US08173984B2
An EUV light source apparatus can reliably detect and accurately judge deterioration of an optical element in a laser beam focusing optics disposed within an EUV light generation chamber. This EUV light source apparatus includes: the EUV light generation chamber; a target material supply unit; an EUV light collector mirror; a driver laser; a window; a parabolic mirror which focuses collimated laser beam by reflection and is disposed within the EUV light generation chamber; an energy detector detecting energy of the laser beam diffused without being applied to a target material after being focused by the laser beam focusing optics when the EUV light is not generated; and a processing unit for judging the deterioration of the window and the parabolic mirror according to the laser beam energy detected by the energy detector.
US08173975B2
A method for removing contaminant particles, such as atoms, molecules, clusters, ions, and the like, produced by a radiation source during generation of short-wave radiation having a wavelength of up to approximately 20 nm, includes guiding a first gas between the radiation source and a particle trap arranged in a wall of a chamber. In order to protect an optical device and/or articles to be irradiated against contamination, the method introducing a second gas into the chamber and its pressure is adjusted such that it is at least as high as the pressure of the first gas.
US08173971B2
There is provided a mini environment type transfer unit which can efficiently transfer a sample to a critical dimension scanning electron microscope (CD-SEM) even in the case of use of a SMIF pod which can store only one photomask. In addition to a load port, a stocker which can store a plurality of photomasks is provided in the mini environment type transfer unit. A mask storage slot in which a plurality of storage units are stacked is provided in the stocker, and one photomask is stored in each storage unit. A sensor is provided in each storage unit to determine whether or not the photomask is normally stored. Additionally, a sensor is provided in each storage unit to detect whether or not the photomask exists.
US08173960B2
Systems and methods that provide up to complete transmission of ions between coupled stages with low effective ion losses. An “interfaceless” electrospray ionization system is further described that operates an electrospray at a reduced pressure such that standard electrospray sample solutions can be directly sprayed into an electrodynamic ion funnel which provides ion focusing and transmission of ions into a mass analyzer. Furthermore, chambers maintained at different pressures can allow for more optimal operating conditions for an electrospray emitter and an ion guide.
US08173959B1
A trace detection system includes at least two stages coupled to operate in series. An ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) stage has a sampling inlet to receive a sample to be analyzed. An ion source ionizes the sample. The IMS applies an electrical field to the ionized sample to move the ionized sample toward an IMS outlet. A differential mobility spectrometer (DMS) stage coupled in series with the IMS stage receives the ionized sample from the IMS stage. Preferably, the system includes a mass spectrometer (MS) stage coupled in series with the DMS stage to receive the ionized sample from the DMS stage via a vacuum interface. A roughing vacuum pump evacuates a first stage of the MS stage to a first pressure below atmospheric pressure. A high vacuum pump evacuates a second stage of the MS stage to a second pressure below the first pressure.
US08173954B2
A detector includes a sonde having a housing and comprising a scintillator disposed within the housing and a calibration source coupled to the scintillator to fluoresce the scintillator at a known wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. The detector further includes an electromagnetic radiation sensing device coupled to the scintillator and disposed within the housing and a first programmable/re-programmable processing module (PRPM) coupled to the electromagnetic radiation sensing device and disposed within the housing. The PRPM is programmed to process signals from the electromagnetic sensing device based on a user-defined analysis mode selected from the group of modes consisting of filtering, windowing, discriminating, and counting.
US08173948B2
An optical coupling apparatus for a dual column charged particle beam tool allowing both optical imaging of an area of an integrated circuit, as well as localized heating of the integrated circuit to form silicide. In one embodiment, optical paths from a whitelight source and a laser source are coupled together by way of first and second beam splitters so that a single optical port of the dual column tool may be utilized for both imaging and heating. In another embodiment, a single laser source is employed to provide both illumination for standard microscopy-type imaging, as well as localized heating. In a third embodiment, a single laser source provides heating along with localized illumination for confocal scanning microscopy-type imaging.
US08173944B2
In a cooking device for cooking an object to be heated, a first operation section is provided to a lower portion of a door, and a second operation section is provided to an upper portion on a front face of a cooking device body so as to be exposed in spite of the door being opened or closed. Numeric keys for accepting a selection from a plurality of recipes stored in advance and start keys for accepting a start of heating are provided to the first and second operation sections redundantly. Therefore, in a case of when the door closes, the first and second operation sections can be used in parallel, allowing arrangement of many keys to have good operability.
US08173941B2
In an apparatus for microwave-assisted preparation of specimens with a microwave generator (1), a microwave chamber for receiving specimens (5) to be processed, and a container arrangement (11) for a number of containers (9) for liquids, the microwave chamber is realized as a waveguide (2) that includes a first opening (7a) for introduction of a specimen (5) and a second opening (8a), preferably arranged at the bottom, through which a liquid container (9) is reversibly introduced into the microwave chamber while the specimen (5) is held stationary, until the liquid container thus introduced into the microwave chamber, and the liquid contained therein, surround the specimen (5).
US08173934B2
Disclosed is a dry cleaning apparatus and method for removing contaminants on a surface of a workpiece. The disclosed dry cleaning apparatus comprises a laser cleaning unit having a laser beam generator for generating a laser induced shock wave in the atmosphere, the laser cleaning unit being suitable for removing an inorganic contaminant on the surface of the workpiece using the generated laser induced shock wave; and a flash cleaning unit having a flash generator for generating a flash having pulse wave, the flash cleaning unit being suitable for removing an organic contaminant on the surface of the workpiece using the generated flash.
US08173933B2
In a method of forming a hole on a work piece, a laser beam is directed from a laser head to a predetermined portion of the work piece to form a pilot hole having a first surface condition, and then the predetermined portion of the work piece is punched using a die and a punch having a cross-section greater than a cross-section of the pilot hole. Thus, a finished hole having a cross-section greater than the cross-section of the pilot hole is formed over the pilot hole. The finished hole has a second surface condition, and the second surface condition is formed by transforming the first surface condition by the punch to have a precise dimension.
US08173931B2
To better address these problems, one or more characteristics are measured from a work piece (28). The measurement information is used to select a preferred predetermined laser processing recipe from a lookup table. The laser processing recipe is then used to process the work piece (28). The lookup table of laser processing recipes can be established from theoretical calculations, from trial an error by an operator, from an automated systematic recipe variation process with post process testing, or from some combination of these or other methods. An automated process can also reduce operator errors and may store measurement values for convenient tracking of work piece characteristics.
US08173921B2
A switch module includes a substrate (4), a plurality of switches (6) provided on an upper surface of the substrate (4), first and second light-guiding sheets (8, 10) disposed to be stacked above the plurality of switches (6), at least one first light source (12) disposed on the upper surface of the substrate (4) to illuminate the first light-guiding sheet (8), at least one second light source (14) disposed on the upper surface of the substrate (4) to illuminate the second light-guiding sheet (10), and a switching-control device (15) configured to switch between lighting of the first light source (12) and lighting of the second light source (14). First and second displays (22, 24) are respectively provided on a surface of each of the first and second light-guiding sheets (8, 10). When the first light source (12) is lighted, the first display is displayed, and when the second light source (14) is lighted, the second display (24) is displayed. By switching between lighting of the first light source (12) and lighting of the second light source (14), either the first display (22) or the second display (24) can be selectively displayed.
US08173911B2
The present invention relates to a device package, such as an electronic system package, that is suitable for use in harsh military or commercial environments. The package components, including a base enclosure and mating cover, comprise a series of interconnected electrically conductive materials, forming a tortuous electrically conductive path, that advantageously shield electromagnetic interference (“EMI”). The electrically conductive, EMI-shielding layers and other coated layers (e.g., insulative electrocoated paint layers) are smooth layers that provide corrosion resistance to the interior and exterior surfaces of the package. The package is also designed such that its components form a water tight seal. Thus, innovatively, the package comprises a combination of components that synergistically shield electromagnetic interference, resist interior and exterior corrosion, and form a water tight seal. The package is configured to pass military specification EMI and salt fog standard testing.
US08173910B2
A printed circuit board (PCB) ball grid array (BGA) system is provided. In one embodiment, the PCB BGA system includes a PCB, a PCB BGA pad formed on the PCB, a plated through-hole via disposed at least partially through the PCB proximate the PCB BGA pad, and a soldermask disposed over the PCB. The soldermask includes: (i) a BGA pad opening through which the PCB BGA pad is exposed, and (ii) a via opening through which a central portion of the plated through-hole via is exposed. The via opening has an inner diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the plated through-hole via.
US08173908B2
A method of fabricating a device structure, comprises: forming an insulating layer (3b) over a first set of devices disposed over a substrate (3); forming one or more vias in the insulating layer; disposing a second set of devices (6) over the insulating layer, wherein devices of the second set comprise respective electrical contacts (6a) and are disposed over the insulating layer (3b) such that a side on which a contact (6a) can be accessed faces the substrate (3); and forming one or more electrical contacts between the first set of devices and the second set of devices (6) through the via(s). The second set of devices and at least one via are positioned such that one or more of the vias lies at least partially within the footprint of two devices, each belonging to a different device layer.
US08173902B2
A system for mounting conductors, such as electrical wires, optical fiber cables, conduits and the like, to the floor beams of an aircraft cabin floor, having: an elongate raceway a longitudinal routing rails spanning between adjacent pairs of floor beams, each routing rail having an interior channel for housing conductors; conductor cradle blocks disposed in the interior channel, each cradle block including a mounting cushion adapted to engage a bottom portion of said conductors; and rail support brackets, each rail support bracket removably clamped on at least one of: the top flange; the bottom flange; and the web of a beam and removably mounted to the rail ends.
US08173891B2
Modeling a monolithic, multi-bandgap, tandem, solar photovoltaic converter or thermophotovoltaic converter by constraining the bandgap value for the bottom subcell to no less than a particular value produces an optimum combination of subcell bandgaps that provide theoretical energy conversion efficiencies nearly as good as unconstrained maximum theoretical conversion efficiency models, but which are more conducive to actual fabrication to achieve such conversion efficiencies than unconstrained model optimum bandgap combinations. Achieving such constrained or unconstrained optimum bandgap combinations includes growth of a graded layer transition from larger lattice constant on the parent substrate to a smaller lattice constant to accommodate higher bandgap upper subcells and at least one graded layer that transitions back to a larger lattice constant to accommodate lower bandgap lower subcells and to counter-strain the epistructure to mitigate epistructure bowing.
US08173884B2
An embodiment of a device for generating a note signal upon a manual input includes an operator to enable a user of the same as an input to define one or several points as an input signal, and a controller which is implemented to receive the input signal and to generate a note signal based on the input signal and an allocation function. The allocation function allocates one single or no tone to each point of a two-dimensional definition amount with a tone quality axis and a frequency axis. The definition amount has a plurality of base points. Here, exactly one tone is allocated to each of the base points.
US08173883B2
A personal music mixing system with an embodiment providing beats and vocals configured using a web browser and musical compositions generated from said beats and vocals. Said embodiment provides a plurality of beats and vocals that a user may suitably mix to create a new musical composition and make such composition available for future playback by the user or by others. In some embodiments, the user advantageously may hear a sample musical composition having beats and vocals with particular user-configured parameter settings and may adjust said settings until the user deems the musical composition complete.
US08173882B2
A stringed instrument defines a hollow volume and includes at least one string. A tremolo assembly of the stringed instrument is adapted to vary tension in the string and comprises a tone block disposed within the hollow volume and operatively connected to the string. An arm extends from the tone block and is disposed within the volume of space. A handle extends from the arm and is spaced from the tone block and adapted to be displaced relative to the arm to operatively cause the tone block to correspondingly vary the tension in the string. A bridge plate is attached to the stringed instrument, connected to the string and tone block, and operatively connected to the arm. A connection mechanism operatively connects the bridge plate to the arm and is adapted to pull the bridge plate away from and toward the stringed instrument to correspondingly vary the tension upon the displacement.
US08173881B1
A stringed musical instrument has a sound chamber and a neck attached to the sound chamber. A fingerboard is attached along the neck. The musical instrument has an electronic device such as a chromatic tuner or a preamplifier, which is either mounted inside or on the exterior of the musical instrument. The fingerboard has a plurality of position markers which are flush with an edge face of the fingerboard. One or more of the position markers illuminates to display output from the electronic device. The position marker may either be the top of a light emitting diode attached to the electronic device, or the position marker may be the terminating end of a length of fiber optic cable, where the opposite end of the fiber optic cable abuts a light emitting diode mounted within the housing of the electronic device.
US08173877B2
A novel garden bean cultivar, designated H28122, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of garden bean cultivar H28122, to the plants of garden bean line H28122 and to methods for producing a bean plant by crossing the cultivar H28122 with itself or another bean line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a bean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other garden bean lines derived from the cultivar H28122.
US08173863B2
Sucrose biosensors are disclosed, which comprise a sucrose binding domain conjugated to donor and fluorescent moieties that permit detection and measurement of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer upon sucrose binding. Such biosensors are useful for real time monitoring of sucrose metabolism in living cells.
US08173856B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for reducing corrosion during removal of one or more sulfur-containing hydrocarbons from a gas. Generally, the process includes producing an effluent including a caustic, one or more hydrocarbons, one or more sulfur compounds, and a gas from an oxidation vessel; sending the effluent to a stack of a disulfide separator; passing the gas, including oxygen and one or more sulfur compounds, through the stack; and passing a stream including one or more hydrocarbons to the stack at a temperature of less than about 38° C. for absorbing the one or more sulfur compounds. Typically, the stack includes one or more walls surrounding a void and adapted to receive a fluid including one or more phases, a packed bed positioned within the void, and a distributor including one or more risers and one or more compartments coupled to a substantially horizontal member forming a plurality of apertures there-through.
US08173835B2
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for drying a wet cake in a carboxylic acid production process. The method comprises employing a contact dryer for drying solid particles of carboxylic acid, where the solid particles can have a residence time of less than about 7 minutes in the dryer and an exit temperature of less than about 250° C. upon exiting the dryer.
US08173826B2
In some embodiments, the present invention relates to an enrichment process that involves a separation and/or fractionation and/or enrichment of monounsaturated fatty acid/ester molecules from polyunsaturated fatty acid/ester molecules or, correspondingly, monounsaturated molecules from saturated molecules. Such processes are at least partially based on π(pi)-complexation between metal ions and unsaturated bonds of the extractible molecules (fatty acids/esters), wherein a greater degree of unsaturation provides for greater coordinating (bond) strength and corresponding selectivity in the associated π-complexation with metal ions.
US08173824B2
There are provided a novel process for producing [{(5Z,7E)-(1S,3R,20S)-1,3-dihydroxy-9,10-secopregna-5,7,10(19),16-tetraen-20-yl}oxy]-N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl)acetamide, which process is shown in the following reaction scheme: an intermediate useful for carrying out the process, and a process for producing the intermediate.
US08173821B2
A serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor of the formula: its uses, and methods for its preparation are described.
US08173817B2
The present invention relates to a process for stereoselective synthesis of substituted sulfoxides either as a single enantiomer or in an enantiomerically enriched form. Thus, 5-methoxy-2-[[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl]thio]-1H-benzimidazole is reacted with (R)-camphorsulfonyl chloride to form a mixture of 1-(R)-camphorsulfonyl-5- (and 6-)methoxy-2-[(3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-2-pyridyl)methylthio]-1H-benzimidazole, oxidized to obtain a diastereomeric excess of 1-(R)-camphorsulfonyl-(5- and 6-)-methoxy-2-[(3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-2-pyridyl)methyl-(S)-sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole over 1-(R)-camphorsulfonyl-(5- and 6-)-methoxy-2-[(3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-2-pyridyl)methyl-(R)-sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole, the diastereomers are separated by fractional crystallization and the separated 1-(R)-camphorsulfonyl-(5- and 6-)-methoxy-2-[(3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-2-pyridyl)methyl-(S)-sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole is deprotected to give esomeprazole.
US08173806B2
In reacting an anthranilic acid derivative represented by the general formula (1), especially the anthranilic acid derivative selected from anthranilic acid, anthranilamide and anthranilate, with formamide, the reaction is attained under the condition of coexistence of acetic acid and a base as a catalyst in the reaction liquid, and it has made it possible to produce a quinazolin-4-one derivative represented by the general formula (2) and useful as a material for medicine intermediates, at high yield with no side production.
US08173804B2
The invention provides a process for production of mirtazapine as a convenient process for obtaining mirtazapine from a reaction mixture obtained by cyclization of 2-(4-methyl-2-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)pyridine-3-methanol with concentrated sulfuric acid, at high purity and in a form suitable for safe use as a drug.The production process for mirtazapine is characterized in that a reaction mixture obtained by cyclization of 2-(4-methyl-2-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)pyridine-3-methanol with concentrated sulfuric acid is diluted with water, the dilution is alkalinized in the presence of propanol, the mirtazapine is extracted with propanol and the mirtazapine is crystallized from the extract.
US08173802B2
Provided is a method for producing a piperidin-4-one derivative useful as an intermediate for agricultural chemicals or pharmaceutical products. A piperidin-4-one derivative represented by formula (III-a) or formula (III-b) is produced by reacting a cyclic bis(aminol)ether compound represented by formula (I) and an acetone derivative represented by formula (II) in the presence of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of protonic acids, Lewis acids, acid halides and dialkyl sulfuric acids.
US08173789B2
To provide a cancer diagnostic reagent for determining malignancy of a cancer patient or a cancer cell and a tendency of canceration of a healthy subject, the reagent including a peptide having an ability to activate a cancer-related gene and extracted from cell membrane surfaces of human squamous-cell carcinoma cells or including a synthetic polynucleotide encoding the peptide or a partial amino acid sequence of the peptide.
US08173787B2
The present invention relates to cell wall degradative systems, in particular to systems containing enzymes that bind to and/or depolymerize cellulose. These systems have a number of applications.
US08173778B2
A gene encoding a novel protein that works as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for a Rho family protein being one group of small GTP-binding proteins, namely, a polynucleotide shown by the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 5, or the complementary strand, the equivalents of the polynucleotide, a protein encoded by the polynucleotide, a vector containing the polynucleotide, a transformant containing the vector, an antibody against the protein encoded by the polynucleotide, a method of identifying a compound that inhibits the function of the protein encoded by the polynucleotide and/or the expression of the polynucleotide, a method of determining a disease, a pharmaceutical composition, and a reagent kit are provided.
US08173777B2
A Factor X (hereinafter referred to as “FX”) with a high activity is provided. The present invention relates to a method for efficiently preparing a recombinant, two-chain FX which comprises intervening glycosylation at such an amino acid sequence that is essential for glycosylation in FX to thereby allow for expression of a recombinant FX with no glycosylation, and the recombinant FX with no glycosylation obtained by said method.
US08173773B2
The present invention is related to a M. tuberculosis fusion protein, polynucleotide coding for said protein, and a vector and host cell that contain said polynucleotide. The present invention also involves the preparation of said fusion protein, and the use thereof in preventions and treatment of tuberculosis.
US08173770B2
The peptides Ac-D-2Nal-D-4ClPhe-D-3Pal-OH and Boc-D-2Nal-D-4ClPhe-D-3Pal-OH are intermediates useful in the synthesis of LHRH analogs by coupling with suitable heptapeptides, in particular with the heptapeptides P1-Ser(P2)-MMeTry(P3)-D-Lys(Nic)-Leu-Lys(iPr,P4)-Pro-D-AlaNH2 and P1-Ser(P2)-NMeTry(P3)-D-Asn-Leu-Lys(iPr,P4)-Pro-D-AlaNH2.
US08173765B2
A polymer having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of about 10 000 g/mol comprising a monomeric rigid moiety R and a monomeric flexible moiety F, wherein R comprises a main-chain polycyclic core and F has a main chain comprising a number of atoms sufficient for the transition temperature of the polymer to be lower than the degradation temperature of the polymer is provided. A method of manufacturing of same is also provided. Biomedical devices, scaffolds and supports for tissue engineering, delivery devices, textiles, moulds, vehicle parts, tubes, active disassembly devices, microactuators, toys and inflatable membranes comprising same are also described.
US08173761B2
Nanocomposites comprising a sulfonated telechelic polycarbonate and an organically modified clay are disclosed. The polycarbonate nanocomposites have improved physical and mechanical properties.
US08173757B2
A process for producing a polymer powder comprising vinylformamide units by free radical polymerization of an aqueous solution of N-vinylformamide and if appropriate other monomers and drying the polymer which comprises an aqueous monomer solution comprising N-vinylformamide and at least one polymerization initiator being spray dispensed as an aerosol or dropletized at the top of a heatable tower-shaped reactor, then polymerizing the aerosol or droplets in an inert gas atmosphere to form a finely divided solid and discharging the finely divided polymer from the reactor.
US08173756B2
Provided are a novel photopolymerizable monomer having at least one unsaturated double bond and epoxide, and a photocurable composition comprising the photopolymerizable monomer and an initiator, which is polymerizable with good efficiency using light and/or heat, provides reduced shrinkage, and has superior mechanical strength including adhesion and transparency.
US08173755B2
The present invention relates to an ultrahigh-molecular-weight ethylene copolymer powder having an intrinsic viscosity (η) of 10 dl/g to 34 dl/g, obtainable by copolymerizing ethylene and at least one olefin selected from the group consisting of α-olefins having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, cyclic olefins having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, compounds represented by the formula CH2═CHR1 wherein R1 is an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and linear, branched or cyclic dienes having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein (1) a molded article of the copolymer powder has a haze of from 30% to 80% and (2) the copolymer powder has a bulk density of from 0.35 g/cm3 to 0.6 g/cm3.
US08173749B2
A diamine compound of formula (I) is proposed as well as polymers, copolymers, polyamic acids, polyamic acid esters, or polyimides based on such compound.
US08173743B2
A silicone resin composition obtainable by reacting a bifunctional alkoxysilane and a trifunctional alkoxysilane in the presence of a dispersion of fine metal oxide particles. The silicone resin composition is suitably used in backlights for liquid crystal displays, traffic lights, outdoor big displays, advertisement sign boards, and the like.
US08173740B2
A composition of matter that may be used to make transparent, substantially gel-free polymeric films includes at least a styrenic block copolymer and a thermoplastic resin other than the styrenic block copolymer. The styrenic block copolymer (e.g. S-I-B-S) has four distinct and sequential blocks: a first styrenic block (S), a first diene block (e.g. isoprene or I), a second diene block that differs from the first diene block (e.g. butadiene or B) and a second styrenic block (S). The styrenic block copolymer desirably lacks any random diene block (e.g. a random isoprene/butadiene block). The styrenic block copolymer also desirably lacks any significant percentage of a triblock copolymer (S-I-B). The composition of matter may also include an extender material such as white mineral oil. The compositions may be used to make mono-layer or multi-layer cast or blown films.
US08173738B2
The present invention provides a rubber composition for a tire which makes it possible to consider an effect on environment, prepare for decrease in supply quantity of petroleum in future and improve weather resistance and rubber strength in good balance, and a tire prepared by using the rubber composition. The rubber composition of the present invention comprises not less than 20 parts by weight of a silica, not more than 5 parts by weight of a carbon black and 2 to 20 parts by weight of a turpentine soot and/or lamp black having an average particle diameter of not more than 1,000 nm, based on 100 parts by weight of a rubber component comprising a natural rubber and/or an epoxidized natural rubber, and a tire prepared by using the rubber composition.
US08173729B2
The present invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition, particularly to a photosensitive resin composition for forming an interlayer organic insulating film for TFT-LCD, comprising 0.01 to 20 wt % of UV stabilizer or radical scavenger. The photosensitive resin composition of the present invention can be used for forming an interlayer organic insulating film for TFT-LCD to improve active unfilled area upon over exposure in liquid crystal photo-alignment process, can easily control resolution of pattern, and is particularly suitable for forming a planarization layer of an interlayer organic insulating film.
US08173723B2
Disclosed is an electromagnetic wave EMI/RFI shielding resin composite material that includes a thermoplastic polymer resin, an electrically conductive filler having a polyhedral shape or being capable of forming a polyhedral shape, and a low-melting point metal, and a molded product made using the EMI/RFI shielding resin composite material.
US08173722B2
An adhesive composition for use in surgical therapy includes at least the following components a) and b): a) a liquid mixture including cyanoactrylate monomers and at least one plasticizer, where the proportion of the at least one plasticizer in component a) is greater than 10% by weight based on the total weight of component a), and b) an aqueous liquid including at least one compound from the group of borate salt, basic amino acid, gelatin and gelatin derivative.
US08173721B2
A fluid cement for medical use for bone reconstruction, in particular for filling the vertebral body, and a binary composition which is intended for the preparation of such a cement. A device for conditioning the binary composition, and a method of preparing a bone cement from a binary composition. The fluid cement according to the invention comprises: a) approximately 70% to 85% by weight of a polymer comprising a polymethylmethacrylate and a methylmethacrylate monomer, and b) approximately from 15 to 30% by weight of a radio-opaque composition. Preferably, the radio-opaque composition comprises a radio-opacifier, such as a barium sulphate and zirconium dioxide, in a mixture with a calcium phosphate, for example hydroxyapatite.
US08173718B2
A soft and resilient, cold-water dispersible polyurethane foam suitable for disposable personal care products is produced by the combination of corn syrup, glycerin, polyether diamine, PEG, a diisocyanate, water and a catalyst. The formulation and reaction conditions for forming the inventive foam are judiciously selected and carefully controlled to achieve water dispersibility and the desired mechanical properties. The characteristic resiliency, or percent rebound for the foams was generally over 75% and the foams are readily produced as soft foams, exhibiting a relative compression value of from 20% to 150% of that of a commercial polyurethane foam cosmetic pad which is not water dispersible. The foam may be incorporated into webs or stackable products or nestable three-dimensional products.
US08173716B2
Open-cell foam based on a melamine-formaldehyde condensation product, a polyurethane or a polyimide, which has been modified with hydrophobins, a method of producing such foams, and the use thereof for absorbing organic liquids, as leakage and bleeding protection for liquid stores, for liquid-liquid separation and as matrix for carrying out chemical and/or biological processes.
US08173710B2
Compounds that have agonist activity at one or more of the S1P receptors are provided. The compounds are sphingosine analogs that, after phosphorylation, can behave as agonists at S1P receptors.
US08173706B2
Disclosed herein are crystalline forms of L-ornithine phenyl acetate and methods of making the same. The crystalline form may, in some embodiments, be Forms I, II, III and V, or mixtures thereof. The crystalline forms may be formulated for treating subjects with liver disorders, such as hepatic encephalopathy. Accordingly, some embodiments include formulations and methods of administering L-ornithine phenyl acetate.
US08173702B2
A pesticidal composition containing: 4-methoxymethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl 3-(2-cyano-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, a saturated hydrocarbon having an initial boiling point of 150° C. or higher and a 95%-distillation temperature of 300° C. or lower, and at least one alkyl carboxylate ester selected from the group consisting of the following esters (i) to (iii): (i) alkyl alkylcarboxylate esters having 12 to 20 carbon atoms, (ii) dialkyl dicarboxylate esters having 12 to 20 carbon atoms, and (iii) trialkyl acetylcitrate esters having 12 to 20 carbon atoms; has an excellent pesticidal activity.
US08173701B2
A pesticidal composition containing: 4-methoxymethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl 3-(2-cyano-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, a saturated hydrocarbon having an initial boiling point of 150 C or higher and a 95%-distillation temperature of 300 C or lower, and at least one alkyl carboxylate ester selected from the group consisting of the following esters (i) to (iii): (i) alkyl alkylcarboxylate esters having 12 to 20 carbon atoms, (ii) dialkyl dicarboxylate esters having 12 to 20 carbon atoms, and (iii) trialkyl acetylcitrate esters having 12 to 20 carbon atoms; has an excellent pesticidal activity.
US08173698B2
The present invention provides fluorogenic probes and corresponding fluorescent compounds, methods of using the probes, compounds and kits that include the probes.
US08173696B2
The present invention relates to semicarbazone or thiosemicarbazone inhibitors of cysteine proteases and methods of using such compounds to prevent and treat protozoan infections such as trypanosomiasis, malaria and leishmaniasis. The compounds also find use in inhibiting cysteine proteases associated with carcinogenesis, including cathepsins B and L.
US08173691B2
A method of making a bacteriochlorin is carried out by condensing a pair of compounds of Formula II to produce the bacteriochlorin, wherein R is an acetal or aldehyde group. The condensing may be carried out in an organic solvent, preferably in the presence of an acid. The bacteriochlorins are useful for a variety of purposes such as active agents in photodynamic therapy, luminescent compounds in flow cytometry, solar cells, light harvesting arrays, and molecular memory devices.
US08173675B2
The invention relates to substituted amino-thiourea compounds of formula (I), to the enantiomers, diastereomers and salts thereof and to compositions comprising such compounds. The invention also relates to the use of the substituted amino-thiourea compounds, of their salts or of compositions comprising them for combating animal pests. Furthermore the invention relates also to methods of applying such compounds. The substituted amino-thiourea compounds are defined by the following formula (I): wherein A, B, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5.1, R5.2 and R6 are defined as in the description.
US08173666B2
The invention provides compounds that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water-soluble oligomer. A compound of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits characteristics that are different from those of the compound not attached to the water-soluble oligomer.
US08173659B2
Substituted pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine derivatives of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as defined in the specification, process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are disclosed; the compounds of the invention may be useful in therapy in the treatment of diseases associated with a dysregulated protein kinase activity, like cancer.
US08173657B2
The invention provides novel compositions comprising imidazoquinoxaline compounds of formula (I) and analogs thereof. Also provided are methods of administering the compositions in an effective amount to enhance the immune response of a subject. Further provided are novel compositions and methods of administering the compositions in combination with (an) other agent(s).
US08173656B2
Novel imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following: The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, arthritis, inflammation, and others.
US08173654B2
The invention is directed to triazolopyridazine compounds of Formula I: where R1, R5, R6, R7, R8, and A are as defined herein, the use of such compounds as protein tyrosine kinase modulators, particularly inhibitors of c-Met, and the use of such compounds to reduce or inhibit kinase activity of c-Met in a cell or a subject, and modulate c-Met expression in a cell or subject, and the use of such compounds for preventing or treating in a subject a cell proliferative disorder and/or disorders related to c-Met. The present invention is further directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the present invention and to methods for treating conditions such as cancers and other cell proliferative disorders.
US08173637B2
A pharmaceutical composition that contains an atypical antipsychotic drug and succinic acid, fumaric acid or a mixture of succinic acid and fumaric acid.
US08173632B2
The invention provides a process for preparing non-crystalline organic compositions and non-crystalline, co-amorphous blends of organic compounds.
US08173622B2
Antimicrobial compounds, such as silanol or alcohol, include a protecting or leaving group that can protect the compound from degradation during the process of preparing a medical device containing the compound or reduce the volatility of the compound relative to its counterpart without the leaving group. Nearly any hydrolysable leaving group may be employed. The leaving group may be an agent that may serve a therapeutic function in addition to protecting or retaining the antimicrobial agents.
US08173604B2
Methods of killing a cancer cell are provided. Also provided are methods of treating a subject having a cancer. Additionally, compounds are provided that comprise a peptide from about 18 to about 100 amino acids or peptidomimetics comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. Additionally provided are methods of screening an agent for the ability to kill a cancer cell.
US08173587B2
A hard surface detergent composition is provided, said composition comprising a peroxygen bleach capable of exhibiting bleaching properties at a pH of below 9, and an amino ketone or derivative thereof bleach activator, and wherein a 1% wt solution in distilled water at 25° C. of the composition has a pH lower than 9. Potassium monopersulphate is the preferred bleach compound and diethyl amino acetone or derivative thereof is the preferred bleach activator. The compositions exhibit good bleaching performance at pHs of less than 9.
US08173584B2
The present invention is directed to compositions and method of use for treating semiconductor substrate comprising a sulfonium compound and a nucleophilic amine in the fabrication of electronic devices. Optionally, the said composition further comprises a chelating agent, and solvent. The pH of the said solution can be adjusted with the addition of acid or base. The semiconductor manufacturing processes include steps for post etch residue, photoresist removal and steps during chemical mechanical planarization and post chemical mechanical planarization.
US08173580B2
Fracturing fluid compositions and methods of fracturing subterranean formations using polyboronic compounds as crosslinking agents are provided. The compositions and methods of the present invention allow for lower polymer loadings because achieving higher fracturing fluid viscosities can be achieved using less polymer than in traditional crosslinked systems.
US08173575B2
A dual-sided thermal form-card and method for manufacturing are provided. In an embodiment, the dual-sided thermal form card includes a dual-sided thermal form including a first side and a second side, and a dual-sided thermal card including a first side and a second side being integral with the form and detachable therefrom, wherein the form and the card are adapted to be thermally imaged from respective first and second sides thereof. In an embodiment, the method of manufacturing a dual-sided thermal form-card includes providing dual-sided thermal medium including a first side and a second side, and perforating or die cutting the dual-sided thermal medium to produce a form and a card integral to the form, wherein the form and the card are adapted to be thermally imaged from the first side and the second side.
US08173572B2
A sol includes metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous liquid, and further includes stabilizer ions. The metal oxide particles include one or more metals selected from a first group consisting of cerium, zirconium, iron, manganese and titanium, and one or more metals selected from a second group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium. The sols can be used to deposit catalytic coatings onto catalyst substrates, including substrates with narrow channels (i.e. channels with a diameter of less than 500 μm).
US08173571B2
Large quantities of explosive hydrogen-oxygen mixtures can be produced by leaks or accidents in technical plants, e.g. nuclear reactors. The invention relates to a catalyst, a catalyst system, an arrangement for recombining hydrogen with oxygen, and a method for producing a catalyst. The inventive catalyst is characterized in that the ignition point of the mixture is exceeded under no circumstances even though the catalyst works in a strictly passive manner without outside intervention and the recombination is an exothermal reaction. The basic idea is to design the catalyst such that the catalyst autonomously limits the activity thereof in accordance with the prevailing temperature.
US08173561B2
A tungsten carbide material for use in precision glass molding applications having 6.06-6.13 wt. % carbon, 0.20-0.55 wt. % grain growth inhibitor, less than 0.25 wt. % binder, less than 0.6% wt. % impurities, and balance being tungsten. The tungsten carbide material has a nominal grain size of less than 0.5 microns.
US08173560B2
The invention relates to a glass strand, the chemical composition of which is substantially free of boron oxide and comprises the following constituents, in the limits defined below expressed as percentages by weight: SiO255 to 65 Al2O3 9 to 16 CaO15 to 26 MgO1 to 5 BaO + SrO0.5 to 5 Na2O + K2O + Li2 O0 to 2 TiO20 to 1 ZnO0 to 2 ZrO20 to 2. It also relates to composites comprising such strands.
US08173559B2
The present invention provides nonwoven webs comprising multicomponent nanocomposite fibers that enable the nonwoven webs to possess high extensibility. The multicomponent nanocomposite fibers comprise two or more components. Each component comprises a polymer composition and at least one component comprises a nanoparticles composition. The nonwoven webs comprising the multicomponent nanocomposite fibers have an average elongation at peak load which is greater than the average elongation at peak load of comparable nonwoven webs without nanocomposite fibers.
US08173556B2
A protection product has thermal and acoustic barrier characteristics such that it satisfies the requirements of the standard 14 CFR, part 25 issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. The product is designed to be applied along metallic and composite structures, such as aircraft cockpits, boat hulls or the outside structures of trains or of other means of transport. The product is essentially in the form of a “mat” consisting of one or several fibre layers, preferably glass fibres, enclosed in a sheath. The sheath generally comprises at least one first support, preferably made of an organic material having sealing and anti-condensation properties, and an impregnated mica paper. The mica paper preferably has a weight per unit area of less than 50 g/m2 and comprises flakes of mica with a form factor greater than 1000.
US08173550B2
Multiple pitch-multiplied spacers are used to form mask patterns having features with exceptionally small critical dimensions. One of each pair of spacers formed around a plurality of mandrels is removed and alternating layers, formed of two mutually selectively etchable materials, are deposited around the remaining spacers. Layers formed of one of the materials are then etched, leaving behind vertically-extending layers formed of the other of the materials, which form a mask pattern. Alternatively, instead of depositing alternating layers, amorphous carbon is deposited around the remaining spacers followed by a plurality of cycles of forming pairs of spacers on the amorphous carbon, removing one of the pairs of spacers and depositing an amorphous carbon layer. The cycles can be repeated to form the desired pattern. Because the critical dimensions of some features in the pattern can be set by controlling the width of the spaces between spacers, exceptionally small mask features can be formed.
US08173548B2
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate; forming a semiconductor feature over the substrate; forming a first photoresist layer over the substrate; performing a lithography process on the first photoresist layer, such the first photoresist layer includes an opening therein that exposes the semiconductor feature; performing a stabilization process on the first photoresist layer; forming a second photoresist layer over the first photoresist layer, wherein the second photoresist layer fills the opening; and etching back the first and second photoresist layers until the semiconductor feature is exposed.
US08173547B2
A method and apparatus for etching a silicon layer through a patterned mask formed thereon are provided. The silicon layer is placed in an etch chamber. An etch gas comprising a fluorine containing gas and an oxygen and hydrogen containing gas is provided into the etch chamber. A plasma is generated from the etch gas and features are etched into the silicon layer using the plasma. The etch gas is then stopped. The plasma may contain OH radicals.
US08173544B2
A method (300) for fabricating an integrated circuit includes the step of providing a substrate having a semiconductor surface (305). For at least one masking level (e.g. gate electrode, contact or via) of the integrated circuit, a mask pattern for the masking level is partitioned into a first mask and at least a second mask (310). The first mask provides features in a first grid pattern and the second mask provides features in a second grid pattern. The first and second grid pattern have respective features that interleave with one another over at least one area. A first photoresist film is applied onto the surface of the substrate (315). The first grid pattern is printed using the first mask (320). The second grid pattern is printed using the second mask (325). The first and said second grid pattern are then etched into the surface of the substrate (330). Another embodiment of the invention includes an integrated circuit (240) that has vias or contacts in a grid-like feature pattern in at least one multi-transistor area of the circuit including at least 5 transistors, wherein a minimum horizontal or minimum vertical center-to-center spacing distance between neighboring features in the pattern is ≦100 nm.
US08173535B2
A wafer structure for an image sensor includes a substrate that has a given conductivity type, a given dopant concentration, and a given concentration of oxygen. An intermediate epitaxial layer is formed over the substrate. The intermediate epitaxial layer has the same conductivity type and the same, or substantially the same, dopant concentration as the substrate but a lower oxygen concentration than the substrate. A thickness of the intermediate epitaxial layer is greater than the diffusion length of a minority carrier in the intermediate layer. A device epitaxial layer is formed over the intermediate epitaxial layer. The device epitaxial layer has the same conductivity type but lower dopant and oxygen concentrations than the substrate.
US08173534B2
A semiconductor wafer with rear side identification and to a method for producing the same is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rear side identification has a multiplicity of information regarding the monocrystalline and surface and also rear side constitution. A multiplicity of semiconductor device positions arranged in rows and columns are provided on the top side of the semiconductor wafer, an information chip being arranged at an exposed semiconductor device position, the information chip having at least the information of the rear side identification.
US08173528B2
A manufacture method for a gallium-doped monocrystalline silicon solar cell is provided. The method includes classifying the sheets of gallium-doped monocrystalline silicon according to resistivity; texturing and washing the sheets of gallium-doped monocrystalline silicon; diffusing the classified, textured and washed sheets of gallium-doped monocrystalline silicon; etching and depositing the sheets of gallium-doped monocrystalline silicon; and metalizing the sheets of gallium-doped monocrystalline silicon. Advantageously, Light Induced Degradation (LID) is efficiently, economically and conveniently suppressed, the light induced efficiency degradation of monocrystalline silicon solar cell can be controlled within 1%, and meanwhile, the effect of the uneven resistivity distribution of gallium-doped monocrystalline on the cell process is reduced.
US08173527B2
An improved method of moving a mask to perform a pattern implant of a substrate is disclosed. The mask has a plurality of apertures, and is placed between the ion source and the substrate. After the substrate is exposed to the ion beam, the mask is indexed to a new position relative to the substrate and a subsequent implant step is performed. Through the selection of the aperture size and shape, the index distance and the number of implant steps, a variety of implant patterns may be created. In some embodiments, the implant pattern includes heavily doped horizontal stripes with lighter doped regions between the stripes. In some embodiments, the implant pattern includes a grid of heavily doped regions. In other embodiments, the implant pattern is suitable for use with a bus-bar structure.
US08173523B2
To provide a method of removing a heavy metal contained in a thinned semiconductor substrate.A method of removing a heavy metal in a semiconductor substrate of the present invention comprises: attaching, to a rear surface of the semiconductor substrate, a material that lowers a potential barrier of the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate, on a front surface of which a circuit is to be formed or is formed; applying a thermal treatment to the semiconductor substrate under a condition based on a thickness and a resistivity of the semiconductor substrate; and, depositing the heavy metal in the semiconductor substrate on the rear surface.
US08173518B2
Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a device substrate having a front side, a back side, and a first edge portion, forming a material layer over a portion of the front side of the device substrate, trimming the first edge portion, removing the material layer, bonding the front side of the device substrate to a carrier substrate, thinning the device substrate from the back side, and trimming a second edge portion of the thinned device substrate.
US08173504B2
A method for fabricating an integrated device is disclosed. A polysilicon gate electrode layer is provided on a substrate. In an embodiment, a treatment is provided on the polysilicon gate electrode layer to introduce species in the gate electrode layer and form an electrically neutralized portion therein. Then, a hard mask layer with limited thickness is applied on the treated polysilicon gate electrode layer. A tilt angle ion implantation is thus performing on the substrate after patterning the hard mask layer and the treated polysilicon gate electrode to from a gate structure.
US08173503B2
A method of forming an integrated circuit device includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate structure on the semiconductor substrate; and performing a pre-amorphized implantation (PAI) by implanting a first element selected from a group consisting essentially of indium and antimony to a top portion of the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate structure. The method further includes, after the step of performing the PAI, implanting a second element different from the first element into the top portion of the semiconductor substrate. The second element includes a p-type element when the first element includes indium, and includes an n-type element when the first element includes antimony.
US08173500B2
A poly-emitter type bipolar transistor includes a buried layer formed over an upper portion of a semiconductor substrate, an epitaxial layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, a collector area formed on the epitaxial layer and connected to the buried layer, a base area formed at a part of an upper portion of the epitaxial layer, and a poly-emitter area formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate in the base area and including a polysilicon material. A BCD device includes a poly-emitter type bipolar transistor having a poly-emitter area including a polysilicon material and at least one of a CMOS and a DMOS formed on a single wafer together with the poly-emitter type bipolar transistor.
US08173495B2
A method and apparatus for producing a relatively thin, relatively uniform semiconductor layer which has improved carrier mobility. In an embodiment, a lattice-matched insulator layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a lattice-matched semiconductor layer is formed on the insulator layer to form a relatively thin, relatively uniform semiconductor on insulator apparatus. In embodiments of the method and apparatus, energy band characteristics may be used to facilitate the extraction of the well-region minority carriers.
US08173485B2
A method of manufacturing an organic light emitting device by which a pixel defining layer can be easily formed. The method includes: forming a first electrode on a substrate; forming a photoresist layer to cover the first electrode; patterning the photoresist layer and forming a blocking layer so that the blocking layer is on a side of the first electrode opposite to a side facing the substrate; forming a pixel defining layer on the substrate to cover side ends of the first electrode; removing the blocking layer and exposing the side of the first electrode contacting the blocking layer; forming an intermediate layer including an organic light emitting layer on the side of the first electrode that is exposed by removing the blocking layer; and forming a second electrode on the intermediate layer.
US08173479B2
In a solid-state imaging device, the pixel circuit formed on the first surface side of the semiconductor substrate is shared by a plurality of light reception regions. The second surface side of the semiconductor substrate is made the light incident side of the light reception regions. The second surface side regions of the light reception regions formed in the second surface side part of the semiconductor substrate are arranged at approximately even intervals and the first surface side regions of the light reception regions formed in the first surface side part of the semiconductor substrate are arranged at uneven intervals, respectively, and the second surface side regions and the first surface side regions are joined respectively in the semiconductor substrate so that the light reception regions extend from the second surface side to the first surface side of the semiconductor substrate.
US08173472B2
A semiconductor sensor of which the thickness may be reduced and a method of manufacturing a sensor body for the semiconductor sensor are provided. A total length L1 of a weight portion 5 and an additional weight portion 3 as measured in an extending direction of a centerline C is determined to be shorter than a length L2 of a support portion 7 as measured in the extending direction of the centerline C. The weight portion 5 and the additional weight portion 3 are received within a space 15 defined, being surrounded by the support portion 7. Then, dimensions and shapes of the weight portion 5 and the additional weight portion 3 are determined to allow the weight portion 5 and the additional weight portion 3 to move within the space 15.
US08173469B2
Provided is a method for fabricating a light emitting device. The method for fabricating the light emitting device includes forming a buffer layer including a compound semiconductor in which a rare-earth element is doped on a substrate, forming a light emitting structure including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer, which are successively stacked on the buffer layer, forming a first electrode layer on the light emitting structure, removing the substrate, and forming a second electrode layer under the light emitting structure.
US08173467B2
A method for fabricating a light emitting diode chip is provided. In the method, a half-tone mask process, a gray-tone mask process or a multi-tone mask process is applied and combined with a lift-off process to further reduce process steps of the light emitting diode chip. In the present invention, some components may also be simultaneously formed by an identical process to reduce the process steps of the light emitting diode chip. Consequently, the fabricating method of the light emitting diode provided in the present invention reduces the cost and time for the fabrication of the light emitting diode.
US08173466B2
A method for fabricating a light emitting diode chip is provided. In the method, a half-tone mask process, a gray-tone mask process or a multi-tone mask process is applied and combined with a lift-off process to further reduce process steps of the light emitting diode chip. In the present invention, some components may also be simultaneously formed by an identical process to reduce the process steps of the light emitting diode chip. Consequently, the fabricating method of the light emitting diode provided in the present invention reduces the cost and time for the fabrication of the light emitting diode.
US08173449B2
An evaluation area of an evaluation object wafer is concentrically divided in a radial direction, an upper limit value to the number of COPs is set in each divided evaluation segment, and an acceptance determination of the single-crystal silicon wafer is made using the upper limit value as a criterion. Thereby, a quantitative and objective COP evaluation can be made, and a proper determination is made based on a clear criterion. The evaluation method of the present invention can sufficiently deal with automation of the COP evaluation (inspection) and the higher-quality wafer in the near future, and the evaluation method can be widely applied to production of the single-crystal silicon wafer and production of a semiconductor device.
US08173448B2
A wafer comprises i) at least one independent die having internal integrated components, a multiplicity of internal pads connected to some of the internal integrated components, ii) scribe lanes defined between and around each independent die, and in part of which are defined, for each die, at least a first group of external pads and/or a second group of external test integrated components. The external pads of each first group are connected, through conductive tracks, to a chosen one of the internal pads and/or internal integrated components of the associated die, and arranged to be fed with chosen test signals or to collect test result signals. Each external test integrated components of each second group is connected, through conductive tracks, to a chosen one of the die internal pads and/or die internal integrated components and/or to external pads of a first group.
US08173437B2
The present invention includes compositions, methods, kits and diagnostics for biosugar profiling of biological samples from a patient suspected of having a disease associated with changes in the biosugar profile. The biosugar profile from the patient sample is compared to a healthy biosugar profile from the same type of biological sample to evaluate disease potential and progression.
US08173436B2
Systems and methods for detecting the presence of biomolecules in a sample using biosensors that incorporate resonators which have functionalized surfaces for reacting with target biomolecules. In one embodiment, a device includes a piezoelectric resonator having a functionalized surface configured to react with target molecules, thereby changing the mass and/or charge of the resonator which consequently changes the frequency response of the resonator. The resonator's frequency response after exposure to a sample is compared to a reference, such as the frequency response before exposure to the sample, a stored baseline frequency response or a control resonator's frequency response.
US08173435B2
This invention is intended to evaluate the oil-and-fat amount in a seed and genetic changes thereof. A fusion protein of an oil body-specific protein, such as the oleosin-GFP fusion protein, and a fluorescent protein is expressed, and the oil-and-fat amount in a plant seed and changes thereof are evaluated based on the fluorescent intensity in a cotyledon of a fluorescent protein, such as GFP.
US08173432B2
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for the in vivo, non-invasive, early detection of alterations and mapping of the grade of these alterations, caused in the biochemical and/or in the functional characteristics of epithelial tissues during the development of tissue atypias, dysplasias, neoplasias and cancers. The method is based, at least in part, on the simultaneous measurement of the spatial, temporal and spectral alterations in the characteristics of the light that is re-emitted from the tissue under examination, as a result of a combined tissue excitation with light and special chemical agents. The topical or systematic administration of these agents result in an evanescent contrast enhancement between normal and abnormal areas of tissue. The apparatus enables the capturing of temporally successive imaging in one or more spectral bands simultaneously. Based on the measured data, the characteristic curves that express the agent-tissue interaction kinetics, as well as numerical parameters derived from these data, are determined in any spatial point of the examined area. Mapping and characterization of the lesion, are based on these parameters.
US08173421B2
An arrangement for the transport and/or safekeeping of a human or animal tissue sample comprising a tablet and one or more alignment pins; each pin having a tip to pierce the cover of the tablet; the tablet designed with at least two layers that include a cover layer and a support member; and at least one alignment pin with a tip that is undercut in the direction of piercing so that it locks against the inside of the cover layer, counteracted by a lower piercing resistance of the support member in the area the piercing point. Upon piercing the cover layer, the tablet and/or the respective alignment pin limit the piercing depth of the alignment pin forming a locking event. The arrangement is designed to preserve orientation information and allow for unobscured imaging of the sample.
US08173420B2
An apparatus and method is described for seeding cells on a sample or specimen. The cells may be selectively and locally seeded on an upper and lower surface of a planar sample or specimen or on either or both of an interior luminal surface and exterior surface of a hollow sample or specimen. The apparatus includes a chamber suitable for cell seeding, cell growth, and cell conditioning.
US08173417B2
The invention provides methods and systems for ruggedizing a nucleic acid analyzing apparatus. The ruggedized apparatus can be used reliably and effectively in uncontrolled environments, such as, for example at a crime scene to collect and analyze forensic data, as well as in semi-controlled environments, such as, for example at a point of care location.
US08173410B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising at least one isoprene synthase enzyme with improved catalytic activity and/or solubility. In particular, the present invention provides variant plant isoprene synthases for increased isoprene production in microbial host cells. Biosynthetically produced isoprene of the present invention finds use in the manufacture of rubber and elastomers.
US08173409B2
The present invention is directed to novel acid proteases and more specifically to NSP24 family proteases and NSP25 family proteases including biologically active fragments thereof and to nucleic acid molecules encoding said proteases. Also provided are vectors and host cells including nucleic acid sequences coding for the proteases, methods for producing the proteases, enzyme compositions and methods employing said proteases.
US08173407B2
An improved method for the design and development of high performance hybrid devices having biological and nonbiological components. The biological component is used in hybrid constructs that may be nanostructures, given the small size of the biological parts. In one specific embodiment, chlorosomes of Chloroflexus aurantiacus (C. aurantiacus) enhance performance of a silicon photovoltaic cell. C. aurantiacus, strain J-10-f1, has the A.T.C.C. designation number 29366, having been deposited in July, 1976. Its chlorosomes are harvested and positioned in light communicating relation to a photoactive semiconductor. The chlorosomes react to light of a first wavelength by emitting light at a second wavelength to which the semiconductor electrically responds.
US08173400B2
An object of the present invention is to discover an endogenous wheat sequence satisfying the conditions of: a) it is universally present in varieties of wheat, b) the amount present (detected amount) is not affected by the wheat variety, c) even if other grains are present, only wheat can be detected without cross-reactivity, and d) it is amplified quantitatively by the PCR reaction. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of accurately detecting and quantitating endogenous wheat DNA in a test sample by the polymerase chain reaction. The present invention provides a method of detecting or quantitating endogenous wheat DNA in a test sample by the polymerase chain reaction, the method comprising: a step of using a nucleic acid molecule in the test sample or a nucleic acid molecule extracted from the test sample as a template to amplify the nucleic acid molecule of a region consisting of the nucleotide sequence identified as SEQ ID NO: 2 or a partial sequence thereof with a primer pair capable of amplifying that region; and a step of detecting or quantitating the amplified nucleic acid molecule.
US08173398B2
The present invention relates to novel chimeric, humanized or CDR-grafted anti-IL-6 antibodies, including isolated nucleic acids that encode at least one such anti-IL-6 antibody, vectors, host cells, transgenic animals or plants, and methods of making and using thereof, including therapeutic compositions, methods and devices.
US08173394B2
The invention relates to systems and methods for producing proteins of interest. The invention employs genetically-engineered animal or plant cells that have modified protein folding or processing capacities. In one aspect, the invention features genetically-engineered cells comprising one or more recombinant expression cassettes which encode (1) a protein of interest and (2) a polypeptide that is functional in the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway of the cells. Co-expression of the polypeptide significantly increases the yield of the protein of interest in the genetically-engineered cells. In one example, the genetically-engineered cells are animal cells, and the co-expressed polypeptide is a component or modulator of an XB1- or ATF6-mediated UPR pathway.
US08173385B2
The present invention provides a simple method for the stabilization of a peptide in a biological sample and a reagent for the stabilization, a simple method for the preservation of a biological sample comprising a peptide and a reagent for the preservation, and a method for the accurate measurement of a peptide in a biological sample and a reagent for the measurement. Addition of a saccharide to a biological sample enables the stabilization of a peptide in the biological sample, the preservation of the biological sample comprising a peptide in a stable condition and the accurate measurement of a peptide in the biological sample. As the present invention can stabilize a peptide in a biological sample collected in the clinical examination, the peptide as a marker in the biological sample can be measured accurately in the clinical examination.
US08173379B2
A method of determining a concentration of analytes of interest in a sample reaction mixture is disclosed. The method can include measuring intensities of the polarized fluorescence of at least one comparative reaction mixture containing different, known amounts of the analytes of interest, and measuring the intensities of the polarized fluorescence of a sample reaction mixture. The method can also include determining the preliminary concentrations of the analytes of interest in the sample reaction mixture by comparing the measured intensities of the sample reaction mixtures at various time points. The margin of error for the preliminary concentration of the analytes of interest in the sample can be determined at the various time points. Finally, the concentration of the analytes of interest in the sample reaction mixture can be determined by comparing the preliminary concentrations and the respective margin of error at the given time points.
US08173378B2
A modified G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), having modified ligand affinity is provided by binding a G-protein-coupled receptor to a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Furthermore, agonists for or antagonists against the modified GPCR are screened using a transformant in which the modified GPCR has been expressed. This makes it possible to provide a technique for analyzing the function of many putative GPCRs whose entities have not been clarified.
US08173372B2
The detection of endothelial cell antibodies has been proven clinically important for successful organ transplantation. Disclosed are methods of isolating Tie-2+ and CD34− precursor endothelial cells for use in donor-specific crossmatching.
US08173353B2
The present invention provides a sulfonium compound represented by the formula (I): wherein Q1 and Q2 each independently represent a fluorine atom or a C1-C6 perfluoroalkyl group, R1 represents a C5-C42 organic group having a β-ketoester structure and A+ represents an organic counter ion, and a chemically amplified photoresist composition comprising the above-mentioned sulfonium compound and a resin comprising a structural unit having an acid-labile group and being insoluble or poorly soluble in an aqueous alkali solution but becoming soluble in an aqueous alkali solution by the action of an acid.
US08173350B2
An oxime compound represented by the formula (I): wherein Y represents an unsubstituted or substituted n-valent C6-C14 aromatic hydrocarbon group, n represents an integer of 1 to 6, R1 represents a C1-C30 aliphatic hydrocarbon group etc., R2 represents a linear or branched chain C1-C20 aliphatic hydrocarbon group etc., W represents —CO—O— etc., Q1 and Q2 each independently represent a fluorine atom etc., Z represents a C1-C20 halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon group etc, and the resist composition containing the same.
US08173344B2
The present invention provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member in which a photoconductive layer is an amorphous layer that contains a silicon atom as a main component, and a surface layer contains an aluminum atom, a zinc atom and an oxygen atom so as to satisfy Expression (1) and Expression (2): 3.0≦100{y/(x+y)}≦7.0 (1), and 1.05≦z/(1.50x+y)≦1.20 (2), in Expression (1) and Expression (2), x represents atom % of the aluminum atom contained in the surface layer, y represents atom % of the zinc atom contained in the surface layer, and z represents atom % of the oxygen atom contained in the surface layer.
US08173339B2
An electrophotographic apparatus includes a photoconductor, a plurality of a series of bump portions formed on a surface of the photoconductor, the bump portions having slopes with respect to a circumferential direction of the photoconductor, and each of the bump portions being spaced apart by a predetermined interval from adjacent bump portions with respect to the circumferential direction.
US08173338B2
An electrophotographic photoconductor system for use in an electrophotographic device and method of using the same. The electrophotoconductor system comprises an electroconductive support, a charge generation layer disposed on the electroconductive support, and a charge transport layer disposed on the charge generation layer. The charge generation layer includes a photosensitive material comprising titanyl phthalocyanine, and at least one oligomeric phenylene additive. The electrophotographic photoconductor system is capable of absorbing light having a wavelength of about 350 nm to about 850 nm.
US08173334B2
A color filter substrate includes a first color filter layer on a substrate, and a second color filter layer on the substrate, the first color filter layer having a thickness different from a thickness of the second color filter layer.
US08173325B2
A functional membrane is provided, which has high functionality combined with the gas barrier performance and mechanical strength inherent in a polymer film substrate. In particular, a polymer electrolyte membrane is provided, which is excellent in terms of high proton conductivity and gas barrier performance and is most appropriate to serve as a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells. A method for producing a functional membrane is provided, which comprises: a step of ion irradiation, in which active species are generated in a polymer film substrate containing nonconductive inorganic particles by irradiating the polymer film substrate with high-energy heavy ions to the extent of 104/cm2 to 1014/cm2; and a step of graft polymerization subsequent to the step of ion irradiation, in which one or more monomers selected from group A consisting of monomers containing useful functional groups are added such that the monomers are graft polymerized with the polymer film substrate.
US08173321B2
The invention relates to a fuel cell having a membrane electrode arrangement (16) arranged between two separator plate units (44), a first fluid area (12) for distribution of a first fluid which is adjacent to one side of the membrane-electrode arrangement (16), a second fluid area (14) for distribution of a second fluid which is adjacent to a side of the membrane-electrode arrangement (16) opposite this side, with a separating wall (36) being arranged in at least one fluid area (12) and subdividing the fluid area (12) into at least one metering area (32) and one fluid subarea (34), with the at least one metering area (32) having a fluid connection to the adjacent fluid subarea (34) at at least one metering point (38), such that the first fluid can be metered from the metering area (32) through the metering point (38) into the adjacent fluid subarea (34). According to the invention, starting from an input point (24), at the edge, for the first fluid into the fluid area (12), a cross section of the fluid subarea (34) increases in the flow direction (40) of the first fluid towards an output port (26).
US08173314B2
A fuel cell power system includes a fuel cell stack prepared by stacking a plurality of electric cells, each having an anode and a cathode with an electrolyte therebetween, a fuel supply line and an oxidant supply line that respectively supply a fuel and an oxidant to the fuel cell stack, and a fuel exhaust line and an oxidant exhaust line that respectively exhaust the fuel and oxidant supplied to the fuel cell stack. A method for retaining a power generation-suspended state of the fuel cell power system in a process of bringing the fuel cell power system into the power generation-suspended state and retaining the suspended state includes the steps of: closing the oxidant supply line in the course of bringing the fuel cell power system into the power generation-suspended state; applying a direct current from the cathode to the anode through an external circuit with the oxidant supply line closed by the step of closing the oxidant supply line until the electric cell voltage with reference to the anode comes to a level of more than −1.2 V to less than 0.1 V; closing the oxidant exhaust line after the start point of the step of applying a direct current; and closing the fuel exhaust line and the fuel supply line after the termination point of the step of applying a direct current.
US08173313B2
A fuel cell system for power generation comprising a solid polymer type fuel cell having a solid polymer electrolyte membrane for separating an anode gas and a cathode gas, a resistor, an inverter, a switch for switching the inverter and the resister with respect to the fuel cell, the switch and the inverter, a supply conduit and discharge conduit for the anode gas and the cathode gas, and a supply vale and a discharge valve. When a molar ratio of the hydrogen contained in the anode gas to oxygen contained in the cathode gas becomes 2/1 or less at the time of the stop of the fuel cell, the supply valve for air is closed.
US08173310B2
A fuel cell system and a method for operating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fuel cell system includes a fuel supplier, a reformer for reforming a fuel supplied from the fuel supplier into hydrogen gas by a reforming reaction, and a fuel cell stack for generating electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and an oxidizing agent. When the fuel cell system is to be stopped, the reforming reaction of the reformer and the electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell are stopped and a portion of unreformed fuel is fed to the reformer and the fuel cell stack. Residual hydrogen is reacted and residual power from the fuel cell stack is dissipated by a power dissipation circuit. By largely removing hydrogen from the fuel cell stack on a stopped condition, reactions that are detrimental to the fuel cell membrane are reduced.
US08173307B2
A metal-air fuel cell has electrodes including a cathode and an anode, current pickups provided for each of said electrodes for taking currents from a respective one of the electrode, wherein at least one of the electrodes being formed as a frameless box-shaped element, wherein additional hydrogen electrode, an electrolyte container, and a power source are provided.
US08173302B2
An electrode material having carbon and sulfur is provided. The carbon is in the form of a porous matrix having nanoporosity and the sulfur is sorbed into the nanoporosity of the carbon matrix. The carbon matrix can have a volume of nanoporosity between 10 and 99%. In addition, the sulfur can occupy between 5 to 99% of the nanoporosity. A portion of the carbon structure that is only partially filled with the sulfur remains vacant allowing electrolyte egress. In some instances, the nanoporosity has nanopores and nanochannels with an average diameter between 1 nanometer and 999 nanometers. The sulfur is sorbed into the nanoporosity using liquid transport or other mechanisms providing a material having intimate contact between the electronically conductive carbon structure and the electroactive sulfur.
US08173299B2
An anode capable of relaxing the stress concentration and improving the characteristics and a battery using it are provided. The anode includes an anode current collector and an anode active material layer containing silicon (Si) as an element, wherein the anode active material layer has a metal element increasing and decreasing region in which a metal element is contained as an element, and a concentration of the metal element is increased and then decreased in a thickness direction.
US08173279B2
Ceramic materials with relatively high resistance to wetting by various liquids, such as water, are presented, along with articles made with these materials, methods for making these articles and materials, and methods for protecting articles using coatings made from these materials. One particular embodiment is an article that comprises a coating having a surface connected porosity content of up to about 5 percent by volume. The coating comprises a material that comprises a primary oxide and a secondary oxide, wherein (i) the primary oxide comprises a cerium cation, and (ii) the secondary oxide comprises a cation selected from the group consisting of the praseodymium and neodymium.
US08173278B2
A coated body and a process for producing a layer of hard material on a substrate are described. The body comprises a substrate (30) and a layer of hard material (36) which has been applied to the substrate (30) and at least partly covers the body. The layer of hard material comprises the metallic elements Al, Cr and Si and also nonmetallic elements selected from the group consisting of B, C, N, O. The atomic proportion of oxygen among the nonmetallic elements is greater than 30%. The layer of hard material is deposited on the substrate by means of magnetron atomization.
US08173270B2
A conducting polymer, the conducting polymer composition further including an ionomer, and an organic optoelectronic device including the conducting polymer or the composition are provided. The conducting polymer according to the embodiments of the present invention is a self-doped conducting polymer in which conducting polymer chains are grafted in a polyacid. The conducting polymer composition to the present invention is manufactured by blending the self-doped conducting polymer with an ionomer having a physical cross-linking property thereto, and thus they are homogeneously dissolved in water or organic solvents. The conducting polymer and the composition have a good film-forming property and can be easily blended with other organic polymers, and conductivity and a work function thereof is easily controlled according to the content of the ionomer. Also, optoelectronic devices including the conducting polymer composition have high efficiency and a long lifetime.
US08173267B2
A method is provided for modifying a poly(arylene vinylene) or poly(heteroarylene vinylene) precursor polymer having dithiocarbamate moieties by reacting it with an acid and further optionally reacting the acid-modified polymer with a nucleophilic agent. Also provided are novel polymers and copolymers bearing nucleophilic side groups which are useful as components of electronic devices, e.g. in the form of thin layers.
US08173261B2
Disclosed is a fine carbon fibrous structure which comprises carbon fibers and granular parts, wherein at least two granular parts connect by at least one of the carbon fibers; wherein the fine carbon fibrous structure have a D2/D1 ratio of 1.3 to 10, wherein the D1 is the median diameter of outer diameters of the carbon fibers and the D2 is the area-based circle-equivalent median diameter of the particles; wherein the granular parts have a D2 of 0.05 to 0.4 μm; wherein the carbon fibers have a median length of not more than 20 μm; wherein the granular parts are produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers; and wherein at least a graphene layer which exists on and constitutes the surface of each granular part is continued on a graphene layer which exists on and constitutes the surface of the carbon fiber which connects between the granular parts.
US08173252B2
The invention relates to pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes for flying splice of flat web materials, having at least one splittable carrier and two layers of adhesive, at least one of the adhesives being a silicone PSA, more particularly an electron-beam-crosslinked silicone PSA, and also to a method of producing them. The silicone PSA advantageously has at least one polydiorganosiloxane having the structure —Si(R2)—O—[Si(R2)—O]n—Si(R2)—, where the 2n+4 substituents R independently of one another are monovalent hydrocarbon radicals and n is an integer, and also at least one resin (“MQ resin”) constructed from (R2)3SiO1/2— units (“M units”) and SiO4/2 units (“Q units”), the substituents R2 of the M units being independently of one another alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkylsilyl groups, hydroxyl groups or hydrogen.
US08173250B2
The invention relates to a metal/plastic hybrid and to a shaped body produced therefrom. By combining metallic additives in plastic, it has been shown for the first time that specific volume resistances of less than 10−2 Ωcm can be realized while the compounds have, at the same time, a good processability during the injection molding process.
US08173242B2
The present disclosure generally relates to a polymeric cellular confinement system which can be filled with soil, concrete, aggregate, earth materials, and the like. More specifically, the present disclosure concerns a cellular confinement system characterized by improved durability against damage generated by UV light, humidity, and aggressive soils, or combinations thereof.
US08173241B2
A composite system comprises a base layer, a capping layer, and at least one core geocell layer. The base layer and capping layer are staked below and above the core geocell layer, which is infilled with a low quality material. In specific embodiments, the base layer and capping layer are each geocells infilled with a high quality material. This composite system meets engineering specifications economically.
US08173236B1
A bamboo load bearing panel includes at least one bamboo panel element. The bamboo panel element includes a bamboo laminate layer with first and second layers of a plurality of bamboo strips having a cortex and pith surface, parallel and longitudinally cut from bamboo culm pressed flat and planed wherein the first and second layers are each planed to a thickness. The cortex surface of the first layer of bamboo strip is bonded to the cortex surface of the second layer of bamboo strip and a wood veneer layer is bonded to the pith surface of the first layer of the bamboo strip positioned such that the grain of the wood veneer layer is perpendicular to the grain of the bamboo strip. A finished bamboo load bearing panel includes at least one bamboo panel element bonded to optional layers of finishing wood veneers.
US08173235B2
An application for an arced sealing tape has a bottom, an inner wall and an outer wall. The outer wall has an outward flare extending outwardly from the center. The surfaces of the inner wall and the outer wall that are closest to a center point of the arc have an adhesive and a bottom surface of the bottom also has an adhesive.
US08173229B2
An intermediate transfer belt, which receives plural color toner images from one or more image bearing members and then transfers the plural color toner images onto a receiving material. The intermediate transfer belt includes a substrate; and an outermost layer located overlying the substrate and including an epoxy-silicone copolymer. An image forming apparatus including at least one image bearing member configured to bear plural color toner images thereon; a primary transfer device including the intermediate transfer belt, wherein the primary transfer device transfers the plural color toner images from the at least one image bearing member to the intermediate transfer belt to form a combined color toner image thereon; and a secondary transfer device configured to transfer the combined color toner image onto a receiving material.
US08173227B2
There is provided a recording ink containing: solid constituents, which contain a colorant and a resin, and stay solid in the ink having a temperature of 25° C.; liquid constituents, which have a higher boiling point than a boiling point of water, and stay liquid in the ink having a temperature of 25° C.; and water, wherein a total amount of the solid constituents in the recording ink is in the range of 2.0% by mass or more to less than 20% by mass, wherein a ratio A/B of a total amount of the liquid constituents in the recording ink A to the total amount of the solid constituents in the recording ink B is from 0.70 to 1.75, and wherein the viscosity of the recording ink at 25° C. is 10 mPa s or less.
US08173224B2
The invention relates to a process for impregnating wood or wood based material. A working solution is preheated to a temperature above the atmospheric boiling point (“a super hot temperature”) above the atmospheric boiling point (“a super hot temperature”) of the working solution, at an elevated pressure sufficient to maintain the working solution in the liquid phase. The working solution is contacted with a wood or wood based material at a super hot temperature and an elevated pressure to cause impregnation of the solution into the wood or wood based material. The impregnated wood or wood based material and any remaining working solution, waste material and/or by-products are then separated.
US08173218B2
A method of spraying a component involves disposing a component near a spray coating device. The component has a first mating feature that is formed as part of the component. A first mask is disposed over a portion of the component and has a second mating feature. The first mating feature is resiliently connected to the second mating feature. The component is then sprayed.
US08173217B2
A carbon nanotube (CNT) film having a transformed substrate structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The CNT film includes a transparent substrate, a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) structures formed distant from each other on the transparent substrate, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) deposited on the transparent substrate where the plurality of 3D structures is not formed. The method includes forming a plurality of 3D structures distant from each other on a transparent substrate, and depositing a CNT solution on the substrate with the plurality of 3D structures formed thereon, wherein the CNT solution is deposited into a portion of the transparent substrate where the 3D structures are not formed. Thus, the deposition mechanism of the CNT solution is controlled to thereby increase the transparency of the CNT film and the electrical conductivity of an electrode including the CNT film.
US08173216B2
The invention relates to a method and device for producing a base material (10) for screen-printing. This base material (10) comprises a screen (12), a resist layer (30) of resist material and a protective film (22). In the method according to the invention, the base material (10) is assembled from the various components. More particularly, the method comprises at least the steps of applying a first resist layer (30) to one side of the screen (12), and then applying the protective film (22) to the first resist layer (30) on the screen. The invention also relates to the base material (10) itself.
US08173209B2
A polymer-coated particulate material having: a particulate substrate; and an applied compound, wherein the applied compound coats at least 50% of the surface of the particulate substrate, and wherein, at the time of application, the applied compound includes a dispersion including: a thermoplastic polymer; and a stabilizing compound. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method of forming a polymer-coated particulate material, the method including the steps of: incorporating a particulate substrate and a dispersion, the dispersion comprising: a thermoplastic polymer; a stabilizing compound; and a dispersion medium selected from the group consisting of an organic solvent, water, and combinations thereof; removing at least a portion of the dispersion medium.
US08173191B2
The invention relates to a device and a method for the automated production of knotted dough products, in particular pretzels. Said device comprises: a shaping table (2) for horizontally supporting a U-shaped bent dough strand (46); a shaping tool (6) that can be activated to vertically support the U-shaped bent dough strand (46), the shaping table (2) and activated shaping tool (6) forming a common stop for the U-shaped bent strand (46); and a knotting head (9) for seizing the ends of the dough strand and for knotting said strand (46). According to the invention, the knotting head (9) can be displaced from a seizing position (48), in which the ends of the U-shaped bent dough strand (46) are seized, into an extension position (49), in which the dough strand is extended, then into a knotting position (51), in which the dough strand is knotted and finally into a placing position 52, in which the ends of the dough strands are placed on the central part of the dough strand. In addition, the common shaping stop is configured to be stationary, in particular on the horizontal displacement plane.
US08173188B2
In a method of controlling a heating cooking apparatus, when a generated steam volume at a forced finish time Tn−1 determined based on a minimum volume-minimum steam curve does not reach a minimum steam volume B1 determined based on a slowly rising maximum volume-maximum steam curve, the generated steam volume is smaller than in the case of a food having a maximum weight. Therefore, it can be judged that heating is performed in a no-load condition with an exceedingly small generated steam volume, and the operation of the heating cooking apparatus is forcedly stopped. When a generated steam volume at a maximum detection time Tm+1 does not reach a standard steam volume A determined based on the maximum volume-maximum steam curve, it is judged that a large amount of food exceeding a maximum amount is being heated and the operation of the heating cooking apparatus is forcedly stopped.
US08173187B2
The invention concerns an assembly for preparing and presenting an edible composition designed to be puffed including a first portion defining a chamber for enabling the puffed composition to be presented, and a second portion defining a storage chamber designed to include at least one non-puffed composition, the second portion being arranged in the first portion. The invention also concerns a method for preparing a composition to be puffed using the assembly.
US08173180B2
The invention describes stabile anthocyanin compositions, methods to prepare such compositions and also methods of use of such compositions to treat various afflictions. The present invention describes unique compositions of an anthocyanin and a stabilizing compound such that the combination of the two components provides that the anthocyanin does not readily undergo degradation, such as oxidation, pH instability, etc.
US08173178B1
Compositions of a whole fruit-derived cranberry ingredient profile, enriched in Stress Adapted Bioactive (SABs) from cranberries are described, for use in reducing the blood glucose level of diabetic, prediabetic, or other hyperglycemic individuals and individuals having one or more metabolic syndrome related factors. The compositions are prepared from whole fruit-derived cranberry pomace, which may be liquid or powdered, and which is enriched in Stress Adapted Bioactives (SABs) and enriched in soluble polyphenolics. Methods for using whole cranberry ingredient profile, enriched in polyphenolic-containing SABs, for the management of individuals having one or more symptoms of metabolic syndrome and for minimizing the effects of the syndrome are disclosed.
US08173174B2
A solubilized protein composition is obtained from avian eggshell membrane without the use of proteolytic enzymes or cross-linking agents. The composition is essentially odor-free, has an ash content of less than 10% by weight of the composition and a protein content of at least 90% by weight of the composition including a mixture of solubilized proteins such as Type I collagen. Type V collagen. Type X collagen, elastin, lysozyme, ovotransferrin, desmosine, and/or B-N-acetylglucosaminidase, wherein the solubilized proteins are undenatured and retain biological activity.
US08173171B2
Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a hydrogel microparticle composition. A dispersion including 1 part by weight of N-isopropyl acrylamide, about 0.1-0.5 part by weight of chitosan, about 0-0.05 part by weight of N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide, about 0.1-0.5 part by weight of glacial acetic acid, and about 20-40 parts by weight of water is prepared. About 0.01-0.3 part by weight of an anionic initiator is added into the dispersion and the dispersion is allowed to undergo a polymerization reaction at a temperature of about 10-100° C. for about 1 to 5 hours, thereby producing a plurality of hydrogel microparticles dispersed in the water to form the hydrogel microparticle composition.
US08173168B2
A process for preparing ultrafine powders of biological macromolecules comprises atomizing liquid solutions of the macromolecules, drying the droplets formed in the atomization step, and collecting the particles which result from drying. By properly controlling each of the atomization, drying, and collection steps, ultrafine dry powder compositions having characteristics particularly suitable for pulmonary delivery for therapeutic and other purposes may be prepared.
US08173166B2
The present teachings are directed methods of producing tungsten-containing nanoparticles, specifically tungsten nanoparticles and tungsten oxide nanoparticles with an average particle size of less than about five nanometers.
US08173161B2
A method for reducing the friability of soft substrates by applying an effective amount of a water soluble, polymeric dispersion to at least a portion of a treatment surface of the substrate, such that less than about 90% of the exterior surface has the dispersion applied thereto.
US08173160B2
The invention provides compositions for an administration to a mammal orally or in a suppository that include one or more edible oils (preferably including one or more omega-3 fatty acids), one or more plant stanols, phytosterols, or esters thereof, and admixed in the one or more edible oils one or more water-soluble vitamins and/or minerals, for example, vitamins B6, B9 and/or B12. The invention also provides a method of making the compositions comprising mixing the foregoing components to form a suspension or emulsion of the vitamins and/or minerals in the edible oils. The mixture can be inserted into hollow soft or hard capsules, gelcaps or caplets. The edible oils can coat particles of the water-soluble vitamins and/or minerals, which may provide them with an improved absorption in the body due to an increased resistance to degradation in the acidic environment of the stomach.
US08173156B2
An anti-inflammatory-containing plaster is provided. The anti-inflammatory-containing plaster may include, e.g., a styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, a high molecular weight polyisobutylene, a low molecular weight polyisobutylene, a tackifier, a plasticizer, a dispersant, and an anti-inflammatory having a carboxyl group or a salt thereof. However, the anti-inflammatory-containing plaster does not contain L-menthol. The anti-inflammatory-containing plaster has medicament release rates of 20-64% by mass and 40-93% by mass at one hour and three hours, respectively.
US08173150B2
This invention relates to stable non-aqueous single phase viscous vehicles and to formulations utilizing such vehicles. The formulations comprise at least one beneficial agent uniformly suspended in the vehicle. The formulation is capable of being stored at temperatures ranging from cold to body temperature for long periods of time. The formulations are capable of being uniformly delivered from drug delivery systems at an exit shear rate of between about 1 to 1×10−7 reciprocal second.
US08173149B2
A porous β-tricalcium phosphate material for bone implantation is provided. The multiple pores in the porous TCP body are separate discrete voids and are not interconnected. The pore size diameter is in the range of 20-500 μm, preferably 50-125 μm. The porous β-TCP material provides a carrier matrix for bioactive agents and can form a moldable putty composition upon the addition of a binder. Preferably, the bioactive agent is encapsulated in a biodegradable agent. The invention provides a kit and an implant device comprising the porous β-TCP, and a bioactive agent and a binder. The invention also provides an implantable prosthetic device comprising a prosthetic implant having a surface region, a porous β-TCP material disposed on the surface region and optionally comprising at least a bioactive agent or a binder. Methods of producing the porous β-TCP material and inducing bone formation are also provided.
US08173148B2
The invention relates to a delivery system for the sustained and controlled delivery of a group of bioactive agents. More particularly, the invention relates to a delivery system and a method for delivery of a bioactive agent containing a nucleophilic functional group by means of a biodegradable, sustained-release implant. The implant may be a preformed implant, microparticles or an in situ formed implant. The implant includes a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer, the bioactive agent having a nucleophilic group substituent and a stabilizing associate as well as other optional components. The combination of the stabilizing associate with the bioactive agent prevents and/or minimizes and/or lessens degradation of the thermoplastic polymer by the bioactive agent.
US08173143B2
Personal care compositions suitable for use in skin care applications, which effectively deliver and/or deposit anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agents, which are relatively non-irritating, and thus suitable for use by people having irritated or sensitive skin, particularly the skin around the eyes of a user. The personal care composition comprises a first formulation that provides anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties that can be easily reformulated to a second formulation that includes an anti-microbial agent by simply adding an anti-microbial agent without having to completely begin with a new formula and without compromising the properties found in the first formulation.
US08173141B2
The present invention relates generally to an immunogenic complex comprising a charged organic carrier and a charged antigen and, more particularly, a negatively charged organic carrier and a positively charged antigen. The complexes of the present invention are useful, inter alia, as therapeutic and/or prophylactic agents for facilitating the induction of a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to an antigen.
US08173137B2
The present disclosure relates to vectors comprising polynucleotide sequences that encode HIV polypeptides. In particular, the disclosure relates polycistronic vector constructs comprising sequences that encode HIV polypeptides as a single polyprotein. Compositions comprising these vectors and sequences along with methods of using these vectors and sequences are also disclosed.
US08173128B2
Anti-DR5 antibody agonists, combined with apoptosis-inducing agents, synergistically induce apoptosis in cancer cells.
US08173122B2
The present invention relates to a novel Neutrokine-alpha, and a splice variant thereof designated Neutrokine-alphaSV, polynucleotides and polypeptides which are members of the TNF family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides, including soluble forms of the extracellular domain. Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting immune system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating immune system-related disorders.
US08173119B2
The present invention concerns the use of cells derived from the cellular fraction of the vascular stroma of the extramedullary adipose tissue to promote the regeneration of tissue following lesions caused by irradiation. More specifically, the use according to the invention aims to prepare a drug for promoting regeneration of the skin, and in particular to repair the cutaneous wounds caused by irradiation.
US08173115B2
A method of formulating a particle composition having a pre-selected cell internalization mode involves selecting a target cell having surface receptors and obtaining particles that have i) surface moieties, that have an affinity for or are capable of binding to the surface receptors of the cell and ii) a preselected shape, where a surface distribution of the surface moieties on the particles and the shape of the particles are effective for the pre-selected cell internalization mode.
US08173111B2
A hair cleansing composition comprises the following ingredients (A) to (C): (A) a hydroxymonocarboxylic acid, or a salt thereof, (B) an organic solvent, and (C) an anionic surfactant having a sulfate group; and has a pH of from 1 to 4 when diluted 20-fold by weight with water and a buffer capacity not lower than 0.005 gram equivalent/L but lower than 0.2 gram equivalent/L.
US08173110B2
A pre-shave composition to lubricate skin, comprising at least one polyfluoroalkyl dimethicone polymer, a volatile component to serve as a carrier to the polyfluoroalkyl dimethicone polymer, and a suspending agent to suspend the polyfluoroalkyl dimethicone polymer in the volatile component.
US08173108B2
A cosmetic composition is provided including a water-insoluble UV-A sunscreen agent having a λmax at 330-380 nm, a water-insoluble UV-B sunscreen agent having a λmax between 280 and 320 nm, and a water-soluble sunscreen agent having a λmax between 280 and 400 nm, the water-soluble sunscreen agent being neutralized with metallic counter ions which in a first portion are sodium and in a second portion are potassium ions present in a respective molar ratio of 0.5:2 to 2:1, and a cosmetically acceptable carrier including from 0.2 to 4% of potassium stearate by weight of the composition.
US08173096B2
A carbon nanosphere has at least one opening. The carbon nanosphere is obtained by preparing a carbon nanosphere and treating it with an acid to form the opening. The carbon nanosphere with at least one opening has higher utilization of a surface area and electrical conductivity and lower mass transfer resistance than a conventional carbon nanotube, thus allowing for higher current density and cell voltage with a smaller amount of metal catalyst per unit area of a fuel cell electrode.
US08173088B2
A method for injection reductant into an exhaust gas and for evaporating and decomposing the reductant at an elevated temperature includes providing an exhaust pipe having an interior surface and disposing the pipe in fluid communication with and upstream of a catalyst. The method includes the steps of disposing an internal cone within the pipe generally parallel to the pipe, mounting an injector to the exterior of the pipe in fluid communication with the cone, injecting the reductant into the cone, and directing the exhaust gas in a passage between the interior surface of the pipe and the cone. The exhaust gas is directed within the cone. The flow of exhaust gas has an elevated temperature compared to an ambient. A further step includes creating a drag force on the injected reductant to increase travel time of the injected reductant from the injector to the catalyst.
US08173085B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing an oxide containing a conductive mayenite type compound and having an electron concentration of 1×1018/cm3 or more, from a raw material which is a combination of a calcium compound and an aluminum compound or is a compound containing calcium and aluminum, each having a molar ratio of calcium oxide and aluminum oxide ranging from 9:10 to 14:5 in terms of the oxides, the method including the steps of: heating and holding the raw material at 900 to 1,300° C. to produce a calcined powder containing at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of a calcium aluminate, calcium oxide and aluminum oxide; and heating and holding the calcined powder at 1,200° C. to less than 1,415° C. under a reduction atmosphere in an inert gas atmosphere or a vacuum atmosphere each having an oxygen partial pressure of 1,000 Pa or less.
US08173084B2
A high purity nano-sized Yb3+ doped Y2O3 (Yb:Y2O3) ceramic powder with a narrow size distribution and without hard agglomerates is provided. Also provided is a process for manufacturing the same wherein water in the reaction bath is replaced by a non-water washing agent having little or no hydrogen bonding capability to inhibit the formation of hard agglomerates in the ceramic powder.
US08173083B2
A compact catalytic reactor defines a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately in the reactor, for carrying first and second fluids, respectively, wherein at least the first fluids undergo a chemical reaction. Each first flow channel containing a removable gas-permeable catalyst structure (20) incorporating a metal substrate, the catalyst structure defining flow paths therethrough, with catalytic material on at least some surfaces of each such path. The catalyst structure also incorporates a multiplicity of projecting resilient lugs (22) which support the catalyst structure (20) spaced away from at least one adjacent wall of the channel (17).
US08173079B2
A method for forming a structured polymeric film having a plurality of longitudinally spaced structured on both sides of the structured polymeric film is described. The method includes: providing a rotatable tool having an outer circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface including a plurality of tool projections; providing a nip roll having a smooth conformable outer circumferential surface opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the tool; introducing a polymer layer into a nip between the tool and the nip roll; pressing the polymer layer between the tool and the nip roll to form web recesses into a first side of the polymer layer and web projections extending away from an opposing second side of the polymer layer, with the tool projections on the circumferential surface of the tool and form a structured web; and removing the structured web from the tool. Sample processing articles are also described.
US08173077B2
A DNA amplification device utilizing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon substrate coated with spin-on glass (SOG) is provided. This PDMS layer is irreversibly bonded to the SOG layer of the silicon substrate using oxygen plasma. The amplification device is an inexpensive, microfluidic device, which can be utilized as a portable thermo-cycler to perform PCR amplification of DNA in the field.
US08173076B2
An improved apparatus and method of producing acetic acid includes condensing overhead vapor to provide reflux to the light ends column as well as condensing vapor from a central portion of the light ends column to increase capacity. Throughput or load on the light ends column is substantially reduced without compromising product quality.
US08173072B2
A nitric oxide delivery system, which includes a gas bottle having nitrogen dioxide in air, converts nitrogen dioxide to nitric oxide and employs a surface-active material, such as silica gel, coated with an aqueous solution of antioxidant, such as ascorbic acid. A nitric oxide delivery system may be used to generate therapeutic gas including nitric oxide for use in delivering the therapeutic gas to a mammal.
US08173060B2
A directional conductivity nanocomposite material, apparatuses and processes for making such material are generally described. A directional conductivity nanocomposite material may comprise a supporting material such as ceramic or polymer, with directionally conductive nanorod structures running through the supporting material. The material may be made by orienting nanorods in an electrophoretic gel using an electrical or magnetic field to align the nanorods, removing the gel, reinforcing the nanorods, and flowing in supporting material.
US08173053B2
A white heat-curable silicone resin composition comprising (A) a heat-curable organopolysiloxane, (B) a white pigment, (C) an inorganic filler, and (D) a condensation catalyst cures into a white uniform product having heat resistance, light resistance and minimal yellowing. The cured composition has a thermal conductivity of 1-10 W/mK. The composition is useful for forming cases on optoelectronic parts, typically LED.
US08173047B2
The present invention relates to electrically conductive polymer compositions, and their use in organic electronic devices. The electrically conductive polymer compositions include (i) an intrinsically conductive polymer having at least one monomer unit which is a pyridine-fused heteroaromatic and (ii) a fluorinated acid polymer.
US08173020B2
Apparatus and methods for water treatment are described, particularly for the simultaneous removal of nitrate, perchlorate, and other organic contaminates from contaminated water using a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR).
US08173018B2
A fluid filter module including an end cap assembly disposed about at least one end of a tubular-shaped housing. The end cap assembly includes a base, fluid port and sealed boss which may optionally comprise an integrally molded structure.
US08173011B2
A pool/spa water treatment system may include a pump and a pool filter. The pump may include a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The pump inlet and outlet may be aligned on a first axis or within a first vertical plane. The pool filter may be offset a select transverse distance from the pump. The pool filter may include a pool filter inlet in fluid communication with the pump outlet. The pool filter inlet and the pump outlet may be aligned on a second axis or within a second vertical plane that is transverse to the first axis or plane. The pool/spa water treatment system may further include a heater. The heater may include a heater inlet in fluid communication with the pool filter outlet. The heater inlet may be aligned with the pool filter outlet within the second plane.
US08173008B2
A method for determining an analyte in a bodily fluid sample includes inserting the analyte test strip into a test meter. The insertion is such that an electrical connector pin of the test meter travels along an electrical contact pad of the analyte test strip, and across a meter identification feature disposed on the electrical contact pad, during the insertion. Moreover, during the insertion, a signal processing module of the test meter measures an electrical characteristic via the electrical connector pin as the electrical connector pin travels along the electrical contact pad and across the meter identification feature. The method also includes identifying the analyte test strip, using the signal processing module, based on the electrical characteristic measured as the analyte test strip is inserted into the test meter and, thereafter, applying the bodily fluid sample to the analyte test strip upon notification by the test meter that the identification indicates that such applying is appropriate. The method then includes determining an analyte in the bodily fluid sample using the test meter only if the identification indicates that such determining is appropriate. The electrical contact pad of the analyte test strip employed in the method has a predetermined contact electrical characteristic value and the meter identification feature of the analyte test strip has a predetermined identification feature electrical characteristic value that is dissimilar from the predetermined contact electrical characteristic, thus providing for identification of the analyte test strip by the test meter.
US08173002B2
The invention provides a dry electroblotting system for dry blotting gels, in which the system includes an electroblotting transfer stack that comprises an analysis gel and a blotting membrane, an anode, a body of anodic gel matrix juxtaposed with the anode between the anode and the transfer stack, a cathode, and a body of cathodic gel matrix juxtaposed with the cathode between the cathode and the transfer stack, in which the anodic gel matrix and the cathodic gel matrix each comprise an ion source for electrophoretic transfer. The dry electroblotting system does not use any liquid buffers that are added to the system just before electroblotting (such as when the transfer stack is being assembled). The anode, the cathode, or both can be separate from a power supply and provided as part of a disposable electrode assembly that also includes a body of gel matrix that includes ions for electrophoretic transfer.
US08173001B2
The invention relates to a microfabricated device and methods of using the device for analyzing and sorting polynucleotide molecules by size.
US08173000B1
An active matrix electrowetting on dielectric (AM-EWOD) device which includes a plurality of array elements configured to manipulate one or more droplets of fluid on an array, each of the array elements including a corresponding array element circuit. Each array element circuit includes a top substrate electrode and a drive electrode between which the one or more droplets may be positioned; circuitry configured to write data to the corresponding array element by selectively applying to the drive electrode either: (i) a time-varying voltage waveform V1 of amplitude VB and period t0; or (ii) a time-varying voltage waveform V2, the logical inverse of V1, and applying to the top substrate electrode the time-varying voltage waveform V2+Voffset, where Voffset represents an offset voltage signal which may have AC and/or DC components and may equal zero.
US08172993B2
In a magnetron sputtering apparatus an arrangement is made such that the peripheral portion of a target is uniformly eroded to attain a high efficiency in target utilization and, in addition, that an abnormal discharging hardly occurs to thereby enable satisfactory thin film forming. A magnet assembly is provided behind a target that is disposed opposite to the process substrate. This magnet assembly has a central magnet that is disposed linearly along the longitudinal direction, and a peripheral magnet that is disposed so as to enclose the periphery of the central magnet, while changing the polarity on the side of the target. At this time, among the respective magnetic fluxes generated between the central magnet and the peripheral magnet at the longitudinally end portions of the magnet assembly, the position at which the vertical component of the magnetic field becomes zero is locally shifted to the central magnet within a certain range.
US08172992B2
Methods, apparatuses, and various apparatus components, such as base plates, lipseals, and contact ring assemblies are provided for reducing contamination of the contact area in the apparatuses. Contamination may happen during removal of semiconductor wafers from apparatuses after the electroplating process. In certain embodiments, a base plate with a hydrophobic coating, such as polyamide-imide (PAI) and sometimes polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), are used. Further, contact tips of the contact ring assembly may be positioned further away from the sealing lip of the lipseal. In certain embodiments, a portion of the contact ring assembly and/or the lipseal also include hydrophobic coatings.
US08172991B2
A hydrogen generating apparatus is disclosed, which can provide a constant amount of hydrogen regardless of its orientation. The hydrogen generating apparatus can include an electrolyte bath, which contains an electrolyte solution; a free-moving first electrode, which is positioned inside the electrolyte bath, and which generates electrons; a free-moving second electrode, which is positioned inside the electrolyte bath, and which receives the electrons to generate hydrogen; a spacer positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a control unit, which is connected with the first electrode and the second electrode, to control an amount of electrons traveling from the first electrode to the second electrode.
US08172990B2
In one embodiment of the present invention an electrolytic cell is provided comprising: a containment vessel; a first electrode; a second electrode; a source of electrical current in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; an electrolyte in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; a gas, wherein the gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; and a separator; wherein the first electrode is configured to control the location of nucleation of the gas by substantially separating the location of electron transfer and nucleation.
US08172983B2
A method of preparing a stable dispersion of flocculated filler particles for use in papermaking processes comprises sequential addition of high and low molecular weight flocculating agents to an aqueous dispersion of filler particles followed by shearing of the resultant filler flocs to the desired particle size resulting in shear resistant filler flocs with a defined and controllable size distribution.
US08172981B2
A method for controlling the sodium and sulphur balance of a pulp mill while separating lignin from black liquor, and also a lignin product or an intermediate lignin product obtainable by the method. The present invention also provides use of a lignin product or an intermediate lignin product for the production of fuel (solid, gaseous or liquid) or materials.
US08172977B2
The present invention provides a process wherein a rotary knife or die, with one or more cutting edges, turns against and in coordination with a corresponding cylinder to create preferably trapezoidal ears. Ear material is slit into two lanes, one for a left side of a diaper and the other for a right side of a diaper. Fastening tapes are applied to both the right and the left ear webs. The ear material is then die cut with a nested pattern on a synchronized vacuum anvil. The resulting discrete ear pieces however, due to the trapezoidal pattern of the ears, alternate between a correct orientation and an incorrect (reversed) orientation. The reversed ear is required to be rotated 180° into the correct orientation such that the ears and associated tape present a left ear and a right ear on the diaper.
US08172974B2
Methods and products for forming a coated image on a substrate are generally disclosed. The methods can include forming an image on a printable surface of a transfer coating layer of a printable transfer sheet. In a separate step, the negative mirror image of that same image is printed with toners on a toner printable sheet. After registering the sheets together, a portion of the transfer coating layer of the printable transfer sheet is transferred to the toner printable sheet, such that the portion of the transfer coating layer transferred to the toner printable sheet corresponds to the imaged areas on the toner printable sheet. However, the image formed on the printable surface of the transfer coating layer and the underlying transfer coating substantially remain on the printable transfer sheet. Thereafter, the image and the transfer coating layer remaining on the printable transfer sheet are transferred to a substrate.
US08172968B2
The invention relates to a method for contacting a flexible sheet to a first element with improved lateral alignment. The method includes a step of measuring a first lateral misalignment after establishing a first contact between the flexible sheet and either of the first element and a sheet parking surface called anchor in the first stage. If the 5 misalignment exceeds a predetermined threshold the flexible sheet is parked at the anchor such that it is not in contact with the first element, and the relative position of the first element and the anchor is altered during the second stage for correcting the mismatch during a contact between the flexible sheet and the first element to be established within the next step of the method. During the steps of shifting the contact point to obtain the second stage 10 the contacting process is more accurate and reproducible than the process for establishing the initial contact. The invention also relates to an apparatus for executing the method, and the use of the method and apparatus for the manufacture of devices.
US08172956B2
A sintered soft magnetic powder molded body having a composition containing Fe, 44 to 50% by mass of Ni and 2 to 6% by mass of Si, or a composition containing Fe and 2 to 6% by mass of Si, wherein the Si is unevenly distributed among particles, is provided.
US08172951B2
The use of an aqueous composition comprising a semiconductor as cleaning agent for surfaces in the outdoors field and indoors field is proposed.
US08172949B2
A computer readable storage medium storing a program for performing an operation method of a substrate processing apparatus is provided. The operation method includes the steps of introducing a nonreactive gas into the vacuum preparation chamber before the gate valve is opened while the substrate is transferred between the vacuum preparation chamber of the vacuum processing unit and the transfer unit, stopping introducing the nonreactive gas when an inner pressure of the vacuum preparation chamber becomes same as an atmospheric pressure, starting an evacuation process of the corrosive gas in the vacuum preparation chamber and then opening to atmosphere performed by letting the vacuum preparation chamber communicate with an atmosphere, and opening the gate valve after the step of opening to atmosphere.
US08172940B2
A process for treating fly ash to render it highly usable as a concrete additive. A quantity of fly ash is obtained that contains carbon and which is considered unusable fly ash for concrete based upon foam index testing. The fly ash is mixed with an activator solution sufficient to initiate a geopolymerization reaction and for a geopolymerized fly ash. The geopolymerized fly ash is granulated. The geopolymerized fly ash is considered usable fly ash for concrete according to foam index testing. The geopolymerized fly ash may have a foam index less than 35% of the foam index of the untreated fly ash, and in some cases less than 10% of the foam index of the untreated fly ash. The activator solution may contain an alkali metal hydroxide, carbonate, silicate, aluminate, or mixtures thereof.
US08172939B2
A material for cement which comprises a calcium salt powder with an inositol phosphate and/or a salt thereof as adsorbed on the surface thereof, the powder having a specific surface area of 60-120 m2/g. A method of producing a material for cement comprises the step of mixing a calcium ion-containing solution adjusted to alkalinity with a phosphate ion-containing solution to produce a precipitate, the step of maturing the precipitate-containing system while maintaining the alkalinity to obtain a calcium salt powder, the step of recovering the calcium salt powder and drying the same, and the step of immersing the dried calcium salt powder in a solution containing an inositol phosphate and/or a salt thereof to cause the inositol phosphate and/or salt thereof to be adsorbed on the surface of the calcium salt powder.
US08172935B2
The present invention provides mixed metal oxide based special effect pigments that can be incorporated into optically thin binder systems to produce a “metal flake” appearance that is superior to the “metal flake” appearance presently achievable using conventional special effect pigments. Special effect pigments according to the invention comprise at least 10 wt % of mixed metal oxides that exhibit the McConnellite (Cu1+Cr3+O2) crystal structure. Other metallic elements can be incorporated into the crystal lattice structure to alter the appearance effect of the pigments.
US08172929B2
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to limiting a presence of air bubbles in fluidic media in a reservoir. Air passages may allow air to escape from fluidic media in a reservoir. Membranes may allow for trapping air bubbles in fluidic media before fluidic media enters a reservoir. A membrane may allow air to flow from a first reservoir containing fluidic media to a second reservoir while plunger heads within each of the reservoirs are moved within the reservoirs. An inner reservoir with a membrane may be moveable within an outer reservoir to allow air to move from the outer reservoir to the inner reservoir. An inner reservoir containing pressurized gas may allow fluidic media to be transferred to an outer reservoir.
US08172928B2
A fuel source for an electrochemical cell includes two or more chemical hydride pellets, a flexible, porous, liquid water impermeable, hydrogen and water vapor permeable membrane in contact with and at least partially surrounding each hydride pellet, and a porous metal hydride layer positioned between each hydride pellet. Air gaps are between each pellet.
US08172927B2
An apparatus and a method for filtering sectioning wastes of a microtome that are present in an air stream are described. The apparatus has an aspiration device with which sectioning waste can be aspirated from a blade region of the microtome with an air stream. A main filter and a prefilter are provided. A valve is provided for opening and closing an opening so that the air stream so that if desired an air stream can be directed through a filter insert in the prefilter for emptying the prefilter into the main filter. According to the method, an air stream that is used for aspirating sectioning waste from a blade region of the microtome is shut off immediately before emptying the prefilter.
US08172923B2
An apparatus and method for maintaining low gas velocity variation across a diffuser membrane during the vent-up of a vacuum chamber is disclosed. The diffuser membrane permeability and the pressure conditions across the membrane are chosen to minimize variation in gas flow velocity through the membrane during the vent-up cycle. This reduces re-distribution of particles from a vacuum chamber onto sensitive substrates in the vacuum chamber during vent-up from sub-atmospheric pressure to atmospheric pressure.
US08172915B2
The present invention relates to a method of producing a composite diamond body from powders of diamond particles and powders forming a binder phase comprising cobalt powder having mainly a fcc-structure and a grain size (FSSS) of from about 0.2 to about 2.9 μm., with a pressing and sintering operation. The present invention also relates to a composite diamond body made according to the method.
US08172914B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for forming a bit body for an earth-boring bit. The bit body may comprise hard particles, wherein the hard particles comprise at least one of carbide, nitride, boride, and oxide and solid solutions thereof, and a binder binding together the hard particles. The binder may comprise at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, and iron, and at least one melting point-reducing constituent selected from a transition metal carbide in the range of 30 to 60 weight percent, boron up to 10 weight percent, silicon up to 20 weight percent, chromium up to 20 weight percent, and manganese up to 25 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder. In addition, the hard particles may comprise at least one of (i) cast carbide (WC+W2C) particles, (ii) transition metal carbide particles selected from the carbides of titanium, chromium, vanadium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, molybdenum, niobium, and tungsten, and (iii) sintered cemented carbide particles.
US08172897B2
A device and a method of manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a stent, are described herein. The device includes a metallic region composed of a bioerodable metal and a polymer region composed of a biodegradable polymer contacting the metallic region. The metallic region may erode at a different rate when exposed to bodily fluids than the polymer region when exposed to bodily fluids. In certain embodiments, the polymer region is an outer layer and the metallic region is an inner layer of the device. A further aspect of the invention includes device and a method of manufacturing the device that includes a mixture of a biodegradable polymer and bioerodable metallic particles. The mixture may be used to fabricate an implantable medical device or to coat an implantable medical device. In some embodiments, the metallic particles are metallic nanoparticles.
US08172895B2
A method of sizing of a stent graft (20) including placement of fenestrations (30, 32) to ensure access to side branch vessels (13, 15) through the fenestrations when the stent graft is introduced into a body vessel and an assembly method for a stent graft including temporary diameter reduction arrangements to enable partial release of a stent graft to assist with positioning of fenestrations with respect to side branch vessels. The method includes spacing the fenestrations to be the same circumferential distance as the side branch vessels irrespective of the diameter of the stent graft.
US08172891B2
A method and apparatus for reducing the longitudinal aspect of the catheter to stent force having at least one grip member for use with a stent delivery system. The grip engages a stent in the unexpanded state prior to delivery of the stent. The stent may be deployed by retracting a stent retaining sheath. The grip has a body region having an outer diameter, a first end and a second end. The outer diameter of the first end is greater than the outer diameter of the second end. The grip is at least partially constructed from a polymeric material.
US08172888B1
A thermal pack having a bent lip uniformly disposed away from a skin side of the thermal pack. The thermal pack of the present invention eliminates discomfort associated with prior art thermal packs by providing a lip that bends up and away from the skin, thereby avoiding or minimizing contact with the skin and limiting irritation. The pack is preferably provided with an insulated wrap 90 that can be attached to the pack, such as by a hook-and-loop fastener. The wrap will aid in placement of the device upon the user, as well as extend the benefits of the thermal medium. The wrap is conventionally formed of a thermoplastic material commonly used in packaging.
US08172876B2
A spinal fixation system is provided that includes a coupling member and a locking device that is operable to fix an elongate member relative to the coupling member. In one form, locking device includes opposing lock arms operable to retain the locking device relative to the coupling member in an initial position prior to the locking device fixing the elongate member relative to the coupling member. In another form, the coupling member and locking device include cooperating structure therebetween in the form of a protrusion and a guide track, the cooperating structure arranged and configured to retain the locking device within an internal space of the coupling member. There is also provided a retainer operable to minimize pivoting of the coupling member relative to an anchor member and to substantially retain an anchor member depressed within an internal space of the coupling member to minimize play therebetween.
US08172875B2
A vertebral implant comprising a first base configured for securing to a first cut portion of a vertebra, and second base configured for securing to a second cut portion of the vertebra. A connecting member is configured to associate the first and second bases at a preselected spacing from each other, and the implant is preferable adjustable to select the spacing.
US08172867B2
A skin pricking device includes first (12) and second (14) housing parts telescopically coupled together. A lancet (26) and a firing mechanism (32,38) are disposed within the first housing part, whilst a membrane (25) is disposed over an open end of the first housing part to seal the first housing part containing the lancet and the firing mechanism. Movement of the second housing part towards the first housing part activates the firing mechanism thereby driving a tip (30) of the lancet through the membrane and through an opening (18) in the second housing part.
US08172866B2
The invention relates to a medical aid which comprises a lancet. The lancet is at least partially enclosed by a packaging that comprises a flexible film section. The lancet is arranged displaceably between upper and lower protective sections of the packaging. The flexible film section is detachably connected, along at least one segment of its first and second lateral edges, to an additional flexible film section or one of the protective sections. The flexible film section is connected to an additional flexible film section or one of the protective sections near the lancet tip via a detachable connection to enclose the lancet tip in the packaging. The proximal ends of the lower and upper protective sections can be bent apart to create an opening in the packaging at the detachable connection through which part of the lancet is pushed out from the packaging in the proximal direction.
US08172865B2
Apparatus, systems, and devices are described that utilize an adjustable biological tissue cutting handpiece that is based on selectable settings. The biological tissue cutting handpiece includes a cutter tip that allows multiple duty cycles as well as multiple port configurations. For example, when working next to the retina, the port could be adjusted to be a smaller size, allowing delicate membrane dissection. When working near or in less sensitive tissue, e.g. the center of the eye, the port could be wide open. The port aperture size can be independent of cut speed, allowing a surgeon to work at high speed both next to the retina and away from the retina. High speeds have been shown to have increased tissue (e.g., vitreous) removal, e.g., in 25 and 23-gauge instruments. Duty cycle is not necessarily dependent on cut speed, allowing high cutter performance and varied flow characteristics.
US08172861B2
Sol-gel compositions, methods, and kits for joining together non-conjoined lumens in a patient's body including vascular lumens. More particularly, in various aspects, this invention provides thermoreversible sol-gel compositions, methods, and kits for joining such non-conjoined lumens, including small lumens typically requiring microsurgical technique.
US08172857B2
An endoscopic tissue apposition device that includes a vacuum chamber configured to securely hold a portion of tissue therein, the vacuum chamber being defined by a proximal wall and a distal wall opposite to the proximal wall. Working and vacuum channels are provided in communication with the vacuum chamber. A portion of tissue is held in the vacuum chamber when vacuum is applied in the vacuum chamber through the vacuum channel. A carrier needle is disposed on a proximal side of the vacuum chamber and is longitudinally advanceable into and across the vacuum chamber, while a punch needle is disposed on a distal side of the vacuum chamber and is configured to receive the carrier needle therein. A hold and release mechanism holds and releases the punch needle to facilitate joining portions of tissue together.
US08172854B2
An instrument guide with device coupler, a handle and one or more instrument guide lumens is detachably coupled to an orthopedic implant to facilitate drilling of the fastener holes or to facilitate insertion of self-tapping or self-dripping fasteners. The handle is preferably detachable to facilitate access to the instrument guide lumens. The device coupler detachably engages the implantable device and aligns the instrument guide lumens with the fastener openings on the device.
US08172846B2
A method for performing a surgical procedure on tissue at a target site of a patient includes providing a surgical cutting instrument including an outer tube, inner wire assembly and a cutting tip. The outer tube defines a curved segment. The inner wire assembly is rotatably disposed within the outer tube. The cutting tip is connected to the inner wire assembly and positioned at a distal end of the outer tube. The tissue at the target site is exposed and the cutting tip is deployed against the tissue. The method further includes rotating the inner wire assembly relative to the outer tube at speeds in excess of 50,000 RPM such that the cutting tip removes contacted tissue.
US08172845B2
A drill bit including a shaft which has a pyramidal shaped end defining a drill tip with a plurality of edges defining the pyramidal shape.One or more recesses are provided for directing away debris produced while drilling, the at least one recess having a first portion extending along the shaft and a second portion having a first portion extending along the shaft and a second portion which extends along the drill tip; wherein the. The second portion which extends along the drill tip. The second portion of the at least one recess extends along an edge of the drill tip.
US08172838B2
A surgical apparatus includes an actuation unit disposed on a handle and a control unit providing at least three modes for controlling the electrical instrument. The actuation unit contains a switching rocker with an operating element, which is rotatable about a rocker axis that can be shifted perpendicular to the surface of the handle, so that starting from an initial position a first or second function position can be reached by forwards or backwards rotation about the rocker axis, and a third function position can be reached by pressing the operating element inward, two sensors being disposed on the operating element, one on the left and the other on the right side of the rocker axis, in such a way that by means of the sensors the function position selected by means of the switching rocker can be determined by the control unit.
US08172836B2
An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator configured to generate electrosurgical energy and a sensor. The sensor is coupled to the electrosurgical generator and senses aerosol and/or smoke generated during application of the electrosurgical energy. The sensor generates data in response to the sensed aerosol and/or smoke and communicates the data to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical generator generates the electrosurgical energy as a function of the data.
US08172822B2
A wearing article configured so that hook elements of a mechanical fastener can be firmly attached to a chassis and the hook elements can be held in engagement with loop elements of a mechanical fastener tightly without correspondingly increasing a manufacturing cost. The wearing article has front and rear waist regions that respectively include a first pair of lateral zones and a second pair of lateral zones, these lateral zones in each pair are opposed to each other in a transverse direction X and extending in a longitudinal direction Y. An inner sheet is provided in the first lateral zones with mount members attached thereto and hook elements are attached to the diaper via the mount members. In the second lateral zones, the inner sheet is provided with loop elements attached thereto. First and second arrays of the hook elements include deformed regions created over the entire areas thereof by pressure-treatment.
US08172816B2
An anisotropic wound drape for treating a wound on a patient includes a flexible sheet for placing over a tissue site. The flexible sheet includes a first isotropic zone, and a second isotropic zone. The first isotropic zone and the second isotropic zone are configured to provide the flexible sheet with anisotropic stretching properties. The anisotropic drape may used as part of a reduced-pressure wound treatment system. Other systems and methods are also presented.
US08172810B2
A safety device (10) for a medical needle (11) has a sleeve (28) defining an internally tapering forward portion (30) and a needle carrier (14) located within the sleeve (28) for axial movement relative to the forward portion (30). A locking member (23) is mounted on the needle carrier (14) and has a plurality of resiliently deformable fingers (25) bearing on the internal surface of the sleeve and slidable along the tapering forward portion (30) as the carrier moves relative thereto, so as to impart a force between the carrier (14) and forward portion (30) to restore those components to their initial position. A cam arrangement (33) turns the locking member (23) following initial axial movement between the carrier (14) and forward portion (30) so that the forward ends of the fingers drop behind abutments (35) provided at the rearward end of the forward portion, upon the carrier and forward portion returning to their initial positions. This then blocks further axial movement between those components (14, 30).
US08172806B2
A surgical seal system is adapted for use with a cannula assembly having a cannula housing and a cannula sleeve extending from the cannula housing. The surgical seal assembly includes a seal assembly and an adapter assembly. The seal assembly is mountable to the cannula housing. The seal assembly includes a seal housing and a seal defining inner portions adapted to form a substantial seal about an instrument with a first cross-sectional dimension. The adapter assembly includes an adapter body adapted for releasably coupling to the seal housing of the seal assembly. The adapter body has an adapter seal and a tether. The adapter seal is adapted to form a substantial seal about an instrument with a second cross-sectional dimension less than the first cross-sectional dimension. The tether is mountable to the cannula sleeve thus securing the adapter assembly to the cannula.
US08172802B2
An intravascular needle and catheter arrangement that ensures flashback is indicated after the catheter is safely inserted through the needle puncture in the vascular wall and emplaced into the vessel. This placement location, at which flashback first occurs is sufficient to begin threading the catheter without risk of over-insertion or under-insertion. The catheter overlies a needle having a distal tip that defines a point. The needle tip includes an enclosed distal-most end and a port located along at least one of the proximal portion of the point and an adjacent cylindrical sidewall of the needle. The distal end of the catheter exposes the port for entry of blood from a vessel thereinto only after the distal end of the catheter has entered sufficiently into the interior of the vessel. An opposing second side of the tip defines a curved surface that prevents puncturing of the back vessel wall.
US08172795B2
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.
US08172791B2
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a breast milk collection and storage device that contours to the natural form of a female human breast and consists of an outer layer, an inner layer and a sterile collection bag. Designed to fit under any standard brassiere, the device provides an opening to be comfortably worn around the nipple. The opening directs mild to the sterile collection bag and further provides a sealing means for coupling to a cap or other closure device when not being worn.
US08172790B2
A needle-free transdermal transport device includes a chamber (900) for holding the substance to be injected, a nozzle (910) in fluid communication with the chamber, and a drug reservoir (950) for storing the substance to be transferred to the chamber. The needle-free transdermal transport device also includes a controllable magnet and coil electromagnetic actuator (242) in communication with the chamber. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a force. The force then causes a needle-free transfer of the substance from the chamber to the biological body. The force is variable responsive to variations in the received input during actuation. The actuator draws the substance from the drug reservoir or alternatively, the substance can be pressurized from the drug reservoir into the chamber by a pressure source.
US08172789B2
A peritoneal dialysis system includes a removable cassette defining a flexible pump chamber and a pressure sensing area that is fluidly connected to the pump chamber wherein, during operation of the peritoneal dialysis system, peritoneal dialysis fluid is contained in the pump chamber; and a peritoneal dialysis machine configured to secure the removable cassette, peritoneal dialysis machine including (i) a pressure sensor positioned to align with and to contact the pressure sensing area of the removable cassette when the removable cassette is secured to the peritoneal dialysis machine, and (ii) a controller connected to the pressure sensor and adapted to change the operation of the peritoneal dialysis machine in response to changes in pressure sensed by the pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor and the pressure sensing area are arranged so that the pressure sensor measures a pressure of fluid in a fluid passage between the pump chamber and a patient during operation of the peritoneal dialysis system.
US08172779B2
In an embodiment, an orthopedic device in the form of a lumbar support includes first and second elongate belt members, an anatomically shaped plate, and a closure system connecting the belt members to the plate. The closure system is arranged to move the belt members relative to the plate, and connects to the belt members via a flexible belt attachment which removably secures to the belt members. The closure system includes tensioning elements corresponding to the belt members, and a pulley system connecting to the tensioning elements. The closure system is slidably mounted to the plate and arranged to the belt members relative to the plate between opposed linear directions. The plate has various contours which provide pressure distribution over a lumbar region of a back. Anatomically shaped and resiliently formed handles secure to the tensioning elements and the belt members.
US08172776B2
A system may detect a labor condition in a laboring patient. The system may include an electromagnetic field generating unit, an electromagnetic field sensing unit, and a processing unit. The electromagnetic field generating unit may be operable to create an electromagnetic field about the laboring patient. The electromagnetic field sensing unit may be operable to detect a disturbance in the electromagnetic field. The processing unit may be operable to process the disturbance in the electromagnetic field to extract a labor condition.
US08172773B2
A biopsy device for tissue collection having a housing and a removable element. A power source is contained within the housing and the removable unit includes a biopsy needle module and a pressure source that can be integrated into the housing such that the biopsy device is fully operational without the need for wires or cables extending from the housing to connect to external units. The biopsy needle module includes a biopsy needle and a cutting sleeve, the biopsy needle having a sharpened distal end and a distal opening for collection of tissue, the cutting sleeve having a cutting blade on its distal end and being coaxially positioned with respect to the biopsy needle.
US08172772B2
A surgical instrument can be used to capture and retrieve tissue, or other specimens, from within the body of a patient through a single trocar port. The surgical instrument can include a grasper, wherein the grasper can be configured to capture a specimen, and a specimen retrieval bag, wherein the specimen retrieval bag can be configured to at least partially surround, or encapsulate, the captured specimen when the specimen retrieval bag is in a deployed position. In certain embodiments, the retrieval bag can be inverted as it is moved between undeployed and deployed positions. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument can further include a snare operably engaged with the specimen retrieval bag, wherein the snare can be configured to at least partially close the bag. A vacuum can be placed in communication with the bag to reduce the size of the bag before it is removed from the surgical site.
US08172770B2
A system for treating a lesion site of a patient is disclosed. The system includes a cannula having a lumen, a conduit in communication with said lumen, an introducer stylet removably disposed within said cannula, a resecting device selectively insertable within said cannula, and an adjuvant treatment device selectively insertable within said cannula.
US08172764B2
A quasi-periodic signal with high signal-to-noise ratio containing signal features that exhibit poor temporal localization is processed to identify waveform temporal reference points that are used to provide the temporal reference points for extracting a representative waveform of a signal feature having high temporal localization in a second, related, quasi-periodic signal that has low signal-to-noise ratio. The resulting representative waveform exhibits much improved signal-to-noise ratio while preserving the temporal detail contained in the second, related, quasi-periodic signal.
US08172762B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide blood flow sensors that can be used for measurement of various physiological parameters under a wide array of conditions. In some embodiments, the blood flow sensor can be implanted into a blood vessel and left in place indefinitely and will unobtrusively measure and record data as the patient engages in regular daily activities. The data can later be read out by a clinician using a suitable interface. In other embodiments, the data is collected and analyzed within a data collection device implanted in or attached to the patient's body, and the collection device can report to the patient on an ongoing basis or in the form of alerts issued when conditions requiring medical intervention are detected.
US08172758B2
When transesophageal echocardiography is used to obtain a transgastric short axis view of the left ventricle of the heart, the best place to position the transducer is in the fundus of the stomach, aimed up through the left ventricle. The probes disclosed herein facilitate placement of the transducer in the optimum position within the fundus, despite wide variations in the distance between the lower esophageal sphincter and the fundus among different subjects. In one preferred embodiment, the ultrasound probe uses a bending section with a series of vertebrae and stiffening that is more flexible proximally and less flexible distally, which causes the probe to bend relatively sharply at the point where the probe exits the lower esophageal sphincter. The flexibility of the proximal-most portion of the bending section is preferably greater than or equal to the flexibility of the interface between the bending section and the shaft.
US08172756B2
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging system for evaluating and displaying a deformation of a body organ. A sequence of image data sets comprising at least a first image data set and a second image data set of echographic data is acquired. A motion vector field is calculated between image points of the second image data set and image points of the first image data set. A reference point is chosen within or outside the first and second image data sets. A first scanline is defined, which comprises said reference point. A motion vector of an image point is projected onto the defined first scanline, which provides a projected tissue velocity along the first scanline. The projected tissue velocity is used for evaluating a ID component of a deformation of the body organ at the image point along the direction of the first scanline. Such a ID component of a deformation of the body organ, for example a strain rate or a strain, is further rendered in a graphical representation of the sequence of image data sets.
US08172753B2
Systems and methods for visualization of an ultrasound probe relative to an object are provided. The system includes an ultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound data. The system further includes a display configured to display an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound data and a graphical representation of the ultrasound probe in combination with the ultrasound image.
US08172746B2
A venous graft for replacement of a section of an artery and methods of making the graft. The graft comprises a flexible, resilient, generally tubular external support and a vein segment carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support, the venous graft being capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the radial compliance properties of an artery.
US08172742B2
A magnetic stimulation apparatus for central nervous system and circuit thereof, and use of the apparatus and method of using the apparatus are shown. Controlling circuit design and outputting wave form signal to a drive power supply circuit enables the drive power supply circuit to output current of corresponding wave form to coils, and by means of the design of the shape, number of turns, size, interval of the coils, generates within a certain region inside the coils a desired time-variant magnetic field which is then applied to the brain of an animal or a human being so that the central nervous system can receive a wide area synergy magnetic stimulation with a precise wave form, high frequency or a combination of a plurality of frequency components, thus achieving the treatment of nervous and psychiatric diseases or brain function improvement in combination with behavior guidance, thought guidance, or psychological guidance.
US08172738B2
A dead-shaft roller having a shaft and a roll with a fluid circulation passage therein, and at least two bearings support the roll on the shaft. A rotary union is positioned at at least one end of the roll, possibly both. The rotary union has a rotatable sleeve and a non-rotating sleeve. The rotatable sleeve has a fluid conducting path therein, such that the fluid conducting path is in fluid communication with the fluid circulation passage in the roll. The non-rotating sleeve is positioned adjacent and internal to the rotatable sleeve. The non-rotating sleeve has a first fluid port therein such that the fluid conducting path is in fluid communication with the first fluid port at a first fluid transfer zone. At least two air bearings are present, mounted between the rotatable sleeve and the non-rotating sleeve, such that the air bearings are on opposite sides of the first fluid transfer zone.
US08172737B1
A gymnastics training apparatus includes a back support rotatably connected to a frame and adapted to support a gymnast during a back handspring. The apparatus includes a guide connected to the frame and adapted to be impacted by the back support as the back support rotates about the frame in engagement with the gymnast. The guide is dimensioned such that, when the back support impacts the guide, the rotational axis of the back support is shifted and the rotation of the back support is accelerated. This acceleration causes the back support to exert pressure against the gymnast and to assist the gymnast in creating a snapdown to safely and correctly practice a back handspring without the assistance of a coach.
US08172728B2
An exercise apparatus has a linkage assembly which links rotation of a crank to generally elliptical movement of a force receiving member. The linkage assembly includes a flexible drawbar interconnected between the crank and frame of the exercise apparatus.
US08172726B1
A doorway mounted horizontal bar includes a rod having two ends for attaching to two side moldings of a doorway, two frames attached to the end portions of the rod for supporting a tubular member, and two auxiliary supports each having a lower segment attached to the rod and each having an upper handle attached to the upper end of the frame for being grasped by the user, the lower segments of the auxiliary supports are each attached to the rod with a coupling device, and the handles of the auxiliary supports are each attached to the frame with another coupling device, the coupling devices each include a quick release fastening device for detachably securing the coupling devices and the auxiliary supports to the rod and the frames.
US08172713B2
A rotation output device including a lock mechanism for automatically locking an output shaft without inertia or a need to pivot the output shaft by the operator after the input shaft stops rotating. The rotation output device includes an output gear for inputting a rotation driving force; a lock ring restricted from rotating; output rings for rotating integrally with the spindle; a click spring for rotating the output rings with respect to the output gear; float gears which are held by the output ring to be urged radially outward and are fixedly engageable with the lock ring; and central pin insertion through-holes and side pin insertion through-holes provided in the output rings for releasing the float gears radially outward and fixedly engaging the float gears with the lock ring. The click spring relatively rotates the output rings by the stoppage of the rotation driving of the output gear.
US08172708B2
An inflatable game ball containing a noise suppression device and a method for inflating the game ball are described. More particularly, a free standing, noise suppression disk is fit snuggly within a central area of the hollow internal cavity formed by the bladder of the game ball. The diameter of the noise suppression disk is slightly larger than the diameter of the hollow internal cavity of the ball, while the thickness of the disk is sufficient to provide necessary rigidity to the game ball noise suppressor without adding excess weight to the ball. An exact amount of SF6 is pre-filled in the balls, when combined with subsequent air, is determined to create the ultimate SF6 to air ratio range at various altitude levels. Subsequently, the balls are only partially inflated at the time of manufacture with the SF6 gas, and no air.
US08172707B2
A net standard for attachment to basketball rims to which nets of games such as volleyball or badminton can be attached.
US08172704B2
A device which aids the training of football carriers, specifically backfield players, in the desired ball carrying and retaining posture, comprising a belt worn around the waist of the player, an attached cradle or flap hanging from the belt, and a football supported by the cradle or flap, which in combination assist in teaching a player to assume a crouching posture when running while carrying the football towards opposing players, and to protect the football from opposing players in a pocket formed by the player's arms. The training aid also encourages the player to hold the shoulders squared in a horizontal orientation, to form and maintain the protective pocket for the football in the most effective manner.
US08172701B2
A golf club head having a deep undercut is disclosed and claimed. The club head includes a cavity in a back portion thereof, opposite the striking face. A recess is provided in the back portion of the club head in proximity of the heel and, optionally, the sole. The recess may extend to the hosel bore, and may be separate from the cavity. An insert, such as a dampening member, a weight member, or a combination thereof, may be positioned within the recess. The recess and any insert provided therein alter the club head moment of inertia and center of gravity location, providing an improved feel to the golf club.
US08172693B1
Many playsets include one or more tower sections with one or more platform sections supported above the ground or a similar support surface with a support structure or framing. In certain embodiments, a curved wall portion defines one or more panel openings. Subpanels may optionally be mounted into the openings. A balcony floor protrudes outwards with a curved outer edge or face with an interior flat floor edge adjoining an edge of a polygonal platform section floor to enlarge the square footage of the floor area of the platform section.
US08172689B2
A fixed-type constant velocity universal joint can sufficiently interpose a lubricant between a torque transmitting ball and a guide groove, and reduce frictional force. The fixed-type constant velocity universal joint of the present invention includes an outer joint member 1 that is filled with a lubricant and on which a guide groove 1b that extends in an axial direction is formed on a spherical inner circumferential surface 1a, an inner joint member 2 provided on an inner diameter side of the outer joint member 1 and on which a guide groove 2b that extends in the axial direction is formed on a spherical outer circumferential surface 2a, a torque transmitting ball 3 interposed between opposing guide grooves 1b and 2b of the outer joint member 1 and the inner joint member 2 such as to roll freely, and a cage 4 that holds each ball 3. Numerous miniscule recesses are randomly formed on a surface of the ball 3.
US08172685B2
A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines, each gaming machine including a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicates a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input. Each gaming machine allows a player to achieve a player level from a plurality of player levels. The gaming system further includes a controller linked to the gaming machines. The controller is adapted to permit a certain community-event game from a plurality of community-game events to be played at two or more of gaming machines in response to a conditional state at the gaming machines. The conditional state is a function of the player levels at the gaming machines.
US08172682B2
Electronic gaming devices are connected by a network to a host computer. The gaming devices award winners based on a first pay schedule. The pay schedule at a selected one or more of the machines is changed by sending information over the network. This change is accomplished by causing additional payouts, over and above the device pay table, or by changing the device pay table.
US08172680B2
An information processing system includes an input section that inputs movement information of an object on which a user performed an operation in an operation environment, and an output section that holds another object in a remote site remote from the operation environment and reproduces a movement of the object on which the user performed the operation on the basis of the movement information received from the input section.
US08172670B2
A process generates, with a prize category display module, a display that indicates (i) a first prize and a second prize for a primary game and (ii) a supplemental game prize, the first prize being won by a player that provides a first wager and has a match between a set of primary game player numbers and a set of primary game winning numbers. The second prize is won by a player that provides a second wager and has a match between the set of primary game player numbers and the set of primary game winning numbers. The second wager is greater than the first wager. The second prize is greater than the first prize, each of the first wager and the second wager additionally providing entry into a supplemental game.
US08172663B2
A gaming machine for playing a multi-line spinning reel game has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. In the game at least one random event, in particular a spin of the reels, is caused to be displayed on the display. If a winning event occurs the machine awards a prize. The player is constrained to wager a single amount on each play of the game and may not vary the amount. This single wager amount provides eligibility to play all available lines of the game and eligibility to bonus features. No choice of other wagering options is provided.
US08172659B2
The invention is an electronic game that can have an unlimited number of players and length of play, where in one variation the game includes an electronic scratch card that stipulates either an amount of g-money or a partial electronic image piece that is a member of a set of pieces. A complete set of pieces can be assembled into a unitary electronic image. A player, on joining the game, is issued a set of electronic scratch cards that are an incomplete set of pieces and an amount of g-money. Each player has an individual electronic game board that provides a visualization of the scratch cards and the actions of the player. The players race to assemble the pieces into the unitary image by compiling the issued pieces and acquiring the missing image pieces. The missing pieces are acquired by trading or buying them from the other players. The winner of the game assembles the unitary image.
US08172653B2
An apparatus and method for automated cutting of the wings from poultry bodies are disclosed. The apparatus has transport units that are arranged on each side of the conveying means, each of which includes a guide rail and a conveying chain. The transport units are arranged symmetrically to the conveying means and diverge in the direction of transport T in such a way that the two wings of a poultry body are moved increasingly away from the poultry body during transport along the separating device. The cutting blades of the third pair of separating elements form a cutting station without a counter-support and each has a cutting edge which performs partial cuts leaving the end pieces of the wings on the poultry body. The lateral guide rails behind the separating device each have a recess to increase the vertical distance between the guide rail and the conveying chain.
US08172650B2
Tools providing automatic, smooth shifting between random orbital and rotary motion by simply increasing or decreasing force applied are taught. Exemplar is a finishing tool switchable between grinding rotary action and random orbital sanding action without powering down and without any mechanical manipulation, made possible by having a clutch mechanism affixed directly to the spindle assembly, which also eliminates the need to dissemble the tool in order to change a backup pad, saving time and money. Direct relationship between the clutch and spindle eliminates need for a specialty pad allowing for use of a variety of backup pads, reducing the cost of replacement backup pads and increasing the functionality of the dual-function tool. An additional feature is that the drive head surface is circular and large enough to encompass the device's circular clutch plate, which means that the available friction surface area of the clutch plate is efficiently utilized.
US08172647B2
A mechanical polishing apparatus includes a polishing pad, at least one carrier head positioned over and off center relative to the polishing pad and configured for holding at least one substrate against the polishing pad within a first annular region of the polishing pad when the polishing pad is rotating. At least one conditioning head is positionable over and off center relative the polishing pad at a plurality of first positions and configured for applying a contacting surface of at least one conditioning pad against the polishing pad when the polishing pad is rotating, where the conditioning pad is applied to a second annular region of the polishing pad and moves between the plurality of first positions. In the apparatus, the diameter of the conditioning pad≦a difference between a radius of the polishing pad and a width of the first annular region.
US08172644B2
A grinding machine is provided with first and second grinding wheels selectively used in dependence on the steps of machining operations. The second grinding wheel is grooved so that at least one oblique groove vertically crosses a contact surface on which a grinding surface of the second grinding wheel contacts with a workpiece, and thus, is capable of releasing a dynamic pressure in coolant generated between the grinding surface and the workpiece since coolant supplied from over the contact surface flows out from both of the upper and lower sides of the contact surface through the at least one oblique groove. Since it does not occur that fluctuations in the dynamic pressure generated in coolant cause the distance between the second grinding wheel and the workpiece to be varied, the accuracy in grinding the workpiece with the second grinding wheel can be enhanced.
US08172642B2
A tool for moving an abrasive media can include a tool body and a drive system housed in the tool body. The drive system can include an output member. A retaining member can be disposed on the tool body. A first platen having a first attachment hub can be selectively coupled with the retaining member in an installed position. The first platen can have a first rotatable member that selectively attaches to the output member in a first mode of operation. A second platen having a second attachment hub can selectively couple with the retaining member in an installed position. The second platen can have a second rotatable member that selectively attaches to the output member in a second mode of operation.
US08172632B2
A method of making a white LED package structure having a silicon substrate comprises providing a silicon substrate and performing an etching process to form a plurality of cup-structures on a top surface of the silicon substrate. Next, a reflective layer on the top surface of the silicon substrate is formed, and a transparent insulating layer on the reflective layer is formed. Subsequently, a plurality of blue LEDs are respectively bonded in each cup-structure, wherein the blue LEDs have various wavelengths. Last, a plurality of kinds of phosphor powders corresponding to the wavelengths of the blue LEDs are mixed with each other and added to a sealing material, and a sealing process is performed to form a phosphor structure on the cup-structures.
US08172624B2
A wiring device assembly with one or more electrical contacts having respective contact stabilizing assemblies which are operable to rigidly hold the electrical contacts in a device housing. The contact stabilizing assemblies prevent the contacts from becoming displaced within the housing under vibrational, rotational and other stresses. The contact stabilizing assemblies are connected to the electrical contacts and fit in housing channels specifically shaped to accommodate the stabilizing assemblies.
US08172620B2
An electrical connector assembly (100), comprises: an insulative housing (2) having a plurality of passageways (24) arranged into a first row and a second row; a plurality of terminals (3) received into the corresponding passageways of the insulative housing and divided into a first terminal group (31) and a second terminal group (32), and each terminal having a terminating section (303) at a rear end thereof, the terminating sections of the plurality of terminals located on a common plane; a spacer (4) assembled to a rear end of the insulative housing and having a row of grooves (421) formed on an upper surface thereof, the terminating sections of the terminals passing through the spacer and received into the corresponding grooves of the spacer; and a metallic shell (5) assembled to an outer surface of the insulative housing and the spacer.
US08172616B2
An electrical connector has a housing for arranging and holding terminals; and an upper shell and a lower shell formed of a metal plate and attached to the housing. The upper shell and the lower shell extend with a longitudinal direction thereof aligned with an arrangement direction of the terminals. The upper shell and the lower shell are directly connected to each other with solder at both end portions thereof in the longitudinal direction. At least one of the upper shell and the lower shell includes a protruding piece at a middle portion thereof. The other of the upper shell and the lower shell includes a hole portion or a cut portion as a receiving portion for receiving the protruding piece. The housing includes a through space portion for passing the protruding piece, so that the protruding piece is connected to a surrounding portion of the receiving portion with solder.
US08172615B2
An electrical connector is provided for electrically connecting an electronic module to an electrical component. The electrical connector includes an insulator having a module side and an opposite component side. The insulator is configured to extend between the electronic module and the electrical component such that the module side faces the electronic module and the component side faces the electrical component. Electrical contacts are held by the insulator. The electrical contacts include mating segments arranged in an array along the module side of the insulator. The mating segments are configured to mate with mating contacts of the electronic module. The electrical connector further includes a shield having a body that is at least partially electrically conductive. The body of the shield is mounted on the insulator such that the body covers at least a portion of the module side of the insulator. The body of the shield includes an opening defined by at least one interior wall of the body. The opening receives the mating segment of at least one of the electrical contacts therein such that the at least one interior wall extends at least partially around the mating segment of the at least one electrical contact.
US08172613B1
The present invention relates to a coaxial cable end connector, which includes an insulating housing, a signal terminal, and a shielding housing. The insulating housing includes a hollow hole, a terminal cavity, and an insulating plate. The signal terminal is disposed in the terminal cavity. The signal terminal includes a flat portion, wherein the flat portion of the signal terminal is electrically connected with an end of an internal conductive wire of the coaxial cable. A through hole is formed on a central region of the flat portion of the signal terminal, and two limiting pillars is disposed around an edge of the through hole of the signal terminal for positioning the internal conductive wire of the coaxial cable. The shielding housing includes a circular portion and a cover, wherein the circular portion of the shielding housing surrounds the insulating housing.
US08172611B1
An assembly for connecting a coaxial cable end to a threaded port and having a fitting to which an end of a coaxial cable can be connected. A nut, joined to the fitting, has a first set of threads and is turnable in a tightening direction around a central axis of the connecting assembly to progressively engage the first set of threads with a second set of threads on a port. The nut has an outer surface at which a first edge, facing circumferentially in a first direction, is defined. A sleeve surrounds the nut and has a body with a first reconfigurable finger extending in a circumferential direction and upon which a second edge, facing circumferentially oppositely to the first direction, is defined. The second edge is brought into bearing engagement with the first edge as the sleeve is turned in the tightening direction around the central axis so that the nut follows movement of the sleeve. The sleeve is movable continuously relative to the nut around the central axis in a loosening direction.
US08172608B2
Reusable coaxial connectors include a connector body, a contact post that is at least partly within the connector body, a compression sleeve that is configured to impart a compressive force to secure one or more elements of a coaxial cable between the connector body and the contact post when the compression sleeve is in a seated position, and an internally threaded rotatable nut that is attached to the connector body. The compression sleeve includes a first recess on an external surface thereof that is configured to receive a first member of an extraction tool that is used to move the compression sleeve from its seated position to an unseated position.
US08172603B1
A polarized quick disconnect battery cable system is herein disclosed, comprising a mating pair of polarized and keyed electrical connectors capable of carrying large currents from a vehicle's primary battery to the vehicle's starter. The system also provides an alligator clamping accessory allowing quick connection of the primary battery thereto a charging battery for charging purposes. The system is intended for use with large batteries typically found on motor vehicles, golf carts, boats, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, and the like. The system comprises heavy cables of the same gauge as is commonly used with such batteries. The quick disconnect feature allows for the easy connection and disconnection of battery wiring without using tools such as wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, or the like, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidentally shorting the battery and producing large sparks or even explosions. The system is packaged within a convenient carrying case.
US08172597B1
An electrical connector includes a socket with a number of electrical contacts and a loading mechanism surrounding the socket. The loading mechanism includes a stiffener, a load plate mounted to one end of the stiffener and rotating from an open position to a closed position, and a sliding latch mounted to an opposite end of the stiffener. The load plate has a plate portion and a tongue extending downwardly from the plate portion at said opposite end. The sliding latch moves on the stiffener in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction to lock or unlock the load plate.
US08172596B2
An electrical connector assembly may include a yoke that includes an outer housing and a central conductor provided within the outer housing. The central conductor may include at least three outwardly extending portions. A first outwardly extending portion and a second outwardly extending portion maybe operatively coupled to first and second power cables, respectively. A third outwardly extending portion may include a sacrificial appendage configured to be cut through to confirm that the electrical connector is de-energized.
US08172593B2
A coaxial cable connector includes a pin having a plurality of circumferentially spaced support arms, inward facing surfaces of the support arms defining a cavity. A shoulder is provided on the inward facing surfaces. A guide is axially received in the internal cavity, the guide having tabs at one and a radial flange at the other. An elastomeric cylindrical collar is disposed on the guide between the tabs and the flange. In a first position, the collar is axially uncompressed or axially partially compressed between the flange of the guide and the shoulders of the support arms. In a second position, the flange is positioned closer to the shoulders such that the collar is axially compressed between the flange and the shoulders to a shorter axial distance than in the first position and such that the collar is expanded radially outwardly to a greater amount than in the first position.
US08172591B2
An electrical connector assembly (100) for mounting to a printed circuit board, comprises a plurality of contacts (3) and a processor (1), the contact (3) comprises a base portion (31), a pair of contacting portions (34) and a solder portion (35) extend from the base portion (31), the processor (1) comprises a plurality of pins (11) each includes a cylinder portion (110) and a cone portion (111) extending downwardly from the cylinder portion (110), the bottom end of the cone portion (111) is thinner than the top end thereof to guiding the pins (11) inserted into the contacts (3), the contacting portions (34) contacts with the cone portion (111) respectively.
US08172586B2
An electronic card connector includes a base, upper and lower terminals and an ejector including a core, a sliding sheet, a guiding rod and an elastic member. A baffle separates the base into upper and lower slots for respectively accommodating upper and lower cards. The core has a sliding slot, which has one end having a concave positioning point, and the other end having a starting point, such that unidirectional circulation successively from the starting point to the positioning point and then to the starting point is formed. The sheet may slide relatively to the base and has first and second pushing portions respectively disposed in the lower and upper slots. The rod has one end engaged into the sliding slot and is slidable along the sliding slot. The elastic member provides elasticity for moving the sliding sheet into the base and then returning the sheet to a home position.
US08172581B2
An electrical connector for electrically connecting a circuit processing unit (CPU) with a number of soldering balls to a print circuit board (PCB) comprises a first body having a plurality of bottom holes, a second body mounted on the first body and having a plurality of upper holes, a plurality of terminals located between the first body and the second body, and a number of fusible members holed by the terminals. Each terminal includes a planar horizontal base portion, a plurality of upper hands and lower legs respectively bent upwardly and downwardly from the base portion, and a plurality of holding portions extending from the base portion in a horizontal direction. The upper hands received in the upper holes can hold the soldering balls. The lower legs received in the bottom holes can hold the fusible members and be soldered to the PCB through the fusible members.
US08172580B1
A power adapter conveniently allows an electric device to be quickly disconnected and taken by a user. The power adapter is to dispose a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion at a main body to respectively and electrically connect a power supply device and an electronic product such that a goal of delivering power from the power supply device to the electronic product can be achieved, wherein at least one magnetic attraction portion is disposed to an end of the main body having the first coupling portion or the second coupling portion such that junction effect between the power adapter and the power supply device or the electronic product can be retained by utilizing a magnet attraction performance from the magnetic attraction portion, and the electronic product can be quickly taken by slightly imposing force.
US08172575B2
According to one embodiment, world maps in the Azimuthal Equidistant (AE) Hemispheric projection are formed by depicting the main hemisphere of a globe in full and the opposing hemisphere in the form of two semi-hemispheres contiguous two spaced side portions of the main hemisphere. Any city (or location) of interest in the world can be highlighted as the center point of the main hemisphere. Each of these two semi-hemispheres is movable along the circumference of the main hemisphere so that a straight line can be drawn from the center point of the main hemisphere to any other point on the two semi-hemispheres via corresponding tangent points. This straight line is a part of a great circle and will show correct distance and direction from the center point to the other point. A transparent ruler, a set of gears, a compass rose and others may be attached to this map for quicker and easier acquisition of correct distance and direction. Differing from the regular AE projection, this AE Hemispheric projection has less distortion and more realistic shapes of the continents, even at remote areas, and also shows the antipodal point explicitly as a point.
US08172566B2
An apparatus for combustion of a liquid fuel, such as an atomizer or burner, and an associated method using the apparatus for combusting an atomized liquid fuel. The apparatus for combustion has an outer conduit, an inner conduit and a spray tip. The spray tip has a mixing chamber for receiving a liquid fuel and an atomizing gas, and an orifice for discharging the liquid fuel and atomizing gas mixture as an atomized liquid fuel. The inner conduit has external fins where at least some of the external fins contact the inner surface of the spray tip.
US08172562B2
There are provided a device and a method for layer-wise generative manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by selective solidification of a solidifiable building material in liquid or powder form. By a rotational movement of the building region (2), in which the objects are manufactured, with respect to a material application device (7) for applying layers of the building materials and a solidification arrangement (1) the material application device (7) and the solidification arrangement (1) can be used simultaneously at different places in the building region.
US08172556B2
Devices for supplying fuel are already known, having a supply unit which has a pump housing connected to an electrical ground and is supported on a pump mount. It is disadvantageous that during operation, the pump mount can become electrostatically charged and has no device for electrostatic discharging during operation.The invention provides an especially simple and economical grounding device for the pump mount. In particular, a charge diverter is connected to the pump housing via a grounding element, and contacts a surface of the pump mount.
US08172555B2
A foam pump including a diaphragm made of a flexible material defining a mixing chamber and having an inlet and an outlet. An inlet passageway, having a one-way valve therein, is in fluid communication with a reservoir containing a foamable liquid and the inlet. The inlet passageway includes an air inlet and associated one-way valve. The pump includes an outlet passageway, having a one-way valve therein, in fluid communication with the outlet. The foam pump includes an electric motor. that drives a motor driven element to collapse and expand the diaphragm. Expansion of the diaphragm creates a vacuum causing foamable liquid and air to flow into the mixing chamber. Collapsing of the diaphragm causes the liquid and air mixture to be forced out as foam.
US08172552B2
A variable displacement compressor that draws refrigerant from a suction pressure zone and discharges the refrigerant to a discharge pressure zone, and controls displacement according to a pressure in a control pressure chamber. The compressor has a cam body, pistons, a supply passage, a release passage, and an on-off valve. The inclination angle of the cam body is changeable based on the pressure in the control pressure chamber. A piston reciprocates in each cylinder bore as the cam body rotates. The supply passage supplies the refrigerant in the discharge pressure zone to the control pressure chamber. The release passage releases the refrigerant in the control pressure chamber to the suction pressure zone. The on-off valve selectively opens and closes the release passage in response to changes of the temperature. The on-off valve shuts off the release passage when the temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.
US08172547B2
A dielectric element barrier discharge pump for accelerating a fluid flow. In one embodiment the pump has a first dielectric layer having a first electrode embedded therein and a second dielectric layer having a second electrode embedded therein. The first and second dielectric layers are further supported apart from one another to form an air gap therebetween. A third electrode is disposed at least partially in the air gap upstream of the first and second electrodes, relative to a direction of flow of the fluid flow. A high voltage supplies a high voltage signal to the third electrode. The electrodes cooperate to generate opposing asymmetric plasma fields in the gap that create an induced air flow within the gap. The induced air flow operates to accelerate the fluid flow as the fluid flow moves through the gap.
US08172546B2
Systems and methods for compensating for pressure increase which may occur in various enclosed spaces of a pumping apparatus are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention may compensate for pressure increases in chambers of a pumping apparatus by moving a pumping means of the pumping apparatus to adjust the volume of the chamber to compensate for a pressure increase in the chamber. More specifically, in one embodiment, to account for unwanted pressure increases to the fluid in a dispense chamber the dispense motor may be reversed to back out piston to compensate for any pressure increase in the dispense chamber.
US08172535B2
A wind energy plant with a rotor, which is coupled to a gear via a rotor shaft, the rotor shaft being double bearing mounted via one rotor side bearing and one gear side bearing, wherein a connection between the rotor shaft and gear is provided at the gear side of the gear side bearing, and the gear side bearing props up on a machine carrier via at least one supporting equipment and the gear is detachably connected with the supporting equipment.
US08172534B2
Disclosed is a turbine blade or vane including a blade or vane body including a leading edge and a trailing edge, a plurality of cooling openings disposed along the trailing edge, a first width of the trailing edge, the first width being disposed across the cooling openings, and a second width of the trailing edge the second width being disposed between the cooling openings, wherein the second width is smaller than the first width.
US08172508B2
A vane for a turbine assembly of a turbocharger includes a first airfoil that includes a length between a leading edge and a trailing edge, a second airfoil that includes a length between a leading edge and a trailing edge where the length of the first airfoil optionally differs from the length of the second airfoil, and one or more intra-vane throats defined at least in part by the first airfoil and the second airfoil. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US08172506B2
A method and system for a rotatable member of a turbine engine are provided. The rotatable member includes a substantially cylindrical shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and a hub coupled to the cylindrical shaft through a conical shaft portion wherein the conical shaft portion includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced air passages and wherein at least one of the plurality of air passages includes a non-circular cross section.
US08172504B2
A turbine nozzle for a gas turbine engine includes: (a) spaced-apart arcuate inner and outer bands; (b) a hollow, airfoil-shaped turbine vane extending between the inner and outer bands, the interior of the vane defining at least a forward cavity and a mid-cavity positioned aft of the forward cavity; (c) a hollow impingement insert received inside the mid-cavity, the impingement insert having walls which are pierced with at least one impingement cooling hole; (d) a passage in the turbine vane at a radially outer end of the forward cavity adapted to be coupled to a source of cooling air; and (e) a passage in the inner band in fluid communication with a radially inner end of the forward cavity and a radially inner end of the impingement insert.
US08172502B2
A fluid pump (10) includes a pumping chamber (14), an inlet (16) and an outlet (18) fluidly connected with the pumping chamber, and a passage (24) fluidly connected between the inlet and the outlet. Fluid flowing through the passage bypasses the pumping chamber. In one example, the fluid pump (10) pumps coolant within a vehicle cooling system between a heater core (23b) and a vehicle engine (23a).
US08172498B2
A device for unloading a container having a removal opening has a rotatably mounted supporting surface mounted to turn around a first turning axis, a rotatably mounted retaining device, and a synchronizing device. The unloading device causes a container on the supporting surface to tilt so that the removal opening of the tilted container points obliquely or vertically downwards. The retaining device prevents an article inside the tilted container from moving linearly through the removal opening. The retaining device is mounted to turn around a second turning axis. The synchronizing device is configured for synchronizing turning of the supporting surface around the first turning axis and the retaining device around the second turning axis. The synchronized turning of the supporting surface and retaining device causes the container standing on the supporting surface to tilt such that the removal opening of the tilted container points obliquely or vertically downwards.
US08172497B2
An apparatus for pivoting a boom relative to a frame of a pipe handling system between a first position and a second position has a hydraulic actuator assembly connected to the boom and to the skid, and a pneumatic spring connected to the boom and to the skid. The pneumatic spring has a cylinder with an end pivotally connected to the boom, and a piston with an end pivotally connected to the skid. The hydraulic actuator assembly has a cylinder pivotally connected to the skid, and a piston with an end pivotally connected to the boom. The pneumatic spring urges the boom from the first position toward the second position while resisting movement of the boom from the second position toward the second position.
US08172493B2
An apparatus and method to facilitate transporting and aligning a multiple piece wind turbine rotor blade including a root piece and a tip piece. The apparatus includes a first portion configured to support a first end portion of the root piece and a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion. The second portion is configured to support a first end portion of the tip piece.
US08172492B1
A tie down apparatus for tying a motorcycle down to a trailer or truck bed has a novel U-shaped tie down bracket used in conjunction with tie down straps and a front wheel receiving channel attached to the bed.
US08172489B2
The present invention relates to a machine tool for machining of workpieces, having a workpiece support for mounting the workpiece, a tool holder, which can be moved at least along one axis, for holding a tool for machining the workpiece, and workpiece holding units for fixing the workpiece during the machining, the workpiece holding units being arranged outside the workpiece support surface of the workpiece support, which is covered by the workpiece in the mounted state, and each having a holding element for fixing the workpiece. In order that also workpieces of greater diameter can be machined, the machine tool otherwise being of the same dimensions, it is provided according to the invention that the holding elements can each be moved, substantially parallel to the workpiece support surface, in the direction of the workpiece, in particular in the direction of a central workpiece axis, which runs perpendicular to the workpiece support surface, for the purpose of centering and fixing the workpiece. The holding elements comprise a clamping surface that is arranged obliquely in relation to the workpiece support surface and that is, in the mounted state, pressed against the workpiece for fixing and centering the workpiece to be machined, thereby exerting a pressure both in the direction of the workpiece support surface and in the direction of the central workpiece axis.
US08172484B2
The invention relates to a fiber-reinforced plastic drilling anchor comprising an axial bore that runs along the entire length thereof, fibers which extend in the longitudinal direction thereof, and fibers that extend at an angle to the longitudinal direction thereof. A first layer of fibers that extend at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the drilling anchor is surrounded by a second layer of fibers extending in the longitudinal direction of the drilling anchor, and the second layer of fibers is surrounded by a third layer of fibers extending at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the drilling anchor. The inventive drilling anchor further comprises a thread which extends along the entire length thereof and is molded into at least one outer fiber layer of the drilling anchor. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a drilling anchor.
US08172480B2
A marine vessel is provided. The marine vessel comprises a cable handling system disposed on the marine vessel between a leading end and a trailing end of the vessel. The cable handling system comprises a cable handler positioned proximate the trailing end and a cable storage device positioned forward of the cable handler, the cable storage device and the cable handler adapted to receive a flexible cable and define a portion of a cable path therebetween. The marine vessel also comprises a seismic device storage structure extending between the leading end and the trailing end and disposed substantially parallel to the cable path, a ramp coupled to a portion of the trailing end of the vessel aft of the cable handler, and a staging section disposed between the seismic device storage structure and the ramp to provide transfer of seismic devices between the seismic device storage structure and the ramp.
US08172471B2
A ribbon cartridge for a printer. The ribbon cartridge including a simple mechanism that prevents an ink ribbon from being twisted or excessively drawn out in mounting thereof. Provided is a ribbon cartridge for printing, which includes: an ink ribbon; a cartridge main body which stores the ink ribbon so as to expose a part of the ink ribbon; a ribbon guide which is engaged with the exposed part of the ink ribbon so as to guide the exposed part; and a guide tape which forms a loop so as to support the ribbon guide while having one end in its longitudinal direction fixed to a first position on the ribbon guide and having the other end fixed to a second position on the ribbon guide and which is disposed so that a surface of the guide tape can face a surface of the exposed part of the ink ribbon.
US08172470B2
A method and apparatus for measuring the insertion loss of a fiber optic connection is provided. The invention generally comprises a light source providing light to a test connector which contains a juncture of two fiber optic cables. The test connector has one or more opaque portions surrounding the fiber optic juncture. A pyrometer or other heat detection means is then used to measure any temperature increase as a result of light scattered into the opaque portions of the test connector.
US08172464B2
A tapered roller bearing achieves improvement in manufacturability and a longer life. The tapered roller bearing includes an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of tapered rollers disposed between raceways of the inner ring and the outer ring. A cage holds each tapered roller. A shoulder section that receives a large end face of the tapered roller is provided on a large-diameter side of the inner ring so as to project towards an outer-diameter side. A raceway that reaches from the shoulder section to the small diameter end is formed. An engaging section that engages with the shoulder section on the inner ring is provided on a large-diameter side of the cage so as to project towards an inner diameter direction. The engaging section is disposed such as to fit within a width of a corresponding pocket when viewed from an axial direction.
US08172459B2
Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.
US08172458B2
A shape memory material activated device of the present invention uses a shape memory material activator to create a path through a shell wall of the device. The path through the shell wall may release a substance contained in the shell or allow a substance to enter the shell. The path may be created by fracturing, puncturing, exploding, imploding, peeling, tearing, stretching, separating, debonding, abrading or otherwise opening the shell and, may be permanent or reversible. The substance may be released in one location while the device is stationary or along a path while it is traveling, self-powered by the shape memory material activator. In addition, the substance may be delivered to an object upon contact with its surface. The self powering abilities allow these devices to be used as substance delivery devices as well as actuators, transporters, and energy conversion systems with modular characteristics and growth potential. The devices may be armed, prior to the beginning of their service life, to be placed in a state of readiness to release their substances once the path is created. Prior to arming they may be maintained at any temperature, incapable of releasing their substances. The devices according to the present invention may be used as temperature sensors or warning devices, drug delivery devices, and the like.
US08172454B2
A cooling stick for a blender includes a cylindrical member designed to fit tightly through a circular aperture extending through the blender lid. The member has a lower portion and an upper portion with a surrounding rim of a diameter larger than the circular aperture. The lower portion has a lower end sized and shaped to avoid contact with the blender blade assembly. The cylindrical member has an interior chamber, an opening extending from an exterior of the member to the chamber and means for sealing the opening. A cooling fluid is located within the interior chamber. The fluid is cooled or frozen when the cooling stick is located in a cooling environment. When the chilled cooling stick is mounted to the lid of the blender, the cooling stick will cool contents of the blender when the blender is operated. The cooling stick also cools the blender contents after operation.
US08172450B2
In an extruder wherein the slip-on elements (1) have a cross-sectional profile comprising circular arcs corresponding to the maximum slip-on element diameter, the slip-on element core diameter and the center distance of the slip-on elements (1), the slip-on element (1) has no shaft-to-hub connection in the area of the circular arc corresponding to the slip-on element core diameter and/or it is provided at its ends with reinforcement segments (13, 14).
US08172447B2
In one aspect, a light-emitting surface includes a plurality of discrete, substantially flat light-emitting illumination devices arranged in a tiled configuration. Each device has a light-emitting area and an unilluminated area, the light-emitting area of a first device occluding at least a portion of the unilluminated area of a second, adjacent device.
US08172440B2
A vehicle including a center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL). The vehicle includes a vehicle body panel formed of a light emitting material of a predetermined color, including a first surface area, and coated with a paint of a predetermined color. A CHMSL housing may be mounted on one side of the vehicle body panel, and one or more light sources may be disposable adjacent or within the CHMSL housing for emitting light through a second surface area of the vehicle body panel when the light source is turned on, with the second surface area being smaller than the first surface area.
US08172427B2
The LED decorative lamp contains a three-terminal LED device, a flexible core for the plugging of the three-terminal LED device, and a seat for the configuration of the flexible core. The seat contains three terminal plates for the electrical contact with the three terminals of the LED device. A lamp string formed by connecting multiple such LED decorative lamps enjoys accurate flash timing, thereby achieving appealing lighting effect.
US08172425B2
A low-profile light-emitting diode (LED) lamp includes a base, a cover, a heat dissipation plate, an LED module, a circuit board, and a light guide hood. The base and the cover respectively form a base opening and a cover opening. The base and the cover include a recess-projection mating structure therebetween to form an outer water sealing wall and an inner water sealing wall that surround the base opening and the cover opening. The light guide hood, the circuit board, and the LED module are arranged inside the inner water sealing wall. The base and the cover are fixed together through recess-projection mating formed between posts and holes to also realize water resistance. The heat generated by the LED module is dissipated by the heat dissipation plate, which is set on an outer surface of the base and is provided with a plurality of convection chambers that induce heat convection.
US08172406B2
A powder dust capture device includes a main body housing having an air intake in which a powder dust capture unit is provided, and a blowing unit for drawing air in from the air intake via the powder dust capture unit, passing the air through a predetermined area, and expelling the air out from an exhaust. The powder dust capture unit includes a filter unit with an electrostatic filter wound around a roller shaft, a filter take-up shaft, a filter feeding mechanism and a filter feed control unit. The filter unit is attachable/removable with respect to the main body housing. The filter feed control unit has a filter feed amount detection unit, and controls a filter feeding operation performed by the filter feeding mechanism, based on detection output from the filter feed amount detection unit.
US08172401B2
An edge lit locally dimmed display has a spatial light modulator illuminated by a light source. The light source is positioned at an edge and behind the spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator is illuminated with a low resolution version of a desired image. The illumination may comprise a series of lighting elements that vary smoothly from one element to another at the spatial light modulator.
US08172399B2
A stereo 3D projector with the ability to provide the native lumen output of the projector when not in 3D mode. This is accomplished by using two rotating polarizing filters at least partially overlapping, each with at least two or more segments, some of which are fully transparent and at least some of which are polarized linearly or circularly.
US08172396B2
A bifocal lens and bifocal eyeglasses by which strangeness felt during using a near-vision portion is removed, a place according to the purpose of use can clearly be selected, and costs are reduced. The bifocal lens for eyeglasses is constituted of a single material with a uniform refractive index and is provided with a lens for presbyopia (1B) used for looking at something near at a portion of a body lens part (1A) used for looking at something in the distance. The lens for presbyopia (1B) is formed of an upper side which is generally horizontal when used, a lateral side on the ear side which continues to the upper side and expands toward the ear, and a lower side parallel to the peripheral shape of the lower side of an eyeglass frame to be generally circular-arc or generally rectangular as a whole. The upper side and the lateral side form a generally straight boundary line which can be recognized by a user.
US08172391B2
The image forming apparatus includes: a holding and conveyance device which has a round cylindrical shape and is rotatable about a rotational axis, the holding and conveyance device conveying a recording medium in a prescribed conveyance direction by rotating about the rotational axis while holding the recording medium on an outer circumferential surface of the holding and conveyance device, the holding and conveyance device having a recess section arranged in a direction parallel to the rotational axis at a prescribed position on the outer circumferential surface of the holding and conveyance device; an end portion holding member which is arranged in the recess section and has an end portion holding surface by which at least one of a leading end portion and a trailing end portion of the recording medium held on the outer circumferential surface is held to an inner side relative to an image forming surface of the recording medium held on the outer circumferential surface; and an image forming device which forms an image on the recording medium held on the holding and conveyance device, wherein: a radius of curvature of the end portion holding surface is smaller than a radius of the outer circumferential surface; and a tangential direction of the end portion holding surface at an end of the end portion holding surface on a side of the outer circumferential surface is substantially a same with a tangential direction of the outer circumferential surface at an end on a side of the end portion holding surface.
US08172390B2
An image forming device that includes a first moisture amount derivation component, a drying component, a storage component, and a control component is provided. The storage component stores drying information, including information representing a pre-drying moisture amount previously derived by the first moisture amount derivation component, and a drying strength of the drying component at which a recording medium was dried when the previously derived pre-drying moisture amount was derived. The control component controls the drying strength of the drying component on the basis of the pre-drying moisture amount derived by the first moisture amount derivation component and the drying information stored by the storage component.
US08172387B2
A supply system capable of providing a working fluid is provided. The supply system includes an access device, a first energizer, a second energizer, a third energizer and an output device. The access device utilized to access the working fluid includes a connecting port. The first energizer provides a first energy to energize the working fluid, thereby expelling the bubbles from the working fluid. The second energizer provides a second energy to energize the working fluid received in the access device, thereby expelling the working fluid through the connecting port of the access device. The output device is connected to the access device, thereby receiving and outputting the working fluid. The third energizer provides a third energy to heat the working fluid passing through the access device and the output device.
US08172376B2
Disclosed is an inkjet print head array with improved ink supply system. The system includes an ink manifold having at least two ink supply channels, a plurality of print head modules disposed along ink supply channels and forming the array, with each of the print head modules having at least two ink inlet ports. The ports are in fluid communication with the ink supply channels. Each of the ink supply channels supplies ink to each of the ports at a different flow rate, although the resulting ink supply flow rate is equal for each print head module.
US08172374B2
A liquid ejecting head including a plurality of nozzle orifices for liquid ejection, a reservoir plate made of rolled metal rolled in a first direction which includes a liquid reservoir which extends in a longitudinal direction that is capable of communicating with the plurality of nozzle orifices, and a compliance plate laminated on the reservoir plate which is made of rolled metal rolled in a second direction, the compliance plate including a compliance portion that forms a surface of the liquid reservoir which is also capable of absorbing the pressure in the liquid reservoir. The second direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the liquid reservoir and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.
US08172372B2
When a film containing constituent elements of a target is formed on a substrate through a vapor deposition process using plasma with placing the substrate and the target to face each other, a potential in a spatial range of at least 10 mm extending laterally from the outer circumference of the substrate is controlled to be equal to a potential on the substrate, and/or the substrate is surrounded with a wall surface having a potential controlled to be equal to the potential on the substrate.
US08172358B2
A droplet ejection head control device includes a pressure alteration section, a detector and a controller. The droplet ejection head is provided with plural nozzles and is supplied with a liquid. The pressure alteration section alters a pressure inside the droplet ejection head. The detector detects a position of a boundary of liquid which is exuded onto a nozzle face from at least one nozzle of the droplet ejection head in accordance with the pressurization at the inside of the droplet ejection head. After the pressurization of the interior of the droplet ejection head commences, the controller controls the pressure alteration section on the basis of detection results from the detector such that the pressurization is stopped just (immediately) before respective boundaries of the liquid exuded onto the nozzle face from neighboring nozzles come into contact.
US08172356B2
A method for nozzle health scanning including repositioning at least one moving platform at a synchronized speed for a drop detection sensor to scan nozzles in a set of nozzles firing, where the synchronized speed is based on a rate of firing from nozzles in the set of nozzles and a distance between the nozzles in the set of nozzles, and storing the health of the nozzles in a computer readable memory accessible by a machine.
US08172345B2
A self-moving device for movable furniture parts includes a movable part which is movable with respect to a stationary part. The movable part includes first and second connecting portions. A closing mechanism includes a slide base which is movable in response to a force generated by a first elastic member. A locking member connected to the slide base is adapted to engage with the first connecting portion so that the movable part is urged by the first elastic member to be self-closing with respect to the stationary part. An opening mechanism includes a push member urged by a second elastic member to act on the second connecting portion. The movable part may be pushed by an external force to disengage the locking member from the first connecting portion so that the movable part is urged by the second elastic member to be self-opening with respect to the stationary part.
US08172343B2
A mobile storage unit for a mobile storage system includes a pair of axially extending wheel units, each of which defines spaced apart end areas and includes a wheel arrangement. A storage unit support structure is interconnected with the wheel units, and includes upright support members and shelf support members. A pair of upright support members are engaged with and supported by the end areas of each wheel unit. A lowermost shelf support member is secured to an end area of one of the wheel units. The lowermost shelf support members are secured to the upright support members and to the end areas of the wheel units. Each end area of each wheel unit includes an upwardly facing engagement surface, and the lowermost shelf support member is secured to the upwardly facing engagement surface. The upright support members are also supported by the upwardly facing engagement surface.
US08172334B2
A tunnel boring machine (90) having a rotating cutter head (93) that rotatably supports a plurality of cutter assemblies (10). A plurality of instrument packages (50) are attached to the rotating cutter head, each instrument package having a distal end in contact with an associated cutter assembly. The instrument packages include a plurality of sensors including an accelerometer (32), magnetometer (33) and temperature sensor (34), for monitoring the associated cutter assembly. The sensors are mounted in a distal end of the instrument packages that is biased to remain in contact with the cutter assembly. The instrument packages include a wireless transmitter, and they are interconnected in a mesh or peer to peer network. A power supply (176) such as a battery pack is provided for each instrument package. The data from the sensors may be used to control operation of the tunnel boring machine and/or to monitor the condition of the cutter assemblies.
US08172330B2
A headrest and associated vehicle seat are provided that has excellent versatility and thin shape, and can be tilted lightly and reliably from a head support state to a storage state by reducing an operation load. The headrest includes a support member mounted on the upper part of a backrest seat, a frame rotatably engaged with the support member, a frame urging elements for urging the frame, and a lock mechanism provided between the frame and the support member. The lock mechanism includes locking members and disposed on the support member and formed with engagement groove parts and, a movable operation lever having concave parts formed, and fixing members pivotally supported on the frame and disposed permitting crossing engagement with and disengaged from the engagement groove parts and along with the movement of the operation lever.
US08172327B2
A vehicle seat assembly includes a vehicle seat fold down lever and a vehicle seat fold down lever housing. The housing can connect with the lever such that the lever is movable with respect to the housing. The housing can include an elongate slot through which an associated seat belt exits the housing. A vehicle seat is also described.
US08172324B2
A preference control mechanism is provided that includes a housing, a shuttle, a sub shuttle and at least one resilient member. The housing has a channel. The shuttle has a cavity. The shuttle is moveable within the channel of the housing from a first position to at least one second position. The sub shuttle is moveable within the channel of the housing and is moveable independent of the shuttle. The one or more resilient members have a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is attached to the shuttle and the second end is attached to the sub shuttle. The preference control mechanism is configured for attachment to at least one chair component. Chairs may also be designed to include one or more embodiments of the preference control mechanism.
US08172308B2
A trailer includes a pair of vertical, spaced apart opposing sidewalls and a roof sheet extending between and mounted atop the sidewalls. The sidewalls and roof sheet cooperate to define a cargo space. The roof sheet has an interior surface facing the cargo space and an opposing exterior surface. A plurality of bows are mounted to the exterior surface of the roof sheet and extend between the sidewalls. The plurality of bows support the roof sheet. Each bow includes at least three contact portions attached to the exterior surface of the roof sheet. A rib portion interconnects the contact portions and defines a channel between the rib portion and the exterior surface of the roof sheet.
US08172302B2
A folding roof arrangement has a folding top covering (12) and a folding top structure (14). The folding top structure (14) has at least one roof frame (20) with a front area and at least one elastically deformable tensioning element (31-34) The folding top structure (14) can be folded or collapsed with or without the folding top covering (12), so that the tensioning element (31-34) is elastically deformed when folded.
US08172300B2
Protective laminate films protect an underlying window surface from scratches or other damage. The laminate films generally include a substrate having a scratch resistant coating adhered to one side and an adhesive layer adhered to an opposite side. Adhesion promoter and primer layers may be provided to enhance adhesion of the scratch-resistant coating to the surface. Each layer is transparent such that, when applied to a surface, the laminate film does not significantly impact or reduce optical clarity. Each layer may also be flexible so that the laminate films can be molded to a curved surface. Generally, the scratch resistant coating protects the laminate film from scratching or other damage, such as from debris or impacts. The substrate provides structural integrity to the laminate film and may provide some impact dispersion. The adhesive layer, in addition to adhering the laminate films to the surface, may also provide significant impact resistance that protects the surface from cracks or damage due to debris or impacts.
US08172297B2
A multi-position rotary detent assembly operable to selectively retain a first component and a second component in a first position, a second position, and at least one intermediate position is provided. The detent assembly includes a first biasing assembly urging the first component into the first position. A cam plate is disposed opposite a guide pin assembly and has a cam path having a first detent feature and at least one intermediate detent feature. The guide pin is configured to engage the cam plate and is movable along the cam path. The first component is in the first position when the guide pin engages the first detent feature, is placed in an intermediate position when the guide pin engages a corresponding intermediate detent feature, and is urged into in the second position when disengaged from the cam path.
US08172287B1
A device for repairing a stall cleaning tool that has a broken tine is a tine having a first clamping member integral therewith located at an end of the tine. The first clamping member has a clamping surface with at least one channel therein for receiving at least one structural member of the stall cleaning tool. A second clamping member has a clamping surface with at least one channel therein for receiving at least one structural member of the stall cleaning tool. The first and second clamping members are secured to one another with the clamping surfaces of the clamping members adjacent to one another and the channels in the clamping surfaces aligned with one another.
US08172283B2
A door latch device in a motor vehicle comprises an engagement portion which can engage with a striker of a vehicle body; an operating lever operated with a handle on a door of the vehicle to open the door; a locking lever which moves between an unlocking position where the engagement portion can be disengaged from the striker and a locked position where the engagement portion cannot be disengaged from the striker; a first subsidiary lever moving with the locking lever; a second subsidiary lever connected to the operating lever and moving with the first subsidiary lever; a spring exerting a force to the first subsidiary lever and the second subsidiary lever; and a blocking member moving between a blocking position and an unblocking position. When the blocking member is in the blocking position, a locking knob is actuated for unlocking to allow the locking lever and the first subsidiary lever to move from the locked position to the unlocking position against a force of the spring.
US08172281B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of devices and kits for making knotted string accessories. One embodiment of a device for making knotted string accessories from a plurality of individual strings comprises a substantially planar member with a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a securing member carried by the substantially planar member proximate to the first end and configured to secure a first end of the plurality of individual strings; and an elongated holder carried by the substantially planar member proximate the second end, the elongated holder comprising a plurality of individual holders each configured to retain at least one of the plurality of individual strings at a location a spaced distance from the first end, wherein the securing member and elongate holder are configured such that a distance between the securing member and the elongated holder is changeable.
US08172273B2
A sealing arrangement for a coupling for refrigerant lines comprises a first coupling piece, which is connected sealingly to a first line end piece, and a second coupling piece which is connected sealingly to a second line end piece. In the sealing arrangement, a sealing ring is held on the sealing face of one of the two coupling pieces by a holding device which is configured as a plastic cap having a through hole. The plastic cap has at least one predetermined breaking location (26) which is configured as a groove which reduces the material thickness of the plastic cap in such a way that the material integrity at the predetermined breaking location (26) is maintained during assembly and breaks apart during disassembly.
US08172272B2
A coupling for fuel pipe includes a pipe end fitting, which includes a male outer surface including a groove and a female inner surface including a groove. The coupling includes a double-walled socket including a female outer socket and a male inner shaft. The pipe end fitting is accommodated in the region between the female outer socket and the male inner shaft. A first seal ring seals between the female inner surface and the male inner shaft. A second seal ring, which may be substantially coplanar with the first, seals between the male outer surface and the female outer socket of the double-walled socket. The coupling may be so arranged that the pipe end fitting and the double-walled socket are able to pivot relative to each other by up to at least ±2 degrees and are able to slide both towards and apart from each other.
US08172267B2
In a method and apparatus for restraining passengers in a retaining passengers in a vehicle upon impact with an obstacle, a possible accident is initially sensed. Thereafter, at the latest, whenever the vehicle first contacts the obstacle, or whenever vehicle deceleration exceeds a threshold, a force acting in the direction of impact is exerted upon the passenger via a seat belt system. The force is introduced by bilateral tensioning of a lap belt of a seat belt system, from both sides at a force of at least 2000-4500 N. The latter is maintained for a retaining phase of at least 20 ms along a displacement path of the passenger.
US08172264B2
A knee bolster installation for an automotive vehicle includes a bridge plate extending across a space receiving a steering column in front of the driver's knee or a glove box in front of a passenger's knees and having a knee impact absorber structure attached behind each end of the bridge plate. Each knee impact absorber structure has diverging front and back walls having a curved top wall and a curved generally horizontal intermediate web extending between the front and back walls, and a curved bottom wall connecting the lower end of front and back walls together. A generally vertical stabilizer web connects the top wall and intermediate web together to restrain bulging when crushed to avoid horizontal collapse thereof during deformation. Offset openings in each of the top wall, intermediate web, and bottom wall form wider curved strips at the inside adjacent the steering column space so that the front of the outside ends of the knee installation absorber structures are inclined away from the steering column space when deformed by knee impact. The knee installation absorber structures are either extruded and the openings thereafter cut into the top wall, intermediate web and bottom wall, or formed from a flat strip of material into which openings are cut prior to forming the strip.
US08172262B2
An initiator housing assembly includes a preformed initiator receiving portion defining a first cavity and a body portion affixed to the receiving portion and defining a second cavity. An opening leading into the first cavity is positioned within the second cavity. An initiator assembly, as gas generating system, and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the initiator housing assembly are also provided.
US08172257B2
The invention relates to a mounting for an airbag module for a vehicle door, with said mounting developed by at least two components arranged at a distance relative to each other, with said components provided to accommodate an airbag module, with at least one of said components designed to develop a locking connection with said airbag module.
US08172251B2
A ski or a snowboard is in the form of a board-type gliding device. By reference to the width of the gliding device, at least one recess is provided in its middle portion extending in its depth direction from the top face of the gliding device in the direction towards the running surface facing and disposed in its longitudinal direction essentially parallel with the longitudinal direction of the gliding device with a view to causing a cross-sectional weakening. At least one manually adjustable adjusting device is provided, which is designed to produce an individually adjustable change in the load-dependent deformability of the cross-sectional shape or to produce an individually adjustable limit to the maximum permissible load-dependent cross-sectional deformation of the gliding device. Further, a ski or a snowboard is provided with a manually adjustable adjusting device which is designed to act as a spreading device for producing an individually adjustable increase in the width of the recess on the one hand and to act as a pulling device to produce an individually adjustable decrease in the width of the recess on the other hand.
US08172247B2
A bicycle handlebar assembly that includes a number of grip sites, forearm supports, and a number of structures that have airfoil shaped cross-sections and that provide a highly adjustable handlebar assembly with improved aerodynamic performance across the range of adjustment of the handlebar assembly. The handlebar assembly includes a pair of shim stacks that each includes a number of shims that are selectively mountable to the handlebar assembly to adjust a relative vertical height of left hand and right hand aerobars and arm pads. The aerobars and arm pads are secured to the handlebar by way of corresponding clamping assemblies such that the aerobars and arm pads are movably secured to the handlebar assembly to provide the highly adjustable aero handlebar assembly.
US08172246B2
A fender mounting system that is particularly applicable to bicycles and that includes one or more adjustable strap assemblies that connect the fender to the bicycle. The strap assemblies include a first portion that is individually securable to the fender and a second portion that is individually securable to the underlying bicycle. A clamp assembly cooperates with the respective portions of the strap assembly so that the portions of the strap assembly bypass one another when the clamp assembly is loose to allow positioning of the fender relative to the wheel while the fender assembly is attached, albeit loosely, to the bicycle. Tightening of the clamp assembly fixes the position of the fender relative to an adjacent wheel.
US08172240B2
The invention relates to a transport apparatus for a vibration compactor that comprises an axle with a wheel being arranged on each of its ends. The transport apparatus of the invention is advantageous, because it does not require any reconfiguration work, special tools or other special measures for transporting the vibration compactor.
US08172235B2
Connection of a bit with two balls is enabled while high operability of attachment and detachment of the bit is maintained. A pressing ring 23 is held at the advance position together with an operation sleeve 22 by a guide washer 24 forced by a coil spring 25. When the rear end of the bit is inserted into a tool holder 8, the balls 27, 27 that are rolled rearward by the contact of the rear end of the bit are pushed in between the pressing ring 23 and the guide washer 24 in order, and the balls 27, 27 can be retracted from the tool holder 8 in the state where the pressing ring 23 is held at the advance position by the tilt of the guide washer 24.
US08172213B2
A sheet processing apparatus includes a conveying motor for conveying a sheet along a conveying path, a skew detecting unit configured to detect a quantity of skew of the conveyed sheet, a hole punching section arranged downstream from the skew detecting unit, an attitude control unit configured to carry out skew correction by changing tilt angle of the hole punching section in accordance with the quantity of skew, a detecting unit configured to detect the forward edge and the rear edge of the sheet conveyed into the hole punching section, and a control unit configured to control the conveying motor to control the conveying speed of the sheet. During a period from when the detecting unit detects the forward edge of the sheet until the detecting unit detects the rear edge, the sheet is decelerated from a first conveying speed to a second conveying speed. After the detecting unit detects the rear edge of the sheet, the conveying of the sheet is stopped and punching processing to the sheet is executed when the conveying is stopped.
US08172210B2
A holding unit for a panel transmitting device provided with a robot of an articulated joint type to hold a panel of various types and transmit between processes includes a supporting means and a plurality of moving means. An end of the supporting means is movably supported and fixed to the robot and the other end of which extends along a width direction of the panel. Each of the moving means is provided with a moving bar an end of which is provided at a side of the supporting means and is able to rotate and slide in a thickness direction and a width direction of the panel so that the other end thereof may hold the panel. With the unit, precise position adjustment can be achieved in a cost-effective manner.
US08172208B2
A shock mount device for a container includes a variable spring rate assembly coupled to a shock retainer. The variable spring rate assembly is removable from the shock retainer without removing equipment from the container. The variable spring rate assembly includes a replaceable core that may be exchanged with a replaceable core having either a larger or smaller durometer depending on a weight-to-load ration of equipment in the container. Removing and replacing the replaceable core may include removing and replacing the entire variable spring rate assembly.
US08172207B2
A flexible diffuser membrane for diffusing gas into a liquid includes a substrate covered wholly or partially by a thin fluorocarbon elastomer coating. The coating is applied after the substrate has been fully constructed and cured. The coating is then mixed with an adhesive catalyst and applied by spraying or in another suitable manner to the substrate. The substrate and coating are then heated to a temperature such as 350° F.-800° F. adequate to form a strong chemical, molecular, and adhesive bond between the coating and substrate. Perforations are formed in the membrane, the substrate may be treated with a biocide allowing the uncoated edges of the perforations to be coated with the biocide and resist biological growth.
US08172204B2
Road safety barrier (10) usable in correspondence with a roadway and consisting of modular elements (11), each of which comprises a skirt (20, 120) having a front surface (27) facing towards the roadway. Each modular element (11) comprises at least a metal upright (12) which lies on a substantially vertical plane and is anchored to the roadway. The skirt (20, 120) is attached on the metal upright (12) in order to arrange, during use, the front surface (27) facing towards the roadway; the metal upright (12) comprises two lateral flanks (13) which diverge towards the front surface (27), and are joined together in a rear zone (35), distant from the front surface (27).
US08172199B2
A valve control apparatus including a stepping motor coupled to a valve and a motor control unit for controlling the stepping motor is provided. The motor control unit includes a motor control section for applying drive pulses to the pulse motor, a counting section for counting the number of drive pulses applied to the pulse motor, a voltage-drop detecting section for detecting a voltage drop of a drive power supply for the motor control section, and a writing section for writing a count from the counting section in a nonvolatile memory if the voltage-drop detecting section detects the voltage drop.
US08172190B2
A mounting bracket may include a base plate, at least one stationary clip disposed on the base plate, a push releasing plate disposed in spaced apart relation to the at least one stationary clip, and at least one movable clip operatively coupled to and movable with the push releasing plate. The stationary clip or clips and movable clip or clips are disposed and configured to mate with cavities in respective ends of a pump when the push releasing plate is in a non-pivoted position.
US08172189B2
A device in the form of an elongated articulating arm having a base for mounting it on or at the MRI apparatus. The free end of the arm is arranged to releasably mount any type of device, e.g., a clamp, a bracket, a biopsy needle guide, etc. The arm includes a plurality of interconnected segments each of which is arranged to pivot about a respective axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm, but restricted from twisting about the longitudinal axis. A flexible elongated adjustable tensioning member in the form of plural sections of a cord extend through respective ones of plural flexible sheaths within the arm between the base and the distal end portion to enable the arm to be moved or bent into a desired shape when tension is released and then held in that shape when tension is applied.
US08172180B2
A temperature monitoring arrangement for an electro-thermal ice protection system is provided for a slat of an aircraft wing, incorporating heater mats of composite material, wherein, in order to avoid or at least substantially reduce some of the problems associated with use of discrete temperature sensing elements, one or more optical fiber temperature sensors are embedded within the heater mats for sensing an overheating condition of each mat. Advantageously, a control system is used to monitor the temperature of the mats, and adjusts power supplied, or switches off power, in response to detection of an overheating condition.
US08172175B2
A pivot arrangement for a thrust reverser door of a gas turbine engine, the pivot fitting having a base and a shaft projecting from a main side of the base. The shaft receives a preferably curved pivot arm of the door to provide a low profile arrangement which improves performance when the doors are stowed.
US08172172B2
A system and method for docking various types of aircraft is disclosed. An aerodynamic lifting structure docking mechanism for docking two or more aircraft is provided comprising an aerodynamic lifting structure. The aerodynamic lifting structure includes a first and second airflow adjustment mechanism. The aerodynamic lifting structure further includes a first hard docking mechanism, and a second hard docking mechanism, and still further includes a soft docking mechanism. The first and second airflow adjustment mechanisms are configured to substantially remove any aerodynamic lifting structure vortices around each of the aerodynamic lifting structure tip areas. The soft docking mechanism is configured to soft dock a first aerodynamic lifting structure with a second aerodynamic lifting structure. The first hard docking mechanism is configured to hard dock with the second hard docking mechanism, thereby temporarily attaching the first aerodynamic lifting structure with the second aerodynamic lifting structure.
US08172165B2
A device for mechanical defibration of wood comprises a defibration surface for processing of wood raw material and loosening of fibers, said defibration surface comprising grinding grits fastened on a metal base surface. The grits (1) fastened on the metal base surface (2) are positioned within a determined distance from each other on the base surface, so that they form a regular defibration surface.
US08172164B2
Disclosed is a feed system for a gasifier including a grinding mechanism capable of grinding a feedstock into particles of desired particle sizes. The particle sizes include solids particles larger than a first threshold size and raw fines particles smaller than a second threshold size. At least one solids separation device is capable of separating the solids particles from the fines particles and at least one solids conduit conveys the solids particles to a gasification plant while the fines particles are also conveyed to the gasification plant. Further disclosed is a method for feeding stock into a gasifier including conveying a feedstock into a grinding mechanism and grinding the feedstock into particles of desired sizes. Solids particles larger than a first threshold size are separated from fines particles smaller than a second threshold size and the solids particles and the fines particles are conveyed toward the gasification plant.
US08172161B2
A fluid injector has a housing, an actuator and a valve body. The valve body has a cartridge (21) with a recess, that forms an injection nozzle on one end, and with a needle (22), that is arranged in the recess and closes the injection nozzle, if it rests with its seat area (224) on a needle seat (215) of the cartridge (21). The area (216) of the cartridge (21) adjacent to the needle seat (215) has a cylindrically-shaped outer contour and the needle (22) has a cylindrically-shaped area (223) adjacent to the seat area (224). The area (216) adjacent to the needle seat (215) and the cylindrically-shaped area (223) have the same diameter.
US08172159B2
Macroscopic volumes of fluid can be moved across a surface, including windshields, without mechanical assistance. Insulated electrodes, which for windshields and windows are preferably transparent, are embedded in the surface of the windshield. Varying voltages are supplied to the electrodes to generate intense surface fringe electric fields moving in a given direction across the surface. The intense surface fringe electric fields exert strong electrical forces on the polar molecules of the fluid. These forces move the fluid in specific directions dependent on the geometry of the electrode array and the manner in which voltage is applied to each electrode within an array of electrodes.
US08172158B1
A flangeway former and rail boot system where the flangeway former has an anchor for anchoring the former in surrounding material, and a groove for receiving a protrusion on the rail boot for positioning the former on the boot. The system can also include a spacer and retaining clips.
US08172155B2
A thermal sensation determining apparatus includes a skin temperature detecting unit configured to detect a skin temperature of a peripheral site of a subject's body, a variation state determining unit configured to determine a variation state of the skin temperature during a first interval to obtain a variation state determination result, a gradient detecting unit configured to detect a gradient of the skin temperature during a second interval to determine the gradient to obtain a gradient detection result, and a thermal sensation determining unit configured to determine the subject's thermal sensation using the variation state determination result and the gradient detection result to obtain a thermal sensation determination result classified into levels ranging from “hot” to “cold” based on a “moderate” temperature.
US08172149B2
A wireless frequency tag includes a loop-shaped antenna pattern that is electrically connected to a chip connecting section, and a conducting member that electrically couples a part of the antenna pattern.
US08172146B2
Sealed cards and methods for producing the same are described. An example sealed card includes a first layer having a first side and a second side and a perimeter of weakness formed in the first layer forming an inner area and an outer area. The example sealed card also includes first indicia on the second side and in the inner area and second indicia to correspond to the first indicia in the outer area. In addition, the example sealed card includes a release liner releasably coupled to the second side, wherein the release liner covers the first indicia.
US08172145B2
Systems and methods for decoding a barcode or other optical code include identifying one or more sub-regions of image data that contain promising data based on a first set of edge detection parameters, transferring the promising data from a first memory location to a new memory location for further processing, and decoding the promising data based on a different set of edge detection parameters.
US08172141B2
A multi-stage laser beam despeckling device including a first laser beam despeckling module for optically multiplexing an input laser beam into a temporal/spatial coherence-reduced output laser beam; and a second laser beam despeckling module, optically coupled to the first laser beam despeckling module, for receiving the temporal/spatial coherence-reduced as an input laser beam to the second despeckling module and producing a further temporal/spatial coherence-reduced output laser beam.
US08172137B1
Authentication of an individual can be performed even when the individual does not have physical identification documents. A person provides a password, a contact number and at least one piece of human generated information to a company. When the person wants to establish identity, he/she first calls an agent of the company. The agent asks the caller questions that include the human generated information. If the agent is satisfied that the caller is the authorized person, the agent sends a code to the caller using the contact number. The caller can use the password and the code to later authenticate himself/herself.
US08172130B2
A system controlled responsive to a data bearing record includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards including identifying data, and to authorize operation of an automated banking machine responsive to the identifying data. The automated banking machine may be operative to provide an electronic transaction receipt from the banking machine. A bank host computer may be operable to submit the receipt to a system address of record with the bank. The address of record may correspond to an e-mail address, phone number or other address associated with an account involved in the transaction. The receipt may include an image or images associated with the transaction and may be sent to a user of a banking machine. The system may also operate to image deposited checks deposited at a banking machine and may be electronically sent to a maker, payee, or clearinghouse.
US08172129B1
A system and method for tracking breast milk in a neonatal facility using optically-scannable identifiers. The optically-scannable identifiers are affixed to containers and measuring devices containing breast milk. The identifiers are used in the association of the containers and measuring devices with an infant.
US08172116B1
A carrier for transporting a child by a transporting individual. The carrier includes a torso support part configured for supporting the torso of the child, a seat support part coupled to the torso support part, and at least one strap coupled to the torso support part and/or to the seat support part and with the torso support part and the seat support part configured to encircle at least part of the torso of the transporting individual. The seat support part is configured for supporting the posterior of the child in a sitting position in a first configuration, and the seat support part is configured for supporting the posterior of the child in a hanging position in a second configuration.
US08172107B2
A cooking device including a permeable cooking layer having an outer cooking side and an inner side on the opposite surface from the outer side. A plurality of apertures are formed through the cooking layer from the inner side to the outer side. A heating layer is located adjacent to the inner side of the cooking layer. A plurality of passages are formed between the heating layer and the cooking layer so as to channel a non-stick fluid beneath the cooking layer. A non-stick fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the passages. The reservoir adapted to store a non-stick fluid. In one embodiment, the non-stick fluid is a liquid hydrogen.
US08172105B2
A container for storing and dispensing pills is provided. The container has a housing with an upper end and a lower end and a plurality of compartments therein. The compartments have an open end adjacent the upper end of the housing and a lower end adjacent the lower end of the housing. The lower end of each compartment has an opening with a hinged door covering the opening. A cam having a cam surface is attached to the door so the cam rotates as the door opens and closes. A cam follower pin abuts the cam surface and the cam follower pin is constrained to move along a predefined path. The doors can be opened manually one at a time or all together by pushing downward on a centrally located handle at the top of the container. When opening all the door simultaneously the handle can be retained in the door open position by sliding two flanges beneath the handle into a slot and rotating the handle left or right. The housing is mounted to a rotatable lazy-Susan base.
US08172104B2
A medical waste disposal apparatus for receiving and retaining waste articles, such as catheter fittings, and the like, for controlled and facilitated handling and disposal of such waste articles, during and following the performance of treatment procedures on a patient by a practitioner. The waste disposal apparatus includes a first retaining member, mounted on a base panel, for receiving and retaining a waste article placed there by a practitioner during a treatment procedure, and further includes at least one side panel, for covering the waste article, after placement of the waste article on the first retaining member. Alternative configurations of retaining members are provided.
US08172101B2
A cap is provided for a laboratory vessel. The cap includes a lid that can be rotated relative to the laboratory vessel from a closed position to an open position. The lid includes at least one tab dimensioned and disposed for receiving manual digital pressure for opening and/or closing the lid. The tab is in an offset position to prevent a thumb or forefinger from passing over and in contact with the opening to the vessel. Additionally, the lid includes a shield inwardly from the tab for further preventing contact between a finger and the open top of the vessel.
US08172093B1
A greeting card display includes an upper tier and a lower tier positioned below the upper tier. The upper and lower tiers include multiple rows of pockets for displaying greeting cards. The pockets of the upper tier typically present greeting cards in a full-facing manner to display the full face of each greeting card. The pockets of the lower tier typically present greeting cards in a partial-facing manner. The upper tier can include a card highlighter positioned along one of the rows of pockets and having pockets to present and highlight cards placed therein. Shadowboxes capable of displaying a greeting card in a full-facing manner can be positioned above the upper tier on the display and are designed to attract the attention of the consumer. A display panel, designed to evoke emotions associated with greeting cards in the shadowboxes, can be positioned between one or more of the shadowboxes.
US08172085B2
The present invention provides a reclosable blister package assembly for accommodating center-filled gum pieces. The package assembly includes a blister tray having an open face and a blister cavity for supporting the gum pieces. The blister tray includes a plurality of ribs within the blister cavity for separating the gum pieces. A cover overlies the blister tray and covers the open face of the tray.
US08172081B2
A housing for storing a disc-shaped information carrier includes a bottom part with a retaining device for the information carrier and a lid part which is connected with hinging possibility to the bottom part via two corner hinges. The corner hinges have two recessed hinge arms of the hinge part and two matching recessed hinge walls. The lid part is provided with protection walls which extend at the outside of the housing substantially parallel to the hinge arms so as to protect the hinge arms from external mechanical influences. The distance between each hinge arm and the facing parallel portion off its opposite protection wall has a value lying in the range between 6.6 mm and 13.1 mm.
US08172077B1
A portable container includes a first half-shell pivotally connected to a second half-shell to form at least one releasably sealed compartment, wherein each half-shell includes a substantially flat, rectangular portion having walls extending from each edge of the rectangular portion; an opening substantially centered in the first half-shell sized for a cylindrical rod attached to a tripod, the rod having a base portion larger than its extension portion; and a support assembly within the first half-shell having a substantially flat base portion sized to increase strength and rigidity and including a receptacle to the extension portion of the cylindrical rod, the receptacle and extension including corresponding fastener openings so that a fastener device secures the portable container to the cylindrical rod, whereby the portable container is supported by the base portion, the support assembly provides stability to the portable container, and the portable container is rotatable upon the rod.
US08172074B2
A conveyor system includes a kitting conveyor subsystem arranged to transport kits to a washing station, a washing conveyor subsystem arranged to receive kits from a kitting conveyor subsystem and to transport washed kits towards an assembly station, and an assembly conveyor subsystem to receive washed kits from the washing conveyor subsystem and transport the kits to an assembly station, wherein the kits traverse the system from the kitting conveyor subsystem to the assembly station automatically without human intervention. A self-adjusting conveyor includes a table top containing a conveyor belt, legs arranged to support the table top, an adjustment fixture arranged to adjust the table top to a working height, and a controller to return the table top to a home height upon activation.
US08172071B2
A system (10) and method for packing an article (20) onto a shipping carrier (26), the article (20) having an arbitrary orientation relative to the conveyor (28) and being transported within an order-picking system on a conveyor (28; 28a, 28b) downstream towards a packing station (22), which includes a packing robot (12) for automatically loading the shipping carrier (26), wherein the article (20) is to be put down with one of its faces (38) onto the shipping carrier (26). The one of the faces can be predetermined arbitrarily, comprising: a rotating station (30), preferably provided in the conveyor (28), and thus dividing the conveyor (28), having a rotation area (42), which is substantially arranged in a plane of the conveyor (28) for receiving an article (20) from the conveyor (28), and which is rotatable from a receiving position about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor (28) into a plurality of delivery positions; and a tilting station (32) comprising a tilt area (46), wherein the tilt area (46) in a receiving position is substantially orientated parallel with respect to the plane of the conveyor (28), and in a tilting position is substantially orientated perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor (28).
US08172067B1
The present invention supports processing a transaction by a cash handling device. With one aspect, a cash recycling device includes a plate that covers a stacking cassette in order to prevent a deposited note from entering the stacking cassette before the transaction is completed by the user. The plate retracts to allow the deposited note to enter the stacking cassette when the transaction is completed. If the transaction is canceled, all notes on top of the plate are returned to the user. With another aspect, a cash recycling device extracts a deposited note from a stacking cassette if the user cancels the transaction. If a double pick occurs, the extracted note is diverted to a divert cassette. The first extracted note of the double pick is returned to the user. The remaining extracted notes are returned to the stacking cassette. The process may be repeated for all deposited notes.
US08172058B2
A method of operating a friction plate clutch includes activating a clutch control mechanism to engage the friction plate clutch, and engaging a holding clutch. The clutch control mechanism is then deactivated, rendering it unable to maintain engagement of the friction plate clutch. The holding clutch is used to retain engagement of the friction plate clutch. One embodiment of the method uses a wedge clutch as the holding clutch, and another embodiment uses a one-way bearing clutch. The clutch control mechanism may be a hydraulic clutch control. A latching clutch assembly includes a friction plate clutch movable between an engaged and a disengaged position. A bearing clutch is operatively coupled to the friction plate clutch and has a locked and a released position. The locked position is configured to oppose movement of the friction plate clutch from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
US08172053B2
A hydraulic circuit arrangement for operating a hydrodynamic torque converter (1, 10) with a converter bridging clutch (11). The circuit arrangement comprises a hydraulic switching unit (3, 14) having at least one valve for controlling an inflow flow and a return flow of oil to the converter (1, 10) and the converter bridging clutch (11), an oil cooler (4, 15), a first line (5, 12) for acting upon the converter bridging clutch (11) with an engagement pressure (PWKzu) and a second line (6, 13) for acting upon the converter bridging clutch (11) with a disengagement pressure (PWKauf). The circuit arrangement comprises a bypass line (8, 17) which is connected directly with the oil cooler (4, 15) so as to bypass the hydraulic switching unit (3, 14).
US08172051B2
A non-asbestos friction material includes at least one binder, fiber, lubricant, abrasive and titanate in a range of volume fractions in combination with other materials such as fillers and is substantially free of copper and asbestos.
US08172046B2
The disc brake device comprises a piston (5) designed to press a pad (8) against a disc (2) when said piston is subjected to a first force along a first axis (z′z) in a direction directed from the piston toward the pad. A first plate (12, 13) is inserted between a first surface (52) of the piston (5) and the pad (8) and designed to generate a second force along the first axis (z′z) in a direction directed from the pad toward the piston when the pad (8) is caused to move as a result of rotation of the disc (2.
US08172045B2
A quick release brake mechanism has a housing, a first shaft mounted in the housing and at least one gear rotatably received thereon. A second gear is rotatably mounted in the housing in operative engagement with the first shaft. A clutch is operatively disposed between the first shaft and the second gear, and a locking mechanism is mounted in the housing in operative engagement with the first shaft at least one gear and the clutch. The clutch is moveable between a first position in which the first shaft is rotationally coupled to the first and the second gears, and a second position in which the second gear rotates with respect to the first shaft. A remotely operated quick release mechanism operatively coupled to the housing has a first end operatively coupled to a power source and an opposite second end operatively coupled to the clutch so as to move the clutch from the clutch first position into the clutch second position.
US08172043B2
During elevator modernization, a cross-dispatching system receives hall calls and assigns each hall call to either a group of existing elevator car controllers or a group of new elevator car controllers. The cross-dispatching system creates an inter group relative system response (iRSR) value for the hall call for both the existing group of elevators and the new group of elevators, based upon information from each group such as car location, in-service status, load, and direction. If the group assigned the hall call does not answer the call within a redispatch time period, the cross-dispatching system again calculates the iRSR for each group and reassigns the hall call.
US08172042B2
A power system (10) operates a plurality of hoist motors (18a, 18b, 18c), each of which controls movement of one of a plurality of elevators (12a, 12b, 12c). The power system (10) includes a power bus (11) and a converter (22) connected across the power bus (11) for converting alternating current (AC) power from an AC power source (20) to direct current (DC) power and delivering the DC power to the power bus (11). The power system (10) also includes a plurality of inverters (26a, 26b, 26c) connected across the power bus (11). Each inverter (26a, 26b, 26c) is connected to a hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) and is operable to drive the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) when the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) is motoring by converting the DC power from the power bus (11) into AC power. Each inverter (26a, 26b, 26c) is further operable to convert AC power produced by the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) when the motor is generating to DC power and to deliver the DC power to the power bus (11). A controller (31) manages power on the power bus (11) by controlling operation of the converter (22) and the inverters (26a, 26b, 26c) to drive a motoring hoist motor with power delivered to the power bus (11) by the converter (22) and generating hoist motors.
US08172041B2
A machineroom-less elevator in which a counterweight is vertically moved behind a cage, with the cage and the counterweight being suspended in a jig back manner through a first and second diverting sheaves. In this machineroom-less elevator, a sufficiently large vertical stroke of the counterweight can be secured, while a durability of a hoist rope is improved. In addition, since no tensile difference is generated in respective parts of the hoist rope, vertical vibrations of the cage are prevented when the cage restarts a vertical movement. A traction sheave is disposed on one of right and left sidewalls of an elevator shaft. A first diverting sheave is disposed below and sufficiently apart from the traction sheave, and a second diverting sheave is disposed on a top of a rear wall of the elevator shaft. The traction sheave is disposed to be inclined relative to the sidewall such that a rotational axis thereof extends from the sidewall of the elevator shaft to the rear wall thereof, when viewed vertically from above.
US08172037B2
The invention relates to a coating for acoustic treatment at the surface of an aircraft, in particular at the leading edge such as the air intake of an aircraft nacelle, said coating including an acoustically resistive layer (28), at least one cellular structure (30) and a reflective layer (32), characterized in that it comprises ducts (34) provided between said cellular structure (30) and the acoustically resistive structure (28), the ducts being each defined by a wall (36) separate from the walls of the cellular structure (30) and one end of the ducts being connected to a hot air supply.
US08172033B2
A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising: a frame comprising an operator's compartment; wheels supported on the frame, at least one of the wheels being a steerable wheel; a steer-by-wire system associated with the steerable wheel to effect angular movement of the steerable wheel about a first axis; and a control apparatus. The steer-by-wire system comprises a control handle capable of being moved by an operator to generate a steer control signal, a selection switch capable of generating one of a first select signal and a second select signal, and a steer motor coupled to the steerable wheel to effect angular movement of the steerable wheel about the first axis. The control apparatus may be coupled to the control handle to receive the steer control signal, coupled to the selection switch to receive the one select signal, and coupled to the steer motor to generate a first drive signal to the steer motor to effect angular movement of the steerable wheel about the first axis. The control apparatus may convert the steer control signal to a corresponding desired angular position for the steerable wheel using one of first and second steerable-wheel-to-control-handle-position ratios, wherein the one ratio is selected based on the one select signal.
US08172031B2
A vehicle has a shifter assembly for shifting a transmission, and a floor pan. The shifter assembly includes a base and an attachment assembly for adjustably attaching the shifter assembly to the floor pan. The attachment assembly includes a bushing that is adjustable in a horizontal direction relative to the floor pan or a vertical direction relative to the base.
US08172029B2
A saddle-riding vehicle mounted with a V engine between a front wheel and a rear wheel, the V engine having a front cylinder portion extending obliquely forwardly and upwardly from a crankcase and a rear cylinder portion extending obliquely rearwardly and upwardly from the crankcase. A main switch is disposed between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion, and also an intake system is disposed between the front cylinder potion and the rear cylinder portion, wherein the main switch is fixed to the intake system. The main switch is disposed efficiently in terms of space utilization.
US08172024B2
An airbag control system may include a sensor unit monitoring status of a vehicle being driven and an object located in front of the vehicle, an interior airbag deployed to an interior of the vehicle being driven, an exterior airbag deployed to an exterior of the vehicle being driven, and a control unit measuring a relative speed between the vehicle being driven and the object located in front of the vehicle from the sensor unit after deploying the exterior airbag, and deploying the interior airbag when it is determined that the measured relative speed exceeds an interior critical speed at which the interior airbag is deployed.
US08172023B1
A personal mobility device comprising a frame having a front structure, a rear structure, and two side structures. In one embodiment, main mobility wheels are coupled to ones of the side structures, the main mobility wheels configured to contact a surface upon which the mobility device is designed to move. In this embodiment, the mobility device further includes a knee rest rotatably coupled to the front structure, the knee rest being adjustable from a first substantially-vertical position to a second rearwardly and downwardly-angled position.
US08172022B2
A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a rim and an energy recovery system. The energy recovery system includes a flywheel, a continuously variable planetary (CVP), a first planetary gear set, and a second planetary gear set. The flywheel is substantially concentric with the rim and operable to rotate relative to the rim. The CVP is positioned within the flywheel and is operable to transmit rotational motion between the flywheel and the rim. The first planetary gear set is rotationally coupled to the rim and the CVP such that rotational motion transmitted between the CVP and the rim is transmitted through the first planetary gear set. The second planetary gear set is rotationally coupled to the CVP, the rim and the flywheel such that rotational motion transmitted between the CVP, the rim and the flywheel is transmitted through the second planetary gear set.
US08172019B2
A towing tractor includes a tractor body, a motor, a controller, a cable electrically connecting the motor and the controller, an axle housing integrally mounted with the motor, and a suspension through which the axle housing is supported by the tractor body. The controller is fixed to the tractor body. The length of the cable is greater than the shortest distance between the motor and the controller. The suspension allows vertical movement of the axle housing and the motor relative to the tractor body. The controller, the axle housing and the motor are arranged in this order in longitudinal direction of the tractor body. The controller is located above the axle housing and the motor. The cable led out from the motor extends below the axle housing and then upward toward the controller. The part of the cable between the axle housing and the controller forms an extra length portion.
US08172018B2
A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle power transmitting system wherein an electric motor is connected through a step-variable transmission to a drive-wheel-side output shaft to which a drive force of a main drive power source is distributed by a power distributing device, which control apparatus is configured to reduce a shifting shock upon a shifting action of the step-variable transmission wherein when at least one of the operating states of transmission 20 and electric-energy storage device 32 satisfies a predetermined condition, the degree of limitation or reduction of a torque reduction amount of MG2 by MG2-torque-reduction-control limiting portion 142 is reduced with respect to that when at least one of the operating states does not satisfy the predetermined condition, while output torque of MG1 is reduced by MG1-torque-reduction control portion 144, so that a shifting shock of the transmission 20 upon its shifting action can be reduced by implementing the torque reduction control of the MG1 while reducing the degree of the limitation of the torque reduction control of the MG2 when it is determined that the limitation of the torque reduction control of the MG2 has a considerable influence on the shifting action.
US08172016B2
A wheelchair suspension is provided. The wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a pivot arm, a front caster, a drive assembly, and a rear caster. The pivot arm is pivotally coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. Movement of the drive assembly in a first direction causes the pivot arm to substantially remain in a first position. Movement of the drive assembly in a second direction urges the pivot arm away from the first position.
US08172012B2
A polycrystalline diamond abrasive cutting element consists generally of a layer of high grade polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented carbide substrate. The polycrystalline diamond layer has a working surface and an outer peripheral surface and is characterized by having an annular region or a portion thereof adjacent the peripheral surface that is lean in catalysing material. A region adjacent the working surface is also lean in catalysing material such that in use, as a wear scar develops, both the leading edge and the trailing edge thereof are located in a region lean in catalysing material.
US08172000B1
A method for feeding a downhole line between two tubulars is provided. The method can include connecting a clamping apparatus about a first tubular member. The method can include supporting a second tubular member with a support surface of the clamping apparatus, feeding a downhole line through a pass through channel formed between the clamping apparatus and a tubular member, and communicating the downhole line with a tool. The clamping apparatus can include two halves, each with support arms, connecting walls, and grips.
US08171993B2
A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a mixer, the cool or cold water stream being at ambient temperature. The mixer has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the mixer, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40° -120° F.+(4.4 - 48.9° C.+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool and hot water to surge tanks or to mixing tanks. In the mixing tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed. From the mixing tanks, the water with proppant and optional chemicals is injected into the well for part of the hydraulic fracturing operation.
US08171990B2
A method and apparatus for estimating one or more formation properties using in-situ measurements conducted at or near a coring location include a coring tool adapted to cut a core sample in a formation, a member having a distal end that engages a borehole wall substantially adjacent the core sample, and a drive device that engages the member to the borehole wall with a force sufficient to estimate formation strength.
US08171989B2
A system includes a subsea well and a carousel of tools. The carousel of tools is adapted to automatically and selectively deploy the tools in the well to perform an intervention in the well. The flow of fluid in a well is halted, and a tool is deployed from within the well while the fluid is halted. The tool is allowed to free fall while the fluid is halted. The flow is resumed to retrieve the tool.
US08171988B2
A stroker tool for providing an axial force in an axial direction of a downhole tool. The stroker tool has a pump, a driving unit for driving the pump, and an axial force generator. The generator has an elongated piston housing having a first and a second end, and a piston provided on a shaft, and the shaft penetrates the housing for transmitting the axial force to another tool. The piston is provided in the piston housing so that the shaft penetrates the piston and each end of the piston housing and divides the housing into a first and a second chamber, and the first and the second chamber are each fluidly connected to the pump via at least one duct so that the pump can pump fluid into one chamber by sucking fluid from the other chamber for moving the piston within the housing, and thereby moving the shaft back and forth.
US08171980B2
A process for producing a rare earth alloy comprises heating a raw material alloy to be a molten alloy, and quench-solidifying the molten alloy, wherein the raw material alloy is compounded so as to have a composition represented by the formula: REx(Co1-yMy)4Sb12 (wherein RE is at least either one member of La and Ce, M is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Sn, Cu, Zn, Mn and Pb, 0
US08171963B2
An extraction device for extracting fluid from a container that permits precise measurement and transfer of such fluid. A cap having a valve assembly is attached to a container holding fluid. The extraction device can be connected to the cap thereby opening the valve assembly. Fluid can be extracted from the container and measured in the extraction device. The container is automatically sealed upon removal of the extraction device from the cap.
US08171958B2
An adjustable valve is disclosed which includes a plug body having at least one flow path defined therein and a choke cage positioned proximate the plug body, the choke cage comprising a plurality of openings to permit a flow of a fluid therethrough, the choke cage adapted to be used to regulate the flow of fluid through the flow path in the plug body.
US08171949B1
A fluid flow method and apparatus are described. The apparatus includes a trough coupled between tanks to provide an air flow down between the tanks.
US08171945B2
The invention relates to a vehicle wash system comprising a first treatment unit (2) arranged on a frame (1) so as to be height-adjustable and at least one second treatment unit (3) arranged on the frame (1) so as to be height-adjustable. In order to reduce the components required for driving and controlling the treatment units (2, 3) the latter are coupled to a common drive motor (11) via a traction mechanism drive (12, 13, 14, 15) for their mutual adjustment.
US08171921B2
Crankcase venting system comprising an oil separator arranged in a housing that separates the housing into an unfiltered air side and a filtered air side, wherein in the area of the unfiltered air side a valve is arranged that is comprised of a valve plate, a pressure spring resting against the valve plate, as well as a valve seat that is closed or opened by means of the valve plate, and wherein the valve is closed off by a lid that is locked or snapped in place.
US08171917B2
A coupling device for hydraulically and mechanically coupling an injection valve to a fuel rail of a combustion engine, has a fuel injector cup with a central longitudinal axis which can be hydraulically coupled to the fuel rail and at least partially engaged with the fuel inlet tube. The cup has an inner bottom surface facing the valve, a first retaining element fixedly coupled to the cup, a second retaining element fixedly coupled to the valve, wherein the second retaining element is coupled to the first element to prevent a movement of the second element relative to the first element in a first axis direction, and a damper element which is arranged axially between the inner bottom surface of the cup and the inlet tube. The damper element limits a movement of the valve relative to the cup in a second direction of the longitudinal axis opposing the first direction.
US08171909B2
An internal combustion engine of the two- or four-stroke petrol, diesel or gas-fueled type, comprising: an engine block which forms internally at least one cylinder; a head which contains a cylindrical rotary distributor which is adapted to connect, by means of two internal ports, a combustion chamber of the at least one cylinder alternately to the air intake and to the gas exhaust; a plate for closing the head in an upper region, in which intake and exhaust conveyance channels of the engine are provided; for each at least one cylinder being provided a single sealing element which is arranged between the at least one cylinder and the rotary distributor. The sealing element has a cradle which is shaped complementarily with respect to the rotary distributor and a cylindrical protrusion that has an open cavity which forms the combustion chamber of the cylinder. The sealing element has a port for connection between the combustion chamber and the two internal ports of the rotary distributor which is formed through the cradle. The upper closure plate of the head has a portion, which is inserted between the walls of the head, which faces and is substantially shaped complementarily with respect to the rotary distributor.
US08171898B2
A crankcase breathing system (1) for an internal combustion engine includes at least one oil separating apparatus with a preliminary separator (3) and a main separator (4) arranged downstream of the same, with the preliminary separator (3) including a diffuser (11) between an inlet (7) and an outlet (8) which expands in the direction of flow. In order to achieve high separation rates in the simplest possible way it is provided that the preliminary separator (3) is arranged integrally with the main separator (4), with preferably the preliminary separator (3) and the main separator (4) forming a separator unit (2).
US08171888B2
A detachable pet carrier for housing a pet that allows the pet to rest on one or more of its interior surfaces. The pet carrier may include a roof that provides shelter for the rest area in the pet carrier's deployed configuration. The pet carrier may also include one or more bolsters on one or more of its interior surfaces to better define the boundaries of the rest area in the pet carrier's deployed configuration. The pet carrier may also include one or more pockets on its interior and or exterior surfaces.
US08171880B2
A microwave plasma processing apparatus performs plasma processing on a substrate by exciting a gas by electric field energy of microwaves emitted from a radial line slot antenna (RLSA). The microwave plasma processing apparatus includes: a processing container in which plasma processing is performed; a microwave source outputting microwaves; a rectangular waveguide transmitting the microwaves outputted from the microwave source; a coaxial converter converting a mode of the microwaves transmitted to the rectangular waveguide; a coaxial waveguide including an inner conductor slidably and electrically connected to the coaxial converter by a first contact member; the first contact member fixed to the coaxial converter and slidably contacting the inner conductor; and a first spring member absorbing displacement, which is caused by thermal expansion, of the RLSA and a member disposed above the RLSA.
US08171875B1
An owl replica for deterring pests, having a plastic owl body; a plastic owl head; an unstable mount disposed between the body and head for free movement of the head relative to the body; and a powered assembly supported by the mount and operable to move with the mount relative to the body and enable intermittent powered movement of the head relative to the body without interfering with free movement of the head.
US08171863B2
An improved mechanism for operating a flip-top table is presented that provides improved table rigidity, an intuitively operable release mechanism, a single release action to release the mechanism from both a “use” and “folded” position, and spatially separated latches for the “use” and “folded” positions. Additionally the mechanism meets or exceeds government and industry standards while having a refined appearance.
US08171862B2
A table for attaching to the wall of an aircraft. The table has a table top comprising at least two table top segments which are moveable relative to each other. At least one table top segment has a screen on one side. Two table top segments are pivotable or rotatable in relation to each other about at least two axes. The first axis runs parallel to an edge of a table top segment. The second axis runs substantially perpendicularly to the first axis in the plane of a table top segment.
US08171856B1
A rail transport system includes a rail assembly having at least two rail modules; at least one angled tongue element disposed at an end of the at least two rail modules; at least one angled groove element disposed at an end of the other one of the at least two rail modules, the at least one angled groove element for receiving the at least one angled tongue element when the at least two rail modules are assembled together; and at least one transport device for running along the rail assembly and transporting articles from one location to another. The rail transport system may further include first and second chain-wrench assemblies for securing the at least two rail modules to one another.
US08171852B1
An improved projectile having a penetrator and a body is disclosed. The penetrator is secured to the body. Upon impacting a target, the pentrator travels into the body and deforms the body. The body optionally has one or more portions, such as slots in the body, to promote deformation of the body upon the penetrator impacting the target. The body optionally has a bore extending at least partially therethrough that permits attachment of the penetrator at a second end of the body opposite the first end.
US08171846B2
Apparatus for forming a self-supporting ale of metal cans comprising a baler adapted to compact metal cans into a bale. Opposite side walls of the baler include an array along each side wall of parallel open-face grooves. A platen having defined along each of its opposite sides walls, an array of projections adapted to be received within respective ones of the wall grooves in meshing relationship whereby movement of the platen along the length of the baler functions to compact the cans disposed within the grooves to a higher degree of densification than the degree of densification of cans proximate the central portions of the bale.
US08171844B2
A griddle for a cooking appliance is disclosed. The griddle includes a main body having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a recessed area formed on the second surface, the recessed area having a center, a periphery, and a thickness which diminishes from the periphery toward the center.
US08171839B2
An axial loaded explosive bolt that can repeatedly be used for the purpose of remotely or automatically activating a timely separation of adjoining walls separated by a finite distance by the means of either an explosive charge or activation of a pressurized gas line. The fastener includes two bolts with internal bores that are attached by the means of a two-piece encapsulation connected by an inter-connecting clasp. The fastener assembly employs the use of either a combination of a thermal igniter and a pyrotechnic charge or a pressurized gas line attached to a solenoid valve and pressurized gas storage unit to supply a force sufficient to properly separate the said mechanical fastener assembly.
US08171818B2
A robot comprises a fixed body, a movable body, and a flat-shaped cable. The fixed body is at least unmovable in a vertical direction. The movable body is movably connected to the fixed body in a predetermined movable range in the vertical direction and has an end to which a tool is attached, the tool performing operations on a workplace. The cable bundle has a plurality of cables for electric power supply and control communication among the fixed and movable bodies and the tool. The cable bundle has two ends. One end is fixedly connected to a fixing position of the fixed body, while the other end is fixedly connected to a fixing position of the movable body which is equal to or higher than the position of the fixed body in the vertical direction in a state where the movable body is located at a highest highest position within the movable range of the movable body.
US08171816B2
The invention relates to a gear lever (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising a first lever rod (110) and a second lever rod (120) arranged in association with this. Both the lever rods have a first and a second end, and the second lever rod (120) is movable, so that it can be moved in its longitudinal-direction in relation to the first lever rod (110) by an action by the driver of the vehicle. The second lever rod is spring-loaded (150) in relation to the first lever rod, so that it can be returned to an initial position, and the gear lever (100) comprises, in addition, a sensor arrangement with a sensor component (160). The sensor arrangement is attached to the second lever rod (120) via at least one arm (170) in such a way that it can pivot, so that the sensor arrangement can move with the second lever rod when this moves in relation to the first lever rod, both when the second lever rod is moved in its longitudinal direction and when the gear lever is moved between the different gear positions.
US08171806B2
A temperature compensated force detection element is provided with a substrate, an insulation layer disposed above the substrate, and a p-type semiconductor layer disposed above the insulation layer, and a positive electrode and a negative electrode disposed apart from each other above the p-type semiconductor layer. A gauge portion being electrically connected to the positive electrode and having a higher impurity concentration than the p-type semiconductor layer, and an n-type region electrically connected to the negative electrode are formed in the p-type semiconductor layer.
US08171801B2
An apparatus and method precisely measure gas pressure over a large dynamic range and with good immunity to temperature fluctuations, encompassing applications such as gas sensing, bolometer imaging and industrial process monitoring. The micro-thermistor gas pressure sensor assembly includes a suspended platform micro-thermistor sensor device exposed to the gas pressure of a given atmospheric environment, an electrical readout circuit connected to the suspended platform micro-thermistor sensor device, wherein the suspended platform micro-thermistor sensor device acts as a variable electrical resistance in the readout electrical circuit, a binary-wave voltage source connected to the suspended platform micro-thermistor sensor device, and an ohmmeter.
US08171796B2
An AE detector has an AE sensor and a destruction judging section. The destruction judging section judges it as a warning of destruction of a bearing when there are a predetermined number or more of points defined by parameters calculated based on signals from the AE sensor in a predetermined region of a parameter space defined by a plurality of parameters which can be created based on the signals from the AE sensor.
US08171794B2
A method and a switch arrangement for operating a micromechanical capacitive sensor having at least one and at most two fixed electrodes and one differential capacitor formed by a movable central electrode that can be deflected by an external force, wherein the deflection of the electrode is measured. A fraction of the force acting on the central electrode, corresponding to the electrostatic restorative force, is compensated. Under closed-loop operation, a selection signal is influenced by a regulator supplementing a restore crosstalk signal so that the created capacitive restorative force acts in a compensatory manner against deflection of the central electrode.
US08171790B2
An apparatus for measuring forces generated by an unbalance of a vehicle wheel, comprising a horizontally oriented measuring shaft (1) which is supported rotary about its shaft axis (2) in a rotary mounting (3) on a stationary machine frame (4) and which is adapted that a vehicle wheel (5) is fixed onto it for the measurement operation, wherein the measuring shaft (1) is movably guided in a vertical direction on the stationary machine frame (4) between a first vertical position in which the measuring operation is conducted and a second vertical position in which the shaft axis is brought into alignment with a wheel axis (6) of the uprightly positioned vehicle wheel (5).
US08171787B2
A liquid-level detecting apparatus is provided. The liquid-level detecting apparatus includes a resistance plate with an insulating substrate; conductive segments on the insulating substrate at substantially equal intervals; a resistor mounted on the conductive segments and through which the conductive segments are connected to each other; an conductive sliding arm including a contact part for selectively coming into sliding contact with a portion of the conductive segments; a conducting pattern which is formed between one or more pairs of two adjacent conductive segments to short-circuit the two adjacent conductive segments; and a measuring device which is connected to one of the conductive segments and measures a value based on a portion of the resistor connected between a first segment of the conductive segments contacted by the contact part and the one of the conductive segments connected to the measuring device, thereby detecting a level of the liquid surface.
US08171786B2
An ultrasonic-based or radar-based apparatus and method for fuel inventory measurements and for the detection and characterization of materials in a fuel tank, including sludge, water, microorganisms and materials of different viscosities and densities that are present in the tank, presented in an easy-to-interpret picture display that can be remotely located from the tank.
US08171782B2
A test bench for simulating oscillations with at least one roller that has a running face on at least part of which a roadway covering is applied. The roller is rotatably mounted and supported by an axle. At least one excitation device is provided, which additionally moves the roller in at least one spatial direction, in particular in the vertical direction of the vehicle.
US08171779B2
A method of monitoring a heat exchanger of a vehicle, coated with an ozone-oxygen conversion material, including detecting the heat exchange medium temperature (tka) and heat exchange temperature (tprem) and plotting the values as a function of time, determining the area value (atka) of the heat exchange medium temperature, comparing the value of the heat exchange medium temperature with a setpoint value, repeating the foregoing steps if the sensed value is negative relative to the setpoint value, devising a quotient of the area values of such temperature, comparing the devised quotient with a defined setpoint range (RA) and determining whether such devised quotient falls within or without such defined setpoint range.
US08171774B2
A hydrocarbon liquid-seal device is provided. The device includes first and second conduits in fluid communication with each other such that the first and second conduits define a flow path therethrough configured to pass a hydrocarbon vapor. The first and second conduits are in a spaced relationship and are not rigidly coupled to one another for isolating a vibration or movement respectively therein. The device further includes a liquid disposed within a space between first and second end portions of the first and second conduits, respectively, such that the liquid blocks the space between the first and second end portions and seals the hydrocarbon vapor in the flow path.
US08171756B2
A steam generator is disclosed, which can prevent deformation of a housing in an injection molding process, so as to improve efficiency on connection of the housing, the steam generator comprising the housing which defines the exterior of the steam generator, and holds washing water therein; and at least one deformation-preventing rib provided in the housing so as to prevent the housing from being deformed in an injection molding process.
US08171751B1
A method of making a foamed glass composite, including crushing a vitreous precursor material, such as waste glass, frit, metallurgical slag or the like, sizing the crushed vitreous precursor to segregate an amount of crushed particles of a predetermined size and pelletizing the crushed particles. The pellets are preheated and passed through a high-temperature zone to foam the pellets. The foamed pellets are rapidly quenched to a temperature below their dilatometric softening point and then cooled to room temperature. The high temperature zone is at least about 1200° C. and the pellets are preheated to within no more than about 25° C. of their dilatometric softening point. The pellets are quenched to partially or completely avoid annealing and have increased hardness and compressive strength as a consequence, as well as a preferred failure mode under compression and torsional loads of crushing/shattering.
US08171749B2
An aircraft-galley chiller, enclosed in a housing, including an evaporator condensate drying device. The galley chiller may operate on DC power and may be transported from one cart to another to provide chilled air to a particular cart.
US08171736B2
A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes an annular combustor shell having an inner liner and an outer liner respectively with inner and outer flanges at least partly overlapping to form a dome end portion of the shell, at least the outer flange including intersecting upstream and downstream wall portions defining a corner therebetween, the upstream wall portion having a plurality of cooling apertures defined therethrough immediately upstream of the corner, and the cooling apertures being oriented to direct a cooling air flow from outside the combustor shell therethrough and adjacent an inner surface of the downstream wall portion.
US08171721B2
An exhaust line fuel injection system and associated methods of operation and control are disclosed. The fuel passes through a regulating valve connected to a pressurized fuel source and an outlet connected to an exhaust system fuel supply line. The exhaust system fuel supply line is connected to a nozzle, which generally comprises a check-valve and is configured to inject the fuel into the exhaust line. Using a pressure measuring device, an indication of the exhaust system fuel supply line pressure is obtained. A controller provides control over the flow regulating valve using feedback from the pressure indication and a predetermined relationship between the flow rate through the nozzle and one of the exhaust system fuel supply line pressure and the pressure drop across the nozzle. The method can be implemented with a single pressure measuring device. The same pressure measurements, especially their frequency spectrum, can be used to detect system faults.
US08171715B2
A shackle apparatus including a generally U-shaped shackle body having an arcuate end, a pair of parallel arms, and a retaining member spanning a gap defined between the shackle arms. The retaining member cooperates with the shackle body to define a closed loop which can be permanently attached to a sling or lifting cable. The retaining member prevents the shackle apparatus from being removed and installed on another sling or lifting cable without substantially destroying the shackle apparatus of the present invention.
US08171714B2
The invention relates to a chain suitable to moor or anchor boats, to lash cargo in road, rail, water and air transportation or for conveying, hoisting, suspending or lifting applications, said chain comprising a plurality of interconnected links. More in particular the invention relates to a chain suitable for the above stated uses comprising a plurality of interconnected links, at least part of the links comprising polyolefin fibers and in particular ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers. The invention also relates to a method for enhancing the strength of such a chain.
US08171710B2
An automatic lacer wraps bundles of polymeric fibers with thread, before the bundles are woven into a fabric mat and placed in a housing to form a gas-separation membrane module. A fiber bundle passes through a spool which is previously wound with thread on its outer surface. The thread is attached to the fiber bundle, so that when the bundle is moved through the spool, the thread is pulled from the spool, and automatically becomes wound around the bundle. Threads from two or more spools may be wrapped around the fiber bundle simultaneously. Lacing of the fiber bundles reduces the amount of tangling in the loom feeder, and improves the quality of modules made from the fiber bundles.
US08171707B2
Corn stalk rollers, comprising a plurality of roller assemblies pivotally mounted to and spanning the corn head of a corn harvest combine; an apparatus to bias the plurality of roller assemblies into contact with the ground while the corn harvest combine is harvesting corn; and chevron-patterned protrusions on each of the plurality of roller assemblies for providing ground traction and for aiding in crushing harvested corn stalks to ground level corn-field-wide.
US08171702B2
Various device embodiments include first and second plate assemblies. Each plate assembly includes a base, a seal plate, one or more air bladders and a servo motor to provide a linear motion of the seal plate with respect to the base. The device further includes at least one plate assembly motor operably linked to the bases of the plate assemblies to provide a linear motion of the first and second plate assemblies toward each other to perform a sealing operation and away from each other. The device further includes a controller connected to the at least one plate assembly motor and to the first and second servo motors to coordinate the motion of the first and second seal plates to perform a seal operation on a web while traveling with the web.
US08171696B2
A metal stud including first and second metal panels defining first and second flat surfaces with longitudinal edges each turned inwardly away from the flat surfaces. The first and second panels are positioned in parallel spaced apart relationship with the first flat surface and the second flat surface being outwardly directed relative to each other. An angular metal coupling element includes a continuous length of metal material periodically bent in opposite directions. The coupling element is positioned between the first and second panels and bent to periodically and alternately contact the first and second panels at contact points. The coupling element is fixed to the first and second panels at the contact points by spot welding or the like.
US08171695B2
A structural member and method with an improved arm connection is provided that allows quick connection of an arm to the structural member. Pins are inserted through aligned apertures in first and second thru-vangs, as well as an abutting arm bracket. A flexible securement member is inserted through an aperture in the pins that is transverse to the pins. Last, an arm is secured to the arm bracket for support of electrical conductors strung thereon.
US08171690B2
Washer assemblies for mounting panels to a support without damaging the panels include a countersunk washer and a sleeve. In one implementation, the washer assemblies are configured to at least partially prevent the formation of hoop stresses within a panel, and uniformly transmit forces created by a fastener to a panel. The washer assemblies can be configured to enhance the function, look, feel, or aesthetic of a panel system. In addition, systems of at least one implementation of the present invention include a plurality of panels mounted to one or more supports using one or more washer assemblies and methods of mounting such systems.
US08171685B2
The present disclosure includes various brackets and systems for forming tiled transitions between surfaces. One bracket embodiment for forming a tiled transition between a first surface and a second surface forming an inside corner includes a first base portion securable to the first surface, a second base portion securable to the second surface, a receiving slot angled with respect to the first and second surfaces for receiving a tile strip to form the tiled transition, and a channel for receiving a filler material adjacent to the receiving slot.
US08171679B2
An unitized curtain wall unit houses energy conversion devices (such as photovoltaic modules), and includes integrated wiring conduits for routing signal and power cables within a building façade or exterior shell structures.
US08171661B2
A label assembly that includes a face sheet with at least one label shape defined by one or more tearable lines of separation, a back sheet adjacent to the face sheet, and an adhesive material disposed between the face sheet and the back sheet. The back sheet has a multi-portion removable panel disposed over the label shape adhesive material and a registration structure in one of the portions of the removable panel and aligned with an other portion and the label shape. The registration structure is raised or raisable above the back sheet to allow an object for labeling to be positioned against the registration structure for proper alignment with a first portion of the label.
US08171651B2
A squareness testing instrument (1, 100, 200) has one or more pairs of arms (2,3, 122,123), such as a one or more pairs of slats or rods, pivotally interconnected using suitable fasteners (4). The one or more pairs of arms are shaped such that they can fit substantially squarely into a corresponding imaginary rectangle (6A, 6B, 106, 206) with at least some arm ends (8, 108, 128, 208) in contact with sides thereof irrespective of the relative pivotal positioning of the arms. The instrument is positionable inside a frame type structure (14, 114) and pivotable apart to try and bring at least some of the arm ends in contact with sides (18, 19, 118, 119) of the structure to test at least one of the squareness and parallelism thereof.
US08171646B2
A scraper includes a shell, a first controlling mechanism moveably installed within the shell for carrying a razor. The first controlling mechanism is moveable between a first position that the razor is exposed outside the shell and a second position that the razor is concealed in the shell. The scraper also includes a second controlling mechanism being independent of the first controlling mechanism and being utilized to selectively lock the razor therein. The razor is adapted to be removed from the first controlling mechanism when the second controlling mechanism is in an unlocked position. In addition, the scraper includes a compartment defined in the shell for storing unused razor(s).
US08171644B1
A method for making a door with a decorative polymer panel assembly. The method can include forming a polymer grille by cutting a design into a polymer with a low-moisture content. The polymer grille can have a frame portion and a design portion. A seal can be contiguously disposed about a perimeter of the frame portion. A grille assembly can be formed by disposing a translucent panel on each side of the seal, forming an air space with the polymer grille disposed within the air space. The grille assembly can be pressed, heated and cooled, forming the decorative polymer panel assembly. The decorative polymer panel assembly can be disposed within an opening of a door, and the door can be disposed within an opening of a structure.
US08171640B2
An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering 50 for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly 92, an operating element handling assembly 94, and a vane handling assembly 96. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station 100 to attach one portion of a vane 54 to the operating elements 56, and another portion of the vane 54 to the support structure 52, allowing movement of one portion of the vane 54 relative to other portion of the vane.
US08171633B2
A multi segment wind turbine blade comprises at least two blade segments. A first blade segment comprises an outer skin, a bulkhead, and first alignment brackets removably coupled to the outer skin of the first blade segment. A first portion of a flange of the bulkhead is bonded to the first blade segment and a second portion of the flange of the bulkhead projects out from the first blade segment. A second blade segment comprises an outer skin and second alignment brackets removably coupled to the outer skin of the first blade segment. The first and second alignment brackets are alignable upon the outer side of the second blade segment being inserted over the second portion of the flange of the bulkhead.
US08171628B2
A photosensitive conductive film 10 according to the invention includes a support film 1, a conductive layer 2 containing conductive fiber formed on the support film 1, and a photosensitive resin layer 3 formed on the conductive layer 2.
US08171624B2
A method of preparing wireless communication chips for later processing includes receiving a carrier tape that is carrying a wireless communication chip positioned inside a container on the carrier tape and beneath a protective adhesive. The protective adhesive is stripped from the carrier tape. Using an apparatus having a first roller, the carrier tape is passed over the first roller, and the wireless communication chip is forced into contact with an adhesive tape for later processing. Also disclosed is a system for preparing wireless communication chips for later processing.
US08171611B2
A method for implementing a component positioning device is provided and includes obtaining a component, a component measuring device and a component positioning device, the component including a component head and a component base, the component measuring device including a first arbor and a second arbor and the component positioning device including a first support device, a second support device and an adapter device, connecting the first support device and the adapter device to the component measuring device, wherein the first support device is associated with the first arbor and the adapter device is associated with the second arbor, associating the second support device with the adapter device, wherein the second support device is adjacent to and separated from the first support device by a component cavity and positioning the component within the component cavity.
US08171608B2
Tool and method for machining a workpiece, such as a milling tool, including at least one cutting insert and including a grinding wheel, for machining a workpiece, and the method thereof. The grinding wheel is axially extendable relative to a base body of the tool via fluid actuation from a cooling fluid supply. Additionally, cooling fluid is also provided to a grinding surface of the grinding wheel.
US08171595B1
Disclosed herein is a roller for coating a curved surface. The roller includes a handle and a concave sleeve rotatably mounted thereto. The concave sleeve includes an outer surface that is curved inwardly. The concave sleeve can include an outer layer, such as a fibrous layer or nap, which defines the outer surface. The concave sleeve includes a core for supporting the outer layer and having means for mounting the concave sleeve to a handle, such as an axial passage defined by the core. The core can be formed of one or more components.
US08171593B2
A cleaning apparatus for golf equipment and the like, the apparatus having combined abrading, polishing and moisture delivery capabilities which may all be caused to act upon a target object simultaneously while shielding the user from wet and soiled surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is comprised of two adjoining panels of toweling at least one of which is of the terry variety having a plurality of finger-like loops. A portion of one cloth is integrated with a porous mesh scrubbing material on one side and a non-water-permeable backing on the other. The integration of mesh and cloth produce a grid-like duel-textured surface that provides simultaneous abrading and polishing functionality. To further enhance cleaning ability, means for delivering water to the mesh/cloth layer is disposed between the cloth/mesh layer and backing material. The backing material shields the user's hands and golf glove from the soiled and damp cleaning surface of the apparatus; the first panel of polishing cloth serves as a barrier between the golf bag and the soiled and damp cleaning surface of the second panel.
US08171570B2
Exoskeleton for physical activity, specially snow skiing, for preventing knee, leg and hip injuries by preventing the excessive torsion of the knee and other movements that could be dangerous for the person wearing it. The exoskeleton diverts the potential dangerous forces to the strong parts of the body and resists the generated forces when it reaches dangerous anatomical positions. The exoskeleton includes at least one first support member configured to couple above the knee; at least one second support member configured to couple below the knee; both of them linked together by a linkage assembly that limits that the coupling to the body of the support members reach dangerous positions; and at least one angle limitation mechanism that limits the relative rotation between the first support member and the second support member.
US08176567B2
A method includes receiving at a sub-program a request from an external entity the request comprising at least one parameter and a return address, utilizing the return address and an address list associated with the sub-program to authenticate the external entity, and processing the request if the external entity is authenticated.
US08176566B2
An information distribution device including a storage section, a reception section, a selection section and a distribution section. The storage section stores, for each of predetermined distribution destinations, at least one set of output destination information representing predetermined output destinations, and security level information associated with each set of output destination information. The reception section receives electronic information and distribution destination information which represents a distribution destination of the electronic information. The selection section reads from the storage section the output destination information and security level information that correspond to the distribution destination represented by the received distribution destination information, and selects an output destination of the electronic information on the basis of the security level information. The distribution section distributes the electronic information to the selected output destination.
US08176560B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for evaluating a software system includes defining a rating of the tamper resistance of a software system and breaking down the rating into a plurality of metrics relevant to the tamper resistance of the software system. A score may then be calculated for each metric and the scores may be combined into a composite score for the rating.
US08176557B2
The invention is directed to techniques for allowing a user to remotely interrogate a target computing device in order to collect and analyze computer evidence that may be stored on the target computing device. A forensic device receives input from a remote user that identifies computer evidence to acquire from the target computing device. The forensic device acquires the computer evidence from the target computing device and presents a user interface for the forensic device through which the remote user views the computer evidence acquired from the target computing device. In this manner, forensic device allows the user to interrogate the target computing device to acquire the computer evidence without seizing or otherwise “shutting down” the target device.
US08176556B1
A computer-implemented method for tracing attacks. The method may include identifying a first website and determining that the first website loads an attack remotely through a second website. The method may also include determining that the second website hosts the attack. The method may include performing a security action, such as blocking downloads from the second website, with respect to the second website. The attack may be a drive-by download. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08176555B1
A computer-implemented method for detecting a malicious process using file-name heuristics may comprise: 1) identifying a process, 2) identifying a process name for the process, 3) identifying a list of process names for non-malicious processes, and 4) determining, by comparing the process name for the process with the list of process names for non-malicious processes, whether to allow the process to execute. A method for maintaining a database containing information about non-malicious processes is also disclosed. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08176553B1
A system, method and computer program product are provided. Initially, data is received from a remote source which is destined for a target. A portion of such data is discarded based on a predetermined set of rules utilizing a firewall. Further, the data is compared to a predetermined list of data associated with attacks utilizing an intrusion detection system. Based on the comparison, some of the data is marked as hostile. The data that is marked as hostile is then acted upon in order to prevent an attack.
US08176551B1
A system for detecting an observing program on a computer system is disclosed as including accessing instructions that access observer data. The observer data includes data descriptive of the observer program. The observer program is programmed to observe a user's activities on the computer system and also operates to create data from its observations. The system also includes reading instructions that read memory of the computer system to obtain memory data. Further, the system includes comparing instructions that compare the observer data with memory data read in from memory to determine whether the observer program is present on the computer system. The system may also include generating instructions that generate results from the reading and comparing. The results generated indicate whether the observer program is present on the computer system. In addition, the system includes outputting instructions that obtain the results and provide the results for a user.
US08176540B2
A security method and system. The method includes retrieving configuration data associated with a non interactive entity (NIE) software application. The configuration data comprises refresh counts, refresh periods, and session IDs. A master refresh period is calculated from the refresh periods. Credentials data associated with a requestor are retrieved. The credentials data are transmitted to a resource server. A session key generated by the resource server is received by the NIE software application. The NIE software application calculates a stale time associated with the session key. The NIE software application generates a first updated refresh count. The NIE software application stores the session key, the first updated refresh count, the first refresh period, and the first specified stale time.
US08176535B2
An information processing system includes: an organization information storage that stores organization information which defines an organization including users and groups of the users; a usage control information storage that stores usage control information which is for controlling use of control target information by each user in the organization defined by the organization information and defining a user or a group of users who or which is permitted to use the control target information and a usage range of the control target information in which the user or the group of the users is permitted to use the control target information; a judgment unit that judges whether or not an inconvenience resulting from a change of the organization occurs in the usage control information stored in the usage control information storage based on the organization information stored in the organization information storage; and a countermeasure unit that performs a countermeasure against the inconvenience in a case where the judgment unit judges that the inconvenience resulting from the change of the organization occurs.
US08176531B2
A system for eliminating unauthorized email sent to a user on a network employs an email-receiving server connected between the network and the user's email client for receiving email addressed to the user and rejecting those in which the sender address does not match any of sender addresses maintained on an “authorized senders” list (ASL list). The ASL lists are maintained by an ASL manager in an ASL database operable with a spam processor module. A redirector module rejects the email if, upon sending a request for validation to the spam processor module, the sender's address does not match any authorized sender address on the ASL list. Email rejected by the redirector module is redirected to a web-based messaging (WBM) module which sends a message to the sender to confirm that the sender is a legitimate sender of email to the intended recipient. If the sender logs on to confirm their status, the WBM module executes an interaction procedure which can only be performed by a human, in order to ensure that the confirmation procedure is not performed by a mechanical program. The ASL manager maintains the ASL lists based upon sender address data collected from various sources and analyses of various email usage factors, including sent email, received email, contact lists maintained by the user, user preference inputs, third party programs, etc.
US08176525B2
This invention provides a method, system and apparatus for allowing media context sensitive SIP signaling exchange (such as voice) and call establishment while denying or challenging any other session description protocol (“SDP”) extension dialogs which might not be desired (such as instant messaging, video, Web broadcasting or pushing, data and/or application sharing and the like) by a user. The method and apparatus may further include defining user client media policy preferences, the user media policy preferences establishing the parameters for evaluating a media session request received by a user client, and providing the user client media policy preferences to a policy enforcement point device, the policy enforcement point device evaluating the media session request received by the user client and applying the user client media policy preferences to the media session request. The method and apparatus may further include utilizing a user client portal to gain access to a media policy database, the media policy database providing storage for user client media policy preferences.
US08176520B1
A communication system is provided for use with a mobile platform. The communication system can be configured to store video data on-board to allow pseudo-live or live broadcasts to be played as the mobile platform traverses a number of broadcasts regions. The mobile platforms can be automobiles, aircraft, boats, ships, trains, or other vehicles. The communication system allows Internet access, movies, and other entertainment and business functions to be performed.
US08176519B2
A method and system for transmitting a plurality of ESG data to an MS over a communication network in a DVB-H CBMS portable broadcasting service are provided. The MS requests ESG data over the communication network, a server collects the requested ESG data and transmits at least one of the collected ESG data in an ESG data group file to the MS over the communication network. The MS receives the ESG data group file and stores the ESG data included in the ESG data group file.
US08176514B2
An Internet TV video guide shows thumbnails of video assets available from one or more providers, and one or more of the assets may represent a playlist with two or more associated video clips. When a viewer selects a playlist asset, the thumbnail is expanded to show the individual clips so that a viewer can select a desired clip for play on the TV.
US08176513B2
Embodiments of the present invention are described in which a plurality of mediums are selectively programmed with media content to provide an integrated entertainment experience to consumers. The content that is provided on different mediums is synchronized to provide different events, perspectives or experiences associated with a common storyline. Additional embodiments of the present invention are described in which commercial sponsorship of a program is provided within a storyline, such that sponsors are identified for purposes of brand recognition, or products and services from the sponsor are advertised/marketed or otherwise made directly available for purchase by consumers through synchronized programming of media content among a plurality of mediums.
US08176511B2
A broadcast receiving apparatus and a method for providing user information are provided. The broadcast receiving apparatus transmits user information stored in a storage medium to a broadcast station. Therefore, a user may participate in data broadcasting more conveniently.
US08176505B2
A device and method for simultaneously manipulating multiple data storage cartridges or other storage elements in a storage library. The device housing includes an opening for receiving data storage cartridges. A gripping mechanism extends from the opening. The gripping mechanism is adapted to grip a data storage cartridge to be retrieved and to urge the data storage cartridge into the opening. One or more transport mechanisms are attached to one or more inner walls of the housing. The transport mechanisms are adapted such that once a data storage cartridge moves into the opening, the transport mechanisms will urge the data storage cartridge further into the opening until the data storage cartridge is held within the housing. The data storage cartridge can be moved further into the housing such that the gripping mechanism is free to collect additional cartridges.
US08176502B2
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to provide a scripting language framework. A script is run within the scripting language framework. The script defines an application characterized by a hierarchy of frames in a user interface window. A sub-frame log for a sub-frame in the hierarchy of frames is captured. The log is stored in a top log of a top frame of the hierarchy of frames.
US08176499B2
Platforms and techniques for defining, authorizing/authenticating, distributing, and presenting dynamic device experiences using a number of hierarchically-related, declarative language data structures, such as extensible markup language (“XML”) elements or attributes. A dynamic device experience is presented when two electronic devices are in communication via a communication medium. The data structures are processed to present a graphical user interface to a user—the graphical user interface implements a dynamic device experience associated with the other electronic device. In one exemplary scenario, independent hardware vendors (“IHVs”) author XML documents that include device experience information (such as branding or advertising information, access to Web services or applications, and access to device functionality), in the form of items of data stored in the data structures. The XML documents are verified against a predetermined schema, secured using a cryptographic technique such as a digital signature, and discovered/distributed in flexible, tamper-resistant manners.
US08176487B2
A method in a data processing system is provided for processing a service request of a client partition. The method includes: obtaining by a service partition of the data processing system the service request from the client partition, wherein both the client and service partitions execute above a hypervisor of the data processing system; and processing the service request by the service partition utilizing a processor quantum assigned to the client partition and donated by the client partition to the service partition. The client partition controls scheduling of the service partition by queuing the service request at the client partition until the client partition decides to proceed with execution of the service request by the service partition. In one implementation, the service partition is a partition adjunct of the data processing system, which utilizes donated virtual address space of the client partition.
