US08692592B2
A digital storage element comprises a master transparent latch that receives functional data signals from data input ports and scan data signals from a scan input port. The data input ports are coupled to a two-input, one-output multiplexer adapted to receive the functional data signals and to selectively output one of the functional data signals. The digital storage element also comprises a slave transparent latch coupled to the master transparent latch, the slave transparent latch comprising dedicated functional data and scan data output ports. While operating in a scan mode, a first clock signal is used by the slave transparent latch and a second clock signal is used by the master transparent latch, wherein the first and second clock signals are non-overlapping.
US08692591B2
A power stage has a differential output stage 2 driven by one or more buffer stages 4. The buffer stages 4 are implemented as high and low side buffers 12,14, each of which is itself a differential buffer implemented using transistors formed in an isolated-well technology such as triple-well CMOS.
US08692590B2
A drive waveform signal is pulse-modulated and a modulated signal is generated, the obtained modulated signal is power-amplified, and then, a drive signal is demodulated using a low pass filter. Thus obtained drive signal is negatively fed back, and thereby, the resonance peak of the low pass filter is suppressed. In this regard, by bringing gain in a wider frequency domain to take a fixed value or more, a drive signal having a voltage exceeding a power supply voltage may be stably generated.
US08692589B2
A driving circuit outputs an output voltage as a driving signal to the gate of a semiconductor element based on a control signal given from an input circuit. The output voltage is at “H” (ON level) if it is determined by a power supply voltage VCC, and is at “L” (OFF level) if it is determined by a ground voltage GND. A reference power supply section includes a series connection of resistors. The reference power supply section obtains a voltage determined by dividing a potential difference between the power supply voltage VCC and the ground voltage GND by a predetermined dividing ratio (resistance ratio between the resistors) as a reference voltage. A buffer circuit applies an output voltage as a reference signal determined by the reference voltage to the source of the semiconductor element.
US08692588B2
A multiplex driving circuit receives m master signals and n slave signals, and includes m driving modules for generating m×n gate driving signals. Each driving module includes a voltage boost stage and n driving stages. The voltage boost stage is used for receiving a first master signal of the m master signals and converting the first master signal into a first high voltage signal, wherein a high logic level of the first master signal is increased to a highest voltage by the voltage boost stage. The n driving stages receives the n slave signals, respectively, and receives the first high voltage signal. In response to the highest voltage of the first high voltage signal, the n driving stages sequentially generates n gate driving signals according to the n slave signals.
US08692577B2
The driver circuit includes a first controlling circuit that outputs, to a gate of the auxiliary pMOS transistor, a first controlling signal that rises in synchronization with a rising of the first pulse signal and falls after a delay from a falling of the first pulse signal. The driver circuit includes a second controlling circuit that outputs, to a gate of the auxiliary nMOS transistor, a second controlling signal that rises in synchronization with a rising of the second pulse signal and falls after a delay from a falling of the second pulse signal.
US08692576B2
A level shifting circuit and methodology involving a switching current generator responsive to switching of an input signal for producing a switching current to switch an output signal, and a holding current generator for producing a holding current to hold the logic level of the output signal in accordance with the logic level of the input signal. The holding current is produced independently of the switching current.
US08692572B2
A method of detecting a failure of an alternator supplying three-phase electricity to a load, the method comprising the steps of determining a duty ratio for each of the phases at the output of the alternator, determining phase differences between the phases at the output of the alternator; and determining the presence of a failure as a function of the phase differences and as a function of a comparison of the duty ratios. A power supply device is also provided for implementing the method.
US08692569B2
A circuit board tester and method that precisely aligns the probe plate and circuit board is disclosed. With a circuit board and probe plate mounting within a housing having a top and bottom, hinged together, at closure there may be slight misalignments of the two. By making one of the two plates floating, or laterally slideable with respect to each other, it is possible to make final alignment at closure. One of the two plates can be provided with a pin and the other with a pin receiving alignment block. With the lateral sideability, the pin and block can insure proper probe alignment. Additional systems for correcting misaligned pins or blocks are also disclosed.
US08692560B2
A method for testing a mask article includes the steps of electrically connecting the mask article to an electrical sensor, applying a bias voltage to a plurality of testing sites of the mask article with a conductor, measuring at least one current distribution of the testing sites with the electrical sensor, and determining the quality of the mask article by taking the at least one current distribution into consideration.
US08692557B2
A ground monitor is disclosed. The ground monitor may be configured to conduct a ground continuity test based on a determined ground resistance. The ground monitor may be operable to determine the ground resistance as a function of a voltage differential detected during application of a test current.
US08692555B2
A vertical receiver antenna device includes first and second receiving, electrode units interconnected by a receiver antenna cable and connected to means for the electromagnetic surveying of electrically resistive targets potentially containing hydrocarbons. The receiver antenna is arranged in a tubular, non-magnetic antenna housing arranged vertically in subsea uncompacted material, and one of the first and second receiving electrode units being connected in a electrically conductive manner to the underlying structure, and the other one of the first and second receiving electrode units being arranged in a portion of the antenna housing distantly from the first one of first and second receiving electrode units. A method of installing a vertical receiver antenna in subsea uncompacted material is also described,
US08692550B2
A method for acquiring MRI signals includes: applying one or more than one RF pulse, which carries at least two frequency components, and a slice/slab selection gradient to a subject, so that at least two slices/slabs of the subject respectively corresponding to the at least two frequency components are excited simultaneously; applying a plurality of spatial encoding gradients; applying a plurality of separation gradients for separating the at least two slices/slabs; and applying at least one coherent refocusing gradient between the plurality of separation gradients.
US08692536B2
Provided is a switching regulator including a circuit for detecting a short-circuit state easily and reliably, without the need of an adjustment step such as trimming. In accordance with a drive signal of a power switching element of the switching regulator, a discharge circuit is controlled. When the power switching element is short-circuited and becomes the ON state all the time, the discharge circuit stops its operation, and a capacitor is continuously charged. A voltage detection circuit detects that a charge voltage of the capacitor has reached a predetermined potential, to thereby detect the short-circuit state.
US08692531B2
A switching regulator can convert an input voltage to a desired output voltage by ON-OFF controlling switching elements with PWM signals. The switching regulator can include a communication interface circuit that receives external operation instructions, an output voltage setting section that changes an output voltage to an output voltage setting value upon receiving an output voltage changing instruction from the outside, a voltage divider and an ADC that converts an error voltage into a digital error signal e[n], the error voltage being a difference between a reference voltage Vref and a detected output voltage value Vfb. The switching regulator can also include a controller that includes an operation control section for calculating a duty factor signal d[n] to determine an ON time proportion of the switching elements and an output voltage changing control section for controlling operation to change the output voltage.
US08692527B2
The invention relates to power supplies where the output current is controllable. In prior art, there is a problem to provide both high rate of change in the current output and high efficiency. The solution of the present invention is based on combining current elements, whereby the current is controlled by switching the outputs of the current elements. The current elements can be implemented with e.g. buck converters, whereby the power dissipation is small.
US08692515B2
[Object] There is provided series-connected rechargeable cells in which a large number of cells are series-connected and that makes it possible to improve performance on operations such as assembly or exchange and to perform speedy and smooth voltage-balance correcting for all cells.[Means for Solution] Series-connected rechargeable cells includes: a large number of rechargeable cells that are series-connected, and that are divided into a plurality of series-connected cell groups placed continuously in order of connecting; and a voltage-balance correcting circuit that balances the voltages of the cells, and that is provided with an inter-cell voltage-balance correcting circuit that performs voltage-balance correcting between adjacent cells in each of the cell groups and an inter-group voltage-balance correcting circuit that performs balance correcting of series-connection voltages of the cell groups by AC-coupling formed with a transformer coil and a switching circuit.
US08692511B2
A charging station for portable electronic devices includes a base having a substantially vertical and forward facing wall and at least one suction cup secured to the wall to temporarily secure the portable electronic devices to the wall in a position that the portable electronic devices can be viewed and operated while recharging. When more than one suction cup is provided they can be secured in laterally spaced-apart positions so that multiple portable electronic devices can be secured side-by-side for recharging or more than one suction cup can secure a portable electronic device. The suction cups can also be secured in vertically spaced apart positions so that the suction cup can engage the portable electronic device at a desired height or so that more than one suction cup can secure the portable electronic device. The charging station can also organize mail, keys, wallets, and the like.
US08692508B2
A battery voltage monitoring device for efficiently equalizing cell voltages of a plurality of battery cells connected in series through a direct charge transfer between mutually distant battery cells. The device includes a charge-transfer circuit configured to perform a direct charge transfer from a first battery cell to a second battery cell that is fifth or higher adjacent to the first battery cell. This can eliminate charge-transfer losses that would occur during sequential charge transfers between adjacent battery cells, which leads to an efficient charge transfer between mutually distant battery cells.
US08692507B2
A multiple stage battery system has significantly improved battery life in hybrid and electric motorized vehicle. At least two segments of battery packs are charged and discharged with two different battery management strategies, one handles transient energy needs and the other copes with cruise energy needs. The primary segment of battery are charged and discharged within a controlled State of Charge (SOC) range at a set point, it stores relatively less energy but supplies relative high impulse current during charge and discharge. The secondary segments have larger energy capacity, and are charged and discharged at constant current mode in deep cycling, near complete full charge and full discharge. These two segments of batteries could be different type of chemistry, i.e. NiMH, NiCD and Li-ion. This results in longer overall battery life and higher usable capacity for high power battery operations.
US08692501B2
A shunt regulated permanent magnet alternator voltage source includes a permanent magnet alternator, a shunt regulator, and a pulse width modulation controller. Also included is a load controller capable of detecting a PMA margin.
US08692500B2
Systems, apparatus and methods are disclosed for allowing electrical connection to a robot apparatus. In one aspect, an electrical coupling is adapted to provide electrical power to the robot apparatus in the vacuum chamber. The electrical coupling may include engaging electrical contacts. In some embodiments, at least one of the contacts may be suspended relative to a spring such that the engaging contacts do not rotate relative to each other during arm rotation of the robot. In other embodiments, inductively coupled coils are included. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08692498B2
Presented is a roller shade system that includes a flexible shade material having a lower end, a rotatably supported roller tube that windingly receives the shade material, a stepper motor that operably engages the roller tube to rotate the roller tube to move the lower end of the shade material between a first position and a second position, an optical sensor configured for capturing an image frame of the shade material at linear positions along the shade material as the lower end of the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position, and a stepper motor controller configured for controlling the frequency of input pulses to the stepper motor to move the lower end of the flexible shade material from the first position to the second position at a substantially constant linear velocity in response to position information obtained from the plurality of captured image frames.
US08692497B2
Electromotive furniture-flap drive, characterized by an identification device for automatically identifying the type of furniture flap in the installed state of the furniture flap drive.
US08692495B2
The invention relates to a roller mill having a grinding table, at least one grinding roller and at least two drives with a rotor winding for driving the roller mill and at least one adjustment device for adjusting the motor torque of at least one drive, the adjustment device being connected to the rotor winding of at least one drive in order to influence the rotor current.
US08692493B2
A movable partition system includes a movable partition including coupled panels and a lead post engaged with and movable along a track. A motor control system includes a motor coupled to the movable partition and a switching circuit coupled to the motor and for selectively coupling the motor to a positive power source and a negative power source responsive to one or more PWM signals. An encoder is configured for generating one or more rotation signals indicative of operational direction and operational speed of the motor. A motor controller is coupled to the switching circuit and is configured for improving airflow around the panels of the movable partition when the lead post of the movable partition is between a predefined position and a fully retracted position indicative of a billowing effect for the panels by adjusting pulse widths of the PWM signals to control rotational speed of the motor.
US08692470B2
This patent discloses designs of a controller for a solar powered LED lamp system. The control unit includes a controller that has a switching network and that selectively charges a battery from a solar panel, and selectively discharges the battery to power a lamp. The lamp itself includes a second part of the control unit that prevents over-charge and under-charge conditions of the battery. This may be accomplished using a low power passive network of LEDs and resistors, leaving the controller itself to only perform switching. Thus, the power consumed by the controller, and by the LED lamp system as a whole, may be significantly reduced.
US08692468B2
A RF source and method are disclosed which inductively create a plasma within an enclosure without an electric field or with a significantly decreased creation of an electric field. A ferrite material with an insulated wire wrapped around its body is used to efficiently channel the magnetic field through the legs of the ferrite. This magnetic field, which flows between the legs of the ferrite can then be used to create and maintain a plasma. In one embodiment, these legs rest on a dielectric window, such that the magnetic field passes into the chamber. In another embodiment, the legs of the ferrite extend into the processing chamber, thereby further extending the magnetic field into the chamber. This ferrite can be used in conjunction with a PLAD chamber, or an ion source for a traditional beam line ion implantation system.
US08692466B2
Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for igniting and/or sustaining a plasma in a reactive gas generator. Power is provided from an ignition power supply to a plasma ignition circuit. A pre-ignition signal of the plasma ignition circuit is measured. The power provided to the plasma ignition circuit is adjusted based on the measured pre-ignition signal and an adjustable pre-ignition control signal. The adjustable pre-ignition control signal is adjusted after a period of time has elapsed.
US08692465B2
An apparatus for fastening a burner of a discharge lamp to a housing or plug portion including a sleeve clamped around an outer bulb of the burner, an annular base fastened to the housing or plug portion of the electronic ballast unit having tabs that are orientated in the direction of the center point of the annular base and are biased against the sleeve. The tabs are inclined at an angle through an opening of the base, so that in the mounted condition of the burner, they rest against the sleeve below a surface of the annular base.
US08692458B2
A light emitting device includes: a light emitting element including a first electrode, a second electrode opposed to the first electrode, and a light emitting layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode; a capacitor having a third electrode formed in a position overlapping the light emitting element and an insulating layer provided between the first and third electrodes; a first drive transistor disposed on a first side of the first electrode and having a gate electrode; and a second drive transistor disposed on a second side of the first electrode and having a gate electrode connected to the gate electrode of the first drive transistor via the third electrode.
US08692445B2
Provided are an electrical conductor and a production method therefor; the electrical conductor comprising a transparent substrate and an electro-conductive pattern provided on at least one surface of the transparent substrate, and the electroconductive pattern being of a type such that, for at least 30% of the entire surface area of the transparent substrate, when a straight line is drawn intersecting the electroconductive pattern, the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean value of the distances between adjacent points of intersection between the straight line and the electroconductive pattern (the distance distribution ratio) is at least 2%. Also, provided are an electrical conductor and a production method therefor; the electrical conductor comprising a transparent substrate and an electroconductive pattern provided on at least one surface of the transparent substrate, and the electroconductive pattern being of a type such that at least 30% of the entire surface area of the transparent substrate is accounted for by continuously distributed closed motifs, and the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean value of the surface areas of the closed motifs (the surface area distribution ratio) is at least 2%.
US08692444B2
A lighting fixture utilizing LED light sources for illumination of commercial, outdoor and other large area applications incorporates efficient heat dissipation and improved convective air flow. An integrated heat transfer assembly is disclosed that is configured to enhance heat dissipation by providing an efficient thermal conductive pathway for radiation of heat to an external environment. The lighting fixture body is configured with a lens body and heat sink having a chimney tube with internally facing finned heat sink arrangement for providing enhanced convective air flow through the light fixture body. When the heat sink transfers heat from the LED light sources during operation so as to create heated air surrounding the heat sink, ambient air is drawn through the chimney and the heated air is exhausted through air gaps so as to create a conductive air current with the environment. The heat sink fins are configured to enhance the natural air draw through the chimney by tapering the surface areas of the fins.
US08692441B2
A method is provided for forming a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer apparatus having a first electrode deposited on a dielectric layer disposed on a primary substrate. A piezoelectric material is deposited between the first electrode and a second electrode, to form a transducer device. At least the piezoelectric material is patterned such that a portion of the first electrode extends laterally outward therefrom. The primary substrate and the dielectric layer are etched to form a first via extending to the laterally outward portion of the first electrode, and a first conductive material is deposited to substantially fill the first via and form an electrically-conductive engagement with the laterally outward portion of the first electrode. The primary substrate is etched to define a second via extending therethrough, wherein the second via is laterally spaced apart from the first via. An associated method and apparatus are also provided.
US08692440B2
A manufacturing method, which realizes general versatility of an external connection terminal by reducing deterioration of characteristics and a decrease in yield rate of a piezoelectric device in an external connection terminal forming process, and a piezoelectric device manufactured by this method are provided. Before a piezoelectric device is sealed together with a ceiling layer to form a package, an electrode structure serving as an external connection terminal is provided beforehand on a substrate mounted with a key area of the device, and after formation of the key area of the device, the piezoelectric device is sealed and packaged together with the ceiling layer. The piezoelectric device of the present invention can accommodate a three-dimensional structure by providing a rewiring layer on a principal surface of the substrate.
US08692420B2
The invention relates to a safety device, comprising a first, microprocessor-controlled control unit and a second control unit, for multichannel controlling of a safety-related unit. The first microprocessor-controlled control unit has a signal generation unit for generating a first monitoring signal that indicates the current operating state of the first control unit. In addition, a switching unit drivable by the first and second control unit that can turn on the safety-related unit or run it into a secured state is provided. The second control unit has a monoflop that, in response to the monitoring signal, drives the switching unit in such a manner that the safety-related unit can be driven into a safe state in case of faulty operation of the first control unit. A device is associated with the first control unit for generating an enable signal for the second control unit.
US08692419B2
A method is provided for operating a wind power plant (15-19) with a rotor-driven (25-29) electric generator (30) for delivering electric power to an electric grid (31) which provides a grid voltage in which, when excess voltage prevails in the grid (31), idle power from the wind power plant (15-19) is fed to the grid (31) in order to lower the voltage. A wind power plant is provided (15-19) with a rotor-driven electric generator (30) for delivering electric power to an electric grid (31) in which when excess voltage prevails in the grid idle power from the wind power plant (15-19) is fed to the grid (31) in order to lower the voltage. Monitoring occurs to determine whether within a predeterminable time a voltage was lowered to a predeterminable reference value and/or an idle current is delivered which is greater than or equal to a predeterminable idle current reference value.
US08692412B2
Described herein are improved configurations for a resonator for wireless power transfer that includes a conductor forming one or more loops and having an inductance L, a network of capacitors, having a capacitance, C, and a desired electrical parameter, coupled to the conductor, the network having at least one capacitor of a first type with a first temperature profile of the electrical parameter, and the network having at least one capacitor of a second type with a second temperature profile of the electrical parameter.
US08692406B2
An air-guiding carrier type wind power collection device includes a floating body and two air guiding tubes. The floating body includes a compartment filled with an uprising gas having a density lower than that of air. The floating body includes a floating assembly controlling a pressure and a temperature of the uprising gas received in the compartment. The air guiding tubes extend through the compartment of the floating body. Each air guiding tube has an air inlet and an air outlet. The air outlet includes a peripheral wall having a windward section and a guiding section. The peripheral wall has a cutout portion formed between the windward section and the guiding section. An air channel is formed between and in communication with the air inlet and the air outlet of each air guiding tube. A wind power generating assembly is mounted in each of the air channels.
US08692403B2
An installation method for an underwater power plant includes a nacelle comprising a nacelle housing having a first nacelle housing section, a water turbine including a drive connection to a drive shaft, the drive shaft being mounted inside the first nacelle housing section, an electrical generator, comprising a generator rotor and a generator stator, and a generator housing. The electrical generator and the generator housing from a separate generator module that can be handled and installed as a whole, and an adjustment of bearings for the drive shaft is executed before a production of a coupling between the generator module and the drive shaft, and the generator housing is coupled in a rotationally-fixed manner to the first nacelle housing section and the generator is coupled in a rotationally-fixed manner to the drive shaft, the generator rotor being carried by the drive shaft after the coupling.
US08692401B2
A mooring system for a semi-submersible platform includes buoyancy structures for providing buoyancy to the semi-submersible platform, mooring lines connected to the buoyancy structures, and anchors embedded in the sea floor that are connected to the mooring lines. At least one-half of the mooring lines are attached to one of the buoyancy structures. A ballast control system for a wind turbine platform includes a sensor that is configured to detect a rotation of a wind turbine and a controller that is configured to direct a transfer of ballast to correct the of the wind turbine.
US08692398B2
The invention provides a mobile environment-controlled unit having a chassis, a compartment supported by the chassis, and an environmental-control system in environmental communication with the compartment. The environmental-control system includes a multiphase alternator powered by an internal combustion engine and supplies electrical power for the environmental-control system. The alternator has a first phase winding to generate a first high-voltage alternating phase current and a second phase winding to generate a second high-voltage alternating phase current. The environmental-control system further includes a magnetic sensor including a core, and a magnetic sensing device interconnected to the core and providing an output based on a sensed electromagnetic parameter.
US08692389B2
The present invention provides a dicing tape-integrated film for semiconductor back surface, which includes: a dicing tape including a base material and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on the base material; and a film for flip chip type semiconductor back surface provided on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, in which a peel force (temperature: 23° C., peeling angle: 180°, tensile rate: 300 mm/min) between the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of the dicing tape and the film for flip chip type semiconductor back surface is from 0.05 N/20 mm to 1.5 N/20 mm.
US08692386B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element and an electronic element. The semiconductor element has a first protruding electrode, and the electronic element has a second protruding electrode. A substrate is disposed between the semiconductor element and the electronic element. The substrate has a through-hole in which the first and second protruding electrodes are fitted. The first and second protruding electrodes are connected together inside the through-hole of the substrate.
US08692385B2
Device for connecting nano-objects to external electrical systems, and method for producing the device.According to the invention, which applies in particular to molecular characterization, a device including the following is produced: an upper layer equipped with upper contact pads to be connected to a nano-object; a lower layer, equipped with lower contact pads to be connected to an external electrical system; above the lower layer, a bonding layer including electrical through-vias in contact with the lower pads; and, between the bonding layer and the upper layer, at least two layers equipped with conductive lines and electrical vias, for connecting the upper pads to the lower pads.
US08692384B2
A semiconductor device includes: a plurality of semiconductor chips stacked on each other, each of the plurality of semiconductor chips having a semiconductor substrate and a wiring layer; a through electrode penetrating the semiconductor substrate in a thickness direction and electrically connected to each other between the semiconductor chips adjacent to each other; a conductor penetrating the semiconductor substrate in the thickness direction and not electrically connected between the other semiconductor chips; and an insulating separator penetrating the semiconductor substrate in the thickness direction and formed in a shape of a ring surrounding the conductor.
US08692382B2
According to an embodiment of the invention, a chip package is provided. The chip package includes: a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; a plurality of conducting pads located under the lower surface of the substrate; a dielectric layer located between the conducting pads; a trench extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface of the substrate; a hole extending from a bottom of the trench towards the lower surface of the substrate, wherein an upper sidewall of the hole inclines to the lower surface of the substrate, and a lower sidewall or a bottom of the hole exposes a portion of the conducting pads; and a conducting layer located in the hole and electrically connected to at least one of the conducting pads.
US08692376B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an interlayer dielectric layer, forming trenches by etching the interlayer dielectric layer, forming a copper (Cu) layer to fill the trenches, and implanting at least one of an inert element, a nonmetallic element, and a metallic element onto a surface of the Cu layer.
US08692373B2
A method of forming a metal silicide region. The method comprises forming a metal material over and in contact with exposed surfaces of a dielectric material and silicon structures protruding from the dielectric material. A capping material is formed over and in contact with the metal material. The silicon structures are exposed to heat to effectuate a multidirectional diffusion of the metal material into the silicon structures to form a first metal silicide material. The capping material and unreacted portions of the metal material are removed. The silicon structures are exposed to heat to substantially convert the first metal silicide material into a second metal silicide material. A method of semiconductor device fabrication, an array of silicon structures, and a semiconductor device structure are also described.
US08692367B1
A wafer-level packaged semiconductor device is described. In an implementation, the device includes one or more self-assembled resilient leads disposed on an integrated circuit chip. Each of the resilient leads are configured to move from a first position wherein the resilient lead is held adjacent to the chip and a second position wherein the resilient lead is extended away from the chip to interconnect the chip to a printed circuit board. A guard is provided to protect the resilient leads when the resilient leads are in the first position. One or more attachment bumps may also be furnished to facilitate attachment of the device to the printed circuit board.
US08692356B2
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit. An electrically resistive layer of a material for serving as a thin film resistor (TFR) is deposited. A first electrically insulating layer is deposited on the electrically resistive layer of the TFR. An electrically conductive layer of an electrically conductive material is deposited. An area is left without the conductive layer and the area overlaps the electrically resistive layer of the TFR. A second electrically insulating layer is deposited on top of the conductive layer. A first VIA opening is etched through the second insulating layer, the area without the conductive layer adjacent to the electrically conductive layer and through the first insulating layer down to the electrically resistive layer of the TFR. A conductive material is deposited in the first VIA opening so as to electrically connect the conductive layer and the electrically resistive layer of the TFR.
US08692351B2
Semiconductor integrated circuit line structures for improving a process window in the vicinity of dense-to-isolated pattern transition areas and a technique to implement the line structures in the layout process are described in this disclosure. The disclosed structure includes a semiconductor substrate, and a material layer above the substrate. The material layer has a closely spaced dense line structure, an isolated line structure next to the dense line structure, and a dummy line shoulder structure formed in the vicinity of the dense line and the isolated line structures. One end of the dummy line shoulder structure connects to the isolated line structure and another end extends away from the isolated line structure in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the isolated line structure.
US08692348B2
An infrared detector 1 having a bolometer element 11 and a reference element 21 is provided with a bolometer thin film 22 supported on a surface of a substrate 10while spaced apart from the surface of the substrate 10, a metal film 23 for heat dissipation formed on a surface of the bolometer thin film 22 via an insulating film 31, wherein the surface of the bolometer thin film 22 faces the substrate 10, and a plurality of metal columns 25 connected thermally with the metal film 23 for heat dissipation and the substrate 10. Since heat generated from a photodetecting portion 22aby infrared rays is efficiently dissipated to the substrate 10 via the insulating film 31, the metal film 23 for heat dissipation, the metal columns 25, and a metal film 24 for heat dissipation on the side of the substrate, only temperature variation caused by variation in use environment can be measured accurately, and downsizing can be achieved while reducing the influence of temperature variation in use environment.
US08692341B2
A storage element includes: a storage layer which has magnetization perpendicular to a film surface, the direction of the magnetization being changed in accordance with information; a magnetization fixed layer which has magnetization perpendicular to a film surface used as a base of information stored in the storage layer; and an insulating layer of a nonmagnetic substance provided between the storage layer and the magnetization fixed layer. In the storage element described above, the magnetization of the storage layer is reversed using a spin torque magnetization reversal generated by a current flowing in a lamination direction of a layer structure including the storage layer, the insulating layer, and the magnetization fixed layer to store information, the storage layer is directly provided with a layer at a side opposite to the insulating layer, and this layer includes a conductive oxide.
US08692338B2
A method for fabricating a MEMS resonator is provided. A stacked main body including a silicon substrate, a plurality of metallic layers and an isolation layer is formed and has a first etching channel extending from the metallic layers into the silicon substrate. The isolation layer is filled in the first etching channel. The stacked main body also has a predetermined suspended portion. Subsequently, a portion of the isolation layer is removed so that a second etching channel is formed and the remained portion of the isolation layer covers an inner sidewall of the first etching channel. Afterwards, employing the isolation layer that covers the inner sidewall of the first etching channel as a mask, an isotropic etching process through the second etching channel is applied to the silicon substrate, thereby forming the MEMS resonator suspending above the silicon substrate. A micro electronic device is also provided.
US08692336B2
A well potential supply region is provided in an N-type well region of a cell array. Adjacent gates disposed in both sides of the well potential supply region in the horizontal direction and adjacent gates disposed in further both sides thereof are disposed at the same pitch. In addition, an adjacent cell array includes four gates each of which is opposed to the adjacent gates in the vertical direction. In other words, regularity in the shape of the gate patterns in the periphery of the well potential supply region is maintained.
US08692335B2
An S/D region including a first region and a second region is provided. The first region is located, with at least a partial thickness, in the substrate. The second region is formed on the first region and made of a material different from that of the first region. A method for forming an S/D region is further provided, and the method includes: forming trenches at both sides of a gate stack structure in a substrate; forming a first semiconductor layer, wherein at least a part of the first semiconductor layer is filled into the trenches; and forming a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer, wherein the second semiconductor layer is made of a material different from that of the first semiconductor layer. A contact hole and a forming method thereof are also provided which may increase the contact area between a contact hole and a contact region, and reduce the contact resistance.
US08692334B2
A method of manufacturing a resistor integrated with a transistor having metal gate includes providing a substrate having a transistor region and a resistor region defined thereon, a transistor is positioned in the transistor region and a resistor is positioned in the resistor region; forming a dielectric layer exposing tops of the transistor and the resistor on the substrate; performing a first etching process to remove portions of the resistor to form two first trenches respectively at two opposite ends of the resistor; forming a patterned protecting layer in the resistor region; performing a second etching process to remove a dummy gate of the transistor to form a second trench in the transistor region; and forming a metal layer filling the first trenches and the second trench.
US08692333B2
A semiconductor device comprises first, second, and third. The first conductor is a gate conductor formed above an oxide region over a substrate and having a contact. The second conductor is coupled to the contact and extends across a width of the oxide region. The second conductor has a lower resistance than the gate conductor. The third conductor is a word line conductor. The second conductor is routed to not intersect the word line conductor.
US08692331B2
A semiconductor device includes a gate electrode formed over a semiconductor substrate, and a sidewall spacer formed on a sidewall of the gate electrode. The sidewall spacer formed along the sidewall parallel to a gate length direction of the gate electrode has a first thickness, and the sidewall spacer formed along the sidewall parallel to a gate width direction of the gate electrode has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.
US08692328B2
A semiconductor device includes a second conductive-type deep well configured above a substrate. The deep well includes an ion implantation region and a diffusion region. A first conductive-type first well is formed in the diffusion region. A gate electrode extends over portions of the ion implantation region and of the diffusion region, and partially overlaps the first well. The ion implantation region has a uniform impurity concentration whereas the impurity concentration of the diffusion region varies from being the highest concentration at the boundary interface between the ion implantation region and the diffusion region to being the lowest at the portion of the diffusion region that is the farthest away from the boundary interface.
US08692323B2
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate having an upper main surface and a lower main surface. The semiconductor substrate includes a drain layer, a main base region, an underpad base region and a source region. The semiconductor device includes a first main electrode connected to the main base regions and the source region and not connected to the underpad base region, a gate electrode opposed to a channel region in the main base region interposed between the drain layer and the source region with a gate insulating film provided therebetween, a conductive gate pad opposed to an exposed surface of the underpad base region in the upper main surface with an insulating layer interposed therebetween and the conductive gate pad is connected to the gate electrode, and a second main electrode connected to the lower main surface.
US08692319B2
A transistor includes a trench formed in a semiconductor body, the trench having sidewalls and a bottom. The transistor further includes a first semiconductor material disposed in the trench adjacent the sidewalls and a second semiconductor material disposed in the trench and spaced apart from the sidewalls by the first semiconductor material. The second semiconductor material has a different band gap than the first semiconductor material. The transistor also includes a gate material disposed in the trench and spaced apart from the first semiconductor material by the second semiconductor material. The gate material provides a gate of the transistor. Source and drain regions are arranged in the trench with a channel interposed between the source and drain regions in the first or second semiconductor material so that the channel has a lateral current flow direction along the sidewalls of the trench.
US08692318B2
A trench MOS structure is provided. The trench MOS structure includes a substrate, an epitaxial layer, a trench, a gate isolation, a trench gate, a guard ring and a reinforcement structure within the guard ring. The substrate has a first conductivity type, a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The epitaxial layer has the first conductivity type and is disposed on the first side. The trench is disposed in the epitaxial layer. The gate isolation covers the inner wall of the trench. The trench gate is disposed in the trench and has the first conductivity type. The guard ring has a second conductivity type and is disposed within the epitaxial layer. The reinforcement structure has an electrically insulating material and is disposed within the guard ring.
US08692307B2
Deep trench capacitor structures and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a deep trench structure in a wafer comprising a substrate, buried oxide layer (BOX) and silicon (SOI) film. The structure includes a wafer comprising a substrate, buried insulator layer and a layer of silicon on insulator layer (SOI) having a single crystalline structure throughout the layer. The structure further includes a first plate in the substrate and an insulator layer in direct contact with the first plate. A doped polysilicon is in direct contact with the insulator layer and also in direct contact with the single crystalline structure of the SOI.
US08692304B2
An image sensor includes: a substrate, at least a pixel, and at least a light shield is provided. Wherein the pixel includes a photodiode and at least a transistor, and the transistor is connected to a metal line via a contact. The light shield is positioned around at least one side of the pixel, wherein the light shield is made while forming the contact.
US08692299B2
An integrated circuit device and a process for making the integrated circuit device. The integrated circuit device including a substrate having a trench formed therein, a first layer of isolation material occupying the trench, a second layer of isolation material formed over the first layer of isolation material, an epitaxially-grown silicon layer on the substrate and horizontally adjacent the second layer of isolation material, and a gate structure formed on the epitaxially-grown silicon, the gate structure defining a channel.
US08692298B2
Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in hydrogen ion concentration (pH), changes in other analyte concentration, and/or binding events associated with chemical processes relating to DNA synthesis.
US08692296B2
Semiconductor devices and manufacturing methods thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a workpiece with a first region having a plurality of first features and a second region having a plurality of second features proximate the first region. The first region and the second region share a patterning overlap region disposed between the first region and the second region. The patterning overlap region includes a residue feature with an aspect ratio of about 4 or less.
US08692292B2
A semiconductor device includes: a substrate 101, a first nitride semiconductor layer 104S which includes a plurality of nitride semiconductor layers formed on the substrate 101, and has a channel region; a second semiconductor layer 105 which is formed on the first nitride semiconductor layer 104S, and has a conductivity type opposite a conductivity type of the channel region; a conductive layer which is in contact with the second semiconductor layer 105, and includes a metal layer 107 or a high carrier concentration semiconductor layer having a carrier concentration of 1×1018 cm−3 or higher; an insulating layer 110 formed on the conductive layer; a gate electrode 111 formed on the insulating layer 110; and a source electrode 108 and a drain electrode 109 formed to laterally sandwich the second semiconductor layer 105.
US08692288B2
Semiconductor structures and methods of manufacture semiconductors are provided which relate to heterojunction bipolar transistors. The structure includes two devices connected by metal wires on a same wiring level. The metal wire of a first of the two devices is formed by selectively forming a metal cap layer on copper wiring structures.
US08692287B2
According to one embodiment, a nitride semiconductor device includes: a stacked foundation layer, and a functional layer. The stacked foundation layer is formed on an AlN buffer layer formed on a silicon substrate. The stacked foundation layer includes AlN foundation layers and GaN foundation layers being alternately stacked. The functional layer includes a low-concentration part, and a high-concentration part provided on the low-concentration part. A substrate-side GaN foundation layer closest to the silicon substrate among the plurality of GaN foundation layers includes first and second portions, and a third portion provided between the first and second portions. The third portion has a Si concentration not less than 5×1018 cm−3 and has a thickness smaller than a sum of those of the first and second portions.
US08692285B2
A semiconductor light emitting device has a multilayer epitaxial structure for emitting light by a light emitting layer located between a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The multilayer epitaxial structure can be grown directly on a base substrate. A reflective layer can be provided in the multilayer epitaxial structure between the base substrate and the first conductive layer. A distributive Bragg reflector can be positioned adjacent the substrate. A surface of the multilayer epitaxial structure can be conformed to provide improved light extraction. A phosphorus film encapsulates the multilayer epitaxial structure and its respective side surfaces.
US08692278B2
Disclosed are a light emitting device, a light emitting device package, a lighting system and a manufacturing method of light emitting device. The light emitting device includes a light emitting structure including a first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the first and second conductive semiconductor layers; a first ohmic layer over the light emitting structure; and a second ohmic layer including a pattern over the first ohmic layer.
US08692275B2
An optoelectronic component includes a housing. At least one semiconductor chip is arranged in the housing. The semiconductor chip includes an active layer suitable for producing or detecting electromagnetic radiation. A casting compound at least partially surrounds the semiconductor chip. Reflective particles are embedded in the casting compound.
US08692267B2
A high efficiency Group III nitride light emitting diode is disclosed. The diode includes a substrate selected from the group consisting of semiconducting and conducting materials, a Group III nitride-based light emitting region on or above the substrate, and, a lenticular surface containing silicon carbide on or above the light emitting region, and extending to said light emitting region.
US08692263B2
A large size organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes i) forming a display unit including a plurality of pixels on a substrate, ii) forming a getter layer, a bonding layer and a conductive contact layer around the display unit and iii) manufacturing a sealing member including a flexible polymer film and a metal layer formed on at least one side of the polymer film. The method may further include laminating the sealing member on the substrate using a roll lamination process such that the metal layer contacts the conductive contact layer and curing the contact layer and the conductive contact layer.
US08692254B2
An organic light-emitting display device in which a pixel electrode is formed by extending from source and drain electrodes, a capacitor including a thin upper capacitor electrode formed below the pixel electrode and constituting a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) CAP structure, thereby simplifying manufacturing processes, increasing an aperture ratio, and improving a voltage design margin.
US08692252B2
A thin-film transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer is disclosed. The oxide semiconductor layer includes a first area, a second area and a third area forming a well-type potential in the film-thickness direction. The first area forms a well of the well-type potential and has a first electron affinity. The second area is disposed nearer to the gate electrode than the first area and has a second electron affinity smaller than the first electron affinity. The third area is disposed farther from the gate electrode than the first area and has a third electron affinity smaller than the first electron affinity. At least an oxygen concentration at the third area is lower than an oxygen concentration at the first area.
US08692246B2
A leakage measurement structure for through substrate vias which includes a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of through substrate vias in the semiconductor substrate extending substantially through the semiconductor substrate; and a leakage measurement structure located in the semiconductor substrate. The leakage measurement structure includes a plurality of substrate contacts extending into the semiconductor substrate; a plurality of sensing circuits connected to the plurality of through substrate vias and to the plurality of the substrate contacts, the plurality of sensing circuits providing a plurality of outputs indicative of current leakage from the plurality of through substrate vias; a built-in self test (BIST) engine to step through testing of the plurality of through substrate vias; and a memory coupled to the BIST engine to receive the outputs from the plurality of sensing circuits. Also included is a method of testing a semiconductor substrate.
US08692244B2
A semiconductor device includes: an emitter electrode formed of a silicide film, and provided on a semiconductor layer; an insulating film provided on the emitter electrode; and an electrode pad made of Al, and provided on the insulating film.
US08692241B1
Novel iridium complexes containing triazole and tetrazole carbene ligands are described. These metal complexes additionally contain dibenzo moieties such as dibenzothiophene and dibenzofuran, and the complexes have overall improved properties such as more saturated blue emission when used as emissive compounds in OLED devices.
US08692236B2
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an organic semiconductor thin film for an organic thin film transistor from a blend of organic semiconductor/insulating polymer. The organic semiconductor thin film is configured such that organic semiconductor nanofibrils are dispersed in the form of a network in the insulating polymer layer. This organic semiconductor thin film is formed by dissolving the blend of organic semiconductor/insulating polymer in a marginal solvent of the organic semiconductor or mixed solvent thus preparing a blend solution, which is then applied while adjusting the solubility of the solution. An organic thin film transistor using the organic semiconductor thin film is also provided. The blend thin film of organic semiconductor/insulating polymer containing only about 3 wt % of the organic semiconductor exhibits electrical properties equal to those of a thin film composed exclusively of an organic semiconductor. The insulating polymer acts as a protective layer of the organic thin film transistor, thus obviating a need for forming the protective layer.
US08692235B2
An organic photoelectric semiconductor device including organic group VA salts in an organic salt-containing layer and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The organic photoelectric semiconductor device includes: a first electrode; an organic active layer disposed over the first electrode; an organic salt-containing layer disposed over the organic active layer, where the organic salt-containing layer includes quaternary group VA salts of cations represented by the following formula (I) or derivatives thereof and anions; and a second electrode, disposed over the organic salt-containing layer, where, X, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are defined the same as the specification. Accordingly, the present invention can enhance the transmission of electrons and thus enhances the performance of devices.
US08692232B2
Provided is an organic light emitting diode which can easily control color coordinates and improve a device's life span characteristic by using an auxiliary dopant having a higher band gap energy than that of a host, and preferably, having an absolute value of the highest occupied molecular orbital energy level equal to or higher than that of the host, or an absolute value of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level equal to or lower than that of the host.The organic light emitting diode includes a first electrode, an emission layer disposed on the first electrode and including a host, an emitting dopant and an auxiliary dopant, and a second electrode disposed on the emission layer. Here, the auxiliary dopant has a higher band gap energy than the host. A method of fabricating the organic light emitting diode is provided.
US08692229B2
In one aspect, a FET device is provided. The FET device includes a substrate; a semiconductor material on the substrate; at least one gate on the substrate surrounding a portion of the semiconductor material that serves as a channel region of the device, wherein portions of the semiconductor material extending out from the gate serve as source and drain regions of the device, and wherein the source and drain regions of the device are displaced from the substrate; a planarizing dielectric on the device covering the gate and the semiconductor material; and contacts which extend through the planarizing dielectric and surround the source and drain regions of the device.
US08692228B2
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a first layer including at least one of n-type GaN and n-type AlGaN; a second layer including Mg-containing p-type AlGaN; and a light emitting section provided between the first and second layers. The light emitting section includes barrier layers of Si-containing AlxGa1-x-yInyN (0≦x, 0≦y, x+y≦1), and a well layer provided between the barrier layers and made of GaInN or AlGaInN. The barrier layers have a nearest barrier layer nearest to the second layer among the barrier layers and a far barrier layer. The nearest barrier layer includes a first portion made of Si-containing AlxGa1-x-yInyN (0≦x, 0≦y, x+y≦1), and a second portion provided between the first portion and the second layer and made of AlxGa1-x-yInyN (0≦x, 0≦y, x+y≦1). The Si concentration in the second portion is lower than those in the first portion and in the far barrier layer.
US08692226B2
A field emission device is configured as a heat engine. Different embodiments of the heat engine may have different configurations that may include a cathode, gate, suppressor, and anode arranged in different ways according to a particular embodiment. Different embodiments of the heat engine may also incorporate different materials in and/or proximate to the cathode, gate, suppressor, and anode.
US08692220B2
A guide laser beam that has an optical axis and a beam diameter substantially equivalent to those of a driver pulsed laser beam is introduced into an amplification system that amplifies a laser beam that is output from a driver laser oscillator. The guide laser beam is output from a laser device as a continuous light, and is introduced into a light path of the driver pulsed laser beam via a guide laser beam introduction mirror. A sensor detects an angle (a direction) of a laser beam and a variation of a curvature of a wave front. A wave front correction controller outputs a signal to a wave front correction part based on a measured result of a sensor. The wave front correction part corrects a wave front of a laser beam to be a predetermined wave front according to an instruction from the wave front correction controller.
US08692216B2
A vertical profile, a horizontal profile, and an integrated current value of an ion beam are measured by a plurality of stationary beam measuring instruments and a movable or stationary beam measuring device. At a beam current adjustment stage before ion implantation, a control device simultaneously performs at least one of adjustment of a beam current to a preset value of the beam current, adjustment of a horizontal beam size that is necessary to secure uniformity of the horizontal ion beam density, and adjustment of a vertical beam size that is necessary to secure the uniformity of the vertical ion implantation distribution on the basis of a measurement value of the stationary beam measuring instruments and the movable or stationary beam measuring device.
US08692208B2
An ion supply device includes an ion generator for generating ions for removing static electricity, a carrier gas supply unit for supplying to the ion generator a carrier gas for carrying the ions generated in the ion generator, and an ion supply nozzle for blowing the ions and the carrier gas from the ion generator through a blow-off opening toward an electricity removal target from which static electricity is to be removed. A slit is provided at the blow-off opening and has an increased width as the slit gets distant from the electricity removal target. The ion supply nozzle includes an internal flow path and a plurality of internal fins provided at a portion of the internal flow path near the blow-off opening so that the ions and the carrier gas blown from the slit is uniformly distributed along a lengthwise direction of the slit.
US08692201B1
A moisture detection system for characterizing moisture on a sample includes a generator adapted to emit an incident beam of radiation from the terahertz spectrum of frequency onto the sample; a detector adapted to receive a reflected beam of radiation from the sample and measure radiation in the reflected beam; and a controller adapted to correlate the radiation in the reflected beam with an amount of moisture on the sample.
US08692197B2
A scanning electron microscope and an optical-condition setting method are provided. The optical condition allows the suppression of a lowering in the measurement and inspection accuracy caused by the influence of electrification, even if there are a large number of measurement and inspection points. A pattern on a sample is measured based on the detection of electrons by scanning the sample surface with an electron beam. A change in measurement values relative to the number of measurements is determined from the measurement values at a plurality of measurement points on the sample, and the sample-surface electric field is controlled so that the inclination of the change becomes equal to zero, or becomes close to zero.
US08692190B2
A system for analyzing ions comprises: an ion source; a FAIMS cell comprising: (a) a gas inlet; (b) an outer electrode having a generally concave inner surface and comprising: (i) an ion inlet operable to receive the ions from the ion source and a carrier gas from the gas inlet; and (ii) an ion outlet; and (c) an inner electrode having a conduit therethrough and having a generally convex outer surface disposed in a spaced-apart and facing arrangement relative to the inner surface of the outer electrode defining at least one annular on separation region therebetween; and a mass analyzer for mass analyzing ions transmitted by the FAIMS cell through the ion outlet, wherein the inner electrode is moveable between a first position and a second position, the first and second positions facilitating movement of the ions through the at least one annular ion separation region and the conduit, respectively.
US08692183B2
An apparatus for estimating a property of a downhole fluid includes a carrier that is conveyable in a borehole, a test cell carried by the carrier for capturing the downhole fluid, an integrated circuit positioned inside of the test cell, and an electromagnetic energy source that emits an electromagnetic energy beam having a first bandwidth. A first filter is formed on the integrated circuit in electromagnetic energy communication with the first electromagnetic energy beam. A flow path is formed in the integrated circuit wherein the flow path contains the downhole fluid in the test cell and is in electromagnetic energy communication with a portion of the electromagnetic energy beam. An electromagnetic energy detector is in electromagnetic energy communication with a portion of the electromagnetic energy beam that has interacted with the downhole fluid for estimating the property of the downhole fluid.
US08692179B2
The invention discloses an optical communication system using grounded coplanar waveguide, comprising a current buffer and a transimpedance amplifier (TIA). Transmission lines of the optical communication system have grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) structures. The current buffer receives a current signal from a signal source, and outputs the current signal after reducing capacitance effects of the signal source. The TIA converts the current signal to a voltage signal, wherein a first end of the TIA receives the current signal, a second end of the TIAn outputs the voltage signal, and a shunt-shunt feedback circuit is coupled between the first end and the second end. Therefore, the present invention can minimize the circuit area and lower the power consumption as well.
US08692174B2
An insolation sensor is disclosed and is used to determine a solar light intensity as a basis for evaluating electric power generated by solar modules exposed to the solar light intensity. The insolation sensor includes an outer surface including a light entrance window, and at least one photo sensor configured to measure the solar light intensity. The at least one photo sensor is arranged behind the light entrance window. The insolation sensor further includes a detector device configured to detect precipitation and/or a resulting deposit on the surface which both affects the insolation sensor and the solar modules.
US08692173B2
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for solar tracking. The solar tracking sensor array and method so disclosed can be used with any device that requires a specific orientation to the sun for optimal operation. The system relies upon a sun tracking mechanism which includes a plurality of phototransistors configured in a particular manner. The apparatus can further be used with an analog sensor circuit which is also disclosed herein. Although the device and method are disclosed in conjunction with a solar tracking device, which includes the analog sensor circuit, a drive assembly, and a power source, these components may be used independently of one another.
US08692157B2
Welding systems and sequence controllers therefor are presented for controlling components of a welding system during a welding operation. The sequence controller receives system inputs and provides control outputs to the system components, and includes a processing component, an executable sequence control program, and a state table file. The sequence control state table file includes a number of entries corresponding to welding operation states, where the individual entries comprise one or more instruction identifiers, instruction parameters, exit condition identifiers and corresponding next state identifiers. The sequence control program is executed according to the sequence controller inputs and according to the state table file to provide the sequence controller outputs, where the state table file can be easily modified or new state table files can be created and downloaded to the sequence controller to facilitate easy reconfiguration of a welding system.
US08692154B2
An electronic component lead manufacturing method includes irradiating a first laser beam to a second layer with a solder wettability higher than a first layer, the second layer being laminated on the outside of the first layer of the lead used by the electronic component, and exposing the first layer from the second layer based on the irradiating of the first laser beam, and forming a projecting part near a region irradiated by a second laser beam by irradiating the second laser beam to the exposed first layer.
US08692140B1
A surgical sponge and fluid monitoring system and method are provided. The system includes a support ring for securely supporting a container with at least one port opening for placing sponges into the container through the port opening with the aid of gravity. The support ring includes IR emitters and sensors that blanket IR beams across the port opening. The support ring is mechanically linked to a load cell in the system. The processor, with novel methods, reliably detects when sponges are placed into the container through the port opening, counts the number of sponges in the container, sorts the types of sponges, and calculates fluid loss for a patient in a surgical procedure. A user interface in the monitoring system keeps the medical professionals in the OR fully informed.
US08692138B2
A mold structure for a light-emitting diode (LED) package. The mold structure includes a notch, which is formed at at least an end portion of a package mold, in which a cavity is formed to mount a LED therein. Furthermore, an electrode lead, may be formed at at least an end portion of the package mold and may be closely attached to the package mold, and thus the overall size of a LED package may be reduced.
US08692136B2
There are provided a method of repairing a probe card and a repaired probe board. The method of repairing a probe card includes: in a board body composed of a sintered ceramic having first and second pillar surfaces disposed at a position opposed to each other, preparing the board body including a plurality of main channels for electrically connecting a first pad formed on the first pillar surface to a second pad formed on a second pillar surface and reserved channels disposed to be adjacent to the main channels to repair to damaged main channels; when the main channels are damaged; removing the first and second pads formed in the main channels and the reserved channels; forming cavities by partially removing the board between the damaged main channels and the reserved channels adjacent to the main channel; and forming repair connection parts in the cavities in order to electrically connect the damaged main channels to the reserved channels adjacent thereto.
US08692126B2
A wired circuit board includes a metal supporting layer, an insulating layer formed on the metal supporting layer, and a conductive layer formed on the insulating layer. In the metal supporting layer, a reference hole for positioning is formed, and a stepped portion is formed so as to surround the reference hole.
US08692122B2
A grommet is fit on a pipe harness formed by inserting a wire harness into a metallic pipe. The grommet has a small-diameter tube configured to allow insertion of the pipe harness therethrough in a tight manner. The small-diameter tube has an inner diameter B obtained by adding an allowable tolerance dimension α to an outer diameter A of the pipe. Two annular ribs project from an outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter tube on the side of a distal end opening and a band winding portion is interposed between the annular ribs. An annular sealing lip projects from an inner peripheral surface of the small-diameter tube at an inner position displaced from a position corresponding to the band winding portion. The sealing lip has an inner diameter C obtained by subtracting the allowable tolerance dimension α from the outer diameter A of the pipe.
US08692118B2
A wire structure, which may be configured for a semiconductor device, is disclosed. The wire may include an elongate flexible core formed of a conductor material and a cladding layer covering an outer surface of the core. The cladding layer may be a conductor. In various aspects the cladding layer and core have a different grain sizes. An average grain size of the core material may several orders of magnitude greater than an average grain size of the cladding layer material. The cladding layer may be an alloy having a varying concentration of a minor component across its thickness. Methods of forming a wire structure are also disclosed.
US08692108B2
A solar power collecting device including a parabolic concentrating unit, a light-guide pillar positioned on the parabolic concentrating unit, a solar cell positioned on the light-guide pillar and a transmissive protection cap for covering the light-guide pillar and the solar cell is disclosed.
US08692103B2
A metal mixture is prepared, in which an excess amount of Te is added to a (Bi—Sb)2Te3 based composition. After melting the metal mixture, the molten metal is solidified on a surface of a cooling roll of which the circumferential velocity is no higher than 5 m/sec, so as to have a thickness of no less than 30 μm. Thus, a plate shaped raw thermoelectric semiconductor materials 10 are manufactured, in which Te rich phases are microscopically dispersed in complex compound semiconductor phases, and extending directions of C face of most of crystal grains are uniformly oriented. The raw thermoelectric semiconductor materials 10 are layered in the direction of the plate thickness. And the layered body is solidified and formed to form a compact 12. After that, the compact 12 is plastically deformed in such a manner that a shear force is applied in a uniaxial direction that is approximately parallel to the main layering direction of the raw thermoelectric semiconductor materials 10. As a result, a thermoelectric semiconductor 17 having crystal orientation in which extending direction of C face and the direction of c-axis of the hexagonal structure are approximately aligned. As a result, the crystalline orientation is improved, and the thermoelectric Figure-of-Merit is increased.
US08692097B1
An inbred corn line, designated D036013, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line D036013, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line D036013 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line D036013 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line D036013, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line D036013 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
US08692095B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV511542. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV511542, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV511542 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV511542 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV511542.
US08692085B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH871604. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH871604, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH871604 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH871604.
US08692077B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XB44E12 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB44E12, cells from soybean variety XB44E12, plants of soybean XB44E12, and plant parts of soybean variety XB44E12. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB44E12 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB44E12, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB44E12, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB44E12. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB44E12 are further provided.
US08692076B2
The present invention provides transgenic soybean event MON87769, and cells, seeds, and plants comprising DNA diagnostic for the soybean event. The invention also provides compositions comprising nucleotide sequences that are diagnostic for said soybean event in a sample, methods for detecting the presence of said soybean event nucleotide sequences in a sample, probes and primers for use in detecting nucleotide sequences that are diagnostic for the presence of said soybean event in a sample, growing the seeds of such soybean event into soybean plants, and breeding to produce soybean plants comprising DNA diagnostic for the soybean event.
US08692070B2
The present invention relates to transgenic plants that have increased nitrogen use efficiency, stress tolerance, and/or alleviating a limitation such that yield is increased, or a combination of these and that have been transformed using a novel vector construct including a synthetic N-acetyl glutamate kinase (NAGK) gene that modulates nitrogen use in plants. The invention also includes the overexpression and enzymatic characterization of an arginine-insensitive NAGK isolated from a bacterial strain that improves stress tolerance and nitrogen uptake, metabolism or both. In various embodiments, the vector construct includes one or more nucleic acid sequences including SEQ ID NO: 1. The invention also relates to isolated vectors for transforming plants and to antibodies used for detecting transformed plants. The invention also relates to methods of expressing in plants the nucleic acid molecules corresponding to the nucleic acid sequences that modulate nitrogen use in plants or are modulated by nitrogen conditions.
US08692069B2
The present invention relates to environmental stress-inducible 557 promoter isolated from rice, a recombinant plant expression vector comprising the promoter, a method of producing a target protein by using the recombinant plant expression vector, a method of producing a transgenic plant using the recombinant plant expression vector, a transgenic plant produced by the method, a method of improving resistance of a plant to environmental stress by using the promoter, and a primer set for amplification of the promoter.
US08692066B2
The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Coleoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, DNA constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.
US08692060B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH663663. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH663663, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH663663 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH663663.
US08692047B2
A method of purifying 8-isoprostane is provided that includes a step of contacting a liquid sample containing 8-isoprostane with an ion exchange support having a quaternary ammonium salt immobilized thereon such that 8-isoprostane in the liquid sample is retained on the ion exchange support and a step of eluting 8-isoprostane from the ion exchange support using a first eluent containing a water-soluble organic solvent and water as main components.
US08692044B2
A process for producing a PX-rich product, the process comprising: (a) providing a PX-depleted stream; (b) isomerizing at least a portion of the PX-depleted stream to produce an isomerized stream having a PX concentration greater than the PX-depleted stream and a benzene concentration of less than 1,000 ppm and a C9+ hydrocarbons concentration of less than 5,000 ppm; and (c) separating the isomerized stream by selective adsorption.
US08692038B2
There is provided a fluorine-containing compound purification method for obtaining a high-purity fluorine-containing compound by efficiently separating and removing hydrogen chloride from a fluorine-containing compound that contains hydrogen chloride, i.e., from a crude fluorine-containing compound. The fluorine-containing compound purification method of the present invention comprises the following steps (1) and (2) in this order: step (1): a step of adding dimethyl ether to a crude fluorine-containing compound that contains a fluorine-containing compound and hydrogen chloride in a molar ratio (dimethyl ether (mol)/hydrogen chloride (mol)) of dimethyl ether to hydrogen chloride being 1.3 or more to prepare a mixture (1) of the crude fluorine-containing compound and dimethyl ether; and step (2): a step of separating and removing a mixture (2) of hydrogen chloride and dimethyl ether from the mixture (1).
US08692032B2
Tungsten carbide catalysts are used in preparation of ethylene glycol by hydrogenating degradation of cellulose. The catalyst includes tungsten carbide as main catalytic active component, added with small amount of one or more transition metals such as nickel, cobalt, iron, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, and copper as the second metal, supported on one or more porous complex supports such as active carbon, alumina, silica, titanium dioxide, silicon carbide, zirconium oxide, for conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol. The catalyst realizes high efficiency, high selectivity, and high yield in the conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol at the temperature of 120-300° C., hydrogen pressure of 1-10 MPa, and hydrothermal conditions. Compared to the existing industrial synthetic method of ethylene glycol using ethylene as feedstock, the invention has the advantages of using renewable raw material resources, environment friendly process, and excellent atom economy.
US08692028B2
Disclosed is a method of hydrogenating an 1,2-unsaturated carbonylic compound to obtain the corresponding saturated carbonylic compound in the presence of a palladium catalyst with heterogeneous distribution of palladium.
US08692025B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of m- or p-substituted phenylalkanols of the formula (I) in which R1 is bonded to the phenyl ring in the m- or p-position and is C1-C5-alkyl, and R2, R3, R4 and R5, independently of one another, are hydrogen or methyl, wherein an unsubstituted phenylalkanol of the formula (II) in which R2, R3, R4 and R5 have the meanings given under formula (I) is alkylated together with a C1-C5-alkyl halide of the formula (III) R1-Hal (III), in which R1 has the meaning given under formula (I) and Hal is halogen, in the presence of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst to give an m- or p-alkyl-substituted phenylalkanol of the formula (I), then the reaction mixture is worked-up and the desired m- or p-alkyl-substituted phenylalkanol of the formula (I) is separated off, the other formed by-products are returned to the reaction mixture and these are isomerized in the presence of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst to give the desired m- or p-alkyl-substituted phenylalkanol. From the m- or p-alkyl-substituted phenylalkanols of the formula (I), it is possible to form, by oxidation or dehydrogenation, as products of value, the corresponding aldehydes, which play an interesting role as fragrances and aroma chemicals.
US08692022B2
The present invention relates to the field of catalytic hydrogenation and, more particularly, to the use of Ru complexes with bidentate ligands, having one amino or imino coordinating group and one phosphino coordinating group, in hydrogenation processes for the reduction of esters or lactones into the corresponding alcohol or diol respectively.
US08692019B2
The present disclosure includes a system and method for co-producing a first product and a second product. The system may include a first electrochemical cell, at least one second reactor, and an acidification chamber. The method and system for co-producing a first product and a second product may include co-producing a carboxylic acid and at least one of an alkene, alkyne, aldehyde, ketone, or an alcohol while employing a recycled halide salt.
US08692012B2
Silanes containing an ester group are produced in high yield and purity by reacting a salt of a carboxylic acid with a silane containing a carboxylate substitutable leaving group following by distilling the product mixture to obtain a distillate containing the ester group containing silane product, wherein a solvent having a boiling point higher than the product is contained in the product mixture during at least a terminal portion of the distillation.
US08692009B2
The present invention relates to a novel metallocene compound, a catalyst composition comprising the same, and to olefinic polymers produced using the same. The metallocene compound according to the present invention and the catalyst composition comprising the same can be used when producing olefinic polymers, have outstanding copolymerization properties, and can produce olefinic polymers of high molecular weight. In particular, when the metallocene compound according to the present invention is employed, highly heat resistant block copolymers can be produced, and olefinic polymers can be produced which have a high melting point (Tm) even if the comonomer content is increased when producing the olefinic polymer.
US08692008B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing fatty acid esters and/or fatty acid ester mixtures of monohydric alcohols having 1 to 5 carbon atoms by transesterifying fatty acid glycerides with monohydric alcohols in the presence of a basic catalyst, in the course of which methanesulfonic acid is used. The invention further relates to the use of methanesulfonic acid for preparing these fatty acid esters.
US08692002B2
Methods for the preparation of stereoisomerically substantially aminocyclohexyl ether compounds such as trans-(1R,2R)-aminocyclohexyl ether compounds and/or trans-(1S,2S)-aminocyclohexyl ether compounds as well as various intermediates and substrates are disclosed.
US08691995B2
A one-pot process for the preparation of pantoprazole sodium by reacting 2-chloro methyl 3,4-dimethoxy pyridine hydrochloride with 2-mercapto-5-difluoromethoxy benzimidazole in an organic solvent system in presence of a phase transfer catalyst and further treating with aqueous sodium hypohalite solution comprising sodium hydroxide to obtain pantoprazole sodium in high yield and purity. The process for conversion of pantoprazole sodium to pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate and also pantoprazole sodium monohydrate are also disclosed herein.
US08691994B2
The invention provides a composition and a method of using the composition for inhibiting the unwanted polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The composition is prepared by reducing a nitroxide stable free radical to its corresponding hydroxylamine through reaction with a dialkyl/aryl hydroxylamine and subsequent addition of a polymerization prevention component selected from phenolic antioxidants, phenylenediamine and phenylenediamine derivatives, or phenothiazine and phenothiazine derivatives targeted towards ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The conversion of the nitroxide by the dialkyl/aryl hydroxylamine is to prevent it or the polymerization prevention component from being “spent”by reaction with each other, impurities or any other incompatible components. This allows previously incompatible combinations to now work effectively. In fact, the combination is more efficacious as the combination exerts a synergy due to the presence of various polymerization prevention reagents. The composition is a synergistic combination of various polymerization inhibition compounds for the inhibition of the unwanted polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers.
US08691982B2
A compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where R1 is a (C1-C6)alkyl or (C3-C6)cycloalkyl group; R2 is a (C1-C6)alkyl, (C3-C6)cycloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkenyl, (C1-C6)fluoroalkyl, (C1-C3)fluoroalkoxy, or (C1-C6)alkoxy(C1-C6)alkyl group, substituted: (i) with one to three hydroxyl groups, or (ii) with an NRaRb group, where Ra and Rb are independently a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C3)alkyl group; or a pyrrolidinylmethyl group substituted with one to three hydroxyl groups; R9 is the same as R2 or hydrogen; the R2 and R9 groups independently being substitutable with an —OCOR3 group, where R3 is a natural or unnatural amino acid derivative or a piperidyl group; alternatively, R2 and R9 together form a heterocyclic compound; X and Y are independently a substitutable phenyl or heteroaryl group, the heteroaryl group being a thienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, thiazolyl, pyrrolyl, or furanyl group; and R6 is a hydrogen or a (C1-C3)alkyl group.
US08691974B2
A novel BC fermentation technique for controlling 3D shape, thickness and architecture of the entangled cellulose nano-fibril network is presented. The resultant nano-cellulose based structures are useful as biomedical implants and devices, are useful for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and for health care products. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for the production and control of 3-D architecture and morphology of nano-cellulose biomaterials produced by bacteria using any biofabrication process, including the novel 3-D Bioprinting processes disclosed. Representative processes according to the invention involve control of the rate of production of biomaterial by bacteria achieved by meticulous control of the addition of fermentation media using a microfluidic system. In exemplary embodiments, the bacteria gradually grew up along the printed alginate structure that had been placed into the culture, incorporating it. After culture, the printed alginate structure was successfully removed revealing porosity where the alginate had been placed. Porosity and interconnectivity of pores in the resultant 3-D architecture can be achieved by porogen introduction using, e.g., ink-jet printer technology.
US08691972B2
Disclosed are compounds of formula (I), a derivative, or a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said compound or said tautomer. Also disclosed are methods of preparing compound of formula (I), a derivative, or a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said compound or said tautomer. Further disclosed are methods of counducting drug discovery and research comprises applying the compound of formula (I), a derivative, or a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said compound or said tautomer in an investigation.
US08691965B2
The present invention relates to oligonucleotides for modulation of target RNA activity. Thus, the invention provides oligonucleotides that bind to microRNA binding sites of target RNA. The oligonucleotides may activate RNase H or RNAi. In a preferred embodiment, the oligonucleotides prevents a microRNA from binding to its binding site of the target RNA and thereby prevent the microRNA from regulating the target RNA. Such oligonucleotides have uses in research and development of new therapeutics.
US08691963B2
Intact bacterially derived minicells containing functional nucleic acids or plasmids encoding functional nucleic acids can reduce, in targeted mammalian cells, drug resistance, apoptosis resistance, and neoplasticity, respectively. Methodology that employs minicells to deliver functional nucleic acids, targeting the transcripts of proteins that contribute to drug resistance or apoptosis resistance, inter alia, can be combined with chemotherapy to increase the effectiveness of the chemotherapy.
US08691955B2
The present invention relates to a marker composition for pregnancy diagnosis in cattle, a pregnancy diagnosis composition, and a pregnancy diagnosis method, which use a pregnancy-specific protein in cattle. The present inventors discovered an α1G subunit protein of the T-type calcium channel expressed specifically in pregnant cows, and produced a specific antibody against this protein. Therefore, the present invention has the effect of detecting pregnancy in cows easily, quickly, and accurately early in the pregnancy.
US08691941B2
Peptides may be produced by using (A) a first amino acid or peptide, which is converted into its ionic liquid form through the formation of an ionic bond, as a substance serving as both a reaction solvent and a reaction starting material; and reacting the first amino acid or peptide with (B) an ester of second amino acid or peptide, in the absence of any peptide hydrolase or any condensation agent, in the presence of water in an amount of not more than 20% by mass relative to the total mass of the reaction system to form a peptide bond between the first amino acid or peptide and the second amino acid or peptide. By means of this process, it is possible to synthesize a peptide at a high concentration and at a high yield, and this method is excellent for producing peptides on an industrial scale.
US08691940B2
Modified relaxin polypeptides and their uses are provided. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a relaxin polypeptide comprising one or more non-naturally encoded amino acids. The polypeptide may be linked to a linker, polymer, or biologically active molecule. The serum half-life of the relaxin polypeptide may be enhanced relative to the unconjugated form. In another aspect, the disclosure provides methods of treating a patient having a disorder modulated by relaxin.
US08691939B2
The present invention provides a fluorogenic composition for assaying complement activation that comprises a substrate for C3 convertase that is linked to a first fluorophore and a second fluorophore, wherein the fluorescence of the first and second fluorophores are mutually substantially quenched when the two fluorophores are present at a distance less than the characteristic distance for the two fluorophores. In one embodiment, the fluorescence of the first fluorophore is substantially quenched by the second fluorophore, and the second fluorophore emits heat upon quenching. The present invention also provides a method for assaying complement activation, wherein the method includes the steps of incubating a biological sample with a polymer to provide a polymeric biological sample, followed by incubating the polymeric biological sample with the fluorogenic composition, and measuring the fluorescence. The method may optionally include the step of measuring the optical properties of the biological sample prior to the incubation steps. The present invention further provides a kit for assaying complement activation that comprises the fluorogenic composition disclosed herein.
US08691913B2
A polylactic acid composition is provided having a polymer matrix and a compatibilizer. The polymer matrix includes polylactic acids and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene[s]. The compatibilizer is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: a poly (styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene) copolymer grafted with maleic anhydrides, an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer grafted with maleic anhydrides, a polystyrene grafted with maleic anhydrides, and an ethylene-ethyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate.
US08691912B2
A process for producing an aliphatic polyester, comprising: subjecting at least two serial stages of bulk-phase ring-opening polymerization and a solid-phase polymerization step, wherein a cyclic ester held in a dry air atmosphere is supplied to a first reactor to perform a first stage polymerization, thereby obtaining a partially polymerized molten product, and the resultant partially polymerized molten product is supplied to a second reactor held under a dry inert gas atmosphere to perform a second stage polymerization. As a result, the production efficiency can be improved, while maintaining excellent properties of the aliphatic polyester product.
US08691911B2
Disclosed is a melt-blended thermoplastic composition including: A) a polyamide composition including a) 55 to 90 weight percent semi-crystalline semi-aromatic copolyamide; wherein the semi-aromatic copolyamide has a DMA tan delta peak value of greater than or equal to 0.23; and heat of fusion of at least 20 J/g and b) 10 to 45 weight percent aliphatic homopolyamide; wherein the aliphatic homopolyamide has a DMA tan delta peak value of less than or equal to 0.21; and heat of fusion of at least 30 J/g; B) 0 to 45 weight percent polymeric toughener; C) 0 to 20 weight percent plasticizer; and D) 0 to 45 weight percent reinforcing agent; wherein said melt-blend composition has a glass transition and has a tan delta peak (E″/E′) value of 0.21 or lower at said glass transition. Further disclosed herein is a method for providing the melt-blended thermoplastic composition.
US08691904B2
Thiobis phenolic antioxidants are efficiently dry or melt blended with a tree-resistant, crosslinkable polyethylene by first forming a blend, preferably a dry blend, of the antioxidant with a polyalkylene glycol (PAG), and then mixing the blend with the polyethylene. The incorporation of thiobis phenolic antioxidant and PAG blend into polyethylene provides the PE with high oxidative induction time (OIT) which is a measure of the oxidative stability of the PE.
US08691902B2
A thermoplastic polycarbonate composition includes, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic polycarbonate composition: 15 to less than 40 wt. % of a reinforcing mineral filler; and greater than 60 to 85 wt. % of a polymer component, including, based on the weight of the polymer component, 68 to 99.9 wt. % of an aromatic polycarbonate, 0.1 to 2 wt. % of a fluorinated polymer, optionally, 0.1 to 25 wt. % of an impact modifier; and optionally, 0.1 to 5 wt. % of an additive composition including an antioxidant, a mold release agent, and a stabilizer; wherein a molded sample of the thermoplastic polycarbonate composition has no drips when measured in accordance with NF P 92-505 at a thickness of 3.0 mm.
US08691899B2
An antimicrobial composition and a medical device having that antimicrobial composition that includes a complex of an anionic polyester with a monomeric amidoamine having at least one amide group and at least one amine group, wherein the amine group is either a primary amine, or a secondary amine, or a tertiary amine, or a quaternary amine, or a combination thereof and the anionic polyester has at least one carboxylic group.
US08691886B2
To provide a dental hydraulic temporary sealing material composition setting faster than conventional composition, excellent adhesiveness with cavity, and extremely good operativity of filling in an oral cavity, the dental hydraulic temporary sealing material composition includes calcium sulfate, a vinyl acetate resin, an inorganic filler, alcohols having a boiling point of 110° C. or more, and a nonionic surfactant, whereby water on a cavity can adhere, without being repelled, to a paste surface due to hydrophilic effect between an organic solvent having proper hydrophilicity and the nonionic surfactant, the water can permeate and diffuse rapidly and stably through the inside of the paste by the hydrophilic effect so as to set faster than conventional composition, and since the hydrophilic effect is effective for adhesiveness with cavity, filling property in an oral cavity becomes extremely good.
US08691885B2
Specifically provided is a single pass-curable ink having high color reproducibility and high curing properties at the same time and having high dischargeability when used in printing at high frequency and high jetting speed, as compared with conventional ones. An active energy ray-curable inkjet ink composition contains a metal lake pigment of a rhodamine dye as a pigment, and the active energy ray-curable inkjet ink composition may contain 0.5 to 10% by weight of Pigment Violet 1, Pigment Violet 1:1, Pigment Violet 2, Pigment Violet 2:2, Pigment Red 81, Pigment Red 81:1, Pigment Red 81:2, Pigment Red 81:3, Pigment Red 81:4, Pigment Red 81:5, Pigment Red 169, or Pigment Red 173 as the metal lake pigment of the rhodamine dye based on the total weight of the ink.
US08691878B2
A solid pharmaceutical dosage form providing improved oral bioavailability is disclosed for inhibitors of HIV protease. In particular, the dosage form comprises a solid dispersion of at least one HIV protease inhibitor and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymer and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant, said pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymer having a Tg of at least about 50° C. Preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant has an HLB value of from about 4 to about 10.
US08691869B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising: a) one or more NO-releasing NSAID(s) of formula (I); b) one or more surfactants; c) a carbonyl scavenger compound selected from free acid forms, salts, carboxylic acid esters derivatives of a compound of formula (II) H2N—(CH2)m—(C6H4)—COOH (II) wherein m=0-10; and d) optionally an oil or semi-solid fat and/or a short-chain alcohol.
US08691867B2
The present invention is a method for the treatment of alcohol abuse and/or addiction comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of one or more novel benzo-fused heterocycle sulfamide derivatives of formula (I) and/or formula (II) as herein defined.
US08691862B2
The present invention relates to novel crystalline polymorphs, solvate pseudomorphs and amorphous form of 5-amino-1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfinyl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonitrile (fipronil). The present invention also provides methods for preparing the novel polymorphs, pseudomorphs and amorphous form, as well as insecticidal or pesticidal compositions comprising same, and methods of use thereof as pesticidal agents.
US08691859B2
Disclosed herein are methods of inhibiting, reducing or preventing growth of or destroying bacteria of at least one bacterial strain which comprises contacting the bacteria with the compounds disclosed herein. Also disclosed are methods of treating, inhibiting or preventing an infection or intoxication caused by bacteria of at least one bacterial strain in a subject and pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions comprising the compounds disclosed herein.
US08691854B2
The present invention relates to the field of pharmacy, especially the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The invention specifically relates to a family of chemical compounds for which a neuroprotective activity has been demonstrated.Given that certain members of said family are novel compounds which have never been described, the invention relates to said novel products, the synthesis method thereof and certain novel intermediate synthesis products.The present invention further relates to compositions comprising the compounds of said family, and the use of said compounds as medicaments, especially for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
US08691852B2
The present disclosure relates to compounds of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or N-oxide thereof. The present disclosure also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I), and to their methods of use in therapy.
US08691851B2
The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I). Provided is also a method of killing a cell that comprises administering the compound of formula (I). Provided is also a method of treating cancer or diabetes in a mammal that comprises administering the compound of formula I and respective pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
US08691849B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds, in particular novel pyridinone derivatives according to Formula (I) wherein all radicals are as defined in the application and claims. The compounds according to the invention are positive allosteric modulators of metabotropic receptors—subtype 2 (“mGluR2”) which are useful for the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction and diseases in which the mGluR2 subtype of metabotropic receptors is involved. In particular, such diseases are central nervous system disorders selected from the group of anxiety, schizophrenia, migraine, depression, and epilepsy. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions and processes to prepare such compounds and compositions, as well as to the use of such compounds for the prevention and treatment of such diseases in which mGluR2 is involved.
US08691848B2
The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are caspase inhibitors, in particular interleukin-1β converting enzyme (“ICE”) inhibitors. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting caspase activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against interleukin-1-(“IL-1”), apoptosis-, interferon-γ inducing factor-(IGIF), or interferon-γ-(“IFN-γ”) mediated diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting caspase activity and decreasing IGIF production and IFN-γ production and methods for treating interleukin-1, apoptosis-, and interferon-γ-mediated diseases using the compounds and compositions of this invention. This invention also relates to methods of preparing the compounds of this invention.
US08691843B2
The present invention provides a combination of antioxidants that effectively stabilize different types of fats utilized in a ruminant diet. When included in a ruminant feed ration or water source, the antioxidant combination typically increases nutrient digestion, such as fiber and protein, improves rumen fermentation, improves microbial growth, improves microbial efficiency, increases milk production and/or milk fat, improves antioxidant status of the ruminant, and attenuates the negative effects of some fats in the ruminant animal.
US08691836B2
Provided are D2 or D3 antagonist compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or isomers thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined herein. The invention further comprises methods for making the compounds of the invention and methods for the treatment of conditions mediated by the dopamine D2 or D3 receptor from the compounds of the invention.
US08691829B2
The invention provides methods to treat certain liver disorders by administering a compound that inhibits PD K isoforms, particularly the delta isoform. It further provides specific compounds useful for these methods and ways to identify subjects who are particularly suitable for receiving these treatments.
US08691828B2
The present invention relates to a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof, which is useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of cancer.
US08691824B2
Certain chemical entities are provided herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one chemical entity and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. Methods of treating patients suffering from certain diseases and disorders responsive to the inhibition of KMO activity are described, which comprise administering to such patients an amount of at least one chemical entity effective to reduce signs or symptoms of the disease or disorder are disclosed. These diseases include neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease. Also described are methods of treatment include administering at least one chemical entity as a single active agent or administering at least one chemical entity in combination with one or more other therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods for screening compounds capable of inhibiting KMO activity.
US08691818B2
Compounds of general structure in which X and Y are each N or C with at least one of X and Y being N; Z is a single bond or an optionally substituted linking group R1 is hydrogen or a substituent group; R2 is amino or a substituent group; N* is amino when RI is hydrogen or ═NH when R1 is a substituent group; or N* is a group NRaRb where Ra and Rb are independently H or an alkyl group; or N* is an optionally substituted piperazinyl ring; and A is an optionally substituted heterocyclic or carbocyclic ring system which may be linked to the triazo/diazo ring through R2 to form a fused multicyclic ring; are indicated as suitable for treatment of disorders in mammals that are susceptible to sodium channel blockers and antifolates, and particularly disorders such epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma and uevitis, cerebral traumas and cerebral ischaemias, stroke, head injury, spinal cord injury, surgical trauma, neurodegenerative disorders, motorneurone disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, chronic inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, migraine, bipolar disorder, mood, anxiety and cognitive disorders, schizophrenia and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias; for treatment of mammalian cancers; and for treatment of malaria.
US08691812B2
A composition comprising a carboxamide compound represented by following formula (I), wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R2 represents a methyl group, a difluoromethyl group or a trifiuoromethyl group, and one or more neonicotinoid compound selected from group (A) consisting of acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram thiacloprid and thiamethoxam possesses an excellent pesticidal effect.
US08691802B2
Citric acid and conjugate bases thereof are useful for stabilizing stabilized chlorine dioxide in the presence of therapeutically active agents and excipients in a composition. Ophthalmic compositions and methods related thereto are also disclosed herein.
US08691796B2
A pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting inflammation, comprising (a) hyaluronic acid, (b) a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, and (c) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, is provided. Also provided is a method for inhibiting inflammation in a mammal, comprising administrating to the mammal an effective amount of a composition comprising (a) hyaluronic acid and (b) an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.
US08691794B2
The present invention relates to a composition for skin application, which has the effects of reducing skin wrinkles, enhancing skin elasticity and preventing skin aging, and more particularly, to a composition for skin application, which contains, as an active ingredient, a polysaccharide extract of red ginseng having a molecular weight of less than 10,000, in which the polysaccharide extract of red ginseng has the effect of increasing the expression of mitochondrial electron transport system enzymes in human skin keratinocytes to enhance the activity of the skin cells, thereby reducing skin wrinkles, increasing skin elasticity and preventing skin aging.
US08691779B2
This application relates to combination therapies including triciribine and related compounds and taxanes and compositions with reduced toxicity for the treatment and prevention of tumors, cancer, and other disorders associated with abnormal cell proliferation.
US08691774B2
Carbohydrate profile compositions from human cells and methods for analysis and modification thereof
The invention describes methods for production of novel composition of glycans, glycomes, from human multipotent stem cells. The invention is further directed to methods for modifying the glycomes and analysis of the glycomes and the modified glycomes. Furthermore the invention is directed to stem cells carrying the modified glycomes on their surfaces.
US08691772B2
The present invention provides novel uses for peptide p277—positions 437-460 of human heat shock protein 60 (HSP60)—in modulation of immune responses and inflammatory diseases. The invention further provides novel uses for HSP60 and p277 in the treatment or prevention of hepatic disorders. The invention discloses methods for treating, preventing or ameliorating the symptoms of T cell mediated inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, including hepatic disorders, which comprise administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising as an active ingredient an effective quantity of a molecule selected from: HSP60, p277, fragments, analogs, homologs and derivatives thereof, and nucleic acids encoding same. Also disclosed are T cell vaccination methods for treating or preventing T cell mediated disorders.
US08691770B2
The present invention relates to a method for processing microbiologically produced, non-polar, cyclic oligopeptides comprising the step of a) extracting the entire fermentation broth incident to the microbiological production process using a liquid extractant that contains ether and is immiscible with water, wherein the amount of extractant is sufficient to form a two-phase system together with the total fermentation broth, and novel solvates of cyclosporin A and methyl-t-butyl ether.
US08691769B2
The present invention provides methods for treating sinus-evoked headaches using botulinum toxin injected or applied in multiple subcutaneous locations over divisions of the trigeminal nerve in soft tissues and dermatomes overlying the corresponding effected sinuses implicated in the etiology of the pain.
US08691766B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of biglycan; disorders associated with an unstable cytoplasmic membrane, due, e.g., to an unstable dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC); disorders associated with abnormal synapses or neuromuscular junctions, including those resulting from an abnormal MuSK activation or acetylcholine receptor (AChR) aggregation. Example of diseases include muscular dystrophies, such as Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, Becker's Muscular Dystrophy, neuromuscular disorders and neurological disorders.
US08691763B2
The present invention provides methods for treating, preventing and/or ameliorating at least one cardiovascular disorder in a human in need thereof comprising administering to said human a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one polypeptide having at least one GLP-1 activity and/or at least one GLP-1 agonist.
US08691751B2
The present invention relates to compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, comprising a vascular disrupting agent (VDA) associated and a MMP proteolytic cleavage site. The compounds are useful in the treatment of cancer.
US08691747B2
A method of treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases or conditions in a mammal, such as a human, which comprises the administration of a inhibitor of the bromodomain-containing protein: ATAD2.
US08691741B2
The present invention provides a liquid detergent composition containing the following components (a) to (c), wherein the total content of components (a) to (c), (a)+(b)+(c), is 40 to 90% by mass; a mass ratio of components (a) to (b), (a)/(b), is 25/75 to 90/10; and a mass ratio [(a)+(b)]/(c), is 95/5 to 70/30: component (a): 15 to 75% by mass of a nonionic surfactant produced by adding p1 mol of ethylene oxide to a compound represented by R—OH (wherein, R represents a hydrocarbon group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms), then adding q1 mol of an alkylene oxide having 3 to 5 carbon atoms, and then adding p2 mol of ethylene oxide, wherein p1 is the number of 3 to 30, q1 is the number of 1 to 5, and p1+p2 is 14 to 50, component (b): anionic surfactant, component (c): cationic surfactant, component (d): 5 to 40% by mass of water-miscible organic solvent.
US08691729B2
A novel reaction discovery system that does not depend on DNA duplex formation is provided. The advantages of this system include exploring reactions conditions not possible where DNA hybridization is required. For example, the inventive reaction discovery system allows for reaction conditions using organic solvents, higher temperatures, and water-insoluble reagents, catalysts, and ligands. The invention also provides single-stranded oligonucleotide templates with substrate pairs covalently attached and methods of screening for reaction conditions that result in a direct covalent bond between the substrates. Kits are also provided for practicing this novel reaction discovery system.
US08691727B2
A method of controlling or preventing pathogenic damage or pest damage in a plant propagation material, a plant, parts of a plant and/or plant organs that grow at a later point in time, which comprises applying on the plant, part of the plant, or surroundings thereof, a pesticidal combination comprising, for example, at least three active ingredient components optionally together with one or more customary formulation auxiliaries, wherein component (I) is one or more of an -azole fungicide, component (II) is one or more of a phenylamide fungicide, component (III) is one or more of a strobilurin fungicide and/or one or more of a phenylpyrrole fungicide, in any desired sequence or simultaneously.
US08691721B2
A rhodium-loading solution characterized by comprising rhodium atoms and an organic base in a molar ratio of 1:0.5-35.
US08691720B2
A process for making a fluorinated olefin and/or catalyst composition. The process has the step of dehydrochlorinating a hydrochlorofluorocarbon having at least one hydrogen atom and at least one chlorine atom on adjacent carbon atoms in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst composition. The catalyst composition is represented by the following: n wt. % MX/M′OyFz, wherein 0
US08691714B2
This invention relates to a process to make a multimodal polyolefin composition comprising: (i) contacting at least one first olefin monomer with a mixed catalyst system, under polymerization conditions, to produce at least a first polyolefin component having a Mw of 5,000 g/mol to 600,000 g/mol, wherein the mixed catalyst system comprises: (a) at least one polymerization catalyst comprising a Group 4 or Group 5 transition metal; (b) at least one organochromium polymerization catalyst; (c) an activator; and (d) a support material; (ii) thereafter, contacting the first polyolefin component/mixed catalyst system combination with a molecular switch; (iii) contacting the first polyolefin component/mixed catalyst system combination with at least one second olefin monomer, which may be the same or different, under polymerization conditions; and (iv) obtaining a multimodal polyolefin composition.
US08691710B2
Metal-containing complexes with general formula (1) (R1nPyr)(R2nPyr)ML1L2; or (2) [(R8XR9)(R1nPyr)(R2nPyr)]ML1L2 are disclosed; wherein M is a Group IV metal, Pyr is pyrrolyl ligand, n=1, 2 and 3, L1 and L2 are independently selected from alkoxide, amide or alkyl, L1 and L2 can be linked together, R1 and R2 can be same or different organic groups substituted at 2,3,4-positions of the pyrrole ring and are selected from the group consisting of linear and branched C1-6 alkyls, R8 and R9 are independently selected from the linear or branched chain alkylene group having 2-6 carbon atoms, and X is CH2 or oxygen. Methods of using the metal complexes as precursors to deposit metal or metal oxide films used for various devices in semi-conductor industries are also discussed.
US08691702B2
The present invention provides a method for plasma processing a substrate. The method comprising providing a process chamber having a wall; providing a plasma source adjacent to the wall of the process chamber; providing a work piece support within the process chamber; loading a work piece onto the work piece support, the work piece having a support film, a frame and the substrate; providing a cover ring above the work piece, the cover ring having at least one perforated region, and at least one non-perforated region; generating a plasma using the plasma source; and processing the work piece using the generated plasma.
US08691701B2
A method for forming etched features in a low-k dielectric layer disposed below the photoresist mask in a plasma processing chamber is provided. Features are etched into the low-k dielectric layer through the photoresist mask. The photoresist mask is stripped, wherein the stripping comprising at least one cycle, wherein each cycle comprises a fluorocarbon stripping phase, comprising flowing a fluorocarbon stripping gas into the plasma processing chamber, forming a plasma from the fluorocarbon stripping gas, and stopping the flow of the fluorocarbon stripping gas into the plasma processing chamber and a reduced fluorocarbon stripping phase, comprising flowing a reduced fluorocarbon stripping gas that has a lower fluorocarbon flow rate than the fluorocarbon stripping gas into the plasma processing chamber, forming the plasma from the reduced fluorocarbon stripping gas, and stopping the flow of the reduced fluorocarbon stripping gas.
US08691692B2
Provided are a semiconductor chip and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor chip includes a substrate having a first side and a second side facing each other, and a through electrode being disposed in a hole penetrating the substrate, wherein an opening surrounded by the through electrode is disposed in the hole, wherein the opening comprises a first end adjacent to the first side of the substrate and a second end adjacent to the second side of the substrate.
US08691683B2
[Means for Solving Problem] A semiconductor chip 20 having a plurality of electrode terminals 12 is held to oppose a circuit board 21 having a plurality of connection terminals 11 with a given gap provided therebetween, and the semiconductor chip 20 and the circuit board 21 in this state are dipped in a dipping bath 40 containing a melted resin 14 including melted solder particles for a given period of time. In this dipping process, the melted solder particles self-assemble between the connection terminals 11 of the circuit board 21 and the electrode terminals 12 of the semiconductor chip 20, so as to form connectors 22 between these terminals. Thereafter, the semiconductor chip 20 and the circuit board 21 are taken out of the dipping bath 40, and the melted resin 14 having permeated into the gap between the semiconductor chip 20 and the circuit board 21 is cured, so as to complete a flip-chip mounting body.
US08691677B2
The object of the invention is a process for P-type boron doping of silicon wafers placed on a support in the chamber of a furnace of which one end comprises a wall in which means for introducing reactive gases and a gas carrying a boron precursor in gaseous form are located, whereby said process comprises the stages that consist in: a) In the chamber, reacting the reactive gases with boron trichloride BCl3 that is diluted in the carrier gas at a pressure of between 1 kPa and 30 kPa, and a temperature of between 800° C. and 1100° C., for forming a boron oxide B2O3 glass layer, b) Carrying out the diffusion of atomic boron in silicon under an N2+O2 atmosphere at a pressure of between 1 kPa and 30 kPa. A furnace designed for the implementation of said doping process as well as its applications—the manufacturing of large boron-doped silicon slices, in particular for photovoltaic applications—is also claimed.
US08691674B2
A method for producing a group 3-5 nitride semiconductor includes the steps of (i), (ii), (iii) in this order: (i) placing inorganic particles on a substrate, (ii) epitaxially growing a semiconductor layer by using the inorganic particles as a mask, and (iii) separating the substrate and the semiconductor layer by irradiating the interface between the substrate and the semiconductor layer with light; and a method for producing a light emitting device further includes adding electrodes.
US08691671B2
A nonpolar III-nitride film grown on a miscut angle of a substrate, in order to suppress the surface undulations, is provided. The surface morphology of the film is improved with a miscut angle towards an α-axis direction comprising a 0.15° or greater miscut angle towards the α-axis direction and a less than 30° miscut angle towards the α-axis direction.
US08691668B2
Disclosed are GeX2Ln molecules, with X being a halide, L being an adduct other than C4H8O2, and 0.5≦n≦2. These molecules have lower melting points and/or increased volatility compared to GeCl2-dioxane. Also disclosed is the use of such molecules for deposition of thin films, such as chalcogenide, SiGe, and GeO2 films.
US08691666B2
A method for producing a chip (13) in which a die bonding adhesive layer (24) and a wafer (1) are laminated on a close-contact layer (31) of a fixing jig (3), the chip is formed by completely cutting the wafer and the die bonding adhesive layer and then the chip is picked up together with the die bonding adhesive layer from the fixing jig by deforming the close-contact layer of the fixing jig. In the method the fixing jig is provided with the close-contact layer and a jig base (30) that is provided with a plurality of protrusions (36) on one side and a sidewall (35) at the outer circumference section of the one side. The close-contact layer is laminated on the surface of the jig base provided with the protrusions and is bonded on the upper surface of the sidewall. On the surface of the jig base provided with the protrusions, a partitioned space is formed by the close-contact layer, the protrusions, and the sidewall. The jig base is provided with at least one through hole (38) penetrating the outside and the partitioned space, and the close-contact layer can be deformed by sucking air from the partitioned space via the through hole of the fixing jig.
US08691656B2
The invention includes methods of electrically interconnecting different elevation conductive structures, methods of forming capacitors, methods of forming an interconnect between a substrate bit line contact and a bit line in DRAM, and methods of forming DRAM memory cells. In one implementation, a method of electrically interconnecting different elevation conductive structures includes forming a first conductive structure comprising a first electrically conductive surface at a first elevation of a substrate. A nanowhisker is grown from the first electrically conductive surface, and is provided to be electrically conductive. Electrically insulative material is provided about the nanowhisker. An electrically conductive material is deposited over the electrically insulative material in electrical contact with the nanowhisker at a second elevation which is elevationally outward of the first elevation, and the electrically conductive material is provided into a second conductive structure. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
US08691652B2
A semiconductor process includes the following steps. A fin-shaped structure is formed on a substrate. A gate structure and a cap layer are formed, wherein the gate structure is disposed across parts of the fin-shaped structure and parts of the substrate, the cap layer is on the gate structure, and the cap layer includes a first cap layer on the gate structure and a second cap layer on the first cap layer. A spacer material is formed to entirely cover the second cap layer, the fin-shaped structure and the substrate. The spacer material is etched, so that the sidewalls of the second cap layer are exposed and a spacer is formed beside the gate structure. The second cap layer is removed.
US08691644B2
A method of forming stressed-channel NMOS transistors and strained-channel PMOS transistors forms p-type source and drain regions before an n-type source and drain dopant is implanted and a stress memorization layer is formed, thereby reducing the stress imparted to the n-channel of the PMOS transistors. In addition, a non-conductive layer is formed after the p-type source and drain regions are formed, but before the n-type dopant is implanted. The non-conductive layer allows shallower n-type implants to be realized, and also serves as a buffer layer for the stress memorization layer.
US08691640B1
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes forming a plurality of trenches in a semiconductor substrate to thereby define an initial fin structure, forming sidewall spacers adjacent the initial fin structure, wherein the spacers cover a first portion of the initial fin structure and expose a second a portion of the initial fin structure, performing a doping process to form N-type doped regions in at least the exposed portion of the initial fin structure, and performing an etching process to remove at least a portion of the doped regions and thereby define a final fin structure that is vertically spaced apart from the substrate.
US08691639B2
Embodiments of the disclosed technology disclose manufacture methods of a thin film transistor and an array substrate and a mask therefor are provided. The manufacture method of the thin film transistor comprises: patterning a wire layer by using a exposure machine and a mask with a first exposure amount larger than a normal exposure amount during formation of source and drain electrodes; forming a semiconductor layer on the patterned wire layer; patterning the semiconductor layer by using the exposure machine and the mask with a second exposure amount smaller than the first exposure amount. The mask comprises a source region for forming the source electrode, a drain region for forming the drain electrode and a slit provided between the source region and the drain region, and the width of the slit is smaller than the resolution of the exposure machine.
US08691636B2
A method for removing germanium suboxide between a germanium (Ge) substrate and a dielectric layer made of metal oxide includes causing a supercritical fluid composition that includes a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid and an oxidant to diffuse into the germanium suboxide such that metal residues in the dielectric layer, the germanium suboxide and the oxidant are subjected to a redox reaction so as to reduce the germanium suboxide into germanium.
US08691635B2
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type; a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, disposed on a surface of the first semiconductor region, and having an impurity concentration higher than that of the first semiconductor region; a trench that penetrates the second semiconductor region to reach the first semiconductor region; a first electrode disposed inside the trench via an insulating film; a first recess portion disposed deeper than an upper end of the first electrode, in a surface layer of the second semiconductor region, so as to be in contact with the trench; and a second electrode embedded in the first recess portion.
US08691625B2
The present invention relates to a method for making a chip package. The method includes the following steps: (a) providing a substrate having at least one conductive via; (b) disposing the substrate on a carrier; (c) removing part of the substrate, so as to expose the conductive via, and form at least one through via; (d) disposing a plurality of chips on a surface of the substrate, wherein the chips are electrically connected to the through via of the substrate; (e) forming an encapsulation; (f) removing the carrier; (g) conducting a flip-chip mounting process; (h) removing the encapsulation; and (i) forming a protective material. Whereby, the carrier and the encapsulation can avoid warpage of the substrate during the manufacturing process.
US08691614B2
An image detector comprises a plurality of photosensitive detector unit cells interconnected to a plurality of integrated circuits by a plurality of direct bond interconnects. Each unit cell includes an absorber layer and a separation layer. The absorber layer absorbs incident photons such that the absorbed photons excite photocurrent comprising first charged carriers and second charged carriers having opposite polarities. The separation layer separates the first charged carriers for collection at one or more first contacts and the second charged carriers for collection at one or more second contacts. The first and second contacts include the direct bond interconnects to conduct the first charged carriers and the second charged carriers from the unit cells in order to facilitate image processing.
US08691612B2
Provided is a method of enhancing thermoelectric performance by surrounding crystalline semiconductors with nanoparticles by contacting a bismuth telluride material with a silver salt under a substantially inert atmosphere and a temperature approximately near the silver salt decomposition temperature; and recovering a metallic bismuth decorated material comprising silver telluride crystal grains.
US08691607B2
A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device is fabricated from a wafer having a plurality of die regions with grooves and MEMS components formed on a wafer surface at each die region. A first metal having a relatively high melting temperature is formed on sidewalls of each groove, and a cap is attached at each die region to provide a closed cavity which encloses the grooves and MEMS components. Bottoms of the grooves are opened by thinning the wafer thereby establishing through-hole vias extending through the wafer at each die region, for accessing the cavity for inserting or removing material. The vias are sealed by interacting a second metal having a relatively low melting temperature with the first metal layer to form intermetallic compounds with higher melting temperature that maintain the seal during subsequent lower temperature operations.
US08691603B2
In a method for manufacturing an organic EL device, a first luminescent layer emitting first color light is formed over a first anode disposed on a substrate by coating. A second luminescent layer emitting second color light is formed over a second anode disposed on the substrate. An intermediate layer having electron injection performance is formed on the first luminescent layer and the second luminescent layer. A third luminescent layer emitting third color light is formed over the intermediate layer and a third anode disposed on the substrate by vapor deposition. A cathode is formed on the third luminescent layer.
US08691595B2
The subject of this invention is a process for detection of analytes from biological samples comprising the following process steps: a) Preparation of a reversible binding partner 1 that is immobilized on a solid phase, to which an analyte binder is reversibly bonded via a reversible binding partner 2 that is bonded to the analyte binder, whereby the analyte binder is immobilized by binding between the reversible binding partners 1 and 2, b) Addition of the biological sample and binding of the analyte to the reversible immobilized analyte binder in the case that the biological sample contains the analytes, c) Separation of the biological sample, d) Addition of a dissolving buffer, which dissolves the binding between the reversible binding partners 1 and 2, whereby the binding of the analyte to the analyte binder remains optional, and e) Detection of the analyte in the dissolving buffer in the case that the biological sample contains the analytes and determination of the absence of the analyte in the case that the biological sample does not contain the analytes, respectively.
US08691594B2
A method and apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode such as silicon oxide and an electrolyte solution. Light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces relies on the combination of three functional elements: the AC electric field-induced assembly of planar aggregates; the patterning of the electrolyte/silicon oxide/silicon interface to exert spatial control over the assembly process; and the real-time control of the assembly process via external illumination. The present invention provides a set of fundamental operations enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays of several types of particles and biomolecules and the manipulation of array shape and size. The present invention enables sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations. In addition, the present invention provides a procedure for the creation of material surfaces with desired properties and for the fabrication of surface-mounted optical components.
US08691593B2
A sample testing device for testing for the presence of a component of interest in a liquid sample includes: (a) a capillary pathway having an upstream end and a downstream end and incorporating a reagent system capable of causing agglutination with the component; (b) optionally, a control capillary pathway; (c) a sampling region to which the liquid sample is applied and from which the sample is able to enter the upstream ends of the test and control capillaries; (d) a power source; (e) detection arrangements electrically associated with the power source for detecting the presence of liquid at a downstream region of the capillaries; (f) a display operated by the power source for indicating the result of the test; and (g) a signal processor associated with the power source, detection arrangement and display for evaluating the result of the test and providing the result on the display.
US08691589B2
The method of the present disclosure determines whether a target DNA forms a G-quadruplex using a phenomenon in which thioflavin T generates a strong fluorescence when reacted with the G-quadruplex in the presence of potassium ions.
US08691580B2
In an embodiment the instant invention discloses a modular composition comprising 1) an oligonucleotide; 2) one or more linkers, which may be the same or different, selected from Table 1, wherein the linkers are attached to the oligonucleotide at any 3′ and/or 5′ end; 3) one or more peptides, which may be the same or different, selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-59, wherein the peptides are attached to the linkers; and optionally one or more lipids, solubilizing groups and/or targeting ligands attached to the oligonucleotide.
US08691573B2
The present invention relates compounds for stabilizing cells and methods of their use.
US08691571B1
A method of sustaining cells is provided. The method can include providing a non-perfluorocarbon cell storage medium, providing a pre-oxygenated liquid perfluorocarbon in contact with the storage medium, and placing the cells in contact with the storage medium but not in contact with the perfluorocarbon. Additionally, the method can result in increased corneal cell viability compared to corneal cells placed in a non-perfluorocarbon cell storage medium without being in contact with a pre-oxygenated liquid perfluorocarbon.
US08691569B2
We disclose a particle comprising a matrix coated thereon and having a positive charge, the particle being of a size to allow aggregation of primate or human stem cells attached thereto. The particle may comprise a substantially elongate, cylindrical or rod shaped particle having a longest dimension of between 50 μm and 400 μm, such as about 200 μm. It may have a cross sectional dimension of between 20 μm and 30 μm. The particle may comprise a substantially compact or spherical shaped particle having a size of between about 20 μm and about 120 μm, for example about 65 μm. We also disclose a method of propagating primate or human stem cells, the method comprising: providing first and second primate or human stem cells attached to first and second respective particles, allowing the first primate or human stem cell to contact the second primate or human stem cell to form an aggregate of cells and culturing the aggregate to propagate the primate or human stem cells for at least one passage. A method of propagating human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in long term suspension culture using microcarriers coated in Matrigel or hyaluronic acid is also disclosed. We also disclose a method for differentiating stem cells.
US08691566B1
The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.
US08691552B2
Glycerol or other reduced carbon sources may be used as a feedstock for the microbial production of chemical products under certain microaerobic conditions. For example, such production may occur under microaerobic or microrespiratory conditions in which electron acceptors are consumed in the reaction as quickly as they are added. In such reactions, the reaction product is at least as reduced as carbon source. Further, during such a reaction, at least some of the carbon source is used to generate cell mass. In addition, microorganisms with modified genomes are provided for carrying out the methods herein.
US08691550B2
The invention provides attenuated Flavivirus vaccines, such as vaccines against Japanese encephalitis virus and West Nile virus, as well as methods of making and using these vaccines.
US08691548B2
The present invention relates to, for example, an α-substituted β-amino acid ester derivative asymmetric hydrolase including an enzyme of the following (a) or (b):(a) an enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 at least from position 1 to position 362, wherein the tyrosine at position 277 of SEQ ID NO:1 is substituted with alanine, tryptophan, isoleucine, or histidine, and having the ability to hydrolyze a substrate; or (b) an enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 at least from position 1 to position 362, wherein the tyrosine at position 277 of SEQ ID NO:1 is substituted with an amino acid other than tyrosine, and having the ability to hydrolyze a substrate.
US08691546B2
Disclosed herein are compounds, including compounds having the structure of Formula (A), (B), (C), and (D), as described in further detail herein, that form covalent bonds with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). Also described are irreversible inhibitors of Btk. Methods for the preparation of the compounds are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include the compounds. Methods of using the Btk inhibitors are disclosed, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or conditions, heteroimmune diseases or conditions, cancer, including lymphoma, and inflammatory diseases or conditions.
US08691535B2
For the biotechnological production of isomaltulose and compositions containing isomaltulose from saccharose the invention provides improved means, particularly a sucrose mutase with improved product specificity as well as microbial cells containing the improved sucrose mutase.
US08691527B2
This invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. Specifically, this invention relates to the field of gene expression. More specifically, this invention relates to novel substitution mutant receptors and their use in a Group H nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating the expression of a gene in a host cell for applications such as gene therapy, large scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screening assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic organisms.
US08691526B2
Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol. Biomass feedstock is saccharified in a vessel by operation of a jet mixer, the vessel also containing a liquid medium and a saccharifying agent.
US08691515B2
Disclosed herein are methods of detecting blood disorders, such as diabetes. In particular examples the method includes contacting a blood sample with an amine reagent, blocking an excess of the amine reagent with a blocking reagent, digesting the modified blood sample with trypsin to produce a digested blood sample containing a plurality of glycated N-terminal peptides and non-glycated N-terminal peptides, then analyzing the digested blood sample with MALDI MS. Also provided are reagents for use in such methods.
US08691507B2
The invention relates to determining the presence of an EZH2 gene mutation in a sample from a subject and inhibition of wild-type and certain mutant forms of human histone methyltransferase EZH2, the catalytic subunit of the PRC2 complex which catalyzes the mono-through tri-methylation of lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3-K27). In one embodiment the inhibition is selective for the mutant form of the EZH2, such that trimethylation of H3-K27, which is associated with certain cancers, is inhibited. The methods can be used to treat cancers including follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Also provided are methods for identifying small molecule selective inhibitors of the mutant forms of EZH2 and also methods for determining responsiveness to an EZH2 inhibitor in a subject.
US08691498B2
The present invention relates to methods of using a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) to identify whether a candidate compound is a modulator of atherogenesis. In certain embodiments, the GPCR couples to Gi. In certain embodiments, the GPCR is human. Agonists of the invention are useful as therapeutic agents for the prevention or treatment of atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic disease, including coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, and ischemic stroke. Agonists of the invention are additionally useful as therapeutic agents for the prevention or treatment of conditions related to MCP-1 expression, including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
US08691495B2
A photoresist pattern forming method, comprising a first step of forming on an underlayer a photoresist film which includes a convex portion and a concave portion having a thickness thinner than a thickness of the convex portion, and a second step of processing the photoresist film to form, in a portion which has been the convex portion, an opening having a width narrower than a width of the convex portion, wherein in the second step, the convex portion of the photoresist film is at least partially exposed, and the photoresist film is then developed, and exposure light is condensed by the convex portion in exposing the photoresist film.
US08691488B2
The present disclosure describes a toner produced using a coalescing temperature lower than the melting point of a wax in the toner, quench cooling or both. The resulting toners can exhibit reduced dielectric loss and improved tribo charging.
US08691474B2
Various embodiments include a fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cells including a cell anode electrode, a cell electrolyte, and a cell cathode electrode and separated by a plurality of conductive interconnects and at least one material located in a cell anode electrode of the plurality of fuel cells which provides a conductive path between adjacent interconnects when the cell anode electrode between the adjacent interconnects fails.
US08691470B2
A seal composition includes a first alkaline earth metal oxide, a second alkaline earth metal oxide which is different from the first alkaline earth metal oxide, aluminum oxide, and silica in an amount such that molar percent of silica in the composition is at least five molar percent greater than two times a combined molar percent of the first alkaline earth metal oxide and the second alkaline earth metal oxide. The composition is substantially free of boron oxide and phosphorus oxide. The seal composition forms a glass ceramic seal which includes silica containing glass cores located in a crystalline matrix comprising barium aluminosilicate, and calcium aluminosilicate crystals located in the glass cores.
US08691468B2
The invention relates to a fuel cell stack comprising a base plate supporting fuel cells and a cap of an electrically insulating material, particularly of ceramics, for electrically insulating the fuel cells stacked on top of each other partially enveloping the fuel cells stacked on top of each other. According to the invention it is contemplated that a metal cap provided for guiding cathode gas envelops the cap including the fuel cells together with the base plate and that the metal cap is attached to the base plate in a sealed manner. The invention further relates to a method for producing a fuel cell stack.
US08691465B2
Provided is a fuel cell which has a buffer space provided on a downstream side of a fuel supply space, and in which an output of a most downstream fuel cell unit is less affected by impurity gas stored in the fuel supply space.
US08691463B2
Thermally primed fuel processing assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems that include the same. The thermally primed fuel processing assemblies include at least one hydrogen-producing region housed within an internal compartment of a heated containment structure. In some embodiments, the heated containment structure is an oven. In some embodiments, the compartment also contains a purification region and/or heating assembly. In some embodiments, the containment structure is adapted to heat and maintain the internal compartment at or above a threshold temperature, which may correspond to a suitable hydrogen-producing temperature. In some embodiments, the containment structure is adapted to maintain this temperature during periods in which the fuel cell system is not producing power and/or not producing power to satisfy an applied load to the system. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system is adapted to provide backup power to a power source, which may be adapted to power the containment structure.
US08691457B2
Disclosed are a fuel cell system, and a method of driving the system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of unit cells producing electricity, a switching unit connecting the plurality of unit cells to a discharge resistor, a switching controller synchronously operated when the voltage of the fuel cell stack reaches an open circuit voltage after power generation of the fuel cell stack is stopped. The switching controller generates select control signals to control the switching unit. The fuel cell system further includes a sensing unit measuring respective cell voltages of the plurality of unit cells and generating cell voltage sensing signals to control activation periods of the select control signals.
US08691456B2
An air and coolant control system comprising: a heat source configured to receive air, generate heat, receive coolant, conduct the received coolant to a coolant outlet, and transfer the generated heat to the received coolant, thereby removing the generated heat from the heat source as the coolant is conducted out of the heat source; an air supply source configured to supply the air to the heat source; an air supply control system configured to adjust the supply of air from the air supply source to the heat source based on a dynamic feedback temperature characteristic from the heat source; a coolant supply source configured to supply the coolant to the heat source; and a coolant control system configured to adjust the flow rate of the coolant based on an estimated feed-forward heat source characteristic and to adjust the temperature of the coolant based on the dynamic feedback temperature characteristic.
US08691438B2
In a cathode active material coated with a resistance-reduction coating layer for preventing formation of a resistive layer, which has a cathode active material and a resistance-reduction coating layer with which a surface of the cathode active material is coated, the resistance-reduction coating layer contains substantially no fine particles of the cathode active material.
US08691427B2
The disclosure discloses a method for manufacturing a battery shell applicable to an electronic device. The method includes providing a metal substrate, a metal implanting component including a connecting part disposed thereon; bonding the metal implanting component to the metal substrate; and forming a plastic component on the metal substrate by an insert molding process. The plastic component covers the metal implanting component. By bonding the plastic component to the bonding part of the metal implanting component, the bonding strength is enforced.
US08691420B2
A battery pack that allows easy application of injection molding in the formation of a battery case and is capable of improving fastening strength of the case components. For this purpose, the battery pack comprises a plurality of battery cells; a circuit module electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; and a case accommodating the plurality of battery cells and the circuit module, wherein the case includes a first case shaped in the form of an open box and having a plurality of coupling protrusions formed thereon and a second case shaped in the form of an open box and having a plurality of coupling holes engaging with the plurality of coupling protrusions in order to couple the second case with the first case.
US08691416B1
A battery interface module is provided that includes a housing and a battery interface carried by the housing and configured to interface with a battery. The battery interface may include a first power bus interface, a first fluid interface and a first data interface. The battery interface module may also include first and second transmission interfaces carried by the housing. At least one of the first and second transmission interfaces may be configured to interface with another battery interface module. Each transmission interface may include a second power bus interface, a second fluid interface and a second data interface. Additionally, the first and second power bus interfaces may be in electrical communication, the first and second fluid interfaces may be in fluid communication and the first and second data interfaces may be communicably connected.
US08691414B2
The present invention relates to a battery module including a plurality of unit batteries. The battery module includes the plurality of unit batteries electrically connected to each other, a housing having a plurality of penetration holes in which the unit batteries are provided to respective correspond to the unit batteries, and a duct member combined with the housing to cover electrode terminals of the unit batteries. The duct member includes a coolant passage through which a coolant is provided to the penetration hole and a gas exhaust passage for exhausting gas generated from the unit batteries in a predetermined direction.
US08691406B2
A secondary battery secondary battery includes a bare cell having an electrode terminal, and a protective circuit module having a circuit board and a lead plate. The protective circuit module is electrically connected to the bare cell such that the electrode terminal and the circuit board are connected to each other through the lead plate. The lead plate includes a first plate mounted on the circuit board, and a second plate foldably connected to the first plate.
US08691404B2
A method of constructing a solid-state energy-density micro radioisotope power source device. In such embodiments, the method comprises depositing the pre-voltaic semiconductor composition, comprising a semiconductor material and a radioisotope material, into a micro chamber formed within a power source device body. The method additionally includes heating the body to a temperature at which the pre-voltaic semiconductor composition will liquefy within the micro chamber to provide a liquid state composite mixture. Furthermore, the method includes cooling the body and liquid state composite mixture such that liquid state composite mixture solidifies to provide a solid-state composite voltaic semiconductor, thereby providing a solid-state high energy-density micro radioisotope power source device.
US08691401B2
The present invention concerns a metal-carbene complex of the general formula (I) in which R5 and R6 together, or R6 and R7 together, a unit of the formula: in which * denotes the connection to the carbon atoms of the benzene ring bearing the R5 and R6 radicals or R6 and R7 radicals, and the oxygen atom is connected to the carbon atom bearing the R5, R6 or R7 radical, and A is oxygen or sulfur. The present invention further concerns light-emitting layer comprising at least one metal-carbene complex according to the present invention and an organic light-emitting diode comprising a light-emitting layer according to the present invention, a device selected from the group consisting of stationary visual display units, mobile visual display units and illumination means and the use of a metal-carbene complex according to the present invention in organic light-emitting diodes, especially as emitter, matrix material, charge carrier material and charge blocker material.
US08691394B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat-shrinkable multilayer film which, in the case of using the heat-shrinkable multilayer film as a heat-shrinkable label for a container, does not produce delamination in covering a container, is superior in heat resistance, oil resistance, tearing properties along the perforation and appearance and can prevent the reduction in strength between the layers after a printing step, and a heat-shrinkable label comprising the heat-shrinkable multilayer film as a base film. The present invention is a heat-shrinkable multilayer film which comprises: an outer surface layer comprising a polyester type resin; and an intermediate layer comprising a polystyrene type resin, said outer surface layer and said intermediate layer being laminated by interposing an adhesive layer comprising a polyester type elastomer or a modified polyester type elastomer.
US08691388B2
The multilayer film serves as a laminate. The film is a multilayered structure that, in its base form, encompasses an intermediate layer with first and second outer layer affixed to opposing sides of the intermediate layer. The first outer layer is a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer. The intermediate layer includes a polyester and the second outer layer is an olefinic polymer. The layers are bonded together in the noted order to provide the multilayer film.
US08691386B2
A bonded body 10 of a carbon film covered article and a rubber is formed by bonding a carbon film covered article 13 having a carbon film 12 formed on a surface of an article 11 to an unvulcanized rubber 14 by affixing and vulcanizing. Thereby, a bonded body of rubber and, for example, metal can be provided without the need for an adhesive.
US08691382B2
A fastener and a method of making and using the fastener is provided in which the fastener includes a base having a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion includes an adhesive layer portion. An elongated pliable core member is coupled to the base, with the core member having first and second ends, with at least the first end extending beyond an edge of the base. In another embodiment the base is configured to define a plurality of notches, with each notch configured to define an apex proximate the center of the base and extending with the edges toward an edge of the base and with two notches on each side of elongated pliable core member. The plurality of notches defines two sections of the base, with one section configured independently of the other section and with one section on each side of the elongated pliable core member.
US08691375B2
The invention provides a material for packaging of electronic components comprising a structured layer, wherein said structured layer comprises a mesh of cells, each cell comprising an electrically conductive rim and an electrically non conductive interior, said cells being interconnected so that any two adjacent cells share at least a portion of their respective rims.
US08691370B2
A multi-layered support structure provides ergonomic, adaptable seating support. The multi-layered support structure includes multiple cooperative layers to maximize global comfort and support while enhancing adaptation to localized variations in a load, such as in the load applied when a person sits in a chair. The cooperative layers each include elements such as pixels, springs, support rails, and other elements to provide this adaptable comfort and support. The multi-layered support structure also uses aligned material to provide a flexible yet durable support structure. Accordingly, the multi-layered support structure provides maximum comfort for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.
US08691368B2
A thermally conductive sheet comprises a thermally conductive polymer layer, an adhesive layer provided on an outer surface of the thermally conductive polymer layer, and a thermal diffusion layer, which is a functional layer provided on the adhesive layer. The thermally conductive polymer layer is formed of a thermally conductive polymer composition containing a polymer matrix and a thermally conductive filler. The coefficient of static friction of the thermally conductive polymer layer is 1.0 or lower. The adhesive layer has an outer shape smaller than that of the thermally conductive polymer layer.
US08691366B2
A cutting tool with a substrate which is coated with a coating layer containing TiaAlbNbdMe(C1-xNx), where M represents one or more elements selected from among Si, W, Mo, Ta, Hf, Cr, Zr and Y, where 0.1≦a≦0.7, 0≦b≦0.8, 0.02≦d≦0.25, 0≦e≦25, a+b+d+e=1.0 and 0≦x≦1 and is provided with a rake face; a flank face; a cutting edge between the rake face and the flank face; and droplets on the surface of the coating layer. The droplets include finer droplets having particle diameters of 300 nm or less; and coarser droplets having particle diameters of 1000 nm or more. The flank face has a higher percentage of the finer droplets than the rake face. An Nb content in the coarser droplets on the flank face is higher than an Nb of the coarser droplets on the rake face.
US08691365B2
A composition includes an inorganic particle core and an initiator molecule chemically bonded thereto. The particle core is formed of a material having a dielectric constant of about fifteen or more. The initiator molecule includes a chain having about twenty or fewer carbon atoms and a phosphorous atom chemically bonded to an end of the chain. An alkyl derivative of an aryl moiety terminates another end of the chain.
US08691362B2
An apparatus includes a substrate having a top surface, a substantially regular array of raised structures located over the top surface, and a layer located on the top surface between the structures. Distal surfaces of the structures are farther from the top surface than remaining portions of the structures. The layer is able to contract such that the distal surfaces of the structures protrude through the layer. The layer is able to swell such that the distal surfaces of the structures are closer to the top surface of the substrate than one surface of the layer.
US08691359B1
A vehicle CD player plug-cover that includes a parallelepiped cover having a parallelepiped insert projecting perpendicularly from a rear surface, which insert releasably inserts into an automobile CD player to conceal the CD player from view.
US08691355B2
Disclosed is a film dressing comprising a film dressing body. The film dressing body (1) comprises a film (2) and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (3) provided on one side of the film (2). The film dressing further comprises a release liner (4) covering the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (3) on its adhesive face, and a carrier (5) covering the backside of the film (2). A carrier division part (5d) is provided to divide the carrier (5) into a carrier first part (51) and a carrier second part (52). A flap layer (7) is stacked so as to cover the carrier division part (5d). A flap layer division part (7d) is provided in the flap layer (7) to divide the flap layer (7) into a flap layer first part (71) and a flap layer second part (72) which are partially joined respectively on the carrier first pat (51) and the carrier second part (52). Preferably, division parts (4d1, 4d2) are provided in the release liner (4).
US08691351B2
An antireflection film includes, in a following order, a transparent substrate film; a medium refractive index layer; a high refractive index layer; and a low refractive index layer, wherein the medium refractive index layer is (A) a medium refractive index layer having a refractive index of 1.60 to 1.64 at a wavelength of 550 nm and a thickness of 55.0 to 65.0 nm, the high refractive index layer is (B) a high refractive index layer having a refractive index of 1.70 to 1.74 at a wavelength of 550 nm and a thickness of 105.0 to 115.0 nm, and the low refractive index layer is (C) a low refractive index layer having a refractive index of 1.32 to 1.37 at a wavelength of 550 nm and a thickness of 85.0 to 95.0 nm.
US08691334B2
Provided is a method of fabricating a substrate where patterns are formed, the method including: forming first bonding agent patterns having selective cohesion in a position in which oxide bead patterns are to be formed on a substrate; coating a second bonding agent having larger cohesion with the first bonding agent than cohesion with the substrate, on a plurality of oxide beads, applying the oxide beads, on which the second bonding agent is coated, to the substrate and forming the oxide beads, on which the second bonding agent is coated, on the first bonding agent patterns; and thermally processing the substrate.
US08691330B2
Optical film having antistatic layer, antireflection film, polarizing plate and image display device
An optical film having a transparent support having thereon at least a hardcoat layer and an antistatic layer in this order, wherein the hardcoat layer and the antistatic layer are formed by simultaneously coating compositions for forming respective layers, the antistatic layer comprises at least (A) an electrically conductive organic compound and (B) a polyfunctional monomer having three or more polymerizable groups, a content of an inorganic oxide fine particle in the antistatic layer is less than 10 weight % based on an entire solid content of the antistatic layer, and a common logarithmic value (LogSR) of surface resistivity SR (Ω/sq) on the antistatic layer side with respect to the transparent support is 13 or less.
US08691329B2
A method is disclosed for laser cladding a substrate, comprising providing the substrate; depositing a first determined variable bead width of a material along a toolpath upon the substrate; depositing a second adjacent determined variable bead width of a material along the toolpath which overlaps the first determined variable bead width of deposited material; continuing to deposit a plurality of overlapping predetermined adjacent variable bead widths of a material until a first material layer is complete; forming a second material layer by depositing a plurality of overlapping predetermined variable bead widths of a material on top of the first material layer; and continuing to deposit material layers on top of deposited material layers until the cladding is complete; wherein the variable bead width of the deposited material is controlled by a computer having a plurality of input parameters to maintain an approximately constant percent of bead width overlap.
US08691326B2
A method for manufacturing a solar cell electrode, comprising the steps of: (a) applying a conductive paste for bus electrode to a wafer in order to form a bus electrode pattern; (b) depositing onto the wafer a photocurable conductive paste for finger electrode from a discharge slot of a dispenser nozzle to thereby form an uncured finger electrode pattern on the wafer, wherein the nozzle moves parallel to the wafer; and (c) curing the uncured finger electrode pattern by exposing the uncured finger electrode pattern to UV light either after forming the uncured finger electrode pattern on the wafer in the step (b), or concurrent with the step (b).
US08691322B2
A method for measuring the thickness of a coating on a component section of a rotating component, wherein a heat expansion of the component section is determined by detecting a component core temperature and an actual coating thickness is produced, a device for conducting a method of this type having a temperature detecting system and having an evaluating device, as well as a production process and a coating system, are disclosed.
US08691306B2
A process and an installation for the improved extraction and subsequent recovery of contents from sugar beets (Beta vulgaris) or from sugar beet cossettes.
US08691298B2
A stabilized formulation for skin care, wound care and/or other tissue healing applications and methods for making the same is described. The stabilized formulation stabilizes omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and is constituted of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in combination with tocopherol (Vitamin E), ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), herb extract, and a fat-soluble antioxidant. Methods for making and using the stabilized formulation are also described.
US08691287B2
Disclosed herein are ophthalmic cleaning systems and methods for their use, which comprise an ophthalmic solution and lens case, wherein the solution includes dual disinfectants and the lens case includes silver. When the lens case is combined with the solution according to the system of the present invention, it surprisingly exhibits synergistic activity which results in a faster antimicrobial activity.
US08691278B2
Provided are bioerodible compositions that can be implanted into cavities or mammalian tissue as a liquid or semi-liquid and which solidify upon exposure of the body temperature of the mammal. The implants erode over a prescribed period of time and elute a drug. The implants also form a seal with the skin or mucosa surrounding the cavity to prevent the entry of bacterial pathogens.
US08691262B2
A process creates a homogenous sheet of engineered tissue comprised of encapsulated cells and a deformable engineered tissue construct. In the embodiment consisting of a collagen construct with encapsulated cells capable of contracting the matrix, the collagen fibers and encapsulated cells are aligned during the process. An apparatus can deliver controlled homogenous strain and stress to a thin sheet of engineered tissue. This process allows application of dynamic, uniform tensile loading to deformable engineered tissue constructs and creation of an engineered cell-delivery construct with alignment of both fibers and encapsulated cells.
US08691261B2
It is intended to provide a drug delivery system which makes it possible to solve the existing technical problems and is easily usable in practice. A drug, which comprises an organic compound or an inorganic compound and has been magnetized by modifying a side chain and/or crosslinking side chains, is induced by a magnetic force into target tissues or an affected part.
US08691260B2
The present invention relates to immobilized biologically active entities having heparin cofactor II binding activity.
US08691259B2
A biocompatible tissue repair stimulating implant or “scaffold” device is used to repair tissue injuries, particularly injuries to ligaments, tendons, and nerves. Such implants are especially useful in methods that involve surgical procedures to repair injuries to ligament, tendon, and nerve tissue in the hand and foot. The repair procedures may be conducted with implants that contain a biological component that assists in healing or tissue repair.
US08691258B2
Implantable medical devices (IMDS) having anti-infective properties are described. Anti-infective agents are disposed in, on, or about at least a portion of a surface of the medical device. The anti-infective agents are disposed in or on a vehicle, which may be in the form of a coating layer or covering. The vehicle may be biodegradable so that, over time, the anti-infective agent is removed from a tissue location into which the device is implanted, reducing the likelihood that microorganisms resistant to the anti-infective agent will develop. IMDs having an anti-infective agent and an anti-activity agent disposed therein, thereabout, or thereon are also described. The anti-activity agent interferes with the activity of the anti-infective agent, may be released from a surface at the IMD at a time when activity of the anti-infective agent is no longer desired, and may reduce the likelihood that microorganisms resistant to the anti-infective agent will develop.
US08691256B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide compositions for controlling a target pest including a first agent and a second agent comprising a pest control product or a signal cascade modulator, wherein the first agent and the second agent act synergistically to control the target pest. The first agent can be capable of interacting with a receptor in the target pest. The pest control product can have a first activity against the target pest when applied without the active agent and the compositions can have a second activity against the target pest; and the second activity can be greater than the first activity. Embodiments of the invention can include compositions that modulate the signal cascade initiated by the binding of ligands to, for example, cell surface receptors. Methods of screening such compositions are also disclosed.
US08691251B2
The invention relates to core-shell particles, the shell of which includes aggregated, hydrophobicized silicon dioxide particles, and the core of which includes a liquid phase, and in which the ratio of aggregated, hydrobicized silicon dioxide particles to the liquid phase, based on the total weight of the particles, is 2:98 to 40:60, where 60-100% by weight of glycerol is present in the liquid phase. The invention further encompasses the production of these core-shell particles and also their use for cosmetic purposes.
US08691246B2
A composition for forming a temporary intestinal occlusion in a mammal is flowable and solidifiable to form a solid plug at a predetermined site in the intestine, the structure of the plug being changeable to allow for a subsequent, at least partial removal of the occlusion. The composition is or comprises a flowable solution, suspension, or dispersion in a solvent or mixed solvent, and comprises the following: a) a suspension of a solid in water or an aqueous mixed solvent, the suspension having a water content which exceeds the flow limit of the suspension by a specific amount; b) a dehydrating agent in an amount which is sufficient to bind the specific amount of water, so that, as a consequence of dehydration, the flow limit of the suspension is exceeded; and c) a means for passivating the dehydrating agent.
US08691239B2
Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.
US08691237B2
Compositions and methods for the diagnosis and prevention of B. abortus infection are provided.
US08691228B2
The present invention relates to particularly stable and soluble scFv antibodies and Fab fragments specific for TNFα, which comprise specific light chain and heavy chain sequences that are optimized for stability, solubility, in vitro and in vivo binding of TNFα, and low immunogenicity. Said antibodies are designed for the diagnosis and/or treatment of TNFα-related disorders. The nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expression of the recombinant antibodies of the invention, methods for isolating them and the use of said antibodies in medicine are also disclosed.
US08691223B2
Described are binding molecules such as human monoclonal antibodies that bind to influenza virus H5N1 and have neutralizing activity against influenza virus H5N1. Also described are nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies, and compositions comprising the antibodies and methods of identifying or producing the antibodies. The antibodies can be used in the diagnosis, prophylaxis, and/or treatment of an influenza virus H5N1 infection. In certain embodiments, the antibodies provide cross-subtype protection in vivo, such that infections with H5, H2, H6, H9, and H1-based influenza subtypes can be prevented and/or treated.
US08691217B2
The present invention provides placental stem cells and placental stem cell populations, and methods of culturing, proliferating and expanding the same. The invention also provides methods of differentiating the placental stem cells. The invention further provides methods of using the placental stem cells in assays and for transplanting.
US08691212B2
Provided are a novel therapeutic agent and therapeutic method for prostatic cancers. More specifically, a prostatic cancer therapeutic/prophylactic agent having a viral envelope vector, particularly a Sendai viral envelope vector, as an active ingredient, the therapeutic/prophylactic agent which is an apoptosis induction promoter, the therapeutic/prophylactic agent used for prostatic cancers whose androgen susceptibility has been partially or completely reduced, and a melanoma therapeutic/prophylactic agent containing a Sendai viral envelope vector as the only active ingredient, and the like are provided.
US08691211B2
This invention relates to methods and compositions for suppressing an immune response to Factor VIII in subjects suffering from hemophilia A and having preformed inhibitor antibodies against Factor VIII, and compositions and methods that advantageously render subjects amenable to standard treatments for hemophilia A, including Factor VIII replacement therapy.
US08691208B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for use in enzyme replacement therapy. The inventors disclose a method of producing membrane bound enzymes in an active soluble form by eliminating the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) membrane anchor. In particular the inventors disclose a soluble active form of the membrane bound enzyme TNSALP which they produced by deleting the GPI anchor single peptide sequence. They have further shown that this composition is useful for treatment of hypophosphatasia. The inventors also disclose oligo acid amino acid variants thereof which specifically target bone tissue.
US08691197B2
This invention relates to rinse-off skin conditioning compositions comprising relatively low amounts of oil/emollient and relatively low amounts of aqueous phase stabilizer/structurant. Use of unsaturated fatty acid (or at least minimum amount of unsaturated fatty acid as percentage of total fatty acid) has been found to result in unexpectedly high hydration. In a second embodiment, use of branched fatty acid (at minimum amount branched as percentage of total) also results in superior hydration. Also mixtures of unsaturated and branched fatty acids can be used.In a second embodiment, the invention relates to method of enhancing hydration using compositions as noted.
US08691188B2
Methods of utilizing the arrestin-2/sTAM-1 complex as a therapeutic target. The methods include treating cells of a living organism to mediate an interaction between arrestin-2 and STAM-1 adapter protein molecules, wherein the interaction is characterized by the arrestin-2 adapter protein molecule directly binding to the STAM-2 adapter protein molecule. Pharmacological agents can be identified for therapeutic uses by determining whether the pharmacological agent disrupts the interaction between the arrestin-2 and STAM-1 adapter protein molecules.
US08691179B2
A method for fabricating graphene sheets or graphene particles includes (a) dispersing graphene oxide in an alcohol solution to prepare a graphene oxide dispersion solution, (b) reducing the graphene oxide dispersion solution under a supercritical condition to prepare graphene sheets or graphene particles, each of which is as a cluster of the graphene sheets, and (c) separating the graphene sheets or graphene particles, followed by washing and drying, and a method for fabricating a graphene film is configured to fabricate a graphene film in form of a thin film using the graphene sheets or graphene particles fabricated according to the method.
US08691178B2
A method of processing bundles of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Bundles of CNTs are put into a solution and unbundled using sonication and one or more surfactants that break apart and disperse at least some of the bundles into the solution such that it contains individual semiconducting CNTs, individual metallic CNTs, and remaining CNT bundles. The individual CNTs are separated from each other using agarose bead column separation using sodium dodecyl sulfate as a surfactant. Remaining CNT bundles are then separated out by performing density-gradient ultracentrifugation.
US08691173B2
The invention relates to a composition for treatment of water comprising rice husk ash and at least one bactericidal agent bonded to the rice husk ash. The bactericidal agent bonded to the rice husk ash is preferably silver and more particularly the bactericidal agent is nano silver. The invention also relates to a method of water purification using a composition comprising rice husk ash and at least one bactericidal agent bonded to the rice husk ash.
US08691172B2
High temperature fusion of olivine to produce forsterite in the presence of a reducing agent such as carbon can produce improved refractories when in addition to MgO additional, particular oxidation and/or oxidative reaction environments beyond the use of Carbon are employed.
US08691168B2
The present invention provides a process for preparing a solution of electrically uncharged [(OH)x(NH3)yZn]z where x, y and z are each independently 0.01 to 10, comprising at least the steps of (A) contacting ZnO and/or Zn(OH)2 with ammonia in at least one solvent in order to obtain a solution of electrically uncharged [(OH)x(NH3)yZn]z where x, y and z each independently 0.01 to 10 with a concentration c1, (B) removing some solvent from the solution from step (A) in order to obtain a suspension comprising Zn(OH)2, (C) removing solid Zn(OH)2 from the suspension from step (B), and (D) contacting the Zn(OH)2 from step (C) with ammonia in at least one solvent in order to obtain a solution of electrically uncharged [(OH)x(NH3)yZn]z where x, y and z are each independently 0.01 to 10 with the concentration c2, and to highly concentrated solutions of electrically uncharged [(OH)x(NH3)yZn]z where x, y and z are each independently 0.01 to 10, to a process for producing a layer comprising at least zinc oxide on a substrate, comprising at least the steps of (E) preparing a solution of electrically uncharged [(OH)x(NH3)yZn]z where x, y and z are each independently 0.01 to 10 by the former process according to the invention, (F) applying the solution from step (E) to the substrate and (G) thermally treating the substrate from step (F) at a temperature of 20 to 450° C. in order to convert electrically uncharged [(OH)x(NH3)yZn]z where x, y and z are each independently 0.01 to 10 to zinc oxide.
US08691159B2
A modular catalyst bed support can be used to increase the number of catalyst beds available in a reactor. The modular catalyst bed support can include a lattice with a plurality of lattice openings and modules inserted into the lattice openings. The modular catalyst bed support can rest on top of an underlying catalyst bed, which can reduce or eliminate the need for attachment of the modular catalyst bed support to the walls of the reactor.
US08691157B2
A honeycomb structure includes at least one honeycomb unit. The at least one honeycomb unit has a plurality of through holes defined by partition walls along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb unit. The honeycomb unit includes zeolite, an inorganic binder, and a noble metal catalyst. The noble metal catalyst is supported in a region of the honeycomb unit. The region extends from one end portion of the honeycomb unit in the longitudinal direction over approximately 1.5% or more to approximately 20% or less of an overall length of the honeycomb unit in the longitudinal direction.
US08691156B2
A preferential oxidation reactor for removing carbon monoxide in a hydrogen mixture gas is disclosed. The preferential oxidation reactor may include a housing having a catalytic layer provided therein, a mixture gas supply portion inserted into the interior of the housing and penetrating the catalytic layer, a condensate receiving portion contained within the housing and in fluid communication with a gas outlet port of the mixture gas supply portion and condensate control tubes arranged in the catalytic layer of the housing and in fluid communication with the condensate receiving portion. The condensate control tubes may have a capillary structure. A fuel cell system including the preferential oxidation reactor is also disclosed.
US08691155B2
Embodiments of a hydrocarbon conversion apparatus are provided, as are embodiments of a hydroprocessing conversion process. In one embodiment, the hydrocarbon conversion apparatus includes a reaction vessel having a reaction chamber and a feed distribution chamber. A riser fluidly couples the feed distribution chamber to the reaction chamber, and a catalyst recirculation standpipe fluidly couples the reaction chamber to the feed distribution chamber. The catalyst recirculation standpipe forms a catalyst recirculation circuit with the reaction chamber, the feed distribution chamber, and the riser. A catalyst is circulated through the catalyst recirculation circuit during operation of the hydrocarbon conversion apparatus.
US08691148B2
The invention provides a small-sized automatic analyzer being compact, enabling a large number of analysis items to be carried out, and having a high processing speed. The automatic analyzer is particularly suitably applied to a medical analyzer used for qualitative/quantitative analysis of living body samples, such as urine and blood. A plurality of sample dispensing mechanism s capable of being operated independently of each other are provided to suck a sample from any one of a plurality of sample suction positions and to discharge the sucked sample to any one of a plurality of positions on a reaction disk. The automatic analyzer having a high processing capability can be thus realized without increasing the system size.
US08691147B2
The invention provides an apparatus and a method of processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet. The apparatus comprises a processing compartment, which is defined by a reservoir and an immobilization member. The processing compartment is further adapted to accommodate a medium, which is immiscible with the liquid droplet, and of a lower surface energy than the liquid of the liquid droplet. The reservoir is defined by a circumferential wall and a base. The immobilization member is arranged within the reservoir and comprises a surface that is patterned in such a way that it comprises at least one predefined immobilization area. The predefined immobilization area within the patterned surface is of a higher surface energy than the medium. The liquid droplet is disposed onto the predefined immobilization area, whereby the liquid droplet is immobilized thereon via hydrophilic-hydrophilic or hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions.
US08691134B2
Droplets of polymerizable material may be patterned on a film sheet using a roll-to-roll system. The droplets of polymerizable material may be dispensed on the film sheet such that a substantially continuous patterned layer may be formed on the film sheet. A contact system provides for smooth fluid front progression the polymerizable material during imprinting. A gas purging system may be positioned during imprinting. Gas purging systems may provide for purging in parallel as fluid front of polymerizable material moves through roll-to-roll system.
US08691131B2
Disclosed herein is a polyimide film having inorganic particles. The polyimide film is 12-250 μm in thickness. The polyimide film includes about 50-90 weight parts of polyimide and about 10-50 weight parts of the inorganic particles. The particle size of each of the inorganic particles is about 0.1 μm to about 5 μm. The polyimide film is characterized in that the thermal expansion coefficient is equal to or less than 30 ppm/° C. in any direction, the difference between two thermal expansion coefficients in two mutually perpendicular directions on the film surface is less than 10 ppm/° C., and the Young's modulus of the polyimide film is greater than 4 GPa in any direction. The dimensional stability of the polyimide film measured by the standard of IPC-TM-650 is less than 0.10% in any direction. A method for manufacturing the polyimide film is disclosed as well.
US08691129B2
A method of producing an electrically conductive composite composition, which is particularly useful for fuel cell bipolar plate applications. The method comprises: (a) providing a supply of expandable graphite powder; (b) providing a supply of a non-expandable powder component comprising a binder or matrix material; (c) blending the expandable graphite with the non-expandable powder component to form a powder mixture wherein the non-expandable powder component is in the amount of between 3% and 60% by weight based on the total weight of the powder mixture; (d) exposing the powder mixture to a temperature sufficient for exfoliating the expandable graphite to obtain a compressible mixture comprising expanded graphite worms and the non-expandable component; (e) compressing the compressible mixture at a pressure within the range of from about 5 psi to about 50,000 psi in predetermined directions into predetermined forms of cohered graphite composite compact; and (f) treating the so-formed cohered graphite composite to activate the binder or matrix material thereby promoting adhesion within the compact to produce the desired composite composition. Preferably, the non-expandable powder component further comprises an isotropy-promoting agent such as non-expandable graphite particles. Further preferably, step (e) comprises compressing the mixture in at least two directions. The method leads to composite plates with exceptionally high thickness-direction electrical conductivity.
US08691124B2
An imprint lithography alignment apparatus is disclosed that includes at least two detectors which are configured to detect an imprint template alignment mark, wherein the alignment apparatus further comprises alignment radiation adjustment optics which are configured to provide adjustment of locations from which the at least two alignment detectors receive alignment radiation.
US08691106B2
A fire-resistant thermal and/or acoustic insulation product based on mineral wool and on an organic binder, including a carboxylic acid metal salt as fire retardant, the salt being in particular a carboxylate of a metal chosen from the group formed by aluminum, zinc, calcium and magnesium. A process is disclosed for manufacturing the fire-resistant insulation product and a sizing composition suitable for producing the product is disclosed.
US08691101B2
A method for manufacturing an ejection element substrate, which is provided with a flow-channel-forming member having an ejection orifice for ejecting a liquid and a liquid flow channel that is communicated with the ejection orifice, a substrate having a supply port for supplying the liquid to the liquid flow channel, and a filter structure formed in the bottom of the supply port, includes: forming the supply port by forming a through-hole by etching the substrate from a second face of the substrate on the side opposite to a first face of the substrate, on which the flow-channel-forming member is disposed; providing a resinous protection film on the side face and the bottom of the supply port; and forming a minute opening in the resinous protection film in the bottom of the supply port by carrying out a laser processing from the side of the second face.
US08691100B2
A method comprising providing a first substrate and forming a first sacrificial layer over the first substrate, the first sacrificial layer comprising a curved surface portion, and forming a curved micromirror by depositing a reflective material over at the curved surface portion.
US08691083B2
A process for converting heavy sulfur-containing crude oil into lighter crude oil with lower sulfur content and lower molecular weight is provided. The process is a low-temperature process using controlled cavitation.
US08691080B2
One exemplary embodiment can include a slurry hydrocracking process. The process can include combining one or more hydrocarbons and a slurry hydrocracking catalyst as a feed to a slurry hydrocracking reaction zone, fractionating an effluent from the slurry hydrocracking reaction zone, separating the pitch from at least a portion of the slurry hydrocracking catalyst, and recycling the suspension to the slurry hydrocracking reaction zone. The slurry hydrocracking catalyst may include a support. Fractionating the effluent may provide a light vacuum gas oil, a heavy vacuum gas oil, and a mixture comprising a pitch and the slurry hydrocracking catalyst. Generally, the separated slurry hydrocracking catalyst is comprised in a suspension.
US08691079B2
The present invention is directed to a process for hydroprocessing of a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock, comprising: (a) mixing liquid, partially vaporized and/or vaporized hydrocarbon feedstock with molecular hydrogen; (b) feeding said mixture into a compression reactor; (c) compressing said mixture to a pressure, a temperature and for a residence time sufficient to: i) thermally crack at least a portion of hydrocarbon molecules in said hydrocarbon feedstock, and ii) react hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst with unstable portions of the cracked molecules, forming a hydroprocessed product; and (d) expanding said mixture to reduce the pressure and temperature thereby reducing subsequent undesirable reactions.
US08691073B2
An electrochemical sensor strip has a base and a first electrode and a second electrode on the base. An oxidoreductase enzyme and a mediator are on the first electrode, and a soluble redox species is on the second electrode. The soluble redox species may be an organotransition metal complex, a transition metal coordination complex, an electroactive organic molecule, or mixtures thereof.
US08691071B2
A method for measuring the transmission rate of an analyte through a film. The method includes the steps of (i) separating a chamber into a first cell and a second cell with a known area of a film, (ii) flushing the first cell with an inert gas to remove any target analyte from the first cell, (iii) introducing a gas containing a known concentration of an analyte into the second cell, (iv) sealing the first cell to gas flow through the first cell, and (v) sensing any analyte in the first cell with a sensor that consumes the analyte at a rate greater than the rate at which the analyte is passing through the film, until a steady state rate of analyte consumption is measured by the sensor.
US08691062B2
An electrode device for an electrochemical sensor chip includes an insulation sheet having an insulating property and including a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to each other in a thickness direction, and electrode members having a conductivity and held by the insulation sheet with the electrode members piercing the insulation sheet in a thickness direction, one ends of the electrode members located on the top surface side of the insulation sheet being connected to an analyte, the other ends located on the bottom surface side of the insulation sheet being connected to an electrodes of a transducer, at least the one ends of the electrode members being made of a mixture of conductive particles and an insulating material.
US08691054B2
The present invention provides a configuration of a multi stage flash cross tube evaporator wherein flash stages are arranged in a plurality of at least two tiers with a first flash stage to which a heated solution is fed, a plurality of intermediate flash stages and a last flash stage from which the concentrated solution is discharged in each tier, wherein the flash stages in each tier are in a serial flow communication and the flash stages of each tier are in parallel flow communication to the flash stages in the other tier(s). Such configuration allows to minimize the size of the tube bundles, flash stages and evaporator shell and consequently minimizing evaporator weight and cost.
US08691029B2
A steel liner with a case comprising at least 95% martensite, such as substantially 100% martensite, and a core comprising pearlite and discrete ferrite grains decorating former austenite grain boundaries. The ferrite in the liner's core has an average size of less than about 25 μm.
US08691007B2
A wallboard, a method of preparing a wallboard, and a method of making a gypsum slurry to prepare a wallboard are provided. The wallboard includes a set gypsum dihydrate derived substantially from a non-fibrous form of calcium sulfate and selected from the group consisting of anhydrous gypsum and gypsum hemihydrate. The wallboard also includes an aerogel dispersed in the gypsum dihydrate.
US08691000B2
A wet gas scrubber is provided for removing at least one of solid and liquid particles from water-saturated gases with a Venturi zone adjustable with respect to the flow cross-section. The wet gas scrubber includes a fixed lower Venturi plate and a vertically adjustable upper Venturi plate disposed above the fixed lower Venturi plate. The Venturi plates are substantially parallel to one another and include corresponding segments configured to engage in each other. A plurality of Venturi channels are disposed between the Venturi plates and configured to guide a mixture of a gas to be cleaned and cleaning liquid droplets injected into a stream of the gas by a nozzle. The segments of the Venturi plates engage in each other while the Venturi channels are kept free.
US08690998B2
An electric precipitator includes a charge unit disposed at an upstream part and a dust collection unit disposed at a downstream part, the charge unit includes charge electrodes and a discharge wire disposed between two neighboring charge electrodes and separated from the charge electrodes, the dust collection unit includes high voltage electrodes, front ends of which are opposite to the charge unit, and low voltage electrodes, front ends of which are opposite to the charge unit and which alternate with high voltage electrodes, and the front ends of high voltage electrodes protrude toward the charge unit as compared to the front ends of low voltage electrodes, thereby guiding electrons to the discharge electrodes due to an electric field formed between the front ends of the high voltage electrodes and the discharge electrodes and thus reducing current leakage through the low voltage electrodes.
US08690990B2
A pre-purification method of feed air for cryogenic air separation, which includes; (a) an adsorption step wherein a compressed feed air is supplied in an adsorption column, wherein a moisture adsorbent and a carbon dioxide adsorbent are filled in this order from the side where the feed air is introduced in the column, to remove water and carbon dioxide from the feed air; (b) a decompression step wherein pressure in the adsorption column is reduced; (c) a heating step wherein the adsorbents in the decompressed column are heated and regenerated, and the heating step includes a total heating step wherein the moisture adsorbent and the carbon dioxide adsorbent are heated and a partial heating step wherein the moisture adsorbent is heated; (d) a cooling step wherein the adsorbents are cooled by introducing a purge gas, which is not heated, to the adsorption column; and (e) a pressurization step wherein the cooled adsorbents are pressurized by purified air.
US08690988B2
A method for use in production of metallic iron nodules comprising providing a reducible mixture into a hearth furnace for the production of metallic iron nodules, where the reducible mixture comprises a quantity of reducible iron bearing material, a quantity of first carbonaceous reducing material of a size less than about 28 mesh of an amount between about 65 percent and about 95 percent of a stoichiometric amount necessary for complete iron reduction of the reducible iron bearing material, and a quantity of second carbonaceous reducing material with an average particle size greater than average particle size of the first carbonaceous reducing material and a size between about 3 mesh and about 48 mesh of an amount between about 20 percent and about 60 percent of a stoichiometric amount of necessary for complete iron reduction of the reducible iron bearing material.
US08690984B1
An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous introduction of concentrated raw materials into a high-dilution irrigation-water environment whereby the stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution and reaction exotherms. A system wherein raw materials are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm reactor efficiently implements the method.
US08690982B1
An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous introduction of concentrated raw materials into a high-dilution irrigation-water environment whereby the stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution and reaction exotherms. A system wherein raw materials are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm reactor efficiently implements the method.
US08690973B2
There is described a reactor for entrained flow gasification for operation with dust-type or liquid fuels, wherein a number of gasification burners are disposed away from the reactor axis, with the center line of a gasification burner having an oblique position that is other than parallel to the reactor axis, it being possible for said oblique position to extend at different angles up to an angle of 90°. The center line does not necessarily have to intersect the reactor axis; rather the center line can pass the reactor axis at a predetermined distance. This arrangement is associated with a significant reduction in the unwanted discharge of dust-type fine slag, which is difficult to utilize, in conjunction with the possibility of reducing the reactor diameter due to its structure.
US08690971B2
A method is provided for reducing noxious emissions from the combustion of coal or other solid fuels wherein a suspension and/or a dispersing agent is combined with a catalyst having a high surface area to mass ratio so as to optimize the reduction of emissions such as NOx. In addition, the agent and/or catalyst is applied on the surface of the fuel in an evenly distributed manner so as to maximize the contact between the agent and/or catalyst and combustion gases and further maximize reduction of emissions.
US08690969B2
The use of an additive composition to improve the conductivity of a fuel oil. The additive composition comprises a polymeric condensation product formed by the reaction of an aliphatic aldehyde or ketone, or a reactive equivalent, with at least one ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid.
US08690968B2
The present disclosure is directed to a hydrocarbyl-substituted succinimide lubricity additive or a hydrocarbyl-substituted succinamide lubricity additive for low sulfur diesel fuel. The additive is derived from an olefin having little to no terminal double bonds and a very high proportion of internal double bonds. The succinimide or succinamide is made by combining the alkylated succinic anhydride with ammonia. Also provided is a method for reducing wear scarring in a compression ignition engine comprising providing to the engine a middle distillate fuel comprising an effective amount of the hydrocarbyl-substituted succinimide and/or hydrocarbyl-substituted succinamide. A method for reducing an average coefficient of friction of a middle distillate fuel in a compression ignition engine comprising providing to the engine the disclosed fuel is also disclosed. Moreover, there is disclosed a method for improving the average film thickness from the combustion of a middle distillate fuel in a compression ignition engine.
US08690966B2
A dye produced from tobacco plant materials selected from tobacco plants are described and a process for making the dye from the tobacco plants. In a preferred embodiment, the tobacco plants are organically grown and the stems and leaves of the plants are utilized to produce the dye. In one embodiment, the process percolates a hot liquid solution onto the plant materials to produce tobacco plant fiber and the dye. In the preferred embodiment, the process includes the steps of grinding the plant materials, adding treated water to form a solution, adding plant enzymes, heating the solution for set periods of time and selectively adjusting the pH level of the solution. The dye can be produced in many colors and does not require a mordant to bind. The process does not produce waste. The process expands the use of tobacco plants, minimizes environmental impacts and requires less material, fuel and other resources.
US08690965B2
A process for applying a finishing paper material on a leather or woven support material is described, comprising the steps of: first buttering of glue on a surface of the support material, positioning the finishing material on said support material, ironing, perching, second buttering of glue, and a finishing step.
US08690963B2
The invention relates to a hand prosthesis comprising a chassis and coupling elements for fastening the hand prosthesis to the stump of an arm and comprising at least one joint for the flexion and extension of the hand prosthesis in relation to the coupling elements, the chassis being kept in a neutral position against a spring force.
US08690962B2
This invention provides new above knee (AK) and below the knee (BK) prosthetic sockets and implements specific manufacturing processes for the production of prosthetic sockets through the automated, computer controlled bi-axial and tri-axial braiding of sockets, over a mold or mandrel made of carved foam, plaster material or wax that is a replica of the patient's truncated limb, and is created by a Computer Aided Design (CAD) file controlling a Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine tool. This method of manufacture using aerospace fibers such as graphite or Kevlar, and high performance resins, is used to create a socket which is stronger and lighter weight than conventionally manufactured sockets. Braiding also allows incorporation of woven cloth, tapes and other reinforcements into the braiding process for added strength at selected areas. The method dramatically decreases the production time and cost of the prosthetic relative to conventional methods.
US08690959B2
An implantable digestive organ is provided for the transport of materials through the digestive tract and in one particular application to an artificial large bowel for replacing all or part of a colon. The prosthetic organ of one embodiment includes an outer support structure, an expandable member or members located within the support structure, and a flexible inner member forming a conduit for passage of material. The inner member is located within the outer member and the expandable member(s) is located between the inner member and the support structure. The expandable members are expanded and contracted, or inflated and deflated to provide pumping action that pumps material through the organ. The prosthesis may also include valves or sphincters at its entrance and/or exit points where material moves into and out of the prosthesis. An implantable pump may be included for inflating and deflating the expandable members in a desired sequence.
US08690947B2
The artificial intervertebral disc of the present invention includes: a structured fabric having biomimetic structure and dynamic behavior, the structure comprising organic fibers, which are formed to be a cubic multi-axial three-dimensional fabric having tri-axial, to be interwoven tissues or to be a complex tissue of these; and tappets mounted on the upper surface and the lower surface of this structured fabric, wherein the tappets are connected and fitted with the connecting filaments vertically penetrating through the structured fabric. This structured fabric shows biomimetic dynamic behavior like a real intervertebral disc and achieves a clinically effective and reliable stand-alone type of biomimetic artificial intervertebral disc which can be inserted and fixed with minimally-invasive operation.
US08690937B2
A stent graft device for implanting in a body lumen, comprising a stent with non-staggered or staggered apexes, said stent comprising a plurality of stent sections, bendable connecting members forming said non-staggered or staggered apexes and connecting each of said stent sections to other stent sections to form a zigzag pattern, wherein said stent is staggerdly sutured to a graft by a plurality of suture knots, and wherein said suture knots and staggered apexes are staggered when said stent sections are crimped, and methods of use thereof.
US08690932B2
A collapsible bone screw for healing bone fragments across a bone fracture includes an externally threaded inner screw member and an externally threaded outer screw member. The inner screw member is initially screwed into an inner bone portion. An unthreaded portion of the outer screw member is movably joined to the inner screw member. The outer screw member is screwed until it gains purchase in an outer bone portion. As impaction occurs over time, the collapsible bone screw apparatus may shorten in length as the two screw members slide, telescope or otherwise axially move toward each other to shorten the overall length, thereby preventing any portion of the screw apparatus from protruding out of the bone. A bone screw kit of multiple inner and outer screw members are provided as well as a method of surgically fastening bone fragments.
US08690930B2
A bone anchor includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, a bore extending from the first end to the second end, and a plug member which is insertable into the bore and guidable through the bore for closing the bore at the second end. The bone anchor is suitable for minimally invasive surgery in such a way a guide wire can be guided through the bone anchor and after the bone anchor has been anchored in the bone the plug member is inserted to close the open end of the bone anchor. A bone cement or a pharmaceutical substance can be introduced into the bone anchor.
US08690924B2
A spinal screw assembly includes a bone-anchoring member, a washer, and a seat. The bone-anchoring member includes a main shaft, a washer head, and a spherical head. The spherical head extends upward from the top end of the main shaft and the washer head extends laterally from a location of the main shaft between the main shaft's top end and bottom end. The washer is polyaxially rotatable and positionable around the washer head and is configured to be placed at a first angle relative to the main shaft. The seat is polyaxially rotatable and positionable around the spherical head independent from the washer and is configured to be placed at a second angle relative to the main shaft, wherein the second angle is independent from the first angle.
US08690921B2
Disclosed are an apparatus for an interspinous fixation and/or distraction of vertebrae and a methodology for minimally invasive implantation of the apparatus in the spine of a patient. The apparatus corresponds to a pair of teardrop shaped lateral wing elements spaced apart by a central core element that may be selectively sized during the implantation process. The wings and central core are held together by a single threaded bolt and locking nut configuration resulting in a simple structure that may be easily implanted with minimal patient discomfort.
US08690914B2
A suture system has a suture 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 located between the first plurality of barbs and the second plurality of barbs. The body provides an anchor that can hold tissue relative to the first end and the second end of the suture. The body can slide and be positioned on said suture.
US08690911B2
A medical device, system and method for modifying a left atrial appendage (“LAA”). The medical device system includes a tether anchored within the LAA and one or more tissue growth members or occluders configured to be slid over the tether and lodged within the LAA. With this arrangement, a physician may close-off the LAA with a selective number of tissue growth members to meet the varying LAA sizes as determined from imaging information while conducting the procedure.
US08690905B2
A medical device delivery system comprises an inner tube, a medical device disposed about a portion of the distal region of the inner tube, a medical device sheath disposed about the medical device, a medical device sheath retraction device extending proximally from the medical device sheath and an outer sheath disposed about a portion of the medical device sheath retraction device. The distal end of the outer sheath terminates at least one medical device length proximal of the medical device. The medical device sheath is movable relative to the outer sheath and relative to the inner tube.
US08690902B2
Methods and devices are provided for enlarging an anastomosis fistula. In general, a surgical clip is applied to tissue surrounding a strictured anastomosis. The clip will exert a pressure on the engaged tissue that causes ischemic necrosis, and as a result the necrotic tissue and the clip will slough off, leaving an anastomosis with a larger diameter fistula.
US08690898B2
A surgical instrument includes first and second members configured to receive tissue therebetween. The first member is adapted to receive suture, the second member is coupled to the first member, and a grasper coupled to the second member engages the suture received by the first member. A method of passing suture includes loading suture into a first member of a suture passing surgical instrument, stabilizing tissue between the first member and a second member of the surgical instrument, passing suture through tissue via the first member of the surgical instrument, holding the passed suture via a suture grasper of the surgical instrument, and removing the first member from the tissue.
US08690894B2
An automated system for harvesting or implanting follicular units, including a moveable arm; a harvesting and/or implantation tool mounted on the moveable arm; one or more cameras mounted on the moveable arm; a processor configured to receive and process images acquired by the one or more cameras; and a controller operatively associated with the processor and configured to position the moveable arm based, at least in part, on processed images acquired by the one or more cameras, wherein the moveable arm is positionable such that the tool may be positioned at a desired orientation relative to an adjacent body surface.
US08690879B2
A retractor system and method for locating and placing a polyaxial screw while substantially simultaneously retracting tissue is shown and described. The retractor has a channel that facilitates introducing a rod into the polyaxial screw. Various embodiments are shown, including one which utilized a reducer for moving the rod in the retractor.
US08690878B2
There is disclosed a system for positioning a connecting element adjacent one or more bones or bony portions, such as the spinal column, through a minimally invasive surgical approach. The system generally includes at least one bone anchor engageable to the one or more bones or bony portions and at least one anchor extender removably engaged to the bone anchor. A connecting element is movable along a longitudinal axis of the anchor extender. In response to movement of the connecting element along the longitudinal axis toward the bone anchor, the anchor extender flexes, bends or otherwise reconfigures to allow a leading end of the connecting element to be rotated away from the longitudinal axis so that the connecting element can be positioned in a transverse orientation to the longitudinal axis along the one or more bones or bony portions at a location adjacent the bone anchor.
US08690865B2
The present invention comprises methods and devices for thermal treatment of a barrier to increase the permeability of the barrier. One form of increasing the permeability of the barrier comprises forming micropores which may be used for administration of active agents across the barrier, or may be used for sampling or collecting fluids, or may be used for detecting, measuring or determining analytes, or may be used for monitoring of physiological or other conditions. Devices of the present invention may comprise microheaters that are activated by inductive or ohmic heating power supply components.
US08690862B2
System and method for making incisions in eye tissue at different depths. The system and method focuses light, possibly in a pattern, at various focal points which are at various depths within the eye tissue. A segmented lens can be used to create multiple focal points simultaneously. Optimal incisions can be achieved by sequentially or simultaneously focusing lights at different depths, creating an expanded column of plasma, and creating a beam with an elongated waist.
US08690852B2
A force focused fastening system maintaining a fastener element in plane during fastening. The force focused fastening system includes a force focused fastening member including an extensible region and an end region. The end region includes a fastener element and the extensible region includes a high modulus region aligned relative to a center portion of the fastener element. During fastening, the force focused fastening member directs forces toward the center portion of the fastener element, away from end portions, minimizing distortion of the fastener element.
US08690849B2
A body waste collecting device for attachment to the body comprising a collecting pouch comprising a first wall and a second wall, the pouch being attached to an adhesive wafer, wherein a central portion of the wafer constitutes a part of the first wall of the pouch, the wafer comprises a permeable backing layer, at least one layer of an absorbent adhesive layer wherein the wafer comprises a moisture impermeable layer at least in the central portion.
US08690838B2
The transdermal administration device of the present invention includes: a needle support with a plurality of microneedles formed at a tip portion thereof; a holder with the needle support placed therein, allowing the needle support to protrude itself therefrom and retract therein; and a cap for covering the microneedles, and further includes: a spring member placed between the needle support and the holder, for biasing the needle support in a protruding direction; an engaging portion at a base of the needle support; and an engaged portion capable of engaging the engaging portion, formed in the holder, where the engaging portion of the needle support can be locked with the engaged portion of the holder when the needle support is retracted in the holder.
US08690835B1
A garment for use with a patient requiring treatment with a central venous catheter and/or gastrostomy tube. Access openings are provided through which the catheter or tube may be reached from the outside of the garment and, in the case of the catheter, coiled on the outside of the garment. Flaps are attached to the garment for covering the access openings and securing the catheter or tube under the flaps. When the access openings are connected with an open ended slot to a central longitudinal opening in the front of the garment, the catheter or tube may be passed into the access opening and the garment put on and taken off without disturbing the medical appliance to which the catheter or tube is attached.
US08690831B2
Devices and methods are provided for removing fluid from a surgical access device and/or from surgical instruments passed therethrough, and for preventing such fluid from accumulating. For example, in one embodiment, an exemplary device can include a body defining a working channel that is configured and sized to allow for passage of a surgical instrument therethrough. A number of seals can be disposed in the working channel so as to contact the inserted surgical instrument. One or more outlets can be oriented to direct gas, such as air or an insufflation gas, into the working channel so as to remove fluid on the seals, or other parts of the surgical access device, as well as the surgical instruments themselves. In some embodiments, constant flows of gases can be arranged to act as shields to help prevent fluid from accumulating on the surgical access device and/or surgical instruments.
US08690821B2
A robotic catheter rotatable device cartridge may include a housing member attachable to a drive mechanism for rotating the cartridge and a catheter attached to the cartridge along an axial direction of the catheter. A slider block may be generally slidable relative to the housing and engaged with one or more steering wires for controlling movement of the catheter in a transverse direction relative to the axial direction. The catheter may include the steering wire(s) engaged therewith and movable in the transverse direction when the slider block is linearly driven in a predetermined direction.
US08690820B2
A method and device for monitoring or treating patient glucose levels. The device includes a glucose sensor for measuring a glucose level of a patient, a physiological status monitoring system for measuring at least one physical or metabolic variable of the patient, and an automatic controller in communication with the glucose sensor and the physiological status monitoring system. The controller includes a prediction module for automatically predicting a future glucose level using data measured by the glucose sensor and the physiological sensor.
US08690816B2
An implantable flow connector for fluidically coupling a source tissue-enclosed body space with a destination element, comprising: a conduit having a lumen terminating at an orifice at a first end of the conduit implantable in the source body space through an opening formed in a tissue wall of the source body space, and a second end of the conduit implantable in the destination element through an opening in a surface of the destination element; and a circumferential flange, radially extending from the conduit proximate the conduit first end, configured to be implanted in the source body space adjacent an opening in the tissue wall of the source body space such that the conduit extends through the opening, the flange comprising one or more circumferentially adjacent sections at least one of which has a rigidity that decreases in a radially-increasing direction.
US08690812B2
A knee brace incorporates an upper attachment assembly received anteriorly on a thigh of and a lower attachment assembly to be received on a lower leg of a patent. Medial and lateral longitudinal supports are interconnected at medial and lateral hinges. An outer lateral arcuate support plate is attached to a first end of the lateral longitudinal support and an outer medial arcuate support plate is attached to a first end of the medial longitudinal support. Symmetrical lateral adjustment is accomplished with an anterior arcuate support plate and a lateral adjustment ratchet mounted to the anterior support plate. A lateral adjustment strap extends from the lateral arcuate support plate through the lateral adjustment ratchet. A lateral adjustment strap extends from the medial arcuate support plate through the lateral adjustment ratchet and rotation of the lateral adjustment ratchet symmetrically expands or retracts the lateral adjustment straps.
US08690809B2
A device for keeping a patient's forearm and hand substantially vertically elevated. The device includes a padded body having a base and a vertical supporting region defining a groove. The patient's forearm is positioned such that the forearm is suspended and supported in the groove of the padded body such that the elbow will rest lightly on the base of the padded body. A strap is attached to the vertical supporting region to secure the forearm. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for using a device for keeping a patient's forearm and hand substantially vertically elevated. The method includes the steps of providing a padded body having a base and a vertical supporting region defining a groove and placing the forearm in the padded body such that the forearm is positioned and suspended into the groove and the elbow rests lightly on the base.
US08690803B2
An architecture is presented that provides an exercise device for rehabilitation. The exercise device comprises at least two handles for securing hands of a user; a front rest and a back rest to position a body of the user; and at least two foot pedals for securing feet of the user. A reduction electric motor is used to power the exercise device. Additionally, the exercise device is fitted with wheels to allow the device to be moved. Typically, a user is lifted to a standing position and positioned between the back rest and front rest and secured. The user's hands are then secured to the handles via gloves and the user's feet are secured to the foot pedals via straps. The device is then powered on to exercise muscles of the user.
US08690797B2
A piercing system has a carrier band carrying piercing elements with test elements disposed in-between. The carrier band holder, which is coupled to a piercing drive, holds a segment of the carrier band and moves together with the segment and a piercing element at the segment during lancing. A wind-up roll displaces the band in a band transport direction. A measuring device measures analyte concentration of a bodily fluid sample received by a test element. A segment of the band having an unused test element is guided past a carrier band segment disposed in the holder or behind the holder in the band transport direction. The two carrier band segments are pressed against each other for transferring the sample from the piercing element to the test element. A method for transferring a bodily fluid sample from a piercing element to a test element is described.
US08690788B2
A living body information measuring apparatus can suppress the bulge of tendons due to the bending of a wrist or fingers, and has good contact intimacy with arteries, making it possible to make accurate measurements of living body information. A cuff is formed of: a compression fluid bag which is provided for detecting a pulse wave signal, and which can be expanded and contracted by being supplied with a fluid; and two auxiliary fluid bags which are provided on an outer side of the compression fluid bag, and which can be expanded and contracted by being supplied with the fluid. The auxiliary fluid bags have a two-layer structure, and are connected to the compression fluid bag via opening portions, while the auxiliary fluid bags are respectively divided from each other. The compression fluid bag compresses the tendons, the radial artery and the ulnar artery, while the auxiliary fluid bag and the auxiliary fluid bag compress the radial artery and the ulnar artery, respectively. Thus, the bulge of the tendons due to the bending of the wrist and fingers can be suppressed, so that the contact intimacy of the compression fluid bag and the auxiliary fluid bags with the wrist is not hindered.
US08690784B2
A monitoring system for cardiac operations with cardiopulmonary bypass comprising: a processor operatively connected to a heart-lung machine; a pump flow detecting device connected to a pump of the heart-lung machine to continuously measure the pump flow value and send it to the processor; a hematocrit reading device inserted inside the arterial or venous line of the heart-lung machine to continuously measure the blood hematocrit value and to send it to the processor; a data input device to allow the operator to manually input data regarding the arterial oxygen saturation and the arterial oxygen tension; computing means integrated in the processor to compute the oxygen delivery value on the basis of the measured pump flow, the measured hematocrit value, the preset value of arterial oxygen saturation, and the preset value of arterial oxygen tension; and a display connected to the processor to display in real-time the computed oxygen delivery value.
US08690776B2
Presented herein are methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable media for image guided surgery. The systems herein allow a physician to use multiple instruments for a surgery and simultaneously provide image-guidance data for those instruments. Various embodiments disclosed herein provide information to physicians about procedures they are performing, the devices (such as ablation needles, ultrasound wands or probes, scalpels, cauterizers, etc.) they are using during the procedure, the relative emplacements or poses of these devices, prediction information for those devices, and other information. Some embodiments provide useful information about 3D data sets. Additionally, some embodiments provide for quickly calibratable surgical instruments or attachments for surgical instruments.
US08690766B2
Laparoscopic instruments and trocars are provided for performing laparoscopic procedures entirely through the umbilicus. A generally C-shaped trocar provides increased work space between the hands of the surgeon as well as S-shaped laparoscopic instruments placed through the trocar when laparoscopic instrument-trocar units are placed through the umbilicus. In order to facilitate retraction of intra-abdominal structures during a laparoscopic procedure, an angulated needle and thread with either one-or two sharp ends is provided. Alternatively, an inflatable unit having at least one generally C-shaped trocar incorporated within the unit's walls can be placed through the umbilicus following a single incision. Generally S-shaped laparoscopic instruments may be placed through the generally C-shaped trocars to facilitate access to intra-abdominal structures.
US08690761B2
A minimal invasive neurosurgery assembly including a flush assembly having flush assembly main part with a central passage extending through the main part from the distal end to the proximal end along a longitudinal axis, and having at least one tool insertion assembly. The tool insertion assembly may include a tool handling part that is detachably connectable to the flush assembly main part and that has at least one tool insertion channel that extends from the distal end to the proximal end of the tool handling part. The tool insertion assembly may also include an inner sheath that is connected to the tool handling part and has an inner sheath wall and at least one lumen extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and in which an associated one of the at least one tool insertion channel emanates. The inner sheath may be insertable through the central passage of the flush assembly main part.
US08690757B2
An endoscope apparatus includes an apparatus main body having a housing with a concave portion formed in one surface, and an endoscope unit including a detachable connector portion in the concave portion, wherein, when the connector portion is mounted to the concave portion, the connector portion constitutes a part of the one surface. More preferably, a packing is provided in the housing or the connector portion that, when the connector portion is mounted to the housing, retains the mutual mating surfaces of the housing and the connector portion in a closely contacting state.
US08690756B2
A system is provided for advancing medical devices along an endoscope to a selected target anatomy in a patient. The advancing system includes a tether having a first portion disposed through a working channel of an endoscope and a second portion disposed external the endoscope. The advancing system may include a guiding device configured to advance a medical device beyond a distal portion of the endoscope to a selected target anatomy.
US08690754B2
A tractal erectile device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a hollow vessel having a first opening for receiving an organ, and a second opening for releasing fluid from within the vessel. The hollow vessel may include: an integral smooth lip portion surrounding the first opening for receiving an organ; an elongated cylindrical portion connected to the lip portion, an hour-glass portion connected to the elongated portion, and an ellipsoid shaped end portion including the second opening for releasing fluid from within the vessel.
US08690751B2
A sleep system is provided that aids in achieving a sleep goal by controlling the environment near a person. The sleep system executes instructions on a processor that interfaces with the person and various environmental controls. As the instructions are executed, the sleep system receives a sleep goal for the person that includes varying the nearby environment. The processor may further execute instructions to create settings that vary at least one environmental condition of the environment over time as it relates to one or more cycles of a sleep architecture for the person. Varying at least one environmental condition near the person experiencing one or more cycles of the sleep architecture influences the quality of the person's sleep. The sleep system may further adjust at least one environmental condition in the vicinity of the person tailored to the sleep architecture for the person.
US08690747B2
An eyelid plaque and a method of using the plaque to treat eye cancers. The eyelid plaque is placed on the eyelid such that it defines an enclosure within which the radiation source resides. The enclosure defines a radiation shield that reduces radiation entering other organs and structures proximate the cancer being treated.
US08690733B2
A time required until the friction element is completely engaged is delayed when a switch from a non-driving position to a driving position is detected or when the engine automatic stop condition no longer holds until the differential rotation of the friction element disappears after the engine automatic stop condition holds as compared with the case where the switch from the non-driving position to the driving position is detected or the engine automatic stop condition no longer holds after the differential rotation of the friction element disappears.
US08690730B2
A method is provided for improving shift quality in an automatic transmission. In many automatic transmissions, the shift quality during lift foot upshifts is unsatisfying. Generally, two types of complaints concerning shift quality are known: harsh feel right after the shift order and bump at the synchronization of the shift. In order to provide an automatic transmission which overcomes these two problems, a first and a second positive torque requests are initiated on upshift coasts. This measure improves the global shift feel by controlling the engine toque level at shift order and at synchronization: the engine torque level at the beginning of the gear shift is smoothly decreased to reduce the initial bump and is controlled at the synchronization to reduce the amplitude of underlap when the clutch capacity is rising.
US08690717B2
A tensioning device for compensating for elongations of the traction mechanism, in particular a chain or a timing belt, of a power transmission drive, in particular on an internal combustion engine, having a tensioning mechanism, in particular a tensioning rail, a sliding shoe or tensioning arm having a tensioning roller. A tensioning element is disposed between a support surface on the tensioning mechanism and a support, in particular on the internal combustion engine, and the support surface on the tensioning mechanism is made of a material which has a high strength.
US08690715B2
A lighting system, for use in combination with a basketball backboard device mounted on a pole, comprises a plurality of lighting devices positioned adjacent the basketball backboard device. The lighting devices comprise a housing, a connector, a first light source, a lens and a light filter, and a secondary light source. The lens focuses lines defined by the light filter. The first light source is positioned to project the lines on to an activity surface to define a foul lane for a basketball court. The connector connects the housing to the pole supporting the basketball backboard device. The secondary light source is positioned to simultaneously illuminate a backboard of the basketball backboard device while the first light source projects the lines through the lens and the light filter. The lines from the first light source combine together on the activity surface to define an area for a basketball game.
US08690711B2
A plurality of layers and elements are incorporated into a golf ball to display values for various swing characteristics on a display layer of a ball. A calculator is incorporated to calculate a value of at least one swing characteristic. A weighted light source is incorporated to display the value on a display layer. The display layer is a substantially opaque layer.
US08690701B2
Provided is a golf swing training apparatus suited to strengthen target muscles in various body regions necessary for golf swings, and train a proper swing form. The apparatus is designed to, when a user performs a golf swing motion while grasping a grip of a golf swing mechanism whose height position is adjustable depending on a body height of a user, allow the grip to be moved along an arc, and transmit the arc movement of the grip from a swing-arm holder to a weight-arm holder to which a weight arm is fixed, through a swing-power transmission shaft, so as to swingingly move the weight arm about an axis of the weight-arm holder to allow a weight member on the weight arm to act as a load countering golf swing power. The apparatus has a mechanism capable of allowing the load based on the weight member fastened to the weight arm to be arbitrarily adjusted depending on individual differences in muscle strength.
US08690697B2
A slide feature is adapted to carry one or more riders and/or ride vehicles sliding thereon. The slide feature includes a sliding surface having an entry end and an exit end. The sliding surface comprising at least a lower portion of a sideways tilted funnel shape wherein a radius of the sliding surface tapers from the entry end to the exit end. A lowermost surface of the sliding surface is horizontal or slightly inclined from horizontal descending from the entry end to the exit end. The sliding surface comprising side walls each extending upward from the lowermost surface about a longitudinal axis which would be defined by the complete sideways tilted funnel shape through an angle of more than 90°. The entry end is substantially larger in diameter than the exit end.
US08690689B1
A connection apparatus includes a first flange member having a threaded portion; a second flange member having a threaded portion; a central annular connecting flange positioned in between the first and second flanges; a pair of cross trunnion assemblies being next to and on opposing sides of the annular connecting flange; a pair of threaded collars connecting each trunnion assembly to the connecting flange and a flange; a plurality of key and slot connections that provide an interlocking interface between each flange and each trunnion assembly; and bolted connections the secure each trunnion assembly to the central annular connecting flange.
US08690687B1
A magnetic coupling assembly has a supporting base, a first disk, a second disk and two piezoelectric actuators. The piezoelectric actuators are mounted between the supporting base and the first disk to drive the first disk to move along an axial direction of the supporting base and to adjust the air gap between the first and second disks. Each piezoelectric actuator has a housing, a pushing arm and at least one piezoelectric block. The pushing arm is mounted slidably in and extends out of the housing along a longitudinal direction parallel with the axial direction of the supporting base and has an end securely connected with the first disk. The at least one piezoelectric block is mounted in the housing and is attached to the pushing arm to push the pushing arm to move along the longitudinal direction.
US08690686B2
In the gaming machine, an effect producing unit is disposed behind the opened door which protrudes laterally outside the side face plane of the cabinet. The effect producing unit is disposed in the space between the cabinets of adjacent gaming machines so that the space can be efficiently utilized. In addition, the effects of the gaming machine can be enhanced since the effect producing unit produces the attractive effects to a game.
US08690664B2
A method and apparatus to implement special features on slot machine games. An additional award indicator, such as a bonus wheel, a perimeter prize wheel, an additional reel, etc., can be used to modify an award of a main game. The additional award indicator can be successively activated while a resultant combination of mains reels of the slot game remain fixed.
US08690642B2
A blade sharpening system is provided that includes a sharpening assembly including a sharpener configured to engage a generally circular agricultural implement blade while mounted on the agricultural implement. The blade sharpening system also includes a rail configured to support the sharpening assembly and to facilitate movement of the sharpening assembly along the rail. The blade sharpening system further includes a mounting feature coupled to the rail and configured to engage a structural member of the agricultural implement to support the rail and sharpening assembly.
US08690640B2
A complex geographical edge finishing system includes a fixture that holds an external part having a complex three-dimensional edge, a track disposed around the fixture and surrounding the edge of the part held in the fixture, and one or more finishing apparatuses that can sand, polish, buff, paint and/or apply coatings to the complex three-dimensional edge. The finishing apparatuses move about the track such that the three-dimensional edge of the part can be polished. The path of the track can substantially match, mimic or otherwise correspond to the path of the three-dimensional edge, such that special requirements for the finishing apparatuses are not required.
US08690634B2
A support structure for a bra includes a two-ply structural support layer having an m-shaped ply of compression fabric, forming left and right openings along a bottom aspect of the m-shaped ply, and a w-shaped ply of compression fabric, forming left and right openings along a top aspect of the w-shaped ply. The m- and w-shaped plies are joined together such that the left and right openings of each ply overlap to form left and right pockets for accommodating at least a portion of a wearer's left and right breasts. The support structure encapsulates and separates the breasts. When joined with straps of a sports bra or top, the two-ply structural support layer provides sling-type support of the breasts. Compressive fabric of the bra or top compresses the breasts to a wearer's chest; thus, a bra or top incorporating the support structure provides three-way support via encapsulation, suspension and compression.
US08690621B2
In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine to power a propeller, and a transmission being selectively changeable in gear position to establish speeds including a first speed and a second speed and transmitting power of the engine to the propeller with a gear ratio determined by established speed, engine speed is detected, it is determined whether acceleration is instructed when the second speed is established, and operation of the transmission is controlled to change the gear position from the second speed to the first speed when the acceleration is determined to be instructed, and then change back the gear position from the first speed to the second speed based on the detected engine speed, thereby enabling to control the transmission optimally.
US08690619B2
In an outboard motor steering apparatus, a stiff but flexible cable is wound on a reel driven by a reversible motor. The cable extends from a housing containing the reel and connects to a rod within the tilt tube of an outboard motor. The rod is in turn linked to the outboard motor so that steering of the outboard motor can be accomplished by winding the cable onto, and unwinding the cable from, the reel. The cable is guided by a bent channel within the housing so that it extends from a narrow part of the housing located aft of the reel.
US08690617B2
A swimming propulsion device. The swimming propulsion device includes a fuselage at least one propulsor pivotally connected to the fuselage, and in some embodiments, at least one stabilizer affixed to the fuselage. The device also includes a swimmer connection mechanism removably attached to the fuselage by a locking mechanism whereby the swimmer connection mechanism connects a swimmer to the device, and a control mechanism installed within the propulsor. A method for efficient swimming is also disclosed.
US08690603B2
A coaxial cable connector includes tubular post, a coupler secured over an end of the tubular post for securing the connector to an appliance, and an outer body secured to the tubular post. An electrical grounding path is maintained between the coupler and the tubular post whether or not the coupler is tightly fastened to the appliance. The electrical grounding path is provided by a resilient, electrically-conductive grounding member disposed between the tubular post and the coupler. Alternatively, the connector includes conductive grease at a point where mating portions of the tubular post and coupler have closely matching dimensions.
US08690602B2
A coaxial socket contact for connecting to a coaxial transmission medium to form an electrically conductive path between the transmission medium and the coaxial socket contact, the coaxial socket contact includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end with a tubular body between the first end and the second end, the tubular body having a perimeter and a medial region. The contact further includes at least one slotted region having at least one cantilevered arm extending from the medial region to the first end, the slotted region defining a first length along an axis extending from the first end to the second end, the at least one cantilevered arm defining a second length along the at least one cantilevered arm, the second length being longer than the first length for improving mating cycle performance.
US08690601B2
An architecture is presented that provides a detachable outlet system for switching and changing outlets and switches with ease. The detachable outlet system comprises a receptacle, wherein a male adapter is secured to the receptacle. The detachable outlet system also comprises a gang box wired to comprise a female adapter, wherein the female adapter is positioned internal to the gang box. The gang box can further include a protective plate secured to the front of the gang box, and a spacer plate secured to the protective plate. The male adapter is then aligned with the female adapter of the gang box, and a user exhibits a pushing force to insert the receptacle into the gang box. Once the female and male adapters are matingly secured together in electrical communication, a faceplate can be positioned over the receptacle and secured into place.
US08690596B2
A jack connector includes a main body, contact terminals, and an engaging assembly. The main body has a lateral opening on its one side surface and a top opening on a top surface connected to the side surface. A portion of the contact terminals are provided in the main body. The engaging assembly is mounted on the top surface of the main body to surround the top opening. The engaging assembly has two engaging plates protruding from the top opening. When a plug is inserted into the jack connector via the lateral opening, the two engaging plates of the jack connector are engaged with the plug, so that the plug can be electrically connected to the jack connector via the contact terminals.
US08690595B2
A squid connector is described herein and can include a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion can include a top housing having a top aperture and a top wall defining a top cavity. The top portion can also include a number of conductor receivers mechanically coupled to the top wall, and a top coupling feature disposed on the top housing. The bottom portion can include a bottom housing having a bottom aperture and a bottom wall defining a bottom cavity. The bottom portion can also include a number of fuse holders positioned within the bottom cavity, and a number of fuses removeably coupled to the fuse holders and a collector electrically coupled to the bottom end of the fuses. The bottom portion can also include a connector pin electrically coupled to the collector and a bottom coupling feature disposed on the bottom housing.
US08690587B2
A connection terminal includes a first contact member that has a conductive property, that has an approximately plate shape, and that includes a tip portion, a tip of which is sharply pointed; a base end portion, a width of which is less than a width of the tip portion and which extends from a base end of the tip portion; and a protrusion protruding in a direction perpendicular to one plane of the base end portion. The connection terminal also includes a second contact member that has a conductive property, that has an approximately plate shape, and that includes a tip portion, a tip of which is sharply pointed; and a base end portion, a width of which is less than a width of the tip portion and which extends from a base end of the tip portion. The second contact member slides against the protrusion in a direction in which the base end portion extends. The connection terminal also includes a coil spring that surrounds the base end portions and biases the first contact member and the second contact member toward the tip portions sides, respectively.
US08690574B2
A method of placing a dental implant analog in a physical model for use in creating a dental prosthesis is provided. The physical model, which is usually based on an impression of the patient's mouth or a scan of the patient's mouth, is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the physical model is created and is used to develop the location of the dental implant. A robot then modifies the physical model to create an opening for the implant analog. The robot then places the implant analog within the opening at the location dictated by the three-dimensional computer model.
US08690570B2
A container (10) for mixing and dispensing material comprising a body (12) having a main chamber (17), a dispensing nozzle (26), a liquid receptacle (14) and a plunger (18). The liquid receptacle (14) has a side wall (37) and a front wall portion (36) which is caused to break away from the side wall under pressure being applied by a plunger (18) so that the plunger and front wall portion can traverse the entire length of the body (12). This enables a charge of material in the main chamber (17) to be dispensed through a frangible wall or membrane (22) into the nozzle (26). The container 10 has a compression zone with a stepped region (50) for providing limited resistance to movement of the plunger and broken away end wall for use with low viscosity material for reducing the risk of uncontrolled extrusion of low viscosity material.
US08690569B2
A method is described for positioning a guide tube on a plate to be positioned over a patient's mandible or maxilla, forming a surgical guide that allows for positioning the guide tube on the exact position so as to enable the drilling of a perfect hole in the patient's bone portion and the subsequent positioning of an implant exactly on the planned spot. A tomographic reference support is described for fixing a guide tube positioning device, and a guide tube positioning device is described for positioning one or more guide tubes on an acrylic plate or the like, configuring a surgical guide.
US08690563B2
A hot runner apparatus includes a mold plate defining a pocket; a plurality of sub-manifolds; and a bridge manifold positioned in the pocket and between the sub-manifolds. The bridge manifold and the sub-manifolds are oriented in a common plane. The bridge manifold receives a melt from a melt source. Each of the sub-manifolds is coupled to the bridge manifold to receive the melt from the bridge manifold via a junction between an opening of a network of melt channels within the bridge manifold and an opening of a network of melt channels within each of the sub-manifolds. The sub-manifolds are urged against the bridge manifold to form a seal therebetween, when the bridge manifold and the sub-manifolds thermally expand urging the sub-manifolds against contact regions of a pair of opposing walls of the pocket. The respective opposing walls define a hollow region separated from the respective contact regions by a wall portion.
US08690558B2
The compressor includes a first constituent element and a first slider. The first constituent element is capable of being laser welded. The first slider is composed of cast iron capable of being laser welded and having a carbon content of from 2.0 wt % or more to 2.7 wt % or less. This first slider is joined to the first constituent element by laser welding without using a filler.
US08690549B2
The invention relates to a centrifugal pump assembly with an electric drive motor and with a control device having a frequency converter, for the control of the rotational speed of the drive motor, wherein the control device is designed in a manner such that in at least one control region, a field weakening is produced in the drive motor, by way of which the rotational speed of the drive motor is increased.
US08690548B1
A heat pump system including a heat engine having a valve assembly positioned to divide the heat engine chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. A piston is positioned within the heat engine and includes a first piston head in the first chamber, a second piston head in the second chamber, and a connecting rod connecting the first and second piston heads and extending through a bore in the valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a one-way inlet valve and a one-way outlet valve in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat engine chambers. The valve assembly is also in fluid communication with a condenser and evaporator of the heat pump system. The system may also include improved one-way valves, a condensate pump, and a novel shifting valve.
US08690539B2
A wind turbine including at least one component with a surface is provided. The surface is coated at least in part with a refractory layer, preferably a boron-based refractory layer. Further, a wind farm including such a wind turbine and a method are provided.
US08690534B1
Arrangements for promoting the restriction of fluid flow along a shaft via providing a deformable ring member in an annulus between the shaft and housing. In an initial general condition, the deformable ring member permits free fluid flow in a general direction along the shaft while in a second, constricted condition, the deformable ring closes or blocks a gap or clearance normally conducive to free fluid flow to thereby restrict fluid flow. An actuation medium, which can take any of a very wide variety of forms, preferably promotes constriction of the deformable ring member directly or indirectly.
US08690532B2
A nozzle box 10 includes: a lead-in pipe 20; a bent pipe 30 connected to the lead-in pipe 20 and formed so as to change a direction of a channel center line 50 to an axial direction of a turbine rotor 212; and an annular pipe 40 connected to the bent pipe 30 and leading steam to a first-stage nozzle 213a while spreading the steam in a circumferential direction of the turbine rotor 212. In the steam channel lead-in part structure 10, from an inlet of the lead-in pipe 20 toward an outlet of the annular pipe 40, steam channel widths Sa-1 to Sn-1 in a first direction intersecting with the channel center line 50 gradually increases and steam channel widths Sa-2 to Sn-2 in a second direction intersecting with the channel center line 50 and perpendicular to the first direction gradually decreases.
US08690531B2
A vane includes a composite airfoil having one or more outer pockets and one or more outer spars received therein respectively. The outer spars extending radially inwardly from an outer bridge of the outer vane mount outwardly supporting airfoil. The spars may be integrally formed with the bridge and adhesively bonded to the composite airfoil within the pockets with a passage extending between an airfoil base and an airfoil tip. A metallic leading edge tip may be disposed along the leading edge of the composite airfoil. A gas turbine engine annular fan frame incorporates the vanes in an annular row of composite outlet guide vanes extending radially between and connecting radially inner and outer rings of the fan frame.
US08690530B2
A system for supporting a nozzle assembly includes a first member connected to a stationary component and a second member extending from the first member radially through at least a portion of the nozzle assembly. A distal end of the second member is radially displaced from the first member and configured to contact the nozzle assembly. A method for supporting a nozzle assembly includes connecting a first member to a stationary component and extending a second member from the first member radially through at least a portion of the nozzle assembly. The method further includes contacting a distal end of the second member to the nozzle assembly, wherein the distal end is radially displaced from the first member.
US08690527B2
A flow discouraging system includes a stator assembly, a rotor assembly, and a plurality of fingers. The stator assembly includes one or more stationary components forming a side wall, the side wall including an annular groove defined by an outer axially-extending surface, an inner axially-extending surface, and a radial surface extending between the outer and inner axially-extending surfaces. The rotor assembly is disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the stator assembly to form a portion of a cavity and includes an annular rim extending at least partially into the annular groove. The plurality of fingers is disposed in the annular groove and extends from the one or more stationary components the annular rim.
US08690525B2
A vacuum pump includes a casing having an inlet port and an outlet port, a stator portion provided inside the casing and a rotor portion having a shaft rotatably supported inside the casing and a rotor disposed on the shaft and provided with a gas transfer mechanism that transfers a gas from the inlet port to the outlet port. The rotor portion is arranged with a predetermined clearance between the rotor portion and the stator portion. A motor rotates the shaft. Vibration detection disposed in the stator portion detects vibrations by converting vibration amplitude to an electric signal. Contact detection judges an occurrence of contact between the stator portion and the rotor portion when, in the vibration detected by the vibration detection, an amplitude in frequency of a specific vibration caused by contact between the stator portion and the rotor portion exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
US08690513B2
The unloader system has a conveyor and a raise system having an elongate support element including a flexible first end portion and an opposite second end, the first end portion being connected to a support structure at a location higher than a first end of the conveyor, and the second end being connected to the conveyor at a location therealong adjacent to a free end thereof. A cam element is disposed on the support structure in a path of movement of the flexible first end portion of the support element such that as the conveyor is pivoted from the stored position toward the operating position the flexible first end portion will conformingly engage or bend about the cam element to raise the free end of the conveyor. The conveyor can include an elbow which is straightened by this action for raising the free end.
US08690509B2
An article storage facility includes a storage rack that includes a plurality of storage units that store articles; a first article transport that includes a first vertically movable body guided by a first vertical guide and a first transit body configured to move along a path defined along the storage rack, the first vertical guide being provided in the first article transport so as to be positioned on one side of a lateral direction of the path; and a second article transport that includes a second vertically movable body guided by a second vertical guide and a second transit body configured to move along the path, the second vertical guide being provided in the second article transport so as to be positioned on the other lateral side of the path. The first transit body and the second transit body are configured so as to be able to pass each other.
US08690504B2
A torque-limited fastener turnable in fastening and loosening directions for one-time use includes a fastener head with a base, a set of lugs extending from the base, and an optional set of ramps extending from the base. The lugs include abutment surfaces facing a fastening tool slot recess that receives a fastening tool. When the fastening tool is turned in the fastening direction it bears against the lug surfaces. The lugs shear off or plastically deform into recesses when the fastening tool applies a limiting fastening torque. The ramps have abutment surfaces facing a loosening tool slot recess that receives a loosening tool. The ramps cam the fastening tool over the ramp abutment surfaces if the fastening tool is in the fastening tool recess and is turned in the fastening direction after the lugs have sheared off or have plastically deformed in response to application of the limiting torque.
US08690503B2
An adaptor for cargo control systems is provided that can adjust to accommodate length, width, and height variances between parallel tracks in a cargo control system. The adaptor includes a crossbar, first and second length and height adjusting mechanisms, and first and second width adjusting mechanisms. The first and second length and height adjusting mechanisms are affixed to first and second ends of the crossbar, and the first and second width adjusting mechanisms are affixed to the crossbar along the length of the crossbar.
US08690501B2
A wheel chock body for a wheel chock that has low elevational profile. The low profile of a wheel chock allows it to be positioned under a vehicle the rocker panel of which has its lower edge only 148 mm (5.82 inches) above the surface upon which the vehicle's tire rests, so that the installed chock height is reduced to 47.6 mm (1.87 inches) under the components of the vehicle's body.
US08690498B2
When machining of a circumferential groove is performed by advancing a cutting tool which is attached to a rotating shaft extending to an inner side from an outer side of a rotating work into the work in a depth direction, the rotating shaft is downwardly inclined toward the inner side of the work at a predetermined inclination angle, a trajectory of a cutting edge within the work is arranged to be an ellipse of which minor axis is oriented in the radial direction connecting a deepest point thereof and the center of the work as viewing in a plane view, and the work is cut as lowering the cutting tool until reaching groove depth of a machining target while maintaining the inclination angle, so that deviation occurring in a direction of an axis toward a work center axis in parallel to a work face from a point on the work face on which the deepest point is projected or an axis of the rotating shaft of the cutting tool projected on the work face can be arbitrarily set.
US08690490B2
The invention related to a milling tool (1) for machining work pieces, comprising at least one blade that is arranged in a radial manner on the milling head (2) that is rotationally mounted on a rotationally symmetrical designed Y-axis (4) on the milling head. According to the invention, said indexable cutting insert (2) is arranged below a tolerance play (7) in a freely rotating manner on the free end (8) of a mounting pin (9) secured in a detachable manner to the milling head (3) below the clamping seat. The freely rotationally mounted indexable cutting insert (2) is mounted or surrounded on the entire surface of the rear side (10) and on certain pats on the front side (11) such that the mounting pin (9) does not detach itself from the material (12) of the milling head (3).
US08690487B2
An arrangement for adapting the transportation behavior of material to be conveyed includes a first container, which is coupleable to a first pressure level; a second container, which is coupleable to a second pressure level; a connecting line for transporting material to be conveyed from the first container to the second container; and a pressure reduction device by which a pressure difference between the first container and the second container is controllably variable.
US08690484B2
A cable bolt comprising a tension member having a first end and a second end. A rotatable collar is positioned on the tension member and is rotatable relative to the tension member. An elongate sheath, having a first end and a second end, is disposed over at least a portion of the tension member and secured to the rotatable collar. A method of securing an anchor in a structure is also disclosed.
US08690483B2
A tendon is assembled in a horizontal orientation using connectors or by welding at a weld station on a barge or other vessel located at or near the installation site of a tension leg platform. During assembly, the tendon is pulled away from the assembly vessel and tensioned by a tug or offshore work vessel. When fully assembled, the tendon may be up-ended in a manner similar to a wet-towed tendon, and then either pre-installed using floats or passed over to a TLP which is on-site and ready to receive tendons.
US08690478B2
The present invention relates to a tunnel reinforcement structure capable of controlling ground displacement using pressurization, including: reinforcements adapted to be forcedly inserted into the bored holes formed along the outer surface of the section to be excavated of the tunnel; auxiliary reinforcements disposed between the reinforcements from a point between 4 m and 8 m inwardly from the ends of the reinforcements; steel ribs disposed on the inner four faces of the excavation face of the tunnel; pressurizing bags each provided between the steel ribs and the excavated inner surface of the tunnel; a concrete part adapted to be cast between the steel ribs; and lining concrete adapted to be cast to the steel ribs and the inner surface of the concrete part.
US08690475B2
A compaction apparatus includes a removable plate configured to at least partially cover an outermost arcuate surface of a wheel of a compactor vehicle. The plate defines a plurality of ports, each port being configured to receive at least a portion of a base of a compactor wheel projection.
US08690464B2
A writing instrument is disclosed that can enhance the speed and accuracy for a respondent using an optical machine response form. This writing instrument includes at least two reservoirs for dispensing two independent fluids with different optical reflectivity, whereby an application of the second fluid on top of a layer marked with the first fluid of the response form, modifies the digital response from the optical machine.
US08690459B2
A protect cap for an optical fiber adapter according to the present disclosure is provided. The protect cap includes a casing defining a passage for receiving the optical fiber adapter, a pair of supporting lugs formed on the casing, a covering lid, and a pair of supporting arms extending from the covering lid. Each of the supporting lugs defines a shaft hole. Each of the supporting arms is provided with a shaft, wherein the shafts are positioned in the shaft holes, respectively such that the covering lid is pivotally connected to the casing. A first protrusion is formed on one of the shafts and a second protrusion is formed on an inner surface of one of the shaft holes. When the shafts are rotated to bring the first protrusion into contact with the second protrusion, the covering lid is kept in an open position with respect to the casing.
US08690457B2
An optical connector has a base, the base includes a least one first slot thereon, and the base further includes at least one optical component, a circuit board, a signal transforming integrated circuit (IC), and a plurality of connecting terminals therein. The circuit board electrically connects to the optical component, the signal transforming IC, and the connecting terminals. The first slot is used to connect with an external wire, an optical receiving portion of the optical component receives optical signal which is sent from the wire, and the received optical signal is sent to the signal transforming IC to transform the optical signal into electronic signal. Finally, optical connector sends the transformed electronic signal externally through the connecting terminals. Therefore, optical signal transmission facilitates the optical connector to upgrade transmitting rate, and compatibility of the optical connector can be ensured by transforming the optical signal into electronic signal.
US08690456B2
A universal modular connector of the present invention mainly includes a base and a transforming module. The base has a first slot. A connecting socket is arranged in the base. The connecting socket has an opening and a plurality of conductive pins protruding out from the base. The transforming module has a circuit board, an optical component electrically connected to the circuit board, a signal transforming integrated circuit, and a plurality of conducting terminals. The transforming module is arranged in the first slot of the base. The conducting terminals are electrically connected to the conductive pins in the opening. The optical component receives an optical signal from an external wire, the signal transforming integrated circuit transforms the optical signal into a corresponding electronic signal, and then the electronic signal is transmitted to the conductive pins.
US08690453B2
The present invention relates to a plug/socket arrangement, in particular an electrical and/or optical plug/socket arrangement of an aircraft or spacecraft, which comprises a housing and at least one insert which can be received in the housing. It further comprises a releasable connection means which is adjustable between a locked position, in which the insert and the housing are locked to one another, and an unlocked position, in which the insert and the housing are not locked to one another; and an adjustment member which is adjustable between an inoperative position, in which the adjustment member is not operatively connected to the connection means, and a release position, in which the adjustment member is operatively connected to the connection means for releasing the locked position into the unlocked position of the connection means.
US08690439B2
The invention relates to a bearing cover (3) for a split bearing arrangement (1) which, in addition to the bearing cover (3), comprises a bearing block (2), and the bearing cover (3) has a clamping surface (5) which lies against a co-operating clamping surface (6) of the bearing block (2) when the bearing arrangement (1) is in the assembled state, and at least one projection (7) is provided on the clamping surface (5) and protruding out from it which can be pushed into the co-operating clamping surface (6) of the bearing block (2). The at least one projection (7) has a cross-section (9) which varies across its extension on the clamping surface (5) and/or is of a conical or frustoconical or pyramid or truncated pyramid shape.
US08690436B2
A rotating hub and fixed spindle assembly with first and second fluid dynamic journal bearings and first and second fluid dynamic thrust bearings for a disc drive memory system has a pump seal and a radial ring seal at a first axial terminus for lubricant containment, and a capillary seal and a labyrinth seal at a second axial terminus for lubricant containment and storage. Lubricant fluid pressure differences between first and second seals are minimized through one or more lubricant fluid communicating channels in the hub assembly, in order to minimize lubricant fluid loss through a seal. Lubricant fluid can also be purged of any air bubbles by lubricant fluid circulation through the channel.
US08690430B2
A storage bag has a first fastener strip positioned adjacent to an opening of the bag that includes at least one interlocking profile. A second fastener strip positioned adjacent to the opening of the bag also includes at least one interlocking profile. A slider includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a top wall connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The slider includes (a) a plurality of ridges extending from a first sidewall, the plurality of ridges extending farther from the first sidewall at the ends of the slider than at a position at the center of the length of the slider, and (b) a plurality of ridges extending from a second sidewall, the plurality of ridges extending further from the second sidewall at the ends of the slider than at a position at the center of the length of the slider.
US08690429B1
An improved receptacle liner bag is formed of two layers of thin flexible stretchable plastic sheets which are sealed along the sides and bottom, but are unsealed along the top of the bag. The sheets are die-cut to form a framed opening which defines a band between the sides and the top of the bag. When the bag is placed in the receptacle, the band may be disposed around the outside of the sides of the receptacle and stretched over the base of the receptacle so as to provide a hold-down for the bag in the receptacle. The sheets may be perforated along a line below the framed opening. The line, when opened, forms an auxiliary band which can be stretched over and placed behind a hinge of a lid of the receptacle to secure the back of the liner bag in the receptacle.
US08690426B2
A method of fabricating a portable x-ray detector includes coupling a gravity sensor to the portable x-ray detector and coupling a processor to the gravity sensor. The processor is programmed to receive an input from the gravity sensor, determine a physical orientation of the portable x-ray detector based on the received input, and generate an indication to reposition the portable x-ray detector. A portable detector and an imaging system including the portable detector are also provided.
US08690423B2
A sensor configured to detect exhaust gas temperature of an exhaust, the sensor including a housing and a sensing element at least partially disposed within the housing. A filler material, including a first media and at least one additional media, is disposed within the housing and at least partially surrounds the sensing element. The first media is configured to be stable in reducing atmospheres up to 800° C. and in oxidizing atmospheres up to 850° C. and the second media is configured to provide oxygen storage capacity and enhance chemical stability and/or oxygen entrapment.
US08690418B2
A method of mixing including providing a flexible container which comprises at least two components, assembling the components from outside the flexible container to form a centrally disposed magnetic driven shaft with at least one impeller, whereby the integrity of the flexible container is maintained, filling the flexible container having the centrally disposed magnetic driven shaft with one or more ingredients of the contents to be mixed; engaging a magnetic element of the centrally disposed magnetic driven shaft with an external magnetic drive element; analyzing the contents of the flexible container using at least one sensor or a sampling line on the flexible container; and draining the contents of the flexible container through a drain port at the bottom of the flexible container.
US08690417B2
A method for intermittent production and continuous supply of a resin-filler mixture in the course of production of plastic molded parts and an installation for intermittent production and continuous supply of a resin-filler mixture. A method and an installation, by which it is possible to ensure a continuous supply of a resin-filler mixture reliably and in continuous operation, an optimum and precise mixing ratio of the individual constituents of a resin-filler mixture, mostly consisting of a resin mixture and fillers, in which components, particularly portions of very small or highly viscous components, are dispersed finely and uniformly. Optimizing the production of resin-filler mixture for the supply of small components and achieving a continuous supply of the resin mixture that is reliable for continuous operation occurs.
US08690413B2
A light-emitting device includes a transparent light guide plate and a light source that irradiates light onto the light guide plate, in which a plurality of dot-shaped light-emitting concave portions having light output surfaces that output incident light derived from the light source from light-emitting surfaces are formed on the light guide plate, and a diffraction grating, which is an assembly of grooves paralleled at a constant pitch, is formed on each of the light output surfaces of the dot-shaped light-emitting concave portions.
US08690405B2
A vehicle lighting unit is capable of improving the design freedom (such as that for forming a high-beam light distribution pattern) and to allow an observer to visually recognize the employed projection lens even when including a plurality of lens portions (including a plurality of rear-side focal points) as a single lens with high aesthetic feature.
US08690400B2
A lamp assembly includes a base and a lamp socket supported by the base. The lamp socket has a cylindrical inner surface with screw threads formed thereon. A lamp holder has a socket portion and an arm portion. A lower part of the socket portion is inserted within the lamp socket and is held in place by the screw threads of the lamp socket. The arm portion extends laterally from an upper part of the socket portion. A lamp package containing a lamp at least partially encased in packaging is attached to the arm portion of the lamp holder.
US08690396B2
A projection lens for lighting equipment of an aspect of the present invention is characterized by formed in a shape where N of sector-shaped lens parts each of which corresponds to a central angle 2α degrees (α=180/N, N is an integer more than or equal to 3) and is bilaterally symmetric in a rotationally asymmetric elliptical collimator lens are circumferentially disposed. The projection lens for lighting equipment of such aspect is formed in the shape where N of the sector-shaped lens parts each of which corresponds to a central angle 2α degrees (α=180/N, N is an integer more than or equal to 3) and is bilaterally symmetric in the rotationally asymmetric elliptical collimator lens are circumferentially disposed. Accordingly, the projection lens for lighting equipment with a novel design which has a shape of a N-sided polygon (e.g. quadrilateral) in planar view or a shape similar to the N-sided polygon and has common edges (N edges) formed on a surface without impairment in function as a collimator lens can be configured.
US08690389B2
A light emitting diode (LED) module is provided that includes a base and a cover. Circuitry is provided on the base. An LED array is provided on the base and is coupled to the circuitry, which in an embodiment may convert AC line voltage to DC voltage. The LED module can be configured to take up minimal space while providing desirable light output.
US08690383B2
A light source channel is described. The light source channel includes an extrusion forming a channel having an open length and a light source positioned within the channel. A light transfer medium is positioned above the light source and covers the open length of the channel. The light transfer medium has a cross section. A method embodiment according to the present invention produces a light source channel by installing a light engine within a channel of an extrusion and covering the channel length with a light transfer medium above the light engine. The light transfer medium has a cross-section.
US08690382B2
Gradient optics for even light distribution of LED light sources. In an aspect, an apparatus is provided for uniform distribution of light emitted from a light source. The apparatus includes a panel coupled to receive the light emitted from the light source, and gradient optics disposed on the panel, the gradient optics providing a matching transparency gradient that is aligned with the light source to evenly distribute the emitted light. In another aspect, an apparatus includes means for receiving the light emitted from the light source, and means for providing a matching transparency gradient that is aligned with the light source to evenly distribute the emitted light.
US08690378B2
Embodiments provide a flashlight with a bezel configured to be moved relative to a body of the flashlight to adjust the focus of the light. A locking assembly may be disposed within the bezel and configured to switch between an unlocked position and a locked position if the bezel is rotated with respect to the body. The locking assembly may include a ring-shaped outer component having first and second curved walls separated by a gap. The locking assembly may further include an inner component coupled with the light assembly, the inner component including a nub configured to be disposed in the gap if the locking assembly is in the unlocked position, and to radially push an outer surface of the outer component against the inner surface of the bezel if the locking assembly is in the locked position.
US08690377B2
A portable light or other device having a safety lock may comprise: a light body for receiving a source of electrical power; a light head including a light source for producing light and engaging the light body; and a lock mechanism engaging the light body or the light head and including a threaded member and a lock member. Rotating the threaded member moves the lock member radially relative to the light body and light head for engaging the lock for preventing removal of the light head from the light body unless the lock mechanism is released by a tool. A lock support may be disposed for supporting the lock member when the lock mechanism is engaged. The lock mechanism may be retained on the light body or the light head when the lock mechanism is engaged and when the lock mechanism is released.
US08690376B2
A light assembly for an inspection tool having a mirror, the assembly comprising a housing attached to the mirror; a light member movably attached to the housing; and a power source for the light member.
US08690365B1
An automobile reflective surveillance system including a plurality of mirrors configured to be installable on the exterior of an extant vehicle whereby a law enforcement officer may maintain a rearward line of sight when returning to said vehicle following a roadside stop.
US08690355B2
The present invention discloses a projecting apparatus. The apparatus includes light emitting diodes, a light guide plate and a projecting component. The light guide plate is mounted between the light emitting diodes and the projecting component. A switching control valve is mounted between the light guide plate and the projecting component. The switching control valve is switched between an on position and an off position between the light guide plate and the projecting component. In the on position, the switching control valve guides lights of the light guide plate to the projecting component as a light source of the projecting component; in the off position, the switching control valve cuts off the lights guided from the light guide plate to the projecting component to further cut off the light source of the light guide plate. The present invention further discloses a projecting equipment.
US08690351B2
A projector includes a projection lens set, a digital micro-mirror device, a prism unit, a light merging unit, a light guide unit, and a light source device. The light source device includes a laser light source and a color wheel. The laser light source is positioned in a straight optical path and generates a first light. The color wheel is positioned in the straight optical path. The first light irradiates the color wheel to generate a second light and the third light. The light merging unit merges the first, second, and third lights to generate a mixed light. The light guide unit guides the mixed light to the prism unit. The mixed light is refracted to the DMD via the prism unit, and then the refracted mixed light is reflected to the projection lens set via the DMD.
US08690350B2
An image display apparatus detects a projection angle of a projection unit that projects a screen image on a screen and is capable of vertically changing the projection angle, and corrects trapezoidal distortion of the screen image according to the projection angle. The image display apparatus changes the amount and direction of trapezoidal distortion correction based on the projection angle. The image display apparatus also determines whether a projection mode is projection upward to a wall or projection to a ceiling and changes the direction of trapezoidal distortion correction for projection upward to the wall and projection to the ceiling. Specifically, for projection upward to the wall, a correction factor is positive and an upper edge portion of the screen image is compressed for correction; and for projection to the ceiling, a correction factor is negative and a lower edge portion of the screen image is compressed for correction.
US08690349B2
A projection type display apparatus including an oblique projection optical system having a plurality of lenses is disclosed. A lens nearest to a projection screen has a vertical effective image area through which a light flux passes. The lens is arranged at a position not including an optical axis shared by the largest number of lenses among the plurality of lenses. A flat mirror for returning the optical path is arranged between the particular lens and the projection screen at a predetermined angle to the optical axis. An enlarged image obtained by the light flux returned by the flat mirror is formed toward a display screen.
US08690336B2
A mobile electronic device includes an image projector configured to project an image, a vibration generating unit configured to generate a vibration and adjust an intensity of the vibration, and a control unit configured to control the vibration generator. The control unit is configured to control the vibration generator to adjust the intensity of the vibration based on an image projecting status of the image projector.
US08690331B2
A corneal hydration sensing system includes an illumination system configured to provide an illumination beam of terahertz radiation, an optical system arranged in an optical path of the illumination system to relay and direct at least a portion of the illumination beam of terahertz radiation onto a cornea of a subject and to receive at least a portion of terahertz radiation reflected from the cornea to provide a return beam of terahertz radiation, and a detection system arranged in an optical path of the return beam of terahertz radiation. The detection system is configured to provide a detection signal from detecting at least a portion of the return beam of terahertz radiation. The corneal hydration sensing system also includes a signal processing system configured to communicate with the detection system to receive the detection signal. The signal processing system processes the detection signal to provide a measure of an amount of hydration sensed in the cornea of the subject.
US08690329B2
A fundus capturing apparatus, comprising: an irradiation unit adapted to irradiate light through an illumination light path onto a fundus of an eye to be examined; a capturing unit adapted to capture a fundus of the eye to be examined with reflection light of the light irradiated by the irradiation unit; a focus confirming unit adapted to confirm a focus state of the fundus captured by the capturing unit, the focus confirming unit being arranged on the illumination light path; a moving unit adapted to move the focus confirming unit on the illumination light path along a guide axis that is parallel to the illumination light path, in accordance with the focus state; and an advancing/retracting unit adapted to insert the focus confirming unit into the illumination light path or retract the focus confirming unit from the illumination light path by rotating it with respect to the guide axis.
US08690326B2
The proposed innovation provides methods and systems for measuring the interpupillary distance. The proposed innovation provides a fitting pad (102) having two detection points (104 and 106). The fitting pad is placed on the forehead of the user and an image is captured. The image is uploaded and pupil distance calculator software locates the fitting detection points and calculates the distance in pixels of the left and right X, Y coordinates. The software creates an image scale by dividing the pixel counts between the detection points. The software automatically locates the X, Y coordinates between the center of the left and right pupils and calculates the distance in pixels. The resulting pixel distance divided by the image scale provides the interpupillary distance in millimeter. In embodiments, segment height is calculated based upon an image imported by the user and the combined scaled images of the user and the frame.
US08690323B2
A method includes preparing design variations, which include a plurality of basic design distribution groups different from each other in area-division between a distance vision area and a near vision area, and a plurality of corridor lengths different from each other. Parameters originating from prescription information, life environmental information, frame shape information and the like are input. A basic design distribution group and a corridor length are selected based on the aforesaid information. A lens design standard is obtained based on the selected basic design distribution group and corridor length. As parameters, a distance between a vertex of a rear surface of a right progressive addition lens and a vertex of a cornea of a right eye and a distance between a vertex of a rear surface of a left progressive addition lens and a vertex of a cornea of a left eye are included in setting elements.
US08690311B2
Methods of treating ink on a porous substrate and methods of printing onto porous substrates are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the methods of treating ink on a porous substrate includes applying a layer of ink onto a first surface of a porous substrate; irradiating the layer of ink with first radiation having a first spectrum effective to partially cure the ink layer and reduce penetration of the ink into pores of the substrate; leveling the partially-cured ink layer; and irradiating the as-leveled ink layer with second radiation to further cure the ink layer, the second radiation having a second spectrum different from the first spectrum of the first radiation.
US08690305B2
A radiation curable paste ink composition including at least one curable wax that is curable by free radical polymerization; at least one curable liquid component that is a liquid at a temperature of from about 20 to about 25° C., present in an amount of less than about 20 percent by weight based upon the total weight of the curable paste ink composition; optionally, at least one non-curable wax; at least one free-radical photoinitiator or photoinitiating moiety; at least one curable gellant; and optionally, a colorant; wherein the components form a curable ink composition that is a paste at a first temperature, wherein the first temperature is from about 20 to about 25° C.; and wherein the components form a liquid composition at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than about 40° C.
US08690303B2
An image forming method includes ejecting an ink composition including a volatile organic solvent with a solubility parameter of 20 MPa1/2 to 25 MPa1/2, acid-functionalized polymer colloid particles with a glass transition temperature of 25° C. to 85° C., and a pigment with a surface at least a part of which is coated with a polymer, onto a non-porous substrate by an ink jet method to form an image, and the absolute value of the difference between the solubility parameter of the non-porous substrate and the solubility parameter of the volatile organic solvent of the ink composition falls within 15 MPa1/2.
US08690297B2
A sol-gel liquid for use in forming an individualized electromechanical conversion film of an electromechanical conversion element by inkjet methods, including a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) or the PZT and other metal complex oxides; and an organic solvent having properties surrounded by A, B, C, D, E and F in triangular composition diagram of FIG. 3, and having a viscosity of from 3 to 13 mPa·s, a surface tension of 30±5 mN/m and a dehydration rate of from 70 to 80% relative to pure water.
US08690290B2
A liquid ejection device includes: an ejection head configured and arranged to eject liquid from a nozzle; a suction container in which a first suction port, a second suction port that is farther away from the nozzle compared to the first suction port, and a discharge port are formed, air sucked from the first suction port and the second suction port passing through the suction container; and a suction device configured and arranged to suck the air from the discharge port to an outside of the suction container.
US08690287B2
A printer includes a memory that memorizes a value of a maximum stroke and a processor that executes a process. The process includes calculating a maximum stroke time that lasts from when a print pin arranged in a printhead is projected from the printhead by the maximum stroke to when the print pin is retracted in the printhead, setting an adjustment printing area on the printing medium, and switching a movement timing of the printhead in accordance with the maximum stroke time when a printing position of the printhead falls within the adjustment printing area set on the printing medium.
US08690285B2
An optical sensor that outputs a signal based on reflected light intensity is moved in a second direction orthogonal to a transport direction of a medium. A pattern containing patches representing a plurality of gradation levels between a first gradation level and a second gradation level denser than the first is formed such that each patch is located at a different position in the second direction. Signals of the patch of the second gradation level and another patch are outputted. Then signals are outputted with respect to positions in the second direction in a blank region onto which ink has not been dispensed, one of the positions being located at the same position as the patch of the second gradation level, the other position being located at the another patch, so as to correct a dispensing amount corresponding to the gradation level of the another patch.
US08690281B2
A modulated signal is generated by performing pulse modulation of a drive waveform signal that is a reference for a drive signal to be applied to a capacitive load, and the drive signal is generated by performing power amplification of the acquired modulated signal and then smoothing the power-amplified modulated signal. Then, negative feedback of the drive signal applied to the capacitive load is applied to the drive waveform signal that is the reference for the drive signal. At this time, a predetermined analog compensation process for smoothing gain characteristics in a frequency band included in the drive signal is performed for the drive signal, then the acquired signal is converted into a digital signal, and negative feedback of the digital signal is applied to the drive waveform signal.
US08690277B2
A printer includes a top plate, a stabilizer bar, a screw, and a positioning member. The top plate is adapted for a piece of paper located thereon and defines a locking hole. The stabilizer bar is slidably attached to the top plate and defines a through hole and a step-shaped hole. The screw is screwed into the locking hole from the through hole. The positioning member includes a threaded portion. The threaded portion is mounted in the step-shaped hole. A part of the threaded portion extends out of the step-shaped hole, and the part of the threaded portion abuts the top plate.
US08690276B2
A printer and method of printing wherein a preview mode conveys media through the printer in a manner that avoids the possibility that the media can contact a print head. A hold-down system of the printer and/or media transport generates a hold-down pressure applied to the substrate media in the direction of the first media transport. A precurler unit applies a predetermined degree of curl to the substrate media. A media height sensor determines the height of the substrate media above the first media transport under the influence of the hold-down pressure. A print head array marks the substrate media with an image in the marking zone, and an actuator adjusts the relative spacing between the print head array and the first media transport. The gap between print head and the media is adjustable in view of the measurements.
US08690264B2
A wheel for saddle-ride type vehicle is formed of a hub part, multiple spoke parts, and a rim part. The wheel includes disc attachment boss parts to which a brake disc is attached and which are provided, in a manner disposed in a vehicle width direction, integrally on one side of the multiple spoke parts, at middle portions thereof in a radial direction of the wheel. Each of the multiple spoke parts has a crotch part where one hub-side spoke part splits into two rim-side spoke parts in the vehicle side view.
US08690261B2
A hydraulic resonant breaking hammer is described that includes a hydraulic driving system, a vibration exciter, a control system, a linkage mechanism and a breaking hammer head. The hydraulic driving system includes a hydraulic motor, an electric-control hydraulic distributing valve, a hydraulic pump and an engine. The vibration exciter includes a box and at least one group of eccentric wheels. The control system includes a sensor, a microcomputer controller and the electric-control hydraulic distributing valve. The linkage mechanism includes a machine frame, a guide rail and a damper spring. The disclosure solves the problems of the existing engineering breaking devices, such as low efficiency, high noise, serious damages to the driving excavator caused by the reaction of an impact force and incapability of breaking large rocks.
US08690240B2
An object is to provide a coupling device protection member that can prevent contact between a cushion material and a coupling device to protect the coupling device. A coupling device protection member is used in a vehicle seat that includes a cushion material that is elastically deformed by loads, a frame member that is stacked to the cushion material to reinforce the cushion material, and a surface cover that covers at least the cushion material, the surface cover being coupled to the frame member via a coupling device, in which the coupling device protection member is attached to the frame material so as to protect the coupling device coupled to the frame member.
US08690233B2
A carpeted automotive vehicle load floor including a composite panel having first and second reinforced thermoplastic skins and a thermoplastic cellular core disposed between and bonded to the skins is provided. The first skin as a top surface. A cover having top and bottom surfaces is spaced apart from the composite panel. A substantially continuous top covering layer is bonded to the top surface of the panel and the top surface of the cover to at least partially form a carpeted load floor having a carpeted cover. An intermediate portion of the top covering layer between the cover and the panel is not bonded to either the panel or the cover to form a living hinge which allows the carpeted cover to pivot between different use positions relative to the rest of the load floor.
US08690226B2
The invention provides a structure for automotive vehicle manufactured by rotational molding process having enough stiffness, strength and durability to sustain the weight of passengers without requiring any supporting sub-frames. The multilayer structure along with foam layer is used to provide additional impact strength and reliability to the structure of the vehicle against accidents. The single step production of structurally complex shaped body parts for automotive vehicle enables economic manufacturing and assembly of the automotive vehicle.
US08690223B2
An actuation assembly for a cover extendable over an open-topped container body from a stowed position to a deployed position includes two actuator mechanisms on each side of the body, each including at least one torsion spring having a base portion and at least one reaction end and at least one reaction post in contact with a corresponding reaction end of the at least one spring. In a first exterior actuator mechanism, the reaction post is connectable to the bail arm, while in the second interior actuator mechanism the reaction post is mountable to the container body. A common shaft extends between the base portions of the spring(s) of each actuator mechanism to transmit torque from the interior spring(s) to the exterior spring(s), serving as a rotating anchor for the exterior actuator mechanism. Only the exterior actuator mechanism is situated outside the side extent of the container body.
US08690221B2
Front end sides of seat brackets and seat frames are connected with each other turnably by an arm member, an inclined plate is provided at a rear end of the seat frames, and rollers are disposed at a rear end of the seat brackets. The rollers move on the inclined plate as the seat brackets move between a front lower position and a rear upper position.
US08690208B2
A vehicular crash sensing system includes a bumper cap for contacting a bumper. A chamber fits into a side rail attached to the bumper, the chamber being sealed by the bumper cap. A stop element limits movement of the chamber into the side rail. A pressure sensor detects an increased chamber air pressure during crushing of the chamber resulting from movement of the bumper with respect to the stop element.
US08690206B1
A bracket protecting a location on a vehicle. The bracket can have upper and bottom members that are spaced apart from each other and connected by a side member. The upper, bottom and side members of the bracket can also form an opening where a blind spot monitor can be located. The upper member can have a liquid diversion flange that prevents water from flowing onto an outer radar surface of the blind spot monitor and the bottom member can have a debris-blocking flange that protects or shields the outer radar surface from debris such as rocks, sand, etc., that are thrown up from a road surface towards the blind spot monitor.
US08690204B2
A closure assembly includes a handle assembly having a grab bar. The grab bar is moveable in a normal direction relative to an exterior panel surface of the closure assembly between a retracted position and an extended position. When in the retracted position, an outboard surface of the grab bar is disposed approximately flush with the exterior panel surface. The closure assembly includes a position sensor configured for sensing the presence of an operator, and signals the handle assembly to move the grab bar into the extended position when the presence of the operator is sensed. When the grab bar is grasped, the handle assembly signals a latch mechanism to move into an un-latched position to allow the closure assembly to open.
US08690203B1
A mortise lock is disclosed for securing a door. The mortise lock may includes a latch bolt, auxiliary bolt, and a deadbolt.
US08690201B2
A gate latch includes a bracket including a vertical backplate, a lower plate, and an upper plate. Each of the plates is attached to and extends in the same direction away from the backplate. Each of the plates includes first and second throughholes, in which the first throughhole of the lower plate is vertically aligned with the first throughhole of upper plate, and the second throughhole of lower plate is vertically aligned with the second throughhole of the upper plate. The latch includes a rigid bolt including first, second, and third elongate portions, with the first and third elongate portions being connected together, the second and third elongate portions being connected together, and the first and second elongate portions being parallel. The first elongate portion is movably positioned in the first throughholes, and the second elongate portion is movably positioned in the second throughholes.
US08690200B1
A pipe connection includes a box that mates with a pin. A box slot extends through a side wall of the box at a point adjacent the rim for alignment with a pin slot formed on the pin. Each of the slots has a circumferential dimension and an axial dimension that is less than the circumferential dimension. The pin slot has a greater circumferential dimension than the box slot. A locking key has a pin section and a box section located within the pin slot and the box slot, respectively, when the key is installed. The pin section has teeth that bite into the pin slot. The key has a width substantially the same as the circumferential dimension of the box slot.
US08690199B2
The disclosure relates to a quick connector for fluid lines, including: a connecting piece which is adapted to be plugged in a sealing fashion into a receiving opening of a counterpart and to be lockingly engaged, via a latch, with the counterpart, the quick connector having at least one support for supporting the connecting piece on the counterpart such that it is secured against tilting. In order to provide a certain mobility of the quick connector also in the condition of locking engagement, the support can be movable relative to the connecting piece.
US08690194B1
A transition coupler for coupling a flexible metal conduit (FMC) to an electrical metallic tubing (EMT) or rigid conduit comprises a housing with a hollow cylinder having an aperture passing therethrough, the aperture for receipt of an EMT or a rigid conduit. The cylinder includes an extension with recesses. The first shell member is secured to the extension and is shaped to support an FMC. The shell member has first and second flanges, the first flange having apertures and the second flange having an elongated groove. A second shell member has first and second flanges, the second flange having an extending projection for passage through the elongated groove of the first shell member, thereby providing for securement of the FMC to the transition coupler upon receipt of screws through the first and second shell members. A ring having tabs is inserted within the recesses of the extension.
US08690193B2
Rear wheel tires of a vehicle body are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. A foreign object removing device is provided between an outer tire and an inner tire of the rear wheels on one side of the vehicle for removing foreign objects between the tires. The foreign object removing device includes a bar-shaped member inserted in a suspended state between the tires, and a shoe provided in a lower end side of the bar-shaped member to collide with foreign objects such as earth and sand, and stones getting in between the tires for flicking out the foreign objects from between the tires. The shoe is replaceably attached to the lower end side of the bar-shaped member by using a bolt. In a case where the shoe wears down, only the shoe is replaced.
US08690191B2
A refuse collection vehicle has a receiving area in a refuse collection device. The receiving area includes a body cradle to receive at least one CNG tank. At least one CNG tank is positioned in the body cradle. At least one door covers the receiving area. The at least one door is pivotally secured on the refuse collection device to enable access to the at least one CNG tank without use of external lift device.
US08690189B2
A frame assembly for an off-road vehicle including a left frame rail and a right frame rail that are identical to each other, a front frame module that includes at least one left toot and at least one right foot, an occupant frame module that includes at least one left foot and at least one right foot, a rear frame module that includes at least one left foot and at least one right foot, and a plurality of identical adapters mounting the components to the left and right frame rails.
US08690187B2
A vehicle safety device includes a vehicle seat, an inflator, a far-side airbag and a tension tether. The far-side airbag is configured to inflate and deploy forward and upward with respect to the vehicle seat from a seatback inner side portion by a gas being supplied into the far-side airbag. The far-side airbag protrudes higher than a headrest when the far-side airbag is in an inflated and deployed state. The tension tether extends upward from a predetermined portion of an upper end portion of a seatback frame and hooks around the headrest from behind the vehicle seat in the inflated and deployed state. The tension tether extends from an upper surface of the headrest toward an upper surface of the far-side airbag, and further extends toward the seatback frame on a vehicle inside with respect to the far-side airbag in the inflated and deployed state.
US08690186B2
An airbag system is configured to fulfill its role on a saddle-ride type vehicle even when the vehicle collides with a side of a vehicle moving in a generally perpendicular direction. An embodiment of the airbag system includes an airbag which is configured to the inflated and fully upward from the vehicle front of a rider. The airbag includes a head part opposite to a rider's head during inflation and deployment, and a neck part which rises upward from the vehicle and toward the head part. The neck part has a width in a direction of vehicle width which is narrower than that of the head part. The neck part includes neckings curved inward in the direction of the vehicle width.
US08690182B2
A snowmobile ski comprises a body having a pair of rails laterally spaced from one another and interconnected at a tip. A spindle assembly connects the ski to suspension elements of the snowmobile. The spindle assembly has a pair of legs connected to respective rails to allow snow to pass between the legs.
US08690179B2
On a fifth wheel coupling (1) for coupling a tractor to a semitrailer, comprising a fifth wheel plate (2) for installation on the tractor and an engagement element (3) for installation on the semitrailer, wherein the fifth wheel plate (2) is designed to receive the engagement element (3), it is proposed to design the engagement element (3) to comprise a coupling ball (31) in order to increase the cross-country mobility of a team formed by the tractor and the semitrailer.
US08690178B2
A system and method for patient transfer, including patient transfer from a bed to a rollable chair and patient transfer from a wheelchair to a bed. A docking assembly can connect a rollable chair to a bed for transfer. The systems and methods can provide a safe, dignified, and comfortable transfer for patients. A transfer bed, a docking assembly, and a wheelchair can be used together as a system and can reduce the physical and psychological burden of bedridden patients and their caregivers. The transfer bed, docking assembly, and wheelchair can be appropriate for use within a patient's home, nursing home, hospital or any location where a patient is transferred between a bed and a wheelchair. The transfer bed, docking assembly, and wheelchair can be controlled such that a patient is transferred from a bed to a wheelchair or from a wheelchair to a bed.
US08690171B2
A caster wheel assembly selectively providing steering assist includes a pivoting shaft coupled with a caster wheel with an engagement lug connected to the shaft in a fixed manner. A steering arm selectively engages the engagement lug to couple the steering arm and engagement lug so that pivoting motion of the steering arm is transferred to the engagement lug. A turn assist cylinder connects to an outward end of the steering arm and an engagement mechanism acting upon the steering arm for engaging the steering arm with the engagement lug. When engaged, the steering arm is coupled with the engagement lug such that the turn assist cylinder pivots the shaft and caster wheel. When disengaged, the steering arm is uncoupled with the engagement lug such that the shaft and caster wheel are free to pivot independent of the turn assist cylinder.
US08690166B2
A cup holder for a shopping cart includes a container ring and a securing mechanism. The container ring is configured to removably hold a beverage container while the securing mechanism is configured for removably securing the container ring relative to a shopping cart. The securing mechanism includes a first portion configured for slidable mounting in a first direction onto a top edge of a wall of a basket of the shopping cart. A second portion of the securing mechanism is configured for slidable insertion, in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction, into a hole in the basket of the shopping cart.
US08690165B2
A wearable device configured to selectively provide roller transportation, the wearable device including a shoe configured to at least partially accept a foot of a user of the wearable device, the shoe comprising a foot interface surface configured for selective contact with a bottom of the foot, a wheel assembly configured to selectively roll relative to a ground surface in response to rotation of at least a portion of the wheel assembly about an axle that is substantially coincident with an axis of rotation, a frame connected between the shoe and the wheel assembly, the frame being configured to selectively transfer forces between the shoe and the wheel assembly and the frame comprising a clearance plane vertically offset from the ground surface, and an attachment system for selective attachment of the shoe to the frame.
US08690156B2
A method of playing a game that includes a dealer or facilitator. The game consists of allowing players to play a game that comprises at least two sub-games, each sub-game being associated with a pot and being played either simultaneously or sequentially. Each sub-game includes the step of declaring a winning player.
US08690154B2
A hand grip system is provided for manually gripping and spinning gaming wheels or rotatable gaming apparatus. A rotatable gaming wheel with a plurality of annularly arrayed stop position means may be affixed near an outer board diameter of the wheel. At least one sector identification member may be used to randomly select a sector of a game board base of the wheel. An annular graspable member may be located above at least one of the annularly arrayed stop position means so as not to inhibit function of the sector identification member as the rotatable gaming wheel is spun.
US08690130B2
A structured sheet cross flow media is formed with a first corrugated sheet having corrugations defining flutes angled in a first direction, a second corrugated sheet defining flutes angled in a second direction, and an interstitial planar sheet disposed between the first and second corrugated sheets. The interstitial planar sheet traps the flow of fluid or gas, such as air, entering one end of the media block within opposing flutes until the end of the interstitial sheet is reached, whereupon the fluid or gas can disperse between the intersecting flutes of the first and second sheets to provide a controlled dispersal of the fluid or gas. In one embodiment, the interstitial sheet terminates at an intermediate height in the media block to define the width of dispersion of air bubbles entering at a single source point.
US08690126B2
Pulling eyes are provided with integrated wiring systems suitable for installing conductors or cables. The pulling eyes may include body portions that define interior cavities that are sized to snugly engage outside portions of the conductors or cables. The body portions are sized to be deformably crimped onto the outside portions of the conductors or cables. The pulling eyes may also include head portions joined to the body portions, with the head portions defining apertures for receiving a strength member for installing the conductors or cables. These apertures place the interior cavities in communication with the exteriors of the pulling eyes.
US08690125B1
The laser equipped lift pad device provides for exact lift pad placement below an automobile. The device's embedded lasers shine directly upwardly toward a given work surface, an auto. By projecting laser light upwardly, a technician need only view the laser lighted surface or object of the auto and locate the devices one time, then lift the auto without repeated bended, kneeling, and inspection. The device ensures worker safety with exact locating capability, as incorrect lift point engagements and possible auto shift or fall is negated. The device thereby also ensures against auto damage which can be caused by engaging improper lift points of the auto. In negating repeated kneeling and bending, the laser equipped lift pad device also saves labor time and prevents laborer injury. The device easily replaces existing lift pads via either the pair of mount holes or the mount shaft, depending upon the given lift.
US08690124B2
A gate valve and a method for making a gate valve for use with abrasive fracturing fluids, include provided enlarged spaces in the gate valve body wherein sand or other debris from the fracturing fluid may accumulate without affecting the operation of the gate of the gate valve.
US08690123B2
Disclosed is a flapper drain valve adjusting structure including at least two installation positions disposed at connecting positions of a flapper body and a swinging link rod, a rotating shaft with its axis perpendicular to an arrangement direction of at least two installation positions and a barrier block installed at the boundary of two adjacent installation positions to prevent the swinging link rod from moving horizontally between the adjacent installation positions, and a claw buckle installed on the swinging link rod and detachably and rotably latched onto the rotating shaft. This structure changes the conventional adjusting method and uses the fixed barrier block to separate the adjacent installation positions without the problem of worrying about the precision and structure and adopts the detachable claw buckle to provide a convenient way of replacing the claw buckle that may be damaged after a long time of use.
US08690115B2
A system for mounting a catalytic converter of an exhaust system to an internal combustion engine includes a bracket adapted to fix the catalytic converter to the engine. A strap is adapted to circumferentially extend about a portion of the catalytic converter and clamp the catalytic converter to the bracket. The bracket includes a seat, a mounting pad and a compliant portion interconnecting the seat and the mounting pad. The seat supports a portion of the catalytic converter opposite the strap. The compliant portion includes a slot extending adjacent to the seat to reduce the stiffness of the bracket and allow the bracket to deflect during thermal expansion of the catalytic converter.
US08690110B2
A device for attaching a junction box to a photovoltaic. The photovoltaic panel has a photovoltaic side and a non-photovoltaic side. The device includes a bracket with a first side attachable to the junction box and a second side attachable to the non-photovoltaic surface of the photovoltaic panel. A central fastener is attachable at one end to the bracket and a plate is adapted for connecting to the other end of the central fastener and for mounting on the photovoltaic side of the photovoltaic panel. One or more rotatable spacers, connectible to the central fastener, may be located on the non-photovoltaic side of the photovoltaic panel. One or more fixed spacers may be located on the non-photovoltaic side connectible to the bracket.
US08690101B2
A system and method are provided for controlling aircraft flight control surfaces. The system may include at least three pilot sensor channels, each pilot sensor channel including a set of pilot sensor data. The system may also include at least three aircraft sensor channels, each aircraft sensor channel including a set of aircraft sensor data. The system may further include an actuator control component configured to synchronously receive and vote on the pilot sensor data and the aircraft sensor data, such that a voted output of the at least three pilot sensor channels is transmitted to a flight control computer and augmented before being transmitted to remote electronics units. The voted output of the at least three pilot sensor channels providing for the control of the aircraft surfaces coupled to the remote electronics units.
US08690095B2
Disclosed is a bobbin fixing apparatus. The bobbin fixing apparatus includes a rotating shaft installed to a mounting plate and provided with a fixing unit partially protruding from the rotating shaft so as to be inserted into the rotating shaft, and a bobbin on or from which an object is wound or unwound, the bobbin being placed on the rotating shaft such that the fixing unit is exposed in front of the bobbin. The bobbin includes a rotating body, a plurality of bobbin members on which an object is wound, and an end coupler configured to be operated upon receiving pressure when the bobbin is placed on the rotating shaft, the end coupling serving to keep an end of the object in a fixed position on the rotating shaft during winding or to release the end of the object from the fixed position during unwinding.
US08690087B2
The present invention relates to a roller mill for coffee, a method for grinding coffee, and an application of grinding rollers for grinding coffee. In order to grind coffee, conventionally metal rollers are used which are subject to heavy wear and adversely affect the taste of the coffee. The object of the invention is to provide a roller mill for coffee, a method of grinding coffee and a corresponding application thereof that avoids these disadvantages. This is achieved by means of a roller mill for coffee with grinding rollers in opposite directions and having granite surfaces at a peripheral velocity ratio of the rollers 1:1.5 to 1.4, and by means of a corresponding application and corresponding method.
US08690085B2
An irrigation device includes a pipe conduit (2) which is connectable to a water source. An irrigation arm (10) is arranged at an end of the pipe conduit (2) which is away from the water source. The irrigation device also includes at least one pump (24) for delivering water from the water source to at least one sprinkler (22) formed on the irrigation arm (10). The at least one pump (24) is arranged within a connection conduit from the water source to the sprinkler (22). The connection conduit is formed by the pipe conduit (2) and the irrigation arm (10).
US08690079B2
A system and method are provided for selectively containing and dispensing a predetermined liquid material in and from a source container in failsafe manner, wherein a housing is disposed to receive a pressurized fluid stream, and a selectively operable valve assembly is disposed in a flow path defined in the housing. The housing includes an inlet, an outlet, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, which is formed with an admission port for admitting the predetermined liquid material. The valve assembly is disposed between the housing's inlet and outlet, and may be selectively operated to alternatively open and close access of the predetermined liquid material into the housing. The valve assembly is operably actuated responsive at least in part to the pressurized fluid stream in the flow path, whereby admission of the predetermined liquid material into said housing is keyed by introduction of the pressurized fluid stream into the flow path.
US08690076B2
An annular dam portion is formed along a circumference of an inner peripheral face of a rotary atomizer head and has a plurality of paint supply holes formed along the circumferential direction at the boundary between the annular dam portion and the inner peripheral face. The annular dam portion is disposed between the bottom of the inner peripheral face and the tip of the inner peripheral face. The dam portion is formed such that a substantially constant distance separates the inner peripheral face from the dam portion.
US08690069B2
Disclosed is a method of providing a compact, tamper-evident means of combining individual keys with unique electronic memory identifiers. The disclosure involves a holder that is manufactured to attach some form of electronic identification, such as a touch memory button, to the head of a key. Once attached, the assembly can be mounted and read electronically to continually account for the identification, presence, access rights, and removal or replacement of the assembly from storage. Application of the key holder would not require alteration of the key in any manner, and thus could occur when the individual keys are either ready for distribution or already distributed and in regular use. The key holder would preferably be tamper-evident and prevent removal of the touch memory button without destruction of the holder, and possibly even the key itself.
US08690066B2
A tag, such as an RFID tag, and system including an RFID tag configured for installation into an object are provided. The tag is configured for use in high temperature and/or high pressure environments such as downhole and subsea applications. The tag includes an electronics module contained within a bead, which is housed in a cavity of a carrier. The bead is surrounded by a protective fluid-like fill material to provide protection to the electronics module and bead and provide fluid-like properties to the electronics module to reduce or eliminate point stresses on the electronics module. The geometry of the tag is such that the entire outline of the tag is contained within the geometry of the object to provide structural protection of the tag.
US08690059B1
The present invention describes a system and a method for a baseband near-field magnetic stripe data transmitter (MST) device that transmits payment card data from a smart-phone, or other electronic device, into a Point of Sale (POS) transaction terminal. The MST device includes a driver and an inductor. The MST receives magnetic stripe data comprising payment card data, processes the received magnetic stripe data and emits high energy magnetic pulses comprising the processed magnetic stripe data that are then received remotely by the magnetic stripe reader of the POS.
US08690058B2
A card reader with magnetic heads, an anterior frame, a main body frame, a control board and a sealing member formed to be annular. The main body frame has a head arrangement in which the magnetic heads are positioned, a sac-like card cage in which the rear end of the inserted card is housed, and a seal arrangement which is formed between the head arrangement and the card cage and in which the sealing member is arranged. The anterior frame has a substantially cylindrical cylinder portion formed to connect to a front face portion. A rear end side portion of the cylinder portion (crushing portion) crushes the sealing member in the radial direction from the outer circumferential side of the sealing member. The control board is arranged outside the card cage, and the inner circumferential face of the seal crushing portion is formed in a tapered shape.
US08690056B2
Payment card transactions at a point of sale (POS) are secured in certain embodiments by intercepting, with a POS security layer installed on a POS terminal, payment data from the POS terminal, transmitting the payment data from the POS security layer to a server security application installed on a POS server, and providing false payment data from the POS security layer to a POS terminal application installed on the POS terminal. The false payment data in various embodiments is processed as if it were the payment data, such that the POS terminal transmits an authorization request to the POS server using the false payment data. In addition, the authorization request may be transmitted from the POS server to a payment gateway.
US08690053B2
A transaction is preprocessed wirelessly in response to a wireless transaction preprocessing user device being in a queue for a point-of-transaction. The transaction that was preprocessed is then completed in response to the wireless transaction preprocessing user device reaching the point-of-transaction. Financial transactions and/or purchase of goods and/or services may thereby be preprocessed wirelessly and then completed at a point-of-transaction. Related devices and computer program products are also disclosed.
