US08883779B2
The present invention provides a compound of formula (I): wherein —X═ is —CR7═ or —N═, ring B is a substituted or unsubstituted carbocycle or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle, R1 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or the like, R2 a and R2 b are each independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or the like, R3 and R4 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or the like, R5 is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or the like, each R6 is independently halogen, hydroxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or the like, R7 is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or the like, p is an integer of 0 to 3, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof which has an effect of inhibiting amyloid β production, especially an effect of inhibiting BACE1, and which is useful as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diseases induced by production, secretion and/or deposition of amyloid β proteins.
US08883775B2
The present invention relates to vinca alkaloid and analog N-oxides having activity for treating hyperproliferative disorders. Further, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using vinca alkaloid and analog N-oxides, alone or in combination with one or more other active agents or treatments, to treat hyperproliferative disorders.
US08883771B2
Inhibitors of IAP proteins and compositions containing the same are disclosed. Methods of using the IAP protein inhibitors in the treatment of diseases and conditions wherein inhibition of IAP proteins provides a benefit, like cancers, also are disclosed.
US08883766B2
In general, the invention relates to compounds useful as ion channel modulators. It has now been found that compounds of this invention, and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, are useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels.
US08883764B1
A compound has Formula I: A, B, C, D, W, X, Y, and Z are independently selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl, optionally substituted C1-C6 alkoxy, aryl, aldehyde, protected aldehyde, CH, N, O, S, null, and bond; Q is selected from aldehyde, protected aldehyde, and null, at least one of A, B, C, D, W, X, Y, Z, or Q is an aldehyde or protected aldehyde; the bonds between each of A-B, B-C, C-D, W-X, X-Y, and Y-Z are selected from single bond, double bond, triple bond, and no bond; L is a linker selected from a C1-C12 alkyl, aralkyl, and aryl, any of which is optionally substituted; one or more methylene unit (CH2) of the C1-C12 alkyl is optionally replaced by any combination of oxygen, carbonyl(C═O), and NH; and R1 and R2 are independently selected from —NR3R4, halogen, C1-C8 alkoxy, aralkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, and OCH2CH2CN; R3 and R4 are independently a C1-C4, straight chain or branched alkyl group.
US08883762B2
The present invention provides a solution for peritoneal dialysis, consisting of at least two single solutions which are combined after a heat sterilization and are administered to a patient, the first single solution containing an osmotic and the second single solution containing a buffer, and one of these single solutions or another single solution containing electrolyte salts. Glucose-like degradation and hydrolysis is avoided during sterilization and storage, while maintenance of a neutral mixture pH is achieved by the osmotic comprising a glucose polymer and/or glucose polymer derivative, and the pH of the first single solution being between 3.5 and 5.0. The present invention further discloses a twin-chambered pouch consisting of a plastic pouch with at least one first chamber and a second chamber, the first single solution being included in the first chamber and the second single solution being included in the second chamber.
US08883761B2
This invention provides for the use of compounds represented by the structure of the general formula (I): wherein R1 is a linear, saturated, mono-unsaturated, or poly-unsaturated, alkyl chain ranging in length from 2 to 30 carbon atoms; R2 is a linear, saturated, mono-unsaturated, or poly-unsaturated, alkyl chain ranging in length from 2 to 30 carbon atoms; Y is either nothing or a spacer group ranging in length from 2 to 30 atoms; X is either a physiologically acceptable monomer, dimer, oligomer or a physiologically acceptable polymer, wherein X is a glycosaminoglycan; and n is a number from 2 to 1,000; wherein if Y is nothing the phosphatidylethanolamine is directly linked to X via an amide bond and if Y is a spacer, said spacer is directly linked to X via an amide or an esteric bond and to said phosphatidylethanolamine via an amide bond, thereby inhibiting the development of a psoriatic plaque or reducing plaque size in a subject.
US08883760B2
The present invention relates to methods of using neutral soluble glucan and monoclonal antibodies for antitumor therapy. Neutral soluble Beta (1,3; 1,6) glucan (NSG) enhances the tumoricidal activity of the innate immune system by binding to the C3 complement protein receptor CR3. The glucan does not stimulate the induction of inflammatory cytokines. Also described are methods of using whole glucan particles (WGP) as an immunomodulator by inducing a shift from a Th2 response to the Th1 response, leading to an enhanced antitumor cytotoxic T-cell response.
US08883758B2
The invention is directed to 3,5-disubstituted and 3,5,7-trisubstituted-3H-oxazolo and 3H-thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-2-one compounds and prodrugs thereof that have immunomodulatory activity. The invention is also directed to the therapeutic or prophylactic use of such compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and to methods of treating diseases and disorders described herein, by administering effective amounts of such compounds and prodrugs.
US08883756B2
Provided herein are methods of treating a cardiomyopathy in a subject by administering directly to, or expressing locally in, a weakened, ischemic, and/or peri-infarct region of myocardial tissue of the subject an amount of SDF-1 effective to cause functional improvement in at least one of the following parameters: left ventricular volume, left ventricular area, left ventricular dimension, cardiac function, 6-minute walk test, or New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification. Also provided are methods of treating critical limb ischemia in a subject by administering a DNA plasmid encoding human SDF-1 by direct injection into the affected limb.
US08883748B2
A novel formulation for treating fungal infections comprising Cholesterol containing Nanosomal Amphotericin B in a Saline Suspension.
US08883735B2
The present invention relates to LRP6 constructs that bind to LRP6 receptor. The LRP6 constructs comprise at least one LRP6 binding moiety and a half-life extender molecule such that the LRP6 construct inhibit the Wnt signaling pathway without potentiation of the Wnt signal. The LRP6 constructs also have an increased half-life to provide more time for the therapeutic benefit.
US08883733B2
The present invention relates to a method of producing a hydrogel matrix comprising cartilage-forming cells wherein alginate, chitosan and cartilage-forming cells are mixed and subsequently polymerized into beads.
US08883732B2
A therapeutic method for cardiac diseases such as angina, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and atrial fibrillation) is provided. The method is characterized by intracoronary administration of adiponection to mammals.
US08883726B2
This present invention relates to pharmacologically potent and/or stable variants of human fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), pharmaceutical compositions comprising FGF21 variants, and methods for treating type 2 diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, or metabolic syndrome, or any combination thereof, using such variants.
US08883702B2
A packaged particulate detergent composition, wherein the composition comprises greater than 40 wt % detergent surfactant, at least 70% by number of the particles comprising a core, comprising mainly surfactant, and around the core, a water soluble coating in an amount of from 10 to 45 wt % based on the coated particle, each coated particle having perpendicular dimensions x, y and z, wherein x is from 0.2 to 2 mm, y is from 2.5 to 8 mm, and z is from 2.5 to 8 mm, the packaged particles being substantially the same shape and size as one another.
US08883693B2
Proppant material for hydraulic fracturing is provided. The particles of the proppant are formed by drip casting. A slurry of finely divided ceramic particles is flowed through nozzles and formed into droplets under the influence of vibration. Uniform sized, smooth surface, spherical green particles are formed. The green particles are dried and sintered to form the proppant. The proppant is used in the process of hydraulic fracturing of wells.
US08883686B2
Suggested are biocide compositions, comprising (a) Glycerol(ether)phosphates; (b) Biocides and optionally (c) Oil components or co-solvents and/or (d) Emulsifiers. The compositions show excellent adjuvant and complexing properties.
US08883679B2
The present invention relates to liquid mycorrhiza compositions and to methods for colonizing a plant, grass, tree or shrub with one or more mycorrhizas.
US08883678B2
An improved carrier for an ethylene epoxidation catalyst is provided. The carrier includes an alumina component containing a first portion of alumina particles having a mean primary particle size of, or greater than, 2 μm and up to 6 μm, and a second portion of alumina particles having a particle size less than 2 μm. An improved catalyst containing the above-described carrier, as well as an improved process for the epoxidation of ethylene using the catalyst are also provided.
US08883677B2
The invention relates to a soil improver which is suitable especially for increasing the water absorption and/or water storage of soils, said soil improver comprising a water-swellable matrix material based on at least one organic polymer, inorganic solid particle having been added to said matrix material, and said organic polymer of said water-swellable matrix material comprising carbohydrate-based structural units, especially carbohydrate-based functional groups.
US08883675B2
A process for the preparation of a catalyst useful for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and oxygen comprising providing a catalyst precursor comprising an inert support having a catalytically effective amount of a silver containing compound, a promoting amount of an alkali metal containing compound, and a promoting amount of a transition metal containing compound disposed thereon; calcining the catalyst precursor to convert the silver in the silver containing compound to metallic silver by heating the catalyst precursor to form a catalyst; and curing the catalyst in an inert gas atmosphere at temperatures of about 250° C. to about 600° C. for a period of about 1 hour to 200 hours.
US08883671B2
A monolithic catalyst system for the cleavage of water into hydrogen and oxygen comprises a first photoactive material capable by itself or together with an auxiliary material and/or an auxiliary catalyst when irradiated with light having a wavelength≧420 nm of generating oxygen and protons from water, and a second photoactive material capable by itself or together with an auxiliary material and/or an auxiliary catalyst when irradiated with light having a wavelength≧420 nm of reducing protons in water to hydrogen. The first and second photoactive materials are in electrical contact via an electron-conducting material.
US08883668B2
The present invention is a phosphorous modified zeolite (A) made by a process comprising in that order: selecting a zeolite with low Si/Al ratio (advantageously lower than 30) among H+ or NH4+-form of MFI, MEL, FER, MOR, clinoptilolite, said zeolite having been made preferably without direct addition of organic template; steaming at a temperature ranging from 400 to 870° C. for 0.01-200 h; leaching with an aqueous acid solution containing the source of P at conditions effective to remove a substantial part of Al from the zeolite and to introduce at least 0.3 wt % of P; separation of the solid from the liquid; an optional washing step or an optional drying step or an optional drying step followed by a washing step; a calcination step. The present invention also relates to a process (hereunder referred as “XTO process”) for making an olefin product from an oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock wherein said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock is contacted with the above catalyst (in the XTO reactor) under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock to olefin products (the XTO reactor effluent).The present invention also relates to a process (hereunder referred as “combined XTO and OCP process”) to make light olefins from an oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock comprising : contacting said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock in the XTO reactor with the above catalyst at conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the feedstock to form an XTO reactor effluent comprising light olefins and a heavy hydrocarbon fraction; separating said light olefins from said heavy hydrocarbon fraction; contacting said heavy hydrocarbon fraction in the OCP reactor at conditions effective to convert at least a portion of said heavy hydrocarbon fraction to light olefins.
US08883656B2
High throughput systems and processes for recrystallizing thin film semiconductors that have been deposited at low temperatures on a substrate are provided. A thin film semiconductor workpiece is irradiated with a laser beam to melt and recrystallize target areas of the surface exposed to the laser beam. The laser beam is shaped into one or more beamlets using patterning masks. The mask patterns have suitable dimensions and orientations to pattern the laser beam radiation so that the areas targeted by the beamlets have dimensions and orientations that are conducive to semiconductor recrystallization. The workpiece is mechanically translated along linear paths relative to the laser beam to process the entire surface of the work piece at high speeds. Position sensitive triggering of a laser can be used to generate laser beam pulses to melt and recrystallize semiconductor material at precise locations on the surface of the workpiece while it is translated on a motorized stage.
US08883652B2
A silicon etching liquid characterized by anisotropically dissolving monocrystalline silicon therein by using an aqueous solution containing a quaternary ammonium hydroxide and an aminoguanidine salt and an etching method of silicon using the instant etching liquid are an etching liquid and an etching method enabling one to perform processing at a high etching rate in etching processing of silicon, particularly in etching processing of silicon in a manufacturing process of MEMS parts or semiconductor devices.
US08883648B1
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure is disclosed. The manufacturing method includes the following steps: providing an underlying layer; forming a tri-layered photoresist on the underlying layer, which comprises forming a bottom photoresist layer on the underlying layer, forming a silicon-containing material layer on the bottom photoresist layer, and forming a patterned photoresist layer on the silicon-containing material layer; performing an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process for forming a thin layer on the tri-layered photoresist; and performing an etching process for forming a via hole, which comprises etching the silicon-containing material layer according to the thin layer on the tri-layered photoresist.
US08883644B2
Single spacer processes for multiplying pitch by a factor greater than two are provided. In one embodiment, n, where n≧2, tiers of stacked mandrels are formed over a substrate, each of the n tiers comprising a plurality of mandrels substantially parallel to one another. Mandrels at tier n are over and parallel to mandrels at tier n−1, and the distance between adjoining mandrels at tier n is greater than the distance between adjoining mandrels at tier n−1. Spacers are simultaneously formed on sidewalls of the mandrels. Exposed portions of the mandrels are etched away and a pattern of lines defined by the spacers is transferred to the substrate.
US08883640B1
Methods and apparatus are provided for processing semiconductor wafers sequentially. Sequential processes employ multi-station processing modules, where particular encompassing wafer processes are divided into sub-processes, each optimized for increasing wafer to wafer uniformity, result quality, and overall wafer throughput. In one example, a copper electroplating module includes separate stations for wetting, initiation, seed layer repair, fill, overburden, reclaim, and rinse.
US08883638B2
A method for manufacturing a damascene structure includes providing a substrate having a dielectric layer formed thereon, forming at least a trench in the dielectric layer, forming at least a via hole and a dummy via hole in the dielectric layer, forming a first conductive layer filling up the trench, the via hole and the dummy via hole on the substrate, and performing a chemical mechanical polishing process to form a damascene structure and simultaneously to remove the dummy via hole.
US08883630B2
A method of forming contact holes includes: forming a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer; forming an insulating layer on the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; forming a photoresist pattern which exposes first and second etch surfaces of a top surface of the insulating layer; performing a first etching process on the insulating layer at a first etching rate; and performing a second etching process on the insulating layer at a second etching rate which is higher than the first etching rate, after a top surface of the first conductive layer is exposed through the insulating layer. The first etch surface is on the first conductive layer, the second etch surface is on the second conductive layer, and a distance between the second etch surface and the second conductive layer is greater than a distance between the first etch surface and the first conductive layer.
US08883625B2
A method for defining parallel lines extending along a first direction in a same level of an integrated circuit, among which at least first and second lines separated by an even number of lines are interconnected, a space having a width at least equal to the minimum space between two lines separated by one line being left free, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, on either side of a minimum rectangle containing the first and the second lines.
US08883623B2
Methods of facilitating replacement gate processing and semiconductor devices formed from the methods are provided. The methods include, for instance, providing a plurality of sacrificial gate electrodes with sidewall spacers, the sacrificial gate electrodes with sidewall spacers being separated by, at least in part, a first dielectric material, wherein the first dielectric material is recessed below upper surfaces of the sacrificial gate electrodes, and the upper surfaces of the sacrificial gate electrodes are exposed and coplanar; conformally depositing a protective film over the sacrificial gate electrodes, the sidewall spacers, and the first dielectric material; providing a second dielectric material over the protective film, and planarizing the second dielectric material, stopping on and exposing the protective film over the sacrificial gate electrodes; and opening the protective film over the sacrificial gate electrodes to facilitate performing a replacement gate process.
US08883620B1
A novel process for using enriched and highly enriched dopant gases is provided herein that eliminates the problems currently encountered by end-users from being able to realize the process benefits associated with ion implanting such dopant gases. For a given flow rate within a prescribed range, operating at a reduced total power level of the ion source is designed to reduce the ionization efficiency of the enriched dopant gas compared to that of its corresponding non-enriched or lesser enriched dopant gas. The temperature of the source filament is also reduced, thereby mitigating the adverse effects of fluorine etching and ion source shorting when a fluorine-containing enriched dopant gas is utilized. The reduced levels of total power in combination with a lower ionization efficiency and lower ion source temperature can interact synergistically to improve and extend ion source life, while beneficially maintaining a beam current that does not unacceptably deviate from previously qualified levels.
US08883613B2
A disclosed method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a groove on a first surface of a semiconductor wafer along an outer periphery of the semiconductor wafer, forming a semiconductor device on the first surface, forming an adhesive layer on the first surface to cover the semiconductor device, bonding a support substrate to the first surface by the adhesive layer, grinding after the adhering of the support substrate a second surface of the semiconductor wafer opposite to the first surface, and dicing after the grinding the semiconductor wafer into individual semiconductor chips.
US08883609B2
According to an embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes providing a first monocrystalline semiconductor portion having a first lattice constant in a reference direction and forming a second monocrystalline semiconductor portion having a second lattice constant in the reference direction, which is different to the first lattice constant, on the first monocrystalline semiconductor portion.
US08883597B2
The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a FinFET element including providing a substrate including a first fin and a second fin. A first layer is formed on the first fin. The first layer comprises a dopant of a first type. A dopant of a second type is provided to the second fin. High temperature processing of the substrate is performed on the substrate including the formed first layer and the dopant of the second type.
US08883594B2
A method of making a tunneling field-effect transistor (TFET) device is disclosed. A frustoconical protrusion structure is disposed over the substrate and protrudes out of the plane of substrate. Isolation features are formed on the substrate. A drain region is disposed over the substrate adjacent to the frustoconical protrusion structure and extends to a bottom portion of the frustoconical protrusion structure as a raised drain region. A source region is formed as a top portion of the frustoconical protrusion structure. A series connection and a parallel connection are made among TFET devices units.
US08883592B2
A non-volatile memory including a substrate of a first conductivity type with first and second spaced apart regions formed therein of a second conductivity type with a channel region therebetween. A polysilicon metal gate word line is positioned over a first portion of the channel region and spaced apart therefrom by a high K dielectric layer. The metal portion of the word line is immediately adjacent to the high K dielectric layer. A polysilicon floating gate is immediately adjacent to and spaced apart from the word line, and positioned over and insulated from another portion of the channel region. A polysilicon coupling gate is positioned over and insulated from the floating gate. A polysilicon erase gate is positioned on another side of and insulated from the floating gate, positioned over and insulated from the second region, and immediately adjacent to but spaced apart from another side of the coupling gate.
US08883583B2
Semiconductor devices, transistors, and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a gate dielectric disposed over a workpiece, a gate disposed over the gate dielectric, and a spacer disposed over sidewalls of the gate and the gate dielectric. A source region is disposed proximate the spacer on a first side of the gate, and a drain region is disposed proximate the spacer on a second side of the gate. A metal layer is disposed over the source region and the drain region. The metal layer extends beneath the spacers by about 25% or greater than a width of the spacers.
US08883582B2
During a replacement gate approach, the inverse tapering of the opening obtained after removal of the polysilicon material may be reduced by depositing a spacer layer and forming corresponding spacer elements on inner sidewalls of the opening. Consequently, the metal-containing gate electrode material and the high-k dielectric material may be deposited with enhanced reliability.
US08883576B2
Provided are methods of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method may include forming a mold layer on a substrate, forming a mask layer on the mold layer, etching the mold layer using the mask layer as an etch mask to form a channel hole penetrating the mold layer, shrinking the mask layer to provide a reduced mask layer, forming a spacer layer to cover the reduced mask layer, and forming a vertical channel to fill the channel hole and be electrically connected to the substrate. As a result, the channel hole can have an enlarged entrance.
US08883567B2
A method of making a stacked semiconductor package having at least a leadframe, a first die mounted above and soldered to the lead frame and a first clip mounted above and soldered to the first die. The method includes positioning the leadframe, first die and first clip in a vertically stacked relationship and nonsolderingly locking the first clip in laterally nondisplaceble relationship with the leadframe. A stacked semiconductor package and an intermediate product produced in making a stacked semiconductor package are also disclosed.
US08883563B1
A microelectronic assembly or package can include first and second support elements and a microelectronic element between inwardly facing surfaces of the support elements. First connectors and second connectors such as solder balls, metal posts, stud bumps, or the like face inwardly from the respective support elements and are aligned with and electrically coupled with one another in columns. The first connectors, the second connectors or both may be partially encapsulated prior to electrically coupling respective pairs of first and second connectors in columns. A method may include arranging extremities of first connectors or second connectors in a temporary layer before forming the partial encapsulation.
US08883559B2
A semiconductor device is made by providing a temporary carrier and providing a semiconductor die having a plurality of bumps formed on its active surface. An adhesive material is deposited as a plurality of islands or bumps on the carrier or active surface of the semiconductor die. The adhesive layer can also be deposited as a continuous layer over the carrier or active surface of the die. The semiconductor die is mounted to the carrier. An encapsulant is deposited over the die and carrier. The adhesive material holds the semiconductor die in place to the carrier while depositing the encapsulant. An interconnect structure is formed over the active surface of the die. The interconnect structure is electrically connected to the bumps of the semiconductor die. The adhesive material can be removed prior to forming the interconnect structure, or the interconnect structure can be formed over the adhesive material.
US08883555B2
A film formation is performed using a target in which a material which is volatilized more easily than gallium when heated at 400° C. to 700° C., such as zinc, is added to gallium oxide by a sputtering method with high mass-productivity which can be applied to a large-area substrate, such as a DC sputtering method or a pulsed DC sputtering method. This film is heated at 400° C. to 700° C., whereby the added material is segregated in the vicinity of a surface of the film. Another portion of the film has a decreased concentration of the added material and a sufficiently high insulating property; therefore, it can be used for a gate insulator of a semiconductor device, or the like.
US08883553B2
An OLED apparatus is provided that includes a first electrode having a first polarity, and an electrode arrangement spaced apart from the first electrode and having a second polarity. The OLED apparatus also includes a first organic emissive layer interposed between the first electrode and the electrode arrangement, and a second electrode spaced apart from the electrode arrangement in a direction opposite the first electrode. The second electrode has the first polarity. The OLED apparatus further includes a second organic emissive layer interposed between the second electrode and the electrode arrangement, and a drive circuit for providing a first energizing signal to the first electrode and the electrode arrangement and a second energizing signal to the second electrode and the electrode arrangement. A method for manufacturing an OLED array is provided.
US08883550B2
Processes for making a solar cell by depositing various layers of components on a substrate and converting the components into a thin film photovoltaic absorber material. Processes of this disclosure can be used to control the stoichiometry of metal atoms in making a solar cell for targeting a particular concentration and providing a gradient of metal atom concentration. A selenium layer can be used in annealing a thin film photovoltaic absorber material.
US08883549B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to improve p-type doping (p-doping) of cadmium telluride (CdTe) for CdTe-based solar cells, such as cadmium Sulfide (Cds)/CdTe solar cells. Embodiments can achieve improved p-doping of CdTe by creating a high density of cadmium (Cd) vacancies (VCd) and subsequently substituting a high density of substitutional defects and/or defect complexes for the Cd vacancies that were created. Formation of a high density of substitutional defects and defect complexes as a p-dopant can improve light-to-electricity conversion efficiency, doping levels or hole concentrations, junction band bending, and/or ohmic contact associated with p-type CdTe (p-CdTe) based solar cells.
US08883538B2
A high power density photo-electronic and photo-voltaic material comprising a bio-inorganic nanophotoelectronic material with a photosynthetic reaction center protein encapsulated inside a multi-wall carbon nanotube or nanotube array. The array can be on an electrode. The photosynthetic reaction center protein can be immobilized on the electrode surface and the protein molecules can have the same orientation. A method of making a high power density photo-electronic and photo-voltaic material comprising the steps of immobilizing a bio-inorganic nanophotoelectronic material with a photosynthetic reaction center protein inside a carbon nanotube, wherein the immobilizing is by passive diffusion, wherein the immobilizing can include using an organic linker.
US08883532B2
Disclosed herein is an organic EL display device including, on a substrate: lower electrodes; first hole injection/transport layers; second organic light-emitting layers of colors other than blue; a blue first organic light-emitting layer; electron injection/transport layers; and an upper electrode.
US08883529B2
A semiconductor light emitting device having high reliability and excellent light distribution characteristics can be provided with an n-electrode arranged on a light extraction surface on the side opposite to the surface whereupon a semiconductor stack is mounted on a substrate. A plurality of convexes are arranged on a first convex region and a second convex region on the light extraction surface. The second convex region adjoins the interface between the n-electrode and the semiconductor stack, between the first convex region and the n-electrode. The base end of the first convex arranged in the first convex region is positioned closer to a light emitting layer than the interface between the n-electrode and the semiconductor stack, and the base end of the second convex arranged in the second convex region is positioned closer to the interface between the n-electrode and the semiconductor stack than the base end of the first convex.
US08883519B1
Methods, systems, compositions include biocompatible polymer coated nanoceria that function as aqueous redox catalyst with enhanced activity at an acidic to moderately alkaline pH value between 1 and 8. The compositions are used as oxidizing agents for decomposition, decontamination or inactivation of organic contaminants, such as, pesticides and chemical warfare agents. Another use includes nanoceria as targetable nanocatalyst prepared by conjugating various targeting ligands to the nanoparticle coating to form a colorimetric or fluorescent probe in immunoassays and other molecule binding assays that involve the use of a molecule in solution that changes the color of the solution or emits a fluorescent signal, where localization of nanoceria to organs or tissue is assessed by treatment with an oxidation sensitive dye or other detection devices. Versatility and uses of the nanoceria compositions are controlled by pH value, choice of dye substrate and thickness of the polymer coating on the ceria nanoparticles.
US08883516B2
The present invention relates to new methods and reagents for coupling molecules by a Click reaction using a heterogeneous catalyst system. Further, the present invention refers to novel devices for carrying out Click reactions.
US08883514B2
A enhancing reagent for enhancing chemiluminescence of 1,2-dioxetane compounds and a method for using the enhancing reagent to enhance chemiluminescence are provided, in which the enhancing reagent contains a multi-alkyl quaternary ammonium salt of Formula I. A chemiluminescent composition with a 1,2-dioxetane compound as a substrate and a kit thereof are further provided, which contain a 1,2-dioxetane compound and a multi-alkyl quaternary ammonium salt of Formula I.
US08883512B1
A serum-based biomarker for diagnosing gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction (GDM-PREEC-FGR), based on retinoid profiling, and a method for diagnosing GDM-PREEC-FGR that specifically uses a blood sample to identify and measure the concentrations of retinol (vitamin A alcohol), retinyl esters and retinoic acid.
US08883509B2
An apparatus and method are described that achieve independent and simultaneous processing of a plurality of substrate-supported biological samples. In one embodiment, substrate holders arranged in a minor arc are independently moveable between a processing position and an access position, and reagents are delivered to substrates held in the substrate holders through a nozzle plate that moves along the arc of substrate holders. The disclosed apparatus and method are particularly suited for implementation of lean processing of biological samples.
US08883503B2
Disclosed herein are biodegradable hydrogel scaffolds for use in tissue engineering. The hydrogel scaffolds are composed of synthetic terpolymers complexed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which facilitate cell-sheet and tissue growth. In the presence of a monosaccharide, the PVA-hydrogel is dissolved and cell-sheets are released for harvesting. Further disclosed herein are methods for producing PVA hydrogels which support tissue growth. Tissue engineering applications and methods are also disclosed.
US08883499B2
Systems and methods are described that are used to separate cells from a wide variety of tissues. In particular, automated systems and methods are described that separate regenerative cells, e.g., stem and/or progenitor cells, from adipose tissue. The systems and methods described herein provide rapid and reliable methods of separating and concentrating regenerative cells suitable for re-infusion into a subject.
US08883496B2
Genetically modified non-human animals and methods and compositions for making and using them are provided, wherein the genetic modification comprises a deletion of the endogenous low affinity FcγR locus, and wherein the mouse is capable of expressing a functional FcRγ-chain. Genetically modified mice are described, including mice that express low affinity human FcγR genes from the endogenous FcγR locus, and wherein the mice comprise a functional FcRγ-chain. Genetically modified mice that express up to five low affinity human FcγR genes on accessory cells of the host immune system are provided.
US08883494B2
This invention demonstrates the formation of a novel polarized membrane lipid raft signaling module in neurons, in response to several diverse neurotoxic stimuli. This polarization occurs well before neurons commit to die, and is an early mechanism in death signaling. The formation of this signaling module is dependent on cholesterol for its formation and provides a mechanistic explanation for the protective effects of cholesterol depleting drugs in several non-neural models of cell death. As such, the formation of the signaling module lends itself as a novel screen for the identification of new drugs and therapeutics which would retard its formation and protect against neuronal injury and death.
US08883490B2
The present technology provides for an fluorescent detector that is configured to detect light emitted for a probe characteristic of a polynucleotide. The polynucleotide is undergoing amplification in a microfluidic channel with which the detector is in optical communication. The detector is configured to detect minute quantities of polynucleotide, such as would be contained in a microfluidic volume. The detector can also be multiplexed to permit multiple concurrent measurements on multiple polynucleotides concurrently.
US08883489B2
Apparatus for performing an assay to detect the presence of an analyte in a test sample. A housing defines a slot for receiving a sample collector, and a capsule contains a buffer liquid, the capsule being sealed by an openable lid, and being connected to the housing such that insertion of a sample collector into the slot causes the lid to open releasing the buffer liquid into the slot. The housing further defines an incubation chamber containing or configured to receive a reagent, and an aperture permitting liquid communication between said slot and the incubation chamber. The apparatus comprises one or more test elements, a substantially liquid tight sealing member separating the incubation chamber and the test element(s), and an activation mechanism operable to open said liquid tight sealing member thereby bringing at least a portion of the or each test element into liquid communication with said incubation chamber.
US08883487B2
The present invention relates to automated devices and methods for the extraction of nucleic acids from cells, the amplification of segments of nucleic acid and the detection of nucleic acids, all in a convenient and portable manner. The invention is particularly suited for use in point-of-care medical diagnostic testing.
US08883480B2
The present invention relates to recombinant phages carrying fusion peptides that bind to avian influenza virus (AIV). Such phages are useful as diagnostic reagents to replace anti-AIV antibodies because the phages are capable of competing with the latter antibodies for binding sites on the virus. Synthetic peptides with the sequence CNDFRSKTC, either in linear or cyclic conformations, or fusion phages bearing the above said peptides inhibited AIV propagation in embryonated egg as well as in MDCK cell lines. Therefore they may be used as'therapeutic agents to control, to treat and to eradicate bird flu caused by avian influenza virus.
US08883477B2
The invention describes novel pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of virus infections and cancer. The pharmaceutical compositions include mutant oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS) that have either enhanced cell permeability, reduced oxidative potential, improved antiviral activity, improved enzymatic activity, or absent enzymatic activity. The pharmaceutical compositions have improved drug properties and retain or have enhanced antiviral activity relative to their native forms. The pharmaceutical compositions further include chemically modified oligoadenylate synthetases, such chemical modifications being designed to increase serum stability and reduce immunogenicity in vivo. Such chemical modifications further increase drug stability and manufacturability in vitro. Compositions composed of more than ninety novel modifications are described. Also described are antibodies to polypeptides of the invention.
US08883474B2
Compositions and methods are provided that relate to solubilized phospholipids and their use in stabilizing nucleic acid polymerases. For example, a phospholipid with a tail containing at least 8 carbons can be solubilized in the presence of an amphipathic molecule.
US08883459B2
Development of a method of economically and efficiently producing cis-4-hydroxy-L-proline. The present invention provides L-proline cis-4-hydroxylase. This enzyme may be derived from Lotus corniculatus rhizobia, Mesorhizobium loti or Medicago sativa rhizobia, Sinorhizobium meliloti. The present invention provides a method of producing cis-4-hydroxy-L-proline from L-proline by using this enzyme. The present invention provides a recombinant vector containing a polynucleotide encoding the enzyme and a transformant containing the vector.
US08883458B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing L-amino acids by fermenting recombinant microorganisms of the Enterobacteriaceae family, characterized in that a) the desired L-amino acid-producing microorganisms, in which the yjcG-ORF, or nucleotide sequences or alleles encoding the gene product, is/are enhanced, in particular overexpressed, is cultured in a medium under conditions under which the desired L-amino acid is accumulated in the medium or in the cells, and b) the desired L-amino acid is isolated, with, where appropriate, constituents of the fermentation broth, and/or the biomass remaining in its/their entirety or in portions (from ≧0 to 100%) in the isolated product or being removed completely.
US08883457B2
Described are compositions and methods relating to starch processing without a phytase pretreatment step and without adjustment of the slurry pH adjustment.
US08883456B2
The invention relates to a process of process of producing a fermentation product, comprising: liquefying a starch-containing material to dextrins with an alpha-amylase in the presence of a GH61 polypeptide; saccharifying the dextrins to a sugar with a glucoamylase; and fermenting the sugar using a fermenting organism.
US08883453B2
Materials and methods are provided for replacing one or more amino acids in a polypeptide with an amino acid of choice to form mutant proteins. Both naturally and non-naturally occurring amino acids can be inserted. A population of mutant proteins can be created in which an amino acid residue has replaced an existing residue at random locations along the primary sequence of the protein. The provided techniques allow for the study of proteins and development of proteins with improved functionalities.
US08883451B2
Methods are disclosed for increasing the level of soluble C5 saccharides produced from lignocellulosic biomass comprising acidifying fractionated lignocellulosic biomass to prevent the recondensation of soluble C5 saccharides, including C5 oligosaccharides and xylose and arabinose monomers, to insoluble higher molecular weight C5 oligosaccharides.
US08883433B2
The invention concerns a method for assaying soluble fibrin in a sample, in which said sample is brought into the presence of a plasminogen activator with a high specificity for soluble fibrin (PA-Fb sp) and the soluble fibrin count in the sample is measured by measuring the difference between the count of fibrin degradation products obtained after degrading soluble fibrin with PA-Fb sp and the base count of fibrin degradation products determined before bringing the sample into the presence of PA-Fb sp.
US08883430B2
A substantially pure population of human somatic cells that have enhanced potential to become induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) is provided. Also provided are methods for generating this population of cells and methods for generating iPS cells from this population of cells.
US08883429B2
The present disclosure provides methods for determining whether a subject is infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). These methods include obtaining a sample from a subject with increased susceptibility to LCMV infection, contacting the sample with one or more compositions for detecting LCMV, and determining whether the one or more compositions for detecting LCMV is associated with a marker of LCMV from the sample, wherein detection of an association indicates that that the subject is infected with LCMV.
US08883426B2
The use of therapeutically active lipids for organ/tissue-specific enrichment for the treatment of inflammatory, ischemic or degenerative disorders and/or for stimulating a regeneration is arranged and developed such that the lipids are bound on application to carrier molecules for which cell-specific uptake systems in the cells of the organs and/or tissue exist. In addition, a method of producing organ/tissue-specific therapeutically active lipids for treatment of inflammatory, ischemic or degenerative disorders and/or stimulation of a regeneration, in particular for treating inflammatory liver disorders, is claimed, which is arranged and developed such that lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LysoPE) is coupled to the carboxyl group of ursodeoxycholate (UrsoDOCA) converted to an ester to give a LysoPE-DOCA compound.
US08883422B2
The present invention relates to a new method of establishing the authenticity and origin of dairy products, more specifically to the use of lactic acid bacterial strains having strain-specific insertion sequence elements as tools for marking dairy products (such as cheese) and identification thereof. The invention also extends to new lactic acid bacterial strains, their use in the production of dairy products as well as the dairy products containing these bacterial strains.
US08883421B2
Methods are provided for ligating a 3′ adapter and a 5′ adapter to a target polynucleotide so as to avoid adapter dimer formation. Embodiments of the methods include adding a blocking oligonucleotide after the first ligation in which a 3′ adapter is ligated to the target polynucleotide so that the blocking oligonucleotide is capable of hybridizing to excess 3′ adapter and the ligated 3′ adapter. Subsequently, a 5′ adapter is ligated to the target polynucleotide thus avoiding adapter dimer formation.
US08883417B2
The invention relates to the clinically intelligent design of diagnostic devices (such as microarrays) and methods of making and using such devices in differential diagnoses of specific clinical symptoms or sets of symptoms. In one aspect, the devices include various probes used to perform parallel screening of a number of analytes. The probes are clustered on the devices based on known clinical presentations of symptoms associated with specific diseases and disorders.
US08883409B1
Disclosed are methods for pathogen reduction in blood by illuminating with UV light while taking steps for preservation of blood components and reducing oxidative damage from reactive oxygen species generated during UV light exposure. Fresh whole donor blood or products derived therefrom may be submitted to UV light treatment while in a low oxygenation state defined by a partial oxygen pressure below a normal level. Such low oxygenation state occurs naturally shortly after blood collection or may be induced by exposure to low-oxygen environment, reducing temperature or by other disclosed steps.
US08883408B2
A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes harvesting a tissue material from a human or an animal donor, treating the tissue material in a nuclease-containing solution, and thereafter treating the tissue material with an alkaline alcohol solution. The nuclease-containing solution includes an antimicrobial. The alkaline alcohol solution comprises sodium hydroxide and ethanol.
US08883406B2
A method for supplying a first gas and a second gas using a purge ring in a photonic processing system includes arranging a first layer and a second layer to define a first plenum and a first baffle, arranging the second layer and a third layer to define a second plenum and a second baffle, receiving a first gas at the first plenum that flows through the first plenum and the first baffle to an inner region, and receiving a second gas at the second plenum that flows through the second plenum and the second baffle to the inner region. The second baffle is one of less restrictive and more restrictive than the first baffle.
US08883402B2
A photocurable composition comprising a photoresist component, and an ethylenically unsaturated perfluoropolyether is disclosed. The composition enables easier release of phototool from a photoresist.
US08883399B2
A photosensitive resin structure having an ablation layer for a photosensitive resin for a relief printing that is capable of being processed by infrared radiation and containing an anionic polymer, a relief printing plate is produced by drawing a pattern by irradiating the ablation layer with infrared radiation; exposing the pattern by irradiating the photosensitive resin layer with ultraviolet radiation; and removing the ablation layer and unexposed photosensitive resin layer with a developer.
US08883392B2
A radiation curing composition suitable for building a three-dimensional object by a solid freeform method is disclosed. The composition includes one or more mono-functional monomers where a respective polymer has a Glass Transition Temperature higher than about 60° C., one or more di-functional oligomers where a respective polymer has a Glass Transition Temperature lower than about 40° C. and a phase separation inducing component. The phase separation may be induced during curing, resulting in a non-clear cured material having an improved impact strength and higher elongation, when compared to similar compositions without a phase separation inducing component.
US08883389B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a developing apparatus which is less affected by usage environments, has high development efficiency for long term use and can provide a high quality image without image density non-uniformity.The present invention relates to a developing apparatus wherein a magnetic toner-carrying member has a work function value at the surface thereof within a specific range, a toner regulating member which regulates toner carried on the magnetic toner-carrying member is made of a specific material at a portion contacting the magnetic toner, the magnetic toner has an average circularity of 0.950 or more and the magnetic toner has a surface tension index within a specific range.
US08883384B2
Embodiments pertain to a novel imaging member, namely, an imaging member or photoreceptor comprising a binderless overcoat layer which exhibits substantially improved electrical performance, such as low residual potential and good electrical cyclic stability. The overcoat layer of the present embodiments is formed from a formulation comprising a small transport molecule, a crosslinking agent, an acid catalyst and a solvent.
US08883376B2
With the objective of providing a photosensitive transparent resin composition that is reduced in the exposure illuminance dependency, allows high residual film ratio and little development scum and can stably form a pattern with good resolution, a color filter ensuring little decrease in the transmittance for visible light and enabling display of a high-quality definite image, and a production method thereof, there is provided a photosensitive transparent resin composition containing at least a polymerizable monomer, an alkali-soluble resin, a photopolymerization initiator and a compound represented by the following formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 20 or an aryl group having a carbon number of 6 to 20, R1 and R2 may be the same or different but are not a hydrogen atom at the same time, R1 and R2 may form a cyclic amino group together with the nitrogen atom, each of R3 and R4 independently represents an electron-withdrawing group, and R3 and R4may combine with each other to form a cyclic electron-withdrawing group.
US08883373B2
According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a photo mask, includes acquiring first data on respective shapes of a plurality of mask substrates, acquiring second data on respective shapes of a plurality of pellicles, and determining a combination of the mask substrate and the pellicle based on the first data and the second data.
US08883368B2
A fuel cell includes a separator sheet and a perforated support sheet connected to the separator sheet. The perforated support sheet and separator sheet are comprised of a nickel-based alloy. A porous layer is located between the separator sheet and the support sheet and provides an electrical connection between the separator sheet and the support sheet.
US08883364B2
A manifold insert installed in a fuel cell having distribution guides is provided. The manifold insert is configured to form a flow field from an inlet port of fluid to an outlet port connected to a fuel cell stack. This manifold insert includes a plurality of distribution guides that divide the flow field from the inlet port to the outlet port such that the fuel cell stack is divided into a plurality of regions according to the distance from the inlet port. The distribution guides have surfaces that are at least partially curved such that the flow of the fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port is changed by the curved surfaces and form a plurality of guide flow fields such that the fluid is supplied to the divided regions of the fuel cell stack along the plurality of guide flow fields at different flow rates.
US08883363B2
A fuel gas supply device for supplying fuel gas to a fuel cell stack includes a control valve provided in a fuel gas path connecting a fuel tank and the fuel cell stack, an upstream-side pressure sensor and a downstream-side pressure sensor for detecting an upstream-side pressure and a downstream-side pressure, and a programmable controller. The programmable controller calculates a required opening based on a target fuel gas pressure and the downstream-side pressure and calculates an opening time and a closing time based on the required opening and the upstream-side pressure, or calculates an opening time and a closing time based on the target fuel gas pressure and the downstream-side pressure and calculates a required opening based on the opening time and the upstream-side pressure, and controls the control valve using the calculated required opening, opening time and closing time.
US08883355B2
A lithium ion conductive glass ceramics which solves a problem of low thermal stability of the related-art lithium ion conductive glass ceramics and which is high in lithium ion conductivity, high in thermal stability of a raw glass and easy for molding is provided. The amount of a specified component in a glass ceramics (raw glass) is limited to a specified range, and specifically, a ZrO2 component is incorporated in the range of from 0.5% to 2.5% in terms of % by mass on the oxide basis.
US08883353B2
The invention relates to a rolled electrode for a storage battery, wherein the electrode (10) is of substantially plate-like design and has a frame (12, 13, 15, 17) with a grid (16) arranged therein. A contact lug (14) for connecting the electrode to a battery pole is also provided on the frame (12, 13, 15, 17). Electrodes of this type are used, for example, in lead-acid storage batteries for vehicles, for example as a starter battery. The intention is to specify an electrode with improved electrical and mechanical properties and also possible ways of producing said electrode. To this end, the frame (12, 13, 15, 17) and/or the contact lug (14) in the electrode according to the invention have/has a greater thickness than the grid (16) arranged therein, at least in specific regions. A machine for producing such an electrode and a production method are also specified.
US08883346B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing a prismatic battery, or a series of prismatic batteries. The method comprises stacking positive electrode plates, negative electrode plates and separator layers therebetween. The positive and negative electrode plates extend beyond a periphery of the electrode stack. The positive electrode plates are fused to form a positive current collector, and the negative electrode plates are fused to form a negative current collector.
US08883341B2
A battery is provided with a base portion provided on the base end side of a columnar rivet portion. A terminal rivet is formed, on that surface of the base portion on which the rivet portion is located, with a sloped seat surface having a height which increases as one moves closer to the rivet section and provided at the entire circumference around the rivet section. The battery is also provided with an annular elastic member and a hard member having higher hardness than the elastic member and provided with a first hole having a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the elastic member and smaller than the outer diameter of the sloped seat surface. The terminal rivet is mounted such that the base portion and a current collecting part are located inside a battery case and such that the rivet portion penetrates through a hole in the battery case to project outward. The hard member is mounted such that the elastic member is located in the first hole and is sandwiched between the base portion and the battery case. When the rivet section is riveted, the elastic member is compressed in the thickness direction between the base portion and the battery case, and as a result, reliable sealing ability is maintained for a long period.
US08883333B2
In one embodiment, a flow battery system includes a reactor, a first pump operably connected to a first electrolyte tank and to the reactor, a second pump operably connected to a second electrolyte tank and to the reactor, a memory including program instructions stored therein, and a controller operably connected to the first pump, the second pump, and the memory and configured to execute the program instructions to determine a first flow rate through the first pump based upon first pump operating parameters including a differential pressure across the first pump, control the first pump based upon the first flow rate, determine a second flow rate through the second pump based upon second pump operating parameters including a differential pressure across the second pump, control the second pump based upon the second flow rate.
US08883330B2
A glass for use in chemical reinforcement for use in a substrate of an information recording medium, having a composition comprising, denoted as mol %: SiO247 to 70% Al2O31 to 10% (where the total of SiO2 and Al2O3 is 57 to 80%) CaO2 to 25% BaO1 to 15% Na2O1 to 10% K2O0 to 15% (where the total of Na2O and K2O is 3 to 16%) ZrO21 to 12% MgO0 to 10% SrO0 to 15% (where the ratio of the content of CaO to the total of MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO is greater than or equal to 0.5) ZnO0 to 10% (where the total of MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, and ZnO is 3 to 30%) TiO20 to 10% and the total content of the above-stated components is greater than or equal to 95%. A glass for use in chemical reinforcement for use in the substrate of an information recording medium employed in a perpendicular magnetic recording system, in which the glass exhibits the glass transition temperature is greater than or equal to 600° C. A substrate for use in an information recording medium consisting of the above glass and being chemically reinforced. A substrate for an information recording medium consisting of a chemically reinforced glass having a glass transition temperature of greater than or equal to 600° C. and exhibiting a bending strength following heating for two hours at 570° C. of greater than or equal to 15 kgf/mm2. An information recording medium comprising an information recording layer on the above substrate for an information recording medium. The present invention provides glass having both high thermal resistance and high strength, a substrate for use in information recording media comprised of this glass, and an information recording medium employing such a substrate.
US08883320B2
A light emitting device comprising: an anode; a cathode; a light emissive layer located between the anode and the cathode, said light emissive layer comprising a charged metal complex for emitting light and a counterion or counterions with sufficient charge to balance the change on the charged metal complex; characterized in that the counterion or counterions are substantially immobile so (that light output from the device is immediate, provided that the combined charged metal complex and counterion do not have General Formula: (I) or (II); where C—N is a cyclometallated liquid.
US08883319B2
Improved coating blades are disclosed, as well as processes for manufacturing such blades. The inventive blades have an intermediate edge deposit effective to reduce heat transfer from a wear resistant top deposit to the blade substrate. In one embodiment, the intermediate layer is comprised of NiCr, possibly with embedded oxide particles. Suitably, the intermediate layer and the top deposit are applied by an HVOF process. It is also envisaged that the intermediate layer may be deposited by plasma spraying. The intermediate layer may comprise stabilized zirconia.
US08883305B2
The present invention relates to thermoset resin fiber components, composite materials including thermoset resin fiber components, composite articles manufactured using such composite materials and methodologies for manufacturing same. The thermoset resin fiber components may include a single fiber of thermoset resin or a plurality of fibers commingled together. The properties and characteristics of the thermoset resin used are chosen according to the material to be produced therefrom. The thermoset fiber components may be woven into reinforcement fibers to form prepregs. Thermoplastic fibers may be commingled and co-woven with the thermoset fiber components.
US08883302B2
The abrasion resistance of organic fiber based ropes and cords is increased by a outer woven cover of tapes of high molecular weight and more preferably ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.
US08883300B1
Porous wood-based lignocellulosic material is modified by incorporating into its pore matrix a bonded silica filling. An immobilized-silica precursor such as a water-glass solution of silica subunits or a colloidal silica is used to produce the filling, such as by immersion of the lignocellulosic material therein. The impermeable wood-based lignocellulosic material produced thereby is inflammable and impermeable to penetration by fluids and pests.
US08883297B2
A method for bonding a porous flexible membrane to a rigid material is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes applying, at a bonding site of the porous membrane, a pre-treatment solvent solution, drying the bonding site of the porous membrane, applying, at a bonding site of the rigid structure, a first solvent that is capable of dissolving a surface of the rigid material, applying, at the bonding site of the porous membrane, a second solvent that is capable of dissolving the polymeric residue material dissolved in the pre-treatment solvent solution, and pressing the porous membrane to the rigid material at their respective bonding sites. In some embodiments, the pre-treatment solvent solution may include a solvent carrying dissolved polymeric residue material configured to fill the pores of the porous membrane at the bonding site of the porous membrane.
US08883276B2
There is provided a recording medium including a substrate and an ink-receiving layer formed on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the ink-receiving layer contains an inorganic pigment, a binder, and a compound containing aluminum, silicon, and at least one element selected from Group 2 and 3 elements of the periodic table, and the compound content is in the range of 0.1 mass % to 30 mass % relative to the inorganic pigment content.
US08883272B2
Provided are a cellulose acylate film used for optical compensation and additives used therefor and, more particularly, is a cellulose acylate film with mechanical physical properties, in particular, very improved modulus affecting film durability.
US08883263B2
A coated film manufacturing method and a coating machine are provided which can prevent deformation of a die coater due to evaporation of a coating liquid and prevent surface deficiency occurring when starting the coating. A coating machine is prepared which includes a die coater having a manifold, a slot communicating with the manifold, and a lip face formed at an end of the slot, a heat-insulating plate being disposed in a region below the lip face of the die coater and having a tapered top end portion, and a depressurizing chamber being disposed upstream in a web conveying direction from the die coater. The coating machine is made to stand by at a position for forming a clearance greater than a predetermined clearance between the coating machine and the web at the time of coating while flowing the coating liquid from the die coater.
US08883261B2
A method for creating an artifact for use with an optical three-dimensional measuring system includes steps of: (a) providing an artifact that comprises an inspection surface, which artifact is configured to be scanned by a non-contact sensor included in the optical three-dimensional measuring system, which artifact comprises at least one of a substantially spherical body and a turbine engine component, and which inspection surface comprises a surface of one of the substantially spherical body and the turbine engine component; (b) heating the artifact to a predetermined temperature; and (c) coating the inspection surface of the heated artifact with an approximately uniform coating of dry film lubricant.
US08883255B2
Disclosed is a process for producing a resin-coated metal pigment comprising 100 parts by weight of a metal pigment and 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of a resin, wherein the resin is attached on the surface of the metal pigment, the process comprising applying an ultrasonic vibration during resin coating treatment.
US08883254B2
Disclosed is a method of synthesizing hollow silica having the size of micrometers from sodium silicate. The method includes fabricating a polystyrene organic template from polystyrene latex, (B) cleaning the polystyrene organic template, (C) exchanging media by using a water-base medium, introducing the cleaned polystyrene organic template and sodium silicate, and preparing a silica-coated organic template by performing an acidic hydrolysis reaction, and (D) cleaning the silica-coated organic template included in the water-base medium by using water. The size of the organic template is adjusted by controlling an amount of introduced AIBN included when the organic template is fabricated. The cleaning of the organic template is preferably performed by using water (H2O). The method further includes (B) removing the organic template by using THF and (F) cleaning the hollow silica having no organic template.
US08883252B2
Coated article having antireflective property together with self cleaning, moisture resistance and antimicrobial properties can be prepared with a topmost layer of titanium oxide on an antireflective layer, which can be formed by a sol-gel process. The antireflective layer can comprise a porosity forming agent, or an alkyltrialkoxysilane-based binder. The antireflective coating can comprise silica and titania components, with pores to achieve low index of refraction and titania to achieve self-cleaning and antimicrobial properties.
US08883243B2
A subject of the present invention is the use of a maltodextrin and/or a glucose syrup obtained, by acid or enzymatic hydrolysis, from a leguminous starch having an amylose content comprised between 25% and 50%, expressed as dry weight relative to the dry weight of starch, for the encapsulation of organic compounds.
US08883241B2
The present invention relates to edible oil-in-water emulsions that have been stabilized by incorporation of a small quantity of ground, pulse seed and a related process of production thereof. More particularly, the invention provides an edible oil-in-water emulsion comprising: 15-80 wt. % of a continuous aqueous phase, said aqueous phase having a pH in the range of 3.0-5.0; 20-85 wt. % of a dispersed oil phase comprising more than 80 vol. % of oil droplets having a diameter of less than 20 μm; wherein the emulsion has an elastic modulus G′ at 20° C. of 100-3500 Pa and contains 0.1-8% of finely ground pulse seed, calculated as dry matter by weight of aqueous phase, said finely ground pulse seed being obtained from pulse seed having the following composition, calculated on dry matter: 30-60 wt. % of starch; 1-40 wt. % of dietary fiber; 0.5-12 wt. % of sugars; 15-35 wt. % of protein; 0.8-12 wt. % of oil; wherein starch, dietary fiber, sugars, protein and oil together make up 95-100 wt. % of the dry matter contained in the pulse seed; and wherein the pulse seed contains starch and protein in a weight ratio of 2:3 to 3:1.
US08883238B2
A fresh fruit preservative and method of using the preservative for fresh cut fruit that significantly extend the shelf life of fresh cut fruit are provided. The fresh fruit preservative preserves the texture, flavor, appearance, and color of the fresh fruit, particularly exposed surfaces of the fresh fruit that have been cut, in particular by reducing oxidation of the exposed cut surfaces of the fruit. The preservative includes the ingredients of ascorbic acid, calcium ascorbate, carbohydrate, citric acid, calcium carbonate, sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium bicarbonate, malic acid and a protein-based composition.
US08883236B2
A packaged food product, comprising a wrapping (1) entirely made of coating-free transpiring paper material and a product (100) to be cooked or heated received therein, wherein the wrapping (1) itself is apt to be exposed to a heat source jointly to the product.
US08883233B2
Disclosed is an animal feed composition that comprises free indole acetic acid (free IAA) or a derivative thereof. Also disclosed is a method for enhancing animal growth by feeding the animal with a composition according to the invention. Further disclosed is the use of free IAA or a derivative thereof in a method of therapy of animals in need of a growth-promoting treatment, such as immunocompromised animals, animals with a growth deficit or slow-growing animals. Disclosed is the use of free IAA or a derivative thereof for the preparation of a therapeutical composition for increasing the growth rate and/or the feed conversion rate and/or the immunity of animals in need of such a treatment, in particular, immunocompromised or slow-growing animals. A composition may be in the form of a food or feed supplement.
US08883227B2
Combinations, compositions and methods of use for modulating plant pathogen infection using plant extracts containing anthraquinone derivatives which induce resistance to plant phytopathogens and an antimicrobial agent, a biological control agent and/or a surfactant having fungicidal activity.
US08883225B2
The present invention is drawn to water-soluble compositions for providing hops constituents, particularly alpha acids, iso-alpha acids, and beta acids. A pharmaceutical gel composition can comprise a hops extract and a surfactant. Such compositions can be formulated into products for various therapeutic applications, including oral and topical uses. Such compositions can also be dissolved in water to yield a clear solution containing more dilute hops acids. The invention also provides methods of treatment comprising administering water-soluble hops compositions. The present invention is also drawn to methods for making water-soluble preparations of hops constituents.
US08883224B2
Disclosed are topical skin compositions and corresponding methods for their use that include plant extracts. One such composition can include a TNF-α inhibitor, wherein said inhibitor is an aqueous extract from the whole plant of Polygonum multiflorum, an antioxidant and a tyrosinase inhibitor, wherein said antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitior is an aqueous extract from the whole plant of Lonicera japonica, and a dermatologically acceptable carrier, wherein the composition can include at least 50% by weight of water.
US08883215B2
The invention relates to metal oxide particles and/or metal hydroxide particles, aftertreated with an organic phosphorus compound, process for the preparation thereof, and compositions comprising same.
US08883203B2
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and oral dosage forms comprising a bisphosphonate in combination with an enhancer to enhance intestinal delivery of the bisphosphonate to the underlying circulation. Preferably, the enhancer is a medium chain fatty acid or a medium chain fatty acid derivative having a carbon chain length of from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and the solid oral dosage form is a controlled release dosage form such as a delayed release dosage form.
US08883199B2
N-hydroxy-4-{2-[3-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)benzofuran-2-ylcarbonylamino]ethoxy}-benzamide of formula (I): or an addition salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base, alone or in association with surgery, chemotherapy or hormone therapy treatment or radiotherapy, for use in the treatment of cancer, characterized in that it is administered for 4 consecutive days, that period being followed by 3 consecutive days without any administration of compound of formula (I), with the proviso that the chemotherapy is not FOLFOX.
US08883192B2
Compositions useful for weight management in an animal are disclosed. The compositions comprise one or more isoflavones or isoflavone metabolites, and in some embodiments include conjugated linoleic acid, and/or L-carnitine. Also disclosed are methods useful for weight management in an animal utilizing compositions comprising one or more isoflavones, conjugated linoleic acid, and/or L-carnitine. Preferably, the compositions and methods employ a combination of one or more isoflavones, or a combination of one or more isoflavones in conjunction with conjugated linoleic acid, and L-carnitine.
US08883188B2
The present invention relates to a modular supramolecular bioresorbable or biomedical material comprising (i) a polymer comprising at least two 4H-units and (ii) a biologically active compound. Optionally, the supramolecular bioresorbable or bio medical material comprises a bioresorbable or biomedical polymer as third component to tune its properties (mechanical and bioresorption properties). The supramolecular bioresorbable or biomedical material is especially suitable for biomedical applications such as controlled release of drugs, materials for tissue-engineering, materials for the manufacture of a prosthesis or an implant, medical imaging technologies.
US08883186B2
A polymer coating for medical devices based on a polyolefin derivative. A variety of polymers are described to make coatings for medical devices, particularly, for drug delivery stents. The polymers include homo-, co-, and terpolymers having at least one olefin-derived unit and at least one unit derived from vinyl alcohol, allyl alcohol and derivatives thereof.
US08883179B2
Described herein are compositions comprising a MMP-13 inhibitor, and methods of using the same.
US08883175B2
A block copolymer comprising a fluorinated block and a non-fluorinated block and method of making the block copolymer are provided. Also provided herein are a coating on an implantable device comprising the block copolymer and method of using the implantable device.
US08883174B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of treating, inhibiting or attenuating a microbial infection in an individual who has or is at risk for developing such an infection, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a TLR9 agonist and a TLR 2/6 agonist to the individual.
US08883162B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions comprising an anti-IGF-1R antibody or fragment thereof for treatment of cancer or autoimmune disease. Preferably, the cancer is renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer or pancreatic cancer. The anti-IGF-1R antibody or fragment may be part of a complex, such as a DOCK-AND-LOCK™ (DNL™) complex. Preferably, the DNL™ complex also comprises a second antibody, a second antibody fragment, an affibody or a cytokine. More preferably, the cytokine is interferon-α2b. Most preferably, the second antibody, second fragment or affibody binds to IGF-1R, TROP2 or CEACAM6. The anti-IGF-1R antibody or complex may be administered alone or in combination with a therapeutic agent, such as an mTOR inhibitor.
US08883159B2
The present invention relates to antibodies against human CDCP1 binding to the same epitope as CUB4 (Deposition No. DSM ACC2551) for the treatment of cancer.
US08883157B1
The invention relates to human targets of interest (TOI), anti-TOI ligands, kits compositions and method.
US08883155B2
The present invention relates to methods for treating neoplasias in a mammalian subject. In particular, the invention provides methods for treating lymphomas, including forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In one embodiment, these methods involve reducing tumor necrosis factor signaling.
US08883153B2
One aspect of the present invention provides a method of treating or preventing angioedema in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that is capable of inhibiting the interaction of HK with gC1q-R. One aspect of the present invention provides a method of treating or preventing vascular permeability in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that is capable of inhibiting the interaction of HK with gC1q-R.
US08883137B2
A nutritional composition comprising by weight: between 0.05 and 30% selenium-enriched yeast; between 1 and 90% yeast beta-glucan; between 0.5 and 60% Vitamin C; and between 0.5 and 40% Vitamin E. The composition features anti-oxidative, anti-aging, cancer-preventing, and immune-stimulating properties.
US08883134B2
The present disclosure provides a fusion protein comprising IL-1 receptor antagonist fused to a hybrid Fc. Particularly the present disclosure relates to a fusion protein comprising IL-1 receptor antagonist fused to a human immunoglobulin hybrid Fc fragment. In one embodiment, the hybrid Fc fragment comprises IgD and IgG4. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the present fusion protein, which are useful for treating autoimmune disease including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), psoriasis and diabetes and the like. The present fusion protein with excellent efficacy and reduced side effects is qualified for clinical development as therapeutic antibodies to treat autoimmune disease.
US08883128B2
The present invention is directed to a cosmetic composition containing: (a) at least one propylphenylsilsesquioxane resin; (b) at least one cosmetically-acceptable aromatic solvent; (c) at least one colorant, and (d) optionally, at least one co-solvent, and wherein the composition is substantially free of volatile solvents. Also disclosed is a method of imparting lasting shine onto lips by contacting the lips with the above described composition.
US08883125B2
The invention relates to a cosmetic composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable aqueous medium, a cucurbic acid compound of formula (I) in which R1 represents a radical COOR3, R3 denoting a hydrogen atom or a C1-C4 alkyl radical, optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups; R2 represents a hydrocarbon-based radical containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; a homopolymer of a monomer comprising a sulfonic group; and a crosslinked acrylic acid homopolymer. Use for caring for and making up keratin materials.
US08883117B2
A method of forming a material for reversible hydrogen storage within a storage tank includes charging a mixture of a metal amide and a metal hydride to the storage tank, and chemically reacting the mixture at a reaction condition within the storage tank to form a thermally conducting composite material situated in the storage tank and for reversibly storing hydrogen. The composite material includes a three-dimensional and interconnected framework including a conductive metal. A method for reversibly storing hydrogen includes providing a storage tank and in situ chemically forming a composite material by charging a mixture of a metal amide and a metal hydride to the storage tank and chemically reacting the mixture at a reaction condition to form a thermally conducting composite material including a metal hydride and a substantially unreactive elemental metal framework. Hydrogen is absorbed into the composite material and is desorbed from the composite material.
US08883116B2
The present invention relates to the synthesis of luminophores and of reflective alumina for optimizing the emissive properties of a fluorescent layer.
US08883114B2
A method of producing nano-scaled graphene platelets (NGPs) having an average thickness no greater than 50 nm, typically less than 2 nm, and, in many cases, no greater than 1 nm. The method comprises (a) intercalating a supply of meso-carbon microbeads (MCMBs) to produce intercalated MCMBs; and (b) exfoliating the intercalated MCMBs at a temperature and a pressure for a sufficient period of time to produce the desired NGPs. Optionally, the exfoliated product may be subjected to a mechanical shearing treatment, such as air milling, air jet milling, ball milling, pressurized fluid milling, rotating-blade grinding, or ultrasonicating. The NGPs are excellent reinforcement fillers for a range of matrix materials to produce nanocomposites. Nano-scaled graphene platelets are much lower-cost alternatives to carbon nano-tubes or carbon nano-fibers.
US08883105B1
Methods related generally to the removal of atmospheric pollutants from the gas phase, are provided, as well as related apparatus, processes and uses thereof. A single-stage air scrubbing apparatus is provided that includes at least one reaction vessel, at least one introduction duct, and a turbulence component, wherein a residence time is sufficient to allow the conversion of at least one atmospheric pollution compound to at least one other compound, molecule or atom. In some embodiments, the at least one atmospheric pollution compound comprises nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide or a combination thereof. Additionally, methods of removing atmospheric pollution compounds from a waste gas stream are disclosed that include introducing a waste gas stream and at least one additional gas stream, mist stream, liquid stream or combination thereof into a single-stage air scrubbing apparatus at a flow rate sufficient to allow for conversion of the at least one atmospheric pollution compound.
US08883099B2
The present disclose is directed to a method for controlling iodine levels in wet scrubbers, and, in particular, recirculating wet scrubbers by removing the iodine from the scrubbing solution, such as by using ion exchange, absorption, adsorption, precipitation, filtration, solvent extraction, ion pair extraction, and an aqueous two-phase extraction.
US08883096B2
In a preferred embodiment, a process for extracting uranium from wet-process phosphoric acid (WPA), comprises separating uranium from WPA to produce a loaded uranium solution stream and a uranium depleted WPA stream. The loaded uranium solution stream is then contacted by with an ion exchange resin. Uranium species bound to the ion exchange resin are eluted by contacting the resin with a solution comprising anions to produce a loaded uranium eluant stream. The loaded uranium eluant stream is treated to provide a uranium containing product.
US08883093B2
The invention relates to a piercable hermetic cover (2) for a bioassay cartridge (4) with at least one reaction chamber (6). Characteristic for the invention is that: the cover (2) comprises at least a top layer (8), a middle layer (10), a bottom layer (12), and sites intended for piercing (14); and the cover (2) has, at the sites (16) intended for piercing, a hollow space (18) between the top layer (14) and the bottom layer (12). The present invention also relates to a system (20) comprising a bioassay cartridge (4) and a cover (2) for the cartridge (4). The present invention further relates to use of the cover (2) for covering the cartridge (4).
US08883092B2
The present invention provides a variety of microfluidic devices and methods for conducting assays and syntheses. The devices include a solid substrate layer having a surface that is capable of attaching ligand and or anti-ligand, and an elastomeric layer attached to said surface. Preferred embodiments have deflectable membrane valves and pumps, for example, rotary pumps associated therewith.
US08883089B2
Polyamide sample preparation tubes with a hollow polyamide tube and an extraction medium contained within the tube are utilized in the sample preparation devices. The sample preparation tubes are substantially inert and show little tendency to dissolve or leach contaminants into nonaqueous liquids. The polyamide tubes may be used in preparing samples for analytical procedures such as GC, GC/MS, LC or LC/MS.
US08883087B2
A biological sample measurement apparatus includes container (10) having an opening in a top surface thereof and right and left accommodation chambers (12) and (13) formed by separating an inner space and the opening in container (10) by partition wall (11a), measurement device (1) accommodated in accommodation chamber (12) of container (10), and a holder accommodated in accommodation chamber (13) of container (10) and holding measurement device (1). Provided are recesses (15, 16) configuring holding means holding measurement device (1) on an outer peripheral wall configuring accommodation chamber (12) or in accommodation chamber (12) in a state where sensor mounting section (4) of measurement device (1) is projected to an outside of accommodation chamber (12).
US08883084B2
A photocatalytic device for reacting with volatile organic compounds includes a photocatalyst and at least one additive, such as hafnium oxide and zirconium oxide, that is capable of forming a stable silicate with silicon dioxide. The additive reacts with volatile silicon-containing compounds to form stable silicate compounds. As a result, the silicon-containing compounds are unavailable for deactivation of the photocatalyst.
US08883082B1
A distributor for a circulating dry scrubber reactor includes a venturi section with a venturi section wall extending from a venturi section inlet to a venturi section outlet along a longitudinal axis, with the venturi section inlet connected to an inlet plenum and the venturi section outlet connected to a circulating dry scrubber reactor. A hub is mounted within the venturi section wall with an annular converging-diverging flow path defined between the venturi section wall and the hub for distribution of gas flow from the venturi section outlet into a circulating dry scrubber reactor space and for maintaining stable bed fluidization in a CDS system at a comparatively low system pressure loss.
US08883076B2
An apparatus for treating used absorbent sanitary products, comprising, a rotary cylindrical autoclave having an inner surface and two ends, at least one of which terminates in a hatch that can be opened to enable access to said autoclave and sealably closed to enable pressurization of said autoclave; and a circuit for heating and pressurizing the autoclave for heating the absorbent sanitary products to a sterilization temperature, wherein said autoclave comprises a sealing layer on said inner surface, designed to prevent adhesion on said inner surface of material coming from destructuring of said absorbent sanitary products.
US08883075B2
An attractive and compact device and an effective method to store and disinfect a manual shaving razor are disclosed. The method reduces corrosion of the razor's metal blades. A compact container has separate but suitably connected chambers allowing for economy of use of as disinfectant liquid combining alcohol, detergent or soap and skin conditioner. By protecting the razor in one enclosed chamber, oxidative damage and rusting of blades is avoided. A knife edge element is placed at the bottom of another chamber to pierce the foil seal of a suitably inserted bottle within the other chamber. An optional third, drainage chamber below the other two chambers allows for appropriate drainage and removal both of excess fluid used, as well as hair and debris from the blades. The design of the device is compact and attractive, as is the method an extremely effective way of protecting and disinfecting the razor.
US08883069B2
An aspect of the present invention is to provide an economical production technology for obtaining a dense boron carbide ceramic product without impairment to excellent mechanical properties, which boron carbide ceramics are inherently equipped with, by conducting heating under normal pressure without application of pressure and without needing addition of a large amount of a sintering additive to a raw material or needing any special additive or treatment. The present invention provides a production process in which, upon heating a boron carbide green body under normal pressure without application of pressure after pressing a boron carbide powder material to obtain the boron carbide green body, the boron carbide green body is heated with one of a powder, green body or sintered body, which contains at least one of aluminum and silicon, being disposed in a furnace.
US08883067B2
A method for manufacture of a resin tray is provided where a block mold is selected to be installed in a base mold according to the specification of the tray to be molded; a molding surface is composed of the upper surface of the block mold fixed to the base mold; thermoplastic resin material in the molten state is arranged opposite to the cavity; a step where thermoplastic resin material is molded by pushing it against the cavity; and as a result, recess part stored at a prescribed position.
US08883066B2
A porous membrane with the membrane wall constructed of a hydrophobic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer, wherein when the membrane wall is divided into 3 sections in the film thickness direction to form region “a” containing one wall surface A of the membrane wall, region “c” containing the other wall surface C and region “b” between region “a” and region “c”, the hydrophilic polymer content ratio Ca in region “a” is greater than the hydrophilic polymer content ratio Cc in region “c”, and the mean pore size of the wall surface C is larger than the mean pore size of the wall surface A.
US08883061B2
A method for forming a cover assembly on an electrical power transmission cable includes: mounting a tubular cover member around the cable such that a portion of the cover member defines a cavity surrounding the cable; providing a flowable electrical stress grading material in the cavity; and applying a vacuum to the cavity to evacuate air from the cavity and compact the electrical stress grading material in the cavity.
US08883057B2
The present invention relates to golf balls, and in particular, to golf balls having at least one portion formed from at least one non-ionomeric, silane-crosslinked polyolefin materials that are formed in the presence of moisture or water during golf ball construction. The present invention also relates to methods of forming golf balls having at least one portion formed from at least one non-ionomeric, silane-crosslinked polyolefin materials that are formed in the presence of moisture or water.
US08883048B2
The present invention relates to a reflector for a light-emitting device consisting of (A) an polyamide composition comprising a polyamide polymerized from (a) a dicarboxylic acid comprising at least 50 mol % of an alicyclic dicarboxylic acid and (b) a diamine comprising at least 50 mol % of a diamine with a branched main chain.
US08883038B2
The object of the invention is to producing ultras bright fluorescent silica particles by synthesizing large nanopore silica particles with self sealed channels/pores and then stopping the synthesizing before large nanopore silica particles have been formed, wherein said sintering solution has produced nanoparticles. The large nanopore silica particles are micron size. The synthesizing is stopped by diluting said synthesizing solution with a neutralizing medium such as an aqueous solution of definite acidity of pH7 and higher an exemplary value of pH11 (sodium hydroxide). The time range for stopping the synthesizing ranges from tens of seconds to ten of minutes.
US08883037B2
Chiral liquid crystal compounds of the general formula (1): in which at least one of R1 and R2 is a chiral substituent, K may be a single bond or the same as K1-5 and K1-5 denote a six-membered ring system which rings may be at least partially unsaturated, wherein the number of atoms in these rings or ring systems between the two atoms forming a part of the link to the next ring, or to one of the substituents R1 and R2, does not differ by more than one if counted in the clockwise, and in the counter-clockwise sense, starting from the same atom in each case, X1-20 denote alkyl, or alkoxy, or fluorinated alkyl, or fluorinated alkoxy groups, or atom H, or halogen atoms, mixtures comprising such chiral liquid crystal compounds, and liquid crystal displays comprising such mixtures as active ingredients.
US08883026B2
A substrate processing method includes a water removing step of removing water from a substrate, a silylating step of supplying a silylating agent to the substrate after the water removing step, and an etching step of supplying an etching agent to the substrate after the silylating step. The substrate may have a surface on which a nitride film and an oxide film are exposed and in this case, the etching step may be a selective etching step of selectively etching the nitride film by the etching agent. The etching agent may be supplied in a form of a vapor having an etching component.
US08883024B2
The invention provide apparatus and methods for creating gate structures on a substrate in real-time using Vacuum Ultra-Violet (VUV) data and Electron Energy Distribution Function (EEDƒ) data and associated (VUV/EEDƒ)-related procedures in (VUV/EEDƒ) etch systems. The (VUV/EEDƒ)-related procedures can include multi-layer-multi-step processing sequences and (VUV/EEDƒ)-related models that can include Multi-Input/Multi-Output (MIMO) models.
US08883018B2
A method for fabricating a grating coupler having a bottom mirror in a semiconductor wafer including etching a trench from a top surface of a wafer and around a grating coupler formed in the wafer; etching a void underneath the grating coupler; etching a via into the void from the backside of the wafer; and depositing a mirror on the bottom of the grating coupler. Alternatively, additional oxide may be deposited on the bottom of the grating coupler prior to the deposition of the mirror such that a desirable oxide thickness on the bottom is achieved.
US08883013B2
The present invention relates to a treatment installation of aqueous fluid, in particular to ensure elimination of organic micropollutants and natural organic matter, comprising a single reactor (10) for treatment of aqueous fluid by contact with a fluidized bed of coagulated and flocculated powdered activated carbon, operating in ascending flow, said reactor being equipped with injection means of new powdered activated carbon, coagulant and polymer, arranged to define three distinct operating zones in the reactor: a first arranged zone (A) at the base of the reactor to ensure intake and homogeneous distribution of the aqueous fluid pre-treated by contact with coagulant and polymer, a second zone, surmounting the first, constituted by the fluidized bed of coagulated and flocculated powdered activated carbon (B), and a third zone (C), arranged in the top part of the reactor for separation and recovery of the purified aqueous liquid.
US08883012B2
The present invention provides a new water purification method and system using reverse osmosis. In particular, the present invention provides methods and water purification systems using an ion exchange resin and absorbent media for pretreatment of water being fed to a reverse osmosis treatment system, where the pretreatment reduces fouling of, or deposits or chemical attack on the membrane surfaces and passageways. Particularly, a macroporous resin having an average pore diameter in the range of 1,000 to 500,000 Angstroms and a crush strength or Chatillon value of at least 24 g/bead (710 μm bead diameter) is used.
US08883010B2
A biocompatible polymer composition which includes a matrix material and at least one of an isoflavone and a flavone at least partially dispersed in the matrix material is suited to use in a membrane for hemodialysis and other in vivo and in vitro applications.
US08883009B2
A process for the treatment of water comprising at least the steps of: (a) providing the water in laminar flow; and (b) providing bubblefree aeration to the water. The present invention introduces aerobic treatment into wastewater settlement without any hindrance to the settlement process. The present invention is useable for any settlement step or stage, without limitation, the commonest being primary settlement or final settling.
US08883007B2
A fluid separation system includes a separation membrane having a pattern of features thereon.
US08882999B2
Cleaning assemblies and particulate tolerant fluid bearings that are particularly well suited for use in centrifugal separation enhanced filtration devices are described. In one aspect of the invention, at least one bearing is arranged to carry a circulating cleaning assembly such that the cleaning assembly can rotate around a filter membrane during filtering operation of the filtration device. The bearing is preferably arranged to maintain the circulating cleaning assembly in a substantially coaxial alignment with the filter membrane and in a substantially stable longitudinal position relative to the filter membrane as the circulating cleaning assembly is rotated around the filter membrane. In another aspect of the invention a variety of particulate tolerant bearings are described.
US08882992B2
The present invention relates to a multistage reforming process to produce a high octane product. A naphtha boiling range feedstock is processed in a multi-stage reforming process, in which the process involves at least 1) a penultimate stage for reforming the naphtha feedstock to produce a penultimate effluent 2) a final stage for further reforming at least a portion of the penultimate effluent 3) a regeneration step for the final stage catalyst. The severity of the penultimate stage can be increased during final stage catalyst regeneration in order to maintain the target RON of the reformate product and avoid reactor downtime.
US08882990B2
Embodiments of methods for making renewable diesel by deoxygenating (decarboxylating/decarbonylating/dehydrating) fatty acids to produce hydrocarbons are disclosed. Fatty acids are exposed to a catalyst selected from a) Pt and MO3 on ZrO2 (M is W, Mo, or a combination thereof), or b) Pt/Ge or Pt/Sn on carbon, and the catalyst decarboxylates at least 10% of the fatty acids. In particular embodiments, the catalyst consists essentially of 0.7 wt % Pt and 12 wt % WO3, relative to a mass of catalyst, or the catalyst consists essentially of a) 5 wt % Pt and b) 0.5 wt % Ge or 0.5 wt % Sn, relative to a mass of catalyst. Deoxygenation is performed without added hydrogen and at less than 100 psi. Disclosed embodiments of the catalysts deoxygenate at least 10% of fatty acids in a fatty acid feed, and remain capable of deoxygenating fatty acids for at least 200 minutes to more than 350 hours.
US08882986B2
A system includes an electrolytic deburring tool, which includes a first electrode configured to be positioned at a first gap away from a first edge of a workpiece, a second electrode configured to be positioned at a second gap away from a second edge of the workpiece, a first electrolyte supply configured to flow a first electrolyte through the first gap between the first electrode and the first edge of the workpiece, a second electrolyte supply configured to flow a second electrolyte through the second gap between the second electrode and the second edge of the workpiece, and a power supply configured to flow an alternating current through the first gap and the second gap to cause electrolytic dissolution through the workpiece from both the first edge and the second edge.
US08882984B2
A process for preparing diaryl carbonate and utilizing at least part of the process wastewater by increasing the concentration of the wastewater phases containing sodium chloride for the electrolysis by means of osmotic membrane distillation with simultaneous dilution of the sodium hydroxide solution obtained from the electrolysis for the diaryl carbonate production process (diphenyl carbonate process) is described.
US08882982B2
A biological sample processing system comprises a container for large volume processing, a flat polymer film having a lower surface and a hydrophobic upper surface, which is kept at a distance d to the base side of the container by the protrusions. The distance d defines at least one gap when the container is positioned on the film. A liquid droplet manipulation instrument comprises at least one electrode array for inducing liquid droplet movements; a substrate supporting the at least one electrode array; and a control unit is characterized in that the container and the film are reversibly attached to the liquid droplet manipulation instrument. The system thus enables displacement of at least one liquid droplet from the at least one well through the channel of the container onto the hydrophobic upper surface of the flat polymer film and above the at least one electrode array; wherein the liquid droplet manipulation instrument controls a guided movement of the liquid droplet on the hydrophobic upper surface of the flat polymer film by electrowetting and to process there the biological sample.
US08882981B2
A super-capacitor desalination device is described and includes a pair of terminal electrodes and at least one bipolar electrode located between the terminal electrodes. The at least one bipolar electrode has an ion exchange material disposed on opposing surfaces thereof The ion exchange material is a cation exchange material or an anion exchange material. A method for super-capacitor desalination is also provided.
US08882978B2
Disclosed herein are a gene (polynucleotide) encoding an FAD-conjugated glucose dehydrogenase which can be characterized by reactivity to glucose, thermal stability, substrate-recognition performance, and low activity for maltose; a process for the production of the enzyme using a transformant cell transfected with the gene; a method for the determination of glucose; a reagent composition for use in the determination of glucose; and a biosensor for use in the determination of glucose. An embodiment is a polynucleotide encoding an FAD-conjugated glucose dehydrogenase, comprising a polypeptide whose amino acid sequence comprises X1-X2-X3-X4-X5-X6, wherein X1 and X2 independently represent an aliphatic amino acid residue; X3 and X6 independently represent a branched amino acid residue; and X4 and X5 independently represent a heterocyclic amino acid residue or an aromatic amino acid residue.
US08882974B2
A support mechanism used in an electro plasma polishing process includes a support beam, a first electrically conducting assembly, and a second electrically conducting assembly. The first electrically conducting assembly and the second electrically conducting assembly are mounted on the support beam. The first electrically conducting assembly is electrically insulated from the second electrically conducting assembly.
US08882971B2
A sputtering apparatus (1) includes: a chamber (10) having an inside maintained in a depressurized state to generate plasma discharge (20); a cathode (22) placed in the chamber (10) and holding a target (21); and a substrate holder (60) holding a substrate (110) so that one surface of the substrate (110) faces the surface of the target (21). The substrate (110) is arranged at an upper portion in the sputtering apparatus (1) with the surface of the substrate (110) facing downward. The target (21) is arranged at a lower portion in the sputtering apparatus (1) with the surface of the target (21) facing upward. The sputtering apparatus (1) includes a heater (65) for heating the substrate (110). The temperature of the substrate (110) is raised by absorbing electromagnetic waves radiated from the heater (65). A method of manufacturing a semiconductor light-emitting element using the sputtering apparatus is also disclosed.
US08882968B1
Method and apparatus for desalinization wherein a heating grid containing a fluid is used to heat the fluid to a vaporized state using energy provided by compound magnifying lens focusing solar energy directly onto the grid wherein the vapor from the grid system is transmitted to a steam turbine wherein electricity is generated to charge a battery while the vapor from the steam turbine is conducted to a condenser wherein the vapor is cooled and fresh water is provided from the condensate. The remaining fluid from the condenser is pumped back into a reservoir for storage while waiting to be conducted into the heating grid. The magnifying lens and grid is rotated for alignment with the sun.
US08882959B2
A tape-dispensing apparatus may include a removable part and a base part.
US08882958B2
The invention relates to a device for welding profiled parts (8), in particular plastics profiled parts, having at least one welding head (1) that can be positioned in a predetermined or predeterminable target welding position (6) relative to another welding head (1, 9) and/or relative to a holding device. According to the invention the welding head (1) and/or a part of the welding head (1), that comprises at least one heating element, such as a heating plate, for melting the profiled parts, can be positioned and/or is movable in accordance with at least one dimensional variation of at least one of the profiled parts (8) from a target dimension in a spatial tolerance range (5) around the target welding position (6).
US08882954B2
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a rigid-flexible printed circuit board including: providing a first flexible film having a first metal layer on one or both surfaces; forming a circuit pattern by patterning the first metal layer; forming a second flexible film, which has a second metal layer on one surface, on one or both surfaces of the first flexible film; forming a circuit pattern by patterning the second metal layer in a rigid domain R; providing an anti-oxidation protective layer on the second metal layer in a flexible domain F; laminating at least one circuit layer on the second flexible film; and removing the circuit layer in the flexible domain F.
US08882947B2
In a method of manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels, a green tire, once formed, is transferred into a vulcanization mold and pressed against the holding walls of a molding cavity. Concurrently with the pressing step, a fluid present between the green tire and the holding walls is evacuated through vent valves. The tire is brought into contact with the closing head of each valve so as to push it toward a closed position at which the closing head forms a contact seat spaced apart from the inner surface of the molding cavity in order to define an embedding recess between the inner surface of the molding cavity and the closing head.
US08882940B2
Bulk solidifying amorphous alloys exhibiting improved processing and mechanical properties and methods of forming these alloys are provided. The bulk solidifying amorphous alloys are composed to have high Poisson's ratio values. Exemplary Pt-based bulk solidifying amorphous alloys having such high Poisson's ratio values are also described. The Pt-based alloys are based on Pt—Ni—Co—Cu—P alloys, and the mechanical properties of one exemplary alloy having a composition of substantially Pt57.5Cu14.7Ni5.3P22.5 are also described.
US08882937B2
The invention relates to a steel material composition, in particular for producing piston rings and cylinder sleeves, containing the following elements in the given fractions in relation to 100% by weight of the steel material: 0.03-2.0% by weight B, 0.5-1.2% by weight C, 70.1-97.3% by weight Fe, 0.1-3.0% by weight Mn and 2.0-10.0% by weight Si. Said composition can be produced by melting the starting materials and casting the melt in a pre-fabricated mold.
US08882935B2
A method for the fabrication of nonpolar indium gallium nitride (InGaN) films as well as nonpolar InGaN-containing device structures using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOVCD). The method is used to fabricate nonpolar InGaN/GaN violet and near-ultraviolet light emitting diodes and laser diodes.
US08882933B2
A dishwasher includes a washing tub, a latch keeper disposed on the washing tub and mounted on a push rod, and a pivotable door configured to close the washing tub. The door includes a latching mechanism configured to engage the latch keeper in accordance with a closing of the door. An actuator is configured to move the push rod in an opening direction so as to open the door to an ajar position. A return device is configured to return the latch keeper in a direction opposite to the opening direction approximately at least to an initial position upon a further opening of the door.
US08882931B2
A water-conducting household machine, specifically a dishwasher, includes a compartment having a closable compartment opening, and at least one washing device for generating at least one water jet in the compartment. At least one baffle plate is disposed on an inner side of the compartment in at least one area of impact of the water jet and in such a way as to be vibration-free for noise reduction, particularly for noise damping and/or sound insulation.
US08882925B2
A method for processing of a lignocellulosic feedstock is provided comprising exposing lignocellulosic feedstock to acid in a reactor to hydrolyze at least hemicellulose present in said lignocellulosic feedstock, wherein during said exposing, a scale deposit comprising lignin forms on the inner surface of said reactor; and treating the scale deposit with an alkali solution at a temperature between about 140° C. and about 250° C. so as to remove scale. Also provided is a method for reducing scale deposit that forms on process equipment during a stage of reacting a lignocellulosic feedstock with acid.
US08882917B1
Substrate processing including correction for deposition location is described, including a combinatorial processing chamber that incorporates the correction. The combinatorial processing chamber can be used to process multiple regions of a substrate using different processing parameters on different regions. For example, one region can have one material deposited on it and another region can have a different material deposited on it, although other combinations and variations are possible. The combinatorial processing chamber uses a rotating and revolving substrate pedestal to be able to deposit on all locations or positions on a substrate. The combinatorial processing chamber uses a correction factor that accounts for variations in alignment and/or configuration of the processing chamber so that the actual location of deposition of a region is approximately the same as a desired location of deposition.
US08882915B2
A rotation table on which a wafer is placed is rotated around a vertical axis in order to supply to an upper surface of the wafer a first reaction gas for allowing the first reaction gas to be adsorbed on the upper surface, an auxiliary gas that reacts with the first reaction gas to produce an intermediate product having reflowability, and a second reaction gas that is reacted with the intermediate product to produce a reaction product in this order; and the reaction product is heated by a heating lamp in order to densify the reaction product.
US08882895B2
A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to dynamically control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.
US08882890B2
Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for separating liquefiable hydrocarbons from H2-, hydrocarbon-containing gas streams are provided. In one example, a method comprises positioning a H2-, hydrocarbon-containing gas stream in an internal volume of a vessel below a heat exchange absorption section. A hydrocarbon-containing liquid stream is positioned in the internal volume above the heat exchange absorption section. The hydrocarbon-containing liquid stream is countercurrent contacted with at least a portion of the H2-, hydrocarbon-containing gas stream along a tube portion of the heat exchange absorption section to separate H2 and C3+ hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon-containing liquid stream and the at least the portion of the H2-, hydrocarbon-containing gas stream are cooled along the tube portion to facilitate separating H2 and C3+ hydrocarbons.
US08882885B2
A system to purge dissolved gases selectively from liquids can include a first contactor having two first contactor inlets and two first contactor outlets. The first contactor can receive liquid from a liquid source at a first inlet of the first contactor and an inert gas source at a second inlet of the first contactor, the inert gas can purge a first portion of gas from the liquid source. The first portion of purged gas exits the first contactor at a first outlet of the first contactor. The second contactor can receive input from the second outlet of the first contactor and the inert gas, the inert gas purges a second portion of the gas from the liquid source. The second portion of purged gas can exit the second contactor at a first outlet of the second contactor.
US08882884B2
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of controlling a PAC-to-particulate ratio in a potion of an exhaust system from a furnace. The method comprises measuring a second amount of particulate exiting a particulate removal system, and controlling a first amount of particulate removed by the particulate removal system based in part on the measured second amount of particulate, such that a desired ratio of PAC-to-particulate is obtained in the portion of the exhaust system.
US08882882B2
Methods of manufacturing Fe and Ni-containing material and Co-containing material from petrochemical desulfurization residue containing Fe and Ni or Fe and Co, manufacturing raw material for stainless steel using the Fe and Ni-containing material, and manufacturing ferro-nickel using the Fe and Ni-containing material. The method of manufacturing Ni and Fe-containing material includes acid-treating Ni and Fe-containing residue to remove alkali therefrom; drying the residue and heat treating the residue in a temperature range from 600° C. (degree Centigrade) to 1300° C. (degree Centigrade) in a reducing atmosphere to reduce Ni and Fe oxides in the residue into metal state; leaching a resultant product obtained by the reduction using acid to selectively dissolve Ni and Fe; filtering the acid leached product to obtain a solution containing Ni and Fe ions; neutralizing the solution containing Ni and Fe ions using alkali to produce Fe,Ni hydroxide; and filtering and drying a resultant product obtained by the neutralization.
US08882878B2
A method of producing ultra-fine metal particles of the present invention includes: blowing metal powders of raw materials into reducing flame formed by a burner 3 in a furnace 5, wherein the metal powders are melted in the flame and allowed to be in an evaporated state, to thereby obtain the spherical ultra-fine metal particles. In the present invention, the atmosphere in the furnace 5 is preferably prepared such that the CO/CO2 ratio is within a range from 0.15 to 1.2. Also, a spiral flow-forming gas is preferably blown into the furnace 5, and the oxygen ratio of the burner 3 is preferably within a range from 0.4 to 0.8. As raw materials, a metal oxide and/or a metal hydroxide which contain the same metal as the metal powders may be used together with the metal powders.
US08882864B2
A fuel reformer which can easily achieve high weight energy density and high volume energy density, and a method for producing the fuel reformer with ease and high efficiency as well as an electrode for electrochemical device, such as a fuel cell, and an electrochemical device are provided. The present invention is to feed hydrogen obtained from a fuel reformer having a catalyst layer containing Pt for taking out hydrogen from a liquid fuel, such as methanol, and a hydrogen permeable layer, such as a Pd thin film, which is impermeable to liquid and permeable to hydrogen to an electrochemical device such as a fuel cell, which comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode and a proton conductive film sandwiched therebetween. The present invention provides a method of producing the hydrogen permeable layer in the reformer 1 by forming the hydrogen permeable layer and the catalyst layer on a base layer comprising Al or the like, and removing the base layer by dissolution.
US08882859B2
A method of manufacturing a metal separator for a fuel cell includes molding two plates such that each plate has a least one concave portion and at least one convex portion, applying a sealant to a sealing portion of at least one of the plates, arranging the plates such that the concave portions of each plate are opposite the convex portions of the other plate, and spot welding the plates together. The sealing portion may be near an edge of the separator, between a hydrogen manifold, an oxygen manifold, and a coolant manifold. A sealant leakage prevention groove may further be provided at the sealing portion. The sealing portion may be made by being inserted between a projection on a first mold and a recess on a second mold, and a spot welding gun may be inserted through a guide hole in one of the molds.
US08882849B2
An acetabular cup includes an articular insert (1) having a substantially semi-spherical articular cavity (1c), and a spherical head (2) engaged in the articular cavity (1c). A retaining device (10a) opposes the axial release (4) of the spherical head (2) from the articular cavity (1c) of the articular insert (1). For example, the retaining device can take the form of a back-tapered segment (10a) of the articular insert (1). The spherical head (2) is factory mounted in the articular insert (1), by temporarily heating the articular insert (1) and performing sterilization after assembly. In this way, the spherical head (2) retention capacity in the articular insert (1) is increased substantially in order to reduce the risk of luxation.
US08882830B2
An implantable device for controlling the circumference of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural lumen which is either too large or too small. Implants are disclosed which employ various means for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit the implants to be implanted using minimally invasive procedures and permit final adjustments to the circumference of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ. Methods are disclosed for using the implants to treat heart valve abnormalities, gastroesophageal abnormalities, anal incontinence, and the like.
US08882829B2
A stent or other intraluminal medical device having markers formed from housings integral with the stent and marker inserts having a higher radiopacity than the stent provides for more precise placement and post-procedural visualization in a vessel, by increasing the radiopacity of the stent under X-ray fluoroscopy. The housings are formed integral to the stent and the marker inserts are made from a material close in the galvanic series to the stent material and sized to substantially minimize the effect of galvanic corrosion. The housings are also shaped to minimize their impact on the overall profile of the stent.
US08882824B2
An expanding vascular stent is disclosed that is inserted into a blood vessel in the human body and expands the blood vessel. The stent is configured in such a way that adjacent rows, each of which is comprised of a plurality of identical cells, are symmetrically arranged, in an out of phase manner. When the stent is expanded in the radial direction, the adjacent rows are expanded in opposite directions, maintaining their linearly symmetrical state. Therefore, the reduction in the length of the stent can be minimized. Since the stent has also a great degree of flexibility, when it is inserted into the blood vessel, it can minimize the damage to the blood vessel wall.
US08882823B2
An intraluminal prosthesis is provided with a plurality of annular elements. Each annular element includes a plurality of struts and apices connected to form an annular configuration. Each annular element has a compressed state and an expanded state, and has a longitudinal dimension which is smaller in the expanded state than in the compressed state. A plurality of connecting members connect the apices of adjacent annular elements. The connecting members have a plurality of alternating segments that function to compensate for the smaller longitudinal dimension of each annular element in the expanded state. The stent may be provided with varying flexibility along its length and/or circumference, and may include segments that have different diameters.
US08882822B2
Disclosed is the use of serous tissue, such as pericardium, as a component of intracorporeal implants. Particularly, disclosed is a jacketed stent assembly comprising an expandable stent provided with a jacket of processed serous tissue which, in some embodiments, is impregnated with a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. In a preferred embodiment, the jacket of the expandable stent is formed of pericardial tissue, preferably bovine or porcine pericardial tissue.
US08882805B1
A spinal fixation device including two plates, a connector element for either coupling the plates in a fixed manner between the L5 vertebrae and the sacrum, and an anchor element to anchor the spinal fixation device to the sacrum. Each plate is preferably equipped with integral spikes on the inwardly facing surfaces for pressing into the spinal processes and thereby augmenting the purchase between the plates and the spinous processes. Each plate contains a central aperture through which the connector element passes in order to couple the plates together.
US08882794B2
A lancet device includes a hollow housing defining a cavity and having a proximal end and a distal end and a slider slidable at least partially within the cavity along a longitudinal axis from an outward position to a pushed position. The slider extends outside of the cavity beyond the proximal end when it is in the outward position. A needle holder holding a needle is rotatable about and translatable along the longitudinal axis when moved from an initial position to an extended position. When the needle holder is in the initial position, the slider is in the outward position. When the needle holder is in the extended position, the lance extends beyond the proximal end. Sliding of the slider to the pushed position enables a first biasing member to urge the needle holder toward the extended position. A second biasing member can be present in the lancet device.
US08882789B2
Endoscopic treatment methods and systems for endoscopic treatment are provided. An endoluminal treatment device and method in an exemplary embodiment includes introducing an endoluminal device into a lumen of a patient and engaging a wall of the lumen with an implant device without creating an incision in the patient. The implant device can be a drug delivery device or medical device.
US08882769B2
A plate system is used in a surgical procedure to manage a distal radius or similar bone fracture. A plate of the plate system includes two leg segments extending downwardly from a generally horizontal segment, and further includes an elongated slot defined through the center of the horizontal segment of the plate near its top edge. A subchondral support element is inserted through the elongated slot and is advanced into the bone. The plate further defines two holes through the horizontal segment near a respective one of the two leg segments. Locking screws, such as variable angle locking screws, are inserted into and locked into the respective holes, with each locking screw advancing into the bone such that a distal tip of each locking screw engages the subchondral support element, thus providing a three-point support.
US08882767B2
An electrosurgical instrument that reduces the amount of fatigue experienced by a physician performing electrosurgery includes a hand piece with a utility conduit connected to the hand piece at a central portion of the hand piece. The utility conduit can include an electrical cable and a smoke/fluid evacuation hose. The hand piece can include a channel system that receives a portion of the utility conduit therein and allows a physician to adjust the location on the hand piece at which the utility conduit exits the hand piece. Adjusting the location on the hand piece at which the utility conduit exits the hand piece can reduce the resistance to the movement of the electrosurgical instrument created by the weight of the utility conduit, which leads to less fatigue in a physician's hand during electrosurgery.
US08882765B2
Devices, systems, and methods for epicardial navigation. In at least one exemplary embodiment of a system for navigating an elongated body on a surface of a tissue of the present disclosure, the system comprises (a) an internal elongated body comprising a distal end and a first element positioned at or near the distal end of the internal elongated body, the internal elongated body devoid of an ablation contact, and (b) an external elongated body comprising a distal end and a second element and an ablation contact positioned at or near the distal end of the external elongated body, the ablation contact being configured to remove or destroy tissue.
US08882764B2
A method and apparatus for treating an intraosseous nerve. The method includes positioning a hollow shaft through the cortical shell of a vertebral body and into a cancellous bone region of the vertebral body. The hollow shaft includes an annular wall having a longitudinal bore therein, a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a first window extending transversely through the annular wall. An electrosurgical probe is advanced within the longitudinal bore from the proximal portion toward the distal portion. The electrosurgical probe includes a first treatment element at a distal end of the probe, wherein the first treatment element being in electrical connection with a power supply. The first treatment element is slidably disposed within the longitudinal bore so that the first treatment element is advanced radially outward from the window and shaft to affect treatment of the intraosseous nerve within the cancellous bone region.
US08882761B2
An ablation electrode is mounted on the distal end of a catheter with a first portion inside and a second portion outside the catheter. The second portion is adapted to have a surface that makes maximum contact with a tissue to be ablated, leaving a minimum area not covered by the tissue and potentially exposed to blood. The first portion is adapted to provide an extended surface area for efficient exchange of heat with a coolant flowing inside the catheter. Outlets provided near the area not covered by the tissue in the second portion prevents blood from getting close to or come directly in contact with the area, thereby greatly reducing formation of dangerous blood clots. The minimizing of an electrical circuit through blood greatly reduces wasted power into the electrode so that the efficiently cooled electrode is not burdened. The catheter preferably has multiple electrodes with similar features.
US08882759B2
An electromagnetic surgical ablation system having a generator adapted to selectively provide surgical ablation energy to an ablation probe, and methods of operating same, are disclosed. The system includes a controller operatively coupled to the generator, and a tissue sensor probe operatively coupled to the controller. The tissue sensor provides a tissue temperature and at least one tissue dielectric property to the controller. During an electromagnetic tissue ablation procedure, the controller monitors tissue temperature and the at least one tissue dielectric property to determine tissue status, and to activate and deactivate the generator in accordance therewith.
US08882756B2
The invention provides a bipolar electrosurgical device to treat tissue in a presence of radio frequency energy and a fluid provided from the device. In one embodiment, the device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode at the end of a malleable shaft assembly to be hand shapeable by a user of the device, and at least one fluid outlet. The malleable shaft assembly comprises a first shaft and a second shaft, a length of the first shaft and a length of the second shaft in an outer member comprising a polymer, and at least a portion of the first shaft and at least a portion of the second shaft being malleable.
US08882754B2
Methods and devices are disclosed that, in various embodiments and permutations and combinations of inventions, diagnose and treat Pulmonary Embolism or associated symptoms. In one series of embodiments, the invention consists of methods and devices for identifying patients whose Pulmonary Embolism or associated symptoms are caused or exacerbated, at least in part, by blockages of one or more of the patient's internal pulmonary veins. In some instances, stenoses or other flow limiting structures or lesions in the patient's affected veins are identified. Further, in some instances the nature of such lesions and whether there is a significant disruption of blood pressure, or both, is ascertained. In some embodiments, methods and devices for applying one or more therapies to the blockages in the patient's pulmonary veins are provided.
US08882740B2
A method for delivering a bisphosphonate and/or strontium ranelate below the surface of a bone using a mechanical force. The method includes the steps of combining a bisphosphonate and/or strontium ranelate with a carrier to form a delivery composition and delivering an effective amount of the delivery composition below the surface of the bone with a mechanical force. Also provided is a method for strengthening a portion of a bone. This method includes the step of delivering an effective amount of a bisphosphonate and/or strontium ranelate below the surface of a portion of a bone with a mechanical force.
US08882734B2
A tampon including an absorption body enclosed in a cover. The tampon has an insertion end and a withdrawal end and further includes at least one withdrawal string. The cover includes a plurality of first invertible flaps or a plurality of second invertible flaps, or a combination thereof. Each first invertible flap is constituted by a portion of the cover and is arranged to be moved between a first initial position and a first inverted position during withdrawal of the tampon out of the vagina of a user so as to aid the withdrawal. Each second invertible flap is constituted by a portion of the cover and is arranged to be moved between a second initial position and a second inverted position during insertion of the tampon into the vagina of a user so as to aid the insertion.
US08882731B2
A defecation detection apparatus including: a feces/urine receiving member that is placed to face the body of a wearer and that receives discharged feces and urine; a urine suction device that is detachably attached to the feces/urine receiving member and that can sucks urine discharged in the feces/urine receiving member; a temperature sensor that is placed at a defecation position where discharged feces are received in the feces/urine receiving member; and a control section that detects the presence of discharged feces based on a signal remaining after removing a signal that is output from the temperature sensor within a predetermined time after an operation of the urine suction device from a signal that is output from the temperature sensor.
US08882719B2
A syringe assembly includes a syringe barrel defining a chamber, a stopper disposed within the chamber, and a plunger assembly. The plunger assembly includes an elongated plunger rod, a housing, and a handle portion connecting the plunger rod and housing. The plunger assembly transitions from a first position disposed about the syringe barrel, to a second position with the plunger rod engaged with the stopper. Transition of the plunger assembly includes rotational engagement of the plunger rod and stopper.
US08882714B1
In accordance with preferred embodiments, a needle with gated stylet is provided that is useful for controlled fluid transfer with a patient's body. Preferably, the needle with gated stylet includes a hollow core needle providing a needle tip and at least two fluid transfer apertures with the stylet removably disposed within the needle. In an alternate embodiment, a needle providing a hollow core, an insertion tip, and a fluid transfer aperture adjacent the insertion tip and communicating with the hollow core, and a stylet disposed within the hollow core, cooperating with the fluid transfer aperture to preclude fluid flow through the fluid transfer aperture when the stylet is in a first position adjacent the insertion tip and promote fluid flow through the transfer aperture when the stylet is in a second position adjacent the insertion tip.
US08882705B2
An improved steerable catheter with in-plane deflection comprises a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough and a tip section at the distal end of the catheter body. The tip section comprises a flexible plastic tubing having a pair of diametrically-opposed lumens extending therethrough. The catheter also provides two puller wires manipulated through a control handle at the proximal end of the catheter body. Each puller wire extends through one of the pair of lumens in the tip section and through the lumen of the catheter body and is anchored to the control handle at its proximal end and anchored to the tip section at its distal end. The deflection mechanism is configured to generally define a plane along which deflection most readily occurs and an edge along which deflection is most readily avoided. The deflection mechanism extends longitudinally along a centerline of the tip section between the first and second puller wire and is configured generally with a cross section having a thinner dimension and a thicker dimension to bias the tip section to deflect in a plane parallel with the thinner dimension of the deflection mechanism and to resist deflection in a plane perpendicular to thicker dimension.
US08882702B2
One implementation provides a method to provide injection procedure information in an injection system. In this implementation, the method includes displaying a plurality of different injection procedure options in a user interface of said system, wherein said plurality of different injection procedure options including a cardiac procedure option and a non-cardiac procedure option. The method further includes receiving a user selection of an injection procedure from said displayed plurality of difference injection procedure options, processing a default set of injection parameters based upon said selected injection procedure, and displaying said default set of injection parameters within the user interface of the system prior to an injection.
US08882700B2
A peritoneal dialysis system includes: a dialysis fluid container associated with an identifier; a reader for reading the identifier; a signal transmitter for communicating data based on the identifier; and a patient transfer set for semi-permanent connection to a patient, the patient transfer set including: (i) a signal receiver for receiving the data sent by the signal transmitter, (ii) an output device for communicating with the patient, and (iii) electronics configured to receive the data and command the output device to communicate with the patient accordingly.
US08882691B2
A device includes: a cylindrical body formed of an elastic material; and a slit formed along a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body from one end to an opposite end of the cylindrical body, a distal end of a nail being inserted to be held in the slit. The cylindrical body includes: plural pairs of holding teeth plurally divided in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body by dividing grooves formed from the slit along a circumferential direction of the cylindrical body such that the holding teeth of each pair are opposed to each other across the slit to hold the distal end of the nail; and coupling pieces configured to couple adjacent ones of the holding teeth on an opposite side of the slit.
US08882689B2
Provided is a brace including upper and lower frame members and upper and lower cuff members. An upper adjuster is coupled to the upper frame member and upper cuff member and is configured to enable selective adjustment of the distance between the upper frame member and the upper cuff member. An upper connector is coupled to the upper frame member and the upper cuff member and is configured to enable selective engagement between the upper frame member and the upper cuff member. A lower adjuster is coupled to the lower frame member and the lower cuff member and is configured to enable selective adjustment of the distance between the lower frame member and the lower cuff member. A lower connector is coupled to the lower frame member and the lower cuff member and is configured to enable selective engagement between the lower frame member and the lower cuff member.
US08882670B2
Apparatus for minimally invasively measuring concentrations of constituents contained within a biological tissue structure includes a microwave energy source arranged generate a range of microwave frequencies, a first antenna coupled to the microwave energy source and arranged to transmit at least a portion of the microwave energy into the tissue structure, a second antenna arranged to receive at least a portion of the microwave energy transmitted through the tissue structure, a signal processor arranged to determine the resonant frequency of the received microwave energy, and a data processor arranged to provide an output of the concentration of constituents within the biological tissue structure according to the determined resonant frequency.
US08882664B2
A system and method for visually displaying and analyzing public health data for geospatial and/or time variations, including the collection of symptom data coupled with geographic and time data, filtering the symptom data based upon a selected time period and geographic range, and creating a visual result based upon statistical modeling including power transform and/or data normalization. According to at least one embodiment, the system for visually displaying and analyzing includes selecting and performing at least one aberration detection method such as applying CUSUM analysis, quantile measures, and/or bootstrapping analysis, and displaying the result to a user via a visual analytics arrangement.
US08882661B2
A retractor device for spearing the body tissue apart is provided. The retractor includes a housing configured to include a plurality of sections, wherein each section is configured to accommodate placement of at least one blade, a blade holding mechanism configured to secure the at least one blade within the housing, a translation mechanism configured to provide translation movement of at least one of the sections, and a rotation mechanism configured to provide rotation movement of at least one blade.
US08882659B2
An endoscopic device includes a proximal side contact portion coming into air-tight contact with an outer peripheral portion of the insertion section, and a cavity is defined between the insertion section and a fixed member to a distal direction side of the proximal side contact portion. In a protruding state of a hood, a first path which makes an inside of the hood communicate with the cavity is defined, and the hood is in air-tight contact with the fixed member over an entire circumference in circumferential directions at a distal side contact portion. In a housed state of the hood, a second path which makes the cavity to communicate with an outside of the fixed member is defined.
US08882651B2
The present invention introduces a novel apparatus (5) for providing magnetic stimuli to the human brain, the apparatus (5) comprising a casing (4) and at least one coil winding (1) adapted to carry electrical current and enclosed within the casing (4) as well as cooling means (2) situated in thermal connection with the coil (1) and comprising a body made of electrically conductive and non-magnetic material so that the mutual inductance between the coil (1) and the cooling means (2) is essentially zero.
US08882650B2
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.
US08882644B2
An exercise device (10) is provided with a twist cap (14) spaced apart from a base cap (12) with a resistance assembly (52) therebetween. The resistance assembly (52) includes a spring (20), a rotating member (26) that rotates with the twist cap (14), and a translating member (30) threadably engaged to the rotating member (26) and configured to variably deform the spring (20) due to rotation of the twist cap (14) in order to adjust the resistance level. An annularly pleated sidewall (16) and a vent means (18) may be included to provide a further resistance means. The exerciser compresses the twist cap (14) towards the base cap (12) to experience both compressive and bending resistance.
US08882633B2
An assembly with a combustion engine and an electric machine, which are coupled with each other by way of a planetary gear train, employs a claw clutch or a toothed clutch, in particular as a brake, between a ring gear of the planetary gear train and a housing of the combustion engine. For this purpose, rotation speeds of the electric machine and the combustion engine set commensurate with a fixed gear ratio, and the brake is closed after the set rotation speeds have been attained with a predetermined minimum accuracy. In this way, machine elements which are compact and operate with insignificant wear, such as claw clutches or toothed clutches, can be employed as the clutch or brake.
US08882618B2
A rear derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member, a chain guide, a friction element, a one-way clutch and an electric actuator. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member. The chain guide is coupled to the movable member to rotate around a rotational axis with respect to the movable member. The friction element is operatively arranged between the movable member and the chain guide to frictionally provide rotational resistance in a first rotational direction of the chain guide. The one-way clutch is operatively disposed between movable member and the chain guide to engage the friction element as the chain guide rotates in the first rotational direction. The electric actuator is operatively coupled to the one-way clutch to control the one-way clutch between a clutch-on mode and a clutch-off mode.
US08882614B2
The present invention is directed to pitching rubbers for baseball. More particularly, the invention relates to a four-sided, solid pitching rubber which provides an all-in-one durable construction with improved performance characteristics. Included in embodiments is a pitching rubber with a solid rubber body having a hollow core lengthwise through a rectangular block, wherein the hollow core has a width or diameter of about 50% or less of block width, and wherein the rubber has a Shore A hardness of about 75+/−5, a tensile strength ranging from about 8-12 MPA, and an elongation at break of about 300-600%. Pitching rubbers according to embodiments of the invention are capable of resisting packing and tamping weight without deformation of the rubber body.
US08882607B2
Provided is a golf club having a head disposed at a front end of a shaft and a grip disposed at a back end of the shaft. A club weight is not larger than 265 g, and a ratio (head weight/club weight) of a head weight to a club weight is not lower than 0.67 but not higher than 0.75. When a distance from the front end of the shaft to a center of gravity of the shaft is LG and when a full length of the shaft is LS, 0.52≦LG/LS≦0.65 is satisfied, and when a frequency of flexural vibration of the club is F, 180 cpm≦F≦210 cpm is satisfied.
US08882593B2
An exemplary game system and the like which do not impair ease of playing a game are provided. The exemplary game system displaying a scene including a predetermined object located in a virtual space includes: an object locating section configured to locate a polygon model as the object in the virtual space, the polygon model including a first portion and a second portion set to correspond to a surface which can be determined as a hidden surface in the first portion on the basis of a normal vector; a game processing section configured to perform game processing; a transparent processing section configured to increase transparency of the first portion of the object when a predetermined condition is met in the game processing; and a rendering processing section configured to render the first portion on the basis of the set transparency and to render a polygon of the second portion.
US08882587B1
The method and system for coupling mobile interactive content to a club reward program is disclosed herein. A business utilizes the present inventions as part of a marketing campaign that is targeted to a customer's mobile communication device. The invention delivers an enticing interactive game to their customer's mobile communication device, rewarding the customer for successfully completing the game with prizes, recording the game player and game details, and auditing the information to ensure the integrity of the game play outcome, and automatically logging those prizes into the business' club reward system.
US08882582B2
Methods, apparatus and articles for dynamically facilitating user interaction with a program are provided. A user is may be provided with refresher elements (or a tutorial) based on the period of time since the user's last session (or level of skill). Programs which may benefit from such features include, inter alia, interactive games, word processors, spreadsheets, payroll applications etc.
US08882581B2
A method of gaming comprising: a) displaying a plurality of display positions to a player, at least one of the display positions corresponding to a hidden object to be sought by the player; b) determining a selection of a display position; c) revealing whether or not the selected display position corresponds to the hidden object; e) determining whether to allow a selection by conducting at least one trial, each trial comprising seeking to complete a symbol combination; and f) repeating steps b) to e) until either the symbol combination is completed or a designated number of hidden objects is located.
US08882578B2
In various embodiments, the gaming system disclosed herein includes a cascading symbol or tumbling reel game which retains, saves or stores zero, one or more of any symbols removed during the play of a primary cascading symbols game. In various embodiments, the gaming system disclosed herein includes a cascading symbol or tumbling reel game which sequentially layers a plurality of adjacent symbol display position grids at different depths.
US08882573B2
A square deflector insert for a drop ceiling made of four identical sides that can be simply field assembled and installed. In contrast to previous single-piece inserts, the new inserts provide much more compact packaging for shipping but can be assembled quickly just before installation. Although described in terms of a square deflector the invention is applicable to other polygonal shapes.
US08882570B2
A clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products, containing a flowable filling material, like a sealing compound, in a tubular casing material. The clipping machine comprises a filling tube for feeding filling material into the tubular casing material stored on the filling tube and being closed at the front end by a closing clip, a clipping device for placing and closing at least one closing clip on the back end of a tubular casing material just filled, and a control unit for controlling the clipping machine. The clipping machine further comprises a first sensor for measuring the pull-off length of the tubular casing material pulled off from the filling tube as well as a second sensor for measuring the movement of the filling material while being fed to the tubular casing material.
US08882565B2
A method of polishing a semiconductor wafer includes applying a polishing pad to the semiconductor wafer so as to subject the semiconductor wafer to a polishing process and supplying an aqueous polishing agent solution between the polishing pad and the semiconductor wafer. The polishing pad includes fixedly bonded abrasives of SiO2 with an average grain size in a range of 0.1 to 1.0 μm. The aqueous polishing agent solution comprising an alkaline component, being free of solid materials and having a variable pH value in a range of 11 to 13.5. The aqueous polishing agent solution is maintained at a pH value of less than 13 during the polishing process and the pH value of the aqueous polishing agent solution is increased to a range of 13 to 13.5 so as to end the polishing process.
US08882564B2
A gear grinding machine, whose tool spindle (18) is supported on a first swivel-motion unit (17) seated on a first linear-motion unit (15), has a second linear-motion unit (19) which is arranged on the first linear-motion unit (15) and carries a dressing spindle (21) that is capable of being driven in rotary movement.
US08882563B2
The invention relates to a chemical mechanical polishing system, comprising: at least one polishing platens rotatably installed with a platen pad mounted on its upper surface; a guide rail disposed along a predetermined path; a substrate carrier unit including a rotary union to downwardly press a substrate during a polishing process, the substrate carrier unit moving along the guide rail with loading the substrate; and a docking unit installed to be docked to the substrate carrier unit so as to supply air pressure to the rotary union which downwardly presses the substrate held by the substrate carrier unit, when the substrate carrier unit is positioned over the polishing platen, whereby even though the substrate carrier unit is moved to consecutively polish the substrate on the plural polishing platens, it substantially removes a phenomenon of the twisting of air pressure supply tubes due to the movement of the substrate carrier unit.
US08882561B2
An electronic toy memory device is disclosed which may include memory, a processor and may depict a character on the housing. The memory device may store audio files and network addresses. Connecting the memory device to a computer may launch a software application with content associated with the character depicted on the memory device housing. Connecting to a server over the internet may launch additional software applications stored on the server with additional content associated with the character depicted on the housing. The character may be depicted on a shell which is frictionally attached to the housing and further includes accessories such as clothes which may be frictionally attached to the shell.
US08882558B2
A playset system for autonomous devices includes a communal area including a substantially horizontal and substantially planar area bounded by a plurality of side walls, a plurality of connectors, and a plurality of ports. Each port is disposed in a side wall, each port is situated adjacent to one of the connectors, and each port includes a gate adapted to open and close, to impede movement of the autonomous devices when closed, and to allow passage of the autonomous devices when open.
US08882552B2
Described here are compositions, methods and apparatus for biological and physical geoengineering. A vertical spar buoy or spar buoy network is provided. The buoys or array of buoys are designed to resist wave motion while supporting an analytical platform at a depth such that particulate flux of fixed carbon is indicative of sequestration in the ocean's depths for one hundred years or more. Sedimentary deadfall through the 100-Year Horizon is measured to validate the flux of fixed carbon. Issuance of validated carbon sequestration certificates and monetization and trading of those certificates are described. Also provided are compositions and methods for increasing bioactive surface area and nutrient levels so as to promote carbon sequestration. Regeneration of carbon dioxide in the mesopelagic water column is reduced by providing complex habitat in the photic zone, thus ensuring higher complexity of trophic levels and sedimentary deadfall having larger particulate size.
US08882548B2
A connector may include a first member having a first bore therethrough. A second member having a second bore therethrough may be configured to align with the first bore in the first member. A cam clamp may be provided for securing the first member to the second member. The cam clamp may include a pin having a head and a shaft, wherein the shaft extends through the first bore and the second bore. A compression element may be positioned between the first bore and a head on the pin. A cam member may be rotatably mounted to an end of the shaft opposing the head and configured to move between a first position and a second position. The cam clamp may be configured to secure the second member to the first member when the cam member is rotated from the first position to the second position.
US08882546B2
An advanced modular plug connector assembly incorporating an insert assembly disposed in the rear portion of the connector housing. In one embodiment, the connector has a plurality of ports in multi-row configuration, and the insert assembly includes a substrate adapted to receive one or more electronic components such as choke coils, transformers, or other signal conditioning elements or magnetics. The substrate also interfaces with the conductors of two modular ports of the connector, and is removable from the housing such that an insert assembly of a different electronics or terminal configuration can be substituted therefor. In this fashion, the connector can be configured to a plurality of different standards (e.g., Gigabit Ethernet and 10/100). In yet another embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a plurality of light sources (e.g., LEDs) received within the housing. Methods for manufacturing the aforementioned embodiments are also disclosed.
US08882537B2
Disclosed is a connecting arrangement for purposes of connecting an electrical line to a component section, with a holding device, which has a holding element for purposes of arranging on the component section and a connecting element for purposes of connecting the line with the holding element, with a breakthrough to be provided on the component section for purposes of guiding through the connecting element, wherein the holding element is embodied in the form of a clamp for purposes of encompassing the component section in at least some sections, and wherein a positioning device is provided for purposes of positioning the holding element in a design position on the component section, which has a holding element-side positioning element and a counter element to be provided on the component section, which interact in a form fit, and also a holding element for such a connecting arrangement with a clamp-type profile and a positioning element for purposes of a form-fit positioning of the holding element on the component section.
US08882530B2
Provided is a lever fitting-type connector wherein the time for connecting a second connector comprised of a plurality of connector segments to a first connector can be reduced; and a compact connector portion of a wire harness can be obtained. A second connector (14) fitted and connected to a first connector (13) by an operation for rotating a fitting operation lever (15) attached to the first connector (13), is configured by combining a main connector segment (31) with a subsidiary connector segment (32). The main connector segment (31) has a lever engagement portion (34) to be engaged with the fitting operation lever (15) when the main connector segment is fitted to an initial fitting position. The main connector segment (31) is shifted from the initial fitting position to a complete fitting position by an operation for rotating the fitting operation lever (15).
US08882522B2
An electrical connector includes an insulating main body, a terminal module, and two fixing pieces. The insulating main body has a front end provided with an insertion port, two sides of the insertion port each being provided with a fixing slot, and has a rear end provided with an accommodation space. The terminal module is disposed in the accommodation space, and includes metal terminals and a fixing seat. The metal terminals are partially protrudingly exposed in the insertion port. Two sides of the fixing seat are each provided with a clamping slot. Each fixing piece is fixed in the fixing slot. Each fixing piece has a buckle corresponding to the clamping slot. Therefore, the extending buckle of the fixing piece and the clamping slot of the terminal module are engaged with each other, so as to prevent the terminal module from departing from the accommodation space.
US08882510B2
A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of verbal memory of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to the subject on a display, the scene comprising a plurality of symbols and a background; (2) moving the plurality of symbols relative to the scene, the movement being tracked by the subject via at least one input device; (3) adjusting the saliency of the plurality of symbols relative to the tracked movement; (4) receiving feedback from the subject via said input device; (5) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (6) modulating the movement of the plurality of symbols relative to the accuracy of the quantitatively refined feedback; (7) calculating a critical threshold parameter; and (8) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of verbal memory of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, a quantitative assessment profile of verbal memory by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.
US08882506B2
A dental implant system includes bone growth promoting material configured for disposal within a body cavity about an implant. A protective element is configured to overlay the bone growth promoting material. Methods of use are also disclosed.
US08882504B2
Endodontic instruments are described which have at least a section with a center of mass offset from an axis of rotation so that when the instrument is rotated, the section bends away from the axis of rotation.
US08882499B2
An orthodontic appliance includes a flexible vesica containing a fluid, and a support structure supporting the vesica relative to the patient's dental anatomy. The support structure holds the vesica in compression against selected teeth, so that the fluid within the vesica exerts a therapeutic pressure on the teeth. For example, the support structure can include an arch-shaped trough to support a tubular vesica. The fluid can be an incompressible material, such as glycerin or water.
US08882498B2
Coordinated metal and ceramic orthodontic bracket systems (100) allow a practitioner to insert one or more ceramic brackets (102, 104, 106, 108) into a metal bracket system (1001), replacing selected metal brackets (102′, 1041, 106′, 108′) with ceramic brackets (102, 104, 106, 108), and vice-versa. Thus, both a ceramic bracket system (100) and a metal bracket system (1001) are provided, in which corresponding brackets of each system include substantially identical “in-out” slot floor cross-sectional thicknesses so that corresponding brackets are interchangeable with each other, without any need for compensating bends or later treatment to correct unintended buccal-lingual tooth movement.
US08882494B2
A cooking appliance having a gas burner operable to generate a quantity of heat is disclosed. The cooking appliance also includes a pressure sensor operable to measure the pressure of gas supplied to the gas burner from a gas valve. The gas valve is programmed to adjust the supply of gas to the gas burner based on the measured pressure of the gas.
US08882492B2
A system or apparatus that in one implementation includes an electromagnetic valve having an actuator rod with a first coil and a second coil positioned at different longitudinal locations on the actuator rod and being situated electrically parallel to one another in an electrical circuit. The electromagnetic valve is constructed to induce a first voltage in the second coil when the electromagnetic valve is in the open position and to induce in the second coil a second voltage lower than the first voltage when the electromagnetic valve is in the closed position. A switch changeable between a first position and a second position is located in the electrical circuit. When the switch is in the first position the electrical circuit is configured to allow current from a power source to be delivered to the second coil. When the switch is in the second position the electrical circuit is configured to not allow current from a power source to be delivered to the second coil. A control device situated in series with the second coil in the electrical circuit is adapted to detect the open or closed position of the first electromagnetic valve based on the induced voltage of the second coil. The control device is adapted to act upon the switch to change it between the first and second positions. In one implementation, upon detecting that the electromagnetic valve is in the closed position, the control device is configured to act upon the switch to cause it to assume the first position.
US08882491B2
The invention is a connection duct between the blower and a mixing device of a burner. The connection duct expands wedge-shaped along a first direction and diverts air from the blower to a second direction. The connection duct further comprises diverting means for diverting the air in a circular flow around the second direction corresponding to a longitudinal axis of the mixing device. The diverting means comprise a tube section with at least one inflow opening arranged in the peripheral wall of the diverting means. A truncated cone comprising a tapering section is arranged in the tube section so that the tapering section faces in the direction of the mixing device. A passage cross-section of the inflow opening can be adjusted by a tube arranged in the peripheral wall which can be rotated around the tube's longitudinal axis and bears against the internal surface of the tube section.
US08882487B2
An extrusion head configured for at least one extruder includes a flow channel a finishing die; and an opening in operative communication with the flow channel, wherein the opening is configured to at least partially accommodate a screw shaft of an additional extruder.
US08882485B2
A spinneret bundle for producing fibers from a polymer melt includes an elongated nozzle plate that has a feed channel on an upper face and at least one row of nozzle bores that are arranged next to one another on a lower face. A distributing plate lies on the upper face of the nozzle plate and has a distributing chamber that faces the feed channel and a melt inlet that is connected to the distributing chamber. A perforated plate with a plurality of through-bores is provided between the distributing chamber of the distributing plate and the feed channel of the nozzle plate in order to achieve a redistribution and uniformity of the melt when the melt is introduced into the feed channel.
US08882484B2
The method of the invention provides for producing a heterologous protein in mammalian host cells having nucleic acid encoding Hepatitis B X protein and the heterologous protein, by growing mammalian host cells selected from the group consisting of HKB11, CHO, BHK21, C2C12, and HEK293 cells, by growing mammalian host cells in non-adherent suspension culture, or by growing mammalian host cells which contain nucleic acid providing exogenous X-box Binding Protein, XBP1s. The conditions should be such that HBx, exogenous XBP1s if present, and the heterologous protein are expressed by the mammalian cells. The invention includes compositions for carrying out the method.
US08882483B2
A system for sealing or insulating a large volume is provided. The system includes an envelope having walls defining an interior. The interior is configured to receive a foaming composition. The envelope is initially configured in a retracted configuration. A foaming composition is configured for insertion into the interior of the envelope. The envelope is configured such that the foaming composition expands the envelope such as to fill a large gap.
US08882460B2
A method for operating a wind turbine with a variable speed rotor, a control system and a safety system, including the steps of initiating a braking procedure of the rotor of the wind turbine by the control system when the rotational speed of the rotor exceeds a first threshold value (nc1), and activating a safety system for braking the rotor when the rotational speed of the rotor exceeds a second threshold value (ns1) and when the control system has not initiated a braking procedure, the second threshold value (ns1) being greater than the first threshold value (nc1).
US08882458B2
A compressor with a housing having an air guide section and a bearing section, and a moving part having a compressor wheel and a shaft connected to the compressor wheel in a pivot-proof manner. The shaft is pivot-supported in the bearing section, and the compressor wheel is accommodated in a first chamber of the air guide section in a pivoting manner. The shaft is driveable by an electric motor and at least one radial bearing and one axial bearing are provided for supporting the shaft in the bearing section, wherein the axial bearing has at least one magnetic bearing. The axial bearing includes at least one first bearing and a second bearing, the first bearing configured in the region of the compressor wheel and the second bearing is configured in the region of an end of the moving part facing away from the compressor wheel.
US08882456B2
A rotor blade is disclosed herein. The rotor blade comprises a nominal surface profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinates X, Y and Z as set forth in TABLE 1. Wherein X and Y are distances in millimeters which, when connected by smooth, continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in millimeters. The airfoil profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
US08882454B2
A ram air fan bearing housing for a ram air fan assembly includes a bearing section, a disk section, and radial support ribs. The disk section is at one end of the bearing section for connecting the bearing section to the ram air fan assembly. The disk section includes an outer ring with a circumferential support rib; and a disk wall connecting the outer ring to the bearing section. The disk wall includes arcuate cooling slots defined by edges, including an arcuate edge having an arc center at an axis of the bearing housing and positioned adjacent to and radially inward from the circumferential support rib. The radial support ribs extend axially along most of the length of the bearing section and extend radially along the disk wall to the circumferential support rib. The radial support ribs and the cooling slots alternate about the axis of the bearing housing.
US08882446B2
A bearing system for a rotor in rotating machines, such as compressors, pumps, turbines, expanders, has points of bearing and sealing for the rotor each being in the form of a combined bearing and sealing formed by a stator situated within a rotating machine house and surrounding the rotor. The stator is formed with a bore, whereby an annular clearance is created between stator and rotor, and the bore is having sectional area gradually increasing in the direction of larger pressure within the rotating machine.
US08882444B2
A turbocharger compressor includes a compressor housing having a housing wall that includes a shroud that defines a central air channel and a compressor inlet in fluid communication with the central channel and an inlet duct. It also includes a compressor wheel configured to draw air into the compressor inlet from the inlet duct and create a main airflow in the central air channel axially toward a compressor outlet. The compressor also includes a bypass channel that extends between an opening in the main channel located between the compressor inlet and compressor outlet proximate the compressor blades and the compressor inlet. The compressor also includes a deflector that includes a deflector surface that is configured to direct a bypass airflow in the bypass channel, and flowing in a direction from the main channel toward the compressor inlet, into the compressor inlet axially and radially inwardly toward the compressor wheel.
US08882434B2
A vehicle wheel dolly is provided that includes a well for positioning and capturing a tire and wheel assembly of an automobile, the well including a generally flat first plate, a first side wall, a second side wall, a rear wall, a second plate, a third plate, a plurality of casters secured to said wheel dolly and wherein a first set of casters of said plurality of casters are secured to said second plate and said third plate near said rear wall and a second set of casters of said plurality of casters are secured to said second plate and said third plate, said second set of casters configured to be positioned on said second plate and said third plate to create a fulcrum thereby enabling said vehicle wheel dolly to pivot about said second set of casters as the wheel and tire assembly enter said well.
US08882432B2
A robotic automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) mixed pallet build system includes a rack that includes two or more verticals levels upon which items are stored. The system includes a three-dimensional robotic AS/RS that includes a carriage, robot arm, vertical lift, and horizontal propulsion system. The items from the rack are loaded upon the carriage to create a pallet. The robot arm is configured to stack the items from the racks onto the pallet. The vertical lift is configured to move the carriage vertically between the vertical levels of the racks. The horizontal propulsion system is configured to move the carriage horizontally along the rack so that the carriage is able to service the entire length of the rack. The three-dimensional robotic AS/RS also includes a stretch wrapper that progressively secures the layers of items on the pallet to prevent the items from falling off the pallet.
US08882424B2
A screw fall preventing structure prevents a screw from falling out of a unit that is attachable to and removable from a main body of an apparatus. The screw is used for fastening the unit to the main body of the apparatus. The screw fall preventing structure includes: a wire piece having a bent portion fitted around the screw to hold the screw axially rotatably; and a fixing member fixing the wire piece to the unit. When the unit is not fastening by the screw, the screw is elastically supported via the wire piece on the fixing member and the elasticity is given by a portion of the wire between a portion fixed by the fixing member and the bent portion.
US08882423B2
To provide a lightning-resistant fastener capable of assuring a sufficient lightning-resistant performance. A cap 30A has an elastically deformable part 50 continuous in the circumferential direction thereof. The elastically deformable part 50 has a smaller thickness than the other parts of the cap 30A in a circumferentially continuous area thereof. Since the cap 30A has the elastically deformable part 50, even if a surface 22b of a member 22 is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of a fastener main body 25, the cap 30A can be installed without forming a gap.
US08882422B2
A seal having an integral attachment arrangement. The attachment arrangement comprises at least one attachment feature and at least one locking feature. The at least one attachment feature is configured and arranged to interdigitate with features of another component in a first orientation and to lock to the other component in a second orientation. The second orientation is rotationally displaced from the first orientation.
US08882414B2
Milling of a bevel gear tooth system in the continuous process, wherein a cutter head comprising a plurality of pairs of inner cutting edges and outer cutting edges is applied to a workpiece, the inner cutting edges are arranged on a smaller fly circle radius than the outer cutting edges and movements for a metal-cutting machining by milling are performed by a gear cutting machine where the bevel work gear and the cutter head run linkedly: performing a first continuous metal-cutting machining by milling using the gear cutting machine according to a first machine setting, wherein convex inner flanks on the bevel work gear are machined by the inner cutting edges; and performing a second continuous metal-cutting machining by milling using a gear cutting machine according to a second machine setting, wherein concave outer flanks on the bevel work gear are machined by the outer cutting edges.
US08882401B2
A discharge apparatus for a powdered or granular material provided at a lower end of a storage part in which a powdered or granular material is stored. The discharge apparatus comprises a material discharge passage connected to the lower end of the storage part and provided with a material discharge port at the terminal end, a valve body opening or closing the discharge port of the material discharge passage, and a valve driving part moving the valve body along a substantially orthogonal direction to a surface of a valve seat around the discharge port. The valve body is so constructed as to form a gap at closed position between the valve body and the surface of the valve seat along the circumferential direction of the discharge port, in which the gap is formed such that a powdered or granular material is not allowed to pass therethrough.
US08882394B2
A coupler having two degrees of axial freedom couples a hydro-pneumatic cylinder to a tensioner ring of a riser tensioner mounted to a platform. A post extends along an axis of the cylinder and an intermediate sleeve is disposed around the post to form a post annulus. An outer sleeve is secured to the tensioner ring and defines a cavity into which the post and intermediate sleeve are inserted so that an annulus is formed between the sleeve and the outer sleeve. The Outer sleeve is coupled to the intermediate sleeve so that the outer sleeve may pivot on the coupling between the outer sleeve and the intermediate sleeve relative to the intermediate sleeve. The intermediate sleeve is coupled to the post so that the intermediate sleeve may pivot on the coupling between the intermediate sleeve and the post relative to the post.
US08882392B1
A method of anchoring a pipeline at a subsea location includes the steps of installing a first pile into the subsea location in a position away from the pipeline, affixing a first line to the pipeline and to the first pile, and tensioning the first line from the pipeline. A second pile is installed into the subsea location in a position away from the pipeline and away from the first pile. A second line is affixed to the pipeline and the second pile. The second line is tensioned from the pile. Each of the first and second lines extends on opposite sides of the pipeline at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the pipeline. Each of the pile is a suction pile having a tensioning mechanism thereon.
US08882391B2
Retriever systems for marine geophysical survey cables. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including causing a submerged sensor streamer to surface by flooding an intermediate chamber with water, the intermediate chamber defined within a cylinder of a housing coupled to the sensor streamer, the flooding of the intermediate chamber responsive to the sensor streamer reaching or exceeding a predetermined depth; and responsive to flooding the intermediate chamber moving a first piston within the cylinder; and thereby puncturing a seal of a compressed gas cylinder responsive to movement of the first piston, the puncturing makes the sensor streamer more positively buoyant.
US08882387B2
Provided is an air-blowing-type road surface snow-melting system which makes it possible to reduce the height of a hollow roadbed body while also making the amount of air blown out from an air-permeable structure substantially uniform. An air-blowing-type road surface snow-melting system (1) comprises: a hollow roadbed body (2) which is provided with a hollow section (21) and is buried beneath a road surface; an air-permeable structure (3) which is disposed on the hollow roadbed body (2) to form the road surface; and a vent pipe (4) which is laid inside the hollow section (21) of the hollow roadbed body (2), wherein the vent pipe (4) is laid in the shape of a loop so as to enclose a predetermined snow-melting area and in addition a plurality of blow-out sections (42) which open toward the inside of the loop are disposed in the vent pipe (4).
US08882383B2
A fastening device is provided for an aircraft interior equipment component, with at least one suspension point which is formed to transmit forces to a holding structure in at least one direction. In order to install the aircraft interior equipment components quickly and without tools, each suspension point is formed by a rotatable sliding block and a groove, wherein the groove has a transverse dimension as well as a first open end and a second end which leads into a circular recess. The sliding block also has a transverse dimension which is smaller than or equal to the transverse dimension of the groove and a longitudinal dimension which is greater than the transverse dimension of the groove, so that the sliding block can be positively locked by a rotation thereof in the circular recess.
US08882380B2
An oral care system comprising an oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, and dispenser containing a fluid detachably coupled to the toothbrush. In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a reservoir containing a fluid and a rotatable actuator for dispensing the fluid from the dispenser; and the dispenser is alterable between: (i) a storage state in which the dispenser is detachably coupled to the toothbrush and a mechanical interference between a portion of the rotatable actuator and a portion of the toothbrush prohibits rotation of the rotatable actuator relative to the toothbrush; and (ii) an application state in which a user can rotate the rotatable actuator to dispense the fluid from the dispenser.
US08882378B2
A heating and dispenser system including base unit and an applicator assembly. The applicator assembly may include an applicator tip, a dispensing module, and an applicator housing. The applicator assembly may be integral or separable, and may also house a heating module. Alternatively, the heating module may be separate from the applicator assembly. The system also includes a control system for heating and dispensing various products. The applicator assembly may be replaceable, interchangeable, or single-type for applying product to a surface. The applicator may also be constructed of materials that impact heat transfer or storage.
US08882376B2
A plurality of ribs are provided on a cut paper discharge guide and an upper cover which define a discharge port for discharging a cut paper. The ribs hold a cut paper in width direction. Even if a cut paper having a high degree of curl is supplied when a roll diameter of a roll paper is reduced, it is possible to prevent a paper jam such as falling or clogging of the cut paper. It is desirable that the ribs provided on the cut paper discharge guide and the upper cover are disposed in an alternate pattern along the width direction of the discharge port. This arrangement is particularly effective in a printer having an inclined paper passage.
US08882360B2
A conical roller bearing device includes: a conical roller bearing that includes an inner ring (24) that has an outer raceway surface on its outer peripheral surface, an outer ring (22) that has an inner raceway surface on its inner peripheral surface, a retainer (26), and a plurality of conical rollers that are rollably arranged between the outer raceway surface of the inner ring (24) and the inner raceway surface of the outer ring (22) and that are respectively accommodated in pockets formed in the retainer (26); and a pressing mechanism that presses the retainer (26) in a direction to reduce gaps between the conical rollers and the outer raceway surface of the inner ring (24) and gaps between the conical rollers and the inner raceway surface of the outer ring (22) along center axes of the inner ring (24) and outer ring (22).
US08882356B2
A horizontal shaft type rotary machine capable of simply feeding oil into thrust bearing devices. Leak oil introduction is provided in the circumferential end parts of thrust bearing devices, for introducing leak oil of lubrication oil from horizontal type slide bearing devices onto slide surfaces of the thrust bearing devices. With this configuration, the thrust baring devices can be lubricated with the use of leak oil of lubrication oil from the horizontal type slide bearing devices, and as a result, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of an oil feed system exclusively used for the thrust bearing devices, thereby it is possible to simplify the pipe line arrangement of the oil feed system and the control of oil feed quantity.
US08882349B2
Reclosable fastener assembly includes a fastener comprising a pair of interlocking tracks including a first track having a male profile and a second track having a female profile, the fastener having a height and a width when the tracks are interlocked, a slider slidably mounted to the tracks for movement between a closed position and an open position, and at least one end stop located at an end of the fastener, the end stop formed integrally from at least one of the first and second tracks, the end stop having a wedge shape with a first end, a second end, and a lateral extent, the first end being proximate the fastener and having a height no greater than the height of the fastener, the end stop having a decreasing height from the first end to the second end, and the lateral extent extending beyond the width of the fastener.
US08882348B2
The present embodiments relate to a wheeled C-arm support device for a mobile C-arm X-ray machine and an associated method for swiveling the C-arm support device. The C-arm support device includes two steerable front wheels, two freely movable rear wheels and a steering unit that may steer the two steerable front wheels simultaneously inward by the same angle. A line of intersection of surfaces formed by outer sides of the two steerable front wheels form an imaginary swivel axis of the C-arm support device.
US08882343B1
A timer is configured with a lighting feature so as to provide illumination to the timer in dark environments. The light may actuate by the interaction of an actuating member and sensor within the timer housing. The light may turn on when the enclosure door is in an open position and the light may turn off when the enclosure door is in a closed position. The timer assembly includes a base having a sensor, a lid having an actuating surface or member, a time indicator positioned in the base, and a light interconnected with the base, wherein the actuating surface or member selectively operates the light.
US08882342B2
This watch case comprises a middle (1), a tube (3, 23), which is secured to the middle (1) and is provided with a thread, a control crown (C) which is provided with a thread screwed onto the tube (3, 23), the control crown (C) having an external part (10, 20) that has a distinctive mark (S) that is visible from the outside and an internal part (2, 24) housed inside the external part (10, 20) and clamping means (11) for axially holding said external part (10, 20) and said internal part (2, 24) in an angular position determined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tube. The internal part (2, 24) has first angular indexing means (2a, 24a), the external part (10, 20) having second angular indexing means (10a, 20a), these indexing means being shaped so as to engage axially in one another.
US08882331B2
The present disclosure provides a warping buffering structure for a light guide plate and a backlight module. The warping buffering structure includes: a first member with one side thereof contacting one end of the light guide plate of a backlight module; a second member with one side thereof flexibly connected to a side wall of a back cover of the backlight module, and the second member capable of sliding along an extending direction of the side wall; a first inclined surface formed on an end of one side of the first member which is away from the light guide plate; and a second inclined surface formed on an end of one side of the second member which is away from the side wall, and the second inclined surface contacting the first inclined surface and being slidably engaged with the second inclined surface.
US08882326B2
A light guide plate includes an incident surface on which light outputted from point light sources is incident and an outgoing surface for outputting light incident from the incident surface, wherein a reflection-and-propagation surface for reflecting light toward the outgoing surface is formed in a back surface opposite to the outgoing surface. The outgoing surface is made up of a propagation region adjacent to the incident surface, a diffusion-and-propagation auxiliary region adjacent to the propagation region, and a diffusion-and-propagation region adjacent to the diffusion-and-propagation auxiliary region. Hot spots and bright/dark lines in vicinities of the incident surface are controlled primarily by curved portions of prism upper ends formed in the diffusion-and-propagation region, and viewing-angle characteristics of the light guide plate are controlled primarily by linear portions of the prisms.
US08882314B1
A window candle includes a holder base defining therein a stepped vertical insertion hole formed of a larger upper first insertion hole and a smaller lower second insertion hole and defining a first annular locating groove between the larger upper first insertion hole and the smaller lower second insertion hole and a second annular locating groove located at the bottom side of the smaller lower section insertion hole, a candle shaft inserted into the stepped vertical insertion hole and selectively positioned in the first annular locating groove or the second annular locating groove, an annular locating member optionally mountable in the first annular locating groove to support the candle shaft in the first annular locating groove, and a lampshell fastened to the top end of the candle shaft by a screw joint and holding therein a light-emitting circuit board.
US08882313B2
A light emitting semiconductor element includes at least two electrically conductive units, at least a light emitting semiconductor die and a light transmitting layer. A groove is located between the two electrically conductive units. The light emitting semiconductor die is cross over the electrically conductive units. The light transmitting layer covers the light emitting semiconductor and partially fills within the groove for linking the electrically conductive units.
US08882306B2
Disclosed is a lighting device including a body provided with a cavity in an upper part, a power supply disposed in the body to supply power, a case disposed in the cavity, the case including an electrode unit detachably connected to the power supply, and a light source disposed in the case and electrically connected to the electrode unit. Disclosed is also a lighting device including a body provided with a cavity in an upper part, a power supply disposed in the body to supply power, a case disposed in the cavity, the case including an electrode unit detachably connected to the power supply and a case body connected to the electrode unit, and a light source disposed in the case body and electrically connected to the electrode unit to emit light.
US08882300B2
A color filter comprises a first filter element and a second filter element. The first filter element includes a plurality of arrayed filter regions allowing a first spectral component of incident light to pass and reflecting other spectral components of the incident light. The second filter element includes a plurality of arrayed filter regions allowing a second spectral component of the incident light to pass and reflecting other spectral components of the incident light. The center of the filter regions of the second filter element is deviated from the center of the filter regions of the first filter element so that the light reflected from the first filter element can pass through the second filter element. Thereby is enhanced the energy efficiency of the color filter. An edge-type backlight module using the abovementioned color filter is also disclosed.
US08882294B2
The light emitting device package may include a light emitting device including at least one light emitting diode and a body including at least one lead frame on which a light emitting device is disposed, the body provided a first protrusion formed on a outside of the body, wherein the width of a lower surface of the first protrusion is 0.5 times to 0.9 times the width of a upper surface of the first protrusion.
US08882291B1
An LED-based lighting system is provided for aquariums, habitats, farms, terrariums, and/or enclosures for keeping animals and/or plant life and/or other enclosures. In one embodiment, the LED-based lighting system includes an LED circuit board or strip adapted to provide a particular wavelength of light, such as, red, blue, or green light. Several circuit boards or strips may be strung together end-to-end or side-to-side and, while each circuit board or strip may be adapted for providing a particular wavelength of light, the several circuit boards or strips may be adapted to provide several wavelengths of light, e.g. a mixture of spectrum. The several circuit boards, while providing different wavelengths of light, may be substantially the same in most respects except for the LED's positioned on the strip and a jumper selectively connected to provide a control signal line adapted for controlling the particular wavelength LED installed on the respective strip.
US08882290B2
A light-mixing type light-emitting apparatus comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) formed on a transparent carrier, wherein each of the LEDs with a transparent substrate emits light of a distinct color when driven, and the light beams generated from the LEDs are mixed to form a specific color. The transparent carrier setting forth in the present invention provides a mixing zone underlying the plurality of LEDs for the light beams to mix uniformly so as to improve the light-mixing efficiency of the light-emitting apparatus and shorten the mixing distance.
US08882289B2
This aims to provide a support (10) comprising a bracket (7) attached to a predetermined structure, and a generally cylindrical holder (6) retained in the bracket (7). This bracket (7) has a receiving hole (112) for accommodating the holder (6). This holder (6) has a first rib (122) erected on a curved outer circumference, and an elastic portion (124) for giving the first rib (122) the degree of freedom for motions in the substantially radial direction. This also aims to provide a lighting unit (20) characterized by comprising a board (2), in which light emitting portions (23) having semiconductor light emitting devices are arrayed on the upper face side along the longitudinal direction, reflector members (3A and 3B) mounted on the side of the upper face of the board and having reflecting portions (34a and 34b) for covering the light emitting units and for reflecting the lights from the light emitting units, and a case member (4) disposed to support the board and the reflector members upward and downward.
US08882288B2
A purse illumination assembly including a power source, a light emitting portion, a voice-sensitive switch, and a circuit assembly connecting the light emitting portion to the power source through the voice-sensitive switch. The light emitting portion may be a light emitting fabric or may include EL wire alone or in combination with LED lights to provide both lighting and a decorative effect. A driver circuit may be included for driving both the EL wire and the LED lights.
US08882285B2
The present invention is a PVC or rubber illuminating safety glove utilized without a power source that includes a plurality of finger and thumb sections that accommodate a user's fingers and thumb and include a plurality of distal ends and a plurality of fingertips that are located on the distal ends of the finger and thumb sections and include a chemical compound that is safely embedded into the distal ends that become illuminated when exposed to an electromagnetic field. The embedded chemical compound is a plurality of microscopic polymer beads or a plurality of supermagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles that illuminate color instantly and reversibly when exposed to the electromagnetic field.
US08882283B2
A lighting apparatus for film, television, video capture, motion picture and photography which includes a Fresnel lens fixed in a housing which contains a tight array of high power LEDs. The LED panel or board is mated to a heat dissipating apparatus to provide active cooling and together forming an LED engine. The LED engine is mounted to a slider allowing the LED engine to be adjusted within the housing with respect to the lens. Light shaping diffusion may be included on the housing. A power supply unit may also be included in the housing. When in electrical communication, the LED engine and power supply unit function as an integrated self-contained lighting apparatus. Optionally, the power supply may have an integrated dimmer switch, and may be capable of receiving PFC power or have an integrated battery unit.
US08882282B2
In one embodiment, a light-emitting device includes an optical part which is configured to prevent the formation of a residual film and to enhance light extraction efficiency. In one embodiment, an optical part as a reflective plate is arranged on a light extraction side of a light-emitting panel. In one embodiment, a plurality of optical function elements are formed independently of one another on a base of the optical part. In one embodiment, a residual film which is an optically unnecessary part between the base and the plurality of optical function elements is eliminated to prevent unnecessary light guiding, reflection or the like to the residual film. In one embodiment, in a light-emitting device including the optical part, stray light due to unnecessary light guiding or reflection to the residual film is reduced, and an improvement in light extraction efficiency achievable.
US08882280B2
An optical substrate such as a cover glass which effects only a small change in a reflected color dependent on an incident angle, or more particularly, an optical substrate such as a cover glass for displays includes a reinforcement layer intended to prevent cracking, an antiglare layer formed on the reinforcement layer, a tone-adjustment antireflection film formed on the antiglare layer, and an antifouling layer formed on the antireflection film intended to minimize fingerprint adhesion. The antireflection film includes at least nine layers.
US08882273B2
A method for determining a lens prescription for the eye. The method includes selecting a first ultraviolet (UV) trial lens and a second UV trial lens and determining whether the first UV trial lens or the second UV trial lens results in greater improvement in visual function. The second UV trial lens may be selected for the prescription when the second UV trial lens results in greater improvement in visual function as compared to the first UV trial lens. The method includes selecting a first color group comprising a first color trial lens and a second color trial lens and determining whether the first color trial lens or the second color trial lens results in greater improvement in visual function. The second color trial lens may be selected for the prescription when the second color trial lens results in greater improvement in visual function than the first color trial lens.
US08882272B2
A method and apparatus for imaging the choroid. The method comprises indirectly illuminating the choroid of an eye using incident light having a wavelength spectrum in the near-infrared region; and collecting the light passing out through the choroid and the pupil of the eye using an image sensor to obtain an image of the choroid.
US08882264B2
Certain exemplary embodiments include methods of determining ophthalmic prescriptions to ameliorate presbyopia. Certain exemplary embodiments provide an ophthalmic lens having spherical aberration of the same sign as the patient's eye and of a magnitude effective to substantially provide a desired net spherical aberration for an optical system including the patient's eye and the ophthalmic lens where the desired net spherical aberration provides a desired increase in near vision. Certain exemplary embodiments include contact lenses, intraocular lenses, corneal onlays, corneal inlays, or corneal surgeries providing spherical aberration of the same sign as the patient's eye and of a magnitude effective to substantially provide a desired net spherical aberration for an optical system including the patient's eye and the ophthalmic lens where the desired net spherical aberration provides a desired increase in near distance vision.
US08882256B2
Disclosed herein are curable solid inks which are solid at room temperature and molten at an elevated temperature at which the molten ink is applied to a substrate. In particular, the curable solid inks of the present embodiments comprise low molecular weight amide gellants that impart self-leveling capabilities to the inks. Also disclosed herein are methods for making the amide gellant and the inks comprising the amide gellants.
US08882255B2
The invention provides an ink jet ink including a coloring material, a polymer particle, a crosslinking agent and an aqueous medium. The polymer particle has a unit derived from a compound represented by the following general formula (1) and a glass transition temperature of 25° C. or less. The crosslinking agent has a functional group capable of forming a crosslinked structure with a ketone group derived from the compound represented by the general formula (1) by a dehydration reaction. The mass ratio of a content (% by mass) of the coloring material based on the total mass of the ink to a content (% by mass) of the polymer particle based on the total mass of the ink is 0.2 times or more and 2.5 times or less.
US08882254B2
Among other things, a device for use in printing is described. The device comprises a first chamber for receiving a liquid and a first filter member in the first chamber. The first filter member separates the first chamber into a first part and a second part laterally adjacent to the first part. The first filter member comprises pores having an average size. The pores are configured to filter the liquid passing from the first part to the second part. The first filter member further comprises an opening adjacent to a top of the first chamber for air to pass from the first part to the second part. The opening has a size at least 10 times larger than the average size of the pores. There is a first inlet in fluid communication with the first part and a first outlet in fluid communication with the second part.
US08882249B2
An attachment is mounted on a cartridge holder of a printer as a replacement of an ink cartridge. An ink outlet member having a link passage is separably secured to an attachment body. Ink is supplied from the exterior to the ink outlet member through an ink supply tube. When the attachment is mounted on the cartridge holder, a downstream end of the ink outlet member is positioned with respect to and connected to an ink supply needle of the printer. Accordingly, the attachment is easily and quickly installed in a liquid ejection apparatus. This reduces costs and makes it easy to use the attachment.
US08882247B2
A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system having a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop, a gas vent on the closed loop and a multi-path valve on the closed loop for selectively allowing venting of gas in the closed loop via the gas vent.
US08882241B2
A liquid-jet head includes nozzles, pressurized chambers to communicate with the nozzles, a common liquid chamber to communicate with each of the pressurized chambers, each of the common liquid chamber and the pressurized liquid chambers having a negative pressure of a predetermined value, first communicating paths to communicate between the common liquid chamber and the pressurized liquid chamber to serve as a filter to prevent air bubbles from intruding into the pressurized liquid chamber, the filter having openings, each opening having an opening area smaller than an opening area of each of the nozzles, and an air bubble discharge chamber including a second communicating path to communicate with the common liquid chamber having an air bubble remaining part in a region downstream in a liquid flow direction, and an opening part from which the air bubbles having entered via the second communicating path are discharged during a maintenance-restoration operation.
US08882235B2
An image recording apparatus includes a liquid applying mechanism that applies a first liquid onto a recording medium, a liquid discharge head that discharges a second liquid onto the recording medium, a wiper that wipes a liquid discharge surface of the liquid discharge head, and a processor. The processor counts a number of jams of the recording medium and a number of passages of the recording medium through the liquid discharge head. The processor increments the number of jams when the number of passages is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. The image recording apparatus performs a head recovery operation when a jam of a recording medium occurs and when the number of jams is incremented.
US08882233B2
An inkjet printer having a print region, the inkjet printer includes an inkjet printhead; a media advance system for advancing recording medium through the printing region; a carriage for moving the printhead back and forth in a carriage scan direction across the print region, the carriage including a first magnetic element; and a platform that is movable along the carriage scan direction, the platform including: an optical sensor for receiving light from the recording medium to determine a type of recording medium; and a second magnetic element for selectively coupling to the first magnetic element.
US08882226B2
To ejecting a droplet from a reservoir, the reservoir holding a fluid is moved with respect to an acoustic ejector. As the reservoir and ejector move closer together, the acoustic ejector sends one or more interrogation pulses towards the reservoir. Based on the interrogation pulses, the system determines when the movement of the reservoir has placed a free surface of the fluid in a position where a droplet can be ejected.
US08882218B2
A method for color density correction in a printing system that includes a linehead, with one or more printheads, that jets ink onto a moving print media and an integrated imaging system that captures images of content printed on the moving print media is provided. One or more pixel data values and a measured density value trace for a printed test block are produced by scanning the test block and averaging pixel data in a print media transport direction. A color and a density of the ink in the printed test block are determined using the pixel data values. The measured density value trace is compared with a respective reference density value. It is determined whether there is a difference between the measured density value trace and a reference density value is determined. If there is a difference, ink laydown for the printhead is adjusted based on the difference.
US08882213B2
Fluid ejection systems and methods thereof are disclosed in the present disclosure. The method includes establishing fluid communication between an ejection chamber and a fluid supply chamber of the fluid ejection system such that the ejection chamber includes a nozzle and an ejection member to selectively eject the fluid through the nozzle. The method also includes detecting at feast one impedance in the fluid by a sensor unit haying a sensor plate, and identifying the characteristic of the fluid by a fluid identification module based on the at least one detected impedance value to obtain an identified fluid characteristic.
US08882208B1
A cylindrical rotatable hub has interior and exterior cylindrical surfaces, an exterior end, a central extent, and an interior end. A fixedly positioned generally cylindrical spindle has an outer end and an enlarged annular inner end with a central extent axially between the outer and inner ends. Tapered inner and outer wheel bearings operatively couple the hub exteriorly and the spindle interiorly adjacent to the interior and exterior ends of the hub. The inner and outer wheel bearings are adapted to allow rotation of the hub with respect to the spindle. Lubricant input and output passageways extend through the inner end of the spindle.
US08882203B2
An engaging member for attaching an upholstery material to a cushion member, which has a positioning member at least one lengthwise terminal end. The positioning member places the starting end of loop engaging element portion in precise position in the groove of the cushion member. The engaging member is long and flexible and bends in conformity with the complicated shape of the curved groove. The method of producing an upholstered cushion molding using the engaging member improves the working efficiency.
US08882200B2
A seat assembly having a soft latch mechanism. The soft latch mechanism includes a spring arm disposed on a bracket and a housing disposed on a seat back frame. The housing engages an end portion of the spring arm when the seat back frame is in a folded position to inhibit movement of the seat back frame away from the seat bottom frame.
US08882196B2
A child seat can comprise a seat shell having two protruding rails extending at an underside of the seat shell, at least four latches disposed in two symmetric pairs adjacent to the two rails, wherein the latches are operable to lock the child seat with a base, and a release mechanism operable to drive the latches to unlock from the base.
US08882193B2
A head rest for a vehicle seat includes: at least one first section that is oriented towards the head of the seat occupant, a second section, and a third section, wherein the second section is arranged essentially between the first and third sections. In the event of an accident, the first section can be displaced in the direction of displacement, due to the effect of a relative displacement of the second section from a working position into a safety position in the direction of the head of the seat occupant. The relative movement of the sections is a rotation about an essentially parallel rotational axis in the direction of displacement. A mounting of the first section in relation to the second section is provided during the relative displacement about the rotational axis. The first section comprises a first bearing surface and the second section comprises a second bearing surface.
US08882189B2
A folding chair includes a frame, a seat bottom coupled to the frame, and legs for supporting the seat bottom in a horizontal position relative to the frame. The frame is formed to include a seat back.
US08882181B2
The invention relates to a crash structure having adjustable rigidity for a deformation element for a vehicle, wherein the crash structure comprises a continuously adjustable rigidity, in that at least one blocking element (SR) moves in a plane rotated by an angle relative to the vehicle longitudinal axis with respect to a profile (MW), so that the rigidity is adjusted by a position of the at least one blocking element reached by the motion.
US08882178B2
A body for a dump truck includes a body frame, a bottom wall, front wall, and left and right side walls arranged on the body frame. The body also includes an earth/sand anti-sticking device and a steel member arranged outside and opposite the earth/sand anti-sticking device such that a space is formed between the steel member and the earth/sand anti-sticking device. The body is provided with at least one steel rib arranged in the space, fixedly secured to the steel member to reinforce the steel member, and arranged extending upright toward the earth/sand anti-sticking device. The steel member is any one of the bottom wall, front wall, and left and right walls, and the steel rib is shaped to divide the space.
US08882176B2
A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface, and also having a second body end opposite of the first body end. The vehicle also includes an underbody portion configured to span a distance between the first and second body ends and define a space between the vehicle body and the road surface. The vehicle additionally includes an active diffuser assembly disposed at the second end and configured to control the airflow past the underbody portion through the space between the vehicle body and the road surface and out to the ambient. The active diffuser assembly includes a panel configured to selectively extend into and retract from the ambient airflow aft of the second end. The active diffuser assembly also includes a first device configured to extend the panel.
US08882175B2
A vehicle, a door assembly for the vehicle and a method of assembling the door assembly are disclosed. A first component includes a first alignment member and a second component is attached to the first component. The second component includes first and second ends spaced along a first axis, and includes first and second side edges spaced along a second axis transverse to the first axis. A trim strip extending to a distal edge, with the second component coupled to the trim strip. A second alignment member attached to the trim strip, with the alignment members engaging each other to attach the trim strip to the first component and orientate the distal edge of the trim strip relative to the first axis such that the distal edge of the trim strip and one of the side edges of the second component substantially align with each other along the first axis.
US08882172B2
A cover system for covering an open top of a container includes a flexible cover, a bail member, a bow member, and a tension element. The cover has a first end connected to the container and is sized to cover the open top when a second end is in an extended position. The bail member has an end pivotally connected to the container and an end connected to the second end of the cover. The bail member pivots to deploy the cover into the extended position. The bow member includes an end pivotally connected to the bail member and an end configured to bear against the cover between the ends of the cover. The tension element is connected between the container and the bow member. The tension element applies a force to the bow member to apply a force against the cover.
US08882166B2
A motorized extension pole including a first hollow pole member having a second hollow pole member telescopically mounted in the first pole member. The second pole member is selectively moved between extended and retracted positions with respect to the first pole member by a battery powered drive motor.
US08882165B2
A passive universal gripper includes a mass of granular material encased in an elastic membrane. Using a combination of positive and negative pressure, the gripper can rapidly grip and release a wide range of objects that are typically challenging for conventional universal grippers, such as flat objects, soft objects, or objects with complex geometries. The gripper passively conforms to the shape of a target object, then vacuum-hardens to grip it rigidly; later using positive pressure to reverse this transition—releasing the object and returning to a deformable state. The apparatus and method enable the fast ejection of objects from the gripper, as well as essentially instantaneous reset time between releasing and gripping.
US08882158B2
A connection system for carrying a refrigerant may provide a hybrid redundancy in sealing a refrigerant flow from the surround system environment. The connection system may include a first sealing ring of a first type and a second sealing ring of a second type positioned downstream from the first sealing ring. In some embodiments, the first sealing ring may be in a groove positioned around the outside diameter of a male fitting. The second sealing ring may be positioned at an interface between the male fitting and a female fitting. In some embodiments, flanges of each fitting define the interface so that the second sealing ring may be positioned between the flanges of each fitting. The second sealing ring may be selected from a material that has a wider range of operating temperature than the first sealing ring so that in the event of failure in the first sealing ring, the second sealing ring may prevent leakage.
US08882151B2
The invention relates to a filling device, in particular for filling a tank with a urea solution, comprising: at least one vehicle-specific pipe element, one standardized filler neck, and one holder, wherein the holder is fixed to said vehicle-specific pipe element via a joining method, particularly a welding method, used for the vehicle-specific pipe element, either in axial and/or in radial and/or in circumferential direction of said vehicle-specific pipe element.
US08882146B2
Provided is an electric power steering apparatus that is both lightweight and rigid. A lightweight electric power steering apparatus is achieved wherein a gear housing 45 that houses an electric assist mechanism, a lower support bracket 54 for fastening the gear housing 45 to the vehicle body, a sensor housing 56 that houses a torque sensor 57, an outer column 30 of a steering column 6c, and an upper support bracket 59a for fastening the middle section of the outer column 3 to the vehicle body are all integrally formed of synthetic resin with glass fibers, improving the strength of the joined sections of these members.
US08882142B2
A capacitive occupant detection system comprises at least one sensing electrode to be arranged on the bottom side of a seat cushion, a seat heater like structure to be arranged on a top side of said seat cushion, and an evaluation unit operatively coupled to said at least one sensing electrode for determining a value representative of the capacitance between the at least one sensing electrode and the seat heater like structure.
US08882137B2
An airbag for a motor vehicle includes a support structure moveable from a stowage position into a restraint position and a covering that surrounds a restraint volume of the airbag formed by the support structure in its restraint position. The covering is an element that is separate from the support structure and joined to the support structure.
US08882135B1
A ball cart structure essentially includes a frame for positioning a bag and positioning units disposed on the frame. The positioning units position and restrict deformation of the frame when the frame is unfolded to be in use or is folded to be stored, to enhance the stability and user safety of the frame in use and render it convenient to store the frame.
US08882131B2
A double articulated truck has a front vehicle module with a drive engine and having at least one wheeled axle driven by the drive engine through a transmission and having a load-bearing bin, the front vehicle module being interconnected in an articulated manner about a first vertical pin to the front of the load-bearing bin. A rear vehicle module is interconnected in an articulated manner about a second vertical pin to the rear of the load-bearing bin, the rear vehicle module having at least one wheeled axle whereby the bin is supported by the front and rear vehicle modules. The rear module only articulates about the second vertical pin when the articulation of the front module to the bin exceeds 30 degrees and then in a synchronous manner. Typically the maximum articulation of the front module is around 42 degrees and the rear module some 13 degrees.
US08882126B2
A bicycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, and a bicycle frame assembly supported on the front and rear wheels. The bicycle frame assembly includes a front fork supported by the front wheel, and a main frame that has a head tube and a down tube extending rearward and downwardly relative to the head tube. The down tube has a front wall, a rear wall, and an internal strut connecting the front wall and the rear wall.
US08882111B2
The present invention is a prize distribution system for an amusement game that can deliver to a player a brick of tickets in bulk form, or deliver a prize that is shaped like a brick, in a reliable manner that is theft resistant and requires no human interaction to participate. The invention uses a conveyor belt and motor to extract a prize from a stacked or secured configuration, and move the prize to a bin accessible to the player. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a second motor and door system that opens and closes access to the bin, preventing a would-be thief from reaching through the bin to the prize stack in an attempt to remove a prize.
US08882110B2
A shuffle board game system including a shuffle board game apparatus and a method of playing a game such as shuffle board. The board game includes a base, a pair of side walls, an end wall and an intermediate wall each connecting the side walls and defining therebetween a goal region, a plurality of dividing walls each extending between the end wall and the intermediate wall, a plurality of openings formed in the dividing wall, and a removable cover selectively connectable to the side walls to selectively enclose the goal region. The method of playing a game is applied to game with a plurality of playing pieces launched by a player at a plurality of goals. The method includes the steps of launching playing pieces towards a goal region; re-launching each playing piece that is not in the goal region if all goals contain at least one playing piece; scoring a point for each playing piece not in the goal region; and adding a penalty to the point score if there is any goal which does not contain a playing piece.
US08882106B2
A post-processing apparatus which enable reduction of shift alignment time and improvement of productivity. A shift unit performs a shifting operation for shifting a conveyed sheet, in a lateral direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction. An alignment unit aligns the sheet by a pair of alignment members thereof which are moved toward each other such side edges of the sheet in the lateral direction are held therebetween. A CPU of a finisher controller controls the alignment unit and the shift unit such that an operation for moving the alignment members from respective first standby positions in the lateral direction to respective second standby positions closer to the sheet than the corresponding first standby positions is executed in parallel with the shifting operation by the shift unit.
US08882105B2
Provided is a sheet stacking apparatus including a discharge roller pair, a stacking tray, a tray drive motor, a sheet surface detecting sensor detecting a position of a topmost sheet on the stacking tray, an alignment portion including front and rear alignment members which are provided above the stacking tray and sandwiching a sheet to align, and a finisher control portion executing: raising/lowering control for raising and lowering the stacking tray so that the topmost sheet is located at a predetermined height in accordance with a detection result obtained from the sheet surface detecting sensor; alignment control for aligning the sheet when the sheet is discharged; and alignment stop control for stopping the alignment of the alignment portion in the case that a movement amount of the stacking tray, at the time when the stacking tray moves in accordance with the detection result, exceeds a predetermined movement amount.
US08882096B2
To provide a perforated support plate with high rigidity, the perforated support plate for supporting a surface of a wafer by interposing an adhesive layer comprises a reinforcing part for deflection prevention.
US08882092B2
A mount bushing assembly of a stabilizer bar for a vehicle, may include an inner bushing including a rubber member having a tubular shape and coupled to an external circumference of the stabilizer bar, and a pipe enclosing an external circumference of the rubber member, a sliding bearing including a pair of bearings coupled to upper and lower portions of an external circumference of the inner bushing, and a bracket including upper and lower brackets that may be coupled each other, and integrally formed at an interior surface thereof with an upper outer bushing and a lower outer bushing respectively, wherein the bracket may be fixed to a vehicle body in a state of enclosing the sliding bearing.
US08882090B2
A fluid-filled type vibration damping device including a partition member having a housing space, and a movable plate housed within the housing space so that displacement thereof is limited by abutment against inside wall faces of the housing space. Abutted sloping faces are defined by outside peripheral portions of the inside wall faces of the housing space situated in opposition in an axial direction while sloping axially outside going towards an inner peripheral side. An outside peripheral abutting portion formed of a rubber elastic body is provided to an outside peripheral portion of the movable plate, and abutting sloping faces are defined by opposite faces of the outside peripheral abutting portion that slope axially outside going towards the inner peripheral side. The abutted sloping faces and the abutting sloping faces have different slope angles so as to slope relative to each other.
US08882084B2
An inline carbonation apparatus includes a fluid tube having an inner diameter. At least one water orifice is linked to a water source and is attached at one end of the fluid tube. The water orifice atomizes water passing therethrough. A carbon dioxide source is connected to a carbon dioxide solenoid valve. The carbon dioxide solenoid valve is connected to a carbon dioxide regulator that is coupled to a carbon dioxide orifice and attached to the fluid tube in a spaced relationship from the water orifice. The atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water having a specified volume of carbonation. The carbon dioxide solenoid valve is opened and closed for a predetermined portion of a drink dispense time providing a volume of carbonated and non-carbonated fluid which upon mixing achieves a desired carbonation level.
US08882083B2
A guardrail for protecting persons against accidentally falling out of open floors. The guardrail has a number of constructional elements and connectors for assembling a coherent guardrail. The connectors include at least one first connector which has a longitudinal shape and is formed with at least one longitudinal extending slot, and at least one second connector having a first connector part to be connected to the at least one constructional element and a second connector part to connect the first connector part to the at least one first connector while engaging the at least one longitudinal extending slot of that connector. The guardrail has a stable, inexpensive and simple structure which quickly and easily can be assembled to a coherent guardrail and be disassembled. The guardrail can be fitted too to the width and height required of the guardrail for a specific opening of a given open floor.
US08882081B2
A line guiding structure comprises a round guiding shaft, a fixing unit, an elastic element, a linear bearing and a wheel set. The round guiding shaft comprises a fixing and an open end. The fixing unit is used for fixing the round guiding shaft and comprises a fixing base and a bearing. The fixing base is disposed on mechanical equipment, and the bearing is disposed in the fixing base. The elastic element is sleeved on the round guiding shaft and comprises a first end and a second end. The linear bearing is sleeved on the round guiding shaft. A connecting piece is disposed on the linear bearing. The wheel set comprises a fixing plate, a supporting frame and two pulleys. The fixing plate is connected on the connecting piece. A slide hole is formed between two opposite pulley surfaces of the two pulleys for a line to pass through.
US08882079B2
A stator is provided with a ring-shaped outer stator-projection and a ring-shaped inner stator-projection. A plunger is provided with a ring-shaped outer plunger-projection and a ring-shaped inner plunger-projection. A magnetic force is generated at three portions between the plunger and the stator. The inner stator-projection has a first tapered surface and the outer plunger-projection has a second tapered surface. The first tapered surface and the second tapered surface confront each other when the plunger moves toward the stator.
US08882078B2
A flow rate control valve, which is capable of controlling the flow rate of a fluid that flows between a pair of ports by displacing a rod, includes a valve mechanism in an axial direction. The valve mechanism includes a body having the ports and a pair of fluid passages through which fluid supplied from the ports flows. The valve mechanism includes a sub-body disposed in an interior of the body, and in which the rod is screw-engaged in an advancing and retracting manner. The valve mechanism also includes a tubular shaped seat connected to an end of the sub-body, including a seat structure to seat the rod thereon, and a hole that communicates between one of the fluid passages and another of the fluid passages.
US08882069B2
An apparatus for securing an electronic device includes a main body with two ends. An arm is provided at one end of the main body, and has a hook attached thereto, shaped for the electronic device to be placed between the hook and the arm. An additional arm is slidably attached to the other end of the main body, and is capable of being slid by a user to several lateral positions relative to the main body. An additional hook is provided on the slidable arm, and is shaped for the electronic device to be placed between the hook and the arm. A locking system is provided to lock and unlock the slidable arm to at least one of the lateral positions. A base section is capable of being secured at or near a location. The main body is adjustably attached to the base section.
US08882066B2
Various clamps for connecting one tubular member to another, methods of using and making such clamps are disclosed. In one aspect a clamp for coupling a first tubular member to a second tubular member is provided. The clamp includes a first clamp half and a second clamp half engageable with the first clamp half. The first and second clamp halves define a first through bore to accommodate the first tubular member and a second through bore to accommodate the second tubular member. A strap is adapted to circumscribe at least a portion of and bring into engagement the first and second clamp halves. The clamp is buoyant in water.
US08882063B2
A snowmobile maintenance device including a pair of stands to secure the rear and middle portion of a snowmobile allowing a snowmobile to be tipped onto its edge for repair. The device includes a first stand and second stand. The first stand securely attaches to the snowmobile bumper and extends a length perpendicular to the length of the snowmobile. A second stand is attached to the steering post of the snowmobile parallel to and oriented to the first stand. The stands are adjustable in length and include a base allowing the snowmobile to be easily tipped onto its side and supported by the stands and its existing skis.
US08882060B2
An apparatus for retaining the opening of a garbage bag is provided. A garbage bag retention ring can include a flexible and invertible base ring and a flexible and invertible retention ring fixed to the base ring. The base ring and the retention ring can each have about the same diameter. The base ring and the retention ring invert to expose an interior surface of the retention ring as an exterior surface. The garbage bag retention ring can further include at least one aperture formed between a junction of the base ring and the retention ring that is adapted to receive an edge of a circumferential portion of a garbage bag.
US08882056B2
A pipe hanger clamp, formed by bending a flat section of metal bar or plate, has two vertical side members which have been cut so their side view is a “C” shape. The lower arms of these two side members are joined by a horizontally extended end wall, about which the side members are bent. Holes in the end wall receive a mounting set screw into a captured nut and another nut to hold a pipe hanger rod for supporting a pipe. An overhead support is clamped between the set screw and the upper arms of the C-shaped side members, such that the load applied to the rod is generally edgewise to the plate thickness, and does not provide an unbending force on the clamp.
US08882052B2
There is provided a multi-joint cable protection and guide device that fits well with a flexible belt member in a flexed posture, that steadily protects and smoothly guides cables that assume the flexed posture, that requires fewer parts and that may be readily connected and disconnected corresponding as desired according to usage. The multi-joint supporting member has the flexible belt member in which cable inserting tubular portions are unitarily molded in parallel and a train comprising a plurality of block bodies flexibly connected with each other by concave-convex snap-fittings. The train of block bodies is inserted through the cable inserting tubular portions to control and support straight and flexed postures of the flexible belt member and each block body has a flexion outer peripheral-side curved surface whose curvature is equal to a radius of a flexed circular arc in the flexed posture.
US08882048B2
A processing and delivery system is in space around a celestial body having a magnetic field. The system includes at least one facility having supplies and configured for in-space recycling and manufacturing to produce processed objects utilizing space debris objects and the supplies. The system includes at least one space vehicle configured to deliver the space debris objects from their orbits to the at least one facility using electrodynamic propulsion. The system includes at least one space vehicle configured to deliver new supplies to the at least one facility from other orbits using electrodynamic propulsion. The system includes at least one space vehicle configured to deliver the processed objects from the at least one facility to their destination orbits using electrodynamic propulsion.
US08882047B2
A method and respective system for delivering cargoes into space by means of preliminary launching cargoes and then capturing cargoes by at least one container spacecraft, accumulating and further transferring to other spacecrafts, wherein the container spacecraft is designed for capturing cargoes as separate portions in the form of a cloud or stream as well as for use of a propulsion system to compensate for container spacecraft speed losses caused by the cargo capture and an aerodynamic drag, wherein the propulsion system being a reactive type with consumption of a part of the incoming cargoes as a working substance.
US08882045B2
A covering device includes a sealing element and a rib structure which is disposed on a surface of the sealing element. The rib structure includes a plurality of ribs which extend parallel to the surface of the sealing element, wherein the bendability of the ribs parallel to the surface of the sealing element is high, and perpendicular to the surface of the sealing element is low.
US08882038B2
An insulation blanket to be connected at the inside surface (16) of an aircraft fuselage, includes at least one opening that allows a through element (20) to pass, at which is connected a sealing device, characterized in that this sealing device includes a core (28) that is combined with a body (30) that extends over a closed contour delimiting the opening (26), with the core (28) having a spring action that tends to flatten the body (30) against the through element (20) over at least a part of the circumference of the opening (26).
US08882034B2
The seats are swivellable about axes (1) and arranged with their axes in column axes (2). The seats each have a direction (4) extending from the middle of the seat back through the middle of the seat cushion (22), intersecting the seat's swivel axis. Extending equally on either side of the seat direction is defined a seat projection (5) forwards of the seat cushion and having the same width as the seat cushion. The swivel is set up to allow the seat to be turned through 6 from 17.5 to the longitudinal axis of the column (and the aircraft to be equipped with the seats) to 23.5. At 17.5, as in column IV, the seats partially face the seats in front in the column. This is the maximum angle at which the regulatory authorities will allow a lap belt only to be worn by a passenger for TTL. When the seats are swivelled outwards to 23.5, they face the space (6) along side the seat in front and can be converted to bed mode.
US08882028B2
In combination, an aircraft and a rotatively combined electrical power/generator and hydraulic motor/pump configured to provide either hydraulic power from electrical power, or electrical power from hydraulic power, installed in said aircraft.
US08882008B1
A dual shredding system for a mobile document shredding vehicle produces either coarsely shredded material or finely shredded material. Unshredded material is first coarsely shredded by a coarse shredder. In a coarse shred mode, the coarsely shredded material is routed to a shredded material storage compartment in the vehicle. In a fine shred mode, the coarsely shredded material is finely shredded by a fine shredder, and then routed to the storage compartment. The position of a gate determines whether the system is in the coarse or fine shred mode.
US08882003B2
A fuel injector has a swirl generator located downstream from a valve seat. A fuel injection hole is connected to a downstream side of the swirl generator. The swirl generator includes a swirl chamber having an involute or a spiral shape and the fuel injection hole bored at a bottom or the swirl chamber and a swirl generation use passage connected to the upstream side of the swirl chamber for introducing fuel into the swirl chamber. The bottom of the swirl chamber is provided with a step height so as to make a level difference in which the bottom of the swirl chamber is lower than a bottom of the swirl generation use passage, and the step height is formed at a position where fuel flowing into the swirl chamber from the swirl generation use passage meets fuel turning in the swirl chamber.
US08882000B2
An embodiment of the present invention is an air brush including a housing, a head assembly, and a trigger assembly. The housing has a main body with an air valve, reservoir and a handle. The head assembly mounts to the main body with a nozzle, nozzle cap, and a needle cap. The trigger assembly fits within the housing and includes a needle engaging the head assembly, a needle chucking guide, a needle chucking nut, a lever assembly, a spring guide and a spring device. The lever assembly actuates the needle to release compressed air and contents of the reservoir. The spring device controls release of the contents relative to the air flow through the air valve and nozzle. The spring device includes a first spring, a second spring, and a ring member. The ring member is positioned between the springs, and the springs have different strengths.
US08881999B2
A system for fragrancing air includes an adjustable fan that is used to generate an air flow to push atomized fragrance oil from an output orifice of the system. The fragrance in the air is generated from atomized fragrance oil, where liquid fragrance oil can be stored in a cartridge bottle assembly and then atomized with compressed air in a collector assembly in the system. When the system is mounted on a wall or ceiling, the adjustable fan can be used to direct the fragrance downward at any number of angles from the system. The system can be programmed to adjust a fan speed and various settings of the fragrance delivery.
US08881997B2
A nanoparticle aerosol generator, comprised of a vibrating fluidized bed with a baffle, a vibrating Venturi disperser and a cyclone separator. To generate nanoparticle aerosols, the nanoparticle aerosol generator uses the multiple impaction, vibrating air flow and vibrating high speed air flow to break up larger agglomerates, and multiple dilution to minimize the re-agglomeration of the particles.
US08881987B2
There is set forth herein a method of providing network connectivity. The method can include introducing a new communication device within a communication range of a portable data collection device, the new communication device comprising a dynamic access module enabling the new communication device to receive data packets from the portable data collection device and route payload data of the data packets to an access point. In one aspect the new communication device can receive data packets from the portable data collection device and route payload data of the data packets to the access point if the new communication device determines that it is in range of both of said access point and the portable data collection device. There is set forth herein a system having a dynamic access module.
US08881985B2
In a method for concretizing a substrate with a code (1, 2) which is applied at least twice by a code reader, the codes (1, 2) are intended to be assigned or matched to one another, this being suitable for restoring an intact code (1, 2) from at least two codes (1, 2) which are not intact per se.
US08881981B2
A digital targeting scope apparatus includes an image sensor and a lens for acquiring video images of objects at which the aiming device is aimed; an image processor; a tilt sensor; and a display component for displaying the video images captured by the image sensor, all mounted in a tubular housing. An interchangeable digital camera module is carried by the first end of the housing. A control/display module is removably fastened to the second end of the housing. The control/display module is electrically connected to the camera module through a connector on the sensor circuit board of the camera module when the control/display module is installed in the second end of the housing. The control portion includes a circuit board and a display component mounted thereon. The display portion houses an eyepiece lens assembly aligned with the display component.
US08881971B2
Described is processing for requested user access, starting with receiving transaction data from a portable consumer device presented by the user at a gate access device of an access agency for the requested access. The transaction data from the gate access device is processed and a fee amount for the requested access is determined. The processing next involves determining an account balance in accordance with the determined fee amount and a prior balance amount associated with the portable consumer device, and reconciling the determined account balance and account data associated with the portable consumer device at a processing computer of the access agency such that the access request is indicated as either approved or declined.
US08881950B2
A fluid cartridge for mixing and dispensing first and second fluids includes a housing, a piston unit mounted in the housing, and a mixing nozzle. The mixing nozzle includes a first portion releasably attachable to a distal end of the housing and a second portion located distal to the first portion. An internal fluid passage communicates between the first and second portions. A static mixing element is located in the second portion and a distal dispensing opening communicates with the static mixing element. A tubular fluid separator element is located in the first portion and defines first and second flow passages. The first flow passage is a central passage and the second flow passage is radially outside of the first flow passage. The fluid separator element maintains the flow of the first fluid separate from the flow of the second fluid in the first portion of the mixing nozzle.
US08881949B2
A modular beverage dispenser for engagement with bag-in-box or other source of pressurized concentrate and a pressurized ambient water source, such as city water, is provided. The dispenser has a housing having housing walls, the walls defining an interior space, the interior having interior walls defining a multiple of interior spaces. The housing engages either a flange (configured to engage a perimeter of a countertop drop-in cutout) or legs configured to depend downward from the housing to support the same above a support surface. An ice container is provided for receiving ice therein configured to engage the housing so as to be substantially within the interior space. A cold plate is provided with a multiplicity of cold plate contained fluid lines therein adapted to engage the ice container so as to be cooled by the contents thereof. A carbonator is located in a first interior space.
US08881946B2
The present invention relates to a compact container having an airless pump, and more particularly, to a compact container for discharging cosmetic in preset amount when the pump is driven by pressing a button. The compact container having an airless pump, includes: a casing including an upper case and a lower case and accommodating cosmetics; a cylinder fixed to the inside of the lower case and having an annular outer wall downwardly extending from the rim, a depression formed at the center concentric with the outer wall, an opening formed at the lower side of the depression such that the opening communicates with the inner space of the outer wall; a plate upwardly spaced apart from the cylinder and having a discharging hole, formed at the center, through which the cosmetics is discharged, and a through-hole formed at a side thereof; an annular container piston elevating up and down along the inner circumference of the outer wall of the cylinder; an airless pump installed at the depression of the cylinder to discharge the cosmetics accommodated in the cylinder to the outside; and a button formed at the through-hole to operate the airless pump.
US08881944B2
An overcap for a volatile material dispenser includes a housing adapted to be mounted on a container. The container has a valve stem with a discharge end. The overcap includes a valve-connecting portion adapted to engage the valve stem and a fixture that extends from the valve-connecting portion. The overcap further includes a trigger attached to the housing by a hinge that is disposed at or below a plane formed by the fixture. A contact portion is disposed in the trigger for interacting with the fixture and applying pressure to the valve-connecting portion to actuate the valve stem.
US08881942B2
A package comprises a latch including first and second legs and an actuating portion. The first and second legs are joined at an angle. The actuator portion of the first leg is positioned to be displaced generally laterally to displace the second leg generally longitudinally to release the latch. In another embodiment the package has base wells on the inside surface. A generally flat marginal sealing surface encircles the first and second base wells. The wells of the base and/or lid are covered with a cover sheet to close them. Still another embodiment is a child-resistant container comprising a shell, two drawers, a stop, and a latch. The drawers are prevented from sliding apart past a limit of travel when one drawer is open sufficiently to provide access to its contents and the other drawer is not.
US08881924B2
A tank for containing a fluid, such as fuel, oil or gas within a chamber. The walls of the chamber are partially defined by a rigid structure having an opening; and partially defined by an elastomeric diaphragm which is attached around its periphery to the rigid structure and covers the opening in the rigid structure. An attachment frame engages the diaphragm and the rigid structure, and extends around the periphery of the diaphragm. The attachment frame has a first portion which engages the diaphragm, and a second portion which is positioned outside an outer edge of the diaphragm and attached to the rigid structure.
US08881914B2
This invention relates to a blood processing filter comprising a sheet-like filter element, an inlet-side flexible container and an outlet-side flexible container that sandwich the filter element and are sealed thereto, an inlet port provided in the inlet-side flexible container for accepting blood before being processed by the filter element, and an outlet port provided in the outlet-side flexible container for discharging blood after being processed by the filter element. The blood processing filter also includes a flow channel securing sheet arranged between the filter element and the outlet-side flexible container. A flow channel hole through which blood processed by the filter element passes is formed in the flow channel securing sheet. The outlet port is provided so as to be capable of communicating with the flow channel hole.
US08881906B2
The present invention discloses a pod which includes a lower cover member, an upper cover member and a guiding locking piece. The guiding locking piece deployed on one side of the upper cover member of pod, the overall structure of which is formed by a flat base linking to a first slope that links to a second slope, two openings deployed on two side areas of the overall structure, and an upper locking piece and a lower locking piece deployed in each of two openings. When the mask is placed into the lower cover member of pod and is covered by the upper cover member, the mask is pushed to certain position and supported and locked by the upper locking piece and the lower locking piece.
US08881903B2
A container including one or more labeling devices that can be detached from the container. Preferably the container can hold a plurality of different articles and includes a plurality of labeling devices for identifying the different articles. After the articles are removed from the container, the articles may be identified by the labeling devices by detaching the labeling devices and attaching or placing the labeling device on or near its corresponding article. Preferred labeling devices include one or more labeling areas that provide information regarding an article.
US08881896B2
A container for holding unused and used snus is disclosed. The container comprises a base defining a first compartment to receive unused snus. The base has a bottom wall which is reconfigurable to form a second compartment for holding used snus on the other side of said bottom wall. The first and second compartments are each provided with a separate cover.
US08881895B2
An apparatus and method for distributing samples is provided. The distribution apparatus and method includes a sample package made up of a sample product to be distributed and a sample backing, which is attached to a sample carrier. This sample distribution method has many unique advantages, including promoting a sample product that consumers can actually, see, feel, touch, taste and smell.
US08881894B2
A multiple-compartment ascorbic acid delivery unit is provided. The first compartment is impermeable to oxygen and ultraviolet light and contains a solid vitamin-containing composition comprising ascorbic acid or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters. The second compartment is liquid impermeable and contains a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier system. The first compartment is entirely enclosed within said second compartment or vice versa. An opening is formed in the inner compartment in order to combine the contents of the two compartments to form an ascorbic acid carrier composition prior to delivery to the patient.
US08881892B1
The present disclosure provides an apparatus including a first chamber containing an eye-mountable device. The apparatus may also include a second chamber containing an aqueous solution. The apparatus may also include a membrane positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane may be configured to rupture based on application of a force to the apparatus. The ruptured membrane may allow the aqueous solution to engage with the eye-mountable device. The apparatus may also include a lid to seal one or more of the first chamber and the second chamber.
US08881886B2
A method and apparatus for preventing the fraudulent receipt of credit for the goods or services provided by a coin-operated device is disclosed. A coin acceptor with an anti-fraud feature comprises a coin-accept channel comprising a lip to block the introduction of a non-coin object to a coin sensor and a coin-guiding surface to guide a coin downstream the lip to the coin sensor. The coin-accept channel may further comprise a blocking area, a deflection surface, and a protrusion to prevent the upstream movement of a tethered coin-like object, thereby preventing a single tethered coin-like object from receiving multiple credits for the goods or services provided by a coin-operated device.
US08881883B2
A park lock of a transmission, including a park gear; a park pawl rotating about a pawl shaft, the park pawl having a pawl portion locking the park gear, the park pawl including a cam contact portion; a park rod responsive to an operation of a controller, the park rod having a cam portion pressing the cam contact portion to have park pawl engage the park gear; a park sleeve receiving the cam portion and defining a first contact point providing a reactive force to the cam contact portion of the park pawl pressing against the cam portion at a second contact point; a pawl torsional spring biasing the park pawl towards disengagement; and a pawl stopper limiting the rotation of the park pawl wherein motions are constrained within a plane of the transmission and components are rotatingly disposed in parallel axis bores in one half of a transmission case.
US08881882B2
A rotational coupling device having improved lubrication is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith within the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. One or more tubes have an end submerged in the fluid and extend through apertures in the armature. Rotation of said armature draws fluid through the tubes and onto the clutch plates.
US08881870B2
The present invention relates to an installation for lubricating and/or cooling in an aircraft engine comprising an oil tank (3), a main feed pipe (6) feeding a main pump (1) supplying a flow in a discharge line from the main pump (7) to one or several systems (2) to be lubricated and/or cooled, wherein the installation comprises a feed pipe for an auxiliary pump (8) fitted in parallel onto the main pipe (6) and connected to an auxiliary feed pump (1A), the latter supplying a flow in a discharge line from the auxiliary pump (8A) connected by a three-way circuit on the one hand to a non-return valve (4A) directed towards the main discharge line (7), and on the other hand to a hydraulically-operated (9) recirculation valve (5), in order to divert the flow from the auxiliary feed pump (1A) into a return line (8B) directly towards the tank (3).
US08881869B2
One embodiment of the invention is a horizontal scaffold member having a primary end connector and a secondary end connector. Each end connector is configured to couple to a cup on a vertical scaffold member. Each end connector includes a wedge assembly having a handle and a wedge, movable with respect to the wedge head to a latched and unlatched position. The primary wedge assembly is connected to the secondary wedge assembly by a cable, and configured so that moving the primary wedge assembly to a unlatched position also moves the secondary wedge assembly to an unlatched position.
US08881868B2
A material support assembly (21) for use on an aerial lift work platform (12) surrounded by a safety barrier (17) with a kick plate (14) adjacent the platform (12), the assembly (21) having at least one leg (22 or 23) mounted on a foot (24) which rests on the platform (12), the leg and foot having a first coupling means (31) for securing the assembly (21) to the kick plate (14) on one side of the platform and a further coupling means (32) for engaging the kick plate (14) on the opposite side of the platform, the further coupling means (32) preferably being located at the end of an arm (25) extending away from the foot (24) and resting against the platform.
US08881862B1
A separable and cleanable split core firearm suppressor that can be easily disassembled into two separate cores after use and easily cleaned, then reassembled for use.
US08881861B2
A steering system includes a rack housing and a drainage device. The drainage device has a drainage case, and a drainage valve made of a resin. The drainage case has a case inlet port communicated with a housing space of the rack housing, case outlet ports communicated with the outside of the rack housing, a drainage space communicated with the case inlet port and the ease outlet ports, and a convex portion. The drainage valve has a valve body inlet port portion, and a valve body outlet port portion that interrupts communication between the case inlet port and the case outlet ports when the valve body outlet port portion comes into contact with the convex portion.
US08881842B2
The invention relates to a power tool, which comprises a motor for driving a tool bit rotating, the motor attains a rotational speed, a source for supplying an electric current to said motor, a sensor for measuring said current, and a control device. The control device fulfills the task of detection of a variation of the slope of the current in the course of time, and generates a control signal. The rotational speed of the tool is reduced in response to the control signal. The present invention automatically detects whether the work piece operated by the tool bit reaches a predetermined position by providing electronic control means. It may make sure that the screw is driven into a piece of wood and does not go beyond the predetermined position once detect that the work piece reaches the position and carries out the changing action.
US08881835B2
A method for reverse circulating a tool upwardly through a wellbore, the method including: providing a manipulator tool including an upper end and a lower end, conveying the manipulator tool down hole to a position adjacent a downhole tool, using the manipulator tool to manipulate the downhole tool, and reversing fluid flow through the well to create a pressure differential about at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool such that the at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool is lifted upwardly through the wellbore. A manipulator tool for use in a reverse circulating method is also described as are a tool catcher, a tool catching assembly and a tool catching method.
US08881833B2
An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features. A valve assembly is disposed within the tubular body and configured to control the flow of the drilling fluid into an annular chamber in communication with the push sleeve; the valve assembly comprising a mechanically operated valve and/or an electronically operated valve. Other embodiments, including methods of operation, are provided.
US08881831B2
An offshore universal riser system may include a valve module which selectively permits and prevents fluid flow through a flow passage extending longitudinally through a riser string. An anchoring device may releasably secure the valve module in the passage. A method of constructing a riser system may include the steps of installing the valve module in the passage, and installing at least one annular seal module in the passage. The annular seal module may prevent fluid flow through an annular space between the riser string and a tubular string positioned in the passage. Drilling methods may include injecting relatively low density fluid compositions into the annular space, and selectively varying a restriction to flow through a subsea choke in a drilling fluid return line. The riser string, including housings for the various modules and external control systems, may be dimensioned for installation through a rotary table.
US08881830B2
A riser pipe section (4) is disclose for offshore well drilling operations comprising a main tube element (6) having as an extension a male connector element (10) and a female connector element (9) comprising a first series of tenons. At least one auxiliary tube element (7) is secured to the male connector element (10) and to the female connector element (9) so that the main tube element (6) and the auxiliary tube element (7) jointly transmit tensile stresses between the male connector element (10) and the female connector element (9). A locking ring is mounted on the male connector element and the ring comprises a second series of tenons.
US08881829B2
A backup blowout system for a subsea wellhead positioned between an existing blowout prevention system and the wellhead. The backup blowout system includes an independently operated shear/blind ram assembly that attaches to a standard wellhead connector that connects to the wellhead. The ram assembly includes an upper neck with an upper flange on which a dual housing assembly is attached. The dual housing assembly includes a primary housing longitudinally aligned over a secondary housing. The primary and secondary housings include lower bodies and upper necks that have identical diameters. During assembly, the existing primary blowout prevention system is initially connected to the primary housing and the ram assembly is connected to the wellhead connector. When a blowout occurs, the primary housing is disconnected from the secondary housing to expose the upper neck of the secondary housing upon which a replacement primary blowout prevention system or cap may be attached.
US08881822B2
A method of cleaning a wellbore drilled with an oil-based drilling fluid that forms an oil-based filter cake may include: emplacing a breaker fluid into the wellbore, the breaker fluid comprising: a water-miscible non-aqueous fluid; at least one weighting salt; and at least one breaking agent; and shutting in the well for a period of time sufficient to initiate breaking of the oil-based filter cake.
US08881814B2
Present embodiments are directed to coupling a cementation assembly with a hung or set liner string in a well and moving the liner string during a cementation operation. Specifically, for example, a process in accordance with present techniques includes running a cementation assembly into a well on drill pipe and engaging, with a distal end of the cementation assembly, a liner top assembly of a liner string that is positioned downhole in the well, wherein the liner string was previously positioned downhole in the well without being cemented into the well. Further, the process includes latching the cementation assembly with the liner string such that movement of the cementation assembly is translated to the liner string, and flowing cement through the drill pipe and into the liner string while moving the cementation assembly and the liner string.
US08881811B2
Treatments and compounds for use in subterranean formations where surfaces may be subject to silica scale build-up. Certain embodiments pertain to utilizing silica scale control additives with remediation and stimulation treatments. One example of a suitable method of treatment includes providing an acidic treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid, an acid, and a silica scale control additive; contacting at least a portion of a subterranean formation with the acidic treatment fluid; and allowing the acidic treatment fluid to interact with silica scale buildup in the subterranean formation so that at least a portion of the silica scale buildup is removed.
US08881803B1
A desander system for a wellbore for separating wellbore fluid from particulate. The system having a dip tube nipple, a dip tube, base tubing connecting around the dip tube having base tubing perforations, two collars affixed to the base tubing, two weld rings affixed to the base tubing, a screen jacket mounted over the base tubing perforations, and a Venturi centrifugal helical desander having a Venturi tube with a bore connected to the base tubing. The Venturi tube having a plurality of spiral fins configured to flow particulate around the tube and a desander tube connected to the Venturi tube for flowing wellbore fluid over the outside of the Venturi tube causing a vortex while simultaneously allowing particulate to fall out while simultaneously allowing cleaned fluid to flow up the bore.
US08881801B2
An apparatus for installing and removing a rotary control device insert or an element thereof has a first clamp with a receptacle suitable for receiving a flange of the rotary control device insert therein, a second clamp having an interior suitable for extending around a pipe, and a plurality of lines extending between the first clamp and the second clamp. The first clamp is movable between an open position and a closed position. The second clamp is movable between an open position and a closed position. Each of the clamps includes a first jaw and a second jaw connected to the first jaw by a hinged connection.
US08881800B2
An installation for the in-situ extraction of a substance including hydrocarbons from an underground deposit is provided. The conductor and return conductor of the inductor lines are guided essentially vertically in the capping to the bottom of the deposit, at a small maximum lateral distance of 10 m compared to the length of the lines, but especially less than 5 m. Preferably, the inductor lines are guided horizontally in the deposit and are at different distances in certain areas. Furthermore, the electrical conductors and return conductors perpendicularly extending in the capping preferably combine to form a conductor pair. In this way, the conductor pair can be introduced into a single borehole which reaches into the reservoir and splits only once it has arrived in the reservoir.
US08881798B2
A subterranean tool that is self contained for actuation can be run into a desired location on an automatic set mode controlled by a timer. If a problem develops in getting the tool to the desired location in time a magnetic field created by permanent or electro-magnets can be brought to bear on the tool to stop the timer before the tool actuates. Once the tool is subsequently positioned at the desired location another magnetic field can be brought to bear near the tool to set it. Alternatively, the tool can be run to the desired location without activation with the timer and then the magnetic field can be brought to the tool to set it. The magnetic field can be lowered to the tool with wireline or can be dropped or pumped past the tool to actuate the tool. Optionally the field can be generated from within an object that ultimately lands on a seat to provide a backup way to set the tool using tubing pressure.
US08881792B2
The present invention is a method for manufacturing a titanium ingot (30), the method being characterized by comprising: a step of melting a titanium alloy for a predetermined time by cold crucible induction melting (CCIM); a step of supplying molten titanium (6) to a cold hearth (10), and separating high density inclusions (HDIs)(8) by precipitation in the cold hearth (10) while spraying a plasma jet or an electron beam onto the bath surface of the molten titanium (6); and a step of supplying a molten titanium starting material from which the HDIs (8) are separated by precipitation to a mold (20) to obtain the titanium ingot.
US08881787B2
A retractable safety gate has a mounting assembly, a control assembly, a delaying assembly, an operating assembly, a blocking cloth, a grip assembly and a receiving assembly. The control assembly has a controller, a ratchet unit and a spiral spring. The spiral spring is connected between the controller and the ratchet unit. Thus, the controller is pulled back to the original position to be closed by the spiral spring, thereby reducing number of the components such that the retractable safety gate has a simplified structure.
US08881785B2
Tire building drum having a turn-up mechanism for use in building an unvulcanized tire using rubber tire components, having two sets of turn-up arms (14), wherein each set of arms is connected to an axially shiftable arm support (17). The tire building drum is provided with means on the one hand for shifting the arm supports in a first direction to move the sets of turn-up arms axially towards each other, wherein the arras are tiltable in radial planes from a starting position to a tilting position, and on the other hand for in a second direction, opposite the first direction, shifting the arm supports to move the arms axially apart from the tilting position into the starting position. The tire building drum is provided with a pneumatic detection device (20) (23) for detecting whether at least one of the moving parts, such as the arms or the clamping device, are in the starting position, and for giving a detection signal indicating whether or not the arms are in the starting position.
US08881783B2
There is provided a pneumatic tire having excellent uneven wear resistance performance, low rolling resistance and durability of side portion's appearance. The pneumatic tire comprises a carcass as a framework consisting of at least one carcass ply troidally extending between bead portions embedded with a pair of bead cores and turned around the bead cores from an inner side to an outer side in a tire width direction, a belt comprising at least one inclined belt layer and a tread successively disposed on a radially outer side of a crown portion of the carcass, wherein a ratio BD/BW is in a range between 0.01 and 0.04 in a section of the tire in the width direction in a state where the tire is mounted on an application rim, where BD is radius difference between radius at a central portion and radius at an end portion in the tire width direction of the outermost layer of the inclined belt layer and BW is a width of the outermost layer and CSEh is larger than SWh, where CSEh is a shortest distance from an end of a turn-up portion of the at least one carcass ply to a line drawn in parallel with a tire rotation axis at a bead toe and SWh is a shortest distance between a line drawn in parallel with the tire rotation axis at a maximum width position of the tire and the line drawn in parallel with the tire rotation axis at the bead toe.
US08881781B2
A pneumatic tire capable of reducing air column resonance arising from circumferential grooves without changing the shape of unilaterally open-ended lug grooves. Lug grooves 20 are formed in land portions 15, which are defined by the circumferential grooves, and each of the lug grooves 20 consists of a lateral groove portion 21, which extends axially to open at one end into the circumferential groove and communicate at the other end with a sub-groove 12 provided in the land portion 15, and an oblique groove portion 22, which extends in a direction intersecting with the tire axial and circumferential directions to communicate at one end with the sub-groove 12 and terminate at the other end within the land portion 15. Also, the lateral groove portion 21 of the lug groove 20 is provided with a projection 23 protruding toward the tread surface from the bottom of the lug groove 20 and having a height smaller than the height H of the land portion 15 as measured from the bottom of the lug groove 20.
US08881779B2
Provided is a pneumatic tire which achieves both of excellent wet traction and wear resistance from an early stage to an advanced stage of wear. Multiple dent parts are formed, at certain intervals in a tire circumferential direction, in both side walls of each of at least two land portions of multiple land portions being formed in a tread surface and extending in the tire circumferential direction. Each of the dent parts has a smaller depth than main grooves that define the land portion where this dent part is formed. Multiple sipes are formed to traverse the land portion in a tire width direction between the right and left dent parts opposed to each other. Each of the sipes has a greater depth in both end regions opening to the dent parts than in a center region thereof.
US08881767B2
A ball valve including a valve body having a valve chamber, a ball member positioned in the valve chamber and defining first and second internal passages in fluid communication, and first and second seat rings, the first seat ring allowing fluid to flow past and through the second passage when the ball valve is in a life-sustaining flow operating position.
US08881765B2
A reservoir is located in a fuel tank. The reservoir is in a bottomed tubular shape having a periphery defining an opening. A lid member is located in the fuel tank and mounted to the periphery of the reservoir to close the opening. A pump unit is partially accommodated in the reservoir to discharge fuel stored in the reservoir to an exterior of the fuel tank. The pump unit is located at a position offset from a center axis of the lid member. The pump unit has a projection projected from the lid member to an exterior of the reservoir. A remaining quantity detector is configured to detect a quantity of fuel in the fuel tank. The remaining quantity detector is located at a remaining space remaining in the fuel tank. The remaining space is located on the lid member and located around the projection.
US08881756B1
A system for rainwater harvesting includes a rain barrel adapted for collecting and storing rainwater runoff gravity-fed from a rooftop through a downspout. A substantially rigid downspout diverter comprises an inlet section, an overflow section, and an elongated connector section interconnecting the inlet section and the overflow section. The inlet section has a first end adapted for communicating with an end of the downspout and a second end communicating with an inlet opening formed with the rain barrel. The overflow section has a first end communicating with an overflow opening formed with the rain barrel and a second end extending away from the rain barrel.
US08881744B2
A lash holder having a U-shaped sheet comprising of a curved top part and a bottom part fixed at a designated place; the curved top part is intended for setting at least one strip with numerous lashes for increasing, enlarging and separating the space between the top of the lashes, so that it is easy for the user to take off individual lashes.
US08881740B2
A novel gauging device and associated stencils for shaping of eyebrows according to a Golden Ratio standard. The gauging device is adapted to be placed over a woman's face and maintained in a fixed position relative to her eyes and nose. A nosepiece and knobs are adjusted such that a lower end of a guide rod may be rotated about various points relative to the nose and held in predetermined angles relative to the nose and eyes, possibly supported magnetically on a lower track adjacent the nostrils and an upper track above the eyebrows. Each stencil may be adapted to accommodate not only different eyebrows of different sizes, but also to adjust the eyebrow's ideal Golden Ratio “High Point” to complement facial proportions (preferably represented by a single Facial Ratio Value or “FRV”) that deviate from an ideal Golden Ratio.
US08881734B2
The cheek path airway fits a path between a user's lips and through the user's cheek pouch and rear-jaw gap, avoiding the user's bite. It provides supplemental air to a user's rear-mouth cavity independently of a user's nasal airways while a user's lips remain closed. The airway can be used in combination with mandibular jaw-control and tongue-control devices whereby the combination mitigates breathing restrictions in a user's nasal and throat airways. The cheek path airway can be combined with and stabilized by a cheek pocket anchor, formed of a resilient filament, that fits within a user's cheek pouch.
US08881727B2
A system and method provide feedback to a subject regarding compliance to a positive airway pressure support therapy regime. The feedback is provided to the subject in real-time (or near real-time). The feedback indicates to the subject whether a usage goal has been achieved. The usage goal may be dynamically and adaptively determined based on past usage by the subject. This may facilitate the automatic generation of usage goals for the subject that are realistic and gradually increase the compliance of the subject over time.
US08881724B2
An input device for a clinician to control and modify the operation of a mechanical ventilator comprises a graphical display, a representation of a respiratory therapy trajectory to be delivered to a patient, at least one data point associated with the trajectory, and a data input means for the clinician to select a data point and to modify the value of the trajectory at that data point. The present invention provides for the creation and modification of a respiratory therapy trajectory, wherein the ventilator provides a medical gas waveform to a patient according to the respiratory therapy trajectory.
US08881717B2
A built-in cooking appliance includes a top plate, a main body provided under the top plate and receiving a heat source, a cabinet on which the top plate is installed, a top cover covering a space defined between a side cover of the top plate and the cabinet, an air outlet formed on the main body, a cover airflow hole provided on the top corner and providing a path along which the air discharged through the air outlet is discharged to an external side, and a storage space provided on a path an airflow path between the air outlet and the cover airflow hole and storing water introduced through the cover airflow hole.
US08881716B2
The present invention provides a wire saw which cuts a workpiece using a cutting wire and is capable of adjusting wire tension with high responsiveness. The wire saw includes first and second workpiece cutting units 1A and 1B. Each of the workpiece cutting units 1A and 1B includes a pair of guide rollers 10a and 10b around which a wire W is wound to form a workpiece-cutting wire group. The wire saw further includes a tension detector 18 which detects tension in the wire W between the workpiece cutting units 1A and 1B, and a control device 50. The control device 50 changes a rotational speed of the guide rollers 10a and 10b of at least one of the workpiece cutting units based on the tension detected by the tension detector 18 so as to keep the tension within an acceptable range.
US08881713B2
Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
US08881710B2
A deflector mounts a carbon scrubber element at an atmospheric port of an evaporative emissions canister. A substantially cylindrical shell has an open end and a closed end. A spacer plate extends outwardly from the shell. An elastomeric ring is overmolded within the shell at a longitudinal position between the ends. The elastomeric ring has an inner diameter configured to sealingly receive the carbon element. A plurality of vapor apertures are formed in the shell between the spacer plate and the elastomeric ring. A plurality of elastomeric ribs are overmolded by the interior surface within the shell the vapor apertures and the closed end, and are configured to be spaced around the carbon element to suspend the carbon element spaced away from the shell without blocking a gaseous flow from the vapor vents to the carbon element.
US08881707B2
A fuel pressure varies according to whether a fuel pressure sensor and a high-pressure pump have a malfunction or not. In view of this, a first threshold Perr1 is defined for determining whether the fuel pressure sensor has a malfunction and a second threshold Perr2 is defined for determining whether the high-pressure pump has a malfunction. The second threshold Perr2 is greater than the first threshold Perr1. By comparing a detection value of the fuel pressure sensor with the first and the second threshold, a malfunction in the fuel pressure sensor and a malfunction in the high-pressure pump are distinguished from each other. A first fail-safe control or a second fail-safe control is executed according to a portion having a malfunction.
US08881702B1
A camshaft phaser is provided for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an engine. The camshaft phaser includes a stator having lobes. A rotor disposed within the stator and rotatable between a full retard position to a full retard position includes vanes interspersed with the stator lobes to define alternating advance and retard chambers. A lock pin selectively engages a lock pin seat for preventing a change in phase relationship between the rotor and the stator at a predetermined aligned position between the full advance and full retard positions. A counterbalancing member is located within one of the advance chambers or the retard chambers, attached to a vane to thereby apply a torque between the rotor and the stator only when the rotor is between the predetermined aligned position and one of the full retard position and the full advance position.
US08881701B2
An adjusting device for adjusting a camshaft relative to a drive sprocket, which drives the camshaft coaxially. The adjusting device includes an actuating gear which acts between the drive sprocket and the camshaft and is driven via an electric motor to adjust the camshaft. The actuating gear has internally- and externally-toothed gearwheels in engagement with each other, in which the internally toothed gearwheel is rotated about a central axis of the adjusting device. The externally toothed gearwheel is arranged eccentrically with respect to the central axis and is driven to perform a circular motion about the central axis. The externally toothed gearwheel is supported eccentrically on at least two eccentric shafts, each eccentric shaft being driven to perform a rotary motion about a respective eccentric axis. The eccentric axes are arranged eccentrically with respect to the central axis and can be rotated about the central axis.
US08881699B2
A method of controlling a spool valve through feedback and feedforward mechanisms is described. In one example, a method includes actuating a spool valve via a solenoid to advance and retard a hydraulic variable cam timing actuator coupled to a camshaft, and while commanded to a null position to maintain current cam timing, modulating the solenoid with a component at a frequency synchronous to engine firing frequency to counteract cam torque oscillations. In this way, a spool valve may be maintained in a null position despite high cam torque oscillation frequency, thereby retaining oil in a solenoid assembly and improving can timing position.
US08881698B2
A vane-type camshaft phaser for an internal combustion engine includes an intermediate locking pin and seat for locking the camshaft phaser at a position intermediate of its full advanced and retard positions. A feature is provided for radially orienting the locking pin with the seat.
US08881696B2
A two-stroke engine has a cylinder having a cylinder bore with a combustion chamber and an outlet connected with the combustion chamber. A piston is disposed in the cylinder and delimits the combustion chamber. The piston has a piston recess. A crankcase is provided that has a crankshaft rotatably supported therein. The piston drives in rotation the crankshaft. In at least one position of the piston, the crankcase is connected by a transfer passage with the combustion chamber. An air passage is provided as well as a mixture passage that has a mixture inlet that is disposed at the cylinder bore and opens into the cylinder bore and is piston-controlled. The transfer passage is connected by the piston recess to the air passage when the piston is at top dead center. The piston recess has a connection to the mixture inlet in at least one position of the piston.
US08881694B2
An apparatus includes a housing having a ventilation opening. A component such as a generator set can be disposed within an interior space of the housing. A baffle can be disposed within the interior space of the housing at a location that obstructs an acoustic line of sight between the ventilation opening and the component to eliminate or otherwise reduce a sound signature of the component. The baffle can also be configured to accumulate water from the ventilation opening. A drain can also be provided to aid in the removal of water accumulated by the baffle and route the water outside the housing.
US08881688B2
An exhaust assembly for use with a gas-fired water heater that includes a hood for receiving exhaust gas from the gas-fired water heater, a housing, and a fan positioned in the housing to move exhaust gas from the hood out of the exhaust outlet. The hood includes a first hood mounting location and a second hood mounting location. The housing includes an exhaust outlet and a housing mounting location. In a first configuration, the exhaust outlet faces a first direction and the housing mounting location is aligned with and secured at the first hood mounting location. In a second configuration, the exhaust outlet faces a second direction different than the first direction and the housing mounting location is aligned with and secured at the second hood mounting location.
US08881686B2
An animal training device and system which uses a voltage to frequency conversion technology (VFC) providing the capability to adjust in gradual incremental levels upward and downward for consistent and individual electronic control of separate output to an animal undergoing training to learn new behaviors which are desired by its owner/handler/trainer. The device is contained in a housing which is worn around the neck of an animal by means of a collar strap or attached to a harness that properly fits onto an animal. The primary use is with dogs, but all kinds of domestic animals may be trained using this device. This VFC technology is offered in a variety of electronic platforms. Whether one-way or two-way remote control with manual activation by the user, automatic activation by remote sensor detectors, or automatically activated by an on-board microprocessor circuitry sensing the animals own actions, either or all device outputs allow the animal's caretaker the unique capability to select an appropriate level of one of a variety of cue signals at a given moment allowing the animal not to be overwhelmed or to cause any over-reactions.
US08881685B2
A tug toy that includes at least two gripping members and a central portion, wherein the at least two gripping members are attached to the central portion, and wherein the central portion further includes a noise maker.
US08881683B2
The device includes a screen cleaning brush with multiple fibers or cleaning fingers made from a flexible material with a hook and barb shape. The hook is designed to trap the screen strand as it passes and rotates on a flexible arm to clean the adjacent and opposite side of the strand and then flexes to release the strand. The instant invention has a unique propulsion system and navigation system that enables automatic navigation of the cleaning apparatus on the screen of the aquaculture cage. Alternative the screen cleaning can be performed with a frame having fins to assist in the directional placement of the cleaning fingers against a submersed screen.
US08881681B2
The invention provides a composition suitable for use as an animal litter comprising a first component having a density less than that of liquid and a second component having a density of at least 5 lb/ft3 (80 mg/cm3) greater than the first component. The invention is based upon the discovery that adding liquid such as urine to a composition having two components with significant differences in density, one of which is less than the density of the liquid, will result in the component with the lesser density floating to the top of the liquid while the component with the greater density will segregate below the component with the lesser density.
US08881680B1
A litter box and sifting system having a cat door that is installed on the interior wall of a building and a litter box assembly located on the exterior side of the building. The litter box is accessed through a cat door and an adjustable tunnel. At the bottom of the litter box are interchangeable tray assemblies containing litter. The litter can be selectively sifting through fixed screens and removable sliding panels. The litter box enclosure includes a fan to assist ventilation through louvers, an interior light, a rechargeable battery for powering the fan and light, and a solar cell to recharge the battery.
US08881679B1
A device that can be used with training pad for male dogs. It uses a flat training pad as a base, an inner cone-shaped form, a second training pad, positioned over the form and a cage that fits over the pad and form. The assembled device creates an upright target for the male dog, making urinating as natural as being outdoors.
US08881677B2
A method for performing a physical vapor deposition (PVD) on a substrate is disclosed, comprising placing a substrate on a susceptor disposed below one or more PVD guns and below a plasma shield assembly having a bellows and a shadow mask coupled to a bottom side of the bellows, lowering the bellows toward the substrate to place the shadow mask in contact with the substrate; and depositing a material on an isolated region on the substrate through the shadow mask. In one implementation, the shadow mask may include a plate having openings in the shape of individual dies on the substrate, and a layer having openings in the shape of features patterned on the substrate, wherein the layer is coupled to a bottom surface of the plate by an epoxy.
US08881658B2
A drive unit for rail vehicles has a shaft including a hearing pin on each end for carrying a drive wheel, a supporting tube enclosing the shaft and journaled thereon, an engine mounted on a supporting tube, wherein the engine rests on a single bracket, the single bracket fastened to the supporting tube, a transmission including a spur wheel and a drive pinion, a housing enclosing a spur gear and the drive pinion, the housing including a single main part, a lid, and an engine bell, the engine bell forming a fixed connection between an engine housing and the main part of the housing, where the supporting tube is molded to the single main part of the housing to form a rigid unit and an engine rotor journaled on a single bearing, wherein the engine rotor is supported at a transmission side on a membrane coupling, the membrane coupling carried by a fully journaled drive pinion.
US08881653B2
A printing device includes a head unit having a print head and a sensor that detects a presence or an absence of a sheet, a drive unit that causes the head unit to move to a width direction orthogonal to a feeding direction of the sheet, and a control unit controlling a position of the print head to the sheet based on a detection result of the sensor, wherein the control unit executes a first control that obtains the detection result of the sensor whenever the head unit moves only a first interval to a specific direction from a reference position and a second control that, when a change from the presence to the absence of the sheet is detected by the sensor during the first control, obtains the detection result of the sensor whenever the head unit moves only a second interval that is shorter than the first interval.
US08881648B2
A concentrator-integrated screw press includes: a continuous concentrator configured to continuously concentrate sludge and discharge the sludge as concentrated sludge, and including a discharge amount equalization unit configured to equalize an amount of concentrated sludge to be discharged per unit time; a positive displacement pump installed consecutively to the concentrator, and configured to continuously transport the concentrated sludge discharged from the concentrator; and a screw press installed consecutively to a discharge side of the positive displacement pump, and configured to compress and dewater the concentrated sludge.
US08881647B2
A method of reducing the volume of a non-returnable blow-molded brewery-specific beer keg and other non-returnable containers.
US08881638B2
Textile armour (2) comprising at least one textile section (4) and corresponding supporting means (6), wherein the arrangement is such that the or each textile section is fully extended.
US08881631B2
A glide movement controller for use with a hinge connection that includes a shaft, as well as a hinge connection and a power saw including such a controller. The glide movement controller includes a generally U-shaped controller body configured to move towards the shaft in a first direction such that resistance upon the shaft is increased and away from the shaft in a second direction such that resistance upon the shaft is decreased; a pair of apertures extending through the controller body; and an interior bearing surface defined on the controller body. The interior bearing surface is configured and arranged to face the shaft. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the interior bearing surface is located between the apertures.
US08881613B2
An electric actuator includes: an actuating shaft and a screw rod screwed to and driving the actuating shaft; a motor connecting the screw rod; a connection seat connecting the actuating shaft and including a positioning post and a rotary shaft; a coupling ring sleeved around and rotating with the positing post, and a slide slot disposed out of the coupling ring; a support ring sleeved around the rotary shaft; a cylindrical connector sleeved around the support ring and screwed to a hinge end cap and with a locking slot communicating with the slide slot and disposed out of the cylindrical connector; a knob sleeved around the cylindrical connector and the coupling ring and covering the rotary shaft, and a raised rib slidably connected to the slide slot and the locking slot and disposed in the knob.
US08881612B2
A vibration exciter is provided. The vibration exciter includes a shaft and at least two unbalanced weights arranged on the shaft, in which the radial distance of the common center of gravity of the unbalanced weights from the rotational axis of the shaft is adjustable in an infinitely variable way by means of a gear. The vibration exciter comprises a gear which is a spatial coupling gear, e.g. a spatial vibration slider gear. A simple and compact configuration of the vibration exciter is thus proposed, in which the required adjusting forces for changing the imbalance are very low.
US08881609B2
A percussive driving apparatus for an environmental sampling or test device. The driving apparatus comprises a percussion stem (10), a weighted percussion plunger (20) having a longitudinal bore through which the percussion stem (10) is received, the percussion plunger (20) being slidable along a length of the percussion stem (10), a lift element (80) to permit lifting of the percussion plunger (20) along at least a portion of said length of the percussion stem (10), and a percussion pad (30) affixed to the percussion stem (10) at or near a first end thereof. The percussion pad (30) is configured to receive percussive driving force from the percussion plunger (20). The percussion tube (10) is also adapted at the first end to connect to a probe (40) (for example a shielded or unshielded piezometer, or a split spoon sampler, a seepage meter, long term data logging monitoring device, or seismic device) for environmental sampling and/or testing.
US08881601B2
The invention relates to a flow meter for determining a flow of a medium. The flow meter comprises a flow tube for transporting the medium whose flow is to be measured. The flow tube has a supply end and a discharge end disposed downstream thereof. The flow meter is provided with a first flow sensor for measuring the flow of the medium at a first position of the flow tube. The flow meter is provided with a second flow sensor for measuring the flow of the medium at a second position of the flow tube.
US08881597B2
A measuring device is described which has a metal body deformable in accordance with a value to be measured. A sensor element having a metal carrier and ohmic resistors formed thereon in metal thin-film technique is connected to the metal body by welding and generates a signal adapted to be electrically evaluated which corresponds to the deformation of the metal body. The weld for connecting the metal body and the sensor element completely encloses the metal carrier at its circumference. The metal body has, at the welded connection with the metal carrier, a material thickness t which is completely penetrated by the weld. The value to be measured by the measuring device comprises force, pressure, temperature, torque or combinations thereof.
US08881590B2
A balancing device includes an active balancing mechanism. The active balancing mechanism maintains the balancing device in an actively balanced state within a range of the active balancing mechanism. An auxiliary balancing mechanism is configured to support the balancing device in an unbalanced state that is outside the range of the active balancing mechanism and aid a transition of the balancing device to the actively balanced state that is within the range of the active balancing mechanism, wherein the auxiliary balancing mechanism is configured to support the balancing device includes to prop up the balancing device.
US08881588B2
A dielectric antenna (1) having at least one supply element (2) and at least one lens (3) formed of a dielectric material. The dielectric antenna makes it possible to measure the surface of a medium with an essentially consistent measuring accuracy in that the lens (3) has an outer component (4) and an inner component (5). The outer component (4) has a radiating surface (6) that is spherical and an inner surface (7) that is spherical, and the inner component (5) has a contact surface (8) that spherical. Furthermore, the antenna is usable as part of a fill level sensor operating on the radar principle.
US08881582B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for substantially eliminating destructive transients of pressure or flow rate which can degrade the efficiency and useful lifetime of chromatography columns. The present invention enables a substantially constant flow of mobile phase liquid to be maintained through the chromatography system by eliminating the flow blockage interval associated with the actuation of sample injection valves. The present invention further provides a method to reduce the pressure and flow rate transients associated with pressurization of the sample loop contents when the sample loop is introduced to chromatography system delivery pressure.
US08881580B2
A process analysis unit includes a base module and an exchangeable cartridge module. The base module comprises at least one independent pump drive, and an analyte sensor without a fluidic measuring section. The cartridge module comprises a liquid reservoir tank, a sample taking device, at least one drive-less pump mechanism configured as a peristaltic membrane pump, a fluidic measuring section for the analyte sensor, and a plastic material plate with groove-like microfluidic channels configured to connect the liquid reservoir tank, the at least one drive-less pump mechanism, and a measuring section. The drive-less pump mechanism is driven pneumatically and pumps a liquid from the liquid reservoir tank. When the cartridge module is connected to the base module, the at least one drive-less pump mechanism is connected to and is driven by the at least one independent pump drive, and the fluidic measuring section is connected to the analyte sensor.
US08881577B1
A method and system for on-line multi-component fluid analysis, the system can be configured to measure the absolute viscosity using data acquired by monitoring the time it takes for a pump to move from one side to the other side and pressure at the discharge for a reference fluid and the time it takes for a pump to move from one side to the other side and pressure at the discharge for a sample fluid. The system and method can also include comparing the data acquired for the sample fluid and the reference fluid. The system and method can present rheological behavior of the sample fluid as Newtonian viscosity and the shear rate in real time.
US08881576B2
The leak detection device comprises a plurality of measuring cells (10) in whose interior the absorption of a laser beam (17) is influenced by the presence of tracer gas. All of said measuring cells (10) are connected to a host unit (25) via light-conducting fibers (28,34). In the host unit (25), a laser (26) designed for modulation and a photodetector (37) are arranged. Modulation of the laser radiation is preferably performed by two-tone frequency modulation. This has the effect that the fiber length cannot significantly skew the result of the measurement.
US08881573B2
A method for detecting wear of a tire involves at least one sonic wear gauge emitting an acoustic footprint noise that includes several acoustic footprint elementary frequency components. An acoustic signal that includes the acoustic footprint noise is acquired, with the acoustic signal including several elementary frequency components acquired in the frequency domain. Several series of elementary frequency components are enumerated, with each enumerated series forming some part of the acoustic footprint elementary frequency components. An acoustic footprint series is determined and, if a confidence index determined based on a local confidence index is greater or less than a predetermined threshold, an alert regarding the wear of the tire is emitted.
US08881558B2
A lock for luggage, travelcases, briefcases and the like that can be unlocked by setting a combination using a combination mechanism of the lock, and, alternatively, by using a key in a key mechanism of the lock. An indicator of the lock moves to signal when the lock has been unlocked by use of the key mechanism. In some embodiments the indicator can only be reset after the lock has been unlocked using the combination mechanism. In some embodiments the indicator is automatically reset when the lock is unlocked using the combination mechanism. In some embodiments the lock is a padlock that has a shackle defined, at least in part, by a flexible cable.
US08881556B2
A washing and dehydrating machine includes a circulating passage communicating between interior and exterior of a water tub, warm air generating unit rendering air in the passage warm, an overflow outlet located in the water tub surface, so that water flows through the overflow outlet when a water level in the water tub is increased to or above a level, a drain conduit introduced outside the machine via a drain valve, through which water in the water tub is discharged, an overflow conduit having a lower end connected to the drain valve and communicating with the overflow outlet, and air stopping unit located in the overflow conduit and including a trap cutting off air flow and a water supply unit supplying water to the trap, allowing water to pass through and stopping air flow. The overflow conduit is introduced outside the machine via the air stopping unit.
US08881546B2
An absorption heat pump including a generator or desorber which generates vapour from a first fluid fed to a first condenser, an evaporator provided downstream of the condenser, an outlet of the evaporator connected by a third line to an inlet of a mixer of a low pressure absorber connected to a suction side of a pump feeding solution to the generator. The generator having a poor solution outlet connected by a sixth line provided with at least one lamination valve to a poor solution inlet feeding the absorber. The second line is brought into heat exchange contact with the low pressure absorber and opens into a liquid/vapour separator feeding the evaporator via a third line, the vapour outlet of the separator opening into an intermediate pressure absorber unit.
US08881535B2
A combustion system may include a plurality of heated volume portions. At least two of the plurality of heated volume portions may include corresponding respective electrodes. The electrodes may be driven to produce respective electric fields in their respective volumes. The electric fields may be configured to drive desired respective responses.
US08881529B2
A gas turbine, in particular a gas turbine aircraft engine, including a fuel supply device and a control device, wherein at least parts of the control device, in particular of an engine control device, are integrated into the fuel supply device.
US08881526B2
A steam turbine system uses a laser to instantaneously vaporize water in a nozzle within a turbine. This steam is then used to rotate the turbine. Thus, the turbine system does not require an external boiler. The steam turbine system may be used in either an open system, where the steam passing through the turbine is not condensed and reused, or a closed system, where the steam passing through the turbine is condensed and reused.
US08881521B2
A method of reducing an initial stress on a cable includes stretching the cable to a first length to thereby define the initial stress. The cable has a central longitudinal axis, and includes a plurality of wires each twisted around the axis and formed from a shape memory alloy transitionable in response to a signal between a first state wherein each of the wires has a first temperature-dependent length, and a second state wherein each of the wires has a second temperature-dependent length that is less than the first. After stretching, the method includes activating the alloy by exposing the alloy to the signal such that the alloy transitions from the first to the second temperature-dependent state. Concurrent to activating, the method includes elongating the cable to a second length that is greater than the first to define a second stress on the cable that is less than the first.
US08881519B2
A slewing-type working machine capable of reducing back pressure generated during slewing. The slewing-type working machine includes: a base carrier; an upper slewing body; a hydraulic motor including first and second ports and slewing the upper slewing body; a hydraulic pump, a slewing operation device including an operating member; a control valve controlling the hydraulic motor based on the operation signal of the slewing operation device; first and second pipe-lines connecting the first and second ports of the hydraulic motor to the control valve; a communication switching device capable of switching communication and cutting of between both pipe-lines and the tank; and a switching command section operating the communication switching devices, when the upper slewing body is slewed, to bring only a pipe-line, which corresponds to a discharge-side pipe-line of the hydraulic motor, of the pipe-lines into communication with the tank, while bypassing the control valve.
US08881517B2
The present invention is a device and a method of generating large scale power plant using the energy content in ocean waves or river-channel flows. Ocean waves or flowing waters are used to generate compressed air. The pressurized air is then piped to shore and stored in large pressure tanks to be used in a buoyancy driven wheel rings. The wheel rings, which are located inside a large water reservoir, are spaced from each other and have series of receptacles or buckets connected to them. The high pressure air is injected at the bottom of the reservoir and the rising air is trapped inside the receptacles. The gas filled receptacles generate buoyancy forces which rotates the wheels and the central shaft to generate power.
US08881510B2
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine detects an amount of particulate matter contained in an exhaust gas in an exhaust passage, according to an electrical property across electrodes of a particulate matter sensor disposed in the exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine. The term “electrical property” here refers to a property that changes with the amount of particulate matter deposited, for example, a current value of when a predetermined voltage is applied. After the internal combustion engine is started and detection of the amount of the particulate matter is completed, an element section of the particulate matter sensor is set to a predetermined temperature range. The particulate matter deposited on the element section is thereby burned and removed. The control apparatus maintains the element section in the predetermined temperature range after burning and removing the particulate matter until the internal combustion engine stops.
US08881503B2
Disclosed is a method for preventing fuel freezing in a postprocessing burner system with a burner 14 upstream of a particulate filter 12 (exhaust purification member) incorporated in an exhaust pipe. Fuel is fed from a fuel tank 16 served also for a diesel engine 1 (engine) to the burner 14 through a feed pipe 17, and excess fuel is returned to the fuel tank 16 through a return pipe 18. The fuel is periodically circulated between the burner 14 and the fuel tank 16 through the feed and return pipes 17 and 18 under a condition of ambient air temperature during vehicle travel being at or below a predetermined temperature.
US08881501B2
A propellant tank for storing a liquid propellant A and supplying vapor produced by evaporation of part of the liquid propellant A to an external location comprises a tank body for storing the liquid propellant A, a mesh member arranged inside the tank body to cover a liquid surface of the liquid propellant A to divide an interior of the tank body into a liquid propellant storing area LA and a gas storing area GA by utilizing surface tension of the liquid propellant, and a heater arranged to a gas storing area GA side of the tank body to keep the gas storing area GA at higher temperature than temperature in the liquid propellant storing area LA. The tank body has a propellant inlet open into the liquid propellant storing area LA and a gas outlet open into the gas storing area GA.
US08881497B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for removing and drawing a synthetic thread to form a fully drawn yarn. The thread is formed by joining a plurality of extruded filaments and is guided by contact on the circumference of heated guide jackets of several driven galette pairs. In order to obtain a gentle and highly homogenized treatment of the filaments, the thread is guided in an S-shaped or Z-shaped thread course by a first galette pair having two guide jackets driven in opposite directions during the removal from a spinning zone and before the drawing. Thus, both sides of the thread can be brought directly into circumferential contact with the guide jackets for in order to heat the thread.
US08881495B2
A harvesting header and feederhouse for use with a crop harvesting machine has a feederhouse interface at a distal end of the feederhouse and a header frame. The header frame has a top beam, a bottom beam, and first and second vertical main structures connecting the top and bottom beams. The feederhouse interface and the vertical main structures of the header frame are pivotably connected to enable the header frame to pivot with respect to the feederhouse interface. At least one hydraulic ram connects between the feederhouse interface and the header frame to pivot the harvesting header on the feederhouse to a desired fore/aft pitch angle. A hydraulic supply provides hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic ram. Front and rear ground sensors provide an output that is used to control the fore/aft pitch angle of the harvesting header relative the ground by pivoting the header frame relative the feederhouse interface.
US08881494B2
A core for a fire rated door includes an extruded fire resistant material, a filler material and a panel. The extruded fire resistant material has a first raised portion, a second raised portion and a lower portion that extends from a first end to a second end. The first raised portion has a first thickness and a first width that extends from the first side to the lower portion. The lower portion has a second thickness. The second raised portion has the first thickness and a second width that extends from the second side to the lower portion. The filler material is disposed above the lower portion of the extruded fire resistant material between the first raised portion and the second portion. The panel is attached to the first raised portion and the second raised portion of the extruded fire resistant material and covers the filler material.
US08881491B2
A building structure including a plurality of vertical elements extending from a ground surface with at least a first of the vertical elements connected to a second of the vertical elements by a coupling member, the coupling member includes a damping element for damping vibrations in the building structure resulting from relative movement between the first and second vertical elements due to lateral loads applied to the building structure. The damping element undergoes deformation due to the relative movement between the vertical elements causing the damping material to be activated in shear. At least one of a first and second fuse member is connected to at least one of first and second ends of the damping element respectively. The fuse member is selected from a material, and otherwise sized and dimensioned to exhibit semi-rigid behavior when the damping element undergoes deformation due to loads below a predetermined load limit and to undergo deformation without substantially increasing the load in the fuse and in the damping element when loads exceed the predetermined load limit, such that the damping element is prevented from deforming beyond its predetermined deformation limit and therefore avoiding any occurrence of damage that would reduce its ability to provide damping to the structure. First and second connecting means are also provided for rigidly connecting the first and second fuse members to the first and second vertical elements, respectively.
US08881484B2
A long span solar collector mounting system with a deployable truss structure centered beneath the beam, and a single centered vertical support and a stabilizing end support, for mounting solar panels and other equipment on roofs and other surfaces, that can be tilted to a desired angle with respect to the ground, and can be rotated about its vertical axis to maximize solar production, with a vertical member that is offset to direct resultant wind loads directly through the base thereby minimizing twisting or bending stresses on roof structures, with beam clamping capability for attaching to roof beams below the roof with only access above the roof, that can be tilted during and after installation for reroofing and servicing access, with angled retaining nuts that provide secure attachment of solar panels and other equipment.
US08881480B1
A construction assembly for installation within new or existing residential or commercial building structures which increases the thermal efficiency of concrete construction panels while avoiding dangerous insulation materials and potential fire hazards. The construction assembly includes a first layer of concrete and a phase change material layer that efficiently retains heat when the phase change material melts and discharges heat as the phase change material crystallizes. Alternatively a support layer, a second phase change material layer and a second concrete layer can be included in a variety of combinations for increased efficiency. A method is disclosed for creating the construction assembly.
US08881476B2
A panel includes an insulating material, first channels disposed in a first surface of the insulating material, and second channels disposed in the first surface of the insulating material. The second channels are disposed at a first angle relative to the first channels. Additionally, the first channels and second channels are arranged such that each of the first channels is substantially parallel to the other first channels and each of the second channels is substantially parallel to the other second channels. The panel further includes a first retention clip disposed in one of the first channels. The first retention clip is configured to suspend an object having a substantially round cross-section within the one of the first channels. The first retention clip is further configured to prevent the object from contacting walls of the one of the first channels.
US08881472B2
A solar panel mounting anchor adapted for mounting a solar panel on a flat roof, the anchor comprising integral ballast, and edges comprising a resilient material and at least one engagement feature adapted to receive a solar panel and to space the panel from said roof, and a base adapted to inhibit slipping of the anchor on said roof. Preferably the integral ballast is such that the mass of the anchor is at least 15 kg.
US08881468B2
A fixture mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket for attaching, via a flange, to the outside wall of a building under construction. A mounting block for holding the fixture in place against the wall fits within the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a flashing component extending from the front face of the mounting bracket such that the mounting block is held in place by being at least partially surrounded by the flashing component. The fixture mounting assembly is useful but not limited to construction in which fiber cement siding will surround the outside wall and the associated fixture.
US08881467B2
A display unit comprising a plurality of vertical truss members anchored to a floor surface; a plurality of horizontal rails attached to the vertical truss members thereby forming a frame; a horizontal track anchored to a floor surface in front of the vertical truss members; a plurality of cantilever supports attached across the top of the frame, the cantilever supports each having a front portion providing an upper frame and lower frame; a plurality of upper rectangular panels mounted in a first row adjacent one another in the upper frames; a plurality of lower rectangular panels mounted in the lower frames adjacent one another a second row below the first row; first and second side panels anchored to the floor track and to a plurality of the horizontal rails; a plurality of cabinets located adjacent one another between the first and second side panels and anchored to the floor track and at least one of said horizontal rails; and a plurality of display panels disposed between the top surfaces of the cabinets and the lower edges of the lower rectangular panels.
US08881466B2
An insulated door (10029 includes a door frame made of four side members (1006, 1008, 1010, 1012) connected by four corner connectors (1014, 1016, 1018, 1020). The frame members are profiled “L” shaped extrusions having outer panel locating ribs (6035), and inner panel retaining slots (6007). The corner connector has a base (4044) with a projecting post (4040). A first pair of connector tabs (4022, 4044) project from adjacent sides of the base to cooperate with first connection slots (6028) of adjacent side members and a second pair of connector tabs (4042, 4043) project from the post to cooperate with connection slots (6026) of the adjacent side members. The outer panel is located on the opposite side of the frame by location ribs (6036). The legs (6009, 6011) of the extrusion define a space D between the inner and outer door panels, and this space is filled with foam insulation.
US08881460B2
A sliding door system comprises a door made of a glass panel. Roller units are connected to the door and project from a plane of the door. A structural transom has a glass panel body with main surfaces of the glass panel body positioned generally vertically. The glass panel body has at least one slot defined therein having a lower edge surface and an upper edge surface. The slot has a height for receiving a portion of the roller units between the lower edge surface and the upper edge surface, and a length for allowing a translation of the door to open and close an opening by movement of the roller units in the slot.
US08881447B2
An animal trap for restraining animals, such as raccoons. The trap includes a hollow body having an entrance opening, an external and an internal grip member spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the body, both having a V-shape, and a biased restraint member having a V-shape and adapted to move towards the grip members when released to engage an extremity of an animal inserted through the entrance opening. Two interchangeable trigger assemblies are each adapted to restrain the restraint member until proper engagement with a respective trigger member. The first trigger assembly releases the restraint member via a first directional force or an opposite second directional force applied to a first trigger member. The second trigger assembly releases the restraint member via only the first directional force applied to a second trigger member. A ground stake having jagged teeth and a swivel chain may be used for anchoring.
US08881440B2
This invention relates to the field of advertising and information display. It can be used in the production of portable advertising and information media with flexible supports, transported easily, and installed quickly to display any visual information. The invention ensures high-quality and effective tensioning of the panel over the course of a long use period including multiple relocations. The device for presenting information comprises a panel mounted on a sectional frame with rotating edges of the panel mounted on the sides of the frame. Each of the rotatable edges consists of at least two layers: the panel itself and a facing applied to the panel in its pre-tensioned resiliently deformed state, thus retaining the tension of the panel material attached to the facing. The panel is mounted on a frame in a state of resiliently extended deformation and is fixed with edges supported in pairs on the frame.
US08881439B2
A greeting card has a card body comprising at least a front panel and electrical components. The front panel contains an opening that acts as a track. A spinner including two wheels spaced apart and coupled together with an axle rotatably engages the track are positioned on opposite sides of the front panel. The spinner moves along the track by virtue of gravity when the greeting card is being tilted. The electrical components may include a power source, a sound module having an audio file stored therein, a speaker, and a switch located adjacent to the track. The spinner activates the switch when the spinner moves adjacent to the location of the switch which in turn initiates playback of the audio file through the speaker.
US08881433B2
An implement attaching to a vehicle and having a work assembly and a linkage assembly, the work assembly having an edge commonly used for clearing snow. The work assembly may be for example a bucket on a front end loader. The linkage assembly is formed as a non-parallelogram quadrilateral with four pivot axes. Upper and lower pivot axes attach the linkage assembly to the work assembly. When the vehicle is driven so that the edge strikes an immovable object, the linkage assembly functions so that the lower pivot axis moves in a direction toward the work assembly relative to the upper pivot axis. That is, the quadrilateral linkage assembly functions to lift the edge as a heel of the work assembly remains on the ground such that the work assembly is allowed to tilt up so the edge can ride over the immovable object.
US08881431B2
A shoe sole structure includes a midsole body that extends from the heel region to the forefoot region of a shoe and an outsole that is attached to the midsole body. The outsole includes a plurality of protrusions arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, while extending at least partially between the lateral edge and the medial edge of the shoe. One or more of the half tube structures can include grooves and/or projections to enhance traction on a contact surface.
US08881430B2
An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure.
US08881420B2
There is disclosed an apparatus and a method for measuring an opening dimension. The apparatus may comprise a handle or a handle mounting portion and a rod holder adjustably attached to the handle or handle mounting portion. The method may comprise the use of the apparatus to measure an opening dimension.
US08881413B2
A staff for electronic level comprises a substrate where a short-range barcode 14 is engraved, and in the staff for electronic level, said short-range barcode is a barcode obtained by scaling down a barcode 13 for regular measurement and reversing the monochrome.
US08881412B2
A survey setting point indicating device comprises a prism device 5 and a support member, and in the survey setting point indicating device, said prism device comprises a laser emitting device 16 for emitting a laser beam 17, an omnidirectional prism 9 having a cavity 14 in a center, a mirror 18 which is provided in said cavity, is rotatable about two axes crossing at right angles, and can deflect, in an arbitrary direction, said laser beam emitted from said laser emitting device, and a control unit 19 for controlling a posture or a rotation of said mirror, and said support member supports said prism device, and said laser beam is configured to attach (transfer) a position of a center of said prism device to a required surface.
US08881408B2
A combined fuel tank and handle unit for a motorized, handheld tool includes a substantially closed volume, a handle, and a joint between two parts of the unit. The joint protrudes a distance beyond the surrounding surfaces. At least one rib is disposed at a distance from the joint on the underside of the tool.
US08881405B2
A raceway member (6) of a wheel support hub unit, having wheel or vehicle body fixing portions (7) extending radially outward from a solid or hollow shaft portion, and a wheel or vehicle body positioning cylindrical portion (9) extending concentrically with the shaft portion, the fixing portion (7) being formed by the cold side extrusion so that the fixing portion is integral with the shaft portion (5).
US08881401B2
A degree of freedom of a hypoid gear is improved. An instantaneous axis in a relative rotation of a gear axis and a pinion axis, a line of centers, an intersection between the instantaneous axis and the line of centers, and an inclination angle of the instantaneous axis with respect to the rotation axis of the gear are calculated based on a shaft angle, an offset, and a gear ratio of a hypoid gear. Based on these variables, base coordinate systems are determined, and the specifications are calculated using these coordinate systems. For the spiral angles, pitch cone angles, and reference circle radii of the gear and pinion, one of the values for the gear and the pinion is set and a design reference point is calculated. Based on the design reference point and a contact normal of the gear, specifications are calculated. The pitch cone angle of the gear or the pinion can be freely selected.
US08881396B2
In one aspect, a fan assembly is provided that can be manufactured while producing a significantly reduced amount of scrap material. More specifically, the fan assembly utilizes a hub ring and one or more hub strips to support a plurality of blades rather than a solid center disc or end disc used by some prior approaches. In another aspect, a method is provided that includes bending a member into an annular configuration and joining end portions of the member together to rigidly fix the member in the annular configuration. The rigid annular member may be used as an end ring, a hub ring, an orifice, or other component, while producing significantly less scrap material than traditional approaches.
US08881395B2
A method for increasing the coefficient of adhesion between two parts that rotate as one with a rotor, for example a turbomachine rotor, those parts pressing against one another via pressing faces. The method includes milling at least one of the pressing faces so as to modify its surface finish and increase its roughness, then covering the or each machined face with a thin layer of a material that is hard and has a high coefficient of friction.
