US08154602B2
In estimating subjective video quality corresponding to main parameters which are input as an input frame rate representing the number of frames per unit time, an input coding bit rate representing the number of coding bits per unit time, and an input packet loss rate representing a packet loss occurrence probability of an audiovisual medium, a degradation model specifying unit specifies a degradation model representing the relationship between the packet loss rate and the degradation in reference subjective video quality on the basis of the input frame rate and input coding bit rate. A desired subjective video quality estimation value is calculated by correcting the reference subjective video quality on the basis of a video quality degradation ratio corresponding to the input packet loss rate calculated by using the degradation model.
US08154590B2
A method for observing a person in an industrial environment using a multicamera system to acquire image data about the position and alignment of a person, including a person's body parts. These image data are then examined with regard to the imaging of a person so that whenever a person has been detected in the image data, an articulated virtual 3D model of the human body is matched to this person hypothesis. Subsequently, this virtual body model is continuously matched to the movement behavior of the person detected in the image data. A hazard potential is determined using knowledge of the position and the movement behavior of the virtual body model in space. The hazard potential thus determined is subjected to a threshold value comparison in order to act upon the movement control of the machine or the machine part in the event of this threshold value being exceeded.
US08154579B2
The present invention discloses a method for processing the video telephone calling based on the mobile communication network. A calling terminal initiates a video telephone calling to a called telephone terminal, and when said called terminal is ringing, the called user is entitled to determine whether to cut off the telephone calling; the called terminal receives a operating information that the called user can't proceed the video telephone, and sends a disconnecting message with a reason value that called party can't proceed the video telephone to a called party mobile switch; the called party mobile switch disconnects the communication between the called party mobile switch and the called terminal and transmits the disconnecting message to a calling party mobile switch; the calling party mobile switch disconnects the communication between the calling party mobile switch and the called party mobile switch and transmits the disconnecting message to the calling terminal; and the calling terminal disconnects the communication telephone between the calling terminal and the calling party mobile switch. The present invention expands the function of the mobile user terminal and is significant to the development of electronic commerce of the mobile video telephone user.
US08154577B2
An apparatus and a method of controlling a light level of a light beam irradiated by a light source are provided. The light source is caused to irradiate the light beam having a light level determined based on a light level correction value for a specific main scanning position. The light level correction value is calculated based on light level change information indicating the change in the light level correction value for the specific main scanning position changes with respect to an initial light level correction value or a preceding light level correction value.
US08154576B2
An image forming apparatus which performs exposure for “n” lines in one scan by scanning “n” light rays from “n” light sources in a main scanning direction of an image carrier, where “n” is an integer greater than 1, including: a laser driving section; and a control section which, corresponding to density unevenness generated in an adjoining section of a nth exposure in a Nth scan and a first exposure in a N+1th scan, determines a correction value of exposure amount to resolve the density unevenness for the nth exposure amount in the Nth scan and the first exposure amount in the N+1th scan, along with that, determines a correction value of each exposure amount for the “n” lines, based on the correction values of the first and nth exposure amount.
US08154574B2
There is disclosed a hand-held portable printer having an internal antenna, convertible to an RFID printer capable to receiving RFID data from a scanner coupled to the printer. The printer preferably shares a common RFID reader/writer with an RFID scanner. The scanner has an external antenna which can be coupled to and preferably attached to the printer. The scanner preferably includes the RFID reader/writer. The internal antenna is close to but separate from the printer's print head and the internal antenna is movable as a unit with the print head.
US08154572B2
The calibration of an imaging system is adjusted for geometric distortion of an image formed by a group of imaging channels on a media supported on a media support. The media support includes a plurality of individually spaced reference features disposed on a surface of the media support and a change in an expected position of at least one of the reference features is determined. Activation timing of the channels is adjusted in accordance with such changes. The imaging channels can be supported on a movable carriage and movement of the carriage can be adjusted in accordance with such changes.
US08154568B2
A color filter includes a transparent base board and a pixel portion formed on the base board. The pixel portion includes a plurality of pixels and each pixel includes eight sub-pixels in at least four different colors. Light passing through each pixel is colored to be in a color formed by mixed light emitting from the eight sub-pixels and changed by changing the luminance of light respectively passing through the sub-pixels, and light passing through the plurality of pixels cooperatively form colored images.
US08154564B2
Apparatus and methods for a bilinear filter system comprising a pre-formatter module, a bilinear module, an accumulator module, and a format module. The pre-formatter module is configured to receive texel data and convert it to a normalized fixed point format. The bilinear module is dynamically reconfigurable to perform an interpolation or an extended precision interpolation on the normalized fixed point texel data from the pre-formatter module and generate re-normalized floating point texel data. The interpolator analyzes the exponent range of fixed point texel data from the pre-formatter module to determine if an extended precision calculation is appropriate. The accumulator module is configured to accumulate floating point texel data from the bilinear module to achieve the desired level of bilinear, trilinear, and anisotropic filtering. The format module is configured to convert texel data from the accumulator module into a standard floating point representation.
US08154561B1
Display of a harmony rule list is disclosed, including obtaining at least one base color and two or more color harmony rules; for each color harmony rule, computing a derived set of colors based on the at least one base color and the color harmony rule, resulting in two or more derived sets of colors; and simultaneously displaying the derived sets of colors for the two or more color harmony rules.
US08154559B2
In the different mapping planes, described by plane coordinates, of the color space in which colors to map are represented, a uniformity testing curve can be found that intersects all mapping trajectories of this mapping plane and, at any intersection of a mapping trajectory with said uniformity testing curve, the gradients calculated in said plane coordinates of the intersecting mapping lines and the first derivation along this uniformity testing of these gradients are continuous.Thank to the invention, colors are better preserved after mapping, even if there are different mapping methods in the same mapping plane.
US08154543B2
A stereoscopic image display device includes a display panel including a plurality of left eye pixels and a plurality of right eye pixels, a memory including a left eye image section for storing data corresponding to the left eye pixels and a right eye image section for storing data corresponding to the right eye pixels, a geometric engine for converting an input 3D image data into left eye 3D image data corresponding to the left eye pixels or right eye 3D image data corresponding to the right eye pixels, and a rendering engine for calculating a coordinate value and a color information value to be stored in the left eye section or the right eye section by using coordinate and color information of the left eye 3D image data or the right eye 3D image data, and for storing the color information value in the memory based on the coordinate value.
US08154541B2
A display device is provided where fluctuation of current values of a light-emitting element caused by the ambient temperature change and degradation with time is suppressed. According to the invention, a monitoring element driven with a constant current is provided. After detecting a voltage in the monitoring element, the voltage is applied to a light-emitting element. That is, the monitoring element is driven with a constant current, and a voltage in the monitoring element is applied to the light-emitting element so that the light-emitting is driven with a constant voltage. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, an extrapolation power supply circuit samples voltages of the monitoring element, obtaining a mathematical formula of a change of the sampled voltages and generating a voltage based on the mathematical formula, which is supplied to the light-emitting element.
US08154539B2
For making outputs of a drive circuits accurate, the drive circuit is composed of a plurality of current signal generation circuits for outputting a current signal to each of a plurality of output units, a current signal output line to which outputs of the plurality of current signal generation circuits are commonly connected, a correction value output circuit for outputting a correction value obtained by evaluating the output of one or more specific circuits of the plurality of current signal generation circuits on a basis of current values output through the current signal output line, and a correction circuit for correcting an image signal supplied to the current signal generation circuits by means of the correction value.
US08154522B2
The invention relates to a recovering image system comprising a data inputting device, a driver and a panel. The data inputting device outputs digital data signals. The driver device receives the digital data signals, converts the digital data signals to analog data signals, outputs the analog data signals or reset data signals according to timing control signals. The panel receives the analog data signals or the reset data signals and displays normal images, reset images or both according to the analog data signals and the reset data signals. To recover only the disturbed area, feedback of the touch panel to the driver is required.
US08154515B2
A computer mouse for use with a computing device, and a user input device assembly including a computer mouse and a communications dongle, are provided. The computer mouse may include a body having an outer casing, the outer casing having a battery compartment formed therein, and a battery door releasably secured to the outer casing in an orientation that covers the battery compartment. The battery door may include a mounting structure configured to releasably secure a communications dongle.
US08154511B2
A computerized interactor system uses physical, three-dimensional objects as metaphors for input of user intent to a computer system. When one or more interactors are engaged with a detection field, the detection field reads an identifier associated with the object and communicates the identifier to a computer system. The computer system determines the meaning of the interactor based upon its identifier and upon a semantic context in which the computer system is operating. The interactors can be used to control other systems, such as audio systems, or it can be used as intuitive inputs into a computer system for such purposes as marking events in a temporal flow. The interactors, as a minimum, communicate their identity, but may also be more sophisticated in that they can communicate additional processed or unprocessed data, i.e. they can include their own data processors. The detection field can be one-dimensional or multi-dimensional, and typically has different semantic meanings associated with different parts of the detection field.
US08154509B2
Aspects of the invention provide an electronic paper display system that can include an electronic paper and the writing device. The writing device transmits power and baseband signals by using an electromagnetic coupling between a coil of the writing device and a coil of the electronic paper. The baseband signals, which are encoded by the writing device, are decoded by a decoder of the electronic paper and fed to the control circuit to illustrate images on a bi-stable display unit. The electronic paper has a power storage that temporarily stores power transmitted by using electromagnetic coupling for absorbing fluctuation of power in both transmission and consumption. The asynchronous design of this invention brings both robustness and low-power consumption.
US08154503B2
The present invention in one aspect relates to a source driver comprising a first digital-to-analog converter with a positive polarity (PDAC), a second digital-to-analog converter with a negative polarity (NDAC), a first operational amplifier and a second operational amplifier. Each operational amplifier is characterized with a 1st & 2nd stage and an output stage. Both the PDAC and NDAC are coupled to the first and second operational amplifiers through a first pair of switches. The 1st & 2nd and output stages of the first operational amplifier are coupled to the 1st & 2nd and output stages of the second operational amplifier through a second pair of switches. The first and second operational amplifiers are coupled to odd data lines and even data line through a third pair of switches. Further, the amplitudes of the operational voltages for the PDAC, the NDAC and the output stages first and second operational amplifiers are set to be between the supply voltage and the ground voltage. Accordingly, the power consumption and the operational temperature are substantially reduced.
US08154499B2
An electro-optical device includes a plurality of scanning lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of pixels, a scanning-line driving circuit, a block selecting circuit, a sampling circuit, and a control circuit. The scanning-line driving circuit selects the plurality of scanning lines in a predetermined order in each of a first and second field to which a frame is divided and applies a selection voltage. The block selecting circuit selects the blocks in either a right or left direction in a period during which the scanning line is selected. The sampling circuit samples a data signal corresponding to a gray scale level into each of the columns of data lines belonging to a block selected by the block selecting circuit. The control circuit controls the block selecting circuit to, select the blocks in one of the right direction and the left direction for each field.
US08154497B2
A driving apparatus for a display device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and each pixel includes first and second sub-pixels. The driving apparatus includes a memory for storing digital data, a controller for calling the digital data to output the digital data together with a clock signal and at least one selection signal, and a gray voltage generator formed of an integrated circuit to receive the digital data from the controller and to generate gray reference voltage sets. The gray voltage generator includes first and second registers for storing the digital data, a selector including a plurality of multiplexers for receiving the outputs of the first and second registers, and a converter including a plurality of digital-analog converters connected to the multiplexers. As described above, the gray voltage generator is provided in the form of a chip so that it is possible to reduce the area occupied on a printed circuit board (PCB) and to reduce the cost of the gray voltage generator.
US08154491B2
An overdrive method for anti-double edge of LCD uses: a register unit, a signal processing module including a selection unit and a driving-voltage lookup table (ADE LUT) and a plurality of multiplex processing units to effectively save the resources of hardware and to eliminate the double edge phenomenon generated during overdrive liquid-crystal image developing by selecting among present frame driving-voltage values, overdrive voltage values and actually achieved voltage values input from the driving-voltage lookup table and by outputting driving-voltage values suitable for respective situations according to selection signals of a selection unit by the multiplex processing units. The method is added with a complementary table and an operation unit to increase its scope of application, to eliminate double edge generated by different response speeds; and thereby is suitable for various liquid crystal displays.
US08154488B2
A liquid crystal display module with a thermal passage between a bottom chassis and top chassis is presented. The liquid crystal display module includes a top chassis and a bottom chassis. The top chassis has an inwardly elongated contact protrusion on a lateral cover. The contact protrusion connects the lateral cover and a side wall of the bottom chassis. Here, near the contact protrusion, a light source of the liquid crystal display module is located, and at least a portion of the light source heat can migrate outside rather than being trapped inside of the liquid crystal module.
US08154487B2
In a display apparatus, a plurality of pixels including light emitting elements emitting colors of R, G and B, is arranged on a single surface. To each pixel, corresponding R image signal wiring, G image signal wiring, and B image signal wiring, are connected. Wirings are arranged so that the resistance or the capacitance of each image signal wiring differs every color of corresponding pixels, and by this, the rise times of the signal for R, G and B will be substantially equal to each other. The resistance value is changed by adjusting the width, the thickness, or the specific resistance of the material of the image signal wiring, or the capacitance is changed by adjusting the thickness of the insulator or the relative dielectric constant of the material while sandwiching an insulator between the image signal wiring and a scanning wiring at the intersection of them.
US08154480B2
A plurality of transistors in which ratios of a channel length L to a channel width W, α=W/L, are different from each other is provided in parallel as output side transistors 105a to 105c in a current mirror circuit 101 which amplifies a photocurrent of a photoelectric conversion device and an internal resistor is connected to each of the output side transistors 105a to 105c in series. The sum of currents which flow through the plurality of transistors and the internal resistor is output, whereby a transistor with large amount of α can be driven in a linear range with low illuminance, and a transistor with small amount of α can be driven in a linear range with high illuminance, so that applicable illuminance range of the photoelectric conversion device can be widened.
US08154479B2
An electro-luminescence display having a plurality of pixels is disclosed. One of the pixels of the electro-luminescence display includes an electro-luminescence diode electrically connected between first and second voltage sources; first and second thin film transistors adjusting an amount of current flowing to the electro-luminescence diode; and a control circuit complementarily operating the first and second thin film transistors in an active mode and a refresh mode.
US08154478B2
An organic electro luminescence display and driving method uses an image determination unit to generate image determination signals indicative of whether images generated in response to data signals are moving images still images, selects a gamma value corresponding to the brightness of the ambient light sensed, applies gamma correction signals corresponding to selected gamma values to control grey level voltages of the data signals, generates a selection signal based on a comparison of a previously set reference value with the photo sensor signal, and generates R′,G′,B′ data to vary an input image RGB data to correspond to the selection signal, varies a change range of the changing R′,G′,B′ data to correspond to the image determination signal, and supplies the varied change range of the changing data (R′,G′,B′ data) to the data driver.
US08154476B2
A plasma display device includes plasma display panel and a data driver. Plasma display panel includes a front substrate and a rear substrate faced to each other to form a discharge space therebetween. The front substrate includes a plurality of display electrodes, each having scan electrode and sustain electrode. The rear substrate includes a plurality of data electrodes intersected with the display electrodes. Discharges cells are formed at the intersections of the display electrodes and data electrodes. Data electrodes have a plurality of main electrode parts) formed in portions facing the display electrodes, and wiring parts that connect main electrode parts and have a width smaller than the widths of main electrode parts. Further, the corner of main electrode part is chamfered.
US08154474B2
The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a plurality of pixel elements wherein each of the pixel elements comprises at least a switching element; a plurality of control lines connected to at least one of the switching elements; and a controller for generating and transmitting a control signal through the control line for controlling the switching element, wherein the controller starts transmitting the control signal to a first switching element through a first control line before the control signal applied to a second switching element through a second control line is turned off at a low voltage level.
US08154472B2
Enlarged display of part of display data on display by a first display section is performed to a second display section, based on a relative position of the second display section with respect to the first display section. A display system has a first display section that displays display data; a second display section that performs enlarged display of part of the display data on display by the first display section; a display partial area storage section that stores an area of the partial data to be displayed to the second display section that is part of the display data on display by the first display section; a relative position determination section that determines a relative positional relation between the first display section and the second display section; and a display control section that performs enlarged display of at least part of the partial data of the area stored in the display partial area storage section in association with the positional relation information indicating the relative positional relation determined by the relative position determination section, to the second display section.
US08154460B2
When first and second housings are in an open state, first and second switches are electrically opened, and thus, a first antenna element and a ground conductor operate as a first dipole antenna, and a second antenna element and the ground conductor operate as a second dipole antenna with isolation from the first dipole antenna by the slit. When the first and second housings are in the closed state, the first and second switches are electrically closed, and thus, the first antenna element operates as a first inverted F antenna on the ground conductor, and the second antenna element operates as a second inverted F antenna on the ground conductor with isolation from the first inverted F antenna by the slit.
US08154458B2
An antenna module includes a first antenna structure, a second antenna structure, a first insulating layer, and a matching unit. The first antenna structure includes a plurality of first antenna layers, second insulating layers respectively positioned between each two adjacent first antenna layers, and first conductive portions respectively connecting to two adjacent first antenna layers. The second antenna structure includes a plurality of second antenna layers, third insulating layers respectively positioned between each two adjacent second antenna layers, and second conductive portions respectively connecting to two adjacent second antenna layers. The first insulating layer is positioned between the first antenna structure 22 and the second antenna structure. The matching unit is filled in the first insulating layer and electrically connects first antenna structure to the second antenna structure.
US08154451B2
A mobile transceiver uses position and/or orientation knowledge to increase the capacity of a wireless link by transmitting over multiple electromagnetic polarizations. Sensors may include accelerometers, compasses, position sensors such as GPS receivers, and other means of determining the relative orientation of a mobile tranceiver to its base station. This information is used to properly shape transmitted signals and correlate received signals to increase the link capacity of the wireless link, either through channel multiplexing or increased link quality. This is particularly useful for mobile phones used on cellular networks utilizing high data volume on the allocated spectrum.
US08154427B2
A multiturn rotary encoder includes: a single-turn unit, including a code carrier and a single-turn evaluation unit for processing single-turn position signals to form a single-turn code word; a first multiturn unit, including at least one first multiturn code carrier and a first multiturn evaluation unit for processing first multiturn position signals to form a first multiturn code word that indicates the number of revolutions covered by input shaft; and a second multiturn unit, including at least one second multiturn code carrier and a second multiturn evaluation unit for processing second multiturn position signals to form a second multiturn code word that likewise indicates the number of revolutions covered by the input shaft. The functioning of the multiturn units is ascertainable by the multiturn code words generated independently of each other.
US08154423B2
A traffic control system utilizes geometric or mathematical designs and/or secondary lights for traffic signals so as to allow red/green color blind individuals to determine whether the signal is for stop or go.
US08154422B2
A vehicle collision avoidance system is implemented in a host vehicle. A wireless communication module in the host vehicles wirelessly broadcasts vehicle information packages of the host vehicle and receives external vehicle information packages from other neighboring vehicles. Based on the received vehicle information packages, a collision avoidance process is performed. The process has steps of mapping coordinates system, categorizing collision zones, determining whether a possible collision position exists, calculating a collision time and outputting warning messages. The estimations of the possible collision position and the collision time are not affected by the positions of the neighboring vehicles. Therefore, the neighboring vehicles approaching the host vehicle from different direction are effectively monitored.
US08154420B2
A system and method are provided for providing electromagnetic (EM) measurement-while-drilling (MWD) telemetry capabilities using an existing mud-pulse MWD tool. An EM tool intercepts the output from the mud-pulse tool and generates an EM signal that mimics a mud-pulse pressure signal. The EM signal is intercepted at the surface by a receiver module that conditions the signal and inputs the signal into the existing pulse tool receiver. Since the EM signal mimics a mud-pulse signal, the pulse tool receiver does not require software or hardware modifications in order to process an EM telemetry mode. The EM tool can be adapted to also provide dual telemetry by incorporating a conventional pressure pulser that would normally be used with the pulse tool.
US08154411B2
A System and Method for Person or Object Position Location Utilizing Impulse Radio, comprising a plurality of reference impulse radios; an object or person to be tracked having a mobile impulse radio associated therewith; an architecture with an associated positioning algorithm associated with said plurality of impulse radio reference radios and said mobile impulse radio; and display means for displaying the position of the person or object whose position is to be determined.
US08154405B2
In a protocol for preserving the privacy of communications between a RFID reader and a RFID tag, two distinct actions are taken. First, the reader and the tag must be mutually authenticated as being authorized participants in the communications. After that process is successfully completed, the authenticity of each authorized participant must be validated prior to each subsequent communication between reader and tag.
US08154401B1
A system and method for providing communication with a tracking device are disclosed. An example tracking device includes a location detector, a communication device, memory, a processor, and a configuration routine. The location detector is operative to determine locations of the tracking device. The communication device is operative to communicate with a remote system. The memory stores data and code, the data including location data determined by the location detector and configuration data. The processor is operative to execute the code to impart functionality to the tracking device. The functionality of the tracking device depends at least in part on the configuration data. The configuration routine is operative to modify the configuration data responsive to communications from the remote system. Thus, functional access to the tracking device is provided to the remote system.
US08154400B2
A system includes a plurality of electrical switches. Every switch is associated with at least one monitoring device for detecting the respective switching condition of the switch. All of the monitoring devices are interconnected through a data connection through which the switching conditions of all of the switches are made known to every monitoring device.
US08154399B2
A CBRNE detection system and method for operating same are disclosed. The method provides a relatively increased Probability of Detection and a relatively decreased Probability of False Alarms for a networked system of detectors. In the illustrative embodiment, a central controller of the system is capable of receiving information from individual CBRNE detectors and of determining whether or not to issue an alarm indicating that a CBRNE event has occurred. Data obtained from individual CBRNE detectors is evaluated based on one or more “sensor alert-to-system alarm” processing modes. The various processing modes specify the requirements that must be satisfied before a system-wide “alarm” is issued.
US08154383B2
A system and method for providing keypad information to a user for a keypad coupled to an exterior portion of the vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving a first radio frequency (RF) signal from a first transmitter and increasing a first count in response to detecting the first RF signal. The method includes receiving a second RF signal from a second transmitter and increasing a second count in response to detecting the second RF signal. The method includes comparing the first count to a first predetermined count and comparing the second count to a second predetermined count. The method includes transmitting the keypad information to the display device based on at least one of the comparison of the first count to the first predetermined amount and the comparison of the second count to the second predetermined amount.
US08154381B2
A controlling device interacts dynamically with a plurality of appliances using state information known to a master appliance. The master appliance conveys to the controlling device the state information and the controlling device uses the state information to dynamically configure itself to command functional operations of one or more of the plurality of appliances. The master appliance also causes a graphical representation of the current configuration of the controlling device to be displayed on a display device that is associated with the master appliance.
US08154374B2
A transformer winding having a conductor wound in a plurality of turns is disclosed, wherein the transformer winding includes a reinforcing part arranged at a winding transition in a manner so that the reinforcing part covers more than 180 degrees of the conductor circumference, whereby the bending strength of the conductor at the location of the reinforcing part is increased. The resistibility of the transformer winding against bending stress is hence improved.
US08154370B2
A linear solenoid includes a plunger to slide in an axis direction, and a stator core. The plunger includes a magnetic base, and a nonmagnetic plating layer defined on the magnetic base. The stator core has a first blocker arranged between a first magnetic core and a second magnetic core. The second magnetic core has a second blocker distanced from the first blocker in the axis direction. Each of the blockers limits a magnetic reaction. The plunger directly slides on an inner circumference face of the stator core at only two sections corresponding to the first and second blockers.
US08154361B2
A method for communicating over a coaxial cable network is described. The method includes identifying at least one port in the coaxial cable network that provides high mutual isolation among nodes of the coaxial cable network when the port is terminated with an impedance that matches a characteristic impedance of coaxial cable in the coaxial cable network. The method also includes terminating the identified port with an impedance that is substantially mismatched with the characteristic impedance of the coaxial cable, and transmitting a signal from a first node in the network to a second node in the network.
US08154358B2
In a particular embodiment, a circuit device includes a pulse edge control circuit to receive at least one pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal from a PWM source. The pulse edge control circuit is adapted to selectively invert and swap the at least one PWM signal with a logic-inverted duty-cycle complement of the at least one PWM signal at discrete time intervals to produce at least one modulated PWM signal having a changed power spectrum. The pulse edge control circuit provides the at least one modulated PWM signal to at least one output of the pulse edge control circuit.
US08154357B2
Modulators for amplitude-modulating signals defined by phase information and envelope codes are provided with first transistors for receiving the phase information and second transistors for receiving the envelope codes. The first main electrode of one transistor is coupled to the second main electrode of the other transistor and the other second main electrode constitutes an output of the modulator. This modulator can be used in any kind of transistor environment and is simple and low cost. The doped areas of the coupled first and second main electrodes comprise an overlap to reduce cross-talk and to reduce silicon area. Polar transmitters are provided with this modulator and with a circuit for generating a phase/frequency code and the envelope code and with an oscillator for receiving the phase/frequency code and for generating the phase information. A phase shift between the phase information and the envelope code reduce aliases.
US08154356B2
An oscillator is provided which comprises an array of capacitances. At least some capacitances in the array have different capacitance values.
US08154351B2
A VCO in a phase-locked loop (PLL) is arranged to receive low-pass data via a first input and high-pass data at a second input. The first input is coupled to a first set of varactors in the VCO. The second input is coupled to a second set of varactors in the VCO. The controller sets the input voltage at the first input and directs a charge pump to operate in a tri-state mode that opens the feedback loop of the PLL. The controller applies different voltages via the second input and measures the change in output frequency. A present gain of the VCO is determined from the ratio of the change in frequency and the change in voltage at the second input.
US08154337B1
An amplifier includes an input stage, a comparator coupled to an output of the differential input stage, and a trimming controller coupled to an output of the comparator. The input stage includes a plurality of trim devices coupled in parallel with a first input device. The trimming controller is adapted to configure the trim devices based on an output of the comparator. The trim devices may selectively control a total effective device area of the first input device. Each of the trim devices, when enabled, may add a specified area to the total effective device area of the first input device. The input stage may also include a second plurality of trim devices coupled in parallel with a second input device.
US08154328B1
A phase detector circuit generates a phase comparison signal based on a phase difference between first and second periodic signals during a test mode. Phases of the first and the second periodic signals do not change in response to variations in a signal generated by the phase detector circuit during the test mode. A lock generation circuit generates an output signal based on the phase comparison signal that indicates if the first and the second periodic signals are within a lock window of the lock generation circuit. The lock window of the lock generation circuit changes in response to a variation in a control signal.
US08154324B2
A driver integrated circuit for driving at least one high voltage half bridge stage. The driver including a filter circuit for filtering a signal provided to the half bridge stage, a minimum pulse width of the signal being near a constant time of the filter, wherein the filter circuit prevents distortions introduced when the signal is at its minimum pulse width from being passed to the half bridge stage.
US08154312B2
A sensor system having a sensor unit for detecting a measured variable, and an evaluation unit, which are interconnected via at least one or a plurality of connection line(s), the sensor unit having a sensor, which is connected to a supply voltage, and includes a signal output for a measuring signal that is a function of the measured variable, the evaluation unit having a voltage meter to detect the status of the measured variable as a function of a potential, the sensor unit including a first resistive circuits connected to the sensor, and the evaluation unit including a second resistive circuit connected to the voltage meter. The first and the second resistive circuits are coupled to one another via at least the sensor line and forming a resistor network. The first and the second resistive circuit are configured so that, in a fault-free state of the one or the plurality of connection line(s), the voltage meter detects one or a plurality of measuring potential(s) in one or a plurality of defined measuring potential range(s) as a function of the measured variable, and, in a fault case, it detects a measuring potential that lies within a fault potential range. The first and the second resistive circuits are dimensioned so that the fault potential range lies outside of the one or the plurality of defined measuring potential range(s).
US08154303B2
Methods are disclosed for identifying and locating points of impairment in a cable plant, such as that used for cable television (CATV). The methods utilize both known characteristics of signals as well as propagation times in free space and within the cable in conjunction with accurate determination of locations at which measurements are taken. The methods can be applied to both RF cable leaks as well as points of ingress of interference.
US08154294B2
In a non-cartesian sampling method, in order to reduce an artifact on an image caused by an error of a gradient magnetic field, data for correcting the error caused by the gradient magnetic field are obtained when data used for image reconstruction are obtained, and the data used for the image reconstruction are corrected by using the obtained data for the correction. In order to obtain the data for correcting the error, a block having plural parallel echo signals is measured.
US08154293B2
An apparatus and method of MR imaging is disclosed. The apparatus and method comprises segmenting acquisition of an echo train into separate odd and even acquisition blades in k-space, wherein the odd and even acquisition blades extend orthogonally through a common reference point in a central region of k-space. A segment of MR data is acquired using a quadratic phase modulation scheme, wherein a first set of MR echo signals occurring after odd-numbered RF refocusing pulses are stored in the odd acquisition blade, and a second set of MR echo signals occurring after even-numbered RF refocusing pulses are stored in the even acquisition blade. This acquisition and segmentation is repeated until a sufficient number of blades are acquired to fill k-space. Finally, an image is reconstructed from the acquisition blades.
US08154286B2
A magnetic field generator includes a power source and a coil connected to the power source to generate a time-varying magnetic field. Energy is applied to the coil so that the coil generates a time-varying magnetic field gradient with a magnitude of at least 1 milliTesla per meter and a rise-time of less than 10 microseconds. One or more of a capacitor, a multi-stage high-voltage switch, and/or a pulse-forming network may assist with the generation of the magnetic field gradient.
US08154284B2
An NMR method is presented having enhanced sensitivity on a compound comprising hyperpolarizable nuclei, in particular applying enhanced PHIP. Polarization is thereby transferred from a prepared fluid, which is enriched with symmetric molecules of a particular spin state (e.g. para-hydrogen enriched), directly to the hyperpolarizable nuclei of a compound, without altering the chemical identity of the compound in this process. Spin transfer is achieved using a template having sites of ordered environment, and the fluid and the compound are brought together in the presence of the template. Polarization transfer to the hyperpolarizable nuclei of the compound is thereby easier to perform and can be applied to a broader scope of compounds.
US08154278B2
Metal face inductive proximity sensors and methods are presented for sensing the presence or absence of a target object in a target sensing area in which a coil system is operated to generate a magnetic field extending outward from the sensing face at a frequency in a range that maximizes a relative target effect for the sensing face area, material, and thickness, and a target material from which the target object is made to allow the protective advantages of metal sensing face materials while enhancing sensing distance by optimizing the ratio of the target energy loss to the energy loss in the metal face.
US08154272B2
A method and apparatus for generating a low reference voltage having low power consumption characteristics is provided. A reference voltage generating apparatus includes a constant current source circuit which generates a reference current. A load circuit is connected to the constant current source circuit and generates a voltage which is proportional to the reference current. A current branch circuit removes a portion of temperature-invariant current components included in the reference current from a connection terminal of the constant current source circuit and the load circuit to a ground terminal through a current branch which is different from a current branch of the load circuit.
US08154269B2
A control apparatus and a control method for a power factor correction power converter are provided. The control apparatus is configured to reduce the variation rate of a reference signal with a rising portion and a falling portion. When the primary winding almost completely releases the stored energy, and the falling portion of the reference signal reaches a determined condition, the control apparatus turns on a switch for increasing the stored energy of the primary winding.
US08154263B1
In one embodiment the present invention includes a voltage regulator circuit comprising a voltage to current converter. The voltage to current converter is coupled to provide a current to maintain an output voltage under changing load conditions. A transconductance of the voltage to current converter is independent of the output current and therefore improves stability for the voltage regulator across load conditions.
US08154258B2
An energy storage module for providing backup power to electronic systems includes one or more capacitor banks, each including one or more capacitors for storing energy. The energy storage module also includes a first voltage regulator that may, during a normal mode of operation, provide a regulated direct current (DC) voltage to charge the one or more capacitors of each capacitor bank. In addition, each of the capacitor banks may include a voltage leveling circuit that may maintain a specific voltage on the capacitors. Further, the energy storage module includes an output circuit that may, during a backup mode of operation, provide an output voltage derived from an output of each of the one or more capacitor banks. The output circuit includes a control unit configured to regulate and combine the output of each of the one or more capacitor banks.
US08154243B2
A fuel cell potential measuring apparatus includes a first sheet member which is arranged on an anode side, and a second sheet member which is arranged on a cathode side. On the first sheet member, an anode potential-applying electrode and an anode potential-measuring electrode are disposed on an end portion thereof, whereas on the second sheet member, a cathode potential-applying electrode and a cathode potential-measuring electrode are disposed on an end portion thereof. Another end portion of the first sheet member and another end portion of the second sheet member are joined together mutually.
US08154239B2
A medical manipulator includes an actuator block having a motor, a coupler detachably mounted on the actuator block and having a rotor connected to a rotatable shaft of the motor, a distal-end working unit mounted on a distal end of a joint shaft, which extends from the coupler and is operatively connected to the rotor by a wire, an encoder for detecting an angular displacement of the motor, and a controller for reading a signal from the encoder and comparing the read signal with an operation command value for energizing the motor through a feedback loop. The controller outputs a signal having a level greater than the resolution of the encoder and a lower operation limit of the motor within a range in which the distal-end working unit remains still, and monitors the angular displacement of the motor for thereby determining whether the feedback loop is malfunctioning or not.
US08154235B2
An electric drive has at least one electric motor and a power converter feeding electrical motor current thereto. A current desired-value emitter generates a reference signal. An additional circuit is coupled to the current desired-value emitter so as to receive the reference signal and generates a current desired-value signal. A current regulator is coupled to the additional circuit so as to receive the current desired-value signal. The current regulator generates a control signal to the power converter so as to regulate the motor current as a function of the current desired-value signal. The additional circuit has a first mode wherein the current desired-value signal corresponds to the reference signal and a second mode wherein the current desired-value signal is a pulsed signal.
US08154231B2
A low speed region position estimating portion is designed to be suitable for when the motor is operating in a low speed region, and estimates a low speed estimated rotational position θ^L. A high speed region position estimating portion is designed to be suitable for when the motor is operating in a high speed region, and estimates a high speed estimated rotational position θ^H. A dividing portion obtains a divided estimated rotational position θ^M by internally dividing the low speed estimated rotational position θ^L and the high speed estimated rotational position θ^H. A rotation speed calculating portion obtains a rotation speed ω of a rotor based on an output signal from a steering sensor. The rotational position of the rotor is then obtained by selecting one of i) the low speed estimated rotational position θ^L, the high speed estimated rotational position θ^H, or the divided estimated rotational position θ^M, based on that rotation speed ω.
US08154219B2
A control signal is provided for turning on and turning off a lamp of a backlight source. For a first duration when the liquid crystal is rotating, adjust a frequency of the control signal to turn on and turn off the lamp of the backlight source consecutively or adjust a duty cycle of the control signal to turn off and then turn on the lamp of the backlight source. Thus, the backlight source has a luminance value for the first duration, and the control signal turns on the lamp of the backlight source for a second duration when the liquid crystal is in the steady state.
US08154213B2
A circuit arrangement (10) for operation of a high-pressure discharge lamp having a commutation device (K), which has an input (E1, E2) for coupling to a DC voltage source and has an output (A1, A2) for coupling to the high-pressure discharge lamp (EL). A control apparatus (12) is configured to commutate the polarity with which the voltage (UZW), which is applied to the input (E1, E2) of the commutation device (K), is coupled to the output (A1, A2) of the commutation device (K). A synchronization apparatus (14) is configured to provide a synchronization signal (Sy) at its output (A1, A2). A timer apparatus (16) is configured to produce a commutation initiation signal (KA) at its output (A1, A2), which commutation initiation signal (KA) is synchronized with a predeterminable operating frequency of the high-pressure discharge lamp (EL). A pattern apparatus (18) stores a choice of possible commutation times, with the choice of the possible commutation times being synchronized in time to the synchronization signal (Sy).
US08154210B2
An ion source is disclosed incorporating various aspects of the invention including i) a vaporizer, ii) a vaporizer valve, iii) a gas feed, iv) an ionization chamber, v) an electron gun, vi) a cooled mounting frame, and vii) an ion exit aperture. The ion source includes means for introducing gaseous feed material into the ionization chamber, means for vaporizing solid feed materials and introducing their vapors into the ionization chamber, means for ionizing the introduced gaseous feed materials within the ionization chamber, and means for extracting the ions thus produced from an ion exit aperture adjacent to the ionization region. In addition, means for accelerating and focusing the exiting ions are provided. The vaporizer, vaporizer valve, gas feed, ionization chamber, electron gun, cooled mounting frame, and ion exit aperture are all integrated into a single assembly in preferred embodiments of the novel ion source.
US08154202B2
Disclosed is a starter member to which a mercury-absorbing layer is applied and which can be used in low-pressure mercury discharge lamps. A starter member for a low-pressure amalgam discharge lamp comprises a mercury-absorbing layer on a base. A coating layer which is provided on the mercury-absorbing layer has a getter effect and prevents the material of the mercury-absorbing layer from coming off.
US08154190B2
A light emitting device 1 has, as a light source, a light emitting semiconductor element such as a light emitting diode 2. Light radiated from the light emitting diode 2 is converted to visible light in a light emitting part 8 having a plurality of phosphors 9 different in emission color, and the visible light is emitted. In such a light emitting device 1, a maximum value (Δx, Δy) of color difference (absolute value) between emission chromaticity (x, y) and emission chromaticity (x1, y1) satisfies conditions of Δx<0.05 and Δy<0.05, where (x, y) is emission chromaticity measured directly above the light source and (x1, y1) is emission chromaticity measured for each of front lights and side leakage lights in all directions from the light emitting device 1.
US08154188B2
An electron beam apparatus is provided having an electron emitting device which has a simple configuration, exhibits high electron emission efficiency, operates stably, and in which emitted electrons are effectively converged. The electron beam apparatus includes: an insulator having a notch on its surface; a gate positioned on the surface of the insulator; at least one cathode having a protruding portion protruding from an edge of the notch toward the gate, and positioned on the surface of the insulator so that the protruding portion is opposed to the gate; and an anode arranged to be opposed to the protruding portion via the gate, wherein the gate is formed on the surface of the insulator so that at least a part of a region opposed to the cathode is projected outward and recessed portions are provided in which ends of the gate are recessed and interpose the projected region.
US08154182B2
A light source apparatus is capable of reliably enhancing the starting performance of a high pressure discharge lamp even during hot state just after extinguishing the high pressure discharge lamp by radiating a necessary and sufficient amount of a UV-light into a discharge bulb of the lamp using an UV-enhancer of a simple constitution without increasing the manufacturing cost is provided. An UV-enhancer for radiating a UV-light to a discharge bulb for enhancing the starting performance of a high pressure discharge lamp upon starting lighting includes a discharge tube connected in parallel to a lighting circuit of the lamp, and an external electrode of the discharge tube is formed as a metal holder that holds the outer periphery of the discharge tube so as to oppose the end face of an electrode seal portion of the lamp inserted through a bottom hole in a concave reflector and secures the electrode seal portion to an electrode lead protruding from the end face thereof.
US08154175B2
A sensing device is disclosed that includes a bistable snap mechanism having a snap element operatively connected to an input element and an output element. The snap element has two discrete positions that provide the output element in one of first and second positions. A resistive sensing element includes a flexible member operatively connected to the output element and is configured to deflect in response to movement of the output element between the first and second positions. A resistor is mounted on the flexible member and is configured to provide a variable resistance based upon deflection of the flexible member.
US08154174B2
A bending transducer device for generating electrical energy includes at least one elastically deformable support structure, one piezoelectric element, and a bearing device. The piezoelectric element is configured and situated on the support structure in such a way that the piezoelectric element is deformable due to a deformation of the support structure caused by vibration, and the support structure is supported vibration-capably in at least one bearing of the bearing device, the bearing being configured as an articulated receptacle, e.g., a hinge.
US08154170B2
An acoustic wave device includes: a piezoelectric substrate on which an acoustic wave element and an electrode pad connected to the acoustic wave element are formed; a first resin part having a first opening located above a function area in which an acoustic wave is excited by the acoustic wave element and a second opening located above the electrode pad; a second resin part that covers the first opening and has a third opening located above the second opening; and a metal layer formed on the electrode pad in the second opening, the first opening and the second opening being inversely tapered.
US08154169B2
A rail brush assembly for an electric motor having a commutator, comprises a brush, a spring, a pair of rails and at least one detent for retaining the brush on the rails. The brush has a groove on each of a pair of opposite sides. The rails are disposed in the grooves for guiding the brush to the commutator with the brush being freely slidable along the rails within a predetermined range of motion. The spring is arranged to urge the brush along the rails towards the commutator of the motor and is attached to an end of the brush remote from the commutator. The detent is formed between the spring and at least one rail to limit the range of movement of the brush along the rails.
US08154162B2
A motor for holding a disk with a mounting opening in place includes a rotor unit including a rotor magnet rotatable about a central axis and a stator unit including a stator arranged opposite to the rotor magnet and a circuit board electrically connected to the stator. Wiring lines of the circuit board include output-side land portions electrically connected to first ends of coils of the stator, a connection-side land portion electrically connected to second ends of the coils forming a neutral point, a connection portion electrically connected to an external power source, output-side wiring portions arranged to electrically interconnect the output-side land portions and the connection portion, and a connection-side wiring portion arranged to electrically interconnect the connection-side land portion and the connection portion. Each of the output-side wiring portions has a width greater than a width of the connection-side wiring portion.
US08154160B2
A drive device control unit that controls a drive device including a rotating electrical machine, the drive device control unit includes a control substrate that controls the drive device; a switching element module that forms an inverter that drives the rotating electrical machine; a smoothing capacitor that smoothes an input power supply of the inverter; a first base having the switching element module fixed thereto; and a second base supported by the first base and having the smoothing capacitor fixed to a first surface of the second base, wherein the control substrate is fixed to a second surface of the second base opposite to the first surface having the smoothing capacitor fixed thereto.
US08154157B2
The invention relates to a primary part of a linear motor having a receptacle for a secondary part which can move along an axis in the receptacle, having a plurality of annular coils which are arranged coaxially with respect to the receptacle, and having a yoke, with teeth which are composed of a soft-magnetic material being arranged or formed between the end faces of adjacent coils. In order to provide a primary part or a linear motor which has a high power density in a compact form and allows good cooling with coolant, cooling gaps in which spacers are arranged are formed between the end faces of the coils and the teeth.
US08154137B1
A generator has a receiver adapted to receive an electrical accessory in a manner that allows the electrical accessory to be quickly removed when desired by a user. The receiver allows an electrical accessory, such as a parallel connection kit, transfer switch, or work light, to be securely mounted to the generator, but removed when desired without the need for any tools.
US08154135B2
A stacked semiconductor package is presented which includes multiple semiconductor chips and through-electrodes. Each semiconductor chip has bonding pads formed on a first surface of the semiconductor chip and has a projection which projects from a portion of a second surface of the semiconductor chip. The first and second surfaces of the semiconductor chip face away from each other the first surface. The through-electrodes pass through the first surface and through the projection on the second surface.
US08154134B2
A packaged electronic device includes a leadframe including a die pad, a first, second, and third lead pin surrounding the die pad. An IC die is assembled in a face-up configuration on the lead frame. The IC die includes a substrate having an active top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface includes integrated circuitry including an input pad, an output pad, a power supply pad, and a ground pad, and a plurality of through-substrate vias (TSVs) including an electrically conductive filler material and a dielectric liner. The TSVs couple the input pad to the first lead pin, the output pad to the second lead pin, the power supply pad to a third lead pin or a portion of the die pad. A fourth TSV couples pads coupled to the ground node to the die pad or a portion of the die pad for a split die pad.
US08154131B2
A semiconductor chip, having IC pads, the semiconductor chip having a device, electrically connected to at least one electrical contact through the IC pad, the electrical contact having a height and a cross sectional profile, through the height, configured to facilitate penetration of at least a portion of the electrical contact into a malleable contact on a second semiconductor chip.
US08154117B2
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a substrate having a semiconducting surface, a first array of devices on and in the semiconducting surface including first and second coacting current conducting nodes, a plurality of layers disposed on the substrate and including at a electrically conductive layers and dielectric layer, and a plurality of bump pads on or in the top surface of the dielectric layers. In the IC, the electrically conductive layers define electrical traces, where a first portion of the electrical traces contact a first portion of the bump pads exclusively to a portion of the first coacting current conducting nodes, where a second portion of the electrical traces contact a second portion of the bump pads exclusively to a portion of the second coacting current conducting nodes, and where the electrical traces are electrically isolated from one another by the dielectric layers.
US08154115B1
A package structure having an MEMS element includes: a chip having at least an MEMS element and a plurality of first conductive pads; a lid disposed on the chip to cover the MEMS element and having a plurality of second conductive pads formed thereon; a plurality of bonding wires electrically connecting the first and second conductive pads; a plurality of first bumps disposed on the second conductive pads, respectively; an encapsulant formed on the chip to encapsulate the lid, the bonding wires, the first and second conductive pads and the first bumps while exposing the top surfaces of the first bumps; and a plurality of circuits formed on the encapsulant and electrically connecting to the exposed first bumps, thereby avoiding the conventional drawback of electrical connection failure caused by position deviation of bonding wires due to mold flow of the encapsulant.
US08154113B2
An interconnect includes an elastic body, an electric conductor and a spacer. The elastic body has a first surface, a second surface, a first hole extending from the first surface to the second surface, and a second hole extending from the first surface to the second surface. The electric conductor is disposed in the first hole of the insulating body for contacting one of a plurality of balls of the first integrated circuit package and one of a plurality of conductor pads of the second integrated circuit package. The electric conductor includes an elastic body and electric conductor particles disbursed in the elastic body. The spacer is disposed in the second hole.
US08154105B2
A semiconductor die and method of making it are provided. The die includes a first via extending through the entire thickness of the die and a first via electrode disposed inside the via electrically connecting an electrode at a top surface of the die with another electrode disposed at a bottom surface of the die.
US08154103B2
A semiconductor device has a substrate, a source region formed on the surface portion of the substrate, a first insulating layer formed on the substrate, a gate electrode formed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer formed on the gate electrode, a body section connected with the source region, penetrating through the first insulating layer, the gate electrode and the second insulating layer, and containing a void, a gate insulating film surrounding the body section, and formed between the body section and the gate electrode, and a drain region connected with the body section.
US08154099B2
In certain embodiments, a method includes forming a composite semiconductor structure for altering a rate of thermal expansion of a first substrate. The composite semiconductor structure is formed by atomically bonding a first surface of a thermal matching substrate to a first surface of the first substrate, and atomically bonding a second surface of the thermal matching substrate to a first surface of a balancing substrate. The thermal matching substrate is adapted to alter the rate of thermal expansion of the first substrate and the balancing substrate is adapted to substantially prevent warping of the composite semiconductor structure.
US08154097B2
An image sensor and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The image sensor includes a substrate having a sensor array area and a peripheral circuit area a first insulating film structure formed on the peripheral circuit area and including a plurality of first multi-layer wiring lines and a second insulating film structure formed on the sensor array area and including a plurality of second multi-layer wiring lines. The uppermost-layer wiring line of the plurality of first multi-layer wiring lines is higher than that of the uppermost-layer wiring line of the plurality of second multi-layer wiring lines. The first insulating film structure includes an isotropic etch-stop layer, and the second insulating film structure does not include the isotropic etch-stop layer.
US08154093B2
Embodiments of nanoelectronic sensors are described, including sensors for detecting analytes inorganic gases, organic vapors, biomolecules, viruses and the like. A number of embodiments of capacitive sensors having alternative architectures are described. Particular examples include integrated cell membranes and membrane-like structures in nanoelectronic sensors.
US08154087B2
A multi-component strain-inducing semiconductor region is described. In an embodiment, formation of such a strain-inducing semiconductor region laterally adjacent to a crystalline substrate results in a uniaxial strain imparted to the crystalline substrate, providing a strained crystalline substrate. In one embodiment, the multi-component strain-inducing material region comprises a first portion and a second portion which are separated by an interface. In a specific embodiment, the concentration of charge-carrier dopant impurity atoms of the two portions are different from one another at the interface.
US08154085B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes memory cell transistors and resistors. Each memory cell transistor has source/drain diffusion layers provided in a semiconductor substrate, a first gate insulating film located between the source/drain diffusion layers, a floating gate electrode layer located on the first gate insulating film, a first inter-gate insulating film located on the floating gate electrode layer, a control gate electrode layer located on the first inter-gate insulating layer, and a first low-resistance layer located on the control gate electrode layer. Each resistor has a second gate insulating film located on the semiconductor substrate, a first electrode layer located on the second gate insulating film, a second inter-gate insulating film located on the first electrode layer, a second electrode layer located on the second inter-gate insulating film, a second low-resistance layer located on the second electrode layer, and a contact plug connected to the second low-resistance layer.
US08154083B2
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. A high-resistance silicon wafer is manufactured in such a manner that a large-sized silicon wafer manufactured by the Czochralski method is irradiated with neutrons, and high-resistance and low-resistance elements are simultaneously formed on the high-resistance silicon wafer. Thus, the manufacturing cost can be remarkably saved, and the reliability of products can be enhanced.
US08154082B2
A semiconductor device includes an NMISFET region. The NMISFET region includes a Ge nano wire having a triangular cross section along a direction perpendicular to a channel current direction, wherein two of surfaces that define the triangular cross section of the Ge nano wire are (111) planes, and the other surface that define the triangular cross section of the Ge nano wire is a (100) plane; and an Si layer or an Si1-xGex layer (0
US08154074B2
A SiC semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a drift layer on a first side of the substrate; a trench in the drift layer; a base region contacting a sidewall of the trench; a source region in an upper portion of the base region; a gate electrode in the trench via a gate insulation film; a source electrode on the source region; and a drain electrode on a second side of the substrate. The source region has multi-layered structure including a first layer and a second layer. The first layer as an upper layer contacts the source electrode with ohmic contact. The second layer as a lower layer has an impurity concentration, which is lower than an impurity concentration of the first layer.
US08154072B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory apparatus includes: a source and drain regions formed at a distance from each other in a semiconductor layer; a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor layer located between the source region and the drain region, the first insulating film including a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer and having a higher dielectric constant than the first insulating layer, the second insulating layer having a first site performing hole trapping and releasing, the first site being formed by adding an element different from a base material to the second insulating film, the first site being located at a lower level than a Fermi level of a material forming the semiconductor layer; a charge storage film formed on the first insulating film; a second insulating film formed on the charge storage film; and a control gate electrode formed on the second insulating film.
US08154069B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a memory cell string having a plurality of memory cell transistors connected in series, a selection gate transistor connected in series with one end of the memory cell string, and having a gate electrode provided on a gate insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, and an element isolation insulating layer which is provided in the semiconductor substrate. The gate electrode includes a first gate electrode provided on the gate insulating film, a first and second insulating films provided on the first gate electrode, and a second gate electrode provided on the second insulating film and the element isolation insulating layer, and electrically connected to the first gate electrode. An first upper surface portion of the element isolation insulating layer below the second gate electrode is leveled with an upper surface of the first gate electrode.
US08154066B2
A dielectric layer containing an insulating metal oxide film having multiple metal components and a method of fabricating such a dielectric layer produce a reliable dielectric layer for use in a variety of electronic devices. Embodiments include a titanium aluminum oxide film structured as one or more monolayers. Embodiments also include structures for capacitors, transistors, memory devices, and electronic systems with dielectric layers containing a titanium aluminum oxide film.
US08154064B2
The invention includes semiconductor constructions, and also includes methods of forming pluralities of capacitor devices. An exemplary method of the invention includes forming conductive storage node material within openings in an insulative material to form conductive containers. A retaining structure lattice is formed in physical contact with at least some of the containers, and subsequently the insulative material is removed to expose outer surfaces of the containers. The retaining structure can alleviate toppling or other loss of structural integrity of the container structures. The electrically conductive containers correspond to first capacitor electrodes. After the outer sidewalls of the containers are exposed, dielectric material is formed within the containers and along the exposed outer sidewalls. Subsequently, a second capacitor electrode is formed over the dielectric material. The first and second capacitor electrodes, together with the dielectric material, form a plurality of capacitor devices.
US08154063B2
A photodetector is provided that includes a FET structure with a channel structure having one or more nanowire structures. Noble metal nanoparticles are positioned on the channel structure so as to produce a functionalized channel structure. The functionalized channel structure exhibits pronounced surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption near the SPR frequency of the noble metal nanoparticles.
US08154060B2
This image sensor is so formed as to control at least either the potential of a portion of a transfer channel corresponding to a third electrode or the potential of another portion of the transfer channel corresponding to a fourth electrode to be lower than the potentials of portions of the transfer channel corresponding to a first electrode and a second electrode respectively in a signal charge transferring operation and a signal charge increasing operation.
US08154045B2
A semiconductor light-emitting device includes a lead frame, a semiconductor light-emitting element mounted on the top surface of the bonding region, and a case covering part of the lead frame. The bottom surface of the bonding region is exposed to the outside of the case. The lead frame includes a thin extension extending from the bonding region and having a top surface which is flush with the top surface of the bonding region. The thin extension has a bottom surface which is offset from the bottom surface of the bonding region toward the top surface of the bonding region.
US08154043B2
Packaged semiconductor light emitting device are provided including a reflector having a lower sidewall portion defining a reflective cavity. A light emitting device is positioned in the reflective cavity. A first quantity of cured encapsulant material having a first index of refraction is provided in the reflective cavity including the light emitting device. A second quantity of cured encapsulant material having a second index of refraction, different from the first index of refraction, is provided on the first quantity of cured encapsulant material. The first and second index of refraction are selected to provide a buried lens in the reflective cavity.
US08154040B2
A light-emitting diode arrangement comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips which are provided for emitting electromagnetic radiation from their front side (101) and which are fixed by their rear side (102)—opposite the front side—on a first main face (201) of a common carrier body (2), wherein the semiconductor chips consist of a respective substrateless semiconductor layer stack (1) and are fixed to the common carrier body without an auxiliary carrier, and to a method for producing such a light-emitting diode arrangement.
US08154037B2
An LED light source apparatus comprises a circular base having thermal conductivity, an insulative substrate concentric with the base and including a pass-through hole provided to pass through an upper surface and a lower surface of the substrate, at least one mounting area formed having a central portion of an upper surface of the base exposed from the pass-through hole of the substrate, and a plurality of LED elements mounted on the mounting area and electrically connected to electrodes provided on the upper surface of the substrate, the pass-through hole being formed in a circular shape concentric with the base and the substrate.
US08154036B2
A nitride semiconductor device according to the present invention sequentially includes at least an n-electrode, an n-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer. The n-type semiconductor layer includes: an n-type GaN contact layer including n-type impurity-doped GaN having an electron concentration ranging from 5×1016 cm−3 to 5×1018 cm−3; the n-electrode provided on one of a main surface of the n-type GaN contact layer; and a generating layer provided on other main surface of the n-type GaN contact layer, including at least any one of AlxGa1-xN (0
US08154020B2
A photo-voltaic cell device includes a first electrode, an N-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer, a P-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer, and a second electrode. The N-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer is disposed on the first electrode, and the N-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer is doped with an N-type dopant. The P-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer is disposed on the N-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer, and the P-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer is doped with a P-type dopant. The second electrode is disposed on the P-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer. A display panel including the photo-voltaic cell device is also provided.
US08154014B2
The present invention aims to provide an organic thin film transistor that is superior in stability in the atmosphere and that has a high operation speed. The organic thin film transistor according to the present invention includes three kinds of terminals consisting of a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, an insulator layer that insulates the gate electrode from the source electrode and from the drain electrode, and an organic semiconductor layer; the terminals, the insulator layer, and the organic semiconductor layer being disposed on a substrate; the organic thin film transistor controlling a source-to-drain electric current by a voltage applied to the gate electrode, and the organic thin film transistor is characterized by further including a crystallinity control layer that is formed from a crystalline compound that controls crystallinity of the organic semiconductor layer, and is characterized in that the organic semiconductor layer is formed on the crystallinity control layer and contains a compound having heterocyclic groups or a compound having a quinone structure. The organic thin film light-emitting transistor according to the present invention is characterized in that either one of the source electrode and the drain electrode of the organic thin film transistor is formed of a hole-injecting electrode, and the other electrode is formed of an electron-injecting electrode.
US08154009B1
A GaN/AlN superlattice is formed over a GaN/sapphire template structure, serving in part as a strain relief layer for growth of subsequent layers (e.g., deep UV light emitting diodes). The GaN/AlN superlattice mitigates the strain between a GaN/sapphire template and a multiple quantum well heterostructure active region, allowing the use of high Al mole fraction in the active region, and therefore emission in the deep UV wavelengths.
US08154007B2
A mesoporous silica having adjustable pores is obtained to form a template and thus a three-terminal metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) photodetector is obtained. A gate dielectric of a nano-structural silicon-base membrane is used as infrared light absorber in it. Thus, a semiconductor photodetector made of pure silicon having a quantum-dot structure is obtained with excellent near-infrared optoelectronic response.
US08154004B2
This invention relates to MRAM technology and new variations on MRAM array architecture to incorporate certain advantages from both cross-point and 1T-1MTJ architectures. The fast read-time and higher signal-to-noise ratio of the 1T-1MTJ architecture and the higher packing density of the cross-point architecture are both exploited by combining certain characteristics of these layouts. A single access transistor 16 is used to read the multiple MRAM cells in a segment of a column, which can be stacked vertically above one another in a plurality of MRAM array layers arranged in a “Z” axis direction.
US08153996B2
A pattern forming apparatus using lithography technique includes a stage configured to allow a target object to be placed thereon; a plurality of columns configured to form patterns on the target object by using a charged particle beam while moving relatively to the stage; a pattern forming rule setting unit configured to set a pattern forming rule depending on a position of broken one of the plurality of columns; a region setting unit configured to set regions so that unbroken ones of the plurality of columns respectively form a pattern in one of the regions; a plurality of control circuits each configured to control any one of the plurality of columns different from others of the plurality of columns controlled by others of the plurality of control circuits; and a pattern forming data processing unit configured to perform a converting process on pattern forming data for the regions set to output a corresponding data generated by the converting process to the control circuit of a corresponding one of the unbroken ones of the plurality of columns respectively.
US08153992B2
Provided is an ionization emitter which can reduce a dead volume without deteriorating separating capacity. An ionization emitter (2) is provided with a tip (1) composed of a columnar or conical porous self-standing structure, and a channel for supplying a solution sample into the tip (1) from the base end side of the tip (1). The channel is formed by filling a pipe line with a packing, and the tip (1) is exposed from the pipe line of the channel. The packing and the porous self-standing structure constituting the tip (1) have an integrated structure composed of a same porous body formed at the same time.
US08153989B2
The present invention provides a charged particle beam irradiating apparatus capable of simply preventing unevenness or reduction in a peripheral portion of the dose distribution of a charged particle beam.A charged particle beam irradiating apparatus includes scanning electromagnets that scan a charged particle beam and a control device that controls the operations of the scanning electromagnets. In the charged particle beam irradiating apparatus, the control unit changes a scanning speed when the charged particle beam is irradiated along an irradiation line such that a peripheral portion of the dose distribution of the charged particle beam is corrected.
US08153987B2
A calibration pad having multiple calibration sites is provided. A particular calibration site may be utilized until that particular site has been determined to have become unacceptable for further use, for example from contamination, in which case the calibration processes may then move to use a different calibration site(s) on the calibration pad(s). A variety of techniques may be utilized to provide the determination that a site is no longer acceptable for use. Movement may thus occur over time from site to site for use in a calibration process. A variety of criteria may be established to determine when to move to another site. Though the designation of a site as “bad” may be based upon measured reflectance data, other criteria may also be used. For example, the number of times a site has been exposed to light may be the criteria for designating a site as bad. Alternatively the cumulative exposure of a site may be the criteria. Further, the plurality of calibration sites that are provided on the single calibration pad may be pre-evaluated so as to initially screen out unacceptable calibration sites prior to use. The techniques provided may be utilized in calibration processes which utilize a single calibration sample or processes which require a plurality of calibration samples.
US08153981B2
A radiation detector assembly comprises a radiation scintillator detector for generating a light signal as a function of radiation detected. A light detector is operatively connectable with the radiation scintillator detector for receiving a light signal from the radiation scintillation detector and generating an electrical signal as a function of the light signal received. A housing for the light detector is electrically connectable with the light detector. At least one of the housing and the light detector is electrically connectable with a pole of a power supply whereby the housing and the light detector are at substantially the same electrical potential when electrically connected.
US08153976B2
A manufacturing method for an infrared sensor includes the following steps: providing a wafer having several chips and a substrate; forming four soldering portions, a thermistor, and an infrared sensing layer on the bottom surface of each chip, wherein the soldering portions are connected electrically to the thermistor and the infrared sensing layer; disposing a soldering material onto at least one bonding location for each soldering portion; backside-etching each chip of the wafer to form a sensing film and a surrounding wall around the sensing film; bonding the wafer and the substrate; heating the soldering materials to connect the substrate and each chip of the wafer; disposing an infrared filter on the surrounding wall of each chip; cutting the wafer and the substrate to form a plurality of individual infrared sensors. The instant disclosure further provides an associated infrared sensor.
US08153965B1
An apparatus for merging a low energy electron flow into a high energy electron flow may include: a high energy electron path for accommodating the high energy electron flow; and a plurality of magnetic elements arranged to guide the low energy electron flow through a chicane presenting a path having a first end and a second end. The path intersects the high energy electron path at the second end. The path has a plurality of turns and path segments intermediate the first and second ends. Respective adjacent path segments intersect at each respective turn. The path establishes a respective bend radius and subtends a respective path angle between respective adjacent path segments at each respective turn. Each respective path angle is maximized within predetermined path angle limits. Each respective bend radius is minimized within predetermined bend radius limits.
US08153946B2
A semiconductor device includes a light-receiving element which is connected to a negative power supply and generates conductive carriers by receiving light, an amplifier transistor which is a depletion transistor and amplifies an electrical signal obtained by the conductive carriers, and a transfer gate transistor which is a depletion transistor and is controlled by a negative potential applied to a gate to electrically connect or disconnect the light-receiving element and the amplifier transistor.
US08153938B2
The invention relates to an added electrical heater (1), especially for a heating system or air conditioner of a motor vehicle. A plurality of heating elements (2) are provided which are formed by PTC elements while being fitted with at least one electrically conducting coating (3).
US08153932B2
A method and device for controlling a power source of a welding, cutting or plasma coating system is provided. The power source comprises a measuring part and a controllable clocked power part. A value correlating with a characteristic variable of the power part to be controlled is continuously measured by means of the measuring part, to obtain an electrical measured variable. The electrical measured variable is at least approximately integrated starting from a prescribed initial value over a prescribed integration time, the duration of which corresponds to one or more clock periods of the clocked power part. A measure value is continuously determined from the integration value and used to control the power part.
US08153929B2
The invention relates to a method for the laser welding of a composite material (V) to a component (11) in particular for the production of a solar collector element (E), wherein the composite material (V) comprises a strip-shaped substrate (1) composed of a metal having high reflectivity to laser radiation, said substrate having a first side (A) and a second side (B), wherein a dielectric coating (7) is situated at least on the first side (A), and wherein, in order to produce a weld seam, a laser beam (L) is projected at an acute orientation angle (μ) at least onto the first side (A) of the substrate (1) provided with the dielectric coating (7). In order to improve the energy efficiency of the laser radiation used, it is proposed that the dielectric coating (7) has a thickness (DB) in the range of 140 nm to 210 nm and the laser beam (L) is radiated in at an orientation angle (μ), in particular in focused fashion, in such a way that the radiated-in energy of the laser beam (L) is absorbed to the extent of at least 15 percent.
US08153928B2
A laser cutting/welding installation including a laser head configured to deliver a laser beam and a cooling device for cooling the laser head is disclosed. The laser beam is designed to generate a hot spot on a workpiece by incidence thereon and form a solder bath from a portion of the workpiece affected by the hot spot. The cooling device includes a vortex tube with a compressed gas inlet supplied with a compressed gas, a cold gas outlet, and a hot gas outlet. The vortex tube cold gas outlet is plumbed directly to an interior volume of the laser head and configured to deliver a cold gas directly to the interior volume of the laser head for cooling thereof.
US08153921B2
A method for manufacturing a projection weld connection between at least two parts of a workpiece, where the workpiece remains blemish free, comprising automated real-time verification of the quality of the individual weld, without use of destructive testing by analysis of data from a force sensor is disclosed. Measurements of the quality of each weld can be calculated, and real-time measurements and calculations can be used to verification of the structural integrity of the projection in the workpiece before the welding current is applied in order to avoid further damage to the workpiece. The method may be implemented in a system comprising, among other features, a displacement sensor.
US08153919B2
A membrane switch can attach an elastically deformable dome to a board in a reliable manner such that the dome is not detached even if a fixing sheet is made thinner and smaller and therefore has a smaller footprint. This switch has: a dome (110) that is formed projecting toward the surface and that is dented opposite toward the back surface by elastic deformation; and a flexible fixing sheet (120) that has a back surface of an adhesive face pasted to the entire face of the surface of the dome (110). The fixing sheet (120) fixes the dome (110) in a predetermined position of a board (4) by means of a stretching part (122) which stretches radially outer to the dome (110), from an outer rim (112) of the dome (110), in a direction virtually orthogonal to a direction in which the dome (110) projects. A plurality of slits (130) formed in the fixing sheet (120) at predetermined intervals along the outer rim (112) of the dome (110), prevent a stretching part (122) of the fixing sheet (120), from joining with a dome covering part (121) which is a portion above the dome (110) that continues in the radial direction of the dome (110).
US08153916B2
A transformer switch, such as a dual voltage switch or a tap changer. The switch includes a cover, a housing, and a rotor sandwiched between the cover and the housing. The cover and housing are molded from a non-conductive plastic. An interior space of the cover includes at least one pocket within which stationary contacts are disposed. Each stationary contact is electrically coupled to one or more windings of a transformer. The rotor extends within a channel of the housings from a top of the transformer switch to an interior surface of the cover. The interior surface includes a protrusion about which the rotor and at least one movable contact coupled thereto can rotate. The movable contact is configured to be selectively electrically coupled to at least one of the stationary contacts. For example, different stationary contact-movable contact pairs can correspond to different voltages of the transformer.
US08153900B2
A wiring substrate with a lead pin is formed by bonding lead pins to electrode pads formed on a wiring substrate through conductive materials. In the lead pin, a conic protrusion part whose side surface is formed in a concave surface is formed in the end face side opposed to the electrode pad of a head part formed in one end of a shaft part. The lead pin is bonded to the electrode pad in a state in which the conductive material extends to the back surface side of a head part beyond a flange part of the head part and reaches the shaft part of the lead pin.
US08153894B2
A mounting system for a member to a support structure. The member includes ends and sides. A hinge may be attached to one of the ends of the member. Hinges may be attached to both ends along the same side of the member. The hinge may include an arm from which a tab extends. The ends may include securing means. The support structure includes a mounting aperture that is configured to interact with the hinge of the member. In some embodiments, the support structure may have multiple mounting apertures. The mounting aperture is configured to prevent the hinge of the member from disengaging from the support structure. In some embodiments, the mounting aperture is configured to pivotally retain the hinge of the member.
US08153891B2
A solar cell according to the present invention includes: a photoelectric conversion part having a photoelectric converting function; and a collector electrode provided at a side of a light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion part in a way that parts of the light-receiving surface are exposed. Interconnection tabs are connected at a side of a light-receiving surface of the collector electrode with an adhesive being interposed in between. The collector electrode contains a thermosetting first resin, an conductive material and a second resin for forming a sea-island structure between the second resin and the first resin. The collector electrode includes an internal region in the inside, a concentration ratio of the second resin to the first resin being higher in the internal region than in the surface region at the side of either the adhesive or the photoelectric conversion part.
US08153890B2
A solar cell comprises adjacent regions of oppositely doped semiconductor material forming a pn junction substantially parallel to front and rear surfaces of the solar cell. A surface of the semiconductor material has a plurality of depressions, with semiconductor material regions forming internal wall surface regions of the depressions being doped to the polarity of one of the semiconductor regions, with which they are in electrical communication. The wall surface regions of the depressions are isolated from the other oppositely doped semiconductor region and form contact points for a contact structure contacting the surface in which the depressions are formed. A dielectric layer is formed over the surface, the dielectric layer being thinner or non-existent in at least a portion of each depression, such that a screen printed metal contact structure formed over the dielectric layer and extending into the depressions makes contact with the semiconductor material in the depressions after sintering.
US08153889B2
A photovoltaic module which has at least two solar cells, and a method and system to manufacture such photovoltaic modules. The solar cells are disposed on a surface of an insulating carrier film and an isolation structure is formed between the solar cells to electrically isolate them. A conductor structure such as conductive fingers and busbars is formed on the module. The fingers are formed substantially on the top transparent conductive layer of the cells and the busbar is formed substantially over the insulation structure. The busbar electrically connects the top transparent conductive layer of one of the cells to the conductive base of the other cell.
US08153885B2
Provided are an integrated thin-film solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same. The method comprises forming and patterning a conductive material to be adjacently spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other on a substrate; forming a solar cell (semiconductor) layer on the resultant substrate; obliquely depositing a first transparent conductive material on the solar cell layer; etching the solar cell layer using the first transparent conductive material as a mask; and obliquely depositing a second transparent conductive material on the resultant substrate, and electrically connecting the conductive material with the first transparent conductive material.
US08153873B2
The present invention provides in combination, an intonated string nut and string-locking mechanism for a musical string instrument with a fingerboard where the combination intonated string nut and string-locking mechanism includes a string-nut fulcrum and a string-locking means, where each string-nut fulcrum may have a varying linear position in relation to each individual string in order to provide the optimum compensation amount for improving the consistency and production of in-tune musical notes during play for musical string instruments with fingerboards. Also disclosed are methods of use of various embodiments for the intonated string nut and string-locking mechanism.
US08153872B1
This is a device that keeps the stings of a stringed musical instrument from unwinding over the top of open ended tuning machines.
US08153869B1
A novel maize variety designated X7H208 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X7H208 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7H208 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7H208, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7H208. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7H208.
US08153855B2
The object is to rapidly clean-up an off-gas generated by blasting in a pressure vessel to such a level as to permit the exhaust of the off-gas. An object to be blasted is blasted in a pressure vessel to generate an off-gas, which is introduced into a combustion furnace to burning a combustible component contained in the off-gas. The off-gas after the burning in a reservoir section is stored in the reservoir section, and exhausted out of the reservoir section if a component contained in the off-gas complies a predetermined emission requirement, otherwise returned to at least one of the pressure vessel and the combustion furnace to be re-treated if the component does not comply the emission requirement.
US08153849B2
Methods of recovering a triarylmethyl halide from a sucrose derivatization process include the steps of (a) forming a mixture including 1) a triarylmethylated sucrose derivative including at least one triarylmethyl substituent and at least one acyl substituent on the sucrose, 2) triarylmethylated sucrose ester byproducts, and 3) an amine; (b) separating from the output of step (a) i) the triarylmethylated sucrose derivative, and ii) a mixture including the triarylmethylated sucrose ester byproducts and the amine; (c) removing the amine from the mixture of step (b) ii); (d) contacting the product of step (c) with hydrogen halide to cleave triarylmethyl groups and thereby form a crude triarylmethyl halide component; (e) contacting the crude triarylmethyl halide component with hydrogen halide to form a purified triarylmethyl halide component; and (f) recovering the triarylmethyl halide from the output of step (e).
US08153831B2
This invention relates to organometallic compounds represented by the formula (L1)yM(L2)z-y wherein M is a Group 5 metal or a Group 6 metal, L1 is a substituted or unsubstituted anionic 6 electron donor ligand, L2 is the same or different and is (i) a substituted or unsubstituted anionic 2 electron donor ligand, (ii) a substituted or unsubstituted cationic 2 electron donor ligand, or (iii) a substituted or unsubstituted neutral 2 electron donor ligand; y is an integer of 1, and z is the valence of M; and wherein the sum of the oxidation number of M and the electric charges of L1 and L2 is equal to 0; a process for producing the organometallic compounds; and a method for depositing a metal and/or metal carbide/nitride layer, e.g., a tungsten, tungsten nitride, tungsten carbide, or tungsten carbonitride layer, on a substrate by the thermal or plasma enhanced dissociation of the organometallic precursor compounds, e.g., by CVD or ALD techniques. The metal and/or metal carbide layer is useful as a liner or barrier layer for conducting metals and high dielectric constant materials in integrated circuit manufacturing.
US08153830B2
A method of producing an asymmetric copper complex crystal comprising reacting an optically active salicylidene amino alcohol compound with a copper compound, then, performing a crystallization treatment in the presence of an alcohol solvent.
US08153828B2
The invention provides a compound, useful as an optical probe or sensor of the activity of at least one cytochrome P450 enzyme, and methods of using the compound to screen candidate drugs, and candidate drugs identified by these methods. The optical probe of the invention is a compound having the generic structure Y-L-Q, wherein Q is a chemical moiety that gives rise to optical properties in its hydroxy or hyrdoxylate, phenol or phenoxide form that are different from the optical properties that arise from its ether form.
US08153827B2
The present disclosure provides isotopically substituted compounds of the formula (I): wherein T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, R0, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined in the detailed description. The method for detection and quantification using the same is also disclosed.
US08153823B2
Disclosed is a method for commercially producing 2-alkenyl-3-aminothiophene derivatives, which are useful as intermediates for agricultural chemicals, at low cost. Specifically disclosed is a method for introducing alkenyl groups into the 2-position of 3-aminothiophene derivatives by reacting 3-aminothiophene derivatives represented by the general formula (2) below or salts thereof with a ketone represented by the general formula (1) below without using a protecting group. Also specifically disclosed are 2-alkenyl-3-aminothiophene derivatives (3a) to (3d) which are useful as intermediates for agricultural chemicals,
US08153820B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing N-substituted (3-dihalomethylpyrazol-4-yl)carboxamides of the formula (I) in which R1 is optionally substituted phenyl or C3-C7-cycloalkyl, R1a is hydrogen or fluorine, or R1a together with R1 is optionally substituted C3-C5-alkanediyl or C5-C7-cycloalkanediyl, R2 is C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl or C1-C4-alkoxy-C1-C2-alkyl, X is F or Cl and n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; which comprises A) providing a compound of the formula (II) in which X is F or Cl, Y is Cl or Br and R2 has one of the meanings given above and B) reacting a compound of the formula (II) with carbon monoxide and a compound of the formula (III) in which R1, R1a and n have one of the meanings given above; in the presence of a palladium catalyst; to intermediates used for the preparation according to the process according to the invention, and also to processes for their preparation.
US08153817B2
Methyl nonactate is converted into a variety of different triazoloamide antibacterial agents by a reaction scheme involving (1) inversion of the secondary alcohol of the methyl nonactate to produce the corresponding azidoester, (2) converting the azido ester to the corresponding azidoamide, and (3) converting the azido group of the azidoamide to a triazole to produce the corresponding triazoloamide.
US08153816B2
A 6-(halomethyl)-1,2-benzisoxazol-3(2H)-one derivative represented by the formula: wherein R5 is a methyl group that is substituted with one or more optionally substituted phenyl groups, or an optionally substituted oxygen-containing heterocyclic group; and X is a halogen atom.
US08153812B1
Provided are new 2PA chromophores of the formula: wherein X=para- or meta-NO2; para- or meta-NH2; and CnHn+1 is either a straight or branched alkyl chain, and n is an integer from 1-20.
US08153811B2
The present invention provides a sensitive fluorimetric indicator for analytes determination in the oxygen-insensitive DT-diaphorase-coupled dehydrogenases assay by omitting NADH, which is generated by reaction in the presence of analytes, which presents to the applicability as a biosensor for future clinical diagnostic. Furthermore, the novel long-wavelength latent fluorimetric indicator is also a user-friendly probe for monitoring DT-diaphorase activity. The fluorescence signal revealed by this process is specific and exhibited in the near red spectrum region.
US08153810B2
The invention relates to a complex of ruthenium of the structural formula I, where X1 and X2 are identical or different and are each an anionic ligand, R1 and R2 are identical or different and can also contain a ring, and R1 and R2 are each hydrogen or/and a hydrocarbon group, the ligand L1 is an N-heterocyclic carbene and the ligand L2 is an uncharged electron donor, in particular an N-heterocyclic carbene or an amine, imine, phosphine, phosphate, stibine, arsine, carbonyl compound, carboxyl compound, nitrile, alcohol, ether, thiol or thioether, where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are hydrogen or/and hydrocarbon groups. The invention further relates to a process for preparing acyclic olefins having two or more carbon atoms or/and cyclic olefins having four or more carbon atoms from acyclic olefins having two or more carbon atoms or/and from cyclic olefins having four or more carbon atoms by an olefin metathesis reaction in the presence of at least one catalyst, wherein a complex is used as catalyst and R′1, R′2, R′3 and R′4 are hydrogen or/and hydrocarbon groups.
US08153805B2
The invention is concerned with novel biaryl derivatives of formula (I), wherein m, R1, R2, R3, X1, X2 and X3 are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are antagonists of CCR-2 receptor, CCR-5 receptor and/or CCR-3 receptor and can be used as medicaments.
US08153802B2
The present invention provides dyes, reactive dyes and labeled reagents that may be used in the detection or quantification of desirable target molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. Dyes are provided that may be used free in solution where the binding of the dye to the target molecule provides signal generation. Dyes are also provided that comprise reactive groups that may be used to attach the dyes to probes that will bind to desirable target molecules. The novel dyes of the present invention have been modified by the addition of charged and polar groups to provide beneficial properties.
US08153801B2
The invention provides synthetic processes and synthetic intermediates that can be used to prepare 4-oxoquinolone compounds having useful integrase inhibiting properties.
US08153787B2
The present invention provides 5-azacytosine derivatives with antiviral activity, specifically having viral replication inhibiting properties, more particularly in DNA viruses such as pox-, papilloma- and herpes viruses in humans. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such 5-azacytosine derivatives as active ingredients in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, which are useful for the treatment of subjects suffering from viral infections.
US08153768B2
Methods for preparing monomeric cytotoxic drug/carrier conjugates with a drug loading significantly higher than in previously reported procedures and with decreased aggregation and low conjugate fraction (LCF) are described. Cytotoxic drug derivative/antibody conjugates, compositions comprising the conjugates and uses of the conjugates are also described. Monomeric calicheamicin derivative/anti-CD22 antibody conjugates, compositions comprising the conjugates and uses of the conjugates are also described.
US08153767B2
It is intended to detect, concentrate and purify aflatoxins of all types which are possibly contained in a sample such as a food. It is also intended to detect the total amount or the individual amounts thereof at a high sensitivity. By using aflatoxin B2 or its derivative as a hapten compound, an antibody, which shows the same reactivity to individual aflatoxin analogs and is highly tolerant to organic solvents, is obtained. Then, a detection/concentration/purification means and an immunological detection means with the use of the above antibody are constructed. The detection means thus constructed achieves a high sensitivity and excellent quantification properties.
US08153766B2
The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies that selectively bind to and inhibit activated protein C without binding to or inhibiting unactivated protein C. Other antibodies inhibit both activated protein C and activation of unactivated protein C. Methods of treatment employing these antibodies are described herein as are methods of screening for and detecting these antibodies.
US08153762B2
The invention provides a process for amidating a desired peptide comprising cleaving a substrate polypeptide at a X1-cysteine sequence, wherein X1 is the amino acid at the peptide carboxyl-terminus and cysteine is the first amino acid of a palladium cleavage site comprising the sequence cysteine-X2-X3, wherein X2 is any amino acid, X3 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of cysteine, histidine, or methionine, and wherein the carboxyl-terminus of the peptide is amidated upon cleavage at the X1-cysteine sequence.
US08153759B2
Disclosed are a compound represented by the general formula (I) below and a polymer compound obtained by polymerizing such a compound. R1-Gly-Lac-Pro-R2 (I): where -Gly-Lac-Pro- represents a structure represented by the following formula (II),R1 represents a hydrogen atom, or an amino acid, a polypeptide or a hydroxycarboxylic acid which are linked through an amide bond,R2 represents a hydroxyl group, or an amino acid or a polypeptide which are linked through an amide bond, or a hydroxycarboxylic acid which is linked through an ester bond.
US08153755B2
An electronic device, such as a thin film transistor containing a semiconductor of the Formula: wherein R, R′ and R″ are, for example, independently hydrogen, a suitable hydrocarbon, a suitable hetero-containing group, a halogen, or mixtures thereof; and n represents the number of repeating units.
US08153754B2
An equipment for producing polyhydroxycarboxylic acid, includes a ring-opening polymerization apparatus, a liquid phase devolatilizing apparatus, and a drying apparatus, wherein an indirect heat exchanger is connected to a vent gas discharge path of the liquid phase devolatilizing apparatus. The indirect heat exchanger captures a dispersed in-process substance containing hydroxycarboxylic acid cyclic dimers and transfers the substance to the ring-opening polymerization apparatus; a wet condenser and a hot well are connected to a vent gas discharge path of the indirect heat exchanger and that of the drying apparatus, respectively. The wet condenser captures a dispersed in process substance containing the cyclic dimers with the use of a refrigerant containing hydroxycarboxylic acid corresponding to the cyclic dimers and transfers the substance to the hot well; the hot well causes hydrolysis of the cyclic dimers for generation of hydroxycarboxylic acid; the generated hydroxycarboxylic acid is mixed with a refrigerant and the mixture is circulated to the wet condenser; and hydroxycarboxylic acid is highly concentrated via circulation between the wet condenser and the hot well and then discharged.
US08153739B2
The invention generally relates to novel polymers (SMAMPs) and their syntheses and use. The polymers exhibit promising properties of AMPs. In particularly, for example, a ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) platform was developed that allows syntheses of SMAMPs that employ a minimum number of norbornene-based building blocks and/or enable easy and independent variation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups in the monomer units and/or along the polymeric backbone to finetune and select desirable properties of the polymers.
US08153735B2
The invention provides a process for preparing polymers based on vinyl ester, ethylene and optionally further comonomers in the form of aqueous polymer dispersions thereof or of water-redispersible polymer powders by means of free-radically initiated continuous emulsion polymerization and optionally drying of the resulting polymer dispersions, characterized in that the emulsion polymerization is carried out in a cascade comprising at least one upstream heat exchanger and at least two downstream pressurized stirred tank reactors connected in series, such that the conversion on leaving the heat exchanger is at least 10% of the overall polymerization conversion.
US08153733B2
A coating layer prepared from an aqueous electrodeposition coating composition comprising an electrodepositable binder, the binder comprising a tridentate amine ligand-containing resin, and optionally further comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of bismuth oxide, vanadium oxide, manganese oxide, cobalt oxide, zinc oxide, strontium oxide, yttrium oxide, molybdenum oxide, zirconium oxide, lanthanum oxide, and oxides of the lanthanide series of elements provides corrosion protection to a metallic substrate.
US08153732B2
A biaxially oriented polyphenylene sulfide film contains polyphenylene sulfide and polyether imide, wherein the contents of the polyphenylene sulfide and the polyether imide are 70 to 99 parts by weight and 1 to 30 parts by weight respectively when the total amount of the polyphenylene sulfide and the polyether imide is taken as 100 parts by weight, and further contains a compound having one or more groups selected from an epoxy group, an amino group and an isocyanate group as a compatibilizing agent in an amount of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the polyphenylene sulfide and polyether imide in total, and the polyether imide forms a dispersed phase with an average particle diameter of 10 to 500 nm and the biaxially oriented polyphenylene sulfide film exhibits a tensile elongation at break of 110 to 250% in both the longitudinal direction and width direction.
US08153722B2
A curable polymer mixture comprising 1.) at least one at least oligomeric addition product a) of at least one amino silane and/or thiosilane having at least one hydrolysable silane group to at least one compound having at least two terminal, ethylenically unsaturated double bonds, and/or at least one at least oligomeric addition product b) of at least one isocyanate silane and/or epoxy silane having at least one hydrolysable silane group to at least one oligomeric compound having at least three recurring units and at least one terminal hydroxyl group or terminal amino group and at least one terminal ethylenically unsaturated double bond as coupling additive, 2.) a system which can be cured by radical polymerization, comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated polymer and/or a (meth)acrylic resin, at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, at least one radical initiator and optionally at least one cross-linking agent as binder 3.), at least 20% by weight, preferably at least 40% by weight, more preferably at least 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the components 1.) to 4.) of the polymer mixture, of inorganic, preferably multiparticulate, fillers as aggregates, and 4.) optionally conventional auxiliaries.
US08153721B2
Process for the preparation of finely divided aqueous polymer dispersions having a narrow particle size distribution.
US08153719B2
The invention relates to rubber nanocomposites particularly suitable for innerliners and other tire applications. The uncured nanocomposite comprises an elastomer, tackifier and nanoclay.
US08153710B2
A method is disclosed concerning discovering how the use of an additive in a polyolefin compound affects the weatherability of that compound, Applying that technique, a weatherable polyolefin nanocomposite is disclosed, which contains UV stabilizers that filter wavelengths in a range influenced by presence of organoclay in the nanocomposite.
US08153702B2
The present invention relates to a method of producing an electret material, to a new class of electret materials and to a device comprising such electret materials.
US08153701B2
A process for making an extruded foamable composition is disclosed where the foamable composition includes a partially-crystalline melt processible perfluoropolymer and a foam nucleating package. The process makes a foamed product having uniform foam cell size at high speeds without loss of product quality.
US08153688B2
Esters of 2-phenylalkanenitriles, such as 3-acetoxy-2-(2-chloro-5-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl)propanenitrile and 3-acetoxy-2-(4-chlorophenyl)propanenitrile, and compositions containing such esters, are useful as fungicides at very low concentrations.
US08153686B2
The invention provides amino- and amido-aminotetralin compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and n are defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, that are antagonists at the mu opioid receptor. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds to treat conditions associated with mu opioid receptor activity, and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US08153683B2
This invention relates to synthetic excitatory amino acid prodrugs and processes for their preparation. The invention further relates to methods of using, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising, the compounds for the treatment of neurological disorders and psychiatric disorders.
US08153681B2
The invention provides a compound of formula (I), a solvate, a salt or prodrug thereof, useful in the treatment of diseases and conditions mediated by modulation of use-dependent voltage-gated sodium channels. Methods of treating epilepsy in a mammal are also provided.
US08153677B2
Compounds are provided which are phosphonate and phosphinate activators and thus are useful in treating diabetes and related diseases and have the structure wherein is a heteroaryl ring; R4 is —(CH2)n—Z—(CH2)m—PO(OR7)(OR8), —(CH2)nZ—(CH2)m—OPO(OR7)R9, —(CH2)nZ—(CH2)m—OPO(R9)(R10), or —(CH2)nZ—(CH2)m—PO(R9)(R10); R5 and R6 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl and halogen; Y is R7(CH2)s or is absent; and X, n, Z, m, R4, R5, R6, R7, and s are as defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A method for treating diabetes and related diseases employing the above compounds is also provided.
US08153676B2
The invention relates to a compound of formula A-R—X or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which can be used for producing a pharmaceutical preparation suitable for preventing or treating cancerous diseases, pathological consequences of alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis, steatohepatitis, acute and chronic pancreatitis, toxic renal diseases, hepatic insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus, hepatic damage in Wilson's disease and sideroses and/or ischaemic reperfusion damage, as an antidote against environmental toxins and medicament intoxication in order to extend the resistance time of medicaments in organisms, or for combating toxic side effects in the administration of chemotherapeutics. In the formula R is an aliphatic or aromatic C6- to C40-hydrocarbon radical which has a hydrophilic end A, and X is a radical having at least one free electron pair of a carbon or heteroatom and/or π-electrons.
US08153669B2
Compounds of formula (I), in salt or zwitterionic form, wherein J, L, M, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 have the meanings as indicated in the specification, are useful for treating conditions that are mediated by the muscarinic M3 receptor. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds and a process for preparing the compounds are also described.
US08153658B2
To provide a compound which can be used for treating diseases in which a calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) participates, particularly hyperparathyroidism. It was found that a novel piperidine derivative which is characterized in that one of a 3-position and a 4-position is substituted with an aminomethyl group substituted with an arylalkyl group or the like and the other position is substituted with aryl, heteroaryl or the like, or a salt thereof, has an excellent CaSR agonistic regulatory action, and also has excellent selectivity with a CYP2D6 inhibitory action having a possibility of causing drug interaction. Based on the above, this novel piperidine derivative is useful as a therapeutic agent for diseases in which CaSR participates (hyperparathyroidism, renal osteodystrophy, hypercalcemia, and the like).
US08153654B2
6- and 7-amino isoquinoline compounds are provided that influence, inhibit or reduce the action of a kinase. Pharmaceutical compositions including therapeutically effective amounts of the 6- and 7-aminoisoquinoline compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are also provided. Various methods using the compounds and/or compositions to affect disease states or conditions such as cancer, obesity and glaucoma are also provided.
US08153649B2
Novel compounds of the formula (I), in which W, T, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 have the meanings indicated in Patent Claim (1), are suitable as antidiabetics.
US08153646B2
The present invention provides methods of improving cognitive and motor deficits associated with central nervous system (CNS) disorder or condition in an animal. The methods comprise a general administration of phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors and optionally training the animal under conditions sufficient to produce an improvement in performance.
US08153644B2
Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of diseases such as, for example, obesity, type II diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.
US08153642B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels and calcium channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.
US08153641B2
Compounds and salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, forms thereof and uses thereof are described. In certain aspects and embodiments, the described compounds or salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof derivatives thereof, forms thereof are active on at least one Raf protein kinase. Also described are methods of use thereof to treat diseases and conditions, including diseases and conditions associated with activity of Raf protein kinases, including melanoma, colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, ovarian cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, pain or polycystic kidney disease.
US08153640B2
HIV replication inhibitors of formula N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts, quaternary amines or stereoisomeric forms thereof, wherein -a1=a2-a3=a4- is —CH═CH—CH═CH—, —N═CH—CH═CH—, —N═CH—N═CH—, —N═CH—CH═N—, —N═N—CH═CH—; -b1=b2-b3=b4- is —CH═CH—CH═CH—, —N═CH—CH═CH—, —N═CH—N═CH—, —N═CH—CH═N—, —N═N—CH═CH—; n and m is 0, 1, 2, 3 and in certain cases also 4; R1 is hydrogen; aryl; formyl; C1-6alkylcarbonyl; optionally substituted C1-6alkyl; C1-6alkyloxycarbonyl; R2 is OH; halo; optionally substituted C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl or C2-6alkynyl; substituted carbonyl; carboxyl; CN; nitro; amino; substituted amino; polyhalomethyl; polyhalomethylthio; —S(═O)pR6; C(═NH)R6; R2a is CN; amino; substituted amino; optionally substituted C1-6alkyl; halo; optionally substituted C1-6alkyloxy; substituted carbonyl; —CH═N—NH—C(═O)—R16; optionally substituted C1-6alkyloxyC1-6alkyl; substituted C2-6alkenyl or C2-6alkynyl; —C(═N—O—R8)—C1-4alkyl; R7 or —X—R7; R3 is CN; amino; C1-6alkyl; halo; optionally substituted C1-6alkyloxy; substituted carbonyl; —CH═N—NH—C(═O)—R16; substituted C1-6alkyl; optionally substituted C1-6alkyloxyC1-6alkyl; substituted C2-6alkenyl or C2-6alkynyl; —C(═N—O—R8)—C1-4alkyl; R7; —X—R7; R4 is halo; OH; optionally substituted C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl or C2-6alkynyl; C3-7cycloalkyl; C1-6alkyloxy; CN; nitro; polyhaloC1-6alkyl; polyhaloC1-6alkyloxy; substituted carbonyl; formyl; amino; mono- or di(C1-4alkyl)amino or R7; -A-B— is —CR5═N—, —N═N—, —CH2—CH2—, —CS—NH—, —CO—NH—, —CH═CH—; pharmaceutical compositions comprising these; methods for the preparation of these compounds and compositions; the use of these compounds for the prevention or the treatment of HIV infection.
US08153636B2
Methods of treating an SCD-mediated disease or condition in a mammal, preferably a human, are disclosed, wherein the methods comprise administering to a mammal in need thereof a compound of formula (I): wherein x, y, W, V, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R7a, R8, R8a, R9, R9a, R10 and R10a are defined herein. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I) are also disclosed.
US08153635B2
The invention provides compounds of Formula I: wherein A, L, m, q, Q, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are defined in the Summary of the Invention. The invention further provides for pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat or prevent diseases or disorders associated with the activity of GPR119.
US08153634B2
[Object] To provide a novel LXRβ agonist that is useful as a preventative and/or therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis; arteriosclerosis such as those resulting from diabetes; dyslipidemia; hypercholesterolemia; lipid-related diseases; inflammatory diseases that are caused by inflammatory cytokines; skin diseases such as allergic skin diseases; diabetes; or Alzheimer's disease.[Solving Means] A carbinol compound represented by the following general formula (I) or salt thereof, or their solvate.
US08153626B2
Certain novel substituted diazepine sulfonamides are ligands of the human bombesin receptor and, in particular, are selective ligands of the human bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3). They are therefore useful for the treatment, control, or prevention of diseases and disorders responsive to the modulation of BRS-3, such as obesity, and diabetes.
US08153625B2
The compound represented by formulae (I) and (II), the salt thereof, the N-oxide thereof or the solvate thereof, or the prodrug thereof and the pharmaceutical composition comprising thereof have a CXCR4-regulating effect, and they are effective in treatment and prevention of various inflammatory disease, various allergic disease, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome infection with human immunodeficiency virus, or agents for regeneration therapy. (wherein ring A represents a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group which may have a substituent(s); ring B represents a homocyclic group which may have a substituent(s) or a heterocyclic group which may have a substituent(s); and Y represents a hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent(s), a heterocyclic group which may have a substituent(s), an amino group which may be protected, a hydroxyl group which may be protected or a mercapto group which may be protected; T represents ring A or an amino group which may be protected.).
US08153624B2
Compounds of formula (I): formula (I) wherein variables are as defined herein and their pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are disclosed as useful for treating dyslipidemia and diseases related to dyslipidemia.
US08153623B2
Compounds of formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for treatment using the same.
US08153621B2
The present invention relates to a composition comprising phentermine and a selective 5HT-2C receptor agonist. In addition, the invention relates to a composition comprising phentermine and a selective 5HT-2C receptor agonist having Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof. These compositions are useful in pharmaceutical compositions whose use includes the treatment of obesity.
US08153620B2
Disclosed are nitric oxide delivery agents and methods of their use, more specifically to photoactive compounds, which are able to perform targeted delivery of nitric oxide in vitro and in vivo and are useful for medicinal applications including, but not limited, to blood pressure regulation and cancer treatment.
US08153618B2
A pharmaceutically active agent, a pharmaceutically active agent carrier and method of use thereof are described. In some embodiments, a system may include a composition. The composition may include one or more bridged polycyclic compounds. At least one of the bridged polycyclic compounds may include at least two cyclic groups, and at least two pharmaceutically active agents may be associated with the bridged polycyclic compound. In some embodiments, one or more bridged polycyclic compounds may be applied to an topical surface and/or an otic surface of an animal (e.g., canine, feline) such that an topical malady and/or otic malady may be inhibited and/or ameliorated.
US08153613B2
A long-lasting persistent, uniform film-forming skin protecting germicidal composition provides a long-lasting persistent barrier film when applied to skin. The compositions have particular utility as barrier teat dips for protecting cows against mastitis. A barrier film-forming agent is selected from the modified or hydrolyzed polysaccharides, particularly a hydrolyzed or modified starch, such as dextrin and maltodextrin. The barrier film-forming agent is stably solubilized in a solvent that dries to form the long-lasting persistent uniform film over the animal skin. The compositions also contain antimicrobial agents that fight against microbes that manage to penetrate the protective barrier film. Particularly, advantageous is that all the materials used are safe food additive and cost effective over the traditional barrier film forming agents.
US08153611B2
This invention relates to the use of a preparation comprising sulfated oligosaccharides which trap spermine or spermidine or both, as an active slimming ingredient in a cosmetic, pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical composition. One of the objectives of the invention is to supply a cosmetic, pharmaceutical or nutraceutical composition with a slimming effect.
US08153608B2
The invention relates to the therapeutic use of oligonucleotides as immunostimulatory agents in immunotherapy applications. More particularly, the invention provides immunomers and an immunostimulatory oligonucleotides for use in methods for generating an immune response or for treating a patient in need of immunostimulation. The immunomers and an immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention preferably comprise novel purines. The immunomers according to the invention further comprise at least two oligonucleotides linked at their 3′ ends, internucleoside linkages or functionalized nucleobase or sugar to a non-nucleotidic linker, at least one of the oligonucleotides being an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide and having an accessible 5′ end.
US08153607B2
A pharmaceutical composition having a transcription factor decoy and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier thereof is provided, wherein the transcription factor decoy is TCF decoy. A method for curing or preventing endotoxin-treated endothelial cells from apoptosis is provided. A method for treating or meliorating septic shock is also provided. The transcription factor decoy is effective on melioration of endothelial cell death after lipopolysaccharide challenge. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical composition is easy to be prepared, economic and has low immunogenicity.
US08153603B2
Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of IL-4R alpha in a cell, tissue or animal. Also provided are methods of target validation. Also provided are uses of disclosed compounds and compositions in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diseases and disorders related to expression of IL 4R-α, airway hyperresponsiveness, and/or pulmonary inflammation.
US08153600B2
A method of improving the resistance of collagenous tissue to mechanical degradation in accordance with the present invention comprises the step of contacting at least a portion of a collagenous tissue with an effective amount of a crosslinking reagent. Methods and devices for enhancing the body's own efforts to stabilize discs in scoliotic and other progressively deforming spines by increasing collagen crosslinks. This stability enhancement is caused by reducing the bending hysteresis and increasing the elasticity and bending stiffness of progressively deforming spines, by injecting non-toxic crosslinking reagents into the convex side of discs involved in the potential or progressing deformity curve. Alternatively, contact between the tissue and the crosslinking reagent is effected by placement of a time-release delivery system directly into or onto the target tissue. Methods and devices that use crosslinking agents for increasing the permeability of an intervertebral disc, improving fluid flux to the intervertebral disc, and increasing the biological viability of cells within the intervertebral disc are provided.
US08153599B1
The present invention relates to peptides which are highly biologically and pharmacologically active as therapeutic drug for the treatment of diseases related to hypertension, especially in medical interventions involving dilatation and remodeling of arterial blood vessels, either in the pulmonary or in the systemic circulation. The peptides which can be used according to the invention for the treatment of said diseases comprise at least one specific highly conservative amino acid residue sequence which seem to play an important role in connection with pulmonary and arteriolar hypertension events. It could be shown that the known naturally occurring peptides “vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)” and “pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)”, having these specific sequences are potent drugs which can be successfully used for treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), secondary pulmonary hypertension (SPH), and hypertension of the systemic circulation. Furthermore, the present invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions useful for treatment of PPH, SPH, and hypertension of the systemic circulation within said methods.
US08153597B2
An isolated factor derived from the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and confirmed by proteomics to be a protein that reduces expression of ABC transmembrane proteins and active fragments and mimetics thereof are provided. Also provided is a method for inhibiting expression of ABC transmembrane proteins in cells by administering to the cells the isolated factor or protein or active fragment thereof or a mimetic thereof. Such methods are useful in the enhancing delivery of small molecule therapeutic agents to the CNS and in treating cancers, particularly multidrug resistant cancers, and secretory diarrhea. In addition, compositions, methods for identifying compositions and methods for use of compositions that inhibit suppression of ABC transmembrane protein expression or reduce epoxide hydrolase activity by this factor are provided. Such compositions and methods are useful in treatment of cystic fibrosis.
US08153595B2
Compositions and methods for costimulating T cells (i.e., increasing antigen-specific proliferation of T cells, enhancing cytokine production by T cells, stimulating differentiation ad effector functions of T cells and/or promoting T cell survival) are provided. Suitable compositions include variant B7-DC polypeptides, fragments and fusion proteins thereof. Variant B7-DC polypeptides have reduced binding affinity for the inhibitory PD-1 ligand and substantially retain the ability to costimulate T cells. Methods for using variant B7-DC polypeptides to stimulate immune responses in subjects in need thereof are provided.
US08153591B2
The present invention relates to protein biocoacervates and biomaterials and the methods of making and using protein biocoacervates and biomaterials. More specifically the present invention relates to protein biocoacervates and biomaterials that may be utilized for various medical applications including, but not limited to, drug delivery devices for the controlled release of pharmacologically active agents, coated medical devices (e.g. stents, valves . . . ), vessels, tubular grafts, vascular grafts, wound healing devices including protein suture biomaterials and biomeshes, dental plugs and implants, skin/bone/tissue grafts, tissue fillers, protein biomaterial adhesion prevention barriers, cell scaffolding and other biocompatible biocoacervate or biomaterial devices.
US08153583B2
Toll Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) antagonists, polynucleotides encoding TLR3 antagonists, and methods of making and using the foregoing are disclosed.
US08153574B2
Fluid detergent compositions comprising an external structurant comprising dibenzylidene polyol acetal derivatives for providing desired rheological benefits such as product thickening, shear thinning behavior, as well as particle suspension capabilities, and a detersive enzyme such as lipase.
US08153568B2
The present invention provides water-resistant grease which improves the resistance to peeling which occurs from the surface of a bearing composed of carbon steel for machine structural use or the like even in a strict lubricating condition in which water may penetrate into the water-resistant grease during the operation of the bearing, and a rolling bearing and a hub bearing which use the water-resistant grease and have a long life. The water-resistant grease is composed of non-water-based base oil, a thickener, and a water dispersant used as an additive. The saturated amount of water dispersible in the water-resistant grease is 30 to 60 wt %. The water dispersant capable of dispersing the water in the water-resistant grease is a surface active agent. The non-water-based base oil is mineral oil. The thickener is a urea-based compound. The present invention also provides a rolling bearing and a hub bearing in which the water-resistant grease is enclosed.
US08153549B2
A catalyst for treating an exhaust gas has at least a carrier and plural layers formed on the carrier, wherein at least one layer of the above plural layers has an interstice in the layer, and at least one layer of the above plural layers contains a catalyst component. The above catalyst for treating an exhaust gas allows the enhancement of the diffusion of an exhaust gas in a catalyst layer, which results in the improvement of catalyst efficiency.
US08153541B2
A ceramic article comprises ceramic fibers having an aspect ratio of greater than 3:1 and ceramic particles. The ceramic fibers are substantially randomly oriented in three dimensions in the ceramic article. A method of forming the ceramic article includes the step of providing a composition including ceramic fibers having an aspect ratio of greater than 3:1 and ceramic particles. The composition is extruded through a multi-screw extruder having at least three intermeshing screws to form an extrudate. The extrudate is heated to form the ceramic article.
US08153530B2
In this method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the remaining layer of an etching mask layer remains in a predetermined thickness when the stamping face of a nano-stamper is pressed on the surface of the etching mask layer. Therefore, the remaining layer of the etching mask layer functions as a cushion so that the stress added to the nano-stamper and the semiconductor substrate is reduced. Accordingly, the crystal defect that might otherwise be introduced in the semiconductor substrate in pressing the nano-stamper on the semiconductor substrate can be restrained, resulting in suppression of the degradation of optical characteristics of the semiconductor device. Also, since the nano-stamper can be prevented from being damaged, extra steps such as the replacement of the nano-stamper can be avoided.
US08153529B2
A chemical vapor deposition method such as an atomic-layer-deposition method for forming a patterned thin film includes applying a deposition inhibitor material to a substrate. The deposition inhibitor material is a hydrophilic polymer that is a neutralized acid having a pKa of 5 or less, wherein at least 90% of the acid groups are neutralized. The deposition inhibitor material is patterned simultaneously or subsequently to its application to the substrate, to provide selected areas of the substrate effectively not having the deposition inhibitor material. A thin film is substantially deposited only in the selected areas of the substrate not having the deposition inhibitor material.
US08153524B2
During the formation of complex metallization systems, a conductive cap layer may be formed on a copper-containing metal region in order to enhance the electromigration behavior without negatively affecting the overall conductivity. At the same time, a thermo chemical treatment may be performed to provide superior surface conditions of the sensitive dielectric material and also to suppress carbon depletion, which may conventionally result in a significant variability of material characteristics of sensitive ULK materials.
US08153511B2
It is an object to improve a yield of a step of cutting off a substrate. A substrate is cut off by using an ablation process. An ablation process uses a phenomenon in which a molecular bond in a portion irradiated with a laser beam, that is, a portion which absorbs the laser beam is cut off, photodegraded, and evaporated. In other words, a substrate is irradiated with a laser beam, a molecular bond in a portion of the substrate is cut off, photodegraded, and evaporated; accordingly, a groove is formed in the substrate. A method for cutting the substrate has steps of selectively emitting a laser beam and forming a groove in the substrate, and selectively emitting a laser beam to the groove and cutting off the substrate. Methods for manufacturing a groove in a substrate and cutting off a substrate are used for manufacturing a semiconductor device.
US08153510B2
In a semiconductor wafer, the polyimide film underneath a power metal structure is partially etched to create corresponding surface depressions of the conformal top power metal. The depressions at the surface of power metal are visible under optical microscopy. Arrangement of the depressions in a pattern facilitates the alignment of probe needles, set-up of automated wire bonding and microscopic inspection for precise alignment of wire bonds.
US08153506B2
It is provided a contacting method when a plurality of films to be peeled are laminating. Reduction of total layout area, miniaturization of a module, weight reduction, thinning, narrowing a frame of a display device, or the like can be realized by sequentially laminating a plurality of films to be peeled which are once separately formed over a plastic film or the like. Moreover, reliable contact having high degree of freedom is realized by forming each layer having a connection face of a conductive material and by patterning with the use of a photomask having the same pattern.
US08153504B2
The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a composite substrate comprising bonding a first substrate onto a second semiconducting substrate, characterized in that the process includes, before bonding, the formation of a bonding layer between the first and the second substrate, the bonding layer comprising a plurality of islands distributed over a surface of the first substrate in a determined pattern and separated from one another by regions of a different type, which are distributed in a complementary pattern, wherein the islands are formed via a plasma treatment of the material of the first substrate.
US08153500B2
A method of fabricating materials by epitaxy by epitaxially growing at least one layer of a material upon a composite structure that has at least one thin film bonded to a support substrate and a bonding layer of oxide formed by deposition between the support substrate and the thin film. The thin film and the support substrate have a mean thermal expansion coefficient of 7×10−6 K−1 or more. The bonding layer is formed by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) of a layer of silicon oxide on the bonding face of the support substrate or on the bonding face of the thin film. The thin film has a thickness of 5 micrometers or less while the thickness of the layer of oxide is equal to or greater than the thickness of the thin film. The method also includes a heat treatment carried out at a temperature that is higher than the temperature for deposition of the layer of oxide of silicon and for a predetermined period.
US08153496B1
An improved method of doping a substrate is disclosed. The method is particularly beneficial to the creation of interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells. A patterned implant is performed to introduce a first dopant to a portion of the solar cell. After this implant is done, an oxidation layer is grown on the surface. The oxide layer grows more quickly over the implanted region than over the non-implanted region. An etching process is then performed to remove a thickness of oxide, which is equal to the thickness over the non-implanted regions. A second blanket implant is then performed. Due to the presence of oxide on portions of the solar cell, this blanket implant only implants ions in those regions which were not implanted previously.
US08153495B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) formed on a substrate includes a polycrystalline film, a gate insulator, a hydrogen-supplying film and a gate electrode. The polycrystalline film is formed on the substrate. Two sides of the polycrystalline film serve as the source and the drain of the semiconductor device, and the central region of the polycrystalline layer serves as the channel. The gate insulator is formed on the polycrystalline film, then the polycrystalline film is ions implanted, and the hydrogen-supplying film is formed on the gate insulator. The gate electrode is formed on the hydrogen-supplying film above the channel. The hydrogen-supplying film supplies hydrogen to the polycrystalline film, especially to the channel, so as to transform the unsaturated bonds into hydrogen bonds in the channel for avoiding the unsaturated bonds to degrade the charge carrier efficiency of the channel.
US08153479B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor package comprises: preparing a photosensitive insulating material having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; bonding a semiconductor chip to the first surface of the photosensitive insulating material with a connecting terminal of the semiconductor chip facing the first surface of the photosensitive insulating material; exposing the second surface of the photosensitive insulating material after the bonding the semi-conductor to the first surface of the photosensitive material; encapsulating the first surface of the photosensitive insulating material, and the semiconductor chip bonded to the first surface, with a resin to form a resin encapsulated portion after exposing the second surface of the photosensitive insulating material; and developing the photosensitive insulating material, thereby forming a through-hole communicating with the connecting terminal of the semiconductor chip in the photosensitive insulating material after the exposing the second surface of the photosensitive insulating material.
US08153478B2
A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit package system includes: forming a die paddle; forming an under paddle leadframe including lower leadfingers thereon; attaching the under paddle leadframe to the die paddle with the lower leadfingers extending under the die paddle; attaching a die to the die paddle; and planarizing a bottom surface of the under paddle leadframe to separate the lower leadfingers under the die paddle.
US08153474B2
A method of manufacturing a protected package assembly: providing a protective modular package cover in accordance with a modular design; selectively applying an adhesive to the cross member of each subassembly receiving section of the protective modular package cover that will receive a subassembly to form an adhesive layer of the protective modular package cover; encapsulating the one or more subassemblies in the subassembly receiving sections on the selectively applied adhesive layer to generate a protected package assembly; and controlling application of a distributed downward clamping force applied to the top surfaces of the subassemblies received by the protective modular package cover and useful for mounting the protected package assembly to a core through activation of fastener elements and cross members of the subassembly receiving sections.
US08153465B2
An image sensor and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The image sensor includes a readout circuitry, an electrical junction region, an interconnection, and an image sensing device. The readout circuitry can be disposed at a first substrate, and the electrical junction region can be electrically connected to the readout circuitry at the first substrate. The interconnection can be disposed in an interlayer dielectric on the first substrate and electrically connected to the electrical junction region. The image sensing device can include a first conductive type layer and a second conductive type layer on the interconnection.
US08153464B2
A method of singulating a semiconductor die from a wafer is provided. The method includes etching or cutting several trenches into the wafer from a front surface of the wafer, such that each trench extends along an entire side of the die; depositing a passivation layer into the trenches to form a passivation plug on at least a bottom of the trenches to protect the dies and immobilize them during singulation; and forming a rigid carrier layer or plate at the first side of the wafer to secure the dies. The wafer is then ground from the back side to expose the bottom of each trench, a metal layer is formed on the back surface of the wafer; dicing tape is added, the carrier layer is removed, and the die is separated from the wafer by laser cutting or by flexing the tape.
US08153462B2
A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device is provided which includes ashing first and second photoresist patterns, whereby a copper oxide film is formed at portions of a data line and a source-drain pattern exposed between the ashed first and second photoresist patterns and between the ashed first and second portions of the first photoresist pattern; deoxidizing or removing the copper oxide film; performing a plasma treatment to change the exposed portions of the data line and the source-drain pattern into a copper compound; removing the copper compound using a copper compound removing solution to form source and drain electrodes below the ashed first and second portions, respectively, wherein the copper compound removing solution substantially has no reaction with the copper group material; dry-etching a portion of an ohmic contact layer between the source and drain electrodes using the source and drain electrodes as an etching mask, the ohmic contact layer formed by patterning the impurity-doped amorphous silicon layer.
US08153460B2
The invention relates to a surface mount optoelectronic component with a lens attachment, the method for precising the lens position and the method to manufacture the whole component.
US08153452B2
The semiconductor device is formed by forming a first metal film over a first main surface of a semiconductor wafer having a first thickness, performing back grinding to a second main surface of the semiconductor wafer thereby making a second thickness thinner than the first thickness and forming an insulation film pattern having a first insulation film and containing an annular insulation film pattern along the periphery of a second main surface of the semiconductor wafer over the second main surface along the periphery thereof. The second main surface of the semiconductor wafer is bonded to a pressure sensitive adhesive sheet thereby holding the device semiconductor wafer by way of the pressure sensitive adhesive sheet to a dicing frame in a state where the insulation film pattern is present.
US08153450B2
At oxygen ion implanting steps in manufacture of a SIMOX wafer, a path is formed inside or on a back surface of wafer holding means, and oxygen ions are implanted while heating an outer peripheral portion of the wafer that is in contact with the wafer holding means by flowing a heated fluid through this path. An in-plane temperature of a wafer held at the time of ion implantation is prevented from becoming uneven, and in-plane film thicknesses of both an SOI layer and a BOX layer are uniformed.
US08153445B2
This invention discloses using SPR technology to simultaneously and qualitatively detect the presence of infectious agent related antibodies and/or antigens in a serum sample, which can be used to screen for infectious agents in blood. It also discloses an efficient formula to make a mixed SAM that can greatly enhance the immobilization ability of the metal surface in SPR based techniques, which is good for the immobilization of relevant antigens and antibodies used for the screening of infectious agents in blood.
US08153441B2
An analytical technique for determining the structures of serotonin transporter (SERT) imaging agent [123I] ADAM and its precursor, SnADAM by using a high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) is provided. An analytical technique for determining the purity of SnADAM by using a high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) is also provided.
US08153435B1
A system and method for tagging, tracking, locating and identifying people and vehicles transporting people using Perfluorocarbon tracers. An on-going problem faced by military as well as law enforcement personnel is that of friendly fire incidents. To prevent possible friendly-fire incidents, troops would separate the two layers of the uniform patch, thereby releasing a controlled release of the Perfluorocarbon vapors. Other “friendly” troops, equipped with sensors tuned to the specific perfluorocarbon characteristics would thus be able to literally view a plume around the tagged person or object. The system may conversely be used to tag enemies. Formulations of mixed perfluorocarbons may be used to provide coding of emissions.
US08153434B2
A fluid storage and dispensing vessel having associated therewith a colorimetric member that is effective to change color in exposure to leakage of a gas contained in the vessel. The colorimetric member may be constituted by a film, e.g., of a shrink-wrap character, that contains or is otherwise associated with a colorimetric agent undergoing color change in exposure to fluid leaking from the vessel. Such shrink-wrap film may be applied to a portion of the vessel susceptible to leakage, or alternatively to the entire vessel, so that the film is colorimetrically effective to indicate the occurrence of a leakage event by visually perceptible change of color.
US08153428B2
This invention provides a system for efficiently producing differentiated cells from pluripotent cells, such as human embryonic stem cells. Rather than permitting the cells to form embryoid bodies according to established techniques, differentiation is effected directly in monolayer culture on a suitable solid surface. The cells are either plated directly onto a differentiation-promoting surface, or grown initially on the solid surface in the absence of feeder cells and then exchanged into a medium that assists in the differentiation process. The solid surface and the culture medium can be chosen to direct differentiation down a particular pathway, generating a cell population that is remarkably uniform. The methodology is well adapted to bulk production of committed precursor and terminally differentiated cells for use in drug screening or regenerative medicine.
US08153422B2
Disclosed herein are methods for generating dopaminergic neurons in vitro by inhibiting a pathway component of a TGF-β signaling pathway and overexpressing one or more cell fate-inducing polypeptides in pluripotent cells, causing differentiation of the pluripotent cells into dopaminergic neurons. Also disclosed are methods for treating a neurodegenerative disease in a patient by generating dopaminergic neurons in vitro, and transplanting them into the brain of the patient, such that the dopaminergic neurons are sufficient to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of the neurodegenerative disease.
US08153418B2
An apparatus for analyzing bacteria is described that includes an analytic sample preparation section for preparing an analytic sample by treating a specimen so as to generate a morphological difference between Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria, a detector for detecting optical information from each particle contained in the analytic sample and an analyzing section for detecting Gram-positive bacteria contained on the basis of the detected optical information. A method for analyzing bacteria is also described.
US08153417B2
Apparatus and method for handling biological samples. Segments of ionic liquid can provide voltage across segments of immiscible liquid to concentrate or separate charged species in the biological samples. Reactants in biological samples can be contacted and reacted in segments of immiscible liquid.
US08153413B2
The invention aims to provide a novel alkaline protease having peculiar properties such as high alkali activity, resistance to surfactants and calcium-dependent thermostability and exhibiting excellent performance in highly alkaline detergents, and a gene coding for the amino acid sequence thereof. There is provided an alkaline protease with such properties that an active pH range is from 5 to 13, an optimum pH is approximately 12.6, an optimum temperature is 70° C., no activity drop by heating is observed up to 65° C. at pH 10 and the optimum temperature and the thermostability are not affected by Ca2+ ions. Specifically, there is provided, for example, an alkaline protease having an amino acid sequence constituting a mature enzyme as represented by SEQ ID NO: 3 or an amino acid sequence resulting from deletion, substitution, situs inversus arrangement, addition or insertion of a part of amino acids thereof, or derived from Alkaliphillus transvaalensis. The protease cleaves 26 peptide bonds among 29 peptide bonds of acidic insulin B-chain.
US08153411B2
The invention relates to haloalkane dehalogenases and to polynucleotides encoding the haloalkane dehalogenases. In addition methods of designing new dehalogenases and method of use thereof are also provided. The dehalogenases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.
US08153410B2
A composition having an agent adapted to affect a multimeric protein by binding to a binding site of the multimeric protein and thereby affecting an equilibrium of units, wherein the multimeric protein has an assembly having a plurality of said units, wherein each of the units has a first complementary surface and a second complementary surface and wherein the first complementary surface of one unit is associated with the second complementary surface of another unit, provided that the assembly is at least one of different quaternary isoforms on a condition that in the multimeric protein (1) a structure of each of the units determines a structure of the different quaternary isoforms, (2) the units are in the equilibrium and (3) the structure of the different quaternary isoforms influences a function of the multimeric protein.
US08153408B2
A process for the racemization of an optically active alpha-hydroxyketone by incubating said alpha-hydroxyketone in the presence of an acetoin racemase of Lactobacillus.
US08153407B2
A process for the production of a composition comprising 1,3-dioleyl-2-palmitoyl glyceride (OPO) comprises subjecting a palm oil stearin, with an iodine value (IV) between about 2 and about 12 to enzymic transesterification, with oleic acid or a non-glyceride ester thereof.
US08153405B2
Products and methods for the in vivo production of monatin sweetener are provided. The products include microorganisms that are genetically modified to secrete or to improve secretion of monatin; microorganisms that are genetically modified to produce monatin; and microorganisms that are genetically modified to both secrete or improve secretion of monatin and produce monatin. The methods include producing monatin in such genetically engineered microorganisms.
US08153395B2
The invention is related to a method for making an activated carboxypeptidase in a fungi cell comprising introducing a DNA sequence encoding a proform of the carboxypeptidase wherein a Kex2 site has been introduced in the prosequence of the carboxypeptidase, culturing the fungi cell under conditions suitable for expression of the procarboxypeptidase and cleaving off the prosequence within the cell to liberate the free active form of the carboxypeptidase. The invention is also related to methods for making mature human insulin and human insulin analogues by use of the activated carboxypeptidase enzyme.
US08153388B2
Isolated populations of leukemic stem cells are provided. The cells are useful for experimental evaluation, and as a source of lineage and cell specific products, and as targets for the discovery of factors or molecules that can affect them. Detection of leukemic stem cells is useful in predicting disease progression, relapse, and development of drug resistance. Proliferation of LSC may be inhibited through interfering with activation of the β-catenin pathway. Methods are provided for the clinical staging of pre-leukemia and leukemias by differential analysis of hematologic samples for the distribution of one or more hematopoietic stem or progenitor cell subsets.
US08153378B2
A method of predicting clinical outcome in a subject diagnosed with colorectal cancer comprising determining evidence of the expression of one or more predictive RNA transcripts or their expression products in a biological sample of cancer cells obtained from the subject.
US08153376B2
The present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject at risk of developing heart failure, comprising: (a) determining the level of one or more biological markers in a biological sample of said subject; (b) comparing the level of said biological marker to a standard level of the same biological marker; and (C) determining whether the level of the marker is indicative of a risk for developing heart failure, wherein the biological marker is Krüppel Like Factor 15 (KLF-15) and/or lysosomal integral membrane protein-2 (LIMP-2) and/or fragments and/or variants thereof, and/or wherein the biological marker is a gene coding for KLF15 and/or LIMP-2, and/or fragments and/or variants thereof. The invention further relates to use of the KLF15 and/or LIMP-2 protein, and/or the gene coding for KLF15 and/or LIMP2, and/or fragments, and/or variants of said genes and/or proteins, for the preparation of a medicament for a prophylactic and/or a therapeutic medicament for prevention and/or treatment of heart failure.
US08153356B2
A method for forming a film pattern includes applying a water-soluble photosensitive resin on a substrate, exposing the photosensitive resin to light, developing the photosensitive resin with a developer, after developing the photosensitive resin, depositing a material for the film pattern on the substrate, and, after depositing the material for the film pattern, removing photosensitive resin remaining on the substrate with a remover. The remover and the developer include the same solute, and a concentration of the solute in the remover is higher than that in the developer.
US08153354B2
A method for forming a sealed cell structure is disclosed. The sealed cell structure comprises first (10) and second (12) substrates that are spaced apart by a plurality of partition walls (14). The partition walls define a plurality of cells (18, 19) between the first and second substrates. At least one of the substrates and the partition walls have a layer (16, 22, 30) of photo-embossing material on them. A latent image is written (112) onto the photo-embossing material, and then the image is developed, thereby causing expansion of the photo-embossing material in the areas (114) according to the pattern of the latent image. The expansion of the photo-embossing material causes the cells to be sealed apart from one another.
US08153353B2
A method and a material for creating an antireflective coating on an integrated circuit. A preferred embodiment comprises applying a dark polymer material on a reflective surface, curing the dark polymer material, and roughening a top surface of the dark polymer material. The roughening can be achieved by ashing the dark polymer material in an ash chamber. The dark polymer material, preferably a black matrix resin or a polyimide black matrix resin, when ashed in an oxygen rich atmosphere for a short period of time, forms a surface that is capable of absorbing light as well as randomly refracting light it does not absorb. A protective cap layer may be formed on top of the ashed dark polymer material to provide protection for the dark polymer material.
US08153345B2
A laser induced thermal imaging apparatus for imaging an imaging layer of a donor film on an acceptor substrate. The laser induced thermal imaging apparatus includes: a substrate stage having an electromagnet, and adapted to receive an acceptor substrate having a pixel area of the organic light emitting device and a donor film including the organic light emitting layer to be imaged on the pixel area; a laser oscillator for irradiating a laser on the donor film; a contact frame adapted to be located between the substrate stage and the laser oscillator and including an opening portion of a pattern corresponding to a part to be imaged of the donor film and a permanent magnet for forming a magnetic force with the substrate stage; and a contact frame moving mechanism for moving the contact frame toward the substrate stage.
US08153341B2
A photoconductor that includes, for example, a supporting substrate, an undercoat layer thereover wherein the undercoat layer contains a metal oxide, a phenolic resin, and a phosphate; a photogenerating layer; and at least one charge transport layer.
US08153339B2
An exposure mask is provided, which includes: a light blocking opaque area blocking incident light; a translucent area; and a transparent area passing the most of incident light, wherein the translucent area generates the phase differences in the range of about −70° to about +70°.
US08153338B2
An apparatus for repairing a photo mask, including a repairing atomic force microscope configured to repair a defective portion of the photo mask in a photo mask repair process, an electron microscope configured to navigate the repairing atomic electron microscope to the defective portion of the photo mask and to observe the photo mask repair process, and an imaging atomic microscope configured to image in-situ a shape of a repaired photo mask.
US08153336B2
A photomask substrate with a substantially uniform thickness comprises: a first surface, which is a continuous curved surface whereon a mask pattern is to be formed; and a second surface. The first surface exhibits a square shape that comprises an opposing pair of first set sides and an opposing pair of second set sides and has support parts at end parts along the first set sides. When the photomask substrate is held such that the first surface is in a substantially vertical state, a reference plane that is parallel to a tangential plane of the first surface at the center point of the first surface is defined on the photomask substrate side that is closer to the first surface than to the second surface. At this time, a first distance in the thickness direction between the reference plane and the center point of the first surface is shorter than second distances in the thickness direction between the reference plane and the midpoints of the second set sides.
US08153329B2
A proton-conducting electrolyte membrane containing a porous inorganic substrate, a porous portion of the porous inorganic substrate being filled with a proton-conducting polymer, wherein the proton-conducting polymer is a co-polymer of: (i) a monomer compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond and a sulphonic acid group in the molecule; and (ii) a silyl compound represented by Formula (1): (R1O)n—Si—R2m Formula (1) wherein R1 is an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R2 is an organic group capable of co-polymerizing; m and n each are an integer of 1 to 3, with the proviso that m plus n equals 4; and R2 may be the same or different when m is 2 or 3.
US08153325B2
A first separator has an outlet side first connection channel connecting a first fuel gas flow field and a fuel gas discharge passage, and a second separator includes an outlet side second connection channel connecting a second fuel gas flow field and the fuel gas discharge passage. The outlet side first connection channel and the outlet side second connection channel include outer passages and outer passages arranged in the same plane formed by facing the first separator and the second separator. The outer passages and the outer passages are formed alternately and independently in the same plane.
US08153310B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus system includes an electronic apparatus and a fuel cell device which supplies electricity to the electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes a housing, a heat generating component located in the housing, and a thermal radiation mechanism. The fuel cell device includes an electromotive section which has an anode and a cathode and generates the electricity based on a chemical reaction, a fuel tank containing a fuel, a circulation system which allows air and a fuel supplied from the fuel tank to circulate through the electromotive section, and a gas purifying filter arranged in the circulation system and having a catalyst section which decontaminates a gas component in an exhaust from the electromotive section. The gas purifying filter is located adjacent to the thermal radiation mechanism so as to be heatable by heat from the radiation mechanism.
US08153305B2
The invention relates to a solid electrolyte, to a process for its manufacture and also to devices comprising it.The electrolyte of the invention is an amorphous solid of formula SivOwCxHyLiz, in which v, w, x, y and z are atomic percentages with 0≦v≦40, 5≦w≦50, x>12, 10≦y≦40, 1≦z≦70, and 95%≦v+w+x+y+z≦100%.The electrolyte of the invention finds application in the field of electronics and microbatteries in particular.
US08153304B2
The traditional method of building a CFx/current collector/SVO assembly is by the application of a static pressing force. However, the density of the electrode and, particularly the CFx component, can be increase by using a cyclic pressing protocol. That is where the active materials are formed into a blank or contacted to a current collector by the use of at least two pressing events separated by a period when the pressure is removed. Not only does this cyclic pressing protocol increase the density of the CFx material, it also provides an electrode that is relatively flat, and not cupped. Conventional pressing techniques often result in badly cupped electrodes, especially when disparate active materials are contacting opposite sides of the current collector. Cupping consequently reduces the effective volumetric energy density of the electrode or necessitates the addition of a process step of flattening of the cathode, if at all possible. According to the new cyclic pressing protocol, the physical density of the cathode is increased and electrode cupping is effectively eliminated.
US08153303B2
A negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries includes core-shell composite particles prepared by covering the surface of a graphite powder with an amorphous carbon powder via a carbide of binder pitch, the graphite powder having an average particle diameter of 5 to 30 μm and an average lattice spacing d(002) of less than 0.3360 nm, and the amorphous carbon powder having an average particle diameter of 0.05 to 2 μm and an average lattice spacing d(002) of 0.3360 nm or more. A method to produce the negative electrode material includes mixing a graphite powder with pitch having a softening point of 70 to 250° C., adding an amorphous carbon powder to the resulting product, kneading the mixture while applying a mechanical impact to soften the pitch and carbonizing the pitch by heat treatment of the mixture at 750 to 2250° C. in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
US08153296B2
A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium and a cathode comprising a metal doped iron sulfide and carbon particles. A cathode slurry is prepared comprising the metal doped iron sulfide powder, carbon, binder, and a liquid solvent. The mixture is coated onto a conductive substrate and solvent evaporated leaving a dry cathode coating on the substrate. The anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added.
US08153294B2
A multiple-cell battery includes a battery case and a number of cells positioned in the battery case. Each of the cells includes a positive lead and a negative lead. A number of electrically conductive elastic elements are correspondingly seated between every two adjacent positive leads and/or negative leads. The elastic elements each include at least two contacting portions resiliently abutting against the two adjacent positive leads and/or negative leads, so as to connect the cells in series and/or in parallel.
US08153291B2
A plurality of cylindrical power storage bodies are immersed in a cooling liquid filled in a power supply device. The power supply device includes: rotary members that are disposed to surround the respective cylindrical power storage bodies, and that rotate to agitate the cooling liquid around the cylindrical power storage bodies; and drive means for rotating the rotary members.
US08153288B2
A fuel cell is formed by stacking a membrane electrode assembly and separators alternately. Each of the separators includes first and second metal plates. A coolant flow field is formed between the first metal plate of the fuel cell and the second metal plate of the adjacent fuel cell. A folded section is provided around a coolant supply passage by folding the second metal plate. The folded section forms an inlet which enlarges the sectional area of an opening as a fluid passage between the coolant supply passage and the coolant flow field.
US08153285B2
A fuel cell, fuel cell array and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The fuel cell can be made by forming a first aperture defined by a first aperture surface through a first electrode layer and forming a second aperture defined by a second aperture surface through a second electrode layer. A proton exchange membrane is laminated between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. At least a portion of the first aperture is at least partially aligned with the second aperture.
US08153283B2
An aspect of the present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium comprising a magnetic layer comprising a ferromagnetic powder and a binder on a nonmagnetic support, wherein the magnetic layer comprises a compound denoted by general formula (1): wherein, in general formula (1), X denotes a divalent linking group, each of R1 and R2 independently denotes an alkyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, an aralkyl group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkoxyalkyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, or an aryloxyalkyl group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, and M denotes a hydrogen atom or a cation.
US08153280B2
A method of depositing a ceramic film, particularly a silicon carbide film, on a substrate is disclosed in which the residual stress, residual stress gradient, and resistivity are controlled. Also disclosed are substrates having a deposited film with these controlled properties and devices, particularly MEMS and NEMS devices, having substrates with films having these properties.
US08153274B2
A thermal barrier layer for metallic components, in particular for gas turbine components which are subject to high temperatures or hot gas, is disclosed. The thermal barrier layer includes an inner contact layer and an outer top layer, where the inner contact layer is applied to a surface of the component via an adhesion-promoting layer that is disposed therebetween, and between the outer top layer and the inner contact layer an intermediate layer is formed.
US08153273B2
A surface treated electrodeposited copper foil having a smooth M surface; a surface treatment is performed on the M surface being an opposite surface of a surface which contacted with a drum in an electrodeposited copper foil, wherein Rz is 1.0 μm or smaller and Ra is 0.2 μm or smaller on the M surface, electrodeposited copper plating is performed to produce a copper foil under a condition of using a copper sulfate bath, wherein a copper concentration is 50 to 80 g/l, a sulfuric acid concentration is 30 to 70 g/l, a solution temperature is 35 to 45° C., a chloride concentration is 0.01 to 30 ppm, an adding concentration of a total of an organic sulfur based compound, low molecular weight glue and polymeric polysaccharide is 0.1 to 100 ppm and TOC is 400 ppm or smaller, and a current density is 20 to 50 A/dm2.
US08153266B2
In certain example embodiments, a coated article includes a Zn-doped zirconium based layer before heat treatment (HT). The coated article is heat treated sufficiently to cause the Zn-doped zirconium based layer to transform into a Zn-doped zirconium oxide based layer that is scratch resistant and/or chemically durable. The doping of the layer with Zn has been found to improve scratch resistance and/or corrosion resistance.
US08153262B2
Disclosed is a strippable floor coating which includes an undercoat layer (A) to be applied to a floor surface, and a strippable overcoat layer (B) over the undercoat layer (A). The undercoat layer (A) is formed from an undercoating agent mainly containing a wax or analogue thereto and having film-formability. The overcoat layer (B) is formed from a floor polish composition mainly containing an aqueous emulsion. The undercoat layer (A) has greater adhesion to the floor surface than to the overcoat layer (B). Even when applied to various flooring materials, this strippable floor coating does not peel off practically and is excellent in soiling resistance and wear resistance to retain a beautiful appearance over long time. If necessary, the coating can be easily stripped off.
US08153252B2
The present invention relates to an industrial high tenacity polyester fiber with superior creep properties and a method of preparing the same, and more particularly to an industrial polyester fiber having a mono-filament fineness of 5 to 15 dpf, an intrinsic viscosity of 0.8 to 1.25 dl/g, and a creep change rate of 4.7% or less, wherein the creep change rate is measured at 160° C. for 24 hours while giving a load corresponding to a strain of 3% after heat-treating the fiber at 220° C. for 2 minutes while giving a load of 1 g/d, and the load corresponding to the strain of 3% is based on a value obtained from a load-strain curve of the fiber before heat-treatment, and a method of preparing the same.
US08153248B2
A primer layer is formed on a plastic lens substrate, a hard coat layer is formed on the primer layer using a coating composition comprising metal oxide fine particles, an organosilicon compound represented by the general formula R1SiX13, and a compound having a biphenyl sulfide compound, and an organic antireflective layer.In the plastic lens comprising a plastic lens substrate as obtained above, a plastic lens having excellent durability, impact resistance and mar resistance, and a method of producing the plastic lens are provided.
US08153246B2
An optical compensatory film comprising an optically anisotropic layer composed of a liquid crystal composition including a liquid crystal compound, wherein the liquid crystal composition contains a copolymer including a repeating unit derived from a monomer of formula [1] and a repeating unit derived from a monomer of formula [2]: wherein R0 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group, L represents a divalent linking group, and n represents an integer of 1-18; wherein R11 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group, L11 represents a divalent linking group, and R13, R14 and R15 represents a hydrocarbon group or an aromatic heterocyclic group.
US08153240B2
Carbon nanoflakes, methods of making the nanoflakes, and applications of the carbon nanoflakes are provided. In some embodiments, the carbon nanoflakes are carbon nanosheets, which are less than 2 nm thick. The carbon nanoflakes may be made using RF-PECVD. Carbon nanoflakes may be useful as field emitters, for hydrogen storage applications, for sensors, and as catalyst supports.
US08153239B2
Polycarbonate resin compositions containing 100 parts by weight of aromatic polycarbonate resin having a concentration of end hydroxyl group of 100 to 1800 ppm and 0.0001 to 5 parts by weight of fine particles of a boride of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Y, Sm, Eu, Re, Tm, Yb, Lu, Sr or Ca. Heat ray shielding molded products molded from this polycarbonate resin composition have low haze, excellent transparency, low solar transmittance and sufficient heat ray shielding properties, especially for visible light and selective shielding for infrared rays, and are excellent in mechanical strength and thermal stability at melting. These molded products may be used for windows for buildings or vehicles or as optical materials such as infrared ray cut filters or films for agricultural use.
US08153232B2
A method is provided for producing a laminated substrate for mounting semiconductor chips. At least respective metal and plastic structure films having respective different recurrent contours are laminated together in such a way that a material strip is obtained. The lamination is followed by perforations or cuttings, and the method includes at least one of the following steps: A. the films are structured in such a way that superposition thereof makes it possible to obtain the areas which are devoid of overlap through the total width thereof; B. the films are not laminated through the total width of the laminate in partly recurrent areas; and C. recurrent segments of the recurrent contours are bent out of the surface of the laminated strip starting from the laminate.
US08153230B2
A multilayer paper tape including two or more paper sheets which are bonded by adhesive layers is described. Each of the top layer and the bottom layer of this stack of paper sheets and adhesive layers is an adhesive layer, around which, as a casing, is formed a folded paper sheet enclosing the stack of paper sheets and adhesive layers. This folded paper sheet is completely surrounded by an adhesive layer. A process for producing the same is also described.
US08153221B1
An adhesive device for securing clothing is provided. The adhesive device includes a flexible substrate having opposing faces. Each opposing face has an adhesive deposited thereon forming a first adhesive surface and an opposing second adhesive surface. An aperture is formed in a central portion of the adhesive device.
US08153217B2
A single- or multilayer threaded pipe, wherein at least one layer is produced from a polyolefin composition comprising (percentages express on the basis of the sum of components (A) and (B)): (A) 65-90 wt % of a heterophasic polypropylene composition comprising (percentages expressed on the basis of the polypropylene composition): (1) 65-95 wt % of a propylene polymer selected from propylene homopolymer and co- and terpolymers of propylene with a comonomer selected from ethylene, a C4-C10 alpha-olefin and a mixture thereof, said polymer containing 0.1-10 wt % of comonomer units, being insoluble in xylene at 25° C. in an amount over 85 wt %, having a polydispersity index ranging from 4 to 13 and an intrinsic viscosity ([η]1) value of over 2.2 dl/g; and (2) 5-35 wt % of an olefin polymer of ethylene with propylene or a C4-C10 alpha-olefin having an ethylene content ranging from 15 to 85 wt % and an intrinsic viscosity of the fraction soluble in xylene ([η]2) of at least 1.4 dl/g; wherein the ratio of the intrinsic viscosity value of propylene polymer (1) to that of olefin polymer (2) ([η]/[η]2) ranges from 0.45 to 1.6; and (B) 10-35 wt % of a at least one filler selected among calcium carbonate, talc, wollastonite or mixtures thereof.
US08153216B2
A packaging (1) for a material that can be heated, especially microwave-heated, in the packaged state, which packaging has at least one sealing region (5) which becomes locally permeable when a predetermined internal pressure is exceeded. The or each sealing region of such a kind has at least one intended passage region (7, 9), which comprises a choke (9) for the contents of the packaging and an apex (7) pointing towards the interior of the packaging. As the choke there is used a channel-like, triangular or star-shaped interrupt ion or cut-out.
US08153211B2
Decorative paper for decorative coating materials comprising a base paper and an ink receiving layer dyed in such a way that the decorative paper has after impregnation with impregnating resins and pressing as laminate the same coloring as the coloring of a laminate of a decorative paper that does not comprise an ink receiving layer.
US08153197B2
Coating compositions, articles, and methods of coating articles are provided. The coating compositions and methods provide abrasion resistant formable coatings when cured on a substrate. The articles can be formed after the coating compositions are applied to a substrate and cured.
US08153188B2
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a magnetoresistive element having a magnetization pinned layer, a magnetization free layer, and a spacer layer including an insulating layer provided between the magnetization pinned layer and the magnetization free layer and current paths penetrating into the insulating layer. A process of forming the spacer layer in the method includes depositing a first metal layer forming the metal paths, depositing a second metal layer on the first metal layer, performing a pretreatment of irradiating the second metal layer with an ion beam or a RF plasma of a rare gas, and converting the second metal layer into the insulating layer by means of supplying an oxidation gas or a nitriding gas.
US08153183B2
A platform assembly for use in a digital manufacturing system, where the platform assembly comprises a deformable platform having a surface configured to operably receive a deposited material from a deposition head, and at least one mechanism configured to adjust at least a portion of the first surface to compensate for at least one vertical deviation from at least one horizontal axis that the deposition head is directed to move in.
US08153172B2
A composition having a curcuminoid and an essential oil of turmeric. A composition having a curcuminoid and an essential oil of turmeric, wherein the essential oil is present in an amount sufficient to cause an enhancement of bioavailability of curcumin when the composition is administered to a human as compared to bioavailability of curcumin obtained upon administration of a composition prepared without adding essential oil to the curcuminoid. A method to prepare a composition having a curcuminoid and an essential oil of turmeric.
US08153167B2
A composition derived from six plant materials: ((i) Herba epimedii (Yin Yang Huo) (ii) Fructus Psoraleae (Psoralea coryfolia) (Bu Gu Zhi) (iii) Radix Rehmanniae preparatae (Rehmannia glutinosa) (Shu Di) (iv) Cortex Eucommiae (Du Zhong) (v) Fructus Cnidii (She Chuang Zhi) (vi) Radix Astragali (Astragalus Membranaceus) (Huang Qi)) is useful in treating conditions linked to the activity of osteoblasts and/or osteoclasts, such as osteoporosis and other conditions relating to bone mass or the menopause; obesity; glucose intolerance; and diabetes.
US08153162B2
Compositions having a combination of specific biological components have been found to exert a number of useful effects in mammalian cells, including modulating TGF β signaling, apoptosis, and proliferation of mammalian cells, as well as decreasing inflammation in mice. These components can be obtained commercially, or can be prepared from biological tissues such as placental tissues. Placental amniotic membrane (AM) preparations described herein include AM pieces, AM extracts, AM jelly, AM stroma, and mixtures of these compositions with additional components. The compositions can be used to treat various diseases, such as wound healing, inflammation and angiogenesis-related diseases.
US08153160B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical dosage form comprising an active ingredient combination of nifedipine and/or nisoldipine and at least one angiotensin II antagonist, characterized in that the active ingredient combination undergoes controlled (modified) release in the body, and to processes for the production thereof, to the use thereof as pharmaceuticals, to the use thereof for the prophylaxis, secondary prophylaxis and/or treatment of disorders, and to the use thereof for manufacturing a pharmaceutical for the prophylaxis, secondary prophylaxis and/or treatment of disorders.
US08153153B1
The invention discloses nanoparticles composed of chitosan, poly-glutamic acid, and at least one bioactive agent, wherein equal moles of the positively charged chitosan and the negatively charged poly-glutamic acid substrate form an electrostatic network with zero surface charge enabling improved loading the bioactive agent.
US08153139B1
Methods of using clostridial toxins and other biological agents to treat rosacea in humans is provided. The disclosed methods provide beneficial effects in humans.
US08153137B2
A method of isolating nutraceuticals products from algae is provided. A method of isolating carotenoids and omega-3 rich oil from algae includes dewatering substantially intact algal cells to make an algal biomass and adding a first ethanol fraction to the algal biomass. The method also includes separating a first substantially solid biomass fraction from a first substantially liquid fraction comprising proteins and combining the first substantially solid biomass fraction with a second ethanol fraction. The method further includes separating a second substantially solid biomass fraction from a second substantially liquid fraction comprising polar lipids and combining the second substantially solid biomass fraction with a third ethanol solvent fraction. The method also includes separating a third substantially solid biomass fraction from a third substantially liquid fraction comprising neutral lipids, wherein the third substantially solid biomass fraction comprises carbohydrates and separating the neutral lipids into carotenoids and omega-3 rich oil.
US08153135B2
Disclosed is a method of producing a polysaccharide-polypeptide conjugate by reacting a polysaccharide with a polypeptide which contains at least one free amino group, wherein a polysaccharide carrier comprising vicinal hydroxyl groups is oxidized under ring opening to create vicinal aldehyde groups and is reacted with one or more base-instable antigenic polypeptide(s) containing at least one free amino group, the polypeptide(s) being bound directly to the polysaccharide carrier via at least one azomethine bond.
US08153132B2
Antibodies immunoreactive to mutant Pseudomonas HPPD are provided, and in an embodiment the mutant HPPD is one in which the wild-type HPPD is substituted at residue 336 with tryptophan for glycine. Also provided are hybridomas producing the antibodies, as well as methods of making and using the antibodies.
US08153131B2
Compositions and methods are disclosed for inhibiting the release of a proinflammatory cytokine from a vertebrate cell, and for inhibiting an inflammatory cytokine cascade in a patient. The compositions comprise, for example, high affinity antibodies that specifically bind HMG1 and antigenic fragments thereof. The high affinity antibodies of the present invention and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are useful for many purposes, for example, as therapeutics against a wide range of inflammatory diseases and disorders such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, peritonitis, Crohn's disease, reperfusion injury, septicemia, endotoxic shock, cystic fibrosis, endocarditis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, arthritis, anaphylactic shock, organ ischemia, reperfusion injury, and allograft rejection. In addition, the high affinity antibodies of the present inventions are useful as diagnostic antibodies.
US08153125B2
The present invention relates to CD20 binding molecules and nucleic acid sequences encoding CD20 binding molecules. In particular, the present invention relates to CD20 binding molecules with a high binding affinity, and a low dissociation rate, with regard to human CD20. Preferably, the CD20 binding molecules of the present invention comprise light and/or heavy chain variable regions with fully human frameworks (e.g. human germline frameworks).
US08153123B2
The present invention provides methods for restoring and increasing dendritic cell populations in a subject by modulation of the lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβR) via LTβR agonists. The invention also provides methods for screening for agents capable of restoring or increasing dendritic cell populations. The invention further provides a method for the treatment of immunodeficiency by administration of an LTβR agonist.
US08153122B2
Disclosed herein are a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting the growth or metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma, comprising a L1CAM activity inhibitor or expression suppressor and a treatment method using the composition. This is based on the finding that L1CAM is overexpressed on cholangiocarcinoma and plays an important role in the growth and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma and the mortality of cholangiocarcinoma patients increases as the expression rate of L1CAM increases. Also, antibodies inhibitory of the activity of L1CAM, or siRNAs suppressing the expression of L1CAM, are found to reduce the growth and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma cells. Mouse monoclonal antibodies, recognizing the L1CAM protein on the cholangiocarcinoma cell surface and binding specifically to cholangiocarcinoma tissues, or siRNAs, antisense oligonucleotides or shRNAs, may be useful in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma by inhibiting the growth, invasion and migration of cholangiocarcinoma cell.
US08153121B2
The invention provides a method of reducing the severity of an autoimmune condition associated with T-lymphocyte infiltration. The invention also provides a method of diagnosing or predicting the susceptibility to an autoimmune disease associated with fibroblast mediated T-lymphocyte infiltration. Methods of identifying a substance capable of modulating T-lymphocyte recruitment associated with an autoimmune condition also are provided.
US08153113B2
This invention provides a method of increasing trafficking of endothelial progenitor cells to ischemia-damaged tissue in a subject comprising administering to the subject an amount of interleukin-8 effective to attract endothelial progenitor cells to the ischemia-damaged tissue.
US08153103B2
A new class of photoactivatable dyes provides the ability to study cell-cell communication in live animals non-invasively with high spatiotemporal resolution. The compositions are made up of a macromolecule, a caging group, and a coumarin dye. Upon photolysis, the coumarin dye is released from the macromolecule caging group complex and is freely diffusible in cells and between cells. The compositions are retained in cells very well, having no observable side effects, no susceptibility to metabolism, and the ability to generate bright fluorescence signals after photolysis. Because of their high loading capacity and long cellular retention, they can be selectively uncaged in specific cells.
US08153099B2
A b-oriented MFI zeolite membrane with variable thickness is provided. The MFI zeolite membrane is composed of zeolite crystals whose b-axes are all uniformly oriented perpendicular to a substrate. Further provided is a method for preparing the MFI zeolite membrane. The method comprises forming zeolite or zeotype molecular sieve seeds with different thicknesses on a substrate and adding the seeded substrate to a gel for the synthesis of an MFI zeolite containing a structure-directing agent to grow zeolite or zeotype molecular sieve crystals thereon. The MFI zeolite membrane overcomes the limitations of prior art zeolite membranes to maximize its applicability.
US08153095B2
Methods for producing highly pure solutions containing hydrogen fluoride, one or more salts thereof or a mixture of two or more thereof, by adding hydrogen fluoride to at least one anhydrous solvent, wherein the hydrogen fluoride is added to the anhydrous solvent or solvents in the form of a gas or as a liquified gas or as a mixture of gas and liquefied gas. High purity hydrogen fluoride and ammonium fluoride solutions produced by the inventive method are also disclosed.
US08153089B2
An exhaust filter system, adapted for removing substances entrained in an exhaust gas from a nonroad engine, includes a casing having a filter cavity for communicating with an exhaust outlet of the generator and a filter core which includes a plurality of filtering loops, each having a plurality of air pores, coaxially received in the filter cavity, a plurality of filtering spacers each having a plurality of air meshes and positioned between each two filtering loops to define a plurality of air passages therebetween, and a catalyzing element for chemically reacting with the substances of the exhaust gas. Therefore, when the exhaust gas passes through the air passages of the filter core, the exhaust gas is evenly diffused to the filter cavity through the air pores and the air meshes so as to enhance a chemical reaction of the exhaust gas with the catalyzing element.
US08153088B2
A method to prevent build-up of limestone in a slaker that is used for batchwise slaking of burnt lime is described, in which lime slurry is produced with a greater degree of fineness and prolonged sedimentation time, where for immediate cleansing of the slaker before next slaking, after said calibration of the load cell aggregate, a number of valves are opened for given time periods for addition of flushing water to respective nozzles, in that flushing water is supplied sequentially via each valve to associated nozzle(s), until a predetermined amount of flushing water is reached in the slaker.
US08153087B2
The present application is directed to a method for the purification of Radium, in particular 226Ra, for target preparation for an essentially pure 225Ac production from available radioactive sources, using an extraction chromatography in order to separate chemically similar elements such as Ba, Sr, and Pb from the desired Ra; wherein said extraction chromatography has an extractant system on the basis of a crown ether. The invention is further related to a method for recycling of 226Ra, for target preparation for 225Ac production from radium sources irradiated with accelerated protons (p,2n), after separation of the produced 225AC. In this method a combination of the above extraction chromatography and a cation exchange chromatography is used. The obtained 226Ra is essentially free of the following chemical contaminants consisting of Ag, Al, As, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn, and Ba.
US08153081B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an optical-based test sensor for use in the determination of an analyte in a liquid sample is disclosed. The test sensor includes a base, a polymer carrier, and a test membrane. The base has a capillary channel formed in a surface of the base that is adapted to move a liquid sample from an inlet to a reaction area formed in the base. The polymer carrier has a lower surface adhered to the surface of the base and is disposed over at least a portion of the capillary channel. The test membrane, which contains a reagent, is adhered to the lower surface of the polymer carrier and extends from the polymer carrier into the reaction area.
US08153080B2
A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.
US08153078B2
The disclosed invention relates to a portable decontamination unit. The invention also relates to a decontamination process. The decontamination unit may employ a shipping container for transporting a decontaminant generator and optionally a power generator, and for functioning as a decontamination chamber. The decontamination unit may be ruggedized for use in hostile environments such as those that may be anticipated for military applications.
US08153071B2
A fluid porting assembly for a microreactor comprising a process fluid passageway, a pliable seal, and a cooling fluid passageway is provided. The pliable seal is positioned in the vicinity of the process fluid outlet and is configured to define a sealing interface between the process fluid outlet and a fluid port of a microreactor. The cooling fluid passageway terminates at a cooling fluid interface and defines a dispensing gap between the cooling fluid interface and the sealing interface. The cooling fluid outlet is configured to distribute cooling fluid about a periphery of the pliable seal and to direct cooling fluid away from the periphery of the pliable seal through the dispensing gap when the pliable seal of the fluid porting assembly engages a fluid port of a microreactor. The cooling fluid removes heat from areas of the microreactor in the vicinity of the fluid port and pliable seal.
US08153068B1
A method according to one embodiment includes operating a reactor or providing a reactor after operation, wherein the reactor includes a bottom section, a bed section above the bottom section, a distributor plate between the bottom section and the bed section, an expanded section above the bed section, and an upper section above the bed section, wherein the bed section has a height H measured from the distributor plate to the expanded section; measuring a concentration of particulates in the upper section of the reactor to obtain a first determined level of particulates in the upper section; and discharging at least some of the particulates from the reactor at an upper discharge point located above 0.55H as measured vertically from the distributor plate based on the first determined level. Additional systems and methods are also provided.
US08153057B2
Disclosed is a method of controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which assesses and interprets the transmitted potential to determine whether it conforms to an oxidation-reduction potential setting. If the measured potential does not conform the oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed one or more active chemical species into the hot water system.
US08153051B2
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for heating steel components in a continuous furnace, wherein a first transport device having an external drive receives the components in a precise position and transports them through the furnace in order to heat them, and a second transport device receives the parts, after the heating, from the first transport device at a predetermined transfer point or transfer region and conveys them out of the furnace at an increased speed and places them in a precise position at a further receiving point ready for further processing. The components are mounted on a support having engagement means for the different transport devices.
US08153037B2
An apparatus for a continuous encapsulation process is provided. The apparatus is a vibrating tubing used alone, in series, or in combination with an encapsulation apparatus, which is used alone or in series. The vibrating tubing is a flat coil, a standing spiral, or a flume. The encapsulation apparatus includes a winding having coils disposed in an aqueous gelling solution. The winding is rotatable about its longitudinal center axis. The winding has adjacently spaced coils forming a plurality of chambers. Objects to be encapsulated are added to the apparatus such that when the winding is rotated, the chambers transport a volume of objects through the length winding in the aqueous gelling solution in a predetermined time.
US08153036B2
A process for producing a thermoplastic polymer powder that is made by subjecting an acrylic triblock copolymer (B)(A)(B) to an underwater cutting process to obtain a thermoplastic polymer powder, wherein block (A) has structural units originating from an acrylic ester; and block (B) has structural units originating from a methacrylic ester, this thermoplastic polymer powder is suitable for use as molding, skin material, and the like which are excellent in weatherability, flexibility, mechanical strength, low-temperature properties, adhesion to polar resins, rubber elasticity, safety, etc.
US08153031B2
An oxide sintered body including an indium element (In), a gallium element (Ga), a zinc element (Zn) and a tin element (Sn), and including a compound shown by Ga2In6Sn2O16 or (Ga,In)2O3.
US08153024B2
The present invention discloses an orange phosphor powder having a rare-earth aluminate have garnet structure, which is characterized by that its chemical composition is added with compounds of the IV and V groups elements and the stoichiometry formula of the orange phosphor powder is (ΣLn)3-xMeIVxAl5-ySiyO12-(x+y)N(x+y). Furthermore, the present invention also discloses a warm-white Light-emitting diode employing the orange phosphor powder.
US08153018B2
Disclosed are compositions and systems having utility in numerous situations, including in particular solvent cleaning systems, as well as refrigerant lubricants and/or compatibilizing agents, and to methods which utilize such compositions and systems. More particularly, the present invention in preferred aspects is directed to solvents, blowing agents, heat transfer fluids and compatibilizing agents comprising the compound 3-chloro-1,1,1,6,6,6-hexafluoro-2,4-hexadiene. In particular, this invention provides a method for the production of the compound of Formula I, 3-chloro-1,1,1,6,6,6- hexafluoro-2,4-hexadiene,comprising reacting 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane with hydrogen fluoride in the presence of a catalyst, in a reactor.
US08153013B2
The present invention relates to fluid processing apparatus for use in an elongate passage (10), the apparatus comprising a plurality of means for applying ultrasonic energy (12) to fluid within the passage positioned axially along the elongate passage, wherein axially adjacent means for applying ultrasonic energy are radially non-parallel and radially non-opposing.
US08153010B2
Scaling is controlled in a cooling water system with CO2 based upon measurements of the cooling water's pH, alkalinity and Ca2+ concentration.
US08153000B2
A filter assembly including first and second mating parts and a seal received in a groove of the first mating part. The seal includes a main body and a resiliently flexible, sloping skirt that extends from one side of the main body to a distal end spaced from the main body. The seal is sized so that the resiliently flexible skirt normally extends out of the groove of the first mating part when the skirt is not biased towards the main body. When the first mating part is slid against the second mating part, the second mating part causes the distal end of skirt of the seal to be biased into the groove and towards the main body of the seal.
US08152999B2
The present invention provides counter flow cascade separation systems useful to separate solute/solute pairs present in a solvent. The separation systems include a series of interconnected stages with each stage comprising a diafilter preferentially permeable for one solute. Solute/solute pairs are preferentially separated by the diafilter into permeate and retentate flows. Stages are combined to form separation systems capable of operation approaching an ideal cascade.
US08152996B2
A filter is provided having a housing that includes a cavity. A center tube includes first and second ends spaced from one another. A seat extends radially from the center tube and is arranged between the first and second ends. A media pack is arranged within the cavity and supported on the seat such that the center tube extends through a central opening of the media pack. An anti-drainback valve is supported on the seat and is in sealing engagement with the center tube and the media pack. The housing includes a tapping plate that provides an inlet and outlet. An annular lip of the anti-drainback valve is in sealing engagement with the tapping plate when in a closed position in which the engine is shut off.
US08152994B2
Systems and methods for processing one or more hydrocarbons are provided. One or more hydrocarbon feedstocks can be selectively separated to provide one or more light deasphalted oils. At least a portion of the light deasphalted oil can be hydrocracked to provide one or more hydrocarbon products.
US08152988B2
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for the preparation of nitrogen fertilizers including ammonium nitrate, urea, urea-ammonium nitrate, and/or ammonia, at low temperature and pressure, preferably at ambient temperature and pressure, utilizing a source of carbon, a source of nitrogen, and/or a source of hydrogen or hydrogen equivalent. Implementing an electrolyte serving as ionic charge carrier, (1) ammonium nitrate is produced via the reduction of a nitrogen source at the cathode and the oxidation of a nitrogen source at the anode; (2) urea or its isomers are produced via the simultaneous cathodic reduction of a carbon source and a nitrogen source; (3) ammonia is produced via the reduction of nitrogen source at the cathode and the oxidation of a hydrogen source or a hydrogen equivalent such as carbon monoxide or a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen at the anode; and (4) urea-ammonium nitrate is produced via the simultaneous cathodic reduction of a carbon source and a nitrogen source, and anodic oxidation of a nitrogen source. The electrolyte can be aqueous, non-aqueous, or solid.
US08152984B2
A method of manufacturing a nozzle plate has steps of: (e) covering a surface of a plate with a light-curable resin; (f) covering the resin with a light-shielding member having an annular light-shielding region which encloses an opening of a nozzle hole therein in a plan view; (g) curing a portion of the resin not overlapping the light-shielding region by applying light after the step of (f); (h) exposing the resin by removing the light-shielding member after the step of (g); (i) eliminating an uncured portion of the resin after the step of (h); (j) forming a water-repellent coat on surfaces of the plate using the cured resins as masks, after the steps of (d) and (i); and (k) eliminating the cured resins after the step of (j).
US08152983B2
Electrocoat materials comprising bismuth compounds, further comprising (A) at least one self-crosslinking and/or externally crosslinking binder containing (potentially) cationic or anionic groups and reactive functional groups which (i) with themselves or with complementary reactive functional groups in the self-crosslinking binder, or (ii) in the case of the externally crosslinking binder, with complementary reactive functional groups present in crosslinking agents (B) are able to undergo thermal crosslinking reactions, (B) if desired, at least one crosslinking agent comprising the complementary reactive functional groups, and (C) bismuth subsalicylate of empirical formula C7H5O4Bi.
US08152979B2
An ammonia gas sensor including a reference electrode (320) is formed on the back surface of a solid electrolyte member (310), and a detection electrode (335) is formed on the front surface of the solid electrolyte member (310). A detection lead (350) is provided on the front surface of the solid electrolyte member (310) such that the detection lead (350) is connected to the detection electrode (335). An insulating layer (340), (380) is provided between the detection lead (350) and the solid electrolyte member (310), or on the detection lead (350).
US08152968B2
A machine for the production of a fibrous web including a fibrous stock suspension unit for the production of an aqueous suspension, a web former for dewatering the aqueous suspension and forming the fibrous web including at least one inclined wire progressing, at least in sections, at an angle to horizontal and at least one single layer headbox, one binder wire section progressing substantially horizontally and including at least one binder headbox, one drying unit including a drying wire, one winder, and at least one blowing device positioned between the binder wire section and the drying unit for contactless floating guidance of the fibrous web by one of air and another free flowing medium, wherein the blowing device includes a plurality of blowing zones transverse to a direction of travel of the fibrous web, the blowing zones configured to be controlled/adjusted independently of each other.
US08152966B2
A doctor apparatus for a web forming machine for doctoring a moving surface with the doctor apparatus (10) has a blade (16), a blade holder (14) to which the blade (16) is adapted, a frame component (12) to which the blade holder (14) is adapted, and a loading element (23) arranged between the frame component (12) and the blade holder (14) for loading the blade holder (14) and further the blade (16). The loading element (23) is tied to both the frame component (12) and the blade holder (14). The invention also relates to a blade holder (14) and a method for a web forming machine for doctoring a moving surface (26).
US08152959B2
A multi-ply fibrous structure product having two or more plies of fibrous structure where at least one of the plies has a plurality of domes formed during the papermaking process and there are from about 10 to about 1000 domes per square inch of the product. At least one of the plies of the multi-ply fibrous structure has a plurality of embossments thereon with a total embossment area of from about 3% to about 15%. The embossments may be arranged such that they define non-geometric foreground patterns of unembossed cells.
US08152958B2
A method of making a fabric-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet includes compactively dewatering a papermaking furnish to form a nascent web having an apparently random distribution of papermaking fiber, applying the dewatered web having the apparently random fiber distribution to a translating transfer surface moving at a first speed and fabric-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a patterned creping fabric. The creping step occurs under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric. The creping fabric travels at a second speed slower than the speed of the transfer surface. The fabric pattern, nip parameters, velocity delta and web consistency are selected such that the web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping fabric to form a web with a drawable reticulum.
US08152955B2
A method for reusing a recording medium forms an image on the recording medium by use of an image forming material, and removes the image forming material from the recording medium through thermal transfer by use of a peeling member. The recording medium is paper produced by applying a treatment liquid at a size pressing after paper making and then drying the treatment liquid. The treatment liquid includes a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer having an alkyl group with carbon atoms at its side chain as an image-repellant substance. The image forming material includes a thermoplastic resin, and the adhesive strength between the peeling member and the image forming material is higher than the adhesive strength between the recording medium and the image forming material.
US08152949B2
A method for forming a large diameter and very long pipe comprises forming a plurality of pultruded segments via pultrusion and joining the segments along the lengthwise edges thereof.
US08152945B2
A method for producing a display device includes: (A) coating a resin composition, which is a raw material of the cured resin, on at least one of the display part or the protective part, (B) closely attaching the display part and the protective part via the resin composition, and (C) arranging the cured resin layer between the display part and the protective part by curing the resin composition by irradiating UV rays from external side of the protective part. After (B), if there is any defect in the resin composition layer, the method further includes (b1) separating the display part and the protective part, and (b2) peeling and removing the resin composition adhered to the separated display part and the separated protective part by a removing solution which contains an organic solvent.
US08152933B2
A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holding member configured to rotate along with a wafer (W) held thereon and a drain cup (51) configured to surround the wafer (W). A cleaning process is performed by rotating the wafer (W) while supplying a process liquid onto the wafer (W), and then a rinsing process is performed by rotating the wafer (W) in a similar way while supplying a rinsing liquid onto the wafer (W). The rinsing process is performed by first adjusting a rotational speed of the wafer (W) to be the same as the rotational speed used in the cleaning process while supplying the rinsing liquid, and then raising a liquid level of the rinsing liquid inside the drain cup (51) by decreasing the rotational speed of the wafer (W) or increasing a flow rate of the rinsing liquid, and raising a reach position of the rinsing liquid on the outer sidewall of the drain cup (51) by increasing the rotational speed of the wafer (W).
US08152931B2
The present invention relates to a phosphate-containing machine dishwasher detergent comprising 0.01-20% by weight of at least one alcohol alkoxylate, 0.01-10% by weight of at least one alcohol ethoxylate, 0-15% by weight of at least one sulfonate-containing polymer, 0-15% by weight of at least one hydrophilically modified polycarboxylate, 0-8% by weight of at least one polycarboxylate, 1-70% by weight of at least one phosphate and 0.1-60% by weight of at least one further additive, where the sum of components (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F) and (G) is 100% by weight, to a process for rinsing surfaces of articles by treating these surfaces with the composition, and to the use of the composition for increasing the rinsing performance in the machine washing of articles.
US08152926B2
Disclosed herein is a vacuum processing apparatus for performing a desired process for a substrate after establishing a vacuum atmosphere therein. More particularly, the vacuum processing apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, which is divided into a chamber body and an upper cover. The upper cover is configured to be easily opened away from and closed to the chamber body.
US08152924B2
The invention relates to a device for depositing at least one layer on a substrate by means of a process gas which is introduced through a flow channel (4), extending in a vertical direction, of a gas inlet member (3), fixed in place with respect to a reactor housing, into a process chamber (1), extending in a horizontal direction, wherein the process gas leaves a gas outlet opening of a portion of the gas inlet member (3), protruding into the center of the rotationally symmetrical process chamber (1), and flows in a radially outward direction via a base (8′) of the process chamber (1), extending in a horizontal direction and rotating about the center, on which base the substrate lies. In order to improve the gas flow directly above the base of the process chamber, it is proposed that the front (3′) of the gas inlet member (3) protrudes into a pot-like recess (23) and an end portion (6′) of a gas deflecting face (6) is flush with the base (8′).
US08152917B2
A method for manufacturing concrete bodies or forms containing electric arc furnace dust in an amount of up to about 4% at elevated temperatures to provide concrete bodies is disclosed. The concrete bodies have improved compressive strength and slump retention capability. The method for producing the bodies includes the steps of providing pre-selected amounts of electric arc furnace dust, water, cement and aggregate. The electric arc furnace dust is mixed with water and then added to the cement and aggregate and mixed together at a temperature of about 32° C. and 45° C. to form a hot mixture. The hot mixture is added to a mold and cast at an elevated temperature to form a body with improved strength and slump retention characteristics.
US08152912B2
A method for determining the charge state of a particle filter installed in the exhaust gas line of an internal combustion engine comprises the following steps: determining the exhaust gas volumetric flow in the flow direction of the exhaust gas downstream of the particle filter (2), detecting the pressure present in the exhaust gas line (1) in the direction of flow of the exhaust gas prior to the particle filter (2), comparing the exhaust gas volumetric flow determined hinter the particle filter (2) with the detected pressure present upstream of the particle filter (2) and evaluating the results of the comparison with consideration to the exhaust gas back pressure of the uncharged particle filter (2) and the exhaust gas back pressure caused by the particle filter charge, said pressure being higher than the uncharged filter. Further described is a corresponding device for reducing the particle emissions of an internal combustion engine.
US08152909B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a gas chromatography (GC) system with a check valve. The check valve is situated downstream from the electronic flow control module and upstream of the injector. When a sample is volatized in the injector, the check valve closes into a checked position and prevents solvent and sample from backing into the gas delivery line. In certain embodiments, the check valve has a conical plug that fits into a seat that has an aperture. When the conical plug is depressed, the conical plug engages the sides of the aperture and seals the check valve, preventing solvent and sample from backing through the check valve. In certain embodiments, the change in pressure caused by over-pressurization in the injector, combined with the force applied by a spring on the conical plug, depresses the plug such that it seals the aperture.
US08152905B2
Device (34) for separating particles and/or drops of solid/fluid material out of a fluid, which device has a cyclone (14) with an inlet (16) and an outlet (28). The device also has a centrifuge (36) that is arranged to separate particles and/or drops of solid/fluid material from the outlet fluid in the cyclone (14). The centrifuge (36) is located downstream of the cyclone (14) and is located in the cyclone (14). The centrifuge's axis of rotation is arranged to extend in the same direction as the cyclone's axis of rotation. The centrifuge (25) has a plurality of lamellae (40) that is arranged coaxially on a shaft (42) at a distance from one another so that fluid channels are formed between adjacent lamellae (40) and so that fluid flows in between adjacent lamellae (40) in a direction from the lamellae's periphery (40p) towards the shaft (42) when the centrifuge (36) is in use.
US08152901B2
A jacket material into which a gas adsorbing device and core material are inserted is decompressed in a vacuum chamber, the opening is sealed, and then the jacket material is exposed to the atmosphere. In the atmospheric pressure, a pressure of about 1 atm which is equivalent to the pressure difference between the inside and outside is applied to the jacket material of the heat insulator. The jacket material is made of a plastic laminated film and is deformed by pressure. A protruding portion is plunged into a container to drill through holes, and a gas adsorbent in the container communicates with the inside of the jacket material. Thus, both during holding and in applying to the vacuum heat insulator, the gas adsorbent can be applied to the vacuum heat insulator without degradation, and the high degree of vacuum can be kept for a long time.
US08152897B2
A gas liquid separator system for a hydrogen generating apparatus includes a collection area for collecting liquid from the generated gases. To empty the collection area occasionally so that liquid does not build up and become entrained again in the dried gas, a vent solenoid is provided in communication with the collection area and a pump is used to create a vacuum periodically on the electrolysis cells. Such arrangement is used to open the liquid gas filter and possibly just the sump to atmosphere occasionally and vacuum generated to draw the liquid from the sump back to the electrolysis cells.
US08152894B2
A method of using scrap rubber and other scrap materials, such as tires or parts or pieces of tires, to manufacture or melt steel and other metals in a furnace is disclosed. The scrap rubber may be used as a carbon source for the manufacture of steel and other metals, and may be used as an energy source to melt the scrap metal used to make the steel and other metals. The net benefit of this method includes reducing the amount of scrap rubber, such as tires, to be sent to a waste disposal facility or landfill, thereby improving the environment. In addition, by increasing the use of scrap rubber as a source of energy for steel or metal production, less energy is required from other sources.
US08152890B2
Kimberlite based fertilizer products are produced by treating micronized Kimberlite with alkali or first acid then alkali or by mixing the micronized kimberlite with DAP or NPK fertilizer.
US08152882B2
A conventional dust-catcher for blast furnace gas comprises a pressure vessel, with a gas inlet and outlet dome (14), a separation chamber (16) and a lower dust hopper (18), and a diffuser pipe (26) extending axially through the gas inlet and outlet dome (14) into the separation chamber (16). To increase the separation efficiency of such a dust hopper (18), it is proposed to centrally arrange a flow deflecting chamber (50, 50′), having a smaller cross-section than the separation chamber (16), in the separation chamber (16), so that there remains an annular settlement chamber (52) between the inner wall of the separation chamber (16). The diffuser pipe (26) is connected to this flow deflecting chamber (50, 50′) so as to axially discharge a downward gas flow into the top end of the flow deflecting chamber (50, 50′), wherein this downward gas flow is deflected upward. An annular swirling device (58) with guide vanes (60) is arranged in the top end of the flow deflecting chamber (50, 50′) around the lower end of the diffuser pipe (26) and acts as outlet opening for the gas flow into the into the pressure vessel of the dust-catcher. The guide vanes (60) form a vortex gas flow rising around the diffuser pipe (26) upward into the gas inlet and outlet dome (14).
US08152879B2
A filter bag for a vacuum cleaner made of a composite material including at least three layers, at least two layers which include a nonwoven fabric layer and at least one nonwoven fiber layer being connected by a weld.
US08152878B2
Cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance such as a vacuum cleaner has a longitudinal axis, an upstream cyclonic separator and a downstream cyclone assembly. The downstream cyclone assembly comprises a plurality of cyclones arranged in parallel with one another. The downstream cyclones are arranged in a first set in which each cyclone has a longitudinal axis inclined at a first angle (α) to the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separating apparatus and a second set, in which each cyclone has a longitudinal axis inclined at a second angle (β) to the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separating apparatus. The second angle (β) is greater than the first angle (α). The invention allows the downstream cyclone assembly to be compactly packaged.
US08152877B2
A surface cleaning apparatus has a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber. The cyclone chamber has an air inlet and an opposed end. The dirt outlet from the cyclone chamber comprises a gap at the terminal end of a cyclone chamber wall proximate the opposed end. A shroud extends inwardly into the cyclone chamber from the opposed end and is preferably tapered in the upstream direction.
US08152873B2
A system is disclosed to generate hydrogen. The system includes a fuel cartridge, a cartridge interface, and a fuel cartridge receiver. The fuel cartridge includes a liquid permeable material with one or more cavities that encloses a solid anhydrous chemical hydride. The fuel cartridge also includes a housing that is heat and pressure resistant that houses the liquid permeable material, and a liquid. The fuel cartridge also includes one or more liquid sources that introduce the liquid into the housing such that the liquid contacts at least a portion of the liquid permeable material.
US08152866B2
In various aspects, a synthetic diesel fuel composition is provided that comprises at least three C10-C18 hydrocarbon compounds selected from the group consisting of decane, butylcyclohexane, hexylbenzene, hexylcyclohexane, octylbenzene, octylcyclohexane, decylbenzene, decylcyclohexane, dodecylbenzene, and dodecylcyclohexane. The synthetic diesel fuel composition also comprises at least one aromatic hydrocarbon compound at greater than or equal to about 10 vol. % of the total composition. Such synthetic diesel fuel compositions have a cetane number of greater than 40, a freeze point of less than or equal to about −20° C. (about −4° F.), and a density of greater than or equal to about 0.81 g/ml (about 6.8 lb/gal) and may be synthesized from biomass or other alternative fuel sources.
US08152865B2
An electrical storage device having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a lithium electrode, and an electrolyte capable of transferring lithium ion, the lithium electrode is out of direct contact with the negative electrode, and lithium ion is supplied to the negative electrode by flowing a current between the lithium and negative electrode through an external circuit. A method of using the electrical storage device includes using the lithium electrode as a reference electrode, the positive electrode potential and negative electrode potential is measured, and the potential of the positive or negative electrode is controlled during charging or discharging. The potentials of the positive electrode and negative electrode are monitored to easily determine whether deterioration of the electrical storage device is caused by the positive or negative electrode. It is possible to control the device with the potential difference between the negative electrode and reference electrode, using the negative potential.
US08152860B2
The present invention concerns cosmetic compositions for coloring hair comprising at least one direct hair dye and a carrier system for the at least one direct hair dye, and the use of such compositions in cosmetic formulations for coloring hair. To provide a possible way with which the permanence of the bond of direct hair dyes to the hair can be improved, with the aim of direct dyes remaining on the hair for as long as possible to deliver the desired hair color in the desired quality for as long as possible, according to the invention there are proposed compositions of the aforementioned kind in which the carrier system is vesicular and comprises vesicles which are made up from hydrophobised polysaccharides and have a particle size of between 10 and 1000 nm as well as a positive surface charge with a zeta potential in the range of between 1 and 150 mV.
US08152859B2
A method of coloring keratinous fibers comprising contacting the keratinous fibers sequentially with a pre-treatment composition and a color developer wherein: i. the pre-treatment composition comprises: (a) 0.5-25% by weight of an iron salt at a pH below 2 including 0.5-5% by weight of a reducing agent (b) a buffer effective in the pH range 3-6 and (c) a penetration enhancer comprising one or more solvents having Hansen solubility parameter δh between 1-10 (MPa)1/2 and δp between 10-25 (MPa)1/2 wherein the component (b) is mixed with (a) or (c) not more than 360 minutes prior to contacting the keratinous fibers and ii. the color developer is selected from one or more of hydrolysable tannin or its breakdown products or derivatives or a mixture thereof obtained from a natural or synthetic source, where the sequence of contact is in any order.
US08152857B2
A tension-free elastic tape is used for the surgical treatment of female urinary incontinence. The tape has a textile structure that allows ingrowth of the tape into the connective tissue. On its longitudinal edges, the tape has edge threads (2, 4, 6, 8) that project from the textile structure of the tape and that especially facilitate a good primary anchoring of the tape in the tissue. The edge threads are firmly incorporated in the structure of the tape.
US08152833B2
A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body. The filter element is expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained. The filter element includes a mesh including strands, each strand having a diameter. The mesh includes at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and wherein each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I), and wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than five times the smallest EI of a strand.
US08152817B2
An intraocular lens insertion tool with a tool body for accommodating an intraocular lens and adapted to insert into an eye the intraocular lens through displacement of the lens in an axial forward direction by a plunging member, and to push out the lens through an insertion tube section disposed at an axial distal end of the tool body. A base plate of a resting portion that houses the lens is provided with side plates that respectively project from two widthwise edges of the base plate to both sides in a thickness direction of the base plate thereby imparting to the resting portion a generally “H” shaped cross section. The tool body inclusive of the resting portion and the insertion tube section is integrally formed from light-transmissive synthetic resin material whereby the lens housed within the resting portion is viewable from an outside through the base plate.
US08152815B2
A trial head and shell for use in trial reduction of hip implants, and particularly bipolar implants, having locking features that prevent the head from dissociating from the shell during trialing, yet which allow the head and shell to be readily assembled and disassembled in the operating room. A cut-out region is formed in an outer bearing surface of the head. The cut-out region allows the head to pass through a trial shell opening and into the shell, yet is oriented such that when the head is associated with a femoral neck, the head cannot disassociate from the shell. Orientation indicators can be provided for use in assembly and disassembly. The trial head and associated shells can be provided in the form of a surgical kit including hip implants. Methods of use are provided.
US08152814B2
A tool for separating components of a modular prosthesis includes an upper and lower body, each defining opposing bills at one end that are sized to fit in juxtaposed relation within an initial gap between the components. The upper body is provided with a handle so that the tool may be manually held by the surgeon with the opposing bills in position in the prosthesis. The tool includes a jack assembly disposed between the upper and lower bodies of the tool that is configured to be driven into an extended position, gradually separating the upper and lower bodies, and consequently exerting a separation force on the prosthesis components through the bills of the tool. The jack assembly is driven by a threaded actuator rod that bears against one element of the jack assembly as the actuator rod is rotated within a threaded bore in one of the bodies of the tool.
US08152813B2
A percutaneous path is established into a selected bone, e.g., a vertebral body, having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone. A first bone filling material is conveyed through the percutaneous path into a region of the cancellous bone. A second bone filling material is conveyed through the percutaneous path into the region. The second bone filling material is different than the first bone filling material.
US08152811B2
A positioning device for placing a prosthesis device in a spinal column of a living mammal, the device including at least one holding means for cooperation with the prosthesis device and for guiding thereof during positioning. The positioning device may also include fixing means for fixation with respect to at least one vertebra, where the fixing means includes locking means, which in a first, free state, allows adjustable movement of the holding device and thereby of the prosthesis device, and in a second, locked state, fixes the holding means and thereby the prosthesis device in a selected position. Embodiments of the disclosure also include Embodiments of the invention also include a system.
US08152806B2
A monopolar electrosurgical instrument including a pair of diverging shanks with a pair of uninsulated tips formed respectively on the distal ends thereof, a housing secured to one of the shanks and having a button disposed therein, a metal wire extending adjacent the one shank so that depression of the button bends the metal rod to energize the instrument.
US08152802B2
A method for controlling energy applied to tissue in two or more states as a function of a detected tissue property is provided. The method includes the steps of: determining an initial value of the detected tissue property, recursively processing the detected tissue property to obtain an averaged value thereof, updating the recursively processing step with the initial value of the detected tissue property and transitioning between two or more states based on a comparison of averaged values obtained by two or more recursive filters.
US08152789B2
A system and method for providing closed loop infusion formulation delivery which accurately calculates a delivery amount based on a sensed biological state by adjusting an algorithm's programmable control parameters. The algorithm calculates a delivery amount having proportional, derivative, and basal rate components. The control parameters may be adjusted in real time to compensate for changes in a sensed biological state that may result from daily events. Safety limits on the delivery amount may be included in the algorithm. The algorithm may be executed by a computing element within a process controller for controlling closed loop infusion formulation delivery. The biological state is sensed by a sensing device which provides a signal to the controller. The controller calculates an infusion formulation delivery amount based on the signal and sends commands to an infusion formulation delivery device which delivers an amount of infusion formulation determined by the commands.
US08152787B2
An absorbent article has front and back waist regions that define transversely opposite sides each extending a length Lp from a waist opening to a leg opening of the article. A disposal tab has an attachment region attached to one side of the article and extending a greatest length La along at least a portion of the length Lp of the side. A tab region of the tab extends transversely outward from the attachment region a greatest distance Dt and is attachable to the article in at least a disposal configuration of the article. The greatest length La of the attachment region is substantially greater than the greatest distance Dt that the tab region extends transversely outward from the attachment region. The greatest length La of the attachment region is in the range of about 35 percent to 100 percent of the length Lp of the side of the article.
US08152785B2
The present disclosure describes a dressing for use in a vacuum wound therapy procedure to promote healing of a wound. The dressing includes a cover layer for positioning over a wound to define a reservoir in which a reduced pressure may be maintained over the wound. A portal member is mounted relative to the cover layer and defines a fluid passage for fluid coupling with a reduced pressure supply conduit for creating the reduced pressure within the reservoir. A filter screen is mounted relative to the fluid passage and is dimensioned to minimize passage of tissue particles of predetermined dimension through the fluid passage of the portal member.
US08152782B2
A catheter system comprising a guidewire, an endovascular catheter, and an aspiration catheter. The guidewire has an expandable occluder mounted on a distal end. The guidewire and the endovascular catheter are insertable into a lumen of the aspiration catheter. The aspiration catheter also includes infusion and aspiration lumen(s) and port(s). Methods of using the catheter system for treating a vascular lesion and removing embolic material during the procedure are also disclosed.
US08152780B2
In general, this disclosure relates to techniques for sealing, or pinching, high-pressure fluid tubing (e.g., braided tubing) that may be used to deliver medical fluid from a powered medical fluid injection device, such as an injector that delivers contrast media and/or saline during angiographic or computed tomography (CT) procedures. In some cases, one or more low-friction, solenoid-based pinch valve mechanisms may be used. One example powered medical fluid injection device comprises an injector head and at least one pinch valve mechanism that is coupled to the injector head. The at least one pinch valve mechanism comprises a plunger, a reciprocating arm driven by the plunger, and a tube pinching area. The at least one pinch valve mechanism, when deactivated by the injector head, is configured to cause the reciprocating arm to pinch fluid tubing that runs through the tube pinching area.
US08152756B2
Disclosed is a surgical needle, or active cannula, that is capable of following a complex path through cavities and tissue within a patient's anatomy. The needle has a plurality of overlapping flexible tubes, each of which has a pre-formed curvature and a pre-determined flexibility. Each of the plurality of flexible tubes is selected based on their respective preformed curvature and flexibility so that a given overlap configuration causes the combination of overlapping flexible tubes to form a predetermined shape that substantially matches a desired path through the anatomy. By individually controlling the translation and angular orientation of each of the flexible tubes, the surgical needle may be guided through the anatomy according to the desired path.
US08152754B2
A breastshield is constructed of a low Durometer material. The breastshield includes a nipple tunnel that generally accommodates the shape of a nipple and an aperture that conveys fluids through the breastshield.
US08152731B2
A wavelet transform and pattern recognition method for analyzing a subject's heart sounds including (a) obtaining subject-related heart-sound data utilizing a first sampling rate, (b) obtaining simultaneously existing subject ECG data, including pre-selected ECG fiducial data, and (c) processing such obtained data including, relative to the heart-sound data, (1) computing the maximum-overlap discrete wavelet transform (MODWT) for a preselected number of wavelet scales, (2) locating the peaks in time of the absolute values of the MODWT coefficients respecting each of a such scales, and (3), for each such scale, (i) interpolating between the located peaks, and (ii) subsampling each interpolation result at a second sampling rate which no greater than the mentioned first sampling rate.
US08152729B2
A two-dimensional array ultrasonic probe is provided with a two-dimensional ultrasonic array and a surface protection layer provided on the array. The two-dimensional ultrasonic array arranges a plurality of piezoelectric vibration elements two-dimensionally. The surface protection layer is made essentially of polybutadiene series rubber. The polybutadiene series rubber is synthesized from 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene and 1 to 5 parts by weight of glycerin.
US08152720B2
A blade assembly has a blade body and a blade body surround. A retractor attachment structure is attached to the blade body at the first end portion thereof extending from an exterior surface thereof. The retractor attachment structure is configured for having one of the blade body mounting structures of the retractor engaged therewith in a manner whereby the blade body is independently pivotable about and translatable along the blade body mounting structure. An alignment member protrudes from an interior surface of the blade body adjacent its first end portion. A slot extends through the blade body at its first end portion. The blade body surround and the blade body jointly form a generally cylindrical-shaped structure when the blade body is in a seated position within the slot. The cylindrical structure defines a central passage extending between the first and second end portions of blade body surround.
US08152719B2
A laryngoscope blade for use in viewing the vocal cords of a patient in performance of an endotracheal intubation includes a laryngoscope blade portion connectable to a laryngoscope handle to lift the patient's tongue and mandible for viewing the vocal cords and aid in the insertion of an endotracheal tube, the blade portion includes a proximal portion and a distal portion; a white light source carried by the blade portion; a black light source carried by the blade portion to prompt the visible effects of fluorescence and phosphorescence with respect to the patient's vocal cords for viewing the vocal cords and passing of the endotracheal tube there between during endotracheal intubation, the black light source located closer to the distal portion and the white light located to the proximal portion, and the black light source emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of 300 to 450 nm.
US08152714B2
A curvilinear spinal access device for performing a procedure on a spine of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a working portal configured to be advanced toward a surgical site located at the spine of the patient. The working portal includes a distal end and a proximate end, a working portal housing having an open interior channel disposed between the distal end and the proximate end, an exterior channel disposed on an outside surface of the working portal housing and between the distal end and the proximate end. The distal end is configured to be disposed at the surgical site and the proximate end is disposed away from the surgical site. The housing has a curved shape defined between the proximate end and the distal end, wherein the proximate end is disposed with respect to the distal end. The working channel is configured to allow advancement of at least one surgical tool and/or at least one implant toward the surgical site.
US08152705B2
A reformer includes a combined mount that serves to attach and support a foot bar assembly, a jump board, and a spring bar. The combined mount is easily and quickly attached to a side rail of a frame of the reformer. A carriage of the reformer include a combined wheel axle and strap attachment point, which eliminates the need for a separate strap attachment bracket. The carriage also include side wheels which are mounted on the sides of the carriage, and which are biased outward so that they contact the side rails of the frame of the reformer.
US08152701B2
An improved counterweight module of a weight trainer having two vertical guide rods as well as top, bottom and intermediate counterweight blocks superimposed along the vertical guide rods. It is mainly characterized in that a liner ring assembly is only assembled onto the bottom and top counterweight blocks. The liner ring assembly has upper liner rings set into the top counterweight block and lower liner rings set into the bottom counterweight block. The annular rings of the upper and lower liner ring are mated slidably with two vertical guide rods. Moreover, a guide rod pulling portion is set onto every intermediate counterweight block for penetration of the vertical guide rod. There is a spacing between the guide rod pulling portion and vertical guide rods. The superimposition surface of the counterweight block is provided with a mating portion to enable limitation of every intermediate counterweight block.
US08152699B1
The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for gravity-balanced apparatuses for training humans for space exploration and other applications. The embodiment of the simulation apparatus is less expensive to build and safe to operate and adaptable to numerous applications, including but not limited to theme parks, museums, training facilities, educational/research labs, and others, for people to experience walking and other perambulations in lower or zero gravity environments. The present invention is statically-balanced and comprises a spring apparatus that is easily adjusted. An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for simulating walking in a zero-gravity or reduced-gravity environment.
US08152695B2
Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.
US08152689B2
A method of operating a hydraulic pump of a drive train of a motor vehicle having a transmission with a hydrodynamic torque converter and a engine, with the input speed of the hydraulic pump being adjusted depending on the speed of the engine. The input speed of the hydraulic pump is adjusted depending on the pump speed of the torque converter, which corresponds to the speed of the engine and depends on the turbine speed of the torque converter, such that when the pump speed of the torque converter is higher than the turbine speed of the same, the hydraulic pump is operated at a speed higher than the speed of the engine. When the turbine speed of the torque converter and the pump speed of the same equalize, the excessive increase in the input speed of the hydraulic pump is reduced in relation to the speed of the engine.
US08152684B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four 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 may include clutches and brakes.
US08152682B2
The hybrid powertrain has a plurality of members that can be utilized to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio in a hybrid transmission architecture. The transmission includes three planetary gear sets having five torque-transmitting devices and four fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine, a damper, a pump, an engine disconnect clutch, and a drive motor, all operatively connected with the transmission to provide strong hybrid operating capability.
US08152676B2
A speed change gear includes: a housing that has internal gears having different inside diameters; and a plurality of change gear units that are respectively in mesh with the plurality of internal gears and that change the speed of rotation from an input shaft to an output shaft. Each of the change gear units includes a rotating member that has one of a pin protruding in a direction along an input/output axis and an insertion hole; an eccentric member that centers on an eccentric axis that is eccentric with respect to the input/output axis; and an oscillating member that oscillatingly rotates as the eccentric member rotates about the input/output axis.
US08152675B2
A device for optimizing the oil delivery function of the ring gear of a differential to maximize the volume of oil flow. The device includes an annular disk (6) which, when viewed in an axially direction, is arranged adjacent the ring gear (1) on the side of the ring gear (1) facing the differential cage (5) and is coaxial with the ring gear (1). The annular disk (6) also serves as a scraper ring.
US08152671B2
A hybrid powertrain for a vehicle includes a prime mover, which may be an engine, and a transmission that has an input member configured for connection with the prime mover to receive torque from the prime mover, an output member, and a stationary member. A first motor/generator and a second motor/generator are provided as additional motive sources. A first planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set are included, each having a respective first member, second member, and third member. Only one clutch is operatively connected to the transmission, and it is selectively engagable to ground the input member and the first member of the second planetary gear set to the stationary member.
US08152668B2
The present disclosure provides a power split transmission with two Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) modes and four fixed gears for use in hybrid electrical vehicles (HEV). The present disclosure utilizes two electric motors (“E-motors”), an engine, three planetary gear sets, and four selectively engageable clutches. The clutches are engaged in different combinations to engage the different gears and EVT modes. In the four fixed gears, power is transmitted only on the mechanical path for the highest transmission efficiency. In the two EVT modes, a part of the power is transmitted electrically. Alternatively, the E-motors can be located in the middle integrated with the transmission design. Advantageously, the present invention works with lower component speeds than existing two-mode hybrid transmissions. This can be achieved with a front E-motor design enabling modularity and also with a center E-motor design.
US08152664B2
A football comprising an inflatable bladder integrally molded with raised areas which are intended to be exposed, and exterior panels which are adhered to the bladder to span the spaces between them. The raised areas or ridges are formed to extend outward from the exterior panels and provide a raised grip area. By bonding the exterior panels to the bladder directly, stitching and lacing are eliminated to simplify construction and manufacture. The football is provided with a plurality of raised areas to provide more grip areas than the single lace area of a traditional football. Each of the raised ridges are contoured to more closely follow the shape of a thrower's hand as it grasps the ball and thereby providing greater contact area and better control.
US08152661B2
A training device for teaching proper mechanics of aiming and propelling a lacrosse ball is disclosed. The training device is a lacrosse stick including a shaft portion, a head portion, and an end cap. The end cap includes a light source that generates a beam of visible light capable of forming a visible light point on a surface remote from the user. In operation, a user orients a lacrosse stick in a starting position to align the eye of the stick with a target. The user directs the light point generated by the light source onto the target, and then moves the lacrosse stick in a motion sufficient to propel the lacrosse ball from the head portion toward the target.
US08152660B1
A basketball training device that simulates the presence of a defensive player more specifically the hand of a defensive player so as to provide practice shooting a basketball with at least a partially restricted view of the basketball goal. The basketball training device further includes a support pad that is releasably secured proximate the lower torso region of the user utilizing an adjustable strap. Movably connected to the support pad is a first support member and a second support member. The second support member is hingedly attached to the first support member. The basketball training device further includes a visual inhibitor movably attached to the second support member opposite the first support member. Operably coupled to the second support member distal to the first support member is an activation cord. The activation cord is further connected at the opposing end to at least one finger of the user's dominant shooting hand. The activation cord will transition the second support member from a first position to a second position thus placing the visual inhibitor proximate the facial region of the user.
US08152657B2
An apparatus for handling a ball and tee may include a body, a clamshell retainer, a biasing assembly, a drive assembly and a handle assembly. The body may include a first opening, a second opening and a chamber, and a handle assembly associated with the second opening of the body. The biasing assembly may be capable of being actuated by the handle assembly. The drive assembly may be capable of being actuated by the biasing assembly. The clamshell retainer may be associated with the second opening of the body. The clamshell retainer may have a pair of clasping members movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively carry the golf ball and a portion of the golf tee between the pair of clasping members. The pair of clasping members may be moved between the open position and the closed position based on actuation of the drive assembly.
US08152655B2
A golf ball includes a single core formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition, an inner cover disposed about the core, and an outer cover. The inner cover includes an ionomeric material and has a hardness of about 60 Shore D or greater. The outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer, is formed from a castable polyurea or polyurethane, and has a material hardness of about 60 Shore D or less. The outer surface of the core has a trans content of about 12% or less and a hardness of about 71 to 88 Shore C, the geometric center of the core has a trans content of about 10% or less and a hardness of about 70 to 80 Shore C, and the core surface hardness is greater than the geometric center hardness by about 1 to 10 Shore C to define a shallow positive hardness gradient.
US08152652B2
A golf club head with an improved sweet spot, defined as a portion of the striking face that has at least 99.7% of the maximum ballspeed is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club head with a significantly circular sweet spot that encompasses at least about 1.5% of the total striking face. A golf club head in accordance with the present invention may generally have a improved face geometry with an elliptical factor of greater than about 0.5, a beveled transition portion around the striking face of the golf club head, a variable face thickness region with decreases thickness, or even a tilted bulge and roll radius all helping improve the performance of the golf club head.
US08152641B2
In one aspect, a method, systems, and apparatuses provide for online gaming that integrates sensory data and/or gameplay data from a real-world environment, and in particular, interactive online gaming within an environment incorporating playback of a recorded instance of an original, live card game played in a real-world environment, wherein the online game may be provided in a delayed manner or in real-time. In one aspect, sensory data and/or gameplay data from a live card game in a real-world environment are recorded for delayed playback or streamed live in real-time, and a remote player is able to access the game online and participate in the game as if the remote player had been present at the original, live card game in the real-world environment. In one aspect, the remote player may play in the online game at the position/seat occupied by one or more of the original, real-world players in the original, real-world game. In one aspect, in games where a player is dealt his or her own hand of cards, the remote player will receive cards as they were dealt to the original, real-world player that occupied the same position/seat in the original, real-world game. In one aspect, the remote player may able to make strategic decisions during gameplay that differ from those of the original, real-world player, wherein such strategic decisions may affect the outcome of the game for that player. In one aspect, the real-world environment is a gaming area at a casino.
US08152636B2
Party kits are provided with are used in bowling environments, and more particularly to party kits having characters related to animated characters which are used in bowling environments including, for example, with automated bowling scoring systems. The party includes include party gifts having at least one character thereon related to one or more animated characters associated with a theme. The one or more animated characters are displayed on one or more systems in the bowling center. The kit also includes party supplies having the at least one character thereon which are related to the one or more animated characters displayed on the one or more systems in the bowling center.
US08152630B2
In one embodiment, the gaming system and method disclosed herein maintains a plurality of different bonus event average expected payouts which are ranked. In one embodiment, if a bonus event triggering condition occurs, the gaming system determines one of the plurality of different bonus event average expected payouts to utilize for the triggered bonus event. In one such embodiment, the determined bonus event average expected payout is based on a player's current wager and a quantity of accumulated bonus event points or units. In this embodiment, the gaming system enables players to accumulate bonus event points based on one or more aspects of a player's previous gaming experiences during a designated period of time. The gaming system then displays a bonus event to the player and determines a bonus event award, wherein the determined bonus event award is in accordance with the determined bonus event average expected payout.
US08152620B2
The invention relates to a method for initializing a desired game in an electronic gaming machine, in which a predefined fee has to be paid in order to play the game and the events of the game are displayed on a screen. According to the invention the player is offered the following alternatives a) he can decline the offer of a preliminary game which is played before the desired game, or b) he can play this preliminary game, if he declines the preliminary game, the main game is played with predefined chances of winning and predefined win amounts, when the preliminary game, which permits only a win or a loss—i.e. without setting or paying a win amount—, is selected and after it is played, the win or loss of the preliminary game is established, the main game is played when the preliminary game is won, and, when the preliminary game is lost, game play is ended, the money inserted is lost, and the gaming machine may offer the player the stated alternatives again.
US08152618B1
A training and analysis method and system for the card game poker are disclosed. Some embodiments can be run in an Internet browser. Some embodiments introduce “dynamic analysis”, which examines the end user's long term strengths and weaknesses. In other words, the analysis is done considering all the end user's actions both individually and as a whole picture. The end user can receive a detailed analysis of past performance at any point in the poker session.
US08152605B1
A handheld cervical dislocator that will encircle the neck of poultry of most any size and dislocate the neck vertebrae from the skull immediately to terminate the life of culled poultry with minimum discomfort.
US08152598B2
A substrate treating method includes rotating a substrate in a circumferential direction and polishing a peripheral portion of the substrate by pressing a polishing member to it using a pressing mechanism having a pressing pad. An angle of at least a part of the pressing pad with respect to an axial direction, in which the pressing mechanism makes the pressing pad press the peripheral portion of the substrate, is changed by an angle displacement mechanism which actively displaces the angle so that the polishing is performed depending on a surface to be polished in the peripheral portion.
US08152594B2
A polishing apparatus is used for polishing a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer to a flat mirror finish. The polishing apparatus includes a polishing table having a polishing surface, a top ring configured to hold and press the substrate against the polishing surface, a top ring shaft configured to lift and lower the top ring, and an elongation detecting device configured to detect an elongation of the top ring shaft. The polishing apparatus further includes a controller configured to set a vertical position of the top ring at the time of polishing, and control a lifting and lowering mechanism to lower the top ring to a preset polishing position as the set vertical position. The controller corrects the preset polishing position based on the elongation of the top ring shaft which has been detected by the elongation detecting device.
US08152591B2
A garment and brassiere accessory that is substantially triangular in shape having attachment straps extending outward from upper corners of the undergarment that may be looped around shoulder straps of a brassiere. In addition, a lower corner may be looped around a center portion of the brassiere. An upper band of preferably elastomeric material located along an upper edge of the undergarment keeps the undergarment securely against a woman's chest while being worn. The undergarment is preferably constructed from two layers of material, an outer layer and an inner layer so that the outer layer hides any wrinkles or indentations caused by the stress of the lower corner pulling on the inner layer while the undergarment is being worn. Additional features include extension straps that allow a user to adapt the undergarment to a larger chest and/or brassiere size or to wear the undergarment without a brassiere and detachable jewelry.
US08152581B2
Provided is a floater for marine hose, which can be easily formed into an annular shape conformable even to marine hoses having variations in the circularity of their cross-section or to marine hoses of different outside diameters. A belt-like floater 1 is formed by rotatably connecting together, by using connection pins 7a, float blocks 2 equal to the number corresponding to the outside diameter of a marine hose 10. A fitting groove is formed on the inner side of the belt-like floater 1. The groove is placed along the outer surface of the marine hose 10 while being fitted onto a location collar 11 projected on the outer surface of the marine hose 10. Then, the end portions of the floater are coupled together by an end coupling member 7b. Thus, the floater 1 is fitted in annular shape onto the marine hose 10.
US08152568B2
A cable assembly (100) comprises a case (2) having a receiving room (25); a printed circuit board (3) received into the receiving room; a cable (5) extended into the receiving room and electrically connected with a rear portion of the printed circuit board; and a terminal module (4) disposed in the receiving room and electrically connected with a front portion of the printed circuit board. The terminal module has an insulative housing (411, 421), a set of first signal terminals (412) and a set of second signal terminals (422) disposed in the insulative housing. Each of first and second signal terminal has a mating section (4121, 4221) extending to a top surface of the insulative housing. The mating section (4121) of each first signal terminal is in alignment with the mating section (4221) of each second signal terminal along a front to rear direction.
US08152555B2
An electrical connector assembly (100), comprises: a housing (1) having a receiving room (11) therein communicated with an exterior along a longitudinal direction and defining a receiving cavity (14) formed on a top surface thereof. A pair of supporting posts (143) are formed in the receiving cavity. Two paralleled printed circuit boards (2) are received into the receiving room and positioned in the housing. A latching member (6) is located in the receiving cavity and engaged with the housing. A pulling member (7) is supported by the top surface of the housing and having a front portion extending into the receiving cavity and interconnected with the latching member. The pulling member defines a curving portion (722) supported by the pair of supporting posts.
US08152552B2
A card coupling system includes a card having an electrical coupler and defining a plurality of extension member coupling holes. An extension member is operable to couple to the card and includes a base. A plurality of card engagement members extend from a first edge of the base, each card engagement member operable to be located in a respective extension member coupling hole in order to couple the extension member to the card. A mounting plate extends from a second edge of the base and defines at least one mounting hole. The card may be a half size form factor card and may be coupled to a full size form factor card connector by engaging the card connector with the electrical coupler, coupling the card engagement members to respective extension member coupling holes, and securing the mounting plate to the card connector through the at least one mounting hole.
US08152548B2
A connector apparatus includes first and second connectors that can be engaged with each other. The first connector includes a first contact and a first main body that supports the first contact. The first connector is conductive. The first main body is insulative. The second connector includes a second contact and a second main body that supports the second contact. The second contact is conductive. The second main body is insulative. The first contact includes a first connection part that can contact the second contact. The second contact includes a second connection part that can contact the first connection part at plural portions of the first connection part. The first and second connection parts substantially have the same shape and size.
US08152543B1
An outlet cover for an electrical outlet which prevents unintentional disconnection of an electrical plug from the electrical outlet. The outlet cover includes a plate having at least one opening sized and positioned to receive the electrical plug and a lid hingedly attached to the plate so that the lid can be moved between an open position that allows access to the electrical outlet and a closed position wherein the electrical outlet is covered by the lid. The lid includes a base, a prong having a proximal portion connected to, and extending outwardly from, the base, and a distal portion that is spaced from the base by the proximal portion. The electrical cord is positioned between the prong and the base such that the prong and base cooperate together to secure the electrical cord such that the electrical plug is not unintentionally disconnected from the electrical outlet.
US08152542B2
An electrical connector enclosure which includes a framework having at least one wall, and which at least partly defines an internal cavity; and a moveable panel mounted on the framework, the panel being moveable between an open position and a closed position relative to the internal cavity, and wherein the at least one wall and the moveable panel cooperate to define a conductor aperture when the moveable panel is located in the closed position relative to the internal cavity.
US08152539B2
A differential transmission connector unit is disclosed that includes a first differential transmission connector including a first electrically insulating block body; and first signal contact pairs and first ground contacts arranged alternately in a row in the first block body; and a second differential transmission connector including a second electrically insulating block body; and second signal contact pairs and second ground contacts arranged alternately in a row in the second block body. The first differential transmission connector is connected to the second differential transmission connector with the first signal contact pairs and the second signal contact pairs being in contact with each other and the first ground contacts and the second ground contacts being in contact with each other. One of the contact surface of each first ground contact and the contact surface of the corresponding second ground contact is a rolled surface, the contact surfaces contacting each other.
US08152530B2
The invention describes a method for evaluating educational programs which, firstly, develops criteria which will address the strengths and weaknesses of the educational program. The second step of the method is to observe the criteria, chosen in step one, in the educational program. The third step is to assign a numerical value to each of the criteria observed in step two. The next step is to assign an overall rating to the educational program based on the numerically valued criteria. The personnel involved in the educational program can then decide what steps in addition to the assessment can be done to improve or maintain the educational program.
US08152529B2
A computer-based educational system provides the user or instructor with a suite of graphic editing tools, allowing the design of graphical objects, such as symbols and text that can be displayed to a viewer, such as a student, using a projector or computer terminal. In order to facilitate the educational process, the invention provides the user with robust ability to control parameters of the graphical objects, allowing the user to create simulations or models of subject matter, such as mathematical principles, in order to facilitate the educational process. In the preferred embodiment, the parameters of these graphical objects can actually be defined in terms of variables and specifically functions or expressions including those variables and then the values of the variables controlled in real-time by the user. This ability allows the user to control the execution of the simulations or models, enabling the user or instructor to dovetail the execution of those simulations with the instructional process.
US08152528B2
Provided are embodiments of instructional maps providing instructions for creating a finished product—such as a finished food product—and kits—such as baking or cooking kits—which include one or more such instructional maps. The instructional maps preferably include a recipe in the form of a series of step-by-step instructions for creating a finished food. The instructional maps may also include one or more activities to be completed while making the food, such as games, quizzes, puzzles, experiments, foreign language activities, social interaction activities, and instructions for doing one or more physical exercises. Some embodiments may also include two sides made up of instructions, activities, facts, etc. which are respectively designed for users of different ages, genders, interests, etc.
US08152525B2
A dental prosthesis removal tool comprising a handle portion and a top portion, the top portion including a head portion and a beak portion. The beak portion is configured to engage both a maxillary dental prosthesis and a mandibular dental prosthesis without the tool needing to be reoriented. The dental prosthesis removal tool makes it possible for a dental prosthesis wearer to remove dental prostheses without the user placing his or her fingers inside of his or her mouth. The dental prosthesis removal tool also allows a denture wearer to remove dental prosthesis without bending, work hardening, or breaking metal clasps contained in some dental prostheses. The dental prosthesis removal tool further allows a denture wearer to more comfortably remove his or her dental prosthesis, promoting better patient compliance with maintenance procedures and oral hygiene.
US08152522B2
A method for forming a tooth positioner for repositioning at least one tooth of a patient includes providing a dental arch cast of a patient, separating at least one tooth from the dental arch cast, fixing a pin in a stump part of the at least one separated tooth, and in any non-separated teeth, reconstructing the dental arch cast of the patient by aligning the separated teeth to correspond to the alignment in the patient's mouth and holding the pins in a material that may be softened by heat, heating an area to soften an area, applying force to the pin fixed in the at least one tooth to be repositioned to move it in a desired direction to obtain a realigned arch, and forming a tooth positioner corresponding to the realigned arch. The tooth positioner is used by having the patient wear it for a period of time.
US08152516B2
An apparatus for grinding the teeth of horses is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tool body. A drive shaft is disposed inside of the tool body. A drive mechanism is connected to one end of the drive shaft. A grinding member is connected to the other end of the drive shaft. The grinding member can pivot through a range of angles relative to the drive shaft.
US08152515B2
In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a burner. The apparatus can also include an intake valve that includes an input for receiving fuel from either a first fuel source at a first pressure or a second fuel source at a second pressure. The intake valve can include a first output for directing fuel received from the first fuel source and a second output for directing fuel received from the second fuel source. The intake valve can include an actuator configured to permit fluid communication between the input and the first output or between the input and the second output. The apparatus can include a pressure regulator that can include a first inlet for receiving fuel from the first output of the intake valve and a second inlet for receiving fuel from the second output of the intake valve. The regulator can also include an outlet for directing fuel from the pressure regulator toward the burner.
US08152514B2
An oil/slurry burner with injection atomization for the gasification of solids-containing liquid fuels under high pressures of e.g. 80 bar (8 MPa) and high temperatures of e.g. 1200 to 1900 degrees centigrade in reactors with liquid slag removal is proposed, wherein a plurality of feeding elements disposed outside the annular duct concentrically with respect to the burner axis are provided for introducing liquid fuel and atomizing agent, the individual feeding elements being implemented intrinsically straight in the burner, inclined to the burner axis in the direction of the burner mouth, and ending at the burner mouth adjacent to the oxidant outlet. By introducing the liquid fuel and atomizing agent in individual completely implemented tubes with a corresponding nozzle, different fuels can be supplied simultaneously via the individual feeds and converted in a flame reaction.
US08152509B2
A roll stand for use in the extrusion forming of a sheet product from a flowable material having a main frame supporting first and second rolls between which there is a first gap through which at least one sheet layer passes during sheet product formation. A first adjusting mechanism moves the first roll relative to the second roll so as to vary a dimension of the first gap. The first adjusting mechanism has a first element that is moved by a first actuator that is: a) maintained on the apparatus; b) engageable by a hand of an operator; and c) manually movable through an operator's hand to thereby cause repositioning of the first roll.
US08152508B2
The invention concerns a mold for forming a single-use floss holder containing a length of dental floss having a wax composition applied thereto, the mold including a first part having a first cavity disposed therein, the first cavity defined by a bottom base surface and a peripheral sidewall, and including a base portion, first and second spaced-apart portions having proximal and distal sections and extending from the base portion, and a second part having a second cavity disposed therein, the second cavity defined by a bottom base surface and a peripheral sidewall, and including a base portion, first and second spaced-apart portions having proximal and distal sections and extending from the base portion and terminating in the distal section; and a groove having an aspect ratio of about 10:1 or greater and having first and second terminal sections and a mid-section, the groove extending an entire width of the second part, where the first and second terminal sections of the groove traverse and are coincident with the distal section of the first and second spaced-apart portions of the second cavity, respectively.
US08152505B1
A rotary expansible chamber device includes intersecting, two-piece vanes that provide expansion/compression chambers as the vanes rotate about a central axis of a rotor housing. The rotor housing has an inner contour defined by a conchoid of rhodonea having a shape coefficient of at least 3. The vanes are captured by a primary and secondary output shaft, with engagement arms of the primary output shaft being juxtaposed between the intersecting vanes. A vane spring helps maintain each vane at a constant length and in sealing engagement with the inner contour of the rotor housing.
US08152501B2
In a scroll compressor configured to be capable of three-dimensional compression in a circumferential direction and a height direction of spiral wraps, in which top surfaces and bottom surfaces of spiral wraps (25B and 27B) are provided with step portions (25E and 27E) and the wrap height on the outer peripheral side of the step portion is made higher than the wrap height on the inner peripheral side, back-pressure introducing portions (55 and 57) where gaps between the back surfaces at step-portion ends of tip seals and groove bottom surfaces of tip seal grooves are made larger than a gap at the other portion are formed between the step-portion ends of tip seals (51 and 53) provided on top surfaces (25G and 27G) on the outer peripheral side of the spiral wraps and tip seal grooves (25L and 27L) to which the tip seals are fitted.
US08152496B2
A method of operating a compressor of a compressor system uses three models. Each model of the three models describes a surge line of the compressor as a function of any two of three operating parameters of the compressor. The three operating parameters include head (H), flow (Q), and speed (N). The method includes measuring operating characteristics of the compressor system using sensors, and determining a current value of the three operating parameters based on at least some of the measured operating characteristics. The method also includes locating operating points of the compressor on each of the three models based on the current value of the operating parameters, and identifying a sensor fault that affects the determination of at least one of the operating parameters. The method further includes avoiding surge of the compressor using one model of the three models. The one model being a model that is a function of two operating parameters unaffected by the sensor fault.
US08152494B2
A magnetically coupled fluid actuator for microfluidic applications which affords the actuated fluid some degree of separation from the drive mechanism, increasing biocompatibility and making part of the device potentially disposable.
US08152493B2
A rotary blood pump may include one or more motor stators overlying exterior surfaces of a wall defining a pumping chamber. A rotatable impeller within the pumping chamber may have a hydrodynamic thrust bearing surface adapted to constrain a position of the impeller along an axis of rotation relative to the wall when the impeller is rotating about the axis of rotation. The impeller position may then be constrained without requiring a constant polarity magnetic force to be applied in the axial direction from a fixed position of the housing.
US08152492B2
An apparatus and method for pumping fluids, such as water and/or hydrocarbons, from a subterranean formation or reservoir, include a linear rod pump having a mechanical rack and pinion drive arrangement, adapted for attachment to a pumping mechanism, such as the polished rod at the top of a rod string in a hydrocarbon well. The rack gear, of the rack and pinion drive arrangement, is adapted for connection to, and movement with, the polished rod. The pinion gear does not translate with the rack gear, and is driven by a reversible motor for affecting up and down reciprocating motion of the rack gear and pumping mechanism. Some forms of the invention include a compressible gas counter-balance arrangement. Some forms of the invention include an electronic drive configured for dealing with electric power generated by the motor during a portion of the pumping cycle.
US08152476B2
The present invention relates to positive displacement pumps, and particularly to diaphragm positive displacement pumps. An inventive diaphragm positive displacement pump is provided comprising at least one pumping chamber containing a deformable hose diaphragm, a working fluid cylinder fluidly connected to the deformable hose diaphragm, and at least one linear motor to displace the working fluid within the working fluid cylinder and thereby increase and decrease the volume of the pumping chamber. An inventive method of controlling an inventive diaphragm positive displacement pump comprising at least one pumping chamber and powered by at least one linear motor is also provided.
US08152474B2
An impeller of a centrifugal fan includes a hub and a plurality of blades arranged on and around the hub. Each of the blades includes a root portion and a tip portion. The tip portion of each of the blades has a concave surface and a convex surface in rear and front sides thereof respectively. In a rotational direction of the impeller, the tip portion of a rear blade protrudes towards a front blade.
US08152465B2
A rotor blade comprises an inner rotor blade root area, a rotor blade main area disposed adjacent to the inner rotor blade root area along a length of the rotor blade and having an aerodynamically effective rotor blade profile, the profile including a nose area and a rear edge area, and a rotor blade tip disposed adjacent to the rotor blade main area along the length of the rotor blade. The rotor blade tip is configured to be deformable relative to the rotor blade main area and is operatively connected to a first actuator device. The first actuator device is configured to initiate a vertical movement of the rotor blade tip upwards or downwards relative to the lift direction. The vertical movement starts from a neutral position relative to the rotor blade main area.
US08152458B2
A high temperature centrifugal pump includes non-linear fluid flow paths between the pump housing and seal housing to reduce fluid flow therebetween. In another aspect, the invention provides a drive shaft of variable diameter to compensate for different amounts of thermal expansion to maintain a more consistent gap profile between the drive shaft and thermal insulators or other components positioned around the drive shaft. In yet another aspect, a tube heat exchanger may be placed in fluid communication with the seal housing to re-circulate and cool the fluid therethrough.
US08152457B2
The present application provides a compressor clearance control system for a gas turbine engine having an oil recirculation system with a flow of oil therein and a compressor with a casing and a number of rotor blades. The compressor clearance control system may include a casing heat exchanger positioned about the casing of the compressor and a conduit in communication with the casing heat exchanger and the oil recirculation system so as to heat the casing of the compressor with the flow of oil from the oil recirculation system.
US08152453B2
A fan system comprises a fan, a bracket configured to mount to a ceiling structure, and a mounting assembly coupling the fan with the bracket. The mounting assembly comprises a fan mounting assembly secured to the fan; and a bracket mounting assembly secured to the bracket. The mounting assembly includes an elongate member extending between the fan mounting assembly and the bracket mounting assembly. The fan mounting assembly is configured to permit adjustment of the orientation of the fan axis about two axes that are perpendicular to the fan axis. The bracket mounting assembly is configured to permit adjustment of the orientation of the elongate member axis about two axes that are perpendicular to the elongate member axis. The bracket mounting assembly permits self-adjustment of the mounting assembly, to re-position the center of gravity of the fan system underneath the bracket after the fan axis orientation has been adjusted.
US08152447B2
The invention relates to an intermediate casing (21) for an aircraft jet engine, comprising an outer shell (23) and also front and rear flanges (25, 27) which are arranged radially inside with respect to the outer shell, the casing (21) also comprising structural arms (17) which extend radially between the flanges as far as the shell (23), the rear flange being equipped with receiving means (34) for receiving a fixing bracket for fixing a rod for absorbing the thrust forces, and the first receiving means comprising bosses (36) coming from the rear flange, through which bosses through-orifices (38) are formed which are passed through by fixing screws of the bracket. According to the invention, at least one of the bosses (36) extends as far as making contact with one of the structural arms (17).
US08152441B2
A reengineered undershot waterwheel adapted to capture unutilized hydrokinetic energy is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the blades, partitions, and shafts of the waterwheel are composed of engineered plastics and composites for improved operation and longevity. In other embodiments, the waterwheel may be fixed, floating, partially or fully submerged, mounted vertically or horizontally, and will operate in deep and shallow flowing water sources.
US08152435B2
A flatbed vehicle carrier assembly comprising a carrier body subassembly including a carrier floor supported by a carrier body slide enabling sill frame. An intermediate subframe subassembly is capable of sliding and being pivotally integrated with a slide enabling tilt and pivotal control subassembly, which is pivotally secured therebetween to a mounting platform support assembly. A pivot control device provides a means to rotate and rearwardly transfer and posture the intermediate subframe. The carrier body sill frame is slideably assembled to the intermediate subframe, being driven by a longitudinal control actuator. A ramp can be pivotally integrated into a loading end of the carrier body subassembly. The carrier and ramp floors are fabricated of a series of interlocking extrusion members.
US08152432B2
Presented is a device for lifting land/sea containers off of a trailer chassis and for tipping them into a vertical position for loading. The device includes a door opening assembly for opening and closing the doors, including when the container is in a vertical position. When the container is filled, the doors would be closed and the container would be lowered to a horizontal position. From the horizontal position, the device is configured to place the container on the chassis of a trailer for towing by a truck.
US08152423B2
A 3-dimensional (3D) variable-axis machine is disclosed, which includes a frame spaced from a base to be disposed at an upper surface of a workpiece, a pair of forward and backward pivoting frames having an arch shape connected to the frame, a pair of leftward and rightward pivoting frames having an arch shape and a relatively less height than the forward and backward pivoting frames to be connected across the forward and backward pivoting frames, and a spindle vertically inserted in an intersectional portion between the forward and backward and the leftward and rightward pivoting frames to be pivoted corresponding to movements of the both pivoting frames. The spindle is connected to a sliding member, and the sliding member is connected to a lower surface of the forward and backward pivoting frames and an upper surface of the leftward and rightward pivoting frames in a sliding manner.
US08152419B1
A tubular member notching system includes a system frame, a clamp jaw assembly carried by the system frame, a jaw actuation assembly carried by the system frame and engaging the clamp jaw assembly, a pivoting swing arm assembly positioned generally alongside the system frame adjacent to the clamp jaw assembly and an arbor housing assembly carried by the pivoting swing arm assembly.
US08152416B2
After a rock anchor (1), in particular an expandable friction tube anchor (1), comprising an anchor bolt (2) has been inserted into a pre-sunk borehole with an end sleeve (4) first, an adapter (6) having a liquid inflow and outflow is arranged on a sleeve (3). On the one hand, a holding pressure which secures the adapter (6) to the sleeve (3) is produced via a holding-pressure line (8). On the other hand, fluid flows into the anchor bolt (2) via an expansion line (7) and starts to fill said bolt. In the process, the increase in pressure (inflation pressure) causes the anchor bolt (2) to expand in the borehole, with the result that its outer surface presses against the borehole wall and thus secures the rock anchor (1) in the borehole. A gas supply connected to the adapter (6) makes it possible for a gas under pressure, in particular compressed air, to be introduced into the anchor bolt (2) before and/or after the expansion thereof. The compressed gas is relieved following the removal of the adapter (6) (pressure equalization) and conveys the fluid contained in the anchor bolt (2) virtually completely from the anchor (1).
US08152415B2
A method and apparatus for forming a support aggregate pier having compacted aggregate lifts in a soil matrix, includes an elongate, hollow tube with a bulbous leading end bottom head element that is forced or lowered into the soil matrix. The hollow tube includes a mechanism for releasing aggregate from the lower head element of the tube as the tube is lifted in predetermined increments. The same hollow tube is then lowered or pushed in predetermined increments to vertically compact the released aggregate in thin aggregate lifts, while forcing a portion of the compacted aggregate transaxially into the soil matrix at the sidewalls of the cavity. The process may be repeated to form a series of compacted aggregate lifts comprising an aggregate pier or the process may include forming only a single lift for the aggregate pier while densifying adjacent matrix soils and imparting lateral stress in these soils.
US08152396B2
A writing instrument grip apparatus for holding a writing instrument for performing writing, the apparatus includes a first member adapted to receive a user's thumb and index and side of middle fingers and having a substantially vertical cylindrical chamber for receiving the writing instrument adapted to extend past a bottom surface of the first member for contacting a surface for performing writing; and a second member adapted to receive a user's middle, ring, and small fingers coupled to a top of the first member so that motion of the hand of the user powers the writing instrument for performing the writing in response to the motion; wherein pressure is directed away from joints of the thumb and at least one finger of the hand of the user.
US08152393B2
A printer device is disclosed that has a cutter function and a thermal head, and is low profile but is suitable for thick paper. The printer device includes a first module and a second module. The first module includes a turning blade driving motor, a platen roller driving motor, a platen roller driven to rotate by the platen roller driving motor, and a fixed blade provided on a first frame. The second module includes a printing head and a turning blade provided on a second frame. When the first module and the second module are connected together, the printing head faces the platen roller, the turning blade faces the fixed blade, and rotation of the turning blade driving motor is transmitted to the turning blade.
US08152391B2
A recording device includes a feed tray for storing sheets, a first conveying path, an arm having one end attached to a pivot, and a roller attached to the other end of the arm. The roller feeds the sheet to the first conveying path. A recording unit is positioned in the first conveying path, and records an image onto the sheet. The recording device also includes a second conveying path between the pivot and the feed tray, and a path changing unit. The path changing unit moves between a first position, where it discharges the sheet, and a second position, where it conveys the sheet to the second conveying path. The arm moves between a third position where the roller contacts the sheets in the feed tray, and a fourth position where the roller is above the second conveying path.
US08152389B1
A camera mount supported by a beam. The mount includes an inverted “U” shaped flexible member including first and second fingers that are parallel to one another, a connecting member joins the first and second fingers at one end, the first and second finger free ends have a stiffness of about ten to thirty pounds per inch. Also the mount includes a camera mount interface extending from the connecting member opposite of the first and second fingers. Wherein the first and second fingers and the connecting member have a slip compressive fit over the beam to hold the mount in place, giving the camera an overhead view. The first and second fingers and connecting member deflect outward to facilitate the slip compressive fit.
US08152384B2
Push-pull fiber optic connectors and cable assemblies having a latch that is actuated by a cam surface are disclosed. The fiber optic connectors include a ferrule and a housing having the latch. A shroud fits over a portion of the housing and allows the craft to grab the shroud and push the shroud and hence the fiber optic connector into a suitable adapter or the like. Likewise, the craft can grab the shroud and pull on the same to remove the fiber optic connector out of the adapter or the like. The cam surface is disposed on a decoupling member, wherein the decoupling member is attached to the shroud so the components can move together. Methods of making the push-pull fiber optic connector are also disclosed.
US08152360B2
The invention provides a storage device with storage racks and a shaker where the undesired horizontal oscillations of the upper ends of the storage racks are small. The storage device for laboratory samples includes a shaker drive, a rack carrier being driven by said shaker drive for performing a shaking motion with horizontal component, at least one storage rack arranged on the rack carrier, which storage rack comprises vertical side walls, each side wall having a plurality of ledges arranged vertically above each other and forming storage locations for a plurality of laboratory samples on top of each other, and a counterweight assembly connected to an upper end section of the storage rack and being driven to exert a force opposite to the shaking motion in order to counteract an oscillation of the upper end section of the storage rack.
US08152359B2
A method for reducing tar fuel viscosity by steam heating, during slurrification in a rotary slurrifier, is described for creating slurries of many small tar particles suspended in a continuous water phase. This heating is done at pressure to avoid evaporation of the water. The tar in water slurry is evaporatively cooled by subsequent depressurization.
US08152357B2
A vessel (1) for the mixing of fluid substances (4) is provided, which is fully lined on the inside with synthetic enamel or the like and which includes a main body (2), a lid (3) for the main body, a stirrer (5) inside the main body (2), and a multiplicity of additional devices (12, 15) for controlling and monitoring the substance mixture, characterized in that it has a multiplicity of support elements (13) for the multiplicity of additional devices (12, 15), which are integrally mounted on the inner surfaces of the main body and are likewise fully coated, each support element (13) being suitable for removable mounting of the respective additional device of the multiplicity of additional devices (12, 15) inside the main body (2).
US08152350B2
A sidelight-type backlight module includes a casing body, a light-guiding plate, a reflector plate, a light-emitting unit, and a reflector component. The reflector plate is disposed at a surface of the light-guiding plate, and has an extension part extending beyond a side edge of the light-guiding plate that faces toward the light-emitting unit. The reflector component has a light-reflecting face spaced apart from the reflector plate. The light-emitting unit is disposed between the extension part and the light-reflecting face. The extension part and the light-reflecting face reflect light of the light-emitting unit into the light-guiding plate so that a lamp reflector can be omitted. Preferably, the reflector component is formed integrally with the casing body.
US08152345B2
A headlamp assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a housing and a lens. At least one protrusion is located on or adjacent to the housing such that the protrusion and lens are urged together when the headlamp assembly is subjected to an impact, contact between the lens and the at least one protrusion initiating controlled deformation and/or breakage of the lens.
US08152341B2
An LED bulb includes a base, a shell, a plurality of LEDs, a thermally conductive liquid, and a liquid-volume compensator mechanism. The shell is connected to the base. The plurality of LEDs is attached to the base and disposed within the shell. The thermally conductive liquid is held within the shell. The liquid-volume compensator mechanism is attached to the base. The liquid-volume compensator mechanism is configured to compensate for expansion of the thermally conductive liquid. The liquid-volume compensator mechanism moves from a first position to a second position. A first volume is provided for the thermally conductive liquid in the first position. A second volume, which is greater than the first volume, is provided for the thermally conductive liquid in the second position.
US08152333B2
A metallic reflector device having one or an array of individual reflector elements for positioning over a corresponding one or array of light sources, preferably comprising one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The metallic reflector device includes a planar base and a plurality of the reflector elements. The planar base has one or a plurality of apertures, each aperture having an edge that defines a proximal rim of the reflector element. Each reflector element includes an annular sidewall having an inner surface that extends from the proximal annular rim to a distal annular rim. The proximal annular rim defines a first opening through which direct and reflected light from a light source is emitted. The distal annular rim defines a second opening through which the light source is disposed. The inner surface of the annular sidewall is formed from the material of the planar sheet by mechanically deforming the planar sheet, such as by stamping or drawing.
US08152331B1
An expandable fixture for various linear lamp lengths that includes telescoping segments and a lamp connector connected to one or more of the telescoping segments. The telescoping segments defines a longitudinal axis and includes at least two segments slidably engaged with each other. In this way, the length of the expandable fixture may be increased and decreased along the longitudinal axis of the expandable fixture. The expandable fixture may include a mechanism to lock the expandable fixture at the adjusted length. In a typical version, the expandable fixture may have a length of about forty-eight (48) inches when fully extended and about twenty-four (24) inches when fully contracted, with the electrical ballast being housed within the fixture.
US08152324B2
A method and system for connecting a light emitting apparatus is disclosed herein. The system includes at least two rod assembly connectors, in which each rod assembly connector includes a rod assembly body having a first end and a second end. The first end of one of the rod assembly connectors is configured to connect with the second end of the second rod assembly connector. Further, at least one of the rod assembly connectors includes an attachment mechanism, in which the attachment mechanism is configured to attach to a light emitting apparatus.
US08152320B2
A surface light source device including a light source unit having a plurality of light-emitting sources in a two-dimensional direction, and a lenticular lens sheet having a plurality of unit lenses, each of which is a part of a substantially elliptic cylinder, such that lens surfaces of the unit lenses face a light emergent side. There is a particular relationship between an interval at which the light-emitting sources are arranged in the same direction as an arrangement direction of the unit lenses, an interval between the light emitting sources and a rear surface of the lenticular lens sheet, a unit-lens end-portion angle, and the refractive index of the material of the lens sheet.
US08152317B2
A light source device includes an optical element 22 having a first face 1 opposed to a solid light emitting element 21. The optical element 22 includes second and third faces 2, 3 opposing in parallel to each other and both substantially perpendicular to the first face 1, a fourth face 4 substantially perpendicular to the second and third faces 2, 3 and also obliquely-opposed to the first face 1 and a fifth face 5 as an exit face. The fifth face 5 has an area smaller than an area of a light emitting face of the solid light emitting element 21. The light source device further includes a polarization converting element 42 having an incident surface opposing in substantially-parallel to the fifth face 5 through a space, polarization separating elements 43 for separating incident light from the optical element 22 in polarization, a first reflecting surface 45 for reflecting one of polarization-separated fluxes and wave plates 44 for converting either of phases of the polarization-separated fluxes.
US08152312B2
An apparatus that presents a projection image has a screen and plural projectors, each of which projects a section of the projection image onto the screen. The apparatus has a projected-section-determining unit that determines as a projected section the section of the projection image, based on an input image signal, corresponding to a part of the screen onto which each of the projectors projects the section of the projection image. The apparatus has an image-signal-generating unit that generates an image signal corresponding to the section of the projection image which each of the projector projects onto the part of the screen, based on the input image signal and the projected section determined by the projected-section-determining unit, and a projectors-controlling unit that controls the projectors to adjust centers and/or ranges of the projections by the projectors based on the projected section determined by the projected-section-determining unit.
US08152305B2
A broadband electromagnetic wave beam is projected from a broadband wave source (301). The wave beam is separated by an element (306) into narrowband wavelength beams. The narrowband beams are directed across a predetermined area (312). A narrowband wavelength beam corresponding to a desired pixel wavelength is selected and displayed on a display surface (318).
US08152304B2
Stereographic imaging system using open loop magnetomechanically resonant polarizing filter actuator
An apparatus and method for stereoscopic 3D image projection and viewing using a single projection source, alternating polarization, and passive eyewear. This approach is applicable to frame sequential video created using existing 3D graphics APIs, as well as other video signal formats, and is compatible with existing digital light processor (DLP) technology for both front and rear projection systems. An alternating polarizer in the form of a magnetomechanically resonant polarizing filter actuator is used to modulate the projected image. A preferred embodiment enables an existing DLP projection system to be enhanced with 3D capability.
US08152303B2
In a stereographic projector that places a single linear polarizing wheel in the light path of the projector to impart a desired polarization state onto the projected light, a method and apparatus for periodically slowing the wheel down while in optimal states, and accelerating through invalid states. Stereo separation is greatly increased providing a marked improvement in visual quality and perceived depth when this invention is applied to such a polarizing filter wheel.
US08152301B2
A method for testing a person's vision is disclosed. The method includes providing, for display to the person, one or more sequences of test images, each test image including one or more test symbols. For each test image, a target symbol is identified to the person. The person then views each test image in the sequence and activates a control in response to recognizing a test symbol that replicates the shape of the target symbol. At the completion of the sequence, a parameter value associated with the activations is processed and correlated with a vision metric. A system for testing a person's vision is also disclosed.
US08152299B2
A fundus camera includes an illumination optical system, an observation photographic optical system, a photographic diaphragm unit located in a position conjugate with the subject's eye in the observation photographic optical system, and an imaging unit disposed in the observation photographic optical system. The photographic diaphragm unit includes a first photographic diaphragm fixed during capturing of a still image and a second photographic diaphragm movable during capturing of a moving image. The fundus camera further includes a diaphragm driving unit configured to move the second photographic diaphragm on a plane orthogonal to an optical axis, an image recording unit configured to capture, with the first photographic diaphragm, a still image based on an output of the imaging unit and, with the second photographic diaphragm, a moving image based on an output of the imaging unit, and a display unit configured to display an image captured by the imaging unit.
US08152286B2
The present invention is directed to an ink supply device having an ink cartridge and a cartridge mount. The ink cartridge has an ink supply portion and an air intake portion. The cartridge mount has a first projection and a second projection. When the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mount, the first projection opens the ink supply portion, and the second projection opens the air intake portion. The second projection has an operating piece, a guide path for receiving the operating piece, and a spring for exerting force on the operating piece. The second projection contacts the air supply portion prior to the first projection contacting the ink supply portion, and the guide path receives the operating piece after the second projection contacts the air supply portion.
US08152283B2
A liquid-jet head has a passage-forming substrate with an individual path including a pressure-generating chamber communicating with a nozzle orifice which ejects a liquid. The head also has a pressure-generating element, a protection plate, a reservoir, a compliance plate, a through hole, an introducing path, and a flexible portion with flexibility in a region of the compliance plate, the region facing the reservoir, which region covers at least from a part facing the through hole to a part surrounding the introducing path.
US08152280B2
A hardwearing inkjet printhead comprises a substrate 10 having an ink ejection circuit 12 and a patterned glass frit planarization layer 22 on its surface. A ceramic body 28 has a substantially flat surface 28B intimately bonded to the planarization layer. The ceramic body and planarization layer together define at least one ink ejection chamber 18 and associated ink ejection nozzle 38 with the nozzle and at least the major part of the height of the chamber formed in the ceramic body.
US08152268B2
A tube pump comprising a flexible tube, a pressing member capable of generating a negative pressure in the tube by sequentially pressing the tube from as the pressing member moves from an upstream portion of the tube to a downstream portion of the tube during a pump operating process, a rotating member which includes a cam surface which the pressing member comes in sliding contact with when the pressing member moves between a pump operating position where a negative pressure is generated in the upstream portion of the tube and a pump non-operating position where the negative pressure is not generated, and a rack member including a plurality of teeth, wherein the pressing member is provided with a pinion member capable of continuously engaging with the a flexible portion of the rack member when the pressing member rotatably moves between the pump non-operating position and the pump operating position.
US08152267B2
An ink jet recording apparatus configured to perform recording by discharging ink from a plurality of discharge ports disposed on a recording head. The apparatus includes a cap adapted to cover the plurality of discharge ports disposed on the recording head, a recessed portion defined on a bottom face inside the cap, a suction hole facilitating introducing a negative pressure to the recessed portion, an atmosphere communication hole located outside a range of the recessed portion and communicating with atmosphere, an ink absorber mounted inside the cap to cover the recessed portion, and a suction pump connected to the suction hole and configured to generate a negative pressure. When the plurality of discharge ports is covered with the cap, a projection image obtained when the plurality of discharge ports is projected onto the bottom face exists within the range of the recessed portion.
US08152265B2
An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink onto a recording medium; a conveyance device which conveys the recording medium in a prescribed direction along a conveyance path; an investigation pattern generation device which generates a thinned-out investigation pattern that is to be output by causing the nozzles other than a portion of the plurality of nozzles of the head to eject the ink; a reading device which is provided on the conveyance path and which reads in the investigation pattern output onto the recording medium; and a checking device which performs comparison between data of the investigation pattern read in by the reading device and data of the investigation pattern generated by the investigation pattern generation device, wherein a determination rate of ejection failure nozzles is found from result obtained by outputting the investigation pattern generated by the investigation pattern generation device onto the recording medium from the head, reading in the output investigation pattern by the reading device, and performing the comparison between the data of the investigation pattern thus read in and the data of the investigation pattern generated by the investigation pattern generation device.
US08152251B2
A slide detent device includes a second slide member slidably connected to a first slide member, and a stop member secured to the first slide member. A third slide member slidably connected to the second slide member includes a pair of third margins walls defining a pair of sliding raceways. The stop member includes a pair of extension wings corresponding to the pair of sliding raceways of the third slide member. The pair of extension wings has a pair of contacting surfaces. A distance defined between the pair of contacting surfaces is slightly smaller than a distance defined between the pair of the sliding raceways of the third slide member so that the pair of sliding raceways urges the contacting surfaces to form a locating effect of frictional contact when the pair of sliding raceways of the third slide member are in touch with the contact surfaces.
US08152247B2
A wheel brake for an aircraft, the brake comprising a support (2) that receives at least one electromechanical actuator (1) fitted with a pusher (8) facing friction elements (3) and movable under drive from an electric motor (6) to apply a braking force selectively against the friction elements. The actuator is non-reversible such that a reaction force applied on the pusher cannot cause the electric motor to turn, and the actuator is associated with elements (30, 31, 32, 33, 34) for selectively switching off an electric power supply to the electric motor, which elements allow power to be delivered to the actuator in normal circumstances, and switch off the power if (a) the measured speed of rotation (wmes) of the electric motor drops below a first predetermined threshold (S1); and (b) the commanded speed of rotation ( ω) of the electric motor drops below a second predetermined threshold (S2).
US08152238B2
A child car seat subframe that is easily disassembled into component sections for washing within a residential-sized dishwasher. The car seat subframe can be disassembled by hand, and each individual component is cable of fitting in a residential-sized dishwasher individually and collectively. The component sections are attached by a combination of registration tabs and slots, and held tightly together by fasteners, or attached by a combination of tongue and groove joints. Hanging devices, such as hooks, may be formed on one side of each component section to facilitate hanging on racks in a dishwasher. The car seat subframe back panel and side panels are disassembled into a plurality of segments for easily fitting in a dishwasher.
US08152232B2
A release handle is adapted to activate a portion of a chair or sofa, such as a foot rest or a recline mechanism. The handle allows a user to selectively control the movement of functions of the chair. The handle is coupled to a cable, which is used to release a mechanism on the chair, such as the footrest. The handle includes a grip ring that is coupled to an annular tube at one end. The annular tube is adapted to be positioned over sheath of the pull cable. The annular tube protects the cable within the sheath to prevent wear to the cable to prevent breakage. The handle also includes a retention slot positioned at the top of the annular tube, at the junction of the tube and the grip ring. The retention slot is adapted to allow an end fitting of the cable to be snapped into the handle to secure its position. The handle also includes a pass through slot that is adapted to allow the barrel end of the cable to pass through the annular tube to allow the barrel end to be rotate 90 degrees and snapped into the retention slot.
US08152230B2
A vehicle includes a tailgate, a panoramic roof assembly and a dual-action rear hatch. The panoramic roof assembly has a plurality of positions including a closed position and a raised position. The dual-action rear hatch has a sliding mode wherein the hatch is movable from a closed position to a slide forward position wherein the rear hatch is received under the roof assembly when in the raised position, and has a flip-open position wherein the rear hatch is flipped-open while in a slide closed position.
US08152228B2
A collar system for a connecting the cab of a vehicle to the cargo bed cover or similar boxed attachment, the vehicle mounting collar including a webbed collar frame designed to mount to a standard driver's compartment or cab, without modification to the vehicle. The collar and attachment method are extremely flexible and accommodates any vehicle tolerance variation. The collar mounts to the rear flange on the cab of the vehicle, and the bulkhead of the collar has slots to receive the shell of the cargo bed cover. Shell bolts within the bulkhead slots allow the shell to be adjustably repositionable on the bulkhead of the collar by slippage of the shell bolts within the bulkhead slots.
US08152225B2
A roof panel of a cab installed on a work vehicle includes a planar portion and a plurality of bent portions. The planar portion serves as the roof surface of the work vehicle cab. The bent portions are formed on the outer periphery of the planar portion. The bent portions are bent at a predetermined angle with respect to the planar portion toward an external side of the roof surface of the work vehicle cab.
US08152216B2
A self-contained, vehicle-mounted system for operating a retractable cover with respect to proximate open top containers transported by the vehicle to cover and uncover the containers. The system includes all of the items necessary to accomplish the covering and uncovering of a container and needs only to be mounted on the vehicle and connected to a source of electric power on the vehicle.
US08152215B1
A utility vehicle comprises a vehicle body frame; a seat frame including a seat bottom support member and a seat backrest support member, at least the seat bottom support member and the seat backrest support member being formed by square pipes with rectangular cross-sections; a seat bottom fastened to the seat bottom support member; and a seat backrest fastened to the seat backrest support member; wherein the seat bottom support member and the seat backrest support member of the seat frame are integral with each other to have a bent portion; and the seat bottom support member of the seat frame is fastened to the vehicle body frame.
US08152210B2
A bumper for a motor vehicle includes a lightweight cross member attachable transversely to the longitudinal rails of the motor vehicle frame. The cross member includes two longitudinal profiles which are displaceable relative to each other and support each other during the displacement. The bumper provides improved functionality and increased energy absorption capability.
US08152209B2
An inertia activated mechanism associated with a door latch mechanism of a vehicle obstructs operation of a door handle assembly when the inertia activated mechanism is subjected to acceleration forces from a vehicle event. Delaying structure in the inertia activated mechanism momentarily delays return to the pre-event condition during rapidly changing acceleration of the vehicle event.
US08152199B2
An occupant protection apparatus comprises an inflatable airbag with a panel, the panel including a first vent opening that permits inflation fluid to escape out of the airbag; and a valve sheet including a second vent opening movable relative to the first vent opening, the valve sheet having opposite ends that are each fixed to a surface of the airbag. One end of the valve sheet moves with the panel during inflation of the airbag to move the second vent opening relative to the first vent opening. The apparatus also includes a valve guide or envelope to guide movement of the valve sheet relative to the panel, the valve sheet is capable of sliding between the valve guide and the panel. Both ends of the valve sheet remain fixed to the panel during and after inflation of the airbag. The valve sheet includes a tear tab to temporarily retain the valve sheet to the panel.
US08152198B2
Vehicular apparatus and method for determining a characteristic of an object that may be located on a seat of the vehicle includes emitters, each emitting a beam along a path on which the object may be located, each path being in a different direction, receivers, each receiving beams emitted from the array of emitters that are reflected from the object when present in the seat, and a processor coupled to the emitters and the receivers for determining time-of-flight of each reflected and received beam between emission of the beam from the emitters and reception of the beam at the receivers. The processor determines one or more characteristics of the object based on the determined time-of-flight of each reflected and received beam, taken either individually or in combination.
US08152186B2
A suspension arm may include a metal portion including a hemispherical metal ball housing, a metal bushing housing, and a metal connecting portion, one end of the metal connecting portion being connected to the metal ball housing and the other end of the metal connecting portion being connected to the metal bushing housing, a bearing, made of synthetic resin material, disposed in and coupled to the metal ball housing, a ball stud, one end of which is disposed in and coupled to the bearing, and a reinforcement member, made of synthetic resin material, wrapping the metal portion and connecting the bearing to the metal ball housing.
US08152184B2
A structurally efficient vehicle suspension system capable of being isolated from the main vehicle structure by being housed within a vehicle's wheel thereby reducing risks of injury during a crash and permitting advantageous redesign of suspension geometry. By rotating the suspension link pivot axes approximately 90 degrees when compared with the positioning of traditionally known wishbone suspension systems, the upper and lower suspension links for each vehicle wheel are relocated to run essentially parallel to the axis of travel of the vehicle. Consequently, for each wheel the virtual longitudinal link length runs parallel with the axis of travel of the vehicle indicated by the arrow and virtual swing axle length runs perpendicularly to virtual longitudinal link length. However, the upper link pivot axis and the lower link pivot axis now run parallel to virtual swing axle and their convergence point defines its length.
US08152181B2
A mobility frame (10) comprising: a multi-wheeled base (11), an upstanding support (13) having a substantially upright lower portion (17) attached to the base (11), an oblique portion (27) disposed at a height from the base (11), the oblique portion (27) extending obliquely upwardly from the lower portion (17), an upper portion (29) extending substantially upwardly from the oblique portion (27); and at least one handle (35) for steering the mobility frame (10) and/or for allowing a user to support them-self on the mobility frame (10).
US08152176B2
A truck assembly for a vehicle such as a skateboard or scooter may have a kingpin about which a hanger rotates. The hanger may be biased toward a caming surface having a depressed configuration by a spring, weight of the rider and also via a centrifugal force created during turning. This aids in dynamically stabilizing the truck assembly and the vehicle to which the truck assembly is mounted based on the particular rider and the maneuver being performed on the vehicle. The caming surface may have a regressive configuration such that the spring compresses at a different rate per degree of rotation of the hanger.
US08152171B2
A gaming device including at least one wagering station and a rotor. The rotor supports a series of symbols arranged about a center. The rotor also supports a series of landings arranged adjacent to the series of symbols. In operation, at least one ball travels along the rotor and eventually reaches a landing. One or more of the elements of the gaming device has a designated shape, construction or function to enable designated operations of a primary game, a secondary outcome determiner or a combination thereof.
US08152169B2
A feeding device includes a conveying roller that conveys a sheet downstream when the conveying roller rotates forward. A first guide member guides the conveyed sheet toward the conveying roller. A second guide member guides the sheet when the conveying roller rotates in reverse. A rotating member is positioned between the first guide member and the conveying roller, and has a support shaft and a pressing portion. The rotating member rotates about the support shaft between a first supported state where the rotating member is separated from the second guide member, and a second supported state where the rotating member is closer to the second guide member. In the first supported state, the sheet is conveyed from the first guide member to the conveying roller. A trailing end of the sheet moves toward the second guide member when the rotating member transitions from the first to the second supported state.
US08152163B2
A sheet stacking apparatus includes a discharging portion configured to discharge a sheet, a stacking portion configured to stack a discharged sheet, and a deforming member configured to deform the sheet to be discharged by the discharging portion, wherein the deforming member decreases a deformation amount of the sheet as a stacking amount of the sheets stacked on the stacking portion increases.
US08152159B2
A sheet feeding device has: a sheet accommodating portion that accommodates a sheet stack of a plurality of sheets; a sheet carrying plate that is provided within the sheet accommodating portion and stacks the sheet stack thereon; a pickup roller that contacts an upper face of the sheet stack and dispatches a sheet on an uppermost layer of the sheet stack, an elevator mechanism that displaces the sheet carrying plate between a sheet feeding position in which the upper face of the sheet stack contacts the pickup roller, and a separating position in which the upper face of the sheet stack separates from the pickup roller by a predetermined distance; and a controller that controls an operation of the elevator mechanism such that the sheet carrying plate is lowered to the separating position after a sheet feeding operation for feeding a sheet at the sheet feeding position is completed.
US08152144B2
An apparatus for exerting a force on a load, comprising at least a first spring system and a second spring system, which two spring systems are coupled with the load and produce forces that are applied to the load, wherein an adjusting device is provided coupled with the load, which is equipped with at least one coupling with which the first spring system and/or the second spring system are/is coupled, and which adjusting device is designed for moving the coupling subject to an adjustment of the load, wherein the first spring system has a linear spring characteristic and is coupled with the load, and wherein the second spring system is coupled with the coupling at a side of the coupling removed from the load, and wherein the coupling is designed for adjusting the second spring system subject to a predetermined spring characteristic of the second spring system such that, at the side of the load, the combination of the coupling with the second spring system possesses a force path diagram having a linear characteristic.
US08152142B2
An apparatus for producing water having dissolved ozone therein of the type direct-connectable to a pressurized-water supply faucet (26) includes a nozzle (5) for directing a flow of pressurized water from the supply faucet (26) to a turbine (1) to effect rotation thereof, the turbine (1) having magnets (13) attached thereto magnetically coupled to corresponding magnets (13) attached to a disc (14) of a power generator (3). Rotation of the turbine (1) is magnetically coupled to the power generator (3) to generate electrical power for supply to an ozone generator to generate ozone for combination with the so-supplied water to produce ozonated water.
US08152139B2
There is disclosed a load binder device (10) for tightening, a load, for example during transport on a truck. The device is connected to hooks (80, 102) for securement to suitable anchor points and has an actuating lever (20) and lashing wheels 40. The actuating lever includes a pushing plate (32) which engages ratchet teeth (41) of the lashing wheels to rotate them. A stop plate (56) engages with the ratchet teeth and allows the lashing wheels to be rotated to tighten the load but prevents the wheels from rotating in an opposite direction to release the load. The actuating lever can be released from the lashing wheels by lifting the pushing plate and can be moved into an unlocking position in which cam-like lobes (24), forming part of the lever, force the locking plate into a disengagement position for releasing the lashing wheels to allow the load to be released.
US08152137B2
A relief valve in a turbomachine is disclosed. The valve includes a gate designed to be mounted so as to pivot about a shaft for the opening and closing of an orifice for the passage of air, a seal, and an attachment device for attaching the seal to the peripheral edge of the gate. The gate and the attachment device are made of a plastic and formed of a single piece or secured to one another by welding or bonding.
US08152136B2
The present invention relates to a microvalve having a valve plug, connecting legs, anchors and actuators, allowing the valve plug to move vertically to open or close the valve. The valve plug can contain magnetic materials, and be operated by an actuator.
