US07679682B2
A control method for integrating a display device with a digital television (DTV) module, which includes the steps: (A) using the display device to execute a system program; (B) determining whether the display device is in a digital television mode; (C) further determining whether the display device receives an instruction when step (B) decides that the display device is in the digital television mode; (D) further determining whether the instruction received is for the digital television module when step (C) decides that the display device receives the instruction; and (E) using the display device to send the instruction to the digital television module through a serial bus and to receive and process a response of the digital television module when step (D) decides that the instruction is for the digital television module.
US07679681B2
Disclosed is a television receiver including a presetting section to carry out presetting by assigning a frequency in a receiving band to each of a plurality of receiving channel positions as a preset channel including: a memory section to store telephone number information of a call center which responds to an inquiry of a customer; a display section to display the telephone number information of the call center; a judging section to judge whether or not at least one of the receiving channel positions has been preset by the presetting section; and a display controlling section to read the telephone number information of the call center stored in the memory section and to display the read telephone number information in the display section, when the judging section has judged that no presetting has been carried out in any one of the receiving channel positions by the presetting section.
US07679679B2
A synchronization signal detector includes a horizontal synchronization level detector, a synchronization signal extractor, a first filter circuit, and a synchronous separator. The horizontal synchronization level detector detects a horizontal synchronization detection level HL for detecting a horizontal synchronization signal from a video signal Din. The synchronization signal extractor outputs a limited signal D1 obtained by extracting only a signal within a limit range (HL−n) to (HL+m) that is set based on the horizontal synchronization detection level HL from the video signal Din. The first filter circuit removes a high frequency component of the limited signal D1 and outputs it. The synchronous separator detects a horizontal synchronization signal HS from the output signal of the first filter circuit.
US07679674B2
Providing a camera housing which is suitably used to house a camera with a liquid crystal monitor having a touch panel and is capable of preventing the touch panel from being broken. The camera housing includes, an external operation unit provided outside the camera housing, a contact member provided inside the camera housing for operating the touch panel by contacting the touch panel, and an elastic member provided between the external operation unit and the contact member for transmitting pressing force which is applied on the external operation unit to the contact member.
US07679669B2
A camera module package comprises an image sensor having a light receiving section formed in the central portion of the upper surface thereof and a plurality of bumps formed around the light receiving section; an FPCB that is closely bonded to the image sensor by a flip chip, the FPCB having a plurality of via holes perforated at bonding positions corresponding to the bumps such that the bumps and the via holes are closely bonded to each other one to one; and an optical unit having a housing received on the FPCB and a lens barrel screwed to the central portion of the housing.
US07679664B2
Vertical signal lines are connected to each pixel column in an image pickup unit having pixels arranged in arrays, and the vertical signal lines are connected to a voltage supply circuit for supplying a voltage between a power source voltage and a reference voltage.
US07679660B2
An solid-state image pickup apparatus compensates for deterioration in horizontal transfer efficiency conspicuous in an image captured in, e.g. a high ISO sensitivity mode. A horizontal transfer efficiency calculator in a transfer efficiency compensator of a signal processor calculates in advance a local horizontal transfer efficiency for signal charge transfer in a concentrating portion of an image sensor, for each value of ISO sensitivity, to store a resultant value. The signal processor processes a digital image signal representing a photographed subject. In main shooting with a value of ISO sensitivity for image pickup set, a subject field is captured, and a horizontal transfer efficiency detector detects a local horizontal transfer efficiency consistent with the value of ISO sensitivity for image pickup. A horizontal transfer efficiency corrector corrects a digital image signal based on the consistent local horizontal transfer efficiency.
US07679643B2
A remote instruction system includes a control portion. The control portion transmits a first image to a remote terminal and controls a projection portion to project a first annotation image onto a subject according to an instruction issued from the remote terminal on the basis of the first image, and the control portion transmits a second image to the remote terminal and controls the projection portion to project a second annotation image onto the subject according to the instruction issued from the remote terminal on the basis of the second image, the first image being captured by a first image capturing portion provided for capturing the first image of the subject, the second image being captured by a second image capturing portion provided for zooming a given area of the subject to capture the second image, when the given area in the first image is selected from the remote terminal.
US07679641B2
Three general designs for reducing parallax in a moving picture are disclosed. One design comprises stretching graphics content near the left and right frame edges of stereo pair elements in order to modify parallax settings. A second design comprises identifying a plurality of substantially corresponding points in a left eye view and right eye view and bringing the plurality of substantially corresponding points closer together using a morph technique. The third design entails fading a portion of a right eye view with a portion of a left eye view near or proximate an edge of the image.
US07679637B1
A web conferencing system which, in one aspect has time-shifting capabilities. Session content is recorded so that participants are able to observe the session in real-time, delayed while the session is still in progress, or after the session has completed. Participants are also able to observe the session at normal, slower, or faster speeds, while maintaining substantially consistent perceived audio quality.
US07679636B1
A method and apparatus route telecommunication calls in a telecommunication switching system by receiving visual information for a caller of one of the telecommunication calls; analyzing the received visual information for characteristics of the telecommunication calls; and routing the one of the telecommunication calls based on the analyzed visual information.
US07679629B2
Systems and methods for filtering to comply with copy-protection regulations set forth for HDTV signals by the Motion Picture Association of America (“MPAA”) are presented. A copy-protection filter constrains the resolution of the HDTV signal when copy-protection bits are present in a video signal. The copy-protection filter may be placed in an analog data stream before the video signal is converted from a digital to an analog signal. A second copy-protection filter is optionally placed in a digital data stream. The copy-protection filter may be combined with other filters in a video encoder, or with a scaler before the input video data stream enters a compositor.
US07679626B2
In a drive control device 30 for controlling the driving of a display apparatus 20 that displays a video image on the basis of an input video image signal S1 (or S2), there is provided brightness control means (33, 21, 7) for controlling a display brightness in the display apparatus 20 in accordance with brightness information S6 corresponding to the mean brightness of the video image, and the brightness control means (33, 21, 7) performs a control operation so that the display brightness of the video image display variably changes a plurality of times within respective one-frame scanning periods of the video image display.
US07679620B2
A saltating sample image enhancement system and method that provides an image processing operation in which a filter considers one or one or more exact source image pixels; one or more bilinearly interpolated source image samples, where the bilinear weights are coupled to the position of the target pixel relative to the source pixels; and (optionally) one or more linearly interpolated source image samples, where the linear weights are coupled to the position of the target pixel relative to the source pixels. The filter can construct a spatially continuous image statistic.
US07679619B2
A data outputting method is provided which is capable of reducing a memory capacity of a LUT (Look-Up Table). Compressed data obtained by dropping low-order bits making up gray-level data is stored in a manner in which the compressed data can be accessed by high-order bits to be input to the LUT. High-order bits making up an address output from an address supplying unit are supplied to the LUT and low-order bits are supplied to a computing unit. The LUT outputs compressed gray-level data corresponding to the high-order bits and compressed gray-level data corresponding to data of (high-order bit+1). The computing unit outputs each of expanded gray-level data obtained by dividing data obtained by interpolation among one expanded gray-level data, another expanded gray-level data and, third expanded data for every high-order bit based on one compressed data, other compressed data, and lower-bits.
US07679618B2
Slices of N dimensions can be extracted from bandlimited data sets of M dimensions. N is any arbitrary value less than N. A value of a slice is defined by an evaluation of an integral of the bandlimited data set weighted by a filter scaling function orientated along the normal of the slice. Due to the properties of the bandlimited data set, the slice is bandlimited in N dimensions as well. The filter scaling function diminishes at substantially the same rate as the aliasing frequency of the bandlimited data set in the normal direction. The convolution of a scaling basis function used to construct the bandlimited data with itself defines the filter scaling function. A scaling basis function widened in the direction of the normal can approximate the filter scaling function in some cases. Quadrature can approximate the value of the integral. Slices may or may not be axis aligned.
US07679615B2
Systems and methods for computing three-dimensional (3D) Euclidean Voronoi diagrams are disclosed. For some embodiments, a set of 3D objects is accessed, in which each 3D object is mathematically defined. Thereafter, a Voronoi region associated with each of the 3D objects is computed, thereby resulting in a complete Euclidean Voronoi diagram of the set of 3D objects. In some embodiments, the 3D objects are spheres, each of which is defined by a center and a radius. For other embodiments, the 3D objects are convex objects, each of which is mathematically-definable (e.g., cylinders, sphero-cylinders, etc.). Unlike prior approaches that suggested using a numerical approach to computing the Voronoi diagram, the present disclosure employs mathematical approaches for computing the Euclidean Voronoi diagram, thereby improving efficiency in the computation of the Euclidean Voronoi diagram.
US07679609B2
A touch panel including a substrate body having a wave plate, a first elastic layer and a first substrate, a second substrate facing to the substrate body, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a second elastic layer and a polarizing plate. A first conductive layer is formed at a face, which is a side of the second substrate, of the substrate body. A second conductive layer is formed at a face of the second substrate and faces the first conductive layer with a predetermined space therebetween. The second elastic layer is formed at a face, which is an opposite side of the first conductive layer, of the substrate body. The polarizing plate is formed at a face, which is an opposite side of the second substrate, of the second elastic layer. This structure offers a touch panel which is resistant to crack or damage to the first conductive layer that may occur when an end of the touch panel is pressed, and provides reliable operation and good viewability.
US07679602B2
Graphical user interface based control of imaging parameters including scene illumination parameters
Systems and methods that provide graphical user interface based control of imaging parameters, including scene illumination parameters, are described. In one aspect, optical data is generated in response to light received from a field of view. Output light is produced. The output light is projected toward the field of view. At least a portion of the optical data is processed into image data that is presentable on a display. A brightness control interface that receives user input specifying a brightness level is generated on the display. An illumination control signal is produced in response to user input specifying a brightness level to the brightness control interface. The illumination control signal configures the output light to be produced with a brightness level corresponding to the brightness level specified to the brightness control interface.
US07679590B2
A field sequential driving method for driving a liquid crystal display, wherein said liquid crystal includes a plurality of gate lines, comprising the steps of: grouping said gate lines into a plurality of zone, including a first zone to an Nth zone; sequentially addressing the first zone to the Nth zone, wherein addresses each zone comprising: writing black signals into pixels in the zone; writing white signals into pixels in the zone after the black signals are written into pixels in the zone; sequentially writing color signals to corresponding pixel in the zone; and sequentially flashing light source from the first zone to the Nth zone.
US07679586B2
A circuit according to one embodiment includes a data line; a select line; a storage node coupled to the select line; a first transistor with a gate coupled to the select line, a first electrode thereof coupled to the storage node, and a second electrode thereof coupled to the data line; a second transistor with a gate coupled to the storage node, a first electrode thereof coupled to the data line; and a light emitting diode coupled to a second electrode of the second transistor. Additional systems and methods are claimed.
US07679585B2
In case the size of the transistor is enlarged, power consumption of the transistor is increased. Thus, the present invention provides a display device capable of preventing a current from flowing to a display element in signal writing operation without varying potentials of power source lines for supplying a current to the display element per row. In setting a gate-source voltage of a transistor by applying a predetermined current to the transistor, a potential of a gate terminal of the transistor is adjusted so as to prevent a current from flowing to a load connected to a source terminal of the transistor. Therefore, a potential of a wire connected to the gate terminal of the transistor is differentiated from a potential of a wire connected to a drain terminal of the transistor.
US07679582B2
The present invention relates to a plasma display panel, and more particularly, to a method for driving a plasma display panel. The driving method of the plasma display panel according to the present invention comprises the steps of: supplying alternately a sustain pulse to a scanning electrode and a sustain electrode during a sustain period; and supplying a DC voltage of positive polarity to an address electrode during a part of the sustain period. According to the driving method of the plasma display panel of the present invention, it is possible to achieve a stable address discharge and to prevent the damage of the circuit components and the erroneous discharge owing to excessive voltage fluctuation.
US07679577B2
A portable communication device comprises a first set of layers providing different circuits, and a second set of layers comprising an antenna layer including all antennas and a grounding layer for all antennas. The grounding layer comprises an AMC material structure facing the antenna layer. The antennas are grouped according to operational frequency range, where each group covers a separate frequency range. The AMC material structure is also divided into sections, where each section faces a group of antennas and has a high surface impedance for the frequency range of this group. There is also a casing surrounding elements of the device including the antenna and grounding layer, where one side of the casing is provided with a strip of AMC material having a high surface impedance for an operational frequency range of at least one antenna.
US07679563B2
An improved frequency selective surface (FSS) comprises a periodically replicated unit cell, the unit cell including a material having a first electrical conductivity in the presence of an external condition, and a second electrical conductivity in the absence of an external condition, or in the presence of a modified external condition. For example, the material may be a chemoresistive material, having an electrical conductivity that changes in the presence of a chemical or biological analyte, i.e. having a first value of electrical conductivity in the presence of the analyte, and a second value of electrical conductivity in the absence of the analyte.
US07679555B2
A mobile satellite navigation receiver for calculating an offset between a local positioning system and a wide-area satellite positioning system is presented. The mobile satellite navigation receiver determines a first solution of a position of the mobile satellite navigation receiver relative to a first local positioning system, wherein the first local positioning system includes one or more reference receivers at known locations. The mobile satellite navigation receiver determines a second solution of the position of the satellite navigation receiver relative to a wide-area differential satellite positioning system. The mobile satellite navigation receiver then calculates an offset between the first solution and the second solution.
US07679541B2
A circuit and method for improving mismatches between signal converters includes at least two conversion units, a clock generator and a reference voltage generator. The conversion units share the clock generator and/or the reference voltage generator so as to improve mismatches between the conversion units.
US07679525B2
A remote control system for operating a controllable unit includes a remote control device and a remotely-controlled device. A method for operating the remote control system includes the steps of transmitting a signal from the remote control device to the remotely-controlled device, transmitting a command signal from the remote control device to the remotely-controlled device, selectively transmitting an authorization request signal from the remotely-controlled device, transmitting a response signal from the remote control device to the remotely-controlled device, and verifying the response signal of the remote control device by the remotely-controlled device such that a controllable unit can be driven by the remotely-controlled device.
US07679518B1
A meeting facilitation tool may perform and/or facilitate the planning, scheduling, holding, and/or following up of meeting related activities. A meeting facilitation tool may schedule a meeting time by interacting with meeting participants to determine a time range during which all the participants are available. Additionally, a meeting facilitation tool may programmatically interact with calendar data to schedule the meeting with each participant. A meeting facilitation tool may also allow reviewing of information for previous meetings. Additionally, a meeting facilitation tool may configure and/or initiate teleconferencing or video conferencing as well as the audio and/or video recording of the meeting. A meeting facilitation tool may also track and completion of action items assigned during a meeting.
US07679494B2
A bicycle display device is configured to accurately verify an amount of adjustment occurring when performing a fine adjustment of a transmission position of a transmission device. The bicycle display device is mounted on a bicycle, and includes a mounting part and a display element. The mounting part is attachable to a brake bracket of the bicycle. The display element is supported by the mounting part, and is configured and arranged to display a fine adjustment display screen for indicating the amount of adjustment when adjusting the transmission position of a transmission device such as a rear derailleur.
US07679492B2
In order to provide a security system, in particular in a motor vehicle (10), comprising a transmitter which transmits a signal in the form of an electromagnetic field (11, 14) and a transportable receiver (12) which receives the signal and sends back a corresponding response signal to a further receiver, in which it is more difficult to imitate the signal transmitted by the transmitter, it is proposed that a gradient of the electromagnetic field (11, 14) can be detected by the receiver (12).
US07679491B2
A keyless ignition system for a vehicle includes an electronic control unit (ECU) that communicates through a wireless link with a start/stop button. The start/stop button includes a plurality of lighting sources to selectively illuminate the start/stop button for communicating current state of a vehicle operating parameter. The lighting sources are powered by a wireless power generating device within the start/stop button.
US07679484B2
A fusible link unit includes a housing and two fuse circuit bodies overlapped with each other and received in the housing in a thickness direction of the housing. A coupling plate and terminals connected to each other via fuse elements integrally forms the fuse circuit body. An opening is formed on an outer wall of the housing. The housing includes a cover made of transparent material and having a U-shaped section for covering the opening. The cover integrally includes a projection projecting to an inside of the housing on a sidewall of the cover. The projection includes a reflecting wall sloping on the sidewall in a thickness direction of the housing 7.
US07679482B2
An inductor includes a first magnetic substance core which has a middle leg, a first outer leg, a second outer leg, and a body portion interconnecting the middle leg, the first outer leg and the second outer leg, and a second magnetic substance core which is arranged to be opposed to the first magnetic substance core. A first conductor is arranged in a first space which is formed by the middle leg, the first outer leg, part of the body portion, and the second magnetic substance core. A second conductor is arranged in a second space which is formed by the middle leg, the second outer leg, part of the body portion, and the second magnetic substance core. The middle leg is formed with a region which is lower in height than the first outer leg, in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the first outer leg.
US07679481B2
A stack of magnetized casing tubulars includes a plurality of magnetized wellbore tubulars each of which includes a plurality of north and south magnetic poles imparted to a corresponding plurality of longitudinal positions along the tubulars. The plurality of wellbore tubulars are arranged into a stack having at least two rows and at least two columns, the wellbore tubulars are stacked side by side and atop one another such that the magnetic poles on one tubular are radially aligned with magnetic poles of an opposite polarity on adjacent tubulars. Such a configuration advantageously substantially eliminates weakening of the imparted magnetic field due to interaction of the magnetic poles on adjacent tubulars.
US07679472B2
A branching filter package has a SAW filter chip housing area which houses a piezo electric base, on which a transmitting SAW filter and a receiving SAW filter having a different frequency passing band with each other, are formed, and an impedance matching circuit and a branching circuit for the transmitting SAW filter and the receiving SAW filter.
US07679462B2
A device for providing electromagnetic oscillations in the sub-millimeter range comprising one or more electron beam generators for providing a first and a second electron beam and one or more magnetic field generators for focusing the first and second electron beams. The device may comprise an oscillator comprising a slow wave circuit having a structure of an electrically non-conducting material with metallized surfaces adjacent the first electron beam and an amplifier comprising a slow wave circuit having a structure of an electrically non-conducting material with metallized surfaces adjacent the second electron beam and electrically connected to said oscillator. The oscillator and amplifier may be formed on a single substrate utilizing a single deposition process. The oscillator and amplifier may be contained in a single vacuum envelope.
US07679460B2
A crystal oscillator tester includes first and second test pins, first and second transistors, an indicator, a first diode, and first-third capacitors. The first test pin is connected to a power source. The collector of the first transistor is connected to the first test pin. The base of the second transistor is connected to the second test pin. The emitter of the first transistor is grounded via the indicator. The base of the first transistor is connected to the cathode of the first diode. The anode of the first diode is connected to the first test pin via the first and second capacitors one by one in series. The emitter of the second transistor is connected to a node between the first and second capacitors. The collector of the second transistor is grounded. The third capacitor is connected between the base and emitter of the second transistor.
US07679457B2
Provided is an oscillating apparatus that includes a plurality of variable frequency oscillators, each of which is provided in correspondence with a different oscillating band from one another; and a selection section that selects an oscillating signal that is from a variable frequency oscillator provided in correspondence with a designated oscillating band, from among the plurality of variable frequency oscillators, and outputs the selected oscillating signal, where the selection section includes a plurality of selectors connected in a tree structure, each selector outputting a selected one of inputted two or more oscillating signals, and each of the plurality of variable frequency oscillators is connected to a selector positioned at an end of the tree structure of the plurality of selectors.
US07679456B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes S PLLs (S is an integer satisfying S≧2), and the (k−1)th PLL 12(k-1) (k is an integer satisfying 2≦k≦S) is connected to the kth PLL 12k in the test mode. In this manner, the examination of S PLLs can be performed in a single test, and thereby it can reduce the time needed to examine PLLs in the semiconductor integrated circuit having a plurality of PLLs.
US07679455B2
A technique for expanding an input signal includes receiving the input signal at a first node of a voltage expander and generating a plurality of expanded signals on different outputs of the voltage expander responsive to the input signal. In certain embodiments, each of the expanded signals has a different magnitude at a respective fixed offset from the input signal.
US07679454B2
A phase-locked loop (PLL) including a digital PFD, a digital loop filter, a decision circuit, a fractional-N PLL, and a frequency divider is provided. The digital PFD generates a first detection signal according to the phase error or frequency difference between an input signal and a feedback signal. The digital loop filter generates a first control signal according to the first detection signal. The decision circuit generates a divisor value according to the first control signal. The fractional-N PLL generates an oscillation signal according to the divisor value and a reference signal. The frequency divider divides the oscillation signal to produce the feedback signal. The fractional-N PLL includes a fractional-N frequency divider for generating a frequency-divided signal for use in tracking the reference signal according to the divisor value by employing phase swallow means.
US07679444B2
One embodiment of the invention includes a differential amplifier circuit. A first input stage generates first and second control voltages in response to a differential input signal. A second input stage generates third and fourth control voltages in response to the differential input signal. The first and second control voltages can be inversely proportional and the third and fourth control voltages can be inversely proportional. The circuit also includes a first output stage that is configured to set a magnitude of a first output voltage of a differential output signal at a first output node in response to the first and second control voltages. The circuit further includes a second output stage that is configured to set a magnitude of a second output voltage of the differential output signal at a second output node in response to the third and fourth control voltages.
US07679426B2
In one embodiment, a method provides a bipolar junction transistor that is coupled to a first power supply. A second power supply is utilized to turn on the bipolar junction transistor. And, the bipolar junction transistor is overdriven.
US07679418B2
A voltage level shifter with an input transistor pair, a cross-coupled load chain transistor pair and a pair of current sources, effects reduced power consumption through the use of the cross-coupled load chain transistor pair to minimize the DC current component present in known voltage level shifters. In specific embodiments, feedback elements may be used to minimize delays in signal transitions. A reference voltage that corresponds to a current capability of the input transistor pair may be used to regulate the current sources in the load chain. Changes in a swing of the input signal voltage received by the input transistor pair may be reflected in corresponding changes to the reference voltage. The voltage level shifter may be of particular use in a buffer.
US07679417B2
An attenuator includes one or more series attenuation branches including one or more series field effect transistors (FETs) each having a gate; one or more shunt attenuation branches including one or more shunt FETs each having a gate; and a bias control FET. The bias control FET receives at its gate a first bias control signal and in response thereto produces at one of its drain and source terminals a second bias control signal. Either the first bias control signal is coupled to the gates of one or more series FETs, and the second bias control signal is coupled to the gates of the one or more shunt FETs; or the first bias control signal is coupled to the gates of the one or more shunt FETs, and the second bias control signal is coupled to the gates of the one or more series FETs.
US07679416B2
The invention is directed to a method for clock distribution and VLSI circuits include a clock distribution network. In a method of the invention, a transmission lines are patterned as to connect a clock tree and a periodic waveform clock, preferably a sine waveform, is used to control clock skew, even at frequencies extending into the gigahertz range. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an overlay includes differential pairs of transmission lines that connect the drivers of a clock distribution tree. In preferred embodiments of the invention, an H-tree clock distribution scheme is overlayed with a spiral of transmission lines, each realized by a differential conductors and driven using a sinusoidal standing wave to distribute global clock signals into local regions of the chip. Each transmission line connects drivers in the H-tree that are at the same level of the H-tree. In a VLSI chip according to an embodiment of the invention, the transmission line overlay delivers sinusoidal clock signals to local areas that are locally converted into digital clock signals. The invention thus presents a passive technique for clock distribution.
US07679411B2
A reset signal generation circuit for generating a reset signal synchronously or asynchronously to a clock signal in accordance with an operation state. An operation detection circuit detects operation of a CPU and generates an operation detection signal. A signal control circuit generates a first reset signal synchronously or asynchronously to an internal clock signal based on the operation detection signal and a system reset signal. The first reset signal is provided to synchronous circuits including the CPU.
US07679405B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and circuits for processing information through comparison of input signals. For example, various embodiments of the present invention provide differential latch circuits. Such differential latch circuits include an input stage and a latch stage. The input stage provides an interim output that is available during a defined period, and the latch stage is operable to latch the temporary interim output during the defined period using a common clock.
US07679403B2
A system and method for hardening dynamic logic against single event upset is described. A precharge circuit is hardened and then connected to two pull down networks. The two pull down networks are redundant and, under normal operating conditions, provide substantially the same outputs when receiving substantially the same inputs. The two outputs are then voted to provide an output that is hardened against single event upset. Alternatively, the two outputs may be connected to a next stage of dynamic logic circuits or other circuitry for evaluation.
US07679402B2
A circuit incorporating a current starved ring oscillator is coupled to a power gate switch in an integrated circuit. The circuit incorporating the current starved ring oscillator amplifies a voltage difference between a virtual ground associated with the power gate switch and ground, and converts the difference to a frequency. Digital logic monitors the output of the ring oscillator using a counter and a reference clock. Control circuitry controls operation of the integrated circuit in dependence on the monitored conditions associated with the power gate switch. A method monitors a virtual ground voltage across a power gate switch in an integrated circuit; and controls operation of the integrated circuit in dependence on the monitored virtual ground voltage.
US07679399B2
A programmable interconnect structure for an integrated circuit comprises: a pass-gate fabricated on a substrate layer to electrically connect a first node to a second node; and a configuration circuit including at least one memory element to control said pass-gate fabricated substantially above said substrate layer; and a programmable method to select between isolating said first and second nodes and connecting said first and second nodes.A programmable buffer structure for an integrated circuit comprises: a first and a second terminal; and a programmable pull-up and a programmable pull-down circuit coupled between said first and second terminals; and a configuration circuit including at least one memory element coupled to said pull-up and pull-down circuits; and a programmable method to select between isolating said first terminal from second terminal by deactivating said pull-up and pull-down circuits, and coupling said first terminal to second terminal by activating said pull-up and pull-down circuits.A method of forming a programmable interconnect structure for an integrated circuit comprises: fabricating one or more pass-gates on a substrate layer to electrically connect two points; and selectively fabricating either a memory circuit or a conductive pattern substantially above said pass-gates to control a portion of said pass-gates; and fabricating an interconnect and routing layer substantially above said memory circuits to connect said pass-gates and one of said memory circuits and conductive pattern.
US07679398B2
A software programmable DSP with a field programmable instruction set is described where customized instructions can be created, or certain existing instructions can be modified, at the user's location after taking delivery of the processor. The FPGA fabric used to implement the reprogrammable instructions is restricted to supporting the software-programmable DSP—never functioning as an independent coprocessor—and therefore enabling the reprogrammable instructions to exist in the normal stream of DSP software execution. DSP-type functions implemented in the FPGA fabric are also restricted to being automatically generated such that they are synchronous with the processor clocks—enabling easy conversion to an ASIC. Designs implemented on a die containing a DSP with an FPGA-style reprogrammable instruction fabric may be migrated to a smaller die within a family of DSP die containing hard-wired ASIC instruction fabrics, all members of this ASIC family having common I/O functionality to enable operation in the same system socket.
US07679388B2
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to compliant probe structures for making temporary or permanent contact with electronic circuits and the like. In particular, embodiments are directed to various designs of cantilever-like probe structures. Some embodiments are directed to methods for fabricating such cantilever structures. In some embodiments, for example, cantilever probes have extended base structures, slide in mounting structures, multi-beam configurations, offset bonding locations to allow closer positioning of adjacent probes, compliant elements with tensional configurations, improved over travel, improved compliance, improved scrubbing capability, and/or the like.
US07679384B2
An integrated circuit parametric testline providing increased test pattern areas is disclosed. The testline comprises a dielectric layer over a substrate, a plurality of probe pads over the dielectric layer, and a first device under test (DUT) formed in the testline in a space underlying the probe pads. The testline may also include a second DUT, which is formed in a space underlying the probe pads overlying the first DUT in an overlaying configuration. The testline may further include a polygon shaped probe pad structure providing an increased test pattern area between adjacent probe pads.
US07679381B2
An evaluation apparatus is taught to nondestructively characterize the electroluminescence behavior of the semiconductor-based or organic small-molecule or polymer-based light-emitting material as the finished light-emitting device functions through electroluminescence. An electrode probe is used to temporarily form a light-emitting device through forming an intimate electrical contact to the surface of the light emitting material. A testing system is provided for applying an electrical stimulus to the electrode probe and temporarily formed device and for measuring the electrical and optical/electroluminescence response to the electrical stimulus. The electrical and optical properties of the light-emitting material can be nondestructively determined from the measured response. Optionally a light stimulus is used to perform the photoluminescence characterization together with the electroluminescence characterization, and both characterizations can be performed at the same sample location or/and at the wafer level.
US07679373B2
A trimming circuit, an electronic circuit, and a trimming control system for reducing the risk of failures when perform trimming and for ensuring that a desired device is readily manufactured. A selector, a resistor, and a fuse are connected in series between a power supply and ground. A probe pad for performing probe trimming is connected immediately above the fuse. The selector includes two back-to-back connected n-type MOS transistors. Each n-type MOS transistor has a gate terminal connected to a selector control circuit. A trim sense circuit is arranged at a power supply side of the fuse. The trim sense circuit detects fuse breakage and changes the operation of an element associated with each trimming circuit TC based on the detection.
US07679371B1
A cable testing system that tests cable includes a pulse generation module that transmits a first pulse on a first communications channel of the cable. A sampling module waits a predetermined time period after the pulse generation module transmits the first pulse and then detects a first amplitude of a reflected signal on a second communications channel of the cable. A time domain reflection (TDR) module receives the first amplitude and verifies proper operation of the cable based on the first amplitude. The predetermined time period corresponds with an estimated roundtrip propagation delay of the first pulse when the first pulse is reflected back to the cable testing system after traveling a first predetermined distance along the cable. The sampling module incrementally increases the predetermined time period during subsequent iterations of a cable test in order to verify proper operation of a predetermined segment of the cable.
US07679359B2
An application-specific integrated circuit includes a first analog stage having a first filtering means responsible for carrying out a filtering of the high-pass type on an input signal so as to deliver an intermediate signal, and a second digital stage having a second filtering means capable of introducing various first time constants depending on combinations of coefficient values and responsible for correcting any distortion potentially present in the intermediate signal, wherein the first filtering means includes an assembly of electronic components configured in parallel and/or in series and capable of introducing various second time constants depending on their combination.
US07679340B2
Methods and apparatus relating to low power optimized voltage regulators are described. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator controller may cause leakage current from a load to drain a capacitor (e.g., coupled in parallel with the load) during a reduced power state.
US07679338B2
A DC/DC converter includes a converting circuit for converting a first voltage into a second voltage; a controller for generating spread spectrum switching signals; and a switch according to the spread spectrum switching signals controlling the on/off state of the switch.
US07679331B2
Power control systems and methods are provided to control when and how power is removed from devices. A power control system includes a sensing module that detects an output voltage level of a battery pack. A shutoff module initiates a shutoff routine when the output voltage level decreases to a device shutoff voltage level. The device shutoff voltage level is greater than the battery pack shutoff voltage level. A bypass module prevents the initiation of the shutoff routine when the device performs one or more operations that are known to cause high battery current spikes that will resultant in significant voltage drops from the battery pack.
US07679320B2
The present invention provides a dynamo battery charger adapted to provide amusement during the recharging process. The charger housing is shaped or constructed to represent an amusing apparatus that includes optional features that simulate actual components whereby the amusing optional features are operable when the battery charger is being actuated.
US07679312B2
The solar charger is provided with a case 1 that can hold a rechargeable battery 5 in a removable fashion, and a solar cell 4 to supply charging power to the rechargeable battery 5 loaded in the case 1. The case 1 is formed in a shape having a bottom surface 2 and at least two tapered surfaces 3 with different slope angles α with respect to the bottom surface 2, and the solar cell is disposed on the bottom surface 2. The angle of inclination θ of the solar cell 4 provided on the bottom surface 2 of the solar charger is changed by disposing a tapered surface 3 having a different slope angle α on a flat surface.
US07679310B2
Methods and systems for controlling a power inverter in an electric drive system of an automobile are provided. The various embodiments control the power inverter by, responsive to either a commanded torque of the electric motor being above a first torque level, or a commanded speed of the electric motor being above a first speed level, controlling the power inverter with a discontinuous pulse width modulated (DPWM) signal to generate a modulated voltage waveform for driving the electric motor. Additionally, the embodiments control the power inverter by, responsive to both a commanded torque of the electric motor being below the first torque level, and a commanded speed of the electric motor being below the first speed level, controlling the power inverter with a continuous pulse width modulated (CPWM) signal to generate the modulated voltage waveform for driving the electric motor.
US07679309B2
Methods and systems are provided for controlling an electric machine via an inverter while compensating for one or more hardware delays. The method includes receiving a control signal, producing a first sampling signal based on the control signal, and adjusting the sampling signal to compensate for a first delay of the one or more hardware delays. The inverter is operable to produce a voltage signal based on the control signal, and the electric machine is operable to produce a current based on the voltage signal. A sampling of the current is performed based on the first sampling signal.
US07679303B2
An evaluation device for a rotary drive that evaluates periodic velocity fluctuation of the rotary drive is provided. The evaluation device includes a rotational velocity fluctuation detector, a reference signal generator, and a multiplier-accumulator. The rotational velocity fluctuation detector detects rotational velocity fluctuation relative to a reference velocity of the rotary drive. The reference signal generator generates a reference signal, in which the reference signal has a period and a phase angle. The multiplier-accumulator performs a multiply-accumulate operation between the rotational velocity fluctuation detected by the rotational velocity fluctuation detector and the reference signal generated by the reference signal generator, so as to detect a fluctuation intensity at the phase angle of a component having the period, in which the component is included in the rotational velocity fluctuation detected by the rotational velocity fluctuation detector.
US07679302B1
Disclosed is a controller circuit, comprising a plurality of sense inputs, an instrumentation amplifier block having inputs coupled to the plurality of sense inputs, a filter block coupled to the instrumentation amplifier block, a sum function coupled to the filter block, and a crossing detector block coupled to the filter block and the sum function. A method of controlling motor signals is further described.
US07679300B2
A trigger switch performs speed control of a motor according to a pull-in amount of a trigger. A wiring path for lead wires connects the trigger switch and an auxiliary device. The wiring path is formed in an insulating wall. The insulating wall isolates a pair of power supply terminals, each connected to a power supply, from each other.
US07679279B2
An image display device includes a sealed container having an interior which is maintained at a lower pressure than an atmospheric pressure, a phosphor disposed in the interior of the sealed container, an electron-emitting device disposed in the interior of the sealed container, to emit an electron to the phosphor, and a getter disposed in the interior of the sealed container. In addition, an exhaust pipe is in communication with the interior of the sealed container, and bellows connects the exhaust pipe to the sealed container. The exhaust pipe has, inside thereof, a breakable vacuum isolating member formed from glass film.
US07679276B2
A short arc lamp comprises front and back subassemblies including mating weld rings, whereby the lamp can be assembled and sealed through welding of the weld rings. Each subassembly includes a number of self-aligning components to facilitate assembly and improve alignment accuracy. The metal body of the lamp can have a cooling projection portion, which can be received by a heat sink to remove heat from near the anode. A heat sink also can be formed as part of the metal body. The lamp reflector can be a drop-in reflector, or can be formed as part of the metal body through a process such as metal injection molding. A single strut can be used to position the cathode, which can be part of the sleeve or received by a portion of the sleeve. A trigger electrode can be used to simplify the power supply for the lamp.
US07679274B2
A piezo actuator in a monolithic multilayer design, has at least one piezoelectrically active stack element, wherein the stack element has stacked piezoceramic layers made of piezoceramic material and electrode layers arranged between the piezoceramic layers, at least one piezoelectrically inactive terminating region arranged above the stack element, and at least one junction region arranged between the stack element and the terminating region, wherein the stack element, the terminating region and the junction region are connected to one another to form a monolithic total stack. The junction region has stacked piezoceramic layers and electrode layers arranged between the piezoceramic layers, and the piezoceramic layers and the electrode layers are in a form and are arranged on one another such that in the stack direction of the junction region one piezoelectrically active area per junction piezoceramic layer is successively changed from piezoceramic layer to piezoceramic layer.
US07679255B2
An electrical machine is described, having a stationary main element as stator and a rotating main element as rotor, of which one main element having a magnetic yoke and poles, of a predefined number of poles, projecting radially from the former, is made of SMC material and carries a pole winding on each pole. To achieve cost-effective manufacturing of the main element, the main element is assembled from at least two modules that are axially adjacent, rigidly connected to one another, and produced from SMC material, each module having a yoke part, closed in on itself, of the magnetic yoke having an equal number of divisions of poles attached thereto in one piece, which corresponds to a fraction of the number of poles determined by the number of modules.
US07679254B2
A method for producing a coil winding for stators is described, in which each coil turn rests, with one fillet (14) each, in two stator slots, and the two fillets (14) are joined by a head portion (16). A plurality of coil turns are made simultaneously by winding up n parallel wires (10) with intermediate spacing onto a rotatable former (20). To obtain small winding heads, alternatingly in a work step A, one fillet (14) and the wire length of one head portion (16) are made from each of the parallel wires (10) on the former (20). Then in a work step B, the resultant fillets (14) together with the adjoining first end of the respective associated head portions (16), and the wire guide together with the second end of these head portions (16), are displaced relative to one another along the former (20) by n times the intermediate spacing of the wires (10). After work steps A and B have been repeated multiple times, the fillets (14) for the last n stator slots are then also made on the former (20). Next, the winding is removed from the former, pressed flat, and placed in a striplike coil holder. From there it is transferred into slots of a rotorlike transfer tool that are open radially outward, and from there it is finally positively displaced radially outward into the stator slots.
US07679252B2
A magnet embedded motor includes a rotor, a plurality of magnets embedded in the rotor, and a yoke provided with the plurality of magnets for forming a magnetic path. The rotor is formed with the plurality of magnets and the yoke in a single member by means of a resin molding by making the plurality of magnet and the yoke as an insertion body.
US07679238B2
A driving apparatus includes a transmission mechanism portion; a motor housed in a motor housing located at an engine side of the transmission mechanism portion; and a clutch interposed between an engine output shaft and an input shaft of the transmission mechanism portion, wherein: a secondary side of the clutch, which is connected to the input shaft, is configured by a cover; a rotor of the motor is integrally connected to the cover, which is the secondary side of the clutch; a stator of the motor is fixed to the motor housing; a front hub positioned at the engine side of the cover is rotatably supported at a front wall member of the motor housing; and a rear hub positioned at the transmission mechanism portion side of the cover is rotatably supported at a rear wall member of the motor housing.
US07679235B2
In a starter for starting an engine having a motor to which starting current is supplied from a battery, the motor has a field coil for forming a magnetic field with the supply of current, and the starter has wiring for supplying current from the battery to the field coil. The wiring has a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, which is smaller than a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the winding of the field coil, so that a cross section reduction portion is integrated into the wiring. The cross section reduction portion functions as a fuse for shutting down an internal circuit of the motor at an earlier occasion when an overcurrent passes through the internal circuit.
US07679232B2
In a power generator provided with a stator frame having a stator iron core incorporating a stator coil therein in an inner portion thereof, and a rotor in which a rotor coil rotating so as to oppose to the stator frame and the stator iron core is incorporated, the power generator is provided with a noise insulation plate fixed to a noise insulation plate attaching seat welded to an outer surface of the stator frame by a bolt and a nut, an elastic body (a gasket) is provided in a contact portion between the noise insulation plate attaching seat and the noise insulation plate, and a vibration-proofing rubber washer is provided in a contact portion between the noise insulation plate and the nut.
US07679231B2
A driving device which makes it possible to reduce the moment of inertia of a rotor and increase torque. A magnet is formed to have a hollow cylindrical shape and has magnetized sections which are magnetized to have alternately different poles in a circumferential direction thereof. A coil is wound coaxially with the magnet and is disposed in axially side-by-side relation to the magnet. A stator yoke is formed of a soft magnetic material and fixes the magnet and the coil. A rotor yoke is formed of a soft magnetic material, and has magnetic pole portions formed in opposed relation to the magnetized sections, for being magnetized by the coil. The rotor yoke is supported in a manner rotatable with respect to the stator yoke. An rotation restricting part limits a range of rotation of the rotor yoke within a predetermined angle.
US07679220B2
An electronic time switch control circuit includes a power supply, an oscillation period control module, an oscillator, and a switch control module. The power supply supplies power to the oscillation period module, the oscillator, and the switch control module. The oscillation period module supplies periodic signals to the oscillator. The oscillator alternately outputs two kinds of control signals to the switch control module according to the periodic signals. The switch control module receives the two kinds of control signals, and correspondingly controls an electronic product to be turned on and off repeatedly.
US07679219B2
Power supply devices for vehicle electrical systems in particular, including two voltage systems, i.e., vehicle electrical systems, each having its own generator. The first generator and the battery belong to the same voltage system, and the second generator belongs to the second voltage system. If the two voltage systems were decoupled, the second generator would not have the excitation current required for starting, so means are consequently provided here to connect the second generator to a charge storage device after actuation of the ignition switch, thereby generating an excitation current; this charge storage device may also be the battery of the first voltage system and the connection is kept conductive until the second generator starts and is generating an output voltage.
US07679204B2
A turntable and a top-pushing rod, wherein said turntable is provided pivotally at equal interval along its peripheral direction with a plurality of rod bodies, and wherein said rod bodies are provided at their ends near the periphery of the turntable with heavy blocks, while said rod bodies are engaged at their front ends near the center of the turntable with a spring that has its other end engaged on the turntable, thereby the swinging of said rod bodies would drive springs to stretch or contract; wherein, said top-pushing rod is driven by a motor such that said top-pushing rod can move reciprocally along a linear direction in which it can push the heavy block on a rod body above said turntable so as to bring said heavy block returning to the highest position of the turntable.
US07679197B2
A power semiconductor device (1; 37) has a leadframe (4), at least one vertical power semiconductor component (2) and at least one further electronic device (3) which is arranged on the power semiconductor component (2). The chip carrier (5) of the leadframe (4) has at least two separate parts (7, 8) on which the power semiconductor component (2) is arranged. The power semiconductor component (2) is embodied such that the lower surface (28) of the first part (7) of the chip carrier (5) provides a ground contact area (36) of the power semiconductor component (2).
US07679195B2
An interconnect structure includes: a plurality of dielectric layers having aligned process control monitor (PCM) pads, and a conductive structure above a topmost one of the PCM pads. The conductive structure electrically connects the topmost PCM pad to a device under test above a level of the topmost PCM pad. The conductive structure is sized and shaped so as to leave a majority portion of the topmost PCM pad exposed for access by a test probe.
US07679193B2
A copper interconnect structure is disclosed as comprising a copper layer and an aluminum nitride layer formed over the copper layer. The aluminum nitride layer passivates the copper layer surface and enhances the thermal conductivity of a semiconductor substrate by radiating heat from the substrate as well as from the copper layer.
US07679192B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an interlayer insulating film formed over the substrate, a trench formed in the interlayer insulating film, a cover film formed over the inside surface of the trench, a barrier layer formed over the cover film; and a metal line formed over the barrier layer which fills and seals the trench. The metal line is in direct contact with the semiconductor substrate.
US07679176B2
A semiconductor device has a substrate with an electronic circuit, a semiconductor element provided at a first surface of the substrate and electrically connected by wire bonding to the electronic circuit, a metallic core layer electrically connected to the semiconductor element. A plurality of conductive bumps provided opposite the first surface of the substrate. A thermal hardenable resin seals at least the semiconductor element, and a metal plate is electrically connected to the metal core layer.
US07679174B1
A circuit board has a curved portion provided in at least one side of an external shape thereof. An external connecting terminal is provided on a first main surface of the circuit board. A semiconductor element is mounted on a second main surface of the circuit board. A first wiring network is provided in a region except the terminal region on the first main surface. A second wiring network is provided on the second main surface. Distance from the side including the curved portion to the first wiring network is larger than distance from at least one of the other sides to the first wiring networks, and distance from the side including the curved portion to the second wiring network is larger than distance from at least one of the other sides to the second wiring networks.
US07679173B2
The electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device are enhanced. In the package of the semiconductor device, there are encapsulated first and second semiconductor chips with a power MOS-FET formed therein and a third semiconductor chip with a control circuit for controlling their operation formed therein. The bonding pads for source electrode of the first semiconductor chip on the high side are electrically connected to a die pad through a metal plate. The bonding pad for source electrode of the second semiconductor chip on the low side is electrically connected to lead wiring through a metal plate. The metal plate includes a first portion in contact with the bonding pad of the second semiconductor chip, a second portion extended from a short side of the first portion to the lead wiring, and a third portion extended from a long side of the first portion to the lead wiring.
US07679164B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a semiconductor device including a collector in an active region; a first and a second sub-collector, the first sub-collector being a heavily doped semiconductor material adjacent to the collector and the second sub-collector being a silicided sub-collector next to the first sub-collector; and a silicided reach-through in contact with the second sub-collector, wherein the first and second sub-collectors and the silicided reach-through provide a continuous conductive pathway for electrical charges collected by the collector from the active region. Embodiments of the invention also provide methods of fabricating the same.
US07679162B2
An integrated current sensor package includes an integrated circuit having a coil in a metal layer of the circuit. A wire is placed close enough to the coil such that the coil and the wire are inductively coupled with each other.
US07679160B2
A high voltage/power semiconductor device has at least one active region having a plurality of high voltage junctions electrically connected in parallel. At least part of each of the high voltage junctions is located in or on a respective membrane such that the active region is provided at least in part over plural membranes. There are non-membrane regions between the membranes. The device has a low voltage terminal and a high voltage terminal. At least a portion of the low voltage terminal and at least a portion of the high voltage terminal are connected directly or indirectly to a respective one of the high voltage junctions. At least those portions of the high voltage terminal that are in direct or indirect contact with one of the high voltage junctions are located on or in a respective one of the plural membranes.
US07679159B2
Each of three light receiving sections has a P-type well having a P+-type layer and an N-type layer formed therein. The P+-type layer is diffused from substrate surface to depth d1. A PN junction forming portion of the N-type layer is diffused from depth d1 to depth d2 which is greater than depth d1 so as to form, with the P-type well, a PN junction of a photodiode at depth d2. Depths d1 as well as depths d2 of the three light receiving sections are different from each other. The N-type layer has a charge output portion which is diffused from the PN junction to the substrate surface, and which is coupled by circuit coupling to a MOS transistor for reading out charge. This allows each light receiving section to have spectral characteristics, thereby providing a solid state imaging element and a solid state imaging device without using color filters.
US07679152B2
A micromechanical device has a layer; at least a first slot formed in the layer to define a first oscillation element oscillatably suspended via a first spring portion of the layer; and at least a second slot formed in the layer to define a second oscillation element oscillatably suspended via a second spring portion of the layer, wherein a trench is formed in the spring portion pair in a main surface of the layer, wherein a resonance frequency of the first oscillation element is different from that of the second oscillation element, and the first and second spring portions and the trench are formed such that, in an anisotropic lateral material removal and/or addition of the first and second spring portions, a ratio of a relative change of the resonance frequency of the second oscillation element to that of the first oscillation element ranges from 0.8 to 1.2.
US07679151B2
In a method for manufacturing a micromechanical device having a region for forming an integrated circuit, at first a first layer is produced on a deeper-lying part in the substrate. Subsequently, a membrane layer is produced on the first layer and at least one channel completely penetrating the membrane layer is introduced in the membrane layer. After that, a region of the first layer below the membrane layer is removed to form a cavity. Finally, the channel is sealed and a planar surface is formed.
US07679150B2
A semiconductor device is provided which includes a pair of metal interconnections (B, C) provided above a semiconductor substrate (10), a program layer (20) provided over the pair of metal interconnections (B, C) and in which an opening (21) may be selectively formed in the program layer (20) on the basis of programming information, and a read circuit (40) reading the programming information by determining whether such an opening (21) is formed in the program layer (20) by utilizing an electrostatic capacitance between the pair of metal interconnections (B, C). The program layer (20) may be made of a material having a dielectric constant higher than that of air or the program layer (20) may be made of a conductor or a material having a dielectric constant lower than that of air. Thus, trimming information or information on a device identification (ID) can be stored, even if the semiconductor device is a logic device that does not have a memory transistor, by detecting the information that is determined by the electrostatic capacitance that varies depending on whether or not there is provided an opening (21).
US07679145B2
A semiconductor substrate having metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices, such as an integrated circuit die, is mechanically coupled to a stress structure to apply a stress that improves the performance of at least a portion of the MOS devices on the die.
US07679144B2
The semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate, a device isolation insulating film dividing an active region of the silicon substrate into plural pieces, a gate electrode formed on the active region, a source/drain region which is formed in the active region on both sides of the gate electrode, and which constitutes a MOS transistor of an SRAM memory cell with the gate electrode, an interlayer insulating film formed over each of the active region and the device isolation insulating film, a first hole which is formed in the interlayer isolation insulating film, and which commonly overlaps with two adjacent active regions and the device isolation insulating film between the active regions, and a first conductive plug which is formed in the first hole, and which electrically connects the two active regions.
US07679143B2
A semiconductor device includes: a MOS transistor; a protection diode; and a semiconductor substrate. The MOS transistor and the protection diode are disposed in the semiconductor substrate. The drain of the MOS transistor is connected to the cathode of the protection diode. The source of the MOS transistor is connected to the anode of the protection diode. The MOS transistor has a withstand voltage defined as VT. The protection diode has a withstand voltage defined as VD, a parasitic resistance defined as RD, and a maximum current defined as IRmax. They satisfy a relationship of VT>VD+IRmax×RD. The maximum current of IRmax is equal to or larger than 45 Amperes.
US07679142B2
A semiconductor wafer includes a semiconductor bulk; a first insulating layer formed on the semiconductor bulk; a first semiconductor layer formed on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer formed on the first semiconductor layer; and a second semiconductor layer formed on the second insulating layer.
US07679141B2
A method of forming a low-defect, substantially relaxed SiGe-on-insulator substrate material is provided. The method includes first forming a Ge-containing layer on a surface of a first single crystal Si layer which is present atop a barrier layer that is resistant to Ge diffusion. A heating step is then performed at a temperature that approaches the melting point of the final SiGe alloy and retards the formation of stacking fault defects while retaining Ge. The heating step permits interdiffusion of Ge throughout the first single crystal Si layer and the Ge-containing layer thereby forming a substantially relaxed, single crystal SiGe layer atop the barrier layer. Moreover, because the heating step is carried out at a temperature that approaches the melting point of the final SiGe alloy, defects that persist in the single crystal SiGe layer as a result of relaxation are efficiently annihilated therefrom. In one embodiment, the heating step includes an oxidation process that is performed at a temperature from about 1230° to about 1320° C. for a time period of less than about 2 hours. This embodiment provides SGOI substrate that have minimal surface pitting and reduced crosshatching.
US07679139B2
Non-planar SOI devices that include an “area-efficient” body tie are disclosed. The device includes a bulk substrate, an insulator layer formed on a surface of the bulk substrate, and a silicon body formed on a surface of the insulator layer. The silicon body preferably includes (i) a non-planar channel connecting a source region and a drain region, and (ii) a body tie that is adjacent to the channel and couples the channel to a voltage potential. The device further includes a gate dielectric formed on the channel and a gate material formed on the gate dielectric.
US07679138B2
A MOS transistor including a source region, a drain region, and a gate electrode has first and second partial isolation regions in one-end gate region and the other-end gate region, respectively, with a first tap region provided adjacent to the first partial isolation region, and a second tap region provided adjacent to the second partial isolation region. A full isolation region is provided in the whole area around the first and second partial isolation regions, first and second tap regions, and source and drain regions.
US07679131B1
A laser annealing method for obtaining a crystalline semiconductor film having a large grain size, and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the crystalline semiconductor film, are provided. Using a shape change (convex portion or concave portion) of an amorphous semiconductor film when crystallizing the amorphous semiconductor film using irradiation of laser light, it is possible to intentionally regulate the origin of crystal growth, and to make the grain size large. By then designing the arrangement of an active layer (island shape semiconductor film) so as to contain at least a channel forming region within one grain, it becomes possible to improve the electrical characteristics of a TFT.
US07679130B2
Deep trench isolation structures and methods of formation thereof are disclosed. Several methods of and structures for increasing the threshold voltage of a parasitic transistor formed proximate deep trench isolation structures are described, including implanting a channel stop region into the bottom surface of the deep trench isolation structures, partially filling a bottom portion of the deep trench isolation structures with an insulating material, and/or filling at least a portion of the deep trench isolation structures with a doped polysilicon material.
US07679124B2
An analog capacitor capable of reducing the influence of an applied voltage on a capacitance and a method of manufacturing the analog capacitor are provided. The analog capacitor includes a lower electrode which is formed on a substrate, a multi-layered dielectric layer which includes at least one oxide layer and at least one oxynitride layer which are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of Hf, Al, Zr, La, Ba, Sr, Ti, Pb, Bi and a combination thereof and is formed on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode which is formed on the multi-layered dielectric layer.
US07679117B2
A solid-state image sensing device having an effective pixel area and an optical black area disposed on one principal surface of a substrate, includes photoelectric converter elements, a wiring part containing a plurality of wiring layers disposed on the one principal surface of the substrate, in which in the optical black area more wiring layers are disposed than in the effective pixel area, an interlayer dielectric disposed between, among the plurality of wiring layers, a topmost first wiring layer and a second wiring layer disposed beneath the first wiring layer, a passivation film disposed on the interlayer dielectric in the effective pixel area and disposed on the first wiring layer in the optical black area, and inner lenses disposed at least at positions on the passivation film that corresponds to the effective pixel area, a thickness of the passivation film being equal to or less than a thickness of the first wiring layer.
US07679113B2
A CMOS image sensor and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The image sensor includes a blocking layer protecting a photodiode at a diode region. The blocking layer is formed to cover a top of the diode region and extended to an active region so as to cover a transfer gate and a floating diffusion layer. Therefore, the floating diffusion layer may not be attacked by an etching during a formation of sidewall spacers of various gates or by ion implantation during a formation of a junction region of a DDD or LDD structure, thus reducing a leakage current and a dark current at the floating diffusion layer.
US07679112B2
Color image sensors include pixels having varying color characteristics. One of the pixels is a cyan-type pixel, which includes primary and secondary photodetectors therein. The primary photodetector extends adjacent a portion of a surface of a semiconductor substrate that is configured to receive visible light incident thereon. The secondary photodetector is buried in the semiconductor substrate. The secondary photodetector is configured to receive visible light that has passed through the primary photodetector.
US07679106B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit having a substantially rectangular standard cell divided by first borderlines opposed to other standard cells longitudinally adjacent to the standard cell and second borderlines opposed to other standard cells laterally adjacent to the standard cell, the standard cell has: a p-type MOS transistor having first diffused regions and a first gate electrode; an n-type MOS transistor having second diffused regions and a second gate electrode with STI disposed for device isolation between the n-type MOS transistor and the p-type MOS transistor substantially in parallel with the first borderlines; dummy p-type MOS transistors having third gate electrodes disposed on the second borderlines so as to be adjacent to the first diffused regions of the p-type MOS transistor, the third gate electrodes being connected to power supply wiring so as to turn off the dummy p-type MOS transistors; and dummy n-type MOS transistors having fourth gate electrodes disposed on the second borderlines so as to be adjacent to the second diffused regions of the n-type MOS transistor, the fourth gate electrodes being connected to ground wiring so as to turn off the dummy n-type MOS transistors.
US07679104B2
A vertical semiconductor element comprises: an electro-conductive substrate; a GaN layer, as a nitride compound semiconductor layer, which is selectively grown as a convex shape on one surface of the electro-conductive substrate through a buffer layer; a source electrode as a first electrode formed on the GaN layer; and a drain electrode as a second electrode formed on another surface of the electro-conductive substrate.
US07679101B2
The light emitting device has a light emitting diode which is made of a nitride semiconductor and a phosphor which absorbs a part of lights emitted from the light emitting diode and emits different lights with wavelengths other than those of the absorbed lights. The phosphor is made of alkaline earth metal silicate fluorescent material activated with europium.
US07679092B2
A light shield film is provided adjacent to an anode of an EL element that consists of the anode, an EL layer, and a cathode. The anode and the cathode are transparent or semitransparent to visible light and hence transmit EL light. With this structure, ambient light is absorbed by the light shield film and does not reach an observer. This prevents an external view from appearing on the observation surface.
US07679090B2
An SMD diode holding structure includes a plastic and a plurality of metal holders. Two ends of the plastic from a function area and a notch. The metal holder has a base portion and a connecting pin portion. The top and bottom surfaces of the base portion are exposed to the function area and the notch. The top surface of one base portion in the function area is connected with an LED chip, and the bottom surface of another base portion in the notch is connected with the anti-ESD chip. The LED chip, the anti-ESD chip, and the base portion are connected with a conductive wire. The function area is covered with a first sealing compound, and the notch is covered with a second sealing compound. Light emitted from the LED chip is uniformly reflected in the function area, and the brightness is uniform.
US07679086B2
A method for manufacturing an electro-optic device includes an electroconductive film forming step that forms an electroconductive film over surfaces of a substrate. A front electroconductive film removing step is also performed which removes the electroconductive film from the front surface of the substrate. A thin layer forming step is performed to form thin layers on the front surface of the substrate. Then, a rear electroconductive film removing step is performed which removes the electroconductive film from the rear surface of the substrate. At least one of the front electroconductive film removing step and the rear electroconductive film removing step is performed by applying a chemical agent capable of etching with the substrate rotated, to the rotation center of the surface of the substrate that is to be subjected to the removal of the electroconductive film, while a dry gas is jetted to the rotation center of the other surface that is not subjected to the removal of the electroconductive film.
US07679083B2
Semiconductor integrated test structures are designed for electron beam inspection of semiconductor wafers. The test structures include pattern features that are formed in designated test regions of the wafer concurrently with pattern features of integrated circuits formed on the wafer. The test structures include conductive structures that are designed to enable differential charging between defective and non-defective features (or defective and non-defection portions of a given feature) to facilitate voltage contrast defect detection of CMOS devices, for example, using a single, low energy electron beam scan, notwithstanding the existence of p/n junctions in the wafer substrate or other elements/features.
US07679082B2
The invention relates to copolymer complexes of the formula (I): wherein [Ax-[B(C)]y-Dz] denotes a single unit of the copolymer complex that is repeated n times, wherein n is an integer greater than one, and wherein the single unit comprises a conjugated backbone coordinated to a complex (C) comprising rare earth metal(s); x, y and z are numbers greater than zero such that x=y+z; A is independently selected from a group consisting of: fluorene, carbazole, oxadiazole, triphenylamine or derivatives thereof; B is a functional ligand selected from the group consisting of: benzoic acid, 1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-dione, 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2-bipyridine, or derivatives thereof; and D is independently selected from a group consisting of: fluorene, carbazole, oxadiazole, triphenylamine or derivatives thereof.
US07679079B1
Organic thin film transistor and related composite and device structures comprising an organic dielectric medium comprising, for instance, a non-linear optical chromophoric moiety.
US07679078B2
Optoelectronic materials are provided that are bistable organic tautomeric compositions that intraconvert dithio or diseleno carbamate esters and cyclic 1,3-dithia- or -diselena-2-iminium salts of π-conjugated bis-anthracenyl compounds. Specifically disclosed are compounds having the formula: where X is sulfur or selenium; where the R and R1 groups are alkyl or alkyl that together form a ring of carbon atoms; where An is the anion of a strong acid; and where the Z element is a chiral ring-completing system of atoms that changes chirality on tautomerization. These molecules are in themselves molecular-sized optoelectronic switching devices.
US07679074B2
An integrated circuit includes a contact and a first electrode coupled to the contact. The first electrode includes at least two electrode material layers. The at least two electrode material layers include different materials. The integrated circuit includes a second electrode and a resistivity changing material between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US07679070B2
An arc chamber for an ion implantation system includes an exit aperture positioned at a wall of the arc chamber, filaments respectively positioned at two opposing sides within the arc chamber, and repeller structures respectively positioned at two opposing walls within the arc chamber between the filaments and the arc chamber. The repeller structure includes a repeller substrate with a screw axis for fitting the repeller structure to the arc chamber, an insulator positioned underneath the repeller substrate providing an electrical isolation between the repeller substrate and the arc chamber, and a conductive spacer covering a portion of the insulator positioned in between the insulator and the arc chamber.
US07679067B2
A multi-frequency receiver for receiving plural frequencies of electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light) using a beam of charged particles shared between plural resonant structures. The direction of the beam of charged particles is selectively controlled by at least one deflector. The beam of charged particles passing near the resonant structure is altered on at least one characteristic as a result the presence of the electric field induced on the corresponding resonant structure. Alterations in the beam of charged particles are thus correlated to data values encoded by the electromagnetic radiation.
US07679065B2
Methods and systems are used to form an image of the contents of an object for display. A neutron mass attenuation matrix n and a gamma-ray mass attenuation matrix g are formed. A composition matrix and a density matrix are calculated whose respective elements Rij and Xij are each defined as a function of the elements nij and the corresponding elements gij. Rij represents an average composition of material within the object between a source which generated the radiation and a point (i,j). Xij represents an approximate amount of material within the object between the radiation source and the point (i,j). A quality matrix is calculated whose elements Qij are defined as a function of the elements nij and the elements gij and represents a measure of the reliability of the determination of the elements of Rij. The image formed for display contains information from R, X, and Q.
US07679064B2
The characteristics of the phosphor ZnS:Ag,Cl which has a considerably high fluorescence yield in response to incident particles thus allowing for their easy detection are used as such and combined with the finding that the fluorescence components in the range of shorter wavelengths are short-lived, which led to an improvement of counting characteristics, hence allowing for high-rate measurements of particles. When B370 was used as an optical filter to pick up fluorescence components shorter than 450 nm, the decay time of short-lived fluorescence components could be reduced from 370 ns to 200 ns.
US07679058B2
Methods and systems related to soil testing are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment of a system of the present disclosure includes a calibrated near-infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer and a soil sample with an unknown value of at least one of pH and b disposed in proximity to the calibrated NIR spectrophotometer, the NIR spectrophotometer configured to produce a spectrum from a reading of the sample.
US07679056B2
The present invention provides a pattern inspection technique that enables measurement and inspection of a fine pattern by a charged particle beam to be performed with high throughput. A metrology system of fine pattern according to the pattern inspection technique has: a the column that includes a charged particle source, an electron optics for scanning a desired observation area on a sample with a charged particle beam emitted from the charged particle source, and a detector for detecting charged particles generated secondarily from the sample scanned by the charged particle beam; information processing means for measuring information about geometry of a pattern formed on the sample based on information on the intensity of the charged particles obtained by the detector; and a sample introduction unit for introducing the sample into the inside of the column; wherein a charge neutralizer unit for generating ions and charge neutralizing the sample with the ions and surface potential measuring means for measuring a surface potential of the sample surface are provided on a path that is inside the sample introduction unit and transports the sample to the column.
US07679052B2
Methods of separating ionized particles comprise the step of providing a particle separator comprising a housing, and an electric field disposed inside the housing. The electric field defines a magnitude E (volt/cm) which increases the farther ionized particles travel within the housing. The method further includes delivering a gas flow, wherein the gas flow defines a velocity, Vgas, and delivering ionized particles into the housing, wherein the ionized particles define a mobility value, K (cm2/volt*sec). The product of the mobility value K and the electric field magnitude E define a mobility velocity for the ionized particles, Vmob (cm/sec)=K*E. The method also includes stopping the ionized particles at a location where Vmob is equal and opposite Vgas.
US07679042B1
Methods for fabricating structures such as transducer pedestal structures and transducers fabricated by the methods.
US07679033B2
A field device system for use in an industrial process includes a field device configured to couple to the industrial process and monitor or control the industrial process. The field device provides a temperature control signal output related to a temperature of the field device. A heater coupled to the field device heats the field device in response to the temperature control signal.
US07679028B2
Methods for processing an amorphous silicon thin film sample into a polycrystalline silicon thin film are disclosed. In one preferred arrangement, a method includes the steps of generating a sequence of excimer laser pulses, controllably modulating each excimer laser pulse in the sequence to a predetermined fluence, homoginizing each modulated laser pulse in the sequence in a predetermined plane, masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of slits to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of line patterned beamlets, each slit in the pattern of slits being sufficiently narrow to prevent inducement of significant nucleation in region of a silicon thin film sample irradiated by a beamlet corresponding to the slit, irradiating an amorphous silicon thin film sample with the sequence of fluence controlled slit patterned beamlets to effect melting of portions thereof corresponding to each fluence controlled patterned beamlet pulse in the sequence of pulses of patterned beamlets, and controllably sequentially translating a relative position of the sample with respect to each of the fluence controlled pulse of slit patterned beamlets to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into a single or polycrystalline silicon thin film.
US07679027B2
A method and apparatus for producing soft x-ray laser radiation. A low pressure plasma column is created by electric discharge or by laser excitation inside a rotating containment tube. Rotation of the plasma is induced by viscous drag caused by rotation of the tube, or by magnetically driven rotation of the plasma as it is created in a plasma gun in the presence of an axial magnetic field, or both. A high power electrical discharge is then passed axially through the rotating plasma column to produce a rapidly rising axial current, resulting in z-pinch compression of the rotating plasma column, with resultant stimulated emission of soft x-ray radiation in the axial direction. A rotating containment tube used in combination with magnetically driven rotation of the plasma column results in a concave electron density profile that results in reduced wall ablation and also reduced refraction losses of the soft x-rays.
US07679023B2
A switchgear having interrupters wherein at least two moving contacts are capable of being open and close with respect to respective fixed contacts. The switchgear comprises a non-earthed metal vacuum chamber enclosing the interrupters therein, a connection conductor for connecting the moving contacts, an operating rod connected to the connecting conductor by means of an insulator and protruding from the non-earthed metal vacuum chamber, a sealing means for sealing the protrusion of the operating rod at the non-earthed metal vacuum chamber, circuit terminals protruding from the non-earthed vacuum chamber, an earth layer surrounding an outer periphery of the insulating mold, and a potential control means. The control means for controlling the potential of the non-earthed metal vacuum chamber is connected between the circuit terminals and is connected to the non-earthed metal vacuum chamber at the intermediate point of the potential control means.
US07679014B2
In a pressure switch with a housing in which a plunger element is located that is movable against a spring force of a first elastic element—contacts being located directly or indirectly on the plunger element, and the first elastic element being located on the side of the plunger element facing toward or away from the media connection—a second elastic element is provided, against the spring force of which the plunger element can be moved. As a result, the pressure switch can be used for pressures>200 bar in situations where overall dimensions are small.
US07679012B2
A high-voltage automatic changeover switch, includes a support and a control circuit board mounted on the support. In one embodiment, the support includes an insulating frame, four high-voltage contacts mounted on each of two opposite plates of the insulating frame, four high-voltage contacts on the same plate being pair-to-pair arranged, the high-voltage contacts at the corresponding positions on the two plates being pair-to-pair arranged. A motor is provided on the support, and when switching the high voltages, the control circuit board controls the rotation of the motor to automatically switch the connection relation between the high-voltage contact pairs. Embodiments of the switch have a voltage-resistance of above 50 KV, allowing a pulse current of not less than 500 A to pass through, and good contact performance and a high stability. In one aspect, the high-voltage automatic changeover switch performs automatic switching of power source high voltages in an accelerator system, so that the accelerator obtains electron beams with different energies, thus allowing an expanded scope of application of the accelerator, including updating and upgrading of non-destructive testing systems, custom container inspection systems, and high-energy CT systems.
US07679008B2
The present invention relates to a portable storage device with multiple data interfaces coupled to an electronic device for performing data access. The portable storage device has a casing, a circuit board, a first data interface and a second data interface. The casing contains a cavity, and a first opening and a second opening are located in both sides thereof. The circuit board is placed inside the cavity and contains a memory for performing data access. One terminals of the first data interface and the second data interface are electrically connected to both sides of the circuit board, respectively. The other terminals of the first data interface and the second data interface protrude out of the casing via the first opening and the second opening, respectively, to be coupled to an electronic device for performing data access.
US07679007B1
A modular in-wall medical services unit for medical care facilities. A housing is supported inside the wall. The housing is divided longitudinally into front and rear chambers. The service outlet cabinet and gas conduits are mounted in the front chamber. The rear chamber is divided into multiple raceways for the electrical wires. The top of the housing is above the ceiling, and a junction box is mounted on the front of the housing near the top so that it extends beyond the wallboard and above the ceiling. This allows the wallboard to be installed around the cabinet and the junction box before or after gas and electrical connections are completed. Because there are no external wiring conduits, the unit is easier to ship. Additionally, the narrow footprint allows the unit to be placed adjacent another structure in the wall or in a corner, increasing the placement choices in the room.
US07679006B2
A signal line, a power supply pattern and a ground layer are formed within a board. An outer via and an inner via are formed within the board. The outer via is connected to the signal line. The inner via is connected to the ground layer. The outer via serves as a signal line. The inner via serves as a ground. The signal line within a printed wiring board is connected to the outer via without interruption by a ground. The signal lines can spread within the printed wiring board in a complicated pattern as compared with a conventional pattern. Moreover, the impedance matching can reliably be established.
US07679002B2
In one aspect, the invention provides a semiconductor device that comprises a semiconductor device packaging substrate core. A first interconnect structure is located within a mold region and on a die side of the substrate core and has a first conductive metal density associated therewith. A second interconnect structure is located within the mold region and on a solder joint side of the substrate core and has a second conductive metal density associated therewith, wherein the second conductive metal density within the mold region is about equal to or less than the first conductive metal density within the mold region.
US07679000B2
A wildlife guard for electrical power equipment including a body constructed to mount onto the equipment. The body has an electrically conductive layer thereon. The electrically conductive layer comprises an electrically insulating material with a conductive filler material in quantity sufficient for the guard to maintain an electrostatic charge. The electrically conductive layer is bonded to the body by over-molding or co-molding techniques. The electrically conductive layer can be continuous or can be discrete segments separated by non-conductive segments. The body can be constructed from a conductive or non-conductive material.
US07678999B2
A gold alloy wire for a bonding wire contains one kind or two kinds of Pt and Pd of 5000 ppm to 2% by mass in total, Ir: 1 to 200 ppm, Ca: 20 to 200 ppm, Eu: 10 to 200 ppm, Be: 0.1 to 30 ppm, if necessary, and La: 10 to 200 ppm, if necessary. At least two kinds of Ca, Eu, Be, and La are in a range of 50 to 250 ppm in total.
US07678997B2
An appliqué for forming a surface coating to a substrate is disclosed. The appliqué contains a sectioned metal foil that provides a large area electrical circuit for connecting electrical devices. The appliqué may provide additional functions including lightning strike protection. The substrate may be an aircraft surface.
US07678992B2
A thin film photoelectric converter, especially an integrated thin film photoelectric converter having improved photoelectric conversion efficiency is provided by controlling an open-circuit voltage and a fill factor so as not be small in a thin film photoelectric converter including a crystalline silicon photoelectric conversion unit. The thin film photoelectric converter by the present invention has at least a transparent electrode film, a crystalline silicon photoelectric conversion unit, and a back electrode film formed sequentially on one principal surface of a transparent substrate, and the converter has a whitish discoloring area on a part of a surface of the converter after formation of the crystalline silicon photoelectric conversion unit. A percentage of dimensions of the whitish discoloring area preferably is not more than 5% of a dimension of the photoelectric conversion area. A thin film photoelectric converter of the present invention is preferably an integrated thin film photoelectric converter.
US07678984B1
Method and apparatus for programmatically generating interesting audio file playlists. A playlist generation mechanism may use an N-gram model of audio file ordering patterns found in a collection of human-generated playlists to automatically generate new playlists. Given play histories indicating one or more played audio files as input, statistical methods may be used to look for sequences of audio files that occur a statistically significant number of times in the N-gram model for inclusion in new, interesting playlists that incorporate the human element found in the collection of playlists. In some embodiments, one more backoff probability methods may be used to provide additional candidate audio files for playlists if there is insufficient coverage for an audio file in the N-gram model. In one embodiment, a class-based statistical model incorporating higher-level statistics for the audio files may be used to weight selection of audio file transitions from the N-gram model.
US07678981B2
A keyboard structure capable of suppressing a depth dimension of a keyboard instrument and rearward displacements of key main bodies to thereby prevent plastic deformation of hinges. White and black key main bodies are each disposed for pivotal motion around a common base end, serving as a key fulcrum, in a key depression/release direction via a hinge extended therefrom vertically downward. A rear stopper is provided in an intermediate portion of a key frame, and a contact portion of a stopper contact member is in light contact with a front surface of the rear stopper when a key main body is in a key depression initial position. In a key-nondepressed state, when a rearwardly force is applied to a key main body, the rear stopper applies the contact portion with a forwardly force against the rearwardly force, thus suppressing a rearward displacement of the key main body.
US07678978B2
A support for a body of a stringed instrument includes a brace structure having a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body. The brace structure has a substantially flat first surface. A portion of the plurality of legs conforms to a soundhole opening which is integrated into the body of the stringed instrument. A brace for a body of a guitar includes a unitary structure adapted to mount to a soundboard of the guitar. The unitary structure has a plurality of arms radially disposed about a central body. A method of assembling a guitar includes mounting a brace structure to a soundboard of the guitar. Again, the brace structure has a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body.
US07678975B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH611387. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH611387, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH611387 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH611387.
US07678973B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV932121. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV932121, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV932121 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV932121 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV932121.
US07678967B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV795034. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV795034, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV795034 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV795034 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV795034.
US07678964B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5916542. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5916542. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5916542 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5916542 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07678959B2
The present invention relates to a film base material for an adhesive skin patch, which includes an elastomer film unevenly having unevenness on at least one surface thereof, in which, in one unevenness in which the distance perpendicular to the surface of the elastomer film between the top of the unevenness and the bottom thereof is the longest among the plurality of unevenness, the distance is within the range of from 1 to 5 μm; in another unevenness in which the distance perpendicular to the surface of the elastomer film between the top of the unevenness and the bottom thereof is the shortest among the plurality of unevenness, the distance is within the range of from 0.1 to 0.9 μm; and the 10-point average roughness of the surface is within the range of from 0.5 μm to 3 μm, and which is decreased in glossy texture on the surface thereof and inconspicuous when it is applied to the skin or the like; and the adhesive skin patch including the film base material.
US07678956B2
The invention relates to a method for producing propylene during which a first gas mixture, which is technically free of oxygen but contains propane, water vapor and hydrogen, and which has a temperature of at least 400° C., is led into a reaction device having at least one catalyst bed as well as usual dehydration conditions. Another gas mixture, which contains propane and oxygen and which can also contain ammonia, the propane content exceeding the oxygen content, is led into the same reaction device in which it reacts with the first gas mixture while forming propylene, water vapor and hydrogen, and the formed gas mixture containing propylene, water vapor and hydrogen is drawn out of the reaction device.
US07678955B2
A composite material comprises: (a) a porous crystalline inorganic oxide material comprising a first framework structure defining a first set of uniformly distributed pores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from 0.3 to less than 2 nanometers and comprising a second framework structure defining a second set of uniformly distributed pores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from 2 to 200 nanometers and (b) a co-catalyst within the second set of pores of the porous crystalline inorganic oxide material (a).
US07678954B2
In a process for producing a hydrocarbon composition, a feed comprising at least one C3 to C8 olefin and an olefinic recycle stream rich in C9− hydrocarbons is contacted with a crystalline molecular sieve catalyst having an average crystal size no greater than 0.05 micron and an alpha value between about 100 and about 600 in at least one reaction zone under olefin oligomerization conditions including an inlet temperature between about 150° C. and about 350° C., a pressure of at least 2,860 kPa and a recycle to feed weight ratio of about 0.1 to about 3.0. The contacting produces an oligomerization effluent stream, which is separated into at least a hydrocarbon product stream rich in C9+ hydrocarbons and the olefinic recycle stream.
US07678953B2
A process for producing a hydrocarbon composition that comprises contacting a feed stream, that comprises at least one C3 to C8 olefin, and an olefinic recycle stream, that comprises a first olefinic recycle stream and no more than 10 wt % of C10+ non-normal olefins, with a molecular sieve catalyst in a reaction zone under olefin oligomerization conditions producing an oligomerization effluent stream; separating the oligomerization effluent stream to produce a first olefinic stream, that has a weight ratio of C4−/(C5-C8) molecules from about 0.8 to about 1.2 times the weight ratio of C4−/(C5-C8) molecules found in the oligomerization effluent stream, and a first hydrocarbon product stream, that comprises at least 1 wt % and no more than 30 wt % of C9 non-normal olefin; and splitting the first olefinic stream to produce the first olefinic recycle stream and a first purge stream.
US07678944B2
The invention aims at providing a process of subjecting a polyether polymer containing a double metal cyanide complex and/or residue compounds thereof as the metallic impurities to extraction with water to thereby remove the metallic impurities, which enables simpler and complete removal of the impurities; and polyether polymers obtained by the process. This aim is attained by a process for the purification of polyethers characterized by blending (A) a polyether containing a double metal cyanide complex and/or residue compounds thereof with ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof and water and then removing the aqueous phase from the resulting mixture to thereby remove the double metal cyanide and/or the residue compounds.
US07678935B2
Provided are compounds of formula A and formula I:A compound of formula A: wherein n is an integer from 6 to 17 and a compound of formula I:
US07678913B2
The present invention is directed to compounds represented by Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, and prodrugs thereof which are inhibitors of Factor Xa. The present invention is also directed to and intermediates used in making such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, methods to prevent or treat a number of conditions characterized by undesired thrombosis and methods of inhibiting the coagulation of a blood sample.
US07678910B2
5-Methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothiazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid of formula (5) or a salt thereof, [F14] is prepared by reacting a compound of formula (6) or a salt thereof, with a trihalogenoacetyl halide in the presence of a base, followed by hydrolysis.
US07678906B2
A process for improving the recovery of solid triphenylboron-pyridine compound (TPBP), while retaining desirable particle characteristics comprises the addition of an acid to neutralize at least a portion of the alkali contained in the aqueous mother liquor. By adjusting the pH of the product slurry to between about 8.5 and about 12, it is possible to increase product recovery by more than 10%, while maintaining desirable particle characteristics.
US07678901B2
A rapamycin analog with an antioxidant moiety or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is an immunomodulatory agent and is useful in the treatment of restenosis and immune and autoimmune diseases. Also disclosed are cancer-, fungal growth-, restenosis-, post-transplant tissue rejection- and immune- and autoimmune disease- inhibiting compositions and a method of inhibiting cancer, fungal growth, restenosois, post-transplant tissue rejection, and immune and autoimmune disease in a mammal. One particular preferred application of such antioxidant moiety containing rapamycin analog is in medicated devices wherein the stability and resistance to oxidative processes are essential to the success of rapamycin containing combination devices.
US07678900B2
A method of making chlorins comprises the steps of reacting (e.g. condensing) a dipyrrin western half intermediate with an eastern half intermediate to form a tetrahydrobilene, and then cyclizing the tetrahydrobilene to form a chlorin. Intermediates including tetrahydrobilenes useful in such reactions are also described.
US07678898B2
This patent pertains to a method of producing a waxy maize starch derived from a plant which is heterozygous for the recessive sugary-2 allele by interplanting waxy maize seed which is homozygous for the dominant sugary-2 allele and waxy maize which is homozygous for the recessive sugary-2 allele, one hybrid being male sterile. The maize is harvested and processed together to obtain starch with excellent low temperature and freeze-thaw stability, high pasting temperature, and intact granules.
US07678889B2
The present invention relates to newly identified nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides present in normal and neoplastic ovarian cells, including fragments, variants and derivatives of the nucleic acids and polypeptides. The present invention also relates to antibodies to the polypeptides of the invention, as well as agonists and antagonists of the polypeptides of the invention. The invention also relates to compositions containing the nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, antibodies, agonists and antagonists of the invention and methods for the use of these compositions. These uses include identifying, diagnosing, monitoring, staging, imaging and treating ovarian cancer and noncancerous disease states in ovarian, identifying ovarian tissue, monitoring and identifying and/or designing agonists and antagonists of polypeptides of the invention. The uses also include gene therapy, production of transgenic animals and cells, and production of engineered ovarian tissue for treatment and research.
US07678882B2
The invention relates to novel materials based on biodegradable polyamino acids that are useful for vectorizing active principle(s)(AP). The aim of the invention is to supply a new polymeric raw material that is used for vectorizing AP and optimally fulfills all requirements concerning biocompatibility, biodegradability, the ability to be easily associated with numerous active principles or solubilize the active principles and to release the active principles in vivo. Such polymers can also be readily and economically transformed into particles vectorizing active principles according to the grafting rate of the hydrophobic groups, said particles being able to form stable aqueous colloidal suspensions. The aim of the invention is achieved by the inventive amphiphile polyamino acids comprising aspartic and/or glutamic units that carry grafts which encompass at least one hydrophobic unit and are linked to the aspartic and/or glutamic units via a rotula containing two amide functions, more particularly via a spacer of the lysine or ornithine type. The amide functions ensure better stability during hydrolysis than comparable products known in prior art. The invention also relates to new pharmaceutical, cosmetic, dietetic, or phytosanitary compositions based on the inventive polyamino acids.
US07678880B2
A molecular-oriented polymer gel and its cast film obtained by self-assembly of a self-organizable amphiphilic compound and a monomer interacting with the amphiphilic compound, and then polymerizing the monomer, and their production methods.
US07678866B2
A polyethylene composition prepared by polymerizing ethylene and an optional olefin with ≧3 carbon atoms in the presence of a macromonomer, is provided. The macromonomer is a vinyl-terminated ethylene polymer prepared by polymerizing ethylene and an optional olefin with ≧3 carbon atoms, and the macromonomer has (A) Mn≧5,000, and Mw/Mn=2-5. The polyethylene composition comprises (C) branched polyethylene prepared by copolymerizing ethylene, the macromonomer and an optional olefin with ≧3 carbon atoms, and the macromonomer. The polyethylene composition has (D) a density of 0.890-0.980 g/cm3, (E) Mw=30,000-10,000,000, (F) Mw/Mn=2-30, (G) a long chain branch frequency of 0.01-3 per 1,000 C atoms, and (H) a shrinking factor (g′ value) of 0.1-0.9 as measured by GPC/intrinsic-viscosity. The polyethylene composition can be finely divided particles having (P) a powder bulk density of 0.15-0.50 g/cm3.
US07678865B2
The present invention relates to mixtures of substances based on organopolysiloxane polyethers and at least one further substance or component, preferably a polymer obtained from aqueous suspension, particularly preferably crosslinked functionalized polystyrene polymer beads, and also to the use of such mixtures of substances based on organopolysiloxane polyether together with crosslinked functionalized polystyrene polymer beads as free-flowing ion exchangers or free-flowing adsorbers, particularly preferably free-flowing monodisperse or heterodisperse anion exchangers or cation exchangers, but also free-flowing mixtures of anion and cation exchangers.
US07678861B2
New compositions for use as protective coatings and/or adhesives are provided. The compositions comprise a hydrocarbon resin (e.g., terpene rosin) and a rubber (e.g., EPDM) dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system. The solvent system is preferably a single-solvent system, and the compositions are preferably free of surfactants, dyes, and chromophores. The compositions can be cured or dried to form layers or films that are chemically and thermally resistant, but that can be readily dissolved and removed at the appropriate stage in the fabrication process.
US07678860B2
The present invention provides a polymer solid electrolyte excellent in thermal properties, physical properties and ion conductivity and being close to practical level; especially, a totally solid electrolyte and a composition for producing the same. A composition for polymer solid electrolyte includes a copolymer having repeating units represented by Formula (I): (wherein each of R1 to R3 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C10 hydrocarbon group; R4a and R4b independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R5 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, an acyl group or a silyl group; and m is an integer of 1 to 100), and repeating units represented by Formula (II): (wherein each of R6 and R8 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C10 hydrocarbon group; R9 represents an organic group having at lease one functional group selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group, carboxyl group, epoxy group, acid anhydride group and amino group); and an electrolyte salt.
US07678859B2
Provided is a method comprising polymerizing at least one fluorinated monomer in an aqueous emulsion polymerization in the presence of a carbosilane surfactant having at least one hydrophobic part, wherein the hydrophobic part has at least one silicon atom, and having at least one hydrophilic part, with the proviso that the carbosilane contains no Si—O bonds.
US07678853B2
The present invention provides a highly dielectric elastomer composition which shows a high dielectric constant in a wide temperature range from low to high temperature and has a low dielectric loss tangent, and a dielectric antenna composed of the highly dielectric elastomer composition. A dielectric antenna including a molding of a highly dielectric elastomer composition composed of an elastomer and a highly dielectric ceramic powder mixed with the elastomer and an electrode formed on the molding. The highly dielectric ceramic powder of barium titanate.neodymium ceramic has a temperature coefficient α(unit: 1/° C.) of a dielectric constant of the ceramic powder on 25° C. standard ranging from −200×10−6 to 100×10−6 over a temperature range from −40° C. to 100° C. The dielectric constant of the highly dielectric elastomer composition is ≧7 and a dielectric loss tangent thereof is ≦0.01.
US07678849B2
High chroma colored thermoplastic polyolefin compositions having enhanced weatherability are disclosed. The compositions incorporate ultraviolet light absorbers and hindered amine light stabilizers.
US07678848B2
A process to substantially remove fluorinated anionic surfactants from fluoropolymer dispersions comprising the following steps: a) addition to the fluoropolymer dispersion of one or more non fluorinated surfactants; b) contact of the dispersion with an anionic exchanger; c) separation of the dispersion from the anionic exchanger and recovery of the dispersion substantially fluorinated anionic surfactant free.
US07678847B2
The invention teaches an encapsulated curable adhesive composition especially adapted for use as a structural adhesive. The adhesive composition enables formation of a thin layer reactive composition of microcapsules and a two-part curative. The adhesive composition comprises a first population of microcapsules encasing a monomer and a first-part curative comprising an initiator. The adhesive composition further comprises a second-part curative. The second-part curative comprises an activator and a catalyst. At least the activator of the second-part curative is preferably encapsulated in a second population of microcapsules. The catalyst and the second population of microcapsules can be dispersed in a binder material, along with the first population of microcapsules. The first population of microcapsules contain encapsulated within the core a monomer having a Tg 35° C. or less and the first-part curative. The first population microcapsules contain encapsulated within the core a monomer having a Tg 35° C. or less along with the first-part curative. The encapsulated monomer and first-part curative constitute a blend which is a free flowing liquid having a viscosity of less than 500 Cp (milliPascal-second), and more preferably less than 10 Cp (milliPascal-second). The first population of microcapsules with first-part curative, and a second-part curative and second population of microcapsules are dispersed in a binder material. Reactive contact of the monomer and first-part curative with the second-part curative is affected by exuding the respective capsule contents into reactive contact through breakage of the microcapsules such as an interference fit of the substrate or substrates to which the composition is applied.
US07678846B2
An inkjet recording ink comprising water, a pigment dispersed using a polymer having an acid value of at least 50 mg KOH/g but not more than 200 mg KOH/g and a weight-average molecular weight of at least 20,000 but not more than 120,000, along with an alkyl alcohol polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene addition product with 8 to 16 carbon atoms.
US07678843B2
To provide a dental restorative material composition using an organic-inorganic composite filler having excellent surface smoothness like a natural tooth, low polymerization shrinkage, excellent X-ray contrast imaging property, similar transparency to that of a natural tooth, and no variation of transparency before and after the composition is hardened, the dental restorative material composition includes (a) a (meth)acrylate monomer, (b) an organic-inorganic composite filler having an average particle diameter of 5 to 50 μm which is made by mixing a (meth)acrylate monomer and a fine particle filler having an average primary particle diameter of 0.005 to 0.3 μm and having X-ray impermeability, (c) a fine particle filler having an average primary particle diameter of 0.005 to 0.04 μm, and (d) a photopolymerization initiator.
US07678834B2
4-aminocyclohexanol compounds, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical formulations comprising these compounds and the use of substituted 4-aminocyclohexanol compounds for the preparation of pharmaceutical formulations and for the treatment of diverse indications, including, without limitation, pain.
US07678833B2
A method for increasing the bioavailability of cysteine within an animal by reducing extracellular cysteine disulfide molecules to produce extracellular cysteine molecules. A membrane permeable thiol molecule that forms a membrane permeable disulfide molecule after becoming oxidized participates in thiol-disulfide exchange reactions on both sides of the cellular membrane, crossing the membrane randomly via simple diffusion. The membrane permeable disulfide, within or upon entering the highly reductive environment of a cell, becomes reduced to form a membrane permeable thiol molecule. the membrane permeable thiol can then diffuse to the exterior of the cell, where it is available to reduce another cystine molecule. This process can continue cycling, producing net cumulative increase in the concentration of extracellular cysteine. This is beneficial for providing cysteine as a nutrient to cells that require cysteine for nourishment.
US07678824B2
The present invention concerns the use of methods for evaluating bucindolol treatment for a patient, particularly one with heart failure. It concerns methods for determining whether to administer or prescribe bucindolol to a patient based on whether the patient is homozygous for the Arg 389 polymorphism in the β1-adrenergic receptor (AR).
US07678814B2
The invention relates to novel N-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-benzoyl)-2-benzyl-4-(quinoloy-lamino)-piperidines of the formula . . . wherein Y and R each are as defined above and the ring A is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen, nitro and trifluoromethyl; and the salts thereof, to the use thereof, to processes for the preparation thereof and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound according to the invention.
US07678813B2
The present invention provides a novel class of azadecalin compounds and methods of using the compounds as glucocorticoid receptor modulators.
US07678804B2
Pyrimidine derivatives of formula (I) in which J and Y represent aromatic or heteroaromatic rings; R2, G, G′, and G″ represent substituent groups and R2a represents H or halogen; L represents a linking group; and M represents CH or N. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and methods of using these compounds in treatment of hyperproliferative diseases such as cancer are also disclosed and claimed.
US07678797B2
The invention relates to 5-diazacycloalkylpyrazole derivatives of the formula (I) or salts thereof a process for their preparation, to compositions thereof and to their use for the control of pests, including arthropods and helminths
US07678793B2
Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) antagonists of formula I or II: and their use in treating anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric, neurological disorders as well as treatment of immunological, cardiovascular or heart-related diseases and colonic hypersensitivity associated with psychopathological disturbance and stress.
US07678792B2
The invention provides compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which are useful as protein kinase inhibitors, as well as methods for using such compounds to treat, ameliorate or prevent a condition associated with abnormal or deregulated kinase activity. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods for using such compounds to treat, ameliorate or prevent diseases or disorders that involve abnormal activation of c-kit, PDGFRα, PDGFRβ, CSF1R, Abl, BCR-Abl, CSK, JNK1, JNK2, p38, p70S6K, TGFβ, SRC, EGFR, trkB, FGFR3, FLT3, Fes, Lck, Syk, RAF, MKK4, MKK6, SAPK2β, BRK, KDR, c-raf or b-raf kinase, or mutant forms thereof.
US07678791B2
Substituted rifamycin derivatives in which a nitroimidazole, nitrothiazole or nitrofuran pharmacophore is covalently bonded to a rifamycin, methods of using the rifamycin derivatives, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the rifamycin derivatives are disclosed. Methods of synthesizing these substituted rifamycin derivatives are also disclosed. The rifamycin derivatives possess antibacterial activity, and are effective against a number of human and veterinary pathogens in the treatment of bacterial diseases.
US07678788B2
This invention relates to novel diazabicyclic aryl derivatives which are found to be cholinergic ligands at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Due to their pharmacological profile the compounds of the invention may be useful for the treatment of diseases or disorders as diverse as those related to the cholinergic system of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases or disorders related to smooth muscle contraction, endocrine diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders related to neuro-degeneration, diseases or disorders related to inflammation, pain, and withdrawal symptoms caused by the termination of abuse of chemical substances.
US07678780B2
Platelets are concentrated from the blood of a patient. The platelets are treated by a method such as ultrasound or agitation to obtain platelet releasate. This releasate as a whole or a component thereof is formulated into an injectable formulation which is administered to the same patient the platelets were extracted from in order to treat the patient's cancer.
US07678769B2
Novel polypeptides that are splice variants of c-Met, the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor and polynucleotides encoding same are provided. Methods and pharmaceutical compositions which can be used to treat various disorders such as cancer, immunological-related, blood-related and skin-related disorders using the polypeptides and polynucleotides of the present invention, are also provided.
US07678767B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for sealing localized regions of damaged lung tissue to reduce overall lung volume. The glue compositions provide a glue featuring an adhering moiety coupled to one or more other moieties including, for example, a cross-linkable moiety and/or one other adhering moiety. The methods and compositions of the invention find use, for example, in treating pulmonary conditions, such as emphysema.
US07678766B2
The invention concerns a novel method for preparing an intermediate polyanion for preparing cyclosporin derivatives by treating a cyclosporin with a hexamethyldisilazane metal salt, optionally in the presence of a metal halide. The treated cyclosporin has one or several free hydroxy groups and/or non-methylated nitrogen atoms in position α and/or any other acid group capable of deprotonation which are optionally deprotonated or in protected form.
US07678764B2
Liquid formulations of bone morphogenetic proteins are provided for prolonged use at elevated temperatures. More specifically, the invention relates to liquid formulations comprising rhGDF-5, trehalose, and one or more biocompatible excipients that provide stability to the protein for at least 30 days at temperatures up to body temperature.
US07678762B2
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising glucagon can be administered to control and treat diabetes while reducing or eliminating the risk of insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Also provided are methods of administering glucagon so as to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
US07678756B2
The present invention is directed to novel compounds of the general formula wherein R is hydrogen, a straight, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon moiety consisting of less than 10, most preferably less than 4 carbon atoms and containing single and/or double bonds, an acetyl group and substituted acetyl groups including cyclic groups, such as cyclopropyl acyl group, alkoxy ether groups and alkyl substituted alkoxy ether moieties such as, but not limited to, CH2—O—CH2—R5 wherein R5 is a C1-C4 alkyl group as well as double bond containing alkyl groups; R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group and R2 and R3 is independently equal to methyl; and wherein one of the dashed lines between the 5 and 10 position, the 4 and 5 position and the 5 and 6 position represents a second C—C bond in a C═C double bond.
US07678746B2
A lubricating composition containing (a). at least 3 weight percent of an overbased sulphonate detergent with a metal ratio of 12.5:1 to 40:1; (b). at least 1.5 weight percent of a sulphur containing phenate detergent with a metal ratio of not more than 2.5; and (c). an oil of lubricating viscosity, wherein the sulphur containing phenate contains oligomers of hydrocarbyl phenol with at least 50 wt % of said oligomers in the form of the tetramer or higher oligomers. The composition is suitable for internal combustion engines, particularly marine diesel applications to provide improved cleanliness decreased cylinder wear and reduced deposits.
US07678739B2
To provide a thermal transfer sheet having a back layer excellent in heat resistance and slipping properties and causing no wrinkling at printing and no image-defect by tailing, the sheet being able to be prepared without a heat treating, such as aging.A thermal transfer sheet, comprising a substrate film, a transfer ink layer formed on one face thereof, and a back layer formed on the other face thereof, wherein the back layer comprises: a mixed binder containing a polyamide-imide resin (A) having a Tg of 200° C. or higher as determined by differential thermal analysis and a polyamide-imide silicone resin (B) having a Tg of 200° C. or higher; a mixture of a polyvalent metal salt of alkylphosphoric ester (C) and a metal salt of alkylcarboxylic acid (D), a silicone oil (E); and an inorganic filler (F).
US07678732B2
The instant invention is directed to the preparation of a slurry catalyst composition. The slurry catalyst composition is prepared in a series of steps, involving mixing a Group VIB metal oxide and aqueous ammonia to form an aqueous mixture and sulfiding the mixture to form a slurry. The slurry is then promoted with a Group VIII metal. Subsequent steps involve mixing the slurry with a hydrocarbon oil, and combining the resulting mixture with hydrogen gas (under conditions which maintain the water in a liquid phase) to produce the active slurry catalyst.
US07678731B2
An improved hydroprocessing catalyst having improved morphology/dispersion characteristics is provided. The hydroprocessing catalyst has the formula (Mt)a(Lu)b(Sv)d(Cw)e(Hx)f(Oy)g(Nz)h, wherein M is at least one group VIB metal; L is optional and if present, L is at least one Group VIII non-noble metal; t, u, v, w, x, y, z representing the total charge for each of the components (M, X, S, C, H, O and N, respectively); ta+ub+vd+we+xf+yg+zh=0; 0=
US07678726B2
A supported polymerization catalyst system is prepared by a method comprising the following steps: (i) addition of a cocatalyst to a porous support, (ii) mixing a polymerisation catalyst with a polymerisable monomer, and (iii) contacting together the components resulting from steps (i) and (ii). The porous support is preferably silica and the polymerisation catalyst is preferably a metallocene. The polymerisable monomer is typically 1-hexene and the supported catalyst system provides advantages a slowly decaying activity profile particularly when operating in the gas phase.
US07678722B2
A glass composition that includes a base glass composition including: SiO2 from 65 to 75 weight percent, Na2O from 10 to 20 weight percent, CaO from 5 to 15 weight percent, MgO from 0 to 5 weight percent, Al2O3 from 0 to 5 weight percent, K2O from 0 to 5 weight percent, and a colorant and property modifying portion including total iron ranging from of equal to or less than 0.6 weight percent; and TiO2 ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 weight percent, wherein the redox ratio ranges from 0.33 to 0.45 and the weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition.
US07678718B2
A base layer apparel is provided that is formed from a single or double-knit fabric. The fabric is formed of ring spun fire resistant yarns that are an intimate blend of at least 60 percent modacrylic fibers and up to 40 percent fire-resistant viscose fibers. Anti-microbial and wicking treatments may be applied to the knit fabric.
US07678708B2
A method of forming (and apparatus for forming) a metal oxide layer, preferably a dielectric layer, on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process and ozone with one or more metal organo-amine precursor compounds.
US07678706B2
The occurrence of a package crack in the back vicinity of a die pad is restrained by making the outward appearance of the die pad of a lead frame smaller than that of a semiconductor chip which is mounted on it, and also the occurrence of a package crack in the main surface vicinity of the semiconductor chip is restrained by forming a layer of organic material with good adhesion property with the resin that constitutes the package body on the final passivation film (final passivation film) that covers the top layer of conductive wirings of the semiconductor chip.
US07678695B2
A circuit substrate comprises a glass substrate 16, through-holes 18 formed through the glass substrate 16 and via electrodes 20 buried in the through-holes 18. An opening width of the through-holes 18 is minimum inside the glass substrate and is increased toward both surfaces of the glass substrate 16. Accordingly, the detachment of the via electrodes 20 can be prevented without increasing the surface roughness of the inside walls of the through holes, and stresses generated in the core substrate can be mitigated.
US07678667B2
A method of bonding an integrated circuit to a substrate is provided. The integrated circuit is one of a plurality of integrated circuits, each having a respective frontside releasably attached to a film frame tape supported by a wafer film frame. The method comprises the steps of: (a) positioning a substrate at a backside of the integrated circuit; (c) positioning a bonding tool on a zone of the film frame tape, the zone being aligned with the integrated circuit; and (c) applying a bonding force from the bonding tool, through the film frame tape and the integrated circuit, onto the substrate.
US07678659B2
A method for reducing leakage current in a semiconductor capacitor. The method includes providing a top plate for collecting charge, providing a bottom plate for collecting an opposing charge to the top plate, providing a dielectric layer for insulation between the top plate and the bottom plate, providing a top contact, providing a bottom contact, providing a plurality of vias including top level vias for connecting the top plate to the top contact, and bottom level vias for connecting the bottom plate to the bottom contact; and separating a via and an adjacent structure such that their distance is greater than a minimum via spacing requirement of a foundry design rule for a semiconductor process producing the semiconductor capacitor.
US07678657B1
A system and method are disclosed for manufacturing an emitter structure in a complementary bipolar complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CBiCMOS) transistor manufacturing process. A protective layer is formed over an emitter layer in a transistor structure and lateral portions of the protective layer and the emitter layer are etched to form an emitter structure. An oxide layer is then deposited over the transistor structure and an etchback process is performed to remove portions of the oxide layer from the top of the protective layer. A source/drain implant process is then performed to implant an extrinsic base region of the transistor. The protective layer protects the emitter structure from the implant process. Then the protective layer is removed from the emitter structure.
US07678656B2
An HV PMOS device formed on a substrate having an HV well of a first polarity type formed in an epitaxial layer of a second polarity type includes a pair of field oxide regions on the substrate and at least partially over the HV well. Insulated gates are formed on the substrate between the field oxide regions. Stacked hetero-doping rims are formed in the HV well and in self-alignment with outer edges of the gates. A buffer region of the first polarity type is formed in the HV well between and in self-alignment with inner edges of the gates. A drift region of the second polarity type is formed in the buffer region between and in self-alignment with inner edges of the gates. The drift region includes a region having a gradual dopant concentration change, and includes a drain region of the second polarity type.
US07678655B2
A method for forming a field effect transistor device employs a conformal spacer layer formed upon a gate electrode. The gate electrode is employed as a mask for forming a lightly doped extension region within the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode and conformal spacer layer are employed as a mask for forming a source/drain region within the semiconductor substrate. An anisotropically etched shaped spacer material layer is formed upon the conformal spacer layer and isotropically etched to enhance exposure of the source/drain region prior to forming a silicide layer thereupon.
US07678650B2
Example embodiments provide a nonvolatile memory device and a method of manufacturing the same. A floating gate electrode of the nonvolatile memory device may have a cross-shaped section as taken along a direction extending along a control gate electrode. The floating gate electrode may have an inverse T-shaped section as taken along a direction extending along an active region perpendicular to the control gate electrode. The floating gate electrode may include a lower gate pattern, a middle gate pattern and an upper gate pattern sequentially disposed on a gate insulation layer, in which the middle gate pattern is larger in width than the lower gate pattern and the upper gate pattern. A boundary between the middle gate pattern and the upper gate pattern may have a rounded corner.
US07678621B2
Disclosed are a crystallization pattern, and a method for crystallizing amorphous silicon. The method includes the steps of forming an amorphous silicon film on a glass substrate, forming a crystallization pattern by patterning the amorphous silicon film, and crystallizing the crystallization pattern into polycrystalline silicon by irradiating a laser onto the crystallization pattern. The crystallization pattern includes a peripheral region located within a first distance from an edge of the crystallization pattern, and an internal region located away from the edge of the crystallization pattern by more than the first distance. The internal region is divided into at least one sub-region, each sub-region includes one crystallization inducement pattern, and an edge of each sub-region is located within a second distance from the crystallization inducement pattern.
US07678619B2
A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor matrix substrate is provided. The first photo-mask process is used to define a gate electrode and a signal electrode. The second photo-mask process is used to obtain different thickness of a PR layer in different regions for forming a channel, gate electrode through holes, signal electrode through holes and conductive pads. The third photo-mask process is used to define a source, a drain, an upper signal electrode, a pixel electrode, gate electrode pads and signal electrode pads.
US07678618B2
An electrical package for an integrated circuit die which comprises a die-attach paddle for mounting the integrated circuit die. The die-attach paddle has at least one down-set area located on a periphery of the die-attach paddle. The down-set area has an upper surface and a lower surface, with the upper surface configured to electrically couple a first end of a first electrically conductive lead wire. A second end of the first electrically conductive lead wire is bonded to the integrated circuit die. The upper surface is further configured to electrically couple a first end of a second electrically conductive lead wire and a second end of the second electrically conductive lead wire is bonded to a lead finger of the electrical package.
US07678610B2
A semiconductor chip package and method of making the same. A first chip unit includes a first substrate and a first IC chip electrically connected to the first substrate. A second chip unit includes a second substrate and a second IC chip electronically connected to the second substrate. An adhesive material is provided on a surface of the first IC chip and the second chip unit is mounted onto the surface of the first chip unit including the adhesive material so that at least a portion of the second structure is encapsulated by the adhesive material, thereby providing some encapsulation in the same step as mounting. The first chip unit and the second chip unit may be separated by a spacer which may also provide an electrical connection.
US07678608B2
The present invention provides a process for producing a wiring circuit board which can be inhibited from developing whiskers and can be reduced in the unevenness of connectivity with electronic parts while retaining the connectivity. According to the present invention, a wiring pattern 12 comprising a thin metal film 31 and a conductor layer 33 is formed on a base insulating layer BIL. A tin-plated layer 34 is formed by electroless plating so as to coat the wiring pattern 12 therewith. The wiring pattern 12 and the tin-plated layer 34 are then subjected to a heat treatment. The heat treatment temperature and heat treatment period are regulated to 175 to 225° C. and 2 to 10 minutes, respectively. By the heat treatment, a mixture layer 35 comprising copper and tin is formed. Thereafter, a solder resist SOL is formed over the base insulating layer so as to cover the wiring pattern 12 and tin-plated layer 34 in given regions. Subsequently, the solder resist SOL is subjected to a heat curing treatment.
US07678607B2
Resistive switching memory elements are provided that may contain electroless metal electrodes and metal oxides formed from electroless metal. The resistive switching memory elements may exhibit bistability and may be used in high-density multi-layer memory integrated circuits. Electroless conductive materials such as nickel-based materials may be selectively deposited on a conductor on a silicon wafer or other suitable substrate. The electroless conductive materials can be oxidized to form a metal oxide for a resistive switching memory element. Multiple layers of conductive materials can be deposited each of which has a different oxidation rate. The differential oxidization rates of the conductive layers can be exploited to ensure that metal oxide layers of desired thicknesses are formed during fabrication.
US07678605B2
A method and associated composition for chemical mechanical planarization of a chalcogenide-containing substrate (e.g., germanium/antimony/tellurium (GST)-containing substrate) are described. The composition and method afford low defect levels as well as low dishing and local erosion levels on the chalcogenide-containing substrate during CMP processing.
US07678604B2
Disclosed is a CMOS image sensor and a method for manufacturing a CMOS image sensor. The method includes: (a) forming a resist film on a semiconductor substrate comprising a light sensing part, a protecting layer over the light sensing part, and an exposed bonding pad; (b) forming a color filter array on the thin resist film; (c) forming a plurality of microlenses over the color filter array; and (d) etching the resultant structure until the bonding pad is exposed.
US07678583B2
A multifunctional reagent for erythrocytes containing an amount sufficient to produce the lysis of erythrocytes or the sphering of erythrocytes in such a way that they can be detected by a cytometer or an automatic counting device, of a carbamate or of an agent inducing the formation by the erythrocytes, from carbonate and from a nitrogenated heterocycle or ammonium ions, of a carbamate combined with the absorption of CO2 by the erythrocytes, process for lysing or sphering erythrocytes and preparation process for leucocytes.
US07678564B2
The invention relates to a container 20, 30 for receiving an aqueous solution, which is formed at least partially by an outer limit 21 forming an inner chamber 22, 32 for receiving the solution, and which comprises at least one area which acts as an electrode 25, 26, 33, 34 when an electric voltage is applied and a subsequent discharge occurs, wherein at least one electrode 25, 26, 33, 34 is made of a conductive synthetic material at least based on a plastic material which is doped with at least one conductive substance. A container 20, 30 of the above-mentioned kind is created this way, which is simple and economical to produce and also, for example, enables an efficient transfection of living cells by means of electroporation or an effective electrofusion.
US07678551B2
Generally, the present invention relates to lamotrigine analogs that have substituents at the triazine 3-position and on the benzene 4-position and 5-position. The lamotrigine analogs can include immunogenic moieties that can be used to prepare anti-lamotrigine antibodies, or antigenic moieties that can be used in immunodiagnostic assays for lamotrigine. Also, the lamotrigine analog can include tracer moieties for detecting the presence or amount of the analog during an immunodiagnostic assay. Additionally, the lamotrigine analogs can be used in immunodiagnostic assays to compete with lamotrigine for binding with anti-lamotrigine antibodies.
US07678550B1
The present invention provides clostridial toxin substrates useful in assaying for the protease activity of any clostridial toxin, including botulinum toxins of all serotypes as well as tetanus toxins. A clostridial toxin substrate of the invention contains a donor fluorophore; an acceptor having an absorbance spectrum overlapping the emission spectrum of the donor fluorophore; and a clostridial toxin recognition sequence that includes a cleavage site, where the cleavage site intervenes between the donor fluorophore and the acceptor and where, under the appropriate conditions, resonance energy transfer is exhibited between the donor fluorophore and the acceptor.
US07678540B2
Transmembrane receptors in the signaling pathways of bacterial chemotaxis systems influence cell motility by forming noncovalent complexes with the cytoplasmic signaling proteins to regulate their activity. The requirements for receptor-mediated activation of CheA, the principal kinase of the Escherichia coli chemotaxis signaling pathway, can be demonstrated using self-assembled clusters of a receptor fragment (CF) derived from the cytoplasmic domain of the aspartate receptor, Tar. Histidine-tagged Tar CF can be assembled on the surface of unilamellar vesicles via a lipid containing the Nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid moiety as a headgroup. The stability of such a complex can be controlled by the properties of the template including the size and composition, which can be used, for example, to vary the 2-dimensional concentration of receptor fragments. Surface-assembled CF is also found to serve as a substrate for receptor methylation, which is catalyzed by the receptor transferase. Since neither CheA activation nor CF methylation is observed in comparable samples in the absence of vesicles, it is concluded that surface-templating generates the organization among CF subunits required for biochemical activity.
US07678537B2
A topcoat material for immersion lithography and a method of performing immersion lithography using the topcoat material. The topcoat material includes a mixture of a first polymer and a second polymer. The first and second polymers of the topcoat material, when the topcoat material is formed into a topcoat layer between an immersion fluid and a photoresist layer, disperse non-homogenously throughout the topcoat layer.
US07678529B2
A multilayer resist process comprises forming in sequence an undercoat film, an intermediate film, and a photoresist film on a patternable substrate, and effecting etching in multiple stages. A silicon-containing film forming composition is useful in forming the intermediate film serving as an etching mask, comprising a silicon-containing polymer obtained through hydrolytic condensation of at least one Si—Si bond-containing silane compound having formula: R(6-m)Si2Xm wherein R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, X is alkoxy, alkanoyloxy or halogen, and m is 3 to 6. The composition allows the overlying photoresist film to be patterned to a satisfactory profile and has a high etching selectivity relative to organic materials.
US07678523B2
To provide a magnetic toner which has superior low-temperature fixing performance and pressure roller anti-staining properties even in various forms of use, has been kept from image defects such as image non-uniformity even during long-time image reproduction and can achieve high-level image quality. In a magnetic toner having toner particles containing at least a binder resin and a magnetic material, the activation energy Ea (kJ/mol) that is determined from a shift factor aT120 in a master curve of the toner, prepared when 120° C. is set as reference temperature, and the activation energy Eb (kJ/mol) that is determined from a shift factor aT150 in a master curve of the toner, prepared when 150° C. is set as reference temperature, satisfy Expression (1), and the Ea is 110 kJ/mol or less: 1.00≦Ea/Eb<1.20 (1).
US07678520B2
A method for producing an electrophotographic toner comprising the steps of: (1) mixing a water-insoluble organic solvent, an oil-soluble dye capable of chelating with a metal, a metal compound and water to form an oil-soluble dye dispersion, (2) removing the organic solvent from the oil-soluble dye dispersion to form colored microscopic particles, and (3) adding an emulsion thermoplastic resin to the colored microscopic particles so as to associate the particles with slow coagulation.
US07678519B2
The present invention provides an electrophotographic photoreceptor, a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus including the same, wherein the electrophotographic photoreceptor prevents the generation of excessive residual potential, which usually occurs on a photoreceptor having a protective layer composed of an inorganic material, and achieves both of high durability and favorable electrical characteristics.An electrophotographic photoreceptor composed of a conductive substrate having thereon a photosensitive layer and a surface layer formed in this order, wherein the total composition ratio of a group 13 element, oxygen, and hydrogen to the total element content in the surface layer is 0.95 or more, and the abundance ratio of the oxygen to the group 13 element is from 1.1 to 1.5.
US07678514B2
A positive-type photosensitive resin composition that exhibits excellent adhesion to a substrate after a humidification treatment includes (A) an alkali-soluble resin, (B) a photosensitive diazoquinone compound, and (C-1) a silicon compound shown by the following formula (1), wherein R1 and R2 represent alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R3 represents an organic group, and R4 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and i represents an integer from 0 to 2.
US07678513B2
A photo mask includes an asymmetrical diffraction grating pattern in which diffraction efficiencies of plus primary diffracted light and minus primary diffracted light are different, the asymmetrical diffraction grating pattern including a shielding portion which shields light, a first transmitting portion which transmits light, and a second transmitting portion which transmits light, a ratio of widths of the shielding portion, the first transmitting portion, and the second transmitting portion being n11 where n is a positive real number except 2, the asymmetrical diffraction grating pattern approximately satisfying 163°≦360°/(n+2)+θ≦197° where θ (≠90°) indicates an absolute value of a difference between a phase of the light transmitted through the first transmitting portion and that of the light transmitted through the second transmitting portion, and a reference pattern for obtaining an image as a reference for measuring a shift of an image of the asymmetrical diffraction grating pattern.
US07678512B2
A method of fabricating a grayscale reticle includes preparing a quartz wafer substrate; depositing a layer of SRO on the top surface of the quartz substrate; patterning and etching the SRO to form an initial microlens pattern using step-over lithography; patterning and etching the SRO to form a recessed pattern in the SRO; depositing an opaque film on the SRO; patterning and etching the opaque film; depositing and planarizing a planarizing layer; cutting the quartz wafer into rectangular pieces sized to be smaller than a selected blank reticle; bonding the a piece a to selected reticle blank to form a grayscale reticle; and using the grayscale reticle to form a microlens array on a photoimager.
US07678510B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing a mask for exposure, which is capable of measuring the phase difference between a shifter portion and a non-shifter portion with good accuracy.A mask for exposure having: two first light-shielding device patterns, which are formed on a quartz substrate (transparent substrate) in a device region at a first gap and extend over a first concave portion; a second device light-shielding pattern at a second gap from the first device light-shielding pattern; two first light-shielding monitor patterns, which are formed on the quartz substrate in a monitor region at a third gap wider than the first gap and extend over a second concave portion; and second light-shielding monitor pattern, which has a fourth gap wider than the second gap from the first light-shielding monitor pattern, in which the size of the first light-shielding monitor pattern is equal to or less than the size of the first light-shielding device pattern.
US07678507B2
A holographic recording medium having a polymer matrix comprising a developer, wherein the holographic recording medium is capable of recording a latent hologram and the developer is capable of developing the latent hologram into a readable hologram by activation of the developer is disclosed. The holographic recording medium is capable of storing large numbers of holograms in the same volume with better signal resolution than previous holographic media by first recording a multitude of latent (or very weak) holograms in the same volume of space, then applying preferably a non-chemical fixing step to develop the latent holograms into readable holograms. The holographic recording medium and method of this invention cause the holograms to increase in diffraction efficiency, thus preventing complications caused during recording of holograms whereby previously recorded holograms interfere with latter recorded holograms in the same volume of space within the media.
US07678503B2
The present invention includes compositions, surface and bulk modifications, and methods of making of (1−x)Li[Li1/3Mn2/3]O2.xLi[Mn0.5-yNi0.5-yCo2y]O2 cathode materials having an O3 crystal structure with a x value between 0 and 1 and y value between 0 and 0.5, reducing the irreversible capacity loss in the first cycle by surface modification with oxides and bulk modification with cationic and anionic substitutions, and increasing the reversible capacity to close to the theoretical value of insertion/extraction of one lithium per transition metal ion (250-300 mAh/g).
US07678497B2
A battery including: a solid electrolyte film; and a plurality of unit cells formed thereon and connected in parallel. Each of the unit cells consists of: a positive electrode provided on one side of the solid electrolyte film; a negative electrode provided on the other side of the solid electrolyte film at a position opposite to the positive electrode; and a part of the solid electrolyte film sandwiched between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
US07678493B2
A battery pack provided with a battery block (3), a case (2), and a circuit board (4). The battery block (3) has a plurality of batteries (1) lined up in a horizontal row with the same orientation, and lead plates (5) connect to terminals of those batteries (1) to form a parallel unit (6). A plurality of parallel units (6) are stacked in the vertical direction with a different orientation, and battery terminals are connected by lead plates (5) in the vertical direction to connect parallel units (6) in series. Lead plates (5) have projections (10) which protrude horizontally beyond the confines of the battery block (3) and connect with the circuit board (4), and the battery block (3) and circuit board (4) are connected as a unit.
US07678491B2
A stack for a fuel cell includes a first collecting plate having a first electric polarity, a second collecting plate having a second electric polarity different from the first electric polarity, and at least one electricity generator located between the collecting plates. The at least one electricity generator is for generating electric energy due to electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to be collected by the collecting plates. Coupling members press the at least one electricity generator in an airtight connection between the collecting plates. A terminal member protrudes from the second collecting plate and is electrically connected to the first collecting plate and insulated from the second collecting plate, such that the terminal member is used as a first terminal having the first polarity. The second collecting plate or a second terminal member may also be used as a second terminal having the second polarity.
US07678490B2
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell is provided with a conductive separator having one or more gas flow channels for supplying and exhausting a gas to and from an electrode of the fuel cell. The gas flow channels are connected to and in fluid communication with an inlet manifold on the separator. The cell also includes a gas supply connection in fluid communication with the inlet manifold of the separator. Water accumulation in the cell can be advantageously reduced by configuring the connections to the inlet manifold so that the lowermost part of any gas flow channel connections with the inlet manifold is above the uppermost part of the gas supply connection to the inlet manifold.
US07678486B2
A separator includes an electrically conductive flat plate and two electrically conductive channel plates superposed on each other with the electrically conductive flat plate interposed therebetween. The separator includes a plurality of manifolds for passing a reaction fluid to an adjacent cell are provided in the electrically conductive flat plate, and a plurality of zigzag or straight through-channels for permitting the flowing of the reaction fluid from the manifolds are formed in each of the two channel plates. The separator includes the through-channels in any one of the two electrically conductive channel plates disposed so that they are partially overlapped with the manifolds in the electrically conductive flat plate, and the through-channels in the other electrically conductive channel plate are formed to be partially larger than the contour of the electrically conductive flat plate.
US07678483B2
An oxidizer catalyst assembly for use in a fuel cell system for oxidizing anode exhaust gas and in which a first catalyst member is situated along a gas flow path and a second catalyst member is situated along the gas flow path following the first catalyst member. Each of the catalyst members includes a plurality of channels for passing the gas therethrough and an oxidizing catalyst deposited in the channels. The channel density of the channels of the second catalyst member is greater than the channel density of the channels of the first catalyst member and the channel width of the channels of the second catalyst member is less than the channel width of the channels of the first catalyst member.
US07678481B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel tank configured to store a fuel at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure; a vaporizer configured to vaporize the fuel; a reformer configured to reform the vaporized fuel into a hydrogen rich gas; a CO gas removal apparatus configured to remove CO gas in the hydrogen rich gas; and a cell unit configured to generate electricity by allowing the hydrogen rich gas to react to oxygen.
US07678478B2
A fuel cell assembly (20) has a plurality of characteristics that extend the useful life of the assembly. In one example, flow field layers are non-porous and hydrophobic such that they have an acid absorption rate of less than about 0.10 mg/khr-cm2. An electrolyte retaining matrix has a reaction rate with phosphoric acid of less than about 0.010 mg/khr-cm2. Hydrophilic substrates associated with catalyst layers have an initial transferable phosphoric acid content of less than about 25 mg/cm2. A condensation zone provides an evaporative phosphoric acid loss rate that is less than about 0.17 mg/khr-cm2.
US07678473B2
Provided is an organometallic complex that highly effectively emits a phosphorescent light and an organic electroluminescent device using the same. The organometallic complex can be used to form an organic layer of an organic electroluminescent device, is a highly effective phosphorescent material emitting light of 400 nm to 650 nm, and can be used with a green emission material or a red emission material to emit a white light. In addition, the organometallic complex can be used in a solution process due to its high solubility, and thus, is suitable for large-scale screens.
US07678467B2
The present invention is directed to an air-blown roofing asphalt modified with polyphosphoric acid and roofing products made with the polyphosphoric acid-modified, air-blown asphalt.
US07678455B2
A laminated film is provided, in which a laminated layer including at least 50 percent by weight of composition (A) and cross-linking agent (B) is laminated on at least one surface of a thermoplastic resin film, wherein the composition (A) is a composition comprising a polythiophene and a polyanion or a composition comprising a polythiophene derivative and a polyanion, and the laminated layer has a sea-island structure in which the cross-linking agent (B) is present in the composition (A). Consequently, a laminated film exhibits an unprecedentedly high level of antistatic property unaffected by changes in humidity, and has excellent transparency, water resistance, and scratch resistance.
US07678452B2
A carbon nanotube hybrid system includes: a carbide-derived carbon prepared by reacting a carbide compound and a halogen group containing gas to extract elements of the carbide compound except carbons; metals supported on the carbide-derived carbon or remaining in the carbide-derived carbon; and carbon sources from which carbon nanotubes are grown from the carbide-derived carbon. A method of preparing the carbon nanotube hybrid system includes preparing the carbide-derived carbon, extracting elements therefrom, and growing carbon nanotubes from the carbide-derived carbon. The carbon nanotube hybrid system has excellent uniformity and a long lifetime. An electron emitter having improved electron emitting properties can be inexpensively prepared using the carbon nanotube hybrid system compared to conventional carbon nanotubes. An electron emission device having excellent electron emitting properties can be prepared using the electron emitter.
US07678446B2
The transparent conductor of the present invention comprises a conductive layer containing a conductive particle, a binder, a polymerization initiator, and a radical scavenger. In the transparent conductor of the present invention, the conductive layer contains the radical scavenger in addition to the conductive particle. Therefore, even when the conductive particle is pumped upon irradiation with UV rays, so that a radical occurs in the conductive layer, the radical scavenger contained in the conductive layer captures the radical. This restrains the radical from acting on the remaining polymerization initiator and thereby causing a side reaction. As a result, adjacent conductive particles are restrained from fluctuating the distance therebetween.
US07678445B2
The invention relates to a receiver sheet for electrophotography comprising a base material having thereon at least one toner receiver layer comprising a mixture of polyolefin and at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyolefin copolymers, amide containing polymers, and ester containing polymers, wherein a measured Tg of said at least one receiver layer is less than 5° C.
US07678444B2
The present invention provides articles comprising a thermoformable composite comprising: a core comprising a renewable polymer having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 90° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 90° C.; and a heat-resistant outer layer substantially surrounding the core and comprising a heat-resistant polymer having: (a) a Ts of greater than about 60° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index of greater than about 50° C.; wherein the renewable polymer comprises at least about 60% by weight of the composite, and wherein the heat-resistant polymer has a Ts value and heat distortion index greater than that of the renewable polymer. The present invention also provides methods for coextruding the heat-resistant polymer outer layer and renewable polymer core to provide a thermoformable composite.
US07678435B2
A powder-free medical glove having a first surface of a powder-free coagulant and a second surface with a polymer coating to ease donning. The powder-free coagulant on the first surface comprises micronized high-density polyethylene, a micro-emulsion of amino silicone, a dimethicone emulsion, calcium salts, an ethoxylated acetylenic diol surfactant and a cellulose thickener. The medical gloves are made in an on-line process of making latex articles that involves dipping hand-shaped formers into the coagulant before dipping them into the latex. The gloves are thereafter coated with a polymer to improve donnability before removal from the formers. The novel coagulant formulation permits easy removal of the articles from the formers, eases double-donning of gloves and eliminates the need for off-line processing.
US07678431B2
The invention relates to a photostable liquid-crystalline medium comprising at least one compound of the formula I and at least one compound of the formula II and to the use thereof for electro-optical purposes, and to displays containing this medium.
US07678425B2
A process for finishing a wood or wooden board, in particular an MDF or HDF board, with an upper side and an underside. The process includes applying a sealing layer of melamine resin to the upper side of the board and printing a decoration onto the sealing layer. A protective layer is applied of melamine resin to the decoration and the board is pressed under the action of temperature until the protective layer and the sealing layer melt and bond to each other with the inclusion of the decoration printed on.
US07678423B2
An elastomeric stamp is used to deposit material on a non-planar substrate. A vacuum mold is used to deform the elastomeric stamp and pressure is applied to transfer material from the stamp to the substrate. By decreasing the vacuum applied by the vacuum mold, the elasticity of the stamp may be used to apply this pressure. Pressure also may be applied by applying a force to the substrate and/or the stamp. The use of an elastomeric stamp allows for patterned layers to be deposited on a non-planar substrate with reduced chance of damage to the patterned layer.
US07678420B2
A chemical vapor deposition method provides a smooth continuous germanium film layer, which is deposited on a metallic substrate at a sufficiently lower temperature to provide a germanium device suitable for use with temperature sensitive materials such as aluminum and copper. Another chemical vapor deposition method provides a smooth continuous silicon germanium film layer, which is deposited on a silicon dioxide substrate at a sufficiently low temperature to provide a germanium device suitable for use with temperature sensitive materials such as aluminum, copper and chalcogenides memory materials.
US07678417B2
A coating apparatus has a stage module, a temperature regulating module which adjusts a temperature of a substrate to a set temperature, a coating module which applies a coating liquid to the temperature-regulated substrate, and a heating module which heats the coating-liquid applied substrate, arranged in a process section in order from an upstream end of transfer along a transfer path of the substrate, and has a dummy stage placed between the coating module and the heating module so that when by means of a substrate transfer mechanism which has an upper arm and a lower arm, provided one on the other and advanceable and retreatable independently of each other, substrates are transferred one by one from an upstream module to a downstream module in order by alternately operating the upper arm and the lower arm, that arm which performs transfer from the temperature regulating module to the coating module differ from that arm which receives a substrate from the heating module, that numbers are sequentially assigned to downstream modules with the stage module at the upstream end taken as a first module, that substrate which is located on the first stage module is received with the upper arm when the temperature regulating module is an even-numbered module, and the substrate located on the first stage module is received with the lower arm when the temperature regulating module is an odd-numbered module.
US07678411B2
The invention provides a method of forming a wiring pattern in which a conductive material layer is formed in a pattern formation region having a first region, which is bordered by a bank pattern and has a first width, and a second region, which touches the first region and has a second width smaller than the first width, on a substrate, by discharging a droplet of a conductive material in a liquid phase using a droplet discharge device. The method includes forming the conductive material layer to cover the first region and the second region, by discharging the droplet having a diameter smaller than the first width and greater than the second width toward the first region. In this case, the droplet is discharged such that the droplet lands at a position that faces a boundary line between the first region and the second region.
US07678404B2
To provide a ubiquinone supplementation food which is obtained by adding a composition containing ubiquinone and an oil/fat; an edible oil/fat composition which contains ubiquinone; a process for producing a ubiquinone supplementation food which comprises dissolving ubiquinone in an oil/fat under heating, and adding the obtained mixture to a food material; a method for preventing precipitation and/or localization of ubiquinone in a food which comprises producing a food by dissolving ubiquinone in an oil/fat under heating and adding the obtained mixture to a food material; and a method for supplying ubiquinone which comprises ingesting said foods.
US07678400B2
Cone-shaped food items and cones having various food stuffs in them are cooked by placing a cone-shaped food item into a cone-shaped heating station that travels through an oven and past an inclined heater element. The heating station rotates the cone-shaped food item so that it is uniformly heated as it passes through the oven.
US07678398B2
An insert for insertion into a pressurized container for liquids has a component chamber for receiving an active substance and a pressure chamber for introducing the active substance into the liquid when opening the container for liquids. The pressure chamber has at least one small outer bore. The insert is freely movable in the container for liquids but has such a stable floating position on a surface of the liquid within the container for the liquids that the outer bore always points upwardly and optimizes a pressure compensation with the environment. After opening the container for liquids, the resulting relative overpressure in the pressure chamber in relation to the released pressure in the container for liquids effects an opening of the component chamber.
US07678390B2
The present invention relates to the use of carbon monoxide (CO) as a biomarker and therapeutic agent of heart, lung, liver, spleen, brain, skin and kidney diseases and other conditions and disease states including, for example, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, interstitial lung diseases, idiopathic pulmonary diseases, other lung diseases including primary pulmonary hypertension, secondary pulmonary hypertension, cancers, including lung, larynx and throat cancer, arthritis, wound healing, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, peripheral vascular disease and pulmonary vascular thrombotic diseases such as pulmonary embolism. CO may be used to provide anti-inflammatory relief in patients suffering from oxidative stress and other conditions especially including sepsis and septic shock. In addition, carbon monoxide may be used as a biomarker or therapeutic agent for reducing respiratory distress in lung transplant patients and to reduce or inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation in transplant patients.
US07678387B2
A novel encapsulated product is provided and includes: at least one pharmaceutical; at least one compressible material; and at least one tableting material; wherein the encapsulated product is in the form of a caplet having a diameter of from about 1 millimeter to about 7 millimeters and a length from about 1 millimeter to about 7 millimeters. A method for preparing the encapsulated product is also provided.
US07678384B2
Disclosed are 5-(vinylamino)pyryazole derivatives of formula I or pesticidally acceptable salts thereof (I) wherein, for example, W is ═N—, ═CH—, ═CR6— or ═C(NH2)-, R6 is halogen or haloalkyl, R1 is cyano, halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl or —CS—NH2, R2 is alkyl or cycloalkyl, R3 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, —CO—O—R9, —CO—R10, —SO—R″, —SO2—R12; R9, R10, R11 and R12 are for example organic groups, R4 is halogen or —NH2, R5 is haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, halogen or —SF5, and n is an integer selected from 0, 1 or 2. These compounds cab be used for controlling pests, especially by treatment of domestic animals.
US07678380B2
The present invention relates to a method of cosmetic treatment for combating the effects of skin ageing and to novel cosmetic compositions which are particularly suitable for carrying it out. According to the invention, at least one agent for promoting the adhesion of the keratinocytes of the epidermal basal layer to the dermo-epidermal junction, especially to the collagen IV of said junction, such as, in particular, a divalent metal salt or complex, preferably magnesium aspartate or magnesium chloride, is used, optionally in association with a stimulant of collagen IV synthesis and/or a stimulant of collagen VII synthesis.
US07678358B2
A method of making a carbon fiber from softwood alkaline black liquor lignin by acetylating the lignin to provide a meltable and drawable lignin.
US07678351B2
Applying an acid treatment to eggshells provides a sorbent with unexpectedly high CO2 capture capacity and ability to regenerate.
US07678347B2
The present invention discloses novel catalysts for treating automobile exhaust that have increased resistance to poisoning from oil- and/or fuel-derived additives. In the catalysts of this invention, the catalytic materials are not coated onto a front-end poison capture zone of the support that carries the catalytic layers. Since poisonous elements tend to deposit on the upstream end of the catalyst, such poisons do not inactivate any of the catalytic materials.
US07678345B2
A holding sealing material has a mat shape and includes an adsorption portion, a holding portion, and a coupling portion. The adsorption portion is configured to adsorb urea and has a width and a longer side face extending along a longitudinal direction of the holding sealing material. The holding portion is configured to hold an exhaust gas treating body and has another width and another longer side face extending along the longitudinal direction. The width of the adsorption portion is smaller than the width of the holding portion. The longer side face of the adsorption portion faces the longer side face of the holding portion via a space. The coupling portion connects the adsorption portion and the holding portion.
US07678343B2
There is disclosed a catalyst support for selective gas phase reactions in a tubular fixed bed reactor comprising a metallic monolith having channels the walls of which are adapted to receive a catalytically active phase or an intermediate layer acting as a carrier for a catalytically active phase. The monoliths are coated with catalytically active material and loaded lengthwise into tubular reactors, the channels being parallel to the length of the reactors. The catalysts are particularly useful in the chlorination/oxychlorination of alkenes and alkanes, and the oxidation of alkenes. Compared with the use of conventional catalysts in pellet form or in the form of ceramic monoliths the catalysts of the invention offer greater yields and selectivity, the avoidance of hot spots, greater catalyst life and flexibility in use.
US07678335B2
This invention relates to an apparatus for simultaneously carrying out multiple and highly parallel synthesis of compounds based on the solid-phase synthesis technique, in particular, peptide synthesis.Time-consuming and costly multiple rinsing processes required in solid-phase synthesis after distributing and replacing the reagents can be avoided by proposing an improved apparatus for fully automatic synthesis and subsequent separation of the synthesized compounds that involves separate synthesizer pins 11 for each synthetic unit with a reagent reservoir 20; 21 and individual dosing capability. These synthesizer pins 11 are provided in a separate holder 4 from where they are picked up by the gripper arm 2 of the automatic synthesizer 1. The openings of the reaction chambers 9 of the synthesizer plates 5 are closed (covered) by a permeable material 25 for contamination-free placement of the synthesizer pins 11 and adding reagent doses to the solid or liquid phases. In addition, a sample plate 27 that collects the samples dissolved after separation is provided underneath the valve block 6 (see FIG. 1).
US07678334B2
Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The sample processing devices provide process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group of process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas.
US07678328B1
Rotatable bomb device includes a housing with a hollow interior for receipt of a rotatable component to a vessel, and support for the component in the interior; and the component for such receipt and support in the housing. The device may be employed as a reactor or in test methods, for example, methods such as oxygen uptake tests analogous or equivalent to the ASTM-D-2272 and ASTM-D-4742 test methods.
US07678326B2
An apparatus for manufacturing fine particles includes a reactor; a first inlet part including at least one port introducing a reactive gas flow containing a fine particle source material; a second inlet part including at least one port introducing a diluting gas flow; a heater exciting the fine particle source material in the reactive gas flow; a first plate including through-holes which substantially equalize a flow rate of the reactive gas flow with respect to a cross section of a flow channel; a second plate including through-holes which substantially equalize a flow rate of the diluting gas flow with respect to a cross section of a flow channel; a gas exhaust port provided in a merging region where the reactive gas flow passed through the first plate and the diluting gas flow passed through the second plate are merged; and a collector which collects fine particles.
US07678319B2
A molding apparatus for patterning a workpiece includes a mold having a pattern to be transferred to the workpiece, with the pattern including recesses, a first support member for supporting the mold, and a second support member, arranged opposite to the first support member, for supporting the workpiece. A pressing mechanism brings the first and second support members close to each other and presses the mold and the workpiece together so as to transfer, to the workpiece, the pattern on the mold. Recessed portions are provided on at least one of a surface of the mold on the first support member side, a region of the first support member, and a region of the second support member. The recessed portions correspond to recesses in the pattern of the mold.
US07678310B2
A block tool for surface finishing operations, which has a support and coupling member (2) for connection to a machine tool, and an abrasive block (3) held by the support member (2), the abrasive block being obtained from a solution or emulsion of a granular abrasive material dispersed in a matrix comprising a thermoplastic resin.
US07678302B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming agarose or cored agarose beads. The process involves dissolving/gelation the agarose in a suitable liquid, mixing it with a hydrophobic liquid to form an emulsion and maintaining that emulsion at a temperature equal to or greater than the gelation point of the agarose, passing it through a static mixer to create agarose droplets and solidifying the agarose droplets in a second bath of hydrophobic liquid. The beads can then be washed and used or further processed to crosslink the agarose and/or add various functionalities on to the agarose. Another method for solidifying the agarose droplets is by using a heat exchanger to cool the stream continuously after it exits the static mixer. A similar process is used for the “cored” beads except cores, preferably in bead form, are introduced to the agarose before it enters the first hydrophobic liquid so that the agarose forms a coating on the cores. A similar process with either agarose beads (made by this or another process) or cored agarose (made by this or another process) can be used to add multiple layers of agarose on to the existing beads. An apparatus for running the process is also disclosed.
US07678295B2
A thermoplastic composition comprising a compatibilized blend of poly(arylene ether) and polyamide; a reinforcing fiber; and an electrically conductive filler. Greater than 50 weight percent of the polyamide, based on the total weight of the polyamide, is polyamide-6. The thermoplastic composition is useful in articles that are painted by electrostatic painting.
US07678290B2
A method for manufacturing a PZT-based low-sintering piezoelectric ceramic material, the ions to be added as starting compounds being added as powdered oxides and/or powdered carbonates, mixed together, and then calcined to form the piezoelectric ceramic material. After calcining the starting compounds, lithium in ionic form is added to the mixture in an amount of 0.01 to 0.1 wt. % in relation to the weight of the PZT ceramic.
US07678288B2
A method of manufacturing bonded substrate structures. The method includes providing a first substrate comprising a first surface region and processing the first surface region to form a first pattern region using a first photolithographic stepper characterized by a first tolerance criteria for alignment. The method also includes providing a second substrate comprising a second surface region and processing the second surface region through at least one masking process to form a second pattern region using a second photolithographic stepper characterized by a second tolerance criteria for alignment. Further, the method includes determining a masking process having a third tolerance criteria for alignment, the third tolerance criteria allowing for a change from the second to the first photographic stepper, processing the second substrate for at least the determined masking process using the first photolithographic stepper, and joining the first substrate to the second substrate to form a composite substrate structure.
US07678286B2
A system for separating an emulsion fluid into a recovered fluid and a purified fluid. The emulsion fluid comprises a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. The purified fluid is essentially constituted of the continuous phase. The system comprises a vessel at an inlet of which the emulsion fluid may flow. The system further comprises one or more coalescing elements made of Reusable Polymer Absorbent material. Each coalescing element allows to coalesce at least a portion of the dispersed phase from small droplets into large drops further detached from the coalescing element upon a flow of the emulsion fluid. The system further comprises one or more separating and guiding means made of oleophilic material. Each separating and guiding means is located a distance from an associated coalescing element and is disposed at an output of the associated coalescing element to guide the detached large drops for further recovery. The separating and guiding means has a structure that is adapted to allow the continuous phase to flow through the separating and guiding means.
US07678281B2
A method of reclaiming a well completion brine solution containing metal impurities by introducing to the brine solution an organic chelant of the formula: and may be either a neutral compound, a corresponding salt, or a corresponding quaternary salt, wherein: D is F-A (Y3)u(Y4)v; R is independently selected from Cp or CpC(O); Cp is a C1-C36, preferably a C8-C36, hydrocarbyl group, optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, sulfate, CH2CO2Z or —(CH2)nPO(OZ)2 groups; each A is independently selected from —N and —P; Y1 is independently selected from J, —[(F)-A(J)]w Y6 and R; J, R1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6 are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, R, —(F)nCO2Z and —(CH2)nPO(OZ)2; each F is independently selected from a C1-C12 hydrocarbyl group, optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, sulfate, CH2CO2Z or —(CH2)nPO(OZ)2 groups; Z is —H, a balanced organic counterion or a balanced counterion of an alkali or alkaline earth metal, Zn or NH4+ or a mixture thereof; m is 0 to 7; n is 1 to 7; r+s+t is 1 or 2; u+v is 1 or 2; and w is 0 to 7 provided when m is 0, no more than one of R1, Y1, Y2 and Y5 can be —H. An organic chelant may be introduced to the brine containing the metal impurities. The brine may contain an oxidizer. Further, the pH of the brine being reclaimed or the brine reclaimed may be adjusted by the addition of a pH adjustment agent.
US07678271B2
A collapsible container consists of three parts: a rigid top rim, a flexible center band, and a rigid base. This combination of sections allows the container to easily collapse to about one-third of its original height. The container is also quite stable when expanded and is self-supporting. In various embodiments of the invention, for example, the upper rim may be expandable, the base may include holes or mesh to serve as a colander or strainer, or the base may be configured as a tube to function as a funnel.
US07678268B2
The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for treating wastewater. The wastewater treatment system includes a bioreactor including activated carbon and a first biological population. The wastewater treatment system may also include a membrane bioreactor and/or a wet oxidation unit.
US07678265B2
The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for separating environmentally hazardous substances, such as heavy metals and oil, from a contaminated mass, such as sewage sludge or soil from industrial sites. According to the process, an aqueous metal hydroxide solution comprising Na, K or Ca is added to the contaminated material in form of high-pressure jets, in order to disintegrate the material and provide a homogeneous mixture. Thereafter, liquid containing the hazardous substances is separated from the washed material and subsequently filtrated. The essentially pure water resulting from the filtration step may be used for producing new metal hydroxide solution to be used in the process.
US07678264B2
Methods and systems for contacting of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product are described. At least one of the catalysts is an uncalcined catalyst. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. The crude product has a nitrogen content of at most 90% of the nitrogen content of the crude feed. One or more other properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.
US07678249B2
An instrument is provided for pharmacologic measurement capable of detecting a very small and short time change in electric signal caused by a pharmacologic action of a biologic specimen with quickness and a high sensitivity by steeply decreasing an external disturbance component mixed into the system while dropping/exchange of medicinal solutions is conducted in a batch mode.The pharmacologic measurement instrument detects a change in electric signal caused by a pharmacologic action or electrophysiologic action of a biologic specimen, and includes an electrically conductive box having an opening section at the top surface thereof, and a well vessel disposed in the opening section thereof, wherein the well vessel includes a base having recesses in which the biologic specimens are put; measurement electrodes formed on the bottom surfaces of the respective recesses; and reference electrodes electrically insulated from the respective measurement electrodes, and the reference electrodes together with the electrically conductive box electrostatically shields the well vessel.
US07678247B2
A device that supports a remote identifier for permanent cathodes in the electro-winning process. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a support for a proximity identification device for permanent cathodes that, when interconnected with a remote system, provides for a record of its behavior and position in time of each cathode during its useful life in an electro-winning process.
US07678230B2
The present disclosure is generally directed to a multiple ply paper product which includes a first ply comprising virgin fiber, pre-consumer recycled fiber, or mixtures thereof and a second ply comprising at least about 30% by weight post-consumer recycled fiber, wherein the average pore size distribution of the first ply is greater than the average pore size distribution of the second ply.
US07678224B2
The present invention relates to a method for reducing emissions of one or more gaseous substances from an assembly of at least two pieces of wooden materials, which have been glued together. It also relates to a method for producing a laminated wooden product comprising planing at least one of the sides of an assembly having glue lines exposed, and, treating the one or more planed sides by application of one or more treating substances reactive to one or more gaseous substances emitted from the at least one planed side. Finally, the present invention relates to a laminated wooden product having low emissions.
US07678214B2
A flaw and foreign object debris (FOD) detection system (11) for use during fabrication of a structure (12) includes an illumination device (13). The illumination device (13) is configured to be in proximity with a fabrication system (10) and illuminates a portion (18) of the structure (12). The illumination device (13) directs light rays (16) at acute angles relative to the portion (18). A detector (14) monitors the portion (18) and detects FOD in the portion (18) during fabrication of the structure (12) in response to the reflection of the light rays (16) off of the portion (18).
US07678208B2
In the press hardening process when a blank is formed and cooled in cooled tools (30,31), the tools are used as a fixture during the hardening. The tools have alternately contact surfaces (33,34) and clearances (35) in a certain area against the formed product (20-24) and the contact surfaces have an area that is less than 20% of the area. As a result, this area will be a soft zone (11) of the final product and the zone will have good dimensional accuracy.
US07678203B2
A welding flux formulated for pipe welding or one-side welding applications including a gas releasing agent, a high melting compound and a low melting compound. The welding flux is particularly formulated for limited pass welding applications which exhibit high impact strength, good slag detachability, low weld metal hydrogen and nitrogen absorption, and facilitates in the formation of smooth and consistent weld beads.
US07678200B2
An ultra-pure ozone water comprising an increased amount of an organic carbon capable of suppressing the reduction of the half-life period of ozone; and a method for producing the ultra-pure ozone water which comprises adding an organic solvent containing the above organic carbon to an ultra-pure ozone water containing a trace amount of the organic carbon. The above ultra-pure ozone water exhibits an increased half-life period of ozone, and thus, when used in cleaning a semiconductor substrate, allows the cleaning with an ozone water having an enhanced content of ozone, which results in exhibiting an enhanced cleaning capability and cleaning efficiency for an organic impurities, metallic impurities and the like adhered to the substrate, due to enhanced oxidizing action of ozone.
US07678199B2
A method is provided for reducing the amount of film fragments discharged into a processing liquid circulation system during removal of films from wafers, thereby reducing the frequency of filter cleaning or filter replacement. The method includes exposing a wafer containing a film formed thereon in a process chamber of a substrate processing system to a processing liquid, where the wafer is not rotated or is rotated at a first speed and the processing liquid is discharged from the process chamber to a processing liquid circulation system. Subsequently, exposure of the wafer to the processing liquid is discontinued and the wafer is rotated at a second speed greater than the first speed to centrifugally remove fragments of the film from the wafer. Next, the wafer is exposed to the same or a different processing liquid and the processing liquid is discharged from the process chamber to a processing liquid drain.
US07678196B2
A system for treating substrates, provided with at least one processing chamber to treat at least one substrate with a vacuum process, wherein said processing chamber is provided with a substrate access closable by a closing body, wherein the system is provided with a conveying device which is at least arranged to move said closing body, wherein said conveying device is arranged to convey a mask, intended to at least partly cover said substrate during said vacuum process, at least between a position outside the processing chamber and a position inside the processing chamber. It is advantageous when at least said substrate holder is provided with positioning means to position the substrate holder and the mask relative to each other. The invention further provides a use of such a system.
US07678190B2
A cement retarder system for use in underground wells included a borate compound, an organophosphonate salt, and a copolymer formed from AMPS and a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, acrylamide and mixtures thereof. A method of using the retarder system in an underground well having a borehole drilled therein with a borehole wall, and further including a casing disposed in said borehole, such that an annulus exists between said casing and said borehole wall, comprising the steps of providing a cement composition and a liquid carrier, providing a retarder system for said cement composition comprising a borate compound, an organophosphonate salt, and a copolymer formed from AMPS and a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, acrylamide, and mixtures thereof, mixing a sufficient amount of said retarder system to create a desired induction period with said cement composition and said liquid carrier to form a cement slurry, pumping the cement slurry from the surface down the casing, and causing said slurry to return to the surface in the annulus between the casing and the borehole wall.
US07678187B2
The invention provides a composition comprising an aqueous solution of 0.1-20 wt. % of a poly(amine) and 0.1 to 50 wt. % of a carboxylated carbohydrate having an average molecular weight of at least 100,000 D and a degree of carboxyl substitution of at least 5%, which carboxylated carbohydrate has been obtained by subjecting a corresponding original carbohydrate to an oxidation treatment whereby carboxyl and aldehyde groups are obtained by oxidation of hydroxyl groups of the original carbohydrate, after which the oxidised carbohydrate so obtained is contacted with a reducing agent whereby at least part of the aldehyde groups that were obtained in the oxidation treatment are reduced to hydroxymethyl groups, whereby the carboxylated carbohydrate comprises at least part of the reducing agent and/or its reaction product(s), and wherein the carboxylated carbohydrate forms a complex with the poly(amine).
US07678173B2
In a Pb-free copper-based sintered alloy containing from 1 to 30% of Bi and from 0.1 to 10% of hard matter particles having from 10 to 50 μm of average particle diameter, the Bi phase has a smaller average particle diameter than that of the hard matter particles and is dispersed in the Cu matrix, or the hard matter particles having 50% or less of a contact length ratio with the Bi phase based on the total circumferential length of the hard particle, which are in contact with said Bi phase, are present in a ratio of 70% or more based on the entire number of the hard matter particles.
US07678169B1
An oil fill cap for an internal combustion engine replaces a standard cap and provides separation of air and oil in a separation zone within the cap body. The cap body defines a plurality of passages therethrough, including an upstream passage, and first and second downstream passages meeting at a separation junction. The cap body defines a separation zone at the separation junction and receiving the air/oil mixture from the engine through the upstream passage, and sending separated air to the first downstream passage, and sending separated oil to the second downstream passage.
US07678154B2
A ureteral stent for assisting the movement of urine along a patient's ureter and into the patient's bladder. The stent includes an elongated tubular segment extending toward the bladder from a kidney end region for placement in the renal cavity to a bladder end region. A central lumen connects at least one opening at the first end region to at least one opening in the bladder end region. Thin flexible tail(s) are attached to the bladder end region of the tubular segment at a point outside the bladder so as to receive urine from the opening in the bladder end region of the tubular segment and to transport urine from there across the ureter/bladder junction and into the bladder. The tails include an elongated external urine-transport surface sized and configured to transport urine along the ureter. The urine transporting surface(s) are sized and configured to extend along at least part of the ureter, across the ureter/bladder junction, and from there into the bladder. In some embodiments, the distal region includes a tubular body with a lumen in fluid communication with an interstitial area defined by one or more flexible filaments of the proximal region forming at least one loop.
US07678150B2
A total shoulder prosthesis includes a glenoidal component a substantially hemispherical convex articular surface and of which a center of curvature is adapted, when the prosthesis is implanted, to be located in the glenoid cavity or in the immediate vicinity thereof, and a humeral component defining a concave articular surface adapted to cooperate with the convex articular surface of the glenoidal component. The concave humeral articular surface is defined by a metallic part of the humeral component to thereby reduce a space requirement of the prosthesis.
US07678149B2
Open chambered spacers, implanting tools and methods are provided. The spacers 500′ include a body 505′ having a wall 506′ which defines a chamber 530′ and an opening 531′ in communication with the chamber 530′. In one embodiment the wall 506′ includes a pair of arms 520′, 521′ facing one another and forming a mouth 525′ to the chamber 530′. Preferably, one of the arms 520′ is truncated relative to the other, forming a channel 526. In one aspect the body 505′ is a bone dowel comprising an off-center plug from the diaphysis of a long bone. The tools 800 include spacer engaging means for engaging a spacer and occlusion means for blocking an opening defined in the spacer. In some embodiments, the occlusion means 820 includes a plate 821 extendable from the housing 805. In one specific embodiment the plate 821 defines a groove 822 which is disposed around a fastener 830 attached to the housing 805 so that the plate 821 is slideable relative to the housing 805.
US07678129B1
A locking component for locking a medical device onto a guide wire. Such medical devices include, for example, an embolic filter assembly used to capture embolic material that may be created and released into a patient's vasculature during a stenting or angioplasty procedure. The embolic filter assembly tracks along the guide wire, and is delivered to a treatment site where it is locked in place and deployed. The locking component enables the filter assembly to lock onto any standard guide wire, and does not require a modified guide wire that has a specially-designed fitting or stop to accomplish the locking function.
US07678128B2
A deployment control system provides controlled deployment of an embolic protection device which may include a guide wire, an expandable filter attached to the guide wire near its distal end, and a restraining sheath that maintains the expanded filter in a collapsed position. The deployment control system includes a torque control device which allows the physician to torque the guide wire into the patient's anatomy and a mechanism for preventing the guide wire from buckling as the restraining sheath is being retracted to deploy the expandable filter. A recovery control system for recovering the embolic protection device includes an inner catheter which extends within a lumen of an outer recovery sheath in a coaxial arrangement. A distal portion of the inner catheter extends beyond another recovery sheath during advancement of the recovery system into the vasculature. The recovery sheath can be advanced over the inner catheter to collapse the expandable filter. The proximal ends of the inner catheter and recovery sheath include handle portions having snap mechanisms which hold the components together as the recovery system is being advanced into the patient's vasculature.
US07678127B2
A lancing device has a carousel of lancets removably received in a housing. In exemplary embodiments, the lancing device includes a sterility cap positioning mechanism that removes sterility caps from the lancets for actuation and afterwards replaces the sterility caps onto the lancets. Preferably, the lancing device includes a lancet advancing mechanism that automatically advances sequential lancets of the lancet carousel for charging and actuating, and a drive mechanism for actuating the lancets. Also provided are replacement lancet carousels, which include a cylindrical carrier with axial openings and a plurality of the lancets axially oriented in the openings.
US07678122B2
A method of performing a treatment for gastroesophagheal reflux disease (GERD) includes providing a distal end of a shaft of a medical instrument with a proximally facing end effector having a laterally offset clevis defining a shaft-clevis plane and opposing mutually rotatable jaws proximally directed and laterally displaced relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The jaws hold parts of a two-part fastener, respectively, and are offset and separated from the shaft. Significantly, the jaws operate in a plane at an angle to the shaft-clevis plane. The shaft is inserted with the proximally facing end effector through the esophagus in a first direction. The shaft is retracted in a second direction substantially opposite the first. The end effector contacts a stomach wall at a location near the esophagus and the stomach wall is manipulated with the end effector.
US07678120B2
An instrument and technique for the removal of epidermal layers in a controlled manner utilizing a hand-held instrument with a working end that (i) a vacuum aspiration system, (ii) a source for delivery of a sterile fluids or pharmacological agents to the skin; and (iii) a skin interface surface in the working end that has specially shape structure for abrading surface layers of the patient's epidermis as the working end is moved over the patient's skin while at the same time causing rapid penetration of the fluids into the skin for therapeutic purposes. Movement of the working end across the skin causes abrasion of the surface layers in a path over the patient's skin. The method of the invention may be used in a periodic treatment for the removal of superficial skin layers that enhances the synthesis of dermal collagen aggregates by inducing the body's natural wound healing response. The method of the invention creates more normal dermal architectures in skin with limited depths of skin removal by the series of superficial treatments that may be comparable to the extent of neocollagenesis caused by a deep skin removal treatment (e.g., CO2 laser skin removal).
US07678114B2
A surgical installation tool to insert a vertebral implant into a patient includes an elongated handle and a head attached to one end. The vertebral implant may be attached to the head. The head may include an engagement member that is movable between engaged and released positions. The engagement member may be outwardly biased so that it naturally rests in the released position. The engagement member may be inwardly movable from the released position to the engaged position. A reactive force caused by the inward deflection may supply the attachment force between the installation tool and the vertebral implant. The attachment between the vertebral implant to the installation tool may be maintained while the engagement member is in the engaged position.
US07678101B2
Connectors, connection systems, and methods for coupling a catheter or catheter assembly to a stem of a medical device. Exemplary connectors may include a seal attached at or near a proximal end of the catheter, and a tubular housing that includes a locking member operable to connect the catheter to the medical device, preferably without the use of tools. Exemplary methods may include: inserting the stem of the device into the housing, wherein the housing is configured to press the seal against the stem, compressing the seal, and moving the locking member into a locked position.
US07678097B1
A container is provided comprising a body defined, at least in part, by a film, the body including at least one side seal, at least two chambers separated, at least in part, by a peelable seal, and the film including a sealant layer having a bimodal thermal behavior such that the side seal is a permanent seal and the peelable seal can, at least in part, be separated.
US07678096B2
A connector system (10) for producing a sterile connection includes a fluid conduit (32), an engagement device (14, 22) designed to engage with a complementary engagement device (16, 24) of a complementary connector (12), a displacement device (26) with a substantially plane displacement surface (30) and a fluid conduit aperture (60) which extends through the displacement surface (30) and is connected to the fluid conduit (32), with the displacement device (26) being designed to displace the connector (12) and the complementary connector (12) relative to one another in a displacement direction (40) after the engagement device (14, 22) has engaged with the complementary engagement device (16, 24), and with the displacement direction (40) being substantially parallel to the displacement surface (30), and a sterile cover device (20, 74) designed to cover at least the fluid conduit aperture (60) in a sterile manner. The invention also relates to a method of use of the connector system (10) and of the complementary connector (12) for sterile connection of a fluid inlet of the connector (10) to a fluid outlet of the complementary connector.
US07678090B2
A control unit is adapted for use with a vacuum wound bandage. The control unit has a canister to collect waste material from the vacuum wound bandage, a fluid source to irrigate the wound, and a door to at least partially cover the fluid source.
US07678081B2
Systems and methods for penetrating a tissue membrane to gain access to a target site are disclosed. In some examples, systems and methods for accessing the left atrium from the right atrium of a patient's heart are carried out by puncturing the intra-atrial septal wall. One embodiment provides a system for transseptal cardiac access that includes a guiding catheter, an access catheter and a guidewire. The access catheter may include a tissue penetration member disposed within a housing wherein the tissue penetration member is substantially contained within the housing when in a retracted configuration. When the distal end of the access catheter is disposed adjacent the septal wall, the user can initiate an actuator switch, which may be in a proximal portion of the system, to cause the tissue penetration member to extend through the septal wall. Alternatively, the tissue penetration member can be actuated automatically by a contact trigger mechanism, without initiation by the user, upon contact with the septal wall by a distal contact member which is coupled to the contact trigger mechanism. Such a system may also include an interlock mechanism to prevent triggering of the tissue penetration member at undesirable times during a procedure.
US07678075B2
An infusion catheter having a distal shaft with an infusion tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the distal shaft, and a proximal cannula with an inner dimension and a distal end attached to a proximal end of the distal shaft to define an opening between the inner diameter of the infusion tube and the inner dimension of the proximal cannula. Also, a guidewire tube disposed within the inner dimension and the distal shaft and extending from the proximal end of the proximal cannula to the distal end of the distal shaft. The inner diameter of the infusion tube, the opening, the exterior dimension of the guidewire tube and the inner dimension cooperate and define sufficient cross sectional sizes to allow a treatment agent to be infused between the proximal end of the proximal cannula and the region of interest.
US07678073B2
An automatic injector separately stores liquid and dry components in respective compartments. When the injector is activated, a fluid-directing member between the liquid and dry compartments causes the liquid component to form a vortex as the liquid flows into the dry compartment. This allows the two components to combine more thoroughly and quickly to form a liquid solution that is delivered to an injection site.
US07678072B2
An injection device for holding and activating a two-chamber ampulla has components whose relative movement causes the pistons of the two-chamber ampulla to be moved in order to mix the substances, as well as devices for injecting the product which is mixed in this way. For this purpose, a receptacle (103) into which the two-chamber ampulla (111) can be inserted and secured is held in a housing (101), and the receptacle (103) can be displaced by means of a carriage (108). A tappet (104) which acts on the pistons (111A, 111B) is movably held in the receptacle (103). A traction cable (114) which is deflected by means of a roller (109) which is mounted on the carriage (108) and one of whose ends is connected to the receptacle (103) and the other end of which is connected to a tension spring (110) which is held on the housing (101) is provided in order to carry out a mixing stroke, insertion stroke, injection stroke and a return stroke. Devices which can be activated automatically and/or manually between the housing (101), receptacle (103), tappet (104) and carriage (108) control their alternating coupling to the traction cable (114) and thus the sequence of the mixing stroke, insertion stroke, injection stroke and return stroke. The invention thus provides a partially automatic injection device for two-chamber ampullas whose handling comfort and safety for the patient are substantially improved.
US07678066B2
A massage and/or dispensing device includes a body, and an applicator element intended to be placed in contact with a surface to be massaged and/or a surface to which a product is to be applied. The applicator element is movably retained in the body or mounted for movement relative to the body. The arrangement further includes a cooling arrangement which includes means of expanding a refrigerant liquefied gas directly in contact with the applicator element.
US07678065B2
The invention discloses a trabecular stent and methods for treating glaucoma. The stent may incorporate an intraocular pressure sensor comprising a compressible element that is implanted inside an anterior chamber of an eye, wherein at least one external dimension of the element correlates with intraocular pressure. In some embodiments, the sensor may be coupled to the stent. Also disclosed are methods of delivery of the stent and the sensor to the eye.
US07678063B2
A bellows-based patient breath-hold monitoring and feedback system for use in intermittent mode CT fluoroscopy-guided biopsies of the lung or upper abdomen where respiratory motion is a problem. Breath-hold monitoring and feedback with the bellows system allows a patient to perform consistent breath-holds at a preselected level, which in turn, optimizes intermittent mode CT fluoroscopy-guided biopsies of the lung or upper abdomen by allowing target lesions to be reliably visualized.
US07678053B2
The present invention aims to provide a delay device having an analog delay line adaptable to a plurality of frequencies with a less number of taps. The analog delay line has a maximum delay amount equivalent to a wavelength from over a ⅜ wavelength of a predetermined maximum wavelength of an input signal to under a 1 wavelength thereof. Tap intervals up to a delay point equivalent to ½ of a predetermined minimum wavelength of the input signal are different from tap intervals placed ahead of those. The maximum wavelength is a wavelength of a signal having a frequency of 2 MHz, for example, and the minimum wavelength is a wavelength of a signal having a frequency of 5 MHz, for example.
US07678052B2
An anatomic structure is detected based on a medical diagnostic imaging data set. The anatomic structure comprises at least two different types of tissue. At least one anatomic landmark is identified within the data set, the data set is overlaid with a contour template, and a search region of the data set surrounding the contour template is scanned to identify transition points associated with a predefined characteristic of the anatomic structure.
US07678043B2
A system device and a method for imaging and/or for obtaining a sample from, for example, endo-luminal areas. The system may include two or more devices which may be magnetically connected in a body lumen, for example the system may include a first device which may include an imager and a transmitter for transmitting in vivo data, and a second device which may include a sampling mechanism.
US07678040B2
A customized gynecological brachytherapy applicator is formed by placing a molded balloon, which is secured to a handle, into a vaginal cavity and then filling the mold balloon with a settable liquid material. The material may be an expanding foam or any other form of curable material that becomes solid, rigid or pliable, when set by chemical action, temperature change, oxidation, a curing means such as a light, or other curing regime. The mold balloon can be elastic or inelastic, depending on the degree to which the applicator is to conform its external surfaces to the vaginal contours. One or more lumina are provided in the set filler material to receive a radiation source, with additional lumina optionally provided for purposes such as drainage or administration of therapeutic agents. The applicator may be withdrawn and reinserted into the vagina during treatment, and selected tissues adjacent to the applicator are irradiated in accordance with a radiation prescription.
US07678035B2
A folded box gluing machine for the processing of folded box blanks includes at least one feeder unit arranged to transport the folded box blanks to downstream processing stations including a folding station, a glue applicator unit, a transfer station, a gathering and pressing mechanism, and a safety mechanism for a machine component presenting a danger to the human operator defined by a light curtain. The safety mechanism can be deactivated via a mobile operator unit, and the operator unit is designed such that it can only be operated with both hands.
US07678034B2
An apparatus including a surface containing at least one embossing element. The embossing element having a first sidewall angle and a second sidewall angle and wherein the first sidewall angle is different than the second sidewall angle.
US07678033B2
An exercise machine includes a rocker pivotally attached to a base. Pins are attached to the bottom of the rocker. Pins are attached to the base. Tensioned elastic members each extend from a pin in the base to a pin attached to the bottom of the rocker. The elastic members assist or oppose each other depending on the position of the rocker. The elastic members function to rotate the rocker in different directions when the rocker is pivoted to different positions.
US07678025B2
An exercise apparatus comprises: a frame having a base portion and having first and second right support elements and first and second left support elements; a crank system comprising first and second crank coupling locations, the crank system being supported by the frame; a right foot support member; a left foot support member; a right guide element coupled to the right foot support member and; a left guide element coupled to the left foot support member; a first flexible support system comprising a first flexible element, the first flexible element coupled to the first and second right support elements and the right guide element and coupled to the first crank coupling location; and a second flexible support system comprising a second flexible element, the second flexible element coupled to the first and second left support elements and the left guide element and coupled to the second crank coupling location, wherein alternating motion of the right and left foot support members causes the first and second crank coupling locations to rotate.
US07678024B2
The invention comprises a trampoline including a flexible mat, a plurality of resiliently flexible rods each having a lower end retained in a frame of the trampoline and an enlarged upper end, and a plurality of fittings coupled to the mat about a periphery of the mat and including on or in an underside of each fitting a socket cavity which receives the upper end of a flexible rod so that the upper ends of the flexible rods are pivotally connected to the periphery of the mat, the fitting also including an entry into the socket cavity for the enlarged upper end of the flexible rod through an upper side of the fitting and a restricted entry towards the socket cavity for a part of the flexible rod below said enlarged upper end and through which the rod upper end cannot pass, to one side of the fitting and defined between opposed side or underside parts of the fitting.
US07677995B1
An expandable arrow broadhead used for releasable attachment to one end of a hollow arrow shaft. The broadhead includes a sliding shaft with a pointed tip and tip base having two or more of cutting blades mounted thereon. Each of the blades includes an outer cutting edge and an inner edge with a beveled cam surface and locking notch therein. A portion of the sliding shaft is slidably received inside a hollow collar. The collar is attached to a sliding shaft housing. The sliding shaft housing is attached to an arrow shaft insert. The arrow shaft insert is adapted for receipt inside one end of the arrow shaft. In a retracted position, the blades are disposed next to and parallel to the length of the sliding shaft. When the pointed tip engages a target, the sliding shaft moves inwardly and rearwardly sliding inside the collar and inside a sliding shaft bore hole in the sliding shaft housing. As the sliding shaft moves rearwardly, the beveled cam surface of the blades engages a portion of the collar, which moves the blades outwardly with locking notch securing the blades in an extended position.
US07677984B2
A direct torque flow constant velocity joint connection interface includes a drive unit, a direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector and a sealant. The drive unit includes a shaft having a second interface surface. The direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector includes a unitary inner joint part having a first interface surface, where the first interface surface is connected to the second interface surface of the drive unit. The sealant provides filling between the first and second interface surfaces. Also provided is a direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector having sealant on an interface portion of an inner joint part and a method thereof.
US07677983B2
A drive assembly of a propeller shaft for use in the driveline of a motor vehicle, includes an intermediate bearing (31); a constant velocity universal joint (34); a shaft journal (33) having a first journal diameter (D1), and a free journal end which is connected to the constant velocity universal joint (34) and having a second journal diameter (D2), wherein a first journal length (L1) is measured between the bearing center of the intermediate bearing (31) and the joint center (34), and a second journal length (L2) is measured between the axial securing ring and the joint center; a rolling boot (43) is connected to an outer joint part (35) by a first collar and is positioned on the shaft journal (33) by a second collar; wherein the ratio between the second journal length (L2) and the second journal diameter (D2) is less than 2.0.
US07677978B2
A game apparatus provided with a touch panel that a player can use to enter an instruction by touching a touch panel with a stick or a finger. A touch panel image, including multiple button switch images, is displayed on the touch panel, and the player can enter a desired instruction by touching a button switch image associated with the desired instruction. Thus, the player is able to provide an instruction concerning the action of a selected character with a simple operation.
US07677974B2
The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems: for forming relationships between player characters, to allow for karma points, death, and reincarnation of player characters, for inheritance between player characters, to allow a game that progresses in eras, that allow reverse outcomes of game parameters, to create in-game objects from digital images of real life objects, to provide inventory management of in-game items and attributes, to facilitate favors between player characters, and to allow for genetic crossbreeding of parents to form children.
US07677958B2
A retaining ring has a generally annular body with a top surface, a bottom surface, an inner diameter surface, and an outer diameter surface. The outer diameter surface includes an outwardly projecting flange having a lower surface, and the bottom surface includes a plurality of channels.
US07677955B2
A grinding method for a wafer having a plurality of devices on the front side, wherein the back side of the wafer is ground by a grinding wheel to suppress the motion of heavy metal in the wafer by a gettering effect and also to maintain the die strength of each device at about 1,000 MPa or more. The grinding wheel is composed of a frame and an abrasive member fixed to the free end of the frame. The abrasive member is produced by fixing diamond abrasive grains having a grain size of less than or equal to 1 μm with a vitrified bond. A protective member is attached to the front side of the wafer and the wafer is held on a chuck table in the condition where the protective member is in contact with the chuck table. The grinding wheel is rotated as rotating the chuck table to thereby grind the back side of the wafer by means of the abrasive member so that the average surface roughness of the back side of the wafer becomes less than or equal to 0.003 μm and the thickness of a strain layer remaining on the back side of the wafer becomes 0.05 μm.
US07677949B1
A construction kit for constructing a play structure. The play structure for providing children a place to play includes: a square-shaped, planar horizontal support member; plurality of legs; an octagonal-shaped, concave floor member; an octagonal-shaped, planar floor member; a plurality of vertical support members; a substantially convex ceiling member; two staircases; and a flag pole, removably coupleable to a top side of the ceiling member, and configured to hang a flag thereon.
US07677948B2
An Entertainment System in combination with a commercially purchased toy, wherein the system allows a toy user to register the toy online using a registration code, allowing the user access to various entertainment activities and scenarios in a “virtual world” including a virtual representation of the toy, via a computer connected to the Internet. The system then encourages the user to purchase additional toys to enjoy additional benefits using the Entertainment System. The Entertainment System including a database subsystem, a registration subsystem, a server subsystem, and a virtual world providing subsystem.
US07677943B2
A method of manufacturing a photo-radiation source comprising the steps of providing a first planar conductor; disposing a formation of light emitting chips on the first planar conductor, each chip having a cathode and an anode, one of the cathode and anode of each chip being in contact with the first planar conductor. The method of manufacturing a photo-radiation source also includes the steps of disposing a second planar conductor on top of a formation of light emitting chips so that the second planar conductor is in contact with the other of the cathode and anode of each chip; and binding the first planar conductor to the second planar conductor to permanently maintain the formation of light emitting chips without the use of solder or wiring bonding for making an electrical and mechanical contact between the chips and either of the first planar conductor and the second planar conductor.
US07677939B2
The present invention is directed to an arm-brace for improving the efficiency of a swimmer's stroke. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the arm brace includes a first closed loop and a second closed loop that together form a figure-eight configuration. The first closed loop and the second closed loop are preferably at an angle with respect to each other such that the swimmer's hand is positionable through a portion of the first closed loop and the swimmer's forearm is positionable through the second closed loop. The arm brace is configured to control an angle between the swimmer's elbow and wrist in order to promote early vertical forearm positioning as the swimmer's arm moves through a catch phase of a swimming stroke.
US07677938B2
A tiller arm pivotably mountable to a marine outboard engine about a pivot axis is described. First and second arms extend away from the pivot axis. A middle portion has a first end attached to the first and second arms. A handle portion extends away from the second end of the middle portion in a direction away from the pivot axis. A throttle grip is rotatably mounted to the handle portion and rotatable with respect thereto about a throttle grip axis generally perpendicular to the pivot axis. The throttle grip is operatively connectable to the marine outboard engine. The width of an aperture defined by the arms and the middle section is greater than the widths of the throttle grip and the first and second arms.
US07677937B2
An operator control system for a boat, where an outboard motor includes a throttle actuator that controls throttle opening of the engine, a shift actuator that controls a shift position to be put into one of neutral, drive, and reverse positions, and an engine control unit that controls the engine. An operation input portion, to control propulsion of the outboard motor and an operation quantity computation portion, that computes control command values including a start and a stop, the throttle opening, and the shift position of the outboard motor by detecting a steering state of a boat driver at the steering seat, are mounted on an operator station. The operation quantity computation portion transmits the control command values to the outboard motor via a communication portion, and the outboard motor performs control of the start and the stop, the throttle opening, and the shift position of the engine according to the control command values received.
US07677934B2
A female electrical terminal, comprising at least one pair of mutually opposite leaf spring laminas, which are adapted to provide an accommodation and contact region for an associated blade-like male terminal. A first lamina is provided with a protrusion for contact with the blade-like male terminal, while a second opposite lamina has an extraction-preventing tooth which is designed to be inserted with a snap action in the hole of the interposed blade-like male terminal.
US07677918B1
A connector adapted for receiving an FPC board therein includes an insulating housing having a base board, a shell pivoted onto the insulating housing and having a top board, a plurality of electric terminals disposed in the base board of the insulating housing for electrically contacting the FPC board, and at least one ground terminal. The top board protrudes downward to form at least one connecting rib capable of electrically abutting against the FPC board. The ground terminal has a base portion fastened in the base board. A contacting portion and a soldering portion extend from two opposite ends of the base portion, respectively. The contacting portion stretches out of a top surface of the base board for being against the top board of the shell and the soldering portion stretches out of the base board.
US07677917B2
A connector in which a connection terminal is not pushed out from a housing even if an operation lever is mistakenly and excessively rotated is provided. When an operation lever is rotated for opening, a contact portion of the operation lever rides on a position regulating surface of a base before an upper surface of the operation lever contacts an edge of an upper surface on a rear surface side of the base, so that the operation lever is lifted upward.
US07677914B2
A string light engine includes a plurality of LEDs, a plurality of IDC connectors, and an insulated flexible conductor. Each IDC connector is in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of LEDs and is operatively mechanically connected to at least one of the plurality of LEDs. The IDC connectors attach to the conductor.
US07677912B2
An electrical connector for electrically connecting an IC package to a printed circuit board is provided, which includes an insulative housing including a main body for supporting the IC package and four straight peripheral sidewalls surrounding the main body; a stiffener having a base separably disposed around the insulative housing. The base defines an opening for receiving the insulative housing. And the stiffener further includes four elastic latches extending upwardly from inner sides of the opening for engaging with the insulative housing, and the insulative housing corresponding defines four slots on outside surfaces of the sidewalls for being resisting against the elastic latches.
US07677909B2
A PC card has a card body portion in which a first card terminal portion is formed in one end and a second card terminal portion is formed in the other end. The card terminal portion has a chip slot. A SIM card inserted through an insertion port into the chip slot is electrically connected to a printed circuit board. The insertion port of the chip slot is opened in an outer side face of the second card terminal portion.
US07677893B2
The present invention relates to training simulators for sharp shooting and introduces a number of functionalities that provide significant savings and further efficiencies such as usage of actual unmodified combat firearms for training purposes, simultaneous training of two individual shooters with individual identification and result display of the firing activity from each shooter on a computer generated concentrical target analogous to the ones used today in firearm training facilities, as well as the usage of a specialized weapon trigger contactor which is mounted on the actual weapon and that provides the usage functionalities to allow training on all single, and double action pistols as well as fully automatic weapons. The simulator also incorporates an emitting unit consisting of a laser light diode and the associated mounting mechanisms which allow the mounting of the emitting unit on any standard firearm. The training simulator is designed to provide high levels of accuracy of the registration of shots fired from any shooter with the use of a TV camera and a system of mirrors and other optical and electrical devices.
US07677891B2
Endosseous dental implants tapered over at least part of their length, include two separate portions, a shorter proximal region with half the distance and half the depth between adjacent peaks of multiple lead threads as the longer distal region which has half the number of multiple lead threads as in the proximal region.
US07677885B2
A material supply device for diffusion furnaces includes a main body, a fixing pedestal mechanism, a transmission mechanism and a cover mechanism for a furnace door. The main body includes a base portion and a main rod. The base portion is mounted on the main rod and the main rod extends through the base portion. The fixing pedestal mechanism is mounted on the main rod and is pivotedly mounted on a fixing pedestal. The transmission mechanism is mounted on the base portion and has a transmission rod slidably mounted on the base portion. The cover mechanism for a furnace door is fixed on an end of the transmission rod which is far away from the main body and is turnablely mounted on a cover of the furnace door. Based on the above assemblies, the present invention runs smoothly and improves production quality.
US07677874B2
A molding apparatus is provided for molding a leadframe, the molding apparatus comprising a mold having a leadframe-receiving area on its surface that is configured to receive and clamp the leadframe in the leadframe-receiving area. At least one molding cavity and a plurality of vacuum suction holes formed adjacent to the molding cavity are located within the leadframe-receiving area. The vacuum suction holes are operative to evacuate air from the mold surface, especially the molding cavity, through air vents connecting the vacuum suction holes to the molding cavity.
US07677871B2
A variable displacement hydraulic/pump motor has a yoke with a pair of shafts aligned to define a yoke pivot axis and connected to a valve plate therebetween having intake and discharge apertures. A rotatable cylinder barrel has piston cylinders open at one end to receive a piston head and opening through fluid ports at another end, flush against the valve plate surface. A drive block is mounted on an input/output shaft for rotation about a central axis of rotation inclined at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder barrel which may be changed by a drive engaging the yoke at a point near its pivot axis. Loads on bushings supporting the yoke shafts are reduced by providing radially extending fluid ports in the shafts and in communication with the intake and discharge apertures of the valve plate.
US07677864B2
A bulk materials pump feeder having a housing and a rotating drive rotor for transferring material from an inlet to an outlet of the housing. The drive rotor has a hub. Drive disks extend away from the hub toward a housing inner wall and have a compliant edge configured to deflect or compress when presented with pinched material rather than jamming.
US07677860B2
The invention relates to a method for transferring heavy loads, such as sheet-like objects, particularly anodes and cathodes, in electrolysis, the transfer apparatus comprising a lifting device (1) to which a stationary control housing (3) is attached; along the slide surfaces (6) of said control housing (3), there moves a control frame (5), and in said control frame there are arranged control shafts (7) along which a gripping element (8) is movable by the control surfaces (16) of said gripping element (8), so that the stationary control housing (3) is suspended from the lifting device (1) by means of at least three fastening elements (2) articulated at both ends. In addition, the invention relates to a transfer apparatus (4) for shifting heavy loads, particularly sheet-like objects, such as anodes and cathodes in electrolysis, said transfer apparatus comprising a control housing (3) attached to a lifting device (1), to which control housing there is attached to a control frame (5) movable along the slide surfaces (6) of the control housing (3), and in which control frame there are arranged control shafts (7) along which a gripping element (8) is movable by means of the control surfaces (16) of said gripping element, so that the control housing (3) is suspended from the lifting device (1) by at least three fastening elements (2) articulated at both ends.
US07677858B2
Disclosed is an improved transfer mechanism that transfers, in a vertical heat treatment system, process objects W between a container (carrier), and a holder (boat) holding plural process objects at vertical intervals. The transfer mechanism includes plural substrate support devices spaced at intervals, and each of the substrate support devices has a gripping mechanism for gripping a process object on the under side. The gripping mechanism includes a fixed engagement member on a distal end of the substrate support device, and a movable engagement member movably attached to a proximal end of the substrate support device.
US07677857B2
A mobile cargo container handling buffer crane having a bridge crane mounted thereon for transferring cargo containers between a ship and land transportation with an intermediate transfer position at which a suspended container can be noninvasively inspected by a longitudinally reciprocating container traversing nonintrusive inspection apparatus.
US07677852B2
A lockbolt which includes a head portion and a shaft which extends from the head portion. The shaft includes at least a portion which is threaded and has a multi-lobular profile. A collar is swageable onto the multi-lobular threaded portion, and thereafter the lobes provide that the collar does not tend to vibrate loose from the threading. The fact that the section which has a multi-lobular profile is also threaded provides that the collar (or a conventional threaded nut) can be selectively rotatably removed and re-installed on the lockbolt. Before swaging, the collar may initially include a cylindrical bore, or a bore which is multi-faceted, preferably generally corresponding to the profile of the multi-lobular portion of the lockbolt. The lockbolt may also include a frangible pintail, wherein the multi-lobular threaded portion is disposed between the head portion of the bolt and the frangible pintail.
US07677845B2
A drill for chip removing machining, including a drill body, and a replaceable cutting insert mounted in a pocket formed in a front tip of the drill body. A chip flute extends backwardly from the pocket along the drill body, and the cutting insert is fixed in the pocket by a screw including a head and a shank having a male thread. The cutting insert includes a through hole extending between a topside and an underside. The hole has a basic shape that is rotationally symmetrical in relation to a center axis, and is delimited by a series of surfaces including a mouth surface, converging downward from the topside, and a shoulder surface. The head of the screw is kept pressed against the shoulder surface when the male thread of the screw is tightened in a female thread included in a hole that mouths in a bottom of the pocket. The mouth surface in the hole of the cutting insert has a trumpet-like, cross section-wise convex shape adjacent to the topside of the cutting insert.
US07677842B2
An insert tip used when steel or cast iron is worked, in which clearance portions are provided inside bolt holes formed in the insert tip to slantingly fit a bolt into the bolt holes, the bolt serving to fix the insert tip to a cutter body, so that more insert tips can be firmly fixed to the cutter body. To this end, in an insert tip including bolt holes that cause upper and lower surfaces of a plate shaped body to communicate with each other, the plate shaped body having a cutting edge at each corner portion, the insert tip being fixed to a cutter body by a bolt fitted into the bolt holes, clearance portions are formed at a portion direction toward each corner portion of the insert tip among inner side portions of the bolt holes to prevent interference between the bolt holes and the bolt if the bolt is slantingly fitted from one corner portion of the insert tip, where the insert tip is worked, to its opposite corner portion.
US07677839B2
The invention relates to a drilling implement for installing or erecting a drilling pillar in the ground, having a mast, a carriage displaceably mounted on the mast, a rotary drive located on the carriage for the rotary driving of a drill pipe and a pipe bunker connectable to the drill pipe with a storage area for fill material for filling a drill hole on drawing the drill pipe. According to the invention it is provided that the pipe bunker is axially adjustably mounted with respect to the carriage on said carriage. The invention also relates to a method for installing or erecting a drilling pillar, which can be implemented with a drilling implement according to the invention.
US07677834B2
A soft landing control system for a screeding device is operable to automatically lower a vibrating member relative to a grade setting device after the grade setting device is lowered to the desired grade. The control may be operable to delay lowering the vibrating member relative to the grade setting device at least until the control receives an input indicative of at least a portion of the screed head assembly being moved to a position generally over a newly placed concrete area. Optionally, the control may delay lowering of the vibrating member relative to the grade setting device until a period of time has elapsed after an activating event. Optionally, the control may automatically stop vibration of the vibrating member when the screed head assembly is not moving in the screeding direction and may automatically vibrate the vibrating member when the screed head assembly moves in the screeding direction.
US07677833B2
An airstrip shoulder-bordering surface arrangement for extending the width of existing runway and taxiway shoulders comprising a flexible water-impermeable surfacing material extending laterally of a side edge of an airstrip shoulder, an artificial grass surface adjacent the water-impermeable surfacing material, and an edge-fastening system for securing the surfacing material in position relative to the airstrip shoulder to prevent water migration therebetween, the surfacing material having a relatively smooth top surface.
US07677827B1
A toothbrush attached to a tube of toothpaste that includes a dispenser and means for stemming the flow of the toothpaste. The toothbrush has a toothbrush head with bristles and the head further includes a toothpaste-dispensing aperture through which toothpaste is dispensed. Extending back from the head is the toothpaste dispenser which includes a conical toothpaste tube attachment member with the point of the cone adjacent to and connected to the head of the toothbrush. At the tip of the cone is an aperture to dispense toothpaste which communicates with the aperture on the head. Extending back from the conical tube attachment member is an elongated, tapering gripping portion that extends over the toothpaste tube to assist the user in controlling and squeezing the tube. A tube of toothpaste is securely attached to a circular back edge of the toothpaste tube attachment member. A switch is positioned into a switch receiving slot, which switch is utilized to stop the flow of toothpaste out of the toothpaste aperture in the head.
US07677819B2
A camera module includes a lens, a lens barrel, a lens holder, a circuit board, an image sensor, and an elastic member. The lens barrel receives the lens therein and includes a flange protruding over the lens barrel. The lens holder is affixed to the circuit board to receive the image sensor therein. The elastic member is disposed between the lens barrel and the lens holder. A rim is formed on the lens holder. The elastic member has one end contacting the rim of the lens holder and the opposite end contacting the flange. The elastic member biases the lens barrel against the image sensor.
US07677818B2
In a main body of a camera, a recording unit is disposed which is capable of recording specific information of a photographing lens or an accessory. When the specific information of the presently attached photographing lens or accessory has been already registered in the recording unit, the main body of the camera does not acquire all the specific information from the attached photographing lens or accessory by data communication. In a case where the specific information of the attached photographing lens or accessory has been registered in the recording unit, the only identification information of the interchangeable lens or accessory can be enough, even if the data communication is necessary. In consequence, a communication time with respect to the interchangeable lenses or various types of accessories can be reduced as a whole.
US07677815B2
A photographic device that includes a main body, a lens barrel and a barrel-positioning mechanism, which is operably coupled to the lens barrel and the main body. The barrel positioning mechanism is capable of moving the lens barrel between a retracted position, in which the lens barrel is within the main body, and an extended position, in which the lens barrel projects out of the main body. In some embodiments, the barrel positioning mechanism is a purely mechanical component that moves the lens barrel between the retracted position and the extended position in response to the lens barrel being pushed in a direction generally towards the main body. In other embodiments, the barrel positioning mechanism includes an electrical motor that helps extend and retract the lens barrel. In some embodiments, the extension/retraction of the lens barrel is triggered by software.
US07677814B2
An interface converter is provided for mechanically and optically coupling a non-ruggedized fiber optic connector with a ruggedized adapter port. In a preferred embodiment, the interface converter attaches to an SC fiber optic connector and together form a converted fiber optic connector compatible with the ruggedized adapter port. In certain embodiments, a retractable release sleeve may be removed from the SC fiber optic connector prior to attaching the interface converter. In certain embodiments, the interface converter may be inserted into the ruggedized adapter port prior to being attached to the SC fiber optic connector.
US07677808B2
A bearing apparatus for a driving wheel of a vehicle has an outer member (2), inner member (5, 6), rolling elements (4), outer joint member (61) and a cover (11, 67). The outer member (2) is formed with double row outer raceway surfaces (2a) on its inner peripheral surface The inner member (5, 6) include a wheel hub (2) with an integrally formed wheel mounting flange (7) at one end and an axially extending cylindrical portion (5b, 13b) of a smaller diameter. At least one inner ring (6) is press fit onto the cylindrical portion (5b, 13b). The inner member (5, 6) is formed with double row inner raceway surfaces (5a, 6a) arranged opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces (2a). The double row rolling elements (4) are freely rollably contained between the outer and inner raceway surfaces (2a and 5a, 6a). The outer joint member (61) of a constant velocity universal joint (53) is integrally formed with a shaft portion (60) which is inserted into the inner member (5, 6) in a torque transmitting manner and is axially fastened by a nut (63) so that it abuts the inner member (5, 6). Lubricant is applied to the end face of the inner member (6) that abuts the outer joint member (61). The cover (11, 17) is mounted on the end of the inner member (6). The cover (11, 17) has a fitting portion (11a, 17a) adapted to be inserted into the cylindrical portion (5b, 13b) and an annular bottom portion (11c, 17b) to cover the end of the inner member (6).
US07677806B2
1. Bearing element (4) for a bearing for borne supporting of a bearing counter-element (2), whereby the bearing element (4) has a bearing segment (40) at which the bearing counter-element (2) is supportably borne with a force component (F) in the direction of the bearing segment (40), and, at least one positioning segment lateral to the bearing segment (40) for positioning the bearing element (4) at a wall (32) of the bearing for fixing and/or orienting the bearing element (4) in the bearing, whereby aligning and/or support elements (41, 42) project laterally from the bearing segment (40), whereby the aligning and/or support elements (41, 42) are physically distanced from each adjacent aligning and/or support element (41, 42), and whereby the aligning and/or support elements (41, 42) distanced from the bearing segment (40) each embody at least one positioning segment (43, 44).
US07677805B2
A fluid dynamic bearing is constructed to support stably a rotating body to which a non-uniform force is applied, and a hard disk drive (HDD) employing the fluid dynamic bearing is provided. The fluid dynamic bearing includes a journal bearing part supporting a rotary shaft in a radial direction of the rotary shaft, a thrust part formed at one end of the rotary shaft, a thrust bearing part facing the thrust part and supporting the rotary shaft in a longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft, and a plurality of grooves formed on a surface of the thrust bearing part and/or the thrust part. The plurality of grooves include a first groove group including a plurality of grooves having the same shape and arrangement, and a second groove group adjacent to the first groove group and including at least one groove asymmetric with respect to the grooves of the first groove group.
US07677804B2
A linear motion guide unit is provided in which a crowning portion available extensively for standard specification is made easily. The crowning portion is comparatively small in depth, and rich in high accuracy and high durability. A raceway groove for a load race in a carriage is made at an ingress/egress area thereof with the crowning portion of a curved profile that varies gently to allow the rolling element to move in and out of the load race with smoothness. The carriage is provided at the forward and aft ends of the raceway groove with rounded bevels, which are made in a curved contour merging into the associated crowning portion without causing any discontinuity at a junction of the rounded bevel with the crowning portion.
US07677802B2
In a method for simplified positioning of a patient bed positioning information of a measurement position of the patient bed is recorded and retained as a forced stop position. The positioning of the patient bed between the measurement position ensues such that, given a movement of the patient bed from the withdrawn position, the positioning procedure is automatically halted upon reaching the measurement position.
US07677800B2
A radiological imaging apparatus that includes a radiation source, a radiation detection section that detects radiation that passes through a subject, a signal detection section that detects signals from a plurality of signal generating sections disposed on the radiation detection section, a signal comparison section that compares the signals detected by the signal detection section, a positional relationship judgment section that makes a judgment as to whether a positional relationship between the radiation detection section and the radiation source is a predetermined positional relationship, a position control section that controls a position of at least one of the radiation source and the radiation detection section to maintain the positional relationship, a position control holding section that holds and fixes the radiation source and the radiation detection section, and a notification section that provides notification in a case where the positional relationship is not the predetermined positional relationship during holding.
US07677796B2
A circuit and method for providing temperature data indicative of a temperature measured by a temperature sensor. The circuit is coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to identify for a coarse temperature range one of a plurality of fine temperature ranges corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and generate temperature data that is provided on an asynchronous output data path.
US07677794B2
The present invention relates to a multi fixed-point cell for calibrating a thermometer and a thermometer calibration apparatus using the same, wherein measuring errors can be checked by using a property of constant temperature of a metal on the basis of a phase transition and wide range of temperature region can be measured by one time calibration, thereby capable of increasing efficiencies of time and cost which are taken for calibration. In a multi fixed-point cell for calibrating a thermometer according to the present invention, a thermometer inserting hole in which a thermometer is inserted is formed at one side and at least two reference material inserting holes in which reference materials having different phase transition temperatures are inserted respectively are formed on a same plane as that of the thermometer inserting hole so as to be spaced apart each other.
US07677770B2
An LED down light replacement apparatus is disclosed for insertion into a recessed-light housing can, which includes an LED light source, a means for mounting said LED light source within the housing can, an LED driver circuit electrically connected to the LED light source, a heat sink in thermal contact with the LED light source, and means for removing heat generated by the LED light source. The means for removing heat generated by the LED light source can include a fan and/or ventilation holes in the top of the housing can.
US07677759B1
A combination flashlight and lantern includes a body having a first axis, an internally reflective flashlight cup surrounding the first axis and a lens covering the cup. An externally reflective cone surrounds the first axis and has an apex through which the first axis passes. A drum is located between the cup and cone and pivots about a second axis that is normal to the first axis. An LED is mounted to the drum and directed radially from the second axis such that in a first orientation of the drum, the LED directed toward the apex of the cone and in a second orientation of the drum, the LED is directed at the lens. In a third orientation of the drum, the LED is directed perpendicularly to the first axis toward the shroud.
US07677758B2
An illumination system is provided, which provides a plurality of light beams to a light valve. The illumination system includes a plurality of light sources, a polynomial lens and an optical scanning element. The light sources are capable of emitting the light beams. The polynomial lens is disposed on light paths of the light beams and located between the light sources and the light valve. The polynomial lens shapes the light beams into a plurality of rectangular light beams. The optical scanning element is disposed on light paths of the rectangular light beams and located between the polynomial lens and the light valve. The optical scanning element is capable of moving for scanning the rectangular light beams on the light valve unidirectionally or back and forth along a direction, and the rectangular light beams partially overlap with each other on the light valve.
US07677751B2
A hands free magnification device is provided that is capable of illuminating an area adjacent the user. A method of use of the device is also provided.
US07677749B2
An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of through holes and at least one lamp-receiving portion. The light output surface is opposite to the bottom surface. Each of the through holes communicates the light output surface with the bottom surface. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in the bottom surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.
US07677745B2
A light device with EL element(s) includes non-illuminated conductive-piece(s) and connectors in addition to illuminated element to provide an economical, attractive, and neat illumination arrangement. The EL elements may be combined with a bend-and-shape member to enable the EL element(s) to be bent into any geometric configuration and maintain the shape into which it has been bent. The thus formed EL element(s) can be applied to an EL light device with a lamp base, a night light with bend-n-shape properties, and/or outdoor lighting at a most reasonable cost and utilizing any desired power source such as a wall outlet, battery, solar, or any other energy sources for people to use anywhere with lowest power consumption and incredible light effects. The said EL element(s) may also include electric signal delivery parts, reinforced mesh tube, and coil spring kits to deliver digital signals, current, data, images, or sound from end(s) to end(s).
US07677737B2
A device includes a projector to project an image onto a surface. The device also includes a camera to capture a picture of the image, while it is being projected onto the surface, and a portion of an area surrounding the projected image. The device identifies a lightest portion in the projected image. The device adjusts a setting of the projector based on a comparison of an intensity of the identified lightest portion to an intensity of the portion of the area surrounding the projected image.
US07677734B2
Systems and methods provide audio-visual distraction to a patient while the patient is undergoing a surgical or other such medical procedure. When used in the context of a surgical procedure, local anesthetics are used to eliminate the pain of the procedure, autonomic blockade (beta blockers and/or alpha-2 agonists) is used to control autonomic responses, and audio-visual distraction is provided to distract the patient. The system allows reduction in the need for pharmacologic sedation.
US07677730B2
An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus includes a light source having two or more types of light-emitting-diode (LED) light emitting elements configured to emit light of different wavelengths, an illumination optical system configured to illuminate a fundus of a subject's eye with light emitted by the light source, an imaging optical system configured to form a fundus image from light reflected from the fundus of the subject's eye illuminated by the illumination optical system, and a control unit configured to control the light source to emit light of different wavelengths, with which the fundus of the subject's eye is illuminated, between when the formed fundus image is observed and when the formed fundus image is captured as a still image.
US07677722B1
The present invention provides a device for securing to the stem of an eyeglass frame comprising (a) a sleeve member having an inner surface and an outer surface; (b) a dividing member within said sleeve member, said dividing member having a first edge and a second edge, said first edge being secured to the inner surface of said sleeve member along a first line and said second edge being secured to a second line that is substantially parallel to said first line and spaced there from to thereby define a first channel and a second channel within said sleeve member, said first channel being configured for receiving an eyeglass stem and securing said device to said eyeglass stem and said second channel being configured for retaining an anchor member within said sleeve member; and (c) a clip comprising an anchor member and an arm, said anchor member being retained within said second channel and said anchor member having a first edge and said being arm secured to said first edge of said anchor member and oriented over the outer surface of said sleeve member.
US07677718B2
Several embodiments of apparatus and methods are disclosed. One or more of the disclosed example devices includes a flexible member having first and second tensioning members.
US07677711B2
An ink-feeding device for ink-jet printing apparatus comprises an ink-containing tank (2) and at least one print head (7) connected to the tank (2). The device further comprises a metering device (3) interposed between the tank (2) and the print head (7) and provided with an inner space (10) having a planar major extension to keep the pressure of the ink feeding the print head (7) substantially constant and to improve the print quality.
US07677708B2
There is disclosed a small and thin ink jet head having an excellent productivity, in which Piezoelectric elements capable of developing a large displacement amount and a high displacement generation force can highly densely be arranged together with ink chambers and nozzles and in which generation of crosstalk is inhibited. A discharge device comprises a channel section in which a plurality of channels are formed, each channel having an introduction hole, a pressurizing chamber and a discharge hole; and an actuator section having a top plate, a pair of support walls arranged at opposite ends of the top plate and a plurality of piezoelectric elements hanging from the top plate, spread between the pair of support walls, arranged independently of one another and forming pairs with the channels.
US07677703B2
A pagewidth printhead has a controller. The printhead also has a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements controlled by the controller. Each nozzle arrangement includes side walls located on a wafer substrate with a roof portion attached to said walls to define a printing fluid chamber, the roof portion defining an ejection port. Each arrangement also includes an inlet defined in the substrate to supply the fluid chamber with printing fluid, and a plurality of heater elements suspended between the side walls in the fluid chamber, so that when electrical actuation energy is applied to respective heater elements a vapor bubble is formed in the fluid leading to a pressure increase in the chamber thereby ejecting the fluid via the ejection port. The controller is configured to actuate respective heater elements individually to facilitate weighted ink drop volumes to be ejected from the nozzle arrangement.
US07677702B2
A thermal inkjet printhead with generally planar heater elements disposed in respective bubble forming chambers such that they are bonded on one side to the chamber so that the other side faces into the chamber. Each heater element receives an energizing pulse to heat ejectable liquid above its boiling point to form a gas bubble on the side facing into the chamber, whereby the gas bubble causes the ejection of a drop of the ejectable liquid from the nozzle. The chamber has a dielectric layer proximate the side of the heater element bonded to the chamber. The dielectric layer has a thermal product less than 1495 Jm−2K−1s−1/2, the thermal product being (ρCk)1/2, where ρ is the density of the layer, C is specific heat of the layer and k is thermal conductivity of the layer. The present invention reduces the drop ejection energy and the heat dissipation into the printhead IC by improving the thermal isolation between the heater and the substrate.
US07677699B2
A printhead assembly comprises an elongate channel member of a metal alloy, a flexible elongate fluid carrier, and a series of printhead modules mounted to an external surface of the fluid carrier. The flexible elongate fluid carrier is positioned on a floor of the channel member, and defines a plurality of passages longitudinally extending along a length of the fluid carrier. The fluid carrier further defines a repeated pattern of holes on the external surface. The holes provide fluid communication from outside the fluid carrier to respective passages of the fluid carrier. Each printhead module includes an upper micro-molding and a lower micro-molding. The lower micro-molding has an air inlet slot in fluid communication with one of the plurality of passages via a hole of the repeated pattern of holes. The upper micro-molding has an exhaust hole aligned with the air inlet slot and through which air carried in one of the passages is expelled. Each repeated pattern of holes diagonally spans a width of the fluid carrier, and the repeated pattern of holes together span a length of the fluid carrier. The air expelled through the exhaust hole facilitates repulsion of a print media from the printhead.
US07677695B2
Embodiments of a fluid transfer device are disclosed.
US07677690B2
A liquid ejection apparatus which ejects liquid toward a prescribed medium is provided. The apparatus includes a liquid ejection head which has an ejection port ejecting liquid, and an energy application element applying energy to the liquid to be ejected from the ejection port; and a liquid receiving device which is opposite to the ejection port and receives the liquid ejected from the ejection port. The liquid received by the liquid receiving device forms a liquid pool between the liquid receiving device and the ejection port and the liquid is agitated by a driving device which applies a drive signal to the energy application element.
US07677682B2
A modular printer includes a frame. A housing in which the frame is housed has an operatively upper and an operatively lower cover and defines a print media inlet at one end between the covers and a print media outlet at an opposite end between the covers. An inlet roller assembly is mounted on the frame proximate the print media inlet for feeding a web of print media into the housing. A pair of opposed inkjet printhead assemblies are mounted on the frame downstream of the inlet roller assembly to define a printing zone between the printhead assemblies. The inlet roller assembly is configured to feed the web of print media between the printhead assemblies. An exit roller assembly is mounted on the frame proximate the print media outlet to feed the web of print media from the outlet. Each inkjet printhead assembly includes a series of substantially identical printhead modules, the modules of each printhead assembly being a mirrored replication of the modules of the other printhead assembly.
US07677676B2
A vehicle wheel for a double-track vehicle or an external cover therefor is provided, having passage openings, particularly for a cooling air flow for a wheel brake provided on the interior side of the wheel, in the lateral projection. The passage openings have a width in the radial direction which changes when viewed in the circumferential direction such that, viewed against the rotating direction of the wheel when the vehicle is driving forward, the above-mentioned width Viewed in the radial direction, centers of the virtual segments of the passage opening which follow one another against the rotating direction move in the direction of the wheel center. As a result, the force as well as the lever arm of the drag is reduced, so that a moment of resistance is obtained which is significantly decreased. The passage openings are preferably bounded by spokes extending essentially in the radial direction.
US07677663B1
An assembly for safely supporting an occupant in a vehicle such as, but not limited to, a watercraft and including a seat assembly and a support frame. A connector assembly is disposed and structured to movably interconnect the seat assembly to said support frame along a first rotational axis. A mount assembly is connected to the vehicle and includes an attachment assembly disposed and structured to movably interconnect the support frame to the mount assembly along a second rotational axis. The support frame and the connector assembly associated therewith as well as the mount assembly and the attachment assembly associated therewith are cooperatively disposed and structured to orient said first and second rotational axes in substantially perpendicular relation to one another, such that the seat assembly will be able to move in a substantially gimbal-like fashion relative to the movement of the vehicle while traveling.
US07677661B1
A child safety seat pad having a bottom seat portion and a back portion is configured to cover the exposed child contact areas of a safety seat and is releasably secured to the seat by fasteners. Perforation lines or slits in the seat back portion connect to perforations lines or slits in the bottom seat portion of the pad. These may be opened to provide apertures for connecting safety harness webbing to safety seat anchor points. A smaller pad is provided for inclusion in the bottom seat portion.
US07677659B2
Multiple vehicle seats are disclosed with active head restraint systems that receive an input force from an occupant during an impact by a torso support, which consequently actuates a linkage that translates a head restraint upward and forward to the head of the occupant. In one embodiment, the torso support has a translatable connection with the seatback frame and another translatable connection with the linkage. In another embodiment, a torso support is pivotally connected to a pair of links which are each pivotally connected to the frame. In yet another embodiment, the seatback frame includes a structural wire, which provides pivotal connections for two of the links of the linkage.
US07677657B2
An active headrest assembly for a vehicle includes a headrest supported by a seat back frame. An active plate is connected to the headrest and has guide slots defined therein. Guide pins are inserted through the guide slots to slide along the guide slots. A lumbar unit has a support wire secured to the guide pins and is rotatably connected to the lower end of the seat back frame. A returning unit elastically connects the active plate and the lumbar unit with each other.
US07677651B2
In a rear vehicle body structure for a vehicle using a torsion beam suspension system, a laterally extending slot is defined between a vertical front wall of a spare tire pan defined in a rear floor panel and a raised rear end of a front floor panel and a torsion beam of the torsion beam suspension system is received in this slot. The spare tire is received in the spare tire pan in a rear end up slanted orientation. A rear end cross member extends across the vehicle in a rear end of the spare tire pan. In a rear end collision, the spare tire pan is pushed forward by the rear end cross member. The rear end cross member enables the impact load to be evenly distributed to the spare tire pan or the rear floor panel.
US07677649B2
A vehicle having an interlocking floor assembly including a first floor structure having a first set of mating features and a second floor structure having a second set of mating features. The first and second sets of mating features interlock to couple the first and second floor structures together.
US07677648B2
A door is provided. The door is pivotably connectable to a cab structure of a work vehicle and includes a handle secured to the door disposed for facilitating door closure against the cab structure from interior of the cab structure. Upon application of a door closure force to the handle, torsion forces applied to the door by the door closure force and a door opening device pivotably connected to the cab structure and to the door in close proximity to the handle, or pivotably connected to the cab structure and to the handle, as calculated at the device pivotable connection opposite the cab structure, are substantially eliminated.
US07677636B2
A motor vehicle configuration includes a folding roof and an electro-hydraulic system for moving the folding roof between a closed position and an open position. A roof actuation request for moving the folding roof from the closed position to the open position is blocked if the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in a period when the engine is off has reached a given maximum number in order to protect the vehicle battery. A display provides a driver alert information if the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in the period when the engine is off has reached the given maximum number. A method for controlling a power-operated vehicle roof is also provided.
US07677618B2
A sanitary tubular pet waste removal device includes a hollow proximal section having a handle extending from a first end thereof and a hollow distal section extending from a second end of the proximal section, the second end opposite the first end. One or both of the distal and proximal sections includes a scoop arranged to nest within the sections when not in use, and the interior of the distal section is adapted to temporarily hold and sanitarily retain fecal matter. Together, the proximal and distal sections form a bat-like structure when not in use, thereby facilitating ease of carrying by a user. The handle of the proximal section includes a separable light source arranged to illuminate the exterior of the unit, acting as a safety light, and also arranged to shine down to the ground beneath, thereby facilitating the process of locating target fecal matter.
US07677615B2
A bumper beam structure is provided. The bumper beam structure has a plurality of vertically long weak parts formed in a front surface of the bumper beam. These weak parts are formed having a predetermined interval along the lengthwise direction of the bumper beam.
US07677599B2
The invention relates to a swivelable roll bar, in particular for construction vehicles, with two vertical carriers, each of which has a pair of spars, whereby in each, one spar is connected swivelably through a link joint with the another spar, and the link joint comprises a lock and a stop. The stop consists of a joint stiffener, which is built as an extension of one spar and partially grips about the end of the other. In addition to that, the lock has a continuously adjustable final control element, with which the joint stiffener can be braced against the other spar. With the grip about the other spar, the flexural strength of the link joint of the swivelable roll bar is increased. Further, the bracing of the joint stiffener against the other spar eliminates the play in the link joint. The joint stiffener is preferably built as a U-shaped tubular segment that is attached to the latter as an extension of the spar.
US07677583B2
A bracket assembly including a plurality of components attached along a hem line, a plurality of attachment points along the hem line, a first bracket, and a second bracket. The first bracket connects to the plurality of components at at least one of the plurality of attachment points, and supports a longitudinal load applied to at least one of the plurality of components. The second bracket connects to the plurality of components, and supports a lateral load applied to at least one of the plurality of components.
US07677579B2
A seal assembly for dividing an annular space defined between an inner and an outer pipe in a double-walled pipeline. The seal assembly comprises an annular member fitted within the annular space and at least one longitudinal conveyor passing through the annular member, wherein the longitudinal conveyor communicates with the annular space on either side of the seal assembly. The longitudinal conveyor may comprise for example an electrical conductor or an optical fiber.
US07677570B2
The present invention is a board game. In a preferred embodiment, a competitive board game for two to nine players is disclosed. The game board is initialized by placing markers on the game board in a specified fashion. Distinct markers are distributed, and play progresses in turn by each player placing a marker on the game board such that each row, column, and box does not contain two identical markers. In an alternative embodiment, a board game for team play is disclosed. The board game may also be implemented in a computer or other electronic device.
US07677566B2
The invention comprises a pre-shuffler that receives a quantity of cards to be shuffled, such as nine decks of cards. One embodiment of the pre-shuffler includes a horizontal moveable box having, for example, nine compartments with vertical walls for separating the cards to be shuffled into groups. Cards are placed into all or some of the compartments in the box, and a shuffling sequence is then commenced. A motor moves the box containing the cards so that the cards in the first compartment are deposited into an input tray of the main card shuffler. The main shuffler then forwards the cards in the input tray one by one, via rollers, to selected card receptacles in the main shuffler. The process is then continued for each group of cards in the pre-shuffler until all cards are in the main shuffler. The main shuffler then shuffles the cards in a normal fashion. The cards output from the main shuffler are in a more random order than had the cards not been pre-shuffled by the pre-shuffler.
US07677548B2
A cassette for mounting on an image forming apparatus body and supplying media to the apparatus body. The cassette includes a first tray, a second tray and a slide mechanism. The first tray and second tray are each able to contain multiple media. The slide mechanism allows the trays to be movable relative to each other. The first tray has an oblique surface and a first separation portion, and the second tray has an oblique surface and a second separation portion. Each of the oblique surfaces can separate an uppermost medium from other media such that distal ends of the media during delivery abut against the oblique surface. Each of the first and second separation portions guides the separated medium along the oblique surface in a paper feeding direction. The first separation portion has a different structure than the second separation portion provided for the second tray.
US07677541B2
Disclosed herein is a spring structure for a bed mattress which comprises a body spring formed in a coil shape, upper and lower end springs wound and extending horizontally at upper and lower portions of the body spring, an exposure wire spring formed integrally with the upper end spring in such a fashion as to be disposed above the upper end spring, and a connection end portion for integrally connecting the upper end spring and the exposure wire spring to each other, wherein a first contact-preventing end 30 is formed at the connection end portion in such a fashion as to be bent inclinedly upwardly from a distal end of the upper end spring positioned outwardly from an uppermost winding of the body spring.
US07677538B2
A lateral displacement shock absorbing material includes a material consisting of elongated tubular impact absorbing members, each having an axis of elongation. The axes of elongation are parallel to one another by virtue of lateral webbing interconnecting them together. Each of the tubular members has an outer surface made up of two frustoconical surfaces with their larger diameter ends abutting one another and their smaller diameter ends facing away from one another. Each tubular member includes a passageway defined by two frustoconical shapes with the smaller diameter ends abutting one another, and the larger diameter ends facing away from one another and defining the openings of each passageway. Upon impact, the side walls of the tubular members bulge or displace laterally to absorb impacts.
US07677524B2
The invention relates to a self-stabilizing support assembly (14) for an item of furniture, such as a table, stool or chair. The assembly includes a support structure (16) for connection at an upper end thereof to an upper portion of an item of furniture. The support structure has a first pair of feet (50) at a lower end (22) thereof. An elongated guides pin (38) projects from a lower end of the support structure. A displaceable support member (30), which has a second pair of feet (32), is provided with a housing (36) defining a guide passage, in which guide passage the guide pin is longitudinally slidably received. The housing is constructed such that a cross-sectional area of the guide passage is adjustable, to permit dimensioning of the guide passage relative to the guide pin such that automatic frictional engagement of the guide pin with walls of the housing defining the guide passage occurs in response to pivoting of the displaceable support member about a pivot axis transverse to the housing, to anchor the displaceable support member frictionally against sliding displacement relative to the guide pin.
US07677522B2
A, support bracket and column for supporting an elevated structure during and after construction. The support bracket includes a connection plate that is attached to and overlapped by the column base so that the support bracket is concealed from view when construction is completed, and variations of the support bracket provide means to raise or lower the attached column during construction.
US07677519B2
The computer workstation permits a user to work while reclining or in a supine position. The workstation has a monitor and a monitor platform for securely holding the monitor. The platform is independently adjustable and lockable in a selected horizontal and vertical position. The monitor moves with the platform so that the monitor is positioned in viewing position for the user when the user is in any position. The workstation also has a wireless transceiver for streaming signals between the monitor and a remote computer. The remote computer is wirelessly attached to the workstation. A keyboard/trackball platform is independently adjustable and lockable in selected positions. The keyboard/trackball platform has a wireless keyboard detachably mounted thereon. The keyboard assists the user to communicate with the remote computer. Additionally, there is a trackball for assisting the user to communicate with the remote computer. The trackball is detachably mounted on the keyboard/trackball platform.
US07677510B2
A tripod for supporting a camera includes a main body, a supporting plate pivotally connecting with a top of the main body for mounting the camera and three telescopic legs pivotally connecting with a bottom of the main body. Each of at least two of the three telescopic legs comprises a fist section pivotally connecting with the main body and a second section telescopically received in the first section. The second section comprises a first pivotal portion and a second pivotal portion pivotally engaging with the first pivotal portion. The second pivotal portion can be foldable relative to around the first pivotal portion to form an angle between the first and second pivotal portions.
US07677507B1
A fixture is provided for a bag rack. The fixture has a wire frame with two mounting plates on it for mounting the fixture to two alternative locations on a bag rack. Two fixtures are mounted to each bag rack. Each fixture includes multiple rows of posts, with two posts in each row. Handles for a reusable bag are extended over arms on the bag rack and below the posts on the fixtures to keep the reusable bag open during filling.
US07677501B1
A system for releasing an article such as a munition or store from an aircraft employs a sway brace or cradle built into the structure of a bomb rack from lateral or pitching motion before it is released. A claw mechanism is driven out of the sway braces into the article to hold the article in place on the sway braces. The claws retain the article in the sway braces until the article is no longer influenced by the sway braces.
US07677499B2
An aircraft wing coupling arrangement couples services to and/or from a wing component which is translationally extendible from the wing of an aircraft. A housing is provided for mounting on the wing and includes a first coupling member. A hollow telescopic assembly extends from the housing for connection at a distal end to the wing component and has a second coupling member at the distal end. The telescopic assembly is extendible between a retracted and an extended position. A service carrying conduit arrangement carries the services to and/or from the wing component and extends through the hollow telescopic assembly from the second coupling member to the first coupling member. The service carrying conduit arrangement is flexible to locate excess thereof in the housing when the hollow telescopic assembly is in the retracted position.
US07677495B2
An enclosed baggage compartment is arranged in a space configured to accommodate travelers in a vehicle. The compartment includes at least one wall defining the compartment and is visible from the travelers' space within which the compartment is located. The wall includes at least one opening closed off with a transparent material.
US07677465B1
A railway crossing installation for a pair of spaced-apart elongated rails each having a transverse section, a bottom horizontal flange, a vertically extending bight and a top ball. A plurality of relatively elongated concrete gauge panels are provided, with each gauge panel having a top surface generally aligned with the ball upper surface, each gauge panel having elongated sides disposed adjacent the rails and ends disposed in confronting relation to any adjacent gauge panels. The gauge panel side adjacent a rail has an integral elongated projection spaced below the panel top surface, with the projection extending towards the bight. A resilient, elongated extrusion extends along each gauge panel side between the projection side and the rail bight, the extrusion being selectively removably secured to the projection so that the outer ends of the extrusion is closely adjacent the associated rail. The installation also includes concrete field panels positioned outwardly of each of the rails. The inner sides of the field panels have a resilient seal secured thereto which extends towards the associated rail.
US07677448B2
A device, such as a printer or copier, identifies the type of module being used. If the type of module requires the device to receive an unlock code, the device prompts for the unlock code (which can be a hash of the serial number of the device). Once the unlock code is received, the device can be used with modules of that type. If the unlock code is not received, the device does not operate with modules of that type.
US07677426B2
A fastener driving device includes a nose assembly carried by a housing that has a reservoir. The nose assembly has a fastener drive track. At least a portion of the fastener drive track is defined by a movable portion of the nose assembly. A fastener driver is movably mounted in the housing and configured to enter the drive track and drive successive leading fasteners into a workpiece. A head valve is constructed and arranged to be actuated so as to allow the pressurized gas to move the fastener driver through an operating cycle. An actuator is constructed and arranged to actuate the head valve. The actuator includes a trigger valve constructed and arranged to allow passage of the pressurized gas from the reservoir to a chamber above the head valve, and a contact valve operatively connected to the movable portion of the nose assembly.
US07677410B2
An apparatus for discharging tissue that is folded several times and stacked is provided. The apparatus includes a cartridge that holds stacked tissue and has a through hole at one end, and a holding member that is disposed adjacent to the through hole of the cartridge and pivots on an axis to grasp and remove tissues one at a time from the top of the stack through an arm. The inventive apparatus allows a user to easily replace tissue and check the amount of tissue used and the amount left to use through visual means. The apparatus virtually eliminates the problem of tissue dispensing failure, and has increased precision and reliability and reduced dispensing time over conventional apparatuses.
US07677407B2
A beverage holder device made from a flexible foldable cylindrically-shaped insulated sleeve with a longitudinal seam that includes a piping or welt material along said seam. The sleeve has an inside diameter sized to receive and hold a beverage container. An elongated bracket is mountable to a vertical surface. The sleeve has a foldable insulated bottom portion which is attached to the sleeve to prevent the beverage container from dropping through the sleeve. The bracket has a longitudinal channel and a corresponding opening therein with a closed bottom end and an opening at its upper end. The channel is sized to receive by sliding engagement therein the piping or welt material so that when the piping or welt material is slid into the channel starting from the channel's upper end, the piping or welt material and the sleeve are held in place by the bracket.
US07677405B2
A crate includes a bottom wall including a plurality of dividers defining a plurality of container pockets and a peripheral wall extending upward from a periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall and peripheral wall are thermoformed from a single sheet of plastic, such as recycled PET bottles.
US07677404B2
The invention generally relates to a tab used to open food can ends and beer/beverage can ends. The tab has a nose portion located at a front end of the tab and a lift portion located at a back end of the tab. The tab also has a rivet receiving portion located proximate to the nose portion with a rivet hole. The rivet receiving portion is coupled to the nose portion. The rivet hole has a non-round perimeter with a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion. The first diameter portion has a plurality of first arcuate segments and the second diameter portion has a plurality of notches. The second diameter portion is greater in length than the first diameter portion. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
US07677403B2
This invention refers to a glued or heat-sealed cap for resealing test tubes for clinical analyses which can be easily perforated and permits the application of a second cap.
US07677402B2
The invention concerns a device for hermetically and safely closing a feeding bottle to avoid any leakage of the liquid. Said closing device comprises: a rotary closure consisting of an inner ferrule and of an outer ferrule each having an offset opening respectively and, the inner ferrule being lodged in the outer ferrule. An internal thread of the inner ferrule enables the rotary closure to be fixed to the threaded neck of the feeding bottle. A nipple, inserted in a retaining ring comprising an internal thread, is fixed to the threaded neck of the rotary closure. A cap is provided, which enables the nipple to be protected. The inventive device is particularly designed for hermetically closing the feeding bottle.
US07677394B2
A wafer shipping container has a first housing subcontainer. A second housing subcontainer mates with the first housing subcontainer to form a housing. The first housing subcontainer is substantially the same as the second housing subcontainer. A process carrier fits inside the housing.
US07677393B2
A container for holding a plurality of wafers in an axially aligned, generally parallel spaced apart arrangement includes an enclosure portion having a top, a bottom, a pair of opposing sides, a back and an open front. At least one wafer support is provided in the enclosure along with a kinematic coupling on the bottom of the enclosure. The container has a door for sealingly closing the open front which includes a chassis and an operable latching mechanism on the chassis. The latching mechanism includes a cam selectively rotatable to shift the latching mechanism between a first favored position and a second favored position and at least one vibration dampener for dampening vibrations generated when the latching mechanism is shifted between the first and second favored positions.
US07677391B2
A storage device for tools comprising a basic housing that is provided with a swiveling-in space for a pivotable part which is hinged to the basic housing so as to be pivotable from a storage position into a removal position. The pivotable part encompasses retaining openings for tool retaining arranged in a first row and extend into a tool accommodating compartment in the storage position. At least one additional row of retaining openings is provided that runs parallel to the first row. The retaining openings of the first and the at least one additional row are offset relative to one another in a zigzag-shaped manner.
US07677390B2
An individual packaging unit for precision tools that includes a base part with a receiving opening for receiving a shaft of a breakable object loosely and with clearance. A protective part with a groove-shaped receiving device for anchoring the precision tool is disposed on the base part in a way to be pivotable, said protective part comprising at least two functionally separate portions wherein one portion is a clamping part, and the other portion is a receiving part. The individual packaging unit is closed with a push-on protective cap that is pushed in a longitudinal direction to engage the base part. The clamping part clamps the precision tool when the protective cap is pushed onto the individual packaging unit.
US07677371B2
A normally engaged parking brake system for a mower that automatically disengages a parking brake when a steering arm is moved from a park position. Accordingly, the operator does not need to act to set or release the parking brake during normal operation. The system utilizes a hydraulic actuator that releases the parking brake when pressurized fluid is supplied thereto from a hydraulic pump of the mower. A manual pump, which can be configured to be operated by moving a steering arm of the mower, is provided for supplying pressurized fluid to the hydraulic actuator to release to brake in the event the hydraulic pump is not operating.
US07677369B2
A hydroformed drum brake shoe assembly for a vehicle and method of making same includes a hydroformed drum brake shoe. The hydroformed drum brake shoe assembly also includes a friction lining secured to the hydroformed drum brake shoe. The hydroformed drum brake shoe is a monolithic structure being integral, unitary, and one-piece.
US07677363B2
A rescue floor crowdedness detecting device detects crowdedness or uncrowdedness of an elevator region at a rescue floor. An evacuation guidance device installed in a building reports to those stranded in the building accessibility information representing accessibility of those stranded in the building to the elevator region at the rescue floor from a stair region when the rescue floor crowdedness detecting device detects that the elevator region of the rescue floor is uncrowded. An emergency control device has an evacuation operation performability determining portion for determining whether or not those stranded in the building can be conveyed from the rescue floor to the evacuation floor. The emergency control device also has an evacuation guidance device control portion for controlling the evacuation guidance device based on information from the evacuation operation performability determining portion and information from the rescue floor crowdedness detecting device.
US07677361B2
The invention relates to a lubricating device, particularly for use in an apparatus which is used to lubricate mobile lubrication points e.g. on a rotating belt or chain belt. A lubricant discharge body of a lubricating head, which when lubricant is conveyed by a feed pump into a dosing chamber which is separated from the lubricant discharge channel, is placed in a front standby position and, counter to the effect of a restoring force, is moved into a locking and lubricant release position wherein the link between the pump and the dosing chamber is blocked by a reversing piston and the dosing chamber is fluidic ally connected to the lubricant discharge channel and a predefined volume of lubricant can be pumped out of the dosing chamber into the lubricant discharge channel. The lubricant discharge body cooperates with a reversing piston in such a way that the feed pump is fluidic ally connected to the dosing chamber of a dosing piston/cylinder arrangement via an annular area of the reversing piston when the lubricant discharge body is located in a front standby position, and such that the dosing chamber is fluidically connected to the lubricant discharge channel via the angular area when the lubricant discharge body is placed in a retracted position in which the lubricant is released. The reversing piston blocks the fluidic connection between the feed pump and the dosing chamber such that the amount of lubricant provided for discharge can be pumped out of the dosing chamber in the direction of the annular area by a dosing piston which is impinged upon by the feed pump.
US07677358B2
The invention relates to a thin sound absorbing multi-layer assembly, which is intended, in particular, to reduce interior or exterior noise of a motor vehicle. The assembly according to the invention comprises at least three stacked layers consisting respectively of: a first layer (4) being impervious and having an area weight of between (20) to (100 g/m2); a second layer (3) having an air flow resistance of between (250) to (2500 Ns/m3) and an area weight of between (15) to (250 g/m2); a third layer (2) being an open pored, acoustic spring type layer having a thickness of between (2) to (30 mm) and an area weight of between (50) to (1000 g/m2).
US07677355B2
On one surface of a piece of wooden sheet, a cloth or paper is adhered to make an adhered sheet. An approximately V-shaped notch is provided on the adhered sheet, the adhered sheet is wetted to be softened, and a lubricant which acts to keep water is impregnated thereinto. Edge portions of the notch are overlapped, and the adhered sheet is tentatively molded in an approximately horn shape by a first hot press molding. The adhered sheet is then dried, impregnated with thermosetting resin, and half-dried. The adhered sheet is subject to a second hot press molding. A moisture-proof agent is applied on the adhered sheet, a center hole for a voice coil and periphery are removed to make a speaker diaphragm having a predetermined dimension and shape.
US07677353B2
In a noise suppression structure of the present invention, a sound absorption sheet is pinched between a flange of a speaker grille and an interior trim. An opening of a space formed by the flange of the speaker grille and a sound guiding tube is covered with the sound absorption sheet.
US07677350B2
The construction vehicle includes an engine, an accelerator pedal, a main pump configured to be driven by the engine, first and second traveling motors driven by pressured oil discharged from the main pump to generate driving force for traveling, a driving shaft configured to receive the driving force from the first traveling motor and the driving force from the second traveling motor, a clutch configured to switch between transmission and non-transmission of the driving force from the second traveling motor to the driving shaft, an accelerator opening degree detection unit, a vehicle velocity detection unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to determine the switchover velocity depending on the opening degree of the accelerator pedal, and to control the clutch when the vehicle velocity that is detected by the vehicle velocity detection unit reaches the switchover velocity.
US07677338B2
Strategically placed hardfacing material near the shank end of a drill bit above the transition edges provides additional protection for compensator areas and the upper leg surfaces of drill bits during updrilling and/or backreaming operations. The strategically located hardfacing is typically passive in the normal drill mode, but active in the updrill drilling mode and/or back reaming. Alternative designs including other strategic material placement, the formation of hardfacing materials in tooth/wear design shapes, bimetallic gage, graded composite hardfacing materials, recesses or cavities at edges of the outer diameter, and various methods of applying the material also may be employed.
US07677326B2
A driving mechanism for a powered hammer having a motor and a tool holder includes a ram mounted for reciprocation in a guide tube section. The ram has a radially outwardly projecting sealing portion and an outer circumferential surface that defines a helically shaped vent channel running from a front end portion of the circumferential surface to a rear end portion of the circumferential surface and being interrupted by the sealing portion. A piston is driven in reciprocating motion of the motor such that an air cushion is generated in a space between the ram and the piston to cause an impact on the tool bit by movement of the ram towards the tool bit. The space between the ram and the piston is temporarily connected with ambient air through the helical vent channel and a recess in the wall of the guide tube section after causing the impact on the tool bit.
US07677324B2
A turf slicer includes a gang of six slicer wheels that “walk” through the turf in response to the forward motion of the turf slicer. In the meantime, the power takeoff from the tractor vertically oscillates the slicer wheels out of phase with one another, so that every sixth wheel is being thrust downwardly to bear most of the weight of the turf slicer as the other five wheels in the gang of six are either being withdrawn upwardly or moved downwardly and do not bear much weight, so that the weight of the turf slicer is concentrated on the downwardly moving slicer wheel that is approaching bottom dead center of its movement, thereby amplifying the effective weight of the turf slicer against the turf below.
US07677323B2
System and method for automatically adjusting control gains on an earthmoving machine include a control system for controlling mechanisms that supply power to an earthmoving implement. The gains associated with the force to the implement are automatically adjusted depending on a blade load that may be determined by a calculation of torque attributable to a blade load. The control gains include a proportional gain and a derivative gain that may be used to determine a control effort lift command associated with the control gains for supplying an appropriate gain to the mechanisms that control the implement.
US07677321B2
Expandable tubulars for use in geologic structures, including methods for expanding the expandable tubulars, and methods of manufacturing them, include the use of an expansive energy storage component, which provides a self-expanding feature for the expandable tubulars.
US07677317B2
Liquid carbon dioxide cleaning of wellbores and near-wellbore areas using high precision stimulation
The invention relates to a method to clean a wellbore and the near wellbore area adjacent to the wellbore of a hydrocarbon bearing formation adjacent to the production zone of the wellbore. The invention includes a method to clean a casing inserted into a wellbore and a method for cleaning a wellbore of fracturing fluid, with or without proppant. Each of the methods includes the steps of injecting a treatment medium comprising liquid carbon dioxide into a wellbore where pressure within the wellbore is regulated to either maintain the treatment medium in the liquid state, or allow at least a portion of the treatment medium to vaporize upon introduction into the wellbore. The treatment medium vaporizes to loosen and/or entrain undesirable materials from within the wellbore or casing and escape through the wellhead, carrying with it the undesirable materials.
US07677314B2
Methods for treating a tar sands formation are described herein. Methods may include heating at least a section of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the heaters to at least a first portion of the formation. Conditions may be controlled in the formation so that water vaporized by the heaters in the first portion is selectively condensed in a second portion of the formation. At least some of the fluids may be produced from the formation.
US07677312B2
A temporary matrix is provided in treating a subterranean formation by providing a composition comprising a matrix forming material and a matrix degrading material. The matrix degrading material is capable of degrading the matrix after a period of time when subjected to existing or induced conditions of the subterranean formation. The composition is placed into a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The composition is allowed to form a matrix within the wellbore, whereby the matrix at least one of significantly reduces the passage of fluid across or near the matrix or provides structural strength. A treatment operation is performed on the subterranean formation or wellbore and the degrading material is allowed to degrade the matrix.
US07677308B2
A combination liquid and gas separator and jetting tool includes a housing containing a rotatable drum, a stator in the inlet end of the housing for swirling a liquid/gas mixture, a rotor attached to the drum for rotation by the mixture; whereby the gas and liquid are separated. The liquid and gas are discharged through separate restricted orifices downstream of the drum. Orifices can be located in a rotating head for cleaning, cutting or other downhole operations.
US07677303B2
A packer mandrel is radially surrounded by an axially compressible packer element and a backing ring. A setting sleeve arrangement also surrounds the packer mandrel adjacent the packer element. A hydraulic locking mechanism is used to secure the setting sleeve arrangement against the packer element. The hydraulic locking mechanism includes an expansible fluid-sealed chamber that is defined between the setting sleeve and the central packer mandrel.
US07677288B2
Provided is a pneumatic tire securing better driving stability and having enhanced load stability. Carcass plies are configured on respective two plies, and the direction of the cords of the two carcass plies crosses over each other and is set at an angle of 75 to 88° to the tire circumferential direction. A first filler rubber is included in each wound-up portion of the carcass plies, and a cord reinforcement layer is arranged on an outer side of the first filler rubber in the tire width direction. A second filler rubber is arranged on an outer side of each wound-up portion of the carcass plies in the tire width direction. Out of the two carcass plies, the carcass ply located on an outer side of the tire has its wound-up end part overlaping an outer side of a main body portion of the carcass plies. A specification is given to a relationship among the height of the wound-up end part of the carcass ply on the outer side of the tire, the height of an uppermost end of the second filler rubber, the height of an uppermost end of the first filler rubber, and the height of an uppermost end of the cord reinforcement layer.
US07677280B2
A power tool, such as, for example a router. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a motor housing supported by the base, a motor supported by the motor housing, and a hand grip forming at least a portion of one of the base and the housing and being contoured to fit a hand of an operator. The one of the base and the housing may be grasped by the operator when the operator grasps the hand grip to control movement of the router on the work piece surface. In other aspects, a router includes a base, a motor housing supported by and movable relative to the base, and a motor supported by the motor housing. The base is contoured to fit a hand of an operator and includes at least one of a slot or a ridge to provide improved gripping for an operator.
US07677275B2
A device and method for easily filling a syringe with one hand is disclosed. The device includes a flat hand for holding a medicine bottle, a syringe holder with a curved finger for holding a syringe, a mounted post for securing the device and a swivel arm mounted to the post which holds the flat hand, wherein the swivel arm allows the user to invert the flat hand and the medicine bottle secured therein, and easily draw medicine from the medicine bottle into the syringe with one hand.
US07677269B2
A gravity-controlled constant-pressure and pressure-regulation device includes a canister, a weight block, and a seal head. The canister includes a metal layer, an epoxy resin layer, and a plastic sheet layer. The metal layer serves as an inner lining. The epoxy resin layer surrounds an outer circumference of the metal layer. The plastic sheet layer surrounds an outer circumference of the epoxy resin layer. The weight block is movably received in the canister. The metal layer has an inner surface movably and receivingly engages the seal head. The weight block is mounted to the seal head. The weight block is movable upward and downward inside the canister by being acted upon by a gravity force of weight thereof and a lifting force induced by an internal pressure inside the canister to effect mass storage of air inside the canister and stable supply air at constant pressure.
US07677266B2
A manifolded fail-safe hydraulic control system provides fail-safe operation of a pipeline valve using no more than a total of 45 proprietary parts in the system. The system controls the operation of a spring return actuator, which in turn strokes the pipeline valve from the normal operating position to the fail-safe position, or from the fail-safe position to the normal operating position. The system enables the valve to automatically stroke to its fail-safe position without external power.
US07677260B2
A tent having a pass-through port through a wall panel for allowing an item to be passed in and out of the tent without opening the tent door. The pass-through port can be snugly tightened about a cord or hose extending therethrough to prevent insects from entering the tent.
US07677249B2
The present invention relates generally to a device and method for providing a lateralization effect such as in a medical procedure. The lateralization device can have a supporting member, which can be adapted to be supported in a fixed position. A lateralization member can be provided to at least partially wrap around the supporting member and be mounted thereto to provide a lateralization effect. The lateralization member can be formed and/or adjusted to provide a variable lateralization. For example, the lateralization member can comprise a cylindrical member with an eccentric cut-out portion adapted to fit over the supporting member. The inter wall of the cut-out portion and the outer wall of the supporting member can be formed with interference fittings so that the lateralization member can rotate in relation to the supporting member to provide a variable lateralization.
US07677248B2
A flat-folding mask includes a filter layer forming a rim. The filter layer has first and second side panels extending from the rim. A substantially centrally located front panel bridges the first and second side panels, the front panel being substantially flat. The filter layer further includes a fused portion that is seamless and spaced from the rim. Triangular pleats may add support to the side walls and increase the effective filtration area of the mask.
US07677246B2
A pressure support system that comprises a patient circuit, a docking assembly, and a tank. The patient circuit delivers a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient. The docking assembly has an inlet and an outlet that is adapted to receive the pressurized flow of breathable gas, and is also adapted to be connected with the patient circuit. The tank is constructed and arranged to be removably connected with the docking assembly, and enables the pressurized flow of breathable gas to pass therethrough. The tank is also adapted to contain a liquid such that a humidity level of the pressurized flow of breathable gas is elevated as the pressurized flow of breathable gas passes therethrough.
US07677244B2
Breathing apparatus for medicating an airstream, compring a breathing apparatus (139), a medication chamber (138) adapted to store and discharge a therapeutic agent, a delivery pathway (141) between the chamber (138) and an intake air pathway and releasing means (145) for selectively discharging the therapeutic agent from the chamber (138) into the intake air pathway. The apparatus is particularly suited for scuba diving, snorkels, gas masks and filters. The invention is suitable for asthma sufferers but also extends to other respiratory diseases. Also claimed are a medication chamber for use in medicating an airstream and a method of medicating an airstream.
US07677241B2
An accurate and cost effective heliostat array and method of use is disclosed. The heliostat array in the preferred embodiment comprises a plurality of mirrors arrayed in a common plane, a plurality of reflector positioning arms, and a rigid positioning plate. The positioning plate, which is coupled to each of the reflectors via a positioning arm, is adapted to simultaneously aim each reflector using as few as one or two actuators. When the positioning arms forms the base of an isosceles triangle with one leg aligned with a ray directed to the sun and the other equal length leg aligned with a ray directed to the receiver, the positioning plate has the shape of a Conchoid of Nicomedes surface of revolution, which enables the heliostat array to simultaneously orient all of the mirrors to precisely focus incident sunlight from anywhere in the celestial hemisphere onto a common focal point.
US07677235B2
A toy gun includes a firing mechanism activated to cause rapid movement of a pneumatic piston to cause rapid ingress of air into a cartridge to cause firing of a soft projectile. A release mechanism causes ejection of spent cartridges from the gun after firing.
US07677228B2
A vapor purifier for oil recovery from and cleansing of deleterious matter carried by oil vapors in a crankcase of an internal combustion-type engine generally includes a coil member that can separate the oil from the vapors by passing the vapors over and/or through the coil member. As the vapors impinge upon the surface(s) of the coil member, oil in the blow-by vapors condenses thereon. The vapor purifier can include a flow equalization member to maintain a normal engine intake manifold pressure for driving modes of the engine. As a result, the vapor purifier of the present invention can maintain the air to fuel stoichiometric ratio of the engine system. Additional components, such as filters and/or disks can also be included in the vapor purifier to promote oil recovery and cleansing of deleterious matter from the vapors, which act as a host for the deleterious matter.
US07677223B2
The air-fuel-ratio control apparatus for an internal combustion engine obtains a composite air-fuel ratio abyfs from a downstream-side correction value Vafsfb(k) based upon an output value Voxs from a downstream air-fuel-ratio sensor 67 and an output value Vabyfs from an upstream air-fuel-ratio sensor 66, and obtains an upstream-side feedback correction value DFi on the basis of the composite air-fuel ratio abyfs. A fuel injection quantity Fi is determined to a value obtained by adding the upstream-side correction value DFi to a control-use base fuel injection quantity Fbasec (=base fuel injection quantity Fbase·coefficient Ksub). The coefficient Ksub is determined on the basis of the downstream-side feedback correction value Vafsfb(k) in such a manner that the control-use base fuel injection quantity Fbasec (accordingly, the fuel injection quantity Fi) is determined such that the output value Vabyfs from the upstream air-fuel-ratio sensor 66 changes in the direction of canceling the change in the downstream-side feedback correction value Vafsfb(k).
US07677221B2
The invention concerns an internal combustion engine, in particular with direct injection comprising at least one cylinder (10), one piston (30) sliding in said cylinder, a combustion chamber (26) delimited on one side by the upper side of the piston including a concave trough (32) wherein is arranged a dog point (34) with apex angle (a2) and a fuel injector (22) for injecting fuel at a spray angle (a1) not greater than 2 Arctg CD/2f where CD is the diameter of the cylinder (10) and F the distance between the point of origin of the fuel jets derived from the injector and the position of the piston (30) corresponding to a crankshaft angle of 50° relative to the upper dead center. The invention is characterized in that the apex angle (a2) of the dog point is greater than the spray angle (a1) by an angle ranging between 30° and 60°.
US07677214B2
The present invention relates to a device (1) for shutting down at least one cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The device (1) is connected to a rocker lever (2) which actuates an intake/exhaust valve (6) of the respective cylinder. In active cylinder operation, the rocker lever (2) executes an oscillating tilting movement about a pivot axle (10) which is situated in the area of the connection to the cylinder head (9), whereas when the respective cylinder is deactivated, the rocker lever (2) is lifted by the cylinder head (9) and therefore its pivot axle (10) is shifted in the direction of the connection of the rocker lever (2) to the valve of the respective cylinder. It is essential to the invention here that the device (1) is arranged essentially between the rocker lever (2) and the cylinder head (9) and the device has a guide element (11), a pivot axle element (12) displaceably mounted on the guide element (11) and a spring (15) stretched between two abutments (13, 14).
US07677211B2
A single hydraulic circuit module is provided for controlling valve lift at multiple cylinders in an engine. The single module includes a housing that at least partially forms a supply passage and a control passage. The supply passage is in fluid communication with the fluid supply and the control passage is in fluid communication with the feed passage. At least one solenoid valve is provided and supported by the housing positioned between the supply passage and the control passage. The solenoid valve is controllable to vary fluid flow from the supply passage to the control passage to permit adjustment of hydraulic lift assemblies to vary lift of engine valves in response to control of the solenoid valve.
US07677207B2
A rotary internal combustion engine has a circular inner chamber, which houses a plurality of cylinders with reciprocating pistons that move in a radial direction towards and away from the center of the inner chamber. A flywheel with distinct vanes or portions is positioned for rotation about a central axis of the inner chamber. A gear assembly operationally connected to the reciprocating pistons forces the flywheel to rotate and impart torque to a central shaft extending though the inner chamber.
US07677203B2
An edible pet chew 114 has a first casing 10 of plant base material and a second protein 12 of flavored material for example jerky that is wrapped with the first sheet to form alternating layers in the edible pet chew.
US07677190B2
A boat hull providing substantially enhanced stability, safety and comfort over conventional boat hulls in common use, incorporating at least one relatively narrow, more-or-less vertical slot (23) running longitudinally and/or laterally through the hull of the boat and positioned so that the slot(s) (23) intersects a major portion of the depth of the water displaced by the boat hull. The slot(s) (23) may be fully or partially closed at any of its fore-end (31) or aft-end (33) or bottom-edge (25).
US07677189B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing system and a method for manufacturing sheet-like structures. The manufacturing system of sheet-like structures contains a loosened portion forming apparatus by which plural loosened portions, which are substantially U-shaped, are formed on a cord member, and plural linear portions, which connect each of the plural loosened portions, are formed substantially linearly; and a sewing apparatus by which each of the plural absorbing members and each of the plural linear portions are sewn with a thread member.
US07677183B2
The present invention relates to a pallet comprising a four-sided support plate, said support plate comprising two first edges arranged opposite each other and two second edges arranged opposite each other, first walls arranged along the first edges of support plate and hinged to the support plate.
US07677176B2
A structure and method of using a reusable master printing plate is described. In one embodiment, the viscosity of an electrorheological fluid is adjusted using an electric field to control its flow and create the desired relief pattern in a flexible printed surface. After creating the relief pattern, the pattern is fixed and used for printing. After completion of printing, the relief pattern is removed from the master printing plate and the printing plate may be reused by applying a new pattern.
US07677169B2
A cotton module building apparatus, utilizing imaging apparatus operable for capturing real-time images of the module building process, including accumulated cotton in the module building chamber, cotton inflow, and the in-process cotton module, and a method for building a cotton module using the images. The imaging apparatus includes a camera or cameras disposed at advantageous locations about the module building chamber, and cotton is distributed and moved within the chamber responsive to the images, for advantageous placement and distribution for forming a module having a desired consistency and top shape. Imaging apparatus can also be provided for observing unloading of a module from the chamber, and for facilitating maneuvering and positioning the unloading apparatus.
US07677167B2
A device and related method for storing and bundling papers, magazines and/or cardboard, for easy disposal and recycling comprised of a storage unit comprising four side walls and a bottom surface wherein a top area is open and permits stacking of papers on said bottom service; and a single source of twine in a pre-arranged pattern within said storage unit for easy bundling of the papers, magazines and/or cardboard.
US07677155B2
The invention relates to an apparatus and method of statically sealing a reciprocating-type fuel pump, such as a direct injection high pressure piston-type fuel pump. The first embodiment of the invention is a fuel pump comprising a pump body, a fuel reservoir within the pump body, wherein the fuel reservoir is capable of holding fuel and a bellows attached to the pump body, wherein the bellows is a stretchable membrane acting as a static seal. The second embodiment further comprises a diaphragm seal inside the pump body, and adjacent to the fuel reservoir, and a working fluid reservoir adjacent to the diaphragm seal, wherein the working fluid reservoir is capable of holding fluid. The diaphragm seal is a static seal separating the working fluid reservoir and the fuel reservoir.
US07677149B2
Embodiments of the present invention include a coping apparatus and method of operation that automates the process of forming coped butt joints on strips of molding for placement on internal wall angles that alleviates at least some of the problems associated with the use of miter joints or time consuming hand or powered coping using conventional coping saws.
US07677147B2
A device, for separating the paper from the cores of rolls or logs of paper or similar products, which is based on a combination of a mandrel that receives trimmings from a roll or log where the mandrel has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of a core of at least one log. The mandrel is provided with at least one axial recess that is directed along several contiguous generatrices of the mandrel. Above the axial recess is arranged a circular rotating blade which cuts both said trimmings the core.
US07677145B2
This application relates to a cutting insert and method for machining a workpiece. This application further relates to a method for the machining of a workpiece using such an indexable insert. In this case, the term “machining” means, among other things, the first-time machining and/or a re-profiling of a wheel or of a brake disc of a wheel set of a railway vehicle. An object of at least one possible embodiment of the present application is to create a cutting insert that is as economical as possible. An additional object of at least one possible embodiment of the present application is the most effective method possible and a lathe tool that is well-suited for the machining of a workpiece, such as for the copy turning and/or for the first-time machining and/or for the re-profiling of a wheel or of a brake disc of a wheel set of a railway vehicle, using a cutting insert described herein.
US07677135B2
An electromechanical power transfer system for a vehicle, comprises: an electrical power source; a system controller; at least two dynamoelectric machines; an electrically engageable clutch for each machine; an input shaft coupled to the jack shaft; an output shaft coupled to a load presented by the vehicle; and at least two electrically engageable transmission gear sets for coupling the input shaft to the output shaft; wherein the system controller selectively engages each machine clutch and each transmission gear set.
US07677126B2
A ball screw mechanism including a screw having a first axis and at least one screw groove extending along a first helical path about the first axis, and a nut having a first aperture receiving the screw. The nut also includes at least one nut groove extending along a second helical path about the first axis between first and second edges disposed on opposite sides of the screw. The at least one screw groove and the at least one nut groove are aligned and cooperate to form a helical passageway extending at least 180 degrees about the first axis between a first opening at the first edge and a second opening at the second edge. The ball screw mechanism also includes a plurality of balls moving, in part, along the helical passageway. The ball screw mechanism also includes an external ball nut return radially spaced from the screw extending at least partially around the nut between a first end communicating with the first opening and a second end communicating with the second opening to circulate the plurality of balls with respect to the helical passageway.
US07677119B2
The invention relates to a system for using a device for picking up samples in a soil or a material with a granular/powdery nature, said device comprising a vertical stem provided with a groove for collecting the picked-up sample, on the edge of which a lip is formed for scraping the soil or the material to be picked up.A power-driven system is provided for moving the picking-up device down into the soil/material to be picked up, guiding during this downward movement being provided by vertical guiding means of the picking-up device. A power-driven system is also provided for rotating the picking-up device in the soil/material to be picked up, in order to allow scraping of the soil or material to be picked up by the scraping lip, the upward movement and the collection of the scraped soil/material in the groove of the picking-up device.
US07677114B2
A torque sensor, which is for an electric power steering system that has an output shaft for rotating in response to rotation of an input shaft, may include a first rotor for rotating with the input shaft, a second rotor for rotating with the output shaft, a first pinion gear mounted for rotating in response to rotation of the first rotor, a first magnet mounted for rotating with the first pinion gear, a second pinion gear mounted for rotating in response to rotation of the second rotor, a second magnet mounted for rotating with the second pinion gear, a first sensor positioned for sensing an angular position of the first magnet, and a second sensor positioned for sensing an angular position of the second magnet. The first rotor and the second rotor are mounted so that there can be relative rotation between the first rotor and the second rotor.
US07677113B2
A weighing system (1) with a plurality of weighing cells for respectively weighing a plurality of materials. The weighing cells have essentially the same configuration, are arranged interchangeably in a two-dimensional array, are releaseably fixed on a support element (6) and have electrical connectors.
US07677111B2
A portable test lever including a load arm and a force arm for efficient examination of the tractive capacity and/or an acceleration capacity of a lift. The test lever includes an integrated measuring value sensor, at least one cable receptacle arranged on the load arm and at a distance from the force arm, and a support. A method used to measure the tractive capacity of a lift cable and/or the acceleration capacity of a lift.
US07677107B2
A method for fabricating a wireless pressure sensor includes providing a first substrate. A portion of the first substrate is controllably displaced to form a cavity. A conducting material is patterned on the first substrate to form a first capacitor plate and a first inductor. A second substrate is provided. A conducting material is patterned on the second substrate to form a second capacitor plate. The second substrate is attached to the first substrate to seal the cavity such that at least a portion of the second substrate is movable with respect to the first substrate within the cavity in response to a change in an external condition. A hermetically sealed capacitive pressure sensor may reside in the cavity between the first substrate and second substrate.
US07677106B1
A pressure sensor for sensing changes in pressure in an enclosed vessel may include a first chamber having at least one expandable section therein that allows that first chamber to change in length. A reference member mounted within the first chamber moves as a result of changes in length of the first chamber. A second chamber having an expandable section therein allows the second chamber to change in length in response to changes in pressure in the enclosed vessel. The second chamber is operatively associated with the first chamber so that changes in length of the second chamber result in changes in length of the first chamber. A sensor operatively associated with the reference member detects changes in position of the reference member. Changes in position of the reference member are related to changes in pressure in the enclosed vessel.
US07677104B2
An acoustic transducer system for use in the measurement of longitudinal sound velocity in a cement sample that is maintained at high temperature and pressure. The acoustic assembly is separate from the end plugs to optimize acoustic coupling between the individual elements of the assembly, to increase the amplitude and consistency of the acoustic signal and to provide an ability to replace the transducers as a separate assembly. The transducer includes an acoustic transmission line and utilizes a pressure isolation method to optimize the material and the manufacturing process to enhance the acoustic signal required for the measurement. The transducer assembly includes a high temperature piezoelectric ceramic and a load mass that improve the signal amplitude and provide the required electrical connections. The transducer improves the ability to measure the longitudinal wave velocity in a cement sample at elevated temperature and pressure for determining the sample's compressive strength.
US07677089B2
A method and system of testing an overspeed protection system of a turbomachine may include providing an overspeed protection system on a turbomachine having at least one shaft. The method may: determine whether a permissive or permissive(s) is satisfied; initiate an overspeed test; automatically adjusting the speed of a shaft; determining if the speed exceeds an overspeed trip value; and automatically disabling the automatic adjustment of the speed after the test is complete.
US07677083B2
An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: setting a knock waveform model corresponding to engine speed sensed by a crank position sensor; calculating knock intensity N based on the result of comparison between a detected waveform and the set knock waveform model; when the knock intensity N is larger than a predetermined reference value, determining that knocking has occurred; and when the knock intensity N is not larger than the predetermined reference value, determining that knocking has not occurred.
US07677082B2
A gas detector utilizing tunnel junction geometry is disclosed. The gas detector comprises a first electrically conductive material layer, an electrically nonconductive material layer disposed on the first electrically conductive material layer, a second electrically conductive material layer disposed on the electrically nonconductive material layer, a gas source (34) in fluid communication with the second electrically conductive material layer; and a power source in electrical communication with the first and second electrically conductive material layers. A method of detecting a gas utilizing the detector of the present invention is also disclosed. A method of making a gas detector is likewise disclosed.
US07677081B2
The present invention provides a method for analyzing gas components, an apparatus for separating the gas components, and a method for identifying the gas components that can provide more accurate information in distribution and consumption by classifying and identifying products that have been subjected to carbon monoxide treatment. The present invention provides a method for quantitatively analyzing gas components contained in a specimen, wherein an untreated specimen having an unchanged solid state and a prescribed weight is placed in an airtight container in which a solution is accommodated; the specimen is homogenized in the airtight container; and the gas components contained the specimen are quantitatively analyzed.
US07677050B2
A control device for a fan motor (7) which cools a condenser (6) of a vehicle air conditioner includes a temperature sensor (12) which detects a temperature of an air that has passed through an evaporator (10) of the vehicle air conditioner; and a controller (2). The controller (2) functioning to calculate a reference value (Ds) of an airflow generated by a rotation of the fan motor (7); calculate a correction value (DUP, DUPT) of the airflow on the basis of the detected air temperature (Tair); set a target airflow (TDR) on the basis of the reference value (Ds) and correction value (DUP, DUPT) of the airflow; and control the rotation of the fan motor to effect the target airflow (TDR).
US07677046B2
An air storage plant comprises a storage volume for a pressurized storage fluid, a storage fluid expansion machine and a generator which is arranged with the expansion machine on a common power train. During the start up of the air storage plant, the generator is operated at least temporarily electromotively in order to assist the acceleration of the rotor of the expansion machine. This allows a more rapid acceleration of the expansion machine to the rated rotational speed and, consequently, earlier synchronization and an earlier power output than acceleration caused solely by the storage fluid flowing through.
US07677043B1
The idea within the scope of the present invention is for a vehicle to be driven by an electric motor. An external combustion engine drive a generator which supplies electricity for the electric motor. Surplus energy is stored in the batteries. The external combustion engine would be a preferred gasoline or diesel fueled steam engine. Steam is probably the best currently understood technology for the engine of the present invention. The combination use of steam and electric has advantages. A steam engine takes time to build pressure in a boiler before it can produce power. During this time the batteries will power the electric motor. The system of the present invention overcomes the problem of limited range in a pure electric powered vehicle, inefficiency of an internal combustion powered vehicle and long startup problems of pure steam driven vehicles. The present invention does not require a whole new fuel delivery infrastructure like a hydrogen fuel cell does.
US07677029B2
A regeneration controller for an exhaust purification apparatus (36, 38) of an engine (2) that appropriately burns particulate matter accumulated in the exhaust purification apparatus. The regeneration controller includes an ECU (70) that determines whether an estimated accumulation amount (PMsm) of particulate matter deviates from an actual accumulation amount. When the estimated accumulation amount is less than or equal to a maximum value (BUpm) and an exhaust pressure difference (&Dgr;P/GA) is greater than a replacement reference value (Dp), the ECU replaces the estimated accumulation amount with a greater replacement amount (UPpm). This causes the estimated accumulation amount to approach or to be the same as the actual accumulation amount.
US07677014B2
A method of increasing manufacturing efficiency of printed wiring boards is provided that includes packaging a photosensitive film roll with a resin case, wherein the photosensitive film roll is formed, by winding around a core, a photosensitive film that comprises a supporting film and a photosensitive resin composition layer formed on the supporting film, wherein the photosensitive resin composition layer comprises a photosensitive resin composition that contains a binder polymer and a photopolymerizable compound having at least one polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated group within a molecule and a photopolymerization initiator, and wherein the resin case consists of a resin having a lower surface energy than the photosensitive resin composition.
US07677011B2
A solid type pressure-sensitive adhesive composition capable of being applied without the necessity of using an organic solvent or water and a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, which are excellent in both adhesive force and holding power and, in particular, undergo no decrease in low-temperature adhesive force even when the adhesive layer thickness is small. The crosslinked solid type pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising (a) a rubbery polymer, (b) a tackifier, and (c) a crosslinking agent comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of thiuram vulcanizing agents, quinoid vulcanizing agents, quinone dioxime vulcanizing agents, and maleimide vulcanizing agents.
US07677010B2
A modular structural system includes a hub in the general shape of a polygon, such as a hexagon or octagon, which may be somewhat rounded or may have a regular shape. The system includes a plurality of other structural members, such as hub spokes, for interfacing adjacent the hub, and leg spokes, for interfacing with the hub or with the hub spokes. The system also includes cross braces for providing additional support between the hub spokes and leg spokes. The hub, the hub spokes, leg spokes, and cross braces are joined by bores in the individual pieces and a plurality of dowels or rods placed into the bores. From these modular pieces, and currently available structural members, many useful and recreational structures may be assembled and then disassembled, such as frames, garden structures, furniture, shelving, and the like.
