US08228038B2
A power management system includes a sensor to detect current output from a battery, a first comparator to compare the battery current to a first reference value, and a burst controller to perform a first power control operation based on said comparison. The power control operation reduces power consumed by the battery in order to cause the battery current to fall below the first reference value. This may be accomplished by reducing or shutting down power to one or more functions or features of a host system that includes or is coupled to receive power from the battery. The host system may include or correspond to a mobile phone and/or any of a number of other electronic devices.
US08228037B2
The battery system is provided with a battery 1 that can be recharged, a fuse 8 connected to the battery 1 that blows with excessive current flow, relays 2 connected to the output-side of the battery 1, and a current cut-off circuit 4 that detects excessive battery 1 current and controls the relays 2. The current cut-off circuit 4 detects excessive battery 1 current, and is provided with a timer section 24 that designates a time delay until the relays 2 are switched from ON to OFF. For the delay time of the timer section 24, the fusing current of the fuse 8 is set lower than the maximum cut-off current of the relays 2 and higher than the maximum allowable battery 1 charging and discharging current. In a situation where excessive current greater than the maximum cut-off current of the relays 2 flows through the battery 1, the fuse 8 is blown during the timer 24 delay time, and the current cut-off circuit 4 switches the relays 2 from ON to OFF when the delay time has elapsed.
US08228025B2
This invention provides an electronic control method for a planar inductive battery charging apparatus on which one or more electronic loads such as mobile phones, MP3 players etc can be placed and charged simultaneously. The power control circuit of the charging pad consists of two power conversion stages. Depending on the nature of the input power supply, the first power stage is an AC-DC power converter with variable output voltage control and a second stage is a DC-AC power inverter with constant current control. The combination of the two stages provides power control of the charging pad and generates AC magnetic flux of ideally constant magnitude over the charging areas within a group of primary windings that are excited.
US08228021B2
A converter circuit includes a phase circuit having a switch module, a first winding, a first diode, a second winding, and a second diode. The second winding is inductively coupled to the first winding. A multi-phase motor including the converter circuit, and a related method of controlling such a motor, are also provided.
US08228016B2
Systems and methods are disclosed to improve torque linearity of an electric machine when operating in a field-weakening region. The systems and methods adjust the q-axis and the d-axis components of the stator current commands of the electric machine using a flux weakening control loop and a torque linearity control loop such that torque linearity is maintained when the machine operates in a field weakening region of operation.
US08228002B2
A hybrid light source comprises a discrete-spectrum lamp (for example, a fluorescent lamp) and a continuous-spectrum lamp (for example, a halogen lamp). A control circuit individually controls the amount of power delivered to the discrete-spectrum lamp and the continuous-spectrum lamp in response to a phase-controlled voltage generated by a connected dimmer switch, such that a total light output of the hybrid light source ranges throughout a dimming range. The discrete-spectrum lamp is turned off and the continuous-spectrum lamp produces all of the total light intensity of the hybrid light source when the total light intensity is below a transition intensity. The continuous-spectrum lamp is driven by a continuous-spectrum lamp drive circuit, which is operable to conduct a charging current of a power supply of the dimmer switch and to provide a path for enough current to flow through the hybrid light source, such that the magnitude of the current exceeds rated latching and holding currents of a thyristor of the dimmer.
US08227997B2
In a lamp driving circuit for operating a high intensity discharge lamp, an a commutation circuit comprises at least two switching devices. The switching devices are alternately switched active at a commutation frequency. The active switching device switches at a switching frequency. During an ignition mode, the switching frequency and the commutation frequency are substantially equal. A resulting commutation voltage is supplied to an inverter resonant circuit for generating a supply current. At a node of the inverter resonant circuit, a clamping circuit limits the generated voltage to a predetermined maximum voltage. The voltage at said node of the inverter resonant circuit is applied to an output resonant circuit. The output resonant circuit operates in the ignition mode as a resonator for generating a high ignition voltage; in a steady state operation mode, the output resonant circuit operates as a low-pass filter for reducing a high frequency current component in a lamp current.
US08227996B2
A dimmable LED driver provides accurate full range dimming for LED lighting. The driver utilizes the timing of an AC signal rather than its power output or other characteristics to accurately determine the level of light a user desires. In this manner, the driver provides accurate full range dimming without the need for calibration to specific AC power levels. The driver may detect the period of an AC signal allowing the driver to be used with various frequencies without the need for calibration. In one or more embodiments, the driver compares the pulse widths of a dimmed AC signal to the period of the AC signal to determine the desired light level. The driver may comprise a signal processor and controller in one or more embodiments.
US08227992B2
A high-pressure discharge lamp may include a discharge vessel, which contains: electrodes, at least one noble gas as a start gas, at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, In, Mg, Tl, Hg, and Zn for arc transfer and discharge vessel wall heating, and at least one rare earth halide for the generation of radiation, which is configured such that the generated light is dominated by molecular radiation, wherein at least one member of a first group of rare earth halides is used together with at least one member of a second group of rare earth halides, the first group having the property that the color distance decreases with a power increase when the power of the lamp is increased in a predetermined power interval, and the second group having the property that the color distance increases with a power increase when the power of the lamp is increased in this predetermined power interval.
US08227985B2
An electron source includes a back contact surface having a means for attaching a power source to the back contact surface. The electron source also includes a layer comprising platinum in direct contact with the back contact surface, a composite layer of single-walled carbon nanotubes embedded in platinum in direct contact with the layer comprising platinum. The electron source also includes a nanocrystalline diamond layer in direct contact with the composite layer. The nanocrystalline diamond layer is doped with boron. A portion of the back contact surface is removed to reveal the underlying platinum. The electron source is contained in an evacuable container.
US08227984B2
A barrier coating of organic-inorganic composition, the barrier coating having optical properties that are substantially uniform along an axis of light transmission, said axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the coating.
US08227978B2
A top emission type white organic light emitting device (OLED) has a high resolution and a wide color gamut, and a color display apparatus uses the same. The white OLED includes a substrate; a reflective electrode formed on the substrate; an organic light emitting layer formed on the reflective electrode; a semi-transparent electrode formed on the organic light emitting layer; and in the white OLED, a wavelength of a resonating mode determined by an optical thickness between the reflective electrode and semi-transparent electrode is shorter than a shortest wavelength in a visible light region of a white light spectrum generated in the organic light emitting layer.
US08227976B2
A display apparatus includes an organic electroluminescent element that emits blue light, an organic electroluminescent element that emits green light, and an organic electroluminescent element that emits red light. An optical adjustment layer provided on the organic electroluminescent element that emits red light has a thickness d1 that satisfies the following mathematical expression: (4m1−2φ1/π−3)λ1/(8n1)
US08227972B2
A display filter includes a base film disposed on a display panel. The base film includes a phototransmissive unit having a constant horizontal cross-sectional area, and a light absorbing unit which includes a light absorbing material and surrounds the phototransmissive unit. A plasma display panel (PDP) may include the display filter. The display filter may improve ambient contrast by increasing the transmittance of light emitted by a display panel and by blocking externally incident light.
US08227969B2
A light emitting apparatus can prevent unevenness in illuminance from being produced. This light emitting apparatus 5 has: light emitting elements 3 that emit light; and light flux controlling members 4 that control the traveling directions of light emitted from light emitting elements 3, and a plurality of grid convex parts 13 are formed in back surface 12 (i.e. lens bottom surface) of light flux controlling member 4. Grid convex parts 13 vary the incident angles of light incident on back surface 12 of light flux controlling member 4. Therefore, light incident from back surface 12 is scattered without being concentrated, and is emitted from light flux controlling member 4.
US08227963B2
A lighting device is disclosed herein. The lighting device may include an LED module having a plurality of LEDs and a heat sink that dissipates heat generated by the LEDs. The heat sink may be electrically insulated from the LEDs and other electrical components to improve the inner voltage property of the lighting device. In the lighting device as disclosed herein, a number of connectors required to assemble the various components of the lighting device may be reduced, and efficiency during assembly may be improved accordingly.
US08227961B2
A solid state lighting devices includes a heatsink having a first end arranged proximate to a base end, and a second end arranged between the first end and a solid state emitter, wherein at least a portion of the heatsink is wider at point intermediate the first end and the second end than the width of the heatsink at the second end. Such reverse angled heatsink reduces obstruction of light. A heatsink may include multiple fins and a heatpipe.
US08227960B2
An LED projector lamp includes a heat sink base holding a light source at the bottom side thereof; radiation fins radially arranged around the heat sink base, each radiation fin having one or multiple light shades that surround the periphery of the heat sink base to prevent light leakage and access of flies and vermin to the inside of the heat sink base and increase heat dissipation surface area; and an electric connector affixed to the radiation fins at the top and electrically connected with the light source at the heat sink base.
US08227957B2
An apparatus for generating electrical energy may include; a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a nanowire which includes a piezoelectric material and is disposed on the first electrode, an active layer disposed on the first electrode, a conductive layer disposed on the active layer, and an insulating film disposed between the conductive layer and the nanowire, wherein the nanowire and the active layer are electrically connected to each other. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy may include; disposing a nanowire including a piezoelectric material on a first electrode, disposing an active layer, which is electrically connected to the nanowire, on the first electrode, disposing an insulating film on the nanowire, disposing a conductive layer on the active layer, and disposing a second electrode in proximity to the nanowire and substantially opposite to the first electrode.
US08227951B2
In a three-phase permanent-magnet synchronous machine, a pole gap and a skew of permanent magnets on the rotor are designed such that oscillating torques which are caused by the fifth and seventh harmonics of the stator field and of the rotor field are mutually reduced. In particular, the skew can be chosen as a function of the pole gap, such that the majority of the respective oscillating torques is neutralized. This results in minimal torque ripple.
US08227940B2
A touch switch apparatus emulating a mechanical switch includes a field effect sensor and an electric field stimulator mechanically associated with the field effect sensor. A field generation signal applied to the field effect sensor causes an electric field to be generated thereabout. The electric field stimulator can be moved between first and second positions with respect to the field effect sensor. When moved into proximity with the field effect sensor, the electric field stimulator disturbs the electric field. A detection circuit coupled to the field effect sensor detects and responds to the disturbance to the electric field.
US08227936B1
A cash recycler or other currency handling device includes an integrated uninterruptible power supply. The integrated uninterruptible power supply may be integrated with the cash recycler or other currency handling device such that the power supply is pre-configured based on one or more currency handling device specific components. The cash recycler may be used with various types of uninterruptible power supplies. The cash recycler is configured to receive power from a primary power source. When there is an interruption in the power provided by the primary power source, the cash recycler is transitioned to receiving power from the uninterruptible power supply located within the cash recycler. This transition is performed without interruption to the power to the cash recycler.
US08227935B2
To provide a hybrid power supply device capable of properly controlling an operation of an engine generator and also preventing the device from increasing in size.The power supply device including an engine generator 11 and a capacitor 15 comprises: a DC bus La having the engine generator 11 and the capacitor 15 connected in parallel and supplying electric power to an outside; a step-up converter 13 provided between the DC bus La and the engine generator 11; and a control section 17 controlling the step-up converter 13 and regulating electric power supplied from the engine generator 11 to the DC bus La. Since both of the engine generator 11 and the capacitor 15 can supply electric power to the outside, the engine generator 11 can be downsized. If the control section 17 controls the step-up converter 13, the electric power supplied from the engine generator 11 to the DC bus La can be regulated, and therefore, a load variation of the engine generator 11 can be suppressed to a variation of electric power supplied from the power supply device to the outside.
US08227928B2
A thermo-electro-acoustic engine comprises a sealed body having a regenerator, hot and cold heat exchangers, an acoustic source, and an acoustic energy converter. An acoustic pressure wave is generated in a gas in the region of the regenerator. The converter converts a portion of the acoustic pressure into electrical energy. A portion of the electrical energy is used to drive the acoustic source. The acoustic source is controllably driven to produce acoustic energy which constructively adds to that of the acoustic pressure wave in the region of the regenerator. The remaining electrical energy produced by the converter is used external to the engine, such as to drive a load or for storage. The resonant frequency of the engine and the frequency of the energy output can be controlled electronically or electromechanically, and is not limited solely by the physical structure of the engine body and its elements.
US08227927B2
A chip package is disclosed. The package includes a carrier substrate and at least two semiconductor chips thereon. Each semiconductor chip includes a plurality of conductive pads. A position structure is disposed on the carrier substrate to fix locations of the semiconductor chips at the carrier substrate. A fill material layer is formed on the carrier substrate, covers the semiconductor chips and the position structure, and has a plurality of openings correspondingly exposing the conductive pads. A redistribution layer (RDL) is disposed on the fill material layer and is connected to the conductive pads through the plurality of openings. A protective layer covers the fill material layer and the RDL. A plurality of conductive bumps is disposed on the protective layer and is electrically connected to the RDL. A fabrication method of the chip package is also disclosed.
US08227926B2
A routing layer for a semiconductor die is disclosed. The routing layer includes pads for attaching solder bumps; bond-pads bonded to bump-pads of a die having an integrated circuit, and traces interconnecting bond-pads to pads. The routing layer is formed on a layer of dielectric material. The routing layer includes conductive traces at least partially surrounding some pads so as to absorb stress from solder bumps attached to the pads. Parts of the traces that surround pads protect parts of the underlying dielectric material proximate the solder bumps, from the stress.
US08227922B2
A semiconductor device includes a lower layer wiring made of a conductive material; an etching stopper film laminated on the lower layer wiring and having a laminated structure including an SiCO layer and an SiCN layer; an interlayer insulating film laminated on the etching stopper film; an intermediate film laminated on the interlayer insulating film and made of a material having an etching selectivity with respect to a material of the etching stopper film; an upper wiring layer laminated on the intermediate film and having an upper groove formed in a top surface thereof; an upper layer wiring embedded in the upper groove and made of a metal material having Cu as a main component; and a via electrically connecting the lower layer wiring and the upper layer wiring and disposed in a via hole penetrating through the interlayer insulating film and the intermediate film.
US08227914B2
A mounting structure of an electronic component includes: a substrate having a terminal and the electronic component which is mounted on the substrate; and a bump electrode included in the electronic component. This bump electrode has an underlying resin provided on an active surface of the electronic component, and a conductive film covering part of a surface of the underlying resin and exposing the rest so as to be electrically continued to an electrode terminal. In this mounting structure, the conductive film of the bump electrode makes direct conductive contact with the terminal, and the underlying resin of the bump electrode elastically deforms so that at least part of an exposed area which is exposed without being covered by the conductive film directly adheres to the substrate. Further, the substrate and the electronic component retain a state of the bump electrode making conductive contact with the terminal by adhesivity of the exposed area of the underlying resin to the substrate.
US08227900B2
The present invention provides a technique for improving the reliability of a semiconductor device where spreading of cracking that occurs at the time of dicing to a seal ring can be restricted even in a semiconductor device with a low-k film used as an interlayer insulating film. Dummy vias are formed in each layer on a dicing region side. The dummy vias are formed at the same intervals in a matrix as viewed in a top view. Even in the case where cracking occurs at the time of dicing, the cracking can be prevented from spreading to a seal ring by the dummy vias. As a result, resistance to moisture absorbed in a circuit formation region can be improved, and deterioration in reliability can be prevented.
US08227891B2
Sub-100 nanometer semiconductor devices and methods and program products for manufacturing devices are provided, in particular inductors comprising a plurality of spaced parallel metal lines disposed on a dielectric surface and each having width, heights, spacing and cross-sectional areas determined as a function of Design Rule Check rules. For one planarization process rule a metal density ratio of 80% metal to 20% dielectric surface is determined and produced. In one example a sum of metal line spacing gaps is less than a sum of metal line interior sidewall heights. In one aspect at least one of line height, width and line spacing dimensions is selected to optimize one or more chip yield, chip performance, chip manufacturability and inductor Q factor parameters.
US08227871B2
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first conductor-type, a buried layer of a second conductor-type on the substrate, a drain, and a first guard-ring on one side of the drain, a second guard-ring on one side of the first guard-ring, and a third guard-ring on one side of the second guard-ring.
US08227866B2
A semiconductor substrate having an SOI layer is provided. Between an SOI layer and a glass substrate, a bonding layer is provided which is formed of one layer or a plurality of layers of phosphosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, and/or borophosphosilicate glass, using organosilane as one material by a thermal CVD method at a temperature of 500° C. to 800° C.
US08227865B2
A semiconductor wafer structure for manufacturing integrated circuit devices includes a bulk substrate; a lower insulating layer formed on the bulk substrate, the lower insulating layer formed from a pair of separate insulation layers having a bonding interface therebetween; an electrically conductive layer formed on the lower insulating layer, the electrically conductive layer further having one or more shallow trench isolation (STI) regions formed therein; an etch stop layer formed on the electrically conductive layer and the one or more STI regions; an upper insulating layer formed on the etch stop layer; and a semiconductor layer formed on the upper insulating layer. A subsequent active area level STI scheme, in conjunction with front gate formation over the semiconductor layer, is also disclosed.
US08227859B2
A semiconductor device includes a step-type recess pattern formed in a substrate, a gate electrode buried in the recess pattern and having a gap disposed between the gate electrode and upper sidewalls of the recess pattern, an insulation layer filling the gap, and a source and drain region formed in a portion of the substrate at two sides of the recess pattern. The semiconductor device is able to secure a required data retention time by suppressing the increase of leakage current caused by the reduction of a design rule.
US08227857B2
A planar extended drain transistor (100) is provided which comprises a control gate (102), a drain region (109), a channel region (107), and a drift region (108), wherein the drift region (108) is arranged between the channel region (107) and the drain region (109). Furthermore, the control gate (102) is at least partially buried into the channel region (107) and the drift region (108) comprises a doping material density which is lower than the doping material density of the drain region (109).
US08227845B2
An organic light emitting display that prevents a material used to form a source electrode and a drain electrode from being diffused into an active layer and reduces contact resistance between the source and drain electrodes and a first electrode includes: a substrate; an active layer arranged on the substrate and including silicon; a gate electrode arranged on the substrate and insulated from the active layer; a source electrode and a drain electrode each of a single layer structure, insulated from the gate electrode, and electrically connected to the active layer; a first electrode electrically connected to either the source electrode or the drain electrode; an organic light emitting layer arranged on the first electrode; and a second electrode arranged on the organic light emitting layer, each source electrode and drain electrode includes an aluminum alloy containing nickel and silicon.
US08227843B2
An image sensor and a method for manufacturing an image sensor. An image sensor may include a readout circuitry which may be formed on and/or over a first substrate. An image sensor may include an interlayer dielectric layer formed on and/or over a first substrate. An image sensor may include a metal line formed on and/or over an interlayer dielectric layer, and may include a top plug. An image sensor may include an image sensing device formed on and/or over a top plug. An image sensor may include a first conductive type ion implantation area formed on and/or over an area of an image sensing device corresponding to a top plug. Methods of manufacturing an image sensor are disclosed.
US08227840B2
An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and second region, a conductive via positioned in the first region of the semiconductor substrate, at least one active element positioned in the second region of the semiconductor substrate, a conductive layer extending from the first region to the second region and electrically connecting the conductive via to the active element, and an auxiliary structure positioned in the first region of the semiconductor substrate and proximate to the conductive via. The auxiliary structure can be a stress-absorbing structure, and the volume of the stress-absorbing structure decreases as the volume of the conductive via increases. The auxiliary structure can be a heat-evacuating structure, and the heat-evacuating structure is configured to transfer the operating heat generated by the active element from the first region of the semiconductor substrate to the conductive via through the conductive layer.
US08227832B2
The present invention provides a multi-finger structure of a SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT). It is consisted of plural SiGe HBT single cells. The multi-finger structure is in a form of C/BEBC/BEBC/.../C, wherein, C, B, E respectively stands for collector, base and emitter; CBEBC stands for a SiGe HBT single cell. The collector region is consisted of an n type ion implanted layer inside the active region. The bottom of the implanted layer is connected to two n type pseudo buried layers. The two pseudo buried layers are formed through implantation to the bottom of the shallow trenches that surround the collector active region. Two collectors are picked up by deep trench contact through the field oxide above the two pseudo buried layers. The present invention can reduce junction capacitance, decrease collector electrode output resistance, and improve device frequency characteristics.
US08227828B2
A light source includes a substrate, a light emitting diode on the substrate, and a phosphor layer over the light emitting diode. A plate is on the phosphor layer. An attachment member is coupled to the plate and is configured to conduct heat away from the plate.
US08227827B2
A light emitting device includes a leadframe, a light emitting unit, a transparent encapsulant, and a fluorescent colloid layer. The light emitting unit is disposed on the leadframe. The transparent encapsulant covers the light emitting unit, wherein the transparent encapsulant has a concave on which at least one reflective surface is disposed. The fluorescent colloid layer is disposed outside the transparent encapsulant, wherein a chamber is formed between the fluorescent colloid layer and the transparent encapsulant. The light generated by the light emitting unit is reflected by the reflective surface and guided to a side wall of the fluorescent colloid layer.
US08227823B2
The semiconductor light-emitting structure has a plurality of compound semiconductor layers; a current spreading layer comprising a multi-layered transparent electrode layer on the plurality of compound semiconductor layers and a metal layer between the transparent electrode layers; and a second electrode electrically connected to the current spreading layer.
US08227818B2
A structure using integrated optical elements is comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer grown on the substrate, one or more first patterned layers deposited on top of the buffer layer, wherein each of the first patterned layers is comprised of a bottom lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) mask layer and a LEO nitride layer filling holes in the bottom LEO mask layer, one or more active layers formed on the first patterned layers, and one or more second patterned layers deposited on top of the active layer, wherein each of the second patterned layers is comprised of a top LEO mask layer and a LEO nitride layer filling holes in the top LEO mask layer, wherein the top and/or bottom LEO mask layers act as a mirror, optical confinement layer, grating, wavelength selective element, beam shaping element or beam directing element for the active layers.
US08227815B2
A lighting device is provided. The lighting device comprises a first substrate and a plurality of second substrates. The plurality of second substrates are separately and electrically connected to the first substrate and comprise a light emitting device.
US08227812B2
Materials, devices, and methods for enhancing performance of electronic devices such as solar cells, fuels cells, LEDs, thermoelectric conversion devices, and other electronic devices are disclosed and described. A diamond-like carbon electronic device can include a conductive diamond-like carbon cathode having specified carbon, hydrogen and sp2 bonded carbon contents. In some cases, the sp2 bonded carbon content may be sufficient to provide the conductive diamond-like carbon material with a visible light transmissivity of greater than about 0.70. A charge carrier separation layer can be coupled adjacent and between the diamond-like carbon cathode and an anode. The conductive diamond-like carbon material of the present invention can be useful for any other application which can benefit from the use of conductive and transparent electrodes which are also chemically inert, radiation damage resistance, and are simple to manufacture.
US08227801B2
Novel organic compounds comprising a bicarbazole core are provided. In particular, the compound has a 3;3′-bicarbazole core substituted at the 9th position with at least one of dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, dibenzoselenophene, azadibenzofuran, azadibenzothiophene and azadibenzoselenophene. The compounds may be used in organic light emitting devices to provide devices having improved efficiency and improved lifetime.
US08227795B2
An organic thin film transistor (TFT) that allows an organic semiconductor layer to be easily patterned includes a gate electrode, source and drain electrodes insulated from the gate electrode, a self-assembly monolayer formed on the source and drain electrodes, an organic semiconductor layer which is insulated from the gate electrode and covers at least a portion of the self-assembly monolayer. A flat panel display apparatus includes the organic TFT. A method of manufacturing an organic TFT includes forming source and drain electrodes on a substrate; forming a self-assembly monolayer covering at least the source and drain electrodes; patterning the self-assembly monolayer to remove portions of the self-assembly monolayer that are not located on the source and drain electrodes; and forming an organic semiconductor layer by inkjet printing an organic semiconductor material between the source and drain electrodes.
US08227787B2
In the present invention, a metal oxide or nitride compound which is a wide-band-gap semiconductor abuts a silicon, germanium, or alloy of silicon and/or germanium of the opposite conductivity type to form a p-n heterojunction. This p-n heterojunction can be used to advantage in various devices. In preferred embodiments, one terminal of a vertically oriented p-i-n heterojunction diode is a metal oxide or nitride layer, while the rest of the diode is formed of a silicon or silicon-germanium resistor. For example, a diode may include a heavily doped n-type silicon region, an intrinsic silicon region, and a nickel oxide layer serving as the p-type terminal. Many of these metal oxides and nitrides exhibit resistivity-switching behavior, and such a heterojunction diode can be used in a nonvolatile memory cell, for example in a monolithic three dimensional memory array.
US08227786B2
A nonvolatile memory element comprising: a first electrode 2; a second electrode 6 formed above the first electrode 2; a variable resistance film 4 formed between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 6, a resistance value of the variable resistance film 4 being increased or decreased by an electric pulse applied between the first and second electrodes 2, 6; and an interlayer dielectric film 3 provided between the first and second electrodes 2, 6, wherein the interlayer dielectric film 3 is provided with an opening extending from a surface thereof to the first electrode 2; the variable resistance film 4 is formed at an inner wall face of the opening; and an interior region of the opening which is defined by the variable resistance film 4 is filled with an embedded insulating film 5.
US08227785B2
Chalcogenide containing semiconductor devices may be formed with a gradient film between a chalcogenide film and another film. The gradient film may have its chalcogenide concentration decrease as it extends away from the chalcogenide film, while the concentration of the other film material increases across the thickness of the gradient film moving away from the chalcogenide film.
US08227782B2
In a resistance change memory (ReRAM) storing data by utilizing change in resistance of a resistance change element, a lower electrode (ground-side electrode) of the resistance change element is formed of a transition metal such as Ni, and an upper electrode (positive polarity-side electrode) is configured of a noble metal such as Pt. In addition, a transition metal oxide film between the lower electrode and the upper electrode is formed of an oxide film (NiOx film) of a transition metal that is of the same kind as the transition metal constituting the lower electrode, for example.
US08227780B2
A measuring apparatus includes a light source emitting a measuring light, a first photo-detection element directly receiving a part of a reflected light of the measuring light reflected from a shaft to be measured to detect a first light receiving position, and a second photo-detection element directly receiving another part of the reflected light to detect a second light receiving position. An axis tilt angle of the shaft is measured on the basis of a signal output from the first photo-detection element and a signal output from the second photo-detection element.
US08227776B2
The electron beam irradiating apparatus with the monitoring device has an electron beam irradiating means for irradiating materials in an irradiation chamber. The monitoring device has a photographing means for imaging a lights emitted by irradiating an electron beam to the materials; a storage means that stores state of electron beam irradiation in advance; and a calculating means that processes an image, which is captured by the photographing means, to decide a state of electron beam irradiation. The storage means has stored at least three state of electron beam irradiation and also has stored image luminance associated with those states of electron beam irradiation. The calculating means loads the image, which is captured by the photographing means, to compare the loaded image with the image luminance stored in the storage means, thereby deciding a state of electron beam irradiation.
US08227767B2
A method for the dimensional characterization of a structured material, in which method: an excitation laser beam suitable for coherent nonlinear microscopy is generated, this excitation laser beam being focused in a focal volume within the structured material; signals emitted by the structured material are detected; a plurality of emission patterns, each corresponding to one particular shape of the focal volume, is produced, the particular shapes being obtained for various non-Gaussian spatial profiles of the excitation laser beam wavefront; and on the basis of the emission patterns thus produced, dimensional characteristics of the structured material are deduced therefrom.
US08227766B2
A hand-held probe for intra-operative detection of fluorescence labeled compounds includes a housing comprising a handle and a columnar portion, and a power source within the housing. A light emission source proximate the columnar portion of the housing is configured to fluoresce at least one of predetermined compounds and predetermined antibodies. An excitation switch proximate the handle selectably activates the light emission source. A detector receives fluorescent light emissions directed toward the columnar portion from at least one of the compounds and antibodies and convert the fluorescent light emissions to a corresponding emission electrical signal. A controller within the housing receives the emission electrical signal from the detector and converts the emission electrical signal to a corresponding data signal. Finally, a data port within the housing receives the data signal from the controller, converts the data signal to a corresponding output signal, and transmits the output signal.
US08227764B2
A thermionic electron source comprises a nonlinear metallic substrate, a coating of yttria deposited on the substrate, and a current source configured to drive current through the metallic substrate.
US08227755B2
Optically transitioning pixel-level filtering using a multi-level structure that includes an isolated optically transitioning filter element that is suspended over a corresponding radiation detector element in a one-to-one relationship to provide, for example, one or more features such as spectral detection and/or selective radiation immunity.
US08227750B1
An ion injection spray apparatus and method are provided for coupling a liquid chromatograph or other liquid flow device to a mass spectrometer. The ion injection spray assembly is composed in part of a chamber for voltage and gas input, a metal union for a liquid voltage junction, a gas distribution assembly, a vacuum seal and an ion spray needle. The position of the ion spray needle within this assembly is directly coupled to the outlet of the upstream liquid flow device through the metal union. The vacuum of the mass spectrometer pulls gas at atmospheric pressure though the gas distribution assembly to focus the sample liquid at the spray needle outlet and create a centrifugal gas funnel which helps to desolvate the sample ions and sweep them into the mass spectrometer over a wide range of flow rates.
US08227749B2
An ion mobility spectrometer is described which makes use of a pulsed flow pump to draw gas through an ion filter in pulsed operation. A gas counterflow may also be provided, in some embodiments this may also be a pulsed counterflow.
US08227744B2
An absolute position length measurement type encoder includes: a scale which has an ABS pattern based on a pseudorandom code and forms bright and dark patterns by the ABS pattern; a light-receiving element for receiving the bright and dark patterns; a binarization circuit for dividing a digital signal in accordance with a signal output from the light-receiving element into a mode having high brightness and a mode having lower brightness, carrying out a binarization process by a threshold value where dispersion with regard to the two modes is maximized, and decoding the pseudorandom code by the unit of minimum line width of the ABS pattern from the binarized values; and a position detection circuit for calculating the absolute position of the scale with respect to the light-receiving element by acquiring the correlation between the decoded pseudorandom code and the design value of the pseudorandom code. Thereby, binarization errors of signals produced by the ABS pattern can be reduced, and highly accurate and stabilized measurement of an absolute position is carried out.
US08227741B2
An object is to provide a photoelectric conversion device which can correct a difference between a measured light intensity and an actual light intensity, which occurs when output current decreases due to the fact that a strong light is received, and outputs the corrected current. The photoelectric conversion device includes a photoelectric conversion element; a photocurrent output circuit for providing a first current corresponding to the amount of incident light on the photoelectric conversion element; a photocurrent correcting circuit which includes a corrective photoelectric conversion element for providing a second current, the corrective photoelectric conversion element including a light shield film for blocking part of light; a photocurrent adder circuit which includes a circuit for providing a fourth current; and an amplifier circuit including a circuit which amplifies a current corresponding to the sum of the first current and the fourth current and outputs the amplified current.
US08227740B2
A photo detector device for a display device includes many first conductive lines, many second conductive lines orthogonal to the first conductive lines, many switching transistors, and many photosensitive transistors. Each of the switching transistors includes a drain, a source, and a gate, wherein the sources are electrically connected to the second conductive line, the gates are electrically connected to the first conductive line, and the first conductive lines receive a control signal to control on/off states of the switching transistors. Each of the photosensitive transistors includes a drain, a source, and a gate, wherein the photosensitive transistor sources are electrically connected to the drains of the switching transistors, and the photosensitive transistor gates are connected to and maintained at the potential of the photosensitive transistor drains.
US08227735B1
A combined active and passive imaging system comprises a radiation source unit configured to output a radiation beam towards a detector and an object in a scene. The system further comprises the detector configured to record a first instance of an intensity pattern of an interference between at least a portion of the radiation beam and at least a portion of a return radiation from the object. The detector may further be configured to record ambient light reflected from the scene. The detector may output a first signal with the recorded ambient light reflected from the scene and a second signal with the recorded intensity pattern. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the detector and the radiation source unit. The processor may receive the first signal and the second signal and select the object in the scene.
US08227731B2
An apparatus and method for enabling an automatic calibration sequence for a light control system having a daylight harvesting scheme is disclosed herein. An ambient light sensor connects to a detection circuit for detecting the amount of ambient light within a given zone. A microprocessor connects between the detection circuit and a dimming circuit for providing control to initiate dimming and to start the auto-calibration sequence. Responsive to the amount of ambient light detected, the dimming circuit controls the power supplied to a plurality of electrical loads. A storage unit connects to the microprocessor for storing minimum light levels assessed during the auto-calibration sequence wherein the ambient light levels are monitored for a predetermined amount of time to determine the lowest level of ambient light generated for the purpose of setting and storing a target voltage level associated with such.
US08227730B2
A towel dryer includes an aluminum body having an outer surface that supports a towel to be dried. The surface has a degree of reflectance of not less than 80% for more efficient transfer of heat from the body to the towel. The outer body surface is an oxidized surface to resist corrosion, and a clear coating may be provided over the surface.
US08227724B2
A laser beam machining method and a laser beam machining device capable of cutting a work without producing a fusing and a cracking out of a predetermined cutting line on the surface of the work, wherein a pulse laser beam is radiated on the predetermined cut line on the surface of the work under the conditions causing a multiple photon absorption and with a condensed point aligned to the inside of the work, and a modified area is formed inside the work along the predetermined determined cut line by moving the condensed point along the predetermined cut line, whereby the work can be cut with a rather small force by cracking the work along the predetermined cut line starting from the modified area and, because the pulse laser beam radiated is not almost absorbed onto the surface of the work, the surface is not fused even if the modified area is formed.
US08227717B2
A key mechanism is used in an electronic device. The electronic device includes a housing defining an opening. The key mechanism includes: a plate, at least one latching portion positioned on a first side of the plate; at least one post positioned on a first side of the plate; and a protrusion extending from a second side opposite to the first side. The protrusion extends from the opening, the latching portion and the plate resist the housing. The present disclosure further discloses an electronic device using the key mechanism.
US08227710B2
Provided is a wiring structure and the like which can completely connect a wiring layer to a body to be wired while keeping insulation between two adjacent wiring layers and realize high density packaging due to a narrowed pitch.In a semiconductor-embedded substrate, a conductive pattern is formed on both sides of a core substrate and a semiconductor device is placed in a resin layer stacked over the core substrate. The resin layer has via-holes so that the conductive pattern and a bump of the semiconductor device protrude from the resin layer. Inside the via-holes, the bump and conductive pattern are respectively connected to via-hole electrode portions whose cross-sectional area has been increased toward the bottom of the via-hole. A void is defined between the via-hole electrode portion and upper portion of the inner wall of the via-hole.
US08227701B2
A reconfigurable electric circuit includes first and second crystalline material layers positioned adjacent to each other and forming a first interface, and a first ferroelectric layer positioned adjacent to the first crystalline material layer and having ferroelectric domains applying an electric field to regions of the first interface to induce a quasi two-dimensional electron gas in the regions, wherein at least one of the regions forms a gate and at least one of the regions forms a channel.
US08227694B2
A wire harness exterior protecting tube minimizes sagging of a wire harness laid in a straddling manner in a vehicle and allows smooth bending of the wire harness. The wire harness exterior protecting tube has longitudinal opposite ends supported in a straddling manner by the vehicle without support between the opposite ends. The protecting tube has at one side section a vertical flat plate section and also has the other section having a square U-shaped or semicircular ring-shaped cross-section. The other section connects to the one side section to form a square or semicircular cross-sectional shape. That portion of the other section which faces the flat plate section is a bellows section having a corrugated shape. The thickness of the flat plate section is adapted to suppress the sagging of the protecting tube caused by the weight of the wire harness and to be bendable by bending of the bellows.
US08227687B2
A solar cell is disclosed that may include a quantum dot, an electron conductor, and a bifunctional ligand disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor. The bifunctional ligand may include a first anchor group that bonds to the quantum dot and a second anchor group that bonds to the electron conductor. The solar cell may include a hole conductor that is configured to reduce the quantum dot once the quantum dot absorbs a photon and ejects an electron through the bifunctional ligand and into the electron conductor. The hole conductor may be a p-type polymer.
US08227675B2
A pick and method for obtaining a bright sound from a strummed instrument and in particular a guitar, the pick having a plurality of points about its rounded perimeter arranged in a uniform series to form a serrated edge, which points are sized and spaced so that a plurality of points substantially simultaneously engage a string when strummed, producing a bright chorus sound.
US08227656B2
A wound treatment-dressing is shown which includes a dressing body formed from a medically inert, moisture permeable, urethane open-cell foam which is hydrophilic in nature. The foam body has a foam matrix of interconnected foam cells with cell walls which have incorporated therein a combination of inorganic antimicrobials as active agents, the active agents being incorporated into the foam matrix both topically on a foam cell surface and integrally within the foam cell wall. The antimicrobials are manufactured in a selected particle size range which improves predictability and performance of the wound dressing.
US08227655B2
The present invention discloses a method for solidifying and stabilizing waste acid including steps of condensing waste acid containing phosphoric acid to reduce the volume; mixing the condensed waste acid with waste acid containing fluoroboric acid to solidify and stabilize the mixed waste acid. The pH of the mixed acid is adjusted by adding barium hydroxide as a neutralizer. The efficiency of solidifying waste acid can be improved by partially granulating and by adding solidifying agent indirectly. The method of the present invention can prevent intensely exothermic reaction caused by adding solidifying agents. Furthermore, the method of the present invention is controlled in a temperature of 30 to 45° C. to improve the polymerization of the mixed waste acid so that the efficiency of solidification thereof can be also improved.
US08227653B2
The invention relates to olefin oligomerization methods and methods for reducing/inhibiting fouling in olefin oligomerization reactions comprising: contacting, in an oligomerization reactor (e.g., under oligomerization conditions), an alpha-olefin feed, a catalyst having an olefin selectivity of at least 90 mol % to a desired oligomerization product, a polymer anti-foulant, and optionally a diluent; selectively producing an effluent comprising the desired oligomerization product, unreacted olefin, and alpha-olefin-based polymer byproduct that causes fouling. The amount of polymer anti-foulant can be chosen to limit fouling to ≦20 g/kg desired oligomerization product, to remediate ≧3 grams fouled polymer/kg desired oligomerization product, and/or to reduce/inhibit polymer fouling by ≧10% over a selective oligomerization with substantially no added polymer anti-foulant. Advantageously, desired oligomerization product so obtained can also be polymerized/copolymerized with an alpha-olefin such as ethylene.
US08227649B2
Disclosed is a process for the manufacture of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene comprising: (a) contacting 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane with a catalyst comprised of chromium (III) oxide and from 0.1% to 2% of an alkali metal disposed on the surface of said catalyst, to produce a product mixture comprising 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and hydrogen fluoride; and (b) recovering said 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene from the product mixture produced in (a).
US08227647B2
A method comprising reacting an alkane gas with a halogen gas in a halogenations reactor to form a halogenation reaction product mixture comprising alkane halide and hydrogen halide mixture; mixing the halogenations reaction product mixture with a countercurrent flow of a metal organic salt thereby forming an extractor product mixture of a metal halide, organic salt, and organic acid separating the organic ester and organic acid mixture from the metal halide; oxygenating the metal halide to form a metal oxide and halide containing gasses; separating the metal oxide from the halide containing gasses; mixing the metal oxide with water to form a metal oxide slurry; mixing the metal oxide slurry with a countercurrent flow of the organic ester and organic acid mixture to form a raw product comprising alkanol, a metal organic salt is provided.
US08227643B2
This invention relates to bis- and tris-dihydroxyaryl compounds and their methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and their use in the modulation of Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) and there use in neuroprotection for subject suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease, including Parkinson's plus diseases such as multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration and dementia with Lewy bodies, and in the manufacture of medicaments for such Sirt1 modulation and neuroprotection.
US08227639B2
The invention relates to N-hydroxylsulfonamide derivatives that donate nitroxyl (HNO) under physiological conditions and are useful in treating and/or preventing the onset and/or development of diseases or conditions that are responsive to nitroxyl therapy, including heart failure and ischemia/reperfusion injury. Novel N-hydroxylsulfonamide derivatives release NHO at a controlled rate under physiological conditions, and the rate of HNO release is modulated by varying the nature and location of functional groups on the N-hydroxylsulfonamide derivatives.
US08227635B2
The invention provides methods and an apparatus useful for site-isolating reagents or catalysts during chemical reactions. The methods and apparatus are useful for carrying out cascade or domino reactions.
US08227627B2
Described herein are Δ9-THC prodrugs, methods of making Δ9-THC prodrugs, formulations comprising Δ9-THC prodrugs and methods of using Δ9-THC. One embodiment described herein relates to the transdermal administration of a Δ9-THC prodrug for treating and preventing diseases and/or disorders.
US08227625B2
The present invention relates to compounds having pharmacological activity towards the sigma (σ) receptor, and more particularly to some 4,5,6,7 tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene derivatives, wherein n is selected from 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; m is selected from 0, 1 or 2; the dotted line represents either a single or a double bond; to processes of preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use in therapy and prophylaxis, in particular for the treatment of psychosis.
US08227623B2
The invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of asenapine, i.e. trans-5-chloro-2-methyl-2,3,3a,12b-tetrahydro-1H-dibenz[2,3:6,7]oxepino[4,5-c]pyrrole, as well as to novel intermediate products for use in said process.
US08227620B2
Pyrazole derivatives of the following formula (I), having affinity for the cannabinoidergic CB1 and/or CB2 receptors: wherein: R is a group selected from C1-C10 alkyl; aryl, arylalkyl or arylalkenyl, not substituted or having from one to four substituents, equal to or different from each other; A is a group selected from the following: an ether group of formula —(CH2)—O—(CH2)v—R″ wherein v is equal to 1 or 2; R″ is as defined in the present application; a ketone group of formula —C(O)—Z′, wherein Z′ is as defined in the present application; a substituent having an hydroxyl function of formula —CH(OH)—Z′, being as defined in the present application; an amide substituent of formula —C(O)—NH-T′, T′ being as defined in the present application; B is a group as defined in the present application; D is an heteroaryl optionally substituted.
US08227617B2
A process for preparing a 2-hydroxy-4-substituted pyridine compound using a microbiological method, a novel microorganism, and a novel compound are provided.
US08227616B2
The present invention relates generally to compounds providing antibacterial therapeutic agents and preparations, and related methods of using and making antibacterial compounds. Antibacterial compounds of the present invention include chalcone, alkylpyrimidine, aminopyrimidine and cyanopyridine compounds and derivatives thereof exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) similar to or less than conventional antibacterial compounds in wide use. For example, the present invention provides chalcone and cyanopyridine compounds, and derivatives thereof, exhibiting high antibacterial activities having multiple electron withdrawing group substituents, such as halogens and fluorinated alky groups, and optionally having hydroxyl and/or alkoxyl groups substituents.
US08227615B2
The present invention relates to modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (“CFTR”), compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using such modulators.
US08227613B2
The invention is concerned with novel heteroaryl carboxamide derivatives of formula (I), wherein m, X, Y, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are antagonists of CCR-2 receptor, CCR-5 receptor and/or CCR-3 receptor and can be used as medicaments.
US08227611B2
The present invention is directed to processes for the synthesis of morphinans. In particular, a process for the asymmetric reduction of an imine moiety in a 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline to produce a tetrahydroisoquinoline, followed by a Birch reduction to produce a hexahydroisoquinoline. In various embodiments, the 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline contains a phenol moiety protected with a labile protecting group. In other embodiments, the imine reduction reaction mixture contains silver tetrafluoroborate.
US08227599B2
A process for the separation of biological materials, such as dye-ligand affinity chromatography, wherein an adsorbent is used, which comprises a reaction product of certain reactive anthroquinone compounds and a substrate having a group capable of reaction with a reactive group in said reactive anthroquinone compounds to form a covalent bond.
US08227598B2
The invention relates to novel heteroaryl carboxamides, a process for their preparation, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. These materials are useful for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and for improving perception, concentration, learning and/or memory.
US08227591B2
The present invention relates to the field of cancer therapy. More specifically, the invention relates to use of certain nucleotide sequences for the treatment of cancer.
US08227586B2
Provided herein is a novel human polyomavirus, its nucleic acid sequence, as well as methods to detect and diagnosis the presence of the polyomavirus.
US08227582B2
The present invention provides an improved process for the direct and selective metallization of nucleic acids via metal nanoparticles produced in-situ in which a nucleic acid specific metal complex is reacted with a nucleic acid to produce a metal complex-nucleic acid conjugate, non-conjugated metal complex and/or non-conjugated by-products are removed, and the metal complex-nucleic acid conjugate is reacted with a reducing agent to produce a metal nanoparticle-nucleic acid composite. The metal nanoparticle-nucleic acid composites may be used, e. g., in the formation of nanowires, for electronic networks and circuits allowing a high density arrangement.
US08227572B2
Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of luciferase peptides that are encoded by genes within the genome of Arachnocampa (Diptera) are disclosed. Specifically provided are functional ATP-dependent luciferases that catalyze luminescence reactions with emission spectra within the blue portion of the spectrum. The present invention specifically provides isolated peptide and nucleic acid molecules, methods of identifying orthologs and active subsequences of the enzyme peptides, and methods of identifying modulators and substrates of the luciferase peptides. Methods of assays, including multiple reporter assays utilizing at least two ATP-dependent luciferases are provided.
US08227565B2
A method of forming golf balls with at least a portion formed from polyurethane and polyurea compositions employing a curative blend that includes a pigment, a curing agent, and a compatible freezing point depressing agent so that the curative blend has a lower freezing point than the curing agent by itself and the blend does not lose pigment dispersion upon solidification and subsequent thawing.
US08227563B2
A process for the preparation of 1-butene homopolymers or 1-butene/alpha olefin copolymers wherein the alpha olefins are selected from ethylene, propylene or alpha olefins of formula CH2═CHZ wherein Z is a C3-C20 alkyl radical, comprising contacting 1-butene or 1-butene and one or more alpha olefins under polymerization conditions in the presence of a catalyst system comprising: (a) a solid component comprising a Ti compound and an internal electron-donor compound supported on MgCl2 (b) an alkylaluminum cocatalyst; and (c) a compound of formula (I) as external donor Wherein: R1, R2, R3 and R4, equal to or different from each other, are hydrogen atoms or C1-C20 hydrocarbon radicals optionally containing heteroatoms belonging to groups 13-17 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; or two R1, R2, R3 and R4 can be joined to form a C5-C20, saturated or unsaturated ring.
US08227560B2
The present invention relates to methods and polymers based upon vinyl type monomers that contain pendant carboxylic acid groups and ester group functionality. The polymers may be prepared under selected conditions of partial neutralization to provide relatively high conversions and/or relatively high values of molecular weight and/or selected amounts of repeating unit tacticity.
US08227559B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a copolymer by free radical mass polymerization of a maleic acid monoester derivative with vinyl ester in the presence of an acid having a pKa of less than 1.8. The copolymer is suitable as a dispersant for hydraulic binders.
US08227556B2
A thermoplastic composition comprising recovered poly(arylene ether), less than or equal to 0.1 weight percent based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition of a second recovered thermoplastic that gives off greater than or equal to 10 percent by mass of volatiles at a processing temperature for the thermoplastic composition; 0.025 to 4.0 weight percent, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition, of a third recovered thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polycarbonate, polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene blend, polymethyl methacrylate, polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate/polyester blend and combinations of two or more of the foregoing third recovered thermoplastics, wherein combinations of two or more of the foregoing third recovered thermoplastics are present in an amount of less than or equal to 10 weight percent, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition; and an optional virgin thermoplastic.
US08227551B2
Disclosed herein is a polymeric composition comprising a polymeric composition comprising a first crosslinked network; and a second crosslinked network; wherein the first crosslinked network is crosslinked at a first stress and/or a first strain and the second crosslinked network is crosslinked at a second stress and/or a second strain; where the first stress and/or the first strain is different from the second stress and/or the second strain either in magnitude or direction. Disclosed herein is a method comprising subjecting a polymeric mass to a first stress and/or a first strain level; crosslinking the polymeric mass to form a first crosslinked network; subjecting the polymeric mass to a second stress and/or a second strain level; and crosslinking the polymeric mass to form a second crosslinked network; where the first stress and/or the first strain level is different from the second stress and/or the second strain level.
US08227546B2
Multi-layer elastic air quenched blown film structures are disclosed which include: a first layer incorporating a propylene-based copolymer and optionally, a linear low density polyethylene or a low density polyethylene; and at least one second layer incorporating a linear low density polyethylene copolymer and optionally, a propylene-based copolymer and/or a low density polyethylene. Alternatively the second layer of the film structures may contain an in-reactor blend of a substantially linear polyethylene (or a homogeneously branched linear polyethylene) and a linear low density polyethylene. The film structures show an excellent balance of Dart impact, Elmendorf tear (in both the machine direction and cross direction), elastic holding force and elastic recovery.
US08227535B2
Disclosed herein is a curable composition comprising a polyhydroxy curable fluoroelastomer, a polyhydroxy curative, a cure accelerator and 11 to 60 parts by weight lanthanum(III) oxide per hundred parts by weight fluoroelastomer. Cured articles made therefrom are resistant to volume swell in acids.
US08227534B2
An insulation compound for a medium-voltage power cable, comprising a polymer comprising ethylene and one or more C3-C8 alpha olefins; and one or more metal sulfides.
US08227528B2
A curable epoxy resin composition comprising: (I) a curable epoxy resin; (II) an epoxy-resin curing agent; and (III) a silicone rubber powder obtained by curing a condensation-curable silicone rubber composition in a dispersed state in water, the powder having an epoxy equivalent measured by titration equal to or lower than 3,000 and an average particle size in the range of 0.1 to 100 μm, possesses excellent flowability and which, when cured, forms a cured product that in spite of low modulus of elasticity possesses high strength.
US08227526B2
A process for reducing fluorosurfactant content of a stabilized fluorosurfactant-containing aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion comprising contacting the stabilized fluorosurfactant-containing aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion with an anion exchange resin comprising a polymer and quaternary ammonium functional groups to reduce fluorosurfactant content, the functional groups being resistant to degradation which releases trialkylamines. The anion exchange resin is separated from the dispersion after the fluorosurfactant content has been reduced.
US08227525B2
A process for purifying a composition comprising: i) an encapsulated pigment comprising a pigment and an encapsulant material comprising a cross-linked dispersant; ii) a liquid medium; and iii) free dispersant; said process comprising removal of at least some free dispersant from the composition using a membrane having a molecular weight cut-off of 3 to 30 times the weight average molecular weight of the dispersant prior to cross-linking, with the proviso that all of conditions a), b) and c) are met: a) the pigment is not silicon dioxide; b) the cross-linked dispersant is not cross-linked polyethyleneimine; and c) the cross-linked dispersant is not a dispersant which has been cross-linked with bis-ethene,1,1′-[methylene bis(sulfonyl)].
US08227521B2
Fluoropolymer foams are prepared by mixing fluoropolymer resin with blowing agents and additives to produce foamable compounds at temperatures below the activation temperature of the blowing agent. The compounded material is expanded at temperatures above both the softening point of the fluoropolymer resin and the activation temperature of the blowing agent. The resulting fluoropolymer foam can be fabricated into any desired shape, such as pipes, sheets, tapes, blocks and rods, using techniques such as cutting, welding, thermoforming and adhesive bonding. Alternatively the fluoropolymer compound may be expanded directly into the desired shape, for example, by expanding the compound in a mold.
US08227514B2
Travoprost medicament compositions for non-daily topical application are useful for simulating or inducing the growth and/or decreasing the loss and/or increasing the density and/or reducing the heterogeneity in the diameter of human hair shafts/follicles, e.g., for the treatment of androgenic alopecia, such medicament compositions being at least twice applied over a time interval of greater than 24 hours.
US08227502B2
There are described Compounds of formula (I) in which R3 to R8 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, trihaloalkyl, alkyl having 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 carbon atoms, electron donor groups selected from alkoxy having 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 carbon atoms, trihaloalkoxy, hydroxy or amino, electron acceptor groups selected from cyano, sulphonic, nitro, or amide; R1 is an optionally substituted phenyl, benzyl or cyclohexyl group; R2 is selected from amino, substituted amino or guanidino groups, Z is a saturated or unsaturated C1-5 hydrocarbon chain, and salts thereof. A process for their preparation and compositions containing them are also described. The Compounds are either agonists or antagonists of a specific adenosine receptor or a number of adenosine receptors and have usefulness for the treatment of inflammation, arthritic conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, mental disorders, or for inducing central nerve regeneration.
US08227480B2
An object of the present invention is to create a novel indazole derivative having a spiro ring structure in a side chain, which is useful as a pharmaceutical, and to find a new pharmacological activity of the derivative. The present invention compound is represented by the general formula [I] and has an excellent Rho kinase inhibitory activity. In the formula, the ring X represents a benzene ring or a pyridine ring; R1 and R2 represent halogen, H, OH, alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, aryloxy, alkyl, cycloalkyl or the like; R3 represents halogen, H or the like; R4 and R5 represent halogen, H or the like; R6 and R7 represent H, alkyl or the like; and m, n, p and q represent an integer of 0 to 3. In this connection, each group may have a substituent.
US08227473B2
This invention provides compounds having the structure which may be used for the treatment of tumors.
US08227455B2
The present disclosure provides methods for the treatment of cell proliferative disorders by administration of a Syk kinase or Syk/Flt-3 kinase inhibitor. Cell proliferative disorders treatable by the methods include, hematopoietic neoplasms and virally associated tumors. The compounds are also directed to therapeutic or prophylactic inhibition of tumor metastasis.
US08227447B2
Immunostimulatory polymers that contain certain sequence-dependent immunostimulatory RNA motifs and methods for the use of such immunostimulatory polymers and compositions containing such polymers are provided according to the invention. The sequence-dependent immunostimulatory RNA motifs and the polymers incorporating such motifs are potent and selective inducers of TLR7 and the TLR7-associated cytokine IFN-α.
US08227446B2
D type CpG oligodeoxynucleotides are provided herein that include a sequence represented by the following formula: 5′X1X2X3Pu1Py2CpGPu3Py4X4X5X6(W)M(G)N-3′ wherein the central CpG motif is unmethylated, Pu is a purine nucleotide, Py is a pyrimidine nucleotide, X and W are any nucleotide, M is any integer from 0 to 10, and N is any integer from 4 to 10. Methods of using these oligodeoxynucleotides to induce an immune response are provided.
US08227437B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for restoring hearing loss. In particular aspects, the invention relates to the administration of compositions that encode an inflammatory response control element. The compositions are prepared and administered in such a manner that the inflammatory response control element coding sequence is expressed in the subject to which the composition is administered. The compositions include expression systems, delivery systems, and certain inflammatory response control genes.
US08227432B2
The present invention is directed to improved transposons and transposases. The present invention also includes gene transfer systems, methods of using the transposons and transposases, and compositions including the transposons and transposases.
US08227423B2
Disclosed is a therapeutic peptide useful in the treatment or prevention of infection caused by Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus anthracis.
US08227417B2
A method of enhancing an antigen-specific immune response in a host comprising administering to the host an HMGN polypeptide comprising at least one of HMGN1, HMGN3a, HMGN3b, HMGN4, Nsbp1, or a functional fragment thereof, in an amount effective to enhance an antigen-specific immune response; as well as a pharmaceutical composition comprising an HMGN polypeptide comprising at least one of HMGN1, HMGN3a, HMGN3b, HMGN4, Nsbp1, or a functional fragment thereof, and an antigen, or nucleic acids encoding such molecules; and related methods and compositions.
US08227416B2
Disclosed herein are an agent for treating traumatic peripheral nerve injury comprising a granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) as an active ingredient and a method for treating traumatic peripheral nerve injury with the same.The therapeutic agent advantageously regenerates nerve cells and blood vessels in peripheral nerve tissues and thus rehabilitates the injured nerve tissues to improve nerve conduction velocity, and relieves pain induced by traumatic peripheral nerve injury.
US08227413B2
An isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence HWRR as set forth by SEQ ID NO:5, the peptide consists of 4 or 5 amino acids, is provided. Also provided are methods of treating angiogenesis-related pathologies using the peptide of the invention or pharmaceutical compositions comprising same.
US08227406B2
The invention relates to an antimicrobial peptide comprising a first set of amino acid residues having a length of from about 2 to about 36 amino acid residues or analogues thereof linked to the amino or carboxyterminal end a second set comprising from 3 to 8 hydrophobic amino acid residue or analogue thereof, wherein said peptide has an antimicrobial activity.
US08227404B2
The present invention belongs to the field of the application of genetic engineering and gene function, and it is directed to a new medical use of the gene encoding the recombinant soluble tumor necrosis factor α receptor (HusTNFR). The present invention made intervention to fulminant hepatic failure in mice by use of the long-acting recombinant human soluble tumor necrosis factor α receptor and the classic animal models of acute and sub-acute hepatic failure. The results showed that the long-acting soluble tumor necrosis factor α receptor of the present invention has a half-life extended more than 10 times, and it significantly decreased the mortality of model animals and has superior therapeutic effect for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of acute and sub-acute hepatic failure in model animals. These receptors have a noticeable therapeutic effect for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of acute and sub-acute hepatic failure in comparison with the non-long-acting HusTNFR.
US08227401B2
(Problem) The object of the invention relates to a development of a new musk-feeling fragrance material which is a highly scenting musk-feeling fragrance, and is to provide a fragrance composition which, when added to fragrances or cosmetics, can improve the fixative property and express a high performance and excellent musky aromatic quality.(Means for resolution) A fragrance composition is prepared using, as the active ingredient, a mixture of (R)-form of optically active muscone with (S)-form of optically active muscone with the mixing ratio thereof within the range of from 90:10 to 95:5 (weight ratio) in terms of weight ratio, or a mixture of (R)-form of optically active muscone with (S)-form of optically active muscone with the mixing ratio thereof within the range of from 75:25 to 80:20 (weight ratio) in terms of weight ratio.
US08227394B2
The embodiments of the present invention provide improved materials for cleaning patterned substrates with fine features. The cleaning materials have advantages in cleaning patterned substrates with fine features without substantially damaging the features. The cleaning materials are fluid, either in liquid phase, or in liquid/gas phase, and deform around device features; therefore, the cleaning materials do not substantially damage the device features or reduce damage all together. To assist removing of particles from the wafer (or substrate) surfaces, the polymeric compound of the polymers can contain a polar functional group, which can establish polar-polar molecular interaction and hydrogen bonds with hydrolyzed particles on the wafer surface. The polymers of a polymeric compound(s) with a large molecular weight form long polymer chains and network. The long polymer chains and/or polymer network show superior capabilities of capturing and entrapping contaminants, in comparison to conventional cleaning materials. The polymeric compound(s) of the polymers may also include a functional group that carries charge in the cleaning solution. The charge of the functional group of the polymers improves the particle removal efficiency.
US08227391B2
A lubricant composition that is particularly suited for use in steam and gas turbine oils and in circulating oils has a balance of excellent oxidative stability and reduced sludge formation and comprises a blended mixture of alkylated phenyl-α-naphthylamine and at least oil soluble triazole or triazole derivative in an oil of lubricating viscosity, such compositions being capable of a residual RPVOT of 25% after at least 500 hours test duration test duration 120° C. in Dry TOST test or, alternatively 50% after 700 hours or 25% after 1000 hours.
US08227388B2
The present invention provides a refrigerating machine oil, a compressor oil composition, a hydraulic oil composition, a metalworking oil composition, a heat treating oil composition, a lubricating oil composition for machine tools and a lubricating oil composition which comprise a lubricating oil base oil having % CA of not more than 2, % CP/% CN of not less than 6 and an iodine value of not more than 2.5.
US08227385B2
The lubricating base oil of the invention has a urea adduct value of not greater than 4% by mass, a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 25-50 mm2/s, a viscosity index of 140 or greater, a CCS viscosity at −35° C. of not greater than 15,000 mPa·s and a flash point of 250° C. or higher. The method for producing a lubricating base oil of the invention comprises a step of hydrocracking/hydroisomerizing a feedstock oil containing normal paraffins so as to obtain a treated product having an urea adduct value of not greater than 4% by mass, a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 25-50 mm2/s, a viscosity index of 140 or greater, a CCS viscosity at −35° C. of not greater than 15,000 mPa·s and a flash point of 250° C. or higher. The lubricating oil composition of the invention comprises the lubricating base oil of the invention.
US08227382B2
A method of cleaning a wellbore drilled with a drilling fluid that forms a filter cake that includes emplacing a breaker fluid into the wellbore, the breaker fluid comprising: an aqueous fluid; a fragmentation agent; and an amphoteric chemotrope; and shutting in the well for a period of time sufficient to initiate breaking of the filter cake is disclosed.
US08227377B2
Provided is an adsorbent adapted to adsorb carbon dioxide by increasing the pressure, and to carry out 10% or more adsorption and adsorption of the adsorbed carbon dioxide by lowering the pressure at atmospheric pressure or higher in a range of 100 to 900 kPa without vacuuming or the like. As a result of using amorphous aluminum silicate with a Si/Al ratio of 0.7 to 1.0 and having a peak in the vicinity of −78 ppm and −87 ppm in a 29Si solid NMR spectrum, adsorption and desorption of 10 wt % or more can be performed in a range of 100 to 900 kPa, and this can be used as a carbon dioxide adsorbent mainly in the pressure swing adsorption method.
US08227370B2
A catalyst system containing (a) a solid catalyst component containing a titanium halide, a magnesium halide, a first internal electron donor compound, and a second internal electron donor compound, (b) an organoaluminum compound, and (c) an external electron donor compound is disclosed. The first internal electron donor compound contains at least one ether group and at least one ketone group. The second internal electron donor compound is a 1,8-naphthyl diester compound. Methods of polymerizing or copolymerizing alpha-olefins using the catalyst system also are disclosed.
US08227366B2
One exemplary embodiment can be an alkylation system including a catalyst regeneration zone. Generally, the catalyst regeneration zone includes first and second columns. The first column can provide an overhead stream having a catalyst and a first hydrocarbon, a side-stream having the catalyst and water, and a bottom stream having a second hydrocarbon. Typically, the second column receives the side-stream as a feed.
US08227364B2
The present invention relates to a porous planting medium containing minerals and a method for preparing the same, and more particularly, to a porous planting medium prepared by using bentonite and/or zeolite and minerals for promoting plant growth as raw materials and a method for preparing the same. The porous planting medium containing minerals according to the present invention can provide places where plants can grow due to the pores therein and create the ideal environment for plant growth due to minerals used therein. Also, since it is installed in a building with plant seeds germinated therein, it can provide effects of interior decoration, wood bathing due to anion generation and a pleasant interior environment.
US08227360B2
[Problem to be Solved]A sheet made of a fabric or paper coated with a substance which has a strong function to adsorb, remove and make harmless microbes such as bacteria and viruses is to be configured so as to be usable as a filter, a mask or the like capable of removing the microbes such as the bacteria and viruses.[Solving Means]A sheet made of a fabric which uses a fibrous material, for example, polyester in which a sulfenate group or a carboxylate group has been introduced, and has a surface coated, for example, with anatase type titanium oxide makes microbes such as bacteria and viruses harmless by adsorbing these microbes and has sufficient air permeability, therefore being usable as a filter, a mask or the like. Furthermore, a sheet made of a fabric or paper which is impregnated with an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol copolymerized with a monomer having a sulfonate group or carboxylate group as a fabric size and on which titanium oxide is coated and fixed has a function to make harmful microbes harmless by adsorbing these microbes, therefore being usable not only as a filter or a mask but also as fruit packing material or the like.
US08227351B2
Reliability and yield of MTJ devices is improved by reducing surface roughness in the MTJ layers of the MTJ devices. Surface roughness is reduced by reducing surface roughness of layers below the MTJ layers such as the bottom electrode layer. Planarizing the bottom electrode layer through chemical mechanical polishing or etch back of spin-on material before depositing the MTJ layers decreases surface roughness of the bottom electrode layer and the MTJ layers. Alternatively, a capping layer may be planarized before deposition of the bottom electrode layer and MTJ layers to reduce surface roughness in the capping layer, the bottom electrode layer, and the MTJ layers.
US08227349B2
A method of forming a mask pattern, a method of forming a minute pattern, and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same, the method of forming the mask pattern including forming first mask patterns on a substrate; forming first preliminary capping layers on the first mask patterns; irradiating energy to the first preliminary capping patterns to form second preliminary capping layers ionically bonded with the first mask patterns; applying an acid to the second preliminary capping layers to form capping layers; forming a second mask layer between the capping layers, the second mask layer having a solubility lower than that of the capping layers; and removing the capping layers to form second mask patterns.
US08227335B2
Noble metal may be used as a non-oxidizing diffusion barrier to prevent diffusion from copper lines. A diffusion barrier may be formed of a noble metal formed over an adhesion promoting layer or by a noble metal cap over an oxidizable diffusion barrier. The copper lines may also be covered with a noble metal.
US08227333B2
A structure and a method of manufacturing a Pb-free Controlled Collapse Chip Connection (C4) with a Ball Limiting Metallurgy (BLM) structure for semiconductor chip packaging that reduce chip-level cracking during the Back End of Line (BEOL) processes of chip-join cool-down. An edge of the BLM structure that is subject to tensile stress during chip-join cool down is protected from undercut of a metal seed layer, caused by wet etch of the chip to remove metal layers from the chip's surface and solder reflow, by an electroplated barrier layer, which covers a corresponding edge of the metal seed layer.
US08227320B2
The present invention relates to methods of making capacitors for use in surveillance/identification tags or devices, and methods of using such surveillance/identification devices. The capacitors manufactured according to the methods of the present invention and used in the surveillance/identification devices described herein comprise printed conductive and dielectric layers. The methods and devices of the present invention improve the manufacturing tolerances associated with conventional metal-plastic-metal capacitor, as well as the deactivation reliability of the capacitor used in a surveillance/identification tag or device.
US08227309B2
One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method for forming strained semiconductor film. According to an embodiment of the method, a crystalline semiconductor bridge is formed over a substrate. The bridge has a first portion bonded to the substrate, a second portion bonded to the substrate, and a middle portion between the first and second portions separated from the substrate. The middle portion of the bridge is bonded to the substrate to provide a compressed crystalline semiconductor layer on the substrate. Other aspects are provided herein.
US08227308B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) device can include forming a first silicide layer on at least a portion of a transistor on a substrate, forming nitrogen in the first silicide layer to form a second silicide layer, forming a first stress layer having a tensile stress on the substrate having the transistor formed thereon, and irradiating the first stress layer with ultraviolet (UV) light to form a second stress layer having greater tensile stress than the first stress layer.
US08227299B2
A method for removing impurities from at least one semiconductor device layer during manufacturing of a semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device layer has a compound semiconductor material and/or germanium. Each heating process performed during the manufacturing of the semiconductor device after provision of the semiconductor device layer has a low thermal budget determined by temperatures equal to or lower than about 900° C. and time periods equal to or lower than about 5 minutes. In one aspect, the method includes providing a germanium gettering layer with a higher solubility for the impurities than the semiconductor device layer. The germanium gettering layer is provided at least partly in direct or indirect contact with the at least one semiconductor device layer, such that impurities can diffuse from the at least one semiconductor device layer to the germanium gettering layer.
US08227297B2
A method generates at least one electrical connection from at least one electronic component, which is positioned on a substrate inside an encapsulation, to outside the encapsulation. The functional capability of the electrical connection is to be provided at ambient temperatures greater than 140° C. and in the event of large power losses and extreme environmental influences. A reactive nanofilm, having targeted reaction, which can be triggered exothermically by laser, is used to produce hermetically sealed electrical connections. Using the nanofilm, an output of an electrical connection and a contact of the electrical connection to at least one further electrical contact can be provided.
US08227292B2
A process for the production of a MWT silicon solar cell comprising the steps: (1) providing a p-type silicon wafer with (i) holes forming vias between the front-side and the back-side of the wafer and (ii) an n-type emitter extending over the entire front-side and the inside of the holes, (2) applying a conductive metal paste to the holes of the silicon wafer to provide at least the inside of the holes with a metallization, (3) drying the applied conductive metal paste, and (4) firing the dried conductive metal paste, whereby the wafer reaches a peak temperature of 700 to 900° C., wherein the conductive metal paste has no or only poor fire-through capability and comprises (a) at least one particulate electrically conductive metal selected from the group consisting of silver, copper and nickel and (b) an organic vehicle.
US08227290B2
A method for producing a single crystal silicon solar cell including the steps of: implanting ions into a single crystal silicon substrate through an ion implanting surface thereof; closely contacting the single crystal silicon substrate and a transparent insulator substrate with each other via a transparent adhesive while using the ion implanting surface as a bonding surface; curing the transparent adhesive; applying an impact to the ion implanted layer to mechanically delaminate the single crystal silicon substrate; forming a plurality of diffusion regions having a second conductivity type at the delaminated surface side of the single crystal silicon layer, such that a plurality of first conductivity-type regions and second conductivity-type regions are present at the delaminated surface of the single crystal silicon layer; forming pluralities of individual electrodes on the pluralities of first and second conductivity-type regions, respectively; and forming collector electrodes for the individual electrodes, respectively.
US08227289B2
A method for producing a single crystal silicon solar cell including the steps of: implanting ions into a single crystal silicon substrate; conducting a surface activating treatment for at least one of: the ion implanting surface of the single crystal silicon substrate, and a surface of the transparent insulator substrate; bonding the ion implanting surface of the single crystal silicon substrate and the transparent insulator substrate to each other, such that the surface(s) subjected to the surface activating treatment is/are used as a bonding surface(s); applying an impact to the ion implanted layer; and forming a plurality of diffusion regions having a second conductivity type at the delaminated surface side of the single crystal silicon layer, such that a plurality of first conductivity-type regions and second conductivity-type regions are present at the delaminated surface of the single crystal silicon layer.
US08227284B2
The present invention provides a group-III nitride compound semiconductor light-emitting device having high productivity and good emission characteristics, a method of manufacturing a group-III nitride compound semiconductor light-emitting device, and a lamp. A method of manufacturing a group-III nitride compound semiconductor light-emitting device includes a step of forming on a substrate 11 a semiconductor layer made of a group-III nitride compound semiconductor including Ga as a group-III element using a sputtering method. The substrate 11 and a sputtering target are arranged so as to face each other, and a gap between the substrate 11 and the sputtering target is in the range of 20 to 100 mm. In addition, when the semiconductor layer is formed by the sputtering method, a bias of more than 0.1 W/cm2 is applied to the substrate 11. Further, when the semiconductor layer is formed, nitrogen and argon are supplied into a chamber used for sputtering.
US08227276B2
A method of manufacturing a light emitting device comprises: depositing over substantially the entire surface of a LED wafer having a array of LEDs formed on a surface thereof a mixture of at least one phosphor and a polymer material, wherein the polymer material is transmissive to light generated by the LEDs and to light generated by the at least one phosphor material; using laser ablation to selectively make apertures in the phosphor/polymer material corresponding to electrode contact pads of each LED thereby enabling access to each electrode contact pad; and dividing the wafer into individual light emitting devices. The method can further comprise, prior to dividing the wafer, cutting slots in the phosphor/polymer material which are configured to pass between individual LEDs. The slots are configured such that a layer of phosphor/polymer material remains on the edges of each LED after division of the wafer into individual light emitting devices.
US08227273B2
For the production of a white LED having a predetermined color temperature, a blue LED (2a-2d) or a UV LED is coated with a conversion layer (5) which absorbs the blue light or UV light and emits light of greater wavelength. In accordance with the invention, the exact wavelength of the LED (2a-2d) is determined and the color conversion agent (5) is applied over this LED (2a-2d) in a quantity dependent upon the determined wavelength. Through this, the tolerance of the color temperature can be significantly reduced. The color conversion agent may be applied by means of dispenser or stamp, and the quantity and/or concentration selected in dependence upon the determined wavelength. Inkjet printing, deposition from the gas phase or selective removal by means of a laser is, however, also possible. The invention also relates to light sources produced in accordance with this method.
US08227269B2
A method of manufacturing a light emitting device comprises: a) depositing over substantially the entire surface of a LED diode wafer having an array of LEDs formed on a surface thereof a mixture of at least one phosphor material and a polymer material, wherein the polymer material is transmissive to light generated by the LEDs and to light generated by the at least one phosphor material; b) mechanically stamping the phosphor/polymer mixture with a stamp having features configured such as to form passages in the phosphor/polymer corresponding to electrode contact pads of each LED thereby enabling access to each electrode contact pad; c) curing the polymer; d) removing the stamp; and e) dividing the LED wafer into individual light emitting devices. The stamp comprises a dissolvable material (polyvinyl alcohol) and the stamp is removed by dissolving it using a solvent (e.g. water).
US08227268B2
A light emitting diode is provided having a Group III nitride based superlattice and a Group III nitride based active region on the superlattice. The active region has at least one quantum well stricture. The quantum well structure includes a first Group III nitride based barrier layer, a Group III nitride based quantum well layer on the first barrier layer and a second Group III nitride based barrier layer. A Group III nitride based semiconductor device and methods of fabricating a Group III nitride based semiconductor device having an active region comprising at least one quantum well structure are provided. The quantum well structure includes a well support layer comprising a Group III nitride, a quantum well layer comprising a Group III nitride on the well support layer and a cap layer comprising a Group III nitride on the quantum well layer. A Group III nitride based semiconductor device is also provided that includes a gallium nitride based superlattice having at least two periods of alternating layers of InXGa1-XN and InYGa1-YN, where 0≦X<1 and 0≦Y<1 and X is not equal to Y. The semiconductor device may be a light emitting diode with a Group III nitride based active region. The active region may be a multiple quantum well active region.
US08227264B2
An electronic device assembly is provided which includes a substrate, an interposer and an integrated circuit chip. The substrate is fabricated of a first material having a first thermal expansivity, and the interposer and integrated circuit chip are fabricated of a second material having a second thermal expansivity. The second thermal expansivity is different from the first thermal expansivity so that there is a coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch between the substrate and the interposer or chip. The interposer is coupled to the substrate via a first plurality of electrical contacts and an underfill adhesive at least partially surrounding the electrical contacts to bond the interposer to the substrate and thereby reduce strain on the first plurality of electrical contacts. The integrated circuit chip is coupled to the interposer via a second plurality of electrical contacts only, without use of an adhesive surrounding the second plurality of electrical contacts.
US08227262B2
A process for the preparation of coated polymer particles containing superparamagnetic crystals, said process comprising reacting surface-functionalized, superparamagnetic crystal-containing polymer particles of diameter less than 0.5 μm with at least one polyisocyanate and at least one diol.
US08227254B2
The present invention pertains to compounds and polymers which incorporate a boronic acid sensor group (SG) of the formula (I): wherein: J is independently —CH2— or —CH2CH2—; n is independently 0, 1, 2, or 3; and each RR, if present, is independently a ring substituent; and wherein the ring attachment (i.e., where sensor group is attached) is via the 3-, 4-, 5-, or 6-ring position. Such compounds and polymers are useful in the selective chemical detection and/or quantitation of alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids, such as lactic acid/lactate and malic acid/malate. The present invention also pertains to methods of preparing such compounds and polymers; methods and assays which employ these compounds and polymers; devices (e.g., holographic sensors) and kits for use in such methods and assays, etc.
US08227245B2
This invention relates to multipotent stem cells, purified from the peripheral tissue of mammals, and capable of differentiating into neural and non-neural cell types. These stem cells provide an accessible source for autologous transplantation into CNS, PNS, and other damaged tissues.
US08227239B2
A culture apparatus comprising: a housing including a culture chamber inside, culture being cultured in the culture chamber; a door configured to seal the culture chamber; an ultraviolet lamp configured to generate an ultraviolet ray for disinfecting air in the culture chamber; a lighting device configured to allow the ultraviolet lamp to be on for a predetermined time period, when the air in the culture chamber is disinfected; a detecting device configured to detect deterioration of disinfection capability of the ultraviolet lamp; and a controller configured to correct the predetermined time period, during which the ultraviolet lamp is on, so as to be longer according to the deterioration of the disinfection capability of the ultraviolet lamp detected by the detecting device.
US08227232B2
Object: To provide a thermostable L-ribose isomerase.Means for Resolution: The thermostable L-ribose isomerase with MW. 32,000 (by SDS-PAGE), optimal temperature of 45° C., optimal pH of pH 9.0 (glycine-NaOH buffer), and stable physicochemical properties such as temperature stability up to 45° C. during thermal treatment at pH 9.0 for 10 minutes, and with an action to isomerize L-ribose to generate L-ribulose or of inversely to isomerize L-ribulose to generate L-ribose. A conversion method between an aldose and a ketose comprising allowing the thermostable L-ribose isomerase as an enzyme derived from (1) Raoultella ornithinolytica strain MB426 (NITE BP-277) to interact with an aldose selected from L-ribose, D-lyxose, D-tallose, D-mannose, L-allose and L-gulose to isomerize the aldose to generate a ketose selected from the individually corresponding L-ribulose, D-xylulose, D-tagatose, D-fructose, L-psicose and L-sorbose or to interact with a ketose selected from L-ribulose, D-xylulose, D-tagatose, D-fructose, L-psicose and L-sorbose to isomerize the ketose to generate an aldose selected from the individually corresponding L-ribose, D-lyxose, D-tallose, D-mannose, L-allose and L-gulose.
US08227230B2
A device, system and method for producing glycosylated proteins in plant culture, particularly proteins having a high mannose glycosylation, while targeting such proteins with an ER signal and/or by-passing the Golgi. The invention further relates to vectors and methods for expression and production of enzymatically active high mannose lysosomal enzymes using transgenic plant root, particularly carrot cells. More particularly, the invention relates to host cells, particularly transgenic suspended carrot cells, vectors and methods for high yield expression and production of biologically active high mannose Glucocerebrosidase (GCD). The invention further provides for compositions and methods for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases.
US08227219B2
A method and apparatus is provided for microbial seeding and amendment of traditional alternative fuels production systems and processes using immobilized microbe bioreactors. The system addition utilizes attachment of yeast or other microbial consortia to a substrate to enhance alternative fuels production in fermentation processes. The system allows for the maintenance of a constant concentrated microbial population, thus enhancing alternative fuels production by stabilizing microbial populations. Desired aerobic and anaerobic conditions are maintained using a microbubble aeration device coupled to the Immobilized Microbe Bioreactor (IMBR) seeding reactors. Generation of the microbial populations for seeding requires control of aerobic and anaerobic conditions to ensure growth of a microbial population acclimated to elevated alternative fuels concentrations.
US08227215B2
Provided are hydrolases, including lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases, and polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Further provided are polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases and methods for preparing low saturate or low trans fat oils, such as low saturate or low trans fat animal or vegetable oils, e.g., soy or canola oils.
US08227206B1
The present invention disclosed a method to detect pregnancy and identify pseudopregnancy, pregnancy and pregnancy loss using ceruloplasmin as a non-invasive marker in animal urine samples. More specifically, this invention provide provides a method to use a non-invasive marker of inflammation, the acute phase protein ceruloplasmin, in urine samples to detect pregnancy and to distinguish between pregnancy and pseudopregnancy in mammals. The steps of this method include: collecting fresh urine sample from a mammal, adding a ceruloplasmin substrate to the urine sample, measuring oxidase activity of said ceruloplasmin through a sequential reading of absorbance of a photometric product using a spectrophotometer to determine the concentration of ceruloplasmin in the at least one urine sample.
US08227205B2
A method to detect live and dead cells in a sample with one bioluminogenic reagent is provided.
US08227203B2
This invention provides methods for screening an inhibitor of protein synthesis by measuring the level of relocalization of an SMN complex component from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Additionally, the invention provides a kit and a system for screening protein synthesis inhibitors in a cell.
US08227195B2
The current invention comprises a method for determining of an antibody against a drug antibody in a sample using an immunoassay comprising a capture drug antibody and a tracer drug antibody, wherein the method comprises providing i) a capture drug antibody, which is the drug antibody conjugated to a solid phase, ii) a tracer drug antibody, which is the drug antibody conjugated to a detectable label, contacting the capture drug antibody separately with i) the sample, ii) the sample, to which the drug antibody in monomeric form has been added, iii) the sample, to which the drug antibody in oligomeric form has been added, and determining an antibody against the drug antibody in the sample by a positive immunoassay in i) and a negative immunoassay in ii) and iii).
US08227186B1
Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm) is an important Gram-positive-bacterial pathogen that infects tomato plants causing wilting and cankers and leading to severe economic losses in commercial tomato production worldwide. In order to visualize the infection process of Cmm in germinating seeds, bioluminescent Cmm strains were constructed by transforming the lux reporter gene into the bacterium. A vector pXX2 was constructed by inserting a modified promoterless lux-operon to a Cmm transposon mutagenesis vector, pKGT452Cβ. After electroporation, pXX2 carrying the Cmxr::luxABCDE::Tn1409 cassette resulted in insertion of lux-operon into the Cmm chromosome. The virulent, stable, constitutively bioluminescent strain BL-Cmm17 was selected for further characterization of growth properties and inoculation on tomato seeds. Using this bioluminescent strain, Cmm colonization dynamics of germinating seeds were monitored in real-time using the in vivo imaging system (IVIS).
US08227182B2
In a thinner composition and a method of forming a photosensitive film, the thinner composition includes about 50 to about 90% by weight of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, about 1 to about 20% by weight of propylene glycol monomethyl ether, about 1 to about 10% by weight of γ-butyrolactone, and about 1 to about 20% by weight of n-butyl acetate. The thinner composition may have a proper volatility and an improved ability to dissolve various types of photosensitive materials, and thus the thinner composition may be usefully employed in an edge bead rinse process, a rework process or a pre-wetting process.
US08227181B2
A method of preparing a patterned film on a substrate includes applying a silicone composition onto a substrate to form a film of the silicone composition. A portion of the film is exposed to radiation to produce a partially exposed film having an exposed region and a non-exposed region. The partially exposed film is heated for a sufficient amount of time and at a sufficient temperature to substantially insolubilize the exposed region in a developing solvent that includes a siloxane component. The non-exposed region of the partially exposed film is removed with the developing solvent to reveal a film-free region on the substrate and to form the patterned film including the exposed region that remains on the substrate. The film-free regions is substantially free of residual silicone due to the presence of the siloxane component in the developing solvent.
US08227178B2
A method for manufacturing a planar optical waveguide device including a core of which a top face is provided with a groove section filled with a groove section filler made of a low refractive index material having a refractive index lower than that of the core, the method including; a first high refractive index material layer forming step of forming a high refractive index material layer; a low refractive index material layer forming step of forming a low refractive index material layer made of the low refractive index material on the high refractive index material layer; a groove section filler forming step of forming the groove section filler by trimming both lateral portions of the low refractive index material layer; and a second high refractive index material layer forming step of forming a high refractive index material layer so as to fill the both sides of the lateral portions of the groove section filler.
US08227177B2
The invention relates to a method with contrast reversal which, inter alia, opens up new areas of application for resists.
US08227171B2
A photosensitive monolayer is self-assembled on an oxide surface. The chemical compound of the photosensitive monolayer has three components. A first end group provides covalent bonds with the oxide surface for self assembly on the oxide surface. A photosensitive group that dissociates upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation is linked to the first end group. A second end group linked to the photosensitive group provides hydrophobicity. Upon exposure to the ultraviolet radiation, the dissociated photosensitive group is cleaved and forms a hydrophilic derivative in the exposed region, rendering the exposed region hydrophilic. Carbon nanotubes or nanocrystals applied in an aqueous dispersion are selectively attracted to the hydrophilic exposed region to from electrostatic bonding with the hydrophilic surface of the cleaved photosensitive group.
US08227169B2
There are provided a compound preferable as an acid generator for a resist composition, an acid generator including the compound, a resist composition containing the acid generator, and a method of forming a resist pattern using the resist composition, and the compound is represented by general formula (b1-12) shown below: R2—CH2—O—Y1—SO3−A+ (b1-12) wherein R2 represents a monovalent aromatic organic group; Y1 represents an alkylene group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be fluorinated; and A+ represents a cation.
US08227168B2
The present disclosure provides processes for the production of block copolymer polyester resins suitable for use in manufacturing toners. In embodiments, the copolymers include both a crystalline block and an amorphous block, which can self-assemble to form nanoparticles suitable for use in forming toners.
US08227158B2
The invention provides a toner for electrostatic image development, containing a toner particle and external additive particles adhered to the surface of the toner particle, each of the external additive particles being constituted of plural irreversibly coalesced primary particles.
US08227137B2
A polymer membrane for a fuel cell includes a porous polymer substrate, and a crosslinked polymer layer having a proton-conductive functional group coated on at least one side of the porous polymer substrate. A method of preparing the polymer membrane includes: (1) providing a coating composition that includes a monomer or a prepolymer having the proton-conductive functional group and a crosslinking catalyst; (2) coating the coating composition on the at least one side of the porous polymer substrate; and (3) crosslinking the monomer or the prepolymer coated on the porous polymer substrate.
US08227135B2
Improved polymer-based materials are described, for example for use as an electrode binder in a fuel cell. A fuel cell according to an example of the present invention comprises a first electrode including a catalyst and an electrode binder, a second electrode, and an electrolyte located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrolyte may be a proton-exchange membrane (PEM). The electrode binder includes one or more polymers, such as a polyphosphazene.
US08227132B2
A direct liquid feed fuel cell stack includes a first end plate and a second end plate facing each other, and a plurality of unit cell modules mounted between the first end plate and the second end plate, wherein an electrical circuit that contacts terminals of the unit cell modules is formed on an inner surface of the first end plate.
US08227131B2
A unit for use in a fuel cell stack, the unit comprising a porous metal support with a seal made by local fusion and-having a seal depth that extends from the upper surface of the porous metal support to at least the bottom surface of the porous metal support, and wherein the seal is positioned along the periphery of the porous metal support, the seal being impermeable to gas transported in the plane of the porous metal support.
US08227124B2
A fuel cell including a membrane electrode assembly composed of a ionically conductive member sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. At least one of the electrodes including a catalyst loading characterized by catalytic activity that varies in proportion to the catalyst loading. Moreover, the fuel cell includes a flow path for supplying gaseous reactants to the electrodes and the catalyst loading is varied according to the flow path geometry.
US08227115B2
A lithium ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode containing a composite lithium oxide, a negative electrode capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions, a sheet-like separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a non-aqueous electrolyte and a porous electron-insulating film attached to the surface of the negative electrode. The sheet-like separator is a monolayer film made of polypropylene resin or a multilayer film whose layer to be in contact with the positive electrode is made of polypropylene resin. The porous electron-insulating film includes an inorganic oxide filler and a binder. The inorganic oxide filler contains aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide. The sheet-like separator has a thickness not less than 1.5 times the thickness of the porous electron-insulating film.
US08227106B2
Disclosed herein is a battery module including a plurality of sequentially stacked plate-shaped battery cells and two or more heat dissipation members, wherein the first heat dissipation member extends such that one side of the first heat dissipation member at least partially covers one outermost battery cell (a) of the battery module, and the other side of the first heat dissipation member is interposed between the inside battery cells, and the second heat dissipation member extends such that one side of the second heat dissipation member at least partially covers the outermost battery cell (a) while the second heat dissipation member is not overlapped with the first heat dissipation member, and the other side of the second heat dissipation member is interposed between the inside battery cells.
US08227103B2
A battery pack includes a porous medium positioned in a case. The porous medium hold several batteries. The battery pack also includes terminals for accessing power from the batteries held by the porous medium. The terminals are accessible from outside of the case. The battery pack also includes a flame retardant absorbed into pores of the porous medium.
US08227100B2
The present invention relates to a negative active material for a lithium ion battery and a lithium ion battery including the negative active material. The negative active material for a lithium ion battery includes a hexagonal lithium vanadium composite oxide including lithium, vanadium, and magnesium. The lithium and the vanadium are included in a mole ratio within a range of 1.15≦Li/V≦1.35, and the magnesium and the vanadium are included in a mole ratio within a range of 0.01≦Mg/V≦0.06. The present invention provides a negative active material for a lithium ion battery having a stable crystal structure, excellent high rate of charge and discharge, and good charge and discharge cycle characteristics.
US08227099B2
This radio-frequency oscillator includes a magnetoresistive device in which a spin-polarized electric current flows. This device comprises a stack of at least a first so-called “anchored” magnetic layer having a fixed magnetization direction, a second magnetic layer, an amagnetic layer inserted between the above-mentioned two layers, intended to ensure magnetic decoupling of said layers. The oscillator also comprises means of causing a flow of electrons in said layers perpendicular to these layers and, if applicable, of applying an external magnetic field to the structure. The second magnetic layer has an excitation damping factor at least 10% greater than the damping measured in a simple layer of the same material having the same geometry for magnetic excitation having wavelengths equal to or less than the extent of the cone or cylinder of current that flows through the stack that constitutes the magnetoresistive device.
US08227098B2
A coated cutting tool is disclosed having a substrate and a coating including an aperiodic, multilayered structure with an average composition of (Ti, Al, Cr, Si)N, wherein the average composition is (Ti(1-a-b-c)AlaCrbSic)N, where 0
US08227093B2
Provided is a cyclometalated transition metal complex represented by Formula 1, Formula 2 or Formula 3: By including a new ancillary ligand, the cyclometalated transition metal complex can efficiently emit red light using a phosphor by intersystem crossing (ISC) of excitons to triplet states and then metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT). An organic light emitting device prepared using the transition metal compound shows high luminous efficiency and high external quantum efficiency.
US08227086B2
Polymers are described that are prepared from di and mono-functional silicone and silane monomers of Formula 1 in which Y represents a direct bond or a oxy group; R1 represents an optionally substituted organo group with at least one double bond which optionally may be an activated unsaturated moiety such as a (meth)acrylate group: for example 1-n-propoxy(acrylate) or ethenyl; and R2 and R3 each separately, and independently within each optional repeat unit, represent an optionally substituted hydrocarbo, hydrocarbo(oxy), hydrosilico and/or hydrosilico(oxy) groups; or example, methyl; or trimethylsiloxy; R4 independently represents an optionally substituted organo group with at least one double bond (such as R1 above) an optionally substituted hydrocarbo, and/or hydrosilico group for example trimethylsilyl or ethenyl; and n is from about 0 to about 2000; preferably from about 1 to about 100, for example n is 1. Such polymer precursors can be used to prepare flow modifying agents, defoamers and/or pressure sensitive adhesives.
US08227068B1
The ceiling tile, in one embodiment of the invention, is a laminate of a rigid core layer, such as gypsum, having one surface covered by a display layer of plastic sheet material. An opposite surface of the core layer is covered by a layer of light reflective material. The design layer has a design surface that is viewable when the tile is installed in a ceiling, and the light reflective layer has an exposed light reflective surface. Both the design layer and the light reflective layer form leak tight seals on the opposite surfaces of the rigid core layer. The entire peripheral edge of the tile laminate and marginal portions of the design surface and light reflective surface are covered by a plastic leak tight tape that forms a gas tight seal at the peripheral edge of the tile laminate.
US08227065B2
A tape having a woven fabric and an adhesive on at least one side of the fabric. The woven fabric comprises polyester warp yarns and acetate weft yarns.
US08227062B2
A package is fabricated with a first polymer film having reverse printed matter thereon, a second polymer film laminated to the first polymer film to provide a composite, wherein the printed matter is between the first and second polymer films, and a woven bag enclosed by the composite, wherein the second polymer film of the composite isolates the printed matter from cross contamination with contents intended for the woven bag.
US08227060B2
To provide a lactic acid polymer composition excellent in transparency, heat resistance and productivity, a molded article, a sheet and a multilayer sheet each of which comprises the composition, a thermoformed article obtained by secondary-forming the sheet or the multilayer sheet, and a process for producing the thermoformed article with excellent productivity. The lactic acid polymer composition of the invention comprises 100 parts by weight of a lactic acid polymer (A), 0.1 to 3 parts by weight of an organic crystal nucleating agent (B) comprising an aliphatic carboxylic acid amide having an amide bond, and 0.1 to 7 parts by weight of a crystallization accelerator (C). The thermoformed article of the invention is obtained with excellent production efficiency by thermoforming the sheet comprising the composition of the invention at a temperature of 60 to 130° C.
US08227055B2
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units including infrared meltable glass frits, and/or methods of making the same. More particularly, certain example embodiments relate to increasing the amount of ferrous oxide in glass frits (e.g., lead-free glass frits) used to form edge seals such that the glass frits absorb an increased amount of IR energy. The techniques of certain example embodiments make it possible to expose some or all of the VIG intermediate assembly to infrared source(s), since the glass frit will heat up faster than the substrates thereby reducing the likelihood of the first and/or second substrate melting and losing heat treatment strength. In certain example embodiments, the frit's glass redox (FeO/Fe2O3) preferably is at least about 0.02 higher than either (or the higher) of the substrates' glass redox (FeO/Fe2O3), more preferably at least about 0.04 higher, and most preferably at least about 0.06 higher.
US08227053B2
An optically-compensatory film comprising: a cyclic polyolefin film satisfying expression (I); and a cellulose acylate film satisfying expressions (II) and (III), or a liquid-crystal display device comprising at least one cyclic polyolefin film satisfying expression (I) and at least one cellulose acylate film satisfying expressions (II) and (III): 35≦Re(630)≦350 and 70≦Rth(630)≦400, (I) 0≦Re(630)≦10 and |Rth(630)|≦25, and (II) |Re(400)−Re(700)|≦10 and |Rth(400)−Rth(700)|≦35, (III) wherein Re(λ) represents an in-plane retardation value (unit: nm) at a wavelength of λ nm; and Rth(λ) represents a thickness-direction retardation value at a wavelength of λ nm.
US08227051B1
An apparatus and method for enhancing the surface energy and/or surface chemistry of carbon fibers involves exposing the fibers to direct or indirect contact with atmospheric pressure plasma generated using a background gas containing at least some oxygen or other reactive species. The fiber may be exposed directly to the plasma, provided that the plasma is nonfilamentary, or the fiber may be exposed indirectly through contact with gases exhausting from a plasma discharge maintained in a separate volume. In either case, the process is carried out at or near atmospheric pressure, thereby eliminating the need for vacuum equipment. The process may be further modified by moistening the fibers with selected oxygen-containing liquids before exposure to the plasma.
US08227048B2
The present invention provides a clear, low viscosity photocurable composition including (i) a cationically curable compound (ii) an acrylate-containing compound (iii) a polyol-containing mixture (iv) a cationic photoinitiator and (v) a free radical photoinitiator. The photocurable composition can be cured using rapid prototyping techniques to form opaque-white three-dimensional articles having ABS-like properties.
US08227044B2
A process for applying at least one layer of material on a metallic object base body of a kitchen appliance includes providing a fibrous material having carbon fibers added to the at least one layer of material before, after, or during the application of that layer. The process further includes subsequently hardening at least one layer of material. After the hardening, there is a rough surface with spatial frequency fractions ranging from 3 μm−1 to 1000 μm−1. The at least one layer of material defines a top free surface, and the carbon fibers have fiber ends sticking out of the top free surface. The process further includes producing the rough surface as a free coating surface having self-cleaning and/or anti-adhesive properties.
US08227043B2
A method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head includes the steps of: forming a solid layer for forming a flow path on a substrate on which an energy generating element is arranged to generate energy that is used to discharge liquid; forming, on the substrate where the solid layer is mounted, a coating layer for coating the solid layer; forming a discharge port used to discharge a liquid, through a photolithographic process, in the coating layer deposited on the solid layer; and removing the solid layer to form a flow path that communicates with the energy element and the discharge port. A material used for the coating layer contains a cationically polymerizable chemical compound, a cationic photopolymerization initiator and an inhibitor of cationic photopolymerization, and a material of the solid layer that forms a boundary with a portion where the discharge port of the coating layer is formed contains a copolymer of methacrylic acid and methacrylate ester.
US08227041B2
A multilayer light reflective, variable interlayer separation (d-spacing), cross-linked self-assembling block copolymer film or coating wherein a property of the reflected light can be changed by varying the interlayer separation (d-spacing) of the film or coating.
US08227024B2
The present invention provides a method of producing a latent polarized image having high contrast characteristics with no apparent contours or traces of the image under normal visualization. A polymer solution is prepared in an organic solvent, and then applied onto a light-reflecting substrate. The polymer layer is dried to produce an optically isotropic polymer layer and anisotropic images are formed on the polymer layer. The polymer solution's concentration is from 5 to 30% by weight, and the images are formed by application of micro-lines by thermo-mechanical means, having depths from 1 to 3 μm and being separated from one another by 4 to 6 μm at a process rate from 10 to 50 m/min. The thermomechanical means operates at a temperature that is 10 to 60% less than the polymer melting/disintegration temperature and contacts the polymer layer to form micro-lines for 0.015 to 0.650 msec.
US08227017B2
A system and method of enhancing the antimicrobial and biofilm-resistant efficacy of surfaces that have cationic polyelectrolytes nonleachably bound thereto in order to impart antimicrobial activity to the surface. The system for enhancing antimicrobial efficacy involves brushing, dipping, wiping, spraying, or storing the surface in a solution containing citrate ion. The method involves treatment of the surface with a solution which enhances the antimicrobial and biofilm-resistant efficacy of the surface, and which prevents a loss of the antimicrobial properties of the surface which may occur over time. Preferably, the enhancement agent is citrate ion and the cationic polyelectrolyte is poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), also known as polyDADMAC. The system is particularly beneficial for surfaces of articles such as contact lenses.
US08227010B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing oils and fats rich in diacylglycerol by subjecting fatty acids which are obtainable by hydrolyzing raw material oils and fats, to esterification with glycerin, wherein the process comprises decreasing an anisidine value of greater than 6 of the raw material oils and fats or reaction intermediates, by 20% or more. By using the process of the present invention, even in the case of using a raw material having an anisidine value which is likely to increase in the production processes for raw material oils and fats or for oils and fats rich in diacylglycerol, the stability of the final product oils and fats rich in diacylglycerol is enhanced, and coloration is suppressed, so that products having excellent external appearance can be obtained.
US08227009B2
The present invention is directed to a method for producing a thermal stable whey protein beverage comprising: (a) providing an aqueous solution of at least 2% (w/w) whey proteins and having a neutral pH; then (b) heating the aqueous solution of whey proteins; then (c) cooling the aqueous solution of whey proteins; then (d) adding at least one mineral salt at a neutral pH; and then (e) heating the aqueous solution of whey protein to produce a thermal stable whey protein beverage. The present invention is further directed to a method for producing a thermal stable whey protein beverage under aseptic processing conditions or pasteurization or ultrapasteurization conditions comprising: (a) providing an aqueous solution of at least 2% whey proteins and having a neutral pH; then (b) heating the aqueous solution of whey proteins; then (c) cooling the aqueous solution of whey proteins; then (d) adding at least one mineral salt to produce a thermal stable whey protein beverage. The present invention is also directed to a method for producing a thermal stable whey protein beverage comprising adding at least one anionic polysaccharide. Additionally, the present invention provides thermal stable whey protein beverages made by the methods provided herein.
US08227005B2
An apparatus for making puffed food products from starch-containing raw materials. The apparatus has a baking and molding chamber defined by several heatable mold elements. The mold elements are individually actuated by direct hydraulic drive systems. The hydraulic power for these drive systems is selectively derived from a common oil pressure supply system which provides continuously high oil pressure to the direct hydraulic drive system for each mold element. The apparatus also has an improved feed system enabling the supply of raw material into the mold cavity such that no material gets spilled and each mold receives an accurate predetermined quantity of raw material.
US08227004B2
A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into at least fuel-grade ethanol and four classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process includes a first processing module configured for physico-chemically digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for producing at least a fuel-grade ethanol and a first class of novel lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for separating a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives from the liquid fraction and further processing the liquid fraction to produce a distillate and a stillage, a fourth processing module configured for separating a fourth class of lignin derivatives from the stillage and further processing the stillage to produce a sugar syrup.
US08227002B2
A toasting appliance includes a toasting chamber, a heating element arranged to heat a foodstuff located within the toasting chamber, and an optical system for optically illuminating the foodstuff and detecting light reflected from the foodstuff. Before the foodstuff begins to change color as a result due to the heating thereof by the heating element, a controller varies the illumination of the foodstuff by the optical system so that the intensity of the light reflected from the foodstuff is at or around a set value. The controller subsequently terminates the toasting operation when the intensity of the light reflected from the foodstuff has reduced, due to toasting thereof, from the set value by an amount depending on a desired degree of toasting of the foodstuff.
US08226999B2
One embodiment includes a package system containing a main container with a smaller container nested in it. The smaller container is filled with a secondary food item designed to be mixed into the primary food item. The smaller container is placed within the main container. The area of the main container not occupied by the smaller container includes a main food item. Both containers are sealed with one film. Before consumption, a consumer will place the package in a microwave to heat. Once heated, the smaller container is removed from the main container, creating space in the main container previously occupied by the smaller container. The main food item in the main container will re-position creating space between the top of the main food item to the edge of the main container. The secondary item can be added into the main container without overflowing out of the main container.
US08226995B2
The invention relates to a method for producing fractions of a milk composition by treating a milk composition with a phospholipase and separating it into at least two fractions with different fat content. The fractions obtained have improved properties for producing food products. The invention further relates to a method for producing food products from one or more of the fractions obtained. In further aspects the invention relates to methods for producing condensed milk, milk powder, butter and dairy spread from a milk composition treated with a phospholipase.
US08226988B2
The present invention provides extracts of Lycium barbarum useful for inhibiting, interfering and/or controlling pathological angiogenesis or neovascularization of tissues. The invention also provides a method for treating a disease associated with angiogenesis or neovascularization in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of an extract of Lycium barbarum to the subject.
US08226986B2
The present invention provides novel stable, liquid compositions comprising chalcogenides or salts thereof. These compositions may be used for a variety of purposes, including the treatment and prevention of ischemic or hypoxic injury, as well as in the preservation of biological matter.
US08226982B2
The invention therefore relates to protein-containing powders, wherein the proportion of phenylalanine is at least 30% (w/w), or at least 40% (w/w). It has been shown that phenylalanine-containing powders, particularly after spray drying, are very suitable in terms of their aerodynamic characteristics and protein stabilization for preparing powders or protein compositions with improved aerodynamic properties. The main component is phenylalanine and the optional further component is an excipient which has good water-solubility compared with phenylalanine, preferably a sugar or a polyol.
US08226981B2
A method of preparing a taste-masking oral dosage form is provided. The method includes providing a first solution comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient and a starch, providing a second solution comprising a hydrophilic polymer and a surfactant, blending the first and second solution to form a plurality of microparticles by a granulating process, wherein the microparticle is a co-crystal structure comprising the pharmaceutically active ingredient and the starch, and performing a compression-molding process to form the tablet.
US08226970B2
In order to provide a non-woven fiber fabric, in particular, in the form of a flat material or as part of a flat material which can be used as a biodegradable material in medicine, in particular, as an implant or carrier material for living cells (tissue engineering) but also a non-woven fiber fabric which can be used in food technology in a variety of applications, in particular, as a preliminary product for foods, a non-woven fiber fabric is provided containing fibers consisting of a gelatin material, wherein the thickness of the fibers is on average 1 to 500 μm and wherein the non-woven fiber fabric has a plurality of areas, at which two or more fibers merge into one another without any phase boundary.
US08226968B2
The invention relates to a liposomal composition, containing a citrus type (Aurantioideae) essential oil of pharmaceutical grade 0.5-5.0 part by weight; lavender oil of pharmaceutical grade 0.5-5.0 part by weight; vitamin E 0.1-1.5 part by weight; vitamin A 0.1-1.5 part by weight; castor oil ethoxylated 1.0-6.0 part by weight; a phospholipid 0.1-1.0 part by weight; distilled water 15-30 part by weight; ethanol 96% 65-75 part by weight. The composition can be used for treatment of wounded, burned, frozen, infected skin surfaces.
US08226965B2
The present invention relates to methods for treating and completely curing fungal, yeast, and/or mold infections in human subjects comprising topically administering to a human subject in need thereof an antifungal nanoemulsion composition.
US08226963B2
The present invention provides lignin-pesticide complexes, methods for making lignin-pesticide complexes, and methods for treating or controlling insect infestations on animals by administering such complexes. Advantageously, the lignin-pesticide complexes of the present invention can be used in feed-through products to control insect infestation on livestock or pets. Various insects such as face flies, house flies, stable flies, and horn flies can be controlled and treated using the feed-through products of the present invention.
US08226961B2
The invention relates to a method for the preparation of cosmetic compositions having the texture of a cream. Said preparation is made at the time when the composition is used and includes bringing the following elements into contact with each other: (A) a liquid phase; (B) a powder containing a gelling agent for the liquid phase (A); and (C) an active cosmetic ingredient, whereby the elements are brought into contact by adding phase (A) to phase (B), subjecting a solid powder containing phase (B) and phase (A) in an immobilized form to mechanical stress, said mechanical stress releasing phase (A). The invention also relates to compositions which can be used in the above context, especially (1) compositions containing phase (B) (to which phase (A) is added prior to use); and (2) solid compositions comprising phase (B) and phase (A) in an immobilized form (and which are transformed into a cream when they are applied to the skin).
US08226950B2
The present invention disclosed recombinant anti-VLA-4 antibody molecules, including humanized recombinant anti-VLA-4 antibody molecules. These antibodies are useful in the treatment of specific and non-specific inflammation, including asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, the humanized recombinant anti-VLA-4 antibodies disclosed can be useful in methods of diagnosing and localizing sites of inflammation.
US08226943B2
The present invention relates to Notch-binding agents and Notch antagonists and methods of using the agents and/or antagonists for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of one or more human Notch receptor, such as Notch2 and/or Notch3, and inhibit tumor growth. The present invention further provides methods of treating cancer, the methods comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor protein and inhibits tumor growth.
US08226941B2
An aspect of the present invention relates to stable formulations of chondroitinase and to methods of purifying chondroitinase. The methods of purifying chondroitinase includes the steps of extracting the enzyme from a cell, separating the chondroitinase from the crude cell extract using cation-exchange chromatography, removing impurities through gel filtration chromatography, and removing endotoxin through an anion-exchange membrane to produce a purified chondroitinase.
US08226940B2
The present invention provides a polypeptide therapeutic agent, useful in enzyme replacement therapy, with increased therapeutic benefits for the central nervous system. The invention provides a method of enhancing the effect of a polypeptide or protein on the central nervous system by the attachment of a short acidic amino acid sequence. Specifically the inventors disclose the attachment of a 4-15 acidic amino acid sequence to human β-glucuronidase by construction of a fusion protein. This molecule is useful in the treatment of type VII mucopolysaccharidosis when administered to a patient.
US08226934B2
The present invention provides kits and methods for treating hair on the scalp comprising non-toxic compositions providing beneficial effects on hair without employing high temperatures, free radical initiators or rinsing hair after applying the compositions.
US08226924B2
A method for producing boehmite particles includes subjecting powder of aluminum hydroxide to hydrothermal reaction together with a nucleation agent, thereby obtaining boehmite particles having an average primary particle size of 0.6 μm or less and including primary particles each having a hexahedral shape. A method for producing alumina particles includes: drying the boehmite particles produced by the above described method; calcining the boehmite particles, which have been dried, to obtain alumina particles; and disintegrating the obtained alumina particles.
US08226923B2
The invention is directed to a method for the production of ammonium paratungstate tetrahydrate by thermal treatment of ammonium paratungstate decahydrate in an aqueous suspension. The ammonium paratungstate tetrahydrate can be produced with high purity and high yield. The production method may furthermore be carried out in a simple and energy-efficient manner.
US08226917B2
A reaction-based process has been developed for the selective removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from a multicomponent gas mixture to provide a gaseous stream depleted in CO2 compared to the inlet CO2 concentration in the stream. The proposed process effects the separation of CO2 from a mixture of gases (such as flue gas/fuel gas) by its reaction with metal oxides (such as calcium oxide). The Calcium based Reaction Separation for CO2 (CaRS—CO2) process consists of contacting a CO2 laden gas with calcium oxide (CaO) in a reactor such that CaO captures the CO2 by the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCOa). Once “spent”, CaCO3 is regenerated by its calcination leading to the formation of fresh CaO sorbent and the evolution of a concentrated stream of CO2. The “regenerated” CaO is then recycled for the further capture of more CO2. This carbonation-calcination cycle forms the basis of the CaRS—CO2 process. This process also identifies the application of a mesoporous CaCO3 structure, developed by a process detailed elsewhere, that attains >90% conversion over multiple carbonation and calcination cycles. Lastly, thermal regeneration (calcination) under vacuum provided a better sorbent structure that maintained reproducible reactivity levels over multiple cycles.
US08226904B2
Formats for optical analysis of fluid samples are provided with platforms and wells for contacting fluid samples and bringing reagents in contact with fluid samples. Formats may be made in opposing platform-and-well constructions, allowing a platform protruding from one format member to enter a well contained within an opposing format member. A sample fill nose accepts sample fluid from a sample collection opening and transports the sample fluid through the format.
US08226901B2
There is provided an ignition or plasma generation apparatus that eliminates the need for resonance means in a combustion chamber and simplifies the electrode structure within the combustion chamber in an instance where energy from each of a spark discharge and microwaves is used to ignite an air-fuel mixture gas in an internal combustion engine. The ignition or plasma generation apparatus includes a mixing circuit for mixing a high-voltage pulse from a high-voltage pulse generator and microwave energy from a microwave generator; and an ignition plug into which an output from the mixing circuit is supplied, the plug used for introducing the output into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The output supplied from the mixing circuit to the ignition plug is supplied in a manner in which the microwave energy and the high-voltage pulse are superimposed on each other on a same transmission line.
US08226899B2
An in-duct apparatus for sanitizing air includes a reaction unit, configured to be mounted in an air duct, for generating reactive oxygen species from oxygen in air received in the reaction unit to be sanitized. Airborne contaminants in the received air are substantially neutralized by the generated reactive oxygen species before the air is discharged from the reaction unit.
US08226898B2
A honeycomb structure includes at least one honeycomb unit having a first end face and a second end face opposite to the first end face along a longitudinal direction of the at least one honeycomb unit. The at least one honeycomb unit includes an inorganic particle, an inorganic binder, cell walls extending along the longitudinal direction from the first end face to the second end face to define a plurality of cells, a NOx storage catalyst provided at the cell walls, and a noble metal catalyst provided at the cell walls. An amount of the noble metal catalyst provided at a vicinity of the first end face is substantially different from an amount of the noble metal catalyst provided at a vicinity of the second end face.
US08226897B2
The present invention relates to a fiber mat, preferably a non-intumescent, polycrystalline, needle-punched or stitch-bonded aluminia-silica fiber mat, which contains an organosilicon compound. The fiber mat comprises a fiber blanket which is essentially free of organic binder and which is impregnated with an organosilicon compound selected from the group consisting of siloxane compounds, alkoxy group-containing silanes, hydrolysates and condensates of these compounds, and combinations thereof. In a further embodiment the fiber mat comprises a high friction coating on at least the side of the mat which is to be brought in contact with a pollution control element of a pollution control device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a pollution control device containing such a fiber mat.
US08226895B2
A reaction apparatus for producing trichlorosilane in which metal silicon powder M is reacted with hydrogen chloride gas, thus generating trichlorosilane, includes: an apparatus body into which the metal silicon powder is supplied; and an ejection port for ejecting the hydrogen chloride gas into the apparatus body from the bottom part of the apparatus body, wherein a plurality of holed pieces having a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction and a plurality of pellets interposed between these holed pieces are stacked in a mixed state on the upper side of the ejection port.
US08226893B2
A method operable to remove contaminants from a contaminated fluid stream is provided. The process includes receiving the fluid stream containing contaminants. A first portion of the contaminants are removed from the fluid stream with a first scrubbing vessel. A first base solution reacts with the contaminants such that the contaminants enter a contaminant solution. A remaining portion of the contaminants from the fluid stream is then removed with a at least one additional scrubbing vessel, wherein a second base solution reacts with the contaminants such that part of the remaining portion of the contaminants enter a second solution. Water content is then removed from the fluid stream with a desiccating module, wherein the desiccating module outputs a clean fluid stream.
US08226890B2
The present invention provides an innovative means for efficient and secure component assembly and for ensuring secure electrical connections in a small diagnostics device where available space for fasteners is limited. In one embodiment, principles of leverage are employed to produce a force at a location where space is available. The force is transferred to a different location of the assembly where it is used to maintain secure connections between components.
US08226886B2
Nickel based alloys are provided comprising from about 7.0 weight percent (wt %) to about 12.0 wt % chromium, from about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % molybdenum, from about 0.2 wt % to about 4.5 wt % titanium, from about 4 wt % to about 6 wt % aluminum, from about 3 wt % to about 4.9 wt % cobalt, from about 6.0 wt % to about 9.0 wt % tungsten, from about 4.0 wt % to about 6.5 wt % tantalum, from about 0.05 wt % to about 0.6 wt % hafnium, up to about 1.0 wt % niobium, up to about 0.02 wt % boron, and up to about 0.1 wt % carbon, with the remainder being nickel and incidental impurities. The alloys may be cast, directionally solidified and heat treated to provide articles having a gamma prime fraction of greater than about 50%.
US08226881B2
A die for molding a cuff on a plastic tube, including an upper shell and a lower shell defining a molding cavity between them; each of the shells has an external structure and an internal wall for defining a half of the molding cavity and for defining a hollow space with the external structure. The molding cavity and hollow spaces are separated from each other by internal walls. The die includes openings which are connected with the molding cavity and the hollow spaces respectively.
US08226877B2
The invention discloses jewelry made of pulverized and recombined primary human teeth, or baby teeth. The human deciduous dentin are partially pulverized and bonded with a chemical bonding agent in a frame configured to receive the pulverized dentin mold or pre-formed frame to create designs personalized to the family members.
US08226874B2
A process for making a protective assembly for an article, such as a circuit, includes forming a flexible layer of the protective assembly over the circuit to be protected during circuit operation, wherein said protective assembly is non-adhesive to the circuit and wherein the flexible layer is conformed to the topography of the circuit and non-adhesive to the circuit.
US08226864B2
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) product offering better productivity and a higher degree of flexibility in form of the product to be obtained than the conventional methods of manufacturing a PTFE product, and a method of manufacturing PTFE particle aggregate obtained as an intermediate while manufacturing a PTFE product. According to the manufacturing methods, aggregate of PTFE particles including water and a surfactant is obtained by applying force to a dispersion of PTFE particles containing PTFE particles, a surfactant and water as a dispersion medium, where the force makes the PTFE particles approach or contact with each other. Such a manufacturing method may be carried out, for example, with a chamber (1) shown in FIG. 1.
US08226859B2
Insulation fluids comprising polytrimethylene ether glycol esters are provided. The insulation fluids can be used in electrical apparatuses.
US08226852B2
The invention relates to a method of forming a phosphor film and a method of manufacturing an LED package incorporating the same. The method of forming a phosphor film includes mixing phosphor and light-transmitting beads in an aqueous solvent such that the nano-sized light-transmitting beads having a first charge are adsorbed onto surfaces of phosphor particles having a second charge. The method also includes coating a phosphor mixture obtained from the mixing step on an area where the phosphor film is to be formed, and drying the coated phosphor mixture to form the phosphor film. The invention further provides a method of manufacturing an LED package incorporating the method of forming the phosphor film.
US08226843B2
Thermoelectric conversion materials, expressed by the following formula: Bi1-xMxCuwOa-yQ1yTeb-zQ2z. Here, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ba, Sr, Ca, Mg, Cs, K, Na, Cd, Hg, Sn, Pb, Eu, Sm, Mn, Ga, In, Ti, As and Sb; Q1 and Q2 are at least one element selected from the group consisting of S, Se, As and Sb; x, y, z, w, a, and b are 0≦x<1, 0
US08226841B2
The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising alpha alumina, fumed alumina, silica, an oxidizing agent that oxidizes nickel-phosphorous, oxalic acid, optionally, tartaric acid, optionally, a nonionic surfactant, optionally, a biocide, and water. The invention also provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate comprising contacting a substrate with a polishing pad and the chemical-mechanical polishing composition, moving the polishing pad and the polishing composition relative to the substrate, and abrading at least a portion of the substrate to polish the substrate.
US08226837B2
A process for producing through simple operations a molding die for optical device having an antireflective structure of nano-order microscopic uneven plane on a substratum surface. The molding die for optical device having microscopic uneven plane (antireflective structure die plane) on a surface of substratum is produced by a process comprising forming one or more etching transfer layers on substratum; forming thin film for formation of semispherical microparticles on the etching transfer layers; causing the thin film to undergo aggregation, or decomposition, or nucleation of the material by the use of any of thermal reaction, photoreaction and gas reaction or a combination of these reactions so as to form multiple semispherical islandlike microparticles; and using the multiple islandlike microparticles as a protective mask, carrying out sequential etching of the etching transfer layers and substratum by reactive gas to thereby form a conical pattern on the microscopic surface of the substratum.
US08226831B2
A wearable or portable intermittently operable hydration system (10) includes a purification module (22, 50) that contains one or more solid state UV devices that are positioned in the path of hydrating fluid, or water, flow through the hydration system to a mouthpiece (18). The UV LEDs are instant on devices with essentially no ramp-up required, and a sensor (20) or the opening of a push-pull valve (53) controls the turning on of the UV LEDs. The fluid flow path may run from a bladder (12) in a backpack (19) worn by the user, a sports bottle (54) worn by or carried by the user or may be through a water filtration system that a user operates via a pump. The power for the purification module may come from batteries, solar cells, fuel cells, power converted from pumping or winding action or any combination thereof.
US08226824B2
The anti-clogging drainage inlet is adapted for use in lawn or field environments that require drainage systems to prevent flooding or unwanted pooling during periods of rain. The inlet includes a grate mounted to a rectangular frame. The frame and the grate are adapted to be positioned in the opening of a conventional drainage box in a manner that the top surface of the grate is flush with the surface of the lawn or field. A linkage system is mounted to the frame and grate and operates to raise the grate from its flush position. The linkage system includes a container positioned below the grate and within the drainage box.
US08226820B1
A method and system for handling tar sands and extracting bitumen or oil from the tar sands. The method includes the steps of depositing tar sands in a hopper assembly with a first input auger. An organic solvent mixture is introduced to the tar sands in the hopper assembly and is dissolved by the organic solvent mixture. Sand and rocks from the tar sands is allowed to separate. The sands and liquid in a slurry of fluid are transported from the hopper assembly to a rinse chamber. The slurry of fluid is delivered into the top of the rinse chamber tangentially to cause cyclonic action of the slurry in the rinsing chamber. The cyclonic action and gravity draws the sand downward. Solvent mixed with hydrocarbons are drawn off from the top of the rinse chamber and recirculated in a closed loop process. A portion of the solvent and hydrocarbon liquid mixture is pumped to a separator system in order to separate the oil and bitumen from the solvent.
US08226816B2
Embodiments of a method are described for modifying pitches, oils, tars, and binders by using these materials as solvents to extract organic chemicals from coal.
US08226800B2
An improved water desalination system is disclosed, in which contaminated water such as seawater or brackish water is preheated and fed into a primary pressure vessel through a distribution head. The seawater is distributed from the distribution head over a non-adherent surface such as a plurality of silicone chords hanging below a distribution tank or a cone- and cylindrical-shaped surface. The water is exposed to a high temperature steam environment in the chamber to cause at least a portion of the water in the contaminated water to evaporate, while the remaining concentrated salts from the contaminated water fall to the bottom of the chamber. A portion of the steam in the primary pressure vessel is withdrawn to be condensed into fresh water. The energy withdrawn with the steam extracted from the primary pressure vessel is made up by a supplemental energy apparatus, such as a steam generator.
US08226795B2
Magnetic clips for use with a substrate holder for holding a substrate in a processing chamber of a plasma treatment system. The clip includes first and second body members each having a clamping surface and a magnet. The first body member is configured to be mechanically connected with the substrate holder. The second body member is pivotally connected by a hinge with the first body member for movement relative to the first body member between closed and opened positions. In the closed position, an edge region of the substrate is positioned between the clamping surfaces. In the opened position, the edge region is released. The magnet on the second body member magnetically attracts the magnet on the first body member, when the second body member is in the closed position, to apply a force that restrains movement of the edge region of the substrate relative to the clamping surfaces.
US08226774B2
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for cleaning interiors of passageways in endoscopes or other luminal medical devices by flow of liquid and gas therethrough. The liquid flow may include rivulets, droplets or other liquid entities which move on the internal surfaces of the passageways, and may include a three-phase contact interface between liquid and dry solid and gas.
US08226773B2
A cleaning solution and method for removing submicron particles from the surface and/or the bevel of an electronic substrate such as a semiconductor wafer. The cleaning solution comprises a polycarboxylate polymer or an ethoxylated polyamine. The method comprises the step of contacting a surface of the substrate with a cleaning solution comprised of a polycarboxylate polymer or an ethoxylated polyamine. Additional optional steps in the method include applying acoustic energy to the cleaning solution and/or rinsing the surface with a rinsing solution with or without the application of acoustic energy to the rinsing solution.
US08226771B2
A substrate processing apparatus includes: a polishing device 30A for polishing the surface of a substrate; and at least one of an ultrasonic cleaning device 42 for cleaning the surface of the substrate with ultrasonic waves transmitted through a liquid, and a two-fluid jet cleaning device 44 for cleaning the surface of the substrate with a two-fluid jet spouted as a mixture of a gas and a liquid. A substrate processing method includes: a polishing step of polishing the surface of a substrate; and a solid matter noncontact cleaning step of cleaning the surface of the substrate by spraying a liquid to the surface of the substrate. The above apparatus and method make it possible to efficiently clean the surface of a substrate after it is polished.
US08226767B2
“Super-hetero-epitaxial” combinations comprise epitaxial growth of one material on a different material with different crystal structure. Compatible crystal structures may be identified using a “Tri-Unity” system. New bandgap engineering diagrams are provided for each class of combination, based on determination of hybrid lattice constants for the constituent materials in accordance with lattice-matching equations. Using known bandgap figures for previously tested materials, new materials with lattice constants that match desired substrates and have the desired bandgap properties may be formulated by reference to the diagrams and lattice matching equations. In one embodiment, this analysis makes it possible to formulate new super-hetero-epitaxial semiconductor systems, such as systems based on group IV alloys on c-plane LaF3; group IV alloys on c-plane langasite; Group III-V alloys on c-plane langasite; and group II-VI alloys on c-plane sapphire.
US08226766B2
In a first embodiment of the invention, aged brushite is combined with calcium sulfate hemihydrate and water to make a gypsum slurry. Aged brushite slurry behaves similarly to calcium sulfate dihydrate to act as a seed crystal and rapidly initiate crystallization. The brushite slurry does not require the addition of a coating to maintain its activity over time compared to calcium sulfate dihydrate set accelerators. A gypsum-based product made using brushite slurry as the set accelerator is a second embodiment. The product has the brushite molecules integrated as part of the calcium sulfate dihydrate matrix and is distributed throughout the matrix.
US08226751B2
A composite membrane material characterized by comprising a hydrogen-permeable membrane which is selectively permeable to hydrogen and is formed by rolling to a thickness of 30 μm or less which is difficult for the membrane by itself to retain its shape, and a shape-retention mesh which is disposed on at least one side of the hydrogen-permeable membrane and is composed of a wire of a high-melting metal which does not cause thermal diffusion into the hydrogen-permeable membrane, wherein the hydrogen-permeable membrane and the shape-retention mesh are superposed and subjected to a pleat processing in a non-bonded state so that they are separable and the hydrogen-permeable membrane has a surface area increased at least 3 times per unit area. This material is used to constitute a hydrogen separation element.
US08226733B2
Cosmetic preparation for keratinic fibers, particularly human hair, having two phases separated from each other, wherein one of the phases is an aqueous phase and the other phase a hydrophobic phase. These preparations contain at least one chemical oxidizing agent and at least one silicone oil. The agents, in their function as oxidizing preparations, are used as a developer preparation for oxidation dyes or brightening agents.
US08226731B2
A connection adapter between a rigid transcutaneous implant can be anchored intracorporeally in a femoral stump, and a part of an extracorporeal orthopaedic knee joint. The connection adapter comprises a first coupling part for connection to the transcutaneous implant and a second coupling part for connection to the knee joint. The second coupling can be connected releasably to the first coupling part. A safety coupling is arranged in the interior of the second coupling part and transfers a torsional moment between the first coupling part and the second coupling part and slips through when an adjustable maximum value of the torsional moment is exceeded.
US08226701B2
A stent, a system for delivering a stent and a method of assembling a stent on a stent delivery shaft. The stent delivery system comprises a delivery shaft and a stent configured to be positioned about the delivery shaft. The stent includes an extension extending circumferentially from a portion of the stent to a free end, thereby defining a shoulder surface. A belt has a first portion fixed relative to the delivery shaft and a second portion positioned circumferentially about at least a portion of the stent to retain the stent in an at least partially constrained configuration. A release wire is configured to releasably engage at least a portion of the belt to retain the belt. The shoulder surface engages at least a portion of the belt to minimize axial movement of the belt during release of the release wire from engagement with the belt.
US08226700B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for inserting a moveable device into a channel such as a vein or artery. The apparatus comprises first and second guide-wires joined by multiple breakable bonds for initially retaining portions of the guide-wires in substantially fixed mutual relationship, the multiple bonds breaking as the moveable device advances along the guide wires. The method comprises inserting the dual guide-wire assembly in the channel with the dual guide-wires initially in fixed relationship to each other and separating the guide-wires by advancing the moveable device along the dual guide-wire assembly sequentially breaking the multiple bonds joining the guide-wires. When the last bond between the wires is broken, the distal tips of the guide-wires are released. The arrangement is especially useful for placing dilation balloons with (or without) stents in bifurcated blood vessels.
US08226687B2
A posterior vertebral stabilizer has a resilient member such as a linear spring, which operates in tension and compression. The resilient member may be kept straight by a stabilization rod extending through the spring, or by a telescoping assembly that encases the resilient member. The ends of the stabilizer are attachable to pedicles of adjacent vertebrae so that the stabilizer adds stiffness to control flexion and extension of the vertebrae. Two such stabilizers may be used, and may be connected together by a crosslink designed to limit relative rotation of the stabilizers. Thus, the stabilizers may restrict axial rotation and lateral bending between the vertebrae, while permitting stiffened flexion and extension. Such stabilizers help provide the stiffness of a healthy intervertebral disc. In the event that fusion of the joint becomes necessary, a set screw or other component may be used to further restrict flexion and extension.
US08226685B2
A suture anchor 20 is inserted within the spongy bone 22″ such that only suture segments 40 and 42 extend into the cortical bone 22′. Suture anchor 20 is inserted with a suture inserting device 58 that holds suture anchor 20 until suture inserting device 58 has entered spongy bone 22″. Deployment device 62 pushes suture anchor 20 from suture inserting device 58 into spongy bone 22″. Suture anchor 20 is positioned such that suture anchor 20 spans the hole 24 through which suture inserting device 58 inserted suture anchor 20.
US08226684B2
A surgical suture includes a shaft having a leading end, a trailing end, and an outer surface extending between the leading and trailing ends. The surgical suture includes a plurality of flexible protrusions extending from the shaft, and a lumen extending between the leading and trailing ends of the shaft. The shaft includes a plurality of openings formed in the outer surface thereof that are in communication with the lumen. The shaft includes a first axial opening at the leading end thereof in communication with the lumen and a second axial opening at the trailing end thereof in communication with the lumen. A flowable material may be disposed in the lumen. After the surgical suture is implanted, the flowable material is adapted to pass from the lumen and through the plurality of openings in the outer surface of the shaft for contacting tissue surrounding the suture.
US08226683B2
This invention is directed to an absorbable, nitrogenous copolyester composition based on more than 50 percent of ε-caprolactone-derived repeat units, having a number average molecular weight of more than ≧30 kDa and its use as (1) an absorbable coating for stents which may also contain a bioactive compound at ≧10 percent loading; (2) an absorbable suture or mesh and similar devices; and (3) plugs for blocking the end of seed needles used in radiation therapy.
US08226678B2
An embolic protection device has a collapsible filter element (105) mounted on a carrier such as a guidewire (101). The filter element (105) collapses into the outer end of a catheter (118) for deployment and retrieval through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element (105) has a collapsible filter body with a proximal inlet end and a distal outlet end. The proximal inlet end has inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body. The outlet end has outlet openings which allow through passage of blood but retain embolic material within the filter body. After use, the catheter (118) is movable along the guidewire (101) to engage the proximal end of the filter element and close the inlet openings before sliding over the filter element from the proximal end to the distal end to progressively collapse the filter body on the guidewire (101) for retrieval. The filter element (105) may conveniently be mounted on a tubular sleeve (104) which is slidable and rotatable on the guidewire (101) between spaced-apart stops (106, 120) on the guidewire (101) which allows some manipulation of the guidewire independently of the filter when the filter is in use.
US08226673B2
A system and method for opening a lumen in an occluded blood vessel, e.g., a coronary bypass graft, of a living being. The system comprises an atherectomy catheter having a working head, e.g., a rotary impacting impeller, and a debris extraction sub\-system. The atherectomy catheter is located within a guide catheter. The working head is arranged to operate on, e.g., impact, the occlusive material in the occluded vessel to open a lumen therein, whereupon some debris may be produced. The debris extraction sub\-system introduces an infusate liquid at a first flow rate adjacent the working head and withdraws that liquid and some blood at a second and higher flow rate, through the guide catheter to create a differential flow adjacent the working head, whereupon the debris is withdrawn in the infusate liquid and blood for collection outside the being's body.
US08226670B2
An apparatus and method for connecting a first conduit to the heart without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. The first conduit may then be attached to a second conduit that has a prosthetic device interposed. The second conduit may then be connected to the aorta. The prosthetic device may be a prosthetic valve or a pump, for example. The apparatus of the present invention includes an implantable connector with first conduit component, a retractor expansion component, a coring component, and a pushing component. The retractor expansion component is slide-ably coupled to the coring component. The retractor expansion component serves to seat against and separate the inside apical wall of the left ventricle so that the coring component may cut cleanly through the myocardium to form a tissue plug without leaving any hanging attachments to the inside walls. By remaining seated against the inside wall, the retractor expansion component follows the tissue plug into the coring component. The surgeon applies force and rotary motion to the pushing component sufficient to cut the tissue plug and implant the prosthetic component.
US08226669B2
The invention concerns a device comprising: a packaging box for the flexible material part, dimensioned to hold said part flat; folding means for folding said part without direct handling; and a reception tube for receiving said folded flexible material part. The invention is characterized in that the folding means comprise; a traction suture connected to the flexible material part, which passes through the tube, and, walls forming a funnel whereof the base emerges proximate to the opening of the tube through which the flexible material part is designed to be inserted into said tube, said funnel being designed, when a traction is exerted on the traction suture, to gradually fold down the zones of the part located laterally relative to the tube towards the zone of the part located opposite the opening of said tube, to enable the part to be inserted into the tube.
US08226667B2
An endoscopic stitching device is provided including an end effector configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of functions; and a single actuation cable operatively connected to the end effector, wherein the actuation cable is capable of effecting operation of at least the pair of functions. The actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of functions upon an axial translation thereof, and a second operation of the pair of functions upon a rotation thereof.
US08226662B2
A rechargeable type callus removal instrument is disclosed, that includes a main body having a flaring tube shape with one side opened. The instrument can include a callus storage fitted around the motor shaft of an internal motor that rotates with rotation of the motor shaft, thereby collecting calluses separated from a user's foot therein. A filing cap can cover an upper surface of the callus storage for removing calluses on the user's foot while rotating with the callus storage in contact with a callus surface of the foot. A guide member can be included to assist with forming an exterior barrier such that the calluses being removed by the filing cap are collected in the callus storage without scattering about to the outside. The callus removal instrument enables callus removal using a rotational force of a motor through electric recharging with an improved portability while preventing water infiltration.
US08226660B2
A vaso-occlusive implant has a primary helical-coil shape that defines a primary axis and a three-dimensional secondary shape. The secondary shape includes a substantially helical section and a second section having a plurality of non-overlapping loops or loop sections. Each loop defines a plane that is oriented at an angle from about 30-150 degrees relative to a plane defined by an immediately preceding or immediately succeeding loop along the primary axis. The coil sections or loops can be generally circular loops or other smooth shapes.
US08226657B2
A method for stabilizing a bone structure including directing first and second expandable members in contracted state to a first location within the bone structure. The expandable members are expanded, forming first and second cavities within the bone structure. The first expandable member is then transitioned back to the contracted state while maintaining the second expandable member in the expanded state. The first expandable member is removed, and curable material delivered into the first cavity. The second expandable structure is contracted and removed. A curable material is delivered into the second cavity. A height of the bone structure is restored via expansion of the two expandable members, and is retained throughout the procedure first by the second expandable member during delivery of curable material into the first cavity, and then by the hardened material in the first cavity during removal of the second expandable member.
US08226645B2
Disclosed herein is a device adapted for occluding the ovarian pathway of a female body for sterilization purposes. The device delivers RF energy to wound tissue at a desired location within at least one fallopian tube and implants a porous foam plug adjacent to the wounded tissue at said location. Depending on the plug's pore sizes, vascularized tissue may grow into the plug to prevent or discourage the formation of scar tissue around the plug and/or a vascularized capsule may form around the plug, which limits the patient's foreign body response so that the capsule does not constrict around the plug.
US08226641B2
A medical catheter includes a deflectable and compressible catheter shaft; a pull ring near a distal end of the catheter shaft; a distal tip that includes a tip element and a mounting shaft; and an attachment apparatus for securely attaching the distal tip to the catheter shaft, the attachment apparatus including a compression ring which compresses the catheter shaft and the mounting shaft together. The compression ring can be located around the catheter shaft to compress the catheter shaft against an outer surface of the mounting shaft, or within the catheter shaft to compress the catheter shaft outwardly against an inner surface of the mounting shaft. The medical catheter can be an ablation catheter, with the tip element being a tip electrode, and it can be an irrigated ablation catheter, with the distal tip including a fluid manifold.
US08226632B2
Methods of coupling a catheter to a stem are disclosed. In some embodiments, a stem extends longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end, and the stem can include at least one enlargement positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. In some embodiments, a catheter can be positioned over the at least one enlargement and over a region of the stem that is proximal to the at least one enlargement. In further embodiments, a collar can be mated to the stem.
US08226621B2
The urine collection bag support belt (10) supports urine bags (B) beneath clothing or when sleeping. The support (10) includes a waist cincture (12) having opposed first and second ends (18, 20) and a central portion. At least one releasable fastener (14, 16) is provided for releasably securing the first end (18) to the second end (20) in order to secure the cincture (12) to the waist. At least one strap (22) is attached to the central portion of the belt (12) and extends downward. The strap (22) is adapted for releasably supporting the urine bag (B). In addition, at least one elongated strip is secured to the belt (12) that supports the tubing (T) connected to the urine collection bag (B) by retaining a serpentine portion of the tubing (T) against the waist cincture (12).
US08226610B2
A system includes a medicament delivery device and a container configured to receive at least a portion of the medicament delivery device. The medicament delivery device includes an actuator and a first electronic circuit system. The actuator is configured to initiate delivery of a medicament into a body when the actuator is moved from a first position to a second position. The first electronic circuit system is configured to output a first electronic signal when the actuator is moved from the first position to the second position. The container includes a second electronic circuit system configured to receive the first electronic signal. The second electronic circuit system is configured to output a second electronic signal associated with the first electronic signal.
US08226603B2
The present invention generally relates to an intraluminal catheter device for use in angioplasty and delivery of a therapeutic agent. Particularly, the present invention is directed to a catheter having an expandable member having a therapeutic agent disposed thereon and a fibrous matrix covering for delivering a therapeutic agent and methods of using the same.
US08226601B2
A resector balloon system is disclosed generally comprising a catheter with at least one balloon having an outer wall with a resecting, non-slip surface for resecting unwanted biological material, such as tissues or tumors, and a pump that supplies fluid thereto in pulsed fashion to repeatedly deflate and inflate said balloon. In certain embodiments, the pump includes a processor that controls the pulsed supply of fluid based on an established frequency or change in volume. In some embodiments, the system includes a keyed connector with which the pump identifies the balloon type, and in some cases, the system calculates intra-lumen diameters and densities. In some embodiments, the balloon portion of the catheter includes multiple balloon segments, which in some cases, are inflatable separately from one another.
US08226600B2
The intervertebral disc is avascular. With aging, endplates become occluded by calcified layers, and diffusion of nutrients and oxygen into the disc diminishes. The disc degenerates, and pain ensues. Conduits are delivered and deployed into the intervertebral disc to reestablish the exchange of nutrients and waste between the disc and bodily circulation to stop or reverse disc degeneration and relieve pain. The intervertebral disc installed with semi-permeable conduits may be used as an immuno-isolated capsule to encapsulate donor cells capable of biosynthesizing therapeutic molecules. The semi-permeable conduits establish the exchange of nutrients and therapeutic molecules between disc and bodily circulation to treat a disease without using immunosuppressive drugs.
US08226593B2
A pyloric valve for regulating the flow of fluids in the pyloric region a patient's gastrointestinal tract is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a pyloric valve includes a plurality of axially connected blocking members located along a longitudinal axis of the valve in a proximal to distal direction. Each blocking member of the valve preferably includes at least one blocking portion defining at least one entryway adapted to receive fluids such as chyme therethrough. The at least one entryway of each blocking member is preferably not aligned with the at least one entryway of each blocking member adjacent thereto along the longitudinal axis. The non-alignment of the at least one entryways of the blocking members preferably creates a non-linear path for fluids such as chyme to travel through the pyloric region of the patient.
US08226592B2
A method for treatment of COPD, hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy, and chronic hypoxia including creation of an artificial arterio-venous fistula and installation of a flow mediating device proximate the fistula. The flow mediating device is operated to limit flow as medically indicated to provide the optimum amount of bypass flow.
US08226591B2
A system and method for controlling extracorporeal blood flow in a patient. The system includes a blood pump having a rotor, a plurality of rollers carried by the rotor and a pump chamber extended in tension about the rollers. A sensor measures an operating parameter of the blood pump and a controller, coupled to the sensor, calculates the flow efficiency of the blood pump based on the measured operating parameter. The controller is further configured to display the flow efficiency on the display device, and the operation of the blood pump is adjusted based on the flow efficiency when necessary.
US08226586B2
A negative pressure, compression therapy device is described in this application. It has (a) a heel care boot having a fluid, (b) a pressure bag having an opening that receives the patient's foot and the heel care boot, and (c) a vacuum system that generates a modulatable negative pressure in the pressure bag. The negative pressure in the pressure bag is sufficient to cause the patient's veins to vasodilate and the negative pressure modulates to cause the fluid in the heel care boot to provide compression therapy to the patient.
US08226585B2
The systems and methods provide or use a brace for patient's limb that includes, among other things, a non-inflatable, rigid, lower housing for supporting the sole of a patient's foot, and an inflatable load-bearing upper housing that is affixed to the lower housing. The brace may be adjustable and configured to be fitted to patients having limbs of differing sizes, to allow the patient to obtain a more closely fitted brace.
US08226583B2
A HFCWO system includes an air pulse generator having a blower inlet in communication with a blower and an air port in communication with an inflatable garment. The air pulse generator includes a housing and an air pulse assembly coupled to the housing. The air pulse assembly has at least one diaphragm, at least one driver operable to move the at least one diaphragm and at least one spring arranged to bias the at least one diaphragm away from a portion of the housing.
US08226579B2
Method and apparatus are provided for generating an index associated with non-nutritive suck pattern stability. A method includes measuring a plurality of non-nutritive suck (NNS) pressure samples, generating a plurality of correlation values using the NNS pressure samples, and generating a measure of non-nutritive suck pattern stability using the plurality of correlation values.
US08226577B2
The present invention is directed to an intracorporeal device, preferably a guidewire, and method for making the device. The guidewire of the present invention is formed, at least in part, of a composite elongate core formed, at least in part, of precipitation hardened material. The elongate core members of the present invention will have an ultimate tensile strength and modulus of elasticity greater than the same for an identically dimensioned elongate member formed from superelastic NITINOL alone.
US08226572B2
A portable computing device or microprocessor/storage system including temperature sensors used to collect temperature readings of a breast tissue of a subject. The device would collect data from the sensors at regular time intervals over a period of time. All of the generated temperature data is stored in the portable computing or storage device. The sensors are placed on the greatest areas of interest on the breast, based on where most cancers develop, by using a sensor placeholder. The sensor placeholder would be lobate shaped, with the sensor placeholder aligning with the glandular regions of the breast where cancers are most likely to develop. The temperature data is then analyzed by one or more classifier systems and classified as either suspect or non-suspect tissue.
US08226571B2
A method of monitoring lung ventilation of a subject is disclosed. The method comprises recording signals from a plurality of sensing location on the chest of the subject, at least a portion of the signals being indicative of a local motion of the chest at a respective sensing location. The method further comprises operating a data processing system to analyze the signals such as to determine a status of the ventilation, thereby to monitor the lung ventilation of the subject.
US08226568B2
According to embodiments, systems and methods are provided that use continuous wavelet transforms and basis functions to provide an optimized system for the determination of physiological information. In an embodiment, the basis functions may be used to refine an area of interest in the signal in frequency or in time, and the continuous wavelet transform may be used to identify a maxima ridge in the scalogram at scales with characteristic frequencies proximal to the frequency or frequencies of interest. In another embodiment, a wavelet transform may be used to identify regions of a signal with the morphology of interest while basis functions may be used to focus on these regions to determine or filter information of interest. In yet another embodiment, basis functions and continuous wavelet transforms may be used concurrently and their results combined to form optimized information or a confidence metric for determined physiological information.
US08226561B2
Echolocation data is generated using a multi-dimensional transform capable of using phase and magnitude information to distinguish echoes resulting from ultrasound beam components produced using different ultrasound transducers. Since the multi-dimensional transform does not depend on using receive or transmit beam lines, a multi-dimensional area can be imaged using a single ultrasound transmission. In some embodiments, this ability increases image frame rate and reduces the amount of ultrasound energy required to generate an image.
US08226556B2
An infusion system is for infusing a fluid into the body of a patient. The infusion system includes at least one sensor for monitoring blood glucose concentration of the patient and an infusion device for delivering fluid to the patient. The sensor produces at least one sensor signal input. The infusion device uses the at least one sensor signal input and a derivative predicted algorithm to determine future blood glucose levels. The infusion device delivers fluid to the patient when future blood glucose levels are in a patient's target range. The infusion device is capable of suspending and resuming fluid delivery based on future blood glucose levels and a patient's low shutoff threshold. The infusion device suspends fluid delivery when future blood glucose levels falls below the low shutoff threshold. The infusion device resumes fluid delivery when a future blood glucose level is above the low shutoff threshold.
US08226552B2
A surgical access device has a surgical retractor having a noncompliant outer ring with an annular axis, an inner ring, and a sleeve coupling the outer ring to the inner ring. The noncompliant outer ring is adapted to roll over itself around the annular axis to roll the sleeve around the outer ring to retract and seal an opening in a biological body wall. The access device may include a lid adapted for being coupled to the noncompliant outer ring of the surgical retractor. The outer ring of the surgical retractor has a cross-sectional shape that prohibits the lid from being partially or incorrectly coupled to the outer ring of the surgical retractor.
US08226550B2
A capsule endoscope includes a housing, a lens module, a light source, an imaging module, a memory, a radio frequency transmitter, a power source, and a chamber. The lens module is received in the housing. The light source is configured for illuminating an interior of a body. The imaging module is configured for capturing images of the interior of the body. The memory is configured for storing the captured images. The radio frequency transmitter is configured for wirelessly transmitting the stored images. The power source is electrically connected to the imaging module, the memory and the radio frequency transmitter. The chamber is received in the housing. The lens module and the housing are made of a biodegradable material, and the chamber, the light sources, the imaging module, the memory, the power source, and the radio frequency transmitter are made of a non-biodegradable material.
US08226544B2
The endoscope treatment tool 1 has a distal end member 3 which is installed in an endoscope. A connection member 4 is attached to the distal end member 3 in a freely rotatable manner. In the connection member 4, a portion which is supported by a cap 12 of the distal end member 3 is a second pivot shaft 15. A portion penetrating a supporting member 21 of a treatment portion 5 is a first pivot shaft 23. The first pivot shaft 23 is also a rotational axis of a pair of forceps members 22 provided in the treatment member 5. When the forceps members 22 are used, a coil sheath 6 is extended by an operation at the side of the proximal end. The connection member 4 rotates about the second pivot shaft 15, which is a fulcrum, and the treatment portion 5 moves forward beyond the cap 12. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to resolve the difficulty of procedures by positioning the treatment portion in an appropriate location.
US08226540B1
An acupuncture needle having a low magnetized or non magnetized needle shaft or shank portion and a magnetic or magnetized handle portion to deliver both penetration and magnetic treatment to an acupuncture point.
US08226536B2
High-throughput centrifugation of batches of samples is achieved by dividing a single centrifugation run of a batch of samples into two or more staggered, discrete spins with fewer samples and in which the availability of centrifuge slots for loading or unloading of samples and the subsequent delivery of experimental results can be enhanced. The methodology is particularly useful in situations where multiple samples need to be processed rapidly, for example, as part of a STAT blood typing program in urgent care facilities prior to blood transfusion.
US08226534B2
This invention provides an apparatus and a method for making package which has less rejection rate during manufacturing. The method in the present invention also produces packages with good dimensional accuracy. The apparatus in the present invention is provided for making three side gusset package with improved method of feeding side gusset tube and feeding bottom gusset along with web registration of bottom and side gusset to have printing perfectly located and aligned on package surfaces such that the images or graphics can be printed partially on front side & back side, continuing over side and bottom gusset surfaces.
US08226530B2
A method controls an automated dual clutch transmission of a motor vehicle. An actuating device, preferably arranged in the region of a steering wheel, for selecting the gear step of the shift transmission, which actuating device has a first and a second actuating element which, when actuated individually, cause an upshift or downshift of the shift transmission and, when actuated simultaneously, transfer the shift transmission into an idling state. When both actuating elements are actuated simultaneously, the force-transmitting clutch remains closed and consequently the selected gear remains engaged, and at the same time a clutch torque and/or an engine torque and, consequently, a drive torque acting on a driven wheel is reduced to approximately 0 Nm. It is thereby possible to tie up the force transmission again especially quickly after the termination of the idling state.
US08226529B2
A sensor is placed in proximity to a chain of a continuously variable transmission, and a pulse is output by detecting pins. Moreover, there is provided a control section that determines theoretical speed of the chain from numbers of input and output rotations of the continuously variable transmission; that determines actual speed of the chain from an output from the sensor; that determines slippage from the speeds; and that controls clamping force of the continuously variable transmission so as to make slippage close to a reference value.
US08226526B2
A control system for a hybrid drive unit includes a pressure regulator valve, a first variable bleed solenoid valve for controlling a stationary clutch and a second variable bleed solenoid valve for controlling a rotating clutch. The control system controls the stationary clutch and the rotating clutch to operate the hybrid drive unit in four different modes.
US08226517B2
A speed change mechanism in which the gear ratio is selected by changing the direction of rotation of the power input includes first and second planetary gear sets enclosed within a hub shell. A DC electric motor is coupled to the sun gears of both gear sets and drives them simultaneously in the same rotary direction. In one of the gear sets the carrier arm is fixed and the ring gear is the output and in the other gear set the ring gear is fixed and the carrier arm is the output. A first one-way clutch transmits drive from an output of the first gear set to the hub shell and second one-way clutch transmits drive from an output of the second gear set to the hub shell, both clutches operating in the same direction. The outputs of the gear sets are driven in opposite rotary directions so that drive is transmitted to the hub shell either through the first gear set or the second gear set depending on the direction of rotation of the power input to provide two different gear ratios.
US08226516B2
A vehicle includes an electric motor/generator unit (MGU), an internal combustion engine, a transmission having an input member rotatable by the engine or the MGU, and an electric torque converter assembly. The torque converter assembly has a pump in driving connection with the transmission, a braking clutch assembly for selectively connecting the engine to a stationary member, a lockup clutch, and a dual-pinion planetary gear set. The electric torque converter assembly allows inertia torque from the MGU to transfer through the gear set to assist engine cranking when the MGU is decelerating. The pump is driven by the faster of the engine and MGU via the gear set and selective engagement, alone or in combination, of the lockup clutch and braking clutch assembly. An electric torque converter configured as noted above is also provided, and may include an electrically-actuated band for grounding the engine during certain operating modes.
US08226513B2
To provide a power plant which is capable of reducing power passing through a distributing and combining device, thereby making it possible to attain reduction of the size and manufacturing costs of the power plant and enhance driving efficiency of the same. The power plant 1 for driving driven parts DW and DW includes a prime mover 3, a first distributing and combining device 20 having first, second and third elements 21, 24 and 22, a second distributing and combining device 30 having fourth, fifth and sixth elements 31, 34 and 32, and speed-changing devices 40, 50, 2, 61 and 62 which are connected to the third and sixth elements 22 and 32 and are capable of changing the relationship between the rotational speed of the third element and that of the sixth element 32. The second and fourth elements 24 and 31 are mechanically connected to an output shaft 3a of the prime mover 3, and the first and fifth elements 21 and 34 are mechanically connected to the driven parts DW and DW.
US08226506B2
A continuously variable transmission device with a low shift transmission pulley train includes a unidirectional transmission device installed between the input shaft and output shaft of the continuously variable transmission device. During high load operation, when a rotating speed of the driving pulley of the low shift transmission pulley train is lower than that of the input shaft in the same rotating direction, the rotational kinetic energy of the input shaft is transmitted through the unidirectional transmission device and the low shift transmission pulley train to drive the output shaft and further to drive the load.
US08226500B2
A head 2 is hollow. The head 2 has a face 4, a crown 6 and a sole 8. A rib 20 is provided on the inner surface of the head. Preferably, the rib 20 has a toe side part 20t located on the inner surface of a side 10 of a toe side, a sole disposing part 20s located on the inner surface of the sole 8, and a heel side part 20h located on the side 10 of a heel side. Preferably, the toe side part 20t and the sole disposing part 20s are connected with each other. Preferably, the sole disposing part 20s and the heel side part 20h are connected with each other.
US08226492B2
A slide feature is adapted to carry one or more riders and/or ride vehicles sliding thereon. The slide feature includes a sliding surface having an entry end and an exit end. The sliding surface comprising a wall defined by a portion of a side of a funnel shape, tilted sideways, the wall comprising a top and a bottom. The bottom of the wall comprising a lowermost surface of the sliding surface and is horizontal or descending from the entry end to the exit end. The top of the wall curves upward from the lowermost surface past an angle of 90 degrees to the horizontal. A radius of curvature of the sliding surface tapers from the entry end to the exit end.
US08226489B2
A constant velocity universal joint has high strength and capable of suppressing deformation caused by quenching at an opening end portion of a track groove of an outer joint member. In an undercut-free constant velocity universal joint in which a track groove in a cup portion of the outer joint member has a hardened layer formed by induction quenching, an opening end surface is protruded by a protruding amount t in an axial direction from a groove bottom of the track groove in a relief surface. The protruding amount t satisfies a relation of t=0.037d to 0.185d when a diameter of a torque transmission ball is represented by d. The opening end surface in a protruded portion and an outer surface of the cup portion continuous to the opening end surface have an unhardened layer free from hardening by quenching.
US08226487B2
Systems and methods to generate proxies for players in a game are described. In some embodiments, a method accesses social network information associated with a player of a game. The player controls a first player character in the game where the first player character has certain attributes. The method further accesses profile information associated with a friend of the player. The friend of the player controls a second player character in the game. A proxy based on the second player character is created and includes multiple proxy attributes based on the profile information associated with the friend of the player. The proxy is associated with the first player character. A game event outcome associated with the first player character is determined based on the first player character attributes and at least one proxy attribute.
US08226483B2
A method for controlling a video game is provided. The method includes causing a control unit, which controls the vide game, to recognize first coordinate data indicating a first display position of a first object on the image display unit, causing the control unit to display the first object on the image display unit on the basis of the coordinate data, causing the control unit to recognize an indication position where a player contacts on the image display unit, causing the control unit to set a region for the player to select the first object, the region having a prescribed area, and causing the control unit to recognize whether or not the first object is selected by the player, on the basis of a positional relationship between the first object and the region
US08226481B2
A game apparatus performs game processing on the basis of operation data output from a first input device including a first acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor and a second input device including a second acceleration sensor. The game apparatus calculates an orientation of an object within a game space on the basis of a first acceleration and a second acceleration, and causes the object to make a predetermined motion on the basis of the angular velocity data.
US08226476B2
A multi-player, multi-screens, electronic gaming platform and system is disclosed, having a game board having a main display screen for displaying a portion of the game layout that is shared by the plurality of players, and a plurality of personal game terminals, each personal game terminal assigned to a respective player and having an auxiliary display screen for displaying a portion of the game layout that is associated with the respective player. Communication between the main display and the terminals, and among terminals directly is enabled. Also enabled is seamless transfer of objects between the display screens as triggered by a game step or interactive inputs. Coded rules associated with the transferred objects can indicate where on the screen the digitized game object should appear, at what size should it be displayed, special animation or audio that should accompany the transfer of the digitized game object, etc.
US08226473B2
A method of preparing memory contents of a gaming machine for subsequent authentication and a method of authenticating the prepared memory contents are disclosed. A first memory stores a game data set and a first authentication code generated from the game data set. The game data set includes game data files and second authentication codes generated from the respective data files. A second memory stores an authentication program for authenticating the first memory's contents, as well as a third authentication code generated from the second memory's contents. To authenticate the memory contents, the second memory's contents are first authenticated and, if deemed authentic, the game data set as a whole and each data file in the first memory are authenticated. The authentication process involves generating fresh authentication codes using the authentication program and comparing the fresh codes with appropriate ones of the stored authentication codes.
US08226464B2
A gaming apparatus comprises a movable symbol selector and a reference object. The symbol selector has a plurality of presentation portions. Each portion is associated with one or more symbols of a first set of symbols. The reference object comprises a plurality of parts over which the selector can be moved. Each part is associated with one or more symbols of a second set of symbols. When the symbol selector moves relative to the reference object at least one relationship is formed between at least one of the selector portions and at least one of the reference object parts. The at least one relationship is for use in determining a game outcome.
US08226456B2
A power tool packing apparatus provides a packing force to form a compact coupling between an application tool and an output shaft of a power tool. The packing apparatus comprises a pressing disk, a crank set, a movable wheel and a plurality of steel balls. The movable wheel and the pressing disk form a space between them to hold the steel balls. The crank set has a plurality of pins butting the steel balls. The pressing disk has a force applying surface butted by the steel balls in regular conditions so that the pressing disk provides a packing force butted outward in the regular conditions. The movable wheel has retraction notches. When the movable wheel is turned, the steel balls slide into the retraction notches to provide the pressing disk an inward retraction space, thereby the packing force is released and the application tool can be disassembled quickly.
US08226452B2
A nursing undergarment is constructed with an outer bodice and an inner bodice, wherein the outer bodice is adapted for pulling up to uncover the inner bodice. The inner bodice has breast-feeding openings located for nursing and infant while wearing the inner bodice. The outer bodice provides breast cups. The outer bodice provides a bra-like support. The inner bodice is stretchable and provides a bra-like support.
US08226447B2
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) module unit including a storage battery; a unit case to contain the storage battery; a conductive terminal electrically connected to the storage battery, and disposed in the unit case; and an electrode connector partly inserted from the unit case into a hole formed in the conductive terminal, and electrically connecting the conductive terminal to an external device, wherein a slot is formed in the unit case so as to correspond to the conductive terminal and the electrode connector, wherein rotation of the electrode connector is prevented and the electrode connector is not separated from the unit case.
US08226443B2
An interconnect detection system comprises a first connector member having a set of laterally spaced-apart contacts for communicatively engaging a corresponding set of contacts of a second connector member, at least two of the contacts of the first connector member offset a predetermined distance in a non-lateral direction away from at least two respective contacts of the second connector member. The system also comprises an indicator configured to provide an indication of contact between the at least two offset contacts of the first connector member with respective contacts of the second connector member to verify a valid interconnect between the first and second connector members.
US08226438B2
A midplane has a first side to which contact ends of a first differential connector are connected and a second side opposite the first side to which contact ends of a second differential connector are connected. The midplane includes a plurality of vias extending from the first side to the second side, with the vias providing first signal launches on the first side and second signal launches on the second side. The first signal launches are provided in a plurality of rows, with each row having first signal launches along a first line and first signal launches along a second line substantially parallel to the first line. The second signal launches are provided in a plurality of columns, with each column having second signal launches along a third line and second signal launches along a fourth line substantially parallel to the third line.
US08226435B2
A coaxial cable connector includes an outer body having a first end and an opposing second end, an inner body having a first inner end and a second inner end, and a post interconnected with the inner body. A fastener portion is at the first end of the outer body. A compression sleeve is disposed to fit on the second inner end. The post, the inner body, and the compression sleeve are movable with respect to the outer body between a first position in which the connector is not mounted to an equipment port and a second position when the connector is mounted to the equipment port. When the fastener portion is mounted to the equipment port, an indicator portion on the compression sleeve is made visible to a user.
US08226434B2
A lamp socket includes a socket body, a flange and a plurality of support members. The flange is connected to the socket body and protrudes from the socket body horizontally. The plurality of support members are connected to the socket body. At least one engaging groove including at least two engaging widths is formed between the plurality of the support members and the flange, so as to secure the socket body to a bezel.
US08226430B2
A connecting strip (1) for telecommunications and mid-range communications technology includes a housing (2) and at least two contact elements (11). The contact element (11) includes a first contact (12) for the connection of wires or cables and a second contact (13) for contacting a printed circuit board. The second contact (13) takes the form of a press-fit pin contact or a tuning-fork contact. The first contact (12) is aligned towards the upper side (3) of the housing (2) and the second contact (13) is aligned towards the underside (4) of the housing (2). The first contacts (12) are arranged laterally offset from the longitudinal axis (L) of the housing (2).
US08226416B2
The present invention is a method and apparatus for reading education. In one embodiment, a method for recognizing an utterance spoken by a reader, includes receiving text to be read by the reader, generating a grammar for speech recognition, in accordance with the text, receiving the utterance, interpreting the utterance in accordance with the grammar, and outputting feedback indicative of reader performance.
US08226414B2
A method and computer usable program product for generating meal plans based on a set of nutritional policies. The process determines nutritional requirements specified by a set of nutritional policies in response to receiving a request for a set of meal plans for a set of users. The set of nutritional policies correspond to the set of users. The process identifies a set of potential meal plans in response to determining the nutritional requirements specified by the set of nutritional policies. Each potential meal plan in the set of potential meal plans satisfies all nutritional requirements for the set of nutritional policies. The process generates a listing of ingredients required by the selected meal plan that is unavailable in a current inventory in an amount required by the selected meal plan, in response to receiving a selection of a potential meal plan to form a selected meal plan.
US08226404B2
An undercut processing mechanism can facilitate punching-out of undercut portions having various shapes spreading in the circumferential direction on the inside of a molded article. Split cores (61) that form an undercut molding core (60) are supported one by one at the leading end of slide members (50) disposed radially to face the center axis of an undercut portion (P3). Each slide member (50) is housed in a holder (40) so as to be slidable between a molding position where the split cores (61) are mutually disposed in the entire circumferential direction and a demolding position where the split cores (61) are mutually reduced in diameter. The holder (40) is provided with a guide member (46) for guiding each slide member (50) to move simultaneously in the punching-out direction parallel to the center axis of the undercut portion (P3) and in the direction escaping from the undercut portion (P3) toward the center axis of the undercut portion (P3), respectively, along an inclination direction from the molding position toward the demolding position.
US08226403B2
A method and a moulding plant for manufacturing a storage container for storage of nuclear radiation material, the container having an inner container part of a first thermoplastic material, an intermediate container part of radiation inhibiting material on the outside of the inner container part, and an outer container part of a second thermoplastic material moulded onto the outside of intermediate container part. First, second, third and fourth locations are present along a circular path. First, second and third sets of outer mould means are provided at said second, third and fourth locations, respectively, for enabling injection moulding of said inner container part, said intermediate container part and said outer container part, respectively, thereat and at least one mould core or a plurality of mutually spaced mould cores being movable by means of a rotary turntable to successively move from the first location to the second location, then from the second location to the third location, then from the third location to the fourth location, and then from the fourth location back to the first location.
US08226398B2
The present invention provides an apparatus for inflation extrusion molding of pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, including: one or a plurality of extruders; a die into which one or a plurality of resin materials are respectively introduced and which extrudes from an ejection opening the resin materials into an inflated cylindrical shape having a predetermined diameter in accordance with an inflation method; and two stabilizers facing each other at a predetermined angle so as to upwardly approach each other, and defining a space therebetween through which the cylindrically-shaped resin materials extruded from the die are passed to be deformed into a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet in a flattened elliptical shape having a predetermined width, in which the stabilizers each have a plurality of air floating portions each of which blows air toward the resin materials; and the stabilizers rotate in one direction around the central axis of the cylindrically-shaped resin materials.
US08226395B2
A conveyor or other transport mechanism is provided to support multiple, sequential builds from a three-dimensional fabrication machine. The conveyor may be heated/cooled, coated, or otherwise treated to assist in adhesion during a build, as well as removal of objects after a build. Each fabricated object may be automatically removed from the conveyor as the conveyor moves in order to restore a buildable surface for fabrication of additional objects.
US08226391B2
A micro-extrusion printhead assembly utilized in a micro-extrusion system to form parallel extruded gridlines of material on a substrate includes a nozzle having a tapered (e.g., triangular or trapezoidal) cross-section arranged such that a lower surface of each gridline is substantially wider than its upper edge, and such that side surfaces of the extruded gridlines reflect incident light beams into exposed surface areas of the substrate, thereby minimizing the effective shadowed surface area under the gridline. In one embodiment, the fluidic channels of each nozzle are fabricated by cutting or etching progressively wider channels into a series of rigid layers, and then stacking the rigid layers to form a layered nozzle structure. In another embodiment, a single layer is processed to include a tapered cross-section having the desired triangular or trapezoidal cross-section.
US08226390B2
Method and device for sealing an insert in a molded part to avoid the escape of flash, the device includes an upper mold and a lower mold halves that mate together to define a cavity configured to receive the insert. A compressible material is coupled to the lower mold half to facilitate engagement of the inserted workpiece. The lower mold half has a slide, operated by a cam pin in the upper mold half when the upper and lower mold halves mate together. The upper mold half includes an upper plunger having first and second surfaces and a spring is coupled to the mating surface of the upper mold half. The spring compresses the compressible material and engages the inserted workpiece to form a flash barrier along the molding chamber.
US08226388B2
In an oil-cooled screw compressor comprising, a compressor body including a pair of a male rotor and a female rotor, a motor including a stator and a motor rotor connected to one of the male and female rotors, and an oil separator container for gathering the oil from a mixture of the gaseous manner and oil to restrain the oil from proceeding with the compressed gaseous matter after the mixture of the gaseous manner and oil is discharged from the pair of male and female rotors, a rotational axis of the motor rotor and the rotational axis of the one of the male and female rotors are coaxial with respect to each other.
US08226386B2
Once the production route by the tubing has been selected, the stem travels through the inside of a guide whose upper end has a diameter adjusted to that of a rod which develops, increasing until it is connected to a barrel. The upper part of a anchor is arranged in the lower part of the barrel. The lower part of the anchor is connected to a nipple fixed to a transfer box. The fluid passage from an admission valve to the barrel in the upward stroke and the emptying of the barrel in the downward stroke is linked at least with a connector disposed between a basket and the transfer box. The basket houses the ball and the seat of at least one production valve arranged together with at least one connector in a carrier body retained between the transfer box on the top and a cage at the bottom and fitted to a conduit. The admission valve is housed inside the cage and it is provided with a ball that releases or obstructs the fluid passage. Such passage provides a seating seal of the ball linked to a connector body that tightens the admission valve which provides a threaded torque in its lower end. A relief valve is housed in the piston cage and its opening releases the excess of pressure generated between the lower end of the guide and the upper end of the piston and towards the inside of this one.
US08226377B2
When a press jig is inserted into a jig insertion hole, an O-ring attached to the outer peripheral surface of the press jig is prevented from being caught on an air supply port opening to the inner peripheral surface of the jig insertion hole and damaged. In a sealing pump-up device 10, the opening diameter of an air supply port 58 opening to the inner peripheral surface of a jig insertion hole 44 provided at one end of an air supply path 60 is set smaller than the strand diameters of an O-ring 72 and an O-ring 96. Consequently, the width at the edge of the air supply ports 58 on which the O-rings 72, 96 may possibly be caught can be made sufficiently smaller than the strand diameter of the O-rings 72, 96. When the O-rings 72, 96 pass on the inner peripheral side of the air supply ports 58 in a state of press contact with the inner peripheral surface of the jig insertion hole 44, the amount by which the O-rings 72, 96 are deformed (restored) in order to swell to the outer peripheral side so that a portion thereof fits into the air supply ports 58, can be reduced sufficiently.
US08226375B2
Wind powers a rotor causing a shaft to rotate, thereby transmitting power to one or more pumps to pump colder sub-surface water from the depths, one or more flywheels to provide gyroscopic stability to the entire platform; and to a propeller to help the wind powered sea pump remain in a stationary position. A hull provides a sump for a single hose connector to feed water to the pumps from a pickup hose of desired diameter to a desired depth. The force of the wind powers the sea pump to transport colder water from a lower depth to the sea surface. A sea anchor provides a pivot point to keep the wind powered sea pump oriented directly into the wind and a weather vane helps with the wind orientation as well as providing space for use as an advertising bill board.
US08226370B2
An exemplary hydraulic system includes a first digital valve fluidly connectable to a first hydraulic load and a pump. The first valve is operable to fluidly connect the first hydraulic load to the pump. A second digital valve is fluidly connectable to a second hydraulic load and the pump. The second valve is operable to fluidly connect the second hydraulic load to the pump. The system includes a first sensor for detecting a pump discharge pressure and a second sensor for detecting an inlet pressure of the first hydraulic load. A controller is configured to determine a time delay based on the pump discharge pressure and the first hydraulic load inlet pressure and to send a control signal instructing the second valve to commence opening at a time substantially equal to the time delay after commencing closing the first valve.
US08226368B2
Airfoils are provided for a wind turbine blade that is associated with a wind turbine hub. Each airfoil includes a blunt trailing edge, a substantially oval shaped suction side, and a substantially S-shaped pressure side. The airfoils decrease in cross-sectional area along the turbine blade in a direction extending away from the wind turbine hub.
US08226357B2
A turbomachine including a variable-pitch stator vane stage is disclosed. A control ring that is coaxial around the casing includes two segments that are assembled together by side connection straps fastened on either side of the segments with mutual insetting and in the vicinity of the ends of the segments.
US08226348B2
The invention refers to the field of wind power engineering, particularly to the vertical axis rotor-type wind turbines, which can be used for drive of electric generators or other using equipment of mechanical energy. The rotor-type wind turbine contains a central vertical shaft, mounted in a hollow elongated supporting column, and rotor structure, comprising two lattice-type blocks with power elements—the lattice-type stacks of aerodynamic blades. Each of the lattice-type blocks is carried by two corresponding lattice-type arms. When using the wind turbine two-block structure, the blocks are positioned by 180° to each other. The end parts of the aerodynamic lattice-type blades in blade blocks are fastened in relevant upper and lower shroud flanges. Each blade block forms the lattice and inter-blade channels so that the efficiency of utilization of the energy of the wind blowing along the inter-blade channels is determined as the sum of thermodynamic component and kinetic component of the factor of utilization kinetic energy of wind. Moreover, the design of vertical-axis wind turbine provided with lattice-type blade blocks and inter-blade channels ensure the rotation of the rotor under the impact of air flux even at low wind velocities.
US08226343B2
Apparatus and methods for loading, transporting and dumping a plurality of containers on a vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes a frame pivotally attachable a vehicle bed, an upper container engaging means and a lower container engaging means, both coupled to the frame. The upper container engaging means is moveable between a first height and a second height, the first height and the second height differing by greater than at least the height of a container. The lower container engaging means may be stowed and deployed. The upper container engaging means is moveable to the first height for loading a first container when the lower container engaging means is stowed. The lower container engaging means is deployed at the first height for loading the second container when the upper container engaging means is at the second height. The first container and second container may thereby be sequentially loaded and simultaneously transported on the vehicle.
US08226337B2
It is an object of the invention to provide a tap holder in which even when an error is brought about in synchronizing spindle feeding and rotation of a tapper body and a tap collet of a tap holder in correspondence with a machine tool spindle, the synchronization can be established by absorbing the error by a simple constitution. As means therefor, the tap holder is characterized in that a tapper body and a tap collet are inserted by a locking member at portions of the tapper body and the tap collet overlapping each other, and the tap collet is fixed to the tapper body by engaging the locking member with at least one of the tap collet and the tapper body in a state of being interposed with an elastic member on both sides thereof in an axial direction X.
US08226318B1
A cosmetic dispenser, comprising: an integral thermoplastic container body, comprising an integral wall, a molded thermoplastic neck, adapted for engaging a cap, and an inner support extending therefrom; and an overmolded thermoplastic elastomer applicator, adhered outside the inner support, wherein an aperture communicates from the container body, through the neck and inner support, and through the elastomeric applicator. The neck and inner support are preferably formed by compression molding a tube, or by injection molding integral with the body.
US08226310B2
An apparatus including: a plurality of keys each having an in-use configuration and a stowed configuration, wherein a key when in the in-use configuration is configured to travel between a first relatively raised position and a second relatively lowered position under a user applied force and is configured to return to the first relatively raised position after removal of the user applied force and wherein a key when in the stowed configuration is unable to travel to the first relatively raised position.
US08226300B2
A tapered roller bearing is capable of suppressing the occurrence of fretting without shortening its fatigue life. The tapered roller bearing includes an outer race, an inner race, a plurality of taper rollers interposed between the outer race and the inner race, and a retainer for retaining the tapered rollers. The tapered roller bearing is used in an idler portion of an automobile transmission, which is interchanged between an idle state in which the outer race idles with respect to the inner race and a shift state in which the outer race and the inner race are rotated synchronously with each other. A ratio of α/β≧4.9 is established on a premise that an outer-race raceway surface angle is 2α and a roller angle is β.
US08226298B2
This sealing device has an annular metal core portion and an annular elastic portion. The elastic portion has a thick portion and a thin portion which extends from the thick portion in an axial direction of the elastic portion and has a thinner thickness in a radial direction than the thick portion. A fixed lip is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the thick portion, and a sliding lip is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the thin portion.
US08226297B2
An outer race for a rocker bearing includes an internal sliding layer and an external support layer, wherein the sliding layer and the bearing layer are formed from a wound composite fiber material. The outer race is identified by exactly one parting line. A rocker bearing with such an outer race and a method for its production is also provided, in which a sliding layer and a support layer of synthetic resin impregnated fibers are wound in succession onto a winding mandrel, and outer races are formed after setting on the winding body thus produced. The sliding layer and the support layer are wound onto a cylindrical winding mandrel, and the outer race is provided with exactly one parting line opening it, and sliding layer material on its inside is removed to such an extent that a partially spherical contour is obtained for receiving a complementary inner race.
US08226288B2
A backlight module includes a housing, at least a light-mixing tube, a plurality of light emitting devices, and at least a reflector. The housing includes a bottom sheet and a frame, in which the bottom sheet and the frame define a chamber. The frame is a hollow structure, and inner walls of the frame define the light-mixing tube. The light emitting devices are disposed at a light entrance of the light-mixing tube. Lights generated by the light emitting devices enter the light-mixing tube from the light entrance, mix in the light-mixing tube, and emit from a light exit of the light-mixing tube. Lights emit from the light-mixing tube are reflected at the reflector and therefore are reflected into the chamber.
US08226285B2
A vehicle headlamp apparatus is provided. The vehicle headlamp apparatus includes a low beam lamp unit which forms a low beam distribution pattern having a cutoff line along an upper edge thereof, and an additional lamp unit which forms an additional light distribution pattern including an area above the cutoff line of the low beam distribution pattern. The additional lamp unit is configured such that a luminous intensity of at least a portion of the additional light distribution pattern increases toward a horizontal line from above.
US08226284B2
An electric charge receptacle for a vehicle configured to be used with an electric plug includes a housing, a plurality of prongs, and a light source. The plurality of prongs are disposed within the housing, and are configured to mate with the electric plug. The light source is disposed within the housing.
US08226276B2
An LED module comprises an LED chip mounted on a substrate, a lens, and a metal holder mechanically holding the lens and being soldered on the substrate. The holder can be designed such that it holds the lens such that there is an air gap between the light exit surface of the LED chip and the bottom face of the lens.
US08226264B1
A solid state lighting device includes a first group of semiconductor light emitting devices that produces a yellowish white light, a second group of semiconductor light emitting devices that includes at least one light emitting device that produces a reddish orange light, and a third group of semiconductor light emitting devices that includes at least one wavelength down-converted white light device. A combination of the second and third groups produces a sub-mixture of reddish warm white light. A combination of the first, second and third groups produces a mixture of warm white light with a correlated color temperature between 2700k to 3500K and a color rendering index higher than 85.
US08226260B2
A lighting fixture for deterring predation has a case containing a battery and one or more sources of illumination. A controller acts to cause intermittent flashing of the sources of illumination because the apparent motion deters predators. The case may have a bracket adapted for attachment to a post.
US08226257B2
A backlight unit and a liquid crystal display including the same are provided. The backlight unit includes a circuit board, at least one internal interconnection formed on the circuit board, and a plurality of light emitting devices mounted to be connected with the at least one internal interconnection on the circuit board, each of the plurality of light emitting devices including at least one light emitting chip and at least one driving chip.
US08226251B1
An eyecup and optical filter appliance is disclosed and claimed. The appliance can be attached to a vision aid device such as an active or passive night vision device, a telescopic sight for a weapon, or the like. The appliance includes a tubular body, an optical filter mounted within a tubular body end cap, and means for mounting the appliance to the vision-aid device. The tubular body includes a main body and an eyecup sized and shaped to mold closely to that portion of the users face surrounding his eye, so that light is not reflected from the user toward his opponent.
US08226241B2
An image projector having one or more broadband lasers designed to reduce the appearance of speckle in the projected image via wavelength diversification. In one embodiment, a broadband laser has an active optical element and a nonlinear optical element, both located inside a laser cavity. The broadband laser generates an output spectrum characterized by a spectral spread of about 10 nm and having a plurality of spectral lines corresponding to different spatial modes of the cavity. Different individual spectral lines effectively produce independent speckle configurations, which become intensity-superimposed in the projected image, thereby causing a corresponding speckle-contrast reduction.
US08226228B2
Cooling and heating eyeglasses have peltier chips mounted around at least a portion of the perimeter of the lenses that provides a cooling affect that reduces eyestrain and provides cooling relief to the user. A battery pack provides the electrical energy needed to energize the peltier chips. The battery pack is connected to a neck strap that allows the user to comfortably support the batteries. In another embodiment, a plurality of smaller batteries are used and disposed within the frame eliminating the need for an external battery pack. In another embodiment, side shields are also provide with peltier chips to further control the temperature especially around the user's eyes. Because the peltier can also provide heating, a user can also select heating if preferred. The cooling and heating glasses can be used for prevention and treatment of several eye diseases and oculopathies.
US08226227B2
Glasses of present invention includes a frame portion which includes an opening through which an image displayed on a displaying device is viewed with bilateral eyes, a temple portion configured to be capable of being opened and closed against the frame portion and which includes spring material capable of being inelastically deformed, a movable portion arranged at one of the temple portion and the frame portion and which contacts to the other of the temple portion and the frame portion when the temple portion is opened to the maximum while the contacting position is movable, and a contacting portion which is arranged at the other of the temple portion and the frame portion and which contacts to the movable portion when the temple portion is opened to the maximum and varies the maximum open amount of the temple portion corresponding to movement of the movable portion.
US08226211B2
A plurality of pressure chambers are arranged in two arrays in a direction intersecting an extending direction of a common liquid chamber. First pressure chambers of one array and second pressure chambers of the other array are disposed in a staggered arrangement. First and second connecting channels extend, in the intersection direction, from the first and second pressure chambers through areas located between the second and first pressure chambers up to areas outside the common liquid chamber to make communication with the common liquid chamber, respectively. The first and second connecting channels are arranged alternately in relation to the extending direction. Accordingly, both of the insurance of the length of the connecting channel and the small sizing of a head are satisfied.
US08226206B2
An image recording apparatus including: a reciprocable carriage on which a recording head is mounted; driven portions; a first and a second drive source which generate drive power; and a drive-power transmitting system which transmits the drive power to the driven portions, wherein the system includes: a shaft; a first and a second switching gear supported by the shaft so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and respectively driven to be rotated by the drive power of the first and the second drive source; transmission gears each of which is meshable with at least one of the first and the second switching gear, and transmits the drive power of one of the first and the second power source to a corresponding one or ones of the driven portions; and a switching-gear positioning mechanism which positions a set of the first and the second switching gear, depending upon a position of the carriage, at a selected one of specific positions.
US08226205B2
A wiping apparatus for a print head for wiping a head surface of the print head by rubbing the same with a blade is provided that includes a wiping box having a top open area; a blade support having the blade fastened thereto and disposed in an upper part of the wiping box so as to be rotatable between a wiping position at which a tip of the blade points upwards and a storage position at which the tip of the blade points downwards; leakproof plates fastened to the blade support for closing the top open area of the wiping box while the blade is in a state of the storage position; and a cleaning liquid nozzle disposed in the wiping box so that it is directed towards the blade in the storage position.
US08226199B2
A jet break-off length measurement apparatus for a continuous liquid drop emission system is provided. The jet break-off length measurement apparatus comprises a liquid drop emitter containing a positively pressurized liquid in flow communication with at least one nozzle for emitting a continuous stream of liquid. Heater resistor apparatus is adapted to transfer pulses of thermal energy to the liquid in flow communication with the at least one nozzle sufficient to cause the break-off of the at least one continuous stream of liquid into a stream of drops of predetermined volumes. A sensing apparatus adapted to detect the stream of drops of predetermined volumes is provided. A control apparatus is adapted to determine a characteristic of the stream of drops of predetermined volumes that is related to the break-off length. Further apparatus is adapted to inductively charge at least one drop and to cause electric field deflection of charged drops. Jet stimulation apparatus comprising a plurality of transducers corresponding to the plurality of nozzles and adapted to transfer pulses of energy to the liquid sufficient to cause the break-off of the plurality of continuous streams of liquid into a plurality of streams of drops of predetermined volumes is also disclosed. Methods of measuring the jet break-off length using phase sensitive amplification circuitry are disclosed.
US08226197B2
The inkjet recording apparatus includes: an image formation drum which is rotatable in a prescribed rotational direction and includes a front supporting body and a rear supporting body, outer circumferential surfaces of the front and rear supporting bodies constituting a medium supporting surface on which a recording medium is held, the front supporting body having a leading end holding device capable of holding a leading end portion of the recording medium by gripping, the rear supporting body having a trailing end holding device capable of holding a trailing end portion of the recording medium by suction, the front and rear supporting bodies mutually engaging in a circumferential direction of the image formation drum in a state where a length of the medium supporting surface in the circumferential direction is adjustable in accordance with a length of the recording medium in the circumferential direction; an ink ejection device which is disposed at a position opposing an outer circumferential surface of the image formation drum, and which ejects droplets of ink toward the recording medium rotationally conveyed by the image formation drum; and a guide member which is disposed on an upstream side of the ink ejection device in terms of the rotational direction of the image formation drum, and which causes the trailing end portion of the recording medium, the leading end portion of which is gripped by the leading end holding device, to tightly adhere to the outer circumferential surface of the image formation drum.
US08226193B2
There is provided a liquid droplet jetting apparatus which jets liquid droplets on to an object, including a transporting mechanism which transports the object along a transporting path extended in a predetermined transporting direction, two heads, each having a plurality of nozzles arranged in a row along a direction intersecting the transporting direction, which jet liquid droplets from the plurality of nozzles while maintaining relative positions of the two heads, and a head relative-position changer which switches the relative positions of the two heads to a predetermined first relative position, and a second relative position which is different from the first relative position in the direction intersecting.
US08226189B2
A liquid jetting apparatus includes a head having a nozzle which jets a liquid; a drive mechanism which reciprocately moves the head in a vertical direction to move the nozzle in the vertical direction; a nozzle protective member which is arranged in a moving area for the head and which protects the nozzle of the head; a controller which controls the drive mechanism to stop the head at a standby position which faces the nozzle protective member; a liquid container which contains the liquid; and a liquid tube which supplies the liquid to the head, and the liquid container is arranged such that, when the liquid container is filled with the liquid at a maximum capacity thereof, a liquid level of the liquid in the liquid container is same as or lower than a lowermost point of the nozzle in the head stopped at the standby position.
US08226186B2
An inkjet recording method including recording an image by applying an ink containing a pigment to a recording medium, and fixing an image region by pressure-contacting a pressure-bonding unit against the image region when the tackiness of the image region as measured by a ball tack test method reaches 20 mm or greater.
US08226179B2
A housing comprises a first outer shell, a second outer shell; and a hook configuration configured for assembling the first outer shell on the second outer shell. The hook configuration comprises two clasp units set in the first outer shell. Each of the two clasp units comprises a first clasp body and a first magnet. Two hook units are set in the second outer shell. Each of the two hook units comprises a first hook and a second magnet.
US08226178B2
A built-in refrigerator having a housing formed with a front dispenser opening therein, the refrigerator including a frame member for surrounding an opening in a decor plate covering at least a portion of a front side of the housing and disposed in front of the dispenser opening, wherein the frame member is formed as a cover piece overlapping the edges of the opening, and an inner sleeve arranged between the cover piece and the front side of the housing.
US08226159B2
Vehicle body provided with a metallic supporting structure having a plurality of rods, mutually fastened so as to form a three-dimensional rigid frame. The vehicle body further having a plurality of inflatable elements, filled with air or other gas. The vehicle body is fastened to the supporting structure and forms panels between the rods of the supporting structure. The inflatable elements are formed by a pair of walls made of composite plastic material, welded together along their perimeter so as to form an airtight body. The inflatable elements are inflated by means of injection of a set amount of air or other gas therein.
US08226155B2
Disclosed are work machine vehicles having an adjustable seatbar assembly in the operator protective structure. The adjustable seatbar assembly is suspended from a seat in the operator protective structure. Vehicle controls are integrated with the adjustable seatbar assembly such that the vehicle controls and the operator sitting on the seat are maintained at constant relative positions with respect to each other even as the work machine vehicle moves over rough terrain and the seat moves up and down on a seat suspension.
US08226153B2
An air guide device, especially an extendable and retractable rear spoiler on a motor vehicle, with an adjustable air guide element and at least one, also adjustable, flow element designed as an underflow guard. The flow element is designed as a component separate from the air guide element and is connected to it by an adjusting mechanism.
US08226148B2
In the case of a sun screen, in particular for a motor vehicle, the sunscreen includes, but is not limited to a sunlight shading body, which at least partly has a transparent or lucent material and a fixing body for fixing the sun screen, in particular to the motor vehicle, e.g., to a roof area of an auto body of the motor vehicle, the range of vision of the driver or of the front-seat passenger is substantially not to be limited by the sun screen on the one hand and the edge of the sunlight shading body is not to represent a risk of injury to the driver and front-seat passenger, on the other hand.
US08226147B2
A linear latch interconnecting a pivoting seatback with a frame location of a vehicle interior. The latch includes a bracket secured to a surface of the frame. An elongated gear rack exhibits upper and lower ratchet defining surfaces and is supported in linearly displaceable fashion to the bracket, a forward extending end of the gear rack connecting to the seatback such that the gear rack is biased in a first lineal direction relative to the bracket. A pair of locking members are pivotally secured to the bracket and are biased in first directions to engage selected teeth associated with the upper and lower ratchet defining surfaces of the gear rack. The locking members are concurrently pivoted out of contact with the gear rack to permit readjustment of the seatback in a second counter-biasing direction, following which they re-engage additional selected teeth associated with gear rack surfaces.
US08226142B2
A workpiece gripping integrity device and method are provided having a charge-transfer sensing device configured to detect a change in charge associated with a gripper arm assembly based on a grip condition thereof. The charge-transfer sensing device can be configured to detect a change in capacitance between the gripper arm assembly and ground, wherein the change in capacitance is based on a grip condition of the gripper arm assembly associated with a plurality of grippers contacting the workpiece.
US08226139B2
A lifting clamp for a workpiece such as plate material, comprising a bearing part and a clamping arm which is rotatably connected to the bearing part above said bearing part and at one end is provided with a clamping face for the purpose of clamping a part of the workpiece between the bearing part and the clamping face, and at the other end of the clamping arm is provided with a lifting eye, the bearing part comprising at least one magnet.
US08226130B2
The present invention relates to a latching device for a slide rod system incorporated into a door. The latching device includes a keeper plate engaged to the slide rod, a positioning bracket engaged to a door, and a roller bracket having a roller adapted for engagement to the positioning bracket and the keeper plate. The slide rod and keeper plate are adapted for positioning within a slide channel. The roller bracket is adapted for engagement to a doorframe channel. The positioning bracket includes a slot which receives the roller whereupon the keeper plate is at least partially manipulated vertically to maneuver the keeper to the rear of the roller to accomplish latching of a door.
US08226126B2
A mixing assembly includes a coupler with a temporary seal that is connected to a first container containing mix ingredients. An internally and externally threaded insert is threadedly mated with the internally threaded coupler in an initial position short of breaching the temporary seal. A second container is screwed into the internally threaded insert. Sealing relationships are formed between the coupler and the insert, and between the insert and the received second container. Once the second container is secured to the insert, the coupler is screwed downwardly toward the insert to cause the insert to threadedly advance toward and eventually breach the temporary seal to enable contents of the first container to mix with that of the second container.
US08226109B2
Splitboard boot bindings for backcountry splitboarding. Each of a pair of soft-boot bindings is provided with an integral boot binding lower that conjoins the two halves of a splitboard without the additional weight or height of an adaptor mounting plate, upper binding baseplate or “tray”, and extra fasteners of the prior art. The boot binding lower is formed as a modified sandwich box girder or modified monolithic box girder and provides improved torsional stiffness for splitboard riding. When subjected to a torque applied by the rider, the bottom mediolateral flanges of the box girders are configured to contactingly engage the top face of the splitboard, thereby dynamically coupling the rider's boot sole and the board via a single rigid structure. In a preferred embodiment, the web or “spacer” members are characterized by an aspect ratio or contour height that is varied from heel to toe.
US08226104B2
An energy efficient tricycle has a frame, fork and handlebars connected to hold a front wheel and two rear wheels. A power and transmission assembly means is mounted on the frame to provide power to both rear wheels. A pair of pedals are independently operable and used to provide the torque needed to propel the tricycle. A motorized embodiment is also provided to provide additional power when needed or to completely motorize the tricycle. The pedals are mounted so that they travel in a vertical path. The handlebars, front wheel and both rear wheels are foldable to allow the tricycle to fit within a vehicle. The tricycle has a very low center of gravity. A seat is provided in one embodiment to allow a user to sit and operate using a motor.
US08226100B2
The present disclosure provides an elastomeric bushing assembly that includes a multi-piece inner metal component. The inner metal component is formed from a plurality of stamped components that when assembled form a hollow chamber in the center section of the inner metal component. Flat sections at opposite ends of the center section include folded over tabs which increase the strength of the flat sections.
US08226089B2
A seal assembly includes a tubular member having a longitudinal axis and a tubular member seal profile. A metal seal ring having a proximal base and a distal end has a seal ring seal profile between the proximal base and distal end that contacts the tubular member seal profile. A distal annular recess is in one of the seal profiles, the distal annular recess being spaced axially from the distal end of the seal ring, defining a seal surface between the distal end of the seal ring and the distal annular recess that engages a seal surface of the tubular member seal profile. The contacting portions of the seal surfaces form a metal-to-metal seal area. A proximal annular recess in one of the seal profiles is spaced axially from the distal annular recess, defining a support area axially spaced from the metal-to-metal seal area.
US08226087B2
A card-guided projectile and target game includes a game surface having first and second opposite ends. The game surface extends between the ends. The game surface includes indicia for delineating regions of the surface. At least one projectile, at least one projectile receiver, and at least one playing card includes indicia for in-game card guided play of a beverage drinking game.
US08226085B2
A gaming table, method and device including a plurality of rotors interchangeably operable in a decoupled mode and a coupled mode. The system includes a rotor coupler and a coupler actuator. The system provides an award associated with an indication of a combination of symbols of the rotors.
US08226084B2
A sheet-conveying device designed to feed a sheet fed thereto through a fixing device toward a discharge unit includes first and second conveyance guides facing each other so as to define a sheet conveyance path and each having a conveying member designed to feed the sheet. The first conveyance guide includes a blower opening facing the sheet conveyance path for blowing air onto the sheet conveyance path, an exhaust opening provided on a downstream side in a sheet feeding direction with respect to the blower opening for removing air that has been blown onto the sheet conveyance path and discharging it outside the device.
US08226078B2
A sheet processing apparatus includes a holding portion that holds a booklet, which includes folded sheets, by a pair of holding members, a pressing portion having a first pressing member, which is brought into contact with a spine of a booklet held by the holding portion so as to perform a deforming process to the spine, and a second pressing member having a thickness, in the thickness direction of the booklet, greater than that of the first pressing member, a moving portion that moves the pressing member along the spine, and a controlling portion that changes the first pressing member to the second pressing member, and increases a deformation amount from the spine before the deformation to a pressing position in the pressing direction where the second pressing member presses the spine, when the thickness of the booklet held by the holding portion exceeds a predetermined thickness.
US08226077B2
There is provided a technique in which a retracting operation of a bundle of sheets from a stapler after a staple process can be stably performed irrespective of the number of sheets constituting the bundle of sheets or the transport resistance. When the bundle of sheets subjected to the staple process is moved by a stacker in a direction of retracting from the stapler, an alignment roller is caused to come in contact with the bundle of sheets held by the stacker and to assist the movement of the bundle of sheet.
US08226076B2
When a sheet is loaded to the sheet tray, the position of a trailing edge regulating section is set in response to the size of an insert sheet. Owing to this, the print sheet ejected from the ejection rollers onto the sheet tray falls onto the surface of the insert sheet. Further, when a booklet with an insert sheet placed therein is produced, an insert sheet is supplied to the sheet tray along the second conveying path. The shift amount of the execution position of center folding or the execution position of center stitching with respect to the sheet bundle is calculated in conformity to the finishing form of the booklet containing the insert sheet.
US08226075B2
An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes removable faces for jaws in machine vise which are able to grip a work-piece with great stability, accuracy, and reproducibility. Embodiments include multiple gripping features so the gripping surface easily can be renewed by demounting and reversing a worn face to a new face. Embodiments include the ability to of the claw jaws to be mounted on any fixed or movable vise station to use the entire clamping range of the machine vise. Embodiments are disclosed which are used with round or curved as well as flat work-pieces. Embodiments also include flat surfaced claw jaws which may be used to grip a work-piece for secondary machining to remove indentations from the work-piece.
US08226074B1
A corner clamping apparatus capable of adjustably clamping two joined, mitered corner pieces to form a 90-degree corner with a single clamp. The clamping apparatus includes three rigid L-shaped supports, adjustably mounted relative to one another to accommodate differently sized corner pieces and/or variations in the corner pieces or their mitered edges. Four adjustable clamping feet retained in the rigid L serve to adjust the corner pieces to produce an exact miter joint or seam, and to hold the adjusted corner pieces until they can be more permanently joined.
US08226071B2
A cart and detachable hangers system for transporting copper coils that may include: 1) a cart with a substantially rectangular structure that includes at least two opposing side rails and at least two opposing end rails; 2) a plurality of pockets disposed along a top surface of each of the two opposing side rails; and 3) a plurality of hangers, each of the hangers including two projections that are sized such that each may detachably engage one of the pockets. The hanger and the cart are sized such that the distance between the projections correspond approximately to the distance between the pocket on one upper side rail and the opposing pocket on the other upper side rail.
US08226065B1
Force resistant assemblies and shock absorbing articles prepared therefrom. The force resistant assemblies comprise a combination of square torsion bars held in a housing within a series of elongated elastomeric strips having elastic memory.
US08226061B2
A bracket is disclosed for attaching solar panels to roof structures. The bracket may comprise first, second and third planar portions, the first and third portions generally parallel to each other, and the second planar portion disposed at an oblique angle with respect to first and third portions. The first portion may have a plurality of elongated stiffening members disposed at oblique angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bracket. Gussets may be provided across the transition between the first and second portions, and the transition between the second and third portions. The gussets and stiffening members are shaped, sized and oriented to enhance the strength of the bracket. The bracket may have a drain hole to allow water to pass through the bracket, and a plurality of fastener holes are provided to enable the bracket to attach to a variety of different solar panels and roof structures.
US08226056B2
A support for supporting an object such as audiovisual equipment within a motor vehicle in operable position for viewing by passengers of the motor vehicle. The support may comprise an expansible post comprising spring urged telescoping sections and an adjustable shelf. The shelf may comprise a collar having a setscrew enabling selective positioning of the shelf along the post both along the length and also at a selected angular orientation. A variable length arm may fix the shelf at a selected orientation within a range from vertical to horizontal when the post is vertically mounted within the motor vehicle. The post may have a soft pad for protecting the ceiling surface of the motor vehicle. The spring may be exposed at the bottom end of the post.
US08226039B2
Vibration isolation devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, an unmanned aircraft can include a fuselage having a first fuselage section and a second fuselage section adjacent to and at least approximately longitudinally aligned with the first fuselage section. The aircraft can also include at least one vibration isolation device coupling the first fuselage section to the second fuselage section. The vibration isolation device is translationally stiffer along a longitudinal axis than it is along a lateral and a vertical axis, and rotationally stiffer about a pitch and a yaw axis than it is about a roll axis.
US08226031B2
A rack includes a compartment which has an open face for inserting and removing luggage, a lower face and an end wall opposite the open face. This compartment is mounted such that it can pivot about a fixed pivot axis between an open position in which the open face of the compartment is accessible, and a closed position in which the open face of the compartment is retracted. It also includes a door that is pivot-mounted in such a way that this door impedes access to the open face when the compartment is in the closed position and allows free access to this face when the compartment is open. A connection mechanism connects the door and the compartment of the luggage rack in such a way that the pivoting movement of the compartment causes the door to pivot.
US08226030B2
A weight-on-gear sensor for use on an aircraft with landing skids having a bracket and a displacement sensor attached to the bracket is disclosed. The bracket has a center member connecting a first end member to a second end member. The center member has a centerline and the end members extend from the centerline of the center member. Mounting members extend along the centerline of the center member to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a cross tube. The displacement sensor connects the first end member to the second end member. The displacement sensor is parallel to, and offset from, the centerline of the center member so that when a bending moment is applied to the center member the first displacement sensor is either elongated or shortened.
US08226028B2
An engine unit for an aircraft including a turboprop engine and its device for mounting on to a wing surface. The device includes a rigid structure and a mechanism for fastening the turboprop engine on to this structure. The fastening mechanism includes six mutually independent hydraulic systems, each one exclusively dedicated to the transfer, to the rigid structure, of forces exerted respectively according to one of the six degrees of freedom of movement. Each hydraulic system includes at least one hydraulic jack with a piston attached to one of the two elements, i.e. either the turboprop engine or the rigid structure, together with a cylinder housing the piston and attached to the other of the two elements.
US08226026B2
A single place helicopter comprising a lower airframe and an upper airframe, having a rotor shaft attached thereto, rotor blades, and a hub on said rotor shaft with means to change blade pitch for vertical flight. The upper airframe comprising a rotor system, engine, tail boom and tail rotor tilt as one unit with the pilot forward, rearward and in a lateral attitude for directional flight control by means of a hinged gimbal joint or block fastened between the two airframes. By allowing the pilot to move with the rotor system this configuration combines physical human interface and mechanical airframe manipulation to change the plane of rotation controlling the thrust vector and flight direction of the aircraft.
US08226025B2
A system and method for docking various types of aircraft is disclosed. An aerodynamic lifting structure docking mechanism for docking two or more aircraft is provided comprising an aerodynamic lifting structure. The aerodynamic lifting structure includes a first and second airflow adjustment mechanism. The aerodynamic lifting structure further includes a first hard docking mechanism, and a second hard docking mechanism, and still further includes a soft docking mechanism. The first and second airflow adjustment mechanisms are configured to substantially remove any aerodynamic lifting structure vortices around each of the aerodynamic lifting structure tip areas. The soft docking mechanism is configured to soft dock a first aerodynamic lifting structure with a second aerodynamic lifting structure. The first hard docking mechanism is configured to hard dock with the second hard docking mechanism, thereby temporarily attaching the first aerodynamic lifting structure with the second aerodynamic lifting structure.
US08226014B2
A card-shaped data carrier includes a card body provided with a graphical element displayed thereon. The card body is provided with a plastic material for converting irradiated light into secondary light and for retransmitting the secondary light within the plastic material to the graphical element or to a portion of the graphical element. The card-shaped data carrier has a shaped body which is made of the plastic material for displaying the graphical element and is at least partially arranged in at least one cavity of the card body and/or includes a laterally extended area inside which the shaped body exhibits optical properties different from the properties outside the area.
US08226013B2
According to some embodiments, a method comprises: providing a card sized to fit within a card personalization machine, the card including a surface defining at least a portion of a recess; inserting at least a portion of a sub-card into the recess; providing adhesive between the surface and the sub-card to releasably retain the at least a portion of the sub-card within the recess; and personalizing the sub-card, using the card personalization machine, while the at least a portion of the sub-card is within the recess. According to some embodiments, apparatus comprises: a card defining a recess; a sub-card, at least a portion of the sub-card being inserted into the recess; adhesive to releasably retain the at least a portion of the sub-card within the recess; and a card personalization machine to personalize the sub-card while the at least a portion of the sub-card is within the recess.
US08226010B2
A blur resistant barcode is disclosed. The blur resistant barcode comprise a plurality of parallel lines and spaces where information is encoded in the barcode by variations in the thicknesses of the plurality of parallel lines and by variations in the spacing between the plurality of parallel lines. The blur resistant barcode has at least one blur resistant feature that has a thickness in an axis of motion greater than a maximum thickness of any one of the plurality of parallel lines. The axis of motion is perpendicular to the plurality of parallel lines.
US08226009B2
A scanning apparatus for decoding an encoded symbol character of a symbology includes a laser source operable to emit a beam along an axis and illuminate a target. The target includes an encoded symbol character. A focusing apparatus in optical communication with the laser source focuses the beam on the target at an object distance, and a detector receives light of varying intensities scattered from the encoded symbol character and converts the light into a first signal. A digitizer converts the first signal to a digital bit stream. The scanning apparatus further includes pre-stored information correlating a non-standard symbol pattern to a valid symbol character according to a standard definition of the symbology. The non-standard symbol pattern comprises a first number of elements that deviates from a second number of elements associated with the valid symbol character. A decoder receives the digital bit stream and utilizes the pre-stored information for decoding the signal.
US08226002B2
A conductive fixed static elimination member is provided in a before-magnetic head travel portion which guides a magnetic card to a magnetic card reader unit provided with a magnetic head, such that a protuberance portion thereof protrudes into a card travel groove through an opening formed in one of side walls, and has a conductive cleaning pad affixed to a surface thereof. The magnetic card inserted in the before-magnetic head travel portion is cleaned by the cleaning pad, and if the magnetic card has static electricity, it is possible to eliminate the static electricity by discharging the static electricity to the ground via the cleaning pad having conductivity, the fixed static elimination member, and a magnetic card reader fixing bracket.
US08226001B1
Method for broadcasting a magnetic stripe data packet from an electronic card by measuring a swipe speed of the electronic card past a magnetic reader head during a swipe of the electronic card past the magnetic reader head and then adjusting a broadcast signal containing the magnetic stripe data packet according to the measured swipe speed so that the magnetic stripe data packet in the broadcast signal is read by the magnetic reader head during said swipe. The swipe speed is measured by a speed sensor such as a capacitive sensor having an outer detection point and an inner detection point. The electronic card can contain a false swipe detection means so that the capacitive sensor changes from a sleep mode to an active mode after a wake up sensor (such as a trip switch preferably having two or more conducting pads raised up from a printed circuit board by at least one spacer) is activated during the swipe and the swipe speed is measured by the capacitive sensor while it is in the active mode before the broadcast signal is broadcast during the swipe.
US08225996B2
An electronic device includes: a connection unit for connecting a card accepting device that outputs a card presence signal when the card for using the electronic device has been inserted and ejects the card by at least control with the electronic device; a detection unit that receives the card presence signal and detects that the card has been inserted into the card accepting device; a notification unit that notifies that the card has been inserted into the card accepting device; an operation key; and a control unit for notifying that the card has been inserted into the card accepting device and instructing the card accepting device to eject the card, if it is determined that the detection unit has detected that the card has been inserted into the card accepting device when no operation of the operation key has been accepted within a preset time after a job is completed.
US08225991B2
A system controlled responsive to data bearing records includes a card reader that is operative to read card data from user cards including identifying data, and authorizes operation of an automated banking machine responsive to the identifying data. The banking machine can generate a check in response to user inputs. The banking machine can also present the check to the machine user. The banking machine can present an interface for the user to sign the check. The user's banking account is charged an amount corresponding to the check value. In exchange for the same banking machine receiving the generated check, the user is provided with cash dispensed from the banking machine. The banking machine also allows a user to select having a canceled check image displayed at the machine and/or sent to the user's network address.
US08225990B1
An automated banking machine operates to carry out financial transfers responsive to data read form data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read data from user cards. The card data corresponds to financial accounts. The automated banking machine further includes a cash dispenser. The machine is operative to dispense cash to an authorized user based on identifying data including card data, and to cause a financial transfer from an account corresponding to card data through communication with at least one remote computer. The machine is operative to authorize the installation, use, and/or configuration of automated banking machine software applications and components.
US08225975B2
A load receiver (such as a bucket) has a hook receptor and a handle receptor or handle. The handle or handle receptor is positioned perimetrically opposite the hook receptor. This load receptor may be used with a hip worn belt having a depending hook that is received by the hook receptor and, where there is a handle receptor, with a rod-like handle that is inserted in the handle receptor.
US08225972B2
A luggage rack and passenger seat combination for a motorcycle includes a luggage rack assembly configured to mount to the motorcycle. The luggage rack assembly has a support member operable to support cargo on a support surface thereof, the luggage rack assembly including a first engaging feature and a second engaging feature. A passenger seat assembly includes a movable mounting member and a fixed mounting member. The movable mounting member is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The movable mounting member is engageable with the first engaging feature and the fixed mounting member is engageable with the second engaging feature to removably couple the passenger seat assembly to the luggage rack assembly to support a passenger of the motorcycle.
US08225964B2
Self-locking handheld adhesive dispensers and methods for dispensing an adhesive using a handheld dispenser. The self-locking handheld dispenser includes a valve, a trigger connected to the valve, and a spring-biased trigger lock mechanism used to lock and unlock the trigger. A locking member of the trigger lock mechanism normally has a blocking relationship with the trigger that prevents an incidental force applied to the trigger from opening the valve. The trigger is unlocked by manually moving a locking member of the trigger lock mechanism out of the blocking relationship with the trigger. The trigger is then freed to respond to an applied manual force and open the valve to dispense the adhesive. When the trigger is released, the valve closes and the spring biasing of the trigger lock mechanism automatically returns the locking member to the blocking relationship with the trigger so that the locked state is restored.
US08225957B1
A thermally insulated glass and/or bottle is provided as an insulated glass and/or bottle made from glass with an interstitial space in the sides and bottom. The sides and bottom of the glass are double-walled, forming an interstitial space for insulating purposes. The interstitial space can be left filled with air, or filled with an insulating material such as STYROFOAM®. The interstitial space not only reduces or eliminates condensation from forming on the exterior of the glass when filled with cold liquid on hot, humid days, but it also helps keep the liquid cooler.
US08225954B1
Heat-sealable seal including a support bonded to an inner seal by a temporary adhesive is provided. The inner seal has a pull-tab which is folded back once on the surface of the inner seal in contact with the corresponding surface of the support. The inner seal includes a laminate having a reinforcing layer and a sheet of a conducting material, to the lower surface of which is applied a heat-sealing film. The temporary adhesive is applied to the whole surface of the inner seal once the pull-tab is folded back. The seal is characterized in that the laminate has over its entire thickness a notch from which the pull-tab emerges, and a fold line formed by the pull-tab once the pull-tab is folded back, the fold line having a shorter length than the length of the notch. Methods of producing the seal are also disclosed.
US08225946B2
A shelving system having a support member and a plurality of shelves slidably connected to the support member with a connection mechanism. The connection mechanism including a clamping mechanism moving between locked and unlocked positions, wherein in the locked position the shelf is locked to the support member and in the unlocked position the shelf can be adjusted linearly along and linearly perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the support member. The top of the support member includes a hinged clamp which can attach to a shower head pipe for hanging the shelving system, and the bottom of the support member includes a suction cup for further securing the shelving system to the surface of a wall.
US08225943B2
The circular clarifier cleaning system includes a mainframe to which all various components are attached for the prevention of growth and accumulation of the algae and debris. The components within the system include gravity-driven, horizontal and vertical sweeping chains. The outer trough wall, V-notch weirs, baffle plate wall, and inner baffle plate wall are all cleaned utilizing a rotating chain system device. Two main drag chains are used to clean the effluent trough and the overflow in the overflow wall after the V-notch weirs. An individual chain is utilized as a “garland” to clean to the V-notch weirs at the overflow. The circular clarifier cleaning system is driven by an existing skimmer arm found on all secondary clarifiers.
US08225934B1
A container system foldable into a placemat includes a front panel, a back panel, a center panel, and a border panel. The front, back, and border panels each include an inner edge and an outer edge. The center panel includes three inner edges and an outer edge. The center panel is foldably connected to the front, back, and border panels, such that a first inner edge of the center panel is adjacent to an inner edge of the front panel, a second inner edge of the center panel is adjacent to an inner edge of the back panel, and a third inner edge of the center panel is adjacent to an inner edge of the border panel. An attachment mechanism extends along the outer edges of the center, front, back, and border panels. The attachment mechanism allows closure of the container system to define the substantially enclosed interior space.
US08225928B2
Cases for electronic devices, such as an iPad, are disclosed. The cases include an integrated cleaning component configured to wipe one or more surfaces of an electronic device. In some embodiments, the integrated cleaning component is configured to automatically wipe the surface(s) of the electronic device as it is inserted into or removed from the case. The integrated cleaning component of some embodiments include strips of material configured to engage the surface of the electronic device as it is inserted and/or removed from the case and to wipe or scrub away foreign material. The cleaning component can include various different materials to target primary removal of a particular foreign material (e.g., fingerprints, dirt, dust, oils, etc.). Other embodiments provide integrated storage of the integrated cleaning component, which can easily be removed by a user to wipe the surface(s) of the electronic device.
US08225926B1
A troughing side idler for use with a belt conveyor having upstanding first and second side walls. A first troughing side idler is secured to the first side wall and a second troughing side idler is secured to the second side wall. A horizontally extending medial roller extends between the first and second side walls for cooperation with the side idlers to shape the conveyor belt into a trough. Each of the side idlers includes an idler roller having a shaft which extends upwardly and outwardly through inner and outer bearings which are secured to a bearing bracket housing which is operatively secured to the associated side wall. The upper outer end of the shaft has an annular groove formed therein. A set screw extends through the inner ring of the outer bearing and extends into the annular groove in the shaft. A set screw extends through the inner ring of the inner bearing for frictional engagement with the shaft. A fender washer is secured to the outer end of the shaft.
US08225923B2
In a bottle filling installation, an apparatus for gripping PET bottles when transferring bottles from a spider element to a spider element/ filling element/rinsing element includes a thrust body that opens and closes grippers; a guide, which is vertical in the operational position, that engages the thrust body; a first spring for exerting a force on the body in a lifting and lowering direction; and a roller for moving the thrust body around a control curve.
US08225920B1
Installing of an SAE standard hydraulic clutch master cylinder, with a threaded push-rod, on an automobile firewall and operable by a pivotally mounted pedal/pedal arm assembly has a cylinder bracket with SAE standard cylinder mounting provisions and also provides a pivotal connection axis perpendicular to the cylinder axis for mounting the cylinder to a reinforcing plate which bolts to the firewall. The cylinder bracket pivots on a horizontal axis and is clamped in position with the push-rod extending to connect to the pedal so that it is aligned with the cylinder axis. The push-rod has a stop which limits fluid displacement by the master cylinder.
US08225913B2
Disclosed is a damper for continuously variably adjusting a damping force that includes: a cylinder; a piston rod that is inserted into the cylinder and moves back and forth; a piston valve that is coupled to a bottom portion of the piston rod and moves back and forth in the cylinder according to the movement of the piston rod; a MR fluid that fills the cylinder and moves between a tension space over the piston valve and a compression space below the piston valve; and a volume compensation means that is located in the cylinder and compensates for a volume change of an inner space of the cylinder due to the movement of the piston rod, the volume compensation means including: a floating plunger that is configured to be below the piston valve and capable of moving up and down; a coil spring that is coupled to a bottom surface of the floating plunger and supports the floating plunger; and a support cup that is fixed onto the cylinder, coupled to a bottom portion of the coil spring to support the coil spring, and forms a buffer space, along with the floating plunger, between the support cup and the floating plunger.
US08225906B2
An extendable/retractable ladder assembly includes a first stile and a second stile and a plurality of rungs extending therebetween. Each stile may comprise a plurality of columns disposed in a nested arrangement for relative axial movement in a telescopic fashion. A connector assembly connects the rungs to respective columns in the first and second stiles. The ladder has improved manufacturability since connector assemblies may be assembled before connecting the rungs to respective columns. The standing surface of the rungs may be angled such that it is rotated towards horizontal when the ladder assembly is leaned against a wall. A latch assembly may be used to selectively lock relative axial movement between adjacent columns. The latch assembly includes a locking pin assembly comprised of a central post and an outer metal sleeve. An air damper may also be used to control airflow through the columns.
US08225902B2
In a propulsion unit having a hydrostatic drive, a pair of pedals 14 are clamped to the axle 12 in such a manner as to be comfortably positioned for the feet of the operator. The angular position of each pedal 14 relative to the axle 12 may be adjusted such that the two pedals 14 may have different angular orientations if desired. One pedal 14 may be comfortably positioned for directing forward motion of the vehicle while the other may be more comfortable for reverse motion. Set screws 16 are accessed through holes 14a in pedals 14 from above.
US08225897B1
A motorcycle where the rear wheel of the motorcycle is not only driven but the front wheel is also driven. Power from the motor of the motorcycle is transmitted to a power transmitting joint which includes an output shaft. The power transmitting joint is mounted directly below the steering stem and on the steering axis of the motorcycle. The power to the front wheel is supplied through a chain which connects between the steering assembly and the front wheel with the chain being movable in conjunction with the front wheel when the front wheel is steered and with suspension movement as when bumps are encountered.
US08225880B2
Disclosed herein is a completion device for a wellbore, that includes at least an elastomer circumferentially disposed around a tubular, the elastomer having a main sealing segment and at least one activation segment axially extending from the main sealing segment at opposing ends, wherein each activation segment has an exposed end; and an impermeable membrane circumferentially encasing the elastomer and configured to prevent an influx of wellbore fluids into the elastomer except at the exposed ends.
US08225872B2
A technique is provided to facilitate movement of fluids in wells where the fluids have a relatively high gas-to-liquid ratio. A submersible pump is combined with a separate, dedicated mixer. The dedicated mixer is positioned upstream of the components of the submersible pump designed to move the well fluid. The mixer reduces large gas structures and homogenizes the fluid flow fed into the submersible pump.
US08225870B1
A method for making gravel filters in oil well bores. The first step involves ascertaining the location of a producing formation adjacent to a cemented casing in a well bore. Then, a portion of the casing adjacent to the producing formation is cut, enlarging the bore adjacent to the producing formation. Subsequently, a sufficient amount of gravel is deposited in the enlarged portion of the bore to create an effective filter for a producing tube with a screen at its distal end. The distal end is positioned adjacent to the cemented bottom of the well bore. The method maximizes the diameter of the gravel deposited by delivering it exteriorly of the screen of the producing tube and through the annular space defined and sealed between the screen and the casing.
US08225861B2
A swelling element on a packer has a trough formed on a longitudinal axis. The control line or cable or conduit that needs to run along the string where the packer is mounted is first wrapped in a preferably non-swelling underlayment that can be a loose scroll or have its seam sealed. A swelling cover is placed over the underlayment using a seam that can be longitudinal or spiral to allow rapid deployment. The covering assembly for the control line or conduit is placed in the slot of the swelling element of the packer. The line or cable continues out opposed ends and can be secured to the tubular string with clamps. The control line can be covered with a swelling material and forced into a groove that runs the length of the packer swelling element.
US08225860B2
A jarring tool having an extensible joint connecting first and second sub ends. A first inner latch piece connects to the upper sub end, and a second outer latch piece connects to the lower sub end. The joint, in a latched position, has the outer latch piece latched to the inner latch piece and the inner and outer latch pieces restrained from unlatching by a stationary restraining collar. Under tensile force the joint unlatches into an unlatched position by the outer latch piece pulling the inner latch piece through the restraining collar into a position where the inner and outer latch pieces are free to separate. An impact force is generated from the tensile force when the joint unlatches and reaches a maximum extension.
US08225858B2
The invention relates to washpipes for use in drilling operations such as drilling for oil and gas, and more particularly to an auto lubricating washpipe and liner system and method.
US08225846B2
A radiating fin assembly includes a plurality of alternately stacked first radiating fins and second radiating fins, such that a V-shaped recession is formed between any two adjacent first and second radiating fins. The V-shaped recessions are defined on at least one of two longitudinal sides of the radiating fin assembly and include a plurality of split spaces, first widened spaces, and second widened spaces. The split spaces are formed at a bottom portion of the V-shaped recessions, and the first and the second widened spaces are formed at two opposite ends of the split spaces. The radiating fin assembly can be associated with at least one heat pipe and a base to form a thermal module. With the V-shaped recessions, the radiating fin assembly and the thermal module can have widened airflow inlets, shortened airflow paths, reduced airflow pressure drop and flowing resistance, and accordingly upgraded heat dissipating efficiency.
US08225845B2
A metal delivery apparatus for casting metal strip includes at least one elongated segment having a main portion extending longitudinally through the main portion with end walls at opposite ends thereof, the main portion communicating with outlets along opposite sides of each segment adapted to upwardly discharge flow of molten metal into a casting pool.
US08225844B2
The present invention concerns a method for processing molding sand.In order to provide a method with a simple regulating system to control the compressibility of a reclaimed molding sand, the invention proposes that the molding sand be divided into several charges and the processing parameters, such as the quantity of water, the quantity of new sand and/or the quantity of clay to be added, is corrected on the basis of the difference following processing between the actual compressibility and the reference compressibility of the molding sand, measured for the preceding charge.
US08225820B2
A hose comprising a tubular body of flexible material arranged between elongate inner and outer gripping members, wherein the tubular body comprises a sealing layer arranged between inner and outer reinforcing layers, and wherein the outer gripping member is made of a flexible non-rigid material capable of being wound around the tubular body.
US08225814B2
A differential-pressure flowmeter that can reduce (eliminate) a difference between the ambient temperature of one pressure sensor and the ambient temperature of another pressure sensor so as to allow for accurate and stable pressure measurement is provided, and a flow-rate controller equipped with such a differential-pressure flowmeter is provided. Provided are a body having a main fluid channel through which a fluid, whose pressure is to be measured, flows, and two pressure sensors held by the body and arranged in series relative to the main fluid channel, and a temperature balancer composed of a material with high thermal conductivity is accommodated in a recess that is formed in the body located below the two pressure sensors.
US08225796B2
A nasal cannula, for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient, comprising: a pair of spaced apart supply lines which each have a head at one end thereof with a discharge opening therein. The opposite end of each supply line is connectable to a respiratory gas source. Each head is sized to be snugly received and retained within one of the nasal cavities of the patient while forming a sufficient leakage passage, between a portion of inwardly facing nasal cavity skin of a patient and a portion of an exterior surface of the head, to facilitate exhausting of any excess respiratory gas supplied to the patient through the leakage passage and also facilitate inhalation of any room air required in excess of the respiratory gas to be supplied to the patient. The invention also relates to a respiratory therapy system incorporating the nasal cannula, a method of treating a patient with sleep disorder by using the nasal cannula, a diagnostic tool for measuring nasal cavity pressure of a patient, and a method of using the diagnostic tool for measuring nasal cavity pressure of a patient.
US08225794B2
An over-tube of the present invention is an over-tube which guides a device having an insertion section to be inserted into a body of a patient, when inserting the insertion section into or retracting the insertion section from the body of the patient, wherein: a gas-supplying passage is defined between an inner face of the over-tube and the device to be inserted into the over-tube; the gas-supplying passage communicates with a gas-supplying port which is provided on a proximal end side of the over-tube, and a communicating port which is formed on an over-tube insertion section and supplies a gas into a trachea of the patient; and a first sealing member which secures an air passage for communicating the gas-supplying passage and the trachea of the patient via the communicating rod by sealing between a body wall of the patient and the communicating port, is provided on a periphery of an over-tube insertion section.
US08225791B2
The invention relates to a respiratory gas supply circuit for an aircraft carrying passengers and/or crewmembers (1) in a cabin, including a source of breathable gas (R1, R2), at least one supply line (20) connected to said source, a first actuating device (60, 12) provided on said supply line to open at least partially or close the supply of breathable gas, a respiratory device (50) adapted to be worn on one passenger or crewmember's face, said respiratory device being connected to said supply line, and further including an ambient air inlet (40), said respiratory device providing to said one passenger or crewmember a respiratory gas to be inhaled corresponding to ambient air and/or breathable gas, wherein said ambient air inlet further includes a second actuating device (4, 11) to open at least partially or close said ambient air inlet; and, both said first and second actuating devices are operated so that at least one of said first and second actuating devices is closed at each instant of time.
US08225788B2
A modular respiration system is provided for the mechanical respiration of a patient. The respirator system has a modular respiration module (1) for connection to the patient (20), wherein the respiration module (1) contains a respiration system (30) with a respiration drive (3), an electric energy unit (5) and a memory with a control unit (ES II). One or more stationary parts (2) are provided for detachably accommodating the complementary modular respiration module (1). At least one detachable connection interface (8) is provided for data, electric energy and breathing gas exchange between the respiration module (1) and the stationary part or parts (2) accommodating the respiration module (1).
US08225784B2
A fluid dispenser device comprising a body (10), said device further comprising: an elongate flexible strip (20) supporting a plurality of reservoirs (21) each containing a dose of fluid or powder; reservoir-opening means (30) for opening a respective reservoir on each actuation; first displacement means (40) for causing said flexible strip (20) to advance before and/or during and/or after each actuation, so as to bring a full reservoir into register with said reservoir-opening means; and second displacement means (45) for displacing a full reservoir (21) against said opening means (30) each time the device is actuated, the leading end (25) of said flexible strip (20), in the advance direction of said strip, being fastened to a receiver element (50) that is rotatably mounted, said receiver element (50) being fastened to a loaded spring (500) that is adapted to exert a force on said receiver element (50) so as to urge it to turn, such that said receiver (50) exerts a traction force on said elongate strip (20), said traction force being independent of said first and second displacement means (40, 45).
US08225782B2
A filter cartridge 12 that includes a filter material 42, an end-of-service-life-indicator (ESLI) 40, a housing 22, a cover 24, and a window 38. The filter material 42 has first and second major surfaces 45, 47 and is disposed in the housing such that the second major surface 47 of the filter material is located downstream to the first major surface 45. The housing has a sidewall 26 through which the ESLI 40 can be seen. The cover 24 is secured to the housing 22 and has an opaque extension 36 that masks at least a portion of the housing sidewall 26. The window 38 is positioned on the extension 36 at a registration position where the ESLI 40 can be seen through the window 38 such that a change in a certain color of the ESLI 40 indicates that the cartridge 12 needs to be replaced. The use of the cartridge cover to provide the ESLI registration position allows the filter cartridges to be mass assembled without risk of error in achieving proper window registration.
US08225778B2
Apparatuses and structures for dampening vibrational energy from a system are disclosed. Particularly, at least one dampening member including an elongated body comprising a resilient, pliable material may be coupled to the base via at least one coupling structure structured for coupling at least a portion of the elongated body of the at least one dampening member to the dampening apparatus. Such a structure or dampening apparatus may be incorporated or attached to an archery system. Specifically, an archery system or an archery accessory component (e.g., a quiver or sight) may include at least one dampening member including a elongated body comprising a resilient, pliable material and at least one coupling structure structured for accepting at least a portion of the elongated body of the at least one dampening member so as to couple the at least one dampening member to the archery bow or component thereof.
US08225775B1
In an ignition coil device mainly mounted in an internal combustion engine, the installation can be improved even in an ignition coil having a bent leading end. The ignition coil device of a bent type includes a case having a transformer structure with a primary coil and a secondary coil therein; a high voltage tower including a high voltage terminal that transmits a high voltage developed in the secondary coil to a lower portion of the case; and a plug boot that electrically and mechanically connects the high voltage terminal, the high voltage tower to an ignition plug, includes a boot base close to the high voltage tower and a boot leading end close to the ignition plug in which a center axis of the high voltage tower and a center axis of the boot leading end are tilted, wherein a bend position is set in the vicinity of an intersection point of the center axis of the high voltage tower and the center axis of the boot leading end, and a rigid intermediate member including a connection relay member that electrically connects the high voltage terminal and the ignition plug is provided, and the rigid intermediate member extends from the boot base to the bend position.
US08225773B2
The invention relates to a valve arrangement (2) for an exhaust gas recirculation device of an internal combustion engine, especially in a motor vehicle. Said valve arrangement (2) comprises a first valve (9) which is used to control a first gas path (7) and is mobile between an open position, a closed position, and at least one intermediate position. The inventive valve arrangement (2) also comprises a second valve (10) for controlling a second gas path (8) which is separate from the first gas path (7), said second valve being mobile between an open position, a closed position and at least one intermediate position independently from the first valve (9). The valve arrangement (2) also comprises a common housing (6) which contains both valves (9, 10) and through which the two gas paths (7, 8) are guided.
US08225766B2
Disclosed herein is a device which provides a safety measure to vehicles by utilizing the dead man (tether) switch, or other electrical connection, in combination with a valve and actuator, to keep oil from leaking out of the lubrication system of the vehicle in a rollover situation.
US08225763B2
In a hydraulic actuator control device, a changing tendency of responsiveness of a hydraulic actuator to changes in the oil control valve (OCV) drive duty of a virtual OCV is stored as model control characteristics. The ratio of an actual OCV dead zone width to a virtual OCV dead zone width is calculated as an OCV variation correction coefficient. A basic control amount is calculated based on a deviation between an operating amount and a target operating amount of the hydraulic actuator. An actual OCV in-dead-zone control amount is obtained by correcting a virtual OCV in-dead-zone control amount with the OCV variation correction coefficient, and an actual OCV out-of-dead-zone control amount is calculated based on a virtual OCV out-of-dead-zone control amount. The actual OCV control amount is the sum of the actual OCV in-dead-zone control amount and the actual OCV out-of-dead-zone control amount.
US08225757B2
A continuously variable valve lift apparatus includes an input cam disposed to a camshaft and rotating, a follower supporting portion rotatably disposed to the camshaft for changing a relative angle of the follower with respect to the camshaft, a follower that includes a center shaft, is connected with the follower supporting portion via the center shaft, and pivots around the center shaft by receiving rotation movement of the input cam, a straight line guide, an output cam that contacts the follower and reciprocates along the straight line guide, and a valve opening unit that is opened by pushing of the output cam.
US08225755B2
This invention relates to a flexible intake system for a crankcase scavenged two-stroke internal combustion engine (10) having an additional air supply to its transfer ducts. The intake system comprises a flexible intake duct (22) connecting a fuel supply unit (21) e.g. a carburetor with an engine cylinder (11) and at least one flexible air duct (40) connecting a valve housing (42) for additional air with the engine cylinder. The end portion of the flexible intake duct (22) and at least one air duct (40) is secured to the cylinder by means of a baffle (23) made of a stiffer material than the ducts (22, 40) themselves.
US08225753B2
An internal combustion engine of uniquely simple elements that combines the use of an assemblage of rotating elements to restrain cylinders radically coplanar perpendicular to centerline of the power shaft and pistons and connecting rods to a rotating coplanar reciprocating alignment with the cylinders, channels to force strokes of the pistons and connecting rods, with the energy of the power stroke and the resistance of the same by the channels producing a force that rotates the assemblage inside a ported engine housing. Engine should be lighter, able to use a variety of fuels, able to use simplified ignition systems, produce more power and be more cost efficient to manufacture and operate than existing engines of the same displacement. Once engine position and fuel is decided elements of the fuel, cooling, lubrication, ignition and electrical systems can be included in the drawings.
US08225750B2
A dispenser for a toy and treats and a method for using the dispenser are disclosed. The dispenser contains an enclosure having a funnel at the top, an opening at the bottom of one of the enclosure walls, a treat dispenser containing treats having at least one hole from which the treats can exit, a ramp that directs the toy and treats to exit the enclosure and a support for the funnel and treat dispenser. The pet is encouraged to drop the toy into the enclosure through the funnel. The toy bounces off the treat dispenser causing it to release treats through the hole at the bottom of the dispenser. The toy and the treats roll out the opening encouraging the pet to further interact with the dispenser for fun and exercise.
US08225743B2
A dispenser for a liquid crystal display panel includes a table on which a substrate is loaded, an aligning substrate provided at least along one side of the substrate, at least one syringe having a nozzle at an end portion for supplying a material onto the substrate or onto the aligning substrate; and an image camera provided at a side of the syringe for detecting an image of the material on the substrate or on the aligning substrate.
US08225742B2
A deposition method which deposits a CdS buffer layer on a surface of a solar cell from a process solution including all chemical components of the CdS buffer layer material. CdS is deposited in a deposition chamber by heating the surface of the solar cell absorber to cause the transfer of heat from the solar cell absorber layer to at least a portion of the process solution that is in contact with the surface. Used solution is cooled, and replenished in a solution container and redirected into the deposition chamber.
US08225737B2
A coating apparatus includes a driving unit configured to rotate a substrate holding member about a vertical axis to spread a coating liquid supplied on a front side central portion of a substrate toward a front side peripheral portion of the substrate by a centrifugal force. The apparatus is provided with a wobble damping mechanism including a gas delivery port and a suction port both disposed to face a back side of the substrate and configured to damp a wobble of the substrate being rotated by delivering a gas from the delivery port and sucking the gas into the suction port.
US08225730B2
A method of making a ball glove includes molding a plastic material to form a single-piece front palm lining that has a palm lining portion and five front finger lining portions, forming a back lining that has five rear finger lining portions, stitching together the front palm lining and the back lining to form a glove lining that has five inner finger stalls, tailoring a front ply that has a palm cover portion and five front finger cover portions, molding a plastic material to form a single-piece back ply that has five rear finger cover portions, assembling the front ply and the back ply to form an outer shell, forming a web, and assembling the web, the outer shell, and the glove lining to form the ball glove.
US08225727B2
The invention concerns an improved tufting machine which comprises a tufting head translatable within said tufting machine in X- and Y-directions with respect to backing fabric by means of a movement system. The tufting head comprises a tufting mechanism having a cyclic mode of operation, a hollow needle mounted in the tufting mechanism that is moveable relative to a cooperating foot in a reciprocating manner to insert a tuft of yarn into backing fabric in each cycle, a yarn supply mechanism mounted in the tufting mechanism and operable to supply a length of yarn to the hollow needle in each cycle, a yarn cutter mounted in the tufting head that is selectively operable to cut the length of yarn in selected cycles to produce loop or cut pile, and a computer-operated motion control system.
US08225726B1
A personal table for writing, maintaining a portable computer or otherwise. The table is relatively light in weight and can be readily assembled in minutes by an unskilled person without the use of tools. The table includes a table top and a stanchion formed by slideably engaging a pair of legs. A latch at the distal ends of the legs is used to secure the legs in place and finger tabs mounted on the base beneath the table top are used to maintain the stanchion to the base. Each leg includes a pair of opposing feet, one of the feet being elongated for positioning beneath a sofa or chair to help stabilize the table during use while the other foot is truncated.
US08225725B2
A table in accordance with the present disclosure includes a table top and first and second leg units. Each leg unit is mounted for movement relative to the table top from a closed position alongside the table top to an opened position extending away from the table top.
US08225721B2
An apparatus for securing a cover to a bottom outlet valve (BOV) of a railcar, where the apparatus has a bracket attached to the railcar proximate the BOV; a rod extending generally perpendicularly from the bracket; and a cantilevered arm extending from the rod near a distal end thereof, where the cantilevered arm is configured to support the cover.
US08225720B2
A railway truck has two wheel sets, a bolster, and two side frames each having a bolster opening. At least one friction plate is connected to one of the bolster openings, a car body, and end portions of the bolster and extends generally vertically. Two suspension assemblies operatively connect the bolster to the side frames. Each suspension assembly includes at least one load supporting spring biasing a corresponding end portion of the bolster upwardly, two wedges disposed on either side of the at least one friction plate, and two springs biasing the wedges. Each wedge has a generally vertical and a sloping face. The two springs bias the sloping faces of the wedges against corresponding sloping faces provided in one of the bolster openings and end portions of the bolster such that the generally vertical faces of the wedges are pressed into contact with the at least one friction plate.
US08225719B2
The present invention provides a gas generator for a restraining device of a vehicle, including:a housing being made of a resin, forming an outer shell container, having a plurality of gas discharge ports,an ignition device disposed inside the housing,a gas generating agent that is ignited and burned by activation of the ignition device,each of the gas discharge ports being formed in combination with each of a plurality of through holes of an annular plate member that is embedded in a circumferential wall surface of the housing and formed of a material selected from the group consisting of metals, ceramics, and carbon fiber, andthe annular plate member being formed of an annular base plate including the plurality of through holes formed therein.
US08225718B2
A lead-free, frangible bullet is provided. The lead-free, frangible bullet is manufactured without sintering or external heating of the bullet. The bullet is prepared by blending a lead-free copper powder mixture and cold compacting the powder in a die to form a bullet. The copper powder can be atomized copper powder, electrolytic copper powder, or a combination of atomized and electrolytic copper powder. The atomized copper powder can be water atomized, air atomized, and combination of water and air atomized. Preferably, the frangible bullet has a fragmentation less than 5 grains.
US08225714B2
There is described a numbering system for carrying out numbering in a printing press comprising a numbering cylinder, a rotatable shaft defining a rotation axis, at least one supporting disc mounted on the rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, the supporting disc comprising a peripheral mounting ring for mounting of at least one numbering device (1.06; 2.06) on a periphery of the supporting disc, which numbering device (1.06; 2.06) is secured to the peripheral mounting ring (1.43) by means of a clamping mechanism. The peripheral mounting ring (1.43) has a T-shaped cross-section defining a pair of annular mounting grooves (1.43a, 1.43b) on each side of the peripheral mounting ring (1.43). The numbering device (1.06; 2.06) comprises clamping elements (1.50; 2.50) on each side of the numbering device (1.06; 2.06) which are adapted to cooperate with the annular mounting grooves (1.43a, 1.43b) for securing the numbering device (1.06; 2.06) onto the peripheral mounting ring (1.43). The clamping elements (1.50; 2.50) are preferably spring-loaded clamping elements.
US08225712B2
Processes for controlling strength of an extracted beverage including providing a pseudo packed bed of an extractable beverage material and contacting at least one liquid extraction stream with the pseudo packed bed of beverage material at a selected depth to obtain at least one zone of minimum extraction and at least one zone of maximum extraction. As the depth at which the liquid extraction stream is introduced into the packed bed increases, the zone of minimum extraction increases and the zone of maximum extraction decreases.
US08225708B2
A beverage brewer (10) with a temperature selectable dispense system having an on-demand hot water heating chamber assembly (30) with a hot water chamber body (86) having a volume substantially less than the volume of beverage brewed during a single brew cycle, a heating element (98) to quickly and substantially alter the water temperature in the chamber body during a single brew cycle and a microprocessor controller (38) for controlling the heating element in response to temperature sensors (40, 42). The controller (38) controls the brewer (10) to brew different types of beverages, with dispense water at different preselected temperatures in response to a manually actuatable switch (72, 74, 76 and 78). The temperature of the dispense water may also be changed from a hotter temperature at the beginning of a brew cycle to a lower temperature during an end portion of the same brew cycle.
US08225693B2
A control lever mechanism is provided for being mounted to a cowl of a main body of a materials handling vehicle. The control lever mechanism may comprise at least one lever structure including a control lever having a section which falls within or is approximately parallel with a lowermost view plane of a view zone of an operator, wherein the operator view zone includes at least one view plane positioned above the lowermost view plane, and apparatus for mounting the lever structure to the main body cowl.
US08225675B2
A test fixture for simultaneously testing two material test samples is provided. The fixture provides substantially equal shear and tensile stresses in each test specimens. By gradually applying a load force to the fixture only one of the two specimens fractures. Upon fracture of the one specimen, the fixture and the load train lose contact and the second specimen is preserved in a state of upset just prior to fracture. Particular advantages of the fixture are (1) to control the tensile to shear load on the specimen for understanding the effect of these stresses on the deformation behavior of advanced materials, (2) to control the location of fracture for accessing localized material properties including the variation of the mechanical properties and residual stresses across the thickness of advanced materials, (3) to yield a fractured specimen for strength measurement and an unfractured specimen for examining the microstructure just prior to fracture.
US08225653B2
A filling level detector for cryogenic liquids which are located in a container (1) uses a probe with a superconductor. In order to provide a filling level detector which is insensitive and costs little, the probe (11) is a flat conductor (20) which comprises a plurality of conductors which are routed parallel in a plastic matrix (21), of which a first conductor (23) is a super conductor, second conductors (24) are used to supply heating current to the first conductor (23), and third conductors (25; 25, 26) are used for voltage measurement, with the conductors in one pair (24, 25, 26) each being connected to points (27, 28 and 29, 30) which are at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the probe. The probe is guided in a guide in the container.
US08225652B2
A thermal flow meter has a sensor chip, a heater, first and second flow rate calculators, and an output controller. The heater increases the ambient temperature in the vicinity of a pair of temperature-sensing elements on the sensor chip by a particular temperature above a temperature of a fluid flowing along the sensor chip. The first flow rate calculator calculates a flow rate of the fluid from a temperature difference detected by the pair of temperature-sensing elements. The second flow rate calculator calculates a flow rate of the fluid from a driving energy of the heater. The output controller outputs the flow rate calculated by the second flow rate calculator, instead of the flow rate calculated by the first flow rate calculator, when the flow rate calculated by the first flow rate calculator exceeds a flow rate threshold value that is set in advance.
US08225651B2
A test system (1) is arranged for testing vehicle systems which comprise at least one sensor (20). The test system comprises a test stand (11) for accommodating a vehicle (2), an object (12) which is movable relative to the test stand, and a control unit (13) for controlling the movement of the object. The test stand (11) is provided with a speed measurement unit (14) for detecting the virtual speed (v) of the vehicle, while the control unit (13) is arranged for controlling the movement of the object in dependence on said virtual speed. The object (12) preferably is a dummy vehicle which may be pulled along a track (16).
US08225645B2
An apparatus and method for predicting meat tenderness, particularly with respect to raw meat, is disclosed. The invention does not require the removal or destruction of any cuts of meat from the carcass to which the method is applied. The method allows for the identification of tender meat product that might not be identified as tender using conventional United States Department of Agriculture quality grading methods. The method includes the insertion of one or more blunt, flat-tipped blades into a meat sample, measuring a value such as stress, force, or energy upon insertion of the blade, and calculating a tenderness factor therefrom based on a tenderness threshold.
US08225626B1
A flexible adjustable split band with indicia on the exterior surface. The interior is made of injection molded spring plastic and an exterior covering is made of material selected from the group consisting of lanyard material, polyester fabric, and other stretchable material which can be heat sealed and onto which indicia can be placed by methods such as silkscreening or weaving. The band is formed by starting with an injection molded core of spring plastic of a given width and length which is formed into a curve and is separated at its two respective ends so that gap is created between the ends of the plastic core. A covering material such as lanyard material or polyester is slipped over the plastic core and is heat sealed at one end. The covering then pulled tightly over the plastic core and cut to size and heat sealed at its opposite end. An end cap made of ABS plastic or comparable material is then affixed onto each end of the band.
US08225621B2
A method and system for detecting and correcting unintended reverse or backward operation of an electric motor driven scroll compressor of a refrigeration system is characterized by monitoring the pressure at a suction side of the compressor during operation of the refrigeration and determining whether the pressure, after a first time interval following startup of the compressor, exceeds and remains in excess of a predetermined upper pressure limit for at least a second time interval. If it does, the compressor is turned off for a third time interval and is then restarted. The foregoing is repeated and if the compressor is turned off a selected number of times because of successive occurrences of high suction side pressures during operation of the refrigeration system in a chilling cycle, an error indication is generated and the refrigeration system is shut down.
US08225607B2
The housing of a vane-type machine has a largely cylindrical space for accommodating the vane cells. A shaft is eccentrically arranged in the housing. First and second guide plates are provided on the shaft. Slides displaceable largely radially to the shaft in the direction of the inner housing wall are guided by the guide plates. A vane cell is formed with the participation of two adjacent slides of the adjacent region of the inner housing wall and the volume of the vane cells in the region of an inlet opening differs from the volume of the vane cells in the region of an outlet opening. To increase the speed of the shaft and the temperature of the medium, the slides are lubricated by pressure oil and radially and axially guided by a guideway, which is fixed with respect to the housing.
US08225606B2
The invention relates to systems and methods for rapidly and isothermally expanding and compressing gas in energy storage and recovery systems that use open-air hydraulic-pneumatic cylinder assemblies, such as an accumulator and an intensifier in communication with a high-pressure gas storage reservoir on a gas-side of the circuits and a combination fluid motor/pump, coupled to a combination electric generator/motor on the fluid side of the circuits. The systems use heat transfer subsystems in communication with at least one of the cylinder assemblies or reservoir to thermally condition the gas being expanded or compressed.
US08225605B1
A shaft has a horizontal primary axis of rotation and a plurality of offset secondary portions. A bladder is coupled to each secondary portion. Each bladder has an upper end, a lower end and an interior. A positive pressure source and a negative pressure source are provided. Positive tubes couple the positive pressure source with the interior of each bladder for inflation. Negative tubes operatively couple the negative pressure source with the interior of each bladder for deflation. A control assembly is provided. The control assembly sequentially inflates each bladder when rotating upwardly and sequentially deflates each bladder when rotating downwardly. A quantity of water submerges the bladders during their movement.
US08225594B2
The control device of the internal combustion engine appropriately controls plural exhaust valves to effectively perform sulfur poisoning recovery in an exhaust gas purifying catalyst. The control device controls the internal combustion engine which performs lean burn. The exhaust system of the internal combustion engine includes: first exhaust valves and second exhaust valves provided in each of the plural cylinders; a first exhaust passage communicating with the first exhaust valves; a second exhaust passage communicating with the second exhaust valves; a first exhaust gas purifying catalyst provided at least one of the first exhaust passage and the second exhaust passage; and a second exhaust gas purifying catalyst provided on an exhaust passage downstream of a junction of the first exhaust passage and the second exhaust passage. The control means controls the exhaust valves such that an effect of rich combustion occurs more to the second exhaust gas purifying catalyst than to the first exhaust gas purifying catalyst, when performing rich combustion. By this, the consumption of the exhaust gas in the first exhaust gas purifying catalyst can be suppressed, and the temperature of the second exhaust gas purifying catalyst can be effectively risen. Therefore, the sulfur poisoning recovery and the like can be effectively performed.
US08225593B2
A twin fan turbomachine with two contrarotating fans, one upstream and one downstream, driven by two contrarotating coaxial shafts each of which connects one fan impeller to at least one low-pressure turbine impeller located downstream, the downstream fan impeller being connected by its downstream part to its drive shaft.
US08225581B2
A light steel structural member includes a web portion and a pair of flanges. The web portion has a web face. The pair of flange portions each extend generally orthogonally from each end of the web portion. The flange portions each having a plane and the planes are generally parallel each other and each flange has a flange face. At least one of the web face and the flange face has a plurality of embosses formed therein. In another embodiment the light steel structural member further includes a pair of restraining ribs. In a further embodiment the light steel structural member further includes a pair of lips and a pair of multi-cranked stiffeners. A method of making the light steel structural members is shown.
US08225574B2
Apparatuses for installing a wood floor at a job site. The apparatuses are configured as start courses, finish courses, or border courses for the wood floor. In one embodiment, the courses comprise hardwood tongue and groove strips or hardwood tongue and groove planks fastened together prior to installation in the floor. A preferred embodiment uses adhesive lamination of the tongue and groove of adjacent boards such as strips and planks. A method of installing a hardwood floor includes the step of using at least one start course, at least one finish course, or at least one border course as disclosed in this application. A hardwood floor according to one embodiment of the present invention includes at least one start course, at least one finish course, or at least one border course as disclosed in this application.
US08225573B2
A panel for mounting on an exterior wall includes a shaped, molded backing member and a siding member attached to the backing member wherein the shape-molded backing member includes a rear face and an opposing front face. The shape-molded backing member is composed of closed cell expanded polystyrene foam, the front and rear faces having an outer surface composed of a tough smooth skin.
US08225561B2
A layered panel and framing system for use as a skylight or wall, formed from extrusions which capture and frame variable panels. An upper extrusion has an upper hole defined therein. An upper spacer has an upper spacer hole defined therein in alignment with the upper hole of the upper extrusion. An intermediate extrusion then has an intermediate hole defined therein offset from the upper holes and the upper spacer hole. A lower spacer has a lower spacer hole defined therein in alignment with the intermediate hole. A base extrusion is formed at the top of a rafter. A bottom plastic panel is captured between the intermediate extrusion and the base extrusion, and a top glass panel is captured between the intermediate extrusion and the upper extrusion, wherein the bottom panel and the top panel are spaced a distance substantially equal to a height of the intermediate extrusion.
US08225558B2
A conventional grounded steel tower, or other structure, supports multiple wires (e.g., 6) carrying multi-phase high voltage electricity (e.g., >100 kV). Each wire is supported by a ceramic insulator connected to a horizontal arm of the structure, where an angled strut helps support the arm. There are usually three tiers of wires. The closest distance between a wire and ground is typically between the wire and an angled strut below the wire, where the angled strut helps support a lower-tier wire. A guard formed of a dielectric is affixed to and covers the lower portion of the steel strut as well as any steel that outward extends beyond the strut. The guard prevents flashover between a wire and the underlying grounded strut if a large bird perches on the guard, since the bird will not be grounded by the strut.
US08225556B2
This invention relates to capped gutter systems and more specifically the bracket which supports the gutter cap and onto which the gutter is mounted and affixed to the roofline. No gutter cap or screen can completely eliminate the introduction of debris into the gutter channel. The present invention meets the long felt need for a gutter system that inhibits the introduction of debris into the gutter channel and helps flush out debris that manages to accumulate in the gutter. The present invention utilizes a gutter bracket which pushes the front of the gutter down, thus forcing water and debris to collect along the front bottom edge. The act of creating a low point along the forward bottom edge of the gutter concentrates the debris in this low point and accelerates the flow of water due to the decrease in volume, thus increasing the amount of energy available within the channeled water for debris removal. The present invention also facilitates the insertion of a gutter cap behind the roof drip edge and provides for temporary support during hardware installation.
US08225549B2
A self-contained apparatus for aeroponically growing and developing plants that comprises a reservoir for containing a liquid nutrient solution, a conical tower, a power supply, and a pump to move the liquid nutrient solution through the apparatus. The apparatus utilizes a pump to move the liquid nutrient solution from the reservoir vertically to a distribution pipe. Gravity then pulls the liquid nutrient solution downward through the distribution pipe, which is sealed at the opposite end. The pressure created within the distribution pipe creates sufficient force to disperse the liquid nutrient solution through the opening(s) in the distribution pipe onto the exposed root mass. Once the nutrient solution has been dispersed into the conical tower it is absorbed by the exposed root mass. The un-absorbed liquid nutrient solution collects the in base of the conical tower and is returned to the reservoir to be reused.
US08225545B1
A landscaping cover operable to be superposed a tree or a bush that functions to maintain a temperature that is greater than that of its environmental surroundings. The landscaping cover includes a flexible body that is generally planar in manner that can be adapted to cover a variety of different sizes of plants or trees. The landscape cover includes a plurality of heating elements that are disposed throughout the body. The landscape cover additionally includes a plurality of stakes that are electrically coupled to the heating elements and are operable to increase the ground proximate their location.
US08225544B2
A firearm that includes a mounting rail having remotely powered electrical connectors with which modified prior art tactical accessories, such as tactical lights, night vision devices, laser sighting modules and the like can be interconnected. More particularly, the mounting rail of the invention includes electrical connectors that are operably interconnected with a relatively large, long life battery mounted in the stock of the firearm.
US08225530B2
An article of footwear may include an upper with a knitted element formed through a flat knitting process. In one configuration, the knitted element has an area with a first layer and a second layer at least partially coextensive with the first layer. The first layer is formed of unitary construction with the second layer, and the second layer is joined to the first layer at opposite sides of the second layer. In another configuration, a knitted element for footwear includes a foot-receiving portion and one or more straps formed of unitary construction with the foot-receiving portion. The foot-receiving portion defines a void for receiving the foot, and the strap(s) extend outward from sides of the foot-receiving portion.
US08225524B1
An air wiping device for drying an elongated product that passes through the air wiping device. The air wiping device includes a housing having an internal elongated tubular passage through which the elongated product extends and including opposite one and other ends with the housing tubular passage having an inlet end and an outlet end for respectively receiving and passing the elongated product; a first set of nozzles mounted at the one end of the housing for communicating a compressed gas stream to the internal elongated tubular passage and second set of nozzles mounted at the other end of the housing for communicating a compressed gas to the internal elongated tubular passage. The first and second sets of nozzles are mounted for directing the respective gas streams obliquely to the internal elongated tubular passage. The first and second sets of nozzles are mounted for directing the respective gas streams in a direction having a compressed gas stream component toward each other for discharge transversely from the housing.
US08225522B2
A measuring device for determining the shortest distance between features in a structure.
US08225518B2
[Problem] To provide a manual surveying instrument that allows easily performing a collimating operation and allows performing a high precision measurement in a short time.[Solution Means] The manual surveying instrument includes a collimation assist device (70) having a collimation light transmitting system that emits a collimation light (R) along a collimation axis (O) toward a target installed at a measurement point, an area sensor (80) that obtains an image of a scene captured within a field of view of a collimating telescope (3), a display unit (48) that displays the image, a collimation light detecting unit (82) that detects the target as a result of receiving the collimation light reflected on the target by the area sensor, and an arithmetic control unit (46) that displays an area (94) being within a predetermined deviation from the collimation axis and where distance measurement is possible and a symbol indicating the target on the display unit as an animation image, judges that collimation has been completed when the target has been captured, by a manual operation of the collimating telescope, within the area where distance measurement is possible to perform a distance and angle measurement, and corrects an angle measurement value according to a deviation from the collimation axis of the target.
US08225516B2
The present invention is a pencil sharpener having a hollow container having a sidewall, a closed bottom and a lid, a sharpening element being mounted on the lid, the lid having an opening below the sharpening element such that pencil shavings pass through the opening in the lid and into the hollow container.
US08225514B2
A manually guided implement, such as a power saw, a cut-off machine, or the like, having a drive motor for driving a tool of the implement. The drive motor has a drive shaft that is rotatably driven about an axis of rotation. The implement has a handle on which is disposed at least one control handle for the drive motor. Formed between the handle and the drive motor is a vibration space that is spanned by at least one anti-vibration element, at least one of which includes a coil spring, the longitudinal axis of which is disposed approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal plane of the implement. The vibration space is spanned by at least one connecting element, the longitudinal axis of which is inclined relative to a transverse plane of the implement that is disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal plane.
US08225504B2
In one embodiment, a process, for fabricating a medical lead for stimulation of tissue of a patient, comprises: forming a plurality of electrode assemblies wherein each electrode assembly of the plurality of electrode assemblies comprises a respective plurality of segmented electrodes angularly separated by ribs formed in one or more segments of thermoplastic tape; electrically coupling a conductor to each segmented electrode; molding polymer material around each segmented electrode of the plurality of segmented electrodes to interlock each segmented electrode with polymer material to form a distal end of the medical lead; and fusing the one or more segments of thermoplastic tape of each of the plurality of electrode assemblies with the polymer material.
US08225501B2
The present invention relates to a method for making a thermoacoustic device. The method includes the following steps. A substrate with a surface is provided. A plurality of microspaces is formed on the surface of the substrate. A sacrifice layer is fabricated to fill the microspaces. A metal film is deposited on the sacrifice layer, and the sacrifice layer is removed. A signal input device is provided to electrically connect with the metal film.
US08225499B2
This publication discloses a method for manufacturing a circuit-board structure.1. The structure comprises a conductor pattern (3) and at least one component (6), which is surrounded by an insulating-material layer (10), attached to it by means of a contact bump (5). According to the invention, the contact bumps (5) are made on the surface of the conductor pattern (3), before the component (6) is attached to the conductor pattern (3) by means of the contact bump (5). After attaching, the component (6) is surrounded with an insulating-material layer (10).
US08225494B2
A pallet includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies located at multiple positions on the platform. One support assembly is associated with each location of the component to be supported. Each support assembly has a linkage assembly to support and enable movement of a support element. The support assemblies also each include multiple bases secured to the platform, to position the support element in a desired location for each version of a component. An alignment mechanism on each base allows for rotational alignment of the support element relative to the pallet. An error proofing mechanism compares the selected location of the support element for each of the plurality of support assemblies and provides confirmation and correction information as required.
US08225492B2
A method of assembling a touch panel including a support structure and a conductive membrane, the support structure having a conductive surface and a peripheral insulating spacer about the conductive surface. The conductive membrane overlies the peripheral insulating spacer separating the conductive membrane and the conductive surface thereby to define an air gap therebetween. The method comprises tensioning the conductive membrane prior to securing to the insulating spacer; and securing the tensioned conductive membrane to the insulating spacer.
US08225490B2
A transformer transporting/assembling method comprises a transportation step of transporting a U-shaped iron core with an iron plate horizontally extending to a place near an installation site and an erection step of erecting the U-shaped iron core together with an erection tank from a state that the iron plate extends horizontally to a state that the iron plate extend vertically, with the U-shaped iron core contained in the erection tank. The erection step includes a sub-step in which a portal lifter composed of two booms which are vertically expandable and parallel movable with a predetermined distance therebetween and between which the erection tank is disposed and a beam horizontally connecting the two booms and vertically moved as the booms expands or contracts is used, the beam supports the erection tank through a flexible member at predetermined support portions, and the beam is vertically moved by expanding/contracting the booms.
US08225489B2
An MR element includes a first exchange coupling shield layer, an MR stack, and a second exchange coupling shield layer that are arranged in this order from the bottom, and a nonmagnetic layer surrounding the MR stack. The MR stack includes a first free layer, a spacer layer, a second free layer, and a magnetic cap layer that are arranged in this order from the bottom. In the step of forming the MR stack and the nonmagnetic layer, a protection layer is formed on a layered film that will be the MR stack later, and a mask is then formed on the protection layer. Next, the layered film and the protection layer are etched using the mask and then the nonmagnetic layer is formed. After removal of the mask, the protection layer is removed by wet etching.
US08225488B1
A method for providing a PMR pole in a magnetic recording transducer comprises providing a mask on an intermediate layer, the mask including a line having at least one side, providing a hard mask on the mask, a first portion of the hard mask residing on the at least one side and a second portion residing on a surface of the intermediate layer, the hard mask including a dry-etchable layer and a high removal ratio layer on the dry-etchable layer, removing at least part of the first portion of the hard mask, at least a portion of the line being exposed, removing the line, thereby providing an aperture in the hard mask corresponding to the line, forming a trench in the intermediate layer under the aperture using a removal process, and providing the PMR pole, at least a portion of the PMR pole residing in the trench.
US08225486B2
In a manufacturing process of a head slider, a plurality of head elements are formed on a wafer, each head element comprising: a return pole, a coil, and a main pole. The wafer is cut into respective head elements so that individual head sliders are formed. A ratio of an amplitude of an electrical signal applied to the coil of the write head on the head slider to an amplitude of output from an independent magnetic field sensor not embedded in the head slider is calculated, where the independent magnetic field sensor is disposed near the main pole so as to be opposed to the main pole across the air bearing surface, and where the ratio is calculated while a displacement between the main pole and the magnetic field sensor is swept. A flare point height of the main pole is determined from the calculated amplitude ratio.
US08225484B2
A method of manufacturing a stator includes: (a) preparing a stator core and electric wires; (b) assembling together the stator core and the electric wires; (c) welding corresponding pairs of the electric wires to form a stator coil, wherein for each corresponding pair of the electric wires, end portions of the electric wires are radially bent toward each other to have distal end surfaces thereof abutting each other at a position axially outside an annular coil end part of the stator coil, the distal end surfaces are welded together to form a weld between the end portions, and the end portions together make up a crossover part that extends to cross over the coil end part; and (d) deforming, for each corresponding pair of the electric wires, the end portions so as to reduce an axial distance between the coil end part and the crossover part.
US08225476B2
A method and apparatus for manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics that can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, by spinning and/or by a shrinker including compression members. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.
US08225472B2
Forming a thin film acoustic device by patterning a layer of non-conducting material on a first side of a substrate to expose a portion of the first substrate side; depositing layers of conducting material on the layer of non-conducting material and the exposed portion of the first substrate side; depositing a layer of piezoelectric material on the layers of conducting material; depositing and patterning additional layers of material on the layer of piezoelectric material to form a first device electrode; depositing and patterning a masking layer on a second side of the substrate to expose a portion of the second substrate side; etching away the exposed substrate portion to expose the patterned layer of non-conducting material and a portion of the layers of conducting material; and etching away the exposed portion of the layers of conducting material to form a second device electrode.
