US08896682B2
A system and method for automated detection of age related macular degeneration and other retinal abnormalities which may have a retinal scanner capable of obtaining retinal data from a subject. The retinal scanner may be coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) which may have memory storing CPU-executable instructions which may detect retinal abnormalities. When the CPU receives retinal data from the retinal scanner, the system may perform CPU-executable instructions for detecting retinal abnormalities. The system may analyze the retinal data to determine one or more healthy areas and, based on the analyzed healthy area, the system may detect abnormalities in the retinal data.
US08896674B2
An image-luminance transformation section receives a video signal on a frame basis, and transforms the video signal into a luminance signal in each frame. A crosstalk ratio setting section sets a crosstalk ratio. An amount-of-correction calculation section calculates a correction luminance signal, for correcting a video signal of a frame n, using a luminance signal of a frame n−1, a luminance signal of the frame n, and the crosstalk ratio. A luminance-image transformation section transforms the correction luminance signal into a correction video signal. A correction section adds the correction video signal to the video signal of the frame n to generate a video signal of the frame n in which the amounts of crosstalk have been corrected.
US08896670B2
An image processing device includes a distance data analysis unit that analyzes subject distance information with the partial region units of captured images having different viewpoints, and a data generation unit that determines whether a recorded image or an output image is set to a two-dimensional image or set to a three-dimensional image depending on the analysis result, and generates the recorded or output image based on the determination result, wherein the data generation unit determines a recall level of stereoscopic vision in three-dimensional display based on the analysis result, and if it is determined that the recall level of stereoscopic vision is low, generates a two-dimensional image as the recorded or output image, and if it is determined that the recall level of stereoscopic vision is high, generates a three-dimensional image as the recorded or output image.
US08896669B2
An image adjustment apparatus for processing images output by two image capturing devices arranged with respect to one another so as to capture images representing different respective views of a scene comprises a noise combiner for combining a noise signal with one or both of a pair of corresponding images captured by the two image capturing devices; a difference detector for detecting differences in color properties between the pair of corresponding images output by the noise combiner; and a color property adjuster for adjusting color properties of images from at least one of the image capturing devices on the basis of the differences detected by the difference detector, so as to reduce the differences in color properties between corresponding images captured by the two image capturing devices.
US08896658B2
There is provided an interface viewable on a display for a communications apparatus used during a session for voice communications between at least two parties. The interface includes at least one edge of the display having a row of objects, each object of the row being for representing each of the at least two parties; and a main portion of the display being for showing the object of the party speaking at a particular point in time, with a plurality of the objects being shown when a plurality of the parties are speaking at the particular point in time. Advantageously, the object of the speaking party is shown on the main portion when the speaking party's voice is detected by the speaking party's communications apparatus, a host server receiving information from the speaking party's communications apparatus to aid in displaying the object of the speaking party at the particular point in time. Alternatively, the object of the speaking party may also undergo a change of state, such as, for example, a blinking effect, a single occurrence resizing effect, a transitional blurring effect, a repeated resizing effect, and any combination of the aforementioned.
US08896656B2
A method and apparatus for selecting information from a video source to be displayed on at least a first common display screen in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the method comprising the steps of providing a selectable control interface that includes at least one indicator that can indicate at least first and second different states, associating a video source with the switching device so that video information from the video source is presented to the switching device, when the video source is associated with the switching device, causing the at least one indicator to indicate a first state and when the selectable control interface is selected, causing the at least one indicator to indicate the second state and providing the video information from the video source to the common display screen via the switching device.
US08896653B2
While performing or initiating a transaction with a self-service video transaction device, a user may interact with a video agent and a terminal associated therewith. Video and/or audio functionalities may be enabled or disabled based on a length of a wait time to connect to a video agent. If the wait time exceeds a predetermined threshold, video and/or audio functionalities may be disabled, and the self-service device may generate a display indicating that video and/or audio functionalities are unavailable. If the wait time does not exceed the predetermined threshold, video and/or audio functionalities may be enabled, and the self-service device may generate a display indicating that video and/or audio functionalities are available.
US08896650B1
The calculation unit calculates the time interval between the time at detecting the light beam reflected by the reflective surface of the rotatory polyhedron incident on the BD sensor by the light beam detecting unit and the time at detecting the light beam reflected by the reflective surface incident on the optical sensor in the light source by the return light beam detecting unit. The scan adjusting unit adjusts the luminescence time of the light source for scanning the light beam on the surface to be scanned based on the time interval calculated by the calculation unit.
US08896644B2
A recording apparatus has a pair of bearings 38 having: two surfaces 38a and 38b which support both edge portions of a conveying roller 40; driven rollers 42 which press the conveying roller 40 in the direction where extension lines of the two surfaces 38a and 38b cross; and further, an intermediate bearing 47 which presses the conveying roller 40 in the direction of a point where the extension lines of the two surfaces 38a and 38b cross.
US08896637B2
A self-light emitting device panel includes: a pixel array in which pixel trios each including a set of three light emitting devices which emit light of three primary colors respectively are arranged in matrix in a row direction and a column direction; a plurality of column lines extending in the column direction of the pixel array, arranged in a cyclic manner in different proportions according to corresponding colors in the row direction, which are connected to one ends of plural light emitting devices emitting light of corresponding colors in the column of the pixel trios arranged in the same column; and a plurality of row-scanning lines extending in the row direction of the pixel array, arranged so as to be separated between at least two colors, which are connected to the other ends of the light emitting devices emitting light of corresponding colors.
US08896632B2
One or more elements are initially displayed on a display component of an electronic device. After the one or more elements have been displayed on the display component of the electronic device, an image of a user of the electronic device is captured, and an orientation of the electronic device relative to the user is determined based on the captured image of the user of the electronic device. Thereafter, an orientation of at least one of the displayed elements is adjusted relative to the display component of the electronic device based on the determined orientation of the electronic device relative to the user.
US08896616B2
Systems and methods for reducing bit rates by replacing original texture in a video sequence with synthesized texture. Reducing the bit rate of the video sequence begins by identifying and removing selected texture from frames in a video sequence. The removed texture is analyzed to generate texture parameters. New texture is synthesized using the texture parameters in combination with a set of constraints. Then, the newly synthesized texture is mapped back into the frames of the video sequence from which the original texture was removed. The resulting frames are then encoded. The bit rate of the video sequence with the synthesized texture is less than the bit rate of the video sequence with the original texture. Also, the ability of a decoder to decode the new video sequence is not compromised because no assumptions are made about the texture synthesis capabilities of the decoder.
US08896614B2
The present invention relates to a method for browsing images and an Image browser. The browsing is performed on a display of an electronic device having an image cache and includes the acts of determining an image, from accessible images not already stored in the image cache, being more likely to be displayed during the browsing than one image already stored in the image cache, storing the determined image in the image cache, shifting images presented on the display in response to a user input and at an image shifting rate of S. Said shifting images includes reading image data from the image cache and present the image on the display. The image browser includes a display, a dynamic Graphic User Interface, GUI, generator arranged to present images in accordance with a specific layout and to shift images at a specific image shifting rate S, an image cache arranged to temporarily store a plurality of images for use by the dynamic GUI generator, an access to a data storage, and an image retriever arranged to retrieve an image from the data storage and place it in the cache in case of the image retriever discovers an image in the data storage that is not present in the image cache and that is more likely to be displayed than one of the images present in the image cache. The image shifting rate S is frequently updated and is proportional to the present number of images in the image cache that are likely kept for browsing.
US08896613B2
The present invention is a stored value digital picture (or digital image) frame, and a method for sensing a stored value digital picture frame. It integrates the functionality of a stored value card, or a gift card, into a digital picture frame. The stored value digital picture frame may include an attachment device for attaching the frame to a keychain or keyring. The method includes sensing an account identifier from an account identifying device included in the frame, associating the identifier with an account, and taking some action involving the account. The action might be reading the account balance, initializing the balance with an amount, increasing the balance, or decreasing the balance.
US08896607B1
A method for a computer system includes receiving a surface deformation for an object from a computer system user, wherein an object model comprises animation variables used to determine the surface of the object model, determining at least one pre-defined object pose from pre-defined object poses in response to the surface deformation, wherein the predefined object poses includes a first predefined object pose and comprises animation variable values, wherein the animation variable values are determined from physical motion capture data of surface positions of a physical representation of the object posed in a first pose, posing the object model in a pose in response to at least the animation variable values, and displaying the object model in the pose on a display to the computer system user.
US08896598B2
System and associated methodology for three-dimensional rendering of data containing clipping shapes
A system and method for rendering a three-dimensional object as clipped based on one or more clipping shapes. A three-dimensional space is partitioned based on the clipping shapes to determine a clipped volume domain having an envelope of faces. The envelope is projected onto a screen plane according to a first viewpoint. The three-dimensional modeled object is rendered as a clipped three-dimensional modeled object based on a determination, according to each pixel on the screen plane with respect to the first viewpoint, of which faces of the envelope are projected onto each pixel. Rendering can then be repeated any time the viewpoint is changed without requiring further data preparation.
US08896592B2
Embodiments are provided for digital dental modeling. One method embodiment includes receiving a three-dimensional data set including a first jaw and a second jaw of a three-dimensional digital dental model and receiving a two-dimensional data set corresponding to at least a portion of the first jaw and the second jaw. The method includes mapping two-dimensional data of the two-dimensional data set to the three-dimensional digital dental model by transforming a coordinate system of the two-dimensional data to a coordinate system of the three-dimensional data set. The method includes positioning the first jaw with respect to the second jaw based on the two-dimensional data mapped to the three-dimensional data set. The method includes using at least a portion of the two-dimensional data mapped to the three-dimensional data set as a target of movement of the first jaw with respect to the second jaw in the three-dimensional digital dental model.
US08896588B2
The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention cancels the fluctuation in the potential of the common voltage so that the image quality of the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel can be prevented from deteriorating, and thus, a high quality image can be provided, and adopts a common symmetric method, such as a dot inverting method, as the method for driving the liquid crystal display device.
US08896587B2
This invention provides a surface-emitting display device comprising a plurality of power supply lines 21 connected to a plurality of pixel circuits, respectively, and a power supply bus 22 having a power supply terminal 23 and connected to end portions of the plurality of power supply lines 21 at a prescribed interval, the power supply bus 22 having one or more slits 71, 72 extending along the length direction thereof from the power supply terminal 23 toward the end portions.
US08896585B2
A display device includes a display unit including a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines to which a plurality of compensation data signals are transmitted, a plurality of light emitting signal lines, and a plurality of pixels respectively connected to the plurality of scan lines, the plurality of data lines, and the plurality of light emitting signal lines, and a data driver generating a data voltage corresponding to a image data signal, and converting the data voltage to the compensation data signal. The data driver includes a compensator generating the compensation data signal in accordance with a feedback voltage. The feedback voltage is determined by a degree of deterioration associated with each pixel, and increases with an increasing deterioration degree of the pixel.
US08896582B2
The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate provided with a terminal portion, a switching transistor, a driver circuit portion, and a pixel circuit portion including a pixel transistor and a plurality of pixels, a second substrate provided with a common electrode electrically connected to the terminal portion through the switching transistor, and liquid crystal between a pixel electrode and the common electrode. In a period during which a still image is switched to a moving image, the following steps are sequentially performed: a first step of supplying the common potential to the common electrode; a second step of supplying a power supply voltage to the driver circuit portion; a third step of supplying a clock signal to the driver circuit portion; and a fourth step of supplying a start pulse signal to the driver circuit portion.
US08896581B2
A display apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The display apparatus is coupled to a video signal supply source through at least one connector. The display apparatus includes: a main storage unit which stores extended display identification data (EDID) therein corresponding to the at least one connector; a temporary storage unit which loads the EDID thereto from the main storage unit; and a controller which loads the EDID stored in the main storage unit to the temporary storage unit if power is supplied, and controls to transmit the EDID corresponding to an EDID requesting signal, among the EDID loaded to the temporary storage unit, through the at least one connector if the EDID requesting signal is received through the at least one connector.
US08896572B2
In a touch sensible display device, a first sensing unit is connected to a row sensor data line and outputs a first sensing signal according to a touch, and a second sensing unit is connected to a column sensor data line and outputs a second sensing signal according to the touch. A sensing signal processor alternately applies a reset voltage to the row sensor data line and the column sensor data line and generates a sensing data signal according to the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, and a touch determiner processes a sensing data signal to generate touch information.
US08896567B2
A pixel circuit includes a first transistor that supplies a data signal to a first node in response to a scan signal. The pixel circuit may also include a capacitor that is connected between the first node and a ground voltage and a detecting unit that is connected in parallel with the capacitor. More so, the detecting unit may change a voltage of the first node by being activated in response to a mode signal. Also, the detecting unit may have resistance that varies according to an external stimulus. The pixel circuit may also include a second transistor that is complementarily activated with respect to the detecting unit in response to the mode signal, and that provides a voltage of the first node.
US08896561B1
A method for operating a data processing system to implement a gesture on a touch enabled display is disclosed. The method causes the data processing system to determine a position of a contact object on the touch-enabled display as a function of time. The data processing system provides an offset indicating a distance through which a point shown on the display is to be moved in response to the determined position. The offset has a first value in a normal mode and a second value in a precise gesture mode. The value in the precise gesture mode is less than the value in the normal mode. The data processing system automatically changes from the normal mode to the precise gesture mode in response to changes in the determined position as a function of time. Exemplary changes utilize changes in direction or the speed of motion of the contact object.
US08896554B2
According to an aspect, a data retrieval apparatus includes a display unit, a detector, and a control unit. The display unit displays a group including a plurality of data on a display screen. Each of data is associated with a relevance ratio to search criteria. The detector detects movement of the group on the display screen. The control unit calculates a rate according to a degree of the movement of the group detected by the detector, and extracts the data from the group based on a comparison between the calculated rate and the relevance ratio.
US08896553B1
A hybrid sensor module and methods of operating the same are provided. In one embodiment, the hybrid sensor module includes: (i) a touch sensor configured to sense motion of an object in proximity to a surface of the touch sensor; (ii) an optical navigation sensor (ONS) configured to illuminate the object through the surface of the touch sensor and to sense motion of the object based on light returned from the object; and (iii) a controller electrically coupled to the touch sensor and the ONS to process the sensed motion of the object and to generate an output signal in response to the sensed motion, wherein the controller is configured to dynamically adjust a tracking resolution of the hybrid sensor module based on a characteristic of the sensed motion. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08896552B2
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for selecting text using a touchscreen display of a computing device. A computing device identifies physical contact between multiple fingers and the touchscreen display at a starting location, wherein the identifying is in distinction to identifying physical contact between a single finger and the touchscreen display. The computing device determines that the physical contact persists during movement of the physical contact from the starting location to an ending location. The computing device determines that the physical contact was interrupted at the ending location. The computing device identifies that text displayed between the starting location and the ending location is text that has been selected by a user of the computing device.
US08896548B2
The method and device for converting sensing information are disclosed. Each first touch related sensing information of a first sensing information is detected. At least one of the first touch related sensing information is converted. Each converted first touch related sensing information is replaced by a corresponding second touch related sensing information, whereby the first sensing information is converted into a second sensing information.
US08896533B2
An electronic device includes a display with an image display area configured to change orientation based on a change of position of the device. Upon detection of the position change, a camera may capture an image adjacent the device. The orientation of the image display area may be moved relative to a reference feature captured in the image.
US08896532B2
An interactive display device which senses an external device and operates according to the sensed result and a control method thereof are disclosed. A method for controlling an interactive display device includes detecting an external device on a surface of the interactive display device, wherein the external device includes a plurality of identification markers sensed by the interactive display device, scanning a shape of the external device, sensing signals of the identification markers, determining coordinate information and contact information of the external device on the surface of the interactive display device based on a result of scanning the shape and sensing the signals, wherein the contact information indicates which side of the external device is in contact with the interactive display device, and displaying data around the external device according to the determined coordinate information and contact information.
US08896523B2
An information processing apparatus includes a calculation unit and a determination unit. The calculation unit has a two-dimensional calculation mode configured to perform, when an operation device is placed on an operation surface and a user operates the operation device, calculation based on a detection value of a motion sensor corresponding to two-dimensional motion of the operation device, and has a three-dimensional calculation mode configured to perform, when the user operates the operation device in a three-dimensional space, calculation based on a detection value of the motion sensor corresponding to three-dimensional motion of the operation device. The determination unit is configured to determine which of the two-dimensional calculation mode and the three-dimensional calculation mode is used to perform the calculation with the calculation unit, based on the detection value of the motion sensor and at least one of information other than the detection value of the motion sensor.
US08896519B2
An electrophoretic display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: a first substrate, a first electrode formed on the first substrate, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a plurality of charged particles arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, pairs of the charged particles having different polarities. Each charged particle has at least two threshold voltages, where the threshold voltages are voltage magnitudes below which a voltage applied across the first and second electrodes does not move the associated charged particle. The pixels may represent any one of colors such as red, green, blue, white, and black by including two charged particles of different colors in one pixel and changing the attractive and repulsive force threshold voltages of each of two charged particles of different colors contained in the pixel.
US08896518B2
This display module includes a display portion, a light-emitting portion to apply light to the display portion, a light guide plate made of resin to guide the light from the light-emitting portion to the display portion, including a first positioning portion, a frame made of metal in which the light guide plate is arranged inside, including a hole, and a positioning member made of resin, including a second positioning portion so formed as to be capable of positioning the first positioning portion of the light guide plate in a state where the positioning member is so arranged as to cover the hole of the frame.
US08896517B2
An integrated backlight driving chip for driving a light-emitting diode backlight module includes a scaler circuit and a backlight driving circuit. The scaler circuit includes a digital control unit for generating a digital control signal, and a variable reference voltage generation unit for generating a reference voltage. The backlight driving circuit is coupled to the digital control unit, the variable reference voltage generation unit, and the LED backlight module, for generating a backlight driving signal according to the digital control signal and the reference voltage so as to drive the LED backlight module.
US08896516B2
There is provided a light emission control circuit being capable of simplifying a power source circuit reducing costs and power consumption. A constant current circuit is serially connected to a specified light emitting device group out of a plurality of light emitting device groups and a power source circuit supplies power to each light emitting device group and a current detecting unit detects a current flowing through a specified light emitting device group and a power control unit controls a power source circuit based on a pre-set current value and on a detected value.
US08896511B2
In an active matrix display apparatus including: pixels provided in a matrix pattern, the pixels each including a memory circuit which retains data while refreshing the data, a data signal electric potential which is supplied from a source line in a period t1 and written to a node which is connected to a liquid capacitor is higher than a data electric potential of the node, the data electric potential being obtained in a period t14 after a refresh operation of the memory circuit.
US08896509B2
A liquid crystal display device includes: a liquid crystal panel including a pixel having red, green, blue and white sub-pixels; a mode selector selecting one from an RGB mode and an RGBW mode as a driving mode; an RGBW mode signal generating part performing a color correction on RGB input data corresponding to the pixel and converting the RGB input data into RGBW data in the RGBW mode; and an output controlling part outputting RGBW output data by performing a gamma conversion on the RGBW data in the RGBW mode and outputting the RGB input data and a W data for turning off the W sub-pixel as the RGBW output data in the RGB mode.
US08896508B2
An electro-optical device includes a temperature detecting unit that detects temperature, wherein the electro-optical device sets a number of sub-frames of plural sub-frames included in one frame according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit and sets a luminance level of pixels in each of the plural sub-frames to at least a first level or a second level to perform gradation display.
US08896489B2
An apparatus including an antenna; a first antenna carrier forming a first support substrate for a first portion of the antenna; and a different second antenna carrier forming a second support substrate for a second portion of the antenna. The first and second antenna carriers are coupled to each other. The antenna extends across a joint between the first and second antenna carriers.
US08896480B1
An apparatus is for use with an aircraft radar system having a radar antenna. The apparatus comprises processing electronics configured to provide image data associated with an image associated with radar return data from the radar system. The radar return data is updated at a first frequency. The processing electronics are configured to update the image data at a second frequency greater than the first frequency.
US08896476B2
A successive operation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit includes a bit reliability circuit that detects a delay time of the voltage comparator and, if the detected delay time is greater than a delay threshold time τMV, outputs a bit reliability decision signal; a digital noise reduction circuit that is selectively activated if the bit reliability decision signal indicates the detected delay time is greater than the delay threshold time τMV and produces a noise-reduced decision output that supersedes the decision output of the voltage comparator. In a preferred embodiment, the digital noise reduction circuit uses a multiple voting logic to produce a majority vote value as the noise-reduced decision output.
US08896471B1
Provided are, among other things, systems, apparatuses, methods and techniques for converting a discrete-time quantized signal into a continuous-time, continuously variable signal. An exemplary converter preferably includes: (1) multiple oversampling converters, each processing a different frequency band, operated in parallel; (2) multirate (i.e., polyphase) delta-sigma modulators (preferably second-order or higher); (3) multi-bit quantizers; (4) multi-bit-to-variable-level signal converters, such as resistor ladder networks or current source networks; (5) adaptive nonlinear, bit-mapping to compensate for mismatches in the multi-bit-to-variable-level signal converters (e.g., by mimicking such mismatches and then shifting the resulting noise to a frequently range where it will be filtered out by a corresponding bandpass (reconstruction) filter); (6) multi-band (e.g., programmable noise-transfer-function response) bandpass delta-sigma modulators; and/or (7) a digital pre-distortion linearizer (DPL) for canceling noise and distortion introduced by an analog signal bandpass (reconstruction) filter bank.
US08896465B2
A method is described for providing an advanced indication to a driver that a road segment which will require his attention is located along his route. The method comprising: a) detecting the vehicle's current location and identifying a road segment that the driver is about to reach; b) for the identified road segment, retrieving values of driving performance parameters associated therewith; c) evaluating whether any of the retrieved values exceeds a pre-defined threshold, and based on that evaluation, determining whether the identified road segment is a low service level segment and thus would require the driver's attention; and d) providing the driver with an advanced indication indicating the road segment which has been determined as being a segment of a low service level for the driver.
US08896464B2
At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a navigation device for providing warnings when a detection point of a speed trap is approached, including a processor unit arranged to communicate with memory unit and to receive positional information from a positioning device. The memory unit may include a speed trap database, including at least one detection point of a location of a speed trap. The navigation device of at least one embodiment is arranged to provide a warning when one of the at least one detection point is approached. The memory unit is further arranged to include at least a further detection point associated with at least one of the stored detection points, both relating to a same point to point speed trap. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device is arranged to provide a warning when the further detection point is approached or has been passed.
US08896462B2
The present invention is directed to an implantable medical device and a method for power management for power efficient use of RF telemetry during, for example, conditions where long periods of continuous monitoring of the device and the patient is desired such as during MRI procedures. A protocol module adapted to, at receipt of a low power protocol indication, activate and use a low power protocol for communication between the device and external units. The protocol module is capable of switching between different communication protocols including a low power communication protocol and a default RF communication protocol depending on, for example, whether continuous long-term monitoring of the patient is performed. During the low power communication protocol, the protocol module is adapted to select parts of stored electrophysical and/or hemodynamical signal waveforms for telemetric transmission and to create communication packages having a predetermined length using the selected parts of the electrophysiological and/or hemodynamical signal waveform. Further, a transmitter is instructed to transmit the communication packages at predetermined transmission intervals and the telemetry module is instructed to power down the transmitter or set the transmitter in a lowest possible activation state during intermediate periods between the transmission intervals.
US08896451B2
Improved beam-interruption type pest detection devices adaptable to mounting on known pest traps utilizing a focused reflective optical sensor providing reduced clogging risk, increased sensitivity, increased sensing consistency and reduced energy consumption, and which can be electronically networked providing improved pest detection, analysis, and management.
US08896446B2
Described is a device for electronic access control (EAC) and surveillance. The device includes an EAC module and an imager integrated in a single unit. The EAC module controls physical access through a secure portal and the imager maintains surveillance of an observation area near the portal. A data signal is provided at a data port proximate to the EAC module and imager. The data signal includes EAC data for the portal, image or video data of the observation area and optional audio data. The device can be configured to communicate with a remote server and database over an IP data network. The device can also include one or more analytical modules for real-time computation and processing of data and generation of metadata for transmission over the data network. Correlating and combining current and historical data from multiple devices results in powerful real time threat detection and forensic search capability.
US08896438B2
In some embodiments, a technique for logging an item encountered by a mobile device comprises automatically detecting an item in an uncontrolled environment, extracting an identity associated with the item, logging an encounter, wherein the encounter includes the identity, and deleting the encounter after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, wherein the encounter is not marked as relevant.
US08896430B2
According to various embodiments, a fleet management system is provided for capturing, storing, and analyzing telematics data to improve fleet management operations. The fleet management system may be used, for example, by a shipping entity (e.g., a common carrier) to capture telematics data from a plurality of vehicle sensors located on various delivery vehicles and to analyze the captured telematics data. In particular, various embodiments of the fleet management system are configured to analyze engine idle data in relation to other telematics data in order to identify inefficiencies, safety hazards, and theft hazards in a driver's delivery process. The fleet management system may also be configured to assess various aspects of vehicle performance, such as vehicle travel delays and vehicle speeds. These analytical capabilities allow the fleet management system to assist fleet managing entities, or other entities, in analyzing driver performance, reducing fuel and maintenance costs, and improving route planning.
US08896427B1
A portable thermal image emergency exit marking device for use by firefighters and rescue personnel includes a polygonal housing having electrical heating elements on side panels that are shaped to form infrared heat generating words or symbols indicating an escape exit which are clearly visible by a thermal imaging camera, a flashing strobe light, and an audible alarm, to guide firefighters to the exit of a burning smoke-filled building. The configuration of the infrared heating elements avoids confusion and clearly distinguishes the words or symbols from other hot spots, heat emitting objects, and burning objects in the environment of the burning structure. An accessory adjustably supports the marking device at various heights above the floor surface when desired. The housing may have a ring for connecting a rope that can be extended from the housing to an exit of the burning structure and followed to exit the burning structure.
US08896416B1
One or more media is provided for performing a method of operating an electronic locking mechanism. Initially, a request from a requesting mobile device is received at a computing device via a sensing device. The request includes an identifier utilized in an initial validation sequence having the following steps: identifying a device identity according to the identifier, transmitting the device identity with a request that a message be communicated to a target mobile device, and determining validation data. Upon receiving the request, a communications network identifies the target mobile device, based on the device identity, and communicates a message with validation data therein. The mobile device conveys authentication information to the computing device, where the authentication information is based on the validation data. The computing device compares the authentication information against the determined validation data to determine whether the targeted mobile device is authorized to operate the electronic locking mechanism.
US08896408B2
A composite resistor includes a thin film resistor element having a first temperature coefficient of resistance and a metal resistor element having a second temperature coefficient of resistance. A portion of the metal resistor element overlaps a portion of the thin film resistor element such that the portion of the metal resistor element is in thermal communication with the portion of the thin film resistor element to compensate for a resistance drift arising during operation of the composite resistor.
US08896404B2
There are provided a coil component and a method of manufacturing the same. The coil component includes a core; at least one bobbin coupled to the core and having a coil wound therearound; and a base having the core seated therein and including an external connection terminal, wherein one side of the core is seated in the bobbin and the other side thereof is exposed to the outside of the base.
US08896400B1
An ultrathin, low cost, beamformer with excellent RF performance and robust coaxial connections is disclosed. The beamformer includes a dielectric substrate sheet with a beamformer circuit, a preform sheet adjacent to the substrate sheet, and a conductive backing plate sandwiching the preform as well as an RF absorber. The beamformer also includes robust input and output coaxial connections in which the heads of the coaxial input and output pins are captured between the conductive backing plate and the substrate sheet and ground shrouds are attached to the dielectric substrate sheet.
US08896379B2
Provided is an error amplifier. The error amplifier includes: an amplifying unit receiving first and second input signals and amplifying a voltage difference between the received first and second input signals; a first voltage generating unit generating first and second driving voltages for driving the amplifying unit; a second voltage generating unit generating first and second body voltages to implement a body biasing method; a cascode current source including first to fourth PMOS transistors to provide a bias current to the amplifying unit and the first voltage generating unit; and an output unit outputting a signal of the voltage difference amplified by the amplifying unit, wherein the first and third PMOS transistors receive the first body voltage through a body terminal and the second and fourth PMOS transistors receive the second body voltage through a body terminal.
US08896365B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor switch includes a main element including a switching element and an antiparallel diode, and a reverse voltage application circuit. The reverse voltage application circuit includes an auxiliary electric-power supply, a high-speed free wheeling diode, an auxiliary element, and a capacitor. The high-speed free wheeling diode comprises a plurality of diodes connected in series.
US08896362B2
A control circuit for generating a first control signal and a second control signal includes: an inverter, used for generating an inverted clock according to an input clock; a first delay circuit, used for generating a first delay control signal; a second delay circuit, used for generating a second delay control signal; a first mask circuit, used for generating a first mask signal according to the input clock; a second mask circuit, used for generating a second mask signal according to the inverted input clock; a first logic determining circuit, used for generating the first control signal to the first delay circuit according to the second mask signal and the input clock; and a second logic determining circuit, used for generating the second control signal to the second delay circuit according to the first mask signal and the inverted clock.
US08896358B2
A phase interpolator includes an adaptively biased phase mixer, phase control circuitry and an adaptive bias generator. The adaptively biased phase mixer has mixing transistor circuitry configured to provide an output phase signal in response to a plurality of phase control signals, a bias current, and a number of phase input signals offset in phase from one another. The adaptively biased phase mixer further has adjustable bias transistor circuitry configured to adjust the bias current provided to the mixing transistor circuitry in response to an adaptive bias signal.
US08896353B2
A population of drivers is provided in parallel to a driver output and a population of pre-emphasis path drivers is provided in parallel to the driver output. The population of drivers is updated and the population of pre-emphasis path drivers is updated in an inverse relation to the updating of the population of pre-emphasis path drivers. Optionally, the population of drivers has an initial value of n and the population of pre-emphasis path drivers has an initial value of m, and the sum of n and m is P. Optionally, the updated population of n is n′ and the updated population of m is m′, and n′ is approximately equal to P−m′.
US08896350B2
A sampling circuit and a sampling method are provided, where the sampling circuit includes a first delay chain, a second delay chain, and a half-speed binary-phase detector. The first delay chain is used to delay an input signal according to an up signal and a down signal, so as to generate a first delay signal; and the second delay chain is used to delay the first delay signal according to a preset delay value, so as to generate a second delay signal. The half-speed binary-phase detector is used to sample a data signal according to edge trigger of the first delay signal and that of the second delay signal, and generate an output signal, an up signal, and a down signal according to a sampling result of the data signal.
US08896345B2
A semiconductor device including a PLD which can increase the execution speed of an application with low power consumption is provided. The semiconductor device includes a programmable logic device and a processor which is not dynamically reconfigured. A memory element of the programmable logic device stores a plurality of pieces of configuration data determined to have high frequency of use by a memory module among configuration data corresponding to a thread. The memory element includes a storage element and a switch in each of a plurality of memory cells. The switch is used for supplying charge whose amount is determined by the plurality of pieces of stored configuration data to the storage element, retaining the charge in the storage element, and discharging the charge from the storage element.
US08896339B2
A semiconductor wafer includes semiconductor chips divided by a dicing line, one of the semiconductor chips including terminals of an identical potential; a wiring located on the dicing line, and electrically connecting the terminals to each other; and a pad electrically connected through the wiring to the terminals, wherein the pad is located entirely on the semiconductor chip and is not present on the dicing line.
US08896337B2
An apparatus and method for measurement of radiation intensity for testing reliability of a solar cell, and a method for testing the reliability of the solar cell. The apparatus includes a first solar cell receiving a predetermined intensity of radiation or more to generate electricity, a second solar cell receiving a predetermined intensity of radiation or more to generate electricity; a temperature sensor sensing a temperature of the second solar cell; a cooler cooling the first solar cell; and a controller measuring the intensity of radiation applied to the first solar cell, and controlling the cooler to prevent the temperature of the first solar cell from increasing above a predetermined temperature depending on the temperature of the second solar cell sensed by the temperature sensor.
US08896325B2
A capacitance sensing circuit comprises a capacitive device having a capacitance, the device initially being at a first voltage level. The capacitance sensing circuit is capable of applying one or more pull-up currents to the device during one or more corresponding pull-up periods of time, for changing the first voltage level into one or more corresponding pull-up voltage levels; applying a measurement current to the device; and measuring a measurement period of time, during which one of the pull-up voltage levels changes into a second voltage level. A method of sensing a capacitance of a capacitive device comprises applying a first voltage to the device; applying one or more pull-up currents during corresponding pull-up times, for changing the first voltage into corresponding pull-up voltages; applying a measurement current; and measuring a time, during which one pull-up voltage changes into a second voltage.
US08896309B2
In order to increase the speed at which a user of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system may electrically or optically connect and physically attach a spine coil unit to the MRI system, the spine coil unit includes a connector extending away from a side of a spine coil housing. The spine coil unit is positioned on a patient table of the MRI system and moved along the patient table of the MRI system adjacent to or in physical contact with a corresponding MRI system-side connector. A lever rotatably attached to the spine coil housing may be rotated into a corresponding recess in the MRI system to physically attach and electrically or optically connect the connector of the spine coil housing and/or to positionally fix the spine coil housing relative to the MRI system-side connector.
US08896308B2
Gradient coil assemblies for horizontal magnetic resonance imaging systems (MRIs) and methods of their manufacture. Some embodiments may be used with open MRIs and can be used with an instrument placed in the gap of the MRI. In general, concentrations of conductors or radially oriented conductors may be moved away from the gap of the MRI so as to reduce eddy currents that may be induced in any instrument placed within the gap. Systems for directly cooling primary gradient and shield coils may be utilized and various coil supporting structures may be used to assist in coil alignment or to facilitate use of an instrument in the MRI gap.
US08896306B2
A technique is provided for detecting a magnetic characteristic variable in particular the magnetic field strength in a section of a core permeated by a magnetic flux. A portion of the magnetic flux is branched off from the core and passed via a magnetic shunt branch, in which at least one non-ferromagnetic gap is formed. A shunt part is disposed in the shunt branch, wherein the magnetic material of the shunt part is not saturated. At least one section of the shunt part is wound with at least one sensor coil in which the branched-off portion of the magnetic flux generates a sensor signal by induction. The magnetic characteristic variable is determined from the branched-off portion of the magnetic flux or a variable derived therefrom using a sensor and evaluation device to which the sensor signal is fed.
US08896297B2
An angle detection error is prevented by using a columnar permanent magnet that is radially double-pole-magnetized as a rotating angle detecting sensor while preventing a gap between a plurality of magnetic sensors and an end face of the permanent magnet from being narrowed. The permanent magnet is a ferrite magnet or an alnico magnet having a diameter of 4 mm to 20 mm, and an axial length of 3 mm to 5 mm. The plurality of magnetic sensors detects radial magnetic flux densities at positions axially spaced 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm apart from a central portion of the permanent magnet, the central portion having a diameter equal to or smaller than 20% of the magnet diameter to make it possible to perform detection in a range in which a distribution curve of a radial magnetic flux density has a moderate inclination.
US08896290B2
A current sensor for measuring medium-voltage currents. The current sensor includes an input terminal configured to receive a current, an output terminal configured to transmit the current, a closed core made from a magnetic material and comprising a gap, at least one conductor operably connected to the input terminal and the output terminal and passing through the closed core, the at least one conductor sized to carry the current, and a molded case of solid dielectric material configured to encapsulate the closed core and the at least one conductor, wherein the gap and the terminals are not encapsulated by the molded case. The molded case is dimensioned such that internal and external spacings defined by the molded case are suitable for continuous operation with a medium voltage current as applied to the terminals and the at least one conductor while the core is at ground potential.
US08896289B2
A circuit includes an input stage, a comparison stage, and a calibration stage. The input stage is configured to receive a first input signal, to generate a first reference signal, and to generate a second reference signal. The comparison stage is configured to generate a first comparison output signal in response to the first reference signal and a third reference signal and to generate a second comparison output signal in response to the second reference signal and a fourth reference signal. The calibration stage is configured to generate a detection signal responsive to the presence of the first comparison output signal and the second comparison output signal having a signal frequency within a predetermined frequency band.
US08896288B2
Methods, circuits, and systems for determining the presence of a chopped input signal are disclosed. A digital signal generator can produce multiple digital signals when an alternating current (AC) signal input reaches multiple threshold voltages. The times at which the threshold voltages are reached can be determined by looking at the times at which the digital signals go high and low. The differences between the times at which the digital signals go high and low are used to determine if the AC signal input is a leading or trailing edge chopped signal. The AC input signal is a leading edge chopped signal when the difference between the times at which the digital signals go high is less than a predetermined time threshold, and is a trailing edge chopped signal when the difference between the times at which the digital signals go low is less than a predetermined time threshold.
US08896276B1
A DC-DC converter, capable of operation in either a boost or buck mode, includes a voltage source connected to an input switch through an inductive element such that a closed loop is formed. The DC-DC converter includes a switching network that receives one or more clock signals from an external clock source. The switching network has a first terminal connected to the inductive element, a second terminal connected to a first capacitor, and a third terminal connected to a second capacitor, wherein the switching network enables charging of the first capacitor and the second capacitor based on one or more clock signals such that the first capacitor and the second capacitor are charged alternately. The DC-DC converter includes a filter connected to a fourth terminal of the switching network, wherein the first capacitor and the second capacitor discharge alternately based on the one or more clock signals through the filter.
US08896272B2
Embodiments of the present invention include electronic circuits, systems, and methods for charging a battery. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method, which may be implemented by an integrated circuit, comprising charging the battery using a constant current until the voltage on the battery increases to a first voltage level, and charging the battery using a constant voltage, wherein the constant voltage is set to a second voltage level. The constant current charging transitions to constant voltage charging when the voltage on the battery reaches the first voltage level, where the first voltage level is greater than the second voltage level.
US08896269B2
The present invention provides a battery management device and a portable computer, the battery management device is for managing the rechargeable battery provided in a portable computer, the portable computer is provided with a charge circuit for charging a battery, the battery management device comprises: a discharge circuit for discharge the battery; a acquiring module for acquire the mode determining parameter; a first determining module for judging whether the battery storage mode is entered according to the mode determining parameter; a first control module for controlling the charge circuit or the discharge circuit to control the amount of electrical charge of the battery so that the amount of electrical charge of the battery is lower than the second amount of electrical charge threshold in the battery storage mode; the performance of the battery when deposited with the amount of electrical charge lower than the second amount of electrical charge threshold is better than the performance when deposited with the amount of electrical charge higher than the second amount of electrical charge threshold. The present invention alleviates the attenuation of the amount of electrical charge capacity of the rechargeable battery of the portable computer.
US08896268B2
There is provided a charge/discharge control circuit and a battery assembly including an accurate overcurrent protecting circuit with low consumption current characteristics. The charge/discharge control circuit comprises a current protecting circuit including: a reference voltage circuit having a reference transistor for detecting overcurrent flowing through a control transistor to turn it on, and a constant current circuit; and a comparison circuit for comparing voltage on the reference voltage circuit with voltage generated by overcurrent flowing through the control transistor, wherein when no overcurrent flows, the electric current flowing through the reference voltage circuit is interrupted to reduce power consumption.
US08896264B2
A system and method for inductive charging with support for multiple charging protocols. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a base unit having one or more charger coils, for use in inductive charging; and one or more components within the base unit and/or a mobile device for supporting multiple different charging protocols, for use with the mobile device. When a mobile device having one or more receiver coils or receivers associated with, is placed in proximity to the base unit, the system determines a charging protocol for use with the charger coil to inductively generate a current in the receiver coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device.
US08896262B2
This invention relates to a transportable electricity generation unit (30) suitable to supply electric power to an external load (51). Said electricity generation unit (30) comprises: a photovoltaic generation unit (1) and/or an aerogenerator generating a first electric power (P1), a water electrolyzer (4) connected to said photovoltaic generation unit (1) and/or aerogenerator, said electrolyzer being capable of producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water; a tank (3) to store the hydrogen deriving from said electrolysis of water; a fuel cell unit (2) fed with the hydrogen produced by said electrolyzer (4) or stored in said tank (3), said fuel cell (2) generating a second electric power (P2), a battery accumulator unit (5); an electronic power control device (8) comprising means for controlling the flow of said first electric power (P1) and said second and third electric power (P2, P3) to said external load (51), controlling the flow of said first electric power (P1) to said water electrolyzer (4), and for controlling production and storage of hydrogen.
US08896259B2
A frequency converter and a method for determining the position of the rotor of an electric machine are provided. The frequency converter includes a load bridge and a control of the load bridge, for supplying electricity between the load bridge and an electric machine connected to the load bridge. The frequency converter includes a determination for at least one electrical parameter of the electric machine, and includes a determination for the position of the rotor of the electric machine. The load bridge is fitted to supply a first alternating electricity excitation signal, which is formed in relation to the electrical angle of the electric machine, to the electric machine. The frequency converter is further fitted to determine the first alternating electricity response signal corresponding to the first alternating electricity excitation signal, and the position of the rotor is determined on the basis of the first alternating electricity response signal.
US08896258B2
A method for starting an electric motor having a rotor, comprising the following steps:—driving the rotor with a first torque in a first rotational direction, wherein a maximum value of the first torque is not higher than a maximum countertorque acting counter to the rotation of the rotor, so that the rotor comes to a standstill in a first stationary position;—driving the rotor starting from the first stationary position in a second rotational direction that is counter to the first rotational direction until the rotor comes to a standstill in a predefined second stationary position; and—starting from the rotor in the first rotational direction starting from the second stationary position.
US08896255B2
A servo controller, capable of controlling the motion of a movable body with high accuracy, without depending on the position of the movable body which is moved on a ball screw. The servo controller has a position command generating part which generates a position command value; a velocity command generating part which generates a velocity command value based on the position command value and a position detection value; a torque command generating part which generates a torque command value based on the velocity command value and a velocity detection value; and a position compensation calculating part which calculates an amount of expansion/contraction of the ball screw based on a distance from the servomotor to a nut threadably engaged with the ball screw and the torque command value, and calculates a position compensation based on the amount of expansion/contraction.
US08896253B2
A control circuit for a fan includes a fan controller, a switch controller, and a frequency detector. When a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal output pin of the fan controller outputs PWM signals, the frequency detector outputs a high level signal, connecting an input pin of the switch controller to an output pin of the switch controller. The fan receives the PWM signal. When the PWM signal output pin of the fan controller does not output PWM signals, the frequency detector outputs a low level signal, such that the output pin of the switch controller does not output any signal. In this state, the fan receives a high level signal through a resistor and a power supply, enabling the fan to continue operating.
US08896252B2
An electric motor driving device that drives an electric motor including a field winding, a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor and the stator each form a field pole by passing a field current through the field winding, includes: a power supply device; a converter including a reactor that at least partially serves as the field winding shared with the electric motor, and configured to receive a voltage from the power supply device to carry out voltage conversion between first and second power lines and to pass the field current through the field winding during voltage conversion operation; an inverter configured to convert a direct-current power received from the converter to an alternating-current power for driving the electric motor; and a controller controlling the converter so that a current flows through the field winding in the same direction both during power running and regeneration of the electric motor.
US08896251B2
This disclosure relates to diagnosing a power electronic device by itself and extending the diagnostics to an electric machine coupled with the power electronic device and deployed at an operational site. The power electronic device can power and control the electric machine. The diagnostics can include testing the status of the power electronic device, and monitoring hardware changes in the electric machine. The diagnostics can be performed within the power electronic device on demand, periodically, or both. In some instances, the self-diagnostics can evaluate whether components are defective or wired incorrectly, characterized by wrong inductance, and/or resistance, for example. In some implementations, the power electronic device includes a digital signal processing unit for the self-diagnostics and a data record system for recording and troubleshooting errors related to load performance and/or parameters.
US08896247B2
Disclosed is a method for setting a current sensor of a vehicle having a drive motor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include confirming a first condition that a vehicle stops its movement, confirming a second condition that a required torque of a drive motor of a vehicle is 0, stopping a current that is supplied to the drive motor if the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, and compensating offset of the current sensor of a drive motor control unit controlling the drive motor. The offset may be compensated if the first condition and the second condition are satisfied for a predetermined time. Accordingly, an offset of the current sensor is compensated in a predetermined driving condition that the vehicle stops moving and therefore the creep surge and the motor torque ripple that can be generated in the vehicle are prevented.
US08896246B2
A motor includes a rotor and a plurality of pairs of electromagnets. The energy needed for alignment of the rotor is used to generate the first movement in forced commutation and may be combined with the initial energy to start the motor. The logic is configured to align the rotor by energizing the three coils of the motor. PWM is applied to the first coil to control current on the coils; when a maximum PWM duty cycle is reached, the coil not required to rotate the correct direction are released, thereby initiating motion in a rotor. A rotation period is determined. One or more pairs of electromagnets are excited at a first excitation level which may be increased, over a second period, to a second level. The second level may be a higher level than the first level. The rotation period may be decreased over the first and second periods.
US08896239B2
The invention comprises a charged particle beam injection method and apparatus used in conjunction with multi-axis charged particle radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. The negative ion beam source includes a negative ion beam source, vacuum system, an ion beam focusing lens, and/or a tandem accelerator. The negative ion beam source uses electric field lines for focusing a negative ion beam. The negative ion source plasma chamber includes a magnetic material, which provides a magnetic field barrier between a high temperature plasma chamber and a low temperature plasma region. The injection system vacuum system and a synchrotron vacuum system are separated by a conversion foil, where negative ions are converted to positive ions. The foil is sealed to the edges of the vacuum tube providing for a higher partial pressure in the injection system vacuum chamber and a lower pressure in the synchrotron vacuum system.
US08896236B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display is provided. The OLED display includes: a substrate; an organic light emitting element including a first electrode on the substrate, an organic emission layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the organic emission layer; and an encapsulation member encapsulating the organic light emitting element and including a first conductive layer on the organic light emitting element and electrically connected to the second electrode, an insulation layer on the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer on the insulation layer and configured to electrically connect to the first electrode.
US08896233B2
The control system according to the present disclosure integratedly manages a plurality of solar cell lighting apparatuses, each solar cell lighting apparatus including a light emitting source to emit light by a discharge power of a secondary battery and a control unit to adjust a magnitude of the discharge power, and includes a main control unit to collect charge capacity information of each of the secondary batteries included in the plurality of solar cell lighting apparatuses from the control unit of each of the plurality of solar cell lighting apparatuses, determine at least one solar cell lighting apparatus needed to control a light intensity based on the charge capacity collected from the secondary batteries, and output a light intensity control signal to the control unit of the determined solar cell lighting apparatus, to achieve charge capacity balancing of the secondary batteries.
US08896228B2
Improved circuits minimize, or eliminate, energy losses in the supply of energy to control LEDs. Diodes and a capacitor reduce or eliminate LED blinking, and create smooth and continuous, infinitely variable dimming. The components are added to supply power to each LED during the half of the AC cycle where it would normally be turned off. A first added diode allows an added capacitor to charge during the half cycle that the original diode is turned on, but does not allow the other half cycle to discharge the added capacitor. When the added capacitor is charged enough to turn on the original diode, it stays on throughout the AC cycle. The same relationship exists between the second added diode, the added capacitor and the second original diode. Zener diodes protect the LEDs from voltage surges/spikes by shunting current around LEDs when the voltage exceeds the Zener diode's breakdown voltage.
US08896223B2
A LED driving device comprises a rectification circuit, a holding current circuit and a driving circuit to drive and linearly regulates an illumination brightness of at least one LED by utilizing level variation of current magnitude. The rectification circuit rectifies and outputs a rectified voltage to the holding current circuit and the driving circuit by filtering impulses via a filter after receiving an alternating current voltage. The driving circuit outputs a driving current filtered by a filter capacitor to the LED, and the driving current is sensed by a sensing resistor to allow the holding current circuit outputting a holding current to the rectification circuit such that the whole circuit power can be improved to reduce problems of noise interference and twinkling.
US08896220B2
A device, system and method to drive light emitting diodes (LEDs) are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a string of LEDs coupled across a voltage source configured to provide an input voltage. The string of LEDs may include a plurality of separate groups of LEDs and a plurality of switch circuits. Each of the switch circuits may include a switch coupled in parallel with an associated one of the groups of LEDs to control current flow through the associated group of LEDs in response to a control signal from a controller circuit. A switch protection circuit may be associated with at least one of the switches. A steering circuit may also be coupled in series and associated with each of the groups of LEDs.
US08896215B2
An illumination system verifies controls the operation of a luminaire without the use of any photometric data. The illumination system uses data indicative of a current time, date or latitude to determine one or more aspects of a solar event. Such aspects can include a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event. Responsive to the determination of a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event, a control subsystem can adjust the luminous output of a light source.
US08896214B2
A LED driving system comprising: an input port to receive an input signal; a switch node to provide a switching signal; an energy storage component coupled between the input port and the switch node; a main switch coupled between the switch node and ground; n output lines coupled in parallel, and each output line having a first and second terminals, and wherein the first terminal is coupled to the switch node, and the second terminal is coupled the reference ground, and wherein each output line having an output switch, a diode and a LED string coupled in series between the first and second terminals, and wherein each output line having a capacitor coupled in parallel with the LED string; and a controller providing a control signal to the main switch and providing corresponding n control signals to the corresponding n output switches in the corresponding n output lines.
US08896213B1
A ballast is designed to adaptively warm-up one or more lamps driven by the ballast when the lamps are dimmed to a selected dimming level and lamp impedance instability results. The ballast can therefore maintain a stable light output in low ambient temperature conditions that normally cause lamp impedance instability and visible flickering of the lamp. The ballast uses lamp impedance sensing circuit to sense lamp instability and adaptively warms up the lamp whenever the ballast detects lamp instability by increasing the current provided to the lamp (i.e., current through the lamp) for a predetermined period of time.
US08896212B2
A thermal control circuit comprises a positive temperature coefficient thermistor array, a negative temperature coefficient thermistor array, and a resistor array. The positive temperature coefficient thermistor array and the resistor array are electrically connected in parallel to a first terminal of the thermal control circuitry. The negative temperature coefficient thermistor array is electrically connected to a second terminal of the thermal control circuit. The positive temperature coefficient thermistor array, a negative temperature coefficient thermistor array, and the resistor array are all connected by a negative bus to a third terminal of the thermal control circuit.
US08896210B2
A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber; a lower electrode serving as a mounting table for mounting thereon a target object; and an upper electrode or an antenna electrode provided to be opposite to the lower electrode. The apparatus further includes a gas supply source for introducing a gas including a halogen-containing gas and an oxygen gas into the processing chamber and a high frequency power supply for applying a high frequency power for generating plasma to at least one of the upper electrode, the antenna electrode, or the lower electrode. Among inner surfaces of the processing chamber which are exposed to the plasma, at least a part of or all of the surfaces between a mounting position of the target object and the upper electrode, or the antenna electrode; or at least a part of or all of the surfaces of the upper electrode or the antenna electrode are coated with a fluorinated compound.
US08896209B2
A programmed start ballast circuit is presented having a mode control circuit to selectively switch an inverter output load to control operation for cathode preheating, step dimming and/or anti-arcing operation.
US08896206B1
A three-dimensional (3D) lamp tube includes a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal formed at both ends of the 3D lamp tube respectively, and a plurality of straight tube sections disposed between the first and second electrode terminals, and a bent section is disposed between two straight tube sections, and the first electrode terminal is extended upwardly from one of the straight tube sections and through the plurality of bent sections, and bent along an external periphery of the first electrode terminal to produce an arc 3D structure, and finally extended downwardly from another straight tube section to the second electrode terminal, so that the space and volume occupied by the 3D lamp tube can be concentrated to improve the drawback of the conventional lamp tube that can only be applied to a large planar lamp socket and to replace the conventional light bulb.
US08896202B2
A display device is disclosed. The display device comprises a flexible display screen and a body supporting the flexible display screen. The body comprises a first body comprising a sloping surface on a cross-section, a second body, and a third body comprising a sloping surface on a cross-section. The body comprises a first bending portion provided between the first body and the second body, and the sloping surface of the first body is attached to the second body by the rotation of the first body.
US08896201B2
An organic light emitting device including a plurality of organic layers between a first electrode and an emitting layer, wherein the organic layer includes an electron blocking layer. In one embodiment, a first organic layer, an electron blocking layer, a second organic layer and an emitting layer are formed on the first electrode. The electron blocking layer has a Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) level which is lower than that of the first organic layer. Thus, the electron blocking layer traps excess electrons injected from the emitting layer, thereby improving lifetime characteristics of the OLED.
US08896191B2
The present invention provides a low pressure metal halide fluorescent lamp. The metal halide fluorescent lamp may have an oblate spheroid cavity discharge vessel filled with an ionizable metal halide surrounding an exciter housing. An exciter within the exciter housing may drive the ionizable metal halide in an inductively coupled electrode-less manner. One or more embodiments may include one or more heat spreaders and/or thermal transfer pipes for transferring heat from the exciter to a surface of the oblate discharge vessel.
US08896189B2
A stator for an electric rotating machine includes a hollow cylindrical stator core, a stator coil, an outer cylinder, and at least one restraint. The stator core is comprised of a plurality of stator core segments that are arranged in the circumferential direction of the stator core to adjoin one another in the circumferential direction. The stator coil is mounted on the stator core. The outer cylinder is fitted on the radially outer surfaces of the stator core segments so as to fasten the stator core segments together. The restraint is arranged on an axial side of the stator core and retained by the outer cylinder so as to restrain axial deformation of the stator core segments due to the fastening force of the outer cylinder.
US08896186B2
Disclosed is an apparatus used in an electronic device for providing haptic feedback. The apparatus includes a holder having a pair fastening holes, a piezoelectric vibrator having a first though holes, a terminal with a second though hole mounted on the piezoelectric vibrator and electrically connected to the piezoelectric vibrator, and a pair of fixing portions fixing the terminal and the piezoelectric vibrator on the holder though the second though hole of the terminal, a first though holes of the piezoelectric vibrator and the fastening holes of the holder. The fixing portions fix the terminal and piezoelectric vibrator on the holder, which makes the assembling process much easier.
US08896185B2
A piezoelectric device (100) comprises: a piezoelectric vibrating piece (101); a frame body (105) separated from piezoelectric vibrating piece by through-hole (108); a piezoelectric frame (10) having a supporting portion (104), a first surface (Me) and a second surface (Mi); a package lid (11) having a first connecting surface (M1) a package base (12), including a mounting surface (M4) for forming a pair of external electrodes (125) and a top surface having a second connecting surface (M2); a first sealing material (LG1) formed between the first connecting surface and the first surface; and a second sealing material (LG2) formed between the second connecting surface and the second surface. The first sealing material or the second sealing material extends to a side surface (M3) of the through-hole.
US08896173B2
There is provided a spindle motor including: upper and lower thrust parts fixedly installed on a shaft; a reception part formed in the rotor hub to thereby receive an end portion of the upper thrust part and form an oil interface together with the upper thrust part; and a clamp fixing part inserted into the reception part while having a clearance with the upper thrust part, and guiding a position of a clamp for fixing the recording medium.
US08896170B2
A method for making a rotary electric machine comprises the steps of: preparing a core (18) having a plurality of pole expansions and a plurality of windings (100, 200, 300) made of electrically conductive material on the pole expansions, where at least a part of the windings (100, 200, 300) is made from a conductor wire having a free end (14) that can be connected electrically to a mains power supply; stably coupling to each other at least two free ends (14) of different windings (100, 200, 300) so as to connect them to a single power supply terminal; twisting the coupled ends (14) together to form a single electrical termination (5, 6, 7) twisted along a principal line of extension of the electrical termination (5, 6, 7).
US08896167B2
An electric motor coupled to a driven device of a vehicle. The electric motor includes a rotor and a shaft coupled to the rotor. The rotor has at least one radially oriented cavity and at least one fluid channel. The fluid channel extends in a generally axial direction. The fluid channel is fluidly connected to the at least one radially oriented cavity. The shaft has a fluid passageway therein. The at least one radially oriented cavity has a fluid connection to the fluid passageway of the shaft. The at least one radially oriented cavity leads to a radial exit from the rotor for a flow of fluid therefrom.
US08896161B2
An electronic device comprises a solar cell a main body which includes a display unit, a battery, and a processing unit and a power controller which connects the solar cell and the main body and controls the electronic device so that power generated from the solar cell is stored in the battery or used in the main body depending on a state of the main body.
US08896154B2
With a power conversion device, it is possible to lengthen the lifespan of a mechanical switch by preventing an absorption by the mechanical switch of induction energy accumulated in a reactor when there is a problem. When a mechanical switch is turned off when there is a problem, an absorption by the mechanical switch of induction energy accumulated in a reactor is prevented by the energy accumulated in the reactor being released to a capacitor via a diode, thus enabling a lengthening of the lifespan of the mechanical switch.
US08896152B2
An uninterruptible power supply includes a first input to receive input power from an input power source, an output to provide output power, a switch, a first logic power supply coupled to the switch, a back-up power source, a charger, a main logic power supply and power converter circuitry. The switch is configured to close when a characteristic of the input power is within a selected range. The first logic power supply is coupled to the switch and configured to receive input power from the input power source when the switch is closed. The first logic power supply has a first DC output. The back-up power source has a second DC output and is coupled to the first DC output at a common node. The charger has a third DC output and is coupled to the common node. The main logic power supply is coupled to the common node and is configured to receive at least one of the first DC output, the second DC output and the third DC output. The power converter circuitry is coupled to the backup power source and the first input and is configured to provides the output power derived from at least one of power at the first input and power from the backup power source.
US08896150B1
The multi-socket power adapter includes a main housing unit and an extension unit mounted inside the main housing unit. The main housing unit includes a recess for the extension unit. A ribbon cable wound on a spool is housed inside the extension unit. The ribbon cable protrudes through the extension unit into the main housing unit to establish an electrical connection, which allows the extension unit to be used as a conventional extension cord. The extension unit includes a plurality of power plug sockets and a power switch for each plug socket so that power to each socket can be controlled. The main housing unit also includes a power switch and a power consumption monitor.
US08896136B2
In accordance with an embodiment, a structure comprises a substrate having a first area and a second area; a through substrate via (TSV) in the substrate penetrating the first area of the substrate; an isolation layer over the second area of the substrate, the isolation layer having a recess; and a conductive material in the recess of the isolation layer, the isolation layer being disposed between the conductive material and the substrate in the recess.
US08896135B2
Disclosed is an encapsulation film. An inorganic oxide film is formed on an organic sealing layer by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) to form the encapsulation film, wherein the organic sealing layer is a polymer containing hydrophilic groups. The organic sealing layer and the inorganic oxide layer have covalent bondings therebetween. The encapsulation film can solve the moisture absorption problem of conventional organic sealing layers, thereby being suitable for use as a package of optoelectronic devices.
US08896132B2
An electronic device 1 has a first semiconductor substrate 2 on which a bonding projection section 42 is projected via an insulation film 41, a second semiconductor substrate 3 that is bonded by welding the bonding projection section 42 of the first semiconductor substrate 2 via conductive bonding material, a through hole 54 that is formed to penetrate the bonding projection section 42 and the insulation film 41 in a bonding direction, and a conduction wiring section 44 that is formed by the conductive bonding material filled in the through hole 54 at a time of bonding by welding and conducts the first semiconductor substrate 2 with the second semiconductor substrate 3 to have same electric potential.
US08896128B2
An integrated circuit is provided, the integrated circuit including: a chip having a first chip side and a second chip side opposite to the first chip side, the chip having at least one contact area on the second chip side; encapsulation material at least partially covering the chip; and at least one contact via comprising electrical conductive material contacting the at least one contact area and extending through the encapsulation material and through the chip between the first chip side and the second chip side.
US08896127B2
An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a hard mask layer formed on the semiconductor substrate. The integrated circuit structure further includes at least a conductive layer formed in the hard mask layer and a via extending from the hard mask layer to at least a portion of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the via has a round corner and a tapered sidewall.
US08896126B2
An integrated circuit package includes a first memory die having a first set of connections, a second memory die arranged adjacent to the first memory die, the second memory die having a second set of connections, a first substrate having a first opening and a second opening, the first substrate having a third set of connections to connect to the first set of connections of the first memory die via the first opening and a fourth set of connections to connect to the second set of connections of the second memory die via the second opening, and a second substrate having a first integrated circuit disposed thereon. The first substrate is connected to the second substrate with the first integrated circuit disposed between the first substrate and second substrate.
US08896124B2
A circuit device is configured with robust circuit connectors. In connection with various example embodiments, an integrated circuit device includes one or more via network layers below a bond pad contact, connecting the bond pad contact with one or more underlying metal layers. Each via network layer includes a plurality of via strips extending about parallel to the bond pad contact and in different directions to structurally support the bond pad contact.
US08896121B2
An assembly of semiconductor wafers/chips wherein the adjacent surfaces of the two wafers/chips comprise an insulating layer having opposite copper pads inserted therein. The insulating layer is made of a material selected from the group including silicon nitride and silicon carbon nitride.
US08896120B2
Methods for producing air gap-containing metal-insulator interconnect structures for VLSI and ULSI devices using a photo-patternable low k material as well as the air gap-containing interconnect structure that is formed are disclosed. More particularly, the methods described herein provide interconnect structures built in a photo-patternable low k material in which air gaps of different depths are defined by photolithography in the photo-patternable low k material. In the methods of the present invention, no etch step is required to form the air gaps. Since no etch step is required in forming the air gaps within the photo-patternable low k material, the methods disclosed in this invention provide highly reliable interconnect structures.
US08896119B2
A semiconductor device is provided which has internal bonds which do not melt at the time of mounting on a substrate. A bonding material is used for internal bonding of the semiconductor device. The bonding material is obtained by filling the pores of a porous metal body having a mesh-like structure and covering the surface thereof with Sn or an Sn-based solder alloy.
US08896099B2
By inhibiting generation of particles, a carbon material and a method of manufacturing the carbon material are provided that can be used in the field of semiconductor manufacturing or the like, in which low dust emission is considered important.A carbon material having a chromium carbide layer formed on a surface of a carbon substrate. The chromium carbide layer is composed of Cr3C2. The carbon material can be manufactured through a first step of forming a chromium carbide layer containing a chromium carbide other than Cr3C2 on a surface of a carbon substrate, and a second step of heat-treating the carbon substrate under a reducing atmosphere to convert the chromium carbide other than Cr3C2 into Cr3C2.
US08896086B1
A system for generating a tamper detection signal indicating tampering with one or more circuits of an integrated circuit (IC) includes a tamper detection module, and wire-pairs connected to the tamper detection module and arranged in a winding configuration to form a wire-mesh. The wire-mesh is placed a predefined distance from the circuits. The tamper detection module generates and provides serial bit-streams to the wire-pairs for detecting a breach in the wire-mesh by an external probe.
US08896076B2
A photoelectric conversion element of an embodiment is a photoelectric conversion element which performs photoelectric conversion by receiving illumination light having n light emission peaks having a peak energy Ap (eV) (where 1≦p≦n and 2≦n) of 1.59≦Ap≦3.26 and a full width at half maximum Fp (eV) (where 1≦p≦n and 2≦n), wherein the photoelectric conversion element includes m photoelectric conversion layers having a band gap energy Bq (eV) (where 1≦q≦m and 2≦m≦n), and the m photoelectric conversion layers each satisfy the relationship of Ap−Fp
US08896073B2
Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a substrate including at least one light sensor; an interconnect structure over the substrate; at least one passivation layer over the interconnect structure, said passivation layer including a first area over the at least one light sensor; and a gas sensor such as a moisture sensor at least partially on a further area of the at least one passivation layer, wherein the gas sensor comprises a gas sensitive layer in between a first electrode and a second electrode, the gas sensitive layer further comprising a portion over the first area. A method of manufacturing such an IC is also disclosed.
US08896070B2
The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus with embedded (bottom side) control lines for vertically stacked semiconductor elements. In accordance with various embodiments, a first semiconductor wafer is provided with a first facing surface on which a first conductive layer is formed. The first semiconductor wafer is attached to a second semiconductor wafer to form a multi-wafer structure, the second semiconductor wafer having a second facing surface on which a second conductive wafer is formed. The first conductive layer is contactingly bonded to the second conductive layer to form an embedded combined conductive layer within said structure. Portions of the combined conductive layer are removed to form a plurality of spaced apart control lines that extend in a selected length or width dimension through said structure.
US08896064B2
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure comprises a high voltage P type implanted region disposed underneath an N+ region. The high voltage P type implanted region and the N+ region form a reverse diode or a Zener diode depending on different doping densities. The ESD protection structure further comprises a plurality of P+ and N+ regions. The high voltage P type implanted region and the P+ and N+ regions form a semiconductor device having a breakdown characteristic. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device may be a bipolar PNP transistor. The bipolar PNP transistor and a Zener diode in series connection form an ESD protection circuit. In another embodiment, the semiconductor device may be a Silicon-Controlled Rectifier (SCR), which is series-connected with a reverse diode. Both embodiments provide a reliable ESD protection.
US08896063B2
A plurality of semiconductor fins are formed which extend from a semiconductor material portion that is present atop an insulator layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. A gate structure and adjacent gate spacers are formed that straddle each semiconductor fin. Portions of each semiconductor fin are left exposed. The exposed portions of the semiconductor fins are then merged by forming an epitaxial semiconductor material from an exposed semiconductor material portion that is not covered by the gate structure and gate spacers.
US08896059B1
A semiconductor device including a multi-layered gate, is formed as a stacked structure of a plurality of layers having different work functions.
US08896056B2
It is intended to solve a problem of increase in power consumption and reduction in operating speed due to an increase in parasitic capacitance of a surrounding gate transistor (SGT) as a three-dimensional semiconductor device, to provide an SGT achieving an increase in speed and power consumption reduction in a semiconductor circuit. The semiconductor device comprises a second-conductive type impurity region (510) formed in a part of a first-conductive type semiconductor substrate (100), a first silicon pillar (810) of an arbitrary cross-sectional shape formed on the second-conductive type impurity region, a first insulating body (310) surrounding a part of a surface of the first silicon pillar, a gate (210) surrounding the first insulating body, and a second silicon pillar (820) which is formed on the first silicon pillar and which includes a second-conductive type impurity region (540). The gate is disposed to be separated from the semiconductor substrate by a second insulating body and is disposed to be separated from the second silicon pillar by the second insulating body. The capacitance between the gate and the semiconductor substrate is less than a gate capacitance, and the capacitance between the gate and the second silicon pillar is less than the gate capacitance.
US08896053B2
Technique of improving a manufacturing yield of a semiconductor device including a non-volatile memory cell in a split-gate structure is provided. A select gate electrode of a CG shunt portion is formed so that a second height d2 from the main surface of the semiconductor substrate of the select gate electrode of the CG shunt portion positioned in the feeding region is lower than a first height d1 of the select gate electrode from the main surface of the semiconductor substrate in a memory cell forming region.
US08896052B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of an embodiment includes: a semiconductor layer; a tunnel insulating film that is formed on the semiconductor layer and includes a first organic molecular film including first organic molecules each having an alkyl molecular chain as the main chain; a charge storage layer formed on the tunnel insulating film, the charge storage layer being made of an inorganic material; a block insulating film formed on the charge storage layer; and a control gate electrode formed on the block insulating film.
US08896050B2
An electronic device can include a tunnel structure that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and tunnel dielectric layer disposed between the electrodes. In a particular embodiment, the tunnel structure may or may not include an intermediate doped region that is at the primary surface, abuts a lightly doped region, and has a second conductivity type opposite from and a dopant concentration greater than the lightly doped region. In another embodiment, the electrodes have opposite conductivity types. In a further embodiment, an electrode can be formed from a portion of a substrate or well region, and the other electrode can be formed over such portion of the substrate or well region.
US08896046B2
Provided is a semiconductor device with a novel structure in which stored data can be retained even when power is not supplied, and which does not have a limitation on the number of writing. The semiconductor device includes both a memory circuit including a transistor including an oxide semiconductor (in a broader sense, a transistor whose off-state current is sufficiently small), and a peripheral circuit such as a driver circuit including a transistor including a material other than an oxide semiconductor (that is, a transistor capable of operating at sufficiently high speed). Further, the peripheral circuit is provided in a lower portion and the memory circuit is provided in an upper portion, so that the area and size of the semiconductor device can be decreased.
US08896044B1
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display is provided. The OLED displayer includes a capacitor electrode disposed on a substrate. An insulation layer is disposed on the capacitor electrode. A first active layer is disposed on the insulation layer. The first active layer includes a first doped area, a second doped area, and a first channel area disposed between the first doped area and the second doped area. A first gate electrode is disposed on the first channel area of the first active layer. An organic light emitting diode is disposed on the substrate. The organic light emitting diode is electrically coupled to the second doped area of the first active layer. A driving power source line is disposed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the first doped area of the first active layer and to the capacitor.
US08896039B2
A method for manufacturing a solid-state imaging device includes: forming pixels that receive incident light in a pixel array area of a substrate; forming pad electrodes in a peripheral area located around the pixel array area of the substrate; forming a carbon-based inorganic film on an upper surface of each of the pad electrodes including a connection surface electrically connected to an external component; forming a coated film that covers upper surfaces of the carbon-based inorganic films; and forming an opening above the connection surface of each of the pad electrodes to expose the connection surface.
US08896038B2
A solid-state imaging device with a semiconductor substrate; a pixel formation region in the substrate and including a pixel made of a photoelectric conversion element; and an element isolation portion in the substrate and including an element isolation insulating layer and an impurity element isolation region. The element isolation insulating layer is positioned in a surface of the substrate. The impurity element isolation region is positioned under the element isolation insulating layer and within the substrate. The impurity element isolation region has at least a portion with a width that is narrower than that of the element isolation insulating layer. The photoelectric conversion element extends to a position under the element isolation insulating layer of the element isolation portion.
US08896036B2
A solid-state imaging device in which a pixel circuit formed on the first surface side of a semiconductor substrate is shared by a plurality of light reception regions and second surface side of the semiconductor substrate is the light incident side of the light reception regions. The second surface side regions of the light reception regions are arranged at approximately even intervals and the first surface side regions of the light reception regions e are arranged at uneven intervals. Respective second surface side regions and first surface side regions are joined in the semiconductor substrate so that the light reception regions extend from the second surface side to the first surface side of the semiconductor substrate.
US08896030B2
Integrated circuits including MOSFETs with selectively recessed gate electrodes. Transistors having recessed gate electrodes with reduced capacitive coupling area to adjacent source and drain contact metallization are provided alongside transistors with gate electrodes that are non-recessed and have greater z-height. In embodiments, analog circuits employ transistors with gate electrodes of a given z-height while logic gates employ transistors with recessed gate electrodes of lesser z-height. In embodiments, subsets of substantially planar gate electrodes are selectively etched back to differentiate a height of the gate electrode based on a given transistor's application within a circuit.
US08896029B2
A solid state image pickup device which can prevent color mixture by using a layout of a capacitor region provided separately from a floating diffusion region and a camera using such a device are provided. A photodiode region is a rectangular region including a photodiode. A capacitor region includes a carrier holding unit and is arranged on one side of the rectangle of the photodiode region as a region having a side longer than the one side. In a MOS unit region, an output unit region including an output unit having a side longer than the other side which crosses the one side of the rectangle of the photodiode region is arranged on the other side. A gate region and the FD region are arranged between the photodiode region and the capacitor region.
US08896016B2
An LED lighting module includes a substrate and an LED chip mounted on the substrate. The substrate includes a base made of metal and an insulating layer. The base includes a principal surface and a raised portion above the principal surface. The insulating layer covers the principal surface of the base and exposes at least a part of the raised portion. The LED chip is supported on the raised portion.
US08896006B2
A red-emitting luminescent material that belongs to the class of nitridosilicates and is doped with at least one activator D, in particular Eu, wherein the material is a modified D-doped alkaline earth nitridosilicate M2Si5N8, where M=one or more elements belonging to the group Sr, Ca, Ba, with the nitridosilicate having been stabilized by an oxidic or oxinitridic—in particular alkaline earth—phase.
US08895998B2
Devices, components and methods containing one or more light emitter devices, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) or LED chips, are disclosed. In one aspect, a light emitter device component can include a ceramic body having a top surface, one or more light emitter devices mounted directly or indirectly on the top surface, and one or more electrical components mounted on the top surface and electrically coupled to the one or more light emitter devices, wherein the one or more electrical components can be spaced from the ceramic body by one or more non-metallic layers. Components disclosed herein can result in improved light extraction and thermal management.
US08895997B2
A plurality of electrodes, and carbon nanotubes disposed between the electrodes, at least part of the carbon nanotubes including a metal carbon nanotube are provided. The metal carbon nanotube generates heat upon passing of current to the electrodes and emits light by blackbody radiation, so that the emitted light has a wide emission wavelength region and can be modulated at high speed. This makes it possible to implement a continuum spectrum light source that can be modulated at high speed, which is suitable for use in information communication, electrical and electronic fields.
US08895996B2
A light-emitting device and a lighting device each including a light-emitting element which can recover from a short circuit between a pair of electrodes by itself without adversely affecting the characteristics of the element is provided. An oxide layer is provided so as to be in contact with an electrode of the light-emitting element, whereby, due to heat generated when a short circuit is caused between a pair of electrodes, oxygen in the oxide layer and an electrode material in a short-circuited part are reacted with each other and the electrode material in the short-circuited part can be an insulator. Further, by providing an oxide layer in contact with an electron-injection layer containing an alkaline earth metal, an oxide of the alkaline earth metal can be formed, whereby moisture that enters the insulator formed by an insulation phenomenon in the short-circuited part can be adsorbed and removed.
US08895994B2
An electronic device may include an elongated dielectric substrate having opposing first and second ends, a plurality of conductive pads longitudinally spaced apart along the elongated dielectric substrate, and a plurality of silicon carbide (SiC) (e.g., PiN) diode dies. Each SiC die may have bottom and top diode terminals and may be mounted on a respective conductive pad with the bottom diode terminal in contact therewith. The electronic device may further include at least one internal wirebond between the corresponding conductive pad of one SiC diode die and the top diode terminal of a next SiC diode die, a first external lead electrically coupled to the top diode terminal of a first SiC die and extending longitudinally outwardly from the first end, and a second external lead electrically coupled to the corresponding contact pad of a last SiC diode die and extending longitudinally outwardly from the second end.
US08895978B2
An ohmic contact between an electrode and a semiconductor layer is more stably formed and an electrical contact resistance between them is further reduced.A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor layer 103 composed of an oxide semiconductor material containing indium, an ohmic electrode 107 provided on the semiconductor layer 103 and having an ohmic contact with the semiconductor layer 103, and an intermediate layer 106 provided between the semiconductor layer 103 and the ohmic electrode 107, wherein the intermediate layer 106 includes a first region 106a whose indium atomic concentration is greater than that of an interior of the semiconductor layer 103 and a second region 106b whose indium atomic concentration is less than that of the first region.
US08895974B2
In an organic EL display device (100), an insulating layer (113) includes a first insulating film (113a) and a second insulating film (113b) provided thereabove, a plurality of upper electrodes (115c) are each provided to cover a corresponding one of a plurality of organic EL layers (115b), and a reflection film (114) is provided between the first insulating film (113a) and the second insulating film (113b), corresponding to a region N other than the a light emission region. The reflection film (114) reflects toward a sealing substrate (120) a portion of light generated in each organic EL layer (115b) which is diffused into the region N other than the light emission region so that the portion of the light is transmitted through a separation wall portion (116) and the sealing substrate (120) to be viewed as an image on the sealing substrate.
US08895966B2
Material for organic electroluminescence element, and organic electroluminescence element using same
Provided is a material for an organic electroluminescence device, which further has a bulky carbazolyl group at each of the 3-position and 6-position of its central carbazole skeleton, and which has a dibenzofuran skeleton or a dibenzothiophene skeleton at the N atom of the central carbazole skeleton through a linking group as required. Also provided is an organic electroluminescence device, including one or more organic thin film layers including a light emitting layer between a cathode and an anode, in which at least one layer of the organic thin film layers contains the material for an organic electroluminescence device.
US08895963B2
An organic semiconductor material is represented by the following formula (F):wherein A represents a cyclic conjugated skeleton structure formed of one or more aromatic rings, and R1 and R2 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group. The organic semiconductor material has high electron mobility and high on/off ratio, and can form an organic semiconductor thin film by a solution process making use of its solution.
US08895958B2
Disclosed is a light emitting element, which emits light with small power consumption and high luminance. The light emitting element has: a IV semiconductor substrate; two or more core multi-shell nanowires disposed on the IV semiconductor substrate; a first electrode connected to the IV semiconductor substrate; and a second electrode, which covers the side surfaces of the core multi-shell nanowires, and which is connected to the side surfaces of the core multi-shell nanowires. Each of the core multi-shell nanowires has: a center nanowire composed of a first conductivity type III-V compound semiconductor; a first barrier layer composed of the first conductivity type III-V compound semiconductor; a quantum well layer composed of a III-V compound semiconductor; a second barrier layer composed of a second conductivity type III-V compound semiconductor; and a capping layer composed of a second conductivity type III-V compound semiconductor.
US08895957B2
The present invention relates to a light emitting device. The light emitting device comprises a substrate, an N-type semiconductor layer formed on the substrate, and a P-type semiconductor layer formed on the N-type semiconductor layer, wherein a side surface including the N-type or P-type semiconductor layer has a slope of 20 to 80° from a horizontal plane. Further, a light emitting device comprises a substrate formed with a plurality of light emitting cells each including an N-type semiconductor layer and a P-type semiconductor layer formed on the N-type semiconductor layer, wherein the N-type semiconductor layer of one light emitting cell and the P-type semiconductor layer of another adjacent light emitting cell are connected to each other, and a side surface including at least the P-type semiconductor layer of the light emitting cell has a slope of 20 to 80° from a horizontal plane.
US08895955B2
Provided may be a display apparatus that uses oxide diodes having a nano rod structure, for example, nano-rod diodes formed of a ZnO group material. The display apparatus may include a substrate, a thin film transistor layer on the substrate, and a light emitting layer on the thin film transistor layer, wherein the light emitting layer may include a plug metal layer on the thin film transistor layer, a plurality of nano-rod diodes vertically formed on the plug metal layer, and a transparent electrode on the nano-rod diodes.
US08895947B2
An ultraviolet light generating target 20 includes a substrate 21 made of sapphire, quartz or rock crystal; and a Pr:LuAG polycrystalline film 22, provided on the substrate 21, that generates ultraviolet light upon receiving an electron beam. By using a Pr:LuAG polycrystal as the target, the ultraviolet light generating efficiency can be increased more remarkably than when a Pr:LuAG single crystal film is used.
US08895944B2
A scan head assembled to a scan arm for an ion implanter and a scan arm using the same are provided, wherein the scan head is capable of micro tilting a work piece and comprises a case, a shaft assembly, an electrostatic chuck, a first driving mechanism and a micro-tilt mechanism. The shaft assembly passes through a first side of the case and has a twist axis. The electrostatic chuck is fastened on a first end of the shaft assembly outside the case for holding the work piece. The first driving mechanism is disposed within the case and capable of driving the shaft assembly and the ESC to rotate about the twist axis. The micro-tilt mechanism is disposed within the case and capable of driving the shaft assembly and the ESC to tilt relative to the case.
US08895939B2
UV hard-surface disinfection system that is able to disinfect the hard surfaces in a room, while minimizing missed areas due to shadows by providing multiple UV light towers that can be placed in several areas of a room such that shadowed areas are eliminated and that can be transported by a cart that is low to the ground such that the towers may be loaded and unloaded easily by a single operator. The system is able to be controlled remotely, such that during activation of the system, no operator is present, and to automatically cut power to all towers in the event that a person enters the room.
US08895938B2
Footwear sanitizing and deodorizing system exposing light-activated photocatalytic oxidation coating
Introducing ultraviolet (UV) light to activate a photocatalytic oxidation coating applied to interior portions of footwear alters the environment inside a shoe or other footwear to destroy microorganisms or inhibit their growth. Visible light can also be used to prevent further microorganism growth. Introducing forced air flow through the footwear removes dampness in and thereby deodorizes the footwear. A preferred embodiment comprises an adjustable shoe tree equipped with a UV germicidal light source and electronic safeguards that prevent appreciable leakage of UV radiation outside the shoe.
US08895924B2
This bolometric array detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined range of infrared or terahertz wavelengths comprises a substrate and an array of bolometric micro-plates for detecting said radiation that are suspended above the substrate by support arms. It comprises a metallic membrane located above and around each micro-plate and in which openings are formed; said openings in metallic membrane are periodically located in it along at least one predetermined axis with a period equal to or less than λ n , where λ is a wavelength in the wavelength range that is to be detected and n is the average refraction index of the medium that separates the micro-plate from metallic membrane.
US08895919B2
A measuring part 67 measures the potential of a collecting electrode 66 having collected positive and negative ions respectively generated by ion generating parts 61 of ion generators 6a and 6b and ion generating parts 62 of ion generators 6c and 6d. In the judgment of the presence or absence of ions, the ion generators 6a and 6b and the ion generators 6c and 6d are alternately turned ON/OFF. In ion judgment 1, ON/OFF is performed 6 times with a period of 10 seconds. In ion judgment 2, ON/OFF is performed 10 times with a period of 1 second. Then, when the difference (the amount of change) between the maximum value and the minimum value of the output voltage of the measuring part 67 is greater than a given threshold value, the presence of ions is concluded respectively.
US08895917B2
The present invention relates to a method of mass spectrometry, an apparatus adapted to perform the method and a mass spectrometer. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a method of mass spectrometry comprising the step of associating parent and fragmentation ions from a sample by measuring the parent and fragmentation ions from two or more different areas of the sample and identifying changes in the number of parent ions between the areas in the sample, and corresponding changes in the number of fragmentation ions between the two areas.
US08895913B2
TeraHertz signal generation system based on traveling-wave oscillators providing extraction of orders of magnitude higher oscillation frequencies resulting in frequency multipliers and THz transceivers that can generate, transmit and sense THz frequency signals for sensing/imaging.
US08895907B2
A cooking apparatus which uses microwaves is provided such that the inside of the cooking apparatus may be formed more compactly than a conventional cooking apparatus. That is, the number of parts and the assembling process may be reduced by providing a convector (e.g., provided at a side of the cooking chamber) which circulates the inner air of the cooking chamber, and a microwave supplier provided at the convector to supply the microwaves into the cooking chamber through the convector.
US08895905B2
Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a portable heater that does not use a separate compressor or blower or vacuum. The heater can be attached to a piping system to dry interior walls and/or heat coatings in the piping system. The heater can be attached to a manifold having alternative inlet end and two outlet ends. The manifold ends can have quick connect fittings with similar fittings to be easily mateably attached by rotating fittings with one another. A quick connect/disconnect air pressure regulator with quick connect fitting can be attached to the manifold ends. A quick connect/disconnect plug with similar quick connect fitting can close the manifold ends.
US08895902B2
An oven for heating food is disclosed. The oven has at least one heating compartment with a left side wall, a right side wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and an open front, without a door, in open communication with a surrounding environment outside the oven. Gas flow openings are provided in the left and right side walls. The oven includes a blower for blowing gas through the gas flow openings into the heating compartment, and a heater for heating gas blowing into the heating compartment through the openings. In certain embodiments, the gas flow openings are configured such that substantially all of the gas blowing into the heating compartment is directed generally away from the open front of the compartment.
US08895890B2
A laser scribing installation for the treatment of grain oriented magnetic sheets, as strip in longitudinal movement, comprising a laser generator for a laser beam, a cylindrical telescopic optical group with varying focal distance for the formation of a laser beam with elliptic section having varying ellipticity as function of the focal distances and a rotating mirror scanner for scanning the laser beam according to a pre-defined angle. The scribing installation further comprises a parabolic reflector extended transversally to the strip for receiving the scanned laser beam and focusing the beam on the strip, as a greatly lengthened elliptic spot, along a treatment path, and wherein the telescopic group is adjustable for modifying the length of one of the axes in the elliptic section of the laser beam incident on the strip.
US08895864B2
An apparatus and method wherein the apparatus includes a deformable substrate; a conductive portion; and at least one support configured to couple the conductive portion to the deformable substrate so that the conductive portion is spaced from the deformable substrate.
US08895852B2
A junction box adapted to provide an electrical connection to an electrical wire attached to a photovoltaic panel. The junction box has a lower portion which has an entry slot to allow entry of the wire into the junction box and a raised protrusion over which the wire is bent and formed to be substantially in the same shape as the raised protrusion. The junction box also has a clamp adapted to be attachable to said lower portion, whereby the clamp holds the wire in place for providing the electrical connection. The wire is preferably bus ribbon. The lower portion preferably has an elastic polymeric element disposed between the raised portion and the wire. The raised protrusion may have an elastic polymeric element.
US08895849B2
A photoelectric conversion element is provided which includes a semiconductor electrode (108) containing a semiconductor layer (103) and a dye, a counter electrode (109), and an electrolyte layer (104) disposed between the semiconductor electrode (108) and the counter electrode (109) and in which the dye contains a compound expressed by General Formula 1. (where A in General Formula 1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group and may contain one or more atoms of oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, boron, or halogen and the aromatic group may be obtained by condensing a plurality of aromatic groups).
US08895845B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) unit, according to embodiments of the invention, may have a very thin absorber layer produced by epitaxial lift-off (ELO), all electrical contacts positioned on the back side of the PV device to avoid shadowing, and/or front side and back side light trapping employing a diffuser and a reflector to increase absorption of the photons impinging on the front side of the PV unit. Several PV units may be combined into PV banks, and an array of PV banks may be connected to form a PV module with thin strips of metal or conductive polymer applied at low temperature. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells.
US08895842B2
A method and apparatus for forming solar cells is provided. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic device includes a first TCO layer disposed on a substrate, a second TCO layer disposed on the first TCO layer, and a p-type silicon containing layer formed on the second TCO layer. In another embodiment, a method of forming a photovoltaic device includes forming a first TCO layer on a substrate, forming a second TCO layer on the first TCO layer, and forming a first p-i-n junction on the second TCO layer.
US08895837B2
A solar cell module comprises: a cover glass, a glass substrate, an aluminum frame, and a filling material. The glass substrate of the solar cell module is formed in a size smaller than that of the cover glass, whereas the cover glass is arranged above the glass substrate while spacing from the same by a first distance; the space ranged between the perimeter of the cover glass and the perimeter of the glass substrate is filled by the filling material while allowing the cross section of the filling material to be an acute triangle. Moreover, the bottom of the filling material is engaged with a contact end of a lower tongue piece of the aluminum frame that is disposed away from a sidewall of the aluminum frame by a contact point while allowing the contact point to be spaced from the perimeter of the glass substrate by a second distance.
US08895835B2
A foldable, portable, lightweight photovoltaic module has a carrier layer divided into equal sections separated by hinge spaces, a substrate layer on the carrier layer, and a photovoltaic cell layer on the substrate layer, wherein the hinge spaces each have a free space between opposing edges of the adjacent sections to enable them to be folded in accordion-like fashion for storage. The carrier layer may be made of rip-stop fabric and preferably supports 6 sections each with 6 PV cells of crystalline silicon of up to about 22% conversion efficiency. The module has a power output of about 122 watts at 24 volts, and weighs about 7.4 pounds (3.36 kg), with a power-to-size ratio of 14 watts/sft or more, and a power-to-weight ratio of 16.5 watts/pound or more. An improved method of lamination applies heat and pressure on upper and lower sides of the laminate layers through upper and lower chambers with respective pressure bladders and heaters that are independently controllable.
US08895831B2
An electronic piano includes a tone signal synthesizing system implemented by software, keys and key sensors monitoring the keys and reporting the key positions to the tone signal synthesizing system, and the tone signal synthesizing system includes damper model calculating modules for determining resistance against vibrations of wires of an a piano, a hammer model calculating module for determining force exerted on the wires, string model calculating modules for determining force exerted on an instrument body of the piano by the wires on the basis of the resistance and force exerted on the wires, an instrument body model calculating module for determining displacements of instrument body on the basis of the force exerted on the instrument body and an air model calculating module for determining a sound pressure at an observation point from the displacement of instrument body.
US08895827B1
A percussion instrument dampening pad (PIDP) that is designed to be attached to the vibrating surface of a drumhead, a drum, a cymbal or the like. The PIDP functions by reducing unwanted vibrations and overtones that occur when the drumhead or cymbal is struck. The PIDP is comprised of at least one composite upper section, a first vibration absorbent layer preferably comprised of polyurethane puron foam, and a second vibration absorbent layer preferably comprised of butyl rubber that is in contact with the vibrating surface of the drumhead, drum or the cymbal. The composite upper section is further comprised of a metallized layer, a fabric layer and an adhesive layer. The PIDP also includes indicia and a removable liner that is removed prior to attaching the exposed butyl rubber to the surface of a drumhead or the like.
US08895822B2
Disclosed is an action for an upright piano capable of expressing rich tone variation and improving the continuous press performance of the same key. In the action (1) for an upright piano, there are formed a guide member (67) fixed to a center rail (14) and continuing in the horizontal direction; and a member to be guided (73) sliding along the guide member (67). A hammer under rail (19) on which a hammer shank (45) abuts is affixed to a hammer rail (18), and butt flanges (41) are affixed to the member to be guided (73). The member to be guided (73) is connected to a pedal (77) via an upthrust bar (81) and a balance (79) such that the member to be guided (73) is slid to the right or left with the force of working the pedal (77) by the player.
US08895820B1
A novel maize variety designated X08C981 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08C981 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08C981 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08C981, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08C981. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08C981.
US08895816B2
The invention provides seed and plants of pepper hybrid PX 09966947 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid PX 09966947 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08895809B1
A novel canola variety designated 46H75 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred canola varieties. Methods for producing a canola plant that comprises crossing canola variety 46H75 with another canola plant. Methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 46H75 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the canola seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This discovery relates to the canola variety 46H75, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of canola variety 46H75. This discovery further relates to methods for producing canola varieties derived from canola variety 46H75.
US08895800B2
The present invention relates to fluid-absorbent articles, comprising an upper liquid-pervious layer, a lower liquid-impervious layer and a fluid-absorbent core, wherein the fluid-absorbent core comprises a fibrous material and 10 to 95% by weight of spherical fluid-absorbent polymer particles having a moisture content of at least 8% by weight.
US08895790B2
A catalyst composition useful for producing olefins and aromatic compounds from a feedstock is formed from a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst and a ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst, wherein the amount of ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst makes up from 10 wt. % or more by total weight of the FCC catalyst and the ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst. The catalyst composition may be used in a method of producing olefins and aromatic compounds from a feedstock by introducing a hydrocarbon feedstock and the catalyst composition within a reactor, at least a portion of the reactor being at a reactor temperature of 550° C. or higher. The feedstock and catalyst composition are introduced into the reactor at a catalyst-to-feed (C/F) ratio of from 6 or greater.
US08895788B2
The invention relates to a process for manufacturing 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf, CF3—CF═CH2) from 1,1,3,3-tetrachlororopropene (1230za, CCl2═CH—CHCl2) and/or 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane (240fa, CCl3CH2CHCl2). The process comprises a step of isomerization of 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1230za) to 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene (1230xa) followed by conversion of the 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene (1230xa) to 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf) via a hydrofluorination process.
US08895787B2
A mutant hydrolase optionally fused to a protein of interest is provided. The mutant hydrolase is capable of forming a bond with a substrate for the corresponding nonmutant (wild-type) hydrolase which is more stable than the bond formed between the wild-type hydrolase and the substrate. Substrates for hydrolases comprising one or more functional groups are also provided, as well as methods of using the mutant hydrolase and the substrates of the invention. Also provided is a fusion protein capable of forming a stable bond with a substrate and cells which express the fusion protein.
US08895784B2
The present invention relates to a catalyst for reductive amination-reaction, and uses thereof. The catalyst according to the present invention can show high amine conversion rate because it can maintain the catalytic activity even in the presence of moisture especially while maintaining the balance of dehydrogenation and hydrogenation reaction basically. Accordingly, the catalyst can be usefully used for preparing a polyetheramine compound through reductive amination-reaction not only in a continuous preparation process but also in a batch preparation process, irrespective of the existence of moisture.
US08895782B2
Provided are alkynyl phenyl derivative compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treating ophthalmic diseases and disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt's Disease, using said compounds and compositions.
US08895774B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a process that enables isocyanate to be produced stably over a long period of time and at high yield without encountering problems of the prior art during production of isocyanate without using phosgene. The present invention provides an isocyanate production process including the steps of: obtaining a reaction mixture containing an aryl carbamate having an aryl group originating in a diaryl carbonate, an aromatic hydroxy compound originating in a diaryl carbonate, and a diaryl carbonate, by reacting a diaryl carbonate and an amine compound in the presence of a reaction solvent in the form of an aromatic hydroxy compound; transferring the reaction mixture to a thermal decomposition reaction vessel; and obtaining isocyanate by applying the aryl carbamate to a thermal decomposition reaction, wherein the reaction vessel in which the reaction between the diaryl carbonate and the amine compound is carried out and the thermal decomposition reaction vessel for the aryl carbamate are different.
US08895772B2
The present invention provide processes for the preparation of N-[4-Cyano-3-(trifluoro methyl)phenyl]-3-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulphonyl]-2-hydroxy-2-methyl propanamide (I).The present application also provides a method of purification of N-[4-Cyano-3-(trifluoro methyl)phenyl]-3-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulphonyl]-2-hydroxy-2-methyl propanamide (I) using ethyl acetate solvent resulting in the product, substantially free from process related impurities A, B, C and D. The crystalline product of the process according to the present invention having an XRDP pattern as per FIG. 1, is useful as an active pharmaceutical and has anti-androgenic activity.
US08895770B2
Disclosed herein is the selective synthesis of mono-hydrosilylated derivatives of polyunsaturated compounds, such as trivinylcyclohexane using non-precious metal based pyridinediimine and terpyridine complex as selective hydrosilylation catalysts.
US08895764B2
A method of forming a biodiesel product and a heterogeneous catalyst system used to form said product that has a high tolerance for the presence of water and free fatty acids (FFA) in the oil feedstock is disclosed. This catalyst system may simultaneously catalyze both the esterification of FAA and the transesterification of triglycerides present in the oil feedstock. The catalyst system is comprised of a mixture of zinc oxide and a second metal oxide. The zinc oxide includes a mixture of amorphous zinc oxide and zinc oxide nanocrystals, the zinc nanocrystals having a mean grain size between about 20 and 80 nanometers with at least one of the nanocrystals including a mesopore having a diameter of about 5 to 15 nanometers. Preferably, the second metal oxide is a lanthanum oxide, the lanthanum oxide being selected as one from the group of La2CO5, LaOOH, and combinations or mixtures thereof.
US08895763B2
An integrated process for preparing alkylene oxides and alkylene glycols is described. For this purpose, an alkylene oxide plant and an alkylene glycol plant are combined with one another and the water originating from the alkylene oxide plant and also other constituents of the reaction mixture are introduced into the alkylene glycol plant. In this way, alkylene glycols which have been produced in the alkylene oxide plant can be recovered as materials of value and the water circulation into the alkylene glycol plant can be eliminated or drastically reduced. In addition, the energy-intensive treatment of the process water from the alkylene oxide plant can be dispensed with. The integration of the two processes leads overall to better energy efficiency and conservation of resources in the work-up of residues from the process.
US08895762B2
The present invention is directed to an improved process for the preparation of sulfamide derivatives.
US08895759B2
Methods for forming maleimide functionalized polymers are provided. In one such embodiment, a maleimide functionalized polymer is prepared in a method that includes a step of carrying out a reverse Diels-Alder reaction. Intermediates useful in the methods, as well as methods for preparing the intermediates, are also provided. Also provided are polymeric reagents, methods of using polymeric reagents, compounds and conjugates.
US08895757B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (9-dichloromethylene-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-methano-naphthalen-5-yl)-amide by acylating the oxime oxygen of the compound of formula (VIII), in the presence of a solvent and an acylating agent of formula (XI) R1C(X)—CI (XI); wherein X is oxygen or sulfur; R1 is chloro if X is oxygen or sulfur; or R1 is C1-C6alkoxy, CH3—C(═CH2)—O—, phenoxy or trichloromethoxy if X is oxygen; and a) if R1 is chloro and the compound of formula (XI) was added to the compound of formula (VIII); reacting the so obtained product of formula (XIIa) wherein X is oxygen or sulfur; with the compound of formula (IX) b) if R1 is chloro and the compound of formula (VIII) was added to the compound of formula (XI); or R1 is C1-C6alkoxy, CH3—C(═CH2)—O—, phenoxy or trichloromethoxy if X is oxygen; reacting the so obtained product of formula (XII) wherein X is oxygen or sulfur; R1 is chloro if X is oxygen or sulfur; or R1 is C1-C6alkoxy, CH3—C(═CH2)—O—, phenoxy or trichloromethoxy if X is oxygen; with the compound of formula (IX).
US08895754B2
The invention relates to an improved process for the manufacture of novel benzotriazoles as well to novel benzotriazoles obtained by the novel process. This novel economical process provides products in high purity and yields.
US08895749B2
The present invention relates to novel 4-(4-pyridyl)-benzamides of the formula (I). The compounds I possess valuable therapeutic properties and are suitable, in particular, for treating diseases that respond to modulation of Rho kinases (ROCKs). R1 and R2 are, independently of each other, hydrogen, hydroxy, cyano, C1-C8-alkyl, C1-C8-haloalkyl, C1-C8-alkoxy or C1-C8-haloalkoxy; R3, R4, R5 and R6 are, independently of each other, hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, C1-C8-alkyl, C1-C8-haloalkyl, C1-C8-alkoxy, C1-C8-haloalkoxy, amino, C1-C8-alkylamino or di-(C1-C8-alkyl)-amino; R7 is hydrogen, C1-C8-alkyl, C1-C8-haloalkyl, aryl or aryl-C1-C8-alkyl; R8 is a group of the formula —X—W, where X is a single bond, C1-C4-alkylene or C1-C4-alkylene-O—, where the alkylene group in the three last-mentioned radicals may be linear or branched and may be partly or fully halogenated and/or may be substituted by a hydroxyl group and/or may be interrupted by an oxygen atom; and W is a cyclic radical selected from phenyl and a 5- or 6-membered saturated, partly unsaturated or aromatic heterocyclic ring which contains as ring members 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from O, S and N and optionally 1 or 2 carbonyl groups; R9 is a group of the formula —Y—Z, where Z is hydrogen, halogen, OR11, NR12R13, S(O)m—R14, phenyl which may carry 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents R15 or a 5- or 6-membered saturated, partly unsaturated or aromatic heterocyclic ring; and Y is linear or branched C1C4-alkylene which may be partly or fully halogenated and/or may be substituted by a hydroxyl group and/or a phenyl ring; or, in case Z is phenyl or the 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring as defined above, Y can also be a single bond.
US08895748B2
The present invention provides novel methods for synthesizing PPARγ sparing compounds, e.g., thiazolidinediones, that are useful for preventing and/or treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and inflammatory diseases.
US08895747B2
Methods for the synthesis of N-substituted pyridinium compounds by using an N-heteroaryl substituted pyridinium salt (Zincke salt) and reacting it with a nucleophilic amine are provided. Novel purine-substituted pyridyl compounds, which may be useful reagents in the above reaction, are also disclosed.
US08895740B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.
US08895739B2
Functionalized bis-peptides as well as other amide-containing compounds are obtained by acylation of hindered amines. The functionalized bis-peptides are useful as shape-programmable nanostructures that are immune to denaturation and that contain arrays of functional groups having designed catalytic, protein-binding and/or sensor capabilities.
US08895728B2
A novel process for purifying Cefmenoxime hydrochloride comprises: 1) adding a solvent wherein Cefmenoxime hydrochloride is insoluble at the temperature less than 30° C., filtering after vigorous stirring, washing the filter cake with a solvent wherein Cefmenoxime hydrochloride is insoluble at a temperature less 20° C., and drying; 2) placing the filter cake into ammonium hydroxide, controlling the pH value less than 9 with a gentle agitation to obtain Cefmenoxime acid solution in ammonium hydroxide, and then filtering out the precipitate; 3) adding hydrochloric acid at a concentration of 0.5-4 mol/L to Cefmenoxime acid solution in ammonium hydroxide slowly and controlling the temperature between 30-60° C. and the final pH between 0.5-3.0, and then cooling down to a minimum of 10° C. and standing still to allow crystallization, filtrating and vacuum drying.
US08895719B2
A novel family of human mitochondrial RNAs, referred to as chimeric RNAs, which are differentially expressed in normal, pre-cancer and cancer cells, are described. Oligonucleotides targeted to the chimeric RNAs are provided. The described oligonucleotides or their analogs can be used for cancer diagnostics and cancer therapy as well as for research. In one embodiment of this invention, these oligonucleotides hybridize with the sense or with the antisense mitochondrial chimeric RNAs, and the result of the hybridization is useful to differentiate between normal proliferating cells, pre-cancer cells and cancer cells. In another embodiment of the invention, the compositions comprise oligonucleotides that hybridize with the human chimeric RNAs resulting in cancer cell and pre-cancer cell death, while there is no effect in normal cells, constituting therefore, a novel approach for cancer therapy.
US08895714B2
There is disclosed antibody molecules containing at least one CDR derived from a mouse monoclonal antibody having specificity for human CD22. There is also disclosed a CDR grafted antibody wherein at least one of the CDRs is a modified CDR. Further disclosed are DNA sequences encoding the claims of the antibody molecules, vectors, transformed host cells and uses of the antibody molecules in the treatment of diseases mediated by cells expressing CD22.
US08895695B2
Template-fixed β-hairpin peptidomimetics of the general formula (I) wherein Z is a template-fixed chain of 12, 14 or 18 α-amino acid residues which, depending on their positions in the chain (counted starting from the N-terminal amino acid), are Gly, NMeGly, Pro or Pip, or of certain types which, as the remaining symbols in the above formula, are defined in the description and the claims, and salts thereof, have CXCR4 antagonizing properties. These β-hairpin peptidomimetics can be manufactured by a process which is based on a mixed solid- and solution phase synthetic strategy.
US08895673B2
The present invention relates to methods for preparing degradable model networks from any monomer functionality with any degradation methodology. It is based on the use of Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization and CLICK chemistry to form the desired product.
US08895652B2
This invention discloses composite materials utilizing high refractive index materials and their use with phosphors, LED packaging and as fillers in polymers and in polymer blends.
US08895650B2
The present invention relates to novel low-monomer low-viscosity high-activity formulations composed of isocyanurate containing isocyanate groups, exclusively based on 2,4-diisocyanatotoluene and phthalate-free plasticizers, to the use thereof as adhesion promoters with improved adhesion for coating compositions based on plasticized polyvinyl chloride, and to coatings and coated substrates.
US08895647B2
The present invention relates to oxygen-substituted sterically hindered amines of the formulae I or II: (II), wherein, for example, F2, R3, R5, R6, R8, R9, R11, R12, R13, R14 are n-butyl; Z1 to Z10 are propoxy and R1, R4, R7, R10, R13 are 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-propoxy-piperidin-4-yl. Compositions comprising compounds of formulae I or II and an organic material, which is susceptible to oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation, are further disclosed. Optionally, further additives are contained.
US08895643B2
Cold-pressed mats of lignocellulosic material having a Push Off Test extension equal to at least 85% of that of a mat made with a urea-formaldehyde resin are produced from a lignocellulosic material and binder system. These mats are produced at ambient temperature by separately adding each component of the binder system to the lignocellulosic material, blending the lignocellulosic material and binder system to coat the lignocellulosic material with the binder system, forming the coated lignocellulosic material into the desired form and applying pressure to the formed lignocellulosic material to obtain the desired thickness. The binder system includes: (i) at least one polyfunctional isocyanate and (ii) at least one aqueous dispersion of an adhesive or tackifier.
US08895641B2
Disclosed herein are an asphalt concrete mixture, an asphalt binder composition, and methods of preparing the related compositions. The asphalt binder compositions include a polyphosphoric acid, a macromolecular polymer having a saturated backbone with macromolecular modifications, sulfur, and non-surfactant additives based on wax chemistry. The compositions are capable of being performance graded and being used in warm mix asphalt applications.
US08895640B2
A sealant composition for the sealing of a punctured tire including a liquid carrier, one or more viscosity and suspending agents, one or more fillers and sealants, and one or more polyacrylates.
US08895632B2
An object of the invention is to provide an anthracene derivative having characteristics peculiar to anthracene such as e.g., high carbon density, high melting point, high refractive index and fluorescent properties for ultraviolet rays, etc., and reaction diversity that results from the bisphenol structure, and a process for producing the same. Disclosed is an anthracene derivative represented by the following general formula (1): in the formula (1), X and Y each independently represent a hydroxyaryl group. The aforementioned X and Y are preferably a hydroxyphenyl group. In addition, the anthracene derivative can be produced by a process including allowing at least one compound selected from phenols and anthracene-9-carboaldehyde to react in the presence of an oxygen-containing inert organic solvent and an acid catalyst.
US08895631B1
A Fischer-Tropsch process including the steps of providing a reactor having a substrate element with a surface and a plurality of elongated micro-structures of catalyst material attached to the substrate surface The catalyst material includes at least one of cobalt, iron, or ruthenium and the micro-structures have a width of less than about 1 um and a length at least five times the width. A carbon compound and hydrogen are injected into the reactor such that at least a portion of the carbon compound and hydrogen contact the catalyst material. The carbon compound and hydrogen are reacted with the catalyst at a temperature between about 150° F. and about 400° F.
US08895628B2
A composition including a retinoid, an NFκB-inhibitor, and a cosmetically-acceptable topical carrier is provided. Methods of treating the skin are also provided.
US08895627B2
The present invention provides an essential oil containing cineole for eliciting tomato resistance to disease by fungal infection. The present invention also provides a method to elicit tomato resistance to disease by fungal infection.
US08895620B2
The present invention provides a composition having an excellent controlling activity on a pest. The composition comprising a compound represented by Formula (1) and one or more 1-(2,6-dichloro-α,α,α-trifluoroparatolyl)pyrazole compound(s) selected from Group (A) shows an excellent controlling activity on a pest. Group (A): a group consisting of acetoprole, ethiprole, fipronil, vaniliprole, pyriprole and pyrafluprole.
US08895619B2
The invention provides 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same for treating liver disorders, in particular those requiring the reduction of plasma level of biochemical markers such as amino-transferases. The 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one derivatives of General Formula (I) have hepatoprotective properties and can be used in methods for treating liver disorders involving the pathological disruption, inflammation, degeneration, and/or proliferation of liver cells, such as liver fibrosis or fatty liver disease.
US08895614B2
A method of administering amantadine is provided. The method comprises orally administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising amantadine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and one or more excipients, wherein at least one of the excipients modifies release of the amantadine. A dose of the composition provides a mean change in amantadine plasma concentration as a function of time (dC/dT) that is less than 40% of the change in amantadine plasma concentration provided by a dose of the same quantity of an immediate release form of amantadine. The change in plasma concentration over time (dC/dT) is measured in a single dose human pharmacokinetic study in a defined time period of 0 to 4 hours after administration. The amantadine, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is administered once daily at a dose of 300 to 500 mg per day.
US08895612B2
The present invention generally relates to treatment of iron-related conditions with iron carbohydrate complexes. One aspect of the invention is a method of treatment of iron-related conditions with a single unit dosage of at least about 0.6 grams of elemental iron via an iron carbohydrate complex. The method generally employs iron carbohydrate complexes with nearly neutral pH, physiological osmolarity, and stable and non-immunogenic carbohydrate components so as to rapidly administer high single unit doses of iron intravenously to patients in need thereof.
US08895608B2
Disclosed herein are compounds and related compositions for the treatment of viral infection, including RNA viral infection, and compounds that can modulate the RIG-I pathway in vertebrate cells, including compounds that can activate the RIG-I pathway.
US08895605B2
The present invention relates to a combination for the treatment of cancer wherein the combination exhibits a synergistic effect. The combination comprises radiation and at least one cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor selected from the compounds of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof. The present invention also relates to a method for the treatment of cancer, which method comprises administering to a patient in need of such a treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of the combination. The present invention also relates to the use of a CDK inhibitor selected from the compounds of formula I as a radiosensitizer that enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer, particularly head and neck cancer.
US08895603B2
Novel crystalline forms of (2R,3S,5R)-2-(2,5-Difluorophenyl)-5-[2-(methylsulfonyl)-2,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-5(4H)-yl]tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-amine are potent inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and are useful for the treatment of non-insulin dependent (Type 2) diabetes mellitus. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these novel forms, processes to prepare these forms and their pharmaceutical compositions as well as uses thereof for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.
US08895602B1
The present invention relates to a 6-pyrazolylamido-3-substituted azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane derivatives useful as calcium channel blockers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and medical use of the calcium channel inhibiting effect of the compounds for treatment of diseases.
US08895594B2
Synergistic microbicidal compositions containing N-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one.
US08895592B2
Disclosed herein are cannabinoid receptor ligands of formula (I) wherein L1, A1, R1g, z, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined in the specification. Compositions comprising such compounds and methods for treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions are also presented.
US08895591B2
The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula which is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases related to the action of melatonin, or a salt thereof and the like.
US08895588B2
Provided is a compound having a superior acid secretion suppressive action, antiulcer activity and the like.A compound represented by the formula wherein R1 is a substituent, R2 is (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) a C1-6 alkyl group optionally having a halogen atom or (iii) a cyano group, R3 is (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) a halogen atom, (iii) a cyano group, (iv) a C1-6 alkyl group optionally having a halogen atom or a C1-6 alkoxy group optionally having a halogen atom, one of R2 and R3 is a hydrogen atom, and the other is a substituent other than a hydrogen atom, or a salt thereof.
US08895571B2
The present invention provides isoindolinone and pyrrolopyridinone derivatives, as well as their compositions and methods of use, that inhibit the activity of the serine/threonine kinase, Akt, and are useful in the treatment of diseases related to the activity of Akt including, for example, cancer and other diseases.
US08895565B2
Provided is a compound represented by general formula (6) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. (In the formula, R1 is a hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group; R2 is a hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group; R3 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group, or a C1-6 haloalkyl group.)
US08895563B2
The present disclosure relates to compounds effective as human protein tyrosine phosphatase beta (HPTP-β) inhibitors thereby regulating angiogenesis. The present disclosure further relates to compositions comprising said human protein tyrosine phosphatase beta (HPTP-β) inhibitors, and to methods for regulating angiogenesis.
US08895559B2
A variety of specific compounds within the scope of formula I which are useful as PI3K inhibitors and can be employed for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and tumours, and pharmaceutical compositions and kits containing said specific compounds.
US08895547B2
The invention relates to the compounds of formula (I) and to the physiologically acceptable salts thereof. Said compounds are suitable e.g. for the treatment of hyperglycemia.
US08895540B2
This invention relates to local administration of a bone-forming agent and at least one anti-resorptive agent to treat osteoporosis and related disorders.
US08895539B2
The present invention relates to pregnancy hormone combinations and methods of treatment for autoimmune diseases having at least two hormonal components, a pregnancy hormone (such as estriol), and a gestagen (such as levonorgestrel or norethindrone) thereby providing for the continuous, uninterrupted administration of pregnancy hormones for the treatment for autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis.
US08895532B2
The present invention relates to the use of hyaluronic acid for the preparation of compositions intended for improving the protective function of the skin, the eye and the mucous membranes, in particular of the upper and lower airways and the intestinal mucosa.
US08895524B2
The present invention relates, in general, to micro RN As and, in particular, to viral microRNAs expressed by Herpes Simplex Vims 1 (HSV-1) or Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2), to agents that inhibit such microRNAs and to methods of treatment based on the use of such agents.
US08895523B2
Inhibitors of cPLA2α expression are used in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and for the treatment of cancer; the inhibitors are selected from cPLA2α-specific ribozymes, RNA sequences usable for RNA-interference of the cPLA2α gene, and antisense oligonucleotides directed against cPLA2α.
US08895519B2
A new class of pseudo-trisaccharide aminoglycosides having an alkyl group at the 5″ position, exhibiting efficient stop codon mutation readthrough activity, low cytotoxicity and high selectivity towards eukaryotic translation systems are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and uses thereof in the treatment of genetic disorders, as well as processes of preparing these aminoglycosides. The disclosed aminoglycosides can be represented by the general formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl; and all other variables and features are as described in the specification.
US08895517B2
A composition comprising a carboxamide compound represented by following formula (I), wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R2 represents a methyl group, a difluoromethyl group or a trifluoromethyl group, and abamectin is provided by the present invention, and this composition has an excellent pesticidal effect.
US08895515B2
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition which mimics the extracellular matrix to stimulate the regeneration of skin cells, and more particularly to a cosmetic composition which contains active ingredients consisting of low-molecular-weight materials, which easily permeate through the skin, at a composition ratio similar to that in the extracellular matrix. The cosmetic composition stimulates the repair of the skin to maintain homeostasis and is effective for the regeneration of skin cells.
US08895510B2
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for treatment of diseases or complications associated therewith, in which a selectin plays a role. More specifically, particular glycomimetics and uses thereof are described. For example, use of particular glycomimetics for treating sickle cell disease or a cancer involving a selectin, or complications associated with either, is described.
US08895508B2
The present invention aims to provide a corneal endothelium cell proliferation accelerator and a therapeutic agent for a disease relating to corneal endothelium damage, which are administered into the anterior chamber. bFGF is released in a sustained manner by forming bFGF sustained-release gelatin hydrogel particles wherein bFGF is carried on gelatin hydrogel. Therefore, the proliferation of corneal endothelium cells can be accelerated persistently by administration of a preparation containing the bFGF sustained-release gelatin hydrogel particles into the anterior chamber, and diseases relating to corneal endothelium damage can be treated.
US08895487B2
A cement composition comprises: cement; water; and an additive, wherein the additive is a pozzolan and a strength-retrogression inhibitor, and wherein a mixture consisting essentially of: the additive; water; and a source of calcium develops a compressive strength of at least 500 psi at a time of 24 hours, a temperature of 190° F., and a pressure of 3,000 psi. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprises: introducing the cement composition into the subterranean formation and allowing the cement composition to set. The compressive strength of the test cement composition consisting essentially of: the cement; the water; and the additive at a final time of 72 hours has a percent change greater than −5% from the compressive strength of the test cement composition at an initial time of 24 hours when tested at a temperature of 300° F. and a pressure of 3,000 psi.
US08895484B2
Biphenylmono- and polysulphonic acids and salts thereof, fluorenemono- and polysulphonic acids and salts thereof as well as p-terphenylmono- and polysulphonic acids and salts thereof may be used successfully as tracers for surveying, monitoring and/or measuring movements of aqueous fluids in aqueous and/or non-aqueous media. Said substances are especially suited for surveying or monitoring movements of fluids in oil wells or reservoirs as well as for fluid movements in hydrothermal reservoirs.
US08895475B2
Focused libraries of vectors or genetic packages that display, display and express, or comprise a member of a diverse family of antibody peptides, polypeptides or proteins and collectively display, display and express, or comprise at least a portion of the focused diversity of the family. The libraries have length and sequence diversities that mimic that found in native human antibodies.
US08895473B2
Present invention provides an aqueous composition made from selected biochemical substances that will help with the low temperature tolerance of plants and thus to avoid “chilling injury” and to promote better recovery from such injury, when the solution is applied to crop plants prior to the arrival of cold snap or period of low temperature.
US08895472B2
One aspect of the invention provides an agent for reducing nicotine and harmful components in tobacco leaves for use in the field cultivation of tobacco. In one embodiment, the agent contains (in a weight percentage): salicylic acid 0.005-0.16%, naphthaleneacetic acid 0-0.003%, indoleacetic acid 0-0.015%, and clean water added to 100%. The composition can significantly reduce nicotine and harmful components in tobacco leaves by applying it to tobacco plant in top pruning period of tobacco. The combination of salicylic acid, naphthaleneacetic acid and indoleacetic acid provides synergic effect for reducing nicotine. The nicotine-reducing agent also can result in a yield increase and improve the aroma of tobacco.
US08895468B2
Provided are methods of making dehydrogenation catalyst supports containing bayerite and silica. Silica-stabilized alumina powder, prepared by spray drying of bayerite powder, precipitating silica in a bayerite slurry with an acid, or impregnation or co-extrusion of bayerite with sodium silicate solution was found to be a superior catalyst support precursor. Catalysts prepared with these silica containing support materials have higher hydrothermal stability than current CATOFIN® catalysts. Also provided is a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising Cr2O3, an alkali metal oxide, SiO2 and Al2O3, and methods of using said catalyst to make an olefin and/or dehydrogenate a dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon.
US08895456B2
A method of depositing a film of forming a doped oxide film including a first oxide film containing a first element and doped with a second element on substrates mounted on a turntable including depositing the first oxide film onto the substrates by rotating the turntable predetermined turns while a first reaction gas containing the first element is supplied from a first gas supplying portion, an oxidation gas is supplied from a second gas supplying portion, and a separation gas is supplied from a separation gas supplying portion, and doping the first oxide film with the second element by rotating the turntable predetermined turns while a second reaction gas containing the second element is supplied from one of the first and second gas supplying portions, an inert gas is supplied from another one, and the separation gas is supplied from the separation gas supplying portion.
US08895445B2
A method for forming vias and trenches for an interconnect structure on a substrate includes exposing via pitch reduction patterns in a photoresist layer, developing the patterns to remove the via pitch reduction patterns, etching the photoresist layer partially using a polymer gas to reshape the pattern into small via shapes, and etching the remaining photoresist layer to extend the reshaped pattern. The reshaped small via shape patterns have a smaller pitch than the via pitch reduction patterns in a long direction. For via pitch reduction patterns having two vias each, the pattern has a peanut-shape. During the reshaping etch operation, the polymer gas deposits more in a pinched-in middle section while allowing downward etch in unpinched sections.
US08895440B2
A semiconductor device has a TSV wafer and semiconductor die mounted over the TSV wafer. A channel is formed through the TSV wafer. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and TSV wafer. Conductive TMV are formed through the encapsulant over the conductive TSV and contact pads of the semiconductor die. The conductive TMV can be formed through the channel. A conductive layer is formed over the encapsulant and electrically connected to the conductive TMV. The conductive TMV are formed during the same manufacturing process. An insulating layer is formed over the encapsulant and conductive layer. A plurality of semiconductor die of the same size or different sizes can be stacked over the TSV wafer. The plurality of semiconductor die can be stacked over opposite sides of the TSV wafer. An internal stacking module can be stacked over the semiconductor die and electrically connected through the conductive TMV.
US08895430B2
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor wafer with a plurality of semiconductor die including a plurality of contact pads. An insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor wafer and contact pads. An under bump metallization (UBM) is formed over and electrically connected to the plurality of contact pads. A mask is disposed over the semiconductor wafer with a plurality of openings aligned over the plurality of contact pads. A conductive bump material is deposited within the plurality of openings in the mask and onto the UBM. The mask is removed. The conductive bump material is reflowed to form a plurality of bumps with a height less than a width. The plurality of semiconductor die is singulated. A singulated semiconductor die is mounted to a substrate with bumps oriented toward the substrate. Encapsulant is deposited over the substrate and around the singulated semiconductor die.
US08895418B2
One embodiment describes a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. Here, impurities are implanted into a semiconductor body via a first side of the semiconductor body. Thereafter, a drift zone layer on the first side of the semiconductor body is formed. The following is an ablation of the semiconductor body from a second side of the semiconductor body and up to pn junction defined by impurities.
US08895410B2
A cause of deteriorating the hydrogen termination on the surface of a wafer is found to be water adsorbed on the surface. By exposing the wafer to an inert gas atmosphere containing an H2 gas so as to suppress the oxidation reaction due to the water, it is possible to improve the hydrogen termination on the wafer surface.
US08895396B1
An epitaxial process includes the following steps. A first gate and a second gate are formed on a substrate. Two first spacers are formed on the substrate beside the first gate and the second gate respectively. Two first epitaxial layers having first profiles are formed in the substrate beside the two first spacers respectively. A second spacer material is formed to cover the first gate and the second gate. The second spacer material covering the second gate is etched to form a second spacer on the substrate beside the second gate and expose the first epitaxial layer beside the second spacer while reserving the second spacer material covering the first gate. The exposed first epitaxial layer in the substrate beside the second spacer is replaced by a second epitaxial layer having a second profile different from the first profile.
US08895391B2
The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device, the method including: forming isolation layers in trenches dividing active regions of a substrate; depositing a tunnel insulating layer and a charge storing layer on an entire structure including the isolation layers; forming mask patterns on the charge storing layer to cover the active regions and to expose the isolation layers; and etching the charge storing layer by using the mask patterns as an etch barrier, thereby forming charge storing layer patterns on the active regions.
US08895389B2
A method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor structure. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of first doped regions and second doped regions; and forming a first dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate. The method also includes forming a first gate dielectric layer and a second gate dielectric layer; and forming a first metal gate and a second metal gate on the first gate dielectric layer and the second gate dielectric layer, respectively. Further, the method includes forming a third dielectric layer on the second metal gate; and forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer. Further, the method also includes forming at least one opening exposing at least one first metal gate and one first doped region; and forming a contact layer contacting with the first metal gate and the first doped region to be used as a share contact structure.
US08895382B2
A MOS solid-state imaging device is provided in which withstand voltage and 1/f noise of a MOS transistor are improved.In the MOS solid-state imaging device whose unit pixel has at least a photoelectric converting portion and a plurality of field effect transistors, the thickness of gate insulating film in a part of the field effect transistors is different from the thickness of gate insulating film in the other field effect transistors among the plurality of the field effect transistors.
US08895380B2
The present invention relates to a method of making a semiconductor assembly. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the method includes: preparing a dielectric layer and a supporting board including a stiffener, a bump/flange sacrificial carrier and an adhesive, wherein the adhesive bonds the stiffener to the sacrificial carrier and the dielectric layer covers the supporting board; then removing the bump and a portion of the flange to form a cavity and expose the dielectric layer; then mounting a semiconductor device into the cavity; and then forming a build-up circuitry that includes a first conductive via in direct contact with the semiconductor device and provides signal routing for the semiconductor device. Accordingly, the direct electrical connection between the semiconductor device and the build-up circuitry is advantageous to high I/O and high performance, and the stiffener can provide adequate mechanical support for the build-up circuitry and the semiconductor device.
US08895369B2
A superjunction semiconductor device is provided having at least one column of a first conductivity type and at least one column of a second conductivity type extending from a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate toward a second main surface of the semiconductor substrate opposed to the first main surface. The at least one column of the second conductivity type has a first sidewall surface proximate the at least one column of the first conductivity type and a second sidewall surface opposed to the first sidewall surface. A termination structure is proximate the second sidewall surface of the at least one column of the second conductivity type. The termination structure includes a layer of dielectric of an effective thickness and consumes about 0% of the surface area of the first main surface. Methods for manufacturing superjunction semiconductor devices and for preventing surface breakdown are also provided.
US08895363B2
Consistent with an example embodiment, there is a method for assembling a wafer level chip scale processed (WLCSP) device from a wafer substrate, the method comprises grinding the back-side of the wafer substrate to a prescribed thickness. A plurality of trenches is sawed along a plurality of device die boundaries on a back-side surface of the wafer, the trenches having a bevel profile. The plurality of trenches is etched until the bevel profile of the plurality of trenches is rounded.
US08895354B2
Method for producing a semiconductor device such as an organic thin film transistor, and a device produced by the method, the method including the steps of forming conducting electrodes over a substrate, treating a surface of the electrodes with an arene substituted with an electron-withdrawing group to form an electrode contact layer over the electrodes, and forming an organic semiconductor layer over the substrate and electrodes, in which the substrate and electrodes are baked before the organic semiconductor layer is formed so as to reduce contaminants on the electrode contact layer and thereby promote improved crystal nucleation on a surface of the electrode.
US08895351B2
The present invention generally includes an apparatus and process of forming a conductive layer on a surface of a host substrate, which can be directly used to form a portion of an electronic device. More specifically, one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein include a process of forming a conductive layer on a surface of a substrate using an electrospinning type deposition process. Embodiments of the conductive layer forming process described herein can be used to reduce the number of processing steps required to form the conductive layer, improve the electrical properties of the formed conductive layer and reduce the conductive layer formation process complexity over current state-of-the-art conductive layer formation techniques. Typical electronic device formation processes that can benefit from one or more of the embodiments described herein include, but are not limited to processes used to form solar cells, electronic visual display devices and touchscreen type technologies.
US08895350B2
A method for forming a nanostructure according to one embodiment includes creating a hole in an insulating layer positioned over an electrically conductive layer; and forming a nanocable in the hole such that the nanocable extends through the hole in the insulating layer and protrudes therefrom, the nanocable being in communication with the electrically conductive layer. Additional systems and methods are also presented.
US08895337B1
A top-down method of fabricating vertically aligned Group III-V micro- and nanowires uses a two-step etch process that adds a selective anisotropic wet etch after an initial plasma etch to remove the dry etch damage while enabling micro/nanowires with straight and smooth faceted sidewalls and controllable diameters independent of pitch. The method enables the fabrication of nanowire lasers, LEDs, and solar cells.
US08895335B1
A method for impurity-induced disordering in III-nitride materials comprises growing a III-nitride heterostructure at a growth temperature and doping the heterostructure layers with a dopant during or after the growth of the heterostructure and post-growth annealing of the heterostructure. The post-growth annealing temperature can be sufficiently high to induce disorder of the heterostructure layer interfaces.
US08895327B1
An integrated circuit can include a plurality of first transistors formed in a substrate and having gate lengths of less than one micron; and at least one tipless transistor formed in the substrate and having a source-drain path coupled between a circuit node and a first power supply voltage; wherein at least one tipless transistor has source and drain vertical doping profiles without extension regions that extend in a lateral direction under a gate electrode. In addition or alternatively, an integrated circuit can include minimum feature size transistors having gate lengths of less than one micron; a signal driving circuit comprising a first transistor of a first conductivity type having a source-drain path coupled between a first power supply node and an output node, and a second transistor of a second conductivity type having a source-drain path coupled between a second power supply node and the output node, and a gate coupled to a gate of the first transistor, wherein at least one of the first or second transistor is a tipless transistor having source and drain vertical doping profiles without extension regions that extend in a lateral direction under a gate electrode.
US08895320B2
A device and method for filtering blood is disclosed herein. The device can filter blood and attach analytes within the blood to magnetic particles. The analytes can then be strongly bound to an analyzing device by a magnetic force. The analytes can then be counted by the analyzing device and the result can be displayed.
US08895317B2
A compound represented by the general formula (I) [R1 and R2 are amino groups that substitute at adjacent positions on the benzene ring; R3 and R4 are halogen atoms; R5 and R6 represent hydrogen atom, an acyl group or an acyloxy(C1-6 alkyl) group; R7 and R8 represent —(CH2)p—N(R9)(R10) (p is 1 to 4, and R9 and R10 represent —(CH2)n—COOH (n is 1 to 4))], which is useful for measuring a reactive nitrogen species existing in cells such as nitrogen monoxide or peroxynitrite at high sensitivity over a long period of time.
US08895311B1
The present invention provides control methods, control systems, and control software for microfluidic devices that operate by moving discrete micro-droplets through a sequence of determined configurations. Such microfluidic devices are preferably constructed in a hierarchical and modular fashion which is reflected in the preferred structure of the provided methods and systems. In particular, the methods are structured into low-level device component control functions, middle-level actuator control functions, and high-level micro-droplet control functions. Advantageously, a microfluidic device may thereby be instructed to perform an intended reaction or analysis by invoking micro-droplet control function that perform intuitive tasks like measuring, mixing, heating, and so forth. The systems are preferably programmable and capable of accommodating microfluidic devices controlled by low voltages and constructed in standardized configurations. Advantageously, a single control system can thereby control numerous different reactions in numerous different microfluidic devices simply by loading different easily understood micro-droplet programs.
US08895310B2
The present invention relates to methods for expressing nucleic acid sequences in prokaryotic host cells, where at least one DNA construct which is capable of episomal replication in a host cell and which comprises a nucleic acid sequence to be expressed under the transcriptional control of an L-rhamnose-inducible promoter, where the promoter is heterologous with regard to the nucleic acid sequence, is introduced into the host cell and the expression of he nucleic acid sequence is induced by addition of L-rhamnose, wherein the prokaryotic host cell is at least deficient with regard to an L-rhamnose isomerase.
US08895305B2
Water deficit-inducible promoter sequences were identified that may be used to produce transgenic plants that are more tolerant to water deficit and related hyperosmotic stresses than control plants, and yet are wild-type or nearly wild type in appearance. Any of these water deficit-inducible promoters may be incorporated into an expression vector that comprises a polynucleotide regulated by one such promoter and which encodes a polypeptide that, when ectopically expressed, improves water deficit tolerance in plants that are similar to control plants in their morphology and development.
US08895303B2
In one aspect the present invention is concerned with a method of cell culture, comprising the steps of (i) obtaining a stem or progenitor cell sample, (ii) culturing the stem or progenitor cell sample in media and under closed conditions appropriate to cause proliferation or differentiation of the stem or progenitor cells, wherein the media comprises a vEPO protein variant, (iii) purifying the stem or progenitor cells ex vivo. The invention relates to a method of increasing the number and survival of stem and progenitor cells in vitro and in vivo using a vEPO protein variant. The invention also relates to improved differentiation of stem and progenitor cells in vitro and in vivo using a vEPO protein variant.
US08895300B2
The present invention relates to methods for production of undifferentiated or differentiated embryonic stem cell aggregate suspension cultures from undifferentiated or differentiated embryonic stem cell single cell suspensions and methods of differentiation thereof.
US08895295B2
Devices, containers, and methods are provided for performing biological analysis in a closed environment. Illustrative biological analyses include high density nucleic acid amplification and detection and immuno-PCR.
US08895293B2
An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone containing a reagent material; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone having capture elements bound thereto; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the capture zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone. The sample receiving zone, the reagent zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path and at least a part of the fluid flow path has a substrate and projections which extend substantially vertically from the substrate, wherein the projections have a height, cross-section and a distance between one another that defines a space between the projections capable of generating capillary flow parallel to the substrate surface. In addition, the fluid flow path having projections includes a corner section which changes the direction of the flow path. The projections in or around the corner section are modified to maintain the configuration of the flow front of the sample flowing through the flow path after the corner is substantially the same configuration as before the corner.
US08895290B2
The invention relates to a method for digesting a biomass comprising, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the biomass with a first solvent for dissolving the cellulose and/or the hemicellulose, (b) contacting the dissolved cellulose and/or hemicellulose with a precipitant for forming a precipitate comprising cellulose and/or hemicellulose and residual lignin, wherein the precipitant is selected from the group consisting of alkanes, ethers, and esters; and (c) contacting the precipitate with a second solvent for removing residual lignin from the precipitate. The invention further relates to an apparatus for performing such a method.
US08895284B2
The invention provides histone deacetylase class II nucleic acids and polypeptides, methods and reagents for their use, and related compounds including small molecule libraries containing class II histone deacetylase inhibitors.
US08895278B2
Described is a method for generating conjugated dienes through a biological process. More specifically, the application describes a method for producing conjugated dienes (for example butadiene, isoprene or dimethylbutadiene) from light alkenols via enzymatic dehydration, in particular by making use of an alkenol dehydratase.
US08895276B2
The present invention relates to a microorganism variant having the ability to produce hydrocarbons, including alkane, and a method of producing hydrocarbons, including alkane, using the same, and more particularly, to a microorganism variant obtained by introducing a gene encoding an enzyme converting fatty acyl-acp to free fatty acid, a gene encoding an enzyme converting free fatty acid to fatty acyl-CoA, a gene encoding an enzyme converting fatty acyl-CoA to fatty aldehyde and a gene encoding an enzyme converting fatty aldehyde to alkane into a microorganism improved so as to be suitable for the production of hydrocarbons, including alkane, and a method of producing hydrocarbons, including alkane, using the same. The microorganism variant of the present invention has high potential to be used to improve strains by additional metabolic flux engineering, and thus is useful for the industrial production of hydrocarbons, including alkane.
US08895273B2
The present invention relates to a method and microbial host strain for converting a hexuronic acid to a hexaric acid. In particular, the invention relates to the conversion of D-galacturonic acid to meso-galactaric acid (mucic acid). The invention also concerns an isolated nucleotide sequence. According to the present method a microbial host strain genetically modified to express uronate dehydrogenase enzyme (EC 1.1.1.203) is contacted with a biomaterial comprising hexuronic acid and the conversion products are recovered. By using the recombinant microorganisms of the present invention it is possible to treat biomaterials comprising hexuronic acids and thereby decrease the amount of hexuronic acids released to the environment.
US08895263B2
Agents interfering with translocation of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), methods of making and using the foregoing are disclosed.
US08895260B2
The present invention is directed to a method for identifying ribosomal antimicrobial substances being selective for microbial but not for mitochondrial and/or cytosolic ribosomes. Specifically, said method is directed to an assay that compares the interaction of a candidate ribosomal antimicrobial substance (i) in a bacterial strain with microbial ribosomes, and (ii) in a bacterial strain with chimeric mitochondrial bacterial ribosomes, and/or (iii) in a bacterial strain with chimeric cytosolic bacterial ribosomes. In a further aspect the present invention also relates to the use of bacterial strains with microbial ribosomes, and bacterial strains with chimeric mitochondrial bacterial ribosomes, and/or bacterial strains with chimeric cytosolic bacterial ribosomes for identifying ribosomal antimicrobial substance being selective for microbial but not for mitochondrial and/or cytosolic ribosomes. Furthermore, one or more of the above bacterial strains (i) to (iii) may be substituted by a functionally equivalent cell-free biological system.
US08895257B2
Chimera proteins including: (i) at least one sequence of a VlsE protein of a Borrelia species selected from B. garinii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and B. afzelii, and (ii) at least one sequence including sequences of the IR6 domain of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzelii and B. garinii. Also, a method and a kit for the in vitro diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis using said proteins.
US08895256B2
The present invention provides methods of immunomodulation using placental stem cells and placental stem cell populations. The invention also provides methods of producing and selecting placental cells and cell populations on the basis of immunomodulation, and compositions comprising such cells and cell populations.
US08895255B1
The present invention relates to moving microorganisms to a surface, where they are grown in the presence and absence of antimicrobials, and by monitoring the growth of the microorganisms over time in the two conditions, their susceptibility to the antimicrobials can be determined. The microorganisms can be moved to the surface through electrophoresis, centrifugation or filtration. When the movement involves electrophoresis, the presence of oxidizing and reducing reagents lowers the voltage at which electrophoretic force can be generated and allows a broader range of means by which the target can be detected. Monitoring can comprise optical detection, and most conveniently includes the detection of individual microorganisms. The microorganisms can be stained in order to give information about their response to antimicrobials.
US08895251B2
The invention relates to an in vitro method for prognosis, diagnosis or determination of the evolution of a condition involving an altered production of Basic Proline-rich Lacrimal Protein (BPLP) or of any of its maturation products, by detecting, or quantifying in a biological sample of a test subject, a BPLP protein or a maturation product thereof, and comparing the production of BPLP protein or maturation product with the production of the same in a biological sample of a control subject.
US08895248B1
The invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of Salmonella in a sample using novel oligonucleotide sequences. Also presented is a kit for putting the method into practice and novel nucleic acid sequences for ompF. The ompF gene was found to be 100% inclusive for Salmonella species and 100% exclusive for non-Salmonella species for the strains tested thus making it an excellent marker for identification of both the species of Salmonella: S. enterica and S. bongori. Two hundred and eighteen isolates belonging to Salmonella enterica (subspecies I-VI) and Salmonella bongori were examined using novel primers designed to detect the ompF gene. The target was present in all the 218 Salmonella isolates including all the subspecies of Salm. enterica and Salm. bongori. The ompF gene was absent in 180 non-Salmonella strains tested.
US08895237B2
This invention relates to a HB vaccine enhancing protein, its gene, gene engineering method for expressing this protein, and the application of this method. The cDNA of this protein, which is screened out from human liver cDNA library, is sequenced and then cloned into prokaryotic or eukaryotic (animal or plant) cell for expression of protein coded by the cDNA (for example, cloning into prokaryotic expression carrier and expression in E. coli) and purification of the protein. The protein obtained, when used with HB vaccine, can significantly increase the effect of the vaccine, the immune power of HBV carrier, and the titer of antibody. The protein can be used as an adjutant to HB vaccine.
US08895236B2
A red blood cell storage composition includes a composition of red blood cells and biochemistry altering reagents, the biochemistry altering reagents being present at a concentration so as to reduce the percent hemolysis of the red blood cells during the freeze-thaw cycle below that of the percent hemolysis of the red blood cells in the absence the biochemistry altering reagents. The red blood cell storage composition preferably includes reagents selected from: modifiers of glycolytic/metabolic components, modifiers of antioxidant potential, effectors of intracellular ionic distribution, modifiers of membrane fluidity, modifiers of cytoskeletal structure, effectors of the cyclooxygenase second messenger pathway, effectors of the lipoxygenase second messenger pathway, effectors of the hexose monophosphate second messenger pathway, effectors of the phosphorylation second messenger pathway, modifiers of specific messenger molecules, and combinations thereof.
US08895216B2
An image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer, and a surface protective layer that contains fluororesin particles and a fluorinated alkyl group-containing copolymer; a charging unit that charges the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor; an electrostatic latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image; a developing unit that accommodates a developer, and develops the electrostatic latent image with the developer to form a toner image; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a recording medium; and a cleaning unit that removes the remained developer, wherein when the electrophotographic photoreceptor is rotated 50,000 times by repeating the formation of an image having image sections and non-image sections and having an image density of 7%, and then the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the zinc coating ratio is in the range of from 50% to 100%.
US08895203B2
The present invention provides a powder constituted by a set of grains, characterized in that the 10 percentile of the cumulative granulometric distribution of the grain sizes, commencing from the fines, D10, is 4 μm or more, at least 40% by number of the grains having a form factor R between the length and the width of more than 1.5.
US08895202B2
A resin frame equipped membrane electrode assembly includes a membrane electrode assembly and a resin frame member. The membrane electrode assembly includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and an anode, and a cathode sandwiching the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The resin frame member is formed around the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The outer end of an electrode catalyst layer of the cathode protrudes beyond the outer end of a gas diffusion layer, and the resin frame member includes an inner extension protruding toward the outer periphery of the cathode to contact the outer end of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The inner extension of the resin frame member has an overlapped portion overlapped with the outer end of the electrode catalyst layer.
US08895200B2
A fuel cell system having a fuel cell includes a power generation-time gas supplier that supplies hydrogen-containing fuel gas to an anode of the fuel cell and supplies an oxygen-containing oxidizing gas to a cathode of the fuel cell during power generation of the fuel cell. The fuel cell system also includes an anode potential rise information acquirer that acquires anode potential rise information, which represents information regarding a status of an anode potential rise of the fuel cell, after termination of supplies of the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas by the power generation-time gas supplier. The fuel cell system further includes an anode morphology variation deriver that derives an anode morphology variation representing a degree of a morphology change of a catalyst metal included in the anode, based on the anode potential rise information.
US08895199B2
Provided is a fuel cell system using waste hydrogen generated from a sea water electrolyzing apparatus, the fuel cell system including: a sea water electrolyzing apparatus carrying out electrolysis of sea water used as cooling water in a nuclear power generation system to produce a chlorine-containing material; a hydrogen conveying line linked to one side of the sea water electrolyzing apparatus to convey waste hydrogen generated during the electrolysis; and a fuel cell linked to the hydrogen conveying line to generate electricity by using the waste hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen conveying line as fuel. The fuel cell system generates electricity by using waste hydrogen, which, otherwise, is totally discarded after being generated secondarily from the sea water electrolyzing apparatus, as fuel for the fuel cell.
US08895197B2
The present application relates to an electrochemical metal-air cell in which a low temperature ionic liquid is used.
US08895189B2
A surface-mediated cell (SMC) comprising: (a) a cathode comprising a carbon-based cathode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (b) an anode comprising an anode current collector alone, or combined anode current collector and anode active material; (c) a porous separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; (d) a lithium-containing electrolyte, wherein the anode and/or cathode active material has a specific surface area no less than 100 m2/g in direct physical contact with the electrolyte to receive lithium ions therefrom or to provide lithium ions thereto; and (e) a lithium source disposed in at least one of the two electrodes when the cell is made, and the cell has an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of at least 0.8 volts; wherein the cell operates between a lower voltage limit lower than the OCV and an upper limit of between 3.8 and 4.5 volts.
US08895182B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery pack to be inserted and attached to a power tool, including: a case; a battery cell accommodated inside the case; and an electrode terminal connected to the battery cell and provided on the case so as to be connectable to a tool-side electrode terminal, wherein the case includes: a case main portion; and a case sub portion which is protruded from the case main portion to be inserted into the power tool, and wherein the electrode terminal is provided on an upper surface of the case main portion at a side of the case sub portion.
US08895175B2
An intercellular separation structure body capable of electrically connecting a plurality of unit cells that include a laminate type solid secondary battery with each other, and capable of ion-conductively insulating a positive electrode layer and a negative electrode layer in two adjacent unit cells, as well as a laminate type solid secondary battery provided with the same. The intercellular separation structure body is an intercellular separation structure body disposed between a plurality of unit cells each of which includes a positive electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a negative electrode layer that are sequentially stacked in a laminate type solid secondary battery. This intercellular separation structure body includes an insulating layer that electroconductively and ion-conductively insulates the plurality of unit cells from each other and an electroconductive section that is formed within the insulating layer and electrically connects the plurality of unit cells with each other.
US08895173B2
A battery module for an electric vehicle includes an auxiliary power module (APM) and at least one battery pack assembly. The battery pack assembly includes a plurality of battery frames, each with at least one battery cell disposed within it, and a plurality of cooling plates, each in thermal communication with at least one battery cell. The cooling plates have an inlet and an outlet connected by at least one coolant channel through which coolant is circulated to cool the battery cells. The APM may also require cooling, in which case the battery module may further include at least one additional cooling plate in thermal communication with the APM. The APM and the battery pack assembly are held together under compression such that they may share a common cooling system, and coolant may flow through the APM and/or the battery pack assembly to the cooling plates.
US08895172B2
A method is provided for controlling the temperature of a traction battery in a hybrid vehicle, where the hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for traction power. The method includes providing a first temperature regulating circuit for the internal combustion engine, providing a second temperature regulating circuit for the traction battery, heating the traction battery by an electrical heater provided in the second temperature regulating circuit in series with a pump, a radiator and the traction battery, transferring power to the electrical heater via a DC/DC converter from the electrical motor, which electrical motor is driven by the internal combustion engine, while the battery is below a predetermined temperature interval.
US08895169B2
Disclosed is a secondary battery having a novel structure in which a jelly-roll type electrode assembly (“jelly-roll”) in which a cathode including a cathode active material coated portion on at least one surface of a cathode current collector, an anode including an anode active material coated portion on at least one surface of an anode current collector, and a separator disposed therebetween are wound and an electrolyte are accommodated in a battery case, and at least one of a cathode lead coupled to a cathode uncoated portion and an anode lead coupled to an anode uncoated portion includes a first metal layer used for coupling with an electrode uncoated portion and/or coupling with a battery case and a second metal layer having a relatively lower resistance than that of the first metal layer, wherein the first and second metal layers are coupled to each other.
US08895159B2
An aromatic amine derivative with a specific structure having a carbazole skeleton to which a diarylamino group bonds via a bonding group. An organic electroluminescence device which is composed of one or more organic thin film layers including at least one light emitting layer sandwiched between a cathode and an anode, wherein at least one of the organic thin film layers contains the aromatic amine derivative singly or as its mixture component. Organic electroluminescence devices with enhanced efficiency of light emission and a compound realizing the devices are provided.
US08895155B2
Organic light-emitting diode comprising a lower electrode and an upper electrode, an organic electroluminescent layer and at least one doped organic layer in contact with one of said electrodes. According to the invention, the doping level of this organic layer is higher at the interface with the electrode than in the core of this layer. Thanks to the invention, the luminous efficiency of the diode is very substantially improved.
US08895150B1
A substrate having a coating is disclosed. The coating is formed of a plurality of layers. At least one of the layers includes a super alloy and at least two additional layers including silver. A coating for a substrate is also disclosed. A method of applying a coating to a substrate is further disclosed.
US08895148B2
A structural adhesive composition that is suitable for high-strength bonding of metals and aerospace structural materials. In one embodiment, the structural adhesive composition based on a two-part system, which is curable at or below 200° F. (93° C.). The two-part system is composed of a resinous part (A) and a catalyst part (B), which may be stored separately at room temperature until they are ready to be used. The resinous part (A) includes at least two different multifunctional epoxy resins, toughening components, and inorganic filler particles. The catalyst part (B) includes an aliphatic or cyclic amine compound as a curing agent and inorganic filler. In another embodiment, the structural adhesive composition is based on a one-part system, which includes the components of the resinous part (A) mixed with a latent amine curing agent. The one-part system may further include an imidazole and/or an aliphatic amine.
US08895141B2
[Problem to solve] To provide an excipient for compressed tablets capable of diluting active components in the industries of foodstuffs, medicines, etc. applicable to various tablets like disintegrating agents, troches, etc., largely avoiding the conventional compressing troubles about mannitol like capping, sticking, etc., thereby assuring a high tablet hardness.[Means to solve the problem] An excipient for compressed tablets characterized in that it comprises spherical particles of crystalline mannitol having an aspect ratio of 1.0 to 1.2 and according to Test A, absorption rate 1 of 25 to 60% and absorption rate 2 of 15 to 40%.
US08895139B2
The subject invention concerns the use of staple length nano polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) crystallites obtained by liquid shearing PTFE dispersion particles that are wet by a liquid with a surface tension below 30 dynes/cm this liquid will spread on PTFE resin surfaces and has a contact angle of zero (0) degrees with a PTFE surface. Staple length PTFE resin micro-fibers will form rapidly under high liquid shearing force at 125° C. when diluted 1 part PTFE resin to 20 parts liquid. The subject invention also includes the application of products that are multi-directional planar oriented and isotropic as sheet, membranes and structures useful for high performance filtering, fuel and solar cells and related energy applications. It also concerns products made from formulations as coatings and product for forming, shaping and molding sheet and structures of the subject invention and methods of adhering, bond and laminating components of these structures without adhesives.
US08895137B2
The present invention relates to a multilayer system comprising a base layer consisting of a thermoplastic, a primer layer, and a scratch resistant layer consisting of a scratch resistant top coat, the multilayer system being characterized in that the primer layer contains a certain UV absorber and a certain amount of acid, preferably acetic acid, is added to the scratch resistant top coat.
US08895123B2
Polyolefin multilayer pipes consisting at least one of the layers of a β-nucleated propylene homopolymer and/or β-nucleated copolymers from 90.0 to 99.9% by weight of propylene and 0.1 to 10.0% by weight of α-olefins. The pipes are to be classified in ring stiffness class ≧4. The pipes are suitable for non pressure pipe applications, preferably for outdoor use, for above as well as underground drainage and sewerage pipe systems, surface water pipes, pipes for cable protection, pipes for cold climate conditions and for indoor use, soil and waste water pipes.
US08895122B2
Disclosed is an m-xylene group-containing polyamide resin composition having excellent gas barrier properties and heat aging resistance, which contains (A) a polyamide composed of a diamine unit containing 30% by mole or more of an m-xylylenediamine unit and a dicarboxylic acid unit and (B) an aromatic secondary amine based compound and has an oxygen permeability coefficient of not more than 1 cc·mm/m2·day·atm at 23° C. and 75% RH.
US08895121B2
Disclosed is a polyamide resin composition having excellent gas barrier properties and heat aging resistance, which contains (A) a polyamide composed of a diamine unit containing a 1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane unit and a dicarboxylic unit and at least either of (B) an aromatic secondary amine based compound and (D) a phenol based antioxidant and has an oxygen permeability coefficient of not more than 1.5 cc·mm/m2·day·atm at 23° C. and 75% RH.
US08895120B2
Preform for the blow moulding of a container comprising a neck section (1) including a pouring opening (20), an adjacent wall section (2) and a bottom section (3). It consists of a primary plastic raw material in a primary area (A1, A2, A3) and at least one secondary material in at least a secondary area (B1, B2, B3) both having a mutually different coloration. Said preform is remarkable in that said bottom section (3) is composed of a multi-layer structure with primary layers composed of said primary plastic material, and additional secondary layers (6, 7, 8, 9, 10). The latter are composed of said secondary material, two surface secondary layers the one of which (6) is directed outwardly respective the preform, whereas the other one (10) is directed inwardly, and an intermediate secondary layer between them (7, 8, 9), which constitutes a core layer, which is located between two said primary layers. Said preform is in one single piece, the transition (Z1, Z2) from said primary to said secondary material being seamless and uninterrupted. The invention further relates to a manufacturing method of said preform.
US08895112B2
A method for edge sealing a fiber-reinforced component formed from a carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic or duroplastic plastic material includes electrostatic coating of at least one section of an edge of the component with a thermoplastic powder so as to form a powder coating; and fusing and cross-linking the powder coating in a furnace so as to create a smooth edge seal.
US08895111B2
A printed nonwoven web having improved oil crockfastness when an ink composition is applied to an outer surface of the nonwoven is generally disclosed. For example, an ink composition that has improved resistance to rub off of the web, even if the ink composition contacts an oily substance (e.g., baby oil, lotion, etc.), can be printed on a surface of the web. The nonwoven web can be a layer in a laminate having at least a film layer and the nonwoven web layer. For example, the printed laminate can be used as the outercover of an absorbent article.
US08895110B2
A method of manufacturing a surface-coated cutting tool includes: forming an aluminum oxide layer having a layer thickness of 0.05 to 5 μm and an α-alumina structure with a corundum type crystal structure on a cutting tool body using a sol-gel method. The step of forming includes adding an alcohol to aluminum alkoxide; adding an acid; stirring the mixture at 10° C. or lower to form a sol; applying the sol on a surface of the cutting tool body or an outer-most surface of a hard-coating layer formed on the surface of the cutting tool body; performing a drying process at least once, the applied sol being dried at 100 to 400° C. in the drying process; and annealing the cutting tool body with a dried sol layer at 500 to 1000° C.
US08895108B2
A method for forming a thin film using radicals generated by plasma may include generating radicals of a reactant precursor using plasma; forming a first thin film on a substrate by exposing the substrate to a mixture of the radicals of the reactant precursor and a source precursor; exposing the substrate to the source precursor; and forming a second thin film on the substrate by exposing the substrate to the mixture of the radicals of the reactant precursor and the source precursor. Since the substrate is exposed to the source precursor between the formation of the first thin film and the formation of the second thin film, the rate of deposition may be improved.
US08895104B2
A polymeric membrane on a support, wherein the polymeric membrane includes a crosslinked polymer covalently bound to a molecular cage compound. An interfacial polymerization method for making the polymeric membrane is also disclosed.
US08895076B2
A liquid composition containing a polymer micelle and having a pH values of 3.0 to 7.0 is provided. The micelle is constituted of a coordination compound having a block copolymer of polyethylene glycol and polyglutamic acid and cisplatin that is coordinate-bonded to the block copolymer.
US08895072B2
The present invention provides novel barcode microstructures and methods for making and using the microstructures for molecular recognition, and/or delivery of therapeutic, diagnostic, contrast, and imaging agents.
US08895060B2
Methods and apparatus for providing a leak-proof seal for two-piece capsules containing oil-based liquids or other compositions by a two-stage process. The capsule cap and capsule body are combined by a nitrogen purge instant bonding (NPIB) system. An overlay medium is applied to selected portions of the capsule, including near the seam formed by the interconnection of the capsule cap and capsule body to provide a substantially leak-proof seal. The overlay medium is made from materials that make up the capsule cap and capsule body, including gelatin, starch, cellulose or polysaccharides, among others, which are dispersed in a hydro-alcoholic, aqueous or organic solution. The overlay medium includes additives to impart desired qualities to the capsule and include taste-enhancers, taste-maskers, odor-enhancers and odor-maskers. The additives may include color additives, aroma additives and taste additives.
US08895054B2
The present invention concerns methods of joint lubrication and/or prevention of cartilage wear making use of liposomes having membranes with at least one phospholipid (PL) of the group consisting of a glycerophospholipid (GPL) having two, being the same or different, C12-C16 hydrocarbon chain and a sphingolipid (SPL) having a C12-C15 hydrocarbon chain, the one or more membranes having a phase transition temperature in which solid ordered (SO) to liquid disordered (LD) phase transition occurs, the phase transition temperature being within a temperature of about 20° C. to about 39° C. for lubrication of joints.
US08895044B2
A method of protecting food or delaying the onset of food spoilage said method comprising applying a protective bioactive composition to the food or the packing or packaging in which the food is stored.
US08895043B2
Method for reducing the formaldehyde emission of a composition containing a formal by adding urea, urea derivatives, amino acids, guanidine or guanidine derivatives.
US08895042B2
The present invention relates generally to methods and compositions for prophylaxis and treatment of skin conditions. Topical compositions which protect the skin from UV radiation damage and treat UV radiation damage done to the skin are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include at least one cyanin derived from a plant and at least one additional agent selected from the group consisting of: a UV radiation reflector, a UV screening agent, niacinamide, and a combination of two or more thereof.
US08895037B2
At least one compound selected from among ellagic acid, its salts, its metal complexes, its monoether or polyether, monoacylated or polyacylated derivatives and its carbonate or carbamate derivatives deriving from hydroxyl groups and mixtures thereof, and admixtures thereof with other active agents selected from among active agents for combating desquamative conditions of the scalp, plant extracts having propigmenting activity and active agents that slow hair loss and/or promote hair regrowth, are useful for preventing and/or limiting and/or stopping the development of canities.
US08895027B2
The present invention provides vectors that contain and express in vivo or in vitro FeLV antigens that elicit an immune response in animal or human against FeLV, compositions comprising said vectors and/or FeLV polypeptides, methods of vaccination against FeLV, and kits for use with such methods and compositions.
US08895021B2
Novel polynucleotide and amino acids of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae are described. These sequences are useful for diagnosis of B. hyodysenteriae disease in animals and as a therapeutic treatment or prophylactic treatment of B. hyodysenteriae disease in animals. These sequences may also be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases in animals caused by other Brachyspira species.
US08895006B2
Compositions and methods for treatment of toxin poisoning are disclosed.
US08895003B2
Disclosed is a recombinant fusion protein containing an amino-acid sequence which comprises: (a) the Fc section or part of an Fc section of an immunoglobulin as component (A) or a functional variant of component (A); (b) the extracellular part of a TNF ligand or a partial sequence of the extracellular part of a TNF ligand as component (B) or a functional variant of component (B); and optionally (c) a transition area between component (A) and component (B), containing a linker.
US08895002B2
The present invention provides a hemojuvelin (HJV) fusion protein (e.g., a human HJV.Fc) protein, polynucleotides and vectors encoding such proteins, and methods for making such proteins. Also provided are methods for treating iron-related disorders which include administration of a HJV fusion protein to a patient in need thereof.
US08894994B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceuticals and modified beta-lactamases. Specifically, the invention relates to novel recombinant beta-lactamases and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the beta-lactamases. Also, the present invention relates to methods for modifying a beta-lactamase, producing the beta-lactamase and treating or preventing beta-lactam antibiotic induced adverse effects. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the beta-lactamase for use as a medicament and to the use of the beta-lactamase in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing beta-lactam antibiotics induced adverse effects. Still further, the invention relates to a polynucleotide and a host cell comprising the polynucleotide.
US08894984B2
Hair treatment agents include at least one 4-morpholino-methyl-substituted silicone, which comprises in each case at least one of the structural units of the formulae (I), (II) and (III) as described herein, where * is a bond to one of the structural units (I), (II) or (III) or an end group B (Si-bound) or D (O-bound); B represents a group —OH, —O—Si(CH3)3, —O—Si(CH3)2OH, —O—Si(CH3)2OCH3; D represents a group —H; —Si(CH3)3, —Si(CH3)2OH, —Si(CH3)2OCH3; A represents an O-bound structural unit (I), (II) or (III) or an O-bound oligomeric or polymeric radical including structural units of the formulae (I), (II) or (III) or half of a connecting O atom to a structural unit (III) or represents —OH; n, m and o represent whole numbers between 1 and 1000.
US08894983B2
The invention relates to a cosmetic preparation containing (a) esters of fatty acids having 6 to 12 carbon atoms with pentaerythritol and (b) silicones.
US08894973B2
The invention is a method for the differential diagnosis of chronic schizophrenia or chronic alcoholism, by imaging the brain of a subject to detect any or all of the markers phosphocreatine (PCr), N-acetyl aspartate divided by the total creatine signal (NA/Crt), and synaptic phosphodiester (sPDE), and determining any increase or decrease in the presence of such markers compared to normal levels in specified anatomic areas of the brain. The output of such a method, resulting from such imaging, is presented to be viewed by a diagnostician in order to support the differential diagnosis based on the data output.
US08894960B2
A process is proposed for reprocessing the exhaust gas from a plant for producing hydroxylamine or hydroxylammonium salts by catalytic reduction of nitrogen monoxide with hydrogen for the purpose of utilization of at least a part of the nitrogen monoxide and if appropriate hydrogen present in the exhaust gas for producing hydroxylamine or hydroxylammonium salts, which comprises, in a first separation stage, selectively separating off nitrogen monoxide from the exhaust gas of the plant for producing hydroxylamine or hydroxylammonium salts.
US08894959B2
There is provided a silicon production method which comprises producing semiconductor grade silicon while producing solar grade silicon by converting a portion of trichlorosilane into silicon for solar cells.There is also provided an industrially advantageous method that removes contaminants from a chlorosilane circulating system which produces trichlorosilane in producing silicon from trichlorosilane by a vapor deposition method.
US08894958B2
The present invention relates to a galliated calcium-phosphate biomaterial comprising a gallium-doped phosphocalcic compound of formula (I): Ca(10.5-1.5x)Gax(PO4)7 (I) wherein 0
US08894954B2
The present invention provides a process for removing mercaptans from a gas stream gas stream, comprising the steps: a) providing a first mercaptan-comprising gas stream comprising at least a mercaptan of the general formula: R1—SH, wherein R1 is an alkyl group comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and b) contacting the mercaptan-comprising gas stream with an absorption medium comprising a substituted disulphide and a nitrogen-containing base to obtain a second mercaptan-depleted gas stream, wherein: the substituted disulphide is of the general formula R2—SS—R3 wherein: R2 and R3 are carbon comprising substituents of which the corresponding R2—SH and R3—SH thiols have a vapor pressure below the vapor pressure of any R1—SH thiol.
US08894951B2
A specimen collection container having a transitional fill-volume indicator is disclosed. The specimen collection container includes an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior. The specimen collection container includes a transitional fill-volume indicator adjacent the sidewall, such that the container defines a first volumetric interior defined by the sidewall between the closed bottom end and the transitional indicator. The specimen collection container also defines a second volumetric interior defined by the sidewall between the closed bottom end and a portion of the sidewall disposed above the transitional indicator. The first volumetric interior is adapted to allow extraction of a specimen therefrom by a first extraction process, and the second volumetric interior is adapted to allow extraction of a specimen therefrom by either the first extraction process or a second extraction process, the second extraction process being different than the first extraction process.
US08894939B2
A reactor for carrying out a chemical reaction in a three phase slurry system providing a horizontal reaction vessel with a cross sectional area which is dependent on the vessel length, vessel diameter, and axial position. The vessel has a gas inlet at or near the bottom of the reaction vessel and a gas distributor. The gas product exits the vessel by conduit means at or near the top of the reaction vessel. The vessel includes a plurality of horizontal cooling coils to provide a cooling medium to the slurry. In the reaction vessel, the synthesis gas has an average linear velocity which is a function of the vessel cross sectional area.
US08894934B2
Techniques, apparatus, material and systems are described for implementing a three-dimensional composite mushroom-like metallodielectric nanostructure. In one aspect, a surface plasmon based sensing device includes a substrate and a layer of an anti-reflective coating over the substrate. The surface Plasmon based sensing device includes a dielectric material on the anti-reflective coating shaped to form a 2-dimensional array of nanoholes spaced from one another. Also, the surface Plasmon based sensing device includes a layer of a metallic film formed on the 2-dimensional array of nanoholes to include openings over the nanoholes, respectively, wherein the sensing device is structured to support both propagating surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves and localized surface plasmon resonant (LSPR) modes.
US08894932B2
A reagent preparing device capable of supplying a predetermined reagent, which includes a first liquid and a second liquid different from the first liquid, to a measurement section for measuring a specimen using the reagent, comprising: a reagent preparing section for preparing the predetermined reagent; a characteristic measurement device for measuring characteristic of the reagent prepared by the reagent preparing section; and a controller configured for performing operations comprising, controlling the supply of reagent prepared by the reagent preparing section to the measurement section according to the measurement result by the characteristic measurement device, and calibrating the characteristic measurement device based on a known characteristic value of a standard liquid having the known characteristic value and a measurement result obtained by measuring the characteristic of the standard liquid by the characteristic measurement device, is disclosed. A specimen processing system is also disclosed.
US08894922B2
The invention relates to a fireproof ceramic impact absorber.
US08894916B2
A method for producing an aluminum-titanate-based ceramic honeycomb structure comprising blending TiO2 source powder and Al2O3 source powder with a TiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio of 45/55 to 55/45, and a sintering aid and/or a molding aid to prepare a moldable material, extrusion-molding the moldable material, and drying and sintering the resultant extrudate, the TiO2 source powder having a particle size distribution (mass-based frequency distribution relative to [log(particle size)]), in which both the maximum frequency in a particle size range of 0.2-4 μm and the maximum frequency in a particle size range of 10-100 μm are larger than those in other ranges than the two particle size ranges.
US08894912B2
A method and an apparatus to form a sheet of polymeric material have first and second mold halves which clamp together on a polymeric sheet. A vacuum mechanism draws the sheet into an interior space. The vacuum mechanism has a plurality of controllable vacuum ports positioned about the interior space to direct the vacuum at specific portions of the sheet. Also, the sensing mechanism determines the draw depth of the sheet.
US08894909B2
Valve and method for using it to insert a gas and punch orifices in plastic in molds used for making hollow footwear soles. The valve is linearly actuated, includes a helical spring and a stop such that the valve body head seals against a seat in the valve casing. Its configuration is thus simple, inexpensive and reliable, while the method is efficient as it is performed during the processing cycle of the plastic.
US08894907B2
The invention comprises a method of forming functionally active fibers and substrates formed with functionally active fibers. The method includes forming a mixture of at least one polymer and at least one functional active. The mixture is then injected at a controlled flow rate into an electric field to cause the mixture to at least partially form fine fibers that have an average diameter of less than about 1000 nanometers.
US08894902B2
A method for forming a maintenance hole base for the bottom surface of a maintenance shaft using a configurable modular mold and thermoforming or rotational molding. The modular mold is formed of individual members of groups of central core components engageable to surrounding periphery components to yield a mold which will form the appropriate engagement and communication pathways for the base when installed. Polymeric material is employed with the mold to yield a finished component configured for use in the base of the maintenance shaft.
US08894891B2
A nanomaterial can include an outer layer including a ligand. The ligand can include a first monomer unit including a first moiety having affinity for a surface of the nanocrystal, a second monomer unit including a second moiety having a high water solubility, and a third monomer unit including a third moiety having a selectively reactive functional group or a selectively binding functional group. The ligand can be a random copolymer.
US08894889B1
A compound semiconductor precursor ink composition includes an ink composition for forming a chalcogenide semiconductor film and a peroxide compound mixed with the ink composition. A method for forming a chalcogenide semiconductor film and a method for forming a photovoltaic device each include using the compound semiconductor precursor ink composition containing peroxide compound to form a chalcogenide semiconductor film.
US08894883B2
Fluorescent materials and preparation methods thereof are provided. The fluorescent materials are represented by the general formula: M, Zn1-xAlxO and Y2O3: Re, wherein Re is at least one selected from Eu and Tb, M is at least one selected from Ag, Au, Pt and Pd in the form of nano-particle, and 0<×≦0.05. The said methods include the following steps: step 1, preparing a colloid of Zn1-xAlxO; step 2, preparing a colloid of Y and Re containing the metal element M; step 3, mixing the colloid of Zn1-xAlxO with the colloid of Y and Re, aging and heating treatment to form the fluorescent materials. Compared to the Y2O3 fluorescent materials in the art the present fluorescent materials have higher luminescence efficiency, conductivity, long life and industrial applicability.
US08894875B2
The present invention provides a lubricating oil for a compression type refrigerator including a polyvinyl ether-based compound containing an alkylene glycol or polyoxyalkylene glycol unit and a vinyl ether unit in a molecule and having a molecular weight in a range of 300 to 3,000, an epoxy compound having 8 or more carbon atoms The lubricating oil for a compression type refrigerator of the present invention has high miscibility and high viscosity index, and is excellent in stability, and does not have an unpleasant odor under carbon dioxide atmosphere.
US08894874B2
The invention provides a heat transfer composition comprising (i) from about 45 to about 75% by weight 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234yf); and (ii) from about 25 to about 55% by weight 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a). A heat transfer composition comprising, optionally consisting essentially of, (i) from about 20 to about 90% by weight R-1234yf; (ii) from about 10 to about 60% by weight R-134a; and (iii) from about 1 to about 20% by weight R-32 is also provided.
US08894857B2
A method and system of treating wastewater is disclosed. The treatment system has a nitrification-denitrification system comprising a sorption system, a biofilm system, and an anaerobic digester that digests or converts at least a portion of the solids or sludge from the sorption system and biofilm system.
US08894854B2
A digester with separate stages for hydrolysis and methanogenesis is disclosed. The digester includes a leachate bay reactor, which may be configured as modular, multi-bay units. Waste material is added to the leachate bay reactor. A leachate storage tank is fluidically connected to the leachate bay reactor, which facilitates hydrolysis. Leachate from the leachate storage tank is recirculated through the leachate bay reactor. A high rate methanogenic reactor is fluidically connected to the leachate storage tank to cycle the leachate in a fixed film environment for biogas production from solubilized organic matter. The reactor may be operated in an anaerobic digestion mode, or a dual aerobic-anaerobic digestion mode. The reactor may also include a struvite system having a crystallizer unit and a separation unit to reduce ammonium and phosphate accumulation during operation.
US08894845B2
Hydrocarbon feedstreams are desulfurized using an alkali metal reagent, optionally in the presence of hydrogen. Improved control over reaction conditions can be achieved in part by controlling the particle size of the alkali metal salt and by using multiple desulfurization reactors. The processes herein allow a simple and effective method for removing the majority of coke formed in the alkali metal reagent reactions with the hydrocarbon feedstreams. This makes it cost effective to run such processes at higher severities (which result in higher coke production) thereby resulting in increased amounts of valuable converted hydrocarbon product yields. The process improvements herein may also be used to increase total throughput through a unit due to the ability to effectively manage higher coke content in the reaction products.
US08894842B2
The present invention concerns an optimized reforming catalyst comprising at least platinum, at least one promoter metal selected from the group formed by rhenium and iridium, at least one halogen, and at least one alumina support with a low sulphur and phosphorus content.
US08894841B2
An improved process for the delayed coking of a heavy residual hydrocarbon feedstock to reduce the coking induction period and to enhance the coking process relative to the processes of the prior art is achieved by mixing a sufficient volume of a paraffinic solvent having the formula CnH2n+2, where n=3 to 8 with the heavy feedstock to disturb the equilibrium of asphaltenes in the solution of maltenes in order to flocculate substantially all of the solid asphaltenes particles to thereby increase the yield and quality of valuable liquid products and minimize undesirable cracking reactions that result in high molecular weight polymers and the formation of coke.
US08894831B2
A test strip for analyzing a biological fluid using a test meter includes a biosensor to sense the biological fluid. The test strip includes contacts to communicate with the test meter and conductors connected to the contacts. The test strip further includes a combination of diodes, resistors, and short circuits arranged in various ways between the conductors. The test strip stores data based on a number of connections severed between the diodes, the resistors, the short circuits, and the conductors. The test meter reads the data and communicates with the biosensor via the contacts.
US08894829B2
A water electrolysis apparatus is formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells. Each unit cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and an anode separator and a cathode separator which sandwich the membrane electrode assembly therebetween. The anode separator has a plurality of inlet joint channels in fluid communication with a water supply passage, and a plurality of outlet joint channels in fluid communication with a discharge passage. The water supply passage has an inner wall surface at which the inlet joint channels are open, and an outer wall surface which faces the inner wall surface, the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface jointly forming an opening of an oblong cross-sectional shape.
US08894828B2
Etch assisting agents for focused ion beam (FIB) etching of copper for circuit editing of integrated circuits both prevent loss of adjacent dielectric due to sputtering by the ion beam, and render sputtered re-deposited copper on adjacent surfaces non-conductive to avoid electrical short circuits. The agents are characterized by having an N—N (N being Nitrogen) bonding in their molecules and boiling points between about 70° C. and about 220° C., and include hydrazine and water solutions, hydrazine derivatives, NitrosAmine derivatives saturated with two hydrocarbon groups selected from Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl and Butyl, NitrosAmine related compounds, and Nitrogen Tetroxide. Preferred agents are Hydrazine monohydrate (HMH), HydroxyEthylHydrazine (HEH), CEH, BocMH, BocMEH, NDMA, NDEA, NMEA, NMPA, NEPA, NDPA, NMBA, NEBA, NPYR, NPIP, NMOR and Carmustine, alone or in combination with Nitrogen Tetroxide. The agents are effective for etching copper in high aspect ratio (deep) holes.
US08894827B2
A deposition method for electrochromic WOx films involves cyclic deposition of very thin poisoned and metallic tungsten oxide layers to build up a film with a desired general stoichiometry with x in the range of 3>x>2.75. The method may include: charging a deposition chamber with oxygen gas to poison a tungsten metal target; initiating sputtering of the target while reducing the oxygen partial pressure being supplied to the chamber and pumping the chamber; sputtering target for time t1+t2 to form first and second tungsten oxide layers, where the first layer is deposited during time t1 from a poisoned target and the second layer is deposited during time t2 from a metallic target, and where the stoichiometry of the film comprising the first and second layers is a function of t1 and t2; and, repeating until a desired film thickness is achieved.
US08894826B2
A method and apparatus for forming a thin film of a copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)-type material are disclosed. The method includes providing first and second targets in a common sputtering chamber. The first target includes a source of CIGS material, such as an approximately stoichiometric polycrystalline CIGS material, and the second target includes a chalcogen, such as selenium, sulfur, tellurium, or a combination of these elements. The second target provides an excess of chalcogen in the chamber. This can compensate, at least in part, for the loss of chalcogen from the CIGS-source in the first target, resulting in a thin film with a controlled stoichiometry which provides effective light absorption when used in a solar cell.
US08894819B2
An in-line drainer or liquid separator for draining liquid from a moving black liquor slurry stream having a screen basket mounted in the internal chamber of the in-line drainer. The screen basket includes slots to retain solid particles of the moving black liquor slurry stream within the black liquor slurry stream flow chamber and block the solid particles from entering the liquid collection chamber. The slots each have a curved corner edge adjacent a surface screen basket facing the black liquor slurry stream flow chamber.
US08894816B2
Surfactant mediated, free radical initiated emulsion/dispersion polymerization of n-vinylformamide with styrene or substituted styrene copolymers, and its subsequently hydrolyzed products bearing formamide, amine and styrenic functionality are disclosed. Processes for polymerization, polymer composition, and hydrolysis of such polymers are also disclosed. These polymers bearing cationic functionality can be used in papermaking applications as dry strength additives, wet strength additives, retention aids, drainage aids, sizing agent, sizing promoter and pitch and stickies control agents.
US08894814B2
Wiping products, such as facial tissues, contain an interior temperature change composition and an exterior hydrophilic lotion composition that can provide a cooling sensation when contacted with the skin of a user. The temperature change composition, for instance, can contain one or more phase change agents that undergo a phase change at slightly elevated temperatures. The phase change agents, in one embodiment, can have a relatively high heat of fusion. When undergoing a phase change, the phase change agents absorb heat and thereby provide a cooling feeling to the skin of a user. The hydrophilic lotion composition may contain a carrier and a thermo-reversible gelling agent. The hydrophilic lotion composition maintains the temperature change composition within the tissue and helps to prevent skin irritation.
US08894811B1
A method of forming a dilute water slurry for water felting a basemat for an acoustical ceiling tile comprising delivering a bale of compressed mineral wool with a density of at least 8 lbs. per cubic foot at an unbaling station, releasing a binding holding the bale in compression, mechanically separating the fibers of a mineral wool bale with mechanical instrumentalities arranged to disperse the fibers to a generally uniform density of less than 2 lbs. per cubic foot prior to passage of the fibers through the tank inlet, and causing the separated mineral fibers to pass into the mixing tank for contact with water suspended binder.
US08894810B2
A floating salt farm in which its purpose is to produce crystallized salt and bittern at offshore locations through the evaporation process using extracted seawater. The floating salt farm components can be consisted of a seawater tank, an evaporator tank, a heating tank, a deposit tank, a storage tank, and photovoltaic panels, which these components are installed onto the buoyant foundation. The evaporator tank component can consist of an evaporator plate and an evaporator bin. The evaporator plate, which captures the produced crystallized salt during the evaporation process, has a sieve surface. The contents inside the evaporator bin can affect the properties of the produced crystallized salt and bittern, such as their mineral compositions, during the evaporation process. The seawater can be extracted from desired water depths and/or in the proximity of volcanic sites, in which the seawater can have affected mineral compositions due to volcanic activity.
US08894806B2
A plasma processing apparatus includes a vacuum evacuable processing chamber; a lower electrode for mounting a target substrate in the processing chamber; a focus ring attached to the lower electrode to cover at least a portion of a peripheral portion of the lower electrode; an upper electrode disposed to face the lower electrode in parallel in the processing chamber; a processing gas supply unit for supplying a processing gas to a processing space; and a radio frequency (RF) power supply for outputting an RF power. Further, the plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma generating RF power supply section for supplying the RF power to a first load for generating a plasma of the processing gas; and a focus ring heating RF power supply section for supplying the RF power to a second load for heating the focus ring.
US08894798B2
In a case where components such as side flaps and crotch portions are arranged on multiple webs which are being conveyed while being arranged side by side in the width direction of the webs, articles in various sizes can be handled easily by a web conveying step of conveying a front waistline web 11A and a back waistline web 11B the webs being arranged side by side in a width direction of the webs, a flap attaching step of attaching side flaps 30 onto the web 11 of the front waistline web 11A or the back waistline web, a web gap changing step of changing a gap between the front waistline web 11A and the back waistline web 11B by a web gap changing mechanism 500 and a crotch member attaching step of attaching a crotch member 20 between the front waistline web 11A and the back waistline web 11B, wherein the web gap changing step is performed between the flap attaching step and the crotch member attaching step.
US08894792B2
Disclosed herein are a method for manufacturing a functional material for use in various industrial fields in which anisotropy or physical properties change according to height may be utilized, as well as a functional material manufactured thereby. The method includes the steps of: (1) mixing powders composed of the components of the functional material with a binder to prepare a mixed paste; (2) coating the mixed paste on a substrate, and then separating the coated material from the substrate, thus preparing a slice; (3) repeating step (2) to prepare a plurality of slices, and stacking the slices in a mold; and (4) pressing the stacked slices at a predetermined temperature and pressure. A multifunctional material, such as an anisotropic material having physical properties which change according to the direction of material, or a material having physical properties which change in a graduated manner according to height, may be manufactured in a simple and economical manner.
US08894787B2
A method for a composite panel having a desired void content is disclosed. The method comprises the step of laying on a surface a first ply of resin. A first filament is placed on the first ply, and a second ply of resin is laid on the first ply and the first filament to form a first intermediate composite panel. The first intermediate composite panel is cured in an autoclave to form a second intermediate composite panel. The second intermediate composite panel is submerged in a solution that dissolves the first filament.
US08894786B2
The hose includes an outer jacket which includes warp and weft fibers made of Vectran®. The process for making the hose, includes: forming an inner liner and coating the exterior thereof with adhesive; weaving, in a twill weave pattern, Vectran® yarn, in a repeating 2-4-2-4-2 pattern in both the warp and the weft directions; extruding polyurethane onto the woven vectran yarn, the polyurethane extending into pillars between the warp and weft yarn, forming an outer liner; inserting the inner liner coated with adhesive within the outer liner; and, pressurizing the inner liner with steam expanding the inner liner and the adhesive into engagement with the Vectran® yarn and polyurethane pillars of the outer liner.
US08894778B2
The present invention relates to a mechanical part, which is obtained by: processing a steel into a shape of a part, the steel having an alloy composition containing, by weight percent, C: 0.10 to 0.30%, Si: 0.50 to 3.00%, Mn: 0.30 to 3.00%, P: 0.030% or less, S: 0.030% or less, Cu: 0.01 to 1.00%, Ni: 0.01 to 3.00%, Cr: 0.20 to 1.00%, Al: 0.20% or less, N: 0.05% or less, and the remainder of Fe and inevitable impurities, and the alloy composition satisfying the following condition: [Si %]+[Ni %]+[Cu %]−[Cr %]>0.50, in which [Si %], [Ni %], [Cu %] and [Cr %] represent the concentration of Si, the concentration of Ni, the concentration of Cu and the concentration of Cr in the alloy composition, respectively; subjecting the steel to a carburizing treatment in a vacuum, followed by gradually cooling the steel; and subsequently subjecting the steel to a high-frequency hardening to thereby harden a surface of the steel.
US08894777B2
A surface treatment method of a magnesium alloy article includes, instead of forming a primer on a magnesium alloy based composite first, directly performing a hairline finish process on the magnesium alloy based composite, to form a hairline structure on a surface of the magnesium alloy based composite, and performing a chemical oxidation process on the magnesium alloy based composite, to form a glossy film covering the hairline structure on the magnesium alloy based composite, thereby forming a magnesium alloy article structure. Alternatively, another chemical oxidation process is performed before the hairline finish process, to form an oxide film on the surface of the magnesium alloy based composite.
US08894770B2
A method for treating metal parts is provided that includes positioning a metal part within a reactor chamber, and positioning a boron containing solid form having a porosity of at least 10% by volume in the reactor chamber adjacent to the metal part. A halide containing gas may be introduced to the reactor chamber that the boron containing solid form is present in. The at least one halide containing gas and the boron containing form react to provide a gas that borides the metal part.
US08894768B2
A substrate processing apparatus that simultaneously forms thin films on a plurality of substrates and performs heat treatment includes: a plurality of substrate holders, each including a substrate support that supports a substrate and a first gas pipe having one or a plurality of injection holes; a boat where the plurality of substrate holders are stacked and including a second gas pipe connected with the first gas pipe of each of the substrate holders; a process chamber providing a space in which the substrates stacked in the boat are processed; a conveying unit that carries the boat into/out of the process chamber; a first heating unit disposed outside the process chamber; and a gas supply unit including a third gas pipe connected with the second gas pipe and supplying a heated or cooled gas into the second gas pipe.
US08894759B2
A cogeneration apparatus having an engine and an air-cleaning device provided to the engine is disclosed. The air-cleaning device is provided with an air filter and a hollow resonator. The air filter is provided at a position where a space within an air-cleaning case splits into an upstream space and a downstream space, and the resonator is provided to the downstream space and positioned at a predetermined interval with respect to the air-cleaning case. Air is introduced through the downstream space to an internal space of the resonator.
US08894751B2
Lightweight, portable oxygen concentrators that operate using an ultra rapid, sub one second, adsorption cycle based on advanced molecular sieve materials are disclosed. The amount of sieve material utilized is a fraction of that used in conventional portable devices. This dramatically reduces the volume, weight, and cost of the device. Innovations in valve configuration, moisture control, case and battery design, and replaceable sieve module are described. Patients with breathing disorders and others requiring medical oxygen are provided with a long lasting, low cost alternative to existing portable oxygen supply devices.
US08894749B2
A microbubble reducer for eliminating and/or removing bubbles of gas from a flow comprising non-Newtonian fluids, wherein the microbubble reducer comprises an inlet at a low point, a curved duct means comprising a gas outlet at a high point, an outlet at a low point, and a lumen that runs through said inlet, said curved duct means, said gas outlet, and said outlet. Additionally, including various methods for removing gas from a flow comprising non-Newtonian fluid(s) using the microbubble reducer, an apparatus comprising the microbubble reducer, and uses of the microbubble reducer pertaining to dialysis or similar treatments, inter alia hemodialysis, plasma exchange, for infusion of blood and other non-Newtonian fluids, and in a heart-lung machine.
US08894745B2
A vane electrostatic precipitator (VEP) controls the air flow so that the entrained air particles are continuously subjected to a stress in the form of drag as they flow in front and behind vanes electrodes in the precipitator. It is not based on achieving laminar air flow over the collecting plates. Instead, efficient collection is achieved by operating with a narrow air stream and using vane electrodes in various configurations with porous back plates that gradually reduce the flow rate of the entrained air thereby allowing the particles to precipitate and collect on the vanes.
US08894742B2
Hybrid operating apparatus of regenerative heater and hybrid operating method of regenerative heater
A hybrid operating apparatus including an absolute humidity sensing unit configured to sense an absolute humidity of air supplied to a dehumidifying rotor; a dew point temperature sensing unit configured to sense a dew point temperature of air returned from a dry room; a regeneration exhaust temperature sensing unit configured to sense a temperature of exhaust air regenerated in the dehumidifying rotor; a control unit configured to operate the regenerative heater to a regeneration temperature corresponding to the sensed absolute humidity; and a memory unit configured to store the regeneration temperature of the regenerative heater.
US08894741B2
A plant air purifier and associated method for purifying air, comprising: at least one grow container; a filter bed comprising a surface which is horizontal within 20 degrees of a horizontal plane; at least one plant which grows within the filter bed; a reservoir for containing water for watering the at least one plant; a mechanical watering device which waters the filter bed from the top down; a pump for pumping water from the reservoir to and through the mechanical watering device; and an air propulsion mechanism for propelling air through the filter bed.
US08894739B1
A process to increase the fluidity of metal powders by surface modification with alkylsilane reagents. This invention generally discloses that the most efficient process results from treatment with methyltrichlorosilane in hexane. In particular, the fluidity of aluminum powders having mean diameters smaller than 10 micrometers was considerably improved by the process of embodiments of the invention.
US08894729B2
A gasification reactor comprising a gasifier with a tubular gastight wall arranged within a pressure vessel. The gasification reactor comprises one or more pressure responsive devices comprising a sleeve with a cooled section extending outwardly from an opening in the gastight wall. The pressure responsive devices can, e.g., include a pressure measurement device and/or a pressure equalizer. Method of using a pressure responsive device with such a gasifier, wherein a heat sluice is used formed by a sleeve with a cooled section extending outwardly from an opening in the gastight wall.
US08894725B2
A process for producing mixed esters of fatty acids as biofuel or additive to a petroleum fuel for use in a compression ignition (CI) engine. The process preferably provides a partial transesterification of a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters with at least one alkyl alcohol containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms in the presence of a heterogeneous solid acid catalyst to produce a mixture of the fatty acid methyl esters and alkyl alcohol esters of the fatty acids.
US08894712B2
The present invention provides an expandable intervertebral implant, including: a superior member configured to engage a superior intervertebral body; an inferior member configured to engage an inferior intervertebral body; and an expansion mechanism disposed between the superior member and the inferior member configured to selectively adjust a separation of the superior member from the inferior member; wherein the expansion mechanism includes a proximal wedge structure and a distal wedge structure that are relatively translated between the superior member and the inferior member, wherein the proximal wedge structure and the distal wedge structure are each coupled to the superior member and the inferior member by a plurality of aligned and/or staggered (i.e. nested) track structures and rail structures; and wherein a load-bearing portion of a bottom surface of the superior member is configured to mate vertically with a load-bearing portion of a top surface of the inferior member when the expansion mechanism is undeployed via conformal protruding and recessed features.
US08894710B2
A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.
US08894704B2
The present embodiments relate to systems and methods for treating lumenal valves. Particularly, and in accordance with one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for partial or complete replacement of lumenal valves. An exemplary catheter in accordance with the disclosure includes an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a retractable sheath mounted on the elongate body proximate the distal end. The sheath and elongate body cooperating to define a first annularly-shaped compartment between the body and sheath. The catheter further includes a valve prosthesis mounted in the compartment, the prosthesis having proximal and distal ends connected to a means for deploying the valve prosthesis from the catheter.
US08894702B2
A method of treating a native heart valve includes delivering a replacement valve to the native heart valve. The native heart valve can be any one of aortic, pulmonary, mitral and tricuspid valves. The replacement valve comprising an expandable frame and a valve body attached to the expandable frame. The method can also include expanding the frame at a patient's valve annulus, wherein expansion of the frame causes respective ends of both proximal anchors and distal anchors connected to the frame to draw closer together to grasp native tissue between the respective ends of the proximal anchors and distal anchors.
US08894701B2
A hybrid prosthesis for deployment in a body vessel includes a tubular stent body comprising a wire comprising a shape memory alloy, where the tubular stent body has a self-expanding portion comprising a distal portion of the wire and a balloon-expandable portion comprising a proximal portion of the wire. The shape memory alloy comprises an Af of less than 37° C. in the self-expanding portion and an As of greater than 37° C. in the balloon-expandable portion.
US08894685B2
A spinal implant including a stabilization member coupled to an elongate member is herein provided. The implant can be configured for placement within a facet joint in an intra-facet or trans-facet configuration. Also, the implant can include a fusion-promoting bioactive material thereby providing a single device capable of spinal stabilization and/or fusion. Furthermore, a method of placing such an implant within a facet joint in an intra-facet or trans-facet orientation is hereby provided.
US08894684B2
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for securing soft tissue to bone. One exemplary embodiment of a surgical repair construct includes an anchor, a filament having a snare on one end and a collapsible loop on another end, and a suture having a plurality of stationary protrusions. The suture is configured to be coupled to detached tissue and have its ends passed through an opening in the snare. The snare can be collapsed around the suture so at least one of the protrusions is proximal of the collapsed snare. The anchor can be disposed in bone and the filament coupled thereto. Accordingly, collapsing the snare around the suture couples the tissue to bone, and applying tension to a tensioning limb of the filament can collapse the loop to incrementally tighten and secure the tissue to bone. Other exemplary systems, devices, and methods for use with tissue repair are also provided.
US08894674B2
A forceps includes a housing, a shaft assembly, an end effector assembly, and a waveguide assembly. The housing has one or more transducers that generate a mechanical vibration in response to energy transmitted thereto from an energy source. The shaft assembly extends from the housing and includes one or more articulating and clamping members and a longitudinal axis defined therethrough. The end effector assembly is disposed at a distal end of the shaft assembly and includes a pair of opposing jaw members pivotable between approximated and unapproximated configurations in response to movement of the one or more clamping members. The articulating members articulate the jaw members relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The waveguide assembly is positioned within the shaft assembly and receives the mechanical vibration generated by the transducer. The waveguide assembly is positionable within one or both of the jaw members.
US08894666B2
In a surgical instrument for applying C-shaped ligating clips having two juxtaposed legs which are joined to each other by a bridge portion and are each divided by a longitudinal slot into two juxtaposed portions joined to each other at the free end of the legs, the surgical instrument comprising two juxtaposed clamping jaws with guiding surfaces facing each other for the legs of a ligating clip that lie against the guiding surfaces when the ligating clip is inserted between the clamping jaws, in order to improve the positioning of the ligating clip between the clamping jaws, it is proposed that there be arranged on at least one of the guiding surfaces of the clamping jaws an inwardly protruding projection which, when the ligating clip is advanced along the guiding surfaces, elastically enters the longitudinal slot of the ligating clip.
US08894665B2
An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is provided and includes a handle assembly; a shaft assembly including a housing extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis; a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the shaft assembly; a jaw mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the shaft assembly, the jaw being movable between an open spaced-apart condition and a closed approximated condition; and a pusher bar reciprocally disposed within the housing of the shaft assembly and being detachably connectable to the housing of the shaft assembly, the pusher bar being configured to load a distal-most surgical clip into the jaws during distal movement and remain connected to the housing of the shaft assembly and in a distally advanced position during an approximation of the jaws.
US08894661B2
A helicoil interference fixation system comprising: a helicoil comprising a helical body comprising a plurality of turns separated by spaces therebetween, the helical body terminating in a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one internal strut extending between at least two turns of the helical body; and an inserter for turning the helicoil, the inserter comprising at least one groove for receiving the at least one strut; the helicoil being mounted on the inserter such that the at least one strut of the helicoil is mounted in the at least one groove of the inserter, such that rotation of the inserter causes rotation of the helicoil.
US08894660B2
A prosthetic acetabular cup inserter and impactor has a body, a cup engaging element disposed at a first end of the body which is adapted to engage an inner surface of a cup with which it is used. An operating system is adapted to axially rotate the cup engaging element in relation to the body in use. An impaction plate that is adapted to engage an undulating rim of the cup is disposed between the body and the cup engaging element. The impaction plate is connected to the operating system by a linkage which acts to axially rotate the impaction plate in unison with the cup engaging element in use.
US08894656B2
An expandable bone device including a unitary body extending along a longitudinal axis and including a deformable distal end portion having a collapsed orientation for placement adjacent a spinal structure, the deformable distal end portion including relatively wide, mutually contiguous support surfaces outlined by relatively narrow cutouts, the support surfaces being contiguous with the rest of the unitary body via relatively narrow deformable splines, the deformable distal end portion having an expanded orientation wherein the support surfaces are moved transversely outwards away from and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, and an actuator coupled to the deformable distal end portion and operative to cause movement of the deformable distal end portion between the collapsed orientation and the expanded orientation.
US08894655B2
Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders (180, 182, 188). The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is positioned proximate the anatomic points using a slotted cannula (143). Such an implant may be a rod (270) for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders (180, 182, 188) may have rod interfaces (214, 216, 218) that receive the rod (270) in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) so that the selected or configured contoured rod (270) will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148).
US08894652B2
A device is disclosed for reducing a vertebral compression fracture, comprising a superior end plate and an inferior end plate disposed along a vertical axis. The superior end plate and the inferior end plate are slidably separable in a vertical direction along the vertical axis. An interior chamber is provided in fluid communication with a port extending from an exterior to the interior chamber. The device is deployable within a vertebral body and expandable within the vertebral body by injecting a flowable material into the interior chamber thereby displacing the superior and inferior end plates along the vertical axis.
US08894644B2
A method and device for treatment of living cells with cold atmospheric pressure plasma while simultaneously applying selective electroporation of the cells are provided. The method is useful for the local selective killing of cancer cells, improvement of wound treatment and sterilization or decontamination of objects.
US08894642B2
Apparatus for irrigating an electrode of a catheter are disclosed. Among other things, a catheter is disclosed that comprises a shaft portion including a fluid passage to conduct fluid, an electrode coupled to a distal end of the shaft portion, and a handle portion coupled to a proximal end of the shaft portion. A portion of the fluid passage defines an opening in the shaft portion. The opening is constructed and arranged such that when fluid is conducted through the fluid passage, at least some of the fluid will contact the electrode after passing through the opening in the shaft portion.
US08894636B2
A Minimally Invasive Surgical Laser Hand-piece (“MISLH”) for use with a probe is described. The MISLH has a MISLH proximal end and MISLH distal end, and the MISLH may include an optical coupler located at the MISLH proximal end, a substantially straight central bore within the MISLH, and an internal beam stop aperture within the central bore adjoined to the optical coupler. The central bore may extend from the optical coupler to the MISLH distal end and the central bore may be configured to accept the insertion of the probe within the central bore at the MISLH distal end. Additionally, the central bore may be configured to accept the insertion of the probe such that the probe is adjoined to the internal beam stop aperture.
US08894623B2
The present invention is directed towards a method and apparatus for packaging or containing, handling and managing of a variety of materials or other contents from a variety of sources which encounter use under various dynamic applications, conditions and for a plurality of purposes. The invention more specifically is directed towards one or more containers or packages, suitably fitted or used for the handling or managing of materials or other contents along one or more cycles or chains of use. The one or more packages or other containers described herein are intended for and/or used in one or more interconnections or associations with not only the “initial purpose” filling, transport, storage, dispensing, pouring, using, releasing of sterile or other fluids or material contents, but also used in association with, and for carrying out, the additional delivering and receiving of said fluids or materials, and receiving and delivering of said fluids or materials via an ingress and egress, by a variety of ways, for a variety of functions and for a plurality of purposes.
US08894610B2
A steerable catheter comprises a flexible catheter body including a proximal shaft section and a distal articulating section, a proximal steering interface coupled to the proximal shaft section, and at least one hollow stiffening member extending through the proximal shaft section. The stiffening member(s) is more rigid than the proximal shaft section and is laterally offset from a geometric cross-sectional center of the proximal shaft section. The steerable catheter further comprises circumferentially spaced lumens extending through the distal articulating section, and pullwires extending through the stiffening member(s) in the proximal shaft section and the respective lumens in the distal articulating section. Each of the pullwires has a distal end that terminates in the catheter body distal to the distal articulating section and a proximal end that terminates in the steering interface. The steering interface is manipulatable to selectively tension the pullwires to bend the distal articulating section.
US08894606B2
Devices, systems, and methods for accessing the internal and external tissues of the heart are disclosed. At least some of the embodiments disclosed herein provide access to the external surface of the heart through the pericardial space for localized delivery of substances to the heart tissue. In addition, various disclosed embodiments provide access to the internal surface of the heart for aspiration and delivery of substances to a targeted region without disturbing or interfering with nearby structures or surfaces.
US08894599B2
The invention discloses a novel uterine stimulant, which is in the form of the stick. The uterine stimulation stick, on administration, helps a woman's uterus to contract, or to increase the frequency and intensity of the contractions. Such medicine can be suitably used to induce (start) or augment (speed) labor; facilitate uterine contractions following a miscarriage; induce abortion; or reduce hemorrhage following childbirth or abortion. The proposed medicine produces normal result for desired purpose, without any significant side effect for the mother or fetus.
US08894596B2
An array of mechanical force reduction assemblies sized and configured to independently mechanically manipulate a fractured bone region. Each assembly functions independently of the other assemblies, to apply and maintain one of the prescribed mechanical reduction forces to the fracture, to thereby mechanically reduce the fracture in a desired way. A carrier coupled to the assembly accommodates temporary attachment of an orthotic brace, residing thereon, partially or fully assembled in a region of the bone fracture. A linkage mechanism accommodates the rotational articulation of the brace in response to the application of one or more mechanical force vectors, to move the bone fracture into a desired anatomic orientation. A locking mechanism maintains the orientation of the brace to maintain the desired anatomic orientation. After release from the carrier, the brace serves in an ambulatory fashion to maintain the desired anatomic orientation after reduction and as healing occurs.
US08894592B2
A lower extremity exoskeleton includes: at least one power unit; two leg supports designed to rest on the ground; two knee joints configured to allow flexion and extension between respective shank and thigh links of the leg supports; an exoskeleton trunk rotatably connectable to the leg supports; and two hip actuators configured to create torques between the exoskeleton trunk and the leg supports. In use, the hip actuators create a torque to move the leg supports backward relative to the exoskeleton trunk during a stance phase, which pushes the exoskeleton trunk forward. A second torque may be used to move the leg supports forward relative to the exoskeleton trunk into a swing phase. Additionally, a swing torque may be generated during the swing phase to move the leg support forward relative to the exoskeleton trunk. This results in decreased oxygen consumption and heart rate of a user wearing the exoskeleton.
US08894584B2
A system for measuring quantitative CSF flow in shunt tubing implanted under the skin. The system includes an array of thermosensors clustered in three sections, cooling device, placed on the skin surface and an associated data acquisition and analysis device. Two sensor sections are placed over the shunt on the skin and measure real time temperature responses related to CSF movement. One array placed adjacent the cooling device collects data on thermal properties of skin including skin thermal condictivity, specific heat, diffusivity, perfusion, and thermal inertia. The method involves assessing thermal properties of skin and measuring CSF flow in shunt tubing. The method is useful for shunt patency assessment, CSF valve adjustment procedures and CSF flow measurements related to CSF over drainage. Alternatively, only one section of sensors need be used when determining relative CSF flow, without the need to determine thermal skin properties and by applying the cooling device continuously.
US08894582B2
A cardiac pressure monitoring device includes a fixation member defining a central opening to facilitate slidably positioning the fixation device about a pacemaker lead wire. At least one sensor is coupled to the fixation member. The at least one sensor is configured to sense a physical, chemical, and/or physiological parameter within a cardiac chamber.
US08894576B2
A method and related system to, among other things, automatically infer answers to all of the ADL questions and the first four questions of the IADL in the home. The inference methods detect the relevant activities unobtrusively, continuously, accurately, objectively, quantifiably and without relying on the patient's own memory (which may be fading due to aging or an existing health condition, such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)) or on a caregiver's subjective report. The methods rely on the judicious placement of a number of sensors in the subject's place of residence, including motion detection sensors in every room, the decomposition of each relevant activity into the sub-tasks involved, identification of additional sensors required to detect the relevant sub-tasks and spatial-temporal conditions between the signals of sensors to formulate the rules that will detect the occurrence of the specific activities of interest.
US08894563B2
Method and system for treating a patient using a compressible, pressure-attenuating device. According to one embodiment, the system is used to treat urinary tract disorders and comprises an access device, a delivery device, a pressure-attenuating device, and a removal device. The access device may be used to create a passageway to an anatomical structure, such as the patient's bladder. The delivery device may be inserted through the passageway created by the access device and may be used to deliver the pressure-attenuating device to the anatomical structure. The removal device may be inserted through the passageway created by the access device and may be used to view the bladder and/or to capture, to deflate and to remove the pressure-attenuating device.
US08894562B2
An implantable microphone for use in hearing systems includes a housing having a back wall. The back wall has a recess (e.g., blind hole) configured to be coupled to an auditory ossicle. The implantable microphone also includes a membrane coupled to a top portion of the housing and a vibration sensor adjacent to the membrane. The membrane is configured to move in response to movement from the auditory ossicle, and the vibration sensor is configured to measure the movement of the membrane and to convert the measurement into an electrical signal.
US08894561B2
An implantable medical pump system can include a blood pump comprising a pump housing defining a passage therethrough and a rotor within the passage. The blood pump further includes one or more elements at least partially contained within the housing adapted to actuate the rotor to drive fluid though the passage. The pump housing includes at least one coupling feature. The system further includes an inflow cannula defining a lumen therethrough. The inflow cannula is adapted to be mechanically coupled to the at least one coupling feature.
US08894559B2
The spinning disc centrifuge rotor includes a sample holder formed from a cylindrical disc body and a cover plate that are made from a transparent material, such as polycarbonate. The disc-shaped body has two concentric or coaxial recesses defined therein. The first recess forms a cylindrical well or sample chamber for receiving a generally cylindrical rock sample. The second recess has a larger diameter than the first recess, and is shallower, forming a fluid collection area above the sample well, the second recess forming an annular ring extending around the top edge or rim of the sample well. An O-ring snugly within the outer wall of the second recess and forms a seal between the cover plate and the floor of the second recess, preventing fluid leakage. A rotor shaft extends from the bottom face of the cylindrical disc.
US08894557B2
A bag-making device for cross base bags limits the number of quality defects resulting from the fabrication tolerances of the conveyor belt. The device has working stations that perform working steps on bag tube sections during the bag making operation. At least one working station is equipped with a tool that is mounted on a tool roller and that runs through its working position during each rotation of the roller. The bag-making device has a conveyor system that conveys the tube sections through the working stations with conveyor belts, and a drive system that drives conveyor drive wheels and the tool rollers such that the drive wheels are driven with lesser angular speed than the tool rollers.
US08894556B2
A multi-functional handle assembly for an exercise machine includes: a strap arranged in a Figure-8 configuration to form a near loop and a far loop extending in generally opposite directions from a crossing point in the strap; a handle having a cavity formed therethrough, wherein the near loop extends to the near side of the handle and the far loop extends from the far side of the handle, the crossing point of the strap positioned in the cavity; a cushioning cuff attached to the far loop; a bearing member having a slot, wherein portions of the near loop are threaded through the slot, such that the bearing member is slidable relative to the portions of the near loop; and means for attaching the handle assembly to the exercise machine, the means for attaching the handle assembly being attached to the near loop. The handle can be drawn between the bearing member and the cushioning cuff, the strap sliding within the handle, such that the near loop and the far loop change in size with sliding of the handle. Movement of the handle and the bearing member can enable the handle assembly to be used with upper body, triceps extension, and leg/hip exercises.
US08894555B2
In general, various embodiments of hand-held exercise devices that can be used to perform different types of exercises that focus on different muscular groups of the body are disclosed. Specifically, the hand-held exercise devices disclosed herein can be used to perform arm exercises as well as abdominal and core muscle exercises. The hand-held exercise devices can include a first handle and a second handle, which rotate about a central axis relative to one another. The hand-held exercise devices can also include a wheel, which may also rotate about the central axis. Resistance can be applied to the relative rotation of the handles and, optionally, to the rotation of the wheel. The resistance can be selectively varied by a user.
US08894547B2
The present invention generally relates to power generation via fitness machines. Specifically, this invention relates to a system and method for generating power via the use and operation of fitness machines. Further, embodiments of the present invention are configured to utilize characteristics and/or data points associated with the use and operation of such fitness machines to calculate and reward users with one or more virtual currencies.
US08894543B2
The present invention utilizes the rotary kinetic power to drive the first transmission device (T101), and is individually installed with the output end transmission devices to the output end of the first transmission device (T101), so as to drive the loading wheel sets installed at the two sides of the common load body (L100), as well as installed with individually controlled output end clutch devices for controlling the driven wheel sets and the wheel shafts to perform engaging transmission or terminating transmission, and between the wheel shafts of the loading wheel sets at two lateral sides of the common load body (L100), a flexibility transmission device is installed, thereby through the flexibility transmission device performing the flexibility transmission with differential rotational speed from the engaging transmission side to the terminating transmission side.
US08894542B2
A rear-wheel drive system includes motors for generating driving force to drive a vehicle, hydraulic brakes on power transmission lines between the motors and rear wheels switching a motors side and a wheels side to a connected state or a disconnected state, an ECU controlling the motors and the brakes and a one-way clutch in parallel with the hydraulic brakes on the transmission line configured to be engaged when a forward rotational power on the motors side is inputted into the wheels side and disengaged when a backward rotational power on the motors side is inputted into the wheels side and vice versa. The ECU causes the hydraulic brakes to be applied so as to put the motors side and the wheels side in the connected state when the forward rotational power on the motors side is inputted into the wheels side.
US08894534B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, two planetary gear sets, a planetary gear set assembly, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members and the planetary gear set assembly includes a first, second, third and fourth member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio.
US08894533B2
A multi-ratio transmission system with parallel vertical and coaxial planet gears is provided, including: multiple planet gear sub-systems, a coupling assembly, a setting element, a setting element controller, an annular gear, a cylindrical casing, a sprocket and a central axle. The planet gear sub-systems are disposed coaxially in series along a first axis. Each of the planet gear sub-system includes a sun gear and at least one planet gear. The coupling assembly transmits the rotation between every two adjacent planet gear sub-systems. The setting element optionally engages with the sun gear. The annular gear is engaged to the planet gear of at least one planet gear sub-system. The cylindrical casing encloses the planet gear sub-systems. The sprocket is installed onto the planet gear sub-systems through a one-way clutch. The central axle enables the hollowed tube of the setting element controller to rotate around the central axle.
US08894526B2
A vehicle powertrain including a planetary transmission including an output, a first member connected an a first power source and a second member connected to a second power source, a brake for alternately releasing the output and holding the output against rotation, a motor including a second output driveably connected to vehicle wheels, and a clutch for opening and closing a drive connection between the output and the vehicle wheels.
US08894525B2
In a driving apparatus for a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and first and second electric rotating machines, it is configured to have a speed increasing mechanism that increases speed of an output of the engine inputted through an input shaft and transmits it to the first electric rotating machine; a speed reducing mechanism that reduces speed of an output of the second electric rotating machine and transmits it to an output shaft; a first clutch adapted to connect and disconnect a first driving force transmission path coupling the speed increasing mechanism and the output shaft; and a second clutch adapted to connect and disconnect a second driving force transmission path coupling the engine and the output shaft.
US08894511B2
A portable and easily foldable sport net 50 includes a ball return system wherein balls 930 or other projectiles are stopped and gently rolled back to the user. A frame system 200 may include spring steel or fiberglass and may further includes front frame members 210, rear frame members 220 and lower lateral frame members 230. An inside net 100 is attached or integrated into the front frame members 210 and the inside net 100 has little contact or attachment to the rear frame members 220. The judicious use of netting material and other components result in a lightweight and easy to assemble sport net. Embodiments feature two lateral voids 250 and a rear void 240 which provide an economy of construction and efficiency of use.
US08894510B2
Golf ball dimples having a cross-sectional profile shape defined by the envelope of the response of an under damped harmonic oscillator are disclosed.
US08894507B2
A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head that includes a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face and extending rearward from the face. The face has an area of highest response located proximate a center of the ball striking surface. The face is formed of a first material and a second material that forms at least a portion of the area of highest response. The second material has a thermal modulus response that is different from a thermal modulus response of the first material.
US08894506B1
A golf club head comprising a channel and an expandable weight that can be removably fixed at any point within the channel is disclosed herein. The weight comprises at least an upper portion, a lower portion, and a bolt, and preferably is formed of a metal material co-molded with a polymeric material such as rubber. The channel has an opening with a width that is less than the width of both an inner part of the channel and the weight, such that the weight cannot fall out of the channel during use. The channel may also have an end that opens into a port, which can be filled with a plug or weight screw to prevent the weight from falling out of the channel, and also can be removed so that the weight can be removed and replaced with another expandable weight.
US08894502B2
A housing for a sensor includes the sensor; vertical walls surrounding an aperture containing the sensor; a horizontal floor connected to a bottom of the vertical walls, the floor having the sensor located thereon; and a vertical shaft connected to the bottom of the floor and configured to connect the housing to a grip of a golf club. The shaft and at least the horizontal floor define a continuous air passage to vent air pressure from an inside of the golf club to an outside of the golf club.
US08894499B2
A ride is formed comprising a channel forming a closed loop. The channel is able to receive water. Wave forming means are provided operable to create a wave, when the channel contains water, such that the wave will progress around the channel. The wave is of sufficient size to enable aquatic pastimes to be performed on the wave.
US08894492B2
There is provided a system comprising a venue including a mapped physical space; a venue management system configured to control real events occurring within the venue; a transporter designed to transport at least one occupant through the mapped physical space along a known path, the transporter configured to move through the mapped physical space under the control of the venue management system; an augmented reality experience server including a virtual venue generator in communication with the venue management system, the virtual venue generator for producing a virtual venue having a virtual representation of the mapped physical space including virtual events and real events occurring within the venue; the augmented reality experience server configured to provide the at least one occupant of the transporter with an augmented sensory perspective including a selective combination of the real events occurring in the venue and the virtual events produced by the virtual venue generator.
US08894490B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an interactive sports gaming device and methods of manufacturing and utilizing same. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to an interactive sports gaming device simulating the feel of an authentic sports accessory, capable of providing a cost-effective training device for actual sports play. In one embodiment of the present invention, an interactive sports gaming device comprises a housing for supporting a motion detection controller, the motion detection controller for wirelessly communicating with a video game system, and an authentic handle projecting from a first end of the housing, wherein the interactive sports gaming device simulates the feel of an authentic sports accessory.
US08894488B2
A gaming machine includes a control lever gripped by a player, a display configured to display an effect image, and a controller programmed to execute a predetermined process. The control lever includes a rotation axis, a reel handle configured to rotate the rotation axis, a rotation sensor configured to detect the number of rotation of the rotation axis, and a rotation resistance imparting unit configured to impart resistance to the rotation axis such that the torque increases in accordance with the rotational speed in one direction of the rotation axis. In accordance with the game status of the game, the controller causes the rotation sensor to detect the number of rotation of the rotation axis which is rotated as the reel handle of the control lever is rotated, and changes the content of the effect image displayed on the display in accordance with the detected number of rotation.
US08894486B2
A game apparatus includes a stereoscopic image display device configured to display a stereoscopic image, which is stereoscopically visible by the naked eye, and a planar image display device configured to display a planar image. A touch panel is provided on a screen of the planar image display device. An image of a silhouette of an object in a virtual space is displayed on the planar image display device. The game apparatus causes the object in the virtual space to move according to a touch operation performed on the image of the silhouette displayed on the screen of the planar image display device, and stereoscopically displays the object on the stereoscopic image display device.
US08894484B2
A system and related methods for inviting a potential player to participate in a multiplayer game via a user head-mounted display device are provided. In one example, a potential player invitation program receives user voice data and determines that the user voice data is an invitation to participate in a multiplayer game. The program receives eye-tracking information, depth information, facial recognition information, potential player head-mounted display device information, and/or potential player voice data. The program associates the invitation with the potential player using the eye-tracking information, the depth information, the facial recognition information, the potential player head-mounted display device information, and/or the potential player voice data. The program matches a potential player account with the potential player. The program receives an acceptance response from the potential player, and joins the potential player account with a user account in participating in the multiplayer game.
US08894479B2
A forage harvester has an engine which is drivingly connected to a chopper cylinder via first drive belt, and to a first end of a drive shaft of a discharge accelerator. A second end of the drive shaft of the discharge accelerator is drivingly connected to a kernel processor via a second drive belt, is arranged, in the direction of harvested material flow, between the chopper cylinder and the discharge accelerator. The discharge accelerator comprises support disks which extend radially, and paddles. The support disks are attached to a hollow shaft enclosing the drive shaft, and, a sensor is arranged between the drive shaft and the discharge accelerator for the determination of the force transmitted by the drive shaft to the discharge accelerator.
US08894476B2
Disclosed is a system for reducing microbial levels on a hide of an animal utilizing a device for contacting the hide of an animal with an alkaline solution having a pH of between about 8 and about 13 after stunning the animal, a second a device for contacting the hide with a second solution that includes one of water, organic acid or hydrogen peroxide and a a device for reusing at least a portion of the alkaline solution or the water/organic acid/hydrogen peroxide.
US08894475B2
Method for extracting pin bones from a fillet wherein the pin bones are extracted by a tool having a certain speed relative to the fillet and wherein the tool is displaced at different relative speeds along a first fillet portion where the fillet has pin bones and along a second fillet portion where the fillet has no pin bones.
US08894471B2
An optical-grade surfacing tool (101) is provided with a resilient return element (115) including a plurality of resiliently flexible strips (118) that transversely project from a rigid central mounting (104), each strip (118) having a distal portion (144) that engages by bearing directly upon a petal (134) of a flexible flange (131) that surrounds the rigid mounting (104). The distal portion is curved along a round loop such that the end (145) of each the strip (118) is rotated toward the rigid mounting (104).
US08894467B2
The system delivers media blasting material to an interior surface of a large storage tank comprises a substantially upright support structure secured to the surface to be blasted. The upright support structure is preferably vertical. A frame extends across the upright support structure. An extendable arm is affixed to the frame at a section. The section is securely and pivotably attached to the section in such a way to enable the arm to rotate freely inside the large storage tank, so that the blaster secured at the end of the extendable arm can blast the entire interior surface of the large storage tank while the upright support structure remains in place. A robot blaster is positioned at the end of the extendable arm and performs the media blasting. A work station is located nearby the site of the large storage tank and controls the position of the extendable arm relative to the interior surface being blasted via a processor and the operation of the blasting delivery system. The surfaces to be blasted may also include the exterior surface of all types of large storage tanks and structures, ship hulls, exterior and interior building wall surfaces.
US08894464B2
A toy with folding retractable wings includes a body and wings connected to the body via snap-in pivot articulations that allow the folding of the wings in a space minimizing nesting configuration. Various springs, latches, triggers and stopping mechanisms ensure that the folded wings deploy in a spring-loaded fashion, with minimal user effort. The pivot articulations can release the wings in a non-destructive manner when exposed to high mechanical stress loads, thus preventing destructive wing breakage.
US08894461B2
A system and method for interactive play that includes an object having a visible characteristic such as a color pattern that is recognizable in an image. The color pattern may be associated with an instruction. An imager in a toy captures an image of the object that is processed by a processor in the toy. The processor identifies the visible characteristic and finds the instruction associated with the visible characteristic. The processor may signal an output device of the toy to take an action in accordance with the instruction.
US08894459B2
A first device may be paired to a second device, with the first and second devices including inductive elements, the devices may be paired by aligning a first magnetic element of a first device and a second magnetic element of a second device. At least one additional magnetic element is used to redirect magnetic fields generated by the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element away from the inductive elements.
US08894457B1
A surfer leash for a stand up paddle boards includes a plurality of strands that are woven together for increased strength. Such increased strength is necessary when dealing with the heavier and larger boards typically used in stand up paddle boarding. The leash is applied and worn around a surfer's ankle at one end and attached to the stand up paddle board at an opposing end.
US08894456B2
A paddle apparatus for standup paddling of surfboards or like water craft, having a plurality of hand grip portions rotatably mounted relative to the paddle shaft, and a means of paddling whereby the operator can ergonomically paddle with greater power and control on either side of the water craft without breaking either hand grip. A further improvement includes using the handgrip in the position perpendicular to the paddle shaft to determine the blade position by feel and steer with greater torque. An alternative embodiment includes rotation of the grip itself, further reducing the twisting of the wrists and other joints.
US08894446B2
The invention relates to a contact field for a plug-in connection for a twisted-pair cabling. The contact field is equipped with several metallic contacts for a connection with a twisted-pair socket, with each metallic contact having a feed line section for a connection with a circuit board. The metallic contacts are formed from contact plates, with at least two of the feed line sections being arranged offset relative to other feed line sections.
US08894443B2
A board-mountable connector is provided. The connector includes a shield and an insulative housing with a tongue. Terminals are supported by the housing in two rows and the rows extend from a mating interface to a board mounting interface. The terminals may be mounted to the board via surface mount technology in two rows that are at about 0.4 mm pitch. The two rows of terminals are configured in a signal, signal, ground triangular configuration so as to provide a triangular terminal arrangement that extends from the mating interface to the mounting interface.
US08894441B2
A cable assembly comprises a housing, a plurality of terminals received in the housing and divided into several terminal groups and a cable electrically connected with the plurality of terminals. Each terminal group comprises a pair of signal terminals and a grounding terminal. Each terminal defines a body portion, a mating portion extending forwardly from a front end of the body portion, and a terminating portion extending rearwardly from a rear end of the body portion. The two mating portions of the pair of signal terminals and a mating portion of the grounding terminal of each terminal group are located on two different rows, and two terminating portions of the pair of signal terminals and a terminating portion of the grounding terminal of each terminal group are located on a same row.
US08894436B2
An expandable power connector comprises a frame, a power connector disposed on the frame, and a plurality of module sets lodged in the frame. Wherein, when the module sets are assembled to the frame, a polygonal expandable power connector is contributed. Accordingly, the number of sockets on each module set can be properly arranged. Applicable space between the adjacent sockets is also increased for bulky plugs. Due to the design that each module set with at least one socket is lodged in the frame, a new module set can substitute for the old module set while the socket thereon malfunctions. Therefore, the present invention promotes the convenience of using and maintenance.
US08894420B2
An electrical connection system includes a plug having contact elements, and a socket having mating contact elements. The plug can be connected magnetically to the socket by means of a magnet device for transmitting signals or current. The magnet device has at least one connection pair, which comprises a magnet and a connecting element, which can be attracted by the magnet, but itself is not in the form of a permanent magnet, wherein respectively the magnet of a connection pair is arranged in the socket, and the connecting element which is not in the form of a permanent magnet is arranged in the plug.
US08894412B1
A firearm simulation system for enhanced firearms training comprises at least one weapon with a mechanically activated laser. The system includes a normally closed laser activation circuit used in conjunction with a recoil kit. The normally closed laser activation circuit comprises a conductive seal, a ball bearing, and a recoil spring. The recoil spring presses or urges the ball bearing into contact with the conductive seal. The function of the laser activation circuit is mechanically triggered and the laser activation circuit is electrically connected to a light source (e.g., a laser light) and configured to activate the light source, simulating a projectile being fired from a weapon. When the trigger of the simulated weapon is pulled, a striker pin dislodges the ball bearing, moving it out of its original position is contact with the conductive seal. The displacement of the ball bearing by the striker pin, away from the conductive seal, creates an open circuit. The open circuit serves to activate the laser, simulating a projectile being fired from the simulated weapon.
US08894409B1
The present invention provides, inter alia, a colored flame candle. This colored flame candle contains: a wick, a body of solid combustible material surrounding the wick except a tip portion of the wick, and a first encapsulated color agent adapted to color a flame of the candle, which color agent is dispersed within the solid combustible material and/or on the wick. Also provided is a wick for a colored flame candle.
US08894407B2
A combustor includes an end cap, a combustion chamber downstream from the end cap, and a plurality of tubes that extends through the end cap to provide fluid communication through the end cap to the combustion chamber. A casing surrounds the end cap, and a conduit extends from the casing to the end cap. A duct extends around the conduit and inside the end cap to provide fluid communication to the end cap. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through a plurality of tubes that extends axially through an end cap, supplying a first fluid through a conduit into the end cap, and supplying a second fluid through a duct spiraling around the conduit into the end cap.
US08894406B2
Disclosed herein is a patterning mold configured to form a micropattern on a substrate or glass. The disclosed patterning mold includes a transfer body with a patterning part formed at one end of the transfer body to transfer a nanoparticle material to one surface of the substrate. The patterning mold further includes a fixing member coupled to an exterior of the transfer body, to prevent or reduce deformation of the exterior of the transfer body.
US08894405B2
A three-side adjustable scraper of an extrusion device includes a scraper body arranged on the body of an extrusion device. One side of the scraper body has a knife edge which is attached to the wheel surface of an extrusion wheel of the extrusion device, and the scraper body is adjustably provided with a left side scraper seat and a right side scraper seat. A left side scraper and a right side scraper are respectively arranged on the left side scraper seat and the right side scraper seat, and the knife edges of the left side scraper and the right side scraper are respectively attached to the two sides of the extrusion wheel of the extrusion device. The left side scraper and the right side scraper are additionally arranged, so that materials adhered on the two sides of the extrusion wheel can be scraped off by the scraper.
US08894395B2
A front housing configuring a scroll compressor is provided in its shaft hole with a first bearing, and the front housing rotatably supports a rotation shaft. The first bearing includes a ball bearing having a plurality of balls. First and second seal rings and are provided between an outer ring fixed to the front housing and an inner ring which abuts against an outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft. A first seal ring disposed on the side of one side surface of the outer ring is provided such that the first seal ring is in non-contact with the inner ring, and the second seal ring disposed on the side of the other side surface of the outer ring abuts against the inner ring.
US08894394B2
A disc-like spacer arranged below a first roller bearing rotatably supporting a driven crankshaft that forms an anti-rotation system is formed with a plurality of notches in the circumferential direction. A spot face is provided to face the outer circumferential surface of the spacer, and communication holes and are drilled on the outer circumferential side of the spot face to extend in the axial direction of the scroll. Also formed is a communication hole communicating the communication hole with the first roller bearing via the notches. A grease nipple is mounted to the communication hole. To replenish grease, the fixed scroll is removed from the housing such that the orbiting scroll is exposed, and grease is injected from the grease nipple into the first roller bearing with a grease gun.
US08894392B1
Tapered valve guide and spring retainer assemblies are described for use in plunger pump housings that incorporate corresponding outwardly flared discharge and suction bores, as well as structural features for stress-relief. Plunger pumps so constructed are relatively resistant to fatigue failure because of stress reductions, and they may incorporate a variety of valve styles, including top and lower stem-guided valves and crow-foot-guided valves, in easily-maintained configurations. Besides forming a part of valve guide and spring retainer assemblies, side spacers may be shaped and dimensioned to improve volumetric efficiency of the pumps in which they are used.
US08894388B2
A rotary compressor is provided that includes an electric motor that supplies electric power and a compression mechanism that compresses a refrigerant while first and second rotary members rotate upon receipt of the electric power from the electric motor. More particularly, the compressor has a compact design by forming a compression space within the compressor by a rotor of the electric motor that drives the compressor, maximizes compression efficiency by minimizing friction loss between rotating elements within the compressor, and has a structure that minimizes leakage of the refrigerant within the compression space.
US08894383B2
[Object of the Invention] An object of the present invention is to provide a reciprocation compressor comprising an extraction passage connecting a crank chamber with an inlet chamber, an aperture disposed in the extraction passage and a filter capturing foreign matters flowing from the crank chamber to the inlet chamber, wherein the foreign matters captured by the filter is restrained from returning to the crank chamber even if reverse flow of refrigerant from the inlet chamber to the crank chamber is generated, and the filter does not restrict design specifications of other members of the compressor.[Disclosure of the Invention] A reciprocation compressor comprises an extraction passage connecting a crank chamber with an inlet chamber, an aperture disposed in the extraction passage and a filter capturing foreign matters flowing from the crank chamber to the inlet chamber, and the filter is located downstream of the aperture in relation to the flow of the refrigerant in the extraction passage from the crank chamber to the inlet chamber, and the filter is disposed in the inlet chamber.
US08894380B2
A reciprocating compressor is provided that reciprocates a piston inside a cylinder as a linear motor is driven, to compress a refrigerant by sucking the refrigerant into a compression space between the cylinder and the piston, and then discharge the same. The piston is operated at a top dead center position and in a resonance state by symmetrically applying a voltage even if a load varies. An elastic coefficient of mechanical spring is set in consideration of a degree of shift of the piston influenced by gas springs varied by the load, and an initial value of the piston to maintain stroke of the piston is set so as to correspond to a required cooling capacity condition.
US08894362B2
A method is provided for adjusting a position of a blade ring relative to a rotor in a gas turbine engine. An outer casing surrounds the blade ring and the blade ring surrounds the rotor. The method comprises: determining an amount of vertical movement needed to reposition the blade ring relative to the rotor so that the blade ring is at a desired position relative to the rotor; providing at least one torque pin assembly comprising a torque pin and a variable thickness defining structure; determining a change in the thickness of the variable thickness defining structure so as to effect the necessary vertical movement of the blade ring; changing the thickness of the variable thickness defining structure; and coupling the at least one torque pin assembly to the outer casing such that at least one torque pin engages the blade ring. A gas turbine engine is provided having structure for adjusting a position of a blade ring relative to a rotor.
US08894354B2
A fan includes a casing having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller housing located within the casing, an impeller located within the impeller housing for generating an air flow along a path extending from the air inlet to the air outlet through the impeller housing, a motor housing connected to the impeller housing, and a motor located within the motor housing for driving the impeller. A bellows support is provided for mounting the impeller housing within the casing. The bellows support is disposed on a seat connected to the casing. The bellows support extends about the impeller housing and forms a seal between the impeller housing and the casing.
US08894341B2
In binding a cover sheet together with a sheet bundle, ever-accurate spine-creasing irrespective of bundle thickness is made possible. A sheet stacker stacks sheets into bundles, an adhesive applicator applies adhesive to a spine part of the sheet bundles, and a cover-sheet binder binds cover sheets together with the spine parts. The cover-sheet binder is constituted from a left-and-right pair of spine-creasing press members arranged free to shift between standby and spine-creasing positions; a shifter that reciprocates the spine-creasing press members between the standby and spine-creasing positions; and a controller. The controller functions to vary, in accordance with sheet bundle thickness, any of: (1) the standby position of the press members; (2) the start time of an operation whereby the press members are shifted from the standby to the spine-creasing position; or (3) the traveling speed of the press members in shifting from the standby to the spine-creasing position.
US08894339B2
A variably threaded screw has a first end and a second end, the first end of the shaft terminating in a tip and the second end having a widened head thereon. A first helical thread portion is located on the shaft adjacent the widened head. A second helical thread portion is located on the shaft adjacent the tip of the shaft. A third helical thread portion is located on the shaft between the first helical thread portion and the second helical thread portion. The first helical thread portion and the second helical thread portion have right hand thread pitches. The third helical thread portion has a left hand thread pitch. A helical ridge having a right hand thread pitch intersects the third helical thread portion.
US08894336B1
A self-tapping and sealing replacement plug for inserting into a circular opening which has a damaged thread, and sealing itself thereon, which has a set of teeth, which teeth have sharp edges for cutting a thread. The plug is sealed on the circular opening by an O-ring, which O-ring is held in a notch between the teeth and the bottom surface of the cap of the plug. The edges of the teeth have leading edges indented towards the center of the plug for facilitating cutting.
US08894335B2
A locknut (12) has an L-shaped slider (18) formed of a washer-like piece (19) held above a nut (13) by a contiguous spring element (20) spot-welded to the nut. The spring causes the washer to press against a bolt (33) or stud with locking torque when the locknut is secured thereon, and to rest away from the nut when not adjacent a bolt or stud. While the locknut is being tightened or loosened, a wrench (29) forces the spring against the nut so the washer surrounds a bolt or stud without contacting it. A skirt (43), of straight or downwardly-curved cantilevers (46, 46a) may be disposed on an annulus secured to a surface of the nut opposite the washer, for additional locking torque.
US08894332B2
A method for transporting a vehicle having a wheel and a flexible underbody component, such as an air dam or skirt, adjacent the wheel. A chock including at least one wheel positioning bump is placed on a deck of the transporter vehicle (railway car, road vehicle, ship, aircraft, etc.) with the bump projecting upwardly from the deck to contact the wheel when the vehicle is in a pre-tie-down position. The chock further includes a sloped portion extending from positioning bump(s) to be located between the flexible underbody component and the deck. As the vehicle is urged downwardly to a tied-down position, the flexible underbody component contacts the sloped portion and is deflected either away from or toward the wheel to protect it from damaging contact with the deck.
US08894313B2
A package for a consumer care composition. The package comprises a container containing a consumer care composition, the container having a base for standing the package on a surface, a body portion above the base, a neck portion above the body portion, and a dispensing head above the neck portion. The body portion is aligned along a first axis and the neck portion is aligned along a second axis which is inclined to the first axis so that the dispensing head is directed upwardly and laterally towards a front of the container. The neck portion and the dispensing head have an exterior periphery which is not equal to that of the body portion.
US08894306B2
A half-cut device including: a half cutter for cutting a main tape or a released tape of a processed tape which the released tape is affixed to the main tape; a stepping motor for driving the half cutter to cut; and a motor control unit for controlling the stepping motor, wherein the motor control unit controls the stepping motor to maintain the condition which the half cutter cuts the main tape or the released tape for a predetermined time.
US08894303B2
A printing device and method for printing a latex ink on a printing medium is disclosed. The printing device comprises a heating stage for heating the medium at least during printing the latex ink on said medium, a further heating stage for curing the latex ink on the medium and a controller arrangement for individually controlling the heating stage and the further heating stage, whereby the controller arrangement is arranged to reduce the heat output of the heating stage during a non-printing mode of the printing device and to reduce the heat output of the further heating stage during a non-curing mode of the printing device.
US08894297B2
An active optical cable has a connector containing an electrical-to-optical and optical-to-electrical (EO/OE) conversion processing chip. The EO/OE conversion processing chip has a TXin+ pin and a TXin− pin to be coupled to a TX+ terminal and a TX− terminal of an USB connector of an apparatus. The pair of pins TXin+ and TXin−, for a differential transmission signal, are provided base on a common mode impedance structure, to charge capacitors carried by the TX+ and TX− terminals and, according to the charging status of the capacitors, it is determined whether the active optical cable is connected to the apparatus.
US08894296B2
The invention provides a plug (100) which is adapted to be connected to a cable, such as an Ethernet cable, the plug (100) having a generally rectangular cross section and being dimensioned and arranged to be received by an aperture in a socket. On opposite lateral faces of the plug a region, or layer, of conductive material (24, 26) is provided for the transmission of electrical current to/from the cable. Use of the invention therefore permits cabling that has conventionally been used to supply data to also supply power, typically in excess of 200 Watts or so. Such amounts of power are sufficient for operating most equipment that also requires a data connection.
US08894290B2
A retaining cage for the rolling elements of a rolling-contact bearing, having an annular body featuring seven pockets capable of restraining seven respective rolling elements of a rolling-contact bearing, the rolling elements being spaced apart around a center (O) of the cage, the pockets being spaced from one another according to the following values of angular spacing between two consecutive pockets: 48.3°; 48.5°; 51.2°; 51.8°; 53°; 53.5°; 53.7°.
US08894288B2
A system for cooling a transmission of a hover-capable aircraft, the system having: a stator; a heat exchanger connectable thermally to the transmission; a fan for creating a current of a first heat-carrying fluid from the heat exchanger to the fan itself, to remove heat from the heat exchanger; a rotary member, which rotates about an axis to rotate an impeller of the fan about the axis; and a bearing supporting the rotary member for rotation about the axis; the system also having cooling means for cooling the bearing, and in turn having conducting means for conducting a current of a second heat-carrying fluid along a path from an outside environment, external to the bearing, to and to cool the bearing itself.
US08894283B2
A linear guide device includes a guide rail, a slider, and a side seal member attached to an axial direction end part of the slider. The side seal member is formed integrally and has a flat surface facing the guide rail. A clearance between the side seal member and the guide rail is kept the same on a whole of the side seal member, and a thickness in the axial direction of the side seal member is 25 to 140 times the clearance.
US08894279B2
A non-destructive test using cryogenic temperatures is capable of detecting defects in materials that result from residual stress from manufacturing and from retained austenite. The subject materials or parts that are subjected to cryogenic temperatures approaching and below ˜−300° F., −184° C., 89° K, thereby causing permanent deformations or characteristic changes in the material if excessive residual stress, retained austenite or discontinuities exist. To determine the extent of changes, a first metric of the subject material is determined, the material is then subjected to cryogenic cooling thereby triggering any deformation or characteristic changes. Subsequent to the cryogenic cooling, the subject material may be returned to a second temperature whereby a second metric representing based on the same characteristic of the subject material is determined. The comparison of the first and second metrics reveals the deformation or change resultant from the defect. In addition characteristic changes in the subject material during cryogenic cooling may be use to detect the phase transition of the retained austenite to martensite.
US08894278B2
An apparatus and method to automate the process of measuring and verifying trace gas levels such as oxygen and dewpoint inside a retort used to coat or heat treat substrates are provided. The apparatus may include an integrated measuring system, and an operator interface. The method may include coupling the apparatus to the retort in which the substrate is coated or heat treated, activating the integrated measuring system to measure and verify atmospheric conditions within the retort, and providing operator access to process parameters and status through the operator interface. The measurement and verification system may be completely autonomous.
US08894276B2
The invention relates to a clock movement including a frame (6) having a barrel (1) that contains a mainspring, a finishing gear train (2-4), an escapement mechanism (5, 7), and a spiral balance spring (8). The frame (6) comprises first clamp bodies (25, 24) for receiving respective pivotal movement members of the escapement wheel (5) and of the anchor (7), and second homologous clamp bodies (22, 26) alternating with the first clamp bodies (25, 24), the first and second clamp bodies (25, 22) of the escapement wheel being located on a circle centered on the axis of the mean wheel (3) of the finishing gear train and defining a plane that is orthogonal to said axis.
US08894269B2
Ultrasonic cavitation method of simultaneous processing and volume preparation of emulsion cosmetics
The invention relates to the field of cosmetology and for technology for obtaining cosmetic products for skin care. The method of simultaneous processing and obtaining cosmetic emulsion volumes involves placing the volume within the continuous-flow mechanical oscillation system where the resonant acoustic cavitation behavior is implemented, so that the acoustic wave from the wall of the channel falls perpendicular to the major edge of volume, and the material they are made of has a specific acoustic impedance being equal or close to the impedance of the liquid filling the channel system. The amplitude of the ultrasonic resonance oscillations exceeds the threshold of acoustic cavitation for the mixture of ingredients that are currently being processed.
US08894265B2
The light guide plate includes a light guide plate body and a first medium, wherein the refractive index of the light guide plate body is greater than the refractive index of the first medium. The light guide plate body includes a plurality of gaps parallel with each other, wherein the first medium is disposed in those gaps. The light guide plate body further includes a light entrance end, wherein the gaps extend in directions both away and toward the light entrance end. Furthermore, an active region is defined on the light guide plate body and the gaps are located in the active region.
US08894264B2
A spread illuminating apparatus includes: a light guide plate with an emitting surface, a plurality of optical sheets laminated on the emitting surface, a light-blocking member that defines an effective area of the emitting surface, a light source, and a frame for accommodating the above constituents. The plurality of optical sheets are formed such that a position of an edge of each optical sheet on the incident light surface side of the light guide plate is spaced farther apart from the incident light surface of the light guide plate as moving toward a top layer of the optical sheets counted from the emitting surface, and the light-blocking member is fixed to each optical sheet and extends from the incident light surface side of the light guide plate so as to cover a vicinity of the edges of the plurality of optical sheets.
US08894257B2
A headlight produces low-beam and high-beam outputs without requiring moving parts. Low-beam LED array (7) near first focus (F1) of ellipsoidal reflector (3) directs light laterally against reflector (3) which directs it toward second focus (F2) of reflector. Cut-off edge (4; 5; 63) near second focus forms a bright/dark edge in low-beam output. Cut-off edge is a vertically-oriented light baffle (4) whose top edge forms the bright/dark edge. Cut-off edge is a horizontal light occluding member (16) whose front edge (63) forms bright/dark edge. Cut-off edge is a corner of a heat sink (200). Cut-off edge is located near focal point of lens (2) which transmits low-beam output with a bright/dark edge. Stationary folding mirror (5) near second focus of reflector directs light from high-beam LED array (8) to lens (2). Additive light reflecting from folding mirror (5) transmitting through lens (2) forms high-beam output lacking a bright/dark edge.
US08894253B2
The present disclosure relates to a heat transfer bracket that is configured to mount to a lighting fixture, which includes a heat spreading structure that is formed from a material that efficiently conducts heat and a light source and control electronics that are thermally coupled to the heat spreading structure. The heat transfer bracket includes a base that is thermally coupled to the heat spreading structure of the lighting fixture and multiple petals that extend from the base, wherein heat generated from the light source and control electronics is transferred to the heat spreading structure and from the heat spreading structure to the base of the heat transfer bracket. The heat is then further transferred along the plurality of petals.
US08894251B2
A lighting device is provided in accordance with the present invention having reduced luminance and color unevenness. A plurality of solid-state light emitting elements are mounted on a base substrate. An optical member is further mounted on the substrate and arranged so as to cover light emitting surfaces of the light emitting elements, the optical member having a semicircular or semielliptical cross-sectional surface, and gutter-shaped in a longitudinal direction with respect to the substrate. A wavelength converting member covers the semicircular or semielliptical cross-sectional surface of the optical member, and is excitable by light from the solid-state light emitting elements to thereby emit wavelength-converted light. In various embodiments light diffusion members may be further distributed among the light emitting elements.
US08894248B2
A stage lighting fixture includes a casing; a light source, which is housed inside the casing and is adapted-to emit a light beam along an optical axis; a reflector coupled to the light source; light beam processing means housed inside the casing and adapted to selectively intercept the light beam; at least one heat-shield assembly located inside the casing, between the light source and the light beam processing means, to substantially divide the casing into a first area comprising the light source and the reflector, and a second area comprising the light beam processing means; the heat-shield assembly comprising a heat-shield filter, and a detector for detecting a parameter indicative of the temperature of the heat-shield filter; a cooling assembly for cooling the inside of the casing; a control device configured for regulating the cooling assembly on the basis of the parameter detected by the detector.
US08894234B2
A flashlight includes a receptacle receiving a processing device and a battery and a light controlling device, the processing device is coupled to the battery and the light controlling device, two light members are coupled to the light controlling device for generating flashlights of different colors, the processing device is coupled to the light members for generating the flashlights, a switch device is coupled to the battery for controlling the processing device to actuate the light members, a control button is coupled to the processing device for operating the light controlling device to operate the light members to generate the flashlights of different colors, and a stick is attachable to the receptacle.
US08894227B2
A method and apparatus for correcting optical aberrations in an optical device using a deformable mirror. An actuator is provided which applies a deforming force to the deformable mirror. By selecting particular thickness profiles of the deformable mirror and force configurations of the actuator, the optical device can be configured to correct for different optical aberrations. The actuator may be configured to apply the deforming force peripherally, centrally, non-centrally or homogenously across the surface of the deformable mirror. The deformable mirror may be a flat disk mirror, a convex mirror, or a concave mirror, and may include a membrane having a variable flexibility. The optical device may be a wide-field microscope, an optical read/write device, laser tweezers, or any other optical device in which correction of optical aberrations is desirable.
US08894222B2
A supplemental optic system supported by a forward support structure azimuthally hinged from a forward portion of a track of an overhead support system cooperates with a light projector operatively coupled to the track. The track is suspended from a slider operatively coupled to a support post depending from an associated ceiling mount structure. The position of the slider within the track provides for minimizing the torque on the support post as a result of the distribution of weights of the light projector and the supplemental optic system.
US08894221B2
A projector includes a light source device, a holder that accommodates the light source device, and a resilient member formed by bending a bar-shaped metal component is provided. The holder has a receiving portion configured to pivotally support the resilient member in such a manner that the resilient member can rotate toward the inside and outside of the holder, and an engaging portion configured to engage with the resilient member to regulate the rotation of the resilient member toward the outside of the holder. The resilient member engages with the engaging portion under the condition in which the light source device is accommodated in the holder to bias the light source device toward the holder.
US08894219B2
An optical projection system for projecting an enlarged image on a projection surface is provided. The optical projection system includes an image forming element, a coaxial optical system and a concave mirror. The coaxial optical system and the concave mirror are arranged in this order on an optical path from the image forming element to the projection surface. The coaxial optical system includes lens groups and an aperture stop that share an optical axis. The lens groups include a first lens group and other lens groups. The first lens group has negative refractive power and independently moves in an optical axis direction for adjusting the focus of the optical projection system. The aperture stop is arranged at a position closer to the image forming element than the first lens group that is arranged closest to the concave mirror among the lens groups having the negative refractive power.
US08894205B2
A polarized optical element comprising: an optical part made of polyurethane-based optical material; and a polarizing film integrally bonded to the optical part, wherein the polyurethane-based optical material comprises the reaction product of a liquid-phase material comprising: a) a liquid polyisocyanate or polyisocyanate prepolymer having a content of —NCO functional groups comprised between 5 and 50% by weight and an average functionality of 2 to 3, b) an isocyanate-reactive component comprising at least one organic compound containing at least two aromatic amine groups, and c) at least one organometallic catalyst.
US08894201B2
This invention discloses methods and apparatus to form organic semiconductor transistors upon three-dimensionally formed insert devices. In some embodiments, the present invention includes incorporating the three-dimensional surfaces with organic semiconductor-based thin film transistors, electrical interconnects, and energization elements into an insert for incorporation into ophthalmic lenses. In some embodiments, the formed insert may be directly used as an ophthalmic device or incorporated into an ophthalmic device.
US08894198B2
An apparatus for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involves the use of a gating agent that blocks the substance from or attracts the substance to the substrate. The apparatus may utilize ink jet technology to apply the gating agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The gating agent includes a nonionic surfactant, and water. The gating agent does not contain a discernable amount of dye, pigment or other colorant agent.
US08894195B2
Non-aqueous pigment dispersions exhibit improved dispersion quality and/or stability for a specific selection of naphthol AS pigments and azo pigments by using specific quinacridone dispersion synergists. The non-aqueous pigment dispersions can be advantageously used in inkjet inks inkjet printing methods.
US08894192B2
The present invention relates to postal evidencing modules that can be recycled in a non-destructive fashion for reuse and remanufacturing. The modules comprise a cartridge-receiving portion and a lid, which can be manually disengaged from one another by the user in order to assist in reuse and remanufacturing. The modules further comprise flex circuits with one or more microprocessors to electrically engage the ink cartridges and a postage evidencing system. The present invention is designed to use commercially available ink cartridges and microprocessors.
