US08218033B2
Sound correction processing is performed for a sound signal obtained from a sound collecting portion. In particular, sound correction processing is performed after determining what is performed as the sound correction processing based on an image signal paired with a sound signal, the image signal obtained from an imaging portion, the sound signal, control data of the imaging portion, and the like.
US08218029B2
Disclosed herein is an image taking apparatus including an image taking device, a gain adjustment circuit, and a correction circuit. The image taking device operates with timings based on a frame rate determined in advance and the total number of horizontal lines, has an electronic shutter allowing a shutter speed to be adjusted, receives light in a period equal to the shutter speed of the electronic shutter and carries out an opto-electrical conversion process on the light for every horizontal line in order to generate a predetermined signal. The gain adjustment circuit adjusts the gain of the electrical signal received from the image taking device. The correction circuit compares an image taking video signal with a reference video signal to compute a flicker component as a component oriented in the vertical direction of an image represented by the image taking video signal in a flicker correction process of eliminating flickers.
US08218010B2
Disclosed herein is an image monitoring system including: a camera connected to a network; display means for displaying an image captured by the camera; and display control means for controlling display such that, in displaying images by the display means, an image is displayed in a window having a predetermined layout; wherein the display control means presets an allocation database containing a correlation between the window having a predetermined layout and a camera identification code and, when the camera is connected to the network, automatically sets a correlation between the camera identification code in the allocation database and the camera, thereby controlling image display into the window on the basis of the allocation database.
US08218009B2
A method for detecting and categorizing points of light for a motor vehicle with a camera sensor directed towards the motor vehicle environment is presented. Here, at least one first category for passive, illumined reflectors and at least one second category for self-radiating, moving lights, in particular motor vehicle lights, is provided. For this purpose, the time progression of the intensity of a point of light is analysed. On the basis of the intensity fluctuation, points of light are categorized as motor vehicle lights or as reflectors.
US08218004B2
A displacement sensing system is disclosed. Two image capturing devices are settled at to opposite ends of a coordinate axis of the planar area, respectively, for capturing images of the planar area and an object placed thereon. Four pre-established LUT databases and an interactive four-matrix lookup table process are implemented to determine actual coordinates of the object on in the planar area.
US08218003B2
A method and system for optimizing a data structure for manipulation of matrices in a parallel environment limits computational branching. The data structure further is further optimized for linear data storage and synchronization among multiple processing threads.
US08218001B2
Features such as holes in a component which may be an aerofoil component of a gas turbine engine are re-drilled after initial formation, for example to remove blockages created in a coating process. In order to ensure that re-drilling occurs at the precise location of the initial holes, a selected number of the holes are selected, and their exact positions identified, for example by camera imaging and image processing. The actual positions of the selected features are compared with the nominal positions, and an algorithm is generated and then used to calculate the actual positions of the non-selected holes of the array.
US08217999B2
A light source is configured to be mounted to a vision measuring instrument that includes a primary image capture unit capturing an image of an object to be measured, and an auxiliary image capture unit providing a means to aim the primary image capture unit at a determined position. The light source includes a main body defining a through hole for receiving the primary image capture unit, and a mounting hole for readily mounting an auxiliary image capture unit. A luminescent surface is formed on an inner wall bounding the through hole of the main body. A number of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is disposed on the luminescent surface.
US08217995B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a collaborative visualization system, which integrates motion capture and virtual reality, along with kinematics and computer-aided design (CAD), for the purpose of, for example, validating a simulation with a real-world video. A spherical camera captures real-world video at a first location. At a second location, one or more head-mounted display devices display the captured real-world video and also display a simulation corresponding to the real-world video. A motion capture system captures head rotation information for one or more users to thereby to control a pan, tilt, and zoom of the real-world video so that when a position of a user's head changes, the portion of the real-world video displayed in the head-mounted display changes accordingly. Upon user input, a computer program product selects between displaying the real-world video and the simulation in the head-mounted display.
US08217990B2
An apparatus for rendering a three-dimensional model from a plurality of eye points to present a three-dimensional picture, wherein the position of a virtual camera for rendering apexes of the three-dimensional model is controlled in accordance with the amount of protrusion of an object under rendering from a display plane to create and present a non-perspective projection picture as a picture at each eye point position. Also, for this control, a weighting parameter is incorporated in each part of the three dimensional model, such that the presentation of stereoscopic sense can be finely controlled.
US08217989B2
A panoramic picture photographing method permits more accurate photographing of an image, particularly a panoramic image of a subject, without additional equipment, or separate devices and hardware. The method includes projecting an image, which is successively inputted in every predetermined unit of time, to an imaginary surface having a same focal distance in photographing each image constituting a panoramic picture to obtain a projected image; confirming movement of a corresponding photographing apparatus so that the projected image is compared with a previous image in real time by using a motion estimation technique, to which exposure correction has been applied; determining a photographing time point of each image by confirming the confirmed movement of the corresponding photographing apparatus according to a photographing direction has reached a predetermined critical value; and photographing each image at the photographing time point of each image according to a passive input or automatically.
US08217987B2
The present disclosure provides methods and systems of multipoint videoconferencing wherein layout description information is used to create videoconferencing displayed images of a composite video of one or more video images and one or more accessory elements. The layout description information is responsive to events in the videoconferencing session. Synchronization between the images of the composite video and the one or more accessory elements is done by using synchronization information that reflects the event.
US08217983B2
The present invention relates to a video communication terminal and a method of providing road guidance using the same. More specifically, the present invention provides a road guidance service to a user during video communication by transmitting the user's location information to a user of a correspondent video communication terminal and receiving road guidance information from the correspondent video communication terminal. The method of road guidance includes requesting, by a first video communication terminal road guidance, to a second video communication terminal through video communication, transmitting, if the first video communication terminal receives a signal accepting to provide the road guidance from the second video communication terminal, a location value of the first video communication terminal to the second video communication terminal and displaying a map including the location of the first video communication terminal in the second video communication terminal. A user of the video communication terminal may thereby receive precise road guidance, without an invasion of the user's privacy.
US08217981B2
Methods and apparatuses for automating the interface of different videoconferencing systems are disclosed. In brief, according to one or more embodiments according to the invention, a first method comprises, upon connection of two videoconferencing systems, information containing the number and type of screens in each system is exchanged, and this information is used to set up custom camera and/or display settings in each local system.
US08217978B2
An optical scanning apparatus, an image formation apparatus, and a phase modulation method are disclosed. The optical scanning apparatus includes a liquid crystal device for deflecting an optical beam irradiated by a semiconductor laser. The driving voltages for the liquid crystal device are controlled based on, e.g., the temperature of the liquid crystal device so that degradation of the diameter of a spot of the optical beam due to wavefront aberration is prevented.
US08217970B2
Apparatus and methods are provided that employ one or more of a variety of techniques for reducing the time required to display high resolution images on a high dynamic range display having a light source layer and a display layer. In one technique, the image resolution is reduced, an effective luminance pattern is determined for the reduced resolution image, and the resolution of the effective luminance pattern is then increased to the resolution of the display layer. In another technique, the light source layer's point spread function is decomposed into a plurality of components, and an effective luminance pattern is determined for each component. The effective luminance patterns are then combined to produce a total effective luminance pattern. Additional image display time reduction techniques are provided.
US08217944B1
A computer-assisted method of determining whether a set of data is to be graphically plotted in linear space or logarithmic space. The method includes receiving a set of data points to be plotted, classifying the data points, and computing a first entropy of a frequency of the data points. The method also includes computing a logarithmic transformation of each of the data points, classifying the logarithmically transformed data points, computing a second entropy of a frequency of the logarithmically transformed data points, and graphically plotting the data points in one of linear space and logarithmic space based on a comparison of the first entropy and the second entropy.
US08217937B2
An isosurfacial three-dimensional imaging system and method uses scanning electron microscopy for surface imaging of an assumed opaque object providing a series of tilt images for generating a sinogram of the object and a voxel data set for generating a three-dimensional image of the object having exterior surfaces some of which may be obscured so as to provide exterior three-dimensional surface imaging of objects including hidden surfaces normally obscured from stereographic view.
US08217935B2
Systems and methods include high throughput and/or parallelized ray/geometric shape intersection testing using intersection testing resources accepting and operating with block floating point data. Block floating point data sacrifices precision of scene location in ways that maintain precision where more beneficial, and allow reduced precision where beneficial. In particular, rays, acceleration structures, and primitives can be represented in a variety of block floating point formats, such that storage requirements for storing such data can be reduced. Hardware accelerated intersection testing can be provided with reduced sized math units, with reduced routing requirements. A driver for hardware accelerators can maintain full-precision versions of rays and primitives to allow reduced communication requirements for high throughput intersection testing in loosely coupled systems. Embodiments also can include using BFP formatted data in programmable test cells or more general purpose processing elements.
US08217934B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for rendering three-dimensional scenes including transparent surfaces are described, including two techniques for efficient rendering of transparent surfaces that exploit partial ordering in the scene geometry. The first (hybrid layer peeling) may combine unordered meshes with ordered meshes in an efficient way, and may be well suited for rendering scenes such as volumes with embedded transparent meshes. The second (coherent layer peeling) may efficiently detect and render correctly sorted fragment sequences for a given pixel in one iteration, allowing for a smaller number of passes than traditional depth peeling. Pre-sorting and/or periodic sorting of some or all of the surfaces in a scene may be performed, but perfect sorting may not be required. The methods may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof, such as by program instructions executable on one or more CPUs and/or GPUs.
US08217932B2
A method is provided for simulating interaction between a tool and an object. The method involves: providing a tool model for simulating the tool in a simulated environment; providing a mesh for simulating the object in the simulated environment, the mesh comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of first force functions between pairs of nodes, each first force function being a function of a distance between its corresponding pair of nodes; and deforming the mesh in response to interaction between the tool model and the mesh in the simulated environment. Deforming the mesh may involve: displacing one or more initially displaced nodes; and displacing one or more level-one-connected nodes, displacement of each level-one-connected node dependent on at least one first force function between the level-one-connected node and a corresponding one of the one or more initially displaced nodes.
US08217931B2
Embodiments use point clouds to form a three dimensional image of an object. The point cloud of the object may be formed from analysis of two dimensional images of the object. Various techniques may be used on the point cloud to form a 3D model of the object which is then used to create a stereoscopic representation of the object.
US08217929B2
A method of driving the electro-optical device includes selecting a plurality of scanning lines in a predetermined order in each of first and second fields of one frame; when one of the plurality of scanning lines is selected in the first field, for each pixel located on the selected scanning line, supplying one of a positive voltage and a negative voltage as the data signal to one of the plurality of data lines associated with the pixel, the positive voltage having a positive polarity corresponding to a voltage higher than a predetermined reference potential and the negative polarity corresponding to a voltage lower than the predetermined reference potential; and when the one of the plurality of scanning lines is selected in the second field, for each pixel located on the selected scanning line, supplying the other one of the positive voltage and the negative voltage as the data signal to one of the plurality of data lines associated with the pixel. A ratio between durations of the first field and the second field of the one frame is adjustable.
US08217927B2
The invention provides a display unit that has a display area and first and second photodetectors 10a and 10b on a substrate and outputs as a light intensity signal S a light intensity detected by the first and second photodetectors 10a and 10b. The first photodetector 10a includes a first photodetection circuit LS1 outputting a first output signal Sa to an ambient light photosensor reader 20, and the second photodetector 10b includes a light-reducing unit and a second photodetection circuit LS2 outputting a second output signal Sb to an ambient light photosensor reader 20. The ambient light photosensor reader 20 includes a photodegradation factor calculator 21 calculating a photodegradation reparation factor K, a photodegradation rate calculator 22 deriving a photodegradation rate D based on the photodegradation reparation factor K, and a light signal output unit 24 outputting a light intensity signal S based on the photodegradation rate D.
US08217919B2
The stylus retaining and releasing mechanism includes a housing, a push button and an eject piece. The housing includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall connecting with the first sidewall and a stylus assembling portion disposed on the second sidewall. The first sidewall defines an assembling hole therethrough configured for inserting or removing the stylus. The second sidewall defines a button hole therethrough. The stylus assembling portion defines an axial receiving hole therethrough communicating and being coaxial with the assembling hole to receive the stylus therein. The push button is elastically assembled to the button hole of the second sidewall to releasably lock the stylus. The eject piece fixed to the second sidewall and configured to provide a elastic pushing force to eject the stylus out as the push button is pressed.
US08217914B2
An information display apparatus with proximity detection performance contains a display device that displays image information, a sensor constituted of plural detection electrodes, and an adjusting device of detection resolution that adjusts the detection resolution to be detected based on a distance between the sensor and an object that is contacted to any one of the detection electrodes.
US08217908B2
An electronic device including an interactive display having an interactive mode and a non-interactive mode. The interactive display comprises an image display device that displays a user-interactive imaged keypad in at least a portion of the image display device when the interactive display is in the interactive mode and that displays other image data in the at last a portion of the image display device when the interactive display is in the non-interactive mode, and a substantially transparent physical keypad that provides tactile feedback to a user indicating location of keys within the imaged keypad.
US08217898B2
A keyboard includes a plurality of key row holders each supporting a plurality of key elements constituting each of the plurality of key rows, a support shaft placed to be rotatable about an axial center and support the plurality of key row holders arranged to intersect the axial center, an engaging portion formed on a support surface of each of the plurality of key row holders for the support shaft, and an engaged portion formed spirally on a surface of the support shaft in a direction of the axial center so as to be engaged with the engaging portion of each of the plurality of key row holders, the engaged portion causing the plurality of key row holders to shift in the direction of the axial center by an engagement with the engaging portion upon rotation of the support shaft. The keyboard enables easy and accurate key pitch adjustment.
US08217896B2
A computer input device includes a body and a trace-detecting module coupled to the body. The body has a micro control unit (MCU), and the trace-detecting module has at least a light pervious area, and a trace-detecting unit. The trace-detecting unit further has at least a light source and a sensor. The sensor senses a reflected light beam caused by movement of a user's digit movement on the light pervious area at a velocity which can be sensed by the sensor. If the velocity exceeds a threshold stored in the MCU, the MCU executes automatically scrolling.
US08217887B2
The present invention discloses apparatus and techniques relating to the intelligent control of a display's backlight LED strings. The present invention provides for controlling the display intensity on a region-by-region basis and for adjusting the intensity multiple times within the duration of a frame. The present invention also provides backlight adjustment in a manner that emphasizes certain colors and deemphasizes certain colors. The present invention also provides for adjustment of the backlight based on the ambient temperature.
US08217885B2
In a display device which includes a driver circuit having a shift register circuit, the shift register circuit is constituted of basic circuits in plural stages. Each basic circuit is constituted of a circuit A, a circuit B and a circuit C. The circuit A fetches a first drive clock (or a second drive clock) inputted from the outside when transfer data is inputted to the circuit A from a circuit of preceding stage, outputs the transfer data as a shift output of own stage, and transfers the transfer data to the circuit B. The circuit B transfers the transfer data to the circuit A of the basic circuit of the succeeding stage, and resets the circuit C. The circuit C resets the circuit A and the circuit B in synchronism with the first drive clock (or the second drive clock) generated at next timing or succeeding timing of the first drive clock.
US08217882B2
An liquid crystal display with data compensating function includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of first data lines, a plurality of second data lines, a pixel array, a first common end, a second common end, a plurality of first coupling lines, and a plurality of second coupling lines. The first coupling lines are disposed correspondingly near the first data lines, and are coupled to the first common end. The second coupling lines are disposed correspondingly near the second data lines, and are coupled to the second common end. The first common end carries voltages having same polarity as those of the first data lines for driving the first coupling lines. The second common end carries voltages having same polarity as those of the second data lines for driving the second coupling lines. The first common end is isolated from the second common end.
US08217876B2
A liquid crystal display includes a source driver, for generating a pixel data voltage, a gate driver, for generating a scanning signal voltage, and a plurality of pixel units. Each pixel unit includes a switch unit for delivering the pixel data voltage upon receiving the scanning signal voltage, a pixel electrode electrically coupled to the switch unit, a first electrode for supplying a first common voltage, a second electrode for supplying a second common voltage, a liquid crystal capacitor electrically coupled between the first electrode and the pixel electrode for driving liquid crystal layer in response to the pixel data voltage and the first common voltage, and a storage capacitor electrically coupled between the pixel electrode and the second electrode.
US08217870B2
A method and apparatus for generating gradation voltages are provided. Maximum and minimum reference voltages are selected from a distribution of voltages ranging from a first source voltage to a second source voltage. The maximum reference voltage is selected as a 1st gradation voltage and the minimum reference voltage is selected as an Nth gradation voltage, or vice versa, in response to an inversion control signal, where N is a natural number. First to Mth gamma voltages are selected from among a plurality of voltages generated by a voltage distribution between the 1st gradation voltage and the Nth gradation voltage. Second to (N−1)th gradation voltages are generated from a voltage distribution between the 1st gradation voltage and the Nth gradation voltage, using the 1st gamma voltage to the Mth gamma voltage, where M is a natural number.
US08217868B2
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an organic light emitting device is provided. By including a current leakage unit in each pixel and slowly decreasing an amount of a current flowing to the organic light emitting element, both normal luminance and black luminance can be displayed in a frame. Thus, for example, impulsive driving can be simply performed without a separate manipulation.
US08217864B2
A display device in which the current load of wirings are distributed and display variations due to voltage drop are suppressed. An active matrix display device of the invention comprises a first current input terminal, a second current input terminal, and a plurality of current supply lines extending parallel to each other. Each current supply line is connected to a plurality of driving transistors in a line. One end of each current supply line is connected to the first current input terminal via a first wiring intersecting with the current supply lines, and the other end thereof is connected to the second current input terminal via a second wiring intersecting with the current supply lines. Accordingly, a current is supplied to each current supply line from both the first and the second current input terminals. The first and the second current input terminals are provided separately from each other.
US08217863B2
A light emitting display for compensating for the threshold voltage of transistor or mobility and fully charging a data line. A transistor and first through third switches are formed on a pixel circuit of an organic EL display. The transistor supplies a driving current for emitting an organic EL element (OLED). The first switch diode-connects the transistor. A first storage unit stores a first voltage corresponding to a threshold voltage of the transistor. A second switch transmits a data current in response to a select signal. A second storage unit stores a second voltage corresponding to the data current. A third switch transmits the driving current to the OLED. A third voltage determined by coupling of the first and second storage units is applied to a transistor to supply the driving current to the OLED.
US08217862B2
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus, including: a pixel array section having a plurality of pixels each including an electro-optical element, a writing transistor, a driving transistor, and a holding capacitor; a power supply scanning circuit; and a signal outputting circuit; wherein the power supply scanning circuit is operable to supply a second power supply potential to initialize the potential of a second electrode of the driving transistor and then change over the potential of a power supply line to a first power supply potential; and the signal outputting circuit is operable to output, when the writing transistor is in a conducting state, a first reference potential, supply, midway while a threshold value correction process is carried out, a second reference potential, output a third reference potential within a period within which the writing transistor remains in the conducting state, and output a image signal after the threshold correction process ends.
US08217858B2
An image display apparatus includes a rear plate including electron emitting devices each including a pair of electrodes and an electron emitting unit, first wirings each interconnecting electrodes in one of the pair of electrodes of the electron emitting devices arrayed at the same row, second wirings each interconnecting electrodes in another of the pair of electrodes of the electron emitting devices arrayed at the same column and higher in resistance than the first wirings, an insulating layer covering the second wirings, and resistive films connected to the first wirings and partially overlapping with the second wirings to cover the insulating layer, and having surface resistance set to 108Ω/□ or more. The resistive films are connected to the first wirings at portions not overlapping with the second wirings, and a length L of the resistive film between a portion of the resistive film connected to the first wiring and a portion overlapping with the second wiring satisfies a relationship.
US08217856B1
A head-mounted display (HMD) displays a visual representation of a physical interaction with an input interface that is located outside of the field of view. In one embodiment, the visual representation includes symbols that indicate when close proximity or physical contact is made with the input interface. In another embodiment, the visual representation is a simulation of the physical interaction with the input interface. The visual representation displayed by the HMD can beneficially enable the wearer to interact with the input interface more efficiently.
US08217854B2
A method and system for managing a multi-focus remote control session (RCS) within a computer system. A unique identifier (UserID) of each user and associated input devices are registered to the RCS. The users have shared concurrent control of a computer screen via the input devices. Responsive to selection of windows within the computer screen by the input devices, concurrently operative focus is provided to each selected window and is specific to the UserID associated with the input device that selected the window. Each selected window having focus may be accessed and manipulated by only the input devices associated with the UserID to which the focus provided to each selected window is specific. The selected windows to which focus has been provided are recording in a computer readable medium in association with the UserID specific to the selection of the windows.
US08217850B1
The present invention is an adjustable beamwidth, loaded monopole antenna array. The array may include four monopole antennas. Each of the antennas may include a generally symmetric, tapered radiating element and an inductive shorting wall element. The array may further include a capacitive top hat element which may be connected to each of the antennas. The array may further include a ground plane element which may be connected to each of the antennas. The array may further include a plurality of feed posts which may be connected to the antennas. Further, each feed post may be connected to a power feed line. Each radiating element may be variably phase-fed and/or uniformly phase-fed for allowing the antenna array to effect a directional beam and/or an omni-directional beam.
US08217841B2
There is provided an antenna for tuning a resonant frequency. The antenna includes a first and a second arms connected to the antenna feeding portion at a common end thereof. The second arm has each of the plurality of branches including a switch for selecting a length of an electrical loop formed by the second arm and an end of a ground plane, each of the switches is connected to the ground plane. A first resonant frequency performed by the first arm is higher than a second resonant frequency by the second arm when each of the switches is open, and the first resonant frequency is lower than a third resonant frequency by the second arm when one of the switches is selected to connect the second arm and the ground plane so that the length of the electrical loop is maximum.
US08217840B2
A dual-band antenna assembly is positioned on a substrate, and includes an insulation body, a plane antenna and a microstrip antenna. The insulation body includes a plane surface paralleled to the substrate, and a side surface perpendicularly extending from edges of the plane surface to the substrate. The plane antenna includes a first feed portion and a first radiator. The first feed portion passes through the substrate to the plane surface of the insulation body. The first radiator is substantially positioned on a center of the plane surface of the insulation body, and electrically connected to the first feed portion. The microstrip antenna includes a second feed portion and a second radiator. The second radiator is a microstrip, electrically connected to the second feed portion and positioned on the side surface of the insulation body.
US08217828B2
Systems and methods communicate sensor data pertaining to detected weather between aircraft. An exemplary system has at least one sensor on a transmitting aircraft that is configured to detect weather and configured to output sensor data, and a transceiver that is configured to receive a query from a requesting aircraft for the sensor data and that is configured to transmit a signal with the sensor data for receipt by the requesting aircraft in response to receiving the query. Upon receipt by the requesting aircraft, the received sensor data of the transmitting aircraft may then be fused with sensor data of the requesting aircraft for a geographic region of interest to extend the effective sensor coverage and to resolve at least one of a location conflict and a severity conflict between the sensor data of the transmitting aircraft and the requesting aircraft.
US08217824B2
An analog-to-digital converter timing circuit disclosed herein uses a clock generation circuit that makes the analog-to-digital converter insensitive to input clock duty cycle. Minimum clock jitter is added to the clock signal while propagating through the disclosed circuit. A method and system are also disclosed to clock an interleaved pipelined ADC such that the operation is insensitive to input clock duty cycle and such that the clock jitter on the sampling clock edges is minimized.
US08217822B2
A resolution-enhancing analog-to-digital signal conversion circuit is provided. The circuit includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters arranged in parallel. Each analog-to-digital converter of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters is configured to output a digital signal that identifies an analog signal input to that analog-to-digital converter. The circuit further includes an input regulation module configured to clip the analog signal input to any of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters to within the voltage range corresponding to that analog-to-digital converter if such an analog signal otherwise is outside of the voltage range. The circuit further includes a controller configured to receive the digital signal output from each analog-to-digital converter and output an encoded signal based on one or more such digital signal that is received from an unclipped analog-to-digital converter having a highest analog-to-digital conversion resolution.
US08217821B2
A reference signal generator circuit for an analog-to-digital converter, the circuit having a signal-generation stage to generate a first reference signal on a first reference terminal, and a filtering circuit arranged between the generator stage and the analog-to-digital converter to determine a filtering of disturbance present on the first reference signal and supply at output on a second reference terminal a second filtered reference signal, the filtering circuit having a switching circuit to connect the first reference terminal to the second reference terminal directly during startup of the reference signal generator circuit and then through the filtering circuit once the startup step is terminated.
US08217802B2
Methods and systems for borehole telemetry utilizing a tool configured or designed for deployment in a borehole traversing a subterranean formation. The tool includes a downhole telemetry module; a surface telemetry module; and a datalink between the downhole and surface modules configured or designed for transferring data over two or more data communication channels, wherein the transferred data comprises coding at a transmitter to increase the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the data.
US08217796B2
The Child Seat Safety System provides drivers (common vehicles) with an alarm and monitoring system for the attachment of safety harnesses and temperature readings for respective child seat occupants within the car. The monitoring component details the attached “status” of said harnesses through indicator lights on the main operator dashboard along with on the system device. Alarm features automatically warn either the driver or surrounding bystanders or emergency personnel of alarm situation including temperature variances, harness disengagement, accident or unattended occupant warnings. The Child Seat Safety System can reduce the risk of small children being injured due to unattached seat belts during accident, braking or collision, and can reduce exposure to unhealthy temperatures either during driving or from extended lengths of time being unattended in a car.
US08217789B2
A portable security alarm system including a movement detecting and signal transmitting member for mounting on or proximate to the object whose movement is to be detected, a signal receiving and alarm generating member for receiving a signal from the movement detecting and signal transmitting member and producing a security response, a remote control for actuating and deactuating the signal receiving and alarm generating member, an environmental monitoring member for sensing an environmental condition and providing a signal to the signal receiving and alarm generating member, a visual information gathering member for gathering visual information and providing a signal to the signal receiving and alarm generating member, an audio output member for receiving a signal from the signal receiving and alarm generating member and generating an audio output, and components for delivering a security notification to remote recipients. A security network that includes the alarm system is also disclosed. An inertial sensor for alarm system or for activating or deactivating a device is additionally disclosed.
US08217787B2
Text input may be entered on an electronic text input device by a user simultaneously contacting at least two of a plurality of discrete touch sensitive areas on a first surface of the device. A text character for input is determined, based on the touch sensitive areas which are detected as being simultaneously in contact with the user. The determined text character is locked by subsequent user action. A second surface of the device, such as that opposite the first surface, may include a display on which the determined text character and other information may be displayed.
US08217783B2
A method of conserving energy and natural resources transported in subsurface pipelines and preventing environmental contamination therefrom by identifying the subsurface location of leaks of oil, gas, water or other natural resources transported in these pipelines includes adhering a continuous tape having a plurality of uniquely identified radio frequency identification (RFID) tags mounted thereon axially along the pipeline and use of a mobile robotic device to identify the specific location of a leak in the pipeline, thereby preventing loss of energy and water traveling through pipeline, contamination of these fluids and environmental contamination, and the use of additional fuel to replenish these lost natural resources.
US08217778B1
Brake light circuits for use with engine brakes for both positive switch and negative switch brake light circuits. The brake light circuits for the engine brakes do not function until the engine brake solenoids are energized. This ensures that only true brake indications are indicated. In the case of the positive switch, the circuit uses a relay in parallel with the existing brake light switch to active the brake lights whenever the engine brake solenoids are energized. In the case of the negative switch circuit, the original brake pedal switch is connected to ground. It is used to operate a brake light relay that sends positive power to the brake lights. A second relay is used to close the ground connection to activate the original engine brake relay. In both cases, diodes are used to prevent back feed through the bake solenoids or other components.
US08217762B2
There is described method for using a mobile control device that serves for controlling a machine within an assigned effective range which is only partially delimited by one or more RFID transponders and has protective measures. Control commands of the control device are also executed when it does not receive any valid transponder data, but the controller has received a corresponding signal.
US08217755B2
Doors of a vehicle, such as a delivery vehicle, are controlled based on user inputs. A user may input a vehicle exit mode and stop the vehicle. When an exit mode has been input and the stopping of the vehicle has been sensed, an exit door of the vehicle is opened, with the door being selected based upon said exit mode.
US08217752B2
The present invention relates to a remote monitoring system and a method controlling the same, which can selectively monitor according to a condition of power and a control of devices including a washer and a dryer installed in a remote place. The remote monitoring system comprises a communication module provided in each device for transmitting monitoring information after identifying an operation condition of each device according to a user's demand; and a remote monitoring unit for selecting a device to be monitored based on a result after identifying a power condition of each device, as well as displaying an operation condition of each device based on the transmitted monitoring information and the control of each device.
US08217746B2
A choke coil includes a pair of E-shaped cores, first and second coil windings around central legs of the E-shaped cores, and an I-shaped core. Side legs of the pair of E-shaped cores are positioned face to face with each other with the I-shaped core intervening. There are gaps between the I-shaped core and each central leg. Electrical currents flow in the first and second coil windings in the same direction, and magnetic fluxes generated by each of the electrical currents are in opposite directions in the I-shaped core.
US08217744B2
A transformer arrangement comprising a transformer having a neutral and formed as a symmetrical transformer, in particular a cage transformer and having a reactor coil connected to the neutral of the transformer is provided. The transformer can be of any type having a neutral such as a Y-n/Y-n, Z-n/Z-n, Y-n/Z-n or a Z-n/Y-n transformer. By providing a transformer having symmetrical phases connected to a reactor coil a transformer arrangement having less weight is obtained. The lower weight is obtained because in comparison to using an E core for the transformer all phases will be symmetrical so that if a ground fault occurs in one of then phases there is no need for any compensatory windings regardless of which phase suffers the ground fault.
US08217733B2
An information processing apparatus having a non-contact IC portion which performs radio communication with a reader/writer is provided. The non-contact IC portion includes: capacitors connected so that capacitance can be changed between multiple stages; a coil connected to the capacitors; and a switching portion which turns on/off connection of the capacitors so that a resonance frequency expressed based on capacitance of the capacitors and inductance of the coil is set within a given effective resonance frequency range.
US08217732B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having one or more controllable variable reactive elements coupled to at least one input port and at least one output port, and a voltage detector coupled to the at least one output port to provide voltage information to a controller. The controller can be adapted to generate one or more control signals responsive to the voltage information provided by the voltage detector. The one or more controllable variable reactive elements can be coupled to a circuit adapted to map the one or more control signals that are output from the controller to a signal range that is compatible with said one or more controllable variable reactive elements. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08217731B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a matching network having one or more controllable variable reactive elements coupled to at least one input port and at least one output port. The one or more controllable variable reactive elements can be adapted to increase power transferred from the at least one input port to the at least one output port responsive to signals generated by a controller adapted to adjust one or more reactances within the matching network according to a mode of operation of a device detected by the controller. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08217720B2
A highly linear variable-gain low noise amplifier is a cascode amplifier. The cascode amplifier includes a gain control circuit, a load circuit, a current steering circuit and an input circuit. The gain control circuit is used for receiving a gain adjusting voltage, thereby generating a resistance adjusting signal and a current steering control signal. The load circuit includes plural variable resistors. The resistances of the variable resistors are adjusted according to the resistance adjusting signal. The current steering circuit is connected to the load circuit through plural current paths for adjusting a current ratio between the plural current paths according to the current steering control signal. The current steering circuit has differential signal output terminals. The input circuit is connected to the current steering circuit. The input circuit has differential signal input terminals.
US08217715B2
An active poly-phase filter has a converting section and a filtering section having two first input terminals, two second input terminals and four output terminals. The converting section has first, second, fourth and fifth transistors forming a translinear circuit and a third transistor forming a current mirror circuit with the second transistor. The converting section converts unbalanced high-frequency power into a difference input between a collector current of the third transistor and a collector current of the first transistor having phase difference of π radians. The filtering section receives one collector current at the first input terminals and receives another collector current at the second input terminals and outputs a first difference output between outputs of two output terminals and a second difference output between outputs of other two output terminals such that the difference outputs has a phase difference of π/2 radians.
US08217706B2
A method and circuit for managing thermal performance of an integrated circuit. Temperature sensing circuits and a plurality of power FETs that are coupled together in parallel are manufactured from a semiconductor substrate. Each temperature sensing circuit monitors the temperature of the portion of the semiconductor substrate near or including a corresponding power FET. When the temperature of the semiconductor substrate near one or more of the power FETs reaches a predetermined value, the corresponding temperature sensing circuit reduces a voltage appearing on the gate of the power FET. The reduced voltage increases the on-resistance of the power FET and channels a portion of its current to others of the plurality of power FETs. The power FET continues operating but with a reduced current flow. When the temperature of the semiconductor substrate falls below the predetermined value, the gate voltage of the power FET is increased to its nominal value.
US08217701B2
A level shifter includes a first input circuit, a first load circuit, a second input circuit, and a second load circuit. The first input circuit receives a first input signal and a second input signal that swing between a first high power voltage and a first low power voltage. The first load circuit generates a high voltage, a sub-high voltage, a low voltage, and a sub-low voltage. The second input circuit receives a first voltage pair including the high voltage and the low voltage, and a second voltage pair including the sub-high voltage and the sub-low voltage. The second load circuit generates an output signal that swings between a second high power voltage and a second low power voltage.
US08217700B1
In one example, a chip includes integrated components configured to operate in the digital domain and the analog domain. An I/O pad located on the chip is configured to provide an external device access to the integrated components. A multifunction I/O interface cell between the I/O pad and the integrated components is configured to selectively connect different combinations of the components to the same I/O pad at different times. The multifunction I/O interface cell may include a first switching device connected to ground, a second switching device connected to a reference voltage, an analog input/output buffer, and a digital input/output buffer.
US08217697B2
A clock generation circuit, includes, in part, a comparator, a logic unit, and a switching circuit. The switching circuit generates a signal that is applied to the comparator. If the input voltage level of the signal applied to the comparator is greater than a first reference voltage, the comparator asserts its first output signals. If the input voltage level of the signal applied to the comparator is less than a second reference voltage, the comparator asserts its second output signal. The output signals of the comparator form a first pair of feedback signals applied to the switching circuit. The logic unit responds to the output signals of the comparator to generate a second pair of oscillating feedback signals that are also applied to the switching circuit. The switching circuit varies a capacitor voltage in response to a reference current and in response to the two pairs of feedback signals it receives.
US08217695B2
Systems and methods for synchronization of clock signals are disclosed. In a feedback system such as a delay-lock loop circuit, delays to be applied can be determined adaptively based on a phase difference between a reference signal and a clock signal being delayed. Such adaptive decisions can be made during each feedback cycle, thereby making it possible to achieve a phase lock faster and more efficiently. In some embodiments, such adaptive functionality can be incorporated into existing circuits with minimal impact.
US08217692B2
The frequency synthesizer has two fixed frequency dividers, two charge pumps, five capacitors, a voltage controlled oscillator, and a transconductance voltage amplifier. The pulse widths of the input reference signal and the output signal are compared and the resultant signal is coupled to the oscillator to adjust its frequency. The circuit exhibits accurate frequency synthesizing, and thus can be used in wireless communication and signal processing systems. It provides a precise integer and fractional frequency division with a low phase noise. Moreover, it has a simple and compact structure that can be implemented in integrated circuit technologies such as CMOS.
US08217690B2
A frequency synthesizer comprises a VCO group; a phase comparator; and a loop filter. Each VCO includes a varactor and a capacitor bank including a plurality of weighted capacitance elements, and a plurality of switches turned ON and OFF based on a control signal. Also provided a temperature compensation including a varactor correction potential generation circuit, a correction potential generation circuit for parasitic capacitance of the capacitor bank, a variable gain amplifier in which weighting processing, based on a control signal of the capacitor bank, is performed on an output potential of the correction potential generation circuit, and an adder circuit that adds the output voltage of the correction potential generation circuit of the varactor and output voltage of the variable gain amplifier, and the varactor of the VCO is controlled by output (correction potential) of the adder circuit.
US08217683B2
A basic symmetric Π/2 phase-detector receives four control signals that control a differential current at the detector's output. Each respective control signal is a linear combination of a respective pair of signals chosen from a first input signal, its logic complement, a second input signal and the logic complement of the latter. Operation is based on time-averaging the differential current, the result being zero at a phase difference of Π/2. By means of adding one or more additional current sources to the output, controlled by one or more of the control signals, the basic operation is skewed. The time-averaged output current is now made zero only at a value of the phase difference different from Π/2. In an embodiment with uniform current sources and resistors, the modified detector is configured for a phase difference of Π/2N .
US08217676B2
An organic light emitting display device may include a plurality of pixels, a plurality of scan lines for selectively applying a scan signal to the pixels, a plurality of data lines crossing the scan lines for applying a data signal to the respective pixels, a scan driver for applying a scan signal to the scan lines, and at least one first testing unit electrically connected to the scan driver, wherein at least one output line of the first testing unit is electrically connected to the scan driver, and at least one other output line of the first testing unit is electrically disconnected and in an electrically open state.
US08217669B1
An environmental degradation sensor for environmentally sensitive products such as food, pharmaceuticals or cosmetic products provides the degraded state and estimated remaining life of the product. The sensor is made of a polymeric matrix and conductive filler. A control agent, selected to adjust a reaction rate of the sensor to environmental conditions, allows correlation of an electrical property of the sensor to a degraded state of the product. The sensor may be integrated with a passive RFID to provide product identification and degradation status wirelessly via reader. The sensor improves product safety, reduces cost of premature product disposal and, combined with RFIDs, improves the security of products through combined product degradation monitoring and tracking.
US08217668B2
Method for evaluation of the ground reinforcement effect using 4-D electrical resistivity monitoring
Disclosed is a method of evaluating a ground reinforcement effect using 4-D electrical resistivity monitoring, wherein the ground reinforcement is made up on an underground cavity through cement mortar grouting, the method including: (a) installing a survey line for measuring electrical resistivity in a ground reinforcement zone; (b) measuring the electrical resistivity of the ground reinforcement zone through the survey line before grouting mortar, and imaging three-dimensional electrical resistivity distribution in the ground reinforcement zone by applying a three-dimensional electrical resistivity inversion to the measured results; (c) measuring the electrical resistivity of the ground reinforcement zone through the survey line while or after grouting the mortar, and imaging the three-dimensional electrical resistivity distribution in the ground reinforcement zone by applying the three-dimensional electrical resistivity inversion to the measured results; and (d) calculating a change ratio of the electrical resistivity measured while or after the grouting in (c) to the electrical resistivity measured before the grouting in (b), and evaluating the ground reinforcement effect by imaging the three-dimensional electrical resistivity distribution in the ground reinforcement zone on the basis of the change ratio.
US08217663B2
A method determines the layer thickness of a TBC coating of at least one blade of a non-positive-displacement machine. To this end, at least one electromagnetic wave is emitted to the surface of the at least one blade, the at least one electromagnetic wave is then at least partially reflected by the at least one blade, and the reflected portion of the at least one electromagnetic wave is received and subsequently processed. In addition, the at least one electromagnetic wave is emitted with a frequency matched to the layer thickness of the TBC coating, and the phase of the at least one electromagnetic wave is compared with the phase of the at least one received electromagnetic wave. The at least one emitted electromagnetic wave undergoes a phase change during reflection and the layer thickness of the TBC coating is determined by the phase comparison.
US08217660B2
An open terminal detection device that detects an open terminal, including: a transistor that is supplied with a base current from a current source in which an amount of current supply decreases corresponding to an increase in an external impedance of the terminal; a diode that limits discharge of a base charge of the transistor; and an output circuit that outputs an output signal in coordination with on/off switching of the transistor.
US08217652B2
An MRI MAP prescan data from a predetermined imaged patient volume is decomposed to produce a transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and a receive RF field inhomogeneity map for the imaged patient volume based on a three-dimensional geometrical model of the inhomogeneity maps. At least one of the transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and the receive RF field inhomogeneity map is used to generate intensity-corrected target MRI diagnostic scan image data representing the imaged patient volume.
US08217648B2
In a console device that controls an Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus, a preset-information storage unit stores preset information including information about a plurality of scanning parameters that are grouped based on an instruction from an operator, and a scanning-condition setting unit sets scanning conditions based on parameter values of the scanning parameters that are grouped in the preset information stored by the preset-information storage unit.
US08217645B2
A position detecting system including: a detected object disposed in a space; and an external device disposed outside the space, wherein the detected object includes a resonant circuit, and the external device includes at least two drive coils; at least two drive-signal input units; at least one sense coil; a signal adjustment unit that adjusts a phase or amplitude of a drive signal using an evaluation function for evaluating the phase or the amplitude, based on an intensity of the magnetic field; and a position deriving unit that derives a position of the detected object based on a magnetic field detected by the sense coil, wherein the evaluation function derives a solution by adding or multiplying a weight set according to a positional relation between each drive coil and each sense coil to or by an intensity of a magnetic field detected by the sense coils.
US08217639B2
A power supply device includes a power input unit, a voltage converting unit, a communication unit, a control unit. The power input unit is used for receiving an external power source. The voltage converting unit is used for converting the voltage of the external power source to a predetermined voltage. The communication unit is used for obtaining working voltage information of a power receiving device connected to the power supply device. The control unit is used for controlling the voltage converting unit to output a working voltage indicated by the working voltage information to the power receiving device.
US08217638B1
A linear regulator and methods of regulation are provided. In one implementation, a linear regulator is provided. The linear regulator can receive an input voltage, generate an internal bias voltage in response to the received input voltage. The linear regulator can determine if the input voltage meets one or more first criteria and second criteria, and adjust an output voltage based on the internal bias voltage if the input voltage meets the one or more first criteria. The linear regulator also can supply the input voltage directly to the load if the input voltage meets the one or more second criteria. In some implementations, the linear regulator can generate an internal bias voltage that is clamped within a desired operating range if the input voltage meets the one or more first criteria, and adjusts one or more electronic circuits using the internal bias voltage to provide the adjusted output voltage.
US08217636B2
A voltage control mode buck converter circuit includes a feedback amplifier providing a comparison signal and a storage circuit in communication with the comparison signal to store a storage comparison signal value. The storage circuit stores the operating conditions for the circuit during normal continuous conduction mode operation in response to sensing a load drop for the circuit. A switching circuit locks the feedback amplifier into the stored operating parameters while the converter circuit operates in non-continuous conduction mode. When the circuit transitions back into the continuous conduction operation mode, the feedback amplifier is already operating at conditions that are compatible with a continuous conduction operation mode.
US08217634B2
A current control system includes a first switch, a second switch, and a controller. The second switch is coupled in parallel with the first switch and operable for providing a feedback signal indicative of a current flowing through the first switch. The feedback signal is determined by a width-to-length ratio of the first switch and a width-to-length ratio of the second switch. In addition, the controller is coupled to the first and second switches and operable for adjusting the current according to the feedback signal.
US08217633B2
A switching regulator is provided that includes a step-down circuit configured to output a voltage lower than an input voltage, a step-up circuit configured to output a voltage higher than the input voltage, and a control unit having a voltage detector configured to detect an output voltage and being configured to prohibit operation of the step-up circuit until the output voltage rises to a first voltage lower than the input voltage.
US08217619B2
Portable devices having multiple power interfaces are described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, a portable electronic device includes, but is not limited to, a processor, a memory coupled to the processor for storing instructions, when executed from the memory, cause the processor to perform one or more functions, a battery coupled to provide power to the processor and the memory, and a battery charging manager coupled to charge the battery using power derived from a plurality of power sources including a solar power source. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08217611B2
An automated refrigerator opener is described. The automated refrigerator opener includes a door seal separator (e.g., solenoid) for breaking a door seal between a refrigerator door and a refrigerator door casing. Also included is a powered door opener (e.g., linear actuator) for attaching with a refrigerator door and automatically opening the refrigerator door after the door seal is broken. A control device is communicatively connected with both the door seal separator and the powered door opener. The control device is operable for receiving an actuation command from a user and, thereafter, activates the door seal separator to break the door seal and cause the powered door opener to open the refrigerator door. Alternatively, if the door is already open, the control device is operable for causing the powered door opener to pull the door closed.
US08217608B2
An electric power supply device capable of miniaturizing an FET and wiring and reducing the amount of heat generation even when a motor load goes into a lock state is provided. It is determined whether or not a lock current flows in a motor M1 by comparing various determination voltages with a voltage Vds between a drain and a source of a MOSFET (T1), and in the case of detecting that the lock current flows, an operation of turning off the MOSFET (T1) until a retry cycle to elapses after turning on the MOSFET (T1) for only energization time tb for which lock torque can be caused is repeatedly executed. Then, when a motor current ID becomes smaller than the lock current, control of returning the MOSFET (T1) to a normal operation is performed. Consequently, the lock current can be prevented from flowing continuously.
US08217607B2
An opening/closing control method for a window regulator, which is a method of performing opening/closing control with a pinching prevention function while determining a detection signal from a sensor based on a threshold value. The method includes setting the threshold value as a value offset from a reference value for control, and updating the reference value in correspondence to a value of the detection signal from the sensor in an initial stage of control, and each time when the value of the detection signal from the sensor continuously changes in a certain time within a range where the value of the detection signal from the sensor does not exceed the threshold value, the reference value is modified by a value corresponding to such a changed value.
US08217603B2
A motor driving apparatus has a loss-of-synchronism monitoring circuit that monitors the rotation of a rotary machine such as a brushless DC motor to detect a sign of transition to a state of loss of synchronism. When the sign is detected, an energization control circuit temporarily stops driving of the rotary machine to bring it into a free running state, and thereafter carries out control so as to resume driving of the rotary machine. Further, the motor driving apparatus has an inverter and a drive control circuit that controls switching operation of the inverter based on rotation of the rotary machine.
US08217597B2
A drive circuit comprising: a direct current power source; a control unit for supplying control signals; a power switch topology comprising a first switch and a second switch each having an input terminal, an output terminal, and a control terminal, the input terminals being respectively connected to the power source, the control terminals being connected to the control unit for receiving the control signals there from, the output terminals being connected to a node; and an inductance connected with a capacitive load in series between the node and the power source, wherein the control signals control the switches to alternately conduct to thereby cause the node to output a pulse signal.
US08217591B2
Lighting is controlled by receiving an input signal, determining whether the input signal is an AC signal or a DC signal and generating a dimming command signal based on the determination of whether the input signal is an AC signal or a DC signal. For example, determining whether the input signal is an AC signal or a DC signal may include generating an average signal indicative of an average duty cycle of the input signal and determining whether the average signal meets a predetermined criterion.
US08217589B2
A method is provided for driving at least one lamp unit, which is connected to an AC voltage power supply system. The method comprises modulating a control information item for the operation of the lamp unit onto the supplied AC voltage, decoding of the modulation received on the lamp unit side for reading the control information item and driving the light-emitting device in accordance with the control information item. Provision is made for a shunt to be produced in the line used for transmitting the control information item prior to or at the beginning of the modulation of the control information item. The disclosure also provides a lamp unit and a control device for implementing the method. The disclosure also provides a lighting system.
US08217586B2
A method for generating an actuation signal for a light source is provided. A random phase delay for each period of an input signal is generated, where each period is a predetermined length. Each phase delay is added to a predetermined actuation period to generate a sum. The sum is compared to the predetermined length. At least one turn-on and at least one turn-off for each period of the input signal is calculated from the comparison of the sum to the predetermined length, and the actuation signal having each turn-on and each turn-off is generated.
US08217585B2
In a balancer board for a back light device, a plurality of shunt coils configured to transfer power from an inverter to a plurality of fluorescent tubes arrayed in a line are arrayed in a line in a direction which is the same as the direction in which the fluorescent tubes are arrayed, and respective patterns formed on front and rear surfaces of the balancer board so as to supply the power from the inverter to each of the plurality of shunt coils are formed such that the pattern formed on one surface is located apart from the pattern formed on the other surface with a predetermined distance left therebetween while mutually intersecting three-dimensionally in respective planes.
US08217580B2
A flashlight for alarm systems includes a light source containing at least one light emitting diode and a circuit which controls said light source. The circuit has a feed supply, a current converter, and flash control device. The current converter, the light source, and the flash control device are connected in series. The current converter includes a control unit, an inductor, an induction stop, and a resistor which are connected in series. The flash control device includes at least one switch for actuating the light source and a microprocessor for controlling the at least one switch.
US08217579B2
The present invention provides a device and a method for controlling a DC bias of a RF discharge system. Said device comprises a DC bias detection module (302), a mode selection module (301), a DC bias controlling module (303) and a RF power providing module (304). The mode selection module (301) receives a parameter and a type of the parameter. If the type of the parameter is representative of voltage, the DC bias controlling module (303) calculates a power value according to the voltage-related representative parameter and the detected DC bias value, and the RF power providing module (304) provides power according to the calculated power value. If the type of the parameter is representative of power, the RF power providing module (304) provides power according to the power-related representative parameter.
US08217576B2
In a high pressure discharge lamp having electrode rods with grooves formed in a part thereof and embedded and sealed in sealing parts of a discharge vessel, breakage of the sealing parts because of the grooves is prevented without impairing the mechanical strength of the electrode rods, in which the grooves are formed, by the high pressure discharge lamp comprising: a discharge vessel having a light emitting part and sealing parts connected to both ends of said light emitting part; and electrodes comprising electrode rods and electrode tip end parts arranged oppositely to each other in the light emitting part, said electrode rods being embedded in a respective one of said sealing parts, and axially directed grooves being formed in at least part of the surface of said electrode rods, wherein a diameter measured at groove bottom parts of the grooves of said electrode rods is larger than a diameter of the electrode rods in a part where no grooves are formed.
US08217575B2
A plasma display panel (PDP) including: first and second opposing substrates; a discharge layer disposed between the substrates, having discharge cells; address electrodes disposed on the first substrate, extending in a first direction, across the discharge cells; and display electrodes disposed on the second substrate, extending across the discharge cells in a second direction. The discharge layer includes: a discharge enhancement layer disposed on the first substrate, having first spaces; and a barrier rib layer disposed on the discharge enhancement layer, having second spaces that are connected to the first spaces, so as to form the discharge cells. The discharge enhancement layer further includes a perimeter member disposed in a dummy area provided at the edges of an effective area of the PDP.
US08217574B2
Embodiments of a lamp having an internal fuse system are provided herein. In some embodiments, a lamp may include a transparent housing; a filament disposed in the housing, the filament having a main body disposed between a first end and a second end of the filament; a first conductor coupled to the filament at the first end of the filament; a first interceptor bar disposed in the housing and beneath the main body of the filament, wherein the first interceptor bar is coupled to the second end of the filament; a second conductor disposed proximate the first end of the filament and conductively coupled to the second end of the filament via the first interceptor bar, wherein the first interceptor bar is positioned such that an electrical short forms between the first and second conductors when the main body of the filament contacts the first interceptor bar.
US08217571B2
An organic light emitting diode display device according to the present invention includes a first electrode on a first substrate including a first region and a second region, the second region substantially surrounding the first region; a pixel separating pattern on the first electrode in the second region; an organic light emitting pattern at least in the first region; a second electrode on the organic light emitting pattern; a contact electrode on the pixel separating pattern, the contact electrode being electrically connected to the second electrode; and a thin film transistor on the second substrate facing the first substrate, the thin film transistor being electrically connected to the contact electrode.
US08217552B2
The generator for a piezoelectric transducer, in particular for a piezoelectric motor for medical or dental applications, comprising two transformers (11A, 11B) each including a primary winding (L1) and a secondary winding (L2), and four switches (19A, 19B, 21A, 21B) driven by an ultrasonic frequency oscillator, two of said four switches (21A, 21B) being designed to connect alternately the secondary of each transformer to the piezoelectric load (5), and the two other switches (19A, 19B) being designed to connect alternately the two primary windings to a power supply (17) so that during a first half cycle, called “the positive half cycle” the primary winding of one of said two transformers is charged with power, while the secondary winding of the other transformer discharges power to the piezoelectric load, and so that during a second half cycle, called “the negative half cycle” the secondary winding of said one transformer discharges power to the piezoelectric load, while the primary winding of the other transformer is charged with power.
US08217550B2
An alternator includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotor core having a first core portion and a second core portion. The rotor core is processed by cementation, so that the first core portion has carbon content that gradually decreases from the outer surface toward the central line of the rotor core till reaching a predetermined carbon content. The second core portion has carbon content lower than that of the first core portion. With these arrangements, the alternator can reduce turn-on speed and increase outputs. A method of manufacturing the non-homogenous rotor core of the alternator is also provided.
US08217547B2
In a rotating electric machine, a path length between a rotor and an inter-hetero-phase tooth where a magnetic flux from a magnetic pole proceeds from the rotor and starts to enter the inter-hetero-phase tooth is longer than a path length between the rotor and an inter-V-phase tooth where the magnetic flux proceeds from the rotor and starts to enter the inter-V-phase tooth.
US08217543B2
An electromagnetic clutch includes a motor, a worm wheel rotatably driven by a motor, a rotor having an electromagnetic coil and rotatable about a same rotational axis as the worm wheel, an armature that is mounted to the worm wheel and is pulled into contact with the rotor upon application of electric power to the electromagnetic coil, so that the armature is rotated with the rotor, a cover member configured to cover the rotor and the armature, and a power supply mechanism disposed between the cover member and the rotor and connected to a power source for supplying power to the electromagnetic coil. The power supply mechanism includes a fixed frame body having a first power supply portion for receiving the power from the power source and fixed to the cover member, a rotary frame body having a second power supply portion in contact with the first power supply portion for supplying the power to the electromagnetic coil, the rotary frame body being fixed to the rotor and rotatably engaged with the fixed frame body; and a plate-like conducting member provided in the cover member, the conducting member coming into contact with a portion of the first power supply portion projecting from the fixed frame body.
US08217541B2
A wiring component for a motor coil includes a wire coil configured by a plurality of wire segments arranged in a circumferential direction so as to form a ring shape, each of the wire segments including an arc-shaped main-body portion made of a conductive wire rod bent in an arc shape, protruding portions formed at both end portions of the main-body portion, and upright portions respectively formed at end portions of the protruding portions in a manner of bending one of end portions of each of the protruding portions so that the upright portions protrude in a direction vertical relative to a planar surface including the main-body portion. The wire coil is arranged to form a plurality of layers, thereby forming a cylindrical shape, and the upright portions, at which the adjacent wire segments contact each other in the circumferential direction thereof, are electrically connected to each other.
US08217534B2
A power generator configuration having a distributed inverter. A system is described that includes a plurality of solar modules coupled together in series to form a string; a plurality of combiner boxes, wherein each combiner box couples together a plurality of strings in parallel; and a plurality of DC-DC converters, wherein each DC-DC converter increases a direct current (DC) voltage output of an associated combiner box. Also provided are distributed maximum power point tracker (MPPT) controls that adjust for changing conditions at individual sets of strings.
US08217529B2
A system and method for enabling power applications over a single communication wire pair. In one embodiment, a data transformer is provided that has three separate windings. Two of the windings are tied to each other via high frequency pass DC-blocking capacitors, or another suitable element that creates an AC path while providing a DC block, such that the voltage forms on either ends of the DC-blocking capacitors and the signal is sent on the outer legs of each winding. A circuit measures the current draw (I) and injects a current proportional to, but smaller than, I into a third bias cancellation winding.
US08217525B2
A vehicle having an electric drive motor and a battery pack which provides power to the motor. The vehicle has panels that provide a wind tunnel when the vehicle is in motion, and a wind generator which is positioned inside or outside the wind tunnel to supply electricity to the power pack while the vehicle is in motion. When the vehicle is parked, the wind generator is repositioned to be above the vehicle where it is driven by a breeze around the vehicle to again supply power to the power pack. The power pack is charged while the vehicle is being driven or parked by wind power only. It does not have to be plugged in.
US08217523B2
An energy harvesting mechanism creates electrical energy from in vivo physiological motion, transforming low frequency, physiological excitation into high frequencies for producing electricity and harvesting energy using an energy collector is deformed from variation of physiologic forces or motion with an input displacement, then captured, and then released to allow the energy collector to move with an output displacement being either faster or has a higher frequency, or both, when compared to the input displacement.
US08217501B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit package system includes: providing a substrate with a top surface; configuring the top surface to include electrical contacts; attaching an integrated circuit to the top surface; and depositing a material to prevent warpage of the substrate on the top surface of the substrate and over the integrated circuit, the material patterned to have discrete hollow conduits that are over and larger than the electrical contacts.
US08217500B1
A semiconductor integrated circuit is mounted on the package substrate so that its sides are at approximately a 45 degree angle to the sides of the substrate. As a result, the sides of the die face the corners of the substrate rather than the sides of the substrate. In this orientation, substantially all the space available in the corners of the substrate becomes readily available for use in reducing congestion along the sides of the die and/or routing connections to the die and/or in mounting coupling capacitors. It also becomes possible to mount a larger die on the substrate while still meeting manufacturing and reliability rules. Larger stiffener/lid structures may also be used for enhanced adhesion to the substrate.
US08217494B2
The invention provides an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device having an ESD path between a first circuit and a second circuit. The electrostatic discharge protection device includes a first doped region having a first conductive type. A first well has a second conductive type opposite to the first conductive type. A second doped region and a third doped region are in the first well, respectively having the first and second conductive types. The first doped region is coupled to a power supply terminal or a ground terminal of the first circuit, and the second and third doped regions are both coupled to a power supply terminal or a ground terminal of the second circuit, respectively.
US08217490B2
Under one aspect, a non-volatile nanotube switch includes a first terminal; a nanotube block including a multilayer nanotube fabric, at least a portion of which is positioned over and in contact with at least a portion of the first terminal; a second terminal, at least a portion of which is positioned over and in contact with at least a portion of the nanotube block, wherein the nanotube block is constructed and arranged to prevent direct physical and electrical contact between the first and second terminals; and control circuitry capable of applying electrical stimulus to the first and second terminals. The nanotube block can switch between a plurality of electronic states in response to a plurality of electrical stimuli applied by the control circuitry to the first and second terminals. For each different electronic state, the nanotube block provides an electrical pathway of different resistance between the first and second terminals.
US08217487B2
Disclosed is a power semiconductor device including a bootstrap circuit. The power semiconductor device includes a high voltage unit that provides a high voltage control signal so that a high voltage is output; a low voltage unit that provides a low voltage control signal so that a ground voltage is output, and is spaced apart from the high voltage unit; a charge enable unit that is electrically connected to the low voltage unit and charges a bootstrap capacitor for supplying power to the high voltage unit when the high voltage is output, when the ground voltage is output; and a high voltage cut-off unit that cuts off the high voltage when the high voltage is output so that the high voltage is not applied to the charge enable unit, and includes a first terminal electrically connected to the charge enable unit and a second terminal electrically connected to the high voltage unit.
US08217484B2
The image sensor includes a substrate; a wiring structure formed on a front side of the substrate and including a plurality of wiring layers and a plurality of insulating films; a first well formed within the substrate and having a first conductivity type; and a first metal wiring layer directly contacting a backside of the substrate and configured to apply a first well bias to the first well.
US08217478B2
A magnetic stack having a ferromagnetic free layer, a metal oxide layer that is antiferromagnetic at a first temperature and non-magnetic at a second temperature higher than the first temperature, a ferromagnetic pinned reference layer, and a non-magnetic spacer layer between the free layer and the reference layer. During a writing process, the metal oxide layer is non-magnetic. For magnetic memory cells, such as magnetic tunnel junction cells, the metal oxide layer provides reduced switching currents.
US08217475B2
Described herein is the sense element assembly for a capacitive pressure sensor and method for creating same that has increased sensitivity despite the parasitic capacitance that is created. The capacitive sensor element assembly, comprises a first semiconductive layer, and a first conductive layer, a first dielectric layer into which a cavity has been formed, the dielectric layer lying between the first semiconductive layer and the first conductive layer, wherein an electrical connection is made to the second conductive layer. A preferred method for fabricating a capacitive sensor assembly of the present invention comprises the steps of forming a dielectric layer on top of a conductive handle wafer; creating at least one cavity in the dielectric layer, bonding a thin semiconductive layer to the dielectric layer and connecting an operational amplifier to the input of the capacitive sensor assembly to overcome the parasitic capacitance formed during fabrication.
US08217473B2
A micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device includes an electrical wafer, a mechanical wafer, a plasma treated oxide seal bonding the electrical wafer to the mechanical wafer, and an electrical interconnect between the electrical wafer and the mechanical wafer.
US08217470B2
A field effect structure and a method for fabricating the field effect structure include a germanium containing channel interposed between a plurality of source and drain regions. The germanium containing channel is coplanar with the plurality of source and drain regions, and the germanium containing channel includes a germanium containing material having a germanium content greater than the germanium content of the plurality of source and drain regions.
US08217466B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor device wherein the switching speed of a transistor is increased. Specifically disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor layer formed on a part of an insulating layer, a first transistor formed on a lateral face of the semiconductor layer and having a first gate insulating film, a first gate electrode and two first impurity layers forming a source and a drain, and a second transistor formed on another lateral face of the semiconductor layer and having a second gate insulating film, a second gate electrode and two second impurity layers forming a source and a drain.
US08217460B2
A semiconductor device has an SOI (Silicon On Insulator) structure and comprising a P-channel FET and an N-channel FET which are formed on an insulating film. The semiconductor device includes: at least two of first, second, third and fourth PN-junction elements. The first PN-junction element is formed from a P-type semiconductor layer and an N-type semiconductor layer having the same impurity concentrations as those of source/drain regions of the P-channel FET and the N-channel FET, respectively. The second PN-junction element is formed from a P-type semiconductor layer and an N-type semiconductor layer having the same impurity concentrations as those of the source/drain region and a channel region in the P-channel FET, respectively. The third PN-junction element is formed from a P-type semiconductor layer and an N-type semiconductor layer having the same impurity concentrations as those of a channel region and the source/drain region in the N-channel FET, respectively. The fourth PN-junction element is formed from a P-type semiconductor layer and an N-type semiconductor layer having the same impurity concentrations as those of the channel regions of the N-channel FET and the P-channel FET, respectively. At least two PN-junction elements are connected in series in a forward bias between two different terminals to form an electrostatic protection device.
US08217459B2
A distance “a” from a first gate electrode of a first transistor of a high-frequency circuit to a first contact is greater than a distance “b” from a second electrode of a second transistor of a digital circuit to a second contact. The first contact is connected to a drain or source of the first transistor, and the second contact is connected to a drain or source of the second transistor.
US08217458B2
The disclosure describes an antenna protection circuit for use in circuits where Single Event Transients from energetic particles is a concern. The antenna protection circuit may include at least three diodes, connected electrically in series and arranged such that at most all but one of the at least three diodes produce a transient current pulse from an energetic particle. During the transient current pulse event, the remaining diode remains reverse biased thereby sufficiently blocking the transient current pulse and an SET does not occur on the signal node. The antenna protection circuit may be constructed so that no unshorted parasitic p-n junction structure is associated with any of the diodes in the circuit, which would otherwise have to be explicitly included in the at least three diodes.
US08217454B2
A semiconductor device includes an epitaxial layer having a first conductive type, and at least one first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer having a second conductive type. The first semiconductor layer is disposed in the epitaxial layer of a peripheral region, and has an arc portion, and a first strip portion and a second strip portion extended from two ends of the arc portion. The first strip portion points to an active device region, and the second strip portion is perpendicular to the first strip portion The second semiconductor layer is disposed in the epitaxial layer of the peripheral region between the active device region and the second strip portion, and the second semiconductor has a sidewall facing and parallel to the first semiconductor layer.
US08217450B1
A double-gate semiconductor device includes a substrate, an insulating layer, a fin and two gates. The insulating layer is formed on the substrate and the fin is formed on the insulating layer. A first gate is formed on the insulating layer and is adjacent a first sidewall of the fin. The second gate is formed on the insulating layer and is adjacent a second sidewall of the fin opposite the first sidewall. The first and second gates both include a conductive material and are electrically separated by the fin.
US08217446B2
Each of memory strings is provided with a first semiconductor layer having a pair of columnar portions extending in a perpendicular direction with respect to a substrate; a charge storage layer formed to surround a side surface of the columnar portions; and a first conductive layer formed to surround the charge storage layer. Each of the select transistors is provided with a second semiconductor layer extending upwardly from an upper surface of the columnar portions; a gate insulating layer formed to surround a side surface of the second semiconductor layer; and a second conductive layer formed to surround the gate insulating layer. An effective impurity concentration of the second semiconductor layer is less than or equal to an effective impurity concentration of the first semiconductor layer.
US08217435B2
A method for fabricating floating body memory cells (FBCs), and the resultant FBCs where gates favoring different conductivity type regions are used is described. In one embodiment, a p type back gate with a thicker insulation is used with a thinner insulated n type front gate. Processing, which compensates for misalignment, which allows the different oxide and gate materials to be fabricated is described.
US08217431B2
A solid-state image pickup device for preventing crosstalk between adjacent pixels by providing an overflow barrier at the deep potion of a substrate. A partial P type region is provided at the predetermined position of a lower layer region of the vertical transfer register and a channel stop region. This P type region adjusts potential in the lower layer region of the vertical transfer register and the channel stop region. Accordingly, since the potential in the lower layer region of the vertical transfer register and the channel stop region at both sides of the lower layer region is low, electric charges photoelectrically-converted by the sensor region are blocked by this potential barrier and cannot be diffused easily.
US08217423B2
While embedded silicon germanium alloy and silicon carbon alloy provide many useful applications, especially for enhancing the mobility of MOSFETs through stress engineering, formation of alloyed silicide on these surfaces degrades device performance. The present invention provides structures and methods for providing unalloyed silicide on such silicon alloy surfaces placed on semiconductor substrates. This enables the formation of low resistance contacts for both mobility enhanced PFETs with embedded SiGe and mobility enhanced NFETs with embedded Si:C on the same semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, this invention provides methods for thick epitaxial silicon alloy, especially thick epitaxial Si:C alloy, above the level of the gate dielectric to increase the stress on the channel on the transistor devices.
US08217422B1
A semiconductor power device integrated with a Gate-Source ESD diode for providing an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and a Gate-Drain clamp diode for drain-source avalanche protection. The semiconductor power device further includes a Nitride layer underneath the diodes and a thick oxide layer as an etching stopper layer for protecting a thin oxide layer on top surface of body region from over-etching.
US08217421B2
A new ESD protection device with an integrated-circuit vertical transistor structure is disclosed, which includes a heavily doped p-type substrate (P+ substrate), a n-type well (N well) in the P+ substrate, a heavily doped p-type diffusion (P+ diffusion) in the N well, a heavily doped n-type diffusion (N+ diffusion) in the N well, and a p-type well (P well) surrounding the N well in the P+ substrate. A bond pad is connected to both the P+ and N+ diffusions, and a ground is coupled to the P+ substrate. Another P+ diffusion is implanted in the N well or another N+ diffusion is implanted in the P well to form a Zener diode, which behaves as a trigger for the PNP transistor when a positive ESD zaps. A parasitic diode is formed at the junction between the P+ substrate and the N well, to bypass a negative ESD stress on the bond pad.
US08217403B1
An electronic device includes a substrate and an electronic component. The substrate has a metallized trace. The metallized trace has a metallized layer and an insulation layer. The metallized layer has a high melting point metal component and a low melting point metal component, the high melting point metal component and the low melting point metal component being diffusion bonded together. The insulation layer is formed simultaneously with the metallized layer to cover an outer surface of the metallized layer. The electronic component is electrically connected to the metallized layer.
US08217400B2
A wavelength conversion layer is formed on a surface of a light emitting device for transforming a portion of light emitted from the light emitting device into light of a different wavelength. The transformed light is mixed with the untransformed light, and thus the light emitting device can emit light having preferred CIE coordinates.
US08217397B2
The present invention provides a thin film transistor substrate and a display device in which a decrease in the dry etching rate of a source electrode and drain electrode is not caused; no etching residues are generated; and a barrier metal can be eliminated between a semiconductor layer and metal wires such as the source and drain electrodes. The present invention is a thin film transistor substrate having a semiconductor layer 1, a source electrode 2, a drain electrode 3, and a transparent conductive film 4, in which the source electrode 2 and drain electrode 3 are formed by patterning by means of dry etching and comprises an Al alloy thin film comprising 0.1 to 1.5 atom % of Si and/or Ge, 0.1 to 3.0 atom % of Ni and/or Co, and 0.1 to 0.5 atom % of La and/or Nd, and the thin film transistor is directly connected with the semiconductor layer 1.
US08217395B2
In a conventional analog buffer circuit composed of polycrystalline semiconductor TFTs, a variation in the output is large. Thus, a measure such as to provide a correction circuit has been taken. However, there has been such a problem that a circuit and driver operation are complicated. Therefore, a gate length and a gate width of a TFT composing an analog buffer circuit is set to be larger. Also, a multi-gate structure is adopted thereto. In addition, the arrangement of channel regions is devised. Thus, the analog buffer circuit having a small variation is obtained without using a correction circuit, and a semiconductor device having a small variation can be provided.
US08217390B2
Polymers that enable the use of high work-function metals as a cathode in optoelectronic devices and optoelectronic devices incorporating the polymers as an electron transport layer.
US08217378B2
The present invention aims at providing an image reading device and an image forming apparatus including a light guiding body having a first emission surface and a second emission surface. A color copy machine includes a luminescence portion including: LEDs composed of a plurality of dot-shaped luminescence members disposed at predetermined intervals in a main scanning direction and/or an elongated luminescence member that is formed to extend in the main scanning direction; and a light guiding body that is disposed between the LEDs and an original, and has a light incidence portion disposed on a side to the LEDs and an emission portion disposed on a side to the original. The emission portion has a first emission surface and a second emission surface that is formed on a different plane from a plane including the first emission surface.
US08217374B2
There is a need for providing a projection optical system that is appropriate for maintaining high resolution with low distortion, miniaturizing a reflector, decreasing the number of reflectors, and decreasing the depth and the bottom (or top) of a display used for a rear projection television, for example. The projection optical system according to the invention enlarges and projects images from a primary image surface existing at a reducing side to a secondary image surface existing at an enlarging side. The projection optical system has a first optical system L11 and a second optical system L12. The first optical system L11 forms an intermediate image (position II) of the primary image surface. The second optical system L12 has a concave reflector AM1 that forms the secondary image surface resulting from the intermediate image. A light beam travels from the center of the primary image surface and to the center of the secondary image surface and crosses an optical axis. The light beam is reflected on the concave reflector, crosses the optical axis again, and reaches the secondary image surface.
US08217372B2
A gas-cluster-jet generator with improved vacuum management techniques and apparatus is disclosed. The gas-cluster-jet generator comprises a substantially conically shaped vacuum chamber for housing the nozzle and jet exit portions of the gas-cluster-jet generator. A skimmer may be located at the narrow end of the conical chamber and a close-coupled vacuum pump is located at the wide end of the conical chamber. Support members for the nozzle are high conductivity “spider” supports that provide support rigidity while minimizing gas flow obstruction for high pumping speed. The conically shaped vacuum chamber redirects un-clustered gas in a direction opposite the direction of the gas-cluster-jet for efficient evacuation of the un-clustered gas. The nozzle and a skimmer may have fixed precision relative alignment, or may optionally have a nozzle aiming adjustment feature for aligning the gas-cluster-jet with the skimmer and downstream beamline components. Also disclosed are various configurations of gas-cluster ion-beam processing tools employing the improved gas-cluster-jet generator.
US08217367B2
A scanner device is provided which enables high-frequency scanning and can increase the speed of a scanning probe microscope. A scanner device (1) used for a scanning probe microscope includes a Z actuator (7) which scans an object to be scanned in a scanning direction, and a Z actuator holder (11) which holds the Z actuator (7). The Z actuator holder (11) holds the Z actuator (7) at a plurality of holding line parts which extend in the scanning direction and are separated from each other. For example, the Z actuator (7) has a rectangular cross-section, and the four edges of the Z actuator (7) are held by the Z actuator holder (11). The Z actuator (7) is pressed into a holding hole (29) of the Z actuator holder (11).
US08217364B2
A particle beam irradiation apparatus which can perform high-precision beam irradiation position is obtained. The apparatus is provided with inverse mapping means having an inverse mapping mathematical expression model for generating an command value for the scanning electromagnet and an command value for kinetic energy of the charged particle beam from a desired irradiation position coordinate of the charged particle beam in an irradiation subject so that irradiation to the irradiation subject is implemented on the basis of the command values concerned, and the scanning electromagnet and the kinetic energy of the charged particle beam are controlled on the basis of the command values generated from the desired irradiation position coordinate of the charged particle beam in the irradiation subject by using the inverse mapping mathematical expression model, thereby irradiating the irradiation subject with the charged particle beam while scanning the charged particle beam.
US08217362B2
A radiation detection, localization, and identification system uses a searching algorithm to identify hypothetical solutions to Compton scatter data. Model based representations of the physical data collection yield the identity and location of radiation sources when correct associations of gamma ray energies and locations are made with detected data events. The system's detector is an array of radiation detectors networked to act as a single detection system. This network has wide area of view and high sensitivity to radiation sources since no collimation is required.
US08217361B2
An ultraviolet sensor has an ultraviolet detection diode having a depletion region 18 formed in an Si layer 16 on an insulating layer 14, an interlayer insulating film 20 formed on the ultraviolet detection diode, and a wiring 24 formed on the interlayer insulating film 20. An incident angle θ (°) of an incident light entering into the depletion region 18 and a film thickness Tsi (nm) of the depletion region 18 satisfy the following formula (1), which is also shown in FIG. 14. TSi≦TSi/sin θ≦100 (Formula 1)
US08217358B2
A system and method for eliminating image artifacts caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI) on a digital x-ray detector. The system and method includes a digital x-ray detector panel having an array of pixels in rows and columns, with a plurality of data lines coupled to the columns of pixels and a plurality of scan lines coupled to the rows of pixels. The system and method uses certain photodiodes in a row of the pixel array for measuring EMI with corresponding scan line and FETs deactivated and eliminating the EMI and image artifacts with the remaining photodiodes in the row with corresponding scan line and FETs activated.
US08217353B1
Arrangements for the point-to-point imaging of a broad spectrum of electromagnetic radiation and ultrasound at large angles of incidence employ matched pairs of spherically bent reflectors to eliminate astigmatic imaging errors. Matched pairs of spherically bent crystals or spherically bent multi-layers are used for X-rays and EUV radiation; and matched pairs of spherically bent mirrors that are appropriate for the type of radiation are used with microwaves, infrared and visible light, or ultrasound. The arrangements encompass the two cases, where the Bragg angle—the complement to the angle of incidence in optics—is between 45° and 90° on both crystals/mirrors or between 0° and 45° on the first crystal/mirror and between 45° and 90° on the second crystal/mirror, where the angles of convergence and divergence are equal. For x-rays and EUV radiation, also the Bragg condition is satisfied on both spherically bent crystals/multi-layers.
US08217347B2
A system for detecting at least one contamination species in an interior space of a lithographic apparatus, including: at least one monitoring surface configured to be in contact with the interior space, a thermal controller configured to control the temperature of the monitoring surface to at least one detection temperature, and at least one detector configured to detect condensation of the at least one contamination species onto the monitoring surface.
US08217344B2
A pre-filter assembly including a differential mobility spectrometer (DMS) that is configured to be in-line with a mass spectrometer (MS) such that the MS continuously receives carrier flow from the DMS when the DMS filtering fields are removed.
US08217341B2
In various embodiments of the invention, a device permits more efficient collection and transmission of ions produced by the action of a carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species into a mass spectrometer. In one embodiment of the invention, the device incorporates the source for ionization in combination with a jet separator to efficiently remove excess carrier gas while permitting ions to be more efficiently transferred into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. In an embodiment of the invention, improved collection of ions produced by the carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species at greater distances from between the position of the analyte and the position of the mass spectrometer are enabled.
US08217339B2
A technology for collecting a granular substance adhering to a baggage with high rate without touching the substance and inspecting whether a dangerous or specific sample material is adhered to the baggage. A method for simplifying or automating such an inspection is also provided. An adhering matter inspection equipment (1) is characterized in that the equipment comprises a collecting section (5) for collecting a sample material peeled off from an inspection object (25) whereupon the sample material is adhered by blowing compression gas through a capturing filter (52), and an inspecting section (2) for analyzing the sample material captured by the capturing filter (52), and further characterized in that the inspection equipment comprises a section (3) for delivering a baggage to the inspecting section (2), and a carrying section (4) for carrying the capturing filter (52) from the capturing section (5) to the inspecting section (2).
US08217335B2
An optical modulation-type detection device has a noise detection mode having (i) an offset canceling (hereinafter referred to as “OC”) period in which (a) the light-reception signal pathway of a pulse signal converting section is cut off so that an offset of the pulse signal converting section is suppressed and (b) the light-reception signal pathway of the pulse signal converting section is reconnected while a state in which the offset is suppressed is being maintained, at an end of the OC period, and (ii) an asynchronous reception period in which whether or not asynchronous reception occurs is detected after the first period, and an object detection mode having a synchronous reception period in which whether or not synchronous reception occurs is detected after the asynchronous reception is not detected in the noise detection mode.
US08217334B1
An optical navigation sensor (ONS) is provided having a spatial frequency filter to transmit radiation at selected spatial frequencies while attenuating other, undesired frequencies and harmonics. The ONS includes a radiation source to transmit radiation toward a portion of a surface that diffusely reflects radiation incident thereon. The spatial frequency filter is disposed to receive radiation scattered from the surface, and, in one embodiment, includes a number of non-circular openings to pass radiation of at least one pre-selected frequency while attenuating other frequencies and harmonics of the pre-selected frequency.
US08217333B2
A flowmeter determines the flow direction of a fluid. The flowmeter has a measuring element, around which the fluid flows and which comprises at least one fiber-optic cable and at least two electrical heating elements that lie adjacent to the fiber-optic cable(s) by a respective heat stream emanating from the respective heating element and directed towards at least one fiber-optic cable, the directions of the heat streams being at least proportionately reversed. In addition, the values of the individual heat streams can be influenced to different extents, depending on the flow direction of the fluid. An electromagnetic wave that can be coupled into the fiber-optic cable(s) can also be influenced according to the temperature of the fiber-optic cable(s). Additionally, the flow meter has a control unit, which is used to feed electric energy to the two or more heating elements one after the other, and an evaluation unit, which is used to evaluate the temperature effect of the electromagnetic wave that emanates from the individual heat streams and to determine the flow directed of the fluid.
US08217326B1
A method for calibrating a spectrometer, while orbiting a celestial body, includes the steps of: (a) obtaining an estimate of radiance emanating from the celestial body; (b) raster scanning the celestial body using the spectrometer; (c) measuring filtered radiance of the celestial body based on step (b); and (d) determining gain of the spectrometer using steps (a) and (c). A calibrated spectrometer of the present invention is based on the determined gain of step (d). The method includes the step of: (e) raster scanning another celestial body to determine the albedo radiance of the other celestial body, after determining gain of the spectrometer in step (d). The celestial body may be the moon and the other celestial body may be the Earth.
US08217318B1
The invention is a submersible hand warmer apparatus for warming a diver's gloved hands. The apparatus includes a sleeve having a center portion with an elongate chamber with a right access port and a left access port; and right and left sleeve portions with elastic cuffs. The cuffs can be stretched allowing the diver's gloved hands access to the chamber, and then retract, forming a seal against the diver's arms. The chamber is sized for enough heat transfer fluid, such as water, so that the temperature of the diver's hands is raised to at least 54° F. upon immersion of his hands in the water. The apparatus also includes a heating component; an energy source, such as a battery; a housing which provides structural support; an insulation that slows the loss of heat to the cold ambient water; and a controller that controls the rate that energy is consumed.
US08217311B2
A method for instant splicing of an optical fiber to an optical waveguide or bulk material comprises forming a nanometric conductive layer at the interface between the optical fiber and the optical waveguide or bulk material to be spliced, and applying laser radiation to the interface through the fiber optical internally or through the bulk material externally, to produce an arc discharge due to the laser light electric field. The arc discharge melts and diffuses the conductive layer to produce a permanent splice having a low optical loss.
US08217310B2
A glow plug electrification control apparatus which can maintain the same heater temperature even when resistance varies among glow plugs to be used, and a glow plug electrification control system using the same. The apparatus (101) includes temperature-raising-period-resistance acquisition means for temperature-raising-period resistances Rg1(0.5), etc. of glow plugs (GP1-GPn) at predetermined timings during a temperature-raising period; maintaining-period electrification control means for maintaining the heater temperature Tg1(t), etc. at predetermined target temperatures Tm1, etc. after the temperature raising; and maintaining-period resistance acquisition means for acquiring maintaining-period resistances Rg1(t), etc. of the glow plugs GP1, etc. in a maintaining period.
US08217306B2
A conventional vehicle lighting device entails a problem on appearance. A vehicle lighting device of the present invention is provided with a wire heater, an extension portion, and a power-feeding portion. An adhesive part is provided at a part of one face of an extension film of the extension portion. Of such one face of the extension film of the extension portion, a letterpress printed-film pattern of a rough portion is provided in a range excluding the adhesive part. As a result, the vehicle lighting device of the present invention provides an ability to reliably prevent an extension film of the extension portion from sticking to a lamp lens by means of the letterpress printed-film pattern of the rough portion; prevent an appearance failure or abnormality exerted by the sticking of the extension film of the extension portion to the lamp lens; and improve its appearance.
US08217303B2
A system prevents oxidation of a laser cut workpiece by utilizing a laser source that utilizes laser source with an inert gas, such as argon or helium, rather than air or oxygen, to create the slots or kerfs which form the pattern cut into the workpiece. The system introduces oxygen gas through the workpiece as it is being laser cut to oxidize any slag or dross created during the laser cutting process. Oxygen or a mixture of oxygen with other gases cools the slag and the workpiece while at the same time oxidizing the slag to either completely burn or partial burn the slag before it strikes an exposed surface of the tubular member.
US08217302B2
Systems and methods reduce or prevent back-reflections in a laser processing system. A laser processing system includes a laser source to generate an incident laser beam, a laser beam output to direct the incident laser beam toward a work surface, and a lens to receive the incident laser beam along a first axis of propagation that is substantially perpendicular to the work surface. The lens includes a primary axis that is substantially parallel to, and offset from, the first axis of propagation. The lens is configured to focus the incident laser beam onto the work surface along a second axis of propagation that forms a non-perpendicular angle with the work surface such that at least a substantial portion of a reflected laser beam from the work surface does not return to the laser beam output.
US08217296B2
Target fluid is made into electrolyte solution when measured fluid-quality value is lower than a first condition value, by substituting an impurity anion contained in the target fluid with a predetermined anion and substituting an impurity cation contained in the target fluid with a predetermined cation, and purified when the fluid-quality value is higher than a second condition value. The above procedures are repeated, so that the fluid-quality value of the target fluid falls within a predetermined range, to make the target fluid into electrolyte solution with a correlation between pH and conductivity.
US08217290B2
A charging handle is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing having an exterior, an interior and a recess extending from the exterior toward the interior, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts, and a charging assembly. A first end of the charging handle is coupled to the charging assembly within the interior of the housing. The second end includes a finger pull. An elongated body extends between the first and second ends and includes first and second sides, and inner and outer surfaces. The charging handle is movable among first and second positions. The finger pull is disposed on the outer surface of the elongated body at or about the second end of the charging handle, and is readily accessible from all of the second end and the first and second sides of the charging handle.
US08217276B2
A multilayer printed circuit board which can surely establish interlayer connection with low resistance. The multilayer printed circuit board comprises: a first substrate having a conductive pattern on one face and a non-penetration connection hole on the other face, for exposing the conductive pattern to outside; a second substrate having a conductive pattern formed on a face opposed to the other face of first substrate and a conductive bump on the conductive pattern integrally. The first substrate and the second substrate are integrated by engaging the bump of the second substrate with the connection hole of the first substrate and by intervening a conductive cement between the bumps and the conductive pattern exposed to outside from the connection holes.
US08217268B2
Systems and methods for decreasing alien crosstalk use enhanced patch cords for introducing additional attenuation. The enhanced patch cords are preferably shielded to reduce alien crosstalk down their lengths and also attenuate signals passing therethrough to a greater extent than standard communication patch cords. The interaction of two enhanced patch cords results in two suppression steps for alien crosstalk and only one suppression step for intended signal passing through a communication cable.
US08217267B2
A communication cable with a barrier tape to improve crosstalk attenuation. The barrier tape is provided with one or more barrier layers of discontinuous conductive segments.
US08217263B2
An electrical switchgear cabinet for an electrical service distribution panel includes a rear wall having four corners and four side edges and a peripheral L-shaped first bent edge disposed on each of the four side edges; a first side wall with at least two bent edges; a base wall with at least two bent edges; and a first attachment part disposed at a first corner of the rear wall and insertable behind the first bent edges of two of the four side edges, wherein the first attachment part has two longitudinally running slots, a first slot receiving one of the at least two first side wall bent edges and a second slot receiving one of the at least two base wall bent edges.
US08217258B2
Extremely high efficiency solar cells are described. Novel alternating bias schemes enhance the photovoltaic power extraction capability above the cell band-gap by enabling the extraction of hot carriers. In conventional solar cells, this alternating bias scheme has the potential of more than doubling their yielded net efficiency. In solar cells incorporating quantum wells (QWs) or quantum dots (QDs), the alternating bias scheme has the potential of extending such solar cell power extraction coverage, possibly across the entire solar spectrum, thus enabling unprecedented solar power extraction efficiency. Within such cells, a novel alternating bias scheme extends the cell energy conversion capability above the cell material band-gap while the quantum confinement structures are used to extend the cell energy conversion capability below the cell band-gap. Light confinement cavities are incorporated into the cell structure to allow the absorption of the cell internal photo emission, thus further enhancing the cell efficiency.
US08217248B1
A musical instrument ligature having at least one compression bed which act as the contact points between the ligature and the reed on the mouthpiece of a wind instrument. Said ligature is significantly juxtaposed to an opposite spar and support elements, positioned so as to optimize the fixation of the reed to the mouthpiece.
US08217228B2
An allergen-free transgenic peanut seed is produced by recombinant methods. Peanut plants are transformed with multiple copies of each of the allergen genes, or fragments thereof, to suppress gene expression and allergen protein production. Alternatively, peanut plants are transformed with peanut allergen antisense genes introduced into the peanut genome as antisense fragments, sense fragments, or combinations of both antisense and sense fragments. Peanut transgenes are under the control of the 35S promoter, or the promoter of the Ara h2 gene to produce antisense RNAs, sense RNAs, and double-stranded RNAs for suppressing allergen protein production in peanut plants. A full length genomic clone for allergen Ara h2 is isolated and sequenced. The ORF is 622 nucleotides long. The predicted encoded protein is 207 amino acids long and includes a putative transit peptide of 21 residues. One polyadenilation signal is identified at position 951. Six additional stop codons are observed. A promoter region was revealed containing a putative TATA box located at position −72. Homologous regions were identified between Ara h2, h6, and h7, and between Ara h3 and h4, and between Ara h1P41B and Ara h1P17. The homologous regions will be used for the screening of peanut genomic library to isolate all peanut allergen genes and for down-regulation and silencing of multiple peanut allergen genes.
US08217222B2
A method is described to identify secreted proteins identified with stages of malignancy of cancer. The proteins are initially identified by trapping them with a fluorescent protein containing vector that can insert in any gene. The secreted proteins are initially identified by their fluorescence. Secreted proteins identifying tumors with specific degrees of malignancy are isolated to determine if they can serve as markers of cancer progression.
US08217209B2
Disclosed is a process for production of a gas hydrate, wherein the process comprises a gas hydrate production step, a cooling step, a depressurizing step and a re-cooling step. In the cooling step, the temperature (T) required for the cooling of the gas hydrate is adjusted to a temperature equal to or higher than a cooling limit temperature (t1+t2) (which is a sum of an equilibrium temperature (t1) of the gas hydrate and a temperature for correction (t2)) and equal to or lower than the freezing point (0° C.).
US08217207B2
High assay, reaction-derived decabromodiphenylethane product is prepared by feeding (i) diphenylethane or (ii) partially brominated diphenylethane having an average bromine number less than about two, or (iii) both of (i) and (ii), into the liquid confines of a reaction mixture. Such reaction mixture is (a) formed from components comprised of excess liquid bromine and aluminum-based Lewis acid bromination catalyst, and (b) maintained at one or more elevated reaction temperatures of from about 45°-90° C., and at least when elevated pressure is needed to keep a liquid state in the reaction mixture at the temperature(s) used, the reaction mixture is at such an elevated pressure, whereby ar-bromination occurs. The feeding is conducted at a rate slow enough to form high assay reaction-derived decabromodiphenylethane product, which is an effective flame retardant.
US08217206B2
The present invention is a process for converting methane to methanol, comprising: feeding methane and gaseous air or oxygen or gaseous air enriched with oxygen to a reactor under an elevated pressure; said reactor having an internal surface, made of silica or coated with silica, surrounding a zone in which said gases react; and reacting said gases in said reaction zone at an elevated temperature at conditions effective to produce methanol and for valuable oxygenates. Advantageously the internal surface is made of quartz or coated with quartzAdvantageously the internal surface, made of silica (advantageously quartz) or coated with silica (advantageously quartz), is treated with HF before the conversion of methane to methanol.Advantageously the reaction is carried out in the absence in said reaction zone of any added material which measurably affects the rate of the reaction or the yield of the product.Advantageously the reactor is operated under a pressure from 1 to 7.5 MPa.Advantageously the reactor is operated at a temperature from 300° C. to 600° C.Advantageously the reactor is operated at a residence time from 0.1 to 100 s.Advantageously the reactor is operated at a methane to oxygen molar ratio from 1 to 50.The present invention also relates to a reactor having an internal surface made of silica (advantageously quartz) or coated with silica (advantageously quartz).
US08217202B2
The chemistry of [13C]methyl phenyl sulfide is exploited to produce new isotopically labeled precursors that allow for the facile assembly of a wide range of labeled molecules from simple and relatively inexpensive starting materials. These compounds are applicable to a variety of research areas such as quantum computing, metabolism and materials science.
US08217195B2
Disclosed is a compound having a photocurable urethane (meth)acrylate group, its manufacturing method, and a photocurable composition including the compound. The compound is represented by Chemical Formulae 1 to 6. Each of Chemical Formulae 1 to 6 includes a urethane (meth)acrylate group represented by Chemical Formula 1-1 or 1-2.
US08217192B2
A problem as an object of the invention is to provide a production method of spilanthol in a large scale without using expensive reagents. The present invention provides a production method of N-isobutyl-2,6,8-decatrienamide, wherein a column chromatography purification step is not required in all processes.
US08217188B2
Described herein are C5-C6 annelated naphthopyrans that possess at least one electron-withdrawing group. The compounds possess desirable properties such as increased fading kinetics. Also described herein are new methods for synthesizing 2H-chromenes annelated at C5-C6. The methods involve less stringent reaction conditions as well as provide increased reaction yields. The methods permit the synthesis of a wide variety of substituted naphthopyrans that can be temperature sensitive, which was not possible with previous synthetic routes.
US08217185B2
The present invention refers to methyl-substituted double-unsaturated macrocyclic lactones comprising 14 to 17 ring atoms of formula (I) wherein n and m are independently selected from 1, 2, 3 and 4 with the proviso that 3≦n+m≦6. The invention relates furthermore to their use as odorant and fragrance composition comprising them.
US08217183B2
β″-di-R-substituted fused thiophene (DCXFT4) compounds, and a method for making a compound of the formula (V): where each R is a C4 to C25 hydrocarbylene, the method including di-acylating tetra-bromo dithiophene (I); contacting the bromo-dithiophene compound (II) with a 2-mercaptoacetate to form cyclized fused thiophene (III); converting fused thiophene (III) to the corresponding diacid (IV); and decarboxylating the diacid (IV) to the fused thiophene (V), of the formulas as defined herein.
US08217178B2
The present invention is directed to an indole benzylamine compound of formula I: useful as an inhibitor of tryptase. In addition, the present invention is directed to the use of the compound for treating a patient suffering from, or subject to, a physiological condition in need of amelioration by inhibition of tryptase, comprising administering to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of the compound, and to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of the compound of formula I, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US08217177B2
Selected compounds are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, such as HGF mediated diseases. The invention encompasses novel compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and other maladies or conditions involving, cancer and the like. The subject invention also relates to processes for making such compounds as well as to intermediates useful in such processes.
US08217172B2
Solid forms of crystalline1-ethyl-3-(5-(5-fluoropyridin-3-yl)-7-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)urea, compositions containing solid forms of crystalline1 -ethyl-3-(5-(5-fluoropyridin-3-yl)-7-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)urea and methods of using the same are described.
US08217171B2
This invention relates to compounds of formula I their salts, and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and their use in the treatment of picornavirus infections in mammals, as well as novel intermediates useful in the preparation of the compounds of formula I.
US08217160B2
Solid support assays using non-standard bases are described. A capture oligonucleotide comprising a molecular recognition sequence is attached to a solid support and hybridized with a target. In some instances, the molecular recognition sequence includes one or more non-standard bases and hybridizes to a complementary tagging sequence of the target oligonucleotide. In other instances, incorporation of a non-standard base (e.g., via PCR or ligation) is used in the assay.
US08217149B2
The present application relates to anti-PD-L1 antibodies, nucleic acid encoding the same, therapeutic compositions thereof, and their use enhance T-cell function to upregulate cell-mediated immune responses and for the treatment of T cell dysfunctional disorders, including infection (e.g., acute and chronic) and tumor immunity.
US08217146B2
The invention relates to neublastin neurotrophic factor polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding neublastin polypeptides, and antibodies that bind specifically to neublastin polypeptides, as well as methods of making and methods of using the same.
US08217143B2
Metal nanoshells are fabricated by admixing an aqueous solution of metal ions with an aqueous solution of apoferritin protein molecules, followed by admixing an aqueous solution containing an excess of an oxidizing agent for the metal ions. The apoferritin molecules serve as bio-templates for the formation of metal nanoshells, which form on and are bonded to the inside walls of the hollow cores of the individual apoferritin molecules. Control of the number of metal atoms which enter the hollow core of each individual apoferritin molecule provides a hollow metal nonparticle, or nanoshell, instead of a solid spherical metal nanoparticle.
US08217142B2
The invention relates to improved liquid phase processes for the preparation of the 21 residue protein component, (Lys-Leu4)4-Lys, of the pulmonary surfactant KL-4. These process are amenable to large scale synthesis and one process employs a method of saponifying an ester which reduces the inherent racemization of the α-carbon.
US08217141B2
The present invention relates to the crystalline and amorphous structures of SEQ ID NO:1 (FLPS), methods of making the same and use in treatment of various diseases and conditions.
US08217114B2
An aqueous coating resin composition comprising a water-dispersible nonionic resin (A) and a water-dispersible anionic core-shell resin (B), characterized in that the water-dispersible nonionic resin (A) contains a polyoxyalkylene group-containing polymerizable unsaturated monomer (a1) at 5-50 mass % of the total polymerizable unsaturated monomer used for production of the resin (A), and the water-dispersible anionic core-shell resin (B) contains an anionic group in the resin. It is possible to provide aqueous coating compositions exhibiting both satisfactory coating manageability and finished appearance.
US08217105B2
The invention describes a composition comprising a) a polyethylene, b) a sulfur-containing phenolic antioxidant, c) a migrating antistatic agent, and d) an organic peroxide. The composition is useful for the preparation of a crosslinked polyethylene as cable insulation of medium and high voltage cables with improved water tree resistance.
US08217101B2
A thermoplastic molding composition characterized by its flame retardance is disclosed. The composition contains A) aromatic poly(ester) carbonate having a weight-average molecular weight of at least 25,000, B) (co)polyester and C) graft (co)polymer having a core-shell morphology, comprising a grafted shell that contains polymerized alkyl(meth)acrylate and a composite rubber core that contains interpenetrated and inseparable polyorganosiloxane and poly(meth)alkyl acrylate where the weight ratio of polyorganosiloxane/poly(meth)alkylacrylate/grafted shell is 70-90/5-15/5-15, D) phosphorus-containing compound, E) fluorinated polyolefin and F) boron compound having average particle diameter of 2 to 10 microns.
US08217091B2
The present invention relates generally to a patch including a micro fiber glass and a polymeric binder, where the mixture forms an in situ porous patch that allows for active filtration after application to a leak or hole in an air filter. The mixture can be pressurized with a propellant within a housing prior to application to a leak or hole in an air filter. The mixture can also be applied manually to a leak or hole in an air filter, without the need to be pressurized with a propellant within a housing.
US08217090B2
In the elastomer porous material of the invention, when cells in a first observation region of a first cross section are observed at a certain magnification, cells having a shape factor SF2, which indicates the remoteness from complete roundness and is represented by the following formula: SF 2 = P 2 4 π A × 100 (wherein A represents the area of each cell, and P represents the perimeter length thereof), of 130 or less account for 80% or more of all cells in the first observation region, and, when cells in a second observation region of a second cross section orthogonal to the first cross section are observed at a certain magnification, cells having a shape factor SF2, which indicates the remoteness from complete roundness and is represented by the same formula (wherein A represents the area of each cell, and P represents the perimeter length thereof), of 130 or less account for 80% or more of all cells in the second observation region.
US08217087B1
An improved aerogel and a process for production of the same. The improved aerogel which has a significantly reduced dust (e.g., aerogel fines) and static charge, as compared with conventional aerogel products. The aerogel also has a “sticky” or “tacky” nature which can be used to attract any available dust, fines and/or particulate matter and also restrict flowability of aerogel granules, for example, out of a breached container and thereby minimize loss of the aerogel product through any breached opening.
US08217086B2
The present invention describes phenoxy-acetic acids and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same and methods of using the same. The phenoxy-acetic acids are activators of PPAR-δ and should be useful for treating conditions mediated by the same.
US08217085B2
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the use of compositions comprising methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and one or more therapeutic agents, for the treatment of drug-sensitive and drug resistant microorganisms. In several embodiments, such compositions are effective in treating drug resistant infectious diseases, for example, MRSA.
US08217081B2
A polymerizable biomedical composition includes a quaternary ammonium group bonded at its quaternary sites to respective groups R1, R2, R3, and R4. R1 and R2 each include a vinyl moiety such that the composition is at least bi-functional with respect to polymerization.
US08217073B2
Novel pyrrole derivatives are disclosed as Aβ42-lowering agents for the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the formation or accumulation of amyloid plaques comprising the Aβ42 peptide.
US08217072B2
The present invention is based on the discovery that certain fermentation products of the marine actinomycete strains CNB392 and CNB476 are effective inhibitors of hyperproliferative mammalian cells. The CNB392 and CNB476 strains lie within the family Micromonosporaceae, and the generic epithet Salinospora has been proposed for this obligate marine group. The reaction products produced by this strain are classified as salinosporamides, and are particularly advantageous in treating neoplastic disorders due to their low molecular weight, low IC50 values, high pharmaceutical potency, and selectivity for cancer cells over fungi.
US08217062B2
A topical composition comprising a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, a stiffening agent and a release modifier. The stiffening agent comprises a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid sorbitane ester, or a fatty acid glycerol ester, having a hydrocarbon chain containing 12 to 22 carbon atoms and having a melting point of about 45 to 750° C. The release modifier comprises a fatty alcohol, a fatty alcohol glycol ether, a fatty acid alkyl ester, a fatty acid glycerol ester, or a fatty acid sorbitane ester, having a hydrocarbon chain containing 12 to 18 carbon atoms and having a melting point of about −10 to 400° C. Use of such a composition for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a dermal or mucosal disorder, preferably an anorectal disorder associated with high anal pressure or anal sphincter spasm.
US08217061B2
Provided are sorafenib hemi-tosylate, polymorphs thereof, polymorphs of sorafenib tosylate, preparation thereof and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
US08217058B2
The present invention relates to certain substituted piperidino phenyloxazolidinones. Specifically, the invention relates to geminally disubstituted piperidino phenyloxazolidinones having antimicrobial activity with improved pharmacokinetic profile. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of compounds of the present invention, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of the present invention and the methods for treating or preventing microbial infections using the compounds of the present invention.
US08217055B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in claim 1; or a salt or N-oxide thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to processes for preparing compounds of formula (I), to methods of controlling plants and compositions comprising compounds of formula (I).
US08217052B2
The present disclosure relates to a series of substituted N-phenyl-bipyrrolidine carboxamides of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, m, n and p are as described herein. More specifically, the compounds of this invention are modulators of H3 receptors and are, therefore, useful as pharmaceutical agents, especially in the treatment and/or prevention of a variety of diseases modulated by H3 receptors including diseases associated with the central nervous system. Additionally, methods of preparation of substituted N-phenyl-bipyrrolidine carboxamides and intermediates therefore are disclosed.
US08217049B2
The use of type V phosphodiesterase inhibitors as a novel independent therapeutic modality in the treatment of exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage in equine is described. The type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor is injected into the horse intravenously as a stand-alone agent from about one-half hour to about seven (7) days prior to the onset of strenuous exercise.
US08217047B2
The invention provides diketopiperazines of formula I. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the diketopiperazines, or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof, as the active ingredient. The invention further provides therapeutic treatments that utilize the diketopiperazines of formula I, including inhibition of a proliferative disease or condition, inhibition of angiogenesis, treatment of an angiogenic disease or condition, treatment of cancer and precancerous conditions, treatment of a fibrotic disorder, treatment of a viral infection, treatment of an Akt-mediated disease or condition, inhibition of the production, release or both of matrix metalloproteinase-9, and inhibition of Akt activation.
US08217039B2
Intimate mixtures of aprepitant crystalline Form I and crystalline Form II, having specific weight ratios of the forms.
US08217038B2
The present invention provides novel pyrazolines that are useful as cannabinoid receptor blockers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of using the same for treating obesity, diabetes, inflammatory disorders, cardiometabolic disorders, hepatic disorders, and/or cancers.
US08217019B2
The present invention provides a vaccine containing a Sendai virus vector encoding a virus protein of an immunodeficiency virus. By intranasally administering a Sendai virus encoding a virus protein of an immunodeficiency virus to a macaque monkey, the present inventors have succeeded in efficiently inducing protective immunity against an immunodeficiency virus. As a result of intranasal inoculation of vaccine, expression of an antigen protein mediated by Sendai virus vector was detected in intranasal mucous membrane and local lymph nodes and antigen-specific cellular immune response was induced at a significant level. No pathological symptom by vaccination was observed. After vaccination, exposure of simian immunodeficiency virus was performed and the effect was examined. As a result, the amount of virus in plasma significantly decreased, compared with that of the control animal. The present invention provides a promising vaccine as an AIDS vaccine.
US08217017B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating the expression of growth factor gene. In particular, this invention relates to compounds, particularly oligonucleotide compounds, which, in preferred embodiments, hybridize with nucleic acid molecules encoding the Insulin Like Growth Factor I receptor (IGF-I receptor or IGF-IR) and in particular human IGF-IR. Such compounds are exemplified herein to modulate proliferation which is relevant to the treatment of proliferative and inflammatory skin disorders and cancer. It will be understood, however, that the compounds can be used for any other condition in which the IGF-IR is involved including inflammatory condition.
US08217016B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one mRNA comprising at least one coding region for at least one antigen from a tumour, in combination with an aqueous solvent and preferably a cytokine, e.g. GM-CSF, and a process for the preparation of the pharmaceutical composition. The pharmaceutical composition according to the invention is used in particular for therapy and/or prophylaxis against cancer.
US08217012B2
A peptide capable of specifically targeting apoptotic cells undergoing apoptosis and a use thereof is described. Peptides having an amino acid sequence represented by any one of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 12 targeted apoptotic cell. Uses for compositions comprising the peptides include detection of apoptotic cells drug delivery and imaging. The peptide of the present invention effectively detects apoptosis which is involved in tissues of neoplastic disease, myocardial infarction, stroke and arteriosclerosis. Accordingly, the peptide of the present invention may be bound to an imaging or treatment reagent to be used in diagnosis of diseases, imaging of drug reactions, and treatment for diseases by selective drug delivery.
US08216999B2
The present invention relates to macrocyclic compounds of formula (I) that are useful as inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease, their synthesis, and their use for treating or preventing HCV infections.
US08216995B2
A method and composition for treating a patient suffering from a disease, disorder or condition and associated pain include the administration to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin selected from a group consisting of Botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F and G.
US08216990B2
The present invention provides a composition. The composition comprises zinc and bismuth. The composition is for use in the protection of glassware in an automatic dishwashing process from detrimental effects caused by exposure to aluminum.
US08216986B2
A lubricant additive produced by the process comprising mixing a metal halide with an organophosphate, the metal halide participating as a reactant and reacting the metal halide and the organophosphate to produce a reaction mixture comprising the lubricant additive. Also disclosed is a lubricant produced by the process comprising forming a lubricant additive by reacting metal halide and organophosphate together to form a reaction mixture, the metal halide participating as a reactant, and adding at least a portion of the reaction mixture to a lubricant base.
US08216984B2
The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a mixture of a water-miscible silicone material and a water-miscible lubricant. The mixture can be applied in relatively low amounts, to provide thin, substantially non-dripping lubricating films. In contrast to dilute aqueous lubricants, the lubricants of the invention provide drier lubrication of the conveyors and containers, a cleaner conveyor line and reduced lubricant usage, thereby reducing waste, cleanup and disposal problems.
US08216983B2
The present invention provides a grease composition for use in a constant velocity joint, which is excellent in the resistance to flaking. The grease composition comprises the following components (a) to (d):(a) a base oil; (b) a thickener; (c) an organic molybdenum compound; and (d) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of oxides of divalent typical metals having a Mohs hardness lower than that of the steel and compounds of the foregoing divalent typical metals, which can immediately be converted into the corresponding oxides of these metals having a Mohs hardness lower than that of the steel under the boundary lubrication conditions. In particular, the present invention relates to a grease composition for use in a constant velocity joint, wherein the component (d) is zinc oxide or zinc carbonate and wherein the component (c) is molybdenum dithiocarbamate.
US08216981B2
A drilling fluid additive system is provided and the system comprises: syrup solids which are heated and/or hydrolyzed and then admixed with a liquid medium, and the syrup solids are derived from a group consisting essentially of agave syrup, barley syrup, sugar syrup, beets syrup, birch syrup, rice syrup, cane syrup, chocolate syrup, coconut syrup, corn syrup, date syrup, fruit syrup, golden syrup, high fructose corn syrup, karo syrup, citrus fruit syrup, maple syrup, molasses, Muscavado syrup, palm syrup, rice syrup, sorghum syrup, Turbinado syrup, vanilla syrup and mixtures and blends thereof.
US08216979B2
A method of manufacturing a superconducting thin film material includes a vapor phase step of forming a superconducting layer by a vapor phase method and a liquid phase step of forming a superconducting layer by a liquid phase method so that the latter superconducting layer is in contact with the former superconducting layer. Preferably, the method further includes the step of forming an intermediate layer between the former superconducting layer and a metal substrate. The metal substrate is made of a metal, and preferably the intermediate layer is made of an oxide having a crystal structure of any of rock type, perovskite type and pyrochlore type, and the former superconducting layer and the latter superconducting layer both have an RE123 composition. Accordingly, the critical current value can be improved.
US08216968B2
The invention relates to a coordination complex system comprising a ligand having at least two donor moieties, which are complexed to at least a metal selected from a transition metal and lanthanide, characterized in that the ligand comprises at least two building blocks, each having at least one functional group and at least one donor moiety, wherein one building block is non-covalently bonded through its functional group to a complementary functional group of another building block or of a template, wherein the template comprises at least one other functional group that is noncovalently bonded to a complementary functional group of another building block, and wherein all building blockemplate-building block structures are the same when the template contains more than two functional groups.
US08216964B2
The present invention addresses at least four different aspects relating to catalyst structure, methods of making those catalysts and methods of using those catalysts for making alkenyl alkanoates. Separately or together in combination, the various aspects of the invention are directed at improving the production of alkenyl alkanoates and VA in particular, including reduction of by-products and improved production efficiency. A first aspect of the present invention pertains to a unique palladium/gold catalyst or pre-catalyst (optionally calcined) that includes rhodium or another metal. A second aspect pertains to a palladium/gold catalyst or pre-catalyst that is based on a layered support material where one layer of the support material is substantially free of catalytic components. A third aspect pertains to a palladium/gold catalyst or pre-catalyst on a zirconia containing support material. A fourth aspect pertains to a palladium/gold catalyst or pre-catalyst that is produced from substantially chloride free catalytic components.
US08216963B2
A method for forming a cobalt-containing Fischer-Tropsch catalyst involves precipitating a cobalt oxy-hydroxycarbonate species by turbulent mixing, during which a basic solution collides with an acidic solution comprising cobalt. The method further involves depositing the cobalt oxy-hydroxycarbonate species onto a support material to provide a catalyst comprising cobalt and the support material. The support material comprises one or more of alumina, silica, magnesia, titania, zirconia, ceria-zirconia, and magnesium aluminate.
US08216961B2
Core-shell nanoparticles having a core material and a mesoporous silica shell, and a method for manufacturing the core-shell nanoparticles are provided.
US08216954B2
A high-temperature, heat-resistant fill material is disclosed. The high-temperature, heat-resistant fill material includes an alumina refractory waste material having one or more of a used alumina-magnesium-carbon material, a used high-alumina material and a used fused-grain alumina material is disclosed. A method for method for manufacturing a material is also disclosed.
US08216946B2
A patterning method has a mask layer and undoped patterns sequentially formed on a target layer. A doping process is performed to surfaces of the undoped patterns to form doped patterns from the surfaces of the undoped patterns. A material is filled in the gaps between the doped patterns. A portion of the doped patterns are then removed to expose the top surfaces of the remaining undoped patterns. The material and the exposed undoped patterns are removed. A portion of the mask layer is removed using the remaining doped patterns as a mask to form a first pattern on the mask layer. A portion of the target layer is removed using the mask layer having the first pattern thereon as a mask so as to form on the target layer a second pattern complementary to the first pattern.
US08216942B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprises forming a first film above a pattern forming material, patterning the first film to form a core material pattern, forming a second film above the pattern forming material so as to cover a side surface and an upper surface of the core material pattern, forming a third film above the second film as a protective material for the second film, etching the second and third films so that side wall sections including the second film and the third film are formed on both sides of the core material pattern and the second film and the third film of an area other than the side wall sections are removed, removing the core material pattern between the side wall sections, and transferring patterns corresponding to the side wall sections on the pattern forming material by using the side wall sections as a mask.
US08216939B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming openings. For instance, a construction may have a material over a plurality of electrically conductive lines. A plurality of annular features may be formed over the material, with the annular features crossing the lines. A patterned mask may be formed over the annular features, with the patterned mask leaving segments of the annular features exposed through a window in the patterned mask. The exposed segments of the annular features may define a plurality of openings, and such openings may be transferred into the material to form openings extending to the electrically conductive lines.
US08216927B2
By providing a protective layer in an intermediate manufacturing stage, an increased surface protection with respect to particle contamination and surface corrosion may be achieved. In some illustrative embodiments, the protective layer may be used during an electrical test procedure, in which respective contact portions are contacted through the protective layer, thereby significantly reducing particle contamination during a respective measurement process.
US08216922B2
Plasma doping is performed using a plasma made of a gas containing an impurity which will serve as a dopant. In this case, at least one of plasma generation high-frequency power and biasing high-frequency power is supplied in the form of pulses.
US08216905B2
The active pixel cell structures and methods of preparing such structures described above enable reduction of dark current and white cell counts for active pixel cells. The process of preparing active pixel cell structures introduces stress on the substrate, which could lead to increased dark current and white cell counts of active pixel cells. By depositing a stress layer as part of a pre-metal dielectric layer with a stress that counters the stress induced, both the dark current and the white cell counts can be reduced. If the transistors of the active pixel cells are NMOS, the carrier mobility can also be increased by a tensile stress layer. Raman Spectroscopy can be used to measure the stress exerted on the substrate prior to the deposition of the stress layer.
US08216895B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first and a second isolation insulating film to define a first, a second, a third and a fourth region, forming a first insulating film, implanting a first impurity of a first conductivity type through the first insulating film into the first, the second and the fourth region at a first depth, forming a second insulating film thinner than the first insulating film, implanting a second impurity of a second conductivity type through the second insulating film into the third region at a second depth in the semiconductor substrate, implanting a third impurity of the second conductivity type into the third region at a third depth shallower than the second depth, forming a first transistor of the first conductivity type in the third region, and forming a second transistor of the second conductivity type in the fourth region.
US08216894B2
A finFET structure is made by forming a fin (14), followed by a gate stack of gate dielectric (16), metal gate layer (18), polysilicon layer (20) and silicon-germanium layer (22). The gate stack is then patterned, and source and drain implants formed in the fin (14) away from the gate. The silicon germanium layer (22) is selectively etched away, a metal deposited over the gate, and silicidation carried out to convert the full thickness of the polysilicon layer (20) at the top of the fin. A region of unreacted polysilicon (38) may be left at the base of the fin and across the substrate.
US08216885B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor package includes providing a metallic leadframe having a plurality of cantilever leads and a mounting area for mounting a die, and disposing one or more non-conductive supports adjacent to a recessed surface of the cantilever leads to support the leads during die mount, wire bond, and encapsulation processes. The method further includes mounting the die in the mounting area and electrically connecting the die to the cantilever leads, and then encapsulating at least a portion of the die, the leadframe, and the supports with an encapsulant.
US08216884B2
A method of producing an electronic device having mounted thereon a microelectromechanical system element. The method includes forming a micromachine component and electronic component for operation of the micromachine component on a substrate to form the system element, and bonding to the substrate a lid covering an active surface of the substrate and provided with wiring patterns to define an operating space for the micromachine component and electrically connecting the electronic component and the wiring patterns of the lid at a bonded part of the substrate and the lid.
US08216865B2
A display device includes a gate pattern, a semiconductor pattern, a source pattern and a pixel electrode are provided. The gate pattern is formed on a base substrate and includes a gate line and a gate electrode. The semiconductor pattern is formed on the base substrate having the gate pattern and includes an oxide semiconductor. The source pattern is formed from a data metal layer and formed on the base substrate having the semiconductor pattern, and includes a data line, a source electrode and a drain electrode. The data metal layer includes a first copper alloy layer, and a lower surface of the data metal layer substantially coincides with an upper surface of the semiconductor pattern. The pixel electrode is formed on the base substrate having the source pattern and electrically connected to the drain electrode. Thus, manufacturing processes may be simplified, and reliability may be improved.
US08216857B2
A ferroelectric memory device includes a field effect transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, an interlayer insulation film formed on the semiconductor substrate so as to cover the field effect transistor, a conductive plug formed in the interlayer insulation film in contact with the first diffusion region, and a ferroelectric capacitor formed over the interlayer insulation in contact with the conductive plug, wherein the ferroelectric capacitor includes a ferroelectric film and upper and lower electrodes sandwiching the ferroelectric film respectively from above and below, the lower electrode being connected electrically to the conductive plug, a layer containing oxygen being interposed between the conductive plug and the lower electrode, a layer containing nitrogen being interposed between the layer containing oxygen and the lower electrode, a self-aligned layer being interposed between the layer containing nitrogen and the lower electrode.
US08216854B2
The present invention is directed to a system, device and method for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a fluid or matrix. A thermodynamically stabilized analyte binding ligand for use in the system, device and method is disclosed. The thermodynamically stabilized analyte binding ligand is resistant to degradation at physiological temperatures and its use within the device provides a minimally invasive sensor for monitoring the concentration of an analyte in a fluid or matrix as are present in the body of an animal.
US08216851B2
The present disclosure provides nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods for characterizing mixtures of N-linked glycans. Without limitation, methods of the present disclosure may be useful in characterizing monosaccharide composition, branching, fucosylation, sulfation, phosphorylation, sialylation linkages, presence of impurities and/or efficiency of a labeling procedure (e.g., labeling with a fluorophore such as 2-AB). In certain embodiments, the methods can be used quantitatively. In certain embodiments, the methods can be combined with enzymatic digestion to further characterize glycan mixtures.
US08216849B2
A method and kit for determining a concentration of iron in brake fluid when contacting a colorimetric reagent such that a color results. The level of iron can be used to determine the amount of active corrosion within a brake system and determine if special service procedures are required.
US08216842B2
The present invention provides methods of enhancing hybridoma fusion efficiencies through cell synchronization of the fusion partners, in order to aid in production of antibodies.
US08216841B2
Described herein are methods and media for facilitating somatic embryogenesis and for collecting, conditioning, and transferring the washed embryos onto a substrate and into an environment suitable for conditioning the embryos for a desired period of time so they become germination-competent for plant production. The described plant embryo cleaning apparatus and method are used for preparing multiple plant embryos for plant production. The apparatus and method can use a cleaning fluid source, a fluid-conditioning system, a fluid-delivery structure, a cleaning station, an outlet mechanism, a negative pressure source, and a controller.
US08216840B2
In one aspect, a method is provided for producing stratified cotyledonary conifer somatic embryos. The method comprises (a) incubating a culture comprising immature conifer somatic embryos in a culture vessel comprising a development medium having an osmolality in the range of from 300 mM/Kg to 450 mM/Kg at a temperature of from 22° C. to 25° C. for a first incubation period sufficient in length for at least a portion of the embryos to reach anatomical maturity; and (b) subjecting the embryos in the culture vessel in accordance with step (a) to a temperature of from 0° C. to 10° C. for a second incubation period of at least one week to produce stratified cotyledonary somatic embryos.
US08216832B2
Biohazard specimen collection containers are provided with an external disposable skin, that is stripped away and discarded after the biohazardous specimen is collected, thus reducing or eliminating objectionable or dangerous residues on the outside surfaces of the container. Further, we teach that the sample collection container with external disposable skin may also serve as an integrated microfluidic biosample processing and analytical device, thereby providing a single entry, disposable assay unit, kit and system for “world-to-result” clinical diagnostic testing. These integrated assay devices are provided with synergic, multiple safe-handling features for protecting healthcare workers who handle them. The modified collection containers and analytical devices find application, for example, in PCR detection of infectious organisms or pathogenic markers collected on a swab.
US08216822B2
Expression systems are disclosed for the direct expression of peptide products into the culture media where genetically engineered host cells are grown. High yield was achieved with a special selection of hosts, and/or fermentation processes which include careful control of cell growth rate, and use of an inducer during growth phase. Special universal cloning vectors are provided for the preparation of expression vectors which include control regions having multiple promoters linked operably with coding regions encoding a signal peptide upstream from a coding region encoding the peptide of interest. Multiple transcription cassettes are also used to increase yield. The production of amidated peptides using the expression systems is also disclosed.
US08216821B2
Methylotrophic or methanotrophic bacteria such as Methylobacterium are transformed with a gene of interest, and expression of the gene is regulated by means of a cumate repressor protein and an operator sequence which is operatively linked to the gene of interest, and the addition of an external agent. Specifically, the cymR repressor and cmt operator from Pseudomonas putida may serve to regulate gene expression in methylotrophic or methanotrophic bacteria with the addition of cumate.
US08216819B2
The present invention relates to a method for the production of onolytic adenoviruses having increased potency and their therapeutic applications for cancer. Recombinant adenoviruses and methods to produce them are provided.
US08216816B2
The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for engineering photoautotrophic organisms to convert carbon dioxide and light into fatty acid esters and other molecules, including biofuels. The molecules are then secreted by the organism into a growth medium.
US08216810B2
The present invention provides systems and methods for determining the presence or absence of one or more target nucleic acid sequences in a sample. Also provided are kits comprising these systems, and uses of these systems in such applications as determining the presence or absence of at least one target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, detecting microorganism transcripts and host transcripts, differentiating microorganism transcripts from host transcripts, screening blood products, assaying a food product for contamination, assaying a sample for environmental contamination, detecting genetically-modified organisms, biodefense, forensics, and genetic-comparability studies. The present invention further provides a complex that includes a target nucleic acid sequence, a capture nucleic acid, and a reporter nucleic acid.
US08216809B2
Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of elemental sulfur and optionally one or more alkylamine and/or one or more additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.
US08216801B2
Provided are methods of treating an inflammatory disorder in a subject, including administering to the subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition including a fruit, for example a grape, cell culture, cultured fruit cells, fruit cell culture extract, or cultured fruit cell extract, having an anti-inflammatory activity to treat the inflammatory disorder, wherein the inflammatory disorder is characterized by vascular endothelium dysfunction.
US08216791B2
Disclosed is a method for diagnosing and prognosing multiple sclerosis and more particularly to a method for diagnosing and prognosing multiple sclerosis by measuring levels of antibodies. The levels of IgM-type anti-Glc(α1,2)Glc(α) or Glc(α1,3)Glc(α) or Glc(α1,6)Glc(α) antibodies in serum act as diagnostic markers for MS disease and as prognostic biomarkers for the conversion of CIS patients suggestive of MS to clinically definite MS (CDMS) within 24 months.
US08216787B2
Methods and compositions for determining whether a subject will age without developing cognitive decline are provided. An exemplary method includes detecting one or more allelic variants in a gene encoding low density lipoprotein-related protein 1B. In a preferred embodiment, the detecting step is accomplished by contacting a sample obtained from the subject with a probe that forms a detectable complex with a nucleic acid in the sample containing an allelic variant indicative of aging without developing cognitive decline, wherein detection of the allelic variant in the sample indicates that the subject will age without developing cognitive decline.
US08216786B2
Genetic polymorphisms associated with cardiovascular diseases, methods of detection and uses thereof
The present invention provides compositions and methods based on genetic polymorphisms that are associated with cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary heart disease (especially myocardial infarction) or hypertension. For example, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, variant proteins encoded by these nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and variant proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid molecules and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection.
US08216784B2
The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods of diagnosis of cancer or adverse pregnancy outcomes in a subject by measuring amounts of one or more microRNAs present in cancer-derived exosomes isolated from a biological sample from the subject.
US08216783B2
This disclosure provides tyrosine kinase protein and nucleic acid variants, particularly FGFR4 variants, which are linked to increased risk of tumor metastasis. The disclosure further provides methods of diagnosis and prognosis, and development of new therapeutic agents using these molecules and fragments thereof, and kits for employing these methods and compositions.
US08216770B2
Disclosed is a resin composition including a cardo resin. Exemplary resin compositions can include (a) a cardo resin having a structural unit represented by Formula 1, (b) a reactive unsaturated compound, (c) an initiator, and (d) a solvent, wherein each R1 and R2 is independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a C1-C5 alkyl group, R3 is a vinyl, acryl or methacryl group, Z represents the residue of an acid anhydride or dianhydride, X is —CO—, —SO2—, —C(CF3)2—, —Si(CH3)2—, —CH2—, —C(CH3)2—, —O—, (R4═H, Et, C2H4Cl, C2H4OH, CH2CH═CH2 or Ph), and k is integer from 1 to 40. Further disclosed is a color filter which includes a fine pattern formed using the composition. The color filter can exhibit superior resistance to heat and chemicals, improved developability, and good adhesiveness.
US08216768B2
A photoacid generator, which shows very high sensitivity in the near ultraviolet range of about 300 to 400 nm, and also can remarkably increase a reaction rate of a photoreactive composition using the same, and a photoreactive composition which can initiate the reaction even by irradiation with near ultraviolet light within a short time and also can obtain a desired reaction product. A dithienyl sulfide disulfonium salt represented by the formula (A1): a dithienyl sulfide sulfonium salt represented by the formula (B1): and a phenylthiothiophene sulfonium salt represented by the formula (C1):
US08216767B2
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate; forming a first material layer over the substrate; forming a second material layer over the first material layer, wherein the second material layer comprises a photodegradable base material; and exposing at least a portion of the second material layer.
US08216765B2
The present disclosure provides a reusable and reimageable medium including a substrate coated with a photochromic polymer. The photochromic polymer has a glass transition temperature ranging from 30° C. to 150° C., such as from about 30° C. to about 100° C., and the coated substrate converts to a colored state when both UV light and temperatures ranging from 30° C. up to 100° C. are applied to the coated substrate. The present disclosure also provides a method for producing and using the reusable and reimageable medium.
US08216764B2
A positive resist composition including a resin component (A) which exhibits increased alkali solubility under action of acid and an acid-generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure, the resin component (A) including a structural unit (a1) derived from an acrylate ester having a tertiary alkyl ester-type acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group containing an aliphatic monocyclic group and/or an aliphatic branched, tertiary alkyl ester-type acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group, and the acid-generator component (B) including an acid generator (B1) having a cation moiety represented by general formula (b′-1) shown below: wherein each of R1 and R2 independently represents a naphthyl group which may have a substituent; and R3 represents an alkyl group or an aryl group exclusive of a naphthyl group.
US08216760B2
There is provided a method for producing resinous particles, containing: melting a mixture containing a binder resin and at least one additive having a melting point lower than T1/2 of the binder resin so as to prepare a molten material; atomizing resinous particles from the molten material in an atmosphere having a temperature higher than Tg of the binder resin and lower than 3 times of T1/2 of the binder resin; retaining the resinous particles in an atmosphere having a temperature higher than Tg of the binder resin, and lower than 1.5 times of T1/2 of the binder resin for 1 s to 15 s; and cooling and solidifying the resinous particles. There is also provided a method for producing resinous particles containing: melting the mixture so as to prepare a molten material; increasing a specific surface of the molten material in an atmosphere having a temperature higher than Tg of the binder resin, and lower than 3 times of T1/2 of the binder resin, so as to form a precursor; retaining the precursor in an atmosphere having a temperature higher than Tg of the binder resin, and lower than 1.5 times of T1/2 of the binder resin for 1 ms to 10 ms; cooling and solidifying the precursor; and atomizing resinous particles from the precursor.
US08216749B2
A curable composition and a negative type color filter including a compound represented by the following formula (1). A is a residue of a five-membered heterocyclic diazo component A-NH2. B1 and B2 are each —CR1═, —CR2═ or N. R5 and R6 are each H, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group or the like. G, R1 and R2 are each H, a halogen, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group or the like. R1 and R5, or R5 and R6 may be bonded with each other to form a five-membered or six-membered ring.
US08216747B2
Problem: There is a demand for a phase shift mask that makes it possible to decrease the film thickness of the phase shift film, can satisfy the requirement relating to pattern accuracy, without collapsing the OPC pattern, and enables control of optical characteristics and pattern defect inspection, and also for a phase shift mask blank as an original plate for such a phase shift mask.Means for solving the problems: A phase shift mask blank of the present invention has, on a transparent substrate, a phase shift film including, as main components, a metal, silicon (Si) and nitrogen (N), having optical characteristics of a transmittance of equal to or greater than 9% and equal to or less than 30% with respect to a wavelength of the ArF excimer laser beam and a phase difference of equal to or greater than 150° and less than 180°, and a light-shielding film formed on the phase shift film. A thickness of the phase shift film is equal to or less than 80 nm, and a refractive index (n) with respect to the wavelength of the ArF excimer laser beam is equal to or greater than 2.3, and an extinction coefficient (k) is equal to or greater than 0.28.
US08216743B2
A fuel cell system including, among other things, one or more of a fuel cell, a fuel reservoir, a current collecting circuit, a plenum, or a system cover. The fuel reservoir is configured to store fuel, and may include a regulator for controlling an output fuel pressure and a refueling port. A surface of the fuel reservoir may be positioned adjacent a first fuel cell portion. The current collecting circuit is configured to receive and distribute fuel cell power and may be positioned adjacent a second fuel cell portion. The plenum may be formed when the fuel reservoir and the first fuel cell portion are coupled or by one or more flexible fuel cell walls. The system cover allows air into the system and when combined when a fuel pressure in the plenum, may urge contact between the fuel cell and the current collecting circuit.
US08216739B2
A support wafer made of silicon wafer comprising, on a first surface a porous silicon layer having protrusions, porous silicon pillars extending from the porous silicon layer to the second surface of the wafer, in front of each protrusion. Layers constituting a fuel cell can be formed on the support wafer.
US08216735B2
A thermal management system for high-temperature fuel cell mainly comprises a first mixer to introduce external fuel to a reformer, a reformer to adjust the gaseous fuel to a proper composition ratio and output the fuel to the anode input of the fuel cell, a second mixer to introduce external ambient air to the cathode input of the fuel cell, a cathode thermal cycle pipeline to deliver the high-temperature air from the cathode output of the fuel cell to pass through the second mixer and the reformer and also heat the second mixer and the reformer to recover the heat, an anode thermal cycle pipeline to introduce the water steam from the anode output of fuel cell, remaining fuel and thermal energy to the first mixer to mix with incoming fuel, and provide sufficient water-to-carbon ratio and the inlet temperature required for the reformer.
US08216726B2
A battery is provided. The battery includes an electrolytic solution, a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The negative electrode has a negative electrode active material layer containing a carbon material and having a thickness per one face of 70 μm or more and not more than 120 μm. The electrolytic solution contains a solvent containing 15% by mass or more and not more than 30% by mass of a cyclic carbonate represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 to R4 each independently represents hydrogen, a halogen, an alkyl group or a halogenated alkyl group. A mass content ratio (B/A) of a halogenated cyclic carbonate (B % by mass) contained in the cyclic carbonate (A % by mass) which is represented by the formula (1) being from 0.5 to 1.0.
US08216723B2
A polymer electrolyte; and an electrochemical device utilizing the polymer electrolyte. In accordance with the diffusion of cell-phone and other portable information devices and in accordance with the recent-year development of new use of power source for hybrid electric automobile, etc., enhanced reliability is increasingly demanded on electrochemical devices, such as battery, for use as the power source thereof. Although generally a liquid electrolyte is employed in electrochemical devices, the liquid electrolyte is likely to induce trouble, such as liquid leakage, presenting a major factor for reliability loss. Accordingly, use of a polymer electrolyte in place of the liquid electrolyte to attain an enhancement of reliability is being studied. However, conventional polymer electrolytes have had the problem that it is difficult to simultaneously satisfy ion conductivity and reliability. The problem has been solved by the use of polymer electrolyte (5) having a ketonic carbonyl group wherein the weight ratio of the ketonic carbonyl group is in the range of 15 to 50 wt % based on the weight of the polymer material.
US08216720B2
A negative electrode for a lithium secondary cell having a collector composed of an electroconductive metal foil and, provided on the surface thereof, an active material layer containing active material particles containing silicon and/or a silicon alloy and a binder, characterized in that the binder has mechanical characteristics of a tensile strength of 50 N/mm2 or more, an elongation at break of 10% or more, a strain energy density of 2.5×10−3 J/mm3 or more and a coefficient of elasticity of 10000 N/mm2 or less, and preferably characterized in that the collector has mechanical characteristics of a tensile strength of 80 N/mm2 or more, a proportional limit 30 N/mm2 or more, an elongation at break of 1.0% or more and an elastic elongation limit of 0.03% or more.
US08216718B2
An anode is provided as one capable of suppressing rapid entrance/exit of lithium ions during quick charge-discharge and ensuring sufficient safety in use as an anode of a lithium-ion secondary battery. The anode is an anode for lithium-ion secondary battery having a current collector, and an active material-containing layer formed on the current collector, wherein the active material-containing layer is comprised of an outermost layer disposed on the farthest side from the current collector, and a lower layer composed of at least one layer disposed between the outermost layer and the current collector, and wherein a degree of flexion of the outermost layer is larger than a degree of flexion of the lower layer.
US08216717B2
A temperature regulating cover for use on an electrical energy storage cell that may produce heat at a hot spot during a short circuit condition. The cover includes a first layer of thermally conductive material that is shaped to conform to an outer surface of the electrical energy storage cell and spreads heat from the hot spot over surface area that is larger than the hot spot. The cover also includes a second layer of thermally insulating material that is shaped to conform to an outer surface of the first layer and that retards heat flow to an outer surface of the second layer.
US08216712B1
A battery includes an anode and a cathode. An electrolyte material is disposed between the anode and the cathode. A separator is disposed between the anode and the cathode. The separator comprises an anodized metal oxide layer haying substantially straight and parallel through-pores, wherein the anodized metal oxide of the porous anodized metal oxide layer is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, niobium oxide, tungsten oxide, tantalum oxide, and hafnium oxide.
US08216710B2
A battery holding mechanism for holding a battery in a portable electronic device, includes a bearing unit, a connecting unit connected to the bearing unit and an operating unit connected to the connecting unit. The bearing unit includes a bearing board for bearing the battery assembled in the portable electronic device thereon and an assembling component formed on the bearing board for assembling the bearing unit to the portable electronic device. The operating unit is configured for being operated to move the connecting unit and the bearing unit, thereby detaching the battery placed on the bearing board from the portable electronic device.
US08216705B2
A lithium rechargeable battery in which an anti-rotation groove is integrally formed with a lower recess of a safety vent at a lower surface of a cap plate, and an insulating plate and a terminal plate rest in the anti-rotation groove so that the terminal plate is prevented from rotating when a cap assembly is assembled is provided. In addition, instead of the anti-rotation groove, a resting recess is formed on a lower surface of the cap plate, and the insulating plate and the terminal plate rest in the resting recess, so that the terminal plate is prevented from rotating when the cap assembly is assembled.
US08216694B2
A coating composition for zinc- and zinc alloy-coated steel sheets includes: 1 to 30% by weight of hypophosphorous acid, 0.1 to 10% by weight of manganese, 0.01 to 5% by weight of a polyvinyl compound, zinc oxide and the balance of water, and further comprises 20% by weight or less of alcohol, when necessary, wherein the zinc oxide is included in such a content that, when 50 Ml (milliliters) of the coating composition is neutralized and titrated with 0.1N NaOH, the NaOH used for the neutralization titration is present in an amount of 10.0 Ml (milliliters) or less, and a content of free acid in the coating composition is adjusted to such an amount that, when 50 Ml (milliliters) of the coating composition is neutralized and titrated with 0.1N NaOH, the NaOH used for the neutralization titration is present in an amount of 10.0 Ml (milliliters) or less. The coating film formed on the steel sheet using the coating composition shows excellent properties such as lubricating property, adhesion and coating removal property, and also has a fine surface appearance.
US08216688B2
In a dyeing method of an aluminum-based member, a first color forming material is held in a hole of a first region of an anodized film, a second color forming material is held in holds of a second region that is smaller than the first region by diagonally spraying, When the second colored layer is formed, a gradation region is formed in a boundary with the first region and the second region, and the hole are closed.
US08216687B2
An article has a metallic substrate having a first emissivity. A thermal barrier coating atop the substrate may have an emissivity that is a substantial fraction of the first emissivity.
US08216686B2
A dendrimer according to example embodiments may include a triphenylamine core, wherein a conjugated dendron having no heteroatoms is coupled to the triphenylamine core. An organic memory device according to example embodiments may include an organic active layer between a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the organic active layer includes the dendrimer according to example embodiments. A barrier layer may be provided between the first and second electrodes. A method of manufacturing the organic memory device according to example embodiments may include forming an organic active layer between a first electrode and a second electrode, the organic active layer including the dendrimer according to example embodiments.
US08216685B2
The present invention relates to buffer bilayers, and their use in electronic devices. The bilayer has a first layer including (i) at least one electrically conductive polymer doped with at least one non-fluorinated polymeric acid and (ii) at least one highly-fluorinated acid polymer. The bilayer has a second layer including a metal which can be one or more transition metals, Group 13 metals, Group 14 metals, or lanthanide metals.
US08216682B2
A moisture curable acrylic formulation is provided inclusive of a majority by weight polyacrylic prepolymer. The prepolymer has an average molecular weight of between 3,000 and 6,000 grams per mole and between 2 and 4 moisture curable functional moieties of isocyanate or silane per prepolymer. A thermoplastic adhesive resin is also included within the formulation. When the prepolymer functional moieties are all silane, the thermoplastic adhesive resin is ethylene vinyl acetate resin. A silane molecule is provided within the formulation as an adhesion promoter and also affords a degree of storage stability through sacrificial reaction with water during storage. The resultant formulation achieves a shear strength of at least 10 pounds per square inch when applied to a thickness of 0.75 millimeters between a glass substrate and a vinyl article 15 minutes after application at 120° Celsius in ambient atmospheric air. The formulation is well suited for the formation of a window assembly when applied intermediate between a substrate and a window article.
US08216678B2
A system for providing temporary durable protective coatings onto surfaces of building construction elements, and for controllably removing said temporary protective coatings from said surfaces. The system comprises coating compositions configured to provide pliable resilient yet durable temporary protective coverings on surfaces of building construction elements, stripping compositions configured to at least partially dissolve the temporary protective coverings, and methods for use of said coating compositions and said stripping compositions. The coating compositions are provided with at least a first component comprising a film-forming carboxylic-acid-containing polymer, a second component comprising a plasticizer chemically compatible with the first component, a third component comprising a grafting polymer suitable for forming cross-linking bonds between the first and second components, a fourth component comprising a solvent chemically suitable for solubilizing therein said first, second and third components, and a fifth component comprising a surfactant.
US08216677B2
In an embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) comprises a cemented carbide substrate including a first cemented carbide portion exhibiting a first concentration of chromium carbide and a second cemented carbide portion bonded to the first cemented carbide portion and exhibiting a second concentration of chromium carbide that is greater than the first concentration. The PDC further comprises a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to the first cemented carbide portion. The PCD table includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains exhibiting diamond-to-diamond bonding therebetween, with the plurality of bonded diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table includes chromium present in a concentration less than about 0.25 weight %.
US08216672B2
In one embodiment the present invention provides for a high thermal conductivity highly structured resin that comprises a host highly structured resin matrix, and a high thermal conductivity filler 30. The high thermal conductivity fillers are from 1-1000 nm in length, and high thermal conductivity fillers have an aspect ratio of between 3-100. Particular highly structured highly structured resins include at least one of liquid crystal 40 polymers, interpenetrating networks, dendrimer type matrices, expanding polymers, ladder polymers, star polymers and structured organic-inorganic hybrids 60.
US08216666B2
An ink-printed substrate comprising a substrate and water-based ink composition printed on the substrate, wherein the ink-printed substrate has an average crockfastness of at least about 2.5 or greater.
US08216655B2
An optical information recording medium is provided and includes a supporting substrate, a light-transmissive protective layer, information recording layers, and at least one interlayer transparent to a laser beam having a wavelength of 400 to 410 nm. Among the information recording layers, one or a plurality of information recording layers other than the information recording layer closest to the supporting substrate each function as a semi-transmissive information recording layer that transmits the laser beam. Some or all of the one or the plurality of semi-transmissive information recording layer include, from the laser beam incident side, a first dielectric portion having a refractive index of 2.4 or more for the wavelength of the laser beam, a recording material portion having a thickness of at least 5.2 nm, a second dielectric portion, a metal portion having a thickness of at least 7 nm, and a third dielectric portion in that order.
US08216640B2
A method of making a showerhead for a semiconductor processing apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate; forming first holes in the substrate; forming a protective film on the substrate, where the protective film covers sidewalls of the first holes; and forming second holes in the substrate, where a part of the protective film within the first holes is removed. In another embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate; forming islands on the substrate; forming a protective film on the substrate, where the protective film does not cover the tops of the islands; and forming holes in the islands.
US08216637B2
An apparatus comprising a planar optical waveguide having an optical core and optical cladding next to the optical core. The optical core or cladding includes a plurality of particles therein. Each particle has a nucleus and polymeric molecules permanently bonded to the nucleus to form a shell. A plurality of nuclei are dispersed in said core or cladding.
US08216629B2
This invention relates to a method of making an intraocular lens insertion device comprising a lubricious insertion tip assembly and to the device itself.
US08216626B1
Dehydrated potato pellets are made by preparing an aqueous mixture of dried potato pieces, an emulsifier, and oil, and, optionally, a freshly cooked potato, homogenizing the mixture to produce a pumpable, flowable aqueous dispersion, mixing the dispersion with more dried potato pieces and, optionally, freshly cooked potatoes, forming the mixture into pellets, and drying them.
US08216623B2
The present invention discloses formulations and methods for making an infused nut snack. Ingredient formula ranges and processing steps are disclosed that provide improved flavor, texture and appearance with the use of an aqueous flavoring solution applied to the nuts under vacuum conditions. The infused nuts are oil or dry roasted and then minimally topically flavored.
US08216616B2
A salivary substitute is produced from egg white so as to have chemical, rheological and physiological properties that are analogous to those of natural human saliva. A packaging containing the salivary substitute and uses of the salivary substitute are also disclosed.
US08216613B2
A pellet or pellets having an average particle size in the range from 300 to 1,100 μm, comprising a pharmaceutically active substance embedded in a polymer matrix of one or more water-insoluble polymers, wherein the polymer matrix additionally contains 10 to 90% by weight of an anionic polymer and with the proviso that the pellets release no more than 10% of the active compound contained in the release test according to USP in artificial gastric juice at pH 1.2 after 120 min and release at least 50% of the active compound contained after altogether a further 300 min at pH 6.8 and/or pH 7.5.
US08216612B2
Embolization, as well as related particles, compositions, and methods, are disclosed.
US08216610B2
The present invention relates generally to formulations comprising paracetamol. More particularly, the present invention provides a swallow formulation comprising paracetamol which facilitates the rapid delivery of paracetamol into the circulatory system following oral administration. The present invention further relates to methods for inducing efficient pain relief including an analgesic effect by the administration of the paracetamol formulation.
US08216599B2
A method of treating inflammation, an inflammatory condition, or AIDS-associated neurological disorder in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method includes administering to said subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of substantially purified hydroxytyrosol or a substantially purified mixture of hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein. Also disclosed are compositions for use in practicing the method.
US08216598B2
The present invention deals with an alternative interfacial polymerization process of microencapsulation, microcapsule's produced thereof, microencapsulated agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, catalysts and phase transfer materials, and formulations thereof, by means of microcapsules and starting materials with much lower toxicological profile than customary microencapsulation materials, and with the participation of acetylene carbamide derivatives in the final structure of the microcapsules' wall.
US08216597B2
The present invention provides: an oil-in-water emulsion composition, into which an oil-soluble drug is stably incorporated and which is excellent in feeling during use; and a method for producing the aforementioned composition, which does not require complicated operations. An oil-in-water emulsion composition comprising; (A) a polyoxyethylene phytosterol, (B) a glycerin fatty acid diester, (C) a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene random copolymer dialkyl ether, (D) an oil-soluble drug, (E) oil, and (F) water; wherein a layered gel structure composed of the components (A) and (B) is present in an emulsion particle in the emulsion composition.
US08216590B2
The invention provides HCV fusion polypeptides including truncated or full-length HCV NS5 polypeptides, and a portion of the HCV NS2 polypeptide, fused to at least one other HCV epitope derived from another region of the HCV polyprotein. The fusions can be used in methods of stimulating an immune response to HCV, for example a cellular immune response to HCV, such as activating hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cells, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The method can be used in model systems to develop HCV-specific immunogenic compositions, as well as to immunize against HCV.
US08216588B2
The present invention aims to provide a freeze-dried preparation in which the influenza vaccine exhibits improved stability.A freeze-dried preparation in which the influenza vaccine exhibits significantly improved stability can be obtained by freeze-drying an aqueous solution that meets the following conditions (A) to (C): (A) (i) an influenza vaccine, (ii) a hydrophobic amino acid, and (iii) arginine and an acid addition salt thereof are incorporated; (B) the proportion of the component (iii) is from 20 to 85% by weight relative to the total amount of the resulting freeze-dried preparation; and (c) the pH is adjusted to be from 8 to 10 by controlling the proportion of arginine and an acid addition salt thereof that form the component (iii).
US08216583B2
A liquid aqueous pharmaceutical formulation is described which has a high protein concentration, a pH of between about 4 and about 8, and enhanced stability.
US08216582B2
The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences which are differentially expressed in cancer cells compared to normal cells. The present invention more particularly relates to the use of these sequences in the diagnosis, prognosis or treatment of cancer and in the detection of cancer cells.
US08216580B2
Novel sulfatases and polypeptides related thereto, as well as nucleic acid compositions encoding the same, are provided. The subject polypeptides and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of applications, including various diagnostic and therapeutic agent screening applications. Also provided are methods of inhibiting tumor-induced angiogenesis and methods of treating disease conditions associated therewith, particularly by administering an inhibitor of a subject sulfatase.
US08216579B2
The present invention relates to humanized FcγRIIB antibodies, fragments, and variants thereof that bind human FcγRIIB with a greater affinity than said antibody binds FcγRIIA. The invention encompasses the use of the humanized antibodies of the invention for the treatment of any disease related to loss of balance of Fc receptor mediated signaling, such as cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory disease. The invention provides methods of enhancing the therapeutic effect of therapeutic antibodies by administering the humanized antibodies of the invention to enhance the effector function of the therapeutic antibodies. The invention also provides methods of enhancing the efficacy of a vaccine composition by administering the humanized antibodies of the invention. The invention encompasses methods for treating an autoimmune disease and methods for elimination of cancer cells that express FcγRIIB.
US08216578B2
The invention provides characterization of the disease and cancer-associated antigen, OSM-R.beta. The invention also provides modulators of OSM-R.beta, including a family of monoclonal antibodies that bind to antigen OSM-R.beta, and methods of diagnosing and treating various human cancers and diseases associated with OSM-R.beta.
US08216576B2
The invention provides an isolated protein which is a member of the TNF ligand superfamily and comprising: i) a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of FIG. 1; or ii) a variant of the polypeptide of i).
US08216575B2
Described herein are novel soluble chimeric fusion proteins comprising amino acid sequences derived from the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors flt-1 and KDR, including domain 4 of KDR. The claimed chimeric fusion proteins antagonize the endothelial cell proliferative and angiogenic activity of VEGF and are useful in the treatment of neovascularization-related disease.
US08216564B2
Pharmaceutical compositions including a herpes simplex virus derived composite oncolytic vector are provided for the treatment of solid tumors in an individual. The HSV-derived composite oncolytic vector includes an HSV-derived amplicon defective viral genome carrying at least one toxic foreign gene, and an HSV-derived mutant helper virus vector that has a mutation in the vhs-1 gene. An HSV-derived mutant helper virus vector that has a mutation in the vhs-1 gene is also provided. A method for the treatment of an individual having a solid tumor is provided and includes administering an HSV-derived amplicon defective viral genome including at least one toxic foreign gene, and an HSV-derived mutant helper virus vector including a mutation in the vhs-1 gene.
US08216563B2
Novel methods of determining efficacy of a treatment of inflammatory diseases of the bowel in mammals are provided. The methods are of use in screening and determining the efficacy of treatments of inflammatory diseases of the bowel, and for determining the efficacy response of individual sufferers of inflammatory diseases of the bowel to a given regime. Kits for carrying out the method are also provided.
US08216547B2
The present invention is directed to radiolabelled ligands, useful for the labeling and imaging of TRP M8 (transient receptor potential M8 channel) functionality. The present invention is further directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the radiolabelled ligands and methods for the preparation of the radiolabelled ligands.
US08216536B2
The present disclosure is directed towards methods of making titanium diboride products in various sizes. An aspect of the method provides (a) selecting a target average particle size for a target titanium diboride product; (b) selecting at least one processing variable from the group consisting of: an amount of sulfur, an inert gas flow rate, a soak time, and a reaction temperature; (c) selecting a condition of the processing variable based upon the target average particle size; and (d) producing an actual titanium diboride product having an actual average particle size using the at least one processing variable, wherein due to the at least one processing variable, the actual average particle size corresponds to the target average particle size.
US08216528B2
A sample preparation kit is described, a representative one of which includes: a tissue container for containing tissue from a living body and comprising a convex part on an inner bottom of the container; and a crushing tool for crushing the tissue contained in the tissue container by using the convex part.
US08216519B2
A hotplate chemical trace detector comprising a heatable conducting plate with a heater element having a predetermined temperature-power characteristic. A balancing circuit comprises an adjustable resistor for tuning the heater element to a predefined resistor value. A processor is provided for adjusting the adjustable resistor so as to provide a stabilized temperature in said heatable conducting plate and a detection circuit is provided for detecting a change of resistance in the heatable conducting plate in accordance with the presence of a chemical trace reacting in the presence of the conducting plate. According to the invention a test circuit is provided for measuring a dissipated power in the heater element and for calculating a real temperature from the dissipated power in the heater element based on the predetermined temperature-power characteristic.
US08216518B2
A plasmon resonance sensing system includes a light source, a waveguide component and a photon detector. The light source provides an incident light. The waveguide component has a tubular internal wall and a noble metal nanoparticle layer disposed on the tubular internal wall and contacted with a desired testing matter. The waveguide component is made of a light transmitting material for guiding the incident light to have an interaction with the noble metal nanoparticle layer. The photon detector detects an emergent light exiting the waveguide component after the interaction of the noble metal nanoparticle layer with the desired testing matter. The system further includes a first optical fiber installed between the light source and the waveguide component for transmitting the incident light to the waveguide component, a lens and a second optical fiber. The lens collects and transmits the emergent light to the photon detector through the second optical fiber.
US08216517B2
A control system includes an estimator configured to determine a present state of a device and compare the present state of the device with an expected state of the device. The control system further includes a predictor operatively coupled to the estimator, and configured to predict an event for execution by the device to reach the expected state of the device. The control system also includes a supervisory control unit operatively coupled to the predictor and the device, and configured to facilitate execution of the predicted event by the device.
US08216513B2
A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.
US08216505B2
A method manufactures solid ink sticks by forming a solid ink paste and injecting the paste into a mold having internal cavities. The solid ink paste can be formed by mixing liquid ink and solid ink in a barrel of an injection molding machine. The liquid ink is formed by melting solid ink particulates in the barrel with a heated conveyor and the solid ink particulates are maintained in a solid phase by cooling a portion of the barrel. Movement produced by the heated conveyor mixes the liquid ink and the solid ink in an area between the cooled portion of the barrel and the heated conveyor.
US08216503B2
A method for manufacturing a printed circuit board, in which an oxidant capable of polymerizing conductive polymers is selectively marked on a board using imprinting, and the monomer of a conductive polymer is filled in the selected pattern and polymerized, to provide a conductive polymer wiring pattern. With the method for manufacturing a printed circuit board, a printed circuit board can be given finer wiring widths to allow a highly integrated, highly efficient printed circuit board. Thus, a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit boards (FPCB) can be manufactured that is applicable to industrial, clerical, and domestic electric electronic products, by forming conductive polymer wiring using imprinting.
US08216501B2
Implementations of the present invention relate to a molded part, in particular a decorative part and/or a trim part for the passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising a support of plastic, a decorative layer and a ductile insert of ductile material. According to implementations of the present invention, the ductile material for forming the ductile insert is or comprises a nonmetallic mat, in particular a textile mat or a prepreg mat. Implementations of the present invention also relate to an injection molding process and a compression molding process for producing molded parts, in particular decorative parts and/or trim parts for the passenger compartment of a vehicle, the molded parts comprising a support of plastic, a decorative layer and a ductile insert of ductile material.
US08216499B2
A structural filler is installed in a gap between at least first and second composite members by extruding a flowable filler material, placing the extruded filler on one of the composite structural members, and assembling the composite members.
US08216490B2
This invention provides an aqueous primer composition which comprises (A) an aqueous dispersion of modified polyolefin which comprises an unsaturated carboxylic acid- or acid anhydride-modified polyolefin (a) having a melting point of 120° C. or lower and a weight average molecular weight of 30,000 to 180,000, dispersed in an aqueous medium, (B) an ionic functional group-containing acrylic resin, and (C) a conductive carbon-containing pigment, and which forms a coating film with an L value of 35 or more and a surface resistivity of 1×108Ω/□ or less.
US08216489B2
The invention provides a liquid crystal compound represented by the following formula having stability to heat, light and so forth, a wide temperature range of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy and a suitable elastic constant K33 (K33: bend elastic constant), and further having a suitable and negative dielectric anisotropy and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, and provides a liquid crystal composition including the compound, wherein R1 and R2 are hydrogen, alkyl or the like, ring A1 is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or the like, L1 to L4 are hydrogen or fluorine, and at least three of them are fluorine; when the ring A1 is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or the like, Z1 is a single bond, —(CH2)2— or the like, when ring A1 is 1,4-phenylene, Z1 is —(CH2)2— or the like.
US08216485B2
A plasma etching method etches an organic film formed on a target substrate by using a plasma of a processing gas via a silicon-containing mask. The processing gas is a gaseous mixture of an oxygen-containing gas, a rare gas and a carbon fluoride gas. A computer-executable control program controls a plasma etching apparatus to perform the plasma etching method. A computer-readable storage medium stores therein a computer-executable control program.
US08216480B2
Methods to manufacture metal nanopins and metal oxide nanopins are disclosed. Metal nanopins are fabricated on a metal foil by capillaritron plasma source dry etching. The aspect ratio and the density of metal nanopins are controlled by adjusting the temperature of the metal foil during ion beam dry etching. The end radius of metal nanopins less than 10 nm and the aspect ratio of metal nanopins between 25 and 30 can be achieved. Besides, metal oxide nanopins are fabricated by ion implantation and thermal oxidation. The metal foil is implanted with ions and then thermally oxidized to form the metal oxide nanopins. It shows that the metal oxide nanopins fabricated with oxygen implantation exhibit better field emission properties.
US08216476B2
A method for removing phosphorus includes at least the steps of: 1) placing lanthanum oxide hydrate (absorbent) into a device for removing phosphorus, and allowing sewage having a phosphorus content of less than 100 mg/L to flow through the device; 2) adding sodium hydroxide (regeneration solution of the absorbent) when the absorption capacity of the device is exhausted, and allowing the regeneration reaction to proceed for between 4 and 12 hours; and 3) collecting eluate from step 2) and recycling phosphorus.
US08216472B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating a liquid to extract at least one of carbon, sulphur, nitrogen or phosphate from liquids such as waste water. Preferably, the invention is employed to remove nitrogen from waste water. In an alternate for the invention provides a wastewater treatment system.
US08216469B2
A filter device includes a plurality of filter elements (21) received in a filter housing having a filter inlet for a fluid to be filtered and a filter outlet for the filtered fluid. Flow through the filter elements (21) is possible in both directions for filtration or backwashing. Because the shut-off element (41) is a fast-closing plate valve (43) actuated by a hydraulic piston (53) and blocks the fluid connection so quickly, a feeding effect is created in the manner of a pressure blow on the backwashed filter element (21). The feeding effect increases the cleaning of pollution on the filter element (21), achieving an improved backwashing cleaning.
US08216467B2
A filter device has a filter housing (1), at least one filter element (13) received in the filter housing (1) and an inner fluid space (71) limited by a filter medium (17) through which the fluid to be cleaned can flow. The filter medium separates the inner fluid space (71) from an exterior fluid space (11) located in the filter housing (1). The filter housing (1) has a fluid inlet (7) and a fluid outlet for cleaned fluid. A fluid guide device (9) is connected downstream to the fluid inlet (7) and can be optionally retrofitted to form a flow path between the fluid inlet (7) and the exterior fluid space (11) or between the fluid inlet (7) and the inner fluid space (71) disposed in the filter element (13).
US08216465B2
A filter assembly for a household water filtration apparatus, and a method for filtering water using a household water filtration apparatus are provided. The filter assembly comprises a through-flow cartridge, which has an accessible cavity. The cartridge is removably received in the household water filtration apparatus. The filter assembly further comprises a water permeable enclosure that contains filter media, which is removably received in the accessible cavity. The method comprises opening a through-flow cartridge, depositing a filter packet in the cartridge, closing the cartridge, depositing the cartridge in the household water filtration apparatus, and passing water through the cartridge. Alternately, the filter assembly may be fabricated using polylactic acid.
US08216460B2
Apparatuses and methods for filtering particulates and volatiles from fluid systems. The apparatuses and methods include a particulate filter section, an evaporator section positioned adjacent the particulate filter section, and a manifold coupled to at least one of the particulate filter section and the evaporator section to direct flow through the apparatuses as desired.
US08216458B2
The present invention provides a method and a device for dewatering a hydraulic fluid of a hydraulic system, in particular in the aerospace sector, comprising a container which has a sorbent, a feed which supplies the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic system to the container for the hydraulic fluid to be passed through the sorbent such that it can be dewatered in a dewatering mode of the device, and a return which returns the dewatered hydraulic fluid from the container to the hydraulic system in the dewatering mode of the device. The hydraulic fluid can be dewatered continuously and very efficiently by the method and the device according to the invention.
US08216457B2
Removing contaminated water and pollutants from a body of water. Apparatus includes marine particle skimmers that can pull contaminated water through filter units or otherwise direct contaminated water or pollutants to a collection point. Emergency extraction lines can remove contaminated water and pollutants by conducting water to an extraction point. Emergency extraction lines include multiple emergency extraction line components connected to each other. The marine particle skimmers and emergency extraction lines typically float on the surface of the water but can be configured to extract contaminants below the water surface.
US08216452B2
A dialysis system includes a first fluid heater, a second fluid heater, a supplemental power source and a logic implementer. The logic implementer is configured to use the supplemental power source such that when the first and second heaters are powered simultaneously, a collective current draw does not exceed a maximum allowable current draw of a branch power source powering the system.
US08216451B2
The invention describes an apparatus for the filtration of liquids and an associated filter cartridge 100, wherein the quantitative flow through the filter cartridge can be reduced and set in a simple way. The apparatus is characterized in that at least one throttling device 200, 200′ is arranged between the outlet opening 113 of the filter cartridge 100 and the outflow opening 17 of the receiving chamber 14.
US08216450B2
According to the invention, trace olefins and dienes are removed from aromatic plant feedstocks by contacting the catalyst using conditions outside the ordinary range used for this application today.
US08216436B2
The embodiments disclosed herein relate to hetero-nanostructures for efficient solar energy conversions, and more particularly to the fabrication of titanium dioxide hetero-nanostructures and methods of using same for water splitting. In an embodiment, a hetero-nanostructure includes a plurality of connected and spaced-apart nanobeams linked together at an about 90-degree angle, the plurality of nanobeams including a conductive silicide core having an n-type photoactive titanium dioxide shell. In an embodiment, a device for splitting water to generate hydrogen and oxygen includes a first compartment two-dimensional hetero-nanostructure having a plurality of connected and spaced-apart nanobeams, each nanobeam substantially perpendicular to another nanobeam, the plurality of nanobeams including an n-type photoactive titanium dioxide shell having a highly conductive core; and a second compartment copper-doped titanium dioxide nanostructure, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are separated by a semi-permeable membrane.
US08216432B2
This invention relates to novel methods for affecting, controlling and/or directing various reactions and/or reaction pathways or systems by exposing one or more components in a fuel cell reaction system to at least one spectral energy pattern. In a first aspect of the invention, at least one spectral energy pattern can be applied to a fuel cell reaction system. In a second aspect of the invention, at least one spectral energy conditioning pattern can be applied to a conditioning reaction system. The spectral energy conditioning pattern can, for example, be applied at a separate location from the reaction vessel (e.g., in a conditioning reaction vessel) or can be applied in (or to) the reaction vessel, but prior to other reaction system participants being introduced into the reaction vessel.
US08216426B1
An extraction bedplate includes a body and a plurality of apertures through the body. Each of the plurality of apertures includes a first end and a second end wider than the first end. At least three obtuse angles are in each of the first and second ends. A method for manufacturing an extraction bedplate includes creating a plurality of apertures through a body wherein each aperture comprises a first end, a second end wider than the first end, and at least three obtuse angles in each of the first and second ends.
US08216425B2
An absorbent paper sheet for tissue or towel includes from about 99 percent to about 70 percent by weight of cellulosic papermaking fiber and from about 1 percent to about 30 percent by weight fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber which was regenerated form a cellulosic dope utilizing a tertiary amine N-oxide solvent or an ionic liquid. Fibrillation of the microfiber is controlled such that it has a reduced coarseness and a reduced freeness as compared with unfibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber from which it is made and provides at least one of the following attributes to the absorbent sheet: (a) the absorbent sheet exhibits an elevated SAT value and an elevated wet tensile value as compared with a like sheet prepared without fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber; (b) the absorbent sheet exhibits an elevated wet/dry CD tensile ratio as compared with a like sheet prepared without fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber; (c) the absorbent sheet exhibits a lower GM Break Modulus than a like sheet having like tensile values prepared without fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber; or (d) the absorbent sheet exhibits an elevated bulk as compared with a like sheet having like tensile values prepared without fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber. In some embodiments, the pulp is pre-treated with debonder to enhance the wet/dry CD tensile ratio of the sheet.
US08216416B2
A method of assembling a chair includes providing a first chair component composed of a first polymeric material and a second chair component composed of a second polymeric material. An adhesive is positioned on or in the first chair component. The adhesive is composed of a third polymeric material and at least one ferromagnetic susceptor. The second chair component is positioned in engagement with the adhesive and adjacent to the first chair component. A magnetic field or electromagnetic waves are applied to the adhesive to activate the adhesive. A force is also applied to at least one of the first chair component and the second chair component to press the first chair component and the second chair component. A chair is also provided that includes the first and second chair components and the adhesive.
US08216414B2
Method of producing an incontinence pad having a main part and front and rear side parts attached thereto, characterized in that the rear side parts can be expanded to a greater extent than the front side parts.
US08216405B2
Embodiments related to making an optic comprising a cladding are disclosed. One example embodiment comprises forming a wedge-shaped light guide having opposing first and second faces and comprising a material having a first refractive index. The embodiment further comprises applying a cladding layer to the first face, and, applying an interface layer to the cladding layer. In this embodiment, the cladding layer has a second refractive index less than the first refractive index, and the interface layer has a third refractive index matched to the first refractive index.
US08216403B2
Perchlorate-free flare compositions are disclosed which, when burned, produce red smoke and flames. Methods of producing the compositions are also disclosed.
US08216397B2
The present invention provides: a high-strength high-ductility hot-dip galvanized steel sheet and hot-dip galvannealed steel sheet having high fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance; a high-strength hot-dip galvanized steel sheet excellent in ductility, which improves non-plating defects and plating adhesion after severe deformation, and a method of producing the same; a high-strength and high-ductility hot-dip galvanized steel sheet having high fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance; a high-strength hot-dip galvanized steel sheet and hot-dip galvannealed steel sheet having superior appearance and workability, which suppresses the generation of non-plating defects, and a method of producing the same; and a high-strength hot-dip galvannealed steel sheet and a high-strength hot-dip galvanized steel sheet, which suppress non-plating defects and surface defects and have both corrosion resistance, in particular corrosion resistance in an environment containing chlorine ion, and high ductility, and a method of producing the same.
US08216388B2
A method of extending storage time prior to cleaning a component of a plasma chamber is provided. The method comprises removing the component from the chamber, covering a thermal spray coating on the component while the surface is exposed to atmospheric air, storing the component, optionally removing the covering, and optionally wet cleaning reaction by-products from the thermal spray coating. Alternatively, instead of, or in addition to covering a thermal spray coating on the component, the component can be placed into a desiccator or dry-box.
US08216386B2
There is provided a method for exchanging an atmosphere of a vacuum chamber of a processing apparatus configured to process a substrate under a vacuum environment. The method includes the steps of holding the substrate using a holding unit provided in the vacuum chamber, and exchanging the atmosphere of the vacuum chamber through exhaustion or air supply, wherein the exchanging step maintains a pressure of the vacuum chamber in a range between 10 Pa and 10000 Pa for a period between 10 seconds and 600 seconds while controlling a temperature of a dust collection unit provided in the vacuum chamber lower than a temperature of the substrate.
US08216381B2
A method of using at least one leguminous starch derivative having a predetermined molecular mass in weight and a predetermined sol/gel transition temperature for preparing a composition for laying paper or flat carton. The leguminous starch derivative and laying compositions prepared from the same, in particular with high dried materials are also disclosed.
US08216380B2
A semiconductor processing apparatus includes a reaction chamber, a movable susceptor, a movement element, and a control system. The reaction chamber includes a baseplate. The baseplate includes an opening. The movable susceptor is configured to hold a workpiece. The movable element is configured to move a workpiece held on the susceptor towards the opening of the baseplate. The control system is configured to space the susceptor from the baseplate by an unsealed gap during processing of a workpiece in the reaction chamber. Purge gases may flow through the gap into the reaction chamber. Methods of maintaining the gap during processing include calibrating the height of pads and capacitance measurements when the susceptor is spaced from the baseplate.
US08216365B2
Objects of the invention are to further enhance crystallinity and crystallinity uniformity of a semiconductor crystal produced through the flux method, and to effectively enhance the production yield of the semiconductor crystal. The c-axis of a seed crystal including a GaN single-crystal layer is aligned in a horizontal direction (y-axis direction), one a-axis of the seed crystal is aligned in the vertical direction, and one m-axis is aligned in the x-axis direction. Thus, three contact points at which a supporting tool contacts the seed crystal are present on m-plane. The supporting tool has two supporting members, which extend in the vertical direction. One supporting member has an end part, which is inclined at 30° with respect to the horizontal plane α. The reasons for supporting a seed crystal at m-plane thereof are that m-plane exhibits a crystal growth rate, which is lower than that of a-plane, and that desired crystal growth on c-plane is not inhibited. Actually, a plurality of seed crystals and supporting tools are periodically placed along the y-axis direction.
US08216361B2
Monocrystalline semiconductor wafers have defect-reduced regions, the defect-reduced regions having a density of GOI-relevant defects within the range of 0/cm2 to 0.1/cm2 and occupy overall an areal proportion of 10% to 100% of the planar area of the semiconductor wafer, wherein the remaining regions of the semiconductor wafer have a significantly higher defect density than the defect-reduced regions. The wafers may be produced by a method for annealing GOI relevant defects in the wafer, by irradiating defined regions of a side of the semiconductor wafer by laser wherein each location is irradiated with a power density of 1 GW/m2 to 10 GW/m2 for at least 25 ms, wherein the laser emits radiation of a wavelength above the absorption edge of the wafer semiconductor material and wherein the temperature of the wafer rises by less than 20 K as a result of irradiation.
US08216359B2
The invention features delayed-setting calcium phosphate pastes which are useful for the preparation of delivery vehicles for biologically active agents, useful for the treatment of orthopedic conditions and can be stored for long periods without prematurely setting.
US08216357B2
In one aspect of the present invention, a UV-protective coating composition is described. The UV protective coating composition includes an acrylate polymer; and a non-crystallizing UV-absorber composition. The non-crystallizing UV absorber composition includes a dibenzoylresorcinol and at least one triazine compound. The dibenzoylresorcinol is present at a level in the range of from about 10 weight percent to about 25 weight percent, based on the total weight of the coating composition. Also provided is an article that includes the UV protective coating composition, and a method to protect the article.
US08216354B2
An inkjet ink composition, and in particular, invisible ink printable with an inkjet printing device. The present embodiments provide a water-based invisible ink that can be detected by using a long wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light and is easier and safer to use than other sources used to detect known invisible inks.
US08216352B2
A mixture of Zinc Oxides or Hydroxides with Aluminum Hydroxides and Vanadium Oxide (V2O5) co-reacts in high temperature aqueous slurry to form highly crystalline forms of Hydrotalcite, containing the Decavanadate ion as a source of corrosion inhibition. The subject compositions, free of hexavalent chromium, are highly effective in providing blister-free corrosion prevention in typical coil and aerospace grade epoxy primer and color coat combinations.
US08216343B2
A radial flow reactor vessel is disclosed for use in gas purification, separation or reaction processes and most suitably used in prepurification processes. The reactor has internal baskets for confining a bed of active material. The baskets are rigidly supported at both the top and bottom ends of the reactor and have walls that are axially flexible and radially rigid. The vessel has multiple movable support columns designed to facilitate pre-stressing of the baskets to offset axial compressive loads induced from thermal cycling.
US08216338B2
Disclosed is a composition for a bush-type bearing, a bush-type bearing manufactured using the composition, and a method of manufacturing the bush-type bearing. The bearing has excellent friction characteristics with a shaft made of iron (Fe) based material, and thus is able to increase the lubrication cycle of a lubricant. Further, the bearing has excellent hardness, and thus is able to prevent plastic deformation under high contact pressure.
US08216337B2
A process for the preparation of water insoluble bio-release micronutrient fertilizers, containing iron and manganese with either zinc and/or copper, comprising (a) heating orthophosphoric acid at a temperature of 130° C.-150° C. with a mixture of (i) source of iron oxide, (ii) manganese dioxide or pyrolusite, and (iii) either or both compounds of zinc or copper selected from zinc ash or zinc oxide and cupric oxide, or cupric sulphate or cupric chloride and (iii) a basic compound such as oxide or carbonate of magnesium or calcium, to produce a multi-metallic polyphosphate; (b) neutralization of the polyphosphate with a basic compound followed by drying and pulverization to obtain a solid powdery material.
US08216323B2
A system comprises a mixed reforming zone configured to receive a first fuel steam mixture and an oxidant to produce a first reformate stream comprising hydrogen. The system further comprises at least one steam-reforming zone configured to receive the first reformate stream, a first portion of steam and a second fuel to produce a second reformate stream comprising hydrogen. The first reformate stream is mixed with the first portion of steam and second fuel before entering the steam reforming zone.
US08216320B2
A trial device and a method for using the device in surgery are disclosed. The device includes a body including a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion has a post or trunion projecting therefrom. The distal portion extends from the proximal portion and includes a first arm and a second arm, the first and second arms being moveable with respect to one another. The body further includes a cavity formed therein so as to extend through the proximal portion and into the distal portion. The device further includes a driver adapted for sliding engagement within the internal cavity of the body such that movement of the driver, preferably in a distal direction, causes movement of a portion of the first arm away from a portion of the second arm.
US08216313B2
An apparatus and method are provided that allow for the realignment and stabilization of adjacent vertebrae. An implant of this invention both repositions adjacent vertebrae and remains in situ to maintain a new position. The implant has an upper half and a lower half, which are interlocked such that they can slide horizontally with respect to each other. Movement of the implant halves and their respective positions are controlled by a reduction bar and reduction rod in combination with an internal locking block within the implant. The reduction rod, being connected to a lower half and placed adjacent to the upper half, is rotated to bring the implant halves into alignment. The internal locking block engages to permanently hold the alignment and maintain the new position. A release mechanism for the internal locking block allows for readjustment of the implant halves and realignment of the vertebrae.
US08216312B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide spinal implant systems and methods. According to one embodiment, a plate attached to one or more vertebrae can prevent expulsion of an interbody device from a disc space. The plate and interbody device can be coupled by an attachment member. According to one embodiment, the attachment member is coupled to the plate and includes a portion inserted in a threaded or non-threaded cavity. Preferably, the coupling between the plate and attachment member allows rotation in three dimensions thereby allowing the plate to rotate relative to the interbody device. This allows the plate to be better positioned for attachment to the spine during an operation.
US08216308B2
An accommodating artificial ocular lens (AAOL) device including a moving lens optic portion connected to a lens plate haptic portion. Preferably, the lens optic portion is connected to the lens plate haptic portion by a pair of flexible or resilient transverse oriented lens arm portions to provide or allow for movement of the lens optic portion.
US08216299B2
The present invention provides remodelable materials for retracting the interior walls of a body vessel via remodeling processes. Also provided are methods, kits and devices for the same.
US08216297B2
The endovascular graft includes a dual chamber cuff structure. The endovascular graft includes a tubular structure having a first end and a second end. The tubular structure has a wall defining a lumen between the first and second ends. The endovascular graft includes a cuff circumferentially secured to the tubular structure. The cuff has an interior cavity which is bifurcated such that the interior cavity includes a circumferential outer chamber and a circumferential inner chamber. The method for forming the endovascular graft includes inserting an expansion substance into the inner chamber to resist a luminal intrusion of the tubular structure resulting from the insertion of the expansion substance into the outer chamber. The expansion substance within the outer chamber is stiffened. The expansion substance within the inner chamber is removed.
US08216296B2
The invention is directed a delivery system for implantation a self-expanding medical device in a body which includes a control handle and a catheter portion. The catheter portion includes an outer restraining member which covers the collapsed, medical device, an inner catheter member having a distal end including a region upon which the medical device is mounted, and an outer sheath which is removably attached to the control handle. The outer sheath creates a conduit for the catheter portion to prevent the inner catheter member from moving axially when the outer restraining member is retracted. The control handle has a rotatable thumbwheel to actuate a retraction mechanism attached to the proximal end of the outer restraining member which moves the restraining member in a proximal direction to deploy the medical device.
US08216288B2
An improved disposable pin site wound protection system for covering the entry or exit site of a surgical pin, wherein the system substantially reduces the time required to change a dressing at a pin site wound. The invention comprises a sponge (11) and clip (21), both of which are designed to be attached to a pin (15) adjacent a wound. The clip (21), when compressed, crosses the legs (23, 25) of the clip and when released will attach to the full-range of external fixation pins and wires. This reverse action of the clip, opening when compressed and closing when released, is a self-closing and self-holding clip that can be applied and removed with one hand. The sponge (11) is preferably cylindrical or hemispherical in shape, and may include a spiral cut (12) to resist accidental displacement from the pin.
US08216286B2
Implants (7) for forming a positive connection with human or animal parts include a material, such as thermoplastics and thixotropic materials, that can be liquefied by means of mechanical energy. The implants (7) are brought into contact with the tissue part, are subjected to the action of ultrasonic energy while being pressed against the tissue part. The liquefiable material liquefies and is pressed into openings or surface asperities of the tissue part so that, once solidified, the implant is positively joined thereto. The implantation involves the use of an implantation device that includes a generator (2), an oscillating element, and a resonator (6). The generator (2) causes the oscillating element to mechanically oscillate, and the element transmits the oscillations to the resonator (6). The resonator (6) is used to press the implant (7) against the tissue part to transmit oscillations to the implant (7).
US08216279B2
An interspinous implant kit includes a receiver body and multiple modules. The receiver body is adapted to be implanted between a spinous processes and includes corresponding saddles with an intermediate section therebetween. The intermediate section includes a module-receiving bay. The modules are configured to be interchangeably received in the bay. The first module may have a sensor adapted to generate measurement data indicative of at least one of forces acting on said receiver body and strain when mated to said receiver body. The second and third modules have mechanical material properties that are the of the same type, but different. One of the modules is advantageously mated to the receiver body to form a long-term implant.
US08216277B2
A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a spinal extension stop while allowing freedom of spinal flexion.
US08216274B2
A longitudinal member for use in spinal or trauma surgery is provided which is sized to span a distance between at least two vertebrae or two bone parts, wherein the longitudinal member is made at least partially of a polymer material, such as an elastomer, which is extruded. The polymer chains of the longitudinal member are substantially aligned in the longitudinal direction of the member. The longitudinal member is included in a dynamic stabilization device having at least two bone anchoring elements and such a longitudinal member connecting the bone anchoring elements.
US08216271B2
A device, system and method for providing tissue and organ restriction. A device is described with respect to restricting gastric capacity while avoiding nutritional deficiencies and other complications. Additionally, a system and method are described for using the device to restrict gastric capacity to perform a non surgical gastric procedure.
US08216269B2
A device for capturing emboli during treatment of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises a base having expanded and collapsed states, and proximal and distal portions. The distal portion has a support portion configured to deploy in the body vessel when the base is in the expanded state. The device further comprises a filter portion disposed on the distal portion of the base. The filter portion includes a lip extending to a filter body to a filter end. The filter portion is configured to engage the support portion when deployed to define an opening of the filter portion for capturing emboli. The device further comprises a collector through which the base is slideably disposed for delivery and retrieval of the device.
US08216256B2
The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues.
US08216252B2
Tissue manipulation and securement systems are described herein. A tissue manipulation assembly is pivotably coupled to the distal end of a tubular member and has a lower jaw member and an upper jaw member pivotably coupled to the lower jaw member. A reconfigurable launch tube is also pivotably coupled to the upper jaw member and is used to urge the jaw members from a low-profile configuration to an open configuration for receiving tissue. The tissue manipulation assembly may be advanced through a shape-lockable endoscopic device, a conventional endoscope, or directly by itself into a patient. A second tool can be used in combination with the tissue manipulation assembly to engage tissue and manipulate the tissue in conjunction with the tissue manipulation assembly.
US08216241B2
An instrument for manipulating a spinal fixation element relative to a bone anchor includes a bone anchor grasping mechanism, a first adjustment mechanism, and a second adjustment mechanism. The bone anchor grasping mechanism includes a first arm having a distal end configured to engage an opening provided in the bone anchor. The first adjustment mechanism includes a second arm pivotally connected to the first arm. The second arm has a distal end configured to engage an opening provided in the bone anchor and is operable to adjust a spinal fixation element in a first direction upon pivoting relative to the first arm. The second adjustment mechanism is removably and replaceably coupled to the bone anchor grasping mechanism and is movable relative to the bone anchor grasping mechanism to adjust the spinal fixation element in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, relative to the bone anchor.
US08216234B2
A medical device for performing a therapeutic procedure on a patient. The medical device includes an elongate probe extending to an applicator end sized and shaped to be slidably received in an endoscope working channel. The device also includes an injection needle positioned adjacent the applicator end of the probe. The injection needle is communicatible with a fluid source for delivering fluid and an electrical energy source for delivering electrical energy to the needle when performing the therapeutic procedure on the patient. The needle also has a central axis. The device further includes an ablating loop positioned adjacent the applicator end of the probe. The ablating loop is communicatible with the electrical energy source for delivering electrical energy to the ablating loop when performing the therapeutic procedure. The ablating loop also has a central axis that is spaced from the central axis of the injection needle. During operation of the device, the injection needle and ablating loop have opposite charges for ablating tissue of the patient.
US08216229B2
A system for treating tissue includes a probe assembly having a cannula, a shaft, and one or more needle electrodes. The shaft has a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal and proximal ends of the shaft, and is slidable within the lumen of the cannula. Each needle electrode has a lumen that may be placed in communication with a port at a proximal end of the probe assembly, and is configured to deliver an occlusive element to a site. The system may further include an embolization actuator for delivering the occlusive element. A method of treating tissue includes placing an electrode at a site of a treatment region, occluding at least a part of a vessel located adjacent the site by delivering an occlusion element from an electrode, and delivering ablation energy to the site while the vessel is at least partially occluded.
US08216226B2
A RF ablation device includes a probe assembly that has an elongate cannula having a lumen disposed interiorly of an external wall of the cannula. The elongate cannula includes a plurality of slots formed within the external wall that provide access to the lumen. The probe assembly includes an electrode member that is slidably disposed within the elongate cannula, the electrode member including a plurality of tines configured for passage through the plurality of slots. The slots are disposed in a staggered arrangement or pattern about the external wall of the cannula. The staggered arrangement of slots may be used in a monopolar or bipolar arrangement of the electrodes on the cannula. A bipolar arrangement of electrodes using the staggered configuration produces larger ablation areas in a shorter period of time as compared to prior designs.
US08216223B2
An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical generator includes impedance sensing circuitry which measures impedance of tissue, a processor configured to determine whether a tissue reaction has occurred as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue. A tissue cooling period is provided to enhance operative outcomes.
US08216218B2
Apparatus and methods for treating skin conditions that deliver high frequency energy across large tissue areas. The treatment apparatus comprises a treatment tip carrying a plurality of electrodes that are switched such that fewer than all of the electrodes are concurrently energized. The treatment tip includes a cooling mechanism that cools near-surface tissue regions disposed between the skin surface and the treated tissue by cooling the respective electrode that treats each of the regions. The cooling mechanism may include a heat transfer body intervening between the electrodes and a fluid delivery member configured to discharge coolant that impinges the heat transfer body. Alternatively, the cooling mechanism may include a fluid delivery member having individually valve-controlled passages configured to discharge a dedicated stream of coolant at each of the electrodes, a thermoelectric cooler, or a closed-loop fluid delivery member.
US08216217B2
In some embodiments the method includes inserting an access tool through a cervix and a cervical canal into the uterus; placing an expansion mechanism in contact with tissue within the uterus to move uterine tissue surfaces away from an opening in an access tool lumen; delivering vapor through the vapor delivery tool into the uterus; and condensing the vapor on tissue within the uterus. The system has an access tool adapted to be inserted through a cervical canal to place an opening of an access tool lumen within a uterus; an expansion mechanism adapted to be advanced into the uterus to move uterine tissue surfaces away from the opening in the access tool lumen; and a vapor delivery mechanism adapted to deliver condensable vapor through the access tool to the uterus, the condensable vapor being adapted to condense within the uterus.
US08216201B2
A washable diaper having an outer article with an inner liner system detachably coupled to the outer article. The outer article has front and back ends, with opposing side edges connecting the ends, and inner and outer surfaces, with at least one fastening mechanism on the inner surface proximate to at least one of the ends. The inner liner system has first and second ends and includes at least one washable article, so that when assembled with the outer article, the first and second ends of the inner liner system align with the front and back ends of the outer article to be detachably coupled. The inner liner system may also include a liner member and/or at least one absorbent pad, configured to be placed within the washable article. A method of assembly of the washable diaper having an outer article and inner lining system is also disclosed.
US08216197B2
A medical canister connector is presented for connecting to a medical canister, which has a patient port and a reduced-pressure port. The medical canister connector includes a first connection member that is coupled to a patient-port-attachment member, which is for coupling to a patient port on a medical canister and has a patient-port opening with a first longitudinal axis. The medical canister connector also includes a second connection member coupled to a reduced-pressure-port-attachment member, which is for coupling to a reduced-pressure port on the medical canister and has a reduced-pressure-port opening with a second longitudinal axis. A spacing member or pressure transport member may be used to couple the first connection member to the second connection member. The spacing member or transport member flexes and twists during connection. The medical canister connector may also help organize one or more pressure-sensing conduits. Methods are also presented.
US08216194B2
A composition comprising an alcohol and an aloe vera gel for topically treating hot flashes and methods for the storing, dispensing and application thereof.
US08216193B2
A plurality of dosage-control members are detachably connected to the plunger rod of a multi-dose syringe along two opposing sides of the rod. Each dosage-control member has a cut in which the external diameter of the top rim of the syringe fits to prevent forward and reverse movement of the rod. Removal of one dosage-control member from one of the two opposing sides of the rod permits forward movement of the rod and plunger until the top rim snaps into the cut of another dosage-control member. Flexible salient arms extend obliquely from the rod in one-to-one correspondence with the dosage-control members to prevent reverse movement of the rod.
US08216190B2
An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to deliver a composition, preferably a medical or pharmaceutical composition or active, through the stratum corneum of skin, without introducing bleeding or damage to tissue, and absent pain or other trauma. The dimensions and shapes of the microelements are controlled so as to control the penetration depth into the skin. The microelements can be “hollow” such that passageways are created therethrough to allow the composition to flow from a chamber, through the microelements, and into the skin. Alternatively, the microelements can be “solid,” and the composition is applied directly to the skin just before or just after the microelements are applied to the skin surface to create the openings in the stratum corneum.
US08216188B2
A device and method for positioning a catheter to establish a fluid access site into the vasculature of a patient includes a luer assembly having a cannula or catheter, a shuttle assembly having a stylet for stiffening the catheter, and a holder assembly having an actuator for providing controlled retraction into a handle. The safety catheter comprises a flash window that allows a clinician to view when the vasculature of a patient has been properly accessed and to confirm that the stylet has been fully retracted into a safe position.
US08216186B2
An intravenous catheter device having features to aid a user in hooding the beveled portion of an introducer needle during the catheterization process. An intravenous catheter device is modified to include a biasing arm capable of advancing a portion of the catheter device to cause a beveled portion of an introducer needle to be hooded within an interior lumen of the catheter tube. The dimensions of the biasing arm and various other interacting surfaces of the catheter device are configured to achieve effective hooding of the needle tip while avoiding overhooding or underhooding inaccuracies.
US08216185B2
A surgical instrument including a fixed or removable handle and a tubular member having a lumen extending therethrough with apertures at its proximal and distal ends permitting visualization of and access to body tissues. An access window in a distal portion of the instrument is formed through the wall of the tubular member and in communication with the lumen.
US08216181B2
A removable clamp, for supporting a membrane filter in a medical infusion system, includes connected and opposing walls. A locking feature, which may be connected to an end of one of the walls, engages and disengages a terminal end of the other wall. The filter may be inserted between the opposing walls of the clamp, and an inner surface of each of the opposing walls may be secured against corresponding major surfaces of the inserted filter, by only pressing at least one of the opposing walls of the clamp toward the other of the opposing walls.
US08216179B2
A breastpump set for expressing human breastmilk comprises at least one breastshield (1) to be placed on a mother's breast with a coupling part (12) for connection to a milk collection container (2), and a suction pump unit (4) with an electrically operated suction pump, wherein the breastshield is provided with a signal transmission and/or reception unit (5) for transmitting signals to the suction pump unit (4), and the signal transmission unit comprises, for example, a programming device for manual or automatic programming of the suction pump unit. The breastpump set according to the invention make it easier for the mother to operate the pump and breastshield while expressing milk.
US08216176B2
A wound treatment device comprises a polyurethane or polyether foam pad, adapted for insertion substantially within a wound cavity; a pump for supplying fluid flow to the wound site; and a collection canister for receiving wound fluids drawn from the wound cavity. The foam pad, pump and collection canister are in fluid communication with one another through a single hospital grade hose having a plurality of tiny apertures in the portion that is central to the foam pad. These apertures are adapted to allow fluids from the wound cavity to be drawn into the flow from the pump to the canister according to Bernoulli's theorem.
US08216162B2
An stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is provided. The stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively applied to the foot of a patient for providing relief from plantar fasciitis. A portion of the stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively attached to the bottom surface of the foot for reducing stress on the plantar fascia.
US08216152B2
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED: A finger arterial elasticity measuring program, a finger arterial elasticity measuring device and a finger arterial elasticity measuring method are provided for making it possible to measure an elasticity index of a finger artery in accordance with a pulse wave of a finger artery without measuring a blood pressure in evaluating the elasticity of the finger artery related to the degree of arterial sclerosis in an easy and least expensive manner.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS: A computer functioning by a finger arterial elasticity measuring program includes a pulse wave data memory unit 42, a cuff pressure data memory unit 43, a normalized pulse volume (NPV) calculating unit 52 for dividing an amplitude (ΔI) of an alternate component of a pulse wave by an average value of direct components (I) to calculate NPV, a relative cuff pressure (Pr) calculating unit 53 for calculating a difference between a cuff pressure at the maximum amplitude of the pulse wave and each cuff pressure as Pr, an FEI calculating unit 54 for calculating a linear regression slope (n) of the following expression (1) as an elasticity index of a finger artery: ln(NPV)=ln(bn)−n·Pr . . . (1) where b is a constant.
US08216146B2
A hand held ultrasonic instrument is provided in a portable unit which performs both B mode and Doppler imaging. The instrument includes a transducer array mounted in a hand-held enclosure, with an integrated circuit transceiver connected to the elements of the array for the reception of echo signals. A digital signal processing circuit performs both B mode and Doppler signal processing such as filtering, detection and Doppler estimation, as well as advanced functions such as assembly of multiple zone focused scanlines, synthetic aperture formation, depth dependent filtering, speckle reduction, flash suppression, and frame averaging.
US08216137B2
Methods and apparatuses for determining an analyte value are disclosed.
US08216135B2
An ambulatory repeater for use in automated patient care is presented. A local memory store includes a cryptographic key, sensitive information, and physiological measures. The cryptographic key is uniquely assigned to the implantable medical device prior to implant of the implantable medical device into a patient. The sensitive information is preencrypted under the cryptographic key and physiological measures are measured by the implantable medical device. An authentication module is in receipt of the cryptographic key. A permissions module confirms authorization of an external data processing device against the cryptographic key. A decryption module decrypts the sensitive information with the cryptographic key into decrypted information. A processor is operatively coupled to the local memory store. A communications module exchanges the decrypted information and the physiological measures with the external data processing device over a wireless interface contingent upon the authorization confirmation. An internal power supply supplies power to the foregoing components.
US08216126B2
There is provided a living body observing apparatus capable of reducing time period to be spent on observation of a subject in a living body. The living body observing apparatus of the invention includes: illumination means including one or a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements for emitting illumination light to illuminate a subject; image pickup means for picking up an image of the subject illuminated by the illumination light emitted from the illumination means, and outputting the picked-up image as an image pickup signal; color separation means for separating the image of the subject into red, green, and blue components; and image processing means for performing a predetermined processing on the image pickup signal outputted from the image pickup means, and outputting the processed image pickup signal as a video signal to display the image of the subject on display means. The image processing means performs, as the predetermined processing, color conversion processing to convert the blue component in the image pickup signal into a green component in the video signal, and convert the green component in the image pickup signal into a red component in the video signal.
US08216121B2
The invention relates to a device for generating a pulsed electromagnetic field with pulse control, wherein the pulses provided by the pulse generator represent periodic pulses having ascending and descending envelope curves with harmonic or anharmonic oscillation profile within the envelope curves, the pulse sequence is in the range of from 1 pulse/20 minutes to 10 pulses/minute, with pulse sequence, pulse function type and electromagnetic flux density being controlled via values which, obtained using non-invasive measuring methods on a target tissue, represent features of the blood microcirculation, with exponential functions as pulse function type being excluded. Greater and longer-lasting improvements of the microcirculation are achieved.
US08216116B2
A machine for gymnastic exercises, particularly for muscle stretching, comprising a supporting frame, a seat which is fixed with respect to the supporting frame, and a back rest which is pivoted to the supporting frame for moving the back rest between a position which is substantially inclined with respect to the seat and a position which is substantially perpendicular with respect to the seat, the machine further comprising a carriage which is slidingly associated with the supporting frame and is functionally connected to the back rest by way of kinematic connection elements for transferring the motion of the carriage to the back rest and/or vice versa.
US08216115B2
An oval transmission structure utilizes lower ends of swaying moving shafts at two sides thereof to pivot to front ends of push-pull shafts, whose front portions slope to a determined angle. Rear portions of the push-pull shafts offer treadle frames for treadles to dispose with feet. Rear portions of the push-pull shafts further offer a track frame. An assistant device provides a sliding block with a fixing bolt superimposed at a side of the lower portion of the swaying moving shaft. An attached shaft pivoted to a side of the sliding block connects to an axle bolt of a transmission shaft, whose front end axially connects to a crank, whose rear end serially connects to a track wheel and whose middle determined position disposes a sliding wheel thereunder. The reciprocation brought about by the feet, the two cranks axially trigger the front ends of the two transmission shaft for achieving a relative oval action. The axle bolt motivates the attached shaft for driving the sliding block to move the lower portions of the two swaying moving shafts to achieve a relative displacement. Concurrently, the sliding wheel reciprocating flat on the track frame permits upper portions of the swaying moving shafts to sway oppositely. The two treadle frames accordingly slide on the track wheels. A V-shaped leverage of the transmission shaft could attain a favorable transmission effect in time of users operating the back-and-forth reciprocation.
US08216108B2
An epicyclic gear assembly has a central toothed sun gear unit mounted on a carrier plate and plurality of planetary gear sets surrounding the central gear in torque-transmitting relationship. Each of the planetary gear sets has a toothed planet gear supported by a planet shaft, the first end of which is cantilevered from the carrier plate. A second end of the planet shaft supports the planet gear. A double-tapered concave middle portion of the planet shaft allows flexing of the shaft so as to facilitate elastic deflection of the planet shaft while distributing load between the planet gear sets. The outer circumference of the middle portion has a pair of spaced outwardly convex protrusions formed between the first end and the second end.
US08216106B2
A differential is provided that includes a case, a cam side gear disposed proximate a first end of the case, and a side gear disposed proximate a second end of the case. The side gears have respective hubs. The differential further includes a first clutch pack disposed around the hub of the side gear. The differential further includes an annular engaging member disposed between the side gear and the case.
US08216100B2
A guide useful to install or remove a belt from a belt module is shown. This guide is made up of two pivotable wings over which an endless belt is initially draped. Once pivotly attached to a belt module, the guide wings are moved away from each other to form a belt form over a top of the top drive rollers. A tube is attached to a bottom drive roller to help transfer the belt to the bottom drive roller. Once the belt is slidably positioned adjacent each drive roller, the belt is transferred from the guide and tube to the drive rollers for final installation.
US08216098B2
New designs for a sports ball comprising at least two polygonal panels and having an improved performance and uniformity. Each panel has doubly-curved edges that curve along and across the surface of the sphere. The panels are p-sided curved polygons, where p is an integer greater than 1. The single panels, in an imagined flattened state, have curved edges where each edge curves inwards, outwards or undulates in a wave-like manner. The edges are arranged so each individual panel is without mirror-symmetry and the edge curvatures are adjusted so the panel shape can be varied to achieve more uniform panel stiffness as well as economy in manufacturing. The ball also has a possible shape-induced spin due to the panel design and the overall rotational symmetry of the design. In various embodiments, the ball comprises at least two multi-paneled layers that are topological duals of each other, wherein each layer provides a compensatory function with respect to the other layer such that the ball has a uniformly performing surface. Applications include but are not limited to designs for soccer balls, baseballs, basketballs, tennis balls, rugby, and other sports or recreational play. The shape of the ball can be spherical, ellipsoidal or other curved convex shapes.
US08216082B2
Embodiments of a putter-type golf club head with an increased moment of inertia about the X axis (MOIXX) and an increased moment of inertia about the Z axis (MOIZZ) are disclosed. Generally, the MOIZZ is increased by designing the putter such that the center of gravity (CG) of the putter head is located at or behind the geometric center of the putter head. Additionally, the mass of the putter head is concentrated at the outer edges of the putter head. To accomplish this, the ratio of the width of the front of the putter head to the width of the rear of the putter head is no greater than 0.55:1. The MOIXX is further increased by locating the CG relatively close to the bottom of the putter head.
US08216080B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for correcting a golf pose, the apparatus including: a supporting member formed to be adjustable in length and angle; a leg member installed at one end part of the supporting member and supported on a ground; and an interfering member formed retractably in a lengthwise direction and detachably installed to the other end part of the supporting member through a detachable member.
US08216079B1
A golf club training implement is described which includes a tapered sleeve having a first end, a tapered second end, and a longitudinal slit opening therein so that the implement fits over a shaft of a club for slidable placement on or along a golf club grip. A substantially circular guard is attached to and abuts the sleeve first end. The guard is oriented at an angle relative to the sleeve first end so that the sleeve has a longer first side and an opposite shorter second side between the sleeve first and second ends.
US08216077B2
An observation wheel type ride includes a support structure, a wheel which is rotatable mounted in the support structure and/or includes a transportation device movably supported on the wheel, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a rotary drive and a drive cable, wherein a section of the drive cable is detachably fixed to a circumference of the wheel and/or to the transportation device for transmitting the rotary movement of the rotary drive to the wheel and/or to the transportation device. A deflection assembly deflects in a lateral direction with respect to the wheel that section of the drive cable, which is led over the rotary drive.
US08216069B2
In a game system, a position coordinate calculation section calculates a position coordinate of each object. Then, a coordinate determination section determines whether or not the position coordinate of a missile is located on a side of the virtual camera relative to a player object. For the missile determined to be located on the side of the virtual camera, a correction coordinate calculation section calculates a correction coordinate which is obtained by shifting the position coordinate of the missile to a side of the player object relative to the position coordinate of the missile. In this case, an image of the virtual game space, in which the player object is located at the position coordinate thereof and the missile is located at the correction coordinate thereof, is displayed on a liquid crystal television.
US08216059B2
The present invention provides gaming machine systems and methods that enable outsourced printing and generation of printed credit devices for use with a gaming machine. The systems verify the print status of an externally printed credit device before redeeming any value on the credit device at a gaming machine. The ability to employ outsourced gaming printing services providers increases the number and sophistication of printed credit devices that may be manufactured and distributed to potential customers.
US08216057B2
A gaming machine receives capturing data from an infrared camera, determines a position, classification, and number of dots of dice based on the capturing data thus received, stores the position, classification, and number of dots thus determined in RAM for each game, and compares the position, classification, and number of dots for each of the dice stored in the RAM in a previous game with a position, classification, and number of dots for each of the dice stored in the RAM in a present game.
US08216055B2
It is determined whether to execute a mini game at least during execution of a basic game. When it is determined to execute the mini game, it is displayed the predetermined number of penalty-kick shoot-out images in a display. When the penalty-kick shoot-out ends in victory, a point-number corresponding to the number of victory times is added to an accumulated point-number. Then, a free game is executed in accordance with the accumulated point-number.
US08216053B2
A system and method for conducting a wagering game providing an opportunity to earn an increased award is disclosed. A randomly selected outcome from a plurality of possible outcomes is displayed. The plurality of possible outcomes each including a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. An additional symbol is displayed separate from the array. If the displayed randomly selected outcome includes a winning symbol combination resulting in a first award, a determination is made whether the displayed additional symbol can be combined with the winning symbol combination to yield a second award being larger than the first award. The first award is provided if the additional symbol cannot be combined with the winning symbol combination to yield the second award. The larger second award is provided if the additional symbol can be combined with the winning symbol combination to yield the second award.
US08216051B2
A mechanical reel system with alterable reel symbols. Pivoting reel symbol members are provided at predetermined locations about a reel, each member having two, three, or six sides, for example. On each surface, a different symbol (or a blank symbol) is disposed thereon. A transmissive LCD is positioned over the reels, and when the reels display blanks, images are displayed on the LCD over the blanked area(s) during, e.g., a video bonus game played on the LCD. The symbol members can be altered within a game to display a different set of symbols on the reels, or they can be altered to convert the game from one theme to another. In another embodiment, a bellow-like reel strip, which is folded accordion-style, is retracted or extended relative to the periphery of the reel, allowing a symbol set or subset to replace a corresponding symbol (sub)set displayed on the underlying reel.
US08216049B2
A method for adapting a game of bingo to a lottery, includes predetermining a plurality of bingo faces to achieve a desired liability profile. One or more of the plurality of bingo faces are distributed. Random call numbers are generated until a desired pattern is achieved on one or more of the distributed bingo faces.
US08216043B1
An interactive wagering game wherein a player can interact with and view a sports situation and place a wager on which of several potential outcomes a result of the situation will be. The sports situation can for example be a golfer with a ball in a sandtrap and potential results can be whether the golfer will succeed in getting the ball out of the sandtrap or not. The payout of each wager can be variable based on, for example, the difficulty or likelihood of achieving that result from the ball's current position and/or lie.
US08216041B2
A method for playing a multiple-play poker game includes the step of displaying a pool hand in the form of a plurality of face up cards. The pool hand is not played, subject to wager, or subject to poker hand rankings. The pool hand is provided solely as a device for designation of none, one or more of the cards of the pool hand as held cards. Preferably, at the time of display of the pool hand and designation of held cards, playing hands are not displayed, keeping the player focused on the selection process. The method continues with reproducing the held cards in a plurality of playing hands, completing the plurality of playing hands with new face up cards, if any, and determining a ranking of each of the completed playing hands.
US08216036B2
An entertainment system comprises a remotely controlled toy having a video camera operable to capture video images of a real environment and an entertainment device operable to communicate using a data communications link with the remotely controlled toy, in which the device comprises transmitting means operable to transmit, via the data communications link, control data to the remotely controlled toy that relates to the control of the remotely controlled toy, receiving means operable to receive, from the data communications link, video images captured by the video camera—of the remotely controlled toy, detecting means operable to detect a real environment feature within the real environment, processing means operable to generate a virtual image feature in dependence upon the detected real environment feature, and displaying means operable to generate a combined display of the captured video images and the virtual image feature such that the virtual image feature is arranged with respect to the video images so as to correspond to the position of the real environment feature within the real environment.
US08216035B2
A system for cleaning a flow of harvested crop including a suction device between an inlet (1) and an outlet (3), the inlet being equipped with a hood (5) in which is formed a circulation path of the flow of suction air between the inlet and a suction opening (6). The suction device further including a drum (7) rotating relative to the hood, the hood being positioned in the drum to form a suction area (10) on the exterior of the wall, the suction area being delimited circumferentially by respective upstream (10a) and downstream (10b) edges. The system further including a conveyor (11) for the flow of crop, a device (12, 13) to recover the portion of the flow of crop that is not sucked up, and a device (14, 15) to recover the portion of the flow of crop that has been sucked up in the area. The circulation path of the hood (5) forms a deflector for the flow of suction air, the deflector is arranged to balance the speed of the flow of air along the suction opening (6).
US08216026B2
A method of form transfer grinding a three-dimensional shape utilizes a form transfer tool over which a belt is driven. The form transfer tool includes a shape that is desired in the finished part and guides a belt that grinds an area of a part to a finished or nearly finished condition.
US08216015B2
A method of forming a spark plug for an internal combustion engine is provided, the method including the steps of: separately securing a ground electrode to a ground shield, the ground shield having an elongated base section being configured to substantially surround a first insulator section of an insulator configured to substantially surround a center electrode, the insulator having a substantially cylindrical body with at least the first insulator section and a second insulator section, the first and second insulator sections having first and second diameters respectively and being separated by an insulator shoulder; and the elongated center electrode having a center electrode tip at one end and a terminal proximate another end of the center electrode, wherein the ground shield has a frustoconical flange protruding from a first end of the elongated base section, the frustoconical flange being configured to engage the insulator shoulder, and wherein the ground electrode extends from a second end of the elongated base section to define a spark gap with respect to the center electrode tip; and securing the ground shield to the spark plug after the ground electrode has been separately secured to the ground shield.
US08216011B2
Outboard engine unit includes: an anti-splash plate and an anti-cavitation plate provided on a gear case at a vertical interval from each other and extending horizontally from the gear case; an exhaust port provided in a side surface of the gear case for discharging exhaust gas from an engine; and a protruding section provided on the side surface of the gear case at a position located rearwardly of the exhaust port, the protruding section protruding laterally outwardly from the side surface for changing a direction of water flows flowing along the side surface.
US08216000B2
An audio jack connector adapted for receiving a plug has a base having a socket. The base has a first terminal groove and a second terminal groove opened at one side of the socket. The second terminal groove is located between the socket and the first terminal groove and connects with the socket by means of a first connecting passage. A stationary switch terminal has a first fixing slice fastened in the second terminal groove, a first contacting end projected in the first connecting passage and an opening opened in first fixing slice. A resilient switch terminal has a second fixing slice fastened in the first terminal groove, a second contacting end projected into the socket through the first connecting passage and elastically received in the opening when the second contacting end is biased by the plug to be disconnected from the first contacting end.
US08215999B2
An auxiliary electrical socket for automobile vehicles that includes a unitary body having a connecting tongue and a barrel adapted to receive a plug. This socket also includes a one-piece assembly that has a connecting member and a ring. The ring receives the barrel and constitutes a member for joining the socket and a structural element of the vehicle. The unitary body and the one-piece assembly include integral nesting-type assembly and positioning means.
US08215998B1
An electrical connector for electrically connecting a chip module includes: an insulating body, located below the chip module and opened with at least two rows of receiving holes arranged front and back in a staggered manner; a plurality of solder balls, accommodated in the insulating body; a plurality of conductive terminals, each having a base fixed in the receiving hole, in which an elastic arm is bent and extends upwards from the base, and the elastic arm has a contact portion for conducting the chip module upwards. The bases of the same row are arranged in the same line, the contact portions of the back row do not exceed the line of the front row before the chip module presses the contact portions downwards, and the contact portions of back row exceed the line of the front row after the chip module presses the contact portions downwards.
US08215990B2
An electrical connector comprises a housing, a plurality of first terminals, a plurality of second terminals, a plurality of third terminals and a cage provided on the exterior of the housing. The housing comprises a base and a tongue. The base is provided with a base wall and an assembly slot provided on the base wall to which the mated tongue mates. The tongue is provided with a body and a plurality of terminal installation slots recessed downward at intervals from the top surface of the body, the rear end of the terminal installation slots being defined by a boss part. A yield notch is provided at each location where each terminal passageway corresponds to the boss part. Because the boss parts increase the strength of the tongue, and by utilizing the yield notches, the contacts are able to prevent the boss parts from entering the terminal installation slots.
US08215984B2
An electrical connector with contact locking bodies separate from a housing which are secured from accidentally falling off the housing and prevent foreign matters from entering the connector through a gap between the contact locking bodies or through gaps between the contact locking bodies and the housing. The electrical connector includes a lower housing having a recess that opens in an upper surface, a contact that passes through the recess of the lower housing in the front-rear direction and is received therein, a lance block that is received in the recess of the lower housing from above the upper surface and prevents the contact from falling off, and an upper housing that is positioned on the upper surface side of the lower housing to cover the lance block.
US08215982B2
An electrical connector (100) mounted on a printed circuit board (200), the electrical connector includes an insulative housing (1) having a number of conductive members (32) and a LED device (2) disposed therein. Each conductive member includes a conductive pad (321) electrically connected with the printed circuit board. The LED device includes a LED (21) and a number of tail portions (221, 222) electrically interconnected with the LED. The tail portions are soldered on the conductive pads of the conductive members.
US08215978B1
A connector retaining device for retaining interconnection between two connectors includes an upper frame and a lower frame. The upper frame includes two parallel side members and two parallel end members connected between opposite ends of the side members. Each side member includes a cutout defined in an upper edge thereof and a hook extending downwardly beyond a lower edge thereof, each end member defines a recess in a lower edge thereof. The a lower frame includes two parallel side members and two parallel end members connected between opposite ends of the side members. Each side member included a cutout defined in a lower edge thereof and a hook extending upward beyond an upper edge thereof, each end member defines a recess in an upper edge thereof. The upper frame is attachable to the lower frame for sandwiching the combined connectors therebetween and surrounding the combined connectors therein.
US08215976B2
A power adapter includes a base with a cord, an internal circuit electrically connected to the cord and first terminals connected to the internal circuit, and a locking member with a connection portion fixed to the base and an elastic portion connected to the connection portion. The elastic portion comprises a protruding latching portion. The power adapter also includes a plug with second terminals exposed at a first side thereof and a chamber defined in an opposite second side. Each of the second terminals includes an end portion received in the chamber, and the chamber includes an internal sidewall defining a recessed portion snappingly engaging with the latching portion, thereby detachably securing the plug to the base.
US08215969B2
A contact structure disposed on a substrate is provided. The contact structure includes a pad, a polymer bump and a conductive layer. The pad is on the substrate. The polymer bump having a curve surface and a steep surface connecting with the curve surface is disposed on the substrate. The polymer bump is covered by the conductive layer and the conductive layer is electrically connected with the pad.
US08215967B2
A connecting member includes a cable used to transmit signal, a first connector and a second connector connected to the cable, and an elastic member mounted on the cable. The first connector and the second connector are configured for being electronically connected to two electronic components. The elastic member is elastically deformable between a first state, where the elastic member and the cable are constricted, and a second state, where the elastic member and the cable are extended.
US08215966B2
An interposer connector assembly includes a substrate, conductive pads, and contacts. The substrate has opposite first and second sides with a conductive via extending through the substrate. The conductive pads are mounted to the first and second sides of the substrate and electrically coupled with each other by the via. The contacts are electrically joined with the conductive pads on the first and second sides of the substrate. The contacts protrude from the substrate to outer ends that are configured to engage conductive members of electronic packages that mate with the first and second sides of the substrate. A differential electrical impedance characteristic of a conductive pathway extending from the outer end of one of the contacts to the outer end of another one of the contacts is at least 65 Ohms.
US08215957B2
The present invention provides a device and method for facilitating the placement of dental implants by use of an implant placement locator and a sequentially sized drill orientation tube series. The implant placement locator disclosed herein comprises a visible radiolucent moldable grid, a set of radiopaque markers located at known intervals within the moldable grid, and a plastic sheeting encasing the visible radiolucent moldable grid and the radiopaque markers. The method of the present invention comprises obtaining a radiograph of a patient's mouth with the implant placement locator overlaying the patient's dental ridge and then transferring reference points as indicated by the location of the radiopaque markers relative to existing teeth and other oral structures to a dental stone model. In a preferred embodiment, drill bits are directed in the desired trajectory into the patient's available lower or upper jaw bone by use of drill orientation tubes in combination with the implant placement locator. A sequentially sized set of spacers is provided having sequentially sized inside diameters to direct varying diameter drills. Drill guide parallelism is thus provided by the invention.
US08215955B2
An endodontic instrument for root canal filling includes a body having DC power source and printed circuit board, a heating tip connected to the body, a switch, and a control circuit for switching on/off power supply to the heating tip. The heating tip includes a first metal part serving as a resistant tube, a second metal part disposed inside the first metal part and configured to supply power, check a thermoelectric power (+) terminal, a third metal part disposed inside the first metal part and configured to supply power, a contact part, an insulator disposed inside the first metal part and enclosing surfaces of the second and third metal parts, first conductive tube, a second conductive tube; and an insulator connected and fixed to the first and second conductive tubes, where temperature is detected using thermoelectric power of the thermocouple.
US08215953B2
Orthodontic brackets that can accurately be mounted to the surface of teeth to effectively perform orthodontic treatment. The orthodontic bracket according to the present invention is characterized in that, a marker is provided on at least a portion of an outline that is generated by crossing a plane including a longitudinally extending center line, on the archwire slot base of the archwire slot and vertical to the archwire slot base, and an outer surface of the bracket with each other. The marker can be selected from the group consisting of a protrusion, a projection, a slit, a notch and a paint. Another orthodontic bracket according to the present invention has an insert hole drilled from an outer surface of the bracket to a portion just before a base of the body along a line passing through a point that is generated by crossing a line, which is generated by crossing a plane including a longitudinally extending center line, on the archwire slot base of the archwire slot and vertical to the archwire slot base, and the body base, and a plane vertical to the center line of the archwire slot and dividing the body exactly into two parts. This bracket is especially preferably used for indirect method as well as direct method.
US08215944B2
The present invention provides an imprinting device and an imprinting method which can uniformly apply pressure between a mold and a molding object and which can increase and decrease a temperature at a fast speed. An imprinting device is for transferring a pattern on a mold to a film molding object and comprises a stage for holding the mold, a pressurizing-chamber casing which configures a pressurizing-chamber together with the molding object, sealing means which airtightly seals a space between the pressurizing-chamber casing and the molding object, opening and closing means which opens and closes the space between the pressurizing-chamber casing and the molding object, pressurizing means which adjusts atmospheric pressure in the pressurizing-chamber, heating means which heats either one of or both of the mold and the molding object, and degassing means which eliminates any gas present between the mold and the molding object.
US08215943B2
A heat-transfer label assembly and an apparatus for applying heat-transfer labels. In a preferred embodiment, the heat-transfer label assembly includes a support. A plurality of labels are positioned over the support for transfer from the support to an article, each of the labels including an ink design. A plurality of spacers are positioned over the support but not over the label, the spacers not being transferable with the labels from the support to an article. The distance from the top of the spacers to the support exceeds the distance from the top of the labels to the support so that, when the assembly is wound into a roll, the labels do not come into contact with the bottom surface of an underlying portion of the support. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus for applying heat-transfer labels includes a pad, a die-mark reduction device on the pad, a heated die positioned over the pad, and a motor for moving the heated die into and out of engagement with the die-mark reduction device. One type of die-mark reduction device has a top that includes a plurality of recesses spaced apart from one another, the recesses constituting non-contact areas with the die, the spaces between the recesses constituting contact areas with the die.
US08215928B2
This invention provides a blower design capable of high temperature operation due to use of a self-sustaining cooling scheme through a sealed motor housing in which a cooling circuit can be created, and the use of a thermal barrier across which a temperature gradient may be formed. The thermal barrier may be formed by a thermal choke plate assembly positioned between a hot side and a cold side of the blower to dissipate heat conducted from the hot side. Alternatively, the thermal barrier may be formed by an internal fan ring provided with the blower's rotating assembly to dissipate heat conducted from the blower's impeller. The thermal choke plate assembly and the fan ring may further be used in combination to block heat transfer by all modes between a hot side and a cold side of the blower.
US08215923B2
A system includes a compressor, a control unite and a clutch assigned to the compressor. The control unit is suitable for opening and closing the clutch in order to economize energy. The control unit is suitable for carrying out a monitoring routine during which the clutch is opened or closed in order to prevent the clutch, the compressor and the components arranged downstream of the compressor from being damaged. A method for controlling the system, including the compressor, the control unit and the clutch associated with the compressor, is also provided.
US08215915B2
A blade closing key system includes a first key piece and a second key piece. The first key piece includes a first finger and an elongated alignment plate. The second key piece includes a second finger and a key slot. The key pieces are installed in a cavity collectively formed by a notch in a blade root and a slot in a rotor disc. The first and second fingers are bent toward each other and engage each other at their ends. Simultaneously, at least a portion of the alignment plate is received in the key slot. During engine operation, the engagement between the alignment plate and the key slot keeps the first and second key pieces aligned. Thus, regardless of the width of either of the two key pieces or the width of the cavity, the fingers remain constantly engaged during engine operation, minimizing the potential for blade liberation.
US08215913B2
A lift-type turbine comprising at least three blades at circumferentially spaced positions is supported for rotation about a vertical axis. Each blade has an airfoil shape to generate a torque about the axis responsive to wind across the blades. A support comprising cables under tension is connected between adjacent ones of the blades to extend generally circumferentially about the turbine. Accordingly a minimum number of parts form the structure of the blades while minimizing the drag produced during rotation thereof due to the support members lying in a common circumferential path. The tension of the support members can support the blades in a pre-stressed condition to optimize the shape and performance thereof.
US08215907B2
A method and an apparatus for monitoring an acoustic emission of a wind turbine that includes a rotor blade. The apparatus includes at least one sensor operatively coupled to the wind turbine. The sensor is configured to detect an atmospheric condition. A control system is communicatively coupled to the sensor, and configured to control operation of the wind turbine to adjust the acoustic emission of the wind turbine based on the atmospheric condition.
US08215894B2
A seal assembly for a rotational assembly includes a first seal, a second seal and a crossover support. The crossover support includes a first geometry that interacts with the first seal and a second, different geometry that interacts with the second seal.
US08215884B2
A locking mechanism inhibits rotational movement of a nut of a first cable connector that is threadingly engaged with a mating second cable connector. The nut has at least one recess in its outer surface along an edge and is rotatably mounted on a fixed housing of the first cable connector. The mechanism includes a component adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the housing and includes at least one first element matingly engageable with a corresponding second element positioned on the housing. A projection is rigidly mounted on the component. The projection is adapted to engage the at least one recess of the nut when the component is engaged with the outer surface of the housing.
US08215877B2
The device according to the invention for conveying fluid comprises a conveying chamber, an inlet valve, which is located in the direction of flow, upstream of the conveying chamber, and with an outlet valve, which is located in the direction of flow, downstream of the conveying chamber. Moreover, an injector is provided for, whose suction duct is connected with the conveying chamber. Via an air duct, which is connected to the conveying chamber, exhaust air (AL) can be blown into the conveying chamber.
US08215875B2
A bolt anchor is comprised of a body and sleeve. The body is generally wedge shaped with a threaded bore along its axis and at least one stop near its smaller end. The sleeve has a round collar with leaves extending from the collar parallel to the axis of the collar and each other. The at least one stop maintains the assembly of the body and sleeve. Prongs on the sleeve prevent the retraction or turning of the bolt anchor when a bolt is installed in a hole using the bolt anchor. Reduced material thickness associated with the leaves on the sleeve produces hinges which allow the leaves to be more easily deformed outwardly to engage the sides of a hole. Inserting a bolt and bolt anchor assembly into the hole and then turning the bolt pulls the body into the sleeve and creates a wedging effect in the hole.
US08215872B2
A riser tensioner for an offshore floating platform has a frame stationarily mounted to the upper portion of the riser. Pistons and cylinders are spaced circumferentially around the riser and connected between the frame and the floating platform. A tubular guide member is mounted to the floating platform for movement in unison in response to waves and currents. The riser extends through the guide member. A guide roller support is mounted to and extends downward from the frame around the guide member. At least one set of guide rollers is mounted to the guide roller support in rolling engagement with the guide member as the guide member moves in unison with the platform.
US08215869B2
A reinforced soil arch having an archway form, a combination of alternating and interacting layers of compacted mineral soil and geosynthetic reinforcement material placed over and adjacent to the archway form, and a plurality of shear resisting devices secured to the exterior surface of the archway form. The shear resisting devices cause the archway form and the combination of alternating layers of compacted mineral soil and geosynthetic reinforcement material to act as an integral unit when static or dynamic loads are placed on the reinforced soil arch. Methods for constructing a reinforced soil arch are provided.
US08215864B2
An impact attenuator system includes a hyperelastic member that comprises an energy-absorbing material which behaves in a rate-independent hyperelastic manner so that its permanent set is minimized and the material can absorb tremendous amounts of impact energy while remaining fully recoverable.
US08215862B2
A method of patching a destination surface to substantially match a structure of an existing sprayed on visible texture pattern. A sponge member is displaced in a dabbing direction towards and away from the destination surface to transfer texture material to the destination surface. Individual particles of the texture material are supported by binder on the applicator surface such that at least a portion of the structure at least some of the individual particles supported on the applicator surface visibly extend from the destination surface. The portion of the structure of the individual particles supported by the binder that extends outwardly from the binder on the destination surface forms a visible structure on the destination surface. The visible structure substantially matches the structure of the existing sprayed on visible texture pattern.
US08215854B2
A cartridge detachably attached to a printer apparatus includes a casing, an ink ribbon provided in the casing, a supply spool provided in the casing for supplying the ink ribbon, and a take-up spool provided in the casing for retrieving the ink ribbon. The printer apparatus includes a locking member rotatably supported on the printer apparatus and locking the cartridge to the printer apparatus, a detection device for detecting an installation of the cartridge by detecting a locked state of the locking member, a locking portion for locking the locking member when the cartridge is installed in the printer apparatus, and a guide forcefully and rotatingly displacing the locking member from a locking position when the cartridge is pulled out from the printer apparatus.
US08215852B2
This invention relates to a printing control method and apparatus, a computer program product, and the like in which printing data is held in a hierarchical structure and a printing job is issued to a printer to cause the printer to print. In the printing control method according to the present invention, different setting values can be set in the lower and upper layers of the hierarchical structure as printing setting data containing double-sided printing or single-sided printing setting. When a setting value different from that of the upper layer is set in the lower layer of the hierarchical structure, the printer is instructed on a setting in the lower layer for each printing data to which the setting value is applied.
US08215843B2
A fluid dynamic bearing device includes a bearing sleeve including a radial bearing surface, a shaft member to be inserted to an inner circumference of the bearing member, and a radial bearing part for non-contact supporting the shaft member in a radial direction by a dynamic pressure action of a fluid generated in a radial bearing gap between the radial bearing surface of the bearing member and an outer circumferential surface of the shaft member. Additionally, a plurality of bearing sleeves are axially arranged, and each bearing sleeve is formed having different axial length with respect to one another.
US08215824B2
In the case of a homogenizer device for dispersing and/or homogenizing substances capable of flow, having a container having one or more inlet openings for introducing the substances to be homogenized, which container has a container outlet opening for feeding the substances into a processing unit disposed below the bottom, in a central region of its bottom, which unit contains two gear rims, which are mounted to rotate independent of one another, are disposed concentrically and configured in circular shape, and are separated from one another by way of a predetermined interstice, effective homogenization, which can be adapted to a predetermined substance mixture, is achieved in that the drive shafts of a first gear rim and of a second gear rim of the processing unit are disposed perpendicular to the transport direction of the substances that leave the outlet opening, in each instance.
US08215821B2
A test vessel agitator assembly that agitates test vessels and the contents therein within an immunoassay automated analyzer system. The test vessels are transported along an element that is comprised of ridges and troughs such that the test vessel is moved in a directions that is approximately perpendicular to the direction of transportation.
US08215808B2
A lighting system for a stroller includes: a power generation system coupled to at least one wheel of the stroller; a power source operationally coupled to the power generation system and configured to receive and store power generated by the power generation system; at least one first light source coupled to at least one leg of the stroller and configured to be powered by the power source; and at least one second light source coupled to a central hub of the stroller and configured to be powered by the power source. The at least one first light source is controlled to provide constant lighting for safety purposes and the at least one second light source is controlled to provide light to a pathway in a low light condition.
US08215799B2
A lighting apparatus is shown and described. In one aspect, the lighting apparatus includes a light source, a plate, and frame. The light source can include one or more lighting elements that are in thermal communication with the light source. The plate can have a dissipative portion extending outward from a point of thermal communication between the plate and the light source. The frame can at least partially enclose the light source and may also be in thermal communication therewith.
US08215791B2
An illuminating headlamp consisting of a headband and at least one optical device providing illumination at a known distance from said optical device attached to said headband. Each optical device consists of a housing having an open first end and an open second end. There is a light emitting device attached to a mounting which is attached to the second end causing said light emitting device to be orientated at a known angle to an axis of said housing. At least one optically transparent lens is incorporated into said first end, and a means for adjusting said optically transparent lens in order to cause a focal point of the lens to be positioned behind said light emitting device, wherein a zone of substantially uniform illumination is projected at said known distance.
US08215790B2
A light-emitting product (for example, a flashlight) includes a first housing includes a light source for emitting light and a lens system that is adjustable in position relative to the light source. The second housing can be attached to the first housing and includes a power source for the light source. When the first housing and the second housing are attached, the first housing and the second housing can be moved relative to each other to adjust the position of the lens system relative to the position of the light source to focus the light from the light source.
US08215781B2
In a mirror for an automobile, the adoption of resin mirror body to a mirror plate can decrease the weight of the mirror body, and the mirror plate is fixed onto a mirror holder through the welding. Therefore, this eliminates the usage of both-sided adhesive tape or adhesive agent, makes assembly processes less complicated, and thus the reduction in production cost is achieved. Furthermore, since the mirror plate can be fixed onto the mirror holder firmly and strongly even when the mirror plate is not pressed strongly to the mirror holder, excessive load on the mirror holder or the mirror plate becomes avoided. In addition, at the time of the production stage, some dimensional variation in the edge part of the mirror holder or the peripheral edge of the mirror plate becomes easily acceptable.
US08215775B2
A method for analyzing tear film thermograph of contactless tear film thermal imager has steps of sequentially loading multiple thermographs of a tear film, recording a maximum and a minimum of temperatures for a region of interest of each one of the thermographs, dividing the thermograph into at least one temperature zone in accordance with the maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in the last step, and recording a size, a location and a bordering temperature of each one of the at least one temperature zone, analyzing a pattern and temperature variation of each one of the at least one temperature zone, and classifying stability of the tear film. The patterns of the temperature zones can be identified through circularity computation, mosaic and temperature gradient analysis. Accordingly, tear film break up patterns can be classified with the method to facilitate doctors to diagnose a dry eye patient.
US08215757B2
According to one embodiment an ink jet apparatus includes, an ink jet head, a first tank, a second tank, a third tank, a first flow channel, a second flow channel, and a flow control mechanism. The first tank is disposed upstream of the ink jet head with respect to a flow of ink. The second tank is disposed downstream of the ink jet head with respect to the flow of ink. The third tank is disposed downstream of the ink jet head with respect to the flow of ink. The first flow channel connects the first tank to the ink jet head and connects the ink jet head to the second tank and the third tank. The second flow channel connects the second tank and the third tank with the first tank. The flow control mechanism controls a pressure state of at least one of the second tank and the third tank.
US08215751B2
An inkjet carriage that receives a print cartridge, the inkjet carriage includes a holding receptacle having a wall, wherein the holding receptacle is configured to receive the print cartridge; and a spring disposed on the wall of the holding receptacle to provide a biasing force in a direction that pushes the print cartridge away from the wall of the inkjet carriage and which biasing force must be manually overcome in order to properly install the print cartridge in the holding receptacle of the inkjet carriage.
US08215741B2
The low and high occupancy rate matrix sets are stored in the inkjet printer which performs printing with dots having different sizes. For the original image where banding unevenness easily appears, used is the low occupancy rate matrix set where the occupancy rate of all dots is lower than 100% in the maximum value of gray level and the proportion of the large dots is high in a high range of gray level. For the original image where reproducibility of details is required, used is the high occupancy rate matrix set where the occupancy rate of all dots becomes 100% in a value of gray level lower than the maximum value of gray level and the proportion of the small dots is high in a middle range of gray level. It is therefore possible to perform appropriate printing in accordance with the classification of the original image.
US08215736B2
Among various embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for diagnosing printhead status are shown. The printhead status can be diagnosed by detecting which of a number of nozzles in a first printhead fire ink; and printing with visible ink a diagnostic plot using a second printhead that maps which nozzles fire ink in the first printhead. The number of nozzles in the first printhead which fire ink is determined by visually identifying the nozzles that fire ink in the second printhead as indicated by the placement of the visible ink on the diagnostic plot.
US08215733B2
An apparatus and process of controlling ink quality are provided. The process includes providing an imprinted polymer microbalance in an inkjet printer, whereby the microbalance presents an equilibrium setpoint vibratory characteristic when in contact with a setpoint ink containing at least one target compound compatible with the imprinted polymers; placing the microbalance in contact with a supply ink printer; measuring a vibratory characteristic of the microbalance; and issuing a warning when the vibratory characteristic is different from the setpoint characteristic.
US08215731B2
A handle assembly for mounting to an appliance door includes a main body member having first and second end portions separated by an intermediate portion. First and second plastic end-caps are tightly fit to the first and second end portions via fasteners. The handle assembly is mounted to a front face of the door through interengagment of the fasteners with clips attached to the appliance door. Latch and ramp portions of clips cooperate with the respective fasteners to draw the end-caps into a close locking engagement with the appliance door.
US08215725B2
An electromechanical parking brake system for a heavy vehicle braked by air-actuated service brakes includes an EPB-ECU and a first electromechanical parking brake actuator controlled by the EPB-ECU. The electromechanical parking brake system further includes a redundant sub-system for applying a second parking brake in an event of a failure in the EPB-ECU or the first electromechanical parking brake actuator.
US08215705B2
A front shock-absorber assembly for a motor vehicle includes, at each of the right-hand and left-hand sides thereof, at least a lower longitudinal structural element (6, 7) and an upper longitudinal structural element (4, 5). The shock-absorber assembly includes a high-energy impact absorption structure (12) which includes an elongate right-hand plate (18) and left-hand plate (19), each plate being fixedly joined to a lower longitudinal element and an upper longitudinal element located at the same side of the vehicle; and a deformable right-hand element (30) and left-hand element (31) for absorbing medium-energy impacts, a rear surface of a deformable element moving into abutment against the majority of a front surface of an associated plate.
US08215704B2
A heat expandable baffle having a shape corresponding to, but smaller than, the shape of the cross section of a cavity to be sealed, and comprising a rigid support plate, a carrier for a heat expandable material and a heat expandable material mounted only to the outer periphery of the carrier. When activated by heating, the expandable material expand radially from the carrier to seal the cross sectional gap between the carrier and the cavity wall.
US08215697B1
A sunshading apparatus includes a sunshade cloth having top and bottom ends respectively connected to a cross bar and a winding shaft. The cross bar has two opposite end pieces connected respectively to two track rails. The sunshade cloth passes through the passage opening. Two cover units close openably two opposite end portions of a passage opening formed in a rear window shelf of the vehicle. Each cover unit has two cover plates disposed pivotally at two transversely opposed sides of the passage opening and movable toward each other to a closing position that covers the corresponding end piece, or away from each other to an opening position that permits passage of the corresponding end piece.
US08215689B2
A modular system is provided for producing motor vehicles having at least first and second vehicle variants that differ from one another by having different space requirements in an accessories compartment that is separated from a luggage compartment by a partition wall. The system has a first partition wall that is secured to a side of an upper crossmember facing the accessories compartment to produce a small accessories compartment on the first vehicle variant. The system also has a second partition wall that is secured to a side of the upper crossmember facing the luggage compartment to produce a large accessories compartment on the second vehicle variant.
US08215685B2
A double slide arm spring mechanism for biasing a primary mechanism to home position after operation and retaining the primary mechanism in the home position pending further operation. The double slide arm spring mechanism includes a pair of slideably interlocking arms each having a longitudinal frame member and a spring engaging flange at each end. The frame members are a disposed to engage one another while permitting relative sliding of the arms. The slide arms are interlocked such that one flange of each arm is situated between the two flanges of the other arm. Two compression springs are retained between the flanges of the arms such that sliding of either arm toward the other necessarily compresses both springs. Potential energy stored in the springs returns the slide to its neutral position when the operator is released thereby also returning the operator to its neutral position. The slide arms produce twice as much force to return operator to it neutral position as would be possible using springs of the same length operated independently.
US08215679B2
A connection for sub-sea use employs locking dogs that are isolated from seawater and a backup system for operating the backup sleeve to the dogs. The normal actuation system for the backup sleeve is also isolated from seawater exposure. The set position of the backup sleeve is positively retained against the prospect of axial movement that could be triggered by transmitted vibration into the connection.
US08215674B2
A vehicle structure arrangement includes a pressurizable reinforcement element that may be arranged interiorly a beam, such as an A-pillar to reinforce the beam. The reinforcement element may be a tubular element having a flexible wall portion, The tubular element may be adapted to be self-stiffened when in a pressurized active state. In the pressurized state, the material and dimension of the tubular element wall portion are adapted to withstand actual stresses along longitudinal direction of the wall portion. The reinforcement element may be activated by a pre-crash unit.
US08215672B2
This invention is a control device to vary the contact conditions of the tread of a vehicle to improve driving functions, such as skid prevention, noise reduction, road surface protection or road marking, by the choice of the appropriate trodden tips in given road conditions. The trodden tips and connected parts are unified to make a unit which is attached or detached with a simple connection such as the insertion at a convenient position, which enables the device to function properly with a lowered safety factor, reducing the size only to avoid damages of the device and around.
US08215662B2
A system for engagement and disengagement of carts to form a train of multiple carts. Each cart has a spring-loaded hitch that is held in a storage position when the carts are disengaged. A lever coupled to the hitch is operated to position the hitch for insertion into a receiver pocket of the next cart. A leading edge of the hitch deflects a spring-loaded lockpin. An angled guide member positions the hitch vertically within the pocket so that the lockpin comes into alignment with an aperture in the hitch. When aligned, the lockpin snaps into place and engages the aperture to lock the carts together. The close tolerance of the hitch within the pocket prevents transverse articulation of adjacent carts. Structures within the hitch and the pocket allow slight rotation in a longitudinal articulation axis about the lockpin and torsional articulation of the hitch within the pocket.
US08215658B2
A tie down apparatus that may be utilized for securing an item, such as a safety chain, wherein the tie down apparatus may be used with a hitch mounting system. In one embodiment, the tie down apparatus may include a receiving member, a tie down member, and a clocking member. The receiving member may include an opening located there through. The tie down member may include at least one aperture, wherein the tie down member may be capable of being located and rotated within the receiving member. The tie down member may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. The locking member may include at least one leg capable of being housed within the aperture. The locking member may engage the receiving member once the tie down member is rotated, thereby trapping the item within the tie down apparatus.
US08215656B1
A trailer hitch apparatus for mechanically and electrically coupling a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle includes: a receiver and a trailer mount. The receiver has a receiver tube with an open end; a first electrical connector having a plurality of electrical contacts for attaching to the towing vehicle electrical system; and a second electrical connector having a plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to the plurality of electrical contacts of the first electrical connector. The trailer mount is installed within the open end of the receiver tube and includes a mounting tube comprising a first end and a second end for inserting into the receiver tube; a third electrical connector having a plurality of electrical contacts and operable to mate with the second electrical connector; an attachment mount connected to the second end of the mounting tube; a trailer attachment device connected to the attachment mount for attaching a towed vehicle; and an electrical receptacle electrically having a plurality of electrical contacts and connected with the third electrical connector for providing an electrical signal to an electrical system of the towed vehicle.
US08215652B2
The mobilizer consists of an open, inverted “U” shaped frame when view from above with the legs or the “U” pointed towards the rear. Pivoting caster wheels are attached to the front lower corners and rear wheel support arms extend rearward and curve downward each bearing a smaller non-pivoting wheel. Two vertical upright support members rise from the frame and are equipped with height adjustment mechanisms. Horizontal arm support assemblies, each with a hand grip and brake handle are attached to the upper ends of the support members. The user is supported by his elbows and shoulder girdle resulting in decompression of his spine. The arm support assemblies can be pivoted 180 degrees so that the grip portions and the hand brake levers face the rear of the mobilizer at about waist height. This allows the user to stand and grasp the handles as he walks forward.
US08215650B2
A medical cart includes a work platform having a work surface and at least one compartment, a base, and a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the work platform relative to the base. A medication module includes a plurality of compartments. The medical cart can be joined with a medication module. In addition, a plurality of medication modules can be joined to form a train. The medical cart and medication module can be used collectively and individually in a variety of methods for transferring medicine.
US08215646B2
A sealing assembly for a shaft includes a sealing component, a first ring, a second ring, and at least one energizer. The first ring is annularly disposed about the shaft, the first ring having at least one first protuberance interfittable with the sealing component. The second ring is annularly disposed about the shaft in facing opposition to the first ring, the second ring having at least one second protuberance interfittable with the sealing component. The at least one energizer energizes the seal component, the at least one energizer being adjacent the at least one first protuberance or the at least one second protuberance.
US08215645B1
A floating air seal to seal a lower pressure chamber from a higher pressure chamber and allow for both axial and radial shifting of the rotor with respect to the stator while maintaining the sealing capability. The floating seal includes an annular piston that slides within an annular groove formed within the stator in an axial direction with an annular flange secured to it that forms an annular manifold between the piston and the flange. The annular piston includes a plurality of feed holes that open into the annular manifold, and the annular flange includes a plurality of baffle holes that open into the annular manifold but offset from the feed holes so that Helmholtz excitations of the rotor disk do not occur. The baffle holes open into an outer annular groove that forms an air cushion against the rotor disk surface due to the air flow.
US08215639B2
An apparatus for playing a game comprising a playing surface having a first area and a second area, a projectile, and at least two propulsion devices. First and second sets of playing pieces are provided, each playing piece having a lower peg portion, and a substrate overlaying and spaced above the playing surface and extending across both the first and second areas of the playing surface. In a game, the playing pieces are located on the substrate above the first area of the playing surface, with their peg portions extending below the substrate, and each propulsion device is capable of propelling the projectile such that the projectile can impact with a peg portion of a playing piece and thereby dislodge the playing piece.
US08215637B2
A sheet conveying apparatus has a conveyance portion configured to convey a sheet along a conveyance path; a skew-feed correction member positioned in the conveyance path such that a leading edge of the sheet conveyed by the conveyance portion contacts the skew-feed correction member to correct a skew-feed of the sheet; a receiving portion configured to receive information indicative of the width of the conveyed sheet, the width being in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveyance direction; and a control portion configured to adjust a skew-correction conveyance amount of the conveyance portion applied to correct the skew-feed of the sheet by the skew-feed correction member. The skew-correction conveyance amount is adjusted on information which the receiving portion receives such that the skew-correction conveyance amount is set to be larger for a sheet of smaller width compared to a sheet of greater width.
US08215633B2
A method of feeding media in an inkjet printer including moving a media stopper element for selectively allowing a sheet of media to advance along a media advance path in a media advance direction. A shaft is connected to the media stopper element for moving the media stopper element by rotating the shaft. The media stopper element can be moved via biasing to a first position for preventing the sheet of media from advancing and to a second position for allowing the sheet of media to advance along the media advance path.
US08215626B2
There is provided a technique in which in a sheet processing apparatus including a switchback portion in a sheet transport path, a contribution can be made to the improvement of maintenance in the case where a sheet jam occurs in the vicinity of a switchback position. In a sheet processing method of a sheet processing apparatus for performing a specified process to a sheet, the sheet processing apparatus includes a first sheet transport path for transporting the sheet, and a second sheet transport path that is for performing switchback transport of the sheet transported in the first sheet transport path and includes at least one of a hole, a projection and a recess in the vicinity of a meeting position between the second sheet transport path and the first sheet transport path, and the first sheet transport path and the second sheet transport path are enabled to be integrally pulled out to the outside of the sheet processing apparatus.
US08215622B2
A clamp device including a detection mechanism provided to detect whether the clamp device is in a clamped state or an unclamped state. The detection mechanism includes a tilt plate tiltably placed inside a switch holder installed on a body and a sliding rod displaced together with a piston rod and displaced in the direction normal to the tilt plate. When the sliding rod presses and tilts the tilt plate while a piston is displaced, a second detection switch detects that the clamp device is in the unclamped state.
US08215618B2
A winch system with a force cable that transmits electrical current and/or digital data to the load. For example, the force cable, including a power line and/or a signal line and includes at least: (i) a first portion extending from the load to the drum; and (ii) a second portion that is wound around the drum. If there is a power line in the force cable it is electrically connected to an electrical commutator by a rotating current path. If there is a signal line in the force cable it is connected in data communication to a data signal commutator by a rotating communication path. The commutator also has an input for receiving electrical current and/or digital data, as appropriate. The commutator transmits the electrical current and/or digital data from its input to the rotating current path and/or communication path. The drum defines an axial channel extending from at least one end of the drum along its axial direction, and current path(s) and/or communication path(s) are routed through the channel. There is a distribution box at a first axial end of the drum and the commutator is at the second axial end of the drum. The drum includes at least one radial channel that includes: (i) a first portion for receiving a force bearing member of the force cable from outside of the drum; and (ii) a second portion for guiding at least a portion of the current path(s) and/or the communication path(s) from outside of the drum to the axial channel.
US08215612B2
A sliding valve including a valve body (1) with a wall having a valve opening (3) and a valve seat (4) surrounding the valve opening (3), a valve plate (5), at least one valve rod (8) that can move in the axial direction and can be moved for closing the valve starting from a first position in which the valve plate (5) assumes its open position, to a second position in which the valve plate (5) assumes an intermediate position covering the valve opening (3) but lifted from the valve seat (4), into a third position in which the valve plate (5) assumes its closed position. At least one lifting element (10, 11) moves the valve plate (5) from its intermediate position into its closed position, and at least one support unit (12) with at least one front and at least one rear support element (14, 13) that interact in the closed position of the valve plate (5) with at least one valve-body-fixed, front support element and at least one valve-body-fixed, rear support element (16, 15). In the second position of the valve rod (8), either the rear support elements (13, 15) or the front support elements (14, 16) are in engagement and the other of these support elements (14, 16; 13, 15) are spaced apart from each other. When moving the valve rod (8) from its second to its third position, the support unit (12) pivots about a rotational axis (17) from a starting position in which the other support elements (14, 16; 13, 15) are spaced apart from each other into an end position in which the other support elements (14, 16; 13, 15) contact each other.
US08215610B2
A bi-directional electromechanical valve comprising a cylindrical upper cover, two semi-cylindrical permanent magnets, two semi-cylindrical cases, a reverse U-shaped coil set, a cylindrical armature, a valve stem, a first spring and a second spring. The electromechanical valve can be opened and closed bi-directionally in a quick and powerful manner. With an integrated round-shaped design, the electromechanical valve not only reduces the dimensions, but also equalizes the valve wear caused by rotating valve during engine operations. The specially designed cylindrical armature and its button-shaped bottom provide a stronger magnetic holding force to improve the strokes of the armature. The design of a single coil set and permanent magnets reduces the coil volume and the driving power effectively. The armature will stop at a fail-to-safe position at a power failure to provide a better driving way for an engine intake/exhaust valve.
US08215604B1
An antenna mount is provided for securing an antenna at a conex enclosure. The mount includes a box bracket having a plurality of flanges, a base plate disposable beneath the box bracket, and a tensioner plate disposable beneath the base plate. The box bracket has a top surface with an orifice to receive the antenna. The base plate is securable to the flanges by a first plurality of fasteners. The tensioner plate is securable to the base plate by a second plurality of fasteners. The box bracket forms a sheet metal plate folded to form a box with fore, aft, lateral and top sides.
US08215601B2
A beverage container receptacle adapted for installation relative to fixed first and second structures. The receptacle includes a container-holding first part having a container rest and a periphery that defines a void in which is received a portion of the fixed first structure that extends along a first axis. The periphery at least partially surrounds the first axis, and the receptacle is supported by the first structure when it is installed relative thereto. The receptacle also includes a receptacle-retaining second part slidably positioned relative to the first part. The second part is adapted for movement relative to the first structure received in the void and toward engagement with the second structure. The receptacle is adapted for being supported against angular movement in at least one direction about the first axis through the engagement of the second part with the second structure. Also, a method for installing a beverage container receptacle including the steps of: receiving a portion of a fixed first structure having a first axis in a void defined in a first part of the receptacle and at least partially surrounding the first axis with a periphery of the void; supporting the receptacle through the first structure; slidably moving a second part of the receptacle relative to the first part toward engagement with a fixed second structure; and supporting the receptacle against rotation in at least one direction about the first axis through engagement between the second part and the second structure.
US08215597B1
An improved construction and method of constructing a field-bendable stud-engaging tab for electrical box supports that can be formed with less tool wear and bent in the field (for example, to conform to particular electrical box depths) with less force than previously required, and when necessary, straightened and re-bent. Scores are formed in the tab during the manufacturing process by applying shear force with a punch to the sheet metal of the tab, typically by a method in which the punch is applied to a portion of the sheet metal that rests over a cavity in the die, creating a sheared edge in each score wherein the metal is at least partially fractured, said fracture coinciding with at least part of a corresponding bend line. The bend lines also comprise unscored areas. In the field, the tab can be bent and re-bent along the bend lines.
US08215596B2
A hinge assembly includes a pivot shaft, a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a positioning member. The first supporting member is rotatably sleeved on the pivot shaft. A positioning protrusion is formed on the first supporting member. The second supporting member is non-rotatably sleeved on the pivot shaft. The positioning member has an elastic portion and is non-rotatably sleeved on the pivot shaft. A positioning groove receiving the positioning protrusion is defined in a periphery of the positioning member and adjacent to the elastic portion. An LCD device is further provided in the present disclose.
US08215593B2
A pipe clip comprises an annular pipe clip body made from a metal strip for accommodating a pipe in order to attach the latter to a wall, ceiling or other support. Vibration-isolating material is applied to the pipe clip body, at least on that side which, in use, faces the pipe. The viewed in the width direction of the metal strip, outermost regions, are coated with a vibration-isolating material, at least on that side which, in use, faces the pipe. A central region of the metal strip situated between the outermost regions is uncoated on the side facing the pipe and the side facing away from the pipe.
US08215592B2
A component for bends and elevation offsets modifications to a wire mesh cable tray system that maintains the cross-sectional area and conductivity of the original wire mesh cable tray before the bends and elevation offsets modifications is presented. By maintaining the cross-section area, equipment-ground conductor compliance is preserved. The component can be easily and quickly modified as needed while maintaining the cross-sectional area of the wire mesh cable tray system. The component can be modified and installed either by the manufacturer or in the field by a technician.
