US08679699B2
A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell and a fuel cell employing the same. The membrane electrode assembly includes: a cathode; an anode; and a polymer electrolyte membrane that is interposed between the cathode and the anode, and comprises a proton conductive polymer that is doped with acid to a doping level of less than 200 mole %. The membrane electrode assembly for the fuel cell exhibits an improved efficiency of performance when acid is doped in the polymer electrolyte membrane at a doping level of less than 200 mole. In addition, the performance of the fuel cell can be optimized by separately adjusting the amount of acid doped in the cathode and anode. The fuel cell employing the membrane electrode assembly can be operated at a high temperature in a dry environment and exhibits an improved power generating performance.
US08679698B2
This disclosure relates to module level redundancy for fuel cell systems. A monitoring component monitors a set of operational parameters for a fuel cell group. The fuel cell group includes a set of fuel cell units, each having a set of fuel cell stacks. The fuel cell stacks include a set of gas powered fuel cells that convert air and fuel into electricity using a chemical reaction. The monitoring component determines that the set of operational parameters do not satisfy a set of operational criteria, and, in response, a load balancing component adjusts the electrical output capacity of the set of fuel cell units included in the fuel cell group.
US08679697B1
Fuel cell subgaskets made of extrusion based, microcellular polymeric foam; fuel cell stacks comprising the provided subgaskets; methods of sealing between plates of a fuel cell stack using the provided subgaskets; and methods of manufacturing such subgaskets.
US08679696B2
A fluid distribution insert adapted to be received within an inlet header of a fuel cell assembly is disclosed. The fluid distribution insert includes a hollow insert with a first end and a second end. An inlet is formed at the first end of the hollow insert in fluid communication with a source of a reactant gas and adapted to receive the reactant gas therein. A plurality of outlets is formed intermediate the first end and the second end. A plurality of flow channels is formed in the hollow insert providing fluid communication between the inlet and the outlets to deliver the fluid to a plurality of fuel cells of the fuel cell assembly, wherein a total flow volume and flow resistance of each of the flow channels is substantially the same to provide for a substantially simultaneous delivery of the reactant gas to the fuel cells.
US08679683B2
An electrolytic solution capable of improving battery characteristics even at high temperature, and a battery using the electrolytic solution are provided. A separator is impregnated with an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution includes a cyclic imide salt such as 1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane-1,3-disulfonimide lithium and a light metal salt such as difluoro[oxalato-O,O′] lithium borate or bis[oxalato-O,O′] lithium borate. Thereby, the decomposition reaction of the electrolytic solution can be prevented even at high temperature, and the battery characteristics can be improved.
US08679680B2
Methods for decreasing mechanical degradation in a lithium battery are provided. At least a portion of one of the anode or the cathode includes a plurality of biconcave particles. The biconcave particles provide increased surface area for lithium diffusion without increasing the volume of the particles. As the lithium diffuses across the particles, the combination of convergent and divergent diffusion fronts of lithium reduces the stresses and elastic strain energy responsible for mechanical degradation of the electrode while increasing the rate of lithium intake.
US08679679B2
A composite material having utility as an anode for lithium ion batteries comprises silicon, a transition metal, a ceramic and an electrically conductive diluent such as carbon. In particular instances, the ceramic is electrically conductive, and may comprise vanadium carbide or tungsten carbide. The transition metal may, in some instances, comprise iron. The material may be fabricated by grinding together a starting mixture of the components, and grinding may be accomplished in a high impact ball milling process, and the grinding step may cause partial alloying of the silicon with the metal and/or carbon. Further disclosed is a method for making the material as well as electrodes which incorporate the material.
US08679674B2
A battery comprises at least one battery cell on a support, the battery cell comprising a plurality of electrodes about an electrolyte, and having a surface. A thermoplastic material covers the surface of the battery cell, the thermoplastic material comprising a nitrogen permeability or oxygen permeability that is less than 20 cm3*mm/(m2*day). A cap covers the thermoplastic material.
US08679668B2
The invention relates to an improved industrial apparatus for the large-scale storage of energy and a process for storing and transporting electric energy by means of this apparatus.
US08679665B2
A battery for use in a power tool, including a battery housing, at least one battery cell in the battery housing, a pivoting member at least partially enclosed within the battery housing which moves between a latched position and an unlatched position, and a biasing device associated with the pivoting member for urging the pivoting member towards the latched position.
US08679662B2
A battery gas discharge system is provided having a floorpan with an outlet and a fastener aperture. The outlet and the fastener aperture are laterally spaced from each other. The system also includes a battery module with a base for resting upon the floorpan. An attachment aperture and a vent aperture are formed through the base. The attachment aperture and the vent aperture are laterally spaced from each other. A gas discharge mechanism defines a passageway for gas discharge between the battery module and the vent aperture. The gas discharge mechanism includes a vent port that is coupled to the vent aperture and sized for receiving discharged gas. The vent port is adapted for mating with and forming a seal about the outlet by securing the base to the floorpan during assembly.
US08679641B2
A bearing having improved wear resistance has a bearing material of a copper-tin-bismuth alloy which may also include phosphorus which has excellent strength, due to the solid solution of copper, tin and phosphorus (when used), attached to a steel backing shell. The material also has good lubricity as a result of the presence of the bismuth which also promotes tin mobilization and formation of a layer of tin on the bearing surface upon use of the bearing. The addition of small amounts of relatively small hard particles in the copper-tin-matrix, particularly Fe3P, MoSi2 or a mixture thereof, provides a suitable hard surface artifact to improve the wear resistance of the bearing material. The bearing includes a sintered powder compact bearing material of a copper-tin-bismuth alloy powder and a metal compound powder which is bonded to a steel backing shell, wherein the metal compound powder has an average particle size of less than 10 μm.
US08679640B2
Provided is an Al alloy member with an excellent mechanical strength that is sufficient for use in large-scale manufacturing apparatuses. The Al alloy member is characterized in that, in mass %, Mg concentration is 5.0% or less, Ce concentration is 15% or less, Zr concentration is 0.15% or less, the balance comprises Al and unavoidable impurities, the elements of the unavoidable impurities are respectively 0.01% or less, and the Vickers hardness of the Al alloy member is greater than 30.
US08679639B2
Multimodal polyethylene compositions are provided. Extrusion compositions including the multimodal polyethylene are provided. The extrusion composition further include a high pressure low density polyethylene and optionally other additives and/or polyethylenes. Extruded articles made from the polyethylene extrusion compositions are also provided.
US08679631B2
A tempered glass substrate of the present invention is a tempered glass substrate, which has a compression stress layer on a surface thereof, and has a glass composition comprising, in terms of mass %, 40 to 71% of SiO2, 3 to 21% of Al2O3, 0 to 3.5% of Li2O, 7 to 20% of Na2O, and 0 to 15% of K2O.
US08679629B2
A microcapsule comprising a core containing a hydrophobic liquid or wax within a polymeric shell, in which solid particles insoluble in the hydrophobic liquid or wax are distributed throughout the core, wherein an oil soluble dispersant polymer is adhered to the surface of the solid insoluble particles. Processes of obtaining the microcapsules and dispersions of microcapsules in a liquid are claimed. The microcapsules can be used in a variety of applications particularly in the field of thermal energy storage. Suitably the microcapsules can be designed to have a particular density and can be used in the transfer fluids where the density of the microcapsules are the same as the carrier fluid.
US08679623B2
A composite article and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The composite article includes a matrix formed of a mixture of glass particles and a cured polymer, and a layer of cured polymer material that is substantially free of the glass particles, said layer being formed on at least one surface of the cast article whereby the glass particles are not surface exposed on the at least one surface.
US08679621B2
An autonomic conductivity restoration system includes a solid conductor and a plurality of particles. The particles include a conductive fluid, a plurality of conductive microparticles, and/or a conductive material forming agent. The solid conductor has a first end, a second end, and a first conductivity between the first and second ends. When a crack forms between the first and second ends of the conductor, the contents of at least a portion of the particles are released into the crack. The cracked conductor and the released contents of the particles form a restored conductor having a second conductivity, which may be at least 90% of the first conductivity.
US08679619B2
Decorative ionomeric surfaced film and sheet (e.g., multilayer co-extruded polymer) and articles made therefrom (e.g., automotive panels and parts) exhibiting good weatherability, mar resistance, and surface appearance of a high quality automotive finish (including color, haze, gloss, and DOI) and economical process for making (e.g., co-extrusion) and using (e.g., thermoforming and injection backfilling) the same.
US08679611B2
A dielectric material layer is deposited on exposed surfaces of a bonded structure that includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The dielectric material layer is formed on an exposed planar surface of a second substrate and the entirety of peripheral sidewalls of the first and second substrates. The dielectric material layer can be formed by chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, or plasma induced deposition. Further, the dielectric material layer seals the entire periphery of the interface between the first and second substrates. If a planar portion of the dielectric material layer can be removed by planarization to facilitate thinning of the bonded structure, the remaining portion of the dielectric material layer can form a dielectric ring.
US08679605B2
A peelable lidstock for use with a child resistant pharmaceutical blister is disclosed. The lidstock includes a first layer of white polyester, a second layer of adhesive, a third layer of foil, and a fourth layer of heat seal. The lidstock is strong and provides excellent child resistance and a broad sealing window which facilitates manufacture.
US08679604B2
The present invention is directed to a peelable packaging film comprising a first thermoplastic substrate and a second thermoplastic substrate wherein the packaging film has a Heat Shrinkage value between 0 and 10% at 102° C. in either the machine or transverse directions. The first and second substrates each have a first surface and a second surface. Each of the first surfaces comprises a polyolefin and has a surface energy of at least 36 dynes/cm. At least one first surface is oriented, preferably biaxially oriented, and at least one first surface is non-heat shrinkable. In contact with both first surfaces is a contiguous adhesive layer. A peelable interface is provided between the adhesive layer and at least one the first surfaces of the substrates. The peelable interface is adapted to have a peelable seal strength of between 60 and 2,500 grams-force/in.
US08679603B1
An article that is made of a film a film having a narrow angle scattering (NAS) of greater than 40, a drop dart impact of greater than 100 grams, and a blocking of less than 40 g/16 in2. In particular, the film in made of a blend of: (a) a LDPE, (b) a LLDPE produced with a single-site catalyst; and (c) one or more anti-block additives.
US08679601B2
A medical fluid container of a flexible plastic material is produced as follows: at first, a plastic compound is produced from a heterogeneous mixture of a first, lower-viscosity raw polymer component having a first melt viscosity and a second, higher-viscosity raw polymer component having a second melt viscosity which is greater than the first melt viscosity. Then the plastic compound is extruded. The extrudate is confectioned. Finally, the confectioned extrudate is sealed to form the finished fluid container. A film tubing may serve as intermediate product for the medical container. The medical container or the film tubing thus produced has surface structures with a typical average size of 15 to 200 μm. The production method requires little effort while fulfilling demanding requirements with respect to the stability of the produced fluid container.
US08679593B2
The present invention relates to a method for coating a static or moving metal substrate with a simple or complex shape, by means of an ultra-thin mineral/organic hybrid coating layer with a thickness comprised between 50 to 500 nm, deposited on the substrate: from an aqueous solution comprising oxide nanoparticles, under basic pH conditions, said substrate being at a temperature lower than 50° C., the total deposition and drying duration being less than 10 seconds, wherein the aqueous solution further comprises at least one pre-polymer.
US08679589B2
The present invention relates to a coating composition comprising (a) at least one hydroxyl-containing compound (A), (b) at least one compound (B) having free and/or blocked isocyanate groups, and (c) at least one catalyst (C) for the crosslinking of silane groups, one or more constituents of the coating composition containing hydrolyzable silane groups, wherein the coating composition contains a water scavenger as further constituent (D).
US08679586B2
The present invention relates to a method for improving the corrosion-protecting pre-treatment of metal surfaces and using rinse water in a manner to conserve resources in such a corrosion-protecting pre-treatment, comprising a conversion treatment step using an aqueous composition comprising at least 50 ppm of the elements B, Si, Ti, Zr and/or Hf in the form of water-soluble compounds at a pH value of 3 to 5.5, wherein a minimum fraction of 10 ppm of the elements B, Si, Ti, Zr and/or Hf in the form of water-soluble compounds is present in the last pre-rinse step and a portion of the aqueous composition of the conversion treatment step is contained in the first post-rinse step. The resource-conserving use of the rinse water is accomplished according to the invention by way of a cascaded return of rinse water from the last rinse step to the first rinse step. The present invention also relates to a metallic component treated using the method according to the invention and to the use thereof in a process for applying a multi-coating system, in particular a paint system containing an organic binder, in industrial manufacturing.
US08679585B2
A pattern is formed and developed on a surface with an ink system comprising (i) a free radical polymerizable monomer, oligomer or polymer, (ii) an organoborane amine complex, (iii) an amine reactive compound, and (iv) oxygen. Components (i)-(iv) are distributed between an ink and a developing medium. The ink formed on the surface in a pattern is developed by exposure of the ink to the developing medium. Component (iv) may be present as naturally occurring in the air. The method has the advantage of developing polymeric and polymer composite patterns rapidly in ambient air, without heating or irradiation. The ink system can be applied to inorganic and organic surfaces, and is particularly useful for polymeric surfaces such as low energy plastics. The composition can be applied to inorganic and organic surfaces, and is particularly useful for polymeric surfaces such as low energy plastics.
US08679578B2
A method of manufacturing an anti-reflection film, the method forming a multi-layer structure with different refractive indices from a coating composition in which the following (A) to (F) components are mixed. (A) Fluorine-containing polymer including a fluorine-containing hydrocarbon structure and a constituent unit derived from a compound having at least one group selected from a polyalkylene oxide group and a basic functional group, (B) Low refractive index inorganic fine particles which are not surface-modified or low refractive index inorganic fine particles which are surface-treated with a silane coupling agent having the molecular weight of 600 or less, (C) A curable binder containing no fluorine atoms in the molecule, (D) A solvent, (E) A polyfunctional fluorine-containing curable compound, and (F) High refractive index inorganic fine particles treated with a specific surface modifying agent.
US08679568B2
The invention provides an easy-to-drink beverage that contains citrulline, wherein the generation of bad odors due to storage or heating is suppressed. In particular, the invention provides a beverage that contains citrulline and citric acid, as well as sodium citrate or disodium hydrogen phosphate.
US08679554B2
The present invention provides ophthalmic compositions, e.g. artificial tears, suitable for treating dry eye syndrome in a human or other mammal suffering there from, e.g. a dog or cat, which comprise a mixture of castor oil with another oil, e.g. a food oil, e. g. olive oil, sesame oil, corn oil etc.
US08679541B2
The present invention relates to spatially arranging a plurality of particles in a device for the oral delivery of a pharmaceutical. In particular, the plurality of particles is utilized for the oral delivery of a pharmaceutical to a subject via the drinking device.
US08679536B2
Adhesives formed by reacting an oxidized polysaccharide with a poly(hydroxylic) compound derivatized with acetoacetate groups in the presence of a base catalyst are disclosed. The use of the adhesives for medical and veterinary applications such as topical wound closure; and surgical procedures, such as intestinal anastomosis, vascular anastomosis, tissue repair, and ophthalmic procedures; and drug delivery are described. The adhesive may also be used for industrial and consumer applications.
US08679525B2
A wound care dressing is disclosed. The wound care dressing comprises a water-soluble nonwoven blanket in combination with a planar, non-water soluble wound care composition.
US08679524B2
This invention relates to a convenient and safe product and method of applying glycopyrrolate topically in order to reduce excessive sweating in localized areas for those who suffer from this condition. This invention also relates to combining oral and topical delivery of glycopyrrolate to reduce excessive sweating and minimize side effects. This invention also relates to a convenient and safe product and method of applying glycopyrrolate topically to areas of compensatory sweating after endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.
US08679515B2
Contaminants are filtered from a fluid flow stream and the filter is regenerated by a process including steps of: providing a filter material comprising both carbon and potassium iodide; passing a contaminated fluid stream in contact with the filter material; adsorbing contaminants from the fluid stream onto surfaces in the filter material; passing an electric current through the filter material with adsorbed contaminant thereon; disassociating contaminant from the surfaces of the filter material; and removing disassociated contaminant from the filter material by carrying away the disassociated contaminant in a fluid flow mass. Separately, a stable, active iodine solution is also provided for numerous deodorizing and disinfecting applications.
US08679513B2
The present invention relates to the cosmetic use of jasmonic acid derivatives of formula (I) in which: R1 represents a radical COOR3, R3 denoting a hydrogen atom or a C1-C4 alkyl radical, optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups; R2 represents a linear saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon-based radical containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or a branched or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon-based radical containing from 3 to 18 carbon atoms; and also an optical isomer thereof and/or a corresponding salt thereof, in a composition for caring for and/or making up keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers, for the purpose of inducing and/or stimulating the growth of the keratin fibers and/or of halting their loss and/or increasing their density.
US08679506B2
Anti-glucan antibodies have been found to be protective against systemic fungal infection with C. albicans, but the protective efficacy can be inhibited by blocking antibodies. The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising a glucan and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, characterized in that, when administered to a mammalian recipient, the composition elicits protective anti-glucan antibodies but does not elicit antibodies which inhibit the protective efficacy of the anti-glucan antibodies. The glucan may be presented on the surface of a protease-treated microbial cell or may be presented as a protein-glucan conjugate. The glucan may be substituted by a glucan mimotope, a peptidomimetic of a glucan mimotope, or nucleic acid encoding a mimotope. Anti-glucan-antibodies show broad spectrum microbicidal activity. β-glucans are preferred, particularly those containing one or more β-1,6 linkages.
US08679496B2
The invention relates to improved anti-serum albumin immunoglobulin single variable domains, as well as ligands and drug conjugates comprising such variable domains, compositions, nucleic acids, vectors and hosts.
US08679495B2
The present invention relates to the use of anti-90K monoclonal antibodies for prevention and treatment of tumors and metastases thereof. In particular, the invention relates to the use of anti-90K monoclonal antibodies able to inhibit the adhesive processes of tumor cells and angiogenesis in tumors such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, melanoma, lymphoma and other tumors overexpressing 90K.
US08679494B2
The present invention relates neutralising epitopes of IL-17A and IL-17F and antibodies which bind those epitopes. The present invention also relates to the therapeutic uses of the antibody molecules and methods for producing them.
US08679493B2
Methods and compositions involving polypeptides having an aglycosylated antibody Fc domain. In certain embodiments, polypeptides have an aglycosylated Fc domain that contains one or more substitutions compared to a native Fc domain. Additionally, some embodiments involve an Fc domain that is binds some Fc receptors but not others. For example, polypeptides are provided with an aglycosylated Fe domain that selectively binds FcγRI at a level within 2-fold of a glycosylated Fc domain, but that is significantly reduced for binding to other Fc receptors. Furthermore, methods and compositions are provided for promoting antibody-dependent cell-mediated toxicity (ADCC) using a polypeptide having a modified aglycosylated Fc domain and a second non-Fc binding domain, which can be an antigen binding region of an antibody or a non-antigen binding region. Some embodiments concern antibodies with such polypeptides, which may have the same or different non-Fc binding domain.
US08679485B2
The present disclosure provides methodology and compositions for preventing and treating various diseases associated with abnormal cell proliferation, angiogenesis and fibrosis, by using an inhibitor of processed forms of lysyl oxidase or lysyl oxidase-like proteins, an inhibitor of LOX or LOXL, or a synergistic combination thereof combined with other therapeutic agents. Methods and compositions for diagnosing or monitoring various diseases associated with abnormal cell proliferation, angiogenesis and fibrosis, are also provided. Also provided herein are methods and related compositions, medical devices, systems and kits for preventing or treating various diseases and conditions associated with fibrosis with compositions comprising inhibitors of LOX or LOXL.
US08679473B2
The invention relates to an non-pathogenic and/or attenuated bacterium which is capable of inducing apoptosis in macrophages.
US08679451B2
An aluminosilicate ZSM-12 may be prepared de novo in a small crystalline form from a reaction mixture containing a source of silica and a source of alumina. A small crystalline form of aluminosilicate ZSM-12 may also be prepared from a small crystalline form of borosilicate ZSM-12 by replacement of boron in the borosilicate ZSM-12 framework with aluminum. The aluminosilicate ZSM-12 is useful as an isomerization selective catalyst in processes such as isomerization dewaxing hydrocarbon feedstocks.
US08679449B2
Provided is a method for producing decahedral titanium oxide particles, wherein the decahedral titanium oxide particles are produced by allowing a reaction gas containing titanium tetrachloride to flow into a reaction pipe having a partial double-pipe structure in which a hollow internal cylinder is inserted into an upstream portion of a hollow external cylinder, the method comprising: performing a preheating on the reaction gas containing titanium tetrachloride and a barrier gas not containing metal chlorides in a region on the upstream side of a downstream end of the hollow internal cylinder, while allowing the reaction gas to flow into the hollow internal cylinder and the barrier gas to flow between the hollow internal cylinder and the hollow external cylinder; and performing a main heating on the reaction gas in a downstream region apart from the downstream end of the hollow internal cylinder to thermally decompose the titanium tetrachloride.
US08679446B2
A process is provided for the production of a micronized sulphur powder product as well as a micronized sulphur cake intermediate. Production of the micronized sulphur powder using this process, which comprises preparation of a micronized sulphur emulsion from molten sulphur and a dispersant solution, from which the dispersant solution is subsequently removed, produces a product of superior quality, and the method of production itself has enhanced safety and economic attributes.
US08679434B1
Described is a catalytic article for the treatment of lean burn engine exhaust gas. The catalytic article comprises a honeycomb substrate having disposed thereon a washcoat containing one or more calcined platinum group metal components dispersed on a refractory metal oxide support located on the honeycomb substrate, the platinum group metal components having an average crystallite size in the range of about 10 to about 25 nm to provide a stable ratio of NO2 to NOx when the exhaust gas flows through the honeycomb substrate. Methods of treating exhaust gas from a lean burn engine and a system for the removal of pollutants from a lean burn engine exhaust gas stream containing NOx are also described.
US08679430B2
Methods and systems for reducing mercury emissions are provided herein. The methods, generally, include the steps of burning a heavy metal containing fuel source and introducing sorbent materials and introducing one or more halogen compounds into the combustion chamber and/or exhaust stream to remove the heavy metal.
US08679404B2
Packaging for prosthetic heart valves including an assembly for stabilizing dry prosthetic tissue implants such as heart valves during storage. The packaging assembly includes a primary sterile barrier that permits gas sterilization of the tissue implant, and a secondary sterile barrier that also prevents oxidation of the implant during long-term storage. Tissue heart valves may be placed or suspended within a cavity of an inner rigid tray with a gas-permeable lid sealed thereon, and a cap placed over the cavity to limit movement of the valve therein. The inner tray is placed within an outer sterile barrier, such as another rigid tray or a flexible pouch, and the assembly is then sterilized. The outer sterile barrier may include a double seal so that a first gas-permeable seal can be closed for sterilization, after which a second gas-impermeable seal can be closed to seal out any further oxygen contact with the tissue implant. Alternatively, the inner tray may be placed within a sterile pouch and the assembly gas-sterilized, and then the entire assembly is placed within another pouch that provides an impermeable barrier to the surrounding atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the tissue implant.
US08679402B2
The present invention provides for increasing fluorescence detection in surface assay systems while increasing kinetics of a bioreaction therein by providing low-power microwaves to irradiate metallic materials within the system in an amount sufficient to increase heat thereby affecting the kinetics of a bioreaction therein.
US08679401B2
A method and apparatus comprising microwave radiation pulses to reduce a microorganism population in an object.
US08679398B2
An apparatus for folding a pre-pleated catheter balloon comprises a stationary base member; a rotatable drive hub which is moveable in relation to the stationary base member; and a folding head aligned with respect to the stationary base member and to the rotatable drive hub. The folding head includes at least three segments, each having a proximal end and an angled distal end with at least one angled side face terminating in an edge of a predetermined length. The segments are arranged so that the segment distal ends are disposed adjacent to and defining a central aperture The segment distal ends move closer to the central point upon rotation of the rotatable hub member in a predetermined direction, whereby the balloon is folded around the shaft substrate upon rotation of the rotatable hub.
US08679395B2
The invention relates to a medicament container, comprising a cavity at least partially defined by a container wall comprising a soft, flexible inner layer consisting of a soft material and a rigid outer layer consisting of a rigid material, wherein the layers are arranged as a one-piece part by two component injection molding.
US08679392B2
A process using the nanoimprint technique to form the diffraction grating for the DFB-LD is disclosed. The process includes (a) coating a resist for the EB exposure on a dummy substrate, (b) irradiating the resist as varying the acceleration voltage, (c) forming a resist pattern by developing the irradiated resist, (d) coating the SOG film on the patterned resist, (e) attaching the silica substrate on the cured SOG film, and (f) removing the dummy substrate with the resist from the SOG film and the silica substrate. Using the mold thus formed, the diffraction grating for the DFB-LD is formed by the nanoimprint technique.
US08679386B2
A method to produce thin-layer lignocellulosic composites, such as wood-based doorskins, that exhibit substantial resistance to moisture is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of forming a mixture including a refined lignocellulosic fiber, wax, and an organic isocyanate resin. The mixture is initially pressed to form a loose mat. Subsequently, the mat is pressed between two dies at an elevated temperature and pressure to further reduce the thickness of the mat and to promote the interaction of the resin with the lignocellulosic fibers. In an embodiment, a release agent is included as part of the fiber mixture, or sprayed onto the surface of the mat. The thin-layer lignocellulosic composites of the present invention exhibit strong surface strength, high adhesiveness, and a 50% reduction in linear expansion and thickness swelling upon exposure to a high moisture environment as compared to thin-layer composites that do not include the isocyanate resin.
US08679374B2
Disclosed are new compound semiconductors which may be used for solar cells or as thermoelectric materials, and their application. The compound semiconductor may be represented by a chemical formula: InxMyCo4-m-aAmSb12-n-z-bXnQz, where M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr, Ba, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, A is at least one selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt, X is at least one selected from the group consisting of Si, Ga, Ge and Sn, Q is at least one selected from the group consisting of O, S, Se and Te, 0
US08679358B2
A plasma etching method includes a preparation process for performing a plasma etching process using a processing gas including a first processing gas containing carbon (C) and fluorine (F), a ratio (C/F) of the first processing gas having a first value, and obtaining a residual amount of the mask layer corresponding to a variation point where a variation amount of the bowing CD is increased; a first plasma etching process using the processing gas including the first processing gas until a residual amount of the mask layer reaches the variation point; and a second plasma etching process performed after the first plasma etching process. The second plasma etching process is performed by using a processing gas including at least a second processing gas containing carbon (C) and fluorine (F), and a ratio (C/F) of the second processing gas is smaller than the first value.
US08679357B2
Droplets of resist material are coated using the ink jet method under conditions that: the viscosity of the resist material is within a range from 8 cP to 20 cP, the surface energy of the resist material is within a range from 25 mN/m to 35 mN/m, the amount of resist material in each of the droplets is within a range from 1 pl to 10 pl, and the placement intervals among the droplets are within a range from 10 μm to 1000 μm. A mold is pressed against the surface of the substrate in a He and/or a depressurized atmosphere such that: an intersection angle formed between a main scanning direction of the ink jet method and the direction of the lines of the linear pattern of protrusions and recesses, which is an intersection angle when pressing the mold against the surface of the substrate, is within a range from 30° to 90°.
US08679354B2
A controlled method of releasing a microstructure comprising a silicon oxide layer located between a substrate layer and a layer to be released from the silicon oxide layer is described. The method comprises the step of exposing the silicon oxide layer to a hydrogen fluoride vapor in a process chamber having controlled temperature and pressure conditions. A by-product of this reaction is water which also acts as a catalyst for the etching process. It is controlled employment of this inherent water source that results in a condensed fluid layer forming, and hence etching taking place, only on the exposed surfaces of the oxide layer. The described method therefore reduces the risk of the effects of capillary induced stiction within the etched microstructure and/or corrosion within the microstructure and the process chamber itself.
US08679351B2
A water decontaminization system and method which utilizes an apparatus for producing hydroxyl ions through hydrolysis of water molecules to oxydize contaminents in the water. The apparatus includes a water chamber with an input water conduit and an output water conduit to establish a water flow in the chamber, in which electrodes positioned in the water chamber apply a voltage potential which causes electric current to flow through the water to create hydroxyl ions in the water, in a manner effective to kill contaminents such as viruses, bacteria, algae, organic substances, etc.
US08679350B1
A process for treating acidic mine drainage water to remove heavy metal ions is described in which acidic mine drainage water is contacted with direct process residue gel.
US08679349B2
A method for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, comprising collecting metal salt precipitates from a water softening process, drying said precipitates, contacting water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with said precipitates, and collecting water having a reduced concentration of said heavy metal(s).
US08679342B2
The invention relates to a method of treating water effluent from purging or cleaning steam generator circuits.In characteristic manner, the following steps are performed: filtering the raw effluent to separate insoluble matter from the filtered effluent; and concentrating the filtered effluent to below the solubility limit of the dissolved species so as to obtain a liquid concentrate, the concentration step including at least evapo-concentration treatment and reverse osmosis treatment; the pH of the effluent being adjusted to a value in the range 5 to 6.5.
US08679338B2
A system is provided that includes one or more acoustic microfilters through which is flowed a mixture of a fluid and a particulate to selectively filter particles from the fluid. Also included are one or more phononic crystal units coupled to the acoustic microfilter(s) to further selectively filter particles from the fluid. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US08679336B2
A microchannel device is provided, the microchannel device containing a microfluidic channel including a sub fluidic channel in which at least one filtration diaphragm is provided, wherein the microfluidic channel has at least a supply port, a first discharge port and a second discharge port, the supply port and the first discharge port are connected through the filtration diaphragm, the supply port and the second discharge port are connected without the filtration diaphragm, and the filtration diaphragm is provided parallel to a fluidic channel direction of the microfluidic channel.
US08679328B2
A floor drain cover is provided having a substantially rectangular frame defined by a first and second parallel outer frame member, perpendicular cross members connecting the outer frame members together, and an apertured screen positioned over the frame to prevent solid debris from passing therethrough and into a floor drain. The device is positioned over an existing floor drain to prevent debris from clogging the floor drain grate or drain interior. The apertured screen is elevated above the ground and positioned along the upper surfaces of the frame to collect falling debris, while debris is separated from free flowing water entering through the frame sides and ends by way of side frame member apertures and screened end portions. The cover can be periodically removed and cleaned, while the underlying drain is kept largely clean of debris that would otherwise require internal cleaning.
US08679323B2
A process is described for the production of middle distillates from a paraffinic feedstock wherein the feedstock is subjected to hydrocracking and/or hydro-isomerization in the presence of a hydrocracking/hydro-isomerization catalyst. The catalyst comprises at least one hydro-dehydrogenating metal selected from metals of groups VIB and VIII, and a substrate that comprises at least one dealuminified Y zeolite. The dealuminified Y zeolite is modified by a basic treatment stage wherein the dealuminified Y zeolite is mixed with a basic aqueous solution, and at least one heat treatment stage.
US08679322B2
A hydroconversion process includes feeding a heavy feedstock containing vanadium and/or nickel, a catalyst emulsion containing at least one group 8-10 metal and at least one group 6 metal, hydrogen and an organic additive to a hydroconversion zone under hydroconversion conditions to produce an upgraded hydrocarbon product and a solid carbonaceous material containing the group 8-10 metal, the group 6 metal, and the vanadium and/or nickel.
US08679316B2
An aqueous, acid bath for the electrolytic deposition of copper contains at least one copper ion source, at least one acid ion source, at least one brightener compound, and at least one leveler compound, and generates a very uniform copper deposit in particular in blind micro vias (BMVs) and trenches. The leveler compound is selected from among synthetically produced non-functionalized peptides, synthetically produced functionalized peptides, and synthetically produced functionalized amino acids.
US08679315B2
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the characterization and/or the counting of particles by means of non uniform, time variable force fields and integrated optical or impedance meter sensors. The force fields can be of positive or negative dielectrophoresis, electrophoresis or electro-hydrodynamic motions, characterized by a set of stable equilibrium points for the particles (solid, liquid or gaseous); the same method is suitable for the manipulation of droplets (liquid particles) by exploiting effects known to the international scientific community with the name of Electro-wetting on dielectric. The aim of the present invention is to act on the control of the position of each particle which is present in the sample, for the purpose of displacing such particles in a deterministic or statistical way, in order to detect their presence with the integrated optical or impedance meter sensors and/or characterize their type, for the purpose of counting or manipulating them in an efficient way.
US08679309B2
An electrochemical test sensor includes a lid and a base. The base has a length and a width. The length of the base is greater than the width of the base. The base includes at least a working electrode, a counter electrode and at least three test-sensor contacts for electrically connecting to a meter. The at least three test-sensor contacts are spaced along the length of the base from each other. The base and the lid assist in forming a fluid chamber for receiving the fluid sample. The electrochemical test sensor further includes a reagent to assist in determining the concentration of the analyte in the fluid sample.
US08679308B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sensor membrane. The sensor membrane comprises one or more conversion layers wherein the one or more conversion layers are capable of converting a non-charged analyte into a charged species, one or more polymeric layers wherein the one or more polymeric layers act as matrices to host the one or more conversion layers and wherein the one or more conversion layers and one or more polymeric layers create oppositely charged regions within the membrane.
US08679306B2
A sputtering apparatus with high usage efficiency of a target is provided. A sputtering apparatus of the present invention includes first and second ring magnets, first and second magnet members arranged inside a ring of the first and second ring magnets, wherein in the first and second ring magnets and the first and second magnet members, magnetic poles with the same magnetism are faced toward the rear surface of a first and a second targets. Thus, in the rear surface of the first and second targets, the magnetic poles with the same polarity are adjacently arranged, and the absolute value of the strength of horizontal magnetic field components formed in the surfaces of the first and second targets becomes small and the strength distribution becomes narrow, and the strength of vertical magnetic field components becomes uniform; and consequently, a non-erosion portion is not produced in the first and second targets.
US08679302B2
Certain example embodiments relate to a layer of or including Ti1-xSixOy and/or a method of making the same. In certain example embodiments, the Ti1-xSixOy-based layer may be substoichiometric with respect to oxygen. In certain example embodiments of this invention, the layer may include Ti1-xSixOy where x is from about 0.05 to 0.95 (more preferably from about 0.1 to 0.9, and even more preferably from about 0.2 to 0.8, and possibly from about 0.5 to 0.8) and y is from about 0.2 to 2 (more preferably from about 1 to 2, and even more preferably from about 1.5 to 2, and possibly from about 1.9 to 2). The layer may have an index of refraction of from about 1.6 to 1.9. The layer may also be used with a transparent conductive oxide in a transparent conductive coating.
US08679300B2
An integrated production apparatus for production of boron nitride nanotubes via the pressure vapor-condenser method. The apparatus comprises: a pressurized reaction chamber containing a continuously fed boron containing target having a boron target tip, a source of pressurized nitrogen and a moving belt condenser apparatus; a hutch chamber proximate the pressurized reaction chamber containing a target feed system and a laser beam and optics.
US08679299B2
The present invention features a coke drum de-heading system comprising (a) at least one coke drum having an orifice therein; (b) a de-header valve removably coupled to the coke drum designed to de-head the coke drum; and (c) an exchange system, including an upper and lower bonnet and other elements and members adapted to integrate the de-heading system, and particularly the de-header valve, into the manufacturing system. The de-header valve itself comprises (1) a main body having an orifice dimensioned to align with and couple to, in a concentric relationship, the orifice of the coke drum; (2) a live loaded seat assembly coupled to the main body and comprising a dynamic, live loaded seat, a live seat adjustment mechanism coupled to the main body and designed to control and adjust the force and resulting seat load of the dynamic, live loaded seat, and a force transfer module in juxtaposition to the dynamic, live loaded seat for transferring the force from the live loaded seat adjustment mechanism to the dynamic, live loaded seat; (3) a static seat positioned opposite from and counteracting or counterbalancing the dynamic, live loaded seat; and (4) a blind or sliding blind capable moving in a linear, bi-directional manner within the de-header valve and between the dynamic, live loaded seat and the static seat, such that upon actuation of the blind from a closed position to an open position, the coke drum is de-headed.
US08679286B2
A catalyst-aided chemical processing method is a novel processing method having a high processing efficiency and suited for processing in a space wavelength range of not less than several tens of μm. The catalyst-aided chemical processing method comprises: immersing a workpiece in a processing solution in which a halogen-containing molecule is dissolved, said workpiece normally being insoluble in said processing solution; and bringing a platinum, gold or ceramic solid catalyst close to or into contact with a processing surface of the workpiece, thereby processing the workpiece through dissolution in the processing solution of a halogenide produced by chemical reaction between a halogen radical generated at the surface of the catalyst and a surface atom of the workpiece.
US08679275B2
A composite tie rod comprises an open lattice body formed of interlaced filaments held in a solid matrix. A pair of composite fittings bonded to the ends of the body rigidly connect rod ends with the body. The rod ends form attachment points on the tie rod.
US08679272B2
A run-flat pneumatic tire assembly includes a pneumatic tire having an elastomeric casing and a tire cavity formed therein. A longitudinally-extending and approximately planar length of strip material is helically arranged within the tire cavity to pre-stress the length of strip material for usage of the pneumatic tire during under-inflated and non-inflated conditions. A method of making a run-flat pneumatic tire assembly is also included.
US08679263B2
Disclosed is a solder bonding structure which is capable of retaining sufficient solder bonding strength and ensuring high bonding reliability even in severe environments having an extremely large temperature difference. In the solder bonding structure, an electronic component 4 is mounted on a main surface 1a of a substrate having an electrode section 2 and an insulating film 3, and the electrode section 2 and the electronic component 4 are electrically bonded to each other through a solder section 5, and a flux residue 6 exuded from the solder section 5 is present between the electronic component 4 and the insulating film 3. The flux contains an acrylic resin, an activating agent, and a thixotropic agent having a hydroxyl group. The glass transition point of the acrylic resin is not higher than −40° C., or not lower than the softening temperature of the flux residue. The flux residue has a maximum value of 300×10−6/K or less of linear thermal expansion coefficient within a temperature range from −40° C. to the softening temperature of the flux residue.
US08679262B2
A multi-chambered deposition pin wash station is provided. The wash station includes a lower chamber and an upper drain basin connected by a plurality of wash tubes. Cleaning fluid is provided to the lower chamber and passes through the cleaning tubes into the upper drain basin. The cleaning tubes are adapted to clean a single deposition pin with a single tube per wash cycle.
US08679259B2
When a dry cleaning process is performed in a processing chamber by adding nitrogen monoxide (NO) gas to a cleaning gas, the handling is facilitated, and cleaning performance is improved. A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing vessel configured to process a substrate, a first cleaning gas supply system configured to pre-mix a gas containing fluorine atoms with the NO gas and supply the pre-mixed gas into the processing vessel, and a second cleaning gas supply system installed apart from the first cleaning gas supply system and configured to supply the fluorine-containing gas into the processing vessel.
US08679253B2
An enhanced utilization efficiency of gases can be presented and an improved deposition characteristics are presented, when a film is deposited with a plurality of gases. A deposition apparatus 100 includes: a reaction chamber 102 for depositing a film; a first gas supply line 112 and a second gas supply line 152 for supplying a first source material A and a gas B to a reaction chamber 102, respectively; and an exciting unit 106 that is capable of exciting a gas supplied in the reaction chamber 102 to form a plasma. In the deposition apparatus 100 having such configuration, a deposition operation is performed by: a first operation for supplying a gas derived from a first source material A and a gas B in the reaction chamber 102 to cause the gas derived from a first source material A adsorbed on the substrate, thereby forming a deposition layer; and a second operation for supplying a second gas in reaction chamber 102, and treating the deposition layer with the gas in a condition of being plasma-excited.
US08679251B2
Silicon single crystals are grown from the melt by providing the melt in a crucible; imposing a horizontal magnetic field on the melt; directing a gas between the single crystal and a heat shield to a melt free surface, and controlling the gas to flow over a region of the melt free surface extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the magnetic induction. A suitable apparatus has a crucible for holding the melt; a heat shield surrounding the silicon single crystal having a lower end which is connected to a bottom cover facing a melt free surface and a non-axisymmetric shape with respect to a crucible axis, such that gas which is directed between the crystal and the heat shield to the melt free surface is forced to flow over a region of the melt which extends substantially perpendicular to the magnetic induction.
US08679246B2
Amorphous mixed metal oxides are used as a feedstock for thermal spray coating. Compared to thermal spray coating methods utilizing crystalline metal oxide feedstocks, the present method reduces energy consumption and expands the range of feedstock chemical compositions. The present method also produces coatings with improved chemical homogeneity. Methods of preparing the amorphous mixed metal oxides are also described.
US08679245B2
The present invention provides a functionally dry warm mix asphalt binder composition modified with lubricating agents or additives that can be mixed with aggregate and compacted at temperatures substantially below asphalt binder compositions that do not contain the disclosed lubricating additives.
US08679242B2
The present invention relates to a silver complex obtained by reacting at least one silver compound represented by the formula 2 below with at least one ammonium carbamate compound or ammonium carbonate compound represented by the formula 3, 4 or 5 below:
US08679240B2
The present invention provides an allergen inhibitor which effectively prevents allergens from reacting with specific antibodies, mitigates the allergic symptoms or prevents appearance thereof, and is less likely to cause unpredictable discoloration and discoloration under usual conditions. The allergen inhibitor of the present invention comprises an allergen-inhibiting compound including a linear polymer having at least one of substituents represented by the formulas (1) to (3) at a side chain. Thus, the allergen inhibitor of the present invention shows excellent allergen-inhibiting effects.
US08679231B2
A polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) pyrolyzate adsorbent is described, having utility for storing gases in an adsorbed state, and from which adsorbed gas may be desorbed to supply same for use. The PVDF pyrolyzate adsorbent can be of monolithic unitary form, or in a bead, powder, film, particulate or other finely divided form. The adsorbent is particularly suited for storage and supply of fluorine-containing gases, such as fluorine gas, nitrogen trifluoride, carbo-fluoride gases, and the like. The adsorbent may be utilized in a gas storage and dispensing system, in which the adsorbent is contained in a supply vessel, from which sorbate gas can be selectively dispensed.
US08679212B2
An air cleaner device whereby the number of component parts is reduced and the filter element can be maintained and inspected without a time-consuming procedure. The air cleaner device includes: a support part provided to a cleaner case and having a fitting ingress at a region on the opposite side thereof from the cover; and a pivot provided to the cover and having a convex part capable of fitting in the fitting ingress of the support part. A hinge part for connecting the cover to the cleaner case so that the cover can open and close is formed by the support part and the pivot by fitting of the convex part in the fitting ingress.
US08679206B2
In an embodiment, an abrasive compact includes ultra-hard particles which are sintered, bonded, or otherwise consolidated into a solid body. The compact also includes various physical characteristics having a continuous gradient, a multiaxial gradient, or multiple independent gradients.
US08679197B2
Methods are provided for uniform deposition of particles on curved surfaces such as fibers and coatings formed by the particles. Particles in the size range of 10-2000 nm are deposited onto a fibrous material via electrostatic interaction between charge modified fiber material surfaces and oppositely charged particles or metal ions. Various nonmetallic, bimetallic or other charged particles are deposited onto a fibrous material via electrostatic interaction between charged modified fibrous material surfaces and oppositely charged particles. Particles can be directly assembled onto a surface of a fibrous material by controlling hydrogen bonding interactions between interfaces of fibers and functionalized particles. Metal particles can also be deposited by in situ synthesis. A method is also provided for layer-by-layer deposition of particles over a fibrous material.
US08679193B2
An apparatus and method for post amputation residuum maintenance and for preserving motion of the knee are provided. The apparatus includes an elongated shell having a longitudinal axis and defining a hollow interior closed at a distal end, the shell having an opening extending from a proximal end and adapted to receive a residuum into the interior of the shell, and a longitudinal slit having a circular aperture at each end.
US08679186B2
A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component measures a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone, and at least one sensor. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. The sensor couples to the support surface of the first structure. The first and second structure are coupled together housing the at least one sensor. In one embodiment, the first and second structure are welded together forming the hermetic seal that isolates the at least one sensor from an external environment. The at least one sensor can be a pressure sensor for measuring load and position of load.
US08679182B2
Spacerless artificial disc replacements (ADR) are disclosed. One preferred embodiment includes two saddle-shaped components to facilitate more normal spinal flexion, extension, and lateral bending while limit axial rotation, thereby protecting the facet joints and the annulus fibrosus (AF). Either or both of the superior and inferior components are made of a hard material such as chrome cobalt, titanium, or a ceramic including alumina, zirconia, or calcium phosphate. The articulating surfaces of the ADR are also preferably highly polished to reduce friction between the components. Metals, alloys or other materials with shape-memory characteristics may also prove beneficial.
US08679177B2
A method of implanting a blood pump system in a patient requiring treatment includes creating an opening in an epicardium of a heart to access an interior chamber of the heart and implanting a blood pump such that an inlet port of a pump housing is in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the heart through the opening. The pump housing has a first external surface adjacent to the inlet port such that it is substantially adjacent to the epicardium of the heart when implanted. In some embodiments, a first external surface contacts the epicardium when implanted. The blood pump is then secured to the exterior wall of the heart. In some embodiments, the blood pump is secured using a mounting cuff.
US08679171B2
Devices and methods for treating aneurysms, such as abdominal aortic aneurysms (“AAA”) generally include one or more stent-graft devices. Some embodiments include self-expanding and/or balloon-expandable stent components and one or more graft components coupled with the stent components. Using various combinations of self-expanding stent members, balloon-expandable stent members, graft members, and/or anchoring members enhances the anchoring abilities of a stent-graft device to prevent leakage around it, and may further allow the device to be adjusted after placement at a site for treatment. Some embodiments further include a skirt graft member for further prevention of leakage and/or device slippage.
US08679167B2
A system and method for facilitating the fixation of bone fractures is disclosed. The head component includes a tip, cutting threads and mating threads which are inserted into the far cortex of the bone. A wire extends from the head component and exits from the near cortex. A cap device includes a tension spring, wherein the tension spring is configured to assert friction against the wire when the cap is translated in one direction, but minimal friction against the wire when the cap is translated in the opposite direction. The cap is threaded over the wire such that the cap is restricted from backwards movement. Tension is then applied to the wire while the cap is tightened against or within the bone surface to apply an appropriate amount of pressure between the surfaces of the fracture. The excess wire beyond the cap can then be removed.
US08679164B2
A bendable polymer tissue fixation device suitable to be implanted into a living body, comprising a highly porous body, the porous body comprising a polymer, the porous body comprising a plurality of pores, the porous body being capable of being smoothly bent, wherein the bending collapses a portion of the pores to form a radius curve, the polymer fixation device being rigid enough to protect a tissue from shifting. In a preferred embodiment the polymer fixation device may be capable of being gradually resorbed by said living body. In one embodiment, the polymer fixation device comprises a plurality of layers distinguishable by various characteristics, such as structural or chemical properties. In another embodiment, the polymer fixation device may comprise additional materials; the additional materials serving to reinforce or otherwise alter the structure or physical characteristics of the device, or alternatively as a method of delivering therapy or other agents to the system of a living being.
US08679150B1
A biomedical shape-set textile structure based mechanical thrombectomy systems and methods are described. In one of the embodiments, the mechanical thrombectomy device can be customized to the length of the clot in each patient. In one of the embodiments, the mechanical thrombectomy device because of the textile structure has a very low overall profile or thickness that is less than 0.0125 inches (0.317 mm) and therefore can be deployed within microcatheters with inner lumen diameter as small as 0.014 inches (0.355 mm).
US08679142B2
Methods for restoring blood flow in occluded blood vessels using an apparatus having a self expandable distal segment that is pre-formed to assume a superimposed structure in an unconstrained condition but can be made to take on a volume-reduced form making it possible to introduce it with a microcatheter and a push wire arranged at the proximal end, with the distal segment in its superimposed structure assuming the form of a longitudinally open tube and having a mesh structure of interconnected strings or filaments or struts. In a preferred embodiment, the distal segment has a tapering structure at its proximal end where the strings or filaments or struts converge at a connection point.
US08679134B2
Methods and devices for driving a suture assembly employing elastically pre-shaped needles for piercing a tissue. The pre-shaped needles are held in a constrained state and can revert to a natural pre-shaped state prior to or during ejection from the device before entry into tissue allowing for the suture to follow a defined path similar to the pre-shaped needle such that removal of the needle allows for subsequent securing of the suture in or around tissue.
US08679131B2
A reference guide comprising an attachment portion configured to abut with and attach to an anatomical feature such as a bone. The reference guide further comprises a reference indicator that may be formed integrally with, or selectively securable to, the attachment portion and that indicates a reference point with respect to the attachment portion. The reference guide may be used to identify a target location during a surgical procedure even in the absence of traditional landmarks.
US08679125B2
A method of performing hip surgery with a robotic guided system on a patient with femoral acetabular impingement can include identifying the femoral acetabular impingement on the patient. Data related to a proximal femur and an acetabulum of the patient is acquired. A three-dimensional model of at least one of the patient's proximal femur and acetabulum is created based on the data acquired. A location and amount of bone to be removed is determined. Dynamic movement limits of a cutting tool associated with the robotic guided system is set based on the determination. The determined bone of at least one of the proximal femur and acetabulum is removed with the tool while being inhibited from moving the tool outside of the dynamic limit by the robotic guided system.
US08679108B2
A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes an inner conductor having a length and an outer conductor coaxially surrounding the inner conductor along the length. The outer conductor has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the outer conductor is provided with a number of apertures N defined therein for radiating energy, where N is an integer greater than 1, each aperture having a size and extending at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer conductor. At least one of the size and the angle of each aperture is varied in relation to the other apertures N−1 such that the energy radiated along the distal portion is substantially uniform.
US08679104B2
The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for cryogenically ablating large areas of tissue within the left atrium. In an exemplary embodiment a cryotherapy device includes a catheter body having a substantially fixed diameter, a proximal end and a distal end; a first lumen for permitting passage of a cooling fluid from the proximal end to the distal end; a second lumen permitting return of the cooling fluid from the distal end to the proximal end; and an ablation element expandable from a first diameter that is substantially the same as the diameter of the catheter body to a second diameter that is at least twice the diameter of the catheter body, the ablation element having a surface portion that conforms to the uneven surface topography of the cardiac tissue. The ablation element can include one or more balloon and/or a flexible element that is deformed by moving the distal end of the catheter toward the proximal end of the catheter. The surface of the balloon can further be shaped by regulation of pressure within the one or more balloons. In an exemplary method a tissue ablation device is provided and tissue in the antrum of the left atrium is ablated with the device. In an exemplary method, only tissue in the antrum is ablated, and the ablation is created by freezing tissue.
US08679101B2
Embodiments of methods and systems for hair treatment are disclosed. According to various embodiments, light is used to shave, trim, or otherwise modify hair shafts.
US08679094B2
Intravesical devices are provided that are wholly deployable within the bladder of a patient in need of treatment and are well tolerated by the patient. The device may include an elastic body having a retention shape having (i) dimensions that provide intravesical mobility and that prevent voiding of the medical device through the urethra, and (ii) dimensions, buoyancy, or both, that exclude the medical device from entering the orifices of the ureters. The elastic body may exert a maximum acting force less than 1 N when compressed to a shape with a maximum dimension in any dimension of 3 cm. The device may include a drug for controlled release within the bladder, for treatment of the bladder or a regional tissue. Methods of treatment are also provided that include selecting a patient in need of treatment in the bladder where tolerability of the treatment is a primary concern.
US08679091B2
A catheter is provided that includes an elongated body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The body defines at least one lumen. A tip has a proximal end that is disposed in abutting relation with the distal end of the body such that the body is fixed with the tip. The tip defines a lateral opening that is defined by a wall including an external radius disposed in transition with an outer surface of the tip and an internal radius disposed in transition with an inner surface of the tip. The external radius has a non-perpendicular profile with the outer surface of the tip.
US08679086B2
The present disclosure provides for an airless intravenous (IV) bag which contains a specialized device, referred to herein as the airless intravasculature infusion device (AIVID). The AIVID allows one to view the amount of fluid in the IV bag but substantially decreases or completely prohibits the risk of an inadvertent air infusion into a patient.
US08679077B2
A system for delivering moisturizing liquid to the lips of a subject includes an applicator for applying the moisturizing liquid to the lips supported by a support structure so that at least a part of applicator is deployed so as to engage a recess between the lips of subject without obstructing contact between the subject's upper and lower lips. The proximity of the applicator to the lips allows the use of simple contact-based implementations of the applicator. At the same time, disruption of speech and other normal oral movement is minimized by avoiding any obstruction to contact between the lips.
US08679071B2
An injection device with a housing and an operating element or coupling element mounted in the housing in such a way that the operating element or coupling element may be retained in a first position by a first holding connection and may be displaced into a second position that is axially offset relative to the first position after introducing an ampoule. In some embodiments, the operating element or coupling element may be retained by a second holding connection in the second position.
US08679069B2
A housing for a dispensing apparatus. The housing comprising a main housing and a dose dial sleeve. The dose dial sleeve comprising a helical groove configured to engage a threading provided by the housing. A dose knob is disposed near a proximal end of the dose dial sleeve and a piston rod is provided within the housing. The piston rod is non-rotatable during a dose setting step. A driver comprises an internal threading near a distal portion of the driver and is adapted to engage an external thread of the piston rod. A tubular clutch is located adjacent a distal end of the dose knob and operatively coupled to the dose knob. The dose dial sleeve may extend circumferentially around at least a portion of the tubular clutch.
US08679068B2
The invention provides a syringe or autoinjector for dispensing a drug comprising a rigid syringe body containing the drug, an oxygen absorbing material, a separating element between the drug and oxygen absorbing material to prevent the drug from contacting the oxygen absorbing material but which allows oxygen to pass from the drug to the oxygen absorbing material, and an oxygen impermeable container enclosing both the drug and the oxygen absorbing material, wherein the oxygen impermeable container partially or fully forms the rigid syringe body or is held within the rigid syringe body.
US08679059B2
Stabilizing an object in the body of a patient involves the injection of a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) material or other flowable material into the body of the patient so that the material contacts the object. The LCST material or other flowable material then forms a gel in the body such that the object is contained at least partially within the gel and thereby stabilized by the gel such that the object can then be easily fragmented within the body and/or retrieved from the body.
US08679058B2
An apparatus, a kit and a method for rapidly restoring blood flow through, and removing a clot from, a blood vessel by chemical dissolution. The essential components include an instrument for preventing the flow of debris downstream of the clot, a coronary catheter constructed to be introduced into the blood vessel and a double balloon catheter that has a tapered tip and that can form an enclosed space containing the clot and via which dissolution fluid can be brought into contact with the clot.
US08679054B2
A dialysis machine includes: a hardware unit including at least one pump actuator, at least one valve actuator and a cassette interface, the cassette interface including: (i) a plate that abuts the cassette; (ii) at least one pump aperture defined by the plate; (iii) at least one pump head moveable out of and retractable into the at least one pump aperture to operate a pumping portion of the cassette; (iv) at least one valve aperture defined by the plate; (v) at least one valve apparatus moveable out of and retractable into the at least one valve aperture to operate a valve portion of the cassette; (vi) at least one sensor aperture defined by the plate; and (vii) at least one sensor located in the least one sensor aperture, the at least one sensor operable with a sensor portion of the cassette.
US08679049B2
In a method for re-entry from extraluminal space into the central lumen of a vessel, a guidewire is advanced into the extraluminal space of the vessel, and then a directional catheter is advanced over the guidewire through the extraluminal space. Thereafter, the guidewire is removed from the directional catheter, an ultrasound device is placed through the directional catheter, and the ultrasound device is advanced through the extraluminal space into the central lumen and then activated.
US08679040B2
A method for controlling movement using an active powered device including an actuator, joint position sensor, muscle stress sensor, and control system. The device provides primarily muscle support although it is capable of additionally providing joint support (hence the name “active muscle assistance device”). The device is designed for operation in several modes to provide either assistance or resistance to a muscle for the purpose of enhancing mobility, preventing injury, or building muscle strength. The device is designed to operate autonomously or coupled with other like device(s) to provide simultaneous assistance or resistance to multiple muscles.
US08679033B2
A sampling module includes a module body portion with a lancet channel, a lancet slidably disposed within the lancet channel. A cover sheet is disposed over the lancet and a lancet channel that captures the lancet shaft in the lancet channel, and a sample reservoir for collection of a sample obtained by lancing a patient with the lancet.
US08679025B2
A method for determination of cardiac output from a recording of an arterial pressure waveform (10). The method comprises the steps of measuring the patient's peripheral arterial pressure relative to time in order to estimate a central pressure waveform (CPW) and calculating the patient's cardiac output from the CPW using the Water Hammer formula (as defined herein).
US08679021B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a data acquisition unit, a correction unit and a display unit. The data acquisition unit acquires phase signals as Doppler data from a moving object in an object by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the object. The correction unit performs global aliasing correction processing of the phase signals based on a continuity in a two-dimensionally phase change. The display unit displays phase signals after the aliasing correction processing.
US08679020B2
The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system capable of providing a plurality of M-mode images corresponding to M-mode lines without moving a probe. A volume data forming and reconstructing unit of the present invention forms volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals, the volume data forming and reconstructing unit being configured to determine a beat period of the moving object and reconstruct the volume data based on the beat period. A processor forms at least one reference image based on the reconstructed volume data and one or more M-mode images corresponding to one or more M-mode lines set on the reference image and a display unit displays the reference image, the M-mode lines and the M-mode images.
US08679017B2
A biological information measurement apparatus includes an electromagnetic wave applying unit configured to apply, to a living body, a first electromagnetic wave and a second electromagnetic wave having a frequency different from a frequency of the first electromagnetic wave; a reflected wave receiver configured to receive a first reflected wave corresponding to the first electromagnetic wave and a second reflected wave corresponding to the second electromagnetic wave; a correlation value configured to calculate unit calculating a correlation value between the first and second reflected waves; a correlation value evaluating unit configured to determine whether the correlation value satisfies a given condition; and a biological information measuring unit configured to measure biological information based on the first or second reflected wave when the correlation value evaluating unit determines that the correlation value satisfies the given condition.
US08679012B1
The present invention is both a device and a method for verifying a subject's identity while using a medical device or undergoing a medical diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, particularly at home or at a remote location. The method and device can be used for inpatient and remote sleep and signal analysis with biometric identification. The present invention is further related to the devices and sensors used in executing the method, and includes various embodiments of a method of inpatient and remote sleep analysis.
US08678998B2
An endoscopic instrument has a portion having an outer surface with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The non-circular cross-sectional shape may be provided to the instrument by providing peripheral projections or fins along the length of the portion or by providing the periphery of the portion with a polygonal shape. The resulting instrument has significantly reduced backlash while maintaining adequate fluid flow in the working channel.
US08678995B2
Described and depicted are pelvic sling implant and delivery systems. The sling implants can be used in treating stress incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders. The sling systems can include a mesh extension or support portion and one or more tip anchors. A delivery tool can include a handle (61), a needle (62) and a sheath (70), with the sheath having an elongate shaft portion slidable along at least a portion of the needle. The sheath can further include a distal hood portion having opposed flared portions (78) defining interior pleat channels adapted to selectively seat tine ends of the anchors.
US08678991B2
A method of treating anal incontinence in a patient comprises providing a sling having a central portion and first and second arms, creating a subcutaneous tunnel between a first buttock incision and a second buttock incision in the patient, mechanically widening the subcutaneous tunnel to create a pocket for the central portion of the sling, grasping the first arm of the sling and pulling the sling through the subcutaneous tunnel such that the central portion of the sling rests underneath the ano-rectum, inserting an introducer needle through a first thigh incision formed in the patient and advancing the introducer needle through the first buttock incision, pulling the first sling arm through the first thigh incision, inserting the introducer needle through a second thigh incision formed in the patient and advancing the introducer needle through the second buttock incision, and pulling the second sling aim through the second thigh incision.
US08678986B2
An apparatus for operating upon a construct. In one example, the apparatus comprises a tool, a feed path for a feed path for feeding the construct to and withdrawing the construct from the tool, and a positioning mechanism. The positioning mechanism comprises an arm positioned proximate to the tool and a guide for directing the construct toward the tool. The arm is movable between a guiding position and a withdrawn position, and the guide is mounted to the arm for moving with the arm so that the guide is at least partially disposed in the feed path when the arm is in the guiding position. A recess is defined in the tool for at least partially accommodating the guide.
US08678982B2
A height adjustable double end training ball apparatus for use in boxing, martial arts and other combat/fighting sports training. The double end training ball having an aperture that extends through the center of the ball and having openings at each end of the aperture on the surface of the ball; a cord having a length suitable to extend from an upper surface to a lower surface, such as a floor and ceiling, in a room where the double end training ball will be used, wherein one end of said cord is connected to the upper surface and the opposite end of the cord is connected to the lower surface; and a pair of restraining elements. The double end training ball is secured on the cord via the application of the restraining elements, such as clamps, at a position above and below the ball.
US08678977B2
A control device for controlling a transmission device configured such that when the speed change mechanism performs switching to a shift speed with a different speed ratio, special speed change control is executed in which a disengagement hydraulic pressure, is lowered to cause a disengagement element to slip, and in which the disengagement element is maintained in a slipping state over an entire speed change process. In the case where slipping of the disengagement element is not detected within a predetermined time after the disengagement hydraulic pressure is lowered at start of the special speed change control, pressure increase correction is performed in which an engagement hydraulic pressure, which is a hydraulic pressure of hydraulic oil for an engagement element that is a friction engagement element to be engaged, is raised until slipping of the disengagement element is detected.
US08678975B2
A vehicle braking system includes an electric motor, an operating amount detector, a brake assist controller, a first braking device and a second braking device. The electric motor drives a driving wheel via a reduction ratio setting device. The first braking device makes the electric motor generate a first braking power under regenerative control. The second braking device generates a second braking power by actuating an actuator with an operating fluid to be pressurized through a hydraulic pressure source. When an initiation condition for a brake assist control is met, the reduction ratio setting device sets a reduction ratio so as to reduce the first braking power and then suspends a change in the reduction ratio, and the first braking device generates the first braking power as well as the second braking device generates the second braking power to produce a target braking power.
US08678974B2
Mechanisms and methods for clamping force generation are described. In one embodiment, a clamping force generator system includes a permanent magnet bearing coupled to a traction ring and to a torque coupling. The traction ring can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing rotor and the torque coupling can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing stator. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam, a permanent magnet bearing, and an electromagnetic bearing cooperate to generate a clamping force between the traction rings, the power rollers, and the idler. In other embodiments, a series of permanent magnet bearings and a mechanical bearing are configured to produce a clamping force. In one embodiment an electromagnetic bearing is coupled to a control system and produces an optimal clamping force that is associated with a torque transmitted in the transmission during operation. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam produces a clamping force proportional to torque, while a permanent magnet bearing provides a minimum clamping force.
US08678973B2
An automatic transmission includes an input shaft, a first planetary gear mechanism, a second planetary gear mechanism, a third planetary gear mechanism, a fourth planetary gear mechanism, a first engagement device, a second engagement device, a third engagement device, a fourth engagement device, a fifth engagement device, a sixth engagement device, and a seventh engagement device. Ten forward gears of the automatic transmission are established by bringing at least three of the first to seventh engagement devices into the engagement state.
US08678958B2
The present invention provides a sports implement whose characteristics a user can adjust freely and minutely. According to the present invention, it is realized that a light-weight high functional circuit is installed in various sports implements by constituting various functional circuits with a TFT formed on a film, without using a printed board. A high functional circuit using a TFT formed over a flexible plastic film is light-weight and strong in bending and impacts. It is possible to provide a sports implement that is favorable in operationality and friendly to many users in a wide range regardless of the muscle strength or physical constitution and the like of a user, since the user can adjust characteristics of a sports implement.
US08678949B2
A golf club head manufacturing method, including: welding a first reinforcing piece with first thickness to a central portion between a toe and a heel, so as to extend along an edge of a face side of a sole part, the sole part being part of a lower part formed integrally with a side part; welding a second reinforcing piece of second, larger thickness to a central portion between the toe and heel so as to extend along the edge on the face side of the first piece; welding a face part to the first and second pieces from an inner space of the lower part; welding a hosel part to the lower and face parts; welding a crown part to the lower, face and hosel parts; and welding the lower and face parts together from the outside.
US08678946B2
A golf club head includes a body member having a ball striking face, a crown, a toe, a heel, a sole, a rear and a hosel region located at the intersection of the ball striking face, the heel, the crown and the sole. A plurality of dimples are located on the hosel region, on the crown, on the sole, and/or on the heel, wherein at least some of the plurality of dimples have a major axis that is not aligned in a direction parallel to the moment-of-impact club-head-trajectory direction. A golf club including the golf club head is also provided.
US08678945B2
A golf club shaft having a weight distribution such that the balance point percentage is less than or equal to 44.50%. The weight distribution of the shaft allows for an increase in length and/or club head weight of a golf club while having a reduced impact on the swing weight.
US08678943B2
This invention is an apparatus and method for measuring or analyzing a golf swing. Measurement or analysis is made relative to energy generation and transfer through a player's body and club. The measurement or analysis data is principally obtained from the player's ground-reaction forces. Processed signals are analyzed with an artificial intelligence system. Ground-reaction forces relate to reaction forces which occur between a standing surface and the player's feet. The apparatus and method measures or analyses a golf swing in an automatic manner or in an automatic and interactive manner.
US08678936B2
Gaming machine chairs and wagering game systems and machines with a gaming chair are presented herein. A gaming chair is disclosed that includes a base, a seat portion supported by the base, one or more speaker assemblies, and a backrest assembly. The backrest assembly includes a backrest and a mounting frame. The mounting frame has a polymeric honeycombed body comprising a plurality of ribs that define an array of compartments. Optionally, the mounting frame body has at least one contoured face. The mounting frame is attached to the backrest and speaker assembly, coupling both the backrest and speaker assembly to the base. The mounting frame may be fabricated with numerous fastening regions that are integrally formed with the polymeric body. In this optional configuration, at least some of the fastening regions lie in a respective plane divergent from the other fastening regions.
US08678932B2
An online computer network utilization system for supporting an online skill competition such as guitar playing prowess among personal entrants and an online competitive contest associated with the skill competition where online consumer contestants can view, judge and contest with one another over the successes and failures of the skill competitors. The system handles the solicitation for entrants in the skill competition and online consumers for the viewing and judging of the competition as well as a fantasy sports-styled contest among viewers/judges, tracks performances, tabulate votes, declares winners, awards prizes and facilitates online advertising.
US08678917B1
An apparatus, method, and computer readable storage for automatically deciding slot machine configuration changes. Slot machine usage is electronically monitored and ideal settings are determined from the usage. Slot machines can then be updated electronically according to the ideal settings, either automatically or upon operator approval.
US08678913B2
A gaming machine and method are provided which allow a player to play a gaming machine. The gaming machine and method allow a player to make a wager, display a first game on a display device, generate an outcome associated with the first game, and award the player an award for the first game based at least in part on the generated first game outcome. In addition, the gaming machine determines if a triggering condition occurred, displays a second game if the triggering condition has occurred, and calculates a current trigger cycle of the generated second game. The current trigger cycle is equal to a number of first games played after an occurrence of a previous second game triggering condition. The player is provided an award for the second game based at least in part on the second game current trigger cycle.
US08678909B1
A slot machine game that customizes winning combinations based on the player's year of birth. In this way, the player's gaming experience can be tailored to themes such as the Chinese Zodiac. The player's year of birth can be inputted directly into the machine or the machine can automatically query the casino database if the player uses his or her player's card to find out the year of birth.
US08678907B2
Methods, apparatus and systems for providing a sub-symbol arrangement to a wagering game machine for triggering a bonus game are described. A dynamic calculation module is used for dynamically adding sub-symbols to an arrangement of symbols to match a bonus game frequency. In some embodiments, the sub-symbols are dynamically added to symbols according to a weighted table. Wagering game machines according to the various embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.
US08678906B2
A gaming system and method providing a collection game independent from the primary games of a gaming system. In one embodiment, the collection game includes a plurality of elements and a winning element combination. During play of the collection game, randomly or upon an occurrence of a triggering event, the gaming system releases one of the plurality of elements to players. The gaming system repeats the process of releasing elements until one of the players collects all of the elements of the winning element combination. The first player to collect all of the elements of the winning element combination wins an award or prize.
US08678903B1
A virtual spin wheel control method of a mobile device having a rotation sensor has steps of generating a spin wheel image, dividing the spin wheel image into multiple target zones with each target zone corresponding to a selection result, setting up an initial alignment direction on the spin wheel image, receiving rotation data from the rotation sensor and calculating a rotation angle, adding the rotation angle to determine a final alignment direction, and determining a target zone to which the final alignment direction points and executing an operation corresponding to the selection result designated to the target zone. By spinning the mobile device to mimic Wheel of Fortune game, a selection result can be determined in place of the random number generator algorithm and the entire process is viewed by users. Accordingly, the virtual spin wheel control method is trustworthy and increases the effect of virtual reality vividly.
US08678902B2
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.
US08678895B2
A method for matching suitable remote players to one or more local players of a rhythm-action game includes identifying one or more local players to participate in a networked session of a rhythm action game corresponding to a predetermined band template, each local player associated with a type of simulated musical. A first type of simulated musical instrument represented in the predetermined band template and not associated with any of the one or more local players may then be identified, along with a remote player associated with the first type of simulated musical instrument. A game session may then be provided including the one or more local players and the identified remote player.
US08678880B2
A device for measuring tooth surface deviation includes a contact detector that measures the deviation at the tooth surface of a dresser with respect to a grinding tooth surface formed on a helical grinding tooth of a grinding tool when the grinding tool and a dresser toothed wheel are rotated synchronously in a state in which the grinding tooth surface and the dresser tooth surface of the dresser toothed wheel can be brought into contact, and detects contact between the grinding tooth surface and the dresser tooth surface; and a controller that changes the speed of rotation of the dresser toothed wheel in such a way that the detection result of the contact detector comes within the range of contact determination data, and also measures the amount by which the grinding tool and the dresser toothed wheel have been changed in one revolution of the dresser toothed wheel.
US08678874B2
A combination for use as a collectible item or a game piece includes a collectible miniature figurine and a first game assembly. The collectible miniature figurine includes a figure body and a figure base that retains and supports the figure body. The first game assembly includes a first game base that is selectively attachable to and detachable from the figure base without deforming either of the bases. Further, the figure base is selectively rotatable relative to the first game base when the figure base is attached to the first game base. Still further, the figure base can be selectively rotatable relative to the first game base in a step-like fashion.
US08678872B1
A reusable, programmable, interactive, and talking pinata for being hit by a stick by a size-insensitive user to dispense bounty and for depicting interchangeable and disposable characters. The pinata includes a character, a first compartment, operating electronics, and a second compartment. The character has a body and depicts the interchangeable and disposable characters, and as such, is interchangeable and disposable. The body has a top part and a bottom part. The bottom part is pivotally attached to the top part so as to pivot relative thereto. The operating electronics has preselected criteria. The second compartment has a bottom lid, and holds the bounty. The bottom lid is affixed to the bottom part so as to pivot therewith. When the pinata is activated by being hit by the stick, the bottom part pivots away from the top part, and in doing so, opens the second compartment and dispenses the bounty.
US08678871B2
A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit tight of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.
US08678868B2
A boat capable of having a snowmobile securely mounted on its hull and steerable by the snowmobile's steering mechanism. The boat includes a bow, an aft, a port side, a starboard side, and a mid-ship. The hull of the boat includes a top and a bottom, wherein the bottom of the hull includes under-hull skis with tips and tails, and the bottom of the hull further includes a bow step positioned proximate to the tips of the under-hull skis. The boat also includes: a snowmobile opening including a cutaway of the hull extending into the hull from the aft and disposed halfway between the port and starboard sides; a transom disposed at the aft; and a boat steering mechanism including two boat ski attachment mechanisms on the port and starboard sides of the boat and two snowmobile ski attachment mechanisms on the port and starboard sides.
US08678863B2
The invention provides a connector including a body, a cover, a contact, and a molded portion. The body includes a connecting hole, and a housing hole or slit communicating with the connecting hole and being open to an outside of the body. The cover blocks the housing hole or slit of the body. The contact includes a fixed portion fixedly attached in the housing hole or slit of the body, a contact portion disposed in the connecting hole, and a connecting portion protruding from between the body and the cover to an outside of the body and the cover. The molded portion, formed of insulating resin, covers and blocks at least a boundary between the body and the cover, a boundary between the body and the connecting portion of the contact, and a boundary between the cover and the connecting portion of the contact.
US08678861B2
A card connector includes a main housing having a base portion, a pair of side walls and a bottom wall connecting with said base portion and side walls thereby defining a receiving cavity therebetween. A multiple groups of contact sets comprise contacting portions projecting into the receiving cavity. A metallic shell covers a top side of the main housing and defines an insertion opening together with the main housing at a front end thereof. A pair of guiders are floatably assembled on the bottom wall and respectively located beside the side walls. Each guider has a spring member disposed thereunder. A pair of locking devices are located at opposite sides of the insertion opening. Each locking device has a stopping section detachably supporting the guider under so as to prevent unmated card to be inserted. If an appropriate size card is inserted it will actuate the locking devices to cause the guiders to become deflectable by that card. If an inappropriate size card is inserted it will not actuate the locking devices and the guiders will undeflectable and will block that card.
US08678856B2
An electrical box is mounted on a wall stud, and a wiring panel is installed within the electrical box so as to partition the interior of the electrical box into a user inaccessible wiring compartment and a user accessible module compartment. A protective cover is attached to the wiring panel so as to protect the wiring panel during a makeup phase of wall panel installation and painting. After the makeup phase, the protective cover is removed from the wiring panel and a module having a user operable electrical function is mounted to the wiring panel within the user accessible module compartment.
US08678855B2
A bundled wire guide is insertable within an interior portion of a carrier/telecommunication module assembly. The bundled wire guide includes at least one channel configured to receive and guide at least a first wire bundle such that the at least one channel extends from a back frame of the carrier to a hinge portion of the telecommunication module and individual wires of the first wire bundle are insertable in the telecommunication module. The bundled wire guide, when installed as part of the carrier, provides one or more closed wire channels that mechanically protect the wire bundles. In addition, the bundled wire guide provides a mechanism to install wires through the back frame of the carrier without having to open or pivot the carrier/module assembly.
US08678854B2
The invention relates to an electrical connector for accommodating an electrical conductor or mating connector, having a first plastic section having a first degree of hardness or elasticity, and a second plastic section having a second degree of hardness or elasticity, wherein the first degree of hardness or elasticity and the second degree of hardness or elasticity are different, and the first plastic section cooperates with the second plastic section in order to accommodate the electrical conductor.
US08678847B2
A power plug locking device arranged in a vehicle includes a lock member moved between a lock position, in which the lock member prohibits removal of a power plug from a vehicle inlet, and an unlock position, in which the lock member permits removal of the power plug from the vehicle inlet. A drive source is activated to move the lock member from the lock position to the unlock position. An unlock switch is manually operated to move the lock member to the unlock position. An unlock circuit activates the drive source to move the lock member to the unlock position when the operation of the unlock switch and an unlock state of a vehicle door are both detected.
US08678841B2
An electric connector includes an insulating socket, a plurality of first socket terminals, a plurality of second socket terminals, a plurality of third socket terminals, a plurality of fourth socket terminals, a plurality of fifth socket terminals, and a mechanical moving member. The mechanical moving member is disposed between a first position and a second position of an insulating base. When the mechanical moving member is positioned at the first position, part of the third socket terminals are connected to the fifth socket terminals, the second socket terminals and the third socket terminals transmit a second signal meeting a second standard. When the mechanical moving member is positioned at the second position, part of the third socket terminals are connected to the fourth socket terminals, the first socket terminals and part of the third socket terminals transmit a third signal meeting a third standard.
US08678832B2
An interactive education system for teaching patient care to a user is described. The system comprises a patient simulator; a virtual instrument for use with the patient simulator in performing patient care activities; means for sensing an interaction between the virtual instrument and the simulator, and means for providing feedback to the user regarding the interaction between the virtual instrument and the simulator. In one aspect, the system includes a maternal simulator, a fetal simulator, and a neonatal simulator.
US08678831B2
Devices, systems, and methods appropriate for use in medical training that include materials that better mimic natural human tissue are disclosed. In one aspect a polysiloxane mixture for simulating human biological tissue, especially human breast tissue, is disclosed. In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a biological tissue ultrasound phantom is disclosed. In another aspect, a human breast tissue models are disclosed. In some instances, the human breast tissue model includes at least one simulated pathological structure that simulates such pathologies as a cyst, a medullary carcinoma, a ductal carcinoma, an infiltrating scirrhus carcinoma, a lobular carcinoma, and a fibroadenoma.
US08678829B2
A device for physical and/or occupational therapy has a pair of spaced apart vertical structural members joined to one another by a pair of spaced apart horizontal structural members. Each of the vertical and horizontal structural members has at least one target protruding from the structural member. A tool has an interior passage of a size that can receive a target whereby a physical therapy patient can grasp the tool and place the tool on a target designated by a therapist such that the target is located in the interior passage of the tool.
US08678822B2
Dental retention systems which facilitate the adjustment or removal of an oral appliance, e.g., a crown or bridge, from a reconfigurable abutment assembly are described. The adjustable abutment assembly may be secured to an anchoring implant bored into the bones within the mouth. The abutment assembly has a projecting abutment portion with one or more shape memory alloy compression plates or elements extending along the projecting abutment portion. Each of the plates has a length with one or more straightened portions and with at least one curved or arcuate portion. Energy may be applied to the elements such that the arcuate portion self-flattens to allow for the oral appliance to be placed thereupon while removal of the energy allows the elements to reconfigure into its curved configuration thereby locking the oral appliance to the abutment. Removal of the oral appliance may be effected by reapplication of energy to the elements.
US08678802B2
A hot-runner system (100), comprising: a manifold assembly (102), including: a manifold body (104) defining a melt channel (109, 110) being smooth-flowing, direction-changing and uninterrupted.
US08678800B2
An apparatus (1) for molding and assembling a chamber unit (D) for biomedical use comprising two plates (18, 22), which are mutually parallel and opposite and are allowed to move toward and away from each other, for supporting the mold parts of a first forming mold (3) and of a second forming mold (4) for the injection molding of thermoplastic material respectively of two parts (A, B) of a chamber unit (D) that are adapted to be mutually assembled, and the mold parts of a mold (5) for the assembly, by overmolding additional thermoplastic material, of the two parts (A, B), an element supporting device (6) that is rendered movable between the plates (18, 22) by actuation means (M) and is adapted to receive the parts (A, B) from the first (3) and second (4) forming molds and to transfer them to the assembly mold (5); the element supporting device (6) is directly associated, at least slidingly, with at least one of the supporting plates (18, 22).
US08678795B2
A method for manufacturing roller pockets in a stator of a gerotor device generally includes providing a stator having a cavity including a generally cylindrical section defining a central axis and a plurality of roller pockets angularly spaced around a periphery of the cylindrical section. Each roller pocket is configured to receive a respective roller, which acts as an internal tooth of the gerotor device. Each roller pocket defines a generally cylindrical roller pocket bearing surface. The method further includes grinding each roller pocket bearing surface of each roller pocket with a grinding wheel rotating about a rotational axis perpendicular to the central axis. A stator for a gerotor device is also described.
US08678794B2
The invention concerns a refrigerant compressor arrangement (1) with a housing (2, 3) comprising a suction opening (5), a compressor (15), which is arranged in the housing (2, 3), and is connected to the suction opening (5), and a suction connection (20) that is fixed at the housing (2, 3), and comprises a housing section (21) and a tube section (22), the housing section (21) being connected to the suction opening (5) and the diameter of the tube section (22) being different from the diameter of the housing section (21). With such a refrigerant compressor arrangement, it is endeavoured to keep the dimensions small. For this purpose, in the longitudinal direction of the suction connection (20) the housing section (21) and the tube section (22) overlap each other and are connected to each other by a corrugated area (23) with at least one radial corrugation.
US08678792B2
A roller pump conduit defining a pump chamber is provided. The roller pump conduit includes a roller contact portion having a fill region and a delivery region. The fill region has a first taper configured to determine volume delivery per revolution of a roller head. The delivery region has a pressure region having a second taper and a discharge region having a third taper. The third taper has a lesser degree of taper than the second taper. The delivery region is configured to produce a pulsatile flow out of the conduit. Furthermore, a roller pump having a roller pump conduit is provided. The roller pump conduit of the roller pump has a fill region and a delivery region, the fill region having a first taper, and the delivery region having a second and third taper, wherein the third taper has lesser degree of taper than the second taper.
US08678791B2
The fan comprises a first electromechanical module including a wheel supported by a shaft coupled to a driving motor, a second mechanical module including a body delimiting a space for receiving the first electromechanical module in which the wheel and the driving motor are received, and a third electronic module including a plurality of electronic components. The third electronic module includes a housing in which the plurality of electronic components is housed, the housing also comprising a deflagration protection exhaust comprising an upper wall and two inclined walls extending on either side of the upper wall so as to form a space extending substantially axially between the upper surface of the housing and the upper wall in order to allow the discharge of overpressures in case of deflagration.
US08678788B2
A linear compressor is provided. Unnecessary parts of a motor cover of the compressor are bent toward a rear cover in an axis direction to form supporting ends of the motor cover, and the supporting ends of the motor cover are welded directly to the rear cover, thereby considerably cutting down the material cost.
US08678786B2
A scroll compressor may be provided with a check valve interposed between a balance chamber and a discharge chamber. The check valve may allow balance chamber pressure to remain low during start-up of the compressor. Low balance chamber pressure may allow an orbiting scroll to remain unclamped to a fixed scroll thereby reducing torque required to initiate rotation of the orbiting scroll. After steady-state operational speed is reached the check valve may close and the scrolls may be clamped together to produce a desired steady-state operating condition for the compressor.
US08678782B2
A substantially planar suspension spring for supporting a linear compressor housed within a hermetic shell. A hub portion (36) connects to the body of the compressor assembly while a spiral arm portion (38) curves around the hub portion (36) at least one full turn before attaching to the wall of the compressor housing. Provides lateral stability to the reciprocating compressor assembly while maintaining axial flexibility.
US08678779B2
A high pressure fuel pump for use with a direct injection engine having a housing which defines a pump chamber. A port is formed in the housing which fluidly connects a fuel in the passageway with the pump chamber. An elongated valve is movably mounted within the housing between an open and a closed position. In its open position, the inlet passageway is fluidly connected with the pump chamber while, conversely, in the closed position the fuel valve blocks the fluid flow between the inlet passageway and the pump chamber. A circuit controls the deceleration of the valve to reduce pump noise.
US08678775B2
Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein utilize a brushless DC motor (BLDCM) to drive a single-stage or a multi-stage pump in a pumping system for real time, smooth motion, and extremely precise and repeatable position control over fluid movements and dispense amounts, useful in semiconductor manufacturing. The BLDCM may employ a position sensor for real time position feedback to a processor executing a custom field-oriented control scheme. Embodiments of the invention can reduce heat generation without undesirably compromising the precise position control of the dispense pump by increasing and decreasing, via a custom control scheme, the operating frequency of the BLDCM according to the criticality of the underlying function(s). The control scheme can run the BLDCM at very low speeds while maintaining a constant velocity, which enables the pumping system to operate in a wide range of speeds with minimal variation, substantially increasing dispense performance and operation capabilities.
US08678752B2
A system, including a rotary machine including: a stator, a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator, wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of blades having a non-uniform spacing about a circumference of the rotor.
US08678751B2
Within components such as high pressure turbine blades and aerofoils in a gas turbine engine it is important to provide cooling such that these components remain within acceptable operational parameters. Typically, film cooling as well as convective cooling is utilized. Film cooling requires holes from a feed passage from which the coolant is presented upon an external surface to develop the film. The holes themselves can create cooling through convective cooling effects. In order to maximize the convective cooling effect holes are created which have an indirect path about a direct line between an inlet and an outlet for the hole. By creating an indirect path in the form of a helix or spiral which in turn may have a variable cross sectional area from the inlet to the outlet control of coolant flow can be achieved. The inlet may have a bell mouth shape while the hole may have a slot or elliptical cross section to achieve greater diffusion of the coolant flow in order to create an improved exit blow rate for instant film development.
US08678746B2
The invention relates to a wind turbine blade comprising one or more turbulence generating strips, where the strips are placed on a surface of the blade. The blade is characterized in that at least one joint area of the turbulence generating strips and the surface of the blade are completely or partially covered by sealing means. The invention further relates to a pitch controlled wind turbine comprising at least two pitch controlled wind turbine blades and pitch controlling means for pitching the blades. The pitch controlled wind turbine is characterized in that the blades comprises one or more turbulence generating strips, wherein at least one joint area of the turbulence generating strips and a surface of the blades are completely or partially covered by sealing means.
US08678735B2
A dosing device for outputting bulk goods from a dosing container is described. An exemplary embodiment includes at least one discharge arm, arranged above the bottom of the dosing container so as to be driven about an axis of rotation. The arm supplies bulk goods in the lower section of the dosing container to at least one output opening. The wall in the lower section of the dosing container extends from a cylindrical section above in a truncated cone-shaped manner and encompasses at least a part of the output opening. The output opening extends to the bottom of the dosing container. The at least one discharge arm includes a blade having a distal edge located opposite the axis of rotation, the edge is shaped to correspond to the cone-shaped wall of the dosing container, and a peripheral speed at the edge is below 1 m/s during normal operation.
US08678733B2
The structure (10) for transporting and installing or retrieving underwater equipment comprises a floating hull (11) equipped with legs (20) that can be moved vertically relative to the floating hull (11), a platform (60) carried by shuttles (30) each associated with a leg (20) and able to be moved vertically relative to the hull (11) by said legs (20), means of temporarily anchoring the equipment to the underside of the platform (60) and means (65, 66) of moving said equipment in the water between a first position pressed against the anchoring means and a second position away from said means.
US08678723B2
A throw-away rotating tool improves workability of detaching a throw-away tip and prevents from damaging a body. In the throw-away tool, a convex connection for the throw-away tip has protrusions, each of the protrusion includes a sliding contact portion detachably fitted into the inner peripheral groove recessed in the inner peripheral wall of a body. The protrusion has a first tilt portion continuous to the sliding contact portion. In detaching the throw-away tip from the body, the first tilt portion rotates ahead of the sliding contact portion, and a standing portion is elastically deformed due to a wedge effect of the first tilt portion. As a result, the protrusion can be gently removed from the inner peripheral groove.
US08678722B2
A rotatable tool for chip removing machining, including a basic body having front and rear ends between which a first center axis (C1) extends around which the basic body is rotatable, and a loose top having front and rear ends between which a second center axis (C2) extends. The front end of the basic body includes a jaw which is delimited by two torque-transferring drivers and an intermediate bottom in which a part of the loose top is receivable, and a center hole that mouths in the bottom of the jaw and has a hole wall which extends axially inside the basic body and in which a threaded hole mouths for a screw to co-operate with a centering pin that protrudes axially rearward from the loose top, the centering pin being insertable into the center hole. The centering pin has a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of the center hole. The centering pin includes two diametrically opposed surfaces, a first one of the surfaces forming a contact surface that extends tangentially between two axially running boundary generatrices which are situated along an imaginary circumscribed circle (S1), the center of which coincides with the center axis (C2) of the loose top, and between which an arc angle (α) is less than 180°. The contact surface, via the boundary generatrices, transforms into a second one of the surfaces that is spaced-apart inwardly from the circumscribed circle (S1).
US08678721B2
An improved dual blade boring tool having a solid surround housing portion in which a pair of parallel spaced transverse channel openings extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotatable tool, a pair of dual cutter insert members are mounted in the channel openings, respectively, and are moved in opposite directions to each other responsive to rack and pinion movements of a rotatable cylindrical shaped cam member having at least a rack portion and being meshed to engage pinion portions provided on each of the dual insert members, whereby the rotation of the rack portion of the cam member converts to reciprocating movement of each of the meshed insert members to move oppositely disposed insert members in opposite and corresponding linear directions with respect to the surround housing of the boring tool.
US08678720B2
A radial tapping attachment for a motor-driven tool includes an enclosed, box-shaped housing, a main shaft assembly adapted to retain a tap, a drive mechanism rotatably driven by the tool and a guide member assembly for supporting an object to be tapped. The main shaft assembly includes a main shaft rotatably coupled to the housing by a pair of bearings, a pair of spaced apart discs fixedly mounted on the main shaft, and a pair of axially mounted compression springs that allow for slight, bi-directional, axial displacement of the main shaft relative to the housing. The drive mechanism includes a drive shaft rotatably coupled to the housing at an approximate right angle relative to the main shaft and a drive wheel mounted on the drive shaft that selectively engages the pair of discs to rotate the main shaft in either direction when an axial force is applied to the tap.
US08678719B2
A cutting tip including a cutting edge portion made of a high-hardness material to take a thin-plate shape; and a support portion made of a material which is more worn in contact with a workpiece than the cutting edge portion not to exert a machining action on the workpiece even in contact with the workpiece, and securing and supporting the cutting edge portion on a reverse side of a rake face of the cutting edge portion. Thus, the width of flank wear is prevented from increasing and chipping of the cutting edge is prevented, so that the life of the cutting tip can be extended.
US08678718B2
In a cutting tool having an indexable cutting insert with four cutting portions, the cutting insert is securable within a holder portion in four index positions by means of a fastener. The cutting insert has two opposing end surfaces with a peripheral side surface and a central axis extending therebetween, the peripheral side surface having exactly four abutment zones. The insert holder has a holder portion and a body portion, the holder portion having a sidewall surface with a first, second and third reaction zone. The cutting insert is divided into four imaginary quadrants about its central axis and the four abutment zones are located entirely in two of the four imaginary quadrants, and for each index position, three of the four abutment zones are in clamping contact with the three reaction zones.
US08678715B2
An abrading wheel such as a rasp hub for use in tire retreading machines includes two generally circular end, or side, plates with plural spaced mounting pins extending between and coupled to the two spaced plates. Rasp blades arranged in stacks which are arranged end-to-end about the wheel's circular circumference. Disposed between and engaging each pair of adjacent blades is a spacer, which is also attached to the mounting pins. Each spacer is curved lengthwise to match the curvature of the blades and includes plural spaced upper and lower recesses disposed immediately adjacent to its pair of adjacent blades to allow air to freely pass over the entire length of each blade as the hub is rotated at high speed to dissipate heat from the blades during operation for increased blade reliability and longevity.
US08678709B2
According to the invention, a security net can be erected in or on water or on the ground and is provided with a net or net-like structure (1) manufactured substantially from wire material, rope material, strand material or plastics material (2). The net (1) is bent together and forms longitudinal flanks (3, 4) and at least one arched region (5). The overlapping longitudinal flanks (3, 4) can be connected together and several stabilizers (8) are associated with the net (1). In cross-section, the net (1) is constructed similarly to a teardrop, with the arched region (5) lying on or at least partially in the water. In this way, a largely double-walled security system is obtained, which is able to intercept impacting objects reliably and moreover gently, because the net and the three-dimensional protective net structure is deformable due to the relative flexibility thereof.
US08678707B1
An underwater oil well blowout spill containment system includes a folded curtain positioned in a magazine around a deep water well head and blowout preventer (BOP). The magazine is positioned around the well-head and BOP and leaves room for required construction and maintenance. In the event of a blowout, the curtain is drawn upward from the magazine and cinched to contain leaking oil. A hose is connected to a port on the magazine to draw the oil to a tanker on the surface.
US08678702B1
A gravel grading attachment assembly prepares gravel subgrade to a form prior to concrete placement. The assembly includes a main blade coupled to an attachment member to provide a straight bottom edge. First and second roller assemblies are coupled to and extend from the main blade. Each of a first roller and a second roller rotate in a plane substantially transverse to the straight bottom edge of the main blade. The first roller and the second roller rest upon spaced guide surfaces and the main blade is maintained at a consistent spacing relative to the guide surfaces as the first and second rollers are moved on the guide surfaces.
US08678699B2
A connection system for connecting an item to a U-shaped frame member is provided. The system includes: at least two opposed toggle clamps for releasably engaging the arms of the U-shaped frame member; at least one toe which releasably engages the top bend of the U-shaped frame member; and wherein the toggle clamps and toe are connected to a base member which forms part of, or is attachable, to the item.
US08678696B2
A seal assembly can be incorporated into a track pin joint assembly including a pin defining a longitudinal axis, a first member and a second member both coaxial with the pin about the longitudinal axis. The first member is pivotable about the longitudinal axis with respect to the second member and includes a load ring engagement surface defining, at least in part, an axially-extending seal cavity disposed in proximal relationship to the second member. A seal assembly including a seal ring and a load ring is disposed in the seal cavity and sealingly engages the first member and the second member. At least one of a load ring engagement surface of the first member and an axial segment of a first member engagement surface of the load ring includes a convex rounded portion extending over at least half the axial length thereof.
US08678693B2
A brush for providing a composition to a surface. The brush includes a base and a plurality of bristles. The plurality of bristles have a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is functionally attached to the base and the distal end has a greater bristle density than the proximal end. The plurality of bristles forms at least one flow path from the distal end towards the proximal end.
US08678684B2
A method of developing a substrate including rotating the substrate and supplying a developing liquid from a discharge port of a developer nozzle onto the surface of the substrate, while moving the developer nozzle, disposed above the substrate, from a central portion towards a peripheral portion of the substrate, and supplying a first rinse liquid from a discharge port of a first rinse nozzle onto the surface of the substrate, while moving the first rinse nozzle, disposed above the substrate, from the central portion towards the peripheral portion of the substrate. The supplying of the developing liquid and the first rinse liquid are performed concurrently, with the first rinse nozzle being maintained nearer to a center of the substrate than the developer nozzle.
US08678683B2
An image-pickup apparatus includes a driving member for leading blades configured to drive a leading blade group, a driving member for trailing blades configured to drive a trailing blade group, a cam member configured to rotate the driving member for leading blades and the driving member for trailing blades, a motor configured to drive the cam member, and a controller configured to control the motor. The controller applies a second voltage that is lower than a first voltage applied in releasing the driving member for leading blades to the motor when the driving member for trailing blades is released at normal shooting, and a third voltage that is lower than the first voltage and that is higher than the second voltage to the motor when the driving member for trailing blades is released at live view shooting.
US08678681B2
A shutter control device performs photography by operating a shutter housed in a lens barrel, and comprises a communication port, a shutter control unit and a memory. The communication port transmits and receives signals between the camera body and the lens barrel. The shutter control unit is provided in the camera body to output a shutter control signal. The memory is provided in the lens barrel to store shutter delay information regarding a time delay from when the shutter control signal is input to the lens barrel until when the shutter is closed. The shutter control unit receives the shutter delay information from the lens barrel and transmits the shutter control signal to the lens barrel through the communication port, ahead of an exposure time as determined by photometry, by an amount of time equal to the time delay.
US08678680B1
A headrest camera mounting system, comprising, in combination a base member having a headrest end and a camera mount end and an intermediate portion there between. The base member is coupled to an upright post. There is an upright cross member having a generally rectilinear configuration being coupled to the upright post. Lastly there is a least one camera mount, with the camera mount being coupled to the upright cross member.
US08678676B2
A tilt shift lens adapter having an adapter body with first and second body portions configured to provide precision tilting and shifting functions is disclosed. Opposite sides of the adapter body are configured to respectively engage a camera and a lens. Tilting and shifting are precisely controlled using precision tilting and shifting mechanisms. The tilting mechanism includes a neutral setting for ensuring precise parallelism between the lens and camera flanges when required. The adapter includes a mount to provide good balance and holding strength when heavy lenses are attached. An optional aperture adjustment mechanism manually adjusts lenses having no aperture ring.
US08678670B2
An optical fiber connector includes a ferrule, an inserted optical fiber, an external optical fiber, and a pair of reinforcing members that pinches and reinforces a fusion-spliced portion of the other end portion of the inserted optical fiber and the front end portion of the external optical fiber. The reinforcing members include adhesion layer on the inner surface thereof which comes in contact with the other end portion of the inserted optical fiber and the front end portion of the external optical fiber. The adhesion layer is depressed at the position where the inserted optical fiber and the external optical fiber come in contact with each other so as to closely adhere to the outer circumferential surfaces of the optical fibers in the fusion-spliced portion.
US08678666B2
A hybrid fiber/copper connector assembly which permits repair of damaged fibers or copper conductors carried by a hybrid fiber/copper cable without requiring replacement of the entire connector assembly or the cable is disclosed. The hybrid fiber/copper connector assembly disclosed also allows individual hybrid fiber/copper connectors of the assembly to be converted from one gender to a different gender. The hybrid fiber/copper connectors of the assembly include removable keying members mountable to housings of the connectors. The removable keying members allow gender conversion and proper mating and orientation. The hybrid fiber/copper connector assembly also allows the individual connectors of the assembly to be converted from being hybrid fiber/copper connectors to being only fiber connectors or only copper connectors.
US08678664B2
A roller bearing assembly is configured to rotatably support a machine component connected with a shaft in a position relative to a reference component. The roller bearing assembly includes a radial bearing, an axially-displaceable axial bearing and an adjusting device configured to adjust an axial gap between the machine component and the reference component by automated axial displacement of the axial bearing. The adjusting device includes a hydraulic regulating device configured to axially displace the axial bearing.
US08678663B2
A wheel hub assembly with two rows of rolling elements has a central axis of rotation and inner raceway and outer raceways for each row of elements, the associated inner and outer raceways being axially displaced in accordance with a respective angle of contact and along a respective load line such that the assembly is capable of accommodating combined loading. The raceways of each row of rolling elements have osculation ratios which are defined by the ratio between the radius of curvature of the raceways and the outside diameters of the rolling elements of the associated row of rolling elements. The angle of contact and the osculation ratios of a first one of the two rows of the rolling elements are different than the angle of contact and osculation ratios of a second one of the two rows of the rolling elements.
US08678662B2
A drive wheel bearing device is provided with an outer member, an inner member, double-row rolling elements and a constant velocity joint. The inner member includes double-row inner races opposite outer races of the outer member, a first inner member, and a second inner member formed with at least one of the double-row inner races, the first inner member and the second inner member being inseparably coupled together at a flange-like swaged portion. The constant velocity joint includes an outer joint member press-fitted to an inner periphery of the first inner member with torque transmission means formed therebetween that transmits torque by engagement of a plurality of axially extending teeth, wherein the torque transmitting teeth of the first inner member have a tooth profile that is controlled within a specified range over the entire axial length of the teeth.
US08678656B2
An articulated unit for a motor vehicle with a housing (1) and a link pin (2) supported in the housing (1), and a bearing shell (4) disposed between the housing (1) and a bearing section (3) of the link pin (2), with the bearing shell (4) supported with its outer surface (5) at least in sections in the housing (1) and having on its inner surface (6) facing the bearing section (3) of the link pin (2) recesses (7) for a lubricant. The bearing shell (4) has at least one opening (8) which extends through the bearing shell (4) from the inner surface (6) to the outer surface (5) and forms a flow channel. A method for lubricating an articulated unit is presented, wherein the bearing shell (4) having elastic compliance produces during the relative movement of the link pin (2) in the housing (1) a pumping action, which enables distribution of the lubricant via the lubricant channel system.
US08678653B2
A low-cost shaft member for hydrodynamic bearing apparatuses restores the pressure balance in a thrust bearing gap formed on both axial sides of the flange portion in an early stage. A shaft material integrally having a shaft portion and a flange portion with a through-hole between both end faces of the flange portion is formed in a common forging step. As a result, the through-hole is formed to open to an inner diameter side of the bearing gaps avoiding the thrust bearing gaps formed on both end faces of the flange portion of the shaft member as a finished product.
US08678649B2
A kit for converting an existing mobile or portable film X-ray examination apparatus typically configured solely for analog radiography to enable said examination apparatus for digital radiographic applications. The kit includes a tablet PC that is attached to the wheeled chassis of the mobile or portable apparatus, and an input/output device used to divert the exposure control signal from the user actuable exposure control switch of the apparatus to the tablet PC. The tablet PC includes image processing software that controls the operation of a digital flat panel detector. The tablet PC can further be used to separately control other mobile or portable apparatus or a facility or examination room that was previously configured only for analog radiography.
US08678637B2
An extruder screw includes a screw shaft with several screw elements which can be or have been detachably slipped onto this shaft, the screw shaft having an external gearing and the screw elements having an internal gearing which engage the external gearing. The profile of the teeth of the external and the internal gearing are asymmetric, whereby in relation to a preferred direction of rotation of the extruder screw, the torque-transferring flanks of the teeth of the external and the internal gearing make a smaller angle with the perpendicular to the axis of rotation than do respective opposing flanks, at the teeth, of the external and internal gearing.
US08678635B2
A surface light source device has a light emitting surface and includes a light guide plate having a light exit surface and a pair of light entrance surfaces. When the angular distribution of luminance in a plane parallel to a first direction is measured on the light emitting surface at varying positions along the first direction, the peak angle θc in the angular distribution of luminance at a center position Pc in the first direction lies between the peak angle θa in the angular distribution of luminance at an end position on one side in the first direction and the peak angle θb in the angular distribution of luminance at an end position on the other side in the first direction.
US08678628B2
A vehicle light using a projection lens of a novel appearance can provide a feeling of solidness as compared to a simple spherical shape. The vehicle light can include a projection lens having an optical axis and a plurality of separate lens portions divided in a radial pattern with respect to the optical axis of the projection lens. The separate lens portions can have respective light exiting surfaces of different curvatures, and respective light incident surfaces, the shapes of which are determined such that the separate lens portions have the same thickness and the same focal point.
US08678626B1
A lighted bed rail may be used with a vehicle. The lighted bed rail may comprise a central tube member, a first end member, a second end member, and at least one lighting apparatus. The central tube member may comprise a first end, a second end, and a tube wall, the tube wall comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. At least one lighting apparatus may be disposed on or within the first end member, second end member, or central tube member. The lighting apparatus may be capable of projecting light onto at least a portion of the inner surface of the tube wall of the central tube member. The tube wall of the central tube member may be sufficiently transparent or translucent to allow for the transmission of light projected from the lighting apparatus through at least a portion of the tube wall of the central tube member.
US08678623B2
A transport device used to connect to a jack-o-lantern which serves to both provide for an illumination source and an easy manner in which to transport the jack-o-lantern when it is illuminated. There are also provided related systems and methods of use of the device. The result provides for a jack-o-lantern to be easily transported as a lantern or costume prop.
US08678616B2
A lighting luminaire for use in a refrigerated display case includes an LED mounting portion comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) mounted thereon, a reflector, and a lens. The LED mounting portion and reflector are sized and arranged to form a reflective cavity for diffusing and directing light from the plurality of LEDs through the lens and out of the luminaire. The LED mounting portion and reflector are either attached to each other as separate components or are integrally formed. The lens is held in place in the luminaire between the LED mounting portion and the reflector or is mounted directly on the LED mounting portion over the plurality of LEDs. The LED mounting portion and/or reflector have a reflective surface for reflecting light emitted by the LEDs. Methods for retrofitting an existing luminaire in a refrigerated display with an LED luminaire are also provided.
US08678605B2
A two-component light fixture that includes a passive component and an active component is disclosed. In some embodiments, the active component is recessed within a ceiling or wall and the passive component is positioned below the active component. The active component emits light towards the passive component, which includes an optical element that can redirect the light by scattering, reflection, refraction, diffusion, total internal reflection and/or dispersion.
US08678599B2
A laser projection system includes a light source, an optical scanning component, a focusing component, a speckle reduction diffusing surface, and an optical collimating component. The light source may include at least one laser configured to emit an output beam. The focusing component focuses the output beam at a first focused point. The speckle reduction diffusing surface is selectively introduced into an optical path at the first focused point. The optical collimating component collimates the output beam onto the optical scanning component. At least a portion of a scanned laser image is generated on a projection surface by operating the laser for optical emission of encoded image data and controlling the optical scanning component to scan the output beam. The optical collimating component images the first focused point at a second focused point at the projection surface when the speckle reduction diffusing surface is in the optical path.
US08678591B2
Example embodiments of a large dynamic range sequential wavefront sensor for vision correction or assessment procedures are disclosed. An example embodiment optically relays a wavefront from an eye pupil or corneal plane to a wavefront sampling plane in such a manner that somewhere in the relaying process, the wavefront beam from the eye within a large eye diopter range is made to reside within a desired physical dimension over a certain axial distance range in a wavefront image space and/or a Fourier transform space. As a result, a wavefront beam shifting device can be disposed there to fully intercept and hence shift the whole beam to transversely shift the relayed wavefront.
US08678590B2
An ophthalmic imaging apparatus for imaging a subject's eye includes a detection unit configured to detect facts that the subject's eye moves by an amount of movement thereof, which is equal to or more than a predetermined value, and that the movement thereof is finished, and an imaging start unit configured to start imaging of the subject's eye according to a result of detection by the detection unit.
US08678588B2
Optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus creating tomographic image of inspection object includes light splitting means for splitting light from light source into a single reference light and a single sample light, optical path length changing means for changing optical path length of the single reference light, reference light splitting means for splitting the single reference light whose optical path length is changed into a plurality of reference lights, sample light splitting means for splitting the single sample light into a plurality of sample lights, irradiation means for irradiating the inspection object by leading the plurality of sample lights thereto, interference signal forming means for combining returning lights of the plurality of the sample lights from the inspection object irradiated by the irradiation means with the plurality of reference lights passed through the reference-light path, and interference signal obtaining means for obtaining an interference signal from the interference signal forming means.
US08678584B2
Ophthalmic lenses for correcting refractive error of an eye are disclosed. Ophthalmic lenses include a deformable inner portion and a deformable peripheral portion. When disposed over the optical region of an eye, the inner portion is configured so that engagement of the posterior surface against the eye deforms the posterior surface so that the posterior surface has a shape diverging form the refractive shape of the epithelium when viewing with the eye through the ophthalmic lens. The rigidity of the inner portion is greater than the rigidity of the peripheral portion and the ophthalmic lenses are configured to allow movement relative to the eye upon blinking of the eye and to be substantially centered on the optical region of the cornea following the blinking of the eye. Methods of correcting refractive errors of an eye such as astigmatism or spherical aberration using the ophthalmic lenses are also disclosed.
US08678579B2
An image recording device includes a suction part and a control part. The suction part is configured to suction a medium on a medium support part via suction holes and has a negative pressure chamber communicating with the suction holes and at least two air-blowing parts whereby air inside the negative pressure chamber is discharged and negative pressure is generated in the negative pressure chamber, the air-blowing parts being attached at different positions on an outer surface of the negative pressure chamber. The control part is configured to switch between a first mode in which a suction force of the suction part on the medium is set to a first suction force and a second mode in which the suction force is set to a second suction force lower than the first suction force. The control part is configured to stop one of the air-blowing parts in the second mode.
US08678574B2
A printing apparatus is provided with an ink tank mounting portion for mounting an ink tank, the ink tank mounting portion being capable of mounting a first ink tank and a second ink tank shorter in length than the first ink tank. The ink tank mounting portion includes an operation lever provided with a first pressing portion for pressing the first ink tank in the mounting direction at the time of mounting the first ink tank and a second pressing portion for pressing the second ink tank in the mounting direction at the time of mounting the second ink tank. By operating the operation lever, the pressing portion for pressing the ink tank to be mounted is switched between the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion depending on whether the ink tank to be mounted is the first ink tank or the second ink tank.
US08678567B2
A liquid container for supplying a liquid to a liquid ejection apparatus comprises: a liquid chamber provided to store the liquid; an air chamber connected with the liquid chamber to introduce the outside air into the liquid chamber with consumption of the liquid in the liquid chamber; an open-air hole provided to introduce the outside air into the air chamber; and a liquid inlet provided to fill the liquid into the liquid chamber, wherein the liquid inlet is located at a lower position than the open-air hole, in a filling attitude of the liquid container in which the liquid is filled into the liquid chamber.
US08678563B2
An electrode is provided with a lanthanum nickelate film which is formed through a chemical solution deposition method using a lanthanum nickelate film forming composition which is obtained by heating a mixed solution obtained by mixing at least lanthanum acetate, nickel acetate, acetic acid, and water, a piezoelectric layer is provided on the lanthanum nickelate film and is formed of a complex oxide having a perovskite structure which contains at least Pb, Ti, and Zr, and a half-width (θ) of a peak derived from a (100) plane and/or a peak derived from a (001) plane measured using an X-ray rocking curve method is 6.0 degrees or less.
US08678560B2
A liquid-ejecting head includes a pressure-generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening, and a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric layer contains a perovskite complex oxide containing Bi, La, Fe, and Mn and is ferroelectric.
US08678552B2
A nozzle plate including protruding nozzles and a method of manufacturing the nozzle plate. The nozzle plate may include a body unit and at least one nozzle protruding from the body unit. The at least one nozzle may include an exit part having a constant cross-sectional area and a damper part having a cross-sectional area that decreases in a direction toward the exit part, wherein the damper part of the at least one nozzle includes a plurality of inner wall surfaces having different angles of inclination.
US08678545B2
An inkjet head includes an actuator substrate provided with a pressure generating chamber, a nozzle plate provided with multiple nozzle holes discharging liquid to form a nozzle surface opposite to a recording media, a common passage substrate provided with a common passage to supply liquid to the pressure generating chamber, and a cover member to cover a perimeter of the nozzle surface, with an opening to expose the nozzle holes. In a prescribed direction, a dimension of the opening of the cover Lc, an external dimension of the actuator substrate La, an external dimension of the nozzle plate Ln, and an external dimension of the common passage substrate Lm, satisfy inequalities, La≦Lc
US08678529B2
The drawer rail assembly is belonging to the field of furniture. This invention includes fixed rail, intermediate rail, outer pull-out rail, the first retainer and the second retainer. The outer pull-out rail has the first bending part and the second bending part. There are third bending part and forth bending part in the intermediate rail's vertical plane. There is a first ball bearing between the first bending part and the third bending part. There is a second ball bearing between the second bending part and the forth bending part. This invention ensures comprehensive supports among rails, reducing potential gaps to the minimum, improving the feeling to pull and push drawer. It adapts to be set in any furniture.
US08678528B2
A drawer slide assembly control mechanism including a cabinet rail and a drawer rail is provided, the control mechanism including a drawer latch bracket associated with one of the drawer and the drawer rail and having an engagement tab extending outwardly therefrom, and a shock-absorbing sub-assembly. The shock-absorbing sub-assembly includes an elongate bracket member associated with the cabinet rail and capable of limited linear movement along a portion of the cabinet rail, a movable latch associated with the elongate bracket member and cooperating with the engagement tab of the drawer latch so as to move in concert with movement of the drawer rail over at least a portion of a length of the drawer rail, and a shock absorber associated with the elongate bracket member and cooperating with the movable latch for damping movement of the movable latch at least during a closing stroke of the drawer rail.
US08678525B2
An item of furniture includes a furniture body, a furniture part which is displaceably received in or on the furniture body, and an ejection device having at least one ejection element for displacing the movable furniture part from a closed position into a first open position. At least one lockable drive device is provided for driving the at least one ejection element. A means is provided for displacing the at least one ejection element beyond the first open position.
US08678506B2
The side part of a vehicle seat, meaning either a seat side part or a side part of a seat back, comprises a layered structure. It has at least two layers. A first layer is a sheet steel part determining the shape of the side part. A second layer is a reinforcement body that has a material thickness in the y direction that is greater than the material thickness of the sheet steel part.
US08678501B2
A backrest folding mechanism for a vehicle seat is provided, that includes a backrest, which has an actuating element that is arranged remotely from the backrest and acts remotely on the backrest folding mechanism in order to unlock a locking and unlocking element of the backrest with respect to a retaining element on the bodywork that is connectable to the locking and unlocking element, after which the backrest can be moved from an initial position that is substantially vertical or slightly inclined into a folded position.
US08678498B2
A child restraint system includes an infant carrier and a base adapted to be mounted on a passenger seat in a vehicle in a vehicle mode. The infant carrier is also configured to be mounted on a stroller frame in a stroller mold. The infant carrier includes a seat shell and a carrying handle coupled to the seat shell.
US08678493B2
An emergency equipment system comprising an elongate member, an emergency equipment package, and a cutter. The elongate member may have a first end and an angled end. The emergency equipment package may have a sleeve on one side capable of receiving the elongate member from the angled end. The cutter may be attached to a side of the elongate member and may be capable of cutting the sleeve.
US08678489B1
A hunting chair with several user-selectable configurations for hunting on hillsides includes a seat and back rest. A pair of support arms falls generally on the same plane as the seat and have a user-selectable length in a forward and a rearward direction. A cross brace may connect the support arms. Elongated extension members may define the user-selectable length. The elongated extension members or a pair of spikes may selectably define a pair of downwardly-extending legs.
US08678488B1
A roll blind system for a panorama sun roof of a vehicle opens front and rear roll blinds independently by dividing the panorama sun roof into two parts. The roll blind system includes: front and rear roll blinds disposed between right and left guide rails, disposed in front of and behind of the panorama sun roof and includes front and rear blind bars disposed on opposite ends of the and rear roll blinds; one cable engaged with a motor gear; a front shoe attached to a left end of the front blind bar and movable via the cable and a second cable end; a rear shoe attached to a right end of the rear blind bar and being movable via the cable and third and fourth cable ends; and a return spring connected to a front blind shaft extendable when the front blind bar is moved in the forward direction.
US08678484B2
Disclosed is an upper vehicle body structure (20) having a groove (31) between an outside panel (28) and a roof panel (24). The upper end of a center pillar stiffener (34) overlaps with a roof side stiffener (41). The roof side stiffener (41) is joined to a roof arch (23) at the groove (31). The upper end of a center pillar reinforcing member (33) inside the center pillar stiffener (34) is joined to an end (25b) of a corner gusset (25) at a position below the grooves (31), the other end (25a) of the corner gusset being connected to the roof arch (23). With this, concentration of impact load to the corner gusset (25) can be avoided.
US08678481B2
A structure for a side portion of a vehicle body, wherein the respective lower parts of a front pillar are joined to a side sill. A pillar's lower part (64) of a center pillar(21) and a pillar's lower part (65) of a front pillar (16) are provided with overlapping joining sections (31) having circular arc sections (68) which are formed so as to be separated outward from a corner (67) of a side sill (14). The overlapping joining sections (31) are overlapped on a vertical wall section (27) of the side sill (14). The overlapping joining sections (31) are provided with bead sections (72) separated from the vertical wall section (27). The overlapping joining sections (31) are also provided with contact sections (101) in contact with the vertical wall section (27).
US08678478B2
A machine includes a frame and an operator cab supported by the frame. One or more passive mounts and one or more controllable mounts operatively connect the operator cab to the frame. The one or more controllable mounts include a housing, a pin mounted within the housing, a rheological fluid within the housing, and coils positioned relative to the housing to generate a field through the rheological fluid. An electronic control unit operatively associated with the coils and adapted to change a level of current applied to the coils to adjust an apparent viscosity of the rheological fluid to actively change the damping characteristics of the one or more controllable mounts.
US08678460B2
A vehicle accessory assembly includes a housing and a vehicle accessory subassembly, including a vehicle accessory and a bezel, installed in the housing. The housing includes a side panel having at least one tab extending from a top of the side panel. The vehicle accessory includes a side wall and a guide rib extending from the side wall in a direction away from a center of the accessory. The guide rib includes a guide portion. A guide angle between the guide portion and the side wall is less than about 90°. The bezel includes a snap portion. As the vehicle accessory subassembly is installed on the housing, the tab of the side panel engages the guide portion of the guide rib such that the guide portion of the guide rib guides the tab over an outboard side of the snap portion into engagement with the receiving slot of the bezel.
US08678458B2
A vehicle interior component includes a decorative covering with one or more lines of decorative stitching sewn therethrough. Together with one or more ridge features, the decorative stitching can be part of a simulated seam formed in the decorative covering. A densified portion and/or a reduced thickness portion can be formed in the decorative covering along the intended stitch path and prior to addition of the decorative stitching to help reduce the effect of the stitching on the overall appearance of the simulated seam, such as the shape of the ridge feature(s). The decorative covering can be compressed along the intended stitch path in a thermoforming process, such as an in-mold graining process.
US08678457B1
A telescoping grab handle mounted on the side wall of the cargo box, adjacent the tailgate, in a pickup truck. The device has only one moving part which allows the telescoping grab handle to be easily raised vertically and locked into the extended position or easily lowered to the retracted or stowed position while standing on the ground outside the cargo box. The telescoping grab handle mounted on the side wall of the cargo box also overcomes many disadvantages of tailgate mounted grab handles which interfere with cargo handling and are rendered inoperable if the tailgate is damaged. The telescoping grab handle mounted on the side wall of the cargo box may be added as an aftermarket accessory, but the internal components of the device could also be incorporated directly into the side wall of the cargo box by the auto manufacturer during initial manufacture of the vehicle.
US08678456B2
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for lifting a single joint of pipe. The single joint elevator of the present invention comprises, in one embodiment, a pair of deployable jaws cooperating with a pair of static jaws to secure a pipe within the slot of a generally horseshoe-shaped body. The deployable jaws of the single joint elevator of the present invention may be rotatably deployable or translatably deployable, or both. In one embodiment, each jaw, including the static jaws and the deployable jaws, comprises a pipe slip movably disposed within the jaw to secure a pipe segment within the slot and to self-tighten as the weight of the pipe segment secured within the single joint elevator is transferred to the slips and the jaws.
US08678442B2
A tamper-proof security element includes at least one polymer spacer layer and two metal cluster layers. One or more of the layers, in addition to their function, fulfills a security feature in their color-shift set-up.
US08678436B2
A support bracket assembly for a steering column assembly comprises a first bracket part, a second bracket part which is fixed to the vehicle by at least one fastener, and at least one capsule which comprises a main body fixed to the first bracket part by a frangible connector. The main body of the capsule is fixed to the second bracket part by the at least one fastener. The main body includes at least one opening which is aligned with a corresponding opening in the first bracket part and the two aligned openings are filled with a frangible material that forms part of the frangible connector which secures the capsule to the first bracket part. A further opening is provided in the second bracket part which is coaxial with an opening in the capsule and filled with additional frangible material which forms a frangible connection between the capsule and the second bracket part.
US08678433B2
A motor vehicle (1) has a fixed rollover bar (8) that spans a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle (1) also has removable roof (16) that can be moved between a closed position where the roof (16) is arranged between a windshield frame (2) and the rollover bar (8) and a storage position where the roof (16) is behind the rollover bar (8). A linkage (15) is mounted to a vehicle body (19) behind the rollover bar (8) and can be articulated for moving the roof (16). Links (20, 21) of the linkage (15) lie in depressions (11, 23) on the rollover bar (8) when the roof (16) is in the closed position. Buffer elements (22) are between the links (20, 21) and the rollover bar (8).
US08678426B1
An inlet, positioned to access the flow of air passing around and under a moving vehicle, draws in air which is conveyed through a duct and discharged to cool a brake on a vehicle. The inlet has a closure so that access of cooling air may be denied when the brake temperature is less than a predetermined temperature and opened only when the brake temperature exceeds that predetermined temperature. The closure is operated by a temperature-operated actuator. In embodiments the actuator may be suitably positioned to sense a temperature representative of the brake temperature and to incorporate a thermally activated phase change, active or smart material preselected to operate the inlet closure when the sensed brake temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature.
US08678420B2
A system is specified for the automatic adjustment of a gap between a tractor vehicle and an attached trailer, with a length-adjustable hitch with a tension tube, at the end of which is arranged a tension lug, while the tension lug can travel in the vehicle's lengthwise axis relative to the tension tube by an actuator along a predetermined travel path, as well as a control unit. The basic problem of the invention was to provide a system with which the gap between tractor vehicle and trailer can be changed automatically in driving operation and depending on the speed, both for articulated and unarticulated trailers. The problem is solved according to the invention with a system in which the control unit is an electronic controller, which is hooked up to a speed pickup for the processing of a speed signal and connected to the actuator.
US08678418B1
This patent application discloses a wheelchair accessory kit. The kit may include a wheelchair seat cover that attaches onto an existing wheelchair, and which includes a rearwardly facing pocket and inwardly facing and adjacent side pockets for storing items of an occupant end user. The rearwardly facing pocket of the wheelchair seat cover is an extension of the wheelchair seat cover, which folds over the top of the seat back of the wheelchair. The wheelchair accessory kit further includes grip-forming members that may be installed onto the handles, wheelchair locks, and/or circular rings adjacent of the wheels. The grip-forming member is constructed of a clay polymer material that is press formed onto the surface of the handles and/or circular rings, and which hardens to form an enhanced gripping surface for use of the occupant end user or another person in propelling or locking the wheelchair.
US08678395B2
An amusement device is disclosed having a housing for enclosing a playing field, and at least one target disposed on the playing field, the target oriented for interaction with a vertically dropped projectile. The device further includes a pick-up device within the housing, the pick-up device suspended from a rail arrangement that provides for four-way horizontal movement over the playing field. The device has player controls including a first control for maneuvering the pick-up device in a horizontal plane above the playing field, and a second control for releasing the projectile, wherein an objective of the amusement device is to position the pick-up device over a target and release the projectile to hit the target to win the prize.
US08678394B2
The present invention provides a gift storage device of a gift game machine and a selection output means thereof. The gift game machine has the selection output means movable in X, Y, Z axes to correspond to a plurality of gift storage devices. Each gift storage device includes a gift support for allowing gifts to hang thereon and a rotary feeding set controlled by the selection output means. A spiral element of the rotary feeding set rotates to push the gifts on the gift support, so that the gifts can move on the gift support until they leave the gift support. Each gift storage device is positioned to a back plate of the gift game machine via an insertion frame. Tabs and insertion troughs are provided between the gift storage device and the insertion frame, so that the gift storage device can be disassembled or assembled easily.
US08678393B2
An archery target includes a clamping assembly having at least two conditions wherein a first condition applies compressing force to a target material and a second condition releases at least a portion of the compressing force from the target material such that arrow removal is easier. The clamping assembly allows the user of the target to readily change the clamping assembly between the two conditions. The clamping assembly may be manual, powered, or a combination of the two. The clamping assembly may include a mechanical lever, a winder, a crank, a hydraulic device, or a pneumatic device. The clamping compressing force may be applied from the top, bottom, or sides of the target material. In some configurations, a strap is disposed around the target material and is tightened and loosened to apply and release the compressing force from the target material.
US08678389B1
A card output device of a shuffling machine, the device comprising a base comprising a first and a second side walls, a roller assembly rotatably mounted between the first and second side walls of the base, the roller assembly comprising a first set of rollers, and a second set of rollers arranged over the first set of rollers, the second set of rollers being moved upwards and downwards between the first and second side walls of the base, and a receiver detachably mounted to the base.
US08678385B2
A sheet positional information updating unit of a sheet conveying device updates positional information on a leading end of a sheet by adding a sheet feed amount of a second-stage vertically conveying roller. The sheet positional information updating unit stops the update of the positional information when a first-stage vertically conveyance sensor does not detect the leading end of the sheet in the case that the positional information on the leading end of the sheet arrives at a position on an upstream side of a leading-end detection position of the first-stage vertically conveyance sensor. The sheet positional information updating unit resumes the update of the positional information on the leading end of the sheet in the case that first-stage vertically conveyance sensor detects the leading end of the sheet.
US08678381B2
A medium transport device includes a stack portion having a stack surface, a medium being stacked on the stack surface, a guide portion provided at the stack surface, the guide portion extending in a width direction intersecting with a transport direction, the medium being transported in the transport direction, an alignment member supported movably along the guide portion, the alignment member contacting the medium and aligning a position of the medium stacked on the stack surface, and an urging member arranged between the alignment member and the stack portion, the urging member urging the alignment member to the stack surface.
US08678379B2
A method for feeding sheets to a printing technology machine improves reliability of feeding sheets and reduces an acceleration time from a base speed to a production speed. The sheets are conveyed onto a feed table in shingled formation by a first drive and are individually and successively conveyed from the feed table to a first processing station of the machine by a second drive. The sheets are conveyed onto the feed table before an acceleration of the second drive to production speed is completed and the first drive is accelerated to the production speed when the processing station has reached the production speed.
US08678372B2
A medium feeding device 1 includes a separating power generating device 7 which causes a brake roller 4 to generate a rotational load in a direction counter to a conveying direction. The device 7 includes a torque limiter 17 which generates a load of a predetermined upper limit torque T1, a torque limiter 18 which is arranged in series with the torque limiter 17 on a power transmission path to the brake roller 4 and generates a load of an upper limit torque T2 smaller than the torque T1, and an electromagnetic clutch 22 which switches between connection and disconnection between the power transmission path and a bypass route which bypasses the torque limiter 18. The device 7 can change the rotational load of the brake roller 4 to the torque T1 or the torque T2 by the switching of the electromagnetic clutch 22.
US08678368B2
In an embodiment, a post-processing apparatus includes: a stacking tray; an upward and downward driving unit; a binding unit; and an upward and downward driving control unit. The upward and downward driving unit drives the stacking tray in vertical direction. The binding unit performs binding on recording media on the stacking tray. The upward and downward driving control unit controls such that: descent of the stacking tray is performed before a leading edge of a first sheet among the recording media on which the binding is to be performed reaches a position on the stacking tray; and after the leading edge of the first sheet is positioned on the stacking tray, ascent of the stacking tray is performed before a leading edge of a second sheet among the recording media reaches a position on the stacking tray.
US08678367B2
The present invention prevents a succeeding sheet from being caught in holes of preceding punched sheets.
US08678361B2
A rebound stopper of a strut assembly for a suspension in a vehicle, may include a steel plate combined with a strut and being fitted over an upper end of the strut which has passed into a car body, a rubber plate fitted around an outer circumferential edge of the steel plate, and a mass damper combined with the rubber plate and functioning as a damper by resiliently moving relative to the rubber plate during a rebounding motion of the strut assembly.
US08678355B2
A device for humidifying breathing air for artificial respiration of mammals, in particular human beings, includes at least one essentially closed container for receiving water, a first opening for letting in the non-humidified air and a second opening for letting out humidified air, and an inlet for supplying the water to the container. The inlet is located in the upper part of the container, which is adjoined by a tube essentially crossing through the container interior, and on the free end of the tube, a valve is disposed, which limits the level of the water supplied via the tube in such a way that the container bottom in the container interior is essentially covered with water.
US08678350B2
Further disclosed herein is a method for controlling fluid flow. The method includes, selectively deforming at least one selectively deformable member disposed between two tubular members that are radially aligned with one another, at least one of the at least one deformable member being positioned between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The method further includes regulating flow of fluid by deforming the at least one deformable member positioned between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet sufficiently to achieve a desired flow rate.
US08678347B2
A manifold actuator assembly is provided with a manifold comprising a block, and a hydraulic actuator connected to a solenoid valve within the block. The solenoid valve controls hydraulic, linear movement of a rod of the hydraulic actuator. The manifold actuator assembly may be used in a metering system to open and close movable gates disposed downstream from a meter roller before product enters a distribution system. The manifold actuator assembly may also be used as a locking apparatus to lock and unlock members in a wide variety of applications.
US08678344B2
A mounting of a valve plate (1) on a valve rod (2) using a cross member (3) extending transversely with respect to the valve rod (2) is provided. The cross member (3) is connected at a central connecting point (4) to the valve rod (2) and is connected at least two lateral connecting points (5, 6), which are situated on both sides of the central connecting point (4), to the valve plate (1). The cross member (3) has a spacing (a) from the valve plate (1) in a central section (17) which comprises the central connecting point (4) and sections of the cross member (3) adjacent to the central connecting point (4) at both sides. By a twisting of the cross member (3), the valve plate (1) can be pivoted relative to the valve rod (2) about a pivot axis (19) which is at right angles to the valve rod.
US08678335B2
The present invention is directed to a caster stop. Advantageously, the caster stop has a generally circular shape, and includes a concave portion for receiving a caster wheel, and a ramp that spans between a circumferential rim and a generally circular foot. The ramp facilitates wheel movement in-and-out of the concave portion of the caster stop. Also provided is an inventive method that does not require lifting caster-mounted equipment either to position caster wheels in caster stops or to displace caster-mounted equipment from caster stops. Instead, exerting a pushing force on caster-mounted equipment is sufficient for in-and-out movement. This invention is especially useful for caster-mounted cooking equipment in commercial kitchens.
US08678333B2
The instant disclosure relates to a monitor mounting apparatus for using on a working surface. The mounting apparatus includes a base, an adjusting unit, and a tilt bracket. The base is disposed on the working surface and has a first anchoring portion. The adjusting unit includes at least one position-adjusting member and at least one angle-adjusting member pivotally interconnected. The position-adjusting member may be movably arranged on the first anchoring portion of the base. The tilt bracket includes a support plate and a turntable. An outer end portion is defined on the support plate, and the angle-adjusting member is fixed to the support plate away from the outer end portion. The turntable may rotate axially relative to the support plate. The tilt bracket may be tilted between a first operating position and a second operating position as required by a user.
US08678331B1
A deck drainage system bracket is disclosed. According to embodiments, the deck drainage system bracket can include a main hanger portion and a hanger swing portion. The main hanger portion and the hanger swing portion can be assembled together to form the deck drainage system bracket. The main hanger portion can have one or more mounting surfaces having a number of mounting holes for mounting the main hanger portion to a deck joist or other support structure. The main hanger portion and the hanger swing portion can cooperate to form an opening for grasping a standing seam or other portion of one or more deck drainage panels.
US08678326B2
A golf bag support for releasably retaining a golf bag having a longitudinal axis includes a base, a foot, and a pair of arms. The base has a bottom for contacting a surface. The foot is connected to the base and movable between a first position and a second position, the second position arranging the foot to stabilize the base on the surface. The pair of arms extends from the base. The arms are spaced from each other to define a seat sized to receive the golf bag. The arms are movable relative to each other.
US08678323B2
Embodiments of a launch lock assembly are provided, as are embodiments of a spacecraft isolation system including one or more launch lock assemblies. In one embodiment, the launch lock assembly includes first and second mount pieces, a releasable clamp device, and an axial gap amplification device. The releasable clamp device normally maintains the first and second mount pieces in clamped engagement; and, when actuated, releases the first and second mount pieces from clamped engagement to allow relative axial motion therebetween. The axial gap amplification device normally residing in a blocking position wherein the gap amplification device obstructs relative axial motion between the first and second mount pieces. The axial gap amplification device moves into a non-blocking position when the first and second mount pieces are released from clamped engagement to increase the range of axial motion between the first and second mount pieces.
US08678318B2
An insulation arrangement with a holding device that comprises a collar forms an overlapping region between a second insulating package and the collar such that incidental condensation water on a first insulation package drains to the second insulating package along the collar under the influence of the gravitational force and from there into a bilge of the aircraft equipped with the insulation arrangement on a waterproof cover film of the second insulating package. This prevents condensation water from dripping into a passenger cabin.
US08678313B2
A method of protecting individuals entering or exiting an aircraft is provided. The method includes prior to the individuals entering or exiting the aircraft, removably attaching an entryway head guard to a frame of an entryway of the aircraft to protect the individuals entering or exiting the aircraft, the entryway head guard comprising a main body made of a protective material, wherein the main body has a contour that complements the frame of the aircraft passenger entryway such that the entryway head guard is configured to fit against the frame. The method further provides that after the individuals enter or exit the aircraft, removing the entryway head guard from the door of the aircraft.
US08678305B2
A shredder includes a housing having a throat for receiving articles be shredded and a shredder mechanism. The shredder mechanism includes a motor and cutter elements, and enables the articles to be shredded to be fed into the cutter elements. The motor drives the cutter elements to shred the articles. A cam mechanism is provided in the throat and is movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position responsive to insertion into the throat of articles above a predetermined maximum thickness threshold. In the engaged position, the cam mechanism engages the articles to prevent further insertion thereof into the throat, and in the disengaged position the cam mechanism is disengaged from the articles to permit further insertion thereof into the throat. The cam mechanism may be movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the cam mechanism is configured to block the throat.
US08678299B2
A hollow actuator-driven droplet dispensing apparatus may include an elastic tube having an elastic body, defining a storage space therein, and extending a predetermined length, and a hollow actuator fitted around the elastic tube so as to generate a force and a displacement in the longitudinal direction when an electric field is applied. The hollow actuator is expanded or contracted in the longitudinal direction of the elastic tube when the external voltage is applied, thereby reducing or enlarging the volume of an inner space of the elastic tube. The droplet dispensing apparatus can press the elastic tube to expand or contract the volume of the inner space of the tube using the hollow actuator capable of quickly generating a displacement in response to an application voltage so that a fixed amount of content can be discharged out and taken into the tube.
US08678288B2
The invention provides systems and methods for protecting information related to credit card accounts and other kinds of information displayed on personal and identification cards. In some embodiments, the invention further provides a credit card with a card portion displaying a first part of an account number and an electronically readable region. The credit card may also include a sleeve portion that holds the card portion and that may display a second part of an account number. The sleeve portion may have a window through which the first part of the account number is visible, so that the first and second parts of the account number provide a complete valid account number.
US08678286B2
A system for decoding an encoded symbol character associated with a product is provided. The system includes a bioptic scanning apparatus comprising a first scan source disposed within a housing, and a second scan source disposed within the housing. The second scan source comprises an operating technology distinct from an operating technology of the first scan source. The first scan source is adapted to output a first scan data set, and the second scan source is adapted to output a second scan data set.
US08678280B2
According to one embodiment, a code reading apparatus includes an image pickup section, a detecting section, a size recognizing section, and a reading section. The image pickup section picks up an image. The detecting section detects, from the picked-up image, a two-dimensional code obtained by converting information concerning a transaction of a commodity. The size recognizing section recognizes the size of the detected two-dimensional code. The reading section reads the information from the detected two-dimensional code if the recognized size of the two-dimensional code is different from the size of a two-dimensional code recognized immediately before the recognition of the size of the two-dimensional code in the same transaction processing.
US08678275B1
An automated banking machine system operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system is operative to read a financial card bearing account indicia with a card reader. A user is able to perform at least one banking operation responsive to account indicia read by the card reader from the card. The banking operations include dispensing cash and accessing financial accounts. The machine is operative to produce an audio output including verbal information through a headphone port to a headphone.
US08678272B1
A dimensional translator may automatically translate a dimension from an entity to a different dimension of another entity. The dimensional translator may do so by comparing attributes of the input dimension (the dimension to be translated) to attributes of a target data structure. An attribute may include, for example, hierarchy of a data structure, relationships of a data structure, a keyword associated with a data structure, and a data value associated with the data structure. The dimensional translator may automatically determine how a target entity would categorize the item. In particular, a Universal Product Code dimension of an item provided by an entity may be translated into a data structure of a target entity such as a retailer in order to determine how an item identified by the UPC will be categorized by the retailer.
US08678268B1
Devices and methods for friction stir welding using an anvil with a sacrificial material are disclosed. The method involves the steps of providing an anvil with a sacrificial material on the backside of the workpieces and operating a friction stir welding device to form a weld that joins the workpieces together with the sacrificial material. The anvil comprises a non-sacrificial base portion removably coupled with a sacrificial material.
US08678250B2
An apparatus for hanging garments is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hanger device, and a substantially rigid support mechanism coupled to the hanger device. The support mechanism includes a slit extending through at least part of the support mechanism, and one or a plurality of button holes on at least one side of the slit, such that when a garment with one or a plurality of buttons is on the hanger device, a side of the garment with the one or a plurality of buttons extends through the slit so that at least one of the one or a plurality of buttons is inserted through at least one of the one or a plurality of button holes.
US08678248B2
A metering valve having a contiguous double wall structure including an inner wall defining the metering chamber and an outer wall which defines a crimping and support wall against which the inner rim of the mounting cup of the container can be crimped. The outer wall may be maintained at the same diameter and thickness for use with generally any mounting cup which are approximately an inch in diameter as well as any mounting process and machinery. The inner wall may however be sized differently in order to accommodate different dosages for metering of product. A radial space between the inner and outer wall permits the both the axial elongation of the metering chamber as well as a radial expansion of the inner wall and hence the valve chamber relative to the outer wall due to the space between the inner and outer wall.
US08678244B2
A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, and nozzle. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a bypass passage, which can facilitate priming of the pump. In certain embodiments, the dispenser is configured to inhibit or avoid the formation of an air bubble that could obstruct the liquid soap from entering the pump. In some embodiments, the pump includes engaging gears, which can include a plurality of teeth with substantially pointed tips. In certain embodiments, the nozzle comprises a one-way valve, such as a duckbill valve. Some embodiments of the one-way valve are shaped or otherwise configured to provide certain biases to the valve, which can, for example, facilitate rapid opening and closing of the valve.
US08678237B2
Chemical dispensing systems and related methods for precision handling of fluids including water and bulk chemicals. Representative chemical dispensing system can include wall mounted dispensing panels or portable, frame mounted dispensing units. These chemical dispensing systems provide easy access to all required interfaces including water, chemical, air, electrical and solution. The wall mounted dispensing panel can include a molded routing panel having molded recesses for mounting and managing specific air, fluid and control modules. The portable, frame mounted dispensing unit can include an onboard pump assembly for pressurizing a motive fluid. The frame assembly can include one or more lifting handles and adjustable feet to allow for easy transportation and placement of the portable dispensing unit.
US08678235B2
A multi-action toy water gun includes a housing including a barrel having a discharge chamber and a nozzle through which water is to be discharged; a handle grippable by one hand of a user for carrying the water gun and for aiming the barrel; a water reservoir; a manually-driven pump having a handpiece grippable by the other hand and reciprocatable along an axis parallel to that of the barrel; and a water discharge control presettable by the user to produce a large quantity discharge of water for drenching purposes, a rapid sequence of small-quantity discharges, simulating rapid shots of an automatic gun or a single small-quantity discharge simulating a single shot of a gun.
US08678225B2
The present invention relates to use of a composite material as a fluid barrier under cryogenic conditions, the composite material having: (a) a tensile Young's modulus of less than 50 GPa; and (b) a tensile strain at break of at least 5% at ambient conditions. The present invention further relates to a sandwich and a containment system for a cryogenic fluid comprising the composite material.
US08678218B2
The present disclosure refers to a fuel tank for a vehicle equipped with a valve housing and a ventilation opening that has a ventilation valve placed on an upper opening of the tank and which projects into the tank interior. Additionally, the wall of the valve housing is interspersed with at least one wall opening, and a float has been arranged in the valve housing that can be moved from a resting to a closing position and has a sealing element on its upper end. The float is in a lower place in the valve housing when it is in its resting position and the sealing element releases the ventilation opening. The float, when in a closing position, closes the ventilation opening with its sealing element as soon as the closing level is reached. Furthermore, there is a connecting channel K arranged between the valve interior and the tank interior, ending with an outlet opening located below the closing level in the tank interior, in which case the outlet opening is arranged above all other wall openings directly connected to the tank interior.
US08678214B2
One aspect of the invention provides a cardboard bottle holder able to be supplied flat and easily configured into a secure shape able to hold a variety of different bottles and cans. The bottle holder comprises a single piece of cardboard shaped to form a generally rectangular body part having: a first slot in a first side adjacent a first end, to define a tab extending along part of the first end; and a second slot in a second side opposite the first side, adjacent a second end opposite the first end, to define a tab extending along part of the second end in the opposite direction to the first tab. The lengths of the first and second slots are designed so that they can be engaged with each other to hold the generally rectangular part in a generally cylindrical form with the ends brought together to overlap each other.
US08678213B2
Container of plastic material, comprising a body and a bottom extending from a lower end of the container, the body having a diameter C at the junction with the bottom, in which container the bottom has: an annular outer seat having a predetermined transverse dimension B such that: 0.95 ≤ B C ≤ 1 a deformable arch that extends into the interior of the annular outer seat and which, in a deployed position, extends to the exterior of the container and defines an annular inner seat having a predetermined transverse dimension A such that: 1.2 ≤ B A ≤ 1.4
US08678201B2
A potable water system (10) comprises a supply line (18) and a water-purification device (20) incorporated thereinto. The water-purification device (20) comprises a microorganism filter (40) having a housing (42) and replaceable cartridge (42). The cartridge's filter media (50) includes a microorganism-capturing membrane (e.g., comprising an electropositive material) and a microorganism-killing membrane (e.g., comprising a biocidal material).
US08678199B2
The invention relates to a filter for fluids, in particular water, having a filter surface and a rotary spray arm contained in said filter, said arm conducting a flushing medium against the filter surface. To achieve an increase in the throughput capacity of the filter and to improve the flushing of the filter surface, the filter is equipped with a fluid-proof drum motor, which drives at least one spray arm.
US08678196B2
The invention relates to an air jet sieve device having a housing, at least one sieve for insertion in the housing, a sieve deck and chamber located below the sieve, a slotted nozzle beneath the sieve deck, a drive for the slotted nozzle, an air inlet to the slotted nozzle, an air outlet through the housing and out of the chamber located beneath the sieve deck, and a control unit to control operation of the device. The invention also relates to a method that permits not only detection of the sieving progress during a sieving process but also provides a criterion to permit establishing the sieving time. This is achieved by equipping the sieving machine with a measuring sensor through which the particles in the air outlet flow are detected triboelectrically and which are correlated with the sieving progress to permit establishing the sieving time.
US08678195B2
A screening bucket includes a support structure securable to the moving arm of an operating machine, a screening drum secured to that structure allowing it to rotate about an axis, a rotation unit for the screening drum and switching device for the rotation unit that switches the rotation unit between a first operating mode in which the screening drum is set in rotation at a substantially constant predetermined working speed and a second operating mode in which the rotation speed of the screening drum is reduced. The rotation unit further includes a detector assembly for detecting an angular position of the drum, cooperating with the switching device such that the rotation unit is automatically brought into the second operating mode when the drum is situated in the region of at least one predetermined portion of a revolution.
US08678194B2
An apparatus for separating magnetic pieces of scrap-material of a first group from magnetic pieces of scrap-material of a second group, wherein a mixture of pieces of scrap-material from the first group and from the second group is collectively transported with a conveyor to a separating zone, in which separating zone the pieces or scrap-material are subjected to forces induced by a magnetic field and to gravitational forces.
US08678179B2
A multi link conveyor belt for the transportation of objects like containers, bottles, packs or the like, which is formed of a plurality of pivotally interconnected links. On the upper side of the conveyor belt at least one row of supporting rollers is mounted rotatable, whose axes of rotation are parallel to the joint bolts and to the longitudinal sides of the carriers of the links. Together with the supporting rollers of adjacent links a support plane for the transported objects is formed. In the region of at least one longitudinal side of the links deflection elements are provided, which project between the height levels of the supporting rollers and the upper side of the carriers and at least one side of the supporting rollers.
US08678176B2
A conveyor is disclosed for moving and positioning objects along a conveyor path. The conveyor includes a conveyor rail extending along the conveyor path and at least one carriage having a rotatable article support mounted for movement along the conveyor rail. A turning block associated with the rotatable article support facilitates rotatable movement of the article support when the turning block is rotated. The conveyor further includes an aligning station for rotating the article support into a predetermined position when the turning block passes through the aligning station as the article support moves through the aligning station. The turning may be formed with a first disk with a first perimeter contour and a second disk with a second perimeter contour. The alignment station has projections in the form of pins for engaging the second disk as needed for rotating the turning block and article support between indexed orientations until the article support is oriented in a predetermined desired orientation. The article support may be a poultry shackle for suspending poultry carcasses and moving them along the conveyor path.
US08678175B2
The device for channeling out upright containers from a first transport device, which moves the container in a transport direction, includes a lateral guide section, which extends in the transport direction, and a gripper unit, which has a plurality of grippers for gripping the containers. The lateral guide section and the gripper unit are moved from a pickup position for the containers jointly in a direction transverse to the transport direction. After this joint movement the gripper unit is moved towards a discharge position for the containers. The lateral guide section and the gripper unit are then moved back to the pickup position.
US08678162B2
A bill handling apparatus includes: a first loop-like conveying path that includes a bill discriminating unit, is connected to a bill receiving and dispensing port and a temporary storage unit, and connected to a plurality of loading boxes to convey bills in two directions; a second conveying path connected to the loading box to convey bills in two directions; a first gate that connects the first conveying path with the second conveying path and switches a conveying direction of the conveying path that conveys bills; and a controller that controls switching of the first gate and conveyance of the conveying path. The controller controls the bills conveyed to the first conveying path in one of the two directions to be conveyed to the loading box through the second conveying path via the first gate, and the bills conveyed from the loading box through the second conveying path to be conveyed to the first conveying path in one of the two directions via the first gate.
US08678155B2
A clutch unit includes a lever-side clutch portion on an input side, and a brake-side clutch portion on the output side, in which the lever-side clutch portion includes a retainer for retaining a plurality of cylindrical rollers for controlling transmission/interruption of the torque input through engagement/disengagement between the lever-side outer race and an inner race transmitting the torque from the lever-side outer race to the brake-side clutch portion, and an inner centering spring including a lock portion to be locked to an end surface of the retainer, for accumulating an elastic force obtained by the torque input and for restoring the retainer to a neutral state by releasing the elastic force obtained by the torque input from the lever-side outer race and thus accumulated, and on the end surface of the retainer, a hook portion holds the lock portion of the inner centering spring in a protruding manner.
US08678151B2
A clutch control device for controlling a clutch installed between an engine and a transmission in a power transmission device for a vehicle includes a clutch actuator driven by a working fluid, a stroke sensor for detecting a movement of the clutch actuator, a flow rate control valve for controlling an amount of the working fluid in the clutch actuator, and a flow rate control valve control device for controlling a position of a valve body of the flow rate control valve responsive to a detection signal from the stroke sensor.
US08678143B2
An elevator installation includes at least one car or floor door and at least one acceleration sensor mounted on the door. The sensor generates measurements that are transmitted wirelessly to a communications module for determining maintenance data.
US08678140B2
An elevator door assembly (20) includes an electromagnet (30) use as part of a door coupler for coupling elevator car doors (24) to elevator hoistway doors (26). A disclosed example includes an electromagnet core (40) with a gap (50) in one of four sides of the core. The gap (50) directs and concentrates magnetic flux of the electromagnet (30) to concentrate an attractive force for coupling the electromagnet (30) with a vane (32). Disclosed examples includes unique geometric and dimensional relationships to achieve a desired goodness factor.
US08678120B2
Provided is a method for mounting a device on a frame in a construction machine. The method includes forming plate holes in a beam member at respective mount-member-provision positions on the beam member; mounting a plate supporter on a back surface of the beam member at each of the mount-member-provision positions so as to border the plate hole at a lower side thereof; installing the beam member on the frame; putting the mount plate into the plate hole from above so as to make the mount plate be supported by the plate supporter and fixing the plate supporter in the plate hole after adjusting the position of the mount plate horizontally and vertically within the plate hole; and mounting the mount members to the mount plates fixed in the plate holes respectively and mounting the device on the beam member via the mount members.
US08678113B2
A dual-path hydrostatic drive arrangement for driving ground wheels at the opposite sides of the front of a self-propelled windrower is controlled for effecting steering and ground speed changes by a control mechanism including a gear train defined by a steering input gear and idler gear and steering output gears carried by a gear support member mounted for pivoting about a fixed axis of rotation of the input gear. The output gear is coupled for transmitting movement to first and second pump displacement control rods and steering is effected by turning a steering wheel which is coupled for rotating the input gear so as to impart rotation to the output gear which rotates so as to cause the control rods to move different amounts or in different directions. Speed changes are effected by a speed control device that is coupled for selectively swinging the speed/direction control arm.
US08678112B2
Clamping die (15) in a device for engagement with a cylindrical body (4), which clamping die (15) includes a gripping surface (153) that is arranged to be able to extend in parallel with the center axis of the cylindrical body (4), wherein a groove (154) is provided in each of two side surfaces (151) adjacent to the gripping surface (153) and in close proximity to the gripping surface (153), said groove (154) extending substantially in parallel with the gripping surface (153).
US08678104B2
The invention is based on a handheld power tool, having at least one vibration-cancelling device that has at least one cancellation spring and one cancellation mass. It is proposed that the cancellation mass is constructed of at least one first mass part and at least one second mass part.
US08678103B2
A traveling machine body 2 pivotally supports a dozer frame 3 via a horizontal shaft, the dozer frame 3 being lifted up/down via a dozer cylinder S1. This dozer frame 3 pivotally supports, via a vertical shaft Y, a support body 4 which is pivoted back and forth via an angle cylinder S2, and this support body 4 pivotally supports, via a fore/aft shaft Z, a blade 5 which is vertically pivoted via a tilt cylinder S3. The support body 4 supports the fore/aft shaft Z downwardly and forwardly of the vertical shaft Y, and the tilt cylinder S3 is disposed upwardly and forwardly of the vertical shaft Y and upwardly of the fore/aft shaft Z.
US08678101B2
A fire suppression system includes a container for supplying a fire suppression agent into a compartment to be protected. The container communicates with a flow line leading to the compartment. A control controls the fire suppression system, and a valve on the flow line delivers a variable pressure to the flow line from the container. Further, a system is disclosed and claimed wherein a single gas supply communicates through a manifold to each of a plurality of compartments. In addition, a system is disclosed and claimed wherein a primary gas supply container switches to secondary gas supply containers once a pressure within the primary gas supply container drops below a predetermined amount.
US08678100B2
A method of deploying a downhole article comprising a shape memory material, the shape memory material comprising a nanoparticle having greater thermal conductivity than an identical shape memory material but without the nanoparticle; the method comprising heating the article while in a compacted state to change the article to a non-compacted state. A method of deploying the downhole article where the article is a packer element is also disclosed.
US08678098B2
An actuator includes: a carrier including an axially elongated fluid conduit therein, the fluid conduit configured to received a ball therein; and an axially elongated ball receiving element, wherein one of the ball and the ball receiving element is configured to produce a magnetic field, and another of the ball and the ball receiving element includes an electrically conductive material, the ball and the ball receiving element configured so that the electrically conductive material is exposed to the magnetic field as the ball advances through the ball receiving element, and eddy currents are generated in the electrically conductive material that cause a repulsive force between the ball receiving element and the ball to at least one of reduce a velocity of the ball and actuate the ball receiving element.
US08678089B2
Cleanup fluids for anhydrous borate compounds and methods for use thereof in subterranean formations
Anhydrous borate compounds can be used in a variety of subterranean treatment operations, where particulates of the anhydrous borate compounds slowly become soluble in an aqueous fluid after facilitating the treatment operation. Cleanup fluids can be used for affecting a more rapid removal of the anhydrous borate compounds from a subterranean formation. Methods for performing a cleanup of anhydrous borate compounds within a subterranean formation can comprise providing a cleanup fluid comprising a polyhydroxylated compound, introducing the cleanup fluid into a subterranean formation having a plurality of anhydrous borate particulates therein, and interacting the polyhydroxylated compound with the anhydrous borate particulates such that the anhydrous borate particulates become soluble in an aqueous fluid.
US08678080B2
A system comprising a well drilled into an underground formation comprising hydrocarbons; a water supply; a steam production facility, the steam production facility comprising a filter to remove at least 80% of a quantity of divalent cations in the water supply; an exchange resin to remove at least 80% of a quantity of divalent cations in a filtered water stream that has already passed through the filter; a steam injection facility connected to the well and the steam production facility, adapted to inject the steam into the well.
US08678078B2
Transmission fluid is heated through a heat exchanger effective to transfer heat between transmission fluid of a transmission assembly and an exhaust gas feed stream of an engine.
US08678073B2
A fugitive pattern assembly is made by preforming one or more fugitive patterns of an article to be cast, placing the preformed patterns in an injection die, and injecting fluid gating material into the die to form gating connected to the patterns. The fugitive patterns are disposed in end-to-end and/or side-by-side relation and are interconnected by the gating.
US08678070B2
A track for a roll-up industrial door. The track may include realigners adapted to divert the path of the industrial door as it is opened or shut. For example, a realigner may include a tapered portion to maintain a portion of the door within the track as the door is shut. Another realigner may have a tapered portion arranged to direct a portion of the door onto the track after it has been removed from the track. The tracks may be utilized in conjunction with a break-away industrial door having a flexible frame that is adapted to come out of the guide track upon application of a predetermined force.
US08678069B2
The present invention relates to a building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system, and more specifically, to a photovoltaic blind window having a photovoltaic cell applied to an electric blind. The photovoltaic blind window of the invention comprises: a multilayered glass composed of a pair of plate glass sheets that are connected to each other with a spacer to form an inner space between the plate glass sheets; an electric blind placed in the inner space of the multilayered glass, the blind having a plurality of slats elevating or tilting by the rotation of a drive motor; a plurality of photovoltaic cells arranged on at least one side of the slat; and a storage battery for storing electricity that is generated by the photovoltaic cells.
US08678067B2
The present invention proposes a posture-adjustable solar-collecting window blind, which can adjust the position of solar cells to better collect solar energy. In the window blind, a solar detector and an ampere meter are used to detect the relationship between the incident angle of sunlight and an optimal arrangement of the solar detector. The relationship can be further used to adjust the positions of the plurality of solar cells. Furthermore, the window blind comprises a light sensor to detect the light intensity of a target area, which can be complementarily used to adjust the position of the plurality of solar cells.
US08678060B2
A joining surface treatment device and a joining surface treatment method for treating a joining surface of a component which joining surface is used for joining two components, the joining surface treatment device comprising at least one heat source for heating a portion of a surface of a first component at which portion the first component shall be joined with a second component; and a primer application device for applying a primer to a portion of the surface of the first component which portion is heatable by the at least one heat source, wherein the at least one heat source is arranged so that it can heat the first component before and/or after applying the primer.
US08678059B2
The element (12) for shaping a circumferential portion of a raw tire blank substantially exhibiting symmetry of revolution about a main axis (X) comprises a bearing surface (16) for bearing radially against a circumferential portion of a radially internal surface of the blank. The element (16) is designed in such a way that the radial profile of the bearing surface (16) is modifiable.
US08678057B2
A labeling applicator having a suction plate (21) including a pair of divided bodies (21b, 21c) movable relatively to two positions, i.e., a contact position (S) where the opposing end faces facing each other move toward contact while sucking a first surface side of a label (L) to which an RFID tag is attached and a separated position (V) where the opposing end faces are separated from each other, wherein a portion (2) of the label (L) is folded in a peak by the end faces of the divided bodies (21b, 21c) facing each other as a divided body (21c) moves, thus forming a folded portion (M) having a bend or curved position (7) on the proximal end, before labeling an article (W). A non-abutting portion (20) is provided by cutting the edge of each split body (21b, 21c) corresponding to the bend (7) on the proximal end of the folded portion (M) such that the end faces of the divided bodies (21b, 21c) do not abut when the end faces move toward contact. Since a gap (Q) is formed between the bends (7) of the folded portion (M) in a label (L) attached by the labeling device, the folded portion (M) of the label (L) does not tilt easily enabling stabilized read/write of data.
US08678047B2
An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices can be acted upon at the same time.
US08678046B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for loading a therapeutic substance or drug within a lumenal space of a hollow wire having a plurality of side openings along a length thereof that forms a hollow drug-eluting stent with a plurality of side drug delivery openings. Loading a drug within the lumenal space of the hollow stent includes a drug filling step, in which the drug is mixed with a solvent or dispersion medium. The lumenal space may be filled with the drug solution or suspension in a reverse fill process and/or a forward fill process. After the drug filling step, a solvent or dispersion medium extracting step is performed to extract the solvent or dispersion medium from within the lumenal space such that only the drug remains within the hollow stent. A stent cleaning step may be performed to an exterior surface of the hollow stent.
US08678043B2
A method for repairing and strengthening pipes by creating a structural reinforced composite liner within the existing pipe. The liner is created by helically winding a tensile reinforcement material on the inside wall of a pipe and encapsulating it in a hardening matrix material. The reinforcement material is helically wound around the inside wall of the pipe by an installation device. The installation device is configured to relieve and/or prevent the development of torsional stress in the reinforcement material that is created by the act of helically winding it onto the inside wall of a pipe, allowing the reinforcement material to lay flat against the pipe wall without twisting or buckling. The structural reinforced composite can be configured to supplement the strength of the existing pipe or to function as a stand-alone pipe within the existing pipe.
US08678035B2
A variable flow resistance system for use with a subterranean well can include a flow chamber through which a fluid composition flows, the chamber having at least two inlets, and a flow resistance which varies depending on proportions of the fluid composition which flow into the chamber via the respective inlet flow paths, and an actuator which varies the proportions. The actuator may deflect the fluid composition toward one of the inlet flow paths. A method of variably controlling flow resistance in a well can include changing an orientation of a deflector relative to a passage through which a fluid composition flows, thereby influencing the fluid composition to flow toward one of multiple inlet flow paths of a flow chamber, the chamber having a flow resistance which varies depending on proportions of the fluid composition which flow into the chamber via the respective inlet flow paths.
US08678034B2
A quick acting control valve for a steam turbine is provided. The quick acting control valve includes a valve box and a control valve cone which is arranged in the valve box so as to be displaceable along its center axis, whereby the control valve cone may be brought into an open position in which the control valve cone, with its control valve cone surface is lifted off the valve box and into a closed position in which the control valve cone rests against the valve box with its control valve cone surface, and a quick acting valve piston which is arranged in the valve box so as to face the back of the control valve cone facing away from the control valve cone surface, the quick acting control valve piston, on its outer peripheral edge, always resting on the valve box in a steam-tight manner.
US08678030B2
A filling flow divider for portioning a filling substance includes at least two divider elements operatively connected together, each including a stator having a main chamber, a rotor in the main chamber and rotatable about an axis of rotation, and at least two blade elements fitted into the rotor. The blade elements are independently displaceable relative to the rotor in the radial direction as the rotor rotates in the main chamber. The filling flow divider includes at least two connecting devices coupling the rotors of the at least two divider elements such that the rotor and blade elements of one divider element are disposed at a different rotary angle position as the rotor and blade elements of an adjacent divider element.
US08678028B2
The invention relates to a locking device for a lock opening which is arranged in a wall between a first and a second recipient, said lock opening comprising a blocking element, which is arranged in the inner chamber of the first recipient, and a counter-plate which is associated with the blocking element. A first magnet device is provided in an area of the counter-plate and a second magnet device, which is associated with the first magnet device, is provided in the region of the blocking element. In order to close and/or open the locking device by means of the first and second magnet device, a positive and/or negative contact pressure can be produced between the blocking element and the counter-plate.
US08678025B2
A method and apparatus to control pressure in a fluid delivery system utilizes a variable-pressure regulating means and a flow-controlled selecting means to provide a higher pressure when the flow in the system is higher, and to provide a lower pressure when the flow in the system is lower. It exploits an inherent signal that is generated and transmitted by the fluid, and which enables remote control of the pressure. Useful, for example, to provide pressure control for a garden hose fitted with a closeable nozzle, wherein full pressure is provided through the hose when the nozzle is open, lower pressure is maintained when the nozzle is closed, and the operator controls pressure in the hose from the fluid delivery end of the hose, protecting the hose from bulging or splitting, making the hose easier to handle, and conserving water. Other applications include protecting washing machine supply hoses from bursting and flooding; and pressure control of fire sprinkler, compressed gas, and pneumatic control systems.
US08678024B2
The present application is directed to an assembly for sealing an opening of a container, comprising (1) a first member operationally configured to connect to the container at the opening; (2) a second member operationally configured to abut the first member in a manner effective to cover the opening of the container; and (3) a temperature-sensitive fastening means operationally configured to releasably secure the second member to the first member in a manner effective to form a seal there between; wherein at least part of the fastening means is positioned apart from the second member.
US08678023B2
A damage detection system includes an electromagnetic valve that is provided at a first end of a pressure vessel and operated by supplied electric power, a harness that is disposed so as to at least partially extend along at least a part of a bottom surface of the pressure vessel and that serves to supply electric power to the electromagnetic valve, and a damage detector for detecting damage of the pressure vessel based on an input of a pressing force from the bottom surface side of the pressure vessel.
US08678021B2
There is provided a tip configured for removable attachment to a walking aid device. The tip includes a base member, a shaft, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs. The shaft includes a bore therein extends upward from a central portion of an inner surface of the base member to accept a distal end of a walking aid device. The plurality of spaced apart ribs extend from an outer rim of the base member to the shaft and are configured to flex in response to a downward compressive force on the shaft.
US08678019B2
The present invention comprises a backpack with an anchoring device. The anchoring device allows an umbrella to be attached to the backpack. The umbrella has a collapsible canopy and can be stored in a storage unit on the backpack.
US08678018B2
A method of conditioning hair and reconditioning hair color comprising mixing hair conditioning solution with water to achieve a nearly full suspension of the hair conditioning solution in water, thereby producing a conditioner/water mixture. The conditioner/water mixture is heated to a temperature of at least 150° Fahrenheit. The conditioner/water mixture is applied to the hair.
US08678017B2
A hairstyling accessory has an elastic band and a comb with bridge extending laterally across the comb. A plurality of tines protrudes longitudinally from one edge of the bridge generally parallel to and spaced apart from one another. A connector has an opening on the bridge and a tongue coinciding with the opening. A portion of the elastic band is received in the opening and around the tongue and the majority of the elastic band extends from the comb.
US08678015B2
A pouched non-tobacco product includes a lined pouch material of a web and a water-soluble liner adjacent the web and a non-tobacco flavorful component contained within the lined pouch material. The water-soluble liner is interposed between the web and the non-tobacco flavorful component. The liner preferably reduces staining of the web by the non-tobacco flavorful component. Additionally, the liner may include a flavorant.
US08678010B2
A dual layer mouthguard with a U-shape polycarbonate/EVA or elastomeric material skeletal base includes channels and ramps to ensure a uniform thickness on the occlusal, buccal and lingual surfaces of the teeth for proper alignment of the jaw and positioning for protection during the placement of the mouthguard. The liner is softer than the base when introduced to heat and remains softer as it is cooled. The base may also include metal/magnetic insertion to serve as a tethering device for temporary storage.
US08678004B2
A respiratory probe including two channels in parallel, equipped with unidirectional valves connected head-to-tail.
US08677994B2
A multipart medical engineering system, which comprises at least two components that can be connected via positioning-determining connection feature (410, 411). At least one component (44) is intended to remain in the vicinity of the patient in the connected and unconnected states of the system and at least one component (41) can be removed or replaced with other components in the unconnected state. The component (44) intended to remain in the vicinity of the patient contains a data storage element (45) that can be written to and read via an interface (46) that is mechanically integrated in the position-determining connection means (410, 411).
US08677993B2
A humidification canister for humidifying a breathing gas, the humidification canister includes a fluid supply configured to supply a fluid and a first gas flow path in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A first gas flow path is configured to humidify the breathing gas with the fluid. A second gas flow path at least partially surrounds the first gas flow path. A method of insulating a breathing gas in a humidification canister using a gas is also disclosed.
US08677992B2
A dry powder inhaler for pulmonary or nasal use, employing capsules containing a dose of powder for inhalation, comprising two operating components and an optional cover. Air is drawn by the patient via a mouthpiece or nosepiece which is in communication with the capsule and travels via air paths through the device and through the capsule thereby dispersing and entraining the dose of powder. The capsule is cut by cutting means located on one of the components, in a manner which eliminates or minimizes capsule debris and minimizes powder leakage during use. The inhaler body and capsule cutting blades comprise a single operating component and they may be manufactured in a single unitary step. The invention affords a very economical and simple device for the delivery of pulmonary medicines.
US08677991B2
A respirator or anesthesia apparatus, for the artificial respiration of a patient, has a gas delivery device, at least one gas line for forming a breathing air line system, at least one gas mixing means with a mixed gas tank and at least two inlet openings with a shut-off member each for separately feeding at least two different gases to be mixed into the mixed gas tank and for subsequently feeding the mixed gas into the breathing air line system. The mixed gas tank is provided with at least two separate outlet openings for releasing the mixed gas from the mixed gas tank and for subsequently feeding it into the breathing air line system.
US08677987B2
A saw system in one embodiment includes a base including a rail system, a table positionable on the rail system and including a work piece support surface defining a support plane, and a roller system attached to the table and configured to engage the rail system when the table is positioned on the rail system, the roller system including a helical actuator assembly configured such that rotational movement of an actuator rod from a first position to a second position causes at least one roller to move along a locking axis between a third position whereat the at least one roller is not engaged with the rail system and a fourth position whereat the at least one roller is engaged with the rail system, wherein the locking axis is substantially parallel to the support plane when the table is positioned on the rail system.
US08677985B2
A battery operated concrete saw system (10) includes an alternating current electric saw (12) and a lithium based battery pack (58) including a plurality of batteries (60) connected in series to power the saw through an inverter (70) that changes the direct current from the battery pack to alternating current that powers the saw.
US08677976B2
A high pressure fuel pump (20) that pressurizes and supplies a fuel by driving a cam (21) such that a plunger (23) reciprocates, the high pressure fuel pump (20) comprises a lifter guide (25) having a guide hole (25A), a lifter (22) that is disposed between the cam (21) and the plunger (23) and is fitted into the guide hole (25A) to be free to slide so as to transmit a driving force from the cam (21) to the plunger (23), an oil collection portion (27) that is provided above the guide hole (25A) so as to surround a periphery of the lifter (22), and stores a lubricating oil for lubricating a sliding portion between the lifter (22) and the guide hole (25A), and an oil supply passage (25C) for supplying the lubricating oil to the oil collection portion (27). As a result, a reduction in a lubricating performance with regard to the lifter (22) in a position away from an opening portion of the oil supply passage (25C) is suppressed.
US08677973B2
An internal combustion engine includes an engine block defining at least one row of cylinders extending from a first end toward a second end. The internal combustion engine also includes a front housing attached to the first end of the engine block. An idler gear assembly includes an idler gear rotatably mounted on a stub shaft and has a first attachment to the engine block and a second attachment to the front housing. A thrust plate is positioned between the front housing and the idler gear assembly and includes an annular thrust surface, a pair of sealed fastener device openings, and an unsealed lubrication opening.
US08677966B2
An intake flow device and system for coupling a turbocharger's compressor intake to an air intake is disclosed. The flow device may be cylindrically shaped, flexible, and configured to fit on an intake flange of the compressor. An intake conduit may be fitted around the flow device, such that the intake conduit may retain a large diameter for increased air flow, rather than necking down to mate with the intake flange. The flow device may incorporate compression ribs around its outer circumference for positively mating with the air intake conduit and may incorporate a recess within its interior for securely mating to a lip on the intake flange. The flow device may also be graduated to direct air from the intake conduit to a smaller diameter compressor intake. Guide vanes may also be provided within the flow device to control and direct air to the inlet of the turbocharger.
US08677965B2
A valve timing control device comprises a drive rotation member driven by a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine; a driven rotation member fixed to a camshaft that actuates engine valves to open and close, the drive rotation member and driven rotation member being coaxially arranged to make a relative rotation therebetween; a phase varying mechanism that rotates the driven rotation member relative to the drive rotation member within a given angle, the phase varying mechanism being able to cause the driven rotation member to take the most-retarded phase position, the most-advanced phase position and a middle phase position defined between the most-retarded phase position and the most-advanced phase position; and a position keeping mechanism that is able to keep the driven rotation member at least the most-retarded phase position and the middle phase position at the time of starting the engine, and is able to select one of the most-retarded phase position and the middle phase position in accordance with an operation condition of the engine.
US08677963B2
An electrical camshaft phaser arrangement for controllably varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an internal combustion engine includes an adjusting gear drive unit formed as a three shafts transmission having a drive shaft connected with the crankshaft, an output shaft connected with the camshaft, and an adjusting shaft connected with the control shaft of an electrical machine. The electrical machine allows phasing the camshaft with regards to the crankshaft by increasing or decreasing control shaft speed, the control shaft being spinning during phase holding modes. The adjusting gear drive unit is configured such that an energy recovering mode is provided wherein a braking torque is applied to the control shaft in order to generate electrical energy.
US08677962B2
A motion limiter system for a cam phaser includes a retractable motion limiter pin that is selectively extendable from a rotor in a cam phaser to contact a lobe on a stator to provide a positive stop for the rotor prior to engagement of a locking pin. Alternatively, the cam phaser may include two pins that are selectively extendable from opposite openings in a hole in the rotor to engage seats that are slightly offset from one another.
US08677960B2
A valve train comprises a double camshaft with an inner camshaft and an outer camshaft. The two camshafts are preferably designed coaxially. By means of a rotatory change in position of the inner camshaft to the outer camshaft, the angular position of at least one cam of the inner camshaft is adjusted or set relative to a cam of the outer camshaft. The cams are divided into sets that can occupy variable cam positions relative to one another. Various configurations of a camshaft adjuster are provided for this purpose.
US08677954B2
A two stroke crank case scavenged two-stroke internal combustion engine, the engine including: —a cylinder (2) configured to reciprocatingly receive a piston (6) therein defining a combustion chamber (8), the combustion chamber comprising an ignition means (5) for igniting an air/fuel mixture and an exhaust port (40) for evacuating the exhaust fumes, —a crank case (3) including a crank shaft (18), —an indirect fuel supply system (4), such as a carburettor (12) or a low pressure fuel-injection system, for supplying fuel to the crank case (3) to be scavenged to the combustion chamber (8), —at least one transfer duct (20, 20′) each extending from the crank case (3) to at least one corresponding transfer port (21, 21′) for connecting to the combustion chamber (8), —additional air filling means (25, 24, 27, 23, 23′, 22, 22′,26, 26′) for at least partly filling the transfer duct/s (20, 20′) with additional air from the transfer port (21, 21′) towards the crank case (3), —and a direct injection means (7) for injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber (8).
US08677948B2
The present invention includes an engine mechanically coupled to a generator to provide mechanical power thereto and a housing assembly defining an interior space to at least partially enclose the engine and the generator. The housing has a first airflow path structured to provide cooling into the radiator and a second airflow path structured to provide cooling to at least one of the engine and the generator. A temperature sensor can be disposed within the housing and a variable speed fan can be in flow communication with at least one of the first airflow path and the second airflow path. Further, a controller may be in communication with the variable speed fan and the temperature sensor.
US08677943B2
A woven chew toy for animals is provided including one or more of edible resins, such as rawhide, meat jerky, starch and combinations thereof in strip form interwoven together to provide a planar article.
US08677940B1
A hay feeder for preventing waste and gluttony. The hay feeder includes a support member being fastened to a structure; a net having a plurality of openings being disposed therethrough and depending from the support member; and a fastener assembly for fastening the support member to the structure.
US08677939B2
A material-shifting system for shifting scattered material, such as livestock feed, closer to a barrier. The system includes at least one traveling unit having an angled push-head which is coupled to a shuttle. Preferably, the shuttle is driven along a rail by a remote driving. As the shuttle travels along the rail, the push head pushes material scattered over a surface towards the barrier.
US08677935B1
The system produces beneficial parasites by depositing parasite-infected cadavers adjacent to a filtering device inside an enclosed package. The parasites are then allowed to migrate from the infected cadavers, through the filtering device, and into a parasite-sustaining medium. After the migration is complete, the spent cadavers and the filtering device are removed and the package is closed. In the preferred embodiment, beneficial nematodes migrate through a screen matrix into polyacrylamide gel to create a package of beneficial nematodes.
US08677926B2
A solid coating die for applying an insulation varnish around a flat wire conductor includes a die body and a die hole formed through the die body, the conductor to be inserted into the die hole. The die hole includes: an entry portion having a cross section monotonically decreasing along a conductor insertion direction; and a coating portion including at least a sub-portion having a constant cross section. The cross section of the coating portion is a rectangle having four straight sides and four rounded corners. Each inner surface of the straight side of the coating portion has an inwardly projecting protrusion, a top contour of each protrusion being a circular arc, an elongated circular arc, an elliptical arc or a combination of these arcs, the maximum curvature of the top contour of each protrusion being larger than the maximum curvature of inner surface of the rounded corners.
US08677922B2
A boat including at least two wall segments extending generally upwardly from a deck to define an interior space. The wall segments are spaced from one another to define a passage for allowing passengers to enter and exit the interior space. A gate is secured to one of the wall segments for controlling access to the interior space. A latch assembly including base and sliding members is coupled to an end of one of the wall segments. The sliding member is movable between a latched position for trapping a portion of the gate and an unlatched position for releasing the gate. At least one glide plate of a low-friction material is disposed between the base and sliding members. Additionally, when the sliding member is in the unlatched position, the base member presents a strike surface for receiving contact from the gate to protect the wall segment.
US08677921B2
A submersible vehicle having an outer hull which defines a hull axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the hull axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends so that when the vehicle is submerged in a liquid, the liquid floods the duct. At least part of the outer hull is swept with respect to the hull axis A buoyancy control system may be provided. Various methods of deploying and using the vehicle are described.
US08677918B2
A marine vessel comprising a hull having a wetted area when underway on a surface of a body of water, a series of spaced transducer sections positioned in the wetted area of the hull, and an acoustic generator to energize the transducers to produce acoustic waves having an intensity sufficient to nucleate cavitation upon cavitation nuclei suspended in the water medium. Suspended cavitation nuclei include entrained gases, particulate matter, microbubbles formed from wind-blown breaking waves, and/or phase-boundaries at gas-water or solid-water interfaces in the water medium. The intensity, duty cycle and/or frequency of the acoustic waves are determined and/or regulated according to water conditions to produce microcavitation bubbles in the boundary layer between fifty and two hundred microns in size or to optimally reduce drag. An operator or controller may dynamically regulate the frequency, intensity, and/or duty cycle of acoustic waves according to vessel speed and/or sea surface conditions.
US08677916B2
A multi-needle quilting machine is provided with a common drive that drives the needles and loopers. It may also drive the presser foot assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, a drive motor drives a rotating drive shaft. The drive shaft has an off-center drive assembly connected to it that rocks a needle rocker shaft as well as looper rocker shafts, and also a presser foot shaft. The off-center drive includes a pair of eccentrics on the drive shaft at each side of the machine. Each eccentric oscillates a linkage plate that is fixed to a shaft such as the needle rocker shaft and is also linked to the looper rocker shafts and the presser foot shaft. The eccentric thereby reciprocates the needles and oscillates the loopers, as well as reciprocates the presser foot plate, in permanent synchronization.
US08677914B2
The invention refers to a method at a seed drill (1) or a planter for placing seeds (27) in the soil. According to the invention the steps executed are that each seed fed out is detected, its placement site in the soil is determined through detection and at least one compound (26, 28) is placed intermittently at at least one predetermined placement site in relation to the specific placement site of each seed. The invention also refers to a device (4) for execution of the method.
US08677912B1
A foldable table includes a first tabletop panel, a second tabletop panel, a first peripheral edge rim, a second peripheral edge rim, and a foldable frame. The foldable frame includes a reinforcing frame which includes first through fourth elongated reinforcing member spacedly mounted along two longitudinal sides of the first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity respectively, a first and a second leg frame pivotally mounted on the first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity respectively, and a hinge arrangement. The hinge arrangement includes a first connecting joint, a second connecting joint, and a first and a second locker device coupled to the first connecting joint and the second connecting joint respectively, wherein the first locker device and the second locker device are arranged to operate between a locked position and an unlock position.
US08677909B2
Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle having a plurality of axles and a lift mechanism configured to dynamically transfer weight from one axle to another. In one example, the method comprises, responding to an operating condition by adjusting the lift mechanism to provide a determined amount of lift, and in response to vehicle braking, a vehicle stall risk, poor infrastructure conditions, and/or a high vehicle penalty, reducing the determined amount of lift.
US08677903B2
A shaped charge includes a charge case; a liner; an explosive retained between the charge case and the liner; and a primer core disposed in a hole in the charge case and in contact with the explosive, wherein at least one of the case, the liner, the primer core, and the explosive comprising a material soluble in a selected fluid. A perforation system includes a perforation gun, comprising a gun housing that includes a safety valve or a firing valve, wherein the safety valve or the firing valve comprises a material soluble in a selected fluid.
US08677894B2
A device and method for processing aggregate material, in particular for preparing olive paste for the extraction of oil. The device includes a housing having an inlet for receiving aggregate material, a driving shaft coinciding with the central longitudinal axis of the housing, a crushing drum mounted on an eccentric segment of the driving shaft, free to rotate thereabout, and a final grinder located downstream from the crushing drum.
US08677891B2
A compact portable charcoal-fired barbecue cooker is convertible for rotisserie cooking or for grill cooking. The cooker has a fire basket or charcoal grate, which can swing or rotate between a lowered, horizontal position, used for grilling, and a raised or upright position, used for rotisserie cooking, by turning a handle positioned outside the cooker body. The rotisserie spit drops into receptacles formed in the left and right side walls of the cooker body, and with the charcoal grate upright, a drip pan can be positioned under the spit. The vents are positioned so the heated air flows over the roast. A reflector or heat shield is positioned between the upright fire basket and the rear wall of the cooker. A locking tab can releasably retain the handle in the upright position. The entire cooker can be picked up using the handle affixed to the lid.
US08677890B2
Disclosed is a divider for a food steaming apparatus of the type generally including a tubular body and at least one perforated food support. The divider includes a plurality of dividing walls extending from a central region to a peripheral region and wherein a major part of the area of each wall is provided with multiple perforations passing therethrough. At least one opening extends along the lower edge region of each dividing wall with a generally flat deflector flap that extends at an incline to the deflector wall having an operatively upper edge joined to the top of the opening and an operatively lower edge spaced circumferentially therefrom. In use, rising gases contact the deflector flap and follow the upwards incline thereof thereby acquiring a circumferential component to the direction of movement. The perforations preferably have apertures that impart circumferential movement to gases passing through the perforations.
US08677876B2
A semi-continuous duty, Green Technology, self-charging 14, unmanned electric vehicle providing protection and security from underground mines. A deflector blade 11 follows natural existing contours to maintain straight line paths, while simultaneously carrying a mine detector 10, a vertical reciprocating ram set 30, 32 and 33 that preloads soil while also creating forward motion, followed by an energy dissipation and containment canopy system 22, 24, 26 & 29. The comprehensive system provides protection from mines on existing pathways in desert environments using a self-sufficient energy source. In addition, the total system utilizes only Green Technology for all modes of operation.
US08677875B2
The present disclosure relates to a motor-driven unit for clearing mines from and securing a hazardous route. According to the present method, system and device, a marker apparatus for a secured route is a liquid material for marking on the ground, and comprising dispensing members for providing one axial marking and two side markings on either side of said axial marking, respectively, for said route.
US08677872B2
A sawing machine having a miter angle adjustment assembly includes a machine base, a worktable rotatably connected to the machine base and rotatable about an axis, a cutter unit mounted to the worktable, a tightening member to lock movement of the worktable relative to the machine base and a driving device set. The driving device set includes a driving member pivotally mounted to the worktable and an eccentric member coaxially rotatable with the driving member to move the tightening member. The eccentric member is controllable by the driving member to rotate between a first position and a second position to move the tightening member into engagement with or away from the machine base.
US08677865B2
A hand operated gripping tool includes a movable jaw, a fixed jaw, a first cam associated with the movable jaw, a pivotal handle connected with the movable jaw and a second cam associated with the pivotal handle. The first cam is spaced from the fixed jaw by a first variable distance, and the second cam is spaced from the fixed jaw by a second variable distance, with the first distance maintained greater than the second distance. The jaws are cooperable to define a variable size space for receiving a workpiece and the cams are operable to cause the jaws to grip the workpiece positioned in the variable size space. The cams are arranged such that rotational movement of the second cam caused by operation of the pivotal handle causes the movable jaw to pivot on the first cam to grip the workpiece that is positioned in the variable size space.
US08677863B2
A fastener positioning device for a die block including a punch tube arranged to receive the fastener, at least one aperture extending radially out from the tube, at least one displaceable retainer disposed in the at least one aperture, and a resilient ring urging the at least one retainer towards an axis of the punch tube. In an example embodiment of the invention, the aperture includes a first diameter proximate the punch tube and a second, larger diameter radially outside of the first diameter. The retainer may be a ball, the resilient ring may be an O-ring, and the fastener may be a stud or nut.
US08677854B2
An apparatus for a robot arm of an industrial robot. A first module includes a first and a second member rotatable in relation to each other about a first axis of rotation. A second module includes a first and a second member rotatable in relation to each other about a second axis of rotation. The first member of the second module is attached to the second member of the first module. A third module includes a first and a second member rotatable in relation to each other about a third axis of rotation. The first member of the third module is attached to the second member of the second module. The second axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the first and the third axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation is offset from the first and the third axis of rotation when the first axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the third axis of rotation. The third module includes a motor unit including an output shaft rotatable about an axis which is substantially collinear with the third axis of rotation. The motor unit intersects a plane in which the second axis of rotation lies. The plane is substantially perpendicular to the third axis of rotation.
US08677851B2
A shift lever assembly for operating a transmission of a vehicle includes a mounting shaft an extension shaft coupled thereto. The extension shaft is pivotable between an operating position and a collapse position relative to the mounting shaft. A latching mechanism is disposed within a bore defined by one of the mounting shaft and the extenstion shaft. The latching mechanism includes a compression spring biasing against a plunger. One of the mounting shaft and the extension shaft defines a seat. The plunger engages the seat in the interlocking engagement when the extension shaft is in the operating position. The plunger holds the extension shaft in the operating position until a force greater than a pre-determined value is applied to the extension shaft to compress the plunger and permit the extension shaft to pivot into the collapse position. The extension shaft is repeatably moveable between the operating position and the collapse position.
US08677844B2
The invention relates to an injection port for analysis appliances, said injection port (10), when fitted correctly on an analysis appliance, forming an access line which leads to an analysis chamber of the analysis appliance and through which it is possible to guide the cannula of a sample injector containing a sample to be analysed, characterized in that the injection port comprises at least one elastic valve element (24) which can be opened and closed in a controlled manner and by means of which the access line to the analysis chamber can be sealed off both in the absence of a cannula and also when a cannula is guided through the injection port. The invention further relates to an analysis appliance provided with a corresponding injection port, and to a device for actuating the injection port.
US08677839B2
Novel rapid, efficient sample collection systems, devices and methods are disclosed which remove and capture particles, and especially biological particles from surfaces into a liquid sample. The devices were developed primarily for obtaining samples of biological contamination from environmental surfaces. Biological particles, as described here, include bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, and other particles of biological origin including nucleic acids, proteins, and toxins.
US08677833B2
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring a mass flow of flowable bulk materials according to the Coriolis principle of measurement. The apparatus comprises a vane wheel by which a mass flow that is supplied in axial direction can be radially redirected and by which it is possible to detect the drive torque that that necessary to achieve the redirection. A drive shaft that is routed through the top side of the housing is configured as a hollow shaft through which the bulk material can be fed to the vane wheel in vertical direction toward the center of its axis of rotation.
US08677825B1
A method for identifying Lamb wave modes and structural health monitoring may include transmitting a Lamb wave through a structure for monitoring the structural health of the structure. The method may also include measuring an instantaneous thickness of the structure at a predetermined location of the structure during passage of the Lamb wave at the predetermined location. The method may additionally include identifying a mode of the Lamb wave from the instantaneous thickness of the structure.
US08677824B2
A MEMS microbalance that includes a substrate made of semiconductor material with a cavity, and a resonator, which is suspended above the cavity of the substrate and is formed by a mobile body, by at least one first arm connected between the substrate and the mobile body, which has a first thickness and which enables oscillations of the mobile body with respect to the substrate, by an actuation transducer connected to the mobile body for generating the oscillations at a resonance frequency, and by a detection transducer for detecting a variation of the resonance frequency, wherein the mobile body possesses at least one thin portion having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness of the first arm.
US08677816B2
A wind current indicator device is provided for use in assisting in the hunting of wild game animals and includes a thin strand of fiber having a lightweight feather affixed at a first end and a swivel member affixed to opposite second end. The swivel member includes two rotating loops on opposite sides, wherein the first rotating loop is secured to the strand of fiber while the second rotating loop is secured to a second strand of fiber that is adapted for attachment to an object, such as the barrel of a rifle. In operation, wind currents lift and carry the feather, pulling the strand taut, indicating the direction of the wind current. Each of the rotating loops independently pivots and rotates in response to changes in wind current direction, thereby avoiding twisting and entanglement of either strand portion.
US08677813B2
An apparatus (10) to test the adhesion strength and/or cohesive strength of a coating (12) comprises a first member (14) having an aperture (16) and a second member (18) locatable in the aperture (16) in the first member (14). A temperature sensor (20) is arranged to measure the temperature of the first member (14). A third member (22) and a fourth member (24) are mounted on the first member (14). The third member (22) has a first strain gauge (26) to measure the strain in a first direction and the fourth member (24) has a second strain gauge (28) to measure the strain in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A device (30) is arranged to apply a tensile load to move the second member (18) from a first position where the second member (18) is located in the aperture (16) in the first member (14) and the surfaces (15, 19) of the first and second members (14, 18) are substantially flush to a second position where the surfaces (15, 19) of the first and second members (14, 18) are not flush and a load sensor (32) is arranged to measure the adhesive strength and/or cohesive strength of a coating (12) deposited on the surfaces (15, 19) of the first and second members (14, 18).
US08677812B2
A device for measuring the tire pressure in a pneumatic tire of a vehicle, having an electronic system housing which has an electronic system for measuring values, acted on by a tire valve, for the tire pressure, wherein the electronic system for measuring values is assigned a receiver arranged outside the pneumatic tire, and wherein the electronic system housing is arranged in the region of the rim well of a rim for the pneumatic tire and is indirectly or directly connected to the tire valve, wherein at least one spring element which is operatively connected to the rim well is provided on the electronic system housing.
US08677811B2
An air flow rate measuring device includes a housing, a sensor assembly, and an urging mechanism. The housing defines an internal flow passage, through which air taken in by the device passes, and the housing includes a contact surface. The sensor assembly includes a sensor chip and a contact surface. The sensor chip is configured to generate an electrical signal through a heat transfer phenomenon. The sensor assembly is inserted and fixed in the housing such that the sensor chip is exposed to the internal flow passage. The contact surface of the sensor assembly is in surface contact with the contact surface of the housing. The urging mechanism is configured to press the contact surface of the sensor assembly on the contact surface of the housing, so that the sensor assembly is fixed to the housing by the urging mechanism.
US08677808B2
One embodiment of the invention provides a sample injection system including a vacuum source, a conduit in communication with the vacuum source, a fluid sensor configured to detect the presence of the fluid in the conduit, a sample loop in communication with the conduit; and a sipper in communication with the sample loop.
US08677807B2
Disclosed is a micro viscometer comprising a substrate having a first chamber and a second chamber that are positioned at intervals; a thin film disposed on the substrate to cover the first chamber and the second chamber; an actuating part that disposed on the thin film corresponding to the first chamber; and a sensing part that disposed on the thin film corresponding to the second chamber, wherein at least one main trench is formed in between the first chamber and the second chamber.
US08677803B2
A method of detecting particulate matter on a particulate matter sensor includes the steps of measuring an electrical characteristic associated with the sensor, determining a value corresponding to the impedance across the sensor, and compensating the impedance for the temperature at which it was determined. The method further includes determining an estimate of the total amount of particulate matter accumulated while limiting the effects of large particles captured on the sensor or blown off the sensor. The information produced by the method may be used to provide diagnostic information regarding a particulate control system.
US08677801B1
Error sources related to aerodynamics of an inertial sensor resonator are detected by modulating the distance between the resonator and the underlying substrate and sensing modulated error signals in the accelerometer that are induced by such modulation. Compensating signals may be provided to substantially cancel errors caused by such error sources.
US08677792B2
Door lock apparatus, comprising in combination an elongated housing having input code selectors on the housing, to enable door locking and/or unlocking via a locking element, a locking handle protruding from the housing, a coupling in the housing having parts that interfit to enable force transmission between the handle and element, and a coupling mechanism responsive to code selection to control coupling of the parts.
US08677788B2
The washing machine includes a tub mounted in a cabinet, a drum mounted in the tub, a shaft that transmits a driving force from a motor to the drum, front and rear bearings mounted on an outer circumference of opposite end portions of the shaft, a bearing housing built in a central portion of a rear wall of the tub to support the front bearing, a rotor coupled to the rear end portion of the shaft, a stator fixed to the tub rear wall inward of the rotor, and a connector of the rotor that serration coupled to the outer circumference of the shaft in front of the rear bearing so as to transmit rotating power from the rotor to the shaft. A bearing bracket may be fixed to the rear wall of the tub so as to cover an outside of the rotor and support the rear bearing.
US08677786B2
A soft water forming device includes; a capacitive deionization stack (“CDI”) stack including at least one anode and at least one cathode that are separately and alternately stacked to adsorb ions contained in water, and a pumping unit which pumps one of water supplied to the CDI stack and water which has passed through the CDI stack, the pumping unit including; a casing have a water inlet and a water outlet and a rotor which rotates due to motive power supplied by an external motor and pumps the water supplied into the casing.
US08677775B2
A refrigerator has a container for storing ice surrounded by a cold accumulating member, so that when the container is provided in the refrigeration compartment, ice stored inside the container will not melt and stick together.
US08677772B2
An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a cabin air conditioning unit, a heat management unit, a temperature detecting unit, a switching unit, and a control unit. The control unit is operable to control operations of the cabin air conditioning unit, the switching unit, and the heat management unit according to temperature detection results from the temperature detecting unit, thereby regulating temperature of at least one of a passenger cabin and a heat generating component, which generates waste heat during operation thereof, of the vehicle.
US08677771B2
A system and method of controlling an air-cooled refrigerator. The air-cooled refrigerator includes a refrigerating compartment, a refrigerating evaporator, and a refrigerating fan for circulating an air between the refrigerating evaporator and the refrigerating compartment. The method may include steps of: detecting a temperature TL in the refrigerating compartment; determining whether the temperature TL is greater than or equal to a first predetermined temperature T1, and starting the refrigerating evaporator to refrigerate the refrigerating compartment and adjusting a rotating speed of the refrigerating fan to r1 if the temperature TL≧T1; determining whether the temperature TL is less than a second predetermined temperature T2 if the temperature TL
US08677770B2
The present invention relates to a supercooling method and a supercooling apparatus which can maintain an object in a supercooled state. According to the present invention, a supercooling method includes a first cooling step of cooling a stored object toward a cooling temperature below a phase transition temperature thereof, a step of judging whether the stored object is released from a supercooled state in the first cooling step, a step of thawing the stored object when the stored object is released from the supercooled state, and a second cooling step of cooling the stored object toward a cooling temperature below zero that is higher than the lowest temperature of the stored object before the release of the supercooled state, wherein the first cooling step is continuously performed when the object is maintained in the supercooled state.
US08677768B2
The system includes a first heat exchanger in which the refrigerant is injected directly into the content of the first liquid circuit through at least one nozzle to simultaneously capture latent heat from the content as purified frozen liquid pieces are formed. It also includes a second heat exchanger in which the refrigerant transfers the latent heat captured from the content of the first liquid circuit to a content of the second liquid circuit, thereby raising the content of the second liquid circuit in temperature. The proposed concept provides designers with opportunities to create highly efficient systems and methods where the latent heat extracted for the purification is immediately employed to a useful purpose.
US08677767B2
This invention relates to providing energy efficient thermo-electric heat pump systems for iso-thermal transport and storage, of perishable goods, such as vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. Also this invention relates to providing energy efficient iso-thermal transport and storage systems, of perishable goods, which are compact, light weight. This invention further relates to providing on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, the ability of such iso-thermal transport and storage systems to maintain temperature sensitive goods at a constant-temperature.
US08677761B2
Systems and methods for controlling compressor extraction air flows from a compressor of a turbine system during engine turn down are provided. In one embodiment, a method for controlling compressor extraction air flows from a compressor of a turbine system during turn down includes a control unit monitoring one or more operating parameters of a turbine system associated with an exit temperature of a combustor of the turbine system. The method further includes the control unit detecting one or more operating parameters meeting or exceeding a threshold associated with a decrease in the exit temperature of the combustor. In response to detecting one or more operating parameter meeting or exceeding the threshold, a control signal is transmitted to at least one variable orifice located in the turbine system causing at least one variable orifice to alter at least one extraction air flow from the compressor.
US08677755B2
A process for management of thermal effluents of an aircraft that includes an airframe (110) and at least one propulsion system (112), whereby the at least one propulsion system (112) includes a gas turbine engine (116) that is supplied with fuel via a fuel supply circuit (122) that extends from a reservoir (124) that is arranged at the airframe (110), whereby the airframe (110) includes at least one source of thermal effluents (134), wherein the process includes at least partially dissipating—at the level of at least one propulsion system (112)—the thermal effluents that are generated at the airframe (110) by using as coolant the fuel that is used for supplying the gas turbine engine (116).
US08677754B2
On a fuel supply system for a gas-turbine engine with a high-pressure supply line and a fuel metering unit, the fuel distribution system connected to staged or non-staged burners includes only one single fuel line (3) and the valve arrangements (7) connected to this fuel line and directly associated to individual burners (4), with the valve arrangements (7) each having several cutoff valves (8 to 10), which are—independently of each other—individually or simultaneously electrically settable to a closed or open limit position, with the cutoff valves each featuring a specific, yet different cross-sectional area. The simply designed, low-wear and low-maintenance fuel supply and distribution system, avoids coking in the one fuel line in the hot engine section, and enables a binary-coded fuel supply to the respective burner. With a sufficient number of valves in each arrangement, the fuel metering unit can be omitted.
US08677745B1
A Stirling cycle engine comprised of at least two annular chambers, serving as hot and cold cylinders, which are joined together forming a Figure-8 chamber. A slidable, segmented piston disposed within the Figure-8 chamber, under the influence of thermally induced working fluid pressure changes within the engine, traverses the Figure-8 chamber providing a motive force to generate electric power or transfer mechanical energy external to the engine.
US08677743B2
Invention for extraction and accumulation of energy from displacement of an agitated fluid includes buoyant body, camshaft, flywheel, and platforms. Buoyant body floats upon agitated fluid surface and is constrained to vertical translation. Buoyant body translation is converted to flywheel rotation via bearings which engage helical cam tracks of a camshaft. Camshaft is torsionally engaged with flywheel. Buoyant body and camshaft are fitted with unidirectional rotary clutches. Upon action of rising wave, buoyant force is exerted upon buoyant body, displacing body vertically and causing bearings to apply torsion to camshaft, driving camshaft and flywheel into rotation. Upon wave recession, buoyant body descends under self weight via freewheeling action of unidirectional clutches. Flywheel may be filled with or emptied of fluid to adjust its rotary inertia during operation. Buoyant body has a tapered shape and may be filled with or emptied of fluid to adjust its interface with agitated fluid.
US08677737B2
An engine powered machine is provided with a high-performance exhaust gas purification system and is capable of promptly raising a temperature of an operator's cab to a comfortable temperature. The exhaust gas purification system that makes use of an NOx removal catalyst and a reducing agent is provided with a reducing agent heater for heating a reducing agent, which is stored in a reducing agent tank, with heat of an engine cooling medium and an on/off device for controlling an introduction of the engine cooling medium into the reducing agent heater. When a temperature of the engine cooling medium is higher than a first predetermined temperature, a temperature of the reducing agent in the tank is lower than a second predetermined temperature and a temperature in an operator's cab is lower than a third predetermined temperature, a controller switches the on/off device into a closed state to increase a flow rate of the engine cooling medium to be guided to a heat exchanger of a heating apparatus.
US08677734B2
A method for reducing NOx molecules in an exhaust flow within an exhaust aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine includes storing NOx from the exhaust flow on a NOx storage component within an aftertreatment device exposed to the exhaust flow. When the exhaust flow includes molecular hydrogen, he stored NOx is released to create ammonia in the exhaust flow. In a selective catalytic reduction device that is downstream of the aftertreatment device, the created ammonia is utilized to reduce NOx in the exhaust flow.
US08677732B2
The invention relates to a thrust reverser (1) comprising an opening with fixed grids (4) that is closed by a sliding lid (2) in case of direct thrust, and opened by the downstream longitudinal translation displacement of the lid (2) in case of thrust reversal. A flap (20) is pivotally mounted at one upstream end on the lid (2) and can move between a retracted position and an expanded position in which, in case of thrust reversal, it blocks an annular channel (10) in order to redirect a gas flow towards the grid opening (4). A slider (24) for driving the flap (20) is mounted so as to be capable of displacement in at least one translation guiding rail (33) provided in the structure of the lid (2), and is connected to a downstream end of the flap (20) through a driving connecting rod (30) so that a translation movement of the slider (24) in the guiding rail (33) results in a pivoting of the connecting rod (30) and of the flap (20). Actuation means (22) are provided for driving the slider (24) in a translation movement in the guiding rail (33) when the lid (2) is in a downstream translation phase.
US08677730B2
Low-temperature, continuous “cold” combustion, constant pressure, active chamber motor-compressor unit operating with working compressed air and using a piston travel control device as well as an active chamber, with a cold chamber (29) able to reduce to very low temperatures the atmospheric air that supplies the input (28) of an air compression device (28,25,26,33), which then forces this working compressed air, still at low temperature, in an external combustion chamber (19) fitted with a heating device (19A) at constant pressure where it increases in volume, before its quasi-isothermal transfer in the active chamber (13) producing work, before being expanded in an engine cylinder (2) to produce work again.
US08677729B2
An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a system that uses exhaust from the combustion turbine engine to heat the fuel gas consumed by a combustion turbine engine. The benefits of the present invention include reducing the need to use a parasitic load to heat the fuel gas.
US08677725B2
The invention pertains to the production of cables and can be used for reinforcing single-block constructions and other articles made of concrete. The purpose of the invention is to create a self-rectifying reinforcing member. The reinforcement cable comprises a central wire and layer-forming wires spirally wound around the same and having a periodical profile. A periodical profile is applied on the outer section of the surface of the layer-forming wires and is made in the form of inclined protrusions above the generatrix of the crimped surface of the cable. The sections of the surface of the layer-forming wires in contact with other wires are made in the form of spirally-arranged planar flats.
US08677722B2
The present disclosure relates to a high burst slider zipper which allows for bottom filling of reclosable packages, such as large bags, and further provides increased resistance to damage from the dropping or shock loading of the filled package. This is achieved by providing a peel seal or other frangible or separable connection between the zipper profiles, and by sealing a portion of one of the flanges to itself by a hard seal above the peel seal. This causes the external forces on a bag from bottom filling or shock loading to be directed toward the hard seal and further directed so as to cause a shear force against the peel seal, thereby increasing the resistance of the package to external forces.
US08677721B2
An apparatus for marking plastic containers, comprising a marking device which applies a marking to the containers and a checking device in the form a temperature-sensitive sensor which checks for the presence of the marking on the container.
US08677719B2
This invention relates to building materials and methods. A building assembly for constructing a building includes load bearing structural panels joined and finished with a non-load bearing panels. The load bearing panels comprise a structural concrete insulating panel (SCIP) comprising a pair of wire mesh members sandwiching a middle member comprising polystyrene, wherein each of said wire mesh members defines two outwardly projecting screed ridges. The non-load bearing panels comprise a pair of fiber cement boards sandwiching a polystyrene core. The load bearing SCIP panel is placed in position and then the non-load bearing panel is positioned in a desirous location abutting the SCIP. The SCIP then receives a layer of cementitious material that is cut flat using the screed ridges. The assembled SCIP and non-load bearing composite is then finished with a final finishing layer so that the entire assembly has the same outer appearance.
US08677718B2
A replacement exterior surface, for example a replacement roof, is supported by a retrofit system including wooden structural members of dimensional lumber and mountings clips, so as to span over an existing exterior supporting surface of a building, for example an existing roof. The mounting clips each have a base portion for being fastened through the exterior supporting surface onto respective underlying structural members of the building and a channel portion receiving a respective portion of the wooden structural members therein. The mounting clips are arranged to support the wooden structural members to span parallel and spaced apart from one another in a substantially common plane outwardly from the exterior supporting surface of the building for supporting the replacement exterior surface material thereon.
US08677716B2
A framing member incorporates a series of web slots along a portion of the member that are expanded through the process of manufacture. The expansion of the web slots creates voids and metal web elements in the webbed portion of the member, which can be a stud. The voids created during the expansion process can become the voids for running wiring, plumbing and heating ducts. The web elements can be designed to minimize thermal transmission from the exterior to the interior of a wall including the member, as well as provide adequate structure properties required from the structural member. The expanded slots allow the part to enlarge without increasing the amount of raw material and therefore substantially reducing the cost to manufacture.
US08677712B1
A thermal joint having a cold side angle joint; a warm side angle joint; a plurality of bond holes, wherein a liquid curable flooring material bonds through each bond hole; a plurality of rod holes in the warm side thermal wall each holding a rod; a plurality of tube holes in the cold side thermal wall each having a tube; a plurality of leveler holes in each base for containing an adjustable leveler; a tie bar engaging each tube and each rod; a heater conduit longitudinally positioned on the warm side for transferring heat to the warm side, wherein the thermal joint simultaneously allows the rods to slide in the tubes as the cured solid flooring material expands and contracts due to temperature changes and simultaneously prevents vertical deflection as heavy equipment is transported across the cured solid flooring material.
US08677710B2
A roofing tile installation system includes spaced rows of installation strips each having an elongated base to which is attached a plurality of spaced apart hooks. The hooks are formed with a profile that engages and presses on underlying tiles and that grips and hooks around the lower edge of an overlying tile. Each tile is positioned and held laterally between a pair of hooks and held vertically on the slope of a roof by a single hook. An improved weatherproofing system includes a second layer of water resistive material which protects an underlying layer of plastic weatherproofing material against exposure to sunlight and erosion from wind and rain.
US08677696B2
A method of fixing overlaying components together, comprising the step of piercing nails having a profiled shank through the components to fix those components together. Structures including metal sheet are also disclosed which utilize this fixing technique. The structures include composite wall panels used in tilt up wall panel construction.
US08677690B2
A fuel door opening/closing apparatus for a vehicle is configured to lock and release a fuel door for opening and closing an oil filling opening of the vehicle. The fuel door opening/closing apparatus for a vehicle includes a housing mounted to a hinge of a fuel door rotatably mounted to a fuel door housing, a motor installed within the housing, a locking rod configured to be moved between a locking position for locking the fuel door and a releasing position for releasing a locked state of the fuel door, and a power transmission configured to receive power of the motor, convert rotation of the motor to linear movement, and transmit the linear movement to the locking rod.
US08677687B2
A root ball including soil disposed in and around root system and a layer of agricultural polymer around the soil and root system. The agricultural polymer creates a root ball having a semi-permeable, solid outer layer, which provides protection for the root system and eliminates the need for a container.
US08677686B1
High-production, minimal-discharge aquaponic systems and methods. The aquaponic systems separate waste water generated from fish tanks into two flow streams. In the first flow stream, suspended-waste water generated from the waste water is converted to nutrient-rich water and used for hydroponic plant growth. Nutrient-depleted water resulting from the hydroponic plant growth is fed back into fish tanks to continue the cycle. In the second flow stream, settleable solids generated from the waste water is converted to nutrient-rich sludge and used for solid or semi-solid substrate-based plant growth. Excess nutrient-rich water derived from the second flow stream is fed back into the first flow stream, thereby conserving water and nutrients within the system.
US08677681B2
A method of modulating the development stage of strobili growing on a gymnosperm tree comprises: (a) installing a protective covering over one or more strobili bud(s), wherein the type of protective covering is selected to delay or advance strobili development; and (b) maintaining the protective covering over the strobili bud(s) for a time period sufficient to delay or advance the development stage of the covered strobili buds in comparison to the development stage of naturally growing, uncovered, control strobili.
US08677679B2
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an ampoule for the storage and dispersion of a volatile liquid comprised of (a) an outer shell composed of an impermeable material and defining at least one opening; (b) a porous diffusion member defining an internal reservoir positioned inside said outer shell; (c) a volatile liquid contained within such internal reservoir; and (d) a film member adhered to the outer shell and covering the at least one opening; wherein the film member is disposed such that an air space is present between the porous diffusion member and the film member; and wherein the porous diffusion member is configured such that molecules of the volatile liquid can only enter into the air space via diffusion through the porous diffusion member. Such ampoules are particularly suited for the storage and dispersion of organic chemicals useful as bed bug attractants, such as a C8-C12 alkane. In another aspect, this invention is directed to a device adapted to receive one or more of such ampoules. In one preferred embodiment, such device is a bed bug capturing device.
US08677665B1
A trigger may be pivotally connected to a frame at or near the top of the trigger. A sear transfer bar may be further provided and is pivotally connected to the frame. The pivot in the trigger is higher within the frame as compared to the pivot of the sear transfer bar. Two balls can be between the trigger and the sear transfer bar. The top of the sear transfer bar has a sear contact. Pulling the trigger in a first direction causes the trigger to rotate in a first direction. The sear transfer bar rotates under force of the trigger. The sear transfer bar and the trigger may rotate in opposite directions. The sear will drop when the sear contact of the transfer bar ceases engagement with the sear, causing the firearm to fire. The trigger assembly has a control arm extending beyond the trigger assembly frame.
US08677647B2
Biosolids in the nature of sewage sludge is processed in a controlled environment to produce a dried sludge product of relatively high dry solid content with the elimination of or reduced levels of pathogens. The water containing sewage sludge is dried while cascading within a processing chamber using heated air at a temperature below the ignition or smoldering temperature of the sewage sludge to prevent the formation of embers. The sewage sludge before discharge is retained within the processing chamber for a sufficient time and temperature as mandated by the Environment Protection Agency rules and guidelines.
US08677639B2
A ski pole is disclosed. The ski pole includes a ski pole shaft and a ski pole grip. The ski pole includes an inclinometer mounted to the ski pole shaft or grip, wherein the inclinometer is configured to be integral to the shaft or the grip.
US08677619B2
In one embodiment, a system for wrapping biomedical conductor wires about core material, comprises: a payout assembly and a take-up assembly for controllably paying out the core material and taking up the core material with the wrapped conductor wires; a turntable; a plurality of carriers, disposed on the turntable, for letting out the conductor wires; and a die for applying force to the conductor wires as the wires are wrapped about the core material, the die adapted to rotate according to group rotation of the plurality of carriers by the turntable during operation of the system, wherein the die comprises one or more features asymmetrically arranged about a circumference of the die, the one or more features adapted to direct the conductor wires from the plurality of carriers onto the core material in an axially repeating pattern of groups of closely spaced wires with each group separated by a distance larger than the spacing between adjacent wires within each group.
US08677612B2
A method for manufacturing a flex-rigid wiring board, including preparing a flexible wiring board having a flexible base material and having a conductive layer over the flexible base material, making a cut in the flexible wiring board to form a cut portion, and folding at least one portion of the flexible wiring board using the cut portion to form one or more folding portions such that the flexible wiring board is extended in length, and connecting the flexible wiring board to a rigid wiring board including a rigid base material and having a conductive layer over the rigid base material.
US08677604B2
A method of manufacturing a boundary acoustic wave device includes the steps of forming an electrode on a first medium layer, forming a second medium layer so as to cover the electrode on the first medium layer, and forming a sound absorbing layer on an external surface of the second medium layer. The sound absorbing layer has an acoustic velocity of transverse waves that is lower than an acoustic velocity of transverse waves of the second medium layer.
US08677603B1
Tool for forming drop tube connectors for connecting between a sap producing sugar maple tree and a collection conduit by providing for the measurement, cutting and application of fixture fittings within a single unit. The cutting and fixture application features are actuated by a single operating lever. Operation of the tool can be facilitated indoors or out, allowing a single drop to be made in the field or thousands of drops to be made indoors.
US08677596B2
In addition to the pressure for swaging applied when swaging is performed, a pressure in the direction the same as the direction of the holding force exerted by a swaged portion is applied to a pressure receiving edge portion of a bearing holder by the pressure applied by a swaging roller. As a result, the elastic deformation in a circumferential wall portion that is not bent is advanced and the amount of elastic deformation of the bearing holder in the axial direction is reduced, so that it is possible to increase the difference in the amount of elastic deformation between the bearing holder and an outer race. Thus, the axial residual stress in the bearing holder is increased after the swaging is completed, as compared to the case of the ordinary swaging. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the holding force for holding the outer race.
US08677590B2
A method for manufacturing a plasma processing system is provided. The method includes providing a movable plasma-facing structure configured to surround a plasma that is generated during processing of a substrate. The method also includes disposing a movable electrically conductive structure outside of the movable plasma-facing structure, wherein both structures configured to be deployed and retracted as a single unit to facilitate handling of the substrate. The movable electrically conductive structure is radio frequency (RF) grounded during the plasma processing. During processing, the RF current from the plasma flows to the movable electrically conductive structure through the movable plasma-facing structure during the plasma processing. The method further includes coupling a set of conductive straps to the movable electrically conductive structure. The set of conductive straps accommodates the movable electrically conductive structure when it is deployed and retracted while providing the RF current a low impedance path to ground.
US08677587B2
An approach is provided for modular pneumatic fastening device for operating a fastening component. The device comprises a main body, a motive module, a first fast-detaching module and a second fast-detaching module. The motive module being mounted on a top of the main body and comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The first fast-detaching module is attached to the rear end of the motive module, and has a first recess connected to the first protrusion. The second fast-detaching module is attached to the front end of the motive module, is configured for operating the fastening component with the corresponding first fast-detaching module, and has a second recess connected to the second protrusion. Therefore, the first fast-detaching module and the second fast-detaching module can be replaced together pair-wise by the recesses attaching or detaching the protrusion, which fit for the fastening component to be operated.
US08677577B2
A seat belt safety device is configured with a first planar member including a slot opening for receiving a tongue latch of a second seat belt segment and a second planar member attached to at least one edge of the first planar member to extend at about 90° from a point of attachment so that upon insertion of a tongue latch through the slot opening, the second substantially planar member and contacts to lay substantially flat against a portion of an outer surface of the seat belt housing such that the seat belt safety device is substantially immobilized. The second planar member has a limited access opening centered and proximate the release button in the exposed surface of the housing so that when a tongue latch is inserted to latch and secure the first seat belt segment with the second seat belt segment.
US08677559B2
Described is a self-cleaning vacuum cleaner accessory apparatus, method, and system including a tubular element, a nozzle, and a nozzle housing that can include at least one nozzle housing notch. The apparatus can further include a bristle plate coupled to the nozzle housing. The bristle plate can include at least one bristle and at least one tabular release element to control the movement of at least one bristle plate tab. The at least one bristle plate tab can be coupled to, or decoupled from, the at least one nozzle housing notch to either permit or prohibit the bristle plate's movement with respect to the nozzle housing. The bristle plate can further include a pivot for rotating the bristle plate to invert the at least one bristle's orientation. Once inverted, airflow from a vacuum can remove debris from the bristles before returning the bristle plate to its original orientation.
US08677552B2
A surface cleaning apparatus, and in particular a steam mop, comprises a steam delivery system for generating and distributing steam onto a surface to be cleaned. The steam mop further comprises a handle assembly mounted to a foot assembly that has a manifold configured to supply steam from a steam generator to the surface to be cleaned.
US08677551B2
A size-adjustable windshield wiper assembly includes a flexible vertebra, a wiper strip, and a curved spline. The flexible vertebra has scores on an upper side of the flexible vertebra for enabling a user to size the flexible vertebra to a desired size. The wiper strip may include grooves for connecting the wiper strip to the flexible vertebra. The curved spline is inserted into a cavity between the underside of the flexible vertebra and the wiper strip, thereby causing the flexible vertebra to form a curve shape such that the wiper strip is capable of closely hugging a surface of a windshield.
US08677539B2
Footwear, and a process for manufacturing the same, the footwear having at least one lower portion of an upper joined by one or more seams to an upper portion that is lined internally with at least one waterproofing membrane, whose lower edge is fixed to the inner surface of the lower portion of the upper by a layer of adhesive arranged at least under the seams.
US08677536B2
A patient support surface, such as a mattress, includes one or more sensors to sense movement of at least a portion of the mattress caused by extension or retraction of an associated mattress support section of a bed frame. A pneumatic control system adjusts inflation and/or deflation of at least one inflatable bladder of the mattress in response to a signal received from the one or more sensors.
US08677533B2
Seat inserts and methods of manufacturing seat inserts are disclosed. An example seat insert includes a frame. A first base panel is coupled to the frame, and a second base panel is coupled to the frame. The second base panel is joined to the first base panel. The first base panel is positioned at a first incline and the second base panel is positioned at a second incline to provide an inclined support for a child. A relative length of at least one of the first base panel or the second base panel is adjustable to adjust angles of inclination of the first base panel and the second base panel.
US08677526B2
A baby crib comprises a support frame and a cradle frame. The support frame includes a hang portion, at least one leg and a base. The hang portion and the base are respectively connected with upper and lower ends of the leg and extend at a same side thereof in two generally parallel planes. The cradle frame is suspended from the hang portion above the base, and is permanently coupled with the hang portion.
US08677514B1
A finger splaying glove that includes a plurality of extenders disposed perpendicularly between each of the glove fingers, wherein rotation of a dial disposed dorsally proximal the wrist of the glove slidably engages each of a plurality of cord members whereby each of the plurality of extenders is extended and each of the fingers of a person wearing the glove is splayed apart, whereby symptomology of carpel tunnel syndrome, or other repetitive action or stress related tension or discomfort, is alleviated.
US08683598B1
A mechanism for evaluating the security posture of a computer system is described. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data representing an event associated with a security component operating in an endpoint device, analyzing the received data to determine a score to assign to the event and a weighting factor to apply to the assigned score, updating a security component score of the security component with the assigned weighted score for the event, updating an overall security score for the endpoint device with the updated security component score, and providing the updated overall security score to an analysis component.
US08683597B1
Disclosed are various embodiments that perform confidence-based authentication of a user. A request from a user is obtained, where the request pertains to an operation on a network site. An authentication duration for the user is determined, based on a risk to the user of performing the operation. A determination is made whether a current session associated with the user has expired, based on the authentication duration. The operation requested by the user is performed in response to the determination that the current session associated with the user has expired.
US08683565B2
User authentication is based on a home network user database that authenticates users to external service providers. A user logs into home network and starts accessing the external service by clicking on a link labelled for the external service provider. The link is directed to script at a home server. The script causes the home server to obtain details related to the user from a home network user database. The home server passes information related to the user to a foreign server associated with the service provider. Based on the passed information, the foreign server grants or denies authentication of the user to the external service. If granting, the foreign server provides the home server with access data and the home server forwards the access data to the user so that the user can initialize an authorized external service session using the access data.
US08683563B1
An improved technique for assessing the security status of a device on which a soft token is run collects device posture information from the device running the soft token and initiates transmission of the device posture information to a server to be used in assessing whether the device has been subjected to malicious activity. The device posture information may relate to the software status, hardware status, and/or environmental context of the device. In some examples, the device posture information is transmitted to the server directly. In other examples, the device posture information is transmitted to the server via auxiliary bits embedded in passcodes displayed to the user, which the user may read and transfer to the server as part of authentication requests. The server may apply the device posture information in a number of areas, including, for example, authentication management, risk assessment, and/or security analytics.
US08683562B2
Embodiments of the invention facilitate the use of a contactless memory token to automate log-on procedures to a remote access server using dynamic one-time passwords (OTPs). A series of workflow steps establishes the identity of the user and charges a token with a number of dynamic OTPs that can be subsequently verified using, for example, a Radius server sitting behind a VPN or SSL/VPN server.
US08683560B1
Systems and methods for managing credentials distribute the credentials to subsets of a set of collectively managed computing resources. The collectively managed computing resources may include one or more virtual machine instances. The credentials distributed to the computing resources may be used by the computing resources to perform one or more actions. Actions may include performing one or more functions in connection with configuration, management, and/or operation of the one or more resources, and/or access of other computing resources. The ability to use credentials may be changed based at least in part on the occurrence of one or more events.
US08683551B2
In order to provide security within a peer-to-peer network (100) comprising common peers (0, 7, 10, 15, 20, 28) providing the functionality of the network (100), at least one police peer (4, 9, 23) is added to the network (100), said at least one police peer (4, 9, 23) providing security within the network (100) and being certified by a central certification authority (110) managing the certification and positioning of the peers (0, 4, 7, 9, 10, 15, 20, 23, 28).
US08683543B2
A virtual set-top box (vSTB) for executing a middleware component, designed originally for use with the physical STB, including emulating hardware capabilities of the physical STB to process IPTV content received over a connection for presenting the IPTV content on a display of the electronic device.
US08683535B2
A system and method that provide reduced latency in a video signal processing system. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise generating and receiving a request for a unit of video information. A video transmission system may, for example, receive the request for the unit of video information and communicate the unit of video information to a video receiver. For example, the video transmission system may transmit a first portion of the unit of video information at a rate that is faster than a typical steady-state transmission rate for the unit of video information, and the video transmission system may transmit a second portion of the unit of video information at the typical steady-state transmission rate for the unit of video information. A video receiver may then receive the first and second portions of the unit of video information at respective reception rates.
US08683524B2
Methods and apparatus to distinguish elements of a user interface are described. An example user interface includes a plurality of channel cells including a first channel cell having a first attribute and a second channel cell having a second attribute; and a plurality of program cells associated with the plurality of channel cells, wherein at least one program cell has a third attribute, wherein the third attribute distinguishes the at least one program cell from an associated channel cell.
US08683518B2
An integrated media viewing environment including a user interface (UI) and a method for providing a program guide with an integrated media viewing environment. The integrated media viewing environment presents viewers with on-screen displays, e.g., a single, integrated on-screen display, that may be used to obtain, view and/or record media content, including programming that is currently airing, available via download or data streaming, available on an “on demand” basis, and/or available from local storage or removable media.
US08683508B2
An interactive information distribution system includes service provider equipment for generating an information stream that is coupled to an information channel and transmitted to subscriber equipment. The service provider also generates a command signal that is coupled to a command channel and transmitted to the subscriber equipment. The service provider also receives information manipulation requests from the subscriber via a back channel. A communication network supporting the information channel, command channel and back channel is coupled between the service provider equipment and the subscriber equipment.
US08683503B2
Digital video signature apparatus and methods for use with video program identification systems are disclosed. The example apparatus and methods generate a signature associated with a video program. An example system includes a frame scanner to scan video frames associated with the video program. The frame scanner is to select a video frame based on a number of intra-coded macro blocks within the video frame. The example system also includes an intra-coded macro block extractor to extract intra-coded macro blocks from the video frame and a scaled image extractor to extract a scaled image from the intra-coded macro blocks. A signature generator is also included in the example system to calculate a plurality of centroids associated with video frame based on the scaled image and to form the signature based on the plurality of centroids.
US08683500B2
Provided is a shaft supporting structure, an optical pickup moving structure including the shaft supporting structure, and an optical disc drive. The shaft supporting structure includes a base chassis, a shaft installed on the base chassis, an axis support that supports an end of the shaft, and a rotatable locker for preventing the shaft from being separated from the axis support.
US08683499B2
A disc loading apparatus is provided. The disc loading apparatus includes a frame base, a spindle motor installed in the frame base, a disc guide wall disposed at one side of the frame base and configured to guide a loading of a disc, a disc loading structure disposed in front of another side of the frame base and disposed parallel to a direction in which the disc enters to load the disc on the spindle motor, a rotational disc centering lever disposed adjacent to the guide wall to center the disc with respect to the spindle motor, and an ejecting lever disposed at a rear side of the frame base and configured to unload the disc loaded on the spindle motor.
US08683497B2
A network device driver includes a fetching/hooking module to fetch/hook hardware data and/or a hardware event of the communication terminal; a packet assembly module to packetize the hardware data and/or the hardware event; a packet release module to recover the packetized hardware data and/or the hardware event, which are/is received from another terminal connected with the communication terminal via a wired/wireless communication network; and a transmission module to receive/transmit the packetized hardware data and/or the hardware event from/to another communication terminal.
US08683494B1
A method of constructing a target event handler sequence from an end target in an event-driven program may include determining a variable to be read in a first event handler of multiple event handlers in the event-driven program. Each of the event handlers may include portions of code within the event-driven program. The method may also include determining a condition in the first event handler that is associated with the variable and determining multiple second event handlers of the event handlers that are configured to write to the variable. The method may also include pruning the second event handlers based on which of the second event handlers are configured to write a value to the variable that satisfies the condition.
US08683493B2
Technologies described herein generally relate to allocating annunciators to provide annunciations in response to annunciation requests in a computing device. The computing device may include a platform application, which may be configured to receive annunciation requests from applications for providing annunciations. The platform application may discover annunciators capable of providing the at least one annunciation. The platform application may schedule the annunciation request with one of the discovered annunciators and upon scheduling the annunciation request with one of the discovered annunciator, may cause the scheduled annunciator to provide the annunciation in response to the annunciation request. The technologies presented herein can allocate annunciators according to the demands of a user by determining a prioritization level of an annunciation request and an attention limit of the computing device such that the computing device can manage multiple annunciation requests without inundating a user with extraneous annunciations.
US08683483B2
Load-balancing threads among a plurality of processing units. The method may include a first processing unit executing a plurality of software threads using a respective plurality of hardware strands. The plurality of hardware strands may share at least one hardware resource within the first processing unit. The method may further include monitoring the at least one hardware resource, wherein, for each respective hardware strand. Monitoring may include, for each respective hardware resource of the at least one hardware resource: maintaining information regarding the respective hardware strand requesting to use the respective hardware resource but failing to do so because the respective hardware resource is in use, comparing the information to a threshold, and generating an interrupt if the information exceeds the threshold. One or more load-balancing operations may be performed in response to the interrupt.
US08683476B2
A system for dispatching a thread to a resource obtains a thread and utilization data for all resources. The system determines if there is a thread-resource affinity. The system uses thread-resource affinity to identify a resource and a timestamp for when the thread last completed executing on the resource. The system determines if the resource qualifies under a dispatch policy. The system uses utilization data to determine a timestamp for when the resource last transitioned to a not powered state. When the second timestamp precedes the first timestamp, the system dispatches the thread to the resource and generates a power management event. The system determines if the power management event satisfies a throttle policy. The system discards the power management event when throttle policy is unsatisfied and determines whether to adjust the current power state of the resource based on the power management event when throttle policy is satisfied.
US08683461B2
The present invention discloses a method and system for deploying software, e.g., software modules designed for acquisition and/or post-processing of images related to a particular imaging agent. The modules can be remotely accessed from a software server.
US08683460B2
An approach is provided in which a distributed management appliance receives active device type identifiers from a computing system included in a distributed environment. The distributed management appliance identifies legacy device types from the active device type identifiers that fail to correspond to devices currently supported by the distributed management appliance. In turn, the distributed management appliance includes legacy device type identifiers and supported device type identifiers in a customized support matrix and distributes the customized support matrix to each of the computing systems included in the distributed environment.
US08683454B1
Processing program code can include comparing functions specified in program code to identify a function group including a plurality of matching functions. A generalized function can be generated, using a processor, for the function group that implements an algorithm common to each of the plurality of matching functions. For each function of the function group, a wrapper function associated with the function can be generated, wherein each wrapper function calls the generalized function. A version of the program code including the generalized function and the wrapper function in place of each function of the function group can be created.
US08683444B1
A system and method of debugging a multi-threaded process with at least one running thread and at least one suspended thread is disclosed. Embodiments utilize a blocking function to block the thread of a process while other threads are allowed to run. The blocking function may be executed in a suspended thread by a debugger under control of a thread blocking controller. The other threads may implement interprocess communication channels for enabling communication between the process and another application. A simulated user interface (UI) of a debugger enables interaction with users while a hardware simulation thread is blocked, where blocking of the hardware simulation thread may be implemented by a thread blocking component implemented externally to the debugger. Where a thread blocking controller is implemented within the debugger, a debugger UI may interact with a user while the hardware simulation thread is blocked and interprocess communication threads are running.
US08683437B1
A method, system and module for automatically validating dialogs associated with a spoken dialog service. The method comprises extracting key data from a dialog call detail record associated with a spoken dialog service, transmitting the key data as a dialog to a state-based representation (such as a finite-state machine) associated with a call-flow for the spoken dialog service and determining whether the dialog associated with the key data is a valid dialog for the call-flow.
US08683431B2
A method and apparatus for applying a rule to a data object using a computing device having at least a processor, a computer-readable memory, a display device and an input device. A rule template is provided in the computer-readable memory, the rule template having attributes corresponding to attributes of at least one type of data object. A rule template icon associated with the rule template and a data object icon associated with a data object having corresponding attributes are also provided in the computer-readable memory. A developer of an application is allowed to associate the rule template icon with the data object icon and, as a result of the association of the rule template icon with the data object icon, the rule template is instantiated with the data object.
US08683427B2
Modeled test cases are created by converting test cases of each component, which describe interface call orders for the component, into expressions with a level of abstraction increased by excluding component unique information included in the test cases using classification information of interfaces provided by the component. Modeled test cases as differences are extracted by comparing the modeled test cases between a plurality of components.
US08683425B2
Retrieving a question regarding requirements of an application from a data object node of an architecture design solution repository with architecture design solutions comprising a plurality of data object trees each with a plurality of data object nodes. Displaying a question regarding the requirements of the application to an application user through an interface and receiving an indication of an answer chosen by the application user. Indicating within the data object node which answer was chosen by the application user and determining which data object node to retrieve a next question from based on answer indicated by the user. Determining which architecture design solution within the architecture design solution repository matches the requirements of the application indicated by the application user and generating an architecture design work product based on matching the data object nodes to architecture design solutions within the architecture design solution repository.
US08683424B2
Configuration requirements for an Availability Management Framework (AMF) configuration are generated from high level user requirements that specify a subset of properties of an AMF configuration. The user requirements are first mapped into entity prototypes defined in an extended Entity Types File (ETF) model. A computer system identifies additional entity prototypes and dependency thereof that support functionalities of the mapped entity prototypes under a set of grouping conditions. The computer system calculates the required number of component service instances (CSIs) and service instances (SIs) that satisfy the user requirements. The calculation is based on the subset of the properties specified by the user requirements and measurements associated with the entity prototypes in the extended ETF model. The computer system then forms configuration requirements including the required number of CSIs and SIs for generating the AMF configuration that satisfies the user requirements.
US08683420B2
A method and system of improved reliability testing includes providing a first substrate and a second substrate, each substrate comprising only a first metallization layer; processing regions on a first substrate by combinatorially varying at least one of materials, unit processes, and process sequences; performing a first reliability test on the processed regions on the first substrate to generate first results; processing regions on a second substrate in a combinatorial manner by varying at least one of materials, unit processes, and process sequences based on the first results of the first reliability test; performing a second reliability test on the processed regions on the second substrate to generate second results; and determining whether the first substrate and the second substrate meet a predetermined quality threshold based on the second results.
US08683419B1
A method is provided to test an integrated circuit design for power management circuit design errors comprising: configuring a computer to identify multiple power domain crossing paths between pairs of power domains; identify one or more power related constraints associated with such power domain crossing paths; and group power domain crossing paths between matching power domain pairs that are associated with matching power related constraints.
US08683417B2
Multiple level spine routing is disclosed. In some embodiments, in response to receiving a specification of a net comprising a set of pins, a first wire for routing the net is generated, the set of pins comprising the net is partitioned into one or more groups based at least in part on a cost function, a second wire that connects to the first wire is generated for each group of the net, and a third wire that connects each pin to the second wire of its group is generated for each pin of each group of the net.
US08683416B1
A device may identify signal channels for connecting circuit blocks, where each circuit block is associated with a block implementation area corresponding to a substrate. The device may assign a channel priority to each of the signal channels based on at least one channel criteria. The device may allocate a channel implementation area, corresponding to the substrate, for each of a plurality of signal channels, based on the channel priority assigned to the signal channel and based on the block implementation areas. The device may generate an integrated circuit design comprising the channel implementation area allocated for each of the plurality of signal channels.
US08683406B2
A patterning method includes defining, in the case of an electric current which exceeds an allowable limit flowing between first conduction type well regions arranged in a semiconductor substrate, a first pattern between the first conduction type well regions; defining a second pattern by removing, in the case of a first region in which arrangement is inhibited being in the first pattern, the first region from the first pattern; defining a third pattern by removing, in the case of a second region which exceeds a fabrication limit being in the second pattern, the second region from the second pattern; and using the third pattern as a dummy active region in a second conduction type well region arranged in the semiconductor substrate.
US08683404B2
A memory is provided for storing a control sequence of a clock cycle for each semiconductor device. The program sequence is calculated in advance and written in the memory by a program etc. on a computer. When the relevant semiconductor device is controlled, the contents of the memory are provided to the semiconductor device.
US08683401B2
An information processing device comprises, a physical property value generation unit to generate a plurality of physical property values for changing signal propagation time of a target path including a plurality of circuit elements within a predetermined fluctuation range, an element delay calculation unit to calculate delay time of each of signals passing through the circuit element in accordance with each of the generated physical property values and a propagation time calculation unit to calculate the signal propagation time of the target path on the basis of the delay time of the signals.
US08683396B2
Embodiments of a computer system, a process, a computer-program product (i.e., software), and a data structure or a file for use with the computer system are described. These embodiments may be used to determine or generate source patterns that define illumination patterns on photo-masks during a photolithographic process. Moreover, a given source pattern may be determined concurrently with an associated mask pattern (to which a given photo-mask corresponds) or sequentially (i.e., either the given source pattern may be determined before the associated mask pattern or vice versa.). During the determining, the given source pattern may be represented using one or more level-set functions. Additionally, the source pattern may be determined using an Inverse Lithography (ILT) calculation.
US08683395B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method of forming a new integrated circuit design on a semiconductor wafer using a photolithography tool. The method includes selecting a previously processed wafer having a past integrated circuit design different than the new integrated circuit design, selecting a plurality of critical dimension (CD) data points extracted from the previously processed wafer after the previously processed wafer was etched, and creating a field layout and associated baseline exposure dose map for the new integrated circuit design. The method also includes refining each field in the baseline exposure dose map based on a difference between an average CD for the previously processed wafer and an average CD for each field in the field layout and controlling the exposure of the photolithography tool according to the refined baseline exposure dose map to form the new integrated circuit design on the semiconductor wafer.
US08683394B2
Aspects of the invention relate to techniques for improving speed and consistency of OPC processes based on pattern matching. Pattern matching may be performed on a layout design to determine one or more arrays in the layout design that comprise arrays of identical layout patterns of which each matches a reference pattern. The one or more arrays may then be partitioned into core portions and boundary portions. The OPC process information for the reference pattern may be applied to the core portions, while a conventional OPC process may be performed on the boundary portions and layout regions outside of the one or more arrays.
US08683390B2
Embodiments related to the manipulation of objects on a multi-touch graphical user interface are disclosed. For example, in one disclosed embodiment, a method of operating a multi-touch graphical user interface on a computing device comprises displaying a group of objects on the graphical user interface in a group representation, receiving a first multi-touch input in which a first number of touches associated with the group representation are moved on the graphical user interface, and in response to the first multi-touch input, changing a scale of the objects in the group representation. The method further comprises receiving a second multi-touch input in which a second number of touches associated with the group representation are moved on the graphical user interface, and in response to the second multi-touch input, changing an organization of the objects in the group representation on the graphical user interface.
US08683382B2
Provided is a display apparatus including a display panel and a display frame to support the display panel. The display apparatus including an input unit, provided on the exterior surface of the display apparatus, for outputting a contact detection signal when a user contacts the input unit; a signal processor for generating a function adjustment user interface (UI) menu to be displayed on the display panel; and a controller for controlling the signal processor to display the function adjustment UI menu corresponding to the user's contact through the input unit when the user's contact is detected based on a detection result of the input unit. Thus, provided is a display apparatus which improves accessibility to a function adjustment UI menu, simplifies a manipulation process of the function adjustment UI menu, and enables a user to quickly and easily access a desired adjustment item when the function adjustment UI menu is displayed, and a control method thereof.
US08683379B2
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for providing dynamic search results based upon historical data through the use of one or more widgets. The method of the present invention comprises receiving a request for content from a client and generating one or more widgets for providing search result content. A display profile is applied to the one or more widgets and the one or more widgets are combined with static search results to form a search result page that is provided to a requesting client.
US08683368B2
A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for illustrating progress in achieving a goal of a system modeled by a computer program. In one embodiment, the invention is evidenced by a method comprising the steps of displaying a widget wherein the widget comprises a center portion representing a category of data represented by the computer program and the category of data includes n data points that must be fulfilled to achieve the goal and an outer portion, comprising a segment representing each one of the n data points; and updating the widget to represent each of the n data points that has been fulfilled by delineating each segment representing a fulfilled data point requirement from each segment representing a non -fulfilled data point requirement.
US08683357B2
A method and apparatus for providing real-time web applications is described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a web page from a web application framework at a client computer system, the web page including at least one framework widget with a subscription to a topic. The method may also include opening a framework socket in a web browser run on the client computer system. In one embodiment, the method may further include rendering the framework socket along with the at least one framework widget in a web browser run by the client computer system.
US08683353B2
A method and system for collaborative communications is described. In one embodiment, a central virtual reality communications environment is created. A plurality of client communication devices are connected to the central virtual reality communications environment. Each one of the connected plurality of client communication devices are represented as an avatar present in the central virtual reality communications environment. An uploaded data object is received from any one of the connected plurality of client communication devices. Finally, the data object is displayed in the central virtual reality communications environment to the connected plurality of client communication devices.
US08683350B2
Systems and methods for enabling the download of a set of media files with a specific order and specific contents and, more particularly, to enabling a download manager to automatically receive the information it requires to retrieve those elements required to replicate a streaming edit through local playback after the downloads complete.
US08683346B2
According to some embodiments, a client accesses enterprise portal content from an enterprise portal server. The client also accesses supplemental content directly from a supplemental server. The supplemental server may, for example, be associated with a browser-based collaboration and/or document-management platform. Moreover, the client integrates the supplemental content into the enterprise portal content on a user interface display.
US08683342B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a way to combing websites that can be edited over the Internet using distributed revision control. This also makes it possible to use writable web sites while not being connected to the Internet. In some embodiments, the present invention is applied to wikis. When a wiki reconnects, differences are automatically sent over and changes from other wikis are merged automatically. Wikis may also be synchronized on a periodic or event driven basis. Embodiments of the present invention may also be used for load balancing between wikis, or to share information with users who can only occasionally connect to the Internet.
US08683339B2
Gap values for a collection of images are obtained; each gap value is a temporal difference between temporally adjacent images. A first grouping of the collection of images into one or more groups is determined based at least in part on the gap values. The first grouping is performed such that each group is temporally contiguous. The first grouping is presented and input from a user is received in response to the presented first grouping. A second grouping of the collection of images into two or more groups is determined based at least in part on the user input. The second grouping is presented.
US08683335B2
An information processing device includes: a storage unit; a first display control unit; and a demanding unit. The storage unit that stores attribute data representing specified attribute of contents and category data representing a category of the attribute correlated to each other. The first display control unit that provides controls for displaying information for a selected attribute and for displaying, in a categorized state, information for related attributes correlated to the same category as that of the attribute on a correlation display screen. The demanding unit that demands data search by referring to the correlated attribute selected corresponding to information selected from among those displayed on the correlation display screen to an information provision device.
US08683332B2
A system may include a display to present a visualization comprising a plurality of graphical indicators, each of the graphical indicators associated with a respective one of a plurality of entities of interest, a touch-sensitive input surface to receive a touch input at a first portion of the visualization representing a current physical location of the apparatus and a drag input on the display device from the first portion to a second portion of the visualization, and a processor to filter the plurality of graphical indicators based on a distance between the first portion and the second portion.Filtering of the plurality of graphical indicators may include determination of a second distance based on the distance between the first portion and the second portion, and determination of at least one of the plurality of entities of interest, each of the at least one of the plurality of entities of interest located less than the second distance from the current physical location of the apparatus.
US08683331B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implement techniques for configuring at least a portion of a document for display in a display environment. The techniques include generating a document color palette for all or a portion of an electronic document, where the colors of the document color palette are selected based on colors of a plurality of color containing objects in the document or portion thereof, and generating a plurality of views of the document, two or more of the views being based on different color palettes. The plurality of views includes a document view including each of the plurality of color containing objects, where each color containing object in the document view is represented using the document color palette.
US08683328B2
The invention provides a method and system for entry and editing of multimedia objects for communication and presentation, associating multimedia objects with received sequences of keystroke or mouse action abbreviations. When an abbreviation is detected, the abbreviation is replaced with the associated multimedia object. Each multimedia object has editable properties, and each set of multimedia objects can be collected into an ensemble, which itself can have editable properties. One such ensemble property is a “theme,” which presents a variant of each multimedia object consistent with the theme.
US08683326B2
A determinate spatiotemporal layout specification (20) automatically is generated in accordance with a relative spatiotemporal layout specification (14). The relative spatiotemporal layout specification (14) describes relative spatial positions and temporal order of media object types. The determinate spatiotemporal layout specification (20) describes a layout of media objects (18) in a display area (46) over time. The process of generating the determinate spatiotemporal layout specification (20) includes determining for each of the media objects (18) a respective spatiotemporal slot corresponding to a respective window in the display area (46) over a respective rendering period in which the media object (18) is scheduled to be rendered. The determinate spatiotemporal layout specification (20) is outputted.
US08683324B2
A target file generation system and method for use by ordinary computer users enable those users to readily generate target files without the requirement that they know the internal layout structures of the target files. The system enables a user to select a template file from a plurality of template files, wherein a template file includes changeable fields associated with corresponding field delimiters and prompting labels, wherein at least two different template files have different quantities of changeable fields. An incomplete software program file containing identifier of variable name locations is accessed. The program file is parsed to locate the variable name locations. Label names obtained from the template file selected by the user are inserted in the variable name locations. The program generates a user interface including inserted label names and user input fields via which the user can provide data corresponding to changeable fields in the template file.
US08683309B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, data processing systems are disclosed that include a data decoding system.
US08683305B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a transmitter, a receiver and methods of operating a transmitter and a receiver. In one embodiment, the transmitter includes an input padding module configured to provide padded bits having padding bits added to payload bits for one or more control channels, and a scrambling module configured to apply a masking sequence to one or more of the padded bits to generate scrambled bits. Additionally, the transmitter also includes an encoding module configured to perform forward error correction encoding and rate matching on the scrambled bits to obtain a required number of control channel output bits, and a transmit module configured to transmit the control channel output bits for one or more control channels.
US08683300B2
The invention relates to a method of encoding user data into codevectors and to a corresponding method of decoding codevectors into user data. In order to be able to use the same ECC decoder for decoding of more than one type of data a method of encoding is proposed comprising the steps of: generating a first block of a fixed first number of data symbols by taking a fixed second number, being smaller than said first number, of user data symbols, and a fixed third number of dummy data symbols, and by arranging said user data symbols and said dummy data symbols in a predetermined order, encoding said first block of data symbols using an ECC encoder (2) to obtain a codeword having a fixed number of symbols, said codeword comprising said first block of data symbols and a second block of a fixed forth number of parity symbols, and generating a codevector by selecting a fifth predetermined number of user data symbols and a sixth predetermined number of parity symbols from said codeword, the sum of said fifth and sixth number being predetermined and smaller than the sum of said second and forth number.
US08683295B1
A hybrid drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, and a non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM). A write command is received from a host, the write command comprising data. First and second error correction code (ECC) symbols are generated over the data, wherein the second ECC symbols are different than the first ECC symbols. The data and first ECC symbols are written to the NVSM, and the second ECC symbols are written to the disk.
US08683294B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for skewed orthogonal coding techniques. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a first block of data chunks and a second block of data chunks. Data from the first block is specified to be stored at a first group of storage nodes, and data from the second block is specified to be stored at the second group of storage nodes. The first block of data chunks are stored at the first group of storage nodes and the second block of data chunks are stored at the second group of storage nodes. A block of code chunks is stored at the third group of storage nodes, wherein each code chunk is generated using an error-correcting code and corresponding data chunks from the first and second blocks.
