plasma. The control module is configured to determine an optimal excitation frequency, to adapt the setpoint frequency to the resonance conditions of the device after formation of the spark.
US08656871B2
In a water-cooled four-cycle engine, an engine core including a cylinder block, a cylinder head and a first crankcase half body is formed as a unitary part cast integrally; a water jacket including a cylinder jacket and a head jacket is formed in the engine core; and a timing-belt chamber being adjacent to the cylinder jacket is provided in a side portion of the engine core. A first opening portion for forming a first semi-peripheral portion of the cylinder jacket on a side opposite from the timing-belt chamber by casting out is provided in a side surface of the cylinder block. Second and third opening portions for forming a second semi-peripheral portion of the cylinder jacket and the head jacket as well as the timing-belt chamber, respectively, by casting out are provided in an upper surface of the cylinder head.
US08656866B2
A disposable sanitary garment for pets, such as dogs, cats, and particularly those who lack control of their waste discharges by reason of advanced age, degenerative disease, and the like, is disclosed. The disposable sanitary garment comprises a disposable absorbent garment for engaging a portion of the back of a pet and extending over the tail area to a portion of the pet's underside for absorbing and containing the waste discharges from the pet. The garment further comprises hook and loop fastening means for securing the disposable absorbent garment on the pet at or about the abdomen area. The disposable absorbent garment comprises a tail aperture, a fluid-permeable top layer, a fluid-impermeable bottom layer, and an absorbent core interposed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The hook and loop fastening means comprise loop fastening tapes affixed to the disposable absorbent garment and an adjustable belt comprising a hook fastening tape for mating with the loop fastening tapes to circumferentially secure the disposable absorbent garment to the pet. The disposable sanitary garments vary in sizes and are packaged in a “for ever Chelsey” disposable garments packages.
US08656863B2
A pet potty includes a base plate and a grid. The base plate has a base and a wall along the perimeter of the base, the base and wall impermeable to fluid and forming a cavity capable of retaining fluid. The grid is sized to fit within the cavity of the base plate and has a complex of beams that can support a pet atop the grid. The beams have a top side and a bottom side, and substantially all of the beams are convex in shape on their top side.
US08656862B2
A device catering for the dietary needs of animals. Feed is stored in a hopper and distributed at intervals to the animal's feeding receptacle via an internal dispensing mechanism using a flexible rotor sealing against the walls of a housing to both meter the feed and seal against contamination. The quantities and delivery times may be set by the user. An optional weighting system can be provided to increase accuracy of delivered feed amounts. Optionally, the device may include a water delivery system. Water is provided by a plumbed domestic connection and is available to the animal at all times, except during the automatic change cycle. A pump is utilized to change the water several times a day, in an attempt to remove any contaminants that may affect the water quality that is required to be dispensed.
US08656857B2
A marker installation system is disclosed for inserting a marker of the type having shaft with a bottom end for inserting into a ground surface and an engagement portion of the shaft separated from the bottom end by an insertion portion of the shaft. The apparatus includes a magazine assembly defining a magazine space configured to receive at least one marker. The magazine space has a push position in the magazine space for receiving the at least one marker. The apparatus further comprises a push assembly mounted on the magazine assembly. The push assembly is configured to engage the engagement portion of the shaft of the marker located in the push position and push the marker from the magazine assembly when the push assembly is actuated. A plurality of the markers are bonded together such that each of the markers can be removed from the rest of the plurality when it is desired to insert a marker into the ground.
US08656856B1
A collapsible catamaran has twin rigid hulls attached by frame members to a platform that holds a rider. The hulls and platform are divided into sections to allow the hulls and platform to be disassembled and transported in a small space. The hulls are substantially hollow and have access ports that allow a rider to store buoyant materials or equipment inside the hulls. A motor mount is attached to the front platform and receives an electric motor that is configured to pull the catamaran through the water. A cover may be attached to the platform to provide shade to the rider. The cover may support one or more solar panels that collect electricity to power the motor. The parts may be combined in a kit, which allows the rider to assemble the components of the collapsible catamaran. The catamaran may then be assembled from and disassembled into the components before and after each use.
US08656852B1
The present invention provides a hide away helm for a watercraft that is positionable between a use position in which the hide away helm extends up from the deck and a non-use position in which the hide away helm retracts into a deck cavity and becomes flush with the deck. The hide away helm includes: a mounting member, a first support member, an optional biasing member, a steering device, one or more second support members, and a deck member.
US08656850B2
A punch data generating device generating punch data for execution with an embroiderable sewing machine including a needle bar moved up and down and mounted with a punch needle for forming penetrations on a workpiece in dot-by-dot strokes, a transfer mechanism transferring the workpiece in two directions in coordination with the movement of the punch needle to form the penetrations. The punch data generating device includes a cut data generator generating cut data constituting the punch data, the cut data being used to form the penetrations along an outline of a predetermined pattern to allow cutting of the outline; and an auxiliary cut data generator generating auxiliary cut data constituting the punch data, the auxiliary cut data being used to form penetrations contacting the outline of the pattern to form a cut that facilitates detachment of the outline from the workpiece.
US08656844B2
A cover for a base of a counter is disclosed; the cover is mounted on the base; in the cover it is inserted at least one post that supports a board; the cover comprises a lower section that has a lower face provided with a recess where the base is coupled when it is in upright position; and an upper section with an upper face, where it is provided at least one hole where the post is inserted; the upper section being hingedly connected to the lower section in such a way that they close with each other so that the cover becomes a housing where the base may be stored.
US08656843B2
A pallet rail includes an elongate support box and a plurality of separately formed reinforcing tubes. The support box is formed from a paper blank that is folded along parallel fold lines. The reinforcing tubes are positioned within the support box to reinforce the box. Two side walls have arcuate corners to define two opposing longitudinal ends of the support box having curved lower profiles. Another pallet rail includes an elongate support box, an adjacent end wall, and a plurality of separately-formed reinforcing tubes.
US08656837B2
The invention relates to a safety and arming device for projectiles and using micro-electromagnetic technology, such device incorporating a slider made mobile by the effect of the centrifugal acceleration with respect to the body of the device and immobilized in a safety position by at least one inertial lock, such lock incorporating at least one means to ensure its blocking in the unlocked position, wherein the inertial lock incorporates a counterweight having at least one straight groove whose longitudinal axis is parallel to the direction of movement of the lock, groove in which a fixed guiding pin integral with the safety and arming device is positioned, since the groove is of sufficient length to allow the displacement of the counterweight with respect to the pin, the slider in its safety position being made integral with the body of the safety and arming device by means of hooking means integral with the counterweight.
US08656834B2
In an exchangeable cylinder type rotary press driven by a prime mover, it is made possible to make a print of any top-bottom length as desired, independently of a gear train that transmits power from the prime mover to an exchange cylinder unit. To this end, the peripheral length of each of the rotary cylinders 34-36 in the exchange cylinder unit 28 is set at a length according to a top-bottom length of a print to be made, a profile-shifted gear is used as at least one of driven gears 37-39 which are provided for the rotary cylinders, respectively, and have an identical number of teeth so that the driven gears can be engaged with one another while positioning the rotary cylinders in rotational contact with one another, the printing unit 25 is provided in the exchange cylinder unit with a driving gear 30 adapted to be disengageably in engagement with one of the driven gears for driving the exchangeable cylinders, the driving gear being provided independently of the rotary printing paper feed means; and a motor 32 whose rotation is controllable is coupled to the driving gear.
US08656833B2
A leveling machine for rolled-up tablets has a base, a mounting frame and a wheel-leveling device. The base has two sideboards faced each other and each sideboard has a spindle hole. The mounting frame is rotatably mounted in the base between the sideboards and has a spindle, an adjusting motor, two mounting boards and a bottom cylinder. The spindle is rotatably mounted in the spindle holes of the sideboards. The adjusting motor is mounted securely on the corresponding sideboard to drive the spindle. The mounting boards are respectively, obliquely and securely mounted around the spindle near the sideboards. The bottom cylinder is rotatably mounted around the spindle between the mounting boards. The wheel-leveling device is connected to the mounting frame and has two top cylinder mounts, a cylinder, a top cylinder, two pushing mounts and two telescopic drivers.
US08656831B2
A round baler of the non-stop type has three arms rotating about a common axis and having rolls at their free ends. A loop may be formed between rolls of adjacent arms, wherein material is fed to the loop forming a bale from one of several outlets fed by a feeder.
US08656829B2
A flipping grilling grate includes a primary grate member with a food contact surface and four pivot posts formed in diametrically opposed pairs. The grilling grate also includes a secondary grate member with a food contact surface 7and four pivot post formed in diametrically opposed pairs. A first pair of opposed pivot posts on the primary grate member mate with a first pair of opposed pivot posts on the secondary grate member and a second pair of opposed pivot posts on the primary grate member mate with a second pair of opposed pivot posts on the secondary grate member when the primary and secondary grate members are assembled together.
US08656814B2
A rotary hub for being operatively coupled to a hub of a pulley to facilitate manual rotation of the pulley. The rotary hub involves an upper plate and a lower plate, with the upper plate operatively coupled to and offset from the lower plate. The lower plate is configured for being operatively coupled to the pulley hub. The upper plate has apertures defined about an outer ring thereof, with a plurality of the apertures configured for being engaged with in rotating the rotary hub.
US08656801B2
A drive transmission device includes a motor pinion gear provided at an output shaft of the driving motor and a-transmission gear engaging the motor pinion gear. In the drive transmission device, a sliding washer and a compression spring are disposed between the transmission-gear and the motor mounting plate. The sliding washer is pressed against a web of the transmission gear by the compression spring.
US08656792B2
A pipette device including a metering liquid receptacle designed to be filled, at least in part, with working fluid and which has a pipette opening as a first tapering of cross-section of flow, a pressure change device which is designed to change the pressure of the working fluid in the metering liquid receptacle, and a throttle point in a pipette duct designed to be filled with working fluid as a further tapering of cross-section of flow. The throttle point is arranged fluid-mechanically between the metering liquid receptacle and the pressure change device and is dimensioned in such a way that a ratio of a flow resistance of the pipette opening for dispensed metering liquid to a flow resistance of the throttle point for working fluid, which flows through the throttle point when the metering fluid is dispensed, is less than 0.5.
US08656791B2
A first excitation AC signal (V1=A1·sin(ωt)) is supplied to a first excitation coil of a first resolver via a first excitation line, and a second excitation AC signal (V2=−A2·sin(ωt)) is supplied to a second excitation coil of a second resolver via a second excitation line. Within a resolver unit, a first excitation line and a second excitation line are connected via an electric resistance element. By virtue of this configuration, torque can be detected even when any of a ground line, a first excitation line, and a second excitation line of a wire harness is broken.
US08656790B2
A spacer block for gathering data to be used in the balancing of the joint arthroplasty or repair and in the selection of a trial insert which includes a first body piece and a second body piece. A plurality of sensors and a processor are positioned between the first body piece and the second body piece when the pieces are assembled together to form the spacer block. A chim is removably mounted to a top surface of the second body piece, the chim is associated with the plurality of sensors and positioned in relation to the plurality of sensors such that a force exerted on the chim by a weight bearing surface is detected by the plurality of sensors.
US08656787B2
In an electrostatic capacitance pressure sensor provided with a pressure sensor chip of a diaphragm structure for detecting an electrostatic capacitance in accordance with a pressure of a medium to be measured, one face of a sensor diaphragm of the pressure sensor is a pressure introduction chamber side wherein the medium to be measured is introduced, and the other face is a capacitor chamber side wherein a capacitor portion is formed, where, in the sensor diaphragm, the rigidity is lower towards a center portion from a peripheral edge portion that is a boundary of diaphragm securing portions on the capacitor chamber side.
US08656772B2
This disclosure relates generally to flow sensors, and more particularly, to flow sensors that include a pressure related output signal. In one example, a flow sensor assembly may include a housing with an inlet flow port, an outlet flow port and a fluid channel extending therebetween, with a flow sensing element positioned in the housing and exposed to the fluid channel. A filter insert may be situated in the fluid channel, sometimes upstream of the flow sensor. When so configured, the flow sensor assembly may output a pressure or differential pressure based, at least in part, on a value of the flow rate through the fluid channel as sensed by the flow sensor.
US08656770B2
A method of measuring multiphase flow of components in a wellbore fluid mixture by selectively heating components (e.g. oil and water) in the flow with electromagnetic energy, and detecting the heated components at a known distance downstream. The flow and velocity of components in the flow stream can be estimated with the present method. Example types of electromagnetic waves include infrared, microwaves, and radio waves. The different components can be heated simultaneously or at different times. The heated components can be detected with one or more temperature probes, and oil wet or water wet probes can be used to improve thermal contact to the corresponding components in the fluid stream.
US08656748B2
A lubricant for hot-rolling tools in which an oxide-based laminar compound such as potassium tetrasilicic mica, sodium tetrasilicic mica, vermiculite, and bentonite, a boric acid compound such as boric acid, potassium borate, and sodium borate, and graphite are dispersed and dissolved in water, and in which the blending proportion of the oxide-based laminar compound to the boric acid compound is, in mass ratio, 10:90 to 70:30, and the content of the graphite is 1.0 to 4.5%. Applying this lubricant on the surface of the mandrel bar at the time of mandrel mill rolling enables a lubricating film to be formed on the surface of the bar and to exert excellent seizure resistance, and also allows the lubricant to be immune from remaining in the inner surface of tube.
US08656742B2
An apparatus for manufacturing strengthened glass containers, and more particularly the construction and operation of a bottom cooler in an apparatus for thermally strengthening glass containers in a glass container manufacturing line at a location intermediate the hot end and the cold end. Glass containers formed at an I.S. machine are conveyed through a special tempering Lehr that heats them uniformly to a high temperature that is short of temperatures at which they may become deformed. Subsequently, the glass containers are rapidly thermally strengthened in a cooling station in which the outer and inner surfaces including all areas of the glass containers are simultaneously cooled to a temperature below the Strain Point of the glass used in the glass containers, with the bottom coolers being used to cool the bottoms of the glass containers.
US08656739B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a float glass by floating the glass on a molten tin that is contained in a molten tin bath, which includes the steps of a) discharging a portion of the molten tin in the molten tin bath to the outside of the molten tin bath; b) removing oxygen dissolved in the molten tin that is discharged from the molten tin bath by injecting an oxygen stripping gas that contains hydrogen into the molten tin; and c) returning the molten tin from which oxygen is removed to the molten tin bath, and an apparatus for manufacturing the same.
US08656735B2
To provide a novel fluorination treatment method whereby the surface of oxide glass can be treated for fluorination at low cost and with excellent adhesiveness.A method for treating the surface of oxide glass, which comprises contacting the surface of oxide glass with a gas of a fluorinating agent or a mixed gas having a fluorinating agent diluted with an inert gas, wherein the fluorinating agent is an elemental fluorine, or a fluorine compound capable of cleaving a bond between an oxygen atom and a metal atom in the framework of the oxide glass and forming a bond between a fluorine atom and the metal atom; and the concentration of hydrogen fluoride at the surface of oxide glass with which the fluorinating agent is in contact, is controlled to be at most 1 mol %.
US08656733B2
Liquefaction using a closed loop refrigeration system, including compressing a gaseous refrigerant stream; cooling at least a portion of the compressed gaseous refrigerant stream in a first heat exchanger; expanding a first portion of the cooled, compressed gaseous refrigerant stream from the first heat exchanger to provide a first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream; cooling and substantially liquefying a feed gas stream to form a substantially liquefied feed gas stream in a second heat exchanger through indirect heat exchange against the first portion of the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream; and further cooling a second portion of the cooled, compressed gaseous refrigerant stream from the first heat exchanger in a third heat exchanger by indirect heat exchange with a second portion of the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream, wherein the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream exiting the first expander is substantially vapor.
US08656732B2
The invention concerns a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant circuit which comprises several evaporator paths and a distributor (5) which distributes the refrigerant on the evaporator paths. The aim of the invention is to improve the operation of said refrigeration system in a simple manner. According to the invention, the distributor (5) comprises a controllable valve (12) for each evaporation path.
US08656729B2
An air conditioning system includes a refrigerant circuit (20) in which a compressor (21), an indoor radiant panel (23), a first expansion valve (24), a room air heat exchanger (25), a second expansion valve (26) and an outdoor air heat exchanger (27) are connected in this order and which operates in a refrigeration cycle by reversibly circulating refrigerant therethrough. During a defrosting operation, the first expansion valve (24) is controlled to reduce the refrigerant pressure so that in a cooling cycle the refrigerant releases heat in the outdoor air heat exchanger (27) and the room air heat exchanger (25) and evaporates in the indoor radiant panel (23). Thus, the air conditioning system concurrently provides the defrosting of the outdoor air heat exchanger (27) and the room heating of the room air heat exchanger (25).
US08656726B2
A primary stream of boiled-off natural gas taken from the ullage space of a liquefied natural gas storage vessel is compressed by a compressor. A flow of liquefied natural gas taken from the storage vessel is partially and forcedly vaporised in a vaporiser 36 so as to form a secondary stream of natural gas containing unvaporised liquefied natural gas. Unvaporised liquefied natural gas is disengaged from the secondary stream in a phase separator. The secondary stream is mixed with the compressed primary stream to form a supply of natural gas fuel. The fuel supply may be formed and used on board an ocean-going LNG tanker.
