US08325039B2
Electrified access-control technology devices for a door, particularly electrified locks for a door, having embedded circuitry therein, and methods of making the same. One or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) having various electronic circuitry are secured inside a housing that encases an access-control device, particularly a lock, for a door. The one or more PCB(s) may be embedded on an internal surface of the housing such that the embedded PCB resides inside the housing along with the lock itself. The embedded PCB(s) avoid interference of both any working components of the lock inside the housing and any openings residing in the housing.
US08325037B2
The invention is directed to a medical device comprised of at least one device part that is electrically operated and can be switched between an idle state and an operating state and a method of controlling such device. A control unit is provided which switches an electrically operated device part from the operating state to the idle state. Alternatively or in addition, a person detector and a control unit are provided, wherein a control unit switches the device part to the operating state in case the person detector detects the presence of a person at a distance from the device. Alternatively or in addition, an operating control is provided for manually switching the device from the operating state to the idle state.
US08325030B2
One embodiment of an electronic system includes a network having a first sensing device with a first address and a second sensing device with a second address. The first sensing device includes first sensors, a first processor, a first memory, and a first communications device. The first sensors include a first dry bulb temperature sensor, a first relative humidity sensor, and a first radiant energy sensor. The second sensing device includes a second sensor, a second processor, a second memory, and a second communications device. The second processor includes a program to use the second communications device to communicate the second address and data derived from the second sensor to the first communications device.
US08325026B2
Disclosed is a key-less ignition system for a vehicle. The system allows a user to automatically start the engine of a vehicle via a push button and a remote passive transponder. The system finds particular application in conjunction with smaller vehicles such as motorcycles. In one specific embodiment of the invention, the system is used in connection with an anti-theft device, such as a wheel lock. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the key-less ignition system is used in connection with a records management system, whereby service technicians can remotely retrieve maintenance records relating to the vehicle.
US08325020B2
Methods and apparatus for uniquely identifying wireless devices in close physical proximity are described. When two wireless devices are brought into close proximity, one of the devices displays an optical indicator, such as a light pattern. This device then sends messages to other devices which are within wireless range to cause them to use any light sensor to detect a signal. In an embodiment, the light sensor is a camera and the detected signal is an image captured by the camera. Each device then sends data identifying what was detected back to the device displaying the pattern. By analyzing this data, the first device can determine which other device detected the indicator that it displayed and therefore determine that this device is within close physical proximity. In an example, the first device is an interactive surface arranged to identify the wireless addresses of devices which are placed on the surface.
US08325019B2
Techniques for tracking the motion of an RFID tag using signal strength information. A single antenna of an RFID reader may be used to take a sequence of readings from an RFID tag in motion. A signal strength indicator (e.g., received signal strength indicator (RSSI)) is determined for each reading. The sequence of RSSIs is then used to estimate a path of motion of the RFID tag and the direction of motion of the RFID tag along the path.
US08325017B2
The present invention relates to a time slot allocation apparatus and method for preventing collisions between time slots in a TDMA-based RFID network. The time slot allocation apparatus allocates time slots, obtained by dividing a same frequency band into unit time slots, to RFID readers for reading identification codes of RFID tags (10) in the TDMA-based RFID network. A time slot allocation device (33a) allocates time slots required for communication with the RFID tags to a plurality of RFID readers (20) provided in the RFID network. A collision prevention device (33b) performs control such that the time slot allocation device allocates time slots to the plurality of RFID readers while distributing different and non-successive time slots to adjacent RFID readers, thus preventing collisions from occurring between time slots allocated to the RFID readers.
US08325004B2
A composite transformer includes: a transformer core including transformer-core legs; inductor cores including inductor-core legs; windings wound around the transformer-core legs and the inductor-core legs; the transformer core includes a pair of transformer bases connected to both ends of each of the transformer-core legs, and allows formation of closed magnetic circuits in the transformer core; each of the inductor cores includes one of the inductor-core legs, an outer core leg, and a pair of inductor bases connected to both ends of the one of the inductor-core legs and both ends of the outer core leg, and allows formation of a closed magnetic circuit in each inductor core; and the windings are wound in such directions that the magnetic fluxes produced in the transformer-core legs cancel each other in the closed magnetic circuits in the transformer core whichever of the windings is energized.
US08324993B2
Within a case (4), are accommodated an electromagnet (8) having a fixed core (8c) and a movable core (8d) capable of contacting and separating from the fixed core (8c); a movable contact point support (7a) which moves in parallel with the movable core; a return spring (7b) which causes the movable contact point support to return to an initial position; and a driving lever (9) which rotates with a rotation support point portion (9a) provided on one end thereof as a support point, and which transmits attraction movement and release movement of the movable core to the movable contact point support. The rotation support point portion of the driving lever is fitted into and supported by a support point recess (5a) provided in an inner face of an extinction cover (5) mounted on the case.
US08324991B2
An electrolytic corrosion prevention structure at a flange connection part in which the occurrence of an electrolytic corrosion is suppressed without increasing the number of the airtight and/or watertight parts and that can be easily processed is provided.a pair of pipe members 21 and 22, which has flanges 21a and 22a at the end of pipes and which has a groove surrounding the end of the pipe formed between the flanges 21a and 22a by jointing the flanges 21a and 22a; an annular seal member 23 which places in an outer circumference of the joint part of the flanges 21 a and 22a in the groove: and an interposition member 24 which places in an outer circumference of the seal member 23; wherein the electric potential difference which occurs when either material of the pair of pipe members 21 and 22 and the material of the interposition member 24 are contacted, smaller than the electric potential difference when the materials of the pair of pipe member 21 and 22 are contact with each other.
US08324989B2
A re-entrant resonant cavity 12 includes a first metallized molded plastic component 18, which comprises a re-entrant stub 17, an end wall 14 and a cylindrical side wall 13. The component 18 is surface mount soldered to a metallized PCB substrate 19. A rostrum 24 is located facing the end face 21 of the stub 17 to define a capacitive gap 22 with it. The end face 21 of the stub 17 and the rostrum 24 are configured such that relative rotation between them changes the profile of the gap 22 and hence the gap capacitance. By suitably locating the two parts during manufacture, a particular capacitance may be chosen to give a desired resonance frequency from a selection available depending on the relative angular position of the stub 17 and rostrum 24. In another cavity, the rostrum is replaced by an etched metallization layer of a printed circuit board.
US08324988B2
A variable resonator that comprises a loop line (902) to which two or more switches (903) are connected and N of reactance circuits (102) (N≧3), in which switches (903) are severally connected to different positions on the loop line (902), the other ends of the switches are severally connected to a ground conductor, and the switches are capable of switching electrical connection/non-connection between the ground conductor and the loop line (902), the reactance circuits (102) severally have the same reactance value, the loop line (902) has a circumference corresponding to one wavelength or integral multiple thereof at a resonance frequency corresponding to each reactance value of each reactance circuit, and the reactance circuits (102) are electrically connected to the loop line (902) as branching circuits along the circumference direction of the loop line (902) at equal electrical length intervals.
US08324986B2
A MEMS array structure including a plurality of bulk mode resonators may include at least one resonator coupling section disposed between the plurality of bulk mode resonators. The plurality of resonators may oscillate by expansion and/or contraction in at least one direction/dimension. The MEMS array structure may include a plurality of sense electrodes and drive electrodes spaced apart from the plurality of bulk mode resonators by a gap. Each of at least one of the plurality of bulk mode resonators may be mechanically coupled to a substrate via or approximately at a respective at least one nodal point.
US08324985B2
An isolated dual-mode converter includes a TE01 mode converter including a circular waveguide, and a plurality of rectangular waveguides connected to the circumference of the circular waveguide; and a TM01 mode converter including a coaxial waveguide, formed by coaxial outer and inner conductors, and the circular waveguide connected and aligned axially with the coaxial waveguide, wherein a symmetrical axis of an opening at the end of the rectangular waveguides connected to the circular waveguide is parallel to the axis of the circular waveguide, thereby avoiding interfering with the propagation of TM01 mode. In an application, the isolated dual-mode converter outputs TE01 mode and TM01 mode at the same port, thereby achieving more uniform microwave heating. In another application, two isolated dual-mode converters are aligned face-to-face, forming a dual-channel joint with high channel isolation and low transmission loss, which may be used for a rotary joint of a radar system.
US08324980B2
A device to attenuate EMI between a source and a load is provided. The device includes a first cable to electrically couple the source and the load and a second cable positioned adjacent to the first cable and configured to attenuate a common-mode current.
US08324970B2
A radio frequency amplifier circuit includes a substrate that is capable of receiving a substrate bias voltage. The source of a transistor is capable of receiving a source bias voltage. The drain of the transistor is capable of receiving a drain bias voltage. The gate of the transistor is located between the source and the drain. A radio frequency input signal is coupled to the gate. A substrate bias circuit provides the substrate bias voltage. The substrate bias voltage and the source bias voltage forward bias the first diode formed by the source and the substrate. The substrate bias voltage and the drain bias voltage reverse bias the second diode formed by the drain and the substrate.
US08324965B2
The invention relates to a final stage three-way power combining amplifying circuit applied to power amplifier of a mobile communications base station system. The circuit includes at least a first power divider, a power combiner, a Doherty amplifier and a Class AB amplifier, as well as some transmission lines and phase-shift lines. A first output port of the first power divider is connected to a first input port of the power combiner via a first phase-shift line and the Doherty amplifier by concatenating them with transmission lines. A second output port of the first power divider is connected to an input terminal of a Class AB amplifier via a transmission line, an output terminal of the Class AB amplifier is connected to a second input port of the power combiner via a microstrip line, and the output terminal of the power combiner outputs an amplified radio frequency signal. The invention can meet the requirements of both high efficiency and low cost. Meanwhile, the reliability and stability of the power amplifying circuit are also ensured.
US08324950B2
There are provided a Schmitt trigger circuit that has hysteresis characteristics in which a release point and an operating point are determined based on a width of an inputted pulse. The Schmitt trigger circuit may include a signal/pulse conversion unit that receives an analog signal to generate an input pulse having a width corresponding to a magnitude of the analog signal, a pulse width determination unit that compares the width of the input pulse generated in the signal/pulse conversion unit with a predetermined first threshold width and a second threshold width greater than the first threshold width to output state information indicating the compared result, and an output determination unit that outputs a high signal, when the width of the input pulse is changed from a state of being smaller than the second threshold width to a state of being greater than the second threshold width based on the state information, and outputs a low signal when the width of the input pulse is changed from a state of being greater than the first threshold width to a state of being smaller than the first threshold width based on the state information.
US08324947B2
Provided is an output apparatus that outputs an output signal corresponding to an input signal, comprising a plurality of drivers that each output an intermediate signal having a waveform corresponding to the input signal; an adding section that adds together the intermediate signals output from the drivers and outputs the result as the output signal; and a control section that controls a difference in delay amount, which is from when the input signal begins to change to when the intermediate signal begins to change, among the drivers according to a designated slew rate.
US08324941B2
A time-differential analog comparator is disclosed. An example apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes a source of a variable frequency signal having a frequency responsive to an analog input. A counting circuit is coupled to count cycles of the variable frequency signal. The counting circuit is coupled to count in a first direction for a first time interval and is coupled to count in a second direction opposite to the first direction for a second time interval that occurs after an end of the first time interval. The counting circuit outputs a digital count signal and an evaluation circuit is coupled to generate a decision signal in response to the digital count signal after an end of the second time interval. The first time interval is not equal to the second time interval to generate an offset in the decision signal.
US08324933B2
A method and circuit for implementing a dual speed level shifter with automatic mode control, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. A low speed level shifter and a high speed level shifter are used to provide a wide frequency range of operation. The circuit operates in one of a low speed mode or a high speed mode. The appropriate mode is selected automatically by detecting the frequency of the signal to be level shifted. When the incoming signal is slower than a reference frequency, the low speed level shifter is selected, and when the incoming signal is faster than the reference frequency, the high speed level shifter is selected.
US08324932B2
A static complementary transistor type logic gate circuit includes a plurality of input terminals for receiving a corresponding plurality of input signals, and an output terminal. The logic gate circuit further includes a first plurality of transistors of one conductivity type, arranged to form a plurality of pullup paths for selectively connecting the output terminal, through one or more intermediate nodes, to a positive supply voltage based on the plurality of input signals; and a second plurality of transistors of the complementary conductivity type, arranged to form a plurality of pulldown paths for selectively connecting the output terminal, through one or more intermediate nodes, to a negative supply voltage based on the plurality of input signals. A precharge device is configured to selectively charge an intermediate node to the far-side supply voltage when the intermediate node is disconnected from the near-side supply voltage and disconnected from the output terminal.
US08324930B1
A method of implementing output ports of a programmable integrated circuit is disclosed. The method comprises coupling control signals to predetermined output ports of the integrated circuit; setting, by the control signals, initial output values of the predetermined output ports during programming of the programmable integrated circuit; and enabling normal operation of the predetermined output ports after the programming of the programmable integrated circuit. An integrated circuit having programmable output ports is also disclosed.
US08324923B2
Improved probing of closely spaced contact pads is provided by an array of vertical probes having all of the probe tips aligned along a single contact line, while the probe bases are arranged in an array having two or more rows parallel to the contact line. With this arrangement of probes, the probe base thickness can be made greater than the contact pad spacing along the contact line, thereby advantageously increasing the lateral stiffness of the probes. The probe tip thickness is less than the contact pad spacing, so probes suitable for practicing the invention have a wide base section and a narrow tip section.
US08324915B2
A probe card assembly can include an electrical interface to a test system for testing electronic devices such as semiconductor dies. The probe card assembly can also include probes located at a first side of the probe card assembly. The probes, which can be electrically connected to the electrical interface, can be configured to contact terminals of the electronic devices in the test system while the probe card assembly is attached to the test system. The probe card assembly can be configured to impede thermal flow from the probe card assembly to the test system at places of physical contact between the probe card assembly and the test system while the probe card assembly is attached to the test system.
US08324913B2
The invention relates to a moisture sensor which comprises a receiving area on its surface for a moisture film, the layer thickness of which is dependent on the relative humidity in the surrounding of the receiving area. The moisture sensor has a signal source which is connected to at least one control electrode at at least one infeed, the electrode abutting the receiving area, for providing a control voltage to the moisture film. The moisture sensor comprises at least one potential sensor which has at least one sensor area, under the receiving area, which is spaced apart from the at least one infeed. The sensor area is electrically insulated from the receiving area by an insulation layer, located between the sensor area and the receiving area, in such a way that an electrical potential can be capacitively detected by means of the potential sensor, the potential being dependent on the layer thickness of the moisture film and the control voltage.
US08324907B2
According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method of monitoring an electrical connection, the method comprising monitoring a temperature of the electrical connection, monitoring a level of current passing through the electrical connection, and determining, in response to monitoring temperature and current, whether the temperature of the electrical connection exceeds a temperature threshold associated with the level of current passing through the electrical connection.
US08324906B2
Hidden or overlapped peaks may occur when using SSTDR technology to determine ware faults. These hidden/overlapped peaks may cause false negative determinations (no fault) when testing a wire for faults. In one method of the present invention, the symmetrical property of the SSTDR wave envelope is used to resolve hidden/overlapped peaks. In another method of the present invention, the calibrated normalized loop back SSTDR wave envelope may be used to resolve hidden/overlapped peaks.
US08324905B2
An automatic variable gain amplifier is provided. The automatic variable gain amplifier automatically adjusts the amplification of a signal, and in one embodiment, an ion signal, based on the amplitude of the peaks of the signal. The automatic variable gain amplifier detects the peaks of the signal, compares them to a threshold value, and, based on this comparison, varies the amount by which the signal is amplified. The automatic variable gain amplifier produces a composite output waveform for an input waveform with an amplitude that may vary over a plurality of orders of magnitude.
US08324897B2
In some embodiments, a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) receiver using digital downconversion and subsampling tracks transmit and/or receive signal phases according to time(s) elapsed since reference times (e.g. reset times) corresponding to known phases. Carrier-frequency (fc) NMR signals are digitized directly, using a sampling frequency (fs) lower than fc. Digital downconversion and carrier phase correction are performed to yield NMR modulations of interest. A phase determination circuit may include an N-bit counter incremented at fs and an associated count register storing an indicator of a time elapsed since a carrier generator reset for each transient sampling period start, A real-time controller synchronously resets the counters and corresponding signal generators. A sin/cos lookup table maps counts to phase correction function values. Described exemplary systems and methods allow applying phase correction(s) to detected NMR signals to compensate for system changes such as transmitter or downconverter NCO resets or carrier frequency changes.
US08324895B2
An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation having: a plurality of receiver antennas to receive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals from a plurality of angular segments in a region of investigation in response to an interaction between a static magnetic field and pulses of electromagnetic energy; and a processor configured to: receive the NMR signals from each receiver antenna, the NMR signals having first NMR signals received from each angular segment by only one receiver antenna and second NMR signals received from a same angular segment by at least two receiver antennas; associate the first NMR signals and the second NMR signals with the angular segment from which the first NMR signals and the second NMR signals were obtained; deconvolve the second NMR signals to produce deconvolved NMR signals; and estimate the property from the first NMR signals, the deconvolved NMR signals, and the associated angular segments.
US08324893B2
In a measurement method, a plurality of magnetic field sensors (MS0-MS15) that are arranged along a circular periphery (CIR) and are each configured to emit a sensor signal (H0-H15) as a function of a magnetic field intensity is provided. A diametrically magnetized magnetic source (MAG) seated rotatably on the circular periphery (CIR) about an axis of rotation (RA) is further provided. A first set of sensor signals from the magnetic field sensors (MS0-MS15) is received and a first orientation (AL1) of an axis (AX) defined by a reference value transition (RFD) is determined as a function the first set. After a rotation of the magnetic source (MAG) about the axis of rotation (RA), a second set of sensor signals is received and a second orientation (AL2) of the axis (AX) is determined as a function of the second set of sensor signals. A position (X0, Y0) of the axis of rotation (RA) is acquired as a function of the first and the second orientation (AL1, AL2).
US08324887B2
A device for determining the rotational speed of a transmission shaft (12). The device includes a rotational speed indicator (3) connected, in a rotationally fixed manner, to the transmission shaft (12) and at least one rotation speed sensor (2) including at least one sensor element (10). By way of the sensor element (10), the speed of the transmission shaft (12) is detected via the speed indicator (3). The speed sensor (2) is attached to a shifting element (5) for actuating a sliding sleeve (4) of a clutch device (1) that is connected to the transmission shaft (12) in such a manner that the sliding sleeve (4) axially movable on but fixed so as not to rotate.
US08324878B2
A voltage regulator includes an active control switch, an active sync switch, a driver circuit, and a gate resistor. The active control switch is coupled between an input voltage line and an input of an energy storage device. The active sync switch is coupled to the input of the energy storage device. The driver circuit is coupled to the control and sync switches to alternately drive each of the control and sync switches into a conducting state to produce a regulated voltage at an output of the energy storage device. The gate resistor is coupled in series within a control path of the sync switch. The gate resistor has a resistance value that is tuned to reduce an anticipated dead time between a turn-off time of the sync switch and a turn-on time of the control switch.
US08324874B2
An apparatus comprises a synchronous converter for providing a regulated output voltage responsive to an input voltage, a control PWM signal to a control switch of the synchronous converter and a synchronous PWM signal to a synchronous switch of the synchronous converter. A first circuit generates the control PWM signal and the synchronous PWM signal responsive to a PWM control signal. The first circuit limits a maximum duty cycle of the synchronous PWM signal to a predetermined level.
US08324873B2
A power supply apparatus is provided which includes: a first switch provided between an inductor and a terminal to which a reference voltage is applied; a second switch provided between the inductor and an output terminal; a first comparator circuit that compares an input voltage with a first comparison voltage; a signal generating circuit that outputs a frequency signal according to an output from the first comparator circuit; and a first control circuit that controls the first and second switches based on an output from the signal generating circuit to control an electrical current flowing into the inductor.
US08324869B2
A method and apparatus for controlling a converter circuit within the electrical accumulator unit based on a comparison between an actual average converter current and a desired average converter current.
US08324851B2
A method for determining the position of a rotor in a permanent magnet synchronous motor includes applying voltage pulses to the windings at successive electrical angles while the motor is at a standstill. The resultant current is sampled. The position of a maximum current is determined by identifying an segment of an electrical cycles which includes the maximum current, and using a spline interpolation to model the current flow in this segment. The maximum current is then correlated to the position of the rotor.
US08324845B2
A rechargeable power tool includes a direct current motor, a switching circuit, at least one speed setting unit, a duty ratio setting unit, a drive unit, an operation amount detecting unit, an abnormality determining unit, and a determination threshold setting unit. The abnormality determining unit compares an operation amount detected by the operation amount detecting unit and a determination threshold set based on the operation amount to thereby determine whether or not an operation state of the rechargeable power tool is abnormal. The determination threshold setting unit sets the determination threshold in a continuous or stepwise manner in accordance with a rotation speed set by the speed setting unit.
US08324833B2
The application relates to setting color point and light intensity. By controlling the phase as well as the amplitudes of a driving voltage for a lighting device, the color point as well as the light intensity of a lighting device may be set.
US08324822B2
An apparatus is disclosed that is capable of delivering substantially constant power to a luminous load with variation in the input voltage and the environment temperature. The apparatus may be further adapted to vary the power supplied to the luminous load based on changes in the input voltage produced by a phase control dimmer or external device. Additionally, if the input voltage is changed due to a user controlling a dimmer device to control the brightness of the luminous load, the apparatus is able to control the power delivered to the load in response to the dimmer device. Additionally, the apparatus is adapted to allow the luminous output light intensity to be controlled by changes in a remote control voltage source or variable resister and draws near unity power factor power from the AC input throughout the dimming range when not used with phase control dimmer. The remote control or variable resistor can operate simultaneously with a dimmer to achieve multiple controls for the light output.
US08324821B2
A two-wired LED light adjusting system, for controlling the luminance adjustment for a LED lamp module. The light adjusting circuit includes a phase modulating circuit, a LED driving circuit and a controller. The phase modulating circuit generates a phase modulating voltage. The controller detects the phase modulating voltage of various waveforms. When the controller detects the phase modulating voltage of different waveforms, the controller controls the LED driving circuit to enable the LED lamp module to emit light of different luminance according to waveforms of the phase modulating voltage.
US08324820B2
A series connected LED light string using capacitors as shunts. The shunts are implemented by inserting a capacitor—for example a low breakdown voltage chip capacitor—in every light socket, or internally within each LED. The capacitive shunt continues current in the light string in the event an LED fails by opening electrically—the capacitor shorts out, thus, keeping the string of lights illuminated. The shunt capacitor across the LED also helps filter the pulsating DC voltage to the bulbs and reduces annoying flicker.
US08324815B2
LED lighting systems and methods of manufacture, which include one or more of the following: (1) a solid state active heat sink for cooling one or more LED chips; (2) a front end power supply providing high voltage to the active heat sink component; (3) a front end power supply that provides a relatively low voltage load to a plurality of LED chips; (4) a front end hybrid power supply with both a high and low voltage output, wherein the high voltage is at least 2 kV higher than the low voltage output; (5) an over-mold encapsulating the front end components, wherein the over-mold is provided by a reaction injection molding process; (6) a digital micro-minor device (DMD) for providing pixilated light, color mixing, and intensity control; and (7) an optic having quantum dots (QDs), wherein the light output of the DMD activates for the QDs.
US08324804B2
An organic light-emitting display apparatus with improved durability, the organic light-emitting display apparatus including: a panel assembly including a display unit in which at least one organic light-emitting device is formed; a polarization layer disposed on a first surface of the panel assembly; a cushion tape formed to cover a bottom surface of the panel assembly and at least one side of the panel assembly, and an accommodation member having a bottom portion and a lateral portion, the bottom portion and a lateral portion of the accommodation member contacting the cushion tape to accommodate the panel assembly.
US08324800B2
An OLED device comprises a cathode, an anode, and has therebetween a light-emitting layer containing a phosphorescent emitter that emits yellow, orange or red light; a tertiary arylamine compound as a first host material, and a gallium complex with only nitrogen bidentate ligands as a second host material. Desirably, the phosphorescent emitter is an iridium complex.
US08324799B2
The present invention provides a light emitting device with high brightness. The light emitting device comprises a fiber core, a first electrode, a light emitting layer and a second electrode in this order wherein the light emitting layer is on at least one selected from the fiber core and the first electrode, the second electrode is opaque, and is on a periphery of the light emitting layer and covers not less than 30% and not more than 80% of a periphery of the light emitting layer.
US08324797B2
Provided is a white LED including a reflector cup; an LED chip mounted on the bottom surface of the reflector cup; transparent resin surrounding the LED chip; a phosphor layer formed on the transparent resin; and a light transmitting layer that is inserted into the surface of the phosphor layer so as to form an embossing pattern on the surface, the light transmitting layer transmitting light, incident from the phosphor layer, in the upward direction.
US08324795B2
A fluorescent lamp may include a pair of hot cathode electrodes at both its ends, wherein a phosphor is formed in a laminated manner on the inner surface of a glass tube and a protection film is formed between the glass tube and the phosphor, wherein a residual impure gas in the lamp, including the amount occluded by the phosphor and the protection film, is set to 0.5% or less with the sealed rare gas partial pressure ratio, and wherein the following relationship is fulfilled: GHg=A×CL, A=0.0032-0.163 [mg/cc], wherein the amount of sealed mercury is GHg [mg], the lamp internal volume is CL [cc], and the coefficient is A [mg/cc].
US08324774B2
A rotating electrical machine apparatus comprising a motor generator 10 having a stator (11) to which a plurality of coil groups are provided and a rotor (12), and a control apparatus (30) which controls a current supplied to the coil groups of the stator (11), wherein the stator (11) is provided with a stator friction portion (21) and the rotor (12) is provided with a rotor friction part (19), and the rotor (12) is movable between a connection position, in which the stator friction portion (21) and the rotor friction portion (19) are in contact with each other and the rotor (12) and the stator (11) are connected with each other, and a separation position, in which the stator friction portion (21) and the rotor friction portion (19) are separated from each other, and is constituted to move to the connection position when at least two coil groups among the plurality of coil groups are simultaneously excited, and the control apparatus (30) controls a current supplied to the coil groups so that at least two coil groups among the plurality of coil groups are simultaneously excited when prescribed connection condition is fulfilled.
US08324763B2
A magnetically actuated reciprocating motor utilizes the stored energy of magnets, particularly rare earth magnets, and an electromagnetic field to reciprocally drive a magnetic actuator. A converting mechanism, such as a connecting rod and crankshaft, converts the reciprocating motion of the magnetic actuator to rotary motion for powering a work object. A solenoid, comprising a nonferromagnetic spool having a tubular center section with a coil of wire wrapped around the center section, is connected to a source of power and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism switches the magnetic polarity at the ends of the solenoid to alternatively repel and attract permanent magnets at the ends of the magnetic actuator. A shaft interconnecting the magnets is received through the center section of the solenoid. A controlling mechanism interconnecting an output shaft and the switching mechanism provides the timing to switch the polarity of the solenoid to drive the magnetic actuator.
US08324761B2
A module including a case; an electrical switching device configured to control power to a load; and a controller coupled to the electrical switching device. The electrical switching device and the controller are substantially encapsulated by the case. Functionality of the module can be exposed through a communication interface in the case.
US08324756B2
A power management (PM) system architecture for a controlled SoC detects availability of power supply for signal-driving at a given node inside a chip, and uses a timer, a discharge mechanism with trigger for starting/stopping a discharge process, and a comparator for monitoring a measured voltage of an intended node during the discharge process. Enabling the discharge mechanism for a known time period helps detection. Power supply can be internally generated in the chip or from a source on board. The architecture detects if the node is driven or floating, an undriven floating node causing a dip in the measured voltage. The measured voltage does not have a dip when the node is driven. The architecture is also configured so that when there is a required on-board external power supply, an internal power supply is disabled to avoid a race-condition. The architecture obviates a dedicated IO pin for mode-indication.
US08324753B2
A power harvesting device for use with a machine that includes a fluid intake path is described. The power harvesting device includes at least one blade and a shaft that is coupled to the at least one blade. The shaft and the at least one blade are positioned within the fluid intake path of the machine. The power harvesting device is configured to harvest energy from a fluid flowing through the fluid intake path of the machine.
US08324751B2
An object of the present invention is to make use of wind energy as effectively as possible and increase the amount of generated energy that is supplied to a power system. A power storage apparatus is interposed between and electrically connected to a wind turbine generator and a power system. The wind turbine generator outputs, to the power system side, an amount of active power obtained by subtracting auxiliary machine loss, which is power consumed by an auxiliary machine, from the maximum active power that can be output by a generator, and if the amount of active power output from the wind turbine generator exceeds a limited power value set for the power transmission end, a charge/discharge controller that controls the power storage apparatus causes the power storage apparatus to be charged with part of the power output from the wind turbine generator.
US08324747B2
A starting system may include a wound-field electric machine with a main generator and an exciter generator. The main generator and the exciter generator may each have stator windings and rotor windings. A shorting switch may be provided for interconnecting the stator windings of the exciter generator together when power is applied to stator windings of the main generator. This may result in starting torque being produced by the exciter generator, which starting torque may be additive to starting torque produced by the main generator.
US08324739B2
A module including a carrier and a semiconductor chip applied to the carrier. An external contact element is provided having a first portion and a second portion extending perpendicular to the first portion, wherein a thickness of the second portion is smaller than a thickness of the carrier.
US08324721B2
An integrated circuit package that comprises a lead frame 105, an integrated circuit located on the lead frame and a shunt resistor coupled to the integrated circuit. The shunt resistor has a lower temperature coefficient of resistance than the lead frame, and the lead frame has a lower resistivity than the shunt resistor. The shunt resistor has a low-resistance coupling to external leads of the lead frame, or, the shunt resistor has its own integrated external leads.
US08324715B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating layer, an electrode pad, a through hole, a second insulating layer, and a conductive material. A through groove passes through the semiconductor substrate from a surface to an opposite surface. The first insulating layer fills the through groove. The electrode pad is connected with an interconnection layer. The second insulating layer is provided between the electrode pad and the first insulating layer. The through hole communicates with the electrode pad and passes through the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer. The conductive material is provided in the through hole so as to be connected with the electrode pad.
US08324714B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a main surface in which a semiconductor element region where a plurality of functional elements are formed is formed; a multilevel wiring layer disposed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate; a first organic insulating material layer disposed on the multilevel wiring layer; a groove that penetrates the multilevel wiring layer on a scribe region that surrounds the semiconductor element region; and an organic insulating material that is spaced from the first organic insulating material layer and disposed in the groove.
US08324712B2
A metal capacitor structure is disclosed. The metal capacitor structure includes: a dielectric layer having a first region and a second region, a dielectric constant of the dielectric layer in the second region being higher than a dielectric constant of the dielectric layer in the first region; a dual damascene metal interconnection positioned in the first region; and a damascene capacitor electrode positioned in the second region.
US08324708B2
Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit device including fuse elements for carrying out laser trimming processing, in which a space width between aluminum interconnects of the first layer to be connected to the adjacent fuse elements is set to less than twice of the thickness of the side wall of the metal interlayer insulating film of the first layer, thereby preventing exposure of the SOG layer having hygroscopic property. In addition, side spacers are provided to side surfaces of the aluminum interconnects of the first layer.
US08324701B2
An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a pixel sensor, a color filter array comprising a plurality of color filters formed on the pixel sensor, wherein two adjacent color filters have a gap therebetween, and a gapless microlens array comprising a plurality of microlenses formed on the color filter array. The invention also provides a method for fabricating the image sensor.
US08324699B2
A method for manufacturing an insulating film, which is used as an insulating film used for a semiconductor integrated circuit, whose reliability can be ensured even though it has small thickness, is provided. In particular, a method for manufacturing a high-quality insulating film over a substrate having an insulating surface, which can be enlarged, at low substrate temperature, is provided. A monosilane gas (SiH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and a rare gas are introduced into a chamber to generate high-density plasma at a pressure higher than or equal to 10 Pa and lower than or equal to 30 Pa so that an insulating film is formed over a substrate having an insulating surface. After that, the supply of a monosilane gas is stopped, and nitrous oxide (N2O) and a rare gas are introduced without exposure to the air to perform plasma treatment on a surface of the insulating film.
US08324686B2
A semiconductor device and method for manufacturing. One embodiment provides a semiconductor device including an active cell region and a gate pad region. A conductive gate layer is arranged in the active cell region and a conductive resistor layer is arranged in the gate pad region. The resistor layer includes a resistor region which includes a grid-like pattern of openings formed in the resistor layer. A gate pad metallization is arranged at least partially above the resistor layer and in electrical contact with the resistor layer. An electrical connection is formed between the gate layer and the gate pad metallization, wherein the electrical connection includes the resistor region.
US08324685B2
A fin-semiconductor region (13) is formed on a substrate (11). A first impurity which produces a donor level or an acceptor level in a semiconductor is introduced in an upper portion and side portions of the fin-semiconductor region (13), and oxygen or nitrogen is further introduced as a second impurity in the upper portion and side portions of the fin-semiconductor region (13).
US08324678B2
The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, including a first region where a transistor including a gate electrode of a stacked structure is formed, a second region where a transistor including a gate electrode of a single-layer structure is formed, and a third region positioned in a boundary part between the first region and the second region, includes: depositing a first conductive film, patterning the first conductive film in the first region and the third region so that the outer edge is positioned in the third region, depositing the second conductive film, patterning the second conductive film to form a control gate in the first region while leaving the second conductive film, covering the second region and having the inner edge positioned inner of the outer edge of the first conductive film, and patterning the second conductive film in the second region to form the gate electrode.
US08324676B2
Methods, devices, and systems for a memory cell are provided. One embodiment includes a memory cell with a storage node separated from a body region by a first dielectric, wherein the body region includes a channel separating a source and a drain region, and wherein a length of the storage node is less than a length of the channel. The embodiment further includes a memory cell with a gate separated from the storage node by a second dielectric, wherein a length of the gate is greater than a length of the storage node.
US08324670B2
This invention comprises plurality of edge illuminated photodiodes. More specifically, the photodiodes of the present invention comprise novel structures designed to minimize reductions in responsivity due to edge surface recombination and improve quantum efficiency. The novel structures include, but are not limited to, angled facets, textured surface regions, and appropriately doped edge regions.
US08324654B2
A light emitting device includes a body having a recess; a barrier section protruding upward over a bottom surface of the recess and dividing the bottom surface of the recess into a plurality of regions; a plurality of light emitting diodes including a first diode disposed in a first region of the bottom surface of the recess and a second diode disposed in a second region of the bottom surface of the recess; a plurality of lead electrodes spaced apart from each other in the recess and selectively connected to the light emitting diodes; wires connecting the lead electrodes to the light emitting diodes; a resin layer in the recess; and at least one concave part in the barrier section. The concave part has a height lower than a top surface of the barrier section and higher than the bottom surface of the recess and the wires are provided in the concave part to connect the lead electrodes to the light emitting diodes disposed in opposition to each other.
US08324653B1
A semiconductor chip assembly includes a semiconductor device, a heat spreader, a conductive trace and an insulative material. The heat spreader includes a base and a ceramic block. The conductive trace provides signal routing between a pad and a terminal. The insulative material extends between the base and the terminal. The ceramic block is embedded in the base. The semiconductor device overlaps the ceramic block, is electrically connected to the conductive trace and is thermally connected to the heat spreader.
US08324648B2
A plurality of reflective nanometer-structures formed on the reflective surface of a semiconductor light emitting device package increases light emitting efficiency. Every pitch between each reflective nanometer-structure has an interval P shorter than the half wavelength of the visible light. Moreover, each of the plurality of reflective nanometer-structures has a depth H, wherein the ratio of the depth H over the interval P is not less than 2.
US08324644B2
According to an aspect of the invention, an optical functional element includes a substrate, a semiconductor element portion, and a light emitting element portion. The semiconductor element portion includes a first part of a semiconductor multi layer structure formed on the substrate. The light emitting element portion includes a second part of the semiconductor multi layer structure and light emitting element structure formed on the second part of the semiconductor multi layer structure.
US08324629B2
An organic light emitting display device and a method of manufacturing the device are disclosed. The method includes forming a layer over an oxide semiconductor layer to protect the oxide semiconductor layer from damage as further layers are formed and etched.
US08324625B2
An electronic device including a first electrode that is provided on a substrate and includes an Mo—Nb alloy, an insulating film disposed on the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on the first electrode with at least the insulating film interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a method for producing the electronic device are provided.
US08324624B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate for an X-ray detector and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The TFT array substrate includes a substrate, a gate line formed on the substrate, a data line crossing the gate line, a thin film transistor including a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, a first electrode connected to the drain electrode, a passivation layer formed over the gate line, the data line, the thin film transistor and the first electrode, a photoconductor formed over the passivation layer and connected to the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the photoconductor.
US08324622B2
A method that includes forming a first level of active circuitry on a substrate, forming a first probe pad electrically connected to the first level of active circuitry where the first probe pad having a first surface, contacting the first probe pad with a probe tip that displaces a portion of the first probe pad above the first surface, and performing a chemical mechanical polish on the first probe pad to planarize the portion of the first probe pad above the first surface. The method also includes forming a second level of active circuitry overlying the first probe pad, forming a second probe pad electrically connected to the second level of active circuitry, contacting the second probe pad with a probe tip that displaces a portion of the probe pad, and chemically mechanically polishing the second probe pad to remove the portion displaced.
US08324620B2
It is an object to manufacture a highly reliable semiconductor device including a thin film transistor whose electric characteristics are stable. An insulating layer which covers an oxide semiconductor layer of the thin film transistor contains a boron element or an aluminum element. The insulating layer containing a boron element or an aluminum element is formed by a sputtering method using a silicon target or a silicon oxide target containing a boron element or an aluminum element. Alternatively, an insulating layer containing an antimony (Sb) element or a phosphorus (P) element instead of a boron element covers the oxide semiconductor layer of the thin film transistor.
US08324608B2
In a variable resistance nonvolatile storage element, an electrode suitable for a variable resistance operation and formed of a metallic nitride layer containing Ti and N is provided. In a nonvolatile storage device including: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a variable resistance layer which is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode and in which a resistance value changes to two different resistance states, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is an electrode including a metallic nitride layer containing at least Ti and N, and a mole ratio (N/Ti ratio) between Ti and N in at least a part of the metallic nitride layer, the part being in contact with the variable resistance layer is 1.15 or more and a film density is 4.7 g/cc or more.
US08324593B2
An ionic liquid ion source can include a microfabricated body including a base and a tip. The microfabricated body can be formed of a porous metal compatible (e.g., does not react or result in electrochemical decaying or corrosion) with an ionic liquid or a room-temperature molten salt. The microfabricated body can have a pore size gradient that decreases from the base of the body to the tip of the body, so that the ionic liquid can be transported through capillarity from the base to the tip.
US08324589B2
Digital images or the charge from pixels in light sensitive semiconductor based imagers may be used to detect gamma rays and energetic particles emitted by radioactive materials. Methods may be used to identify pixel-scale artifacts introduced into digital images and video images by high energy gamma rays. Statistical tests and other comparisons on the artifacts in the images or pixels may be used to prevent false-positive detection of gamma rays. The sensitivity of the system may be used to detect radiological material at distances in excess of 50 meters. Advanced processing techniques allow for gradient searches to more accurately determine the source's location, while other acts may be used to identify the specific isotope. Coordination of different imagers and network alerts permit the system to separate non-radioactive objects from radioactive objects.
US08324581B2
An embodiment of the invention relates to a radiation detector which includes a plurality of radiation detector modules arranged adjacent to one another with in each case one scintillation element with a radiation inlet surface aligned transversely with respect to a main direction of a radiation, and light detector arrangements arranged transversely with respect to the radiation inlet surfaces of the scintillation elements. In the process of at least one embodiment, one light detector arrangement is arranged between two scintillation elements and has two light inlet surfaces which point away from one another, of which one is associated with a first scintillation element and one is associated with a second scintillation element. Furthermore, at least one embodiment of the invention relates to a light detector arrangement, a production method for a radiation detector according to at least one embodiment of the invention and/or an imaging system.
US08324579B2
A monitor part performs monitoring by detecting contamination on a lower surface of an article to be inspected based on a lower surface detection signal, detecting contamination on an upper surface of the article based on an upper surface detection signal, detecting contamination on a front surface of the article based on a front, lower surface detection signal and a front, upper surface detection signal, detecting contamination on a rear surface of the article based on a rear, lower surface detection signal and a rear, upper surface detection signal, detecting contamination on a left surface of the article based on a left, lower surface detection signal and a left, upper surface detection signal, and detecting contamination on a right surface of the article based on a right, lower surface detection signal and a right, upper surface detection signal.
US08324575B2
A liquid-tight sealed assembly comprises a housing for a night vision device and a transmissive window, wherein the transmissive window permits a signal to pass-through the transmissive window for programming or controlling the night vision device within the housing. A night vision imaging sensor assembly comprises an electronic module disposed within a housing of a night vision device, a control assembly disposed externally of the housing, and a control interface of the housing interposed between the electronic module and the control assembly. The control assembly and the electronic module are configured to transmit and receive signals. The control interface permits a signal to pass-through the housing while preventing environmental leakage into the housing. The transmissive window permits signals, such as infra-red, capacitive, or magnetic signals, to pass-through. The assembly minimizes environmental leakage paths into the housing, thereby preventing damage from environmental contaminants such as moisture.
US08324568B2
A mass spectrometer includes an ionization chamber (100) which generates fragment-free ions to be detected from an introduced gas to be detected, and a mass spectrometer chamber (140) including a mass spectrometer (160) which fractionates by mass the ions to be detected that are transported from the ionization chamber and which detects the ions. The mass spectrometer further includes a probe (111) which holds a liquid sample or a solid sample and causes the liquid sample or the solid sample to generate the gas to be detected upon heating by a heating means, and a gas introduction means (170) which introduces a predetermined gas from the probe to the ionization chamber to transport, to the ionization chamber, the gas to be detected that is generated at the probe.
US08324564B1
A quad-emissive display apparatus to provide suitable emissive energy in four spectral bands to provide simultaneous evaluation of sensors having different spectral sensitivities. The apparatus can simultaneously provide four spectral bands of visible (0.4 to 0.7 microns), near infrared (0.7 to 1.0 microns), short wave infrared (1.0 to 3.0 microns) and the long wave infrared (8.0 to 14.0 microns) radiation.
US08324559B2
An inspection apparatus for optically examining bottles, having a mirror cabinet for imaging different circumferential side views of a bottle to be examined. The deflection mirrors for beam paths associated with lateral image areas are tilted such that an image distortion caused by central projection will be compensated for in the lateral image areas.
US08324555B2
A multiple transistor differential amplifier is implemented on a segment of a single graphene nanoribbon. Differential amplifier field effect transistors are formed on the graphene nanoribbon from a first group of electrical conductors in contact with the graphene nanoribbon and a second group of electrical conductors insulated from, but exerting electric fields on, the graphene nanoribbon thereby forming the gates of the field effect transistors. A transistor in one portion of the graphene nanoribbon and a transistor in another portion of the graphene nanoribbon are responsive to respective incoming electrical signals. A current source, also formed on the graphene nanoribbon, is connected with the differential amplifier, and the current source and the differential amplifier operating together generate an outgoing signal responsive to the incoming electrical signal. In an example application, the resulting circuit can be used to interface with electrical signals of nanoscale sensors and actuators.
US08324548B2
A pixel circuit having improved charge transfer including an amplifier having an input node electrically connected to a charge storage node of the pixel circuit, and a negative feedback control loop having a capacitance element electrically connected between the input node and an output node of said amplifier.
US08324544B2
A multi-stage fin deployment assembly includes a rotary actuator configured to release a first spring-loaded stage that, when deployed, releases a second spring-loaded stage to deploy a set of deployable member or fins. By chaining these spring-loaded stages together, a relatively small input force, as provided by the rotary actuator, causes the second spring-loaded stage to generate a relatively large output force on the fins. This multistage force magnification makes it possible for the deployment assembly to utilize smaller actuators that require less power and take up less space, compared to conventional locking mechanisms.
US08324540B2
A microwave oven and method for heating a load using microwaves are provided. The microwave oven comprises a cavity adapted to receive a load. The cavity is designed to support at least two predefined mode fields. For each predefined mode field, a resonance frequency in the cavity is known. Further, the microwave oven comprises a frequency-controllable microwave source for feeding microwaves into the cavity via at least one feeding port. The method comprises the steps of measuring a signal reflected from the cavity as a function of the operating frequency of the microwave source and identifying resonance frequencies in the cavity based on the measured signal. Further, the method comprises the steps of selecting, for the predefined modes, at least two of the identified resonance frequencies based on the known resonance frequencies and switching the operating frequency of the microwave source using the selected frequencies. The present invention is advantageous in that it enables uniform heating of the load in the cavity.
US08324539B2
A microwave waveguide applicator and a method for heating, drying, or curing generally planar materials or products. The applicator comprises a waveguide having a pair of opposing broad sides perpendicular to a pair of opposing narrow sides bounding a rectangular exposure chamber. A microwave source generates and propagates microwaves through the chamber in a propagation direction and with an electric field generally directed from one broad wall to the other. Slotted openings in the narrow sides act as entrance and exit ports for a conveyor transporting a product along a conveying path through the chamber perpendicular to the propagation direction and perpendicular to the electric field. The waveguide may be ridged to focus or bend the electric field, especially for heating thin materials.
US08324533B2
A dual-person electric heating blanket having a receiving bag and a remote controller, the receiving bag has therein a first and a juxtaposed second heating wire which are connected with a controller box; the remote controller includes a circuit board being electrically connected, a pattern interface, a switchable switch and a signal emitting end; the pattern interface has thereat a first and a second position juxtaposed with each other, the first position has thereat a first pattern, and the second position has thereat a second pattern, the first and second patterns are respectively connected with a first and a second circuit on the circuit board; thereby, when a user faces to a front or a rear end of the receiving bag, by switching between the first and second circuits with the switchable switch, the first pattern corresponds to the first heating wire and the second pattern corresponds to the second heating wire, and by emitting control signal from the signal emitting end, heating temperatures of the two sets of heating wires are controlled respectively.
US08324531B2
A positioning device (13) for producing a light signal (32) to position a robot tool (2) relative to a workpiece (14) is provided. The positioning device (13) comprises a frame (16) and a pair of light sources (22, 24) mounted at the free end of the frame and arranged to direct a pair of light beams (28, 30) therefrom in converging directions which intersect with each other and provide a light signal (32) at a predetermined distance from the free end of the frame (16). The positioning device (13) can include two pairs of light sources to generate two pairs of intersecting light beams (28, 30; 29, 31, ). The two pairs of light sources can be arranged so that the two pairs of light beams (28, 30; 29, 31) are located substantially 90 degrees apart.
US08324530B2
A method for heating a wafer that has at least one layer to be heated and a sub-layer. The method includes applying at least one light flux pulse to the wafer for heating the at least one layer in a manner such that the absorption coefficient of the flux by the layer is low as long as the temperature of the layer to be heated is in the low temperature range (PBT) but the absorption coefficient increases significantly when the temperature of the layer enters a high temperature range (PHT). Also, a sub-layer is selected such that the absorption coefficient of the applied light flux at the selected wavelength is high in the low temperature range (PBT) and the temperature enters the high temperature range (PHT) when the sub-layer is subjected to the light flux. The application of the light flux achieves improved heating of the wafer.
US08324529B2
A laser machining device 1 includes a laser light source 10, a spatial light modulator 20, a controller 22, a converging optical system 30, and a shielding member 40. The phase-modulating spatial light modulator 20 inputs a laser beam outputted from the laser light source 10, displays a hologram modulating a phase of the laser beam at each of a plurality of pixels arranged two-dimensionally, and outputs the phase-modulated laser beam. The controller 22 causes the spatial light modulator 20 to display a plurality of holograms sequentially, lets the converging optical system 30 converge the laser beam outputted from the spatial light modulator 20 at converging positions having a fixed number of M, selectively places N converging positions out of the M converging positions into a machining region 91, and machines an object to be machined 90.
US08324522B2
Provided is an apparatus for performing a reflow process of a solder ball provided to a semiconductor chip. The reflow apparatus may include a coil, a support member and a moving member. The coil may receive a current from a power supply to heat the solder ball using an induced heating method. The support member may be disposed on the front or the rear of the coil and may support a printed circuit board on which a semiconductor chip is mounted. The moving member may move the printed circuit board so that the printed circuit object passes through an internal space surrounded by the coil.
US08324519B2
A MEMS switch includes a latch mechanism, first and second electrical conductors, a first latch actuator, a second latch actuator, and an axial actuator. The latch mechanism may include a transfer rod and a contact member, the contact member extending radially outwardly from a position along the axial length of the transfer rod. The first and second electrical conductors may extend along, and may be radially offset from, a portion of the transfer rod. The first latch actuator may include a first latch pin, and the second latch actuator may include a second latch pin, the first and second latch actuators being configured to move toward and away from the transfer rod, and the first and second latch pins configured to engage the contact member. The at least one axial actuator may be configured to move the contact member towards and away from the first and second electrical conductors.
US08324515B2
Housings for electrical or electronic components made using braid or woven fabric sheets having multiple sections treated with different materials as well as processes and materials for making such housings are disclosed.
US08324512B2
A multilayered printed circuit board including a substrate, a multilayered structure built thereon and having conductor circuits and interlaminar resin insulating layers in an alternate fashion, and one or more stack-via structures including via-holes stacked one another and electrically connected to the conductor circuits through the insulating layers. Each of the via-holes includes a land portion formed on a respective one of the insulating layers and a filled via structure portion filling an opening of the respective one of the insulating layers with a metal layer such that the via-holes are stacked one another immediately above the filled via structure portion of each via-hole, the via-holes include the outermost layer via-hole in the outermost layer of the insulating layers, and one or more via-holes have the land portion having the land diameter which is larger than the land diameter of the land portion of the outermost layer via-hole.
US08324511B1
A method includes applying a backside passivation layer to an inactive surface of an electronic component and to enclose a through via nub protruding from the inactive surface. The method further includes laser ablating the backside passivation layer to reveal a portion of the through via nub. The backside passivation layer is formed of a low cost organic material. Further, by using a laser ablation process, the backside passivation layer is removed in a controlled manner to reveal the portion of the through via nub. Further, by using a laser ablation process, the resulting thickness of the backside passivation layer is set to a desired value in a controlled manner. Further, by using a laser ablation process, the fabrication cost is reduced as compared to the use of chemical mechanical polish.
US08324505B2
The present invention relates to flex cables, and more particularly to a temperature tolerant cover layer construction for a flex cable. In one embodiment, a flex cable designed to be bent to a particular curved shape includes one or more slits formed in the inner cover layer, to reduce the amount of material in the cover layer on the inside radius of the curve. By reducing the amount of cover layer material on the inside of the curve, the slits reduce the compressive stress in the cover layer. The slits are formed prior to laminating the flex cable so that upon lamination the flexible filler material below the cover layer fills the slits, providing a compliant, protective layer that bends into the desired curve and protects the active components inside the cable. The slits reduce the compressive stress along the inside cover layer and thereby prevent the cover layer from separating from the rest of the cable when the flex cable is subjected to high temperature conditions.
US08324502B2
A covered cable assembly includes a cable and a sealing assembly. The cable includes a metal sheath and a cable core. The metal sheath has a sheath terminal edge defining a sheath opening. The cable core extends through the metal sheath. The cable core includes an electrical conductor and an oil-impregnated paper insulation layer surrounding the electrical conductor. An extended cable core section of the cable core extends through the sheath opening and beyond the sheath terminal edge. The sealing assembly includes an oil barrier tube, a sealing mastic and a pressure retention tape. The oil barrier tube surrounds the extended cable core section. The sealing mastic surrounds the cable about the sheath terminal edge and overlaps portions of the metal sheath and the oil barrier tube adjacent the sheath terminal edge to effect an oil barrier seal between the metal sheath and the cable core at the sheath opening. The pressure retention tape surrounds the sealing mastic to limit displacement of the sealing mastic.
US08324497B2
A luminescent solar concentrator comprises a primary waveguide and at least one photovoltaic cell. The primary waveguide has a curved surface which concentrates light on a perimeter. The photovoltaic cell is oriented at the perimeter so that it can both receive the concentrated light and receive direct light as well. A back sheet may be provided that provides structural support and protection. The perimeter may have the shape of a polygon where a photovoltaic cell is oriented along each edge. Modules and arrays of such units are also disclosed.
US08324496B1
Wind screens for reducing wind loading on one or more solar collectors are disclosed. The wind screens move with the solar collector as the collector tracks the sun in one or more dimensions. The wind screen pivotably connects to at least one solar panel of the collector. Another side of the wind screen may connect to the ground or to an adjacent collect, thus serving to divert wind over the collector. Wind screens may be made of various materials including rigid, flexible, or elastic materials and can change position, orientation, and/or effective length as the one or more collectors track the sun from East to West.
US08324495B2
The disclosed volume-adjustment circuit sets the volume of each pickup setting in a topology-setting switch independent of other pickup topology settings in the switch. The volume-adjustment circuit has three parts: (1) a pickup topology selection switch that selects separate pickup-topologies, (2) separate and independent signal paths for chosen pickup-topologies, and (3) separate volume adjustment circuits in electrically separate and independent signal paths. Thus, the disclosure provides separate volume adjustment for selected pickup topologies of the pickup topology selection switch.
US08324486B2
The present invention relates to an inbred sunflower line, designated CI1151R. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred sunflower line CI1151R, to the plants of inbred sunflower line CI1151R and to the methods for producing a sunflower plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing the inbred line CI1151R with itself or another sunflower line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a sunflower plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other inbred sunflower lines derived from the inbred CI1151R.
US08324484B2
The present invention relates to an inbred sunflower line, designated 503A/B. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred sunflower line 503A/B, to the plants of inbred sunflower line 503A/B and to the methods for producing a sunflower plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing the inbred line 503A/B with itself or another sunflower line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a sunflower plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other inbred sunflower lines derived from the inbred 503A/B.
US08324481B1
A novel maize variety designated X08A115 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08A115 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08A115 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08A115, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08A115. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08A115.
US08324480B1
A novel maize variety designated X00A929 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X00A929 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X00A929 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X00A929, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X00A929. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X00A929.
US08324476B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV601652. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV601652, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV601652 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV601652 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV601652.
US08324469B1
A soybean cultivar designated 06084915 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 06084915, to the plants of soybean cultivar 06084915, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 06084915, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 06084915. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 06084915. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 06084915, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 06084915 with another soybean cultivar.
US08324468B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024223. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024223. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024223 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024223 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08324467B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024216. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024216. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024216 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024216 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08324466B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024181. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024181. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024181 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024181 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08324464B2
A soybean cultivar designated S090018 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S090018, to the plants of soybean S090018, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S090018, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S090018 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety S090018, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S090018, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S090018 with another soybean cultivar.
US08324462B2
A soybean cultivar designated S080195 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S080195, to the plants of soybean S080195, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S080195, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S080195 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety S080195, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S080195, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S080195 with another soybean cultivar.
US08324457B2
Compositions and methods related to transgenic glyphosate/ALS inhibitor-tolerant soybean plants are provided. Specifically, soybean plants having a 3560.4.3.5 event which imparts tolerance to glyphosate and at least one ALS-inhibiting herbicide are provided. The soybean plant harboring the 3560.4.3.5 event at the recited chromosomal location comprises genomic/transgene junctions having at least the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:10 and/or 11. The characterization of the genomic insertion site of the 3560.4.3.5 event provides for an enhanced breeding efficiency and enables the use of molecular markers to track the transgene insert in the breeding populations and progeny thereof. Various methods and compositions for the identification, detection, and use of the soybean 3560.4.3.5 events are provided. Methods and compositions for increasing yield are also provided.
US08324454B2
The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules and their corresponding encoded polypeptides able confer the trait of improved plant size, vegetative growth, growth rate, seedling vigor and/or biomass in plants challenged with saline conditions. The present invention further relates to the use of these nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides in making transgenic plants, plant cells, plant materials or seeds of a plant having plant size, vegetative growth, growth rate, seedling vigor and/or biomass that are improved in saline conditions with respect to wild-type plants grown under similar conditions.
US08324447B2
The present invention relates to animal model systems comprising a chimera between an avian embryo and a mammalian organism. Specifically, chimeric model systems comprising normal, diseased or genetically transformed mammalian cells and tissues transplanted into avian embryos, and uses thereof for in vivo testing of drugs and therapeutic modalities are disclosed.
US08324446B2
A unitary absorbent core includes a nonwoven layer which has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. At least a portion of a first binding agent is impregnated into the garment-facing surface. A superabsorbent material is located on the impregnated surface, and a second binding agent is located on the superabsorbent material and can be superimposed onto the first binding agent. The unitary absorbent core can be utilized for absorbing viscous fluids.
US08324440B2
Silica supports having a surface area from about 250 m2/g to about 600 m2/g and an average pore diameter from about 45 Å to about 170 Å, used for supported tungsten catalysts, improves the activity of the resulting catalyst (i.e., its conversion level at a given temperature) for the metathesis of olefins, without compromising its selectivity to the desired conversion product(s). Exemplary catalysts and processes include those for the production of valuable light olefins such as propylene from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising ethylene and butylene.
US08324432B2
The invention relates to a method for the synthesis of acrolein by means of dehydration of the glycerol in the presence of a solid acid catalyst having a Hammett acidity of less than +2, such as sulfated zirconium oxides, phosphated zirconium oxides, tungstated zirconium oxides, silicated zirconium oxides, sulfated tin or titanium oxides, phosphated aluminas or silicas, doped iron phosphates, and phosphotungstic or silicotungstic acid salts placed in a reactive medium comprising a gaseous phase containing between 1 and 3000 ppm of an acid compound according to the Pearson classification, selected, for example, from SO3, SO2, and NO2, the dehydration reaction being carried out either in a gaseous phase or in a liquid phase.
US08324430B2
Processes for preparing an amine, the processes comprising: reacting a reactant selected from the group consisting of primary alcohols, secondary alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and mixtures thereof, with hydrogen and a nitrogen compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia, primary amines, secondary amines and mixtures thereof, in the presence of a zirconium dioxide-, copper- and nickel-containing catalyst; wherein the catalyst comprises a catalytically active composition which comprises, before reduction with hydrogen, oxygen compounds of zirconium, copper, and nickel, 1.5 to 4.5% by weight of an oxygen compound of cobalt, calculated as CoO, and 0.2 to 5.0% by weight of at least one oxygen compound of niobium, sulfur, phosphorus, gallium, boron, lead or antimony, calculated in each case as Nb2O5, H2SO4, H3PO4, Ga2O3, B2O3, PbO and Sb2O3 respectively, and wherein the catalytically active composition does not comprise any molybdenum.
US08324423B2
The present invention is generally directed to diester-based lubricant compositions. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.
US08324413B2
In the present invention, a fuel composition and a process for making the same are disclosed. Specifically, in the present invention, triglycerides useful for distillate fuels are described along with their method for preparation from Fischer-Tropsch acid by-products and the glycerol by-product from biodiesel generation. By using these two by-product streams, the overall efficiency of both processes is improved and a new source of distillate fuels is created. These triglycerides can be used to improve the lubricity of Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate fuels. In addition, these triglycerides also have low melting points and have viscosities compatible with distillate fuels.
US08324406B2
Antitumoral compounds obtained from a porifera, of the family Raspailiidae, genus Lithoplocamia, species lithistoides, and derivatives thereof are provided.
US08324390B2
The present invention relates to tetrazole-substituted anthranilamides of the formula (I) in which R1, R2, R3 R4, R5, n, X and Q have the meanings given in the description—and to their use as insecticides and/or acaricides, also in combination with other agents such as penetrants and/or ammonium salts or phosphonium salts.
US08324388B2
Processes comprising: providing a dehydrogenatable compound; and subjecting the dehydrogenatable compound to a dehydrogenation reaction at a temperature of from 150 to 400° C., in the presence of oxygen, and at a temperature profile of the dehydrogenation reaction which does not differ substantially from the temperature profile of the dehydrogenation reaction in the absence of oxygen under otherwise identical conditions.
US08324385B2
Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): were RI is phenyl, R2 is hydrogen, halogen or lower alkyl, X is carbon on nitrogen, and R3 is isoquinoline, -amino, or a -4- to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl ring and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which are active as DGAT inhibitors and therefore find uses in treatment of diseases associated with abnormal metabolism of trigliceride. such as, for example, obesity, type II diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.
US08324384B2
Glucagon receptor antagonist compounds are disclosed. The compounds are useful for treating type 2 diabetes and related conditions. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are also included.
US08324375B2
The present invention has objects to provide a glucan useful as water-soluble dietary fiber, its preparation and uses. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a branched α-glucan, which is constructed by glucose molecules and characterized by methylation analysis as follows: (1) Ratio of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4,5-triacetyl-glucitol to 2,3,4-trimethyl-1,5,6-triacetyl-glucitol is in the range of 1:0.6 to 1:4; (2) Total content of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4,5-triacetyl-glucitol and 2,3,4-trimethyl-1,5,6-triacetyl-glucitol is 60% or higher in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; (3) Content of 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triacetyl-glucitol is 0.5% or higher but less than 10% in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; and (4) Content of 2,4-dimethyl-1,3,5,6-tetraacetyl-glucitol is 0.5% or higher in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; a novel α-glucosyltransferase which forms the branched α-glucan, processes for producing them, and their uses.
US08324373B2
The present invention provides a novel and highly stereoselective process for preparing gemcitabine, which is suitable for industrial production, wherein, it includes the following reactions. Additionally, the invention discloses the key intermediates. The definition for the groups of G1, G2, G3, G4, and G5 are described in the specification.
US08324372B2
Methods for processing polynucleotide-containing biological samples, and materials for capturing polynucleotide molecules such as RNA and/or DNA from such samples. The RNA and/or DNA is captured by polyamidoamine (PAMAM(Generation 0)) bound to a surface, such as the surface of magnetic particles. The methods and materials have high efficiency of binding RNA and of DNA, and of release, and thereby permit quantitative determinations.
US08324370B2
The present invention is related to a ribonucleic acid comprising a double stranded structure whereby the double-stranded structure comprises a first strand and a second strand, whereby the first strand comprises a first stretch of contiguous nucleotides and whereby said first stretch is at least partially complementary to a target nucleic acid, and the second strand comprises a second stretch of contiguous nucleotides whereby said second stretch is at least partially identical to a target nucleic acid, and whereby the double stranded structure is blunt ended.
US08324368B2
The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) targeting a G-alpha q subunit (GNAQ) of a heterotrimeric G gene, and methods of using the dsRNA to inhibit expression of GNAQ.
US08324367B2
The present invention is directed to compositions, methods and kits for regulation of gene therapies for Huntington's Disease, including, without limitation, reversible gene therapies and allele-specific therapies.
US08324365B2
Disclosed is a conjugate for gene transfer, which is capable of being used for treatment of incurable diseases, comprising an oligonucleotide intended to be transferred into target cells and a hydrophilic polymer, wherein an end of the oligonucleotide is covalently conjugated to the hydrophilic polymer. Also, the present invention discloses polyelectrolyte complex micelles formed from such a conjugate and a cationic polymer or cationic peptide. Such polyelectrolyte complex micelles can effectively transfer oligonucleotides as therapeutic agents into target cells, making it possible to obtain desired activities of the delivered oligonucleotides in target cells even when the micelles are clinically applied at a relatively low concentration. Therefore, the conjugate and the polyelectrolyte complex micelle are very useful in basic life science research and the medical field.
US08324359B1
The present invention concerns oxocarbonamide peptide nucleic acids (OxoPNAs). OxoPNAs provide increased stability, sensitivity, and specificity as compared to their natural DNA and RNA counterparts. The OxoPNA molecules of the present invention may be employed in a wide range of applications, particularly in applications involving hybridization. For example, OxoPNA probes may be employed for the detection and functional analysis of nucleic acid molecules, including miRNAs and other non-coding RNAs.
US08324358B2
Block copolymers labelled with molecular recognition units and comprising a hydrophobic block and a luminescent block are presented. A method of detecting biomolecules using such block copolymers is also presented. More specifically, the block copolymers of the present invention have the following Formula (I): wherein “A” is a hydrophobic block; “B” is a luminescent block; “C” is a hydrophilic block; “D” is a molecular recognition unit; “n” and “m” are integers ranging from 1 to 75; “x” is either 0 or an integer ranging from 1 to 75; and “Y” is either 0 or 1.
US08324356B2
Disclosed are polysaccharides containing residues of glucosamine or galactosamine in the repetitive unit, characterized by the presence of esters on the hydroxyls or amides on the amine functions, with lipoic acid or with mixtures of lipoic acid and formic acid.
US08324355B2
The present invention relates to a compound having the general Formula (I): wherein: m and n are each independently an integer from 1 to 6; X1-X3 and Y1-Y3 are each independently O or S; R1-R3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, and cycloalkyl; and R is (CH2)x-C(═O)NR′—(CH2)y-NR′R″ whereas: x and y are each independently an integer from 1 to 6; and R′ and R″ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, and cycloalkyl; and to an antibody comprising an antigen recognition region capable of specifically binding the above compound.
US08324339B2
Method and apparatus for thermally processing polyester pellets, e.g., polyethylene terephthalate pellets, in order to achieve a partial crystallization, whereby the polyester melt is fed to an underwater pelletizer and pelletized, the pellets obtained are fed to a water/solids separating device and the dried pellets are fed at a pellet temperature of greater than 100°C. to an agitation device that the pellets leave at a pellet temperature of over 100°C.
US08324337B2
A catalyst, co-catalyst, and/or chain transfer agent is added at a time after initiation of an addition polymerization reaction to produce a polymer product with a widened molecular weight distribution relative to having all of the components in the original reaction mixture. The catalyst, co-catalyst, or chain transfer agent may be added discretely or continuously to the reaction to produce a product with a bimodal, trimodal, or other broadened molecular weight distribution.
US08324334B2
Olefin metathesis polymerization reactions are disclosed, and more particularly ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclic olefins with olefinic compounds, such as are derived from seed oils and the like, to form telechelic polymers. In one aspect, a method is provided for carrying out a catalytic ring-opening metathesis polymerization reaction, comprising contacting at least one olefinic compound with at least one cyclic olefin, in the presence of a ruthenium alkylidene olefin metathesis catalyst under conditions effective to allow ring-opening metathesis polymerization of the cyclic olefin, whereby the cyclic olefin polymer formed is terminated with the olefinic compound. The invention has utility in the fields of catalysis, organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, and industrial chemistry.
US08324327B2
A process for polymerizing one or more olefins in a gas-phase polymerization reactor is provided. The gas-phase reactor has a fluidized bed and a fluidizing medium. The fluidizing medium has an operating density and an operating velocity. The process includes determining a critical gas velocity and/or determining a critical gas velocity for the polymerization. The operating gas density and/or the operating gas velocity for the fluidizing medium is then adjusted to be less than or equal to its respective critical value. The process includes increasing the bulk density of the fluidized bed. The increase in the fluidized bed bulk density increases productivity without increasing reactor residence time.
US08324325B2
Process for preparing polyether alcohols by polymerization by means of double metal cyanide catalysts (DMC catalysts), characterized in that, before or during the polymerization, one or more, optionally mixed additives consisting of compounds having one or more hydridic hydrogen atoms bonded to one silicon atom are added to the reaction mixture.
US08324323B2
The present invention provides compositions of crystalline coordination copolymers wherein multiple organic molecules are assembled to produce porous framework materials with layered or core-shell structures. These materials are synthesized by sequential growth techniques such as the seed growth technique. In addition, the invention provides a simple procedure for controlling functionality.
US08324316B2
Disclosed are unsaturated polyester resins comprising residues of 1,2-propanediol, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic diacid, and 2-butenedioic acid. Also disclosed are curable compositions containing admixtures of the unsaturated polyesters and aromatic vinyl compounds copolymerizable with the unsaturated polyesters, and coatings and casted and molded articles obtained from the curable compositions. The curable compositions are useful for coatings and casted and molded articles that have at least one surface that is persistently exposed to organic or aqueous liquids.
US08324313B2
The thermally conductive resin composition of the present invention contains (a) a matrix component, (b) a larger-diameter thermally conductive inorganic powder, (c) a smaller-diameter thermally conductive inorganic powder, and (d) a vulcanizing agent and/or curing agent. The surface of the smaller-diameter thermally conductive inorganic powder is selectively treated with a silane compound represented by R(CH3)aSi(OR′)3-a (wherein R is an unsubstituted or substituted organic group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, R′ is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a is 0 or 1) or a partially hydrolyzed product thereof, and the amount thereof is smaller than the amount necessary to coat the entire surface area of the smaller-diameter thermally conductive inorganic powder. Accordingly, a thermally conductive resin composition that has a low hardness and a high thermal conductivity and that undergoes little outgassing and has storage stability is provided even when large amounts of thermally conductive inorganic powder is loaded into the resin component.
US08324310B2
Plasticizing system which can be used for the plasticizing of a diene rubber composition, wherein it is based on an MES or TDAE oil and on a resin formed of terpene/vinylaromatic copolymer, in particular copolymer of limonene and of stirene. Rubber composition exhibiting an improved abrasion and cut resistance, the composition being based on at least a diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler, a crosslinking system and a plasticizing system comprising between 5 and 35 phr of an MES or TDAE oil and between 5 and 35 phr of such a resin formed of terpene/vinylaromatic copolymer (pce=parts by weight per hundred parts of elastomer). Process for preparing such a composition, use of the composition for the manufacture of a finished article or of a semi-finished product intended for a tire or a tire/motor vehicle connecting system, in particular a tire tread.
US08324308B2
A resin composition for encapsulating an electronic tag which includes a thermoplastic resin and a flat glass fiber and does not include a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the thermoplastic resin is at least one selected from polycarbonate, syndiotactic polystyrene and polyphenylene sulfide.
US08324304B2
Polyimide resin compositions that contain an aromatic polyimide, graphite and a sepiolite filler, or a mixture of a sepiolite filler and a kaolin filler, are found to exhibit low wear and high thermal oxidative stability. Such compositions are especially useful in molded articles that are exposed to wear conditions at high temperatures such as aircraft engine parts.
US08324300B2
Disclosed are compositions that include a binder and non-stoichiometric tungsten oxide particles dispersed in the binder. The tungsten oxide particles have an average primary particle size of no more than 300 nanometers. The compositions are transparent and colorless.
US08324292B2
A medically acceptable formulation comprising a diisocyanate terminated macromer or mixture thereof, and an oxidized cellulose.
US08324290B2
The present invention pertains to polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers, to methods of making such copolymers and to medical devices that contain such polymers. According to certain aspects of the invention, polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers are provided, which comprise a polyisobutylene segment, an additional polymeric segment that is not a polyisobutylene segment, and a segment comprising a residue of a diisocyanate. According to other aspects of the invention, polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers are provided, which comprise a polyisobutylene segment and end groups that comprise alkyl-, alkenyl- or alkynyl-chain-containing end groups.
US08324284B2
The present invention provides compounds having formula (I): and additionally provides methods for the synthesis thereof, compositions thereof, and methods for the use thereof in the treatment of various disorders including cancer, metastasis and disorders involving increased angiogenesis, wherein R1-R6, Ra-Rc, Q, Y1, Y2 and n are as defined herein.
US08324283B2
A solid pharmaceutical composition suitable for oral administration, comprising: (a) a S1P receptor agonist; and (b) a sugar alcohol.
US08324281B2
Topical suspension compositions of nepafenac are disclosed. The compositions are especially suitable for topical ophthalmic administration.
US08324275B2
Disclosed are formulations of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in an aqueous medium that are resistant to microbial growth. Also disclosed are formulations of gammahydroxybutyrate that are also resistant to the conversion into GBL. Disclosed are methods to treat sleep disorders, including narcolepsy, with these stable formulations of GHB. The present invention also provides methods to treat alcohol and opiate withdrawal, reduced levels of growth hormone, increased intracranial pressure, and physical pain in a patient.
US08324272B2
Levodopa dimethyl-substituted diester prodrugs pharmaceutical, compositions comprising levodopa dimethyl-substituted diester prodrugs, and methods of using such prodrugs and pharmaceutical compositions for treating diseases such as Parkinson's disease are provided.
US08324269B2
The invention relates to stable liquid compositions containing the oxidized form of vitamin C known as dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA). The compositions comprise DHAA and a pharmacologically acceptable liquid organic polyol solvent. The polyol solvent comprises about 50% or greater of the total weight of the composition. The compositions are useful as dietary supplements, skin-enhancers, concentrates, or research solutions.
US08324265B2
Disclosed is a compound useful as a type I 11βhydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor.A compound represented by the formula: a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein R1 is optionally substituted alkyl or the like, one of R2 and R4 is a group of formula: —Y—R5, wherein Y is —O— or the like, R5 is substituted alkyl (the substituent is optionally substituted cycloalkyl or the like), optionally substituted branched alkyl or the like, the other of R2 and R4 is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, R3 is a group of formula: —C(═O)—Z—R6, wherein Z is —NR7— or —NR7—W—, R6 is optionally substituted cycloalkyl or the like, R7 is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, W is optionally substituted alkylene, X is ═N— or the like, with the proviso that compounds wherein R2 is 2-(morphorino)ethoxy, R3 is N-(1-adamantyl)carbamoyl and R1 is benzyl are excluded.
US08324263B2
Compounds of the formula (I), in which the substituents are as defined in claim 1 are suitable for use as microbiocides.
US08324261B2
The present invention is to provide a novel compound which is useful as a pharmaceutical agent such as an analgesic. The present invention is to provide the novel histidine derivative having an excellent analgesic action and the like. The compound of the present invention has a very high intermigration into the blood upon oral administration and is very useful as a pharmaceutical agent, especially an analgesic for the treatment of acute or chronic pain diseases and of neuropathic pain diseases.
US08324260B1
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods of administering an effective amount of dexmedetomidine to a pediatric patient in order to reduce the incidence of neurological damage. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods of providing sedation or analgesia to a pediatric patient by administering a dexmedetomidine infusion and optionally a loading dose. The dexmedetomidine can be administered before, during, or after surgery.
US08324255B2
Stabilized cationic ammonium compounds are described. The compounds are stabilized with pyridine-based chelators and/or heteroketo-based chelators that impede the generation of nitrogen comprising groups from the cationic ammonium compounds.
US08324247B2
Pulmonary arterial hypertension in a mammal can be prevented or treated using combined 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptor antagonist. The antagonists can be present in a single compound or in two separate compounds.
US08324244B2
The invention provides synthetic processes and synthetic intermediates that can be used to prepare 4-oxoquinolone compounds having useful integrase inhibiting properties.
US08324241B2
Disclosed are triazolopyridine compounds of Formula (I), including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also, disclosed are methods of using the compound in the treatment of obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes and atherosclerosis, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one compound of Formula (I) or a stereoisomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08324223B2
This application concerns certain 4-cyanophenylamino-substituted bicyclic heterocycles of formula I where the dashed line represents a double bond that may be located either between A and C(V) or between C(V) and D, where A is S or C(Z); D is S or C(W); provided that one and only one of A and D is S; where T is NH, O, or S; and where other substituents are defined herein. These compounds are non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and have potential as anti-HIV treatment.
US08324218B2
The present application provides sodium channel blockers exemplified by the following structure: The compounds of the invention useful for treating chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, sinusitis, vaginal dryness, dry eye, Sjogren's disease, distal intestinal obstruction syndrome, dry skin, esophagitis, dry mouth (xerostomia), nasal dehydration, ventilator-induced pneumonia, asthma, primary ciliary dyskinesia, otitis media, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, pneumonia, constipation, and chronic diverticulitis, for example.
US08324216B2
Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR1 receptor, and have in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The compounds are generally aryl piperazine derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR1-mediated diseases, and as controls in assays for the identification of competitive CCR1 antagonists.
US08324211B2
This application discloses 6-Phenyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine and 6-Phenyl-imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine derivatives according to generic Formulae I-V: wherein, variables Q, R, X, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, n, and m are defined as described herein, which inhibit Btk. The compounds disclosed herein are useful to modulate the activity of Btk and treat diseases associated with excessive Btk activity. The compounds are further useful to treat inflammatory and auto immune diseases associated with aberrant B-cell proliferation such as rheumatoid arthritis. Also disclosed are compositions comprising compounds of Formulae I-V and at least one carrier, diluent or excipient.
US08324210B2
Disclosed herein are analogs of tetrahydrobiopterin, compositions containing the same, and methods of treating an individual suffering from a condition responsive to tetrahydrobiopterin by administration of the analog. These analogs are contemplated for use wherever tetrahydrobiopterin is currently used to treat conditions responsive to tetrahydrobiopterin therapies.
US08324203B2
The present invention provides a novel class of azadecalin compounds and methods of using the compounds as glucocorticoid receptor modulators.
US08324201B2
Provided is a compound having a serotonin 5-HT2C receptor activating action.A compound represented by the formula (I0): wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof.
US08324194B2
The present invention provides methods of treating cancer comprising treating a patient in need thereof with hormone therapy and administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of at least one metalloprotease inhibitor. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one hormone therapy agent, at least one metalloprotease inhibitor, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US08324183B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel marker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and more specifically, to provide a marker whose expression may be specifically increased or decreased in RA. Another object of the present invention is to confirm whether or not miRNA serving as the marker is involved as the etiology of RA, and to provide an inspection method for RA and a therapeutic agent for RA each using the miRNA involved. The marker includes miRNA (for example, miR124a) whose expression is specifically increased or decreased in RA synovial cells based on a small RNA expression profile in the RA synovial cells. In addition, the therapeutic agent for RA includes miRNA (for example, miR124a) as an active ingredient.
US08324173B2
The present disclosure relates to peptides having a core sequence as described herein as well as application of the disclosed technology as inhibitors of caspase-2 and/or -6 activity.
US08324168B2
The invention provides agents useful for treating pain. An exemplary agent comprises or consists of the a portion of a retroviral Tat protein. One such agent is the peptide Tat-NR2B9c. This peptide has previously been described as an agent for inhibiting damaging effects of stroke and similar conditions via inhibition of PSD95 interactions with NMDA receptors and/or NOS. The present application provides data showing that the Tat-NR2B9c peptides is effective in alleviation of pain. The alleviation of pain can be obtained at a dose of the peptide below the dose required to inhibit PSD-95 interactions with NMDAR or NOS.
US08324167B2
The invention provides a method of treating T-cell mediated diseases and a method of inhibiting the activation of T-cells using certain diketopiperazines. The invention also provides methods of synthesizing diketopiperazines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising certain diketopiperazines. The invention further provides methods of making improved pharmaceutical compositions of proteins and peptides by either increasing or decreasing the content of diketopiperazines in the compositions and the resultant improved pharmaceutical compositions.
US08324160B2
The disclosure provides nucleic acid molecules encoding chimeric polypeptides, chimeric polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising chimeric polypeptides, and methods for treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity using such nucleic acids, polypeptides, or pharmaceutical compositions.
US08324149B2
Methods are provided for the utilization of bacterial cell-free extracts in the synthesis of high yields of virus like particles with encapsidated cargo.
US08324141B2
Disclosed is a surfactant composition containing an alkyl sulfate ester salt derivative represented by the following general formula (1). R—O—(PO)n—SO3m (1) (In the formula, R represents a linear alkyl group having 8-24 carbon atoms; PO represents a propyleneoxy group; n represents an average mole number of added PO that is a number satisfying 0
US08324140B2
The invention relates to a refrigerator oil composition for compression refrigerators with carbon dioxide refrigerant therein, such as car air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, etc. The base oil of the composition comprises an oxygen-containing organic compound as the essential component and has a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of from 5 to 50 mm2/sec, a viscosity index of at least 60, and a water content of at most 300 ppm.
US08324131B2
Disclosed is a composition for controlling plant diseases, which contains ethaboxam and metconazole as active ingredients. Also disclosed is a method for controlling plant diseases, which is characterized in that effective amounts of ethaboxam and metconazole are applied to a plant or the soil where the plant grows.
US08324118B2
A manufacturing method of a metal gate structure includes providing a substrate having at least a first metal oxide layer formed thereon, and transferring the surface of the first metal oxide layer into a second metal oxide layer. The first metal oxide layer includes a metal oxide (M1Ox) of a first metal (M1) and the second metal oxide layer includes a metal oxide ((M1M2Oy) of the first metal and a second metal (M2).
US08324112B2
A novel etching agent for etching II-VI semiconductors is provided. The etching agent includes an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate and phosphoric acid. This etching solution can etch II-VI semiconductors at a rapid rate but tend to be much less reactive with III-V semiconductors. The provided agent can be used in a method for etching II-VI semiconductors.
US08324109B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a gate insulation layer over a substrate, sequentially forming a silicon layer and a metal layer over the gate insulation layer, performing a first gate etching process to etch the metal layer using a gate hard mask layer, formed on the metal layer, as an etch barrier, and then partially etch the silicon layer, thereby forming a first pattern, performing a second gate etching process to partially etch the silicon layer, thereby forming an undercut beneath the metal layer, forming a capping layer on both sidewalls of the first pattern including the undercut, performing a third gate etching process to etch the silicon layer to expose the gate insulation layer using the gate hard mask layer and the capping layer as an etch barrier, thereby forming a second pattern, and performing a gate re-oxidation process.
US08324106B2
Methods are provided for designing a photolithographic mask and for fabricating a semiconductor IC using such a mask. In accordance with one embodiment a method for fabricating a semiconductor IC includes determining a design target for a region within the IC. An initial mask geometry is determined for the region having a mask opening and a mask bias relative to the design target. A sub-resolution edge ring having a predetermined, fixed spacing to an edge of the mask opening is inserted into the mask geometry and a lithographic mask is generated. A material layer is applied overlying a semiconductor substrate upon which the IC is to be fabricated and a layer of photoresist is applied overlying the material layer. The layer of photoresist is exposed through the lithographic mask and is developed. A process step is then performed on the material layer using the layer of photoresist as a mask.
US08324103B2
The invention relates to a method of providing a planar substrate with electrical through connections (vias). The method comprises providing a hole in said substrate and a treatment to render the substrate surface exhibiting a lower wettability than the walls inside the hole. The planar substrate is exposed to a molten material with low resistivity, whereby the molten material is drawn into the hole(s). It also relates to a semiconductor wafer as a starting substrate for electronic packaging applications, comprising low resistivity wafer through connections having closely spaced vias.
US08324096B2
Example embodiments relate to an electrode having a transparent electrode layer, an opaque electrode layer formed on the transparent electrode layer and catalyst formed on an open surface on the transparent electrode layer, which open surface is not covered by the opaque electrode layer.
US08324092B2
A method of manufacturing a non-volatile semiconductor memory device is provided which overcomes a problem of penetration of implanted ions due to the difference of optimal gate height in simultaneous formation of a self-align split gate type memory cell utilizing a side wall structure and a scaled MOS transistor. A select gate electrode to form a side wall in a memory area is formed to be higher than that of the gate electrode in a logic area so that the height of the side wall gate electrode of the self-align split gate memory cell is greater than that of the gate electrode in the logic area. Height reduction for the gate electrode is performed in the logic area before gate electrode formation.
US08324089B2
Compositions for forming doped regions in semiconductor substrates, methods for fabricating such compositions, and methods for forming doped regions using such compositions are provided. In one embodiment, a dopant-comprising composition comprises a conductivity-determining type impurity dopant, a silicate carrier, a solvent, and a moisture adsorption-minimizing component. In another embodiment, a dopant-comprising composition comprises a conductivity-determining type impurity dopant, a silicate carrier, a solvent, and a high boiling point material selected from the group consisting of glycol ethers, alcohols, and combinations thereof. The high boiling point material has a boiling point of at least about 150° C.
US08324088B2
Methods of implanting dopants into a silicon substrate using a predeposited sacrificial material layer with a defined thickness that is removed by sputtering effect is provided.
US08324087B2
Among others, techniques are described for forming nanotubes. In one aspect, a method includes forming a base layer of a transition metal on a substrate. The method also includes heating the substrate with the base layer in a mixture of gases to grow nanotubes on the base layer.
US08324079B2
A semiconductor device in which the damage such as cracks, chinks, or dents caused by external stress is reduced is provided. In addition, the yield of a semiconductor device having a small thickness is increased. The semiconductor device includes a light-transmitting substrate having a stepped side surface, the width of which in a portion above the step and closer to one surface is smaller than that in a portion below the step, a semiconductor element layer provided over the other surface of the light-transmitting substrate, and a stack of a first light-transmitting resin layer and a second light-transmitting resin layer, which covers the one surface and part of the side surface of the light-transmitting substrate. One of the first light-transmitting resin layer and the second light-transmitting resin layer has a chromatic color.
US08324076B2
A substantially planar micro-fluid ejection device, where the micro-fluid ejection head is hermetically sealed and bonded to a support material, and a method of bonding a silicon device, such as a micro-fluid ejection head, to a support material.
US08324074B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor structure comprising high-k material portions that are self-aligned with respect to the active areas in the semiconductor substrate and a method of fabricating the same. The high-k material is protected from oxidation during the fabrication of the semiconductor structure and regrowth of the high-k material and shifting of the high-k material work function is prevented.
US08324069B1
A method of fabricating a high-performance capacitor that may be incorporated into a standard CMOS fabrication process suitable for submicron devices is described. The parameters used in the standard CMOS process may be maintained, particularly for the definition and etch of the lower electrode layer. To reduce variation in critical dimension width, an Anti-Reflective Layer (ARL) is used, such as a Plasma Enhanced chemical vapor deposition Anti-Reflective Layer (PEARL) or other Anti-Reflective Coatings (ARCS), such as a conductive film like TiN. This ARL formation occurs after the capacitor specific process steps, but prior to the masking used for defining the lower electrodes. A Rapid Thermal Oxidation (RTO) is performed subsequent to removing the unwanted capacitor dielectric layer from the transistor poly outside of the capacitor regions, but prior to the PEARL deposition. Another embodiment instead eliminates the capacitor dielectric removal step, which is then replaced by a step to form an additional layer that is later etched away to leave spacers on the capacitor sides, thereby eliminating any undercutting of the dielectric.
US08324061B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a first gate stack on a semiconductor substrate, the first gate stack includes a first gate conductor and a first gate dielectric between the first gate conductor and the semiconductor substrate; forming source/drain regions on the semiconductor substrate; forming a multilayer structure including at least one sacrificial layer and at least one insulating layer under the sacrificial layer on the semiconductor substrate and the first gate stack; performing a first RIE on the multilayer structure; performing a second RIE on the multilayer structure; selectively etching the first gate stack with respect to the insulating layer, in which the first gate conductor is removed and an opening is formed in the insulating layer; and forming a second gate conductor in the opening.
US08324050B2
A method of manufacturing a flash memory device comprises forming a gate insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming silicon seed crystals on a surface of the gate insulating layer by reacting a nitrogen or oxygen atmosphere gas and a silicon source gas, forming a first layer for a floating gate over the gate insulating layer and the silicon seed crystals by increasing an amount of the silicon source gas, and forming a second layer for a floating gate on the first layer for a floating gate.
US08324049B2
A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating a semiconductor device are provided. The method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming an isolation layer over a semiconductor substrate defining first and second regions, etching the isolation layer at an edge of the first region to form a guard ring pattern, forming a buried guard ring filling the guard ring pattern, selectively etching the isolation layer of the first region to form a plurality of patterns, forming a plurality of conductive patterns in the respective patterns, and completely removing the isolation layer of the first region through a dip-out process.
US08324043B2
Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices may include forming a first layer on a first active region (P-channel FET), forming a second layer on a second active region (N-channel FET), the first and second layers including a silicon germanium (SiGe) epitaxial layer sequentially stacked on a silicon (Si) epitaxial layer, forming a first contact hole in an interlayer insulating film including a first lower region exposing the SiGe epitaxial layer of the first layer, forming a second contact hole in the interlayer insulating film including a second lower region penetrating through the SiGe epitaxial layer of the second layer and exposing the Si epitaxial layer of the second layer, forming a first metal silicide film including germanium (Ge) in the first lower region, forming a second metal silicide film not including Ge in the second lower region simultaneously with the forming of the first metal silicide film.
US08324040B2
A semiconductor device including an n-channel MISFET including source/drain regions 38 formed in a semiconductor substrate 10 with a channel region between them, and a gate electrode 44 of a metal silicide formed over the channel region with a gate insulating film 12 interposed therebetween; and an insulating film 46 formed over the gate electrode 44 from side walls of the gate electrode 44 to an upper surface of the gate electrode 44, having a tensile stress from 1.0 to 2.0 GPa and applying the tensile stress to the channel region.
US08324037B1
The prior art method for the formation of T-gate or inverted L-gate is achieved through several lift-off processes and requires at least two different photoresists and hence two different developers. In one embodiment of the present invention, an etching method for the formation of the source, the drain and the T-gate or inverted L-gate of a compound semiconductor HEMT device is disclosed. In such a method, only one type of photoresist and developer are needed. In one other embodiment, a fabrication process for a HEMT device is disclosed to have the stem of the T-gate or the inverted L-gate defined by a dielectric cavity and its mechanical strength enhanced by a dielectric layer. In another embodiment, a fabrication process for a HEMT device is disclosed to have the stems of the source and the drain defined by dielectric cavities and their mechanical strength enhanced by a dielectric layer. In yet another embodiment, a fabrication process for a HEMT device is revealed to have the stems of the source, the drain and the T-gate or inverted L-gate of a compound semiconductor HEMT strengthened by dielectric supporting pillars.
US08324027B2
It is an object to manufacture and provide a highly reliable display device including a thin film transistor with a high aperture ratio which has stable electric characteristics. In a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device having a thin film transistor in which a semiconductor layer including a channel formation region is formed using an oxide semiconductor film, a heat treatment for reducing moisture and the like which are impurities and for improving the purity of the oxide semiconductor film (a heat treatment for dehydration or dehydrogenation) is performed. Further, an aperture ratio is improved by forming a gate electrode layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer using conductive films having light transmitting properties.
US08324011B2
The present invention provides a method of annealing a semiconductor by applying a temperature-dependant phase switch layer to a semiconductor structure. The temperature-dependant phase switch layer changes phase from amorphous to crystalline at a predetermined temperature. When the semiconductor structure is annealed, electromagnetic radiation passes through the temperature-dependant phase switch layer before reaching the semiconductor structure. When a desired annealing temperature is reached the temperature-dependant phase switch layer substantially blocks the electromagnetic radiation from reaching the semiconductor structure. As a result, the semiconductor is annealed at a consistent temperature across the wafer. The temperature at which the temperature-dependant phase switch layer changes phase can be controlled by an ion implantation process.
US08324010B2
In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for fabricating a light pipe (LP) is described. The process may be configured to construct a semiconductor structure having an etch-stop layer above a photodiode region and a first dielectric layer above the etch-stop layer. The process may be configured to etch a LP funnel through the first dielectric layer. And the process may be further configured to stop the etching of the LP funnel upon reaching and removing of the etch-stop layer.
US08324006B1
A method includes forming first isolation trenches in a first side of a first semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure to electrically isolate multiple portions of the first SOI structure from each other. The method also includes bonding a second SOI structure to the first SOI structure to form multiple cavities between the SOI structures. The method further includes forming conductive plugs through a second side of the first SOI structure and forming second isolation trenches in the second side of the first SOI structure around the conductive plugs. In addition, the method includes removing portions of the second SOI structure to leave a membrane bonded to the first SOI structure. The isolated portions of the first SOI structure, the cavities, and the membrane form multiple capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) elements. Each CMUT element is formed in one of the isolated portions of the first SOI structure and includes multiple CMUT cells.
US08324000B2
Methods of fabricating light extractors are disclosed. The method of fabricating an optical construction for extracting light from a substrate includes the steps of: (a) providing a substrate that has a surface; (b) disposing a plurality of structures on the surface of the substrate, where the plurality of structures form open areas that expose the surface of the substrate; (c) shrinking at least some of the structures; and (d) applying an overcoat to cover the shrunk structures and the surface of the substrate in the open areas.
US08323998B2
A method for forming wavelength-conversion LED encapsulant structure includes forming an LED encapsulant structure body, forming a layer of a wavelength-conversion material on a first surface, disposing the first surface to cause the wavelength-conversion material to be in contact with a surface region of the LED encapsulant structure body, applying a pressure between the first surface and the surface region of the LED encapsulant structure body, and causing at least a portion of the wavelength-conversion material to be at least partially embedded in the surface region of the LED encapsulant structure body.
US08323986B2
The present invention relates to a molecular assembly on a substrate usable for studying and/or performing biological interactions and/or reactions The invention further relates to an in vitro method to provide a substrate with a heparin coating presenting biotinylated biomolecules comprising linking avidin to a surface capable of binding avidin. A heparin conjugate is then linked to the avidin treated surface to form a layer of heparin thereon. Finally, a biotinylated biological probe or biomolecule is linked to the avidin through the layer of heparin thereby forming an essentially biologically inert surface with biotinylated probes extending out from the surface.
US08323981B2
An analytical induction furnace and method for combusting conductive sample materials (500) utilizing a crucible for holding a sample within the induction furnace. Less than one gram of accelerator material is then inserted into the crucible with the sample and the induction furnace is activated for a predetermined time period (503) for thoroughly combusting the sample and accelerator. In some instances, no accelerator is required with the sample at frequencies of approximately 4.5 MHz. The invention provides for the induction furnace that is actuated in an RF frequency range between 2-9 MHz with little to no accelerator for thoroughly melting the sample for use in an analytical instrument.
US08323977B2
A method for identifying the redox activity of a subject compound is disclosed. The method can be performed aerobically and can include forming a mixture comprising a free-radical precursor and a compound to be tested, and converting the free-radical precursor into a free-radical anion and a free-radical cation. After the free radical cation and the free radical anion have been formed, the relative redox activity of the subject compound may cause a difference in the rate of photo-bleaching of the mixture and/or the rate of superoxide generation. These differences can be quantified and used to identify the redox activity of the subject compound. This sensitive technique for measuring redox activity can be used to screen compounds for various biological applications. Drugs also can be developed based on the relationship between redox activity and biological activity for particular biological applications.
US08323971B2
This invention relates to the culture of pluripotent cells in a fully humanised chemically defined medium. Cells may be cultured over a prolonged period of time without losing their pluripotent status or may be controllably induced to differentiate into progenitor cells of the three primary germ layers by the addition of differentiation factors, for example differentiation factors which modulate one or more of the Activin/Nodal, FGF, Wnt or BMP signalling pathways.
US08323969B2
A method for generating a purified regulatory T cell composition having a CD4+CD25+Foxp3− phenotype from naive T cells having CD4+CD45RA+RO−CD11alo CD27+ phenotype comprising the steps of stimulating a T cell receptor on the naive T cells and stimulating ICAM-1 on the naive T cells.
US08323966B2
The invention provides methods for depleting extraneous phenotypes from a mixed population of cells comprising the in vitro differentiated progeny of primate pluripotent stem cells. The invention also provides mixed cell populations enriched for a target cell phenotype where the mixed cell population comprises the differentiated in vitro progeny of primate embryonic stem cells.
US08323964B2
The present invention provides isolated polynucleotides encoding promyostatin polypeptides or a peptide portion thereof, polynucleotides complementary thereto, and oligonucleotides that can specifically hybridize to such polynucleotides. The present invention also provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a mature myostatin peptide.
US08323930B2
Provided are methods, compositions, and kits for molecular cloning of DNA using DNA topoisomerase. The methods comprise (I) combining into a mixture (A) a first polynucleotide, comprising an origin of replication, a selectable marker, two topoisomerase recognition sequences, and two nicking agent recognition sequences, each of the topoisomerase recognition sequences being within 50 nucleotides of at least one of the nicking agent recognition sequences and each of two nicking agent recognition sequences being nicked, with (B) a sequence-specific topoisomerase and (C) a second polynucleotide, having a 5′ hydroxyl on each end; and (II) transforming the mixture into a host organism, thereby cloning the second polynucleotide. Formation or purification of a DNA-protein adduct prior to the addition of the second polynucleotide is not required. Also provided are vector sequences to facilitate performance of the methods and methods for modifying a vector of interest to render it useful in the disclosed methods.
US08323927B2
A polynucleotide sequence is provided comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding recombinant Protective Antigen (rPA).Also provided are expression vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotide sequence of the invention, and methods for producing rPA.
US08323921B2
A method for environmental monitoring and bioprospecting includes the steps of: (a) utilizing a testing device having: (i) a container having a fluid inlet and outlet, (ii) a plurality of capillary microcosms situated within the container, each of these capillaries having an inlet and outlet that are configured so as to allow for fluid flow through the capillaries, each of these capillaries further having a means for covering its inlet and outlet so as to prevent flow through the capillary, (iii) a pump connected to the container outlet, the pump being configured so as to draw fluid from the surrounding environment into the container's inlet and through the capillaries, (iv) connected to the outlet of the container, a means for collecting the flow through the container, and (v) a check valve connected downstream of the container to prevent the backflow of fluid into the container, (b) adding specified test substances to the device's capillaries, wherein these substances are to be analyzed for their ability to accelerate a specified biotransformation process in the subject environment, (c) locating this device in this environment and opening the capillary covering means so as to allow fluid from the surrounding environment to flow though the container and capillaries, (d) leaving the device in situ for a temporal duration sufficient to incubate phenomena occurring within the capillary microcosms, (e) retrieving the testing device, and (f) analyzing phenomena occurring with the capillary microcosms using automated analysis schemes and commercially available robotics.
US08323916B2
Nucleic acids encoding fibrocystin-L polypeptides and fibrocystin-L polypeptides are provided. Antibodies against the polypeptides, vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acids, methods for using the nucleic acids and polypeptides, and compositions and articles of manufacture also are provided.
US08323914B2
The present invention relates to analyte detection test systems, including test systems for the oral detection of analytes in saliva. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for storing multiple assay tests and compositions and methods for measuring the concentration of analytes in a sample.
US08323906B2
The invention relates to newly discovered nucleic acid molecules and proteins associated with breast or ovarian cancer. Compositions, kits, and methods for detecting, characterizing, preventing, and treating human breast or ovarian cancers are provided.
US08323902B2
Methods for producing membrane-spanning polypeptides in high yields, with native conformation, and/or in soluble form include solubilizing in non-ionic or zwitterionic detergents, as well as use of promoters and expression vectors for expressing high yields of membrane-spanning polypeptides in bacterial cells. Mutated promoters provide tight control of membrane-spanning polypeptides in bacterial cell hosts.
US08323893B2
Certain genes controlled by endogenous miRNA are actually upregulated upon the transfection of exogenous mi/siRNA. Based on this, methods of determining whether administration of mi/siRNA will have a deleterious effect by upregulating certain genes are provided. Comparison of sequences of exogenous mi/siRNA allows selection of exogenous miRNA to be administered to cell to enhance or limit this affect, and therefore to control unwanted disregulation, or to upregulate an endogenous miRNA-regulated gene of interest.
US08323888B2
The invention provides methods of detecting a nucleic acid. The methods comprise contacting the nucleic acid with one or more types of particles having oligonucleotides attached thereto. In one embodiment of the method, the oligonucleotides are attached to nanoparticles and have sequences complementary to portions of the sequence of the nucleic acid. A detectable change (preferably a color change) is brought about as a result of the hybridization of the oligonucleotides on the nanoparticles to the nucleic acid. The invention also provides compositions and kits comprising particles. The invention further provides methods of synthesizing unique nanoparticle-oligonucleotide conjugates, the conjugates produced by the methods, and methods of using the conjugates. In addition, the invention provides nanomaterials and nanostructures comprising nanoparticles and methods of nanofabrication utilizing nanoparticles. Finally, the invention provides a method of separating a selected nucleic acid from other nucleic acids.
US08323882B2
Methods for forming cell arrays of multiple cell samples arranged substantially in a monolayer on a single substrate particularly suited for diagnostic analysis are disclosed. The cell arrays are formed with a high-speed dispensing apparatus capable of dispensing small volumes in precise, complex patterns. Also disclosed are substrates upon which cell arrays may be formed, and methods for conducting diagnostic analyses on the formed cell arrays.
US08323872B2
A resist protective coating material is provided comprising a polymer having a partial structure of formula (1) wherein R0 is H, F, alkyl or alkylene, and R1 is fluorinated alkyl or alkylene. In a pattern-forming process, the material forms on a resist film a protective coating which is water-insoluble, dissolvable in alkaline developer and immiscible with the resist film, allowing for effective implementation of immersion lithography. During alkali development, development of the resist film and removal of the protective coating can be simultaneously achieved.
US08323870B2
The present disclosure provides a resist utilized in a photolithography patterning process. The resist includes a polymeric material having a plurality of zipper molecules, each including a first zipper portion and a second zipper portion, wherein the first and second zipper portions each include a plurality of zipper branches bonded together in pairs and cleavable to one of thermal energy, radiation energy, and chemical reaction.
US08323869B2
A positive resist composition including a polymeric compound (A1) having a structural unit (a0) represented by general formula (a0-1) (R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a halogenated alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R2 represents a divalent linking group, R3 represents a cyclic group containing —SO2— within the ring skeleton thereof) and a structural unit (a1) derived from an acrylate ester containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group, an acid-generator component (B) and a fluorine-containing polymeric compound (F1) having a structural unit containing a base dissociable group.
US08323868B2
Bilayer systems include a bottom layer formed of polydimethylglutarimide, an acid labile dissolution inhibitor and a photoacid generator. The bilayer system can be exposed and developed in a single exposure and development process.
US08323867B2
This invention relates to iodonium salts, acetal copolymers and polymer binders comprising functional groups capable of undergoing cationic or radical polymerization, their method of preparation and their use in the preparation of coating solutions and coatings. This invention also relates to coatings containing the iodonium salts, acetal copolymers and/or polymer binders and to negative working lithographic printing plates comprising these coatings.
US08323860B2
A solid-state imaging device producing method includes the steps of: applying a resist material onto a substrate in which a channel region is formed; forming a resist layer by exposure and development of the resist material using a mask, the resist layer having an opening and a thin-film portion, the mask having a first region through which light is transmitted and a second region through which a smaller quantity of light than that the light transmitted through the first region is transmitted; subjecting the substrate to ion implantation using the resist layer as a mask to form an impurity region; etching the substrate using the resist layer as a mask after the ion implantation to form an alignment mark; and forming an electrode on the impurity region and part of the channel region using the alignment mark as a reference.
US08323857B2
A phase-shift mask having a checkerboard array and a surrounding sub-resolution assist phase pattern. The checkerboard array comprises alternating phase-shift regions R that have a relative phase difference of 180 degrees. The sub-resolution assist phase regions R′ reside adjacent corresponding phase-shift regions R and have a relative phase difference of 180 degrees thereto. The sub-resolution assist phase regions R′ are configured to mitigate undesirable edge effects when photolithographically forming photoresist features. Method of forming LEDs using the phase-shift mask are also disclosed.
US08323852B2
An ejector comprises a body, a nozzle, a needle, a diffuser which draws in a second fluid using negative pressure caused by ejection of a first fluid from the nozzle and mixes the first and second fluids together, first and second diaphragms which allows the nozzle to shift in an axial direction with respect to the needle, and a first fluid chamber which is supplied with the first fluid. A valve in which a valve body contacts and separates from a valve seat according to the shifting action of the nozzle is formed by providing either the nozzle or the needle with the valve body and providing the other with the valve seat in the first fluid chamber. A back pressure chamber connecting to the first fluid chamber via the valve is provided between a trunk portion of the nozzle and a basal part of the needle.
US08323847B2
The cathode catalyst for a fuel cell of the present invention includes M-Co-Ch where M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, and combinations thereof, and Ch is at least one element selected from the group consisting of S, Se, Te, and combinations thereof. The cathode catalyst of the present invention has high activity and excellent selectivity for reduction of an oxidant, and is capable of improving performance of a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell, a fuel cell system including the same, and a membrane-electrode assembly including the same.
US08323842B2
A method of operating a fuel cell is described. The method includes controlling the temperature of the anode plate and the temperature of the cathode plate to obtain a temperature difference of at least about 2° C. between the anode plate and the cathode plate. A fuel cell is also described.
US08323836B2
A modifier of a lithium ion battery includes a clear solution fabricated from a phosphorous source having a phosphate radical, a trivalent aluminum source, and a metallic oxide provided in a liquid phase solvent. A molar ratio of the trivalent aluminum source, the metallic oxide, and the phosphorous source is set by (MolAl+MolMetal):Molp=about 1:2.5 to about 1:4. MolAl is the amount of substance of an aluminum element in the trivalent aluminum source, MolMetal is the amount of substance of a metallic element in the metallic oxide, and Molp is the amount of substance of a phosphorous element in the phosphorous source.
US08323831B2
A nanocomposite electrode that includes a current collector, an electroactive layer a conductive adhesive contacting the surface of the current collector and an interlayer region in electrical communication with the current collector and the electroactive material. The interlayer region is interposed between the current collector and the electroactive layer and includes a portion of the conductive adhesive intermixed with a portion of the electroactive layer. The electroactive layer includes electroactive material having a surface area of at least about 10 m2/g. The conductive adhesive may be at least partially soluble in electrode casting solvent. Electrochemical devices, such as lithium secondary cells, containing an electrode with an interlayer region are also provided, as are processes for making such electrodes and electrochemical devices.
US08323828B2
A battery packet (50) comprises a battery case (51) formed by processing a battery case forming laminated sheet (10), a battery 50a contained in the battery case (51), and tabs (59, 60) extending outside from the battery case (51). The battery case forming laminated sheet (10) is formed by laminating a first base film layer (1a), i.e., an outermost layer, a metal foil layer (2), and a heat-adhesive resin layer (3) in that order. The first base film layer (1a) is a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate resin film or a biaxially oriented nylon resin film. The metal foil layer (2) is an aluminum or copper foil. The heat-adhesive resin layer (3) is formed of a polyolefin resin, more preferably, of an acid-denatured polyolefin resin.
US08323821B2
The present invention relates to a particular multi-layer microporous membrane having a good balance of important properties, including excellent electrochemical stability and low heat shrinkage, while maintaining high permeability and heat resistance, with good mechanical strength, compression resistance and electrolytic solution absorption. Of particular importance when used as a battery separator, the present multi-layer microporous membrane exhibits excellent heat shrinkage, melt down temperature and thermal mechanical properties, i.e. low maximum shrinkage in the molten state. The multi-layer microporous membrane of the present invention can be produced (or manufactured) by layering, such as for example by coextrusion, one or more microporous membrane second layers and one or more microporous membrane first layers, such as on one or both sides of a second layer. The invention further relates to battery separators comprising the multi-layer microporous membrane and batteries utilizing the battery separators.
US08323817B2
A galvanic cell is disclosed. Generally, the cell includes an alkali metal anode, which electrochemcially oxidizes to release alkali metal ions, and a cathode, which is configured to be exposed to an electrolyte solution. A water-impermeable, alkali-ion-conductive ceramic membrane separates the anode from the cathode. Moreover, an alkali-ion-permeable anode current collector is placed in electrical communication with the anode. In some cases, to keep the anode in contact with the current collector as the cell functions and as the anode is depleted, the cell includes a biasing member that urges the anode against the current collector. To produce electricity, the galvanic cell is exposed to an aqueous electrolyte solution, such as seawater, brine, saltwater, etc.
US08323814B2
A printed circuit board assembly for a battery powered electronic device provides intrinsic safety features with a battery safety interlock element serving as both a physical and electrical barrier to prevent potential sparking at the battery and connecting terminal interfaces.
US08323804B2
The present invention relates to partly conjugated spirobifluorene polymers which are linked in the polymer via both spiro molecule halves. The materials according to the invention display a purer emission color and a longer life than materials according to the prior art and are therefore better suited for use in polymeric organic light-emitting diodes.
US08323792B2
A method is provided for manufacturing spherical corundum grains having a bulk density between 1.5 kg/L and 2.5 kg/L, with aluminum oxide being melted in an electric arc furnace with the addition of 0.1 to 1% quartz sand, the melt being poured in a pouring quantity of less than 100 kg/min, and the pouring stream being blown using compressed air at a pressure between 3 to 10 bar.
US08323788B2
The invention relates to a highly flexible sheet composite material comprising a block flexible foam and a layer of whipped foam made of polyurethane-based dispersions two-dimensionally bonded thereto, a process for preparing such a composite material, and the use thereof.
US08323777B2
Tough decorative printable film products having holographic-type images are provided that are low in cost. These film products include a relatively high temperature film that is made by continuous extrusion of the film resin onto a master film having pre-etched holographic-type imaging in order to provide a high-temperature primary film with conforming holographic imaging. This primary film provides a tough holographic-type image that is readily secured to any number of products to impart a holographic character to them. For example, this primary film is suitable for use on the surface of recreational sportsboards. When desired, sublimation printing can be used to impart indicia, text, images and colors, alone or in combination, to the primary film.
US08323773B2
An article including at least one first layer with a first major surface and a second major surface, wherein at least one of the first and second major surfaces is a structured surface; and a cap layer in contact with a structured surface of the first layer.
US08323771B1
A capture pad structure includes a first dielectric layer. A trace is embedded within the first dielectric layer. A capture pad is also embedded within the first dielectric layer, the capture pad being an end portion of the trace. A blind via aperture extends partially through the first dielectric layer from a principal surface of the first dielectric layer to the capture pad. By forming the capture pad as the end portion of the trace, formation of the capture pad requires no change in direction or complex motion of the laser.
US08323768B2
An electromagnetic shield has a first patterned or apertured layer having non-conductive materials and conductive material and a second patterned or apertured layer having non-conductive materials and conductive material. The conductive material may be a metal, a carbon composite, or a polymer composite. The non-conductive materials in the first patterned or apertured layer may be randomly located or located in a predetermined segmented pattern such that the non-conductive materials in the first patterned or apertured layer are located in a predetermined segmented pattern with respect to locations of the non-conductive materials in the second patterned or apertured layer.
US08323764B2
The invention provides methods for producing flexible, stretchable, and/or elastic products comprised principally of material such as natural elastomers and other synthetic polymers. The method for producing stretchable products by spraying product material over a workpiece former, and method for creating perforated products by spraying product material over fibers in an upright position. The invention provides methods for making double sided fiber coating of the product and, or to at least coating the product surface on the side facing the wall without the need for removing the product from the wall.
US08323761B2
A laminate is produced in which a long release sheet 2A, an adhesive layer 3A and a base material 4A are laminated together, and the base material 4A and the adhesive layer 3A are cut (half cut) so as not to penetrate through the release sheet 2A, so as to divide the base material 4A and the adhesive layer 3A into cover sheet portions 51A, bolstering portions 52A and a remainder portion 53A. The remainder portion 53A is then peeled off and removed, and an outer end portion of each of the bolstering portions 52A is half cut so as not to penetrate through the release sheet 2A, raised portions 6A being formed through the half cutting. The laminate sheet can be produced at low cost, and defects can be prevented from being formed on the adhesive sheet when the laminate sheet is wound into a roll.
US08323750B2
The present invention relates to a UV irradiation assisted method of surface modification, which comprises: introducing a functional group L onto the surface of a polymer material P through the photochemical reaction of a photosensitive group X under UV irradiation, wherein the photosensitive group X comprises at least one xanthone unit.
US08323747B2
The present invention provides a process for applying a coating on a heat exchanger or a temperature controlled adsorber surface. This coating comprises a zeolite, an organic solvent, an organic siloxane resin that constitutes a binder and a plasticizing agent.
US08323746B2
An aqueous composition for producing an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) coating. The composition contains ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, ammonium carbonate, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal bicarbonate and organic acids.
US08323743B2
An acrylic-fiber finish for use in carbon-fiber production contributes to high tenacity of resultant carbon fiber. The acrylic-fiber finish for carbon-fiber production includes an epoxy-polyether-modified silicone and a surfactant. The weight ratios of the epoxy-polyether-modified silicone and the surfactant in the total of the non-volatile components of the finish respectively range from 1 to 95 wt % and from 5 to 50 wt %. The carbon fiber production method includes a fiber production process for producing an acrylic fiber for carbon-fiber production by applying the finish to an acrylic fiber which is a basic material for the acrylic fiber for carbon-fiber production; an oxidative stabilization process for converting the acrylic fiber produced in the fiber production process into oxidized fiber in an oxidative atmosphere at 200 to 300 deg.C.; and a carbonization process for carbonizing the oxidized fiber in an inert atmosphere at 300 to 2,000 deg.C.
US08323736B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming metal-containing structures. A first metal-containing material may be formed over a substrate. After the first metal-containing material is formed, and while the substrate is within a reaction chamber, hydrogen-containing reactant may be used to form a hydrogen-containing layer over the first metal-containing material. The hydrogen-containing reactant may be, for example, formic acid and/or formaldehyde. Any unreacted hydrogen-containing reactant may be purged from within the reaction chamber, and then metal-containing precursor may be flowed into the reaction chamber. The hydrogen-containing layer may be used during conversion of the metal-containing precursor into a second metal-containing material that forms directly against the first metal-containing material. Some embodiments include methods of forming germanium-containing structures, such as, for example, methods of forming phase change materials containing germanium, antimony and tellurium.
US08323732B2
The present invention provides nanocomposite materials comprising carbon nanotubes and oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (OPV). Dispersion of CNT in the solution of solution of oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (OPV) in organic solvent results in the formation of nanocomposite material. The π-π interaction between CNT and OPV molecule were shown by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The nanocomposite solution can be drop casted over glass or metallic surface for the preparation of superhydrophobic coating. The resultant composite surface shows superhydrophobic nature even with corrosive liquids and its contact angle is almost constant even after prolonged contact with water.
US08323731B2
Methods for preparing nanocrystalline-Si/SiO2 composites by treating hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) under reductive thermal curing conditions are described. Also described are methods of preparing silicon nanoparticles by acid etching the nanocrystalline-Si/SiO2 composites.
US08323721B2
An ingredient suitable for use in the manufacture of specialty margarines and bakery shortenings with nutritional and functional benefits is the reaction product of a phytosterol material esterified with a saturated fatty acid material. The reaction product is substantially solid at ambient temperature, and thus is suitable for use as an ingredient in solid shortening products, yet without the adverse health effects believed to be associated with saturated fatty acids. In the method of making the product, the esterification reaction is carried out at elevated temperatures, under vacuum, and for a relatively longer duration than prior art procedures. The esterification reaction may be carried out in the presence of a catalyst and optionally, high oleic canola oil. The reaction product is neutralized, then filtered at least once and preferably twice to remove any residual catalyst.
US08323718B2
Co-precipitated carrageenan/xanthan gum compositions and a process for preparation are provided. The compositions are simple to prepare and provide functional performance in a broad range of food, specialty and industrial applications.
US08323714B2
Shown herein is the use of crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin as a trap for removing cholesterol. The crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin is prepared by crosslinking beta-cyclodextrin in the presence of a crosslinking agent. Treatment with the crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin results in cholesterol-depleted foods. After application to foods, the crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin which traps cholesterol therein can be readily regenerated with organic solvents. The crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin can be applied to almost all cholesterol-containing foods, such as dairy products, meat products, and egg products, with excellent cholesterol removal rates.
US08323711B2
The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for contacting gas and solids in the manufacture of edibles, and particularly in connection with coating edible particulate solids. A drum is positioned around an inner tube so that an annular space is defined between the drum and the tube. A rotatable spiral element defines a gas pathway in the annular space, such that rotation of the spiral pushes particulate solids through the drum while the solids are contacted with gas in the annular space.
US08323710B1
A method of frying a shrimp to maintain an original shape includes a first process of forming a plurality of slits in a lower portion of the body part of the shrimp close to a tail part thereof; a second process of removing a back shell of the body; a third process of coating the head part, the body part, plurality of leg parts, and the tail part of the shrimp from which the back shell thereof has been removed, with a powder form of primary batter; a fourth process of coating the shrimp coated with the powder form of primary batter, with a liquid type of secondary batter; and a process operation of introducing the shrimp into a fry container from an end portion of the head part by acute angle when the shrimp coated with the liquid type of secondary batter is put into the fry container.
US08323709B2
An edible spoon for dissociating into consumable predetermined clumps in order to prevent dissociating into random granules that would make consumption more difficult. The edible spoon includes a bowl and a handle. The bowl extends from the handle and contains weakened lines. The weakened lines in the bowl define the consumable predetermined clumps so as to allow the bowl to dissociate into the consumable predetermined clumps in order to prevent dissociating into the random granules that would make the consumption more difficult.
US08323707B2
This invention relates to the use of trigonelline compounds to increase muscle weight during periods of activity or to inhibit muscle loss during periods of inactivity.
US08323703B2
This discovery is storable, pre-nascent iodine that activates and: produces nascent iodine over a two-to-three-hour period within the body when diluted in water and consumed. The iodine is in a low concentration in a tincture of grain alcohol. A quantity of tincture is submerged in a glass container in an electrolytic bath between two electrodes and subjected to a specific amperage for a period of time. This action causes the diatomic bond of the iodine molecule to be broken with the iodine atom receiving excitation energy from the magnetic field. When diluted and consumed into the body, the nascent iodine is able to produce significant beneficial effects in the body.
US08323702B2
The composition for the treatment of ulcers includes ground charcoal, ground mustard seed and an edible salt dissolved or suspended in an edible oil. A single effective therapeutic dosage of the composition includes approximately 4,000 mg of the ground charcoal, approximately 2,500 mg of the ground mustard seed, approximately 550 mg of the edible salt, and approximately 15 ml of the edible oil. The effective therapeutic dosage is delivered to the patient orally, and may be provided to the patient as a tablet or capsule, or as a liquid mixture.
US08323692B2
The invention provides stable controlled release monolithic coating compositions for use in coating pharmaceutical oral dosage forms comprising a polyglycol having a melting point greater than 55° C. and an aqueous dispersion of a neutral ester copolymer lacking functional groups.
US08323687B2
The invention relates to medicine and pharmacology, and represents a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of bone resorption of various etiology comprising, as the biologically active ingredient, liposomes with biphosphonates in gel dosage form suitable for transdermal delivery of biphosphonates and effective local therapy. Using this composition, methods for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, Paget's disease, patoplogical fractures associated with oncological diseases, and some other pathological processes associated with bone resorption and reparation are proposed.
US08323663B2
The invention is directed to an adenoviral vector comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding an aphthovirus antigen and/or a cytokine operably linked to a promoter. The adenoviral vector is replication-deficient and requires at most complementation of both the E1 region and the E4 region of the adenoviral genome for propagation. The invention also is directed to a method of inducing an immune response in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a composition comprising the aforementioned adenoviral vector.
US08323654B2
Antibody complexes including anti-Aβ antibodies conjugated with a sialic acid-containing molecule show improved bioavailability with no significant adverse effects on binding to amyloid beta.
US08323642B2
The present invention provides a method of using locally administered collagenase as a non-invasive means of enhancing cell release from the cartilage or fibrocartilage tissues adjacent to a disease or injury site. The subsequent migration of cells from these tissues into the lesion or wound, followed by deposition of the appropriate extracellular matrix, results in closure of the lesion or fusion of a tissue gap.
US08323640B2
The present invention provides, as an enzyme which can be used for enzyme replacement therapy for Fabry disease, a protein having α-galactosidase activity, which shows no allergic adverse side effect, shows a high stability in blood, and can be easily incorporated into a cell of an affected organ. The protein of the present invention is a protein which has acquired α-galactosidase activity by changing the structure of the active site of wild-type human α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase.
US08323637B2
Uniform, functional polymer patches can be attached to a fraction of the surface area of living individual cells. These surface-modified cells remain viable after attachment of the functional patch. The patch does not completely occlude the cellular surface from the surrounding environment. Functional payloads carried by the patch may include, for example, drugs or other small molecules, peptides, proteins, thermally responsive polymers, and nanoparticles, or any other material that can be incorporated in a polymer patch of subcellular dimensions. The patch can include one or more polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs).
US08323626B2
A nail varnish additive contains a) at least one silane of the general formula wherein the radicals R1, R2, R3, R4 are identical or different, have 1 to 40 carbon atoms and are non-crosslinking, and optionally b) at least one solvent.
US08323617B2
A method of treating a subject having a musculoskeletal disorder includes administering to a subject's articular site in need thereof an effective amount of a hyaluronic acid (HA) composition. In one embodiment, the HA composition includes an HA derivative, wherein carboxyl functionalities of the hyaluronic acid derivative are each independently derivatized to include an N-acylurea or O-acyl isourea, or both N-acylurea and O-acyl isourea. In another embodiment, the HA composition includes a crosslinked HA gel that is prepared by reacting an uncrosslinked HA with a biscarbodiimide in the presence of pH buffer in a range of between about 4 and about 8. The composite can optionally include at least one second bioactive agent other than the HA derivative, such as a steroid.
US08323609B2
Carbon nanostructures are synthesized from carbon-excess explosives having a negative oxygen balance. A supercritical fluid provides an environment that safely dissolves and decomposes the explosive molecules into its reactant products including activated C or CO and provides the temperature and pressure for the required collision rate of activated C atoms and CO molecules to form carbon nanostructures such as graphene, fullerenes and nanotubes. The nanostructures may be synthesized without a metal reactant at relatively low temperatures in the supercritical fluid to provide a cost-effective path to bulk fabrication. These nanostructures may be synthesized “metal free”. As the supercritical fluid provides an inert buffer that does not react with the explosive, the fluid is preserved. Once the nanostructures are removed, the other reaction products may be removed and the fluid recycled.
US08323601B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a catalyst for the conversion of CO and/or hydrocarbons in an exhaust stream including a Sn compound selected from the group consisting of a binary composition comprising Sn and Ti, a ternary composition comprising Sn, Ti and Zr, and mixtures of any thereof. In those embodiments, the binary composition may include Sn(X)Ti(y)O2, wherein x+y=1, 0.85>y>0. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the Sn compound includes a ternary composition including Sn(a)Ti(b)Zr(c)O2, wherein a is 0.25, b is 0.25 and c is 0.5. Certain embodiments of this disclosure include a method for the conversion of CO in an exhaust stream, including contacting an exhaust stream containing CO with the catalyst described above containing a Sn compound. In other embodiments, the exhaust stream includes hydrocarbons.
US08323595B1
There is provided a process for recovering high purity litharge PbO from spent lead acid battery paste at low temperatures and the further preparation of highly pure lead oxides and Pb(OH)2.
US08323592B2
Disclosed is a method for recovering a rare earth element from a rare earth alloy, which has improved extraction efficiency of the rare earth element from the rare earth alloy, and is applicable to the extraction of various rare earth elements. The method is characterized by comprising a step of immersing the rare earth alloy in a molten salt of a halide salt to cause the elution of a halide of the rare earth element into the molten salt, or a step of reacting a rare earth alloy scrap which coexists with at least one of Fe and Cu with a metal chloride gas at a temperature of 1300 to 1800K to selectively extract the rare earth element contained in the rare earth alloy scrap as a vapor of a chloride of the rare earth element.
US08323586B2
The systems and methods described herein include a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfeatures interconnected to provide a configurable fluid transport system for processing at least one reagent. Inserts are provided to removably interfit into one or more of the microfeatures of the chip, wherein the inserts include sites for interactions with the reagent. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic chip and the inserts provide an efficient and accurate approach for conducting parallel assays.
US08323580B2
A micro structure for sensing a substance using light scattering includes a substrate, a first layer on the substrate, wherein the first layer comprises a metallic material, a second layer over the first layer, and a mask layer over the second layer. A plurality of nano holes are formed through the mask layer and the second layer, wherein the plurality of holes are defined in part by internal surfaces on the second layer and the mask layer. Two or more structure layers are formed on the mask layer and the internal surfaces in the plurality of holes. The two or more structure layers comprise different material compositions.
US08323578B2
The invention relates to a method for the deoxygenation in a chemical loop of smokes resulting from oxidation-combustion reactions, that comprises: a first step during which the smokes are stripped from their oxygen by trapping the same by the oxidation of an oxygen-carrier material, thus producing a main flow of smokes with a reduced oxygen content; and a second step for also producing smokes that can join the main smoke flow and during which the material oxidized during the first step is reduced and regenerated by reaction with the fuel in order to be used again during said step. The invention also relates to an apparatus for implementing said method.
US08323573B2
A microfluidic cartridge with solution reservoir-pump chamber is disclosed. The microfluidic cartridge comprises a channel-chamber layer, a sealing layer, a printed circuit board bound with magnetoresistive biochip. The channel-chamber layer includes at least a waste reservoir, a reaction-detection chamber, a solution reservoir-pump chamber and a plurality of micro-channels. Said solution reservoir-pump chamber realizes both functions of solution reservoir and pump chamber in a single structure. Said sealing layer is sealed with said channel-chamber layer to form an integrated microfluidic system with at least a waste reservoir, a reaction-detection chamber, a solution inlet, a solution reservoir-pump chamber and a micro-channel. Said solution reservoir-pump chamber in the present invention consists of elastic objects inside for sealing and pumping. Under pressure, said elastic object propels solution in the reservoir into said reaction-detection chamber via channels of said plurality of micro-channels.
US08323571B1
Method and system embodiments of the present invention control the ascorbate concentration in produce treatments and particularly are exemplified in fresh cut fruit and vegetable treatments via measured refractivity and/or electrical conductivity of, and/or calcium ions present in, the treatment solution.
US08323568B2
A magnetic bead assisted sampling system for a fluid sensor. Magnetic beads are dispersed in a sampling volume for collecting the analyte. The beads are packed into a small volume for pre-concentration of the analyte. A solvent may be applied to the beads to elute the analyte from the beads for movement to an analyzer.
US08323566B2
A liquid sample analysis device includes a holder part 11 holding a test piece 1, an optical system 20 that optically detects a reaction state of a liquid sample and a reagent, and a support member 30 that integrally supports the holder part 11 and the optical system 20. The orientation of the test piece 1 is changed with respect to the direction of gravitational force by rotating the support member 30.
US08323563B2
An on-demand portable chlorine dioxide generator has a reagent bound medium in a first enclosed volume; a complementary reagent solution in a second enclosed volume, and a structure for selecting between a first position where the complementary reagent solution is forced through the reagent bound medium and a second position where said complementary reagent solution remains isolated from the reagent bound ion exchange medium, where a ClO2 solution is generated only during periods when the structure for forcing is actuated. The ClO2 solution can be discharged for use as a portable sprayer that can be used to treat surfaces infected by anthrax or other biological contaminants. When the bound reagent is chlorite, the complementary reagent is an acid or an oxidant. When the bound reagent is an acid or an oxidant, the complementary reagent solution is a chlorite solution.
US08323560B2
Disclosed is a high-strength electric resistance welded steel pipe which is manufacture from a steel sheet containing, on mass basis, 0.2% to 0.4% C, 0.05% to 0.5% Si, 0.5% to 2.5% Mn, 0.025% or less P, 0.01% or less S, 0.01% to 0.15% or Al, 0.01% to 2% Cu, 0.05% to 2% Cr, 0.005% to 0.2% Ti, and 0.0002% to 0.005% B, with the remainder being iron and inevitable impurities. The steel pipe has a tensile strength of 1750 N/mm2 or more, a 0.1%-proof stress of 1320 N/mm2 or more, and a Charpy impact value at a testing temperature of minus 40° C. of 50 J/cm2 or more.
US08323556B2
A method for manufacturing a resonator is disclosed in which a sleeve insert is placed into a fixture within a blow molding apparatus. The sleeve insert has a wall with a first plurality of apertures in the wall at a first axial distance and a second plurality of apertures in the wall at a second axial distance. A parison is slid over the sleeve insert; the mold is clamped over the parison causing the parison to press into the sleeve insert at three locations: near the ends of the sleeve insert and at a location between the pluralities of apertures; and air is blown into the sleeve insert, via a blow pin, to expand the parison into the walls of the mold to form cavities proximate the first and second pluralities of aperatures. After cooling, the mold opens to release the newly formed resonator.
US08323554B2
Methods and apparatus for hydrodischarging and hydrocharging substrates and articles to produce enhanced ability to avoid attraction of contaminants or improved capability of removing contaminants from fluids are disclosed. In another form the method involves removal of electric charges or neutralization of charge on or within substrates. Also disclosed are methods of making using electret substrates and articles for removing particulates and mists from fluid streams.
US08323544B2
A method and apparatus for pretreatment of slider layer for extruded handrails has a slider layer source, a means of conveying the slider layer to a heating module which subjects the slider layer to an elevated temperature for a residence time, and a means of conveying the slider layer to an extrusion die head. One or more control feeders may be implemented for maintaining portions of the slider layer in a substantially tension-free loop as the slider layer is conveyed from the slider layer source to the extrusion die head. A cooling zone may be included to ensure adequate cooling between the heating module and the extrusion die head. Means for reducing heat transfer between the extrusion die head and the slider layer is also provided.
US08323540B2
A molding die and a method for molding a molded article including a foam layer made up of faces extended in a plurality of directions are provided, by which all of the faces can grow up to a predetermined expansion ratio or more. To this end, a molding die 1 includes a stationary die including a main die 2 and a slide die 3 movable relative to the main die 2, and a movable die 4. The slide die 3 partially faces a cavity C and can move in a direction (Y direction) different from a die clamping/die opening direction (X direction). When a foam layer a2 made up of a face a21 orthogonal to the die clamping/die opening direction and a face a22 other than the face a21 grows in the cavity C, at least the slide die 3 moves in Y direction, whereby both of the faces a21 and a22 of the foam layer a2 can grow to satisfy a predetermined expansion ratio.
US08323531B2
There is provided a method for producing a conductive polymer solution comprising: a freeze-drying step in which an aqueous conductive polymer solution containing a complex that includes a π-conjugated conductive polymer and a polyanion is freeze dried to thereby obtain a solid complex; and a dispersion step in which an organic solvent having a water content of 4% by mass or less and an amine compound are mixed to the solid complex, followed by a dispersion treatment.
US08323530B2
Provided is a phosphor for scintillator that can absorb radiation and convert it into visible light, and which has a short fluorescence decay time. The phosphor contains a lutetium sulfide-containing host material and an activator agent ion, for example, a phosphor comprising a composition represented by the general formula (Lu1-xPrx)2S3, or (Lu1-xCex)2S3.
US08323527B2
The invention relates to novel fluorene derivatives, which are especially suitable for use in birefringent films with negative optical dispersion, to novel liquid crystal (LC) formulations and polymer films comprising them, and to the use of the fluorene derivatives, formulations and films in optical, electrooptical, electronic, semiconducting or luminescent components or devices.
US08323515B2
A method for making a master disk to be used for nanoimprinting patterned-media magnetic recording disks uses sidewall lithography. In one implementation, the master disk substrate has a first pattern of concentric rings formed on it by sidewall lithography, followed by a second pattern of generally radially-directed pairs of parallel lines, also formed by sidewall lithography, with the pairs of parallel lines intersecting the rings. An etching process is then performed, using the upper pattern as an etch mask, to remove unprotected portions of the underlying concentric rings. This leaves a pattern of pillars on the substrate, which then serve as an etch mask for an etching process that etches unprotected portions of the master disk substrate. The resulting master disk then has pillars of substrate material arranged in a pattern of concentric rings and generally radially-directed pairs of parallel lines.
US08323509B2
A method of rehabilitation of a deposition area to render it suitable for plant growth comprising a particulate mineral material, which particulate mineral material has been dewatered from a suspension of said material, comprising the steps of transferring the suspension of particulate mineral material as a fluid to the deposition area, and in which the suspension is allowed to stand and dewater at the deposition area to form a dewatered particulate mineral material, wherein the rehabilitation of the disposal area is achieved by adding a dewatering amount of a polymer to the suspension of the particulate mineral material while it is being transferred as a fluid to the deposition area, wherein the polymer is either a synthetic water-soluble polymer formed from one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 4 dl/g or a water-soluble polymer that is a natural polymer or semi natural polymer.
US08323507B2
Device for the separation of magnetic particles from a liquid, comprising a first vessel (10), a second vessel (20), a connecting surface (11, 21, 30; 200) that runs from the interior of the first vessel (10) to the interior of the second vessel (20), at least one magnet (40) for the provision of a magnetic field, and a guide element (50) by means of which the magnetic field can be guided along one side of the connecting surface (11, 21, 30; 200).
US08323504B2
Methods for depositing a stationary phase in a tube for chromatography, in particular, as a variable gradient column are disclosed. The methods include providing a tube, loading the tube with a concentration gradient of a stationary phase precursor along its length, and removing the solvent such that the stationary phase precursor is deposited within the tube as a stationary phase to form a chromatography column. The concentration gradient is formed by combining at least a first fluid and a second fluid, with the first fluid containing the stationary phase precursor in a solvent.
US08323501B2
A method for producing biofuels is provided. A method of making biofuels includes dewatering substantially intact algal cells to make an algal biomass, extracting neutral lipids from the algal biomass, and esterifying the neutral lipids with a catalyst in the presence of an alcohol. The method also includes separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters and distilling the fuel esters under vacuum to obtain a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction, and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The method further includes hydrogenating and deoxygenating at least one of (i) the C16 or shorter fuel esters to obtain a jet fuel blend stock and (ii) the C16 or longer fuel esters to obtain a diesel blend stock.
US08323498B2
A system and method for automatically controlling aeration and mixing processes are disclosed.
US08323493B2
A filtering system having a housing forming a cavity with a fluid inlet and outlet remote therefrom with a partially porous basket filled with particulate or granular polymer filtering material and the basket surrounded by a bag filter. The housing inlet receives effluent from a strainer. The particulate may be filled in a monofilament polyethylene woven mesh sleeve in the form of a removable cartridge. A pump supplied fluid to be filtered through the strainer and filter housing. The system may be mounted on a wheeled cart for portability; and, in one exemplary version, includes a wastewater reservoir connected to the strainer inlet.
US08323492B2
A hemodialysis system including (i) an instrument; (ii) first and second peristaltic dialysate pumps operated by the instrument; (iii) a cassette including a rigid structure and first and second dialysate pumping tubes carried by the rigid structure; and (iv) a mechanism configured to initially allow the cassette to be accepted by the dialysis instrument after which the mechanism engages the first and second dialysate pumping tubes for operation with the first and second peristaltic dialysate pumps.
US08323491B2
A desalination plant, includes a sea water intake, a desalination unit having a reverse osmosis or a thermal desalination unit, a fresh water outlet and a brine outlet. The plant also includes a salinity gradient power unit having a brine inlet, a seawater inlet and a mixed water outlet. The brine outlet is connected to the brine inlet and the salinity gradient power unit is arranged to generate an electrical current. A solar power heater is between the brine outlet and the brine inlet. A method for reducing the power consumption of a desalination plant providing fresh water and brine from sea water, includes a first step of providing a salinity gradient power unit, a next step of feeding the salinity gradient power unit with brine from the desalination plant as high salinity feed and sea water as low salinity feed. A subsequent step heats the brine with solar power prior to feeding the brine to the salinity gradient power unit, followed by the steps of generating an electrical current in the salinity gradient power unit and using the electrical current as an energy source for the desalination plant.
US08323483B2
An optimized system for conserving energy used in the process of reverse osmosis which creates, controls and measures a virtual septum within an energy recovery work exchanger, multiple-orifice distribution plates, vessels of varying sizes and tanks placed at optimum elevations.
US08323481B2
A method of sequestering carbon dioxide emissions during recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating, the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Additionally, during heating, any carbon dioxide that is produced can be sequestered. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.
US08323477B2
A process for mixing regenerated and carbonized catalyst involves obstructing upward flow of catalyst by one or more baffles between a catalyst inlet and a feed distributor. Each catalyst stream may be passed to opposite sides of a riser. Baffles obstruct upward flow to effect mixing of regenerated and carbonized catalyst to obtain a more uniform temperature and catalyst mixture before contacting the feed.
US08323474B2
Provided is an electro-chemical water treatment apparatus and method for removing total nitrogen ingredients of ammonia nitrogen, nitrous acid nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen etc., organic materials of BOD and COD induction ingredients, and cyanogen included in wastewater and dirty water. The apparatus includes: a wastewater collection reservoir that contains wastewater; a wastewater storage retention reservoir that controls a hydrogen ion concentration (pH), an electrical conductivity and an amount of flow of wastewater; an electrolyte tank which makes the electrical conductivity of the wastewater as an electrical conductivity at which an electrolysis can be achieved; a pH conditioner tank that supplies a pH conditioner for the wastewater; an electrolyzer including an anode plate and a cathode plate, and a number of electrodes which are arranged as an electrification body between the anode plate and the cathode plate; and a controller which grasps state of wastewater and which is connected to the anode plate and the cathode plate to thereby control the electrolysis.
US08323470B2
A process for applying a coating on aluminum substrates by anionic electrodeposition of a phosphated epoxy resin made by phosphating a polyepoxide with both phosphoric acid and an organophosphonic acid and/or an organophosphinic acid. The coating has a reduced tendency to form pinholes.
US08323467B2
A dual chamber, multi-analyte test strip has a first insulating layer, a first electrically conductive layer, with a first working electrode, disposed on the first insulating layer and a first patterned spacer layer positioned above the first electrically conductive layer. The first patterned spacer layer has a first sample-receiving chamber, with first and second end openings, defined therein that overlies the first working electrode. The test strip also includes a first counter/reference electrode layer that is exposed to the first sample receiving chamber and is in an opposing relationship to the first working electrode. The test strip further includes a counter/reference insulating layer disposed over the first counter/reference electrode layer and a second counter/reference electrode layer disposed on the counter/reference substrate. Also included in the test strip is a second patterned spacer layer that is positioned above the second counter/reference electrode layer. The second patterned spacer layer has a second sample-receiving chamber, with first and second end openings, defined therein. The test strip additionally has a second electrically conductive layer, with a second working electrode, disposed above the second patterned spacer layer, a second insulating layer disposed above the second electrically conductive layer, a first analyte reagent layer disposed on the first working electrode within the first sample-receiving chamber; and a second analyte reagent layer disposed on the second working electrode within the second sample-receiving chamber. The second counter/reference electrode layer is exposed to the second sample receiving chamber and is in an opposing relationship to the second working electrode.
US08323463B2
A composite oxygen transport membrane having a dense layer, a porous support layer and an intermediate porous layer located between the dense layer and the porous support layer. Both the dense layer and the intermediate porous layer are formed from an ionic conductive material to conduct oxygen ions and an electrically conductive material to conduct electrons. The porous support layer has a high permeability, high porosity, and a high average pore diameter and the intermediate porous layer has a lower permeability and lower pore diameter than the porous support layer. Catalyst particles selected to promote oxidation of a combustible substance are located in the intermediate porous layer and in the porous support adjacent to the intermediate porous layer. The catalyst particles can be formed by wicking a solution of catalyst precursors through the porous support toward the intermediate porous layer.
US08323461B2
The present invention provides an electrochemical apparatus for processing a fluid comprising: an electrode; a solid electrolyte; and means for providing forced flow through the apparatus of a fluid to be processed, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that when the fluid to be processed is introduced into the apparatus there exists at least one three phase interface between the electrode, the solid electrolyte and the fluid to be processed and such that the fluid forming part of the three phase interface undergoes forced flow through the apparatus, and methods in which the electrochemical apparatus is used.
US08323458B2
A process is disclosed for making a biomass susceptible to depolymerization or liquefaction under mild conditions. The process comprises introducing into the biomass a material susceptible to the absorption of electro-magnetic radiation to form a radiation absorbent biomass. The radiation absorbent biomass is subjected to electro-magnetic radiation to form an activated biomass.
US08323457B2
Systems and methods for separating a multi-component fluid are provided. The method can include introducing a multi-component fluid to a dividing wall column. The multi-component fluid can be heated to provide a first product, a second product, an intermediate distillate, and a process fluid. At least a portion of the first product can be compressed to provide a compressed first product. Heat can be indirectly transferred from the compressed first product to at least a portion of the intermediate distillate to provide a heated intermediate distillate. The heated intermediate distillate can be recycled to the dividing wall column. The compressed first product can be expanded.
US08323452B2
A forming section in a machine for producing a web of fibrous material includes a control and/or regulating system including a control and/or regulating device which is connected with at least one device for at least indirect acquisition of one value at least indirectly characterizing the dry content of the fibrous web in a transfer area from the forming section to a following function unit, with a device for input of a desired value for the target dry content, and with at least the control elements of an individual dewatering unit located prior to one of the last dewatering units, or the last dewatering unit inside the compression zone. The control and/or regulating device also includes a device for creating the control variables for controlling the individual dewatering units.
US08323450B2
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a heat storage material that contains heat storage capsules. The heat storage capsules include a phase change material that absorbs and/or discharges latent heat in response to a change in temperature. The phase change material resides within outer shells of the heat storage capsules. The method involves binding abutting peripheral portions of a plurality of heat storage capsules with a molding binder, so as to form an intermediate granular molded heat storage material. An outer peripheral surface portion of the granular molded heat storage material is coated with a coating binder. The coated granular molded heat storage material is then subjected to a treatment that causes the coating binder of the coating layer to polymerize. The invention also relates to heat storage adsorbent materials, and articles (e.g., canisters) that include such heat storage adsorbent materials.
US08323431B2
A jamming detection method and a sheet laminating apparatus using the jamming detection method are provided. The sheet laminating apparatus includes a laminating channel, a laminating roller assembly, a distance sensor, a document sensor and a controller. The distance sensor is used for measuring a moving distance of a document. The document sensor is used for detecting a transmitting status of the document. According to the moving distance of the document and the transmitting status of the document, the controller discriminates whether a jamming condition of the sheet laminating apparatus occurs.
US08323425B2
Embodiments of a method for non-isothermally aging an aluminum alloy are provided. The method comprises heating an aluminum alloy at a first ramp-up rate to a maximum temperature below a precipitate solvus value, cooling the alloy at a first cooling rate sufficient to produce a maximum number of primary precipitates, cooling at a second cooling rate until a minimum temperature is reached wherein the growth rate of primary precipitates is equal to or substantially zero, and heating the alloy at a second ramp-up rate to a temperature sufficient to produce a maximum number of secondary precipitates.
US08323420B2
A pressure is maintained within a volume within which a semiconductor wafer resides at a pressure that is sufficient to maintain a liquid state of a precursor fluid to a non-Newtonian fluid. The precursor fluid is disposed proximate to a material to be removed from the semiconductor wafer while maintaining the precursor fluid in the liquid state. The pressure is reduced in the volume within which the semiconductor wafer resides such that the precursor fluid disposed on the wafer within the volume is transformed into the non-Newtonian fluid. An expansion of the precursor fluid and movement of the precursor fluid relative to the wafer during transformation into the non-Newtonian fluid causes the resulting non-Newtonian fluid to remove the material from the semiconductor wafer.
US08323414B2
A particle removal apparatus for removing particles from a chamber of a plasma processing apparatus, wherein the chamber is connected to a gas exhaust port and a plasma of a processing gas is generated in the chamber to plasma process a substrate to be processed, includes a particle charging control member for positively charging particles generated within the chamber by positive ions of an ion sheath region formed in a region other than the vicinity of the substrate to be processed, wherein positively charged particles are discharged from the chamber via the gas exhaust port. Therefore, there is no plasma disturbance or metal contamination, and thus can be applied to a practical use.
US08323410B2
A high throughput chemical treatment system for processing a plurality of substrates is described. The chemical treatment system is configured to chemically treat a plurality of substrates in a dry, non-plasma environment.
US08323406B2
Bulk single crystal of aluminum nitride (AlN) having an a real planar defect density≦100 cm−2. Methods for growing single crystal aluminum nitride include melting an aluminum foil to uniformly wet a foundation with a layer of aluminum, the foundation forming a portion of an AlN seed holder, for an AlN seed to be used for the AlN growth. The holder may consist essentially of a substantially impervious backing plate.
US08323401B2
The invention relates generally to a cement or gypsum composition having improved properties, which is prepared by incorporating an enzyme into a cement material such as a cement, mortar, or concrete, or into a gypsum product. The invention also relates to methods of manufacturing improved cement compositions and gypsum products, methods of improving the compressive strength of cement compositions and gypsum products, and methods of reducing the cost of such compositions by enabling the use of less expensive aggregates in the manufacturing process. More specifically, the invention relates to a cement composition or a gypsum composition, optionally including at least one aggregate and optionally including at least one pozzolan, comprising a cement material or gypsum optionally including aggregate(s) and pozzolan(s) having blended therein an enzyme.
US08323386B2
A compact electrostatic particulate collector for sampling contaminants has a collection chamber defined by a titanium inner surface of a wall. A potential inducer is disposed within the chamber to create a field potential between itself and the wall of the chamber. A blower is disposed to propel air to be sampled through the chamber. At least one rinse channel is disposed to wet the inner surface of the wall of the chamber substantially 100%. The rinse channel is angled to direct a rinse liquid in a spiral direction around the inner surface of the wall. Contaminants in the air being sampled are electro statically biased into the rinse liquid on the wall and rinsed out of the chamber for collection.
US08323384B2
An extended life filter element is provided that may at least double the service interval of a given filtration application utilizing the same or similar filter housing envelope provided. The filter element may include a more open pleated substrate with an efficiency layer and a prefilter on the upstream surface. The filter may be a foam sleeve. One exemplary application is for air filtration of air flow to electrical cabinets on locomotives.
US08323368B2
[Problems to Be Solved]To provide a method for obtaining a polishing composition by which a polishing speed is high and the polished surface has little surface failure.[Means to Solve the Problems]The present invention relates to a production method of a polishing composition containing zirconia oxide sol including: baking at a temperature ranging from 400 to 1000° C., a zirconium compound having d50 (where d50 represents a particle diameter meaning that the number of particles having this particle diameter or less is 50% of the total number of particles) of zirconium compound particles of 5 to 25 μm and d99 (where d99 represents a particle diameter meaning that the number of particles having this particle diameter or less is 99% of the total number of particles) of zirconium compound particles of 60 μm or less, wherein d50 and d99 are measured by measuring a slurry of the zirconium compound by a laser diffractometry; and wet-grinding a powder of zirconium oxide obtained in the above baking in an aqueous medium until d50 of zirconium oxide particles becomes 80 to 150 nm and d99 of zirconium oxide particles becomes 150 to 500 nm, wherein d50 and d99 are measured by measuring the slurry of the zirconium compound by a laser diffractometry.[Selected Drawings]None.
US08323367B1
Methods of manufacturing a superabrasive element are disclosed. In one embodiment, a substrate and a preformed superabrasive volume may be at least partially surrounded by an enclosure and the enclosure may be sealed in an inert environment. Further, the enclosure may be exposed to an elevated pressure and preformed superabrasive volume may be affixed to the substrate. Polycrystalline diamond elements are disclosed. In one embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond element may comprise a preformed polycrystalline diamond volume bonded to a substrate by a braze material. Optionally, such a polycrystalline diamond element may exhibit a compressive stress. Rotary drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation and including at least one superabrasive element are also disclosed.
US08323365B2
The present invention relates to systems and processes for producing syngas in steam methane reformer (SMR)-based plants, particularly to the use of a high space velocity, dual mode catalytic reactor to pre-reform plant feedstock. The dual mode reactor has the capability to operate in two modes: either without oxygen addition in a reforming mode or with oxygen addition in a partial oxidation-reforming mode. The dual mode reactor allows the syngas production rate of the plant to be manipulated without the added capital expense of a reheat coil and with reduced impact on export steam production.
US08323364B2
A self-regulating on-demand gas generator. Generation of gas produced from a reaction is selectively, variably, and spontaneously controlled. A variable volume liquid chamber in communication with the pressure pot allows the volume of liquid reactant in the pressure pot to be varied. The amount of product gas generated in the pressure pot depends on the degree of contact between the solid-like reactant and the liquid reactant. The pressure of the product gas regulates the level of liquid in the pressure pot and thereby regulates the degree of contact between the solid-like reactant and the liquid reactant. A sealed gas chamber sharing a flexible diaphragm with the liquid chamber controls the expandability of the liquid chamber. Manipulating the pressure in the sealed gas chamber or the volume of the liquid reactant affects the pressure at which contact by the reactants will be initiated or terminated and thereby provides the ability to control the reaction.
US08323361B2
A capacitor, and method of making a capacitor, is provided wherein the capacitor has exceptionally high break down voltage. The capacitor has a tantalum anode with an anode wire attached there to. A dielectric film is on the tantalum anode. A conductive polymer is on the dielectric film. An anode lead is in electrical contact with the anode wire. A cathode lead is in electrical contact with the conductive polymer and the capacitor has a break down voltage of at least 60 V.
US08323356B2
Agent for lightening keratinic fibers, particularly human hair, wherein the agent contains, in a cosmetic carrier, at least one oxidizing agent chosen from hydrogen peroxide and/or a solid addition product thereof with organic or inorganic compounds, and at least one sulfonimine of formula (I)—
US08323352B2
A method and device for preventing or treating parastomal hernia is provided. The method can include positioning a graft material between a rectus sheath and a rectus abdominus muscle surrounding a stoma.
US08323343B2
A flanged interbody spinal fusion implant for insertion at least in part between adjacent vertebral bodies has opposed upper and lower surfaces adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebral bodies from within the disc space, a leading end for insertion between the adjacent vertebral bodies, and a trailing end opposite the leading end. The trailing end has a height greater than the maximum height of the disc space forming a flanged portion adapted to overlie a part of the anterior aspects of the vertebral bodies adjacent and proximate the disc space to be fused. The flanged portion has at least two bone screw receiving holes, at least one each adapted to overlie each of the adjacent vertebral bodies at least in part. The implant has at least one locking element to lock one or more of the bone screws inserted in the bone screw receiving holes. Instrumentation for inserting the implant, forming screw holes in the vertebral body, and for locking the locking elements are disclosed.
US08323341B2
Methods of providing graft impaction using anchored implants are disclosed. In some embodiments, the graft impaction provided by the anchored implants can facilitate surgical spinal fusion procedures. The anchored implants provide increased strength and increased pull-out resistance. The anchored implants can be used in conjunction with various surgical vertebral fusion approaches or techniques, such as anterior, posterior, transforaminal, and/or extreme lateral interbody fusion.
US08323336B2
A stented valve of two or more leaflets made of pericardium or other material having a relatively thin profile at the annulus. The leaflet surfaces are attached via chords to a stent frame, where the chords are positioned to mimic the native valve anatomy and functionality. In particular, the valves of one exemplary embodiment of the invention are sized to replace a mitral valve and therefore the chords are arranged to prevent prolapse of the leaflets into the atrium. The stented valve has a relatively short height at its annulus due to the positioning of the chords. In addition, the stented valve is capable of being crimped to a small enough size that it can be delivered to the implantation site via transcatheter delivery systems and methods.
US08323320B2
A system and method are provided for making an access channel through a vertebral body to access a site of neural compression, decompressing it, and repairing the channel to restore vertebral integrity. System elements include an implantable vertebral plate, a guidance device for orienting bone cutting tools and controlling the path of a cutting tool, a bone cutting tool to make a channel in the vertebral body, a tool for opening or partially-resecting the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine, a tool for retrieving a herniated disc, an implantable device with osteogenic material to fill the access channel, and a retention device that lockably-engages the bone plate to retain it in position after insertion. System elements may be included in a surgery to decompress an individual nerve root, the spinal cord, or the cauda equina when compressed, for example, by any of a herniated disc, an osteophyte, a thickened ligament arising from degenerative changes within the spine, a hematoma, or a tumor.
US08323318B2
The present invention relates to an instrument for tensioning a flexible tie (14) used for fastening an implant on a bony element of a patient by forming a first loop around the bony element. Said instrument comprises: a rod (42) having a first end provided with bearing means (44) for bearing against said implant; a moving part (46) that is movable in translation and that surrounds said rod (42) over a fraction of its length, said moving part including holder means (50) for holding the end of said tie; and control means (52) mounted on said moving part (46) to cause the moving part to move relative to said rod, thereby tending to move the first end (42a) of the rod away from said moving part, thereby exerting tension on said tie relative to said implant.
US08323310B2
A forceps includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto and an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The shaft has a longitudinal axis defined therethrough. The end effector assembly includes a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. Each jaw member has an opposing sealing surface and at least one of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other about a pivot from a first position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. The pivot is positioned offset from the longitudinal axis defined through the shaft. When the jaw members are disposed in the second position, a plane is formed between the opposing sealing surfaces, the plane offset from the longitudinal axis.
US08323302B2
In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to methods for treating tissue within an aqueous environment. Various methods may include introducing a cutting implement of a surgical instrument into the aqueous environment. The cutting implement may have at least one cutting surface thereon and at least one ultrasonic portion thereon and be selectively rotatable within a hollow sheath. The methods may include rotating or rotatably oscillating the cutting implement within the hollow sheath for tissue cutting purposes. The cutting implement may also be retained in a position wherein the ultrasonic portion of the cutting implement may be applied to tissue and then have ultrasonic motion applied thereto.
US08323301B2
A medical knife of the invention having a cutting edge formed along the outer periphery of a blade portion includes a shank; and a blade portion formed continuously from the shank, the blade portion includes a tip portion including a tip whose projected plane shape is formed at an extreme end portion; a maximum width portion having a largest width: a side surface portion formed between the tip portion and the maximum width portion; a cutting edge; a first slanting surface formed along the cutting edge; and a second slanting surface formed along the first slanting surface, wherein the first slanting surface constituting the tip portion has a width larger than that of the first slanting surface constituting the side surface.
US08323297B2
The invention provides articulating mechanisms, and flexible members and flexible segments that can form such articulating mechanisms. The mechanisms are useful, for example, for remote steering, guidance and/or manipulation of various instruments and tools at a targeted location. The mechanisms, members or segments include links connected by flexible hinges. The proximal and distal ends of the mechanisms are connected by at least one set of cables in such a fashion that a proximal active flexible segment forms a discrete pair with a distal active flexible segment. Movement of active flexible segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the mechanism. This configuration allows each flexible segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations.
US08323295B2
A medical clamp, in particular a spinal clamp, includes two clamp limbs connected to a grip part. The grip part executes a clamping movement of the clamp limbs and the clamp limbs are connected to the grip part in a releasable manner. The clamp permits particularly safe, minimally invasive percutaneous interventions, especially in the area of the spinal column. A device for using a medical clamp for providing a reference position for a positioning system for percutaneous interventions and a method for determining a reference position for a positioning system for percutaneous interventions, are also provided.
US08323294B2
Various methods and devices are provided for tensioning a tether. In one embodiment, a tether tensioning device is provided and includes a tensioning mechanism adapted to couple to a tether extending along a path between at least two bone anchors implanted in adjacent vertebrae. The tensioning mechanism can be adapted to apply a tensioning force to the tether along the path of the tether to thereby move the tether along the path. The device further includes an actuation mechanism movably coupled to the tensioning mechanism such that the actuation mechanism is adapted to effect movement of the tensioning mechanism to control the tensioning force applied to the tether.
US08323290B2
A tensor for use with a surgical navigation system is provided. The tensor comprises a first bone engaging member engageable with a first bone and a second bone engaging member engageable with a second bone. A force-applying mechanism is configured to forcibly move the first and second bone engaging members relative to one another and a sensor detects the value of the force applied by the force-applying mechanism. A transmitter communicates a parameter associated with the tensor to the surgical navigation system.
US08323274B2
An apparatus for cooling ablation catheters via a coolant pump and liquid cooling medium controlled by a controller based on a characteristic state for an activity of a catheter and in addition a system that uses the apparatus for ablation of tissue in a human or animal body. The system includes an elongated ablation catheter, an ablation generator electrically connected to the catheter to generate a high-frequency energy pulse or a high-frequency energy field, the coolant pump connected to the catheter and the controller and a control line connected to the pump. The control line comprises an electric circuit designed to detect a high-frequency pulse or a high-frequency field.
US08323269B2
A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled lumen, intratumoral catheter which will be implanted. Spinal fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. Medication is delivered on a continuous metronomic basis into the CSF via an internalized pump. CSF is removed and analyzed for VEGF and other cytokines via spectrophotometer analysis or a lab on a chip. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller.
US08323267B2
An infusion system in which therapeutic substance from a reservoir is pumped by a bolus pump to an infusion port is disclosed. The therapeutic substance delivered by the bolus pump passes first through a passive check valve located downstream from the pump. The passive check valve opens in response to fluid pressure of the therapeutic substance. After passing through the passive check valve, the therapeutic substance passes through an active check valve located downstream from the passive check if the active check valve is actuated such that it is open. When not activated, the active check valve is closed and fluid flow through the active check valve in the downstream direction is prevented.
US08323252B2
Provided is a method of treating skin ulcers and related complications in patients by administering an oxidative reduction potential (ORP) water solution that is stable for at least twenty-four hours.
US08323247B2
Fluid transfer devices for use in, for example, ambulatory infusion devices, and infusions devices including such fluid transfer devices. The fluid transfer devices may include an external housing tube, an internal housing tube that has a piston lumen with a pump chamber, an outer surface, and a bypass aperture with an inlet associated with the pump chamber and an outlet adjacent to the outer surface, a bypass channel in fluid communication with the bypass aperture outlet, a resilient valve member associated with the bypass aperture outlet, and a piston carried within the piston lumen.
US08323240B2
An interventional catheter assembly has an operating head and catheter system that are inserted and navigated within a patient's body while an operator controls the system externally of the operating head. Fluidic communication is provided between the operating head and the external system controls, and rotation is provided to the operating head by means of an external drive system. Numerous system controls are provided, along with various operating systems, sealing assemblies, actuators, torque transfer systems, and the like are provided. Some systems and controls are provided in a control pod and some controls, as well as displays, are provided in a console unit. Control pod, catheter system and operating head may be provided as a sterile, single use interventional catheter system, while the console unit may be provided as a multiple use device that communicates with the sterile, single use interventional catheter system during operation.
US08323219B2
Sensors, apparatus, and methods for measuring movements are disclosed. The sensors include input and output windings wound about a common location and an armature is equally positioned relative to both windings movable to vary inductance reactance of the sensor. The mass of the sensor and the ease of movements are such that flexible membranes, such as skin, can be monitored with insignificant interference. The sensor can be included in “Band-aid” bandage arrangement in which the bandage backing can be removed and held in place on skin by the bandage. A monitoring circuit, responsive to the changes in sensor impedance, provides indications of the detected movements. The monitoring circuit includes an arrangement for self-adjusting parameters so that the system can be automatically preset and continually reset. The monitoring circuit includes a power savings arrangement.
US08323217B2
Methods to size a gastric pouch. In at least one embodiment for measuring the size of a gastric pouch of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of introducing a catheter into an esophagus, the catheter comprising an outer elongate tube, an inner elongate tube disposed within the outer elongate tube, a proximal balloon attached to the outer elongate tube, a distal balloon having a first end attached to the outer elongate tube and a second end attached to the inner elongate tube, at least two detection electrodes positioned on the outer elongate tube between at least two excitation electrodes, and a pressure transducer positioned on the outer elongate tube, locating the gastroesophageal junction using the proximal balloon, adjusting the distal balloon axially to a desired balloon length, injecting a fluid into the distal balloon to extend the distal balloon circumferentially, and determining a size variable of the gastric pouch.
US08323215B2
During use there is a risk that a male connector for a guide wire is bent. With the present male connector (1) more material with high modulus of elasticity can be provided inside the male connector (1), which makes the male connector (1) more bending resistant. The male connector (1) comprises a core wire (3), a plurality of conductive members (4) spaced apart longitudinally along said core wire (3), a plurality of conductors (5) disposed along the core wire (3), each of the conductors (5) being connected to a respective conductive member (4). The core wire (3) has such a shape that least one longitudinal cavity is provided, which longitudinal cavity remains substantially intact when the male connector (1) is bent, thereby protecting the conductors (5), which are disposed in said cavity, from being damaged.
US08323209B2
A catheter with a guide wire and handle is provided for sampling an area of interest, such as chorionic villi. The catheter contains a cannula of flexible plastic that is non-pyrogenic and latex-free, and a flexible obturator with an elongate cylindrical handle. The cannula is echogenic and can be easily visualized with visualization or imaging device. In an embodiment, the catheter may be curved manually by the operator to conform to the patient's anatomy and it is inserted through the cervix into a pregnant uterus at 10-13 weeks gestation and placed into the developing placenta under ultrasound guidance and a guide mechanism provided on the handle. In this embodiment, once the catheter has been placed, the obturator is withdrawn and a sample of chorionic villi is removed by applying appropriate pressure to the proximal end of the cannula and slowly withdrawing the cannula from the uterine cavity.
US08323207B2
An apparatus for the measurement of exhaled respiratory gas temperature during free voluntary tidal breathing, comprises a housing 1 defining a chamber, an air inlet 2 for receiving a stream of exhaled respiratory gas and an air outlet 4 for permitting escape of exhaled respiratory gas from the chamber to outside of the housing. A tube having inner and outer surfaces, is located within the housing and extends from the air inlet into the chamber provides a passageway through which the stream of exhaled respiratory gas may travel from the air inlet in to the chamber. A temperature sensor 6 is located within the housing for measuring the temperature of exhaled respiratory gas. The air inlet, temperature sensor and air outlet are configured such that in use the stream of exhaled respiratory gas traveling within the housing contacts with at least part of the inner surface of the tube when the respiratory gas is traveling upstream of the temperature sensor and contacts with at least part the outer surface of the tube when the stream of respiratory gas is traveling downstream of the temperature sensor.
US08323206B2
A mouthpiece with an eject mechanism is disclosed. The mouthpiece includes an eject mechanism adapted to conform to a testing device, such as a breath analysis device. The eject mechanism allows for hygienic removal of a used mouthpiece from the testing device. A guiding surface allows for alignment of the mouthpiece with the testing device.
US08323199B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for imaging the mechanical properties of a tissue region from within an endocavity of a patient. The apparatus generally comprises an ultrasound probe, a vibration assembly translationally coupled to probe and operable to vibrate the probe along a vibration plane, and a rotation assembly rotationally coupled to the vibration assembly and operable to rotate the probe and vibration assembly about a selected rotational range. The method generally comprises inserting an ultrasound probe into an endocavity of a patient, vibrating the probe along a vibration plane thereby causing deformational excitement of a tissue region contacted by the probe, capturing a first series of ultrasound images of the tissue region, rotating the vibration plane relative to the tissue region by a selected angular rotation, and capturing a second series of ultrasound images of the tissue region.
US08323198B2
Ultrasound data is aligned spatially and temporally for volume rendering of a fetal heart or other cyclically moving object. A sequence of ultrasound data is obtained for each of a plurality of planes, such as acquiring data representing each plane over one or more cycles. The different planes are scanned sequentially in a step mode acquisition. The data is aligned temporally and spatially to create data representing volumes at different times throughout the cycle. The alignment uses similarity of the ultrasound data in time and space.
US08323194B2
Example embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses that enable the detection of bubbles so that hemodynamic performance can be assured following an automated blood analyte measurement. An example apparatus according to the present invention comprises a blood access system, adapted to remove blood from a body and infuse at least a portion of the blood back into the body. The infusion of at least a portion of the blood back in to the body can be done in a manner to assure that no bubbles of clinical significance are injected into the patient. Additionally an example embodiment can assess for the presence of bubbles in the fluid column that can affect hemodynamic monitoring performance. If a condition exists where hemodynamic monitoring performance cannot be assured, an example embodiment can provide appropriate warning or corrective actions.
US08323191B2
A stressor detection system (100) comprises sensor means (101) arranged for being attached to a person for obtaining a time-varying signal representing a physical quantity relating to an environment of the person, and processing means (102) for deriving a stressor value from the obtained signal representing a degree to which the environment is inducing stress in the person. The processing means is arranged for deriving an amount of complexity comprised in the signal, and for deriving a higher stressor value for a larger amount of information. The processing means is further arranged for performing a spectral frequency analysis of the signal and for deriving the stressor value also in dependence on the spectral frequency analysis. The sensor means comprises a microphone (105), a camera (104), and a tri-axial accelerometer.
US08323188B2
A heart monitoring system for a person includes one or more wireless nodes forming a wireless network; a wearable sensor having a wireless transceiver adapted to communicate with the one or more wireless nodes; and a software module receiving data from the wireless nodes to detect changes in patient vital signs.
US08323187B2
A method, system, and apparatus of a medical device powered by deliberate human motion for limited use are disclosed. In one embodiment, a medical device includes a motion module to sense whether a deliberate human motion is convertible to an electric current to power the medical device, a power module to convert the deliberate human motion to a limited use electric current that enables the medical device to operate during a limited cycle of time, and an energy storage module to store the limited use electric current converted from the deliberate human motion. The medical device may include a power sensing module to determine whether a threshold amount of energy has been generated. The medical device may also include a sensor of the motion module to sense whether the deliberate human motion is convertible to the limited use electric current by permitting a physical object to oscillate.
US08323178B2
The present invention includes methods and apparatus for depositing materials in the reproductive tract of an animal, such as antibiotics or semen for artificial insemination, using an improved device that covers the end of a sheath inserted into the reproductive tract. A thin protective membrane is provided at the tip of the sheath having a tiny pre-ruptured prick opening therein that is designed to rupture under increased pressure from the fluid inside the sheath. The protective cover can be an integrated portion of the sheath itself, or a material applied to the tip of the sheath. The protective cover is minimal in size as to not increase the diameter of the sheath so that there is no loss in tactile sensitivity to a physician or breeder who must maneuver the invention through the reproductive tract of the animal.
US08323177B2
Methods, compositions and kits for determining the developmental potential of one or more embryos or pluripotent cells and/or the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in one or more embryos or pluripotent cells are provided. These methods, compositions and kits find use in identifying embryos and oocytes in vitro that are most useful in treating infertility in humans.
US08323171B2
Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region of a human or other mammalian body. In some embodiments, a flexible brachytherapy device is implanted that includes a therapy delivery portion having one or more radioactive sources securely retained thereto, and a tail portion extending from the therapy delivery portion. Once implanted, the tail portion may extend outside the body, where it may be folded and secured flat against the skin. The device may be removed at therapy completion. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for delivering brachytherapy devices to the body.
US08323164B2
The invention relates to a device and a process for manufacturing sleeves, in particular paper sleeves for the production of paper cups, comprising a take-up mandrel for taking up a sleeve, whereby the take-up mandrel comprises a circumferential recess, also comprising a press roller for placing on an outer side of the sleeve and for forming at least one circumferential projection in the recess of the take-up mandrel. In accordance with the present invention, the recess is designed in the form of a shoulder.Application for example for the production of stackable double-walled paper cups.
US08323153B2
An interlock circuit for a utility vehicle park brake includes a relay connected to neutral switch on a transmission. The relay is actuated by electric current to move a contact to a closed position if the neutral switch is out of neutral. A throttle pedal switch connected to the relay moves a contact to a closed position if the throttle pedal is depressed. A park brake switch connected to the throttle pedal switch moves a contact to a closed position if the park brake is engaged. Closing all of the contacts grounds an ignition circuit connected to the interlock circuit, which may be a magneto ignition circuit.
US08323149B2
Systems and methods for controlling a throttle plate to adjust airflow to the engine are provided. A transmission having an input speed and an output speed and including a clutch and a driver-selectable transmission lever is controlled to adjust engine speed to a synchronous speed in a future gear ratio in response to driver foot pedal positions and driver-selectable transmission lever positions.
US08323145B2
A transmission control system for a hybrid electric vehicle including an electric machine includes an energy storage device that is selectively charged by the electric machine and that selectively powers the electric machine. A driver input device generates a driver input signal. A control module receives the driver input signal, determines a torque load of the electric machine based on a state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage device and determines a transmission ratio based on the torque load and the driver input signal.
US08323138B2
A power split transmission for a working machine, such as a wheel loader, for example, has a hydrostatic and a mechanical power branch which are summed with one another via a summation gear (12). A reversing gear (7) is connected downstream of the summation gear (12) and a gear shifting mechanism (20) is connected downstream of the summation gear (12).
US08323136B2
The present invention relates to a tensioning rail for a chain drive, in particular a timing chain drive of an internal combustion engine, comprising a base body (11) and a pressure body (1) connected to the base body which provides a pressing area (2) for pressing a chain tensioner, wherein a pressing surface (4) of the pressure body (1) which faces the chain tensioner during use is formed with a channel device (5). The invention also relates to a tensioning device for an endless drive element, in particular a timing chain of an internal combustion engine, comprising a tensioning rail which can be pushed on the endless drive element having a base body (11) and a pressure body (1) which can be connected to the base body (11) and which provides a pressing area, and having a chain tensioner which presses on the pressing area (2) of the pressure body (1).
US08323124B2
A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on its outer surface, the outer surface of the golf ball being divided into plural areas comprising at least two groups of areas, a first group of areas containing a plurality of first dimples and a second group of areas containing a plurality of second dimples, the areas in the first group being triangular and the areas in the second group being square, the first and second groups of areas being arranged to form a cuboctahedron shape, the first and second groups of areas and dimple shapes and dimensions being configured such that the golf ball is spherically symmetrical as defined by the United States Golf Association (USGA) Symmetry Rules and such that the first and second groups of areas produce different aerodynamic effects, and the first dimples being of different dimensions from the second dimples.
US08323107B2
A device for monitoring a first player, the device includes: a location unit; a score button; a score calculating unit arranged to: receive a first player score indication, transmit a first player score message to another device that is designed to trigger a first player score alert, determine whether to update a first player score value based on at least zero responses to the first player score message, and update the first player score value based on the determination; a feedback unit arranged to receive a second player score message about an intent of a second player to update a second player score value, generate a second player score alert, and transmit a first player response based on at least zero responses of the first player to the second player score alert; and a display for displaying the first player score value and at least one other player score value.
US08323096B2
Systems and methods for providing a supplemental bingo game and produce supplemental bingo cards for use in a supplemental bingo game that can provide simultaneous winners. The bingo cards have a predetermined number of rows and columns forming a grid with a plurality of locations. Each location has an assigned bingo number. The numbers in one of the columns of one of the bingo cards are the same as the numbers in all of the other bingo cards, but arranged in a random order.
US08323092B2
The gaming system disclosed herein accounts for game play over a gaming session in determining a bonus game attribute for a triggered bonus game. The gaming system maintains a plurality of different bonus game attributes. Each different bonus game attribute is associated with a different bonus game attribute modification event and an initial probability of that bonus game attribute being selected for a play of a bonus game. For each bonus game attribute modification event that occurs, the gaming system modifies the probability that the associated bonus game attribute will be selected for a play of a bonus game. Upon an occurrence of a bonus game triggering event, the gaming system randomly selects one of the maintained bonus game attributes. The gaming system then displays a bonus game and determines a bonus game award utilizing the selected bonus game attribute.
US08323087B2
A wager gaming machine having software and components allowing for automatic powering on and off (also referred to as remote out-of-band power control) bypassing the need for human operator intervention is described. The gaming machine has a master gaming controller and a network interface. The interface includes an input port supporting a TCP/IP connection which can be used by another network component having the gaming machine's IP address. The gaming machine may also include a Web server operating on the input port. The Web server may receive HTTP messages on the input port even when the gaming machine is powered off. Thus, the machine is capable of receiving an HTTP message at the input port instructing the machine to power on. The gaming machine may also contain a manageability engine processor for executing an active management system software component. This component implements the Web server on the gaming machine.
US08323085B2
Systems, apparatuses and methods for increasing potential payout opportunities using multiple card indicia representing multiple cards. One embodiment involves determining whether any one or more of a plurality of cards of a draw poker hand are to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia representing multiple cards, presenting the plurality of cards of the draw poker hand, including the one or more of the plurality of cards determined to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia, facilitating user identification of which of the plurality of cards to hold, replacing the cards that are not held, and identifying a plurality of resulting hands, each of the plurality of resulting hands including a different subset of a total of the indicia of the cards that were held, the cards that were replaced, and any cards provided with multiple card indicia.
US08323079B2
A clipping machine and a method for producing sausage-shaped products formed by a tubular casing material containing a flowable filling material. The clipping machine includes a filling tube for feeding filling material into the tubular casing material stored on the filling tube and being closed at the front end by a closing clip. The clipping machine further includes a closing device including at least two closing tools, being reversably movable relative to one another between an opened position and a closed position for placing and closing at least one closing clip for forming a sausage-shaped product. In addition, a suction device is provided, having at least a suction opening being located in the region of the front end of the filling tube for sucking a fluid segregated from the filling material into the tubular casing material while being filled.
US08323078B2
Hands free removal of layers of material simultaneously from a number of dies is accomplished by temporarily positioning a plurality of die holding devices into different segmented open areas of a template mounted over the grinding surface. In one embodiment, frictional force imparted to each holding device by the grinding wheel serves to position the holding device against a stop within the confines of each opening. The stop in each segment could be positioned at a different radial distance from the center of the grinding wheel in order to use different portions of the grinding wheel to grind each of the dies. In some embodiments, the segments are offset from each other around the template in order to increase the effective working area of the grinding surface.
US08323070B2
An apparatus allowing a woman to pump milk from her breasts without the necessity of the woman's hands holding the breast pumps utilizes at least one band of material encircling the woman's chest, the band of material provided with two openings corresponding to the woman's breasts. A center panel would be provided to adjust the fit of the band. Additionally, in another embodiment, a back panel would be used in conjunction with the center panel to connect left and right panels together, the left and right panels including openings for a woman's breast. In all of the embodiments, semicircular pieces would cover each of the openings. In yet another embodiment, a removable piece is attached to the front of the apparatus, allowing the woman to wear the apparatus all day, even in public.
US08323064B2
A body board (1) is provided having a cavity (2) into which reinforcing elements (4) may be interchangeably inserted through an opening (3) by the user to vary the flexing characteristics of the board. The reinforcing elements may be provided with securing parts adapted to engage with a retainer in the board to securely hold the reinforcing element in place.
US08323059B1
An electrical connector assembly includes a male connector and a female connector for connectable to the male connector. The male connector includes a male insulating housing and a number of first terminals assembled on the male insulating housing. An anti-mistake insertion bulge extends from the top surface of the male insulating housing. The female connector includes a female insulating housing and a number of second terminals assembled to the female insulating housing for connecting with the first terminals. An anti-mistake insertion gap is defined in the top surface of the female insulating housing. Two cutouts are defined in two opposite sidewalls bounding the anti-mistake insertion gap to hold the anti-mistake insertion bulge.
US08323058B2
The differential pair system includes a push-on high frequency differential interconnect and push-on high frequency differential connector. The system allows for blind mating of the two components, using a keying system for the two electrical conductors to be axially and radially aligned.
US08323052B2
A connector assembly includes a connector and two screws. The connector includes a main body, a cable connected to a rear side of the main body, and a connection portion protruding from a front side of the main body. Two threaded holes are defined in opposite ends of the main body, respectively. Two resilient fixing portions protrude from the rear side of the main body. A through hole is defined in each of the fixing portions. The screws are detachably received into the corresponding through holes of the fixing portions, and operable to mount the connector to an object by extending through the threaded holes to engage with the object.
US08323048B2
A conduit connector adapted to connect to flexible electrical conduit has a first housing with a front portion adapted to engage a front portion of a second housing. The front portion of the first housing comprises a cavity adapted to contain a first portion of an electrical connector assembly, while the front portion of the second housing comprises a cavity adapted to contain a respective second portion of the electrical connector assembly. The conduit connector further may include one or more sealing elements to prevent the intrusion of dust, debris or containments.
US08323037B2
Example embodiments relate to semiconductor modules and semiconductor devices including the same. The semiconductor module may include a board, a plurality of semiconductor chips, a plurality of first taps, and a plurality of second taps. The board may include a chip region, a first tap region, and a second tap region. The first tap region of the board may have a first width that extends in a thickness direction of the board. The second tap region may have a second width that is less than the first width. The second tap region may be disposed under the first tap region. The semiconductor chips may be mounted in the chip region of the board. The first taps may be disposed in the first tap region, and the second taps may be disposed in the second tap region. The first and second taps may be configured to transmit/receive an electric signal to/from the plurality of semiconductor chips.
US08323026B2
An interactive cooking preparation device that includes a flexible horizontal display surface is presented. A set of actuators located under the flexible horizontal display surface that, when activated, cause a tactile sensation on the display surface. A user selects a recipe from a list of recipes. A set of preparation steps that correspond to the selected recipe are retrieved from a data store. Each of the preparation steps are displayed to the user on the flexible horizontal surface display. A current preparation step that is being performed by the user is identified. The user is directed to an area of the interactive cooking preparation device using a tactile feedback mechanism. The tactile feedback mechanism causes a physical sensation on the surface of the interactive cooking preparation device. The physical sensation is felt by the user when the user is touching the surface of the interactive cooking preparation device.
US08323022B2
The instant dental bridge is one used in surgical operations in areas of missing teeth between abutment teeth includes: an artificial tooth or teeth (2) formed with slots (6) in recessed parts near to the gum; a connecting body (1) which has through holes (3) formed in positions corresponding to the slots (6) and projections joined onto the abutment teeth, and of which the entire surface, except the surfaces (5′) in contact with the abutment teeth, is covered by the artificial tooth (2) or by the same material as the artificial tooth; and wires (8) for securing the abutment teeth and the connecting body (1) to each other, by being wound through gaps (7) neighboring the abutment teeth and through the slots (6) and the through holes (3).
US08323020B2
A fluid spray head comprising an expulsion channel provided with a spray orifice (1) and a spray profile (10) formed in an end wall of said expulsion channel, said spray profile (10) comprising non-radial spray channels (11) opening out to a central spray chamber (12) disposed directly upstream from said spray orifice (1), the central axis (X) of said spray orifice (1) being offset from the central axis (Y) of the spray chamber (12) by a distance that is less than 0.12 mm, and preferably less than 0.08 mm.
US08323019B2
A blow mould apparatus for moulding plastic preforms into plastic containers with a first mould carrier element and a second mould carrier element which is swivelable about a connecting axis in relation to the first mould carrier element, wherein the mould carrier elements cooperate such that in a closed state of the blow mould apparatus they form in their interior a cavity in which the plastic preforms can be expanded into plastic containers, and with a locking device which locks the first mould carrier element in relation to the second mould carrier element in order to hold the blow mould apparatus at least temporarily in a closed state, wherein the locking device has at least one locking element which is arranged on a mould carrier element, is mobile and cooperates with the other mould carrier element to lock the mould carrier elements and wherein the locking device comprises a mobile actuation element, the movement of which is coupled at least temporarily with a movement of the locking element, the actuation element and/or locking element being mobile between at least two prespecified positions.
US08323018B2
A method of manufacturing a stamper/imprinter for patterning a recording medium via thermally assisted nano-imprint lithography, comprising steps of: selecting a recording medium for patterning, comprising a substrate with a first coefficient of thermal expasnsion (CTE); providing a first stamper/imprinter comprising a topographically patterned surface having a correspondence to a selected pattern to be formed in a surface of the medium; providing a sheet of a material having a second CTE matching the first CTE; molding a layer of a polymeric material surrounding the sheet of material and having a surface in conformal contact with the topographically patterned surface of the first stamper/imprinter; and separating the layer of polymeric material from the patterned surface of the first stamper/imprinter to form a second stamper/imprinter comprising a topographically patterned stamping/imprinting surface having a correspondence to the selected pattern.
US08323016B2
A device and method of producing a building panel with a compressed and curved edge including a press tool, a heat device and a lubricating device and a building panel with a curved edge produced by the device and method.
US08323014B2
An expandable bladder has at least one first layer of butyl material and one second layer of silicone material, radially external to the first layer. The first and second layers have an undulated interface profile defining mechanical-engagement elements between the first and second elastomer materials. A process for manufacturing bladder as well as a tire molding and vulcanising apparatus incorporating the bladder.
US08323012B2
A controlled-clearance sealing compressor device that provides precision rotor centering directly with respect to the stator housing, vane centering with respect to rotor (not the stator) and the dynamic balance design of the gliders required for practical single and dual vane devices. The devices uses roller bearings to control the radial position of the vane and control rods or pins are used to control axial positioning of the vane, its ‘centralization’ with respect to the rotor and the endplates. The positive displacement rotary vane compressors and vacuum pumps have friction reduction, efficiency enhancement and exceedingly long operating life as a result of the non-contact gas sealing of the process gas within the rotary vane compressors and vacuum pumps. In an embodiment the positive displacement compressing device is used in transportation vehicles.
US08323010B2
An expander-compressor unit (200) includes a closed casing (1), a compression mechanism (2) disposed at an upper position in the closed casing (1), an expansion mechanism (3) disposed at a lower position in the closed casing (1), a shaft (5) coupling the compression mechanism (2) to the expansion mechanism (3), and an oil pump (6) disposed between the compression mechanism (2) and the expansion mechanism (3). The oil pump (6) supplies the oil held in an oil reservoir (25) to the compression mechanism (2) via a suction passage. A strainer (65) is provided to the suction passage so that the oil to be drawn into the oil pump (6) passes through the strainer.
US08323009B2
A rotary-type fluid machine includes a compression mechanism having piston mechanisms arranged one on top of the other and a drive mechanism having a drive shaft that is configured and arranged to drive the piston mechanisms. Each of the two piston mechanisms includes a cylinder member with a cylinder chamber, a piston member housed eccentrically in the cylinder chamber such that the cylinder chamber is partitioned into first and second compression chambers. A phase difference of 90 degrees in volume change is made between the cylinder chambers of the two piston mechanisms. A movable one of the cylinder and piston has a first surface facing one of the first cylinder chambers and a second surface facing one of the second cylinder chambers, with a surface area of the first surface being equal to a surface area of the second surface.
US08323005B2
A motor-driven compressor includes a compression mechanism, an electric motor, a compressor housing, a conductive member, a terminal base, an insulating member, a connection terminal, a wire assembly, a terminal housing, first and second holes formed through the terminal housing and first and second seal members. The conductive member extends from the inside to the outside of the compressor housing and connected electrically to the connection terminal at a terminal connection. The wire assembly has a core wire connecting electrically between the connecting terminal and the electric motor, and an insulator covering the core wire. The terminal housing disposed in the compressor housing covers the terminal connection. The wire assembly has an insulating tube covering the insulator, wherein both ends of the insulating tube are opened for communicating with the inside and the outside of the terminal housing through a clearance formed between the insulating tube and the insulator.
US08322998B2
A serial axial fan includes first and second axial fans. Each of the first and second axial fans includes a base portion and a plurality of support ribs arranged to connect the base portions to housings. The first and second axial fans are coupled together with the base portions thereof either in contact with or in close proximity to each other. Each of the support ribs in each of the first and second axial fans extends over both housings of the first and second axial fans.
US08322984B2
A rotor blade of a wind energy installation has a wall forming an outer shell, and at least one pressure measurement device arranged inside the rotor blade. The pressure measurement device includes a hollow body that is closed in a gastight fashion and has at least one pressure-dependent deformable diaphragm. At least one optical strain sensor is non-positively connected to each diaphragm. In a method using the pressure measurement device, the wind force is determined at wind energy installations by an evaluation unit which determines a comparison value indicating the difference between the pressure at the side of the outer shell facing the wind and the pressure at the side of the outer shell averted from the wind. A measured value for the wind force acting on the rotor blade is determined from the comparison value. The method can be used for optimized operation and/or protection of wind energy installations.
US08322978B2
An exhaust-driven turbocharger for a motor vehicle includes at least one of a variable turbine and a compressor geometry, a vane-mounting ring with guide vanes mounted rotatably thereon and a guide vane cage. The guide vane cage forms at least part of a flow duct and at the same time a mount for the vane-mounting ring. The guide vane cage is supported by spacer elements while creating an axial gap on a housing of the exhaust-driven turbocharger such that hot gas selectively flows behind the guide vane cage. Also, the guide vane cage is clamped between the turbine housing and the mounting housing of the exhaust-driven turbocharger without fixedly connecting the guide vane cage to either one of the two housings.
US08322977B2
A seal structure is provided for preventing leakage of gases across a gap between first and second components in a turbine engine. The seal structure is adapted to be received in first and second adjacent slots provided in the first and second components. The seal structure may comprise: a wear resistant layer; and a deformable layer defined by a material having one of a varying density and a varying porosity.
US08322975B2
A vibration control apparatus of a wind turbine generator that can be installed in a small space inside a tower, without a weight increase of the tower, and that can change the natural frequency thereof is provided. Included is a swinging rod extending in the vertical direction and suspended from beams provided on an upper part of the tower via a first universal joint; a flange part extending outward from the upper end outer surface of the swinging rod in the radial direction along the circumferential direction; a pendulum including a bob attached to the swinging rod and capable of moving up and down in the vertical direction; and a plurality of attenuation devices each of whose upper end is attached to the beams with a second universal joint and whose lower end is attached to the flange part with a third universal joint.
US08322974B2
A fan module includes a cooling fan, a support rack, and four fasteners fixing the cooling fan to the support rack. The fasteners are vibration-resistant material, and are disposed between the support rack and the cooling fan, and below the cooling fan.
US08322966B2
An open center trailer with spring suspended axles which straddle a detached cargo bed, which was loaded on the ground, said trailer level lifts the cargo bed by pulling said cargo bed up its channel ramps to an elevated transport height, and consequently level lowers and detaches from this load bed at another location. This load may be a cargo utility platform, or an enclosed cargo box, or a horse traveling compartment, or a dump bed, or a highway light, or a traffic speed sign.
US08322965B2
A trailer combination and trailer components are designed to provide dual functionality in terms of hauling a very high tonnage piece of heavy equipment and the ability to continue to haul more typical pieces of heavy equipment. To accomplish this task, a trailer auxiliary is provided that is adapted to connect to a typical low boy trailer. The trailer auxiliary is equipped with mechanisms to provide a bed assembly that is designed to link to the low boy trailer so that the bed assembly and bed of the trailer auxiliary receive the high tonnage piece of equipment. The trailer auxiliary can be equipped with ramps to interface with the trailer and auxiliary to facilitate the loading of the heavy equipment. The trailer combination also includes a hauling vehicle for each of the low boy trailer and auxiliary, with a spacing bar assembly mounted to one of the vehicles to link the vehicles together when hauling the trailer and the auxiliary.
US08322962B2
Apparatus and methods to score book covers are described. An example scoring apparatus includes a first scoring roll and a corresponding second scoring roll. The first scoring roll opposes the second scoring roll to process a cover at a first location of the cover. A first slider to couple the first scoring roll to the scoring apparatus such that the first slider enables independent adjustment of the first scoring roll relative to the second scoring roll in a first lateral direction relative to the second scoring roll.
US08322956B2
A method for stowage of cargo items (7, 18, 100). In a cargo container (12, 20, 103) wherein spaces around the cargo items and within the cargo container are at least partly filled with spacer elements (1, 19, 104-106, 109-112) so as to substantially prevent movement of the cargo items in the cargo container, characterized in that dynamic forces on the cargo items associated with motion of the cargo container and/or weight forces on the cargo items are transmitted to the container structure through the spacer elements, and wherein at least one spacer element transmitting such forces comprises a shaped block of expanded plastics foam material, preferably polystyrene. The invention is applicable to comparatively heavy loads such as those transported in shipping containers and in such land vehicles as rail cars and road transport vehicles.
US08322953B2
A laser weld cutter assembly that includes a right angle driver comprising: a motor contained within a motor housing; a handle assembly; a burr; and a cutting guide assembly comprising a support element attached to the motor housing, a base plate assembly pivotally attached to the support element, a cutting depth adjustment screw engaged with the base plate assembly and the support element, and a guard attached to the base plate assembly; and wherein the operator positions the output shaft assembly perpendicular to the direction of the weld to be cut, and moves the laser weld cutter assembly in a forward direction away from the operator, the rotation of the burr in the clockwise direction undercutting the material to be removed and providing ease in guiding the burr along the laser weld to be removed.
US08322946B2
A material leveling system includes a leveling-implement assembly adapted for leveling material to a final grade level, a frame supporting the leveling-implement assembly, and an implement positioning assembly controlling the position of the leveling-implement assembly relative to the frame. The leveling-implement assembly includes an implement that contacts a construction material during the leveling process.
US08322939B2
An oral care implement includes a material that invokes a sensory response when in contact with tissues or surfaces of a mouth of a user. In one embodiment, the material is provided in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape indicative of visually communicating the response to the user. The oral care implement may also include a soft tissue cleaner provided with the sensory material.
US08322938B2
Various multicolor writing tools and methods for applying multiple volatile marking substances one at a time. The tool includes a case member, a cartridge member, a cap member, and an optional actuator member. The case member forms an interior in which is disposed the cartridge member with multiple cartridges each containing one of the marking substances and a tip through which the marking substance is applied. The cap member changes and restores its configuration, while the actuator member changes, the configuration and exposes one of the tips selected by an user out of the interior when the tool is in use, and then restores the configuration and encloses all of the tips inside the interior when not in use. Thus, the tool opens the cap member in response to input force without requiring the user to engage in a separate maneuver to remove the cap member.
US08322937B2
A thermochromic writing instrument contains a thermochromic ink, wherein a writing body 8 is accommodated in a barrel 2 movably in a longitudinal direction, an operation portion 5 is provided on the outer surface of the barrel 2, and a pen tip 81 of the writing body 8 is constituted so as to be projectable/retractable from/into a front-end hole 31 of the barrel 2 by operating the operation portion 5. The thermochromic ink 83 is contained in the inside of the writing body 8, the pen tip 81 capable of ejecting the thermochromic ink 83 is provided at the front end of the writing tool, and a friction portion 4 capable of thermally changing the color of the handwriting of the thermochromic ink 83 by the frictional heat generated when the handwriting is rubbed with the friction portion 4 is provided on the outer surface of the barrel 2.
US08322931B2
A rotation-support apparatus having construction in which large force is not applied to continuous sections between column sections 12a and rim sections 11 even when needles 6 push in the circumferential direction against the side surfaces in the circumferential direction of the column sections 12a, thus making it possible to improve the durability of a retainer 7a. Of both side surfaces in the circumferential direction of a straight section 15a on the inner-radial side in the middle section in the axial direction of the column sections 12a, the portion near the outer-radial side of the retainer 7a is more recessed than the portion near the inner-radial side of the retainer 7a. Moreover, this portion near the inner-radial side is located within the pitch circle P of the needles 6. Furthermore, there is no contact between the rolling surfaces of the needles 6 and the straight section 15a on the inner-radial side. As a result, it is possible to reduce the moment load applied to the column sections 12a from the needles 6.
US08322926B2
Example embodiments relate to a disposable piping bag, having a container of polymer film. The piping bag may be made essentially from a thin-walled polymer tube, and an outwardly oriented surface of the piping bag may be provided with a rough surface structure. The rough surface structure may have the form of a pattern of raised dots or grooves presenting a surface friction coefficient which may be higher than that of the polymer film.
US08322916B2
A watch comprises a case, an electronic movement module inside the case, a piece of closed-cell foam inside the case, and a dielectric liquid filling the remaining voids of the interior of the case. The closed-cell foam compensates for thermal expansion of the dielectric liquid over a wide range of operating temperatures. Upon heating, the liquid expands and the foam is compressed. Upon cooling, the liquid contracts and the foam is decompressed.
US08322914B2
The invention relates to an overcoil balance spring (1) including a hairspring (3) formed in a single silicon part, coaxially with a collet (5), the balance spring including a silicon terminal curve (7) and a silicon elevation device (9) between the outer coil (15) of said hairspring and said terminal curve so as to form a Breguet® overcoil balance spring. According to the invention, the elevation device (9) has a cross-shaped mechanical fastener (17) including at least two opposite arms (12, 12′, 14, 14′), which cooperate with clamping means (23, 25) respectively secured to the terminal curve (7) and the outer coil (15) of said hairspring.
US08322913B2
A plastic container used to hold a dispersion-based paint colorant and capable of dispensing the colorant into paint dispensing machines, comprising an open top capable of holding and securing a cap, and having a wide mouth with a diameter of at least 50 mm. The plastic container has a cylindrical body extending below the open top, and a plurality of vertical ribs spaced around the body to strengthen the container.
US08322912B2
A machine for the production of dough mixes for foodstuffs includes a fixed tank and at least two kneading implements with fixed axes of rotation.
US08322910B2
An apparatus and method for mixing by producing shear and/or cavitation, and components for the apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a mixing and/or cavitation chamber with an element such as an orifice component that is located adjacent the entrance of the cavitation chamber. The apparatus may further include a blade, such as a knife-like blade, disposed inside the mixing and/or cavitation chamber opposite the orifice component. In one version of such an embodiment, the apparatus is configured to be cleaned in place. The apparatus may, be provided with at least one drain in liquid communication with the mixing chamber. If the apparatus comprises a blade, the apparatus may further include a blade holder that is movable so that the distance between the tip of the blade and the discharge of the orifice can be varied. In this or other embodiments, the apparatus is configured to be scalable. In this, or other embodiments, the apparatus is provided with an injector that is movable so that the distance between the discharge end of the injector and the orifice can be adjusted. A process for mixing by producing shear and/or cavitation in a fluid is also contemplated herein.
US08322909B2
The present invention provides a mixer for producing a paste by mixing components, comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis, a rear end, and a front end provided with a discharge opening; and a mixing chamber formed in said housing and having an entry side facing said rear end of said housing. The initial content of the mixing chamber is diverted from the discharge opening, and the subsequent content of the mixing chamber is extrudable from the discharge opening.
US08322903B2
A light source module includes a casing, at least one reflective layer, a light bar, and at least one light source. The casing has a first side wall and a second side wall, and the first side wall and the second side wall define an opening. The opening faces a light incident surface of a light guide plate, and the first side wall and the second side wall are respectively positioned on two opposite sides of the opening. The reflective layer is formed inside the casing and adjacent to one of the first side wall and the second side wall. The light bar is disposed inside the casing and forms an angle with the light incident surface of the light guide plate.
US08322900B2
The present invention provides an assembly structure of a vehicle room lamp which can be manufactured at low cost and high productivity, and has a low weight. The assembly structure includes an inner housing including a body which has a first surface and a second surface, a bracket portion formed in an outer periphery of the body, and a guide rod extending from the second surface; an outer housing attached to the inner housing on the first surface; a ceiling part including an opening through which the outer housing attached to the inner housing, and an edge of the opening which is supported by the bracket portion; and a reinforcement including a guide hole into which the guide rod is inserted.
US08322889B2
An electronic device having enhanced heat dissipation capabilities includes an electronic device, a heat sink, a channel, a piezoelectric element, and a blade. The heat sink is in thermal communication with the electronic device. The channel includes an inlet, an outlet and a constriction disposed along the channel between the inlet and the outlet. The heat sink defines at least a portion of the channel. The blade includes a free end and an attached end. The blade is disposed in the channel and connected to the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is activated to move the blade side to side in the channel to create air vortices. The constriction in the channel and the blade cooperate with one another such that a vortex that is generated as the blade moves toward a first side of the channel is compressed against the first side of the channel and expelled towards the outlet of the channel.
US08322880B2
An illumination device for an aircraft, comprising a combination of two-dimensional background illumination with a reflection of incident light on a face pointing towards the viewer in order to achieve a particular depth effect, as a result of which the illumination body appears to the viewer in greater visual depth than is actually the case. This is, in particular, of importance in aircraft, in which not only is the available space small, but also the weight aspect that is inevitably associated with large bodies plays an important role.
US08322870B2
A fast-steering, deformable mirror system is configured to manipulate a reflective surface in order to control the reflection of electromagnetic radiation off of the reflective surface. The system is configured to steer the reflective surface as a unit, and also to deform the reflective surface. The system is designed to reduce hysteresis in drive signals that control deformation of the reflective surface, to maintain an overall size and/or footprint of conventional fast-steering, non-deformable mirror systems, and/or provide other enhancements.
US08322855B2
The invention relates to a method and device for determining the visual behavior of a person. The inventive method comprises the following steps consisting in: recording the movement of the individual's head, recording the movement of his/her eyes, determining the relative orientation of the eye in relation to the head, and determining the amount of time for which the eye is maintained in each orientation. The aforementioned amount of time is determined by collecting the records of orientations in finite intervals and counting the number of records (frequency) in each interval. Said orientations are specified using angular co-ordinates for both the head and the eye. The data are detected and processed with the aid of a device comprising light emitters (51) which are fixed to the head, cameras (63) and a screen (611, 612) for attracting the individual's gaze. The results from the method are used in order to customize the design of a lens for spectacles.
US08322838B2
An inkjet printer includes: an ink reservoir; a printhead having an ink inlet and an ink outlet; an upstream ink conduit connected to the ink inlet; a downstream ink conduit connected to the ink outlet; and a pressure-regulating chamber. The pressure-regulating chamber includes: an inlet port connected to the ink reservoir via a supply conduit; an outlet port connected to the upstream ink conduit; a vent open to atmosphere; and a float valve for maintaining a set level of ink in the pressure-regulating chamber. The float valve includes: an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot; a float mounted at one end of said arm; and a valve head connected to the arm for sealing engagement with a valve seat at the inlet port.
US08322836B2
A liquid ink container having mating features for self alignment with an ink delivery station. The ink delivery station includes a receiver with an actuated puncture ring. The liquid ink container includes a cap that is punctured by the ring to allow fluid flow from the container. The receiver and container also include means for introducing pressurized gas into the container to facilitate evacuation of liquid ink.
US08322828B2
A liquid jet head includes: a nozzle plate having a nozzle opening; a pressure chamber substrate having a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle opening and formed above the nozzle plate; a vibration formed on one side of the pressure chamber substrate; and a piezoelectric element formed above the vibration plate and provided at a position corresponding to the pressure chamber, wherein the piezoelectric element includes two electrodes, a piezoelectric layer provided between the electrodes, and an orientation layer that is provided between one of the electrodes closer to the vibration plate and the piezoelectric layer, wherein the orientation layer includes a mixed crystal of lanthanum nickelate, and the lanthanum nickelate included in the mixed crystal is expressed by a formula LaxNiyOz, where x is an integer of any of 1 to 3, y is 1 or 2, and z is an integer of any of 2 to 7.
US08322826B2
A method of ejecting fluid from a printhead nozzle is provided. The printhead nozzle has a fluid chamber, a fluid ejection port, electrodes on opposite sides of the chamber and a heater element suspended between the electrodes. The heater element has a cross section with a lateral dimension at least triple that of the thickness of heater element. The he thickness of the heater element being less than 0.3 microns. In the method the heater element is heated to a temperature above the boiling point of the fluid to form a gas bubble that causes ejection of a drop of the fluid from the ejection port, and the chamber is supplied with a replacement volume of the fluid equivalent to the ejected drop.
US08322821B2
A system enables a printhead to be aligned independently of other printheads in a printhead assembly. The system includes a printhead configured to eject ink onto an image receiving member, a plate to which the printhead can be rigidly mounted and selectively removed, and a translation carriage to which the plate is rigidly mounted and locked into position with reference to a distance between the plate and the image receiving member, a pitch position, and a yaw position, the translation carriage being coupled to an actuator for movement of the translation carriage, plate, and printhead in a cross-process direction across the image receiving member.
US08322820B2
A waste liquid absorption material is laid within a waste liquid receptacle, and a portion of the waste liquid absorption material into which liquid flows is heated, causing the temperature of that portion to rise. This makes it possible to instigate a temperature difference between one side and the other side of capillary tubes within the waste liquid absorption material through which the liquid permeates, which makes it easy for the liquid to move from the high-temperature side to the low-temperature side of the waste liquid absorption material due to the thermocapillary phenomenon. This in turn makes it possible to increase the speed at which the liquid is absorbed by the waste liquid absorption material.
US08322798B2
When a brake force is generated by a service brake in accordance with the depression of a brake pedal by a driver, a brake force generated by an electric parking brake is reduced when lock control is performed, taking the brake force generated by the service brake into consideration. More specifically, a target motor current value increase amount is corrected such that as the brake force generated by the service brake becomes larger, the target motor current value increase amount becomes smaller. Thus, when brake force is generated by the electric parking brake and the service brake compensates for the brake force, it is possible to inhibit generation of a brake force larger than necessary.
US08322796B2
In one aspect of the present invention, a degradation assembly comprises a pressing seal element and a pressurized rigid element disposed intermediate a rotating component and a stationary component. The rotating component comprising an impact tip bonded to an end opposing the stationary component. The seal element may energize the rigid element against one of the components to form a slidable seal capable of holding lubricant within the assembly and keeping debris out while still rotating.
US08322795B2
An assembly for mounting a cutter bit on a driven mechanism, the assembly comprising a bit holder including a holding portion adapted to receive the bit and a mounting base rear portion. The bit holder holding portion is a forward portion, the forward portion being separate from but connected to the mounting base rear portion.
US08322791B2
A footrest for supporting the feet of a user above a floor is disclosed. The footrest comprises a platform having an upper surface for accommodating the feet of the user and a pair of planar portions extending downwardly from said generally flat portion. The platform is coupled to at least one support arm for supporting a portion of the platform in an elevated position relative to the floor. The at least one support arm having a first end dynamically coupled to a fulcrum whereby the support arm is biased towards a first position and moveable towards a second position responsive to a force being applied in use to the upper surface of the platform by the feet of the user.
US08322789B2
A mounting assembly for mounting a toy bar arrangement to a frame of an infant seat assembly is provided. The assembly includes a mounting member adapted to fixedly engage the frame. The assembly further includes a receptacle member operably engaged with the mounting member and defining a cavity. The receptacle member is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis with respect to the mounting member, and between a locked position and an unlocked position in relation to a locking member associated with the mounting member. The assembly further includes a mating member adapted to operably engage a toy bar arrangement and configured to be removably received within the cavity of the receptacle member so as to be rotatable in conjunction with the receptacle member between the locked and unlocked positions. The mating member has a locking flange configured to engage the locking member in the locked position.
US08322788B2
An infant safety seat with an adjustable accommodating space includes a multi-layer cushioning insert which is detachably insertable into an infant safety seat for accommodating an infant in different stages of growth with different sizes. The multi-layer cushioning insert comprises a first cushioning part and a second cushioning part both may detachably to overlap each other and connect into the accommodating space to provide the necessary support for keeping an infant in proper postural position. The first cushioning part includes a U-shaped head cushion part, U-shaped body cushion part and U-shaped leg cushion part for restricting the side moving of the infant. Further, for accommodating a smaller infant, the second cushioning part can be detachably overlapped onto the first cushioning part for further reducing the side moving space and upright moving space of the baby in the infant safety seat.
US08322775B1
A transparent laminated structure having multiple peel-away laminated film layers for protecting windscreens, particularly windscreens of rotary aircraft, from environmental conditions. The laminated structure includes at least one laminated layer wherein each layer includes a film, a bonding layer on a first major side of the film for releaseably attaching the film to either the windscreen or to an adjacent laminated film layer, a conductive material on a second major side of the film for dissipating electrostatic charging in the laminated structure that may occur due to accumulated precipitation static during aircraft fight, and a hard coat layer for protecting the relatively softer film against abrasion. As the outermost film layer becomes degraded below acceptable levels, that film may be easily removed, exposing a subsequent unblemished film layer.
US08322770B2
A pick-up style utility vehicle according to the present invention has a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from front, a cabin frame surrounding a riding space, and a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a rear riding space in front of the cargo bed. The cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward to the rear riding space and a non-expanded state not occupying the rear riding space. All or part of the screen shield is angle shiftable between the expanded state and the non-expanded state.
US08322768B2
A vehicle console having side panels that can be shortened to different lengths for shortening the console. Molded side rails are optionally fitted to upper connection portions of the side panels and can be shortened to match the different shorter lengths of the side panels. A plurality of face plates are provided for mounting equipment on the console.
US08322767B2
A pick-up style utility vehicle includes a front seat, a rear seat, a screen shield, a cargo bed, and a cabin frame housing at least the front seat and the rear seat and forming a riding space. The cargo bed is state changeable between the expanded state in which the cargo bed expands forward and the unexpanded state not occupying the riding space. The cabin frame includes a pair of left and right front side frame bodies, a pair of left and right rear side frame bodies, and cross frame members coupling the front and rear side frame bodies. The front side frame bodies are fixed to the vehicle body and the rear side frame bodies and the cross frame members are changeable with respect to the vehicle body according to the state change of the cargo bed.
US08322752B2
There is provided a laser-marking multilayer sheet for an electronic passport formed by laminating five sheets of a multilayer sheet A/a multilayer sheet B/a film C/a multilayer sheet B/a multilayer sheet A. The multilayer sheet B is a colored laser-marking multilayer sheet. The film C is a laser-marking multilayer sheet made of a film for the electronic passport. The laser-marking multilayer sheet can have clear letters, symbols, and images, which are excellent in a laser-marking property and high in contrasts between the original surface color and the printed portions. The laser-marking multilayer sheet is excellent especially for inhibiting the falsification and forgery thereof.
US08322751B2
Embodiments disclosed herein include such relating to security elements for embedment in security papers, value documents and the like, having a substrate foil having opposing first and second main surfaces, an optically variable security feature disposed on the first main surface and an adhesive layer applied to the second main surface. Further embodiments are disclosed including methods for manufacturing security elements, embodiments relating to security papers and value documents, and other embodiments.
US08322750B2
One embodiment of a beam structure may include a first side panel and a second side panel spaced apart from the first side panel. An intermediate panel extends from an intermediate portion of the first side panel to an intermediate portion of the second side panel. Further, the beam structure may include an end panel extending from an end portion of the first side panel to an end portion of the second side panel. The end panel may be spaced apart from the intermediate panel for configuring an enclosed channel bounded by the first and second side panels, the intermediate panel, and the end panel.
US08322749B2
An integral protection removable system for motor vehicles without body shell, which comprises a plurality of longitudinal, transversal and diagonal bars, both removable and combinable to each other, which cover the sides below and above the height of the seat of the vehicle and which define, as a whole, a substantially ovoid configuration having its spherical end directed to the back of the vehicle and its oval end directed to the front part of the vehicle, capable to incorporate covering panels, fixed and/or removable, capable of guaranteeing a high resistance to all kind of impacts and providing a safety structure which is comfortable, practical and with novel performance, with the exclusive characteristic in the field of cages of integral protection for motor vehicles of forming a totally modular structure capable to be removed from the chassis of the vehicle.
US08322748B2
[Object] To provide an airbag, an airbag apparatus, and an air-discharging method of the airbag which are able to reduce the pressure loss during inflation and deployment of the airbag, or is able to demonstrate the impact absorbing capability of the airbag apparatus efficiently depending on the physical structure of an occupant.[Solving Means] The airbag apparatus of the present invention includes a gas generator 1 configured to generate gas under predetermined conditions, an airbag 2 connected to the gas generator 1 and configured to be inflated and deployed, and a retainer 3 configured to store the airbag 2, and the airbag 2 includes a protrusion 4 which forms a portion protruding outward partly on the airbag 2, a vent hole 5 formed on the protrusion 4, a strap 6 connected at one end to the protrusion 4 and at the other end to the interior of the airbag 2, and an insertion hole 7 configured to guide the other end of the strap 6 into the interior of the airbag 2, and the vent hole 5 is arranged in an area where the protrusion 4 and the airbag 2 are overlapped with each other when the protrusion 4 is pulled by the strap 6.
US08322744B2
A stroller has a frame assembly, a seat assembly mounted to the frame assembly, and a hub assembly carried by the seat assembly. The hub assembly has a hub axis, a first hub part connected to the stroller, and a second hub part connected to the first hub part and to the seat assembly. A cup holder is connected to the first hub part. The second hub part and the seat assembly can be rotated about the hub axis relative to the first hub part to adjust a recline position of the seat assembly while the cup holder does not rotate therewith.
US08322741B2
A wheelchair having a tiltable and translatable seat for compensating for shifting of the center of gravity of an occupant during tilting is provided. Such a wheelchair includes a frame, a first actuator, a seat assembly, and a first rigid link. The first actuator includes opposing front and rear ends coupled to the frame, a rod that extends between the front and rear ends, and a connector that is capable of translating in response to actuation of the rod. The seat assembly is directly coupled to the connector of the first actuator. The first rigid link has a front end and a rear end. The link front end is pivotably coupled to the frame, and the link rear end is pivotably coupled to the seat assembly. The link may be oriented such that as the connector translates, the first link impels the chair to tilt.
US08322740B1
An elliptical stroller assembly including a stroller frame assembly with a stroller assembly mounted thereto, first and second wheel assemblies, a propulsion frame assembly and propulsion assembly. The propulsion frame assembly and the propulsion assembly may be in an extended or in a retracted configuration with respect to the stroller frame assembly and the stroller assembly. In the extended configuration, the propulsion assembly propels the stroller frame assembly and the propulsion frame assembly is removably secured to a first fixed mount. In the retracted configuration, the propulsion assembly does not propel the stroller frame assembly. At this position, the propulsion frame assembly is removably secured to a second fixed mount.
US08322738B2
A stabilizing strut for a chassis of a vehicle has an elongated strut body made of sheet metal which has at least one first eye at a first longitudinal end and at least one second eye at a second longitudinal end. The strut body has a curvature at least such that the strut body lies completely outside an imaginary connecting straight line between the at least one first and the at least one second eye at least in a partial region. The strut body is built up from two individual sheet metal parts which are arranged one on each side of a longitudinal center plane. The two sheet metal parts are joined to one another between the at least one first eye and the at least one second eye at their peripheral edges on a longitudinal side of the sheet metal parts oriented towards the imaginary connecting straight line, at least over a partial length of this longitudinal side of the strut body which amounts to at least 50% of the total length of this longitudinal side of the strut body. The surfaces oriented towards one another of the two sheet metal parts are spaced from one another. The peripheral edges of the sheet metal parts on the longitudinal side oriented away from the imaginary connecting straight line are not joined to one another, or at most are joined over a partial length of this longitudinal side of the strut body which amounts to not more than 50% of the total length of this longitudinal side.
US08322732B2
A portable workstation includes wheels, a tabletop, a generally planar member and a chassis joining the wheels, the tabletop and the planar member. While joined to the wheels and the tabletop by the chassis, the planar member is movable between a protracted position and a retracted position. A majority of the planar member extends above the tabletop in the protracted position, and a majority of the planar member does not extend above the tabletop in the retracted position.
US08322730B2
A hinged rotatable binding system for snowboards that eliminates leg pain while on the chair lift and in movement through lift lines. The binding system includes a base plate which is fixed to the snowboard and a top rotating plate which is mountable to a boot binding harness. A hinge plate connects the base plate to a mid static disk. The binding system includes a latch lever which acts as a hands-free locking system that is mounted through an outer ridge of the base plate and connected to a retractable plunger. The binding system is provided with an internal hinge and a number of friction plates therefore, fewer parts are needed. The hinged rotatable binding system for snowboards is a cost effective and light weight model with simple assembly features.
US08322729B2
The invention relates to a device for adjusting the camber and/or toe of the wheels (20) of wheel suspensions (10), especially for motor vehicles, including a wheel carrier (12) on which the respective wheel (20) is rotatably mounted and which is subdivided into a carrier part (24) receiving the wheel, a guide part (22) connected to the wheel suspension (10), and two rotary parts, especially control cylinders (26, 28), arranged between the carrier part and the guide part and rotatable in relation to each other, to the carrier part (24) and to the guide part (22) about a common rotation axis (32). Each of the rotary parts can be moved by a drive (40) and a servo drive (42) in both directions of rotation. According to the invention, the servo drive (42) is designed for at least one of the rotary parts (26, 28) as a planetary gear train (42), and the planetary gear train (42) is especially radially externally arranged around the rotary part (26, 28).
US08322725B2
Disclosed is a half moon type net for catching balls or flexibly stopping the flight of balls, comprising a half-moon-shaped or arch-shaped loop and a fabric retainer to better support the net structure, maintain a bigger net in shape, and reduce the chance of missing balls. More specifically, the net comprises: a main member forming a substantially half-moon-shaped closed loop; a base member forming a closed loop, wherein the straight front section of the base member is connected to the straight bottom section of the main member; a fabric retainer comprising two bottom sections formed adjacent to each of the two corners of the main member and an arch section along the top section of the main member so as to maintain the main member in shape; a fabric member covering the loop of the main member to flexibly stop the flight of projectiles; and a supporting member to sustain the main member against the base member while maintaining a substantial angle between the main and base members.
US08322717B1
A media transport apparatus includes a first media transport, having a first transport surface and a first drive unit, to convey the substrate media. A second media transport having a second transport surface and a second drive unit receives the substrate media from the first. A first force transducer outputs a force signal associated with a first force between the media transports. A control unit receives the force signal, and outputs a control signal to at least one of the first and second drive units that is dependent upon a comparison of the first relative force signal with a predetermined value. The control signal commands the first or second drive unit to drive the motion of the respective first or second media transport to maintain the force signal at or about no greater than the predetermined value.
US08322707B2
A system for feeding and separating media in an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a pick mechanism having at least one rotatable pick roller for feeding a topmost media sheet from a stack of media sheets in a media storage location in a media process direction from an initial pick position into a media feed path. The system further includes at least one rotatable separator roller positioned opposite and spaced away from the at least one pick roller downstream from the initial pick position. The separator roller forms an open nip with the at least one pick roller. The at least one separator roller is rotatable counter to the media process direction for separating the topmost media sheet from an adjacent media sheet and returning the adjacent media sheet to a separation point upstream from the at least one separator roller.
US08322685B1
A non-collinear valve actuator includes a primary actuating system and a return spring system with each applying forces to a linkage system in order to regulate the flow of a quarter-turn valve. The primary actuating system and return spring system are positioned non-collinearly, which simply means the primary actuating system and return spring system are not in line with each other. By positioning the primary actuating system and return spring system in this manner, the primary actuating system can undergo a larger stroke while the return spring system experiences significantly less displacement. This allows the length of the return spring to be reduced due to the minimization of displacement thereby reducing the weight of the return spring system. By allowing the primary actuating system to undergo longer strokes, the weight of the primary actuating system may also be reduced. Accordingly, the weight of the non-collinear valve actuator is reduced.
US08322677B2
There is provided a slide structure of a vehicle seat comprises a stationary outer rail, a movable inner rail, and means for locking said movable inner rail which locks said movable inner rail against said stationary outer rail in the longitudinal direction, said movable inner rail fits with said stationary outer rail in such a way that opening portions formed by the respective C-shaped cross-sections face each other, a retainer extending in the longitudinal direction is provided between said stationary outer rail and said movable inner rail, said retainer includes a retaining portion for retaining a ball rolling between said two rails, said movable side surface, said stationary side surface and said retainer side surface portion are all disposed along the vertical direction of the vehicle, whereby each of said stationary outer rail and said movable inner rail is arranged to form a vertically elongated cross-section.
US08322675B2
A seat comprising a seat part and a height adjustment mechanism comprising a link having a bore which comprises at least one substantially radial notch, a revolving tube having a fitting portion placed in the bore, said tube externally comprising two axial stops in contact with the link on either sides, at least one of said axial stops consisting of a bead having a stop surface in contact with the link, and a support surface opposite from the stop surface, the fitting portion externally comprising at least one bulge extending into the notch, wherein the bead comprises at least one axial indentation in the support surface, facing the notch, said indentation being adjacent to the bulge.
US08322673B2
A television mounting system includes a wall plate, at least one monitor arm mountable on the wall plate, and a locking mechanism including a rotating locking element permanently connected with the monitor arm. The rotating element is moveable, by rotation of the rotating element a portion of a revolution, between an unlocked position for enabling dismounting of the at least one monitor arm from the wall plate, and a locked position for preventing dismounting of the at least one monitor arm from the wall plate. The rotating element includes a first side having a different height than a second side. In the locked position of the locking element, the first side is less of a distance from a contact portion of the wall plate than a distance the monitor arm must be moved for dismounting the monitor arm from the wall plate, such that the locking element contacts the contact portion before the monitor can be moved for being dismounted from the wall plate.
US08322656B2
A wing-fuselage section of an aircraft, which wing-fuselage section comprises a wing root at which the wing of the aircraft is connected to the fuselage, a fuselage region with fuselage frame elements that extent across the longitudinal direction of the aircraft, and a wing region with spars that extend in the direction of the wingspan. According to the invention, the spars of the wing region and the fuselage frame elements of the fuselage region form part of an integral assembly that extends at least over a middle part of the wing and the fuselage region, including the wing roots.
US08322644B2
A roll-sheet feeding device having a roll sheet wound in a roll to feed a portion of the roll sheet to an image forming unit, includes a progressive mechanism to transmit a drive force from a drive source to transfer the portion of the roll sheet from the roll in a progressive direction, a roll-sheet drive mechanism to receive the drive force transmitted via the portion of the roll sheet transferred in the progressive direction, a rewinding mechanism to transfer the portion of the roll sheet in a direction opposite to the progressive direction via the roll-sheet drive mechanism to rewind the roll sheet, and a regenerating mechanism to obtain the drive force from the roll-sheet drive mechanism and transmit the obtained drive force to the progressive mechanism to regenerate the transmitted drive force as another drive force in addition to the drive force from the drive source.
US08322636B2
A process for producing particles from a thin film is provided. The process includes grinding the thin film using granules that afford for the particles to maintain a structure and/or one or more properties of the thin film. In addition, the process provides for a high recovery percentage of the source material.
US08322632B2
A system, in certain embodiments, includes a spray device including a first liquid passage configured to flow a first liquid in a generally downstream direction toward a spray tip. The spray device also includes a second liquid passage configured to flow a second liquid in a generally upstream direction such that the second liquid impinges upon the first liquid at an outlet to the second liquid passage. The upstream direction is substantially opposite from the downstream direction.
US08322624B2
A smart card having a multi-layer substrate; a transponder module disposed in a first layer of the multi-layer substrate; a first antenna disposed in the first layer of the multi-layer substrate; and a second antenna disposed in a second layer of the multi-layer substrate. A switch and a capacitor in series with the second antenna. The first antenna may be tuned to a different frequency than the second antenna. An RFID chip and antenna in a mold mass disposed in a recess in the first layer of a substrate, behind a hologram disposed on the first layer of the substrate. The switch for the second antenna disposed under the RFID chip. A layer of ferrite material disposed between the hologram and the RFID chip. LEDs disposed behind the hologram.
US08322617B2
Systems and methods are provided for selectively reading and accepting optical codes within a scan volume of the data reader. A method of processing an optical code within the scan volume comprises acquiring, via the data reader, scan data including an image or scan of an optical code located within the scan volume of the data reader, processing the scan data for decodable data corresponding to the optical code, and determining whether to accept or reject the optical code based on a position within the scan volume of the optical code relative to a configurable exclusion zone. The determination of whether to accept or reject the optical code may be based on other conditions of the optical code, such as a position of the optical code within the depth of field of the data reader, a symbology type of the optical code, and data encoded in the optical code.
US08322609B2
An image forming apparatus includes a power supply unit supplying power to a plurality of components, the power supply unit including a first power mode and a second power mode, the second power mode supplying less power than the first power mode, a control unit controlling which power mode the power supply unit uses, an authentication unit performing a user authentication when power is supplied from the power supply unit in the second power mode and an authentication request received in the second power mode, and a sending unit sending a request signal requesting the control unit to shift the power supply unit to the first power mode when the authentication unit succeeds in the user authentication, wherein the control unit controls the power supply unit to shift from the second power mode to the first power mode upon receipt of the request signal.
US08322598B1
A mailbox mounting bracket is configured for attachment to a post, rail, fence, or the like, to allow a mailbox to be mounted in multiple orientations. The bracket has a top plate with a plurality of holes for mounting to the bottom of a mailbox, a downwardly-extending peripheral ridge with a plurality of holes for mounting to the sides of the mailbox, and first and second downwardly-extending flanges at opposite sides of the bracket each with a plurality of holes for mounting to opposite sides of the post, fence, rail or the like. In another embodiment, the bracket includes two pieces each having a top plate, the top plates being rotatably connected to each other for extra support and versatility.
US08322593B2
A method of cutting, polishing and then welding together two metallic components (10, 18), in which the respective components (10, 18) are cut to define respective cut surfaces (14, 16) that are to be polished and fitted together, both to define the relative positions of the two components (10, 18) to be fixed by the welding and to provide facing weld surfaces at which the two components (10, 18) can be welded together. The method is characterized by the steps of i) making at least one extra cut (20), to create at least one zone of elastic deformation that deforms when the cut surfaces (14, 16) are fitted together; ii) polishing the cut surfaces (14, 16) before fitting them together; and iii) designing the dimensions of the cut components (10, 18) so that the zones of elastic deformation compensate for the variations of dimensions caused by the polishing step, thereby retaining the capability of the polished cut surfaces (14, 16, 20) to define said component (10, 18) relative positions during the welding step.
US08322583B2
A collapsible detachable bicycle basket is constructed so as to be easily and readily mountable upon a luggage rack of a bicycle without the use of any threaded fasteners. To facilitate such mounting, the collapsible basket has a pair of spaced hooks attached to the top edge of one side of the basket and a resilient flexible connector in the form of a loop of bungee cord attached near the bottom of the same side of the basket. The hooks of the basket are receivable over a portion of the deck of the luggage rack and the loop of the bungee cord is attachable to a lower portion of the luggage rack to secure the basket to the luggage rack.
US08322577B2
A plunger for a syringe used to inject gas and liquid chromatography samples has an end portion surrounded by a flexible sleeve. The sleeve forms a seal in the bore of a barrel traversed by the plunger, the bore being in fluid communication with a cannula attached to the end of the barrel. The plunger has an end surface that is exposed and is flush with an annular end surface of the sleeve. The plunger end surface, and not the sleeve, contacts the cannula upon injection and avoids imposing cyclical hoop stresses on the barrel which tend to crack the barrel after a finite number of cycles. In a further embodiment, a thin layer of sleeve material covers the end surface of the plunger. The thin layer avoids inducing significant barrel stress.
US08322576B2
The spray bottle reservoir system includes a bottle having a neck and a body, the body defining a main chamber for containing fluid. A spray cap is detachably mounted to the neck. A vertical partition is disposed inside the body, separating the main chamber to form a dispensing reservoir. A dip tube extends from the spray cap to the bottom of the dispensing reservoir. The dispensing reservoir may be refilled from the remaining chamber, and due to the relative small volume of the dispensing reservoir and the viscosity of the fluid, the dispensing reservoir permits maximum consumption of the fluid in a wide range of spraying positions.
US08322569B2
The present invention provides for an integrated valve regulator assembly that comprises an integral body having a base portion that includes an axis for mounting on and coaxially with the neck portion of a pressurized source vessel and an assembly outlet, a defined internal passage in the integral body that extends through and between the base portion of the integral body and the assembly outlet, a sub-atmospheric pressure regulator assembled within the integral body of the integrated valve regulator assembly, an isolation valve positioned within the defined internal passage of the integral body and located downstream from and in communication with the sub-atmospheric pressure regulator, and a filling port disposed between the axis for mounting on and coaxially with the neck portion of the pressurized source vessel and the sub-atmospheric pressure regulator. The present invention further provides for a system for the controlled storage and dispensing of a hazardous material at sub-atmospheric pressure that comprises a pressurized source vessel and the integrated valve regulator assembly of the present invention. The present invention further provides for an additional integrated valve regulator assembly as described with the exception that the pressure regulator utilized is for super-atmospheric pressure conditions and also a system that comprises a pressurized source vessel and the integrated valve regulator assembly that includes a super-atmospheric pressure regulator.
US08322564B2
Cooking article (1) consists of a vessel (3) with a bottom surface (4) and a lateral surface (5), and at least one handle (10) and 11) attached to lateral surface (5) formed by assembly one (20) and assembly two (40), with each assembly (20 and 40) connected to vessel (3) to pivot between a storage position and a working position in which the two assemblies (20 and 40) form a single unit extending radially to lateral surface (5). Each assembly (20 and 40) is essentially aligned with the lateral surface (5) and assembly two (40) contains a gripping section (47) which extends above vessel (3) to allow a user to hold the cooking article (1) when inserting it into or removing it from a similar, slightly larger cooking article (2).
US08322557B2
A prismatic tank has outer and inner walls and internal horizontal stays. The walls include a plurality of horizontal beam sections. Each beam section has two parallel flanges interconnected by a web and a pair of opposing end faces. The beam sections are stacked one on top of the other and joined together along adjoining longitudinal edges of respective flanges and at end faces of respective beam sections such that a joint is formed between a first end face of a first beam section and a second, abutting end face of a second, abutting beam section. The web of the first beam section is recessed at the first end face and the web of the second beam section is recessed at the second end face so as to leave a first opening in the joint.
US08322548B2
A packaging including a container body and a closure wherein the closure comprises upstanding wall portions on the upper face defining a receiving area for e.g. a pen. The packaging having first and second engagement means engaging each other for locking said closure to said container body. The closure further comprises release means for disengaging the first engagement means from the second engagement means wherein the release means being arranged such that a depressable portion thereof protrudes into a groove or receiving area. The release means being operable to disengage first engagement means from the second engagement means an elongated object being received by the receiving area or groove.
US08322539B1
A filter vial for separating biological and chemical fluids has a cylindrical sidewall with an open top and a closed bottom. A protrusion extends upwards from the middle of the bottom to form an annular recess. A tubular plunger has an open bottom end to which is fastened an annular cup having an outer sidewall sized to fit into and seal against the vial's sidewall. An inner sidewall of the annular cup holds a filter over an opening in the bottom of the plunger and forms a shaped cavity leading to that filter. The annular cup on the plunger fits into the annular recess in the vial to force fluid from the vial through the filter and into the plunger.
US08322538B2
The methods and apparatus separate fines from crushed rock and stone. A motorized conveyor belt system is activated that includes a conveyor belt moving in an upward direction. A spray system is activated to spray a fluid on an underneath surface of the conveyor belt. The mixture of rock and fines are directed to the conveyor belt. The rock tumbles or rolls down the conveyor belt and is collected at a first end of the conveyor belt. The fines stick or adhere to the conveyor belt, and the fines are scraped off of the conveyor belt at or near the second end of the conveyor belt.The apparatus includes a conveyor belt system, including a moving belt, a motor to move the belt, the belt including a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is elevated relative to the first end. The apparatus includes a spray system, including a source of fluid, a sprayer in fluidic communication with the source of the fluid, and the sprayer positioned to spray a surface of the belt with the fluid. The apparatus includes a material feed system, including a hopper to discharge a material of fines and rock onto the belt proximate the second end of the belt, and the belt moving from the first end to the second end in an upward direction. The apparatus includes a fines discharge to receive fines from the belt and a rock discharge at the first end of the belt.
US08322533B2
A substrate storage container includes a locking mechanism, provided in a lid for opening and closing an opened front portion of a container body which stores a substrate of three sheets or less, for locking the lid fitted into the front portion of the container body. The locking mechanism is supported by the lid which is substantially laterally long when viewed from the front. The locking mechanism includes an advance/retreat engaging body that opposes an inner periphery of the front portion of the container body when the lid is fitted into the front portion of the container body, and a spring member that causes the advance/retreat engaging body to advance from the lid to the inner periphery of the front portion of the container body and thus causes a tip end portion side thereof to interfere when the lid is fitted into the front portion of the container body.
US08322532B2
Packaging device (10, 10′, 10″) for packaging at least one object (12, 12′, 12″), that is essentially flat, in particular a valuable technical object, such as a lithium-ion cell, including: a bottom plate (14) having at least one first side rim (42), which is linear in regard to at least a part thereof, and at least one first cover plate (20) having at least one first side rim (46) which is linear in regard to at least one part thereof, which is hingeably linked to the first side rim (42) of the bottom plate (14) such that the cover plate (20) can be hinged between a closed position in which the cover plate at least partially covers the bottom plate, and an open position in which the cover plate is not opposite to the bottom plate, characterized in that the bottom plate (14) or the at least one cover plate (20) comprises on one side a cushioning layer (16, respectively 22), wherein the cushioned side faces the object (12, 12′, 12″) when said object is in the packaging and the at least one cover plate (20) is in the closed position, and wherein the cushioning layer (16, respectively 22) is formed so that the object (12, 12′, 12″) is held in a no-slip position in respect to lateral shifting, when the at least one cover plate (20) is in the closed position and at least a partial area of the object (12, 12′, 12″) is positioned between the cover plate (20) and the bottom plate (14).
US08322519B2
The invention relates to a belt conveyor which comprises a conveyor belt (20) that is guided around at least one return shaft (30), thereby forming an upper run and a lower run, and a drive device for moving the conveyor belt (20), characterized in that the drive device is preferably arranged in a separate manner from the return shaft (30) and drives the conveyor belt (20) in the area of a deflection between upper run and lower run. The drive device preferably comprises a toothed belt (40) or V-belt arranged at an edge section of the conveyor belt (20) and a rotationally drivable toothed wheel (60) or a V-belt disk. The toothed belt (40) or V-belt is connected or connectable, preferably in a releasable manner, to the conveyor belt (20).
US08322514B2
An article configuration system comprising a first conveyor (90) for transferring articles (B) from an input and a second conveyor (88), disposed at a non-linear angle relative to the first conveyor, for transferring articles to an output. The article processing system comprises a mechanism (30) for transferring articles from the first conveyor (90) to the second conveyor (88). The mechanism (30) is structured and arranged to facilitate the reorganization of articles conveyed by the first conveyor such that when transferred to the second conveyor the articles are disposed in adjacent metered lanes (124a-124f) and wherein the number of adjacent metered lanes of articles conveyed by the second conveyor (88) is greater than the number of adjacent lanes of articles (100, 102) conveyed by the first conveyor.
US08322505B2
According to some embodiments of the invention, a magnetic sensor having a track width of greater than about 50 millimeters is provided. The magnetic sensor is adapted to detect a magnetic feature and produce a linear, analog output in response to the magnetic feature. The analog output is along a single data channel.
US08322501B2
A force transmission device having a hydrodynamic component, disposed between an input and an output, comprising at least a pump shell and a turbine shell, forming an operating cavity in combination, with an actuatable clutch device for at least partially bridging the hydrodynamic component, comprising a clutch component for at least partially bridging the hydrodynamic component, comprising a first clutch component connected with the input and a second clutch component at least indirectly connected to the output, which can be brought into operative engagement with one another through an actuation device, with a vibration absorber disposed in the force flow at least subsequent to the actuatable clutch device, with a housing coupled with the input or with an element coupled non-rotatably to the input and coupled with the pump shell.
US08322491B2
A stepladder includes first and second legs and a plurality of treads, wherein each first and second leg forms a separate channel for receiving the treads. A pad installed in the stepladder includes has a first portion residing under compression within the channel of the first leg between adjacent treads and a second portion residing outside of the channel of the first leg to provide the cushion for a worker when carrying the stepladder on his or her shoulder. The pad, suitably consisting of closed-cell foam, is held within the channel by frictional forces between the resilent pad, the first leg and the adjacent treads.
US08322488B2
A harness system for supporting a person off of a ground surface. The harness system may include a seat supported by a strap attached to the seat. The strap may form one or more leg containing loops for keeping a person securely positioned in the harness. The harness may also include a climbing strap for securing the harness loosely to a support device, such as a tree, while a person climbs a support device. The harness may be secured to a person by tightening a waist strap around the person's waist. The harness system may include a fall restraint device and shoulder straps enabling the harness system to qualify as a fall arrest system.
US08322475B2
When fail signals from first and second inverters are rendered inactive, i.e., when all inverters are proper, an ECU renders first and second shut down permit signals active for output to first and second AND gates regardless of the operating state of motor generators. The first AND gate takes an AND operation of the fail signal from the second inverter and the first shut down permit signal to output a shut down signal to the first inverter. The second AND gate takes an AND operation of the fail signal from the first inverter and the second shut down permit signal to provide a shut down signal to the second inverter.
US08322473B2
A process for controlling a start-stop operation of a vehicle having a hybrid drive with an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor, a service brake with an ABS and an electric parking brake, includes: determining, monitoring and analyzing performance parameters of the vehicle, the internal-combustion engine, the electric motor, the service brake and the electric parking brake; automatically releasing the electric parking brake in the case of a starting prompt because of determined performance parameters; driving the vehicle by the electric motor for the start; starting the internal-combustion engine by the electric motor if the internal-combustion engine is switched off; driving the vehicle by the electric motor and the internal-combustion engine; activating a generator operation of the electric motor in the case of a braking prompt because of determined performance parameters; activating the service brake; and automatically locking the electric parking brake when the vehicle is stopped after a previously definable deceleration time, and a corresponding vehicle.
US08322471B2
An apparatus and method are described for utilizing internally generated angular momentum for supplementing the propulsion of a mobile spherical vehicle capable of motion by rolling over terrain, thereby enabling such vehicles to climb steeper inclines and overcome larger obstacles. Torque generated by counter-rotating gyroscopes was used to supplement gravity generated torque produced by a pendulum drive propulsion system. Precession torque may be generated along a desired axis by changing the angular momentum of the gyroscopes while leaving its magnitude unaffected.
US08322465B2
An earth-boring bit part such as, for example, a bit body, roller cone, or mud nozzle includes a hybrid cemented carbide composite. The hybrid cemented carbide includes a cemented carbide dispersed phase, and a cemented carbide continuous phase. A method of manufacture also is disclosed.
US08322458B2
A drilling rig and a drilling method, in which the drilling element is caused to rotate and is displaced along a mast by means of a drilling drive, which drilling element has a continuous screw auger disposed below the drilling drive, and an extension, which is connected to the continuous screw auger and extends upwardly through the drilling drive. A displacement head is disposed between the continuous screw auger and the extension and is adapted to force earth material into the wall of a bore hole.
US08322454B2
Gang tube rail structure is attached to the lower front and rear corners of the implement gang tube to provide a lower clamp support. Two pivoting clamp jaws are attached to the clamp support and secured against the support by tightening a single clamp bolt extending between the lowermost portions of the jaws. A locator shoe is secured between the tube and the c-spring and includes a protrusion that projects into a hole in the c-spring. The ends of the locator shoe include short legs that wrap around the gang tube rail. The single clamp bolt provides a vertical clamp force that is approximately twice the tension generated in the bolt when the nut is tightened.
US08322437B2
A method of, and system for, collecting and controlling hydrocarbons leaking from offshore sea bottom environments entail providing a concrete containment barrier and catenary gasket around the leak source, pumping concrete onto the catenary gasket, opening ports and valves in a containment vessel while it is positioned over the leak source, at least partially embedding the containment vessel in the pumped concrete, closing the ports and valves to capture leaking fluids, and communicating the fluids to the surface for further processing. The modular containment barrier may be placed around an existing or potential well site, or an operating well, abandoned well or sea bottom fissure to facilitate implementation of the method in the event of a leak.
US08322434B2
A Vertical Annular Separation and Pumping System (VASPS) utilizing a outer annulus liquid discharge arrangement to replace a standard pump shroud associated with an electrical submersible pump. The outer annulus liquid discharge arrangement directs produced wellbore liquids around the electrical submersible pump motor to provide a cooling medium to prevent overheating and premature failure of the electrical submersible pump.
