US08680857B2
A magnetoresistive sensor comprising first and second magnetoresistive elements is disclosed. Each magnetoresistive element is coupled at a respective first end to a common ground terminal and comprises one or more magnetoresistive segments, each overlying a corresponding segment of an excitation coil. The resistance of the magnetoresistive segments in each of the first and second magnetoresistive elements is the same and the resistance of the segments of the excitation coil corresponding to the first magnetoresistive element is the same as the resistance of the segments of the excitation coil corresponding to the second magnetoresistive element.
US08680827B2
The voltage at a spurious frequency is decreased while maintaining as much as possible the voltage at a resonance frequency of a piezoelectric transformer, thus controlling a wide voltage range with a comparatively low cost configuration. A high-voltage power supply apparatus includes a piezoelectric transformer that outputs a highest voltage at a predetermined resonance frequency, and a generating unit that generates a signal that oscillates at a drive frequency that drives the piezoelectric transformer, throughout a frequency range that includes the resonance frequency. Furthermore, the high-voltage power supply apparatus includes an output terminal connected to the piezoelectric transformer, and a constant-voltage element inserted in a path that couples the piezoelectric transformer and the output terminal.
US08680824B2
The present invention discloses an inverter circuit and a method for supplying an inverted voltage. The method for supplying an inverted voltage comprises: providing a power switch and an inductor electrically connected with each other; driving the gate of the power switch by a driver gate, such that an input voltage is converted to a negative voltage supplied to a load; and providing a low operation voltage to the driver gate according to the negative voltage.
US08680814B2
Charging is started with charge voltage set to a first voltage value (lower than a normal charge voltage) by a charge voltage change means, the first voltage value being predetermined to ensure that secondary batteries constituting a parallel-arrangement battery pack are charged up to and maintained at a predetermined SOC lower than full charge (between 80 and 90% of full charge). When a charge current detection means detects that charge current has decreased to a predetermined value A1, the charge voltage is set to a second voltage value (normal charge voltage) higher than the first voltage value by the charge voltage change means, the second voltage value being predetermined to enable the secondary batteries to be charged up to full charge. When a battery SOC detection means detects that at least one of the secondary batteries has reached full charge, charging is terminated.
US08680812B2
An electric vehicle charging system is described. The electric vehicle charging system includes a plurality of electric vehicle charging apparatus coupled to, and configured to receive electric power from, a distribution transformer. The electric vehicle charging system also includes a central processing device configured to control operation of the plurality of electric vehicle charging apparatus.
US08680805B2
A control device that drives one driven object by a first motor and a second motor. A first processor has a first correction amount calculation unit configured to calculate an amount of correction for a torque command to the first motor based on a speed value difference between a speed value of the first motor and a speed value of the second motor in order to suppress vibrations. A second processor has a second correction amount calculation unit configured to calculate an amount of correction for a torque command to the second motor based on a speed value difference between a speed value of the first motor and a speed value of the second motor in order to suppress vibrations.
US08680797B2
A motor control device comprises: an acceleration upper limit estimating unit; a target acceleration setting unit; a motor control unit; and a deficit calculating unit, wherein the target acceleration setting unit corrects the target acceleration based on the acceleration profile by an amount corresponding to the acceleration deficit within a range in which the target acceleration does not exceed the acceleration upper limit on the basis of the acceleration deficit calculated by the deficit calculating unit to set the target acceleration at each time.
US08680794B2
A small-sized load drive system which, even with three three-phase inverters, significantly reduces noise regardless of control duty ratio. The load drive system includes three-phase inverters, and first, second, and third control units. The inverters are connected to loads, respectively. The first control unit generates sawtooth wave voltage and controls the inverter according to the sawtooth wave voltage. The second control unit generates inverse sawtooth wave voltage and controls the inverter according to the inverse sawtooth wave voltage. The third control unit generates triangular wave voltage which has ramps respectively equal to the sawtooth/inverse sawtooth wave voltage and either has a same phase or is out of phase by half a period relative to the sawtooth/inverse sawtooth wave voltage, and also controls the inverter according to the triangular wave voltage.
US08680793B2
A machine has a rotor and includes a converter-controlled drive and a working machine, wherein the drive and the working machine are connected such that a torque is transmitted. A frequency converter is electrically connected to the drive. The frequency converter is embodied such that in a Campbell diagram intersection points are based on the natural torsional frequency of the rotor and V-shaped symmetrical straight lines of the inter-harmonic exciter frequency for output frequencies. The output frequencies are grouped into a plurality of concentration ranges based upon a rotational speed of the machine, wherein each concentration range comprises output frequencies which are close to one another and which respectively have a common output point on the abscissa of the Campbell diagram. Each concentration range defines a blocking range, wherein the machine has an operating rotational speed range which lies outside the blocking ranges.
US08680790B2
An electrical connector is provided for connecting a light emitting diode (LED) to a driver. The electrical connector includes a housing, a driver input contact held by the housing and configured to be electrically connected to a power output of the driver, and an LED output contact held by the housing and configured to be electrically connected to a power input of the LED. An electrical path is defined between the driver input contact and the LED output contact for supplying electrical power from the driver to the power input of the LED. The electrical connector includes a temperature monitor and control (TMC) module operatively connected to a temperature sensor for receiving a temperature associated with the LED. The TMC module is configured to control the flow of electrical power from the driver input contact to the LED output contact based on the temperature received from the temperature sensor.
US08680786B2
An apparatus and a method for common use of a power supply and a display apparatus using the same are provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel, a backlight unit which provides backlight to the display panel, and a power supply unit for common use which comprises an adjusting circuit unit comprising a plurality of resistances, and provides a current of a magnitude corresponding to a combination state of the plurality of resistances to the backlight unit. Accordingly, the power supply apparatus for common use adjusts an output current easily and is commonly used for diverse display apparatuses, and thus a manufacturing process is efficiently improved.
US08680779B2
A power interface is proposed, which keeps an adjustable power supply circuit in a conducting state even if the average current consumption of an attached load is below the adjustable power supply circuit's holding current requirement. The power interface makes use of the dynamic properties of adjustable power supply circuits. Due to the recovery time of the adjustable power supply circuit, it will stay in the conducting state even if there is no current flowing for a short while. The power interface makes use of this effect by interrupting and re-establishing a current flow from the adjustable power supply circuit.
US08680774B2
An electronic system comprises at least a base part, a power source and at least one electronic module adapted to be powered by the power source. The base part is provided with at least two parallel extending, elongated tracks being electrically conductive. At least one parameter of the electronic module is changeable by amending the distance of the electronic module to a predetermined location on the tracks.
US08680763B2
An organic electroluminescent device comprises an anode; a cathode; a first electroluminescent layer between the anode and the cathode comprising an electron transporting material; and a second electroluminescent layer between the first electroluminescent layer and the anode. The second electroluminescent layer comprises a hole transporting material and an electroluminescent electron trapping material. The first electroluminescent layer may comprises a polymer having an electron transporting material and an electroluminescent material, and may include an optionally electroluminescent hole-transporting material. The electron transporting material and one or both of the hole transporting material of the first electroluminescent layer and the electroluminescent material of the first electroluminescent layer are part of the same molecule or polymer. Preferably, the electron transporting material comprises a plurality of adjacent arylene repeat units.
US08680760B2
The present invention discloses a phosphor material for organic optoelectronic devices. The phosphor is a complex comprising a metal (Ir or Pt) and an aryl-modified beta-diketone ligand. The complexes of this invention are useful to function as an emitter in the emissive layer of an organic light emitting diode, even as the complex is the main component of this layer.
US08680756B2
A HID luminaire includes a HID lamp, a reflector, and a lens. The reflector has a proximal end, a distal area, and an intermediate are positioned therebetween. The reflector has an interior surface that includes a first portion that extends from the proximal end to the intermediate area and a second portion that extends from the intermediate area to the distal end. The second portion is less light reflective than the first portion. The lens has two different diffusion rates and includes a center portion having a lens inner diameter and an outer portion surrounding the center portion. The lens inner diameter is about the same diameter as the diameter of the intermediate area. The outer portion is more diffuse than the center portion but allows light to be transmitted therethrough.
US08680750B2
A piezoelectric power generator for feeding emergency power, includes a frame; a fixing unit comprising a left fixing body coupled to an upper left side of the frame and a right fixing body coupled to an upper right part of the frame; a first piezoelectric body bonded to a right side of the left fixing body; a second piezoelectric body bonded to a left side of the right fixing body; and a vibration unit bonded between the first piezoelectric body and the second piezoelectric body and vibrating vertically.
US08680745B2
A piezoelectric sensing device is described for measuring material thickness of targets such as pipes, tubes, and other conduits that carry fluids. The piezoelectric sensing device includes a piezoelectric element mounted to a flexible circuit with glass reinforced polyimide C-stage cover layers surrounding a pure polyimide C-stage core.
US08680744B2
A surface acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate made of lithium niobate and including grooves in a surface thereof. Each groove includes a finger of an IDT electrode made of copper. The IDT electrode includes a first electrode layer embedded in the grooves and a second electrode layer sticking out of the surface of the piezoelectric substrate. A normalized electrode thickness of the first electrode layer is about 1.0% to about 12.0% inclusive, and the normalized electrode thickness of the second electrode layer is about 1.0% to about 9.0% inclusive. The normalized electrode thickness of the entire IDT electrode is about 6.0% to about 13.0% inclusive.
US08680743B2
A SAW device 11 has an IDT which is provided on the principal surface of a quartz crystal substrate 12 having Euler angles (−1.5°≦φ≦1.5°, 117°≦θ≦142°, 42.79°≦|ψ|≦49.57°) and excites a SAW in a stopband upper end mode, and a pair of reflectors which are arranged on both sides of the IDT. Inter-electrode-finger grooves are recessed between the electrode fingers of the IDT, and inter-conductor-strip grooves are recessed between the conductor strips of the reflectors. The wavelength λ of the SAW and the depth G of the inter-electrode-finger grooves satisfy 0.01λ≦G. An IDT line occupancy η and the depth G of the inter-electrode-finger grooves satisfy a predetermined relational expression. The IDT line occupancy η and a reflector line occupancy ηr satisfy the relationship η<ηr. Therefore, an excellent frequency-temperature characteristic and a high Q value in an operation temperature range are realized simultaneously.
US08680742B2
There is provided a method for testing a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator, wherein the displacement of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator is estimated on the basis of the relations between one or more frequency characteristic values selected from the group consisting of the heights and areas of the peaks of the resonance waveforms and the difference of the maximum and minimum of the first order or first to higher orders of the resonance frequency characteristic values of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator and the k-th order (k=1 to 4) of the first or first to higher orders of resonance frequencies. According to this piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator testing method, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator can be tested with high precision without actually driving the same as a product and without being accompanied by any disassembly/breakage.
US08680741B2
A haptic actuator using a cellulose electro-active paper film is provided. The haptic actuator includes a cellulose electro-active paper film exhibiting a piezoelectric phenomenon and a metal electrode for applying electricity to the electro-active paper film, so that the haptic actuator can be provided in the form of a thin film, can manifest high transparency, and can produce displacement to the magnitude of sufficiently stimulating the sensor receptors of a user's skin in response to the applied electricity. Also, the haptic actuator is friendly to the environment and humans thanks to the use of cellulose which is an environmentally friendly material.
US08680731B2
A permanent-magnetic type rotary electric machine includes a stator having teeth that are arranged in the peripheral direction thereof and around which armature windings of plural phases are wound, and a rotor having plural permanent magnets arranged so that the poles of the permanent magnets are alternately different in the peripheral direction thereof, higher harmonic waves being contained in a no-load induced voltage waveform. A (6p−1)-th higher harmonic wave and a (6p−1)-th higher harmonic wave (p represents a positive integer) when an electrical angle of 360° is set as a fundamental wave in the no-load induced voltage waveform are made substantially coincident with each other in amplitude and phase.
US08680724B2
A linear generator has a fluid pressure cylinder structure for reciprocating a piston in a cylinder in the axial direction by applying alternately a fluid pressure in a left fluid pressure chamber in contact with the left end wall of the cylinder and a fluid pressure in a right fluid pressure chamber in contact with the right end wall of the cylinder to the piston. A permanent magnet band is formed between the left and right pressure receiving surfaces of the piston, and an electromotive coil band provided over the left and right fluid pressure chambers is formed on the cylindrical wall between the left and right end walls of the cylinder so that power generation in the electromotive coil band is induced by the reciprocating movement in the axial direction of the piston having the permanent magnet band.
US08680723B2
A linear actuator includes a stationary part, a movable part moveably supported by the stationary part, and at least one elastic member disposed between the movable part and the stationary part. The stationary part includes a stator core with a pair of teeth extending inwardly there from, and a winding wound on each of the teeth. The movable part disposed between the teeth includes two pairs of permanent magnetic poles respectively facing the teeth and an output shaft projecting in a first direction. When the windings are electrified, the stationary part generates a magnetic field which interacts with the permanent magnetic poles to reciprocate the movable part relative to the stationary part in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
US08680717B2
Provided is a relay controller which can shorten the time from turning off a switching element until turning off a relay compared with what is conventionally possible. The relay controller comprises a relay switch in which a contact point connects a power supply to a load, and a coil is connected to the power supply; a first switching element which is connected in series to the coil; a regenerative current circuit which is connected in parallel to the coil and includes a second switching element and a diode which is connected in series to the second switching element; a first switching element control unit which turns on the relay switch by PWM control of the first switching element and turns off the relay switch by stopping the PWM control of the first switching element, and a second switching element control unit which turns on the second switching element when the first switching element is PWM-controlled and turns off the second switching element when the PWM control of the first switching element is stopped.
US08680716B2
A method of operating a superconducting switch system to protect against quenching in a superconducting magnet circuit is provided. The system comprises a magnet circuit, a main superconducting switch and an auxiliary superconducting switch connected in parallel thereto by low resistance connecting parts. In an initial magnet energisation procedure, after establishing superconducting flow in the circuit, the main and auxiliary switches are closed to cause current to persist in the circuit without further power input. If the main switch quenches, the current will transfer to the auxiliary switch through the resistive connecting parts. Upon restoring the main switch to the superconducting state, the voltage drop through the resistive connecting parts will drive the current back through the main switch. A preconditioning procedure is carried out as part of the magnet energisation procedure to ensure that opening the main switch will establish superconducting current through the auxiliary switch.
US08680714B2
A smart card includes an internal voltage generator, a clock generator, and an internal circuit. The internal voltage generator generates a first internal voltage and a second internal voltage based on an input voltage received through an antenna. A level of the second internal voltage is lower than a level of the first internal voltage. The clock generator receives the first internal voltage and the second internal voltage to generate a clock signal. A frequency of the clock signal is changed according to the level of the first internal voltage. The internal circuit operates based on the clock signal and the second internal voltage.
US08680712B2
A system for delivering power over a network of devices connected through a serial link includes a first and second differential pairs of wires. Each differential pair of wires is double AC coupled by a HPF on one side and by another HPF on an opposite side. An LPF connects a portion of each differential pair of wires between the HPFs to a voltage source, and another LPF connects that portion of each differential pair to a load. The system further includes a third and fourth differential pairs of wires. All four differential pairs of wires are located within a single cable, such as a CAT6 cable. The first, second and third differential pair of wires are used for video links, and the fourth differential pair of wires are used for the bi-directional hybrid link. A power delivery circuit in each device includes a voltage source, a power relay switch, a signature resistor for detection, and a load detector.
US08680709B2
An electrical power distribution system automatically limits the number of substantially similar or identical power cable assemblies that are electrically energizable from a power source. A control unit is connected between the power source and the power cable assemblies, and limits the number of power cable assemblies that can be energized in the system by sensing the voltage in a sensing circuit. An applied voltage in the sensing circuit changes in a predictable manner corresponding to the number of power cable assemblies that are electrically connected in the circuit. Each power cable assembly includes an impedance element that is added to the sensing circuit when the corresponding power cable assembly is coupled to the system, and once the detected voltage is beyond a predetermined threshold value, the control unit will ensure that the power cable assemblies are not energized by the power source.
US08680702B2
A control system (50, 100) is for wind power plants including aerogenerators (10) provided with DC modular converters (40). The control system (50, 100) includes devices for receiving at least a voltage signal coming from a DC medium voltage line (MTDC) electrically connected to the converters (40) and a mechanical torque signal (CRIF) produced by the aerogenerators (10) and controls AC-DC conversion modules (40a′-40a″″) of the plant. The modules have electronic devices driven by impressed voltage and producing on their outputs a respective partial continuous voltage (Vdci). For each aerogenerator (10) there are secondary control stages (100) and a single main control stage (50). Each of the secondary control stages (100) supplies control signals to a respective AC-DC conversion module (40a′-40a″″) and is designed to keep the partial continuous voltage (Vdci) at a constant value.
US08680692B2
A fabrication method of a semiconductor package includes the steps of: providing a carrier having a concave portion and a releasing layer formed on a surface thereof; disposing a chip on the releasing layer in the concave portion; forming an encapsulant on the chip and the releasing layer; removing the releasing layer and the carrier; and forming a circuit structure on the encapsulant and the chip. The design of the concave portion facilitates alignment of the chip to prevent it from displacement, thereby improving the product reliability. A semiconductor package fabricated by the fabrication method is also provided.
US08680691B2
A semiconductor device including: a semiconductor member having thereon a plurality of interconnect pads: and a mounting member having a plurality of electrode terminals electrically and mechanically connected to the respective interconnect pads for mounting the semiconductor chip on the mounting member, the electrode terminals forming a plurality of I/O cells each having part of the electrode terminals, the part of electrode terminals including signal terminals, the I/O cells forming a first group of the I/O cells and a second group of I/O cells disposed on an inner position of the mounting member with respect to the first group. The higher integration of the semiconductor device having the higher performances can be realized because the interconnect lines can be drawn to the outer periphery of the chip from the interconnect pads corresponding to each of the I/O cells when the chip is miniaturized or the number of the ball electrodes is increased.
US08680681B2
A semiconductor chip includes a composite bond pad that is electrically connected to at least one integrated circuit device. The composite bond pad includes a first bond pad portion having a first upper surface corresponding to a first surface area that is defined by a first substantially regular geometric shape when viewed from above that has a first area centroid that is located a first distance from a center of the semiconductor chip, and further includes a second bond pad portion positioned above the first upper surface and having a second upper surface that extends above the first upper surface, the second portion corresponding to a second surface area that is defined by at least a part of a second substantially regular geometric shape when viewed from above that has a second area centroid that is located a second distance from the center that is greater than the first distance.
US08680676B1
A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor substrate a semiconductor substrate having source and drain regions formed therein, an intermediate routing structure to provide electrical interconnects to the source and drain regions, a dielectric layer formed over the intermediate routing structure, and an under-bump-metallization (UBM) stack. The intermediate routing structure includes an outermost conductive layer, and the dielectric layer has an opening positioned over a portion of the intermediate layer routing structure. The UBM stack includes a conductive base layer formed over the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the outermost conductive layer through the opening, and a thick conductive layer formed on the base layer. A conductive bump is positioned on the UBM stack and laterally spaced from the opening.
US08680674B2
A semiconductor device comprises an integrated circuit (IC) die having a top side and a back side. The circuit substrate includes a heat source circuit, a heat sensitive circuit, a package substrate coupled to the top side of the circuit substrate, and a plurality of thermally conductive through-silicon vias (TSVs) formed from the back side of the circuit substrate to near but not through the top side of the circuit substrate.
US08680670B2
A multi-chip module (MCM) includes chip sub-modules that are fabricated as self-contained testable entities. The chip sub-modules plug into respective sockets in a frame of the MCM. Each chip sub-module may be tested before being plugged into the MCM. A chip sub-module may include an IC chip, such as a processor, mounted to an sub-module organic substrate that provides interconnects to the chip. The frame into which each chip sub-module plugs sits on a mini-card organic substrate that interconnects the chip sub-modules together. The MCM may include a downstop between the mini-card organic substrate and a system board to limit or prevent solder creep of solder connections between the mini-card organic substrate and the system board.
US08680662B2
A microelectronic assembly can include a first microelectronic device and a second microelectronic device. Each microelectronic device has a die structure including at least one semiconductor die and each of the microelectronic devices has a first surface, a second surface remote from the first surface and at least one edge surface extending at angles other than a right angle away from the first and second surfaces. At least one electrically conductive element extends along the first surface onto at least one of the edge surfaces and onto the second surface. At least one conductive element of the first microelectronic device can be conductively bonded to the at least one conductive element of the second microelectronic device to provide an electrically conductive path therebetween.
US08680653B2
A wafer includes a plurality of chips, each of the chips being spaced from each other by kerf-line regions including a reduced width.
US08680652B2
A stack package includes a first semiconductor chip first pads and second pads disposed thereon and a second semiconductor chip having third pads and fourth pads electrically connected with the second pads disposed thereon. Capacitors are interposed between the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip, and include first electrodes electrically connected with the first pads of the first semiconductor chip, second electrodes electrically connected with the third pads of the second semiconductor chip, and dielectrics interposed between the first electrodes and the second electrodes.
US08680621B2
An integrated circuit comprising electro-static discharge (ESD) protection circuitry arranged to provide ESD protection to an external terminal of the integrated circuit. The ESD protection circuitry comprises: a thyristor circuit comprising a first bipolar switching device operably coupled to the external terminal and a second bipolar switching device operably coupled to another external terminal, a collector of the first bipolar switching device being coupled to a base of the second bipolar switching device and a base of the first bipolar switching device being coupled to a collector of the second bipolar switching device. A third bipolar switching device is also provided and operably coupled to the thyristor circuit and has a threshold voltage for triggering the thyristor circuit, the threshold voltage being independently configurable of the thyristor circuit. The first and second switching devices are arranged so as to provide, when in use, a bidirectional snapback characteristic and a snapback voltage associated therewith.
US08680614B2
A split trench-gate MOSFET device and method for forming this device is disclosed. The device has a trench gate structure, comprising a shield electrode and two gate electrodes, wherein a substantial portion of shield electrode region is lower than the gate electrode region, and wherein a portion of the shield electrode region extends to the top surface between the two gate electrodes. The device further comprises a source metal layer, contacting to an initial layer, a well region, the shield electrode and a source region at the top surface, wherein the contact between the source metal layer and the initial layer forms a Schottky diode.
US08680611B2
In accordance with an embodiment a structure can include a monolithically integrated trench field-effect transistor (FET) and Schottky diode. The structure can include a first gate trench extending into a semiconductor region, a second gate trench extending into the semiconductor region, and a source region flanking a side of the first gate trench. The source region can have a substantially triangular shape, and a contact opening extending into the semiconductor region between the first gate trench and the second gate trench. The structure can include a conductor layer disposed in the contact opening to electrically contact the source region along at least a portion of a slanted sidewall of the source region, and the semiconductor region along a bottom portion of the contact opening. The conductor layer can form a Schottky contact with the semiconductor region.
US08680598B2
Disclosed are embodiments of an improved deep trench capacitor structure and memory device that incorporates this deep trench capacitor structure. The deep trench capacitor and memory device embodiments are formed on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafer such that the insulator layer remains intact during subsequent deep trench etch processes and, optionally, such that the deep trench of the deep trench capacitor has different shapes and sizes at different depths. By forming the deep trench with different shapes and sizes at different depths the capacitance of the capacitor can be selectively varied and the resistance of the buried conductive strap which connects the capacitor to a transistor in a memory device can be reduced.
US08680591B2
Photosensitive devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a photosensitive imager device can include a semiconductor substrate having multiple doped regions forming at least one junction, a textured region coupled to the semiconductor substrate and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation, and an electrical transfer element coupled to the semiconductor substrate and operable to transfer an electrical signal from the at least one junction. In one aspect, the textured region is operable to facilitate generation of an electrical signal from the detection of infrared electromagnetic radiation. In another aspect, interacting with electromagnetic radiation further includes increasing the semiconductor substrate's effective absorption wavelength as compared to a semiconductor substrate lacking a textured region.
US08680579B2
A semiconductor device that includes a plurality of isolated half-bridges formed in a common semiconductor die.
US08680577B2
A semiconductor device having a gate positioned in a recess between the source region and a drain region that are adjacent either side of the gate electrode. A channel region is below a majority of the source region as well as a majority of the drain region and the entire gate electrode.
US08680565B2
A light emitting diode (LED) is revealed. The LED includes a substrate, a first-type-doped layer, a light emitting layer, a second-type-doped layer, a plurality of first grooves, a second groove, an insulation layer, a first contact, and a second contact. The LED features that the second groove is connected to one end of each first groove and penetrates the second-type-doped layer and the light emitting layer to expose a part of the first-type-doped layer. The contact area between the first contact and the first-type-doped layer is increased. Therefore, the LED is worked at high current densities without heat accumulation. Moreover, the light emitting area is not reduced and the light emitting efficiency is not affected. The LED is flipped on a package substrate to form a flip-chip LED package.
US08680559B2
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a light emitting diode including a substrate having a first edge and a second edge opposite to each other, a light emitting structure disposed on the substrate, the light emitting structure including a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer, a plurality of first electrode pads arranged on an upper surface of the first semiconductor layer, the first electrode pads arranged in a vicinity of the first edge, a plurality of second electrode pads arranged on the second semiconductor layer, the second electrode pads arranged in a vicinity of the second edge, a plurality of first extensions, each first extension extending from a first electrode pad, and a plurality of second extensions, each second extension extending from a second electrode pad. The first extensions include intrusion parts extending in a direction from the first edge to the second edge, wherein the intrusion parts are spaced apart from each other and not connecting with the second electrode pads. Further, the second extensions include intrusion parts extending in a direction from the second edge to the first edge, wherein the first extension intrusion parts each extend into a region between two of the second extension intrusion parts.
US08680555B2
Disclosed are a semiconductor light emitting device. The semiconductor light emitting device comprises a light emitting structure comprising a plurality of compound semiconductor layers, a passivation layer at the outside of the light emitting structure, a first electrode layer on the light emitting structure, and a second electrode layer under the light emitting structure.
US08680554B2
A method for making an epitaxial structure includes: (a) providing a sacrificial layer on a temporary substrate, the sacrificial layer being made of gallium oxide; and (b) growing epitaxially an epitaxial layer unit over the sacrificial layer.
US08680553B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a germanium laser diode that can be easily formed on a substrate such as silicon by using a normal silicon process and can emit light efficiently. A germanium light-emitting device according to the present invention is a germanium laser diode characterized in that tensile strain is applied to single-crystal germanium serving as a light-emitting layer to be of a direct transition type, a thin semiconductor layer made of silicon, germanium or silicon-germanium is connected adjacently to both ends of the germanium light-emitting layer, the thin semiconductor layer has a certain degree of thickness capable of preventing the occurrence of quantum confinement effect, another end of the thin semiconductor layer is connected to a thick electrode doped with impurities at a high concentration, the electrode is doped to a p type and an n type, a waveguide is formed so as not to be in direct contact with the electrode, and a mirror is formed at an end of the waveguide.
US08680548B2
A semiconductor light emitting device has a support substrate, a light emitting element, and underfill material. The light emitting element includes a nitride-based group III-V compound semiconductor layer contacted via a bump on the support substrate. The underfill material is disposed between the support substrate and the light emitting element, the underfill material comprising a rib portion disposed outside of an end face of the light emitting element to surround the end surface of the light emitting element.
US08680543B2
A light emitting element comprises a first electrode, a second electrode configured to transmitting light, an organic layer arranged between the first and the second electrodes, comprising a light emitting layer, and a capping layer arranged on the second electrode and made of a material with a higher refractive index than the refractive index of the material constituting the second electrode. The material constituting the capping layer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of triarylamine derivative, carbazole derivative, benzimidazole derivative and triazole derivative.
US08680540B2
The optical semiconductor apparatus includes, on an n-GaAs substrate, a surface-emitting semiconductor laser device and a photodiode integrated on the periphery of the laser device with an isolation region interposed there between. The laser device is composed of an n-DBR mirror, an active region, and a p-DBR mirror and includes a columnar layered structure with its sidewall covered with an insulating film. The photodiode is formed on the substrate and has a circular layered structure wherein an i-GaAs layer and a p-GaAs layer surrounds the laser device with an isolating region interposed between the i-GaAs and p-GaAs layers and the laser device. The diameter of the photodiode is smaller than the diameter of the optical fiber core optically coupled with the optical semiconductor apparatus. Since the laser device and the photodiode are monolithically integrated, the devices do not require optical alignment, and thus, facilitate optical coupling with an optical fiber.
US08680537B2
According to one embodiment, a nitride semiconductor element includes a foundation layer, a functional layer and a stacked body. The stacked body is provided between the foundation layer and the functional layer. The stacked body includes a first stacked intermediate layer including a first GaN intermediate layer, a first high Al composition layer of Alx1Ga1-x1N (0
US08680532B2
There is provided a thin film transistor having improved reliability. A gate electrode includes a first gate electrode having a taper portion and a second gate electrode with a width narrower than the first gate electrode. A semiconductor layer is doped with phosphorus of a low concentration through the first gate electrode. In the semiconductor layer, two kinds of n−-type impurity regions are formed between a channel formation region and n+-type impurity regions. Some of the n−-type impurity regions overlap with a gate electrode, and the other n−-type impurity regions do not overlap with the gate electrode. Since the two kinds of n−-type impurity regions are formed, an off current can be reduced, and deterioration of characteristics can be suppressed.
US08680531B2
A thin film transistor according to an example embodiment includes: a substrate body; a semiconductor layer formed on the substrate body and comprising a polycrystalline silicon film having a surface resistance from about 2000 ohm/sq to about 8000 ohm/sq; and a source electrode and a drain electrode each contacted with the semiconductor layer and comprising a metallic material having a resistance from about 350 to about 2000 ohm.
US08680529B2
A semiconductor device includes a pixel electrode and a transistor which includes a first gate electrode, a first insulating layer over the first gate electrode, a semiconductor layer over the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer over the semiconductor layer, and a second gate electrode. The pixel electrode and the second gate electrode are provided over the second insulating layer. The first gate electrode has a region overlapping with the semiconductor layer with the first insulating layer provided therebetween. The second gate electrode has a region overlapping with the semiconductor layer with the second insulating layer provided therebetween. A first region is at least part of a region where the second gate electrode overlaps with the semiconductor layer. A second region is at least part of a region where the pixel electrode is provided. The second insulating layer is thinner in the first region than in the second region.
US08680528B2
It is an object to provide a light-emitting device including a thin film transistor with high electric characteristics and high reliability, and a method for manufacturing the light-emitting device with high productivity. As for a light-emitting device including an inverted staggered thin film transistor of a channel stop type, the inverted staggered thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating film over the gate electrode, a microcrystalline semiconductor film including a channel formation region over the gate insulating film, a buffer layer over the microcrystalline semiconductor film, a channel protective layer which is provided over the buffer layer so as to overlap with the channel formation region of the microcrystalline semiconductor film, a source region and a drain region over the channel protective layer and the buffer layer, and a source electrode and a drain electrode over the source region and the drain region.
US08680527B2
A photomask includes; a source electrode pattern including; a first electrode portion which extends in a first direction, a second electrode portion which extends in the first direction and is substantially parallel to the first electrode portion, and a third electrode portion which extends from a first end of the first electrode portion to a first end of the second electrode portion and is rounded with a first curvature, a drain electrode pattern which extends in the first direction and is disposed between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion, wherein an end of the drain electrode pattern is rounded to correspond to the third electrode portion; and a channel region pattern which is disposed between the source electrode pattern and the drain electrode pattern, wherein a center location of the first curvature and a center location of the rounded portion of the end of the drain electrode pattern are the same.
US08680525B2
A method for manufacturing a thin film transistor is provided. In the method, a gate electrode is formed on a substrate. A crystalline gate insulating layer is formed on an entire surface of the substrate having the gate electrode formed thereon. A microcrystalline silicon layer and a doped amorphous silicon layer are sequentially formed on the crystalline gate insulating layer. A metal layer is deposited on the substrate including the crystalline gate insulating layer, the microcrystalline silicon layer and the doped amorphous silicon layer. Source and drain electrodes, an ohmic contact layer and an active layer are formed by etching predetermined portions of the metal layer and the doped amorphous silicon layer to expose a predetermined portion of the microcrystalline silicon layer.
US08680510B2
A method of forming a semiconductor is provided and includes patterning a pad and a nanowire onto a wafer, the nanowire being substantially perpendicular with a pad sidewall and substantially parallel with a wafer surface and epitaxially growing on an outer surface of the nanowire a secondary layer of semiconductor material, which is lattice mismatched with respect to a material of the nanowire and substantially free of defects.
US08680503B2
Methods of forming a microelectronic structure are provided, the microelectronic structure including a first conductor, a discontinuous film of metal nanoparticles disposed on a surface above the first conductor, a carbon nano-film formed atop the surface and the discontinuous film of metal nanoparticles, and a second conductor disposed above the carbon nano-film. Numerous additional aspects are provided.
US08680500B2
A phase change memory device includes an impurity region on a substrate, the impurity region being in an active region, a metal silicide pattern at least partially buried in the impurity region, a diode on the impurity region, a lower electrode on the diode, a phase change layer pattern on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the phase change layer pattern.
US08680498B2
A method for utilizing an implant in a human breast includes forming a breast cavity within the breast at a lumpectomy site, the breast cavity having surrounding tissue; forming a substantially radio-opaque implant constructed of biocompatible and biodegradable material configured to allow for in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replacing the biocompatible and biodegradable material, the biocompatible and biodegradable material being elastically compressible; sizing the substantially radio-opaque implant to occupy the breast cavity; and implanting within the breast cavity the substantially radio-opaque implant to support the tissue surrounding the breast cavity, the step of implanting including compressing the biocompatible and biodegradable material.
US08680491B2
Provided is a method of controlling an ion implantation apparatus 100 which includes: a mass separator 3 for sorting out and outputting ions having a specific mass number and valence from an ion beam IB extracted from an ion source 2; an acceleration tube 4 for accelerating or decelerating the ion beam IB output from the mass separator 3; and an energy separator 5 for sorting out and outputting ions having a specific energy from the ion beam IB output from the acceleration tube 4. The method comprises, during an acceleration mode, controlling an acceleration voltage VA such that it is prevented from becoming 0 kV.
US08680484B2
Provided are a method and an apparatus for easily identifying and detecting fluorescent material types captured in respective reaction regions of a substrate, particularly, a method and an apparatus for identifying and measuring the fluorescence intensities of a plurality of fluorescent materials using a small pixel count. The fluorescence intensities of four or more types of fluorescent materials are divided by a dividing section at ratios different at least for each fluorescence maximum wavelength range, and are detected by at least one detector including pixels for detecting the light fluxes divided at the different ratios. The type of the fluorescent material is determined on the basis of the ratio of the detected fluorescence intensity of the same detection portion, and the fluorescence intensity is measured.
US08680481B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a detection apparatus for detecting charged particles having a secondary particle generator for generating secondary charged particles in response to receiving incoming charged particles, a charged particle detector for receiving and detecting secondary charged particles generated by the secondary particle generator, a photon generator for generating photons in response to receiving secondary charged particles generated by the secondary particle generator, and a photon detector for detecting the photons generated by the photon generator.
US08680472B2
A radiation detecting apparatus capable of obtaining good images including decreased noise includes a plurality of pixels, each having a photoelectric conversion element for converting incident radiation into an electric signal and a first switch element, connected to the photoelectric conversion element, and a second switch element, not connected to the conversion element. A first signal line, a second signal line and a drive line are provided, where the first switch element has a first main electrode connected electrically to the first signal line, a second main electrode connected electrically to the photoelectric conversion element, and a gate electrode connected electrically to the drive line, and the second switch element has a first main electrode connected to the second signal line and a gate electrode connected electrically to the drive wiring common to the first switch element, and a differential means for outputting a signal corresponding to a difference between outputs from the first and second switch elements.
US08680471B2
An imaging apparatus includes a control unit and a detector that includes multiple pixels and that performs an image capturing operation to output image data corresponding to radiation or light that is emitted. The image capturing operation includes a first image capturing operation in a first scanning area corresponding to part of the multiple pixels to output image data in the first scanning area and a second image capturing operation in a second scanning area larger than the first scanning area to output image data in the second scanning area. The control unit causes the detector to perform an accumulation operation in the second image capturing operation in a time determined so that an image artifact caused by the scanning area is lower than a predetermined allowable value on the basis of information about the amount of integration of accumulation times in the first image capturing operation.
US08680468B2
An IR camera includes a first optical subsystem for generating an IR image of an object and a second optical subsystem for generating a visual light image of the object. The IR camera further includes a focusing device for focusing the first optical subsystem. The IR camera also has a processor for determining a focus distance for focusing the first optical subsystem on the object. The processor determines the focus distance based on a displacement of a feature in the visual light image.
US08680466B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electron microscope for properly applying a retarding voltage to a sample which is brought into electrical conduction.In order to accomplish the above-described object, the following electron microscope is proposed: The electron microscope including a negative-voltage applying power-supply for applying the negative voltage to the sample, and thereby forming a decelerating electric field to be exerted onto the electron beam, an electrostatic-chuck mechanism for providing a potential difference among a plurality of its internal electrodes, and thereby generating an adsorption force to be exerted onto the sample, and a contact terminal which is so configured as to come into contact with the sample when the sample is deployed on a sample-supporting stage, the electrostatic-chuck mechanism causes the potential difference to occur among the internal electrodes in the state where the contact terminal comes into contact with the sample, the negative-voltage applying power-supply being operated to apply the negative voltage to the contact terminal after the potential difference has been caused to occur.
US08680458B2
Technologies generally described herein relate to multilayer circuit boards with optical vias for data transmission between the layers. One or more regions may be created on a multilayer circuit board for optical vias. A transparent conducting oxide (TCO) layer can be deposited on a top and/or bottom layer of the circuit board. P-N junctions can be created over the TCO layer about the one or more regions to form optical vias as photo-emitting and/or photo-detecting components. The photo-emitting and/or photo-detecting components may be coupled to electronic components on the multilayer circuit board.
US08680457B2
A lighting system which includes a light source to emit illuminating light and sense reflected light from an environment. The light source may be included in an array to be selectively enabled and disabled by the controller. The array may include a plurality of light sources, each of which may be sensitive to a wavelength respective to each light source, thus providing the array sensitivity to one or more wavelength. Each of the plurality of light sources in the array may be selectively operable between a sensing operation and an emitting operation. The sensing operation may be defined by the light source sensing the environmental light, and the emitting operation being defined by the light source emitting the illuminating light. The controller may selectively operate the light source between the passive operation and the active operation.
US08680455B2
An electronic device may be provided with imaging modules or communications modules. Imaging modules and communications modules may be improved with the use of plasmonic light collectors. Plasmonic light collectors exploit the interaction between incoming light and plasmons in the plasmonic light collector to redirect the path of the incoming light. Plasmonic light collectors may be used to form lenses for image pixels in an imaging module or to form light pipes or lenses for use in injecting optical communications into a fiber optic cable. Plasmonic lenses may be formed by lithography of metallic surfaces, by implantation or by stacking and patterning of layers of materials having different dielectric properties. Plasmonic image pixels may be smaller and more efficient than conventional image pixels. Plasmonic light guides may have significantly less signal loss than conventional lenses and light guides.
US08680448B2
A tray for heating, browning, and/or crisping a food item in a microwave oven includes a substantially planar base, a platform extending upwardly from the base, and a microwave energy interactive element overlying at least a portion of the platform.
US08680447B2
Microwaveable popcorn arrangements are provided, the arrangement being a bag having a popcorn charge of popcorn kernels and oil/fat component therein. The arrangements include folded bags having preferred, internal, seal and/or adhesive field configurations. The preferred configurations inhibit the undesired flow of oil/fat from the popcorn charge. Microwave popcorn products and methods of preparation and use, are provided.
US08680436B2
In order to improve a hand grip for handlebar-steered vehicles, comprising a grip covering, made of a grip-covering material, and an accommodating space which extends, by way of its longitudinal extent, from a plug-in opening in a plug-in direction for a grip component of the handlebar, such that it is seated optimally on the grip component of the handlebar, it is proposed that the accommodating space has at least one wall segment which has at least one abutment surface and at least one recess, the abutment surface having surface sub-regions adapted to an outer surface of the grip component, and the at least one recess being disposed between the surface sub-regions and extending approximately parallel to the plug-in direction, as an adhesive reservoir.
US08680433B2
A method and apparatus for automatic or hand held welding is disclosed and includes a power circuit with a controller. The controller has a robot detector. A hand-held module and a robot interface are responsive to the robot detector. A user interface provides welding parameter setpoints to the hand held module when the robot detector detects a gun, or the absence of a robot. When a gun is present, the trigger on the gun is used to cause power to be provided, and/or welding parameters are set by the user interface on the system. When a robot is present the robot controls the process. The detection is done at start-up, or at other times.
US08680429B2
Techniques are described for laser-scribing a feature on a surface in relation to a reference feature on that surface, such as a feature created by a previous placement of the laser beam. In particular, using a laser beam focusing and deflection system to direct a laser scribing spot onto a surface through an optical path, an optical detection system provides reliable detection of the position of an existing feature on the surface as viewed through the optical path of the deflection system. Based on feedback provided from the detection system to the deflection system, the position of the laser beam may be modified through the deflection system in relation to the viewed feature to scribe a subsequent feature on the surface which tracks the existing feature in real time. A method of scribing to accomplish the objectives is also disclosed.
US08680428B2
Disclosed is a slit width adjusting device comprising: a pair of slit members parallel to each other, which is moved to approach each other or to be separated from each other to adjust a slit width; a driving section to move the pair of slit members; an absolute position original point detection section to detect an arbitrary absolute position of the slit members as an original point; and an adjustment section to adjust the slit width, wherein the adjustment section comprises: a storage unit to store a slit width table in which a displacement amount of the slit width from the original point, and a drive instruction value corresponding to the displacement amount, are corresponding to each other; and a drive control unit to extract the drive instruction value corresponding to a specified slit width, to drive the driving section according to the extracted drive instruction value.
US08680426B2
An electrode for a plasma arc torch is provided by the teachings of the present disclosure. In one form, the electrode includes a conductive body, a plurality of deformed emissive inserts, and a dimple. In one form, the plurality of emissive inserts are concentrically nested about the centerline of the conductive body, and the dimple is positioned concentrically about a centerline of the conductive body. The plurality of emissive inserts and the dimple increase the life of the electrode.
US08680423B2
The invention relates to a spot welding rod for the resistance welding of workpieces, the rod comprising a drive, which displaces the pincer arms and is configured by a spur gear and a connecting rod that is connected to the gear, the spur gear being connected to one pincer arm and the connecting rod to the other pincer arm. The invention also relates to a method for adjusting the pressure of a spot welding rod of this type. The aim of the invention is to provide a spot welding rod of this type with a simple, compact, modular construction, whose drive requires minimum maintenance and which permits a high number of spot welds. To achieve this, the connecting rod is connected to the spur gear outside the center of the latter, in particular at a defined distance to the central axis of the spur gear by means of a bearing assembly, the latter executing a curved movement during the working operation. A compensation element for compensating workpieces of differing thicknesses is located between the connecting rod and the pincer arm.
US08680421B2
An encapsulated switchgear that includes a housing defining, an insulating space, and an electrical active part arranged in the insulating space, the insulating space with an insulation medium. The switchgear is characterized in that the insulation medium with a dielectric compound having a boiling point of above −25° C.
US08680420B2
An electrical enclosure includes a mechanism for moving and/or extinguishing an arc fault occurring in a first compartment of the electrical enclosure. The mechanism is positioned adjacent to a busbar in a second compartment of the electrical enclosure. In the case of a first arc fault occurring in the first compartment, an explosion occurs which results in a pressure wave. The pressure wave causes the mechanism to move into the second compartment and make electrical contact with the busbar, which causes a short and/or a second arc fault in the second compartment, thereby extinguishing the first arc fault in the first compartment.
US08680419B2
A seamless capacitive touch panel includes a substrate, a pattern layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The pattern layer is formed on the substrate. The first electrode is formed on the pattern layer. The second electrode is formed on the substrate. The first electrode and the second electrode are separated by the pattern layer for preventing conduction between the first and second electrodes.
US08680418B2
A rotation operating device is provided on a circuit board for detecting a rotation operation and imparting feedback for the rotation operation to a user while avoiding a significant increase in necessary surface area of the circuit board. The rotation operating device includes a rotatable rotation operating member; a rotation detection switch provided on the circuit board and detecting rotation of the rotation operating member; and an operational feedback imparting mechanism for imparting operational feedback to the user. The rotation operating member includes an inner circumferential surface surrounding an interior space, and both the rotation detection switch and the operational feedback imparting mechanism are positioned within this interior space. The rotation operating member includes a switch operator operating the rotation detection switch, and an operational feedback generator formed on an inner circumferential surface of the rotation operating member at a position away from the switch operator.
US08680414B2
A spring operated actuator for an electrical switching apparatus. It includes an opening spring, a closing spring and a damper for the closing. The damper is a rotary air damper with components that rotate relative to each other and has air as working medium for the dampening.
US08680412B2
The present invention provides a surgical footswitch that includes a base, a pedal, an encoder assembly, a wireless interface, and an internal power generator. The pedal mounts upon the base and pivots. The encoder assembly couples to the pedal. As the pedal pivots, the encoder assembly translates the mechanical signal of the pedal into a control signal based on the pedals position and/or orientation. The wireless interface couples the encoder assembly to receive the control signal. The wireless interface also couples the surgical footswitch to a surgical console operable to control and direct surgical equipment. The wireless interface passes the control signal from the encoder to the surgical console, which then directs the surgical equipment based on the control signal. This wireless interface eliminates the tangle of wires or tethers, which may be a hazard in the surgical theater. The internal power generator translates footswitch movement into stored energy to eliminate potential failures of the footswitch during a procedure and overcome the need to replace batteries within the footswitch.
US08680411B2
An on-vehicle lever switch includes a main body portion, a lever body, and a switch contact. The lever body includes a knob rockably held by the main body portion and protruding outward, a drive shaft extending in the direction along which the knob protrudes and being rotatably held in the knob, and a rotational operation portion fixed to the drive shaft. The switch contact is disposed at the main body portion, and carries out electrical connection by rocking or rotating of the lever body. The knob can be divided into two portions, a first knob portion and a second knob portion, along the extending direction. The first knob portion and the second knob portion are coupled to each other by a first member provided in the inner part of the first knob portion and a second member provided in the inner part of the second knob portion.
US08680409B2
An electric switch is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the switch includes a rotor housing; at least one electric contact arm, rotatably mounted in the rotor housing and being pivotable between an on-position and an off-position as well as relative to the rotor housing; and at least one intermediate part which, in a locking position, locks the pivotable contact arm with the rotor housing and, in the event of a relative rotation between the pivotable contact arm and the rotor housing, is moved away from the predefined locking position.
US08680400B2
A cable is made visually identifiable. The visually identifiable cable includes an electrically illuminable outer sheathing. At least one internal tangible transmission interface medium is internally disposed in the electrically illuminable outer sheathing.
US08680399B2
Treeing is suppressed in cables through the use of an insulation layer that includes a polyolefin polymer and an additive with delocalized electron structure. The additive can be a carotenoid, carotenoid analog, a carotenoid derivative, a conducting polymer or a combination of two or more such materials.
US08680388B2
A method of matching the tempo and phase in pieces of music which allows the conjunction of the pieces of music to form a continuous stream of music. The interactive music player which digitally executes the method of matching the tempo and phase in pieces of music is also disclosed.
US08680371B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP14002 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP14002, cells from soybean variety XBP14002, plants of soybean XBP14002, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP14002. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP14002 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP14002, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP14002, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP14002. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP14002 are further provided.
US08680357B1
A process for the dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon feed stream, wherein the hydrocarbon feed stream substantially includes hydrocarbons containing 3 to 5 carbon atoms, wherein the process includes passing the hydrocarbon feed stream over a dehydrogenation catalyst containing from about 50 to about 90 percent by weight of an eta alumina carrier, about 10 to about 30 percent by weight of chromia and from about 0.1 to about 5 percent by weight of zirconia added as a stabilizing material.
US08680355B2
A novel olefin production process of the invention can be established as an industrial and practical process of producing an olefin with high selectivity by directly reacting a ketone and hydrogen in a single reaction step. In particular, a novel olefin production process is provided in which propylene is obtained with high selectivity by directly reacting acetone and hydrogen. An olefin production process of the invention includes reacting a ketone and hydrogen at a reaction temperature in the range of 50 to 300° C. in the presence of a Cu-containing hydrogenation catalyst and a solid acid substance.
US08680352B2
A method for producing a linear paraffin product from natural oil and kerosene includes providing a first feed stream comprising kerosene, pre-fractionating the first feed stream to produce a heart cut paraffin stream comprising paraffins in a heart cut range, and combining the heart cut paraffin stream with a second feed stream comprising natural oil to form a combined stream. The method further includes deoxygenating the natural oil and fractionating the combined stream to remove paraffins that are heavier than the heart cut range.
US08680337B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of formula I wherein R1 and R2 are each independently of the other hydrogen or C1-C5alkyl and R3 is CF3 or CF2H, by a) reaction of a compound of formula II wherein R1 and R2 are as defined for formula I, with at least one reducing agent to form a compound of formula III wherein R1 and R2 are as defined for formula I, and b) reaction of that compound with at least one reducing agent to form a compound of formula IV wherein R1 and R2 are as defined for formula I, and (c) reaction of that compound with a compound of formula V wherein Q is chlorine, fluorine, bromine, iodine, hydroxy or C1-C6alkoxy and R3 is as defined for formula I, to form the compound of formula I; and to novel intermediates for use in that process.
US08680333B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of formamides by reacting aromatic amines with a formic acid ester in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is a phosphorus-containing acid or a Lewis-acidic metal salt.
US08680314B2
Provided are amino group-containing phosphorylcholine compound and a method for production thereof, that has a highly active amino group efficiently reactive with a wide variety of functional groups and the like under mild conditions, and is capable of introducing a phosphorylcholine-like group to various substrate surfaces to provide functionalities of the group. The amino group-containing phosphorylcholine compound of the present invention is represented by at least one of formulae (1) and (1′), and may be used as a compound, or a material thereof, capable of introducing a phosphorylcholine-like group to the surface of various substrates, such as medical instruments, cosmetics materials, and medicinal substances.
US08680308B2
Disclosed is a method of producing a hafnium amide complex represented by general formula: Hf(NR4R5)4, characterized by comprising: carrying out a reduced-pressure distillation after a lithium alkylamide represented by general formula: Li(NR4R5) is added to and allowed to react with a tertiary hafnium alkoxide complex represented by general formula: Hf[O(CR1R2R3)]4. (In the formulas, R1, R2 and R3 independently represent either a phenyl group, a benzyl group, or a primary, secondary or tertiary alkyl group having a carbon number 1-6; and R4 and R5 independently represent either a methyl group or an ethyl group; however, a case where all of R1, R2 and R3 are methyl groups, and a case where one of R1, R2 and R3 is an ethyl group and the other two are methyl groups are excluded.)
US08680296B2
A leaving substituent-containing compound including a partial structure represented by the following General Formula (I): where a pair of X1 and X2 or a pair of Y1 and Y2 each represent a hydrogen atom; the other pair each represent a group selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom and a substituted or unsubstituted acyloxy group having one or more carbon atoms; a pair of the acyloxy groups represented by the pair of X1 and X2 or the pair of Y1 and Y2 may be identical or different, or may be bonded together to form a ring; R1 to R4 each represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; and Q1 and Q2 each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a monovalent organic group, and may be bonded together to form a ring.
US08680293B2
This invention relates to novel agents that are analogs of the DNA-alkylating agent CC-1065 and to their conjugates. Furthermore this invention concerns intermediates for the preparation of said agents and their conjugates. The conjugates are designed to release their (multiple) payload after one or more activation steps and/or at a rate and time span controlled by the conjugate in order to selectively deliver and/or controllably release one or more of said DNA alkylating agents. The agents, conjugates, and intermediates can be used to treat an illness that is characterized by undesired (cell) proliferation. As an example, the agents and the conjugates of this invention may be used to treat a tumor.
US08680290B2
Compounds of formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are suitable for use as herbicides. Also claimed is a process for the preparation of compounds of the formula I, wherein m is 2 and n is 1, and the other substituents are defined as in claim 1, formula (Ia) by reacting a compound of the formula Ia in a single step or stepwise in succession with compounds of the formula R5—X and/or R6—X, wherein R5 and R6 are as defined in claim 1, and X is a leaving group, and a process for the preparation of compounds of the formula I, wherein R6 is C1-C10alkyl or halogen, m is 2 and n is 1, and the other substituents are defined as in claim 1, formula (Ib) by reacting a compound of the formula Ib with a compound of the formula R5—X, wherein R5 is as defined in claim 1, and X is a leaving group, and a process for the preparation of compounds of the formula I, wherein R5 is chlorine, bromine or iodine, m is 1 or 2, and n is 1, and the other substituents are defined as in claim 1, formula (Ic) by reacting a compound of the formula 1e with an N-halosuccinimide and an oxidising agent.
US08680287B2
Subject of the invention is a method for the production of a cyanopyridine, wherein (A) a gaseous reaction product comprising the cyanopyridine is produced in a reactor, (B) the gaseous reaction product is quenched with water in a column (2) and a gaseous phase is obtained, which is depleted from at least a portion of the cyanopyridine, (C) the gaseous phase is transferred to a condenser, in which a condensate is obtained, and the gaseous phase is depleted from at least a portion of the water, and (D) the gaseous phase from the condenser is passed through at least one heat exchanger. Another subject of the invention is a device for carrying out the invention.
US08680284B2
A preparation process of esomeprazole sodium substantially free of sulfone impurity including the steps of: a) combining either esomeprazole with a (C3-C8)-ketone or a mixture thereof, a sodium alkoxide, and a (C1-C5)-alcohol, or esomeprazole sodium with a (C3-C8)-ketone or a mixture thereof and a (C1-C5)-alcohol; and b) recovering the esomeprazole sodium formed from the reaction media by filtration.
US08680281B2
This invention relates to novel compounds of the Formula (I), (I*), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (If*), (Ig), (Ih), (Ij), (Ik), (ll1-3 ), (Im1-3), (In1-3), (lo1-2), (Ip1-9), (Iq1-9), (Ir1-9) and (Is1-3) pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which are useful for the therapeutic treatment of diseases associated with the modulation or inhibition of 11β-HSD1 in mammals. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions of the novel compounds and methods for their use in the reduction or control of the production of cortisol in a cell or the inhibition of the conversion of cortisone to Cortisol in a cell. (I)
US08680273B2
The present invention is directed to a novel process for the preparation of piperazinyl and diazepanyl benzamide derivatives, useful for the treatment of disorders and conditions mediated by a histamine receptor, preferably the H3 receptor.
US08680269B2
The present invention concerns novel heteroaryl-N-aryl thiosemicarbazones and their use in pest control, as insecticides and acaπcides This invention also includes preparation of the pesticide compositions containing the compounds, and methods of controlling insects using the compounds.
US08680266B2
Metallocorrole complexes of third row transition metals (see Formula I below) may be used as therapeutic agents, catalysts, components of oxygen detectors, and components of light emitting diodes. In particular, metallocorrole complexes of third row transition metals may be used as improved photosenitizers in photodynamic therapy; as improved catalysts in aziridination, epoxidation, and water splitting reactions; as improved in vivo imaging agents; and as improved components in the emissive layer of OLEDs. Due to their strongly sigma-donating nature, corroles are able to stabilize third row transition metals in high oxidation states. Third row transition metals are significantly more electropositive than their first and second row counterparts and may therefore act as improved catalysts. In addition, the high spin-orbit coupling constants of third row transition metals may lead to easier singlet-triplet inter-system crossing in the excited state, which in turn may allow for long-wavelength phosphorescence that is desirable for many applications.
US08680263B2
Provided herein are water-soluble carbohydrate polymers which are monoderivatized at their reducing terminus, such that the carbohydrate polymers can be selectively conjugated at a single location. Also provided are methods of preparation and conjugation of the monoderivatized carbohydrate polymers.
US08680262B2
A method for purifying a protected oligonucleotide comprising the steps of: a) providing a solution of the protected oligonucleotide in at least one solvent A having a boiling point below the boiling point of a solvent B, heating the solution at a temperature of at least 30° C. and below the boiling point of the at least solvent A, adding solvent B until precipitation of a material is visible in the solution, said solvent B being an alcohol having 1 to 6 C-atoms or a diol having 2 to 6 C-atoms, allowing the solution to cool down under stirring until formation of a supernatant and a residue, removing the supernatant or b) providing solvent B, said solvent B being an alcohol having 1 to 6 C-atoms or a diol having 2 to 6 C-atoms, heating solvent B at a temperature above 30° C. and below the boiling point of solvent B, adding a solution of a protected oligonucleotide in at least one solvent A until precipitation of a material is visible in the solution, allowing the solution to cool down under stirring until formation of a supernatant and a residue, removing the supernatant.
US08680258B2
Provided herein are helper nucleic acids comprising at least one microRNA target sequence of an endogenous, cellular microRNA and a nucleic acid encoding a viral protein, wherein the microRNA target sequence is located in the untranslated or translated region of the nucleic acid encoding the viral protein. Also provided are vector systems, compositions and cells comprising the provided helper nucleic acids and a vector or replicon. Methods of making virus-like replicon particles and populations of virus-like replicon particles (VRP) are also provided.
US08680255B2
The present invention provides a method for diagnosing a particular type of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HBx/8p11-positive HCC, in a subject by detecting the presence of a specific, non-naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence that indicates integration of a portion of the human hepatitis B virus (HBV) sequence into the human genome on chromosome 8 in the 8p11 integration region. A kit and device useful for such a method are also provided. In addition, the present invention provides a method for treating an HBx/8p11-positive HCC.
US08680253B2
The present invention provides a novel class of peptide nucleic acid derivatives, which show good cell penetration and strong binding affinity for nucleic acid.
US08680252B2
The invention provides a method for the expression and subsequent screening of DNA libraries, particularly synthetic, genomic, and cDNA libraries, in filamentous fungal hosts. In particular, the invention provides vectors, host strains, and a method for the expression and screening of complex DNA libraries, including, but not limited to, combinatory (combinatorial) libraries expressing one, two or more variable constituents and/or prepared from two or more sublibraries (e.g., for the expression and screening of immunoglobulin (including fragments and derivatives of whole immunoglobulin proteins) and other receptor or complex DNA libraries or libraries of libraries). The invention is useful for the expression and screening for a large variety of proteins and protein complexes, including human proteins. The present invention also relates to novel fungal protease sequences.
US08680251B2
The invention describes novel triterpenoid 2-deoxy glycosides of general formula I, wherein at least one of the substituents X1 and R2 contains a 2-deoxy glycosidic group, method of preparation thereof, their cytotoxic activity and a pharmaceutical formulation containing these compounds.
US08680238B2
Monomeric eqFP611 variants exhibit red fluorescent properties and DNA encoding monomeric eqFP611 variants.
US08680234B2
The present invention relates to a polymyxin derivative wherein R1, R2 and R3 are optional and R1, R2, R3, R5, R8 and R9 are cationic or neutral amino acid residues selected so that the total number of positive charges at physiological pH is at least two but no more than three; and to a combination product comprising at least two such derivatives. The invention further relates to a method for treating, alleviating or ameliorating an infection in a subject, caused by a Gram-negative bacterium by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a derivative according to the present invention to said subject; to a method for sensitizing Gram-negative bacteria to an antibacterial agent by administering, simultaneously or sequentially in any order a therapeutically effective amount of said antibacterial agent and a derivative according to the present invention to said subject; to methods for developing novel antibiotics; for reducing the nephrotoxicity, for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of natural polymyxins and octapeptins; and for sensitizing clinically important bacteria to a host defense mechanism complement present in serum. Finally, the invention relates to a process for preparing such polymyxin derivatives.
US08680224B2
One-part binder compositions are described that may include a protein and a crosslinking combination. The crosslinking combination may include at least a first crosslinking compound and a second crosslinking compound. The first and second crosslinking compounds are individually crosslinkable with each other and with the protein. Examples of the protein include soy protein. Fiber products and methods of making the fiber products are also described. The fiber products may include organic fibers, inorganic fibers, or both, in a cured thermoset binder based on solutions of the one-part binder compositions.
US08680223B2
A water- and oil-repellent includes, as an active ingredient, a fluorine-containing copolymer including as a copolymer unit (A) at least one of perfluoroalkylalkyl acrylates and corresponding methacrylates, (B) benzyl acrylate or benzyl methacrylate represented by the general formula: CnF2n+1CmH2mOCOCR═CH2 (wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; n represents 4, 5, or 6; and m represents 1, 2, 3, or 4), (C) a fluorine-free polymerizable monomer other than benzyl acrylate and benzyl methacrylate, and (D) a cross-linkable group-containing polymerizable monomer.
US08680221B2
Provided is a method for producing a diallylamine acetate polymer comprising polymerizing diallylamine acetate in water or a polar solvent in the presence of a radical initiator, the radical initiator being an organic acid addition salt of a specific cyclic amidinoazo compound, and a diallylamine acetate polymer solution free of halogen.
US08680216B2
Hardener composition for condensation-crosslinking RTV-2 silicone compositions contain: (A) at least one crosslinker, (B) at least one catalyst, (C) at least one extender polymer, wherein the sum of the molar proportions of T and Q units in the extender polymer (C) is at least 25%.
US08680213B2
Thermoplastic polyurethanes are obtainable by reacting (a) isocyanates with (b1) polyesterdiols having a melting point greater than 150-C, (b2) polyetherdiols and/or polyesterdiols, each having a melting point of less than 150-C and a molecular weight of from 501 to 8 000 g/mol, and, if required, (c) diols having a molecular weight of from 62 to 500 g/mol.
US08680206B2
A polyester film includes a polyester layer (W layer) containing an aromatic polyester resin (A) and a component (B) incompatible with the polyester resin (A), wherein the incompatible component (B) contains an acid-denaturated polyolefin resin (b2) and is dispersed as dispersion pieces with a flatness of 10 or higher in the polyester layer (W layer), and wherein volume occupancy of the dispersion pieces in the polyester layer (W layer) is 3 vol % to less than 50 vol %, and volume occupancy of voids in the polyester layer (W layer) is less than 3 vol %.
US08680202B2
The present invention relates to novel compositions of therapeutic cyclodextrin containing polymeric compounds designed as a carrier for small molecule therapeutics delivery and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. These cyclodextrin-containing polymers improve drug stability and solubility, and reduce toxicity of the small molecule therapeutic when used in vivo. Furthermore, by selecting from a variety of linker groups and targeting ligands the polymers present methods for controlled delivery of the therapeutic agents. The invention also relates to methods of treating subjects with the therapeutic compositions described herein. The invention further relates to methods for conducting pharmaceutical business comprising manufacturing, licensing, or distributing kits containing or relating to the polymeric compounds described herein.
US08680198B2
The instant invention is a composite dispersion, method of producing the same, and articles made therefrom. The composite dispersion according to the instant invention comprises (1) a first seed dispersion comprising (a) a first internal phase; and (b) an external phase, and (2) a second internal phase; wherein the composite dispersion comprises more than 60 percent by the combined weight of the first internal phase and the second internal phase, and the composite dispersion has a viscosity of less than 10,000 cP measured by RV4 spindle at 20 rpm at greater than 60 weight percent total internal phase, and wherein the composite dispersion has a bimodal particle size distribution and a particle size ratio (P2/P1) in the range of 2 to 200.
US08680197B2
The invention relates to the use in a photovoltaic module of a film of a composition as a backsheet or as an encapsulant, this composition comprising, with respect to the total weight of the composition: from 1 to 99% of a polyethylene having an ethylene whose level by weight is greater than or equal to 80% chosen from the homopolymers of ethylene and the copolymers of ethylene and another alpha-olefin; from 99 to 1% of a polyolefin B, other than A, carrying a reactive functional group X chosen from the anhydride carboxylic acids and epoxides. The invention also relates to, the composition additionally comprises a polyolefin C, other than B, which carries a functional group Y capable of reacting with the functional group X. The invention further relates to a photovoltaic module comprising the film which is used of the composition and also a process for the manufacture of this module.
US08680194B2
A long-fiber-reinforced resin composition including (A) a long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin pellet including a thermoplastic resin, a modified polyolefin-based resin modified with an unsaturated carboxylic acid or its derivative and reinforcing fiber and satisfying (A-1) the melt index of the thermoplastic resin is 100-250 g/10 min, (A-2) the relaxation time λ of the thermoplastic resin is 0.1 (sec) or less, (A-3) the content of the reinforcing fiber is 40-70 wt %, and (A-4) the content of the modified polyolefin-based resin is 1-5 wt %; and (B) a polyolefin-based resin satisfying (B-1) the melt index of the polyolefin-based resin is 20-70 g/10 min, and (B-2) the relaxation time λ of the polyolefin-based resin is 0.23 (sec) or less; wherein the content of reinforcing fiber contained in (A) is 20-60 wt % relative to the total amount of the fiber-reinforced resin composition.
US08680184B2
The present invention provides a curable composition mainly comprising an organic polymer containing a reactive silyl group, which is free from toxic organotin catalysts so as to be environmentally friendly and maintains good surface properties after being cured. The curable composition of the present invention comprises: (A) an organic polymer having a silyl group cross-linkable by siloxane bond formation; (B) a carboxylic acid and/or a carboxylate metal salt; (C) an amine compound; and (D) a phosphorus compound having an aryl group and a melting point of 23° C. or higher.
US08680182B2
The present invention provides methods of promoting the revascularization and/or reenervation of central nervous system lesions using an in-situ crosslinkable hydrogel. The present invention also provides methods of treating a spinal cord injury by topically delivering to the spinal cord injury site a vehicle comprising a neurotrophic factor and/or anti-inflammatory agent. Also provided are methods of treating a spinal cord injury by topically administering or delivering a hydrogel to the injury site.
US08680178B2
The in-line repair operations in the automotive industry require high-temperature masking tapes which satisfy a particular profile of requirements. Hence such masking tapes must be temperature-stable and must have a high crosslinking potential. Masking tapes employed are tapes coated with thermally crosslinking natural rubber (NR) adhesives which have a crosslinker resin/phenolic resin component.Thermally reactive pressure-sensitive adhesives of this kind are prepared by a process comprising a non-thermoplastic rubber constituent of the pressure-sensitive adhesive and a crosslinker system, the crosslinker system comprising a promoter component and as crosslinking component a reactive phenolic resin, where, in the process, the rubber constituent and a first component of the crosslinker system are mixed homogeneously in a mixing assembly, at a first processing temperature of the mixing assembly, to give a premix, a premix temperature being established in the premix; subsequently the premix is cooled from the premix temperature to a final composition temperature which is lower than the first premix temperature; and lastly the second component of the crosslinker system is added to the premix.
US08680176B2
The present invention provides a nanocapsule of a blocked isocyanate encapsulated within a polymeric nanosphere. In one aspect, the polymeric nanosphere is functionalized. Free isocyanate functionality is released upon thermal annealing or UV exposure of the nanospheres containing the blocked isocyanate. This present invention also provides a novel method for encapsulating isocyanates in aqueous media. In one aspect, the method comprises miniemulsion polymerization. The thermally or UV deblocked isocyanate can be used as an active functional group for many potential applications.
US08680174B2
The present invention is directed to a water dispersion for ink-jet printing which realizes sufficient optical density and exhibits excellent filterability and storage stability; a water-based ink containing the water dispersion; and a process for producing the water dispersion or the water-based ink. The invention includes the following: (1) a water dispersion for ink-jet printing containing anionic colorant particles and cationic polymer particles, and a water-based ink for ink-jet printing containing the water dispersion; (2) a process for producing a water dispersion for ink-jet printing including a step of mixing a water dispersion of anionic colorant particles with a water dispersion of cationic polymer particles, to thereby produce a water dispersion of composite particles formed of the cationic polymer particles and the anionic colorant particles adhering thereto, and a water dispersion produced through the production process; and (3) a process for producing a water-based ink for ink-jet printing including step (A) of mixing a water dispersion of cationic polymer particles with a water-soluble organic solvent, or dispersing a cationic polymer in water and a water-soluble organic solvent, to thereby produce a dispersion containing the cationic polymer particles, water, and the water-soluble organic solvent; and step (B) of mixing the produced dispersion with a dispersion containing anionic colorant particles and water.
US08680169B2
Provided is a porous polypropylene film having both air permeability properties and puncture strength. A porous polypropylene film which has an air permeability of 700 seconds/100 ml or less and a puncture strength of 1.5 N or greater, and has β activity can be obtained when the porous polypropylene film is made to have a tensile strength in the machine direction of the film, EMD, of 100 MPa or greater, a tensile strength in the transverse direction to the machine direction, ETD, of less than 100 MPa, and a ratio of EMD and ETD, EMD/ETD, of 1.5 to 10.
US08680166B2
A system for devulcanizing rubber by contacting vulcanized rubber with a turpentine liquid in a reaction mixture in the absence of an alkali metal.
US08680165B2
A thermoset composite material that my used in the fabrication of structural components including railroad ties comprise a substantially homogeneous blend of an amount of vulcanized rubber particles including a predetermined ratio of different particles sizes, and a thermoset elastomeric binding agent added to the vulcanized rubber particles. The blend may comprise about 30% to about 97% by weight of the vulcanized rubber particles, and the blend is subjected to compression molding at a predetermined temperature and pressure for a resident time period forming the composite material. The ratio of different rubber particle sizes is selected so that the composite material has a desired density or is within a range of desired densities.
US08680163B2
A system and method for providing an integrated indirectly fired reactor and steam generator are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the reactor comprises an indirect heating zone heating water and generating steam, a mixing zone mixing feedstock and the steam and providing a mixture of the feedstock and the steam, and a reaction zone comprising a first reactor and a second reactor. The first reactor converts the mixture to a first syngas at a first temperature. The second reactor converts the first syngas to a second syngas at a second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature.
US08680156B2
The present invention aims to demonstrate that a soluble pharmaceutical formulation can be prepared of N,N′-Diamino-diphenyl sulfone which is useful in the development of an ideal drug for use against cerebral infarction, epilepsy, traumatic spinal cord injury, cranio-encephalic trauma, leprosy, Pneumocystis carinii infections and any condition which requires rapid and complete absorption of the compound. As a representative example of this application, the dissolution of N,N′-Diamino-diphenyl sulfone was evaluated as a neuroprotector in a model of acute cerebral infarction in rats. In this study, N,N′-Diamino-diphenyl sulfone showed significant prevention of brain damage, without presenting adverse effects in animals. It is also shown that the soluble pharmaceutical formulations prepared in this manner produce peak blood levels 30 minutes from oral administration and immediately via the intravenous route.
US08680151B2
Compositions and methods of treating or preventing disease or injury to a human patient or biological material undergoing ischemic or hypoxic conditions.
US08680143B2
The invention discloses a compound of formula (I) wherein, at least one of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is —C(═O)Rn and R1, R2R3 and R4 are H or CH3 and Rn is alkyl or alkenyl group. The alkenyl group have one or more number of double bonds either in cis form or trans form or both. In Rn, where n is 12 to 30 carbons; and pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The said alkenyl groups are preferably selected from the group consisting of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). This invention further discloses processes for their preparation of compounds of formula I and pharmaceutical compositions that contain these compounds.
US08680140B2
Select phytoestrogen pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use for preventing or reducing one or more symptoms associated with pre menopause, menopause, and/or post menopause are described herein. These select phytoestrogen formulations are composed only of two or more plant-derived estrogenic molecules and/or their structural analogues and exhibit binding preference to ERβ over ERα and agonist activity in the brain. These ERβ-selective phytoestrogen formulations cross the blood-brain-barrier and promote estrogen-associated neurotrophism and neuroprotection mechanisms in the brain, without activating proliferative mechanisms in the reproductive tissues and are therefore devoid of other estrogen-associated problematic aspects. The formulations can be administered enterally, transdermally, transmucosally, intranasally or parenterally. The formulations preferably contain combinations of compounds, and can be formulated for daily, sustained, delayed or weekly/monthly administration. In a preferred embodiment, these are administered to women who are in menopause or post menopausal, most preferably early in menopausal.
US08680134B2
The present invention provides for a composition comprising a tryptamine based drug that acts as a 5-hydroxytryptamine-1 inhibitor in an amount sufficient to reduce the effects of psoriasis and wherein the composition is formulated for topical or oral administration.
US08680133B2
Compounds and methods for treating cancer or inducing apoptosis in proliferating cells. The compounds are shown in formula I: wherein X is selected from hydroxyl, thiol, and amino; Y is selected from carboxyl and sulfonyl; R1, R2, R3, and R4 are selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, and combinations thereof; R5, R6, and R7 are selected from hydrogen, halo, ni tro, amino, methoxy, and combinations thereof; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US08680113B2
Compounds having Formula I: wherein the variables Ar1, Ar2, R1, R2 and R3 are defined herein, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of using such compounds or compositions for inhibiting Bmi-1 expression.
US08680109B2
The invention relates to a combination for use in the synergistic treatment of breast cancer comprising an antioestrogen and the Src kinase inhibitor AZD0530, a combination for the synergistic treatment of cancer comprising an EGFR TKI and the Src kinase inhibitor AZD0530 and a triple combination for the synergistic treatment of breast cancer comprising an antioestrogen, an EGFR TKI and the Src kinase inhibitor AZD0530.
US08680107B2
The invention presents methods of identifying small molecule compounds that are activators of tumor suppressor protein p53 pathway, and its associated family members p63 and p73, function. The invention is further drawn to methods of killing tumor cells and treating cancers or other conditions requiring activation of the p53 family member pathways and DNA damage response pathways with the small molecules.
US08680101B2
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing pimobendan as an active ingredient. The invention also relates to a crystalline form of pimobendan, as well as to a combination of said crystalline form with at least one other therapeutically active ingredient. Moreover, the invention relates to uses of said crystalline form, as well as to a pharmaceutical composition containing it. Finally, the invention relates to a process for preparing a crystalline form of pimobendan.
US08680098B2
The present invention is directed to substituted aza-bicyclic imidazole derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions modulated by TRP M8, including for example, inflammatory pain, inflammatory hyperalgesia, inflammatory hypersensitivity condition, neuropathic pain, neuropathic cold allodynia, inflammatory somatic hyperalgesia, inflammatory visceral hyperalgesia, cardiovascular disease aggravated by cold and pulmonary disease aggravated by cold.
US08680093B2
This invention relates to novel compounds of the Formula Ik, Im1, Im2, Im5, In1, In2, In5, lo1, lo2, lo5, Ip1, Ip3, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which are useful for the therapeutic treatment of diseases associated with the modulation or inhibition of 11 β-HSD1 in mammals. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions of the novel compounds and methods for their use in the reduction or control of the production of Cortisol in a cell or the inhibition of the conversion of cortisone to Cortisol in a cell.
US08680090B2
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): as defined in the specification and compositions comprising any of such novel compounds. These compounds are endothelial lipase inhibitors which may be used as medicaments.
US08680076B2
Provided herein are Aminopurine Compounds having the following structure: wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined herein, compositions comprising an effective amount of an Aminopurine Compound and methods for treating or preventing scleroderma, keloids, UV injury, or sunburn, and methods for improving or preventing scar formation.
US08680073B2
A pharmaceutical composition comprising in admixture a hyaluronic acid related component (HARC) and a pharmaceutically effective amount of triamcinolone hexacetonide (TAH). The composition is stable in an accelerated shelf life test in which the composition is heated to 80° C. for 24 hours.
US08680070B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for reducing or inhibiting bone resorption, osteoclast differentiation and stimulation and the loosening of medical prostheses by administering a compound or agent that modulates an adenosine receptor such as the adenosine A2A receptor, in particular, an agonist of an adenosine A2A receptor. The invention also extends to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such an agent that modulates an adenosine receptor such as an adenosine A2A agonist and to prosthetic devices containing such an agent that modulates an adenosine receptor such as an A2A agonist on one or more surfaces or within the prosthetic device such as, for example, suspended in the cement forming the prosthetic device.
US08680069B2
The present disclosure provides, inter alia, formulation compositions comprising modified nucleic acid molecules which may encode a protein, a protein precursor, or a partially or fully processed form of the protein or a protein precursor. The formulation composition may further include a modified nucleic acid molecule and a delivery agent. The present invention further provides nucleic acids useful for encoding polypeptides capable of modulating a cell's function and/or activity.
US08680059B2
The invention relates to acetates of the tetrapeptides AQGV (SEQ ID NO:2) and LQGV (SEQ ID NO:3), pharmaceutical compositions comprising the acetates of the tetrapeptides, and methods of treating using the acetates of the tetrapeptides or pharmaceutical compositions to treat acute inflammatory conditions including sepsis.
US08680053B2
This invention relates to a method of improving renal function by administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a composition containing quercetin, vitamin C, vitamin B3, and folic acid.
US08680049B2
The invention provides materials and methods for promoting weight loss or preventing weight gain, and in the treatment of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and associated disorders. In particular, the invention provides novel glucagon analogue peptides effective in such methods. The peptides may mediate their effect by having increased selectivity for the GLP-1 receptor as compared to human glucagon.
US08680032B2
The invention relates to microencapsulated colorant granules consisting of a core (A) and a shell (B), whereby the core (A) has a diameter of between 1 and 1000 micrometer and comprises a) a colorant (I), b) microcrystalline cellulose, c) a polyol; and whereby the shell (B) has a thickness of between 1 to 500 micrometer and comprises d) a polymer selected from the group consisting of polycarboxylic acids, vinyl polymers, styrene-(meth)acrylic copolymers, cellulose and cellulose derivatives. The invention further relates to cleansing compositions, such as hand soaps, containing said microencapsulated colorant granules.
US08680026B2
A microarray system is disclosed. The microarray system includes a microarray formed on a planar substrate and an incubation chamber formed around the microarray. The incubation chamber has a plurality of interior surfaces including a bottom surface on which the microarray is formed and a top surface that faces the bottom surface and is generally parallel to the bottom surface. At least one of a plurality of interior surfaces is a hydrophilic surface.
US08680025B2
A microarray system is disclosed. The microarray system includes a microarray formed on a planar substrate and an incubation chamber formed around the microarray. The incubation chamber has a plurality of interior surfaces including a bottom surface on which the microarray is formed and a top surface that faces the bottom surface and is generally parallel to the bottom surface. At least one of a plurality of interior surfaces is a hydrophilic surface.
US08680024B2
Methods for screening and arranging microorganisms such as viruses in an array using subtractive contact printing are provided. In one embodiment, a method for forming an array of receptors for microorganisms comprises: patterning an array of structures on a first substrate to form a template on a surface of the first substrate; applying a receptor material to a face of a second substrate; and contacting the face of the second substrate with the template to remove a portion of the receptor material from the second substrate, thereby forming an array of receptors on the second substrate.
US08680020B2
Aluminum coated glass slides provide a novel glycan array platform. Specifically, aluminum coated glass slides increase sensitivity of fluorescent based assay methods. Additionally, aluminum coated glass slides allows for mass spectroscopic analysis of carbohydrates and provide a platform for examining activity of cellulases. The unique properties of ACG slides include: 1) the metal oxide layer on the surface can be activated for grafting organic compounds such as modified oligosaccharides; 2) the surface remains electrically conductive, and the grafted oligosaccharides can be simultaneously characterized by mass spectrometry and carbohydrate-binding assay; and 3) the slides are more sensitive than transparent glass slides in binding analysis.
US08680019B2
Walk-through mutagenesis and natural-variant combinatorial fibronectin Type III (FN3) polypeptide libraries are described, along with their method of construction and use. Also disclosed are a number of high binding affinity polypeptides selected by screening the libraries against a variety of selected antigens.
US08680008B2
A system for customizing a notebook computer cover is provided. A user station provides a user interface to select at least one image and to transmit the at least one image. A server receives the at least one image from the user station and formats the at least one selected image to fit a shape of the notebook computer cover. A printer prints the at least one image onto a predetermined fabric. A heat chamber heats the notebook computer cover in response to the predetermined fabric being placed on the notebook computer cover to vaporize the image from the predetermined fabric into a clear layer of the notebook computer cover.
US08680005B2
The invention relates to a method of production of catalyst particles, comprising platinum and tin and also at least one further element, selected from lanthanum and cesium, on zirconium dioxide as support, comprising the steps: preparation of one or more solutions containing precursor compounds of Pt, Sn and at least one further element of La or Cs and also ZrO2, converting the solution(s) to an aerosol, bringing the aerosol into a directly or indirectly heated pyrolysis zone, carrying out pyrolysis, and separation of the particles formed from the pyrolysis gas.Suitable precursor compounds comprise zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate, lanthanum(II) acetylacetonate and cesium acetate, hexamethyldisiloxane, tin 2-ethylhexanoate, platinum acetylacetonate, zirconium(IV) propylate in n-propanol and lanthanum(II) acetylacetonate.The invention also relates to the catalyst particles obtainable using the method according to the invention, and to the use thereof as dehydrogenation catalysts.
US08680000B2
The invention concerns a process for regenerating a catalyst for the production of aromatic hydrocarbons or for reforming, comprising a step for combustion in a zone A comprising at least 2 beds A1 and A2, a step for oxychlorination in a zone B, and a step for calcining in a zone C. A portion of the effluent gas from the oxychlorination zone is recycled via at least one scrubbing section D to the inlet to beds A1 and A2. Further, a portion of the effluent gas from zone B is recycled to the combustion bed A2, passing via a blower but without passing via said scrubbing section D, and a portion is recycled to the inlet to zone B, passing via said blower but not via said scrubbing section. The invention also concerns the vessel in which said process is carried out.
US08679998B2
Initially, an Yb2O3 raw material was subjected to uniaxial pressure forming at a pressure of 200 kgf/cm2, so that a disc-shaped compact having a diameter of about 35 mm and a thickness of about 10 mm was produced, and was stored into a graphite mold for firing. Subsequently, firing was performed by using a hot-press method at a predetermined firing temperature (1,500° C.), so as to obtain a corrosion-resistant member for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. The press pressure during firing was specified to be 200 kgf/cm2 and an Ar atmosphere was kept until the firing was finished. The retention time at the firing temperature (maximum temperature) was specified to be 4 hours. In this manner, the corrosion-resistant member for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus made from an Yb2O3 sintered body having an open porosity of 0.2% was obtained.
US08679996B2
A transparent, polycrystalline ceramic is described. The ceramic comprises crystallites of the formula AxCuByDvEzFw, whereby A and C are selected from the group consisting of Li+, Na+, Be2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Ga3+, In3+, C4+, Si4+, Ge4+, Sn2+/4+, Sc3+, Ti4+, Zn2+, Zr4+, Mo6+, Ru4+, Pd2+, Ag2+, Cd2+, Hf4+, W4+/6+, Re4+, Os4+, Ir4+, Pt2+/4+, Hg2+ and mixtures thereof, B and D are selected from the group consisting of Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Al3+, Ga3+, In3+, Si4+, Ge4+, Sn4+, Sc3+, Ti4+, Zn2+, Y3+, Zr4+, Nb3+, Ru3+, Rh3+, La3+, Lu3+, Gd3+ and mixtures thereof, E and F are selected mainly from the group consisting of the divalent anions of S, Se and O and mixtures thereof, x, u, y, v, z and w satisfy the following formulae 0.125<(x+u)/(y+v)≦0.55 z+w=4 and at least 95% by weight of the crystallites display symmetric, cubic crystal structures of the spinel type, with the proviso that when A=C=Mg2+ and B=D=Al3+, E and F cannot both be O.
US08679992B2
An elastic composite formed from a laminate that contains an elastic film and a lightweight nonwoven facing having a low strength in the cross-machine direction (“CD”) is provided. Due to the low strength of the facing, it is desirable that the elastic film have a sufficient thickness and weight to enhance the strength of the resulting composite. Unfortunately, the ability to join an elastic film to such a lightweight nonwoven facing becomes increasingly difficult as the thickness of the film increases. In this regard, the present inventors have discovered that a second laminate may be employed in the elastic composite that is formed from a thermoplastic film and nonwoven facing to impart increased strength to the composite. The film and facing of the second laminate may be formed from the same or different materials than the film and facing of the first laminate. Regardless, the laminates are positioned so that the elastic and thermoplastic films are in a face-to-face relationship. Through selective control over the polymer content and thickness, the present inventors have discovered that the elastic and thermoplastic films may be readily joined together under light pressure, even at ambient temperature conditions. This avoids the application of a substantial amount of heat used in conventional calender bonding processes, which can otherwise damage the film, and also minimize the need for costly adhesives.
US08679989B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device has: carrying a substrate into a process chamber; depositing a thin film on the substrate by supplying inside the process chamber a first film deposition gas including at least one element among plural elements forming a thin film to be deposited and capable of accumulating a film solely and a second film deposition gas including at least another element among the plural elements and incapable of accumulating a film solely; carrying the substrate on which is deposited the thin film out from inside the process chamber; and removing a first sediment adhering to an interior of the process chamber and a second sediment adhering to an interior of the supply portion and having a chemical composition different from a chemical composition of the first sediment by supplying cleaning gases inside the process chamber and inside a supply portion that supplies the first film deposition gas while changing at least one of a supply flow rate, a concentration, and a type between a cleaning gas to be supplied inside the process chamber and a cleaning gas to be supplied inside the supply portion.
US08679988B2
In some embodiments, the present invention discloses plasma processing at interfaces of an ALD metal oxide film with top and bottom electrodes to improve the ReRAM device characteristics. The interface processing can comprise an oxygen inhibitor step with a bottom polysilicon electrode to prevent oxidation of the polysilicon layer, enhancing the electrical contact of the metal oxide film with the polysilicon electrode. The interface processing can comprise an oxygen enrichment step with a top metal electrode to increase the resistivity of the metal oxide layer, providing an integrated current limiter layer.
US08679983B2
A method of suppressing the etch rate for exposed silicon-and-nitrogen-containing material on patterned heterogeneous structures is described and includes a two stage remote plasma etch. The etch selectivity of silicon relative to silicon nitride and other silicon-and-nitrogen-containing material is increased using the method. The first stage of the remote plasma etch reacts plasma effluents with the patterned heterogeneous structures to form protective solid by-product on the silicon-and-nitrogen-containing material. The plasma effluents of the first stage are formed from a remote plasma of a combination of precursors, including nitrogen trifluoride and hydrogen (H2). The second stage of the remote plasma etch also reacts plasma effluents with the patterned heterogeneous structures to selectively remove material which lacks the protective solid by-product. The plasma effluents of the second stage are formed from a remote plasma of a fluorine-containing precursor.
US08679982B2
A method of suppressing the etch rate for exposed silicon-and-oxygen-containing material on patterned heterogeneous structures is described and includes a two stage remote plasma etch. Examples of materials whose selectivity is increased using this technique include silicon nitride and silicon. The first stage of the remote plasma etch reacts plasma effluents with the patterned heterogeneous structures to form protective solid by-product on the silicon-and-oxygen-containing material. The plasma effluents of the first stage are formed from a remote plasma of a combination of precursors, including a nitrogen-containing precursor and a hydrogen-containing precursor. The second stage of the remote plasma etch also reacts plasma effluents with the patterned heterogeneous structures to selectively remove material which lacks the protective solid by-product. The plasma effluents of the second stage are formed from a remote plasma of a fluorine-containing precursor.
US08679981B1
Various embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for semiconductor device fabrication and generation of photomasks for patterning a target layout of line features and large features. Embodiments of the invention are directed towards systems and methods using self-aligned double pattern to define the target layout of line features and large features.
US08679978B2
A method for forming a film includes the steps of: placing an object to be processed into a processing container; and generating M(BH4)4 gas by feeding H2 gas as carrier gas into a raw material container in which solid M(BH4)4 (where M is Zr or Hf) is accommodated to introduce a mixture gas of H2 gas and M(BH4)4 gas having a volume ratio of flow rates (H2/M(BH4)4) of 2 or more into the processing container, and deposit a MBx film (where M is Zr or Hf and x is 1.8 to 2.5) on the object using a thermal CVD.
US08679976B2
A method of manufacturing graphene includes forming a germanium layer on a surface of a substrate, and forming the graphene directly on the germanium layer by supplying carbon-containing gas into a chamber in which the substrate is disposed.
US08679974B2
A method for fabricating interconnecting lines inside via holes of a semiconductor device comprises steps of providing a template having a receiving trench and a connection surface both on the same side of the template; filling an electric-conduction material into the receiving trench; connecting a substrate having at least one via hole with the connection surface to interconnect the via hole with the receiving trench; heating the electric-conduction material to a working temperature to liquefy a portion of the electric-conduction material and make it flows from the receiving trench into the via hole; and cooling the electric-conduction material to form an interconnecting line inside the via hole. The present invention fabricates interconnecting lines by a heat-forming method, which features simple steps and has advantages of shorter fabrication time, lower fabrication complexity, higher fabrication efficiency, higher yield and lower fabrication cost.
US08679970B2
A semiconductor structure including a highly reliable high aspect ratio contact structure in which key-hole seam formation is eliminated is provided. The key-hole seam formation is eliminated in the present invention by providing a densified noble metal-containing liner within a high aspect ratio contact opening that is present in a dielectric material. The densified noble metal-containing liner is located atop a diffusion barrier and both those elements separate the conductive material of the inventive contact structure from a conductive material of an underlying semiconductor structure. The densified noble metal-containing liner of the present invention is formed by deposition of a noble metal-containing material having a first resistivity and subjecting the deposited noble metal-containing material to a densification treatment process (either thermal or plasma) that decreases the resistivity of the deposited noble metal-containing material to a lower resistivity.
US08679957B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device of an embodiment includes: preparing a silicon carbide substrate of a hexagonal system; implanting ions into the silicon carbide substrate; forming, by epitaxial growth, a silicon carbide film on the silicon carbide substrate into which the ions have been implanted; and forming a pn junction region in the silicon carbide film.
US08679953B1
A method of forming a template on a silicon substrate includes the step of providing a single crystal silicon substrate having a protective layer of amorphous silicon oxide on an upper surface thereof. A working area is delineated on the upper surface of the silicon substrate and a rare earth metal oxide is formed on the upper surface of the silicon substrate within the working area. The rare earth metal oxide is crystal lattice matched to the upper surface of the silicon substrate to form a template for further operations and portions of the upper surface outside the working area are covered with the protective layer of amorphous silicon oxide.
US08679937B2
A method for fabricating a capacitor includes providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, and forming a plurality of openings in the substrate, the openings are separated from each other by a shape of the substrate, each opening having sidewalls and a bottom. The method further includes submitting the substrate including the openings to an oxidation process to form an oxide layer covering the sidewalls and the bottom of the openings, and a portion of a surface of the substrate, wherein a shape of the substrate disposed between a pair of two adjacent openings is completely oxidized to form an insulation layer between the pair of two adjacent openings; and depositing a conductive material layer over the oxide layer in the openings such that the conductive material layer is electrically continuous and such that the pair of adjacent openings form a capacitor.
US08679933B2
Methods for fabricating semiconductor devices, such as complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) imagers, include fabricating transistors and other low-elevation features on an active surface of a fabrication substrate, and fabricating contact plugs, conductive lines, external contacts, and other higher-elevation features on the back side of the fabrication substrate. Semiconductor devices with transistors on the active surface and contact plugs that extend through the substrate are also disclosed, as are electronic devices including such semiconductor devices.
US08679920B2
Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating semiconductor devices that may include forming an insulation structure including insulation patterns that are sequentially stacked and vertically separated from each other to provide gap regions between the insulation patterns, forming a first conductive layer filling the gap regions and covering two opposite sidewalls of the insulation structure, and forming a second conductive layer covering the first conductive layer. A thickness of the second conductive layer covering an upper sidewall of the insulation structure is greater than a thickness of the second conductive layer covering a lower sidewall of the insulation structure.
US08679911B2
An approach for providing cross-coupling-based designs using diffusion contact structures is disclosed. Embodiments include providing first and second gate structures over a substrate; providing a gate cut region across the first gate structure, the second gate structure, or a combination thereof; providing a first gate contact over the first gate structure; providing a second gate contact over the second gate structure; and providing a diffusion contact structure coupling the first gate contact to the second gate contact, the diffusion contact structure having vertices within the gate cut region.
US08679909B2
A method for recessing and capping metal gate structures is disclosed. Embodiments include: forming a dummy gate electrode on a substrate; forming a hard mask over the dummy gate electrode; forming spacers on opposite sides of the dummy gate electrode and the hard mask; forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) over the substrate adjacent the spacers; forming a first trench in the ILD down to the dummy gate electrode; removing the dummy gate electrode to form a second trench below the first trench; forming a metal gate structure in the first and second trenches; and forming a gate cap over the metal gate structure.
US08679900B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a substrate; mounting an integrated circuit over the substrate; mounting a lid base over the substrate, the lid base having a base indentation and a hole with the integrated circuit within the hole; and mounting a heat slug over the lid base, the heat slug having a slug non-horizontal side partially within the base indentation.
US08679894B2
A system and method for forming a phase change memory material on a substrate, in which the substrate is contacted with precursors for a phase change memory chalcogenide alloy under conditions producing deposition of the chalcogenide alloy on the substrate, at temperature below 350° C., with the contacting being carried out via chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition. Various tellurium, germanium and germanium-tellurium precursors are described, which are useful for forming GST phase change memory films on substrates.
US08679890B2
A method includes: forming a transfer gate on a semiconductor substrate; forming a first ion implantation region on a first side of the transfer gate; forming a second ion implantation region on the first side of the transfer gate such that the second ion implantation region encloses the first ion implantation region; forming a third ion implantation region along a surface of the semiconductor substrate; and forming a floating diffusion region at a second side of the transfer gate.
US08679888B2
Provided are solar cells, photovoltaics and related methods for making solar cells, wherein the solar cell is made of ultrathin solar grade or low quality silicon. In an aspect, the invention is a method of making a solar cell by providing a solar cell substrate having a receiving surface and assembling a printable semiconductor element on the receiving surface of the substrate via contact printing. The semiconductor element has a thickness that is less than or equal to 100 μm and, for example, is made from low grade Si.
US08679887B2
A method for manufacturing a micro-electro-mechanical device, which has supporting parts and operative parts, includes providing a first semiconductor wafer, having a first layer of semiconductor material and a second layer of semiconductor material arranged on top of the first layer, forming first supporting parts and first operative parts of the device in the second layer, forming temporary anchors in the first layer, and bonding the first wafer to a second wafer, with the second layer facing the second wafer. After bonding the first wafer and the second wafer together, second supporting parts and second operative parts of said device are formed in the first layer. The temporary anchors are removed from the first layer to free the operative parts formed therein.
US08679884B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus includes the first step of forming a silicon oxide film including a main portion on a second portion and a sub portion between a first portion and a silicon nitride film, the second step of forming a first conductivity type impurity region under the silicon oxide film, and the third step of forming a semiconductor element including a second conductivity type impurity region having an opposite conductivity to the first conductivity type impurity region in the first portion. In the second step, angled ion implantation is performed into a region under the sub portion at an implantation angle using the silicon nitride film as a mask.
US08679883B2
Various embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to selective photo-enhanced wet oxidation for nitride layer regrowth on substrates. In one aspect, a semiconductor structure may comprise: a first substrate structure; a III-nitride structure bonded with the first substrate structure; a plurality of air gaps formed between the first substrate structure and the III-nitride structure; and a III-oxide layer formed on surfaces around the air gaps, wherein a portion of the III-nitride structure including surfaces around the air gaps is transformed into the III-oxide layer by a selective photo-enhanced wet oxidation, and the III-oxide layer is formed between an untransformed portion of the III-nitride structure and the first substrate structure.
US08679882B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a semiconductor device, and a semiconductor apparatus, by which an electrode having an excellent ohmic property can be formed, and a semiconductor device having excellent device characteristics can be obtained with a high product yield. The method sequentially includes: a semiconductor device structure formation process in which a semiconductor device structure 3 is formed at least in a main surface 2a side of a first conduction type silicon carbide bulk substrate 2 having a main surface 2a and a rear surface 2b; and an ohmic electrode formation process in which an ohmic electrode 4 making ohmic contact with the silicon carbide bulk substrate 2 is formed in the rear surface 2b side of the silicon carbide bulk substrate 2, wherein the ohmic electrode formation process sequentially includes a sub-process of thinning the silicon carbide bulk substrate 2 by polishing the rear surface side 2b of the silicon carbide bulk substrate 2 and then forming the ohmic electrode 4 in the rear surface 2b, and a sub-process of performing heat treatment using an optical heating method in which high-power light is irradiated from the rear surface side 2b of the silicon carbide bulk substrate 2 to the ohmic electrode 4.
US08679880B2
An electron transporting surfactant is added to a raw material solution such that the electron transporting surfactant is coordinated on the surfaces of quantum dots, and after the dispersion solvent is evaporated by vacuum drying, the immersion in a solvent containing a hole transporting surfactant prepares a quantum dot dispersed solution with a portion of the electron transporting surfactant replaced with the hole transporting surfactant. The quantum dot dispersed solution is applied onto a substrate to prepare a hole transport layer and a quantum dot layer at the same time, and thereby to achieve a thin film which has a two-layer structure.
US08679876B2
A laser diode and method for fabricating same, wherein the laser diode generally comprises an InGaN compliance layer on a GaN n-type contact layer and an AlGaN/GaN n-type strained super lattice (SLS) on the compliance layer. An n-type GaN separate confinement heterostructure (SCH) is on said n-type SLS and an InGaN multiple quantum well (MQW) active region is on the n-type SCH. A GaN p-type SCH on the MQW active region, an AlGaN/GaN p-type SLS is on the p-type SCH, and a p-type GaN contact layer is on the p-type SLS. The compliance layer has an In percentage that reduces strain between the n-type contact layer and the n-type SLS compared to a laser diode without the compliance layer. Accordingly, the n-type SLS can be grown with an increased Al percentage to increase the index of refraction. This along with other features allows for reduced threshold current and voltage operation.
US08679864B2
A method for determining one or more characteristics of a partially processed integrated circuit includes a step for providing a substrate material. The method further includes a step for forming at least one opening within the substrate material. The opening can be characterized by an opening characteristic that includes a depth and a width associated with an unknown volume. The method includes a step for providing a fill material and processing the fill material to cause a first portion of the fill material to enter the opening and occupy an entirety of the unknown volume associated with the opening characteristic while a second portion of the fill material remains outside of the unknown volume. Moreover, the method includes a step for processing the second portion of the fill material using one or more processes to determine a spatial characteristic associated with the unknown volume.
US08679844B2
Expression cassettes causing specific regulatory control of transgene expression in plants, wherein the expression cassettes include regulatory sequences from the MADS gene family for expression of recombinant gene products in the reproductive tissue of plants for the purpose of generating abiotic stress tolerant plants.
US08679822B2
Xylose-utilizing Zymomonas strains studied were found to accumulate ribulose when grown in xylose-containing media. Engineering these strains to increase ribose-5-phosphate isomerase activity led to reduced ribulose accumulation, improved growth, improved xylose utilization, and increased ethanol production.
US08679820B2
In one embodiment, a bioremediation agent and method of bioremediation of an oil spill are disclosed. The bioremediation agent contains oil-digesting bacteria and bacterial nutrients in a buoyant water semi-insoluble and biodegradable casein product. The bioremediation agent may be distributed by boats or seeded by aircraft to remediate oil from coastlines after an oil spill.
US08679812B2
The invention provides a method for extracting a Staphylococcus aureus antigen which comprises using an extraction reagent with a pH of no higher than 5.0, containing one or more acids selected from among hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid, to extract a Staphylococcus aureus antigen comprising a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus antigen and/or a methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus antigen, from Staphylococcus aureus in a specimen. The invention further provides a method for assessing Staphylococcus aureus.
US08679810B2
The present invention provides an isolated and substantially purified recombinant human arginase having sufficiently high enzymatic activity and stability to maintain Adequate Arginine Depletion in a patient. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the modified invention enzyme and method for treatment of diseases using the pharmaceutical composition.
US08679802B2
The present invention provides novels genes encoding methyl butenol (MBO) synthase, methy butenol synthases and their use in methyl butenol production.
US08679801B2
The invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence encoding an Aspergillus mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid transporter that can be used in the production of itaconic acid in micro-organisms. Preferably said transporter protein is the protein encoded by the nucleic acid which is located on a chromosome segment of A. terreus that also harbors other genes involved in the itaconic acid biosynthesis and the lovastatin biosynthesis. Also, vectors, hosts and transformed micro-organisms are part of the invention.
US08679798B2
The present invention provides a method for producing an L-amino acid from ethanol using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, wherein the bacterium has been modified to enhance the expression of the ydbK gene.
US08679787B2
A method of preparing an antisense DNA probe for comparative transcript analysis. The method includes providing an antisense DNA probe. The method also includes linking a blocking adapter to the antisense DNA probe.
US08679785B2
The invention relates to a method of preparing heteromultimeric polypeptides such as bispecific antibodies, bispecific immunoadhesins, heteromultimers and antibody-immunoadhesin chimeras. Generally, the method involves introducing a protuberance at the interface of a first polypeptide and a corresponding cavity in the interface of a second polypeptide, such that the protuberance can be positioned in the cavity so as to promote heteromultimer formation and hinder homomultimer formation. The protuberance and cavity can be made by synthetic means such as altering the nucleic acid encoding the polypeptides or by peptide synthesis.
US08679783B2
A Factor X (hereinafter referred to as “FX”) with a high activity is provided. The present invention relates to a method for efficiently preparing a recombinant, two-chain FX which comprises intervening glycosylation at such an amino acid sequence that is essential for glycosylation in FX to thereby allow for expression of a recombinant FX with no glycosylation, and the recombinant FX with no glycosylation obtained by said method.
US08679780B2
Disclosed are therapeutic formulations comprising myristoylCoA and N-myristoyl transferase and methods of using such formulations to stimulate the immune system of a mammal afflicted with carcinoma and having a detectable blood level of unacylated A-protein to produce an immune response thereto. Also disclosed are methods of treating an A-protein displaying carcinoma in a mammal.
US08679772B2
The invention provides a highly sensitive immunoassay for detection of a biological species. The immunoassay comprises exposing an electrode to an analyte liquid putatively containing the biological species so as to couple the biological species, if present in the analyte liquid, to a binding antibody on the electrode. The electrode comprises a binding antibody and an anchor group, each being coupled to an electrically conductive substrate, said binding antibody being capable of binding to the biological species and said anchor group being capable of binding to a redox polymer. The electrode is then exposed to an antibody-enzyme liquid comprising an antibody-enzyme species, said antibody-enzyme species comprising a detection antibody capable of binding to the biological species, said detection antibody being coupled to a redox enzyme, whereby, if the analyte liquid comprises the biological species, the redox enzyme couples to the electrode by means of the coupling of both the detection antibody and the binding antibody to the biological species. The electrode is then exposed to a polymer solution comprising the redox polymer and to an enzyme substrate, whereby if the redox enzyme is coupled to the anchor group on the electrode the redox polymer is reduced and couples to the anchor group on the electrode. A voltage is then applied between the electrode and a reference electrode and the electrode is exposed to an oxidizable species, whereby a magnitude of an electric current between said electrode and a reference electrode is indicative of the presence or absence of the biological species.
US08679771B2
This invention provides general methods for selective labeling of proteins on their N-termini with synthetic peptides. The methods of this invention can be applied to the global proteomic profiling of complex mixtures of proteins and polypeptides.
US08679770B2
The present invention relates to the field of Serum Bactericidal Activity (SBA) assays for Gram negative bacteria, in particular N. meningitidis. The SBA assay is the most important method for measuring functional activity of serum antibodies against meningococcus. In order to determine whether a subject or a population is seropositive against invasive meningococcus the SBA test should ideally be both sensitive and specific. The inventors have found the standard N. meningitidis serotype A and W SBAs can be significantly improved in this regard.
US08679760B2
The present invention relates to a biomarker associated with a cancer and a method using the biomarker to evaluate a risk of proliferation, invasion, or metastasis of a cancer. The method of the present invention comprises the following steps: (A) providing a tissue sample to evaluate for risk of proliferation, invasion, or metastasis of a cancer, wherein the tissue sample comprises a non-cancer region, and a suspected cancer region; (B) detecting expression levels of a biomarker and a predetermined standard in the non-cancer region and the suspected cancer region respectively, wherein the biomarker is T-cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 2 (TIAM2); (C) comparing the expression levels of the biomarker and the predetermined standard in the non-cancer region to the expression levels of the biomarker and the predetermined standard in the suspected cancer region.
US08679759B2
The present invention is directed to methods for diagnosing cancer in a subject. Morphologically normal epithelial cells of the esophagus are assayed for marker expression. Characteristic expression of the markers indicates the presence of cancer or the predisposition to cancer. A panel of eleven markers are particularly good at identifying cancer and the predisposition to cancer.
US08679756B1
Aspects of the present invention are drawn to processes for moving a region of interest in a polynucleotide from a first position to a second position with regard to a domain within the polynucleotide, also referred to as a “reflex method”. In certain embodiments, the reflex method results in moving a region of interest into functional proximity to specific domain elements present in the polynucleotide (e.g., primer sites and/or MID). Compositions, kits and systems that find use in carrying out the reflex processes described herein are also provided.
US08679755B2
A first cell mass substantially containing only either one of mesenchymal cells or epithelial cells and a second cell mass substantially containing only the other one of the cells are positioned in contact with each other inside a support carrier which can maintain a condition of cell contact; and cultured to obtain a tooth having a specific cell placement. Preferably, after the culturing, the support carrier having both cell masses is cultured with kidney cells.
US08679752B2
The present invention provides formulations and methods for isolating food-borne pathogens from a great variety of food matrices. Methods for isolating microorganisms from clinical and environmental specimens are also disclosed. The invention also concerns methods for rapid and efficient isolation of sufficiently pure DNA from small amounts of various pathogenic microorganisms, which then can be used, according to the methods of the instant invention, for selective identification of a live pathogenic microorganism present in a sample from which the microorganism was isolated. The methods of the instant invention are also useful for identification of new pathogenic microorganisms, diagnostics of food-borne illnesses, treatment of food-borne diseases and quality control of food items offered for sale to consumers.
US08679749B2
Polynucleotides encoding variant polypeptides of DsRed are provided herein. The DsRed variants have increased bacterial expression, reduced aggregation, increased solubility, shifted emission spectra or increased brightness relative to a wild-type DsRed.
US08679738B2
The presently described subject matter is directed to a water-soluble conjugated polyene compound and the derivatives thereof that exhibit aggregation induced emission, as well as any water dispersible, fluorescent, polymeric microparticles, nanoparticles, and/or pharmaceutical composition comprising the water-soluble conjugated polyene compound and/or the derivatives thereof. Also provided are methods of making and using the compound, derivatives and particles of the presently described subject matter. The presently described water-soluble conjugated polyene compound are useful as bioprobes for the detection of biomacromolecules, in the manufacture of sensors, in monitoring and retarding formation of amyloid protein fibril in vitro and in vivo, and in developing anti-cancer drugs.
US08679735B2
Methods and compositions are provided for the cryopreservation of human organs and tissues. In certain embodiments, Step 1 comprises perfusion with a vitrifiable cryoprotectant solution at a temperature above −10° C. for a time insufficient for the approximate osmotic equilibration of the organ with the solution, followed by cooling the organ to below −10° C. by perfusion with said solution at a reduced temperature. In certain embodiments, Step 2 comprises increasing the concentration of cryoprotectant further at a temperature from −10 to −40° C. In certain embodiments, Step 3 comprises cooling and vitrifying the organ, rewarming it, and perfusing the organ with a vitrifiable concentration of cryoprotectant whose temperature is either raised gradually or is held at ≧−15° C. Compositions are provided that allow safe organ perfusion with vitrifiable media at >−10° C. and almost complete avoidance of chilling injury at −20 to −25° C. and that allow slow warming after vitrification without freezing.
US08679729B2
Disclosed is a method for forming patterns of a semiconductor device, which includes: arranging dense patterns to be transferred in a dense pattern region of a wafer; inserting a first dummy pattern for restricting pattern distortion of the dense patterns in an outside of the array of the dense patterns; inserting a first assist feature for restricting pattern distortion of the first dummy pattern in an inside of the first dummy pattern; inserting an array of second assist features for additionally restricting pattern distortion of the first dummy pattern in an outside of the first dummy pattern, thereto designing a pattern layout to be transferred onto the wafer; and forming an array of the dense patterns and the first dummy patterns by transferring the pattern layout onto the wafer through an exposure.
US08679722B2
A method for producing a photoreceptor includes forming at least a photosensitive layer as a coating layer on a surface of a substantially cylindrical photoreceptor; and polishing a surface of the coating layer formed on the photoreceptor in the layer formation by rotating the photoreceptor and moving a polishing member in a direction crossing a circumferential direction of the photoreceptor in contact with the surface of the coating layer on the photoreceptor.
US08679721B2
The present disclosure aims to provide a toner that is capable of keeping a photoreceptor drum in satisfactory condition for a long period of time and preventing the occurrence of pinholes on the photoreceptor drum, which plays a key role in forming images. The present disclosure provides an electrostatic charge image developing toner in which an external additive is added to toner base particles, wherein the external additive includes inorganic fine particles attached with conductive fine particles, and the conductive fine particles are attached to the inorganic fine particles with certain strength.
US08679717B2
A binder resin for a toner containing a vinyl resin (A), a non-crystalline polyester resin (SN) and a saturated crystalline polyester resin (SC), in which the content of the vinyl resin (A) is equal to or more than 65 mass % and equal to or less than 95 mass %, based on the total content of 100 mass % of (A), (SN) and (SC), (A) is composed of a carboxyl group-containing vinyl resin (C), a glycidyl group-containing vinyl resin (E) and a reaction product of the vinyl resins, the ester group concentration of (SC) is equal to or more than 10.0 mmol/g and equal to or less than 13.5 mmol/g, (SN) is dispersed in an island form in (A) and (SC) is contained in the island phase of (SN), and the metal component (M) containing at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Zn, Ca, Mg, Al and Ba (excluding metal oxide) is contained at least in (SC).
US08679712B2
A photoreceptor including an electroconductive substrate; and a photosensitive layer overlying the electroconductive substrate, wherein the uppermost surface layer of the photosensitive layer has a three-dimensional cross-linked product formed by polymerization reaction of a charge transport compound A represented by the following Chemical Structure 1 and a charge transport compound B having three or more [tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy]methyl groups linked with aromatic rings in which part of the [tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy]methyl groups is severed and detached. In the Chemical Structure 1, Ar1 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms that may have an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms as a substitution group.
US08679695B2
A system (10) for supplying a liquid electrolyte to cell stacks (32) arranged at a plurality of different heights comprises a plurality of constant head supply tanks (12) for containing liquid electrolyte, one for each of the different heights. Each such supply tank (12) is adapted to ensure that the surface of the liquid electrolyte is at atmospheric pressure, and to feed electrolyte to a cell stack, and incorporates an overflow duct (18) to keep the electrolyte at a constant level. For each supply tank (12) except the lowest, the overflow duct (18) supplies overflowing electrolyte to a supply tank at a lower height. The system also includes an electrolyte storage tank (20), and means (24, 26) to supply electrolyte from the storage tank (20) to the highest supply tank (12).
US08679691B2
A system and method for detecting an intermittent failure of an injector that injects hydrogen gas fuel into the anode side of a fuel cell stack in a fuel cell system. The method includes operating the injector at a fixed injector pulse width and frequency, which causes the stack to generate a constant current, and therefore, a constant fuel consumption rate. While at a constant current, the injector is commanded to a constant duty cycle and frequency that matches the rate of fuel consumption in the fuel cell system. The resulting fuel pressure feedback is then monitored, and if it diverges from a defined nominal value, either in a constant or oscillatory manner, it can be determined that the injector has an intermittent opening failure. In one embodiment, the determination of the injector failure is performed during a shut-down sequence of the fuel cell system.
US08679685B2
Disclosed is a lithium secondary battery. The lithium secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution. Either the cathode or the anode or both include metal oxide coating layers on electrode active material particles forming the electrode or a metal oxide coating layer on the surface of an electrode layer formed on a current collector. The non-aqueous electrolyte solution contains an ionizable lithium salt, an organic solvent, and a dinitrile compound having a specific structure. In the lithium secondary battery, degradation of the electrode is prevented and side reactions of the electrolyte solution are inhibited. Therefore, the lithium secondary battery exhibits excellent cycle life and output performance characteristics.
US08679682B2
A nonaqueous-electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode which is constituted of a negative-electrode current collector and a layer containing a negative active material and deposited on one or each side of the negative-electrode current collector and in which the layer contains at least one member selected from lithium carbonate, lithium sulfide, lithium phosphide, and lithium fluoride and further contains a lithium-titanium composite oxide, and a nonaqueous electrolyte.
US08679671B2
A frame for a battery cell includes a main body with an aperture configured to receive the battery cell. A header is disposed at an end of the main body. The header including a plurality of electrically conductive pins disposed through the header. The electrically conductive pins are configured to cooperate with pins in an adjacent frame.
US08679664B2
The present invention is a battery comprising: a power section containing a sulfur-based material; a distinguishing section which discolors by chemical reaction with hydrogen sulfide; and an exterior body incorporating the power section and the distinguishing section, the distinguishing section being observable from outside the exterior body. By checking discoloration of the distinguishing section or the distinguishing means, it is possible to easily detect the presence or absence of hydrogen sulfide in the battery and then judge deterioration of the battery with non-destructive inspection.
US08679661B2
Provided is a pouch type secondary battery. In more detail, a pouch type secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a pouch type battery case, a sealing part, and an exhaust part, wherein the exhaust part is formed to have adhesion weaker than that of the sealing part to release the sealing of the exhaust part when the pouch type secondary battery is swollen due to high pressure generated within the secondary battery under the conditions of overheating such as overcharging, internal short, and the like, thereby discharging materials in the pouch type secondary battery to the outside so as to secure safety of the pouch type secondary battery.
US08679660B2
An electric power storage apparatus including a housing, a partition which is placed in the housing to form a first housing portion and a second housing portion, a electric power storage unit which is housed in the first housing portion, a coolant which is housed in the first housing portion and is provided for cooling the electric power storage unit, and a pressure release means for releasing an internal pressure of the first housing portion to the second housing portion in an abnormal state of the electric power storage unit in which gas is produced in the electric power storage unit.
US08679659B2
The method for thermal management of a battery can include vehicle systems to control the thermal input to the battery and a dedicated battery thermal management system. The battery thermal management system includes transferring battery heat to coolant flowing in a circuit, if ambient air temperature is greater than the battery temperature, using an evaporator/chiller to transfer heat from the coolant to a refrigerant, using a condenser to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the coolant, and using a radiator to transfer heat from the coolant to ambient air; and if coolant can be maintained in the reference temperature range without using a heat source or refrigerant, using a radiator to transfer heat from the coolant to the ambient air.
US08679658B2
A method for conditioning an energy storage system for a vehicle located in a geographic area includes the steps of obtaining data pertaining to an external temperature of the geographic area, measuring a temperature of the energy storage system, heating the energy storage system if the temperature is less than a first predetermined threshold, and cooling the energy storage system if the temperature is greater than a second predetermined threshold. The first predetermined threshold is dependent upon the external temperature. The second predetermined threshold is also dependent upon the external temperature.
US08679655B2
A lubricant containing a compound (A) comprising a perfluoropolyether having a main-chain structure of the formula (1) and having a polar group at each of opposite terminals thereof, and a compound (B) comprising a perfluoropolyether having a main-chain structure of the formula (1) and having a nonpolar group at least one terminal thereof —(CF2CF2CF2O)a- (1) wherein a is a real number of 5 to 30.
US08679652B2
A modification of PbTiO3 perovskite wherein at least part of Pb is replaced by a smaller atom with a similar ionic charge.
US08679650B2
A laminated structure comprises a first layer comprising a crystal with six-fold symmetry, and a second layer comprising a metal oxynitride crystal formed on the first layer The second layer comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of In, Ga, Si, Ge and Al, N, O and Zn, as main elements, and has in-plane orientation.
US08679646B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided an organic light-emitting diode including an anode and a cathode arranged apart from each other, and an emissive layer interposed between the anode and the cathode and including a host material and an emitting dopant. The emitting dopant includes a copper complex represented by the formula (1): where Cu+ represents a copper ion, the ligand A represents a pyridine derivative having nitrogen as a coordinate element and may have a substituent, PR1R2R3 is a phosphine compound coordinating with Cu+, where R1, R2 and R3 may be the same or different, and represent a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms or an aromatic cyclic group which may have a substituent, and X− represents a counter ion (counterion) where X represents F, Cl, Br, I, BF4, PF6, CH3CO2, CF3CO2, CF3SO3 or ClO4.
US08679644B2
The present invention relates to polymers which contain certain triarylamine units of the Formula (1) The materials according to the invention exhibit a longer lifetime than materials in accordance with the prior art and therefore more suitable for use in polymeric organic light-emitting diodes.
US08679638B2
A blade rubber having both of superior durability and wiping performance can be manufactured by using a non-diene-based rubber without environmental burden. A pair of blade-rubber molded bodies molded from the non-diene-based rubber is subjected to an irradiation treatment to generate radical active sites, and monomers are bound by graft polymerization as beginning at the radical active sites. Also, the monomers are adhered on a surface of the blade rubber either before or after the generation of the radical active sites. The irradiation treatment and the graft polymerization may be simultaneously performed or independently performed in this order. In this manner, a surface treatment for reducing friction of the non-diene-based rubber having superior durability can be performed without halogen, and therefore, a blade rubber having superior durability and wiping performance can be manufactured.
US08679627B2
Multi-component fibers having enhanced reversible thermal properties and methods of manufacturing thereof are described. In one embodiment, a multi-component fiber includes a fiber body formed from a set of elongated members, and at least one of the set of elongated members includes a temperature regulating material having a latent heat of at least 40 J/g. The temperature regulating material provides thermal regulation based on at least one of absorption and release of the latent heat at the transition temperature. The multi-component fiber can be formed via a melt spinning process or a solution spinning process and can be used or incorporated in various products where a thermal regulating property is desired. For example, the multi-component fiber can be used in textiles, apparel, footwear, medical products, containers and packagings, buildings, appliances, and other products.
US08679607B2
A foamable article is disclosed. The article includes a substrate and an outer layer covering at least a portion of the substrate and including an unactivated expandable sphere foaming agent and an unactivated chemical foaming agent. The unactivated foaming agents may be activated to increase the volume of the outer layer.
US08679594B2
The invention includes the structure of a multilayer protective coating, which may have, among other properties, scratch resistance, UV absorption, and an effective refractive index matched to a polymer substrate such as polycarbonate. Each layer may contain multiple components consisting of organic and inorganic materials. The multilayer protective coating includes interleaved organic layers and inorganic layers. The organic layers may have 20% or more organic compounds such as SiOxCyHz. The inorganic layers may have 80% or more inorganic materials, such as SiO2, SiOxNy, and ZnO, or mixtures thereof. Each layer of the multilayer protective coating is a micro layer and may have a thickness of 5 angstroms or less in various embodiments. The multilayer protective coating may contain in the order of hundreds or thousands of micro layers, depending upon the design requirement of applications. In each micro layer, the components may have substantially continuous variations in concentration.
US08679592B2
A method for continuously processing carbon fiber including establishing a microwave plasma in a selected atmosphere contained in an elongated chamber having a microwave power gradient along its length defined by a lower microwave power at one end and a higher microwave power at the opposite end of the elongated chamber. The elongated chamber having an opening in each of the ends of the chamber that are adapted to allow the passage of the fiber tow while limiting incidental gas flow into or out of said chamber. A continuous fiber tow is introduced into the end of the chamber having the lower microwave power. The fiber tow is withdrawn from the opposite end of the chamber having the higher microwave power. The fiber to is subjected to progressively higher microwave energy as the fiber is being traversed through the elongated chamber.
US08679588B2
The present invention relates to methods of making articles, and systems for providing wool article have self-cleaning properties. The self-cleaning properties are brought about coating the wool articles with a photocatalyst formulation. The formulation contains titanium compounds, stabilizers, catalysts, and water.
US08679580B2
A coated substrate and methods for making the coated substrate are disclosed. The method entails depositing an undercoating over at least a portion of the substrate; fluidizing a precursor for nanoparticles; and forcing the fluidized precursor toward the substrate to coat the undercoating with a layer of nanoparticles. Coated substrates according to the present invention exhibit improved durability and increased photocatalytic activity.
US08679579B2
An aspect of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a polarizing member comprising: forming a polarizing film by coating a dichroic dye-containing solution on a substrate; subjecting the polarizing film that has been formed to a treatment to immobilize the dichroic dye in the film; coating a waterborne resin composition containing a resin component and a water-based solvent on the polarizing film after the immobilization treatment, and drying the composition to form a primer layer; and forming a functional film on the primer layer that has been formed; wherein after the immobilization treatment but before the coating of the waterborne resin composition, an article to be coated is subjected to heat treatment.
US08679574B2
An unlimited movable printing system that allows an operator to accurately and repeatedly print original drawings on a work side and a printing method thereof.
US08679572B2
A coated stent (20) for use in a medical procedure and methods of manufacturing the coated stent (20) are described. A stent component (30) has an expanded state in which an inner diameter (ds) of the stent (30) is less than or equal to an outer diameter (dc2) of a coating (40), thereby causing an inner surface (35) of the stent (30) to engage the outer surface (42) of the coating (40). In one exemplary method of manufacture, the stent (30) is disposed over the coating (40) when the coating (40) is provided with a first, smaller outer diameter (dc1). The coating (40) then is radially expanded to a second, larger outer diameter (dC2), which is greater than or equal to the inner diameter (ds) of the stent (30), to cause the outer surface (42) of the coating (40) to engage the inner surface (35) of the stent (30).
US08679566B1
A method of preparing customized micro batches of ice cream is disclosed. Ice cream premix is poured into a shallow eight quart bowl and flavorings and mix-ins added. Liquid nitrogen is injected into the bowl, and the premix is folded into the liquid nitrogen by folding the premix into the center of the bowl. The premix is frozen into ice cream, its edges heated to release any ice cream from the bowl, and dispensed to a serving container. By adding additional liquid nitrogen, the ice cream may be made brittle and then chopped or ground into a large or fine granular shape. As the ice cream mixture is freezing, it may be poured into a mold and placed in a cryogenic bin to freeze and harden the ice cream into the shape of the mold, for making ice cream cakes or other novelty ice cream shapes.
US08679565B2
A system for removing trim from sheet dough including a belt defined by an upper edge, lower edge, an interior surface, and an exterior surface, wherein a plurality of brushes extend from the lower edge of the belt at an orientation substantially perpendicular to the lower edge, an idler sprocket in communication with the interior surface of the belt, and a motor configured to rotate the belt about the idler sprocket.
US08679561B2
A coffee bean roasting machine of the type having a cyclone separator heating chamber and a coffee bean roasting chamber in a recirculating process stream driven by a recirculation fan is operated to air cool the roasted coffee beans in the roasting chamber, to a temperature beneath which the beans give off smoke, while at the same time incinerating smoke removed from the roasting chamber. A purge gate in ducting between the cyclone separator and the roasting chamber is opened to allow the flow of ambient air into and through the roasting chamber while blocking flow out of the cyclone separator, so that ambient air is directed through the roasting chamber. The smoke and any airborne particulate material from the roasting chamber are carried into the heating chamber and through the incineration tube, where they are incinerated. Preferably the system and process are operated automatically by a computer and programming.
US08679558B2
A probiotic fruit juice drink consisting of at least one species of probiotic bacteria chosen from Lactobacillus and at least one gas formation reducer chosen from acerola, pomegranate, cranberry, arqnia, blackcurrant, buckthorn or elderberry and any combination thereof and a primary fruit juice chosen from a citrus fruit juice or an pip fruit juice. The probiotic juice drink contains optionally a secondary fruit juice and optionally water.
US08679552B2
A kit for treatment of acne vulgaris, said formulation of the kit effectively inhibiting or killing Proprionibacterium without antibiotics. A preferred formulation alleviates the four pathogenic factors of acne.In a preferred method using the kit, a first skin-wash formulation comprising a higher zinc pyrithione concentration than the second leave-on formulation is applied to the affected area and subsequently washed off the skin with water. Then, a second leave-on formulation, preferably comprising a minimum of 0.25% zinc pyrithione with additional ingredients for eliminating or reducing other pathogenic factors of acne vulgaris, is applied to the skin.The kit includes a skin-wash component and a leave-on component comprising the acne treatment of the invention. Formulations are preferably applied as creams, lotions or emulsions.
US08679533B2
An orally deliverable pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of pramipexole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, said composition exhibiting at least one of (a) an in vitro release profile wherein on average no more than about 20% of the pramipexole is dissolved within 2 hours after placement of the composition in a standard dissolution test; and (b) an in vivo pramipexole absorption profile following single dose administration to healthy adult humans wherein the time to reach a mean of 20% absorption is greater than about 2 hours and/or the time to reach a mean of 40% absorption is greater than about 4 hours. The composition is useful for oral administration, not more than once daily, to a subject having a condition or disorder for which a dopamine receptor agonist is indicated.
US08679527B2
This invention provides antimicrobial compositions containing methylglyoxal and material with methylglyoxal contained (such as manuka honey). The antimicrobial activity of methylglyoxal, or material with a methylglyoxal presence, is maintained and/or enhanced by mixing methylglyoxal or material with a methylglyoxal presence with cyclodextrin. Methods of preparing such compositions, including powder composition, and methods of using such compositions are also provided.
US08679519B2
Provided herein are coating designs for the tailored release of two therapeutic agents from polymer coatings and methods of making and using the same.
US08679508B2
The present invention relates to microalgae having high efficiency and ability to remove carbon dioxide, and the use thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to Scenedesmus producto-capitatus microalgae having high carbon dioxide fixation rate and the use thereof. The microalgae of the invention have a high carbon dioxide fixation rate and excellent resistance even to high concentrations of carbon dioxide, sulfur oxide (SOx) and nitric oxide (NOx) and are rich in biomass, and thus can be advantageously used in formulations for removing carbon dioxide.
US08679504B2
The present invention provides materials and methods for researching poultry viruses, particularly for researching infectious bronchitis viruses in poultry. Also provided are materials and methods useful for reducing the economic impact that infectious bronchitis disease has on poultry production. In one aspect of the invention, there are provided nucleic acids, amino acids and related materials and compositions useful for combating infectious bronchitis virus in poultry.
US08679501B2
The present invention is a method for inhibiting Treg cell functional activities by blocking Treg cell-mediated mast cell activation. It has been found IL-9 produced by Treg cells activates mast cells, which in turn mediate an amplification loop critical for graft tolerance and immune responses to tumors. Thus, a method for enhancing an immune response to a vaccine, such as a cancer vaccine, is also provided as is a method for increasing cell and humoral immunity in a subject.
US08679490B2
The invention provides variant hypervariable regions comprising selected amino acid sequence diversity. Libraries comprising a plurality of these polypeptides are also provided. In addition, methods of and compositions for generating and using these polypeptides and libraries are provided.
US08679488B2
Antibodies which bind an antigen of the bone marrow neovasculature in leukaemia patients, for use in treatment and diagnosis of leukaemia, in particular the treatment and diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
US08679481B2
A method for modifying access of cells to extravascular spaces and regions comprising administering to a patient an enzyme that cleaves chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans is provided. It has been found that administration of an enzyme that cleaves chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans to a patient disrupts extravasation of cells from the blood stream into tissue. The present invention provides methods of reducing penetration of cells associated with inflammation into tissue of a patient. Several methods are also provided for the regulation and suppression of inflammation comprising administering enzymes that digest chondroitin sulfates. Also provided are methods of treating and preventing inflammation associated with infection, injury and disease.
US08679478B2
Methods of treating a lysosomal storage disorder and methods of increasing cellular uptake of a lysosomal enzyme using β2 agonists or therapeutic agents that increase expression of receptors for a lysosomal enzyme.
US08679476B2
Mutant Listeria bacteria that modulate interferon-B production are provided. The subject bacteria are characterized by having a mutation in a gene chosen from a TetR gene, a LadR gene, a VirR gene, a MarR gene a MdrL gene, a MdrT gene and a MdrM gene. The subject bacteria find use in a variety of applications, where representative applications of interest include, but are not limited to: (a) use of the subject bacteria as adjuvants; (b) use of the subject bacteria as delivery vectors for introducing macromolecules into a cell; (c) use of the subject bacteria as vaccines for eliciting or boosting a cellular immune response; etc.
US08679472B1
This application covers a novel PEGylated interferon and a novel crystalline form of interferon which are useful, inter alia, for detailed structural analysis of interferon as well as treatment and prevention of viral infections and hyperproliferative diseases such as leukemia.
US08679470B2
Disclosed are compositions comprising crosslinked hyaluronic acid gels, preferably vinyl sulfone cross-linked hyaluronic acid known as hylan B gel, for use in topical cosmetic and dermatological formulations. The hylan B gel in these formulations provides prolonged delivery of incorporated substances to the surface of the skin, to provide a hydrated film on the surface of the skin, and to provide a substantive and compatible film on the skin.
US08679467B1
A dyeless all-day coloring formula that can be applied easily using a brush or other similar application tool to facial hair is an ideal way to mask the gray hair color often brought about by aging follicles. Such a formulation may have similar properties to mascara more commonly used by women to enhance the appearance of their eyelashes. However, the dyeless facial hair coloring formula will overcome the disadvantages commonly associated with currently available facial hair coloring solutions.
US08679466B2
A hair care composition comprising from 0.001 wt % to 20 wt % of the total composition of a titanium salt.
US08679453B2
This invention includes agents and compositions having MRI, PET, CT, X-ray, SPECT or optical signals, and methods for their use in the determination of a target. In some cases, a MRI, PET, CT, X-ray, SPECT, optical or other signal produced by the agent or composition can be affected by the presence of the target. Examples of targets that can be determined by this invention include, but are not limited to zinc, copper, iron ions and other biological targets. Example of application for imaging in vivo includes the function of pancreas and other organs.
US08679452B2
Methods and reagents for miniaturized carboxylation with carbon-isotope labeled carbon dioxide using Grignard reagents or other organometallic reagents in a closable reaction loop or reactor are provided. The resultant carbon-isotope labeled compounds are useful as radiopharmaceuticals or precursors for radiopharmaceuticals, especially for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Associated kits for PET studies are also provided.
US08679445B1
This invention discloses a solid-based synthesis of cesium tin tri-iodide (CsSnI3). More specifically, the CsSnI3 is fabricated in a 3 zone high temperature resisting tube by the solid-phase sintering method. CsSnI3 are ideally suited for a wide range of applications such as light emitting and photovoltaic devices.
US08679441B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling a fume treatment center (FTC) (23), scrubbing the baking fumes from a rotary baking furnace (1), in which the fumes are drawn in through at least one suction manifold (11) of the baking furnace (1) and collected in a duct (20, 20′) that conveys said fumes to the fume treatment center (23). The fume treatment center includes a tower (24) which sprays water into the fumes in order to cool same and a least one reactor (25) for the physico-chemical neutralization of the fumes, comprising contact with a reagent powder, such as alumina, followed by filtering (36) of the loaded reagent and the fume dust and recycling in the reactor (25) of at least one fraction of the filtered reagent and mixing of the same with fresh reagent. The method includes at least the following steps: the flow of water in the cooling tower (24) is adjusted and/or the flow and/or recycling rate of the reagent in the reactor (25) is adjusted as a function of at least one parameter indicating the level of pollution of the fumes at the inlet of the fume treatment center (23). The invention can be used for baking carbon cathodes and anodes for aluminum electrolysis.
US08679440B2
The present invention relates to a method for preparing nitride nanomaterials, including: providing a first precursor and a second precursor, in which the first precursor is a transition metal precursor, a group IIIA precursor, a group IVA precursor or a mixture thereof, and a second precursor is a nitrogen-containing aromatic compound; and heating the first precursor with the second precursor to form a nitride nanomaterial. Accordingly, the present invention provides a simpler, nontoxic, more widely applied and low-cost method for preparing nitride nanomaterials.
US08679431B2
An air pollution control system comprises a SOx removal equipment for reducing sulfur oxides from flue gas from a boiler, a cooler for reducing the sulfur oxides that remain in the flue gas and for decreasing a gas temperature, CO2 recovery equipment including an absorber for bringing CO2 in the flue gas into contact with a CO2 absorption liquid so as to be reduced, a regenerator for causing the CO2 absorption liquid to emit CO2 so as to recover CO2 and regenerate the CO2 absorption liquid, a heat exchanger which for decreasing a temperature of the flue gas, and calcium carbonate spraying equipment for spraying calcium carbonate between the heat exchanger and an electric dust collector, wherein a mist generation material in the flue gas is converted from a gas state to a mist state to arrest and reduce the mist generation material in the mist state using calcium carbonate.
US08679423B2
A microfluidic device, including a microfluidic network, including: a) two parallel plates each including one or more electrodes, b) at least one channel, arranged between the two plates, made from a material obtained by solidification or hardening of a material of a first fluid, and c) a mechanism varying a physical parameter of the material constituting walls of the channel so as to cause the material to pass at least from the liquid state to the solid state.
US08679422B2
A single disposable cartridge for performing a process on a particle, such as particle sorting, encapsulates all fluid contact surfaces in the cartridge for use with microfluidic particle processing technology. The cartridge interfaces with an operating system for effecting particle processing. The encapsulation of the fluid contact surfaces insures, improves or promotes operator isolation and/or product isolation. The cartridge may employ any suitable technique for processing particles.
US08679420B2
A device for testing a specimen comprising a first panel, a metering aperture structure having a plurality of metering apertures formed therein for receiving the specimen therethrough, a second panel opposite the first panel, a sheet disposed between the first and second panels, the sheet including a test area aligned with the plurality of metering apertures, a spacer element disposed between the first panel and the sheet, wherein the metering aperture structure is spaced away from the test area thereby improving readability of the testing. A method of manufacturing a specimen testing device is also disclosed.
US08679418B2
Systems and methods for fabricating bodies (e.g., porous bodies) are described. Various aspects provide for reactors and the fabrication of reactors. Some reactors include surfaces that provide for heterogeneous reactions involving a fluid (and/or components thereof). A fluid may be a gas and/or a liquid. A contaminant in the fluid (e.g., a dissolved or suspended substance) may react in a reaction. A contaminant may be filtered from a fluid. Some reactors provide for independent control of heat transfer (between the fluid, the reactor, and the environment) with respect to mass transfer (e.g., fluid flow through the reactor).
US08679416B2
There is described a fluid treatment system. The fluid treatment system comprises: an open channel for receiving a flow of fluid and a fluid treatment zone. The fluid treatment zone comprising a plurality of elongate radiation source assemblies orientated such that: (i) a longitudinal axis of each radiation source assembly is transverse to a direction of fluid flow through the fluid treatment zone, and (ii) an end of each radiation source assembly is disposed above a predetermined maximum height of fluid flow in the open channel. A first baffle plate is disposed upstream of the fluid treatment zone. The first baffle plate is positioned such that a distal end thereof is below the predetermined maximum height of fluid flow in the open channel. In a preferred embodiment, the present fluid treatment system provides for an area in which a cleaning system for the radiation source assemblies can be “parked” when not in use. In the so-called “parked” position, the cleaning system may be readily accessed for servicing and the like without affecting the flow of fluid through the fluid treatment zone and a fluid treatment system. This is as significant advantage of the fluid treatment system.
US08679414B2
Adsorbent dust can be recovered while spraying is prevented. An apparatus is provided with a desulfurization-denitration tower body and an adsorbent discharging device. An entrance louver and an exit louver are provided for forming a packed moving bed of an adsorbent that moves downward inside the tower body, the apparatus has a throttle portion provided with a side panel that is inclined so that a spacing gradually decreases toward a discharging device, the throttle portion being provided between the tower body and the discharging device, and first partitions are provided inside the throttle portion. A second partition extending along the incline direction of the side panel is provided at a predetermined distance from the bottom end of the exit louver above the side panel, and a gap is provided between the bottom end part of the exit louver and the side panel of the throttle portion.
US08679409B2
The present invention discloses a filter device. The filter device comprises a housing with an air inlet and an filtered air outlet; a high voltage electric field region provided between two ends of the housing, wherein the direction of the electric field is perpendicular to the direction along which the air is introduced into the housing; an ionization source provided in the electric field region to ionize the ionizable pollutants present in the air introduced from the air inlet and form the resultant ionized pollutants which will move towards both ends of the housing under the influence of the electric field; and a discharging device for discharging the ionized pollutants which have arrived at the ends of the housing out of the filter device. The present invention also relates to a filtering method of using the filter device, and a trace detector. The filter device can be used to ionize the ionizable interferents existed in the air, separate the ionized interferents from the other components of the air under the influence of the electric field, and discharge the interferent out of the filter device, thereby reducing the consumption of the consumables or even eliminating the need for consumables. The filter device in accordance with the present invention is applicable to a trace detector based on ion mobility technology for the detection of trace amounts of substances.
US08679408B2
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for measuring carbon (any one or all of TC, TOC, or TIC) in a sample matrix. In an embodiment, a method for measuring carbon in a sample composition is provided. The method comprises providing an apparatus comprising a reaction chamber and a diamond coated electrode, wherein the diamond coated electrode is doped with boron. The apparatus further comprises a detector. In addition, the method comprises contacting the sample composition with the electrode. The method further comprises applying an alternating current to the electrode at a sufficient voltage to produce carbon dioxide. Moreover, the method comprises measuring the amount of carbon dioxide produced.
US08679407B2
This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow real-time detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications.
US08679396B2
A stent having a stent body made from a crosslinked bioabsorbable polymer is disclosed. A method of making the stent including exposing a tube formed from a bioabsorbable polymer to radiation to crosslink the bioabsorbable polymer and forming a stent body from the exposed tube is disclosed. The tube can include a crosslinking agent which induces crosslinking upon radiation exposure. Additionally or alternatively, the bioabsorbable polymer can be a copolymer that crosslinks upon exposure to radiation in the absence of a crosslinking agent.
US08679394B2
The present invention involves laser machining polymer substrates to form a stent with laser parameters that minimize damage to the substrate in a surface region adjacent to the machined edge surface. The wavelength and pulse width are selected for this unique application and they can be controlled to minimize the surface modifications (such as voids, cracks which are induced by the laser-material interaction) which contribute to the variation in mechanical properties with distance from the edge surface, bulk mechanical properties, or a combination thereof.
US08679387B2
A compression molding apparatus for particulate matter comprising a magnetostrictive actuator functioning as an impact force applying means arranged at least between an upper ram or a lower ram and an upper punch or a lower punch. Particulate matter is compressed by a static pressure, and then an impact force is applied to the particulate matter to reduce internal stress. After compressing the particulate matter by the static pressure, the upper ram is allowed to fall gravitationally to shorten a molding time.
US08679385B2
A method of manufacturing a porous ceramic article is provided that includes injecting a gas into a precursor batch material. The gas is pressurized to a positive gauge pressure. Exemplary gasses that can be injected into the precursor batch material include at least one of nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon. Air can also be injected into the precursor batch material, including air in which at least a portion of CO2 and/or O2 naturally occurring in air has been removed.
US08679383B2
A method of determining a residence time distribution comprises mixing a molding batch (104) and a tracer (105), wherein the tracer has a ferroelectric curie temperature above 120° C., and transmitting the mixture through a capacitor (107). Further, the method comprises measuring a capacitance of the capacitor, and determining a residence time distribution based on the measured capacitance. In particular, the ferroelectric curie temperature of the tracer may be above 150° C. and preferably the ferroelectric curie temperature of the tracer is above 200° C.
US08679382B2
Improved methods and apparatus are disclosed for correcting one or more uniformity characteristics in a tire and particularly to correction in a low profile tire or a tire having a projection along the sidewall. The uniformity characteristic may be a radial force variation, conicity, or both. Correction is accomplished by stretching portions of the tire architecture to create permanent deformation.
US08679378B2
A method and system for generating an optical fiber is provided. The method includes creating a green fiber consisting primarily of a ceramic material and sintering the green fiber with a laser by moving the green fiber through a beam of the laser to increase the density of the fiber after sintering. The system for creating a continuous optical fiber includes an extruder, a processing chamber and a laser. The extruder is configured to extrude a ceramic slurry as a green fiber. The processing chamber is configured to receive and process the green fiber. And, the laser is configured to direct a laser spot on the green fiber exiting the processing chamber to sinter the green fiber.
US08679376B2
A polarization film, including a polymer resin, and a dichroic dye dispersed in the polymer resin and represented by the following Chemical Formula 1: wherein, in Chemical Formula 1, Ar, R1 to R4 are the same as those defined in the detailed description.
US08679375B2
A practical and environmentally-friendly method, i.e. the high temperature-mechanical mixing by using an internal mixing device and a two-roll open milling device is used to produce the carbon blacks-free electrically conductive sulfur-vulcanised rubber blends of solid poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile) and solid sulfonic acid doped polyaniline. The addition of sulfur vulcanization system does not affect the electrical properties of the vulcanised blends. All vulcanised blends prepared by using this method show useful electrical conductivities up to the order of 10−2 S/cm, good tensile strengths up to 18.0 MPa and colorable with the addition of a whitening agent. As a result, they have good potential to be used for manufacturing any antistatic products, electrostatic discharge or dissipative products and electromagnetic or radio frequency interferences shielding products.
US08679364B2
The formulation of the current invention provides better deicing and anti-icing performance than commercial acetate-based deicing solutions. The performance is consistently better in all testing categories including melting, penetration, undercutting, and friction. The corrosiveness is similar to commercial deicers, which may include corrosion inhibitors. Chemical analysis reveals that a potassium acetate solution provided by the invention contains formate and lactate in the prepared deicer.
US08679361B2
The invention relates to a method and device for characterizing wafers during the production of solar cells. Characterizing wafers includes a) providing a wafer and carrying out a production process with the wafer for producing a solar cell or a plurality of solar cells; b) carrying out a wet chemical step with the wafer during the production process, wherein the wet chemical step decreases an influence of the wafer surface on a lifetime of charge carriers in the wafer; c) irradiating the wafer with light for creating the charge carriers in the wafer during the wet chemical step or after the wet chemical step; d) determining the lifetime of the charge carriers created in step c); and e) characterizing the wafer by means of the lifetime determined in step d).
US08679360B2
A base surface processing method includes forming a protective film on a base surface; thinning a part of a base by grinding a part of the base surface; and etching a ground surface ground by the thinning.
US08679346B2
An enantiomeric isomer separating agent includes a polysaccharide derivative supported by particles of a support by chemical bonding and has a concentration of eluted component (in terms of mass proportion), as determined through a liquid passing test of 20 ppm or lower.
US08679335B1
The vacuum system (100) is mounted on a vehicle (102). It includes a dewatered solid matter compartment (142), a liquid matter compartment (144), a main flexible hose (130), and an immersible suction head (120) connected to a distal end of the main flexible hose (130). The suction head (120) includes a static dewatering screen filter (150) and a screen-washing arrangement (170) cooperating with the suction head (120). The screen-washing arrangement (170) is in fluid communication with the liquid matter compartment (144) through a high-pressure liquid circuit. The screen-washing arrangement (170) using the liquid matter from the liquid matter compartment (142) as a washing fluid. A method of separating solids and liquid fractions is also disclosed.
US08679319B2
A hydrocarbon composition is provided containing: at least 0.05 grams of hydrocarbons having boiling point in the range from an initial boiling point of the composition up to 204° C. (400° F.) per gram of the composition; at least 0.1 gram of hydrocarbons having a boiling point in the range from 204° C. up to 260° C. (500° F.) per gram of the composition; at least 0.25 gram of hydrocarbons having a boiling point in the range from 260° C. up to 343° C. per gram of the composition; at least 0.3 gram of hydrocarbons having a boiling point in the range from 343° C. to 538° C. per gram of the composition; and at most 0.03 gram of hydrocarbons having a boiling point of greater than 538° C. per gram of the composition; at least 0.0005 gram of sulfur per gram of the composition, wherein at least 40 wt. % of the sulfur is contained in hydrocarbon compounds having a carbon number of 17 or less as determined by GC-GC sulfur chemiluminescence, where at least 60 wt. % of the sulfur in the sulfur-containing hydrocarbon compounds having a carbon number of 17 or less is contained in benzothiophenic compounds as determined by GC-GC sulfur chemiluminescence.
US08679312B2
A gas sensor system including a gas sensor; a current control unit; a constant control unit; and a temperature acquisition unit. The gas sensor includes a measurement chamber, a pump cell and an electromotive force cell. The current control unit performs feedback control on current flowing through the pump cell in response to the voltage of the electromotive force cell and in accordance with a control constant which characterizes the feedback control. Further, the constant control unit changes the control constant of the feedback control in accordance with a value (for example, a resistance value of the electromotive force cell) corresponding to the temperature of the gas sensor.
US08679304B2
A biocide solution containing hypochlorous acid, hydrochlorous acid, hydrochloric acid, percholoric acid, chlorine gas, hydrogen peroxide and ozone provides broad spectrum biocidal properties as well as an apparatus for producing the solution.
US08679298B2
The present a system structured to allows an operator to remotely switch between cutting and boring while removing solid carbonaceous residue from large cylindrical vessels called coke drums utilizing—a cutting head for ejecting high pressure fluids into the coke bed; a flow diversion apparatus; and a shifting apparatus.
US08679290B2
Exfoliation of graphene from graphite using multilayer coextrusion is generally disclosed. In some example embodiments, graphite may be dispersed within a first processing material, and the first processing material and a second processing material may be co-extruded through a plurality of series coupled layer multiplication dies to exfoliate graphene from the graphite. The graphene may be separated from the resulting multi-layered material. In some example embodiments, graphite flake and/or expanded graphite may be dispersed within the first processing material.
US08679284B2
A skin adhesion apparatus includes an upper mold half and a lower mold half. The upper mold half and the lower mold half clamps a core material and a skin laid on the core material so that the skin is adhered to a surface of the core material. Disposed along a mold surface of the upper mold half is a tubular member made of elastic material. The skin adhesion apparatus also includes a pump for supplying fluid into the tubular member. When adhering the skin to the core material, the upper mold half is pulled down and then stopped at a predetermined distance above the core material. After then, fluid is supplied into the tubular member so that the fluid pressure inflates the tubular member.
US08679281B2
A method of forming a building material with a pre-applied adhesive, the method comprising the steps of manipulating a first membrane and a second membrane to be spaced from one another along parallel adjacent edges to form a gap; securing a single strip of adhesive tape to a top surface of both said first and second membranes adjacent to said adjacent edges so that said adhesive tape extends over said gap; and cutting along the length of said adhesive tape to form a first adhesive tape and a second adhesive tape, said first adhesive tape being secured to the top surface of said first membrane and extending over a portion of said gap, and said second adhesive tape being secured to the top surface of said second membrane and extending over a portion of said gap.
US08679277B2
A method is provided that includes peeling at least one carrier strip away from an adhesive layer of an adhesive article. The adhesive article includes a flexible substrate with the adhesive layer thereon, wherein the adhesive layer remains mounted to the flexible substrate of the adhesive article after the carrier strip is peeled away, wherein the adhesive article is operative to disintegrate when submerged in water. The method also includes using the adhesive article to adhesively mount a cloth or paper napkin to clothing being worn by a person. The carrier strip or adhesive article may include advertising and/or a coupon printed thereon, which may be taken away by the person after the meal.
US08679274B2
A wafer level method of manufacturing a liquid crystal optical device removes the need for a rigid barrier fillet while minimizing any risk of contamination of the liquid crystal. An uncured adhesive may be deposited on a bottom substrate and partially cured to form a liquid crystal barrier. After addition of the liquid crystal and a top substrate, the adhesive is fully cured to bond the substrate layers together. An uncured adhesive may be used together with the partially cured adhesive, and may be deposited separately or filled into an extracellular matrix surrounding a plurality of liquid crystal cells. The adhesive may be cured by a variety of means, including light that may be spatially modulated. One or both of the substrates may be deformed during assembly so as to create a structure with a lensing effect on light passing through the liquid crystal region.
US08679273B2
A climate control system according to implementations of the invention includes one or more vacuum chambers. The vacuum chamber is encompassed by a chamber wall that is substantially impervious to gases. The vacuum chamber houses one of several combinations. In one combination, the near vacuum has yet to be created, and the vacuum chamber houses substantially-pure carbon dioxide and un-reacted carbon dioxide reducing agent. In a second combination, the near vacuum has been created, and the vacuum chamber houses reaction products of a chemical reaction between substantially-pure carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide reducing agent in a near vacuum. Various methods are used for creating vacuum chambers and for generating near vacuum conditions within such chambers. Various systems and structures can utilize such vacuum chambers and panels containing such chambers.
US08679268B2
A ferromagnetic sputtering target comprising metal having a composition containing 20 mol % or less of Cr, and Co as the remainder; wherein the target structure includes a basis metal (A), and flat phases (B), containing 90 wt % or more of Co, within the basis metal (A), the average grain size of the phases (B) is 10 μm or more and 150 μm or less, and the average aspect ratio of the phases (B) is 1:2 to 1:10. Provided is a ferromagnetic sputtering target capable of inhibiting the generation of particles during sputtering, and improving the pass-through flux to achieve a stable electrical discharge with a magnetron sputtering device.
US08679265B2
The invention provides a high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet which is improved in elongation and stretch-flangeability and exhibits more excellent formability. The high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet has a composition which contains by mass C: 0.03 to 0.30%, Si: 0.1 to 3.0%, Mn: 0.1 to 5.0%, P: 0.1% or below, S: 0.005% or below, N: 0.01% or below, and Al: 0.01 to 1.00% with the balance consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities. The high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet has a structure which comprises at least 40% (up to 100% inclusive) in terms of area fraction of tempered martensite having a hardness of 300 to 380 Hv and the balance ferrite. The cementite particles in the tempered martensite take such dispersion that 10 or more cementite particles having equivalent-circle diameters of 0.02 to less than 0.1 μm are present per one μm2 of the tempered martensite and three or fewer cementite particles having equivalent-circle diameters of 0.1 μm or above are present per one μm2 of the tempered martensite.
US08679260B2
A method of cleaning an area using an automatic cleaning device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by an automatic cleaning device, a position of the automatic cleaning device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the automatic cleaning device from the determined position along a path so that the automatic cleaning device cleans the surface along the path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and the edge may be located a distance from a reference point on the automatic cleaning device during movement of the automatic cleaning device.
US08679254B2
[Problem] Provided is a vapor phase epitaxy apparatus of a group III nitride semiconductor including: a susceptor for holding a substrate; the opposite face of the susceptor; a heater for heating the substrate; a reactor formed of a gap between the susceptor and the opposite face of the susceptor; a raw material gas-introducing portion for supplying a raw material gases from the central portion of the reactor toward the peripheral portion of the reactor; and a reacted gas-discharging portion. Even when crystal growth is conducted on the surfaces of a large number of large-aperture substrates, the vapor phase epitaxy apparatus can eject each raw material gas at an equal flow rate for any angle, and can suppress the decomposition and crystallization of the raw material gases on the opposite face of the susceptor.[Solving Means] The vapor phase epitaxy apparatus is such that: the opposite face of the susceptor has means for flowing a coolant therein; the raw material gas-introducing portion has a plurality of gas ejection orifices formed of such a constitution that the gas ejection orifices are partitioned in a vertical direction with a disk-like partition; and at least one of the gas ejection orifices has such a constitution that the gas ejection orifice is partitioned in a circumferential direction with a plurality of columnar partitions.
US08679247B2
The present invention relates to a hydraulic setting mixture comprising: a) 6% to 25% by weight of cement, b) 50% to 90% by weight of at least one aggregate, and c) 0.001% to 8% by weight of at least one fluoroorganyl-substituted silicon compound, and also to materials produced from this mixture, more particularly components, concrete articles or mouldings. The invention further relates to the use of a hydraulic setting mixture of the invention for producing materials, more particularly components, concrete articles or mouldings, for example as face concrete, where the surface of the materials exhibits only relatively low soiling tendency (“easy-to-clean” property) even on abrasion.
US08679243B2
An aqueous pigment dispersion used for preparing an ink jet recording aqueous ink comprises an anionic group-containing organic polymeric compound, an organic pigment, an organic pigment derivative, and the water, wherein the polymeric compound, the organic pigment, and the organic pigment derivative are dispersed in water, the organic pigment and the organic pigment derivative are a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based red pigment and a phthalimidoalkylated quinacridone, respectively, and the phthalimidoalkylated quinacridone content is in the range of 1.6 to 3.8% relative to the total (100%) of the diketopyrrolopyrrole-based red pigment and the phthalimidoalkylated quinacridone on a mass basis. Furthermore, there is provided an ink jet recording aqueous ink containing such an aqueous pigment dispersion, wherein the aqueous pigment dispersion is diluted such that the total of the organic pigment content and the organic pigment derivative content is from 1 to 8% on a mass basis.
US08679233B1
A method of modifying the apparent wettability (the area contacted by a liquid) of solids with liquids by controlling the surface geometry or the capillary geometry. This modification is possible by understanding the geometric relationship between the contact angle and the included angle of surface features. This same geometric relationship can be used to enhance two-phase fluid separation during phase transformation as well as measure dynamic contact angles.
US08679232B2
A rotating packed bed RPB that includes a first and second packed bed both arranged on the same rotatable shaft. A gas is directed via a gas inlet through the first packed bed in co-current flow with a liquid in a radially outward direction towards the outer radius of the packed bed. The liquid enters the first packed bed via a first liquid inlet. The gas exiting the first packed bed is directed to the second packed bed and forced through it in a radially inward direction in counter-current flow with a liquid, which enters through a second liquid inlet. The arrangement allows an operation of the rotating packed bed with less energy compared to RPBs of the prior art operating in counter-current flow only. The apparatus allows low-cost design and high design flexibility.
US08679228B2
The invention recovers highly pure hydrogen from the exhaust purge gas and reuses it as a hydrogen source in other production steps contributing to greatly reducing the disposal cost and the cost of producing polysilicon. The hydrogen chloride contained in the exhaust gas discharged from the step of depositing polysilicon by using trichlorosilane, is adsorbed by active carbon. The active carbon layer is then purged with the hydrogen gas, and the adsorbed hydrogen chloride is desorbed. Next, the exhaust purge gas is brought into contact with a hydrogen chloride-absorbing solution such as an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide to remove the hydrogen chloride from the exhaust purge gas and to separate and recover the highly pure hydrogen gas. The recovered hydrogen gas is compressed and is fed as a hydrogen source to other steps of producing, for example, fumed silica.
US08679225B2
An electrostatic precipitator and a method of removal of particulates from gaseous flows. A plurality of screens, secured in sets within a central chamber in a housing, include at least one set of electrically chargeable first screens and at least one set of electrically grounded second screens. For each set of chargeable screens, all the screens of the set are provided with an identical electrical charge, either positive or negative, and the set is provided with a plurality of spikes directed at the oncoming gaseous flow. At least one screen cleaning unit selectively acts on the screens of each set. The precipitator can include a plurality of central chambers in a single housing or separate housings, and the chambers can be selectively activated or deactivated. The precipitator provides improved particulate removal from gaseous flows, including hot flows having temperatures up to at least 1200° C.
US08679223B2
The present invention provides a high efficiency method for scooping-up slag from liquid iron in a ladle. The two wings of slag rake mounted to the front end of cantilever descend side by side until beneath the surface of the liquid iron at a certain depth. The two rakes make swinging movements, respectively, along the surface of liquid iron. When gradually moving close to each other during the swinging movement, the slag rakes push together and clamp the solid slag. While clamping the slag, the two slag rakes are driven upwardly by the cantilever until they are above the surface by a certain height. Finally, the slag rakes leave the space over the ladle, and discharge the slag. The de-slagging rate can reach over 90%, and the process takes less than 3 minutes. Additionally, the iron carried away while scooping-up the slag can be strictly controlled within 0.1%.
US08679222B2
The process for producing the sponge iron includes the steps of preparing a sandwich of at least two layers wherein the at least two layers includes a first layer (10) of iron oxide source which content is carbon free or comprises of only self-contaminant carbon or carbonaceous and second layer (12) is a mixture of iron oxide source and carbon source and subjecting the sandwich of at least two layers to a pyrolysis process in a non-oxidative environment at temperature between 950° C. to 1900° C. for a period between 10 minutes to 36 hours. The carbon source in the second layer (12) is equal to or more than stoichiometric weight of carbon according to a predominant reaction. The non-oxidative pyrolysis occurs in a reactor. The sandwich of two layers is placed in a moving carrier (16) such as tray to accommodate the sandwich of two layers in the reactor.
US08679215B2
An air filter having an inlet for air and an outlet for air comprises a body having a central channel, a first side with a first area, a second side having a second area, and a middle having a middle area, positioned between the first side and the second side. The middle area is less than the first area and less than the second area. A first fan is positioned in the body near the first side, and a second fan positioned in the body near the second side, and each fan blows air in the same direction. A filter cartridge is positioned in the central channel at the middle, wherein during operation air flows from the inlet to the filter cartridge to the outlet.
US08679214B2
The present invention relates to a separator and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid. A centrifugal separator is provided as comprising a housing defining an inner space, and a rotor assembly for imparting a rotary motion onto a mixture of substances to be separated. The rotor assembly is located in said inner space and is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rotor assembly comprises an inlet for receiving said mixture of substances, an outlet from which said substances are ejected from the rotor assembly during use, and a flow path for providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned more radially outward from said axis than the inlet.
US08679205B2
There is provided a technique and an apparatus for manufacturing a hydrogen-containing gas. An oxygen-containing gas is mixed with a feed gas obtained by mixing steam with a hydrocarbon fuel, this mixture is introduced into a catalytic reaction chamber, and a partial oxidation reaction and a steam reforming reaction are conducted to obtain a hydrogen-containing gas. In this reforming, an antechamber of the catalytic reaction chamber is heated up to a self-ignition temperature in a first catalyst section, where the self-ignition temperature is the temperature at which a mixed gas self-ignites during the advection period required for the mixed gas to move from a mixing chamber to the catalytic reaction chamber, with this temperature being at least a minimum partial-oxidation temperature and lower than a minimum steam reforming temperature.
US08679201B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to the manufacture of a battery cell. The battery cell includes a set of layers including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating. The battery cell also includes a pouch enclosing the layers, wherein the pouch is flexible. The layers may be wound to create a jelly roll prior to sealing the layers in the flexible pouch. The stiffness of the battery cell may be increased by applying a pressure of at least 0.13 kilogram-force (kgf) per square millimeter and a temperature of about 85° C. to the layers.
US08679200B2
A method for reducing the self discharge rate and the variability in the self discharge rate of an electrochemical cell wherein a porous separator is inserted between a cathode and an anode of the cell and the porous separator contains a nanoweb that comprises a plurality of nanofibers that may contain a fully aromatic polyimide and the fully aromatic polyimide has a degree of imidization of greater than 0.51 where degree of imidization is the ratio of the height of the imide C—N absorbance at 1375 cm−1 to the C—H absorbance at 1500 cm−1.
US08679199B2
The present invention relates to an aqueous dispersion containing (a) a fluorescent whitening agent, (b) a dispersing agent, (c) a β-1,3-glucan and, optionally, (d) a vat dye and the use of the aqueous dispersions for whitening synthetic fibers, in particular polyester and polyacrylonitrile.
US08679198B2
A washing machine and a method of controlling the washing machine may be provided. The washing machine may include a drum in which laundry are provided and rotated. A laundry amount may be sensed. The drum may operate at a first speed so that a part of the laundry tumbles within the drum and another part of the laundry adheres to the drum or the drum operates at a second speed so that the laundry adheres to the drum according to the sensed laundry amount. Accordingly, at a time of a dehydration cycle, stability of the washing machine and a laundry balancing can be ensured.
US08679191B2
A composite material for positioning in the anatomy to form a selected function therein. The composite may be resorbable over a selected period of time. The composite may allow for selected bone ingrowth as absorption of the composite occurs.
US08679190B2
An arthroplasty device is provided having an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel that is strain-hardened by swelling and adapted to be held in place in a joint by conforming to a bone geometry. The strain-hardened IPN hydrogel is based on two different networks: (1) a non-silicone network of preformed hydrophilic non-ionic telechelic macromonomers chemically cross-linked by polymerization of its end-groups, and (2) a non-silicone network of ionizable monomers. The second network was polymerized and chemically cross-linked in the presence of the first network and has formed physical cross-links with the first network. Within the IPN, the degree of chemical cross-linking in the second network is less than in the first network. An aqueous salt solution (neutral pH) is used to ionize and swell the second network. The swelling of the second network is constrained by the first network resulting in an increase in effective physical cross-links within the IPN.
US08679187B2
A modular acetabular cup assembly (10, 100, 200, 300, 350) for use with multiple bearing liners (32, 110, 212, 310, 354) is disclosed. The acetabular cup assembly includes a shell (12) having a tapered inner wall (28) and two circumferential grooves (24, 26). The shell (12) may be used with polyethylene, ceramic, metal, and other types of liners.
US08679181B2
The total disc replacement device (1) comprising a central axis (2), a first and a second apposition plate (3; 5), a first and a second joint component (4; 6) being mutually arranged in a ball joint like manner and being located between said first and second apposition plates (3; 5) and intermediate means (7) being disposed at least between the first apposition plate (3) and the first joint component (4) in such manner that, the first joint component (4) is not freely moveable transversely to the central axis (2) with respect to the first apposition plate (3) under load-free conditions, but a limited movement of the first joint component (4) relative to the first apposition plate (3) transversal to the central axis (2) is allowed under load.
US08679176B2
A prosthetic tissue valve for aortic, pulmonary, mitral or tricuspid valve replacement is described herein. A sewing ring for use with the prosthetic tissue valve is also described. The valve can have a circumference that is a predetermined distance larger than the circumference of an annulus in a defective valve. The valve can be substantially planar in an unstressed position before attachment at the annulus and substantially non-planar upon attachment in a biased position at the annulus. The valve can have a multi-lobal shape in the unstressed position. Methods are provided for placing the valve as described herein in the biased position within the annulus of the defective valve.
US08679170B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for treating a human condition by providing an appendage chamber having a thermal exchange member. A vacuum may be applied to the appendage chamber to maintain vasodilation of an appendage when placed within the appendage chamber. The appendage may be heated or cooled at the thermal exchange member for therapeutic application of thermal energy to treat a number of circulatory, neurological, lymphatic, or endocrinal maladies.
US08679168B2
Cannulated anchors are provided that may be optimally forced in, press fit, screwed in or otherwise installed into tissue with minimal damage to the flexible members or sutures attached thereto. Systems for installing at least one flexible member into tissue include the cannulated anchor, the at least one flexible member capable of being received by the cannulated anchor; and an installer with a driver head insertable into the cannulation of the anchor proximate the trailing end and with an essentially longitudinal cannulation centrally disposed along the axis and sized to accept a guidewire therethrough. Movement of the installer about the longitudinal axis causes corresponding movement of the cannulated anchor such that the outer surface of the cannulated anchor is capable of effecting anchoring into the tissue.
US08679158B2
A suture system has a plurality of double ended barbed sutures each with a first plurality of barbs located adjacent to a first end and a second plurality of barbs located adjacent to a second end, and a body connector that connects said plurality of double ended barbed sutures. The body connector is located between the first plurality of barbs and the second plurality of barbs on each of the sutures. The sutures can move relative to the body connector. The body connector can retain tissue.
US08679153B2
An open abdomen wound as a result of injury or surgery is closed using fastener sheets, such as hook and loop fastener sheets, that are attached at opposing edges of the wound using bolsters through which surgical suture thread is passed to secure the abdominal wall between the fastener sheets and the bolsters. Tension forces are exerted on the fastener sheets and the sheets secured to one another in one or more steps drawing the wound edges toward one another. The tension forces are distributed by the bolsters to avoid loss of tissue at the wound edges. Successful closure of the wound is possible.
US08679151B2
A surgical access device is disclosed which includes a housing, a collar, and a plurality of deformable members. The housing defines a proximal end and a distal end and has a plurality of lumens extending therethrough. The collar is repositionable between a first position and a second position with the second position being closer to the proximal end of the housing than the first position. Each of the plurality of deformable members defines a distal portion, is coupled to the collar and is transitionable through one of the plurality of lumens. The plurality of deformable members is in a retracted state when the collar is in the first position and a deployed state when the collar is in the second position. One or more of the plurality of deformable members may also include a barb attached to the distal portion.
US08679147B2
A rectal balloon apparatus comprises a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough. A rectal gas relieving lumen may be positioned with the shaft for removal of rectal gas. A motion detecting sensor and a radiation detecting sensor may be positioned with the balloon, the shaft, and/or the rectal gas release lumen.
US08679139B2
A magnet delivery system for forming an anastomosis that comprises a wire guide; a catheter having a delivery portion for advancement into a intracorporeal space, the delivery portion having a lumen extending at least partially therethrough, and a strand connected to the catheter, whereby the magnet is disposed over the wire guide and distal to the catheter, and retained by the strand being releasably connected to the wire guide.
US08679133B2
A wound debridement instrument for treatment of chronic wounds has an elongate handle with a distal end, a proximal end, and a middle section. An elongate tubular blade body extends distally from the handle distal end and terminates at a distal cutting edge. The tubular body defines a cavity and has a longitudinal axis. The distal cutting edge follows the arc of the tubular body and is angled relative to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments the tubular body is an incomplete tube, having a longitudinally-extending gap formed therein. Some embodiments may also have a scraping element extending proximally from the handle proximal end.
US08679129B2
A vertebral distractor system includes a crossbar and a first distractor arm having a first end portion coupled to the crossbar and a second end portion with a first bore configured to axially receive a first coupling portion of a first pin. A second distractor arm includes a third end portion coupled to the crossbar and a fourth end portion with a second bore configured to receive a second coupling portion of a second pin. A first pin locking mechanism is configured to couple the first coupling portion and the first distractor arm within the first bore such that when the first coupling portion and the first distractor arm are coupled, movement of the first pin outwardly of the first bore is not allowed.
US08679127B2
An accessory for removing material for prostheses surgery including a plastic part and an insert made of a material harder than the bone material, the insert being embedded in the plastic part such that if the device is brought to a selected temperature, the accessory deteriorates itself.
US08679123B2
The present invention includes a surgically implantable compression staple, system, and method of use thereof for the internal fixation of bone fractures, fusions, and osteotomies. The staple has a grooved construction along the outside edge of each of its legs and cannulated tabs are aligned above the grooves. The grooves and cannulated tabs of the staple are sized to fit and align with guide wires. Once holes are drilled over the guide wires with a specialized cannulated drill, the appropriately sized staple can be inserted over the guide wires and the guide wires are subsequently removed. The compression feature of the staple is activated and the staple provides stability across the desired fractured site. The system and method allows for easy alignment and precise placement of surgically implantable staples.
US08679116B2
An external bone fixing member includes an external reconstruction plate to replace the conventional large external support frame to reduce the volume of the external fixing member and the external bone fixing member is cooperated with a screw which is angle adjustable so as to meet requirements of fixation of the fractured bones (limb bones) at different positions or comminuted fractures. The use of the screw is further cooperated with the reconstruction plate to reinforce the stability of the connection between the reconstruction plate and the screw to prevent the screw from withdrawing, moving, angle changing or movement of the reconstruction plate.
US08679095B2
A flow regulator (19, 208, 308, 408) may be used in a drug delivery system 10. The regulator includes a chamber that is divided by a diaphragm (111, 211, 311, 411) into a first and second subchamber. A third subchamber is in fluid communication with the first subchamber. A valve (26, 217, 317, 417) is operatively connected to the diaphragm, wherein pressure differences between the first subchamber and second subchamber result in movement of the diaphragm and movement of the diaphragm controls operation of the valve. A flow restrictor (116, 216, 316, 416) is in fluid communication between the first and second subchambers. Flow of a drug (11, 101) is thereby regulated.
US08679092B2
A catheter assembly is provided. The catheter assembly includes a urinary catheter adapted for insertion into a urethra and a catheter package sized to receive the urinary catheter. The urinary catheter is configured to project from the catheter package to accommodate insertion into the urethra.
US08679083B2
A reusable, washable breast shield for use by lactating women. The shield may include an inner layer and an outer layer. The shield may be placed against the breast of the user and may be held in place with an article of clothing or may be used without supporting clothing.
US08679070B2
A modular administration appliance including a reusable base unit and a replaceable cartridge detachably connected to the base unit and including a container for a substance and a rotatable transmission element, the base unit including a drive device by which a rotary movement is transmitted between the base unit and the cartridge, and a driving element displaceable in a rotary movement about a rotational axis by the drive device, wherein a rotation of the transmission element causes the ejection of at least a portion of the substance from the container. In some embodiments, the transmission element at least partially surrounds the drive device, and/or the drive element and the transmission element are detachably connectable to each other for transmitting the rotational movement.
US08679066B2
A stabilization device for securing a medical article near an insertion site includes an anchor pad having an integral dressing portion, such as a transparent dressing portion, to allow for covering and protection of the insertion site.
US08679065B2
An exemplary line holder comprises a sheet having creases that extend between opposing sides and define a plurality of panels. The creases are foldable in alternating opposite directions such that the sheet is foldable along the creases between an open configuration and a pleated configuration. The line holder further comprises aligned groups of holes that are arranged along a direction substantially transverse to the creases, with each aligned group of holes comprising one hole in each of the panels. The line holder further comprises slots, each connecting a pair of the holes and intersecting one of the creases. When the sheet is in the pleated configuration, each aligned group of holes forms a corridor through the panels, and the slots are aligned to form pathways extending from the intersected creases to the corridors, such that medical lines can be inserted into the corridors.
US08679064B2
In various embodiments, a trocar cannula may be configured for insertion into an eye to facilitate insertion and removal of instruments during surgery. The cannula may be affixed to an overcap (to inhibit rotation of the overcap relative to the cannula) that includes a seal. In some embodiments, the seal may be overmolded into the overcap or may include a wafer that is fixed between the cannula and the overcap to inhibit rotation relative to the cannula and the overcap. In some embodiments, the cannula and overcap may snap together through a tab/slot interface in a permanent fashion such that the cannula and overcap may not be separated without damaging the cannula or overcap. In some embodiments, a vent cannula may be receivable in the slit of the seal for allowing fluids to vent from the eye through the cannula (which may include an indentation to frictionally engage the vent).
US08679060B2
An infusion pump system is described that increases patient comfort and convenience. The infusion pump system includes an infusion site interface that is releasably connected to an infusion pump body, and has no tubing associated between the infusion site interface and the pump body. The infusion pump body may include a carrier frame that may be adhered to the skin of a user.
US08679056B1
A syringe including a tube, a first plunger, a second plunger and a plunger rod assembly is disclosed. The tube has one end serving as an injection end and the other end coupled with a cap. The first plunger is disposed in the tube. A filled portion extends through the first plunger. A first chamber is formed between the first plunger and the injection end. The second plunger is disposed in the tube and has a fixing hole. A second chamber is formed between the first and second plungers. The plunger rod assembly comprises a rod and a blocker. The rod has a neck portion and at least one engaging portion. The blocker is arranged on one side of the neck portion and is capable of being inserted into the filled portion. The blocker is capable of being removed from the first plunger and being received in the fixing hole.
US08679053B2
A cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends is provided. The diameter of the lumen of the cannula can be varied to take into account differences in the diameter of access and target vessels during cannulation. The cannula is further characterized by at least one mechanism that, upon actuation, serves to alter the conformation of the cannula between a normal profile conformation and a low profile conformation. The normal profile conformation is characterized by the cannula having a lumen diameter at the point of insertion, which is smaller than the lumen diameter both proximal and distal to the point of insertion, with the lumen diameter distal to the point of insertion also expandable to the diameter of the cannulated vessel of the patient. The low profile conformation is characterized by the cannula having a lumen diameter at the point of insertion that is greater than the lumen diameter distal to the point of insertion.
US08679047B2
An athletic tape or protective athletic sleeve is formed from an impregnated fabric substrate that is sealed on both sides. The impregnated fabric includes a shear thickening fluid that is made up of a suspension solution and solid particles. The shear thickening fluid is sealed within the fabric through use of sealing layers on both sides of the fabric.
US08679044B2
An orthopedic device, in the form of a cervical collar having reduced vascular obstruction, has less contact with, and produces less pressure on, the sternocleidomasteoidus area of the neck, thus transferring pressure away from the veins of the neck (vena jugularis externa and interna) to other portions of the neck. Specifically, the shape of the cervical collar at the anterior portion thereof, when applied to the neck of a patient, leaves a clearance of the neck veins by way of fold lines or recessed surfaces provided along a posterior surface of the anterior portion of the collar. The fold lines or recessed surfaces are generally arranged perpendicularly on either side of an open access area defined in the anterior cervical collar portion. Fold lines allow the generally rigid plastic of a cervical collar to naturally curve into a shape that provides the appropriate clearance for the neck veins.
US08679026B2
In a medical device and method to monitor pulmonary artery pressure of a patient, a first parameter related to the right ventricular straight volume of the patient's is detected, and a second parameter related to the right ventricular ejection rate of the patient's heart, or related to the workload of the patient's heart, is also determined. A pulmonary pressure index is determined by combining the first and second parameters, with variations of the pulmonary pressure index indicating variations in the pulmonary artery pressure. Pulmonary artery hypertension can be monitored with such a device and method.
US08679019B2
The invention relates to a method for measuring thicknesses of materials of multilayered structure. This method includes transmitting one or more ultrasound signals including different frequencies into a multilayered structure consisting of two or more materials with one or more ultrasound transducers, measuring materials, acoustic properties for which are different at the frequencies in use, measuring ultrasound signals reflected from the front surface and back surface of the multilayered structure with one or more ultrasound transducer and determining thicknesses of the materials within multilayered structure from the reflected ultrasound signals.
US08679013B2
The invention relates to an intravaginal monitoring device, method of intravaginal monitoring, and system and network for intravaginal monitoring. The intravaginal monitoring device and or network includes multiple modes of operation that enable non-pregnancy monitoring, pregnancy testing, pregnancy monitoring, STD detection, precancerous condition monitoring, cancerous condition monitoring, pre-birth monitoring and prediction, neo-natal monitoring, ovulation monitoring, an automated rhythm method, among various applications of the device, method and network of the present invention.
US08679008B2
In part, one aspect of the invention relates to a portable, handheld biosensor device that is held between two fingers of the same hand or otherwise contacts two points on a user's skin. The sensor device includes a pair of conductive or semi-conductive electrodes and associated circuitry designed to sense, amplify and digitize the electrical conductance of the skin between the electrodes. The device can additionally be configured to sense additional biometrics from the fingers, including blood oxygenation and skin temperature. Digitized biometric values are transmitted wirelessly (or via direct wire connection, such as a USB cable) to a computing device where the data is utilized to generate a control parameter in a software application whose purpose is to provide anxiety biofeedback or entertainment.
US08679007B2
A device for surgical operations on a prolapse, comprising a hollow stretcher body (2) having a prevalent development direction along a longitudinal axis (A) and being insertable in an orifice, the stretcher body (2) exhibiting a through-window (7), defining an area of intervention and realising a communication between an internal cavity (3) of the stretcher body (2) and a portion of a prolapse, a mobile wall (8) defining the through-window (7) in combination with the stretcher body (2) and being slidably associated to the stretcher body (2) in order to open and/or close the through window (7) between a configuration of minimum extension and a configuration of maximum extension of the through-window (7); characterized in that it comprises means for blocking (10) which act between the mobile wall (8) and the stretcher body (2) in order to maintain the through-window (7) stably in the configuration of minimum extension during insertion of the stretcher body (2).
US08679002B2
An instrument for confirming the position of an indwelling gastrostomy catheter, and a method of confirming the indwelling position thereof, with which it is possible to reduce cleaning costs, and which does not cause any discomfort to a patient. An instrument for confirming the indwelling position of a gastrostomy catheter which is indwelling in a hole formed between the surface of the skin of the patient and the inner surface of the stomach wall comprising a fiberscope and a protective cover. Furthermore, the tip end of the protective cover comprises a light-transmissive window part and a wire that is linked to the outer periphery at the tip end of the protective cover.
US08679000B2
An endoscope has a section of an elongated tube for entry in a body cavity. An end shell is disposed at a distal end of the elongated tube. An imaging window area is formed in the end shell. A lens barrel is secured to the end shell, and aligned with the imaging window area. An imaging device photoelectrically detects object light from the lens barrel. A circuit board has the imaging device mounted thereon. A signal cable has a cover material, and plural filaments covered by the cover material, and connected to the circuit board. A cable retaining device partially retains the cover material fixedly. A tip portion is formed at a distal end of the cable retaining device. A coupling device keeps the tip portion laterally movable on the end shell, to prevent stress in the cable retaining device from exertion to the end shell.
US08678999B2
A hysteroscope includes a base and a handle attached to the base. The handle has a first trigger and a second trigger. An outer barrel is attached to the base. The outer barrel has a plurality of channels. An actuatable tool is located within at least one channel. The first trigger is in communication with the actuatable tool for extending the tool from within the at least one channel. The second trigger in communication with the actuatable tool for actuating the tool. The hysteroscope may further include a third trigger to pivot a distal portion of the outer barrel.
US08678997B2
A male impotence prosthesis apparatus comprises an operable penile prosthesis (4) implanted in an impotent patient's corpus cavernosum to provide flaccid or erect states of the patient's penis. An energy transmission device (10) for wireless transmission of energy from outside the patient's body to inside the patient's body is provided for use in connection with the operation of the penile prosthesis.
US08678994B2
A surgical method of treating morbid obesity via bariatric procedures, carried out endoluminally and transluminally using endoscopic devices that are introduced through natural body openings without the necessity of creating any incisions in the abdominal wall.
US08678988B2
A centrifuge opening tool has a frame that securely holds a centrifuge drum therein. An upright tube is mounted to the frame and a brake band is rotatably secured to the upright tube. When the brake band is tightened, the centrifuge drum is securely held in place. A ring gear is secured to a lock ring. The lock ring is part of the centrifuge drum and is removable to allow access to the interior therein. A drive gear meshes with the ring gear and increases the mechanical advantage allowing a user to apply the force needed to open the lock ring even when it has been extremely compressed. A spanner wrench is placed on a drive shaft that is connected to the drive gear. Engagement pins are used to mechanically couple the gear ring and lock ring together.
US08678987B2
The invention relates to a centrifuge with a drive head which can be connected with a drive, a rotor which can detachably be mounted on the drive head, at least one connection element with which the drive head can be connected in a torsion-proof manner with the rotor, and at least one coupling element which is attached to the drive head and is able to exert an axial force on the rotor in such a way that the rotor can be fixed axially, with the axial force increasing with the rising rotational speed of the drive head, with the coupling element on the rotor transmitting the axial force by means of a ramp surface which is inclined at an angle (α) relative to the horizontal line in a range of more than 0° to 15°. Secure locking of the rotor during standstill and high speeds can thus be achieved.
US08678985B2
A balance training and exercise device comprises a rigid, shallow disc adapted to accommodate a user's feet or knees. A user moves in such a manner as to move the disc forwards or backwards, or to rotate the disc. A thickened firm, resilient pad can be placed within the disc, and the user can perform the same movements while standing atop the pad. Arm strengthening means can also be used in combination with the disc.
US08678981B2
A compact leg exerciser includes two portions rotatable about a hinge. Each portion includes a base and a foot pedal displaceable along the base. The pedals include stops located longitudinally inward of the wheels. Each base is provided with resilient limiters for contacting against the stops of the pedals to limit travel of the pedals and thereby prevent the pedals from contacting the longitudinal ends of the periphery. The hinge is offset from the sides of each base and forms a handle for transporting the leg exerciser when the exerciser is folded about the hinge into a closed position.
US08678978B2
A method and a HAC system controls a hill-state assist control (HAC) operation when restarting an engine of the vehicle having an idle stop and go (ISG) system for an automatic transmission. The method includes starting restarting of the engine by the ISG system and an HAC operation, monitoring the RPM of the engine, and releasing the HAC operation in a case where the RPM of the engine meets an HAC release condition, and maintaining the HAC operation until the HAC release condition is met in a case where the RPM of the engine does not meet the HAC release condition.
US08678972B2
A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are each selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08678971B2
A drive assembly for a multi-axle driven motor vehicle is disclosed herein. The drive assembly comprises a differential unit having a rotational axis, an input part and two output parts drivably connected to the input part, an externally controllable selectable coupling, and an externally controllable locking coupling. The output parts have a compensating effect among each other. The externally controllable selectable coupling is for drivably connecting the differential unit to a drive source. The externally controllable locking coupling is for locking the compensatory movement between both output parts of the differential unit. The selectable coupling and the locking coupling are arranged coaxially to the rotational axis.
US08678968B2
A drive unit, more preferably rear drive unit, for an all-wheel drive of a motor vehicle with two drive shafts, of which one drive shaft serves for driving the one wheel and the other drive shaft serves for driving the other wheel of a motor vehicle. Provided is a transmission operationally that is connected to the drive shafts, through which a drive torque acting on the input of the transmission can be divided or is divided into at least two output torques and through which the output torque of the transmission acting on the one drive shaft is reversible or is reversed in its operation direction relative to the output torque of the transmission acting on the other drive shaft.
US08678963B2
A bicycle front derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member and a biasing arrangement. The biasing arrangement is operatively disposed between the base member and the movable member such that a biasing force of the biasing arrangement is smaller during an early range of a movement range of the movable member as the movable member moves from a first position to a second position. The biasing arrangement includes a first biasing member, a second biasing member and a pre-load body. The first and second biasing members selectively bias the movable member. The pre-load body maintains the second biasing member in a loaded state such that the second biasing member applies the second biasing force only after the movable member has partially moved from the first position towards the second position.
US08678956B2
Disclosed is a pitcher's aid for strike zone accuracy that serves the purpose of guiding a pitcher's body to the left or right side, inside/outside, of home plate in order to provide familiarity with how their body can be used to locate a pitch to the desired target. The new and unique invention utilizes a lightweight, rugged material and a small size to stay portable and provide the pitcher with an invention that can be used anywhere and anytime he wishes to practice. Practicing with this invention gives a pitcher confidence when pitching to either side of home, which in turn provides them with more confidence in their pitches, and provides them with the knowledge that they can get the outs needed when called upon by their coach.
US08678940B2
A ride combining two or more vertical rotation axes with vertical translation motion of passenger vehicles. The ride includes a primary turntable rotating about a central axis and includes one to three or more secondary turntables mounted on the primary turntable to rotate with the primary turntable. Each of the secondary turntables is driven to rotate about a secondary rotation axis (vertical axis passing through the center of the sub-turntable). Each of the sub-turntables includes a vertical translation motion assembly that rotates with the sub-turntable and also supports a plurality of passenger vehicles. The passenger vehicles are supported within this assembly so as to be able to rotate (via manual operation or in a controlled manner) about a vertical rotation axis passing through the body of the vehicle. The vertical translation motion assembly is configured to allow each passenger vehicle to be lifted vertically upward a distance above the sub-turntable.
US08678935B2
A biological signal is obtained from a player, under a situation where a biological parameter can be calculated based on a biological signal repeatedly obtained from a sensor attached to a player, and a predetermined game processing can be performed using the biological parameter. Then, whether the sensor is attached to the player is determined based on the biological signal, and the predetermined game processing is performed in at least one of a case where the sensor attachment determining means determines that the sensor has changed from its attached state to its detached state and a case where the sensor attachment determining means determines that the sensor has changed from its detached state to its attached state, according to the timing at which the determinations is made.
US08678933B2
A server device according to an embodiment is connected to a plurality of player terminals to communicate information with the player terminals. The server device includes: a storage unit configured to store game content information, the game content information being configured to have special numbers at a predetermined interval in serial number order; a providing unit configured to select the same number of pieces of game content as the number of the predetermined interval, and to provide the selected pieces of game content at a time; a provision notice information generating unit configured to generate provision notice information for notifying in advance of whether a piece of game content with a special number is to be provided; and an image data generating unit configured to generate image data for displaying a game screen on a display unit of the player terminal before providing the pieces of game content.
US08678930B2
One or more techniques and/or systems for managing a fantasy league are disclosed to incorporate one or more reality factors, equity lines, luxury tax, and/or revenue sharing policies into administration of the fantasy league. A reality factor may influence real life scenarios between at least one of a real player, a real team, and/or a real league, for example. Accordingly, the reality factor may be applied to at least one of a corresponding fantasy player, fantasy team, and/or fantasy league to create a fantasy rule configured to enable a fantasy environment (e.g., the fantasy player, fantasy team, fantasy league, and/or relationships thereof) to more closely emulate the real player, real team, real league, and/or corresponding relationships.
US08678929B1
A method for operating a networked interactive game system is provided. An input command generated by a local user of a local game system that controls a local object of an interactive game may be received. A state for the local object in the present game frame may be predicted based on the input command. State data of a first object of the interactive game that was determined in a network simulation of a previous game frame may be retrieved. A global object of the interactive game in the present game frame may be course-corrected to be aligned with the global object in the previous game frame using the predicted state for the local object in the present game frame and the state data of the first object of the previous game frame. The present game frame may be rendered with the course-corrected global object.
US08678925B1
A method and apparatus for rolling at least one die comprises determining an initial location of the die, and receiving an initialization movement. The method further comprises utilizing accelerometer data from a user shaking a controller, and determining a final location for the at least one die based on the accelerometer data and the initial location data.
US08678918B2
A gaming device having a game involving a plurality of selections and at least one progressive award increment associated with at least one of the selections. The gaming device has a progressive award which is displayable if the player picks a selection associated with a progressive award increment.
US08678915B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may operate, for example, according to a method for receiving a request to coordinate execution of a gaming application between a communication device and at least one device remotely located from the communication device, selecting a game rendering server from a plurality of game rendering servers according to a determination of at least one characteristic of the communication device, and instructing the game rendering server to transmit a stream associated with the gaming application responsive to determining that the communication device is unable to execute in whole or in part the gaming application from local computing resources of the communication device. The method can further include coordinating an exchange of first control information and second control information between the communication device and the at least one device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08678914B2
A gaming system and method for use in one or more casino establishments for offering a secondary game that is initiated separately from a base game and that requires a separate contribution for a player to be eligible to participate in the secondary game. The gaming machine and method are offered on electronic gaming machines such as slot machines and video poker machines, but may also be deployed in other forms such as on a general purpose computing device connected to a network.
US08678911B2
An apparatus for use with a gaming machine is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electronic processing board that is coupled to first and second data interfaces as well as a ticket printer. The electronic processing board responds to a cashout signal by communicating with the gaming machine via the first data interface, communicating with a computer system via the second data interface, and communicating with the printer to issue a ticket.
US08678908B2
A gaming system, gaming device, and method providing a game providing modifiers for symbol display areas. Symbols are generated at symbol display areas. If a symbol display area displaying a symbol included in a displayed designated winning symbol combination is associated with an existing modifier, the gaming system modifies any award associated with that displayed designated winning symbol combination using the existing modifier and associates another different modifier with that symbol display area for a subsequent play of the game. In one embodiment the different modifier is a more favorable modifier. If none of the symbol display areas displaying the symbols included in a displayed designated winning symbol combination are associated with an existing modifier, the gaming system associates a modifier with a symbol display area for a subsequent play of the game.
US08678892B2
A virtual golf simulation device and a method for the same are disclosed. The virtual golf simulation device includes a sensor for sensing flight of a ball hit by a golfer, an image processor for processing a simulated image of a virtual golf course and a simulated image of a flight trajectory of the ball sensed by the sensor, a caddy voice guide for providing a golfer logged in to a system with customized voice guidance through a virtual caddy selected for the golfer from among a plurality of virtual caddies, and a controller for identifying the logged-in golfer and controlling the caddy voice guide to provide the logged-in golfer with the customized voice guidance through the selected virtual caddy.
US08678887B2
A holder (10) for supporting gutted poultry bodies or parts thereof includes a supporting body (11) for receiving the material to be processed and a clamping apparatus (12) having at least one clamping lever (18) movable against the supporting body (11) for fixing the material to be processed on the supporting body. The clamping apparatus (12) is controllable in such a way that the clamping lever (18) can be moved out of a standby position into a clamping position and vice versa. The holding apparatus (10) is assigned a supporting element (27) which is designed and arranged for supporting parts of the material which protrude beyond the holding apparatus (10) in the direction of transport T of the holding apparatus (10), in the clamping position in such a way that one or more measuring points on the material to be processed are freely accessible to a measuring device.
US08678885B2
A conveyor system for a filling machine and a method of conveying pasty mass with a corresponding conveyor system and a corresponding filling machine, including a housing with a vacuum opening and a vacuum pump as well as a suction line for generating a vacuum in the conveyor system. A valve mechanism and at least one pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the suction line and/or in the conveyor system are provided. A controller controls the vacuum in the conveyor system or the suction line, respectively, wherein the cross-section of the suction line is adjusted in response to the measured pressure via the valve mechanism.
US08678873B2
Embodiments of the disclosure include an apparatus that includes a first disk with a top first disk surface, a bottom first disk surface, and a first thickness and a first diameter. The apparatus further includes a second disk with top second disk surface, a bottom second disk surface, a second thickness and a second diameter. In addition, a joining contour couples the first disk and second disk and a lip member is coupled to the second disk such that the lip member is substantially perpendicular to the second disk. Another aspect of the apparatus may be a lifting member coupled to second disk, the lifting member capable of causing the apparatus to tilt when lying on a substantially flat surface with the lifting member touching the flat surface.
US08678869B2
A system for controlling a marine vessel having first and second steering nozzles and corresponding first and second reversing buckets, comprises a processor configured to receive a first vessel control signal including at least a component corresponding to a translational thrust command in a port direction, and that is configured to provide a set of actuator control signals coupled to and control the first and second reversing buckets. The processor is configured to provide the set of actuator control signals so as to maintain the first reversing bucket substantially in a first discrete position and the second reversing bucket substantially in a second discrete position as long as the first vessel control signal includes a component corresponding to a translational thrust command in the port direction.
US08678865B2
Two partial locks (34) formed on opposite ends of a retainer (30) in a width direction are engaged with a housing (10) to prevent the retainer (30) at a partial locking position from being displaced in a direction opposite to a direction toward a full locking position. The retainer (30) also has a resilient restricting portion (43) between the partial locks (34) in the width direction to engage the housing (10) when the retainer (30) is at the partial locking position and to prevent the retainer (30) from being curved and deformed to bulge out in the direction opposite to the direction toward the full locking position by being.
US08678859B2
Instability of an electric connection state due to solder-wicking from a board connecting part of an electrically-conductive shell can be prevented with a simple configuration. A recessed part recessed toward a fixed contact and a movable contact is provided in the board connecting part of the electrically-conductive shell attached to an insulating housing. An excessive amount of a solder material or flux that is used at the board connecting part of the electrically-conductive shell and tries to rise along the wall surfaces of the board connecting part or the electrically-conductive shell is stored in the recessed part. The acting force of the rise is reduced by a reverse-tapered inclined surface constituting a wall surface of the recessed part. Furthermore, the length of the rise of the solder material and flux is extended by a curved wall surface of the recessed part. Thus, so-called solder-wicking is configured to be prevented well.
US08678850B2
A connector is provided which is lightened and has a simplified structure. A connector 7 includes a first connector 3 having a first connector main body part 41, a plurality of first terminals protruding from an upper surface of the first connector main body part, a tubular part 29 protruding from the upper surface of the first connector main body part so as to surround the first terminals and first protrusions 43 provided to protrude outside the tubular part, and a second connector 5 having a second connector main body part 35, a plurality of second terminals 11 which are provided on a bottom surface of the second connector main body part and into which the plurality of first terminals are respectively inserted and a second protrusion 47 protruding from an upper surface of the second connector main body part.
US08678845B2
A charging connector (10) has a housing (11) integrally formed by bolting a pair of half members. A front housing (20) is mounted in a front end portion of the housing (11) and tightly held by two housings (30, 40). A positioning rib (16) for positioning the housings (30, 40) is provided at a position of the base-side housing (30) distant from the front housing (20) and comes into contact with the inner surface of the cover-side housing (40) when the housings (30, 40) are assembled properly.
US08678843B2
A connector for a multipolar lead having a substantially cylindrical cavity that contains a stack (200) of alternating annular electrical contact elements (210) and annular isolation elements (220). The isolation elements (220) comprise an annular rigid sleeve and an annular flexible seal disposed against an annular face in an interior region of the rigid sleeve. The flexible seal extends axially from one lateral side of the rigid sleeve to the other in the interior region of the rigid sleeve. The sleeve and the seal include are immobilized relatively to each other in the axial direction by use of mating surface profiles respectively defined on an inner annular side of the sleeve and on an outer annular side of the flexible seal. In addition, each lateral side of the flexible seal is projecting with respect to the corresponding lateral sides of the rigid sleeve.
US08678838B2
A socket includes a conductive base, a first socket terminal, and a second socket terminal, the first socket terminal extends from one end of the base, and the second socket terminal extends from an other end of the base, opposite to the first socket terminal with the base therebetween. Further, the first socket terminal has a first contact portion extending from the base and contacting with a terminal of the connector, a second contact portion extending from the first contact portion and contacting with the terminal of the connector, and a first bending portion extending from the second contact portion and bending away from the first contact portion.
US08678830B2
A circulatory heart model (30) is disclosed that is geometrically accurate with respect to corresponding anatomical structures (31, 91, 103, 112, 124). The model (30) provides a closed loop for providing flow through the major anatomical structures (31, 91, 103, 112, 124) corresponding to a modeled biological heart. The model (30) provides a means of pumping fluid through a closed loop flow circuit analogous to the circulatory system by gripping the base of the heart model (30) and squeezing with one's hand. The transparent quality of the heart model (30) enables flow visualization including visualization of anatomical valve function through representative valves (53, 60, 69, 80). The model (3) provides high educational, scientific, and/or amusement value in a device that is economical to produce.
US08678826B2
Various embodiments of this invention disclose a method for learning a foreign language using a variety of media such as audio-video, audio, and written media. The diverse embodiments of the invention allow the student to learn a foreign language in an accelerated manner that creates a stress-free environment and lowers a student's effective barrier to learning a foreign language. In various embodiments of the invention, the foreign language is taught using audio-video media. The video presents a movie or television presentation. Meanwhile, the original audio portion is replaced with an audio track, which is developed using the principles of the invention. The audio comprises the “phrases or complete thoughts” of the original video that are segmented and presented in alternating sections of native and foreign language. By presenting the native language “phrases or complete thoughts” immediately followed by same “phrase or complete thought” in the foreign language, the student is afforded the opportunity to develop associations between the two.
US08678823B2
A new and useful dental cleansing solution, and a method of application of the solution, is provided. The dental cleansing solution is designed to be applied by a tooth brush to the teeth of a child under the age of 2. The dental solution is fluoride free, includes a plaque inhibitor, has a viscosity that promotes wicking when applied to the bristles of a tooth brush, is palatable to children, especially children under 2 years old, and further characterized in that it does not foam when brushed onto teeth. The solution includes a carrier, a plaque inhibitor, a humectant, a preservative and a colloidal thickener. The solution may further include one or more additives that provide pH control. The solution can be applied onto the bristles of a tooth brush and is designed to wick into the bristles of the tooth brush. Moreover, the solution can be applied to other objects that may be inserted into the oral cavity of a human, particularly a child under the age of 2.
US08678817B2
The present invention provides an improved orthodontic bracket. According to one embodiment, the orthodontic bracket includes a mounting base for attachment to a tooth surface and an archwire slot formed upon the base and sized for receiving an orthodontic archwire. The bracket body has a facially curved slot lingual sidewall that causes the archwire to contact the bracket body. The bracket embodiment has a mesial and distal convexity contoured bracket base and slot lingual sidewall such that there is no contact by an archwire when an archwire is placed in an aligned dental arch. Additional features of the improved design are occlusal and gingival convex contouring of the tie wings such that there are no sharp corners on the archwire slot.
US08678814B2
Control and regulation system of a combustion unit (10) of the type comprising a combustion chamber (11) and a catalyst (40), the control and regulation system comprising: -an acquisition device of signals proportional to functioning parameters characteristic of the functioning state of the combustion unit (10), an electronic data processing unit (30) connected to the signal acquisition device from which it receives signals, a control and regulation program associated with said electronic data processing unit (30), a first fuel distribution valve (20), a second air distribution valve (21), a data base associated with said electronic data processing unit (30), the electronic data processing unit (30) receives signals from the signal acquisition device, processes them and regulates the opening of the first valve (20) and second valve (21) to minimize the polluting emissions of CO and Nox of the combustion unit (10).
US08678813B2
A stream of exhaust gases from the combustion of hydrocarbon-containing fuels with a variable temperature can be produced by dividing the exhaust gases into two separate part-streams, cooling one part-stream and then combining the two part-streams again. The temperature of the exhaust-gas stream which has been combined again can be set to between the temperature of the combustion of the hydrocarbon-containing fuels and the temperature of the cooled exhaust-gas part-stream by corresponding throttling of the two part-streams before they are brought together again. The exhaust-gas stream produced in this way is preferably used for the defined ageing of automotive exhaust catalysts. In this context, it is particularly advantageous that the change in the temperature of the exhaust-gas stream has no influence on its air/fuel ratio.
US08678812B2
A hold-down tooling package that maintains the dimensional integrity between the product manifold, shear and fill plate.
US08678809B2
An apparatus for forming, on a strip-shaped laminate of multiple reinforcing fiber sheets superimposed one upon another, two flexures with respect to the cross-section configuration thereof, wherein in the forming of the two flexures with the use of two s flexure forming dies independent from each other, respectively, the two flexure forming dies are arranged so that the relative distance of the two flexure forming dies is changeable in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped laminate. This apparatus can be effectively utilized in the production of a reinforcing fiber molding with changing of the distance between the two flexures namely, width of web portion or gauge between two flange portions from the strip-shaped laminate, or the production of fiber reinforced resin (FRP) molding therefrom.
US08678808B2
The imprint apparatus of the present invention molds an imprint material on a substrate using a mold and cures the imprint material to form a pattern on the substrate. The apparatus includes a holder configured to attract the mold to hold the mold; and a pressure reduction device configured to reduce a back pressure of the mold held by the holder, wherein the apparatus is configured to reduce the back pressure by the pressure reduction device in parallel with release of the mold from the imprint material.
US08678803B2
Provided herein is an apparatus for taking out a molded product that can inform a user of the air consumption and the electric power consumption matching the set conditions without using measuring devices and that allows the user to set conditions that reduces the total energy consumption. A consumption computing section computes an air consumption and an electric power consumption per one molding cycle based on conditions set for a plurality of air driven devices and conditions set for a plurality of electric devices input from a controller and individual air consumption information and individual electric power consumption information stored in a consumption information storage section. A display control section causes a display section to display the air consumption and the electric power consumption computed by the consumption computing section.
US08678799B2
Included is a spinning cell for a synthetic fiber such as spandex. The spinning cell includes a top closure which reduces or eliminates solvent vapor transfer, where solvent vapor process gas(es) may leave the cell and room air may be introduced into the spinning cell. A bottom closure device may also be included.
US08678797B2
A stationary base plate includes a sub-bypass hole, which communicates between a suction chamber and a first compression chamber, and a main bypass hole, which communicates between the suction chamber and a second compression chamber. A rotational center of the orbiting scroll and the sub-bypass hole are located along a first imaginary line. The rotational center of the orbiting scroll is also located along a second imaginary line, which is perpendicular to the first imaginary line. The main bypass hole opens at a location of the stationary base plate, which is on a side of the second imaginary line where the sub-bypass hole is located, so that timing of communicating between the suction chamber and the first compression chamber with each other is deviated from timing of communicating between the suction chamber and the second compression chamber with each other.
US08678787B2
A piezoelectric micro-blower capable of efficiently conveying compressive fluid without use of a check valve and ensuring a sufficient flow rate. The micro-blower has a blower body with a first wall and a second wall. Openings are formed in the respective walls and face a center of a diaphragm. An inflow path allowing the openings to communicate with the outside is formed between the walls. By applying a voltage to a piezoelectric element to cause the diaphragm to vibrate, a part of the first wall close to the first opening vibrates. Thus, gas can be drawn from the inflow path and discharged from the opening in the second wall.
US08678783B2
A motor is fixed to a retaining member by bolts and well nuts. The well nuts are attached to the retaining member so that their flange portions are positioned between a motor fixing portion and the retaining member, and a clearance corresponding to thickness of the flanges of the well nuts is provided between the motor fixing portion and the retaining member. Heat-conductive elastic members are sandwiched between the motor fixing portion and the retaining member.
US08678780B2
A system for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid in a transmission of a motor vehicle includes a pump for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid having an inlet port and an outlet port. A bypass valve includes an inlet port in communication with the outlet port of the pump, a first outlet port in communication with the inlet port of the pump, and a second outlet port. The inlet port of the bypass valve is in communication with the second outlet port of the bypass valve when the bypass valve is in a first position and the inlet port of the bypass valve is in communication with the first outlet port of the bypass valve when the bypass valve is in a second position. A control device and accumulator are operatively associated with the bypass valve.
US08678778B2
A flow-ducting system with a combined pump-drive module, the pump-drive module including a drive module, and a pump module having an impeller that can be driven by the drive module, the unit including a casing having at least one inlet side and at least one outlet side and a moveable shut-off device arranged between them, a flow path between the inlet side and the outlet side being formed in at least one position of the shut-off device, and the pump module being arranged in the flow path between the inlet side and the outlet side. In at least one further position of the shut-off device (10, 10′), the unit (1) is capable of shutting off the flow path (9) in such a way that the shut-off device (10, 10′) and the unit casing (2) form an area (20), which is separated from the flow path (9) and which is sealed off from the inlet side (5) and the outlet side (6), and the pump-drive module (11, 11′) is arranged at least partially inside this area (20).
US08678772B2
An intake cone for a gas-turbine engine has an essentially conical body 5 located on a retaining ring 3 connected to a fan rotor disk, with the body 5 being designed as one piece over its axial length and connected at a conical locating area to a rigidly designed conical supporting area borne on a fan rotor disk.
US08678766B1
A turbine rotor blade with a low flow cooling circuit that includes a number of upward flowing and downward flowing near wall cooling channels connected by tip floor near wall cooling channels to provide cooling for the walls of the blade. Cooling air is supplied from the root supply cavity and flows through the near wall channels and then discharges into a collector cavity formed within the airfoil walls. The spent cooling air is then discharged through trailing edge exit holes to cool the trailing edge region.
US08678762B1
A cone-shaped air flow system has improved efficiency, increased plenum chamber exit air flow speeds and reduced noise levels in comparison to box-shaped and triangular air flow systems. The heater may be of half or full cone configuration for perimeter or central plenum locations, respectively.
US08678759B2
A centrifugal blower unit comprising an impeller disposed therein and a scroll casing covering the exterior, the scroll casing having an outlet port, a tongue-like portion, a scroll portion of a volute shape and side casing plates provided with inlet ports on both sides, featuring advantages of increasing a static pressure and reducing an input power and noise while also achieving compactness in size. The scroll portion is provided with tapered scroll walls formed in anti-tongue-side wall adjacent to the outlet port by having it bent along bent lines toward the impeller and at angles to a driving shaft of the impeller such that a cross sectional area of the scroll portion in a direction of the driving shaft becomes gradually smaller toward the side casing plates.
US08678756B2
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method may include installing a first seal around a motor shaft. The method may also include installing a second seal around the motor shaft, wherein the second seal and the first seal may form a hydrodynamic seal when the motor shaft rotates. The method may further include installing a spacer in-between the second seal and the first seal.
US08678750B2
A specialty pump and heat exchange system having a fluid pump driven by a gear assembly. The fluid pump has a pump casing and an inboard head that form a fluid passageway when connected together. The gear assembly uses lubricant in the transmission and that lubricant is cooled by being pumped from the gear assembly through a lubricant passageway in the inboard head and then recycled back to the gear assembly for further use. In addition to cooling the lubricant, the system warms the fluid pump and/or fluid passing through the fluid pump.
US08678749B2
A centrifugal reverse flow disk turbine for power generation, comprising; a) a turbine shaft; b) a disk rotor disposed on said turbine shaft; c) a housing, having said turbine shaft and said disk rotor, bearings, seal devices, and at least one jet nozzle means; d) a plurality of radially engraved channel for transporting working fluid from entering ports, placed axially near said turbine shaft; e) a plurality of said channels having two curvatures; first curvature has a small radius, and concaved pertinent to rotational direction of said rotor, starting from the entering port to middle of its flow path, and the second curvature has a large radius, convexed pertinent to rotational direction of said rotor, positioned near the peripheral of said rotor; a plurality of a bucket attached at every flow channel, directing against nozzle disposed on said housing, thereby deriving impinging counter supersonic flow.
US08678742B2
The invention relates to a clearance control system for adjusting a running clearance (L) between a rotor (12) having rotor blades (10) of a turbomachine (14), especially a gas turbine, and a casing (18) that surrounds at least sections thereof and comprises at least two segments (16a-d), the clearance control system having at least one adjusting device (20), which can be coupled to at least one segment (16a-d) of the casing (18), and by means of which the at least one segment (16a-d) can be moved radially in relation to a rotational axis (D) of the rotor (12) for adjusting the running clearance (L), wherein each segment (16a-d) of the casing (18) is coupled to at least three adjusting devices (20) of the clearance control system. The invention also relates to a turbomachine (14), especially a gas turbine, as well as to a method for adjusting a running clearance (L).
US08678736B2
An example of a vehicle brace for use at a loading dock includes a vehicle support member that can travel to various heights along a vertical track. The support member exerts a substantial but limited resistive force up against the underside of a vehicle's rear impact guard to mitigate bouncing of the vehicle's truck or trailer bed as the vehicle is being loaded and/or unloaded of its cargo. Of particular interest in some examples is a rather short brake actuator mounted at an angle to create an inclined binding clamp action, the actuator being installed to travel with the vehicle support member, and the track having an inclined braking surface so that the brake's clamping force does not rely on friction alone, all of which provides for a compact vehicle brace installable as a self-contained unit and operated without having to rely on structural support from a driveway surface.
US08678734B2
A substrate processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a casing, a low port interface and a carrier holding station. The casing has processing devices within for processing substrates. The load port interface is connected to the casing for loading substrates into the processing device. The carrier holding station is connected to the casing. The carrier holding station is adapted for holding at least one substrate transport carrier so the at least one substrate transport carrier is capable of being coupled to the load port interface without lifting the at least one substrate transport carrier off the carrier holding station. The carrier holding station is arranged to provide a substantially simultaneous swap section for substantially simultaneous replacement of the substrate transport carrier from the carrier holding station.
US08678731B2
A nut (30) includes a main portion (30A) formed with a bolt insertion hole (31), into which a bolt is insertable, and a wedge portion (30B) projecting from the main portion (30A) in a radially outward direction of the bolt insertion hole (31) and having a width smaller than that of the main portion (30A). Thus, parts (27B) extending lateral to the wedge portion (30B) in parallel with a projecting direction of the wedge portion (30B) can be made thicker than parts (27A) extending lateral to the main portion (30A). Therefore, the parts (27B) that resist an accompanying rotation of the nut (30) can be thickened without enlarging a housing (20), with the result that strength against the accompanying rotation of the nut (30) can be ensured.
US08678717B2
A cutting insert that includes a cutting edge; a rake face region formed continuously with the cutting edge; and a clamp face region located more inward and higher than the rake face region is provided. The cutting insert includes a first rake face formed continuously with the cutting edge; a second rake face formed in an inclined surface shape from the first rake face toward the clamp face region; a projection formed so that at least a part of the projection is located on the first rake face, and includes a top portion at a position corresponding to a middle region of the cutting edge; and a concave part or a convex part formed so that at least a part is located on the second rake face, and located more inward than the projection. Chip accumulation into the insert and frictional resistance generated in the rake face region is decreased.
US08678710B2
A channel (1) is disclosed for use in the field of basic sanitary services, more specifically to a pre-moulded channel for rainwater draining systems, developed to satisfy the surface drainage needs of hydrographic basins and urban areas of growing density. The disclosed channel (1) does not require a stabilized ground, can operate at the surface of roads, allowing traffic to circulate and the road section used to be paved, can use modules of variable lengths, and can even serve, when already in use, as a street surface. The channel (1) comprises four basic pre-moulded modular elements made of reinforced concrete or pre-stressed concrete, i.e.: guide cradle (2), bottom (3), walls (4) and (5) and cover (6), of variable dimensions depending on the projected collecting system.
US08678708B2
A subsea hydrocarbon containment apparatus comprises a containment housing. In addition, the containment apparatus comprises a diverter plate mounted to the containment housing. The containment housing is configured to receive direct hydrocarbon fluids from a subsea hydrocarbon source and direct the hydrocarbon fluids to the diverter plate.
US08678706B2
A surface water heating system for irrigation is described. The irrigation apparatus comprises an irrigation manifold, a heat exchanger, a first conduit system, and a second conduit system. A geothermal heated fluid, e.g. water, flows through the first conduit system. A first pump extracts the geothermal heated water from a geothermal source and conducts the heated water through the heat exchanger, and returns the geothermal water, now cooled, to the geothermal water source. Surface water flows through the second conduit system. A second pump extracts water from a higher quality water resource such as a surface water resource and conducts the illustrative surface water through the heat exchanger. Subsequently, the surface water is delivered to the irrigation manifold. Within the heat exchanger, heat is transferred from the geothermal heated water to the higher quality water resource. The geothermal heated water does not come into contact with the illustrative surface water within the irrigation apparatus.
US08678704B1
A revetment block with a top surface that is tapered upwardly from the upstream end to the downstream end. Thus, when a number of tapered blocks are installed end to end on a grade, the upstream end of any of the blocks can be raised due to underlying ground irregularities without degrading the safety factor of the blocks. The tapered revetment blocks can also be constructed with positive interlocking arms and sockets to enhance the integrity of a matrix of such blocks.
US08678701B1
The system for remote control of retractable, ground-based vehicle barriers increases control of the emergency lane of the road by mounting ground signboards in the emergency lane to prevent any vehicle to pass through this lane and so the police vehicle or the ambulance can easily and quickly approach the site of accident through the emergency lane. The signboards include a U-shaped frame permanently mounted in the emergency lane and a panel pivotally attached to the frame. Servo motors are provided to rotate the panels between a vertical position providing a barrier to traffic and a horizontal position permitting an emergency response vehicle to travel through the emergency lane. The emergency response vehicle is provided with a remote control unit having a short-range transmitter that transmits a trigger signal that is received by a unit at the barrier sign to activate a motor controller to lower the sign.
US08678700B2
A foldable furniture includes a retention structure including a left retention coupler and a right retention coupler coaxially and overlapping with the left retention coupler side-by-side in a rotatably movable manner via a pivot joint. The left retention coupler includes at least a left retention member protruding towards the right retention coupler. The right retention coupler includes at least a right retention member protruding towards the left retention coupler, wherein when the foldable furniture is pivotally folded at an unfolded position, the left and right retention couplers are coaxially rotated at an opposite direction until the left and right retention members are biased against each other. Therefore, the retention structure enhances the structural supportive force of the foldable furniture to evenly distribute the loading force on the foldable furniture so as to enhance the stabilization of the foldable furniture.
US08678690B2
A cutter device includes a cutter configured to cut a material to be cut; a carriage having a cutter and moving in a widthwise direction with respect to a feeding direction of the material to be cut; and a guide unit configured to guide the carriage in the widthwise direction and, assuming that the movement of the carriage when the cutter cuts the material to be cut is an outward route, a homeward route of the cutter of the carriage is different from the outward route of the cutter, and is shifted from the outward route toward one material to be cut which moves first in the direction away from the other material to be cut in the feeding direction immediately after the cutting from between the materials to be cut divided into two parts.
US08678686B2
There are provided multi-chain lipophilic polyamine compounds and derivatives thereof, pharmaceutical formulations comprising the same, method of making and using said compounds or formulations.
US08678682B2
A device for controlling a central shutter, in which a plurality of shutter leaves (3) are mounted on a circularly annular leaf carrier (1) such that they can be pivoted on a pivoting arm (4), and in which, as actuating device for the pivoting movement of the shutter leaves (3), an annular cam plate (5) is mounted on the leaf carrier (1) concentrically with respect to the shutter opening (2), such that it can be rotated continuously in one direction, it being possible for the rotation of the cam plate (5) to be blocked by mechanical engagement into a cam trough (8) in front of an actuating flank (6) of a cam, is distinguished by the fact that, for mechanical blocking purposes, there is a push rod (9, 10) of a solenoid, which push rod (9, 10) can be moved perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the cam plate (5).
US08678675B2
A protection sleeve includes a heat shrinkable tube and an adhesive tube and a reinforcing rod housed inside the heat shrinkable tube. The heat shrinkable tube, the adhesive tube, and the reinforcing rod are adhered together in a section spanning across a lengthwise section of the heat shrinkable tube. A protection sleeve manufacturing apparatus includes a jig for securing protection sleeves and a heating device. The jig is contrived to hold a plurality of protection sleeves (each including a heat shrinkable tube, an adhesive tube and a reinforcing rod housed inside the heat shrinkable tube) in a parallel arrangement with spaces in-between. The heating device includes a plurality of hot air vents, means for setting a first distance between the jig and the hot air vents, and means for setting the jig and the hot air vents to a second distance that is closer than the first distance.
US08678672B2
A cable assembly, comprising a housing having a plurality of receiving grooves recessing forwardly from a rear surface thereof, a plurality of lenses located on a front surface of the housing, a plurality of conductive terminals received in the housing and arranged in two rows, a cable electrically connected to the conductive terminals and a plurality of optical fibers received in the receiving grooves and alignment to the lenses, respectively. The receiving grooves are located between two rows of the conductive terminals.
US08678654B2
An axial bearing between a first part and a second part that presses with an axial load against the first part and can rotate around a rotation axis relative to the first part comprising a circular or arc-shaped ridge on the first part centered around the rotation axis, a pressure source for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid on a first side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge, an adjustable gap between the circular or arc shaped ridge and a bearing surface on the second part, wherein the pressurized hydraulic fluid flows through the adjustable gap to a second side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge. In accordance with the invention the circular or arc-shaped ridge or the bearing surface include a ridge chamber for locally creating a larger adjustable gap between the circular or arc-shaped ridge and the bearing surface.
US08678651B2
Disposable storage bags are disclosed having a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom portion which forms the bag and having an open top portion for receiving and removing items to be stored such as snack foods or other material. Near the top opening of the bag is a closure mechanism for opening and closing the bag. The side walls of the bag are tapered inwardly from the top portion toward the bottom portion such that quillons are formed when the bag is filled with items such as snack food or other material. The bottom portion of the bag includes a gusset which, when the bag is filled with snack food or other material, expands and opens such that the bag may stand upright.
US08678647B2
An imaging apparatus and related method comprising a detector located a distance from a source and positioned to receive a beam of radiation in a trajectory; a detector positioner that translates the detector to an alternate position in a direction that is substantially normal to the trajectory; and a beam positioner that alters the trajectory of the radiation beam to direct the beam onto the detector located at the alternate position.
US08678638B2
A process bag container is provided comprising a flexible bag, at least one inlet sealed to the bag, and an outlet. A probe housing for a probe construction is sealed to the bag. Preferably, the probe housing extends at least partway into the bag interior and is connected to a cable for power and data transmission that runs along the outer surface of the bag to the top of the bag or its support container. The probe construction is adapted to monitor the composition of a reagent in the bag as well as the environment within the bag. A mixer is positioned within the bag to effect mixing of reagents in the bag.
US08678634B2
An illuminating device (3) includes a mounting board (14) on which a plurality of light emitting diodes (8) are arranged in a line, a light guide plate (9) including a light incident surface (9a) for receiving light of the light emitting diodes (8), and a frame (12) including a side face (12b) to which the mounting board (14) is attached, and a bottom face (12a) on which the light guide plate (9) is disposed. The frame (12) includes a groove (12e) in which the end portion of the mounting board (14) is placed, and the groove (12e) is formed between the side face (12b) and the bottom face (12a) on the opposite side of the bottom face (12a) from the light guide plate (9). A supporting member (support) (16) for supporting the light guide plate (9) is placed in the groove (12e).
US08678633B2
A lamp electrode printed circuit board of a backlight unit includes an insulating substrate, first and second conductive patterns on the insulating substrates along a first direction and in parallel, a connecting pattern extending from one of the first and second conductive patterns, a connecting pad at one end of the connecting pattern, auxiliary patterns extending from an edge of the connecting pad, and lamp holders electrically connected to the first and second conductive patterns and spaced apart from each other along the first direction.
US08678632B2
A replaceable lighting module in an LED light source is provided. The module improves thermal, mechanical, and electrical connection with an associated fixture. The replaceable module also provides for precise positioning and improves on optical properties of the light distribution.
US08678620B1
A dome structure for protecting a finial on a lamp structure. The dome structure includes a centrally disposed plastic dome with integrally formed legs extending in opposed directions from the dome. The dome forms an enclosing chamber that fits over the finial to prevent theft of the finial. The legs have respective interlocking elements that engage with the lamp structure. Another embodiment uses wire ties to secure the dome.
US08678619B2
A light emitting device includes light transmitting resin loaded between a lens and a light emitting element. The structure of the device enables the lens to be fixed to a required position without reducing the light transmittance.The light emitting device 1 includes a light emitting element 2 and a separate lens 3 supported by a support member 4. The lens 3 is fixed to the support member 4 by hardening the resin 13 between the element 2 and the lens 3 in the support member 4. Mutually engaging male and female portions are provided between the support member 4 and the lens 3. N male portions (n is a positive integer) are provided for (n+α) female portions (α is a positive integer). The female portions allow the resin 13 to communicate with the outside of the device. The α female portions serve as a leak portion for discharging the resin 13 or bubbles to the outside when the lens 3 is fixed.
US08678614B2
A light source system includes two solid-state light sources, two filters, a rotary wheel, a first reflector, a second reflector and a multiband filter is provided. The rotary wheel has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The two solid-state light sources and the two filters are disposed in front of the first surface. The first surface includes a first waveband converting region, a reflecting region and a transmission region. The second surface includes a second waveband converting region is symmetrical to the first waveband converting region. The first reflector, the second reflector and the multiband filter are disposed in front of the second surface. Furthermore, the multiband filter is disposed between and optically coupled with the first and the second reflectors. With these arrangements, the light source system could provide light beams of different wavebands to the light valve of a projector.
US08678613B2
A lighting device is disclosed comprising a plurality of light emitters and a heat spreader plate thermally coupled to the plurality of light emitters, wherein the plurality of solid state emitters provides a thermal load upon application of an operating current and voltage, the heat spreader plate dissipating substantially all of the thermal load to an ambient air environment.
US08678611B2
A light emitting diode (LED) lamp includes a tube having a transparent first section and an opaque second section. An LED disposed inside of the tube. The second section is has an inner surface having a light diffusive surface so that the LED light is diffusively reflected. The LED is disposed so that a total amount of direct light from the LED to the first section is smaller than a total amount of indirect light that is incident on the first section as a result of being reflected by the second section (i.e., scattered or diffused light). The LED is disposed so that a light axis of the LED points toward the inner surface of the second section.
US08678609B2
A spot light includes a universal body, a light arrangement and a spot light accessory. The universal body includes a main body having a receiving compartment, and a light body, having a light cavity and a light opening, frontwardly and integrally extending from the main body. The light arrangement is supported by the universal body for generating illumination at the light opening. The spot light accessory includes a plurality of accessory elements selectively and detachably coupling with the universal body to transform the universal body from one configuration to another configuration so as to provide varieties of functional utilizations of the universal body.
US08678606B2
A lighting system includes a carrying container; at least two light sources to illuminate the interior and exterior of a the carrying container, each light source operatively connected directly to an actuation sensing device and to a power source. Magnetic actuators, mounted onto the carrying container activate each light source to provide illumination and independent of the access state of the carrying container.
US08678589B2
A gaze target determination device includes an event setting unit that generates, for each object at different times, a display event which triggers a movement of the gaze direction of the user who is gazing at the object and which indicates a movement or a change of the object; and a gaze trajectory calculation unit that calculates a gaze trajectory based on the detected user's gaze direction. An eye movement event detection unit detects an event detection time which is a time at which the gaze direction moves according to the display event, based on the calculated gaze trajectory. A synchronization structure analysis unit calculates, for each object, time difference between the event detection time and event occurrence time; and a gaze target determination unit determines the object at which the user is gazing from among the objects, based on the calculated time difference.
US08678581B2
Systems and methods regarding spectacle systems are provided including base lens units and attachable lens units. A spectacle system may include a base lens unit with a first lens, a frame configured for wearing the base lens unit on a user, and a first attachment mechanism. The spectacle system may also include an attachable lens unit with a second lens and a second attachment mechanism configured to join with the first attachment mechanism. A communication mechanism may also be included that is configured to communicate data, instructions and/or electrical power between the base lens unit and the attachable lens unit. Either or both of the first lens and the second lens may include an electro-active lens. The attachable lens unit may include a variety of additional functions such as an electronic display, a camera, an active shuttering lens, and an active polarizing lens, which may also be powered by the base lens unit.
US08678580B2
The present application provides eyeglasses having a frame, supporting reading or other eyeglass lenses, and an adjustable gripping nose pinch. The frame includes integrated therein a decorative spring loaded clip that allows for the attachment of the frame to clothing and objects for storage and convenience.
US08678547B2
According to one embodiment, an inkjet recording device includes a cleaning member which faces a nozzle surface of an inkjet head and moves along a row of nozzles, a control device which controls ones of the nozzles to partially discharge ink, the ones of the nozzles positioning in an area which the cleaning member faces when the cleaning member moves, and an ink retaining part which retains the ink between the cleaning member and the nozzle surface of the inkjet head which faces the cleaning member.
US08678544B2
There is provided an ink set including an aqueous ink composition and a maintenance liquid. The aqueous ink composition includes water; a pigment; resin particles having a minimum film-forming temperature MFT0, which is a minimum film-forming temperature obtained when the resin particles are dispersed in water, of 60° C. or higher; and a water-soluble organic solvent, wherein a minimum film-forming temperature MFT25 of the resin particles, which is a minimum film-forming temperature obtained when the resin particles are mixed with the water-soluble organic solvent in an amount of 25% by mass relative to the solid content of the resin particles, and water, is at least 40° C. lower than MFT0. The maintenance liquid includes an organic solvent and water. There is also provided an image recording method.
US08678543B2
One or more surface treatment compositions and print mediums are disclosed. The surface treatment compositions may comprise at least one surface sizing agent and at least one monovalent and at least one, multivalent metallic salt. Also disclosed are methods for the production of the surface treatment composition and print media with the composition.
US08678537B2
A disclosed feed control apparatus includes a feed roller; a first detection unit detecting a rotational position of the feed roller; a sensor detecting plural marks arranged on a test chart; a difference calculation unit that calculates a difference between actual and theoretical positional information of a Nth mark when the feed roller rotates one revolution; a correction feeding amount calculation unit that calculates correction feeding amounts of the marks based on the difference and actual feeding amounts of the marks; an error calculation unit that calculates errors between the correction feeding amounts and theoretical feeding amounts by matching them to the corresponding rotational positions of the feeding roller; and a feeding amount control unit that controls the feeding amount based on a relationship between the rotational positions of the feeding roller and the corresponding errors.
US08678534B2
A system and a method for printing a desired pattern on a substrate, the method may include: receiving or generating printing instructions for printing multiple patterns during multiple printing iterations, wherein at least two different printing iterations are expected to be executed by different sets of nozzles of an array of nozzles, wherein a superposition of the multiple patterns is expected to differ from the desired pattern by a tolerable difference even when a nozzle of the array of nozzles malfunctions; and printing the multiple patterns during multiple printing iterations, wherein at least two different printing iterations are expected to be executed by different sets of nozzles of the array of nozzles.
US08678533B2
A method comprises selecting a first and second datum stored in an array of image data and corresponding to a first and second defective inkjet ejector, the second defective inkjet ejector being within a search pattern positioned about the first datum, modifying the search pattern positioned about the first datum in response to detection of the second datum being within the search pattern positioned about the first datum, identifying a third datum stored in the array of image data and being within the modified search pattern positioned about the first datum, the third datum corresponding to a first functional inkjet ejector, modifying the third datum with reference to the first datum, and operating the first functional inkjet ejector with reference to the modified third datum to compensate for the first defective inkjet ejector being unable to eject ink corresponding to the first datum.
US08678532B2
A printing apparatus includes a controller forming an image on a printing-medium by repeating an image-forming-operation of allowing a plurality of nozzle-columns to be moved and allowing the plurality of nozzle-columns to eject ink and a transporting-operations of allowing the printing-medium to be transported. The controller forms a first-image by an image-forming-operation where the moving-direction of a nozzle-column is one direction in a second direction by using a first-image-nozzle-group configured with the nozzles included in the first-nozzle-column. In addition, the controller forms a second-image which is overlapped with the first-image by an image-forming-operation where the moving-direction of a nozzle-column is one direction and by an image-forming-operation where the moving-direction of the nozzle-column is the direction opposite to the one direction by using a second-image-nozzle-group configured with the nozzles of which positions in the first direction are different from those of the first-image-nozzle-group among the nozzles included in the second-nozzle-column.
US08678517B2
A cutting bit includes a tool pick having a head and a shank, and a cutting tip having a body, a cap extending frontwardly from the body, and a base extending rearwardly from the body. The base defines an outer diameter of the cutting tip and a substantially flat rear surface at the rear of the cutting tip. A post extends axially frontwardly from a front surface of the head of the tool pick. A cavity extends axially frontwardly into the base from the rear surface of the cutting tip, the cavity having a diameter equal to or less than about 40% of the outer diameter of the cutting tip. When the cutting tip is mounted to the tool pick, the post is received into the cavity and a portion of the front surface of the tool pick mates with a portion of the rear surface of the cutting tip.
US08678512B2
A high chair has a chair device and a fastener device. The fastener device is connected with the chair device and has a main body, a button and a button elastic member. The main body has a buckle recess formed in the main body and having an open side. The button is capable of retracting or protruding relative to a bottom of the buckle recess. The button elastic member is mounted in the main body and presses against the button. To push and pull the button allows a belt buckle to be easily taken out from and inserted into the buckle recess.
US08678511B2
Described in this invention is an inflatable cushion apparatus for a vehicle, which may be applied in multiple embodiments. One such apparatus is a cushioned strap that may be used with or in place of a standard seat belt shoulder strap. A strap may also be employed across the lap strap. A second embodiment may be used a vehicle seat cushioned. Disposed within both embodiments is an inflatable tube within channels created by seams, which may be inflated and deflated to accommodate the comfort of the user.
US08678509B2
To effectively operate a pretensioner using a plurality of balls and an energy absorption mechanism, to simplify the structure of an exhaust passage in the pretensioner, and to facilitate the working process of the exhaust passage. A pretensioner 15 includes a plurality of balls 20 serving as force transmission members and a piston 21 in a pipe 17. A piston body 21a of the piston 21 includes a shaft portion 21c and a substantially hemispherical head portion 21d. The piston body 21a is provided with an exhaust hole 21e extending in the axial direction and exhaust grooves 21f communicating with the exhaust hole 21e that define an exhaust passage. The exhaust grooves 21f prevent the exhaust hole 21e from being closed even if the head portion 21d of the piston 21 contacts the ball 20. Since the exhaust hole 21e and the exhaust grooves 21f are simply provided in the piston body 21a formed as a single member, the structure of the exhaust passage is simple, and working of the exhaust passage is easy.
US08678497B2
A multi-row vehicle seating arrangement includes a second row of vehicle seats including a first lateral side seat, a second lateral side seat, and a center seat disposed between the first and second lateral side seats. The center seat has a pair of spaced apart seat anchors fixably secured thereto for securing a child seat to the center seat.
US08678496B2
A vehicle seat assembly 12 having a bracket assembly, the vehicle seat assembly 12 having a first seat back 22 having a seat frame member, and a second seat back 24 having a seat frame member, the bracket assembly having a first bracket 44 coupled to the first seat back 22, preferably the seat frame member, the first bracket 44 having an aperture 42, a second bracket 28 coupled to the second seat back 24, preferably the seat frame member, the second bracket 24 having a pivot pin 32 for insertion into the aperture 42 of the first bracket 22. The vehicle seat assembly 12 also including a retainer mechanism 34 for retaining the pivot pin 32 within the aperture 42 of the first bracket 22, the retainer mechanism 34 having a first bushing 40, a second bushing 36 and a retainer member 38.
US08678490B2
A folding chair has a left leg and a right leg. A front frame connects the left leg to the right leg, wherein the front frame folds between an open position and a closed position and from a closed position to an open position. A rear frame connects the left leg to the right leg, and the rear frame is foldable. The front frame has a front frame right upper support pivotally connecting to a front frame left upper support, and the front frame right upper support is pivotally connected to the right leg at a front right upper connection. The front frame left upper support is pivotally connected to the left leg at a front left upper connection. The front frame also has a front frame right lower support pivotally connecting to a front frame left lower support.
US08678487B2
A glazed roof of a motor vehicle is provided, which includes at least one opening and a fixed glazed structure bearing at least one element sliding on the inside of the vehicle and intended to close the opening(s). The glazed structure has an external contour coinciding with an accommodating surround on the chassis of the vehicle so the contour can be secured to the accommodating surround, as a flush fit. Each of the sliding elements is guided along two rails secured to the surface of the fixed structure, in a region distant from the external contour so as not to interfere with the securing of the latter to the accommodating surround. The roof has at least one retaining element, having a first end secured to one of the rails and a second end secured to the chassis. Each of the retaining elements is positioned at right angles to the rail.
US08678485B2
A lower frame and an upper frame, which configure a main frame, are connected to each other by a first reinforcing frame, a second reinforcing frame, a third reinforcing frame, a fourth reinforcing frame, a fifth reinforcing frame, and a sixth reinforcing frame. A first engine hanger is welded to a lower end of the lower frame such that an atmospheric air communicating hole formed in a side face of the first engine hanger communicates with the inside of the lower frame. A first air vent port and a second air vent port for the lower frame and the upper frame and third air vent port formed in a third reinforcing frame and a fourth reinforcing frame are formed in side faces of the abutting portions so that they are not observed from the outside.
US08678483B2
A window for an automobile hood, made of a transparent material, such as a polycarbonate sheet, sized and shaped to be a loose fit to an automobile hood cut-out. The window element may be held in place on the automobile by ring shaped, metallic trim elements. The trim elements may have outer edges that are an enlarged copy of the periphery the cut-out in the hood of the automobile and inner edges that are a reduced copy of the periphery the window element. In this way, the window element may be held in the cutout in the automobile hood, sandwiched between the upper and lower trim elements. By applying a suitable adhesive between the trim elements and the automobile hood, the trim and window elements may be fixed in place.
US08678480B2
There is provided a functional panel that can be joined and disassembled with ease by solving problems with a functional panel including electrical conductors integrally molded therewith, causing occurrence of cracking on the surface thereof, or cracking of a molded unit around the periphery of the electrical conductor, thereby rendering the electrical conductor susceptible to a break when a flexural load, an impact load, and so forth, acts on the functional panel. The functional panel comprises a main body of a panel member, an electrical conductor coated with a semi-cured resin having heat resistance and insulation properties, and a reinforcing fiber having a continuous filament, for fixing the electrical conductor to the main body of the panel member to thereby provide enhancement, and the functional panel is formed by exposing one end, and the other end of the electrical conductor from respective end faces of the panel member formed by integral molding.
US08678473B2
A mounting assembly is provided for coupling an air drag reduction system to a trailer to be transported by an over-the-road tractor. The mounting assembly includes a frame to be suspended adjacent to an underside of the trailer, and a receiver supported adjacent to a first end of the frame. The receiver is adapted to cooperate with a portion of a structural member of the trailer when installed. An adjustable fastening mechanism is separated a suitable distance from the receiver along the frame to be positioned adjacent to a second portion of the structural member opposite the portion that cooperates with the receiver. The adjustable fastening mechanism includes a cam that is adjustable to make contact with the second portion of the structural member of the trailer, thereby interfering with separation of the receiver from the portion of the structural member of the trailer with which the receiver cooperates.
US08678467B2
A system for mounting a windshield to a small vehicle such as an all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”), a utility-terrain vehicle (“UTV”), or a snowmobile is disclosed. The system typically comprises a pair of receiving elements, each of them configured to be secured to the vehicle, typically the handlebar(s) thereof, and a corresponding pair of mounting elements secured to a windshield panel or panel assembly and configured to be respectively releasably received in the receiving elements. Each receiving element comprises a rotatable cam and each mounting element comprises a groove on an outwardly extending protrusion such that the cams can selectively engage the grooves in a locking engagement when the mounting elements are received in the receiving elements.
US08678466B2
An instrument panel assembly and method of installing an instrument panel assembly is provided. The instrument panel assembly includes a base having a side portion. The side portion includes a first mounting aperture. A side panel is dimensioned to cover the side portion. The side panel is configured to be angled relative to the side portion so as to preventing other tabs from scratching the exterior surface of the instrument panel assembly.
US08678465B1
Methods and apparatus are provided for an energy attenuating seat assembly with multi-axis energy attenuation. In one embodiment the seat assembly comprises a seat with a back, a first energy attenuating support comprising a first seat guide, and a first energy attenuating link, the first energy attenuating support operatively disposed in a first direction with respect to the seat. The exemplary seat assembly further comprises a second energy attenuating support comprising a second seat guide, and a second energy attenuating link, the second energy attenuating support operatively disposed in a second direction with respect to the seat.
US08678464B2
An ATV includes a vehicle frame, a straddle type seat mounted to the frame for a driver, and a passenger support assembly positioned rearward of the driver. The passenger support assembly is comprised of a seat frame assembly and a seat assembly. The seat assembly is removably mounted to the seat frame assembly, and the seat frame assembly is pivotally movable relative to the vehicle frame.
US08678463B2
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat portion disposed in a relatively horizontal alignment, wherein the seat portion is moveable. Also included is a seat back rotatable about a first axis proximate a rear portion of the seat portion. Further included is a memory seat module (MSM) configured to monitor and control movement of the seat portion and the seat back, and comprises a sensor configured to activate upon movement of the seat portion and/or the seat back to a predetermined position, wherein the MSM automatically restricts movement of the seat portion and/or the seat back upon detection of activation of the sensor. The MSM further engages other required movements to return the vehicle seat assembly to earlier stored locations with the process being repeated a maximum number of times to transition the seat portion and seat back to their required positions that have been predetermined by the user.
US08678459B1
Load protection assembly mounted on a truck, that comprises two side panels edge supported to pivot between horizontally extending down positions and operative up positions extending generally longitudinally, forward, intermediate, and rearward bars having end portions pivotally supported to enable bar pivoting between retracted positions proximate the panel and extended positions in which the bars extends laterally between the panels in panel supporting relation, and side bracing connected to the panels to move into supporting position when the bars are extended laterally between the panels, the bracing including a telescoping strut assembly having first and second elongated struts, and an actuator manually swingable to relatively extend and retract the struts configured to lock to bar structure in response to actuator swinging, and there being a carriage to which the forward and intermediate bars are end connected to be bodily moved with the carriage longitudinally forwardly and rearwardly.
US08678447B2
A tubular threaded connection for coupling drill pipe segments to form a drill string is provided. Each of the segments has a tubular pipe body having a wall thickness of >0.5 inches (1.27 cm). The threaded connection comprises a pin end with an external thread, and a box end with an internal thread for threadable engagement with the external thread of the pin end. The pin shoulder extends between a pin base diameter and an outer pin bevel diameter; the box shoulder extends between a box base diameter and an outer box bevel diameter. The outer pin and box bevel diameters are between 7.75-8.688 inches (19.05-21.59 cm). The pin and box shoulders define a contact area such that, when the pin and box ends are threaded together with a make-up torque of >75,000 ft-lbs (1,079.36 kg-m), a load capacity of >2.0 million lbs (908,000 kg) is provided.
US08678440B1
A dual spool retractor device for seat belts in a motor vehicle including a frame, two spools rotatably mounted to the frame, and a pretensioning system providing pretensioning rotation for both the spools. The spools are pretensioning through the activation of a micro-gas generator. The gas generator can provide gas to a single or a pair of gas cylinders. One or more flexible numbers such as a metal band or cable is used which is coupled to one or both spools via a pulley. Activation of the gas generator forces a piston to move in a manner which exerts tension on the flexible member(s) thereby unwinding the flexible member from the spool pulley and providing pretensioning rotation of the respective belt spool.
US08678437B2
Construction of an impact absorbing steering wheel apparatus that is capable of obtaining excellent performance at low cost while maintaining the freedom of design is achieved. An energy absorbing member 36a, 36b is provided between a tightening rod 27a that displaces in the forward direction together with an outer column 13a during a secondary collision and a housing 16 or support pin 63 that does not displace in the forward direction during a secondary collision, and being a member that plastically deforms as the outer column displaces in the forward direction during a secondary collision, absorbs part of the impact energy by the relative movement of the plastic deformation. Part of the energy absorbing member 36a, 36b is fastened to the tightening rod 27a, and plastic deformation of this member 36a, 36b is restricted in the width direction by a pair of held wall sections 11a of the outer column 13a.
US08678432B1
The present invention incorporates a tether release system within a conventional airbag system or a conventional vehicle occupant protection system. Release of an associated tether may simultaneously open a vent on an associated airbag. A housing contains an actuator contained within the housing for actuation of the tether release system upon receipt of a crash detection signal, for example. A first moving member is configured for receipt of a propulsive force emanating from the actuator upon actuation of the tether release system. A movable tether release member is contained within the housing wherein the movable tether release member operably communicates with the first moving member upon actuation of the tether release system, for release of an associated tether.
US08678427B1
A vehicle body assembly includes a body structure, a trim panel connected to the body structure and an air bag located between the body structure and the trim panel. A releasable clip assembly connects the body structure and the trim panel. The releasable clip assembly includes a first mating component connected to the body structure and a second mating component connected to the trim panel. The second mating component has a lock position and a release position relative to the first mating component. In the lock position, the second mating component is engaged with the first mating component. The second mating component moves to the release position relative to the first mating component with movement of the trim panel during deployment of the air bag to release the second mating component from the first mating component.
US08678423B1
A towing hook assembly for a vehicle disposed in a bumper unit may include a stay connected to both distal rear sides of a bumper beam, a towing hook pipe provided at one inner side of the stay through the bumper beam, and a supporting member supporting an exterior circumference of the towing hook pipe, and connected to an interior circumference of the stay.
US08678414B1
A set of triple clamps in a front suspension system of a motorcycle, has a top triple clamp and a bottom triple clamp designed to provide a pivoting connection of the front suspension system of the motorcycle with the frame of the motorcycle. The set also has a fixing system for receiving the handlebars of the motorcycle and fixing them to the top triple clamp. According to one feature, the fixing system has a handlebar damper system the movement axis of which is substantially parallel to the movement axis of the front suspension system of the motorcycle.
US08678413B2
An attachment structure for a resin part of a motorcycle includes an attaching portion with a nut provided on a side of a vehicle main body, a resin part having an attached portion with a bolt insertion hole, and a shoulder bolt for attaching the attached portion to the attaching portion with the nut. The shoulder bolt has a threaded shaft portion, a washer, a head portion, and a large diameter portion arranged between the washer and the threaded shaft portion, the large diameter portion being thicker than the threaded shaft portion and thinner than the washer. A thin guide piece protruding toward a radially inner side for regulating radial movement of the shoulder bolt within a predetermined range is integrally formed on an inner circumferential surface of the bolt insertion hole. The guide piece is configured to be deformed by the large diameter portion of the shoulder bolt.
US08678409B2
A suspension structure includes lower front and rear links arranged to connect a wheel support member to support a wheel and a vehicle body member swingably, and an upper link located above the lower front link and arranged to connect the wheel support member and the vehicle body swingably. There is further provided a connect bush arranged to connect the lower front link and the lower rear link with each other. The connect bush is located below a connection point between the lower front link and the wheel support member.
US08678408B2
Travel devices for a transport vehicle are arranged in a longitudinal direction and a width direction of a loading platform to allow traveling of the loading platform. In this travel device, an arm includes an upper end turnably supported at a lower portion of the loading platform. The arm includes a lower end where an axle box is supported swingably in up and down directions. A wheel has a mid-plane that intersects with a swing plane of an axle shaft disposed at the axle box, and is supported at the axle shaft. Accordingly, this ensures a small vehicle width L2 of the transport vehicle.
US08678403B1
One embodiment of a small dolly structure containing separate and individual main support beams. Connected to the main support beams are wheels and brakes. A multi configurational and adjustable center beams section that when connected to the main support beams allows the main support beams to be reconfigured to many positions. The main support beams are made of a rigid material in a u channel shape and have wheels attached to the back side of the u channel. The u channel of the main support beam is used facing upward to accommodate the feet or base of proposed loads or attachments. Attached to the main support beams are clamping mechanisms for holding loads in place. The clamping mechanism may be repositioned along the main support beam or removed to accommodate various loads. There are holes, slots and notches in the main support beams and link frame assemblies for attaching accessories. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US08678399B2
A gasket is provided that forms a sealing connection between a pair of tubular members. The gasket comprises a first section shaped to fit within a recess of one of a pair of tubular members. The first section includes an anchor portion comprising first and second sides. The gasket further comprises a second section extending from the first section and is configured to make a sealing contact with the other of the tubular members. The gasket also includes at least one self-locating arm in a sealing contact within the recess and extending from one of the first or second sides of the anchor portion of the first section. The self-locating arm biases the first section such that the other of the first or second sides is in contact with the recess to form a sealing connection.
US08678398B2
Sealing systems for high pressure applications that provide electrical isolation between joined elements as well as enhanced resistance to leakage of media during a fire. High pressure sealing is accomplished using a metallic core to which an electrically isolating material is bonded on either or both sides. Sealing is achieved through a dielectric sealing element, such as a spring-loaded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) ring. Flanges of the joint may be bolted together with the seal interposed therebetween, and the flanges bolted together. In the event of a fire, heat may be generated that is at a high enough temperature to burn away the isolating material and PTFE ring. Systems of various embodiments provide a metal core backup seal and a compression limiter, which, respectively, prevent the media from leaking from the joint and maintain bolt load at the flanges.
US08678397B2
In a U-cup based seal of a rod, the basic body of the U-cup 3 is recessed relative to a square cross-sectional shape in the region of a radially inner outer edge 18 on the low pressure side in order to obtain a space 17 between the U-cup 3 and the opening, i.e. the passage opening 16 of a sealing gap 15, leading into a rectangular groove 4 guiding the U-cup 3. This space 17 remains at least partially also upon pressurization such that the U-cup 3 complete remains in the groove 4 upon pressurization and is not extruded into the sealing gap 15. This considerably reduces wear of the U-cup 3. An inner surface 24 of the U-cup shows liquid dragging bore reliefs formed as recesses 25 in the inner surface 24 of the U-cup 3 for transferring hydraulic liquid, disposed on a surface of the translatory movable machine part 1, from a low-pressure side N of the U-cup to a high-pressure side H of the U-cup 3 upon translatory movement of the movable machine part 1. The recesses 25 each extend in an axial direction from the low pressure side N of the U-cup towards the inner sealing lip 7 and each recess is radially confined by side walls 26 which converge in the direction of the inner sealing lip such as to form an imaginary intersection located beyond the inner sealing lip 7 on the high-pressure side of the U-cup 3.
US08678382B2
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance roller pair, a conveyance roller driving unit, a registration roller pair, a registration driving unit, a separation and press-contact unit configured to set the registration roller pair to a separated state and to a press-contact state, and a control unit. After a sheet has stopped at a stop position immediately before the registration roller pair, the registration roller pair having been set to the separated state is set to the press-contact state. The registration roller pair is rotated backward during formation of a loop in the sheet.
US08678380B2
A paper sheet processing device is provided which can more simply detect the attachment/detachment of the magazine accommodating paper sheets and that the amount of paper sheets has reached a predetermined level and can reduce costs. The paper sheet processing device of the present invention has a magazine 5 which is attachable to/detachable from to a frame and capable of accommodating paper sheets, a moving member 53 which moves when the amount of paper sheets accommodated in the magazine 5 reaches a predetermined level, and a detection sensor 35 for detecting the movement of the moving member 53. The moving member 53 is supported on the magazine 5, and is moved by the attachment/detachment operation of the magazine 5 when the magazine 5 is not mounted on the frame so that the detection sensor 35 can detect that the moving member 53 has moved.
US08678375B2
A sheet feeder includes a sheet placing portion, a feeding member, a supporting body, a driver, an electromagnetic clutch and a retraction controller. The supporting body is capable of changing a posture between a sheet feeding posture of the feeding member and a retracting posture for retracting the feeding member. The electromagnetic clutch is capable of changing a state between an engaged state in which a drive force is transmitted to the supporting body and a disengaged state in which the drive force is not transmitted to the supporting body. The retraction controller stops the output of a drive force after the electromagnetic clutch is set in the engaged state and the supporting body is set to the retracting posture by the drive force, and sets the electromagnetic clutch in the disengaged state when an engagement keeping time elapses after the output of the drive force is stopped.
US08678373B2
A cut-sheet feeder has a feed belt, a belt contact amount adjuster, and an inclined guide member. The belt makes contact with the lowermost cut sheet of a stack of cut sheets and feeds forward the cut sheet. The belt contact amount adjuster supports the stack of cut sheets while lifting the read portion thereof from the feed belt. The inclined guide member protrudes further upward than the belt contact amount adjuster and has a guide surface inclined forwardly downward. The guide surface lifts up the rear end portion of the stack of cut sheets and shifts forward the lowermost cut sheet. The position of the adjuster in the front-rear direction and the position of the guide member in the front-rear direction can be adjusted individually.
