US07649927B1
A technique for an equalizer filter with dynamically configurable convolution filter is described. The input to a transmitter chain is modified by an equalizer filter, prior to being applied to the transmitter. The equalizer filter modifies and smoothen the amplitude of the signal. The modified and smoothen signal has its peaks reduced which results in lower Crest Factor. The input to the reconditioning equalizer filter could be a baseband, an intermediate frequency (IF) or radio frequency (RF) signal. In the case of an IF or RF signal, it needs to be down converted to baseband before applied to the equalizer filter.
US07649925B2
Time is transferred from an ultra wideband (UWB) transmitter to UWB receiver by transmitting a signal structure having an associated timing reference point together with a time value for the timing reference point. The UWB receiver receives the timing signal structure by synchronizing a receiver time base to the signal structure, demodulating the time value information, and using the demodulated time value information to set a receiver clock value. Propagation delay information is used to adjust the receiver clock value by advancing the receiver clock value to account for the propagation delay. In one embodiment, propagation delay is determined from a known distance between the transmitter and receiver. In another embodiment, the transmitter and receiver are part of a two-way link wherein propagation delay is measured by round trip timing measurements.
US07649921B2
A laser module includes a semiconductor laser element and a feedback optical component forming an external cavity with the semiconductor laser element. Even if a ratio of a current threshold of the laser module changing according to a polarized state of returned light from the feedback optical component to a current threshold of the semiconductor laser element is in an arbitrary range within a predetermined range, a total value of a relative intensity noise occurring between a first frequency determined according to a cavity length of the external cavity and at least equal to or more than a frequency band of using a laser light and a second frequency calculated by multiplying the first frequency by a predetermined number is equal to or more than −40 dB.
US07649916B2
Systems and methods for stripping an optical mode from a semiconductor laser. A waveguide layer is included in the semiconductor laser and is typically arranged beneath the active region. The waveguide layer is configured to match the phase of the second order mode. The waveguide layer does not substantially match the primary optical mode of the laser. By matching the phase of the second order mode, the confinement of the second order mode is reduced and the second order mode strongly couples with the waveguide layer. The optical confinement of the primary mode is not substantially reduced. The side-mode suppression ratio is thereby improved by stripping the second order mode from the active region.
US07649910B1
A novel clock method and synchronization mechanism for recovering and distributing a centralized clock source synchronously over legacy asynchronous network devices such as legacy optical Ethernet devices that do not support synchronous Ethernet. An external device functions transparently to provide legacy optical Ethernet devices a clock synchronization and distribution mechanism. The external devices implement a clock conversion scheme whereby multiple clocks having diverse rates are converted to clock signals all having a common rate. One of the converted clocks is selected and all downstream clock signals are then derived from this clock. A high quality clock source located anywhere on the network is distributed throughout the network thus turning an asynchronous Ethernet network into a synchronous Ethernet network. Synchronous TDM data streams can then be easily transported over the Ethernet network.
US07649907B2
A method of processing data in a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer through which at least one first channel is mapped to a second channel in a transmitting end of a wireless communication system is disclosed. More specifically, a MAC layer data block is configured by including at least one higher layer data block received through the at least one first channel and adding a header thereto which includes at least one field which indicates at least two types of information. Furthermore, the MAC layer data block is tranferred to a lower layer through the second channel.
US07649906B2
A method of detecting missing fragments and idle links in a link bundle for a multilink protocol, and devices provisioned with program instructions for performing the method, employs a plurality of masks to track the links in the bundle that are active. Idle links are excluded from a determination about whether buffer cleanup should be run in order to reduce unnecessary buffer usage caused by orphaned fragments.
US07649904B1
A forwarding component of a routing node floods copies of a packet to a plurality of next hops associated with the same layer two (L2) network as an interface on which the packet was received. The plurality of next hops excludes a next hop that corresponds to the interface that received the packet. The forwarding component requires that forwarding information installed by a control unit specify the plurality of next hops to which to flood the copies of the packet, and the forwarding component is not capable of deriving the plurality of next hops to which to flood the copies of the packet from a single flooding next hop identifier after the packet is received. Prior to receiving the packet, a flooding next hop control module derives the plurality of next hops based on the flooding next hop and installs the derived next hops into the forwarding information.
US07649903B2
Method and system for routing fiber channel frames using a fiber channel switch element is provided. The method includes, inserting a time stamp value in a fiber channel frame that is received at a receive segment of the fibre channel switch element; determining if a timeout occurs after a frame arrives at a receive buffer; and processing the frame if the timeout occurred. The method also includes, determining if a delta time value, which provides an accumulated wait time for a frame, is present in frame data; subtracting the delta time stamp value from a global time stamp value and using the resulting time stamp value to determine frame timeout status in the fiber channel switch element. A timeout checker circuit declares a timeout after comparing a time stamp value that is inserted in a fiber channel frame with a programmed time out value and a global counter value.
US07649888B2
A system for link-independent multihoming in a network having heterogeneous access network technologies is disclosed, providing such multihoming in a manner transparent to IP connections. The system of the present invention provides constructs and methods for: discovering and selecting a multihoming server; selecting a primary media access control (MAC) address; associating multiple link addresses with a MAC address; and forwarding packets via the multihoming server based on certain defined policies.
US07649886B2
A method and electronic device (104) for processing incoming packets in a communication network (100) is disclosed. The method includes filtering (302) incoming packets in real time by using a recent offender list (212). The method also includes classifying (304) the incoming packets as offending packets and non-offending packets in non-real time.
US07649882B2
A communications switch or router employs a replication server to perform batch processing of multicast connections. The replication server performs three distinct forms of processing using staging queues: packet arrival processing, packet replication processing, and per-interface transmission processing. Packet arrival processing queues arriving packets in session queues, adds new multicast sessions to a replication set, and assigns a counter equivalent to the fan-out of the multicast session. Packet replication processing assigns a descriptor to packets of each session in the replication set, and copies the descriptor to each per-interface queue. Per-interface transmission processing examines each descriptor in the per-interface queue, copies the corresponding packets for transmission by the interface, adjusts the counter as each packet is copied, and clears the packet in the switch based on the adjusted counter.
US07649881B2
Methods and systems for extending the IMS/SIP architecture of the NGN to provide QoS service to generic bearer flows. More particularly, a method is provided for establishing an bearer end-to-end path of a communication session in a multi-domain communication network in which an out of band signalling protocol is used to establish communications sessions. The method comprises receiving an out-of-band signalling message including information representative of at least an opposite end point of a first bearer segment of the end-to-end path. The information is used to define a cross-connect mapping through a node of the network between respective local endpoints of the first bearer segment and a second bearer segment hosted by the node. Information representative of the cross-connect mapping is then inserted into the out-of-band signalling message, and the out-of-band signalling message forwarded.
US07649866B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and method of client device roaming from a home subnet to a foreign subnet of a network. The method includes the client device accessing the network through a first access node of the home subnet, and the client device roaming to a second access node of the foreign subnet, the client device accessing the network through the second access node, the client device maintaining a fixed client IP address, default gateway IP address and IP subnet attachment as the client device roams from the first access node to the second access node.
US07649863B2
Method for allocating radio resources for the establishment of an outgoing call originating from a mobile terminal of a first system for radiocommunications with mobiles having a given radio interface and a mutual help channel, via a base station of a second system for radiocommunications with mobiles having a given radio interface which is incompatible with the radio interface of the first system. The base station monitores the mutual help channel of the first system. In case of detection, by the base station, of a given pattern transmitted by the mobile terminal on the mutual help channel, by the base station allocates a traffic channel emulating the radio interface of the first system, for communication with the mobile terminal.
US07649861B2
Multiple antenna multicarrier communication system and method with reduced mobile-station processing
In a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) multicarrier communication system, a mobile station sends a quantized time-domain representation of the channel transfer function to a base station for use by the base station in generating beamforming coefficients for use in subsequent transmissions to the mobile station. In some embodiments, the quantized time-domain representation of the channel transfer function may be generated from selected most significant rays of an initial estimated sampled channel impulse response. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07649860B2
A pilot searcher for CDMA and GPS signals. In one aspect, the searcher is operated in conjunction with a sample buffer in a “real-time” or “off-line” mode. The writing/reading of samples to/from the buffer may be performed in a TDM manner via a common port, and samples may be decimated and packed prior to storing in the buffer. In another aspect, the overall search for pilots is partitioned into a number of tasks, with each task corresponding to a search over a given sample segment and based on a particular set of parameter values. The tasks may be stored in a queue and performed one at a time based on their order in the queue. Prior to performing a new task, the parameter values for that task is downloaded to a set of configuration registers. The parameters may be ordered and linked such that only new values are downloaded.
US07649850B2
A method for obtaining a convergence ratio. Uplink ports of an access/convergence device in the access network are classified into different trunks according to their types. The method includes: determining whether the network is a narrowband access network, and if so, obtaining the service convergence ratio of a trunk according to the number of available slots provided by the trunk for instant services and the number of instant service subscribers supported by the trunk, and if not, determining whether the trunk includes a sub-trunk, and if it does not include a sub-trunk, obtaining the bandwidth convergence ratio of the trunk according to the trunk bandwidth of the trunk and the service bandwidth; if so, obtaining the bandwidth convergence ratio of the trunk according to the trunk bandwidth of the trunk, the service bandwidth and the sub-trunk service bandwidth.
US07649846B2
To enable quick movement of communications among links in a link aggregation group, network element use a purge mechanism. A network element implementing the purge mechanism may disable distribution of additional frames to output queues associated with aggregated ports and potentially drop some or all frames from the output queues associated with aggregated ports. In conjunction with the dropping of frames, the network element may exchange one or more marker messages and marker responses with a remote network element. After receiving appropriate responses, the network element may restart distribution of frames to the affected ports.
US07649842B2
A method of selective dormant data session reactivation in a radio access network includes calculating an activation rate threshold as a function of a first plurality of packets received over a first time interval, where the first plurality of packets are coupled to reactivate at least one dormant mobile station. The second plurality of packets received in a second time interval are buffered, where each of the second plurality of packets has a destination IP address to reactivate the at least one dormant mobile station. An arrival rate of the second plurality of packets in the second time interval is compared to the activation rate threshold. If the arrival rate exceeds the activation rate threshold, the second plurality of packets may be separated into a plurality of source IP groups according to their respective source IP addresses, and progressively discarding in descending order one of the plurality of source IP groups having a highest number of the second plurality of packets until the arrival rate is below the activation rate threshold.
US07649840B2
The invention includes method for monitoring and/or limiting the use of a data communications connection subject to payment between IP clients in a packet-switched connection network, in which method the operator terminal, such as a SIP system, of the signalling channel of the connection station of the client is set to control a traffic limiter, such as a firewall in the operator's traffic-relaying system between the source terminal and the destination terminal. The invention also includes a system for limiting the use of a data communications connection subject to payment, between IP clients, in a packet-switched connection network and a computer software product for limiting the use of a data communications connection subject to payment, between IP clients, in a packet-switched connection network.
US07649833B2
A reconfigurable multichannel receiver may selectively operate in increased throughput modes and/or increased range modes. In some embodiments, the receiver may select two or more antennas from a plurality of spatially diverse antennas to receive more than one subchannel of a wideband orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) channel. Maximum-ratio combining may be performed on corresponding symbol-modulated subcarriers from the two or more antennas, and a single OFDM symbol may be generated from contributions from the subchannels received by the two or more antennas. In other embodiments, more than one subchannel of a wideband OFDM channel may be received through a single antenna selected from a plurality of spatially diverse antennas. In other embodiments, a single subchannel may be received by a plurality of spatially diverse antennas and maximum-ratio combining may be performed on corresponding symbol-modulated subcarriers received by the antennas.
US07649831B2
The present invention provides a method for feedback and transmission of multi-user (MU) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) in a wireless communication system. The method includes steps of selecting subset codebook or full code book based on traffic load of a base station, and broadcasting the selected codebook to user equipments. In high traffic load, subset codebook is selected, and in low traffic load, full codebook is selected. User stations calculated a channel quality indicator of a spatial codeword vector that is included in the selected codebook. Information of the maximum channel quality indicator is sent to the base station together with a precoder of the user equipment. The base station selects user equipments based on the information of the maximum channel quality indicator and precoder, and transmits precoder signal and data signal to the user equipments. The present invention also provides a system for the base station that causes the base station to perform the above mentioned operations.
US07649828B2
A method and system are disclosed for improving the performance of a multiline transmission system by using one or more split-pair receivers in a multiline communications system to identify crosstalk on a pair of transceivers coupled to the split pair receivers, wherein each split pair receiver receives a signal including the crosstalk from each transceiver and provides a corresponding signal vector to a post processing unit, and performing MIMO post-processing on signal vectors received at a receiver from each transceiver and each split-pair receiver while minimizing crosstalk on pairs of lines in the multiline communications system with a frequency equalizer.
US07649825B2
An object of the invention is to provide a splitter, a light emitter, and an optical pickup apparatus which can realize a stable track servo. Because of the structure of an optical system including an objective lens (27) and a hologram pattern (25), even when the hologram pattern (25) is irradiated with a reflected light from one recording layer other than another recording layer in a focused state, first and second TES splitting portions (35, 36) are not irradiated with the reflected light from the one recording layer, but the reflected light is led to an axis vicinity portion (38) only. Accordingly, light reception by first and second TES light receiving portions (45, 46) is prevented, accurate track position information and deviation information can be positively acquired, and troubles such as the objective lens (27) being driven beyond a movable range can be eliminated.
US07649820B2
The method of detecting defect signals includes: setting a default pit length range; inputting a data signal including a plurality of pits with different pit lengths; transferring the data signal into NRZ signal and counting the pit length of each pit; accumulating the number of the pits whose pit length are within the default pit length range, and accumulating the number of the pits whose pit lengths are outside the default pit length range but within the corresponding ranges; changing the logic state of a defect flag signal when one of the accumulative value reaches a corresponding threshold. The present invention also provides an apparatus for detecting defect signals.
US07649818B2
An optical recording apparatus uses a method of searching for a recording power, where the method includes: searching for a first optimum recording power; recording data on an optical disc at the first optimum recording power; determining whether recording environments are changed when a user desires to re-record the data after recording the data in the optical recording apparatus; re-searching for the optimum recording power when the recording environments are changed, and determining the researched optimum recording power to be a second optimum recording power; and recording the data at the second optimum recording power.
US07649817B2
A method and an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing data in which a recording and/or reproduction velocity is be reduced when a data recording and/or reproduction error occurs due to a defect of an optical disc during recording of data on and/or reproduction of data from the optical disc. The method includes: recording data on an optical disc that is rotating at a predetermined constant angular velocity; determining whether a data recording error occurs; and if it is determined that a data recording error has occurred, recording data on the optical disc that is rotating at a constant angular velocity which is lower than the predetermined constant angular velocity.
US07649816B2
When “buffer under run” (BUR) occurs during recording of a visible image on an optical disk, recording operation is interrupted. As in the case of type A, when BUR1 occurs after data have been transferred through an integral multiple of one revolution, data are recorded continuously from a reference angle position without host device discarding data. As in the case of type B, when BUR2 occurs after data have been transferred in a value which is other than the integral multiple of one revolution, data corresponding to a duration from the position where BUR occurs to the start of the next revolution are discarded, data are continuously recorded from the reference angle position. Thereby, rendering can be spliced in a visually-smooth manner. Further, as in the case of type C, when the volume of data remaining in a buffer has become equal to or less than a “buffer under run” threshold value, subsequent transfer of data from the host device may be interrupted, and rendering may be resumed without the host device discarding data.
US07649814B2
An optical pickup has a lens that is resiliently supported in such a manner as to be displaceable in different directions by pairs of a first wire, a second wire, and a third wire which are attached to a fixing portion by attaching means. The optical pickup includes a lens holder for holding the lens, and a printed circuit board secured to the lens holder. The first, second, and third wires have the same length and are formed of the same material, and are soldered to the printed circuit board at different distances from the attaching means.
US07649812B2
A time adjustment device having a reception unit that receives satellite signals transmitted from positioning information satellites; a time information generating unit that generates internal time information; a time information adjustment component that corrects the internal time information; and a reception controller that controls operation of the reception unit; wherein the satellite signal contains satellite time information that is kept by the positioning information satellite; the reception unit can select a first reception mode for receiving first information including the hour, minute, and second data in the satellite signal, and a second reception mode for receiving second information including the hour, minute, and second data, week information for the current year, month, and day, and satellite health information in the satellite signal; the time information adjustment component includes a time adjustment recording component that records whether or not the time was adjusted using the second information received in the second reception mode after the internal time information was initialized, a first time information adjustment component that controls the reception unit by way of the reception controller in the first reception mode to receive the first information, and sets the hour, minute, and second values of the internal time information based on the received first information, and a second time information adjustment component that controls the reception unit in the second reception mode to receive the second information, and sets the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second values of the internal time information using the received second information; the first time information adjustment component operates when it is recorded in the time adjustment recording component that the time was adjusted using the second information; and the second time information adjustment component operates when it is not recorded in the time adjustment recording component that the time was adjusted using the second information.
US07649806B2
The initial detection of a signal of interest in a data stream involves transmitting a signal received by a sonar or a radar to signal detection equipment wherein a signal of interest is characterized by a state model x(t) with values in a finite set {x1, . . . , xN}, to which there corresponds a finite set {ω1, . . . , ωN} of N values of an observation variable ω, characteristic of this signal. To detect the signal of interest a detection criterion Λn(t) is simultaneously calculated in two different ways. The larger of the two calculated values is assigned to the criterion of Λn(t) which is then compared with a detection threshold.
US07649794B2
A wear leveling method under limited system resources is provided, the wear levelling method is suitable for a non-volatile memory, the non-volatile memory is substantially divided into a plurality of blocks, and the blocks are at least grouped into a data area, a spare area and a substitution-transient area. The blocks within the data area may be divided into a plurality of lately-used blocks and a plurality of lately-unused blocks. The method includes only recording erase times of the lately-used blocks and blocks within the spare area and selecting a block used for the substitution-transient area is selected from the spare area according to a judgment condition of erase times of another block within the spare area plus a first threshold value. The method also includes performing a wear leveling procedure. Wherein, the selected block and the other block are selected in a random mode or a sequential mode.
US07649784B2
In a memory cell programming method, first through n-th programming operations are performed to program first through n-th bits of the n bits of data using the plurality of threshold voltage distributions. The first through n-th programming operations are performed sequentially. A threshold voltage difference between threshold voltage distributions used in the n-th programming operation is less than or equal to at least one threshold voltage difference between threshold voltage distributions used in the first through (n−1)-th programming operations.
US07649779B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to integrated circuits, methods for manufacturing an integrated circuit, memory modules, and computing systems.
US07649777B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a plurality of word lines WL; a plurality of bit lines BL; memory cell transistors having a charge storage layer arranged in the column whose charge storage state is controlled by one of the word lines; memory cell transistor rows MSGm, MSGn functioning as select gate lines by injecting a charge into the charge storage layer of a memory cell transistor to form an enhancement mode transistor. Any one of a first select gate transistor or a second transistor, or both may be formed by a memory cell transistor functioning as a select gate transistor.
US07649775B2
A flash memory device includes; a plurality of layers, each one including memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, a layer decoder configured to select one of the plurality of layers to thereby define a selected layer and an unselected layer, a voltage generator configured to generate an erase voltage at a level higher than ground voltage, and an internal voltage, and a row select circuit configured to apply the erase voltage to the selected layer, and apply at least one of the erase voltage and the internal voltage to the unselected layer during an erase operation.
US07649772B2
A method for programming a memory, which includes multiple multi-level cells each having a left half cell and a right half cell, includes the following steps. First, a target address corresponding to 2n-group data to be stored is provided, wherein n is a positive integer. Next, the 2n-group data is sequentially programmed into the multi-level cells based upon the target address in a programming loop so that the data stored in the left half cells and the data stored in the right half cells are from different groups of the 2n-group data.
US07649771B2
The present invention provides a method for decreasing program disturb in memory cells, comprising: finding an initial programming condition that ensures programming memory cell normally; selecting two parameters from the initial programming condition as variables for a program disturb test; performing the program disturb test to the memory cell for at least two combined values of the variables; obtaining a programming condition with minimum program disturb based on the result of the program disturb test; and applying the programming condition with minimum program disturb as the programming condition for memory cell. The method according to the present invention can minimize the program disturb in memory cells and can be performed easily.
US07649769B2
Circuit arrays having cells with combinations of transistors and nanotube switches. Under one embodiment, cells are arranged as pairs with the nanotube switching elements of the pair being cross coupled so that the set electrode of one nanotube switching element is coupled to the release electrode of the other and the release electrode of the one nanotube switching element being coupled to the set electrode of the other. The nanotube articles are coupled to the reference line, and the source of one field effect transistor of a pair is coupled to the set electrode to one of the two nanotube switching elements and the source of the other field effect transistor of the pair is coupled to the release electrode to the one of the two nanotube switching elements.
US07649768B2
A resistance memory element includes an elementary body and opposing electrodes separated by at least a portion of the elementary body. The elementary body is preferably made of a strontium titanate-based semiconductor ceramic expressed by the formula: (Sr1−xAx)v(Ti1−yBy)wO3 (where A represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Y and rare earth elements, and B represents at least one of Nb and Ta), and satisfies the relationships 0.001≦x+y≦0.02 (where 0≦x≦0.02 and 0≦y≦0.02) and 0.87≦v/W≦1.030. This semiconductor ceramic changes the switching voltage depending on, for example, the number of grain boundaries in the portion between the opposing electrodes.
US07649762B1
Embodiments for an area efficient high performance memory cell comprising a transistor connected to one of a bit line and a bit line bar are disclosed.
US07649758B2
A value of an AC reference waveform is obtained and converted to a d-q reference frame value. A phase estimate is generated responsive to the d-q reference frame value. An AC output of the power supply apparatus is controlled responsive to an output current of the power supply apparatus and the phase estimate. For example, an output current value may be obtained and converted to a d-q reference frame current value responsive to the phase estimate, and the AC output may be controlled responsive to the d-q reference frame current value.
US07649749B2
A wiring substrate includes a base insulating film, a first interconnection formed on a top surface side of the base insulating film, a via conductor provided in a via formed in the base insulating film, and a second interconnection provided on a bottom surface side of the base insulating film. The second interconnection is connected to the first interconnection via the via. The wiring substrate includes divided-substrate-unit regions, in each of which the first interconnection, the via, and the second interconnection are formed. The wiring substrate includes a warpage-controlling pattern on the base insulating film, with a warped shape such that when the wiring substrate rests on a horizontal plate, at least a central part of a plane surface of the substrate contacts the horizontal plate, with both ends of the side raised.
US07649736B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing including an opening, a partition wall which partitions an interior part of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber which is opened to the outside through the opening, first and second heat generating parts mounted in the first chamber, a first heat radiation member located in the second chamber, a heat transfer member which transfers heat generated by the first heat generating part, a cooling fan which draws outside air and exhausts the air against the first heat radiation member, a second heat radiation member which is exposed to the outside of the housing and is thermally connected to the second heat generating part, and a cover covering the opening and the second heat radiation member. The cover forms a gap between the cover and the housing. The gap communicates with the second chamber.
US07649731B2
A power distribution module includes a housing having multiple channels, and a plurality of buss bars received within the housing for distributing power between multiple electrical components. The buss bars have terminals that are selectively positionable within respective ones of the channels based on a predetermined arrangement of the electrical components.
US07649729B2
The present invention generally comprises an electrostatic chuck base, an electrostatic chuck assembly, and a puck for the electrostatic chuck assembly. Precisely etching a substrate within a plasma chamber may be a challenge because the plasma within the chamber may cause the temperature across the substrate to be non-uniform. A temperature gradient may exist across the substrate such that the edge of the substrate is at a different temperature compared to the center of the substrate. When the temperature of the substrate is not uniform, features may not be uniformly etched into the various layers of the structure disposed above the substrate. A dual zone electrostatic chuck assembly may compensate for temperature gradients across a substrate surface.
US07649727B2
A method for adding and connecting a remotely operated SPDT relay to an electric power circuit of an AC appliance connected to a manually actuated electrical SPDT switch for integrating said AC appliance into an home automation network, each said relay and said SPDT switch includes a pole terminal and dual traveler terminals and said relay is similar to a shape and a size of an AC switch fit for installation into a standard electrical box.
US07649725B2
A power limiting circuit for controlling the power of the incandescent lamp not to overrun the rated power limit includes a sampling circuit that consists of two resistors connected in parallel. A control chip compares the received sample voltage with the standard voltage then outputs control signal to drive the conduction of a SCR (silicon controlled rectifier) to change the inner states of contacts of a relay so as to further control the on/off between the input and the output. Based on this control process and technique, this invention prevents the employment of incandescent lamps having a greater power than power rating. Besides, a bi-operational amplifier circuit is used to fulfill the whole examination and control perfectly.
US07649723B2
An ESD protection substrate is disclosed. The ESD protection substrate includes a first conductor, a second conductor, a pointed structure, and an ESD protection material. The pointed structure is electrically connected to the first or the second conductor. The ESD protection material is disposed between the first and the second conductors.
US07649721B2
An alternating current system 10 has a primary circuit 11 which forms a primary winding 18 on a core 16. A secondary winding 24 is connected with a current source 26 or, alternatively, with an impedance 60. The core 16 is threaded by a superconducting coil 20 having a current source 22. In normal use, current in the coil 20 provides a DC bias level of flux in the core 16, and the source 26 is varied to maintain substantially constant flux, thereby minimizing losses in the primary circuit 11. In fault conditions, current in the coil 20 is reduced or removed to increase voltage losses across the coil 18, thereby limiting fault current. The impedance 60 can also be switched into circuit, creating further current limiting by virtue of the transformer effect of the windings 18, 24.
US07649719B2
A current perpendicular to plane dual giant magnetoresistive sensor (dual CPP GMR sensor) that prevents spin torque noise while having high dR/R performance. The sensor has a design that maximizes the GMR effect (dR/R) by providing a pinned layer structure that maximizes the positive GMR contribution of the AP2 layer (or magnetic layer closest to the spacer layer) while minimizing the negative GMR contribution of the AP1 layer. The pinned layer structure includes an AP1 layer that includes a thin CoFe layer that is exchange coupled with an IrMn or IrMnCr AFM layer and has two or more Co layers with a spin blocking layer sandwiched between them. The use of the Co layers and the spin blocking layer in the AP1 layer minimizes the negative contribution of the AP1 layer. The AP2 layer has a plurality of CoFe layers with nano-layers such as Cu sandwiched between the CoFe layers.
US07649706B2
Provided is an apparatus, medium, and method controlling a flying height of a magnetic head of a disk drive so that a clearance between a disk and the magnetic head in a data write mode can be similar, e.g., substantially the same, as that of the magnetic head in a data read mode. The apparatus may includes a disk storing information, a magnetic head including a magnetic read element detecting a magnetic field on the disk, a magnetic write element magnetizing a portion of the disk, a structure generating an air bearing between a surface of the disk and the magnetic read element and magnetic write element, and a heater heating the structure that generates the air bearing, and a current supply circuit supplying current to the heater so that a clearance between the disk and the magnetic head in a write mode can be similar, e.g., substantially the same, as that of the magnetic head in a read mode.
US07649701B2
A magnetically activated switch assembly is provided. The magnetically activated switch assembly includes a magnet and a magnetic circuit. The magnetic circuit includes a magnetically activated switch, a first set of flux conductors, and a second set of flux conductors. The first set of flux conductors has first flux conductor flanges adapted to conduct flux from ends of the magnet. The second set of flux conductors is slidingly positioned relative to the first set of flux conductors and is adapted to conduct flux from the first set of flux conductors to the magnetically activated switch. The first set of flux conductors are adapted to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise and to tilt up or down. The first magnetic circuit is adapted to conduct flux to activate the magnetically activated switch only when the first flux conductor flanges are rotationally aligned with ends of the magnet and tilted to an operational position.
US07649692B2
A variable-focus lens that includes a wall made of an insulating material, a drop of an insulating liquid arranged on an area of a first surface of the wall, a conductive liquid covering the first surface and the drop, and an electrode arranged on a second surface of said wall. The insulating and conductive liquids are non-miscible, having different optical indexes and substantially the same density. The drop of the variable-focus lens is centered in a truncated cone centered on an axis perpendicular to the first surface, the bottom of which is pierced with a centered hole, and the insulating material wall is transparent and covers the hole.
US07649685B2
The invention relates to an arrangement for a stereomicroscope, having an illumination apparatus (20) whose light lies in a regulatable spectral region. This illumination apparatus can be freely supplemented by at least one further illumination apparatus (30) whose light lies in likewise regulatable spectral regions identical to or different therefrom.
US07649682B2
This invention comprises a method, a software, and a microscope system for monitoring and controlling information loss. The observation of information that is not present and the comparison of ideal loss to actual loss generates an explanatory component by means of a rule set. The user is instructed by the microscope system in an appropriate manner, for example by means of a display, to undertake actions that remove the defects.
US07649681B2
A surgical microscope (1) includes a viewing unit (3) for viewing an object (5) and an image projection module (7) for inputting image data (9) into the viewing unit (3). The image projection module (7, 107, 207, 307) includes a plano-convex lens and a plano-concave lens. The image projection module (7, 107, 207, 307) includes an image display unit (11, 111, 211, 311).
US07649680B2
A wavelength converting apparatus that improves output performance of laser light subjected to wavelength conversion while improving the efficiency of laser light wavelength conversion. Wavelength converting apparatus (100) has: nonlinear optical crystal (110) converting wavelength of laser light propagating inside wavelength converting apparatus (100); right angle prism (130) deflecting laser light emanating from nonlinear optical crystal (110) and causing the laser light to be incident on nonlinear optical crystal (110) again, and to propagate in parallel and in opposite directions at a predetermined distance with respect to laser light before emanation from nonlinear optical crystal (110); and first dichroic mirror (120) separating laser light subjected to wavelength conversion inside nonlinear optical crystal (110) from the laser light before incidence on nonlinear optical crystal (110) for a second time.
US07649672B2
A MEMS structure includes an element substrate, an electrode pad formed on the element substrate, a MEMS activated element formed on the element substrate, and having an electrode-connecting layer, and a connecting line to electrically connect the electrode pad and the electrode-connecting layer.
US07649671B2
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a first electrode, a second electrode electrically insulated from the first electrode, and a third electrode electrically insulated from the first electrode and the second electrode. The MEMS device also includes a support structure which separates the first electrode from the second electrode and a reflective element located and movable between a first position and a second position. The reflective element is in contact with a portion of the device when in the first position and is not in contact with the portion of the device when in the second position. An adhesive force is generated between the reflective element and the portion when the reflective element is in the first position. Voltages applied to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode at least partially reduce or counteract the adhesive force.
US07649665B2
An apparatus and methods for optical switching using nanoscale optics are disclosed herein. A nano-optics apparatus for use as an optical switch includes a metallic film having a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of cylindrical channels containing a dielectric material, the metallic film acting as an outer electrode; and an array of non-linear optical components penetrating the metallic film through the plurality of cylindrical channels, the array acting as an array of inner electrodes.
US07649663B2
A technique is provided which enables proper correction of optical characteristics in accordance with change in ambient temperature.An optical beam scanning device capable of causing a luminous flux from a light source to scan a photoconductive surface of each of plural photoconductors in a main scanning direction, includes: a polygon mirror 80 which reflects and deflects an incident luminous flux by plural reflection surfaces arrayed in a direction of rotation, and thereby causes the incident luminous flux to scan in the main scanning direction; and a post-deflection optical system A which includes plural optical devices and which guides the luminous flux reflected and deflected by each of the plural reflection surfaces in the polygon mirror 80, to a photoconductive surface of a photoconductor to which the luminous flux should be guided. Of the plural optical devices forming the post-deflection optical system A, in at least one optical device on which a principal ray of the luminous flux which should be guided to each of the plural photoconductors becomes incident at different incident positions from each other in a sub scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, a diffraction grating is formed at least on one of an incident surface and an exit surface of the luminous flux in the optical device.
US07649661B2
A method is provided for manufacturing a holographic medium by recording holograms in transmission geometry, and applying a reflective layer to one side of the holographic recording material after recording is completed (alternatively, for example, the playback system may contain a reflective surface or mirror). For readout, the reference beam is incident to the media from a side opposite the reflective layer. This beam propagates through the media to the reflective layer on the opposite side, and is reflected back through the media for readout of the transmission hologram. The diffracted hologram signal also exits the media on the side without the reflective layer, where it can be recovered by a detector on the same side as the laser source. Alternatively, the readout reference beam is positioned so that the incident beam reads out the hologram, and both the reference beam and diffracted hologram are reflected back through the media.
US07649653B2
We describe a processing apparatus and associated method for enhancing image color that includes a color space regional parameter storage module to store parameters of a color space region. A plurality of color space regional decision and enhancement attenuation calculation modules each calculate a color enhancement amplitude of a pixel responsive to the parameters. And a color space component enhancement module calculates a component of the color enhancement amplitude of the pixel in its color space. The processing apparatus and associated method achieve improved color enhancement in a specific region of the color space.
US07649645B2
A method of ordering a job queue includes providing a marking system that includes a first marking engine and a storage device storing first and second print jobs in queue. The first marking engine includes first and second metrics. The method includes determining a present state value of the first and second metrics for the first marking engine, and estimating an incremental depletion value of the first and second metrics of the first and second print jobs. The method further includes comparing the incremental depletion value of the first and second metrics, respectively, with the present state value of the first and second metrics for the first marking engine. The method also includes ordering the first and second print jobs in the storage device based at least partially on the comparison. A system is also discussed.
US07649642B2
A method and system for printing documents on a network printer, are provided. The method includes defining a print job at a user's source station for printing in the printer. The print job includes print data and print process parameters. The print process parameters include a specification of a print media for printing images according to the print data, each media having print media properties. The defining step includes a generic print media specifying process, in which a print media for printing images according to the print data is selected by the user within constraints of a general set of media available for any user of the printer. The defining step also includes an alternative, specific, print media specifying process, in which a job-proprietary print media not included in the general set is specified by entering a free-form definition character string, as an identifying property of the job-proprietary media.
US07649640B2
A method of processing print jobs includes receiving two or more print jobs and organizing the two or more print jobs into one or more job groups that have modifiable group attributes. The method also includes organizing the one or more job groups into one or more group packages that have modifiable package attributes. The method further includes printing at least one of the group packages. A graphical user interface and a printing system are operative to perform the method.
US07649637B2
The invention relates to a method for generating a printout of a section of a global position-coding pattern in a system comprising a computer unit and a printer unit connected to the computer unit. The method is characterized by the steps of generating in the computer unit boundary information that describes the boundaries of the section in the global position-coding pattern; transmitting the boundary information from the computer unit to the printer unit; generating graphical information in the printer unit by means of an algorithm that defines the global position-coding pattern and on the basis of the boundary information, which graphical information describes pattern symbols in the section; and printing out the graphical information on a base by the printer unit.
US07649634B2
Methods are provided for estimating a surface profile of a sample in an interferometer having a broad bandwidth light source. The interferometer detects interference pattern intensity data over a series of frames of a relative scan between the sample and a reference surface. Particular methods comprise, for each location (x,y) of interest on the sample: determining an envelope of the detected interference pattern intensity data corresponding the location (x,y) of interest based on amplitudes of the detected interference pattern intensity data; determining a rough estimate zrough of the surface profile of the sample at the location (x,y) of interest based on the envelope; estimating a phase offset θ of the detected intensity data using a curve fitting optimization process to fit the detected intensity data to a broad bandwidth interference model; and refining the rough estimate zrough of the surface profile using the phase offset θ to obtain a fine estimate zfine of the surface profile of the sample at the location (x,y) of interest, the fine estimate zfine having improved resolution over the rough estimate zrough. Similar methods are used for characterizing films applied to substrates.
US07649628B2
In one aspect, the amount of data needed to store image intensity data obtained from a scatterometer (100) such as a Parousiameter is reduced by varying a resolution with which the intensity data is used in different regions of a grid according to determined variations in the intensity. In another aspect, a scatterometer is provided with an aspherical mirror (170, 900, 1000) for imaging a test sample (180) to correct for distortions introduced by the off center placement of the mirror relative to the test sample. In another aspect, an optical surface inspection apparatus uses an auxiliary lens (1440) between a test surface (1420) and an illuminated patterned grid (1410) to project the patterned grid (1610) on the test surface. A camera (1450) is focused on the grid on the test surface as a real image.
US07649618B2
A system and method for collecting Raman data sets without the “contaminating” effect of luminescence emitted photons. Using a frame transfer CCD for time resolved data collection, Raman imaging may be performed without photobleaching the sample. The system may include a light source, a frame transfer CCD, an optical lens and at least one controller. The light source illuminates the sample with a plurality of photons to generate scattered photons from the sample. The frame transfer CCD has an image array and a storage array. The optical lens collects scattered photons and directs the scattered photons to the image array. The controller transfers a Raman data set representative of the scattered photons from the image array to the storage array. The frame transfer CCD may be configured so as the image array integrates the scattered photons during a Raman integration time and the controller transfers the Raman data set from the image array to storage array during a parallel transfer time. The sum of the Raman integration time and the parallel transfer time is less than the minimum time it takes to trigger luminescence from the sample.
US07649613B2
A method of controlling a component within a lithographic apparatus is presented. The component is moved relative to a reference within the lithographic apparatus by a first actuator. A second actuator that exerts a force between the component and a reaction mass is used to adjust at least one of a position, velocity and acceleration of the component relative to the reference within the lithographic apparatus.
US07649612B2
A phase shifting photolithography system includes inserting a phase shift component in a path of an illumination, wherein the phase shift component modifies a portion of the illumination to a different, and controlling an aperture shutter of the phase shift component modifying an interference of the illumination and the illumination with the different phase.
US07649575B2
A display device displays corrected externally-supplied video signals, and includes plural pixels, a scanning driver and a signal driver which applies display voltages to signal lines coupled to the pixels. The signal driver includes a first converter which converts a format of the externally supplied video signals into a first format, a memory which stores the video signals from the first converter temporarily, a correction circuit which computes correction values based upon the video signals from the first converter and the video signals in the memory and corrects the video signals from the first converter based upon the correction values, and a second converter which converts the first format of the video signals from the correction circuit to a format of the display voltages. The memory stores the correction values also, and the correction circuit corrects the video signals in the memory based upon the correction values in the memory.
US07649570B2
A broadcast receiver and a method for displaying channel information are disclosed, in which video signals of each channel are displayed in a multi-PIP mode when a channel list is displayed, so that a user can identify the channel list through video. Therefore, since broadcasting channel program information is displayed in real time in the multi-PIP mode of a video type, the user can share the broadcasting information with a broadcasting station in real time. Also, since the user can readily identify information on various broadcasting channels on a channel edition screen, it is possible to facilitate channel edition.
US07649567B2
A format conversion apparatus for subjecting data having a predetermined resolution to conversion of the resolution according to a resolution of a display screen, comprises: a timing generation unit for generating a timing for thinning out inputted signal data, using a resolution conversion coefficient that is calculated on the basis of a conversion ratio of the resolution; and a selection unit for selecting, from two pieces of input signal data existing before and after the timing generated by the timing generation unit, the signal data that is timewise closer to the timing; wherein resolution conversions in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction are carried out while maintaining the combination of the inputted signals.
US07649566B2
The image-capturing system comprises a image-capturing module and a plurality of mirrors, wherein the image-capturing module has a lens and a charge-coupled device (CCD). The image-capturing module is located on about the center in the image-capturing system, and a plurality of mirrors are arranged in the peripheral region within the image-capturing system to make the layout of optical path around the image-capturing module. Furthermore, reflectional angle of each mirror can be adjusted according to the requirement for design, so as to obtain the longest optical path.
US07649560B2
A pinned-photodiode image sensor using shared output amplifiers, for example output amplifiers in the 2.5T arrangement has transfer gate control lines alternating or cross-coupled between successive columns or adjacent rows. This assists in removing row-row mismatches. In preferred embodiments, the approach is applied to Bayer pattern RGB sensors, and allows the gain and/or the exposure of green pixels to be controlled separately from those of red and blue pixels.
US07649554B2
An image composition method comprises: subjecting a first high-sensitivity image signal generated based on high-sensitivity image outputs from corresponding ones of a plurality of pixel positions in a solid-state imaging element that has imaged a subject, to a first nonlinear conversion, so as to prepare a second high-sensitivity image signal; subjecting a first low-sensitivity image signal generated based on low-sensitivity image outputs from corresponding ones of the plurality of pixel positions, to a second nonlinear conversion, so as to prepare a second low-sensitivity image signal; and subjecting the second high-sensitivity image signal and the second low-sensitivity image signal to weight adding at every common pixel position, over the entire range of an incident light exposure level exhibited by each incident light that entered to each of the plurality of pixel positions, so as to produce a composed image signal of the subject.
US07649550B2
A main frame adapter is detachably mounted, instead of a camera head, on a camera main frame from which the camera head is separated. The camera head comprises an image taking optical system and an imaging device. The camera main frame is adapted to receive an image signal from the camera head that is detachably mounted on the camera main frame. A head adapter that is detachably mounted, instead of the camera main frame, on the camera head separated from the camera main frame. Both the adapters have each the radio communication section.
US07649546B1
A media transfer device includes an inlet opening, an outlet opening, a screen, and a two-way mirror, such that, when an image is projected through the inlet opening and is reflected off of the two-way mirror onto the screen, a recorder located at the outlet opening may record the screen image as seen through the two-way mirror.
US07649545B2
A system for inspecting an object, the system comprising a camera; a work surface for receiving the object; and an apparatus for processing an image of the object taken by the camera wherein, during the capture of an image by the camera, the camera and the object are fixed with respect to one another. The processing apparatus identifies those image data components that represent the an edge of the object in an image plane, and projects each image edge data component onto the object plane. The processing apparatus also determines whether each object edge data component relates to an edge of the object that lies on the work surface or to an edge of the object that is spaced apart from the work surface and, upon determining that an object edge data component is spaced apart from the work surface, adjusts the value of the object edge data component by an amount depending on the ratio of the size of the object in a direction generally perpendicular with the work surface to the perpendicular distance of the camera's focal point from the object plane.
US07649544B2
An improved ROS driver circuit for an electrophotographic printing system includes a sub-pixel clock generator, a parallel to serial converter, and a raster output scanner (ROS) light source. The sub-pixel clock generator generates a sub-pixel clock signal that has a period less than a period of a video data clock and this clock signal is used by the parallel to serial converter to convert a parallel video data stream into a serial video data bit stream. The serial video data bit stream modulates the ROS light source to provide sub-pixel control of the light signal generated by the ROS light source.
US07649542B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for forming an image by determining a thermal print head type and generating driving signals for driving the thermal print head according to the thermal print head type. The apparatus includes a data input unit which receives data regarding an image to be printed, a controller which determines the thermal print head type and generates driving signals for driving the thermal print head according to the thermal print head type, and the thermal print head which prints the image by heating a medium.
US07649535B2
A method of animating feather elements includes: specifying initial positions for a skin surface and for feather elements; specifying positions for the skin surface at an animated time; determining a feather-ordering sequence for placing the feather elements on the skin surface; determining positions for skirt elements that provide spatial extensions for the skin surface at the animated time; determining positions for feather-proxy elements that provide spatial extensions for the feather elements at the animated time; and determining positions for the feather elements at the animated time by extracting the feather elements from the feather-proxy elements. The feather-proxy elements are determined from the skirt elements according to the feather-ordering sequence, and the feather-proxy elements satisfy a separation criterion for avoiding intersections between the feather-proxy elements.
US07649529B2
In a light emitting apparatus, all pixels are fabricated using monochrome light-emitting materials. Since the light transmittances of color filters or color conversion layers are not uniform among red (R), green (G), and blue (B), exact white color cannot be displayed. In the present invention, dots for producing these colors of light, i.e., red (R), green (G), and blue (B), are arranged parallel to writing scan lines and to erasing scan lines. The brightnesses are made uniform by controlling the emission times of the emitted colors of light. According to the brightnesses obtained after passage through the colored layer with the lowest light transmittance, the emission times of colors of light passed through the other colored layers are shortened. Thus, as the brightness differences after passage can be reduced, the light emitting apparatus can display exact white color.
US07649524B2
A digitizer apparatus for digitizing user interactions, for example detecting locations of physical objects, comprises: sensing elements, spread across a sensing area, configured for sensing the user interactions, say involving a stylus or like object, and a controller, associated with the sensing elements, configured to dynamically select a tracking window for the interaction, the tracking window comprising a subset of the sensing elements which are activated for sensing the object. The window is selected to center on the interaction based on e.g. last known location data, and thereby save processing resources by sampling only the minimum number of sensing elements necessary at any time.
US07649521B2
A plurality of scanning signal lines GLn divided into groups, and each group is made up of three scanning signal lines GLnR, GLnG and GLnB, and a plurality of pixels are divided into pixel blocks, and each pixel block is made up of three pixels PR (n, m), PG (n, m) and PB (n, m) respectively connected to the scanning signal lines GLnR, GLnG and GLnB. These pixels PR (n, m), PG (n, m) and PB (n, m) are connected to a common data signal line SLm. To the scanning signal lines GLnR, GLnG, GLnB, scanning pulses are sequentially outputted to the scanning signal lines GLnR, GLnG and GLnB from shift registers SRnR, SRnG and SRnB, and video signals for R, G and B are outputted to the data signal line SLm from a driver IC by time division.
US07649517B2
A liquid crystal display and a liquid crystal display panel thereof. Gates on thin film transistors serving as switches in the same row of pixels are coupled with a gate line. A scan signal is substantially inputted to a middle of the gate line and transmitted to two extremities of the gate line, so that the two thin film transistors, which are coupled with the two extremities of the gate line have substantially the same time for turning on/off. Namely, the pulse waveforms of scan signals received by the two pixels, which are spaced apart by a longest distance, are substantially the same.
US07649512B2
Scanning switch means 21 to 2m can connect scanning lines S1 to Sm freely to a first potential or a second potential. Drive switch means 71 to 7n can connect drive lines D1 to Dn freely to a drive current source 70 or an off potential. Control means 8 connects the scanning switch means 21 to 2m sequentially with the first potential to select the scanning lines S1 to Sm sequentially and to control the connected states of the drive switch means 71 to 7n. In accordance with the number of the drive lines D1 to Dn to be connected to the drive current source 70, the control means 8 changes the resistances of the scanning switch means 21 to 2m corresponding to the scanning lines S1 to Sm connected to the second potential to become the unselected state, into at least two stages.
US07649500B2
The present invention provides a film antenna assembly and a fabrication method thereof. The assembly includes an antenna body, which is a conducting body placed onto the substrate. The antenna body is provided with a signal connector, a feeder, and a conducting medium. One side of the conducting medium is coupled with the feeder, and the other side is located on the signal connector of antenna body. With this combined structure of the feeder, the film antenna assembly could be protected against damage, and the stable electrical connection resolves the coupling issue of the film antenna and feeder for improved applicability and economic efficiency.
US07649491B2
A transmission controller 7B is configured to transmit an R/W request signal for requesting transmission of a tag response signal to a RFID tag 1 twice. At this time, a frequency controller 7A controls a PLL section 5A to transmit the R/W request signal via different carrier frequencies. A phase information acquirer 8A detects a phase change amount of the tag response signal that is transmitted via different carrier frequencies. A distance calculator 8B calculates the distance between the reader/writer 2 and the RFID tag 1 on the basis of the phase change amount.
US07649484B1
An enhancement that reduces the digital interface rate of analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) converters through the use of compression and decompression is described for implementation as a single integrated circuit. Improved A/D converters compressing a sampled version of an A/D converter's analog input signal in real time, thereby significantly decreasing the required bit rate of the A/D converter's digital interface. Similarly, improved D/A converters decrease the required bit rate of the D/A converter's digital interface. D/A converters include a decompressor that decompresses the D/A converter's compressed digital input in real time, prior to conversion to an analog output signal.
US07649479B2
A system and method for realizing a Wyner-Ziv encoder may involve the following steps: (a) apply nested quantization to input data from an information source in order to generate intermediate data; and (b) encode the intermediate data using an asymmetric Slepian-Wolf encoder in order to generate compressed output data representing the input data. Similarly, a Wyner-Ziv decoder may be realized by: (1) applying an asymmetric Slepian-Wolf decoder to compressed input data using side information to generate intermediate values, and (b) jointly decoding the intermediate values using the side information to generate decompressed output data.
US07649475B2
A downhole electrical transmission system having first and second tubular bodies coupled together by mating threads, each tubular body having a bore. An electrical conductor assembly is disposed within the bore of each tubular body. At least one end of each assembly has an electrical contact surrounded by a dielectric material, the electrical contact and dielectric material forming a polished, planar mating surface. The mating surfaces span an entire cross section of the end and are perpendicular to a central axis of the tubular bodies. The mating surfaces of each electrical conductor assembly are substantially engaged at a compressive load when the tubular bodies are fully mated.
US07649472B1
A multi-module facility safety or security notification system containing (a) a central control unit, (b) at least one sub-module containing a light source and a sensor for detecting the level of ambient light, (c) at least one sub-module containing at least one additional sensor that is not an ambient light sensor, and (d) a at least two user selectable illumination options capable of being selected from at least the central control unit. The minimum illumination options are first an option where the light sources will respond to the ambient light sensor and the other sensor (i.e. a night-light mode) and second, an option where the light sources do not respond to the ambient light sensor but does respond to a different sensor.
US07649471B2
A logic circuit, for controlling display lights of a hard disk, includes a flip-flop, a logic gate and a buffer. The flip-flop receives a clock signal, a reset signal and a data signal and generates an output signal, in which the clock signal and the reset signal are obtained by a timing process of the data signal. The logic gate generates a logic signal according to the data signal and the output signal. The buffer receives the logic signal and an action signal. The logic signal enables the buffer such that the action signal passes through the buffer to drive a normal light during the normal operation of the hard disk, and the data signal drives a failure light during the failure or rebuilding operation of the hard disk. A method for controlling the display lights of the hard disk is also disclosed.
US07649452B2
A method for monitoring a process includes receiving a signal from a sensor that is indicative of a physical attribute associated with the process and transmitting data indicative of the received signal over a one-way link. The transmitted data received from the one way link are used in monitoring the process.
US07649448B2
The invention provides a stop lamp lighting controller able to improve durability of a relay while unnecessary automatic turning on and off are avoided. A stop lamp is lit through a main line at a gentle braking time. At a sudden braking time, the stop lamp is switched on and off by disconnecting and connecting the main line in a predetermined period. At a breakdown time of the main line, the main line is switched to a subline and a lighting function of the stop lamp is secured. The main line is formed when both a first relay and a second relay are in a de-energizing state. The main line is disconnected and connected by periodically opening and closing the first relay. The main line is switched to the subline by energizing the second relay.
US07649447B2
This invention proposes a wireless bike brake light that can respond to braking when bikes are in motion. The invention employs a MEMS (micro electro mechanical system)-structured accelerometer chip as sensor to detect related signals. A control circuits unit processes the signals, and then sends appropriate brake light to following vehicles based. The features of the invention are that (1) It can provide extra security when serving as a brake light with independence of braking system, (2) It is easily to install and durable, (3) It can be also applied to such sports as skiing, skateboarding, etc. that are not equipped with apparent brake devices, and thus hard to incorporate brake lights.
US07649437B2
A multilayer positive temperature coefficient thermistor that has a BaTiO3-based ceramic material contained as a primary component in semiconductor ceramic layers, the ratio of the Ba site to the Ti site is in the range of 0.998 to 1.006, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and Pm is contained as a semiconductor dopant. In this multilayer positive temperature coefficient thermistor, a thickness d of internal electrodes layer and a thickness D of the semiconductor ceramic layers satisfy d≧0.6 μm and d/D<0.2. Accordingly, even when the semiconductor ceramic layers have a low sintered density such that an actual-measured sintered density is 65% to 90% of a theoretical sintered density, a multilayer positive temperature coefficient thermistor having a low rate of temporal change in room-temperature resistance can be obtained without performing any complicated processes, such as a heat treatment. When the content of the semiconductor dopant is 0.1 to 0.5 molar parts with respect to 100 molar parts of Ti, a low-temperature firing at 1,150° C. can be realized, and a low room-temperature resistance and a sufficiently high rate of resistance change can be obtained.
US07649429B2
A controller sends signals to an electromagnetic coupler associated with a bus. The signals are arranged to set a coupling strength of the coupler.
US07649411B2
A system for amplifying a signal is provided. The system includes a plurality of driver stages, each having an input, an output, and a disable control. An output stage having an input is coupled to the outputs of the plurality of driver stages. A plurality of disable control signals is provided to the driver stages so as to controllably enable and disable one or more of the driver stages.
US07649408B2
Loop filters are provided, in which a first resistor comprises a first terminal coupled to a first node, and a second terminal coupled to a second node; a first capacitor is coupled between the second node and a ground voltage, a second resistor comprises a first terminal coupled to the first node and a second terminal coupled to a third node. An operational amplifier comprises a non-inversion input terminal coupled to the second node, an inversion input terminal coupled to the third node, and an output terminal, and a second capacitor is coupled between the output terminal of the operational amplifier and the third node.
US07649395B2
A scan flip-flop circuit including a data input, a scan input, a data output, a flip-flop, a multiplexer and a delay element is provided. The multiplexer allows selection of either the scan input or the data input for presentation at the input of the flip-flop. The flip-flop provides an output signal at the output of the scan flip-flop. The delay element is in a signal path between the scan input and the input of the flip-flop, and provides a signal propagation delay between the scan input and the input of the flip-flop. The delay between the scan input and the input of the flip-flop is substantially larger than the signal propagation delay between the data input and the input of the flip-flop. The delay in the scan path reduces the need for external buffers to avoid hold-time violations during scan testing of integrated circuits.
US07649394B2
A latch circuit (1) comprising a first input device (10a) in a first branch (4a) and a second input device (10b) in a second branch (4b). The latch circuit comprises a first estimator unit (40a) adapted to generate a first estimate of a current generated by the first input device (10a) and a second estimator unit (40b) adapted to generate a second estimate of a current generated by the second input device (10b). The latch circuit further comprises a control-voltage unit (50) operatively connected to the first and the second estimator unit (40a, 40b). The control-voltage unit is adapted to generate a control voltage based on a sum of the first estimate and the second estimate. Further, the latch circuit (1) comprises a first and a second voltage-controlled current unit (30a, 30b) adapted to generate currents at least based on the control voltage. The first voltage-controlled current unit (30a) is operatively connected to the first branch (4a). The second voltage-controlled current unit (30b) is operatively connected to the second branch (4b). A method for compensation for common-mode variations in the latch circuit (1) is also disclosed.
US07649390B2
A delayed locked loop supports increased operation frequency in a semiconductor memory device. An output driver for use in a delay locked loop includes a first driving block for receiving an output from the delay locked loop to generate a first DLL clock for outputting read data corresponding to a read command, and a second driving block for receiving an output from the delay locked loop to generate a second DLL clock for reducing current consumption during a write operation, wherein the first driving block has larger delay amount than the second driving block.
US07649374B2
One example of a test board includes first and second communication ports configured for communication with a master device and a DUT, respectively. A bit error rate tester of the test board is arranged for communication with the master device and with the DUT by way of the first and second communication ports, respectively, and the bit error rate tester includes at least one IC whose maximum data rate is temperature sensitive. Finally, the test board includes a temperature control system arranged to control the IC temperature so that a maximum data rate of the IC can be adjusted through the use of thermal effects.
US07649373B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes one or more voltage drop detection circuits located at one or more measurement points within the integrated circuit to detect drops in the power supply potential at those points. The voltage drop detection circuits output signals indicating whether the power supply potential is within tolerance, or whether the power supply potential has fallen and corrective action is required. Being located near the measurement points, the voltage drop detection circuits can measure the power supply potential without being disturbed by electrical noise elsewhere in the semiconductor integrated circuit. The signals output by the voltage detection circuits can be reliably brought to external terminals despite the presence of such noise, because the output signals are bi-level signals.
US07649369B2
In accordance with an increase in speed, a wiring structure has rapidly become more microscopic and thinner and a wiring layer has become extremely thin, and therefore, giving a contact load to a probe for the inspection as has been conventionally done causes damage to a wiring layer and an insulation layer because the probe penetrates not only the oxide film but also the wiring layer or because of a concentration stress from the probe. On the other hand, decreasing the contact load causes unstable continuity between the probe and an electrode pad.It is an object of the present invention to surely and stably inspect an object to be inspected by breaking an oxide film with a low stylus pressure.The present invention is a probe that comes into electrical contact with an object to be inspected when inspecting an electrical characteristic of the object to be inspected, the probe including: a probe main body having a contact portion that comes into contact with the object to be inspected; and a plurality of conductive materials having tip portions projecting from the contact portion of the probe main body.
US07649367B2
A vertically folded probe is provided that can provide improved scrub performance in cases where the probe height is limited. More specifically, such a probe includes a base and a tip, and an arm extending from the base to the tip as a single continuous member. The probe arm is vertically folded, such that it includes three or more vertical arm portions. The vertical arm portions have substantial vertical overlap, and are laterally displaced from each other. When such a probe is vertically brought down onto a device under test, the probe deforms. During probe deformation, at least two of the vertical arm portions come into contact with each other. Such contact between the arm portions can advantageously increase the lateral scrub motion at the probe tip, and can also advantageously reduce the probe inductance.
US07649364B2
A circuit includes a MOS transistor having a control electrode and a control capacitance, and including a control circuit for the MOS transistor. The control circuit includes an input to supply a control signal and an output to supply a drive signal, the output being connected to the control electrode of the MOS transistor. A calibration circuit is connected to the control electrode of the MOS transistor, and generates a calibration signal dependent on the capacitance value of the control capacitance. A drive circuit generates the drive signal with an amplitude dependent on the calibration signal as determined by the control signal.
US07649363B2
A diagnostic tool for performing electrical measurements to calibrate a plasma processing chamber probe is provided. The diagnostic tool includes an RF generator. The diagnostic tool also includes a first impedance circuit. The first impedance circuit is a voltage-load network, configured to deliver RF voltage outputs from the RF generator for voltage measurements when RF power from the RF generator is delivered to the first impedance circuit. The diagnostic tool further includes a second impedance circuit. The second impedance circuit is a current-load network, configured to deliver RF current outputs from the RF generator for current measurements when the RF power from the RF generator is delivered to the second impedance circuit. The diagnostic tool further includes a coaxial switch network arrangement configured to provide switchable RF delivery paths to deliver the RF power from the RF generator to one of the first impedance circuit and the second impedance circuit.
US07649352B2
A magnetic field sensor comprises a first and a second carrier foil and a spacer arranged there between. The spacer delimits a sensing region of the sensor in which the first and second carrier foils can be brought together against the their resiliency. At least two electrodes are arranged in the sensing region in such a way that an electrical contact is provided between them when the first and second carrier foils are brought together. The magnetic field sensor further comprises additional magnetizable layer associated with the first or the second carrier foil so that the first and second carrier foils can be brought together in response to a magnetic field.
US07649344B2
A system for a supplemental power source for a hand held portable electronic device is provided. A super capacitor is connected in parallel to a main battery of the portable electronic device. When the main battery becomes disconnected, the super capacitor is used to power the portable electronic device. The super capacitor is also used to provide compensation for the internal impedance of the main battery and the path impedance between the main battery and the load.
US07649343B2
Electrical connection between a charging device and a secondary battery is checked during a wait time in which a charge mode of the charging device is selected. When the electrical connection is not successfully established, a charge current is not supplied from the charging device to the secondary battery.
US07649340B2
A protecting circuit monitors a voltage of a secondary battery and supplies the signal to permit a discharge to a gate terminal of a discharge control FET when the voltage is equal to or more than a lower limit value in a rated voltage range. When the discharge control FET receives this signal, it is connected and passes a discharge current. In the other cases, it shuts off the discharge current. Further, when the voltage is equal to or more than a predetermined value, a signal of a voltage of a battery voltage or more is supplied from a voltage converter to the gate terminal. When the voltage is equal to or less than an upper limit value in the rated voltage range, the protecting circuit supplies the signal to permit a charge to a gate terminal of a charge control FET. Further, when the voltage is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the voltage output from the voltage converter is supplied to the gate terminal. A battery pack in which by applying the voltage of the battery voltage or more to the gate terminal, the discharge control FET and the charge control FET are controlled and an energy loss is suppressed to the minimum is provided.
US07649339B2
Calculating remaining battery capacity based on battery-side end voltage and device-side end voltage
A remaining battery capacity indicating apparatus includes an end voltage accumulated value setting unit operable to set an accumulated value indicative of a remaining capacity of a lithium-ion secondary battery, the accumulated value being set in a fully charged state of the battery so that the accumulated value reaches zero when a voltage in the battery is a device-side end voltage. It is determined whether a battery-side end voltage which ends discharges from the lithium-ion secondary battery corresponds to the device-side end voltage. If the battery-side end voltage does not correspond to the device-side end voltage, then the accumulated value is corrected in response to the device-side end voltage. A remaining capacity of the battery, corresponding to the device-side end voltage, is calculated based on the corrected accumulated value, and the calculated remaining capacity of the battery is displayed on a display unit. If the device-side end voltage does not correspond to the battery-side end voltage, then the remaining capacity of the battery is displayed on the device side.
US07649332B2
A motor control system uses an incremental encoder that provides a signal indicative of motor position. If an illegal state change is detected in the same sampling interval, an error event is recorded and an error counter is incremented. When the number of counts exceeds a pre-determined threshold, the motor is disabled so that appropriate corrective action can be taken.
US07649330B2
A disk drive system including retract logic for control of the voice coil motor in a retract operation, in which the voice coil motor positions the read/write head actuator arm in a safe place in a loss-of-power event, is disclosed. The retract logic includes circuitry for controlling the application of power to the voice coil motor from an external capacitor in a pulse-width modulated manner. Current from the capacitor is coupled to the voice coil motor in a drive phase of the pulse-width modulation cycle, and is recirculated through the voice coil motor in a complementary phase of the pulse-width modulation cycle. The recirculation is accomplished by a recirculation transistor that is smaller than the pull-down transistor used in the drive phase. The pulse-width modulation is controlled by sensing a voltage across an external sense resistor connected on the low side of the voice coil motor, by a common mode circuit including resistor chains, biased from a voltage common to a bias voltage of the sense amplifier.
US07649324B2
The embodiment disclosed herein relates to a lighting system that includes an auxiliary lighting circuit for use with an electronic HID ballast. The lighting system comprises a power supply configured to provide power to a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp via an electronic ballast and a ballast power sensing component configured to determine the amount of power drawn by the electronic ballast and to convert this power drawn by the electronic ballast to a scaled voltage that is representative of the power drawn by an HID ballast. A lamp driver component is configured to provide power to an auxiliary lamp via the same power supply when the scaled voltage reaches a triggering threshold. A voltage regulation component is configured to regulate the power delivered to the auxiliary lamp such that the auxiliary lamp power stays within a predefined range.
US07649323B1
A self-contained, rechargeable LED flashlight uses a zener diode in reverse-breakdown avalanche mode as a low-cost voltage regulator. A second embodiment of the LED flashlight incorporates boost-buck circuitry to allow the internal rechargeable flashlight battery to be recharged through external dry cells. An LED or LED array of the flashlight may be by passed with operator control to allow an internal battery to operate an external device, such as a cellular telephone or the like.
US07649320B2
A lamp, containing ≦100 ppm Hg, includes a burner chamber having an axis, the axis having a section ≧0.05 mm. The burner chamber has a recess oriented toward a light arc produced in the burning chamber to suppress arc curvature. The lamp has an arc-luminescence profile of luminescence (measured in cd/m2)/mm with an average slope over that section which is ≧|300,000,000| (cd/m2)/mm. Preferably, the profile maximum value is ≧90,000,000 cd/m2. In one embodiment, the arc-making device includes two electrodes disposed for producing the light arc across their two tips, the depth of the recess being sufficiently small so as not to extend between the two tips.
US07649318B2
A plasma display panel capable of increasing a luminous efficiency while decreasing discharge firing voltage while easily generating an address discharge by generating a sustain discharge as facing discharge. The discharge sustain electrodes are on barrier ribs between the two substrates. One of the sustain discharge electrodes extends between discharge cells and the other extends through discharge cells dividing discharge cells into two portions. Each discharge sustain electrode is surrounded by a dielectric material and also a non-transparent MgO protective layer. These electrodes are formed to be tall and narrow to allow for superior facing discharge potential.
US07649317B2
A plasma display device having an improved electrode structure that is capable of improving a contrast of the plasma display panel while decreasing a discharge firing voltage is provided. A plasma display panel according to an embodiment of the invention includes first and second substrates disposed opposite to each other, barrier ribs arranged in a space between the first substrate and the second substrate to define at least one discharge cell, address electrodes formed along a first direction, and display electrodes formed along a second direction intersecting the first direction. The display electrodes include bus electrodes formed extending in the second direction, expansion electrodes that extend toward the center of each discharge cell from the bus electrodes and face each other in the discharge cell with a discharge gap interposed therebetween, and auxiliary electrodes located at front ends of the expansion electrodes opposite to each other.
US07649311B2
An organic electroluminescent display device includes first and second substrates facing and spaced apart from each other, gate and data lines on an inner surface of the first substrate and crossing each other to define a pixel region, a switching element at a crossing point of the gate and data lines, a driving element connected to the switching element, a first electrode on an inner surface of the second substrate, an organic light-emitting layer on the first electrode in the pixel region, a second electrode on the organic light-emitting layer in the pixel region and electrically connected to the driving element, and a coloring element on an outer surface of the second substrate in the pixel region.
US07649306B2
Disclosed is a piezoelectric component (1) comprising a piezoelectric transducer (10) wherein a pair of electrodes (20a, 20b) are formed on both major surfaces of a piezoelectric substrate (11), a pair of frame members (30a, 30b) fitted to both major surfaces of the piezoelectric transducer (10), a pair of sealing substrates (40a, 40b) composed of a light-transmitting resin material and so fitted as to cover the frame members (30a, 30b), opaque coating layers (50a, 50b) respectively formed on the sealing substrates (40a, 40b), and a pair of input/output terminal electrodes (61a, 61b) respectively connected to the electrodes (20a, 20b). By having such a constitution, the state of sealed space and sealing widths of the frame members (30a, 30b) can be checked by visual examination such as direct visual observation or image recognition, and thus a highly reliable piezoelectric component (1) can be obtained. In addition, a mark can be made on the coating layers (50a, 50b).
US07649305B2
A mechanism for capturing mechanical energy and converting it to electrical energy for use continually charging or providing emergency power to mobile, battery-powered devices comprises a plurality of elongated piezoelectric elements mounted at one or support points to one or more support structures. The plurality of piezoelectric elements are preferably structured and arranged so that at least each three-dimensional coordinate axis has at least one element with a dominant mode of deflection in a plane normal to the axis, in order to permit harvesting energy from forces applied in any direction without regard to the orientation of the energy harvesting mechanism to the source of forces. This results in improved coupling of the transducer with the random movements or vibrations that may not confined to any particular plane or in a plane that is not necessarily aligned with the plane in which a piezoelectric element is designed to bend, thus improving the efficiency of energy capture.
US07649304B2
A piezoelectric resonator includes a laminated thin film having a first thin film portion supported by a substrate and a second thin film portion spaced apart from a first main surface of the substrate and acoustically isolated from the substrate. The second thin film portion of the laminated thin film includes a piezoelectric thin film, a first electrode disposed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric thin film, and a second electrode disposed on the lower surface of the piezoelectric thin film and being larger and thicker than the first electrode. The piezoelectric resonator further includes a mass adding film disposed around the first electrode and on at least one portion of a region extending outward from the periphery of a piezoelectric vibrating portion at which the first and second electrodes overlap each other with the piezoelectric thin film disposed therebetween. The second electrode arranged so as to extend beyond the piezoelectric vibrating portion to a region at which the mass adding film is disposed.
US07649295B2
An insulation structure of rotary electrical machinery which electrically insulates teeth of a stator from a winding wound on the teeth includes: an insulator made from hard insulation material, disposed on both axial ends of the teeth, and having a side wall disposed along a side surface of the teeth crossing to a circumferential direction thereof, and a high-heat-conductive electrical-insulation resin sheet disposed along the side surface of the teeth and insulating the teeth from the winding, wherein an axial end portion of the high-heat-conductive electrical-insulation resin sheet is disposed between the side wall of the insulator and the side surface of the teeth and is stacked on the side wall in a prescribed axial extent.
US07649292B2
An induction machine includes a stator provided with stator windings and a first rotor provided with first rotor windings, and generates an induction current in one of the stator windings and the first rotor windings by a rotating magnetic field generated in the other of the stator windings and the first rotor windings. A synchronous machine includes a second rotor which is provided with second rotor windings connected to the first rotor windings and coupled to the first rotor, and a third rotor which is provided with permanent magnets and rotatable independent of the second rotor, and a torque acts between the second rotor and the third rotor due to the interaction between the rotating magnetic field generated in the second rotor windings and the field flux generated in the permanent magnets.
US07649290B2
Provided is a bearing bush enabling excellent advancing and retreating movements of a shaft member by eliminating a clearance between the bearing bush and the shaft member to eliminate a backlash therebetween, capable of reducing a load of dimension control on both the bearing bush and the shaft member, and capable of being manufactured at a low cost. The bearing bush (4) for supporting the reciprocating movement of the shaft member (1) in an axial direction has a receiving hole through which the shaft member (1) is passed. Grooves (40) are sequentially formed at predetermined intervals in an inner peripheral surface of the bearing bush (4) facing the receiving hole. An inner diameter of the receiving hole is formed to be equal to or smaller than an outer diameter of the shaft member (1), and the bearing bush is press-fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the shaft member (1) in a state of a so-called interference fit.
US07649288B1
A limited rotation motor system is disclosed that includes a rotor shaft mounted within first and second bearing units. The rotor shaft is coupled to a helically shaped torsion member that is fixed with respect to a motor housing.
US07649280B2
A power equalization circuit in a transformer-based device having a plurality of isolated voltage outputs is provided. The circuit comprises: a threshold detection circuit configured to receive an error signal derived from a selected voltage at one of the isolated voltage outputs, and to determine whether the selected voltage is above a voltage threshold based on the error signal; a timer circuit configured to activate a wait signal after a maximum voltage drift time has expired since the selected voltage rose above the voltage threshold, and to activate a wink signal coincident with the wait signal; an overdrive current source configured to drive an error current to an overdriven value in response to the wait signal; and a commutator circuit connected to a transistor winding associated with the selected isolated voltage output, the commutator being configured to connect a transformer secondary winding to ground in response to the wink signal.
US07649278B2
An operating device capable of assuring safety when operating on-vehicle equipment of an automobile is implemented. The operating device includes force sensors buried in a grasping part of a steering wheel in a vehicle, a detector for detecting force acted on the grasping part on the basis of an output signal of each of the force sensors, and a controller for outputting an operating signal to a piece of the on-vehicle equipment mounted on the vehicle on the basis of a detected signal supplied from the detector. As a result, it is possible to operate force sensors and operate the on-vehicle equipment by adjusting force used to grip the steering wheel or pressing the steering wheel without letting go the driver's hold of the steering wheel.
US07649276B2
Described herein are marine devices and methods that convert mechanical energy in one or more waves to mechanical energy that is better suited for conversion into electrical energy. The marine devices employ a mechanical energy conversion system that harnesses wave energy and converts it into limited motion that is suitable for input to an electrical energy generator.
US07649275B2
A subsurface power generating system in one embodiment includes a frame, an electric generator supported by the frame and operably connected to a first vertical rotor, another electric generator supported by the frame and operably connected to a second vertical rotor, a first louver operably connected to the first vertical rotor and including a front side, and a back side, and pivotable between a first position whereat the backside is in contact with a first pivot limiting structure, and a second position whereat the backside is not in contact with the first pivot limiting structure, and a second louver operably connected to the second vertical rotor and including a front side, and a back side, and pivotable between a third position whereat the backside is in contact with a second pivot limiting structure, and a fourth position whereat the backside is not in contact with the second pivot limiting structure.
US07649268B2
A semiconductor wafer comprises a plurality of die areas, at least a first scribe line area and at least a second scribe line area surrounding each die area, at least a first metal structure positioned in the first scribe line area, and at least a second metal structure positioned in the second scribe line area. The first metal structure comprises at least a first slot split parallel to the first scribe line area, or comprises a plurality of openings arranged in an array. The second metal structure comprises at least a second slot split parallel to the second scribe line area, or comprises a plurality of openings arranged in an array.
US07649264B2
Described herein are embodiments of a hard mask including a surface to reduce adhesion to an anti-reflective material deposited on a surface, wherein the surface to reduced adhesion provides use of a process to remove the anti-reflective material deposited on the surface that minimizes damage to an interlayer dielectric layer below the hard mask and methods of manufacturing the same.
US07649261B2
A semiconductor device and its manufacture method wherein the semiconductor substrate has first and second insulating films, the first insulating film being an insulating film other than a silicon nitride film formed at least on a side wall of a conductive pattern including at least one layer of metal or metal silicide, and the second insulating film being a silicon nitride film formed to cover the first insulating film and the upper surface and side wall of the conductive pattern. The first insulating film may be formed to cover the upper surface and side wall of the conductive pattern. A semiconductor device and its manufacture method are provided which can realize high integrated DRAMs of 256 M or larger without degrading reliability and stability.
US07649251B2
A thin-film device incorporates: a substrate; an insulating layer, a plurality of lower conductor layers, a dielectric film, an insulating layer, a plurality of upper conductor layers and a protection film that are stacked in this order on the substrate; and a plurality of terminal electrodes. One of the terminal electrodes is connected to one of the lower conductor layers. The one of the lower conductor layers has a protruding portion that protrudes to extend more outward in a lateral direction than a side surface of the insulating layer. The one of the terminal electrodes has a concave portion that accommodates and touches at least part of the protruding portion, and touches the side surface of the insulating layer.
US07649249B2
An array of electrically conductive members, formed around the edges of a semiconductor device or chip, penetrate from one major surface of the device to the other major surface. In an area located inward of this array, a multiplicity of thermally conductive members also penetrate from one major surface to the other major surface. The semiconductor device can be manufactured from a semiconductor wafer by creating holes that penetrate partway through the wafer, filling the holes with metal to form the electrically conductive members and thermally conductive members, and then grinding the lower surface of the wafer to expose the ends of the electrically conductive members and thermally conductive members before dicing the wafer into chips. The thermally conductive members improve heat dissipation performance when semiconductor chips of this type are combined into a stacked multichip package.
US07649238B2
In a PMOS transistor, the source-drain region is divided into four parts along the gate width and has an arrangement of four independent source regions and an arrangement of four independent drain regions. A partial trench isolation insulating film is arranged in contact with the whole of the opposed surfaces between the four source regions in such a manner that the channel region formed under the gate electrode is divided across the channel length. A body-tied region containing N-type impurities relatively high in concentration is arranged in contact with the side surface of the source region opposite to the gate electrode, and the potential of the body region is fixed through the well region from the body-tied region.
US07649236B2
A semiconductor photodetector 10 has a first semiconductor substrate 1 that is of a first conductive type and a low resistivity and has a (111) front surface, and a second semiconductor substrate 2 that is of the first conductive type and a high resistivity, has a (100) front surface, and is adhered onto first semiconductor substrate 1. A semiconductor region 3 of a second conductive type is formed on the front surface side of second semiconductor substrate 2. A region of a periphery of semiconductor region 3 is etched until first semiconductor substrate 1 is exposed. A first electrode 1e and a second electrode 2e are electrically connected to the exposed front surface of first semiconductor substrate 1 and to semiconductor region 3, respectively.
US07649232B2
A p-channel MOS transistor includes source and drain regions of p-type formed in a silicon substrate at respective lateral sides of a gate electrode wherein each of the source and drain regions of p-type includes any of a metal film region and a metal compound film region as a compressive stress source accumulating therein a compressive stress.
US07649231B2
A new method to form CMOS image sensors in the manufacture of an integrated circuit device is achieved. The method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate. Sensor diodes are formed in the semiconductor substrate each comprising a first terminal and a second terminal. Gates are formed for transistors in the CMOS image sensors. The gates comprise a conductor layer overlying the semiconductor substrate with an insulating layer therebetween. The transistors include reset transistors. Ions are implanted into the semiconductor substrate to form source/drain regions for the transistors. The source regions of the reset transistors are formed in the first terminals of the sensor diodes. Ions are implanted into the reset transistor sources to form double diffused sources. The implanting is blocked from other source/drain regions.
US07649226B2
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a first gate dielectric on the semiconductor substrate; a first gate electrode over the first gate dielectric; a first lightly doped source or drain (LDD) region in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent the first gate dielectric, wherein the first LDD region comprises arsenic; and a first deep source/drain region in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent the first gate dielectric. The first deep source/drain region comprises phosphorous, and a first phosphorous junction depth in the first deep source/drain region is greater than about three times a first arsenic junction depth in the first deep source/drain region.
US07649221B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a plurality of memory cell transistors configured with a first floating gate, a first control gate, and a first inter-gate insulating film each arranged between the first floating gate and the first control gate, respectively, and which are aligned along a bit line direction; device isolating regions disposed at a constant pitch along a word line direction making a striped pattern along the bit line direction; and select gate transistors disposed at each end of the alignment of the memory cell transistors, each configured with a second floating gate, a second control gate, a second inter-gate insulator film disposed between the second floating gate and the second control gate, and a sidewall gate electrically connected to the second floating gate and the second control gate.
US07649213B2
A semiconductor device includes an SiC substrate, a normal direction of the substrate surface being off from a <0001> or <000-1> direction in an off direction, an SiC layer formed on the SiC substrate, a junction forming region formed in a substantially central portion of the SiC layer, a junction termination region formed to surround the junction forming region, and including a semiconductor region of a conductivity type different from the SiC layer formed as a substantially quadrangular doughnut ring, having two edges facing each other, each crossing a projection direction, which is obtained when the off direction is projected on the upper surface of the SiC layer, at a right angle, wherein a width of one of the two edges on an upper stream side of the off direction is L1, that of the other edge on a down stream side is L2, and a relation L1>L2 is satisfied.
US07649210B2
Light emitting LEDs devices comprised of LED chips that emit light at a first wavelength, and a thin film layer over the LED chip that changes the color of the emitted light. For example, a blue LED chip can be used to produce white light. The thin film layer beneficially consists of a florescent material, such as a phosphor, and/or includes tin. The thin film layer is beneficially deposited using chemical vapor deposition.
US07649208B2
The present invention relates to an LED package including photo diode. The LED package includes a silicon substrate, and a photo diode is formed in an upper part thereof. Also, an insulation layer is formed on the silicon substrate excluding at least a light-receiving area of the photodiode. In the LED package, an LED terminal is formed on the insulation layer to be connected to the photo diode. First and second LED connecting pads are formed on the insulation layer, and arranged on both sides of the photo diode. In addition, an LED chip is mounted on the silicon substrate, and connected to the first and second LED connecting pads.
US07649205B2
A method of manufacturing a thin-film transistor or like structure provides conductive “tails” below an overhang region formed by a top gate structure. The tails increase in thickness as they extend outward from a point under the overhang to the source and drain contacts. The tails provide a low resistance conduction path between the source and drain regions and the channel, with low parasitic capacitance. The thickness profile of the tails is controlled by the deposition of material over and on the lateral side surfaces of the gate structure.
US07649189B2
A cavity ring-down sensor having an optical path of mirrors and an interface proximate to a mirror with a normal incidence optical fiber coupling. The interface may be a block of transmissive materials having different indices of refraction for receiving a light beam of normal incidence from an optical fiber and directing the beam into the optical path. The sensor may be used applications where the optical fiber needs to be straight into the sensor without unusual bending because of space limitations. One application of this sensor may be for ground water testing via a narrow well casing.
US07649187B2
The invention is directed to an arrangement for generating extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation based on a plasma that is generated by electric discharge. It is the object of the invention to provide a novel possibility for radiation sources based on an electric discharge by which a long lifetime of the electrodes that are employed and the largest possible solid angle for bundling the radiation emitted from the plasma are achieved. According to the invention, this object is met by providing coated electrodes in the form of two endless strip electrodes which circulate over guide rollers and which have at a short distance between them an area in which the electric discharge takes place. The coating is at least partially sacrificed through excitation by an energy beam and generation of plasma, and means for driving each strip electrode are arranged in such a way that during a revolution the strip electrodes, after immersion in a molten metal, are guided through a wiper for generating a defined thickness of coating material, are directed in a vacuum chamber to a location where the desired generation of plasma takes place, and are guided back into the molten metal after the electric discharge in order to regenerate the coating and to make electric contact between the electrodes and a pulsed high-voltage source.
US07649178B2
A radiation detector package includes a radiation-sensitive solid-state element (10) having a first electrode (12) and a pixelated second electrode (14) disposed on opposite principal surfaces of the solid-state element. An electronics board (20) receives an electrical signal from the solid-state element responsive to radiation incident upon the radiation-sensitive solid-state element. A light-tight shield (40, 40′) shields at least the radiation-sensitive solid-state element from light exposure and compresses an insulating elastomer and metal element connector (30, 32) between the pixilated electrode (14) and contact pads (24) on the electronics board.
US07649175B2
A method for correcting energy values of pulses from a nuclear medicine camera for errors due to Analog to Digital conversion shift includes determining a relationship between a subset of samples selected from a set of samples from the pulse, the relationship being expressed in the form of a code. A conversion table is accessed which provides a list of codes and corresponding conversion factors. The conversion factor for the closest code to that of the subset of samples is selected from the table and applied to an integration of the set of samples to correct the energy value of the pulse.
US07649166B2
An imaging device. In one embodiment, the imaging device includes a plurality of first electrode strips in parallel to each other along a first direction x, wherein each first electrode strip has an elongated body with a first surface and an opposite, second surface and a thickness n1. The imaging device also includes a plurality of second electrode strips in parallel to each other along a second direction y that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction x, wherein each second electrode strip has an elongated body with a first surface and an opposite, second surface and a thickness n2. The plurality of second electrode strips are positioned apart from the plurality of first electrode strips along a third direction z that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction x and the second direction y such that the plurality of first electrode strips and the plurality of second electrode strips are crossing each other accordingly to form a corresponding number of crossing points. And at each crossing point, a semiconductor component is filled between the second surface of a corresponding first electrode strip and the first surface of a corresponding second electrode strip to form an addressable pixel.
US07649159B2
The present invention provides technology that uniformly heats and melts a plurality of solder material arranged in a plurality of locations on a board, and uniformly solders a plurality of parts to the board that are arranged in a plurality of locations on the board. A soldering apparatus includes an induction coil having a length in the longitudinal direction that is longer than the length of the board. An inner space having a size sufficient to arrange the board therein is maintained inside the induction coil. The board supporting the parts and the solder material will be positioned in the approximate center of the inner space of the induction coil. An alternating current will flow through the induction coil in this state. An alternating magnetic field will be generated in the inner space of the induction coil. Magnetic fluxes will substantially uniformly pass through the inner space of the induction coil along the longitudinal direction of the induction coil. In this way, the plurality of solder material arranged on a plurality of locations on the board may be uniformly heated and melted. The plurality of parts arranged on a plurality of locations on the board may be uniformly soldered to the board because the plurality of solder material may be uniformly heated and melted due to magnetic fluxes that uniformly passing through the board.
US07649156B2
A laser annealing apparatus is provided, which can simultaneously process a plurality of moving semiconductor devices in an inline manner using one annealing laser. The apparatus may include a laser beam emitting unit, which emits laser beams to target regions of a to-be-processed object. Also included may be a plurality of first nozzles and a plurality of second nozzles, through which gas used for controlling an atmosphere of the target regions of the to-be-processed object is introduced or exhausted. The first and second nozzles may face each other so that the laser beams emitted from the laser beam emitting unit fall therebetween. The apparatus may further include a moving unit, which horizontally moves the to-be-processed object, to which the laser beams are emitted, at approximately the same transport speed.
US07649153B2
In one aspect the invention provides a method for laser induced breakdown of a material with a pulsed laser beam where the material is characterized by a relationship of fluence breakdown threshold (Fth) versus laser beam pulse width (T) that exhibits an abrupt, rapid, and distinct change or at least a clearly detectable and distinct change in slope at a predetermined laser pulse width value. The method comprises generating a beam of laser pulses in which each pulse has a pulse width equal to or less than the predetermined laser pulse width value. The beam is focused above the surface of a material where laser induced breakdown is desired. The region of least confusion (minimum beam waist or average spot size) is above the surface of the material in which laser induced breakdown is desired since the intensity of the beam falls off in the forward direction, preferably the region of the beam at or within the surface is between the region of least confusion and sufficient to remove material and the minimum intensity necessary for laser induced breakdown of the material to be removed, most preferably the region of minimum intensity is disposed at the surface of the material to be removed. The beam may be used in combination with a mask in the beam path. The beam or mask may be moved in the x, y, and Z directions to produce desired features. The technique can produce features smaller than the spot size and Rayleigh range due to enhanced damage threshold accuracy in the short pulse regime.
US07649152B2
The present invention provides a solder ball bonding method and a solder ball bonding apparatus, which can enhance efficiency of bonding processing and in which plural electrodes formed on objects to be bonded are bonded to each other by melting a solder ball. In the present invention, the solder balls are picked up by a pick-up nozzle having a plurality of pick-up openings corresponding to electrode areas on the objects to be bonded and the solder balls are conveyed on the electrode areas. A laser radiating unit disposed independently above the pick-up nozzle is shifted along an arrangement direction of the pick-up openings and a laser beam from the laser radiating unit is irradiated onto the solder ball through a transparent member of the pick-up nozzle and through the pick-up opening of the pick-up nozzle, thereby melting the solder ball on the electrode area.
US07649149B2
Method for maintenance of high-voltage switchgear/fuses in an installation, which method is performed while the switchgear/installation is under operation/voltage. It is further provided a device for carrying out the method, which device includes screening plates 20A-C, which screening plates are provided with maneuvring means 22 and 25, fastening means 23 and 24 for fastening of the screening plates to the switchgear cell/installation and means for disconnecting the switch 27, 28A-B.
US07649144B2
The connection structure between wired circuit boards connects a first wired circuit board and a second wired circuit board. The first wired circuit board includes a metal supporting layer, a first insulating layer formed on the metal supporting layer, and a first conductive pattern formed on the first insulating layer and having a first terminal portion. The metal supporting layer is arranged so as not to be opposed to the first terminal portion in a thickness direction. The first terminal portion and the first insulating layer opposed to the first terminal portion in a thickness direction are folded back into a curved shape. The second wired circuit board includes a second insulating layer, and a second conductive pattern formed on the second insulating layer and having a second terminal portion. The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are electrically connected to each other.
US07649143B2
A wired-circuit-board assembly sheet is provided having removable portions that are easily removable without any generation of metal powder. The wired-circuit-board assembly sheet comprises a plurality of suspension boards with circuits, distinguishing marks for distinguishing defectiveness of the suspension boards with circuits, and a supporting sheet for supporting the suspension boards with circuits and the distinguishing marks, wherein openings are formed in the supporting sheet, and removable portions which are to be removed when the suspension boards with circuits are judged defective are located in the openings and also supported by the supporting sheet via joint portions formed of resin.
US07649129B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 4305498. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 4305498. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 4305498 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 4305498 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07649127B2
A soybean cultivar designated 6135319 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 6135319, to the plants of soybean 6135319, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 6135319 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 6135319 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 6135319, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 6135319 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 6135319 with another soybean cultivar.
US07649118B2
There are provided a novel norbornene derivative which is a material for a chemically amplifying type photoresist for F2 laser, possesses excellent transparency and improved dry etching resistivity and has a fluorine-containing ketone unit or fluorine-containing tertiary alcohol unit directly bonded to the norbornene backbone; a fluorine-containing polymer obtained by using the norbornene derivative as a copolymerizable monomer; and a chemically amplifying type photoresist composition comprising the fluorine-containing polymer, a photoacid generator and a solvent.
US07649114B2
The invention concerns a method for the isolation of a stereoisomer from a mixture comprising the two stereoisomers of the general formulae (I-A) and (I-A′) and/or the two stereoisomers of the general formulae (I-B) and (I-B′) in which R1, R2 and R3, identical or different, are selected from the group consisting of —H, —F, —Cl, —C1-C6-alkyl, —S—C1-C6-alkyl, —OH, —O—C1-C6-alkyl, —O—C1-C6-alkylenephenyl, —OCO—C1-C6-alkyl, —OCON(C1-C6-alkyl)2 and —O—SiR8R9R10 (in which R8, R9 and R10, identical or different, are —C1-C6-alkyl or -phenyl); R4 is —H or —C1-C6-alkyl; R5 is —C1-C6-alkyl; and R6 and R7, identical or different, are —H or —C1-C6-alkyl; or their salts with organic or inorganic acids; comprising the step (a) manipulating the mixture ratio of the stereoisomers in the mixture so that at least one of the stereoisomers is present in an enantiomeric excess.
US07649108B2
A mixture of isomeric diisocyanatodiphenylmethanes composed of at least 2,2′-diisocyanato-diphenylmethane, 2,4′-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane and 4,4′-diisocyanatodiphenyl-methane is distilled in at least one stage and a divided-wall column is used in at least one distillation stage.
US07649098B2
Imidazole-based compounds, compositions comprising them, and methods of their use for the treatment, prevention and management of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and disorders are disclosed. Particular compounds are of formula I:
US07649095B2
Piperidine derivatives represented by formula (I) or nontoxic salts thereof (wherein symbols are defined in the description): Since the compound represented by formula (I) has a PDE4 inhibitory activity, it is useful for preventing and/or treating inflammatory diseases, diabetic diseases, allergic diseases, autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, bone fracture, obesity, depression, Parkinson's disease, dementia, ischemia-reperfusion injury, leukemia and the like.
US07649082B2
A novel growth factor, persephin, which belongs to the GDNF/neurturin family of growth factors, is disclosed. The human, mouse and rat amino acid sequences have been identified. Human, mouse and rat persephin genomic DNA sequences have been cloned and sequenced and the respective cDNA sequences identified. In addition, methods for treating degenerative conditions using persephin, methods for detecting persephin gene alterations and methods for detecting and monitoring patient levels of persephin are provided. Methods for identifying additional members of the persephin-neurturin-GDNF family of growth factors are also provided.
US07649080B2
This invention provides cross-linked glycopeptide-cephalosporin compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which are useful as antibiotics. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds; methods for treating bacterial infections in a mammal using such compounds; and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US07649058B2
This invention includes a wettable biomedical device containing a high molecular weight hydrophilic polymer and a hydroxyl-functionalized silicone-containing monomer.
US07649056B2
This invention is related to heteroatom containing diamondoids (i.e., “heterodiamondoids”) which are compounds having a diamondoid nucleus in which one or more of the diamondoid nucleus carbons has been substitutionally replaced with a noncarbon atom. These heteroatom substituents impart desirable properties to the diamondoid. In addition, the heterodiamondoids are functionalized affording compounds carrying one or more functional groups covalently pendant therefrom. This invention is further related to polymerizable functionalized heterodiamondoids. In a preferred aspect of this invention the diamondoid nuclei are triamantane and higher diamondoid nuclei. In another preferred aspect, the heteroatoms are selected to give rise to diamondoid materials which can serve as n- and p-type materials in electronic devices can serve as optically active materials.
US07649051B2
A flame retardant thermoplastic composition comprising in combination a polycarbonate component; an impact modifier composition, the components of the impact modifier composition comprising a) a bulk polymerized ABS, and b) an impact modifier different from the ABS; an ungrafted rigid copolymer; and a flame retardant. The compositions have an improved balance of physical properties such as impact strength and flow, while at the same time maintaining their good flame performance.
US07649042B2
The present invention relates to a rubber composition usable for constituting a tire tread, said composition being based on at least (i) a reinforcing inorganic filler, (ii) a diene elastomer having a molar ratio of units originating from conjugated dienes which is greater than 30% which is prepared in emulsion and comprises carboxylic acid functions along its chain, and (iii) a bonding agent between said reinforcing inorganic filler and said elastomer which consists of a polysulphurised alkoxysilane. This composition is such that said elastomer is capable of being obtained by effecting: in an emulsifying solution, radical copolymerisation of at least one conjugated diene monomer with a precursor comonomer which is hydrolysable or oxidisable to carboxylic acid, in order to obtain an intermediate diene elastomer comprising precursor functions of said acid along its chain, then hydrolysis or oxidation of said precursor functions in order to obtain said elastomer comprising carboxylic acid functions along the chain.
US07649034B2
The present invention is directed to a coating powder base composition having a viscosity of between about 2 to about 85 Pa·s and including a particulate organic pigment tinting agent. Such base composition can be produced in large batches and then smaller portions of such batches can be mixed with a tinting agent comprising solid organic pigment particles characterized by a maximum surface index of about 50 to obtain a desired color for the final coating powder. The invention also includes methods for making such coating powders as well as for coating substrates using such coating powders.
US07649032B2
A polycarbonate composition comprising a polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer resin and a glass flake additive wherein the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer resin has a silicone content in the range of from 3.5 weight % to 7 weight % based on the total weight of the polycarbonate composition and wherein the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer has a haze of less than 10% and wherein the glass flake additive is present in the range of 0.025 weight % to 0.70 weight % based on the total weight of the polycarbonate composition.
US07649024B2
The present invention discloses a process for preparing a hydrophobic fluid containing metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed therein such as heat transfer fluids or lubricant fluids, including introducing an alkaline aqueous solution (aqueous phase) and an organic solution of an organic acid metal salt (hydrophobic phase) into a rotating packed bed, the two solutions flowing radially through the rotating packed bed under a great centrifugal force, so that the aqueous phase and the hydrophobic phase contact with each other, reactants in the two phases undergo reactions at the interface of the two phases rapidly, and thus metal oxide nanoparticles are formed. The metal oxide nanoparticles stably dispersed in the hydrophobic phase, which is nanofluid.
US07649023B2
An improved drug delivery composition and method of use is disclosed. The composition comprises one or more biodegradable block copolymer drug carriers; and a reconstitution enhancing and enabling agent comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG), a PEG derivative or a mixture of PEG and a PEG derivative. The composition can be administered as is or after being be dissolved or rapidly reconstituted in an aqueous vehicle to afford a homogeneous solution or uniform colloidal systems.
US07649016B2
There is provided an antitumor medicine comprising 1,5-D-anhydrofructose and/or ascopyrone. The antitumor medicine has effects of ascopyrone in inhibiting the growth and metastasis of tumors, is expected to inhibit inflammation and exerts an excellent effect on prognosis.
US07649014B2
Genipin derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that inhibit the activity of uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) and are useful in treating deficient first-phase insulin secretion, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, and ischemia in a mammal are disclosed.
US07649011B2
Pharmaceutical compositions containing organic compounds or salts thereof that serve as modulators for the SDF-1 or I-TAC chemokines are disclosed. The compounds and compositions are useful in the treatment of cancer, especially in the inhibition of cancer proliferation, growth, and metastasis. Methods of interfering with SDF-1 and/or I-TAC binding to the CCXCKR2 receptor and treating cancer using the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are also disclosed.
US07649007B2
Compounds of the following structure are described: wherein R1-R6, m, V, W, X, Y, Z and Q are described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, metabolite or prodrug thereof. These compounds are useful for treating a variety of hormone-related conditions including contraception, treating or preventing fibroids, endometriosis, dysfunctional bleeding, uterine leiomyomata, polycystic ovary syndrome, or hormone-dependent carcinomas, providing hormone replacement therapy, stimulating food intake or synchronizing estrus.
US07649003B2
The present invention relates to a class of substituted 1,2,4-triazoles of formula (1) with activity as oxytocin antagonists, uses thereof, processes for the preparation thereof and compositions containing said inhibitors. These inhibitors have utility in a variety of therapeutic areas including sexual dysfunction, particularly premature ejaculation (P.E.).
US07649002B2
The present invention relates to a class of melanocortin MCR4 agonists of general formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined herein and especially to selective MCR4 agonist compounds, to their use in medicine, to compositions containing them, to processes for their preparation and to intermediates used in such processes.
US07648999B2
A compound represented by the following general formula (I): (wherein R1 represents phenyl, etc. which can have substituents selected from the group consisting of C1-8 alkyl, C1-8 alkyl having halogen, halogen, hydroxyl, etc.; R2 represents C1-8 alkyl, etc.; A represents oxygen, sulfur, etc.; X represents C1-8 alkylene chain, etc.; Y represents C(═O), CH═CH, etc.; R3, R4, and R5 each represents hydrogen, C1-8 alkyl, etc.; B represents CH or nitrogen; Z represents oxygen or sulfur; R6 and R7 each represents hydrogen, C1-8 alkyl, etc.; and R8 represents hydrogen or C1-8 alkyl; provided that at least one of R3, R4, and R5 is not hydrogen) or a salt of the compound; and a PPAR-δ activator which contains the compound or salt as the active ingredient.
US07648994B2
The present invention relates to steroidal alkaloids that can be used in the treatment of hedgehog pathway related disorders, particularly cancer.
US07648993B2
mGluR5 antagonists are used for the treatment and prevention of disorders, including Fragile X, autism, mental retardation, schizophrenia and Down's Syndrome. The methods of the invention can be used to treat epilepsy and anxiety in a human having Fragile X syndrome, autism, mental retardation, schizophrenia and Down's Syndrome.
US07648992B2
The invention provides compounds of formula (I), wherein R1 and R2 are as defined in the specification; processes for their preparation; pharmaceutical compositions containing them; a process for preparing the pharmaceutical compositions; and their use in therapy.
US07648990B2
The present invention provides a method for the treatment of emesis in a mammal being treated with an opiod analgesic.
US07648985B2
There is provided compounds of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R41 to R46, A, B and G have meanings given in the description, which are useful in the prophylaxis and in the treatment of arrhythmias, in particular atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.
US07648973B2
Compounds of formula I are provided where X1, X2 and X3 are independently selected from H or hydroxy protecting groups. Such compounds are used in preparing pharmaceutical compositions and are useful in treating a variety of biological conditions.
US07648966B2
Novel phosphotetrahydropyran compounds that mimic mannose-6-phosphate but that are more resistant to phosphatases and mannosidases, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, are disclosed. These compounds and compositions inhibit T lymphocyte migration from blood to tissues or to other extravascular sites. By inhibiting such migration, these compounds are useful for treating diseases or disorders that are mediated at least in part by such T lymphocyte migration. Such diseases and disorders include rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, T cell-mediated dermatitis, stromal keratitis, uveitis, thyroiditis, sialitis and type I diabetes.
US07648961B2
The invention primarily relates to the use of somatostatin or one of the agonistic analogs thereof for producing a medicament serving to regulate the ovarian follicular reserve and, in particular, to reduce the depletion of the ovarian follicular reserve over time in non-menopausal women or to the use of an antagonistic analog of somatostatin for producing a medicament serving to accelerate the start of growing of quiescent follicles in non-menopausal women. The invention also relates to in vitro applications of somatostatin and of agonistic and antagonistic analogs thereof.
US07648949B2
Organo-Cobalt complexes having long chain saturated and unsaturated alkyl functionality as multifunctional additives in crankcase oils and the method of preparation thereof.
US07648946B2
Methods of degrading filter cakes in subterranean formations are provided. An example of a method is a method of drilling a well bore in a subterranean formation. Another example of a method is a method of degrading a filter cake in a subterranean formation, the filter cake comprising an inorganic portion and an organic portion, and having been established in the formation by a well drill-in and servicing fluid that comprises a delayed-release acid component. An example of a composition is a well drill-in and servicing fluid.
US07648944B2
A transfer method includes the steps of placing a donor substrate including a support base and a transfer layer provided on the support base onto a receptor substrate such that the transfer layer faces the receptor substrate, evacuating a space between the receptor substrate and the donor substrate that are placed one on the other, and transferring the transfer layer onto the receptor substrate by applying a radiant ray onto the donor substrate in an evacuated atmosphere.
US07648940B2
This invention relates to a catalyst composition of the formula: where Z—O is a support material, where O is oxygen, preferably Z is Si, Ti, Al, Sn, Fe, Ga, Zr, B, Mg, or Cr; each X is, independently, N, O, P or S; each n is, independently, 1 or 2; each R is, independently, an alkyl group, a substituted alkyl group, an aryl group, or a substituted aryl group, provided at least one R group is an aryl or substituted aryl group. This invention also relates to the use of the above catalyst compound with an aluminum alkyl to polymerize olefins and other monomers.
US07648937B2
A catalyst system capable of producing a cyclic olefin polymer having a polar functional group and a high molecular weight with a high yield in which a catalyst is not deactivated due to polar functional groups of monomers, and a method of producing polymers using the same are provided. The catalyst system for polymerization of olefin according to the present invention has good thermal and chemical stability, and thus, in the method of preparing polyolefin using the catalyst system, the deactivation of a catalyst due to a polar functional group of the monomer can be prevented, and thus a high yield of the cyclic olefin polymer with a high molecular weight can be obtained when a ratio of the catalyst to the monomer is 1:5000, and the removal of a catalyst residue is not required.
US07648935B2
The invention intends to provide a dielectric porcelain composition for use in electronic devices, which has the dielectric characteristics such that the Qf value is high, the temperature coefficient τf of a resonant frequency is small and a value thereof can be controlled in a wide range in positive and negative directions in the vicinity where the relative dielectric constant ∈r is 39. According to the invention, when, in La—Pr—Al—Ga—Sr—Ti-based oxide dielectric porcelain, contents of the respective elements are limited to be within particular ranges and Sr is partially substituted by Ca, a structure having a (1-x)(La1-yLny)(Al1-zGaz)O3-x(Sr1-mCam)TiO3 solid solution as a main phase, in which a solid solution of Al—Ga—Sr-based oxide and/or a solid solution of Al—Ga-based oxide and a Sr oxide is/are precipitated in a grain boundary thereof, can be obtained, whereby the above-mentioned object can be achieved.
US07648934B2
A precursor composition for the production of granulated ceramic material to be used as hydraulic fracture proppant, comprises 20 to 55% pyroxene, and 15 to 50% olivine. The remaining component is quartz and/or feldspar. The precursor composition can be sintered in a broader temperature range. The resulting proppant material shows high mechanical strength and resistance to acids, and also higher stability under hydrothermal conditions than the prior art.
US07648933B2
A composition with a Mohs hardness of at least 6.0, wherein said composition contains at least 30 weight percent of spinel crystals, at least 10 weight percent of glass, and less than 10 weight percent of ferrometalsilicate. The composition also contains particles with a particle size distribution such that at least about 95 weight percent of such particles are smaller than about 2.0 millimeters; at least about 70 weight percent of such particles have a particle shape that is either the blocky particle shape or the pyramidal particle shape. At least 20 weight percent of the spinel crystals are equiaxed spinel crystals; the weight/weight ratio of said spinel crystals to said glass is at least 1.2/1; the composition has a melting point in excess of 1440 degrees Celsius; and the composition has a density of from about 3.0 to about 4.5.
US07648928B2
A fibrous polyamide or wool substrate having resistance to staining by acid colorants comprises, a fibrous polyamide or wool substrate having applied thereto a sulfonated aromatic condensation resin, said resin being a condensation product of a sulfonated dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, a dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, a sulfonated naphthalene and an aldehyde; or a sulfonated dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, a sulfonated naphthalene and an aldehyde; optionally a methacrylic acid polymer is also applied thereto as well as a fluorochemical; an aqueous formulation of the resin is also provided which formulation may include the methacrylic acid polymer as well as the fluorochemical Additionally there may be employed a salt to enhance exhaustion of components onto the substrate; a method of treating a fibrous polyamide or wool substrate employing the formulation is also provided.
US07648921B2
A method of forming a dielectric layer is provided. A first dielectric layer is formed on a substrate having metal layers formed thereon. The first dielectric layer includes overhangs in the spaces between two neighboring metal layers and voids under the overhangs. The first dielectric layer is partially removed to cut off the overhangs and expose the voids and therefore openings are formed. A second dielectric layer is formed on the dielectric layer to fill up the opening.
US07648914B2
Embodiments of the invention generally provide methods for etching a substrate. In one embodiment, the method includes determining a substrate temperature target profile that corresponds to a uniform deposition rate of etch by-products on a substrate, preferentially regulating a temperature of a first portion of a substrate support relative to a second portion of the substrate support to obtain the substrate temperature target profile on the substrate, and etching the substrate on the preferentially regulated substrate support. In another embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate in a processing chamber having a selectable distribution of species within the processing chamber and a substrate support with lateral temperature control, wherein a temperature profile induced by the substrate support and a selection of species distribution comprise a control parameter set, etching a first layer of material and etching a second layer of material respectively using different control parameter sets.
US07648912B1
Disclosed herein is an integrated circuit customized by mask programming using custom conducting layers and via layers interspersed with the custom conducting layers, where the via layers are defined by masks designed prior to receiving a custom circuit design.
US07648905B2
The present invention provides a flash memory device and a method of forming the same. The method includes: forming an isolation layer and a plurality of gate lines on a semiconductor substrate; forming a source/drain region by ion-implanting impurities into the semiconductor substrate using the gate lines as a mask; forming a side oxide layer on sidewalls and surfaces of the gate lines; forming a side nitride layer on the side oxide layer; forming an insulation layer on the semiconductor substrate and the side nitride layer; forming a photosensitive layer pattern on the insulation layer; exposing the source region between the gate lines by etching the insulation layer using the photosensitive layer pattern as a mask; forming a polysilicon layer on the exposed source region and the insulation layer; and forming a source line by etching the polysilicon layer.
US07648904B2
A metal line in a semiconductor device includes an insulation layer having trenches formed therein, a barrier metal layer formed over the insulation layer and the trenches, a metal layer formed over the barrier metal layer, wherein the metal layer fills the trenches, and an anti-galvanic corrosion layer formed on an interface between the metal layer and the barrier metal layer.
US07648900B2
A method for forming electrical interconnects having different diameters and filler materials through a semiconductor wafer comprises forming first and second openings through a semiconductor, wherein the first opening has a narrower width (smaller diameter) than the second opening. A first conductive material is formed over the semiconductor wafer to completely fill the narrower opening and only partially fill the wider opening. The first conductive material is optionally removed from the wider opening using an isotropic etch. A second conductive material is subsequently formed over the semiconductor to completely fill the wider opening.
US07648899B1
Protective caps residing at an interface between metal lines and dielectric diffusion barrier (or etch stop) layers are used to improve electromigration performance of interconnects. Protective caps are formed by depositing a source layer of dopant-generating material (e.g., material generating B, Al, Ti, etc.) over an exposed copper line, converting the upper portion of the source layer to a passivated layer (e.g., nitride or oxide) while allowing an unmodified portion of a dopant-generating source layer to remain in contact with copper, and, subsequently, allowing the dopant from the unmodified portion of source layer to controllably diffuse into and/or react with copper, thereby forming a thin protective cap within copper line. The cap may contain a solid solution or an alloy of copper with the dopant.
US07648893B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor including the steps of supplying a substrate having a support with one face supporting a strained silicon thin layer; forming a first mask on a portion of the strained silicon thin layer; epitaxy of Si1-xGex on the portion of the layer not masked by the first mask; condensating germanium to obtain a strained germanium layer, the strained germanium layer then covered by a silicon oxide layer; eliminating the first mask and of the silicon oxide layer thereby exposing a semi-conducting thin layer; forming a second mask on the semi-conducting thin layer exposed via the previous step, the second mask protecting a region of the exposing a remaining strained germanium portion; epitaxial growing germanium on the remaining strained germanium portion; and removing the second mask.
US07648892B2
Methods for depositing a microcrystalline silicon film layer with improved deposition rate and film quality are provided in the present invention. Also, a photovoltaic (PV) cell having a microcrystalline silicon film is provided. In one embodiment, the method produces a microcrystalline silicon film on a substrate at a deposition rate greater than about 20 nm per minute, wherein the microcrystalline silicon film has a crystallized volume between about 20 percent to about 80 percent.
US07648885B2
A method for forming a misalignment inspection mark is disclosed. The formation method includes forming a reference layer device pattern and a first mark in a reference layer and forming an overlying layer device pattern and a second mark in a layer over the reference layer, the overlying layer device pattern corresponding to the reference layer. The second mark is formed by forming a second mark area adjacent to the first mark, the second mark area including an arrangement of a plurality of patterns having a line width, a pitch, and a pattern density at least one of which is equivalent to that of the overlying layer device pattern, and removing those of the plurality of patterns which are arranged at boundaries of the second mark area.
US07648883B2
Integrated circuit field effect transistors are manufactured by forming a pre-active pattern on a surface of a substrate, while refraining from doping the pre-active pattern with phosphorus. The pre-active pattern includes a series of interchannel layers and channel layers stacked alternately upon each other. Source/drain regions are formed on the substrate, at opposite ends of the pre-active pattern. The interchannel layers are then selectively removed, to form tunnels passing through the pre-active pattern, thereby defining an active channel pattern including the tunnels and channels including the channel layers. The channels are doped with phosphorus after selectively removing the interchannel layers. A gate electrode is then formed in the tunnels and surrounding the channels.
US07648877B2
A field effect transistor (FET) is formed as follows. A trench is formed in a silicon region. An oxidation barrier layer is formed over a surface of the silicon region adjacent the trench and along the trench sidewalls and bottom. A protective layer is formed over the oxidation barrier layer inside and outside the trench. The protective layer is partially removed such that a portion of the oxidation barrier layer extending at least along the trench bottom becomes exposed and portions of the oxidation barrier layer extending over the surface of the silicon region adjacent the trench remain covered by remaining portions of the protective layer.
US07648871B2
The present invention relates to an field effect transistor (FET) comprising an inverted source/drain metallic contact that has a lower portion located in a first, lower dielectric layer and an upper portion located in a second, upper dielectric layer. The lower portion of the inverted source/drain metallic contact has a larger cross-sectional area than the upper portion. Preferably, the lower portion of the inverted source/drain metallic contact has a cross-sectional area ranging from about 0.03 μm2 to about 3.15 μm2, and such an inverted source/drain metallic contact is spaced apart from a gate electrode of the FET by a distance ranging from about 0.001 μm to about 5 μm.
US07648862B2
A semiconductor device having a semiconductor element (a thin film transistor, a thin film diode, a photoelectric conversion element of silicon PIN junction, or a silicon resistor element) which is light-weight, flexible (bendable), and thin as a whole is provided as well as a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. In the present invention, the element is not formed on a plastic film. Instead, a flat board such as a substrate is used as a form, the space between the substrate (third substrate (17)) and a layer including the element (peeled layer (13)) is filled with coagulant (typically an adhesive) that serves as a second bonding member (16), and the substrate used as a form (third substrate (17)) is peeled off after the adhesive is coagulated to hold the layer including the element (peeled layer (13)) by the coagulated adhesive (second bonding member (16)) alone. In this way, the present invention achieves thinning of the film and reduction in weight.
US07648856B2
Methods for attaching microfeature dies to external devices are disclosed. The external devices can include other microfeature dies, support members or other suitable devices. A particular method includes attaching the solder to the at least one of the microfeature die in the support member by changing a phase of the solder. The method can further include contacting the solder with the other of the microfeature die and the support member and urging the microfeature die and the support member toward each other to provide a first bond between the die and the support member via the solder. The method can still further include changing a phase of the solder to provide a second bond between the microfeature die and the support member, with the second bond being stronger than the first bond.
US07648849B2
A flip chip-type nitride semiconductor light emitting diode includes a light transmittance substrate, an n-type nitride semiconductor layer, an active layer, a p-type nitride semiconductor layer and a mesh-type DBR reflecting layer. The mesh-type DBR reflecting layer has a plurality of open regions. The mesh-type DBR reflecting layer is composed of first and second nitride layers having different Al content. The first and second nitride layers are alternately stacked several times to form the mesh-type DBR reflecting layer. An ohmic contact layer is formed on the mesh-type DBR reflecting layer and on the p-type nitride semiconductor layer.
US07648847B2
A monitoring system includes a monitor chip or chips soldered to a printed wiring board. By mirroring a function IC chip interface with the monitor chip, the consumed and remaining thermal/and or vibration-fatigue life of the function IC chip based on the life-environment actually experienced through monitoring of the monitor chip is readily determined. The monitor chip includes monitoring interconnections and/or circuitry which determines the number and/or location of failed-open solder terminations of the monitor chip.
US07648845B2
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include structures, methods of forming the structures, and methods of using the structures. One exemplary structure, among others, includes a nanospecies and a porous material. The nanospecies has a first characteristic and a second detectable characteristic. In addition, a second detectable energy is produced corresponding to the second detectable characteristic upon exposure to a first energy. The porous material has the first characteristic and a plurality of pores. The first characteristic causes the nanospecies to interact with the porous material and become disposed in the pores of the porous material.
US07648840B2
The invention features methods and compositions for diagnosis, including prognosis, of conditions associated with decreased arginine bioavailability (which can result from dysregulated arginine metabolism, e.g., due to increased arginase activity) by assessing in a sample from a subject the ratio of arginine to one or more, usually two or more, modulators of arginine bioavailability. In one embodiment, the ratio of arginine to (ornithine+citrulline) is assessed to aid in diagnosis.
US07648834B2
The sensitivity and durability of fluorescent assays may be increased through structures and methods using plasmon fluorescence augmentation and sealing of the structure against degradation by reagents used in the assay. The resulting structures make practical extremely sensitive fluorescent assays for DNA and other biological analytes.
US07648823B2
Systems, methods, compositions and apparatus relating to genome selection are disclosed.
US07648815B2
Disclosed is a composition of a negative-type photosensitive polyimide which is solvent soluble, which is excellent in adhesiveness, heat resistance, mechanical properties and in flexibility, which shows characteristics of alkali-soluble highly sensitive negative-type photoresist upon irradiation with light, The composition according to the present invention comprises a photo radical initiator and a solvent-soluble polyimide which shows negative-type photosensitivity in the presence of the photo radical initiator.
US07648809B2
An EB exposure method includes dividing drawing layer pattern to be transferred onto drawing layer by EB exposure and underlying pattern to be transferred onto an underlying layer of the drawing layer by the EB exposure respectively into unit regions, setting representative figure in each of the unit regions of the drawing and underlying layers, the representative figure set in each of the unit regions of the drawing layer corresponding to the drawing layer pattern of each of the unit regions of the drawing layer, the representative figure set in each of the unit regions of the underlying layer corresponding to the underlying layer pattern of each of the unit regions of the underlying layer, and obtaining influence of proximity effect of an arbitrary region of the drawing layer pattern, based on the representative figure that corresponds to the drawing and underlying layer patterns.
US07648806B2
Systems and methods are provided for use in photolithography. In one embodiment, a reticle is provided that comprises a phase shift and transmission control layer, wherein a gap in the phase shift and transmission control layer defines a line. Adjacent to the phase shift and transmission control layer is an optically transparent material, comprising a groove located within the line, wherein the groove comprises a region of reduced thickness in the optically transparent material. The region of reduced thickness serves to shift the phase of light passing through the groove, as compared to light passing through other regions of the optically transparent material. Thus, the reticle has a clear feature comprising light of two different phases.
US07648799B2
A silver-containing alkaline electrochemical cell and methods for producing the cell, wherein the cell includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator disposed between the electrodes, and an alkaline electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode is formed as a multi-layer composite including a silver-containing oxide layer and a barrier layer, initially free of silver-containing material, disposed between the silver-containing oxide layer and the separator for substantially reducing migration of silver ions to the separator and negative electrode.
US07648794B2
A cap assembly and a lithium secondary battery with the same, in which a shape of a safety vent of a cap plate is such that the safety vent is easily fracturable under low pressure even if the safety vent has a relatively large thickness, thereby improving reliability and safety of the lithium secondary battery. The cap assembly cap plate has a safety vent including at least one first directional weak component and at least one second directional weak component which is connected to the first directional weak component.
US07648788B2
The present invention provides a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell, having improved durability for repeated start-stop operation. The present invention provides;A membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell having: a cathode catalyst layer containing a cathode catalyst comprising platinum or a platinum alloy, conductive carbon material supporting said cathode catalyst, and a proton conductive polymer electrolyte; a solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and an anode catalyst layer containing an anode catalyst, conductive carbon material supporting said anode catalyst, and a proton conductive polymer electrolyte; wherein average thickness (Ya) of said anode catalyst layer is smaller than average thickness (Yc) of said cathode catalyst layer.
US07648786B2
A system is disclosed to generate electric power from a chemical hydride. A fuel cartridge produces hydrogen by reacting a liquid with a chemical hydride. A fuel cell stack generates electric power using an oxygen source and the produced hydrogen. An electric power storage device is coupled with the fuel cell stack. The electric power storage device stores and supplies electric power. One or more liquid sources inject the liquid into the fuel cartridge at a variable rate. A controller calculates a liquid injection rate for the one or more liquid sources based on power demands of an electric load.
US07648782B2
Improving the resistance of members and parts disposed inside of vessels such as semiconductor processing devices for conducting plasma etching treatment in a strong corrosive environment. A ceramic coating member for a semiconductor processing apparatus comprises a porous layer made of an oxide of an element in Group IIIb of the Periodic Table coated directed or through an undercoat on the surface of the substrate of a metal or non-metal and a secondary recrystallized layer of the oxide formed on the porous layer through an irradiation treatment of a high energy such as electron beam and laser beam.
US07648781B2
For superior wear resistance to conventional TiN hard films and TiAlN hard films, a hard film contains (Zr1-a, Hfa) (C1-xNx), wherein “a” and “x” are the atomic ratios of Hf and N, respectively, and satisfy the following conditions: 0.05≦a≦0.4 and 0≦x≦1. Another hard film contains (Zr1-a-b, Hfa, Mb) (C1-xNx), wherein M is at least one of W and Mo; and “a”, “b”, and “x” are the atomic ratios of Hf, M, and N, respectively, and satisfy the following conditions: 0≦1−a−b, 0≦a, 0.03≦b≦0.35, and 0≦x≦1.
US07648760B2
In a method of manufacturing a microstructure, an aluminum member having an aluminum substrate and a micropore-bearing anodized layer present on a surface of the aluminum substrate is subjected at least to, in order, a pore-ordering treatment which involves performing one or more cycles of a step that includes a first film dissolution treatment for dissolving 0.001 to 20 wt % of a material constituting the anodized layer and an anodizing treatment which follows the first film dissolution treatment; and a second film dissolution treatment for dissolving the anodized layer, thereby obtaining the microstructure having micropores formed on a surface thereof. This method enables a microstructure having an ordered array of pits to be obtained in a short period of time.
US07648751B2
Touch fasteners for use as mold inserts in molding seat foam buns include a sheet-form base a magnetically attractable material disposed on the upper face of the sheet-form base, and a film cover covering the magnetically attractable material wherein maximum slope angle of the film cover, is less than about 75° as measured from the upper surface of the sheet form base to the outside surface of the cover. The magnetically attractable material is a strand of frangible composite constructed to be readily segmented with the seat foam bun during recycling.
US07648745B2
An inkjet recording element comprises a support having thereon in order, from top to bottom, a fusible, porous top layer comprising fusible polymeric particles that comprise a thermoplastic polymer with reactive functional groups, in combination with a multifunctional compound having complementary reactive functional groups capable of crosslinking the reactive functional groups on the thermoplastic polymer. Optionally, an ink-carrier-liquid receptive layer is present between the top layer and the support.
US07648740B2
The invention is directed to a method of making improved net-shaped components by a hybrid metal deposition process for either hot or cold metals. The method involves using a metal deposition machine to deposit at least one layer of a metal alloy onto a top surface of a substrate to form a component part, and to cut the component part with a cutting component, such as an electron beam gun to form a predetermined net-shaped component part. Preferably, the number of layers deposited equals the number of layers cut.
US07648737B2
The present invention provides a stretched laminate film with oxygen-gas barrier properties which includes a layer (a) formed from a composition of a polycarboxylate-based polymer (A) and a plasticizer (B), a layer (c) containing a multivalent metal compound (C) and a layer (b) formed from a thermoplastic resin, which film includes at least one layer forming unit where the layer (a) and the layer (c) are adjacent to each other, and in which film at least the layer (a) and the layer (b) are stretched with a surface stretch ratio of 1.1 to 100. By means of carrying out an applying step and a stretching step according to a production method of the present invention, the layer formed from the polycarboxylate-based polymer including the plasticizer can be made thinner, although making the layer thinner has been difficult to achieve as long as only the application is carried out.
US07648734B2
To coat a solution on both surfaces continuously in such a state that an edge portion of the substrate is so constructed as to be fixed, and the substrate is attached to a substrate fixing frame having a positioning mechanism.
US07648730B2
In a paste for a solar cell light-receiving surface electrode including silver particles, glass frit, resin binder, and thinner, silver particles with a specific surface of 0.20-0.60 m2/g are used as the silver particles. The silver particles are preferably included at 80 mass % or more to the total amount of silver particles being included in the paste.
US07648727B2
Methods of coating a stent subsequent to mounting or crimping of the stent on a balloon of a catheter assembly are disclosed. One method includes forming a sacrificial layer on a balloon of a catheter assembly; followed by mounting a stent on the balloon, the stent including struts separated by gaps; followed by forming a stent coating on the stent; and followed by removal of the sacrificial layer. Another method includes mounting a stent on a balloon, the stent including struts separated by gaps; followed by forming a sacrificial layer on the balloon in the areas of the gaps between struts of the stent; followed by forming a coating on the stent; and followed by removing the sacrificial layer, wherein the coating remains on an outer surface of the stent.
US07648725B2
A mounting assembly for supporting a stent and a method of using the same to coat a stent is disclosed.
US07648721B2
The present invention provides a composition comprising hydrolysed milk casein and, preferably non-hydrolysed whey protein in a ratio from 9:1 to 1:1 (on dry weight), which is a clear liquid at pH 4 when dissolved or present in water in an amount of 40 g/liter at 10° C.
US07648714B2
This invention relates to a food containing a glycosylated ceramide and diacylglycerol. This food is capable of improving and enhancing the barrier function of skin and increasing water holding capacity of the skin.
US07648706B2
The present invention provides a safe and effective vaccine composition against West Nile virus disease. An immunogenically active component of West Nile virus or plasmid DNA, an adjuvant such as a metabolizable oil, and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier are formulated into an immunizing vaccine. The invention also provides a method for the prevention or amelioration of West Nile disease, such as encephalitis, in equidae by administering the vaccine composition herein set forth.
US07648705B2
The present invention provides a safe and effective vaccine composition against West Nile virus disease. An immunogenically active component of West Nile virus or plasmid DNA, an adjuvant such as a metabolizable oil, and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier are formulated into an immunizing vaccine. The invention also provides a method for the prevention or amelioration of West Nile disease, such as encephalitis, in equidae by administering the vaccine composition herein set forth.
US07648703B2
A combination of an anti-Ep-CAM antibody with a chemotherapeutic agent that is capable of arresting Ep-CAM antigen expressing cells in S or G2/M.
US07648696B2
A stable composition for rapid delivery by inhalation to the lungs, and subsequently to the bloodstream, is provided. The composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in a pharmaceutically-acceptable semiaqueous solvent comprising an alcohol, water and a glycol. A composition comprising volumetric ratios of ethanol:water:propylene glycol selected from those in the range of from 10-70:10-30:20-80, respectively, having a combined total of 100 is also provided. A sterile and/or preserved sealed unit-or multi-unit dosage form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is further provided.
US07648695B2
New chemotherapeutic medicaments and certain medical uses and methods for use of such chemotherapeutic medicaments for treatment of disease in human or animal tissue are described, wherein a primary active component of such medicaments is a halogenated xanthene or halogenated xanthene derivative. Preferably, the halogenated xanthene is Rose Bengal or a functional derivative of Rose Bengal. The halogenated xanthenes constitute a family of useful chemotherapeutic agents that afford selective, persistent accumulation in certain tissues. In preferred embodiments, such medicaments are used for treatment of a variety of conditions affecting the skin and related organs, the mouth and digestive tract and related organs, the urinary and reproductive tracts and related organs, the respiratory tract and related organs, the circulatory system and related organs, the head and neck, the endocrine and lymphoreticular systems and related organs, various other tissues, such as connective tissues and various tissue surfaces exposed during surgery, as well as various tissues exhibiting microbial or parasitic infection. In another preferred embodiment, such medicaments are produced in various formulations useful for intracorporeal or topical administration, including in liquid, semisolid, solid or aerosol delivery vehicles.
US07648685B2
A process for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feed with a known flow rate of hydrogen-containing gas and a volume of catalyst, includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon feed having an initial characteristic; feeding the hydrocarbon feed and a first portion of the hydrogen-containing gas cocurrently to a first hydroprocessing zone containing a first portion of the catalyst so as to provide a first hydrocarbon product; providing an additional hydroprocessing zone containing a remainder of the catalyst; feeding the first hydrocarbon product cocurrently with a remainder of the hydrogen-containing gas to the additional hydroprocessing zone so as to provide a final hydrocarbon product having a final characteristic which is improved as compared to the initial characteristic, wherein the first portion of the hydrogen-containing gas is between about 30 and about 80% vol. of the known flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas, and the first portion of the catalyst is between about 30 and about 70% wt. of the volume of catalyst.
US07648676B2
The present invention is directed to the field of implants that include soft tissue. More particularly, the present invention is directed to processes for treating implants that include soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments, and to implants produced by such processes. The present invention is also directed to processes and apparatus for improved processing of implants that include soft tissue, by applying kinematic restraint, preferably tension, to the implant or specific portions of the implants during the treatment, and to implants produced by such processes and apparatus. The present techniques yield soft tissue implants having superior structural, mechanical, and/or biochemical integrity.
US07648673B2
A process for denoxification of off-gases from annealing and pickling lines, providing for the off-gases from the pickling section to be heated and denoxified by selective catalytic reduction (SCR). In order to secure the meeting of lowest NOx values in the off-gas with the lowest possible expenditure, heat is supplied from the off-gases from the annealing furnace (1) to the off-gases from the pickling section (3) before the selective catalytic reduction (9).
US07648668B2
An apparatus for manufacturing a pneumatic tire including a rigid core for forming a green tire on an outer face and a vulcanizing mold which can transport the green tire together with the rigid core such that the vulcanizing mold is closed to form a vulcanization space for sealing and storing the green tire between the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core so that the green tire is vulcanized in the vulcanization space, an annular movable seal supported by either one of the vulcanizing mold or the rigid core, and an urging means for urging the movable seal from the one of the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core that supports the annular movable seal toward a surface of the other of the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core, the movable seal being urged by the urging means toward the surface of the other of the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core so as to prevent generation of a gap between the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core when the vulcanizing mold is closed, and to absorb a change in shape of the rigid core upon vulcanization of the green tire.
US07648666B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises a plurality of operations. An operation is performed for depositing a quantity of article-forming media within a media receiving cavity of article forming equipment. After depositing at least a portion of the article-forming media within the media receiving cavity, an operation performed for depositing a volume of a prescribed fluid into the media receiving cavity. Depositing the prescribed fluid includes moving a first fluid delivery device through the quantity of the article-forming media while injecting the prescribed fluid through the first fluid delivery device into the quantity of the article-forming media.
US07648662B2
A method and a device for processing preforms which are made of a thermoplastic plastic material and are blow molded into containers. In a first production process, the preforms are produced by injection molding in the area of an injection molding tool. At least some areas of the preforms are impinged upon by a cooling device. The preforms are deformed by applying negative pressure, wherefore the cooling device can be made at least in part of a porous material.
US07648660B2
A continuous process for coating ePTFE with polymer wherein a first coating of fluoropolymer-containing liquid medium is formed on a moving elongate substrate, elongate ePTFE is contacted with the coated substrate to form an inchoate composite structure, and a final coating of fluoropolymer-containing liquid medium is formed on the inchoate composite structure.
US07648659B2
To provide a method of pelletizing friction material that makes it possible to preliminarily form friction materials after pelletizing, and a method of producing preliminarily formed friction material. The method of pelletizing friction material includes the steps of: pressing powdery friction material without heating, in which plurality of materials are mixed, with 0.1 to 5.0 weight-percent of solvent; and grinding the pressed and hardened material. When handling powdery friction material, in which plurality of materials including at least one sticky material are mixed, less than or equal to 5.0 weight-percent of solvent is added in the pressing process. Feeding the pelletized material in a metal mold and pressing the material without heating produce a preliminarily formed friction material.
US07648658B2
An alternate polymer extrusion method and system reduces “drool” effects that detract from precise control over the content of two or more materials in an extrudate along its length. In the system, two or more extruders direct melt to two or more gear pumps. Control of the speed of the gear pumps controls the amount of each material emergent from the pumps, proceeding to a convergence in the paths from the pumps and thence to a die. Melt in each path between each pump and the convergence tends to expand and drool into the convergence as its associated pump is slowed and stopped. To prevent this, in the die, a constriction in each path just upstream of the convergence greatly reduces drool past that point by requiring a much greater pressure to force the melt past the constriction. The increased pressure required increases compression and expansion of the melt between the pump and the construction as a pump starts or increases in speed, on one hand, and stop or decreases in speed, on the other hand. Compensatory pump speed changes are made to counter this effect.
US07648657B2
A sputtering target which is formed of a sintered body including an oxide main components of which are In and Sm. A sputtering target in which a sintered body of an oxide including In and Sm as main components is doped with at least one element with an atomic valency of positive tetravalency or higher in an amount of 20 at. % or less relative to the total sum of all cation elements.
US07648652B2
A polymer electrolyte that may be used in a fuel cell includes sulfonated polyether ketone ketone and a cross-linking agent.
US07648650B2
Novel aluminum-silicate based orange-red phosphors, with mixed di- and trivalent cations are disclosed. The phosphors have the formula (Sr1−x−yMxTy)3−mEum(Si1−zAlz)O5, where M is at least one of Ba, Mg, Ca, and Zn in an amount ranging from 0≦x≦0.4. T is a trivalent metal in an amount ranging from 0≦y≦0. This phosphor is configured to emit visible light having a peak emission wavelength greater than about 580 nm. The phosphors may contain a halogen anion such as F, Cl, and Br, at least some of which is substitutionally positioned on oxygen lattice sites. The present aluminum-silicate phosphors have applications in white and orange-red illumination systems, as well as plasma display panels.
US07648645B2
A pre-polymer/liquid crystal composition is disclosed and includes, a liquid crystal component, a photo polymerization initiator, and a polymer precursor component. The polymer precursor component includes at least, a silane monomer, reactive (meth)acryloxy monomer or oligomer, and an ester, urethane, or (meth)acrylate based polymer or oligomer, bearing one or more reactive (meth)acrylate groups. Methods of forming a bistable electro-optical device are also disclosed.
US07648644B2
A stabilized aqueous mixture containing at least one borohydride compound and at least one metal hydroxide compound. The mixture has improved stability with regard to decomposition of borohydride, especially at elevated temperatures.
US07648634B2
A system and method for treating wastewater includes a treatment container for receiving and treating wastewater and a mixing/aeration system disposed in the treatment container. Wastewater is pumped under pressure from the treatment container through a solids/liquid separation system, preferably comprising multiple parallel membrane bioreactors, to separate the solids and liquids in the wastewater. Liquid retentate from the solids/liquid separation system is cycled back to the treatment container via the mixing/aeration system. The closed-loop system and method for solids/liquid separation and aeration/mixing provides for reduced equipment requirements and energy usage during operation.
US07648631B2
A method and an apparatus for wastewater treatment using a nitrogen/phosphorus removal process combined with a floatation separation of sludge that is replaced by the gravity settling secondary clarifier are provided for effectively removing organic substances, nitrogen, phosphorus, granular substances and the like from wastewater. Al or Fe electrode plate is used for generating the micro bubbles so that phosphorus is removed by Al or Fe ions dissolved from the anode. With the method and the apparatus, a concentration of the microorganisms in the bioreactor is maintained high so that the volume and area of the reactor are reduced, that removal efficiency for organic substances, nitrogen, phosphorus is increased, that deterioration of settlability due to sludge bulking or micro floc and deterioration of out-flowing water quality are prevented, that the time required for settling is reduced to increase the processing quantity of wastewater, and that removal efficiency for phosphorus is maximized by simultaneous performances of biological phosphorus removal and chemical phosphorus removal by chemical agglomeration in the solid-liquid floatation separation vessel.
US07648619B2
A hydrogel-driven micropump, comprising: two fluid chambers; a fluid channel, connecting the two fluid chambers; a first substrate plate and a second substrate plate, which are glass wafers produced by micromechanical working, each having accommodation chambers which are filled in hydrogel which are placed next to the two fluid chambers and connected by inward extending bridges, with electric terminals leading to the accommodation chambers; a middle substrate, sandwiched between the first and second substrate plates and made by a bulk micromachining process, having separated accommodation chambers close to ends thereof. A separating block is placed between the accommodation chambers. The middle substrate between the first and second substrate plates forms a micropump body. All of the substrates are separated by membranes. The accommodation chambers for electrophoretic fluid are located between the membranes and the first and second substrate plates, respectively, and insulating material. An electrophoretic fluid channel is left between the membranes and the bridges. The fluid channel is placed within the middle substrate between the membranes. The first substrate plate has through holes from outside to the two fluid chambers, allowing fluid to be injected.
US07648615B2
In the operation of smoking/burning type volume reduction treatment apparatus (1), referring to view (A), charcoal carbonized layer (T2) is spread over powdery ceramic layer (T1) in the state of having negative ion air fed through air supply inlet (H). Further, sawdust layer (T3) is spread thereover, and thereafter treatment subject layer (V) is piled thereon. In a temporary burning region of the carbonized layer (T2), the powdery ceramic layer (T1) exerts not only heat storing action but also heat radiation action. Referring to view (B), the interior of the sawdust layer (T3) is altered into temporary carbonized layer (T3 1) and temporary dried layer (T3 2). As the temporary burning region slowly moves upward, an under side of the treatment subject layer (V) is altered into dried layer (V1) and further, carbonized layer (V2) shown in view (C) is formed. Thereafter, this carbonized layer (V2) catches fire, so that burning region (V3) is formed in layered form in the treatment subject layer (V). Thus, smoking/burning starts. Accordingly, there can be provided a method wherein a burning region is securely formed in the treatment subject within the apparatus (1).
US07648613B2
The invention comprises a method and an arrangement in a paper machine or the like close to a moving web (29) usually supported against a wire (1), and a paper machine including such an arrangement, and a sealing device having several such arrangements (100). According to the invention, a movable sealing (5) is arranged in the drying section of a paper machine, between two regions (3, 4) with different pressures. Certain air amounts (V1, V2) are supplied to and/or discharged from each side of the sealing (5) in order to create certain pressures in said regions. Air can move between said regions only through certain paths. In normal operating situations the seal (5) according to the invention is automatically adjusted to the desired position in relation to the web.
US07648607B2
Disclosed are composite laminates that can exhibit high strength and/or low dielectric loss and can also be lightweight. The laminates include layers formed of high modulus polyolefin fiber. The fibers can be woven or knit to form a fabric or can be included in a nonwoven fabric that can be one or more layers of the composite structures. The layers including the high modulus polyolefin fibers can include other fibers, such as fiberglass. The composites can also include layers of other materials, for instance layers formed of polyaramids, fiberglass, or carbon fiber wovens or nonwovens. The composites can advantageously be utilized in low loss dielectric applications, such as in forming circuit board substrates, or in applications beneficially combining strength with low weight, such as automobile and boat materials.
US07648595B2
The invention is a novel photo-induced method for converting large quantities of silver nanospheres into nanoprisms, the nanoprisms formed by this method and applications in which the nanoprisms are useful. Significantly, this light driven process results in a colloid with a unique set of optical properties that directly relate to the nanoprism shape of the particles. Theoretical calculations coupled with experimental observations allow for the assignment of the nanoprism plasmon bands and the first identification of two distinct quadrupole plasmon resonances for a nanoparticle. Finally, unlike the spherical particles from which they derive and which Rayleigh light scatter in the blue, these nanoprisms exhibit scattering in the red, permitting multicolor diagnostic labels based not only on nanoparticle composition and size but also on shape.
US07648594B2
Extruded aluminum alloy which excels in machinability, caulking properties, and wear resistance, the extruded aluminum alloy including 3.0 to 6.0 mass % of Si, 0.1 to 0.45 mass % of Mg, 0.01 to 0.5 mass % of Cu, 0.01 to 0.5 mass % of Mn, and 0.40 to 0.90 mass % of Fe, with the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities.
US07648583B2
An aqueous, concentrated neutral detergent composition for use in cleaning medical instruments and metal components (parts, tools, utensils, vessels, equipment, and surfaces) having scale control and corrosion inhibition properties when diluted to about 1/40 ounce per gallon to about 1/10 ounce per gallon in potable water. In addition, the concentrate may be applied directly to metal surfaces, such as stainless steel, to remove rust and other stains, without causing any additional corrosion or other damage to the metal surface.
US07648582B2
A method of cleaning an ESC comprises immersing a ceramic surface of the ESC in dielectric fluid; spacing the ceramic surface of the ESC apart from a conductive surface such that the dielectric fluid fills a gap between the ceramic surface of the ESC and the conductive surface; and subjecting the dielectric fluid to ultrasonic agitation while simultaneously applying voltage to the ESC.
US07648577B2
A method of growing a p-type nitride semiconductor material by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) uses bis(cyclopentadienyl)magnesium (Cp2Mg) as the source of magnesium dopant atoms. Ammonia gas is used as the nitrogen precursor for the MBE growth process. To grow p-type GaN, for example, by the method of the invention, gallium, ammonia and Cp2Mg are supplied to an MBE growth chamber; to grow p-type AlGaN, aluminum is additionally supplied to the growth chamber. The growth process of the invention produces a p-type carrier concentration, as measured by room temperature Hall effect measurements, of up to 2 1017 cm−3, without the need for any post-growth step of activating the dopant atoms.
US07648574B2
A lightweight ready-mix concrete composition that contains 8-20 volume percent cement, 11-50 volume percent sand, 10-31 volume percent prepuff particles, 9-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water, where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the composition measured according to ASTM C 143 is from 2 to 8 inches. After the lightweight ready-mix concrete composition is set for 28 days, it has a compressive strength of at least 1400 psi as tested according to ASTM C39.
US07648566B2
An apparatus for producing hydrogen gas wherein the apparatus includes a reactor. In one embodiment, the reactor includes at least two conversion-removal portions. Each conversion-removal portion comprises a catalyst section configured to convert CO in the stream to CO2 and a membrane section located downstream of and in flow communication with the catalyst section. The membrane section is configured to selectively remove the CO2 from the stream and to be in flow communication with a sweep gas.
US07648553B2
The present invention relates to a niobium alloy for capacitors comprising as an alloy component from 0.01 to 10 atom % of at least one element selected from the group consisting of the elements belonging to Groups 2 to 16 of the periodic table and further comprising diniobium mononitride crystals of from 0.1 to 70 mass %, wherein a powder of the niobium alloy has an average particle size of 0.05 to 5 μm and a BET specific surface area of 0.5 to 40 m2/g, a granulated product of the niobium alloy having an average particle size of 10 to 500 μm, a sintered body of the powder of the niobium alloy or granulated product thereof, a capacitor and a producing method thereof using the sintered body. A niobium capacitor using the powder of the niobium alloy of the present invention or a granulated product thereof has high capacitance and small leakage current value and is excellent in high-temperature property and heat resistance property.
US07648552B2
A low-cost filled skutterudite for advanced thermoelectric applications is disclosed. The filled skutterudite uses the relatively low-cost mischmetal, either alone or in addition to rare earth elements, as a starting material for guest or filler atoms.
US07648546B2
A filter is provided by pleated filter media having a plurality of pleats defined by wall segments extending axially along an axial direction along an axis and extending transversely along a transverse direction between first and second sets of pleat tips at first and second sets of axially extending bend lines. The pleated filter media spans laterally along a lateral span along a lateral direction, with the wall segments being spaced from each other by lateral gaps. The pleats have a pleat depth along the transverse direction along the wall segments between the first and second sets of pleat tips. The pleat depth varies as the pleated filter media spans laterally along the lateral direction.
US07648544B2
Swirl tube separator for separating solids from a gas-solid containing feed comprising a tubular housing, an inlet for introducing a gas-solids mixture at one end of said housing, a solids outlet opening at the opposite end of said housing, and a co-axial positioned tubular gas outlet conduit placed at an end of said housing, wherein along the axis of the tubular housing a vortex extender pin is present.
US07648540B2
A system for production, storage and dispensation of hydrogen gas from encapsulated metal hydride, the system employing sealed cylinders filled with water and rotatable containers stored with encapsulated metal hydride shells, slider base members with passages and slider paths disposed at the bottom end of the cylinders to receive the encapsulated metal hydride shells from the containers, baffles disposed both inside and outside periphery of the rotatable containers to rotate the containers that regulate and direct the flow of the encapsulated metal hydride shells on to the slider paths, movable hydraulic ramming members with disintegration sites and pistons disposed at the bottom end of the slider paths, to receive the encapsulated metal hydride shells and disintegrate the encapsulated metal hydride shells and disperse the broken shells into the cylinders filled with water, and a control panel disposed to regulate the flow rate and pressure of the generated hydrogen gas.
US07648532B2
A device positionable in an opening in a flexible membrane or in the lumen of a vessel having a flexible sidewall. The device distends or biases opposite portions defining the opening or forming the vessel sidewall outwardly in the plane of the device. The outward biasing draws opposing portions of the opening or sidewall inwardly in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the device and into apposition or contact.
US07648529B2
A corpectomy device has an inner member telescopingly disposed in an outer member so that the inner member is movable in an axial direction. The inner and outer members are hollow, defining a chamber, and include apertures in communication with the chamber. A locking clip engages the inner and outer members to fix the position of the inner member with respect to the outer member. The longitudinal dimension of the device is adjustable by distracting the inner member so that the inner member extends from the outer member and moving the locking clip from an unlocked position to a locked position.
US07648523B2
A method of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body of a patient includes advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body. A proximal portion of the stabilization device is positioned such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body by contacting a surface of the superior vertebral body.
US07648520B2
A medical device and methods of use thereof are provided for supporting a structure (e.g., bone). A screw assembly is provided that is comprised of a base, an arm, and an interconnection means for coupling the base to the arm. The interconnection means allows the arm to be positionable in a first position that is parallel to a long axis of the base and positionable in a second position that is perpendicular to the long axis of the base. The base is configured for attachment to a structure and the arm configured for attachment to a support structure. A support structure is provided that includes one or more receivers having locking means, which can be configured as an open-ended saddle for attachment to a medical device (e.g., a screw assembly). The support structure is configured to receive one or more medical devices and lock the medical devices to the support structure after installation in a patient.
US07648518B2
Vascular embolic filtering devices and systems, as well as methods for using the same, are provided. The embolic filtering device includes a guide wire and an associated embolic filter for capturing emboli created during interventional procedures within a target vessel. Features of the subject devices and system provide for delivering of the guide wire independently of the filter, rotating of the guide wire with respect to the filter and limiting or preventing the proximal translation of the filter with respect to the guide wire. The embolic filter is attached to a sheath having either a shorter-length configuration or an extended-length configuration. The guide wire comprises a proximal stop mechanism engageable with the sheath to limit at least the proximal translation of the embolic filter. The subject embolic filter systems provide such guide wires and embolic filters, as well as and an embolic filter delivery, deployment and removal assembly. The methods of the present invention provide for the use of the subject devices and systems.
US07648517B2
The inventions described in this patent application include i) a torqueable introducer sheath which is useable in conjunction with a transvascular passageway forming catheter to effect precise rotational control of the catheter; ii) an anchorable guide catheter which is useable in conjunction with an intravascular imaging catheter and a transvascular passageway-forming catheter to effect precise positioning and aiming of the passageway-forming catheter; iii) a passageway forming catheter having a torqueable proximal portion to facilitate precise rotational positioning of the distal portion of the catheter; iv) a deflectable-tipped passageway forming catheter, v) various markers and other apparatus useable in conjunction with any of the passageway-forming catheters to facilitate precise positioning and aiming of the catheter, and vi) an apparatus which may be formed within a catheter to prevent a member, apparatus of flow of material from being inadvertently advanced through a lumen of the catheter.
US07648507B2
A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.
US07648504B2
A bioabsorbable band system is provided. The system comprises a bioabsorbable elongated band and two locking member systems. This band system may be used to heal bone fractures or osteotomies.
US07648494B2
An infusion set having an infusion part for insertion into a patient and a connector for connecting the infusion part with a medical device through a tube is provided. The connector is axially displaceable relative to the infusion part. The infusion part includes an adhesive support, a base part with a first set of guiding means and at least two retention devices for locking the connector to the infusion part, a cannula extending from the base part and being in fluid communication with a cavity. The cavity is further adapted to receive a second cannula extending from the connector where the second cannula is in fluid communication with the tube. The infusion set further includes a second set of guiding means that are adapted to fit with the first set of guiding means and at least two arms. The retention devices extend from an upper surface of a main surface of the base part and the arms include means corresponding to the retention members.
US07648490B2
A sanitary napkin includes: a napkin body having a liquid-absorbent layer for absorbing and retaining liquid; and first and second projections each exerting an elastic contractive force between longitudinally opposing front and rear ends to concavely curve the body surface of the napkin body and raise itself from the body surface of the napkin body. The napkin body has an overlap region where the second projections lie on laterally opposite sides of the first projection.
US07648489B1
A diaper changing mat comprising an attached, flexible and infant-drapeable, fold-over urine shield structured and arranged to prevent urine exposure from infant-generated urine while still providing easy access to the infant's diaper area. The diaper changing mat is preferably disposable. A preferred heart-shaped urine shield blocks urine streams without hindering access to the infant's diaper area. Alternately preferably, the diaper changing mat may be reusable and washable or preferably comprise a removable waterproof insert. The diaper changing mat may also attach to a changing-table element, such as, for example, a foam pad.
US07648487B2
A syringe coated with a lubricant containing a silicone oil and a fine silica powder on the inner surface of the barrel of the syringe can be used for injection of a surface-active drug solution without oil droplet formation on the inner surface while preventing an increase of the gasket sliding friction.
US07648484B2
A method for processing a wafer to form a plurality of hollow microneedles projecting from a substrate includes forming, by use of a dry etching process, a number of groups of recessed features, each including at least one slot deployed to form an open shape having an included area and at least one hole located within the included area. The internal surfaces of the holes and the slots are then coated with a protective layer. An anisotropic wet etching process is then performed in such a manner as to remove material from outside the included areas while leaving a projecting feature within each of the included areas. The protective layer is then removed to reveal the microneedles.
US07648482B2
An apparatus includes a housing, a medicament container and an actuator. The actuator includes a release member and an energy storage member having a first position and a second position. In the first position, the energy storage member has a first potential energy. In the second position the energy storage member has a second potential energy. The energy storage member is configured to convert a portion of the first potential energy into kinetic energy when moved from the first position to the second position to move the medicament container within the housing. The energy storage member has a longitudinal axis offset from a longitudinal axis of the medicament container. The release member is configured to selectively deploy the energy storage member from its first position to its second position.
US07648480B2
A safety needle assembly comprises a cannula holding member, a cannula fixed to the cannula holding member, and a safety device mounted on the cannula holding member. The cannula holding member includes one or more outwardly directed fins extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the cannula holding member. The safety device includes a collar adapted to be mounted on the cannula holding member and a sheath. The sheath possesses an interior bounded by a back wall and a pair of oppositely positioned side walls, and also includes an opening positioned opposite the back wall. The sheath is also provided with at least one fin engaging member connected to the back wall and extending from the back wall in a direction toward the opening. The fin engaging member is spaced from the side walls of the sheath. The sheath is pivotally connected to the collar to pivot in a closing direction toward the cannula so that during pivoting of the sheath in the closing direction the cannula passes through the opening in the sheath and is positioned in the interior of the sheath to be covered by the sheath, with the distal end portion of the at least one fin engaging member automatically engaging at least one of the fins on the cannula holding member when the cannula is positioned within the interior of the sheath to lock the sheath relative to the cannula holding member to prevent the sheath from being pivoted away from the cannula.
US07648478B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of treating a vascular occlusion located at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises positioning an ultrasound catheter at the treatment site. The method further comprises delivering a microbubble therapeutic compound from the ultrasound catheter to the vascular occlusion during a first treatment phase. The method further comprises pausing the delivery of the microbubble therapeutic compound and delivering ultrasonic energy from the ultrasound catheter to the vascular occlusion during a second treatment phase while the delivery of microbubble therapeutic compound remains paused.
US07648470B2
We disclose an elasticity-measuring device which can be inserted into a canal part of living body and which is capable of quantitatively measuring the elasticity of the biological tissue of inner side of canal part. The device consists of a probe base (5) and probes (7). The probes (7) are secured to probe base (5) and driven to press onto and return from biological tissue. According to the stress or hardness of the biological tissue measured by sensors on probes (7) and to the deviation between the probes (7) and the probe base (5), we can decide the elasticity of the biological tissue of inner side of canal part quantitatively.
US07648469B2
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid.
US07648467B2
The invention is an apparatus (10) for treating inverted nipples and/or the collection of NAF. The invention includes an assembly which creates an airtight seal upon attachment to at least an areola (16) of an inverted nipple (18) and by rotation of a part thereof draws a partial vacuum to apply an outward force to the nipple; and a syringe (26) including a curved longitudinal axis (28), the syringe being carried by the assembly and being in fluid communication with a chamber (24) of the assembly upon attachment of the assembly to at least an areola of an inverted nipple, the syringe including a plunger (30) which is sealed against an inner surface (34) of the syringe and is rotatable to move along the longitudinal axis relative to the chamber which moves the plunger within a syringe body to expel air from the syringe body away from the chamber upon rotation of the plunger in a first direction and to aspirate air from the chamber upon attachment of the apparatus to the breast surrounding the nipple upon rotation in a second direction opposite to the first direction to create a partial vacuum within the chamber to evert the nipple.
US07648466B2
The present application is directed to an image-guided, vacuum assisted, percutaneous, coring, cable driven breast biopsy instrument which may be conveniently mounted to an x-ray machine wherein the biopsy instrument incorporates a rotation knob at the proximal end of the instrument to manually rotate the distal end of the probe, thus allowing the clinician to conveniently position the tissue port next to the tissue to be sampled.
US07648460B2
Anatomical information is identified from a medical image and/or used for controlling a medical diagnostic imaging system, such as an ultrasound system. To identify anatomical information from a medical image, a processor applies a multi-class classifier. The anatomical information is used to set an imaging parameter of the medical imaging system. The setting or identification may be used in combination or separately.
US07648457B2
A method for positioning a device, such as an endcap, on an endoscope is disclosed. The method can be used, for example, for facilitating pressing an endcap onto an endoscope, including in those applications where the endscope is disposed in a sheath and the endcap is positioned at the distal end of the sheath.
US07648456B2
An adapter for holding a rear tip extender onto the cylinder of a penile prosthesis or onto another rear tip extender is described herein.
US07648453B2
A catheter needle, for irradiating tumors, formed by an elongated plastic tube with parts partly unfoldable outwards which can lock themselves in the tissue, and a closed end. The closed end has a reinforced sharp pointed shape with which tissue can be punctured. In the improved version, therefore, a point from a harder material is provided which is provided in or around the plastic so that the catheter needle has sufficient sharpness like a conventional metal needle. Thus, the catheter needle can puncture the skin and harder, deeper-lying tissues directly without pre-puncturing or other aids.
US07648452B2
A device for loading a set of bags into the rotor of a centrifuge including a loading container having an annular rim extending outwardly such that the annular rim rests on the turn table of the rotor.
US07648451B2
A machine for covering packaging boxes (S) with a sheet (F) comprises at least one presser (10) and one folding blade (11) that move horizontally to apply the edges (L) of a glued sheet (F) to corresponding outside walls (P) of a box (S). The presser (10) and/or the blade (11) are adjustable in angular position with respect to one or more axes of rotation.
US07648448B2
An exercise dumbbell includes a handle member and weight plates maintained in spaced relationship at opposite ends thereof. Knobs on the handle member have contoured bearing surfaces that bear against respective selector members to alternatively hold the selector members in weight engaging positions and disengaged positions.
US07648443B2
An exercise console is disclosed as including a housing and a display incorporated into the housing. The display is adapted to align substantially parallel to the top surface of the housing. A tilt mechanism connects the display to the housing and is operable by a user to tilt the display to a nonparallel angle with respect to the housing. In another aspect in accordance with the invention, the exercise console includes a substantially fixed array of buttons incorporated into the housing. The buttons provide to a user various input options which are selectable in a pre-determined sequence by operation of the buttons to program the exercise console. Various indicators are associated with the buttons and inform the user which input options are next available for selection after the user has selected one or more input options.
US07648442B2
A method of creating rigid cards (32) having an exercise routine (58) thereon for use by a user (26). The rigid cards (32) are prepared utilizing a computer (34) in communication with a database (40). A plurality of exercises (54) are determined and the exercises (54) are input into the computer (34) to define the exercise routine (58) specific to the user (26). A unique identifier (60) specific to the user (26) is input into the computer (34) and linked to the exercise routine (58). The unique identifier (60) and the exercise routine (58) are stored in the database (40) and printed on the rigid card (32). The method further includes modifying the exercise routine (58) and inputting the modified exercise routine into the computer (34) to define an alternative exercise routine (144). The alternative exercise routine (144) is linked to the unique identifier (60) and stored in the database (40). The unique identifier (60) and the alternative exercise routine (144) are printed on a second rigid card (116).
US07648434B2
The present invention provides a ball for ball games which has equivalent or increased cushioning properties when compared conventional balls. The ball for ball games of the present invention includes a bladder made of rubber or elastomer, and a foamed layer covering the outside of the bladder, in which a skin layer is provided on each surface sectionalized by partition portions extending from the surface of the foamed layer, the partitions having a lesser degree of expansion than the main portion of the surface which is sectionalized by the portions.
US07648432B1
This patent application is for a baseball and softball home plate system generally, and more specifically a home plate system with changeable top plate sections and an up-tight bevel.
US07648426B2
A wood-type golf club head (20) with a main body (22) and a metal injection molded sole portion (26) is disclosed herein. The main body (26) has a face portion (30), a crown portion (24) a ribbon portion (28) and a bottom opening (31). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably brazed to the main body (22). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) preferably has a mass ranging from 45 grams to 110 grams. The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably from 50 weight percent to 35 weight percent of the total mass of the wood-type golf club head (20).
US07648417B2
A system and method for conducting a game with two or more participants that provides selections of the final two contestants for a particular contest. In the game, at least one winning participant is determined by comparing each participant's selections of the final two contestants to the actual final two contestants in the contest. Participants may also provide an indication of the first place contestant from among the selected final two contestants. Ties may be broken by comparing each participant's selection of a first place contestant to the actual first place contestant in the contest. Also described is a system for implementation of the method including means for carrying out the steps of the method. The method and system provide a fun, straightforward game that can be adapted to a wide variety of contests, be played by a large number of participants and be implemented over the World Wide Web.
US07648415B2
A game apparatus includes a game machine and a game cartridge. On a case of the game machine, operation buttons are provided. On the LCD, game images of a player object and non-player objects in a game space are displayed. For example, a player, by holding the case with both hands and operating the operation buttons, controls a holding action of a left hand and a right hand of the player object. When the player instructs the player object to perform the holding action, if the non-player object exists at a position where the hand of the player object exists, the non-player object is held. In a case that the player object holds the non-player object with one hand, the player object rotates, and by changing the non-player object to be held, the player object can move within the game space. Furthermore, if releasing the hand from it during the rotation, the player object jumps out.
US07648412B2
Poultry defeathering apparatus comprising at least one defeathering assembly (6) with a plurality of picking heads (7). Each picking head has a base member (15) provided with at least one flexible picking device (19). The base member is rotatable with respect to a support part (9). The flexible picking device (19) is rotatable with respect to the base member and is connected to a drive for rotating it with respect to the base member in a rotating movement different from the rotating movement of the base member with respect to the support part.
US07648409B1
A method of polishing the double sides of a plurality of works simultaneously by rotating a plurality of carriers between upper and lower rotating surface plates, comprising the steps of forming the works (400) integrally with the carriers (500) on the outside of a polishing device main body (110), feeding the works (400) onto a rotating surface plate (111) on the underside of the polishing device main body (110) with the works formed integrally with the carriers (500), injecting liquid such as water from the upper side rotating surface plate when the upper side rotating surface plate is raised after the double sides are polished, holding the plurality of works (400) on the lower side rotating surface plate (111) after the double sides are polished, enabling the works (400) to be discharged automatically from the lower side rotating surface plate (111), providing a brush storage part (180) and a dresser storage part (190) near the polishing device main body (110), and frequently treating a polishing cloth installed on the opposed surfaces of the upper and lower rotating surface plates with a brush and a dresser.
US07648408B2
A user selectable interchangeable bra system enables user to customize the selection, style, construction, and usage of a bra both through component purchase and interchangeable fit. An infinite number of different size, color and fits are possible, as well as underwire interchangeableness. The center connector can be selected to provide for user selectable cup separation. Buckle type shoulder strap fittings can be provided with a tiny loop to support body jewelry, and because the shoulder straps are reversible, the body jewelry can be worn on the front or back upper chest, especially where the jewelry can appear to come from underneath the dress to give an appearance of a much more extensive jewelry extent.
US07648393B2
A coaxial cable connector is provided with an external clip that can be installed on location rather than in a factory. An adapter is also provided that can be shipped with connector for securing the external clip on the coaxial cable connector and the connector on a coaxial cable. A method for assembling the connector, the clip and the cable is also disclosed.
US07648391B2
A shaft lock socket system comprises: a housing defining a receiving chamber; at least a socket received in the receiving chamber, installed with a gap between the back of the socket and the inward portion of the receiving chamber; and at least an adjusting member arranged in the gap between the socket and the receiving chamber and abutting against the back of the socket. The system allows for adjustment of the tightness between the socket and the housing to a proper level, reducing resonance vibration in response to tiny vibrations caused by current passing through the plug and socket, thus improving the stability of power transmission and the sound quality of an audio device.
US07648389B1
A utility meter adapter plugs between a utility meter and its meter socket to provide a power pigtail suitable for a solar electric system to backfeed power to the utility. A round plastic base has several connector jaw blades underneath positioned like a meter to fit in a meter socket and its jaw sockets. A corresponding set of jaw sockets is provided for the jaw blades on the meter to plug into the topside. The jaw sockets in the adapter on the load side of the meter are pigtailed to terminal lugs with a conduit access. A solar electric system backfeed can be run through conduit tubing to the terminal lugs on top of any flush walls, thus avoiding any disturbances to the pre-existing walls and service panels.
US07648388B2
A communication relay apparatus includes a first connecting section for connecting to a first wire harness connected to an electronic control device, a second connecting section for connecting to a second wire harness connected to a plurality of electronic equipments, a communication address setting section which has a plurality of connection portions and sets a communication address for the electronic control device with a conducting pattern based on presence or absence of conduction at the connection portions, and a communication relay section which is electrically connected to the first connecting section and the second connecting section, and relays communication between the electronic control device and the electronic equipments on the basis of the communication address.
US07648386B2
A connector includes contacts each having a contact portion, an elastic portion and a fulcrum portion between the contact portion and a connection portion, and a pressure receiving portion; a housing fixing the contacts; and a slider having urging portions pivotally moved between the connection and pressure receiving portions of the contacts to urging the contact portions against the circuit board, thereby achieving reliable connection and miniaturization of the connector. In an aspect, the housing is formed on the side of a board insertion opening with a recessed portion for conducting the board. In another aspect, the contact includes upper and lower contact portions one above the other arranged alternately staggered so as to be connected to a circuit board having contact portions alternately staggered, so that no defective connection occurs, even if the circuit board is inserted erroneously upside down. In a further aspect, the connector further includes locking members having an engaging portion which engages an anchoring portion of the circuit board to prevent the circuit board from being removed. In one aspect, contacts of two kinds are inserted into the housing from opposite sides, respectively so that these contacts of the two kinds are into contact with the contact portions on respective surfaces of the circuit board. In a further aspect, moreover, a plate-shaped piece is provided in opposition to the contact portions of the contacts to prevent the housing from being deformed.
US07648383B2
A device for locking a power tool and a rechargeable battery pack that is insertable in a guide of the power tool has a locking bar installable on a housing of the power tool and held in locking engagement with the rechargeable battery pack via spring force, a release mechanism that acts on the locking bar for manually releasing the locking bar from the locking engagement, the locking bar and the release mechanism forming a lever that is pivotally supportable in a rocker pivot on the housing, the locking bar being fixedly held via spring force and a recess formed at a top side of the rechargeable battery pack and is releasable by pivoting the lever from the locking engagement via a compression force applied to the release mechanism, which extends upwardly across a front base end of the housing.
US07648379B2
A universal power distribution system is provided for routing electrical circuits within a building structure to comprehensively provide electrical power to the building in ceiling configurations, wall-mounted configurations, raised floor configurations and in office furniture configurations. The system components for all of these configurations have common plug connectors that are engagable with each other so as to be readily usable in a wide variety of applications. The system is readily adaptable to form virtually any conventional circuit configuration found within conventional hard-wired systems yet is formed simply through the routing of the cables through the building cavities and interconnection is accomplished merely by plugging components together rather than through labor-intensive manual wiring.
US07648377B2
In a connector to be connected to a connection object, a housing holds at least one contact to be contacted with the connection object and a switch for detecting whether the connection object is in a connected state or an unconnected state. The switch includes a first conductive member and a second conductive member. The first conductive member includes a first spring portion which is elastically deformable and extends in a first direction to have a free end, a conductive member abutting portion which is formed at the free end of the first spring portion and adapted to the abutted to the connection object in the connected state in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a first contact point which is connected to the first spring portion. The second conductive member includes a second contact point faced to the first contact point in the second direction.
US07648371B2
An electrical connecting arrangement includes a locator device mounted on a photovoltaic panel for relatively positioning a connector housing such that a resilient contact on the connector housing is arranged for electrical connection with a stationary rigid contact on the photovoltaic panel that extends in space relation within a chamber contained in the locator device, connection being made via an access opening contained in the locator device. Preferably, the stationary contact is a knife contact having a rectangular configuration defining a pair of parallel end edges that are supported by a pair of support slots defined in the opposed walls of the access opening, thereby to support the stationary contact during the engagement thereof by the resilient contact.
US07648370B2
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a flexible printed wiring board, a printed circuit board, a support member to support the display panel and the printed circuit board, and a frame member to cover the printed circuit board and to assist support of the display panel. The printed circuit board is supported at a side surface of the support member by bending the flexible printed wiring board, and the support member includes, at the side surface for supporting the printed circuit board, a first support part to support one end side of the printed circuit board which is opposite to another end side to which the flexible printed wiring board is connected, and a second support part to support the another end side of the printed circuit board. The frame member has a contact portion for contacting the printed circuit board.
US07648368B2
An electrical-power-transfer assembly (50) transferring electrical power from an onboard power source to electrical deicers (22) on propeller blades (18). The assembly (50) comprises a first race structure (52) mounted to the aircraft, a second race structure (54) mounted to the propeller assembly (12), and rolling elements (76/78) caged in raceway(s) (72/74) situated between the race structures (52/54). The current path established by the assembly (50) passes through the raceway(s) (72/74) and the rolling elements (76/78) caged therein.
US07648366B1
A method comprises: i) presenting to a subject a training stimulus, the training stimulus eliciting from the subject a desired response; ii) presenting to the subject a diffuse visual stimulus along with the training stimulus; and iii) repeating the presenting to the subject of the training stimulus along with the diffuse visual stimulus sufficiently many times so that subsequent presentation of the diffuse visual stimulus to the subject without the training stimulus elicits from the subject the desired response. The diffuse visual stimulus is arranged so as to be perceived by the subject only at a subliminal or near-subliminal level. Another method comprises presenting to the subject the diffuse visual stimulus in order to elicit the desired response, the subject having been conditioned according to the previous method.
US07648365B2
A computer based training tool and method that emulates human behavior using a computer-simulated person in a realistic scenario. It provides an interactive experience in detecting deception during interviews and acceptance of statements during interpersonal conversations. The simulated person provides verbal responses in combination with an animated video display reflecting the body language of the simulated person in response to questions asked and during and after responses to the questions. The questions and responses are pre-programmed and interrelated groups of questions and responses are maintained in dynamic tables which are constantly adjusted as a function of questions asked and responses generated. The system provides a critique and numerical score for each training session.
US07648362B2
A dental restoration is provided which includes a base structure and a pre-fabricated over structure which at least partially covers the base structure. An interconnecting material interconnects hardened bite elements of the over structure with the base structure. In accordance with the method of producing a dental restoration, the interconnecting material applied onto the base structure is hardened fully after the over structure has first been applied onto the still malleable interconnecting material.
US07648361B2
A dental dam clamp comprises first and second spaced, opposing jaws and respective first and second tooth engaging portions on the jaws. The first and second tooth engaging portions are positioned in confronting relation to one another and are biased toward one another by a resilient member when the jaws are moved outwardly from a free state defining a first position of the jaws. In one embodiment, first ends of the tooth engaging portions are spaced closer together than the second ends of the tooth engaging portions when the jaws are in the first position. The spacing between the first ends of the tooth engaging portions may be substantially the same as the spacing between the second ends of the tooth engaging portions when the jaws are moved outwardly to a second position. In another embodiment, the tooth engaging portions include friction-increasing surfaces to help secure the clamp to a tooth.
US07648360B2
The present invention provides systems and methods for providing dental appliances, particularly orthodontic appliances, to a patient wherein the patient is easily able to determine the order or sequence in which the appliances should be worn. Typically the appliances are to be worn in a particular sequence to provide desired treatment, such as a progressive movement of teeth through a variety of arrangements to a final desired arrangement.
US07648358B1
A molten plastic extruded from extruding means 10 is formed into a strand 50 by a die 40, passed through an inner side of a cylindrical guide 60 erected vertically, thereafter, the strand 50 is successively cut uniformly to a constant length by a cutter 90 to form a pellet. A refrigerant for air cooling is circulated at a surrounding of the strand 50 passing through the inner side of the cylindrical guide 60 by cooling means 100 of the strand without being leaked to outside air.
US07648349B2
A nutating pump is disclosed which has a modified piston and housing or casing that provides two distinct pump chambers or areas. Output from the first pump chamber is delivered during a first half of the dispense cycle or the piston movement cycle. A substantial portion of this output is held for delivery by the second chamber during a second part or half of the dispense cycle. Thus, the output generated by the pump is not altered or reduced, it is delivered over the entire piston movement cycle as opposed to prior art pumps which deliver all of the fluid during a first half or first portion of the piston movement cycle. In this way, superior pulse modification is achieved as fluid is delivered across the entire piston movement cycle as opposed to a first half or first portion of the piston movement cycle. In additional embodiments disclosed, two distinct chambers are also provided but each chamber generates its own output as the piston includes two machined or flat sections for active pumping. Thus, each chamber generates its own positive output flow but the flow from each chamber is delivered during a different half of the piston movement cycle. Thus, the flow is still distributed throughout the entire piston movement cycle. In the first embodiment with a first and second chamber, the second chamber essentially acts as a holding station for fluid to be delivered during a second half of the piston movement cycle.
US07648344B2
Disclosed is a liquid ring pump with one or several stages, each of which comprises a working chamber, an impeller that is eccentrically mounted therein, flat control disks that axially delimit the working chamber on both sides, and ducts or chambers that are located adjacent to the control disks and deliver and discharge the transport gas to and from the working chamber. The inventive liquid ring pump is characterized in that the control disks are embodied in the same manner with identical suction ports and pressure ports while ports that are not needed are covered on the side facing away from the impeller.
US07648342B2
A compressor assembly includes a shell, a compressor housed within the shell, and a motor drivingly connected to the compressor. A printed circuit board supports at least one temperature sensor. Processing circuitry receives data from the printed circuit board to determine operating conditions of the compressor.
US07648340B2
The present invention provides an airfoil for a first stage turbine blade having an external surface with first and second sides. The external surface extends spanwise between a hub and a tip and streamwise between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the airfoil. The external surface includes a contour substantially defined by Table 1 as listed in the specification.
US07648333B2
A cooling arrangement 21 for use within a gas turbine engine comprises a first shroud or platform 26 incorporating coolant passages 25 and a second shroud or platform 28. Generally, each platform or shroud 26, 28 will incorporate a pressure portion and a suction portion, with the pressure portion incorporating the coolant passages 25 through which the coolant flow 27 becomes incident on a surface 40 of the suction portion of the second shroud 28. The surface 40 is inclined or tapered towards the passage 25, such that there is limited direct impingement upon a front edge 39 of the surface 40. The coolant flow 27 thereby remains adjacent to the surface 40 for a longer period and so enhances cooling efficiency.
US07648322B2
A magazine loader for automatically loading stacks of cartons onto a magazine of a mass feeder for supplying cartons to a packaging machine, includes a loader in which stacks of cartons are received and held, and a carriage on which the loader is pivotally mounted. The cartons are received loaded in the loader, after which the loader is pivoted from a loading position to a stacking position. The loader is then moved along a feeder conveyor for the packaging machine toward a magazine or supply of previously stacked cartons, until the stack of cartons is received and stacked against the previously loaded cartons to maintain a supply of cartons for feeding into the packaging machine.
US07648320B2
Self-propelled carriage on wheels comprises: one or two pairs of supporting elements for the wheels of either or both of the axles of the motor vehicle, these elements being movable symmetrically and perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the carriage and designed to center, immobilize and lift from beneath the wheels; elements for limiting the mass to be transferred; elements for sensing, continuously during the transfer, the translational position of the carriage; elements for sensing the presence of the motor vehicle on the carriage and measuring the front and rear lengths of the motor vehicle relative to its front axle; and elements for sensing excessive displacement of the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle relative to the longitudinal axis of the carriage when the motor vehicle is being positioned by the user in the entrance bay.
US07648316B2
A drill bit has a cylindrical drill head (1) having two essentially diametrically situated primary cutting edges (2) and chip channels (3) associated therewith. The outer surface (5) of the drill head is formed by curved sections (6) whose end faces (4) have teeth (8) which extend in the axial direction (A) and have cutting edges (7) and cutting faces (9). The cutting faces (9) run at an acute angle in the cutting direction (S) and are set back with respect to a radial line (L) passing through the cutting edge (7). The teeth are formed by crenellated elements (8) which with one of their respective side walls form a cutting face (9) of the cutting edges (7). The side walls (10) of the adjoining crenellated element (8) opposite from the cutting face (9) runs parallel to the cutting face (9).
US07648313B2
A tube end rotary milling head with cylindrical cutting pieces removably secured to the milling head by forces exerted by the material being cut and by friction without any separate securing elements.
US07648312B2
The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28). To prolong the service life of the filter element (50) and to avoid contamination of the filter element more easily, it is proposed, in accordance with the invention, that the filter element (50) be designed as a hollow cylinder and that it surround at least a portion of the chamber (10, 12).
US07648311B2
A cable bolt is provided that is suited to stabilize rock surfaces, particularly to withstand loads placed on the cable bolt when tensioned to stabilize rock surfaces of coal mines. The cable bolt comprises a tendon composed of a plurality of strands, the tendon having a plurality of pre-formed bulbous portions. The bulbous portions house rigid elements, such as a ball bearing, which are inserted after the bulbous portions are formed. When the cable bolt is tensioned or stressed, the load placed on the bulbous portion will be resisted by the rigid element housed within the bulbous portion, thereby preventing the bulbous portion from collapsing.
US07648309B2
An apparatus for compaction, breaking and rubblization comprises a first non-circular plate having a first plate flat portion and a first plate thickness, a second non-circular plate having a second plate flat portion and a second plate thickness substantially equivalent to the first plate thickness, and a third plate having a third plate first flat portion and a third plate second flat portion and a third plate thickness less than the first plate thickness and the second plate thickness. The first plate flat portion is coupled to the third plate first flat portion and the second plate is coupled to the third plate second flat portion and each of the first plate, the second plate and the third plate are configured to form a multi-lobed roller assembly.
US07648297B2
A writing utensil for a free-flowing writing fluid, comprising a closed reservoir with the writing fluid therein that has an outlet aperture for the writing fluid and a further aperture, an elongate writing tip which communicates with the outlet aperture of the reservoir and is slidably supported, and a valve which is disposed inside a communicating path between the writing tip and reservoir and interacts with the writing tip so as to cause the valve to open the communicating path if a force acts onto the writing tip, wherein the further aperture connects the reservoir to the surroundings via an air line.
US07648292B2
A resist pattern forming method using a coating and developing apparatus and an aligner being connected thereto which are controlled to form a resist film on a surface of a substrate with a base film and a base pattern formed thereon, followed by inspecting at least one of a plurality of measurement items selected from: reflection ratio and film thickness of the base film and the resist film, line width after a development, an accuracy that the base pattern matches with a resist pattern, a defect on the surface after the development, etc. A parameter subject to amendment is selected based on corresponding data of each measurement item, such as the film thickness of the resist and the line width after the development, and amendment of the parameter is performed. This results in a reduced workload of an operator, and the appropriate amendment can be performed.
US07648291B2
System and method for modifying an optical assembly with another image modifying device by using an adapter assembly to connect or couple three image modifying devices together. The adapter assembly includes two adapters that have collars to hold a night vision monocular between them, and to each connect with a camera and lens, respectively, modifying a camera-lens assembly for use in night time photo surveillance. Attachment members on each adapter may include mechanical and/or electrical connectors to couple or connect the adapters to each other, and/or to electrically connect the camera with the lens.
US07648286B2
According to the shutter assembly of the present invention, since the shutter member is connected in a swingable manner with the shutter housing that could be mounted on the optical adapter so as to surround the optical adapter, it is possible to easily provide the shutter member in either of the SC or LC optical adapter only by mounting the shutter housing on the SC or LC type optical adapter.
US07648279B2
A hydrodynamic fluid film journal bearing assembly includes a journal sleeve having a key slot formed therein in a substantially longitudinal direction, a bump foil wrapped in a substantially cylindrical shape adjacent to the journal sleeve and having a bent end portion engaged with the key slot, an intermediate foil wrapped in a substantially cylindrical shape adjacent to the bump foil, a top foil wrapped in a substantially cylindrical shape adjacent to the intermediate foil, a first top foil cutout window formed adjacent to the bent region, and a first end tab formed at a free end of the top foil. The first end tab is wrapped with the top foil in the substantially cylindrical shape of the top foil, and extends into the first top foil cutout window to reduce skewing. The top and intermediate foils are joined at a bent region that engages the key slot.
US07648276B2
Sealing device for flexible liquid container is disclosed. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing device comprises an elongated member with a hollow passage extending through it with a longitudinal slot, slidingly mountable over a rod, which is provided over a lateral opening of a flexible liquid container. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the rod is attached to the member extending through the passage. When the portion of the container provided with the lateral opening is folded over the rod, substantially overlapping an adjacent portion of the container and the sealer is slidingly mounted over the folded portion of the container, liquid is prevented from leaking out of the container through the lateral opening.
US07648271B2
Various systems and methods for temperature measurement are disclosed. For example, some embodiments of the present invention provide temperature measurement systems. Such temperature measurement systems include a variable current source and a diode connected transistor. The variable current source is capable of applying two or more distinct currents to the diode connected transistor. The currents result in a different base-emitter voltage on the diode connected transistor. The systems further include an n-factor coefficient register and an analog to digital converter. The analog to digital converter is operable to receive two of the base-emitter voltages created by applying the different currents, and to provide a digital output based at least in part on a value stored in the n-factor coefficient register and the two base-emitter voltages.
US07648256B2
A lighting system includes a first light source emitting first light rays; a second light source emitting second light rays, a first lens side which refracts the first and second light rays and collimates the refracted light rays; a second lens side which includes a plurality of first lenticules and refracts the first and second light rays; and a third lens side which includes a plurality of second lenticules and refracts the first and second light rays refracted by the second lens side.
US07648254B2
In an LCD backlight unit using a light emitting diode, a double-sided printed circuit board includes a plurality of divided areas and conductive vias. A plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed on a top surface of the double-sided printed circuit board. A plurality of driving circuit connectors are disposed at a portion of the double-sided printed circuit board. A plurality of first lead patterns are formed on the top surface of the printed circuit board, each of the first lead patterns electrically connecting the light emitting diodes in each of the divided areas with one another. Also, a plurality of second lead patterns are formed on an underside surface of the double-sided printed circuit board to electrically connect the first lead patterns with the connectors through the conductive vias.
US07648249B2
A beam-steering apparatus comprises a set of planar tiltable mirrors positioned to define a light beam path therebetween. The set of planar tiltable mirrors comprises from three to five planar tiltable mirrors. Each of the planar tiltable mirrors has a center of rotation lying in a plane of the mirror and each of the planar tiltable mirrors is tiltable about one axis of rotation or two orthogonal axes of rotation that lie in the plane of the mirror. The total number of axes of rotation about which the planar tiltable mirrors of the set of planar tiltable mirrors can tilt is at least five. A mirror drive system tilts each respective planar mirror about its respective axis of rotation or axes of rotation. With this apparatus, an input or output light beam path is steerable over two angular, one rotational, and two lateral-position degrees of freedom.
US07648243B2
A stereoscopic projection system is capable of minimizing a distance between viewing zones without reducing a distance between image projectors. In the stereoscopic projection system, a projector array having a plurality of image projectors are arranged substantially along an arrangement direction perpendicular to a connecting line between a left eye and a right eye of a viewer, and a directional screen has a first characteristic axis aligned at an angle with respect to the arrangement direction of the projector array, and a second characteristic axis perpendicular to the first characteristic axis. Therefore, the directional screen causes a plurality of images projected from the projector array to be relatively widened along the first characteristic axis and relatively narrowed along the second characteristic axis.
US07648238B2
Methods, devices, and systems establish an optical surface shape that mitigates or treats presbyopia in a particular patient. The combination of distance vision and near vision in a patient can be improved, often based on input patient parameters such as pupil size, residual accommodation, and power need. Iterative optimization may generate a customized corrective optical shape for the patient.
US07648235B1
A spectacle assembly structured for use by individuals of different facial characteristics comprising a pair of lenses and a nose-bridge extending between the lens pair in interconnecting relation thereto. A nose pad assembly is connected to the nose-bridge and extends rearwardly thereof in supported engagement with a prominent nasal support on an individual's nose, wherein the location of the prominent nasal support is determined by the facial characteristics of the individual. The nose-bridge and the nose pad assembly are disposed in an operative position relative to the optical centers of the lens pair so as to facilitate substantial alignment between the optical centers and the pupils of the individual's eyes, when the nose pad assembly engages the prominent nasal support.
US07648234B2
Eyewear having heating elements therewith which may be used for safety, sports, and the like. The eyewear may provide features which reduce or eliminate fogging and condensation on the eyewear when a heating element in the lens is activated. The eyewear also includes adjustable features to provide greater comfort.
US07648231B2
An insulating assembly and method for insulating printer/copier solid ink printheads. The insulating assembly includes printhead insulators having thermal insulation capable of moving along insulator paths interposed between the printheads and an ink receiving surface for insulating the printhead front faces. The method includes moving insulating assemblies along insulator paths interposed between the printheads and an ink receiving surface for insulating the printhead front faces.
US07648225B2
A printing method includes: printing an image to be printed on a medium by repeating alternately a dot forming process for forming dots on the medium by ejecting ink from each nozzle of a plurality of nozzles, and a carrying process for carrying the medium in a carrying direction, and forming a plurality of rows of dots, lined up in the carrying direction, that are configured by a plurality of dots lined up in a movement direction; selecting a printing mode according to the number of the dots to be formed in a predetermined region of the medium, from among a plurality of the printing modes each with a different ratio of the number of dot rows formed using a different number of nozzles to the number of dot rows formed using a certain number of nozzles; and printing on the region to be printed based on the selected printing mode.
US07648219B2
A liquid-droplet jetting apparatus for jetting liquid droplet includes a first liquid-droplet jetting head having a plurality of first nozzles arranged in a predetermined direction; a movable body movable in the predetermined direction relative to the first liquid-droplet jetting head; a driving mechanism which drives the movable body in the predetermined direction; a position detector which detects a position of the movable body with respect to the predetermined direction; and a jetting state detector which is provided on the movable body to move in the predetermined direction integrally with the movable body and which detects a jetting state for each of the first nozzles. Accordingly, it is possible to detect jetting abnormality of a nozzle, among the nozzles, with a simple structure.
US07648215B2
An ink-jet head mount to guide positions of ink-jet heads with a high precision and an ink-jet printing apparatus including the same. The ink-jet printing apparatus includes an ink-jet head having a plurality of nozzles to eject ink, an ink-jet head mount in which the ink-jet head is installed and is movable according to three-degrees-of-freedom, and a frame in which the ink-jet head mount is installed.
US07648214B2
A positioning device for a drawer slide bearing carrier includes a bearing carrier having rollers located between a carrying rail and a sliding rail. The bearing carrier has a recess and a hook portion at a front end thereof. The carrying rail has a support at a front end thereof. The support comprises a hook unit which is pivotally connected to a block fixed on the carrying rail. An elastic force is formed between the support and the hook unit, urging the hook unit to restore its original position. Thereby, the front end of the bearing carrier is pressed by the block so that the hook portion engages with the hook unit to secure the bearing carrier in place. The carrying rail further comprises a releasing mechanism adapted to control the swing of the hook unit for the movement of different locations.
US07648213B2
A fastening mechanism for fastening a casing (2) into an opening in a wall (4), the mechanism comprising a collar element (6) fastened to the casing and arranged to be in contact with a first side of the wall, a pressing element (8) arranged to be in contact with a second side of the wall, the collar element and the pressing element being arranged to co-operate to direct a pressing force towards the w all, and a screw means (10) arranged to move the pressing element. The pressing element is arranged to rotate between a normal position and a mounting position; in the normal position the pressing element is capable of coming into contact with the second side of the wall to achieve a force keeping the casing (2) in place and in the mounting position it allows the casing to be pushed into the final mounting depth.
US07648212B2
This apparatus is applied to a vehicle brake apparatus provided with a hydraulic booster operated by utilizing an accumulator hydraulic pressure that is adjusted to a predetermined high pressure (not less than a lower limit value) by a drive control of a hydraulic pump. This apparatus executes an automatic pressurization control by controlling plural solenoid valves with the use of the accumulator hydraulic pressure. The increasing slope of the brake hydraulic pressure during the automatic pressurization control is determined on the basis of the vehicle motion state. The increasing slope is restricted to be not more than a predetermined restriction value, in the case where the accumulator hydraulic pressure at the time of starting the automatic pressurization control is less than “a reference hydraulic pressure that is greater than a minimum value of the accumulator hydraulic pressure necessary for assisting the brake operation by the hydraulic booster and smaller than the lower limit value”.
US07648211B2
A bicycle hub includes a wheel securing structure having a retaining arrangement disposed with respect to the hub axle and a wheel securing shaft member. The retaining arrangement overrideably prevents the shaft member from being axially removed from the hub axle when in a predetermined position within the through bore of the hub axle. In other words, the retaining arrangement is arranged to releasably restrict relative axial movement between the shaft member and the hub axle when the shaft member is disposed in the through bore of the hub axle in a predetermined position so that unintended displacement of the wheel securing shaft structure from the hub axle is prevented during use of the wheel securing shaft structure.
US07648208B2
A seat belt device for stabilizing and positioning a flexible vehicle seat belt buckle having a substantially rigid support structure configured for combining with a vehicle seat belt buckle to convert a movable, flexible vehicle seat belt buckle to a substantially stationary seat belt buckle for facilitating engagement of a seat belt latch. The support structure includes splinting configurations and wedging configurations.
US07648202B2
A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat bottom includes a forward section and a rear section. The seat back is pivotably mounted about the seat bottom. The seat back is positionable in a reclined position and a folded position. The pivotable link system characteristically positions the forward section of the seat bottom in a lowered position and one or more raised positions.
US07648201B2
The invention relates to a support element (11) for the human body, in particular to a backrest, of a chair or armchair.The support element (11) has a support face (21) that forms a front side of the support element. The support element is equipped with a self-adapting longitudinal structure (13), which includes at least one front, first longitudinal element (15), and at least one rear, second longitudinal element (17), extending parallel to the first longitudinal element (15), as well as a plurality of spacers (19), which are each pivotably connected to the first longitudinal element (15) and to the second longitudinal element (17). The second longitudinal element (17) is connected at a rigid angle to the first longitudinal element (15) at at least one connection point (27) and is borne at a support point (29) spaced apart from the connection point (27). The spacers (19) keep the second longitudinal element (17) spaced apart from the first longitudinal element (15) between the connection point (27) and the support point (29). Bearer means (15, 37) are present, for instance two elongated peripheral parts (15), which extend in the same direction as the longitudinal elements (15, 17), and/or a plurality of riblike members (37).
US07648199B2
An energy absorbing tether assembly for use with a child safety seat of the type having a pair of spaced apart slots in a shell.
US07648198B1
An adjustable seat cushion for use on a support surface such as the seat of a motorcycle. The seat cushion is cellular and laterally spreadable inwardly or outwardly depending on the space between the ischial tuberosities of a user seated on the cushion for improved comfort. In an embodiment, the cellular cushion cups the buttocks and also tilts the pelvis of a user seated on the cushion forward for enhanced seated stability.
US07648195B2
A motor vehicle, especially a convertible vehicle, with a vehicle body in whose underbody area reinforcing struts re provided. At least one retaining bridge is arranged indirectly or directly on the underbody and extending beneath part of an exhaust system for attachment of at least one of the struts.
US07648190B2
A vehicular bus having a roof reinforcement structure having a plurality of hubs and angularly spaced reinforcement channel members extending radially outward from each hub. The vehicular bus further includes and improved destination sign and advertising panel members positioned in the interior of the bus and extending down the sides of a bus visible through the side windows.
US07648186B2
A locking mechanism for a rotation seat includes a plate member fixed to an underside of the rotation seat, a stopper member attached to the plate member, a base member fixed to a base, a rotary shaft which supports the plate member rotatably with respect to the base member, a locking recess formed in an intermediate portion of the guide slot, and a resilient member provided in the plate member for urging the stopper member in a direction in which the stopper member is locked to the locking recess. The base member is formed with a guide slot. The locking recess is formed continuously from the guide slot so that the width thereof becomes narrower with distance from the guide slot. When the stopper member moves in a guide direction along the guide slot and gets into the locking recess, the stopper member is urged in the direction.
US07648184B2
A mounting system for motor vehicle audio components is described. The mounting system comprises a chassis and at least one vibration damping element. The vibration damping element is mounted within the chassis in a position to support and secure an audio component. The vibration damping element has a slot receiving a fastener that is connected to the audio component. The fastener secures the audio component in a first position and translates along the fastener slot under a predefined load.
US07648175B2
A support bracket is affixed to a medical gas outlet. The support bracket supports one or more elements of a gas circuit coupled to the medical gas outlet and prevents deformation of a lock spring of the medical gas outlet. The medical gas outlet can be a wall mounted vacuum or oxygen outlet.
US07648174B2
A band holder holds a clamp band for a hose. The band holder includes an arm for covering an outer peripheral portion of the hose, connecting portions provided at free ends of the arm for connecting the free ends to form a circular shape of the arm, and a holding portion projecting from the arm for holding the clamp band. A fixing device fixes at least the holding portion to the hose. A hose assembly includes the band holder, a flexible hose to be connected to a tubular member, and a clamp band covering an outer surface of the hose for connecting the hose to the tubular member. The clamp band includes a band portion, and a screw unit provided at ends of the band portion for a clamp operation so that the screw unit tightens the band portion.
US07648167B2
Inflatable devices such as airbags are detailed. The bags may be formed of components well nested on linear rolls of material, reducing material wastage. The airbags additionally may, in some cases, be formed of components lacking curved surfaces; in certain cases the bag components additionally may have complementary surfaces that, although formed of straight segments, resemble convex and concave shapes.
US07648162B2
A tubular gas guide element for a side curtain airbag for guiding gas coming from a gas generator comprising at least two layers of fabric. With the use of such a gas guide, thrust of the gas inflowing into an airbag can be balanced.
US07648161B2
An airbag device, provided below a pad of a vehicle seat cushion, comprises an airbag which deploys at a time of a vehicle collision, and an enveloping member which envelops the airbag in a tube shape; the airbag device is characterized in being provided at a position substantially in a center of the seat cushion in the back-and-forth direction of the vehicle, and in that the enveloping member has different peripheral lengths in an intermediate portion thereof and in end portions thereof.
US07648155B1
This saw stand is a mobile unit, via a built-in hand truck design which enables the end user to transport common table saws and equipment to the location of the project being undertaken. The unit quickly folds out into a fully supporting work bench for actual use of the saw and/or equipment.
US07648153B2
A control device for an articulated road train provided with a system for detecting pivoting and articulating angles between the central longitudinal axes of the tractor and a semi-trailer coupled thereto by a coupling pin during coupling and parking and/or a control device for an articulated road train provided with a system for detecting pivoting and articulating angles between the central longitudinal axes of a drawbar and a trailer which is coupled by the drawbar during coupling and parking. The system has a plurality of Hall sensors (21) arranged side-by-side on the arc of a circle and a constant magnet (30) interacting therewith in such a way that it acts on the nearest Hall sensor according to the radial position thereof, a required angle (α) being determined on the basis of the excited Hall sensor position.
US07648152B1
An accessory adapted to be affixed to a motorcycle kickstand comprising a pad and at least one bracket removably attachable to the pad at a top of each channel wall by at least one fastener. The pad comprises a channel formed between opposing channel walls extending vertically from either longitudinal side of the pad, and a bottom side. The bottom side comprises a tread and provides support and a barrier that prevents the kickstand from marring a surface when a force is applied to the deployed kickstand.
US07648147B2
The maintenance cart includes a cart comprising a primary section, a secondary section, and/or a connection mechanism. The primary section may include a body portion including a plurality of storage, a folding shelf attached to an end of the body portion, and a releasably connectable handle mechanism. The secondary section may includes a mop bucket supporting region and a plurality of rolling members. The connection mechanism if for releasably connecting the secondary section to an end of the primary section.
US07648144B2
In a sealing device of the present invention, a support ring is fitted in an annular recessed part formed on the inner peripheral surface of a seal lip part independently of a reinforcement ring to support the seal lip part from the inner peripheral side, and the support ring is supported axially by a reinforcement ring via an interposed part. Thereby, when a rotating shaft is inserted into the seal ring, a contact area between a seal part and the rotating shaft can be made appropriate, and when a high pressure is applied to the seal lip part, an increase in contact area between the seal part and the rotating shaft can be suppressed within an appropriate range and the seal part becomes able to follow the eccentricity of the rotating shaft.
US07648139B1
A word association game played with a game-score card, a spinner wheel for selecting a letter to begin a word related to a topic category, adhesive labels, and at least one pencil in which players contrive words starting with a randomly selected letter, such words being associated with various categories agreed upon by the players, in which scoring is based upon originality of words contrived by the players for a topic category, and the time in which to complete each round of game play is determined by how quickly one of the players is able to complete each category with a word to stop the game play is disclosed. The present game promotes vocabulary skill development and creativity and awards originality.
US07648136B2
A sheet post-process apparatus includes a waiting tray and a processing tray. The waiting tray is provided in the middle of a conveying path and makes standby sheets in the case where a post-process is required. The processing tray has a function which causes the sheets made standby on the waiting sheet to be dropped by self-weight. With this function, the processing tray receives the sheets moved to be dropped and the sheets conveyed from the conveying path without intervening the waiting tray, before carrying out the post-process. Sheet bundles formed on the processing tray are stacked on a storage tray by a sheet conveying mechanism after they have been post-processed.
US07648134B2
A paper supply device and an image forming apparatus, capable of always maintaining a constant pickup force regardless of the amount of loaded sheets of paper. The paper supply device includes a paper supply cassette, a pickup unit to pick up the paper, a paper supply plate and a press spring to bias the paper toward the pickup unit, a first restraining device to restrain the paper supply plate and to release the restraint of the paper supply plate, a second restraining device to permit the pickup unit to move vertically when the pickup unit picks up the paper and restricts the vertical movement of the pickup unit when the pickup unit does not pick up the paper, and an elastic member to bias the pickup unit toward the paper to provide the pickup unit with a pickup force when the pickup unit picks up the paper.
US07648133B2
Assemblies and methods to move media sheets from a media stack within an image forming apparatus. These may include a pivoting arm with an attached roller that contacts the media stack and rotates to move a top-most sheet from the media stack. A clutch may be operatively connected to the arm for the arm to pivot in a first direction to maintain the roller positioned on a top of the media stack as the media stack is depleted and a height of the media stack is reduced. The clutch may also reduce movement of the arm in a second direction beyond a predetermined amount.
US07648127B2
A method for controlling an amount of evaporated scented material emitted from an air freshener device include generating a first control signal to induce the motor to rotate fan blades at a first rotational speed during a first time interval which urges air flow toward the aperture of the container to induce evaporation of the scented material in the container. The method further includes generating additional control signals to induce the motor to increase a rotational speed of the fan blades during a second time interval to increase air flow toward the aperture of the container, the second time interval being after the first time interval, such that first and second mass rates of evaporated scented material from the container during the first and second time intervals, respectively, are maintained within a predetermined mass rate range.
US07648118B2
A flow-regulating valve has at least one active material component that may be passively activated (e.g., in response to changes in surrounding temperature) to control fluid flow through the valve. Additionally, an actuator, which may be of any type, such as a solenoid or even another active material component, actuates due to active activation, such as resistive heating in response to a sensor/control signal, which could be due to external conditions (such as existence of high acceleration) or internal conditions (such as change in fluid temperature) to provide an active level of control of fluid flow through the valve. The flow-regulating valve may be used in an oil level control system of a transmission to ensure adequate oil availability during various operating conditions while minimizing the adverse effects such as spin and windage losses. Similar applications can be made in other fluid flow or fluid level control systems.
US07648113B2
A support for a cylindrically-shaped accessory has a first frame defining a receptacle for a cylindrically-shaped accessory and a connecting assembly. The first frame has a bottom wall and a peripheral bracing wall structure. The bottom wall defines an upwardly facing surface. The peripheral bracing wall structure extends at least partially around a region occupied by a cylindrically-shaped accessory in the upright stored orientation, bearing on the upwardly-facing surface, to thereby limit tipping of the cylindrically-shaped accessory. The connecting assembly has first and second connector parts attachable one each to the first frame and second frame upon which the support can be placed. The first and second connector parts are engagable, each with the other, by relatively translating the first and second connector parts along a connecting line.
US07648105B2
A deployment brake release system for use with an airborne guidance unit (AGU) of a parachute suitable for precision cargo delivery. The parachute includes deployment brake lines secured at one end to the edge of the canopy and connected at the other end through looped ends to motor control lines. The motor control lines are, in turn, engaged with the motor of the AGU. The deployment brake release system includes at least one hook mount having a hook secured to the AGU frame. The looped ends of the deployment brake lines are engaged with the hook during rigging so that, upon deployment, opening forces are applied to the hook mount rather than the motor. After full canopy inflation, the motor, via the motor control lines, pulls on the brake line looped ends to disengage them from the hook, transferring subsequent canopy loads to the AGU motor for the remainder of the flight. A method for releasing the deployment brake lines is also disclosed.
US07648087B2
A spray nozzle assembly for atomizing a medium through a nozzle channel, comprising a first channel portion which is tapered by two lateral surfaces facing each other to form an elongate narrow cross-sectioned surface, a passage orifice disposed in the narrow cross-sectioned surface the cross-sectional area of which is smaller than is the narrow cross-sectioned surface, and a second channel portion adjoining the passage orifice in the direction of medium flow which has two opposed lateral surfaces separating from each other with an increase in distance from the passage orifice, whose edges facing the passage orifice extend crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the narrow cross-sectioned surface, characterized in that the nozzle channel having the two channel portions and the passage orifice are configured inside an integrally formed plastic component.
US07648082B2
An irrigation sprinkler is for use in distributing water to an area of vegetation, and has a rotatable nozzle for dispersing the water by rotation of the nozzle. A magnet is coupled or connected to the nozzle and rotates synchronously with the rotation of the nozzle. A sensor unit is disposed adjacent to the nozzle and detects a magnetic field generated by the magnet during nozzle rotation to generate a signal indicative of the speed and direction of rotation of the nozzle.
US07648081B2
A cleaning and releasing device has a hand valve provided on a flow passage of a pressurized liquid in the vicinity of an injection nozzle, a switching valve 5 provided in a proper position on the flow passage of a pressurized gas, flow detecting means provided in a proper position on the flow passage of the pressurized liquid, and a controller for controlling the switching operation of the switching valve based on a result of detection transmitted from the flow detecting means, and controls the switching valve to supply and stop the pressurized gas depending on the presence of a flow of the liquid generated by the switching operation of the hand valve. The supply and stop of a powder and granular material may be controlled based on the result of detection transmitted from the flow detecting means.
US07648078B2
A water control fixture includes a housing having a plurality of ports defining a hot water inlet port, a bypass port, and a fixture outlet port, wherein water is dispensed via the fixture outlet port. At least one operating valve is disposed in the housing for controlling a flow of water from the hot water inlet port to the fixture outlet port. A bypass valve is disposed in the housing for controlling a flow of water from the hot water inlet port to the bypass port.
US07648073B2
A data acquisition device includes a housing, a card reader, a scanner, an electronic signature pad, and a data communication system. The card reader, the scanner, and the electronic signature pad are integrated with the housing and with the data communication system. The data communication system is configured to receive the data that is read by the card reader, the scanner, and the electronic signature pad, and to communicate the received data to a computer connected to the data acquisition device. The computer processes the data acquired by the data acquisition device with appropriate software.
US07648066B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for sorting purchase items. A selection module selects a plurality of categories. In one embodiment, the selection module receives a category selection. In addition, the selection module may receive a criterion selection for the category selection and receive a modification for the criterion selection. The selection module may further modify the criterion of the selected category with the modification. An identification module identifies a purchase item. An association module associates a selected category of the plurality of categories with the purchase item. A sorter sorts the purchase item to a specified bin. The specified bin is associated with the selected category. In one embodiment, a bagger may bag one or more purchase items from a bin.
US07648062B2
A method is presented for maintaining a set of at least two components from a group including a wheel rim, a tire and a safety support element, the method including the following steps: providing a set of components, wherein at least one of the components is provided with an information carrier that can be automatically read and is configured to supply at least one data element for use in carrying out the desired maintenance on the set; said set is brought to a maintenance machine that is configured to carry out the desired maintenance on the set under the control of a programmable data management unit; the information carrier of at least one of the components of the set brought to the machine is automatically read and the data is automatically transmitted to the programmable unit; the machine is regulated on the basis of the data transmitted; and the desired maintenance for the set is initiated and carried out by means of the machine.
US07648043B2
A waterproof cover for an audio system includes a frame and a shield pivotally connected to the frame. The flame has two elongated recesses respectively defined in two opposed sides defining the through hole and an inclined trough sandwiched by the two elongated recesses and defined in a bottom side defining the through hole. The shield has two rails formed on two opposed sides thereof to correspond to and be movably received in the two elongated recesses, a water blocking flange sandwiched by the two rails and formed on a bottom side of the shield to correspond to and be received in the inclined trough and a flange formed on a top side of the shield to abut a top side defining the through hole such that a full coverage of the through hole by the shield is completed and water seeping from engagement between the shield and the frame is reduced.
US07648040B2
The invention is directed to a pallet container assembly with a thin-walled rigid inner container of thermoplastic material for the storage and transport of liquid or flowable contents, including a cage-like bar frame closely surrounding as support jacket the inner plastic container, and a bottom pallet for placement of the inner plastic container and secure attachment of the support jacket, wherein there are provided, within the support area of the inner plastic container on the surface of the bottom pallet optionally on the surface of an intermediate plate, respective means (form-fitting means/frictional connection means) which—as viewed in the direction of the horizontal plane—result in a substantial increase of the slip resistance between the downwardly pointing outer surface of the bottom pallet or the intermediate plate.
US07648029B2
A simplified rotatable anti-theft tool rack comprises a tool rack body and an inserting body that cooperate with each other to position a tool. The tool rack body includes a limiting portion used to receive an inserting portion of the head of the tool and connected with a guiding portion. At the end of the guiding portion is disposed with a fastening portion for restricting the tool by cooperating with a fixing element. The inserting body includes a multangular engaging portion. One end of the engaging portion is disposed with a stopping flange, and the other end of the engaging portion is extended to form a neck-shaped inserting portion. At the end of the inserting portion which has inserted through the limiting portion is formed a big-diameter check portion, thus forming a simplified structure, achieving the anti-theft and rotatable effect.
US07648028B2
An adapter for a multiple capacity needle immobilizing device having a body portion and entry holes for allowing the distal ends of sharp needles to enter the body includes a base having a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion having apertures positioned to align with the entry holes of the immobilizing device. A non-circular funnel projects upwardly from each of the entry holes to a funnel opening in the top portion of the adapter. The funnel opening is larger when measured perpendicularly to a line extending through the apertures of the adapter than when measured along this line. Structure is provided for connecting the adapter to the needle immobilizing device.
US07648021B1
A method of applying a coating to a conveyor belt is provided. A first layer of adhesive is applied to a first surface of the conveyor belt and allowed to cure. One or more subsequent layers of adhesive are applied to the first layer of adhesive; a final layer of the one or more subsequent layers is allowed to become tacky. In some embodiments the adhesive is a two-part cement. In particular embodiments, the two-part cement includes an isocyanate part and a curable rubber part. A layer of two-part polyurethane/polyurea is applied to the tacky layer of adhesive. The coating process may be performed on conveyor belts having worn or damaged portions in an effort to repair the conveyor belts.
US07648020B2
A transition plate assembly and a position sensor assembly are used to detect a dislodged or removed transition plate from a gap between the discharge end of a conveyor and the first end of a run-out ramp. The position sensor assembly may detect a safe seated position of a hinged transition plate protecting the gap and generate a motor-enabling signal to a drive motor that drives the conveyor. An interrupted motor-enabling signal, corresponding to an unsafe condition, may turn off the drive motor to prevent damage to articles or persons until an enabling signal is restored. In one embodiment, the termination of the power to the drive motor continues until a delay period has elapsed following the detection of an enabling signal.
US07648019B2
A conveyor belt cleaning device which can handle conveyor belts with damaged areas, mechanical joints, and/or head pulleys with profile spaces causing the conveyor belt to run unevenly, is provided. The scraper blade is attached to a T-shaped element which has pressure applied by an air bladder held within a housing. The T-shaped element moves freely within the housing to permit movement of the scraper blade in a direction tangential to as well as perpendicular to the conveyor belt.
US07648018B2
An article transport device comprises an endless revolving body that is configured to move along a cyclic path in a substantially horizontal direction; a plurality of article supports each of which supports an article, wherein the article supports move together with the endless revolving body with the supports spaced apart from each other in a traveling direction; a support mechanism for supporting the article supports to the endless revolving body such that the article supports can move between a transport position adjacent the endless revolving body and an away position spaced apart from the transport position; and a guide mechanism for causing at least some of the article supports to move from the transport position to the away position and to move from the away position to the transport position, at an article delivering location or an article receiving location along the cyclic path of the endless revolving body.
US07648017B2
The invention relates to a system for feeding pouches and spouts to an apparatus for processing same. A system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can feed pouches and spouts to a rotary machine simultaneously. More specifically, the system can provide a transferring assembly for grasping a single spout and pouch simultaneously from a spout supply and a pouch supply, respectively, then relinquishing the spout and pouch simultaneously to the rotary machine.
US07648012B2
A dual clutch arrangement for a dual clutch transmission for motor vehicles, having a first and a second friction clutch which are each fluidically actuable. A first piston arrangement serves to actuate the first friction clutch and has a first piston, a first piston space and a first centrifugal force equalizing space. A second piston arrangement serves to actuate the second friction clutch and has a second piston, a second piston space and a second centrifugal force equalizing space. The piston spaces and the centrifugal force equalizing spaces are situated in each case on opposite sides of the associated piston and are connected by means of feed lines to a valve arrangement.
US07648008B2
A second support post supporting a main unit is swingably held by a vibration isolation mechanism on a first support post which is fixedly mounted in a compartment of a vehicle. The second support post supports thereon a first lock for engaging a bracket mounted on a wall of the vehicle to prevent the second support post and the main unit from being swingably displaced. A joint casing on the first support post houses therein a second lock for fixing the second support post to the first support post. When the vehicle is stopped for the main unit to capture an image of a subject, the first and second locks fix the main unit to the vehicle.
US07648003B2
In a power steering system comprising a power cylinder for assisting a steering power of a steering mechanism, a hydraulic pump for supplying a hydraulic pressure to the power cylinder, a first oil passage and a second oil passage connecting the power cylinder and the hydraulic pump respectively, a motor for driving the hydraulic pump, and power steering control means for calculating a command value to the motor based on the steering torque, a flow rate of the working oil supplied from a high-pressure side oil passage to a low-pressure side oil passage is restrained at the transition from the end of the steering state (lock end) of the steering mechanism to the returning. The flow-rate restraint increasingly corrects a driving current of the motor in the steering direction or limits the flow rate of the working oil.
US07648002B2
The invention relates to a vehicle with coordinated steering. There is a need for a vehicle wherein Ackerman steered front wheels are coordinated with differentially steered and driven rear wheels. Such a vehicle includes Ackerman steerable front wheels and differentially driven left and right rear wheels. A steered wheel angle sensor is coupled to the front wheels and generates a steered wheel angle value. A front steering unit steers the front wheels and a differential drive unit drives the rear wheels. A control unit is coupled to the steering input sensor, to the steered wheel angle sensor, and to the front steering unit and the differential drive unit. The control unit generates the front steering control signal and the rear drive/steering control signal, and coordinates the steering operation of the front wheels with the differential steering/driving of the rear wheels.
US07647997B2
A regeneration and brake management system includes a prime mover, an energy storage device associated with the prime mover, and a regenerative braking system including a controller and at least one friction brake, wherein the regenerative braking system is configured to at least partially disable the at least one friction brake during regenerative braking.
US07647993B2
Thermally stable diamond bonded materials and compacts include a diamond body having a thermally stable region and a PCD region, and a substrate integrally joined to the body. The thermally stable region has a microstructure comprising a plurality of diamond grains bonded together by a reaction with a reactant material. The PCD region extends from the thermally stable region and has a microstructure of bonded together diamond grains and a metal solvent catalyst disposed interstitially between the bonded diamond grains. The compact is formed by subjecting the diamond grains, reactant material, and metal solvent catalyst to a first temperature and pressure condition to form the thermally stable region, and then to a second higher temperature condition to both form the PCD region and bond the body to a desired substrate.
US07647992B2
Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) carbide composites of this invention have a microstructure comprising a plurality of granules formed from PCD, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, or mixture thereof, that are distributed within a substantially continuous second matrix region that substantially surrounds the granules and that is formed from a cermet material. In an example embodiment, the granules are polycrystalline diamond and the cermet material is cemented tungsten carbide. PCD carbide composites of this invention display improved properties of fracture toughness and chipping resistance, without substantially compromising wear resistance, when compared to conventional pure PCD materials.
US07647991B2
An earth boring bit has cutting elements arranged to avoid tracking. The bit has a bit body having a bit axis of rotation. First, second and third cones are rotatably mounted to the bit body, each of the cones having a plurality of rows of cutting elements including a heel row and an adjacent row. The heel row of the first cone has at least equal the number of cutting elements as the heel rows of the other cones. The adjacent row of the second cone has at least 90 percent as many cutting elements as the heel row of the first cone. The heel row of the third cone has a pitch that is in the range from 20-50% greater than the heel rows of the first cone.
US07647989B2
A technique is presented for providing a double-barrier to formation fluids during drilling operations with a concentric drill string having an inner bore and an annulus. A primary flow control system is used to provide a first barrier to formation fluids in the inner bore and annulus of the drill string. A backup flow control system is used to provide a second barrier to formation fluids. The backup flow control system comprises a backup inner bore shutoff valve and a backup annulus shutoff valve. The backup inner bore shutoff valve is dropped from the surface through the inner bore of the drill string. The backup inner bore shutoff valve has spring-biased tabs that are configured to extend outward to contact an inner surface profile of the inner bore of the drill string. The backup annulus shutoff valve may be provided with the profile to receive the spring-biased tabs from the backup inner bore shutoff valve. When the tabs of the backup inner bore shutoff valve are disposed opposite the profile, the tabs of the backup inner bore shutoff valve are extended outward into the profile by a spring assembly, securing the backup inner bore shutoff valve within the drill string.
US07647976B2
A system for steam-assisted gravity drainage for heavy oil production has a first well, a second well, a first platform connected to the well head of the first well so as to inject steam into the first well, and a second platform connected to the well head of the second well for producing heavy oil from the second well. The platforms are arranged in parallel flow relationship. Each of the platform has a first level with flow lines extending longitudinally therealong and a second level located above the first level and having piping connected to the flow lines of the first level. The second level includes valves and controllers cooperative with the piping. The platforms are modular in nature and can be connected to other platforms.
US07647964B2
Described is an oil-degradable ball sealer for use in the oil and gas industry. The ball seal comprises a particular composition including ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins, prepared by an injection molding technique to provide a ball sealer which will dissolve in stimulation or wellbore fluids after stimulation operations are complete. The composition, when dissolved into wellbore fluids, does not pose a hazard or problem to aqueous wellbore fluids or further wellbore stimulations.
US07647962B2
Assembly and method for extracting fluids, preferably crude oil, from a drilled well within a geological formation by means of reciprocating pumping with hollow sucker rods. The assembly includes: a) a stationary bottom set that attached to the casing at the desired depth and providing the rod pump anchoring system; b) a reciprocating axial movement rod pump having an anchoring system and a centralizer; c) a centralized hollow rod string extending within the well, which is connected to the mobile member of the pump; d) a hollow polished rod connected to the hollow rod string and linked to a system that imparts the reciprocating axial movement to the pump; e) a production bridge connecting the polished rod to the driving tubing through rotating joints, and f) a rigid head that provides a venting exit of the annular space formed between the string and the casing.
US07647945B2
An baffle plug comprising a base and a blade extending therefrom. The baffle plug is used in a bore to divide the bore into longitudinally extending passages and cause the liquid to flow serially back and forth through the bore. The blade may comprise various fluid directing structures providing for efficient fluid flow across the surfaces of the blade. The blade may also comprise one or more structures which create turbulent flow of the fluid flowing across the surface of the blade.
US07647941B2
An air pulser includes a housing. The interior of the housing is divided into an air supply chamber and an exhaust chamber by a diaphragm formed with an aperture. An air injection tube is provided in the air supply chamber and configured to be selectively opened and closed by the diaphragm. The exhaust chamber is divided into first and second chambers by a valve plate formed with a valve hole. In the second chamber, a guide tube is fixedly mounted in which a valve body is slidably supported. The valve body carries a permanent magnet adapted to be attracted to the valve plate and carrying a suction disk. A seal member is disposed between the guide tube and the valve plate. A plurality of radial grooves having a V-shaped cross-section are formed on the surface of the valve plate facing the suction plate at its radially inner portion.
US07647939B2
A water inlet device for a faucet includes a valve seat, a connecting pipe, and a plurality of locking screws. The valve seat includes a surrounding wall having a plurality of protrusions, each of the protrusions being provided with a respective screw hole, a base wall cooperating with the surrounding wall to define a valve space, and a branch pipe extending from the surrounding wall. The connecting pipe has a positioning plate portion disposed to abut against the base wall of the valve seat and formed with a plurality of fastener holes, a guide pipe portion, and an inner hole in spatial communication with the valve space in the valve seat. The locking screws extend respectively through the fastener holes in the positioning plate portion of the connecting pipe and engage threadedly and respectively the screw holes in the protrusions of the surrounding wall of the valve seat.
US07647935B2
A radioactive material sequestration system may include a radionuclide containment composition dispenser and a sorption based media container. The radionuclide containment composition dispenser may be configured for holding a radionuclide containment composition and be capable of dispensing the radionuclide containment composition to remove radionuclides from a radioactive material. The radionuclide containment composition is a mixture of a clay mineral and water. The sorption based media container may be configured for holding a sorption based media; receiving dispensed radionuclide containment composition; and sequestering the radionuclides. The radioactive material sequestration system may also include a probe.
US07647933B2
A hair coloring applicator has an applicator body having a top surface and a bottom surface. A neck receiving bore in the bottom surface is adapted to engage a neck of a container. The hair coloring applicator further includes a plurality of solution application prongs, a plurality of comb elements, and a plurality of distribution brushes that extend upwardly from the top surface. A plurality of solution application ducts communicate between the neck receiving bore and a proximal ends of each of the plurality of solution application prongs.
US07647931B2
An apparatus and method for maintaining patency of a vessel or other body region is provided. The apparatus includes an appliance having a non-circumferential form and being effective in maintaining patency or openness, or causing to become patent or open, a body region in which the appliance is located. The appliance may be formed of a flexible metallic struts structured to be submucossally implanted into a wall of the vessel or other body region.
US07647927B2
A breathing apparatus is operable in self-contained and filtered modes of operation. In the self-contained mode of operation, a breathable gas is delivered to a user from a self-contained source of breathing gas. In a second, filtered mode of operation, a suction source draws ambient air through a filter removing contaminants and delivers filtered ambient air to the user. A method of delivering air to a subject is also provided.
US07647924B2
A structure (26) for supporting an array (22) of solar panels (24) in a solar energy collection system (20) includes a support assembly (42) formed from a rigid subassembly (44). The subassembly (44) includes a truss (68), a post (46) downwardly extending from the truss (68) for attachment to a footing (48), and posts (50) upwardly extending from the truss (68). The structure (26) further includes torsion tubes (34), each of which is pivotally retained by one of the posts (50) to form parallel rows (32) of torsion tubes (34). Multiple ganged piers (44) can be interconnected to increase the number of rows (32) of the system (20). The solar panels (24) are attached to the torsion tubes (34) to form the array (22). Each of the torsion tubes (34) may have a flat surface (164) for ready alignment and attachment of solar panels (24) onto the torsion tubes (34).
US07647915B2
An injector control system and method for an engine includes a distribution module that calculates a difference between a first average engine speed and a second average engine speed of an engine and a fuel offset module that offsets a learned fuel amount of a first fuel injector of a plurality of fuel injectors based on the difference. The learned fuel amount corresponds to an engine fueling range.
US07647908B1
A method for remotely starting an engine of a vehicle includes the steps of assessing a state of charge of the vehicle battery, providing a first type of remote start request to the vehicle if the state of charge of the vehicle battery is greater than a predetermined threshold, and providing a second type of remote start request to the vehicle if the state of charge of the vehicle battery is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.
US07647902B1
One embodiment of the present invention provides a poppet valve offering an increased valve area, comprising an outer valve head having an outer valve port and an inner valve head having an inner valve port. The inner valve head is rotatable relative to the outer valve head to align the inner and outer valve ports, thereby increasing the effective valve area of the poppet valve. The path created by aligning the inner and outer valve ports can be designed to mix air flowing through the poppet valve. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a valve guide containing a poppet valve having a guide pin, wherein the guide pin rests within a groove in the valve guide. As the poppet valve moves through the valve guide, the groove controls movement of the guide pin and causes the poppet valve to rotate relative to the valve guide.
US07647901B2
An engine for a planing-type boat can have a water jacket, which is provided in a main body of the engine and which is supplied with cooling water for cooling the engine. The water jacket can include a ceiling with its rearward portion higher than its forward portion. The water jacket can also include a water drain provided at the rear highest portion of the ceiling to discharge cooling water out of the water jacket. In addition, a head bolt fastening portion for receiving a bolt is provided on an outer side portion of the water jacket in the cylinder head, and a rib is provided in a portion of the water jacket that corresponds to the head bolt fastening portion.
US07647899B2
In an apparatus comprising a fuel tank, an internal combustion engine, and a separator positioned fluidically between the fuel tank and the internal combustion engine, a method of operating the apparatus is disclosed, wherein the method comprises inputting a mixed fuel containing a hydrocarbon component and an oxygenated component into the separator, separating the fuel in the separator into a hydrocarbon-enriched fuel fraction and an oxygenated fuel component-enriched fuel fraction, and controlling an amount of the hydrocarbon-enriched fuel fraction and an amount of the oxygenated fuel component-enriched fuel fraction provided to the engine based upon an engine operating condition.
US07647898B2
To provide a boiler capable of realizing a reduction in O2, a reduction in NOx, and a reduction in CO. The present invention provides a boiler including: a premixed gas burner, and water tubes in close proximity to the premixed gas burner, characterized in that the premixed gas burner ejects a premixed gas toward the water tubes at a predetermined angle; and the boiler further includes a fuel supply portion capable of supplying at least one of a gas fuel and a premixed gas provided at a position on a downstream side of and spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the premixed gas burner.
US07647894B2
A holder for dog chews and pet treats is provided, comprising a molded hollow body shape including a plurality of openings. Inserts may be included in the openings which may be of a lower durometer or thinner cross-section than the thickness of the body. Pet treats such as dog chews and the like may be inserted into the inserts to be frictionally retained therein for enjoyment by an animal.
US07647885B2
A liquid dispensing module and nozzle or die tip for discharging at least one liquid filament. The nozzle includes a strand guide for guiding a substrate past the nozzle and a frustoconical protrusion disposed on a surface of the nozzle adjacent the notch. A liquid discharge passage extends along an axis through the frustoconical protrusion and forms an acute angle with a machine direction corresponding to movement of the strand past the nozzle. Four air discharge passages are positioned at the base of the frustoconical protrusion. Each of the air discharge passages is angled in a compound manner generally toward the liquid discharge passage and offset from the axis of the liquid discharge passage to create the controlled pattern of liquid material on the strand.
US07647875B2
Left and right main hoppers offset laterally from each other on opposite sides of the centerline of a seeding machine provide an operator access area between the hoppers. A third hopper located forwardly of and between the two main hoppers has a capacity less than that of each of the main hoppers for refuge or male seed. The hoppers are sized to maximize productivity. In one embodiment, first and second hoppers communicate with downstream conduit structure, and valve structure selects one or the other of the first and second hoppers for delivery of the material. The valve structure can be operated remotely and can be map based. Alternatively, selectively blockable nozzle structure is located in the first and second hoppers. Easily changeable connector structure facilitates row pattern selection and hose routing.
US07647874B2
An energy and steel recovery system has a suspension column and a plurality of suspension burners operably disposed therein wherein the burners are laterally spaced from one another along the length of thereof. The suspension column includes a mechanism for receiving tires onto one of the burners and feeding the tired to an adjacent downwardly disposed burner to further combust the same. A first conduit includes a first end communicably connected to the suspension column and a second end communicably connected to a boiler wherein air flow passes from the boiler to the suspension column. A second conduit includes a first end communicably connected to the suspension column and a second end communicably connected to the boiler wherein air flow passes from the suspension column to the return air flow path of the boiler. The system includes a mechanism for removing residual waste materials from the suspension column.
US07647870B2
An electromagnetic launch system including an electrothermal launcher, an inductive power supply (IPS), including a DC source (Vb) and a storage inductor (L), and an opening switch (OS), wherein at least a portion of at least one of the IPS and the OS is integrated in a projectile.
US07647865B2
System for the heating and extraction of food products in automatic dispensing machines, for use in automatic dispensing machines for food products conserved on cold trays until their consumption and which also have means of heating the products based on a microwave oven, in such a manner that the system comprises means of handling the products in their heating and extraction phase, said means of handling being connected by a hatch (7) with a cubicle (4) for the housing of some storage trays (5) for the products.
US07647864B2
A piston includes a piston main body and a seal ring. The seal ring has a metal ring including a fitting tube portion fitted to a cylinder portion of the piston main body and a flange portion extending radially to axially oppose a pressure receiving portion of the piston main body, and a rubber-like seal main body provided on the metal ring. The seal main body has a first seal lip contacting an inner surface of a clutch cylinder, a second seal lip extending from an end of the flange portion to contact the pressure receiving portion, and an axial direction compression seal portion provided on the flange portion and compressed toward the pressure receiving portion.
US07647862B2
A dual-acting linear actuator including a hollow body and a stationary hollow rod. The stationary hollow rod includes a first rod segment separated from a second rod segment by a separator plate, the stationary hollow rod extending through the hollow body such that the separator plate forms a first chamber and a second chamber within the hollow body, wherein the first rod segment is configured to transmit a power medium to the first chamber to cause the hollow body to move along the stationary hollow rod toward the first rod segment and the second rod segment is configured to transmit the power medium to the second chamber to cause the hollow body to move along the stationary hollow rod toward the second rod segment.
US07647858B2
A differential piston (1), designed as an annular piston, having pressure chambers (8, 9) with at least one of the pressure chambers (8, 9) being pressurized from radially inside the differential piston (1), via a hollow shaft (29) or another radially inner element (16), such as, part of a (cylinder) housing element (20) and a radial pressure medium-guiding channel (13) arranged directly within the differential piston (1), such that only a single additional sealing element (18) is required.
US07647854B2
Described herein is an apparatus for machining elements for axial couplings for mechanical connection, with non-circular cross section, which comprises: a work spindle (1) fitted on the shaft (103) of appropriate means (3) for actuation in rotation; a tool (7) guided by appropriate means (5, 6) in the displacements both along the axis perpendicular to that of rotation of the spindle and along the axis parallel to that of rotation of the spindle; means (105, 106) for actuation of the displacements of said tool on said guide means (5, 6); and a central control unit (4) connected to said displacement means (105, 106) of said tool and to said means for actuation in rotation (3) of said spindle (1), capable, via an appropriate program, of supervising turning of the side coupling surface of said elements for axial couplings for angular connection.
US07647843B2
A flow switch uses an analog-to-digital converter combined with a multiplexer to measure voltages at one or more points of a measurement circuit and an algorithm within a microcontroller to calculate flow velocity. The measurement circuit has at least one sensor in the fluid stream. The sensor is heated by passing an electric current through the sensor. A second optional upstream sensor is not heated and is at the fluid temperature. The microcontroller then uses the voltage measurements with calibration information and equations based on the desired mode of operation to calculate the flow velocity.
US07647837B2
An active temperature differential compensation for strain gage based sensors. An array of temperature sensors can be placed at the gage locations to measure the difference in temperature that induces strain on the strain gages. The output of the temperature sensor network can be placed in series with the strain gage network to directly compensate the induced voltage caused by the temperature gradient and/or employed as the input of a mathematical algorithm that can compensate the output from the strain gage bridge to dynamically correct unwanted thermally induced strain in the strain gages.
US07647830B2
A method for visualizing objects under light obstructing barriers of a target, the method including emitting an ultrasound wave and a laser wave towards a target, detecting a reflected laser wave is detected by optical means, analyzing the optical signal at the ultrasound frequency with demodulation means, generating ultrasonic image characteristics of the interaction of the ultrasound with the different layers of the target, and generating an optical image of the target obtained using optical imaging, wherein the ultrasonic image is fused with the optical image and the fused image is displayed on a display device.
US07647828B2
The invention relates to a method for measuring and/or regulating the oscillation amplitude of an ultrasound oscillator of an ultrasound device. In order to be able to measure or regulate the oscillation amplitude of the ultrasound oscillator in a simple manner, it is proposed that a sensor capturing the oscillation amplitude be associated with at least one component element of the ultrasound oscillator.
US07647826B2
A method for measuring operational density and/or operational sound velocity in a gaseous medium uses a sound transducer that is capable of vibrating, which is disposed in a housing in such a manner that chambers having the same volume are formed on both sides of the sound transducer, which are filled by the gaseous medium. The chambers are connected with one another by way of an open channel having defined dimensions. Using an exciter vibration applied to the sound transducer, the impedance of the sound transducer, which is influenced by the density of the gaseous medium, is determined within a frequency range that can be established, as a function of the exciter frequency. From this, the operational density and/or the operational sound velocity of the gaseous medium are determined using a plurality of characteristic frequencies of the sound transducer vibrating in the gaseous medium.
US07647821B2
Various embodiments of the invention comprise devices, systems, and methods for estimating the rate at which rock, soil or any self-supporting material erode. Particular embodiments of the invention relate to devices and systems that subject a stationary soil or rock sample to shear stresses by rotating fluid about the soil or rock sample to simulate the effects of flowing fluids on the soil or rock sample. In various embodiments, the devices and systems include a torque cell unit and clutch assembly.
US07647820B2
A device for detecting leakage of liquid in a tank, in which, even if the liquid in the tank is a low viscosity liquid, degradation in flow rate measurement accuracy by an indirectly heated flow rate meter can be suppressed, so that a very fine amount of leakage can be accurately detected for a long period without degradation in detection accuracy. The liquid in the tank that is led in and out from a liquid lead-in/lead-out section (12) is lead in and out from the lower end of a measurement fine tube (13b, 13b′, 13″) positioned in the flow rate measurement section (13). A measurement tube (17) of a liquid storage section (14) is connected to the upper end of the measurement fine tube. The measurement tube (17) has a larger cross-sectional area than the measurement fine tube. The device has a flow rate sensor section that is attached to the measurement fine tube and measures the flow rate of the liquid. The flow rate sensor section includes a heater (135) and temperature sensors (133, 134). The distance L1 in the measurement fine tube measured from a position corresponding to the heater (135) to an upper end opening of the measurement fine tube is not less than 20 mm and not more than 45 mm.
US07647819B2
A pipe testing apparatus includes a rupture device for testing a rupture strength of a pipe. The rupture device has two clamping heads respectively accepting associated ends of the pipe which extends between the clamping heads, and a pressure-application system having a feed channel for imposing a fluid upon the pipe. The rupture device includes a tie rod which connects the clamping heads and extends through the pipe in coaxial relationship thereto such that an annular space is formed between the tie rod and the pipe, with the feed channel feeding into the annular space.
US07647817B2
The invention discloses a loss detection system to determine and monitor containment losses for open channel networks (10). The system includes at least first and second flow regulators (26, 28) to allow flow of liquid into and out of at least one pool (10) respectively. First and second flow sensors co-operate with respective flow regulators (26, 28) and a computational means communicates with flow regulators (26, 28) and the flow sensors to control operation of flow regulators (26, 28). The computational means determines the containment losses by calculating the measured flow into at least one pool (10) through at least first flow regulator (26) and subtracting the measured flow out of at least one pool (10) through at least second regulator (28).
US07647816B2
A single car test device includes a housing; a source port, on the housing, to be connected to a source of pressurized air; a brake pipe port, on the housing, to be connected to the brake pipe connector; and valves, in the housing, selectively interconnecting the ports to each other and atmosphere to perform tests. A brake cylinder sensor is to be connected to a brake cylinder tap. A sensor module on an interface device, remote from the housing, is to be mounted on the test ports on a control valve for determining pressure at the test ports. A controller is connected to the valves, the sensor module and the brake cylinder sensor and includes a program performing a plurality of component tests which form a single car test. The interface device includes reservoir charging valves controlled by the controller.
US07647811B2
A solid particle counting system for measuring solid particle number concentrations from engine or vehicle exhausts in real-time includes a diluter arrangement, a particle counter, and a flow splitter. The diluter arrangement mixes the dilution gas with flowing sample gases. The flow splitter receives the output flow from the diluter arrangement, provides a portion of this flow to the particle counter, and provides a by-pass flow that is received by a vacuum pump. A second flow route to the particle counter includes a valve arranged such that opening the valve during the starting of the vacuum pump reduces a pressure pulse at the particle counter caused by the starting of the vacuum pump, thereby avoiding work fluid backflow from the particle counter prior to the vacuum pump stabilizing.
US07647809B1
A method of indicating the presence of mechanical impact is used with a low-ductility material, such as a composite material, having a tensile elongation to failure of less than about 2 percent. The method includes preparing an indicator paint having an impact-sensitive component that produces a visible change when subjected to a mechanical impact, applying the indicator paint to the surface of the low-ductility material, placing the low-ductility material having the indicator paint thereon into circumstances where it may be subject to the mechanical impact, and thereafter inspecting the low-ductility material having the indicator paint thereon for the presence of the visible change. The method may be used to establish design criteria for the low-ductility material by establishing an impact-effect threshold value from the step of inspecting, and determining a design limit for the low-ductility material responsive to the impact-effect threshold value. One result of the using the present approach is to reduce the structural weight by reducing the barely visible impact damage design factor.
US07647807B2
A torque transducer unit for in-line calibration measurement of the output torque of a power wrench (S) includes a torque transferring spindle provided with a torque sensing device, two constant velocity universal joints, for instance Rzeppa-type couplings, and two coupling members for connecting the spindle at one end to the output shaft of a power wrench (S) and at the opposite end to a test joint. The spindle and the torque sensing device are protected from bending and friction related forces by the universal joints such that occurring misalignments between the power wrench (S) and the test joint do not jeopardize an accurate and reliable torque measurement.
US07647804B2
A method of rolling a material in two more continuous passes is disclosed. The method includes rolling the material with a flattened-shaped caliber in a first pass, and subsequently rolling with a square-shaped caliber in a second pass. The rolling is performed with a first pass caliber having a flattened shape, wherein the ratio of the length (2A01) of minor axis of the first pass caliber to an initial width (2A0) is (A01/A0)≦0.75; and a second pass caliber, wherein the ratio of a diagonal dimension (2AS1) of the second pass caliber to the length (2B1) of the major axis of the material after the first pass is (AS1/B1)≦0.75 to introduce the large strain into the material.
US07647800B2
Shot for use in a peening installation, the shot having: hardness greater than or equal to 800 HV; density greater than or equal to 8 g/cm3; and pieces having a maximum dimension less than or equal to 1.5 mm.
US07647799B2
A key blank including a generally elongate shaft portion defining first and second generally flat oppositely directed side surfaces, joined by edge surfaces, at least one of the first and second side surfaces cuttable to form key cuts that define a key combination surface, and at least one key combination element movably disposed in the elongate shaft portion and adapted for touching a lock combination element disposed in a cylinder lock plug, wherein the at least one key combination element has inherent energy for applying an urging force against the lock combination element. A key formed from the key blank and lock therefore are also disclosed.
US07647798B1
A lock includes a core rotatably disposed within a barrel. A plurality of tumbler pins are disposed in shafts in the core and communicate with a keyway. A side-pin shaft intersects each tumbler pin shaft at a selected angle. Each tumbler pin includes a side hole at a position along its length that aligns with the side-pin shaft when a proper key is inserted. An independent side pin is disposed in each side-pin shaft. One end of each side pin rests against its associated tumbler pin and the other end of each side pin is tapered and extends into a channel in the barrel. The side pins are biased outwardly by a spring towards the channel. The angle at which each side-pin shaft intersects each tumbler shaft may be different. The spacing between tumbler pin shafts may be different.
US07647796B2
A device that includes a cable with a locking device/head at the end of the cable. The cable is coupled to a housing and is retractable from an extended position towards the housing for easy storage and portability. The locking device can be stored within a compartment. If keys are used with the lock, the keys may be stored within the housing when the device is not in use.
US07647795B2
In order to obtain a low cost washing clothes case capable of washing a delicate clothes stored therein without damage and with sufficiently removing dirt from the clothes, the washing clothes case is for storing laundry therein on washing by a clothes washing machine. The washing clothes case comprises a container made of hard plastics and having at least one opening portion capable of opening and closing, a floating member attached on one of an outer surface and an inner surface of the container, and a plurality of water holes formed on a region of the container at which the floating member is not attached.
US07647793B2
The invention concerns a device comprising multiple parallel guide grooves (4) each of which receives a composite twin needle (1, 2) including two laterally open hooks (5, 6), arranged respectively through the first ends of two flat rods, one of which (1a-1c), is adjacent the base of the guide groove (4) and the other (2a-2c) is adjacent to the inner rod (1a-1c), means (10, 11) to cause the second end of said rods (1a-1c, 2a-2c) to be engaged with means controlling the knitting (12-15) of a face stitch, respectively, of a reverse stitch, the terminal edge of the rod (2a-2c) forming a gliding ramp (7). Each twin needle (1, 2) is associated with two adjacent jacks (18, 19), one (18) for forming a loop, alternately for retaining a stitch and the other (19) for releasing said loop.
US07647790B2
A refrigeration system can incorporate a cooling-liquid injection system that can inject a cooling liquid into an intermediate-pressure location of the compressor. The cooling liquid can absorb the heat of compression during the compression of the refrigerant flowing therethrough. The refrigeration system can include an economizer system that injects a refrigerant vapor into an intermediate-pressure location of the compressor in conjunction with the injection of the cooling liquid. A refrigeration system can include a liquid-refrigerant injection system that can inject liquid refrigerant into an intermediate-pressure location of the compressor. The injected liquid refrigerant can reduce the discharge temperature of the refrigerant. The liquid-refrigerant injection system can be used with the cooling-liquid injection system and/or the economizer system.
US07647787B2
A data center is configured using alternating rows of racks containing heat-generating electronic devices and air conditioners. Fluid, such as water or a refrigerant, for the air conditioners is supplied through pluming below a raised floor, such as those commonly found in current data centers. Attached to this plumbing are standard fluid couplings configured to couple to either air conditioners or liquid cooling units. These air conditioners and liquid cooling units use the same fluid so that they may share the plumbing. As data center migrates to liquid-cooled racks, a fraction of the air conditioners are replaced with liquid conditioning units in such a way that the data center contains both air-cooled and liquid-cooled racks without substantial reduction in efficiency of the air-cooling system. Since the air conditioners and liquid conditioning units use the same couplings and the same fluid, no infrastructure change is required.
US07647780B2
An automotive seat air-conditioning system includes a vehicle seat 1 having a seat portion 1b used by an occupant and a seatback 1a against which the occupant rests his/her back, and a blower 22 for sucking in the air-conditioning air 8 flowing in the compartments. Further, the air-conditioning air 8 is sucked in by the blower 22 from the air inlet 6 formed on the surface of the seatback 1a. At the same time, the air-conditioning air 8 is blown out from a surface portion of the vehicle seat 1 other than the air inlet 6.
US07647762B2
Combined apparatus for heating a fluid and for producing electrical power is comprised of a burner operable to burn a combustible fuel-air mixture to produce gaseous products of combustion; a heat exchanger adapted to receive the products of combustion and to transfer heat therefrom to the fluid; a gas-operated turbine; and an electrical generator that is co-rotatable with the turbine. In operation, gaseous products of combustion are introduced into the turbine after they have passed through at least a portion of the heat exchanger. The products of combustion expand in the turbine to rotate the turbine, which in turn rotates the generator to produce electrical power. The apparatus further includes a compressor that is co-rotatable with the turbine and generator to provide combustion air to the burner and to circulate the products of combustion through the heat exchanger and turbine.
US07647745B2
At least one movable interlocking sidewall structure provides alteration of the physical dimensions for a solid pharmaceutical or nutraceutical temporary storage cavity and/or transmission channel. Preferably a plurality of interlocking sidewall structures are simultaneously adjusted so that an array of cavities and/or transmission channels may have their physical dimensions simultaneously altered by the mechanical action of a drive member. Advantageously the adjustment of the structure provides a more suitable space within which a solid pharmaceutical or nutraceutical product may be temporarily stored or transferred.
US07647743B2
Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.
US07647730B1
A roof edging system for providing a functional and aesthetically pleasing appearance of a periphery of a building roof is provided. The system includes a rail positioned about an upper perimeter of a building. The rail is also constructed to sealingly engage a roofing membrane placed about the roof that is free of perforations. A cover or fascia engages the rail and is secured to the rail without fasteners. Such a construction provides a roof edging system, which can be quickly secured to a building and provides an exterior surface.
US07647723B2
A camouflaged termite-monitoring device is provided. Such a device comprises a housing (100) which defines a cavity (300) and an opening (400). A perforated bait cartridge (475) is disposed within the cavity and contains a bait material (450) adapted to be attractive to termites. A mesh-like member (500) is operably engaged with the housing so as to cover the opening and to retain the bait cartridge in the cavity. The mesh-like member is further adapted to allow termites to pass therethrough into the cavity and the bait cartridge and to infiltrate the housing. An inspection hatch (550) is operably engaged with the housing and is configured to allow visual inspection of the bait cartridge within the cavity from outside the housing. Such a visual inspection is performed without removing the housing from engagement with the upper ground surface. An associated method is also provided.
US07647721B1
A universal multifunctional cover for a quick-acquisition optical sight in the form of a box-like casing with an open front end, which in the sight-closing position of the cover is located in front of the optical lens, and with a rear end closed with a transparent medium. The cover is provided with a frame that supports an optical filter and has a radial outward projection that can be used as a foresight. The frame is pivotally supported by stretchable resilient members such as rubber strings so that the frame with the foresight and the filter can be switched between the following three positions: a first position in which the frame rests on the box-like casing, a second position in which the frame is installed in front of the optical lens with the foresight projecting upward, and a third position in which the frame is installed in front of the optical lens with the foresight projecting downward and closing the sensor.
US07647716B2
A point of sale display combines clear shelves with a visually attractive and attention holding liquid motion lamp background. The liquid motion lamp combines motion to attract the attention of shoppers with an ever changing display of color and light to hold the shopper's attention. The rising and descending patterns are unique and random and thereby hold the shopper's attention for long periods of time obtaining valuable exposure of products displayed on the shelves.
US07647707B2
A template designed to prepare various fabrics for the attachment of a decorative crocheted edge. The transparent triangular shaped template contains holes at equally spaced intervals with uniform distance from the edge of the template. The corner of the template has been designed with a radial edge for use as a pattern to cut fabric. This is done with a rotary cutter. An awl is inserted into each hole of the template piercing the fabric leaving it with exposed holes to affix the decorative crocheted edge. A marking instrument can be inserted into the holes to mark a consistent layout on the fabric for future piercing. Further, the template can be used for squaring and trimming the fabric prior to the piercing process.
US07647698B2
A method for producing a cutting or embossing roller having a cutting knife or embossing projection that projects out of the surface of a base body of the roller ensures the greatest possible optimal homogeneity of the cutting knife or the embossing projection, while minimizing production duration and costs. Single-layer or multi-layer application of the cutting knife or the embossing projection onto the roller base body occurs by laser resurfacing welding. Each layer is produced using an additional powdered material, which is melted in a melt bath at the weld point. The heat and/or light radiation emitted by the melt bath is detected, at least during application of each layer. Laser power is controlled or regulated as a function of the heat and/or light radiation emitted by the melt bath, so that melt bath temperature remains essentially constant during application of each layer.
US07647696B2
A catalyst substrate comprises a substrate material having an inlet, an outlet, an opening therebetween to allow for the passage of exhaust gas therethrough, and further comprises a catalyst and a layer of zirconium phosphate. Catalyst substrates coated with zirconium phosphate exhibit improved thermal durability, improved thermal shock resistance, and improved alkali and acidic corrosion resistance.
US07647695B2
An OCR system for matching wire harnesses and connectors facilitates precise registration of wire number strings, uses geometric modeling for character recognition, and restricts searches by region and character to ensure speed and accuracy. A string location algorithm is used to search for and identify the location of the beginning of a wire number string. The horizontal edges of the wire in the image are located, a diameter of the wire is determined, light intensity is confirmed, and the first character is found. The resulting coordinate is used by the algorithm for character definition. Geometric shapes are used for identification in order to overcome twisted wires, poorly printed markings, ink color variations, and contacting characters.
US07647693B2
A valve stem installation system (10) includes a conveyor (24) for moving wheel rims (14). A detector (50) is comparable with the conveyor (24) to detect size of the wheel rim (14) and a location of an aperture (12) of the wheel rim (14) to receive various valve stems (16, 18). Two robots (110, 112) are adaptable for matably moving the valve stem (16, 18) to the wheel rim (14). A controller (60) is operably communicated with the robots (110, 112) and the detector (50) for receiving a signal from the detector (50) as the detector (50) identifies configuration of the wheel rim (14) and then transmitting the signal to the robots (110, 112) thereby directing the robots (110, 112) to selectively engage the valve stem (16, 18) to be inserted into the aperture (12). An insertion tool (114) is connected to each robot (110, 112) to selectively engage the valve stem (16, 18) to interchangeably move and insert the valve stem (16, 18) into the aperture (12) in response to the signal received by the robot (110, 112) from the controller (60).
US07647685B2
A folder made from a roll of folder material stock. The folder has a front flap having a first top edge and a first width, and a rear flap connected to said front flap by a folder bottom, the rear flap having a second top edge and a second width. A slip-resistant portion is disposed on at least one of the flaps near said first or second top edge. The folder material stock comprises paper and a polymer material. A method of making the folder includes the steps of providing folder material stock comprising polymeric material, providing embossing dies in spaced, operable, mating relationship, positioning the folder material stock appropriately in the embossing dies, applying force to at least one of the embossing dies so as to decrease the spaced relationship, and deforming the folder material stock.
US07647684B2
A method of preparing flat articles for sorting includes the steps of: (1) receiving a bundle of flat items to be sorted, the bundle being wrapped with a flexible film such that the film forms an enclosed package of flat items, (2) placing the bundles on a substantially horizontal, substantially frictionless work surface, moving the bundle adjacent at least one film slitter, the film slitter being automatically activated when the bundle is moved adjacent the film slitter, (3) removing the cut film from the flat items, and (4) stacking the unbundled flat items in a cartridge.
US07647679B2
This invention relates to a belt drive system for a tool driving shaft of an indexing tool turret assembly. A plurality of toolholders are radially supported on a top plate assembly, which is rotatably supported on a hub connected to a turret housing. A housing is provided that supports a driven pulley connected to the tool driving shaft. A spindle motor connected to the turret housing is coupled to the live toolholder via a belt drive. The housing advantageously includes at least one removal portion that provides access to and replacement of the belt drive. Further, the tool driving shaft is supported on opposite sides of the driven pulley.
US07647671B2
A suction cleaner that sucks in dust, from a suction mouth of a suction mouth body, with airflow generated through operation of an electric air blower and introduces the sucked airflow into a dust collection device to collect the dust. The suction mouth body is provided with a first suction mouth and a second suction mouth. An agitator is arranged at the first suction mouth. The first suction mouth is selected by a suction mouth-switching device, and the agitator is driven when the suction is carried out from the first suction mouth. A mechanism for transmitting power to the agitator includes a driving pulley that co-rotates with the agitator, an idler that can be rotated independently of the agitator, and a belt that is shifted between the driving pulley and the idler by a belt-switching device.
US07647670B2
A vacuum cleaner is provided including a housing having a nozzle assembly with a suction inlet and a canister assembly with a dirt collection vessel receiver. A suction generator is carried on the housing. A dirt collection vessel is received in the receiver. A final filtration compartment is provided on the housing. The final filtration compartment includes an air inlet having a cross sectional surface area A and an air outlet having a cross sectional surface area B where the ratio of B to A is at least 0.8 to 1. The vacuum cleaner also includes a final filter received in the final filtration compartment.
US07647666B2
Attachment apparatus and method for interlocking attachment of a scraper blade with a drive shaft of a scraped surface heat exchanger includes a blade having dual attachment beams and a central locking member, and at least one pin having dual fingers each for interlocking with a respective attachment beam.
US07647660B2
A device for correcting the shape of an infant's abnormally-shaped cranium by applying external forces over time with the growth of an infant to achieve normal shaping of the infant's head. The device applies inwardly-directed external forces only to areas of bony prominence and minimizes (or altogether eliminates) these forces on the areas of the skull that are less prominent (or flattened). Because the present invention is non-conforming to the shape of an abnormal skull, the exerted forces cause accelerated expansion of the skull in less prominent (flattened) areas coincident with brain and skull growth. This causes the cranium to return to a normal symmetric cranial shape. The material that contacts the infant's cranium is semi-rigid, relatively non-flexible, and maintains its overall shape under stress. For an infant with an already normally-shaped cranium, the device causes the infant's cranium to grow evenly and maintain its normal shape, and thus prevents abnormal cranial shaping.
