US08217558B2
Apparatus for regulating the temperature of a light emitting diode (LED). The apparatus includes a heat sink, an LED mount, and an LED mounted on the LED mount. The LED mount is configured to change shape in response to a change in temperature. The change in shape alters the position of the LED relative to the heat sink, for adjusting heat transfer between the LED and the heat sink. The LED mount may include a laminated portion such as a bi-metallic strip.
US08217555B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for driving an actuator in which unnecessary deformation is suppressed.The present invention provides a method for driving an actuator, comprising the following steps (a) and (b): a step (a) of preparing the actuator, wherein the actuator comprises a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer composed of (Bi,Na,Ba)TiO3, and a second electrode, the piezoelectric layer is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction denote [100] direction, [01-1] direction, and [011] direction, respectively, and the piezoelectric layer is preferentially oriented along the +Z direction; and a step (b) of applying a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode to drive the actuator.
US08217554B2
An ultrasonic method for removing and/or avoiding unwanted build-up on structures is provided, wherein the term build-up refers to, but is not limited to, ice, dirt, mud, or other wanted debris or contamination. Deicing or anti-icing structures of interest can include, but are not limited to, helicopter rotor blades, other helicopter blade components, fixed wing aircraft components, windshields in aircraft, automobiles, and other vehicles, ship hulls or other ship components, heat exchangers and other tubing where frost or ice could form, air-conditioning components, head lamp and other light coverings, bridge structures and components, and any structure where anti-icing or deicing would be beneficial. One or more ultrasonic actuators permanently embedded or coupled to the structure may be used accomplish the removal. The technique presented herein could also be utilized for non-destructive evaluation and structural health monitoring applications.
US08217548B2
A DC motor, has a stator housing accommodating a permanent magnet stator; a rotor, rotatably mounted confronting the stator, the rotor having a shaft, a rotor core fitted to the shaft and having laminations forming salient poles, a commutator fitted to the shaft adjacent one end of the rotor core, windings wound about poles of the rotor core and terminated on the commutator, the windings each being wound around a single pole of the rotor; and brush gear comprising brushes in sliding contact with the commutator for transferring electrical power to the windings.
US08217539B2
An electric motor comprising an annular stator core, a resin molding the stator core, a casing member housing the stator core, wherein the casing member has an opening, and the resin is filled into the opening.
US08217537B2
A magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) generator has a conveying duct shaped for conveying a high velocity, conductive fluid; a magnetic field generator arranged to generate a magnetic field across the conveying duct, substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the fluid, such that the fluid passes through the magnetic field when conveyed by the duct; electrodes arranged to conduct a current induced in the fluid as it is conveyed by the conveying duct through the magnetic field; and a fluid break-down circuit arranged to electrically break-down the fluid by developing an additional voltage across the electrodes.
US08217532B2
A real time clock driving circuit for driving a real time clock includes a power source, a flash driving circuit, a switch circuit, and an electronic source. The flash driving circuit includes a booster, a charging capacitor, and a number of first resistor dividers. The anode of the charging capacitor and the first resistor dividers are coupled to an output of the booster. A node is defined between two of the first resistor dividers. The switch circuit includes a MOS transistor and a second resistor divider. The source of the MOS transistor is coupled to the node. The gate is coupled to the node via the second resistor divider. The drain is coupled to the power input of the real time clock. The power source is coupled to the input of the booster, the gate, and the power input of the real time clock.
US08217531B2
Methods, apparatus, and products for dynamically configuring current sharing and fault monitoring in redundant power supply modules for components of an electrically powered system, including summing, by a master service processor, during powered operation of the system, the present power requirements of components presently installed in the electrically powered system and setting, by the master service processor for each redundant power supply module in dependence upon the sum of the present power requirements, a current sharing tolerance and a fault reporting tolerance.
US08217520B2
A system-in-package (SiP) package is provided. In one embodiment, the SiP package comprises a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the substrate having a set of bond wire studs on bond pads formed on the second surface thereof; a first semiconductor chip having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the first semiconductor chip is mounted to the second surface of the substrate by means of solder bumps; an underfill material disposed between the first semiconductor chip and the substrate, encapsulating the solder bumps; a second semiconductor chip having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the second semiconductor chip is mounted to the second surface of the first semiconductor chip; and a set of bond wires electrically coupled from the second semiconductor chip to the set of bond wire studs on the substrate.
US08217516B2
In this semiconductor device, the through-hole is formed in the substrate, and is located under the conductive pattern. The insulating layer is located at the bottom surface of the through-hole. The conductive pattern is located on one surface side of the substrate. The opening pattern is formed in the insulating layer which is located between the through-hole and the conductive pattern, where the distance r3 from the circumference of the opening pattern to the central axis of the through-hole is smaller than the distance r1 in the through-hole. By providing the opening pattern, the conductive pattern is exposed at the bottom surface of the through-hole. The bump is located on the back surface side of the substrate, and is formed integrally with the through-electrode.
US08217513B2
Embodiments related to the cleaning of interface surfaces in a semiconductor wafer fabrication process via remote plasma processing are disclosed herein. For example, in one disclosed embodiment, a semiconductor processing apparatus includes a processing chamber, a load lock coupled to the processing chamber via a transfer port, a wafer pedestal disposed in the load lock and configured to support a wafer in the load lock, a remote plasma source configured to provide a remote plasma to the load lock, and an ion filter disposed between the remote plasma source and the wafer pedestal.
US08217512B1
A thermal interface device (100) includes a base member (102) and a pocket (104) which is filled with a thermally conductive material or medium such as diamond dust suspended in a solvent such as propylene glycol or a thermally conductive material such as thermally conductive rubber. The pocket (104) is hermitically sealed to the base member (102) in order to keep the thermally conductive material within the pocket. The filled pocket (104) forms a deformable “pillow” having a high thermal conductance. The deformable pocket (104) can contour to the shape of a device it is pressed against such as an electronic device undergoing testing.
US08217511B2
An integrated circuit assembly includes a panel including an semiconductor device at least partially surrounded by an encapsulant. A panel upper surface and a device active surface are substantially coplanar. The assembly further includes one or more interconnect layers overlying the panel upper surface. Each of the interconnect layers includes an insulating film having contacts formed therein an interconnect metallization formed thereon. A lower surface of the panel is substantially coplanar with either a backside of the device or a lower surface of a thermally and electrically conductive slab that has an upper surface in thermal contact with the device backside. The assembly may also include a set of panel vias. The panel vias are thermally and electrically conductive conduits extending through the panel between the interconnect layer and suitable for bonding with a land grid array (LGA) or other contact structure of an underlying circuit board.
US08217509B2
In a semiconductor device manufacturing method, a semiconductor chip is mounted on a support board so as to expose a side of the semiconductor chip on which a plurality of terminal electrodes are provided. An insulating layer is formed so as to cover the side of the semiconductor chip on which the terminal electrodes are provided. Through electrodes connecting to the terminal electrodes and piercing the insulating layer are formed. Metal wirings connecting to the through electrodes are formed on the insulating layer. External terminal electrodes connecting the metal wiring are formed. Second spacing, spacing between the adjacent external terminal electrodes, is larger than first spacing, spacing between the adjacent terminal electrodes.
US08217505B2
A device is disclosed which includes a flexible material including at least one conductive wiring trace, a first die including at least an integrated circuit, the first die being positioned above a portion of the flexible material, and an encapsulant material that covers the first die and at least a portion of the flexible material. A method is disclosed which includes positioning a first die above a portion of a flexible material, the first die including an integrated circuit and the flexible material including at least one conductive wiring trace, and forming an encapsulant material that covers the first die and at least a portion of the flexible material, wherein at least a portion of the flexible material extends beyond the encapsulant material.
US08217504B2
A panel with a reconfigured wafer including semiconductor chips arranged in rows and columns on semiconductor device positions includes: at least one semiconductor chip having a front, a rear and edge sides provided per semiconductor device position. The reconfigured wafer includes: a front side that forms a coplanar area with the front sides of the at least one semiconductor chip and a plastic housing composition embedding the edge sides and the rear side of the at least one semiconductor chip. The reconfigured wafer includes, on a rear side of the wafer, structures configured to stabilize the panel. The structures are composed of the plastic housing composition and are formed as thickenings of the reconfigured wafer.
US08217498B2
Methods and apparatus for producing a gallium nitride semiconductor on insulator structure include: bonding a single crystal silicon layer to a transparent substrate; and growing a single crystal gallium nitride layer on the single crystal silicon layer.
US08217495B2
A high-frequency metal-insulator-metal (MIM) type diode is constructed as a bridge suspended above a substrate to significantly reduce parasitic capacitances affecting the operation frequency of the diode thereby permitting improved high-frequency rectification, demodulation, or the like.
US08217492B2
An integrated circuit includes a first integrated circuit die having a first circuit and a first inductive interface and a second integrated circuit die having a second circuit and a second inductive interface. A substrate is coupled to support the first integrated circuit die and the second integrated circuit die, the substrate including a magnetic communication path aligned with the first inductive interface and the second inductive interface, to magnetically communicate signals between the first circuit and the second circuit.
US08217483B2
A semiconductor component that includes a photosensitive doped semiconductor layer, in which electrical charge carriers are released during absorption of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. The photosensitive semiconductor layer has a structured interface and at least one layer which generates an electric field for separating the released charge carriers disposed downstream of the structured interface. The electric field extends over the structured interface. The photosensitive semiconductor component is distinguished by a high efficiency of the charge carrier separation, in particular, for generating an electric current.
US08217480B2
A superlattice-based infrared absorber and the matching electron-blocking and hole-blocking unipolar barriers, absorbers and barriers with graded band gaps, high-performance infrared detectors, and methods of manufacturing such devices are provided herein. The infrared absorber material is made from a superlattice (periodic structure) where each period consists of two or more layers of InAs, InSb, InSbAs, or InGaAs. The layer widths and alloy compositions are chosen to yield the desired energy band gap, absorption strength, and strain balance for the particular application. Furthermore, the periodicity of the superlattice can be “chirped” (varied) to create a material with a graded or varying energy band gap. The superlattice based barrier infrared detectors described and demonstrated herein have spectral ranges covering the entire 3-5 micron atmospheric transmission window, excellent dark current characteristics operating at least 150K, high yield, and have the potential for high-operability, high-uniformity focal plane arrays.
US08217472B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided herein, where the width effect is reduced in the resulting semiconductor device. The method involves providing a substrate having semiconductor material, forming an isolation trench in the semiconductor material, and lining the isolation trench with a liner material that substantially inhibits formation of high-k material thereon. The lined trench is then filled with an insulating material. Thereafter, a layer of high-k gate material is formed over at least a portion of the insulating material and over at least a portion of the semiconductor material. The liner material divides the layer of high-k gate material, which prevents the migration of oxygen over the active region of the semiconductor material.
US08217467B2
In some embodiments, a semiconductor memory device includes a substrate that includes a cell array region and a peripheral circuit region. The semiconductor memory device further includes a device isolation pattern on the substrate. The device isolation pattern defines a first active region and a second active region within the cell array region and a third active region in the peripheral circuit region. The semiconductor memory device further includes a first common source region, a plurality of first source/drain regions, and a first drain region in the first active region. The semiconductor memory device further includes a second common source region, a plurality of second source/drain regions, and a second drain region in the second active region. The semiconductor memory device further includes a third source/drain region in the third active region. The semiconductor memory device further includes a common source line contacting the first and second common source regions.
US08217465B2
In some embodiments, an opening is formed through a first material, and sidewall topography of the opening is utilized to form a pair of separate anistropically etched spacers. The spacers are utilized to pattern lines in material underlying the spacers. Some embodiments include constructions having one or more openings which contain steep sidewalls joining to one another at shallow sidewall regions. The constructions may also contain lines along and directly against the steep sidewalls, and spaced from one another by gaps along the shallow sidewall regions.
US08217462B2
The present invention relates a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) for directional ESD protection. The TVS includes: a conductivity type substrate; a first type lightly doped region, having a first type heavily doped region arranged therein; a second type lightly doped region, having a second type heavily doped region and a third type heavily doped region arranged therein; a third type lightly doped region, having a fourth type heavily doped region arranged therein; a plurality of closed isolation trenches, arranged on the conductivity type substrate, wherein at least one of the plurality of closed isolation trenches is neighbored one of the type lightly doped regions; and a first pin. Accordingly, the TVS of present invention may adaptively provide effective ESD protection under positive and negative ESD stresses, improve the efficiency of ESD protection within the limited layout area.
US08217448B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device comprises providing a semiconductor substrate, providing a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type over the semiconductor substrate, forming a first region of the first conductivity type in the semiconductor layer, and forming a control region over the semiconductor layer and over part of the first region. A mask layer is formed over the semiconductor layer and outlines a first portion of a surface of the semiconductor layer over part of the first region. Semiconductor material of a second conductivity type is provided to the outlined first portion to provide a second region in the semiconductor layer. The first region and second region are driven into the semiconductor layer so as to form a pre-control region of the first conductivity type extending into the semiconductor layer from the surface and under a portion of the control region and a graded body region of the second conductivity type extending into the semiconductor layer under the pre-control region. A body region is formed by providing semiconductor material of the second conductivity type to the outlined first portion. The body region extends into the pre-control region. A current electrode region is formed in the body region.
US08217447B2
A flash memory device and a method of manufacturing a flash memory device. A flash memory device may include an isolation layer and/or an active area over a semiconductor substrate, a memory gate formed over an active area, a control gate formed over a semiconductor substrate including a memory gate, and/or a common source line contact formed over a semiconductor substrate including a control gate. A flash memory device may include a source plate having substantially the same interval as an interval of an active area of a bit line. A source plate may include an active area in which a common source line contact may be formed. A common source line contact may include a long butting contact extending in a direction traversing an active area.
US08217444B2
A MONOS type non-volatile semiconductor memory device which is capable of electrically writing, erasing, reading and retaining data, the memory device including source/drain regions, a first gate insulating layer, a first charge trapping layer formed on the first gate insulating layer, a second gate insulating layer formed on the first charge trapping layer, and a controlling electrode formed on the second gate insulating layer. The first charge trapping layer includes an insulating film containing Al and O as major elements and having a defect pair formed of a complex of an interstitial O atom and a tetravalent cationic atom substituting for an Al atom, the insulating film also having electron unoccupied levels within the range of 2 eV-6 eV as measured from the valence band maximum of Al2O3.
US08217443B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer having a trench; a source region formed in a surface layer portion thereof adjacently to a first side of the trench; a drain region formed in the surface layer portion adjacently to a second side of the trench; a first insulating film formed in the trench; a floating gate stacked on the first insulating film and opposed to the trench, and extending over and covering only partially the source and drain regions; a second insulating film formed on the floating gate; and a control gate at least partially embedded in the trench so that a portion embedded in the trench is opposed to the floating gate through the second insulating film. The first insulating film has a thin portion in contact with the drain region and a thick portion formed by the remainder thereof which covers the entire bottom surface of the trench.
US08217441B2
The invention includes methods for utilizing partial silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology in combination with fin field effect transistor (finFET) technology to form transistors particularly suitable for utilization in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) arrays. The invention also includes DRAM arrays having low rates of refresh. Additionally, the invention includes semiconductor constructions containing transistors with horizontally-opposing source/drain regions and channel regions between the source/drain regions. The transistors can include gates that encircle at least three-fourths of at least portions of the channel regions, and in some aspects can include gates that encircle substantially an entirety of at least portions of the channel regions.
US08217439B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming capacitors. A first capacitor storage node may be formed within a first opening in a first sacrificial material. A second sacrificial material may be formed over the first capacitor storage node and over the first sacrificial material, and a retaining structure may be formed over the second sacrificial material. A second opening may be formed through the retaining structure and the second sacrificial material, and a second capacitor storage node may be formed within the second opening and against the first storage node. The first and second sacrificial materials may be removed, and then capacitor dielectric material may be formed along the first and second storage nodes. Capacitor electrode material may then be formed along the capacitor dielectric material. Some embodiments include methods of forming DRAM unit cells, and some embodiments include DRAM unit cell constructions.
US08217434B2
A semiconductor package capable of being efficiently stacked and a method of manufacturing the same is presented. The semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip, an insulation layer, and a through-electrode. The semiconductor chip has a first surface and a second surface, a circuit section in the semiconductor chip, an internal circuit pattern electrically connected to the circuit section, and a through-hole that passes through the internal circuit pattern and through the first and second surfaces. The insulation layer is on a through-hole of the semiconductor chip and has an opening which exposes the internal circuit pattern which was exposed by the through-hole. The through-electrode is in the through-hole and electrically coupled to the internal circuit pattern which is exposed through the opening of the insulation layer.
US08217430B2
An integrated circuit (IC) chip includes a first memory cell array block having a first metal layer containing at least two power lines, and a second memory cell array block containing at least two power lines independent of each other, wherein all the power lines on the first metal layer serving the first memory cell array block do not extend into the second memory cell array block, and all the power lines on the first metal layer serving the second memory cell array block do not extend into the first memory cell array block.
US08217425B2
The cell size is reduced and device reliability is improved for a semiconductor device including plural transistors making up a multi-channel output circuit. In a multi-channel circuit configuration, a group of transistors having a common function of plural channels are surrounded by a common trench for insulated isolation from another group of transistors having another function. The collectors of mutually adjacent transistors on the high side are commonly connected to a VH power supply, whereas the emitters of mutually adjacent transistors on the low side are commonly connected to a GND power supply.
US08217417B2
The invention provides an antistatic gallium nitride based light emitting device and a method for fabricating the same. The method includes: growing an n-type GaN-based epitaxial layer, an active layer, a p-type GaN-based epitaxial layer and an undoped GaN-based epitaxial layer sequentially on a substrate; etching to remove parts of the layers above, to expose a part of the n-type GaN-based epitaxial layer, with the unetched part defined as an emitting area; etching to remove a part of the undoped GaN-based epitaxial layer; forming an ohmic contact electrode on an exposed part of p-type GaN-based epitaxial layer, and forming a Schottky contact electrode on another part; forming a p-electrode on a transparent conducting layer such that the p-electrode is electrically connected with the ohmic contact electrode; forming an n-electrode on the exposed n-type GaN-based epitaxial layer; and forming a connecting conductor on an insulation layer such that the connecting conductor is electrically connected with the n-electrode and the Schottky contact electrode. By forming a GaN Schottky diode directly on a p-type GaN-based epitaxial layer, the fabrication process is simplified while providing antistatic ability at the same time, and the emitting area is made the maximum use of so as to avoid the drop in the luminous efficiency of the GaN-based LED.
US08217416B2
Provided are a light emitting device package and a method for fabricating the same. The light emitting device package comprises a substrate; a light emitting device on the substrate; a zener diode comprising a first conductive type impurity region and two second conductive type impurity regions, the first conductive type impurity region being disposed in the substrate, the two second conductive type impurity regions being separately disposed in two areas of the first conductive type impurity region; and a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, each of them being electrically connected to the second conductive type impurity regions and the light emitting device.
US08217404B2
A light-mixing type LED package structure for increasing color render index includes a substrate unit, a light-emitting unit, a frame unit and a package unit. The light-emitting unit has a first light-emitting module for generating a first color temperature and a second light-emitting module for generating a second color temperature. The frame unit has two annular resin frames surroundingly formed on the top surface of the substrate unit by coating. The two annular resin frames respectively surround the first light-emitting module and the second light-emitting module in order to form two resin position limiting spaces above the substrate unit. The package unit has a first translucent package resin body and a second translucent package resin body both disposed on the substrate unit and respective covering the first light-emitting module and the second light-emitting module.
US08217398B2
Methods are provided for improving inversion layer mobility and providing low defect density in a semiconductor device based upon a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate. More specifically, embodiments of the present method provide for the formation of a gate oxide on a silicon carbide substrate comprising oxidizing the substrate with a gaseous mixture comprising oxygen at a temperature of at least about 1300° C. Semiconductor devices, such as MOSFETS, based upon a substrate treated according to the present method are expected to have inversion layer mobilities of at least about 12 cm2/Vs.
US08217394B2
A semiconductor chip includes a circuit region and a corner stress relief (CSR) region. The CSR region is in a corner of the semiconductor chip. A device under test (DUT) structure or a functional circuit is disposed on the circuit region. A probe pad is disposed on the CSR region. A metal line extends from the circuit region to the CSR region to electrically connect the probe pad to the DUT structure or a functional circuit.
US08217391B2
An organic semiconductor transistor has plural electrodes and an organic semiconductor layer containing at least one compound represented by the following Formula (I). In Formula (I), each R1 independently represents a straight-chain alkyl group having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, a straight-chain alkoxy group having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, a branched alkyl group having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, or a branched alkoxy group having from 3 to 20 carbon atom, and each R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a straight-chain alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a straight-chain alkoxy group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a branched alkyl group having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, or a branched alkoxy group having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms.
US08217382B1
An optical-powered device includes a flexible substrate, a photonic bandgap layer coupled thereto, a waveguide contained within the photonic bandgap layer, and a dendrimer region contained within the waveguide. The dendrimer region may comprise more than one dendrimers. The dendrimer region emission band is within the photonic bandgap of the photonic bandgap layer. Multiple photonic bandgap layers may be included, with one or more waveguides therein. Each waveguide may have a dendrimer region therein. Electronic circuitry may be contained within a portion of the photonic bandgap layer. A light-modulating layer may be directly coupled to the photonic bandgap layer. A portion of the photonic bandgap layer may have a sensing material embedded therein. A cover layer having one or more windows may be coupled to the photonic bandgap layer. Another layer, such as a buffer layer, may be disposed between the substrate layer and the photonic bandgap layer.
US08217381B2
In an aspect, the present invention provides stretchable, and optionally printable, components such as semiconductors and electronic circuits capable of providing good performance when stretched, compressed, flexed or otherwise deformed, and related methods of making or tuning such stretchable components. Stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits preferred for some applications are flexible, in addition to being stretchable, and thus are capable of significant elongation, flexing, bending or other deformation along one or more axes. Further, stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits of the present invention are adapted to a wide range of device configurations to provide fully flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices.
US08217357B2
An integrated tomosynthesis/molecular breast imaging device having improved sensitivity includes tomosynthesis imaging components and molecular breast imaging components. The imaging components may be used individually or in combination to provide a system with improved sensitivity and specificity. Molecular imaging components may be smoothly advanced or withdrawn depending upon the desired imaging mode. The system supports both PET and SPECT imaging and enables SPECT collimation to be modified in accordance with image capture requirements.
US08217354B2
A remote sensing system includes a first light source, a second light source, two image capturing devices and a processing unit. The first light source is configured for emitting infrared light of a first central wavelength. The second light source is configured for emitting infrared light of a second central wavelength. The two image capturing devices is configured for capturing images of the first and second light sources. The image capturing devices each includes an infrared sensitive image sensor and an infrared pass filter having two passbands for respectively allowing the infrared light of the first and second central wavelengths to pass therethrough. The processing unit is configured for analyzing the images captured by the image capturing devices thereby determining positions of the light sources relative to the image capturing devices.
US08217349B2
A method of inspecting an EUV reticle is proposed, which uses an electron beam (EB) with low density and high energy to scan the surface of an EUV reticle for inspecting the EUV reticle. A step of conditioning surface charge is followed by a step of inspecting surface of the EUV reticle. The step of conditioning surface can neutralize the surface charge and the step of inspecting can obtain an image of the EUV reticle. The present invention uses a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to provide a primary electron beam for conditioning the surface charge and a focused primary electron beam for scanning the surface.
US08217342B2
A method and apparatus are described to increase the efficiency with which a sample vapor is ionized prior to being introduced into an analyzer. Excellent contact between the vapor and the charging agent is achieved in the ionization chamber by separating it from the analyzer by means of a perforated impaction plate. As a result, some desired fraction of the gas going into the analyzer or coming out of the analyzer can be controlled independently from the flow of sample through the ionization chamber. Furthermore, penetration into said ionization chamber of said desired fraction of the gas going into or out of the analyzer is minimized by controlling the dimensions of said perforated impaction plate. Ions formed in the ionization chamber are driven partly by electric fields through said hole in said perforated impaction plate into the inlet to the analyzer. As a result, most of the gas sampled into the analyzer carries ionized vapors, even when the sample flow of vapor is very small, and even when the analyzer uses counterflow gas.
US08217331B2
An EMI-resistant control device for providing a control signal may include an optical glass fiber connector housing adapted to be connectable to an apparatus for providing the control signal to the apparatus for controlling operation thereof. The EMI-resistant control device may also include a carbon nanotube optical switch mounted in the optical glass fiber connector housing. The carbon nanotube optical switch may include a plurality of light sensitive carbon nanotubes adapted to connect a voltage source to an output of the EMI-resistant control device in response to an optical signal being received by the optical glass fiber connector housing. The optical glass fiber connector housing directs the optical signal onto the plurality of light sensitive carbon nanotubes. The voltage source provides the control signal to the apparatus.
US08217319B2
This heating cartridge (1) includes a thermally conductive tube (2) to be immersed in a thermo-expandable substance of the thermostatic element, electric heating element (3), arranged inside the tube and provided with wires for conducting an electric current supplied by an external current source, and connection element between the wires and ports (7) powered by the external current source, these connection element comprising a support base (4) integral with the tube. In order to facilitate the electric connection between the wires and the ports and make it more reliable, the connection element comprise coupling pieces (6), supported by the support base and designed to pinch each port against the corresponding wire.
US08217315B2
A packing is arranged in a manner blocking a gap between with a handle in an edge of an opening of a cooking device body. In a close state of the door, steam generated from an object to be heated in a heating chamber at the time of cooking the object to be heated is prevented by the packing from flowing between an edge and the handle. Hence, it is possible to prevent dews from arising on the handle due to dewing. The packing is equipped with a fixing part installed in a deep end edge of the opening, and a sealing part extending downward from the fixing part and being contactable with a back part of the handle.
US08217301B2
A laser processing machine for processing workpieces, in particular metal sheets, includes a workpiece support and a beam receiver for the laser beam used as a processing tool. The distance between a workpiece lying on the workpiece support and the beam receiver is variable, owing to the fact that the workpiece support and the beam receiver are positionable relative to one another along the beam axis of the laser beam by means of an adjusting drive of an adjusting device with a positioning movement of a variably definable magnitude. A method for processing workpieces, in particular metal sheets, is also provided.
US08217288B2
A keypad for a mobile device having a housing comprises a plurality of keys coupled to the housing. Each of the keys has means for making the selection of smaller key sizes easier for a user. The keys may incorporate a flexible or resilient upper part, or be configured to transform to a larger surface area upon the application of pressure. The keys may be configured to rotate away from a selected key. The keys adjacent a selected key may be configured to lock mechanically or electrically. The keys may have multiple parts that are movable relative to one another. The upper part of the key may include a fluid, with a selection rod positioned inside the upper part to enter the fluid.
US08217284B2
An anti dumping switch includes a circular and hollow housing, a bottom surface connected to the housing, a first switch end, a second switch end, a bush, and two balls, the housing and the bottom surface cooperatively defining a accommodating space, the first switch end and the second switch end both extending into the accommodating space through the bottom surface and fixed in the bottom surface, the balls being received in the accommodating space. When the anti dumping switch is flat the balls connecting the first switch end and when the anti dumping switch is dumped the balls disengage with the first switch end or the second switch end, wherein the first switch end is disposed at substantially a center of the bottom surface, the second switch end being disposed adjacent to the housing, the bush being received in the accommodating space and cycling the housing from inside and connecting the second switch end, the bush including a slope surface disposed adjacent to the bottom surface that make the balls contact the first switch end or the second switch end.
US08217277B2
A mounting panel arrangement having a plurality of mounting panels for optoelectronic components. Two adjacent mounting panels (1, 2) are connected to one another, in a mechanically stable manner, a connection body (3). Each of the two mounting panels has a connection area (110, 210), each of which is associated with an attachment section (31, 32) of the connection body. For each connection area, a plug connection is formed between the connection area and the associated attachment section.
US08217257B2
A solar cell module and a method for the production thereof, are used in particular in the field of concentrating solar technology. The solar cell module has a large number of two-dimensionally disposed solar cells. These solar cells are applied on a substrate which is coated with a metal layer on the surface orientated towards the solar cells. The metal layer is thereby structured in such a manner that it is subdivided into individual two-dimensional portions which are assigned respectively to one solar cell. The metal layer in each of the portions has two regions which are electrically insulated from each other, the first region extending under the assigned solar cell and contacting the latter in an electrically conductive manner. The second region is likewise connected to the other electrical contact of the solar cell. In order to produce a parallel and series circuit of the individual solar cells, the individual portions of the metal layer are now connected to each other in a suitable manner by means of connecting portions which, for their part, are part of the metal layer.
US08217255B2
A method of producing a thermoelectric conversion element includes preparing a dispersion liquid by mixing slurry containing ceramic particles with salts of at least two elements that constitute a thermoelectric conversion material, and then, precipitating the at least two elements that constitute the thermoelectric conversion material on the ceramic particles in the dispersion liquid; performing washing; performing heating treatment; and performing sintering. Contact between a solution with a pH lower than 1 among solutions of the salts and the slurry containing the ceramic particles is avoided, or the solution with the pH lower than 1 contacts the slurry containing the ceramic particles for a first time when the at least two elements that constitute the thermoelectric conversion material are precipitated.
US08217249B2
An acoustic timber for use in an acoustic musical instrument is constituted of a plurality of woody members, such as woody fibers, woody veneers, blasted bamboo fibers, and defibrated bamboo fibers, whose fiber length is 50 mm or more. An epoxy resin is impregnated into the woody members with an impregnation factor of 5 weight-percent through 50 weight-percent. The woody members impregnated with the epoxy resin are joined together by way of heating and compressive molding so that the fibers thereof are uniformly aligned in the desired fiber-aligning direction.
US08217247B2
An adjustable chromatic harmonica incorporating an adjustable mouthpiece where, for each mouth-hole, the player's breath may be selectively connected to one or more available reed cells. This is by means of a rotatable cup-shaped valve, with an opening or port in its side, being mounted in each mouth-hole such that the port can be registered by rotation with one of a group of surrounding air ducts, each of which is connected to one or more reed cells in the body of the harmonica. In some embodiments an apertured slide is interposed between the mouthpiece and the body. In some embodiments devices are provided for rotating the valves in independent groups while the harmonica is being played. In embodiments where each group of mouth-holes can be independently adjusted, a large number of physical states is possible. Consequently, some embodiments have the capability of playing chromatic melodies and several common chord types in all twelve musical keys.
US08217242B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH088433. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH088433, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH088433 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH088433.
US08217240B1
A novel maize variety designated PH11YB and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH11YB with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH11YB through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH11YB or a locus conversion of PH11YB with another maize variety.
US08217237B1
A soybean cultivar designated 06031715 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 06031715, to the plants of soybean cultivar 06031715, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 06031715, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 06031715. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 06031715. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 06031715, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 06031715 with another soybean cultivar.
US08217223B2
Isolated nucleic acids and proteins associated with lipid and sugar metabolism regulation are provided. In particular, lipid metabolism proteins (LMP) and encoding nucleic acids originating from Arabidopsis thaliana, Brassica napus, Glycine max, Oryza sativa, and Triticum aestivum are provided. The nucleic acids and proteins are used in methods of producing transgenic plants and modulating levels of seed storage compounds. Preferably, the seed storage compounds are lipids, fatty acids, starches, or seed storage proteins. The nucleic acids and proteins also are used in methods of modulating the seed size, seed number, seed weight, root length, and leaf size of plants.
US08217221B2
A controlled evacuation ostomy appliance including a collection pouch, and an urging device for applying a sealing force through the pouch wall to seal the stoma. The pouch wall may seal directly against the stoma, or the pouch may have an internal sealing member that is pressed by the pouch wall against the stoma. The urging device provides an adjustable sealing force. The pouch may be disposable. The urging device may be reusable with a replacement pouch.
US08217218B2
A disposable medical probe for detecting a leak of physiological fluid comprising a support layer, a conductive layer on top of the support layer, the conductive layer comprising two conducting electrodes both placed exclusively on each side of a longitudinal axis, the conductive layer defining two zones: a proximal zone with two proximal electrode parts being placed parallel to each other and being spaced apart by a constant distance d, and a distal zone with two distal electrode parts being spaced apart from each other by a gap e greater than said distance d, where the distal zone of the electrodes defines an increase in the gap between the distal parts of the electrodes, followed by a decrease in the gap between the distal parts of the electrodes.
US08217212B2
A method and related apparatus for torrefaction of associated biomass which includes providing an enclosed chamber having a body and a door having an open position allowing passage into and out of the enclosed chamber and a closed position in which the door is disposed in sealing engagement with the body, providing the enclosed chamber with walls capable of sustaining both a negative pressure and a positive pressure within the enclosed chamber; moving the door to an open position; depositing a liquid heat transfer fluid within the enclosed chamber at a temperature sufficient to achieve torrefication of the biomass and a first quantity of biomass material in the enclosed chamber that is substantially totally immersed in the liquid heat transfer fluid whereby heat transfer occurs between the liquid heat transfer fluid and the biomass immersed therein; moving the door to a closed position in sealing engagement with the body; and allowing the pressure within the enclosed chamber to rise to a pressure above the vapor pressure of the heat transfer fluid as a result of the expansion of liquids and gases entrained within the biomass.
US08217205B2
Methods and systems for the synthesis of alcohol are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of olefins in water. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time. In an embodiment, a method of making an alcohol comprises introducing an olefin into a water stream to form a gas-liquid stream. The method further comprises flowing the gas-liquid stream through a high shear device so as to form a dispersion with gas bubbles having a mean diameter less than about 1 micron. In addition, the method comprises contacting the gas-liquid stream with a catalyst in a reactor to hydrate the olefin gas and form an alcohol.
US08217204B2
This invention aims at providing a catalyst for producing an optically active aldehyde or an optically active ketone, which is an optically active carbonyl compound, by carrying out selective asymmetric hydrogenation of an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound, particularly a catalyst which is insoluble in a reaction mixture for obtaining optically active citronellal which is useful as a flavor or fragrance, by carrying out selective asymmetric hydrogenation of citral, geranial or neral; and a method for producing a corresponding optically active carbonyl compound. The invention relates to a catalyst for asymmetric hydrogenation of an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound, which comprises a powder of at least one metal selected from metals belonging to Group 8 to Group 10 of the Periodic Table, or a metal-supported substance in which at least one metal selected from metals belonging to Group 8 to Group 10 of the Periodic Table is supported on a support, an optically active cyclic nitrogen-containing compound and an acid.
US08217191B2
A process for the integral production and reactive consumption of hydrogen peroxide combines oxidation of a high-boiling secondary alcohol to form hydrogen peroxide and the ketone analog, recycle of a hydrogenated ketone/alcohol stream to the oxidation step, and epoxidation of unsaturated fatty acid esters utilizing a gaseous hydrogen peroxide stream as it is produced. The epoxidized esters are known to have desirable characteristics for use as plasticizers and similar products.
US08217189B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful in the modulation of potassium channel activity in cells, in particular the activity of Kv1.3 channels found in T cells. The invention also relates to the use of these compounds in the treatment or prevention of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and methods for their preparation.
US08217163B2
This invention relates to the application of the highly conserved sequences of viral genome, especially from a highly conserved domain of enteroviral genome as templates to design target small ligand RNAs (sliRNAs). The resulting sliRNAs are therapeutically active ingredients in the treatment of the related diseases caused by pathological angiogenesis.
US08217152B2
The invention relates to a process for the production of purified IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) from a fluid comprising affinity chromatography.
US08217147B2
The present invention relates to molecules, particularly polypeptides, more particularly immunoglobulins (e.g., antibodies), comprising a variant Fc region, wherein said variant Fc region comprises at least one amino acid modification relative to a wild-type Fc region, which variant Fc region binds FcγRIIIA and/or FcγRIIA with a greater affinity, relative to a comparable molecule comprising the wild-type Fc region. The molecules of the invention are particularly useful in preventing, treating, or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with a disease, disorder, or infection. The molecules of the invention are particularly useful for the treatment or prevention of a disease or disorder where an enhanced efficacy of effector cell function (e.g., ADCC) mediated by FcγR is desired, e.g., cancer, infectious disease, and in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of therapeutic antibodies the effect of which is mediated by ADCC.
US08217144B2
The present invention provides TCRs having an affinity (KD) of less than or equal to 3 μM, and/or an off-rate (koff) of 1×10−3 S−1 or slower, for the AAGIGILTV-HLA-A*0201 complex. Such TCRs are useful, either alone or associated with a therapeutic agent, for targeting cancer cells presenting that complex.
US08217140B2
The present invention relates to amino acid sequences that are capable of binding to serum proteins; to compounds, proteins, polypeptides, fusion proteins or constructs comprising or essentially consisting of such amino acid sequences; to nucleic acids that encode such amino acid sequences, compounds, proteins, polypeptides, fusion proteins or constructs; to compositions, and in particular pharmaceutical compositions, that comprise such amino acid sequences, compounds, proteins, polypeptides, fusion proteins or constructs; and to uses of such amino acid sequences, compounds, proteins, polypeptides, fusion proteins or constructs.
US08217138B2
The present invention provides anti-inflammatory compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use thereof for treating inflammatory disorders. The present invention also provides methods of identifying anti-inflammatory compounds and methods of inhibiting NF-κB-dependent target gene expression in a cell.
US08217136B2
New thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine copolymers are prepared by reacting 5,7-functionalized thieno[3,4-b]pyrazines with substituted aromatics in the presence of solvents, bases and polymerization catalysts, the copolymers thus prepared being employed preferably in the production of photovoltaic cells.
US08217129B2
An asymmetric siloxane is made by reacting a silicone having the formula MHDxM′H where MH is R1R2HSiO1/2, M′H is R4R5HSiO1/2 and x is an integer 0≦x≦10 under selective hydrosilylation conditions in the presence of a precious metal hydrosilylation catalyst, with a first olefinic compound and in a second step, a monohydridosiloxane produced in the first step is reacted under hydrosilylating conditions with another olefinic compound different from the first olefinic compound.
US08217125B2
A process for producing polyolefins, which includes polymerizing at least one olefin monomer, separating at least a part of the reaction mixture, dividing the separated reaction mixture into a polymer-lean fraction and a polymer-rich fraction, and subjecting at least a part of the polymer-lean fraction to a purification step prior to recycling back to the polymerization of at least one olefin monomer. The obtained polyolefins particularly have a low content of volatile low molecular weight compounds, a low content of low-molecular weight polyolefin waxes and a low content of residues derived from the catalyst employed.
US08217124B2
Process for the preparation of ethylene homopolymers or copolymers in a high pressure reactor with at least two spatially separated initiator injection points by polymerizing ethylene and optionally further monomers in the presence of at least two different mixtures of free-radical polymerization initiators at from 100° C. to 350° C. and pressures in the range of from 160 MPa to 350 MPa, wherein the process comprises the following steps: a) providing at least two different initiators as solution in a suitable solvent or in liquid state, b) mixing the initiators and optionally additional solvent in at least two static mixers and c) feeding each of the mixtures to a different initiator injection point of the high pressure reactor, and apparatus for feeding initiator mixtures to a high pressure reactor with at least two spatially separated initiator injection points.
US08217123B2
Disclosed are water soluble polymeric reagents comprising the structure POLY-[Y—S—W]x, where POLY is a water soluble polymer; Y is a hydrocarbon-based spacer group, x is 1 to 25, and S—W is a thiol, protected thiol, or thiol-reactive derivative. Preferably, the water soluble polymer is a PEG polymer. Also disclosed are conjugates of such polymeric reagents with pharmaceutically relevant molecules, and methods of their formation and use.
US08217112B2
The present invention relates to plasticized polyolefin compositions comprising a polyolefin and a non-functionalized hydrocarbon plasticizer.
US08217110B2
A cyanoacrylate-based adhesive composition is disclosed. The cyanoacrylate-based adhesive composition includes a cyanoacrylate monomer, and a bleachable dye including a Michler's hydrol cation or derivatized Michler's hydrol cation, paired with a non-nucleophilic anion that provides a stable color to the cyanoacrylate-based adhesive.
US08217109B2
Protective-colloid-stabilized polymers in the form of their aqueous dispersions or of their water-redispersible powders are based on homo- or copolymers of one or more monomers from the group consisting of vinyl esters of optionally branched alkyl carboxylic acids having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms, (meth)acrylic esters of alcohols having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms, vinylaromatics, olefins, dienes, and vinyl halides, wherein partially hydrolyzed vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymers with an ethylene content of from 1 to 15 mol %, a degree of hydrolysis DH of the vinyl acetate units of 80 mol %
US08217107B2
The present invention relates to room-temperature curable silicone compositions possessing rapid deep-section cure. The silicone sealant compositions of the present invention find application in insulating glass units as elements of windows, skylights, doors and related products.
US08217099B2
A thermosetting resins composite, composed of: epoxy resin which can have a total polymerization with bismaleimide, occupying 1.75%-18.0% solids weight of the composite; bismaleimide compounds, occupying 0.15%-12.5% solids weight of the composite; free radical initiator, its mole fraction of which its addition accounts for reaction monomer total is 0.01%-0.15%; inhibitor, whose amount is the half to double of the initiator; styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, occupying 17.5%-47.0% solids weight of the composite; filler, occupying 20%-60% solids weight of the composite; solvent, occupying 30%-50% solids weight of the composite; flame retardant which can be used in CCL industries.
US08217098B2
A thermosetting resin composition having rubbery polymer particles dispersed therein of the present invention, that does not precipitate the thermosetting resin rubbery polymer particles over a long period of time, has excellent fluidity, is easily cured and molded, and sufficiently exhibits original properties of the thermosetting resin, comprises 100 parts by weight of a thermosetting resin, and 1 to 80 parts by weight of rubbery polymer particles, the rubbery polymer particles being dispersed in the form of a primary particle, wherein the solid content concentration is 60% to 90% by weight, and the water concentration is 3% by weight or less, and can efficiently be produced industrially in the state that the rubbery polymer particles are maintained in a stable state. The composition can be produced by a process for production of a thermosetting resin composition having rubbery polymer particles dispersed therein of the present invention, comprising a concentration step of deaerating a gas phase adjacent to a mixed solution comprising the rubbery polymer particles, the thermosetting resin, water and an organic solvent to reduce the pressure therein, thereby reducing the amounts of the water and the organic solvent in the mixed solution.
US08217092B2
A multicomponent polyurethane/vinyl ester hybrid foam system for forming a gradient foam with soft and rigid foam regions, with a polyol component (A), a polyisocyanate component (B), and a component (C), which contains a catalyst for the polymerization of the vinyl monomer, with the polyol component (A) containing, as vinyl monomer, a mixture of vinyl esters of at least one polymerizable hydroxyvinyl ester and at least one branched, at least trifunctional, polymerizable vinyl ester, and the polyisocyanate component (B) containing a thermally activatable free radical-forming agent as catalyst for the polymerization of the vinyl monomers, with the proviso that the proportion by weight of the vinyl ester mixture is greater than the proportion by weight of the at least one polyol as well as the proportion by weight of the at least one polyisocyanate.
US08217079B2
Method for treating Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative syndromes in a patient in need of such treatment, by administering to the patient diethyl-[6-(4-hydroxycarbamoyl-phenylcarbamoyloxymethyl)-naphthalen-2-yl-methyl]-ammonium chloride or other pharmaceutically acceptable salts and/or solvates thereof, in combination with N-hydroxyurea.
US08217074B2
The present invention relates to novel use of sargachromenol, and more particularly, the present invention relates to novel use of sargachromenol for destroying and/or lysing hyperproliferating keratinocyte. Accordingly, since sargachromenol of the present invention has activity in destroying and/or lysing keratinocyte, it may be useful for keratinocyte lysing agents in the skin area where the keratinocytes are hyperproliferating or peeling agents.
US08217070B2
Compounds of Formula (I) inhibit the PARP enzyme and are useful for treating a disease or a disorder associated with PARP. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I), methods of treatment comprising compounds of Formula (I), and methods of inhibiting the PARP enzyme comprising compounds of Formula (I).
US08217068B2
The present invention is related to a new series of chemical compounds, namely 3-benzyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione substituted in the position 2 and/or 6 of benzyl ring by halogens as presented to the molecule named LPSF-PT-31, GIRSUPAN and its therapeutic use as drug with analgesic, sedative and adjuvant of anesthetics activities. The invention is also related to a process for production of said compounds as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US08217066B2
Described herein are compounds that are antagonists of lysophosphatidic receptor(s). Also described are pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include the compounds described herein, as well as methods of using such antagonists, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating LPA-dependent or LPA-mediated conditions or diseases.
US08217065B2
The present invention provides compounds of the following structure; A-Q-B—C-D that are useful for treating conditions or disorders associated with DGAT1 activity in animals, particularly humans.
US08217059B2
Disclosed are methods of treating spasticity by administering to a patient in need of such treatment a compound having the following formula:
US08217043B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds capable of modulating the stability and/or activity of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) by inhibiting the activity of at least one HIF hydroxylase enzyme.
US08217041B2
The present invention makes reference to new indene derivatives with general formula (I), as well as to their preparation procedures, their application as medicament and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The new compounds of formula (I) show affinity for 5-HT6 receptors and are, therefore, effective for treating diseases mediated by these receptors.
US08217034B2
The present invention features compounds that are prodrugs of HIIV integrase inhibitors and therefore are useful in the inhibition of HIV replication, the prevention and/or treatment of infection by HIV, and in the treatment of AIDS and/or ARC.
US08217031B2
The present invention relates to a compound represented by formula [1] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: In formula [1], one of X and Y is CH and the other is oxygen or sulfur; R is hydrogen, etc.; Z is hydrogen, etc.; Ar is phenyl, etc.; and n is 1 or 2 and or m is 1 or 2, excluding compounds where n is 2 and m is 2 simultaneously. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula [1] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. The composition is usable as an agent for the prevention or treatment of depression, panic disorder, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, obesity, stress urinary incontinence, and overactive bladder.
US08217021B2
New polymorphs of Eltrombopag and Eltrombopag ethanolamine salt have been obtained and characterized. These polymorphs and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are useful, for example, in treating conditions leading to thrombocytopenia.
US08217013B2
The present invention discloses a new polyene diester and its preparation. This polyene diester has a structure of Formula 1, which is used as prodrugs by introducing diester group to polyene antibiotics, and these prodrugs exhibit antifungal or antiviral activities through releasing parent polyenes by esterase in vivo. The new derivatives have good antimicrobial activity and better safety. These new derivatives are useful for the antifungal and antiviral treatment. PA-COOR Formula 1
US08217011B2
Described is an N-terminal hexapeptide fragment of maximakinin, QUB 698.8, which exhibits potent tissue selective actions on smooth muscle. It demonstrates a high degree of selectivity for arterial smooth muscle over small intestinal smooth muscle, causing potent relaxation of arterial smooth muscle, while causing less potent contraction of ileal smooth muscle. It may be used treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system and in promotion of angiogenesis.
US08217007B1
The invention relates to synthetic peptide amide ligands of the kappa opioid receptor and particularly to agonists of the kappa opioid receptor that exhibit low P450 CYP inhibition and low penetration into the brain. The synthetic peptide amides of the invention conform to the structure of formula I: Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of pain and inflammation associated with a variety of diseases and conditions. Such treatable pain includes visceral pain, neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia. Inflammation associated with conditions such as IBD and IBS, ocular and otic inflammation, other disorders and conditions such as pruritis, edema, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, ileus, tussis and glaucoma are treatable or preventable with the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention.
US08216997B2
In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing red blood cell and/or hemoglobin levels in vertebrates, including rodents and primates, and particularly in humans.
US08216988B2
A method of using a cleaning composition including a sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside, a co-surfactant, a water conditioning agent and water. The sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside is one of a C12 sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside, a C10-C12 blend of a sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside or a C10 sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside. The co-surfactant comprises a C6-C12 alcohol ethoxylate having between 3 and 10 moles of EO. In one embodiment, the cleaning composition is substantially free of alkyl phenol ethoxylates. The cleaning composition is capable of removing soils including up to 20% proteins and has a neutral pH.
US08216987B2
The present invention relates to a agent for cleaning metal drawing oil, which contains alcohol, glycol ether, water, and one or more compounds selected from hydrocarbon or ester compounds. The cleaning agent according to the present invention is environmentally friendly because it does not contain halogen elements such as chlorine. The agent can reduce toxicity on the human body due to low volatility; is economical due to the long change period resulting from the reduction of evaporation; and removes drawing oil having high viscosity and polarity effectively during metal processing.
US08216982B2
Disclosed is a low-phosphorous lubricant produced by a 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 comprising from about 0.01 weight percent phosphorous to about 0.1 weight percent phosphorous.
US08216980B2
Micro channel array devices drawn from a bulk preform having an array of components to reduce the cross section. The reduced cross section fiber like structure is cut to produce individual arrays of small scale. End caps are drawn and optionally micro machined. The end caps are used to provide input and output ports and other structures for use with the micro channel arrays. A micro channel array may be used with different end caps for analysis and may form a lab on a chip or a component thereof.
US08216975B2
The present invention is directed to a method which enables the user to select a suitable soya variety as a subsequent crop to maize when weed control in that maize crop has been carried out using HPPD inhibitor herbicides in a manner that “carry-over” damage to the soya crop is thereby avoided. The method includes the step of first selecting a “reference soya” that exhibits a visually determinable phytotoxicity with respect to the HPPD inhibitor herbicide used to carry out weed control on the maize crop. Next, the phytotoxicity of various soya varieties is determined in relation to the reference soya variety in the form of a factor. This factor can be expressed, for example, in letters, numbers, symbols, colors or other visual or acoustic signals or in words. These soya varieties are then labeled with the factor and can be made accessible to the user. For example, the factor can be indicated on or inside the product packaging or in an accompanying leaflet.
US08216973B2
The invention relates to 2-[(1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl)-sulfonyl]-oxazole derivatives, chiral 2-[(1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl)-sulfinyl]-oxazole derivatives, and 2-[(1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl)-sulfanyl]-oxazole derivatives of general formula (I) and the salts thereof, methods for the production thereof, and the use thereof as herbicides and plant growth regulators, in particular as herbicides for selectively controlling weeds in plant crops.
US08216971B2
The present invention relates to a pesticide composition intended for protecting plants, crops or seeds against phyto-pathogenic fungi or damaging insects, and the corresponding methods of treatment using the said composition. More precisely, the subject of the present invention is a pesticide composition based on propamocarb-HCl, an insecticide active substance and optionally a further fungicide active substance.
US08216970B2
This invention provides 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethane having a crystal form characterized by an X-ray diffraction pattern having one sharp and strong peak at 16.4° and three sharp peaks of intermediate intensity at each of 13°-16° and 17°-20.8° and at least three peaks of intermediate intensity at 22°-23° as a diffraction angle (2θ) in an X-ray diffractometry with Cu—K α-rays, and being capable of giving the storing stability of a colored image and a non-colored portion against heat, water or the like and the low-energy color-developing property suitable for high-speed color development.
US08216969B2
A pathogen-resistant fabric comprising one or more photocatalysts capable of generating singlet oxygen from ambient air. The pathogen-resistant fabric may optionally include one or more singlet oxygen traps.
US08216955B2
The invention relates to synthetic hybrid rock compositions, articles of manufacture and related processes employing mineral waste starting materials such as mine tailings, mine development rock, ash, slag, quarry fines, and slimes, to produce valuable articles of manufacture and products, which are characterized by superior physical and structural characteristics, including low porosity, low absorption, increased strength and durability, and retained plasticity. The resulting materials are compositionally and chemically distinct from conventional synthetic rock materials as demonstrated by scanning electron microprobe analysis, and are useful in a wide variety of applications, particularly with respect to commercial and residential construction.
US08216953B2
Disclosed are water-dispersible fibers derived from sulfopolyesters having a Tg of at least 25° C. The fibers may contain a single sulfopolyester or a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water-dispersible or water-nondispersible polymer. Also disclosed are multicomponent fibers comprising a water dispersible sulfopolyester having a Tg of at least 57° C. and a water non-dispersible polymer. The multicomponent fibers may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the water-dispersible fibers, multicomponent fibers, and microdenier fibers. The fibrous articles include water-dispersible and microdenier nonwoven webs, fabrics, and multilayered articles such as wipes, gauze, tissue, diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, bandages, and surgical dressings. Also disclosed is a process for water-dispersible fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs. The fibers and fibrous articles have further applications in flushable personal care and cleaning products, disposable protective outerwear, and laminating binders.
US08216945B2
A method for controlling the flatness of a wafer between lithography pattern levels. A first lithography step is performed on a topside semiconductor surface of the wafer. Reference curvature information is obtained for the wafer. The reference curvature is other than planar. At least one process step is performed that results in a changed curvature relative to the reference curvature. The changed curvature information is obtained for the wafer. Stress on a bottomside surface of the wafer is modified that reduces a difference between the changed curvature and the reference curvature. A second lithography step is performed on the topside semiconductor surface while the modified stress distribution is present.
US08216940B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a copper-containing metal interconnect over the semiconductor substrate, and a copper-containing connection plug, and the metal interconnect includes metal elements other than copper, and a concentration of different metal elements in a connection portion between the metal interconnect and the connection plug is higher than a concentration of the different metal elements in a center portion of the metal interconnect, and higher than a concentration of different elements in upper face portion of the metal interconnect other than the connection portion.
US08216931B2
Embodiments are directed to the formation of multi-layer three-dimensional structures by forming and attaching a plurality of layers where each of the plurality of layers comprises at least one structural material forming a pattern and where at least one of the plurality of layers comprises at least one sacrificial material. In one embodiment, the formation of a multi-layer three-dimensional structure comprises (1) forming a plurality of individual layers and (2) attaching at least the formed plurality of individual layers together. In another embodiment, the formation of a multi-layer three-dimensional structure comprises (1) attaching an individual layer onto a substrate or onto a previously formed layer; (2) processing the attached individual layer to form a new layer comprising at least one material forming a pattern; and (3) repeating the steps of (1) and (2) one or more times.
US08216928B1
Fabrication methods for semiconductor device structures are provided. One method for fabricating a semiconductor device structure that includes a gate structure overlying a semiconductor substrate and a doped region formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate structure involves the steps of forming a first layer of dielectric material overlying the gate structure and the doped region, isotropically etching the first layer of dielectric material, forming a second layer of dielectric material overlying the first layer of dielectric material after isotropically etching the first layer, and forming a conductive contact that is electrically connected to the doped region within the first layer and the second layer.
US08216924B2
Fabrication of a Group III-nitride transistor device can include implanting dopant ions into a stacked Group III-nitride channel layer and Group III-nitride barrier layer to form source/drain regions therein with a channel region therebetween. The channel layer has a lower bandgap energy than the barrier layer along a heterojunction interface between the channel layer and the barrier layer. The source/drain regions have a lower defect centers energy than the channel region. The source/drain regions and the channel region are exposed to a laser beam with a wavelength having a photon energy that is less than the bandgap energy of the channel region and higher than the defect centers energy of the source/drain regions to locally heat the source/drain regions to a temperature that anneals the source/drain regions.
US08216918B2
A method is used to form a packaged semiconductor device. A semiconductor device, which has an active surface, is placed in an opening of a circuit board. The circuit board has a first major surface and a second major surface having the opening, first vias that extend between the first major surface and the second major surface, first contact pads terminating the vias at the first major surface, and second contact pads terminating the vias at the second major surface. A dielectric layer is applied over the semiconductor device and the second major surface of the circuit board. An interconnect layer is formed over the dielectric layer. The interconnect layer has second vias electrically connected to the second contact pads, third vias that are electrically connected to the active surface of the semiconductor device, an exposed surface, and third contact pads at the exposed surface.
US08216916B2
A method and/or system are provided for producing a structure comprising a thin layer of semiconductor material on a substrate. The method includes creating an area of embrittlement in the thickness of a donor substrate, bonding the donor substrate with a support substrate and detaching the donor substrate at the level of the area of embrittlement to transfer a thin layer of the donor substrate onto the support substrate. The method also includes thermal treatment of this resulting structure to stabilize the bonding interface between the thin layer and the substrate support. The invention also relates to the structures obtained by such a process.
US08216909B2
A field effect transistor (FET) that includes a drain formed in a first plane, a source formed in the first plane, a channel formed in the first plane and between the drain and the source and a gate formed in the first plane. The gate is separated from at least a portion of the body by an air gap. The air gap is also in the first plane.
US08216901B2
A fabrication method of trenched metal-oxide-semiconductor device is provided. A pattern layer with a plurality of openings is formed on a semiconductor base, and then a spacer is formed on the sidewall of the opening to define the gate trench. After the gate electrode formed in the gate trench, a dielectric structure is formed on the gate electrode by filling dielectric material into the opening. Then, the pattern layer and the spacer are removed and a dielectric layer is formed on the dielectric structure. The portion of the dielectric layer on the sidewall of the dielectric structure defines the source regions. After the source regions are formed in the well, another dielectric layer is formed on the dielectric layer to define the heavily doped regions adjacent to the source regions.
US08216899B2
According to the present disclosure, a flash memory device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes selection transistor regions and a memory cell region defined between the selection transistor region, first isolation layers formed in the selection transistor regions, and second isolation layers formed in the memory cell region. The second isolation layers have a lower height than the first isolation layers.
US08216893B2
Stress enhanced transistor devices and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a transistor device comprises: a gate conductor spaced above a semiconductor substrate by a gate dielectric, wherein the semiconductor substrate comprises a channel region underneath the gate conductor and recessed regions on opposite sides of the channel region, wherein the channel region comprises undercut areas under the gate conductor; a stressed material embedded in the undercut areas of the channel region under the gate conductor; and epitaxially grown source and drain regions disposed in the recessed regions of the semiconductor substrate laterally adjacent to the stressed material.
US08216881B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor chip module and a semiconductor chip package is disclosed. One embodiment provides a first layer, a second layer, and a base layer. The first layer is disposed on the base layer, and the second layer is disposed on the first layer. A plurality of semiconductor chips is applied above the second layer, and the second layer with the applied semiconductor chips is separated from the first layer.
US08216876B2
A production method for a flexible semiconductor substrate according to the present invention includes: a step of providing an inorganic substrate 11; a step of forming a polyimide layer 22a on the inorganic substrate by using a material in solution form, the polyimide layer 22a having a thickness of less than 10 μm; a step of forming a semiconductor device on the polyimide layer; a step of, after forming the semiconductor device, removing the polyimide layer from the inorganic substrate; and a step of forming a polyparaxylene resin layer 35, 37 having a thickness which is equal to or greater than the thickness of the polyimide layer. The polyparaxylene resin layer may be formed on the semiconductor device before the removing step, or formed on the opposite side of the polyimide layer from the semiconductor device after the removing step. The production method according to the present invention excels in mass producibility.
US08216875B2
A light-emitting element is disclosed that can drive at a low driving voltage and that has a longer lifetime than the conventional light-emitting element, and a method is disclosed for manufacturing the light-emitting element. The disclosed light-emitting element includes a plurality of layers between a pair of electrodes; and at least one layer among the plurality of layers contains one compound selected from the group consisting of oxide semiconductor and a metal oxide, and a compound having high hole transportation properties. Such the light-emitting element can suppress the crystallization of a layer containing one compound selected from the group consisting of oxide semiconductor and a metal oxide, and a compound having high hole transportation properties. As a result, a lifetime of the light-emitting element can be extended.
US08216874B2
An optical device comprising an anode, a cathode comprising barium, strontium or calcium, and a layer of organic semiconducting material between the anode and the cathode wherein a layer of hole transporting and electron blocking material is located between the anode and the layer of organic semiconducting material.
US08216873B2
Light is illuminated from a back-surface side of a silicon substrate 4. A back-illuminated type imaging device 100 reads out, from a front-surface side of the silicon substrate 4, charges that are generated in the silicon substrate 4 in response to the illuminated light, so as to perform imaging. The back-illuminated type imaging device 100 includes pad portions 17 formed on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 4, and a plurality of pillars 9 that are formed in the semiconductor substrate 4, are made of a conductive material and electrically connect wiring portions 12 formed on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate 4 and the pad portions 17 to each other.
US08216867B2
A wafer of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is laser scribed to produce a laser scribing cut. Then, the wafer is cleaned, for example by wet etching, to reduce scribe damage. Then, electrical contact layers for the LEDs are formed on the wafer that has been cleaned. Alternatively, the scribing cut may be produced by multiple etches before contact formation. Related LEDs are also described.
US08216863B2
A method of manufacturing field-emitter arrays by a molding technique includes uniformly controlling a shape of mold holes to obtain field emitter tips having diameters below 100 nm and blunted side edges. Repeated oxidation and etching of a mold substrate formed of single-crystal semiconductor mold wafers is carried out, wherein the mold holes for individual emitters are fabricated by utilizing the crystal orientation dependence of the etching rate.
US08216856B2
The invention relates to a detectable molecule comprising a biospecific binding reactant attached to a luminescent lanthanide chelate comprising a lanthanide ion and a chelating ligand of the formula (I) wherein, R1A R1B are independently of each other selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, —COOH, —COO—, —CH2COOH, —CH2COO—, hydroxyl or OR2; R2 is selected from the group consisting of —CH3, —C(CH3)3, —C(CR4)3, wherein R4 is an alkyl with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, —CH2COOH, —CH2COO−, and appropriate hexose residues; R3 is a linker for coupling to a biospecific binding reactant selected from the group consisting of thiourea (—NH—CS—NH—), aminoacetamide (—NH—CO—CH2—NH—), amide (—NH—CO— and —CO—NH—), aliphatic thioether (—S—), disulfide (—S—S—) and 6-substituted-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine; and the lanthanide ion is selected from the group consisting of europium(III), terbium(III), dysprosium(III) and samarium(III). The invention also relates to corresponding lanthanide chelates. The invention further relates to the use of the detectable molecule of the invention.
US08216852B2
The present invention provides novel methods for controlling/manipulating materials flowing in a fluidic device. In particular, the methods of the invention create and utilize differences between dispersion rates and/or average velocity of materials in order to manipulate the materials.
US08216846B2
A method and a system for use of treatment liquids in an apparatus for staining of tissue specimens on microscope slides, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of vessels (4) for receiving different liquids for treatment of the tissue specimens, a plurality of tanks (11) for treatment liquids, connecting lines (15) between the tanks and the vessels, a plurality of pumps (13) connected on the connecting lines, and a control unit for control of the apparatus and the liquid treatment by means of a data program, wherein the control unit is arranged for selective control of the relevant pumps (13), so that vessels (4) to be used in a staining process, are filled with liquid (14) at the start of the staining process, and so that the liquid-filled vessels (4) are emptied automatically when they are no longer to be used in the staining process.
US08216843B2
A short synthetic vector peptide of 25 residues has been developed comprising hydrophobic domain and a novel, nuclear localization signal for efficient delivery, devoid of any cytotoxicity. Using the vector peptide, the oligonucleotide/peptide complexes got delivered evenly in cytoplasm and nucleus in less than an hour and finally localizing completely into nucleus in two hours and protein (antibody) to cytoplasm within 1 hour in both primary (chicken embryo fibroblast) cells and established mammalian cell line (Vero cells).
US08216833B2
A novel cosmid vector and the like effectively used in generating a recombinant adenoviral vector are provided. More specifically, there are provided a cosmid vector characterized by: (1) containing an adenoviral genome having adenoviral inverted terminal repeat sequences each having a complete nucleotide sequence, (2) having a deletion in an adenovirus E1 gene region, and (3) containing a restriction enzyme recognition sequence not present in the adenoviral genome, on both sides of the adenoviral genome; a method of generating a recombinant adenoviral vector using the cosmid vector; and a reagent for generating a recombinant adenoviral vector containing the cosmid vector as a component.
US08216831B2
A cell culture device comprises a fluid mechanism for branching a liquid appropriately in its flow passage when the liquid is injected to a plurality of culture vessels in a set and feeding equal amounts of the culture broth to the culture vessels at the same time. The device, in one form, has one or plural recess portions so that one or plural culture vessels can be contained in alignment, in view of space efficiency, m x n (row x column) pieces of culture vessels can be set in a matrix type. By using a pump, the culture broth is branched by a multi-way valve for distributing the liquid in an appropriate amount from a tank containing the culture broth, and the liquid is fed at the same time to the plurality of culture vessels in the culture vessel set.
US08216825B2
Methods and compositions for increasing the productivity of algae cultures by controlling grazers are described herein.
US08216817B2
The invention relates to an improved process of producing a fermentation product, such as ethanol, from starch-containing material using an increased dosage of alpha-amylase during liquefaction, which results in increased conversion of dextrins compared to conventional processes, and/or a reduced dosage of carbohydrate-generating enzyme during simultaneous saccharification and fermentation compared to a conventional process carried out at the same conditions. A process of the invention results in an increased yield. The invention also relates to an improved process of producing a fermentation product resulting in substantially the same yield as a conventional process, wherein reduced dosage of carbohydrate-source generating enzyme is used during simultaneous saccharification and fermentation.
US08216815B2
The disclosure relates to methods of producing fatty alcohols from recombinant host cells comprising genes encoding heterologous fatty acyl-CoA reductase (FAR) enzymes. The disclosure further relates to FAR enzymes and functional fragments thereof derived from marine bacterium and particularly marine gamma proteobacterium such as Marinobacter and Oceanobacter; polynucleotides encoding the FAR enzymes and vectors and host cells comprising the same.
US08216811B2
Described herein are novel nucleic acids, proteins and methods that can be used to provide new catalysts with desirable traits for industrial processes. In particular, novel reductases isolated from the environment using PCR methods are described.
US08216808B2
Systems and methods for accelerating tissue processing by treating tissue samples and one or more tissue processing agents with infrasonic vibrations are discussed. Some non-limiting examples of tissue processing agents include a tissue fixative, dehydrating agent, clearing agent, impregnating agent, embedding agent, tissue stain, enzyme, or another chemical that diffuses into the tissue sample when the sample is being preserved or prepared for microscopic examination. The infrasonic vibrations can have a frequency from about 10 to about 600 Hz. The infrasonic vibrations can have an amplitude that is sufficiently high, when combined with the frequency, to induce turbulent mixing of the processing agent and accelerate tissue processing. The tissue sample may optionally be vibrated with ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic vibrations can have a frequency and amplitude that are sufficiently high to induce turbulent mixing of the processing agent and to accelerate tissue processing.
US08216807B2
The invention provides various antibodies that bind to lymphotoxin-α, methods for making such antibodies, compositions and articles incorporating such antibodies, and their uses in treating, for example, an autoimmune disorder. The antibodies include murine, chimeric, and humanized antibodies.
US08216806B2
Methods for making a modified Cry3A toxin are disclosed. Such methods include the insertion of a protease recognition site that is recognized by a gut protease of a target insect, such as corn rootworm, into at least one position of a Cry3A toxin so that a modified Cry3A toxin is thus designed. The coding sequence of the modified Cry3A toxin may be transformed into a host cell and the host cell grown under conditions that allow the host cell to produce the modified Cry3A toxin. The host cell may be a plant cell and the plant may be comprised in a transgenic plant. Thus, the transgenic plant may be used to produce the modified Cry3A toxin.
US08216804B2
The invention relates to orthogonal pairs of tRNAs and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases that can incorporate unnatural amino acids into proteins produced in eubacterial host cells such as E. coli, or in a eukaryotic host such as a yeast cell. The invention provides, for example but not limited to, novel orthogonal synthetases, methods for identifying and making the novel synthetases, methods for producing proteins containing unnatural amino acids, and translation systems.
US08216799B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a dry analytical element for pancreatic lipase analysis having high selectivity with respect to pancreatic lipase, whose multianalyte correlation has been improved. The present invention provides a dry analytical element for measurement of pancreatic lipase contained in a body fluid, which comprises at least one development layer and/or reagent layer containing diglyceride or triglyceride of long-chain alkyl fatty acid having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, monoglyceride lipase, and a glycerine measurement reagent, wherein the development layer and/or the reagent layer comprise two or more types of anionic surfactants and at least one type of the anionic surfactant is alkylarylsulfonate.
US08216794B2
The present invention provides a DNA encoding a novel extracellular serine protease termed Tumor Antigen Derived Gene-14 (TADG-14) which is overexpressed in ovarian, breast and colon carcinoma samples. Also provided are vector and host cells capable of expressing the DNA of the present invention, as well as the uses of the DNA and protein of the present invention. Also provided is a TADG-14 protein variant that has a potential role for detecting and targeting of ovarian carcinomas.
US08216792B2
Methods for in vitro diagnosis of carcinoma are disclosed. In one aspect the invention relates to methods such as detecting the level of transketolase like-1 polypeptide, which are especially useful for the detection of tumors and their precursory stages based on the detection of overexpression of human transketolase like-1 gene in biological samples. In another aspect the invention relates to methods for treatment of disorders associated with the overexpression of human transketolase like-1 gene. Methods for treatment may include gene therapeutic approaches as well as methods for inhibiting or reducing the activity of transketolase like-1 polypeptides.
US08216781B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for determining the likelihood of successful treatment with a pyrimidine based antimetabolite chemotherapy drug and a platinum based chemotherapy drug, such as 5-FU/oxaliplatin. The methods comprise determining the genomic polymorphism present in a predetermined region of a gene of interest and correlating the polymorphism to the predictive response. Patients identified as responsive are then treated with the appropriate therapy.
US08216772B2
An exemplary method for manufacturing mechanical shutter blades using a beryllium-copper substrate is provided. The method includes providing a beryllium-copper alloy substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; respectively applying a first and second photoresist layers onto the first and second surfaces; exposing and developing the first and second photoresist layers, thereby first portions of the first photoresist layer and second portions of the second photoresist layer are left on the first and second surfaces while an unwanted portion of the substrate is exposed to an exterior, the first portions are aligned with the second portions; removing the unwanted portion of the substrate using a wet etching process; and removing the first and second portions from the remaining portion of the substrate.
US08216771B2
A method for making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: (1) providing a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor including on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating, (2) image-wise exposing the precursor with IR-radiation or heat, and (3) developing the image-wise exposed precursor with an alkaline developing solution including a compound having at least two onium groups. According to the above method, a printing plate is formed with an improved developing latitude or an improved exposure latitude.
US08216758B2
A toner whose flowability, chargeability and fixing property are enhanced, a developer, a developing device and an image forming apparatus are provided. The toner comprises a toner particle in which a shell layer is formed on a surface of a core particle, and external additive, where (1) the shell layer is formed in a film on the surface of the core particle, (2) a shape factor SF-2 is 120 or more and 140 or less, and (3) a BET specific surface area measured by the BET method is 1.2 m2/cm3 or more and 4.0 m2/cm3 or less. The developer containing such a toner is filled into the developing device in the image forming apparatus in order to form an image.
US08216754B2
An electrostatic-image-developing toner includes: a binder resin; and a yellow pigment in an amount of from about 5 to about 50 ppm.
US08216737B2
The present invention relates to an end plate for a fuel cell stack, containing at least one channel (7) for the supply and/or removal of at least one reactant and/or a reaction product and/or a coolant, wherein at least a part at least of one pump (8) for delivering the reactants and/or reaction products and/or coolant and which is arranged in the course of the respective channel (7) is integrated into the end plate. The invention further relates to a fuel cell stack which contains such an end-plate.
US08216736B2
The present invention provides a fuel cell system using evaporative cooling that generates electricity by reacting hydrogen as a fuel and air as an oxidant. The system includes a fuel cell stack including a cooling channel provided on a bipolar plate separately from an air channel and a hydrogen channel, an air inlet line connected to an inlet side of the cooling channel of the fuel cell stack, a water injection means provided at the inlet side of the cooling channel to inject water into air introduced to the cooling channel through the air inlet line, and an air compression means provided at the rear of the fuel cell stack and connected to a discharge line coupled to an outlet side of the cooling channel to provide a suction force to the cooling channel and to compress a mixture of air and water vapor sucked from the cooling channel. The present system provides advantages in that the configuration of the fuel cell system is simplified, lightweight, and downsized, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.
US08216734B2
Provided is a fuel cell system which can properly control a refresh operation. A controller controls the refresh operation so that an output voltage does not exceed an avoidance voltage even after the refresh operation. Specifically, the controller estimates the output voltage after the refresh operation from the output voltage before the refresh operation and controls execution of the refresh operation so that the estimated output voltage after the refresh operation does not exceed the avoidance voltage. For example, if before the refresh operation, when judging that the estimated output voltage after the refresh operation does not exceed the avoidance voltage, the controller executes the refresh operation.
US08216733B2
Voltage rising detection unit detects a voltage rising condition of a fuel cell stack after the supply of reactant gas to the fuel cell stack is started. A control unit determines an internal state of the fuel cell stack on the basis of the detected voltage rising condition of the fuel cell stack, and then decides a subsequent operation of the fuel cell stack in accordance with the determination. This makes it possible to minimize deterioration of the fuel cell stack which is caused by generating power continuously in an unsuitable state.
US08216724B2
A polymer electrolyte capable of obtaining superior discharge characteristics and a battery using it are provided. A cathode (21) and an anode (22) are wound with a separator (24) in between. After that, the wound body is contained inside a package member. Then, an electrolytic composition containing a solvent, polyvinyl acetal or the derivative thereof, and lithium hexafluorophosphate is added thereto. Polyvinyl acetal or the derivative thereof is polymerized by using lithium hexafluorophosphate as a catalyst. Thereby, a polymer electrolyte (23) is formed, and the discharge characteristics are improved.
US08216713B2
A battery pack includes a housing having at least one coupling recess, a peripheral portion around the at least one coupling recess, and a plurality of cooling passages extending in at least one direction of the at least one coupling recess and within the peripheral portion, and a battery cell housed in the at least one coupling recess.
US08216707B2
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode array for generating current, a case for containing the electrode array and a cap electrically connected to the electrode array through the case. The rechargeable battery also includes a current interruption device having a connection to electrically connect the electrode array and the cap assembly and a magnet proximate the connection of the current interruption device for forming a magnetic field at the connection.
US08216704B2
A biaxially oriented laminated polyester film which has excellent dimensional stability to environmental changes such as temperature and humidity variations and excellent flatness and windability. A biaxially oriented laminated polyester film comprising a film layer B on one side of a film layer A and having a surface roughness (RaB) on the film layer B side which is 1.0 nm or more larger than the surface roughness (RaA) on the film layer A side, wherein at least one of the film layers comprises an aromatic polyester (I) composed of a glycol component and a dicarboxylic acid component containing 5 mol % or more and less than 80 mol % of a recurring unit represented by the following formula (A): wherein RA is an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
US08216702B2
A cutting tool insert includes a body of cemented carbide, cermet, ceramics, high speed steel (HSS), polycrystalline diamond (PCD) or polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN), a hard and wear resistant coating is applied, grown by physical vapour deposition (PVD) such as cathodic are evaporation or magnetron sputtering. The coating includes at least one layer of (ZrxAl1-x)N with 0.05
US08216700B2
Disclosed herein are a hard coating film, a material coated with the hard coating film, and a die for cold plastic working, the coating film excelling conventional surface coating layers in wear resistance as well as slidability with a low frictional coefficient.The hard coating film is characterized by a chemical composition of (VxM1-x) (BaCbN1-a-b), where 0.4≦x≦0.95 (1A) 0≦a≦0.2 (2A) 0≦1-a-b≦0.35 (3A) 0.6≦b≦1 (4A) M denotes at least one species of elements belonging to Groups 4a, 5a, and 6a and Si and Al; and x, 1-x, a, b, and 1-a-b represent respectively the atomic ratio of V, M, B, C, and N.
US08216695B2
According to a process for hot-dip galvanization of the present invention, a steel sheet is treated by the oxidization/reduction method for better quality of galvanization and then hot-dip galvanized. An annealing line of equipment for hot-dip galvanization is composed of a non-oxidizing zone, an oxidizing zone, and a reducing zone, in his order. A steel sheet containing elements liable to oxidize more easily than iron is oxidized by blowing flames onto it in the oxidizing zone according to the oxidization/reduction method. Further, the steel sheet is reduced and annealed in the reducing zone.
US08216691B2
Metal, ceramic and cermet articles produced from low viscosity suspensions. The articles include micro diameter hollow fibers, meshes and open cell foams. The articles are useful for filters, catalyst media, fuel cell electrodes, body implantation devices, structural materials, vibration and noise control, heat exchangers, heat sinks, heat pipes, heat shields and other applications.
US08216681B2
A roofing and/or siding material having a resulting reflectivity of at least about 50%. The roofing and/or siding material includes a base sheet/membrane, a reinforcement material and a multi-layer reflective film material.
US08216671B2
The present invention relates to a luminescent glass element comprising a luminescent glass substrate, which a metal layer is positioned on a surface thereof. The metal layer is provided with a metal microstructure. The luminescent glass substrate has composite oxides represented as the following formula: aM2O.bY2O3.cSiO2.dCe2O3, wherein M represents alkali metal element, a, b, c and d are, by mol part, 25-60, 1-30, 20-70 and 0.001-10 respectively. The present invention also provides a producing method of the luminescent glass element and a luminescing method thereof. The metal layer is positioned on the luminescent glass substrate, thereby improving luminescence efficiency of the luminescent glass substrate. The luminescent glass element can be used in luminescent devices with ultrahigh brightness or high-speed operation.
US08216668B2
The present invention provides a resin composition which can produce a multilayer printed wiring board not causing peeling and crack in a thermal shock test such as a cooling/heating cycle, and having high heat resistance and low-thermal expansion characteristics, when the resin composition is used for an insulating layer of the multilayer printed wiring board; and also an insulating sheet provided on a base, a prepreg, a multilayer printed wiring board and a semiconductor device using thereof. The resin composition is used for forming an insulating layer of the multilayer printed wiring board, wherein a surface roughness parameter Rvk value of the insulating layer is from 0.1 μm to 0.8 μm, measured after the insulating layer being formed with the resin composition, and subject to roughening treatment.
US08216663B2
A member having high non-electrostatic properties and high hydrophilicity and preventing an adhesion of contaminants, a surface-treating process and an apparatus for the surface-treating process are provided.A surface-treatment apparatus comprises a water vapor-generating unit 1, a superheating unit 5 for superheating a water vapor to generate a superheated water vapor, and a processing unit 11 for spraying the superheated water vapor to a member 14 to be treated (a ceramic, a metal) or for exposing the member to the superheated water vapor. Treating the untreated member with a superheated water vapor having a temperature 300 to 1000° C., hydrophilicity and antistatic properties are imparted to the member. The untreated member may be a member (a window member) contacting with a processing space in a vapor phase surface process apparatus (e.g., a chamber) for the surface process of a substrate by a vapor phase method such as a PVD, a CVD, or a dry etching.
US08216661B2
Exemplary embodiments provide materials, methods, and systems for a fuser member used in electrophotographic devices and processes, wherein the fuser member can include a coating material containing a plurality of nanoceram fibers dispersed in a polymer matrix for providing a desired gloss level of fused toner images.
US08216660B2
The invention provides breathable laminated articles, preferably free from harmful halogens and plasticizers, which can be constructed and arranged to be usable for any application, such as wallcoverings, where breathability and being free from harmful halogens and/or plasticizers is advantageous. For example, the breathable laminated article can be made from a non-woven, breathable backing layer of material, the backing layer having a plurality of microprojections on a first side, coupled along the first side to a top layer, where the top layer may or may not be breathable, to form an assembly. This assembly has at least one variation formed in the level of the surface of the first side of the first layer, wherein the variation in level is formed such that the microprojections penetrate at least a portion of the top layer to form microapertures that improve the breathability of the top layer. In another example, the breathable laminated article can be made from a non-woven, breathable backing layer laminated to a breathable, essentially halogen free, and essentially plasticizer free top layer. Optionally, the top layer can be have at least one variation in level formed on its top surface, such as by embossing. In addition, a layer of printing optionally can be disposed between the backing and top layers.
US08216659B2
The present invention concerns a textured floorcovering composite comprising a highly conformable fibrous outer layer 101 and an optional porous and resilient backing layer 102 that are continually, contiguously, or continuously attached to an activated adhesive layer 103 along a three-dimensional, undulating interface. The undulations correspond to depressed and elevated areas on the surface of the composite. Such a composite can be fabricated if its precursor is subjected to heat and pressure for a finite length time, provided that the applied pressure is relatively low, preferably under about 200 psi. The textured composite can be used as a floorcovering that advantageously resists warping and remains insensitive to variations in ambient temperature and humidity, including exposure to water.
US08216654B2
There are provided a film forming equipment component having a structure in which an deposited film d formed on the component can be separated from the component for a time period shorter than the prior art to reduce damage due to a cleaning fluid S, and a method of cleaning such a component. A metal film layer 2 electrochemically less noble than the matrix metal material 1 of the aforementioned component is formed on the surface of the matrix metal material 1 through thermal spraying, vapor depositing, sputtering, laminating or other process. Alternatively, a second metal film layer 3 electrochemically more noble than the aforementioned matrix metal material 1 is formed on the surface of the metal film layer 2 through said thermal spraying or other process. Thus, a local cell is formed between the metal film layer 2 and the matrix metal material 1 or the second metal film layer 3. Therefore, the deposited film d can be separated from the matrix metal material 1 for an extremely shortened time period, without damaging the matrix metal material 1 itself from the cleaning fluid S.
US08216651B2
The present invention herein provides a plastic multi-layer structure which comprises an oxygen-barrier layer (A-1), an oxygen absorptive layer (B), and a thermoplastic resin layer (C) containing a high silica type zeolite material having a silica/alumina ratio of not less than 80; and a packaging material such as bottles for accommodating foods, for instance, a beverage and medical and pharmaceutical products. The plastic multi-layer structure possesses oxidation-barrier characteristics and the structure would permit the considerable reduction of the quantity of the oxidation by-products generated from the structure, even when used under a high humidity atmosphere.
US08216647B2
An insulating film formed by a method comprising: coating a film-forming composition containing a compound having a cage structure; and drying the coated composition, wherein the coated composition is irradiated with a light having a wavelength of 200 nm or less in at least one of during the drying and after the drying; a process for producing the same; and an electronic device having the same.
US08216646B2
A method of manufacturing a window shade includes applying an aqueous composition to one or both surfaces of a nonwoven fabric, wherein the aqueous composition includes a pleat retention component, an antistatic component, a stain-resistant component, and an antimicrobial component. The treated nonwoven fabric is dried and then indicia is printed on the finished surface(s). Portions of a treated nonwoven fabric may be formed into pleats and adhesively bonded together to form a cellular-type window shade.
US08216645B2
A method for enhancing the corrosion resistance of an article comprising a silver coating deposited on a solderable copper substrate is provided. The method comprises exposing the copper substrate having the immersion-plated silver coating thereon to an anti-corrosion composition comprising: a) a multi-functional molecule comprising at least one organic functional group that interacts with and protects copper surfaces and at least one organic functional group that interacts with and protects silver surfaces; b) an alcohol; and c) a surfactant.
US08216643B2
A method for preparing a polysilicon rod using a metallic core means, including: installing a core means in an inner space of a deposition reactor used for preparing a silicon rod, the core means being constituted by forming at least one separation layer on the surface of a metallic core element and being connected to an electrode means, heating the core means by supplying electricity through the electrode means, and supplying a reaction gas into the inner space for silicon deposition, thereby forming a deposition output in an outward direction on the surface of the core means. The deposition output and the core means can be separated easily from the silicon rod output obtained by the process of silicon deposition, and the contamination of the deposition output caused by impurities of the metallic core element can be minimized, thereby a high-purity silicon can be prepared more economically and conveniently.
US08216641B2
A method of fabricating a composite material part having carbon fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix, including making a coherent fiber preform of carbon fibers presenting holes formed from at least a first face of the preform, and densifying the preform by depositing therein a material constituting a matrix by means of a chemical vapor infiltration type process. The holes are formed by causing a plurality of non-rotary elongate tools to penetrate simultaneously, the tools being substantially mutually parallel and presenting on their surfaces roughnesses or portions in relief suitable for breaking and/or transferring fibers they encounter, the tools being caused to penetrate simultaneously by moving a support carrying the tools, and the tools being selected to have a cross-section that makes it possible to obtain in the carbon fiber preform holes that present a cross-section with a mean dimension lying in the range 50 μm to 500 μm.
US08216638B2
Techniques for arranging materials on a substrate are provided. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a driver for providing a rotational force, an outer body having an inner surface, and an inner body having an outer surface and disposed within the outer body in a concentric relationship therewith. The inner body may be coupled to the driver to be rotated by the rotational force. The system may further comprise a coupler attached to the outer body in order to retain a substrate, which forms at least one patterned groove therein. A fluid channel, which may be defined between the inner and outer bodies, may be filled with a fluid medium containing materials such as nano materials. When the inner body rotates via the rotational force, the materials contained in the fluid medium may be arranged in the patterned groove of the substrate.
US08216636B2
A method of aligning nanotubes is described, where a plurality of channels is provided on a substrate (100), a suspension of nanotubes is placed on or adjacent an open surface of the channels (102) and the suspension is allowed to flow into the channels to align the nanotubes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channels (104).
US08216633B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a layer of organic material. The method comprises providing onto a substrate, under deposition conditions, a layer of a solution comprising said organic material dissolved in a solvent; optionally partially drying said layer of solution; thereafter annealing said layer of solution, said annealing being applied before said layer of solution has been dried out completely and the duration of said annealing being limited such that said layer of solution is not dried out completely during the annealing, said annealing inducing reflow of said layer of solution; and thereafter drying out said layer of solution, said drying out being controlled such that it is performed slower than it would be under deposition conditions. The resulting layer of organic material shows an improvement of both the micro quality and the macro quality, leading to obtaining a fully continuous film with minor surface roughness and an accurate line resolution and edge definition.
US08216631B2
A cardiac valve prosthesis having a frame and two or more leaflets (preferably three) attached to the frame. The leaflets are attached to the frame between posts, with a free edge which can seal the leaflets together when the valve is closed under back pressure. The leaflets are created in a mathematically defined shape allowing good wash-out of the whole leaflet orifice, including the area close to the frame posts, thereby relieving the problem of thrombus deposition under clinical implant conditions.
US08216630B2
The present invention relates to a porous biomaterials surface activation method by coating with a layer of apatitic nanocrystals in order to increase their surface reactivity. The method according to the invention is characterized by the following steps: a) preparing a nanocrystalline apatitic calcium phosphate analogous to bone mineral by mixing a calcium salt solution with a phosphate salt solution in a Ca/P ratio ranging between 1.3 and 2 at a temperature ranging between 0 and 60 ° C., b) slurrying the mixture obtained in step a) in an aqueous solution so as to obtain a fluid, homogeneous paste containing 80 to 98% of water, c) bringing a porous biomaterial into contact with the suspension obtained in step b), d) drying the porous biomaterial at a temperature below 100 ° C.
US08216614B2
A composition comprising a powder mixture of potassium citrate and calcium citrate as mixtures of pure chemical salts and methods of making and using the composition are disclosed. The composition is useful for the treatment and prevention of kidney stones and osteoporosis and better delivers potassium and calcium than commonly used potassium and calcium supplements.
US08216608B2
A novel particulate composite hydrotalcite which offers antacidic effect comparable to that of a particulate hydrotalcite so far used as a gastric antacid and, further, offers excellent stomach inner wall protection effect. A particulate composite hydrotalcite represented by the following formula (1), (MgaZnb)1-xAlx(OH)2(An−)x/n.mH2O (1) wherein An− is CO32−, SO42− or Cl−, n is 1 or 2, and x, a, b and m are values that satisfy the following conditions, 0.18≦x≦0.4, 0.5≦a<1, 0
US08216602B2
The aim of the invention is to provide a nerve guide that allows the axons to develop fairly freely during regeneration. For this purpose, the nerve guide is produced based on a shaped body from a cross-linked, resorbable, gelatin-based material. The shaped body is a tubular hollow body having a wall with an exterior surface and an interior surface, which wall defines a lumen. The nerve guide comprises a semipermeable layer surrounding the lumen.
US08216592B2
The present invention relates to a small animal model useful in identifying novel therapies for treating pathogenic diseases. This flexible biotechnology tool is valuable for developing novel chemotherapeutics for a broad range of microbial pathogens.
US08216589B2
The present invention relates to an HBV vaccine comprising an entire hepatitis B surface antigen of L protein, M protein and S protein, in which the produced antigens form virus-like particles, and a multi-antigen vaccine further comprising an HBV core antigen in addition to the entire surface antigen, and a method for preparing the same. The vaccines provide various epitopes and have excellent immunogenicity to induce a strong humoral immune response as well as a cell-mediated immune response.
US08216550B2
Novel luciferins, methods of making luciferins, and uses of the same are disclosed.
US08216549B2
A quantum dot (QD) conjugate comprises a QD and a ligand conjugated with the QD, in which the ligand has at least one thiol and at least one other functional group. The QD conjugate may further comprise a bioactive agent covalently coupled to the ligand to form a bioactive agent-tagged QD conjugate. A method for preparing a QD conjugate comprises the steps of: (1) providing a solution comprising a QD encapsulated within a dendrimer; (2) adding into the solution a ligand; and (3) allowing an exchange between the ligand and the dendrimer for the QD to obtain a ligand-QD conjugate, in which the ligand is covalently conjugated to the surface of the QD. The method may further comprise the step of coupling the ligand-QD conjugate to a bioactive agent to obtain a bioactive agent-tagged ligand-QD conjugate.
US08216545B2
The present invention relates to a doped hydrogen storage material according to the general formula: MgxByMzHn wherein: (i) the ratio of x/y is in the range of from 0.15 to 1.5; (ii) z is in the range of from 0.005 to 0.35; (iii) x+y+z equals 1; (iv) M=is one or more metals selected from the group of selected Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn; (v) n is no more than 4y; and wherein x/y does not equal 0.5 and at least part of the doped hydrogen storage material is amorphous. The present invention further relates to the use of doped hydrogen storage materials according to the invention for storing hydrogen and a method for reversibly desorbing and/or absorbing hydrogen.
US08216544B2
A ZnO varistor powder can be obtained with high operating voltage and excellent current-voltage nonlinear resistance characteristics. In the ZnO varistor powder, the main ingredient is zinc oxide (ZnO); and at least bismuth (Bi), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), antimony (Sb), nickel (Ni), and aluminum (Al), calculated as Bi2O3, CO2O3, MnO, Sb2O3, NiO, and Al3+, are contained as accessory ingredients in amounts of 0.3 to 1.5 mol % Bi2O3, 0.3 to 2.0 mol % Co2O3, 0.3 to 3 mol % MnO, 0.5 to 4 mol % Sb2O3, 0.5 to 4 mol % NiO, and 0.0005 to 0.02 mol % Al3+. ZnO content is greater than or equal to 90 mol %; the bulk density is greater than or equal to 2.5 g/cc; the powder is a spherical powder in which the 50% particle diameter in the particle size distribution is 20 μm to 120 μm.
US08216542B2
A method for separating carbon nanotubes is disclosed where nanotubes with specific properties are separated from a mixture of nanotube products, which contains various types of nanotubes and impurities.
US08216534B2
A method and composition for flocculation and separation of suspended solids from an industrial process stream containing suspended solids is provided. The method includes the steps of adding to the stream a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion polymer in an amount effective to flocculate the suspended solids and separating the flocculated solids therefrom. The composition is a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion of a water-soluble polymer in which the continuous phase is an aqueous solution of a water-soluble salt.
US08216515B2
An apparatus for capillary ion chromatography having a suppressor having flow-through ion exchange packing in a housing and capillary tubing formed of a permselective ion exchange membrane, and at least partially disposed in said ion exchange packing. Also, a recycle conduit for aqueous liquid from the detector to the packing. Further, the capillary tubing may have weakly acidic or weakly basic functional groups. Also, a method for using the apparatus.
US08216512B2
The present invention concerns an apparatus for automatic processing at least one biological sample accommodated on a carrier member, such as a slide by applying a predetermined amount of reagents in a predetermined sequence according to a processing protocol, said apparatus comprising; a housing frame; at least one processing section for accommodating at least one slide, the at least one processing section is provided within the housing; a hood cover protecting the at least one processing section in said housing; wherein the hood cover completely encloses the processing section defining an interior space; and wherein the apparatus further comprises climate control device provided to control the environment within the interior space.
US08216511B2
A specimen rack and a specimen carrier system includes a luminous body disposed on a vicinity of a specimen container loading slot to notify, to an operator, information concerning an analyzing situation and condition of the specimen contained in the specimen container held by the specimen rack.
US08216509B2
Nickel-base superalloys are provided. In an embodiment, a nickel-base superalloy includes a concentration of large radius elements disposed in the gamma phase of the nickel-base superalloy in a range of from about 3.6 to about 6.7, by atomic percent and a concentration of large radius elements disposed in the gamma prime phase of the nickel-base superalloy in a range of from about 4.2 to about 7.0, by atomic percent. The nickel-base superalloy has a density of about 9.0 grams per centimeter3 or less.
US08216506B2
One embodiment of the present invention includes: a step of setting a piece of a plant containing moisture inside a pressurizing apparatus and hermetically closing the internal space of the pressurizing apparatus; a step of applying a heat and a pressure to the piece of the plant; and a step of (i) enabling ventilation between the inside of the pressurizing apparatus and outside thereof after the piece of the plant reaches a predetermined molding temperature, (ii) retaining the pressure and the temperature for a predetermined period, (iii) cooling a molded article, and (iv) taking out the molded article from the pressurizing apparatus. This realizes a method for processing a plant which method makes it possible to mold a piece of a plant into a desired shape without reducing the piece of the plant into powder and without using an adhesive.
US08216500B2
In a method of manufacturing a blade shell half of a pre-bent wind turbine blade by means of vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM), a fibre lay-up (16) is placed on a mould surface (14) and a distribution layer (24) is placed above the fibre lay-up (16). At least one segmentation area is provided in the distribution layer by providing at least one transversely extending flow barrier in the distribution layer (24) preventing or restricting longitudinal resin flow to the distribution layer. A longitudinally extending first feed channel (27) is placed above the distribution layer (24). The first feed channel (27) is divided into at least two feed channel sections, a feed channel section being arranged in each distribution layer segment. A vacuum bag (43) is arranged on top of the mould part (13) to define a mould cavity. The mould cavity (44) is evacuated and liquid resin is supplied to each feed channel section through a resin inlet to fill the mould cavity and impregnate the fibre lay-up.
US08216496B2
A filter element has a fold arrangement and a shaped seal extending about at least one section of a circumference of the fold arrangement. The shaped seal consists of a thixotropic sealing material or at least contains such a thixotropic sealing material. The thixotropic sealing material is thixotropic PUR or thixotropic silicone or a mixture of both.
US08216493B2
Injection molding of a part having a nonuniform thickness is provided. One disclosed embodiment of an injection molding device includes one or more side walls, a first mold surface intersecting the side walls and being stationary with respect to the side walls, and a second mold surface intersecting the side walls so as to define with the side walls and the first mold surface a cavity configured to receive a metered amount of injected molten thermoplastic material. The second mold surface is moveable toward the first mold surface in such a manner that a first end of the second mold surface moves a larger physical travel distance toward the first mold surface than does a second end of the second mold surface during a molding process.
US08216488B2
A class of ceramic compositions according to the formula Pb(1-z)Mz(Mn1/3Sb2/3)x(ZryTi1-y)1-xO3 where M is selected to be either Sr or Ba, x is selected to be between 0.01 and 0.1, y is selected to be between 0.35 and 0.55, and z is selected to be between 0.01 and 0.10. In some embodiments of the above composition, one or more dopants is added to the compositions. The dopant(s) may be selected from the group comprising: PbO, CeO2, SnO2, Sm2O3, TeO2, MoO3, Nb2O5, SiO2, CuO, CdO, HfO2, Pr2O3, and mixtures thereof. The dopants can be added to the ceramic composition in individual amounts ranging from 0.01 wt % to up to 5.0 wt %. The preferred ceramic compositions exhibit one or more of the following electromechanical properties: a relative dielectric constant (∈) of between 1200 and 2000, a mechanical quality factor (Qm) of between 1500 and 2800; a piezoelectric strain constant (d33) of between 250-450 pC/N, a dielectric loss factor (tan δ) of between 0.002-0.008 and a thickness electromechanical coupling coefficient (kt) of between 0.45 and 0.7.
US08216487B2
The invention relates to a copolymer of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide and at least one substituted oxirane bearing an ionic group.The copolymer is characterized in that its chain comprises repeat units —O—CH2—CH(—CH2—O—SO3−Li+)—, repeat units —O—CH2—CHR— in which R is H or CH3, optionally, repeat units —O—CH2—CH(—CH2R′)— in which R′ is a functional group. x Uses: electrolyte in electrochemical, selective-membrane and reference-membrane devices.
US08216482B2
A method of manufacturing an inkjet printhead includes forming a chamber layer having multiple ink chambers on a substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed and is configured to fill a space associated with the ink chambers on the chamber layer. A nozzle layer is formed on the top surfaces of the chamber layer and the sacrificial layer and having multiple nozzles. An etching mask is prepared on the bottom surface of the substrate. The etching mask has at least one linear etching pattern configured to define a portion of the substrate in which an ink feed hole is to be formed. The substrate is etched through the linear etching pattern until the sacrificial layer is exposed and a through hole is formed. The through hole defines the portion of the substrate in which the ink feed hole is to be formed. The sacrificial layer and the portion of the substrate surrounded by the through hole are removed to form the ink feed hole.
US08216478B2
An apparatus and a method for monitoring the supply of replacement fluid during an extracorporeal treatment of blood is disclosed. Detection of the supply of replacement fluid upstream or downstream of the dialyser or filter is based on a measurement of the optical or physical density of the blood or of a constituent of blood in the extracorporeal circulation. To detect pre- or post-dilution, the blood flow rate and/or the replacement rate and/or the flow rate of the fluid removed from the blood through the dialyser membrane is altered, and the density of the blood or of the constituent of blood is measured upstream and/or downstream of the dialyser. Additionally, an apparatus for treating blood with an apparatus for monitoring the supply of replacement fluid is disclosed.
US08216477B2
An apparatus for removing organics from water has an upwardly open and downwardly closed column having a tubular side wall and a floor and a generally closed chamber on the floor of the column and forming with the side wall an upwardly open annular space. The column has an outlet opening into the annular space. A pump forces water containing organics into the chamber and thereby fills the column with water that then flows out of the column through the outlet. An aerator pump moves at least some of the water containing organics out of the chamber, mixes the pumped-out water with bubbles, and pumps the water and bubbles back into a downwardly and horizontally closed but upwardly open flow space in the column above the chamber. A skimmer clears the organics from the surface of the water above the flow space.
US08216464B2
A filter support for supporting a filter paper within a basket includes a plurality of retaining members and a holding member. Each of the plurality of retaining members comprises a pair of opposite end portions and a base portion disposed between the pair of opposite end portions. The pair of opposite end portions extends upwardly from the base portion. Further, the plurality of retaining members are pivotally coupled to one another from the respective base portions thereof for enabling the plurality of retaining members to rotate about a pivot axis to assume one of an open configuration and a closed configuration. Furthermore, the holding member is coupled to at least one of the plurality of retaining members. The holding member facilitates removal of the retaining members from the basket, and facilitates positioning of the retaining members within the basket for retaining the filter paper within the basket.
US08216443B2
The invention relates to a process for producing alkali metal chlorate in an electrolytic cell that is divided by a cation selective separator into an anode compartment in which an anode is arranged and a cathode compartment in which a gas diffusion electrode is arranged. The process comprises introducing an electrolyte solution containing alkali metal chloride into the anode compartment and an oxygen-containing gas into the cathode compartment.The invention also relates to an electrolytic cell for the production of alkali metal chlorate comprising a cation selective separator dividing the cell into an anode compartment in which an anode is arranged and a cathode compartment in which a gas diffusion electrode is arranged. An inlet for electrolyte solution and an outlet for electrolysed solution are provided in the anode compartment and an inlet for introducing oxygen-containing gas is provided in the gas chamber. The invention also relates to a plant comprising the electrolytic cell and the use thereof for the production of alkali metal chlorate and/or chlorine dioxide.
US08216439B2
The invention provides novel a hybrid slip casting-Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) process which can be used to produce arbitrary shape geometries with controlled materials properties. The invention provides processes for the fabrication of Functionally Graded Materials (FGM) by a controlled Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD).
US08216435B2
Calcium aluminate clinker as a refractory aggregate with and without barium addition and use thereof
A method of providing a safety lining in an industrial processing container, such as an aluminum electrolytic cell, is provided comprising providing a container having an interior and a at least one primary lining in juxtaposition to said interior of said shell, and adding a calcium aluminate clinker and/or castable layer between the primary lining and the shell of the container. Further, a method of trapping one or more gasses, elements or compounds produced from industrial processes is provided using the container having the calcium aluminate layer as herein described. An electrolytic cell is disclosed comprising a shell having an interior, one or more primary linings in juxtaposition to the interior of the shell, and one or more safety linings located between the primary lining and the shell, wherein at least one of the safety linings comprises a calcium aluminate clinker and/or castable.
US08216428B2
The present invention relates to a method for the production of a screen and to a screen for the treatment of a fibrous material suspension suitable for the production of a fibrous material web, the screen including at least two screen layers that are connected to each other and have apertures, at least some of the apertures being arranged in such a way that the result is screen openings leading through the screen. The production of the screen is simplified in that some of the apertures are arranged in such a way that the result is recesses on the front side of the screen which do not pass through the screen, and at least the apertures forming the recesses are introduced into the screen layers before the latter are connected.
US08216427B2
A structuring layer of a structuring belt for structuring a wet fibrous web in a press section of a tissue papermaking machine for manufacturing high bulk tissue paper, the structuring layer having a web-carrying side with a surface for cooperating with the fibrous web, the surface having depressions distributed over the web-carrying side and forming a three-dimensional structure of the surface. The depressions altogether constitute 20-80% of the surface. Each depression has a dimension l of 0.25-2.5 mm in a first direction in the plane of the top surface area, a dimension b of 0.25-2.0 mm in a second direction in the plane of the top surface area, such directions being at right angles to each other, a mean depth d of 0.05-0.6 mm, and an area a as measured in the plane of the top surface area of 0.063-5.0 mm2.
US08216424B2
A paper product with absorbency and moisture strike through resistance is disclosed. More particularly, a multi-ply paper product with improved strike through resistance is disclosed, wherein at least one ply is a wetting resistant ply comprising at least one wetting resistant compound and at least one ply is an absorbent ply possessing greater absorbency than the wetting resistant ply. In addition, a two-ply paper napkin with improved moisture strike through resistance is disclosed, wherein the wetting resistant ply comprises alkyl ketene dimer and the two plies are separately microembossed, glue laminated together in a point to point configuration, and macroembossed with coin edging. Furthermore, a multi-ply paper product with improved strike through resistance is disclosed, wherein a first ply comprises at least one wetting resistant compound and a second ply possesses greater absorbency than the first ply. Methods of making paper products with absorbency and moisture strike through resistance are also described.
US08216423B2
The invention combines the step of adding chemicals such as alkaline peroxide to an intermediate line after refining, with the step of applying chemicals such as alkaline peroxide as a pre-treatment before primary refining and/or applying chemicals such as alkaline peroxide at the primary refiner. This is implemented in the preferred embodiment, by pre-treating feed material, refining the materials into a pulp in a superatmospheric refiner, and adding chemicals in the post refining blowline.
US08216422B2
An apparatus for supporting a substrate within a processing chamber is provided. In one aspect, a substrate support member is provided comprising a housing having a bore formed therethrough, a support pin at least partially disposed within the bore, and a plurality of bearing elements disposed about the housing. In one aspect, the bearing elements comprise a roller having a central bore formed therethrough, a contoured outer surface, and a shaft at least partially disposed through the central bore. In another aspect, the bearing elements comprise a ball assembly comprising a larger spherical member and four smaller spherical members arranged about the larger spherical member.
US08216418B2
The present invention relates generally to plasma processing and, more particularly, to plasma processing chambers and electrode assemblies used therein. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrode assembly is provided comprising a thermal control plate, a silicon-based showerhead electrode, a thermally conductive gasket, and a plurality of o-rings, wherein respective profiles of a frontside of the thermal control plate and a backside of the showerhead electrode cooperate to define a thermal interface. The thermally conductive gasket and the o-rings are positioned along this thermal interface with the o-rings separating the thermally conductive gasket from the showerhead passages such that the gasket is isolated from the showerhead passages. The gasket may facilitate heat transfer across the thermal interface from the showerhead electrode to the thermal control plate.
US08216417B2
A substrate treating apparatus for performing a predetermined treatment of substrates with a treating liquid. The apparatus includes a treating tank for storing the treating liquid; a lifter having holding elements for holding the substrates, and vertically movable between a standby position above the treating tank and a treating position inside the treating tank; lower nozzles arranged on opposite sides at a bottom of the treating tank for supplying the treating liquid; upper nozzles arranged above the lower nozzles for supplying the treating liquid toward the holding elements of the lifter; and a control device for controlling a flow ratio of the treating liquid between the upper nozzles and the lower nozzles according to the treatment.
US08216407B2
A hip, ridge or rake shingle is provided, in which a pair of substantially rigid panel portions are connected by a hinge portion, and wherein the shingle is pre-assembled, but can conform to a variety of different angles to accommodate different angular relationships between surfaces of a hip, ridge or rake of a roof. The substantially rigid panel portions are connected by a hinge and may or may not have a reinforcement member, and all of the panels, hinges and reinforcement members are of synthetic thermoplastic polymeric construction and are welded together by ultrasonic or vibratory welding techniques.
US08216406B2
A method for producing a thermally expandable base material for a vehicle interior, the method includes needling a web to produce a fiber mat. The web includes an inorganic fiber, a thermoplastic resin fiber, and a thermally expandable microcapsule. The fiber mat is heated to a temperature at which the thermoplastic resin fiber is melt and which is lower than a thermal expansion starting temperature of the thermally expandable microcapsule. The fiber mat is hot-pressed. The fiber mat is cooled.
US08216402B2
The present invention relates to a dry process for the manufacture of pyrotechnic objects from at least one reducing charge selected from guanidine derivatives, metal hydrides, alkali metal hydrides and alkaline earth metal hydrides, and at least one oxidizing charge selected from alkali metal nitrates, alkaline earth metal nitrates and basic metal nitrates, at least one of said reducing and oxidizing charges having the property of flowing under stress. Said process makes it possible to obtain pellets and small tablets directly by compaction/compression, to obtain granules, usable as such, by compaction and then granulation, and to obtain compressed objects by compaction, granulation and then compression.The high-performance pyrotechnic objects obtained constitute a further subject of the invention.
US08216396B2
Articles made of shape memory alloys having improved fatigue performance and to methods of treating articles formed from shape memory alloy materials by pre-straining the articles (or desired portions of the articles) in a controlled manner so that the resultant articles exhibit improved fatigue performance. The shape memory articles are preferably medical devices, more preferably implantable medical devices. They are most preferably devices of nitinol shape memory alloy, most particularly that is superelastic at normal body temperature. The pre-straining method of the present invention as performed on such articles includes the controlled introduction of non-recoverable tensile strains greater than about 0.20% at the surface of a desired portion of a shape memory alloy article. Controlled pre-straining operations are performed on the shape-set nitinol metal to achieve non-recoverable tensile strain greater than about 0.20% at or near the surface of selected regions in the nitinol metal article. The pre-straining operations result in a significant increase in fatigue life of the selectively treated regions and an overall improvement in the fatigue performance of the device.
US08216395B2
A lead-free solder alloy suitable for use in flow soldering of electronic components to printed wiring boards comprises 0.1-3 wt % of Cu, 0.001-0.1 wt % of P, optionally 0.001-0.1 wt % of Ge, and a balance of Sn. The solder alloy may further contain at least one of Ag and Sb in a total amount of at most 4 wt %, and/or at least one of Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cr, and Mo in a total amount of at most 0.5 wt % in order to strengthen the alloy, and/or at least one of Bi, In, and Zn in a total amount of at most 5 wt % in order to lower the melting point of the alloy.
US08216392B2
The object of the invention is a device for cleaning the core engine of a jet engine, having a supply unit, which provides the cleaning medium, a nozzle unit, which is configured for feeding the cleaning medium into the core engine, and a line connection (10) between the supply unit and the nozzle unit. The invention provides that the nozzle unit has a means for the rotationally fixed connection to the fan shaft of the jet engine, and that a rotary coupling (5) is provided between the nozzle unit and the line connection (10). The object of the invention is further an arrangement of such a device and a turbo fan jet engine, and a method for cleaning the core engine of a jet engine using the device.
US08216390B2
A cleaning and drying-preventing method including: positioning a nozzle in a container such that a funnel-like inner circumferential surface of the container is located around a periphery of a distal end of the nozzle; sucking a liquid in the nozzle to retract a level of the liquid to a side of a supply passage; supplying a solvent into the container to form a swirl flow of the solvent turning around the distal end of the nozzle, and cleaning the nozzle by the swirl flow; supplying a solvent into the container to form a liquid pool of the solvent; and further retracting the level of the liquid in the nozzle to the side of the supply passage. A liquid layer, an air layer, and a solvent layer are formed in the nozzle in this order from the side of the supply passage, to prevent drying of the liquid in the nozzle.
US08216389B2
A substrate cleaning method that includes: a step in which, while a substrate holder is being continuously rotated, a to-be-discharged position of the cleaning liquid on the substrate is changed to an eccentric position deviated from the central part of the substrate, and a gas is discharged from a gas nozzle to the central part of the substrate so as to form a dried area of the cleaning liquid under a condition in which a shortest distance between an edge of a cleaning liquid flow output from the cleaning-liquid nozzle and an edge of a gas flow output from the gas nozzle is set between 9 mm and 15 mm.
US08216384B2
Embodiments of the current invention describe a cleaning solution for the removal of high dose implanted photoresist, along with methods of applying the cleaning solution to remove the high dose implanted photoresist and combinatorially developing the cleaning solution.
US08216382B2
A foreign matter removal method that removes foreign matter attached to a surface of a substrate having been subjected to predetermined processing. An edge of a rotating substrate mounted on a mounting stage is irradiated with misalignment measurement laser light. The misalignment measurement laser light other than the laser light blocked by the edge of the substrate is received, and power thereof is detected. The amount of misalignment of the substrate is calculated based on the detected power of the misalignment measurement laser light and a detected rotation angle of the rotating substrate. The misalignment of the substrate is corrected for based on the calculated amount of misalignment. After that, foreign matter removal laser light is irradiated, and a process gas that is to react with the foreign matter is jetted to the edge of the substrate. Consequently, the foreign matter attached to the substrate is decomposed and removed.
US08216379B2
A substrate holder comprises a generally circular planar body, the body having greater than or equal to two pairs of diametrically opposed, parallel flat edges, and wherein the substrate holder is configured to fit on a generally circular susceptor within a processing chamber. In some embodiments the substrate holder has four pairs of diametrically opposed, parallel flat edges, whereby the substrate holder is substantially octagonal. Furthermore, in some embodiments the substrate holder covers less than eighty percent of the susceptor area. A method of processing a substrate using the substrate holder includes: loading the substrate into a recess in the substrate holder; transferring the substrate holder through a loadlock into the processing chamber, the substrate holder being presented with a smallest cross-section aligned for passage through the loadlock; placing the substrate holder on the susceptor; and processing the substrate. The substrate holder may carry a plurality of substrates. Alternatively, the substrate holder may carry a single large substrate, the substrate being trimmed to fit the substrate holder.
US08216373B2
A temperature gradient is established in a crystallization crucible by means of a heat source and a cooling system. The cooling system comprises a heat exchanger and an adjustable additional heat source. The cooling system is preferably formed by an induction coil cooled by a coolant liquid circulating in the induction coil and by an electrically conductive induction susceptor positioned between the crucible and induction coil. The fabrication process comprises heating the crucible via the top and controlling heat extraction from the crucible downwards by means of the heat exchanger and by means of regulation of the adjustable additional heat source.
US08216370B2
A method for removing defects at high pressure and high temperature (HP/HT) or for relieving strain in a non-diamond crystal commences by providing a crystal, which contains defects, and a pressure medium. The crystal and the pressure medium are disposed in a high pressure cell and placed in a high pressure apparatus, for processing under reaction conditions of sufficiently high pressure and high temperature for a time adequate for one or more of removing defects or relieving strain in the single crystal.
US08216364B1
Direct resistive heating is used to grow nanotubes out of carbon and other materials. A growth-initiated array of nanotubes is provided using a CVD or ion implantation process. These processes use indirect heating to heat the catalysts to initiate growth. Once growth is initiated, an electrical source is connected between the substrate and a plate above the nanotubes to source electrical current through and resistively heat the nanotubes and their catalysts. A material source supplies the heated catalysts with carbon or another material to continue growth of the array of nanotubes. Once direct heating has commenced, the source of indirect heating can be removed or at least reduced. Because direct resistive heating is more efficient than indirect heating the total power consumption is reduced significantly.
US08216360B2
A method of producing gypsum building board, comprises allowing a layer of an aqueous gypsum slurry to set so as to form a board, in which the improvement comprises mixing the gypsum slurry with an aqueous foam produced by foaming water containing at least one non-ionic alkylpolysaccharide foaming agent of the general formula (I) R—O-(G)x (I) where: R represents a linear or branched alkyl group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms; G represents a reducing saccharide moiety connected to R via an ethereal O-glycosidical bond; and x is 1 to 10.
US08216358B2
This invention relates to a self-crosslinking binder for coating compositions comprising an aqueously dispersed resinous component A having at least one carbonyl group of the ketone or aldehyde type per molecule, and a component B having at least two hydrazine or hydrazide groups per molecule, and at least one structural unit —NR1—NR2—CHR3—CHR4—NH—R5 (I) where the radicals R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each individually selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen radical, and a linear or branched alkyl radical having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R3 and R4 may additionally be selected from the group consisting of aryl and alkylaryl radicals having from 6 to 15 carbon atoms, and from oxy alkyl radicals with from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, where oxy groups may be inserted into the alkyl chain, or at the end of an alkyl chain, and R5 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen radical, alkyl radicals which may be linear, branched or cyclic and may have from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and residues of the formula —(CH2)n—CO—O—X, where n is an integer of from 1 to 6, and X is the residue of a polyhydric alcohol or phenol, and a process for its preparation.
US08216347B2
The invention relates to a gas liquid contactor and effluent cleaning system and method and more particularly to an array of nozzles configured to produce uniformly spaced flat liquid jets with reduced linear stability. An embodiment of the invention is directed towards a stability unit used with nozzles of a gas liquid contactor and/or an enhancer for stable jet formation, and more particularly to reducing the stability of liquid jets formed from nozzles of the gas liquid contactor. Another aspect of the invention relates to operating the apparatus at a condition that reduces the stability of liquid jets, e.g., a droplet generator apparatus. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to operation of the apparatus with an aqueous slurry. Still another aspect of the invention is directed towards to an apparatus for substantially separating at least two fluids.
US08216342B2
A method for producing membranes which contain at least one solid layer on one side of a porous substrate by treating the side of the support, which is to be coated, with a synthetic solution that forms the solid layer. The inventive method is characterized in that the space located behind the side of the porous support, which is not to be coated, is filled with an inert fluid during the production of the solid layer on the porous support, “behind” being from the perspective of the support. The pressure and/or the temperature of the fluid is/are selected such that the synthetic solution is essentially prevented from entering in contact with the side of the porous support, which is not to be coated.
US08216340B2
Dispersed, crystalline, stable to oxidation copper particles are prepared in the absence of polymeric dispersants by rapidly reducing a Cu(I) salt with an Fe(II) carboxylic acid complex in water. The resulting microns sized copper powders contain only organics which decompose at temperatures low enough not to interfere with sintering processes and the formation of conductive copper structures.
US08216339B2
One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a field generating assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles. The field generating assembly produces at least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field between the atomizing assembly and the collector. The molten alloy particles interact with the at least one field, which influences at least one of the acceleration, speed, and direction of the molten alloy particles. Related methods also are disclosed.
US08216335B2
The disclosure concern air cleaners. Preferred air cleaners are shown which include a housing and a removable and replacement primary filter cartridge. Optional and advantageous features are shown. The preferred primary filter cartridge is conical in shape. A preferred optional safety or secondary filter cartridge is shown. Preferred methods of assembly and use are provided.
US08216332B2
A filter device has a filter housing having a receiving space and a carrier housing. A filter element is arranged in the carrier housing, wherein the carrier housing is inserted into the receiving space of the filter housing and locked in the receiving space. A bracket with a clamping section is arranged on the carrier housing and is secured pivotally on the carrier housing by a hinge so as be pivotable between a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, the damping section of the bracket is clamped between a step on the filter housing and a step on the carrier housing and is secured in a self-locking position.
US08216322B2
The present invention is a solid fuel fire starter having a wicking element made of corrugated cardboard with an exposed top end for ignition by a flame source, a non-combustible housing surrounding the wicking element, the housing defining an open end for exposing the top end of the wicking element; and a paraffin wax reservoir within the housing integrally molded with the wicking element so that the wicking element conveys the paraffin wax by capillary action up into a flame.
US08216319B2
A knee joint is repaired by implanting a trochlear implant component, a patellar implant component and an anti-abrasion stud. The stud has a bearing surface, a bone-facing surface and a fixation post. The fixation post is implanted in the distal femur so that the bearing surface of the stud stands above the patient's native articular cartilage. The stud and trochlear component are implanted in close enough proximity to limit contact between the patellar component and the native articular cartilage around the trochlear component during flexion and extension of the knee joint.
US08216317B2
A method of inserting and positioning an intervertebral spacer is provided. The spacer includes a longitudinal axis, an on-axis interface coincident with or parallel to the longitudinal axis, and an off-axis interface angled to the longitudinal axis. The spacer's front end may be curved. The method may include inserting the spacer into the disc space utilizing a tool to engage an on-axis interface and then to engage one or more of the off-axis interfaces, which may be used for further modification of the spacer. The tool is moved substantially along a single insertion direction, which may be substantially parallel to a posterior-anterior axis of the disc space. The method may result in the longitudinal axis of the spacer being perpendicular to the insertion direction, or substantially parallel to a medial-lateral axis of the disc space. The spacer may also be positioned in an anterior aspect of the disc space.
US08216311B2
A scaffold for reshaping an ear or a nose, the scaffold being configured to be i) attached to the cartilaginous portion of an ear or ii) attached to the cartilaginous portion of a nose, wherein the scaffold is formed at least in part from a shape-memory material and/or a plastic material and is capable of transforming from a first configuration to a second, pre-programmed configuration.
US08216301B2
The implant implantation unit, at a determined position in the tubular element with a wall comprising a cavity, is pushed there by a catheter and the unit comprises deformable feelers to, under the control of remote activation elements, change from a stowed form to a deployed functional form, to detect the cavity and position itself there with reference to the position of the cavity.
US08216294B2
The present invention is a catheter device that includes a disruptable guidewire channel. The guidewire channel is configured to provide necessary trackability of the catheter along the guidewire during introduction of the catheter to a treatment site. Once treatment is completed, the guidewire channel can then be disrupted so as to free the guidewire from the catheter in situ. The apparatus of the present invention provides distinct advantages over existing over-the-wire and rapid exchange catheter introduction methods, including the ability to achieve much faster treatment implement exchanges, the ability to rapidly deliver multiple treatment implements in series, and the ability to maintain multiple treatment implements simultaneously at a treatment site using a single guidewire.
US08216293B2
A flexible shaft (28) to be inserted into a channel of a living body provided with a plurality of adjacently abutting cells (26), the walls (30) of which are formed from wall sections. For this reason the flexible shaft (28), which is particularly cost-effective to produce and which demonstrates high flexibility paired with ample stability, is constructed such that in at least one cell (26) in the cross-section of the wall (30) a concave wall section (44, 46, 48) is circumferentially alternated with a corresponding neighboring convex wall section (50, 52, 54).
US08216291B1
Apparatus and method of providing therapeutic immersive, vibratory and heat treatment to a body part
A therapeutic apparatus for providing therapeutic benefits to an immersed body part due to contact with a heated or unheated homogenous medium. The therapeutic apparatus includes at least two vibration generators for generating two waveforms at two distinct areas of the vibratory vessel, where the two waveforms are converging on each other and combined together to create a constructive and destructive pulse waveform having a larger constructive amplitude than the amplitude of the original wave and a smaller destructive amplitude than the amplitude of the original wave for providing a constructive and destructive pulse wave massaging effect to the body part of the user immersed within the homogenous medium contained within the vibratory vessel.
US08216290B2
The present invention relates to a replaceable module for use with a thermal contrast therapy systems. The replaceable module may be an automated thermal contrast therapy module which includes a casing, a manual mixing valve, an automated mixing valve, an automated mixing valve actuator, a temperature sensor, and an interface. A cold and a hot fluid are mixed to generate a therapy fluid. The therapy fluid may be output to a therapy bladder. The second replaceable module is a compression therapy module which includes a casing, an air pump, a pneumatic solenoid, and a pressure monitor. The casing may include a pressurized air pathway including an air outlet. The pump may pressurize the air within the pathway, and the solenoid may regulate the air pressure using feedback from the pressure sensor. Additionally, a pressure relief valve may release pressure if it gets above a safety threshold. The compression therapy module may also include a fluid pathway.
US08216284B2
A bone fixation assembly is provided and may include a fixation member defining at least one aperture. At least two locking features may be circumferentially spaced around an inner perimeter of the at least one aperture and may include a first end and a second end. The at least two locking features may each include a longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to an axis extending through the at least one aperture. A fastener may include at least two discrete locking members respectively received in the at least two locking features at the first end. The at least two discrete locking members may be circumferentially spaced around an outer perimeter of the fastener, may extend from an outer surface of a head of the fastener, and may be received within the first end in an unlocked state and rotated from the first end to the second end in a locked state.
US08216281B2
A spine stabilization prosthesis which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. The spine stabilization prosthesis incorporates a bone anchor having a deflectable post and a compound spinal rod which provide for load sharing while preserving range of motion and reducing stress exerted upon the bone anchors and spinal anatomy. The bone anchor includes a deflectable post connected by a ball-joint to a bone screw. The compound spinal rod includes a coupling mounted to the deflectable post and connected by a pivoting joint to a rod. The combined motions of the ball-joint and the pivoting joint support a range of motion of adjacent vertebrae which closely approximates the natural range of motion of the spine.
US08216266B2
A gastric bariatric balloon includes an upper balloon chamber for sealing against the fundus, a lower balloon chamber for sealing against the antrum and occupying the body of the stomach, and a supplementary chamber for filling at least a portion of the fundus. A tubular inlet is proximal the esophagus entry for receiving a hollow needle. This inlet is filled with a self-sealing material so that when punctured by the needle the material closes the needle hole upon withdrawal of the needle. Spaced apart voids in the material enable fluid interchange between the needle and each of the three chambers separately depending upon the depth of the needle within the inlet tube. Safety arms are mounted on the upper balloon chamber so as to prevent passage of the balloon through the pylorus in case of sudden deflation.
US08216259B2
Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for joining together non-conjoined lumens in a patient's body including vascular lumens. More particularly, in various aspects, this invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for joining such non-conjoined lumens, including small lumens typically requiring microsurgical technique.
US08216251B2
The present invention relates to an epilator comprising a holder and a deformable unitary epilating element prestressed into a curved configuration and mounted rotatably on said holder, said unitary element being made up of a plurality of adjacent discs connected together by spacers and hinge elements arranged in such a way as to form a pivot line for two adjacent discs which, when said unitary element is being used by being rotated, each pivot with their neighbor and form a diverging region where certain discs are parted from each other leaving open spaces, and a converging compression region where certain discs are pressed against each other, forming tweezers which pinch and remove the hairs from the skin.
US08216249B2
An umbilical cord clamping and cutting device assembled within opposing shields for minimizing the spray of blood during severing of the umbilical cord.
US08216246B2
A probe for a vitrectomy tool is provided having a vitreous cutter tube having a blunt tip at a distal end and adapted to be coupled at a proximal end to a handpiece of a vitrectomy tool; a retractable outer trocar tube surrounding the vitreous cutter tube having an open distal end with a sharpened edge; and a retraction mechanism coupled to a proximal end of the outer trocar for selectively extending and retracting the outer trocar tube between a first extended position wherein the sharpened edge of the outer trocar is extended beyond the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube to facilitate insertion into the eye and a second retracted position wherein the sharpened edge of the outer trocar is retracted behind the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube to facilitate safe operation of the probe. A vitrectomy tool for removing material from an eye of a patient is provided having a housing having a proximal end and a distal end and a probe coupled to the proximal end of the housing.
US08216245B2
Apparatus for applying sustained tension on tether in treatment site includes a positioning mechanism, gripping mechanism and pressurized fluid actuated mechanism. The positioning mechanism is operable to position the pressurized fluid actuated mechanism at a fixed distance relative to treatment site, and to engage a target at treatment site and secure the tether proximate to the target. The gripping mechanism is operable to selectively grip the tether and maintain tether when tether is held in tension. The pressurized fluid actuated mechanism is selectively operable to apply desired pulling force on gripping mechanism directed away from treatment site so as to transmit and apply in a sustained manner the desired pulling force on the tether independently from the tether displacement and place it under desired level of tension while the tether is being secured.
US08216240B2
A rod reduction instrument for urging a rod into an implant having a stabilization member receiving area is provided. The rod reduction instrument includes an arm with a first end connected with the implant. A ram lever is provided that is pivotally connected to the arm. The ram lever has a cam surface for contact with the rod. Pivotal movement of the ram lever reduces the rod into the implant stabilization member receiving area.
US08216237B2
An intramedullary device for repairing defects of a bone is provided. The intramedullary device is configured to be inserted into the medullary canal of a bone and includes a stud protruding from the end. The stud includes a portion that is tapered from a first cross-sectional area to a second cross-sectional where the second cross-sectional area is smaller than that of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area defines a region of concentrated stress. The stud also includes a portion configured to engage the internal threads of a fastener retained within an intramedullary device assembly, such as a guide member adapter. The external threads of the stud engage the internal threads of the fastener to secure the intramedullary device to the intramedullary assembly when a first torque is applied to the fastener. Upon completion of insertion, compression, and securing of the intramedullary device in the medullary canal of a bone, the intramedullary device can be separated from the intramedullary device assembly by applying a second, greater torque to the internally-threaded fastener, whereby the stud breaks at the region of concentrated stress.
US08216230B2
A medical device system comprising a guide catheter and a leaflet fastening applicator, the guide catheter having suitable dimensions for deployment and insertion percutaneously into a human heart in a vicinity of a heart valve, the leaflet fastening applicator having a size allowing insertion through the guide catheter and being capable of holding portions of opposing heart valve leaflets, wherein the fastening applicator comprises a pair of grasping-electrodes adapted for holding and engaging the portions of opposing heart valve leaflets together and for applying energy to fasten the portions, in which heart valve leaflets can be captured and securely fastened, thereby improving coaptation of the leaflets and improving competence of the valve.
US08216212B2
Tools, such as surgical tools, are normally designed to interact with an object, such as a patient. As disclosed herein, one particular tool is implemented such that it comprises a handle having a feedback portion configured to contact one or more digits of a user's hand. The tool also includes a sensor positioned near or in contact with an object. The sensor is configured to measure a property of the object. Also, the tool includes a haptic output mechanism supported by the feedback portion of the handle. The haptic output mechanism is configured to communicate the measured property of the object to the user.
US08216203B2
A pant-like absorbent article, such as a child's training pant, includes an outercover with at least three elastic regions, that is two in the side seam areas, and one in the central crotch areas. In an alternative, such articles include a fourth elastic region in the article waist band area. In this fashion, the article can demonstrate progressive stretch functionality to help accommodate various consumer body sizes and provide for more conforming fit and reduced leakage.
US08216199B2
A removable manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system. The manifold is dimensioned to be mounted to a receiver integral with the system. The manifold includes a driver for engaging a complementary valve internal to the receiver. The valve regulates flow between the receiver and the down line components of the waste collection system. The valve is normally closed. When the manifold is fitted to the receiver the driver engages the valve so as move the valve to the open position. This allows fluid flow from the manifold and receiver to the downstream components of the system.
US08216195B2
A dispenser cap for an eye-drop container includes a cap holder, an eyelid-engaging member, and a cap enclosure pivotally extended from the cap holder alongside the eyelid-engaging member. The eyelid-engaging member has topside adapted for contacting with an eyelid of a user to maintain the eyelid in an opened position. The cap enclosure is outwardly folded away from the eyelid-engaging member for exposing the dispensing nozzle and is folded in to engage with the eyelid-engaging member to create a nozzle cavity for enclosing the dispensing nozzle. Therefore, the dispenser cap not only provides a sealing device for enclosing the dispensing nozzle of the eye-drop container but also forms an eyelid retractor for maintaining the eyelid of the user in an opened position and aligning the dispensing nozzle to the eye of the user.
US08216187B2
A device and method for positioning a catheter to establish a fluid access site into the vasculature of a patient includes a luer assembly that incorporates the catheter. Also included is a shuttle assembly that has a stylet for stiffening the catheter. In combination, the stiffened catheter and the shuttle assembly are held on a handle by the interaction of the luer assembly with the handle. Once the stiffened catheter is inserted into the vasculature, the luer assembly is separated from the handle and from the stylet, and is left in place. With this separation, the shuttle assembly is also released to be repositioned and concealed within the handle.
US08216175B2
Fluid removal systems and methods for removing fluid from a tissue site are presented. The system includes a semi-permeable inbound conduit, which is fluidly coupled to a treatment-fluid delivery unit, for placement proximate to the tissue site, and a semi-permeable outbound conduit, which is fluidly coupled to the inbound conduit and to a treatment-fluid collector, for placement proximate to the tissue site of a patient. The treatment-fluid collector receives a treatment fluid and a recruited fluid from the tissue site. A recruited-fluid determination unit may be coupled to the treatment-fluid collector to determine a volume of fluid recruited from the patient. The treatment fluid is any fluid (including a gas) that pulls fluid from the interstitial and intracellular space. A reduced-pressure treatment subsystem may also be included, among other things, for removing ascites and other fluids from a body cavity.
US08216173B2
Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively controllable shunt configured to, for example, monitor, treat, or prevent an infection.
US08216171B2
A method for packaging an agent for delivery within a body cavity. A reservoir within a package contains a specified quantity of the agent and is either contiguous with, or coupled to, a dispensing node such as a swab. Depth of insertion of the dispensing node into the body cavity is restricted to a specified depth by a penetration-restricting feature that forms part of the package.
US08216161B2
A system and method for dynamically adjusting the energy of HIFU signals delivered to a patient, and/or to aid in visualizing the likely degree and location of HIFU effects on patient tissue. The system transmits a HIFU signal into a patient and receives echoes therefrom. The echo signals are analyzed to determine the energy of the signals in a first range, such as at one or more harmonics and/or sub-harmonics of the fundamental frequency of the HIFU signal, and energy of the echo signals in a second range such as at the fundamental frequency of the HIFU signal. Based on the comparison, the energy and/or focus of the HIFU signals delivered to the patient is adjusted. An image of the compared echo signal powers in two or more frequency ranges may also be displayed for a user or used to adjust the focus point of the HIFU signals.
US08216159B1
Anastomosis leak testers for testing for leaks in gastrointestinal anastomoses in patients include an inflation pump and a conduit part. The inflation pump has a compressible portion and a mechanism for providing a uni-directional flow of air through the inflation pump upon intermittent compressing thereof. Conduit parts have an interior space, a portion to be inserted into an anus of a patient or arm to be mated to a gastric tube, rectal tube or endoscope, a pressure relief valve and an indicator pin, and a rearward arm connected to the inflation pump. Upon actuation of the inflation pump, air flows through the inflation pump and through the conduit part into the patient's bowel. When the air pressure in the bowel exceeds a specified pressure, air is released through the pressure relief valve and ejects the indicator pin, which alerts the surgeon that the desired rectal pressure has been reached.
US08216156B2
A fluid sampling system is disclosed comprising a fluid drawing device and a fluid sampling device. In one embodiment, the fluid sampling device has a base portion having a cannula, a handle, and a ridge extending around at least a portion of an outer surface. A top portion has a flange adapted to engage the ridge to couple the top portion to the base portion. In another embodiment, the fluid sampling device has a base portion having a cannula, a handle, a mounting portion, and a test strip coupled to the base portion at least partially within the mounting portion. In yet another embodiment, the fluid sampling device has a test strip housing for receiving an end of a test strip therein. Extending from an end of the test strip housing is a blunt cannula.
US08216151B2
A pressure sensor wire assembly measures pressure inside a body of a patient. The assembly comprises a pressure sensor element for measuring pressure and to generate a pressure sensor signal representative of the pressure, and a pressure sensor wire having the pressure sensor element at its distal portion, and adapted to be inserted into the body in order to position the sensor element within the body. A sensor signal adapting circuitry is an integrated part of the assembly, wherein the pressure sensor signal is applied to the adapting circuitry which is adapted to automatically generate an output pressure signal, related to the sensor signal, in a standardized format such that the measured pressure is retrievable by an external physiology monitor. The assembly further comprises an external pressure sensor to measure the pressure outside the patient's body and to generate external pressure values in dependence thereto.
US08216144B2
An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus capable of extracting an object tissue within a living body with high precision is provided. A row of reference cross sections is set with regard to volume data. The row of reference cross sections includes a plurality of manual tracing reference cross sections and the remaining sections, i.e. a plurality of automatic tracing reference cross sections. With regard to the manual tracing reference cross sections, manual tracing processing and automatic correction processing is applied. With regard to the automatic tracing reference cross sections, automatic generation processing and automatic correction processing for interpolation tracing lines is applied. Finally, the object tissue is extracted or the volume thereof is calculated based on a plurality of tracing lines. When the similarity between shapes of adjacent manual tracing lines is small, one or a plurality of manual tracing lines may be additionally provided between these tracing lines.
US08216142B2
An ultrasonic probe in which a balance between basic performance and suppression of heat generation is achieved by suppressing heat generation of the ultrasonic probe without degrading sensitivity and relative bandwidth of the ultrasonic probe in transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic probe includes at least one vibrator for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, the at least one vibrator including a piezoelectric material in which a piezoelectric strain constant d33 is equal to or less than 500 pm/V and a product of the piezoelectric strain constant d33 and a piezoelectric voltage constant g33 is equal to or more than 7000×10−15 m2/N, at least one acoustic matching layer provided on a first surface of the at least one vibrator, and a backing material provided on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the at least one vibrator.
US08216140B2
A self-operated non-contact tonometer for measuring the intra-ocular pressure of an eye, projecting light into the eye and measuring the reflected light as affected by mechanical distortion. The cornea is distorted by delivering a pneumatic pulse. The tonometer consists mainly of an electro-optical unit mountable on the head of a user and a control unit. The control unit of the tonometer includes a display and optionally an audio device for instructing the user. The electro-optical unit employs a tubular wave guide, a light detector, and a reflector for deflecting a light beam to the eye and for eliminating a part of the reflected light reaching the detector. The aligning of the tonometer with the head of the user is optionally assisted by a reticle.
US08216138B1
The invention relates to a method for calibrating an analyte-measurement device that is used to evaluate a concentration of analyte in bodily fluid at or from a measurement site in a body. The method involves measuring a concentration, or calibration concentration, of an analyte in blood from an “off-finger” calibration site, and calibrating the analyte-measurement device based on that calibration concentration. The invention also relates to a device, system, or kit for measuring a concentration of an analyte in a body, which employs a calibration device for adjusting analyte concentration measured in bodily fluid based on an analyte concentration measured in blood from an “off-finger” calibration site.
US08216130B2
A device, system and method for selectively activating or altering the operational mode of an autonomous in vivo device in response to in vivo conditions. They system may include an in vivo sensing device with a condition tester, and a controller. The in vivo sensing device may be in communications with an external receiver. The condition tester may include at least one layer of a dissolvable material coated on at least a portion of the autonomous device. The layer may dissolve when exposed to a specific material of a specified site along the GI tract. A sensor may be exposed when the layer dissolves or a switch autonomously activated with the layer dissolves.
US08216125B2
A laparoscopic instrument holder for positioning a laparoscopic device includes a central portion having a first member operatively associated with a second member, the members selectively movable with respect to one another along a central axis, with the central portion having a proximal end defined by the first member and a distal end defined by the second member. The holder also includes at least three proximal rotational joints coupled to the first member proximate the proximal end, at least two distal rotational joints coupled to the second member proximate the distal end, a first ball and socket joint coupled to a distal rotational joint, and a second ball and socket joint coupled to the first ball and socket joint. In addition, the holder includes a clamp configured and dimensioned for retaining a laparoscopic device, with the clamp coupled to the second ball and socket joint, and a coupling portion proximate a first of the proximal rotational joints.
US08216124B2
Systems and methods are delineated for treating urinary incontinence (UI). An exemplary system comprises a strip of mesh having a primary axis and a secondary axis orthogonal to the primary axis; a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end located at opposite ends of the primary axis; and a first surface located on a first side of the strip, the first surface for providing support to the urethra of a patient under treatment for UI. The system also includes a first fastener including at least one barb coupled to the first end of the strip and a second fastener including at least one barb coupled to the second end of the strip. The system also includes a plurality of cords coupled to the strip for extracting the strip when desired.
US08216120B2
A centrifuge (10) including a first rotatable mechanism (60) having a rotation axis with a fluid retentive housing (20) being coaxially mounted on the first rotatable mechanism for co-rotation therewith; a second rotatable mechanism (90) having a rotation axis with the first and second rotatable mechanisms being coaxially interconnected for co-rotation around a common axis; and fluid tubing (70) connected to the axis of the fluid retentive housing and having a distal length that extends axially outwardly from the fluid retentive housing. A support arm (50) is mounted to the second rotatable mechanism a support tube (80) receives therethrough at least a part of the distal length of the fluid tubing and a bearing member (82) rotatably supports the support tube in the support arm whereby upon rotation of the first and second rotatable mechanisms the fluid tubing is free to one of rotate with and rotate relative to the support tube.
US08216110B2
A shifting control system has two gear shift stage groups, two clutches, a clutch release detection section, a pre-shift controller, a clutch oil level detection section and a pre-shift inhibiting section. The clutches are alternately engaged to selectively transmit power from an engine to a wheel. The clutch release detection section detects a release-side clutch which corresponds to the clutch that is in a released state. The pre-shift controller operates a meshing mechanism of the gear shift stage group corresponding to the release-side clutch, so as to undergo pre-shifting when the other clutch is engaged as an engage-side clutch. The clutch oil level detection section determines whether an oil level in the release-side clutch is equal to or greater than a preset oil level. The pre-shift inhibiting section inhibits pre-shifting while the oil level in the release-side clutch is equal to or greater than a preset oil level.
US08216109B2
A continuously variable transmission is provided having a driven element. The continuously variable transmission also has at least one operator input device configured to transmit a transmission operating mode request and at least one other operator input device configured to transmit a driven element output request. In addition, the continuously variable transmission has at least one sensor configured to sense at least one parameter indicative of an operating condition of the transmission. The continuously variable transmission further has a controller configured to regulate an output of the driven element in response to the operating mode request, the driven element output request, and the at least one sensed parameter indicative of an operating condition of the transmission.
US08216102B2
A sprocket having a slot formed therethrough can be disposed about the non-rotating support rod of a given roller door. This sprocket is then attached to the door-supporting frame such that the sprocket is positioned externally to the roller door. A connector can serve to effect this attachment. This connector might comprise a plurality of bolts with support sleeves. By this approach, the sprocket can be maintained at a fixed distance from the door supporting frame. This connector might also comprise an adjustable connector that adjustably and fixedly connects the sprocket with respect to the door-supporting frame. By one approach, the sprocket connects directly to the door-supporting frame. By another approach, if desired, the sprocket connects to a frame interface which connects, in turn, to the door-supporting frame. This frame interface can itself also have a slot formed therethrough to again facilitate placing the frame interface into an installed position.
US08216068B2
A gaming machine according to one embodiment of the invention has a rotating reel display device that variably displays a plurality of kinds of identification information required for a game, and a transmissive liquid crystal display device 30 that enables symbol information of the rotating reel display device to be visually recognized and that is subjected to non-glare treatment on its surface. Then, a covering member 50 to enhance transmittance is attached to the surface portion of the transmissive liquid crystal display device 30.
US08216066B2
To provide a game device capable of expressing, through a relatively simple process, a picture showing a first character object grabbing and pulling a clothing object of a second character object. According to the present invention, a direction from the position of the second character object to the position of the first character object is obtained, and based on the obtained direction, the positions of at least some of the vertexes of the clothing object are changed (S205). Further, the position of a predetermined portion of the first character object, which is used to pull the clothing object, is changed, based on the obtained direction (S206).
US08216061B2
Method and system are disclosed for allowing players at wagering game terminals to select entire sets of bonus games instead of a single bonus game upon occurrence of a certain randomly selected basic game outcome. One or more of the bonus games or sets of bonus games may be temporarily unavailable or “locked” to the player. The player may unlock the bonus games or sets of bonus games by acquiring certain game assets, reaching certain game milestones, and/or exceeding certain wagering levels. The unlocked games may reveal credits, prizes, progressives, basic and/or bonus game updates, or additional bonus games, some of which may also be locked. The updates and additions may already be present in the wagering game terminals or they may be downloaded from a central location. The player may retain the locked and unlocked statuses of the bonus games across multiple wagering game sessions and/or wagering game terminals.
US08216058B2
This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for alternative persistent state recovery methods. A method comprises detecting persistent state recovery information from one of two or more persistent state recovery techniques, wherein the persistent state recovery information identifies a persistent state in a wagering game; and restoring the persistent state of the wagering game from the detected persistent state recovery information.
US08216050B2
A gaming system is disclosed wherein an outcome probability is determined for each of a number of possible outcomes achievable in a wagering game. Different subsets are then associated with each different prize level in a desired prize distribution. The possible outcomes and their respective probability are assigned or mapped to the different subsets so that the probability of achieving a possible outcome included in a subset comprises a value approximating the desired probability of an award of the prize level with which the subset is associated.
US08216047B2
The present invention relates to a gaming and/or entertainment device, in particular in the form of a roulette game device, having a game field comprising a plurality of wager fields which can be covered individually and/or group-wise by a wager of a player and/or of a plurality of players, as well as having a playing field, in particular in the form of a roulette wheel, comprising a plurality of winning fields of which one or, optionally, more can be selected by means of a winnings determination means. In accordance with the invention, bet display means are provided at the winning fields of the playing field for the marking of the winning fields which produce a win according to the bets made, with a detection apparatus being associated with the wager fields for the detection of the wager fields respectively covered by a bet and with a control apparatus being provided for the control of the bet display means at the winning fields in dependence on the wager fields covered by bets and detected by the detection apparatus.
US08216044B1
Among other things, methods and apparatus are disclosed relating to fairer and easier accurate calculations useful in games having tables of odds used to determine the outcome of a battle or other contest. Strength values for two sides are obtained, and calculations are made to determine which odds-value in the table should be used for the contest. If the values do not match with a particular odds-value, then probabilities for using the nearest odds-values can be generated so that the player(s) can determine themselves which odds-value to use, or a random number can be generated to automatically determine which odds-value to use.
US08216038B2
A gaming machine according to the present invention includes: a gaming portion in which a plurality of main dice roll and stop; a timer capable of measuring time; a station having an input device with which a player can place a normal BET and a side BET different from the normal BET, based on a prediction of the outcomes of dice; and a controller, the controller programmed to execute the processing of (A) starting acceptance of the normal BET and the side BET from the input device provided in the station, (B) measuring the time from when the acceptance was started in the processing (A) by using the timer, (C) terminating the acceptance of the normal BET and the side BET from the input device provided in the station, when the time measured in the processing (B) reaches a predetermined value, (D) determining whether or not the side BET has been placed by using the input device provided in the station, since the acceptance was started in the processing (A), (E) increasing the predetermined value when determining that the side BET has been placed in the processing (D), and (F) rolling and stopping the plurality of the main dice in the gaming portion when the difference between the time measured in the processing (B) and the predetermined value becomes a previously determined specific value.
US08216029B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cutting machine capable of sharpening in such a manner that an angle of a cutting edge can be kept constant. A support block 14 is provided with two arms 14a, 14b which are spaced at a certain angle, and the arms 14a, 14b have rotation shafts 12a, 13a of rotary whetstones 12, 13, respectively, extending upright from the vicinities of the front ends thereof. The rotary whetstones 12, 13 has, at front ends thereof, flat surfaces perpendicular to the rotation shafts 12a, 13a to sharpen the one side 11b and the other side 11c of the cutting edge 11a of the cutting blade 11, respectively. The whetstone holding mechanism 15 can be moved in parallel linearly or can swing almost linearly, as mainly indicated by the arrow 15a, to bring the flat surface 12b of the rotary whetstone 12 into contact with the one side 11b of the cutting blade 11, as depicted by a broken line, thereby allowing the switch to the sharpening state. Even when the sharpening progresses, since parallelism between the flat abrasive surface 12b and the one side 11b of the cutting blade and between the flat abrasive surface 13b and the other side 11c of the cutting blade is kept, the angle of the cutting edge is kept constant.
US08216016B2
A cutting step of forming a crack (C) above at least one side of a sealant (15) surrounding each display region (D) in each of outer surfaces of a first mother substrate (20) and a second mother substrate (10) of a bonded body (30), and cutting the bonded body (30) into sections including the display regions (D) includes: a first mother substrate cutting step of forming a crack (C) above the sealant (15) surrounding each display region (D) in the outer surface of the first mother substrate (20), and then causing the crack (C) to develop in a substrate thickness direction to cut the first mother substrate (20) into sections including the display regions (D); a residual stress reducing step of reducing a residual stress of the sealant (15) in the bonded body (30) in which the first mother substrate (20) has been cut; and a second mother substrate cutting step of forming a crack (C) above the sealant (15) surrounding each display region (D) in the outer surface of the second mother substrate (10) of the bonded body (30) in which the residual stress of the sealant (15) has been reduced, and then causing the crack (C) to develop in the substrate thickness direction to cut the second mother substrate (10) into sections including the display regions (D).
US08216014B2
An ambidextrous rescue device having a slip ring rotateable mounted with respect to the rescue device to permit the slip ring to rotate independently of the rescue device as the rescue device is thrown to thereby enhance the distance the rescue device can be thrown by reducing the spin that needs to be imparted to the rescue device during a throwing motion as well as reducing the tendency of the rescue device to spin out of a victims grasp once the rescue device is retrieved by pulling on the rope attached to the rescue device. A further advantage is that the device can be thrown by either a left hand thrower or a right hand thrower. In another embodiment the rescue device includes an arm girth to automatically cinch a person's extremity to the rescue device as the rescue device is pulled toward the rescuer.
US08216012B1
Deployment of a moored undersea device is achieved by fixing a mooring line to an anchor, and allowing the mooring line to unwind from a winding reel. A winding reel control mechanism is responsive to underwater hydrostatic pressure to release the mooring line when the hydrostatic pressure exceeds a predetermined level. When the hydrostatic pressure falls below the predetermined level, the winding reel control mechanism prevents further pay out of the mooring line.
US08216003B2
An electronic apparatus includes a terminal holding mechanism that holds a terminal portion configured to conduct power from an external terminal, a terminal base that forms a part of the terminal holding mechanism, a partition wall having an open portion on a side, the partition wall separating the terminal portion and the terminal base, and a contact surface facing the open portion of the partition wall and provided integrally with the terminal base, the contact surface being electrically connected to the terminal holding mechanism.
US08216002B2
A wire containment cap includes a first side having a plurality of retainers for retaining wires, and a second side opposite the first side. Two sidewalls extend between the first side and the second side, and a support rib extends between the two sidewalls. The support rib includes two pair separators for separating wire pairs. In one embodiment, a plurality of sloped pair splitters is located between two of the retainers and includes a sharp point for cutting through insulation material on a pair of bonded wires. A communication jack assembly including a front portion and the wire containment cap is also described.
US08215993B2
The present invention relates to a socket including a connector insulatedly disposed inside the socket, the connector including contacts electrically connected to a source of input current. The socket further includes a slot for receiving an electronic card in the socket for connecting it to the connector, and a conductor for coupling the connector to at least one blade contact in the socket. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the socket further includes an insulating body defining at least one plug blade receiving slot for disposing the blade contact therein, and a card slot which extends to the connector, and the electronic card is further having contacts complementary to each of the connector contacts.
US08215987B2
A retainer (40), a rubber plug (60) and a rubber plug pressing member (70) are mounted in a housing (10). The retainer (40) is movable between a partial locking position and a full locking position, and the rubber plug pressing member (70) is movable between an initial position and a pushed-in position. The rubber plug pressing member (70) is formed with arm portions (74) projecting therefrom. The retainer (40) is formed with unlock linking portions (46) for linking a movement of this retainer (40) from the full locking position to the partial locking position and a movement of the rubber plug pressing member (70) from the pushed-in position to the initial position with each other by coming into sliding contact with the arm portions (74).
US08215975B2
The invention relates to a waterproof insulated connector, which modifies any electrical connection of a power supply, a USB, a VGA, a socket of electric equipment, an SD, an MS, an MMC and the like into a connection that is completely waterproof and insulated. Whether a connector of the electric equipment is connected or not, the plug and the socket are waterproof and can be completely and directly connected in water or other media without damaging the electric equipment and causing electric shock accidents, and multiple electric passages can be insulated from each other. The waterproof performance is realized by an isolating cavity consisting of a gating isolate component made of a dielectric elastomer, a shell and a hollow waterproof ring. The waterproof isolation connector and the method thereof have innovation in technology and lead users to an electric world with high safety and humanization.
US08215973B2
The present disclosure is directed to conductive connector attachments for use in electrically connecting printed circuit boards to absorbent products such as diapers, training pants, incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and the like. Specifically, various configurations and methods of securely attaching conventional conductive hook and loop attachments to printed circuit boards are disclosed.
US08215968B2
An electrical connector that includes a dielectric housing and at least one pair of signal conductors adapted to mate with a printed circuit board. The pair of signal conductors include first and second conductors. The first conductor includes a first mating portion, a first contact portion remote from the first mating portion, and a the intermediate portion therebetween. The second conductor includes a second mating portion, a second contact portion remote from the second mating portion, and a second intermediate portion therebetween. Each of the first and second mating portions define a mating portion axis and each of the first and second contact portions define a contact portion axis. The contact portion axes are offset from the mating portion axis.
US08215965B2
Female connector, male connector assembled to the same, and electric/electronic apparatus using them
A female connector which is useful for space saving and height reduction of a connector connection portion is a female connector including: an insulating film having flexibility; a plurality of pad portions formed at predetermined positions on one face of the insulating film in an arranged manner; female terminal portions composed of openings formed at one lateral portions within faces of the pad portions so as to extend up to the other face of the insulating film; and spacer bumps formed at positions corresponding to the other lateral positions within the faces of the pad portions in a standing manner within the other face of the insulating film, proximal portions of the spacer bumps being electrically connected to the pad portions.
US08215962B1
A waterproof, swivel feature secondary plug and socket device suitable for use within a construction setting, for placement within an extension cord between an originating power source and a user end tool. The device allows a rotational movement between the plug and socket components such that cord twisting and buckling is eliminated, and strain on an operator is reduced. The device provides protection against cord damage or operator injury because, when too great a longitudinal traction force is applied along the cord, as when a cord becomes entrapped during use, the frictional fit between the plug and socket component allows an automatic separation of the unit with immediate withdrawal of electrical power from the cord.
US08215959B2
The invention is directed to a tongue-mounted cleaning article for caring for the teeth and gums having an elongated body defining an inner cavity having a contour of the tongue and optionally, apertures therethrough; an open end having an annular elastic member for removably attaching the article to the tongue; and a closed end having pyramidal protuberances disposed over a portion or the entirety of its surface to project outwardly for cleaning the teeth and gums.
US08215954B2
A method for effecting an oral treatment of teeth and/or gums using an intra-oral device that has a mouthpiece in which is embedded a flexible circuit board and arrays of spaced apart lamps. The mouthpiece has a curvature. The lamps may be light emitting diodes that generate electromagnetic radiation, preferably in the white and blue light spectrum and the infrared and ultraviolet light spectrum. The arrays are positioned to expose the facial and lingual sides of the teeth and/or gums for effecting the treatment when the mouthpiece is positioned to fit upper and lower rows of teeth within accommodating recesses. The flexible circuit board is flexed to exhibit a curvature that follows a curvature of the mouthpiece. Treatments include whitening teeth, desensitizing teeth, and treating gums to prevent periodontal disease.
US08215949B2
Systems for stabilizing combustion while minimizing NOx generation by using high-flame-speed additives to stabilize the flame front in combustors operating at relatively low temperatures and/or under oxygen constraints. The system is adapted for use in coal-fired boilers, oil-fired boilers, and gas turbine engines. The methods stabilize the flame front to permit stable combustion under an expanded range of part-load conditions. The system provides substantially complete combustion of coal in coal boilers resulting in ash saleable for use in concrete manufacturing.
US08215945B2
An apparatus for forming a hollow FRP article by internal pressure molding includes a vacuum chamber, a forming die positioned in the vacuum chamber, a vacuum-chamber opening/closing mechanism, a composite-body support device for supporting a composite body without making the composite body come into contact with the forming die in a state where the forming die is opened by the vacuum-chamber opening/closing mechanism, the composite body including an airtight internal-pressure holding tube and a prepreg fitted on said airtight internal-pressure holding tube, an evacuation system for evacuating the vacuum chamber, an internal-pressure supplying device for applying pressure to an inside of the internal-pressure holding tube, and a controller for actuating the vacuum-chamber opening/closing mechanism to clamp the forming die to thereby bring the forming die and the composite body into intimate contact with each other.
US08215936B2
In screw compressors for extremely high discharge pressures, the geometrical centers of all coaxial holes or housing bores are all located in one single housing section on the male rotor side at a certain first straight line and the geometrical centers of all coaxial holes or housing bores are all located in one single housing section on the female rotor side at a certain second straight line. The diameter of all coaxial holes in the housing on the male rotor side, and the diameters of all coaxial holes in the housing on the female rotor side, decrease from the open to the closed end of the housing section. Based on this construction, the bearings and the components adjacent to the bearings are guided at their periphery in one single housing section so that there will be no coaxial deviations caused by assembly and no coaxial deviations in long term operation.
US08215930B2
An apparatus for a diaphragm pump and a method for transporting at least a portion of a latex and/or a latex drag reducer through a diaphragm pump are disclosed. A method for reducing the pressure drop associated with flowing a hydrocarbon-containing fluid through a pipeline also is disclosed.
US08215927B2
The present invention provides a technology for downsizing fluid pressure equipment including a fluid pressure pump and a radiator. The hydraulic pump unit 3 includes: a hydraulic pump 4; a motor 5 which drives the hydraulic pump 4; a cooling fan 7 which is connected to an output shaft 5a of the motor 5 and generates a flow of cooling air 6 to cool the motor 5; and a radiator 8 which receives heat from the hydraulic oil. The motor 5 and the radiator 8 are overlapped with the cooling fan 7, when viewed from the axial direction of the output shaft 5a of the motor 5.
US08215925B2
A tappet suitable for use with a fluid pump includes a side wall portion and an end face which define an internal chamber of the tappet, the end face having a drive surface for co-operating with a drive arrangement, in use, and a plurality of vents through the end face for allowing fluid flow between the internal chamber and an area outside the tappet. A plurality of longitudinal grooves are formed in an internal surface of the side wall portion, the grooves communicating with respective the vents to form a flow path for fluid into the internal chamber.
US08215924B2
Provided is an oil separating structure of a variable displacement compressor including: a cylinder block having a plurality of cylinder bores; a front housing disposed in the front of the cylinder block to form a swash plate chamber; a drive shaft rotatably supported at the cylinder block; a lug plate disposed in the swash plate chamber of the front housing and fixedly installed at the drive shaft; a rear housing disposed in the rear of the cylinder block and having a discharge chamber and a suction chamber communicating with the cylinder bores; a swash plate installed to be rotated by the lug plate to vary its inclination angle; pistons connected to the swash plate and reciprocating in the cylinder bores; a suction path for communicating the swash plate chamber and the discharge chamber; an additional exhaust path for communicating the swash plate chamber and the suction chamber; and a control valve installed in the middle of the suction path, characterized in that the drive shaft has a communication aperture formed therein for communicating the swash plate chamber and the suction chamber, and the lug plate has a first communication hole passing therethrough and a second communication hole formed therein for communicating the first communication hole and the communication aperture. Therefore, oil and refrigerant are smoothly separated from each other using only the communication hole formed in the lug plate without an additional oil separator, thereby simplifying an inner constitution of a compressor.
US08215921B2
A system for defogging doors to a display case is described and includes an electric motor and an air moving device. The air moving device is operatively coupled to the electric motor and positioned to provide an output proximate to at least one door of the display case. The motor is configured to operate at a first speed under standard closed door conditions, at a second speed when the door of the display case is open, and at a third speed for a predetermined length of time after the door is moved from an open position to a closed position.
US08215901B2
Gas turbine engines and related systems involving offset hub struts are provided. In this regard, a representative bearing assembly for a gas turbine engine includes: a bearing operative to support a rotatable shaft; an annular hub positioned about the bearing; and an annular array of struts extending radially outwardly from the hub, at least two of the struts being positioned in different planes, the planes being oriented transversely with respect to the rotatable shaft. The method of assembling the struts by mounting first and second pluralities of struts, each plurality in a common plane, between the hub and the turbine exhaust case, with the second plurality of struts longitudinally offset from the first plurality of struts.
US08215899B2
A vertically mountable shaft and bearing assembly includes a thermally insulated housing which protects the shaft, bearing(s), seal(s), and bearing lubricant from overheating due to a surrounding process fluid at a temperature exceeding 65° C. The thermal insulation, which in some embodiments includes vacuum, air, or an insulating material, enables a rolling element bearing to be located near the shaft's distal end, thereby reducing shaft and bearing size requirements. Lubricant is circulated past the bearing(s) by a circulation and cooling system having a capacity typical of systems used with process fluids at much lower temperatures. Additional roller and/or journal bearings can be included. The lubricant circulation system can be actuated by the shaft or driven separately. Lubricant within the shaft housing can be pressurized, for example by pressurizing gas or by filling the lubricant above the surrounding process fluid level. The shaft can operate a process fluid pump impeller.
US08215895B2
Embodiments of the present invention include a method and system for carrying out vapor-phase lubrication of a component, such as a bearing for example. The method and apparatus can be applied to a turbine engine. The method includes the step of directing a first stream of fluid containing atomized lubricant to the component at a first velocity. The system provides a first fluid injection system configured to perform the first step. The method also includes the step of directing a second stream of fluid at a second velocity less than the first velocity to the component. The second stream is for controlling a temperature of the component. The system provides a second fluid injection system configured to perform the second step. Both of the directing steps are carried out concurrently.
US08215889B2
A high current cursor comprises a outer frame in which a center carriage travels. The center carriage travels between the top and bottom of the outer frame. Movement of the center carriage is limited within the outer frame constraints and its own locking mechanism. Center carriage carries a bend restrictor for an umbilical or lift line. When the center carriage travels down to a predetermined position within the high current cursor, equipment is allowed to exit the high current cursor or is retrieved back into the high current cursor when the bend restrictor reaches a predetermined position within the outer frame, e.g. at its lowest point, allowing dispersal and/or retrieval without obstruction back to a fixed recovery point.
US08215867B2
A compacting device (40) for attachment to an earthmoving machine (2) to compact a substrate is described. The compacting device (40) includes a plurality of wheel assemblies (41, 42, 43) mounted for rotation in bearings (46). A support is also provided, having a base part (48) that is adapted to be mounted to the earthmoving machine (2). One or more bearing support members (47) extend from the base part (48) and between the wheel assemblies (41, 42, 43) to support the bearings (46). Each wheel assembly (41, 42, 43) includes a set of ground-contacting feet (44) secured to and peripherally spaced apart around a rim portion of the wheel assembly (41, 42, 43). In this arrangement, when the device (40) is rolled over the substrate a first foot of said set of ground engaging feet (44) contacts the substrate between axial width limits that differ from axial width limits of a second foot of said set of ground engaging feet (44).
US08215855B2
Provided is a device for the alignment of sheets in a printing machine, said device comprising two pairs of rollers for the alignment of the sheets in their advance direction, for the alignment transverse to their advance direction and with respect to skewing, whereby each pair of rollers consists of a driving roller and of a counter-pressure roller. One drive unit is provided for each of the two driving rollers, whereby each of the drive units consists of a motor and a drive shaft linked therewith, whereby the driving rollers are non-torsionally accommodated on respective drive shafts. The driving rollers can be slid in linear direction on their drive shaft, or the respective drive shafts, and thus the driving rollers accommodated thereon, can be linearly shifted with respect to their drive motors.
US08215846B2
A wheel support bearing assembly includes an outer member (1), which serves as a stationary member and has an inner periphery formed with a plurality of rows of raceway surfaces (3), an inner member (2), which serves as a rotatable member and has an outer periphery formed with respective raceway surfaces (4) opposed to the previously described raceway surfaces (3), and a plurality of rows of rolling elements (5) interposed between the respective opposed raceway surfaces (3, 4). The outer member (1) is thermally refined by means of a quenching and a high temperature tempering process so that a layer of at least 2 mm in depth from a surface of the outer member is rendered to have a micro-pearlite structure.
US08215844B1
A system and method are disclosed for protecting bearings operating in dirty environments. The system may include a reservoir of lubricant, a bearing, and a regulator. The bearing may border on both the dirty environment and the reservoir. Accordingly, the bearing may be exposed to the solid particles carried by the fluid within the environment, as well as the lubricant of the reservoir. The regulator may ensure that the pressure within the reservoir is greater than the pressure of the dirty environment. Due to the higher pressure within the reservoir, the bearing may be preferentially filled with lubricant rather than dirty fluid from the environment.
US08215840B2
A self-lubricating mechanism of slide member, including a slide assembly and a lubricating section. The slide assembly has a linear guide section, a slider linearly slidably mounted on the guide section and reciprocally movable between a first position and a second position and at least one rolling section positioned in a space defined between the slider and the guide section. The lubricating section has a main body fixedly disposed on one side of the slider. The main body is formed with an internal oil reservoir and at least one passage in communication with the oil reservoir. The passage has an opening formed on a first side of the main body in communication with the space. A push body is retractably disposed on the main body. A stopper body is fixed in a position adjacent to the first position for retracting the push body to drive the oil into the space.
US08215838B1
A shopping bag having walls formed on their inner surfaces with indicia defining templates corresponding with the size of selected books.
US08215836B2
This phantom object is designed for a Winston-Lutz test on a device for radiation therapy treatment comprising a patient support having a rotation axis (V), a stand having a rotation axis (H) and a collimator having a rotation axis (C), locating means being provided for visually representing the theoretical positions (V′, H′, C′) of the three axes (V, H, C). A spherical ball is positioned at the center of a sphere in a material of electron density lower than that of the ball, the ball and the sphere both constituting the phantom object. The sphere has on its outer surface means for a visual alignment with the locating means allowing a positioning of the phantom object at the point of convergence of the three axes (V′, H′, C′).
US08215832B2
A first thermosensitive element including a temperature detecting unit that outputs a voltage corresponding to a temperature to which the unit rises from ambient temperature (temperature of surrounding environment) due to incident infrared, and a second thermosensitive element including a temperature detecting unit that outputs a voltage based on ambient temperature are formed above/on a silicon substrate. The temperature detecting unit of the first thermosensitive element is thermally insulated from the silicon substrate by a clearance (space). The temperature detecting unit of the second thermosensitive element is formed on a first sacrifice layer made of deposited diamond like carbon, and thermally connected to the silicon substrate by the first sacrifice layer. The infrared sensor detects an amount of incident infrared based on the difference between output voltages of the first and second thermosensitive elements.
US08215830B2
An apparatus and method is described for measuring a local surface temperature of a semiconductor device under stress. The apparatus includes a substrate, and a reference MOSFET. The reference MOSFET may be disposed closely adjacent to the semiconductor device under stress. A local surface temperature of the semiconductor device under stress may be measured using the reference MOSFET, which is not under stress. The local surface temperature of the semiconductor device under stress may be determined as a function of drain current values of the reference MOSFET measured before applying stress to the semiconductor device and while the semiconductor device is under stress.
US08215817B2
Provided is a backlight unit. The backlight unit includes a frame, a light guide plate, a light absorption adhesive member, and a white light source. An opening is formed in the frame. The light guide plate is attached to the frame and formed larger than the opening. The light absorption adhesive member attaches the light guide plate to the frame and absorbs incident light. The white light source provides white light to the light guide plate.
US08215814B2
An optical system having a solid state light source, such as an LED of any spectrum, includes a lens that provides an output illumination pattern of uniform distribution over a remote and larger target. The lens does not have an axis of revolution. The lens has a generally non-circular outer shape in cross section and on top views, where the outer optical surfaces are angled one relative to another. The lens includes refractive and reflective active optical surfaces to split, direct and shape the incoming beam from the light source towards the target in the form of several angled beams of prescribed energies calculated as a function of the shape of the target and distance to the target. The lens has an inner primary and partially open optical cavity of a polygonal cross section facing the light source. This optical cavity has a number of refractive optical surfaces whose shape and number is determined by the number of and shape of the illumination beams generated in conjunction with the other surfaces of the lens. This novel optical system may include an array of white LEDs that generate the input illumination to an array of these lenses to insure the proper illumination level and uniformity at particular remote targets.
US08215813B2
A flasher support apparatus is provided which lets an external force applied to a lighting apparatus main body escape effectively in a flasher support structure supporting the lighting apparatus main body via a tubular lighting apparatus stay having elasticity. A flasher support structure includes a bottom wall portion disposed on a first axial end of a flasher stay, the bottom wall portion including a mounting hole (a center insertion hole) of a front flasher and an insertion hole (a rear end insertion hole) of a flasher cable; and a peripheral wall portion extending from an outer edge portion of the bottom wall portion toward a vehicle body side so as to widen an opening.
US08215809B2
The present invention provides, as one aspect, a light control apparatus for controlling directions of optical axes of headlights mounted in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a position detecting section that detects positions of the headlights with respect to a road surface, an optical axis direction calculating section that calculates the directions of the optical axes of the headlights, individually, so that the optical axes are directed to illumination targets positioned at predetermined distances from the positions of the headlights detected by the position detecting section, a leveling control section that controls the directions of the optical axes of the headlights in the vertical direction, individually, and a leveling output section that outputs a control command based on a calculation result of the optical axis direction calculating section to the leveling control section.
US08215807B1
A flagpole and light combination assembly includes a pole having a top end. A light emitter is attached to the pole. A power source is electrically coupled to the light emitter and comprises a rechargeable battery mounted in the pole. A solar panel is electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery. The solar panel is mounted on the pole. A connecting apparatus releasably connects the flag to the pole and positions the flag adjacent to the light emitter. The light emitter is spaced from the top end of the pole to emit light laterally of the pole and onto the flag. The connecting apparatus includes an upper flag coupler and a lower flag coupler spaced from each other. The light emitter is positioned between the upper and lower flag couplers and emits light orthogonally to the pole to illuminate the flag.
US08215797B2
An input/output device used for connecting at least one external wire with a display apparatus, comprises a case, at least one I/O connector, a flip cover, and a lighting device. The case embedded in the case of the display apparatus has a wiring slot to provide the wire passing through the case. The I/O connectors embedded on the case are electrically connected to the display apparatus. The flip cover is pivoted on the case. The lighting device having a light source and a switch is associated with the flip cover to turn on or turn off the light source.
US08215789B2
A light-emitting apparatus includes a housing defining an interior space. A light-emitting diode in the interior space of the housing projects upward from the interior bottom surface. A support surface in the interior space above the light-emitting diode is configured to support a candle in the interior space over the light-emitting diode so that the light-emitting diode is hidden from view.
US08215773B2
Weighting garment and orthotics are provided for improving balance. In particular, adjustable balance evaluation systems are used to determine placement of a weight to improve a subject's balance. These evaluation systems may be used to create customized garments for enhancing or improving balance. Described herein are customized garments for enhancing balance. Methods of creating customized garments enhance balance from the adjustable balance evaluation systems. Methods and apparatus further include eyeglasses with weights and testing methods to improve vision.
US08215755B2
A liquid supply apparatus includes a container mounting portion and a liquid container. The liquid container includes a case configured to store liquid therein, and a movable member positioned in the case. The movable member and the case comprise a pair of magnetic materials on which a magnetic force acts, such that the pair of magnetic materials attracts each other. When the liquid container is not mounted to the container mounting portion, the movable member is in a fixed state in which the movable member is fixed to the case by the magnetic force acting between the pair of magnetic materials. The container mounting portion includes a release member configured to release the movable member from the fixed state by generating a magnetic force acting between the pair of magnetic materials, such that the pair of magnetic materials separates away from each other.
US08215750B2
A liquid discharge head includes a member which is provided with a discharge port for discharging a liquid and made of a resin. Here, the member contains a plurality of inorganic particles. In addition, in a surface of the member on which the discharge port is opened, a density of the particles in a circumference of the discharge port is higher than that of the particles in the vicinity thereof.
US08215747B2
A printhead assembly includes an elongate support structure; a series of wall sections extending a length of a first surface of the elongate support structure, the series of wall sections delineating ink supply channels therebetween; a plurality of carriers positioned end-to-end in the gap and supported by said edges of the walls, the carriers defining therethrough ink supply passages in fluid communication with the ink supply channels; a printhead integrated circuit mounted on each carrier to receive ink from respective ink supply channels; and a serrated channel extending a length of a second surface of the elongate support structure, the serrated channel for receiving fastening means therein.
US08215743B2
A recording apparatus includes a carriage; a first head group including a recording head and disposed on the carriage; and a second head group including a recording head and disposed on the carriage adjacent the first head group in a staggered manner with respect to a sub-scan direction. The carriage is configured to move in a main scan direction in order to record an image on a recording medium. The recording apparatus further includes a forming unit configured to form plural test patterns including a first pattern formed by the recording head of the first head group and a second pattern formed by the recording head of the second head group. The test patterns are spaced apart from one another in the sub-scan direction. The position of the second pattern relative to the first pattern in the sub-scan direction is varied successively from one test pattern to another.
US08215742B2
A recording apparatus includes: a driving unit that drives the transporting unit; a phase detecting unit that detects a phase origin of the transport roller rotating in accordance with the driving of the driving unit and a rotational phase indicating an amount of rotation from the phase origin; a recording unit that performs recording on the sheet transported with the transporting unit; and a control unit that controls the driving unit such that the transport roller rotates within a certain transport range based on a preliminarily set reference phase, forms a first pattern by controlling the recording unit at a first rotation phase at a control start point of the driving unit, forms a second pattern by controlling the recording unit at a second rotation phase at a control end point of the driving unit, and then forms a correction pattern including the first and second patterns.
US08215740B2
Gradation data for each color to be input to a recording apparatus includes dot-recording-position information for every unit pixel and information for determining a nozzle position in a recording head for recording a dot. The information for determining the nozzle position makes determination in accordance with image data of an ink with resin and image data of an ink without resin. In a region where the ink with resin and the ink without resin overlap with each other, the ink without resin can land first.
US08215739B2
Before a printing operation, printing conditions related to occurrence of mist are acquired. According to the printing conditions, mist reduction device and a mist-reduction correction amount for controlling a degree of reducing the mist by the mist reduction device are set. Thereafter, printing is performed on a print medium by use of the set mist-reduction correction amount and mist reduction device. Accordingly, an appropriate mist reduction method is adopted according to the various printing conditions. Thus, optimum printing can be executed without impairing image quality or user-friendliness more than necessary.
US08215738B2
The droplet ejection apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles in a row connected to the same liquid supply flow channel are divided into M nozzle group blocks, and the ejection timings are shifted for blocks so that the number of nozzles ejecting simultaneously within the same nozzle row can be reduced and the effect of crosstalk can be reduced, whereby reduction of power source capacity in a drive circuit system can be achieved. Furthermore, shifting of the deposition position caused by the difference in the ejection timing is resolved by the nozzle arrangement, whereby good recording can be performed without shifting dot positions.
US08215735B2
An inkjet printer with a frame and a printhead module further includes an adjusting piece and a pair of adjusting units, for adjusting a distance between the printhead module and a printing medium. An indicating portion and a scale portion are further disposed on the adjusting unit to indicate up-and-down moving amplitude of the adjusting piece. Thereby, the up-and-down moving amplitude of the printhead module is quantized, and the adjustment of the distance between the printhead module and the printing medium is precisely controlled.
US08215730B2
In one aspect, an assembly includes an enclosure with an opening and a door for closing the opening. A first joining member is secured to the enclosure and a second joining member is secured to the door. The first and second joining members can be mechanically joined to one another in any one of a plurality of attitudes relative to one another and to be separated from one another. A third joining member is joined to at least one of the first and second joining members to establish an alignment position for the first and second joining members relative to one another. Following the separation of the first and second joining members, the alignment position established by the third joining member allows the first and second joining members to be rejoined in the same attitude as the attitude in which they were joined prior to being separated.
US08215727B2
A carrierless storage system enclosure includes an ejection mechanism to permit installation and removal of data storage devices (e.g., hard disk drives) without tools, carriers, and manual cabling.
US08215711B2
A vehicular seat can include a pair of right and left slide devices, right and left lock mechanisms, and a synchronous releasing mechanism releasing the right and left lock mechanisms in synchronism with each other. The synchronous releasing mechanism can include a rod whose both end portions are rotatably mounted between upper portions of right and left side frames of a seat cushion, right and left levers mounted to portions of the rod near both end portions thereof so as to be incapable of rotating with respect to the rod, and right and left connection members connecting the right and left levers and the right and left lock mechanisms to each other. Clearance portions can be included between the right and left levers and the right and left connection members, to prevent the connection members from moving so as to release the lock mechanisms in synch with the levers when the side frames are downwardly crushed, and the rod and the levers move downwards.
US08215708B2
A body of a motor vehicle includes a lateral roof region that has an outer skin, an outer roof frame, and an inner roof frame, wherein the outer roof frame is arranged under the outer skin and the inner roof frame is arranged under the outer roof frame, and the outer skin, the outer roof frame, and the inner roof frame have a common welded flange, by means of which the outer skin and the outer and inner roof frames are connected to one another, and which is configured to receive an adhesive layer for a roof module having a roof module frame. An aspect of the invention is to provide an accident-optimized vehicle body at little expense that prevents a tearing off of the roof module, and is achieved in that the outer roof frame of the body is configured as a locking element for the roof module frame.
US08215702B2
In the case of a vehicle door with an inside door part and an outside door part which are connected to an inner and outer door shaft reinforcing device, a mirror base of a vehicle exterior rearview mirror is held at a corner of the door. The mirror base is supported on a reinforcing element arranged within the vehicle door. The reinforcing element is arranged between a support of the outer door shaft reinforcing device and a further support of the inner door shaft reinforcing device.
US08215698B1
A front adapter plate has its upper end mounted on the pivot pin which pivotally secures the rod end of a front hydraulic cylinder of a side-dump body. A front mount is adjustably vertically secured to the front adapter plate and has a pivot pin extending forwardly therefrom. A rear adapter plate has its upper end mounted on the pivot pin which pivotally secures the rod end of a rear hydraulic cylinder of the side-dump body. A rear mount is adjustably vertically secured to the rear adapter plate and has a pivot pin extending rearwardly therefrom. The inner ends of front and rear swing arms of a tarp system are pivotally mounted on the pivot pins of the front and rear mounts respectively.
US08215692B2
A vehicle is constructed of three modules including a front end module having a monocoque one piece body, a tail module having a monocoque one piece body and a power train module adapted for installation under at least one of the front end module and the tail module. The front end module has a trailing edge and the tail module has a leading edge along which the tail module and front end module may be temporarily connected for service use. A power train module is provided adapted for installation under at least one of the front end module and the tail module. An expansion band formed in a monocoque one piece section and having a leading edge and a trailing edge is provided allowing temporary installation between the front end module and the tail module to adjust the length of the vehicle.
US08215691B2
An improved access and retention system for sedans includes a protective cover for safeguarding a lower peripheral region of a rear cargo region while loading, unloading, and transporting cargo. The protective cover can conveniently and remotely stow within the cargo region. An integral tie-down assembly, exposed by deploying the protective cover, secures cargo loaded in the rear cargo region and cargo placed along the protective cover. The system also includes a double hinging rear closure member which has a rear facing portion which can be locked in open and closed positions. Arranging the rear facing portion in the open position is particularly advantageous for hauling oversized cargo articles which may extend from the rear of the vehicle.
US08215684B2
A vehicle stowage assembly is provided that includes a compartment having an opening to allow access to the opening and a door proximate the opening. A ferrous member magnets are disposed on the compartment and the door to magnetically couple the magnets to the ferrous member when the door is in the closed position. A crash sensor is provided for detecting an expected vehicle crash event. An electromagnetic coil electromagnetically is coupled to the ferrous member, wherein the coil is electrically energized by current to create a polarity on the ferrous bar to create an increased force closure to the door relative to the housing when an expected vehicle crash is detected. The coil generates an opposite polarity on the ferrous member to open the door in response to a user actuated input.
US08215669B2
An airbag has a skin enclosing a gas chamber and the skin has a vent which is closed in the resting state of the airbag and which opens when the pressure in the gas chamber exceeds a pre-determined value is described. The vent includes a vent hole in the skin and a tearable connection closing the vent hole in the resting state of the airbag. The airbag is folded to a package at least along a first direction and the tearable connection connects the skin around the vent hole directly to itself such that the tearable connection extends from a first point to a second point. In order to ensure that the vent remains closed during deployment and that the vent opens after the pressure inside the gas chamber exceeds a predetermined value within a rather small tolerance of the pressure, the line connecting the two points encloses an angle between 30° and 60° with the first direction.
US08215668B2
Disclosed is a vehicle including a seat on which a passenger may be seated; an airbag cushion that is expanded according to an inflow of a gas to protect the passenger seated on the seat; an inflator that introduces the gas into the airbag cushion; a first vent hole provided at the airbag cushion to exhaust therethrough the gas introduced from the inflator; a second vent hole provided at the airbag cushion to face the passenger to exhaust therethrough the gas introduced from the inflator; and a vent amount adjustment member connected to the second vent hole to adjust the amount of the gas exhausted through the second vent hole depending on whether an adult is seated on the seat or a child restraint system is installed on the seat.
US08215667B2
A knee airbag device for a vehicle is provided that is capable of effectively protecting both knees of a seat occupant, regardless of position, shape or the like of an airbag door relative to the seat. In a passenger seat knee airbag device, a tear line of an airbag door retainer is broken and airbag doors are deployed upward and downward by deployment force of a knee airbag that receives a gas supply from an inflator. Thus, the knee airbag is deployed toward the knees of the occupant through an aperture portion formed in the airbag door retainer. A tear line of a form that is non-symmetrical between left and right is formed in a retaining sheet that is for retaining the knee airbag in a folded state. Thus, timings of deployment of the airbag doors by inflation pressure of the knee airbag are caused to differ between a left side portion and a right side portion.
US08215665B2
The present invention obtains an airbag device that can effectively protect an upper body and knees of a passenger by a simple airbag structure. An airbag that structures an airbag device for a passenger's seat has a main bag that restrains an upper body of a vehicle passenger from a front side in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a sub-bag that has a smaller volume than the main bag and that restrains knees of the passenger from the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and an inner tube that is folded-up together with the main bag and the sub-bag and is inflated and expanded within the airbag by a gas supply from an inflator. The inner tube directly supplies gas of the inflator to the main bag and the sub-bag respectively. A check valve is provided at a gas exit that communicates the inner tube with the sub-bag.
US08215663B2
The operation efficiency is improved by enabling a gas rectifying member of an airbag device to be easily disposed in a folded airbag. An airbag in a folded state is accommodated around an inflator of an airbag device, and a gas rectifying member (12) for guiding gas is disposed between the airbag and the inflator surrounded by the airbag. The gas rectifying member (12) includes a retained portion (12A) retained, together with the airbag, around the inflator and a free-standing tubular gas-flow guide portion (12B) standing upright from the retained portion (12A), which are formed as a single part from a base fabric. The airbag is folded in a state in which the retained portion (12A) is retained inside the airbag. At this time, the gas-flow guide portion (12B) is less likely to be sandwiched between the airbag, because it is standing in the airbag.
US08215632B2
A method of automatically pivoting a pick arm assembly away from a media support in a printer by providing a printhead carriage with a sloped feature and providing a linking assembly coupled to the pick arm assembly with a ramped feature wherein pivoting the pick arm assembly away from the media support occurs when the printhead carriage travels along the carriage scan path.
US08215624B2
A jig pallet for conveying a workpiece that is placed on it and has a portion to be worked. The jig pallet has a conveyance carriage (A) movable along a production line, a workpiece receiving member (B) provided on the conveyance carriage (A) and on which the workpiece is placed, a pressing mechanism (E) to be placed so as to face a peripheral section of a to-be-worked portion of the workpiece placed on the workpiece receiving member (B), and an opening/closing member (D) on which the pressing mechanism (E) is provided. When the opening/closing member (D) is closed, the pressing mechanism (E) presses a peripheral section of the to-be-worked portion of the workpiece from above, and when being opened, the pressing is released, enabling the opening/closing member (D) to be opened and closed, with one end of the conveyance carriage (A) functioning as the support point, and allowing the workpiece to be taken out.
US08215621B2
A spring including a wire having an elasticity by which the wire is compressible by an external force to a first position at which first and second ends thereof of are separated by a first distance and when the force is removed or an electrical current applied, the wire is extensible in response to an internal spring force to a second position at which the wire is substantially straight. A spring assembly is disclosed including a plurality of inventive wires cross-coupled with a support structure consisting of a plurality of coaxial rings. In the assembly, the wires extend parallel to an axis through a center of the rings.
US08215609B2
A flow control valve assembly with low noise is provided. The flow control valve assembly uses silicone to define a flow passage to reduce the friction with respect to a fluid flowing therethrough while preventing the occurrence of turbulent flow of the fluid, thereby minimizing the generation of noise. The flow control valve assembly comprises a pipe having a through hole therein and formed with a plunger guide on a lateral surface thereof, a plunger installed within the plunger guide of the pipe to move upwardly and downwardly along the plunger guide, a silicone wall installed on the inner surface of the pipe to define a flow passage in the middle thereof, a clamping joint installed at the inlet of the pipe to clamp the silicone wall to the pipe, and a stopping joint installed at the outlet of the pipe to prevent the silicone wall from being thrust out of the pipe.
US08215603B2
The present invention relates to a tree stand having a first stand section including a central tube, the central tube having a first circumference, the central tube of the first stand section having at least one leg affixed to the tube, the leg having a u-shaped slot at an end of the leg proximate to the tube; and a second stand section including a central tube having a second circumference, the second circumference being larger than the first circumference, the central tube of the second section having at least one leg affixed to the tube, the central tube of the second section having a pin in corresponding relationship with the u-shaped slot on the leg of the first stand section such the slot is disposed over the pin when the tube portion of the first stand section is slid over the tube portion of the second stand section to create the stand.
US08215591B2
According to one embodiment, a guideway switching mechanism includes an elongated section of flexible guideway coupled to a switch plate. The flexible guideway has a first end that may be coupled to a first elongated guideway and a second end that may be selectively coupled to one of a multiple quantity of alternative guideways. The switch plate provides selective coupling of the flexible guideway to multiple alternative guideways by movement through an arcuate path such that the automated transport vehicle may selectively move from the first elongated guideway to either of the alternative guideways.
US08215587B2
A multi-celled ram-air parachute possessing one or more internal one-way valved air passages between at least two parachute cells to maintain positive air pressure within the parachute for the purpose of maintaining shape and rigidity when less than optimal airspeed is present thereby increasing a user's control and safety.
US08215577B2
Systems and methods of rolling and unrolling secondary flooring surfaces, such as tall pile turf, are provided. The system includes a core onto which the secondary flooring surface is rolled, the core being coupled on both ends to a frame that moves along a track mounted on or in a primary surface. The system includes a drive system that allows for the conversion of a primary surface into a secondary flooring surface in a relatively short period of time. The drive system includes core adjustable speed drive units for controlling the speed and torque of the motors that drive the core, as well as frame adjustable speed drive units for controlling the speed of the movement of the frames along the tracks. The core adjustable speed drive units control the torque of the core motors during roll up and control the speed of the core motors during roll out.
US08215576B2
A gyratory crusher is provided that has a crusher head, an eccentric assembly connected to the crusher head, a bushing positioned between the eccentric assembly and the crusher head, a retaining member, and a plurality of fasteners. The retaining member has an opening and a plurality of holes. The retaining member is positioned adjacent to the eccentric assembly such that a portion of the eccentric assembly is within the opening. Each fastener extends through a respective hole to the crusher head. The retaining member is positioned adjacent to the crusher head and the eccentric assembly such that the retaining member is decoupled from the bushing. The cone crusher is preferably configured to crush rock, stone, ore or minerals. A method of making or retrofitting a crushing device such as, for example, a cone crusher or other gyratory crusher, is also provided.
US08215575B2
The present invention provides an in-line system for milling sorbent material to be used in a pneumatic conveying system. The system provides for optimal particle size in a duct injection system, regardless of the original sorbent particle size, and is designed to prevent clogging of the milled material through the system. Methods of operation for milling, as well as cleaning the mills while providing various sorbent material by-pass configurations to minimize system down-time while enhancing material throughput and that support the unique aspects of the system, are also described in detail below.
US08215574B2
The invention relates to a pulper and to its method for recycling wastes and/or product residuals. The pulper comprises a tank is which a rotor is provided for defibrating the stock mixture to be recycled, as well as a screen for drawing off the defibrated outfeed from the tank, the rotor being powered by an electric motor comprising a drive shaft in active transmission with the rotor. In accordance with the invention the electric motor is configured as a three-phase synchronous motor for operation in a speed range from 0 to 1000 rpm. It is connected to the output of a frequency inverter controlled by a controller, the output of the drive shaft being directly connected to the rotor.
US08215563B2
A system for facilitating memory and application management on a smartcard the system includes a client having a number of applications and a smartcard having specification logic allowing file structures and security and access conditions to be defined using a set of common commands. Each application has a corresponding group of data on the smartcard. An applet instance is created for each application and corresponding group of application data. At the time of instantiation, the specification logic allows an application to specify the file structure and/or to specify security and access conditions for its group of data. An application can utilize passcode and credential management so that a single passcode is used to access the smartcard regardless of whether the application utilizes the common commands to specify a file structure.
US08215562B2
The present invention provides a wireless tag to be attached onto a disc-shaped recording medium including first and second regions. The first region, made of a nonconductive member, is disposed on the inner radial part of the recording medium, whereas the second region, including a conductive member, is disposed on the outer radial part of the recording medium. The wireless tag includes: a feed section connected to a wireless IC chip; a conductive plate including a slot therein; and a slot antenna for receiving power from the feed section. The conductive plate is formed for at least partially overlapping with the second region when the wireless tag is attached onto the inner radial part of the recording medium. The slot has a length set for obtaining an inductance enough to cause a resonance between the slot antenna and the wireless IC chip at a predetermined wireless frequency.
US08215557B1
A low profile, color-based counting system. A housing has a light source, such as a matrix of LEDs, preferably disposed in the housing for generating electromagnetic radiation upwardly. A removable, translucent tray is disposed above the light source. A second light source can be added above the tray, directing light downwardly thereto. A color camera is mounted on the housing and above the removable translucent tray.
US08215555B2
There is provided a barcode data management device including: a conversion unit that converts print data including barcode data into electronic format data for viewing; an extraction unit that extracts barcode data included in the print data, the barcode data including a start position, a range, a type and actual encoded data from the barcode image rendered into a viewable state; and an attachment unit that attaches the barcode data extracted by the extraction unit to a non-viewing region provided in the electronic format data.
US08215553B2
Directional albedo of a particular article, such as an identity card, is measured and stored. When the article is later presented, it can be confirmed to be the same particular article by re-measuring the albedo function, and checking for correspondence against the earlier-stored data. The re-measuring can be performed through us of a handheld optical device, such as a camera-equipped cell phone. The albedo function can serve as random key data in a variety of cryptographic applications. The function can be changed during the life of the article through use of a variety of different card constructions (e.g., involving quantum dots, phase change materials, MEMS structures, etc.). A variety of other arrangements and features are also detailed.
US08215551B1
Methods and computer-readable media provide for efficient inventory and information management over a wireless network. An updated electronic data input form corresponding to an account representative of a business is received a wireless data input device along with a current geographic location of the wireless data input device. A determination is made that the current geographic location is within a pre-defined perimeter of the business. As a result, the updated electronic data input form is accepted and stored.
US08215548B2
A method and system including a plurality of multifunctional devices being operatively associated with at least one controller and each having a preset amount of preloaded consumables at a time of initial use; and a software application for enabling at least one user to access the plurality of multifunctional devices, the software application being configured to receive information from a prepaid card, the information including a financial value relating to usage of some of the preset amount of preloaded consumables in the plurality of multifunctional devices; wherein the financial value of the prepaid card is applied by the at least one user across the plurality of multifunctional devices in any desired uniform or non-uniform financial proportions in accordance with usage determinations; and wherein the at least one user is enabled to pay for access to the plurality of multifunctional devices in time staggered installments without pre-established contractual obligations.
US08215546B2
There is provided a method and system for transportation check-in (e.g., ticketing and identification) via near field communication (NFC) using a handheld electronic device, such as a cellular phone or a personal media player. The handheld device may store and transmit travel reservations and traveler identifications using a travel management application. Various methods may be employed to acquire the reservation and identification information on the handheld device. For example, travel reservations may be made via the management application or may be retrieved from an email, a website, another NFC-enabled device, or a carrier-provided confirmation number. User identification may be acquired by scanning a radio frequency identification tag embedded in a government-issued I.D. In another embodiment, an I.D. number may be entered via the travel management application, and the user's identification information may be downloaded from the issuing authority.
US08215539B2
A disposable holder for food that includes a separable component for grasping a food item previously contained within the holder during consumption by a user. The holder has separable upper and lower portions that include corresponding tabs for keeping the holder closed. One of the upper or lower portions includes a series of fold lines, such that the upper or lower portion may be folded around a food item after separated from the other portion.
US08215529B2
An improved pneumatic device includes a body having a hollow cavity, defining an X axis and having a first end and a second end. The body includes a movable cylinder, a nail-firing piston rod and at least one exhaust hole. The movable cylinder and the nail-firing piston rod reciprocate along the X axis in the body by performing a forward stroke to the second end, and a return stroke back to the first end. The movable cylinder presents an open status when completing the forward stroke and presents a closed status when completing the return stroke. The movable cylinder has an exhaust hole and an exhaust valve disposed at an outer periphery thereof. When the nail-firing piston rod has not completed the return stroke yet and the cylinder is in the closed status, an exhaust channel is thereby formed to facilitate exhausting of air.
US08215527B2
A dispenser for length material comprises a first resiliently biased locking roller and a second locking roller defining a nip therebetween for the passage of length material to be dispensed, the second roller being carried on a frame which upon appropriate movement causes the second roller to move into a locking position in relation to the first locking roller to clamp the length material to prevent unreeling or return of the free end thereto once appropriate cutting of a portion of the length material has been effected.
US08215511B1
A container lid with a latch handle is taught that incorporates a drinking lip, having a flared brim, configured to interface with a liquid container. A lip sealing ring is disposed on the drinking lip creating a watertight fit between the lip and the container. A lid body, having lid male threads, is configured to interface with container lid female threads, and the lid body includes a bottom cover which forms a dead air space for insulation purposes within the lid. The lid body incorporates a vertical arched handle with a snap-in hinged spring loaded latch for quick release attachment of the container lid and container securely to an object. A lid sealing ring is disposed on the lid body forming a watertight fit between the lid body and the container drinking lip.
US08215503B2
A crane having a telescoping boom whose sections, are arranged in a base boom that can telescope individually, in and out, after disengaging locking pin connections that are secured in the respective moved out or moved in positions by locking pins. A guide profile head is arranged at an end remote of the articulation of the safety locking unit to the inner end of the base boom. To lengthen the boom without substantially changing the telescopic system itself, the guide profile head is detachably fastened to the safety locking unit. An additional guide frame, whose length is dimensioned corresponding to the length of the telescoping boom that has been expanded by additional sections inserted in the telescoping boom, is mounted in place of the guide profile head, and that a guide profile head can be arranged at the free end of the guide frame.
US08215501B2
An adjustable curtain rod assembly includes a rod member and an adjustment mechanism coupled to an end of the rod member. The adjustment mechanism is operable to adjust a length of the rod assembly and has a clutch mechanism that prevents over-extension of the rod assembly during mounting.
US08215493B2
A membrane treatment apparatus includes a filtration membrane 10 filtering raw water existing in an external environment 100 by applying pressure thereto and a treated water outlet 11 from which treated water collected after filtration by the filtration membrane 10 is taken, and is provided with a filter cloth 12 placed and fixed outside the filtration membrane 10 with a predetermined space left between the filter cloth and the filtration membrane. Preferably, the filter cloth 12 is provided in such a way as to cover an outer circumferential side and a bottom of the filtration membrane 10, and the filter cloth 12 is provided in such a way as to cover the outer circumferential side of the filtration membrane 10 with the bottom thereof uncovered.
US08215487B1
Inflatable packaging with self-sealing air bubbles includes a bubble layer, a valve layer and a valve cover layer. A plurality of bubble cell patterns are formed on the bubble layer with adhesive, glue or heat sealing. The valve layer is attached to bubble layer. A plurality of check valves are formed on the valve layer. An air opening is formed through each one of the plurality of check valves to inflate the plurality of bubble cells. The valve cover layer is attached to the valve layer. A row with at least one bubble cell is filled with air through the check valve. Inflation of the bubble cells cause the valve layer and valve cover layer to contact each other to seal the check valve.
US08215475B2
An apparatus and method separate flat articles, in particular flat mail consignments, and have built-in wear compensation. The apparatus possesses a transport element, a retention element, a displaceable mounted base and a range sensor. Either the transport element or the retention element is mounted on the base. The other element is mounted fixedly. The transport element is moved in relation to the retention element, with the result that overlapping articles are drawn apart from one another. The range sensor measures the length of a section from a fixed point to such a surface of the transport element which comes into contact with articles. In dependence on the measured section length, the base is displaced in such a way that the displacement of the base compensates for abrasion of the transport element.
US08215474B1
An accumulation and conveyor integrations system is provided which incorporates at least two separated conveying apparatus to convey, accumulate, and meter the output of product onto a downstream line. When a downstream apparatus goes offline, a method of controlling reentry or integration of upstream and downstream lines is provided. The system and method can maximize product output from the downstream line by enabling continued loading of an upstream conveyor at a given rate and subsequent downloading at a temporary increased rate.
US08215463B2
A variable damping-force damper includes a cylinder tube filled with magnetic particles (MRF), a piston that is slidably disposed within the cylinder tube, a piston rod connected with the piston and is disposed so as to protrude out of one end of the cylinder tube and a rod guide that closes one end of the cylinder tube and slidably supports the piston rod. The cylinder tube has a Ni plating film whose Vickers hardness is 800 VHN or more on its inner peripheral surface and the piston slides relative to the Ni plating film. The rod guide has a structure having a predetermined base material portion and a fluorine resin contained Ni plating film that is treated by heat and is provided on the surface of the base material portion. The piston rod slides relative to the fluorine resin contained Ni plating film.
US08215462B2
The present invention relates to an actuation system for a parking brake of a motor vehicle, comprising a foot or a hand-actuated manual actuation means (10) for tightening of the parking brake, wherein the parking brake is purely mechanically tightened via the actuation means, a locking mechanism (20) for tightening and releasing of the parking brake, wherein the actuation means (10) and the locking mechanism (20) are arranged at different positions of the motor vehicle, respectively.
US08215461B2
A pad assembly includes a carrier plate, a backing plate to one side of which is secured at least one friction pad and which is mounted on its alternate side on the carrier plate, a spring acting between the carrier plate and the backing plate and allowing for limited rocking and/or linear movement of the backing plate relative to the carrier plate against the action of the spring. A plurality of transmitting members are secured to one or the other of the carrier plate or the backing plate and project to engage the other so as to enable the transmission of force between the two plates. The arrangement of the force transmitting members is such that at least two of the force transmitting members are generally equiangularly arranged about the geometric center of the carrier plate.
US08215460B2
This invention is to provide an automatic slack adjuster for automobile, belongs to technical domain of automobile mechanisms. The problem of lower safety, poor in universality and higher cost appeared in existing brake system of automobile has been solved by this invention. This automatic slack adjuster for automobile consisting of the casing, worm gear and worm which is engaged with the former are installed inside of the casing, there is a ring gear fixed on an control arm, in the casing there is a one-way clutch device connected with the worm and a clutch control device of the one-way clutch, the said control device comprising a pinion engaged with the ring gear and connected with the casing and a small skew gear connected with the said one-way clutch device, the small skew gear is connected with the casing by axially sliding, the pinion is circumferentially fixed, by axially sliding connected with the small skew gear, an adjusting nut is fitted on the casing to restrict and adjust the sliding distance of the small skew gear, there is a setting bolt spring on the small skew gear to allow the small skew gear (16) return to its position so that to maintain a pre-set clearance to the adjusting nut. This automatic slack adjuster for automobile can adjust the pre-set clearance, and possess advantages of wider clearance and good versatility, etc.
US08215455B1
A greasing system featuring a fifth wheel of a truck having a grease vein with four ports disposed therein, each port being fluidly connected to a fitting; a grease pump operatively connected to an air switch which turns on and off the grease pump; a main tube fluidly connected to the grease pump, the main tube bifurcates into a first delivery tube fluidly connected to the first fitting and a second delivery tube fluidly connected to the second fitting; and a third delivery tube fluidly connected to the first fitting and to the third fitting, and a fourth delivery tube fluidly connected to the second fitting and to the fourth fitting; wherein when the grease pump is activated the grease pump pumps grease to the ports in the grease vein of the fifth wheel.
US08215443B2
An exhaust pipe structure for a vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a pair of occupant seats, and an exhaust pipe. The occupant seats include a driver's seat and a passenger seat and are disposed side by side in a vehicle width direction in a center frame portion. An internal combustion engine is disposed behind the occupant seats and supported substantially on a center line of the vehicle body in a rear frame portion. The exhaust pipe is connected to the internal combustion engine behind the occupant seats. The exhaust pipe extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the internal combustion engine, thereafter, is bent substantially in a U-shape to extend inward in the vehicle width direction, and then extends substantially onto the center line of the vehicle body. A muffler is connected to the exhaust pipe.
US08215441B2
A steering system (10) for a vehicle, such as a gantry crane (12). The gantry crane (12) generally includes a support structure (14) having a first front wheel (32) and a second opposing front wheel (36) connected proximate a front portion of the crane (12), and a first rear wheel (30) and a second opposing rear wheel (34) connected proximate a rear portion of the crane (12). A control system connected to the crane includes a user interface (111) electronically coupled to a command potentiometer (114) and a programmable controller responsive to the command potentiometer for controlling the angular position of each of the first front wheel (32), the second front wheel (36), the first rear wheel (30) and the second rear wheel (34) to effect a steering mode selected through the user interface (111).
US08215440B2
A drive train of a vehicle is disclosed which comprises a permanently driven primary axle and a secondary axle connectable to the primary axle via a switch-on device with a switch-on mechanism, whereby the secondary drive train output via side shaft couplings is transferred to the drive wheels of the secondary axle. Because the switch-on mechanism and/or the side shaft couplings have frictionally engaged couplings, it can be that when the secondary axle is uncoupled, the shutdown section of the secondary drive train located between the switch-on device and the side shaft couplings is uncoupled both from the primary axle and from the secondary drive wheels, such that there is no more power loss in this shutdown section, whereby connecting the secondary drive train during travel is possible all the same and losses in comfort and practicability do not have to be tolerated.
US08215438B2
A motorcycle includes a vehicle body frame, an engine, a pivot shaft, a swing arm, a rear wheel, a gear case, a drive shaft section, and a bearing section. The drive shaft section includes a first drive shaft connected to an output power shaft of the engine through a first universal coupling and a second drive shaft disposed coaxially with the first drive shaft and connected to the first drive shaft through a spline portion to be movable in an axial direction with respect to the first drive shaft. The bearing section restrains relative movement of the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft along a diametrical direction. The bearing section is interposed between an inner circumferential face of one of the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft and an outer circumferential face of another of the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft.
US08215437B2
The present invention is directed to an energy storage system comprised of a heat block having a relatively high specific energy capacity. The heat block can be used, for example, with a regenerative braking system for gas turbine powered vehicles to improve fuel efficiency.
US08215435B2
A magnetic adhesive and braking system for a remote controlled vehicle adapted for traversing across ferromagnetic surfaces of a steel shipping container including the vertical walls and ceiling. The magnetic wheel system allows the vehicle to traverse vertical grades. The magnetic braking system both securely holds the vehicle when stopped on a vertical surface, and exerts enough attractive force between the vehicle and the shipping container to allow a vehicle mounted drill to operate. The magnetic brake design uses mechanical advantage such that the force required to roll the vehicle vertically downward is heightened to the force required to detach the vehicle in a perpendicular vector from the container's surface.
US08215434B2
A counterweight (8) is attached to the rear side of a revolving frame (6), and an engine (9) is mounted in a transverse direction in front of the counterweight (8). A heat exchanger (12) is located on the left side of the engine (9), and a left-hand side door (17) is located on the left side of the heat exchanger (12). An air cleaner (24) is accommodated in an air cleaner chamber (19) which is provided in a space enclosed by the counterweight, left-hand side door and heat exchanger. In this state, a casing (25) of the air cleaner has an opening portion (25A) to permit insertion and extraction of a filter element (26). Thus, at the time of a maintenance work for the air cleaner, one can draw out the filter element from the opening portion of the casing simply by opening the left-hand side door.
US08215431B2
A small vehicle mounted with a fuel battery employs a fan that outputs a satisfactory amount of air with small power consumption. An exhaust duct reduces pressure loss and airflow resistance. Hydrogen purged from the fuel battery is discharged out of the vehicle along with water through the exhaust duct. A fan box has a fan for introducing air into the fuel battery mounted on a frame constituting vehicle body. After cooling the fuel battery, air is exhausted out of the vehicle. The exhaust duct includes two parts; i.e., a first exhaust duct connected to the rear side of the fan box for introducing the air after cooling of the fuel battery; and a second exhaust duct connected to the rear side of the first exhaust duct for exhausting the air flowing thereinto from the first exhaust duct out of the vehicle body.
US08215429B2
A system and method for controlling engine starting in a hybrid electric vehicle that includes a battery, an engine and a generator acting as a motor control generator power during engine starting so that generator torque complements or assists the engine to develop a stable running speed throughout an engine start event, particularly a cold engine start event, without violating battery power limits.
US08215427B2
A method for controlling a vehicle drive train, which communicates or maintains in communication via at least one valve two cooling circuits operating normally and respectively associated with a heat engine and with at least one electrical member.
US08215415B2
A tool bit for a chisel or a hammer drill, in particular, a insertable chisel or insertable drill for power-driven drill and chisel hammers, has an insertion end, with a chisel shank or drill shank, and a chisel head or drill shank located opposite the insertion end. The diameter of the shank increases in the direction of the chisel head at least once from a first, small diameter to a second, large diameter and decreases again from this to a small diameter or forms at least one bead.
US08215398B2
A depolymerized-carboxyalkyl polysaccharide formed by de polymerizing a polysaccharide having from 0.5 to 3.0 degrees of substitution and reducing the molecular weight of said polysaccharide before or after said depolymerizing provides a biodegradable scale inhibitor useful to prevent deposition of scale comprising, for example, calcium, barium, sulfate and salts thereof. The depolymerized carboxyalkyl polysaccharide is particularly useful in off shore oil production squeeze treatments and in the treatment of scale formed in industrial water treatment.
US08215397B2
A system for dynamic underbalanced perforation of a hydrocarbon well includes a perforation fluid located within the hydrocarbon well. A perforation gun is suspended within the perforation fluid and a completion fluid is located within the hydrocarbon uphole of the perforation fluid. An isolation fluid is located within the hydrocarbon well uphole of the perforation fluid and downhole of the completion fluid. A method of perforating a hydrocarbon well includes a perforation fluid placed in the hydrocarbon well. A perforation gun is placed within the perforation fluid. A completion fluid is placed in the hydrocarbon well. An isolation fluid is placed in the hydrocarbon well. A local dynamic underbalance condition is created in the hydrocarbon well. A flow of the completion fluid downhole is inhibited.
US08215396B2
An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation.
US08215390B2
A coiled tubing deployed fluid sampler (50) for collecting a single phase fluid sample from a well. The fluid sampler (50) is actuated to establish fluid communication between an interior (56) and an exterior of the fluid sampler (50) such that a fluid sample is obtained from the well in a chamber (92) of the fluid sampler (50). The fluid pressure in the coiled tubing string is then increased, which pressurizes the fluid sample in the chamber (92). Thereafter, the coiled tubing and the fluid sampler (50) are retrieved to the surface with the pressurized fluid sample remaining above its saturation pressure during collection and retrieval to the surface.
US08215382B2
A source of motion for actuation of a downhole tool is in a sealed housing to protect it from well fluids. The sealed housing is filled with an incompressible fluid and thermal effects can be compensated preferably with a compensation bellows in communication with the fluid. The source of motion is preferable electrically powered and the longitudinal motion that results presses against a bellows within the sealed housing. This master bellows is in sealed contact with a slave bellows through a rigid housing that is seal welded to the housing wall. Movement of the master bellows in the housing results in an equal movement of the slave bellows outside the housing. Feedback loops or calibration for thermal effects are also contemplated.
US08215378B2
A heat exchange device of a type for affecting an exchange of heat between a first and second fluid is characterized by a plurality of heat exchange cells in a stacked arrangement and defining first, second and third manifolds. In certain aspects, an apparatus and method for reinforcing the heat exchange device against pressure loads while accommodating thermal expansion of the outlet manifold are provided.
US08215369B1
An improved sandwiched garage door panel. The first improvement is that the rear covering skin is made of 25 point embossed wood grain polyboard which is much less expensive than steel so that the cost of manufacture of the panel is significantly reduced. The second improvement is the creation of a channel within the central foam core of the panel with at least one and preferably two steel plates retained within the channel. As a result, a mounting plate of the hinge assembly which interconnects two adjacent panels can be affixed to the steel plate and thereafter the rear covering plate is affixed to the foam core to thereby conceal the mounting plate resulting in a more attractive garage door panel.
US08215366B2
The invention refers to a mounting device for mounting or dismounting a vehicle tire on a wheel rim, the wheel rim or the wheel being supported on a mounting table and a pressing-down device being provided for sliding the vehicle tire on the wheel rim.The invention is characterized by a movement of the pressing-down device which is essentially parallel to the wheel axis for sliding the vehicle tire on the wheel rim or pulling off the vehicle tire from the wheel rim.
US08215360B2
A solution to some of the problems related to manufacturing of fiber-reinforced composite panels is to provide a vacuum bag frame assembly for use in the production of fiber-reinforced composite panels, where the vacuum bag frame assembly comprises a tubular center frame, a first vacuum bag frame holding an integrated first vacuum bag and arranged for closing against a first side of the center frame, and a second vacuum bag frame holding a second integrated vacuum bag and arranged for closing against an opposite, second side of the tubular center frame. The tubular center frame is provided with a peripherally arranged vacuum outlet external relative to the space formed between the vacuum bags, and one or more vacuum apertures directed internally relative to the space formed between the first and second vacuum bags and the tubular center frame.
US08215359B2
A nodal sensing horn assembly for use in ultrasonic welding a first part to a second part that includes a nodal horn, a cavity formed within the nodal horn, and a sensing device at least partially disposed within the cavity. The sensing device senses a property, such as presence and/or orientation, of the first part and outputs a sensing signal in response thereto.
US08215351B2
An improved shear band for use in non-pneumatic tires, pneumatic tires, and other technologies is provided. The shear band is constructed as a composite of layers that are combined in a specific manner. Each layer is constructed from one or more materials having certain selected physical properties. The layers are combined a specific manner to create a composite having physical properties and performance characteristics desirably outperforming that of the individual materials forming the layers. When used in tire construction, improvements in rolling resistance can also be obtained.
US08215350B2
The invention is directed to a pneumatic radial ply truck tire having a tread with a tread depth D, at least two circumferential grooves dividing the tread into at least a first shoulder circumferential rib, an intermediary circumferential rib, and a second shoulder circumferential rib, the tire being characterized by the tread having a base region disposed at depth D and a cap region over the base region, the base region and the cap region adjoining along a boundary, the cap region comprising a cap rubber composition having properties measured at 23° C. of: elongation of 400 to 500%, true tensile of 77 to 83 MPa, 300% modulus of 9 to 11 MPa, tensile strength of 14 to 15 MPa, shore A hardness of 63 to 68, rebound of 20 to 25%; and the base region comprising a base rubber composition having properties measured at 23° C. of: elongation of 470 to 520%, true tensile of 135 to 150 MPa, 300% modulus of 13 to 15.5 MPa, tensile strength of 22 to 25 MPa, shore A hardness of 63 to 67, rebound 50 to 55%.
US08215349B2
The invention relates to automobile tires or tire assemblies or parts thereof suitable for being balanced by introduction therein of a thixrotropic balancing gel, wherein surfaces of the tire or tire assembly or part thereof which are intended to be in contact with the balancing gel are provided with a surface nanostructure with an average surface roughness in the range of 1-1000 nm. The surface nanostructure will enable the thixotropic balancing gel to move to the location, where it balances the tire, significantly quicker than if the surface in question did not have the surface nanostructure.
US08215343B2
Automotive service equipment and method for brake fluid exchange with wireless brake bleeding system
Automotive service equipment for brake fluid exchange includes a central unit having a controller for operating the equipment and a communication module for wirelessly communicating with each of a plurality of remote bleed modules to control bleeding brake fluid from respective brake bleeders of a vehicle connected to the modules. The brake fluid from the brake bleeders is stored in containers in the modules for later removal. When disconnected from the brake bleeders, the modules are moved to docking stations on the central unit for emptying brake fluid from the module containers and vacuum charging the containers for brake bleeding. The automotive service equipment and related method of performing brake fluid exchange in an automotive vehicle avoid the use of hoses for returning the waste fluid to the central unit thus reducing the problem of storage and handling of such hoses and spillage of residual fluid left in the hoses.
US08215337B2
A valve for a water faucet includes a base, a seat unrotatably mounted on base, a valve set mounted on the seat, a disk unrotatably mounted on the first valve set, and a housing mounted on the disk. The valve set includes a pivotable valve pivotally mounted on the first portion of the seat and a rotatable valve rotatably mounted on the second portion of the seat. The disk, the rotatable valve, the pivotable valve, the seat, and the base are sequentially received in the housing.
US08215336B2
A valve includes: a body including: a wall defining a process surface, a process void in the process surface adapted to communicate with fluid at process pressure, and at least two vent voids in the wall separate from the process void; an inlet port in fluid communication with the process void; and an outlet port in fluid communication with the vent void; a reference housing adapted to communicate with fluid at reference pressure; and a membrane constrained between the body and the reference housing with its process side substantially coplanar with the process surface. The process surface incorporates at least one groove therein which defines a flow path between the near vicinity of the process void and the near vicinity of the vent voids.
US08215331B2
A bi-directional pressurized system with devices for and configured to mitigate issues associated with leak and creep phenomena at various stages throughout the system, including valves and controls to distribute a leaked amount of fluid prior to delivery to a pressure-sensitive destination and a pressure relief valve to bring an initial pressure within an acceptable range for distribution to reach a target pressure. A startup method for mitigating leakage of the system during a rest phase, including selectively reducing the initial pressure upstream of a pressure-sensitive destination.
US08215328B2
An adapter for use in association with upstream and downstream portions of a piping system is disclosed. The adapter includes a first chamber having an inlet adapted to receive fluid therethrough, an outlet adapted to expel fluid therefrom, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a first chamber interior. The adapter also includes a second chamber having an inlet adapted to receive forced fluid therethrough, an outlet adapted to expel the forced fluid therefrom, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a second chamber interior. The first chamber interior is isolated from the second chamber interior. The first chamber is adapted to receive forced fluid therethrough from an upstream portion of a piping system, and the second chamber is adapted to provide forced fluid therethrough to a downstream portion of the piping system.
US08215327B2
A flush valve for a waste water system comprises a valve including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a main valve element adapted for movement to allow fluid flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet based on a pressure differential across a portion of the main valve element. The valve also includes a vent system comprising a control chamber in flow communication with the fluid inlet of the valve and a vent outlet in flow communication with the fluid outlet of the valve, and a solenoid for venting fluid venting fluid from the control chamber to the fluid outlet. A pressure sensor, such as an electronic pressure transducer, senses the fluid pressure of fluid within the vent system. When a predetermined pressure threshold is reached or exceeded, the solenoid can be energized to release fluid from the control chamber.
US08215322B2
The invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a tub in which utensils and the like are received for cleaning by the spraying of liquid, such as a wash liquid, within the tub, with a sequester located within the tub to sequester the particles removed from the utensils by the liquid and that remain in the tub near a drain outlet.
US08215319B2
A hairbrush for styling hair has a brush head releasably connected to a rod rotatably mounted on a handle portion of the hairbrush and having a handle. The brush head has a plurality of spaced apart bristles for insertion between strands of the hair and gripping the strands therebetween. As the rod, and therefore the brush head are rotatable relative the handle, the brush head, with strands of hair gripped thereon, can be rotated as the handle is moved towards the head of a person whose hair is being styled, thus causing the strands of hair to be rolled around brush head, without requiring cumbersome twisting of the handle. A spring facilitates rotation in an opposite second direction and unrolling of the strands of hair off the brush head. A locking pin enables locking and unlocking of the rod and brush head to prevent and enable rotation thereof.
US08215315B2
The present invention is directed at various apparatus, systems and methods for forming a sealed concentric or sealed concentric hollow core tobacco rod. The methods of the invention at least comprise passing a trimmed column of metered tobacco and paper between a tongue and garniture to form a concentric shaped tobacco rod or tobacco rod with an inner hollow core; maintaining the concentric shape; and outputting a sealed concentric tobacco rod or a concentric hollow tobacco rod.
US08215314B2
Photochemical tissue boding methods for bonding neural tissues include the application of a photosensitizer to a tissue and/or tissue graft, followed by irradiation with electromagnetic energy to produce a tissue seal. The methods are useful for tissue adhesion, such as in wound closure, tissue grafting, skin grafting, musculoskeletal tissue repair, ligament or tendon repair, neural repair, blood vessel repair and corneal repair.
US08215303B2
A face mask (10) mechanically coupled to a lung demand valve (LDV) (12). The face mask (10) comprises a main mask and an inner mask (15) which fits over the wearer's mouth and nose. The interior of the inner mask (15) is in fluidic communication with the interior of the main mask (10) by means of non-return valves (16). The interior of the main mask is in fluidic communication with an inlet port (18) which is mechanically and fluidically coupled to a supply port (20) of an LDV. The LDV (12) includes a diaphragm and a cover (44) which comprises three parts (44a, 44b) and (44c). Exhaled air is used to flush the space around the diaphragm. Thus, any toxic or undesirable gas in the vicinity of the diaphragm is pushed out to atmosphere by the exhaled air flowing past and around the diaphragm.
US08215302B2
A Discontinuous Positive Airway Pressure (DPAP) device and method of using the same for reducing sleep disordered breathing events, such as sleep apnea and snoring. The DPAP device provides selective excitation to the pharyngeal conduit or another muscle or cartilage along the respiratory path, a predetermined period of time before the end of the expiration stage, in order to prematurely reverse the respiratory cycle before the total collapse of the pharyngeal conduit, thus enabling the inhalation stage to reopen and refill the pharyngeal conduit.
US08215296B1
A tile cutting table device featuring a platform with foldable legs; four side panels pivotally attached to side edges of the platform, the side panels can pivot between a down position and an up position forming an enclosure around the top surface of the platform; a water inlet hole for fluidly connecting a water source to the device; a drainage hole disposed in the platform; a perforated tile cutting plate disposed on the top surface of the platform; a clamp bar positioned over the tile cutting plate, the clamp bar functions to clamp down on a tile to hold the tile in place during cutting procedures, the clamp bar is connected to a foot pedal which functions to move the clamp bar between an up position and a down position, wherein the clamp bar is biased in the up position caused by compression springs.
US08215295B2
A rotatable cutting tool unit of a tool assembly for a cutting machine that is used in conjunction with an associated method of cutting provides several novel aspects. The tool arrangement, which includes two tool units, includes first and second disk-shaped tools rotatable about an axis. The tools define maximum tool arrangement boundaries along the axis. A driving arrangement, at an axial location between the first and second tools, supports the first and second tools for rotation and transfers driving force. A radially outer periphery of the driving arrangement is at a radius less than a radius of a peripheral cutting edge portion of the first tool and less than a radius of a peripheral cutting edge portion of the second tool.
US08215289B2
A fuel-injection device includes at least one fuel injector, one receiving bore-hole for the fuel injector, and one pipe-shaped pipe connection of a fuel rail. The fuel injector is pushed into the interior of the pipe connection by an upstream inlet connection. A bayonet closure ensures that the fuel injector is fastened in the pipe connection of the fuel rail in a secure and detachable manner.
US08215285B2
A controller of a variable valve device is configured to, before starting an internal combustion engine, set an operation angle varying mechanism to control an intake valve of the engine to have such an operation angle as to retard a valve close timing of the intake valve relative to a piston bottom dead center; define a given period from a instruction time when an instruction signal is fed to the controller for starting the engine to a time when a combustion of air/fuel mixture is actually commenced in the engine; and when, in the given period, a temperature representing the temperature of the engine is lower than a predetermined temperature, reduce the operation angle of the intake valve so as to bring the valve close timing of the intake valve near to the piston bottom dead center.
US08215279B2
In order to design a starting device for at least one combustion engine, more preferably cable-operated starting device for at least one two-stroke or four-stroke engine with at least one cable disc or cable drum rotatably mounted in a housing, which for generating a drive rotational moment for an engine shaft can be rotated by means of at least one starting handle or pulling handle, via at least one force transmission means, more preferably via a starting cable or pulling cable and which is connected via at least one elastic coupling link with at least one driver link, more preferably with at least one pawl driver, by means of which the drive rotational moment can be transmitted onto the engine shaft, the coupling link has two ends, wherein an end is engaged with the driver link, as light as possible through direct operational connection of force transmission means and elastic link/coupling link it is proposed that another end of the coupling link is engaged with the cable disc or the cable drum and the force transmission means.
US08215267B2
A woven chew toy for animals is provided including one or more of edible resins, such as rawhide, meat jerky, starch and combinations thereof in strip form interwoven together to provide a planar article.
US08215263B2
An exemplary adhesive dispenser includes a container configured for supplying an adhesive, a plurality of nozzles configured for dispensing the adhesive, and a temperature controller connected between the container and the nozzles. The temperature controller has a chamber defined therein, and the chamber is configured for accommodating the adhesive. The container and each nozzle communicate with the chamber respectively. The temperature controller is configured for maintaining the adhesive therein in a predetermined temperature.
US08215259B2
A tire dressing applicator comprises a support and one or more foam plastic elements mounted on the support so as to contact a tire sidewall and transfer dressing onto the tire sidewall. A distribution system drips or drizzles dressing onto the element(s) after which it is spread over and into the element(s) surface. The elements can be toroidal or rectangular and have anti-distortion pins embedded therein.
US08215250B2
A needle plate for a sewing machine includes a first needle plate fixed to a sewing machine bed and formed with a needle hole through which a needle passes and a rectangular hole through which a feed dog appears, a second needle plate disposed in front of the first needle plate and detachably attached to the first needle plate, an engagement mechanism sliding the second needle plate rearward from a front side of the first needle plate, thereby engaging the second needle plate with the first needle plate, and a disengagement operating member located on the second needle plate so as to operate the engagement mechanism so that the second needle plate is disengaged from the first needle plate. The disengagement operating member is moved frontward from a rear side of the first needle plate thereby to disengage the second needle plate from the first needle plate.
US08215238B2
According to one embodiment, a pair of guideway engagement members having a controller circuit is configured on a transport vehicle that travels over an elongated guideway. The pair of guideway engagement members have a corresponding pair of bearing members that are each disposed on opposing sides of the guideway. The controller circuit receives a measurement indicative of dynamic movement of the transport vehicle from one or more sensors, and adjusts the stiffness of the pair of guideway engagement members according to the measurements received from the sensors.
US08215237B2
Methods and apparatus for a data link system according to various aspects of the present invention may be incorporated into a cartridge system. The cartridge system may comprise a case and a projectile. The data link system may be connected to the case and the projectile to provide signals. The data link system a first connection point and a second connection point disposed on the case and an electrical connector connected to the first connection point and the second connection point.
US08215227B2
In a method for controlling a valve system controlling an actuator, the first direction of motion of the actuator is controlled solely by the first and the second valve series; or, its second direction of motion is controlled solely by the third and the fourth valve series; and an error caused by a fault situation in the control of the actuator is compensated for by using, for the control of the first direction of motion, also the third valve series, the fourth valve series, or both of them; or, an error in the control of the actuator caused by a fault situation is compensated for by using, for the control of the second direction of motion, also the first valve series, the second valve series, or both of them. In the method, for searching for faults in the valve system controlling the actuator, the pressure of the inlet port of the valve system, the pressure of the first working port, and the pressure of the outlet port are determined; one or more valves of the first valve series and one or more valves of the second valve series are opened; the measured pressure of the first working port is compared with a situation corresponding to a system operating correctly; and on the basis of the comparison it is concluded whether the single valve is faulty or not.
US08215221B2
A gun barrel with a gun barrel liner and a breech ring, which are joined with each other by a bayonet thread. A continuous cavity is left between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring that are located axially behind them or in front of them. A locking segment is inserted in at least one of the cavities that is formed in the installed gun barrel liner between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring to prevent unintentional detachment of the gun barrel liner from the breech ring. The locking segment can completely fill the corresponding cavity.
US08215214B2
A workpiece centering apparatus 1 is provided on a lathe having a spindle 33, an independent chuck 34, and upper and lower tool rests 37, 41, and has sandwiching members 11, 12 mounted to the tool rests 37, 41, respectively, and capable of contacting the outer peripheral surface of a workpiece W, and a centering control section 15 for moving the tool rests 37, 41 and thereby moving the sandwiching members 11, 12 to their respective centering positions which are the positions of the sandwiching members 11, 12 when the center position of a portion to be machined of the workpiece W coincides with the axis of the spindle 33 in a state where the portion to be machined of the workpiece W is being sandwiched and held by the sandwiching members 11, 12, and then causing the independent chuck 34 to grip the workpiece W.
US08215208B2
A bit holder and an interchangeable bit that can pivot or articulate relative to the bit holder. The bit holder includes a multi-depth socket for receiving the interchangeable bit. The different depths of the socket determine whether the interchangeable bit operates as a straight-on bit or an off-angle bit. An outer sleeve can slide along a longitudinal axis of a shaft to change the depth of the socket. Alternatively, opposite ends of the bit holder have different depth sockets for receiving the interchangeable bit and/or a shank portion. By flipping over the bit holder, the interchangeable bit can operate as either a straight-on bit or an off-angle bit.
US08215205B2
In a cup-type or “silk hat”-type wave gear device (1), the rim thickness t of the flexible externally toothed gear (3) thereof satisfies the relations (0.5237Ln(R)−1.32)d≦t≦(0.8728Ln(R)−2.2)d if the reduction ratio R of the wave gear device is less than 80, and (1.5499Ln(R)−5.8099)d≦t≦(2.5832Ln(R)−9.6832)d if the reduction ratio R is equal to or greater than 80, where d is the radial deflection, measured at the position of the major axis of the neutral circle of the rim, in a state in which the flexible externally toothed gear is bent into an elliptical shape. The effective face width L of the external teeth (35) is a value within the range of 21 to 30% of the pitch circle diameter. Such settings make it possible to increase the bottom fatigue strength of the flexible externally toothed gear and improve the load capacity of the wave gear device (1).
US08215202B2
An automatic cable length adjustment mechanism includes first and second members that slidably engage one another. A spring biases the members apart, and a releasable one-way ratchet-type mechanism interconnects the parts after the parts shift relative to one another to take up slack in a Bowden cable or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the one-way ratchet arrangement includes a plurality of cantilevered levers having teeth or the like that engage rows of teeth.
US08215193B2
A hygienic insert connector assembly that prevents biological contamination within food, beverage and biopharma processes includes an insert to pass through an opening into a fluid chamber, a support assembly, a seal disposed around the insert to seal the opening into the fluid chamber, and a seal compression mechanism. When the seal is axially compressed, the seal radially expands and contacts both the wall of the opening into the fluid chamber and the insert to collectively form a fluid tight seal. This eliminates the potential for product entrapment with the associated biological contamination risk, and allows efficient in-place cleaning and sterilization. The connector assembly can be installed in any orientation and functions such that positive pressure inside the fluid chamber enhances the sealing mechanism. The simple design enables the insert to be easily removed, examined, and re-inserted in conformance with international sanitary design standards.
US08215180B2
An apparatus for testing strength of a corner portion of an object includes a support platform, an installing mechanism on the platform, a force gauge, a driving mechanism connected to the slidable plate to move the slidable plate, a clamp mechanism for clamping the object in a fixed position, and a push-pull mechanism. The installing mechanism includes two opposite rail plates mounted to the platform, and a slidable plate slidably mounted between the rail plates. The force gauge is fixed to the slidable plate. The push-pull mechanism is connected to the force gauge to be pushed or pulled by the force gauge. The push-pull mechanism comprises two forcing posts to respectively abut against two sides of the object at the corner portion, thereby exerting push or pull force on the two sides of the corner portion to test strength of the corner portion.
US08215174B2
An ultrasonic inspection system useful for inspecting a tubular member provides for the use of ultrasonic transducer assembly for detecting weld flaws or other out-of range conditions in the tubular member. According to the invention, the tubular member is positioned horizontally on a rolling carriage and a predetermined amount of sound-conductive fluid is deposited into the tubular member. Wide rings secured to opposing open ends of the tubular member prevent the liquid from escaping, while forming a barrier for retaining a given level of liquid inside the tubular member. The transducers are submerged in the liquid and transmit/ receive sonic booms from reflected medium inside the tubular member. The transducers are connected to a computing control unit, which receives signals generated by the transducers and creates a report of any out-of range condition.
US08215173B2
An ultrasonic testing method to identify a stuck joint between two workpieces utilizing an ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic (US) beams into the joint area and capture the associated US reflections. The method transmits two separate US beams fired in very close proximity to one another. The probe then captures a plurality of US reflections. The method looks for subtle variations in a high gain A-scan presentation of a high gain reflected beam, while using a low gain US beam to identify the particular region on the high gain A-scan presentation in which to look for signs of a stuck joint. Subtle variations within a particular region of the high gain A-scan presentation identify stuck joints. The method is applicable to metals and nonmetals and is not limited to fusion welding, but may also be used with solid state welds, brazed and soldered joints, and adhesively joined workpieces.
US08215169B2
Two opposing substrate layers each having one or more recesses filled with magnetic material guide the flow of flux through a coil in a MEMS device layer to provide for closed-loop operation. Flux flows from one pole piece through the coil to a second pole piece. A method of making using lithographic etching techniques is also provided.
US08215161B2
A fuel state sensing device is applied to an injector injecting fuel, which is supplied from a fuel pump, though an injection hole. The fuel state sensing device has a fuel pressure sensor (bulk modulus sensing section) for sensing a bulk modulus of the fuel existing in a fuel passage extending from a discharge port of the fuel pump to the injection hole. The fuel state sensing device has a fuel temperature sensor (fuel temperature sensing section) for sensing fuel temperature. The fuel state sensing device has an air mixing state calculating section for calculating a quantity or a ratio of air mixing in the fuel as an air mixing quantity or an air mixing ratio based on the sensed bulk modulus and the sensed fuel temperature.
US08215153B2
A gas sensor including a detection element having a detection portion; a metal shell that surrounds the detection element so as to expose the detection portion to a measured atmosphere; an outer tube that is fixed to the metal shell so as to cover a rear end side of the detection element; and a seal member that is contained inside the outer tube, the seal member having a lead wire insertion hole and a through hole that penetrates in the axial direction; a tubular holding member made of a resin having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the seal member, the tubular holding member being held inside the through hole, the tubular holding member having a ventilation hole; and a filter that covers the ventilation hole, the filter being joined to the holding member, the filter blocking water from passing therethrough, and the filter having air permeability.
US08215152B2
Embodiments for testing an acoustic property of an ultrasound probe including a plurality of transducer elements are disclosed. A Schlieren image of an ultrasound probe and a visualized acoustic field of an ultrasound signal generated when one of the transducer elements is excited are acquired. A preprocessing including noise removal and position calibration upon the Schlieren image is then carried out. An acoustic property of the ultrasound probe is tested based on the preprocessed Schlieren image.
US08215149B1
A stent crimping assembly is provided for crimping a stent from a first diameter to a reduced second diameter. The crimping assembly includes a plurality of movable wedges disposed about a rotational axis to form a wedge assembly. Each wedge includes a respective first side and a second side converging to form a tip portion. The tip portions are arranged to collectively form an iris about the rotational axis thereof. The iris defining a crimp aperture about which the movable wedges are disposed. Each wedge is associated with a stationary structure and an rotational actuation unit such that during rotation of the actuation unit about the rotational axis, the iris is caused to rotate about the rotational axis, relative the stationary structure, for inward movement of the wedges to decrease the size of the aperture and outward movement of the wedges to increase the size of the aperture.
US08215139B2
An apparatus (2) for removal of dried furs from pelting boards (8) upon which the fur during the drying process has been fixed. The apparatus removes furs from the pelting boards (8) in an upright position that are successively supplied in upright position, and which at a wide end of the pelting boards are fixed in fixing holes in a top plate of a drying cart (6) in such a way that the upright pelting boards (8) with furs are in transverse and longitudinal rows. The apparatus (2) includes a conveying tunnel (4); a guide for guiding a longitudinal side of the drying cart; a transverse upper guide (14); a secondary guide (16, 18); a primary laterally displaceable lift (30) for clamping a pointed end of the furs; and a secondary lift (50).
US08215117B2
A catalytic reactor for a gas turbine engine comprising an air inlet, a premixing zone, a reacting zone comprising a reactive portion and a nonreactive portion, a post reaction mixing zone, a first fuel injection system for introducing fuel into the reactive portion, and a second fuel injection system for introducing fuel into the nonreactive portion.
US08215109B1
A drive apparatus includes a pair of axial piston pump assemblies in an inline relationship, each pump assembly having an end cap mounted to a pump housing to form a sump. The pump assemblies are mounted to a gearbox at one end thereof, and an input shaft extends into both pump housings and the gearbox to drive the axial piston pumps and one of the gears. A power take off mechanism is also engaged to the gearbox at another end thereof and includes a drive shaft at least partially disposed in the gearbox and driven by one of the transmission gears, and an output shaft extending in the opposite direction from the drive shaft.
US08215108B2
A Control apparatus for a piston/cylinder arrangement, having a valve arrangement connected to a first part space, which assumes a closed position preventing a fluid held in the first part space from flowing out if the pressure in the fluid is smaller than a pressure control value set on the valve arrangement and which assumes an opening position if the pressure in the fluid is greater than the set pressure control value, and having a priming device which is coupled to the valve arrangement and the first part space serving to prepare for the damping of a pressure increase in the fluid which is brought about by a movement of the piston caused by a load acting on the piston in the direction of the first part space such that a pressure increase can be generated in the fluid to a predefined pressure priming value independently of the load.
US08215103B2
A passive, exhaust pressure actuated valve assembly for placement inside a tubular exhaust conduit is pivotally mounted to an off-center axle for rotation between fully closed and fully opened positions. A bias element forces the valve flap toward the fully closed position. The valve flap is shaped in a manner enabling use of the interior surface of the exhaust conduit to define stops at the full closed and full opened positions. The valve flap shape, in conjunction with the bias element arrangement, enables the flap to lie substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit in the fully opened position, which provides for minimum back pressure in the conduit.
US08215092B2
Methods and apparatus are provided to make composite yarns having a filamentary core with at least one elastic performance filament and at least one inelastic control filament. A fibrous sheath, preferably formed from spun staple fibers, surrounds the filamentary core, preferably substantially along the entire length thereof. The at least one elastic performance filament most preferably includes a spandex and/or a lastol filament. The at least one inelastic control filament is most preferably formed of a textured polymer or copolymer of a polyamide, a polyester, a polyolefin and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the fibrous sheath is formed of synthetic and/or natural staple fibers, most preferably staple cotton fibers. The elastic composite fibers find particular utility as a component part of a woven textile fabric, especially as a stretch denim fabric, which exhibits advantageous elastic recovery of at least about 95.0% (ASTM D3107).
US08215091B2
This gearbox assembly (50) for a lawnmower (10) includes a gearbox housing (56) having a horizontal input shaft (62) and a vertical output shaft (64). A lawnmower deck (12) is disposed below the gearbox housing (56) and a spindle housing (55) is mounted to the lawnmower deck (12) and the spindle housing includes a passage (57) communicating with the gearbox housing (56). The output shaft (64) extends below the gearbox housing (56) and into the spindle housing (55). The input shaft (62) has a bevel gear (76) which meshes with a bevel gear (78) on the output shaft for driving (74). The output shaft (64) includes spaced bearings (70 and 72) within the gearbox housing (56) and a bearing (74) within the spindle housing (55). Brackets (28 and 30) are attached between the gearbox housing (56) and the lawnmower deck (12) and the spindle housing (55) is attached to the lawnmower deck (12) separately from the gearbox housing (56).
US08215090B2
A walk-behind work machine in which vibration produced by the driving of an engine is not readily transmitted to an operating handle. The work machine includes a work-machine body having a plurality of mounting parts to which an engine is joined. The mounting parts include a high-rigidity mounting part positioned at a maximally rigid part on the work-machine body, and other mounting parts exclusive of the high-rigidity mounting part. The engine is joined securely to the other mounting parts and is joined more loosely to the high-rigidity mounting part than to the other mounting parts.
US08215082B2
A substantially flat roof has elongated log-shaped members arranged horizontally in adjacent, side-by-side relation. Each log-shaped member has a contoured upper surface, and the contoured upper surfaces of adjacent members define a space between them that tapers from a maximum width at the highest elevation of the contoured surfaces to a minimum width where the contoured surfaces of adjacent log-shaped members are closest together. Elongated inserts are arranged between the contoured upper surfaces. Each insert has a wide portion that abuts an adjacent pair of the contoured upper surfaces at a relatively high elevation, and tapers to a narrow portion that abuts the contoured surfaces at a relatively low elevation substantially at the ends of the adjacent pair of log-shaped members. Rain falling on the roof drains by gravity from the contoured upper surfaces to the inserts and along the inserts towards their narrow portions and falls from the roof.
US08215076B2
A locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards constructed from a body, a rear balancing layer and an upper surface layer. A strip, which is integrally formed with the body of the floorboard and which projects from a joint plane and under an adjoining board has a locking element which engages a locking groove in the rear side of the adjoining board. The joint edge provided with the strip is modified with respect to the balancing layer, for example by means of machining of the balancing layer under the strip, in order to prevent deflection of the strip caused by changes in relative humidity. Also, a floorboard provided with such a locking system, as well as a method for making floorboards with such a locking system.
US08215075B2
An up-tight surface covering system for attaching a facing of a panel member to a support structure comprises an adjustable hanger bracket for attaching a grid member to the support structure and a clip for attaching the panel member to the grid member. The adjustable hanger bracket comprises an arm rotatably attached to a support. The arm includes a first section extending substantially parallel to the support and a second section extending substantially perpendicular to the support. The second section has at least one slot for receiving a mechanical fixing member. The clip comprises a main body portion having an attachment member extending from a substantial center thereof. The main body portion has engagement members extending from opposing sides of the main body portion and substantially perpendicular thereto. The engaging members have abutment members extending from side surfaces thereof substantially perpendicular to the main body portion and the engaging members.
US08215072B2
Weather protection systems, for use in protecting structures and structural elements during severe weather events, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of assembling and installing weather protection systems. Weather protection systems of this invention provide fabric to cover a structural element; the fabric is connected to the structure via a clip. A clip of is invention may include features such as fastening points, anchor points, and engaging members; a clip may also introduce a desirable point of flexibility into a system of this invention. Other features of weather protection systems of this invention may include resin and straps.
US08215070B2
A roofing system includes battens and hangers for installing slate roofing shingles on a roof. Electrical conductors and other electronics are incorporated into the battens and the battens are connected together to form an electrical transmission grid beneath the shingles. Solar panels are installed in place of slate shingles in some locations on the roof and are configured to match or complement the surrounding slate shingles. Each solar panel includes a connector that connects the solar panel to the electrical transmission grid. The grid thus collects the electrical energy generated by all of the solar panels and delivers it for storage or use in a home. Microinverters may be coupled to smaller groups of the solar panels for converting their DC voltage to AC voltage and the outputs of the microinverters connected to a remote location for use or storage.
US08215065B2
A modular patient room includes a plurality of modular wall panels or units having various configurations. In some embodiments, the modular wall units have at least one shelf and a flip-down work surface. The modular wall unit optionally may include an integrated computer monitor and a keyboard attached to the flip-down work surface.
US08215061B2
A sliding door apparatus for opening and closing an opening in a wall. A sliding door apparatus including a longitudinally extending track member mountable along an upper edge of an opening and a door movably mountable on the track member for sliding movement thereon between opened and closed positions. A damping structure is disposed within the track member and is actuatable in response to the sliding movement of the door to break the door's movement as it approaches its opened and closed positions.
US08215059B2
A modular gardening system includes a first monolithic growing pod forming an interior growing volume and including an opening to the growing volume defined by a frame-accommodating lip, and at least a second monolithic growing pod, the second monolithic growing pod being substantially identical to the first monolithic growing pod. The modular gardening system further includes a frame assembly configured to form a perimeter around the opening of the first monolithic growing pod within the frame-accommodating lip of the first monolithic growing pod and the opening of the second monolithic growing pod within the frame-accommodating lip of the second monolithic growing pod, the frame assembly further configured to support the first monolithic growing pod and the second monolithic growing pod in a side-by-side array, stepped array, or elevated array.
US08215054B2
A floor for a cultivation area such as a greenhouse. An accommodating hole is excavated in the ground and a flexible holder for liquid such as water is placed therein. The top of said holder is provided with a supporting plate. By varying the level of the supporting plate, the level of the greenhouse floor is varied. The water can contain heat. Optionally there can be a further holder which, for example, contains liquid with different properties, such as a different temperature. A number of such holders can be incorporated in a greenhouse floor.
US08215052B2
In a system and method for at least one of monitoring and controlling pests, a container having an interior chamber, is located in an area in which pests are to be at least one of monitored and controlled. At least a portion of the container is constructed of an environmentally degradable plastic. At least one of a pest monitoring material and a pest bait material is disposed within the interior chamber of the container for at least one of monitoring and controlling pests. The container is inspected at least once prior to the end of a predetermined time period to determine whether pests are present within the container. The container is replaced, along with the at least one of the monitoring material and the bait material, no later than about six months beyond the predetermined period of time following placement of the container in the area.
US08215047B2
A system and method for adapting a vertical fore grip to a user. In one embodiment, a system for adapting a vertical fore grip to a user can be provided. The system can include a vertical fore grip configured to adjustably attach to a firearm; a grip extension configured to modify the vertical fore grip, wherein the grip extension is further configured to mount at least one accessory; and a bolt assembly for adjustably attaching the grip extension to the vertical fore grip.
US08215045B2
A buttstock shoulder stabilizer includes a locator ball having a radially-projecting threaded cylindrical stud that screws into the sling mount of the buttstock endplate of assault rifles, and a socket assembly that mounts on a soldiers flak jacket near his shoulder. The ball can be machined from a structural metal or made of thermoplastic injection molded about the cylindrical stud. The socket assembly has an oblong horizontally-disposed socket connected to a lower approach ramp. A wall surrounds upper and side portions of the socket and the side edges of the approach ramp. When the soldier brings his weapon to firing position, the ball slides up the access ramp an into the oblong socket. The socket assembly is preferably injection molded from a tough structural thermoplastic resin. The socket assembly is provided with slots which enable it to be strapped to a soldiers flak jacket near his shoulder.
US08215044B2
This invention relates to a method, system and computer program product that monitors usage for man carried weapon systems; specifically a device to monitor ammunition level and weapon discharges through real time data collection, analysis and real time visual feedback to the operator. An ammunition level detecting system mounted on a projectile weapon comprising: A level measurement unit (LMU) and a Reader and Visualization Unit (RVU) and a PC Dongle which configured to facilitate communication between the RVU and a personal computer (PC), enabling management of the RVU configuration and offloading of sensor obtained and system determined data values.
US08215039B2
An advertising apparatus for placement on a food cart or “duty free” cart permits the passenger to readily identify that “duty free” sale is taking place. The advertising apparatus also permit vendors and manufacturers of the “duty free” items to advertise their products directly on the cart for clear viewing by the passenger. It is further envisioned that the advertising apparatus may be mounted to the service cart at any time to enable third party advertising even when “duty free” sale is not taking place, e.g., during the distribution of food, snacks, meals etc. during the flight.
US08215038B1
A spike saver for attachment for protecting a spike-bearing shoe that includes a sole for protecting the bottom of the spike-bearing shoes and with two double legged elastic straps attached to the sole at each side for releasably holding the spike-bearing shoes by means of hook and loop arrangement.
US08215037B2
An article of footwear that includes an outsole, including an outsole groove that extends generally in a thickness direction through the outsole to separate the outsole into first and second outsole elements. Furthermore, the article of footwear includes a midsole, including a midsole groove that extends generally in a thickness direction through the midsole to separate the midsole into first and second midsole elements. The first midsole element is operably secured to the first outsole element to define a first element assembly, and the second midsole element is operably secured to the second outsole element to define a second element assembly. Furthermore, the outsole groove and the midsole groove are substantially aligned with each other, and the first and second element assemblies interlock with each other.
US08215030B2
An overshoe that covers a footwear structure for protecting a walking surface. The overshoe includes a base and an upstanding portion, which extends around at least a portion of the base. A protrusion extends inwardly from an inner surface of the upstanding portion. The protrusion engages the footwear structure for releasably retaining the overshoe to the footwear structure.
US08215023B2
A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system for acquiring measurements associated with a vehicle. The system includes at least one imaging sensor having a field of view and at least one optical target secured to a wheel assembly on a vehicle within the field of view of the imaging sensor. The optical target includes a plurality of visible target elements disposed on at least two surfaces in a determinable geometric and spatial configuration. A processing unit in the system is configured to receive at least two sets of image data from the imaging sensor, with each set of image data acquired at a different rotational position of the wheel assembly around an axis of rotation and representative of at least one visible target element on each of the two surfaces, from which the processing unit is configured to identify said axis of rotation of the wheel assembly.
US08215020B1
Exemplary methods are provided for installing a ramp assembly into a vehicle. The vehicle includes a floor, a vehicle well disposed in the floor, an inboard and outboard ramp support members. In one embodiment, ramp assembly mounts, such as mounting blocks, are utilized for installing the ramp assembly into the vehicle.
US08215019B2
A method for producing an orthodontic bracket is comprised of sintering a molded body of highly-pure alumina fine powder at a temperature of 1,200° C. to 1,300° C. to obtain a sintered body composed of crystals having a relative density of 96% to 99.5% and an average crystal grain size of at most 1 μm, and thereafter subjecting the sintered body to an HIP treatment at a temperature of 1,200° C. to 1,350° C., under a pressure of at least 50 MPa. Such an orthodontic bracket has high strength and high translucency, can be processed into a complicated shape, similar to that of a metal bracket, and maintains excellent translucency.
US08215015B2
A modular heat exchanger suitable for automotive applications, and methods for forming the modular heat exchanger. The modular heat exchanger construction incorporates a monolithic brazed core assembly composed of flat-type cooling tubes and sinusoidal centers. The required positional tolerances of the tubes for mating with the remainder of the heat exchanger are maintained within the brazed core assembly by minimizing core shrinkage resulting from the brazing operation during which the tubes are brazed to the centers.
US08215010B2
A printed circuit board and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The method of manufacturing a printed circuit board can include: forming surface roughness on an insulation layer, coating a chemical compound onto the insulation layer that lowers the surface energy of the insulation layer, and forming a circuit pattern by inkjet printing on the insulation layer coated with the chemical compound. Certain embodiments of the invention can be utilized to improve adhesive strength between the insulation layer and the inkjet-printed circuit patterns, suppress spreading in the inkjet-printed circuit patterns to improve resolution, and reduce manufacturing costs by forming the circuits using inkjet printing.
US08215009B2
This is directed to a power adapter plug arm manufactured from a single piece of material. The plug arm can include a plug operative to extend into a wall socket, an elongated plate coupled to an end of the plug such that the plug extends from a first surface of one end of the plate, and a pin coupled to the opposite end of the plate and extending from the opposite surface of the plate. The pin can be operative to engage a circuit board of the power adapter to provide power received from the wall socket to an electronic device coupled to the power adapter. To enhance the strength of the plug arm, the plate can be manufactured by creating a co-axial plug and a stem from a single piece of material, bending the stem, and cold heading the bent portion of the stem to form a plate. Because the cold heading process involves cold working the material, the arm and in particular the bridge member at the interface between the plate and the stem can become stronger as a result of the manufacturing process.
US08215005B2
A chip mounting system in which a whole system can be compact including a transfer stage and a tool holding member between a chip feeding section and a substrate holding section. In the chip mounting system, a transfer stage is disposed between a chip feeding stage and a substrate holding stage. A pick-up head and a mounting head are provided movably in a Y-axis direction in which the chip feeding stage and the substrate holding stage are aligned. A movable table which is movable in an X-axis direction, which intersects the Y-axis direction at right angles, is provided in a overwrapping movable region of the chip feeding stage and the substrate holding stage. The transfer stage and a tool holding member, which holds at least one of replacement tools for a pick-up tool and a mounting tool, are provided on the movable table.
US08215000B2
Methods and apparatus for twisting rectangular rotor and stator conductor ends whereby most if not all conductor ends are bent at once, radially adjacent ends being bent in opposite directions. A lost motion member may be used to bend selected conductors through lesser angles for such purposes as phase interconnection and power leads. The rectangular conductors are retained against twisting so that flat conductors will bend about an axis perpendicular to the larger dimension of the conductor cross section. Various features of the methods and apparatus are disclosed.
US08214999B2
A differential microphone having a perimeter slit formed around the microphone diaphragm that replaces the backside hole previously required in conventional silicon, micromachined microphones. The differential microphone is formed using silicon fabrication techniques applied only to a single, front face of a silicon wafer. The backside holes of prior art microphones typically require that a secondary machining operation be performed on the rear surface of the silicon wafer during fabrication. This secondary operation adds complexity and cost to the micromachined microphones so fabricated. Comb fingers forming a portion of a capacitive arrangement may be fabricated as part of the differential microphone diaphragm.
US08214995B2
A tool for producing composite objects, including a first and a second material path, along which a first and second sheet material are stepwise feedable. Along the first and second material paths there are disposed a number of processing stations for processing the first and second sheet materials by shearing, punching, pressing, bending etc. The first and second material paths intersect one another and in the zone of intersection an assembly station is disposed for joining together or assembling component parts from the first and second material paths. A method of producing from sheet material a composite object includes the steps of stepwise feeding a first sheet material in a first feeding direction, the sheet material being processed between certain feeding steps, feeding a second sheet material stepwise in a second feeding direction, the second sheet material being processed between certain feeding steps. The first and second component parts are assembled together and caused to leave the tool in the assembled state.
US08214993B1
A method of servicing a pipe bundle or riser bundle employs a specially configured hoist having a rail that supports multiple lifts. A selected satellite pipe/conduit of the pipe bundle is both lifted and pulled horizontally in order to remove it from a plurality of supports that hold the satellite pipes together in spaced apart positions. During removal of a satellite pipe, the lifts elevate, then travel with and hold the pipe as it moves horizontally away from the bundle.
US08214979B2
A space saving burial container that bores its own interment hole and efficiently guides the cut away receiving material up and out of the hole to inter a fully secured body in a permanently natural upright position.
US08214978B1
A burial casket shaped as a capsule opened by sliding two (2) halves of the capsule lid outwardly, thereby allowing the option of a half-open, fully-open, or fully-closed configuration. The capsule lids would be provided a securing means to prevent inadvertent opening and carrying handles would be provided. These features provide for a casket that is of a lower cost and smaller size, yet still provides a respectful viewing means for the deceased.
US08214973B2
A furniture hinge has a first and a second equalizers connecting to a box-shaped body and a hinge arm, the first equalizer being pivoted to the box-shaped body through a first pin and to the hinge arm through a second pin, the second equalizer being pivoted to the box-shaped body through a third pin and to the hinge arm through a fourth pin, a flexure spring being wound around a pin fixed to the hinge arm and having a first spring arm abutting against the hinge arm and a second spring arm abutting against a control cam formed on the first equalizer, a contact surface between the control cam and the second spring arm, during the rotation or the hinge the contact surface moving along both the profile of the control cam and the profile of the second spring arm.
US08214969B2
A layered eraser, comprising: a plurality of eraser layers, comprising at least an innermost eraser layer and an outermost eraser layer; the outermost eraser layer containing the innermost eraser layer; each eraser layer adjacent at least one other eraser layer; each of the eraser layers having an outermost surface. The layered eraser may be adapted to fit about a writing instrument. Each eraser layer adjacent another eraser layer may have different shaped outermost surfaces. Embodiments include different eraser layers in the shapes of simulated space ships, simulated dinosaur heads, and simulated planets. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of eraser layers comprise an innermost eraser layer, at least one intermediate eraser layer completely surrounding the innermost eraser layer, and an outermost eraser layer completely surrounding the at least one intermediate layer, one or more eraser layers being exposed after at least a portion of the layered eraser is worn away.
US08214956B2
An insulative blanket is sized and shaped to cover a dock leveler deck and the gaps between the deck and a surrounding dock platform to prevent the transfer of heat through the deck or across the gaps. A batten structure is combined with the blanket such that the combination forms a relatively rigid structure which can be easily placed and maintained in its desired position. The combination is raised and lowered by an attached line and a suspended overhead container is provided to further collapse the combination as it is raised and stored within the container.
US08214949B2
An article of bedding comprising a bottom sheet (11) having side walls (12) thus to form a box sheet to be placed elastically over a mattress (10), and a top cover (14) having its edges attached to those of the bottom sheet (11) by means of a gusset (16). A sliding clasp fastener or the like (15) is provided to attach the edges of the bottom sheet and top cover together respectively when the article is not in use. A pillowcase (18) is permanently or removably attached to one end of the sheet and has an opening for insertion and removal of a pillow. The entire article, possibly excluding the pillow, is preferably of machine washable materials. An article made in this way ensures that the top cover which may contain a duvet, cannot slide off the bed inadvertently and therefore the occupant, most likely a child, is kept warm and safe from falling out of bed whilst having freedom of movement within the enclosure formed by the bottom sheet and top cover.
US08214947B1
A bedclothes apparatus includes a blanket sized to cover two occupants of a bed, first and second coverlets, a first fastener assembly operable to secure the first coverlet to a central section of the blanket to allow the first coverlet to be laid across a first segment of the blanket and to release the first coverlet from the central section of the blanket to allow the first coverlet to be moved away from the first segment and the central section of the blanket, and a second fastener assembly operable to secure the second coverlet to the central section of the blanket to allow the second coverlet to be laid across a second segment of the blanket and to release the second coverlet from the central section of the blanket to allow the second coverlet to be moved away from the second segment and the central section of the blanket.
US08214936B2
A spa or hot tub system includes a tub forming a cavity that holds a fluid such as water therein, and a water circulation system provides for circulation of water within the tub. The hot tub includes inner and outer surfaces, and defines an internal space. A heat pump system is operably connected to the water circulation system, and heats the water in the hot tub. The water side heat exchangers of the heat pump may include a polymer housing, and coiled inner elements for refrigerant. The coils may be made of a corrosion-resistant metal tubing or the like. The system may include a conventional electric heating element in addition to the heat pump to provide additional heating capacity.
US08214930B2
The present invention's toilet provides a toilet odor removal apparatus The toilet may additionally provide a dual flushing system and/or water overflow prevention system. The odor removal apparatus is operable to withdraw air from a toilet bowl via a suction assembly comprised of a motorized fan to discharge air into a sewer discharge line through a ventilating passage. A valve assembly for controlling the configuration of the system includes a valve controlling means and a solenoid iron plunger. Three main configurations include water flow from the toilet tank to the bowl (flushing), no water flow to the bowl and air flow from the toilet bowl through the fan to the ventilating passage (odor removal), and finally no water flow or air flow (not is use).
