US08390713B2
In a photoelectric conversion device, groups of unit pixels are arranged in a well, where each of the unit pixels includes photoelectric conversion elements, an amplifier transistor, and transfer transistors. The photoelectric conversion device includes a line used to supply a voltage to the well, a well-contact part used to connect the well-voltage-supply line to the well, and transfer-control lines used to control the transfer transistors. The transfer-control lines are symmetrically arranged with respect to the well-voltage-supply line in respective regions of the unit-pixel groups.
US08390697B2
An image processing apparatus includes: a global motion estimation apparatus that performs global Motion Estimation on current and reference images and then outputs a Motion Vector, wherein the global motion estimation apparatus includes a motion estimation processing unit that has a function of executing an LK method two or more times across a whole screen to perform the global motion estimation between the current and reference images; and the motion estimation processing unit obtains a set of motion vectors based on at least information about pixel value variations and information in which a calculation result of an arbitrary calculation expression is added across a whole screen in first motion estimation, and determines whether to perform addition on each pixel according to a set condition when obtaining the at least information, and obtains and outputs a new set of motion vectors as a result of a second LK method when the condition is satisfied in second motion estimation.
US08390691B2
Disclosed herein is a photographing device that includes a number of light-receiving elements, a number of vertical transfer registers, a first drive-voltage applying electrode, and a second drive-voltage applying electrode. The light-receiving elements are arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The vertical transfer registers transfers the electric charges accumulated in the light-receiving elements in the vertical direction. The first drive-voltage applying electrode is arranged parallel to the vertical transfer registers, for applying a drive voltage to a specific one of the vertical transfer registers. The second drive-voltage applying electrode is arranged perpendicular to the vertical transfer registers, for applying a second drive voltage to the vertical transfer registers at the same time. The electric charges accumulated in the light-receiving elements are transferred to the vertical transfer registers, due to the voltage output from the first drive-voltage applying electrode or the second drive-voltage applying electrode, or the voltages output from both electrodes. Therefore, the light-receiving elements can have different sensitivities, and the photographing device can photograph dynamic scenes in a broad dynamic range.
US08390690B2
A method and apparatus subsampling a plurality of signals from one frame of a pixel array, pixels within the pixel array belonging to one of at least two sets, each set configured to sense values of a same image parameter, includes controlling integration times for first and second signals for each set output from the pixel array, controlling including using a first integration time for the first signal of the set and using a second integration time, different than the first integration time, for the second signal of the set, and calculating a synthesized value for each set using the first and second signals having different integration times.
US08390689B2
An optical apparatus is disclosed which can prevent displacement of subject images due to an initializing operation of the image stabilizing unit from being seen by a photographer through a finder. The apparatus comprises an image-stabilizing unit which includes a movable unit movable for image stabilization and balls movable in conjunction with the movement of the movable unit, and a controller which controls operations of the movable unit. The controller causes the movable unit to perform a specific operation for moving the balls to a specific position in response to mounting of the optical apparatus on another optical apparatus, the specific operation being a different operation from an image stabilization operation of the image-stabilizing unit.
US08390688B2
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of registering wireless video communication modules. A method of registering wireless video modules may include, for example, transmitting a first registration message from a first wireless video communication module to a second wireless video communication module, wherein the first registration message includes first information identifying the first module to the second wireless video communication module; receiving at the first module a second registration message from the second wireless video communication module, wherein the second registration message includes second information identifying the second module to the first wireless video communication module; and based on the first and second registration messages, registering the first video communication module at the second wireless video communication module and the second video communication module at the first wireless video communication module. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08390679B2
A capsule endoscope device includes an illumination unit that illuminates a living tissue using at least one of a white light illumination unit and a special light illumination unit; an imaging unit that captures an image of the tissue; a transmission unit that transmits imaging information containing the image; a storage unit that stores a threshold with respect to information on a distance between the endoscope and the tissue; a detection unit that detects the information; and an output unit that compares the information with the threshold, selects an image capturing condition of a special light observation mode if the distance is not larger than the threshold, selects an image capturing condition of a normal light observation mode if the distance is larger than the threshold, and outputs the selected image capturing condition to an operation unit related to image capturing.
US08390666B2
A mobile terminal includes: a first controller configured to control a function related to a call; a second controller configured to control a multimedia function such as a camera; and a relay module configured to transfer information required between the first and second controllers, wherein the second controller provides control to continuously capture an image during call communication, and when displaying of the captured image is stopped for the call communication, the controller provides control to display the image by displaying it starting from the point at which the displaying was stopped when the call communication is terminated.
US08390665B2
Provided are an apparatus, system and method for facilitating a video call between a first caller and a second caller, the apparatus including: an image sensor which captures an image of the first caller; a display which displays an image of the second caller; a microphone which captures audio input by the first caller; a speaker which plays audio input by the second caller; a detector which is operable to determine a location of the first caller; and a controller which controls the detector to determine the location as corresponding to an original location, wherein if the first caller changes from the original location to a new location, the controller controls the detector to determine the location as being the new location and controls the microphone to readjust based on the determined new location of the first caller.
US08390664B2
A hand-held electrical communication device including an image sensing unit, a mobile TV receiver, an image signal processing unit, a display unit and a baseband processing unit is provided. The image sensing unit generates an original image frame. The mobile TV receiver receives a compressed video data. The image signal processing unit adjusts the original image frame to be an adjusted image frame or decompresses the compressed video data into a video image frame, and respectively scales the adjusted image frame or the video image frame to be a scaled image frame. The baseband processing unit displays the scaled image frame on the display unit.
US08390663B2
A method including creating a local view for a local endpoint, where the local view is created from a local topology for the local endpoint, where the local topology is created from a central topology, scanning for a request to change the local view for the local endpoint, and updating the local view for the local endpoint when the request to change the local view will not violate the local topology for the local endpoint and will not violate the central topology.
US08390649B2
An electronic device comprises an input translation module configured to translate relative motion of the electronic device into input to an application executing on the electronic device, the application causing image content to be displayed on a display screen of the electronic device, and an input control interface configured to indicate at least one component of the relative motion relative to a reference point.
US08390645B1
A method for rendering a plurality of line primitives. The method includes the step of accessing a first line primitive and a second line primitive of a line strip. For a junction between the first line primitive and the second line primitive, the first line primitive and the second line primitive are geometrically modified to generate an abutting edge between the first line primitive and the second line primitive. A majority status is assigned to a pixel on the abutting edge. A first color of the first line primitive or a second color of the second line primitive is allocated to the pixel in accordance with the majority status.
US08390644B2
Methods and apparatus for achieving color and luminance uniformity in color output devices. In one embodiment, measurements of luminance and chrominance are taken at various regions of the display surface for a range of color inputs. Using the collected data, a color volume is formed for each of the measured regions. This color volume comprises a set of all colors producible at the measured region. The color volumes for each of the measured regions are then used to generate a common color gamut, i.e., a volume of colors that are producible in each of the measured regions. A gamut mapping can then be performed for all or a portion of the positions on the display surface to a target color gamut. Input data for the gamut mapping process may be determined by conventional interpolative techniques.
US08390632B1
A rendering device includes a temporary memory, rendering processing units, and a rendering control unit. The temporary memory stores one or more rendering instructions and rendered results therefor in association. The rendering processing units perform rendering processing in accordance with a rendering instruction, store, when one or more similar rendering instructions exist for pages for which rendering processing was consecutively performed, the rendering instructions and rendered results therefor in association in the temporary memory, and read and use, when rendered results associated with one or more rendering instructions are stored, the rendered results. The rendering control unit performs control for assigning a rendering instruction to one of the rendering processing units and causing the rendering processing unit to perform rendering processing, calculates the usage rate of stored rendered results at a timing, and performs switching of an assigning method when the usage rate is lower than a threshold.
US08390631B2
Synchronized access to a shared surface from multiple rendering contexts is provided. Only one rendering context is allowed to access a shared surface at a given time to read from and write to the surface. Other non-owning rendering contexts are prevented from accessing and rendering to the shared surface while the surface is currently owned by another rendering context. A non-owning rendering context makes an acquire call and waits for the surface to be released. When the currently owning rendering context finishes rendering to the shared surface, it release the surface. The rendering context that made the acquire call then acquires access and renders to the shared surface.
US08390628B2
Methods and apparatus for facial animation using motion capture data are described herein. A mathematic solution based on minimizing a metric reduces the number of motion capture markers needed to accurately translate motion capture data to facial animation. A set of motion capture markers and their placement on an actor are defined and a set of virtual shapes having virtual markers are defined. The movement of the virtual markers are modeled based on an anatomical model. An initial facial capture is correlated to a corresponding virtual reference shape. For each subsequent facial capture, a delta vector is computed and a matrix solution determined based on the delta marker, initial positions, and set of virtual shapes. The solution can minimize a metric such as mean squared distance. The solution can be manually modified or edited using a user interface or console.
US08390627B2
A text processing device and text processing method are provided. The method includes steps: receiving input characters; displaying current input characters with a predetermined magnification ratio; judging whether length of the input characters is more than the predetermined maximum length, if not, receiving input characters, and if yes, adjusting display state on the text processing device according to the predetermined magnification ratio and the predetermined maximum length.
US08390621B2
A system and method for generating a three-dimensional image is provided. An embodiment of the present invention includes calculating the ambient occlusion at a vertex in multiple, independent stages. Determining the global AO at the vertex may be performed using a first technique. Determining the local AO at the vertex may be performed using a second technique. The total AO can be found as a function of the local AO and global AO.
US08390620B1
A technique for conforming an interface between a first mesh and a second mesh is disclosed. A first interface surface in the first mesh and a second interface surface in the second mesh residing along the interface are identified. The first and second interface surfaces are initially non-conforming along the interface. Chords within the first and second interface surfaces that fall within a threshold separation distance of each other are paired. Sheets having chords that reside within the first or second interface surfaces are recursively inserted into or extracted from one or both of the first and second meshes until all remaining chords within the first interface surface are paired with corresponding chords in the second interface surface and all remaining chords within the second interface surface are paired with corresponding chords in the first interface surface.
US08390608B2
A plasma display apparatus according to the present invention efficiently accumulates charges in respective electrodes, using a driving signal supplied in a second set-down period, to prevent a flickering erroneous discharge caused by deficiency of wall charges. As a result, the plasma display apparatus can improve picture quality of a display image.
US08390607B2
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal display panel, liquid crystal display device, photo detecting device and light intensity adjustment method. The liquid crystal display panel comprises a plurality of first scan lines, a plurality of first data lines, a plurality of first thin film transistors, a plurality of liquid crystal pixel units and a built-in photo detecting module. The plurality of first thin film transistors are respectively disposed at intercrosses of the plurality of first scan lines and the plurality of first data lines, and each of the first thin film transistors is connected to the first data line and the first scan line. Each of the first thin film transistors is used to drive a liquid crystal pixel unit. The built-in photo detecting module detects light and outputs a multi-bit digital signal corresponding to the intensity of the light.
US08390592B2
A detection system for the approach recognition of a hand or arm movement in the direction a display or control unit. The detection takes place in two stages by way of long-range detection and close-range detection. The first stage detects using at least one optical or acoustic sensor.
US08390591B2
A touch sensor is provided including a controller and a planar layout having an edge and an interior portion. Further including a connector coupling the touch controller to the layout; a substrate made of a first material; and sensing elements made of a second material formed on the substrate and covering the layout without overlapping. Sensing elements have non-monotonic widths from the center along two perpendicular directions, and a centroid. The touch sensor including pass-through traces to couple edge to interior portions to determine two-dimensional locations for touches using a weighting that is proportional to an overlap area of the sensor elements and their centroids. The substrate may be made of a dielectric and the sensing elements made of a conductor. A method for using a controller circuit having a memory to store centroid locations and determine a two-dimensional location on a touch screen as above is also provided.
US08390590B2
An information input apparatus which displays a plurality of buttons on a display unit, detects an indicated position by a positional coordinate detection unit arranged on the display unit and inputs information corresponding to an indicated button includes: an incorrect input judgment unit for judging whether or not input information which is input when a to-be-selected button selected from the plurality of buttons is indicated is incorrect input; a pattern selection unit which makes a user select one button arrangement pattern from a plurality of button arrangement patterns including the to-be-selected button at a predetermined position when the incorrect input judgment unit judges that the input information is incorrect input.
US08390585B2
A method and device for releasing a lock function of an input device of a mobile terminal are provided. The method of releasing a lock function of an input device of a mobile terminal includes detecting a user's input, determining whether the lock function of the input device is set, displaying, if it is determined that the lock function of the input device is set, display data representing that the input device is in a locked state and displaying function data of a function to be entered upon release of the lock function of the input device, and entering, immediately upon performance of a preset lock release operation, a specific function corresponding to the function data.
US08390581B2
A software touchscreen displayed on start up for a LAN for an automated light. The software touchscreen is displayed by the software on initial startup, and later, after the initial startup, the same touchscreen is used for controlling the light.
US08390578B2
A sensing device includes: a plurality of sensors that are arrayed on a screen and that generate first detection signals each having a level corresponding to a touch state of an object on the screen or a distance between the object and the screen; a read unit that reads the first detection signals from the plurality of sensors at predetermined periods; a binarization unit that compares a level of each of the first detection signals read by the read unit with a threshold value and generates a second detection signal that is binarized; a determination unit that determines whether or not the object touches the screen on the basis of each second detection signal; a detection unit that detects a touch position of the object on the screen on the basis of each second detection signal; and a control unit that controls the read unit such that the predetermined period becomes a first period when the determination unit determines that there is no touch and that controls the read unit such that the predetermined period becomes a second period shorter than the first period when the determination unit determines that there is a touch.
US08390570B2
A directional input device for use in a handheld device is disclosed herein. The directional input device provides input to an element of the user interface in response to the inclination of the handheld. The input device can be embedded into any handheld communicating or computing device to provide directional input to an element of the user interface of the handheld without consuming space on the face of the device that could otherwise be used for a larger screen.
US08390569B2
An optical trackpad module is described herein. The module includes a light source and a trackpad that is optically coupled to the light source such that light from the light source can reach the trackpad. The trackpad is configured to receive an input object. The module also includes a sensor array that receives at least some of the light from the light source that is reflected off the input object. The sensor array is divided into sub-sections, and each sub-section corresponds to a portion of the trackpad. In addition, each sub-section detects at least translational movement of the input object on the corresponding trackpad portions to enable detection of rotational motion of the input object on the trackpad.
US08390564B2
A display including a first substrate, a first electrode, a second substrate, a second electrode, and a mixed solution is provided. The first electrode is disposed on the first substrate, and the second electrode is disposed on the second substrate. In addition, the mixed solution is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. Moreover, the mixed solution includes a solution and a plurality of first neutral micro-particles disposed in the solution.
US08390562B2
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for maintaining a target white point on a light emitting diode based backlight. In one embodiment, the backlight may include two or more strings of light emitting diodes, each driven at a respective driving strength. Each string may include light emitting diodes from a different color bin, and the respective driving strengths may be adjusted, for example, through pulse width modulation or amplitude modulation, to maintain the target white point. In certain embodiments, the driving strengths may be adjusted to compensate for shifts in the white point that may occur due to temperature or aging. A controller may adjust the driving strengths based on feedback from a temperature sensor, from an optical sensor, from a user input, or from calibration data included within the backlight or system.
US08390555B2
An exemplary liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel having a plurality of pixel units arranged in rows, a scanning circuit configured to activate the pixel units row by row by outputting a plurality of corresponding scanning signals, a data circuit configured to provide data voltage signals to the activated pixel units, and a common voltage circuit. Each pixel unit includes a coupling member. When a row of pixel units is activated, all the coupling members in the row of pixel units cooperatively generate a coupling signal according to the data voltage signals applied to the activated row of pixel units, and superpose the coupling signal to the corresponding scanning signal so as to form a feedback signal. The common voltage circuit adjusts a reference voltage signal according to the feedback signal, and provides at least one common voltage signal to the pixel units.
US08390550B2
The invention relates to a method and module for regulating color distribution. In this method, a reference point in a first gamut and a second reference point in a second gamut are found, and then the first gamut is converted to the second gamut based on the first and second reference point.
US08390544B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide for an array, and corresponding method of forming an array, that includes a plurality of light emitting devices. The light emitting devices are disposed over a substrate, and a photodetector detects light emitted through the substrate from the light emitting devices. Further, a substantially constant brightness may be maintained in a plurality of light emitting devices disposed over the upper surface of a substrate in an array. Light emitted through the substrate from each of the light emitting devices is measured, and the voltage level applied to each of the light emitting devices is varied to maintain a substantially constant brightness level of light emitted from the light emitting devices.
US08390525B2
An antenna, suitable for battlefield identification use, employs a multifunctional design. A closed-end coaxial line structure with center conductor has slanted slot radiators provided in its outer conductor. The slot radiators excite a pattern between upper and lower disks of a radial waveguide radiator configuration so that horizontal and vertical components reach the disk circumference with a 90 degree phase differential to provide an omnidirectional antenna pattern of circular polarization. Antennas and methods are described.
US08390522B2
An antenna component (and antenna) with a dielectric substrate and a plurality of radiating antenna elements on the surface of the substrate. In one embodiment, the plurality comprises two (2) elements, each of them covering one of the opposite heads and part of the upper surface of the device. The upper surface between the elements comprises a slot. The lower edge of one of the antenna elements is galvanically coupled to the antenna feed conductor on a circuit board, and at another point to the ground plane, while the lower edge of the opposite antenna element, or the parasitic element, is galvanically coupled only to the ground plane. The parasitic element obtains its feed through the electromagnetic coupling over the slot, and both elements resonate at the operating frequency. Omni-directionality is also achieved. Losses associated with the substrate are low due to the simple field image in the substrate.
US08390514B1
A bank of order statistic filters applied to a set of antenna or transducer beams are used to detect and determine the line-of-bearing to the source of transient RF (or other, e.g., acoustic) signals. By applying order statistic filters to signals received by a set of antenna or transducer beams, this system sets a detection threshold that is unaffected by transient signals, thereby allowing the detection of these transient signals. Knowing which antenna beam the transient signals are located within allows the determination of a line of bearing to the source of the transient signals.
US08390501B2
A successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is disclosed. A first and second capacitor DACs receive a first and second input signals respectively. A first coarse comparator compares an output of the first capacitor DAC with a window reference voltage, a second coarse comparator compares an output of the second capacitor DAC with the window reference voltage, and a fine comparator compares the output of the first capacitor DAC with the output of the second capacitor DAC. A SAR controller receives outputs of the first and second coarse comparators to determine whether the outputs of the first and second capacitor DACs are within a predictive window determined by the window reference voltage. The SAR controller bypasses at least one phase of analog-to-digital conversion of the SAR ADC when the outputs of the first capacitor DAC and the second capacitor DAC are determined to be within the predictive window. The SAR controller decodes the outputs of the first and second coarse comparators and the fine comparator to obtain a converted output of the SAR ADC.
US08390500B1
An asynchronous pulse processing (APP) apparatus, APP system and a method of signal reverberation employ asynchronous pulse processing to provide signal reverberation. The APP apparatus includes a gain block configured to scale an input signal by a first scale value and a summation block configured to produce a composite signal. The composite signal represents the scaled input signal minus an input summation signal multiplied by a reverberation signal, minus the reverberation signal scaled by a second scale value, and plus a function-modified feedback signal. The APP apparatus further includes an integrator and a time encoder configured to produce the reverberation signal from the composite signal. The APP system includes a plurality of APP apparatuses as APP channels. The method of signal reverberation includes generating a composite signal from a scaled input signal, and integrating and time encoding the composite signal to produce a reverberation signal.
US08390497B2
An analog-to-digital converter system and methodology comprising an analog-to-digital converter circuit configured to provide sequentially a plurality of codes designating a numerical value in a first number system. The analog-to-digital converter system further comprising an encoder interface circuit configured to receive the plurality of codes and to derive a redundant digital representation. A portion of the redundant digital representation is transmitted during the conversion period. The encoder interface circuit may be configured to use a numerical successive-approximation algorithm to derive the redundant digital representation. A substantial portion of the redundant digital representation may be transmitted via a serial interface during the conversion period to reduce an overall latency.
US08390496B2
System and method for common mode translation in continuous-time sigma-delta analog-to-digital converters. An embodiment includes a loop filter having an RC network coupled to a differential signal input, a Gm-C/Quantizer/DAC circuit (GQD) coupled to the loop filter, a common-mode level adjust circuit coupled to signal inputs of the GQD, and a tuning circuit coupled to the GQD and the common-mode level adjust circuit. The GQD evaluates an input signal provided by the RC network. computes a difference between a filtered input signal and the feedback quantization signal to generate an error signal, measures the error signal, and compensates for the error signal with sigma-delta noise-shaping. The common-mode level adjust circuit alters a common-mode level of a differential input signal to be substantially equal to a desired common-mode level and the tuning circuit provides a compensation voltage to the common-mode level adjust circuit based on a difference between the common-mode levels.
US08390495B2
A multi-input-multi-output-system (MIMO) is provided that includes a first input signal and a second input signal. A plurality of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) cell structures receive as input a combination of the first input signal and the second input signal as well as a combination of quantization noise signals from the respective other ADC cell structures of the plurality of ADC cell structures. The ADC cell structures generate a plurality of first output signals and the noise quantization signals. A plurality of adder modules receive the first output signals and performing either addition or subtraction on a selected combination of the first output signals, the adder modules generate a plurality of second output signals. A plurality of division modules receive the second output signals and perform a division operation on the second output signals by a predetermined factor. The division modules generate a plurality of final output signals of the MIMO.
US08390486B2
Various embodiments of the present invention include enabling, during a calibration phase, a counter to count one less than a number of clock periods associated with a determined offset. The counted number of the clock periods is stored in calibration memory. In a conversion phase, inverted outputs are loaded from the calibration memory to the counter, where the counter is enabled to count the clock periods to determine a digital equivalent value of an analog signal amplitude.
US08390477B2
Disclosed is an inventory control system or parking space detector including an inductive loop technology that is either embedded in the concrete or located atop the concrete, or any other feasible method of setting an inductive loop. By monitoring the change in inductance of the magnetic field that is generated by the loop as cars of various sizes and weights enter the looped area, a determination of whether or not the inventory is controlled or the parking spaces are all full is made when the inductance value reaches a certain predetermined level. This predetermined level will be determined by calibration in the initial installation in order to determine the exact inductance values when a group of parking spaces are full.
US08390464B1
A system allows a remote asset, via an Intelligent Device and interconnected Central Data Server to autonomously, and continuously monitor and update its status on various parameters; and from these, to calculate an overall asset state that may be caused by various combinations of the parameters and to infer the operational states and logistical position of a transport refrigeration unit.
US08390463B2
A bracelet (100) for use during escape in the event of fire, comprising a housing (110) attached to a strap (120) where the housing (110) is pressed against the wrist when the strap (120) is tightened, and where the housing (110) comprises control electronics for warning by sound- and light units, and where the bracelet (100) comprises a device in the housing (110) which is connected to control electronics in order to detect whether the bracelet (100) is in motion or not, and means for controlling transmission of sound and light on the basis of said detection, and an attachment mechanism for the strap (120) to the housing (110) comprising means for activating the bracelet (100) when the strap (120) is tightened round the wrist.
US08390459B2
A wireless IC device includes an electromagnetic coupling module, which includes a feeder circuit board having a wireless IC chip arranged to process transmission and reception signals mounted thereon, and a radiation plate. Linear loop electrodes provided in the radiation plate are electromagnetically coupled to planar electrodes located on a surface of the feeder circuit board. A signal received by the radiation plate drives the wireless IC chip. A response signal from the wireless IC chip is transmitted to the outside from the radiation plate. A frequency of the transmission and reception signals is substantially determined by inductance of the loop electrodes, capacitance between the loop electrodes and the planar electrodes, and stray capacitance generated between lines of the loop electrodes.
US08390453B2
An integrated circuit with a rectifier element. One embodiment provides a signal source, an electronic circuit and a rectifier element with a copper layer and a cuprous oxide layer adjacent to and in direct contact with the copper layer. The signal source is configured to drive a signal on a signal output terminal that is electrically coupled to the copper layer. The electronic circuit is electrically coupled to the cuprous oxide layer. The rectifier element may be formed between wiring layers of an integrated circuit.
US08390431B1
RFID reader systems, readers, components, software and methods cause RFID tags to backscatter a combination made from at least portions of a first code and a second code, without transmitting any commands in the interim. The first and/or second codes may include a tag response to a reader challenge. In a number of embodiments, a separate command does not have to be sent for reading the second code along with the first code, thereby saving time in inventorying the tags. Plus, the combination can enable reading tag codes during tag manufacturing that are not otherwise readily available to read in the field. In some embodiments, the combination may further include one or more error-checking codes.
US08390428B2
An identification and verification security badge is disclosed. The badge includes a keypad that allows the entry of user information that is monitored and verified by a processor within the badge. The processor compares an inputted personal identification number with one that is stored within a memory within the badge. When a match is found, an access code is transmitted that includes at least a badge identification code that uniquely identifies the badge. The badge also includes an on-body sensor that determines the status of the badge with respect to a user. When the sensor determines that the badge is not in close proximately to the user, then transmission from the badge is inhibited. In another aspect, when a transition from one state of the badge sensor to another state is determined, the personal identification number is required to be entered.
US08390422B2
The invention relates to an electric control device for an automobile, that comprises a touch-surface sensor using pressure-sensitive resistors and to be assembled with a holder (3) having a recessed or protruding three-dimensional surface, characterized in that the touch-surface (1) of the sensor is shaped so that, at the assembled state, a portion of at least the shaped touch-surfaces (1) meet each other while conforming to the shape of said three-dimensional surface (4) in order to define an essentially continuous touch-surface (1).
US08390418B2
This document discusses, among other things, an inductive component that can include a core having two portions: (1) a first portion composed of a first material having a first magnetic saturation level; and (2) a second portion composed of a second material selected to provide inductance for the inductive component when an external magnetic field is greater than the first magnetic saturation level. In an example, the first portion can be composed of a material having a relatively low magnetic saturation level (e.g., a ferrite), and the second portion can be composed of a material having a relatively high magnetic saturation level (e.g., a high permeability iron alloy).
US08390411B2
A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
US08390407B2
A micromachined electromechanical (MEMS) actuator including, for example, an electrostatically actuated electrical switch, is provided, including a first set of conducting plates forming part of the movable element of the switch, interdigitated with a set of conducting plates forming part of the substrate. The plates are, in principle, vertical relative to the surface of the substrate; they are in partial heightwise overlap and a control voltage applied between the two sets of plates exerts a vertical force acting so as to move the movable element closer to the substrate. The conducting plates of the movable element are connected to one another by conducting end crosspieces connecting the ends of these plates so as to surround, laterally, the stationary conducting plates. The distance separating one stationary plate end from the mobile crosspiece is the same at both ends so that the forces exerted in the elongation direction of the plates cancel out. This distance is preferably the same for all the plates.
US08390406B2
A mold cased circuit breaker, which includes a casing, a switching unit disposed in the casing to open or close an electric circuit, and movable and stationary contactor units present within the casing, includes an arc-extinguishing unit. The arc-extinguishing unit includes a pair of side plates facing each other with being spaced from each other, at least one first grid arranged between the side plates and spaced apart from one another with preset intervals, and a second grid coupled to upper ends of the side plates, spaced apart from the first grid, and having a bent portion with a preset angle.
US08390395B2
In an improved T/R switch configuration of a radio transceiver, the sizes of active switches coupled in series between the receive port and the common port are tapered such that the voltage referenced to ground across the active devices of the T/R switch is more evenly distributed among the switches which increases the power handling capability of that path. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an RF switch includes a plurality of first switches coupled in series between a transmit port and a common port for transmitting an RF signal, and a plurality of second switches coupled in series between a receive port and the common port. At least two of the plurality of second switches have different sizes such that the at least two of the second switches have substantially the same nodal impedance with respect to a frequency of the RF signal and an RF ground.
US08390371B2
A transconductance-capacitance (Gm-C) filter of arbitrary order is provided that is biased by a bias circuit such that the Gm-C filter is robust to variations in process corner and temperature as well as input supply noise. The bias circuit includes a biased transistor that has a width-to-length ratio that is a factor X times larger than a corresponding transistor in the Gm-C filter. The biased transistor couples to ground through a switched capacitor circuit.
US08390365B2
A charge pump system for low-supply voltage includes: a clock generator to generate a plurality of clock signals; a clock pump circuit coupled to said clock generator to generate high voltage; a level shifter coupled to said clock generator and said clock pump circuit to generate a plurality of HV (high voltage) clock signals; a main pump circuit coupled to said clock generator and said level shifter to generate output voltage.
US08390364B2
A semiconductor apparatus for generating an internal voltage includes a control code output block and an internal voltage generation block. The control code output block is configured to output a variable code having a code value corresponding to a voltage level of an internal voltage. The internal voltage generation block is configured to compare the variable code to a setting code and controls the voltage level of the internal voltage according to the comparison.
US08390363B2
A temperature compensation circuit for generating a temperature compensating reference voltage (VREF) may include a Bandgap reference circuit configured to generate a Bandgap reference voltage (VBGR) that is substantially temperature independent and a proportional-to-absolute-temperature reference voltage (VPTAT) that varies substantially in proportion to absolute temperature. The circuit may also include an operational amplifier that is connected to the Bandgap reference circuit and that has an output on which VREF is based. The circuit may also include a feedback circuit that is connected to the operational amplifier and to the Bandgap reference circuit and that is configured so as to cause VREF to be substantially equal to VPTAT times a constant k1, minus VBGR times a constant k2.
US08390359B2
An attenuation circuit uses a voltage controlled variable resistance transistor as a signal attenuator for receivers operating in the zero Hz to about 30 MHz range. The transistor functions in the linear region to linearize the transistor resistance characteristics used for signal attenuation. In an exemplary application, the attenuation circuit is used as an RF attenuator for AM radio broadcast receivers and amplifiers with automatic gain control. Multiple attenuation circuits can be coupled in parallel, each attenuation circuit having a different sized variable resistance transistor, to form sequentially activated stages that increase the range of attenuation while minimizing distortion.
US08390356B2
The present invention provides a method and system for open loop compensation of delay variations in a delay line. The method includes sensing the Process, Voltage, Temperature (PVT) variations in the delay line using a sensing circuit. A first and second sensitive current are generated based on the PVT variations. The first and second sensitive currents are mirrored currents from the sensing circuit. Then, a first compensation current is generated based on the first sensitive current and a first summing current. The first summing current is a reference current independent of the PVT variations. Further, the first compensation current is mirrored as a second summing current and a second compensation current is generated from the second sensitive current and the second summing current. The second compensation current compensates the delay variations and has a sensitivity based on the sensitivities of the first and second sensitive currents.
US08390355B2
An integrated circuit for delaying a clock signal using a delay cell is described. The integrated circuit includes a current starved inverter. The current starved inverter includes a switched capacitor current source with a first dummy inverter, a first amplifier coupled to the first dummy inverter and a first capacitor coupled to the first amplifier via a first switch. The current starved inverter also includes a first transistor coupled to the current source. The integrated circuit also includes a second capacitor. A delay applied to the clock signal is dependent on a ratio between the first capacitor and the second capacitor. The first capacitor and the second capacitor may be located in proximity such that process, voltage and temperature variations affect the first capacitor and the second capacitor similarly and the delay applied to the clock signal is independent of process, voltage and temperature variations.
US08390345B2
A ramp waveform generating apparatus generates a reference waveform by using an input signal and generates a driving control signal for turning on and off a switch having a first terminal connected to a load and a second terminal connected to a power supply by comparing the voltage of the reference waveform with the voltage of the load. While the switch is repetitively turned on and off in accordance with the driving control signal, a ramp waveform may be generated.
US08390332B2
Noise reduction circuit includes first and second reset signal generation circuits generating first and second reset signals activated when a data input signal goes to a low level or a high level and are deactivated in synchronization with a clock signal when a high or low level is maintained, and first and second counter circuits that count an inverted signal of clock signal and are reset by the first or second reset signal. The noise reduction circuit further includes a data output circuit including a selector circuit and an output flip-flop circuit that outputs a signal selected by the selector circuit in synchronization with the clock. The selector circuit selects and outputs any of: signal fixed at a high level or low level, and output signal of the output flip-flop circuit, according to logic levels of output signals of the first and second counter circuit.
US08390327B1
A system and method for radiation-tolerant level shifting are disclosed. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit may include a plurality of level shifters, where each of the plurality of level shifters configured receive a same logic level in a first voltage domain and to output candidate logic levels in a second voltage domain, and where at least one of the candidate logic levels subject to being different from another one of the candidate logic levels. The integrated circuit may also include a voting circuit coupled to the plurality of level shifters, where the voting circuit is configured to evaluate the candidate logic levels and output a selected logic level based, at least in part, upon the evaluation.
US08390326B2
Re-programmable antifuses and structures utilizing re-programmable antifuses are presented herein. Such structures include a configurable interconnect circuit having at least one re-programmable antifuse, wherein the at least one re-programmable antifuse is configured to be programmed to conduct by applying a first voltage across it and is configured to be re-programmed not to conduct by applying second voltage across it, wherein the second voltage is higher than the first voltage. Additionally, the re-programmable antifuses may be configured to a permanently conductive state by applying an even higher voltage across it.
US08390322B2
In a non-volatile logic circuit, a first input electrode and a second input electrode are formed on a semiconductor layer and interposed between an electric current source electrode and an output electrode in a plan view. The semiconductor layer is disposed on a ferroelectric layer. A method of operating the non-volatile logic circuit includes a step of writing one state selected from four states by applying voltages to the first and second input electrode, respectively, a step of measuring current generated by applying the voltage between the electric current source electrode and the output electrode to determine, on the basis of the measured current, which of the high or low resistant state the non-volatile logic circuit has.
US08390319B2
A programmable logic circuit comprising a plurality of programmable logic elements and a plurality of programmable interconnect means, and memory means for storing the configuration of the logic elements and interconnect means, wherein said memory means is formed and arranged to store a multiplicity of different configurations for each said logic element.
US08390316B2
An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and corresponding apparatus that terminates circuit connectivity in a bus by determining location of an instrument on the bus, and based on coupling a terminating resistance to the instrument. The example embodiment may couple a terminating resistance with the instrument placed at the end of a bus by employing at least one male-to-male connector arranged to establish a connection between the female receptacles of the terminating resistance and the bus. In order to determine a state of termination of circuit connectivity in a bus, an example embodiment of the present invention may connect a transceiver to a terminating resistance and determine a state of termination of circuit connectivity in the bus as a function of sensing receive activity in the transceiver.
US08390315B1
Circuits and techniques for operating an integrated circuit (IC) with a configurable input-output circuit are disclosed. A disclosed circuit includes a single-ended input-output buffer coupled to an output terminal. The single-ended input-output buffer is operable to transmit an input signal to the output terminal as an output signal. A pre-emphasis circuit that is operable to sharpen a first edge and a second edge of the output signal is coupled between the single-ended input-output buffer and the output terminal. The first edge of the output signal is sharpened when the input signal switches from a first logic level to a second logic level while the second edge of the output signal is sharpened when the input signal switches from the second logic level to the first logic level.
US08390310B2
Provided is a test system of a semiconductor integrated circuit including an output device and an input device for conducting an input/output characteristics test of the output device and the input device inside the semiconductor integrated circuit. In the system, a transmission line provided in a test board where the semiconductor integrated circuit is mounted on establishes a wired connection between an external terminal of one circuit of one of the output device and the input device and external terminals of a plurality of circuits of another one of the output device and the input device.
US08390309B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for inspecting quantum efficiency homogeneity of a solar cell using a spatial light modulating device. The apparatus includes a light emitting device configured to radiate predetermined light; a spatial light modulating device configured to change a light path of rays emitted from the light emitting device according to individual control of a plurality of pixels; a spatial light modulating device controller configured to individually control the states of the plurality of pixels; a solar cell which the rays passing through or reflected from the spatial light modulating device irradiate; and a calculation controller configured to calculate quantum efficiency of the solar cell based on a photocurrent signal generated from the solar cell.
US08390294B2
An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for obtaining a resistivity image of an earth formation. The apparatus includes a downhole assembly configured to be conveyed in a borehole penetrating the earth formation; a plurality of sensor electrodes on the downhole assembly, at least one of the electrodes having a different area than another of the electrodes; and at least one processor configured to: (i) process measurements using each of the sensor electrodes; (ii) process a subset of the measurements substantially unaffected by the different capacitances to produce an image of the borehole wall; and (iii) record the image on a suitable medium.
US08390285B2
In a method and device for side-band suppression, a positive eddy current correction factor and negative eddy current correction factor are determined and scanning N/2 times by a positive gradient takes place, and the positive gradient scanning signal is collected during each scan. Scanning N/2 times by a negative gradient also takes place, and the negative gradient scanning signal is collected during each scan. N is an even number. An eddy current correction of the N/2 positive gradient scanning signals collected according to the positive eddy current correction factor is performed as an eddy current correction of the N/2 negative gradient scanning signals collected according to the negative eddy current correction factor. The side-band suppressed spectrum signal according to the N/2 positive gradient scanning signals that have undergone the eddy current correction is calculated, as is the N/2 negative gradient scanning signals that have undergone the eddy current correction. The method and device according to the present invention can effectively suppress the side band.
US08390270B2
The coupling device with electrical isolation comprises at least one input signal, an output of an output signal representative of said input signal, and signal transfer means with electrical isolation receiving the input signal and supplying said output signal. The transfer means comprise at least one signal transformer having at least one primary winding to receive a primary signal representative of said input signal, switching means to switch the input signal and supply the latter to said primary winding, and electrically isolated control means of the switching means comprising a control input receiving control signals during switching periods. The electrical switchgear unit comprises one such coupling device connected to measuring resistors and to a processing unit processing electrical protection functions.
US08390247B1
A device for a plug in vehicle includes a cord with a ball-like covering that allows it to be dropped. The cord bounces when dropped, and no damage is caused. There is also an electrical actuator that is based on when the vehicle is in a mode that allows it to be charged. When the vehicle is in the charge mode, the actuator either magnetically attracts the cord, or tightens against the cord to hold it more tightly If the vehicle is put in reverse, for example, the actuator is deenergized, and the cord is less tightly held, facilitating its disconnection.
US08390243B2
A charge-controlling system and a method therefor are applicable to a backup power system having a fuel-cell-based power supply and a battery. The charge-controlling system includes a bidirectional converter, a feedback circuit, a voltage controller, a PWM generator, a switch unit and an over-charging protection circuit. The feedback circuit generates a feedback signal corresponding to an output voltage of the bidirectional converter. The voltage controller generates a control voltage according to the feedback signal and a constant voltage, such that the PWM generator generates a PWM signal based on the control voltage. The over-charging protection circuit controls operation of the switch unit according to the feedback signal and a saturation voltage of the battery. When the switch unit electrically connects the bidirectional converter and the PWM generator, the bidirectional converter charges the battery with the power generated by the fuel-cell-based power supply according to the PWM signal.
US08390238B2
A softstarter for starting and stopping an asynchronous motor having three phases, including two pairs of semiconductor devices of the type turning off at zero-crossing of the current therethrough, wherein each of the two pairs of semiconductor devices is connected in anti-parallel, and the first pair of the semiconductor devices is adapted to control the voltage of one of the phases of the motor and the second pair of the semiconductor devices being adapted to control the voltage of another of the phases of the motor, a DC reducing unit associated with the two pairs of semiconductor devices, a first voltage measuring unit for measuring voltages across the two pairs of semiconductor devices, and a first zero-crossing detecting unit configured for detecting zero-crossings of the measured voltages across the two pairs of semiconductor devices and providing zero-crossing signals to the DC reducing unit.
US08390236B2
A drive system is disclosed for operating an electric device. The drive system includes an electric motor having a permanent magnet rotor connectable to the electric device for controlling the operation of it by a limited-angle rotation, the electric motor further including a stator winding. The drive system includes a drive circuit connected to the stator winding. The permanent magnet rotor can be arranged to be aligned to a magnetic field created by the stator winding when supplied with current from the drive circuit, so that a maximum torque can be applied to the rotor and thereby to the movable part within an interval of ±25 degrees around a middle position between two end positions of the limited-angle rotation of the rotor.
US08390233B2
An adjustment structure used in conjunction with an imprinting structure is provided. The adjustment structure includes a sample mount for mounting a sample. An actuator mechanism is coupled to the sample mount, the actuator mechanism producing actuated forces on a X-Y plane to produce movements on a sample mount. A plurality of bladed flexures are positioned on the sample mount. The bladed flexures controls the movements of the sample mount produced by the actuator mechanism so as to allow adjustments in angular alignment about the pitch-roll (θX-θY) rotation axes or the X-Y plane relative to the sample mount so the imprinting structure can perform its operations on the sample.
US08390231B2
The invention relates to a method for obtaining a criterion for detecting obstacles in a closure movement of a motor-driven opening. The obtaining method includes the step of determining a speed of rotation of a motor shaft and the step of determining a quantity representative of a motor voltage. The detection criterion is then obtained by a step for calculating the criterion according to the speed of rotation of the motor shaft and the quantity representative of the motor voltage. This makes it possible to obtain a criterion, which is both robust and inexpensive, for detecting obstacles in a closure movement of a motor-driven opening.
US08390227B2
A system and process includes continuously determining an applied armature voltage supplied to a polyphase synchronous machine for which a maximum mechanical load is characterized by a pull-out torque. The armature voltage is supplied from a power source via one of many taps of a regulating transformer. The armature voltage being supplied from the power source to the machine is changed by selecting one of the voltage levels from the taps of the regulating transformer. The tap voltage levels are selected based on the determined applied armature voltage to minimize power consumption of the machine while ensuring based on a predetermined confidence level that the pull-out torque of the machine will not be exceeded.
US08390226B1
According to an aspect of the invention, a method includes: applying a voltage across a motor to accelerate the motor over a predetermined number of time intervals; determining whether a current flowing through the motor decreases as the motor accelerates over the predetermined number of time intervals; and increasing the voltage by a predetermined voltage amount during each time interval if it is determined that the current is decreasing.
US08390215B2
A voltage selection circuit selecting a minimum voltage from the remainder voltages outputted from the light emitting diode channels is disclosed. The voltage selection circuit includes a first picking circuit, which has the first operation amplifiers, a positive input terminal, an output terminal, a negative input terminal, and an output stage. Each of the first operation amplifiers includes a positive input terminal, an output terminal, a negative input terminal, and an output stage. The positive input terminal receives one of the remainder voltages from one of the first ends of the light emitting diode channels. The output terminal outputs the minimum voltage, in which the output terminals of the first operation amplifiers are connected together. The negative input terminal is electrically connected to the output terminal. The output stage is electrically connected to the output terminal, in which the output stage has current sinking ability stronger than current sourcing ability.
US08390211B2
A constant lumen output control system for providing a constant lumen output throughout the life of a lamp at the mean or preset lumen level. The lumen con system (315) coupled to a lamp driver (310) initially reduces the power to the lamp (330) to prevent the lamp from being operated at power levels that result excess mean or preset lumen levels. With increased lamp usage, the lumen control system gradually increases power to the lamp to compensate for lamp lumen depreciation due to light-reducing mechanisms. By compensating for lamp lumen depreciation the lamp is operated at a constant mean or preset lumen output throughout the life of the lamp.
US08390205B2
A light emitting diode (LED) controller for controlling a plurality of LED channels includes channel select circuitry, detection circuitry, and error processor circuitry. The channel select circuitry is configured to drive N−1 LED channels of a plurality of (N) LED channels at a nominal modulation frequency and to selectively drive a selected one of the N LED channels at a probe modulation frequency. The detection circuitry is configured to receive a composite brightness signal corresponding to brightness signals from the N LED channels. The detection circuitry is further configured to filter the composite bright signal and generate a selected brightness signal corresponding to a brightness of the selected LED channel at the probe modulation frequency. The error processor circuitry is configured to compare the selected brightness signal to user defined and/or preset photometric quantities and generate a control signal for adjusting the brightness of the selected LED channel.
US08390204B1
A memorial display system is described including at least one memorial device having a plurality light fixtures with each light fixture having at least one light source. Each of the light sources are in electrical communication with a controller circuit that automatically activates and deactivates the at least one light source of each light fixture according to at least one anniversary date and for a duration period stored in the memory. In one embodiment, each light source is part of a light bar with up to 5 lights. The light bars are commonly strung together to create various runs of lighting opportunities allowing for different overall sizes of the automated memorial system.
US08390201B2
A multi-column electron beam exposure apparatus includes: multiple column cells; an electron beam converging unit in which two annular permanent magnets and electromagnetic coils are surrounded by a ferromagnetic frame, the two annular permanent magnets being magnetized in an optical axis direction and symmetrical about the optical axis, where the electromagnetic coils adjust magnetic fields of the annular permanent magnets; and a substrate provided with circular apertures through which electron beams used in the column cells pass, respectively, where the electron beam converging unit is disposed in each of the circular apertures. The two annular permanent magnets may be disposed one above the other in the optical axis direction, and the electromagnetic coils may be provided inside or outside the annular permanent magnets in their radial direction.
US08390197B1
A low pressure Ultra Violet (UV) light source produces a high intensity output proportional to the inside diameter and length of a arc discharge column. The light source includes a cathode and anode contained within a high density ceramic body and a sapphire window mounted in line with the arc discharge column. The anode is in line with the arc column at the end opposite the sapphire window, and the cathode is disposed to an area outside the arc discharge column to which the arc moves through an aperture in the side of the arc discharge column structure. As the electrons move through the low pressure gas ionization of the gas occurs releasing photons in the UV region of the spectrum. The sum of the photons generated at each location along the arc discharge column produces the high intensity UV radiation that exits the lamp through a sapphire window.
US08390195B2
A high pressure discharge lamp may include a ceramic discharge vessel and a longitudinal axis, wherein at least one electrode is led out of the discharge vessel by means of a metal-containing feed-through, wherein the feed-through is connected to one end of the discharge vessel by way of a ceramic-containing adjustment part, wherein the adjustment part is tubular and consists of individual layers with different compositions, at least two materials A and B forming a plurality of layers of the adjustment part, these materials being chosen such that their coefficient of thermal expansion is between that of the feed-through and that of the end of the discharge vessel or at most is just outside, the layer thickness of each layer being so low that no shearing forces can occur, and the layer thickness of each layer of the same material being different.
US08390193B2
A light emitting device comprises: a thermally conductive substrate (MCPCB); at least one LED mounted in thermal communication with a surface of the substrate; a housing attached to the substrate and configured such the housing and substrate together define a volume that totally encloses the at least one LED, the housing comprising at least a part that is light transmissive (window); and at least one phosphor material provided on an inner surface of the housing within said volume said phosphor being operable to absorb at least a part of the excitation light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode and to emit light of a second wavelength range. The housing is attached to the substrate such that the volume is substantially water tight, preferably air/gas tight.
US08390187B2
A polarizing plate including a polarizing film, a retardation film, and a color adhesive layer disposed between the polarizing film and the retardation film, and an organic light-emitting device including the polarizing plate. The color adhesive layer may include a first dye that absorbs a first light beam having a peak wavelength of about 470 to about 510 nm, a second dye that absorbs a second light beam having a peak wavelength of about 540 to about 610 nm, and a binder.
US08390179B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a lead-free piezoelectric film including a lead-free ferroelectric material and having low dielectric loss and high piezoelectric performance comparable to that of PZT, and a method of manufacturing the lead-free piezoelectric film.The present invention is directed to a piezoelectric film comprising a (NaxBiy)TiO0.5x+1.5y+2—BaTiO3 layer with a (111) orientation, where 0.30≦x≦0.46 and 0.51≦y≦0.62.
US08390173B2
The MEMS switch comprises a substrate with signal-lines having fixed-contacts, a movable-plate with a movable-contact, a flexible support-member supporting the movable-plate, a static-actuator and a piezoelectric-actuator configured to contact the movable-contact with the fixed-contact. The movable-contact is provided at its longitudinal center with the movable-contact, and its both the longitudinal ends with static-movable-electrode-plate. The support-member is four strips disposed on portions outside of the both width ends of the movable plate. The strip extends along the longitudinal direction of the movable plate, provided with a first end fixed to the movable plate, and provided with a second end fixed to the substrate. The piezoelectric-element is disposed on an upper surface of the strip to be located at a portion outside of the width ends of the movable-plate. The piezoelectric-actuator is configured to develop the stress applied to the coupling-portion which is created between each the strip and the movable-plate.
US08390171B2
A linear drive ultrasonic motor includes at least an ultrasonic vibrator having a piezoelectric element, a driven member which is driven relatively by a frictional force between the ultrasonic vibrator and the driven member, a plurality of coupling members which are coupled with the driven member, a frame body which is coupled with the coupling member, a bias applying member which applies a bias to the driven member by the ultrasonic vibrator, a base member which movably supports the driven member, and a rolling member having a spherical shape which movably supports the driven member with respect to the base member. The plurality of coupling members include a positioning portion which determines a position of the respective frame body, and which have a shape which enables to fix by a point contact, sandwiching the frame body.
US08390169B2
An ultrasonic system is provided that includes an ultrasonic device having an elongated member configured to impart ultrasonic energy to tissue and a resonator configured to impart a frequency to the elongated member. The system also includes an ultrasonic generator configured to supply power to the resonator of the ultrasonic device. The ultrasonic generator has a drive signal generator configured to provide a drive signal, a noise signal generator configure to provide a noise signal, and a controller. The controller receives an output signal from the ultrasonic device and the noise signal from the noise signal generator, calculates a transfer function based on the output signal and the noise signal, and adjusts the drive signal generator based on the calculated transfer function.
US08390168B2
A permanent magnet-less, brushless synchronous system includes a stator that generates a magnetic rotating field when sourced by an alternating current. An uncluttered rotor disposed within the magnetic rotating field is spaced apart from the stator to form an air gap relative to an axis of rotation. A stationary excitation core spaced apart from the uncluttered rotor by an axial air gap and a radial air gap substantially encloses the stationary excitation core. Some permanent magnet-less, brushless synchronous systems include stator core gaps to reduce axial flux flow. Some permanent magnet-less, brushless synchronous systems include an uncluttered rotor coupled to outer laminations. The quadrature-axis inductance may be increased in some synchronous systems. Some synchronous systems convert energy such as mechanical energy into electrical energy (e.g., a generator); other synchronous systems may convert any form of energy into mechanical energy (e.g., a motor).
US08390165B2
Provided is a synchronous motor including a rotor having magnetic poles distributed circumferentially along a rotation direction of the rotor at equal intervals, and a stator having stator teeth arranged circumferentially along the rotation direction of the rotor, each tooth wound with a stator coil by concentrated winding. Every M consecutive stator teeth belong to one of stator teeth groups arranged at equal intervals. The M consecutive stator teeth in each stator teeth group are arranged at intervals different from the intervals of the magnetic poles of the rotor. The stator coils wound around the M consecutive stator teeth are connected to separate terminals. A motor driver supplies currents of different phases to the stator coils via the respective terminals.
US08390155B2
A coil former for a linear motor stator for an automatic door having a coil arrangement, which, upon appropriate activation, is able to produce an interaction with a linear motor rotor, which causes thrust forces, with a body for the reception of a winding wire to form a coil, and at least one flange terminating the body at the front side, wherein the at least one flange of the coil former has at least one wire reception, which is able to receive a predetermined length of the winding wire and is able to, at least partially, release it again.
US08390144B2
A method for operating an electric control device for at least one power unit of a motor vehicle, an operating temperature range being assigned to the control device, and the control device being automatically switched off if its temperature exceeds the operating temperature range. A switch-on of the automatically switched-off control device may be implemented only if its temperature is within the operating temperature range. Furthermore, a corresponding electric control device.
US08390142B2
A vertical axis wind turbine including: a vertical axis wind mill having a vertical shaft and a generator having a generator rotor shaft, wherein the vertical shaft of the wind mill share the same shaft with the generator rotor shaft. This arrangement simplifies the structure and increases the stability, reliability, and service lifetime of vertical axis wind turbines by making on-site assembly easy and cutting the on-site workload and cost, without undermining the wind resistance capability and safety prompting wider application of vertical axis wind turbines.
US08390139B2
A method for controlling a converter of a wind energy installation. The converter is connected to a rotor of a doubly-fed asynchronous generator for feeding electrical power into an electrical grid and comprises a generator-side inverter, a grid-side inverter, and at least one converter regulator for regulating and/or controlling currents emitted from at least one of the inverters to at least one of the generator and the electrical grid. The method includes detecting a change in electrical voltage present in at least one of emitted real currents and emitted reactive currents at one of the inverters, determining whether the detected change corresponds to a predetermined change, and changing nominal values of at least one of real currents to be emitted and reactive currents to be emitted from the other inverter if the detected change corresponds to the predetermined change.
US08390138B2
A wind energy installation can include a generator which is driven by a rotor and generates electrical power in a multiphase manner for feeding into a network, a converter which is connected to the generator and to the network, and a control system which interacts with the converter and includes a negative sequence system regulation mechanism. The negative sequence system regulation mechanism can include a phase control module configured to determine an electrical variable of the negative sequence system according to the phase. Accordingly, an available current can be provided according to the operating situation for active power or idle power in the negative sequence system regulation mechanism. The negative sequence system regulation mechanism can thus help stabilize the network in the event of asymmetrical network conditions. Also, this relates to a correspondingly equipped wind park and an operating method.
US08390134B2
To provide: a technique capable of suppressing a titanium nitride film that is exposed at the side surface of an opening from turning into a titanium oxide film even when water permeates the opening over a pad from outside a semiconductor device and thus improving the reliability of the semiconductor device; and a technique capable of suppressing a crack from occurring in a surface protective film of a pad and improving the reliability of a semiconductor device. An opening is formed so that the diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of another opening and the opening is included in the other opening. Due to this, it is possible to cover the side surface of an antireflection film that is exposed at the side surface of the other opening with a surface protective film in which the opening is formed. As a result of this, it is possible to form a pad without exposing the side surface of the antireflection film.
US08390132B2
A chip card in the form of an ID-1 card, a plug-in SIM or a USB token has a layered compound (12) with two (4, 5) or three (4, 5, 9) layers extending over the complete chip card (1). An exterior foil layer (4) has on its outward facing front side (4a) a communication contact layout (2) and on its back side (4b) a flip chip (7), as well as a flip chip contact layout (6) which is electroconductively connected with the communication contact layout (2) on the front side.
US08390128B2
A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip having a first region defined at a center portion of a first surface of the semiconductor chip, and having second and third regions defined on both sides of the first region, respectively. Bonding pads are disposed in the first region and a substrate having a substrate body is disposed in the second region of the semiconductor chip. The substrate includes an extension portion projecting away from the semiconductor chip. The substrate also includes circuit patterns disposed on the substrate body having a first ends placed adjacent to the bonding pads and second ends placed on the extension portion. Connection members electrically connect the first ends of the circuit patterns and the bonding pads.
US08390127B2
Scalability of a strain-inducing mechanism on the basis of a stressed dielectric overlayer may be enhanced by forming a single stress-inducing layer in combination with contact trenches, which may shield a significant amount of a non-desired stress component in the complementary transistor, while also providing a strain component in the transistor width direction when the contact material may be provided with a desired internal stress level.
US08390118B2
A semiconductor package having electrical connecting structures includes: a conductive layer having a die pad and traces surrounding the die pad; a chip; bonding wires; an encapsulant with a plurality of cavities having a depth greater than the thickness of the die pad and traces for embedding the die pad and the traces therein, and the cavities exposing the die pad and the traces; a solder mask layer formed in the cavities and having a plurality of openings for exposing the trace ends and a portion of the die pad; and solder balls formed in the openings and electrically connected to the trace ends. Engaging the solder mask layer with the encapsulant enhances adhesion strength of the solder mask layer so as to prolong the moisture permeation path and enhance package reliability.
US08390112B2
A method of making a microelectronic package, and a microelectronic package made according to the method. The method includes: bonding and thermally coupling a plurality of IC dies to an IHS panel to yield a die-carrying IHS panel, and mounting the die-carrying IHS panel onto a substrate panel including a plurality of package substrates by mounting perimeter ribs of the IHS panel to a corresponding pattern of sealant on the substrate panel and by mounting each of the plurality of dies to a corresponding one of the plurality of package substrates to yield a combination including the die-carrying IHS panel mounted to the substrate panel. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US08390111B2
One embodiment of a micro-electronic device includes a substrate including micro-electronic components thereon, and a cover including a ring of sealing material secured to the substrate and a raised ring of material positioned opposite the cover from the ring of sealing material.
US08390106B2
A circuit board includes an insulating member and a semiconductor chip encapsulated with the thermoplastic resin portion of the insulating member. A wiring member is located in the insulating member and electrically connected to first and second electrodes on respective sides of the semiconductor chip. The wiring member includes a pad, an interlayer connection member, and a connection portion. A diffusion layer is located between the first electrode and the connection portion, between the pad and the connection portion, and between the second electrode and the interlayer connection member. At least one element of the interlayer connection member has a melting point lower than a glass-transition point of the thermoplastic resin portion. The connection portion is made of material having a melting point higher than a melting point of the thermoplastic resin portion.
US08390105B2
A lead frame substrate, including: a metal plate having a first surface and a second surface; a semiconductor element mount portion and a semiconductor element electrode connection terminal that are formed on the first surface; an external connection terminal formed on the second surface and electrically connected to the semiconductor element electrode connection terminal; a conducting wire that connects the semiconductor element electrode connection terminal and the external connection terminal to each other; a resin layer formed on the metal plate; a hole portion that is partly formed in the second surface of the metal plate and does not penetrate the metal plate; and a plurality of protrusions that are formed on a bottom surface of the hole portion and protrude in a direction away from the metal plate, the protrusions having a height lower than a position of the second surface, not being in electrical conduction with the conducting wire, and being dispersed separately.
US08390097B2
An IGBT comprises trenches arranged in strips, first emitter diffusion layers formed so as to extend in a direction intersecting the trenches, and contact regions formed to have a rectangular shape. The portions of the contact regions on the first emitter diffusion layers have a smaller width than the other portions, the width extending in the direction intersecting the trenches. This configuration allows for an increase in the emitter ballast resistance of the emitter diffusion layers, resulting in enhanced resistance to electrical breakdown due to short circuit.
US08390095B2
An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; and a depletion region in the semiconductor substrate. A deep well region is substantially enclosed by the depletion region, wherein the deep well region is of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type. The depletion region includes a first portion directly over the deep well region and a second portion directly under the deep well region. An integrated circuit device is directly over the depletion region.
US08390093B1
A galvanic isolation system provides galvanic isolation in digital transfer integrated circuits by using conductivity modulation of the semiconductor substrate. Modulation of the conductivity of the substrate affects eddy current losses of a (differential) RF inductor that is isolated from the substrate by a sufficient amount of dielectric material, which provides a basis for signal transfer from the modulated substrate to the inductor across the isolation barrier.
US08390089B2
Provided is a back side illuminated image sensor device. The image sensor device includes a substrate having a front side and a back side opposite the front side. The image sensor also includes a radiation-detection device that is formed in the substrate. The radiation-detection device is operable to detect a radiation wave that enters the substrate through the back side. The image sensor further includes a deep trench isolation feature that is disposed adjacent to the radiation-detection device. The image sensor device further includes a doped layer that at least partially surrounds the deep trench isolation feature in a conformal manner.
US08390088B2
A photoelectric conversion device comprises a semiconductor substrate and a multilayer wiring structure, wherein the multilayer wiring structure includes a first wiring layer which serves as a top wiring layer in an effective region and contains aluminum as a principal component, a first insulation film arranged in the effective region and an light-shielded region so as to cover the first wiring layer, and a second wiring layer which serves as a top wiring layer arranged on the first insulation film in the light-shielded region and contains aluminum as a principal component, and wherein the first insulation film has, in the effective region, a first portion which is positioned above the photoelectric conversion unit, and the first portion functions as at least a part of an interlayer lens.
US08390080B2
A transistor and method of manufacturing thereof. A gate dielectric and gate are formed over a workpiece, and the source and drain regions of a transistor are recessed. The recesses are filled with a dopant-bearing metal, and a low-temperature anneal process is used to form doped regions within the workpiece adjacent the dopant-bearing metal regions. A transistor having a small effective oxide thickness and a well-controlled junction depth is formed.
US08390074B2
A structure for preventing latchup. The structure includes a latchup sensitive structure and a through wafer via structure bounding the latch-up sensitive structure to prevent parasitic carriers from being injected into the latch-up sensitive structure.
US08390071B2
A stackable electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection clamp (21) for protecting a circuit core (24) comprises, a bipolar transistor (56, 58) having a base region (74, 51, 52, 85) with a base contact (77) therein and an emitter (78) spaced a lateral distance Lbe from the base contact (77), and a collector (80, 86, 762) proximate the base region (74, 51, 52, 85). The base region (74, 51, 52, 85) comprises a first portion (51) including the base contact (77) and emitter (78), and a second portion (52) with a lateral boundary (752) separated from the collector (86, 762) by a breakdown region (84) whose width D controls the clamp trigger voltage, the second portion (52) lying between the first portion (51) and the boundary (752). The damage-onset threshold current It2 of the ESD clamp (21) is improved by increasing the parasitic resistance Rbe of the emitter-base region (74, 51, 52, 85), by for example, increasing Lbe or decreasing the relative doping density of the first portion (51) or a combination thereof.
US08390070B2
The ESD protection device includes a substrate, a well, a first doped region and a second doped region. The substrate has a first conductive type, and the substrate is electrically connected to a first power node. The well has a second conductive type, and is disposed in the substrate. The first doped region has the first conductive type, and is disposed in the well. The first doped region and the well are electrically connected to a second power node. The second doped region has the second conductive type, and is disposed in the substrate. The second doped region is in a floating state.
US08390064B2
A semiconductor device includes a first gate trench, a second gate trench, and a dummy gate trench provided in an active region extending in an X direction; and a first gate electrode, a second gate electrode, and a dummy gate electrode extending in a Y direction crossing the active region, at least a part of which are buried in the first gate trench, the second gate trench, and the dummy gate trench, respectively. The dummy gate electrode arranged between second and third diffusion layers isolates and separates a transistor constituted by the first gate electrode and first and second diffusion layers provided on both sides of the first gate electrode, respectively, from a transistor constituted by the second gate electrode and third and fourth diffusion layers provided on both sides of the second gate electrode, respectively.
US08390055B2
A memory string comprises a semiconductor layer, a charge storage layer, and a plurality of first conductive layers. The semiconductor layer includes a columnar portion that extends in a perpendicular direction to a substrate. The charge storage layer is formed around a side surface of the columnar portion. The plurality of first conductive layers are formed around the side surface of the columnar portion and the charge storage layer. A control circuit comprises a plurality of second conductive layers, an insulating layer, and a plurality of plug layers. The plurality of second conductive layers are formed in the same layers as the plurality of first conductive layers. The insulating layer is formed penetrating the plurality of second conductive layers in the perpendicular direction. The plurality of plug layers are formed penetrating the insulating layer in the perpendicular direction. The insulating layer has a rectangular shaped cross-section with a constricted portion in a horizontal direction to the substrate. The constricted portion is positioned on a long side of the cross-section.
US08390051B2
Methods of forming semiconductor device structures are disclosed. One method comprises forming a plurality of loops of a conductive material. Each loop of the plurality of loops comprises a uniform pattern. In one embodiment, a portion of the conductive material is removed from at least one location in each loop of the plurality of loops. Contacts are formed to the conductive material. A semiconductor device structure is also disclosed.
US08390048B2
For enhancing the high performance of a non-volatile semiconductor memory device having an MONOS type transistor, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device is provided with MONOS type transistors having improved performance in which the memory cell of an MONOS non-volatile memory comprises a control transistor and a memory transistor. A control gate of the control transistor comprises an n-type polycrystal silicon film and is formed over a gate insulative film comprising a silicon oxide film. A memory gate of the memory transistor comprises an n-type polycrystal silicon film and is disposed on one of the side walls of the control gate. The memory gate comprises a doped polycrystal silicon film with a sheet resistance lower than that of the control gate comprising a polycrystal silicon film formed by ion implantation of impurities to the undoped silicon film.
US08390046B2
A semiconductor device of the present invention has a semiconductor substrate having a transistor formed thereon; a multi-layered interconnect formed on the semiconductor substrate, and having a plurality of interconnect layers, respectively composed of an interconnect and an insulating film, stacked therein; and a capacitance element having a lower electrode (lower electrode film), a capacitor insulating film, and an upper electrode (upper electrode film), all of which being embedded in the multi-layered interconnect, so as to compose a memory element, and further includes at least one layer of damascene-structured copper interconnect (second-layer interconnect) formed between the capacitance element and the transistor; the upper surface of one of the interconnects (second-layer interconnect) and the lower surface of the capacitance element are aligned nearly in the same plane; and at least one layer of copper interconnect (plate line interconnect) is formed over the capacitance element.
US08390041B2
A module (1) includes a first functional device (2) and a second functional device (3). The first functional device (2) includes a base electrode, an emitter electrode and a collector electrode. The second functional device (3) includes at least one electrode. The module (1) further includes a conductive frame (4). One of the base electrode, the emitter electrode, and the collector electrode of the first functional device (2) is directly connected to the frame (4). The electrode of the second functional device (3) is also directly connected to the frame (4). The frame (4) includes a portion serving as a terminal for external connection.
US08390033B2
A semiconductor device is provided that includes a substrate, a static random access memory (SRAM) unit cell formed in the substrate, a first metal layer formed over the substrate, the first metal layer providing local interconnection to the SRAM unit cell, a second metal layer formed over the first metal layer, the second metal layer including: a bit line and a complementary bit line each having a first thickness and a Vcc line disposed between the bit line and the complementary bit line, and a third metal layer formed over the second metal layer, the third metal layer including a word line having a second thickness greater than the first thickness.
US08390032B2
A field effect transistor is provided having a reduced drain capacitance per unit gate width. A gate electrode 21 (G) having a plurality of sides is formed in first-conductivity first semiconductor region 14. Drain region 18D (D) is formed inside the gate electrode, and source regions 18S (S) are formed in respective regions outside the plurality of sides in widths that do not reduce the corresponding channel widths of the drain region. The gate electrode is formed along all the plurality of sides of the drain region in order to form a transistor.
US08390030B2
A semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer made of an AlxGa1−xN (0≦×<1); a second semiconductor layer provided on the first semiconductor layer and made of an undoped or first conductivity type AlyGa1−yN (0
US08390023B2
The present invention provides an inexpensive substrate which can realize m-plane growth of a crystal by vapor phase growth. In a sapphire substrate, an off-angle plane slanted from an m-plane by a predetermined very small angle is prepared as a growth surface, which is a template of the crystal, at the time of growing a crystal of GaN or the like, by a polishing process to prepare a stepwise substrate comprising steps and terraces. According to the above-described configuration, even if an inexpensive sapphire substrate, which normally does not form an m-plane (nonpolar plane) GaN film, is used as a substrate for crystal growth, the following advantages can be attained. Specifically, c-axis growth can be carried out from the plane of each step as an a-plane on the terrace by vapor phase growth, which is advantageous in the fabrication of a device, in order to grow an excellent GaN single crystal which has been epitaxially grown so that the m-plane is opposite to the surplane of the terrace, and, in the mean time, the steps become integrated (fused), whereby a device can be fabricated from a substrate of a GaN single crystal having no significant threading dislocation. Further, the use of the m-plane can advantageously eliminate the influence of piezo electric fields.
US08390018B2
A nitride-based semiconductor light emitting device with improved characteristics of ohmic contact to an n-electrode and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The nitride-based semiconductor light emitting device includes an n-electrode, a p-electrode, an n-type compound semiconductor layer, and an active layer and a p-type compound semiconductor layer formed between the n- and p-electrodes. The n-electrode includes: a first electrode layer formed of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Pd, Pt, Ni, Co, Rh, Ir, Fe, Ru, Os, Cu, Ag, and Au; and a second electrode layer formed on the first electrode layer using a conductive material containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Mo, W, Re, Ir, Al, In, Pb, Ni, Rh, Ru, Os, and Au.
US08390016B2
Methods and systems for coating of semiconductor devices using droplets of wavelength conversion or phosphor particles in a liquid medium. A plurality of nozzles delivers a controlled amount of the matrix material to the surface of the semiconductor device, with each of said nozzles having an opening for the matrix material to pass. The opening has a diameter wherein the diameter of the phosphor particles is less than or approximately equal to one half the diameter of the opening. The phosphor particles are also substantially spherical or rounded. The nozzles are typically arranged on a print head that utilizes jet printing techniques to cover the semiconductor device with a layer of the matrix material. The methods and systems are particularly applicable to covering LEDs with a layer of phosphor materials.
US08390014B2
Disclosed is a light emitting device including a second conductive semiconductor layer; an active layer on the second conductive semiconductor layer; a first semiconductor layer on the active layer, the first semiconductor layer having at least one lateral side with a step portion; and a lateral electrode on the step portion formed at the at least one lateral side of the first semiconductor layer.
US08390008B2
A light-emitting device, including a substrate; a LED element formed over the substrate including a transparent or semi-transparent electrode, a reflective electrode, and one or more layers, at least one of which is light-emitting, formed between the transparent or semi-transparent electrode and reflective electrode, the transparent or semi-transparent electrode and reflective electrode defining a single, controllable light-emitting area, wherein the LED element emits light into a waveguide defined by the transparent or semi-transparent electrode, reflective electrode, and the one or more layers; and one or more first topographical features and one or more second topographical features different from the first topographical features formed over the substrate within the single, controllable light-emitting area, wherein the first and second topographical features disrupt the waveguiding of light within the single, controllable light-emitting area to increase the emission of light in at least one direction.
US08390002B2
There are provided a light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. A light emitting device according to the present invention includes a substrate; an N-type semiconductor layer, an active layer and a P-type semiconductor layer, sequentially formed on the substrate; one or more trenches formed to expose the N-type semiconductor layer by partially removing at least the P-type semiconductor and active layers; a first insulating layer formed on sidewalls of the trenches; and a conductive layer filled in the trenches having the first insulating layer formed therein. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a characteristic of uniform current diffusion, and thus, light is uniformly emitted to thereby enhance the light emitting efficiency.
US08389999B2
A crystalline material structure with reduced dislocation density and method of producing same is provided. The crystalline material structure is annealed at temperatures above the brittle-to-ductile transition temperature of the crystalline material structure. One or more stress elements are formed on the crystalline material structure so as to annihilate dislocations or to move them into less harmful locations.
US08389997B2
The invention provides a light emitting device which is capable of displaying on both sides, has a small volume, and is capable of being used as a module. A light emitting element represented by an EL element and the like is used in a pixel portion, and two pixel portions are provided in one light emitting device. A first pixel portion has a structure to emit light only from a counter electrode side of the light emitting element. A second pixel portion has a structure to emit light only from a pixel electrode side of the light emitting element. That is, in the first pixel portion and the second pixel portion, directions of light emission are reverse in front and back.
US08389996B2
A method for forming a SnO-containing semiconductor film includes a first step of forming a SnO-containing film; a second step of forming an insulator film composed of an oxide or a nitride on the SnO-containing film to provide a laminated film including the SnO-containing film and the insulator film; and a third step of subjecting the laminated film to a heat treatment.
US08389992B2
A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor array panel is provided, the method includes forming a gate line on a substrate; forming a gate insulating layer on the gate line; forming a data line and a drain electrode on the gate insulating layer; forming an organic semiconductor layer on the data line, the drain electrode and an exposed portion of the gate insulating layer between the data line and the drain electrodel; forming a protective member fully covering the organic semiconductor layer; forming a passivation layer on the protective layer, the data line, and the drain electrode; forming a contact hole in the passivation layer to expose a portion of the drain electrode; and forming a pixel electrode on the passivation layer, the pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode through the contact hole.
US08389991B2
The present invention provides a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor as a channel, controlling threshold voltage to a positive direction, and realizing improved reliability. The thin film transistor includes: a gate electrode; a pair of source/drain electrodes; an oxide semiconductor layer provided between the gate electrode and the pair of source/drain electrodes and forming a channel; a first insulating film as a gate insulating film provided on the gate electrode side of the oxide semiconductor layer; and a second insulating film provided on the pair of source/drain electrodes side of the oxide semiconductor layer. The first insulating film and/or the second insulating film contain/contains fluorine.
US08389975B2
A Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device comprises a substrate (1) and a light-emitting layer (5) having the multiple quantum well structure that comprises barrier layers (5a) and well layers (5b) formed of a gallium-containing Group III nitride semiconductor material provided on the substrate. Each of the well layers constituting the multiple quantum well structure is made of a Group III nitride semiconductor layer to which acceptor impurities are added, and which has thicknesses different from one another and the same conductivity type as that of the barrier layer. The present invention can provide a Group III nitride semiconductor white light-emitting device which can enhance luminous intensity, can obtain high color rendering properties has a simple structure that can be easily formed without fine adjustment of a composition of a phosphor.
US08389972B2
To realize miniaturization and increased capacity of memories by lowering break voltage for causing resistance change and suppressing variation in break voltage.The nonvolatile memory device (10) in the present invention includes: a lower electrode (105) formed above a substrate (100); a first variable resistance layer (106a) formed above the lower electrode (105) and comprising a transitional metal oxide; a second variable resistance layer (106b) formed above the first variable resistance layer (106a) and comprising a transitional metal oxide having higher oxygen content than the transitional metal oxide of the first variable resistance layer (106a); and an upper electrode (107) formed above the second variable resistance layer (106b), wherein a step (106ax) is formed in an interface between the first variable is resistance layer (106a) and the second variable resistance layer (106b). The second variable resistance layer (106b) is formed covering the step (106ax) and has a bend (106bx) above the step (106ax).
US08389967B2
A device comprises a heater, a dielectric layer, a phase-change element, and a capping layer. The dielectric layer is disposed at least partially on the heater and defines an opening having a lower portion and an upper portion. The phase-change element occupies the lower portion of the opening and is in thermal contact with the heater. The capping layer overlies the phase-change element and occupies the upper portion of the opening. At least a fraction of the phase-change element is operative to change between lower and higher electrical resistance states in response to an application of an electrical signal to the heater.
US08389964B2
An ion implanting apparatus includes: an electrostatic accelerating tube for causing an ion beam extracted from an ion source to have a desirable energy, and deflecting the ion beam to be incident on a target, the electrostatic accelerating tube including deflecting electrodes provided to interpose the ion beam therebetween. The deflecting electrodes include a first deflecting electrode and a second deflecting electrode to which different electric potentials from each other are set. The second deflecting electrode is provided on a side where the ion beam is to be deflected and includes an upstream electrode provided on an upstream side of the ion beam and a downstream electrode provided apart from the upstream electrode toward a downstream side. An electric potential of the upstream electrode and an electric potential of the downstream electrode are independently set from each other.
US08389954B2
The present invention discloses a system and method for generating a beam of fast ions. The system comprising: a target substrate having a patterned surface, a pattern comprising nanoscale pattern features oriented substantially uniformly along a common axis; and; a beam unit adapted for receiving a high power coherent electromagnetic radiation beam and focusing it onto said patterned surface of the target substrate to cause interaction between said radiation beam and said substrate enabling creation of fast ions.
US08389953B2
A focused ion beam apparatus includes an ion gun unit having an emitter tip, a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the tip, and an ion source gas supply source. An extracting electrode ionizes the gas adsorbed onto the surface of the tip and extracts ions by applying a voltage between the extracting electrode and the tip. A cathode electrode accelerates the ions toward a sample. An aperture member has an opening that passes therethrough a part of the ion beam ejected from the ion gun unit, and a lens system focuses the ion beam onto the sample.
US08389952B2
There is provided a particle beam irradiation apparatus in which two or more pairs of scanning electromagnets are utilized so that scanning of a charged particle beam can be performed with a high accuracy and with a high flexibility in the speed, from a low speed to a high speed. In a particle beam irradiation apparatus that scans an incident charged particle beam on X-direction and Y-direction (two-direction) desired orbits perpendicular to the travelling direction of the charged particle beam and irradiates the charged particle beam onto an irradiation subject, there are provided two or more pairs of scanning electromagnets that scan a charged particle beam in the two directions; the desired orbit is given by time-series desired orbit data in which desired irradiation positions corresponding to time are determined; and command values for respective scanning electromagnets in the two or more pairs of scanning electromagnets are generated based on plural pieces of data obtained by frequency-separating the time-series desired orbit data.
US08389948B2
An Aharonov-Bohm (AB) sensor is provided. The AB sensor includes a beam splitter configured to split a first electron beam into a first wave and a second wave. The beam splitter is configured to direct the first wave along a first path through a field-free cage. A phase of the first wave is configured to shift in response to a vector potential of a signal. The vector potential is present within the field-free cage. The AB sensor includes a beam combiner configured to combine the phase shifted first wave with the second wave to generate a second electron beam, which is modulated based on the phase shift of the first wave. The AB sensor includes a detector configured to receive the second electron beam and to detect the signal based on the modulation of the second electron beam.
US08389940B2
The invention relates to a novel discriminating molecule family for neutron and gamma radiation, and to the preparation method thereof. Said molecules are also useful for detecting radiation (X, gamma, electrons, protons, ions), and thus for manufacturing radar, and industrial or medical dosimetry instruments.
US08389930B2
A mass spectrometer and method for operating the same. The mass spectrometer includes a vacuum chamber and an input port that receives ions to be analyzed in the mass spectrometer. The chamber is adapted to operate at a pressure less than a first pressure, and includes a wall that separates the chamber from an environment outside the chamber at atmospheric pressure. The input port provides a pressure drop between the outside environment at a second pressure and the chamber. The input port includes a plurality of channels, each channel having first and second electrodes arranged on opposing surfaces of that channel and having first and second ends. The first end of each channel is at a pressure equal to the first pressure and the second end is at a pressure less than the second pressure.
US08389928B2
An X-ray detector includes a directly converting semiconductor layer for converting an incident radiation into electrical signals with a band gap energy characteristic of the semiconductor layer, and at least one light source for coupling light into the semiconductor layer, wherein the generated light, for the simulation of incident X-ray quanta, has an energy above the band gap energy of the semiconductor layer. One embodiment includes at least one evaluation unit for calculating an evaluation signal from the electrical signals generated when the light is coupled into the semiconductor layer, and at least one calibration unit for calibrating at least one pulse discriminator on the basis of the evaluation signal. This provides the prerequisites for a rapidly repeatable calibration of the X-ray detector taking into account of the present polarization state without using X-ray radiation. Another embodiment additionally relates to a calibration method for such an X-ray detector.
US08389924B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a detector comprising first and second lenses for use with respective first and second sensing means; each lens comprising a plurality of Fresnel facets having respective fields of view adapted such that the fields of view of the first lens are alternately arranged with the fields of view of the second lens such that the fields of view of the first lens are adjacent only to, but do not overlap with, the fields of view of the second lense in a single direction.
US08389922B2
A sensing device is provided. The sensing device includes a sensing pixel array and a memory unit. The sensing pixel array is formed in a substrate and includes a plurality of pixels for sensing light. The substrate has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side and receives the light through the first side for sensing the light. The memory unit is formed on the second side of the substrate for memorization.
US08389918B2
An actuated feedforward controlled solar tracker system including a sub-frame supporting at least one solar panel, a post supporting the sub-frame, and a linking mechanism connecting the sub-frame and post, where the linking mechanism includes a first axle, second axle and body member. The linking mechanism's first and second axles are disposed orthogonal to each other and are separated by the body member. The system includes at least two linear actuators, a rotational joint connecting the linear actuators and sub-frame, and a driver system that drives the actuators. Additionally, the system includes a feedforward control system including a computer that calculates desired positions of the linear actuators using multiple inputs and communicates with the driver system to drive the linear actuators, and a feedback control system that relays information gathered by sensor devices to the feedforward control system, where the feedforward and feedback control systems function in an integrated manner.
US08389910B2
A wiper assembly having a wiper with an inductively heatable portion, and an induction heating device including an induction work coil which is configured to be placed near the wiper to inductively heat the inductively heatable portion. The inductively heatable portion may be in the wiper blade, the wiper arm which supports the blade, or both. The induction work coil may be placed on or near the windshield or other surface which is cleaned by the wiper and may heat the wiper regardless of its position or only when the wiper is at a specific location such as its retracted “rest” position. The wiper assembly may also include a temperature sensor for sensing a current temperature of the wiper and control circuitry associated with the induction heating device for controlling operation of the work coil.)
US08389903B2
The invention relates to methods and devices for the production of micro-structured substrates and their application in natural sciences and technology, in particular in microfluidic and analysis devices and provides a method of introducing a structure, preferably a hole or cavity or channel or well or recess, in a region of an electrically insulating substrate (s), said method comprising the steps: a) providing an electrically insulating substrate (s), b) storing electrical energy across said substrate using an energy storage element (c) which is charged with said electrical energy, said energy storage element being electrically connected to said substrate, said electrical energy being sufficient to significantly heat, and/or melt and/or evaporate parts or all of a region of said substrate, c) applying additional energy, preferably heat, to said substrate or a region thereof to increase the electrical conductivity of said substrate or said region thereof, and thereby initiate a current flow and, subsequently, a dissipation of said stored electrical energy within the substrate and d) dissipating said stored electrical energy, wherein the rate of dissipating said stored electrical energy is controlled by a current and power modulating element, said current and power modulating element being part of the electrical connection between said energy storage element and said substrate. A device for performing the method is also provided.
US08389896B2
It is desirable for the production of workpieces, which are sometimes produced by a rapid prototyping method, to be further automatable. To this end a device is provided having a laser for generating a laser beam in order to set a material, and a workpiece support which can be exposed directly to the laser. There is also provided an optical instrument for redirecting and deviating the laser beam so that the workpiece support can also be exposed indirectly to the laser. Material can therefore also be cured more easily in undercuts of workpiece blanks.
US08389892B2
A novel method of characterizing laser drilled boreholes is disclosed. The method uses x-ray microscopy for dimensional characterization. The x-ray output may be processed to control manufacturing equipment in automated production systems, including laser drilling systems and swaging apparatus.
US08389890B2
In one aspect the invention provides a method for laser induced breakdown of a material with a pulsed laser beam where the material is characterized by a relationship of fluence breakdown threshold (Fth) versus laser beam pulse width (T) that exhibits an abrupt, rapid, and distinct change or at least a clearly detectable and distinct change in slope at a predetermined laser pulse width value. The method comprises generating a beam of laser pulses in which each pulse has a pulse width equal to or less than the predetermined laser pulse width value. The beam is focused above the surface of a material where laser induced breakdown is desired. The region of least confusion (minimum beam waist or average spot size) is above the surface of the material in which laser induced breakdown is desired since the intensity of the beam falls off in the forward direction, preferably the region of the beam at or within the surface is between the region of least confusion and sufficient to remove material and the minimum intensity necessary for laser induced breakdown of the material to be removed, most preferably the region of minimum intensity is disposed at the surface of the material to be removed. The beam may be used in combination with a mask in the beam path. The beam or mask may be moved in the x, y, and Z directions to produce desired features. The technique can produce features smaller than the spot size and Rayleigh range due to enhanced damage threshold accuracy in the short pulse regime.
US08389876B2
A high voltage bushing including a voltage grading shield in two parts.
US08389868B2
Packaged integrated circuits having inductors and methods to form inductors in packaged integrated circuits are disclosed. An example method comprises forming a substrate having a first trace and a contact, attaching an integrated circuit to the substrate over the first trace, and electrically coupling the first trace to the contact via an electrical conductor that extends over the integrated circuit to form the inductor in the packaged integrated circuit.
US08389857B2
A mounting structure enables a portable remote control device, that operates a load control device of a wirelessly controlled lighting system, to be mounted to a vertical surface (e.g., to an opening of an electrical wallbox). The mounting structure comprises a mounting fixture for attaching to the vertical surface, an opening sized to receive the remote control device, and a flexible leaf in the opening that receives the remote control device. The flexible leaf may project upwardly in the opening for receiving a flanged recess of the remote control device disposed on a rear surface of the remote control device, whereby the remote control device can be slidably received on the flexible leaf and when fully received on the leaf is retained in position on the mounting structure such that the remote control device is framed by the opening in the mounting structure.
US08389856B2
There is provided a waterproof structure for the electrical junction box includes a stepwise portion in which a punched hole has to be provided for molding a locking projection on a peripheral wall of a main-body case. The waterproof structure prevents intrusion of a droplet from an outside into the main-body case via the punched hole and thereby improves waterproof performance. An extended portion 37d is provided on a left wall portion 22 of the main-body case 2 for moving the position of the punched hole which should be provided in the stepwise portion 35 toward the side of the locking projection 33. A hole-sealing portion 47a is provided at a edge portion 42a of the left wall portion 42 of the cover 4, the hole-sealing portion 47a is configured to cover the entire opening of the punched hole 37 moved toward the side of the locking projection 33 in a state where the cover is attached to the main-body case 2.
US08389853B2
Photovoltaic devices and methods of making the same, are disclosed herein. The cell comprises: a first electrically conductive layer; at least one photoelectrochemical layer comprising metal-oxide particles, an electrolyte solution, an asphaltene dye, and a second electrically conductive layer.
US08389844B2
In response to detection of a note-on instruction, a CPU assigns a tone generating unit comprising two tone generating channels and sets tone color control data of the assigned tone generating unit into tone generator registers. The tone color control data includes a parameter common to the two channels. Once the CPU gives a tone generation start instruction to a tone generator, the tone generator accumulates a frequency number common to the two channels to thereby generate a progressive phase common to the two channels. Waveform readout section reads out left-channel and right-channel waveform data from a waveform memory on the basis of the phase and waveform selecting information of the left and right channels. Tone characteristics of the read-out left- and right-channel waveform data are controlled by a characteristic control section on the basis of a characteristic control parameter common to the two channels.
US08389843B2
A system and method for positioning, on an electronic display, an additional musical symbol based on the location of one or more existing musical symbols can include determining one or more positional constraints on the additional musical symbol. The one or more positional constraints can include one or more preferred quantities. Each of the one or more positional constraints can be automatically defined as being either a time-based positional constraint or a space-based positional constraint. The additional symbol can be positioned in a measure of a staff at a distance away from one of the one or more existing musical symbols. The distance can be at least in part determined by at least one of the one or more preferred quantities.
US08389842B2
A system and method for improving the gripping surface of the handle of a manual tool, implement, or instrument. In a preferred embodiment the present invention includes one or more elastomeric bands stretched over the handle of the tool, implement, or instrument. A shrinkable sleeve is then placed over the bands and shrunk tightly over the handle. The result is a ribbed gripping surface on the handle to improve gripability of the tool, implement, or instrument. In another preferred embodiment, adhesive is used to secure the elastomeric band to the handle before shrinking the sleeve to improve precision in the placement of the rings and durability of the finished gripping surface.
US08389839B2
A thumb pick formed as a unitary one-piece body having a substantially inflexible pick point portion including at least one slot extending between an upper surface and a lower surface of the pick point portion. A pliable strap portion extends away from the pick point portion toward a tail portion including a terminal end. The pliable strap portion is designed to wrap around a musician's thumb, while the tail portion becomes engaged in the slot with the tail portion confined between the upper and lower surfaces of the pick point portion. A gusset can be included on an upper surface of the pick point portion to strengthen the inflexibility of the pick point portion. The tail portion of the strap can include a series of grooves while the slot includes a pawl designed to engage at least one of the series of grooves to secure the strap within the slot.
US08389834B2
A key drive device to be installed on a musical instrument with a keyboard partly located above a leg block via a key bed, including: drive units to be at least partly inserted into a removal space in the key bed. In a state in which the drive units are installed, at least one drive unit which drives at least one key located above the leg block includes: (a) a first portion at least a part of which is inserted into an insertion space portion of the removal space between the leg block and the keyboard; and (b) a second portion at least a part of which is disposed in other space portion of the removal space, a dimension of the second portion in at least one of a vertical direction and a horizontal short-side direction being larger than that of the first portion.
US08389827B1
A novel maize variety designated X6K288 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 X6K288 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X6K288 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X6K288, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X6K288. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X6K288.
US08389816B1
A soybean cultivar designated 02062556 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 02062556, to the plants of soybean cultivar 02062556, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 02062556, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 02062556. 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 02062556. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 02062556, 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 02062556 with another soybean cultivar.
US08389815B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1023761. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1023761. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1023761 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1023761 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08389807B2
A method for increasing efficiency of germplasm screening for transformability may include providing a plurality of lines of plant target tissue to be transformed, characterizing each of the lines to provide characterization data, the characterization data comprises DNA or nucleic acid delivery technique response data and tissue culture response data, eliminating one or more of the plurality of lines based on the characterization data without performing transformation of the plurality of lines, such that a subset of the plurality of lines remains, and performing transformation experiments on the subset of the plurality of lines. The method may also include selecting a DNA or nucleic acid delivery technique protocol and a tissue culture protocol prior to the characterization.
US08389799B1
A novel maize variety designated X8M238 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 X8M238 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8M238 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8M238, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8M238. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8M238.
US08389798B2
The present invention is in the field of plant breeding and genetics, particularly as it pertains to the genus, Glycine. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for screening soybean plants containing one or more quantitative trait loci for disease resistance, species of Glycine having such loci and methods for breeding for and screening of Glycine with such loci. The invention further relates to the use of exotic germplasm in a breeding program.
US08389797B2
The present invention is in the field of plant breeding and aphid resistance. More specifically, the invention includes a method for breeding soybean plants containing quantitative trait loci that are associated with resistance to aphids, Aphis glycines. The invention further includes method for monitoring the introgression quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring aphid resistance into elite germplasm in a breeding program.
US08389781B2
The catalyst comprises at least a metal component and at least a non-metallic conducting component as supplement component. The metal component generally contains one or more metals of the groups VIb, VIIb or VIIIb of the periodic table. The supplement component is e.g. a conducting carbon material like graphite, a conducting polymer or a conducting metal oxide. Preferably it is hydrophobic or made hydrophobic. The catalyst is used for hydroprocessing of bio-feedstock like vegetable oils to produce fuels, which are aliphatic hydrocarbons comparable to conventional fuel from mineral oil.
US08389778B2
Methods for preparing mannitol modification III are described herein. The methods relate to preparing solutions of mannitol in a suitable solvent and an auxiliary agent and solidifying from the solutions mannitol of modification III.
US08389777B2
Continuous process for producing a chlorohydrin, wherein a polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, an ester of a polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon or a mixture thereof is reacted with a chlorinating agent and an organic acid in a liquid reaction medium whose steady-state composition comprises the polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon and esters of the polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon whose sum content, expressed as moles of polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, is greater than 1.1 mol % and less than or equal to 30 mol %, the percentage being based on the organic part of the liquid reaction medium.
US08389766B2
A compound of formula (I): wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, R1, R2, G1, G2, Q1 and Q2 are as defined in claim 1; or a salt or N-oxide thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to processes and intermediates for preparing compounds of formula (I), to insecticidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal and nematicidal compositions comprising them and to methods of using them to combat and control insect, acarine, mollusc and nematode pests.
US08389752B2
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide alicyclic diepoxide compounds and methods for forming such compounds. Such methods encompass charging a reaction vessel with an appropriate diene and an appropriate dienophile and causing such to react to form and recover a desired alicyclic diepoxide precursor where such precursor is subsequently epoxidized. Such compounds encompass alicyclic diepoxides having purities of at least 95 percent or at least 98 percent with respect non-isomeric residues and are essentially free of any isomeric alicyclic diepoxide residues.
US08389750B2
The invention is a method of purifying propylene oxide containing acetone, water, methanol, methyl formate, aldehydes, and hydrocarbons impurities. The method comprises contacting the propylene oxide with a glycol and a C7 or greater alkane in a liquid/liquid solvent extraction, and separating propylene oxide having reduced impurities content. The purified propylene oxide may be produced by reacting propylene and a hydroperoxide to produce a crude propylene oxide effluent, distilling the crude effluent to produce a propylene oxide stream which contains 1-5 weight percent of the impurities, contacting the propylene oxide stream with a glycol and a C7 or greater alkane in a liquid/liquid solvent extraction, then separating an alkane fraction comprising propylene oxide from a glycol fraction, and distilling the alkane fraction in one or more steps to produce an alkane bottoms stream and a propylene oxide product having less than 0.1 weight percent impurities.
US08389748B2
Disclosed is a method for preparing a prostaglandin derivative of formula (A): which comprises reacting an aldehyde represented by formula (1): with a 2-oxoalkyl phosphonate in a reaction solvent under the presence of alkali hydroxide as sole base. By carrying out the reaction using an alkali hydroxide as sole base in the reaction system, the desired prostaglandin derivative can be obtained by simple procedures and with high yield.
US08389746B2
A one pot method of preparing cyclic carbonyl compounds comprising an active pendant pentafluorophenyl carbonate group is disclosed. The cyclic carbonyl compounds can be polymerized by ring opening methods to form ROP polymers comprising repeat units comprising a side chain pentafluorophenyl carbonate group. Using a suitable nucleophile, the pendant pentafluorophenyl carbonate group can be selectively transformed into a variety of other functional groups before or after the ring opening polymerization.
US08389745B2
Reagents are provided for the introduction of phosphonate groups into fluorescent dyes. Methods are also provided for preparing dye conjugates.
US08389744B1
The present invention is directed towards a new class of semi-conducting acene derivatives. These compounds are soluble species and they all possess superior thermal stability and photooxidative resistance as compared to their counterparts that lack the substitution patterns disclosed herein.
US08389738B2
A production method of an isoxazoline-substituted benzoic acid amide compound of Formula (1) where X is a halogen atom, C1-6 haloalkyl, etc., Y is a halogen atom, C1-6 alkyl, etc., R1 is a C1-6 haloalkyl, etc., R2 and R3 independently of each other are a hydrogen atom, C1-6 alkyl, etc., R4 is C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 haloalkyl, etc., R5 is a hydrogen atom, c1-6 alkyl, etc., m is an integer of 0 to 5, n is an integer of 0 to 4, including: reacting an isoxazoline-substituted benzene compound of Formula (3) where X, Y, R1, m, and n are the same as defined above, L is a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, —C(O)OH, —C(O)J, etc., J is a halogen atom, with a 2-aminoacetic acid amide compound of Formula (2) where R2, R3, R4, and R5 are the same as defined above, or a salt thereof; crystal forms and the production method thereof.
US08389720B2
The present invention is directed to quinolone compounds which are antagonists of neuropeptide S receptors, and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which the neuropeptide S receptor is involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the neuropeptide S receptor is involved.
US08389715B1
A nanostructured molecular unit and method for forming is described where a cationic porphyrin having an ethanolic substituent species and a metal in the porphyrin cavity is combined with an anionic porphyrin having a sulfonate substituent species and a metal in the porphyrin cavity to form by self-assembly a nanostructured molecular unit with a morphology comprising four dendritic elements connected at a central node.
US08389711B2
Provided is a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer and asthma.The object can be solved by a pharmaceutical composition comprising a siRNA molecule that directs cleavage of mRNA of mucin subtype 5 AC via RNA interference, or an antibody against mucin subtype 5AC as an active ingredient. According to the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention, diseases involving an overexpression of mucin subtype 5 AC can be treated efficiently. In particular, the pharmaceutical composition comprising a siRNA molecule of the present invention is effectively used in the treatment of a cancer, particularly pancreatic cancer. In addition, the siRNA or the antibody of the present invention can inhibit the expression or function of MUC5AC, thereby preventing or treating the symptoms of asthma effectively.
US08389708B2
The present invention is a method for the treatment of cancer involving tumor derived immunosuppression in a subject. The method comprises administering to a subject one or more siRNA constructs capable of inhibiting the expression of an immunosuppressive molecule. The invention also provides siRNA constructs and compositions.
US08389704B2
This invention relates to binding members, especially antibody molecules, for IgE. The binding members are useful for, inter alia, treatment of disorders mediated by IgE including allergies and asthma.
US08389697B2
The present invention relates to conjugates of therapeutically useful anthracyclines with carriers such as polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, proteins or peptides of natural or synthetic origin; methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical composition containing them and use thereof in treating certain mammalian tumors.
US08389694B2
An isolated and characterized monoclonal antibody (“440c”) prepared by immunizing Wistar/CRL rats subcutaneously with purified rat bone marrow IPC, fusing popliteal lymph nodes of the rats with SP2/0 myeloma spleen cells and differentially selecting for hybridome supernatants that successfully stain bone marrow derived IPC and fractions thereof using CD11c+ spleen cells and, differentially selecting for hybridoma supernatants from the CD11c+ spleen cells that successfully stain only CD 11 c+/Ly6c+/CD 11 b−/B220+ splenocytes to provide the monoclonal antibody.
US08389692B2
The present invention provides an antibody which has the following features, its active fragment, or a derivative thereof: a) It specifically binds to human platelet membrane glycoprotein VI (GPVI); b) The function to activate a platelet and/or the function to induce a thrombocytopenia in vivo are low; and c) It at least partially depletes GPVI on the platelet membrane by contacting with a platelet.
US08389686B2
The present invention provides a collagen crosslinking agent superior in biocompatibility that is free from the damage by UV irradiation and also from the problems of toxicity caused by residual monomer or unreacted functional groups. Provided is a noncovalent collagen crosslinking agent (for fibrous protein collagen), comprising a spacer of a polyvalent alcohol having two or more OH groups at the terminals and arms of collagen peptides formed of repetitions of three amino acids, the arms being bound via the OH groups to the spacer.
US08389682B2
The invention relates to Staphylococcus epidermidis peptides, antibodies and nucleic acids that can inhibit Staphylococcus epidermidis infection of a mammalian subject and colonization of a medical device in the mammal.
US08389672B2
A diaphragm for electro-acoustic transducers, especially a diaphragm for speakers, and a film for the diaphragm excellent in the formability and the durability in high-output operation are obtained. A diaphragm for electro-acoustic transducers formed of a film that contains a polybiphenyl ether sulfone resin (A) having a specific repetitive unit or contains it and a crystalline resin (B) such as polyaryl ketone resin; and a film for use for the diaphragm.
US08389671B2
The present invention can provide a composition for optical members, which contains (a) a compound having one or more of any group selected from the group consisting of an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, an allyl group and a vinyl group and one or more β-epithiopropyl groups in a molecule. In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the composition for optical members further contains at least one compound selected from (b) a compound having one or more β-epithiopropyl groups in a molecule while having no polymerizable unsaturated bond group, (c) an inorganic compound having a sulfur atom and/or a selenium atom, (d) a compound having one or more thiol groups in a molecule, (e) a compound having one or more amino groups in a molecule while having no heterocyclic ring, and (f) a compound having one or more of at least one group selected from the group consisting of a vinyl group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group and an allyl group in a molecule.
US08389649B2
The present invention is a siloxane-based resin composition including a siloxane-based resin and an imidosilane compound having a specific structure. Moreover, the present invention is a siloxane-based resin composition including a siloxane-based resin which is a reactive product to be obtained by hydrolyzing an alkoxysilane compound and an imidosilane compound having a specific structure and then making the resulting hydrolysate undergo a condensation reaction. According to the present invention, it is possible to form a cured film excellent in adhesion.
US08389646B2
The present invention refers to medical devices comprising a modified Co-Polymer or to the modified Co-Polymer itself having high flexibility and high stress resistance, especially tensile strength or tear resistance, in addition to the good physical characteristics of a Block-Co-Polymers of a polyamide and a polycarbonate, either polycarbonate diol or polycarbonate diamine.
US08389642B2
A method of treating a polymer includes oxidatively treating the polymer including a carbon-carbon bond framework in a gas atmosphere at a pressure of not less than 5.0 MPa and at a temperature of higher than 140° C. and lower than 200° C. by using oxygen included in the gas atmosphere.
US08389641B2
The present invention provides a modified diene rubber which can be produced economically and improve low-loss properties and wear resistance of a rubber composition made therefrom, as compared with the conventional modified diene rubber. The present invention further provides: a method of producing the modified diene rubber; a rubber composition using the modified diene rubber; and a tire using the rubber composition. Specifically, the present invention provides: a modified diene rubber, produced by first oxidizing diene rubber latex and then adding a polar group-including hydrazide compound to a terminal end of a molecular chain of the diene rubber; a rubber composition, comprising the modified diene rubber; and a tire, comprising a tire member made of the rubber composition.
US08389635B2
The present disclosure describes a polypropylene resin composition useful for the preparation of buried structures such as corrugated, non-pressure pipe.
US08389629B2
A multi-layered adhesive sheet 100, includes: a substrate film 106, an adhesive layer 103 formed by coating an adhesive having a specific composition onto this substrate film 106, and a die attachment film 105 laminated on the adhesive layer 103. The multi-layered adhesive sheet 100 employing an adhesive having this specific composition has superior retention of die chip 108 during the dicing of silicon wafer 101, allows the die attachment film 105 and adhesive layer 103 to be easily peeled apart during a pick-up operation of the die chip 108, and prevents poor adhesion during the bonding of die chip 108 to lead frame 111.
US08389624B2
A stable liquid intermediate comprising a polyol, and/or an acid and/or a catalyst and/or water for the preparation of polymeric compositions, the polyol being polyester polyol, a polyoxpropylene-polyoxypropylene polyol or a mixture thereof. There is disclosed a method of use of said stable liquid intermediate wherein said stable liquid intermediate is mixed with rubber granules.
US08389622B2
A non-aqueous pigment ink comprising a pigment, a pigment dispersant and a non-aqueous solvent, wherein the pigment dispersant is an acrylic polymer comprising, as constituent monomers, (M1) an alkyl (meth)acrylate having an alkyl group of 12 or more carbon atoms, (M2) a (meth)acrylic acid derivative having an amino group, and (M3) (meth)acrylic acid and/or a (meth)acrylic acid derivative having a carboxyl group, in which a combination of all the constituent monomers comprises from 8 to 15 mol % of the monomer (M2) and from 0.6 to 8 mol % of the monomer (M3), and the molar ratio (M2)/(M3) between the monomer (M2) and the monomer (M3) is within a range from 1.3 to 15.
US08389618B2
A composition includes an elastomeric composition. The elastomeric composition can include an epichlorohydrin composition, and the elastomeric composition can be substantially free of a fluoroelastomer composition. The composition can further include a filler material which includes a reinforcement-grade carbon black. The composition can further include a peroxide curative.
US08389617B2
The invention provides structurally modified, pyrogenically prepared silicas obtained by reaction of pyrogenic silicas with cyclic polysiloxanes of the type —[O—Si(R2)]n—, where R is a C1 to C6 alkyl group and n is 3 to 9, and subsequent structural modification of the silanized silicas obtained. The invention further provides an adhesive comprising the structurally modified, pyrogenically prepared silicas.
US08389615B2
A composition comprising: (i) at least one low molecular weight polyolefin; (ii) at least one block copolymer obtainable by selectively hydrogenating a block copolymer having terminal polymeric blocks of a vinyl aromatic monomer and a mid-block prepared originally with an olefin and subsequently hydrogenated; (iii) at least one polypropylene; and (iv) at least one plastomer, wherein the plastomer is an ethylene based polymer having a density of 0.86 g/cc to about 0.910 g/cc or a propylene based polymer having a heat of fusion (Hf) of 70 J/g or less.
US08389614B2
Biodegradable nanopolymer compositions and methods of making the compositions are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a biodegradable nanopolymer composition made from starting material comprising poly(lactic acid), co-polyester polymer with adipic acid compounded and nanoparticles of a mineral material such as silica and magnesium silicate. In addition, the present disclosure provides processes for making the biodegradable nanopolymer compositions as well as biodegradable articles made using the biodegradable nanopolymer compositions such as molded, formed and extruded articles.
US08389613B2
Water-emulsifiable polyisocyanate compositions admixed with at least one solvent of formula (1) (R1O)2C(R2)—X—R3 are formulated into aqueous emulsions which advantageously further comprise a compound, bearing a mobile hydrogen function, or a compound containing precursor functions capable of liberating hydroxyl functions, and are useful for producing coatings on a variety of substrates, e.g., made of cement, wood or leather in particular, and also for producing adhesives.
US08389607B2
Golf ball 2 has core 4, cover 6 and paint layer 12. The base polymer of the cover 6 includes a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The cover 6 includes a benzotriazole based ultraviolet ray absorbing agent, a hindered amine light stabilizer and a hindered phenol heat resistance stabilizer. Provided that the molar concentration of the benzotriazole based ultraviolet ray absorbing agent is defined as A; the molar concentration of the hindered amine light stabilizer is defined as B; and the molar concentration of the hindered phenol heat resistance stabilizer is defined as C, the molar ratio (B/A) is 0.01 or greater and 0.5 or less, and the molar ratio [(B+C)/A] is 0.1 or greater and 1.5 or less. Preferably, the hindered amine light stabilizer does not have a hindered phenol group in the molecule. Preferably, the principal component of the elastomer is a reaction product of MDI and polyether polyol.
US08389600B2
Provided are an ink jet ink set, an ink jet recording method, and an ink jet recording apparatus each of which can reduce the graininess of an image to be recorded and improve the water fastness of the image even in a recording medium such as plain paper. The ink jet ink set has a first ink and a second ink independently, and is used so that the first and second inks overlap each other at least partly upon application of the inks to a recording medium. The first ink contains at least a pigment and a silicone oil. The second ink contains at least a pigment and a graft polymer that includes at least a nonionic unit represented by the general formula (I) and a unit having a polysiloxane structure.
US08389595B2
The invention relates to the production of superabsorbent polymers comprising polymerizing a monomer solution on a continuous belt reactor, wherein the consistency of the formed polymer gel at the end of the continuous belt reactor is controlled by adjusting the intensity of energy-rich radiation.
US08389592B2
Optical elements, in particular for holographic applications, have a gradient structure formed by a refractive index gradient and include one or more organic polymers and at least one ionic liquid.
US08389589B2
A nanoporous material exhibiting a lamellar structure is disclosed. The material comprises three or more substantially parallel sheets of an organosilicate material, separated by highly porous spacer regions. The distance between the centers of the sheets lies between 1 nm and 50 nm. The highly porous spacer regions may be substantially free of condensed material. For the manufacture of such materials, a process is disclosed in which matrix non-amphiphilic polymeric material and templating polymeric material are dispersed in a solvent, where the templating polymeric material includes a polymeric amphiphilic material. The solvent with the polymeric materials is distributed onto a substrate. Organization is induced in the templating polymeric material. The solvent is removed, leaving the polymeric materials in place. The matrix polymeric material is cured, forming a lamellar structure.
US08389585B2
The embodiments of the present invention are characterized by degasifying a portion of a gas and slurry mixture in a three-phase slurry process and lowering the solids content of the degassed slurry portion to below about 20 wt %. The degassed and lowered solids content slurry portion is then introduced into a fines separation device for separation and removal of fines. The foregoing procedure has been found to increase the effectiveness of the fines separation device.
US08389584B2
Nanodiamond material containing carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen characterized by the absence of sp2 carbon phase based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and containing more than approximately 11 wt % of oxygen and demonstrating a pH approximately below 2.5 when dispersed in an amount of 10 wt % in deionized water. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08389581B2
The present invention is generally directed to compositions and methods for the treatment of an infectious disease of the foot of an animal. One aspect of the invention is directed to a method for preventing and/or treating one or more infectious diseases of the hoof in animals, comprising: preparing a copper-free and zinc-free composition comprising at least one cross-linking agent, wherein the cross-linking agent is not formaldehyde; and administering the composition to a lower leg and hoof area of said animal to prevent and/or treat said one or more infectious diseases. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a copper-free and zinc-free composition for the treatment and/or prevention of one or more infectious diseases of the hoof in animals, comprising at least one cross-linking agent, wherein said cross-linking agent is not formaldehyde. The present invention is also directed to a method for treating and/or preventing papillomatous digital dermatitis in an ungulate, comprising: preparing a copper-free and zinc-free composition comprising at least one cross-linking agent and at least one quaternary ammonium compound; and spraying or applying in a foam a therapeutically effective amount of said composition to a lower leg and hoof area of said ungulate in order to treat and/or prevent said papillomatous digitial dermatitis.
US08389580B2
Described herein are arylcyclopropylamine compounds that may inhibit enzymes comprising an amine oxidase domain, such as LSD1, MAO A and/or MAO B.
US08389577B2
The invention involves various embodiments of a method for treating a human being for a condition associated with (1) a clinical state of impairment of carnitine or carnitine esters, or decreased fatty acid metabolism, (2) low energy production or lower ATP production, (3) clinical hyperammonemia, and (4) clinically high pyruvate levels resulting from a deficiency in the biosynthesis of carnitine. The method involves administering a therapeutically effective salt of N-6-trimethyl-L-lysine.
US08389570B2
The present invention is directed to certain hydroxamate derivatives that are useful in the treatment of hepatitis C. These compounds are also inhibitors of histone deacetylase and are therefore useful in the treatment of diseases associated with histone deacetylase activity. Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for preparing these compounds are also disclosed.
US08389562B2
The invention relates to new crystalline polymorphic forms of N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-5-[(Z)-(5-fluoro-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3H-indol-3-ylidine)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide (i.e., sunitinib base), including Form I, Form II, and Form IV, processes for preparing crystalline polymorphic forms of sunitinib base, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of new crystalline polymorphic forms of sunitinib base and pharmaceutical compositions comprising new crystalline polymorphic forms of sunitinib base, salts of new crystalline polymorphic forms of sunitinib base and mixtures thereof.
US08389553B2
The present invention relates to a novel class of 4-carboxybenzylamino derivatives. The 4-carboxybenzylamino compounds can be used to treat cancer. The 4-carboxybenzylamino compounds can also inhibit histone deacetylase and are suitable for use in selectively inducing terminal differentiation, and arresting cell growth and/or apoptosis of neoplastic cells, thereby inhibiting proliferation of such cells. Thus, the compounds of the present invention are useful in treating a patient having a tumor characterized by proliferation of neoplastic cells. The compounds of the invention may also be useful in the prevention and treatment of TRX-mediated diseases, such as autoimmune, allergic and inflammatory diseases, and in the prevention and/or treatment of diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), such as neurodegenerative diseases. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the 4-carboxybenzylamino derivatives and safe dosing regimens of these pharmaceutical compositions, which are easy to follow, and which result in a therapeutically effective amount of the 4-carboxybenzylamino derivatives in vivo.
US08389531B2
The present invention provides an improved and commercially viable process for preparation of erlotinib substantially free of N-methoxyethyl impurity, namely N-[(3-ethynylphenyl)-(2-methoxyethyl)]-6,7-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)-4-quinazolinamine, and its pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof in high purity and in high yield. According to the present invention, erlotinib or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt of erlotinib substantially free of N-methoxyethyl impurity is prepared by isolating erlotinib or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of erlotinib from a solvent medium comprising dimethyl sulfoxide and an alcoholic solvent.
US08389522B2
The present disclosure provides compounds that function as modulators of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymatic activity, as well as compositions and formulations comprising the compounds. The present disclosure provides therapeutic methods involving administering a subject compound, or a subject pharmaceutical composition.
US08389510B2
11-piperazin-1-yldibenzo[b,f][1,4]thiazepine, compositions thereof, preparations thereof, formulations thereof, prodrugs thereof and pharmaceutical uses thereof.
US08389508B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds having pharmacological activity, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of various disorders.
US08389505B2
The invention relates to adamantane diaza-crown ether derivatives and the use of mono and diaza-crown ether adamantine derivatives in treatment, especially in tumor treatment. Adamantane aza-crown ethers were obtained by reaction of the corresponding adamantane derived tosylates or adamantane acid chlorides with mono- and diaza-18-crown-6. The prepared compounds showed moderate (monoaza-18-crown-6) to strong (diaza-18-crown-6) antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity on several tumor cell lines, revealing their potential for inhibiting the growth of other tumor cells.
US08389504B2
The present invention relates to a prenatal dietary supplement comprising at least one omega-3 fatty acid, at least one omega-6 fatty acid; folic acid; lutein; and at least one proanthocyanidin.
US08389500B2
The present invention relates to compounds that are sodium channel inhibitors and to their use in the treatment of various disease states, including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In particular embodiments, the structure of the compounds is given by Formula (IA) or (IB): as further described herein. The invention also relates to methods for the preparation of the compounds, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.
US08389490B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions that decrease intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. The compositions of the invention comprise short interfering nucleic acid molecules (siNA) including, but not limited to, siRNA that decrease expression of genes associated with production or drainage of intraocular fluid. The compositions of the invention can be used in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of an eye conditions displaying increased IOP such as glaucoma, infection, inflammation, uveitis, and diabetic retinopathy. The methods of the invention comprise the administration to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of one or more siNAs of the invention.
US08389488B2
The present invention relates to antisense antidote compounds and uses thereof. Such antidote compounds reduce the magnitude and/or duration of the antisense activity of an antisense compound.
US08389487B2
The present invention is directed to small interfering RNAs that down regulate expression of a synuclein gene and methods of using the small interfering RNAs.
US08389485B2
Methods and compositions for delivering agents (e.g., gene silencing agents) and molecules to cells using yeast cell wall particles are presented herein. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of nucleic acids (e.g., siRNAs) to cells.
US08389476B2
The invention provides parstatin peptides, particularly a mammalian parstatin peptide including amino acids 1-26 of full length mammalian parstatin, preferably a human parstatin. The invention provides parstatin peptides in appropriate pharmaceutical carriers and formulated for administration. The invention provides for the use of the peptide for example as a medicament or for the preparation of a medicament. The invention provides methods of use for parstatin peptides including for inhibition of angiogenesis, for example for inhibition of ocular angiogenesis, for methods of cardioprotection, and for methods of prevention and treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.
US08389475B2
Human relaxin analogs, polypeptide compositions related thereto, as well as nucleotide compositions encoding the same, are provided.
US08389471B2
Disclosed are compositions, including low-calorie beverages or liquids, comprising isoleucine, leucine, valine, cysteine, and methionine, in specified amounts, weight ratios, or both. The compositions are especially useful in treating individuals afflicted with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes.
US08389468B2
The present invention relates to the use of an antisecretory protein or a derivative, homologue, and/or fragment thereof, having antisecretory activity, and/or a pharmaceutically active salt thereof, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition and/or a medical food for the treatment and/or prevention of compartment syndrome. A compartment syndrome may be caused by or a cause of a variety of other conditions which are also encompassed by the present invention, such as viral and bacterial infections. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the treatment and/or prevention of compartment syndrome in a mammal in need thereof.
US08389467B2
The present invention relates to self-setting compositions consisting in admixed liquid and solid components enable the formation of hardened bio-materials having a broad range of properties and performances. The present invention proposes a) a thermo-sensitive self-gelling liquid component, being water-based, comprising at least a polycationic and a phosphate source, wherein the liquid component is a thermo-gelling solution at a pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.4; b) a powder component consisting in at least two calcium phosphate sources. The preferred calcium phosphate source includes apatites, tricalcium phosphates, tetracalcium phosphates and dicalcium phosphates. Both solid and liquid components are admixed to form a flowable slurry that sets in situ into a hardened calcium phosphate based bio-material.
US08389465B2
Isosorbide monoesters according to the general formula (I) wherein R′ or R″ represent a hydrogen atom, or an group CO—R′″, with the proviso that one group R′ or R″ is a hydrogen atom, and R′″ represents linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl- or alkenyl groups with 6 to 22 C-atoms are useful compounds in the preparation of all kind of detergents, in particular dish washing detergents or of cosmetic preparations.
US08389462B2
Fabric softening compositions comprising two specific encapsulated perfume compositions provide an improved laundry experience to consumers.
US08389460B2
The present invention washes clothes using a phosphorous-free detergent composition for clothes, which contains an organic alkaline chelating agent as an essential ingredient, and an anti-soil redeposition agent, but no surfactant.
US08389450B2
The present invention relates to a lubricant concentrate containing the following components (i) at least one amine, (ii) at least one phosphate according to the general formula (I), (iii) at least one acid, (iv) optionally at least one ether carboxylic acid compounds with the general formula (II) R20—(O(CH2)m)nOCH2COO−M+ (II), (v) optionally at least one further aid or additive.
US08389449B2
A gear oil additive composition and gear oil composition comprising a organic polysulfide having at least 30 wt % of a dialkyl polysulfide compound or mixture of dialkyl polysulfide compounds, a thiadiazole; and at least one ashless phosphorus-containing wear inhibitor compound is disclosed as having low yellow corrosion in axles and transmissions.
US08389448B1
The process for making amphoteric surfactants derived from ether amine s is described. The ether amines may be derived from natural products such as animal, marine or vegetable oils or from petroleum derived raw materials. The application of these amphoteric surfactants to the recovery of residual oil by Enhanced Oil Recovery methods is disclosed.
US08389445B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for discretized, combinatorial processing of regions of a substrate such as for the discovery, implementation, optimization, and qualification of new materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes used in integrated circuit fabrication. A substrate having an array of differentially processed regions thereon is processed by delivering materials to or modifying regions of the substrate.
US08389439B2
Compositions and methods for producing a manufactured product, a method for making a liquid absorbent, and processes for disposal of flammable liquids with a flue gas desulfurization by-product. The compositions for the manufactured products combine a binder and the by-product. The composition contains a greater percentage by weight of the by-product than the binder. The methods for producing manufactured products include dewatering the gypsum-depleted waste stream to reduce a water content, and forming the manufactured product. The method for making a liquid absorbent includes dewatering, granulating, drying, heating, and packaging a granulated gypsum-depleted composition as the liquid absorbent. The processes for disposal of flammable liquids include distributing a by-product into contact with flammable liquid, absorbing the liquid, transporting, and igniting the flammable liquid. The artificial soils are a combination of by-product and animal waste.
US08389429B2
A composite ceramic body with increased strength is disclosed. The composite ceramic body, composed of a matrix of alumina particles with a mean particle diameter ranging from 0.7 to 1.8 μm and nano-zirconia particles with a particle diameter of 0.15 μm or less, wherein the alumina particles and the nano-zirconia particles fall in a respective weight percentage ratio ranging from 80:20 to 95:5 with a relative density of 93% or more and wherein in a cross section, a total sum of surface areas of pores, having cross-sectional areas equal to or greater than surface areas of circles having the same diameters as a mean particle diameter of the alumina particles, falls in a value of 2.2% or less based on a whole of the cross-sectional areas.
US08389421B2
When an object to be processed is transferred into a process chamber capable of keeping a vacuum and an interior of the process chamber is kept in a vacuum state, the film formation method includes performing forming a first ZrO film on the object to be processed by supplying a zirconium material and an oxidizing agent in the order listed above into the process chamber and forming a second ZrO film doped with Si on the object to be processed by supplying the zirconium material, a silicon material, and the oxidizing agent in the order listed above into the process chamber, in such a way that a number of times the forming the first ZrO film is performed and a number of times the forming the second ZrO film is performed are adjusted, respectively, to form a zirconia-based film having a predetermined film thickness while controlling a Si concentration in the film.
US08389418B2
The present disclosure relates to a solution for selectively removing metal, such as Ta or TaN, from a substrate, such as an aluminum containing substrate. The solution comprises an acid, such as HF or buffered HF, an ingredient comprising a fluorine ion, such as ammonium fluoride (NH4F), ethylene glycol, and water. A method of selectively removing metal from a substrate using this solution is also disclosed.
US08389414B2
A wiring board has an insulating layer, a plurality of wiring layers formed in such a way as to be insulated from each other by the insulating layer, and a plurality of vias formed in the insulating layer to connect the wiring layers. Of the wiring layers, a surface wiring layer formed in one surface of the insulating layer include a first metal film exposed from the one surface and a second metal film embedded in the insulating layer and stacked on the first metal film. Edges of the first metal film project from edges of the second metal film in the direction in which the second metal film spreads. By designing the shape of the wiring layers embedded in the insulating layer in this manner, it is possible to obtain a highly reliable wiring board that can be effectively prevented from side etching in the manufacturing process and can adapt to miniaturization and highly dense packaging of wires.
US08389410B2
A chemical-mechanical polishing process includes the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate having a first conductive line thereon, and then forming at least one dielectric layer over the substrate and the first conductive line. Next, a chemical-mechanical polishing method is used to polish the surface of the dielectric layer. Thereafter, a cap layer is formed over the polished dielectric layer. The method of forming the cap layer includes depositing silicon oxide using a chemical vapor deposition method with silicane (SiH4) or tetra-ethyl-ortho-silicate (TEOS) as the main reactive agent. Alternatively, the cap layer can be formed by depositing silicon nitride using a chemical vapor deposition method with silicane or silicon dichlorohydride (SiH2Cl2) as the main reactive agent. Finally, a via opening is formed through the dielectric layer and the cap layer, and a second conductive line that couples electrically with the first conductive line through the via opening.
US08389409B2
Semiconductor wafers are produced by a process of: a) providing a semiconductor wafer by cutting a silicon ingot into wafers; b) rounding the edge of the wafer, so that the wafer comprises plane surfaces on the frontside and backside and rounded oblique surfaces in the edge region; c) polishing the frontside and backside of the wafer, the frontside being polished by chemical-mechanical polishing using a polishing pad which is free of abrasive fixed in the polishing pad; backside polishing being carried out in three steps, using a polishing pad containing fixed abrasive which is pressed onto the backside of the wafer, a polishing agent free of solids introduced between the polishing pad and the backside of the wafer in the first step, a polishing agent containing abrasive being introduced in the second and third steps, a polishing pressure of 8-15 psi in the first and second steps being reduced to 0.5-5 psi in the third step.
US08389407B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming openings. For instance, a construction may have a material over a plurality of electrically conductive lines. A plurality of annular features may be formed over the material, with the annular features crossing the lines. A patterned mask may be formed over the annular features, with the patterned mask leaving segments of the annular features exposed through a window in the patterned mask. The exposed segments of the annular features may define a plurality of openings, and such openings may be transferred into the material to form openings extending to the electrically conductive lines.
US08389397B2
A method of forming a device includes providing a wafer including a substrate; and forming an under-bump metallurgy (UBM) layer including a barrier layer overlying the substrate and a seed layer overlying the barrier layer. A metal bump is formed directly over a first portion of the UBM layer, wherein a second portion of the UBM layer is not covered by the metal bump. The second portion of the UBM layer includes a seed layer portion and a barrier layer portion. A first etch is performed to remove the seed layer portion, followed by a first rinse step performed on the wafer. A second etch is performed to remove the barrier layer portion, followed by a second rinse step performed on the wafer. At least a first switch time from the first etch to the first rinse step and a second switch time from the second etch to the second rinse step is less than about 1 second.
US08389392B2
The present invention relates to a FinFET with separate gates and to a method for fabricating the same. A dielectric gate-separation layer between first and second gate electrodes has an extension in a direction pointing from a first to a second gate layer that is smaller than a lateral extension of the fin between its opposite lateral faces. This structure corresponds with a processing method that starts from a covered basic FinFET structure with a continuous first gate layer, and proceeds to remove parts of the first gate layer and of a first gate-isolation layer through a contact opening to the gate layer. Subsequently, a replacement gate-isolation layer that at the same time forms the gate separation layer fabricated, followed by filling the tunnel with a replacement gate layer and a metal filling.
US08389375B2
In a first aspect, a method of forming a memory cell is provided, the method including: (1) forming a pillar above a substrate, the pillar comprising a steering element and a metal hardmask layer; (2) selectively removing the metal hardmask layer to create a void; and (3) forming a carbon-based switching material within the void. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08389374B1
The present invention is a method for producing a capacitor. The method includes applying a dielectric substance (ex.—silicon nitride) to a first gold seed layer, the first gold seed layer being formed on a wafer. A second gold seed layer is formed upon the dielectric substance and first gold seed layer. Gold is electroplated into a photoresist to form a first set of 3-D capacitor elements on the second gold seed layer. A first copper layer is electroplated onto the second gold seed layer. Gold is electroplated into a photoresist to form a second set of 3-D capacitor elements, the second set of 3-D elements being formed at least partially within the first copper layer and being connected to the first set of 3-D elements. A second copper layer is electroplated onto the first copper layer. Then, both copper layers are removed to provide (ex.—form) the capacitor.
US08389366B2
Breakdown voltage BVdss is enhanced and ON-resistance reduced in RESURF devices (40, 60, 80, 80′, 80″), e.g., LDMOS transistors, by careful charge balancing, even when body (44, 44′, 84, 84′) and drift (50, 50′, 90, 90′) region charge balance is not ideal, by: (i) providing a plug or sinker (57) near the drain (52, 92) and of the same conductivity type extending through the drift region (50, 50′, 90, 90′) at least into the underlying body region (44, 44′ 84, 84′), and/or (ii) applying bias Viso to a surrounding lateral doped isolation wall (102) coupled to the device buried layer (42, 82), and/or (iii) providing a variable resistance bridge (104) between the isolation wall (102) and the drift region (50, 50′, 90, 90′). The bridge (104) may be a FET (110) whose source-drain (113, 114) couple the isolation wall (102) and drift region (50, 50′, 90, 90′) and whose gate (116) receives control voltage Vc, or a resistor (120) whose cross-section (X, Y, Z) affects its resistance and pinch-off, to set the percentage of drain voltage coupled to the buried layer (42, 82) via the isolation wall (102).
US08389361B2
A silicon nitride film, which is a second hard mask, is dry etched to be removed completely. The silicon nitride film, which is formed on a sidewall of a silicon nitride film used as a first hard mask, has a relatively low etching rate. Therefore, if the silicon nitride film is continued etching until the corresponding portion thereof is removed, polysilicon is etched in a direction of depth in trench shape. Then, floating gates in adjacent cells are separated and a step portion of the polysilicon is formed. Consequently, a remaining portion of the silicon nitride film used as the first hard mask is removed, an ONO film is laminated on a whole surface of the poly silicon having the step portion on an edge that has been etched, and then, a polysilicon for a control gate is laminated on the ONO film.
US08389359B2
The present disclosure provides a method that includes forming a high k dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a polysilicon layer on the high k dielectric layer; patterning the high k dielectric layer and polysilicon layer to form first and second dummy gates in first and second field effect transistor (FET) regions, respectively; forming an inter-level dielectric (ILD); applying a first CMP process to the semiconductor substrate, exposing the first and second dummy gates; removing the polysilicon from the first dummy gate, resulting in a first gate trench; forming a first metal electrode in the first gate trench; applying a second CMP process; forming a mask covering the first FET region and exposing the second dummy gate; thereafter removing the polysilicon from the second dummy gate, resulting in a second gate trench; forming a second metal electrode in the second gate trench; and applying a third CMP process.
US08389356B2
Methods for forming split gate flash cell structures provide for symmetrical cells that are immune to misalignment of the photoresist pattern when forming the control gates. Spacers are utilized to form the floating gates in the floating gate transistors used in the flash cells. The spacers may be oxide spacers used to mask a polysilicon layer that will form the floating gates or the spacers may be polysilicon spacers that will themselves form the floating gates. The inter-gate oxide of the floating gate transistors may be formed using HTO or may be deposited. Hard mask spacers are used in conjunction with the control gate photoresist patterning operation to control the size and configuration of the control gate and the channel length.
US08389345B2
To achieve TFT having a high light-resistance characteristic with a suppressed light leak current at low cost by simplifying the manufacturing processes. The TFT basically includes: a light-shielding film formed on a glass substrate that serves as an insulating substrate; an insulating film formed on the light-shielding film; a semiconductor film formed on the insulating film; and a gate insulating film formed on the semiconductor film. Each layer of a laminate that is configured with three layers of the light-shielding film, the insulating film, and the semiconductor film is patterned simultaneously. Further, each layer of the laminate is configured with silicon or a material containing silicon.
US08389337B2
Methods of forming microelectronic structures are described. Embodiments of those methods include attaching a patch structure to an interposer by thermal compression bonding, forming an underfill around an array of interconnect structures disposed on a top surface of the interposer, curing the underfill, and then attaching a die to the patch structure.
US08389318B2
A method of producing a thin film photovoltaic system (2) having a two-dimensional metal chalcogenide compound semiconductor layer (7) as an absorber of sunlight and a metal layer (8) applied to the metal chalcogenide compound semiconductor layer is provided, wherein the metal chalcogenide compound semiconductor layer (7) and the metal layer (8) form a Schottky contact at their contact face. The method is characterized in that the metal chalcogenide compound semiconductor layer (7) is produced by applying a dispersion containing nanoscale particles having a diameter of about 3 nm to about 30 nm to a transparent substrate material (12), wherein the layer thickness of the metal chalcogenide compound semiconductor layer (7) applied to the substrate material ranges from about 150 nm to about 2500 nm.
US08389313B2
The present invention provides a deposition method of a multilayered structure composed of a III group nitride compound semiconductor having good crystallinity on a substrate. The multilayered structure comprises at least a buffer layer and an underlying layer from the substrate side, and the buffer layer and the underlying layer are formed by a sputtering method. A deposition temperature of the buffer layer is adjusted to a temperature lower than a deposition temperature of the underlying layer, or the thickness of the buffer layer is adjusted to 5 nm to 500 nm. Furthermore, the multilayered structure comprises at least an underlying layer and a light-emissive layer from the substrate side and the underlying layer is formed by a sputtering method, and the method comprises the step of forming the light-emissive layer by a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD method).
US08389308B2
A method for producing a surface emitting semiconductor device includes a step of forming a semiconductor stacked structure including an active layer, a first semiconductor layer containing aluminum on the active layer, and a DBR portion, on the first semiconductor layer, to include alternating stacked second semiconductor layers and third semiconductor layers having different aluminum contents; a step of forming a mesa portion by etching the DBR portion and the first semiconductor layer; an oxidation step of oxidizing the first semiconductor layer from a side face of the mesa portion toward the inside of the mesa portion to form an annular oxidized region inside the first semiconductor layer; a first etching step of selectively etching an oxidized region formed in the DBR portion; and a second etching step of removing a peripheral portion of the DBR portion.
US08389307B2
A light emitting diode package and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The light emitting diode package comprises a lead frame, having a frame body and a conductive layer covering the frame body. A reflector has a first portion and a second portion sandwiching the lead frame, wherein the first portion has a depression to expose the lead frame, and a light emitting diode chip is disposed on the lead frame in the depression. The fabrication method comprises forming a frame body and forming a conductive layer covering the frame body to form a lead frame. A first portion and a second portion of a reflector are formed to sandwich the lead frame, wherein the first portion has a depression to expose the lead frame. A light emitting diode chip is disposed on the lead frame in the depression.
US08389304B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, the device including a light-emitting layer which is formed so as to contour a stripe-pattern embossment and to have a uniform thickness. In the production method, firstly, a stripe-pattern embossment having a serrated cross section is formed on one surface of a substrate. Subsequently, on the surface of the substrate on the side of the stripe-pattern embossment having a serrated cross section, an n-type layer, a light-emitting layer, and a p-type layer are sequentially deposited through reduced-pressure MOCVD so as to contour the embossment. Thus, each of the layers is formed so as to contour the embossment, and to have a stripe pattern with a serrated cross section. In this MOCVD process, the direction of gas flow is parallel with the direction of the stripe of the embossment. Thus, the light-emitting layer has uniform thickness and composition in an in-plane direction.
US08389292B2
Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of a dihydroxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally comprise ionizing a dihydroxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample and detecting the amount of the ion to determine the presence or amount of the vitamin D metabolite in the sample. In certain preferred embodiments the methods include immunopurifying the dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites prior to mass spectrometry. Also provided are methods to detect the presence or amount of two or more dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites in a single assay.
US08389290B2
The current invention relates to sensing elements and devices comprising at least one amphipathic lipid-binding protein or fatty acid binding protein, wherein the binding proteins are associated with a luminescent reporter group. The binding proteins and luminescent reporter groups are encapsulated within a hydrogel matrix that comprises at least one co-monomer, wherein the co-monomer is present at a concentration that decreases or inhibits micelle formation of the amphipathic lipid. Binding of the amphipathic lipid or fatty acid to the appropriate binding protein can produce at least one detectable change in the property of the luminescent reporter group.
US08389284B2
Polypeptides which are related to the neprilysin enzyme family and have zinc metalloprotease activities and are referred to as IGS5, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, vectors containing such polynucleotides, host cells containing such vectors, processes for producing such polypeptides and/or polynucleotides, screening methods for identifying compounds which stimulate or inhibit IGS5 polypeptides and/or polynucleotides, and the use of such polypeptides and/or polynucleotides in therapy of various dysfunctions, disorders or diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus type II, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease.
US08389259B2
An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US08389257B2
An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US08389256B2
An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US08389253B2
Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of one or more alkylamine and optionally one or more additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.
US08389250B2
A method of producing methionine, derivatives or precursors thereof comprising culturing a microorganism modified to enhance production of cysteine in a culture medium comprising a source of carbon and a source of sulfur and recovering methionine from the culture medium. A microorganism for fermentative production of methionine or its derivatives in which production of methionine or derivatives thereof, wherein the microorganism enhances production of cysteine.
US08389249B2
An L-amino acid can be produced by culturing a bacterium which belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family, and has an enhanced ability to use a fatty acid. The bacterium is capable of producing the L-amino acid in a culture medium containing a fatty acid or a hydrolysate of an oil-and-fat as a carbon source, thereby producing and accumulating the L-amino acid in a culture.
US08389246B2
It is intended to provide a novel convenient approach for DNA quantitative analysis that overcomes the disadvantages of conventional formulations. A standard DNA sample is prepared by introducing a single-base substitution into target DNA, and a predetermined amount thereof is mixed with a target DNA sample. The target and standard DNAs are amplified using the same primers designed to amplify a region comprising the single-base substitution site. To a hybridization product of a probe capable of binding to a site immediately before the single-base substitution site, ddATP, ddGTP, ddCTP, and ddTTP are sequentially added one by one to perform a complementary strand synthesis reaction. Luciferase reaction-induced luminescence derived from the formed pyrophosphoric acid is detected. The target DNA is quantitated from the amount of the detected luminescence and the amount of the added standard DNA sample.
US08389237B2
The present invention provides an isolated antibody capable of binding a receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP) of CRLR receptor which antibody is of IgG, IgA or IgM isotype.
US08389233B2
Provided are methods for sampling, testing and validating test lots, comprising: assembling a plurality of product portions from each of a plurality of test lots and combining the portions to provide a corresponding set of test lot samples; enriching the test lot samples; removing portions of each enriched sample, and combining the removed portions to provide a modular composite sample; and testing of the modular composite sample, and individual testing of the enriched test lot samples, using at least one suitable detection assay for a target microbe or organism, wherein when such testing is negative all test lots are validated, and wherein when such testing is positive with respect to the modular composite sample, or with respect to an individual enriched test lot sample, individual test lots may nonetheless yet be validated by further testing of a portion of respective initially-negative enriched test lot samples and obtaining negative results.
US08389232B2
The invention herein disclosed provides for compositions, methods for synthesizing said compositions, and methods for using said compositions, wherein the compositions and methods may be used to bind to and/or deactivate a poison oak oil, such as urushiol. The compositions and methods can be used to treat and/or reduce an inflammatory reaction and/or hypersensitivity to natural compounds found in poison oak, poison ivy, poison sumac, mango, lac tree, and cashew nut.
US08389230B2
The present invention provides an immunoassay analyzer capable of discriminating between normal coloring due to a specific immunoreaction and abnormal coloring due to a cause other than the specific immunoreaction in a measurement region of a sample analysis tool. An immunoassay analyzer 1 of the present invention includes an optical detection unit 4 and a determination unit 5. The optical detection unit 4 includes an optical signal measurement unit for measuring an optical signal at each of two or more different wavelengths including a main wavelength for detecting color change due to the specific immunoreaction and a sub-wavelength(s) other than the main wavelength. The determination unit 5 includes a discrimination unit for comparing the respective optical signals at the two or more different wavelengths and discriminating between the color change due to the specific immunoreaction and color change due to a cause other than the specific immunoreaction based on a comparison criterion determined previously.
US08389211B2
A method for highly sensitive determination of a target substance by means of an aptamer includes: causing an aptamer capable of specific binding with a target substance to bind competitively with said target substance and a nucleic acid strand having a base sequence complementary to at least a portion of said target substance, detecting at least either of the physical change and the chemical change that results from said aptamer binding with said nucleic acid strand, and determining said target substance based on the result of detection.
US08389208B2
A kinase is used in a biological indicator for validation of treatment processes designed to reduce the amount or activity of a biological agent in a sample. The indication can be used for validation of sterilization treatment. The formation of ATP from a substrate comprising ADP is measured via the liciferin/luciferate system in a luminameter. Thermostable adenylate kinase from sulfolobus acidocaldarius is especially suitable for the validation of procedures to inactivate transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents.
US08389204B2
To provide a method for producing a comb-shaped electrode capable of precisely carrying a large amount of active materials on a surface of current collectors with a fine shape. The method for producing comb-shaped electrodes 1a, 1b of the present invention includes a current collector forming step of forming a pair of comb-shaped current collectors 2a, 2b on a surface of a substrate 4, a resist coating step of forming a resist layer 6 on the surface of the substrate 4, and a guide hole forming step of forming guide holes 7a, 7b for forming a positive electrode 1a or a negative electrode 1b, in which a cationic polymerization type resist composition (i), a novolak type resist composition (ii), a chemically-amplified type resist composition (iii), or a radical polymerization type resist composition (iv), is used as a resist composition for forming the resist layer 6.
US08389192B2
An electrophotographic carrier includes a magnetic core material and a resin layer that coats the magnetic core material, the resin layer comprising a resistance control agent and a polymer including a repeating unit derived from an alicyclic group-containing methacrylic ester, the resin layer including a monomer as a base material of the repeating unit in the polymer in an amount of from about 0.5% by weight to about 3.0% by weight relative to the total amount of the resin layer.
US08389184B2
Disclosed is a reflective mask blank (10) which comprises a substrate (1), a multilayer reflective film (2) for reflecting exposure light, a buffer film (3), and an absorber film (4) for absorbing exposure light, said films being sequentially formed on the substrate. The absorber film (4) has a multilayer structure which is composed of an uppermost layer (4b) and a lower layer (4a). The uppermost layer is formed from a material containing oxide, oxynitride or carbide of Ta, and has a refractive index (n) of 0.95-0.97 and an extinction coefficient (k) of from −0.033 to −0.023. The lower layer is formed from a material containing Ta, and has a refractive index (n) of 0.94-0.97 and an extinction coefficient (k) of from −0.050 to −0.036. A reflective mask (20) can be obtained by forming a transfer pattern on the absorber film of the reflective mask blank.
US08389177B2
A combined subgasket and membrane support for a fuel cell is provided. The combined subgasket and membrane support includes a substantially fluid impermeable feed region circumscribing a porous membrane support region. The membrane support region is integrally formed with the feed region. At least one of the membrane support region and the feed region is at least partially formed by a radiation-cured structure. A method for fabricating the subgasket and membrane support for the fuel cell is also provided.
US08389172B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, a reformer, and a combustor. A combustion gas path for supplying the combustion gas produced in the combustor to the heat exchanger as the heat medium is provided. The combustion gas path is provided between a space of dual walls comprising a first inner plate and a second inner plate and a first case unit and a second case unit accommodating a load applying mechanism and the fuel cell stack.
US08389169B2
A hydrogen generator includes a water storage container for storing water, a reaction container for receiving a solid fuel that is a mixture of a complex metal hydride and catalysts, and a water supplying source that is connected between the water storage container and the reaction container to supply the water to the reaction container.
US08389164B2
A nonaqueous electrolytic solution includes an electrolyte salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, wherein the nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a chain compound having a hydroxyl group and a carbon-carbon double bond, a light metal alkoxide thereof and a derivative thereof obtained by substituting the hydroxyl group with a protective group.
US08389162B2
An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery that includes a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and an electrolyte additive. The electrolyte additive includes 2 to 6 wt % of succinonitrile, 2 to 6 wt % of alkane sultone, and 1 to 3 wt % of vinylethylene carbonate based on the total weight of the electrolyte.
US08389157B2
An electrode having an oriented array of multiple nanotubes is disclosed. Individual nanotubes have a lengthwise inner pore defined by interior tube walls which extends at least partially through the length of the nanotube. The nanotubes of the array may be oriented according to any identifiable pattern. Also disclosed is a device featuring an electrode and methods of fabrication.
US08389152B2
A polymer battery pack includes a core pack having a protective circuit module attached to a bare cell, a case having the core pack coupled thereto, the protective circuit module having a portion exposed to an exterior of the case, and a resin enclosing at least a portion of the protective circuit module that is exposed to the exterior of the case. A method of manufacturing a polymer battery pack includes forming a bare cell, forming a core pack having a protective circuit module, coupling the core pack to an interior of the case such that the protective circuit module is exposed to an exterior of the case, and molding the protective circuit module with a resin such that a terminal on the protective circuit module is exposed to an exterior of the resin.
US08389148B2
Separator for cylindrical cell of the outwardly guided type, wherein a sheet material is wound around a mandrel, and starting from the winding step until the insertion of a separator into the cell, an outward support is used that renders the binding of neighboring turns of the separator winding unnecessary, and the separator sheet has an extended portion, with the extension being at least equal to the radius of the separator cylinder, and with this extended portion being wetted with distilled or de-ionized water until the material softens and the winding and the mandrel are rotated and the bottom part is folded back and heat fused to close the separator cylinder.
US08389145B2
Battery assemblies have been provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a battery assembly includes a casing including a plurality of walls defining a coolant chamber and a battery cell pocket disposed in the coolant chamber including a container section, a lip, and a first spacer, the lip surrounding the container section and including a casing adjoining section and a pocket adjoining section, the casing adjoining section configured to couple to the casing, and the pocket adjoining section configured to couple to an adjacent lip of an adjacent battery cell pocket, and the first spacer protruding outwardly from the container section.
US08389131B2
Provided is an organic electroluminescent device (organic EL device), in which the luminous efficiency of the device is improved, driving stability is sufficiently ensured, and the construction of the device is simple. This organic EL device is an organic electroluminescent device, including a light-emitting layer between an anode and a cathode laminated on a substrate, in which the light-emitting layer contains a phosphorescent light-emitting dopant and an indolocarbazole compound as a host material. Examples of the indolocarbazole compound include a compound represented by the following formula (1). It should be noted that in the formulae: a ring A and a ring B are represented by the formulae (1a) and (1b), respectively; Ar's each represent an aromatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic heterocyclic group; R's each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a cycloalkyl group; X represents a methine group or a nitrogen atom; A represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, or a group represented by the formula (1c); and n represents 0 or 1.
US08389126B2
A structural component suitable for use as refinery and/or petrochemical process equipment and piping is provided. The structural component has improved corrosion, abrasion, environmental degradation resistance, and fire resistant properties with a substrate coated with a surface-treated amorphous metal layer. The surface of the structural component is surface treated with an energy source to cause a diffusion of at least a portion of the amorphous metal layer and at least a portion of the substrate, forming a diffusion layer disposed on a substrate. The diffusion layer has a negative hardness profile with the hardness increasing from the diffusion surface in contact with the substrate to the surface away from the substrate.
US08389120B2
A glazing comprising a sheet of glass, a film of damping material, and a rigid sheet, the assembly being laminated and comprising one or more exciters fastened to the glazing.
US08389108B2
A surface-coated cutting tool of the present invention includes a substrate and a coated layer formed on the substrate, and the coated layer is a physical-vapor-deposition layer having a thickness of 10 μm or more. A surface region having a thickness of 1 μm from a surface of the coated layer includes a first region whose integrated residual stress is a compressive stress and a second region whose integrated residual stress is a tensile stress, and the integrated residual stress of the surface region falls within the range of −1.5 to 1.5 GPa in any region included in the surface region.
US08389101B2
Lanthanum containing cordierite bodies are provided that exhibit high strength, little or no microcracking, and a high thermal shock resistance. Improved maintenance of low microcracking and high strength is obtained even after exposure to high temperatures.
US08389098B2
An optical information recording medium in which recorded information is stably stored for long time in the initial state, signals are not deteriorated by a laser beam for reproduction at the time of signal reproduction, the quality does not change in normal long-term storage, the write characteristic is held, a manufacturing cost is reduced, a margin in the manufacture process is assured, and excellent recording/reproducing characteristics are obtained in the wide range of linear speeds and recording powers is provided. An optical information recording medium 1 is formed by sequentially stacking a first information recording layer 11, an intermediate layer 12, a second information recording layer 13, and a protection layer 14 on a substrate 10. As a material of a recording layer 13b of the second information recording layer 13, a material having a composition expressed by [(ZnS)x(SiO2)1-x]y(SbzX1-z)1-y (where 0
US08389092B2
A stack includes one or more web-shaped materials, at least one of the web-shaped materials having a visual pattern, wherein a similar pattern is seen as an edge pattern on a face side of the stack. There is also provided a method to produce such a stack.
US08389073B2
The invention provides a liquid crystal compound that has a large negative dielectric anisotropy (Δ∈) and also has at least one of characteristics such as the stability to heat, light or the like, a high clearing point, a suitable refractive index anisotropy (Δn), a large negative dielectric anisotropy (Δ∈) and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds. An excellent effect in which especially the value of the dielectric anisotropy (Δ∈) is increased negatively is achieved by use of the compound having two moieties of 1) a tetrahydropyran ring and and thus the effect is utilized.
US08389070B2
A method for depositing a polymeric material onto a substrate, said method comprising introducing an organic monomeric material in a gaseous state into a plasma deposition chamber, igniting a glow discharge within said chamber, and applying a high frequency voltage as a pulsed field, at a power of from 0.001 to 500 w/m3 for a sufficient period of time to allow a polymeric layer to form on the surface of the substrate. The method is particularly suitable for producing oil and water repellent coatings, in particular where the monomeric material contains haloalkyl compounds. Apparatus particularly adapted to carry out the method of the invention is also described and claimed.
US08389057B2
The present invention discloses systems and methods for printing functional blocks from a plurality of printheads to a target substrate. In exemplary embodiments, the printing system comprises a main printhead for the majority of printing process, and a secondary printhead for supplemental printing. The system further comprises a controller, utilizing a positioning intelligence system to distribute the printing of the functional blocks between the main printhead and the secondary printhead, to minimize the motions of the printheads while maximize the printing speed.
US08389056B1
Decorative engineered bamboo product and a method of forming a decorative engineered bamboo product in which a block of engineered bamboo product is sliced to expose an edge grain formed by edges of strands of bamboo of the product. The slices can be used directly or attached to a substrate. The slices can be further treated to produce additional decorative features. Additives can be introduced to the engineered bamboo product during the manufacture thereof to incorporate decorative elements therein which are made visible by slicing the engineered bamboo product to expose edge grain, inclusive of the cross-section of the additives.
US08389055B2
A process for preparing a metal nanostructure having metal masses with zero valence aligned on a substrate surface wherein the size and shape of the metal masses are controlled is described. The process can include preparing a micro phase separation membrane of an amphiphilic block copolymer on a substrate and then exposing the membrane to a solution containing metal ions; drying the membrane to form a micro phase separation membrane with the metal ions localized in hydrophilic segments of the membrane; and irradiating vacuum ultraviolet light on the membrane to reduce the metal ions and to remove organic materials.
US08389038B2
A method and apparatus for preparing a jerky food product. The method comprises: (a) preparing a raw meat to obtain a moldable meat dough; (b) contacting at least a portion of the meat dough with a jerky mold apparatus having a pre-determined geometric configuration, wherein a plurality of sectors are spatially separated and defined by supported partitions arranged in a pre-determined pattern; (c) causing at least one of the partitions of the jerky mold to impale the meat dough to dispose portions of the meat dough into at least one of the sectors, thus separating the meat dough into a plurality of meat segments having a size and shape corresponding to that of the sectors; (d) removing the meat segments from the jerky mold; and (e) treating the meat segments to produce a plurality of jerky pieces.
US08389027B2
The present invention provides methods of isolating cytotoxic metabolites from a fungus, and specific metabolites obtained from such methods. The present invention also provides methods of controlling fungal diseases in plants by treating the plants with cytotoxic metabolites as well as methods of treating cardiac arrhythmia in organisms in need of such treatment by administering the above-noted metabolites to such organisms.
US08389023B2
Novel methods for the chemical ablation of tissue (e.g. prostatic tissue) are described. These methods include the steps of: (a) providing one or more solid salt dosage form comprising 50-100% w/w salt; and (b) inserting one or more of such solid salt dosage forms into the tissue. The solid salt dosage form is optionally inserted into the tissue under real-time ultrasonic observation. An advantage of the present invention is its ability to eliminate toxic byproducts. For example, where NaCl-based solid salt dosage forms are used to effect localized chemical ablation, the concentration is ultimately reduced to the level of normal saline (i.e., about 0.9%) upon absorption by the body of the subject being treated.
US08389022B2
A coating product composition has the general formula AOx-(L-Men+)i, wherein AOx is a metal or metalloid oxide in which x indicates the number of the Oxygen atom(s) (O) bonded to the metal (A) atom, Men+ is a metal ion, L is a bifunctional molecule that could bind both metal oxide or metalloid oxide (AOx) and the metal ion (Men+), i is the number of the (L-Men+) groups bound to the metal oxide AOx. The value of the parameter i depends on various factors, such as the size of the nanoparticle of AOx, and the nature of the molecule L.
US08389016B2
The invention relates to the use of a CD28-specific superagonistic monoclonal antibody (mAb) or of a mimicry compound hereto for making a pharmaceutical composition for the induction and/or multiplication of regulatory T cells.
US08389006B2
Pharmaceutical compositions comprise a low-solubility drug adsorbed onto a high surface area substrate to form an adsorbate. The compositions in some embodiments include a concentration-enhancing polymer.
US08388997B2
There is provided a method of preparing an unsaturated fatty acid dry concentrate, wherein a substance comprising at least one unsaturated fatty acid is applied on a biologically inert matrix having a large surface area and is subsequently dried, as well as a composition comprising at least one unsaturated fatty acid and foods, beverages, drugs comprising this composition.
US08388979B2
Delivery proteins are provided for transferring a protein, antibody or foreign substance into a cell without impairing the function or structure thereof. Further, methods of transferring a foreign substance into a cell at a high efficiency by using the delivery protein or an envelope virus or inactivated envelope virus in combination with said delivery protein are provided. The inventors discovered that a protein containing a polypeptide having an affinity for a constituent of the envelope virus contributes to the efficient enclosure of the foreign substance in the envelope. Moreover, the inventors discovered that use of the delivery protein enables foreign substances to be included in an envelope virus or inactivated envelope virus and therefore makes it possible to efficiently transfer the substances into cells without damaging the physiological function thereof.
US08388975B2
The present invention relates to HLA-A26-binding cancer antigen peptides derived from WT1, polynucleotides encoding said peptide, CTL-inducers, and cancer vaccine comprising said peptide or polynucleotide.
US08388974B2
Immunoconjugates for treating diseases associated with neovascularization such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, the exudative form of macular degeneration, and atherosclerosis are described. The immunoconjugates typically consist of the Fc region of a human IgG1 immunoglobulin including the hinge, or other effector domain or domains that can elicit, when administered to a patient, a cytolytic immune response or cytotoxic effect against a targeted cell. The effector domain is conjugated to a targeting domain which comprises a factor VII mutant that binds with high affinity and specificity to tissue factor but does not initiate blood clotting such as factor VII having a substitution of alanine for lysine-341 or of alanine for serine-344.
US08388965B2
The present invention relates to novel humanized anti-IL-4 and IL-13 antibodies and fragments thereof and novel bispecific antibodies and fragments thereof that specifically bind to IL-4 and IL-13. The invention also includes uses of the antibodies to treat or prevent IL-4 and/or IL-13 mediated diseases or disorders, including allergic asthma and dermatitis.
US08388957B2
The present invention provides diagnostic and prognostic methods for predicting the effectiveness of treatment of a cancer patient with an IGF-1R kinase inhibitor. Methods are provided for predicting the sensitivity of tumor cell growth to inhibition by an IGF-1R kinase inhibitor, comprising assessing whether the tumor cell has undergone an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), by determining the expression level of epithelial and/or mesenchymal biomarkers, wherein tumor cells that have undergone an EMT are substantially less sensitive to inhibition by IGF-1R kinase inhibitors. Improved methods for treating cancer patients with IGF-1R kinase inhibitors that incorporate the above methodology are also provided.
US08388956B2
Fully human monoclonal Abs includes (i) an antigen-binding variable region that exhibits very high binding affinity for IL-1α and (ii) a constant region that is effective at both activating the complement system though C1q binding and binding to several different Fc receptors.
US08388937B2
A specific targeting peptide binding to glypican-3 can specifically binds to glypican-3 overexpressed in carcinoma cells and includes an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 or some thereof. Glypican-3 is overexpressed in malignant tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, germ cell tumor, etc., and may be targeted in diagnosis and treatment of tumors by labeling the targeting peptide. A diagnosis using the specific peptide may detect even small tumors more accurately than conventional methods. A treatment method using the specific peptide may remove only carcinoma cells without harming other normal tissues.
US08388935B2
Disclosed is a method of treating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or a SIBO-caused condition in a human subject. SIBO-caused conditions include irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, impaired mentation, impaired memory, halitosis, tinnitus, sugar craving, autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, drug sensitivity, an autoimmune disease, and Crohn's disease. Also disclosed are a method of screening for the abnormally likely presence of SIBO in a human subject and a method of detecting SIBO in a human subject. A method of determining the relative severity of SIBO or a SIBO-caused condition in a human subject, in whom small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been detected, is also disclosed.
US08388932B2
A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor and therapeutic and diagnostic methods that employ the disclosed targeting ligands.
US08388927B2
Scorodite-type iron-arsenic compound particles in which the particle surface layer part comprise an iron-rich layer having an Fe/As molar ratio of at least 1.24. The particles can be obtained in a reaction process of feeding an oxygen-containing gas to an aqueous solution containing an arsenic(V) ion and an iron(II) ion to precipitate a scorodite-type iron-arsenic compound crystal at a pH of at most 2, in which an oxidizing agent is further added to the liquid before the end of the reaction (treatment A). The particles may also be obtained by a method comprising keeping a scorodite-type iron-arsenic compound particle of good crystallinity in contact with an iron ion-containing aqueous solution having a controlled pH of from 2 to 9 at 0 to 90° C. (treatment B). The scorodite-type iron-arsenic particles have good filterability and excellent arsenic release-preventing effect.
US08388926B2
The present invention relates to a system and associated method for the production of gypsum in manufacturing plant. More specifically, the invention relates to the production of alpha-type gypsum in a gypsum board manufacturing plant. The system yields increased efficiencies by capturing heat given off during processing steps and using that heat to reduce the energy needed for calcination. The invention finds particular application in the production alpha-type gypsum. The present invention is described in greater detail hereinafter in conjunction with the following specific embodiments.
US08388925B2
Methods for producing aluminum trifluoride by acid digestion of fluoride salts of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal and aluminum, optionally, in the presence of a source of silicon; methods for producing silane that include acid digestion of by-products of silane production to produce aluminum trifluoride.
US08388922B2
The present invention relates to a negative electrode material for a lithium battery comprising a carbonaceous negative electrode active substance having a specific surface area of 1 m2/g or more, a binder formed of styrene-butadiene rubber and a carbon fiber having a fiber diameter of 1 to 1,000 nm; and to a lithium battery using the negative electrode material, which has excellent characteristics, i.e., low electrode resistance, high electrode strength, excellent electrolytic solution permeability, high energy density, and good high-speed charging/discharging performance. The negative electrode material contains carbon fiber in the amount of 0.05 to 20 mass % and the binder formed of styrene-butadiene rubber in 0.1 to 6.0 mass %, and may further contain a thickener such as carboxymethyl cellulose in the amount of 0.3 to 3 mass %.
US08388920B2
A method and apparatus for producing ammonia suitable for use as a reductant in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR), a selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR), or a flue gas conditioning system is provided. A method for treating combustion exhaust gas with ammonia is provided that includes the electrolytic hydrolysis of urea under mild conditions. The electrolysis apparatus includes an electrolytic cell, which may be operatively coupled to an exhaust gas treatment system to provide an apparatus for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and/or particulate in exhaust gases.
US08388914B2
Methods and systems for producing silane that use electrolysis to regenerate reactive components therein are disclosed. The methods and systems may be substantially closed-loop with respect to halogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal and/or hydrogen.
US08388908B2
This invention provides fluidic devices, in particular microfluidic devices, with diaphragm valves having low failure rates. Low failure rates are achieved by inhibiting sticking of the diaphragm to functional surfaces such as valve seats, valve chamber and fluidic channels and conduits. One way to implement this is to provide exposed surfaces facing the diaphragm, particularly valve seats, with a low energy material, such as a noble metal, a perfluorinated polymer, a self-assembled monolayer, hard diamond, diamond-like carbon or a metal oxide. In other embodiments, the valves are provided with ridges and the diaphragm is adhered to the fluidic or actuation layer with an adhesive material.
US08388902B2
A method for regenerating activated coke used for treating wastewater or sewage is provided. The method includes loading the activated coke to an environment under 150 to 250° C., heating the activated coke to a temperature of 700 to 850° C. for about 40 to 90 minutes; and providing a steam to the activated coke with a rate of 0.1 to 0.5 m3/(ton of activated coke). When the activated coke is being heated at the temperature, it generates a gas mixture including a steam portion and at least a paraffine gas. The gas mixture flows along a reverse direction relative to a flow of cooling water, so that the steam portion is converted into a part of the cooling water for recycling. The paraffine gas is used as a fuel. An apparatus for regenerating the activated coke used for treating wastewater or sewage is also provided.
US08388895B2
In an apparatus for producing U3O8 powder, the apparatus has an oxidation reactor including an interior space, a scrap box loaded with UO2 sintered pellets to be oxidized and introduced into the interior space of the oxidation reactor, an impact generating unit applying an impact to the scrap box to dissipate heat generated by the oxidation of the UO2 sintered pellets in the oxidation reactor, and a control unit controlling an oxidation process. The apparatus for producing U3O8 powder allows the heat generated by the oxidation of the UO2 sintered pellets in the oxidation reactor to be uniformly dissipated by the impact generating unit, thus producing U3O8 powder having a larger specific surface area which can be used to obtain a sintered UO2 pellet with a larger and more stable grain size of increased quality.
US08388892B2
An in-line loss-on-ignition measurement system includes an on-site extractor subsystem configured to collect fuel or a combustion by-product from a hydrocarbon fuel burning plant. An on-site analyzer is configured to receive the collected matter from the extractor subsystem and configured to weigh the collected matter, burn the collected matter, and weight the collected matter again. A controller is responsive to the analyzer and is configured to determine the loss-on-ignition data for the plant based on the weight of the collected matter before and after it is burned in the analyzer.
US08388883B2
The use of induction furnaces for producing thermoelectric legs and components for thermoelectric modules is described, as is a process for producing thermoelectric semiconductor materials by co-melting mixtures of the particular element constituents of the thermoelectric semiconductor materials or alloys thereof in an induction furnace and pouring the melt thus obtained into the mold of a thermoelectric leg, or spraying the melt thus obtained to produce a pulverulent thermoelectric semiconductor material.
US08388866B2
A conductive composition comprises a π conjugated conductive polymer, a dopant, and a nitrogen-containing aromatic cyclic compound. A capacitor comprises an anode composed of a porous material of valve metal, a dielectric layer formed by oxidizing the surface of the anode, and a cathode provided on the dielectric layer and having a solid electrolyte layer containing a π conjugated conductive polymer, which comprises an electron donor compound containing an electron donor element provided between the dielectric layer and the cathode. Another capacitor is based on the above-described capacitor, wherein the solid electrolyte layer further comprises a dopant and a nitrogen-containing aromatic cyclic compound. An antistatic coating material comprises a π conjugated conductive polymer, a solubilizing polymer containing an anion group and/or an electron attractive group, a nitrogen-containing aromatic cyclic compound, and a solvent. An antistatic coating is formed by applying the antistatic coating material.
US08388863B2
The present invention relates to a phosphor for UV and long-wavelength excitation and a preparation method thereof, more particularly to a phosphor for UV and long-wavelength excitation prepared from a phosphor precursor comprising strontium, barium, zinc, silica and rare-earth metal, wherein the proportion of barium and zinc is optimized to obtain a color coordinate in the range of x=0.50-0.64 and y=0.38-0.51, and a method for preparing the same by heat-treating the phosphor precursor under a mixed gas atmosphere of nitrogen and hydrogen with specific proportion. Since heat treatment is possible even at low temperature, a phosphor for UV and long-wavelength excitation having superior luminescence characteristics and thus offering superior efficiency when applied to diodes or liquid crystal displays can be obtained without having to use conventional flux materials to lower baking temperature and without using toxic substances.
US08388862B2
InGaN-based blue LEDs and, specifically luminescent materials, are described containing yttrium oxide, oxides of rare earth metals, as well as aluminium oxide in proportions that yield a luminescent material whose average composition fits the general formula (Y1−x−yCexΣLny)3+αAl5O12+1.5α, where α—defines increase in stoichiometric index over the known value for yttrium-gadolinium garnet and varies between 0.033 and 2; x—is atomic fraction of cerium, 0.0001-0.1; ΣLny —is one or more lanthanides from the Gd, Tb, La, Yb group, whose atomic fraction in an yttrium sub-lattice is 0.01
US08388855B2
Novel solvents and methods of use for the removal of CO2 from flue gas, natural gas, hydrogen gas, synthesis gas, and other process and waste gas streams are provided. The solvent contains an alkali salt such as potassium carbonate and a polyamine such as piperazine (PZ) where the polyamine concentration is at least 1.5 equivalents/Kg H2O and the alkali salt concentration is at least 0.5 equivalents/Kg H2O. The preferred alkali salt/polyamine ratio is from approximately 1:2 to 2:1, and no additional alcohol is required for solubilizing the PZ. This chemical solvent and method of use provides efficient and effective removal of CO2 from gaseous streams and other sources.
US08388849B2
An adjustable and removable skimming assembly is provided for attaching to the bow of a watercraft. When mounted, the skimming assembly presents vertically orientated starboard, port and bow cages that house oil absorbent padding. The cages with the positioned pads are largely porous so that at slow watercraft velocities, the water flows through the pads but the oil is retained within the pads across a substantially horizontal plane. As the pads become oil saturated along this common plane, the vertical cages are adjusted to expose a section of the pad that is not saturated. This process is repeated until the entire pad surface is saturated. The resistance force created by the water against the starboard and port cages during movement is countered by a plurality of tethering cables extending from the structural members attached to the bow of the watercraft to the outer edges of the cages. The lengths of these cables are such that the port and starboard cages are swept forward from the bow cage to form an oblique u-shape. As the skimmer moves through the water, this cage positioning creates a capture zone for funneling floating debris and oil toward the center of the bow cage where it can be collected and removed by other means.
US08388847B2
The invention relates generally to methods of concentrating mixtures including shear sensitive biopolymers, such as von Willebrand Factor. Conventional methods of concentrating biopolymers impart too much shear stress, which causes the degradation of shear sensitive biopolymers. The methods disclosed herein reduce the shear stress while maintaining a high rate of filtrate flux. Disclosed herein is a method for concentrating shear sensitive biopolymers including flowing a mixture with a shear sensitive biopolymer into a hollow fiber dialysis module to form a retentate having a shear sensitive biopolymer concentration that is greater than that of the mixture. Hollow fiber dialysis modules have high filtrate fluxes and low shear rates at low flow rates. This ensures a high product yield and minimal loss of shear sensitive biopolymers.
US08388837B2
A circulation system for bodies of water. In one set of embodiments for larger bodies of water, modified horizontal plate designs are provided at the entrance of the draft hose. The plate designs have sections that pivot downwardly as the flotation platform and depending draft hose are rapidly raised in high wave conditions to let the water escape downwardly out of the hose. Adaptations to the floats for the elongated arms of the platform are also made to essentially eliminate the creation of any damaging torques on them from high waves. Another set of embodiments are particularly adapted for smaller systems in municipal water tanks for thorough mixing of the water and treatment to kill undesirable ammonia oxidizing bacteria and prevent or at least inhibit their return.
US08388836B1
A waste separator apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first screen assembly for screening fluids from a waste stream where the first screen assembly defining an enclosure. A second screen assembly is provided for screening fluids from the waste stream and is disposed closely spaced-apart within the enclosure of the first screen assembly. A waste stream pathway is defined between the first screen assembly and the second screen assembly. A first separated fluids stream pathway is defined outwardly of the first screen assembly. A second separated fluids stream pathway is defined inwardly of the second screen assembly. One or more blades extends inwardly from the first screen assembly or outwardly from the second screen assembly for advancing the waste stream through the waste stream pathway. A related system is also provided.
US08388830B2
A process is presented for the removal of oxygen from a hydrocarbon stream. The oxygen can react and cause polymerization of the hydrocarbons when the hydrocarbon stream is heated. Controlling the removal of the oxygen from the hydrocarbon stream produces a hydrocarbon stream that is substantially free of oxygen and has a reduced activity for generating undesired compounds.
US08388823B2
The invention pertains to a method and apparatus to separate and quantify particles using time-variable force fields. The force fields can be for dielectrophoresis (positive or negative), electrophoresis, or electrohydrodynamic. In one aspect, the fields are translated and/or modified in space at a speed substantially comparable to the speed of translation of the fastest particles in the sample. The translation and/or modification of the force fields can also occur with varying speed. In another aspect, the field is translated and/or modified in a first direction at high speed. In another aspect, the quantity or size of the particles is determined by an indirect measurement of the speed of movement after varying the force field by means of a relationship between the speed of movement and the volume of the particles. This invention also pertains to an apparatus to produce appropriate field configurations necessary for the selective movement of particles.
US08388819B2
A magnet target comprising a fixing plate, a plurality of shafts arranged in an array, a plurality of connecting rods pivotably provided onto a plate surface of the fixing plate at one end and capable of rotating about corresponding one of the shafts, and a plurality of magnets that are each attached to the other fee end of one connecting rod. The magnets comprise magnets having external S poles and magnets having external N poles, and the magnets having external S poles and magnets having external N poles are arranged alternatively in an array.
US08388818B1
Lightweight photoelectrochemical system for real-time hydrogen production from water and sunlight, using lightweight multi-junction photo electrodes made from the highly reliable and efficient copper indium selenide thin films, preferably made by low-cost electrodeposition on flexible foil.
US08388815B2
A coated article includes a substrate, a catalyst layer, a bonding layer and a hydrophobic layer. The catalyst layer made of tin is formed on the substrate. The bonding layer is formed on the catalyst layer, including titanium, tin, stannic oxide and titanium dioxide. The hydrophobic layer made of silicon-nitrogen is formed on the bonding layer.
US08388811B2
The present invention relates to a press felt for a machine for the production and/or processing of a fibrous web including a carrier structure which fundamentally influences the dimensional stability of the felt. The carrier structure includes a flat manufactured textile fabric formed from longitudinal threads, transverse threads crossing the longitudinal threads, and sewing threads which connect the longitudinal and transverse threads with each other at the crossing points. The textile fabric is longer than the carrier structure and is laid onto itself in sections such that the carrier structure is formed by several layers of the textile fabric, extending respectively along the entire length of the carrier structure. The layers are connected with each other, at least in sections. Due to the placement of the sections of the textile fabric on top of each other, turned over edges which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the carrier structure are formed defining transverse ends of the carrier structure. In an area of the turned over edges, the longitudinal threads have a curved progression to form seam loops on the respective transverse ends, whereby the carrier structure is seamable in a paper machine in that the two transverse ends of the carrier structure are brought together to make the carrier structure continuous and the seam loops are meshed with each other, thus forming a connecting channel extending in the cross direction of the carrier structure. To make the carrier structure continuous, a pintle wire is inserted through the connecting channel.
US08388807B2
A partially fire resistant cellulosic fiber thermal insulation material from a fibrous web of unrefined virgin softwood and hardwood provides fibers which provides an R-value (as measured by the ASTM C518 test) of at least about 3, and a wood ash fire retardant component present in and/or on the fibrous web in an amount of at least about 1.5% by weight of the fibrous web and sufficient to impart at least partial fire resistance (as measured by the ASTM E970-08A test) to the fibrous web. Also, a process for preparing this at least partially fire resistant thermal insulation material.
US08388804B2
A method of making a fabric-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet includes applying a jet of papermaking furnish to a forming wire, the jet having a jet velocity and the forming wire moving at a forming wire velocity. The papermaking furnish is compactively dewatered to form a nascent web. The nascent web is applied to a transfer surface that is moving at a transfer surface speed. The nascent web is fabric-creped from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a creping fabric that is traveling at a fabric-creping speed, the fabric-creping speed being slower than the transfer surface speed, and the fabric-creping step occurring under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric, such that the nascent web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping fabric to form a creped web. The creped web is dried. The jet/wire velocity delta and the fabric-creping step are controlled such that the dry machine direction to cross-machine direction (MD/CD) tensile ratio of the dried web is about at most 1.5.
US08388799B2
A composition for forming a chemical mechanical polishing pad having polishing characteristics such as a high polishing rate, an excellent planarity of the polished object, and less scratches of the polished object. The composition includes (A) a polyurethane having a carbon-carbon double bond on a side chain and (B) a cross-linking agent. The polyurethane (A) is preferably a thermoplastic polyurethane (A′) obtained by mixing at least components (a11) to (a13) and component (a2) in a proportion satisfying the following conditions (1) and (2) and reacting them.
US08388796B2
A metal member (3) is bonded with an adhesive (6) to have a bond strength higher than the basic material strength of the metal member (3). A metal insertion coupling has a socket portion (4) in which an insertion hole (2a) for inserting the end portion of the metal member (3) is formed. The socket portion (4) has a tapered outer surface extending from the opening end to the back side. The tensile strength of the socket portion (4) at the deepest position along the center line of the insertion hole is equal to or higher than the tensile strength of the metal member (3) in the direction of the center line. The insertion hole (2a) has a width 0.2 mm-0.6 mm larger than that of the end portion of the metal member (3). The end portion of the metal member (3) is pressed into the insertion hole (2a), and an adhesive exists densely between the end portion of the metal member (3) and the surface of the insertion hole (2a), by quenching or cold working the end portion of the metal member (3).
US08388793B1
The invention provides a method for fabricating a camera module. An exemplary embodiment of the method for fabricating a camera module comprises providing plurality of lens sets. A dry film layer is formed on the plurality of lens sets. The dry film layer is patterned to form a plurality of dry film patterns respectively attaching to a plurality of lens sets. The plurality of lens sets are separated. A lens set separated from the plurality of lens sets is bonded to an image sensor device chip. The dry film pattern on the lens set is removed.
US08388786B2
The present invention provides a substrate-less pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for protection of semiconductor wafer, which is to be stuck to a front surface of a semiconductor wafer in grinding a back surface of the semiconductor wafer, the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet consisting of a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is formed of a UV-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive containing a polymer composed mainly of an acrylic monomer polymerizable compound, the pressure-sensitive adhesive force of a surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to be stuck to the front surface of the semiconductor wafer is larger than the pressure-sensitive adhesive force of the opposite surface thereof, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has an initial elastic modulus of from 0.01 MPa to 500 MPa.
US08388784B2
The present invention is directed to a method of retreading a pneumatic tire, comprising the steps of: A) mixing a tire retread cushion laminate of to form a cushion compound, the tire retread cushion laminate comprising a first rubber layer, a second rubber layer, and an intermediate rubber layer disposed between the first and second rubber layers such that the first and second rubber layers do not meet; the first rubber layer comprising a sulfur donor and substantially devoid of vulcanization accelerators; the second rubber layer comprising a vulcanization accelerator and substantially devoid of sulfur donors; the intermediate rubber layer being substantially devoid of sulfur donors or vulcanization accelerators; B) applying the cushion compound to a tire carcass; and C) applying a tread portion to the cushion compound.
US08388782B2
A method for attaching a handler to a wafer, the wafer comprising an integrated circuit (IC), includes forming a layer of an adhesive on the wafer, the adhesive comprising a polyimide-based polymer configured to withstand processing at a temperature of over about 280° C.; and adhering a handler to the wafer using the layer of adhesive. A system for attaching a handler to a wafer, the wafer comprising IC, includes a layer of an adhesive located on the wafer, the adhesive comprising a polyimide-based polymer configured to withstand processing at a temperature of over about 280° C.; and a handler adhered to the wafer using the layer of adhesive.
US08388778B2
A method for reducing stress between a silicon chip and a bonded mounting structure having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially different from a coefficient of thermal expansion of the silicon chip includes the step of bonding a thermal stress-attenuating layer between the silicon chip and the mounting structure. The thermal stress-attenuating layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially similar to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the silicon chip.
US08388774B1
A multi-wave thermal process for treating a metal to improve structural characteristics is herein disclosed. The metal can be placed in a chamber. Each wave of the process can include: selecting a target temperature; selecting a temperature rate; and controlling the temperature rate while chilling the metal by introducing a cryogenic material into the chamber, while preventing over-stressing of the metal, to the target temperature at the temperature rate. While chilling the metal, the process can include inserting a hold time on the metal at an intermediate temperature for equalization of the temperature uniformly throughout the metal, thereby creating uniformity in a microcrystalline structure of the metal. The process can further include: stopping the introduction of the cryogenic material once the target temperature is reached and holding the metal at the target temperature. The process can result in a treated metal without fractures and with an organized microcrystalline structure.
US08388765B2
Disclosed is a portable and self contained washing and sanitizing apparatus. The apparatus finds particular application in washing small baby items such as bottles, nipples, teething rings or toys. The apparatus includes three primary components: a container for housing the items to be washed; a water reservoir for storing and collecting wash water; and a housing for interconnecting the container and reservoir.
US08388758B2
A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a chamber, and a thermal transfer device. The chamber is capable of holding a semiconductor structure therein. The thermal transfer device is connected to the chamber. The thermal transfer device has a surface disposed inside the chamber for contacting the semiconducting structure and controlling a temperature of the semiconductor structure in contact with the surface. The thermal transfer device has a thermal control module connected to the surface for heating and cooling the surface to thermally cycle the surface. The thermal control module effects a substantially immediate thermal response of the surface when thermally recycling the surface.
US08388756B2
An evaporation source that causes the evaporation bars to vaporize and emit small particles. The small particles of the evaporation bars are evenly dispersed all around the evaporation source. Thus, the particles then accumulate on workpieces to form symmetrical films. A vapor deposition apparatus using the present evaporation source is also described.
US08388738B2
A process for removing carbon dioxide from a fluid flow, wherein a) the fluid flow is brought into contact with an absorption agent which contains a solution of ammonia and at least one amino carboxylic acid and/or amino sulfonic acid, a charged absorption agent being obtained, and b) the charged absorption agent is regenerated while releasing carbon dioxide. The additional use of the amino carboxylic acid and/or amino sulfonic acid increases the circulation absorption capacity of the absorption agent.
US08388737B2
A method and apparatus for recovering a gaseous component from an incoming gas stream is described. The incoming gas stream is contacted with a lean aqueous absorbing medium to absorb at least a portion of the gaseous component from the incoming gas stream to form a lean treated gas stream and a rich aqueous absorbing medium. At least a portion of the gaseous component is desorbed from the rich aqueous absorbing medium at a temperature to form an overhead gas stream and a regenerated aqueous absorbing medium. At least a portion of the overhead gas stream is treated to recover a condensate stream. At least a portion of the condensate stream is used to form a heated stream. At least a portion of the heated stream is recycled back to the desorbing step. Novel absorbing medium compositions to recover carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide are also described.
US08388736B2
Certain aspects and examples are directed to sorbent devices and methods of using them. In certain embodiments, a sorbent device comprising a body comprising a sampling inlet, a sampling outlet and a cavity between the inlet and the outlet, the cavity comprising a serial arrangement of at least four different sorbent materials is described. In some embodiments, the sorbent materials are arranged from a material with a weakest sorbent strength to a material with a strongest sorbent strength with the weakest sorbent strength material adjacent to the sampling inlet.
US08388725B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of manufacturing metal nanoparticles, and more particularly to an apparatus including: a precursor supplying part which supplies a precursor solution of metal nanoparticles; a first heating part which is connected with the precursor supplying part, includes a reactor channel having a diameter of 1 to 50 mm, and is heated to the temperature range where any particle is not produced; a second heating part which is connected with the first heating part, includes a reactor channel having a diameter of 1 to 50 mm, and is heated to the temperature range where particles are produced; and a cooler which is connected with the second heating part and collects and cools metal nanoparticles produced at the second heating part which allows continuous mass production of metal nanoparticles.
US08388724B2
High-temperature solders having a higher melting point than solder alloys used for soldering of printed circuit boards are used for internal bonding of electronic parts, but high-temperature solders which are free from Pb have not been developed. There exist high-temperature solders which comprises Sn balls and Cu balls and which perform bonding through the formation of an intermetallic compound without melting to form a single-phase structure, but they have poor wettability to the lands of a printed circuit board or electrodes of electronic parts and have not been used.A solder paste according to the present invention is provided by mixing flux with a powder mixture of Sn powder or an Sn based lead-free solder powder with Cu or Ag powder which has Ni plating formed on its surface. Although the solder paste performs bonding by means of an intermetallic compound without melting to form a single phase structure, the Ni plating acts as a barrier which retards the formation of the intermetallic compound so as to leave enough time to permit wetting of the lands of a printed circuit board or electrodes of an electronic part.
US08388721B2
A ceramic honeycomb filter comprising a honeycomb structure having large numbers of flow paths partitioned by porous cell walls, and plugs alternately formed in the flow paths on the exhaust-gas-inlet and outlet sides, the area ratio of pores opening at the cell wall surfaces being 20% or more, porous, cross-linked structures being formed by heat-resistant particles introduced together with a gas into penetrating holes constituted by communicating pores in the cell walls, such that they clog the penetrating holes, and the cross-linked structures being formed more on the exhaust-gas-outlet side of the ceramic honeycomb filter than on the exhaust-gas-inlet side.
US08388703B2
A method for producing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell by preparing a positive electrode by applying a positive electrode mixture onto a positive electrode core material, the mixture containing a positive electrode active material mainly made of a lithium nickel composite oxide and a binding agent containing polyvinylidene fluoride; measuring the amount of carbon dioxide gas generated when a layer of the positive electrode mixture is removed out of the positive electrode and the layer is heated to 200° C. or higher and 400° C. or lower in an inactive gas atmosphere; selecting a positive electrode satisfying the following formulas: y<(0.27x−51)/1000000(200≦x<400) formula 1 y<57/1000000(400≦x≦1500) formula 2 where x is a heating temperature (° C.) and y is the amount of carbon dioxide gas (mole/g) per 1 g of the lithium nickel composite oxide measured; and preparing the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell by using the positive electrode selected.
US08388695B2
An automatic washing machine can be operated in accordance with a selected wash cycle by determining a concentration of a wash aid prior to a dispensing of the wash aid into at least one of a tub and a drum, and selecting an operating parameter of the automatic washing machine in response to the determined concentration.
US08388691B2
A ureteral drainage stent is designed to be placed in a patient's ureter and extend into a patient's bladder. An ureteral drainage stent includes a distal region for placement in the ureter and renal cavity, and a proximal region for placement in a urinary bladder and urethra. The distal region includes an elongated member with multiple lumens and the proximal region includes multiple elongated member, each defining a lumen. At least one lumen in the distal region is in liquid communication with a lumen from the proximal region. At least two of the elongated members in the proximal region are joined at their proximal ends and form a retraction structure, a structure used for removing the stent from a patient.
US08388690B2
An osteotomy system, typically for tibial alignment correction, includes a wedge implant and an osteotomy guide. The wedge implant is generally U-shaped and its upper and lower surfaces may be inclined with respect to one another in two orthogonal planes to correct respective misalignments. The osteotomy guide controls cutting of the osteotomy opening and the drilling of a hole defining the apex of the osteotomy, forming a bony hinge about which the osteotomy may be opened.
US08388688B2
An apparatus and method are provided that allow for the realignment and stabilization of adjacent vertebrae. An implant of this invention both repositions adjacent vertebrae and remains in situ to maintain a new position. The implant has an upper half and a lower half, which are interlocked such that they can slide horizontally with respect to each other. Movement of the implant halves and their respective positions are controlled by a reduction bar and reduction rod in combination with an internal locking block within the implant. The reduction rod, being connected to a lower half and placed adjacent to the upper half, is rotated to bring the implant halves into alignment. The internal locking block engages to permanently hold the alignment and maintain the new position. A release mechanism for the internal locking block allows for readjustment of the implant halves and realignment of the vertebrae.
US08388686B2
An intervertebral implant (1) including an upper section (10) provided with a ventral side area (11), a dorsal side area (12), two lateral side areas (13, 14), a top apposition surface (15) and a bottom surface (16), a lower section (20) provided with a ventral side area (21), a dorsal side area (22), two lateral side areas (23,24), a bottom apposition surface (25) and a top surface (26). The two sections (10,20) are moveable in relation to each other by means of two joints (38;39) arranged between the two sections (10;20), wherein each of the joints (38;39) has a swivel axis (3;4) and the two swivel axes (3;4) are arranged perpendicular to each other, and each joint (38;39) comprises a first joint section (31;32;33) with an elevation (49;50) provided with an edge (51;53) for the bearing of a second joint section (31;32;33) in a way that allows titling around the swivel axis (3;4).
US08388682B2
Disclosed is an assembly for loading a bronchial flow control device into a container, such as into a delivery catheter. The assembly includes a funnel housing and a puller housing that mate with one another. The funnel housing defines a funnel-shaped loading cavity that receives a flow control device and that gradually reduces in size moving in a first direction. The puller housing is removably attached to the funnel housing and is also removably attachable to a bronchial flow control device that can be positioned in the loading cavity. The puller housing pulls the bronchial flow control device in the first direction through the funnel housing to gradually contract the bronchial flow control device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to the expanded size.
US08388678B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided which contain the following: (a) substrate having one or more depressions that contain at least one therapeutic agent and (b) a porous membrane disposed over the substrate and the one or more depressions, which regulate transport of chemical species between the therapeutic-agent-containing depressions and the exterior of the device. The substrate and the porous membrane are formed of different materials each with a different thermal expansion coefficient. Moreover, one of the substrate and the porous membrane at least partially surrounds the other. Other aspects of the present invention are directed to methods of making such medical devices, and methods of treatment using such medical devices.
US08388667B2
First and second bone segments separated by a fracture line or joint can be fixated or fused by creating an insertion path through the first bone segment, through the fracture line or joint, and into the second bone segment. An anchor body is introduced through the insertion path. The distal end of the anchor body is anchored in the interior region of the second bone segment. An elongated implant structure is passed over the anchor body to span the fracture line or joint between the bone segments. The proximal end of the anchor body is anchored to an exterior region of the first bone segment to place, in concert with the anchored distal end, the anchor body in compression, to thereby compress and fixate the bone segments relative to the fracture line or joint. A bony in-growth or through-growth region on the implant structure accelerates the fixation or fusion of the first and second bone segments held in compression and fixated by the anchor body.
US08388665B2
A fastening assembly is provided for fastening a fixing element, for example a plate, a brace, an angle, a profile, an armature, a retainer or the like to a substructure by means of at least one screw, which can be passed through at least one bore in the fixing element and can be screwed into the substructure. A bushing is arranged in the bore to be able to be swiveled in arbitrary spacial direction. The screw is passed through the bushing. The bushing comprises a seat for at least partially receiving a head of the screw.
US08388662B2
Systems and methods for stabilizing the spine are provided. For stabilizing the L5-S1 junction, the system includes a plate that has a generally triangular shape with an upper node and a pair of lower nodes. The upper node has a hole through the plate to receive a screw for passage into the L5 vertebra. The lower nodes each include a hole through the plate to receive screws for passage into the S1 vertebra. The system further includes a plate having a retaining element for preventing backout of screws inserted through the plate. Instruments and methods for attaching the plate to the spinal column are also provided.
US08388658B2
A dynamic spinal stabilization assembly includes a rod having a plurality of slidable collars thereon. The rod is mounted to at least one of the relevant bone anchoring element(s) via the collars. The collars are spaced from one another such that the bone anchoring element engages at least two collars. The collars may be arranged on the rod so that adjacent collars are longitudinally spaced from one another by a distance not more than one-half the length of the rod-receiving channel in the relevant bone anchoring element. There may be elastic elements slidably disposed on the rod between adjacent collars.
US08388652B2
This disclosure relates to surgical stapling apparatus for enhancing one or more properties of body tissue that is or is to be repaired or joined. The apparatus includes a staple anvil, a staple cartridge, a driving member for driving the surgical staples from individual staple slots in the staple cartridge and against the staple anvil, and a wound closure material applicator assembly. The applicator assembly includes at least one conduit extending along at least a length of the driving member, anvil and/or cartridge and at least one reservoir in fluid communication with the at least one conduit, the reservoir containing a wound closure material therein. The staples can be coated with a wound to closure material.
US08388651B2
A method and apparatus to terminate sacral hemorrhaging in a patient having a sacrum and a pubic bone is disclosed. A C-shaped driver is positioned around the pubic bone of the patient and a hemorrhage occluder pin is driven into the sacrum of the patient by applying an impact force to a proximal end of the C-shaped driver. The driver may include a C-shaped shaft that defines a radius in the range 50 mm to 200 mm and a maximum span in the range 100 mm to 650 mm. The proximal end of the C-shaped shaft may have a blunt face with a breadth that is at least 2.5 times the diameter of the pin cap. A shaft distal end has a driver face facing away from an interior of the C-shape, and defining a driver face diameter that is preferably no less than 50% of the pin cap diameter.
US08388644B2
A medical device for embolic protection within a patient's body vessel is provided. The device includes inner and outer tubular members each having proximal and distal ends and a lumen formed through the proximal and distal ends. A flexible everting filter portion includes a body having a first end attached to the distal end of the inner tubular member and a second end attached to the distal end of the outer tubular member. The inner and outer tubular members are movable relative to one another to position the filter portion within the body vessel. The filter portion is movable from a collapsed, everted delivery and removal configuration to an expanded, generally non-everted deployed configuration. The filter portion expands radially outward to engage the filter body with the body vessel. The filter portion allows the passage of blood cells and prevents the passage of emboli or thrombi through the body vessel.
US08388643B2
A embolic, bioabsorbable polymeric material (BPM) is incorporated into a coil to improve long-term anatomic results in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The material includes at least one biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymer and growth factors, is carried by hybrid bioactive coils and is used to accelerate histopathologic transformation of unorganized clot into fibrous connective tissue in aneurysms. An endovascular cellular manipulation and inflammatory response are elicited from implantation in a vascula location. Thrombogenicity of the biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymer is controlled by the composition of or proportioning the ratio of constituents making up the polymer. The biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymer is at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic acid, polyglycolic acid/poly-L-lactic acid copolymers, polycaprolactive, polyhydroxybutyrate/hydroxyvalerate copolymers, poly-L-lactide. Polydioxanone, polycarbonates, and polyanhydrides.
US08388642B2
Devices, systems and methods for stenting, spacing, draining, ventilating and/or delivering drugs and other therapeutic or diagnostic substances to desired locations within the bodies of human or non-human animal subjects, including methods and systems for treating paranasal sinusitis and ethmoid disease.
US08388627B2
Methods and apparatus for aligning two or more longitudinally space parts of a body, such as leg bones, prior to and/or during a surgical procedure using a laser light guide assembly are described. The apparatus may have a saddle for attachment to a specific body part, and comprises a first horizontally rotatable structural member pivotably secured to the saddle or other support means, and a second rotatable structural member aligned vertically and perpendicular to the first structural member. A laser light guide which includes a laser is attached to the second structural member, the laser capable of generating a laser light beam of sufficient strength and intensity to allow for alignment of the body parts prior to and during a surgical procedure.
US08388616B2
In a compression sleeve for the local enclosure of a blood vessel or vein area comprising a retaining structure of a biocompatible material, the retaining structure is a flexible mat consisting of a mesh or net-like structure provided with an arrangement holding the retaining structure in a vein enclosing position.
US08388613B1
Methods and apparatus for joining biological tissue together are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, a method for joining biological tissue together can include applying a biological solder on a wound. A barrier layer can be disposed on the biological solder. An antenna can be located in proximate spatial relationship to the barrier layer. An impedance of the antenna can be matched to an impedance of the wound. Microwaves from a signal generator can be transmitted through the antenna to weld two or more biological tissue pieces of the wound together. A power of the microwaves can be adjusted by a control circuit disposed between the antenna and the signal generator. The heating profile within the tissue may be adjusted and controlled by the placement of metallic microspheres in or around the wound.
US08388603B1
A device detracts fluid from a flow line into a repository for temporary storage and later use. Before an infusion set is changed, medication from the infusion set is detracted into the repository, where it is temporarily stored. Once the new infusion set is connected, medication is dispensed from the repository into the flow line of the new infusion set. The device thus reduces or eliminates waste of medication that was in the flow line of the infusion set, by saving the medication in the repository while the infusion set is being changed.
US08388599B2
The present invention relates generally to dilatation balloon catheters and systems used for expansion against an obstruction within a body vessel or channel, or to deliver devices such as, but not limited to, stents and therapeutic agents to sites within vascular or tubular channel systems of the body.
US08388581B2
Devices and methods are described for delivery of therapeutic substances to a depth within the heart muscle via the venous side of the heart, with a primary focus on delivery through the coronary sinus. The devices and methods may be combined with percutaneous access catheters in order to provide for right heart delivery of therapeutic agents.
US08388577B2
A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.
US08388573B1
A catheter configured for delivering an agent to a patient's vessel wall is described. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon substantially covered by a expandable cage such that when the inflatable balloon is inflated the expandable cage substantially surrounds an outer surface of the inflated balloon. The inflatable balloon is configured to be deployed within a lumen against a lumen wall and separated from the lumen wall by the expandable cage in an expanded state, and is adapted to provide an agent delivery to a treatment site, and the expandable cage is further collapsible and is removable from said lumen.
US08388571B2
A novel dispensing system for dispensing medicaments to a patient that includes means for controllably heating fluid medicaments within the dispensing system by converting a chemical component, such as calcium chloride or the like, into a solution or solvent by adding a suitable solution or solvent to create an exothermic process causing an increase in temperature of the mixed solution.
US08388564B2
A knee brace for treating hyperextension in a patient's knee. The knee brace includes two lateral uprights and a back support positioned horizontally to and generally at a middle portion of the lateral uprights. The lateral uprights and the back support define an integral frame. A plurality of straps includes a thigh, shin and patella strap connected at opposed ends to the frame for securing the brace to the patient. A plurality of cushion pads is disposed along inner surfaces of the lateral uprights and the thigh and shin straps for providing comfort and for mitigating brace migration. An inflatable air bladder is located on an inner surface of the back support for positioning behind the knee. The air bladder has an inflation tube for increasing or decreasing the air volume within the air bladder to affect a range of motion for the patient's knee.
US08388561B2
A device and methods for treating a subject with dysphagia or other neurological disease, neurological disorder, neurological injury, neurological impairment or neurodegenerative disease that affects voluntary motor control of the hyoid, pharynx, larynx, or oropharyngeal area is disclosed. A device of the invention generally comprises a vibrotactile stimulator for applying at least one stimulus to the outside surface of a subject's neck; a connector for attaching the vibrotactile stimulator to an outside surface of the subject's neck, and a switch control communicatively connected to the vibrotactile stimulator to selectively engage a manual stimulation module and/or automatic stimulation module. Stimulation of an outside surface of the throat area of a subject by a device of the invention stimulates a swallowing reflex in the subject.
US08388540B2
The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for orienting image data derived from body tissue. An imaging assembly is introduced into the body of a patient and rotated about an axis. A tracking beam mechanically associated with the imaging assembly is generated, such that the tracking rotates about the axis in unison with the imaging assembly. An angle that the rotating tracking beam makes between a reference rotational orientation and a reference point is determined. The reference rotational orientation can be associated with a fiducial point within the ultrasound image data, such that the ultrasound image can be oriented based on the determined tracking beam rotation angle.
US08388537B2
An echo signal reflected from a microbubble contrast agent is discriminated from an echo signal generated upon reflection of a nonlinearly propagated transmission pulse from the body tissues without degradation of the axial resolution, by performing transmission/reception twice or less which would hardly decrease the imaging speed. By detecting a difference in phase of the second harmonic component based on the fundamental component included in the echo signal, an echo signal generated upon nonlinear reflection from a microbubble contrast agent is discriminated from an echo signal generated upon linear reflection of a nonlinearly propagated transmission pulse from the body tissues. The phase of the second harmonic component is detected through phase sensitive detection in which the square of the fundamental component is used as a reference wave. Concurrently, a pulse inversion method is used to extract the second harmonic component included in the original echo signal, whereby degradation of the axial resolution is prevented.
US08388533B2
The present invention provides for safe and reliable electronic circuitry that can be employed in ingestible compositions. The ingestible circuitry of the invention includes a solid support; a conductive element; and an electronic component. Each of the support, conductive element and electronic component are fabricated from an ingestible material. The ingestible circuitry finds use in a variety of different applications, including as components of ingestible identifiers, such as may be found in ingestible event markers, e.g., pharma-informatics enabled pharmaceutical compositions.
US08388529B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating neuropsychiatric diagnoses. Quantitative information describing diagnostic characteristics associated with a patient is generated based on an analysis of a set of patient scans. The quantitative information comprises a set of indictors associated with regions of interest in the set of scans for the patient. The set of indicators of potential neuropsychiatric conditions is compared with a set of diagnostic signatures. A diagnostic signature comprises a set of indicators of a known neuropsychiatric condition. Matching signatures are identified. A matching signature is a diagnostic signature that corresponds to at least one indicator in the set of indicators to form a set of signatures. A diagnosis associated with each signature in the set of signatures is identified to form a set of potential diagnoses. The set of potential diagnoses is presented with links to relevant portion of the medical literature.
US08388526B2
A surgical wound retractor is adapted to dilate a wound stretchable to a desired diameter, the retractor includes a first ring having a diameter greater than that desired for the wound and being adapted for disposition interiorly of the wound. A second ring has a diameter greater than that desired for the wound and is adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound. A plurality of retraction elements are disposed in a generally cylindrical relationship to each other, between the first ring and the second ring. These elements extend through the wound to exert a radial retraction force on the wound which is dependent on the distance separating the first ring and the second ring. Retraction elements, both distensible and non-distensible are contemplated with appropriate attachment means at the rings to provide for variations in the retraction force. With a suitable retraction sleeve, a third ring can be provided to form a circumferential retainer to vary the retraction force. Rings can also be made inflatable or self-expanding to vary the retraction force. An associated method includes the step of rolling the second ring circumferentially of the third ring to form the circumferential retainer.
US08388522B2
An endoscope system having a two-stage depression button provided in an operation portion of an endoscope; a first switch changing from off to on by a first stage depressing operation of the depression button and maintaining the on state after the first stage; a second switch changing from off to on by a second stage depressing operation of the depression button; and a control unit controlling to provide an air feeding function when the first switch is on and provide a water feeding function without providing the air feeding function regardless of a state of the first switch when the second switch is on, the control unit controlling to provide the air feeding function with a delay of a predetermined time period so long as the first switch does not change from on to off within the predetermined time period when the first switch changes from off to on.
US08388518B2
A handgrip for a colonoscope shaft is equipped with a novel compact multifunction force and torque sensor allowing for a comprehensive characterization of colonoscope manipulation during a colonoscopy procedure. A two-part hinge design of the handgrip in combination with the multifunction sensor provides for a light weight design in a compact package making using the handgrip convenient and natural. An electronic unit is provided to receive the sensor data wirelessly and calculate a variety of motion parameters guiding a medical practitioner during the procedure and aimed at making colonoscopy safer and less painful.
US08388516B2
An improved interface between the surgeon and an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery, holding a laparoscopic came and/or controlling an automated endoscope assistant includes at least one wireless transmitter with at least one operating key (12a). at least one wireless receiver (11), at least one conventional laparoscopy computerized system (15) loaded with conventional surgical instrument spatial location software, and conventional automated assistant maneuvering software, software loaded onto to the conventional laparoscopy system that enables a visual response to the depression of at least one key on the wireless transmitter as well as an interface with the conventional automated assistant maneuvering software so as to achieve movement of the endoscope, and at least one video screen (30).
US08388511B2
Counterpulsation methods and systems for assisting the heart of a patient involve, for example, coordinating the operation of a pulsatile pump to suction blood from an artery through a blood flow conduit while the heart is in systole and expel the blood into the blood flow conduit and the artery while the heart is in diastole.
US08388508B2
A dunnage crumpling apparatus is provided having first and second entry-side crumpling members and first and second exit-side crumpling members. The first and second entry-side crumpling members define an entry therebetween. The first and second exit-side crumpling members define an exit therebetween that is disposed along the longitudinal path downstream of the entry. A crumpling zone being defined between the entry and exit. The first entry-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an first rate and is associated with the second entry-side crumpling member for moving sheet material through the entry in a first direction along a longitudinal path at an entry rate. The first exit-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an second rate and is associated with the second exit-side crumpling member for moving the sheet material through the exit in the first direction along the path at a exit rate that is slower than the entry rate to crumple the sheet material for producing dunnage. The entry and exit-side crumpling members are displaced laterally along the path with respect to each other to cause shearing of the sheet within the crumpling zone.
US08388503B2
Several embodiments of martial arts practice assemblies are described involving variations spanning from apparatus permitting movement along a single translational axis and about a single rotational axis to an embodiment mounted on a robotic arm enabling translation in all three axial directions and about all three rotational axes. A dual-lockout circuit requiring simultaneous activation by an operator and a user is used to activate the pneumatic system powering the assembly.
US08388493B2
A method for operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle including a hybrid drive with a combustion engine and an electric motor. A transmission is arranged between the hybrid drive and a drive output and a clutch is arranged between the combustion engine and the electric motor so that, if a failure occurs in the drivetrain, especially in a transmission control device of the transmission, a gear corresponding to an emergency gear is engaged or remains engaged in the transmission. When the emergency gear is engaged, the motor vehicle is in motion and the engine speed falls below a defined value, the clutch arranged between the combustion engine and the electric motor disengages.
US08388490B2
A fixed internal gear hub comprising a fixed axle, an input member and an output member each rotatably mounted about the axle, an epicyclic gear system comprising at least one sun gear, rotatably mounted about the axle, planet pinions disposed in a planet cage and a gear ring. The gear ring is connected non-rotatably to the input member. The planet cage is connected non-rotatably to the output member. A clutch enables the input member to be selectively non-rotatably connected to the planet cage and a selector key enables the sun gear to be selectively locked rotationally to the axle. The hub provides two fixed gear ratios and further fixed gear ratios may be provided by adding an additional sun gear or gears.
US08388488B2
An automatic transmission includes four planetary gear sets, a plurality of friction and synchronizing clutches and two drive assemblies. Input torque is provided to four clutches which selectively provide torque to various elements of the first and second planetary gear assemblies. Similarly, various elements of the first and second planetary gear assemblies provide power to the two drive assemblies which may either be chain drive or gear assemblies. The outputs of the drive assemblies drive sun gears of the third and fourth planetary gear assemblies. The transmission output is connected to and driven by the planet carriers of the third and fourth planetary assemblies. Sequenced operation of the friction and synchronizing clutches provides eight, nine or ten forward speeds or gear ratios.
US08388485B2
A multispeed automatic transmission is provided having four planetary gear sets, a plurality of friction and synchronizer clutches and two chain drive assemblies. The transmission is arranged along two parallel axes of rotation: a first axis defined by the input shaft and a second axis defined by the output shaft. The chain drive assemblies transfer power between sprockets disposed on the two axes. Various combinations of clutches may be engaged to provide nine forward speed ratios and five reverse speed ratios.
US08388477B2
Toothed belt for use in contact with oil and comprising a body and a number of teeth extending from at least one surface of the body; the teeth are coated by a fabric; a resistant layer comprising a plastomer based on fluorine with the addition of elastomeric material, in which the plastomer is present in a larger quantity than the elastomeric material, is applied by adhesion onto the coating fabric. The elastomeric material forming the body of the belt is a copolymer obtained from a dienic monomer and a monomer containing nitrile groups, in which the nitrile groups are between 33% and 49%, preferably 39%, in weight with respect to the copolymer.
US08388472B2
A plurality of articles for playing a sport game, the plurality of articles including a game ball, a plurality of goal rods and a sport court having a court top, a court base, two court sides and two court ends which define a game space, wherein the court top includes open areas on each end of the court top, wherein the open areas are separated by a studded area, the court base is divided into four sections, wherein the four sections include a goal zones separated by neutral zones, each of the two court sides include a flat portion and a studded portion, and each of the two court ends includes a goal opening.
US08388470B2
A training device for detecting improper or proper form for batting and pitching. The present invention makes use of two sensors that will detect the positioning of the user during the pitching or batting motion. The invention helps detect whether the user is “lunging” or “rushing” and encourages users to keep their upper body back during the motion of pitching or batting. The present invention can also be used for other sports that require users to perform similar body mechanics.
US08388469B1
A golf ball marker includes a base and an ornamental inlay. The base defines a closed recess, and has a flat marginal surface surrounding the recess. The ornamental inlay is carried by the base, and held flush within the recess such that an outside surface of the inlay and the flat marginal surface of the base reside in substantially the same plane and form a substantially continuous smooth top surface of the ball marker.
US08388440B2
Methods and apparatus for managing and linking network accounts to share access privileges among accounts. In one implementation, a method of managing network accounts includes: linking a second account having general access to a first account having member access; and granting at least part of said member access to said second account while said second account is linked to said first account; wherein said first account has a corresponding subscription, said general access provides at least one privilege, and said member access provides two or more privileges that are not provided by said general access.
US08388434B2
A gaming machine according to the present invention variably displays a plurality of symbols wherein a speed of the variable display of the plurality of symbols while executing a free game is different from a speed of variable display of the plurality of symbols while executing a basic game. In this manner, it is possible to impart a sense of expectation for free game to a player without separately preparing any effect video image such as a video image showing a process of adding WILD symbols.
US08388419B2
In a sanding block having two expansive sides and two adjacent sides, each adjacent side adjoins each expansive side at a given one of two opposite edges of that expansive side. The expansive and adjacent sides are abrasive. When viewed macroscopically before the sanding block becomes worn, the expansive sides between their opposite edges are planar and are parallel, a given one of the opposite edges of each expansive side is a curved edge, which defines a radius not less than about ⅛ inch at any location on the curved edge, and the other one of the opposite edges of each expansive side is a sharp edge, which defines an acute angle in a range from about 55° to about 70°. The curved edges are intended to minimize gouging or scuffing due to uneven pressure being applied by a user holding the sanding block in one hand and to minimize damage when gouging or scuffing due thereto occurs. The sanding block is intended particularly for drywall-finishing uses but is expected to be also useful for fiberglass-finishing, metal-finishing, wood-finishing, and other uses.
US08388407B1
An apparatus for treating a workpiece with a granular media includes a hopper for storing media and discharging the media into a flow path. A source of compressed air mixes with the media, which is forced through a nozzle for directing media onto the workpiece. A flow sensor includes a beam extending into the flow path and is responsive to flow of media in the flow path to increase and decrease deflection of the beam in response to increasing or decreasing flow of media through said flow path. A proximity sensing device measures deflection of the beam and generates an electrical signal which varies in response to deflection of the beam. The flow path is defined by a conduit having a branch in which the beam is mounted. One end of the beam is mounted on a base in the branch. The base is mounted on a cap closing an open end of the branch, permitting the beam to be easily removed and changed when necessary.
US08388405B2
A toy launcher and dual powered toy vehicle apparatus where the toy launcher includes a base part to be held stationary during operation and a slidable part mounted to the base part, the slidable part being movable between first and second positions. Captured between the base and slidable parts is a spring. The expanding spring causes the toy vehicle to be propelled away from the launcher. At the same time, the rapid movement of the rack energizes the flywheel motor so that after the spring discharges the toy vehicle and a flywheel of the flywheel motor engages a supporting surface, the toy vehicle is moving in response to both the spring and the flywheel motor, two different power sources. The single action of pulling the rack appears to the user to cause compression and release of the spring, and the flywheel motor to be energized, essentially simultaneously.
US08388399B2
A method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatus according to a laser-induced thermal imaging (LITI) method, the method including patterning a transfer layer arranged on a donor film; disposing the donor film on an acceptor substrate; laminating the donor film on the acceptor substrate; transferring the transfer layer of the donor film to the acceptor substrate; and removing the donor film from the acceptor substrate.
US08388397B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystal cell manufacturing device and a method thereof. The liquid crystal cell manufacturing device includes a pre-alignment vacuum chamber, a vacuum lamination chamber and a sealant curing chamber. The pre-alignment vacuum chamber includes a comb-type transferring system for aligning a first substrate with a second substrate and sending them into the vacuum lamination chamber. The vacuum lamination chamber uses a lamination device to laminate the first substrate and the second substrate into a substrate assembly under a nearly vacuum status, and then uses a transferring device to send the substrate assembly to the sealant curing chamber. The sealant curing chamber uses at least one UV spot light source to move above the substrate assembly and irradiate a surface of the substrate assembly to cure at least one sealant in the substrate assembly, and thereby complete manufacture of liquid crystal cells of liquid crystal panels.
US08388387B2
A connecting terminal (1) having an insulating-material housing (2) and having at least one spring clamping unit with a clamping spring (4) and a busbar section (3), in the insulating-material housing (2), is described. The clamping spring (4) has a contact section (6) and a clamping section (8) which is designed to clamp an electrical conductor against the busbar section (3). The clamping spring (4) has an operating section (13) which originates from the clamping section (8), extends away from the direction of the spring force, which acts on the clamping section (8), of the clamping spring (4) and is aligned to be acted on by an attachment element (16, 31, 33, 39) such that the operating element (16, 31, 33, 39) can be engaged with the operating section (13) in order to exert a tensile force, which acts on the operating section (13) in the opposite direction to the spring force when the operating element (16, 31, 33, 39) is moved, in order to open the clamping spring (4).
US08388378B2
An electrical connector includes a terminal subassembly having inserts holding terminals. The terminals extend between a mating end and a cable end. The cable end is configured to be terminated to corresponding wires of a cable. A front shell surrounds a front portion of the terminal subassembly. The front shell provides electrical shielding around the mating ends of the terminals. The front shell is configured to be mated to a mating connector. A back shell surrounds a rear portion of the terminal subassembly. The back shell provides electrical shielding around the cable ends of the terminals. The back shell is configured to be terminated to an overbraid of the cable. The back shell includes a plurality of contacts that extend from a front of the back shell. The contacts engage, and are electrically connected to, the front shell.
US08388373B2
A connector soldered to a PCB has an insulating housing of which two opposite ends are recessed to form a pair of holding recesses, terminals mounted in the insulating housing with soldering portions projected out of a bottom of the insulating housing, a pair of supporting members mounted to two opposite ends of the insulating housing and a pair of supporting members. A bottom of the supporting member extends perpendicularly to form an inserting slice having a portion thereof punched sideward to form a projection. The positioning member mounted to the inserting slice has a soldering tail and a base slice having two opposite ends thereof bent sideward and then extended toward each other to form a pair of clasping portions. A guiding slot is opened in the base portion for receiving the projection. The projection can move up and down in the guiding slot to adjust the position of the positioning member to keep the soldering portions and the soldering tails level even when there is tolerance in production.
US08388369B2
A multi-way connector connects a plurality of lighting apparatuses together, wherein connector comprises a plurality of lighting connectors, each lighting connector comprising an upper housing having plural connector pins, and one or more interlocking grooves; and a lower housing which has a plurality of connector pin guide holes, and one or more interlocking tongue portions, the lower housing being connectable with the upper housing to form each lighting connector by coupling at least one of the interlocking grooves with at least one of the interlocking tongue portions, and by coupling at least one of the plural connector pins with at least one of the connector pin guide holes; a multi-way connecting portion configured to permit power and/or signals to pass between and among the plurality of lighting connectors; and plural flexible connectors electrically connecting each lower housing with the multi-way connecting portion.
US08388363B2
A connector assembly for connecting and/or disconnecting an electric power cable (1) to/from a subsea pipeline (8) includes a female cone element (6), a complementary male cone element (5), and bolt tightening means (70). The tightening means (70) includes in a first stab member (7) adapted to be received in a first receptacle (16) in said female cone element (6), the first receptacle (16) has an opening facing in opposite direction of the cone (12) of the female cone element (6) for receiving the first stab member (7). A tightening bolt (7a) is provided in the first stab member (7) with an inner end (7c) of the bolt (7a) being adapted to engage the male cone element (5) and with an outer end (7b) being accessible for the connecting and/or disconnecting operations.
US08388357B2
An apparatus is described for burn-in and/or functional testing of microelectronic circuits of unsingulated wafers. A large number of power, ground, and signal connections can be made to a large number of contacts on a wafer. The apparatus has a cartridge that allows for fanning-in of electric paths. A distribution board has a plurality of interfaces that are strategically positioned to provide a dense configuration. The interfaces are connected through flexible attachments to an array of first connector modules. Each one of the first connector modules can be independently connected to a respective one of a plurality of second connector modules, thereby reducing stresses on a frame of the apparatus. Further features include for example a piston that allows for tight control of forces exerted by terminals onto contacts of a wafer.
US08388355B2
An electrical connector comprising an insulative body, a plurality of pins carried by the body and a ferromagnetic element that rides on one of the plurality of the pins. The ferromagnetic element provides a low pass filter capability for signals transmitted over the one pin.
US08388354B1
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing having a front wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and two side walls. A rear surface of the front wall extends rearward to form a tongue portion. A receiving space is formed among the front wall, the top wall, the bottom wall and the side walls, wherein the tongue portion is located in the receiving space. A plurality of probe pins is assembled in the insulating housing. A magnetic block has a shape matched with the receiving space and is assembled in the receiving space. A metal plate is placed behind the magnetic block by passing a rear end of the tongue portion therethrough. A metal shell encloses the insulating housing and further electrically resists against a rear side of the metal plate to secure the magnetic block and the metal plate in the insulating housing.
US08388347B2
Certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide a system for allowing a user to experience a simulation of an age-related medical condition. The system can include eyewear, footwear, handwear, and an audio recording. The eyewear can include two colored lenses. Each lens includes a marking that can at least partially bock central vision of the user and a lens sideguard that can at least partially block peripheral vision of the user. The footwear includes a surface that can be located adjacent to a sole of the user. The surface includes protrusions that can at least indirectly contact the sole. The handwear can impair physical sensory of the user. The audio recording is stored on a medium and includes voiced instructions and static for a first pre-set time and static for a second pre-set time. The voiced instruction identifies home-based tasks for the user to perform during the second pre-set time while wearing the eyewear, footwear, and handwear.
US08388336B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for producing a structure made up of at least two bodies in a cavity of a mold defining the structure.
US08388333B2
A system for purging molten thermoplastic material from a molding apparatus. The purge system includes a blow mold apparatus, a purge diverter valve operably connected to the blow mold apparatus and including a channel, a closing member, a spacer having a conduit in communication with the channel, and a melt pipe. The system can be used to purge molten thermoplastic materials out from an upward extruding blow mold apparatus.
US08388326B2
A piston pump assembly includes a first pump having a first cylinder member inserted in a piston hole of a pump housing, and a first piston inserted in the first cylinder member, and a second pump having a second cylinder member inserted in the piston hole, and an annular second piston slidably fitted in an annular groove formed in the outer periphery of the first piston, and also axially slidably inserted in the second cylinder member. The first cylinder member axially presses the second cylinder member, thereby preventing the second cylinder member from being dropped out of the piston hole. The second cylinder member has an annular seal surface in contact with a shoulder surface formed on the inner periphery of the piston hole. Strain-absorbing protrusions are formed on the end of the second cylinder member in abutment with the first cylinder member. The protrusions are compressed when they are pressed by the first cylinder member.
US08388322B2
A fuel pump for deployment in a fuel system for an internal combustion engine comprises a 3-phase brushless direct current motor, a sling vane impeller with blade-shaped sling vanes, sensorless electronic motor drive and an electronic controller. The controller is adapted to receive analog or pulse-width modulation inputs to control pump speed.
US08388319B2
A stator device includes a base having a shaft tube receiving a bearing. The shaft tube includes a top end having at least one groove. A stator unit is mounted around an outer periphery of the shaft tube. The stator unit includes at least one limiting member extending through the at least one groove into the shaft tube. The at least one limiting member prevents the bearing from disengaging from the shaft tube, enhancing assembling convenience. The stator can be coupled with a rotor to form a motor with enhanced assembling convenience and enhanced rotational stability. The base can be interconnected by connecting members to a housing having air inlet and outlet sides. Vanes can be formed on the hub of the rotor to form an impeller. Thus, a heat-dissipating fan can be formed from the stator device.
US08388318B2
A heater is provided inside a hermetic compressor to heat the fluid in an oil sump of the compressor. The heater can be substantially submerged in the fluid even at low fluid levels. The heater can raise the temperature of the fluid to a predetermined temperature to substantially maintain non-lubricant fluids in a gaseous state and prevent non-lubricant fluids from mixing with the lubricant in the sump. A feed through assembly in the compressor housing is used to supply power to both the compressor motor and the heater.
US08388306B2
A method for varying the geometry of a mid-turbine frame includes detecting a strain in a mid-turbine frame with a piezoelectric material; applying a deformation voltage to the piezoelectric material as a function of the detected strain; deforming the piezoelectric material to actuate an actuation plate; and repositioning an engine casing through the actuation of the actuation plate.
US08388297B2
An apparatus is disclosed for downending a vertically disposed cylindrical coil supported on an underlying pallet, with a stem projecting from the pallet through the coil. The apparatus comprises a cradle rotatable about a horizontal axis. A table on the cradle is configured and arranged to receive and retain the pallet with the coil in a vertical first position at which the coil extends across the horizontal axis. An electrically powered drive serves to rotate the cradle about the horizontal axis to translate the coil from its vertical first position to a horizontal second position.
US08388288B2
A captive screw formed of a lock screw, a cap-shaped knob, a spring member and a mounting barrel and mountable in a mounting through hole of a first panel frame and fastenable to a mounting screw hole of a second panel frame to detachably secure the second panel frame to the first panel frame is disclosed. The lock screw has a top protrusion raised from the top wall of the head thereof and a tool groove formed in the top protrusion. The cap-shaped knob is molded on the head of the lock screw by insert molding and defining an endless isolation groove on the top wall of the head of the lock screw around the periphery of the top protrusion that facilitates attachment of a hand tool to the top protrusion of the lock screw for enabling the lock screw to be driven by the user with the hand tool into the mounting screw hole of the second panel frame conveniently with less effort.
US08388281B2
A face milling cutter method for manufacturing various hypocycloidal bevel gears that is characterized in that the following steps are performed to manufacture a first bevel gear: equipping a universal face milling cutter in a first configuration with a first number of cutter groups that corresponds to a first number of passes. A first bevel gear is then produced in the continuous partial method using the universal face milling cutter in the first configuration. The following steps are performed to manufacture a second bevel gear: equipping the same universal face milling cutter in a second configuration with a second number of cutter groups that corresponds to a second number of passes. The second bevel gear is then produced in the continuous partial method using the universal face milling cutter in the second configuration.
US08388278B2
An indexable drill which has cutting edges formed of a plurality of indexable inserts and which provides stable performance so that the accuracy of entrance hole diameter and exit hole diameter is improved and generation of burrs at the hole exit can be suppressed. Indexable inserts which form a center cutting edge and a peripheral cutting edge are attached to a drill main body at an end thereof. A ratio between a cutting contribution of the center cutting edge and a cutting contribution of the peripheral cutting edge is set such that the cutting contribution of the center cutting edge is larger. The indexable insert is disposed so at to project forward in the axial direction from the indexable insert so that an outer-end corner of the peripheral cutting edge engages a workpiece first.
US08388256B2
A clamp (10) for holding two members together. The first member includes a recess into which a fastener is located. A bore is provided to the recess to allow a tool to be used to operate the fastener. The second member is arranged to accept the fastener and so join the members. The recess and bore are sized to prevent release of the fastener through the bore. In this way, the fastener cannot easily be removed or lost when the clamp is in use and is tamperproof. Embodiments of a downhole tool are described where the clamp is used to hold portions of a sleeve around a body of the tool, and to hold scraper blades and/or brushes to the body.
US08388254B2
An adjustable positioning structure of a shaft member contains an inner tube including a plane having plural holes, an outer tube including a cutout to receive the inner tube, an adjustable positioning device including a fixing seat, and a retaining block formed in a twisted piece shape and axially defined between two extending sides of the fixing seat. The retaining block includes a pressing portion and a bore fixed on one end thereof, and includes a lock tab extending outward from another end thereof. A stop switch is covered by the fixing seat and includes a shoulder to be inserted in the bore to stop the retaining block to be pressed and to operate. An resilient element is defined between the retaining block, and the stop switch to contact with the retaining block, so that the lock tab is retained in one of the holes.
US08388250B2
A toothbrush combined with a toothpaste dispenser with a wall mounted holder. The present invention comprises of a twist knob that is able to push a piston up a toothpaste compartment. The piston creates pressure inside the toothpaste compartment and causes the toothpaste to travel up a main channel. The main channel branches into a plurality of smaller tubes. Each tube has a respective rubber tube dispenser that protrudes and extends from the brush head. The rubber tube dispensers allow the toothpaste to be dispensed on top of the bristles. The toothbrush additionally comprises of a mouthwash strip roll dispensing mechanism positioned in the knob. The present invention additionally comprises of audio and visual indicators to provide users with visual or hearing impairments with a signal notification of toothpaste depletion.
US08388245B2
An integrated printing apparatus is capable of printing on a separate sheet and of book printing on a block of pre-bound pages. The apparatus includes a a block support structure comprising two height-adjustable tables for supporting the block in two adjacent stacks, so that when a page is turned from atop a first stack to an adjacent second stack, the two adjacent stacks present substantially co-planar printable top surfaces. The apparatus also includes an automatic page-turning mechanism for redeploying a top page from the first stack to the second stack, holder for separate sheets, and a printing head. A relative motion mechanism provides relative motion between the printing head and a page of the block of printable pages or a sheet of the separate sheets while printing.
US08388236B2
An optical fiber connector assembly includes a female connector, a male connector, and a thin film filter. The female connector includes a first main body and a first lens portion. The first main body and the first lens portion are made of a same polymer material having a lower melting point and higher fluidity than polyether-imide. The male connector is used for insertion into the female connector and includes a second main body and a second lens portion for optically coupling with the first lens portion. The second main body and the second lens portion are made of a same polymer material having a lower melting point and higher fluidity than polyether-imide. The thin film filter is formed on each of the first and second lens portions. A related optical fiber connector is also disclosed.
US08388225B2
A controller measures a temperature at which an ultraviolet (UV) fluorescent lamp is operating and, in response, controls heat transfer between a heat-generating portion of the fluorescent lamp power supply circuitry, such as the ballast, and the interior of the curing chamber to maintain the fluorescent lamps operating at a stable temperature.
US08388224B2
An assembly for sensing temperature in a gas turbine engine includes a first array of RTDs connected in parallel, a second array of RTDs connected in parallel, and a circuit electrically connected to the first and second arrays. The circuit determines an approximate temperature of a medium as a function of resistance of the first and second arrays.
US08388222B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include devices for monitoring and indicating the completion of eradication of a pest infestation in a space in which heating is utilized for eradication. In an exemplary embodiment, a device includes a sensor configured to sense temperature proximate the device, and a visual indicator configured to provide indication of status. The device further includes a processor that is connected to the sensor and visual indicator. The processor is configured to determine whether the sensed temperature exceeds the MINIMUM LETHAL TEMPERATURE, and configured to determine occurrence of completion of a minimum heating duration required for eradication in which the sensed temperature exceeds the MINIMUM LETHAL TEMPERATURE. The processor is further configured to activate the visual indicator subsequent to completion of the minimum heating duration, to thereby provide visible indication that the minimum heating duration for eradication of a pest infestation has elapsed.
US08388219B2
A method for calibrating a pyrometer a temperature of a calibration sample is determined from the ratio of a first reflectance and a second reflectance and the pyrometer is calibrated by assigning the determined temperature of the calibration sample with a thermal radiation signal measured by the pyrometer.
US08388217B2
A cooling stick for a blender includes a cylindrical member designed to fit tightly through a circular aperture extending through the blender lid. The member has a lower portion and an upper portion with a surrounding rim of a diameter larger than the circular aperture. The lower portion has a lower end sized and shaped to avoid contact with the blender blade assembly. The cylindrical member has an interior chamber, an opening extending from an exterior of the member to the chamber and means for sealing the opening. A cooling fluid is located within the interior chamber. The fluid is cooled or frozen when the cooling stick is located in a cooling environment. When the chilled cooling stick is mounted to the lid of the blender, the cooling stick will cool contents of the blender when the blender is operated. The cooling stick also cools the blender contents after operation.
US08388205B2
An electrically powered light source including a light emitting diode (LED) having variable chromaticity, which is adapted for use in a dental operatory. A dental operatory lamp includes a thermally conductive housing having a front directed toward the operating area and a rear away from the operating area; a generally elliptical reflector located on the rear of the thermally conductive housing; at least one heat pipe; a plurality of color LEDs projecting light toward the elliptical reflector, the plurality of LEDs being in thermal contact with the at least one heat pipe; and an optical light guide for combining light from said LEDs. Another embodiment of the lamp includes at least two user selectable light spectra, one of said spectra providing white light with color temperature in the range 4000° K-6000° K and one spectra having reduced output in the wavelength range 400-500 nm.
US08388204B2
An optical inspection system and method are provided. A workpiece transport moves a workpiece in a nonstop manner. An illuminator includes a light pipe and is configured to provide a first and second strobed illumination field types. First and second arrays of cameras are arranged to provide stereoscopic imaging of the workpiece. The first array of cameras is configured to generate a first plurality of images of the workpiece with the first illumination field and a second plurality of images of the feature with the second illumination field. The second array of cameras is configured to generate a third plurality of images of the workpiece with the first illumination field and a fourth plurality of images of the feature with the second illumination field. A processing device stores at least some of the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of images and provides the images to an other device.
US08388198B2
An apparatus is described, including a light source, a lens and two reflectors. A first reflector is positioned to reflect a first portion of light from the light source, wherein the first portion of light is radiated from the light source in a central forward solid angle as defined by an outer edge of the first reflector. The lens is azimuthally horizontal to the light source for accepting a second portion of light from the light source emitted in a peripheral forward solid angle. A second reflector reflects the first portion of light after reflectance from the first reflector and the second portion of light after passing through the lens in a composite beam, wherein the first reflector and the lens are configured such that the first and second portions of light behave as though they were emitted from a point source at the second reflector focus.
US08388196B2
A heat dissipator having a heat-conducting substrate and a plurality of heat-dissipating columns is disclosed. The heat-conducting substrate is opened with a plurality of through-holes. Each of the heat-dissipating columns is discretely set on a surface of the heat-conducting substrate. An illuminator having the heat dissipator and an LED illuminating module is also disclosed. The LED illuminating module is fixed on the heat-conducting substrate and includes a circuit board and a plurality of LEDs arranged on the circuit board. This arrangement can increase the surface area for heat exchange with surrounding air and enhance the heat-dissipating efficiency of the heat dissipator.
US08388184B2
The invention provides a light emitting tufted carpet (1). The carpet (1) comprises a primary backing layer (100), an optional secondary backing layer (200), an optional adhesive layer (300), a plurality of carpet integrated LEDs (40) arranged to generate carpet light (41), and a first electric conductor (10) and a second electric conductor (20). The first electric conductor (10) and the second electric conductor (20) are arranged to provide power from a power source (50) to the LEDs (40). The primary backing layer (100) comprises a first felt layer (30′), or the optional secondary backing layer (200) comprises second felt layer (30″), or both the primary backing layer (100) and the optional secondary backing layer (200) comprise felt layers (30′,30″). One or more of the first electric conductor (10) and the second electric conductor (20) are at least partially integrated in one or more of the first felt layer (30′) and the second felt layer (30″).
US08388183B2
A lamp capable of effectively suppressing increase in the temperature of circuit devices is provided. The lamp includes: an LED module composed of LED chips; a base through which electric power is received; a lighting circuit which includes a circuit device group for generating electric power for causing the LED module to emit light using the electric power received through the base; an inner casing which is a tubular portion made of resin for housing the lighting circuit; and an outer casing which is a tubular portion for housing the inner casing. On the circumferential surface of the inner casing, a protrusion is provided which directly abuts the inner circumferential surface of the outer casing.
US08388175B2
A lighting device (100, 200, 300, 400) is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of light sources (111, 119, 120, 211, 219, 220) providing light in different wavelengths, a collimating means (104, 204) having a receiving end (103, 203, 407) and an output end (114, 214, 409), wherein said light sources are arranged at said receiving end. The collimating means comprises a set of wavelength selective filters (109, 110, 115, 116, 117, 118, 215, 217) arranged as sub-collimators (106, 107, 108, 206, 207, 208) to each of said plurality of light sources such that, for each light source, said sub-collimator collimates the light from its light source, and said wavelength selective filter of said each light source is translucent for light from adjacent light sources of different wavelength, and a second set of wavelength selective filters comprising compensation filters (222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232) wherein each compensation filter is arranged symmetrically with respect to corresponding part of the wavelength selective filter of said first set around a general light direction of the corresponding light source.
US08388174B2
The invention relates to a lighting arrangement (1) for illuminating an area under mesopic conditions. The lighting arrangement has one or more LEDs (6) emitting substantially monochromatic light in a first wavelength region. The lighting arrangement further has one or more LEDs emitting (8) substantially-monochromatic light in a second wavelength region. Aforementioned combination of LEDs is such that, in use, the light provided by the lighting arrangement has an S/P-ratio greater than 2.
US08388173B2
The present invention provides various embodiments for apparatuses and methods of manufacturing low profile housings for electronic and/or optoelectronic devices. Some embodiments provide low profile housings with a hollow casing comprising a first surface, second surface, and at least one lateral side surface. The housing is substantially light-diffusive. At least one cap is provided for sealing an end of the casing, with the at least one cap being sized to account for variations in the casing. At least one light emitting device, such as an LED, may be mounted within the casing. A mounting means may be included for mounting the housing to a mounting surface.
US08388169B2
A light device is provided that includes a light source and electrical circuitry for supplying electrical power to the light source. The light device also includes a housing having first and second ends and a hollow interior defining a compartment for holding a power source. The housing comprises a woven fiber thermoset composite. The housing is made by applying woven fibers to a mandrel and impregnating the woven fibers with an epoxy and curing the epoxy impregnated woven fibers to form the thermoset composite housing. An electrical interconnect is provided within the housing having first and second resilient contacts for providing an electrical connection between the power source and the light source.
US08388163B2
A method and apparatus of lighting a marine habitat for growth utilizing an LED light system. The light system includes an LED light source, a power supply for such light source and a controller for controlling the activation status and the intensity of the LED light source.
US08388162B2
Disclosed are a light source device and a display device having the same. The light source device comprises light emitting modules comprising a light emitting device, a circuit termination module provided at a second end of the light emitting module, first and second connectors connected to a first end and the second end of the light emitting modules, respectively, and a fourth connector connected to the circuit termination module, and connected to the second connector of the light emitting module.
US08388151B2
An interactive image projecting device that projects an image onto a display surface and controls the projected image based upon the detection or identification of the device housing or the remote object. The device has a touch-sensitive, flexible housing that may be transformed into different shapes. The image projecting device includes a projector that generates an image from a control unit. The device includes an illuminating emitter, which illuminates the device body and remote objects, and a light sensor that is operable to detect the position of its housing or remote object. Based upon the sensed housing or remote object, the control unit operates to modify the image projected from the device such that the image from the device can interact with its housing or remote object.
US08388148B2
An optical system is provided which includes an illumination system with a light source, a lens member which guides light from the light source, and a mirror member; an image unit on which an image is formed and on which light from the illumination system is incident; a projection system which magnifies and projects the image formed on the image unit; and a blocking unit which is mounted to the mirror member of the illumination system and partially blocks light from the light source that is directed to the mirror member.
US08388145B2
An image processing device in a projection system that includes a first image generation section adapted to project first image on a projection surface and a second image generation section adapted to project second image on the projection surface so as to overlap the first image is disclosed. The image processing device includes: a pixel shift amount calculation section adapted to calculate a pixel shift amount between the first image and the second image; a modulation transfer function (MTF) obtaining section adapted to obtain MTF at a predetermined frequency, corresponding to the pixel shift amount calculated by the pixel shift amount calculation section; a correction filter generation section adapted to generate a correction filter adapted to correct the MTF so that the image displayed on the projection surface has desired sharpness; and a filter applying section adapted to apply the correction filter to image data corresponding to the image.
US08388143B2
A projection display device includes a light source, a reflector, and a fixing portion. The device further includes a first air supply portion and a second air supply portion; a first air drawing portion which separates the cooling air from the first air supply portion into streams of the cooling air to guide one of the streams into an interior of the reflector in a first direction and to guide the other of the streams to the fixing portion in a second direction; and a second air drawing portion which separates the cooling air from the second air supply portion into streams of the cooling air to guide one of the streams into the interior of the reflector in a third direction and to guide the other of the streams to the fixing portion in a fourth direction.
US08388141B2
An electric apparatus includes a centrifugal fan that includes an impeller in a casing, and is configured to draw air when the impeller rotates in the casing, and to have a blowoff channel of the air from the impeller in the casing, which spreads in a rotating direction of the impeller, and a first cooled part and a second cooled part that has a necessary cooling air capacity larger than that of the first cooled part, the first cooled part and the second cooled part being cooled by the air drawn by the centrifugal fan, wherein a drawing surface of the centrifugal fan has a first drawing area and a second drawing area that has a drawing speed higher than that of the first drawing area when the impeller rotates.
US08388124B2
The present invention relates to a radiation-curable ink-jet ink comprising at least two monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomers; a monofunctional monomer selected from an N-vinyl amide, an N-acryloyl amine, or a mixture thereof; a polymerisable (meth)acrylate oligomer; a radical photoinitiator; and a colouring agent; wherein the ink has a viscosity of less than 100 mPas at 25° C. The ink is substantially free of multifunctional monomers; and the at least two monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomers include a combination of a cyclic monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer and an acyclic-hydrocarbon monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer. The ink displays an excellent balance of cure speed and viscosity for the ink together with hardness and flexibility for the cured film.
US08388117B2
A method of making an inkjet printhead comprises forming a first patterned layer 20 on a surface of a first substrate 10, forming a second patterned layer 28 on a surface of a second substrate 100, bonding the first and second layers in intimate face-to-face contact, and removing the second substrate 100 from the second patterned layer 28. The first and second patterned layers 20, 28 together define at least one ink ejection chamber having at least one ink ejection nozzle.
US08388116B2
Piezoelectric unit, comprising a fluid chamber, a fluid outlet, an actuator, comprising a thin film piezoceramic element and a membrane, acting as a wall of the fluid chamber, and a support element arranged for preventing a supported portion of the actuator from movement in a main direction of actuation movement of the actuator, while allowing such actuation movement on at least two sides of the supported portion, wherein the support element is connected to a unit portion that extends approximately opposite to the actuator.
US08388115B2
A piezoelectric inkjet head structure includes an upper cover plate, a lower cover plate, a piezoelectric actuating module, a nozzle plate and a seal layer. The piezoelectric actuating module includes an upper piezoelectric chip, a lower piezoelectric chip, a first electrode, a second electrode, a conductive layer and a plurality of flow channels. The entrances of the flow channels of the upper piezoelectric chip and the lower piezoelectric chip are separated from each other by the same spacing interval. The entrances of the flow channels of the upper piezoelectric chip and the entrances of the flow channels of the lower piezoelectric chip are arranged in a staggered form. During operation of the piezoelectric actuating module, ink liquid is introduced into the flow channels of the piezoelectric actuating module from the upper cover plate and the lower cover plate, and then ejected out of the nozzles.
US08388111B2
A method of printing at a dot density exceeding a nozzle density in a stationary pagewidth printhead. The method includes the steps of: (i) advancing a print medium transversely past the stationary printhead at a rate of one line per one line-time; and (ii) firing droplets of ink from predetermined nozzles in a nozzle row to create successive lines of print. Some or all of the predetermined nozzles fire droplets of ink at a plurality of predetermined different dot positions along a longitudinal axis of the printhead during one line-time, such that the printed dot density in each line of print exceeds the nozzle density.
US08388108B2
The liquid droplet spraying apparatus includes a chamber containing a fluid; a nozzle body having a nozzle for spraying the fluid in the chamber to one side of a material to be printed; an electrostatic spray module which is arranged in the vicinity of the chamber or the nozzle, and which forms an electrostatic field for the fluid contained in the chamber to provide a first spray force for spraying the fluid via the nozzle to form a liquid droplet; a physical spray module which is arranged in the chamber and opposite the nozzle, and which provides a second spray force for assisting the first spray force when the first spray force is generated; and a control unit for controlling the electrostatic spray module and the physical spray module such that the first spray force and the second spray force can be provided in a specific pattern.The liquid droplet spraying apparatus includes a chamber containing a fluid; a nozzle body having a nozzle for spraying the fluid in the chamber to one side of a material to be printed; an electrostatic spray module which is arranged in the vicinity of the chamber or the nozzle, and which forms an electrostatic field for the fluid contained in the chamber to provide a first spray force for spraying the fluid via the nozzle to form a liquid droplet; a physical spray module which is arranged in the chamber and opposite the nozzle, and which provides a second spray force for assisting the first spray force when the first spray force is generated; and a control unit for controlling the electrostatic spray module and the physical spray module such that the first spray force and the second spray force can be provided in a specific pattern.
US08388087B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a recording head that has a first column of nozzles, in which nozzles that eject dye ink are provided in line in a sub-scanning direction intersecting a main scanning direction of the recording head and recording paper, and a second column of nozzles, in which nozzles that eject pigment ink are provided in line in parallel to the first column of nozzles, which are disposed side by side in the main scanning direction. The liquid ejecting apparatus also includes a control section that adjusts an ejection amount of at least one of the dye ink and the pigment ink by changing a driving signal in accordance with the landing sequence of the dye ink and the pigment ink on the recording paper.
US08388083B2
A system for efficiently boosting drive capability for high-voltage linear power amplification to supply transducers in a print head is provided. A linear power amplifier to drive the transducers in the print head includes a charge pump capacitor to boost the output voltage of the amplifier above the supply rail voltage. The amplifier can provide both positive and negative output pulses to drive the transducers. A distribution switch is used to distribute the output pulses among multiple transducers and a biasing circuit provides proper sequencing and timing signals to generate smooth output pulses. A method for driving a plurality of transducers in a print head using a charge pump capacitor is also provided.
US08388079B2
Inkjet head, method of detecting ejection abnormality of the inkjet head, and method of forming film
There are provided n number of line-type inkjet nozzles (2) which include nozzles (4) that eject a liquid material and are arranged in a row, and which are arranged in parallel with each other so that positions of the nozzles (4) are shifted from each other by 1/n of a nozzle pitch (P1). Thus, an inkjet head (1) as a whole has a state equivalent to a state in which the nozzles (4) are arranged at 1/n of a nozzle pitch of one line-type inkjet nozzle (2). The inkjet head (1) is capable of adjusting a timing of ejecting the liquid material for each line-type inkjet nozzle (2). Accordingly, adjustment of a dot pitch such as fine coating and rough coating can be performed with ease.
US08388073B2
Modular storage units that can be assembled without additional fasteners or tools and then coupled together with or without optional shelves into an overall storage system using a common twist-lock fastener. The modular storage units are assembled from top, bottom and side panels. The top and bottom panels for each modular storage unit are structurally identical as are the side panels. Modular storage units having different widths have commonly sized and structurally identical side panels. Storage systems that are built up from the modular storage units can be easily assembled in work vehicles and other close quarters or tight spaces. The modular storage units can include plurality of trays or other articles for storing various parts, articles, etc.
US08388070B2
In a mining machine (1) for the processing of a ground (3), in particular surface miner, with a machine frame (2), a cutting drum (4) mounted in the machine frame (2), a first transport device (6), which accepts mining material from the cutting drum (4), a second transport device (12), which accepts the mining material from the first transport device (6) at a point of acceptance (18) that is arranged at the lower end (14) of the second transport device (12) and is located below the upper end (22) of the first transport device (6), a conveyor suspension device (10) for the second transport device (12), which is mounted at the machine frame (2) to slew about a vertical slewing axis (8), where the second transport device (12) is pivotable about a first horizontal pivoting axis (24) that runs transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second transport device (12) and is mounted in the conveyor suspension device (10), and where the vertical slewing axis (8) of the conveyor suspension device (10) runs essentially centrally through the point of acceptance (18), it is provided that the conveyor suspension device (10), together with the second transport device (12), is pivotable, relative to the machine frame (2), about a second horizontal pivoting axis (28).
US08388059B2
An actuating system for a head restraint of a vehicle seat is provided. The head restraint includes a part that can be shifted from a comfort position to a safety position, such as in the event of an accident. Limbs are expandable from an initial position as a consequence of pressure loading to bring about a lengthening which can be transmitted to force transmission means. The limbs are connected to one another and/or to fastening means by joints, each having a first and a second joint pin which can be inserted axially into holes to form the joints.
US08388031B1
Shovels and trowels are formed from metal and plastic for enhanced soil and sand penetration, and for cutting into roots. The shovels and trowels can each have one or more narrow tip teeth edges extending outward from the front end of the blade, the teeth edges each having embossed surface portions for strengthening the blade and disbursing stress during digging applications. The embossed portions can be indented. The embossed portions can be raised. A shovel version can also have foot brakes on both side of the handle above the rear end of the blade, to allow for a stable and safe foot placement.
US08388028B2
A fluid line having a crimp joint comprises a flexible hose, a tube and a ferrule. The tube has a tube stem portion located in the flexible hose, with the tube stem portion including a first flat portion adjacent to the free end, a second flat portion, a third flat portion, a first tube stem bead located between the first and second flat portions and extending radially outward, and a tube stem groove located between the second and third flat portions and extending radially inward. A ferrule is located radially outward from the flexible hose, with the ferrule including a first crimp tooth located radially outward from the first flat portion, a second crimp tooth located radially outward from the second flat portion, and a third crimp tooth located radially outward from the third flat portion, wherein the crimp teeth are out of phase with the bead and the groove.
US08387993B2
A sealing device for sealing a first side against a second side of a machine part, wherein the sealing device has a sealing element which contacts a counter element. At least a part of the sealing element and/or at least a part of the counter element is coated with a layer consisting of or containing fullerene-like carbon nitride (FL-CNx), wherein an inter-layer of chromium (Cr) or aluminum (Al) or molybdenum (Mo) or titanium (Ti) or tungsten (W) or a diamond-like coating (DLC) or a metal-mix diamond-like coating (Me-DLC) is arranged between the surface of the sealing element and the layer consisting of or containing fullerene-like carbon nitride and/or between the surface of the counter element and the layer consisting of or containing fullerene-like carbon nitride.
US08387991B2
A sealing assembly provides a seal between a first element and a second element, the first element being movable with respect to the second element, wherein the sealing assembly comprises: a sealing member adjacent to the first and second elements; a first seal portion for providing a first seal between the sealing member and the first element, the first seal portion being arranged in a first direction; and a second seal portion for providing a second seal between the sealing member and the second element, the second seal portion being arranged in a second direction, wherein the first direction is arranged at an angle with respect to the second direction and the sealing member is disposed such that the sealing member is movable relative to the second element in the second direction.
US08387976B2
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes: a guide unit for guiding the side end of the sheet; a first roller pair arranged on the downstream side of the guide unit for conveying the sheet, including a driven roller held in contact with a whole sheet in a sheet width direction; and a second roller pair having a conveyance roller arranged on the downstream side of the roller and adapted to convey the sheet, and a plurality of pinch rollers pinching the sheet in cooperation with the conveyance roller, wherein each of the plurality of pinch rollers applies to the sheet a conveyance force inclined toward a conveyance path side end, which is nearer to the pinch roller, and wherein the smaller the distance between the pinch roller and the conveyance path side end, the greater the inclination of the conveyance force thereof.
US08387966B2
A sheet processing apparatus includes a laterally moveable post-processing module moveable from a predetermined operating position to a predetermined lateral delivery position and a control unit. The control unit is configured to operate the post-processing module such that a lateral delivery position for a set of at least one sheet is determined, the post-processing module is moved to the operating position, the post-processing module is operable to subsequently engage the set of at least one sheet to obtain a processed set of at least one sheet, then move the post-processing module from the operating position to the delivery position in coupling engagement with the processed set of at least one sheet, to move the processed set of at least one sheet to the lateral delivery position and disengage the post-processing module to deliver the processed set of at least one sheet at the lateral delivery position.
US08387964B2
A creasing device includes a creasing unit that creases sheets on a one-by-one basis, which is conveyed to a folding device of a subsequent stage, a sheet detection unit that detects a position of a sheet delivered to the creasing device and a control unit that obtains reference information of a fold-position for the folding device and performs control of a stop position of the sheet according to reference information of the fold position, thereby adjusting a crease position.
US08387956B2
A reboiling jet apparatus includes at least two nozzles in series, configured to cause boiling of a hot liquid in the first nozzle, deceleration and reduction of the gas phase in the second nozzle, followed by acceleration and reboiling in the second nozzle. A second deceleration and reduction of the gas phase occurs at the outlet of the second nozzle. Each deceleration causes heating of the liquid by reduction of the gas phase; thus, energy of a pressurized input fluid is efficiently converted into heat by action of the nozzles. A convergent-divergent nozzle for steam injection with a mixing chamber may be used instead of the first nozzle to cause the first boiling. Another nozzle may be used to introduce a cold fluid at the outlet of the second nozzle for mixing with the hot flow prior to completion of the second deceleration.
US08387955B2
A fencing system operable to define a barrier relative to a foundation. The fencing system includes a mount that is operable to be supported by the foundation. The mount includes an upright portion configured to extend from the foundation. The fencing system also includes a first barrier member having a lower bracket that receives the upright portion such that the mount supports the first barrier member generally upright. The fencing system also includes a second barrier member having an upper bracket that receives the upright portion such that the mount supports the second barrier member generally upright and such that the upper bracket substantially overlaps the lower bracket to limit movement of the first barrier member.
US08387952B2
A staple remover, with a staple removing blade, for removing a staple from a stack of sheets of paper. The staple remover prevents staple jams by providing a means for automatically discarding removed staples from the staple removing blade. The staple remover comprises a storage compartment and an elongate staple removing blade. The elongate staple removing blade comprises a longitudinally extending staple pulling surface and a laterally flared portion located at the apex of the staple pulling surface. The geometry of the elongate staple removing blade substantially resiliently deforms the legs of the staple, allowing the legs to spring back towards each other and project the staple into the storage compartment.
US08387949B2
The invention relates to a coaxial coupling which comprises a male part (501) and a female part (502) and comprises a bypass valve (218) so that the female part (502) can be decoupled from the male part (501) while pressurized fluid passes through the female part (502). The nipple pipe (105) of the male part (501) pushes a spring-loaded valve (218) in the female part (502) over said rear holes (301) in the inner pipe (2) of the female part. The female part (502) has a rotatable locking sleeve (207), which is coupled to a sleeve (214) accommodating pins (213). The nipple pipe body (104) has helical grooves (100), wherein, upon coupling and rotation of the locking sleeve (207), the pins (213), through rotation of the pins (213), when they fall into the grooves (100), catch in the walls of the grooves (100) and cause the nipple pipe body (104) of the male part to be pulled into the female part (502), one end of the inner pipe (2) meets a relief valve (113) of the male part (501) and opens the relief valve (113), and pressurized oil is discharged against the valve of the female part (502) prior to continued opening of valves (115, 122) in the nipple pipe body (104).
US08387947B2
A capacity control valve includes a solenoid portion; a tube placed in the solenoid portion; and a movable core which forms a slide surface that is fitted to the tube. An actuation rod has a joint portion and a valve body, the joint portion being engaged with an abutting surface of a solenoid rod portion, and the valve body opening or closing a control fluid passage. The joint surface of the solenoid rod portion or the abutting face of the actuation rod has a concave cone-shape surface while the other has a convex cone-shape portion. A bottom face of the concave cone-shape surface is formed as a wide area of either a planar surface or a circular cross section, wherein a head portion of the convex cone-shape portion is truncated to form a truncated cone surface, the truncated cone surface corresponding to the bottom face of the concave cone-shape surface.
US08387945B2
The system contains a top permanent magnet and a bottom permanent magnet. The bottom magnet is axially aligned with the top magnet. The top magnet and the bottom magnet have substantially opposing magnetization. A top coil is positioned substantially enclosing the top magnet. A bottom coil is positioned substantially enclosing the bottom magnet. A ferromagnetic spacer is positioned between the top magnet and the bottom magnet. A slug is slidably positioned within the top coil and bottom coil. The slug has an opening formed therein. The slug opening is sized and positioned to slidably receive at least one of the top magnet, the bottom magnet, and the ferromagnetic spacer. An actuating member is integral with the slug.
