US08174019B2
A display apparatus includes a thin film transistor having a top-gate structure and a storage capacitor that are arranged on a first substrate. An upper electrode of the storage capacitor has a size larger than a size of a lower electrode, so as to cover an entire surface of the lower electrode in a plan view. Thus, electric field caused by static electricity may be prevented from accumulating at a corner of the upper electrode when the electric filed flows from the lower electrode to the upper electrode, thereby preventing an intermediate insulating layer from being burnt.
US08174014B2
An apparatus and associated method are provided. A first silicon layer having at least one of an associated passivation layer and barrier is included. Also included is a composite anti-reflection layer including a stack of layers each with a different thickness and refractive index. Such composite anti-reflection layer is disposed adjacent to the first silicon layer.
US08174012B2
An organic light emitting diode display device (OLED display device) having uniform electrical characteristics and a method of manufacturing the same. The OLED display device includes: a substrate; a semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate, and including source and drain regions and a channel region formed using metal induced lateral crystallization (MILC); a gate insulating layer for electrically insulating the semiconductor layer; a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulating layer; an interlayer insulating layer for electrically insulating the gate electrode; a thin film transistor (TFT) including source and drain electrodes that are electrically connected to the source and drain regions of the semiconductor layer; a first electrode for a capacitor disposed on a region of the substrate to be spaced apart from the TFT and formed using a metal induced crystallization (MIC); the gate insulating layer for electrically insulating the first capacitor electrode; a second electrode for the capacitor disposed on the gate insulating layer; a planarization layer disposed on the TFT and the capacitor; a first electrode disposed on the planarization layer; a pixel defining layer disposed on the first electrode; an organic layer disposed on the first electrode and the pixel defining layer, and including at least an emission layer; and a second electrode disposed on the organic layer.
US08174011B2
In a positional offset measurement pattern unit formed in an insulating layer, a first interconnection is formed in the insulating layer. A via-plug is formed in the insulating layer so as to be electrically connected to the first interconnection. A second interconnection is formed in the insulating layer at substantially the same level as the first interconnection so as to be spaced from the first interconnection by a given distance. A voltage is applied between the first and second interconnections to measure a relative positional offset amount between the via-plug and the second interconnection.
US08174002B2
An organic electroluminescence device includes: a pair of electrodes; and at least one organic layer including a light emitting layer, the light emitting layer being provided between the pair of electrodes, wherein at least one layer of the at least one organic layer contains a compound represented by formula (1): wherein each of Z11 and Z12 independently represents an aromatic heterocyclic ring or an aromatic hydrocarbon ring; R11 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, provided that a plurality of R11s are the same or different; m represents an integer of 1 or more; and L1 represents a single bond or an m-valent linking group and is linked to any one of C atoms in R11, Z11 and Z12, provided that when m is 1, L1 does not exist.
US08173987B2
A 3D phase change memory device is based on an array of electrode pillars and a plurality of electrode planes that intersect the electrode pillars at interface regions that include memory elements that comprise a programmable phase change memory element and a threshold switching element. The electrode pillars can be selected using two-dimensional decoding, and the plurality of electrode planes can be selected using decoding on a third dimension.
US08173982B2
A non-degenerate polarization-entangled photon pair generation device (1) that efficiently and easily generates non-degenerate polarization-entangled photon pairs includes: a quantum-entangled photon pair generator (2) including a single crystal in which periodically poled structures (3a, 3b) having different periods are formed; and a light radiating unit (4) for entering light into the quantum-entangled photon pair generator (2) such that the light passes through the periodically poled structure (3a) and then through the periodically poled structure (3b). A period of the periodically poled structure (3a) is different from a period of the periodically poled structure (3b) such that a parabola indicative of a relation between an emission angle and a wavelength of a polarized photon emitted based on light incident on the periodically poled structure (3a) comes into contact with a parabola indicative of a relation between an emission angle and a wavelength of polarized photon emitted based on light incident on the periodically poled structure (3b), within an allowable range under a phase matching condition.
US08173980B2
A processing system is provided for irradiating a substrate with a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB). The system includes a vacuum vessel that has an interior and is configured to support the substrate therein, and at least one nozzle for forming and emitting a gas cluster beam. The at least one nozzle is configured to direct the gas cluster beam within the vacuum vessel toward the substrate. An ionizer is positioned to ionize the gas cluster beam to form the GCIB. A main gas supply of the system is in fluid communication with the at least one nozzle for supplying gas to the nozzle. The system also includes a plasma-generating apparatus that communicates with the interior of the vacuum vessel and which is configured to receive a cleaning gas and selectively emit plasma for cleaning the interior of the vacuum vessel.
US08173976B2
An ion processing apparatus includes a plurality of electrodes, first and second insulators, a housing, and a plurality of compliant first supports and second supports. Each electrode has a length along a central axis, and includes a first end region and an axially opposing second end region. The first and second insulators are coaxially disposed about the first and second end regions, respectively. The housing is coaxially disposed about the electrodes, the first insulator and the second insulator. The first supports extend between, and into contact with, the first insulator and the housing. The second supports extend between, and into contact with, the second insulator and the housing. The supports isolate the electrodes from external forces.
US08173974B2
A method of indirect emission by nano-materials includes providing an infrared up-conversion phosphor 1 (weight ratio) and a long-wave ultraviolet phosphor 0.01-10 (weight ratio); treating both surfaces of the infrared up-conversion phosphor and the long-wave ultraviolet phosphor; mixing the infrared up-conversion phosphor and the long-wave ultraviolet phosphor; exciting the infrared up-conversion phosphor by a near-infrared laser with a wavelength of 980 mn to emit blue light as a secondary excitation lightsource; exciting the long-wave ultraviolet phosphor by the blue light to emit a visible light. Biological reactions can be conveniently detected by detecting the visible light.
US08173973B2
A method for measuring a fluorescent sample on a substrate. The method includes exciting the fluorescent sample with an exciting light source for the generation of a sample fluorescent optical signal and a substrate fluorescent optical signal substantially eliminated. The microfluidic substrate fluorescent optical signal is leaving the sample fluorescent optical signal. The sample fluorescence optical signal can then be processed.
US08173968B1
A radiation dosimetry quality assurance system is disclosed that includes a three-dimensional (3D) phantom extending along a longitudinal axis to form an exterior surface and an interior volume and a passage formed to extend into the interior volume of the 3D phantom to removeably receive a detector array therein. The system also includes an angular-compensation system coupled to the exterior surface of the 3D phantom and having a physical contour extending from the exterior surface of the 3D phantom and configured to control an angular dependence of the detector array during measurement of the actual radiation dose delivered by the radiation delivery system. The system further includes a detector-angle adjustment system configured to allow selection of a relative position of the detector array with respect to a radiation source of the radiation delivery system during measurement of the actual radiation dose delivered during the planned medical process.
US08173956B2
A method for dynamic pixel mass spectrometric imaging, or dynamic pixel imaging is disclosed. The method includes striking a sample to be scanned with a laser beam so that the laser beam releases analytes from the sample. The laser beam and the sample are then displaced relative to one another so that the laser beam substantially continuously traces a predefined path on the sample to release analytes from the sample along the predefined path. A mass analysis of the released analytes is performed.
US08173950B2
Disclosed are various embodiments of a reflective optical encoder having at least three channels—two data channels and one index channel—disposed along a common axis or single track. The single track configuration disclosed herein permits very high resolution reflective optical encoders in small packages to be provided. In addition, the single track configuration reduces problems with misalignment between code scales and light detectors, permits relatively simple electronic circuitry to be used to process outputs, and reduces manufacturing, assembly, integrated circuit and encoder costs. Methods of making and using such optical encoders are also disclosed.
US08173936B2
A reflective element assembly is associated with at least two functional elements, each functional element including at least one functional element electrical contact. The reflective element assembly has a reflective element and reflective element carrier. A power distributor is disposed between the reflective element and the carrier, and includes an integrated heater and power distribution element, a support member having a reverse face and an obverse face, an array of electrically-conductive tracings, and a plurality of discrete electrical contacts points for electrical coupling of the array with the at least two functional elements. At least one of the plurality of discrete electrical contacts points is adapted for electrical communication with at least one functional element electrical contact point of a first functional element, and at least one functional element electrical contact point of a second functional element. The power distributor has a singular module connection.
US08173925B2
An operating element having an actuating element disposed on a linear moving carrier element. The actuating element has a plate-like touch panel that is made of an electrically nonconductive material, which cooperates with a switching element, and wherein an electrically conductive sensor element of a capacitative proximity sensor is disposed. The sensor element is disposed on or in the touch panel.
US08173922B2
A thin type illuminated keyboard includes a light source, a light-guiding frame plate, a keycap, a membrane plate, a switch circuit plate and a base plate. The light source is used for emitting light. The light-guiding frame plate has a concave structure in a bottom surface thereof. The keycap is connected with the light-guiding frame plate and movable upwardly or downwardly with respect to the light-guiding frame plate. The keycap has a light-transmissible character portion. The light source is disposed on the membrane plate and accommodated within the concave structure of the light-guiding frame plate. The keycap, the light-guiding frame plate, the membrane plate, the switch circuit plate and the base plate are sequentially arranged from top to bottom. The light emitted by the light source is guided by the light-guiding frame plate to irradiate the light-transmissible character portion.
US08173919B2
A seat belt buckle fastening detector 40, which detects the existence of seat belt fastening, includes a printed circuit board 41 including a normally-closed contact NC, a normally-opened contact NO, and a common contact COM. A slider 42 electrically connects the normally-closed contact NC and the common contact COM, or the normally-opened contact NO and the common contact COM. The common contact COM is formed on one surface 41 a of the print circuit board 41, and the normally-closed contact NC and the normally-opened contact NO are formed on the other surface 41b of the print circuit board 41.
US08173914B2
A lockable safety switch mechanism having a lockable switch mechanism that cooperates in an offset or skewed manner with an electrical switch. The lockable switch mechanism includes a switch plunger that is displaceable along a predetermined axis between a first position and a second position. A contour is formed along the switch plunger and cooperates with one or more locking mechanisms. A fork cooperates with the locking mechanism so as to selectively interfere with free movement of the switch plunger depending on the interaction between the contour and the locking mechanism. A link extends from one of the locking mechanism and the fork and interacts with a plunger of an electrical switch contact carrier so that an axis of movement of the switch plunger can be offset or skewed relative to an axis of movement of the electrical switch plunger.
US08173897B2
A superconducting cable line includes a heat insulation pipe for a fluid for transporting liquid hydrogen, a superconducting cable housed in the heat insulation pipe for a fluid, and heat exchange means for performing a heat exchange between liquid hydrogen and a refrigerant of the cable. The superconducting cable includes a cable core inside a heat insulation pipe for a cable and is housed in the heat insulation pipe for a fluid to form a low temperature environment around the cable and a double heat insulation structure including the heat insulation pipe. Therefore, since heat intrusion into the superconducting cable is reduced and the refrigerant is cooled with liquid hydrogen, the line can reduce energy for cooling the refrigerant.
US08173889B2
Photovoltaic wiring arrays and photovoltaic wiring systems suitable for use in rooftop photovoltaic power generation systems are provided. Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a photovoltaic roofing wiring array for use with a plurality of photovoltaic roofing elements, the photovoltaic roofing wiring system including: a positive parallel wiring run comprising a main line and one or more connection branches pendant from the main line, each connection branch being terminated in a positive connector; and a negative parallel wiring run comprising a main line and one or more connection branches pendant from the main line, each connection branch being terminated in a negative connector. In some embodiments of the invention, the photovoltaic roofing wiring arrays are substantially prefabricated.
US08173887B2
Systems and methods for a digital instrument are described, for example to simulate or be used in conjunction with a stringed instrument. A sensor system detects the location of one or more fingers or objects at selected locations on a playing surface of the instrument, and the detected locations are combined with information indicative of one or more strings being played to generate a digital signal containing information as to the notes being played.
US08173886B2
A baseplate carries on its surface a pad constituting a strike surface and a tubular rim surrounding the pad and constituting a strike ring. A pad sensor is provided on the surface of the baseplate in the central area thereof for detecting the vibration of the baseplate caused by a strike on the pad, and a rim sensor is provided between the rim and the baseplate for detecting the vibration of the rim. The electric signals representing the detected vibrations trigger the generation of tone signals of drum sounds. The baseplate is supported via vibration absorber pieces on a support frame. Thus, disturbing vibrations externally given to the support frame will be prevented from propagating up to the baseplate, being absorbed by the vibration absorber pieces.
US08173874B2
A soybean cultivar designated 8201155 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 8201155, to the plants of soybean 8201155, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 8201155, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 8201155 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 8201155, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 8201155, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 8201155 with another soybean cultivar.
US08173873B2
The present invention provides a novel watermelon variety designated SP-5, and method for pollinating seedless watermelon plants. The present invention also provides methods for producing triploid, seedless watermelon fruit.
US08173871B2
Provided are pesticidal, particularly insecticidal, proteins which resemble S- layer proteins, as well as variants or mutants thereof, and DNAs encoding them. Further provided are methods and means for using said DNA or protein for controlling pests, particularly plant insect pests.
US08173867B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating flowering time in plants. Maize RAP2.7 nucleotide sequences are disclosed which upon overexpression cause later flowering and when inhibited cause earlier flowering. Also disclosed is a DNA sequence which acts as a regulator/enhancer of RAP2.7, termed VGT1. This sequence does not code for any known protein, but acts as either a RNAi element or a regulatory DNA or RNA element that either directly regulates expression of flowering genes such as Rap2.7 or specifically targets expression of other genes which control flowering genes such as Rap2.7. This element this can be used as a sequence-based marker to identify inbred and hybrids which have altered maturity. Methods for expressing these nucleotide sequences in a plant for modifying maturity and flowering in plants are provided as well as expression constructs, vectors, transformed cells and plants.
US08173866B1
The present invention provides compositions and methods for manipulation of plant arabinoxylose and plant xylan synthases. Compositions include novel nucleotide sequences encoding xylan synthases and biologically active variants thereof. The invention also includes the discovery xylan synthase activity is a property of CslA polypeptides. Further provided are methods for xylose manipulation using the sequences disclosed herein. One method comprises stably incorporating into the genome of a plant cell, a CslA encoding nucleotide sequence operably linked to a heterologous promoter and regenerating a stably transformed plant. Methods for enhancing digestibility of plants and improving gum production in plants are also provided.
US08173861B2
The present invention discloses a non-human animal model for a hereditary autosomal dominant disease. The non-human animal model expresses at least one phenotype associated with the disease and is obtained by a genetic determinant. The invention also relates to sperm cells and embryos comprising the genetic determinant for an autosomal dominant disease. Furthermore, methods for producing the non-human animal model, sperm cell, and embryos are disclosed.
US08173853B2
A process is proposed for continuously operating a plant for preparing acetylene from hydrocarbons by partial oxidation, cleavage in an arc or pyrolysis of hydrocarbons to obtain a reaction gas mixture which is conducted through one or more compressors, the pressure of the reaction gas mixture on the suction side of the compressor being controlled within a predefined range by means of a conventional controller, which comprises additionally using a higher-level model-supported predictive controller which reacts to abrupt changes in the mass flow rate of the reaction gas mixture.
US08173852B1
Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for producing styrene are provided. The method comprises the steps of introducing ethylbenzene to a first dehydrogenation reactor containing a first high activity dehydrogenation catalyst at a first predetermined inlet temperature to form a first intermediate effluent stream that comprises styrene, ethylbenzene, and hydrogen. Oxygen is added to the first intermediate effluent stream to form a first oxygenated intermediate effluent stream. The first oxygenated intermediate effluent stream is introduced to a first oxidation-reheat dehydrogenation reactor at a second predetermined inlet temperature of about 530° C. or less to form styrene. The first oxidation-reheat dehydrogenation reactor contains a first oxidation catalyst and a second high activity dehydrogenation catalyst.
US08173851B2
A process for converting gaseous alkanes to olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes is thermally reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide. Poly-brominated alkanes present in the alkyl bromides are further reacted with methane over a suitable catalyst to form mono-brominated species. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide is then reacted over a suitable catalyst at a temperature sufficient to form olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof and hydrogen bromide. Various methods are disclosed to remove the hydrogen bromide from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, to generate bromine from the hydrogen bromide for use in the process, and to selectively form mono-brominated alkanes in the bromination step.
US08173845B2
A process is provided capable of producing 3-methylthiopropanal with subgeneration of high-boiling impurities being favorably inhibited. The process for producing 3-methylthiopropanal, includes reacting acrolein with methylmercaptan in the presence of a triallylamine compound represented by the formula (I): wherein each of R1 to R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The reaction of acrolein with methylmercaptan is preferably performed further in the presence of an organic acid. The triallylamine compound represented by the formula (I) is preferably used in an amount of from 0.01 to 1.0 mol based on one mole of the organic acid and in an amount of from 0.1 to 2.0 mmoles based on one mole of methylmercaptan.
US08173844B2
A process for preparing O-alkylated amino alcohols of the formula (I) by reacting N-unsubstituted or N-monosubstituted amino alkoxide salts with alkyl halides, the amino alkoxide salts being formed by means of alkoxides
US08173838B2
Disclosed is a method for producing at least one of an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid from an alcohol in a liquid phase through a simple process. Namely, at least one of an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid is produced by dehydrating and oxidizing an alcohol in a liquid phase at 110 to 250° C. in the presence of molecular oxygen and a noble metal-containing catalyst. Alternatively, at least one of an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid is produced by dehydrating and oxidizing an alcohol in a liquid phase in the presence of molecular oxygen, a noble metal-containing catalyst, and an acidic substance.
US08173837B1
L-citrulline may be extracted from watermelons using a process which does not require rigorous extraction with alcoholic and/or acidic solvents, or treatment at high temperatures. In the process, the watermelon juice is contacted with an adsorbent effective for adsorption of L-citrulline thereon, and the juice is separated therefrom. The L-citrulline on the adsorbent may then be eluted and recovered. Lycopene-containing microparticles may also be separated from the watermelon juice prior to contact with the adsorbent.
US08173831B2
The invention relates to Fatty Acid Acetylated Salicylate Derivatives; compositions comprising an effective amount of a Fatty Acid Acetylated Salicylate Derivative; and methods for treating or preventing an inflammatory disorder comprising the administration of an effective amount of a Fatty Acid Acetylated Salicylate Derivative.
US08173820B2
Compounds of formula (I) and salts thereof are provided: wherein n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; R1 is selected from phenyl and pyridyl, each of which is optionally substituted by one or two groups independently selected from C1-4alkyl and halogen; and R2 is selected from H and CH3 when n is 1 and R2 is H when n is 2 or 3. Processes for preparation, pharmaceutical compositions, and uses thereof as a medicament, for example in the treatment of a disease or condition mediated by a reduction or imbalance in glutamate receptor function, such as schizophrenia or cognition impairment, are also disclosed.
US08173813B2
The present invention features quinolones, tetrahydroquinolines, and related compounds that inhibit nitric oxide synthase (NOS), particularly those that selectively inhibit neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in preference to other NOS isoforms. The NOS inhibitors of the invention, alone or in combination with other pharmaceutically active agents, can be used for treating or preventing various medical conditions.
US08173803B2
Tribenzo-1,4,7-triazacyclononane and derivatives thereof having a formula (I) are disclosed. Methods of making tribenzo-1,4,7-triazacyclononane and related compounds also are disclosed.
US08173793B2
The present invention relates generally to the control of body weight of animals including mammals and humans, and more particularly to nucleic acids encoding materials identified herein as modulators of weight. In its broadest aspect, the present invention relates to the elucidation and discovery of nucleotide sequences, and proteins putatively expressed by such nucleotides, that demonstrate the ability to participate in the control of mammalian body weight. The nucleotide sequences in object represent the genes corresponding to the murine and human ob gene, that have been postulated to play a critical role in the regulation of body weight and adiposity. Preliminary data, presented herein, suggests that the polypeptide product of the gene in question functions as a hormone. The present invention further provides nucleic acid molecules for use as molecular probes, or as primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, i.e., synthetic or natural oligonucleotides.
US08173781B2
Monoclonal antibody capable of binding to heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor
Medicaments for treating diseases related to HB-EGF escalation are in demand. The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody or an antibody fragment thereof which binds to a cell membrane-bound HB-EGF, a membrane type HB-EGF and a secretory HB-EGF.
US08173769B2
The present invention relates to the discovery of several genes of the domestic cat (Felis catus) associated with taste perception. The invention provides, inter alia, the nucleotide sequence of the feline Tas1r1, Tas1r2, and Tas1r3 receptor genes, the amino acid sequences of the polypeptides encoded thereby, and antibodies to the polypeptides. The present invention also relates to methods for screening for compounds that modify the genes' function or activity, the compounds identified by such screens, and mimetics of the identified compounds. The invention further provides methods for modifying the taste preferences, ingestive responses, or general behavior of a mammal, such as a cat, by administering compounds that affect the function or activity of the gene or the polypeptide encoded thereby.
US08173767B2
The present invention relates to peptides, referred to as CBD-1, CBD-2, CBM-1/TH-1, CBM-1/TH-2, CBM-2/TH-1, CBM-2/TH-2 and C-20 peptides, which are antigenic and elicit a protective immune response against HIV infection. Compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising these antigenic peptides are also encompassed by the present invention, as well as neutralizing antibodies which inhibit infection of primary CD4+ T lymphocytes by various HIV isolates. Methods for diagnosis of HIV are also disclosed.
US08173766B2
Polymers derived from bis(thienocyclopenta) benzothiadiazole and their use as organic semiconductors
The invention relates to conjugated polymers comprising bis(thienocyclopenta)benzothiadiazole units or derivatives thereof, to methods of their preparation, to novel monomer units used therein, to the use of the polymers in organic electronic (OE) devices, and to OE devices comprising the polymers.
US08173764B2
There are provided amphiphilic biodegradable copolymers comprising a hydrophilic backbone with pendant aliphatic groups as the hydrophobic component. The polymers form nanoscale molecular aggregates in aqueous environments, which have hydrophobic interiors that are capable of solubilizing insoluble organic compounds such as drugs, vitamins, dyes, and imaging agents. The polymers optionally feature reactive functional groups that provide attachment points for antibodies, ligands, and other targeting moieties useful for the targeted delivery of drugs and imaging agents.
US08173750B2
A polymer composition comprising star macromolecules is provided. Each star macromolecule has a core and five or more arms, wherein the number of arms within a star macromolecule varies across the composition of star molecules. The arms on a star are covalently attached to the core of the star; each arm comprises one or more (co)polymer segments; and at least one arm and/or at least one segment exhibits a different solubility from at least one other arm or one other segment, respectively, in a reference liquid of interest.
US08173741B2
The present invention relates to rubber mixtures with functionalized diene rubbers and with microgels, to a production process, and to the use of the mixtures for the production of low-abrasion motor-vehicle tires which have wet-slip resistance and which have low rolling resistance.
US08173737B2
Adhesive, comprising silanized, structurally modified, pyrogenically prepared silicas containing on their surface fixed vinyl groups or vinylsilyl groups, with hydrophobic groups, such as trimethylsilyl and/or dimethylsilyl and/or monomethylsilyl, additionally being fixed on the surface.
US08173734B1
Clay platelets are separated from an agglomeration of clay platelets by treating with cobalt acetate and leaving cobalt particles on the platelets. Carbon nanotubes are grown on the platelets at the cobalt sites, and the nanotubes separate platelets from the agglomeration. The separated platelets and nanotubes are acid cleaned. Intumescent fire retardant materials are chemisorbed on the clay platelets and nanotubes.
US08173730B2
A biodegradable polylactic acid material being suitable for the manufacture of articles, such as pens, is the heated mixed product of the following components, 93% by weight to 96% by weight polylactic acid, 0.8% by weight to 1.2% by weight of a chain extender, 0.6% by weight to 1.0% by weight of a nucleating agent, and 2.5% by weight to 5.0% by weight of a filler.
US08173712B2
The present invention relates to a modified inorganic material with excellent cation exchange capacity. In addition, the invention relates to a method of preparing the modified inorganic material, a composite electrolyte membrane comprising the modified inorganic material powder that has excellent methanol-repelling ability, and a fuel cell comprising the composite electrolyte membrane. The modified inorganic material includes an inorganic material, and a cation exchanger bonded to the inorganic material.
US08173709B2
Compositions, methods and systems for treating disordered epithelial tissues, such as is caused by pathogens and/or by toxins produced thereby. The invention relates to the use of an anti-infective and/or antimicrobial active agent in a carrier, with vigorous agitation of the disordered epithelial tissue for topical treatment thereof under such conditions sufficient to achieve clinically discernable improvement of the disordered epithelial tissue. The preferred anti-infective and/or antimicrobial active agent comprises an organohalide, such as a quaternary ammonium halide compound, preferably benzalkonium chloride. The inventive compositions and methods may employ the use of an applicator adapted for use in promoting the penetration of the treatment composition and/or the vigorous agitation of the disordered tissue.
US08173707B2
Solutions for perioperative intraocular application by continuous irrigation during ophthalmologic procedures are provided. These solutions include multiple agents that act to inhibit inflammation, inhibit pain, effect mydriasis (dilation of the pupil), and/or decrease intraocular pressure, wherein the multiple agents are selected to target multiple molecular targets to achieve multiple differing physiologic functions, and are included in dilute concentrations in a balanced salt solution carrier.
US08173695B2
A selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist useful for treating ethanol use disorder withdrawal and anxiety, and/or depression, or schizophrenia as independent comorbid conditions.
US08173694B2
Provided are agents and methods for use in depleting serum amyloid P component (SAP) from a patient in need thereof.
US08173688B2
The present invention provides, in part, compounds and compositions including a thiazole moiety, that may be useful, for example, for treating cancers, for example kidney cancer.
US08173686B2
The invention provides a method of treatment of colorectal cancer by administration of the anti-cancer platinum drug picoplatin in conjunction with 5-FU and leucovorin in a variety of treatment regimens.
US08173685B2
A compound of formula (I) or of formula (II) wherein X is oxygen or sulfur, and Y is a residue of pipecolic acid or a residue of an amino acid, preferably a naturally occurring amino acid.
US08173682B2
The present invention relates to a series of 2,3,5-substituted pyridone derivatives of formula I: wherein R, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined herein. This invention also relates to methods of making these compounds. The compounds of this invention are inhibitors of poly(adenosine 5′-diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) and are therefore useful as pharmaceutical agents, especially in the treatment and/or prevention of a variety of diseases, including diseases associated with the central nervous system and cardiovascular disorders.
US08173679B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): in which R1, R2, R3, X, Y and A are as defined in the specification. The compounds are modulators of the estrogen receptors.
US08173672B2
The present invention is directed to compounds of formula (I) which are M1 receptor positive allosteric modulators and that are useful in the treatment of diseases in which the M1 receptor is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, pain or sleep disorders. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and to the use of the compounds and compositions in the treatment of diseases mediated by the M1 receptor.
US08173668B1
The invention provides methods for treating and/or preventing ocular disorders associated with increased intraocular pressure comprising administering a non-peptide bradykinin agonist to a patient in need thereof.
US08173662B2
The present invention relates to compounds of the general formula (I) which are inhibitors of purine muclioside phosphorylases (PNP), purine phosphoribosyltransferases (PPRT), 5′-methylthioadenosine phosphorylases (MTAP), 5′-methylthioadenosine mucliosidases (MTAN) and/or nucleoside hydrolases (NH). The invention also relates to the use of these compounds in the treatment of diseases and infections including cancer, bacterial infections, protozoal infections, and T-cell mediated disease and to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds.
US08173658B2
This invention relates to novel diazabicyclic aryl derivatives, which are found to be cholinergic ligands at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and modulators of the monoamine receptors and transporters. Due to their pharmacological profile the compounds of the invention may be useful for the treatment of diseases or disorders as diverse as those related to the cholinergic system of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases or disorders related to smooth muscle contraction, endocrine diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders related to neuro-degeneration, diseases or disorders related to inflammation, pain, and withdrawal symptoms caused by the termination of abuse of chemical substances.
US08173655B2
Compounds of formula I: (wherein variables A1, A2, B, m, n, J, R4, G1, G2, G3 and Y are as described herein) which are antagonists of CGRP receptors and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the CGRP is involved, such as migraine. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which CGRP is involved.
US08173644B2
This invention relates to the prevention and treatment of cerebral insufficiency, including enhancement of receptor functioning in synapses in brain networks responsible for higher order behaviors. These brain networks are involved in cognitive abilities related to memory impairment, such as is observed in a variety of dementias, an in imbalances in neuronal activity between different brain regions, as is suggested in disorders such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and affective disorders. In a particular aspect, the present invention relates to a compound useful for treatment of such conditions, and methods of using this compound for such treatment.
US08173641B2
The present invention relates to novel benzoxathiazine derivatives of the formula (I) in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are each as defined in the description, to several processes for preparation thereof and to the use thereof as insecticides and/or acaricides in combination with further compositions such as penetrants and/or ammonium or phosphonium salts.
US08173640B1
Compositions for treating, reducing, ameliorating, or preventing infections comprise a fluoroquinolone having Formulae I-VIII and an additional anti-infective agent. Methods for treating, reducing, ameliorating, or preventing such infection use such compositions. Such compositions and methods can be effective against mixed types of pathogens including certain antibiotic-resistant microbial pathogens found in such infections.
US08173638B2
Compounds of formula (I) are disclosed. Compounds according to the invention bind to and are agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists of the CB2 receptor, and are useful for treating inflammation. Those compounds which are agonists are additionally useful for treating pain.
US08173630B2
This invention provides redox-active molecules attached to polypodal (e.g., bipodal, tripodal, quadrapodal, pentapodal, etc.) tethers that can be used for attachment of the redox-active molecules to a substrate (e.g., an electrode). The tethered redox-active molecules are useful for the fabrication of memory devices.
US08173621B2
Cyclic phosphate of nucleoside derivatives for the treatment of viral infections in mammals, which is a compound, its stereoisomers, salts (acid or basic addition salts), hydrates, solvates, or crystalline forms thereof, represented by the following structure:
US08173619B2
The compounds are phosphoramidate derivatives of nucleoside compounds such as cladribine, isocladribine, fludarabine and clofarabine useful in the treatment of cancer.
US08173617B2
RNA interference is provided for inhibition of Frizzled Related Protein-1 mRNA expression, in particular, for treating patients having glaucoma or at risk of developing glaucoma.
US08173612B2
The invention provides, in the treatment of malignant tumors, antisense DNA oligonucleotides which are effective in inhibiting the expression of a wild type COL1A1 gene, in combination with a chemotherapy drug, typically bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, or methotrexate, which otherwise is known to cause lung disease such as pulmonary fibrosis.
US08173611B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for introducing miRNA activity or function into cells using synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Moreover, the present invention concerns methods and compositions for identifying miRNAs with specific cellular functions that are relevant to therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic applications wherein synthetic miRNAs and/or miRNA inhibitors are used in library screening assays.
US08173608B2
The present invention relates to a compound represented by the following formula (1′) wherein R is an aldopyranose residue, R2 is a C2-18 hydrocarbon group optionally having substituent(s), R3 is an acyl group, X is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or —NH—, and p is an integer of 0-4, or a salt thereof. The compound of the present invention has a specific immunoregulatory ability, and is useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of autoimmune diseases and the like.
US08173600B2
The invention relates to selective new caspase-2 inhibitors that recognize caspase-2 and prevent and block its activity based on the following backbone: 2-Quinolinylcarbonyl-L-Valinyl-L-Aspartyl (methyl ester)-L-Valinyl-L-Alanyl-L-Aspartyl (methyl ester) 2,6-difluorophenyl ester SEQ ID NO:1) and derivatives thereof, SEQ ID NO:1 corresponding to formulae Ia or Ib. Application of the inhibitors for preventing and treating diseases involving caspase-2.
US08173597B2
The present invention provides novel methods of increasing the survival of a coagulation protein by inhibiting the interaction with a clearance receptor. The invention also provides methods of preparing compositions that inhibit coagulation protein clearance receptors. Conjugated coagulation proteins, including compositions and formulations thereof, are also provided by the present invention.
US08173594B2
The present invention relates to alkylglycoside-containing compositions and methods for increasing the stability, reducing the aggregation and immunogenicity, increasing the biological activity, and reducing or preventing fibrillar formation of a peptide, polypeptide, or analog thereof, for example parathyroid hormone (PTH) or PTH analogs, amylin, insulin, Peptide T or analog thereof, gastrin, gastrin releasing peptides, gastrin releasing peptide-like (GRP) proteins, epidermal growth factor or analog thereof.
US08173591B2
The present invention provides anti-angiogenic variants of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) comprising at least one altered phosphorylation site, polynucleotides encoding same and uses thereof. Particularly, the present invention provides variants of human PEDF comprising at least one amino acid substitution at serine residues (24), (114), and (227). The PEDF variants are potent anti-angiogenic factors, and thus useful in treating diseases or disorders associated with neovascularization.
US08173590B2
Compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a delta-endotoxin polypeptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated delta-endotoxin nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS:3 and 5, and the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, and 4, as well as variants and fragments thereof.
US08173578B1
A bioherbicide and method of use utilizing the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria for controlling Salvinia molesta. In typical applications, the fungus is applied with an adjuvant to Salvinia molesta in amounts effective to kill or suppress the Salvinia molesta. A strain of Myrothecium verrucaria is on deposit with the Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La., and with the patent collection of the International Mycological Institute in Surrey, United Kingdom, where it has been assigned deposit number IMI 368023.
US08173568B2
The invention provides a method of using an alcohol and a primary or secondary amine as the starting material to produce the corresponding secondary amine easily at a high yield and a catalyst used therein. The invention relates to a film-type catalyst for production of a tertiary amine, which is used in producing a tertiary amine from an alcohol and a primary or secondary amine as the starting material, and a process for producing a tertiary amine, which includes reacting an alcohol with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of the film-type catalyst.
US08173565B2
In a sintered body of low temperature cofired ceramic constituting ceramic layers of a multilayer ceramic substrate provided with external conductor films, which is obtained by sintering a non-glass low temperature cofired ceramic material, respective crystalline phases of quartz, alumina, and fresnoite are deposited. The ceramic layers are, because of being in the form of a sintered body of non-glass low temperature cofired ceramic, less likely to fluctuate in composition, and the multilayer ceramic substrate can be thus inexpensively and easily manufactured therefrom. In addition, the ceramic layers have the above-mentioned respective crystalline phases deposited therein, and thus have a high joint strength with the external conductor films, and moreover, the sintered body itself has a high fracture touhgness value.
US08173558B2
A polyurethane elastomeric filament-containing weft knit fabric is obtained by plating a bare yarn of highly fusible, alkali-resistant polyurethane elastomeric filament having at least 50% retention of tenacity following dry heat treatment under 100% extension at 150° C. for 45 seconds, a melting point of 180° C. or below, and at least 60% retention of tenacity following treatment in a 2 g/L aqueous sodium hydroxide solution under 100% extension at 100° C. for 60 minutes at every loop of a weft knit fabric having a 1×1 rib knit structure or a center yarn-containing reversible knit structure composed of at least one type of non-elastomeric yarn, then heat setting the plated structure so as to thermally fuse the highly fusible, alkali-resistant polyurethane elastomeric filaments to each other or to the non-elastomeric yarns at crossover points therebetween.
US08173557B2
A laminated sheet comprising a woven or nonwoven fabric comprising glass fibers fixed by a binder, and a fluororesin film laminated on each other, wherein the binder contains a copolymer (A) having repeating units (a1) based on at least one fluoromonomer selected from the group consisting of tetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene, and repeating units (a2) based on at least one non-fluoromonomer selected from the group consisting of a vinyl ether, a vinyl ester, an isopropenyl ether, an isopropenyl ester, an allyl ether and an allyl ester.
US08173545B2
A microelectronic method for the fabrication of a transistor gate using a precursor material that is suitable for being broken down into at least one metallic material after having been exposed to an electron beam. The invention applies in particular to the fabrication of multi-channel transistors, of the FinFET, suspended-channel, ITS or GAA type.
US08173539B1
A method for fabricating a metal redistribution layer is described. A first opening and a second opening are formed in a dielectric layer over a first region and a second region thereof, respectively. A plurality of third openings are formed in the dielectric layer exposed by the first opening in the first region and a plurality of fourth openings are formed in the dielectric layer exposed by the second opening in the second region. A metal material is formed over the dielectric layer and in the first, second, third and fourth openings. A plurality of recesses is formed in the metal materials overlying the third and fourth openings. The metal material in the first region is patterned by using the recesses formed in portions of the metal material overlying the fourth openings in the second region as an alignment mark to form a metal redistribution layer.
US08173538B2
By providing a surface modification process prior to or during a self-limiting deposition process, the per se highly conformal deposition behavior may be selectively changed so as to obtain reliable coverage at specific surface areas, while significantly reducing or suppressing a deposition above unwanted surface areas, such as the bottom of a via in advanced metallization structures of highly scaled semiconductor devices.
US08173532B2
A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The method includes providing a semiconductor structure which includes a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes (i) a top substrate surface which defines a reference direction perpendicular to the top substrate surface and (ii) first and second semiconductor body regions. The method further includes forming (i) a gate divider region and (ii) a gate electrode layer on top of the semiconductor substrate. The gate divider region is in direct physical contact with gate electrode layer. A top surface of the gate electrode layer and a top surface of the gate divider region are essentially coplanar. The method further includes patterning the gate electrode layer resulting in a first gate electrode region and a second gate electrode region. The gate divider region does not overlap the first and second gate electrode regions in the reference direction.
US08173531B2
A method of forming threshold voltage controlled semiconductor structures is provided in which a conformal nitride-containing liner is formed on at least exposed sidewalls of a patterned gate dielectric material having a dielectric constant of greater than silicon oxide. The conformal nitride-containing liner is a thin layer that is formed using a low temperature (less than 500° C.) nitridation process.
US08173520B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a peeling method that causes no damage to a layer to be peeled and to allow not only a layer to be peeled with a small surface area but also a layer to be peeled with a large surface area to be peeled entirely. Further, it is also an object of the present invention to bond a layer to be peeled to various base materials to provide a lighter semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof. Particularly, it is an object to bond various elements typified by a TFT, (a thin film diode, a photoelectric conversion element comprising a PIN junction of silicon, or a silicon resistance element) to a flexible film to provide a lighter semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof.
US08173519B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a photocatalytic layer and an organic compound layer in contact with the photocatalytic layer over a substrate having a light transmitting property; forming an element forming layer over the substrate having the light transmitting property with the photocatalytic layer and the organic compound layer in contact with the photocatalytic layer interposed therebetween; and separating the element forming layer from the substrate having the light transmitting property after the photocatalytic layer is irradiated with light through the substrate having the light transmitting property.
US08173517B2
The present invention relates to methods for forming microelectronic structures in a semiconductor substrate. The method includes selectively removing dielectric material to expose a portion of an oxide overlying a semiconductor substrate. Insulating material may be formed substantially conformably over the oxide and remaining portions of the dielectric material. Spacers may be formed from the insulating material. An isolation trench etch follows the spacer etch. An optional thermal oxidation of the surfaces in the isolation trench may be performed, which may optionally be followed by doping of the bottom of the isolation trench to further isolate neighboring active regions on either side of the isolation trench. A conformal material may be formed substantially conformably over the spacer, over the remaining portions of the dielectric material, and substantially filling the isolation trench. Planarization of the conformal material may follow.
US08173498B2
A method for manufacturing an array substrate is provided, wherein a data line is composed of first and second segments connected by a contact pad. First and second insulation layers are disposed between the first segment of the data line and a shielding electrode. In addition, the first insulation layer is disposed between the second segment of the data line and a gate line in their overlapping area. Accordingly, the coupling effect between the conductive layers can be reduced. For example, the RC delay problem due to parasitic capacitance between the shielding electrode and the data line is solved. As a result of the design of the two insulator layers between the first segment of the data line and the shielding electrode, the shorting between the conductive layers can also be simultaneously solved and the product yield can be increased.
US08173486B2
In some aspects, a method of forming a memory cell is provided that includes (1) forming a steering element above a substrate; and (2) selectively forming a reversible resistance-switching element coupled to the steering element by: (a) forming a material layer on the substrate; (b) etching the material layer; and (c) oxidizing the etched material layer to form a reversible resistance-switching material. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08173481B2
A thin film deposition apparatus to remove static electricity generated between a substrate and a mask, and a method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display device using the thin film deposition apparatus.
US08173476B2
There is provided an image pickup device, including a photoelectric conversion element converting light into charges, a transfer gate for transferring the converted charges to a floating node, a source follower transistor for outputting a signal based on a voltage of the floating node to a signal line, and a clip circuit clipping the signal line at a first voltage and a second voltage.
US08173474B2
When a layered structure of a transparent electrode layer and a metal layer is formed as a back side electrode layer over a surface on a side opposite to a side of incidence of light of a thin film solar battery, a time when formation of the transparent electrode layer is completed and a time when formation of the metal layer is started are made to coincide for one substrate.
US08173470B2
Disclosed are MEMS accelerometers and methods for fabricating same. An exemplary accelerometer comprises a substrate, and a proof mass that is a portion of the substrate and which is separated from the substrate surrounding it by a gap. An electrically-conductive anchor is coupled to the proof mass, and a plurality of electrically-conductive suspension anus that are separated from the proof mass extend from the anchor and are coupled to the substrate surrounding the proof mass. A plurality of sense and actuation electrodes are separated from the proof mass by gaps and are coupled to processing electronics. Capacitive sensing is used to derive electrical signals caused by forces exerted on the proof mass, and the electrical signals are processed by the processing electronics to produce x-, y- and z-direction acceleration data. Electrostatic actuation is used to induce movements of the mass for force balance operation, or self-test and self-calibration. The fabrication methods use deep reactive ion etch bulk micromachining and surface micromachining to form the proof mass, suspension arms and electrodes. The anchor, suspension arms and electrodes are made in the same process steps from the same electrically conductive material, which is different from the substrate material.
US08173455B2
Phosphor coating method for fabricating light emitting semiconductor device and applications thereof
A phosphor coating method for fabricating a light-emitting semiconductor is provided. The phosphor coating method comprises the steps as follows: First a light emitting semiconductor wafer having a plurality of die units formed thereon is provided, and a photoresist is then formed on the light emitting semiconductor wafer to cover the die units. A pattern process is conducted to form a plurality of openings associated with the die units, whereby each die can be exposed via one of the openings. Subsequently, a compound mixed with phosphor is filled into the openings.
US08173438B1
There is disclosed a biological indicator (BI) test utilizing oxygen sensing within a microenvironment as a means for determining the presence of viable microorganisms capable of growth, a method for biological indicator (BI) testing for determining the completeness of a sterilization cycle utilizing oxygen sensing as the means for determining the presence of viable microorganism survival, a device for determining oxygen content in a biological indicator (BI) assay vessel containing an optical oxygen sensor, and a method and device for determining antimicrobial drug resistance or sensitivity to a contaminated sample.
US08173428B2
The present disclosure concerns LNA oligonucleotides having a (sub)sequence of the general formula 5′-(MeCx)(Tx)MeCxAsAstscscsastsgsgsMeCxAx(Gx)(c)-3′, and preferably of the general formula 5′-MeCxTxMeCxAsastscscsastsgsgsMeCxAxGxc-3′, wherein capital letters designate an LNA nucleotide analogue selected from β-D-oxy-LNA, β-D-thio-LNA, β-D-amino-LNA and α-L-oxy-LNA, small letters designate a deoxynucleotide, and underline designates either an LNA nucleotide analogue as defined above or a deoxynucleotide. Such LNA oligonucleotides exhibit surprisingly good properties with respect to inhibition of the expression of Survivin by means of an anti-sense mechanism, and thereby lead to reduction or inhibition of tumor development in vivo. The LNA oligonucleotides are superior to other LNA oligonucleotides targeting Surviving mRNA measured by functional read outs such as apoptosis induction and proliferation inhibition, and is potent in down-regulating Survivin mRNA and protein in transfected cancer cell lines, and induce apoptosis in combination with Taxol superior compared to other LNA oligonucleotides.
US08173427B2
A method is provided for producing a population of post-mitotic cells of the neutrophil lineage, which method comprises the ex vivo steps of: (a) providing a population of cells comprising neutrophil progenitor cells; and (b) culturing the population of cells in an animal cell culture medium comprising (i) one or more early acting cytokines and (ii) one or more cytokines that differentiate said progenitor cells into a neutrophil specific lineage, under conditions of low oxidative stress, the culture medium being agitated when the cells are at a cell density at which oxygen transfer via the surface of the culture medium is insufficient for growth of the progenitor cells and the progeny thereof under static conditions, to produce a population of post-mitotic cells of the neutrophil lineage. The resulting population of cells can be used to increase the number of neutrophils in a patient.
US08173425B2
Fusion partner cells that enable production of heterohybridomas even from cells of species other than mouse were produced by fusing myeloma cells derived from a first animal species with leukemia cells derived from a second animal species, which have an extra S phase in the cell cycle and have the property of diploidizing. Stable production of substances can be achieved by producing heterohybridomas through cell fusion between the fusion partner cells and substance-producing cells of an animal other than mouse.
US08173423B2
The present invention relates to the field of biotechnological means to diagnose or treat T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. More particularly, the invention relates to methods to diagnose T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia via determining the presence of a duplication of the MYB gene in cells taken from patients. The invention further relates to inhibitors capable of neutralizing the biological activity of MYB alone, or in combination with inhibitors capable of neutralizing the biological activity of NOTCH1, which can be used to treat T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
US08173419B2
Equipment for treating wastewater by anaerobic ammonium oxidation includes an anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel to receive water to be treated containing ammonium and nitrite and to denitrify ammonium and nitrite in the water by anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria, forming denitrified treated water, an acclimatization vessel downstream from the anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel to receive the denitrified treated water from the anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel, the acclimization vessel containing an immobilizing material that collects the anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria in the denitrified treated water as immobilized microorganisms attached to the immobilizing material, wherein the acclimatization vessel has a structure such that the immobilizing material is prevented from flowing out of the acclimatization vessel, and a pipe connecting the acclimatization vessel to the anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel.
US08173416B2
The invention relates to a novel circuit arrangement for electrotransfection or electrofusion, which enables the transportation of DNA and/or other biologically active molecules to the nucleus of higher eukaryotic cells or the fusion of cells, independent of cell division and with reduced cell mortality.
US08173413B2
This document discloses, among other things, a method and system for a substrate having a bypass region for fluid flow. The substrate includes a plurality of fluid flow channels with each channel configured to concurrently allow fluid flow while precluding passage of a target particle or object.
US08173405B2
According to one embodiment, the description relates to a method of nerolidol production. The method includes culturing a yeast strain lacking functional squalene synthase and overproducing HMG CoA reductase in synthetic medium lacking uracil and producing nerolidol. The pH of the medium may be adjusted to an acidic level to further increase nerolidol production. Other chemicals may also be produced by this method. The nerolidol or other chemicals may be removed from the yeast or medium or both. The medium may additionally contain a polyaromatic resin, which may adsorb nerolidol or other chemicals.
US08173403B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing a useful substance, the process includes feeding a liquid mixture formed of two liquid phases into a fixed bed-type reaction column packed with an immobilized enzyme, and allowing the liquid mixture to flow in the same direction in a co-current manner to perform a reaction. The packing thickness of the immobilized enzyme per stage of the fixed bed-type reaction column having an equivalent circular diameter of 35 mmφ or larger is 10 to 200 mm. The flow of the reaction liquid inside the column can be made uniform, and as a result, reactivity and productivity is enhanced.
US08173399B2
A method for producing lacto-N-biose I and galacto-N-biose inexpensively and conveniently is provided.The method for producing lacto-N-biose I or galacto-N-biose, characterized in that the method comprises causing: (i) a combination of a carbohydrate raw material with an enzyme that catalyzes phosphorolysis of the carbohydrate raw material to give α-glucose-1-phosphate; and (ii) a combination of an enzyme that converts α-glucose-1-phosphate to UDP-glucose and an enzyme that converts UDP-galactose to galactose-1-phosphate with their cofactors, and/or a combination of an enzyme (UDP-Gly synthase) that converts α-glucose-1-phosphate and UDP-galactose to UDP-glucose and α-galactose-1-phosphate, respectively, with its cofactor(s) to act in the presence of N-acetylglucosamine or N-acetylgalactosamine, phosphoric acid, lacto-N-biose phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.211), and UDP-glucose-4-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.2).
US08173393B2
This invention provides compositions and methods for producing translational components that expand the number of genetically encoded amino acids in eukaryotic cells. The components include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases and unnatural amino acids. Proteins and methods of producing proteins with unnatural amino acids in eukaryotic cells are also provided.
US08173391B2
The present invention relates to a method for cultivating carotenoid rich golden yellow algae by varying the ratio of carbon to nitrogen content in the culture medium during cultivation and supplementing the media periodically with citrate and acetate compounds to enhance the carotenoid production and produce change in the colour of blue-green algae to golden yellow.
US08173386B2
Methods of assaying enzyme-mediated oxidative demethylation are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which includes combining, under reaction conditions, an oxidative demethylation enzyme, a substrate for the oxidative demethylation enzyme and a formaldehyde detection reagent. Detection of fluorescence is indicative of formaldehyde generated by oxidative demethylation of the substrate by the enzyme, the fluorescence resulting from reaction of formaldehyde and the formaldehyde detection reagent.
US08173383B2
The present invention provides rapid diagnostic assays for the detection of Leishmania which can readily be used in the field, leading to more rapid treatment. In certain embodiments, the inventive assays, including ELISA and lateral flow assays, employ antibodies that may be effectively employed to detect the Leishmania major antigen TSA, which is present in both promastigotes grown in culture and in amastigotes. Such assays may be employed to detect the presence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a subject using scrapings, biopsies, and/or aspirates taken from cutaneous lesions.
US08173382B2
The invention provides among other things methods and kits based on assaying for cardiac troponin autoantibodies, either in conjunction with an assay for cardiac troponin and/or as an independent indicator of cardiac pathology, such as myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, and/or ischemic heart disease. Assay methods of the invention can be employed among other things to identify cardiac pathology, or risk thereof, in subjects who have an autoimmune disease or who are related to an individual with an autoimmune disease. In particular embodiments, the invention also provides a method of determining whether a subject having, or at risk for, a cardiac pathology is a candidate for immunosuppressive therapy or immunoabsorption therapy. The invention also provides kits and kit components that are useful for performing the methods of the invention.
US08173380B2
A diagnostic test kit for detecting an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The kit employs a lateral flow device that contains a membrane. A metering channel is formed in the membrane that is capable of delivering a controlled volume of the test sample to a detection zone upon initiation of the assay. Such a metering channel is particularly effective for embodiments in which the test sample has a relatively low volume, such as less than about 100 microliters, in some embodiments from about 0.5 to about 25 microliters, and in some embodiments, from about 1 to about 10 microliters. For example, whole blood drops obtained from patients with a lancet typically have a volume of less than about 3 microliters. Despite their low volume, the present inventors have discovered that the blood drops may still be accurately analyzed for the presence of an analyte using lateral flow detection techniques.
US08173376B2
Methods and products for the attenuation or treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are described. The methods and products are based on the modulation of CNS intracellular chloride levels. The methods and products may also relate to modulation of the activity and/or expression of a chloride transporter, such as the KCC2 potassium-chloride cotransporter. Also described herein are commercial packages and uses based on such modulation. Related methods for identifying or characterizing a compound for the treatment of pain, the reduction of nociception and the diagnosis and prognostication of pain are also described.
US08173374B2
A method of identifying an undifferentiated human embryonic stem cell in a sample which may contain such cells, the method comprising identifying the cell or cells within the sample that express podocalyxin-like protein (PODXL) on their surface. A method of isolating an undifferentiated human embryonic stem cell from a sample containing such cells, the method comprising isolating the cell or cells within the sample that express PODXL on their surface. Typically, the methods use an antibody which binds to PODXL. Undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells isolated by the method may be useful in cell therapy. Also, in particular, compositions of cells differentiated from a human embryonic stem cell but which composition has been depleted of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells are provided which are useful in cell therapy.
US08173370B2
The invention in part provides nucleic acid-based assays, which are particularly useful for non-invasive prenatal testing. The invention in part provides compositions and methods for RhD typing, detecting the presence of fetal nucleic in a sample, determining the relative amount of fetal nucleic acid in a sample and determining the sex of a fetus, wherein each of the assays may be performed alone or in combination.
US08173365B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for inhibiting activation of signaling pathway mediated by erbB1 or erbB2 in human cell and a signaling inhibitor to be used therefor. The above-described activation of signaling pathway can be inhibited by a polypeptide comprising at least one of PTB domain or ERK2 binding domain of human FRS2β. The above-described polypeptide may be introduced directly into cell, or nucleic acid which encodes for the above-described polypeptide may be introduced into cell to allow expression of the polypeptide in the cell. Such polypeptide and nucleic acid can be used, for example, as a signaling inhibitor. In addition, since erbB1 and erbB2 are involved in development of cancer, the above-described signaling inhibitor is also useful, for example, as an anticancer drug.
US08173364B2
This invention provides compositions and methods for generating components of protein biosynthetic machinery including orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases. Methods for identifying orthogonal pairs are also provided. These components can be used to incorporate unnatural amino acids into proteins in vivo.
US08173360B2
The cell death inhibitor comprising a substance capable of binding to macrophage migration inhibitory factor is useful as a preventive/therapeutic agent for, e.g., heart diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, central nervous infections, traumatic diseases, demyelinating diseases, bone/joint diseases, kidney diseases, liver diseases, myelodysplastic diseases, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, pulmonary hypertension, sepsis, inflammatory bowel diseases, autoimmune diseases, failure accompanying rejection in organ transplantation, AIDS, cancer, etc.
US08173352B2
A resist composition comprising: (A) a resin comprising a structural unit having an acid-labile group in its side chain and a structural unit represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, Z1 represents a single bond or —(CH2)k—CO—O—, k represents an integer of 1 to 4, and ring X represents an unsubstituted or substituted C3-C30 cyclic hydrocarbon group having —COO—, (B) a resin comprising a structural unit having an acid-labile group in its side chain and a structural unit represented by the formula (III): wherein R6 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R7 is independently in each occurrence a linear or branched chain C1-C6 alkyl group and n represents an integer of 0 to 4, and (C) an acid generator.
US08173351B2
A compound shown by the following formula (1) can be used as a material for a radiation-sensitive composition capable of forming a resist film which effectively responds to electron beams or the like, exhibits low roughness, and can form a high precision minute pattern in a stable manner.
US08173348B2
A method for forming a pattern contains (1) a step of forming an underlayer film containing (A) a radiation-sensitive acid generator capable of generating an acid upon exposure to radiation rays or (B) a radiation-sensitive base generator capable of generating a base upon exposure to radiation rays on a substrate; (2) a step of irradiating the underlayer film with radiation rays through a mask with a predetermined pattern to obtain an exposed underlayer film portion having been selectively exposed through the predetermined pattern; (3) a step of forming (C) an organic thin film on the underlayer film so as to attain chemical bonding of the exposed underlayer film portion with the organic thin-film formed on the exposed underlayer film portion; and (4) a step of removing the organic thin film formed on areas of the underlayer film other than the exposed underlayer film portion.
US08173347B2
A method for surface micropatterning includes forming on a surface containing a first polymer a first coating containing a second polymer having first functionalities capable of being converted to second functionalities by exposure to an acid. A second coating containing a photoacid generator is formed on the first coating. The second coating containing the photoacid generator is selectively irradiated in one or more regions thereof with radiation having a spatially varying internsity pattern to generate an acid in each irradiated region of the second coating. The acid converts the first functionalities of each region of the second polymer underlying a respective irradiated region of the second coating to second functionalities. A first molecular patterned surface having one or more regions of the first functionalities and one or more regions of the second functionalities is formed.
US08173346B2
Affinity transitions from hydrophobic to hydrophilic states, rather than ablation mechanisms, facilitate the creation of an imagewise lithographic pattern on a printing plate. In various embodiments, a lithographic printing member comprises a topmost “imaging” layer that undergoes, in response to heat, a transition from a hydrophobic and oleophilic state to a hydrophilic state (which may or may not also be oleophilic); and a substrate disposed below the imaging layer. The affinity change in the imaging layer may be due essentially to a foaming agent therein. The foaming agent decomposes upon heating, creating a gas that foams the surface of the imaging layer. The resulting spongelike texture enables the surface to retain water, i.e., renders it hydrophilic.
US08173345B2
[PROBLEMS] To provide a toner superior in shelf stability, not giving off an offensive odor and degrading the surrounding environment when used for printing, and superior in durability at the time of use for continuous printing under high temperature, high humidity conditions.[MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A process of production of a toner containing colored polymer particles obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable monomer composition containing a polymerizable monomer and colorant in an aqueous medium in the presence of a polymerization initiator, wherein the polymerization initiator is an organic peroxide having a molecular weight of 205 or less, and a purity of 90% or more.
US08173342B2
A photoconductor that includes a photogenerating layer, and a charge transport layer containing a charge transport component, and a core shell component, and wherein the core is comprised of a metal oxide and the shell is comprised of silica.
US08173333B2
In one embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes an illuminator having a source that produces light waves having a first wavelength, and a mask. The mask includes at least one partly opaque area and at least one opening within the opaque area includes a slanted, sub-resolution feature that redistributes a portion of the light passing through the open area to an off-axis location. A method of forming a device by way of photolithography might include forming unresolvable features on a mask and projecting light through the mask. Other systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed.
US08173332B2
A reflection-type exposure mask includes a multilayer reflective film in a main surface and serving as a high reflective region to an exposure light, and an absorber pattern on the multilayer reflective film and serving as a low reflective region to the exposure light, wherein a phase difference between reflection lights of the exposure light from the multilayer reflective film and the absorber pattern is in a range of 180°±10°, and the absorber pattern includes first and second linear patterns having longitudinal directions intersecting at right angles, contrast values of optical images of the first and second linear patterns formed on a wafer is to be 0.6 or more when one of the longitudinal directions of the first and second patterns agree with an incident direction of the exposure light to the main surface viewed from above the main surface.
US08173330B2
A pellicle is provided that includes an aluminum pellicle frame having an anodized layer on its entire surface; and a pellicle film stretched over and affixed to an end face of the pellicle frame, the anodized layer having a thickness of 4 to 8 μm.
US08173328B2
Various embodiments relate to interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells (“SOFCs”) comprising ferritic stainless steel and having at least one via that when subjected to an oxidizing atmosphere at an elevated temperature develops a scale comprising a manganese-chromate spinel on at least a portion of a surface thereof, and at least one gas flow channel that when subjected to an oxidizing atmosphere at an elevated temperature develops an aluminum-rich oxide scale on at least a portion of a surface thereof. Other embodiments relate to interconnects comprising a ferritic stainless steel and having a fuel side comprising metallic material that resists oxidation during operation of the SOFCs, and optionally include a nickel-base superalloy on the oxidant side thereof. Still other embodiments relate to ferritic stainless steels adapted for use as interconnects comprising ≦0.1 weight percent aluminum and/or silicon, and >1 up to 2 weight percent manganese. Methods of making interconnects are also disclosed.
US08173319B2
Systems and methods for transporting accumulated water in a fuel cell system are disclosed. Briefly described, in one aspect, a system comprises a fuel cell flow field plate with at least one channel disposed on a surface of the fuel cell flow field plate, and at least one water management fin residing on a wall of the channel such that when the accumulated water is transported along the channel the water management fin guides the accumulated water.
US08173318B2
The fuel reservoir for a fuel cell is a fuel reservoir detachably connected with a fuel cell main body, and it is equipped with a fuel-storing vessel of a tube type for storing a liquid fuel and a fuel discharge part; the fuel discharge part is provided with a valve for sealing communication between the inside and the outside of the above fuel-storing vessel; and a follower which seals the liquid fuel and moves as the liquid fuel is consumed is disposed in the rear end part of the liquid fuel stored. The valve assumes a structure in which a slit is formed in an elastic material and a structure in which a valve member is pressed by a resilient body.
US08173317B2
In a fuel cells power generation system provided with a power generation module having a plurality of fuel cells, the structure is made such that a cross sectional area of at least one of a fuel flow path and an air flow path is larger in an inner portion of the power generation module and smaller in an outer portion thereof. Accordingly, gas tends to flow through the inner portion of the power generation module, a gas flow rate is quickened, and it is possible to uniformize a molar flow rate of the fuel and the air supplied to the fuel cell, even in a state in which a temperature distribution of the module is not uniform within the power generation module.
US08173312B2
The present invention seeks, when a temporary abnormality occurs in a voltage converter, a recovery of the voltage converter, and minimizes the inadequacy of the drive power. In a fuel cell system comprising an electric storage device disposed with a voltage converter, in the case where an abnormality occurs in the voltage converter, the voltage converter is stopped once, an attempt is made to recover the voltage converter to a normal state after the voltage converter is stopped, and drive power is generated in at least a fuel cell until the voltage converter recovers to the normal state. It is preferred that an upper limit of the power which can be generated when the voltage converter recovers to the normal state be set to a value lower than an upper limit of power obtained prior to the occurrence of the abnormality. Further, it is preferred that the limit be canceled step by step when recovering the voltage converter to a normal state.
US08173305B2
Film former-free electrolyte/separator system and use thereof in electrochemical energy accumulators
The invention relates to an electrolyte separator system comprising an ionic liquid, a conductive salt and a ceramic separator, and the use of the electrolyte separator system according to the invention in electrochemical energy storage systems, in particular of lithium metal and lithium ion batteries.
US08173303B2
Disclosed is a lithium secondary battery including a positive electrode including a positive active material; a negative electrode including a negative active material; a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes; and an electrolyte, where an alkaline metal powder layer is formed by dispersion coating on a surface of at least one of the positive and negative electrodes and the separator.
US08173287B2
A battery pack, and more particularly, a temperature compensated current measuring device which can accurately measure an actual current flowing in a circuit of a charging/discharging path in the battery pack. The temperature compensated current measuring device includes a conductor in which current flows, a temperature sensor disposed around the conductor to measure a temperature of the conductor, and a temperature compensated current detection circuit part electrically connected to two positions of the conductor to measure a voltage between the two positions, electrically connected to the temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the conductor, and measuring the current flowing in the conductor by using the measured temperature and the voltage as an input signal. Thus, it is possible to accurately calculate an actual charging/discharging current with the temperature compensated current measuring device and effectively control the charging capacity of the battery pack.
US08173284B2
An electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.
US08173283B2
A ceramic substrate according to one aspect of the invention comprises a main surface wherein a diameter of a first imaginary circle inscribed in a circumference of the main surface is represented by C (m), a thickness of the ceramic substrate is represented by h (m), a Poisson ratio of the ceramic substrate is represented by ν, a density of the ceramic substrate is represented by ρ(kg/m3), a Young's modulus of the ceramic substrate is represented by E(Pa), a deflection of the ceramic substrate is represented by X (m), the deflection being measured in a condition that the ceramic substrate is supported in a region between the first imaginary circle and a second imaginary circle which is a concentric circle of the first imaginary circle and has a diameter of C-0.01 (m), wherein X≦1.5×(C4/h2)×A and A={3×9.807×ρ×(1−ν2)×(5+ν)}/{28×(1+ν)×E} are satisfied.
US08173281B2
A ceramic sintered body contains Al2O3 crystal grains, internal TiC crystal grains existing in the Al2O3 crystal grains and external TiC crystal grains other than the internal TiC crystal grains. The Al2O3 crystal grains and the external TiC crystal grains retain stress caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficient remaining after sintering, so that the Al2O3 crystal grains and the external TiC crystal grains pull each other in the interface therebetween. As a result, when the ceramic sintered body is machined, micro-cracks generated in the interface can easily grow due to the residual stress in addition to the shearing force caused by the machining operation, so that machinability is improved.
US08173268B2
A honeycomb body includes a housing and a honeycomb structure with a plurality of channels. The honeycomb structure is formed by at least one at least partially structured metallic layer which forms connecting points that fix the honeycomb structure in place. A cross section of the honeycomb structure has radial zones with the connecting points. At least 1% and no more than 20% of inner contact points of the at least one at least partially structured metallic layer in the cross section form a connecting point in at least one zone. The connecting points have lengths in a structure direction being different in at least two radial zones.
US08173266B2
A coating material (20) for coating a machine component (10), especially a gas turbine or a part thereof, comprises a mixture of at least a refractory material and an indicator material having an optical emission (e.g. fluorescence) spectrum which varies in response to a physical parameter of the coated component. In a preferred embodiment, the coating consists of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) or yttrium stabilized zirconium. The dopant is preferably a rare earth metal, e.g. Eu, Tb, Dy.
US08173264B2
A resin composition comprises a polyimide resin composition or precursor thereof obtained from an acid dianhydride component containing a compound represented by the following Formula (1) and a diamine component containing a diamine compound represented by the following Formula (2), and a bismaleimide compound represented by the following Formula (3), wherein the diamine component contains a diamine compound (a) in which m in the Formula (2) represents an integer of 0 or 1 and a diamine component (b) in which m in the Formula (2) represents an integer of 2 to 6 in a molar ratio (a:b) of from 100:0 to 50:50, wherein, in the Formula (2), when m is 2 or more, each X may be independently the same or different, and represents O, SO2, S, CO, CH2, C(CH3)2, C(CF3)2 or a direct bond, wherein, in the Formula (3), n represents an integer of 0 to 6.
US08173262B2
In a molded composite article, a resin member comprising a non-urethane thermoplastic resin and a resin member comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane resin are directly joined with each other. The non-urethane thermoplastic resin comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a polyamide component having an alicyclic ring and an amino group-containing compound, or each of the non-urethane thermoplastic resins and the thermoplastic polyurethane has a polyether segment. Even if the base resin is a non-urethane thermoplastic resin, the present invention provides a direct and firm bonding between the non-urethane thermoplastic resin member and the thermoplastic polyurethane resin member.
US08173259B2
Methods and associated structures of forming microelectronic devices are described. Those methods may include forming a first layer of functionalized nanaparticles on a substrate by immersing the substrate in at least one of a solvent and a polymer matrix, wherein at least one of the solvent and the polymer matrix comprises a plurality of functionalized nanoparticles; and forming a second layer of functionalized nanoparticles on the first layer of functionalized particles, wherein there is a gradient in a property between the first layer and the second layer.
US08173255B2
One of the major problems of commercial clean flame retardant materials is unstable mechanical properties because of high filler loadings. Clean flame retardant compositions having very low smoke and toxicity generation are invented by a method based on partial cross-linking of polymers. These composites are processed by routine thermoplastic extruder and do not use post curing system. Composition mainly contain 100 parts by weight (p/w) of resin (polyolefin or 100 p/w of polyolefin/ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM rubber)), 90-150 p/w of non halogen content main flame retardants, 0.1-0.5 parts by weight of crosslinking agent, 1-20 p/w of auxiliary secondary flame retardant agents and 0.2-1.0 p/w of antioxidants. Clean flame retardant compositions use peroxide composite as a crosslinking agent and metal hydroxide composite as a flame retardant. The present invention demonstrates more reliable method for producing clean flame retardant insulations for wire and cable without deterioration of mechanical properties.
US08173238B2
A composite shaped article with uneven configuration junction face, comprising a resin member and a plate member composed of topside and underside arranged surface layer base materials integrated with a core layer base material interposed therebetween, the plate member and the resin member joined together with an uneven configuration at the side end faces facing each other. In the composite shaped article, the length of actual junction line formed along the unevenness of the uneven configuration is 1.05 mm or greater per mm of a protrusion passage line consisting of a continuity of line segment linking neighboring protrusion tops with each other in the uneven configuration drawn by the surface layer base materials.
US08173234B2
There is described a label comprising a self supporting sheet of a biopolymer, preferably cellulose (e.g. regenerated cellulose, cellulose acetate and/or PLA), said sheet being substantially transparent to visible light when uncoated, wherein said sheet comprises: (a) a first coating on at least one surface thereof to aid printability thereon; (b) a second coating comprising an adhesive dispersible in an aqueous medium; and (c) optionally a third coating to modify water permeability through the sheet. The labels are to be applied to articles such as glass containers. Preferred labels are wet glue cellulose labels, for example where the first coating also comprises a copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate to aid water permeability and hence rapid drying of the label on an article.
US08173222B2
A chemical mixture for treating biodegradable materials which when subjected to anaerobic decomposition generate environmentally harmful gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide. The chemical mixture includes chemicals for inhibiting the production of methane and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The mixture may be formed by: (a) combining compound(s) which inhibit the production of methane gas with compound(s) which inhibit the generation of hydrogen sulfide; and/or (b) using one or more compounds which can perform both functions. The biodegradable materials include all types of paper products. A liquid may be added to the chemical mixture to form a solution which may be applied, in any suitable manner, to biodegradable materials at any point during the manufacture of the materials and/or after the biodegradable materials are disposed of and ready for decomposition.
US08173219B2
The present invention relates to formaldehyde scavenger treatments for porous fiberglass material having formaldehyde emitting binders thereon. The invention also relates to methods of making porous fiberglass material having reduced formaldehyde emissions.
US08173205B2
Disclosed is a method for fabricating ZnO thin films using a ZnO precursor solution containing zinc hydroxide nitrate (Zn5(OH)8(NO3)2.2H2O) as a zinc supplier. The ZnO thin film is fabricated by using a simple and economical coating method at a low process temperature.
US08173202B2
A multi-layer coating structure with anti-reflection, anti-static and anti-smudge functions includes a substrate and a coating module. The coating module is formed on a front surface of the substrate and composed of a plurality of indium tin oxide compound coating layers and a plurality of silicon dioxide compound coating layers that are alternately stacked upon each other. The coating module further includes a fluorocarbon compound coating layer that is the uppermost layer of the coating module. Because the surface layer has good electrical conductive properties, the surface layer reduces much of the work in the grounding process and also increases the total yield and reliability in high volume production. The present invention provides a surface conductive layer structure with an anti-reflection coating that can be applied to the LCD and PDP display industries for glass and plastic film substrates.
US08173200B2
A method of coating an implantable medical device may include providing an implantable medical device, applying a polymer base to the medical device, and directing a first solution including therapeutic agent and solvent through the nozzle onto a target zone of the polymer base coating to penetrate the polymer base coating. The solution may be directed at the target zone until a predetermined concentration of the therapeutic agent can be integrated within the polymer base coating.
US08173199B2
A method and coating for reducing the release rate of an active agent from an implantable device, such as a stent, is disclosed.
US08173196B2
The invention concerns methods of coating stents and stents produced in accordance therewith. The object of the invention is to provide methods of coating stents with a polysaccharide layer which has improved adhesion capacity on the substrate surface of the implant, and to afford correspondingly functionalized stents. That is achieved inter alia by covalent bonding of a non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid to a substrate surface of the stent with the formation of hyaluronic acid layer and crosslinking of the hyaluronic acid layer.
US08173195B2
Products that are aerated multiphase systems containing an aqueous continuous fluid phase which may include solutes thus forming an aqueous syrup and disperse phases like gas/air cells, water ice crystals and solid/semi-solid fat globules or aggregates thereof, whereas the disperse phases are that finely structured that their mean diameters are below phase specific critical maximum values and thereby generate a most preferred by consumers, full rich silky-creamy mouth feel at much lower fat content than usual in conventional related products like premium and super premium ice creams.
US08173192B2
The invention provides a W1/O/W2 type composite emulsified dressing characterized in that it comprises a polyglycerol polyricinoleate having a degree of esterification of 10-30% and a degree of ricinoleic acid-condensation of 5-8 and that it has a viscosity of 1,000-300,000 mPa·s, and a method for the preparation of the dressing which comprises the steps of 90-10 parts by mass of an aqueous phase (W1) is mixed with 10-90 parts by mass of an oily phase (O) to thus form a W1/O type emulsion and then 100 parts by mass of the resulting W1/O type emulsion is blended with 25-150 parts by mass of an aqueous phase (W2) to thus give a W1/O/W2 type composite emulsified dressing, wherein the dressing comprises a polyglycerol polyricinoleate having a degree of esterification of 10-30% and a degree of ricinoleic acid-condensation of 5-8, in an amount ranging from 0.01-5% by mass on the basis of the total mass of the W1/O/W2 type composite emulsified dressing. The dressing are quite excellent in their storage stability.
US08173190B2
The present invention relates to non-settling fruit beverages (e.g., smoothies), including processes for making non-settling fruit beverages. In particular, the present invention provides processes for making storable non-settling fruit beverages.
US08173186B2
A method of making a drawing on a chocolate by causing a pulsed laser to irradiate the surface of a solid chocolate under limited operation conditions, and a chocolate manufactured by said method are provided. The irradiation energy per pulse and the irradiation energy per sweeping unit line length of the pulsed laser are limited to a certain range. The trace of the laser irradiation remains circular or arc-shaped on the surface of the chocolate manufactured under the above conditions. Further, the method makes a drawing on the surface of the chocolate, using the phenomenon that chocolate changes color when being irradiated by a pulsed laser under the above operation conditions.
US08173183B2
A pharmaceutical composition for treatment and prevention of severely dehydrated soft tissue is disclosed. The pharmaceutical composition has ingredients that prevent the onset of dehydration and ingredients that increase the healing rate of dehydrated tissue that has become cracked. In particular, the present invention treats and prevents the dry-nose condition caused in oxygen respiratory therapy.
US08173172B2
The invention relates to a method of producing an agglomerate of drug and solid binder. The process involves producing individual agglomerate particles and then converting the convertible amorphous content of same, following agglomeration, by the application of, for example, moisture. Agglomerates capable of conversion as well as the finished agglomerates and oral and nasal dosing systems including same are also contemplated. The process produces agglomerates which are rugged but which will produce an acceptable fine particle fraction during dosing.
US08173167B2
Hydrophobic drugs become more practical for treatments by being encapsulated in micelle compositions for increasing solubility. Micelle compositions may include an excipient tocopherol and/or prodrug formulations of the drug. Micelles extend the time period the drug remains in the micelles to improve drug circulation time and thereby drug delivery. Hydrophobic drugs for micelle encapsulation may include rapamycin, geldanamycin, and paclitaxel. Administration of these micelle compositions does not require Cremophor EL or Tween 80, avoiding serious side effects associated with these products which would previously accompany such drug administration.
US08173162B2
The invention relates to preparations which are suitable for repairing enchondral or osteochondral defects (4) by means of implantation, said preparations comprising a cartilage element (A) and optionally a bone element (B) which is connected to the cartilage element (A). The cartilage element (A) can already contain cells during the implantation or is populated after the implantation with cells migrating from surrounding tissue. The aim of the invention is to better equip the cartilage element (A) of one such preparation for integration into the surrounding tissue and/or for an easy-to-achieve, primary stability. To this end, said cartilage element is not homogeneously embodied but has different characteristics in a peripheral and/or basal region (2, 3) to those in a central region (3). Said differing characteristics (A) relate to the structure and/or composition of the matrix used and/or to the cells established in the matrix, and are in no way used to prevent the migration of cells into the preparation from the surrounding tissue.
US08173159B2
A novel microcapsule comprising an encapsulated material which is enclosed within a solid permeable shell of a polymer resin having surface modifying compounds capable of reacting with isocyanate incorporated therein is disclosed. The process for producing such microcapsules is likewise disclosed.
US08173136B2
The present invention relates to a recombinant vector for transcription of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) genome, a strain of attenuated recombinant NDV with a surface antigen of pathogenic NDV prepared by the vector, a method of preparing a recombinant NDV having low pathogenicity and high protectivity efficiency against Newcastle disease (ND) using the vector, and a vaccine against ND containing the recombinant NDV.
US08173134B2
The invention provides FGFR fusion proteins, methods of making them, and methods of using them to treat proliferative disorders, including cancers and disorders of angiogenesis. The FGFR fusion molecules can be made in CHO cells and may comprise deletion mutations in the extracellular domains of the FGFRs which improve their stability. These fusion proteins inhibit the growth and viability of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The combination of the relatively high affinity of these receptors for their ligand FGFs and the demonstrated ability of these decoy receptors to inhibit tumor growth is an indication of the clinical value of the compositions and methods provided herein.
US08173131B2
Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment or prevention of RSV disease by modulating RSV infection and immunity. In particular, amino acid sequences in the RSV G glycoprotein, containing the chemokine motif defined as C-X-X-X-C (or CX3C), are identified that are essential in causing RSV infection and disease. The chemokine motif is biologically active and participates in virus binding to and infection of susceptible cells. The prevention or treatment of RSV infection is achieved by interfering with the motif, such as by administering a vaccine in which the motif is altered or by administration or induction of blocking molecules that inhibit the biological activity of the motif.
US08173126B2
A blood vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level-lowering agent comprising an interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonist as an active ingredient.
US08173124B2
Human monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to TNFSF13b polypeptides are disclosed. These antibodies have high affinity for hTNFSF13b (e.g., KD=10−8 M or less), a slow off rate for TNFSF13b dissociation (e.g., Koff=10−3 sec−1 or less) and neutralize TNFSF13b activity in vitro and in vivo. The antibodies of the invention are useful in one embodiment for inhibiting TNFSF13b activity in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hTNFSF13b activity is detrimental. Nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the present invention, as well as, vectors and host cells for expressing them are also encompassed by the invention.
US08173123B2
Method of treating or preventing the inflammatory response of colitis in a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a substance that modulates IL-13 activity (FIG. 3). The invention also provides a method of treating or preventing the inflammatory response of colitis in a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a substance that modulates NK-T cell activity. The invention also provides for the screening of substances that treat or prevent the inflammatory response of colitis.
US08173120B2
The present invention relates to a method for substantially preventing a reduction in feed intake in an animal which occurs when said animal is administered an antibiotic, the method comprising administering to an animal in need of prevention of a reduction in feed intake, increasing doses of a composition comprising one or more antibiotics. The present invention also relates to a method for treating laminitis and fermentative acidosis in an animal in need of said treatment, the method comprising administering increasing doses of a composition comprising one or more antibiotics. The present invention further relates to a method for treating equine grass sickness and pulpy kidney in an animal in need of said treatment, the method comprising administering increasing doses of a composition comprising one or more antibiotics.
US08173118B2
This document provides methods and materials for treating cardiovascular tissue. For example, stem cells, compositions containing stem cells, methods for obtaining stem cells, compositions for generating stem cells expressing particular markers (e.g., compositions comprising TGF-β1, BMP-2, FGF-4, and leukemia inhibitory factor), and methods for repairing cardiovascular tissue are provided.
US08173116B1
The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to a biocompatible, biodegradable, and moldable plastic carrier for a fish attractant or stimulant suitable for use as a component of an artificial fish bait. The carrier comprises one or more grades of poly(vinyl alcohol), a plasticizer, a humectant, and water. It may additionally contain one or more of the following additives: fish olfactory/gustatory stimulants, visually stimulating colorants, preservatives, scrim, and biodegradation enhancers. The present subject matter additionally relates to a method for the production of such carriers and fish bait or lures incorporating the carrier.
US08173113B1
A bioadhesive composition that adheres suitably to a mucosal surface and is capable of delivering drugs in sustained fashion, and a patch comprising the bioadhesive composition. Methods of using and processes for preparing the bioadhesive composition are also described.
US08173105B2
Contrast agents comprising a scaffold protein having at least one operative integrated metal ion binding site.
US08173104B2
Single-dose controlled-release immunogenic formulations, such as vaccines, based on bioerodible polyanhydride copolymer or homopolymer microparticles for the control of immune response mechanisms are provided. The copolymer or homopolymer microparticles degrade by surface-erosion from in vivo hydrolysis of anhydride linkages at the surface of the microparticle, which results in controlled release of immunogen(s) to a patient.
US08173101B2
The invention relates to a method for removing heavy metal ions from the lattice of tectosilicates or phyllosilicates, especially from zeolite mineral, particularly clinoptilolite, by exchanging ions with calcium ions. According to the inventive method, the zeolite rock is brought in contact with hydrochloric and ammonium-containing solutions in a chain of exchange reactors such that a large part of the cations of the lattice are replaced with ammonium ions, and the ammonium ions located in the lattice are replaced with calcium in a basic calcium hydroxide solution. The ammonium or ammonia used in the process is conducted in the circuit by binding the same in hydrochloric acid as an ammonium ion from the exchange solutions by conveying anhydrous ammonia and can be fed back to the exchange solution. The ions from the lattice that are exchanged are essentially precipitated as phosphate, carbonate, or hydroxide.
US08173093B2
Provided is an iron silicide sputtering target in which the oxygen as the gas component in the target is 1000 ppm or less, and a manufacturing method of such iron silicide sputtering target including the steps of melting/casting high purity iron and silicon under high vacuum to prepare an alloy ingot, subjecting the ingot to gas atomization with inert gas to prepare fine powder, and thereafter sintering the fine powder. With this iron silicide sputtering target, the amount of impurities will be reduced, the thickness of the βFeSi2 film during deposition can be made thick, the generation of particles will be reduced, a uniform and homogenous film composition can be yielded, and the sputtering characteristics will be favorable. The foregoing manufacturing method is able to stably produce this target.
US08173089B2
Method for separating a gaseous mixture that comprises as main ingredients H2S and CO2, wherein the gaseous mixture is contacted in a first device with a solvent comprising a weak Lewis-acid, wherein H2S is absorbed in the solvent and the remaining CO2 is abducted, and wherein the at least partially saturated solvent is regenerated subsequently, in at least one second device wherein the weak Lewis-acid comprises copper aluminum chloride (Cu[AlCl4]) and wherein the solvent comprises monochlorobiphenyl (MCB).
US08173074B2
A device for reducing the emission of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) from transition metal-containing catalyzers for selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxides in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine by means of ammonia and/or reducing agents which split off ammonia. At least one catalyzer for oxidizing hydrocarbon-containing PCDD precursor substances and PCDF is arranged upstream of the at least one transition metal-containing SCR catalyzer and/or at least one catalyzer for degrading precursor substances for degrading the polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and/or polychlorinated dibenzofurans is arranged downstream of the at least one transition metal-containing catalyzer. The at least one catalyzer for degrading PCDD and PCDF and/or the at least one catalyzer for oxidizing hydrocarbon-containing precursor substances thereof are/is additionally active for the reduction of nitric oxides by means of ammonia.
US08173070B2
An injection device (10) includes a carrier inlet (40), a sample inlet (46), waste outlet (44) and a chamber outlet (64) attached to separation column (66). Valves (52, 54, 56) are used to control flow such that sample flows into chamber (22) and is carried into the chamber outlet (42).
US08173066B2
The invention relates to a method for inactivating pathogens such as bacteria and viruses and/or leucocytes in thrombocyte concentrations by irradiation in flexible containers with ultra-violet light using agitation. The blood product is packaged in a flexible bag to permit the intermixing of the fluid by agitation (tilting, rotation, translation). This is also promoted by the filling of the bag to a maximum 30% of the filling capacity.
US08173065B2
The present invention provides an apparatus, system and method for handling glass containers that has a takeout jaw assembly with a base with a first side, a second side and a groove. The groove extends from the first side to the second side and is adapted to fit an insert. The groove also has a recess with one or more flexible retaining tabs positioned to secure the insert and a yoke extending substantially perpendicular from the base.
US08173064B2
Method for operating a shaft furnace, whereby an upper section of the shaft furnace is charged with raw materials which due to gravity descend inside the furnace while the atmosphere prevailing within the shaft furnace causes part of the raw materials to melt and/or to be reduced, and in a lower section of the shaft furnace a process gas is injected so as to at least partly modify the atmosphere prevailing in the shaft furnace. The pressure and/or volume flow of the injected process gas is dynamically modulated within a time span of 40 s. Also, a shaft furnace operable by said method, thus achieving improved through-gassing.
US08173058B2
The invention provides solvent-free release agents for producing polyurethane moldings, substantially including: A) at least one wax having release activity; B) at least one oil having release activity; and C) if desired, further auxiliaries and adjuvants, with the proviso that the release agent contains no water and no volatile organic solvent, and the oil with release activity is substantially free from unsaturated hydrocarbons.
US08173052B2
A writing implement with a thermochromic coloring color-memory composition which comprises a homogeneous solubilized mixture of (A) an electron donative coloring organic compound, (B) an electron accepting compound and (C) a reaction medium which controls color reactions of the components (A) and (B), wherein a complete decoloring temperature (T4) of the thermochromic coloring color-memory composition is 50° C. or higher and a coloring starting temperature (T2) of thermochromic coloring color-memory composition is 10° C. or lower regarding the color density-temperature curve, and the thermochromic coloring color-memory composition has color-memory ability at the ordinary temperature range.
US08173050B2
A conductive pattern formation ink which can be stably ejected in the form of liquid droplets and form a conductive pattern having high reliability, a conductive pattern having high reliability, and a wiring substrate provided with the conductive pattern and having high reliability are provided. The conductive pattern formation ink is used for forming a conductive pattern by ejecting the ink in the form of liquid droplets on a surface of a ceramic molded body using a liquid droplet ejecting method, the ceramic molded body being made of a material containing ceramic particles and a binder. The ink contains a water-based dispersion medium, and metal particles dispersed in the water-based dispersion medium, wherein the water-based dispersion medium contains oxygen molecules and nitrogen molecules, and wherein when the water-based dispersion medium is analyzed using a gas chromatography method, a total amount of the oxygen and nitrogen molecules contained in the water-based dispersion medium is 12 ppm or less.
US08173049B2
The present invention concerns electrode materials capable of redox reactions by electrons and alkali ions exchange with an electrolyte. The applications are in the field of primary (batteries) or secondary electrochemical generators, super capacitors and light modulating system of the super capacitor type.
US08173046B2
A conductive polymer film is produced by drying out a solution of conductive polymer and a dopant thereof to obtain a dried film.A dried film obtained from the solution is treated, in a reaction vessel, with an organic solvent and pressurized carbon dioxide.
US08173045B2
Diels-Alder crosslinkable dendritic nonlinear optical chromophore compounds, films and crosslinked polymer composites formed from the chromophore compounds, methods for making and using the chromophore compounds, films, and crosslinked polymer composites, and electro-optic devices that include films and crosslinked polymer composites formed from the chromophore compounds.
US08173035B2
A surface texturization method is provided. First, a polymer film is formed on a substrate. Thereafter, a heating treatment is performed on the substrate. The heating treatment results in a textured polymer film having island-shaped and/or microcrack-shaped patterns. Afterwards, an etching process is performed using the textured polymer film as a mask, so as to remove a portion of the substrate to form a textured structure on the surface of the substrate.
US08173034B2
Some embodiments include methods of utilizing block copolymer to form patterns between weirs. The methods may utilize liners along surfaces of the weirs to compensate for partial-width segments of the patterns in regions adjacent the weirs. Some embodiments include methods in which spaced apart structures are formed over a substrate, and outer surfaces of the structures are coated with a thickness of coating. Diblock copolymer is used to form a pattern across spaces between the structures. The diblock copolymer includes a pair of block constituents that have different affinities for the coating relative to one another. The pattern includes alternating segments, with the segments adjacent to the coating being shorter than the segments that are not adjacent to the coating. The coating thickness is about the amount by which the segments adjacent to the coating are shorter than the segments that are not adjacent to the coating.
US08173032B2
Methods and apparatus for determining the extent of etching in material by locating a detector element adjacent to a portion of the material that is to be etched. The width of the element varies. The resistance of the element is measured upon etching the portion.
US08173029B2
According to one embodiment, a cured first ultraviolet-curing resin material layer having a first three-dimensional pattern is formed on a first principal surface of a magnetic recording medium having a central hole. A cured second ultraviolet-curing resin material layer having a second three-dimensional pattern is formed on a second principal surface opposite to the first principal surface of the magnetic recording.
US08173013B2
Disclosed is a fuel filter in which is disposed in a fuel suction port of a fuel tank or in a fuel line and used to filter the fuel. At least one of filter materials constituting the fuel filter is made into a multifunctional filter material having a function of trapping dust of different particle diameters in stages, by differing the diameter of the pores in the filter material from the primary side to the secondary side of the filter material so that the size of the pores decreases toward the secondary side.
US08173012B1
A vertical flexible oil flow director hose is used to recover, to guide, and to filter the spilled oil from its source beneath the sea floor to the surface of water and to accumulate the floating oil therein for being ready to be pumped into an oil tanker. The said hose extends in the sea all the way from the sea floor to the surface of water by connecting its lower end to a circular sinking weight block and its upper end to a hollow doughnut-shaped floating device. The said hose includes two main portions abutting each other, the lower portion is for guiding and displacing water out through the gaps or meshes. The upper portion is for continued guiding and accumulating the oil in its upper section. A gas-tight dome cap having an opening at its bottom may be used to cap the upper opening of the oil accumulator well in the floating object, for holding the gas as necessary. A gas-compressor and gas tank or tanks will be equipped on the oil tanker ready to take and to store the gas.
US08173009B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for improving a hydrotreated stream for lubricating a machine. The hydrotreated stream can include an effective amount of one or more saturated hydrocarbons. Generally, the process includes hydrogenating the hydrotreated stream having no more than about 300 ppm, by weight, sulfur based on the weight of the stream in a hydrogenation reaction zone to produce a product stream having no more than about 5 ppm, by weight, sulfur.
US08173006B2
An electrolyzed water production apparatus and method safely and simply produce electrolyzed water having a sterilizing action, having a physiologically neutral pH value, and, in addition, simultaneously with strong acidic electrolyzed water and strong alkaline electrolyzed water depending upon the structure. The electrolyzed water production apparatus has an electrolyzer tank with an end that receives or stores raw water, and a power supply. The interior portion of the electrolyzer tank is partitioned by a plurality of diaphragms into a plurality of regions. An anode and a cathode (constituting an electrode pair) are positioned on either side of the diaphragm. In a certain region of the electrolyzer tank, an anode and a cathode are arranged so as to face each other without a diaphragm sandwiched between them. When raw water for electrolysis is electrolyzed, electrolyzed water having a desired pH of a neutral range is produced during electrolysis.
US08173005B2
This invention relates to hydrogen production using combined heat pumps and a thermochemical cycle. Low grade waste heat can be upgraded to higher temperatures via salt/ammonia and/or MgO/vapor chemical heat pumps, which release heat at successively higher temperatures through exothermic reactions, or vapor compression heat pumps that upgrade thermal energy with phase change fluids. Using this new approach, low grade heat or waste heat from nuclear or other industrial sources can be transformed to a useful energy supply for thermochemical hydrogen production.
US08172987B2
An energy-efficient extractive distillation process for producing anhydrous ethanol from aqueous/ethanol feeds containing any range of ethanol employs an extractive distillation column (EDC) that operates under no or greatly reduced liquid reflux conditions. The EDC can be incorporated into an integrated process for producing anhydrous ethanol used for gasoline blending from fermentation broth. By using a high-boiling extractive distillation solvent, no solvent, is entrained by the vapor phase to the EDC overhead stream, even under no liquid reflux conditions. The energy requirement and severity of the EDC can be further improved by limiting ethanol recovery in the EDC. In this partial ethanol recovery design, ethanol which remains in the aqueous stream from the EDC is recovered in a post-distillation column or the aqueous stream is recycled to a front-end pre-distillation column where the ethanol is readily recovered since the VLE curve for ethanol/water is extremely favorable for distillation.
US08172976B2
A shielding material includes a non-conductive sheet, an elongated adhesive strip and a conductive sheet. The elongated adhesive strip is disposed on a first side of the non-conductive sheet. The adhesive strip is spaced apart from a first edge of the non-conductive sheet and includes a removable cover film that protects the elongated adhesive strip until it has been removed. The conductive sheet is adhered to a second side of the non-conductive sheet. A first end of the conductive sheet is spaced apart from the first edge of the non-conductive sheet so that a first portion of the conductive sheet extends beyond the first edge of the non-conductive sheet. The conductive sheet is also disposed relative to the non-conductive sheet so that the second end is parallel to a second edge and so that a second portion of the non-conductive sheet extends beyond the second end.
US08172965B2
PBX compositions and methods for fabricating PBX compositions are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a PBX composition comprises a binder matrix comprising a thermoset resin and an oxidizer comprising octanitrocubane (ONC), the oxidizer homogeneously dispersed within the binder matrix. In another embodiment, a method for fabricating a PBX composition comprises providing an oxidizer comprising octanitrocubane (ONC) and blending the oxidizer with a prepolymer that, upon cure, forms a thermoset resin.
US08172961B2
An Al-base alloy sputtering target consisting Ni and one or more rare earth elements, wherein there are 5.0×104/mm2 or more compounds whose aspect ratio is 2.5 or higher and whose equivalent diameter is 0.2 μm or larger, when a cross sectional surface perpendicular to the plane of the target is observed at a magnification of 2000 or higher.
US08172960B2
Provided is a tantalum sputtering target manufactured by working a molten and cast tantalum ingot or billet through forging, annealing and rolling, wherein the structure of the tantalum target comprises a non-recrystallized structure. The tantalum sputtering target having a high deposition speed and excellent uniformity of film, producing less arcings and particles and having excellent film forming properties, and the method capable of stably manufacturing the target can be provided by improving and devising plastic working steps such as forging and rolling, and the heat treatment step.
US08172959B2
There are provided an austenitic stainless steel having high stress corrosion crack resistance, characterized by containing, in percent by weight, 0.030% or less C, 0.1% or less Si, 2.0% or less Mn, 0.03% or less P, 0.002% or less S, 11 to 26% Ni, 17 to 30% Cr, 3% or less Mo, and 0.01% or less N, the balance substantially being Fe and unavoidable impurities; a manufacturing method for an austenitic stainless steel, characterized in that a billet consisting of the said austenitic stainless steel is subjected to solution heat treatment at a temperature of 1000 to 1150° C.; and a pipe and a in-furnace structure for a nuclear reactor to which the said austenitic stainless steel is applied.
US08172957B2
To provide a method of manufacturing a carburized part contributable to cost reduction, a portion intended for a non-carburizing portion is treated to a surface roughness corresponding to Rz 50 like a first work surface and a portion intended for a carburizing portion is treated to a surface roughness corresponding to Rz 1.5 like a second work surface.
US08172954B2
Various methods and apparatus for simultaneously cleaning two single-sided hard memory disks is provided. The two disks are placed in concentric contact merge orientation such that the outwardly facing surface of each disk, which has memory storage capabilities, may be simultaneously cleaned by equipment designed to clean one double-sided disk. Conversely, no effort is expended in cleaning the abutting inactive surfaces of the disks.
US08172950B2
Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus, including: a chamber, made of a metal, to form a processing space for processing a substrate; at least one rod-like heating body to heat the substrate; and a tube body, made of a material different from that of the chamber, to accommodate the heating body therein, wherein an outer diameter of the tube body on a processing space side in a penetrating portion where the tube body penetrates a wall of the chamber is set to be smaller than an outer diameter of the tube body on an outer side of the chamber in the penetrating portion.
US08172945B2
A high-purity vitreous silica crucible used for pulling a large-diameter single-crystal silicon ingot, includes a double layered structure constituted by an outer layer composed of high-purity amorphous vitreous silica with a bubble content of 1 to 10% and a purity of 99.99% or higher, and an inner layer composed of high-purity amorphous vitreous silica s with a bubble content of 0.6% or less and a purity of 99.99% or higher, wherein, at least for an inner surface of the vitreous silica crucible between ingot-pulling start line and ingot-pulling end line of a silicon melt surface, a longitudinal section of the inner surface is shaped into a waveform, and depth and width of the ring grooves constituting the multi ring-groove patterned face are set in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm and 10 to 100 mm, respectively.
US08172943B2
Single crystalline ingots can be stably pulled free from dislocation and with a good crystal shape by actuating a crystal driving unit so as to immerse a seed crystal in a silicon melt, and controlling the crystal driving unit and a crucible driving unit under predetermined conditions so as to pull the seed crystal. During pulling, a horizontal magnetic field positioning device applies a magnetic field in the horizontal direction to the inside of the silicon melt, fixing the magnetic field axis at a constant position from the liquid surface of the melt. Positional adjustment of the vertical position of the horizontal magnetic field is performed in advance by a magnetic field position adjusting device, and the magnetic field axis of the applied field is fixed at a constant distance lower than the liquid surface of the melt by more than 50 mm and at the same level or higher than a depth L from the melt surface at the point of tail-in.
US08172938B2
A silica cement blend having an insulating, fire retarding and high temperature characteristic capable of withstanding temperatures ranging from ambient to greater than 40000 F without degradation of the concrete structure. In addition to its high temperature capabilities the blend can be produced as ultra light weight to heavy weight concrete. The silica based mixture when added to cementitious materials such as Portland cement, Class C Fly Ash, silica fume and other cementitious materials. Presented also are methods for reducing fire damage by coating interior/exterior walls, ceiling, and roofs of a building with a water based latex coating containing a fire retardant material and low heat conductivity silicas. Methods for painting internal/external walls, ceilings, and roof are also presented. This coating retains thermal blocking properties comprised of processed, expanded and/or finely milled, pyrogenic silicas and micro spheres in combination of but not limited to, one, two or more component water based polymer/copolymer latex binders and a water born fluoropolymer emulsion. The combined properties of these elements create a coating similar to paint with a high level of thermatic resistance which slows the composition break-down from fire, extreme temperatures, and restricts the thermal conductivity which helps to preserve the integrity of the substructure or underlying materials. The properties of this coating reduce or slow the potential of catastrophic fire by retarding flashover and protecting the under structure; which in turn assist fire fighters and rescue personnel by helping to retard the potential of a catastrophic fire.
US08172934B2
A colored flake pigment excelling in designability and weather resistance; and a coating composition containing the same. There is provided a colored flake pigment comprising a flaky base material of ≦80% light reflectance in a 300 to 600 nm wavelength region composed of a composite of metal and metal oxide, which flaky base material has preferably a specified pigment attached thereto. Further, there is provided a coating composition containing the colored flake pigment. The flaky base material is preferably a composite of copper, or copper alloy, and metal oxide.
US08172931B2
An absorbing tower is provided in its side wall with a gas entrance for introducing a combustion exhaust gas into the absorbing tower, and an absorbing liquid is sprayed from the nozzles of a spray header into the exhaust gas introduced to rise from the gas entrance. A trough is arranged in the side wall of the absorbing tower and above the gas entrance, and a nose having a horseshoe shape in a top plan view and extending into tower is disposed in the tower side wall portion of the gas entrance other than the portion arranging the trough and at the same or at substantially the same height as the portion of the trough. The absorbing liquid, which is sprayed from the nozzle and drops along the absorbing tower wall portion, is rescattered to the center portion of the absorbing tower excepting the entrance of the absorbing tower, so that the gas-liquid contact efficiency is improved while suppressing an increase in pressure loss, thereby to prevent the drift of the gas at the tower wall portion.
US08172926B2
An aerosol separator is arranged before a CO2 compressor to prevent wear and damage in CO2 recovery systems for the recovery of CO2 arising during fermentation using a compressor.
US08172921B2
A honeycomb structure is provided that includes a plurality of pillar-shaped honeycomb fired bodies, each having a number of cells longitudinally disposed in parallel with one another with a cell wall therebetween. An adhesive layer is interposed between adjacent honeycomb fired bodies of the plurality of honeycomb fired bodies to combine the plurality of honeycomb fired bodies together, and a sealing material layer is formed on an outer peripheral face of the combined plurality of honeycomb fired bodies. At least two honeycomb fired bodies of the plurality of honeycomb fired bodies have an outer wall that forms a portion of the outer peripheral face of the combined plurality of honeycomb fired bodies. At least one of the outer walls has a protruding portion extending from a surface thereof, and the protruding portion is made from a same material as a material of the at least one outer wall.
US08172919B1
The window filter apparatus provides a framework for holding filters within the frame of windows, thereby offering filtered outside air for a building, without having to run an air conditioner. The apparatus further provides for filtering noise and light by the same filters. Box fans are ideal companions for the apparatus for drawing additional outside air into a building. No additional hardware or tools are needed. There is no invasion of windows or window frames.
US08172912B2
A self-regulating gas generator that, in response to gas demand, supplies and automatically adjusts the amount of gas (e.g., hydrogen or oxygen) catalytically generated in a chemical supply chamber from an appropriate chemical supply, such as a chemical solution, gas dissolved in liquid, or mixture. The gas generator may employ a piston, rotating rod, or other element(s) to expose the chemical supply to the catalyst in controlled amounts. The gas generator may be used to provide gas for various gas consuming devices, such as a fuel cell, torch, or oxygen respiratory devices.
US08172906B2
An artificial joint fixation mechanism has a base for being attached to an artificial joint, a stem for guiding an artificial joint to engage with a human bone, and a sleeve. The base defines a conic shaft hole therethrough. At least a positioning section and at least a threaded section are extended adjacent an end of the shaft hole. The stem includes an engaging pole at an end thereof for jointing to an artificial joint. The sleeve is threaded for screwing to the threaded section and defines an inner cone hole therethrough. In use, the engaging pole of the stem implants into the shaft hole. The sleeve is screwed to the threaded section, and the inner cone hole reversely pressing against the guiding section. Thus the stem is pressed reliably.
US08172903B2
An expandable intervertebral implant for insertion between vertebrae of a human spine is described. The expandable intervertebral implant includes an upper body that engages a first vertebra of the human spine, a lower body that engages a second vertebra of the human spine, an insert, and a spacer. The insert may be positioned between an inferior surface of the upper body and a superior surface of the lower body. The insert may be engaged to increase a separation distance between the lower body and the upper body. A spacer may be inserted between the upper body and the lower body to maintain the increased separation distance between the upper body and the lower body after expansion of the intervertebral implant in the human spine.
US08172901B2
A knitted prosthetic device has at least two knitted sections, where each knitted section has at least one row of fiber. The knitted prosthetic device also has at least one intra-articular section disposed between the at least two knitted sections. In addition, the at least one intra-articular section has at least one single continuous fiber traversing the at least one intra-articular section and the at least two knitted sections, where the at least one single continuous fiber forms a plurality of traverses extending between the at least two knitted sections. In particular, embodiments may be used as ligament prostheses by anchoring each of the at least two knitted sections to a bone section of a patient. Such embodiments may be constructed from a strong polymer, preferably, but not limited to, silk, where the polymer provides ligament support but bioresorbs as load bearing responsibilities are transferred to tissue resulting from in-growth.
US08172900B2
A sensing system and method to detect and determine magnitude and direction of ciliary body movement within an eye of a patient is disclosed. The invention comprises a permanent magnet (PM) positioned in the ciliary body, and a sensing device (SD) positioned adjacent the ciliary body and configured to detect displacement of the permanent magnet relative to the sensing device via movement of the ciliary body. The invention also comprises a data processing device (DPD) configured to determine magnitude and direction of the ciliary body movement based on the displacement of the permanent magnet detected by the sensing device.
US08172882B2
An implant has a first hook and a second hook. A connector is coupled to the first and second hooks. The implant is adapted in a preferred embodiment to hook and look onto a spine.
US08172880B2
The invention concerns a device comprising an implant (18) designed to be inserted at least partially between the vertebral bodies (4, 4′) of two neighboring vertebrae, said implant (18) being adapted to provide to said neighboring vertebral bodies (4, 4′) at least one degree of mutual freedom, said device further comprising at least an extra-discal member (20), arranged behind the intervertebral space (12), adapted to damp a movement between said vertebrae (2, 2′), at least in the intervertebral flexion direction.
US08172877B2
Systems and method in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention can include an implant for positioning within a cervical facet joint for distracting the cervical spine, thereby increasing the area of the canals and openings through which the spinal cord and nerves must pass, and decreasing pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. The implant can be inserted laterally or posteriorly.
US08172873B2
The present disclosure relates to Shape Memory Polymers (SMP's) comprising function groups that allow the polymers to be elastically deformed, utilized in the elastically deformed state, and subsequently returned to the original polymorphic shape.
US08172872B2
A device (1) for closing an opening (2) in a septum (4) of a heart (3) comprises: at least two closure elements (12) with threads (8) for closing the opening (2), a feed catheter (5) for insertion of the closure element (12) into the heart (3), a puncture cannula (6), a stylet (7) for pushing the closure element (12) out of the puncture cannula (6), and a screw catheter (10) having a coil (11) for penetration the edge of the opening (2). The puncture cannula (6) and the elements (12) can be moved through the screw catheter (10) and the coil (11). If the edges of the opening (2) overlap, a lobe (15) away from the feed catheter (5) can be kept in place with a second coil (111), or a suction tube (16) during placement of the anchor (12).
US08172870B2
A ligation clip applicator design is provided that is particularly applicable to placement of a surgical ligation clip during a laparoscopic surgical procedure. The applicator has a magazine including first and second longitudinally extending partially closed channels within which enlarged portions of a ligation clip are received and held in an open position. First and second substantially parallel compression members are attached to the magazine and have first and second channel extensions therein aligned with the first and second channels of the magazine for receiving the first and second enlarged portions of the clip. The channel extensions include first and second releasing openings. The compression members close about a vessel, remaining substantially parallel as they close. The clip is pushed forward into the compression members to a position where the enlarged portions of the clip are aligned with the releasing openings, permitting the clip to be released to close and ligate the vessel.
US08172869B2
Apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body including an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A blunt tip is secured to the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided. The balloon assembly is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a deflated collapsed balloon. A sheath encloses the balloon and is carried by the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a weakened region extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed to release the balloon.
US08172860B2
A method for closing an opening in tissue using a suturing device includes inserting at least a portion of a suture through a tissue tract and through a tissue wall. Following inserting at least a portion of the suture, the method includes advancing a first end of the suture through a bight of the suture, the bight pre-formed about a periphery of a knot tube of the suturing device. Once the first end is advanced, the method includes tensioning the first end of the suture and a second end of the suture adjacent the bight to form a knot affixing a loop of suture across the puncture.
US08172858B2
The described technology relates to a suture device for a surgical operation that makes it easy to suture a wound or an incision. A suture device for a surgical operation includes: a suture needle that is curved with a needle eye at one end to be threaded with a first suture, and swings at an incision; a holder that supplies a second suture, rotates in one direction, and stops, corresponding to the swing of the suture needle to weave the first suture and the second suture and suture the incision; a first rotary member that is connected to a first shaft of the suture needle; a second rotary member that is connected to a second shaft of the holder; and a third rotary member that is provided between the first rotary member and the second rotary member, and connected to a third shaft to transmit torque to the second rotary member.
US08172847B2
The present invention provides methods and devices for placing a spinal fixation rod into a rod receiving opening in a spinal anchor and installing a fastener to secure the rod to the spinal anchor. In one embodiment, the system can include a cap having a bore extending therethrough, an elongate drive rod that is adapted to extend through the bore, and a fastener that is disposed on a distal portion of the drive rod. The cap can include a driving element that is adapted to cooperate with a complementary driving element disposed on the rod to form a driving mechanism. Actuation of the driver mechanism can be effective to advance the drive rod through the cap to thereby reduce a spinal rod into a rod receiving opening of the spinal anchor and install the fastener to secure the rod to the spinal anchor.
US08172843B2
A vertebral fixing system comprising a connecting part with two longitudinal elements coupled to each other at a first end and having mutually facing recesses for receiving a rod. A portion of a flexible ligature extends through orifices of the two longitudinal elements to define a loop opposite two free ends of the flexible ligature. The two longitudinal elements are engaged at a second end of the connecting part via a locking means. When the two longitudinal elements of the connecting part are locked at the second end of the connecting part, two strands of the flexible ligature are pinched between the rod and a wall of the mutually facing recesses of the two longitudinal elements of the connecting part, preventing the flexible ligature from moving in translation relative to the connecting part.
US08172841B2
An intramedullary fixation device for use with a bone comprising a proximal end, is provided. The fixation device includes a nail sized and configured to be inserted into an intramedullary channel of the bone, the nail having a generally laterally extending bore, an arm sized and configured to be located so that at least a portion of the arm extends through the bore of the nail along the neck of the bone when the device is implanted in the bone, the arm having a threaded portion at one end for fixation into the head of the bone. The device also includes a locking mechanism to prevent rotation of the arm relative to the nail, the locking mechanism configured to allow sliding of the arm through the bore, the locking mechanism configured to be located on the lateral side of the nail and the distal side of the bone when the arm is disposed within the bore.
US08172835B2
Apparatus and methods for dynamically controlling electric field distribution within tissue disposed at various depths beneath the skin at a target region of a patient's body by independently controlling the electric potential of each of a plurality of electrodes in relation to the electric potential of a ground pad. By controlling electric field distribution during a procedure, a target tissue at particular depths beneath the skin can be selectively heated relative to adjacent non-target tissue. At least one of the electrodes and the ground pad may comprise a spiral inductor comprising a substantially planar spiral of electrically conductive material.
US08172833B2
Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled substance delivery device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to some embodiments, a delivery device or related device may be placed in an environment in order to pump a material into the environment or into an additional fluid handling structure within the device. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. The concentration of a substance in the fluid to be delivered may be modified by a remote control signal. In selected embodiments, a magnetic field, an electric field, or electromagnetic control signal may be used.
US08172831B2
A catheter which allows the rotational orientation of the distal end of the catheter to be adjusted in discrete intervals as the physician rotates the proximal end of the catheter. The catheter is designed to intentionally induce whipping but to limit the amount of whipping to a desired rotational interval.
US08172830B2
Microcannulae are constructed with multiple components in a composite design, allowing the microcannulae to have varying mechanical and delivery properties that will enable ophthalmic treatments by minimally invasive means. The microcannula includes at least one flexible, tubular communicating element with an outer diameter of 350 microns or less, a proximal connector for introduction of materials, energy or tools. It may also include a reinforcing member attached to the communicating element, which may be designed to create variable stiffness along the length of the microcannula. The microcannula may also include other features such as a signal beacon near the distal tip.
US08172823B2
A port assembly includes a valve housing with an inlet opening, a valve disposed in the valve housing to control access through the inlet opening, and a base joined to the valve housing and having a bore therethrough. The bore has a closed end defined by a frangible barrier, and a pushrod is disposed in the bore between the valve and the frangible barrier, axial movement of the pushrod causing rupture of the frangible barrier. The port assembly may be used in a fluid container that includes a receptacle for retaining a fluid, and at least one conduit in communication with the receptacle. The at least one conduit is defined, at least in part, by a port assembly.
US08172821B2
An absorbent article includes a front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region interconnecting the front and back waist regions. An article fastening system attaches the back waist region to the front waist region to define a wear configuration of the absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The waist opening has a size in the wear configuration of the article. A waist adjustment system includes a tab having an attachment region for attaching the tab to one of the front waist region and the back waist region and a tab region extending transversely outward from the attachment region. The tab region has a fastener region releasably attachable to multiple locations on the one of the front waist region and the back waist region to selectively alter the size of the waist opening in the wear configuration of the article.
US08172820B2
A diaper for holding an absorbent article in close bodily contact in the crotch region of the wearer. The diaper comprises a front region, a crotch region having a specified Crotch Holding Force, and a rear region. The crotch region of the diaper typically is elastically extensible in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. The diaper provides an upward holding force against the absorbent article in the crotch region to hold the article in close bodily contact. A system comprising the diaper and an absorbent article for use therewith, and a method for holding such an article in close bodily contact by wearing the diaper, is also disclosed.
US08172819B2
The present invention relates to disposable pant-type garments. Examples of such disposable pant-type garments include disposable underwear, adult incontinence products, disposable pull-on diapers and training pants, and disposable panties for menstrual use.
US08172814B2
A plunger (13) for a syringe (11), comprising a cylindrical hollow body having a closed base and an opening located at the opposite base of said hollow body, wherein a seat accessible through said opening is provided to receive the head of a rod or a pusher (15), said seat being equipped with engagement means for retaining said head inside the seat at the end of an axial translational or an axial translational and rotary coupling movement. The application further concerns the rod intended to be associated with said plunger and a syringe or a phial using the plunger.
US08172812B2
A syringe for the metered delivery of materials, in particular of dental materials, is described. The syringe may include a tube which accommodates material and a rotary plunger. Radially extending gripping bodies may be disposed about a longitudinal axis of the syringe are disposed on the syringe in the region of the outlet opening of the tube for applying the fingers of the hand for rotating the tube about the rotary plunger.
US08172804B2
An infusion medium delivery system, device and method for delivering an infusion medium to a patient-user, includes a needle inserter device and method for inserting a needle and/or cannula into a patient-user to convey the infusion medium to the patient-user. The needle inserter device and method operate to insert a needle and cannula into a patient-user's skin and automatically withdraw the needle from the patient-user, leaving the cannula in place and in fluid flow communication with a reservoir. The delivery device may include a base portion and a durable portion connectable to the base portion, and wherein the base portion can be separated from the durable portion and disposed of after one or more specified number of uses. The base portion supports the reservoir and the needle inserter device, while the durable portion supports a drive device for selectively driving the infusion medium out of the reservoir and into the needle and/or cannula.
US08172803B2
A cannula insertion device comprises an elongate frame (4) and a hub (5) mounted to the frame and arranged to be slidably moveable from a first position forwards along a longitudinal axis to a second position relative to the frame and a needle (11) projecting forwards from the hub and carrying a detachable cannula (2) assembly including a cannula. The frame and hub are arranged to allow the hub to be moved forwards from the first position to the second position so as to insert the cannula into a patient and to be drawn backwards to a withdrawn position. The needle is shielded by the frame when the hub is in the first position and also when in the withdrawn position.
US08172801B2
A method for positioning a guide element in a patient and a kit for use in the method. In one embodiment, the method involves transorally inserting an endoscope into a patient's stomach. An incision site is externally indicated by transilluminating the stomach and abdominal walls of the patient from within the stomach. Next, a scalpel incision is made at the indicated incision site, and an access needle is inserted into the incision, the proximal end of the access needle remaining external to the patient and the distal end of the access needle extending into the patient's stomach. The stylet of the access needle is then removed from the patient while keeping the cannula in place. Next, the distal end of a grasping tool is inserted through the cannula and into the patient's stomach. The looped leading end of a pullwire is then inserted through the endoscope and into the stomach. The tool is then manipulated until a distal hook on the tool catches the looped leading end. Next, the tool and the looped leading end are withdrawn from the patient through the cannula. The endoscope is then withdrawn from the patient over the trailing end of the pullwire. In this manner, the pullwire is positioned so that the trailing end of the pullwire extends from the patient's mouth and the leading end of the pullwire extends from the incision.
US08172797B2
The present invention relates to an injection device comprising a housing, a container containing medicament to be injected through a needle (34) attachable to said container, drive means (46) operatively acting on said container for injecting said medicament, the drive means comprising a gas spring (50), locking (57) and activating means (56) arranged to hold said gas spring in a loaded state, and when activated, releases said gas spring to inject said medicament.
US08172794B2
Medical device assemblies capable of aspirating liquid into a syringe barrel or other medical devices while evacuating any air from the syringe are described. An exemplary medical device includes a syringe barrel, plunger rod and stopper assembly having an air permeable and liquid impermeable porous portion and structure for forming a vacuum within either the stopper or the plunger rod. Described is a medical device including a syringe barrel, plunger rod and stopper assembly having an air permeable and liquid impermeable porous portion and structure for forming a vacuum within chamber between the stopper and plunger rod wherein the plunger rod includes a sealing edge and is moveable relative to the stopper. Exemplary medical devices may include a vent for allowing air that permeates through the porous portion to escape to atmosphere. Methods for aspirating a syringe barrel with a liquid are also provided.
US08172788B2
By present invention it has been found that hypothermia decreases adhesion formation more specifically pneumoperitoneum-enhanced adhesion formation. A cooling system has been designed to reduce the peritoneal cavity temperature during surgery, while maintaining at all times a 100% relative humidity in order to prevent desiccation, and a regulatory unit designed to condition the insufflated gas to achieve this while minimalising the necessary cooling. This is a new method for more effectively preventing adhesion though cooling while preventing desiccation. In mice it was demonstrated that factors such as environmental temperature, anaesthesia, ventilation and pneumoperitoneum can be used to influence body temperature in order to prevent adhesion formation.
US08172771B2
A tissue sample collection device and method are described and disclosed. The tissue sample collection device has a filter that is removably disposed within a sleeve. The filter has an open proximal end and an internal passageway that is in fluid communication with the open proximal end for the passage of fluids. The filter is substantially impermeable to tissue samples but allows the passage of fluids into the internal passageway at a plurality of spaced apart locations along at least a portion of the filter's length. When used to collect tissue samples, the samples are collected on the exterior surface of the filter. Thus, the filter can be removed from the sleeve, and samples can be removed from the exterior surface of the filter. In certain exemplary versions of the tissue sample collection device, the filter is provided on a filter member, and the sleeve is adjustably attached to the filter to define a tissue collection configuration in which the filter is disposed within the sleeve and a tissue retrieval configuration in which filter projects away from the sleeve.
US08172769B2
A method and apparatus for measuring acoustic energy applied to the head to detect increases in intracranial pressure. Acoustic eye patches are applied to a patient's eye or eyelid, and an ultrasonic sweep generator applies an acoustic signal across the patient's skull, the signal being swept across a predetermined range. The eye patches have piezoelectric film sensors for measuring the acoustic signal. In one embodiment the predetermined range is in the ultrasonic band and an analyzer determines from the output of the sensors a resonant frequency and a damping of acoustic amplitude at said resonant frequency, there being a correlation between said damping and intra cranial pressure. In another embodiment the predetermined range includes a range less than 20 kHz and the analyzer determines retinal artery pulsations, with pressure being applied to the eye until the pulsations disappear, such pressure being a measure of intra cranial pressure.
US08172765B2
The invention relates to a method of assessing airway variability in airway responsiveness or asthma by measuring the variation of resistance (Rrs) by a forced oscillation technique utilizing either a single or a plurality of input frequencies during a plurality of respiratory cycles of a patient; calculating the statistical variability of the Rrs for the patient; and, correlating the statistical variability of the Rrs of the patient to a standard curve to quantify the degree of asthma of the patient. The invention also enables the effectiveness of a bronchoactive agent to be measured.
US08172760B2
An implantable medical system includes a first die substrate with a first outer surface. The system also includes a second die substrate with a second outer surface. Furthermore, the system includes a medical device with a first portion that is mounted to the first die substrate and a second portion that is mounted to the second die substrate. The first and second die substrates are fixed to each other and substantially hermetically sealed to each other. Also, the medical device is substantially encapsulated between the first and second die substrates. The first portion is electrically connected to the second portion. Moreover, the first and second outer surfaces of the first and second die substrates are directly exposed to a biological material.
US08172757B2
Forward-looking ultrasound transducers are positioned at the tip of a transseptal catheter to facilitate transseptal puncture and interventions within the left atrium, pulmonary veins and mitral valve. Catheter devices and systems are guided by forward-looking ultrasound or optical coherence tomography imaging for penetrating from one location within a mammalian patient's body to another location, and/or performing diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. A penetrator, diagnostic, or interventional device (eg. probe, biopsy apparatus, electrode, needle) is positioned at the catheter tip and is advanceable from the catheter to a target location outside of the lumen in which the catheter is positioned. The imaging probe uses forward-looking ultrasound or optical coherence tomography that allows one to locate both the target and the medical device. The operator may then adjust the position and/or rotational orientation of the catheter such that when the medical device is subsequently advanced it will either enter or be deployed at the target location.
US08172751B2
The present invention provides a surgical lamp for illuminating a surgical site. The surgical lamp includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. A light source is disposed within the internal cavity of the housing for producing a light field at a surgical site that is remote from the housing. A voltage sensitive device is disposed between the light source and the surgical site. The voltage sensitive device has light transmissive properties that change in response to a biasing voltage applied thereto. Control means control the biasing voltage to the voltage sensitive device.
US08172748B2
An electric bending endoscope includes an elongate insertion portion provided with a bending portion, a drive unit, and an operation unit, wherein the drive unit and the operation unit respectively include a drive unit side electric contact portion and an operation unit side electric contact portion configured to be coupled to and separated from each other by moving the drive unit and the operation unit close to and apart from each other in a coupling and separation axial direction, and the drive unit and the operation unit includes a lock mechanism configured to lock and unlock the drive unit and the operation unit to and from each other with respect to the coupling and separating axial direction.
US08172741B2
The invention provides magazines for radioactive brachytherapy seeds. The seed magazines provided herein include housing, seed holder, and pusher components, and optionally have a slidable shield to protect a user from radiation.
US08172739B2
A device for combining groups of at least two different types of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters in the tobacco industry in a continuous process includes a plurality of independent functional units that are each designed as a module.
US08172736B2
The present invention includes an exercise apparatus adapted to exercise a user's gluteus muscles. The exercise apparatus and method of use allow the user to focus on and exercise gluteus muscles with specificity. Embodiments of the exercise apparatus include an upper body support, a foot support, and an exercise space. The exercise space is typically disposed substantially between an upper body support and a foot support, and permits substantial movement of a user's hips in both a forward direction and a rearward direction, substantially in or parallel to a user's sagittal plane. The exercise apparatus is adapted to load a user's gluteus muscles throughout a generally large range of gluteus muscle flexion and extension.
US08172731B1
A support assembly has laterally spaced horizontal base rails. The support assembly has laterally spaced vertical rails. The vertical rails extend upwardly from the base rails. The front vertical rails house a safety rod to catch the pivot rails. Pivot rails have interior ends and exterior ends. The interior ends are pivotally coupled with respect to the vertical rails. A cross bar is coupled to the pivot rails adjacent to the exterior ends. A plate is coupled to the pivot rails adjacent to the interior ends. The plate has recesses. The recesses receive and support attachments.
US08172727B2
An exercise handle for use with a cord and a method for the use thereof, the handle having a channel portion having at least two channel ends that are positioned non-diametrically relative to each other on the channel portion, the channel portion being rounded relative to a center point; a channel being fashioned on the channel portion, the channel being adapted to receive the cord; a grip portion being positioned between the at least two channel portion ends in an off-center relationship to the center point of the channel portion.
US08172725B2
A jaw exerciser is provided. The jaw exerciser includes an elongated first portion having a first cross-sectional area, wherein the elongated first portion is configured to be inserted into the mouth, and includes an outer surface adapted to be engaged and clenched by the teeth. The jaw exerciser also includes an elongated second portion having a second cross-sectional area and an outer surface, wherein the elongated second portion is configured to remain outside the mouth when the first portion is inserted into the mouth. Furthermore, the jaw exerciser includes an intermediate portion having a third cross-sectional area. The intermediate portion joins the elongated first and second portions, and is configured to be grasped and encircled by the lips to thereby retain saliva inside the mouth.
US08172724B2
The invention provides a system for organizing, integrating, coordinating and customizing an individual physical fitness program by employing a set of database management systems, computer platforms and differentiated physical fitness devices and components.
US08172722B2
Systems and methods for sensing and monitoring various athletic performance metrics, e.g., during the course of a game, a practice, a training session, training drills, and the like, are described. These systems and methods can provide useful metrics for players and coaches relating to athletic performances in various sports, including various team sports.
US08172719B2
A continuously variable speed-changing transmission mechanism of a sheet laminating apparatus includes a control module, a speed changing module, a speed reducing module and a hot press roller module. The continuously variable speed-changing transmission mechanism can laminate a sheet article at a stepless variable speed.
US08172718B2
A planetary gear unit (1) having two guide discs (2, 3) that are arranged parallel to one another and include perforations for accommodating pins (4) which have journals (5, 6) and shoulders arranged on the end sides. The shoulders have circumferential cutting edges (11, 12) and the pins (4) are cut into the guide discs (2, 3) by way of the cutting edges (2, 3).
US08172717B2
A planetary gear system and a method of fabricating same. The planetary gear system includes at least one planet gear, at least one planet pin receiving the at least one planet gear, and a carrier. The carrier itself includes at least one carrier opening for accommodating the at least planet gear, at least one planet pin opening for receiving the at least one planet pin, and at least one flex portion within a wall of the carrier for providing enhanced compliance to the carrier in response to force directed on the at least one planet gear.
US08172697B2
A wood type golf club head having a plurality of interior recesses is disclosed herein. The plurality of interior recesses are preferably formed in a body of the golf club head and remove mass from the body to be used elsewhere on the golf club head to increase the inertial properties of the golf club head.
US08172691B2
A boot is disclosed having a first attachment region which is assigned to a joint, and a second attachment region which is assigned to a shaft. The boot has a plurality of folds, including a first fold region with at least two folds with a diameter that decreases in the direction of the second attachment region and at least one revolving, separating element which is arranged in an annular fold root between two folds.
US08172690B2
In a constant velocity joint comprising an outer housing ring having an end wall with a journal and an inner surface provided with axially extending ball races and an inner ring member with outer ball races arranged in the outer housing ring and balls disposed in the ball races for the transmission of torque between the outer housing ring and the inner ring member, and a ball cage for retaining the balls in position in the ball races, a support ring is arranged in the housing ring between the end wall of the housing ring and the inner ring member for axially supporting the inner ring member during insertion of a shaft end into the inner ring member of the constant velocity joint.
US08172686B2
Methods and systems for monitoring and/or servicing wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request to configure wagering game manager content, wherein the request is associated with a user identifier. The method can also include transmitting another request and the user identifier, and receiving and presenting configuration options, where the configuration options determine from which of a plurality of application servers that services can be requested. Additionally, in some embodiments, the configuration options determine separate modules for presenting information about the services. The method can also include receiving one or more configuration selections associated with the configuration options.
US08172679B2
In a gaming table (1), image light L1 emitted from a display surface of a liquid crystal module (2) that carries out a dual image display arrives, directly through a window of a frame (4b), at a player in front of the gaming table. Image light L2 emitted from the display surface of the liquid crystal module (2) is reflected by a reflecting surface of a mirror member (3) so as to also arrive at the player through the window of the frame (4b). The player recognizes a first image formed from the image light L1 and a second image formed from the image light L2. Thus, the first and second images are supplied to the player as a background image on the gaming table (1). This makes it possible to realize a gaming machine having a display device that can display a large screen and can reduce the size and cost of the gaming machine.
US08172675B2
A hand-held device having a body with a pressure-sensitive exterior surface. At least a portion of the pressure-sensitive exterior surface is designed to be grasped by a user's hand. The pressure-sensitive surface contains a plurality of pressure sensors operative to provide an output signal proportional to a pressure applied by the user's hands to the exterior surface of the hand-held device at the area the pressure sensor is located. The device also includes a memory for storing the output signals provided by the plurality of pressure sensors and a processor for comparing the output signals provided by the plurality of pressure sensors against stored pressure profile signatures for positively identifying the user.
US08172668B2
A gaming system includes one or more displays and a wager input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game having a plurality of possible thematic states. The gaming system includes a controller coupled to the one or more displays and the wager input device that is operative to cause at least one of the displays to display a basic portion of the wagering game in a first thematic state of the plurality of possible thematic states and trigger a secondary event of the wagering game. The controller is operative to cause at least one of the displays to display the secondary event of the wagering game in a second thematic state of the plurality of possible thematic states and, at a conclusion of the secondary event, cause at least one of the displays to display the basic portion of the wagering game in the second thematic state.
US08172665B2
Various embodiments of the disclosed gaming system and method include determining whether to initiate a win evaluation sequence for determining awards for a play of a wagering game based on the symbols generated in that play of the wagering game. In various such embodiments, the gaming system determines whether to initiate a win evaluation sequence for determining awards for a play of a wagering game based on whether a designated number of evaluation triggering symbols are randomly generated in the play of the wagering game.
US08172664B2
A slot machine of the present invention comprises: a symbol display device capable of rearranging a plurality of symbols, and a controller programmed to conduct processing of (A) executing a game in which, after game media in number equal to or less than a predetermined maximum number of BETs are bet, the plurality of symbols are rearranged by the symbol display device, and game media in number according to the arranged symbols or combinations are paid out; (B) shifting a mode from a non-insurance mode to an insurance mode on condition that a predetermined number of game media is inserted; (C) counting the number of games played after shifting to the insurance mode, in the insurance mode; (D) paying out a predetermined number of game media when the number of games counted in the processing (C) reaches a specific number; (E) clearing the number of games counted in the processing (C) and also shifting the mode from the insurance mode to the non-insurance mode, when a game ending condition which enables a player to figure out that the game has ended is established; and (F) upon execution of the processing (E), clearing the number of games counted in the processing (C) and causing the output device to output a sound or an image for notifying the player that the mode has been shifted from the insurance mode to the non-insurance mode.
US08172654B2
A coin processing machine includes a first stationary finger and a second stationary finger spaced from the first stationary finger and defining a first opening between them to receive a stream of singulated coins. The first opening is larger than the largest diameter coin to be processed by the coin processing machine. A movable third finger is spaced from the first finger and defines a second opening downstream from the first opening. Larger-diameter coins move the third finger to permit the coins to move through the second opening and past the third finger. Smaller-diameter coins that pass through the first opening and engage the third finger are directed towards the first finger before reaching and passing through the second opening.
US08172651B1
A fish scaling tool comprises a handle with an angled head formed of two forked tines. A pair of blade assemblies are attached to the tines and extend downwardly from the head. The blade assemblies each have two rows of serrated, triangular-shaped teeth. On each blade assembly, the rows of teeth are angled outwardly with respect to each other. The handle features a contoured cover with recesses to provide a sure grip for the user. The tool provides an easy, reliable means to scale any fish, particularly those fish that are generally difficult to scale, such as the larger saltwater gamefish.
US08172641B2
A method for manufacturing integrated circuits on a wafer includes providing a facility-supplied room temperature solution; controlling the temperature of the facility-supplied room temperature solution to a desired temperature set point to generate a rinse solution; and rinsing a polishing pad using the rinse solution. The wafer is then polished by means of a chemical mechanical polishing process.
US08172637B2
A programmable interactive device in which a microprocessor is coupled to memory and two speech synthesis processor. The device is connected through a wireless communication system to a remote server to receive scripts and corresponding digital data provided by third party content providers and other users. Software is executed to select digital data and the script based on received identification data and status data from an adjacent device. A code of instructions is executed on the microprocessor to activate a speech synthesizer to convert digital data into audio data, which is output through a speaker. Also, an interactive environment for a pair of talking devices is provided.
US08172636B1
A toy-holding apparatus for securely holding at least two playground toys, such as hoops or wands, in a predetermined relationship to one another includes a first hoop grip adapted to releasably grip a first playground hoop and a second hoop grip adapted to releasably grip a second playground hoop. A connecting element is disposed between the first and second hoop grips. A friction-inducing insert is disposed on at least one of the hoop grips to minimize unintended movement between the hoop grips and the hoops.
US08172631B2
There are provided a system and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display element, which make it possible to perform a lamination process in a smaller installation space, and which are provided to perform a process including turning over and horizontally rotating a liquid crystal panel using a panel turning unit, feeding optical functional films from first and second continuous rolls, respectively, using film feeding lines arranged linearly in planar view, feeding the liquid crystal panel using a panel feeding line placed above the film feeding lines in an overlapping manner and shaped linearly in planar view, and bonding each of the optical functional films, which are fed from the first and second rolls, to the liquid crystal panel from below.
US08172628B2
Pivot arm supported by a base is pivotable about an arm support shaft by being pulled via a throttle cable, and a throttle cam supported by the base via a cam support shaft and having a guide groove that has a guide section of the pivot arm movably therein. The arm support shaft and the cam support shaft are disposed in non-parallel relation to a valve shaft of the throttle valve and at such positions as not to overlap the throttle valve as viewed from a lateral side of the throttle valve drive mechanism.
US08172627B2
An electrical connector is disclosed. The electrical connector has a plug and a receptacle that are connectable in a mated position. At least one of the plug and the receptacle have a body and an electrically conductive layer applied directly to the body.
US08172625B2
In a pair of mutually connectable terminals, one terminal is provided with a joint having a spherical surface formed on the outer circumferential surface, and the other terminal is provided with a hole into which the joint can be fitted. At least one of the joint and the hole is formed in a plate member which can be displaced elastically in the fitting direction of the joint and the hole. When the pair of terminals are connected, the joint touches the circumferential edge of the hole to displace the plate member elastically. When the joint is fitted in the hole, the plate member is reset elastically and holds the spherical surface of the joint under such a state as the spherical surface is pressed against the edge of the hole.
US08172623B1
A compression connector includes a housing and a plurality of terminals assembled to the housing. The insulative housing having a first mating surface and a second mating surface opposite to the first mating surface. Each terminal cavity disposed between and running through the first and second mating faces. Each terminal has a deforming portion received in the cavity, an upper contact and a lower contact extending from opposite ends of the deforming portion. The upper contact extending beyond the first mating surface and the lower contact extending beyond the second mating surface. The deforming portions are movably limited in the terminal cavities and will cause compressive deformation when either the upper contact or the lower contact is bearing an external pressure.
US08172622B1
A socket structure stack and a socket structure thereof are provided. The socket structure stack includes at least two socket structures, and each socket structure includes a main body, a plurality of conductive elements, and a plurality of connecting elements. The main body includes an inner plate and an outer plate, wherein the inner plate has a receiving portion and an embedded portion. The conductive elements are embedded in the embedded portion, and the connecting elements are mounted on the outer plate so as to connect adjacent socket structures together. The socket structures are so configured that ICs, processors, and printed circuit boards connected to the socket structures or the socket structures themselves can be recycled. Moreover, the printed circuit boards can be easily assembled to the socket structures, and the socket structures can be stacked up and securely connected to form a 3D structure which is otherwise difficult to put together by soldering.
US08172609B2
A joint for a cable contains a connecting sleeve including threads around an inner wall of an upper end thereof and a shoulder on a bottom end of an inner wall thereof; an internal tube including an arresting ring extending around an upper end thereof and a circular groove around an outer wall thereof; an inner fitting member including a hole disposed on a top surface thereof, at least one curved recess formed on an outer wall thereof, and the inner fitting member including an insertion extending from a bottom end thereof; an outer fitting member including a protrusion and a first fixing section disposed on a bottom end thereof; a sheath member including a bore mounted on an upper end thereof, the bore including an annular cutout formed on an outer wall thereof and a raised loop fixed on a bottom end thereof; a banding member fitted to the annular cutout.
US08172604B2
A power data slide (600) includes a power data center (602) to provide electrical power and communication signals. The power data slide (600) includes a slide mechanism (618) connected to said power data center (602) and connectable to the underside of a work surface. The slide mechanism (618) includes a slide carriage (638) connected to the power data center (602), so that extension and retraction of the slide carriage (638) will cause corresponding extension or retraction of the power data center (602) from beneath the underside of the work surface.
US08172600B2
A breakaway cable is provided with a plug that has a number of wires that are arranged so as to disconnect in a predetermined sequence. The disconnect plug is designed to fit into a standard plug assembly. This end of the plug presents the same set of pins as a truck, thus extending the existing cable by the extender length. The breakaway cable is configured to break in a controlled manner in the event a vehicle to which the cable is connected should pull away.
US08172579B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing (1) defining a mating compartment (10) with an opening (101) in communication with the mating compartment (10), a plurality of contact terminals (2) disposed within the mating compartment (10), a moveable protective lid (4) moveably disposed adjacent to the opening (101) and magnetic arrangement (5, 6) disposed between the protective lid (4) and the housing (1) such that the protective lid (4) will resume to its original position by means of magnets (5, 6) arranged between the protective lid (4) and the housing (1).
US08172578B2
Systems, program products, and methods of curriculum planning are provided. An embodiment of a system includes instructional course instructions, responsive to user input commands, to associate one of several instructional courses with one of several teachers, calendar instructions, responsive to user input commands, to create a calendar schedule and assign the instructional course to a date and time for display on the calendar schedule, lesson-plan assignment instructions, responsive to the calendar schedule and user input commands, to assign one of several lesson-plans to the instructional course at the date and time on the calendar schedule, and lesson-plan indicator instructions, responsive to the calendar schedule and lesson-plan data, indicating whether the instructional course for the date and time has been assigned a completed lesson.
US08172577B2
An educational maze navigated through responses to questions provided at points in the maze enhances factual assimilation and retention for the user. The user selects responses to travel through the maze and is not immediately informed whether the selected responses are correct. Various indications can be provided to inform the user about the correctness of responses or whether they are on a path towards the maze exit. The indications may be dead ends, loops, suggested reference materials or other information that tends to assist the user in assimilating facts or navigating the maze. The user may receive a reward for providing correct responses or successfully completing the maze. The problem-solving and cognitive judgment skills applied to navigate the maze tends to help users assimilate and retain the factual information represented by the queries and responses.
US08172573B2
A method for implanting a tooth implant in an at least partially edentulous patient including the steps of anchoring at least one attachment element in a patient's jaw bone, removeably and replaceably mounting a carrier assembly bearing at least one fiducial marker onto the at least one attachment element in a precisely repeatable position with respect to the patient's jaw bone, employing the carrier assembly for providing registration between the at least one fiducial marker and the patient's jaw bone and implanting the tooth implant by employing a tracking system which uses the registration to guide a drilling assembly.
US08172565B2
A bustle for use on a flare or an exhaust stack of, for example, a landfill gas treatment system, efficiently transfers gas from the stack to a waste heat recovery system associated with the landfill gas treatment system without substantially affecting the operation of the landfill gas treatment process. The bustle enables the heat recovery system to recover at least a portion of the energy within the exhaust produced by the gas treatment system and to provide the recovered energy either indirectly or directly to a secondary process, such as a wastewater treatment process, to thereby reduce the amount of energy needed to be otherwise input into the secondary process.
US08172564B2
There is disclosed a method and apparatus for producing a polymeric film that accurately replicates a complex mold surface at least a portion of which surface has microstructured or nano-structured dimensions. A polymeric powder is electrodeposited on an underlying mold surface. Then the powder is cured to create a polymeric film. Finally the film is removed from the mold surface.
US08172563B2
A kitchen tool for use by anyone making a pie. The invention is a hand held tool which is in two pieces with each piece being held in each hand. When pushed together they aid the baker in creating a perfectly crimped pie crust edge.
US08172559B2
An electric compressor (201) includes: a compressor (203) configured to compress a refrigerant, the compressor (203) having a plurality of passage ports (207) delivering the refrigerant; an electric motor (205) configured to drive the compressor (203), the electric motor (205) having a plurality of stators (17) and an accommodation chamber (213) accommodating the plurality of stators (17); a partition wall (215) separating the compressor (203) and the an accommodation chamber (213) of the electric motor (205); and a plurality of refrigerant introducing/discharging passages (219) formed at the partition wall (215) wherein the respective refrigerant introducing/discharging passages (219) are located in a circumferential direction of the accommodation chamber (213), thereby the refrigerant being introduced into and discharged from stators (17) end in the electric motor (205) through the respective refrigerant introducing/discharging passages (219).
US08172558B2
A rotary expander includes: a cylinder (61); a piston (62) disposed inside the cylinder (61); closing members disposed with the cylinder (61) being sandwiched therebetween; and an injection passage for introducing further a working fluid in the expansion process of the working fluid. An introduction outlet (65c) of the injection passage leading to the working chamber (69) is provided at a position located inwardly away from the inner circumferential surface (61b) of the cylinder (61), on one of the closing members, in such a manner that the injection passage and the discharge passage are not communicated with each other.
US08172553B2
A small sized heat dissipating fan includes a housing, a stator and a rotor. The housing includes a carrying base to hold the stator and rotor. The stator includes a magnetizing member having a plurality of coils and a circuit board electrically connecting to the coils and having a driving circuit and a speed adjuster. The driving circuit, the speed adjuster and the coils electrically connect to each other. The rotor includes a shaft, an impeller fixed to one end of the shaft, and an annular magnet. The other end of the shaft extends through the magnetizing member. The shaft is rotatably coupled to the stator. The annular magnet is mounted to an inner periphery of the impeller and faces the magnetizing member of the stator. Consequently, by adjustment of resistance of the speed adjuster, the rated rotational speed of the heat dissipating fan can be changed.
US08172551B2
A pump arrangement and method of regulating pressure of a pump arrangement are provided. The pump arrangement includes an actuation pump, a pressure regulating valve, and a control valve. The actuation pump has an actuation pump outlet providing an actuation pump discharge flow. The actuation pump discharge flow is piped to opposite sides of a regulator valve member that selectively adjusts an amount of fluid that is bled from the actuation pump outlet such that the actuation pump outlet pressure is used to regulate the actuation pump discharge pressure. The actuation pump discharge flow is separated into first and second portions to provide opposing forces on the regulator valve member. The control valve is operably interposed between the actuation pump outlet and the valve member to selectively adjusts the amount of biasing applied by the second portion of the actuation pump discharge flow on the regulator valve member.
US08172542B2
A wind turbine blade includes a laminated structure having an outer shell (1) having a shape of the blade, an upwind-side reinforcing section (4a) which reinforces a upwind-side part of the blade in the outer shell 1 and a downwind-side reinforcing section 4b which reinforces a downwind-side part of the blade in the outer shell 1. The outer shell 1 includes a first multidirectional material, a first unidirectional reinforcing material 12 and another multidirectional material 11 which are layered. The upwind-side reinforcing section 4a includes another unidirectional reinforcing material 12 provided between the first unidirectional reinforcing material 12 and another multidirectional material 11. The downwind-side reinforcing section 4b includes yet another unidirectional reinforcing material provided between the unidirectional reinforcing material 12 and the multidirectional material 11. The outer shell 1 includes a first core member 13 respectively provided between the upwind-side reinforcing section 4a and the downwind-side reinforcing section 4b on a leading edge side, and between the upwind-side reinforcing section 4a and the downwind-side reinforcing section 4b on a trailing edge side.
US08172541B2
An airfoil component and method for producing the component. The component has root and airfoil portions, the latter having an airfoil tip and oppositely-disposed concave and convex surfaces that converge at leading and trailing edges of the airfoil portion. The airfoil portion has at least one stiffener between first and second walls thereof that define the concave and convex surfaces, respectively. The stiffener defines multiple internal cavities within the airfoil portion that extend in the span-wise direction of the airfoil portion. A polymeric material fills at least one of the internal cavities and is bonded to the airfoil portion only at an extremity of the internal cavity nearer the root portion, and not to the stiffener or to the first and second walls of the airfoil portion, to define an internal damping member that provides a vibratory damping effect to the airfoil portion.
US08172539B2
A blade joint for joining a first blade segment and a second blade segment, each having an aerodynamic profile, in a rotor blade is disclosed. The blade joint includes a first joint segment and a second joint segment each having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness therebetween. The outer surface of each joint segment has an aerodynamic profile. The first joint segment and the second joint segment each further have a joint interface end, a blade interface end, and a length therebetween. The joint interface end of the first joint segment and the joint interface end of the second joint segment are configured to couple the first joint segment and second joint segment together.
US08172536B2
An impeller, for example, a guide wheel for a hydrodynamic speed variator/torque converter, including a plurality of blades. Each blade has a blade base and a blade tip area. Stiffening means are situated in at least one of the blades in at least the blade base area and/or the blade tip area.
US08172533B2
A cooled airfoil includes a concave pressure wall extending radially from a base to a tip of the airfoil, a convex suction wall connected to the concave pressure wall at a leading edge and a trailing edge spaced axially from the leading edge, and a plurality of cooling channels formed between the concave pressure wall and the convex suction wall and configured to receive a cooling fluid supply from the base of the airfoil. The cooling channels include a leading edge channel extending radially from the base toward the tip, a trailing edge channel extending radially from the base toward the tip and in flow communication with a plurality of trailing edge apertures adapted to exhaust cooling fluid to the exterior of the airfoil, a serpentine cooling circuit including a plurality of channels, and a dedicated up-pass channel extending radially from the base toward the tip between the leading edge channel and the forward most channel of the plurality of channels in the serpentine cooling circuit.
US08172527B2
An extension of an intermediate casing for an aircraft jet engine, intended to project towards the downstream end from an external shell of said intermediate casing is disclosed. This extension includes an annular connecting downstream end forming an annular groove open radially towards the outside, intended to receive nacelle covers. The annular connecting downstream end is produced by a plurality of angular sectors.
US08172516B2
A variable geometry turbine comprises a turbine wheel (9) supported in a housing (1) for rotation about an axis. A nozzle ring (5) is moveably mounted within a cavity (19) provided within the housing for adjustment of the width of an annular inlet passageway (4) extending radially inwards towards the turbine wheel (9). An array of inlet guide vanes (8) extends between a radial face of the nozzle ring (5) and an opposing wall of the inlet (4) defining a radial vane passage. A first circumferential array of apertures (25) is provided through the radial face, each of which lies substantially within the vane passage. A second circumferential array of apertures (24) is also provided in said radial face, each of lies substantially upstream or downstream of the first array (25) of apertures. The inlet (4) and cavity (19) are in fluid communication via both the first and second sets of apertures (25,24).
US08172515B2
A turbo vacuum pump comprising a suction part 23A that sucks gas in an axial direction; a discharge part 50 that discharges the gas sucked by the suction part 23A, the discharge part 50 having a plurality of rotating impellers 70, 80 and a stationary impeller 71 arranged so as to be opposed to each of the plurality of rotating impellers 70, 80; and a rotating shaft 21 that rotates the plurality of rotating impellers 70, 80, wherein the plurality of rotating impellers 70, 80 include at least one stage of a first turbine impeller 70 for discharging the sucked gas in the axial direction, the first turbine impeller 70 being fixed to a suction-part-side end face 15 of the rotating shaft 21, and at least one stage of a second turbine impeller 80 fixed to the rotating shaft 21 that extends through the second turbine impeller 80, the second turbine impeller 80 being arranged downstream of the first turbine impeller 70.
US08172514B2
The rim seal is positioned in an annular space between blades and a non-rotating adjacent structure in a gas turbine engine. The rim seal is connectable to the non-rotating structure and is made of an abradable material.
US08172512B2
An accessory gearbox system for a gas turbine engine includes an accessory compressor mounted to a gearbox housing. The gearbox housing defines a seal air core, and the gearbox housing communicates a seal airflow through the seal air core.
US08172488B2
A drill guide assembly in accordance with the present invention provide a bore in a tire. The drill guide assembly includes a first slide rail for lying on the tire when the tire lies on a side and a second slide rail for lying on the tire when the tire lies on a side. The second slide rail is disposed parallel to the first slide rail. A first engagement block is slidingly secured to the first slide rail and the second slide rail. The first engagement block engages a first shoulder portion of a tread portion of the tire. A second engagement block is slidingly secured to the first slide rail and the second slide rail. The second engagement block engages a second shoulder portion of the tread portion of the tire. The second shoulder portion is diametrically opposed to the first shoulder portion. A drill mount positions a drill relative to the tire. The drill mount includes a toroidal base, a first upright guide member secured to the toroidal base, a second upright guide member secured to the toroidal base, and a slide member for slidingly engaging the first and second guide members. The slide member has two outer cylindrical tubes for sliding along the first and second guide members and a central cylindrical tube for slidingly engaging a drill.
US08172483B2
A foundation underpinning is disclosed. In some embodiments, the foundation underpinning includes a pile having one or more pile segments and an elongated reinforcing tubular member. Each of the one or more pile segments includes a throughbore passing axially through the head and the trunk. The throughbores of the one or more pile segments are vertically aligned forming a passage through the pile, and the elongated reinforcing tubular is disposed within the passage.
US08172482B2
The pipe access device is comprised of a curved plate adapted to engage an underground pipe along an arc of the outer surface of the pipe, and a boss extending upwardly from the curved plate about an aperture in the curved plate. The curved plate extends along an arc of the outer surface of the curved plate that corresponds to a central angle of the pipe less than or equal to 180°. The curved plate includes a concave surface with a radius of curvature less than a radius of curvature of the outer surface of the pipe so as to bias the curved plate against the outer surface of the pipe when the curved plate is flexed to engage the pipe. The pipe access device is for use in providing access to the buried pipe that requires minimal excavation and disruption of the soil.
US08172473B2
The applicator is made of a material that is compatible with the cosmetic. In the manufacturing method, a digital model of the applicator is prepared, the material is conditioned in a raw form that is capable of flowing, and the material in raw form is solidified in slices that are defined by the digital model. The material in raw form is capable of being solidified by photo-polymerization, in particular by means of a light source comprising a laser, or else by sintering, in particular by means of a heat source comprising a laser. The applicator is a mascara brush or comb, for example.
US08172466B2
An optoelectronic interconnection module capable of performing optical signal transmission and electrical signal transmission, including a flexible optoelectronic interconnection board including an optical interconnection path, electrical wires and electrical connection terminals used for electrically connecting the electrical wires to an exterior at an end portion thereof, an optical semiconductor device mounted on a portion near one-end of the flexible optoelectronic interconnection board, and a bend portion provided in a lengthwise direction of the flexible optoelectronic interconnection board in parallel to a mounting region of the optical semiconductor device.
US08172465B2
A fiber optic cable assembly is provided. The cable assembly includes a housing, a plurality of furcation tubes, and a bundled cable. The housing has an opening at a first end and a plurality of channels at a second end. The furcation tubes are aligned with corresponding channels. One end of the bundled cable extends into an interior space of the housing through the opening. The bundled cable has a cable jacket and cable filaments. A first portion of the cable filaments extends beyond the end of the cable jacket into the interior space. A plurality of optic fibers is disposed in the bundled cable and the housing, and a molding compound is disposed around the furcation unit. Individual optic fibers are located in individual furcation tubes and capable of sliding longitudinally relative to the housing.
US08172456B2
A bone cement mixing and delivery system including a mixer and a delivery device. The mixer includes a paddle for mixing the components and a piston that pushes the mixed cement into the attached delivery device. The delivery device includes a tube into which the bone cement is forced from the mixer, and a plunger that forces the cement out of the tube during the medical procedure. The tube includes an entry port through which cement is introduced into the tube from the mixer. A one-way valve attached to the tube allows the cement to flow from the mixer through the entry port. After the cement is loaded in the tube, the delivery device is removed from the mixer. The valve blocks flow out of the entry port when the plunger is depressed.
US08172449B2
To provide a kneading screw which can reduce such a phenomenon that a disproportional load is imposed onto a shaft of the kneading screw without degrading kneading performance of the kneading screw, a twin screw extruder with the kneading screw, and a method for assembling the kneading screw. In the kneading screw, each of the kneading rotor segments has at least one of a spiral kneading blade or a kneading blade extending in parallel with the axial direction, and is incorporated in the kneading screw such that top blade portions of the kneading blades at the adjacent ends of the kneading rotor segments adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the kneading screw are shifted in phase to each other, and such that the top blade portions of the kneading blades at the respective central positions in the axial direction of the adjacent kneading rotor segments are shifted larger in phase than the case where the top blade portions of the adjacent ends of the adjacent kneading rotor segments are equal in phase to each other.
US08172445B2
A backlight module can be used in a dual display module and capable of blurring the shadow image produced by the sub display window in the main display window, while the main display window is displaying images, is disclosed. The disclosed backlight module comprises: a light emitting unit, a first frame located on one side of the light emitting unit and a first display window is enclosed by the first frame, a second frame located on the other side of the light emitting unit opposing to the first frame and a second display window is enclosed by the second frame, and a light diffusing plate, wherein the display area of the second display window is larger than the display area of the first display window. Besides, the light diffusing plate has a smooth surface and a rough surface respectively, while the rough surface is facing the light emitting unit.
US08172444B2
A light guide display includes a printed overlay layer, a first light guide layer, and a second light guide layer. The printed overlay layer includes an input region with a symbol that is at least partially translucent. The first light guide layer is disposed on a back side of the printed overlay layer to illuminate the symbol of the printed overlay layer in response to illumination of the first light guide layer. The second light guide layer is disposed on a front side of the printed overlay layer, opposite the first light guide layer. The second light guide layer includes a separate symbol that is distinct from the symbol of the printed overlay layer. The second light guide layer illuminates the separate symbol of the second light guide layer in response to illumination of the second light guide layer.
US08172443B2
A light source unit includes a light source portion including a mounting board, a light emitting element mounted on the mounting board, a rectangular solid sealing material for sealing the light emitting element, the sealing material including a first distance between the light emitting element and a top face thereof and a second distance between the light emitting element and a side face thereof, the first distance being greater than the second distance and a phosphor dispersed in the sealing material for radiating a wavelength conversion light by being excited by light emitted from the light emitting element, wherein a first light emitted through the top face of the sealing material is different in emission color from a second light emitted through the side face of the sealing material. The light source unit further includes an optical connection member including a reflection surface for reflecting light emitted from the side face of the sealing material, and a light guiding member including an end face through which light emitted through the top face of the sealing material and light reflected by the reflection surface of the optical connection member are inputted into the light guiding member.
US08172438B2
A portable lighting system includes a power pack, a fuel tank and a collapsible mast mounted to a trailer. A lighting fixture with one or more lighting elements is mounted to a distal end of the mast. The mast may be placed in a lowered position for transportation or placed in a raised position for illumination of a desired area.
US08172428B2
An optical system, light fixture and method are provided that include a light source, a non-circular aperture, a filter apparatus, and a lens. The light source produces a first beam of light, a portion of which is passed by the non-circular aperture. The filter apparatus is positioned proximate to the non-circular aperture and is operable to selectively position a desired portion of a variable density filter in the portion of the first beam of light passed by the non-circular aperture. The lens collects the portion of the first beam of light passed by the non-circular aperture to produce a second beam of light.
US08172421B2
An apparatus and associated method for operating a portable light assembly. In accordance with some embodiments, a frame providing a bridge and defining a transport region and a deployment region is slidingly connected to a mast. An arm is further connected to the mast by a hinge while a light fixture is connected to the arm. In various embodiments, the light fixture is capable of transitioning from a deployed position where the mast engages the deployment region and a transport position where the mast and light fixture are disposed within the transport region.
US08172416B2
A combined radiator and lighting assembly is provided. The combined assembly includes at least a first radiation member and a second radiation member each powered by an energy source, and a reflective member including an at least partially ring-shaped concave reflective surface facing at least the first radiation member which includes an at least partial ring shape for distributing energy to an at least partially ring-shaped zone. The second radiation member includes a lamp base assembly, adapted to be received in a lamp socket assembly, to provide illumination or other forms of radiation, with concentration in a focal zone or area, or dispersion over the focal zone or area.
US08172413B2
A keypad assembly having a light guide sheet having a first surface with a layer of graphics printed thereon, a second surface opposite the first surface, and an edge surface; and a flexible sheet having a central portion engaged with the light guide sheet second surface and having a peripheral portion positioned in light blocking relationship with the light guide sheet edge surface.
US08172409B2
An image pickup apparatus has a heater device including a heater and a temperature sensor. The heater device is arranged outside the effective light beam range of an objective optical system, with a predetermined air gap between the heater device and an inner circumferential surface of a rigid member that holds a cover glass. The heater device is pressed to the cover glass by an elastic member disposed at an outer circumferential portion of a protruding frame that holds a lens at a distal end. An electrical connection portion of the heater and an electrical connection portion of the temperature sensor of the image pickup apparatus are disposed facing each other with respect to an optical axis, on a proximal end side that is further to the rear than a distal end face of a lens on a distal end side of a front group lens unit that is a side on which a height of an effective light beam of the objective optical system is relatively low.
US08172408B2
A lens position adjusting mechanism includes a lens, a lens attachment frame that includes a lens holding portion for holding the rim of the lens, and a holding case that sandwiches the lens attachment frame movably in a plane direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens. The lens attachment frame includes a shaft portion on the periphery of the lens holding portion, functioning as a fulcrum at a time when the lens attachment frame moves in the plane direction. The holding case includes a shaft supporting portion for supporting the shaft portion and frame guide grooves for sandwiching the lens attachment frame. The position of the lens is adjusted by operating a lug portion by fingers or the like with the shaft portion as a fulcrum. Then the adjusted position is fixed by injecting an adhesive into wedge spaces formed of opposing adhesion grooves.
US08172407B2
A system and method are disclosed for calibrating a plurality of projectors for three-dimensional scene reconstruction. The system includes a plurality of projectors and at least one camera, a camera-projector calibration module and a projector-projector calibration module. The camera-projector calibration module is configured to calibrate a first projector with the camera and generate a first camera-projector calibration data using camera-projector duality. The camera-projector calibration module is also configured to calibrate a second projector with the camera and generate a second camera-projector calibration data. The projector-projector calibration module is configured to calibrate the first and the second projector using the first and the second camera-projector calibration data.
US08172405B2
A lamp includes a lampwick, a reflector, and a shade. The reflector has an opening and a bottom portion opposite to the opening. The lampwick is disposed at the bottom portion and passes through the bottom portion and at least one part of the lampwick is disposed in the reflector. The shade disposed outside the reflector covers a part of the reflector. The shade connected to the bottom portion has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are disposed at two opposite sides of the reflector respectively. An air flow flows into the space between the reflector and the shade through the inlet. At least one part of the air flow flows through the outlet along a flowing direction. An included angle defined between the flowing direction and a transmitting direction of an illumination light beam formed by the reflector is an acute angle.
US08172400B2
Projection apparatuses and methods are provided. A representative apparatus includes: a first projection device arranged to generate a virtual three-dimensional image; a second projection device arranged to project a background image; and a light source arranged to project light onto the virtual three-dimensional image, the frequency of the projected light corresponding to the light frequency of the background image.
US08172395B2
The present invention provides a medical device, preferably a contact lens, which comprises an antimicrobial LbL coating containing one or more antimicrobial pepetides. The antimicrobial coating of the invention can impart to the medical an increased surface hydrophilicity and a relatively high antimicrobial activity coupled with low cytotoxicity. The antimicrobial coating of the invention has a minimal adverse effects on the desirable bulk properties of a contact lens, such as oxygen permeability, ion permeability, and optical properties. An antimicrobial coating of the present invention may find particular use in extended-wear contact lenses. In addition, the invention provides a method for making a medical device, preferably a contact lens, having an antimicrobial LbL coating thereon.
US08172392B2
A printer is disclosed which determines whether or not an opening of the printer is open or closed. The printer includes an opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the opening of the printer housing. The printer includes a controller configured to determine whether the opening is open or closed based on a light receiving state of a light receiving portion. The light receiving portion receives light from a light sending portion. A first movable body with a plurality of openings is moveable between the light sending and receiving portions. A movement transmission mechanism moves the first moveable body according to movement of a second moveable body.
US08172385B2
A sealing member of an ink cartridge whose casing is formed of a material including an ethylene-propylene random copolymer at least includes a welding layer, an adhesive layer, and a surface layer. The sealing member is also formed of a material including polypropylenes: the welding layer contains an ethylene-propylene random copolymer, and the surface layer contains homopolypropylene oriented by stretching.
US08172383B2
An ink cartridge includes an ink tank defining an ink chamber therein, in which the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein, and an adapter configured to be coupled to the ink tank. The adapter and the ink tank are separate members, and the adapter includes a main body having a main body opening formed therein. The main body opening is configured to receive at least a portion of the ink tank therein. The ink cartridge also includes at least one resilient member coupled to the adapter. When the adapter is coupled to the ink tank, the ink tank extends from a first face of the main body in a first direction, and the at least one resilient member extends from a second face of the main body in a second direction opposite the first direction.
US08172375B2
A valve includes: a passage having a first passage which communicates an atmosphere-communicating passage and outside of a cartridge body, and a second passage which branches from the first passage; an electrode provided on a wall surface forming the second passage; an electrode provided on a wall surface of a bottom wall lid forming the first passage; a driver IC which applies a predetermined voltage selectively to one of these two kinds of electrodes; an insulating film provided on a surface of the electrode; and an insulating film provided on a surface of the electrode. Accordingly, there is provided a valve which is capable of opening and closing a passage communicating two spaces separated from each other, which has no movable part, and which has a simple construction.
US08172373B2
A fluid ejection device including, a drive element capable of storing a charge depending on a voltage applied to the drive element, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a power recovery module that recovers power from the drive element by connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor to the drive element in series, wherein the power recovery module switches the first capacitor out of the in-series connection to further recover power from the drive element.
US08172367B2
In a liquid-ejecting method for ejecting liquid contained in a liquid chamber from a nozzle as a liquid droplet group, the ejection amount of each liquid droplet of the continuously ejected liquid-droplet group can be stabilized corresponding to a wide frequency band of a pulse signal. Also, when one pixel is formed with a plurality of liquid droplets using a head capable of deflecting the ejecting direction of the liquid droplet, the image quality is improved by reducing the landing positional displacement between plural liquid droplets for forming the one pixel.
US08172366B2
Disclosed is a liquid jetting head which can contribute to downsizing. A head unit 20 has two case channels and a driving substrate 28 arranged between inflow openings 35 of the case channels provided on a base surface of the head unit, which is on the opposite side of a nozzle-formed surface of the head unit, in an erect posture with respect to the base surface of the driving substrate 28.
US08172363B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for wide format inkjet printing using conventional piezoelectric inkjet print heads that each print at a native resolution. A plurality of inkjet print heads are disposed in a print head array to print an image on the substrate at the native resolution across an entire width of the substrate without scanning across the width of the substrate. The print head array may be shifted in a direction parallel to the width of the substrate, and the print head array may be used to print images on the substrate in multiple passes to form a composite image having a resolution equal to a multiple of the native resolution. Alternatively, a plurality of print head arrays may be provided, with adjacent print head arrays spaced apart to provide a composite print resolution equal to a multiple of the native resolution.
US08172361B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting heads that ejects a liquid onto a target, a transport unit that transports the target, cap units that include caps which are provided opposite to the liquid ejecting heads with a transport path of the target interposed therebetween, and cover units that include cover members. The cap units are movable between a capping position where the caps come into contact with the liquid ejecting heads and a retreated position where the caps are separated from the liquid ejecting heads. The cover units are driven to move the cover members in association with the transport unit such that the cover members are disposed at a closing position where the caps are covered by the cover members when the target is being transported and the cover members are disposed at an opening position that does not cover the caps during a capping operation.
US08172360B2
A system for servicing a printhead having a plurality of orifices formed in a face thereof includes a cap configured to mate with the face of the printhead; a porous material provided in the cap, wherein the porous material has a first side arranged to face the face of the printhead and a second side opposite the first side; and a vacuum communicated with the cap, wherein the vacuum is configured to draw fluid from the orifices of the printhead through the porous material provided in the cap. The second side of the porous material has a recess formed therein such that the vacuum is communicated with the recess.
US08172357B2
A print position correcting device includes: a head unit which ejects a liquid onto a print medium being transported on a transport surface; detectors which detect a position of the print medium being transported; a transport information calculator which calculates transport information regarding a transport status of the print medium based on the position of the detected print medium; a movement speed calculator which calculates a movement speed used to move the head unit based on the transport information; and a controller which moves the head unit in a direction parallel to the transport surface based on the transport information and the movement speed.
US08172349B2
A fluid discharge device, a control method for a fluid discharge device, and an ink tank enable easy and accurate confirmation of the fluid usage history, such as how much fluid is left in the tank, on the user or device side without increasing the price. An inkjet printer that discharges ink from the inkjet head to print on recording paper has a cartridge loading unit in which a ink cartridge is loaded, an inkjet head that discharges ink drawn from the ink cartridge, a reader/writer that reads and writes an ink usage history about usage of ink in the ink cartridge to an IC chip substrate disposed to the ink cartridge, and a control unit that prints at least a part of the ink usage history written to the IC chip substrate to a printable part on the outside surface of the ink cartridge by the inkjet head.
US08172348B2
A print head cap includes a vent which is opened during storage of the print head against the cap, is closed during priming of fluid through nozzles of the print head and is opened to stop the priming. Pumping of fluid from the cap is started substantially immediately upon opening of the vent to stop priming.
US08172344B2
A safety cabinet includes an enclosure defining an opening and a door rotatably attached to the enclosure. The door is movable between an open position and a closed position, the door configured to selectively cover the enclosure when in the closed position. The safety cabinet comprises a spill-sloped shelf for directing fluid into a sump area of the cabinet and preventing damage to objects in the safety cabinet or harm to users of the safety cabinet.
US08172342B2
A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.
US08172340B2
The method for reducing aircraft carbon brake wear involves monitoring the commanded initiation of braking, and setting a residual brake clamping force to a predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force, which is maintained following the commanded initiation of braking to prevent release of braking during taxiing of the aircraft. The minimum residual brake clamping force is applied despite a commanded release of braking until at least one predetermined control logic condition occurs.
US08172336B2
A tuft picker device for a brush making machine has a bristle magazine for holding a supply of loose bristles and a tuft picker having a tuft picking notch being movable past an open side of the bristle magazine in a working stroke. A shield member is adapted to be shifted across the tuft picker notch to change the effective depth thereof. The shield member can be adjusted by an adjusting device in each working stroke in order to vary the effective depth of the tuft picking notch from one working stroke to the next to change the size of a tuft engaged in the notch.
US08172335B2
A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more shafts. A first substantially horizontal or inclined tunnel extends from one or more of the shafts. A second substantially horizontal or inclined tunnel extends from one or more of the shafts. Two or more heat source wellbores extend from the first tunnel to the second tunnel. The heat source wellbores are configured to allow electrical current to flow between the heat source wellbores.
US08172320B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of impact absorption blocks and vehicle seatbacks and seats comprising impact absorption blocks. One embodiment of a vehicle seatback assembly comprises a seatback frame, a seat pad and an impact absorption block. The seatback frame comprises a first side member having an upper end and a lower end, a second side member spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first side member and having an upper end and a lower end and a cross-member extending between the first and second side members. The seat pad overlies the seatback frame to define a forward surface. The impact absorption block is positioned between the seat pad and the cross member.
US08172311B2
A collision absorption system including a collapsing armrest. The armrest is configured to provide support for vertical loading during use. During a side impact collision, the armrest is configured to deform or collapse in a lateral direction. The collapsing armrest may include multiple layers with at least one layer having grooves and channels, or containing cross-ribs, to allow greater deflection in a lateral direction during a side impact collision.
US08172310B2
An off-road vehicle has a frame, at least four wheels, each including a tire, a seat, a steering assembly, an engine, and a cargo box (28, 50) pivotally mounted to the frame rearwardly of the seat. The cargo box includes a cargo box body (52) having a front wall (54), a pair of side walls (56) extending from the front wall, a first floor (58) connected to a lower end of the front and the pair of side walls, and an at least partially opened rear side. A second floor (72) is supported inside the cargo box body above the first floor. At least one tailgate (68) selectively closes the at least partially opened rear side.
US08172306B2
A wheel-arch protector mounted on the rear edge of a side door for covering a wheel arch for a rear wheel, the wheel-arch protector including a protector body formed from a polymer material and a seal part formed from a polymer material that elastically deforms more readily than the polymer material for forming the protector body. The body includes a mounting baseplate, a extending plate, and a distended part. The extending plate extends from an end of the mounting baseplate to outside in a widthwise direction of the vehicle. The distended part is distended to an inner angle part of a corner between the mounting baseplate and the extending plate and has a hollow part. The seal part is comprised of a basal part formed on a vehicle-interior-facing surface of the mounting baseplate and a seal-lip part formed on the basal part.
US08172295B2
A height adjusting device is provided for the cargo floor of a motor vehicle with at least one guide, on which the cargo floor is pivotably guided about a first pivoting axis. The cargo floor can be guided from a lower cargo floor position into an upper cargo floor position. The cargo floor features a rear cargo floor section and a front cargo floor section that are pivotably connected to one another about a second pivoting axis. The cargo floor can be lifted in the region of the second pivoting axis such that the rear and the front cargo floor sections are pivoted relative to one another, and the guide is realized in such a way that the cargo floor is displaced from the lower into the upper cargo floor position along the guide by lifting the cargo floor in the region of the second pivoting axis.
US08172288B2
A gripper for holding two-dimensional components with a low degree of loading, has a clamping ring connected to a controllable robot arm with a baffle plate connected to the clamping ring by a funnel-shaped component and has a gripping face which communicates with a flow system which passes through the funnel-shaped component and the baffle plate. After an excess pressure has been applied to the gripper, a negative pressure is produced on the gripping face in order to attach by suction a wafer to be gripped. A rubberized bearing surface of a bearing ring integrated in the gripping face provides a slip-resistant movement of the wafer. A sensor detects the wafer hat is attached to the gripping face by suction. In order to permit an extremely shock-resistant attachment of the wafer to be gripped on the gripping face of the gripper, a damping device which is circumferentially adapted to the gripper has a contour as viewed in plan that protrudes circumferentially above the contour of the gripper and forms a damping resistance for the wafer.
US08172285B2
The invention refers to a mounting system for attachment of a bumper covering at a motor vehicle body which includes a mounting strip, a guide profile and a locking slider which in mounted condition provides connection between the mounting strip and the guide profile, wherein at least the guide profile is configured as a separate component.
US08172282B2
A computing device latching assembly comprises a latching member configured to releasably secure an accessory to a computing device, and a release mechanism actuatable to move the latching member from a locking position to an unlocked position and to cause the latching member to urge the accessory away from the computing device.
US08172278B2
A threaded component for connecting piping employed on motor vehicles includes a thread formed thereon and at least one unthreaded, contacting surface. A first coating having a first coefficient of friction is disposed on at least a portion of the thread, and a second coating having a second coefficient of friction is disposed on at least a portion of the unthreaded, contacting surface(s) of the threaded component. The first coefficient of friction is greater than the second coefficient of friction. In an embodiment an anti-corrosion coating is provided between the coatings and the component.
US08172275B2
A pipe fitting includes a main polymeric body and a secondary polymeric body, of a different polymeric material, molded into and fixedly connected to the main body, so that the main body extends around the polymeric body. The secondary polymeric body extends around and is contiguous with a passageway of the pipe fitting, and at least partially defines a first opening of the passageway that is for being mated to a polymeric pipe. The main body extends around and is contiguous with the passageway, and at least partially defines a second opening of the passageway that is for being mated to a metallic pipe.
US08172268B2
A work vehicle has a plurality of wheels including a first wheel and a fuel tank disposed upwardly of the first wheel. The fuel tank includes a first portion which is located higher than the highest point of the first wheel in a side view and which also is overlapped at least partially with the first wheel in a top view; a second portion disposed forwardly of the highest point of the first wheel and extending downwardly from the first portion so as to extend lower than the highest point of the first wheel, the second portion being in fluid communication with the first portion; and a third portion disposed rearwardly of the highest point of the first wheel and extending downwardly from the first portion so as to extend lower than the highest point of the first wheel, the third portion being in fluid communication with the first portion.
US08172265B2
A surveillance module may be deployed from a vehicle. The vehicle to deploy the surveillance module includes a first portion configured to accommodate a user to operate the vehicle. A second portion includes a module configured to accommodate the user and comprising a roof and an entrance accessible through an interior of the vehicle from the first portion. The second portion also includes a lifting mechanism coupled to the module and operable to move the module vertically from a retracted position to an extended position. A third portion defines an opening to accommodate the module, wherein the roof of the module couples to a periphery of the opening in the retracted position.
US08172261B2
An apparatus (10b) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14b). An inflation fluid source provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14b). A structure (320) for supporting the protection device (14b) includes a vent opening (40b) for venting inflation fluid from the protection device. A vent member (300) is connectable to the structure (320) to block inflation fluid flow through the vent opening (40b). An actuatable device (120b) when actuated breaks the connection between the vent member (80b) and the structure (320) and moves the vent member away from the vent opening (40b) to permit inflation fluid venting. A flexible elongated member (350) has a first end (352) connected to the vent member (300) and a second end (354) connected to the structure (320). The member (350) secures the vent member (300) to the structure (320) after the connection between the vent member and the structure is broken.
US08172260B2
An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a vertically extending central recess (200) and first and second lobes (202 and 204) positioned on opposite sides of the central recess. The central recess (200) and the first and second lobes (202 and 204) are defined at least partially by an elongated center panel (210) of the protection device (14). The center panel (210) includes first and second longitudinal edges (250 and 252) that are spaced apart from each other and that extend along the length of opposite edge portions of the center panel. The center panel (210) also includes first and second end portions (260 and 280) that are spaced apart and that are positioned opposite each other along the length of the center panel. The center panel (210) is arranged in a loop, and a portion (270) of the first longitudinal edge (252) along the first end portion (260) is interconnected with a portion (290) of the second longitudinal edge (250) along the second end portion (280) of the panel to form a vertically extending seam (220) that helps define the central recess.
US08172254B2
A collapsible support frame has a front frame, a rear frame, and a locking mechanism connected to the front and rear frames. The locking mechanism has a lever and a base member. In the locked position, the lever and the base member engage to pull the front and rear frames towards each other. This places tension on the front and rear frames and holds the frame structure in an open or unfolded position for use. In the unlocked position, the lever and the base member separate from each other. This releases the tension placed on the front and rear frames and allows the frame structure to collapse or fold in on itself for storage.
US08172245B2
A leaf spring suspension system for supporting a vehicle chassis (104) relative to a vehicle axle (105), the suspension system being arranged to be connected between first and second spaced connection locations of said vehicle chassis. The suspension system comprises a first elongate leaf member (10) arranged to be pivotably connected at a first end (14) thereof to the first connection location, and a second leaf member (12) pivotably connected at a second end (16) of said first member (10). A link member (108) is connected between the second leaf member (12) and the second connection location of said chassis, wherein the link member (108) is pivotably connected to the second leaf member at a first end thereof and is connected to the chassis at a second end thereof such that the angular orientation of the link member relative to the chassis can be altered in order to accommodate raising or lowering of the chassis relative to the vehicle axle.
US08172241B2
The handcart has various embodiments, each embodiment having a pair of larger wheels at the back of the load-carrying platform and a rear axle located above the plane of at least the forward portion of the platform. Smaller caster wheels are mounted on arms extending forward and outward from the forward corners of the platform. The outward ends of the arms are displaced upwardly to place the platform bottom only very slightly higher than the bottoms of the forward casters, thus increasing stability by lowering the center of gravity of the cart and contents, and facilitating loading and unloading of the cart due to the very low platform. The cart need not be tilted rearward to lift the platform from the floor, but may be pushed over the underlying surface with the load-carrying platform remaining level and with all four wheels rolling over the underlying surface.
US08172236B2
A bit mounting device includes a holder that may be mounted to a spindle of the power tool or may be a part of the spindle. A bit push member is disposed within a bit receiving hole that is formed in the holder for receiving a tool bit. The movement of the operation member is transmitted to the bit push member via a transmission mechanism, so that the tool bit is pushed in a removing direction from the bit receiving hole by the bit push member.
US08172234B2
A collet assembly for use on a support device comprising a rotatable base section, a support structure secured to the support device, with the support structure supporting the base section on said support device. The base section has a central axis, and the base section is rotatable with respect to the support member and the central axis to a plurality of positions. The collet assembly includes a locking device for locking the base section at one of the plurality of positions.
US08172232B2
A seal comprises the combination of a primary seal and a secondary seal each of which acts on at least one shoe that is installed with clearance relative to one of a rotor and a stator in a position to create a non-contact seal therewith. The at least one shoe is provided with a surface geometry and labyrinth-type teeth that influence the inertia of fluid flowing across the seal, and, hence, the velocity of the fluid and the pressure distribution across the seal, ultimately affecting the balance of forces applied to the seal.
US08172228B2
An integrated module for installation within a printer may include a module frame and a plurality of printer subsystem components. The module frame is configured to fit within a predetermined space within a printer and to connect to a printer frame positioned about the predetermined space. The plurality of printer subsystem components are configured to mount to the module frame. At least one printer subsystem component includes a default module media path and at least one diverter-directed module media path within the printer subsystem component. The at least one printer subsystem component is configured to connect to the module frame at a position that enables the default module media path and the at least one diverter-directed module media path to complete a printer media path through the predetermined space when the module frame having the printer subsystem component is connected to the printer frame.
US08172223B2
A sheet feeding apparatus includes a placement surface on which a sheet to be transported is placed; a fixed guide which abuts against one side edge of the sheet; a movable guide which abuts against the other side edge of the sheet; a sheet feeding roller which abuts against a surface of the sheet at a position which is at the side of the fixed guide; an abutment member which is provided on the movable guide. The abutment member has a side surface opposed to the fixed guide in the width direction, and the side surface is formed into a slant shape such that as a portion of the side surface is nearer to the fixed guide in the width direction, a distance between the portion of the side surface and the placement surface is increased.
US08172216B2
An apparatus and method in which documents and enclosures are fed by feeding stations to a supply track and subsequently transported along the supply track to a gathering station. A sensor downstream of the feeding stations is used for scanning markings. A divert station connected to the supply track allows clearing the supply track, when scanned markings indicate that the first sheet of a next set has been scanned in the supply track, by diverting the first sheet to the divert station. This allows enclosures of the set being gathered to be fed along the supply track and gathered at the gathering station. After the completed set has vacated the gathering station, the diverted sheet is transported to the gathering station and gathered with further documents of the next set.
US08172215B2
In a sheet stacking apparatus, a sheet stacking unit stacks sheets conveyed by a sheet conveyance device. Three sheet extraction portions allow to selectively extract the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit from one of three directions including the downstream side of the sheet conveyance direction and two directions perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction. A plurality of first detection sensors are provided in at least two of the three sheet extraction portions to detect an object that enters the sheet stacking unit. A second detection sensor detects the moving direction of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit. A control device stops the operation of the sheet conveyance device when the first detection sensor detects the object, and disables the detection operation of the first detection sensor corresponding to the moving direction of the sheets when the second detection sensor detects the moving direction of the sheets.
US08172186B2
A display support seat is mounted on a display, such that the display is able to be located on a plane after being supported. In the present invention, a main seat and a cover are mounted to form an accommodation space, and the display is mounted on the main seat. Also, the accommodation space is provided for a main board module to be disposed therein, so as to form a computer host. In such a manner, assembly space demands for a computer and a display is effectively reduced. Moreover, a user may select that the present invention merely serves as a support seat, or merely serves as a computer host, or serve as a support seat and a computer host at the same time depending on practical use demands.
US08172184B2
The invention provides a cargo hook apparatus for securing cargo external to an aircraft for transportation, the apparatus comprising, pendent sling means, an attachment for securing the pendent sling means to the aircraft, and a cargo hook assembly, where the cargo hook assembly comprises a high-strength, lightweight alloy, and where the cargo hook assembly weighs less than about 55 pounds.
US08172173B2
A method for emplacing sensors, comprising the steps of modifying an existing sensor to attach an autorotational mechanism and deploying said sensor by autorotational means.
US08172168B2
A roller grinding mill is provided that includes a grinding plate, grinding rollers, and at least two drives acting upon the grinding plate, and to a method for operating such a roller grinding mill. At least one grinding roller and substantially simultaneously at least one matching drive can be disengaged during operation. Thus only small radial forces are created that effect the radial bearing of the grinding plate.
US08172166B2
A roll mill for a milling-dispersing treatment has a fixed roll fixed to a frame, and a transfer roll displaceable into and out of contact with the fixed roll in a direction perpendicular to the fixed roll by a servomotor and a ball screw. A laser sensor disposed between the fixed roll and the transfer roll measures the distance between the rolls, and a load sensor measures a pressing force between the rolls. An electronic automatic control device maintains a constant distance and a constant pressing force between the fixed roll and the transfer roll by feedback of detection signals sent from the respective sensors, wherein the servomotor is driven by the electronic automatic control device to adjust the position of the transfer roll.
US08172148B1
Laminated cards with user interfaces are provided. The user interfaces can have enhanced tactile feel. In one embodiment, a card may be constructed to have a dual-layer user interface. In another embodiment, a card may be constructed to include a support structure. In yet another embodiment, a card may include a relatively soft material that covers at least a portion of the user interface. In yet another embodiment, a card may include a user interface that is fluidically coupled to a bladder. In a further embodiment, a card can include any combination of a user interface, which may be a dual-layer user interface, a support structure, a soft material that at least partially covers a user interface, and a bladder.
US08172147B2
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system for estimating electrical power usage of commercially available devices utilizing a portable computing device equipped with a digital camera. In some embodiments, initial input to the system is accomplished by taking a digital photograph of an electrical device surface in order to capture text or other marks such as barcodes from which power usage of the device can be determined. In some embodiments OCR (optical character recognition) is used to retrieve text from the digital photograph. If successfully extracted from the captured text, power parameters such as voltage, amperes and watts are provided to the system user on the display of the mobile device. At this point an estimate of electrical device usage during a particular time period, such as a week, can be input into the system. The system will then calculate power usage over the specified time period for the electrical device and show the result on the system display.
US08172138B2
The present invention discloses a device and a method useful for the provision of secure payment and certification of digital content access, while the devise comprises: at least one IC chip containing an operating system and memory provisions, an interface of a plurality of N plated electrical input contacts (PEICs); interconnected to said IC chip; N is an integer number equal or higher than 1; and, at least one operating system able to process information and recall it, stored on said IC chip; at least one encoding mathematical formula stored on said IC chip that generates a response to input provided by entering a prescribed sequence of electrical inputs to said PEICs by means of said card reader; at least one human interface that prompts the end user to enter data and enables the entry of said data, e.g., by means of an interconnected keypad.
US08172134B1
An automatic banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records to cause financial transfers. The machine includes a card reader that reads data corresponding to financial accounts from user cards, and carries out transactions related to the accounts. The machine includes a camera, a microphone, and the card reader at a customer interface located at the front of the machine. A servicer display device is at a servicer interface located at the rear of the machine. The customer interface and servicer interface can be placed in audio/visual communication. Although a front servicer may not be directly visible to a rear servicer, they are still able to communicate with each other through the customer interface and servicer interface during machine servicing. The servicer interface can also be used to allow a lone servicer to be audibly/visually alerted to a potential customer approaching the machine.
US08172132B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for verifying customer identifications. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, at a transaction gateway, a communication associated with a transaction initiated by a customer; determining the communication includes an identity verification request to verify encoded data obtained from an identification presented by the customer; routing the identity verification request to an identity verification service; receiving, from the identity verification service, a result including one or more identification values obtained from the encoded data; and transmitting the result to a requester associated with the communication.
US08172123B2
A rotary cutter head for a surgical stapling instrument includes a staple cartridge, an annular cutter, a staple-pushing seat and a staple chamber. The staple-pushing seat and the annular cutter are connected by a bearing structure and provided with guide projections. The inner wall of the staple cartridge or the outboard of the expand-stopping tube is integral injection molded with a metal cylinder insert, on which is provided with a forward helix track and a backward track mutually independent and communicated with each other. The guide projections are mated with the two guide tracks and guiding the annular cutter to move along a helical path.
US08172122B2
An end effector for a surgical fastener applying instrument including a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes first and second cartridges each containing a plurality of surgical fasteners, wherein each of the first and second cartridges is configured to move independently with respect to the first jaw member between a proximal position and a distal position.
US08172118B2
A fastening tool with a magazine housing, a nail plate in the magazine housing and an actuator disposed between the nail plate and the magazine housing. The actuator extends outwardly from the nail plate so as to be movable by a user to cause the nail plate to move axially with respect to the magazine housing.
US08172113B2
An aerosol texturing system for applying a layer of texture material on an uncoated portion of a substrate substantially to match a coated portion of the substrate, comprises an aerosol assembly, texture material, and propellant material. The aerosol assembly defines a product chamber and is selectively operable in a first mode in which the product chamber is sealed and in a second mode in which fluid is allowed to flow out of the product chamber along a dispensing passageway. The texture material and propellant material are disposed within the product chamber. The texture material has a base portion and a particulate portion containing at least one particulate material. When the aerosol assembly is in the second mode, the propellant material is adapted to force the texture material out of the aerosol assembly along the dispensing passageway and onto the uncoated portion of the substrate.
US08172112B2
A chute assembly for a system configured to dispense objects from a bulk supply of such objects includes: an elongate chute having an open bottom end; a dispensing assembly slidably mounted to a bottom end portion of the chute, the dispensing assembly including a sleeve that receives the bottom end portion of the chute and a door mounted thereto, the sleeve being slidable between a staging position, in which the door covers the bottom end of the chute and thereby stages objects in the bottom end portion of the chute, and a dispensing position, in which the door moves away from the bottom end of the chute to enable objects staged in the bottom end portion of the chute to be dispensed from the chute; and an agitation unit coupled to the dispensing assembly, the agitation unit configured to impart energy to objects staged in the bottom end of the sleeve as the sleeve moves to the dispensing position.
US08172111B1
The liquid capture device has a horizontal support resting upon a support surface having a front edge in close proximity to the edge of a table. A vertical support member has a second connecting top edge. The first and second connecting devices are complementary to each other. On the lower portion of the vertical support member is a liquid receiving means. The liquid receiving means is located under a spigot so any dripping liquid is captured. The liquid receiving means may also include a corrugated floor. In one embodiment, the vertical support member can be removed from the horizontal support member to empty excess liquid. The connecting means may be a hooking member over a pin; or a magnet. In another embodiment, the connecting means may be a hinge and pin or a flexible hinge. This allows the vertical member to rotate for liquid to flow out through an exit.
US08172097B2
An LED display module having features for improvement over prior art devices by providing novel features for improved LED visibility, improved weather and climatological sealing, improved electromagnetic interference (EMI) suppression, improved heat dissipation, and improved airflow.
US08172089B2
The invention relates to the use of a compound of formula R—N-[A-NH2]2 (1) wherein R represents a linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms while A represents a C2 to C4 alkylene group, as collector in silicate flotation.
US08172088B2
Apparatus and method for separating lightweight waste from product with cyclic pulses of air. An air separator includes a blower duct directing air upward through product conveyed on a foraminous conveyor. A pair of counter-rotating vanes in the blower duct cyclically open and close to establish a pulsating air flow in the center of the duct across the width of the conveyor. The pulsating air flow lifts lightweight waste from the product and blows it through a vertical duct above the conveyor to waste separation chambers for separation and disposal.
US08172075B2
Device for producing and/or processing panels includes a panel transport device utilizing two double-belt conveyors for transporting panels along a transport path. A processing device is used for processing the panels during their transporting by the panel transport device. Each of the two double-belt conveyors includes an upper endless belt and a lower endless belt having transport strand sides essentially parallel to the transport path and deflection devices arranged to at the ends of the transport strand sides. A plurality of guide rollers are arranged between the deflection devices of at least one of the endless belts to support the transport strand side of the at least one endless belt. At least one roller cassette is arranged to support several of the plurality of guide rollers.
US08172069B2
A diverter conveyor system for a modular belt. The modular belt has at least two belt modules disposed in rows. At least two rows of spheres are disposed in the belt modules and extend through the top and bottom surfaces of the modules. The rows of spheres may be supported by a single cylindrical roller.
US08172060B2
A dynamic pressure control system, such as a transmission pressure control system, is provided wherein one or more of electrical current command signals provided to a pressure control solenoid valve, such as a fast response variable force solenoid pressure control valve, are progressively trimmed in a manner to improve overall system pressure control performance by improving the overall commanded current response. The invention permits use of fast response pressure control solenoid valves and obtainment of in a manner to minimize overshoot and improve steady state accuracy, so as to thereby improve precision pressure control.
US08172059B2
The clutch system relates to an automatic friction clutch with a hydrostatically actuator-controlled clutch withdrawal. In such clutch release systems, a slave cylinder pressurized by a master cylinder in an engaged state is in connection with a reservoir (tank) via a connection opening uncovered by the master cylinder piston. To determine the opening deviations and location of the connection opening, it is proposed that actuation of master cylinder be velocity-dependent and pressure patterns of the hydrostatic clutch release system be evaluated.
US08172054B2
A clutch arrangement includes a clutch device for transmitting torque between a clutch housing and a takeoff, wherein a pressure element and an opposing pressure element cooperate to establish and release a working connection between at least one drive-side clutch element and at least one takeoff side clutch element. The opposing pressure element is mounted nonrotatably and without freedom of axial movement on the clutch housing, and is connected to at least one drive-side clutch element by axially acting energy storage devices. A takeoff-side clutch element is located between a drive-side clutch element and the opposing pressure element, and between any adjacent drive-side clutch elements. Alternatively, the axially acting energy storage devices can connect the drive-side clutch elements to the clutch housing.
US08172050B2
A disc brake cover structure for a vehicle includes a protection cover and a wheel collar. The protection cover is to protect a rotor of a disc brake disposed at a front wheel of a vehicle. The front wheel is rotatably supported via a support shaft between first and second axle holders disposed at a front fork. A wheel collar is to be supported on the support shaft to position the front wheel and connected to the protection cover. The wheel collar is arranged to be sandwiched between a hub of the front wheel and either one of the first and second axle holders.
US08172039B2
A muffler for a vehicle may include a plurality of baffles to form a plurality of chambers, an exhaust gas inflow pipe having an outlet connected to one of the chambers inside the muffler housing through the baffles, an intermediate pipe disposed in parallel with the exhaust gas inflow pipe in the muffler housing through the baffles to fluid connect at least two chambers and a plurality of exhaust gas outflow pipes having an inlet positioned with an outlet of the intermediate pipe in any one chamber divided by the baffles and an outlet protruding outward through the muffler housing, without passing through the baffles, such that the exhaust gas passing through the intermediated pipe may be discharged outside the muffler housing.
US08172025B2
A safety device for a motor vehicle includes a deformation element which is arranged between a bumper beam and a side rail and moves into the side rail in the event of an impact. The deformation element is configured in the form of an evertable tubular member having a side-rail-proximal rear end provided with an abutment ring. Operatively connected to the deformation element is an actuator which is provided to release a displacement of the deformation element into the side rail in a predefined speed range by liberating the abutment ring in relation to the side rail in a release position, and to block the displacement of the deformation element into the side rail, when the speed range is exceeded or a vehicle speed is below the speed range, by locking the abutment ring in relation to the side rail in an engagement position.
US08172010B2
A drill bit comprising: a cutting section comprising gage cutters, wherein in the cutting section is a first end of the bit, and wherein the cutting section has a full gage diameter; a heel section comprising a blade, wherein the heel section is at an end of the drill bit opposite the cutting section, and wherein a diameter of the heel section is a full gage diameter, wherein the blade has a high spiral around the drill bit; and a clearance section between the cutting and heel sections, wherein the clearance section comprises a diameter less than full gage, and wherein clearance section extends from the gage cutters of the cutting section to the blade of the heel section.
US08172005B2
The invention relates to a cement silo structure for a mining machine comprising a mixer, a cement silo for cement and a feed apparatus for feeding cement to the mixer. The cement silo is a separate unit that may be transferred by means of transfer means between a use position on top of the mining machine and a filling position that differs from the use position.
US08171996B2
A technique is provided for installing a tubular hanger and tubular hanger seal in a wellhead. The technique comprises installing the tubular hanger with a setting tool. The tubular hanger may comprise a locking ring that is driven outward into engagement with a profile in the wellhead. The setting tool is adapted to rotate a moveable member of the tubular hanger relative to the tubular hanger body so as to drive the moveable member to expand the locking ring outward to engage a profile in the wellhead. The moveable member may be wedged between the locking ring and the tubular hanger body. The setting tool may be adapted to enable the moveable member and the tubular hanger body to be rotated independently. The annulus between the tubular hanger and the wellhead may be sealed by a seal that has a plurality of sealing elements that are coupled together by a series of catches.
US08171987B2
An inlet header of a microchannel heat exchanger is provided with a first insert disposed within the inlet header and extending substantially the length thereof, and having a plurality of openings for the flow of refrigerant into the internal confines of the inlet header and then to the channels. A second insert, disposed within the first insert, extends substantially the length of the first insert and is of increasing cross sectional area toward its downstream end such that annular cavity is formed between the first and second insert. The annular cavity of decreasing cross sectional area provides for the maintenance of a substantially constant mass flux of the refrigerant along the length of the annulus so as to thereby maintain an annular flow regime of the liquid and thereby promote uniform flow distribution to the channels.
US08171986B2
An apparatus includes a foam metal panel heat exchanger core positioned in a duct, an inlet flow passage for directing a first fluid to the heat exchanger core, and an exit flow passage for directing the first fluid from the heat exchanger core, wherein the inlet flow passage is tapered relative to an inlet face of the heat exchanger core and the exit flow passage is tapered relative to an outlet face of the heat exchanger core. The first fluid has a substantially uniform flow distribution through the core. The inlet and exit flow passages can be adjacent to each other. The core can be formed of a compressed foam.
US08171976B2
In a transferring device (A) structured such that a paste (Tb) is transferred to a paper strip (P) by being slid in a predetermined transferring direction in a state in which the paper strip (P) is pinched between a transferring device main body (1) and a transferred object receiving cradle (2), the transferring device is provided with a guide surface (12a) guiding the paper strip (P) in the same direction as a transferring direction by being brought into contact with an edge portion (Pa), and a deflection upper roller (11) energizing the paper strip (P) toward the guide surface (12a) at a time of the sliding movement by being arranged so as to be deflected at a predetermined angle toward the guide surface (12a) from the transferring direction.
US08171973B2
A nozzle for dispensing molten thermoplastic material includes non-circular outlets spaced apart from one another in a predetermined pattern. The nozzle may be used to dispense patterns of adhesive that form closed geometric shapes, such as for use in making hermetic seals.
US08171972B2
Disclosed are examples of a strip guide for laterally shifting a longitudinally moving strip material as it enters a joining mechanism that urges the strip material into contact with a moving sheet material, the strip guide comprising a surface over which the strip material passes longitudinally, the surface defining a U-shape.
US08171971B2
The invention provides a driving apparatus for a tire building drum which can reduce load when the drum is rotating, which enables stable expanding and contracting operations and in which a center shaft portion (2) of the building drum (D) is made up of a cylindrical outer shaft (3) and an inner threaded shaft (4), the driving apparatus including a cylindrical outer shaft (13) which is coupled to the outer shaft (3), an inner shaft (14) coupled to the threaded shaft (4), a first motor (15) which is a rotational driving means coupled to the outer shaft (13) for rotating the drum, and a second motor (20) which is a rotational driving means coupled to the inner shaft (14) via a clutch (21) in such a manner as to be engaged with and disengaged from the inner shaft for expanding or contracting the drum, wherein by switching the clutch (21), when the drum is rotating, the second motor (20) is held out of engagement with the inner shaft (14), while when the drum is expanded or contracted, the second motor (20) is held in engagement with the inner shaft (14).
US08171968B2
A construction vehicle tire, in which a temperature rise at the tread portion is suppressed by enhancing the heat radiation property at the tire center portion (C). Lug grooves (22) are arranged in the tread shoulder regions (S) on both sides in the tire width direction. The tire center portion (C) is formed with narrow grooves (24) extending substantially in the tire width direction (V) and having both ends terminating within the tread. A deep equatorial groove (26) extends in the tire circumferential direction on the tire equatorial plane (CL), and has a maximum depth within the range of from 70% to 110% of the depth of the lug grooves (22), so as to efficiently cool the bottom region (26B) of the deep equatorial groove (26) at high temperature.
US08171961B2
A plug structure for sealing an opening end portion of a circular fluid passage formed in a housing comprises a plug being equal in resistance against deformation to, or smaller than, the housing and having an annular flange portion formed on an end portion of a circular column portion; a flange pressure-contacting portion of the opening end portion deformed to be pressure-contacted with a lower surface of the annular flange portion by being caulked with a caulking tool; a contracted diameter portion of a shape gradually narrow in the middle to which the circular column portion is deformed as a result that the fluid passage is deformed by the caulking to be contracted in diameter; and a deformed circumferential portion to which the circumferential edge of the annular flange portion of the plug is deformed by the caulking to be pressure-contacted with the flange pressure-contacting portion of the opening end portion.
US08171960B2
The present invention regards a plug (2) for scaling off a pipeline (1), comprising a main body (3), scaling means (6) and gripping means (5) arranged circumferentially around the main body (3) and actuation means (4) for operating the sealing and gripping means (5,6) where the gripping means (5) comprise at least one slip (10) with an outer surface (11) for contact against the pipe wall and an inner gliding surface (12) arranged in abutment against a first angled guiding surface (21), forming an angle ? with a center axis of the plug (2), so that the gripping means (5) when actuated is moved relative to the guiding surface (21) to move the slips (10) in a radial direction where the guiding surface (21) in addition is moved in a radial direction relative to the center axis of the plug (2).
US08171959B2
A dampener device extending along a vertical axis for use with an industrial process having a first conduit through which process fluid flows along with a second conduit wherein the second conduit extends away from the first conduit generally along the vertical axis. The dampener also includes a third conduit having that is connected to the first conduit, wherein the third conduit extends away from the first conduit generally along the vertical axis in opposing relationship to the second conduit. The dampener device design further includes a dampener valve positioned the first conduit and a fourth conduit extending in opposing relation to the first conduit between the second and third conduits.
US08171955B2
A relief vent assembly for a fuel storage tank includes a vent body defining a chamber to provide a substantially axially smooth and unencumbered path of flow for pressurized fluid to vent out from the tank. Such a path of flow allows the pressurized fluid to remain laminar throughout approximately the entire path through the chamber, maintaining a high flow rate. The vent assembly includes a crossbar that supports the rod of a lid that covers a distal margin of the vent body. The crossbar is disposed substantially at the distal margin of the vent body to prevent any premature turbulent flow of the pressurized fluid, which would slow the flow rate. A widening tapered bore of the chamber increases the flow area and serves to offset the area occupied by the crossbar.
US08171954B2
A pressure-relief valve assembly is improved in that sealing surfaces on both the valve seat and valve head are confrontationally disposed annular planar surfaces oriented substantially perpendicular to the valve axis. A resilient valve seal is formed of a material which deforms to a predetermined extent into sealing engagement against both sealing surfaces when compressed by the spring biasing force. When a vacuum exists the combination of the spring force and a holding force created by a pressure differential acts to increase the extent of compression between the resilient valve seal and both sealing surfaces sufficient to create a vacuum-tight seal. The magnitude of the spring biasing force in discrete increments may be adjusted by varying the degree of threaded engagement between members forming the valve housing.
US08171935B2
A system for delivering a humidified gas to a patient is disclosed. The system includes a supply tube having a first supply tube end and a second supply tube end. The supply tube has a first inner diameter. The system also includes an apparatus for delivering heated and humidified gas to the first end of the supply tube and a single lumen having a first lumen end and a second lumen end. The single lumen has a second inner diameter, smaller than the first diameter. The first lumen end is in fluid flow communication with the second supply tube end. The system also includes a nasal cannula in fluid flow communication with the second lumen end. A method of delivering heated and humidified gas to a patient is also disclosed.
US08171927B2
A gas burner cap for a cooking appliance includes a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side of the cap is configured to face a corresponding burner body. One or more flame-stabilization chambers are located on the bottom side of the cap.
US08171925B2
A paintball loader, more specifically a paintball loader which rapidly and forcibly feeds paintballs to a paintball marker, comprises a rotor body having at least one rotor fin, and a drive motor for rotating the rotor body in a first direction. The paintball loader has a central outlet located radially inwards of the tip of the rotor fin and an abutment body arranged to interact with the at least one rotor fin. When the rotor body is rotated, a paintball, located in a space formed between the at least one rotor fin and the abutment body, is pushed out of the paintball loader through the central outlet.
US08171924B2
A method of selectively directing a flow of blow-by gas (F) in a vehicle having an engine (14) and a turbocharger compressor (32) includes the steps of providing fluid communication for the flow of blow-by gas from the engine to a valve (12), actuating the valve with a valve actuator (38) to at least one of a closed system position and an open system position, and selectively directing the flow of blow-by gas from the valve to at least one of the turbocharger compressor and an atmosphere (28).
US08171915B2
Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.
US08171908B2
An engine start system which may be employed in automotive idle stop systems. The engine start system includes a pinion gear to be pushed to a ring gear coupled to an engine for achieving meshing engagement with the ring gear. After the pinion gear engages the ring gear, the engine start system starts to rotate the pinion gear using a starter motor to crank the engine. Specifically, when an engine restart request is made following an engine stop request, the engine start system waits until after the speed of the engine drops below a preselected gear engagable speed and then moves the pinion gear toward the ring gear without rotating the pinion gear. This minimizes the consumption of fuel in the vehicle in supplying electric power to the starter motor and a maximum level of mechanical noise arising from the engagement of the pinion gear with the ring gear.
US08171901B2
In an engine which comprises a first intake valve and a second intake valve for each cylinder, configured to be driven by a first intake cam and a second intake cam, respectively, and a cam phase change mechanism configured to vary the phase of the second intake cam, the cam phase change mechanism is controlled so that the opening timing of the second intake valve is advanced ahead of that of the first intake valve in a start mode.
US08171891B2
An animal support harness and method of supporting and restraining movement of an animal is provided. The apparatus includes a sling that can be routed around the abdomen of the animal, and a plurality of primary support straps extend and are joined at a handle. A leash strap is integrated with the handle, and extends to connect to the collar of the animal. The integral leash strap along with the primary support straps enables an owner to control not only an upward supporting force for the animal, but also provides an inherent restraint to prevent an animal from walking too quickly or lunging, which might otherwise harm the animal.
US08171881B2
A space-saving milking facility includes an entrance passage way (17a) provided for receiving milking animals on a voluntary basis, a waiting area (11), a milking area (13) housing automatic milking stations (31), a post-milking area (15), and an exit passage way (17b), through which milking animals may leave the milking facility. The automatic milking stations (31) are arranged side by side along a row, the waiting area (11) and the post-milking area (15) are elongated and parallel with the row of automatic milking stations (31), the entrance passage way (17a) is joined to the waiting area (11) at a short side thereof, and the exit passage way (17b) is joined to the post-milking area (15) at a short side thereof. The milking facility is particularly aimed for herds of milking animals at grazing.
US08171869B2
An automated water safety apparatus is disclosed including, a spray device, a sensor, a container, a processor capable of sending and receiving signals, and a liquid substance that becomes a buoyant solid when released from the spray device, wherein the water safety device is coupled to a water vessel. Additionally, a method is disclosed for creating buoyant solids in water in response to a water vessel beginning to sink, including determining whether the water vessel is sinking, sending a signal to the processor to indicate that the vessel is sinking, the processor instructing the container to release the liquid substance, and propelling the liquid substance into the water to form buoyant solids.
US08171860B1
A cooling system for a hydrogen hybrid locomotive including a set of electric traction motors and a hydrogen fuel cell system for providing electric power for driving the traction motors. The cooling system includes a radiator for extracting heat from cooling fluid circulated through the hydrogen fuel cell system and a circulation system. The circulation system has a pump for moving the cooling fluid through the circulation system, a first circulation path including a radiator output valve for controlling a selected amount of the cooling fluid provided by the pump to a cooling fluid inlet of the hydrogen fuel cell system through the radiator, and a second circulation path including a bypass valve for bypassing a selected amount of the cooling fluid provided by the pump around the radiator and to the cooling fluid inlet of the hydrogen fuel cell system. A fan system provides air flow across the radiator. A control system selectively sets a position of the radiator output valve and a position of the bypass valve such that the cooling fluid provided by the first and second circulation paths maintains a selected approximate temperature at the cooling inlet of the hydrogen fuel cell system and selectively controls a speed of the fan to control cooling of the hydrogen fuel cell system.
US08171857B2
An installation for carrying individuals down from a mountain station into a valley station has a running rail which is fastened on a supporting cable at a distance from the ground. The running rail contains a multiplicity of sub-rails connected to one another at joints and along which carriages can be displaced. In the region of the joints, the sub-rails are elevated in relation to their central region, and are preferably curved such that their curvature profile creates the elevation.
US08171855B2
A workhead assembly for use with a rail maintenance machine having a workhead assembly for use with a rail maintenance machine having a rail lifter and configured for movement relative to a railroad track having a pair of rails, the workhead assembly constructed and arranged for positioning a tie plate predisposed on a rail tie, including a workhead body connected to the machine; a centering apparatus on the body constructed and arranged for centering the workhead over the rail tie; a squaring apparatus on the body constructed and arranged for squaring the tie plate on the rail tie; and a pusher assembly on the body for positioning the tie plate under a selected one of the rails being lifted by the rail lifter, and including at least one plate engaging finger constructed and arranged for engaging the tie plate.
US08171847B2
A superstructure of a printing press includes a turning tower with at least one turner bar that is usable to deflect a web section from a transport direction by 90°. A second turner bar, that is shorter than the first turner bar, is also used to deflect a web section from the transport direction by 90° in the same direction as the first web section. These first and second turner bars are offset vertically in relation to one another in the same turning tower. The first turner bar is supported at both ends on at least one first lateral support and at least one second lateral support. The second turner bar is supported only on one end on the lateral support in a floating manner. The second support side of the second turner bar is provided with access from that support side into the interior of the turning tower.
US08171843B1
An automatic drip coffeemaker with an automatically measured water metering means is herein disclosed. The apparatus also comprises a small flexible plastic water line which connects to the water source system, an in-line replaceable water filter to ensure clean filtered water, and a control circuit with automatic water sensing level switches to allow the user to select the desired amounts of cups to be made. While the exact water levels can vary per model of invention, selectable levels of a minimum to a maximum of cups of coffee would be envisioned as readily available. In such a manner the user only has to place the correct amount of ground coffee inside of the invention, select the proper number of cups to be made, and the invention will do the rest.
US08171833B2
The present invention is a rail system cheese cutter comprised of an arched cutting surface, rail and cutting arm with a removable cutting wire and tension adjustment component which allows the user to adjust the tension of the wire. The rail has a milled portion where the cutting arm is to be attached to the rail. One end of the cutting arm has a rotational bearing with a slot and opening. The slot is slid around the milled portion of the rail until the rail rests in the opening of the rotational bearing. Once attached, the cutting arm can be pivoted around the rail and moved laterally along the rail allowing the user to uniformly cut or slice a food item without moving it.
US08171832B2
A blind cutting machine is used to cut a horizontal and a vertical blind. The blind cutting machine includes a table, a first cutting device, a first and a second supporting base. The first cutting device is disposed on the table, and a cutting blade die holder is disposed on a die plate. A first driving mechanism is connected to the cutting blade die holder, so as to drive the cutting blade die holder. A first and a second positioning region of the die plate respectively position elements of the horizontal and the vertical blinds. The cutting blade die holder has a first and a second cutting blade disposed corresponding to the first and the second positioning regions respectively, the first cutting blade has a first cutting edge and a second cutting edge, and the second cutting edge has a vertical cutting portion and has a chamfering portion.
US08171815B2
The invention relates to a lubricating pinion, particularly for a lubricating device, for the application of a lubricant pumped, for example, through a lubricant pipeline by a lubricating pump from a reservoir onto at least one gear wheel or the like. The lubricant pinion has an external tooth system onto which at least one lubricant outlet discharges. The lubricant pinion is constructed from at least two lubricant pinion parts which can be connected to one another along a preferably radial parting plane. At least one lubricant channel, which can be connected to the at least one lubricant outlet, extends in the parting plane.
US08171804B2
A motion conversion system is described. The motion conversion system comprises a first torsional member operative for rotating in a first direction. A second torsional member is offset a distance from the first torsional member, wherein the second torsional member is operative for rotating in a direction opposite from the first direction. And, a lateral member has a lower surface connected to the first and second torsional members. Wherein, translational movement of the lateral member results from rotational movement of the first and second torsional members.
US08171795B1
A method for detection of airborne biological agent using a piezoelectric cantilever sensor that includes a piezoelectric layer and a non-piezoelectric layer. A recognition entity is placed on one or both of the two layers. The antibody that recognizes and binds to the airborne species may be chemically immobilized on the cantilever sensor surface. In one embodiment, the cantilever sensor is attached to a base at only one end. In another embodiment, the sensor includes first and second bases and at least one of the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer is affixed to each of the first and second bases to form a piezoelectric cantilever beam sensor. In this embodiment, resonance is measured via stress on the piezoelectric layer and it has been demonstrated that such sensors are robust and exhibit excellent sensing characteristics in gaseous media with sufficient sensitivity to detect airborne species at relatively low concentrations.
US08171792B2
A detector device includes a drive circuit for outputting a drive pulse signal for displacing the variable block, a detection pulse signal applying unit by which the variable capacitance elements and the fixed capacitance element whose one end is connected in common are respectively applied, at their other ends, with detection pulse signals with a plurality of phases each having a predetermined phase difference at a timing synchronized with the drive pulse signal, and an inertia detection unit for detecting a difference in capacitance value between the variable capacitance elements to which the detection pulse signal having the phase difference is applied, or between the fixed capacitance element and the variable capacitance element, and detecting the applied inertial force based on the difference.
US08171780B2
An exhaust-gas sensor signal (vls_down) of an exhaust-gas sensor that is disposed in an exhaust gas train downstream of at least one first catalytic converter volume (V1) and upstream of at least one second catalytic converter volume (V2) is acquired. An estimated value of an intermediate emission for a position of the exhaust-gas sensor is determined in dependence upon the exhaust-gas sensor signal (vls_down). An estimated value of an emission downstream of the at least one second catalytic converter volume (V2) is determined in dependence upon the estimated value of the intermediate emission and in dependence upon at least one predefined correction characteristic (fac_cor_ufc) or at least one predefined correction characteristics map for correcting the estimated value of the intermediate emission with regard to an influence of the at least one second catalytic converter volume (V2) upon the emission of the at least one exhaust gas component.
US08171778B2
A Coulter-style, microfluidic sensor formed by stacking a plurality of substantially non-electrically conductive layers, typically formed from thin polymer films. Certain layers carry patterned electrodes that are arranged to permit their connection to an electrical interrogation circuit. Electrodes may be disposed in a 3-dimensional array in the sensor. A fluid path through the sensor includes an orifice sized to promote single-file travel of particles. The orifice may be defined by a tunnel passing through at least one layer. Particles entrained in an electrolytic carrier fluid may be detected, or otherwise characterized, by interrogation circuitry connected to the sensor. Certain sensors may include portions of a fluid path disposed parallel to the layers. In certain preferred embodiments, the sensor is carried by a cartridge, which is adapted to couple with an interrogation platform. Desirably, such coupling places the sensor in-circuit with operable interrogation electronics, as well as with a fluid-flow control device. Structure included in a cartridge may provide fluid sample loading, routing, and storage capabilities.
US08171772B2
An improved gas analyzer for analyzing the concentrations and amounts of one or more different gases in drilling mud returning from a borehole is disclosed. An oil well drilling rig re-circulates the drilling mud by continuously pumping it through a gas separation means. The gas separation means generally includes a fluid stop, a bubble jar and a dririte chamber in order to separate the gases from the drilling mud. A gas sample from these separated gases can be mixed with a carrier gas and are conveyed to gas analyzing means where the concentration of the different hydrocarbon components of the gases in the mud can be continuously measured.
US08171770B2
A calibration tool for an air data sensor of a vehicle comprises a target surface which is disposable on the vehicle. The calibration tool may further comprise a light pointer which is mountable on the air data sensor and which is operative to project a beam of light toward the target surface. The air data sensor may be configured as a flow direction sensor which may include at least one of an alpha vane for measuring angle of attack or a beta vane for measuring sideslip. The flow direction sensor may be mountable in spaced relation to the vehicle via a standoff. The flow direction sensor may include a hollow pivot arm having a laser pointer mounted therewithin for projecting a beam of laser light onto the target surface.
US08171769B2
A method of forming a flanged tubular member includes the steps of: positioning a tubular blank in a die; applying nominal pressure; closing the dies; and increasing pressure within the blank, thereby converting the tubular blank to a hydroformed member having the flange and a hem with a cavity therein. The die halves define: a die tubular cavity portion; a die hem cavity portion; and a die flange cavity portion. Upon closing the die halves with nominal pressure and then increasing pressure, (1) the blank is deformed within the die tubular cavity portion; (2) the flange is defined from a portion of the blank in the die flange cavity portion; and (3) at least an intermediate hem is defined in the die hem cavity portion.
US08171765B2
This invention is a manually operated tube bending machine with a power drive mechanism that is adjustably set to a desired bend speed. The bending machine includes a bending die, a counter die and a rotating hook die to form a desired bend into a tube or pipe. The tube bender includes a drive wheel with ratchet teeth around its perimeter. A drive pin grips one of the ratchet teeth. The drive pin is secured to a lever and torque bar. During each bending stroke, the lever and torque bar incrementally rotate the drive wheel a desired amount. The rotation of the drive wheel and hook die draw the tube through the bending and counter dies to bend the tube. An anti-spring back mechanism holds the position of the drive wheel while the power drive mechanism is advanced to grip the next ratchet tooth of the drive wheel.
US08171757B2
A dispensing system for a liquid or viscous treating agent for use with a washing machine with a suds container configured to receive wash liquid. The dispensing system includes a dispenser box in communication with a water feed line. The dispenser box is configured to dispense treating agents to the suds container by flushing the treating agents out from the dispenser box. A receiving compartment is disposed in the dispenser box and is configured to receive a cartridge for holding a supply of the liquid or viscous treating agent. A dosing device configured to dispense the treating agent from the cartridge to the suds container is included in the dispensing system. The dosing device includes a linear displacement pump disposed on the cartridge. The linear displacement pump is configured to dispense a substantially constant volume of the treating agent from the cartridge with each stroke. The substantially constant volume of treating agent is a fraction of a total volume of treating agent for dispensing.
US08171753B2
A method of scoring and/or separating a brittle material is described comprising heating a surface of the brittle material along a predetermined path with a laser, then quenching the heated surface with a stream of cooling liquid, such as water, formed by a nozzle. The portion of the cooling stream impinging on the surface of the brittle material is a substantially columnar flow.
US08171750B2
Disclosed is an air conditioner coated by the coating composition to the resin-made components where due formation occurs upon the cooling operation, provides the antifouling performance against various stains, restrains enlargement of droplet, and provides an excellent long-term durability (sticking property and peeling off property) all at the same time. The air conditioner of the present embodiment forms a coating film 103 to surfaces of resin-made components and resin-made components installed to a rear flow side of the heat exchanger, includes the silica ultrafine particles 101 and the fluororesin particles 102, and provides, within the coating film 103, a silica film 104 comprising the silica ultrafine particles and the fluororesin particles 102 partially exposed from a surface of the silica film 104 in dots, and an exposed area of the silica film 104 is greater than an exposed area of the fluororesin particles 102.
US08171745B2
A galley cooling system comprises a plurality of galley cooling units each to be associated with separate galleys. A sensor senses a condition within each of the galleys. A control determines whether a sensed condition is indicative of efficient operation of a particular galley cooling unit, and the control is operable to decrease cooling capacity delivered to a galley cooling unit which is experiencing inefficient operation. An aircraft galley system incorporating the above cooling unit, and a method of operating a galley cooling unit are also disclosed and claimed.
US08171744B2
A method of controlling temperature for forming ice within an icemaker compartment of a refrigerator is disclosed. The method includes the steps of activating at least one of the compressor and the coolant pump during an icemaking cycle to provide cooling to the icemaker compartment sufficient to make ice at a first rate, and increasing operation of at least one of the compressor and the coolant pump to provide cooling to the icemaker compartment sufficient to make ice at a second rate, which is faster than the first rate. A related refrigerator is also disclosed.
US08171743B2
A cooling apparatus for a liquid crystal display device includes a cooling chamber; a stage in the cooling chamber, a liquid crystal cell placed on the stage; a plurality of cooling coils generating a cooled air; first and second fans blowing the cooled air on opposing plane surfaces of the liquid crystal cell; and a chiller supplying a refrigerant to the plurality of cooling coils.
US08171738B2
A mounting system supporting and positioning an internal fuel manifold of a gas turbine engine includes at least a heat shield surrounding a fuel inlet of the fuel manifold, the heat shield bearing at least a portion of a load to support the fuel manifold.
US08171733B2
A system comprises a first heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) operative to receive steam from a source of steam and output water to the source of steam, a second HRSG operative to receive steam from the source of steam and output water to the source of steam, a first water flow control valve operative to regulate a flow of the water output from the first HRSG to the source of steam, and a second water flow control valve operative to regulate a flow of the water output from the second HRSG to the source of steam.
US08171731B2
An air management assembly (10) for use in an engine (12) with an exhaust manifold (14) that outputs an exhaust gas and an intake manifold (16), with a filter (18) in fluid communication between the exhaust manifold (14) and turbocharger (20). The air management assembly (10) provides a compressor (22), a turbine (24), at least one gaseous fluid cooler (32, 36, 44), at least one bypass (28, 28)′ and a housing (30) where the compressor (22), turbine (24), at least one gaseous fluid cooler (32), (36, 44), bypass (28, 28′), or combination thereof are integrated into the housing (30). The compressor (22) is in fluid communication with the intake manifold (16). The turbine (24) is in fluid communication with the exhaust manifold (14). The turbine (24) and the compressor (22) are moveably coupled and move in conjunction with one another. The gaseous fluid coolers (32, 36, 44) are in fluid communication with the compressor (32), turbine (24), or combination thereof. The bypass (28′) is in fluid communication with an output of the turbine (24) and an input of the compressor (22) for selective bypassing of the gaseous fluid cooler (44).
US08171729B2
A mechanical output generating assembly including housing having a fluid filled interior and defining a passageway through which travels a buoyant article. A reload mechanism is secured to the housing for successively introducing a plurality of buoyant article into a bottom feed location associated with the housing. The buoyant articles exert a lift generating force to drive a power take off component incorporated into the housing. A re-supply mechanism is provided for transferring buoyant articles from an upper exit location of the housing to the reload mechanism for subsequent re-introduction into the housing.
US08171724B2
A method is provided for controlling regeneration of an SCR catalyst. The method includes coordinating the regeneration duration and temperature (e.g., longer/shorter regenerations and/or lower/higher temperatures) to the urea deposit loading. In this way, improved regeneration may be achieved due to the particular nature of urea deposits on SCR catalysts.
US08171720B2
A method for indicating a non-urea reductant fault in a powertrain including an internal combustion engine and an aftertreatment system having an aftertreatment device utilizing a catalyst to convert NOx includes monitoring a NOx content exiting the aftertreatment system subsequent to a powertrain start-up event through a test span, monitoring a measure of NOx content entering the aftertreatment system subsequent to a powertrain start-up event through the test span, and determining a measure of NOx conversion accomplished in the aftertreatment device based upon the NOx content exiting the aftertreatment system and the measure of NOx content entering the aftertreatment system. The method includes, through the test span, comparing the measure of NOx conversion determined at a start of the test span to the measure of NOx conversion at a later time within the test span. A non-urea reductant fault is indicated based upon the comparing identifying a reduction in NOx conversion accomplished in the aftertreatment device between the start of the test span and the later time within the test span.
US08171719B2
An igniter assembly (10) of a gas turbine (12) is presented, including an igniter (14) disposed within an igniter housing (16). The igniter is extendable from the igniter housing through an opening (18) in a combustion liner (19) to an extended position, and is retractable from the extended position back through the opening to a retracted position (22). The igniter assembly further includes a compressible assembly (24) disposed between a base (26) of the igniter housing and the combustion liner to form a sealed interface (15) with a perimeter (28) of the opening (18). The compressible assembly is configured to restrict an air flow from passing between the igniter housing base and the perimeter of the opening. The compressible assembly is variable in length to accommodate a respective variation in a separation between the igniter housing base (26) and the opening (18).
US08171716B2
A gas turbine system including a source of gas coupled to a source of fuel wherein the gas and the fuel are combined to form a mixture of gas and fuel prior to the mixture being introduced to a fuel nozzle of the gas turbine system.
US08171713B2
A rope comprising a plurality of yarns, where at least one of the plurality of yarns is a blended yarn comprising a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of second fibers. Abrasion resistance properties of the blended yarn are greater than abrasion resistance properties of the first fibers. A coefficient of friction of the first fibers is less than a coefficient of friction of the second fibers. The second fibers substantially define abrasion resistance and coefficient of friction characteristics of the at least one blended yarn. When the rope contacts a structural member, the first set of fibers of the at least one blended yarn substantially bear tension loads on the at least one blended yarn and at least a portion of the second fibers of the at least one blended yarn substantially lie between the set of first fibers and the structural member.
US08171706B2
A wrapping machine has a body, a heater, a lifting platform and a controller. The body has a base, a top board, an upper cover, an exhaust box and a vacuum pump. The top board is detachably mounted on the top of the base. The upper cover is pivotally connected to the base. The heater is mounted in the body and has at least one heating pipe and a blower. The at least one heating pipe is mounted in the upper cover. The blower is mounted on the upper cover. The lifting platform is connected to the body and has a lifting arm and a lifting board. The lifting arm is mounted on and extends upward from the exhaust box. The lifting board is mounted on the lifting arm. The controller is mounted on the body.
US08171692B2
Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system having small local protrusions which reduce displacement along the joint when the panels are laying flat on the sub floor and locked vertically and horizontally.
US08171689B2
A roofing system formed of a plurality of support members secured to a load bearing roof deck. A plurality of roofing panels are positioned on the support members and are oriented to form overlapping joints between the panels. Sealant is positioned within the overlapping joints of the panels. A compression bar is positioned over the overlapping joints and is secured to the overlapping joints and support member by a fastener arrangement.
US08171686B1
The present invention provides for a starter course for an exterior insulation panel application. The starter course has an outer surface, an inner surface, a lower edge, an upper edge and side edges. The outer surface is generally planar. The inner surface is provided with raised structures to provide drainage channels there between, the raised structures being provided over at least the upper half of the inner surface of the starter course. The raised structures extend across the starter course from one side edge to the other and from the upper edge to at least half way to the lower edge. The portion of the inner surface from the lower edge upwardly to about half way to the upper edge is free of the raised structures.
US08171683B2
A log is provided that has a pair of oppositely directed faces, one of the faces having a pair of tongues separated by a channel and the other face having a pair of grooves separated by a ridge. The tongues, grooves, ridge and channel respectively are dimensioned so as to inter-engage when logs are placed one on top of another. The base of the channel is spaced from the end face of the ridge to accommodate a pair of seals that are maintained laterally spaced apart in the channel so as to define an air space therebetween. A thermal break is thus provided between the seals in the channel to inhibit conduction of heat through the seal.
US08171680B2
A power generating system is manufactured, integrated and operated within an exterior shell or façade of a building structure. The system components—energy generating devices (which can be photovoltaic), control units and associated power/signal wiring are incorporated and operated within individual unitized curtain wall units making up the façade including both in vision and spandrel areas.
US08171677B2
An insert (1) for a weep hole opening in a masonry wall is disclosed. The insert (1) includes a hollow body (2) defining an air flow conduit (3) and including a first open end (4) and a second open end (5). A stainless steel mesh screen (6) extends across the conduit (3) near the first open end (4) and is adapted to prevent fire brands and sparks from passing through the body (2). A locating member, in the form of a grate (7), is hingedly connected to the body (2) adjacent the first open end (4). The screen (6) is located in a recess (8) in the rear of the grate (7) and friction between the screen (6) and the grate (7) retains the screen (6) in the recess (8). The grate (7) is formed from a material that substantially retains its spatial integrity when exposed to the heat flux profile generated by a typical forest fire, such that the grate (7) continues thereafter to locate the screen (6). The grate (7) also has a plurality of ventilation apertures (9) to allow air to pass through the air flow conduit (3). A mortar guard (10) releasably snap-lockingly engages the grate (7) to cover the ventilation apertures (9) to prevent mortar clogging the apertures (9) during rendering.
US08171673B2
A motorized door opener for a vehicle (such as a military or security vehicle), featuring a sensor system that determines door position to prevent door damage while the opener is in operation. The opener features an offset gear system that effectively changes the door's rotation point. Mechanical advantage is gained by using a lengthened lever arm with the gear system, providing increased leverage and allowing the motor to provide enough force to open and close a heavily armored door. The opener can use existing door hinges, and can be provided so as not to protrude into the door space, in order to facilitate passenger and equipment entry/exit through the doors. A safety release mechanism is included in some embodiments, allowing the door to be manually opened or closed.
US08171672B2
A removable teeter lever and gear assembly arrangement (100) for use with a pneumatic cylinder/differential engine for operating vehicle doors. The arrangement comprises a teeter lever (16), which is associated with the vehicle doors, a gear assembly (17) having a toothed portion and an output shaft (20) extending therethrough, and at least one securing member for removably securing and/or retaining the teeter lever (16) and the gear (17) on the output shaft (20). The securing member comprises at least one retention key (18a, 19a) which allows the arrangement to be easily disassembled for maintenance and/or replacement thereof.
US08171668B2
A spectrally selective grow tube or tree shelter that improves the establishment of woody plant forms by reduction and/or elimination of certain biotic and abiotic stress factors. The grow tube may provide an enhanced micro climate that is humid and rich in CO2 and promotes photosynthesis by selectively propagating photosynthetically active radiation. In addition to providing a physical barrier to wind and herbivores, certain embodiments of the grow tube can also provide protection from chemical sprays while permitting ventilation of the grow tube. Various embodiments of the spectrally selective grow tube may comprise separate interior and exterior members for enhancement of the interior and exterior surface functions and that may be co-extruded. The interior member may be dyed or pigmented to selectively transmit wavelengths of the visible spectrum known to promote photosynthesis, such as red light and/or blue light. The exterior member may include a semi-reflective coating such as TiO2 or ZnS that reflects at least a portion of the visible light spectrum while enabling transmission of infrared wavelengths therethrough for radiative cooling.
US08171664B2
A display stand for a laptop computer has an L-shaped spine supporting the computer. A T-shaped upper advertising substrate holder can be slid into the vertical leg of the spine in one of multiple orientations, i.e., with the cross-bar of the T horizontal to the ground or vertical to the ground on either the left side or right side of the computer, as point of sale (POS) physical constraints demand. In all orientations of the upper holder, an upper advertising substrate is supported by the upper holder in a vertical orientation. A T-shaped lower advertising substrate holder can be slid into the horizontal leg of the spine to support a lower advertising substrate in a horizontal orientation.
US08171663B1
A marketing sign is constructed of a sheet material. The sheet material includes a free portion, a base portion and a connecting portion that couples the base portion to the free portion. The base portion is configured to engage with a product display structure, which has a price holder. The connecting portion is defined between a first connecting bend line spaced apart from a second connecting bend line by a distance. The distance substantially corresponds with an edge thickness of the price holder.
US08171660B2
A decal plate assembly for a motocross motorcycle includes an underlying base plate such as a number plate that is mounted to the vehicle. A decal having printed indicia thereon is attached to the base plate via adhesive or being integrally molded into the base plate. Additionally, the transparent cover plate at least partially covers a portion of the decal and the underlying base plate to prevent wear of the decal. This is particular applicable to high wear regions such as in the boot area of the motocross motorcycle where decals are typically subject to high wear.
US08171658B2
A snowshoe of molded plastic material has a tail section with greater flexibility than the main body section, thereby allowing the tail to give and deform as the snowshoe tail is engaged against the terrain during the gait of the user. At the same time, the tail is stiff enough to provide flotation needed when the full weight of the user is on one snowshoe fully engaged against terrain, such as soft snow.
US08171650B2
Exemplary embodiments include a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine including a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing position signals, a measurement device attached to the first end of the articulated arm coordinate measuring machine, an electronic circuit for receiving the position signals from the transducers and for providing data corresponding to a position of the measurement device, a base coupled to the second end, an upper mount portion disposed on the base, a lower mount portion fixed to a mounting structure and configured to repeatably connect to the upper mount portion and an electronic identification system configured to send identifier information identifying the lower mount portion to the electronic circuit.
US08171645B2
A folding knife incorporates an opening assist mechanism that functions to drive the blade from the closed to the open position. A pair of torsion springs held axially on the blade axis pin and within a pair of bushings are stationary relative to the knife handle. One leg of each spring is fixed to a bushing. The opposite leg of the spring rides in a pocket formed in the surface on the blade axially around the opening through which the blade axis pin is inserted. As the blade rotates from the closed position toward the open position, the legs of the springs rotate through and cooperate with structures formed on the bushings to transfer the spring pressure instantly to the blade to drive the blade open.
US08171641B2
A method is provided for assembling a vehicle frame from hydro-formed tubular metal components. Each hydro-formed component has a surface feature that is complementary to a surface feature on an adjacent component. The complementary surface features allow the hydro-formed components to be interlocked together. The components are permanently joined by a plurality of welds. A front hoop, a rear hoop and right and left side hoops may be assembled and joined together to form the passenger compartment portion of the vehicle frame.
US08171637B2
Disclosed herein is a new improved large planetary gear system used on the input stage of wind turbine power generators. This improved planetary gear system reduces or eliminates lubricant debris traditionally generated from the gear teeth, thereby eliminating an initiating source for bearing failure. To achieve these results, some and preferably all of the gear teeth within the planetary gear system are superfinished using chemically accelerated vibratory finishing to a surface roughness of approximately 0.25 micron or less. Several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide a gearbox with reduced metal debris, improved bearing life, reduced wear, reduced vibro-frictional noise, improved contact fatigue, improved fretting resistance, improved lubrication, to simplify the run-in process, and to enhance the durability and efficiency of the gearbox.
US08171635B2
A method of manufacturing a liquid ejecting head is disclosed. The head includes first and second supply members forming parts of a liquid supply passage. The liquid ejecting head includes a filter disposed between the first and second supply members so as to cross the liquid supply passage, and an integrally molded member fixing the first and second supply members by a resin in a state where the filter is nipped between the first and second supply members. The method includes: disposing the filter in one of the first and second supply members; nipping the filter by the first and second supply members in a state where the filter is sucked, adsorbed, and positioned via a suction hole of the first or second supply member; and forming the integrally molded member in the state where the filter is nipped between the first and second supply members.
US08171630B2
A method of producing a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure includes mounting at least one interposer on a first surface of an electrically insulating carrier plane. The interposer selectively having a hemi-toroidal, conical, dome-shaped conic section, generally cylindrical or hemi-spherical configuration in transverse cross-section and being constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. The method includes positioning a plurality of electrically-conductive elements about the surface of the hemi-toroidal interposer that extend radially inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof. The method further includes mounting said at least one component comprising at least one hemi-toroidal interposer mounted on said opposite side of said carrier plane. Additionally the method includes forming at least one through-extending via in said electrically-insulating carrier plane, and forming electrical connections between said first-mentioned at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and said further at least one inverted hemi-toroidal interposer.
US08171623B2
A methodology for connecting device components with circuitry located at different levels and orientations relative to one another is described. First circuitry can be located on a multi-plane rigid circuit board where the multi-plane rigid circuit board can include at least one flexible member sharing a common substrate with the multi-plane rigid circuit board that extends from a body portion of the multi-plane rigid circuit board. The flexible member can include traces used to convey power and/or data and an interface coupled to the power and/or data traces. The flexible member can be deflected or twisted to connect first circuitry on the body portion of the multi-plane rigid circuit board to second circuitry associated with another device component.
US08171621B2
In one embodiment, a method of fabrication of a stimulation lead comprising a plurality of segmented electrodes for stimulation of tissue of a patient, the method comprises: providing an elongated, substantially cylindrical substrate, the substrate comprising a plurality of recesses defined in an outer surface of the substrate; coating the substrate with conductive material; patterning conductive material on the substrate to form a plurality of electrode surfaces for at least the plurality of segmented electrodes and a plurality of traces connected to the plurality of electrode surfaces, wherein each electrode surface and its corresponding trace are defined in the recesses on the outer surface of the substrate and are electrically isolated from other electrode surfaces and traces; providing insulative material over at least the plurality of traces; and electrically coupling the plurality of traces to conductive wires of a lead body.
US08171614B2
An assembly system for use in assembling a lattice tower section is provided. The system comprises a platform, a first mounting assembly coupled to the platform, and, a second mounting assembly coupled to the platform, the first and second mounting assemblies are configured to secure opposite ends of a plurality of leg members used in assembling the lattice tower section such that each of the plurality of leg members is suspended a distance from the platform, at least one of the first and second mounting assemblies is configured to selectively rotate a leg member of the plurality of leg members suspended therefrom.
US08171607B2
In a method of manufacturing ceramic capacitor according to the present invention, a pair of interdigitated internal electrodes are arranged perpendicularly to the surface of the substrate, subsequent to which the respective end faces of this pair of internal electrodes are exposed, and a pair of external electrodes are formed at these exposed end faces. In this method of manufacturing ceramic capacitor, formation of the external electrodes on the end faces of the respective internal electrodes, with these internal electrodes being interdigitately integrally-formed and the end faces thereof being exposed, it possible to reliably and easily form the external electrodes.
US08171606B2
A THIXOMOLDING™ process and a die are utilized to fabricate a hinge assembly for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position. The hinge assembly includes a rail bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle and including inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.
US08171601B1
A system and method for cleaning fiber utilizes interchangeable panels having different screen grid sizes. The panels are selectively installed on a fiber cage frame pivotally coupled to a tumbler frame for rotation of the fiber cage frame. A user selects a set of panels having a grid size suitable for a fiber to be tumbled. The selected panels are installed on the fiber cage frame and the fiber is inserted into a space within the fiber cage frame through an opening in the fiber cage frame made available by a not-yet-installed panel. The fiber cage frame is rotated after installing the final panel. The resultant tumbling thereby causes particles to fall from the tumbler cage frame. At least one installed panel is removed from the fiber cage frame, and the fiber is removed from the fiber cage frame through the resultant opening in the fiber cage frame.
US08171586B2
A storage system stores and easily locates common items, such as reading glasses, remote controls, cell phones, magazines, books, and the like, while a person is in a room or in bed. In an emergency, a person may be able to easily locate these items. The storage system may replace a cluttered nightstand and may provide immediate location of necessary items. The storage system may include a pillow that may span a length of a bed, along the head end of a mattress. The pillow may prevent people, such as children or infants, and items from falling between the head of the mattress and either the wall or headboard. The pillow may also provide an elevated surface to prop up a user's pillow for reading or watching television.
US08171583B1
A mattress apparatus that combines the functionality of a hospital bed with that of a bedpan is herein disclosed. A bedpan assembly is provided to temporarily replace a slidable mattress section in the middle of the mattress area. In use, a person confined to a bed can use the bedpan without exiting the bed, thereby avoiding undue physical stress. The bedpan is inserted under a buttock area for normal use using an integrated track system, and slid out being coincidentally replaced by the slidable mattress section, to return the bed to its original condition. The bedpan can be removed, emptied, and cleaned by the care-giver without disturbing the patient.
US08176565B2
An information processing apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus includes a cryptographic processor configured to generate encrypted data associated with a content management unit by executing encryption using a unit key associated with the content management unit, the content management unit being defined as a unit for controlling usage of content; a management-information controller configured to generate or update a unit key file storing the unit key and a usage-control-information file associated with the content management unit as management information associated with the encrypted data generated by the cryptographic processor; and a recorder configured to record the encrypted data, the unit key file, and the usage-control-information file on an information recording medium according to a predetermined data recording format.
US08176563B2
The method, program and system secures sensitive data/objects found in a data source document with an editor. The simple editor identifies and displays, in situ, the sensitive words/objects per each security level. Level tags are inserted and adjunctive words/objects are marked/displayed per the level's protocol. The precursor document is processed to extract sensitive and adjunctive words/objects. The stripped data is either separately stored or partial versions of the secured document are stored per protocol. A comprehensive editor secures content data and meta data contained in a data document object model (DOM). The editor maps the source document root, branch and leaf components as binary files populated with content data and meta data. Security introns, earlier identified based upon the level's informational attributes, are excluded. Security exons are copied from the source content and meta data binary files into a security safe document (template). Filtration, extraction, dispersal and storage follow.
US08176561B1
A method and appertaining system for implementing the method are provided that utilize predefined Best Practice Templates that are rules/criteria for assessing the security of a particular network and devices on the network. A value is determined for each object and connection within a network as to whether it passes or fails one of the Best Practice criteria, and a pass ratio is determined for a particular Best Practice. Numerous Best Practice tests may be run, and an overall total value based on the collective sum of the Best Practice measurements is determined. This value can be utilized to provide a user with information that relates to the overall security of a network and can be used in compliance determinations and network architecture design.
US08176549B2
A chip mountable on a customer replaceable unit monitory (CRUM) unit used in an image forming job includes a central processing unit (CPU) to perform cryptographic data communication with a main body of an image forming apparatus, using an operating system (OS) of the CPU. The security of a unit on which the chip is mounted can thereby be reinforced and random changes of data of the unit can be prevented.
US08176547B2
A system requires a user to enter a geometric pattern on an interface device to gain access to the system. After the correct geometric pattern is entered, a timer times a duration before an authenticating password is subsequently entered by the user. If the duration exceeds a predetermined length of time, access to a set of one or more files is at least temporarily prevented. If the user enters the authenticating password before the duration exceeds the predetermined length of time, access to the set of one or more files is granted.
US08176544B2
A system and method for providing distributed security of a network. Several device profilers are placed at different locations of a network to assess vulnerabilities from different perspectives. The device profiler identifies the hosts on the network, and characteristics such as operating system and applications running on the hosts. The device profiler traverses a vulnerability tree having nodes representative of characteristics of the hosts, each node having an associated set of potential vulnerabilities. Verification rules can verify the potential vulnerabilities. A centralized correlation server, at a centrally accessible location in the network, stores the determined vulnerabilities of the network and associates the determined vulnerabilities with attack signatures. Traffic monitors access the attack signatures and monitor network traffic for attacks against the determined vulnerabilities.
US08176530B2
Systems and methods that prevent unauthorized access in a communications network are provided. In one embodiment, a system that prevents unauthorized access to a network device may include, for example, a network device and a headend. The headend may be coupled to a communications network. The network device may be deployed in a home environment and may be communicatively coupled to the communications network via the headend. The headend may be adapted, for example, to determine whether a request to access the network device is authorized.
