US08049200B2
Contacts having use in an integrated circuit and exemplary methods of forming the contacts are disclosed. The methods involve forming a conductive cap over a metal plug. The invention can mitigate keyholes in the contacts by capping and encapsulating the conductive material used to form the contact. The exemplary cap may be made of a nitride material.
US08049193B1
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a first isogrid defining a first plurality of zones, each zone from said first plurality of zones comprising a plurality of ligaments, each zone from said first plurality of zones defining a plurality of spaces, each space bounded by a first sub-plurality of ligaments from said plurality of ligaments, each of said ligaments comprising a plurality of ligament surfaces.
US08049192B2
An ion beam blocking array configured to provide a mechanical means for adjusting the beam current profile of an ion ribbon beam by blocking the beam current at one or more locations across the ribbon beam. The ion beam blocking array includes a drive motor, an axle connected to the drive motor and a plurality of profile wheels disposed along the axle where each of the profile wheels is configured to rotate when the axle rotates. Each of the profile wheels is disposed across a width of the ribbon beam and has a position corresponding to a location along the width of the beam.
US08049190B2
When writing the shapes of elements of a fine pattern on a substrate by microscopically vibrating the electron beam back and forth in a radial direction of the substrate or in a direction orthogonal to the radial direction and deflecting the electron beam in a direction orthogonal to the vibration direction to scan the electron beam so as to completely fill the shapes of the elements, a proximity-effect correction is performed according to the arrangement density of the elements in which the amount of dose is adjusted by setting the deflection speed faster for the writing of an element in a densely arranged region than for the writing of an identical element in a sparsely arranged region.
US08049185B2
In a fluorescence detection device and a fluorescence detection method, forward-scattered light which is scattered from a measurement object irradiated with a laser beam is received and detection signals for informing the measurement object passing through the measurement point and for identifying a focus position of the forward-scattered light are produced. While, fluorescence emitted by the measurement object is received through a collecting lens and a light-reception signal of the fluorescence is outputted. The fluorescence intensity level is outputted based on the outputted light-reception signal and the produced detection signals. A focus position of the forward-scattered light is identified from the produced detection signals and the light reception-signal is corrected using a correction coefficient corresponding to the identified focus position.
US08049184B2
A lesion can be made distinctive in an acquired fluorescence image so as to allow for accurate diagnosis. There is provided a fluoroscopic device (1) including a light source unit (2) that emits illumination light, which is in a wavelength range to be absorbed by a blood vessel, and excitation light, which generates agent fluorescence by exciting a fluorochrome accumulated specifically in a lesion, to an examination site (S); an image acquisition unit (15, 16) that acquires an image by irradiating the same examination site (S) with the illumination light and the excitation light and photographing the respective reflected light and fluorescence obtained; and an image processing unit (4) that acquires a reference image by smoothing the luminance of the reflected-light image acquired by the image acquisition unit (15, 16) and corrects the fluorescence image on the basis of the acquired reference image.
US08049175B2
A method and system for reducing scintillator afterglow. Methods for reducing afterglow include conditioning a scintillator by exposing it to high flux densities of ionizing radiation. One technique includes operating an x-ray tube at elevated amperage.
US08049169B2
A charged particle reaction cell of the present invention has a serially-arranged plurality of ring electrodes, wherein a modulated radio frequency voltage obtained by modulating the amplitude of a radio frequency voltage is applied, whereby ions are captured at the bottom of the ups and downs of a formed pseudopotential and are transferred with the move of the pseudopotential. In the charged particle reaction cell, the time required for the charged particle reaction can be secured and also the problem of the decrease of the throughput or the mass resolution can be solved, and the speed of the structure analysis of a measurement sample can be accelerated.
US08049164B2
Measurements made by a natural gamma ray tool are used to provide an elemental composition of an earth formation. Additional measurements made with a pulsed neutron tool with two or more gamma ray detectors are used to provide a mineralogical and/or elemental image of the formation. This may be used in reservoir navigation and in furthering the understanding of the geology of the prospect.
US08049161B2
Provided are optoelectronic components which include an optoelectronic device and a structure for self-aligning the optoelectronic device. Also provided are optoelectronic modules and methods of forming optoelectronic components.
US08049159B2
An optical transmitter-receiver subassembly including a light-emitting element which converts a current into an output optical signal, a light-receiving element which converts an input optical signal from an optical fiber into a current, a planar lightwave circuit which guides the output optical signal and the input optical signal, and comprises the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, a first land pad through which the current to be input to the light-emitting element passes, a second land pad through which the current output from the light-receiving element passes, a package which is electrically coupled to the planar lightwave circuit and includes the first land pad and the second land pad.
US08049154B2
The present invention provides radiation detectors with high detection sensitivity. The radiation detectors according to the present invention each include an Al2O3 substrate, a CaxCoO2 (where 0.15
US08049152B2
The light irradiation device is provided that can reduce moire interference with a simple and low-cost arrangement without sacrificing a compact design by comprising a transparent plate 31 which has a predetermined thickness and one of whose surfaces is arranged as an object facing surface 31a to face an object W such as a product on which light is to be irradiated, multiple reflecting sections 32 that are laid out on other surface of the transparent plate 31 with forming a microscopic space S therebetween with its light reflecting surface facing a direction of the object W, a light source section 5 arranged at a position where at least a part of the emitted light is transmitted, reaches the light reflecting surface, is reflected on the light reflecting surface and is emitted from the object facing surface 31a, and an antireflection film 33 that covers the object facing surface 31a.
US08049149B2
Methods and apparatus for an air brake system for a projectile according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a pivot and a protrusion mounted on the pivot. The protrusion is adapted to selectively translate outward from the projectile around a translation axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the projectile. The methods and apparatus may further operate in conjunction with an actuation system engaging the protrusion, wherein the actuation system is configured to selectively facilitate the translation of the protrusion.
US08049143B2
A heater unit for a respiratory system includes a hot plate heater including a heat conducting hot plate and a plastic hub mounted together. The hot plate may define a thin heat conducting disc and may further define a depending flange circumferentially surrounding the hub. The hub and flange may include snap-together apertures and fingers. The hub is mounted to a housing of the heater unit.
US08049134B2
A laser processing machine having a laser beam irradiation unit is provided. The laser beam irradiation unit includes: a laser beam oscillation section; a beam splitter adapted to split the laser beam emitted from the laser beam oscillation section into a first laser beam and a second laser beam; a condenser lens adapted to condense the first and second laser beams; a prism adapted to lead the first and second laser beams split by the beam splitter to the condenser lens; a first angle-changing mirror disposed on a first optical path adapted to lead the first laser beam split by the beam splitter; a second angle-changing mirror disposed on a second optical path adapted to lead the second laser beam split by the beam splitter to the prism; and a half-wave plate disposed in the first or second optical path to allow one of respective directions of the first and second polarization planes to be aligned with the other.
US08049131B2
The present invention, in a welded joint of steel sheets and a steel pipe body having a tensile strength of 800 MPa or more (over X100 in API Standards), provides: the welded joint of the steel sheets and the steel pipe produced by forming a steel sheet into a cylindrical shape and welding both the ends thereof, both excellent in cold cracking resistance; and methods for producing them. The present invention includes an ultrahigh strength welded joint and an ultrahigh strength welded steel pipe excellent in the cold cracking resistance of a weld metal, characterized in that the amount of non-diffusible hydrogen in the inner side weld metal is 0.01 ppm or more. It is preferable that the ratio of the non-diffusible hydrogen amount to the total hydrogen amount in said inner side weld metal is 0.5% or more. Further, it is preferable that Mo carbide is contained by not less than 1 piece/μm2 in said inner side weld metal. The present invention also includes a method for producing said welded joint and welded steel pipe, characterized by welding the butted portion from the inner side and thereafter welding it from the outer side so that the reheating temperature of the inner side weld metal may reach within the range from 500° C. to 700° C.
US08049120B2
Electronic devices and other apparatuses that include plastic parts ultrasonically bonded to metal parts are disclosed. A first component or part includes a metallic surface region having a surface roughness with one or more surface irregularities. A second component or part formed from a plastic material that can include an energy director is attached to the metallic surface region via an ultrasonic bond, such that a portion of the plastic material is melted or otherwise formed into the surface irregularities to attach the two components or parts together. The parts can be housings, internal components or other items. The surface irregularities can be formed as a result of a chemical etching process, a machining process, or a combination thereof, and can result in the creation of undercuts or cavities in the metallic surface region.
US08049118B2
Printed circuit board in which deterioration of signal transmission characteristics otherwise caused by a stub parasitically formed in a through-hole is suppressed to provide optimum high-speed signal transmission characteristics. A printed circuit board 10 includes a power supply/ground layer 11 and a signal line 12b in a dielectric layer 13, and a through-hole 12 connected to the signal line 12b. A clearance 14 which becomes an anti-pad is provided in an area between the through-hole 12 and the power supply/ground layer 11. The signal line 12b is extended from the through-hole 12 through the clearance 14 to an area below the power supply/ground layer 11. The portion of the signal line 12b arranged in the vicinity of the power supply/ground layer 11 in the clearance 14 has an area of impedance gradient 17 whose characteristic impedance becomes progressively lower in a direction away from the through-hole 12.
US08049113B2
The present invention relates to a printed circuit board. In one embodiment, a printed circuit board includes a dielectric layer and a conductive trace formed on the dielectric layer. The conductive layer includes a first conductive portion, a connecting portion and a second conductive portion. The connecting portion includes a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the first conductive portion; the second end is connected to the second conductive portion. A width of the connecting portion gradually decreases from the first end to the second end. Reflection and cross talk of signals transmitted in the presented printed circuit board can be reduced.
US08049112B2
The invention relates to flexible circuits and more particularly to flexible printed circuits having cover layers. The cover layers may be a chemically-etchable adhesive polyimide. The cover layers may be patterned after they are applied to the flexible circuit substrate.
US08049109B2
A cable grommet system for installation in data centers, offices and the like, for sealing cable openings in raised flooring, wall or ceiling panels, server cabinets, etc. to facilitate the installation and revision of wiring and cabling to server installations while minimizing losses of any provided conditioned air. A wide variety of grommet configurations is possible with a limited number of component parts. An advantageous acute angle mounting of sealing brushes enhances the sealing effectiveness thereof, particularly for smaller sizes of cable openings. In some embodiments, a novel arrangement of electrical conductors is incorporated into the grommet structures for dissipation of electrostatic charges, enabling the basic frame components to be formed of a flame retardant material.
US08049106B2
An electrical or electro-optical device (100) includes a first layer (110) having a first composition. The first composition includes a plurality of electrically connected particles. A second layer (130) has a second composition, the second composition including a plurality of electrically connected particles. A composite layer (120) is disposed between the first and second layer. The composite layer is an interpenetrated network of a third and a fourth composition, wherein the third composition is different from the fourth composition. A first electrically interconnected network extends from the first composition in the first layer (110) to the third composition throughout a thickness of the composite layer (120), and a second electrically interconnected network extends from the second composition in the second layer (130) to the fourth composition throughout the thickness of the composite layer.
US08049105B2
Disclosed is a porous electrode comprising a porous film (A) with through pores and an electrically conducting material selected from the group consisting of conductor and semiconductor, the porous film (A) having an average pore size d1 of from 0.02 to 3 μm and a porosity of from 40 to 90%, the electrically conducting material being filled in the through pores of the porous film (A). A dye-sensitized solar cell and an electric double layer capacitor including the porous electrode as a constituent are also disclosed.
US08049094B2
The present invention relates to a reproduction device, a reproduction method, and a program capable of automatically reproducing music, which has been reproduced at the time of pickup of an image, along with reproduction of the image. A reproduction device 11 includes a data storage unit 22 that stores data items of pieces of music, data items of images to which time instants at which the images are produced are appended, and a history table having pieces of music, which have been reproduced in the past, and time instants, at which the pieces of music have been reproduced, associated with each other. A time instant at which an image is produced is acquired from the data of the image, which has reproduction thereof instructed by a user, out of the data items of the images stored in the data storage unit 22. The history table stored in the data storage unit 22 is referenced. Based on the time instants at which the pieces of music have been reproduced and the time instant at which the image is produced, music to be reproduced together with the image is determined. The present invention can be applied to, for example, a digital camera having a music reproduction function.
US08049093B2
During operation, a “coarse search” stage applies variable-scale windowing on the query pitch contours to compare them with fixed-length segments of target pitch contours to find matching candidates while efficiently scanning over variable tempo differences and target locations. Because the target segments are of fixed-length, this has the effect of drastically reducing the storage space required in a prior-art method. Furthermore, by breaking the query contours into parts, rhythmic inconsistencies can be more flexibly handled. Normalization is also applied to the contours to allow comparisons independent of differences in musical key. In a “fine search” stage, a “segmental” dynamic time warping (DTW) method is applied that calculates a more accurate similarity score between the query and each candidate target with more explicit consideration toward rhythmic inconsistencies.
US08049092B1
A method and system is provided which facilitates the process of the learning music reading related to the playing of keyboard instruments through associating the staff lines on the bass and treble clefs with the ten corresponding keys on a keyboard by marking those keys.
US08049090B1
New parameters (Down Force, Up Force, Balance Force, and Average Friction) are defined for evaluating important “stroke characteristics” of individual key actions of one or more pianos or keyboards, describing exactly how these parameters are to be tested, measured and determined. The new parameters are designed to replace the prior art parameters of Down Weight, Up Weight, Balance Weight and Friction. Various methods, means and apparatus are disclosed for accurately testing, measuring and determining these new parameters, with the capability of performing thousands of measurements—on thousands of different key mechanisms—in a short amount of time.
US08049087B1
The invention relates to a guitar body comprising an upper bout region and a lower bout region with a waist region disposed there between. A first and second peripheral edge of the guitar body is defined in a longitudinal direction thereof by a first and second upper bout region, a first and second waist region, and a first and second lower bout region, respectively. An anterior face and a posterior face of the guitar body extend between the first and second peripheral edges. At least one of the anterior face and the posterior face includes at least one curve so that at least a portion of the first peripheral edge includes at least one curve so that at least a portion of the first peripheral edge of the guitar body is not co-planar with at least a portion of the second peripheral edge of the guitar body.
US08049084B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH600830. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH600830, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH600830 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 CH600830.
US08049082B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH017484. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH017484, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH017484 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 CH017484.
US08049081B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH872467. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH872467, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH872467 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 CH872467.
US08049079B2
A barley cultivar, designated BZ493-46e, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of barley cultivar BZ493-46e, to the plants of barley BZ493-46e, and to methods for producing a barley plant produced by crossing barley cultivar BZ493-46e with itself or another barley variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a barley plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic barley plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to barley varieties or breeding varieties and plant parts derived from barley cultivar BZ493-46e, to methods for producing other barley varieties, lines or plant parts derived from barley cultivar BZ493-46e, and to the barley plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid barley seeds and plants produced by crossing barley cultivar BZ493-46e with another barley cultivar. This invention further relates to methods for developing other barley varieties or breeding lines derived from variety BZ493-46e including cell and tissue culture, haploid systems, mutagenesis, and transgenic derived lines. BZ493-46e demonstrates a unique combination of traits for the human food market including waxy starch, hulless seed and increased levels of Beta-glucan fiber.
US08049077B2
The invention provides seed and plants of the pepper line designated SBR28-1244. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper line SBR28-1244, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing a plant of pepper line SBR28-1244 with itself or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of pepper line SBR28-1244, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08049058B2
A reinforced closure anchor includes a first layer having an adhesive side, an opposite non-adhesive side, and an outer edge. An anchor member layer having a reinforcing structure is disposed on the first layer. The anchor member includes an adhesive side and an opposite non-adhesive side. The anchor member adhesive side is adhered to the first layer non-adhesive side or the first layer adhesive side. The anchor member is disposed within the outer edge of the first layer. The anchor member may have a surface area that is in the range of approximately 1-2% of a surface area of the first layer, or the anchor member may have a surface area that is in the range of approximately 99-100% of a surface area of the first layer.
US08049045B2
A process for the production of dichlorotrifluoroethane is described. The process comprises reacting perchloroethylene with hydrogen fluoride (HP) at elevated temperature in the vapor phase in at least one reactor in the presence of a fluorination catalyst. The process is operated so that 30 weight % or more of the perchloroethylene reactant that is fed to the at least one reactor remains unreacted having passed through the or each reactor. The dichlorotrifluoroethane may be purified and then used as it is or used to prepare pentafluoroethane.
US08049044B2
The invention relates to a process for remediation of a fluid contaminated with alkylene oxide, involving contacting the contaminated fluid with an aqueous absorbent to yield a fat absorbent having absorbed fluid, conferring intimate contact of fat absorbent and alkylene oxide and conversion of alkylene oxide; and, an apparatus for remediation of the fluid which has a converter having inlet means connected to the outlet of a fluid absorber for contacting fluid and aqueous absorbent, a holding unit having a volume V for the fat absorbent, and outlet means connected to the inlet of a fluid desorber.
US08049043B2
Mixed butene streams containing butene-1 and isobutylene and optionally butene-2 are hydroformylated under conditions that hydroformylates all the monomers to yield a mixture of valeraldehydes.
US08049038B2
This invention concerns compounds of adamantanamines and neramexane, including their pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, diesterioisomers, and formulations for treating Alzheimer's related dementias, depression, AIDS related dementias, as antivirals, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and cerebral ischemia, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.
US08049037B2
This invention provides compounds as shown below, in which either all of Z1-6 are carbon or one of Z1-6 is nitrogen and the rest are carbon, and in which other substituents are defined herein, which are sphingosine-1-phosphate antagonists.
US08049030B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing (meth)acrylates, which comprises the transesterification of an alcohol with a low-boiling ester of (meth)acrylic acid in the presence of catalysts, with the alcohol liberated from the low-boiling ester of (meth)acrylic acid being separated off by distillation, characterized in that the molar ratio of low-boiling ester of (meth)acrylic acid to starting alcohol present in the reaction mixture is increased during the reaction by addition of low-boiling ester of (meth)acrylic acid. The process of the invention makes a particularly inexpensive preparation of (meth)acrylates having a very high purity possible.
US08049025B2
The invention relates to novel carbene ligands and their incorporated monomeric and resin/polymer linked ruthenium catalysts, which are recyclable and highly active for olefin metathesis reactions. It is disclosed that significant electronic effect of different substituted 2-alkoxybenzylidene ligands on the catalytic activity and stability of corresponding carbene ruthenium complexes, some of novel ruthenium complexes in the invention can be broadly used as catalysts highly efficient for olefin metathesis reactions, particularly in ring-closing (RCM), ring-opening (ROM), ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and cross metathesis (CM) in high yield. The invention also relates to preparation of new ruthenium complexes and the use in metathesis.
US08049023B2
This invention relates to the synthesis for a precursor of E6020, compound 26, via a β-keto amide alcohol intermediate, compound 22. The synthesis reacts compound 22 with compound 25 and the resultant intermediate is oxidized to produce compound 26, the precursor to E6020. Compounds 22 and 25, and their crystalline forms, represent separate embodiments of the invention. The invention also relates to compounds of formulas (3) and (4) and processes for their preparation. The β-keto amide alcohol intermediate compound 22 is a compound of formula (3). Compound 25 is a compound of formula (4).
US08049013B2
The present invention relates to a melanin concentrating hormone antagonist compound of formula I: wherein “-----” is absent or is optionally a bond; q is 1 or 2; R1 is independently selected from hydrogen, —C1-C2 alkyl, halo, hydroxy, —C1-C2 haloalkyl, —C1-C3 alkoxy, cyano, —O—C3-C4 cycloalkyl, and —OC1-C2 haloalkyl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —C1-C3 alkyl, hydroxy, —C1-C3 alkoxy, cyano, —C1-C2 haloalkyl, —OC1-C2 haloalkyl, and halo; R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —C1-C4 alkyl, —C2-C4 haloalkyl, —C2-C4 alkylOH, —C3-C6 cycloalkyl, —CH2C3-C6 cycloalkyl, —C2-C4 alkyl-O—C1-C4 alkyl, —C(O)C1-C4 alkyl, —C(O)C1-C4 haloalkyl, —CH2-thiazole, phenyl, benzyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, and tetrahydropyranyl, wherein the cycloalkyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, tetrahydropyranyl and thiazolyl group is optionally substituted with one or two groups independently selected from the group consisting of halo, hydroxy, C1-C2 alkyl, and —C1-C2 haloalkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer, diastereomer or mixture thereof, useful in the treating, preventing or ameliorating of symptoms associated with obesity and related diseases.
US08049011B2
The present invention describes a novel process for the preparation of levocetirizine and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof using diglycolic acid or derivatives thereof and new intermediates used in that process.
US08049010B2
The present invention publicly discloses a synthetic method and intermediates of rosuvastatin calcium and synthetic methods of the intermediates. The synthetic method uses 4-4′-fluorophenyl-6-isopropyl-2-(N-methyl-N-methylsulfonylamino)pyridine-5-formaldehyde as the raw material, includes 4-4′-fluorophenyl-6-isopropyl-2-(N-methyl-N-methylsulfonylamino)pyridine-5-acrylonitrile (intermediate I) from a nitrilized reaction, and 4-4′-fluorophenyl-6-isopropyl-2-(N-methyl-N-methylsulfonylamino)pyridine-5-acraldehyde (intermediate II) from an aldehydized reaction of the intermediate I, and further goes through such unit processes as side-chain extension, ketone-group reduction, ethyl-group hydrolysis and neutralization reaction or decomposition reaction to obtain rosuvastatin calcium. The nitrilized reagent can be phosphate diethylacetonitrile, acetonitrile, etc.; the aldehyde reductant can be diisobutyl aluminum hydride, red aluminum, etc.; and the ketone-group reductant can be diethylmethoxyborane, NaBH4, KBH4, etc.
US08049004B2
Processes for making ethersuccinylated hydroxyl polymers are provided.
US08048993B2
According to the present invention there is provided an antibody that specifically binds an epitope of a heparanase protein, the heparanase protein including an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, provided that phenylalanine replaces tyrosine at position 246. The present invention also provides an antibody elicited by an epitope of a heparanase protein, the heparanase protein including an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, provided that phenylalanine replaces tyrosine at position 246.
US08048984B2
Novel human GIL-19/AE289 protein is disclosed which shows a high degree of homology to interleukin-10 (IL-10). Polynucleotides encoding such protein are also enclosed.
US08048983B2
The present invention provides a conjugate which contains a therapeutic moiety linked to a homing molecule that selectively homes to tumor blood vessels and tumor cells and that specifically binds the receptor bound by peptide KDEPQRRSARLSAKPAPPKPEPKPKKAPAKK (SEQ ID NO: 9). Methods of directing a conjugate of the invention to tumor blood vessels and tumor cells and of using a conjugate to treat cancer also are provided.
US08048974B2
The invention relates to a acrylated-based optical coating composition containing an organic peroxide initiator which presents a low yellowness level. The initiator has a range of free radical energy that is below a predetermined level. The cure process is controlled by the use a catalyst and a low energy initiator to avoid deleterious reactions that can increase yellowness. The composition is well suited to be applied to a lens and cured in the mold to form a coating with reduced yellowness having high adhesion and abrasion-resistant properties. A dye can be introduced into the composition to form a tinted lens.
US08048970B2
Novel low viscosity oligomeric polyols and the use thereof in coating compositions are disclosed. The novel low viscosity oligomeric polyols may be prepared by reacting at least one melamine aldehyde resin and at least one of α,β-diol, α,γ-diol, or mixture thereof. The reaction may occur in the presence of an acid catalyst. Coating compositions with a low VOC able to cure under ambient and forced dry conditions while providing good application and performance characteristics, such as an improved scratch resistance, are also disclosed.
US08048950B2
A wire coating containing a modified graphite oxide material, which is a thermally exfoliated graphite oxide with a surface area of from about 300 m2/g to 2600 m2/g.
US08048949B1
The present invention relates to a composition and method for fabricating composite resins that produce either reduced or zero volatile organic compound (VOC) and zero hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions. The non-volatile reactive diluents of the composite resin, fatty acid monomers, enhance the stability, shelf-life, flexibility and strength of the composite resin. The resins incorporating fatty acid monomers may be used to repair military equipment or for any commercial repair purposes.
US08048948B2
Filler-dispersed melt-kneaded products, molded resin products thereof, and production method thereof
A melt-kneading method for filling material-containing resin or elastomer includes: a step of preparing a filling material as a filler and a resin or elastomer comprising an incompatible blend; and a step of introducing the filling material-containing resin or elastomer into a material feed part provided at an end of a cylindrical melt-kneading part having a heater and provided with a screw, and then melt-kneading the filling material-containing resin or elastomer under conditions where the rotation speed of the screw is about 600 rpm to about 3,000 rpm and its shear rate is about 900 to about 4,500 sec−1, thereby forming a co-continuous structure comprising the incompatible blend.
US08048938B2
A reflective film includes a polymeric layer and a reflective component. The polymeric layer includes a polyimide polymer, where the polyimide polymer has a backbone with at least one non-terminal phenyl group. A linkage is connected to the non-terminal phenyl group, where the linkage can be an amide linkage or an ester linkage. An oligomeric silsesquioxane compound is connected to the linkage through an organic substituent, where the oligomeric silsesquioxane is not incorporated into the polymer backbone.
US08048932B2
The present invention relates to a method for fabricating calcium carbonate nanoparticles dispersed in water from ground calcium carbonate of micrometer (μm) order using beads milling. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for fabricating calcium carbonate nanoparticles dispersed in water by which a complex aqueous slurry comprising coarse ground calcium carbonate having an average particle size of several micrometers (μm) and a surfactant is subjected to beads milling, such that grinding and dispersion in water of the ground calcium carbonate occur simultaneously, and the resultant calcium carbonate nanoparticles have an average particle size of 10-100 nm and a unimodal clustering distribution.
US08048926B2
L-DOPA amide derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing same and their use in the treatment of conditions associated with impaired dopaminergic activity/signaling (e.g., Parkinson disease) are disclosed.
US08048910B2
Novel combinations based on anticholinergics, β2-adrenoceptor agonists, PDE 4 Inhibitors, glucocorticoids, and leukotriene-receptor antagonists, process for their production and their use for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, preferably respiratory diseases as bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) or rheumatic or autoimmune diseases. A particular combination comprises R,R-glycopyrrolate, rolipram, and budesonide, or physiologically acceptable salts thereof, wherein dosage amounts are such that a synergistic therapeutic effect is achieved.
US08048909B2
A proton pump inhibitor containing a compound represented by the formula (I) wherein X and Y are the same or different and each is a bond or a spacer having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in the main chain, R1 is an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group, R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, an optionally substituted thienyl group, an optionally substituted benzo[b]thienyl group, an optionally substituted furyl group, an optionally substituted pyridyl group, an optionally substituted pyrazolyl group, an optionally substituted pyrimidinyl group, an acyl group, a halogen atom, a cyano group or a nitro group, R5 and R6 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, which has a superior proton pump action and shows an antiulcer activity and the like after conversion to a proton pump inhibitor in the body, or a salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof is provided.
US08048905B2
Compounds of the formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein, R1 is optionally substituted tetrazolyl, R2 is optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted pyridinyl or optionally substituted thienyl, and R3, R4, R5, R6 R7 and R8 are as defined herein. Also provided are methods of using the compounds for treating diseases associated with the P2X3 and/or a P2X2/3 receptor antagonist and methods of making the compounds.
US08048896B2
Various methods of administering medication(s) that inhibit the nonenzymatic formation of glycation and dehydration condensation complexes known as advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) or modulate the advanced glycation end-product receptor (RAGE) are provided.
US08048891B2
The present invention relates to methods of treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The present invention includes administering polymeric prodrugs of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin to patients in need thereof.
US08048885B2
The present invention relates to 1-aza-bicycloalkyl derivatives of Formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification and to processes for their production to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and to their use in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or delay of progression of psychotic and nemodegenerative disorders.
US08048881B2
The invention relates to 4-aminocarbonyl-pyrimidine derivatives and their use as P2Y12 receptor antagonists in the treatment and/or prevention and/or treatment of peripheral vascular, of visceral-, hepatic- and renal-vascular, of cardiovascular and of cerebrovascular diseases or conditions associated with platelet aggregation, including thrombosis in humans and other mammals.
US08048877B2
This invention relates to novel guanidine derivatives useful as modulators of small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (SK channels). In other aspects the invention relates to the use of these compounds in a method for therapy and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention.
US08048874B2
Substituted 2-(azetidin-2-on-1-yl)alkoxyalkylalkanoic acids and 2-(azetidin-2-on-1-yl)arylalkylalkanoic acids, and analogs and derivatives thereof are described. Methods for using the described compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, to treat disease states responsive to antagonism of one or more vasopressin receptors are also described.
US08048864B1
Embodiments of the inventions relates to modulating NFAT activity, modulating store-operated Ca2+ entry into a cell and treating and/or preventing hyperactivity or inappropriate immune response by inhibiting the expression or activities of proteins involved in the calcineurin/NFAT axis.
US08048861B2
The present invention relates to an active composition for controlling or eradicating Phthiraptera, Siphonaptera and Acarina Pests, typically in domestic animals, comprising a synergistic combination of at least one A83543 compound and at least one macrocyclic lactone. The invention also relates to the use of the active composition in pesticidal formulations, the formulations themselves and to the various applications of those formulations as pesticides, specifically in controlling all species of Phthiraptera, Siphonaptera and Acarina pests, typically in domestic animals. Such applications include the control of such external Phthiraptera, Siphonaptera and Acarina pests in domestic animals including but not limited to sheep, cattle, poultry, pigs, goats, camelids, horses, dogs and cats.
US08048856B1
A highly purified and heat stable cross-linked nonpolymeric tetrameric hemoglobin suitable for use in mammals without causing renal injury and vasoconstriction is provided. A high temperature and short time (HTST) heat processing step is performed to remove undesired dimeric form of hemoglobin, uncross-linked tetrameric hemoglobin, and plasma protein impurities effectively. Addition of N-acetyl cysteine after heat treatment and optionally before heat treatment maintains a low level of met-hemoglobin. The heat stable cross-linked tetrameric hemoglobin can improve and prolong oxygenation in normal and hypoxic tissue. In another aspect, the product is used in the treatment of various types of cancer such as leukemia, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and esophageal cancer. The inventive hemoglobin can also be used to prevent tumor metastasis and recurrence following surgical tumor excision. Further the inventive tetrameric hemoglobin can be administered to patients prior to chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
US08048853B2
The present invention relates to novel intermediates of formula VII, or an acid addition salt or a solvate thereof, wherein R1 is —(CO)NH2, —CH2NH2 or —CN; R2=R3=H or R2 and R3 together form a cyclic boronate or borate ester; X is a helping group selected from the group consisting of i) a five or six membered heterocyclic aromatic ring and derivatives thereof comprising at least one N-atom being a part of an imine-group, wherein said N-atom forms the point of connection to the cyclohexapeptide ring, and ii) tetrazolyl and derivatives thereof for which a nitrogen atom forms the point of connection to the cyclohexapeptide ring, and a process for the preparation of caspofungin utilizing said intermediates.
US08048850B2
In one aspect, the invention provides covalent conjugates between artemisinin-related endoperoxides and iron-carrying proteins. In some embodiments, the covalent conjugates comprise artelinate and holotransferrin. In another aspect, the invention provides methods for administering the covalent conjugates of the invention to treat cancer and infections by pathogens that bind iron-carrying proteins.
US08048843B2
Polyurethaneurea compositions in the form of powders and dispersions are provided for enhancing properties of washed fabric including easy care, better iron gliding, improved shape retention, perfume substantiation and stain management properties.
US08048841B2
The present invention is a spray mold remover, prepared by filling a bleaching composition in a container having a spraying means, the bleaching composition containing (a) an alkali metal hypochlorite, (b) a cationic surfactant and (c) a compound represented by the formula (1): X1—O(AO)n—X2 (1) wherein, AO represents an alkyleneoxy group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; n represents an average addition mole number of the alkyleneoxy group ranging from 5 to 150; X1 and X2 each represent a hydrogen atom, —SO3M, —CH2COOM (M represents an alkali metal atom), or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, with the proviso that X1 and X2 do not represent hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups at the same time.
US08048834B2
A method and compositions for lubricating surfaces with lubricating oils exhibiting increased phosphorous retention. The lubricated surface includes a lubricant composition containing a base oil of lubricating viscosity, an amount of a phosphorus-containing compound and an amount of at least one hydrocarbon soluble titanium compound that is effective to provide an aged catalyst temperature that converts at least fifty percent of exhaust gas hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and NOx that is lower than an aged catalyst temperature that converts at least fifty percent of exhaust gas hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and NOx of the lubricant composition devoid of the hydrocarbon soluble titanium compound.
US08048831B2
A novel crankcase dispersant reaction product having fused therein an antioxidant moiety whereby the dispersant reaction product can function as an antioxidant while retaining at least two structural domains, one being a polar domain for association with sludge and a hydrocarbyl domain for oil solubility, so that the dispersant can function as a chemical agent to suspend sludge and prevent agglomeration of sludge precursors and soot so the latter can be readily removed from the system, such as by filtering, instead of being deleteriously deposited on internal engine components, as well as lubricant compositions incorporating such novel dispersant and, for instance, engines lubricated with such lubricant compositions.
US08048821B2
The present invention relates to a catalyst composition for the synthesis of thin multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and a method for manufacturing a catalyst composition. More particularly, this invention relates to a multi-component metal catalyst composition comprising i) main catalyst of Fe and Al, ii) inactive support of Mg and iii) optional co-catalyst at least one selected from Co, Ni, Cr, Mn, Mo, W, V, Sn, or Cu. Further, the present invention affords thin multi-walled carbon nanotube having 5˜20 nm of diameter and 100˜10,000 of aspect ratio in a high yield.
US08048817B2
To provide an amorphous silica powder suitable for a sealing material for semiconductors having improved HTSL properties and HTOL properties, and a process for its production.An amorphous silica powder containing Al in an amount of from 0.03 to 20 mass % as calculated as Al2O3 measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, wherein the average particle size is at most 50 μm, and when the amorphous silica powder is divided according to the average particle size into two powders, a powder having a particle size smaller than the average particle size has a higher content as calculated as Al2O3 than a powder having a particle size larger than the average particle size.
US08048816B2
The invention relates to opaque, colored glass-ceramic articles and to the production of opaque, colored glass-ceramic articles which can be readily formed to a desired shape using standard metal-working tools. The glass-ceramic material used to make such articles contains mica crystals as the predominant phase. The desired color is obtained through the addition of a colorant system to the precursor glass. In a particular embodiment the invention is directed to a black glass-ceramic article, the black color being obtained by the addition of iron oxides in levels as high as 20 wt %, which can yield a glass-ceramic having an iron-rice mica phase and/or a glass ceramic having an iron-rich mica phase plus an iron oxide phase.
US08048815B2
The present invention relates to a composite article and to a process for manufacturing the composite article. The composite article comprises multiple layers including high tenacity fibers incorporated into a fabric and a core thermoplastic resin. The fabric may be coated with a surface treatment agent, a polymer matrix resin. Single or multiple layers of the composite articles may be formed into a composite part having high strength, rigidity, fast molding cycle time and extremely good conformability in a 3-dimensional mold. The composite parts formed by this process have high part strength in all directions.
US08048800B2
A method of fabricating a two-terminal semiconductor component using a trench technique is disclosed that includes forming a trench by etching an etching pattern formed on a substrate on which an active layer having impurities added is grown, forming a front metal layer on a front upper surface of the substrate by using an evaporation method or a sputtering method after removing the etching pattern, forming a metal plated layer on the front surface of the substrate on which the front metal layer is formed, polishing a lower surface of the substrate by using at least one of a mechanical polishing method and a chemical polishing method until the front metal layer is exposed, forming a rear metal layer on the polished substrate, and removing each component by using at least one of a dry etching method and a wet etching method.
US08048795B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided which includes providing a substrate. A material layer is formed over the substrate. A polymer layer is formed over the material layer. A nano-sized feature is self-assembled using a portion of the polymer layer. The substrate is patterned using the nano-sized feature.
US08048788B2
A method for treating a structure is described. One embodiment includes forming a structure on a substrate, wherein the structure has a plurality of surfaces including one or more first surfaces lying substantially parallel to a first plane parallel with said substrate and one or more second surfaces lying substantially perpendicular to the first plane. Additionally, the method comprises directing a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) formed from a material source toward the substrate with a direction of incidence, and orienting the substrate relative to the direction of incidence. The method further comprises treating the one or more second surfaces.
US08048784B2
Methods for manufacturing a semiconductor device include forming a seed layer containing a silicon material on a substrate. An amorphous silicon layer containing amorphous silicon material is formed on the seed layer. The amorphous silicon layer is doped with an impurity. A laser beam is irradiated onto the amorphous silicon layer to produce a phase change of the amorphous silicon layer and change the amorphous silicon layer into a single-crystal silicon layer based on the seed layer.
US08048782B1
Apparatus and method for plasma deposition of thin film photovoltaic materials at microwave frequencies. The apparatus avoids deposition on windows or other microwave transmission elements that couple microwave energy to deposition species. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator with conduits passing therethrough that carry deposition species. The applicator transfers microwave energy to the deposition species to transform them to a reactive state conducive to formation of a thin film material. The conduits physically isolate deposition species that would react to form a thin film material at the point of microwave power transfer. The deposition species are separately energized and swept away from the point of power transfer to prevent thin film deposition. The invention allows for the ultrafast formation of silicon-containing amorphous semiconductors that exhibit high mobility, low porosity, little or no Staebler-Wronski degradation, and low defect concentration.
US08048778B1
An embodiment of the disclosure includes a method of dicing a semiconductor structure. A device layer on a semiconductor substrate is provided. The device layer has a first chip region and a second chip region. A scribe line region is between the first chip region and the second chip region. A protective layer is formed over the device layer thereby over the semiconductor substrate. The protective layer on the scribe line region is laser sawn to form a notch. The notch extends into the semiconductor substrate and the protective layer is formed to cover a portion of the notch. A mechanically sawing is performed through the portion of the protective layer and the substrate to separate the first chip region and the second chip region.
US08048771B2
A non-single-crystal semiconductor layer is formed over a substrate, and then a single crystal semiconductor layer is formed over part of the non-single-crystal semiconductor layer. Thus, a semiconductor element of a region which requires a large area (e.g. a pixel region in a display device) can be formed using the non-single-crystal semiconductor layer, and a semiconductor element of a region which requires high speed operation (e.g. a driver circuit region in a display device) can be formed using the single crystal semiconductor layer.
US08048759B2
The present invention aims at offering the semiconductor device which has the structure which are a high speed and a low power, and can be integrated highly. The present invention is a semiconductor device formed in the SOI substrate by which the BOX layer and the SOI layer were laminated on the silicon substrate. And the present invention is provided with the FIN type transistor with which the gate electrode coiled around the body region formed in the SOI layer, and the planar type transistor which was separated using partial isolation and full isolation together to element isolation, and was formed in the SOI layer.
US08048756B2
A microelectronic substrate and method for removing adjacent conductive and nonconductive materials from a microelectronic substrate. In one embodiment, the microelectronic substrate includes a substrate material (such as borophosphosilicate glass) having an aperture with a conductive material (such as platinum) disposed in the aperture and a fill material (such as phosphosilicate glass) in the aperture adjacent to the conductive material. The fill material can have a hardness of about 0.04 GPa or higher, and a microelectronics structure, such as an electrode, can be disposed in the aperture, for example, after removing the fill material from the aperture. Portions of the conductive and fill material external to the aperture can be removed by chemically-mechanically polishing the fill material, recessing the fill material inwardly from the conductive material, and electrochemically-mechanically polishing the conductive material. The hard fill material can resist penetration by conductive particles, and recessing the fill material can provide for more complete removal of the conductive material external to the aperture.
US08048753B2
Shallow trench isolation silicon-on-insulator (SOI) devices are formed with improved charge protection. Embodiments include an SOI film diode and a P+ substrate junction as a charging protection device. Embodiments also include a conductive path from the SOI transistor drain, through a conductive contact, a metal line, a second conductive contact, an SOI diode, isolated from the transistor, a third conductive contact, a second conductive line, and a fourth conductive contact to a P+-doped substrate contact in the bulk silicon layer of the SOI substrate.
US08048742B2
A method for fabricating a transistor including a bulb-type recess channel includes forming a bulb-type recess pattern in a substrate, forming a gate insulating layer over the substrate and the bulb-type recess pattern, forming a first gate conductive layer over the gate insulating layer, forming a void movement blocking layer over the first gate conductive layer in the bulb-type recess pattern, and forming a second gate conductive layer over the void movement blocking layer and the first gate conductive layer.
US08048737B2
The invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, wherein a storage node contact hole is made large to solve any problem caused during etching a storage node contact hole with a small CD, a landing plug is formed to lower plug resistance, and the SAC process is eliminated at the time of the bit line formation. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to the invention comprises: forming a device isolation film for defining a multiplicity of active regions in a semiconductor substrate; forming a multiplicity of buried word lines in the semiconductor substrate; forming a storage node contact hole for exposing a storage node contact region of two adjoining active regions; filling the storage node contact hole with a storage node contact plug material; forming a bit-line groove for exposing a bit-line contact region of the active region and splitting the storage node contact plug material into two; and burying the bit line into the bit-line groove.
US08048733B2
An method of fabricating the gate structure comprises: sequentially depositing and patterning a dummy oxide layer and a dummy gate electrode layer on a substrate; surrounding the dummy oxide layer and the dummy gate electrode layer with a nitrogen-containing dielectric layer and an interlayer dielectric layer; removing the dummy gate electrode layer; removing the dummy oxide layer by exposing a surface of the dummy oxide layer to a vapor mixture comprising NH3 and a fluorine-containing compound at a first temperature; heating the substrate to a second temperature to form an opening in the nitrogen-containing dielectric layer; depositing a gate dielectric; and depositing a gate electrode.
US08048726B2
In sophisticated SOI devices, circuit elements, such as substrate diodes, may be formed in the crystalline substrate material on the basis of a substrate window, wherein the pronounced surface topography may be compensated for or at least reduced by performing additional planarization processes, such as the deposition of a planarization material, and a subsequent etch process when forming the contact level of the semiconductor device.
US08048722B2
Performing electrolysis plating to a wiring is made possible, aiming at the increasing of pin count of a semiconductor device. Package substrate 3 by which ring shape common wiring 3p for electric supply was formed in the inner area of bonding lead 3j in device region 3v of main surface 3a is used. Since a plurality of first plating lines 3r and fourth plating lines 3u for electric supply connected to common wiring 3p can be arranged by this, the feeder for electrolysis plating can be arranged to all the land parts on the back. Hereby, it becomes possible to perform electrolysis plating to the wiring of main surface 3a of package substrate 3, and the back surface. Even if the land part of plural lines is formed covering the perimeter of the back surface, electrolysis plating can be performed to the all land parts. As a result, electrolysis plating can be performed to a wiring, aiming at the increasing of pin count of a semiconductor device.
US08048711B2
An image sensor having an imaging area that includes a substrate layer and a plurality of pixels formed therein. Multiple pixels each include a photodetector formed in the substrate layer. Isolation layers are formed in the substrate layer by performing a series of implants of one or more dopants of a first conductivity type into the substrate layer. Each isolation layer implant is performed with a different energy than the other isolation layer implants in the series and each implant implants the one or more dopants into the entire imaging area. The photodetectors are formed in the substrate layer by performing a series of implants of one or more dopants of a second conductivity type into each pixel in the substrate layer. Each photodetector implant is performed with a different energy than the other photodetector implants in the series.
US08048704B2
The bow in a wafer that results from fabricating a large number of MEMS devices on the top surface of the passivation layer of the wafer so that a MEMS device is formed over each die region is reduced by forming a stress relief layer between the passivation layer and the MEMS devices.
US08048689B2
Various semiconductor devices and methods of testing such devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes forming a bore from a backside of a semiconductor chip through a buried insulating layer and to a semiconductor device layer of the semiconductor chip. A conductor structure is formed in the bore to establish an electrically conductive pathway between the semiconductor device layer and the conductor structure. The conductor structure may provide a diagnostic pathway.
US08048681B2
The present invention relates to a technique for efficient isolation of long nucleic acids and short nucleic acids from a sample containing long nucleic acids and short nucleic acids via safe and convenient operations. Specifically, long nucleic acids and short nucleic acids are isolated from a sample containing nucleic acids by mixing a chaotropic agent with the sample containing nucleic acids, allowing the mixed solution to pass at least twice through a first solid phase containing silica that has passage pores having predetermined pore sizes, allowing the mixed solution to pass at least twice through a second solid phase containing silica that has passage pores having pore sizes smaller than those of the first solid phase containing silica, and separately recovering nucleic acids that have bound to the first solid phase containing silica and those that have bound to the second solid phases containing silica.
US08048673B2
Methods and compositions for directing adipose-derived stromal cells cultivated in vitro to differentiate into cells of the chondrocyte lineage are disclosed. The invention further provides a variety of chondroinductive agents which can be used singly or in combination with other nutrient components to induce chondrogenesis in adipose-derived stromal cells either in cultivating monolayers or in a biocompatible lattice or matrix in a three-dimensional configuration. Use of the differentiated chondrocytes for the therapeutic treatment of a number of human conditions and diseases including repair of cartilage in vivo is disclosed.
US08048671B2
The invention relates to the field of medical science, in particular to technology directed at repairing defects in living, preferably human, tissue. The present invention provides a method for inducing differentiation of multipotent cells to a desired cell type, as well as a method for repairing a tissue defect in a human or animal patient using the concept of said method for inducing differentiation of multipotent cells. The invention further relates to a kit for carrying out the method for repairing a tissue defect.
US08048669B2
A method and apparatus for embedding cells that utilizes a flow-through embedding technique maximizes the efficiency of extractions and decreases time for embedding the cell fragments, minimizes cell loss, and automatically positions cell samples at the position in which a microtome blade will section them. The apparatus includes a cell flow pathway defined by an inflow tube for delivering cell fragments from a cell sample to a sample port. The sample port is in fluid communication with a tissue cassette having attached thereto a filter. The cell flow pathway is in communication with a reagent flow pathway for delivering the reagents through the sample port to the cassette. The apparatus is configured such that the application of pressure directs the cell fragments from the cell sample through the cell flow pathway, and effects delivery of the reagents through the reagent flow pathway. The apparatus produces an embedded cell block having concentrated cells near the plane of the block to be sectioned in a quick and efficient manner.
US08048668B1
A composting aeration system is provided with a central air duct that is placed in open fluid communication with a plurality of elongated aeration strips, which form a portion of a supporting surface for composting material. One or more aeration hubs or manifolds may be used to place the aeration strips in open fluid communication with the central air duct. The aeration hubs may be provided to selectively vary the fluid flow through the system and substantially limit the passage of debris from the aeration strips to the central air duct. Components to the system are removably coupled with one another to provide ease of cleaning and maintenance between composting operations.
US08048664B2
Compositions and methods are provided that relate to a modified DNA cleaving enzyme having at least 35% amino acid sequence identity with T7 Endo I. The modified enzyme includes two catalytic centers separated by a β-bridge where the β-bridge contains at least one mutation having an effect of altering enzyme cleavage activity compared to the unmodified enzyme. Activities associated with the modified DNA cleaving enzyme that can be modulated in different reaction conditions include at least one of: (a) non-sequence specific nicking activity; (b) cleaving the second strand of a duplex DNA at a preexisting nick site to produce a linear duplex with a single strand overhang; (c) non-sequence specific DNA cleavage; (d) cleaving DNA flanking a mismatch; and (e) cleavage at a cruciform structure in a DNA duplex.
US08048663B2
The present invention relates to Pregnane X receptor (PXR) polypeptides and crystals that are useful, for example, for crystallization and in assays for identification of modulators of PXR.
US08048661B2
A non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes a microbial organism having a reductive TCA or Wood-Ljungdahl pathway in which at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding these pathway enzymes is expressed in a sufficient amount to enhance carbon flux through acetyl-CoA. A method for enhancing carbon flux through acetyl-CoA includes culturing theses non-naturally occurring microbial organisms under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce a product having acetyl-CoA as a building block. Another non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to enhance the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of carbon monoxide or hydrogen, thereby increasing the yield of redox-limited products via carbohydrate-based carbon feedstock. A method for enhancing the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of carbon monoxide or hydrogen includes culturing this organism for a sufficient period of time to produce a product.
US08048659B1
A tagged water-soluble polymer linked to a solid support is provided and includes a solid support optionally including a spacer sequence including one or more spacer monomer units attached to the solid support; and a water-soluble polymer covalently linked to the solid support or to the spacer sequence, the water-soluble polymer including a first cleavage segment including at least one monomer unit including a selectively cleavable link to the solid support or to the spacer sequence, where cleavage of the selectively cleavable link separates the water-soluble polymer from the solid support, a second segment including at least one monomer unit selected from a monomer unit linked to a reactive functionality able to be covalently coupled to a tag or linked to a tag, a third segment including one or more monomer units linked to a reactive functionality that can form a covalent bond with an analyte-binding species or an analyte, and optionally one or more spacer monomer units provided adjacent to any segment and/or between any two segments and/or within any one or more of the second segment and the third segment.
US08048658B2
The present invention relates to a microorganism capable of producing a terpene of choice. The microorganism expresses a heterologous pathway for the formation of isoprene units and, preferably, a heterologous terpene synthase. In this way, high amounts of terpene can be isolated from the medium of the microorganism.
US08048656B2
The invention is directed to a process for the production and recovery of chemicals, in particular hydrocarbons, from a fermentation medium, wherein solvent impregnated carriers are used. Accordingly, the invention provides a process for the production of hydrocarbon from a fermentation liquid comprising: —forming said hydrocarbon from said fermentation liquid using a biocatalyst;—contacting said fermentation liquid with a solvent impregnated porous carrier, which solvent impregnated porous carrier has a density that is different from said fermentation liquid, whereby said formed hydrocarbon is sorbed by said solvent impregnated carrier; —regenerating said solvent impregnated carrier, whereby a stream of said hydrocarbon is obtained; and optionally, recycling said regenerated solvent impregnated carrier.
US08048653B2
The present invention relates to Δ9 elongases, which have the ability to convert linoleic acid [18:2, LA] to eicosadienoic acid [20:2, EDA]. Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding Δ9 elongase along with methods of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these Δ9 elongases in plants and oleaginous yeast are disclosed.
US08048643B2
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.
US08048638B2
Novel, sensitive and specific markers for diagnostics and monitoring of liver injuries, including, but not limited to ischemic liver damage, are provided. This includes identification of several enzymes of arginine/urea/nitric oxide cycle, sulfuration enzymes and spectrin breakdown related products, among others.
US08048630B2
The present disclosure provides methods that permit detection of all known species of Parechovirus, including Human parechovirus and Ljungan virus (LV). In particular examples the method includes amplifying at least a portion of the 5′NTR of parechovirus nucleic acid molecules obtained from a sample, and detecting the resulting amplicons, but does not require culturing of the virus. The present disclosure also provides methods for determining which particular species or serotype of parechovirus is present in a biological sample. Also provided are oligonucleotide primers and probes that can be used in the disclosed methods.
US08048627B2
Many areas of biomedical research depend on the analysis of uncommon variations in individual genes or transcripts. Here we describe a method that can quantify such variation at a scale and ease heretofore unattainable. Each DNA molecule in a collection of such molecules is converted into a single particle to which thousands of copies of DNA identical in sequence to the original are bound. This population of beads then corresponds to a one-to-one representation of the starting DNA molecules. Variation within the original population of DNA molecules can then be simply assessed by counting fluorescently-labeled particles via flow cytometry. Millions of individual DNA molecules can be assessed in this fashion with standard laboratory equipment. Moreover, specific variants can be isolated by flow sorting and employed for further experimentation. This approach can be used for the identification and quantification of rare mutations as well as to study variations in gene sequences or transcripts in specific populations or tissues.
US08048615B2
There is provided an underlayer coating that is used as an underlayer of photoresists in lithography process of the manufacture of semiconductor devices and that has a high dry etching rate in comparison to the photoresists depending on the type of etching gas, does not intermix with the photoresists, and is capable of flattening the surface of a semiconductor substrate having holes of a high aspect ratio; and an underlayer coating forming composition for forming the underlayer coating. The underlayer coating forming composition for forming by light irradiation an underlayer coating used as an underlayer of a photoresist in a lithography process of the manufacture of semiconductor devices, includes a polymerizable compound containing 5 to 45% by mass of silicon atom (A), a photopolymerization initiator (B), and a solvent (C).
US08048601B2
A photoconductor that includes, for example, a substrate; a first layer like a ground plane layer; an undercoat layer thereover wherein the undercoat layer contains an aminosilane and a crosslinked acrylic resin; a photogenerating layer; and at least one charge transport layer.
US08048600B2
A parameter extracting method capable of accurately and effectively extracting parameters used for charged particle beam exposure. The method comprises the steps of forming an unknown parameter layer on a known parameter layer, forming a resist on the unknown parameter layer, subjecting the resist to exposure through patterns changed in an existing range, and extracting parameters of the unknown parameter layer using the exposure result. In the parameter extraction method, parameters of layers lower than the unknown parameter layer are known. Therefore, layer combinations to be considered and the number of experimental data can be drastically reduced. After parameter extraction of the unknown parameter layer, an unknown parameter layer is newly formed on the layer. Then, the parameter thereof is extracted in the same manner. Thus, the parameter is extracted sequentially from lower layers and therefore, the parameter in the multitiered structure having various layer combinations can be accurately and effectively extracted.
US08048592B2
A photomask that includes an assistant pattern is provided. The photomask comprises a target pattern transcribed over a wafer by an exposing process, and an assistant pattern formed symmetrically with a main pattern of the target pattern based on the outer pattern of the target pattern, thereby minimizing the loss of the outer pattern and maximizing the process margin in the defocus environment.
US08048582B2
A PEM fuel cell power plant includes fuel cells, each of which has a cathode reactant flow field plate which is substantially impermeable to fluids, a coolant source, and a fluid permeable anode reactant flow field plate adjacent to said coolant source. The anode reactant flow field plates pass coolant from the coolant sources into the cells where the coolant is evaporated to cool the cells. The cathode flow field plates prevent reactant crossover between adjacent cells. By providing a single permeable plate for each cell in the power plant the amount of coolant present in the power plant at shut down is limited to a degree which does not require adjunct coolant purging components to remove coolant from the plates when the power plant is shut down during freezing ambient conditions. Thus the amount of residual frozen coolant in the power plant that forms in the plates during shut down in such freezing conditions will be limited. The power plant can thus be restarted and brought up to full operating power levels quickly due to the reduced amount of frozen coolant that must be melted during startup. Pressure in the coolant source is preferably greater than ambient pressure, and pressure in the anode reactant flow field is greater than the pressure in the coolant source so as to prevent the coolant from flooding the cells. The power plant is well suited for use in powering vehicles.
US08048570B2
Protected anode architectures have ionically conductive protective membrane architectures that, in conjunction with compliant seal structures and anode backplanes, effectively enclose an active metal anode inside the interior of an anode compartment. This enclosure prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment external to the anode compartment, which may include aqueous, ambient moisture, and/or other materials corrosive to the active metal. The compliant seal structures are substantially impervious to anolytes, catholytes, dissolved species in electrolytes, and moisture and compliant to changes in anode volume such that physical continuity between the anode protective architecture and backplane are maintained. The protected anode architectures can be used in arrays of protected anode architectures and battery cells of various configurations incorporating the protected anode architectures or arrays.
US08048569B2
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising a negative electrode having a current collector provided with convex portions and concave portions on both surfaces, a first columnar body formed in a tilting orientation on the convex portion on one of the surfaces of the current collector, and a second columnar body formed in a tilting orientation on the convex portion on the other surface, a positive electrode having a positive electrode current collector provided with a positive electrode mixture layer containing a positive electrode active material capable of reversibly inserting and extracting lithium ions on both surfaces, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode in a confronting manner, wherein the first columnar body and the second columnar body on the negative electrode are tilted to an orthogonal direction of a winding direction of the current collector.
US08048559B2
A secondary battery and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the secondary battery includes 1) an electrode assembly comprising an outer surface, 2) an electrolyte, 3) a sealing tape attached to and surrounding at least part of the outer surface of the electrode assembly, wherein the sealing tape comprises i) an adhesive layer contacting the outer surface of the electrode assembly and ii) a base layer formed on the adhesive layer, and wherein the base layer is formed of a material which has directionality and 4) a can accommodating the electrode assembly and sealing tape, wherein the base layer is configured to at least partially lose directionality upon contacting the electrolyte so that at least a portion of the base layer contacts an inner surface of the can.
US08048547B2
A fuel cell comprising an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, and a nanoporous membrane between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, wherein the nanoporous membrane sequesters and isolates a microbe in the anode chamber. The nanoporous membrane allows nutrients to flow actively or passively from the cathode chamber to the anode chamber and can be modified by a thin film composite (TFC) to create a TFC nanofiltration membrane. The nanoporous membrane can have a pore size from about 100 nm to about 1000 nm. A method of making a fuel cell comprising configuring a nanoporous membrane between an anode chamber and a cathode chamber wherein the nanoporous membrane sequesters and isolates a microbe in the anode chamber and can be used to protect the cathode chamber.
US08048544B2
Ceramics are made of preceramic paper or board structures in a particular shape previously represented in a paper structure, in which the preceramic papers or boards have a content of ceramic fillers between 30 and 95 wt-%, with the ceramic fillers having a particle size <30 μm. A method for manufacturing such ceramics and the use thereof are also provided.
US08048538B2
A organic electroluminescent device comprising: a pair of electrodes; and at least one organic layer between the pair of electrodes, wherein the at least one organic layer contains a specific compound in which a transition metal and a carbene carbon are bonded to each other.
US08048533B2
A paper seal comprising a stretched thermoplastic resin film that comprises (a) a surface layer, (b) a substrate layer, and (c) a water-based adhesive-receiving layer having a water absorption level of from 2 to 25 ml/m2, wherein the stretched thermoplastic resin film has a porosity of from 20 to 50% and a 120°-opening time by bending repulsion of from 20 to 70 seconds. The paper seal can be stuck in a flat state without being curled by the environmental influence during labeling or by the influence of seasonal variation, and can be peeled off completely.
US08048532B2
Disclosed herein is an improved, metallized polymer film and method for preparing the same. Such films comprise a) at least one treated polymeric skin layer comprising butylene, and b) a metal layer deposited onto at least one surface of this polymeric skin layer. The polymeric skin layer can comprise a propylene-butylene copolymer or an ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer, with this copolymer or terpolymer containing from about 4 wt % to about 12 wt % of butylene. The polymeric skin layer is preferably preconditioned by subjecting an outermost surface thereof to plasma treatment which facilitates the deposition thereon of a strongly adhering metal layer which is preferably aluminum. The resulting multi-layer films exhibit metal adhesion bond strength of at least about 100 grams/25 mm. These films will preferably also exhibit a Water Vapor Transmission Rate of from about 0.05 to about 0.2 g/m2/24 hour, and an Oxygen Transmission Rate of from about 5.0 to about 20 cm3/m2/24 hour.
US08048530B2
According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a coated substrate surface is provided. In at least one embodiment, the coated substrate surface includes a substrate surface, and a high-velocity impact polymer reaction coating for promoting adhesive bonding, the coating having first and second opposing surfaces, the first opposing surface being adjacent to the substrate surface. In at least another embodiment, the high-velocity impact polymer reaction coating is formed by depositing a polymer reaction compound onto the substrate surface with a high-velocity impact device at a velocity in the range of 10 to 200 meters per second, the polymer reaction compound being formed from substantially random fragmentation of prepolymer molecules.
US08048529B2
A rear sliding window assembly suitable for use in a vehicle includes upper and lower track members and at least one fixed glass window panel. The track members are disposed at a surface of the fixed glass window panels and no portion of the track members is in contact with the opposite surface of the fixed glass window panels. A movable glass window panel is slidably disposed at the track members and movable at least partially along the track members relative to the fixed glass window panel or panels. The movable glass window panel is movable between opened and closed positions. A perimeter edge of the movable glass window panel may be received by a glide member, and the glide member may be disposed in the upper or lower track member to facilitate sliding of the movable glass window panel at least partially along the upper or lower track member.
US08048522B2
Process for the production of pressure sensitive adhesive materials or sealing materials having a defined cross-sectional geometry and three-dimensional structure, especially in the form of rolled or continuous materials, which comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a polymerizable mass (5); (b) applying this mass to an adhesive support (1, 2, 3, 6) in web form which, in longitudinal direction, has one or more depressions (30) having a predetermined cross-sectional contour, or filling said mass into one or more contour-imparting, adhesive hollow bodies (11) which have a predetermined cross-sectional contour; (c) feeding the mass to a curing unit (7) for curing the polymerizable mass (5).
US08048519B2
A flame retardant panel structure comprises at least one external metal layer, one or more tie layers comprising one or more functionalized polymers, and a core layer made of a fabric made of glass fibers. The flame retardant panel structure shows comparable flame retardancy properties while being manufactured at reasonable costs with conventional processes such as for example extrusion or calendering. The flame retardant panel structures can be used in applications where flame retardancy and/or fire protection is needed, such as for example in building and construction applications, automotive or railways applications, medical equipments and luggage.
US08048517B2
Compositions, methods, apparatuses, kits, and combinations are described for permanently or temporarily re-designing, decorating, and/or re-coloring a surface. The compositions useful in the present disclosure include a décor product that is formulated to be applied and affixed to a surface. If desired, the décor product may be substantially removed from the surface before being affixed thereto. If a user desires to remove the décor product, the décor product is formulated to be removed by a number of methods including, for example, vacuuming, wet extraction, chemical application, and the like. If the user desires to affix the décor product to the surface in a permanent or semi-permanent manner, the décor product may be affixed to the surface by applying energy thereto in the form of, for example, heat, pressure, emitted waves, an emitted electrical field, a magnetic field, and/or a chemical. The décor product may also be utilized in the form of a kit or in conjunction with a design device, such as a stencil, to control the application of the décor product to create, for example, a pattern on the surface.
US08048513B2
This invention relates to improved plexifilamentary sheet material useful in protective apparel and filtration media, which material is comprised of substantially continuous polyethylene plexifilamentary fiber strands and has a Frazier Permeability, normalized to 1.0 oz/yd2 basis weight, of at least 2 cfm/ft2.
US08048512B2
The transparent conductive laminate of the present invention is a transparent conductive laminate, comprising: a transparent film substrate; a transparent conductive thin film provided on one side of the transparent film substrate with a dielectric thin film interposed therebetween; and a transparent substrate bonded to another side of the transparent film substrate with a transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive layer interposed therebetween, wherein the transparent substrate comprises at least two transparent base films laminated with the transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive layer interposed therebetween, and the dielectric thin film comprises a first transparent dielectric thin film consisting of a SiOx (x is from 1.5 to less than 2) film having a relative refractive index of 1.6 to 1.9, and a second transparent dielectric thin film consisting of a SiO2 film. This feature can improve the surface contact pressure durability.
US08048503B2
The present invention is directed to implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.
US08048500B2
The present invention is directed to implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.
US08048476B2
Evaporation chamber for depositing a protective film on a surface, where a dielectric layer is formed, of front substrate, front substrate is formed a display electrode and the dielectric layer thereon; transporting unit for transporting front substrate into evaporation chamber; gas introducing units for introducing gas containing H2O into evaporation chamber; and partial pressure detecting unit for measuring a certain partial pressure of gas within evaporation chamber, extending from the center of deposition space of evaporation chamber to the downstream of transport direction of front substrate are provided. Gas containing H2O is introduced from gas introducing units such that the partial pressure of gas is controlled in the partial pressure detecting unit.
US08048466B2
The present invention is directed to monolayer, bilayer, and multilayer films made from fruit, vegetable or a combination thereof, which films have the thinness, strength, flexibility, and crispness to serve as alternates or substitutes for seaweed-based films such as nori, while providing the nutrition and flavor of fruits and vegetables. The films are useful for wrapping around a multiplicity of foods, and can be used to provide wrapped foods, including for example fruit and vegetable wrapped sushi and onigiri.
US08048461B2
The present invention relates to a process for injection of refrigerated suspended particles into food products and the products resulting from such process. The present invention applies to the food industry in the field of meat products, and reveals those characteristics which are relevant for the process of preparation of said meat products suspension, to be later aggregated on larger sized meat products, as well as those characteristics which are relevant for said injection process. The main object of the present invention is to increase the final product green weight without incurring loss of flavor, shortening of shelf life, nutritional value or texture, making feasible the incorporation of smaller size pieces to a product featuring a higher commercial value. The term meat products is herein used meaning those products extracted from poultry, fish, cattle, pork, sheep, etc., both with and without fat, either in the shape of meat cut or shred, ground meat, frozen meat, semi-frozen meat or refrigerated meat.
US08048446B2
Non-woven fibrous scaffolds made by electrospinning from the synthetic biodegradable polymer such as, for example, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and natural proteins, such as, for example, gelatin (denatured collagen) and elastin and a method of making thereof.
US08048445B2
The invention provides biodegradable implants sized for implantation in an ocular region and methods for treating medical conditions of the eye. The implants are formed from a mixture of hydrophilic end and hydrophobic end PLGA, and deliver active agents into an ocular region without a high burst release.
US08048444B2
An anti-adhesion membrane is placed onto an implant introduced into a surgical site of a patient to prevent post-surgical adhesions between the implant and surrounding tissue. The implant may comprise either biological material, such as a transplanted organ, or non-biological material such as a medical device. The membrane may be applied in a variety of ways. In one example, a membrane according to the present invention is shrink-wrapped around a pace-maker. In another example, a breast implant is spray-coated or dipped with the membrane material.
US08048440B2
A medical device provided with at least a partial surface coating of a thermoplastic copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkylvinylether that is free of cross-linking monomers and curing agents. The fluoropolymer coating is preferably an amorphous thermoplastic, is highly inert and biocompatible, has elastomeric characteristics that provide desirable mechanical properties such as good flexibility and durability. These characteristics allow the coating to be considered “functionally transparent” because it withstands mechanical deformations required for the assembly, deployment, expansion, and placement of medical devices, without any adverse effect on the mechanical and biological functionality of the coated device. Further, its inertness, derived from the perfluorocarbon structure, contributes to its functionally transparent nature. The coating can be provided with various liquid or solid additives, can be loaded with large quantities of additives including a wide range of therapeutic agents, and has excellent drug elution characteristics when elutable additives are used. The desirable mechanical characteristics are surprising given the absence of cross-linking monomers and curing agents that would otherwise render such materials inadequately biocompatible. The perfluoroalkylvinylether may be perfluoromethylvinylether, perfluoroethylvinylether or perfluoropropylvinylether.
US08048437B2
Coatings comprising protein resistant components and therapeutic components on medical devices are disclosed. The coatings act to down-regulate complement activation. Medical devices can be coated with these coatings to prevent side effects and improve patency.
US08048435B2
A process of producing a concentrated liquid biocide formulation is described. Mixed together are (a) bromine and (b) an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid having a pH of at least about 12, in amounts such that (i) the active bromine content of the solution is at least about 100,000 ppm (wt/wt), and (ii) the atom ratio of nitrogen to active bromine from (a) and (b) is greater than 1. A continuous process for producing the concentrated liquid biocide composition is provided. This process comprises continuously feeding into mixing apparatus (i) bromine and (ii) an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid; the desired product is withdrawn from the mixing apparatus at a rate sufficient to enable the continuous feeding to be maintained. Also described are methods for disinfecting surfaces and for sanitizing bodies of water using a single-feed, bromine-based biocide. These methods use concentrated liquid biocide compositions comprising biocidally active bromine as the biocide.
US08048433B2
The current invention provides new Gram negative polypeptides exhibiting lipid A 3-O-deacylase activity and are capable of modifying and/or detoxifying gram negative LPS. The present invention also provides Gram negative bacteria, Gram negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and compositions comprising LPS, which are provided with or treated with a 3-O-deacylase activity according to the invention and which may be used for pharmaceutical and/or veterinary purposes, in particular for the preparation of whole cell or acellular vaccines against pathogenic Gram negatives such as Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica.
US08048427B2
The present invention discloses the construction of dengue virus subgenomic replicons containing large deletions in the structural region (C-preM-E) of the genome, which replicons are useful as vaccines to protect against dengue virus infection.
US08048418B2
Disclosed is a therapeutic method for inhibiting development or growth of tumors that are resistant to the blockade of delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4), or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), or to other therapeutic agents, by administering the combination of Dll4 antagonist and VEGF antagonist. The combined administration of these two agents, concurrently or sequentially, exhibits synergistic effects on blood vessel development and growth, thereby more effectively inhibiting the tumor growth than an administration of either agent alone. The Dll4 antagonist can be an anti-Dll4 antibody or antibody fragment capable of inhibiting the binding of Dll4 to a Notch receptor, or a fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of Dll4 or a soluble Notch receptor, or a fragment thereof, fused to a multimerizing component. The VEGF antagonist can be a VEGF trap, anti-VEGF antibody or antibody fragment capable of inhibiting the binding of VEGF to a VEGF receptor.
US08048414B1
F(ab) fragments are isolated from an antibody containing source by contacting the antibody containing source with a papain-polyacrylamide matrix to produce F(ab) and F(c) fragments which are then passed through an antigen-polyacrylamide gel capable of attracting the F(ab) fragments. F(ab)2 fragments are obtained by contacting the antibody containing source with a pepsin-polyacrylamide matrix to produce F(ab)2 and F(c) fragments which are then passed through an antigen-polyacrylamide gel capable of attracting the F(ab)2 fragments. IgG antibodies are obtained by passing an antibody containing source through an antigen-polyacrylamide gel. These processes can be used to purify a wide variety of antibodies which can be used as therapeutic agents and as diagnostic agents. Antivenins produced by these processes have substantially reduced foreign protein levels and hence are less likely to produce immunogenic reactions. Bulk, unprocessed antibody sources may be utilized and, for reasons of process simplification, are preferred.
US08048409B2
The present invention encompasses methods and apparatus for minimizing the risks inherent in endovascular grafting for blood vessel therapy and repair. The invention involves delivering adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells, progenitor cells, fibroblasts, or smooth muscle cells to the diseased blood vessel, in some embodiments in conjunction with a stent graft.
US08048402B2
The synthesis of a crystalline aluminophosphate or silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve having a chabazite-type framework type is conducted in the presence of an organic directing agent having the formula (I) [R1R2R3N—R4]+X− (I) wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R4 is selected from the group consisting of 4- to 8-membered cycloalkyl groups, optionally substituted by 1 to 3 alkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; 4- to 8-membered heterocyclic groups having from 1 to 3 heteroatoms, said heterocyclic groups being optionally substituted by 1 to 3 alkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and the heteroatoms in said heterocyclic groups being selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S; and aromatic groups optionally substituted by 1 to 3 alkyl groups, said alkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and X− is an anion.
US08048389B2
The present invention provides a cerium oxide-zirconium oxide-based mixed oxide having superior platinum dispersibility and a suitable OSC, and a simple production process thereof. The cerium oxide-zirconium oxide-based mixed oxide comprises cerium oxide and zirconium oxide, wherein (1) the weight ratio of CeO2:ZrO2 is 60:40 to 90:10, and (2) the cerium oxide and the zirconium oxide are present as a mixture, the zirconium oxide being composed of a solid solution in which tetragonal or cubic zirconium oxide contains cerium.
US08048386B2
A fluid control and processing system for controlling fluid flow among a plurality of chambers comprises a body including a fluid processing region continuously coupled fluidicly with a fluid displacement region. The fluid displacement region is depressurizable to draw fluid into the fluid displacement region and pressurizable to expel fluid from the fluid displacement region. The body includes at least one external port. The fluid processing region is fluidicly coupled with the at least one external port. The fluid displacement region is fluidicly coupled with at least one external port of the body. The body is adjustable with respect to the plurality of chambers to place the at least one external port selectively in fluidic communication with the plurality of chambers. One or more of the chambers may be a processing chamber which includes two ports configured to selectively engage the at least one external port of the body, and a fluid processing material such as an enrichment material or a depletion material. In some embodiments, one or more chambers may include a separation channel, and an electric field may be applied across the separation channel.
US08048385B2
There is provided a sensing chip capable of measuring a refractive index by utilizing a long-range surface plasmon polariton, accurately measuring an accumulative refractive index in a wide range, and more easily enabling sealing for measurement. The present invention relates to the sensing chip which has a thin metal film or a strip-like metal grown on an underlayer, and has a dielectric that limits a refractive index and a dielectric buffer layer on an upper surface and a lower surface of the thin metal film or the strip-like metal. The dielectric buffer layer is attached onto the thin metal film or the strip-like metal. The thin metal film or the strip-like metal and the buffer layer are sandwiched between two dielectric layers. A hole is made in a surface of the upper dielectric layer to serve as a measurement groove.
US08048384B1
A chemochromic H2 sensor includes supports including a plurality of metal oxide particles exclusive of titania, and a platinum group metal (PGM) compound on the supports. The PGM compound is an oxide, hydroxide hydrated oxide, PGM salt or a PGM complex. When the PGM compound is a PGM salt or a PGM complex, the supports can include titania particles.
US08048381B2
In an apparatus and method for optimizing the exhaust gas burnout in combustion plants having a solid bed combustion zone and an exhaust gas burnout zone wherein oxygen-containing gas is injected into the exhaust gas flow in the burnout zone by way of a plurality of secondary gas injection nozzles, wherein each injection nozzle is provided with a control valve, means are provided for determining the presence of incompletely burned exhaust gas components in the exhaust gas burn out zone and a control unit converts the signals into control signals by which the valves or group of valves are individually controlled so as to inject oxygen containing gas into the exhaust gas flow in order to concentrate the injection of the oxygen containing secondary gas into the areas in which incompletely burned exhaust gas components are present.
US08048374B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis method and an automatic analyzer which are suitable for improving throughput by changing reagents during analysis without placing a load on an operator, and without stopping the analysis. There is provided an automatic analysis method comprising the steps of: while moving a reagent transfer mechanism with respect to a reagent pipettor, dispensing a reagent placed in the reagent transfer mechanism by use of the reagent pipettor to cause a sample to react with the dispensed reagent; and measuring the reacted sample so as to analyze specified analysis items of the sample. A reagent is transferred from a reagent storage unit to a reagent changing mechanism. Then, the reagent changing mechanism is moved in synchronization with the reagent transfer mechanism so that reagents are changed during the synchronization.
US08048360B2
A method for curing a resin includes the steps of placing the resin into a reaction vessel, drawing a vacuum in the reaction vessel, positioning the reaction vessel in a gaseous coupling fluid, and applying ultrasonic energy to the coupling fluid.
US08048359B2
There is provided methods and apparatus for compensation of intensity profiles of imagers used in three-dimensional modelers. The intensity profile of the actinic radiation projected from the imager is determined by a variety of techniques, including but not limited to manually operated sensors, exposed and scanned actinic radiation-sensitive paper, and intensity profilers. Once the intensity profile of the imager is determined, each layer of the solidifiable liquid material is cured by projecting a plurality of patterns (as opposed to a single pattern) defining the two-dimensional cross-section of the part being cured. The patterns vary in duration, number, and/or shape to correlate to the intensity profile so that a single layer of selectively cured solidifiable liquid material is cured with a substantially equivalent (or otherwise controlled) amount of actinic radiation per unit of surface area to provide generally controlled and consistent part quality.
US08048357B2
A process for forcibly infusing liquid potting compound into the exposed strands of a cable prior to forming a termination. The process uses a mold that encloses the exposed strands. Potting compound is then pumped into the mold, where it runs around and through the exposed strands. A second venting passage is preferably employed, so that the liquid potting compound flows through the mold without trapping any air pockets.
US08048356B2
A keypad having three-dimensional patterns and a method for manufacturing the same. The keypad includes a base layer, a light-guiding plate, a pattern layer, a shielding layer and a keycap layer. The light-guiding plate is overlapped on the base layer. The pattern layer is provided on the light-guiding plate. A plurality of three-dimensional patterns is provided on the front surface of the pattern layer. The shielding layer is coated on the back surface of the pattern layer, and is formed with a plurality of hollowed regions to correspond to the three-dimensional patterns. The keycap layer is overlapped on the pattern layer and formed with a plurality of keycaps to correspond to the three-dimensional patterns. In addition, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing keypad having three-dimensional patterns. Via the above arrangement, the recognition and aesthetic feeling of each three-dimensional pattern can be increased.
US08048354B2
To manufacture a support made of at least one predetermined material and bearing features: a plurality of superposed layers is produced on a substrate that it is known how to remove, each of the layers being formed from zones of at least two different materials, the geometry of the zones and the constituent materials of these superposed layers being defined so as to form said features, on the reverse side of the substrate, these features being of 3D type, and some of these features differing in height among themselves and/or with other features; a layer of the predetermined material is produced on this multilayer stack; and at least the substrate is eliminated whereby, after inversion, said support with said features is obtained.
US08048352B2
Medical devices and methods of making the devices are described. In some embodiments, the methods include a method of manufacturing a device including a first layer and a second layer, the method including the steps of selecting a material for the second layer, the material having a viscosity value at a shear rate of about 1 s−1 or less and at a selected temperature; selecting a nanocomposite material for the first layer that has a viscosity within about 20% to about 125% of the viscosity value of the material for the second layer; and co-extruding the first and second layers.
US08048344B2
The present invention discloses a method for smoothing a surface of an optical element with a laser. Firstly, an optical element having a rough surface is provided. Next, the rough surface of the optical element is illuminated with a laser. The rough surface absorbs laser energy and melts into a liquid. The liquid is stretched and planarized by the surface tension of the rough surface and then solidifies into a smooth surface. The present invention can smooth the surface of an optical element and promote the resonant or waveguide performance of the optical element.
US08048341B2
A method of making a polymer composite from a mixture of a polymeric material, carbon nanofibers, and nano-scale particles is provided. The carbon nanofibers are less than about 1 micrometer in diameter, and the nano-scale particles are shorter in length than the carbon nanofibers. The nano-scale particles are selected from nano-scale carbon additives, non-conductive nano-clays, nano-scale conductive metallic additives, or combinations thereof. The components are mixed to form a polymer composite. A polymer composite having a resistivity of less than about 107 ohm-cm is also described.
US08048331B2
An etching composition which comprises at least one organic carboxylic acid compound selected from acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, succinic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, glutaric acid, aconitic acid, 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid and ammonium salts of these acids, a polysulfonic acid compound and water, and an etching process which comprises etching a conductive film comprising zinc oxide as the main component using the etching composition described above.
US08048324B2
A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide includes: forming a first reflective bump and a second reflective bump, which have inclined surfaces formed on sides opposite to each other and which are disposed with a predetermined distance in-between, on an upper side of a conductive carrier; polishing the surfaces of the first reflective bump and the second reflective bump; forming a core between the first reflective bump and the second reflective bump; stacking an upper cladding over the upper side of the carrier to cover the first reflective bump, the second reflective bump, and the core; removing the carrier; and stacking a lower cladding over a lower side of the upper cladding. Forming reflective bumps on a conductive carrier, and polishing the reflective bumps to form inclined surfaces, can reduce lead time and can provide a high degree of freedom in design.
US08048317B2
Disclosed are methods for chemical analysis, bacterial disinfection, oxidative destruction and/or mineralization of organic compounds comprising using zero-valent iron and/or zero-valent iron-containing bimetallic compounds, preferably in acidic solution and/or in the presence of oxygen.
US08048315B2
Fluid treatment arrangements and methods involve a plurality of fluid treatment modules and a core assembly that extends through the plurality of fluid treatment modules. Each fluid treatment module has a feed region, a permeate region, and a fluid treatment medium separating the feed region from the permeate region. The feed region extends along a feed surface of the fluid treatment medium, and the permeate region extends along a permeate surface of the fluid treatment region. Feed fluid is directed along the feed region of each module, and a portion of the feed fluid passes as permeate through the fluid treatment medium, into the permeate region, and then into the core assembly. One or more control mechanisms are fluidly coupled to the permeate region of one or more fluid treatment modules to control a flow parameter in the permeate region of the module.
US08048314B2
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for treating a chlorine-containing waste, which can separate and recover a chlorine component from a chlorine-containing waste, and also can achieve a high chlorine removal thereby obtaining a high purity chlorine compound, and can decrease the amount of water for recovering chlorine. The method for treating a chlorine-containing waste of the present invention comprises a washing/filtrating step of adding water to the chlorine-containing waste, followed by mixing to form a first slurry, separating the first slurry into a solid and a filtrate through filtration, and using the resulting solid as a cement raw material; a filtrate treating step of adding a reducing agent and a pH adjustor to the filtrate to form a sediment containing heavy metal and calcium contained in the filtrate, and separating the sediment through filtration; a crystallization step of concentrating the filtrate, from which the sediment has been removed, through heating and evaporation to form a second slurry in which a chlorine compound contained in the filtrate has been crystallized, separating the second slurry into a solid containing a chlorine compound and a mother liquor, and recovering the solid; and a separated mother liquor treating step of returning a portion of the mother liquor to a cement manufacturing facility.
US08048301B2
The invention relates to a device 1 for treating a fluid, including a container 2,3 with inner space, at least one entrance to the inner space arranged on the container, wherein the entrance includes a first and second opening 4,5, a grid body 14 which is arranged in the inner space and which divides the inner space into a first compartment for a treatment arrangement, preferably filter material, connected to the first opening 4 and at least one second compartment which is connected by means of a tube 25 to the second opening 5 and which is free of filter material. The tube has a connector arrangement for connecting the second opening to the first compartment.
US08048292B2
Systems and methods for hydroprocessing a heavy oil feedstock, the system employs a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones and a solvent deasphalting (SDA) unit for providing at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the deasphalted oil, forming upgraded products of lower boiling hydrocarbons. In the separation zones which operates at a temperature within 20° F. and a pressure within 10 psi of the pressure in the contacting zones, upgraded products are removed overhead and optionally, further treated in an in-line hydrotreater.
US08048289B2
A system for high-throughput analysis of membranous samples having ion channels including at least one membranous sample, a multi-compartment structure including an extracellular chamber, an opposing intracellular chamber and a partition separating the extracellular and intracellular chambers, the partition having a plurality of apertures fluidly and electrically coupling the extracellular and intracellular chambers, wherein at least one of the apertures is sealed by the at least one membranous sample, and another of the apertures is unsealed, a electric source configured to apply a current between the extracellular and intracellular chambers, wherein a portion of the current travels through the unsealed aperture, and a current sensor configured to measure the current between the extracellular and intracellular chambers. A method of using the system is also disclosed.
US08048285B2
The invention provides a method for producing a corrosion-resistant article, where the article is conductive and subject to hydrogen uptake during electroplating of a coating. The method comprises electroplating a zinc/nickel coating on the article in an aqueous, basic plating solution containing zinc and nickel ions. The method uses an electrolyte in the form of a soluble hydroxide salt with the weight ratio of zinc ions to nickel ions in the solution being sufficient to provide the coating comprising from about 85% to about 95% by weight zinc, and about 5% to about 15% by weight nickel. The plating solution is substantially free of brightening agents which retard hydrogen bake-out.
US08048269B2
A forming section has a lower wire loop (11), which constitutes a single-wire section (T) following a breast roll (12). A first dewatering zone (Z1) has at least one stationary, first forming shoe (40) followed by a pulsating strip cover (50). The first forming shoe has leading and trailing edges and underpressure affecting through holes of the cover. The holes are openings or slots substantially in the longitudinal direction of the machine, whereby non-pulsating dewatering is applied on the stock travelling on top of the lower wire. A pulp suspension jet is fed from a headbox (30) at an impact point after the shoe leading edge. The cover is straight at least in the area between the impact point of the pulp suspension jet and the trailing edge. The impact of the pulp suspension jet on the forming wire is thus better controlled in a better way, increasing production speed.
US08048266B2
A method of manufacturing a multilayer fibrous product. The product comprises at least two overlapping layers, each of which has a different fiber composition, and in the production of the product, chemical short stock is used at least partly. In the method, short stock is brought to a screening stage where fines, which pass a screen having an average hole size of 0.2-1.5 mm, are separated from it, in order to prepare at least two fiber fractions having different fiber compositions, and the fractions generated are recovered and included in different layers of the same fibrous product. With the invention, it is possible to screen an initial material and form a product which has better properties than a corresponding product, the initial material pulp of which has only been refined.
US08048259B2
A plasma processing apparatus which contributes to reducing required time for maintenance and thereby to enhancing the efficiency of processing and that of apparatus operation is to be provided. A vacuum processing apparatus comprises a vacuum vessel in which a substrate-shaped sample is arranged in an internally arranged processing chamber in which the pressure is reduced; a transfer chamber to which the vacuum vessel is linked and through whose inside reduced in pressure the sample is transferred; a passage which establishes communication between the transfer chamber and the vacuum vessel in a state in which the transfer chamber and the processing chamber are linked to each other and through whose inside the sample not yet processed or already processed is transferred; and a covering member which is removably coupled to cover the internal wall face of the passage, wherein the sample is processed within the processing chamber with a plasma formed in the processing chamber.
US08048255B2
An implantable annuloplasty suture guide is intended to lie against at least a portion of an annulus surrounding a human heart. The implantable annuloplasty suture guide is made of an elongated ribbon of braided, heat setable material. The braided, heat-setable material is heat-set in a curved lengthwise configuration corresponding to at least a portion of the annulus of the human heart valve. A method of making an implantable annuloplasty suture guide configured to lie against at least a portion of an annulus defined by tissue surrounding a human heart. The method includes the steps of providing an elongate biocompatible ribbon comprising a braided, heat setable material. A fixture is provided, with the fixture comprising a heat conducting material defining an elongate cavity having a curved length-wise configuration corresponding to at least a portion of the annulus defined by the tissue surrounding the human heart. The elongate biocompatible ribbon is placed in the cavity and the fixture is heated to provide a select temperature for a select time in the cavity, the select temperature and the select time being sufficient to heat-set the elongate biocompatible ribbon in the curved length-wise configuration.
US08048245B2
An apparatus and method for producing a coated analytic substrate using a compact and portable automated instrument located in the laboratory setting at the point of use which can consistently produce one or a plurality of coated analytic substrates “on demand” for using the analytic substrate immediately after coating, preferably without a step of rinsing the coated analytic substrate before use. The apparatus preferably uses applicator cartridges having a reservoir containing the coating compositions used to form the coatings. Preferably the cartridges are removable and interchangeable to facilitate the production of individual analytic substrates having different coatings or different coating patterns. These coated analytic substrates have superior specimen adhesion characteristics due to the improved quality of the coatings applied by the coating apparatus and due to the quickness with which the coated analytic substrates can be used in the lab after production.
US08048244B2
A method of forming an article from a plurality of fiber bundles comprising the steps of providing at least one supply of fiber bundles, the fiber bundles having bonding fibers, supplying the fiber bundles to an injector, sequentially injecting fiber bundles from the fiber bundle feed assembly to predetermined positions within a mold member, heating the fiber bundles within the mold member to facilitate the adhesion of bonding fibers to, in turn, integrate the fiber bundle into an article, and, removing the fiber bundles from the mold member. An article and a system for forming same is likewise disclosed.
US08048239B2
The present invention provides a ferritic stainless steel sheet superior in shapeability containing, by wt %, C: 0.001 to 0.010%, Si: 0.01 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.01 to 1.0%, P: 0.01 to 0.04%, Cr: 10 to 20%, N: 0.001 to 0.020%, Nb: 0.3 to 1.0%, and Mo: 0.5 to 2.0%, wherein the total precipitates are, by wt %, 0.05 to 0.60%. A method of production of a ferritic stainless steel sheet superior in shapeability comprising producing a cold rolling material in the production process so that the Nb-based precipitates become, by vol %, 0.15% to 0.6% and have a diameter of 0.1 μm to 1 μm and/or so that the recrystallized grain size becomes 1 μm to 40 μm and the recrystallization rate becomes 10 to 90%, then cold rolling and annealing it at 1010 to 1080° C.
US08048237B2
An ultra soft high carbon hot-rolled steel sheet has excellent workability. The steel sheet is a high carbon hot-rolled steel sheet containing 0.2 to 0.7% C, and has a structure in which mean grain size of ferrite is 20 μm or larger, the volume percentage of ferrite grains having 10 μm or smaller size is 20% or less, mean diameter of carbide is in a range from 0.10 μm to smaller than 2.0 μm, the percentage of carbide grains having 5 or more of aspect ratio is 15% or less, and the contact ratio of carbide is 20% or less.
US08048234B2
The invention relates to a method of cleaning a pipe (12) by action of a fluid under very high pressure. It is characterised in that the fluid under very high pressure is caused to pass in a flexible tube (14); said tube is subjected to the action of motorisation means (5) for longitudinal advance, and means for driving the tube (14) in rotation around its longitudinal axis; these motorisation means (50) are regulated by management means (48) and rotation detection means (47) and/or pinpointing longitudinal advance, and these means of driving in rotation; the tube (14) is guided near the entrance of the pipe (12). The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method.
US08048217B2
The invention relates to a powder composition based on a calcium/magnésium compound having formula (I), xCaA.(1−x)[yMgA+(1−y)MgO], in which A is a group ═(OH)2 or ═CO3 and x and y are mole fractions where 0
US08048213B2
Inkjet ink compositions comprising a liquid vehicle, an azo pigment, and a synergist are described. The colorant of the azo pigment and the synergist have specific structural features that, in combination, can be used to form an inkjet ink composition having long term stability in a variety of ink vehicles.
US08048206B2
An apparatus and a method for filtering sectioning wastes of a microtome that are present in an air stream is suggested. The apparatus encompasses an aspiration device. With the aspiration device, sectioning waste can be aspirated from a blade region of the microtome with an air stream. The aspiration device comprises a main filter in which the sectioning wastes can be filtered from the air. In order to allow inadvertently aspirated histological sections to be retrieved again without mix-up, the apparatus according to the present invention has an aspiration device comprising a prefilter that is arranged between the blade region and the main filter and prefilters the sectioning wastes. The present invention further relates to a microtome.
US08048195B2
The present invention relates to the use of liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), and to processes for the recycling thereof. The processes according to the invention are characterised in that the LCDs are employed at least partly as replacement for other raw materials. In general, the LCDs are thermally treated here at a temperature in the range from 900 to 1700° C.
US08048192B2
Provided are methods and systems for generating nanoparticles from an inorganic precursor compound using a hydrothermal process within at least one CSTR or PFR maintained at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure and a treatment vessel in which this reaction solution can be applied to one or more catalyst substrates. In operation, the reaction solution may be maintained within the CSTR at a substantially constant concentration and within a reaction temperature range for a reaction period sufficient to obtain nanoparticles having a desired average particle size of, for example, less than 10 nm formation and/or deposition. Variations of the basic method and system can provide, for example, the generation of complex particle size distribution profiles, the selective deposition of a multi-modal particle size distribution on a single substrate.
US08048188B2
Principles, techniques and configurations applicable in air cleaner arrangements and filter cartridges therefore, are described. In general the filter cartridge includes an axial pivot arrangement, for pivoting the filter cartridge in place, when mounted in an air cleaner for use. The air cleaner preferably includes a base pivot, for engagement with the pivot projection on the filter cartridge. Methods of assembly, installation and use are described.
US08048187B2
A filter element includes a filter media pack, a frame, an annular seal, and a sealing means independent of the annular seal, attaching the filter media pack and the frame. The means of sealing an interface between the filter media pack and the frame include molding a filter media pack seal, plastic welding outer wraps of filter media pack to the frame, and securing the filter media pack and the frame using a bead of adhesive.
US08048175B2
Mercaptans and/or hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in hydrocarbons, naphthas, gasolines, and the like may be scavenged therefrom by being brought into intimate contact with a mercaptan scavenger formulation containing at least one disubstituted azodicarboxylate of the formula R1OOCN═NCOOR2, where R1 and R2 are independently alkyl groups, alkenyl groups and aromatic groups having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms. These scavengers remove mercaptans and/or H2S from hydrocarbons faster than many conventional mercaptan scavengers. An effective scavenging amount of disubstituted azodicarboxylate in the hydrocarbon fluid ranges from about 5 to about 20 parts by weight based on 1 part as sulfur of mercaptan and/or H2S.
US08048166B2
A prosthetic system for replacement of a portion of a hip bone including a plurality of acetabular components and a plurality of flange components. The prosthetic system also includes a plurality of pubis components. Each of the pubis components and each of the flange components are operable to connect to each of the acetabular components. Each of the pubis components define a clamping portion that is configured to attach to an opposed healthy pubis bone. An angle between the flange component and the pubis component varies among the acetabular components.
US08048155B2
A deformable intracapsular implant device for shaping an enucleated lens capsule sac for use in cataract procedures and refractive lensectomy procedures. In one embodiment, the intraocular implant devices rely on thin film shape memory alloys and combine with the post-phaco capsular sac to provide a biomimetic complex that can mimic the energy-absorbing and energy-releasing characteristics of a young accommodative lens capsule. In another embodiment, the capsular shaping body is combined with an adaptive optic. The peripheral capsular shaping body carries at least one fluid-filled interior chamber that communicates with a space in a adaptive optic portion that has a deformable lens surface. The flexing of the peripheral shaping body in response to zonular tensioning and de-tensioning provides an inventive adaptive optics mechanism wherein fluid media flows between the respective chambers “adapts” the optic to increase and decrease the power thereof. In one embodiment, the capsular shaping body carries a posterior negative power adaptive optic that can be altered in power during accommodation to cooperate with an independent drop-in exchangeable intraocular lens.
US08048153B2
Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve, including: a delivery catheter having a diameter of 21 french or less; an expandable anchor disposed within the delivery catheter; and a replacement valve disposed within the delivery catheter. The invention also includes a method for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: inserting a catheter having a diameter no more than 21 french into the patient; endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve through the catheter; and deploying the anchor and the replacement valve.
US08048149B2
An intraluminal stent, an intraluminal stent delivery system, and a method of manufacturing an intraluminal stent. The stent comprises a body and at least one pad operably attached to the stent body. The pad includes at least one therapeutic agent disposed thereon. The delivery system comprises a catheter and the stent disposed on the catheter. The manufacturing method includes providing a stent including a body, and at least one pad. The pad is operably attached to the stent body. The pad is treated with at least one therapeutic agent.
US08048136B2
A phototherapy system having a rigid support surface adapted to support a patient without substantial deformation; a light source disposed so as to transmit light through the support surface; and a mask adapted to permit light transmission from the light source through a first portion of the support surface and to limit light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface.
US08048134B2
A bone fixation device includes one or more springs and one or more spacers disposed between two orthopedic structures. The orthopedic structures may comprise screws, rods, plates, or any other orthopedic devices configured to engage bone. The spacer may be absorbable or removable, and may serve to constrain the spring in a compressed or stretched state so that, upon absorption or removal of the spacer, the spring may apply tension or compression to surrounding bone. The device may thereby facilitate healing or bone or remodeling of soft tissues.
US08048129B2
A spinal implant provides support for desired parts of the spine. The implant can provide support in fusion situations. The spinal implant includes a pair of elongated members and a variable length cross-link. A variable length cross-link apparatus may couple to the first and second elongated members. Each variable length cross-link device may include a fixed portion having a receiver portion for attachment to a first elongated member. Each variable length cross-link may include a transverse portion. Each variable length cross-link may include an adjustable portion having a receiver portion for attachment to a second elongated member and a transverse portion engaging member. Inserting the transverse portion of the fixed portion into the engaging portion of the adjustable portion may form a cross-link for stabilizing motion between two elongated members. Engaging the adjustable portion at a selected point on the transverse portion establishes a length selected by the surgeon. The surgical procedure may use minimally invasive surgery or non-minimally invasive surgery, as desired. Components of the system may be inserted through sleeves attached to various coupling devices, or may be inserted and guided along wires at more lateral angles.
US08048111B2
Unique PTFE structures comprising islands of PTFE attached to an underlying expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) structure and to methods of making such structures is disclosed. The ePTFE material may or may not have been exposed to amorphous locking temperatures. These unique structures exhibit islands of PTFE attached to and raised above the expanded PTFE structures.
US08048110B2
The present invention concerns a flexible stapling device (1). More particularly, this invention concerns a flexible endovascular stapling device (1) for an intravascular procedure such as patent foramen ovale closure, which is designed to avoid open heart surgery by permitting the closure of the defect utilizing a stapling means (26) which is positioned by using a flexible shaft/guidewire system.
US08048106B2
The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising a shank and a slide which is mounted so as to be slideable along the shank. At least one guide element guided in at least one longitudinal groove is provided on the shank or the slide. The shank and the slide are each connected to a handle part, one handle part being mobile in relation to the other handle part about a pivot and being provided with a slot in which a cross bracket of the slide engages. The invention is characterized in that the position of the handle part in relation to the other handle part can be altered in the region of the pivot.
US08048096B2
A lancet device generally includes a housing having opposing lateral sides extending between a forward end and a rearward end, and a shield coaxially and movably associated with the housing. The housing includes a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending along a portion of at least one of the opposing lateral sides. The plurality of longitudinal ribs form a finger grip on at least one of, and typically both of the opposing lateral sides. The shield is generally movable from a first position in which the shield extends outwardly from the forward end of the housing to a second position in which the shield is at least partially moved within the housing, based on axial pressure applied by the user against the finger grip formed by the longitudinal ribs.
US08048095B2
An ultrasound assisted liquid blade cutting device such as a scalpel that may be used for routine surgical operations is disclosed in this invention. The ultrasound scalpel comprises an ultrasound generator, ultrasound transducer, transducer tip, a cavity on the transducer tip using a liquid spray shaped to form a cutting surface. The spray serves as a carrier medium for the applied ultrasound energy which enhances the features and performance of the scalpel. Ultrasonic energy transmitted from the transducer tip assists the transport of the liquid to a liquid blade formed outside of the cavity. The ultrasound energy focuses and activates the liquid to allow cutting of tissue with the liquid blade. This device may be utilized for cutting through skin and/other soft tissues during surgical operations, thereby enhancing cutting efficacy, decreasing and/or eliminating necrosis formation.
US08048089B2
An apparatus for treating skin has a console with a user input device and a handpiece assembly. The handpiece assembly is configured to treat skin. A fluid line provides fluid communication between the console and the handpiece assembly. A manifold system is coupled to the console and controlled by the user input device. The manifold system is configured to hold releasably a plurality of fluid sources and deliver fluid from at least one of the plurality of fluid sources to the handpiece assembly.
US08048083B2
Methods and instruments for treating an osteoporotic vertebral body or for treating a vertebral compression fracture. An exemplary method includes introducing an open knit structure together with a bone cement into a bone wherein the knit structure extends substantially throughout the interior of the cement volume. In one aspect of the invention, the bone cement volumes cures with the filament structure reinforcing the cement. In another aspect of the invention, the open knit structure is configured to direct flows of bone cement to apply forces for reducing a vertebral compression fracture. In another aspect of the invention, the system provides bone cement flows that extend through the knit structure thus allowing the cement to fully interdigitate with the cancellous bone.
US08048082B1
A femoral distractor includes a top post for positioning under a patient's knee and a bottom pin for fixed attachment to a hospital bed rail. A vertical rod extends between the top post and horizontal bottom pin to move the knee joint in the vertical direction upon operation of a trigger assembly.
US08048080B2
Methods and devices are described for modifying tissue in a spine of a patient to treat or alleviate spinal stenosis. In one embodiment, a method may include: advancing at least a distal portion of an elongate tissue modification device into an epidural space and between target tissue and non-target tissue in the spine; positioning the tissue modification device so that at least one abrasive surface of the device faces target tissue and at least one non-abrasive surface faces non-target tissue; applying tensioning force at or near separate distal and proximal portions of the tissue modification device; and translating the tissue modification device back and forth while maintaining at least some tensioning force to abrade at least a portion of the target tissue with the at least one abrasive surface. Unwanted damage to the non-target tissue may be prevented via the at least one non-abrasive surface.
US08048079B2
An instrument for retrograde cutting of sockets or tunnels in bone for arthroscopic tenodesis. A retrograde cutter is used to form a recipient site socket from the inside out, i.e., using a retrograde technique, with minimal incisions of distal cortices and reduced intraarticular bone fragmentation of tunnel rims. The retrograde cutter is provided with a cutting blade that is configured to engage the shaft of the instrument and to lock onto the shaft.
US08048076B2
An anterior cervical plating system includes vertebral body engaging anchors coupled to a connecting plate in moveable relationship to vary the spacing between the anchoring points of the plating system to the vertebral bodies and to allow and/or cause intersegmental compression of vertebral bodies. The plating system includes instrumentation and method for installation thereof. The plating system is capable of both passive and active dynamization and the ability to produce the former from the latter.
US08048074B2
A surgical operating apparatus includes an ultrasonic treatment section which performs ultrasonic treatment on a living tissue, and a high-frequency treatment section which performs high-frequency treatment on the living tissue, and includes a narrow width part which is provided on at least one of mutually opposed surfaces of a first electrode portion of a first grasping member and a second electrode portion of a second grasping member. The narrow width part is configured to be disposed at a position where the second grasping member does not easily suffer a stress due to ultrasonic vibration when the living tissue is grasped between the second grasping member and the first grasping member, and to make a distance between the mutually opposed surfaces of the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion narrower than a distance at other positions.
US08048070B2
Surgical devices for treating tissue are provided. Also provided are systems for treating tissue and methods of treating tissue. An exemplary surgical device has a handle, a fluid passage connectable to a fluid source, a tip portion and a distal end. The tip portion can simultaneously provide RF power and conductive fluid to tissue. The tip portion includes an electrode having a domed portion having a domed surface and a cylindrical portion having a cylindrical surface. The domed portion is located distal to the cylindrical portion and occupies at least a portion of the distal end of the surgical device. The device includes a fluid outlet opening in fluid communication with the fluid passage, the fluid outlet opening configured to provide the conductive fluid to a surface of the electrode proximal to the distal end surface of the surgical device.
US08048067B2
A new method for the ablation of undesirable tissue such as cells of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor is disclosed. It involves the placement of electrodes into or near the vicinity of the undesirable tissue through the application of electrical pulses causing irreversible electroporation of the cells throughout the entire area of the undesirable tissue. The electric pulses irreversibly permeate the cell membranes, thereby invoking cell death. The irreversibly permeabilized cells are left in situ and are removed by the body immune system. The amount of tissue ablation achievable through the use of irreversible electroporation without inducing thermal damage is considerable.
US08048064B2
Disclosed is a method of curing inflammatory acne by applying a carbon lotion onto a face covered with acne, irradiating the applied carbon lotion with a laser pulse having a pulse width of microsecond, and irradiating the applied carbon lotion with a laser pulse having a pulse width of nanosecond to sterilize acne bacilli and open skin pores clogged with sebum, thereby entirely treating the inflammatory acne. The method includes applying the carbon lotion onto epidermis to be cured and pores, irradiating the carbon lotion with a laser pulse to heat and burst the applied carbon lotion. With the method, the inflammatory acne is simply cured without scar.
US08048063B2
A catheter for diagnosis or treatment of a vessel or organ is provided in which a flexible elongated body includes a tri-axial force sensor formed of a housing and a plurality of optical fibers associated with the housing that measure changes in the intensity of light reflected from the lateral surfaces of the housing resulting from deformation caused by forces applied to a distal extremity of the housing. A controller receives an output of the optical fibers and computes a multi-dimensional force vector corresponding to the contact force.
US08048062B2
A catheter assembly and method for internally anchoring a catheter in a patient. According to one embodiment, the catheter assembly includes a catheter, a tubular fitting coupled to one end of the catheter, and an internal bolster coaxially mounted around the tubular fitting. The tubular fitting has a waist portion, and the internal bolster is secured thereto by a snap-fit. To internally anchor the catheter in a patient, one inserts the end of the catheter to which the fitting is coupled into the patient and then, while the fitting and its coupled end of the catheter are within the patient, inserts the internal bolster over the fitting until it snap-fits into place over the waist portion, thereby internally anchoring the catheter within the patient.
US08048051B2
Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.
US08048050B2
An absorbent pad including: a main body having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, including: a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet; an absorbent layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; a central adhesive element disposed on the backsheet and extending along a longitudinal centerline of the absorbent pad; and an elastic element disposed along each of the first and second longitudinal edges of the main body and attached to at least one of the topsheet and the backsheet; a first wing element extending from the backsheet and laterally beyond the first longitudinal edge of the main body; and a second wing element extending from the backsheet and laterally beyond the second longitudinal edge of the main body, the first and second wing elements being releasably attachable to an undergarment.
US08048049B2
A sanitary napkin includes a napkin body having a liquid-absorbent layer for absorbing and retaining liquid and a projection projecting from a body surface of the napkin body. The projection is secured at laterally spaced base ends to the body surface of the napkin body. A distance between the base ends varies longitudinally of the projection. A height of the projection from the body surface of the napkin body decreases with increasing the distance between the base ends.
US08048043B2
The present invention concerns a method for treating a respiratory distress in a infant in need of such treatment, the method comprising intratracheal administration of a pulmonary surfactant by a thin tube.The invention also concerns a kit for performing said method.
US08048039B2
A surgical fluid transfer apparatus for passage of fluids includes a hub defining a longitudinal axis and having an internal chamber, an elongated member extending from the hub and a closure valve disposed within the internal chamber. The closure valve is adapted for movement between a first position substantially sealing the internal chamber to prevent passage of fluids and a second position establishing a fluid passage within the hub to permit passage of fluids therethrough. The closure valve includes a valve housing and a seal member. The seal member has an open condition establishing an internal passage different than the fluid passage to permit passage of an access instrument through the closure valve and a closed condition in the absence of the access instrument. The inner wall portions of the valve housing cooperate with the seal member to permit the seal member to assume the closed condition thereof.
US08048038B2
A valve connector for medical infusion lines including an external tubular body with an inlet end and an outlet end, an internal hollow spike and an intermediate sealing member including a head with pre-slit and an elastic hollow element formed with fluid-tight members in contact with the hollow spike and with an elastic thrust means, which tends to maintain the elastic head in a closed condition. The elastic thrust means comprises a base part joined to the elastic hollow element of the sealing member through a generally transverse annular wall, which, during axial displacement of the elastic head from the closed condition to the open condition, bends within an annular chamber defined between the base part and a portion with conical surface of the hollow spike.
US08048031B2
An IV catheter introducer having an elastomeric grommet disposed between the housing and the IV catheter assembly that helps avoid unintentional separation of IV catheter assembly from the housing during shipping and handling prior to use, that acts as a needle guide, that helps align the housing and IV catheter assembly coaxially, that indicates that top side of the catheter introducer, that provides proper rotational alignment between the grommet and housing, that wipes blood off the needle during withdrawal of the needle from the catheter assembly and grommet, that impedes blood flow out of the catheter hub after needle withdrawal, and that assists the user in separating the housing from the IV catheter assembly following insertion of the catheter and withdrawal of the needle.
US08048030B2
A needle assembly 10 compromising an infusion needle 11 that includes a needle cannula 13 made of a superelastic material such as Nitinol. The needle cannula is cold-worked or heat annealed to produce a preformed bend 16 that can be straightened within passageway 21 of a coaxial outer cannula 12 for introduction into the body of a patient. Upon deployment from the outer cannula, the needle cannula substantially returns to the preformed configuration for the introduction or extraction of materials at areas lateral to the entry path of the needle assembly. The needle assembly can compromise a plurality of needle cannulae than can be variably arranged or configured for attaining a desired infusion pattern.
US08048025B2
A hand-holdable steering mechanism is used as part of a medical device such as a catheter or an endoscope to allow movement of a steerable distal portion of the catheter or endoscope. The mechanism can include a housing and an actuation system. The actuation system is adapted for one-handed operation by a user, and it allows the user to achieve 360 degree articulation of the steerable distal portion. The actuation system can include a first actuator and a second actuator where the first and second actuators are movable with respect to each other. The first actuator can be at least partially disposed within the second actuator.
US08048021B2
The invention includes a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, and a cartridge for containing the medicament within the device, where the cartridge includes a housing, a retractable chamber for containing medicament disposed within the housing, and a substantially stationary member disposed within the barrel of the retractable chamber, where upon activation of the device, the retractable chamber is retracted about the substantially stationary member, thereby depositing medicament within the body cavity.
US08048017B2
High-aspect-ratio microdevices comprising microneedles, microknives and microblades and their manufacturing methods are disclosed. These devices can be used for the delivery of therapeutic agents across the skin or other tissue barriers to allow chemical and biological molecules getting into the circulation systems. The microneedles can also be used to withdraw body fluids for analysis of clinically relevant species when the device has an integrated body fluid sensor or sensor array in the vicinity of microneedles.
US08048009B2
A clamping device for therapeutic applications can comprise an extended handle, a powered linear actuator mounted to the extended handle, and a C-shaped clamp attached to the extended handle and including a stationary jaw. The actuator can be configured to provide reversible axial movement of a movable member. The clamping device can further include a pair of applicators attached to the stationary jaw and to the movable member, respectively. The applicators can be made of an hypoallergenic material configured not to cause an adverse reaction when applied to a human skin. The clamping device can further include a switch configured to control the linear actuator. The linear actuator can be configured, responsive to switching the switch, to axially move the second applicator towards and away from the first applicator, thus applying pressure to a targeted body area.
US08048008B2
The motion assist device (200) is provided with an auxiliary oscillator generation element (150) configured to generate, on the basis of a second intrinsic angular velocity (ω2) set according to a first oscillator (ξ1) generated from a first motion oscillator (φ1) and a first model and a second oscillator (ξ2) generated from a second motion oscillator (φ2) and a second model, an auxiliary oscillator (η) which includes therein a first auxiliary oscillator (η1) denoting an elastic force originated from a virtual elastic element for assisting the motion of the user so as to approximate a value of a third motion oscillator (φ3) to a desired value (φ0+, φ0−) related to a desired motion scale of the user, and an auxiliary oscillator regulation element (160) configured to sequentially regulate the first auxiliary oscillator (η1) so as to approximate a motion index value of the user to a reference value.
US08048001B2
A cardiac rhythm management system provides for ambulatory monitoring of hemodynamic performance based on quantitative measurements of heart sound related parameters for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Monitoring of such heart sound related parameters allows the cardiac rhythm management system to determine a need for delivering a therapy and/or therapy parameter adjustments based on conditions of a heart. This monitoring also allows a physician to observe or assess the hemodynamic performance for diagnosing and making therapeutic decisions. Because the conditions of the heart may fluctuate and may deteriorate significantly between physician visits, the ambulatory monitoring, performed on a continuous or periodic basis, ensures a prompt response by the cardiac rhythm management system that may save a life, prevent hospitalization, or prevent further deterioration of the heart.
US08048000B2
A device for correlating trend data with respect to a patient's weight ankle displacement can identify conditions indicative of congestive heart failure. A weight scale or similar device coupled with imaging mechanism operable to measure ankle displacement collects a plurality of measurements over a period of time. Over time trend analysis of both the patient's weight and the ankle displacement measurements can be obtained and compared to identify whether over a particular sample period an increase in a patient's ankle displacement is or is not correlated with an increase in the patient's weight. When an increase in ankle displacement is identified as not correlating to a corresponding change in the patient's weight an alert can be issued of conditions indicative of congestive heart failure.
US08047996B2
A system and method are provided for significantly reducing or substantially eliminating angular geometric distortions in devices designed for imaging and/or inspection of an interior portion or surface of a cavity. A series of processing steps or methods may be employed to eliminate Non-Uniform Rotational Distortion (NURD) in such devices, for example, unidirectional and bi-directional intravascular ultrasonic (IVUS) imaging systems. The system may include a processor and an electronic module which control operation of a transducer assembly provided at a distal end of a catheter assembly. The system invokes a first processing step or method to collect and store raw angle and line data, as well as one or more of second and third processing steps or methods which adjust for NURD experienced during backlash of a bi-directional imaging system and a fourth processing step or method which performs a line-to-line correlation function.
US08047990B2
A method and system for two and three dimensional mapping of tissue density and/or structural changes from image data and/or spatial reflected or transmitted signal maps, and correlating the maps to changes in collagen density. The method and system includes the steps of: receiving an image or spatial maps of acoustic-derived RF signal data from tissue comprised of multiple pixels, segregating the image into groups of pixels, each group of pixels having characteristics within a defined class, establishing a baseline set of classes corresponding to initial conditions of the imaged/mapped tissue, measuring a differential in the set of classes for a group of pixels, the differential corresponding to a change in pixel values for the group of pixels, correlating said measured differential to a density change for the tissue corresponding to the group of pixels, and overlaying an indication of collagen density over the tissue image or mapped signal responses correlated with thermal dose indicating a change in collagen density for the tissue.
US08047989B2
A medical imaging diagnosis apparatus for measuring the composite thickness of the tunica intima and the tunica media of a blood vessel of a subject by acquiring image data on the blood vessel. In order to improve the accuracy of the IMT measurement of the composite thickness, the medical imaging diagnosis apparatus has extracting means for extracting the tunica intima and the tunica externa of the blood vessel on the basis of the brightness information of the image data to measure the composite thickness of the tunica intima and the tunica externa of the vessel in reference to the two extracted regions.
US08047984B2
A sexual stimulation device (1) includes a casing (2) with a vibrator unit disposed therein, the vibrator unit including an electric motor with an eccentric mass mounted on its output shaft. A connection loop (5) is integrally attached to the casing for connecting the device to the penis. A resiliently depressible button (3) is provided for switching the device on and off. A switch of the vibrator unit is bi stable so that the device is turned on and off by pressing the button (3) in the same direction.
US08047983B2
The present invention provides a surgical implant and method for supporting the urethra, the implant comprising a suburethral support suspended between two soft tissue anchors that do not penetrate the lower abdominal wall and are attached at either side of the suburethral support. The soft tissue anchors retain each anchor in soft tissue, suspending each side of the suburethral support. The suburethral support passes under the urethra to support the urethra. The implant has uses including treating urinary incontinence and uterovaginal prolapse.
US08047980B2
A method for treating urinary incontinence includes the steps of inserting into the woman's vagina a first disposable device, removing the first disposable device, and inserting a second disposable device substantially identical to the first disposable device. The disposable devices have a working portion with opposed faces to provide support to an associated urinary system and, optionally, an anchoring portion to maintain the disposable device in place during use. The working portion also has. The working portion also has an insertion equivalent diameter ranging from about 10 to about 25 mm and a use equivalent diameter ranging from about 25 to about 35 mm under an expansion pressure of about 20 to about 150 cm H2O.
US08047978B1
A new High-Throughput Explosive Destruction System is disclosed. The new system is comprised of two side-by-side detonation containment vessels each comprising first and second halves that feed into a single agent treatment vessel. Both detonation containment vessels further comprise a surrounding ventilation facility. Moreover, the detonation containment vessels are designed to separate into two half-shells, wherein one shell can be moved axially away from the fixed, second half for ease of access and loading. The vessels are closed by means of a surrounding, clam-shell type locking seal mechanisms.
US08047971B2
At least two dumbbells are releasably connected to the axial ends of a barbell. The dumbbells include a dumbbell connector portion positioned axially on a weight of the dumbbell, and the barbell includes a barbell connector portion on the axial ends of the barbell. The dumbbell connector portion engages the barbell connector portion to connect the dumbbell to the barbell. The dumbbell connector portion can be received in a recess of the weight. The user selects two dumbbells of a desired weight and connects the barbell with the dumbbells. The device is then utilized for exercise.
US08047968B2
An apparatus and method permitting a user to perform a simulated climbing and full body exercise is provided. The design includes a frame and a pair of lever arms and a pair of foot platforms and a torso support. The frame is configured to place the operator's center of gravity in a position of falling away from the frame, lever arms, foot platforms and providing a torso support enabling the operator to be supported by hanging from the hands and supported by the feet and torso support. The frame may be rotated through varying angles from vertical permitting the operator's center of gravity to fall away from the frame and allow the operator to hang away from the frame further enhancing the climbing experience.
US08047967B1
A trampoline includes a support frame, two pivot mechanisms mounted on the support frame, a bed surrounded by the support frame and a plurality of elastic members biased between the support frame and the bed. The support frame includes a first side rail, a second side rail, a third side rail and a fourth side rail. Thus, the first side rail and the second side rail are moved to abut the third side rail and the fourth side rail to fold the support frame at a first stage, while the first side rail and the fourth side rail are moved toward the second side rail and the third side rail by pivoting the pivot mechanisms to fold the support frame at a second stage so that the support frame is folded in a two-stage manner to reduce the volume of the trampoline largely.
US08047966B2
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that allow sports or other equipment, such as gym or other cardio equipment, to write data to a media player. Examples further provide the uploading of this data to a computer and third-party website. To monitor progress, the third-party website can be used to track workout data over time. The third party-website can also collect data from other users, which is particularly useful for providing a competitive environment. This data can then be graphically displayed in various ways to provide encouragement.
US08047965B2
An example system and method involves receiving data communicated from multiple exercise machines and storing machine-related data for the multiple exercise machines. The machine-related data includes at least maintenance data, use data and warranty data for a respective one or more of the exercise machines. The machine-related data is updated based on the data received from the multiple exercise machines and one or more operations is automatically performed with reference to the stored machine-related data to produce operation-generated information about one or more of the multiple exercise machines.
US08047962B2
A hydraulic control device for an automatic transmission is provided. The hydraulic control device can sets up any gear from a plurality of gears by causing any one of a plurality of frictional engagement elements to selectively carry out an engagement operation. The hydraulic control device includes: a regulator valve that regulates base oil pressure of hydraulic oil supplied from an oil pressure source; a relief valve provided in a lubricating oil passage connected from the regulator valve; and a line pressure switching section that sets up line pressure to low pressure to reduce the amount of lubricating oil in a region in which engagement hydraulic oil pressure does not require high engagement hydraulic oil pressure depending upon an operation state of a vehicle, and sets up the line pressure to high pressure when a target value of the engagement hydraulic oil pressure exceeds predetermined pressure.
US08047958B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, two planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches, centrifugal clutches, and synchronizers.
US08047957B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, four external gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. Each of the external gear sets includes first and second gears. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes.
US08047956B2
A multi-speed hub for cantilever mounting to a bicycle frame generally includes a planetary gear mechanism, a hub shaft, a hub shell, a spoke shell, a driver and a driven gear. The hub shell is cantilever-mounted to the bicycle frame and configured to enclose the planetary gear mechanism and the hub shaft. The spoke shell, driver and driven gear are rotatably supported by the hub shell. One end of the hub shaft is indirectly supported by the hub shell and the other end of the hub shaft is fixed to the bicycle frame.
US08047955B2
A two-stage machine tool transmission, in particular a spindle drive transmission, includes a planetary gearset in which a spindle or a spindle insert can be connected to a drive output of a transmission, which has a first drive output shaft and the second drive output shaft, such that the first drive output shaft is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a drive input shaft and can optionally be connected, via a first shift element, to a sun gear of the planetary gearset. The second drive output shaft is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a carrier of the planetary gearset. A ring gear of the planetary gearset is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the transmission housing and a second shift element is provided such that a connection between the spindle or a spindle insert and, optionally, the first or the second drive output shaft, is possible.
US08047946B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a differential case for a vehicle and a differential device for a vehicle restricting change and movement of an intermeshing of a pair of side gears and a pair of pinion gears to achieve stable differential restriction force.The differential case or the differential device for the vehicle comprises a case body 50 accommodating a pair of side gears 5R, 5L and a pinion gear 3 or 4 engaging in mesh with the side gears 5R, 5L, and a pinion gear supporter 53 accommodated in said case body 50 and having a pinion gear supporting portion 56 or 57 to install said pinion gear 3 or 4 in recess space 60, 61 of said pinion gear supporter 53 and to support slidably an outer peripheral surface of said pinion gear 3 or 4 for rotation of said pinion gear 3 or 4.
US08047939B2
A transverse element for a drive belt, includes a recess on either side for at least partially accommodating a ring assembly of the drive belt. The transverse element includes a base part lying radially inside the recesses, a connecting piece lying between the recesses, and a head part lying radially outside the recesses, the base part on either side of the connecting piece being provided with a radially outwardly directed saddle surface for contact with a ring assembly, and between a saddle surface and the connecting piece a notch being provided, in which notch a convexly curved part connects to the respective saddle surface, and in which notch a concavely curved part connects to a respective substantially axially directed side face of the connecting piece. The concavely curved part on either side of a radially most inward lying part thereof has a mutually differing degree of curvature.
US08047934B2
A portable pitching mound having a plurality of shell pieces. Each shell piece has a forward and rearward end with opposite side portions and an upper surface and opposite underside. The shell pieces when placed side by side interlock to one another to form an arcuate shell member. At least one of the plurality of shell pieces have retractable wheels secured therein such that the shell piece is moveable to facilitate transportation.
US08047928B2
A putter training system includes a putter with putter head, an attachment secured adjacent the putter head, and a grid having sidewalls and a grid bottom. The putter head includes a bottom, a top and a face, where the top has at least one putter alignment line appearing thereon. The grid sidewalls are spaced apart by a distance larger than a length of the putter head. The grid bottom includes at least one grid alignment line cooperable with the at least one putter alignment line to facilitate alignment perception during a putting stroke. Additionally, the attachment is cooperable with the grid bottom to facilitate alignment feedback during the putting stroke.
US08047927B2
The present invention is related to a billiard cue comprising a shaft having a tip end and a butt end, wherein the shaft has a non-linear tapered section with reduced diameter compared to a linear tapering at the tip end. Also, a manufacturing process is disclosed which is simple and cheap. The cue of the present invention is low-cost and shows superior low deflection properties.
US08047926B2
The present invention is an inflatable apparatus that has a fluid chamber. The inflatable side air chamber surrounds the fluid chamber. The inflatable side air chamber forms a fluid chamber pocket for receiving the fluid chamber. A sidewall of the inflatable side air chamber has retaining walls extending upward from the inflatable side air chamber for retaining children. A fill tube is disposed on the fluid chamber. An optional inflatable ramp adjacent to the fluid chamber leads to a slide for sliding to a slide exit. The ramp may have hand grips formed as straps and footholds may also be formed on the ramp. The retaining walls can be inflatable sidewalls that extend upward from the inflatable side air chamber.
US08047924B2
A method of providing a simulated bull ride includes guiding a rider to sit on an artificial bull in a bull chute, translating the artificial bull out of the chute along a slidably-coupled track and pivoting the artificial bull about a plurality of pivot points on an internal frame to simulate a bucking bull.
US08047922B2
A vibration damper, for example, a multistage torsion vibration damper, including at least two coaxially disposed damper assemblies, each of them including at least one input component and one output component and being disposed on different diameters, a first damper assembly being disposed on the outside in a radial direction and configured as a series damper, including at least two dampers connected in series and coupled via an intermediate flange, and a second damper assembly being disposed on the inside in the radial direction. The intermediate flange includes at least two annular disk-shaped elements disposed at a distance in the axial direction and extending on both sides of the output component of the first damper arrangement at least into the portion of the outer circumference of the output component of the first damper assembly, each including openings extending in the circumferential direction.
US08047917B2
A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game is a game in which elements are selected, and in response to the selection, a prize is revealed (or not) to the player. In another example, the player is permitted to predict the outcome of a characteristic of the online game, a game-playing computer determines an outcome to be displayed to the player that reflects a result of the game of chance. In one example game format, the player is permitted to predict the most frequently-occurring element in a group of drawn game elements.
US08047913B2
A system for playing a multiplayer zero-sum game includes a gaming server operable under program control to regulate the progress of at least one instance of the multiplayer zero-sum game by a predetermined plurality of players, a user access facility corresponding to each player, a plurality of portals associated with a plurality of competing game provider entities, and a clearing account facility having a separate clearing account for each game provider entity. Each user access facility is operable by a player to access the gaming server for participation in the at least one instance of the multiplayer zero-sum game through a selectable one of the plurality of portals, wherein each portal can be logically connected to a plurality of user access facilities simultaneously.
US08047911B2
A method of gaming comprises a first step of selecting symbols appearing in a game event. The selected symbols are stored in a symbol store arranged to store a plurality of symbols. The symbol store is arranged such that, once a maximum number of symbols is reached, storage of a further symbol in the symbol store results in the removal of a stored symbol from the symbol store in accordance with a removal rule. A final step involves determining whether the stored symbols meet an award criterion.
US08047900B2
Methods, apparatus and associated devices for rucking sleeves of covering material onto a chute body include a translating member disposed in a housing having an axis of movement configured to reciprocally translate a chute body about the axis of movement; and at least one gripping member disposed in the housing in cooperating alignment with the translating member. Each at least one gripping member has a gripping edge portion that defines a gripping surface. The at least one gripping member configured to reciprocally translate substantially orthogonal to the axis of movement. In operation, the at least one gripping member has an automated stroke cycle whereby the at least one gripping member is configured to travel inwardly a distance sufficient to snugly abut an outer surface of the chute body while the chute body travels in a first direction about the axis of movement and to travel outwardly a sufficient distance to prevent contact with the chute body while the chute body travels in a second opposing direction about the axis of movement.
US08047898B2
A grinder wheel for a liquid crystal display device and a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device using the same are provided. Two grinding surfaces are formed in the grinder wheel used for grinding a substrate so that it is possible to improve grinding characteristics, to increase the life of the grinder wheel, and to reduce grinding time. The method includes cutting the substrates attached to each other into a plurality of unit liquid crystal display panels, loading the unit liquid crystal display panel on a grinding table, grinding a predetermined region of the liquid crystal display panel using a grinder wheel including two grinding surfaces of a first grinder surface for primary grinding and a second grinder surface for secondary grinding, and unloading the ground liquid crystal display panel.
US08047885B2
A boat propulsion unit has a construction that prevents a structure near a drive shaft from becoming complicated and increased in size. The boat propulsion unit preferably in the form of an outboard motor includes a front propeller that is rotated together with a front propeller drive shaft during both forward travel and reverse travel of the boat, a rear propeller that is rotated together with a rear propeller drive shaft in an opposite direction of the front propeller during both of the forward travel and the reverse travel of the boat, and a forward-reverse drive that is arranged on an axis of the front propeller drive shaft and the rear propeller drive shaft, and that can be switched between a direction in which the front propeller drive shaft and the rear propeller drive shaft are rotated during the forward travel of the boat and a direction in which the front propeller drive shaft and the rear propeller drive shaft are rotated during the reverse travel of the boat.
US08047879B2
Printed wiring boards for communications connectors are provided that include a mounting substrate having at least first through third input terminals and first through third output terminals. A first conductive path connects the first input terminal to the first output terminal, a second conductive path connects the second input terminal to the second output terminal and a third conductive path connects the third input terminal to the third output terminal. A first inductor and a first capacitor are coupled between the first conductive path and the second conductive path, where the first inductor and the first capacitor are arranged in series to provide a first series inductor-capacitor circuit. A second capacitor is coupled between the third conductive path and the second conductive path through the first inductor to provide a second series inductor-capacitor circuit that shares the inductor of the first series inductor-capacitor circuit. Communications connectors that include such wiring boards or equivalent structures are also provided.
US08047877B1
A USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector includes an insulating body which has a base portion, an inserting portion, and a pair of clipping walls and defines a receiving space therebetween. A plurality of signal terminals is assembled to the insulating body. Each of the signal terminals has a connecting arm disposed in the inserting portion and a signal contacting arm hanging out of the receiving space. A fixing body is mounted in the receiving space and clipped between the clipping walls. The signal contacting arms are restrained under the fixing body and further stretching behind the fixing body. A ground terminal has a fixing slice fixed in the fixing body, a resilient arm stretching out of the fixing body to be located above the inserting portion and a ground contacting arm restrained under the fixing body and further stretched behind the fixing body to be aligned with the signal contacting arms.
US08047855B2
An electrical connector comprised of a plurality of electrical contacts arranged in a stair-step configuration designed to mate with electrical components having electrical contacts arranged in a stair-step configuration. A direct connect signaling system comprised of stair-step electrical connectors mated to stair-step printed circuit boards, other stair-step electrical components, or combinations thereof.
US08047849B2
Provided are a braille display device using an electrorheological fluid and a method for manufacturing the same. The braille display device includes: a base body in which a plurality of insulating reception grooves are formed; a first electrode arranged below the base body; an electrorheological fluid received in the reception groove; a microcapsule having an electrophoresis particle which is dispersed in the electrorheological fluid; a second electrode arranged above the microcapsule; a braille pin installed above the second electrode; and a braille pin protection film arranged above the braille pin.
US08047845B2
An improved dental prosthesis stabilizer includes two arms connected to each other by a hinge joint and with which an upper dental prosthesis and a lower dental prosthesis are coupled to one another. A spring is provided at the hinge joint with which the upper prosthesis and the lower prosthesis are pushed away from each other. At least one of the arms is telescopic and is formed of a bent distal end of the spring, which can be axially moved in a bent guide. The guide is fixed on the upper dental prosthesis or the lower dental prosthesis or is embedded therein.
US08047844B2
Dental retention systems which facilitate the adjustment or removal of an oral appliance, e.g., a crown or bridge, from a reconfigurable abutment assembly are described. The adjustable abutment assembly may be secured to an anchoring implant bored into the bones within the mouth. The abutment assembly has a projecting abutment portion with one or more shape memory alloy compression plates or elements extending along the projecting abutment portion. Each of the plates has a length with one or more straightened portions and with at least one curved or arcuate portion. Energy may be applied to the elements such that the arcuate portion self-flattens to allow for the oral appliance to be placed thereupon while removal of the energy allows the elements to reconfigure into its curved configuration thereby locking the oral appliance to the abutment. Removal of the oral appliance may be effected by reapplication of energy to the elements.
US08047838B2
The invention concerns a roller (R), used in continuous product heating furnaces for handling and conveying steel products and in particular slabs. The associated apparatus includes a cooled central shaft (1), cooled by a liquid. On the shaft are mounted a plurality of discs (2), for supporting the products (3) to be transported, arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal geometrical axis of the roller (R), spaced apart along the axis of the roller (R) and separated by an insulating sleeve (4). The insulating sleeve (4) is maintained at each longitudinal end by at least one cold component (5) secured to the shaft (1) and cooled by the shaft, with axial play (Ja) between the sleeve (4) and the shaft (1) such that possible sagging of the shaft (1) may occur in use without causing substantial mechanical stress on the insulating sleeve (4) and the heat transferred from the sleeve (4) to the shaft (1), and from the discs (2) to the sleeve (4) is limited.
US08047833B2
An injection mold for molding a lens barrel is disclosed. The injection mold includes a female die, a male die and a screw die. The female die and the male die are correspondingly connected to two ends of the screw die. The female die, the male die and the screw die cooperatively define a mold cavity. The female die includes a female die plate and a female die core protruding from the female die plate. The male die includes a male die plate and a male die core protruding from the male die plate. The male die defines a through hole passing through the male die plate and the male die core. An air gap is formed between the distal ends of female die core and the male die core, the air gap is communicated with the mold cavity and the through hole.
US08047827B2
The mold for in-mold coating formation is one including a mold main body 30 having, provided thereinside, a mold cavity 5 permitting injection molding of a resin molding with coated surface and a coating material injecting unit 50 capable of injecting a coating material to an area corresponding to the coated surface of the resin molding, within the mold cavity 5, in which a groove portion 3 of 0.3 to 1 mm width (W) is provided on the peripheral edge 15 of the mold, and in which the angle (θ1) made by the inner circumferential surface 25 of the mold and the mold-opening-side internal wall surface 27 of the groove portion 3 is in the range of 30° to 70°.
US08047820B2
Various methods and devices are provided for use in a walking beam compressor used with an oil well pump. In general, an injectable fibrous sealant is provided for use in a stuffing box to form a seal around a piston rod that couples to a walking beam for pumping oil out of the ground. The injectable fibrous sealant can be configured to form a gas tight seal around the piston rod, while allow reciprocal longitudinal movement of the piston rod therethrough. The injectable fibrous sealant is particularly advantageous as it has an extended life, eliminating the need to replace the seal, and repairs can be performed on-site by injecting additional sealant into the stuffing box.
US08047809B2
A method of assembling a fluid compression system includes coupling at least one first compression apparatus to a first platform. The method also includes coupling at least one drive apparatus to one of the first platform and a second platform. The method further includes coupling the first platform to the second platform. The at least one second compression apparatus is coupled in series flow communication with the at least one first compression apparatus.
US08047801B2
A wind turbine blade had a suction side surface and a pressure side surface. A plurality of vortex elements are formed on at least one of the suction side or the pressure side surfaces. The vortex elements have an upwardly inclined wind face and a downwardly inclined slip face, with the wind face and slip face meeting at a generally open-ended U-shaped ridge that defines side horns. The side horns decrease in height from a forward most portion of the ridge to the suction side surface or pressure side surface.
US08047800B2
A wind turbine blade includes an upper shell member and a lower shell member with an internal cavity therebetween. The shell members are joined at leading and trailing edges of the blade with a bond paste along a bond line having a designed width. A barrier is disposed within the internal cavity between the upper and lower shell members along at least one of the leading or trailing edges and prevents movement of the bond paste into the internal cavity beyond the width of the bond line. The barrier includes a wall that is substantially impermeable to the bond paste and a support member that extends from the wall to the leading or trailing edge of the blade. The support member locates the wall at the bond line and the wall has a shape and resiliency so as to be engaged against the upper and lower shell members within the internal cavity.
US08047792B2
The invention relates to a wind turbine including at least two pitch controlled wind turbine blades. Each blade has pitch bearings including two or more bearing rings, and pitch controlling means for pitching the blades by means of the bearings. The blades are mounted on a hub via the pitch bearings and the pitch bearings include separate flexibility enhancing means for controlling loads in the bearings.
US08047783B2
A method performed by a control system for operating a wind turbine includes operating a flow control system of the wind turbine in a first mode, and operating the flow control system in a second mode different than the first mode to facilitate removing debris from the flow control system. The second mode includes varying at least one of a velocity, a flow rate, and a direction of a fluid flow of the flow control system.
US08047781B2
A method of assembling a turbine casing is provided. The method includes inserting a bolt assembly through a first opening defined generally vertically through a first flange extending from a first casing member, such that a portion of the bolt assembly extends a distance upward from an upper surface of the first casing flange and such that the bolt assembly is retained within the first opening. The method further includes positioning a second casing member including a second flange including a second opening defined therein against the first casing member such that a portion of the bolt assembly extends through the opening defined in the second casing flange.
US08047777B2
A turbomachine comprising an annular combustion chamber (40) with injection orifices (44); a centrifugal compressor (10) having a centrifugal downstream stage and an annular diffuser (20) comprising: a radially-oriented upstream portion (21)with diffusion passages (22) connected to the outlet of the compressor and an elbow-shaped intermediate portion (24)and a downstream portion (25) comprising a series of flow-straightening vanes (26) and inclined relative to the axis (A) of the turbomachine. In the section plane containing the axis (A) of the turbomachine and passing via the center (C) of one of said injection orifices (44), the curvilinear abscissa distance along a flow line (L) between the middle (0) of the flow path at the trailing edges of the flow-straightening vanes (26) and said center (C) is greater than or equal to three times the height (h) of said flow path.
US08047774B2
A heating and cooling system for a wind turbine is provided and includes a gearbox, gearbox heat exchanger, generator, generator heat exchanger, and a cooling duct. The cooling duct is connected to the gearbox and generator heat exchangers, and is used to transport air across both heat exchangers to cool the gearbox and generator.
US08047771B2
Turbine nozzles and methods of manufacturing the turbine nozzles are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a turbine nozzle includes a first ring, a vane, and a first joint. The first ring comprises a single unitary component and having a first opening and including a first metal alloy. The vane includes a first end disposed in the first opening and includes a second metal alloy. The first joint is formed in the first opening between the first ring and the vane and includes a first braze layer and an oxide layer. The first braze layer is disposed adjacent to the oxide layer, and the first braze layer and the oxide layer are disposed between the first ring and the vane.
US08047770B2
A brake system is provided for controlling a rotational speed of a drivetrain for a wind turbine. The drivetrain is coupled to a rotor shaft and a generator rotor shaft. The brake system includes a mechanical brake operatively coupled to the drivetrain. The mechanical brake includes a brake caliper and a brake disc coupled to the drivetrain. A sensor is configured to detect a parameter of the wind turbine. A controller is configured to actuate the brake caliper to apply a braking force on the brake disc. The controller is configured to control the mechanical brake based on the parameter to adjust a brake torque generated by the braking force.
US08047769B2
An inspection port plug device is provided for sealing three or more oppositely placed inspection ports in a multi-chambered gas turbine engine. An embodiment of the inspection port plug device includes a cap and at least two shafts coupled end-to-end. A first shaft includes a first end coupled to the cap and a second end having a first sealing plug, wherein the first sealing plug includes a recess. A second shaft includes a third end coupled to the first sealing plug within the recess and a fourth end having a second sealing plug. The first shaft and the second shaft also include a first biasing mechanism and a second biasing mechanism, respectively, for maintaining the seals at the first and second sealing plugs when the inspection port plug device is installed.
US08047768B2
An impeller system with split impeller configuration between adjacent turbine wheels for synchronizing their thermal response is provided. Exemplary embodiments include a turbomachine having a turbine, a compressor and a rotor disposed between the turbine and the compressor, and an impeller system. An impeller system includes a turbomachine wheel, and another turbomachine wheel disposed adjacent to the first turbomachine wheel, a rabbet joint defined between the first and second turbomachine wheels and a split impeller disposed on the first and second turbomachine wheels.
US08047762B2
By providing an overhead buffer system between an automatic transport system and a load port assembly of a process tool, the efficiency of the respective load ports may be significantly enhanced, for instance, by reducing the idle time of empty carriers, thereby providing the potential for covering a wider range of operational scenarios compared to conventional strategies. For instance, for the same number of load ports, the overhead buffer system may provide a continuous operation, even if small lot sizes are used. The buffer system may comprise a dedicated transport mechanism for directly serving the load ports and respective buffer places, while respective transfer places may provide direct interaction with the automated transport system.
US08047753B2
A washer comprises a ring and a composite structure attached to the ring. The composite structure has a slotted shape and a hole that is centrally located with respect to an axis passing through the ring.
US08047749B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for drilling counter sink fastener holes in composite materials with conductive foil lightning strike protection systems. Initially a non-destructive depth detector is scanned over a prospective fastener hole location. Then the depth of a conductive foil below a surface is detected. When the detected depth is less than a predetermined depth, a signal that indicates that a countersink fastener hole may be drilled is output. When the detected depth is greater than a predetermined depth, a signal that indicates that a countersink fastener hole may not be drilled is output.
US08047745B2
A connection element for light profiles in a sheet pile wall has a base strip (12) for attaching to a component of the sheet pile wall and a hook strip (14) provided at the flat side of the base strip (12) for engaging the interlock (32) of a light profile (30). The hook strip (14) that encloses an inner chamber (16) exhibits a straight connection section (20) that originates at the base strip (12) and runs at least approximately at a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the base strip (12) and a hook section (22) that follows the connection section (20) and runs in an arc-like manner for at least 180°, with the free end of said hook section (22) together with the flat side of the base strip (12) defining a jaw (28). According to the invention, the ratio between the greatest inner width (a) of the inner chamber (16) of the hook strip (14) to the width (c) of the opening jaw (28) is in a range between 2.6 and 2.9.
US08047743B2
The present invention includes methods for investigating a site for possible selective removal of sediment containing a contaminant. The methods include calculating an adjusted contaminant concentration for sediment zones on the site. The site preferably contains a water course. The methods may also include determining whether sediment zone need remediation by comparing the adjusted contaminant concentration to a standard. The invention also includes a system for carrying out the described methods, at least partially implemented in a computer.
US08047732B2
An exemplary mechanical shutter includes a barrel, a first blade, a second blade, a third blade, a magnet, and a magnetic field generator. The barrel defines a through hole and an aperture in the hole. The first blade is arranged in the hole and mounted on the barrel. The second blade is slidably mounted on the first blade. The third blade is slidably mounted on the second blade. The magnet is attached to the third blade. The magnetic field generator is mounted on the fixture and spatially corresponding to the magnet. The magnetic field generator applies a magnetic field to the magnet. The magnet and the magnetic field generator cooperatively move the blade group between an extended position and an retracted position.
US08047698B2
A light guide plate includes a light discharge surface, a light diffusing surface, a light incident surface, and a plurality of scattering dots. The light diffusing surface is located opposite to the light discharge surface. The light diffusing surface has a first part and a second part. The first part is adjacent to a light source. The light incident surface intersects with the light discharge surface and the light diffusing surface. The scattering dots within the first part are arranged in the form of a plurality of concentric arcs, and the scattering dots within the second part are arranged in the form of a plurality of lines.
US08047695B2
A vehicle lamp is provided. The vehicle lamp includes semiconductor light emitting device, a heatsink configured to dissipate a heat generated by the semiconductor light emitting device, a fan which moves air, a guide portion configured to diffuse the air from the fan and to guide the air toward the heatsink, and a housing in which the semiconductor light emitting device, the heatsink, the fan and the guide portion are accommodated. The heatsink includes a base and a plurality of heat dissipating members arranged to protrude from the base.
US08047689B2
A lamp subassembly includes an air-tight plate, a mounting lamp holder coupled to the air-tight plate, and a mounting spring coupled to the air-tight plate and the mounting lamp holder. The lamp subassembly is coupled to a trim with the mounting spring and coupled to a lamp with the mounting lamp holder to form a lighting fixture. The air-tight plate is coupled to a top opening located on the trim and forms an air-tight interface therebetween. The mounting lamp holder positions the lamp at least partially within the trim. The air leakage through the air-tight interface is equal to or less than two cubic feet per minute at a seventy-five Pascal pressure difference.
US08047688B2
Provided is a bulb-type lamp including a lightweight housing with great handleability. An LED light bulb (1) comprises: an LED module (3) on which LEDs are mounted; a cylindrically-shaped case (7) having openings at both ends, which are first and second ends; a mount member (5) on a front surface of which the LED module (3) is mounted, the mount member (5) closing a corresponding one of the openings of the case (7) by being in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the first end of the case (7); a base member (91) attached to the second end of the case (7); and a lighting circuit (11) that is disposed inside the case (7). A wall thickness of the case (7) is in a range of 200 μm to 500 μm inclusive, and the wall thickness of at least one portion of the case (7) decreases from the first end toward the second end of the case (7).
US08047683B2
A lighting device mounting system for a dishwasher, and an associated apparatus and method, are provided, comprising a lighting device having a first portion disposed within a dishwasher tub portion and configured to emit light therefrom. The first portion has a larger lateral area than a receiving aperture defined by a tub wall of the tub portion. The lighting device includes a second portion engaged with the first portion, and adapted to extend through the receiving aperture. The second portion includes at least one laterally-extending flange extending laterally outward therefrom. A securing device having a medial hinge portion and an engageable locking mechanism associated with free opposing ends, is configured to interact with the second portion, opposite the tub wall from the first portion, and between the at least one laterally extending flange and the tub wall, so as to secure the lighting device to the tub wall.
US08047682B2
An LED street lamp assembly includes a central member having a first LED module fixed to a top surface thereof, a plurality of lamps attached to circumference of the central member and each having a second LED module therein, a plurality of sensors each mounted in one of the lamps and a controlling and driving circuit board received in the central member for receiving signal sent out by the sensors. If there is a goer approaches the LED street lamp assembly, the sensors are activated to send out signal to the controlling and driving circuit board to turn on the second LED modules of the lamps one by one as the goer comes closer and closer. If the goer passes by and is going away from the LED street lamp assembly, the sensors stop sending out signal to the control and driving circuit board to switch off the second LED module of the lamps one by one as the goer goes away farther and farther.
US08047675B1
A light emitting diode (LED) optical system. Implementations disclosed in this document may include two or more LEDs coupled with a circuit board and two or more optics. The two or more optics may each include a first end and a second end where the second end opposes the first end and a first optical stage including the first end. A second optical stage may be included that includes the second end. The first optical stage may include a total internal reflector and the second optical stage may include an upper reflector portion located at the second end. The two or more optics may be coupled over the two or more LEDs at their first ends and the two or more optics may be coupled to each other along a portion of their first optical stages and at their second optical stages.
US08047674B2
An LED illuminating device includes a light-emitting module, a heat sink and an electrical module. The light-emitting module includes an elongated hollow light penetrable tube and a light source. The heat sink is received in and mounted to the light penetrable tube, and includes an elongated base and a plurality of fins. The light source is thermally attached to a bottom surface of the base. The base and an upper portion of the light penetrable tube cooperatively define a heat dissipation chamber. The fins are accommodated in the heat dissipation chamber. The light penetrable tube defines a plurality of air exchanging holes through the upper portion thereof communicating with the heat dissipation chamber. The electrical module includes at least one circuit board received in the heat dissipation chamber, and two end covers arranged at two ends of the light penetrable tube.
US08047668B2
A backlight module includes at least one light source, a lamp cover and a circuit board. The lamp cover has a containing portion and at least one projection. The containing portion is arranged for containing the light source. The projection is located at an outer side of the containing portion on which the circuit board is placed so that at least one fixing portion of the circuit board is in contact with the projection for constraining movements of the circuit board relative to the lamp cover.
US08047663B2
A beam terminator for a high-power laser beam comprises a thermally conductive body including a beam-trapping chamber. A tapered spiral channel extends into the conductive body for guiding the beam. The beam is partially absorbed while propagating along the channel to the trapping chamber. What remains of the beam is absorbed in the trapping chamber.
US08047656B2
A projecting apparatus for protecting an image onto a screen includes an image module, a first light reflection device and a lens. The image module is for providing a beam of first light, The first light reflection device has a first reflection surface disposed movably relative to the image module for reflecting the first light to form a beam of second light. The lens is for projection the image on the screen according to the second light. Moving the first light reflection device along the beam of first light or second light can adjust the location of the image on the screen in a first direction.
US08047650B2
Ophthalmic devices are provided having a violet-light vertical cut-off filter abruptly absorbs light between the wave lengths of between approximately and 400 nm and 450 nm such that a curve when plotted as percent transmission versus wavelength has the shape as depicted in FIG. 2. In one embodiment the ophthalmic devices are made from acrylates and the light absorbing compound is an Eastman Yellow 035 MA dye.
US08047647B2
A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a supporting member that supports a fluid ejection target medium; a fluid ejecting head that is provided opposite to the supporting member so as to eject fluid toward the supporting member; and a medium ejecting unit that ejects the medium in a first direction while holding the medium in such a manner that the medium is supported by the supporting member. The medium ejecting unit includes a driving roller that is provided at the supporting-member side and is in contact with the medium from the supporting-member side when the medium ejecting unit holds the medium, and a driven roller that is provided at the fluid-ejecting-head side and is in contact with the medium from the fluid-ejecting-head side when the medium ejecting unit holds the medium.
US08047643B2
A solid ink printer includes a melt plate configured to melt solid ink. A heater is connected to the melt plate in order to raise the temperature of the melt plate. The temperature of the melt plate is detected by a temperature sensor that is provided away from the surface of the melt plate but is configured to sense the temperature of the melt plate. A mount is positioned on the melt plate between the temperature sensor and the melt plate. The mount includes a mica layer and at least one polyimide film layer. The mount is arranged on the melt plate such that the mica layer of the mount may be adjacent to the melt plate and the polyimide film layer may be adjacent to the temperature sensor. A pressure sensitive adhesive may be used to connect the mount to the melt plate.
US08047642B2
An ink cartridge is detachably mounted on a cartridge holder. At least one first reflector is provided in the cartridge holder. A reflective-type optical sensor includes a light emitter and a light receiver. The optical sensor is operable to form an optical path originated from the light emitter to the light receiver via the first reflector. A shading member is provided in the ink cartridge operable to shade the optical path when the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder. A second reflector is provided in the ink cartridge. The second reflector reflects light emitted from the light emitter and varies an intensity thereof in accordance with an ink amount remaining in the ink cartridge.
US08047641B2
This invention provides a highly reliable liquid container without degrading a liquid accommodation efficiency or increasing a substantial cost. When the liquid container is impacted, the liquid container can protect against damage the flexible film that forms the liquid accommodation chamber. The recessed portion is provided on the inner surface of the cover member facing the plate material. Provided at the opening of the recessed portion is the shock absorbing sheet that elastically deforms into the recessed portion when the plate member is impacted.
US08047639B2
A refill unit for a fluid container is providing. The refill unit has a housing defining a fluid path in fluid communication with an outlet and configured to be operatively engaged with the fluid container, a fluid reservoir having an ejection port arranged in fluid communication with the fluid path inside the housing, and an ejector assembly configured to incrementally eject between 6 ml and 50 ml per increment of fluid from the reservoir when the assembly is actuated by operative engagement of the fluid container with the housing.
US08047634B2
An inkjet external ink manifold is provided that allows for use of a jet stack that does not internally contain ink manifolds. The external ink manifold has a manifold body that includes one or more ink manifold chambers and includes ports arranged to connect the chambers to one or more ink reservoirs. The external ink manifold further includes an adhesive layer overlying and sealing the ink manifold chambers. The adhesive layer includes a plurality of ports arranged to connect the external ink manifold chambers to the jet stack.
US08047623B2
A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage chamber; a shelf movably provided to the inside of the storage chamber; a guide unit guiding a movement of the shelf; and a transfer means provided at least one side of the shelf and transferring driving power for moving the shelf. Through such a configuration, it is possible to adjust height of the shelf, without drawing out the shelf to the outside of the storage chamber.
US08047619B2
A security display case including an enclosure having a security portion and a display portion, a platform moveable from the security portion to the display portion, a security member that secures the security portion, a gas spring that moves the platform from the security portion to the display portion, and a stabilizing assembly that stabilizes the moving platform. Optionally, the gas spring is paired with another gas spring so that the lateral forces of the springs are substantially cancelled, and the vertical forces are combined to move the platform. The stabilizing assembly can be a rack and pinion gear including at least two pinion gears engaged by a common member which synchronizes rotation of the gears to prevent binding of the platform as it is moved. The security member can include doors that fold over the security portion and which are engaged at their edges by a common locking member.
US08047617B2
A flexible axle for motor vehicle has a cross-member (1) connecting two longitudinal arms (2), wherein said cross-member (1) has a closed cross-section, and said cross-member has, at least in a central zone, a substantially trapezoid cross-section (11).
US08047613B1
A cushion-less passenger seat. The passenger seat includes spaced left and right spreaders, each having a front and rear leg with top and bottom ends and a seating surface formed from a flexible bottom diaphragm attached to and extending between the left and right spreaders. The passenger seat also includes a lumbar support having lower and upper sections and front and back sides formed from a flexible diaphragm. The lower section of the lumbar support is attached to and between the left and right spreaders. The lumbar support upper section extends upwardly above the seat's rear legs and seating surface.
US08047608B2
A method for implementing a supporting base (1) of a car seat, the latter including said base apt to rest onto a seat of such vehicle and apt to support an upper structure (16) apt to receive and retain a child, the base comprising a first (2) and a second (3) portion, the first sitting portion (2) being apt to rest onto the seat sitting and the second backrest portion (3) being apt to rest onto the backrest of such seat. It is provided to implement such base in at least two sections (20, 21), each section (20, 21) comprising a portion of the base portion and a portion of the sitting portion of the base, said sections being then coupled therebetween and constrained so as to implement the above-mentioned base. The so-obtained base and the seat equipped with such base are also claimed.
US08047598B2
The present invention relates to an automotive interior member placed on a part that receives sunlight (R) entering through a window (2) of an automobile (1). A corrugated sunlight-receiving surface (6) receives the sunlight (R). The corrugated sunlight-receiving surface (6) comprises a first slope (8), which receives the sunlight (R) entering through the window (2), and a second slope (9), which is disposed on a part where the sunlight (R) is blocked by the first slope (8), i.e., which faces the inside of an automotive compartment (1a). A cooling air passage (10) that extends along the underside of the sunlight-receiving surface (6) is provided in the interior member, and a blowing means (13) is provided in an air duct (12) that communicates with the cooling air passage (10).
US08047573B2
A seat belt retractor for a safety belt including a seat belt spindle for winding up and unwinding the safety belt and a tensioning drive. The seat belt spindle includes a gas generator, a drive wheel and a supply pipe which connects the gas generator and the drive wheel. A plurality of thrust members are present in the supply pipe which, after triggering the gas generator, are accelerated and indirectly or directly drive the drive wheel for winding up the safety belt. An inertia coupling is arranged between the drive wheel and the seat belt spindle. The inertia coupling comprises coupling elements which, during an acceleration of the drive wheel, pivot outward and are directly or indirectly coupled to the seat belt spindle.
US08047571B2
A fixture structure for an in-vehicle electronic apparatus includes an in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket through which an in-vehicle electronic apparatus is attached to a vehicle body. The in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket includes a retreat structure part allowing the in-vehicle electronic apparatus to retreat toward the front of the vehicle body when a dynamic load is inputted into the in-vehicle electronic apparatus. The retreat structure part includes: a hinge part allowing a lower portion of the in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket to rotate together with the in-vehicle electronic apparatus, toward the front of the vehicle body about an upper portion of the in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket; and a rotational displacement accepting part allowing the lower portion of the in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket to be displaced due to its own rotation toward the front of the vehicle body.
US08047570B2
An airbag arrangement includes an airbag with at least one inflatable chamber and a first opening; and a cover that at least partially covers the first opening of the airbag and that comprises a second opening. The first and second openings are designed such that the chamber of the airbag is accessible through the first and second openings. The first opening is designed in a first layer of an airbag material and the second opening is designed in a second layer of an airbag material. At least one part projects into the airbag through the first and the second opening, whereby the first and the second layer are restrained by the part projecting into the airbag in the area of the openings such that a section of the rim of the first and a section of the rim of the second opening rest closely against the part.
US08047563B2
First and second panels of air bag material are secured to one another with at least one seam defining a portion of a perimeter of a cavity bounded by the first and second panels, which is open along at least one unseamed portion extending along the first and second panels between endpoints of at least one seam. An opening in the second panel receives an end portion of an air bag inflator. Inflation gas generated by the air bag inflator is discharged into the air bag through the at least one unseamed portion, at least one of which is oriented downwards when installed in a vehicle. An air bag module cover incorporates first and second laterally opening door portions and a lower downward opening door portion that provide for a downward and outward initial deployment of the air bag.
US08047551B2
A multi-stage height control valve for a pneumatic control system of a vehicle includes an air reservoir port, an exhaust port, an air spring port and a pilot port operatively connected to a rotor valve which is in turn operatively connected to the vehicle. The air reservoir port fluidly communicates with an air tank. The air spring port fluidly communicates with the air springs of the vehicle. The exhaust port opens to atmosphere. The pilot port fluidly communicates with a control/warning device such that, when a secondary ride height is reached by the vehicle, the pilot port signals the control/warning device in order to maintain the vehicle at the secondary ride height. The pilot port alternatively provides an air pressure boost in order to quickly re-inflate the air springs of the vehicle to return the vehicle to the primary design ride height.
US08047548B2
An alignment apparatus includes a first stator, located in a stator of a piece of rotating equipment, and a second stator couplingly connected to the first stator and able to be angularly rotated relative to the first stator. The second stator can seal an interface between a shaft and housing in the piece of rotating equipment. The alignment apparatus permits angular misalignment between a stator, a housing and a rotor shaft, and may be used, for example, in a bearing protector or an isolator installed on a Pillow Box.
US08047541B2
A duplicate feeding detection device for use with sheet-like members may include a control part for controlling an ultrasonic transmission part, a duplicate feeding judging part for judging duplicate feeding of the sheet-like members on a basis of an output from an ultrasonic receiving part, a temperature measuring part for measuring temperature of a vicinity of the ultrasonic transmission part, and a memory part in which a relationship between an oscillation frequency of the ultrasonic transmission part and a temperature is stored. The control part sets an oscillation frequency corresponding to a temperature which is measured by the temperature measuring part on a basis of the relationship between the oscillation frequency and the temperature stored in the memory part.
US08047517B2
An attachment for use with a clamp having a pair of jaws operable to clamp a workpiece therebetween, such attachment comprising a body member of such size as to be accommodated in a space between one of the jaws and the workpiece. The body member of the attachment has a first contact surface adapted to bear against a surface of the workpiece and a second, opposite contact surface adapted to bear against one of the jaws. The second contact surface is so configured as to enable the attachment body member to be substantially universally rockable relative to the jaw engaged by such attachment body member, thereby enabling the body member to occupy a position in engagement with and substantially parallel to that surface of the workpiece engaged by the attachment body member.
US08047513B2
A vibration damping device including: a pressure-receiving chamber and an equilibrium chamber connected by a first orifice passage; a movable member disposed within the pressure-receiving chamber, to form a primary fluid chamber partly defined by a rubber elastic body, and an auxiliary fluid chamber partly defined by an oscillating plate; and a second orifice passage connecting the auxiliary fluid chamber to the equilibrium chamber. A through-hole is formed in a partition member that partitions the primary fluid chamber and the auxiliary fluid chamber, the oscillating plate is housed within the through-hole with a gap provided therebetween whereby the oscillating plate is displaceable in an axial direction within the through-hole. A stopper abutted by the oscillating plate during displacement to one axial side is provided, with the gap becoming closed off when the oscillating plate is in a state of abutment against the stopper.
US08047501B2
The invention relates to a device for controlling the switching movement of a valve according to the preamble of claim 1. It is the object of the present invention to design a control device in this regard such that it can be largely prefabricated and can be very easily converted to different operating voltages or data protocols, that the stock inventory of these control devices can be reduced and that economical quantities can be achieved more easily than before. This is achieved in that an internal control unit (2) of the control device (1) comprises a standardized operating voltage (UB), that also the pilot valve(s) (5) operates (operate) with the standardized operating voltage, that an adapting module (I; I*) is accommodated in the control device (1), which is connected with the internal control unit (2) through an internal interface (B), that the respective signal structure of the control unit (2) and of the adapting module (I; I*) are equal at the internal interface (B), and that the internal control unit (2) is supplied with voltage through the adapting module (I; I*).
US08047494B2
A tool for clamping an optical glass element includes a first arm, a second arm, a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion. The first and second arms are pivotally connected with each other and are rotatable relative to each other about a first axis. The first clamping portion is rotatably connected to an end portion of the first arm distal from the first axis and is rotatable relative to the first arm about a second axis. The second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The second clamping portion is rotatably connected to an end portion of the second arm distal from the first axis and is rotatable relative to second arm about a third axis. The third axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The first and second clamping portions are configured for cooperatively clamping the optical glass element therebetween.
US08047489B2
In order to provide a display monitor, such as a thin design television or the like, in which its display unit is easily attachable and detachable from the stand structure and can be easily carried about, and where the place of installation of the display unit is not limited, a stand type thin design television includes a display unit (1), a joint body (15), a pillar (25) and a stand base (29). The joint body (15) is attached to the display unit (1) while the joint body (15) is free to be attached to and removed from the pillar (25) that is fixed to the stand base (29). In the first usage mode in which the pillar (25) and the stand base (29) are used, the joint (15) is inserted into the pillar (25). In the second usage mode in which the pillar (25) and the stand base (29) are not used, the joint body (15) itself is used as a stand.
US08047479B2
An elevating device with a latching function including a supporting rack, a supporting seat, a constant force spring and a latching member. The supporting seat moves longitudinally with respect to the supporting rack, and has a shaft rod automatically recovering towards a central line thereof. An arrow-shaped positioning block is installed in a front end of the latching member, a positioning concave slot is formed at bottom ends of a first and a second guiding planes of the positioning block. When the shaft rod moves with the supporting seat in the supporting rack, the shaft rod moves downwardly along the first guiding plane to enter the positioning concave slot forming a latching status. When the shaft rod moves downwardly in the positioning concave slot, the shaft rod is released from the positioning concave slot forming a releasing status, and the shaft rod moves upwardly along the second guiding plane.
US08047476B2
A pipe clamp for supporting pipes consists of an open sheet-metal strip surrounding the pipe and of a rubber sleeve which is inserted between the pipe and the sheet-metal strip. The two ends of the sheet-metal strip are connected to one another in the assembled state by means of a clamping screw. The pipe clamp consists only of the sheet-metal strip and of the clamping screw, the two strip ends being bent somewhat radially outwards, forming two screw lugs, and the clamping screw being supported, in the pre-assembled state, on a screw lug such that it cannot be lost and is ready for assembly.
US08047474B2
A cable pathway system has a base with a bottom, a generally planar top surface, a first side, and a second side. The base is configured to be secured to an electronic equipment enclosure and also has an aperture formed therein and a wall positioned adjacent to the aperture. The wall has a curved surface that extends from the top surface to the bottom. A first sidewall extends from the top surface along the first side and extends generally perpendicular to the top surface and substantially along the length of the first side. A second sidewall also extends from the top surface along the second side and extends generally perpendicular to the top surface and substantially along the length of the second side.
US08047468B2
An aircraft stowage bin assembly includes shear fittings configured to route a content load from the bucket of the bin assembly to the airframe in the event of a forward load condition, such as a crash or severe turbulence. When the forward inertial load factor on the stowage bin is greater than about 1 g, the shear fittings create an efficient load path from the bucket to the airframe which bypasses the large metallic or composite endframes required by the designs of many conventional overhead stowage bins. As a result, significant reductions in overall bulk and weight, as well as lower manufacturing costs, can be realized.
US08047463B2
A wire winding spool, comprising a tubular body for supporting a coil of wire provided, at its ends, with wall elements for containing the coil, at least one of the wall elements being provided with at least one pin for engaging means for turning the spool, each wall element being associated with the corresponding end of the tubular body so as to rest against an abutment provided on the outer surface of the wall of the body, clamped against it by a fold of the end portion of the wall.
US08047462B2
A paper supply mechanism comprising a roll paper compartment for storing roll paper, a first side wall that can move and defines one side of the roll paper compartment, a second side wall that defines the other side of the roll paper compartment, a lock mechanism that locks the first side wall, a roll paper urging member that urges the roll paper in a storage width direction of the roll paper compartment; and a holding mechanism that operates in conjunction with the lock mechanism and holds the roll paper urging member in a predetermined position.
US08047456B2
An adjustable spray nozzle with adjustable arc of coverage as well as spray elevation angle and flow rate. A very simple adjustable arc of coverage spray nozzle configuration is also disclosed which may be easily assembled for a particular precipitation rate and/or range of coverage at a selected nominal pressure. Also disclosed is a simple fixed arc of coverage spray nozzle with selectable ranges for a particular precipitation rate.
US08047455B2
What is disclosed is a self contained, cordless, handheld spray gun. The spray gun comprises a fluid container in intercommunication with at least one fluid nozzle orifice and a source of pressurized gas in intercommunication with at least one gas nozzle orifice and one fan nozzle orifice. The spray gun is actuated by pulling a trigger that actuates the gas flow to the nozzle and further actuation of which opens at least one valve so that the fluid, such as paint, primer, stain, varnish, sealant or the like, can flow to a fluid chamber, atomized, and sprayed through a fluid nozzle orifice out onto the article to be painted.
US08047446B2
In a method of processing mailpieces, a digital image of a surface of a current mailpiece is formed for the purpose of using OCR to recognize a recipient postal address for said current mailpiece, and, if it is determined that the recognized recipient address corresponds to an incorrect recipient address, a forwarding address is placed on said surface of the current mailpiece. In addition to said forwarding address, an OCR-detectable mark is placed on the surface of the current mailpiece, which mark indicates that the current mailpiece bears a forwarding address, and also constitutes an index for retrieving said forwarding address from a database.
US08047439B2
The invention features a system and method to automatically focus an image reader using a single frame of image data. The method comprises exposing sequentially a plurality of rows of pixels in the image sensor. The method further comprising varying in incremental steps the focus of the image reader's optical system from a first setting where a distinct image of objects located at a first distance from the image reader is formed on the image sensor to a second setting where a distinct image of objects located at a second distance from the image reader is formed on the image sensor. As part of the method, the varying of the focus of the optical system occurs during the exposure of the plurality of rows of pixels.
US08047438B2
A digital image capture and processing system including a housing having an imaging window; and an image formation and detection subsystem with an area-type image detection array having a periodic snap shot mode of the operation supporting the periodic occurrence of snap-shot type image acquisition cycles at a high-repetition rate, during object illumination and imaging operations. The system also includes an illumination subsystem, with a LED illumination array, for producing a field of illumination within the FOV, and illuminating the object detected in the FOV. In the illustrative embodiment, the time duration of illumination of an object within the FOV by the illumination subsystem while the area-type image detection array detects each 2D digital image frame of the object formed on the area-type image detection array, is substantially equal to the time duration that the digital image processing subsystem is allowed to process the detected 2D digital image frame and read a 1D and/or 2D code symbol graphically represented therein.
US08047434B2
System and method for collecting information pertaining to a defeated electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag are disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a recording unit for collecting data pertaining to missing merchandise having at least one user interface, recording the data into the recording unit in response to a series of user interface prompts displayed on the recording unit, the interface prompts being programmed according to a predetermined user input sequence, the recording unit being adapted to transmit the data through a communications network, and transmitting the data through the communications network to a data processing unit, the data processing unit being configured to analyze the data and to generate a report based on the data.
US08047424B2
A computer implemented method for a mail tracking service provider to manage mail tracking identification codes for customers. A master list is maintained of identification codes that have been provided to customers. A customer sends a request for a block of identification codes to use with their mailing. The service generates a block of identification codes, referring to the master list to determine identification codes that are not already being used. The generated block is sent to the customer. The service updates the master list to identify the customer and the block sent. The mailer sends mailing job data back to the tracking service. The job data identifies which codes from the block have been placed on mail to be delivered. The service gathers data about the delivery of the mail from the carrier service, and the tracking data is consolidated and provided in a report to the customer.
US08047418B2
A soldering apparatus including a vessel containing a molten solder, a casing defining therewithin a soldering chamber in which a flat overflowing wave of the molten solder is formed, a conveyor physically integrated with the casing for movement therewith and operable for transferring a printed circuit board through the soldering chamber, actuators and for vertically moving the casing, inert gas feeders for feeding an inert gas to the soldering chamber, and a controller for controlling the operation of the actuators and, so that the printed circuit board is contacted with the surface of the flat overflowing wave in an atmosphere of the inert gas during its passage through the soldering chamber.
US08047408B2
A gravity-fed, manually-operable dispenser for sugar, creamer and other particles and granules is comprised of a particulate reservoir affixed to a dispensing base by engagement tabs and slots. The tabs and slots allow the dispenser to be easily disassembled for maintenance and cleaning. The base encloses a substantially cylindrical rotating measuring/dispensing vane that has several hollow apertures into which particulates flow from the reservoir. The vane rides on a smooth, flat surface that seals or closes off the apertures. An opening in the flat surface of the dispensing base allows particulates in a full aperture to fall through and out of the base. A soft gasket over surfaces of the vane that would otherwise make direct contact with the base portion prevent the vane from becoming lodged in place by crystalline material.
US08047407B2
A device for delivery of biologic materials, comprising: a cartridge having at least two cylinder bores for fluids to be delivered, wherein each cylinder includes an exit port for a fluid, a plunger within each cylinder for pushing the fluids out of the cylinder, a housing adapted to receive the cartridge, wherein the housing or cartridge includes an adaptor to receive and lock a manifold that operably connects to the exit ports of the cartridge, at least two toothed rams, wherein each toothed ram is at least partially within a cylinder bore, a trigger connected to the housing, wherein the trigger includes a toothed drive rack, a toothed wheel assembly that cooperates with the toothed drive rack and with the toothed rams, as well as methods of making the device, methods of using the device to treat discs, kits including the device.
US08047401B2
Novel systems and methods for operatively utilizing nutrient/flavor impregnated media(s) operatively contained in devices, such as, for example, product structures or the like, capable of introducing the nutrients/flavors in a single serving (4-12 oz) dose packets, or multiple servings, such as, for example, a pitcher (up to 64+ oz) or a gallon or half gallon of flavored and enhanced water operatively connected to complimentary dispensing system, presently preferably, tied to a water filtration device, such as, for example, bottle less water coolers and one that could be mounted inside a refrigerator dispensing system, and the manufacture of such low cost media(s) and dispensing systems.
US08047400B1
An improvement in a gravity-feed display and dispensing apparatus and method in which rolling articles are advanced by gravity along an upper chute from a loading location to a transition chute where the rolling articles are transferred to a lower chute located vertically below the upper chute, with a concomitant reversal of the direction of travel of the rolling articles, and then along the lower chute to a dispensing location. A plurality of retarding members are placed in position serially along the transition chute to engage a rolling article and bump the rolling article so as to gradually retard the speed of movement of the rolling article as the article traverses the transition chute, thereby limiting the magnitude of forces generated by the reversal of the direction of movement of the rolling article as the rolling article traverses the transition chute and avoiding excessive speed of movement of the rolling article upon arrival of the rolling article adjacent the dispensing location.
US08047392B2
In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, a liquid container generally includes a base member, an annular sidewall member, a neck member, a spout, and a handle. The annular sidewall member is attached to and extends upwardly from the base member. The neck member couples the annular sidewall member to the spout. The base member has a recessed portion that extends upwardly into the container such that the base member may rest upon the neck member of another container.
US08047383B2
A rackmount chassis includes removable supports that provide interior support for blades having mounting edge-to-mounting edge dimensions that are less than the full chassis width. The removable supports are mounted on parallel support plates that span the full width of the chassis. Each removable support supports an edge of at least one blade installed into the rackmount chassis. The locations of the removable supports on the parallel support plates determine the blade form factors (mounting edge-to-mounting edge dimensions) that the rackmount chassis can accept. Because the removable supports can be individually removed/installed, the configuration of the resulting rackmount component can be changed without physically removing the rackmount component from the rack in which it is mounted.
US08047376B1
One embodiment of a paper cushioning structure includes a corrugated, hollow support member of H cross-section having two open ends, the support member comprising a hollow, intermediate plate interconnecting both hollow sides; and two fixing members shaped to securely assemble at both ends of the support member respectively so as to form a packing space defined by the fixing members, the intermediate plate, and upper portions of the sides of the support member.
US08047371B2
A packing cushion includes a base and a plurality of sidewalls coupled to the base. The plurality of sidewalls interconnect with each other and cooperate with the base to form an accommodating space. First and second cushion portions protrude from an inner surface of the base and an inner surface of one of sidewalls respectively. The first cushion portion includes a first surface. The second cushion portion includes a second surface. A contour defined by the first surface matches with at least a part of an object to be packed. When the object is packed in the receiving space, the first surface contacts with at least a part of the object to provide a first cushioning, and when the object is subjected to an impact to deform the first cushion portion, the second surface contacts with the object to provide a second cushioning.
US08047369B2
A basket for shipping and displaying of baked products, wherein the basket comprises several features that substantially inhibit or reduce lateral motion, as well frontward and rearwards motion. Similar baskets can be stacked in a 0°, 90° or 180° configuration, and in the 0° and 180°, an upper basket can pivot and slide about a lower basket. Preferably, three window flaps are provided in one or more merchandising windows of the basket to allow consumers to retrieve baked product from an interior portion of the basket. The window flaps can moved from an open position to provide customers access to the tray, to a closed position to substantially inhibit or prevent product spillage when being transported or stored.
US08047361B2
Provided are a gas storage structure and a gas storage apparatus including the gas storage structure. The gas storage structure includes a gas storage part including an opening thereon and an entrance control part disposed on the opening and including a gate.
US08047359B2
A reduced noise container carrier for an automated container filling machine has a container receptacle portion sized to receive a plurality of different sized containers; a side portion situated between the container receptacle portion and the bottom portion for engaging a plurality of mechanical devices of the machine; a substantially flat bottom portion for engaging a conveyor belt of the machine; an identification portion encoding an identification of the carrier; and, a noise reduction portion comprising a groove encircling the side portion of the carrier and a band disposed in the groove. The noise reduction portion is disposed to engage noise reduction portions of other carriers when the carriers collide on the conveyor belt and to avoid engaging portions of the machine other than the conveyor belt during a period of time when the machine is using the speed of the conveyor belt to calculate the position of the carrier.
US08047355B2
In an aspect of the present invention, a system and method are provided that detect belt mis-tracking and in response, automatically adjusts. In some implementations, the system and method are implemented in conjunction with a weigh feeder or weigh belt. In other implementations, the system and method are implemented in conjunction with other devices that convey material via one or more belts. The system and method can be implemented by providing one or more sensors that detect belt mis-tracking, a motor for adjusting a belt pulley and one or more controllers that operate the motor in response to signals from the one or more sensors.
US08047346B2
A damper for a torque converter, including: a cover plate for a damper; a turbine hub with a surface; and a pilot element rotationally connected to the cover plate and having a surface slidingly engaged with the surface for the turbine hub. The respective surfaces for the turbine hub and the pilot element are at least partially radially aligned and the pilot element is arranged to center the damper with respect to a longitudinal axis for the torque converter. In some aspects, the pilot element includes at least one axial protrusion engaged with the cover plate. In some aspects, the pilot element is formed of stamped metal. In some aspects, the pilot element is axially stabilized with respect to the turbine hub and the cover plate. In some aspects, the pilot element includes at least one radial protrusion slidingly engaged with a radial surface for the turbine hub.
US08047343B1
A flow damper used in an auto-close mechanism of a sliding rail assembly is disclosed to include a first flow cylinder that has coupling grooves provided at one lateral side, and a second flow cylinder that has coupling blocks provided at one side and connectable to the coupling grooves to secure the first and second flow cylinders in parallel in one of the first condition where the piston rods of the first and second flow cylinders extend in same direction and the second condition where the piston rods of the first and second flow cylinders extend in reversed directions.
US08047340B2
In a suspension spring adjusting apparatus of a hydraulic shock absorber, a mounting mating surface sealed by a spring adjusting case and a seal material of a case cover is formed in a flat surface shape, and an outer peripheral edge of the case cover is provided with a skirt portion covering over an outer peripheral surface of the spring adjusting case via a gap.
US08047337B2
A wheel brake for a vehicle including a brake disc unit adapted to brake the rotation of a rotation element, which is adapted to be drivingly connected to the wheel. The brake disc unit includes a first set of discs and a second set of discs arranged in an alternating manner in an axial direction. The discs in the first disc set are adapted to be rotationally rigidly connected to the rotation element. The brake disc unit includes at least one separator element, which is adapted to keep a sufficient distance between two adjacent discs of one of the disc sets for an intermediate disc from the other disc set to rotate at least substantially freely relative to the spaced discs when the brake disc unit is in a deactivated condition.
US08047334B2
Elevators (104) in a group elevator system (100) are controlled to facilitate transport of a large item (LI). A destination entry input device receives an input from a passenger (102) indicating that the passenger (102) has a large item (LI) to be transported in the group elevator system (100). The passenger (102) with the large item (LI) is assigned to an elevator (104) having capacity to accommodate the passenger (102) and the large item (LI).
US08047332B2
A drive gear includes a plurality of internal radial channels extending between the axial bore and the periphery of the gear, and an axial bore includes a lubricant distribution structure therein to provide lubrication where the teeth of the drive gear mesh with the teeth of a gear driven by the drive gear.
US08047326B2
The invention relates to a method for making an acoustic absorption panel in particular for the nacelle of an aircraft engine, the panel being of the type comprising a cellular core covered on one side with a so-called outer air-permissive skin and on the other side with a so-called inner perforated skin, the cellular core being formed by the edge-to-edge junction of a plurality of blocks with a cellular core (B1, B2). The method comprises the following steps: a) before the edge-to-edge junction of blocks with a cellular core (B1, B2), opening the cells (A1, A2) located on the edges of the blocks to be joined; and b) edge-to-edge dry joining the blocks (B1, B2) so that the open cells (A1, A2) engage into one another.
US08047323B2
A vehicle with primary and secondary drivelines and a power take-off unit (PTU). The primary driveline has a first differential that is configured to distribute power to a first set of wheels. The PTU has a PTU input, a PTU output and a synchronizer for selectively de-coupling the PTU output from the PTU input. The secondary driveline is configured to distribute power to a second set of wheels and has a propshaft, a second differential, a pair of half-shafts and at least one torque transfer device (TTD). The propshaft transmits rotary power between the PTU output and an input of the second differential. The half-shafts are rotatably coupled to an output of the second differential and are configured to transmit rotary power to the second set of wheels. The at least one TTD is configured to selectively inhibit torque transmission through the second differential to the second set of wheels.
US08047312B2
A much more fuel-efficient automotive vehicle can be made utilizing an internal combustion engine paired to a conventional piston-type steam engine. There is a gasoline-powered boiler to produce the steam as well as a condenser to recycle spent steam.
US08047305B2
A system for forming a subterranean wellbore may include a pump and an additive supply. The pump pumps a drilling fluid into the wellbore while also generating a pressure differential that draws an additive across a supply line connected to the additive supply. The drilling fluid may be a gas or a liquid. A method for forming a wellbore may include drilling the wellbore, circulating a drilling fluid in the wellbore using a pump; and supplying an additive to the drilling fluid by flowing the additive across a supply line using a pressure differential generated by the pump. The pump may generate a vacuum pressure at a supply line outlet and/or create a pressure differential in the supply line. The flow of additive across the supply line may be regulated and/or stopped when the pump is not operating.
US08047296B2
The technical challenges for a smooth transition between using both a thermodynamic hydrate inhibitor (THI) and a kinetic hydrate inhibitor (KHI) to simply using only the KHI in multiple tie-in gas natural gas production systems is solved by adding more THI in a first pipeline leg of the production system while ceasing adding THI in a second pipeline leg of the system. Further, more KHI is added into the second leg of the system, and subsequently THI is gradually and/or slowly reduced in the remaining legs of the system until only KHI is being injected, after which the KHI amount in all legs may be reduced to the equilibrium or steady-state levels.
US08047289B2
Among the methods described herein are methods using low-specific gravity particulates wherein the particulates comprise silica and an aluminum oxide in an amount of about 0.1% to about 25% by weight and having at least one void, a specific gravity of less than about 2.2, a particle sized of 8 U.S. Mesh or smaller, and a substantially spherical shape.
US08047288B2
Proppants used to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations using one or more proppants. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions and other uses for the proppants, as well as methods of making the proppants.
US08047286B2
A downhole tool comprising a probe, wherein the probe comprises: a first inlet having an elongated cross-sectional shape, and a second inlet surrounding the first inlet. The downhole tool further comprises at least one pump configured to draw fluid from a subterranean formation through the first and second inlets.
US08047283B2
A torque sub for use with a top drive is disclosed. A method of connecting threaded tubular members for use in a wellbore includes operating a top drive. The top drive rotates a first threaded tubular member relative to a second threaded tubular member. The method further includes measuring a torque exerted on the first tubular member by the top drive. The torque is measured using a torque shaft rotationally coupled to the top drive and the first tubular. The torque shaft has a strain gage disposed thereon. The method further includes wirelessly transmitting the measured torque from the torque shaft to a stationary interface; measuring rotation of the first tubular member; compensating the rotation measurement by subtracting a deflection of the top drive and/or the first tubular member; determining acceptability of the threaded connection; and stopping rotation of the first threaded member when the threaded connection is complete or if the threaded connection is unacceptable.
US08047279B2
A downhole tool has a mandrel with slip assemblies positioned thereon above and below a packer element. The slip assemblies are positioned in a manner to anchor the downhole tool in the well. The slip assemblies include a slip ring which has a plurality of slip segments. Each slip segment has inserts disposed in cavities therein. The cavities are oriented such that the longitudinal central axis of each cavity is parallel to the longitudinal central axis of each of the other cavities in the slip segment.
US08047277B1
A method and apparatus for removing a string of casing from a well bore. The method and apparatus include a plurality of drill bits substantially aligned with each other for drilling a plurality of holes in the string of casing. The plurality of holes can be used to lift the string in casing from the well bore via a series of incremental casing sections.
US08047273B2
In a micro heat exchanger for the transfer of high area-specific amounts of heat from a heat source to a heat transfer medium, including a heat transfer structure with an inlet- and an outlet duct structure between which a plurality of passages extend through the heat transfer structure, the inlet and outlet duct structures are arranged in alternating order in the heat transfer area in close proximity to the heat source, with the inlet and outlet duct structure and the passages interconnecting the inlet and outlet structures covering the whole heat transfer area directly adjacent the heat source.
US08047272B2
A low-cost, high-temperature heat exchanger is made from a notched piece of metal, the metal being folded back and forth upon itself to form a monolith. The notches in the metal piece create openings, communicating with distinct sides of the monolith. Ducts are attached to the openings. Cut pieces of corrugated metal, which may have a catalyst coating, are inserted between folds of the monolith. The heat exchanger may be used as part of a fuel cell system, or in other industrial applications, to recover waste heat, or to conduct various catalytic and non-catalytic reactions. The invention also includes an element, or building block, for a high-temperature heat exchanger, including a folded metal monolith with metal combs inserted, the monolith and the combs defining seams which are hermetically sealed.
US08047271B2
A heat dissipation device includes a heat sink, a fan holder, and a fan secured on a front side of the fan holder. The heat sink includes a base and fins on the base. An engaging groove is defined in top ends of the fins. The fan holder includes a top panel and two sidewalls extending downwardly from two lateral edges of the top panel. The top panel has an inserting protrusion at a bottom surface thereof. The two sidewalls have two latching legs at lower ends thereof. The top panel is partially placed on a front portion of the top ends of the fins, and the inserting protrusion is inserted into the engaging groove of the fins. The two sidewalls abut against two lateral sides of the heat sink, and the two latching legs fasten to two lateral sides of the base of the heat sink.
US08047264B2
A metal strip casting apparatus and method of casting continuous metal strip include assembling a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces positioned laterally forming a nip between for casting, and delivering molten metal through a delivery nozzle disposed above the nip to form a casting pool supported on the casting rolls. The delivery nozzle includes at least one segment having a main portion and an end portion and an inner trough extending longitudinally through the main portion and into the end portion with end walls at opposite ends thereof, the inner trough communicating with outlets adjacent bottom portions formed in each segment adapted to deliver molten metal to a casting pool and the end portion having a reservoir portion having passages adapted to deliver molten metal to a casting pool.
US08047256B2
A curtain kit comprising a sheet of curtain material having a sheet perimeter and a plurality of fastener elements spaced along and adjacent the sheet perimeter to be attached to mating fastener elements respectively on a structural member for hanging one edge portion of the curtain sheet from the structural member. The plurality of sheet fastener elements are positioned along and adjacent the sheet perimeter in a quantity and spacing over the entirety of the sheet perimeter to be attached to respective ones of the structural member fastener elements for hanging various other edge portions of the curtain sheet from the structural member so that the curtain can be hung from the structural member in a variety of alternative origami-like patterns. The curtain kit includes one or more of the structural member, the structural member fastener elements, a printed instruction sheet for hanging the curtain in at least one of the patterns, codes for identifying said sheet fastener elements, a cover member for hiding the structural member from view, and decorative accessories. A decorative sheet kit comprises a sheet of material having at least one hole therein, a decorative member sized for covering the hole, and a clip attached to the decorative member for clipping to an edge of the hole.
US08047254B2
The magnetic cordless shade includes a header defined by a substantially elongated U-shaped channel. The top of the header includes attachment areas for attaching the header to a window frame. A pleated blind has one end attached to the underside of the header top, and when folded, the blind is housed inside the channel. The other end of the pleated blind is attached to a footer. A magnetic latching assembly is disposed between the header and the footer to keep the blind in a folded condition. Pulling a pull cord disposed on the footer releases the magnetic latching mechanism to thereby rapidly unfold the blind.
US08047246B2
An apparatus for controlling tire inflation pressure includes an outlet side end portion of a supplying passageway opened on an outer circumference of a column-shaped boss portion provided in an axle, and an inlet side end portion of an introducing passageway that is opened on an inner circumference of an annular hub portion provided in a wheel. A wheel is mounted onto the axle. The inner circumference of the annular hub portion is engaged with the outer circumference of the column-shaped boss portion, and thereby the outlet side end portion and the inlet side end portion are communicatively connected to each other air tightly. Thus, easiness in mounting a vehicle wheel assembly relative to the axle can be improved.
US08047242B2
A power tool includes a spindle assembly supported for rotation about an axis. The spindle assembly includes a plurality of engagement members, and at least two of the engagement members are disposed in spaced relationship less than one hundred eighty degrees from each other with respect to the axis of the spindle assembly. The power tool also includes a spindle lock assembly that selectively engages at least one of the plurality of engagement members to lock the spindle assembly against rotation about the axis.
US08047236B2
A flexible conduit for insertion into a body lumen comprises a plurality of elements coupled end to end to define a conduit lumen. A first one of the elements includes a male portion and a female portion. A second element includes a female portion having an inner surface configured to engage a male portion of an outer surface of the first element to form a first ball joint. A third element includes a male portion, an outer surface of the male portion of the third element configured to engage an inner surface of the female portion of the first element to form a second ball joint. The male and female portions of the first element are adapted to frictionally engage the female portion of the second element and the male portion of the third element to establish a rigid connection therebetween.
US08047232B2
Roughness is added to the surface of a bluff body in a relative motion with respect to a fluid. The amount, size, and distribution of roughness on the body surface is controlled passively or actively to modify the flow around the body and subsequently the Vortex Induced Forces and Motion (VIFM). The added roughness, when designed and implemented appropriately, affects in a predetermined way the boundary layer, the separation of the boundary layer, the level of turbulence, the wake, the drag and lift forces, and consequently the Vortex Induced Motion (VIM), and the fluid-structure interaction. The goal of surface roughness control is to increase Vortex Induced Forces and Motion. Enhancement is needed in such applications as harnessing of clean and renewable energy from ocean/river currents using the ocean energy converter VIVACE (Vortex Induced Vibration for Aquatic Clean Energy).
US08047223B2
A gauge assembly includes an indicator for providing an indication of an amount of fluid in a tank and a stop-fill assembly for stopping the flow of fluid flowing into the tank once the fluid reaches a particular level. The gauge assembly has a shaft that rotates as the fluid level changes in the tank. The indicator translates the rotational position of the shaft into a fluid level. The stop-fill assembly moves from an open position, where fluid can flow into the tank, to a closed position, where fluid is prohibited from flowing into the tank, depending on the rotational position of the shaft.
US08047217B1
The anchorable umbrella apparatus has a pole having a first section slideably and removably fitted within the second section, a receiver with cam lock disposed atop the first section, an object fitted atop the first section, a pointed tip disposed downwardly on the second section, a visual guide disposed downwardly on the second section, a collar slideably fitted around the pole second section, a plurality of equally spaced apart butterfly bolts radialy and threadably inserted through the collar, a Y end disposed outwardly on each butterfly bolt, a tarp comprising a reinforcement disposed centrally within the tarp, an opening disposed within the reinforcement, and a plurality of spaced apart grommets disposed outwardly within the tarp, each grommet selectively engaged with one of each of the Y ends of one of each of the butterfly bolts.
US08047210B2
A hair extension for attachment to a hair is provided. The hair extension comprises an extending hair portion and a thread connected to the extending hair portion and configured to be tied to a hair to create an attachment. A ring portion is formed between both ends of the thread for inserting the hair, tightening, and fixing to the inserted hair. Expensive equipment is not required for attaching and removing the hair extension.
US08047209B2
Compositions and methods for making same are presented that act as substitutes for tobacco and tobacco products. Use is made of a genus of plants called pueraria, and more specifically the kudzu species, which is processed and packaged to taste and feel similar to natural tobacco. Various enhancers and flavors are added to appeal to various tastes.
US08047206B2
Magnetic structures develop a magnetic force between a tongue and a posterior pharyngeal wall to stabilize an orientation of the tongue. The magnetic structures include magnetic materials that are sized, configured, and arranged on at least one of the first and second magnetic structures, to maintain a substantially mutually repelling orientation between the first and second magnetic structures during a native range of movement of the tongue relative to the pharyngeal wall, i.e., during swallowing and/or drinking/and or speech.
US08047197B1
A heat deflecting system includes a heater with a pole, a heat emitting member attached to an apex of the pole and a cover that is attached to the heat emitting member. The cover has a circular perimeter edge that extends outwardly from the heat emitting member. A plate has a first side, a second side, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The first side of the plate is concavely arcuate from the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge. A plurality of couplers is mounted on the plate and releasably couples the plate to the perimeter edge.
US08047184B2
A system and method for controlling an engine control an EGR cooler bypass valve to divert at least a portion of EGR flow around an EGR cooler when operating under cooler fouling/plugging conditions, such as during idle, off-idle, exhaust system warm up and DPF regeneration or other post injection operation with EGR gas temperature below a corresponding threshold or with EGR low-temperature coolant temperature below a corresponding threshold. The system and method reduce exhaust gases passing through the EGR cooler that contain a high concentration of unburned or partially unburned fuel when the temperature in the EGR system is lower than the fuel condensation temperature.
US08047182B2
A fuel delivery system comprises a fuel rail having a flow channel therein. The fuel delivery system further comprises a fuel injector cup that includes a base at a first end thereof, an opening at a second end thereof opposite the first end, and an inner cavity disposed between the base and the opening. The first end of the fuel injector cup is configured to be disposed within the flow channel of the fuel rail. The fuel delivery system further comprises a heating element. The fuel rail of the fuel delivery system further includes a port therein that is configured for receiving the heating element. Additionally, the fuel injector cup of the fuel delivery system further includes an aperture therein also configured for receiving the heating element.
US08047163B2
A gas water heater with a warning function, the gas water heater being disposed in a facility and comprising: a gas water heater main body including a controller having a warning cell; and a gas detecting unit separate from the main body and disposed at an indoor monitoring point of the facility, the gas detecting unit having a gas sensor and being in communication with the controller.
US08047158B2
A substrate processing apparatus comprises a reaction chamber which is to accommodate stacked substrates, a gas introducing portion, and a buffer chamber, wherein the gas introducing portion is provided along a stacking direction of the substrates, and introduces substrate processing gas into the buffer chamber, the buffer chamber includes a plurality of gas-supply openings provided along the stacking direction of the substrates, and the processing gas introduced from the gas introducing portion is supplied from the gas-supply openings to the reaction chamber.
US08047156B2
The present disclosure is drawn to dice with polymer ribs. In one example, a die structure can comprise a die having a plurality of die slots, the die having polymer ribs attached to one side thereof, wherein the polymer ribs are attached using a polymer film on one side of the die, said polymer film having portions removed along the die slots to form the polymer ribs which bridge the die slots, thereby forming a plurality of polymer bridged die slots.
US08047149B1
An Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) docking system is provided in which the UUV is responsive to a first rotating light beam (which emits from a submarine) to begin a docking procedure. The UUV utilizes a photodetector to detect the first light beam and to guide the UUV toward the submarine by utilizing the first light beam. In one embodiment, the UUV reflects light from the first light beam back to the submarine. A photodetector on the submarine detects the reflected light to ascertain that the UUV is locked onto the first light beam. The submarine then stops rotating the light beam so that a trajectory of the UUV heads in the direction of a docking station which is positioned on the submarine.
US08047140B2
A hopper car discharge section may be wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Outflow is controlled by movable closure members. The hopper car has a plurality of hoppers of which two hoppers share a common ridge assembly. The ridge assembly forms a common mating and fit up location for the upper margins of the slope sheets of two lengthwise adjacent hoppers. The ridge assembly includes an horizontal center section and two end plates that angle upwardly outboard toward the top chords of the sidewalls. The ridge assembly stands proud of the upper margin of the respective adjacent slope sheets. A gusset is mounted between the adjacent slope sheets below the ridge plate such that the slope sheets and gusset form a reinforcement tube running across the car, the end plates forming the stems of a vertical T-section attached to the sidewall and overlapping the top chord.
US08047135B1
Some embodiments of the invention provide a dart that contains an HE payload, two time-delay fuses, one providing a relatively longer delay and the other providing a relatively shorter delay and two triggering mechanisms for triggering the fuses. The first triggering mechanism, which triggers on contact with a mine lid, triggers the relatively shorter time-delay fuse. The second mechanism, which triggers on overburdening exposure to water, sand, or soil, triggers the relatively longer time-delay fuse.
US08047133B2
A cut-off register controller is usable in a longitudinal fold forming assembly of a rotary cylinder printing press that is provided with at least one form folding assembly plane which consists of two adjacently defined longitudinal fold formers. The web ribbon or the partial web ribbons, which are longitudinally formed and folded by the formers are collated at an exit of the former assembly by the operation of a roller pair and are formed into a combined ribbon. That combined ribbon is then fed into a folding apparatus. A number of control circuits are located downstream of the formers and corresponding, in number, to at least the number of formers. The control circuits are usable for controlling the cut-off register of the printed web. Each control circuit has at least one detector and one adjusting member which is usable to adjust the distance between the web or stand and the former.
US08047131B2
A control apparatus of a press machine in which a motor performance torque is fluctuated in accordance with a rotational angle of the rotating body in the case of rotating the motor at a fixed instruction speed. The control apparatus includes an angle detecting apparatus detecting a rotational angle of the rotating body, a torque determining apparatus determining a necessary motor torque in correspondence to a characteristic of the press machine on the basis of a value of the rotational angle input from the angle detecting apparatus, and a speed adjusting apparatus increasing the rotational instruction speed of the motor to a value more than the fixed instruction speed, at the rotational angle of the rotating body in which the necessary motor torque becomes smaller than a predetermined motor torque reference value.
US08047130B2
One embodiment of the present invention comprises a pair of intermeshable fruit juice extraction peeler cups (100, 150) comprising respective blades (106, 156) that are arranged so as to intermesh to peel and extract juice from a fruit introduced into a space 107 there between during an extraction stroke. Considering one peeler cup (150), its blades' distal ends 158 collectively define a shape referred to as a Mendesaddle shape (160). The Mendesaddle shape (160) comprises a top opening (164) and a bottom opening (166) extending toward a rearward end (154) of the peeler cup (150). A fruit enters the space (107) through an open area (139) that comprises top opening (164) and a corresponding top opening (114) of the mated peeler cup (100). Also, considering the bottom openings (166, 116), a juice-extracted fruit core may drop through an open area (141) provided by these, wherein, nonetheless, the size of the open area (141) (and also of each of the bottom openings 166 and 116) is effective to retain the whole fruit upon entry of the whole fruit into the space 107. Various features of the invention provide for more reliability and fewer misfeeds of fruit.
US08047127B2
A ground coffee extraction apparatus has a base to which a filter cup loaded with ground coffee is assembled from below. A delivery system pumps cool water from a cool water tank into the extraction apparatus. The cool water exerts a downward force greater than a resilient force of resilient elements of the extraction apparatus to drive a sliding element and a downward pressing element downward. Consequently, an O-ring seals a gap between the downward pressing element and the filter cup while the downward force is evenly applied to the ground coffee in the filter cup, thereby sealing and compacting the ground coffee hydraulically. After coffee is extracted, the cool water is drawn back into the cool water tank so that the sliding element and the downward pressing element are moved upward to unseal the filter cup. Hence, the automatic extraction apparatus enables rapid, uniform, and standardized sealing and compacting.
US08047120B2
In a hydraulic piston pump, a cylinder port can communicate with a discharge port after a system pressure and a chamber pressure in a cylinder bore becomes in an equilibrium condition. A through hole opening to a surface on which a cylinder block slides in a valve plate is allowed to communicate with a side of one end surface of a balance valve, and the system pressure of a discharge port side is supplied to the other end surface of the balance valve. In the balance valve, a balance piston which slides by a pressure difference between the chamber pressure of the cylinder bore and the system pressure is accommodated. Before the cylinder port communicates with an oil guiding groove, the chamber pressure can be equilibrated to the system pressure by an activation of the balance piston.
US08047116B2
A method and apparatus for defeating high-velocity projectiles. A plurality of disks of equal size comprised of fiber induced ceramic composites are provided. The disks are laid out in an imbricated pattern row by row such that each disk in a row is in substantially a straight line with the other disks in the row and overlaps a segment of a disk in an adjacent row. The imbricated pattern is then adhered to a flexible, high tensile strength substrate and overlaid by a second high tensile strength layer such that the imbricated pattern is enveloped between the substrate and the second layer. The envelope is then coupled to a soft body armor backing.
US08047111B2
A miter saw including a base, a turntable, a support section extending from the turntable, and a circular saw unit supported to the support section. An adjustment mechanism is provided between the base and the turntable for performing fine-adjustment to the rotation angle of the turntable relative to the base. The adjustment mechanism is located at a front side of the turntable, and a digital display is provided near the adjustment mechanism for displaying the rotation angle.
US08047110B2
A system for slitting a web includes a carriage assembly having an elongate housing including a first wall, where the first wall defining a longitudinal axis. A first plurality of rails can be mounted on the first wall, wherein the plurality of rails extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. At least one of the plurality of rails can have a substantially circular cross section, among others. The system also includes a first plurality of carriers. Each carrier can be adapted and configured to support an instrumentality such as a blade for performing an operation (e.g., cutting) on a web of material. The carrier body includes a first body portion and a second body portion. Each of body portion includes at least one mounting feature for mounting the carrier on a the plurality of rails.
US08047109B2
The invention relates to a device for transversally cutting a rolled strip using shears, especially drum shears. According to the invention, a gap between the end of the roller table upstream of the shears and the beginning of the roller table downstream of the shears, where there is no support for the rolled strip, is reduced by a pivotable roller table part supporting the rolled strip as it passes through, and a mobile guiding table is arranged between said pivotable roller table part and the beginning of the rear roller table.
US08047103B2
A universal joint includes first and second parts interconnected by a coupling element, and a coupling mechanism for detachably engaging tool attachments such as sockets. The disclosed coupling mechanisms include an engaging element and an actuating element. The engaging element can include a pin, and the pin can be oriented either obliquely or longitudinally in the drive stud of the universal joint. The actuating element can include a collar and a central portion that crosses the central longitudinal axis of the drive stud. The central portion can be offset along the longitudinal axis toward the coupling element, and the actuating element can be configured to extend into an aperture formed by the coupling element and the second part of the universal joint.
US08047102B2
A multi-purpose tool may be comprised of a body having a gripping configuration on the outer surface of the body for long bolts and a lengthwise bore through the center of the body. The multi-purpose tool has a socket located at a first end of the body and a crown located at the second end of the body to receive various fasteners, such as flange and wing nuts. A multi-purpose tool may also be comprised of a body having a gripping configuration on the outer surface of the body and a lengthwise bore through the center of the body for a sleeve. The multi-purpose tool has a socket located in the sleeve at a first end of the sleeve and a crown located at the second end of the body to receive various fasteners, such as flange and wing nuts. The sleeve has a lengthwise bore through the center of the sleeve for long bolts or to accept a tool shaft. The tool shaft may accept various tool bits, and the tool shaft may be inserted into and engaged with the sleeve bore along its length. A cross hole extends in a substantially perpendicular direction through the center of the sleeve and the center of the body, respectively, which line up so the tool shaft may be inserted into and engaged with the sleeve bore for use as a T-handle.
US08047100B2
A tool assembly with a driving tool and a holder assembly. The driving tool has a housing, a motor, an output member and a transmission for rotatably coupling the output member to the motor. The motor and the transmission are housed in the housing. The holder assembly has a leg, which is telescopically coupled to the housing, a fastener guide and an adjustment mechanism. The fastener guide includes a longitudinally extending groove that is configured to support a threaded fastener and a cam that is disposed transverse to the groove. The adjustment mechanism couples the fastener guide to the leg on a side of the leg opposite the housing. The adjustment mechanism is configured to vary a distance between the groove and a rotational axis of the output member.
US08047089B2
A device for the optical measurement of a printed sheet includes a measurement table with a displaceable measurement head. The measurement head is cleaned in a fully automatic or at least semi-automatic manner through the use of a cleaning device of the measurement table. A method for operating the device is also provided.
US08047088B2
Disclosed are an environmental test chamber having a movable panel and a method of driving the same. The environmental test chamber is used in a thermo-hygrostat, a thermostat, and a high temperature-low temperature tester. The chamber body includes a test cavity in which an object is disposed. An air-conditioning unit conditions the air inside the test cavity, thereby controlling a condition of the test cavity. A movable panel is accommodated in the chamber body to decrease or increase a volume of the test cavity. The efficiency of the chamber is enhanced, and the cost and space required for installing additional equipment is reduced.
US08047084B2
A torque-index sensor having index sensor and torque sensor closely arranged and integrated therein with lightened interference between them is provided. The invented torque-index sensor is comprised of torque sensor that includes first magnetic sensor arranged beside first annular-shaped magnet and index sensor that includes second magnet arranged beside annular-shaped encoder and second magnetic sensor that are arranged being in-line on common axis; and means for varying magnetic flux, which changes direction of magnetic flux that is generated from second magnet toward first magnetic sensor, positioned between first magnetic sensor in torque sensor and second magnet in index sensor.
US08047081B2
An apparatus for ascertaining, and/or monitoring, volume-or mass-flow of a medium flowing through a pipeline in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pipeline. The apparatus includes: at least one ultrasonic sensor, which radiates/receives ultrasonic measuring signals at an angle of incidence/emergence into/out-of the pipeline; and a control/evaluation unit which provides, based on the ultrasonic measuring signals, information concerning volume- and/or mass-flow of the medium through the pipeline. The ultrasonic sensor includes at least one sound-producing element, a coupling shoe and a coupling adapter. The end region of the coupling adapter facing the coupling shoe has a securement mechanism for releasable securement of the coupling adapter to the coupling shoe. The end region of the coupling adapter facing the pipeline is embodied as a function of the pipeline in such a manner that it is form-fittingly securable to the pipeline.
US08047078B2
There is provided a flaw detection testing method applied to a slot dovetail portion of a turbine generator rotor shaft. The flaw detection testing method includes an angle determining step of determining a slot angle of the slot dovetail portion using a variable-angle ultrasonic probe, a flaw detection performing step of, on the basis of a determination result in the angle determining step, using an angle ultrasonic probe or a phased array probe to perform flaw detection to detect a flaw in the slot dovetail portion, and a flaw depth measuring step of, when the flaw is detected in the flaw detection performing step, using an angle ultrasonic probe to measure a depth of the flaw from a surface of the slot dovetail portion.
US08047070B2
An apparatus and method for estimating a roll angle of a projectile may include a measurement unit outputting roll rate, yaw rate, and pitch rate signals indicative of rotation rates about substantially orthogonal roll, yaw, and pitch axes, the roll axis substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the projectile. A controller may sample the roll rate, yaw rate, and pitch rate signals to obtain time sequential roll rate, yaw rate, and pitch rate samples; calculate time sequential cumulative roll estimates by summing the roll rate samples; calculate time sequential gravity vector estimates from the corresponding yaw rate and pitch rate samples; de-roll each gravity vector estimate based on the corresponding cumulative roll estimate; filter the de-rolled gravity vector estimates to determine a filtered initial roll estimate; and add the filtered initial roll estimate to the current cumulative roll estimate to provide a current roll angle estimate.
US08047064B2
An apparatus or a method for detecting an abnormality of inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio dispersion in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine according to the invention is equipped with a catalytic element that purifies exhaust gas of hydrogen, a first air-fuel ratio sensor that detects an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas that has not passed through the catalytic element, a second air-fuel ratio sensor that detects an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas that has passed through the catalytic element, a device that detects an abnormality of inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio dispersion on the basis of a divergence state of a detected value of a second air-fuel ratio to a lean side from a detected value of a first air-fuel ratio, and a device that forcibly reduces fuel injection amounts in cylinders individually when an abnormality on dispersion is detected by the abnormality detector, detects a divergence state of the detected value of the second air-fuel ratio to the lean side from the detected value of the first air-fuel ratio at this time, and specifies as an abnormal cylinder that one of the cylinders in which a value indicating this divergence state has become smaller than at a time of detection of the abnormality of dispersion.
US08047057B2
An output mode switching apparatus including a power unit, a hammering unit, an output shaft, a housing, and a shifting member is provided. The hammering unit includes a gasket cup, a switching ring, a spring member, a hammering seat, and a main shaft. When the power unit is not in operation, the switching ring is restricted so as to be positioned against and secured to the gasket cup. When the mains shaft is driven by the power unit to rotate, the hammering seat is carried to rotate and is applied with a restriction for restricting the hammering seat from axial movement, thus configuring an output mode of electric drill. When the shifting member is turned, the restriction applied to the hammering seat is released. The hammering blocks repetitively hammers the protrusion blocks and axially returns back to the original position, thus configuring an impact output mode.
US08047054B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and devices for monitoring the flow of particulate matter within an exhaust gas stream. In one exemplary embodiment, a particulate matter sensor for an exhaust system of an engine is provided. The particulate matter sensor includes a casing having an attachment feature for mounting the particulate matter sensor to the exhaust system. The particulate matter sensor also includes an insulator disposed within the casing. The particulate matter sensor further includes a sensing rod having a hollow portion extending between a first end and a second end of the sensing rod. The first end of the sensing rod is supported by the insulator and the second end of the sensing rod extending away from the insulator. The particulate matter sensor still further includes an electrical connector assembly engaging the first end of the sensing rod. The electrical connector assembly is configured to transmit a signal generated by the sensing rod.
US08047048B2
A system for testing abrasion resistance of a test specimen made of refractory material, wherein the system includes an insulated furnace with a first chamber having a refractory lining, a second chamber disposed within the first chamber, a tube for flowing pressurized air into the second chamber, a conduit for flowing heated air from a burner operating on a fuel to the second chamber, for mixing with the pressurized air, and an air gun for mixing an abrading material into the pressurized air prior to introduction to the test specimen.
US08047039B2
A process for stainless-steel pipe production which comprises piercing rolling a raw material stainless steel containing, by mass, Cr: 10-30%, to give a hollow shell, elongating rolling the hollow shell using a mandrel bar, together with a graphite-free lubricant, to give a finishing rolling blank pipe and heating the blank pipe in a reheating furnace and subjecting the same to finishing rolling by sizing rolling to produce a hot-finished pipe, and then subjecting this pipe as a mother pipe to cold working to produce a stainless-steel pipe. In the reheating furnace, the finishing rolling blank pipe is heated to 1000° C. or more and subjected to heating in which an oxidizing gas is blown into the pipe inside, whereby a stainless-steel pipe which is inhibited from forming a carburized layer in the pipe inner surface can be produced. When the finishing rolling by sizing rolling to give a cold working mother pipe is carried out by stretch reducer rolling at 860-1050° C., an annealing heat treatment of the mother pipe for cold working can be omitted. Thus, a stainless-steel pipe having excellent surface quality can be efficiently produced.
US08047021B2
Lithium silicate materials are described which can be easily processed by machining to dental products without undue wear of the tools and which subsequently can be converted into lithium silicate products showing high strength.
US08047017B2
A refrigerator having a mounting structure to firmly fix an evaporator to the refrigerator. In the refrigerator including an evaporator and a cover to be coupled with the evaporator, the evaporator includes first fixing portions to be coupled with the cover and the cover includes second fixing portions to correspond to the first fixing portions. The evaporator and the cover are coupled with each other by the first and second fixing portions without separate fasteners.
US08047006B2
Hydrocarbon fuel is sent to a reformer, which produces carbon and hydrogen. The hydrogen is sent to a fuel cell which uses it to generate electricity, and the electricity is used to actuate an electric motor that is coupled to an output shaft of a turbine to impart torque to the shaft. Additionally, hydrocarbon fuel can be provided to the turbine intake directly and/or carbon from the reformer can be mixed with steam from the fuel cell and sent to the turbine intake, in either case to impinge on the turbine blades and impart further torque to the output shaft.
US08047003B2
A combustor comprises a liquid fuel nozzle for injecting liquid fuel to a combustion chamber, and an air supply nozzle disposed around the liquid fuel nozzle and injecting air. The air supply nozzle is disposed such that air is injected from the air supply nozzle in a direction toward an axis of the liquid fuel nozzle. A space is formed around an outlet of the liquid fuel nozzle, through which the liquid fuel is injected from the liquid fuel nozzle to the combustion chamber, upstream of a distal end of the outlet in a direction in which the liquid fuel is injected. Carbonaceous deposits on surrounding surfaces of the outlet of the liquid fuel nozzle can be suppressed regardless of the operating conditions of a combustor.
US08047001B2
The invention relates to a blade for a turbine comprising a blade wall, a first channel for guiding a first medium and a second channel for guiding a second medium that can be supplied to the turbine blade separately from the first medium. In order to combine both media, which are supplied separately, into one mixture, a turbine blade has least one chamber which is arranged in the interior or in the blade wall and said chamber is connected to said channels via a respective connection line. In order to provide a particularly simple component that is economical to produce, the chamber and/or the outlet conduit are a least partially delimited and/or formed by an insert accommodated in the wall.
US08046998B2
The present invention relates to a waste heat auxiliary power unit. In one embodiment, the present invention is a heat exchange unit for an automobile including a core unit configured to be connected to a catalytic converter of the automobile, the core unit generating vapor, and a first energy generation module connected to the core unit, the first energy generation module receiving the vapor from the core unit and generating energy from the vapor.
US08046990B2
The invention relates to power generation and energy storage and recovery. In particular, the invention relates to compressed gas energy storage and recovery systems using staged pneumatic conversion systems for providing narrow pressure ranges to a hydraulic motor.
US08046989B2
A cooling system for cooling exhaust gases includes a section of pipe adapted to receive exhaust gases having a first temperature. The cooling system further includes an air amplifier with a passage extending therethrough. The air amplifier receives a flow of compressed air and directs the flow of the compressed air through the passageway. The compressed air entrains ambient air into one end of the passageway so that discharge air, which includes compressed air and ambient air, is discharged from the other end of the passageway. A conduit is connected to the air amplifier and extends through a wall of the section of pipe. Discharge air from the air amplifier passes through the conduit into the interior portion of the pipe and mixes with the exhaust gases. The mixture of discharge air and exhaust gases has a second temperature that is less than the first temperature.
US08046972B2
A method and apparatus for creating a reinforced vertical multi-sided monopole tower for supporting equipment including a multi-sided monopole, a plurality of holes on three equally spaced sides of the multi-sided monopole tower and tower reinforcement apparatus mounted to the holes. The tower reinforcement apparatus includes bolts supporting a first flat bar and a second flat bar on each side of the tower. The upper end of the first flat bar abuts a lower end of the second bar and a plate is bolted over adjacent ends connecting the first and second flat bar such that the first and second flat bars are sandwiched between the plate and a side of the perimeter of the monopole.
US08046970B2
A telescoping tower comprises a plurality of telescoping tower sections, each tower section having a pressure member that engages with a respective pressure member on a respective tower section when the tower sections are moved from a nesting condition to an extended position, the engagement of the pressure members occurring at the overlap of the tower sections to increase stability of the telescoping tower and reduce unwanted play at the overlap regions.
US08046963B2
A drywall corner piece with flange surfaces forming a near right angle forming a cup for fitting over drywall corners where the web sections of the flanges have at least one strain relief channel allowing the piece to flex to different angles.
US08046961B1
A tactical portable solar control system which can be modular, extremely resistant to destruction, capable of being assembled by a person without instructions, and which creates a small footprint when assembled.
US08046959B2
The invention relates to a construction apparatus comprising a base carrier, a mast which is arranged on the base carrier in a pivotable manner, a first hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder for erecting the mast, which are connected to each other in an articulated manner in a connecting section, the first hydraulic cylinder being linked to the base carrier and the second hydraulic cylinder being linked to the mast, and a coupling rocker-arm which is linked on one side to the mast and on another side to the connecting section. According to the invention in the part of the connecting section a spacer is arranged, through which the connecting section is supported on the mast in a detachable manner.
US08046952B2
In a fishing rod having a hand grip and a reel clamped to and held above the rod, the improvement wherein there is provided between the rod and the clamp on the underside of the rod a unitary piece having an elongate central section free of lateral protuberances which is laterally curved to essentially match the curvature of the fishing rod, aligned with the elongate central section at one end and integral therewith a curved finger grip terminating in a free distal end, and also aligned with the elongate central section at its opposite end and integral therewith a projection having an opening therein adapted to receive the hook portion of fishing hook.
US08046951B2
A method for aiming a projectile weapon involves identifying a projectile group corresponding to a selected projectile and its nominal initial velocity from at least two different predetermined groups of projectiles, determining a range to a target, and automatically determining an aiming adjustment for aiming the projectile weapon based on the range to the target and a nominal ballistic characteristic of the projectile group. The nominal ballistic characteristic of the projectile group may be characteristic of a ballistic coefficient of the selected projectile and the nominal initial velocity of the selected projectile. Also disclosed are systems and methods for determining hold over aiming data and equivalent horizontal range data, for aiming projectile weapons at inclined targets.
US08046943B2
A safety kick plate device and improved manufacturing thereof, wherein the safety kick plate device includes a base component including a communication element through which a light emission component is visible. A communication protection element provides reinforcement and strength to the communication element as well as mitigates damage to the light emission component.
US08046941B2
An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.
US08046940B2
A file with a card-receiving recess is disclosed. The file comprises a first panel comprising a first layer and a backing layer, that contains an opening extending from the first layer to the backing layer, and a second panel hingedly associated with the first panel. The backing layer is configured to support a displayed sheet element in a position such that it is visible through the opening of the first layer, and the displayed sheet element is at least partially received within the thickness of the first surface and the backing layer. The backing layer contains an adhesive disposed thereon within the opening for securing the displayed sheet element to the backing.
US08046938B1
An apparatus for connecting to an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) a mechanized implement operatively connected to an auxiliary power source includes rigid frame connectable to an undercarriage of the ATV. The frame includes a first portion extending past the front axle of the ATV and a second portion extending past the rear axle of the ATV. The first portion of the frame connects to the undercarriage proximate the front axle, while the second portion of the frame connects to the hitch. A base connects to the second portion of the frame to support the auxiliary power source. The mechanized implement attaches to the frame by way of a swingable portion having a first end pivotally attached to the first portion of the frame and a second end mateable with the mechanized implement. The swingable portion is positionable to position the mechanized implement between a working position and a non-working position, wherein only the ATV engages the ground when the mechanized implement is positioned towards the non-working position.
US08046934B2
The present invention concerns a convective system for a dryer installation for a passing web, more particularly paper. The convective system 7 is an assembly of an exterior casing 13 for suction of combustion products with opening 14 towards the web, with a first 15 and second 16 suction ducts sucking the combustion products into the convective system 7. The combustion products coming from the first suction duct 15 are guided through the exterior casing 13 to a mixing and blowing device 17. Cold air 18 is mixed in this mixing and blowing device 17 with the combustion products 19, resulting in a gas mixture with lower temperature 20. The convective system 7 also has an internal casing 21 inside the external casing 13. This internal casing 21 has at least one opening towards the web 22 and has also openings 34 allowing gas flow from the mixing device 17 to the internal casing 21 of said gas mixture 20. Under the internal casing 21, there is also a blowing duct 23. The second suction duct 16 is also arranged under this internal casing 21 thereby extracting a second flow of combustion products 24 into the internal casing 21. This second flow 24 of combustion products is then mixed with the gas mixture 20 coming from the mixing device 17, resulting in a mixture of gasses 25 with a temperature that is higher than the first gas mixture 20 and higher than e.g. 350° C. or 370° C., more preferably 390° C. or 410° C., even more preferably 420° C., 450° C. or 500° C. These hot gasses 25 are then blown to the drying web by the blowing duct 23 of the internal casing 21.
US08046933B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for detecting a belt-cutoff of a dryer. The apparatus comprises a drying drum accommodating a laundry therein; a motor applying a rotational force to the dry drum; a belt wound around the drying drum and a rotating shaft of the motor; and a belt cut detecting unit provided adjacent to the motor in order to sense the belt-cutoff, wherein the belt cut detecting unit is pressed as the motor is rotated by a turning moment when the belt is cut off.
US08046932B2
A method and apparatus for operating a dryer used to reduce the moisture content of sheet material. A drying chamber is provided and includes a plurality of drying sections and a single point exhaust system. A seal section located at the input end of the dryer includes an exhaust passage through which a gas sample is drawn by a sampling fan. Gases within the seal section are a combination of ambient air drawn through restricted passages at the entry to the seal section and exhaust gas that bleeds into the seal section from the drying chamber. A controller monitors the temperature of the sampled gases and ambient air and adjusts the rate of exhaust flow from the main exhaust system as a function of the temperature differential. A heating system is also provided for heating the seal exhaust gases above the pitch condensation temperature for the flow.
US08046931B2
A positioning device for positioning an object includes a platform, a slide rail vertically extending from the platform, two standard units, and a retaining unit. The standard units are slidably mounted to the slide rail to abut against a first side of the object to cooperatively define a position reference plane for the object. The retaining unit includes a fixing block fixed to the high standard unit, a slide bar slidably mounted to the fixing block, a holding arm fixed to the slide bar to abut against a second side opposite to the first side of the object, and a spring to bias the slide bar to ensure that the holding arm abuts against the second side of the object.
US08046928B2
A method and device for calibrating a mobile terminal including a motion sensor reduces erroneous calibrations. The method of calibrating a mobile terminal by detecting an inclination of at least two directions preferably includes: activating a calibration mode for calibrating an error of the motion sensor. When a calibration mode is activated, a user interface screen for calibrating the motion sensor is output. The user interface screen outputs a coordinate system for displaying at least two facets of information; and inclination information of at least two directions received from the motion sensor is output as one image on the coordinate system.
US08046923B2
A fold knife comprising a handle and a blade hinged to the handle. The fold knife further comprises a switch mechanism for manual and semi-automatic operation which is positioned in the inner chamber of the handle. The switch mechanism for manual and semi-automatic operation has a first position in which it is allowed to manually open the blade from the handle and a second position in which it is allowed to automatically open the blade from the handle. The fold knife is capable of easily switching between the manual operation condition and the semi-automatic operation condition by means of the switch mechanism for manual and semi-automatic operation.
US08046919B2
A method of manufacturing a plastic molded shutter assembly that can be customized in size. A shutter of a standard length, or series of shutters of standard lengths are manufactured. A plurality of cuts are made in the shutter, removing a predetermined amount of material from the shutter. The end cap is replaced and fixedly secured to the remaining shutter, resulting in a single shutter of a desired length.
US08046909B2
In one embodiment, a process, for fabricating a medical lead comprises: providing a splicing tube having a plurality of angularly spaced longitudinal grooves; placing a first plurality of conductors within the plurality of angularly spaced grooves defined on an exterior surface of the splicing tube; placing a second plurality of conductors within the plurality of angularly spaced grooves and adjacent to the first plurality of conductors such that a portion of the distal ends overlap a portion of the proximal ends; positioning conductive filler material adjacent to the overlapped portions of the distal and proximal ends; electrically coupling the proximal ends of the first plurality of electrodes to respective proximal ends of the second plurality of electrodes; molding insulative material about at least the electrode assembly and the splicing tube; and fusing the splicing tube with the insulative material from the molding and the lead body.
US08046908B2
A press for attaching nuts to pipes has an upper base, a lower base, a movable support having a base end supported at a rear end of the lower base and a front end extending to the front end side of the lower base, a nut receiving recess provided in a piston of a hydraulic cylinder at the front end of the movable support and disposed at the upper end of a lower pattern, a lifter for the movable support, a stopper for the middle position of the movable support, a crimping die as an upper pattern mounted on the upper pattern support and movably disposed vertically on a same axial line as the lower pattern, and a hydraulic cylinder for pressing an upper pattern disposed on the upper base, and pressing the crimping die downward.
US08046900B2
Process (20) for manufacturing a wheel rim (1) in light alloy including the following operations: providing (21) a rough wheel rim in light ally, comprising a wheel disc (2) and an annular portion (3), the annular portion (3) including a first (4I) and a second (4e) bead defining a drop well (C) having a first profile; processing (23) the rough wheel rim, modifying the first profile in order to obtain a second profile being of a lower thickness than the first profile, at least at an intermediate portion (C1) of the drop well (C), characterized by including a finishing operation (25) of a surface of the second profile intermediate portion by means of a compression action of said surface, the finishing operation leaving the low thickness substantially unchanged.
US08046895B2
A system and method for assembling a vehicle body structure. The system includes first and second end effectors for positioning first and second body structure components. The second end effector engages the first end effector to position the second body structure component relative to the first body structure component.
US08046881B2
The present invention is a cremation urn and a system for retaining cremation remains, the invention comprising in one embodiment, a top shelf, a bottom shelf and a middle portion defining an artwork channel, recess or void between the top and bottom shelves. In another embodiment, the bottom shelf and the top shelf have a larger surface area than the middle portion so that both the top and bottom shelf protrude further out away from the middle portion. In this regard, the middle portion can then be defined to have a channel of surface space between the top and bottom shelves, so that optional ornamental designs or artwork can be variously, sequentially or randomly coupled to the middle portion's viewable surface area within the artwork channel, recess or void. In another embodiment, the top shelf has a top surface which is adapted to receive and retain optional ornamental designs or artwork. In another embodiment, the artwork recess formed in the urn is covered by a protective sheet which is preferably transparent in nature, to thereby substantially or permanently encapsulate any artwork within the recess for viewing. An optional rotatable base for the urn is also disclosed.
US08046875B2
A hinge assembly includes a pivot shaft, a rotary member and a steady member sleeved on the pivot shaft. The rotary member and the steady member faces each other and are rotatable relative to each other. The rotary member forms a first peak, and the steady member forms a second peak. A friction portion is formed between the rotary member and the steady member. A thickness of the friction portion exceeds or equals to a thickness of either of the first peak or the second peak, and is less than the combined thickness of the first peak and the second peak. A support mechanism using the hinge assembly is also provided.
US08046873B2
A spider hinge for a frameless glass door includes a base plate, a pivot block connected to the base plate, a swing base pivotally connected to the pivot block, and a positioning mechanism disposed between the pivot block and the swing base. The swing base has two legs slantwise extending therefrom. Each leg has a round frustum extending therefrom. The round frustum has a threaded hole define in one side thereof for assembling with a fastener. The glass door is secured by fastening the fastener and the round frustum. The positioning mechanism includes two springs and a positioning block connected to the two springs and biased by the springs. The pivot block has multiple cavities for selectively receiving the positioning block to achieve the purpose of positioning the swing base.
US08046866B2
A wiper support shaft supports a wiper, which wipes a windshield glass. The wiper support shaft projects outward through an opening of a cowl louver that is placed on a vehicle front side of the windshield glass. A four-bar linkage drives the wiper support shaft to move the wiper support shaft in the opening of the cowl louver in such a manner that a wiping range of the wiper, which is installed to the wiper support shaft, changes on the windshield glass. A covering member is supported by the wiper support shaft at a location inside the cowl louver to limit direct viewing of the four-bar linkage through the opening of the cowl louver.
US08046862B2
A drain cleaning machine with an electronic cable counter is disclosed which is of the character comprising a frame supporting a rotatable drum which is driven by a motor through an endless belt. The drum contains a flexible drain cleaning snake which is rotatable with the drum and axially displaceable into an out from the drum, and the frame supports a cable feeding device through which the cable extends and by which the cable is displaced into and out of the drum. An electronic cable counter is configured to count an amount of cable payed out from and retracted into the drum and includes first and second sensor portions mounted on the rotatable drum and a cable follower member, respectively to sense relative rotational movement therebetween. A process determines an amount and direction of relative movement therebetween and generates a signal representative of an amount of cable payed or retracted into the drum. A fixed receiver unit is mounted to the frame and includes a human readable display portion and a receiver portion configured to receive the signal generated from the processor portion.
US08046856B2
A method for spin-drying textiles being subjected to a method for the production of a hydrophobic effect in a washing machine. Textiles located within the drum are brought into contact with hydrophobing substances dissolved in the washing liquid. The drum is accelerated for a first number of spin pulses to reach a speed in a first spinning block when the washing liquid is removed from the outer tub, the speed being below a critical speed of rotation. The drum is accelerated in a second spinning block for a second number of spin pulses to reach a speed that is above the critical speed of rotation. The drum is accelerated in a third and final spinning block for a third number of spinning pulses to reach a maximum speed of rotation that is compatible with the washing.
US08046851B2
This invention is directed towards a patient single surface system, PS3, which is a next generation system solution for patient accommodation, diagnosis, treatment, transfer and transport. PS3 provides a single surface for the patient to remain on from the trauma site through diagnosis, treatment and convalescence. Needs addressed by the PS3 system include improved patient treatment through reduction in time to treatment, reduced or eliminated unnecessary patient movement and injury, as well as improved comfort throughout treatment and convalescence. In addition, the PS3 system solves significant economic considerations.
US08046850B2
A faucet spout structure comprises a spout housed between upper and lower housings of a water supply seat and assembled onto an outlet mount equipped with handles and a deck. The spout has a first connecting tube with an abutment surface and a stepwise coupling section extending at one end, to which a sealing ring and a coupling cavity of a second connecting tube are sequentially joined and firmly located by a buckling collar. The second connecting tube has the other end equipped with an external-threaded locking section and a stepwise conjoining section to fix to an assembling section of an outlet duct mounted to the outlet mount. The first connecting tube also has a fixing section defined by a water outlet to which a nozzle is secured and fixed to the conjoining end area of the upper and lower housings, achieving flexible assembly and maintenance of the spout thereby.
US08046847B1
A shoulder protector comprising a generally “U” shaped device of a resilient material that fits over the shoulder comprising: a base; and a pair of flanges extending orthogonally from the base that define a channel for reception of the scapula area of the body. According to various preferred embodiments, the shoulder protector of the present invention includes; 1) a hygienic layer on the side of the device that addresses the body; 2) an adherent layer that engages an overworn jersey on that surface of the device that lies away from the body of the user; enlarged shoulder pad areas that extend over and below the shoulder of a user; and removable rigid or semi-rigid shoulder pads that can be removably attached to the shoulder protector of the present invention.
US08051492B2
A system and method is provided for identifying the source of an unauthorized copy of content. The method includes embedding a unique user fingerprint code to into each of a plurality of authorized copies of content and identifying an unknown fingerprint code in an unauthorized copy of the content. Each member of the unknown fingerprint code is compared to each corresponding member in each of the user fingerprint codes. A score is assigned to each of the user fingerprint codes based on the comparison and users associated with scores exceeding a threshold are identified as a source of the unauthorized copy.
US08051480B2
The present invention is a system and method for providing security for a mobile device by analyzing data being transmitted or received by multiple types of networks. The invention can provide security for many types of network interfaces on a mobile device, including: Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular networks, USB, SMS, infrared, and near-field communication. Data is gathered at multiple points in a given processing pathway and linked by a protocol tracking component in order to analyze each protocol present in the data after an appropriate amount of processing by the mobile device. Protocol analysis components are utilized dynamically to analyze data and are re-used between multiple data pathways so as to be able to support an arbitrary number of network data pathways on a mobile device without requiring substantial overhead.
US08051463B2
Aspects of a method and system for distribution of configuration information among access points (AP) in a WLAN across a distribution system (DS) are presented. An AP, performing in a role of an AP-configurator may configure another AP, performing in a role of AP-client. The AP-configurator may distribute configurator configuration information to the AP-client. A configured AP-client may adopt a role of AP-configurator to configure a subsequent AP-client. An AP-configurator, or configured AP-client may subsequently configure a client station. The AP-configurator or configured AP-client may distribute configuration information to the client station. The configuration information may be based on previously distributed configurator configuration information. The method may enable client stations to be configured based on common configuration information that may be derived from configurator configuration information that was distributed by an AP-configurator. The client stations configured based on the common configuration information may communicate information in a secure network.
US08051457B2
The present invention relates to a method or an operation for providing a personalized TV-Anytime metadata service. According to the present invention, there is provided a method of transmitting non-anonymous user metadata to a TV-Anytime service agent using a SOAP operation, comprising the steps of a) defining a SOAP operation which transmits user metadata and is capable of identifying transmission of non-anonymous user metadata, b) the service agent identifying a user, c) a client loading user metadata about the identified user on an element of the SOAP operation defined at step a) and transmitting the element with the user metadata to the service agent, and d) the service agent identifying the element of the SOAP operation transmitted at step c) and extracting the user metadata included in the element of the SOAP operation therefrom.
US08051452B2
A handheld electronic device for use at a venue hosting a live sporting event, having a receiver for receiving a wireless RF transmission conveying a plurality of video streams derived from video cameras filming the live sporting event, a display and a user interface for selecting a video stream among the plurality of video streams to be displayed on the display. The handheld electronic device is capable to acquire a locked mode of operation and an unlocked mode of operation, in the locked mode of operation the handheld electronic device being precluded from displaying the video streams to a spectator, in the unlocked mode of operation the handheld electronic device being enabled to display the video streams to the spectator, the handheld electronic device capable to acquire the unlocked mode of operation in response to reception of authentication data wirelessly transmitted to the handheld electronic device.
US08051448B2
Method and apparatus for displaying entertainment system data upon selection of a video data display
A graphical user interface (GUI) includes a first window that displays video data of a first entertainment selection. A first area of the first window displays entertainment system data that corresponds to the first entertainment selection. The GUI includes a second window that displays video data of a second entertainment selection. A second area of the second window, displays entertainment system data that corresponds to the second entertainment selection. Upon selection by a user of the respective window, entertainment system data regarding the entertainment selection corresponding to the respective window is displayed.
US08051436B2
Methods and systems for simplification of the re-discovery process for initiators due to changes in the network. If an initiator subscribes to change reports from a SAS expander, when that SAS expander detects a change in the network, it sends an SMP command back to the initiator, indicating the specific change in the network. Initiator BCN management and re-discovery of the entire network is therefore avoided.
US08051434B2
A data processing device includes a registering unit, a display unit, a status acquiring unit, and a virtual device renaming unit. The registering unit registers a plurality of communicable printers as a plurality of virtual devices. The display unit displays a plurality of virtual device names for the plurality of virtual devices. The status acquiring unit acquires a status of each of the plurality of virtual devices. The virtual device renaming unit changes at least one of the virtual device names for the plurality of virtual devices to a device name representing the status of a corresponding virtual device acquired by the status acquiring unit.
US08051431B2
An apparatus and a method that manage multiple inputs using a management module are disclosed. The input management apparatus and method is applied to a system that can handle an input made by at least one input device and an input made by executing at least one program. The input management apparatus according to the present invention, comprising: an event generation module, which generates a first event corresponding to the input; an input management information storing unit, which stores management information of the input; and an event management module, which, if the first event is generated, generates a second event referring to the input management information storing unit.
US08051430B2
Systems and methods are provided for data processing. In one implementation, a data process system is provided having a service-oriented architecture. The service-oriented architecture may include a plurality of foundation business objects and a dependent business object for providing a confirmation service for the plurality of foundation business objects.
US08051428B2
A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and system for monitoring messages being exchanged at runtime between two or more applications via a message exchange infrastructure are presented. A scenario definition for one or more messages is provided, the scenario definition including a number of scenario conditions that are associated with a set of scenario attributes related to the message header and/or message payload. A message format of the one or more messages is enriched at runtime with an associated set of scenario attributes.
US08051424B2
A computer system receives a data collection and creates an administration table. A main process locks the data collection against unauthorized access using an association, in a lock table, between it and a lock identifier required for data collection access by processes. The main process divides the data collection into subgroups. The lock identifier and each subgroup are forwarded to one of the processes; the subgroups being parallel processed by recipient processes that access and update the data collection using the lock identifier, and set the lock identifier and update the administration table regarding the processing done by the recipient process, the administration table being common to all of the subgroups. After the recipient processes, the data collection is unlocked by the main process by removing the association between the data collection and the lock identifier in the lock table.
US08051419B2
A method of dynamically adjusting the number of task requests is provided, which is applicable to an Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) protocol. When a target receives a task request transmitted by an initiator or the target completes the task request, the number of transmissible tasks is calculated according to an average access data volume, an current access data volume, and an allowable access data volume in the target, and returned to the initiator, such that the number of the task requests transmitted simultaneously by the initiator does not exceed the number of transmissible tasks, thereby achieving flow control. The allowable access data volume is obtained through interactive and dynamic adjustment between the target and the initiator.
US08051409B1
Techniques for monitoring memory accesses for computer programs are provided. A user can instruct a computer program to have one of more of its processes monitor memory accesses to a memory region. As memory accesses to the memory region occur, a log can be created that includes information concerning the memory accesses. The log can be analyzed in order to debug memory access bugs. Additionally, new processes can be spawned that monitor memory accesses in a way that is similar to existing processes.
US08051406B2
A system and/or methodology that enables personalization as a platform service for applications via a rich data view. More particularly, the subject invention provides for a rich data view to be rendered to an end-user whereas management of the data can be effected (e.g., personalized) thereafter. In other words, the invention enables a user to establish and access personalized mechanisms via a rich data view. The personalized mechanisms are based upon rule-based logic with respect to application data types.
US08051405B2
A system and method for build script generation in a software development environment. An extensible script generator framework allows for one or more script generators to be plugged into the framework. When the framework is subsequently invoked to build a software project or application, each of the plugged-in generators can be evaluated to see if one or more generators should be applied to that project or application. The applicable generators are then used during the build process to automatically generate a build script. In some embodiments, a command line interface allows the generator framework to be invoked outside of the IDE. Additionally, in some embodiments, the framework allows for the plugin of one or more customizers that can be used to further customize or tweak the build script.
US08051403B2
A delay fault test quality calculation apparatus for calculating delay fault test quality to be achieved by a test pattern to be applied to a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a defect distribution extraction unit, a delay fault-layout element information extraction unit, and a weighting unit. The delay fault test quality calculation apparatus further includes a delay fault test quality calculation unit which calculates the delay fault test quality on the basis of delay design information of the semiconductor integrated circuit, detection information of the test pattern to test the semiconductor integrated circuit, execution conditions of the test, a physical defect distribution extracts the defect distribution extraction unit, and a weights adds the weighting unit.
US08051399B2
An aspect of the present invention selects a maximum voltage and a minimum voltage in respective sub-intervals of a timing window in which an output of a cell is expected to switch, and performing timing analysis based on the selected maximum voltage and the selected minimum voltage. By using appropriate smaller sub-intervals within the timing window, more optimal physical layout of the design may be obtained. In an embodiment, the sub-intervals equal a cell delay, i.e., a delay between an input change to an output change for a corresponding cell. According to another aspect of the present invention, the sub-interval for later cells in a timing path are modified based on a modified timing window of previous cells in the timing path, to reduce the computational requirement.
US08051394B2
A yield evaluating apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The yield evaluating apparatus includes a spatial correlation module. The spatial correlation module receives at least one process-related data and a plurality of circuit layouts and obtains a correlation coefficient between unit elements in the circuit layouts according to the process-related data. The spatial correlation module calculates a spatial correlation between elements in each of the circuit layouts according to the correlation coefficient and selects one of the circuit layouts according to the spatial correlations.
US08051373B2
A method and system are provided for converting a hierarchical data structure into a flat data structure based on a schema. The format of the hierarchical data structure may be XML. A hierarchical data structure conforming to a schema is loaded into an application program. The data structure includes elements and attributes linked together in a parent-child relationship. The schema defines the hierarchical relationships between the elements and attributes in the hierarchical data structure. After the hierarchical data structure conforming to the schema has been loaded, a plurality of layout rules is applied to the hierarchical data based on the schema to create a flat data structure. The layout rules determine how the hierarchical data will be inserted in the flat data structure. The layout rules may be applied by identifying properties in the schema which identify occurrence requirements for elements defined in the schema. After the layout rules have been applied to the hierarchical data, the hierarchical data is rendered into a spreadsheet by inserting the data in rows and columns.
US08051366B2
According to one embodiment, a data reproducing apparatus includes a reader, Viterbi decoder, metric difference calculator, an error correction decoder, and a detector. The reader reads data. The Viterbi decoder decodes the data read by the reader. The metric difference calculator calculates a metric difference between a maximum likelihood path and a competitive path, based on an output from the Viterbi decoder. The error correction decoder executes an error correction decoding for the output of the Viterbi decoder. The detector detects that an error detected by the error correction decoder is uncorrectable, and the metric difference detected by the metric difference calculator is larger than a predetermined value.
US08051363B1
Systems and methods are provided for correcting absorb sets and near absorb sets in the (2048, 1723) LDPC code used in 10GBase-T transmission systems. Absorb sets and near absorb sets correspond to error patterns that, due to the structure and imperfections of the LDPC code, cannot easily be corrected using standard correction methods. To correct these error patterns, a set of failed syndrome checks associated with the error pattern can be identified, and the 4, 8, 12, or 16 error patterns associated with the failed syndrome checks can be determined. The codeword may then be corrected based on the error pattern that most likely occurred.
US08051357B1
A system includes a supernode generator module configured to generate supernodes. Each of the supernodes includes a plurality of symbol nodes. A supernode splitting module is configured to split each of the supernodes into derived symbols. The total number of edges of the derived symbols in each of the supernodes is equal to a predetermined number of edges of each of the supernodes.
US08051353B2
A method is described for providing Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission feedback to a higher layer protocol in a communication system. The method includes a step of detecting HARQ retransmissions in a first layer protocol. This can be used to determine a HARQ failure or an HARQ ACK after a delay of some retransmissions. A next step includes providing feedback information about the detecting step from the first layer protocol to a higher layer protocol. A next step includes instituting corrections at the higher layer protocol, in response to the information transferred from the first layer protocol. These corrections can include immediate retransmission of those bursts of a HARQ failure, or correcting timers to match the delay of eventually ACK'ed data.
US08051351B2
A process and apparatus provide a JTAG TAP controller (302) to access a JTAG TAP domain (106) of a device using a reduced pin count, high speed DDR interface (202). The access is accomplished by combining the separate TDI and TMS signals from the TAP controller into a single signal and communicating the TDI and TMS signals of the single signal on the rising and falling edges of the TCK driving the DDR interface. The TAP domain may be coupled to the TAP controller in a point to point fashion or in an addressable bus fashion. The access to the TAP domain may be used for JTAG based device testing, debugging, programming, or other type of JTAG based operation.
US08051337B2
A system and method for fast detection of cache memory hits in memory systems with error correction/detection capability is provided. A circuit for determining an in-cache status of a memory address comprises an error detect unit coupled to a cache memory, a comparison unit coupled to the cache memory, a results unit coupled to the comparison unit, and a selection unit coupled to the results unit and to the error detect unit. The error detect unit computes an indicator of errors present in data stored in the cache memory, wherein the data is related to the memory address. The comparison unit compares the data with a portion of the memory address, the results unit computes a set of possible in-cache statuses based on the comparison, and the selection unit selects the in-cache status from the set of possible in-cache statuses based on the indicator.
US08051334B2
The use of loops in SAS networks is enabled by designating ports connected to loop connections as table loop ports (TLPs). Under normal operating conditions, each TLP is blocked from receiving BCNs, appears to the expander to have nothing connected to it, and is made invisible to initiators. The loop connection and TLPs may be enabled and used to access devices when a problem is detected. In particular, the TLP will now appear in a list of destination ports within the expander to which a BCN should be propagated. In addition, during a subsequent self-configuration, the TLP is allowed to populate its route table with devices accessible through it, and the existence of the TLP is also reported back to initiators. After re-discovery is complete, communications between the initiator and a target can resume, with traffic re-routed through the TLPs as needed, bypassing the failure point.
US08051332B2
Disclosed is a method for adding performance counters to a .NET application after compilation of the .NET application to Common Intermediate Language code without a requirement for code changes to the original .NET application code or application recompilation from the development side. With regard to a further aspect of a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention may provide a method for adding the performance counters by declarative instrumentation of a .NET application at runtime or compile time, without the need for an application developer to hardcode instrumentation logic into the application. An instrumentation configuration file provides declarative definition for performance counters that are to be added to a particular application, and particularly includes a complete list of performance counters that need to be added and settings for each performance counter.
US08051330B2
A method for locating a fault in a communication network, includes receiving status information relating to alarms, events, polled statuses or test results in the communication network; and locating the fault based on the received status information, wherein locating the fault includes identifying a limited region of the communication network in which the fault has occurred based on the received status information and on topological and functional information relating to network apparatuses that have generated the status information; constructing a probabilistic model relating faults and status information in the identified limited region of the communication network; and locating the fault based on the constructed probabilistic model and on status information received from the identified limited region of the communication network.
US08051320B2
The present invention provides a clock ratio controller for dynamic voltage and frequency scaled digital systems, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, a digital system is provided that includes a first digital circuit that operates at a first rate determined by a first clock signal and a second digital circuit that operates at a second rate determined by a second clock signal. The first digital circuit is coupled to the second digital circuit by a bus that is used for communications between the first digital circuit and the second digital circuit. A clock ratio controller is used to adjust the frequency of the first clock signal and/or the second clock signal in response to a power management signal without causing a loss of synchronization between the first digital circuit and the second digital circuit.
US08051319B2
The invention provides a method for power management for a computer system. In one embodiment, the computer system comprises a system controller, a chipset, and a battery coupled to the chipset via a system management bus. First, a timer of the chipset is used to calculate an accumulated time value. When the accumulated time value exceeds a threshold value, the chipset is directed to send a system control interrupt to the system controller. After the system controller receives the system control interrupt, the system controller is triggered to detect a power level supplied by the battery via the system management bus.
US08051317B2
A power supply system allowing remote adjustments of the power output of the power supply unit without having to physically access the power supply unit itself is disclosed. A power supply system in accordance with the present invention utilizes a central processing unit (CPU) to provide a command that adjusts to the power output via a modified pulse width modulator (MPWM). Moreover, the central processing unit (CPU) may also be used to provide fine tune adjustments to the error signal of the power supply system, wherein the central processing unit (CPU) produces a command for the modified pulse width modulator to control the power output.
US08051313B2
An apparatus, system and method for asynchronously reducing power in a power domain. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) receiving a sleep command for the power domain, (2) receiving, upon receiving the sleep command, an affirmative retention status signal denoting that a retention area in the power domain has stored data, (3) receiving, upon receiving the sleep command, an affirmative isolation status signal that denotes that an isolation of the power domain has occurred and (4) providing a power domain off command to the power domain upon receiving at least the sleep command, the affirmative status retention signal and the affirmative status isolation signal. In another embodiment, multiple enable signals are employed to generate a “glitch-free” control for a power switch.
US08051305B2
A motherboard device includes a first connecting interface coupled to a first graphics card, a second connecting interface coupled to a second graphics card, a power source connected electrically to the first connecting interface for supplying electric power to the first graphics card via the first connecting interface, and a switch unit interconnecting electrically the power source and the second connecting interface, and operable so as to switch between an ON-state, where the power source supplies electric power to the second graphics card via the second connecting interface, and an OFF-state, where the electric power from the power source is not supplied to the second graphics card.
US08051294B2
The presently claimed invention relates generally to encoding and decoding audio signals to include auxiliary information. One example encoding technique includes steganography. One method recites: using a microphone, obtaining an audio signal carried by sound waves; utilizing an analog-to-digital converter to convert the audio signal into a digital audio signal; utilizing a programmed electronic processor, extracting auxiliary data from a series of segments of the digital audio signal, the segments conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the segments represent the auxiliary data differently as code signals carrying the same auxiliary data change over the blocks, the auxiliary data being steganographically hidden in the digital audio signal; and utilizing a programmed electronic processor, utilizing the auxiliary data from the series of segments to increase confidence of accurate extraction of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the segments and combined to increase the confidence of extraction of the auxiliary data. Of course, other combination and claims are provided as well.
US08051289B2
In one embodiment, system to manage and delivery electronic documents is disclosed.
US08051280B2
An operating environment configuration system comprises a first operating system of a computer device having at least one configuration setting associated therewith, and a second operating system of the computer device configured to automatically retrieve the at least one configuration setting and configure at least one component associated with the second operating system with the at least one configuration setting.
US08051279B2
A method and system for enabling an auxiliary system to retrieve the system information from a computing device are disclosed. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method, which includes the steps of requesting for the system information from an embedded controller of the computing device through a first bi-directional data bus if the computing device is shut down, requesting for the system information from the computing device through the first bi-directional bus during the boot-up sequence of the computing device, and requesting for the system information from the computing device through a general purpose input/output (GPIO) after the computing device completes the boot-up sequence.
US08051275B2
A processor 2 includes an execution cluster 10 having multiple execution units 14, 16, 18, 20. The execution units 14, 16, 18, 20 share result buses 22, 24. Issue circuitry 12 within the execution cluster 10 determines future availability of a result bus 22, 24 for an instruction to be issued (or recently issued) using a known cycle count for that instruction. The availability is tracked for each result bus using a mask register 32 storing a mask value within which each bit position indicates the availability or non-availability of that result bus at a particular processing cycle in the future. The mask value is left shifted each processing cycle.
US08051272B2
A method for generating addresses for a processor is provided. The addresses are for use by an application that may be executed by the processor. The application comprises a plurality of instructions, and each instruction comprises at least one line. The method includes storing a plurality of predetermined addresses and, for each line of each instruction, generating at least one address for the processor based on the predetermined addresses.
US08051253B2
A computer system is disclosed including a printed circuit board (PCB) including a plurality of traces, at least one processor mounted to the PCB to couple to some of the plurality of traces, a heterogeneous memory channel including a plurality of sockets coupled to a memory channel bus of the PCB, and a memory controller coupled between the at least one processor and the heterogeneous memory channel. The heterogeneous memory channel includes a plurality of sockets coupled to a memory channel bus of the PCB. The plurality of sockets are configured to receive a plurality of different types of memory modules. The memory controller may be a programmable heterogeneous memory controller to flexibly adapt to the memory channel bus to control access to each of the different types of memory modules in the heterogeneous memory channel.
US08051247B1
A circuit for tracking memory operations with trace-based execution is disclosed. Each trace includes a sequence of operations that includes zero or more of the memory operations. The memory operations being executed form a set of active memory operations that have a predefined program order among them. At least some of the active memory operations access the memory in an execution order that is different from the program order. Checkpoint entries are associated with each trace. Each entry refers to a checkpoint location. Executing one of the active memory operations updates a checkpoint location. During the operation of the circuit, none of the operations of a given trace has any effect on the execution unit's architectural state prior to committing that trace. Each trace becomes eligible for commitment after all operations in the trace complete executing. After the trace is committed, all of the checkpoint entries associated with the trace are invalidated.
US08051233B2
A method for processing network data is disclosed and may include receiving data via a single bus interface to which each of a plurality of Ethernet controllers are coupled, where the Ethernet controllers are integrated within a single chip. A particular one of the integrated Ethernet controllers may be identified based on information within the received data. The particular one of the integrated Ethernet controllers may be granted access to a shared resource within the single chip. The access to the shared resource may be granted using at least one semaphore register within the shared resource. The particular one of the integrated Ethernet controllers may be granted access to the single bus interface. The information may include a bus identifier, a bus device identifier and/or a bus function identifier. The shared resource may include a nonvolatile memory (NVM).
US08051230B2
The method is for transmitting data between two devices via a clock wire or line and at least one data wire or line. The clock wire is maintained by default on a logic value A, and each device is capable of tying the clock wire to an electric potential representing a logic value B that is the opposite of A. According to the method, both devices tie the clock wire to B when a datum is transmitted, the device to which the datum is sent does not release the clock wire while it has not read the datum, and the device sending the datum maintains the datum on the data wire at least until an instant when the clock wire is released by the device to which the datum is sent. The method is particularly applicable to communication between a microcomputer and a microprocessor.
US08051229B2
A peripheral device is disclosed having two associated memory modules, and which is configured to fit within the ExpressCard slot. One memory module communicates with a host over the PCIe bus interface of the ExpressCard slot, while the other memory module communicates with the host over the USB interface of the ExpressCard slot.
