US08395509B2

A race management system which includes an RFID tag located between an inner and outer layer and is removably secured to a participant's bib through a mounting film. The inner layer is secured to a second inner layer having at least one fold line and an adhesive portion outward of the at least one fold line. The RFID tag is secured around a portion of the participant's shoe and is activated by at least one antenna to transmit identification data encoded on the tag. The encoded data corresponds to indicia printed on the bib and allows automatic collection of running times.
US08395508B2

An RFID tag monitoring system with multiple reader units each equipped with processing capacity sufficient to enable the unit to operate autonomously under its own command and control as well as to register in its individual memory the identity of all of the items that potentially could be present at any particular time at a zone or zones to which it is assigned as well as the particular zone at which a specific RFID tagged item is found; data compression at the reader units permits timely reporting of inventory to a main computer.
US08395504B2

An IC label for prevention of forgery includes: a label substrate which has an adhesive agent for affixing the same to an object; a non-contact IC medium which is provided on the label substrate and has an IC chip for storing predetermined identification information and an antenna for wireless transmission of the identification information; and a security function portion which is provided on the label substrate and prevents replication.
US08395500B1

An electronic self-service device, and a method for using same, is provided. A self-service device according to the invention may include a receiver module configured to receive an input from at least one motion detector. The input may include information corresponding to a security alert condition. The device may also include a security alert mitigation module and a processor module configured to determine whether the information exceeds a security alert condition threshold. When the information exceeds a predetermined security alert condition threshold, the processor module may be further configured to ameliorate the security alert conditions using the security alert condition mitigation module.
US08395497B2

A radiofrequency circuit embedded onboard a satellite, data being transmitted on several channels by radiofrequency signals, includes a channel corresponding to a frequency band, and a succession of gains being able to be associated with a channel so as to generate the radiofrequency signal to be transmitted on the latter. The succession includes at least one variable-gain amplifier, the radiofrequency signals thus generated being multiplexed by a multiplexer composed of bandpass filters. The successions of gains comprise a power load arranged so as to dissipate the power of signals which is reflected by the filters of the multiplexer, said load including means for generating an alarm signal representative of the power level of the reflected signals, the alarm signal being used to control the gain of the variable-gain amplifier. The subject of the invention is also a power load.
US08395490B2

A blind spot display apparatus presents a situation at a blind spot occurring at an intersection from a driver's viewpoint, in a method of presenting the situation to a driver. The blind spot display apparatus includes: an omni-directional image storage unit storing omni-directional images obtained at different positions; a blind spot model generating unit calculating a position of the object based on each image of the object (in the blind spot) included in the omni-directional images; an own-vehicle model generating unit calculating a position of a vehicle based on images of the vehicle included in the omni-directional images; an own-vehicle viewpoint coordinate transforming unit transforming the calculated position of the object into display coordinates relative to the calculated position of the vehicle; and a display unit that performs display.
US08395485B2

A method for evaluating the current coupling factor between an electromagnetic transponder and a terminal, wherein a ratio between data representative of a voltage across an oscillating circuit of the transponder and obtained for two pairs of inductive and capacitive values of this oscillating circuit is compared with one or several thresholds, the two pairs of values preserving a tuning of the oscillating circuit to a same frequency.
US08395484B2

An improved system and method for monitoring objects, people, animals, or places uses a passive Modulating Reflector (MR) tag where a characteristic of an antenna is modified according to a time-varying pattern by a modulating network thereby causing the reflective characteristics of the antenna to vary in accordance with the time-varying pattern. When an interrogator transmits an RF waveform that impinges on the antenna, the return signal reflecting off the antenna is modulated in accordance with the time-varying pattern allowing a remote receiver to demodulate information from the modulated return signal. The antenna is embedded in a dielectric material. The MR tag can be used with a wide variety of tag-interrogator configurations employing monostatic and/or bistatic radar techniques to allow monitoring, locating, and/or tracking of objects, people, animals, or place with which MR tags are associated.
US08395481B2

The present invention relates to an RFID reader and a method thereof, and an RFID data processing method. The RFID reader generates a specific query message to a plurality of RFIDs, receives a first response message corresponding to the query message from at least one RFID among the RFIDs, and sequentially identifies a tag ID of a collided RFID by using a collision solving message when a collision occurs according to the result of receiving a first response message. The RFID reader can quickly and accurately identify a plurality of RFIDs since it can eliminate an unnecessary time such as excessive no response slot generation or repeated rounds through a sequential identification process for the collided RFIDs.
US08395472B2

The present invention provides a means to integrate planar coils on silicon, while providing a high inductance. This high inductance is achieved through a special back- and front sided shielding of a material. In many applications, high-value inductors are a necessity. In particular, this holds for applications in power management. In these applications, the inductors are at least 5 of the order of 1 μH, and must have an equivalent series resistance of less than 0.1Ω. For this reason, those inductors are always bulky components, of a typical size of 2×2×1 mm 3, which make a fully integrated solution impossible. On the other hand, integrated inductors, which can monolithically be integrated, do exist. However, these inductors suffer either from low inductance values, or 10 very-high DC resistance values.
US08395469B2

A transformer for converting 3 phase AC to 9 phase AC power is provided. The transformer includes first, second and third coils, each coil having a plurality of serial windings coupled together to form a polygon. The transformer further includes first, second and third input terminals each linked to a respective winding of the first, second and third coils. The input terminals are configured to receive a first, second and third phases of input AC power and at least one selected input terminal of the first, second and third input terminals is adjustable to alter a number of turns of the respective winding of the corresponding first, second or third coil on either side of the selected input terminal. The transformer further includes first through ninth output terminals linkable to first through ninth output power lines.
US08395464B2

Disclosed is a wedge shaped actuator device configured to provide separation of spring supported electrical contacts in an electrical switch. The wedge is configured with dual contour sides to maximize transfer of energy from a drive solenoid to the contact carrying springs. Portions of the wedge are relieved to allow for uninhibited movement of the wedge over side surfaces of the contact carrying springs to avoid digging in of any rough materials from the side edges of the spring as may be occasioned due to stamping techniques used to form the springs.
US08395461B2

Various embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having a conductive contact configured to couple to a resistor-capacitor (RC) network, a device unit coupled to the conductive contact, and a mode switching unit to change a characteristic of a signal at the conductive contact based at least in part on an RC time constant of the RC network. The mode switching unit may switch the device unit between a first operating mode and a second operating mode based on a signal level of the signal.
US08395459B2

Methods for generating a look-up table relating a plurality of complex reflection coefficients to a plurality of matched states for a tunable matching network. Typical steps include measuring a plurality of complex reflection coefficients resulting from a plurality of impedance loads while the tunable matching network is in a predetermined state, determining a plurality of matched states for the plurality of impedance loads, with a matched state determined for each of the plurality of impedance loads and providing the determined matched states as a look-up table. A further step is interpolating the measured complex reflection coefficients and the determined matching states into a set of complex reflection coefficients with predetermined step sizes.
US08395451B2

A N-Channel HJ-FET cascode amplifier, with a High Frequency NPN Transistor differential error amplifier, having low 1/f noise, a DC to 12 GHz bandwidth, flat frequency response, excellent transient response, high linearity, and low input and output VSWR over a wide frequency range.
US08395449B2

The present invention relates to a power supply control network of an amplifying active elements system enabling at least one control signal to be transmitted to N different control systems of the power supply voltage of P different composed active amplifying elements. It comprises a set of distributor elements of power supply control signals connected in cascade.
US08395446B1

Method and apparatus for amplification in an IC are described. A dual mode isolation amplifier having two modes of operation is provided. In the first mode of operation for a resistor-loaded differential transconductance with additional gain, a first switch circuit is placed in a substantially nonconductive state for electrically decoupling from a first current source node and a second current source node. A second switch circuit is placed in a substantially conductive state for electrically coupling a capacitor thereof to the first current source node and the second current source node. At high frequencies, a first resistance associated with the capacitor coupled in parallel with a resistive load is substantially reduced. The resistive load is coupled between the first current source node and the second current source node. The first resistance is reduced by approximating a short circuit by the capacitor during high-frequency operation.
US08395440B2

An integrated circuit comprises a block of components to be power gated and power gating circuitry for selectively isolating the components from the source voltage supply to achieve such power gating. A voltage regulator provides a control voltage to the power gating circuitry when performing power gating operations. The control voltage may be set to any of a plurality of predetermined voltage levels. An adaptive controller receives operating parameter data from either or both of the block of components and the power gating circuitry, that operating parameter data being indicative of leakage current. The adaptive controller issues a feedback signal to the voltage regulator whose value depends on the received operating parameter data. The voltage regulator responds to the feedback signal to change the control voltage between the predetermined voltage levels until the operating parameter data indicates that a desired leakage current is obtained within the power gating circuitry.
US08395439B2

An internal voltage adjusting circuit of a semiconductor memory device processes a period from activation to deactivation of a reset bar signal by dividing the period into a first period to a third period. In the first period, a peripheral circuit voltage is stabilized to a lowest value to suppress power consumption. In the second period in which a power source voltage is stabilized, the peripheral circuit voltage is set to a highest value to read out optimum internal voltage values from a fuse circuit in a stable manner. In the third period after reading out the optimum internal voltage values, the peripheral circuit voltage is returned to the lowest value to suppress the power consumption. When the reset bar signal is deactivated, the peripheral circuit voltage is set based on the optimum internal voltage values read out from the fuse circuit.
US08395433B2

A cascoded input-output device is provided configured to receive at an input node a lower voltage input signal and to generate at an output node a higher voltage output signal. The input-output device is split into two voltage domains to enable output signals in a larger range to be generated, while the components of the input-output device individually operate in a smaller range. By applying a selected bias voltage to a protected node of the cascoded input-output device, first changing that selected bias voltage in response to a transition of the input signal and then switching that selected bias voltage back when the output signal reaches a predetermined level, that node is protected, either avoiding stress-inducing voltage swings or providing a switching speed increasing charge boost.
US08395432B2

The present invention provides a sensor circuit. The sensor circuit comprises a first amplifier which receives a measurement signal via an input end thereof, amplifies the received signal, and outputs the amplified signal via a first output end thereof; a first current source which supplies current (Ir) flowing toward the input resistance (Ri) of the first amplifier; a second current source which supplies current (Ic) flowing toward the input capacitance (Ci) of the first amplifier; and a bias current source which reduces the direct current offset voltage in the output of the first amplifier.
US08395431B2

In a clear period, transistors NT38 and PT38 turn on and state retention nodes HQ and H/Q are cleared to an L level and an H level, respectively. In this clear period, a transistor NT21 is off. Consequently, a precharge node PS maintains itself at an H level. Thus, transistors PT31 and NT32 are off, thereby preventing a short circuit from occurring in a clear period. A short circuit is also prevented from occurring in a preset period.
US08395428B2

A digital phase locked loop (DPLL) operates in the frequency domain. The period (and hence frequency) of a reference frequency clock signal is determined by sampling with a (higher frequency) digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) clock. The period is compared to the period representation of a desired frequency, and the frequency error signal is integrated in a loop filter and applied as a control input to the DCO. To prevent spurious emissions resulting from the accumulation of quantization errors in the frequency determination and comparison operations, the arrival time of state transition edges of the reference frequency clock signal are randomized prior to sampling. The edge randomization control signal preferably has a triangular probability density function, and its spectrum has most significant energy outside the loop bandwidth of the DPLL; hence, the spurious emissions caused by the accumulation of quantization errors are filtered out by the loop filter.
US08395423B2

A switching-control circuit, which causes a first transistor, having an input electrode to be applied with an input voltage and an output electrode connected to an inductor and a diode, to be turned on and kept on for a predetermined time period, includes: a comparison circuit to compare a feedback voltage corresponding to an output voltage with a reference voltage; a detecting circuit to detect a switching period of the first transistor; and a driving circuit to turn off a second transistor connected in parallel to the diode as well as turn on the first transistor to be kept on for the predetermined time period, and thereafter, turn off the first and second transistors, when the feedback voltage becomes lower than the reference voltage, and turn off the first transistor as well as turn on the second transistor, when the switching period becomes longer than a predetermined period.
US08395422B2

The threshold value for a normally-off junction FET is a low value. Accordingly, in a semiconductor driver circuit using the normally-off junction FET, there have existed such problems as high-accuracy voltage control, high-speed charging into an input capacitor, and misoperations. A semiconductor driver circuit which is the most suitable for the normally-off junction FET is proposed by applying the high-accuracy gate-voltage generation scheme based on a Zener diode, a reduction in the turn-on loss based on a speed-up capacitor, the connection of an inter-gate-source capacitor, and a misoperation-preventing circuit based on the source-terminal optimum implementation scheme.
US08395410B2

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and a signal propagation control circuit. The first circuit is configured to have a first power supply terminal. The second circuit is configured to have a second power supply terminal independent of the first power supply terminal. The signal propagation control circuit is configured to provide a first fixed value to the second circuit for a predetermined period after power is supplied to the second circuit, and after the predetermined period, configured to control whether to transfer an output signal from the first circuit to the second circuit or provide the first fixed value to the second circuit.
US08395409B2

An integrated circuit includes a first multiplexer (mux) with multiple inputs and configured to produce a mux output signal. The electronic circuit also includes a first gated buffer to receive the mux output signal from the first multiplexer and produce a first gated buffer output signal, a second gated buffer to receive the first gated buffer output signal and to produce a second gated buffer output signal to be provided to a pin, and a receive buffer. The receive buffer is coupled to the pin and receives an input signal from the pin. The electronic circuit operates in a test mode in which the second gated buffer is disabled preventing a test signal provided to an input of the first mux from reaching the pin. Instead, the test signal is provided through the first mux to the first gated buffer and to the receive buffer thereby testing the first mux.
US08395387B2

A magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) method with spectral fat saturation or spectral water excitation in a tissue region that is to be represented of a patient who is to be examined, includes the following steps: (Step 1) frequency adjustment measurement of a region of a patient that is to be represented with a selected first partial coil of the MRT system, (Step 2) precise determination of the resonance frequency of water with the aid of the spectrum obtained in Step 1 exhibiting the resonance frequencies of fat and water, (Step 3) repetition of Steps 1 and 2 with at least one additionally selected second partial coil of the MRT system adjacent to the first partial coil, (Step 4) measuring of a k space data record with a partial coil or a partial coil combination on the basis of the water resonance frequency assigned to these partial coils, (Step 5) repetition of Step 4 with other partial coils or other partial coil combinations until the entire tissue region to be represented has been measured, (Step 6) combining of the measuring results obtained in Steps 4 and 5, and (Step 7) representing of the results obtained in Step 6 in the image space in the form of an overall image of the tissue region to be represented.
US08395386B2

According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a correction data acquisition unit configured to perform diffusion weighted imaging to a phantom having a known apparent diffusion coefficient and measure an apparent diffusion coefficient of the phantom to acquire correction data from a measured apparent diffusion coefficient and the known apparent diffusion coefficient, and an image generating unit configured to perform diffusion weighted imaging to an object with a same parameter setting as that of the diffusion weighted imaging to the phantom to generate an apparent diffusion coefficient image from a diffusion weighted imaging data of the object and the correction data.
US08395384B2

In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to acquire fluid signature data representing a plurality of nuclear magnetic resonance echo trains associated with fluids in a material, to simultaneously invert a plurality of relaxation time models to provide inverted results, and to determine fluid properties using the inverted results. The relaxation time models may be associated with the fluids using the fluid signature data after constraining ratios of T1 relaxation times to T2 relaxation times.
US08395374B2

A sensor used to sense the position of an attached movable object. The sensor can be mounted to a pneumatic actuator. The sensor includes a housing that has a pair of cavities or pockets separated by a wall. A magnet carrier is positioned within one of the cavities and a magnet is coupled to the magnet carrier. The magnet carrier is coupled to the moveable object. A magnetic sensor is positioned in the other of the cavities. The magnetic sensor generates an electrical signal that is indicative of a position of the movable object.
US08395372B2

A method of measuring a current of a current carrying cable teaches the first step of providing an optical sensor assembly comprising a base unit, and an optical current sensor mounted on the base unit for transmitting a beam of polarized electromagnetic radiation to an optical fiber. A light detector is also provided having a first channel that operably connecting the light detector to an analog to digital converter through a programmable gain amplifier, a second channel that operably connects the light detector directly to the analog to digital converter, and a processor operably connected to the analog to digital converter. The optical sensor assembly is mounted adjacent the current carrying cable, and the fiber optic is operably connected to a light detector. A plurality of factors are then evaluated from rotation information from the light detector, by using the first and second channels for analog to digital conversion operably connected with the processor.
US08395369B2

A buck converter includes a power supply unit, two MOSFETs and a delay circuit. The PWM module is coupled to the gates of the two MOSFETs to alternatively turn on the two MOSFETs. The delay circuit is coupled between an output terminal and an input node of the PWM module for making sure that a voltage applied to the PWM module is after a voltage applied to a drain the MOSFETs.
US08395359B2

A charge controller includes a power supply circuit and a battery charge circuit. The power supply circuit converts the input voltage into an output voltage for supply to the load at the output terminal. The power supply circuit includes an output current detection circuit and an output current limiting circuit. The output current detection circuit detects an output current supplied through the power supply circuit. The output current limiting circuit limits the output current below a maximum output current limit. The battery charge circuit derives power from the power supply circuit to charge a secondary battery. The battery charge circuit includes a charge current detection circuit and a charge current setting circuit. The charge current detection circuit detects a charge current supplied to the secondary battery. The charge current setting circuit regulates the charge current to a set current value.
US08395356B2

A facility which operates according to galvanic principles, such as in particular a lithium-ion accumulator, and a method for monitoring and controlling an electric operating condition of the facility. The facility comprises at least one galvanic cell and an operating management system for monitoring and controlling the electric operating condition of the facility and for monitoring a representative temperature of the facility. The operating management system is designed to control the electric operating condition of the facility as a function of the temperature. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08395354B2

An electronic circuit that is normally used in a car cigarette lighter adapter is disclosed. It is designed to meet the high performance requirements of the Apple Computer specification for charging iPod and iPhone, while still retaining low cost. The circuit is composed of input protection components, surge regulator, FET switch, inductor-capacitor smoothing filter, gate drive components, voltage regulator, current regulator, current sense element, and voltage reference.
US08395353B2

A wireless charging transmitter for a portable electronic device is provided. The wireless charging transmitter includes a first housing, a second housing and a wireless charge transmitting module. The wireless charge transmitting module is disposed within the second housing. The second housing is rotatable with respect to the first housing, so that either an included angle is defined between the second housing and the first housing or the second housing and the first housing are folded together. Whereas, in a case that an included angle is defined between the second housing and the first housing, once a wireless charging receiver is contacted with the second housing, electric power may be transmitted to the wireless charging receiver. In a case that the second housing and the first housing are folded together, the wireless charging transmitter has a rectangular shape. Due to the rectangular shape, the wireless charging transmitter is easily carried.
US08395348B1

A wireless mobile communication device may include a wireless communication system configured to communicate information wirelessly. A rechargeable power source may be configured to supply power to the wireless communication system. A plurality of energy conversion devices may each be configured to receive energy from a different type of energy source and convert that energy into electricity. A case may house the wireless communication system, the rechargeable power source, and the energy conversion devices.
US08395341B1

Methods, systems and computer program products for compensating repeatable timing variations associated with a spindle motor are described. Specifically, a repetitive error correction factor may be determined using a computational model which predicts timing variations. The correction factor can then be used to cancel the effect of the actual timing variations upon the spindle motor.
US08395339B2

A motor control device that has a high-frequency component, and a DC bias component that has a magnitude which causes a motor to be magnetically saturated and take on a certain value over a predetermined period, and is positively and negatively symmetrical are impressed as an observation command on a d-axis current command. The polarity of the magnetic pole of a permanent magnet is identified based on a relationship of large and small magnitudes between a first amplitude, which is attained during a period during which a DC bias component takes on a positive certain value, among amplitudes of a high-frequency component contained in a d-axis response voltage computed based on a feedback current respondent to the observation command, and a second amplitude attained during a period during which the DC bias component takes on a negative certain value.
US08395338B2

A control system controls a multiphase rotating machine by a 120° energization process and a PWM process. In the 120° energization process, respective ones of switching elements of a high side arm and switching elements of a low side arm of a power conversion circuit are turned on. In the PWM process, the switching elements of the power conversion circuit turn on/off so that two phases that are connected to the switching elements that are in the on-state are alternately rendered conductive to the high potential side input terminal and the low potential side input terminal of the power conversion circuit.
US08395337B2

A brushless motor device switches between a 120-degree energization method and a 180-degree energization method of advancing an electrical angle by 30 degrees to drive a brushless motor 1 according to the result of a comparison between the rotational speed of the brushless motor 1 and a predetermined threshold.
US08395317B2

A textile (100; 300; 400) having a multi-layer warp which includes an upper warp layer (101) comprising an upper array of conductive warp yarns (104a-b; 303a-e; 406a-b), a lower warp layer (102) comprising a lower array of conductive warp yarns (106a-b; 306a-e; 421a-d), and an intermediate warp layer (103) arranged between the upper (101) and lower (102) warp layers. The textile further includes a weft in which a first set of conductive weft yarns (108; 302a-f; 407a-b) cross the upper array of conductive warp yarns (104a-b, 303a-e; 406a-b), such that electrical contact is achieved there between, and a second set of conductive weft yarns (109a-b; 305a-f; 424, 430, 440) cross the lower array of conductive warp yarns (106a-b; 306a-e; 421a-d), such that electrical contact is achieved there between. The second set of conductive weft yarns (109a-b; 305a-f; 424, 430, 440) form loops (110; 425, 431, 441) around non-conductive warp yarns in the upper (101) and intermediate (103) warp layers, each of the loops (110; 425, 431, 441) providing a first upper layer connection point (307; 408-410) for enabling connection of an electronic device (309; 401-403) between the first upper layer connection point (307; 408-410) and a second upper layer connection point (308).
US08395315B2

An objective of the present invention is to provide a substrate that can achieve high light extraction efficiency, and to provide an organic EL light-emitting apparatus with high light-emitting efficiency by using such a substrate. The present invention is a substrate (1) comprising a transparent substrate (10) and a light-concentrating structural body layer (30), wherein the light-concentrating structural body layer (30) includes a plurality of structural bodies (25) having a conic shape or a hemispherical shape, with the bottom faces of the plurality of structural bodies (25) having a conic shape or a hemispherical shape being located on the same plane. The structural body (25) is preferably a structural body having a cone shape, a square pyramid shape or a triangular pyramid shape.
US08395300B2

Novel applications of electroactive polymer materials, particularly of ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC). Such applications include manipulators with combined electromechanical and electroactive actuators. Applications are particularly suitable in low gravity environment.
US08395297B2

An electric machine has at least two pairs of carbon brushes made up of one plus and one minus carbon brush, which interact with a commutator in order to supply current to the rotor, the carbon brushes being mounted with their brush holder on a brush plate via a mount, and the mounts on the brush plate lying across from each other at 180°. The holding part on at least one brush holder is offset from the center, in particular from the axis of symmetry of the brush holder, by an angle relative to the rotor axis so as to realize an asymmetrical placement of the carbon brush, the holding part on the other brush holders being disposed on their axes of symmetry.
US08395295B2

Apparatuses, systems, and methods provide for high density laminated sheet windings in axial and radial flux configurations. According to embodiments described herein, motor components such as a rotor or stator include a number of stacked sheets of conductive material. The stacked sheets are electrically connected in series to create a winding. Each motor component includes a number of conductors spaced apart with apertures between. The motor components are stacked and configured with the conductors of one rotor or stator positioned within the apertures of the other rotor or stator to create a thin, high density conductor. A magnemotive force is created when the magnetic flux is positioned over the conductors.
US08395294B2

An AC motor having loop windings is provided, which is able to reduce unbalance of three-phase impedance to enhance the motor efficiency. Three loop windings of the three phases are interlinked with magnetic fluxes Φu, Φv and Φw of the respective phases to provide magnetic paths of the three phases. The magnetic paths of the three phases are connected to the respective stator poles of the three phases to configure the motor. The magnetic path of each of the three phases is formed by processing an electromagnetic steel plate using bending to provide a motor configuration having multiple stator poles. Magnetic fluxes of two or more stator poles of the same phase are collected to a single magnetic path to form a three-dimensional three-phase magnetic path without allowing close contact with a magnetic path of a different phase.
US08395292B2

There are provided an axial gap motor including a rotor having plural main magnet portions magnetized in the rotational axis direction and disposed at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction, also plural yoke portions formed by a lamination member of tape-like wound electromagnetic steel sheet and are disposed on either axial side of the main magnet portions, also a rotor frame having plural ribs disposed individually between the main magnet portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction and extend in a radial direction, and inner and outer cylindrical portions are provided at respectively inside and outside diameter sides of the ribs and made of a die casting alloy; also the main magnet portions each have a groove at an inner circumferential side thereof for preventing the displacement of the position of the main magnet portions.
US08395280B2

In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes voltage supply terminals configured to provide an AC output voltage, at least two converter units, and a control circuit. Each converter unit includes input terminals configured to be connected to an electrical charge storage unit, output terminals, and a switch arrangement connected between the input and output terminals. The switch arrangement is configured to receive a control signal, and provide an output voltage having a duty-cycle dependent on the control signal. The control circuit is configured to provide a set of parameter sets that are dependent on a desired output voltage waveform, define a duty-cycle, and generate the control signals for the at least two converter units such that one parameter set is selected from the set of parameter sets is assigned to one converter unit, and the assignment of parameter sets to the converter stages varies over time.
US08395275B2

A permanent magnet alternator includes a permanent magnet alternator stator attached to a housing. A shaft is rotatable with respect to the housing with a permanent magnet alternator rotor attached to the shaft. The permanent magnet alternator rotor is positioned with respect to the permanent magnet alternator stator so as to generate electricity when the shaft rotates. A cooling fan is also attached to the shaft and is positioned in a gas flow path for flowing air through the gas flow path.
US08395273B2

A wind turbine generator, an active damping method thereof, and a windmill tower in which vibrations of the wind turbine generator itself or the windmill tower can be reduced at low cost are provided. The acceleration due to vibrations of a nacelle is detected with an accelerometer attached to the nacelle. In an active damping unit, a pitch angle of windmill blades for generating a thrust on the windmill blades so as to cancel out the vibrations of the nacelle is calculated on the basis of the acceleration, and the pitch angle is output as a blade-pitch-angle command δθ* for damping. On the other hand, in a pitch-angle control unit, a pitch angle of the windmill blades for controlling the output to be a predetermined value is calculated, and the pitch angle is output as a blade-pitch-angle command θ* for output control. The blade-pitch-angle command δθ* for damping is combined with the blade-pitch-angle command θ* for output control using a subtracter. The pitch angle of the windmill blades is controlled on the basis of the resulting blade-pitch-angle command after combining.
US08395272B2

A wind-power-station control apparatus is provided in a wind power station having a plurality of wind turbine generators. To reduce the electrical power supplied from the wind power station to the utility grid, the wind-power-station control apparatus performs, for a wind turbine generator whose actual output electrical power is small relative to the maximum electrical power that can be output, among the plurality of wind turbine generators, output-power reduction control for reducing the output power thereof and increasing the rotational speed of the rotor thereof. Thus, even when control for reducing the output power is performed for the wind turbine generator, it is possible to suppress waste of the wind energy received by the blades and to increase the total annual amount of generated electrical power.
US08395269B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an interconnect member, mounting a first semiconductor chip having a semiconductor substrate in a face-down manner on the interconnect member, forming a resin layer on the interconnect member to cover a side surface of the first semiconductor chip, thinning the first semiconductor chip and the resin layer, forming an inorganic insulating layer on a back surface of the first semiconductor chip so as to be in contact with the back surface and to extend over the resin layer, and forming a through electrode so as to penetrate the inorganic insulating layer and the semiconductor substrate.
US08395267B2

A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing such semiconductor device for use in a stacked configuration of the semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate including at least part of an electronic circuit provided at a first side thereof. The substrate includes a passivation layer and a substrate via that extends from the first side to a via depth such that it is reconfigurable into a through-substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a patterned masking layer on the first side of the substrate. The patterned masking layer includes a trench extending fully through the patterned masking layer. The trench has been filled with a redistribution conductor. The substrate via and the redistribution conductor include metal paste and together form one piece, such that there is no physical interface between the through-substrate via and the redistribution conductor. Thus, the parasitic resistance of this electrical connection is reduced.
US08395266B2

A semiconductor memory device includes a titanium layer and a titanium nitride layer formed on a substrate, a thin layer formed on the titanium nitride layer, and a metal layer formed on the thin layer, wherein the thin layer increases a grain size of the metal layer.
US08395260B2

A semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof improving moisture resistance of a FeRAM. After a probe test using a pad, a metal film is formed to cover the pad in an opening of a protective film and a region from the pad to an opening outer periphery of the protective film. On the metal film, a metal bump is formed. The metal film is formed to have a two-layer structure of the first and second metal films. Materials of the lower and upper layers are selected mainly in consideration of adhesion to the protective film and adhesion to the metal bump, respectively. Film formation conditions thereof are set to provide metal films with a desired quality and thickness. Thus, penetration of moisture from the pad or the periphery into a ferroelectric capacitor can be prevented and therefore, occurrence of potential inversion abnormalities due to penetrated moisture can be effectively suppressed.
US08395258B2

Semiconductor elements and methods for fabricating semiconductor elements that allow semiconductor elements having the same function to utilize different packaging methods. An exemplary semiconductor element includes a first semiconductor element portion, including an internal circuit, electrodes electrically connected to the internal circuit, and a first insulating layer covering the internal circuit while exposing the electrodes; and a second semiconductor element portion electrically connected to the electrodes and formed on the first insulating layer, the second semiconductor element portion including a wiring layer having a first pad and a second pad, and a second insulating layer configured to cover either one of the first pad or the second pad while exposing the other one of the first pad and the second pad.
US08395245B2

A semiconductor package module includes a circuit board including a board body having a receiving portion and conductive patterns formed on the board body; a semiconductor package received in the receiving portion and having conductive terminals electrically connected to the conductive patterns and an s semiconductor chip electrically connected to the conductive terminals; and a connection member electrically connecting the conductive patterns and the conductive terminals. In the present invention, after a receiving portion having a receiving space is formed in the board body of a circuit board and a semiconductor package is received in the receiving portion, and a connection terminal of the semiconductor package and a conductive pattern of the board body are electrically connected using a connection member, a plurality of semiconductor packages can be stacked in a single circuit board without increasing the thickness thereby significantly improving data storage capacity and data processing speed of the semiconductor package module.
US08395238B2

A semiconductor device including a substrate, and an insulating film formed over the substrate, wherein the insulating film has a first contact having a rectangular geometry in a plan view, and second to fifth contacts provided respectively adjacent to the individual edges of the rectangular first contact, formed therein.
US08395208B2

It is an object to provide an SGT production method capable of obtaining a structure for reducing a resistance of a gate, a desired gate length, desired source and drain configurations and a desired diameter of a pillar-shaped semiconductor. The object is achieved by a semiconductor device production method which comprises the steps of: forming a pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; forming a second-conductive-type semiconductor layer underneath the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; forming a gate dielectric film and a gate electrode around the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; forming a sidewall-shaped dielectric film on an upper region of a sidewall of the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer and in contact with a top of the gate; forming a sidewall-shaped dielectric film on a sidewall of the gate; and forming a second-conductive-type semiconductor layer in an upper portion of the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer and on the second-conductive-type semiconductor layer formed underneath the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer.
US08395207B2

In one embodiment, a vertical HVFET includes a pillar of semiconductor material a pillar of semiconductor material arranged in a loop layout having at least two substantially parallel and substantially linear fillet sections each having a first width, and at least two rounded sections, the rounded sections having a second width narrower than the first width, a source region of a first conductivity type being disposed at or near a top surface of the pillar, and a body region of a second conductivity type being disposed in the pillar beneath the source region. First and second dielectric regions are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the pillar, the first dielectric region being laterally surrounded by the pillar, and the second dielectric region laterally surrounding the pillar. First and second field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions.
US08395206B2

A semiconductor device has a substrate that includes a cell array region and a dummy pattern region surrounding the cell array region. The cell array region includes a cell structure having a plurality of cell active pillars extending in a vertical direction from the cell array region of the substrate and includes cell gate patterns and cell gate interlayer insulating patterns alternately stacked on the substrate. The cell gate patterns and cell gate interlayer insulating patterns have sides facing the cell active pillars. The dummy pattern region includes a damp-proof structure.
US08395203B2

Over the top of a semiconductor substrate, a lamination pattern having a control gate electrode, a first insulation film thereover, and a second insulation film thereover is formed. Over the top of the semiconductor substrate, a memory gate electrode adjacent to the lamination pattern is formed. Between the control gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate, a third insulation film for gate insulation film is formed. Between the memory gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate, and between the lamination pattern and the memory gate electrode, a fourth insulation film including a lamination film of a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, and another silicon oxide film is formed. At the sidewall on the side of the lamination pattern adjacent to the memory gate electrode, the first insulation film is retreated from the control gate electrode and the second insulation film, and the upper end corner portion of the control gate electrode is rounded.
US08395198B2

A semiconductor device includes: a cell gate trench with a bottom face and first/second side faces; a field-shield gate trench narrower than the cell gate trench; a first upper diffusion layer between the cell gate trench and the field-shield gate trench; a second upper diffusion layer on the opposite side of the cell gate trench from the first upper diffusion layer; a third upper diffusion layer on the opposite side of the field-shield gate trench from the first upper diffusion layer; a lower diffusion layer on the bottom face of the cell gate trench; first and second storage elements electrically connected to the first and second upper diffusion layers, respectively; a bit line electrically connected to the lower diffusion layer; a word line covering first and second side faces via a gate insulating film; and a field-shield gate electrode in the field-shield gate trench via a gate insulating film.
US08395196B2

A ferro-electric random access memory (FRAM) chip, including a substrate; a first dielectric layer over the substrate; a gate over the first dielectric layer; a first aluminum oxide layer over the first dielectric layer and the gate; a second dielectric layer over the first aluminum oxide layer; a trench through the second dielectric layer and the first aluminum oxide layer to the gate; a hydrogen barrier liner over the second dielectric layer and lining the trench, and contacting the gate; and a silicon dioxide plug over the hydrogen barrier liner substantially filling the trench.
US08395191B2

A semiconductor device including a first single crystal layer with first transistors and a first alignment mark; at least one metal layer overlying the first single crystal layer, wherein the at least one metal layer includes copper or aluminum; and a second layer including activated dopant regions, the second layer overlying the at least one metal layer, wherein the second layer includes second transistors, wherein the second transistors are processed aligned to the first alignment mark with less than 100 nm alignment error, and the second transistors include mono-crystal, horizontally-oriented transistors.
US08395183B2

Provided is a light emitting apparatus. The light emitting apparatus includes a substrate; a light emitting device on the substrate; a fluorescent layer formed on the substrate and the light emitting device to surround the light emitting device; an encapsulant resin layer formed on the substrate and the fluorescent layer to surround the fluorescent layer; and a lens disposed on the light emitting device and supported by the substrate, wherein the lens includes a lens body having a first recess formed at a center of a top surface of the lens body and a second recess formed at a center of a bottom surface of the lens body, and a lens supporter provided at the bottom surface of the lens body to support the lens body such that the lens body is spaced apart from the substrate.
US08395179B2

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting element includes a stacked body, a first and second electrode, a support substrate, a protective film and a dielectric film. The stacked body includes a first semiconductor, a second semiconductor layer and a light emitting portion. The first electrode is provided on a first major surface of the stacked body. The second electrode is provided on a second major surface of the stacked body. The support substrate is provided on the second major surface via a bonding metal. The protective film is provided on at least a side surface of the stacked body except the second major surface. The dielectric film is provided between the bonding metal and a region of the second major surface not provided with the second electrode, and between the bonding metal and a surface of the protective film on the second major surface side.
US08395176B2

A top-emitting nitride-based light-emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. The top-emitting nitride-based light-emitting device having a substrate, an n-cladding layer, an active layer, and a p-cladding layer sequentially formed includes: a grid cell layer formed on the p-cladding layer by a grid array of separated cells formed from a conducting material with a width of less than 30 micrometers to improve electrical and optical characteristics; a surface protective layer that is formed on the p-cladding layer and covers at least regions between the cells to protect a surface of the p-cladding layer; and a transparent conducting layer formed on the surface protective layer and the grid cell layer using a transparent conducting material. The light-emitting device and the method of manufacturing the same provide an improved ohmic contact to the p-cladding layer, excellent I-V characteristics, and high light transmittance, thus increasing luminous efficiency of the device.
US08395173B2

A semiconductor light-emitting element, a method of manufacturing same, and a light-emitting device enabling an increase in light emission efficiency is provided. The semiconductor light-emitting element 1 in accordance with the present invention includes: a light-emitting layer 2 having a laminated structure in which a p-type GaN film 24 and an n-type GaN film 22 are included; a conductive hexagonal pyramidal base 3 formed from ZnO and mounting with the light-emitting layer on a bottom surface 31; an anode 5 joined to the bottom surface 31 of the base 3 at a position apart from the light-emitting layer 2; and a cathode 4 mounted on the light-emitting layer 2. In the semiconductor light-emitting element 1, the p-type GaN film 24 is joined to the bottom surface 31 of the base 3, and the cathode 4 is joined to an N-polar plane of the n-type GaN film 22, said N-polar plane of the n-type GaN film 22 being an opposite side to the p-type GaN film 24. In the semiconductor light-emitting element 1, the N-polar plane of the n-type GaN film 22 has a fine peak-valley structure 22c outside a portion joined to the cathode 4.
US08395172B2

According to one embodiment, a light emitting device includes a light emitting layer, a first conductivity type layer, a first electrode, a second conductivity type layer, a current blocking layer and a second electrode. The first conductivity type layer is provided on the light emitting layer. The first electrode is provided on the first conductivity type layer. The second conductivity type layer is provided under the light emitting layer. The current blocking layer is provided in contact with a partial region of a surface of the second conductivity type layer, and has an outer edge protruding from an outer edge of the first electrode. The second electrode is in contact with a surface of the current blocking layer on opposite side from the second conductivity type layer and a region of the surface of the second conductivity type layer not in contact with the current blocking layer.
US08395154B2

In a portion of a gate signal line and a portion of a common signal line, cutouts which are arranged perpendicular to the extending direction of these lines and open to face each other in an opposed manner are formed. A cruciform shape in appearance is formed by combining a gap defined between the gate signal line and the common signal line extending parallel to each other and the cutouts to each other. The cruciform portion formed in this manner is used as an alignment mark in the exposure of a photolithography step of a layer formed later. Due to such a constitution, in manufacturing a thin film transistor substrate, it is possible to realize the highly accurate alignment without forming a pattern only used for alignment.
US08395152B2

A method is provided for growing a stable p-type ZnO thin film with low resistivity and high mobility. The method includes providing an n-type Li—Ni co-doped ZnO target in a chamber, providing a substrate in the chamber, and ablating the target to form the thin film on the substrate.
US08395150B2

Inorganic semiconducting compounds, composites and compositions thereof, and related device structures.
US08395142B2

Provided is an infrared light detector 100 with a plurality of first electronic regions 10 which are electrically independent from each other and arranged in a specific direction, formed by dividing a single first electronic region. An outer electron system which is electrically connected to each of the plurality of first electronic regions 10 in a connected status is configured such that an electron energy level of excited sub-bands of each of the plurality of first electron regions 10 in a disconnected status is sufficiently higher than a Fermi level of each of second electronic regions 20 opposed to each of the first electronic regions 10 in a conduction channel 120.
US08395140B2

Memory devices utilizing memory cells including a resistive element and a diode coupled in series between two conductors. The diodes include a ruthenium material and a silicon material. The diodes further include an interface on the silicon material of ruthenium or ruthenium silicide. A ruthenium silicide interface may be a polycrystalline ruthenium silicide.
US08395139B1

A memory structure includes an active area surrounded by first isolation trenches and second isolation trenches; a bit line trench recessed into the active area of the semiconductor substrate; a word line trench recessed into the active area of the semiconductor substrate and being shallower than the bit line trench. The bit line trench and the word line trench together divide the active area into four pillar-shaped sub-regions. A bit line is embedded in the bit line trench. A word line is embedded in the word line trench. A vertical transistor is built in each of the pillar-shaped sub-regions. A resistive memory element is electrically coupled to the vertical transistor.
US08395137B2

Some embodiments include methods for fabricating memory cell constructions. A memory cell may be formed to have a programmable material directly against a material having a different coefficient of expansion than the programmable material. A retaining shell may be formed adjacent the programmable material. The memory cell may be thermally processed to increase a temperature of the memory cell to at least about 300° C., causing thermally-induced stress within the memory cell. The retaining shell may provide a stress which substantially balances the thermally-induced stress. Some embodiments include memory cell constructions. The constructions may include programmable material directly against silicon nitride that has an internal stress of less than or equal to about 200 megapascals. The constructions may also include a retaining shell silicon nitride that has an internal stress of at least about 500 megapascals.
US08395130B2

A mount (100, 200) for holding an electron microscopy sample carrier (310) comprises a base plate (101) having an opening (103) through a middle region thereof and a support surface (107) for the sample carrier (310) extending at least partly around the opening (103), a holding apparatus (104a, 104b) for frictionally engaged holding of the sample carrier (310) on the support surface (107) being provided on the base plate (101), the holding apparatus (104a, 104b) comprising at least two mutually independent clip elements (104a, 104b) that extend from the base plate (101) toward the opening (103) and by means of which edge regions (313a, 313b), spaced apart from one another, of the electron microscopy sample carrier (310) are holdable on the support surface (107). The invention further encompasses a loading apparatus for loading a mount with an electron microscopy sample carrier, and a method for using the loading apparatus.
US08395121B2

There is provided a visible-region light measuring instrument including: a first photodiode and a second photodiode. At least one of the first photodiode and the second photodiode comprises plural photodiodes, when the first photodiode comprises a first plural photodiodes, the visible-region light measuring instrument has first fuses that control connections between the first plural photodiodes and at least one of the first node and the first power supply node. When the second photodiode comprises a second plural photodiodes, the visible-region light measuring instrument has second fuses that control connections between the second plural photodiodes and at least one of the first node and the second power supply node.
US08395120B2

A bidirectional optical scanner assisting in mammography is revealed. The optical scanner that calculates functional images obtained by diffuse optical tomography, used in combination with a mammography machine can reduce the number of mammograms taken and the dose exposure. The bidirectional optical scanner includes a first compression plate, a first optical detection module, a second optical detection module and a second compression plate. The same test position of the tested breast can be detected twice in different directions by the first and the second optical detection modules. No matter where the tumor is located, the tumor can be detected. Besides structural images provided by the mammography machine, functional tomographic images of the breast are obtained by the bidirectional optical scanner. Thus diagnostic accuracy in the detection of breast cancer is improved.
US08395119B2

An airborne/spaceborne oil spill detection method includes the step of providing a moderate-resolution-imaging-spectroradiometer and sensing the spectral reflections from two optical bands one of which is in the near infrared range. The spectral contrast shift from two adjacent areas of water are calculated and a warning issued when an oil spill or other contaminant is detected. A system for detecting an oil spill or other contaminant on the surface of water is also disclosed.
US08395113B2

Methods of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for use in a mass spectrometer are disclosed, the methods characterized by the steps of: (a) providing a sample of precursor ions comprising a plurality of ion types, each ion type comprising a respective range of masses; (b) generating a mass spectrum of the precursor ions using the mass spectrometer so as to determine a respective mass value or mass value range for each of the precursor ion types; (c) estimating an elemental composition for each of the precursor ion types based on the mass value or mass value range determined for each respective ion type; (d) generating a sample of fragment ions comprising plurality of fragment ion types by fragmenting the plurality of precursor ion types within the mass spectrometer; (d) generating a mass spectrum of the fragment ion types so as to determine a respective mass value or mass value range for each respective fragment ion type; (e) estimating an elemental composition for each of the fragment ion types based on the mass value or mass value range determined for each respective fragment ion type; and (f) calculating a set of probability values for each precursor ion type, each probability value representing a probability that a respective fragment ion type or a respective pair of fragment ion types was derived from the precursor ion type. Some embodiments may include a step (g) of generating a synthetic MS/MS spectrum for each respective precursor ion type based on the calculated probability values.
US08395106B2

An optical semiconductor device includes a lower electrode layer formed over a semiconductor substrate, an infrared absorption layer formed over the lower electrode layer 26, and an upper electrode layer 38 formed over the infrared absorption layer 36. The infrared absorption layer includes a quantum dot having dimensions different among directions stacked, and is sensitive to infrared radiation of wavelengths different corresponding to polarization directions.
US08395104B2

To ensure satisfactory visibility even when the light emitting area of the light emitting element for displaying the operation state is small. At least one of a light projector or a light receiver is provided with a display portion for displaying an operation state of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor at a side position in the vicinity of the light projecting portion or the light receiving portion of the front surface of the housing. The display portion includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction while facing the front surface of the housing in the housing, and a plurality of light guiding bodies for guiding the light emitted by each of light emitting elements to the front surface of the housing. Each of light guiding bodies is arranged with the incident end face facing the light emitting element and the exit end face facing the front surface of the housing. Each of light guiding bodies includes, in a light guiding path for guiding the light flux entered from the incident end face to the exit end face, at least two reflection surfaces for diffusing some or all of the light flux in a width direction of the housing by sequentially changing an advancing path of the light.
US08395102B2

A photoelectric conversion module includes a photoelectric conversion element that converts an arriving optical signal transmitted via an optical fiber into an electrical signal, a signal output section that outputs a photoelectrically converted electrical signal to the exterior, an impedance matching circuit provided between an output electrode of the photoelectric conversion element and the signal output section, and a substrate upon which this impedance matching circuit is mounted, with the impedance matching circuit including a plurality of metallic coating layers formed upon the surface of the substrate with gaps being left between them, and a plurality of metallic connecting lines that electrically connect together adjacent ones of these metallic coating layers.
US08395101B2

A construct for heating a food product. The construct comprises a first centerline extending in a first direction and a second centerline extending in a second direction, wherein the first centerline is substantially perpendicular to the second centerline, a base, a pair of opposed platforms extending upwardly from the base. The pair of opposed platforms are separated by a recess extending in the second direction. The construct comprises at least one locating feature foldably connected to the construct and being located between the opposed platforms for locating a food product on one of the opposed platforms.
US08395089B2

An electrical heating device, which includes a housing, in which at least one heat generating element with at least one PTC element and electrical strip conductors abutting oppositely situated lateral faces of the PTC element and a plurality of heat dissipating elements arranged in parallel layers are accommodated, which are held abutted on oppositely situated sides of the heat generating element. An electrical heating device according to the invention and which fulfils the practical requirements, in particular with high voltage operation in an improved manner has at least one heat dissipating element which is situated, with the intermediate positioning of an electrically insulating layer, on the assigned heat generating element and can be electrically connected to a ground potential.
US08395087B2

A heat-generating element includes at least one PTC heating element and an insulating housing enclosing the PTC heating element, as well as electric conductors whose inner surfaces are in contact with opposed sides of the PTC heating element. The respective outer surfaces of the electric conductors are covered by an insulating layer comprising at least two interconnected plastic sheets and fixedly connected to the housing. In another aspect, a heating device includes a plurality of heat-generating elements can comprise at least one PTC element and electric conductors that contact opposed lateral surfaces of the PTC element, and heat-emitting elements arranged in parallel layers in contact with opposed sides of the heat-generating element. The heating device has heat-emitting elements which are in contact with opposed sides of the heat-generating element via an interposed insulating layer comprising at least two interconnected plastic sheets.
US08395078B2

A system and method for managing power delivered to a processing chamber is described. In one embodiment current is drawn away from the plasma processing chamber while initiating an application of power to the plasma processing chamber during an initial period of time, the amount of current being drawn away decreasing during the initial period of time so as to increase the amount of power applied to the plasma processing chamber during the initial period of time.
US08395075B2

A method of operating a plasma arc torch system includes placing a work piece to be cut on a table of the plasma arc torch system, wherein at least a portion of the work piece has a planer surface facing away from the table. A plasma arc torch is positioned adjacent the planer surface of the work piece using a positioning apparatus, wherein the positioning apparatus has at least five degrees of freedom about which it can move the plasma arc torch relative the work piece for cutting the work piece on the table. The method further includes angling the torch relative the planer surface of the work piece such that the torch is held at an angle of between about 1 and about 4 degrees from perpendicular with the planer surface to back burn a produced kerf such that a kerf edge is perpendicular relative the planer surface of the work piece. Additionally, the planer surface of the work piece is calculated by contacting the work piece with the torch at least three times.
US08395073B2

The continuous rolling method and the continuous rolling apparatus provide good product quality and product yield by successively joining pluralities of traveling hot steel pieces by flash welding, and by rolling thus prepared endless steel piece, thus preventing generation of flaws in the rolling step, thereby manufacture steel rods, wires, and the like by the continuous rolling technology. The method has: a heating step for heating billet to a specified temperature; a flash welding step for joining the trailing end of preceding billet with the leading end of succeeding billet while they are traveling using flash welding; a deburring step for removing burrs from the welded part; a trimming step for trimming corners of cross section of the deburred welded part; and a rolling step for rolling the joined billets.
US08395069B2

A method for controlling an electric discharge machining process, wherein a tool electrode is moved relatively to a workpiece with a working gap distance, wherein the process includes a current and at least one previous erosion cycle, the current and the previous erosion cycle each being divided into predetermined time intervals each including at least one discharge pulse, wherein similar working gap conditions are present within a time interval of the previous erosion cycle and of the current erosion cycle, and wherein subsequent erosion cycles are separated by a process pause cycle.
US08395065B2

A portable, remote racking device that is controlled by a remote control. The remote racking device includes a drive that fits into a corresponding crank access hole formed in a front panel of a cradle housing a circuit breaker installed into a switchgear. The drive turns a mechanism inside the cradle that causes the circuit breaker to be racked into or out of the switchgear. The remote racking device includes an actuator pin that abuts a corresponding button arm protruding through the front panel. The remote control includes a control for depressing the button arm and another control for causing a motor to rotate the drive. The actuator pin detects when the button arm pops out of the panel, and a circuit in the remote racking device briefly reverses the motor to bring it and the circuit breaker to a sudden stop, preventing the mechanical linkages of the mechanism from locking-up or becoming damaged and avoiding over-torquing the motor.
US08395063B2

A circuit protection device includes a circuit breaker having a first contact arm and a second contact arm, wherein the second contact arm is configured to move with respect to the first contact arm between a first position and a second position. The circuit protection device also includes a locking device coupled to the circuit breaker, wherein the locking device is configured to at least one of move the second contact arm from the first position to the second position and lock the second contact arm in the second position.
US08395055B2

A suspension board with circuit includes a slider mounting portion provided with three pedestals arranged in mutually spaced apart relation for supporting a slider on which a magnetic head is mounted.
US08395050B2

A flexible printed circuit and a display module comprising the flexible printed circuit are disclosed. The display module comprises a display panel, a printed circuit board, and a flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit electrically connects the display panel and the printed circuit board, and further comprises a flexible substrate and a cover lay. The flexible substrate has an upper surface and two opposite end portions. The cover lay is disposed on the upper surface of the flexible substrate and extends along a lengthwise direction of the flexible substrate. The cover lay further has two opposite sides each also extending along the lengthwise direction of the flexible substrate. Each of the sides has at least a partially continuous contour which is formed with a discontinuous status on at least one of the end portions.
US08395044B2

An improved cable assembly includes at least a first elongated signal-carrying cable and a protector that has an elongated covering apparatus that is connected with the signal-carrying cable. The covering apparatus has a resilient portion having a number of corrugations. The signal-carrying cable is received within the covering apparatus, and the resilient portion is moved from a free state to a collapsed state. The signal-carrying cable and the covering apparatus are received at least partially in an uncured quantity of potting compound, and the compound is then permitted to cure.
US08395033B1

A novel maize variety designated X13B626 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 X13B626 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13B626 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13B626, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13B626. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13B626.
US08395016B2

The present invention is directed to hygiene articles comprising nanofibers. The nanofibers are made from a melt film fibrillation process with a polymer composition having a melt flow rate of less than about 400 decigram per minute. The nanofibers, having a diameter of less than 1 micron, must comprise a significant number of the fibers in one layer of the web contained by the hygiene article. The hygiene articles include diapers, training pants, adult incontinence pads, catamenials products such as feminine care pads and pantiliners, tampons, personal cleansing articles, personal care articles, and personal care wipes including baby wipes, facial wipes, and feminine wipes.
US08395003B2

The object of this invention is a suspension of metal nanoparticles with a mean size of between 1 and 20 nanometers, in at least one non-aqueous ionic liquid, whereby said suspension also contains at least one nitrogen-containing ligand, in which said metal nanoparticles comprise at least one transition metal in the zero valence state that is selected from among rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, nickel, and platinum by themselves or in a mixture and in which said nitrogen-containing ligand is selected from the group that is formed by the linear compounds that comprise at least one nitrogen atom, whereby the non-aromatic cyclic compounds comprise at least one nitrogen atom, the non-condensed aromatic compounds comprise at least one nitrogen atom, the condensed aromatic compounds comprise at least one group of two aromatic cycles that are condensed two by two, and at least one nitrogen atom, whereby the condensed aromatic compounds comprise at least 3 aromatic cycles and 1 nitrogen atom, and whereby the condensed aromatic compounds comprise at least 3 aromatic cycles and at least 2 nitrogen atoms that are located in the same aromatic cycle.
US08394999B2

A process to convert glycerin into propylene glycol and purifying the produced propylene glycol is described. The glycerin-based propylene glycol production requires only one process step compared to petroleum/natural gas-based propylene glycol production requires multiple process steps, and thus represents a cost savings.
US08394991B2

The present invention relates to 3-substituted phenylamidines of the general formula (I), to a process for their preparation, to the use of the amidines according to the invention for controlling unwanted microorganisms and also to a composition for this purpose, comprising the phenoxyamidines according to the invention. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for controlling unwanted microorganisms by applying the compounds according to the invention to the microorganisms and/or their habitat.
US08394984B2

Recovery of an ethyl acetate solvent, optionally with the recovery of ethanol, from a crude product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude product are employed to allow recovery of the ethyl acetate solvent.
US08394982B2

A process for purifying an unsaturated compound, where purification is performed in a plant with evaporators.
US08394979B2

The present invention relates to a process for preparing cycloplatinated platinum(II) complexes, platinum(II) complexes prepared by this process and the use thereof for the treatment of tumor diseases and/or hemo blastoses.
US08394977B2

A method for the preparation of functionalized particles includes providing a feedstock that includes particles, a surface treatment agent reactive with the particles and solvent. The feedstock is direct through a continuous hydrothermal reactor maintained at a temperature sufficient to react the particles with the surface treatment agents to thereby provide functionalized particles. The method of the invention is capable of providing the functionalized particles in less than about 4 hours.
US08394974B2

[PROBLEMS] To provide an efficient process for producing an optically active chromene oxide compound which is an important intermediate for a benzopyran compound effective in the treatment of arrhythmia.[MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] The process for producing an optically active chromene oxide compound comprises using an optically active titanium complex represented by, e.g., the formula (1) or (2) as a catalyst to asymmetrically oxidize an optically active chromene compound with high enantioselectivity in high chemical yield.
US08394972B2

The present invention relates to a process for performing a controlled hydrolysis and condensation of an epoxy-functional silane of the general formula I R1-SiR′m(OR)3-m (I) in which R1 is a (III) or (IV) group and R, R′ and R″ groups are the same or different and are each hydrogen (H) or a linear, branched or cyclic, optionally substituted alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, A and A′ groups are the same or different and are each a bivalent alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R2 groups are the same or different and R2 is a linear, branched or cyclic, optionally substituted alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and m is 0 or 1, and optionally of at least one further organofunctional silane of the general formula II R2-SiR′n(OR)3-n (II) in which R2 is an organofunctional group as already defined above, R′ is methyl, R groups are each independently hydrogen or a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and n is 0 or 1, where from 0.001 to ≦5 mol of water is used per mole of alkoxy function of the silanes used, no further hydrolysis or condensation catalyst is used apart from boric acid as the hydrolysis catalyst and condensation component, and the condensates formed in the reaction are based on Si—O—B— and/or Si—O—Si bonds.
US08394965B2

The invention relates to all compounds of the formula (I) or (II) in which: L is a neutral ligand; X, X′ are anionic ligands; R1 and R2 are, separately, a hydrogen, a C1-C6 alkyl, a C1-C6 perhalogenoalkyl, a aldehyde, a ketone, an ester, a nitrile, an aryl, a pyridinium alkyl, an optionally substituted C5 or C6 pyridinium alkyl, perhalogenoalkyl or cyclohexyl, a Cnh2NY radical 10 with n between 1 and 6 and y an i8onic marker, or a radical having the formula: wherein R1 can be a radical of formula (Ibis) when the compound has formula (I) or of formula (IIbis) when the compound has formula (II), R3 is a C1-C6 alkyl, or a C5 or C6 cycloalkyl or a C5 or C6 aryl; R0, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, are, separately, a hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, a C1-C6 perhalogenoalkyl, or a C5 or C6 aryl; wherein R9, R10, R11 can be a heterocycle; X1 is anion. R1 and R2 can form, with the N and the C to which they are attached, a heterocycle.
US08394962B2

Intermediates for the preparation of dabigatran of formulae (VII-2HCl) and (VII-HCl), methods for their preparation and a method for preparation of dabigatran of formula (VIII) using these intermediates.
US08394961B2

A method for the manufacture of dabigatran of formula VIII, in which the product of a reaction of 4-ethylamino-3-nitrobenzoic acid chloride with ethyl-3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propanoate, is converted to the hydrochloride using a hydrogen chloride solution producing the compound of formula III-HCl, in which the nitro group is reduced by means of a reaction with sodium dithionite, and the resulting compound of formula IV is subjected to a reaction with [(4-cyanophenyl)amino]acetic acid and oxalic acid, the product of this reaction VI-oxal is then subjected to hydrolysis and a reaction with ammonium carbonate to produce the intermediate of formula VII-HCl, which is then converted to dabigatran by means of a reaction with hexyl chloroformate.
US08394956B2

The present invention relates to an improved process for preparing (2E)-3-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-(N-methyl-N-methylsulfonylamino)pyrimidin-5-yl]-propenal of formula (I), which is an useful intermediate in the preparation of Rosuvastatin.
US08394949B2

The present invention provides multisignal labeling reagents and these are useful in a number of biochemical applications, including the manufacture of biomolecular probes and their use in detecting or amplifying analyte-specific moieties.
US08394946B2

The present invention relates to Multicomponent Nucleic Acid Enzymes (MNAzymes) and methods for their use. MNAzymes comprise two or more oligonucleotide components which self-assemble in the presence of one or more MNAzyme assembly facilitator molecules to form a catalytically active structure. Compositions for making MNAzymes, and collections of MNAzymes are provided. Also provided are methods for using MNAzymes for the detection, identification and/or quantification of one or more targets. The methods can be practiced in solution-based assays or in assays where one or more reaction components are attached to a support structure. The methods allow for multiplexing the MNAzyme detection to detect multiple targets in a single reaction. Also provided are kits for making the compositions, and for practicing the methods provided herein.
US08394945B2

The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of bacteria by molecular mass and base composition analysis.
US08394930B2

An isolated VEGF polypeptide having anti-angiogenic activity, said polypeptide including the amino acid sequence of SEQ.ID NO.1, or variants thereof.
US08394927B2

The present invention relates to FGFR4 antibodies including fragments or derivatives thereof and the polynucleotides encoding the antibodies. Expression vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides are provided. Further, the invention refers to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the FGFR4 antibodies and methods for the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of disorders associated with FGFR4 expression.
US08394924B2

The present invention features engineered proteins that include a first polypeptide that specifically binds a first target (e.g., a cellular target, such as a cell-surface antigen) and a second polypeptide that selectively binds an activating FcR.
US08394923B2

A simple, efficient apparatus and method for separating layers of immiscible or partially miscible liquids useful in methods of high-throughput combinatorial organic synthesis or parallel extraction of large libraries or megaarrays of organic compounds is disclosed. The apparatus and method are useful, whether as part of an automated, robotic or manual system for combinatorial organic synthesis or purification (extraction). In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus and method for separating layers of immiscible or partially miscible liquids compatible with microtiter plate type array(s) of reaction vessels is disclosed. Another application of centrifugation based liquid removal was found for washing the plates in biological assays or synthesis on modified substrates.
US08394922B2

Antiproliferative compounds having a structure represented by formula (II), where n, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as defined herein, can be used to treat tumors, optionally when conjugated to a ligand such as an antibody:
US08394919B2

The present invention provides a polymer comprising a unit of formula The present invention also provides an electronic device comprising the polymer as semiconducting material.
US08394914B2

Poly(glycolide) polymers are disclosed. The polymers generally include a glycolide-based polymer backbone that includes one or more functional groups such as alkynyl groups, hydrophilic organic triazole groups, hydrophobic organic triazole groups (also including amphiphilic organic triazole groups), di-triazole organic crosslinking groups, and triazole-substituted drug derivatives. The alkynyl groups provide reactive sites for further functionalization of the polymer, for example by reaction with azide derivatives. The polymers can further encapsulate a drug for delivery to a patient (i.e., as compared to drug derivatives that are covalently attached to the polymer). The polymers can be in the form of thermodynamically stable unimolecular micelles or crosslinked nanoparticles. The polymer compositions are completely biodegradable and hold great potential for use in biomedical applications.
US08394911B2

A phenol resin composition used as a curing agent for an epoxy resin includes a naphthol novolac resin (a1) represented by general formula (1) (wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an alkoxy group, and n is a repeating unit and an integer of 1 or more), and a compound (a2) represented by general formula (2) (wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an alkoxy group), wherein the total ratio of compounds with n=1 and n=2 in the general formula (1) present in the composition is in the range of 10 to 35%, the average of n in the general formula (1) is in the range of 3.0 to 7.0, and the content of the compound (a2) in the composition is 1 to 6%.
US08394902B2

Pyridyldiamido transition metal complexes are disclosed for use in alkene polymerization.
US08394898B2

Provided herein are methods for preparing a telechelic polymer of formula I wherein R1 is a polyolefin group; R2 and R3 are, independently in each —(CR2R3)— unit, hydrogen or alkyl from 1 to 6 carbons; m is an integer from 2 to 20; RX is a cationic initiator residue; and p is an integer from 1 to 4.
US08394890B2

Cosmetic composition comprising, as film-forming agent, an aliphatic polyurethane based on dialkyl tartrate diol in a mixture of organic solvents and cosmetically acceptable ingredients.
US08394886B2

Aliphatic unsaturated polyester resins providing excellent weathering resistance. Use of a gelcoat providing excellent weathering resistance, UV resistance, reduction of yellowing and retention of gloss that is especially suitable as gelcoat for exterior glass fiber surfaces such as sailboats, motorboats, yachts and mobile homes. The gel comprises an aliphatic unsaturated polyester resin characterized in having a viscosity of 100-1000 mPa s (25° C.), a monomer content of 40±15% and an acid number of max 15 mg KOH/g.
US08394882B2

An improved process for emulsion polymerization of fluoropolymers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, employs reduced amounts of fluorinated emulsifiers. The addition of europium III chloride facilitates emulsion polymerization of fluoropolymers having comparable quality to those fluoropolymers made using conventional processes employing greater amounts of environmentally undesirable fluorinated emulsifiers.
US08394877B2

A pattern forming material contains a block copolymer or graft copolymer and forms a structure having micro polymer phases, in which, with respect to at least two polymer chains among polymer chains constituting the block copolymer or graft copolymer, the ratio between N/(Nc−No) values of monomer units constituting respective polymer chains is 1.4 or more, where N represents total number of atoms in the monomer unit, Nc represents the number of carbon atoms in the monomer unit, No represents the number of oxygen atoms in the monomer unit.
US08394874B2

An adhesive composition, includes at least one vegetable starch the amylose content of which is between 30 and 60%. The invention further relates to the method for using the composition, including application thereof to lignocellulose materials, the forming of a panel and the hot pressing thereof. The emissions of formaldehyde vapor during the method are as low as possible. The invention further relates to the panels produced as above and in particular the panels emitting reduced amounts of formaldehyde into the atmosphere.
US08394866B2

A method for preparing contaminated plastics ground into flakes, such as RPET or such polymers, having at least decontamination and SSP treatment steps, with at least one reactor, with heating to the process temperature taking place essentially outside the reactor. Also, a device for carrying out the method, and having at least one decontamination reactor and at least one SSP reactor, a device for heating plastic flakes to the process temperature being arranged upstream of the decontamination reactor. Also an SSP reactor having at least two individual reactors, and preferably between 3 and 7 individual reactors.
US08394862B1

A unique process and catalyst is described that operates efficiently at low pressures for the direct production of a high cetane diesel type fuel or diesel type blending stock from stoichiometric mixtures of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This invention allows for, but is not limited to, the economical and efficient production high quality diesel type fuels from small or distributed fuel production plants that have an annual production capacity of less than 100 million gallons per year by eliminating traditional hydrocracking and other costly upgrading processes. This catalytic process is ideal for distributed diesel fuel production plants such as biomass to fuel production plants and stranded natural gas to diesel fuel production plants, and other applications that require optimized economics based on supporting distributed feedstock resources.
US08394850B2

A compound represented by the following general formula (IA) or (IB) (R1 represents an electron withdrawing substituent, R2 and R3 represent a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; R4 and R3 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkylcarbonyl group, or an alkylcarbonyloxymethyl group, and R6 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group) or a salt thereof, and a reagent for measuring hydrogen peroxide comprising the compound or a salt thereof.
US08394837B2

The present invention is directed to 2,3,4,6-substituted pyridyl derivative compounds which are inhibitors of the beta-secretase enzyme and that are useful in the treatment of diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the treatment of such diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved.
US08394834B2

The present invention relates to a compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, Ar1, Ar2, R′, R″, m, n, and o are defined in the specification or to a pharmaceutically active salt, racemic mixture, enantiomer, optical isomer or to tautomeric form thereof. The present compounds are high potential NK-3 receptor antagonists for the treatment of depression, pain, psychosis, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
US08394829B2

Provided are compounds of Formula I: wherein X is: R1 and R2 together with the phenyl to which they are bound may form a bicyclic, fused heterocyclic ring, and all other variables are as defined herein, as well as their use in treating pulmonary inflammation or bronchoconstriction and compositions comprising and processes for preparing the same.
US08394824B2

The invention relates to the quinuclidine compounds of formula I having quaternary ammonium group, its preparation, and the pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of the compound of formula I. The compound and the composition are used to prevent and treat the diseases by blocking acetylcholine receptor. Wherein: R1 is selected from C1-12 saturated straight-chain alkyl and cycloalkyl; R2 is selected from C1-12 saturated straight-chain alkyl or straight-chain alkyl; and X is selected from halogen ion, organic and inorganic acid radical.
US08394804B2

The present invention is directed to phosphonic acid compounds useful as serine protease inhibitors, compositions thereof and methods for treating inflammatory and serine protease mediated disorders.
US08394800B2

Methods and kits for treating or preventing psoriasis or a symptom associated with psoriasis in a subject are described. The methods involve topical applications to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist, such as brimonidine.
US08394796B2

Formula I (Ia and Ib) compounds wherein (i) X1 is N and X2 is S, (ii) X1 is CR7 and X2 is S, (iii) X1 is N and X2 is NR2, or (iv) X1 is CR7 and X2 is O, including stereoisomers, tautomers, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for inhibiting the delta isoform of PI3K, and for treating disorders mediated by lipid kinases such as inflammation, immunological, and cancer. Methods of using compounds of Formula I for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08394784B2

Described herein are polysaccharide gel formulations including at least one inhibitor of polysaccharide degradation and methods of making the same. The methods described herein involve the steps of providing at least one polysaccharide and incorporating at least one inhibitor of degradation into the polysaccharide.
US08394782B2

Described herein are polysaccharide gel formulations including at least one inhibitor of polysaccharide degradation and methods of making the same. The methods described herein involve the steps of providing at least one polysaccharide and incorporating at least one inhibitor of degradation into the polysaccharide. In some embodiments, the incorporating step comprises 1) mixing the at least one inhibitor with the at least one polysaccharide at a highly hydrated state thereby encapsulating the at least one inhibitor in a polysaccharide network, and 2) dehydrating the polysaccharide network thereby controlling release kinetics or final swell ratio. In another embodiment, the incorporating step comprises 1) encapsulating at least one inhibitor into a biocompatible or biodegradable vessel and 2) combining the polysaccharide and the vessel into a gel formulation. The polysaccharide gel formulations described herein can be used for a variety of cosmetic applications.
US08394769B2

The present invention provides an anti-hypertensive agent. The anti-hypertensive agent of the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of peptides originally derived from globin proteolysate, each of which consists of one of the following amino acid sequences (1) to (6), or a globin proteolysate containing at least one of the peptides: (1) Val-Val-Tyr-Pro (SEQ ID: NO. 1); (2) Trp-Gly-Lys-Val-Asn (SEQ ID: NO. 2); (3) Trp-Gly-Lys-Val (SEQ ID: NO. 3); (4) Trp-Gly-Lys (SEQ ID: NO. 4); (5) Ala-Ala-Trp-Gly-Lys (SEQ ID: NO. 5); and (6) Phe-Glu-Ser (SEQ ID: NO. 6).
US08394767B2

The present invention is directed to methods of treating cancer and preventing cancer metastasis in a subject by administering a modulator of CGRP receptor signaling. The present invention is further directed to methods of identifying novel compounds that inhibit CGRP receptor signaling, and reagents and animal models useful for the same.
US08394765B2

Methods for treating obesity or obesity related disorders are disclosed. These methods include the use of anti-obesity agents directed to the forebrain in combination with anti-obesity agents directed to the hindbrain.
US08394763B2

A method for treating a subject with multiple sclerosis is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method is provided for treating a subject with multiple sclerosis that includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a cyclosporin compound.
US08394756B2

Disclosed are methods and compositions for early diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of retinal dystrophy, age-related macular degeneration, Bardet-Biedel syndrome, Bassen-kornzweig syndrome, best disease, choroidema, gyrate atrophy, congenital amourosis, refsun syndrome, stargardt disease and Usher syndrome. In particular, the invention relates to a protein, termed “Rdcvf1,” that is differentially transcribed and expressed in subjects suffering from retinal dystrophies and the like, such as retinal dystrophy and age-related macular degeneration compared with nonsufferers, antibodies which recognize this protein, and methods for diagnosing such conditions.
US08394755B2

Provided are compositions comprising one or more compounds having a structure comprising a node structure with from four to twelve carbon atoms, one or more (poly)glyceryl groups, and one or more hydrophobic moieties, wherein each of the one or more (poly)glyceryl groups is linked to the node structure by a first primary linking group, the one or more hydrophobic moieties are each independently linked either to the node structure by a primary linking group or to one of the (poly)glyceryl groups by a secondary linking group, and wherein the polyglyceryl thickener has an average degree of glyceryl polymerization of from greater than 3 to less than about 11 and an average number of hydrophobic groups per primary linking group of about 0.35 or greater. Also provided are polyglyceryl compounds, compositions comprising water, a surfactant, and a polyglyceryl thickener, as well as, methods of making polyglyceryl compounds and compositions of the present invention.
US08394754B2

Concentrated perfume compositions having an amphiphile are useful for incorporating perfume into concentrated fabric softener compositions.
US08394752B2

An inorganic pearlescent agent slurry for use in liquid treatment compositions. The slurry comprises: inorganic pearlescent agent; organic solvent, selected from the group consisting of glycerol, sorbitol and mixtures thereof; and rheology modifier. The inorganic pearlescent agent may be selected from the group consisting of mica, bismuth oxychloride, and mixtures thereof.
US08394744B2

A manufactured cementitious binder including a hydraulic binder in an amount in the range of from about 40 to 75% by weight of the cementitious binder; metakaolin in an amount greater than about 5% by weight of the cementitious binder; silica fume in an amount up to about 15% by weight of the cementitious binder; and cement kiln dust in an amount greater than about 10% by weight of the cementitious binder, the cement kiln dust including chlorine in an amount of at least 0.1% by weight of the cement kiln dust, the cementitious binder providing a cementitious settable composition, when added with water and without a lightweight additive, that has a density lower than about 13 pounds per gallon and greater than about 11 pounds per gallon and a 24 hour compressive strength at 100 F, as hardened, of at least 500 psi.
US08394728B2

A film deposition method includes the steps of: coating a solution containing a polysilane compound on a substrate to form a coating film and then carrying out a first thermal treatment in an inert atmosphere, thereby forming the coating film into a silicon film; forming a coating film containing a polysilane compound on the silicon film and then carrying out a second thermal treatment in an inert atmosphere or a reducing atmosphere, thereby forming the coating film into a silicon oxide precursor film; and carrying out a third thermal treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere, thereby forming the silicon oxide precursor film into a silicon oxide film and simultaneously densifying the silicon film.
US08394727B1

Methods for selectively placing carbon nanotubes on a substrate surface by using functionalized carbon nanotubes having an organic compound that is covalently bonded to such carbon nanotubes. The organic compound comprises at least two functional groups, the first of which is capable of forming covalent bonds with carbon nanotubes, and the second of which is capable of selectively bonding metal oxides. Such functionalized carbon nanotubes are contacted with a substrate surface that has at least one portion containing a metal oxide. The second functional group of the organic compound selectively bonds to the metal oxide, so as to selectively place the functionalized carbon nanotubes on the at least one portion of the substrate surface that comprises the metal oxide.
US08394716B2

A three-dimensional semiconductor device may include a substrate including wiring and contact regions and a thin film structure on the wiring and contact regions of the substrate. The thin-film structure may include a plurality of alternating wiring layers and inter-layer insulating layers defining a terraced structure in the contact region so that each of the wiring layers includes a contact surface in the contact region that extends beyond others of the wiring layers more distant from the substrate. A plurality of contact structures may extend in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate with each of the contact structures being electrically connected to a contact surface of a respective one of the wiring layers. Related methods are also discussed.
US08394701B2

A plurality of metal interconnects incorporating dielectric spacers and a method to form such dielectric spacers are described. In one embodiment, the dielectric spacers adjacent to neighboring metal interconnects are discontiguous from one another. In another embodiment, the dielectric spacers may provide a region upon which un-landed vias may effectively land.
US08394700B2

An electronic device includes a first memory cell and a second memory cell, of a nonvolatile memory array. The first memory cell includes a body region, a gate structure, a source region, and a drain region. The second memory cell includes a body region, a gate structure, a source region, and a drain region. In one embodiment, the body of the second memory cell is physically isolated from the body region of the first memory cell. A bitline segment is electrically connected to the drain region of the first memory cell and to the drain region of the second memory cell.
US08394697B2

A capacitor of a semiconductor memory device, and methods of forming the same, are disclosed. A pad interlayer insulating layer is disposed on a semiconductor substrate of an active region. Landing pads and a central landing pad are disposed in peripheral portions and a central portion of the active region, respectively, to penetrate the pad interlayer insulating layer. The upper surface of the central landing pad has a different area from the upper surfaces of the landing pads. A buried interlayer insulating layer is formed on the pad interlayer insulating layer to cover the landing pads and the central landing pad. Buried plugs are formed on the respective landing pads to penetrate the buried interlayer insulating layer. Lower electrodes are formed on the buried plugs.
US08394695B2

This semiconductor device includes a first device and a second device provided on a semiconductor substrate and having different breakdown voltages. More specifically, the semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first region defined on the semiconductor substrate and having a first device formation region isolated by a device isolation portion formed by filling an insulator in a trench formed in the semiconductor substrate, a first device provided in the first device formation region, a second region defined on the semiconductor substrate separately from the first region and having a second device formation region, and a second device provided in the second device formation region and having a higher breakdown voltage than the first device, the second device having a drift drain structure in which a LOCOS oxide film thicker than a gate insulation film thereof is disposed at an edge of a gate electrode thereof.
US08394693B2

A semiconductor device includes a first MISFET having a first conduction type channel and formed on a semiconductor substrate; a second MISFET having a second conduction type channel and formed on the semiconductor substrate; a first strain film having a first sign strain that covers a region where the second MISFET is disposed; and a second strain film having a second sign strain that covers a region where the first MISFET is disposed. In the semiconductor device, an edge of the second strain film closer to the second MISFET overlaps with part of the first strain film; and the second strain film at a portion where the second strain film overlaps with the first strain film and at a portion extending from the portion, is thinner than the second strain film at a portion that covers the first MISFET.
US08394689B2

A semiconductor memory device includes a first active region, a second active region, a first element isolating region and a second element isolating region. The first active region is formed in a semiconductor substrate. The second active region is formed in the semiconductor substrate. The first element isolating region electrically separates the first active regions adjacent to each other. The second element isolating region electrically separates the second active regions adjacent to each other. An impurity concentration in a part of the second active region in contact with a side face of the second element isolating region is higher than that in the central part of the second active region, and a impurity concentration in a part of the first active region in contact with a side face of the first element isolating region is equal to that in the first active region.
US08394688B2

A repair layer forming process includes the following steps. Firstly, a substrate is provided, and a gate structure is formed on the substrate, wherein the gate structure at least includes a gate dielectric layer and a gate conductor layer. Then, a nitridation process is performed to form a nitrogen-containing superficial layer on a sidewall of the gate structure. Then, a thermal oxidation process is performed to convert the nitrogen-containing superficial layer into a repair layer. Moreover, a metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor includes a substrate, a gate dielectric layer, a gate conductor layer and a repair layer. The gate dielectric layer is formed on the substrate. The gate conductor layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer. The repair layer is at least partially formed on a sidewall of the gate conductor layer.
US08394687B2

The present invention discloses a method including: providing a substrate; forming recessed regions adjacent to both sides of a gate on the substrate; performing an angled co-implant of a species in two steps with two different energies and two different doses into the recessed regions; forming Silicon-Germanium in the recessed regions; forming source/drain extensions adjacent to both sides of the gate with a dopant; and performing an anneal to activate the dopant.
US08394683B2

Some embodiments include methods of forming semiconductor constructions. Alternating layers of n-type doped material and p-type doped material may be formed. The alternating layers may be patterned into a plurality of vertical columns that are spaced from one another by openings. The openings may be lined with tunnel dielectric, charge-storage material and blocking dielectric. Alternating layers of insulative material and conductive control gate material may be formed within the lined openings. Some embodiments include methods of forming NAND unit cells. Columns of alternating n-type material and p-type material may be formed. The columns may be lined with a layer of tunnel dielectric, a layer of charge-storage material, and a layer of blocking dielectric. Alternating layers of insulative material and conductive control gate material may be formed between the lined columns. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions, and some embodiments include NAND unit cells.
US08394682B2

Some embodiments include methods of forming graphene-containing switches. A bottom electrode may be formed over a base, and a first electrically conductive structure may be formed to extend upwardly from the bottom electrode. Dielectric material may be formed along a sidewall of the first electrically conductive structure, while leaving a portion of the bottom electrode exposed. A graphene structure may be formed to be electrically coupled with the exposed portion of the bottom electrode. A second electrically conductive structure may be formed on an opposing side of the graphene structure from the first electrically conductive structure. A top electrode may be formed over the graphene structure and electrically coupled with the second electrically conductive structure. The first and second electrically conductive structures may be configured to provide an electric field across the graphene structure.
US08394676B2

A marking method is provided for putting markings on the surface of a packaged semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip and a resin package for covering the semiconductor chip. The method includes the steps of forming a groove in the obverse surface of the resin package, and filling the groove with a resin that is visually distinguishable from the resin package.
US08394670B2

A steering device. The steering device includes an n-type impurity region comprising a zinc oxide material and a p-type impurity region comprising a silicon germanium material. A pn junction region formed from the zinc oxide material and the silicon germanium material. The steering device is a serially coupled to a resistive switching device to provide rectification for the resistive switching device to form a non-volatile memory device.
US08394660B2

Devices having features deposited on two sides of a device substrate and methods for making the same. The devices are useful, for example, as the components in a macroelectronic system. In a preferred embodiment, the devices are photosensors having a plurality of electrodes patterned on a first side of the device and an electromagnetic interference filter patterned on a second side of the device. The method facilitates the fabrication of two-sided devices through the use of an immobilizing layer deposited on top of devices patterned on a first side of a device substrate; flipping the device substrate; processing the second side of the device substrate to produce patterned features on the second side of the device substrate; and releasing the devices having patterned elements on two sides of each device.
US08394659B1

Methods for forming Cu—In—Ga—N (CIGN) layers for use in TFPV solar panels are described using reactive PVD deposition in a nitrogen containing atmosphere. In some embodiments, the CIGN layers can be used as an absorber layer and eliminate the need of a selenization step. In some embodiments, the CIGN layers can be used as a protective layer to decrease the sensitivity of the CIG layer to oxygen or moisture before the selenization step. In some embodiments, the CIGN layers can be used as an adhesion layer to improve the adhesion between the back contact layer and the absorber layer.
US08394655B2

A photoelectric conversion device with an excellent photoelectric conversion characteristic with a silicon semiconductor material effectively utilized. The photoelectric conversion device includes a first unit cell including a first electrode, a first impurity semiconductor layer, a single crystal semiconductor layer, and a second impurity semiconductor layer; and a second unit cell including a third impurity semiconductor layer, a non-single-crystal semiconductor layer, a fourth impurity semiconductor layer, and a second electrode. The second and third impurity semiconductor layers are in contact with each other so that the first and second unit cells are connected in series, and an insulating layer is provided for a surface of the first electrode and bonded to a supporting substrate.
US08394651B2

The present invention is generally directed to a method of suppressing the Auger rate in confined structures, comprising replacing an abrupt confinement potential with either a smooth confinement potential or a confinement potential of a certain size found by increasing the confinement potential width until the Auger recombination rate undergoes strong oscillations and establishes a periodic minima. In addition, the present invention provides for the design of structures with high quantum efficiency.
US08394643B2

The present application relates to copolymers having at least one optionally substituted fluoranthene as a first monomer unit and at least one optionally substituted pyrrole as a second monomer unit. The copolymer may, for example, emit green light when exposed to a blue or ultraviolet radiation. Methods of making the copolymer are also disclosed, as well as methods and apparatuses for producing light and detecting nitroaromatics using the copolymer.
US08394633B2

Methods and devices for dispersion of clusters of somatic plant embryos suspended in a liquid are disclosed. The methods comprise i) subjecting the clusters of embryos to fluid dynamics forces causing axially extensional strain and radially compressional strain and ii) subjecting the clusters of embryos to fluid dynamics forces causing axially compressional strain and radially extensional strain fluid dynamics and iii) repeating said steps in sequence until the individual embryos are separated from each other. The devices may comprise a flow channel including at least one constriction, such that clusters of embryos flowing through the flow channel are first subjected to axially extensional strain and radially compressional strain, and then to axially compressional strain and radially extensional strain from fluid dynamics forces.
US08394622B2

Novel strains of yeast and methods for improved ethanol production utilizing the yeast strains are disclosed. In particular, the novel yeast strains Saccharomyces cerevisae YE1358 and YE1615 provide for increased fermentation temperature tolerance, as well as tolerance to increased levels of glucose and ethanol, and thereby provide increased ethanol production as compared to ethanol industry standard strains of Saccharomyces cerevisae. The novel yeast strains also generate decreased residual glucose than the ethanol industry standard yeasts.
US08394621B2

This disclosure describes genetically modified photosynthetic microorganisms, including Cyanobacteria, that contain one or more exogenous genes encoding a diacylglycerol acyltransferase, a phosphatidate phosphatase, and/or an acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and which are capable of producing increased amounts of fatty acids and/or synthesizing triglycerides.
US08394620B2

The present invention discloses a two-component genome flavivirus and a method for propagating such virus. Since the genetic material of this flavivirus is distributed between two genomes, the flavivirus is deficient in replication, incapable of causing disease but capable of inducing an immune response. Nevertheless, the design of the replication deficient flavivirus discussed herein allows propagation of these flaviviruses at industrial level.
US08394614B2

This disclosure describes genetically modified photosynthetic microorganisms, including Cyanobacteria, that contain one or more exogenous genes encoding a diacylglycerol acyltransferase, a phosphatidate phosphatase, and/or an acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and which are capable of producing increased amounts of fatty acids and/or synthesizing triglycerides.
US08394608B2

Devices, containers, and methods are provided for performing biological analysis in a closed environment. Illustrative biological analysis include nucleic acid amplification and detection and immuno-PCR.
US08394598B2

Protein kinases are important signaling molecules involved in tumorigenesis. Mutational analysis of the human tyrosine kinase gene family (98 genes) identified somatic alterations in -20% of colorectal cancers, with the majority of mutations occurring in NTRK3, FES, GUCY2F and a previously uncharacterized tyrosine kinase gene called MCCK/MLK4. Most alterations were in conserved residues affecting key regions of the kinase domain. These data represent a paradigm for the unbiased analysis of signal transducing genes in cancer and provide useful targets for therapeutic intervention.
US08394597B2

The invention relates to a method for detecting endotoxins in a sample.
US08394594B2

Peptide-lipid constructs of the structure L-S-F are disclosed, where F is a peptide, S is a spacer covalently linking F to L via an oligomer of ethylene glycol, and L is a diacyl- or dialkyl-glycerolipid (including glycerophospholipids). The spacer ideally has 6 to 14 ethylene glycol repeats, corresponding to PEG with a molecular weight of approximately 250 to 600. Also disclosed is a method of detecting reactive antibodies in serum by contacting serum with cells modified to incorporate a peptide-lipid construct, where the peptide is an epitope of the antibody, and determining the degree of aggluthination of the cells.
US08394584B2

Provided are methods for detecting, characterizing or separating DNA based on methylation. Heterogeneous DNA populations are separated based on DNA methylation by providing a membrane having a nanopore through which an electric field is applied. DNA of interest is introduced, and for a given threshold voltage across the nanopore, only DNA having a methylation parameter of interest may transit the pore, thereby facilitating detection, characterization, or separation of DNA based on methylation. The methods are optionally used to detect a disease state that is associated with DNA methylation including, but not limited to, cancer.
US08394583B2

The present invention provides for the diagnosis and prediction of multiple sclerosis (MS) in subject utilizing a unique a codon signature in VH4 expressing B cells that has now been associated with MS and not with any other autoimmune disease.
US08394574B2

Metrology systems and methods for lithography processes are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a mask having a plurality of corner rounding test patterns formed thereon. A first semiconductor device is provided, and a layer of photosensitive material of the first semiconductor device is patterned with a plurality of corner rounding test features using the mask and a lithography process. An amount of corner rounding of the lithography process is measured by analyzing the plurality of corner rounding test features relative to other of the plurality of corner rounding test features formed on the layer of photosensitive material of the semiconductor device. The lithography process or the mask is altered in response to the amount of corner rounding measured, and a second semiconductor device is provided. The second semiconductor device is affected using the altered lithography process or the altered mask.
US08394562B2

Coated phosphorescent pigments are provided which may be utilized in toner compositions. In embodiments, the phosphorescent pigment may be coated by a powder coating process. The large pigment particles may be dry blended with dried resin latex particles, thereby coating the pigment surface, followed by heating and shearing in a rotary kiln or extruder to melt the toner resin and fuse it to the pigment surface. The resulting coated particles may be utilized with other toners, in embodiments color toners, to provide phosphorescent images.
US08394558B2

A reflection type photomask blank includes: a substrate; a multilayer reflection film formed on the substrate for reflecting exposure light; a protection film formed on the multilayer reflection film for protecting the multilayer reflection film; an absorber layer for absorbing the exposure light on the protection film; and a shock absorbing film formed between the absorber layer and the protection film, with a resistance to etching which is performed when an exposure transfer pattern of the absorber layer is formed, in which the protection film is: a compound including Zr and Si; a compound including Zr, Si, and at least either one of O and N; or a single element or a compound including at least any one of Ru, C, and Y.
US08394553B2

The present invention provides a method for evaluating the properties of hydrogen to improve the safety of hydrogen fuel, and provides a method for selecting proper odorants for hydrogen. Odorized hydrogen containing suitable odorants in appropriate concentrations with hydrogen are also provided.
US08394552B2

A power system for an aircraft includes a solid oxide fuel cell system which generates electric power for the aircraft and an exhaust stream; and a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the exhaust stream of the solid oxide fuel cell to a heat requiring system or component of the aircraft. The heat can be transferred to fuel for the primary engine of the aircraft. Further, the same fuel can be used to power both the primary engine and the SOFC. A heat exchanger is positioned to cool reformate before feeding to the fuel cell. SOFC exhaust is treated and used as inerting gas. Finally, oxidant to the SOFC can be obtained from the aircraft cabin, or exterior, or both.
US08394542B2

A system for a vehicle having an engine with an exhaust comprises a fuel cell coupled in the engine exhaust wherein the fuel cell has an output circuit; a battery coupled with the fuel cell; and a controller receiving a signal indicative of an electric output of the fuel cell output circuit, and adjusting one of the fuel amount and the air amount supplied to the engine in response to said signal to affect air-fuel ratio of the exhaust of the engine.
US08394541B2

The sudden generation of heat being frequently caused in the case of the overcharge of a lithium secondary cell which have a positive electrode comprising a composite metal oxide of lithium and cobalt or a composite metal oxide of lithium and nickel, a negative electrode comprising metallic lithium, a lithium alloy or a material capable of occluding and releasing lithium, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution comprising a nonaqueous solvent and an electrolyte dissolved therein can be efficiently prevented by the addition, to the nonaqueous electrolyte solution, of an organic compound which, when the lithium secondary cell is overcharged, decomposes into a decomposition product capable of dissolving out the cobalt or nickel contained in the positive electrode and depositing it ion the negative electrode (for example, a tert-alkylbenzene derivative).
US08394523B2

A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate and a separator interposed therebetween. A pouch case includes an accommodating portion for accommodating the electrode assembly and a cover portion for sealing the accommodating portion. A reinforcing member is formed between the pouch case and the electrode assembly. In the secondary battery, the reinforcing member includes a first frame formed along one surface of the pouch case, which comes in contact with the electrode assembly, a support portion formed in form of a plate while being spaced apart from the first frame, and a second frame to connect the first frame and the support portion to each other.
US08394515B2

There is provided a glass substrate which has the properties required in the use as a substrate for an information recording medium of the next generation such as a perpendicular magnetic recording system, and can be applied as a substrate for an information recording medium of the next generation particularly on the premise of using the glass substrate in a dynamic environment. More particularly, there is provided a glass substrate for an information recording medium which has sufficiently high surface hardness, has a good balance between specific gravity and mechanical strength, and has high strength to withstand high speed rotation or drop impact, and which can be produced with a high productivity adequate for a direct press method, without the occurrence of bubbles in the glass blank or reboil upon pressing even if arsenic components or antimony components are not substantially used. A glass substrate for an information recording medium, includes, as expressed in terms of percent by mass on the oxide basis: 52 to 67% of SiO2, 3 to 15% of Al2O3, and 0.2 to 8% of P2O5, the glass substrate having a Young's modulus of 85 GPa or greater, a specific gravity of 2.60 or less, and a ratio of Young's modulus to specific gravity (Young's modulus/specific gravity) of 33.0 or greater.
US08394514B2

A method for producing a magnetic recording medium having a magnetically partitioned magnetic recording pattern on a surface of a nonmagnetic substrate, which comprises the following steps. Step (A) of forming a magnetic layer on a non-magnetic substrate, step (B) of forming a carbon layer on the magnetic layer, step (C) of forming a resist layer on the carbon layer, step (D) of forming a negative pattern of magnetic recording pattern on the resist layer, step (E) of removing the portions of resist layer and carbon layer in regions corresponding to the negative pattern, step (F) of removing at least a surface layer portion of the magnetic layer in the regions corresponding to the negative pattern, and optional step (G) of removing the residual resist layer and carbon layer. The produced magnetic recording medium has a recording/reproducing property equal to or better than conventional ones and exhibits a high recording density.
US08394506B2

A helical substituted polyacetylene structure including a substrate and a substituted polyacetylene with a periodic main chain having a helical periodic structure, wherein the substituted polyacetylene is disposed inclined on the surface of the substrate with the inclination angle between the main helical axis of the substituted polyacetylene and the surface of the substrate falling in a range of 60° or more and 90° or less. A device structure in which a first electrode, the substituted polyacetylene with the periodic main chain having a helical periodic structure and a second electrode are sequentially disposed on a substrate.
US08394500B2

The invention relates to personal care, home care and fabric care compositions based on hyperbranched condensation polymers having in the polymer backbone at least one unit comprising an amide bond attached to a trismethylene-aminomethane group and to novel hyperbranched condensation polymers.
US08394496B2

Substrates prone to heat distortion may be coated with a coating composition containing chlorinated polyolefin-modified acrylic latex emulsion, polyurethane dispersion, non-gelling self-crosslinking acrylic emulsion, and glycol-based solvent. The coating composition contains sufficient non-gelling self-crosslinking acrylic emulsion and glycol-based solvent so that a 0.1 mm wet thickness layer of the coating composition will form a tack-free film when heated at 65° C. for fifteen minutes, and the glycol-based solvent is selected so that the coating composition is shelf stable.
US08394487B2

A birefringent pattern builder, having an optically anisotropic layer containing a polymer having unreacted reactive groups,wherein the optically anisotropic layer is produced by a method containing the steps [1] and [2] in this order: [1] coating and drying a solution containing a liquid crystalline compound having at least two kinds of reactive groups; and [2] reacting one kind of the at least two kinds of reactive groups by applying heat or irradiating ionizing radiation.
US08394486B2

A decorative sheet contains a substrate having thereon at least a pattern layer, a homogeneous and uniform first surface protective layer covering the whole surface, and a second surface protective layer provided partly on the first surface protective layer. The first surface protective layer and the second surface protective layer each contain a curable resin composition having been crosslinked and cured, the first surface protective layer contains a matte agent, and the second surface protective layer contains synthetic resin beads having an average particle diameter of from 10 to 30 μm and protruding above a resin layer constituting the second surface protective layer. A region of the second surface protective layer and a region of the first surface protective layer exposed on the outermost surface have a difference in glaze, and the difference in glaze is conformed to a pattern of the pattern layer.
US08394477B2

An assembly includes a light-permeable film layer, a release liner, and a print pattern. The print pattern includes a base layer. The print pattern sub-divides the film layer into a plurality of discrete base layer areas and/or a plurality of transparent areas. The base layer includes a design imaging surface of a first color. The release liner includes an imperforate material. The release liner includes a release surface. The imperforate material when viewed through said light permeable film layer is a second color contrasting with said first color by the graytone of said second color differing from the graytone of said first color by at least 10%. This contrast may provide a more realistic perception of how the assembly will look in situ (e.g., on a window).
US08394461B2

A powder-containing oil-based lubricant for die contains 60 to 99% by mass of an oil-based lubricant consisting of oil, 0.3 to 30% by mass of a solubilizing agent, 0.3 to 15% by mass of an inorganic powder and 7.5% by mass or less of water, the lubricant being electrostatically applied to a die. The powder-containing oil-based lubricant may be applied to a die by electrostatic spraying. The electrostatic spray apparatus includes a device that imparts static electricity to the powder-containing oil-based lubricant and an electrostatic spray gun installed on a multi-axis robot.
US08394460B2

A process for mask-free localized grafting of organic molecules capable of being electrically activated, onto a composite surface comprising conductive and/or semiconductive portions, by placing said organic molecules in contact with said composite surface, in which said grafting is performed electrochemically in a single step on chosen, defined areas of said conductive and/or semiconductive portions, said areas being brought to a potential higher than or equal to a threshold electrical potential determined relative to a reference electrode, said threshold electrical potential being the potential above which grafting of said organic molecules takes place.
US08394459B2

The present invention is directed to a coating composition comprising (i) a corrosion inhibitor and the (ii) reaction product of a calcium compound with an acid compound. The coating composition is deposited onto a substrate prior to the application of a pre-treatment coating composition (conversion coating) onto the substrate. The present invention is also directed to a substrate that comprises a coating system that comprises such a coating composition.
US08394444B2

An oil-in-water emulsion comprising hydrophobin and oil wherein the oil-in-water emulsion has an overrun of less than 35% and wherein the oil phase has an iodine value of greater than 40 characterised in that the ratio of hydrophobin to oil is greater than 20 g/liter is provided. Products comprising such an oil-in-water emulsion is also provided.
US08394437B2

A method for making a coated food product having a heat susceptible coating is disclosed. In one aspect, the invention is directed towards a nut having a proteinaceous or fruit-based coating with no visible scorching in the outer, visible coating layer. In one aspect, the food center is par-coated with or without a heat susceptible coating, pre-roasted, finished coated with or without a heat susceptible coating, and cooked. In another aspect, the food center is first coated with a heat susceptible coating, then coated with a non-heat susceptible coating and cooked. In yet another aspect, the food center is coated with a heat susceptible coating and then cooked in a two-stage process whereby the first stage is at a hotter temperature than the second stage.
US08394434B2

A supercritical fluid (SCF) extract of a cardiac glycoside-containing plant mass is provided. The extract can be included in a pharmaceutical composition containing an extract-solubilizing amount of solubilizer. Oleandrin is included within the extract when a cardiac glycoside-containing plant, such as Nerium oleander, is extracted by SCF extraction. The extract can also contain one or more other SCF extractable pharmacologically active agents. The composition can be used to treat a wide range of disorders that are therapeutically responsive to a cardiac glycoside.
US08394433B2

A hair growth stimulant is provided. The hair growth stimulant uses carbonized chestnut burrs that exhibit excellent stimulatory effects on hair restoration and hair growth effects without causing side effect and toxicity. The hair growth stimulant exhibits excellent stimulatory effects on hair restoration without causing any side effect and toxicity in humans and stimulates hair roots to greatly contribute to hair growth. Therefore, the hair growth stimulant is effective in preventing hair loss and grayness. In addition, the hair growth stimulant is formulated into a cream or ointment preparation, which is highly effective in promoting the restoration of hair, to considerably shorten the time required for the treatment of hair loss. Furthermore, the hair growth stimulant uses vegetable ingredients only, thus causing no side effect in humans. Moreover, the hair growth stimulant is softly applicable to the scalp, thus offering convenience in use.
US08394429B2

A herbal composition comprising supercritical fluid extracts/oils of Jyotishmati, Bacopa monnieri, Ginger Oil, Flax Seed oil, Rosemary Ext and Vitamin E is effective in the treatment of symptoms associated with Attention Deficit disorder (ADD) and Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
US08394420B2

Anti-microbial compositions and devices comprising anti-microbial compositions are disclosed. Methods of making and using anti-microbial compositions and devices are also disclosed.
US08394419B2

The present invention provides novel methods of forming mineralized gelatin carriers from bone. The present invention further provides mineralized gelatin carriers themselves; bone products that include such mineralized gelatin carriers including DBM bone products; and kits that include mineralized gelatin carriers formed from bone. The present invention further provides methods for making DBM bone products, wherein both the DBM and a mineralized gelatin carrier for the DBM are derived independently from a bone lot.
US08394418B2

The present invention provides anticancer biological response modifier combinations. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination comprising: (i) a composition comprising small molecular weight components of less than 3000 daltons, and having the following properties: is extracted from bile of animals; is capable of stimulating monocytes and/or macrophages in vitro and/or in vivo; is capable of modulating tumor necrosis factor production and/or release; contains no measurable level of IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF, IL-6, IL-8, IL-4, GM-CSF or IFN-gamma; is not cytotoxic to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells; is not an endotoxin; and (ii) one or more anticancer agent(s), wherein said combination has therapeutic synergy or improves the therapeutic index in the treatment of cancer over the composition or the anticancer agent(s) alone. Another aspect of the present invention provides the use of this combination in the manufacture of a medicament or a pharmaceutical kit and in the treatment of cancer.
US08394417B2

Provided is a simple and easy method of producing an innoxious dry earthworm powder, while suppressing inactivation of the enzymes contained in earthworms. In the method, a homogenate obtained by grinding living earthworms is freeze-dried and the dried product is heat-treated at a temperature of 110° C. or higher but lower than 130° C. Preferably, the method according to the present invention comprises further a process for preparation of the living earthworms, which precedes the grinding step, comprising the steps of: standing the living earthworms under light for 10 to 50 hours; removing the dirt formed on the skin thereof, bringing the earthworms into contact with an organic acid for 30 seconds or less; diluting the acid with addition of water to adjust the pH of the aqueous acidic solution to a pH in the range of 2 to 5; standing the earthworm mixture under the pH condition for 3 to 180 minutes; and then washing the earthworms with water.
US08394410B2

Biodegradable polymeric compositions that are liquids or pastes at temperatures below 37° C. are described. Immersion of the compositions in aqueous medium, such as body fluids, increases the viscosity of the composition resulting in the formation of a semisolid material. The polymeric material is a hydroxyalkanoic acid polyester derived from the copolymerization of at least one unsaturated hydroxy fatty acid copolymerized with hydroxyalkanoic acids of 2-6 carbons.
US08394409B2

A controlled extended drug release technology for the controlled extended release of hydrophobic or hydrophilic drugs or therapeutically active agents consisting of a homogeneous blend of one or more therapeutic agents, gas generators and surrounded by one or more layers of coat made of thermoplastic water insoluble cellulose derivatives, acrylic polymers, superdisintegrants and optionally an oil, antioxidants and electrolytes. The technology platform is capable of releasing therapeutic agents via zero, first or pseudo first order release.
US08394408B2

Compositions and methods for the treatment of pain in a mammal are described. More specifically, a dosage form designed for release of acetaminophen and an opioid is described, wherein the dosage form provides delivery of the drugs to the upper gastrointestinal tract (“GI”) of a mammal for an extended period of time.
US08394403B2

This disclosure relates to wound care devices which are capable of one-way, directional flow of fluids and contaminants away from the wound site to the opposite side of the wound care device, which functions as a fluid reservoir. This fluid transport mechanism generally aids in reducing wound maceration by removing excess fluid, and potentially even bacteria, and is carried out without loss of physical integrity of the wound care device itself. In addition to providing a uni-directional fluid transport mechanism, the wound care device may contain a topically applied silver-based antimicrobial finish which provides certain levels of antimicrobial agent to the wound in order to clear infection from the wound site and control bacterial growth in the wound care dressing. Exemplary topical antimicrobial finishes include silver ion-releasing compounds.
US08394399B2

The present invention includes methods for the inhibition of post-operative adhesion formation between tissue surfaces in a body cavity having been subjected to a surgical procedure, which methods involve administering Pemirolast, or an analog thereof, directly to tissue surfaces in the body cavity in amounts and under conditions effective to inhibit formation of adhesions, and to delivery vehicles and compositions suitable for use for local, non-systemic administration of a drug to the body and directly to tissue within a body cavity having been subjected to a surgical procedure.
US08394394B2

The present invention relates to a cosmetic base which includes an anhydrous mixture of an effective amount of at least one first silicone elastomer; an effective amount of at least one second silicone elastomer; at least one non-aqueous solvent; and an effective amount of at least one water insoluble structuring agent which is compatible with said solvent and which has a melting point of between about 45 and about 95° C. The cosmetic base may be used in a cosmetic composition which also includes a pigment. Methods of making these cosmetic formulations are also described.
US08394393B2

A composite material containing polymeric nanofibers, themselves containing NO-donor molecules, imbibed with an elastomer matrix is permeable to both water and gas so that dissociation reactions in the presence of water releases NO gas in a sustained manner. The NO-donor nanofibers may be formed by synthesizing acceptable NO-donor molecules, blending such molecules in solution with PVP, PCL or PVAc, electrospinning the blend at relatively high voltage for form fiber mats, applying PDMS rubber to the fiber mat and crosslinking it. The resulting NO-releasing electrospun fiber composite may be used in medical devices such as catheters, stents, or vascular grafts, with the purpose of releasing nitric oxide within a controlled rate and for a sustained period of time, as well as other known medical applications for NO.
US08394391B2

A drug delivery vehicle for targeted delivery of a drug mimics viral properties of size, capsid-like protein capsule, cell-specific entry, toxin release, destruction of infected cells, and migration to neighboring cells. This vehicle, termed a virogel, contains a hydrophobic polymeric core, a hydrophilic inner shell, a hydrophilic outer shell, and a ligand. An illustrative drug-loaded virogel includes poly(L-histidine-co-phenylalanine) as the core, doxorubicin loaded in the core, polyethylene glycol as the inner shell, bovine serum albumin as the outer shell, and folic acid as the ligand.
US08394379B2

The present invention relates to fusion proteins comprising a microorganism targeting molecule (e.g., immunoglobulin) and a biocide. The present invention also relates to therapeutic and prophylactic methods of using a fusion protein comprising a microorganism targeting molecule and a biocide in diverse fields.
US08394378B2

The present invention relates to antibodies against human collagen II, polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding human collagen II antibodies or fragments thereof, and methods of making and using the foregoing.
US08394377B2

The invention relates to methods for treating a subject by manipulating HER-2 on a cell as well as related products. The methods include methods of treating cancer using fatty acid oxidation inhibitors and HER-2 binding molecules such as antibodies and fragments thereof.
US08394370B2

The present invention pertains to a composition for inducing a pattern of gut barrier maturation similar to that observed with breast-feeding and able to improve gut barrier maturation, e.g. during neonatal stress. In particular, the present invention relates to an infant formula containing a combination of specific ingredients designed to provide a synergistic effect all along gastrointestinal tract and barrier function.
US08394365B2

Provided herein are water-soluble prodrugs, compositions comprising such prodrugs, and related methods of making and administering the same. The prodrugs of the invention comprise a water-soluble polymer having three or more arms, at least three of which are typically covalently attached to an active agent, e.g., a small molecule. The conjugates of the invention provide an optimal balance of polymer size and structure for achieving improved drug loading, since the conjugates of the invention possess three or more active agents releasably attached to a multi-armed water-soluble polymer. The prodrugs of the invention are therapeutically effective, and exhibit improved properties in-vivo when compared to unmodified parent drug.
US08394359B1

A treatment system and method includes use of a chemical facilitator to provide a result-effective event against one or more negative therapeutic effects related to exposing to a light output a skin portion including a condition treatable in whole or in part with light. In one exemplary embodiment for skin treatment including tattoo removal, perfluorodecalin is used to inhibit or resolve whitening, for example to speed a laser therapy session.
US08394349B2

A household appliance includes a container for receiving objects to be treated, an ozone generator having an intake air conduit, and an ozone eliminating device arranged in an exhaust air conduit. The exhaust air conduit is connected to the container and includes a fan for removing exhaust air from the container. The exhaust air conduit is connected to the intake air conduit of the ozone generator.
US08394347B2

An exhaust gas conversion system includes an oxide catalyst, a filter, a selective catalytic reduction catalyst and an ammonia supplying device. The filter has a honeycomb structural body including a honeycomb unit. The selective catalytic reduction catalyst has a honeycomb structural body including a honeycomb unit. The oxide catalyst, the filter and the selective catalytic reduction catalyst are sequentially arranged in a direction in which an exhaust gas flows. A ratio of an area of a cross section of the selective catalytic reduction catalyst perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the selective catalytic reduction catalyst with respect to an area of a cross section of the filter perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the filter is approximately 0.55 or more and approximately 0.90 or less. The area of the cross section of the filter is approximately 300 cm2 or more and approximately 1000 cm2 or less.
US08394345B2

A process for preparing an organic target compound by heterogeneously catalyzed gas phase partial oxidation of an organic precursor compound with molecular oxygen in two oxidation reactor lines operated in parallel and removal of the target compound from the mixture of the product gas streams in a workup line, wherein the catalysts charge of one of the oxidation lines comprises a portion of catalyst over which the heterogeneously catalyzed gas phase partial oxidation has already been carried out for longer than over the portions of catalyst of the catalyst charge of the other oxidation reactor line.
US08394344B2

An indicator for enabling an analytical instrument to positively detect the presence of a vial in respective vial-receiving rack position regardless of whether the vial is oriented in a manner necessary for a code reader to read a code printed on the vial. Translation of a leaf spring upon insertion of a vial into a rack position causes a flag to obscure a code provided adjacent the rack position. An instrument into which the rack is installed interprets the failure of the code reader to detect this code as positive indication that a vial is disposed within the respective rack position.
US08394343B2

A blood glucose meter for providing easy access to test strips and measuring blood glucose, a disposable and removable cartridge for providing easy access to test strips, and methods of manufacturing and utilization thereof are disclosed. The blood glucose meter for providing easy access to test strips and measuring blood glucose has a disposable and removable cartridge, a retaining member which releasably retains the test strips in a stacked configuration, and a housing. The disposable and removable cartridge has a rigid lid attached to a flexible body.
US08394339B2

A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device having a supporting substrate, a sample inlet for receiving a fluid sample, an incubation section in fluid communication with the sample inlet, the incubation section having at least one heater, and, CMOS circuitry between the supporting substrate and the incubation section, wherein, the CMOS circuitry is connected to the at least one heater for maintaining the fluid sample at an incubation temperature for an incubation period.
US08394337B2

A system for diagnostic testing may include a meter for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to a test media and a container configured to contain test media compatible with the meter. The meter may include a closure portion for selectively closing the opening of the container. The system may further provide a sampling device, such as a lancet, operable connected to the container such that that a user may use the sampling device to obtain a sample without disconnecting the sampling device from the container. The system may also provide mechanisms for removing a meter from a test container and reattaching it to a new one using one of several coding methods that recalibrate the meter for the new container of test strips. In addition, the system may further provide mechanisms to reconfigure the meter to perform a new function when it has been determined that the triggering event has occurred.
US08394327B2

Disclosed is a method of realizing a dual mode acoustic wave sensor capable of being operated in both a gas environment and a liquid environment in a single chip by disposing a surface acoustic wave filter and a surface skimming bulk wave filter perpendicular to each other on the same wafer using the peculiar cut-orientation of an piezoelectric element, i.e. ST-cut quartz. An acoustic wave biosensor can realize optimum detection performance by detecting the characteristics of a detection environment and a detection target in real time during the operation of a dual mode sensor, and automatically switching between an SAW mode and an SSBW mode.
US08394319B2

Nickel, Ni, of 5 to 10 mass %, silicon, Si, of 0.5 to 5 mass %, manganese, Mn, of 0.01 to 1 mass %, carbon, C, of 0.2 to 2 mass % and a remaining part consisting of iron, Fe, and incidental impurities are employed, and further chromium, Cr, of 1 to 10 mass % is added to obtain a martensitic cast steel material for which a martensitic transformation finish temperature (Mf point) is below freezing. Further, a cast steel material that contains vanadium V of 0.1 to 5 mass % in addition to the above elements of the material is also obtained. For these cast steel materials, since martensitic transformation occurs merely by performing a sub-zero treatment, the tempering process can be comparatively easily performed, and machining in a desired shape is easily performed.
US08394311B2

A method of constructing a self-inflating tire includes: forming a pre-cure green tire body; positioning an air passageway body within the green tire body to extend between an outward facing green tire body surface and the tire cavity, the air passageway body having an enclosed air passageway extending between a hollow body outlet end facing the tire cavity and a hollow inlet end facing outward from the outward facing green tire body surface; curing the green tire body into a finished cured tire body; affixing one or more tapping device(s) over one or both ends of the air passageway body; and establishing through a hollow protrusion member of the tapping device an air flow path extending between the air passageway within the air passageway body and a vent opening within the tapping device. The method includes a routing of the air passageway body through the green tire body along a non-linear path between an outward tire body surface and the inward tire body surface; wherein the non-linear path to at least partially surround a first tire body bead core; and wherein the air passageway body is positioned between overlapping green tire components such as first and second tire turn-up chafer components.
US08394309B2

A resin film including a resin and an organic acid represented by the following formula (1), wherein the ratio of the organic acid to the resin is from 0.1 to 20% by mass: X-L-(R1)n  Formula (1).
US08394304B2

The synthetic resin moldings are molded pressing the bottom force 210 to the top force for feeding 103, followed by feeding the melted synthetic resin raw material to the opening portion 2101 of the bottom force 210 through said feeding path 1023 of the top force for feeding 103, thereby filling said synthetic resin in the cavity in the mold CT1 made up by closing the mold with this top force for feeding 103 and the bottom force 210, followed by pushing down the bottom force 210, and extending said synthetic resin raw material contained in said feeding path 1023 and tearing off at the portion X where the raw material has prescribed amount of resin blocks RX for molding, pushing up this bottom force 210 in which these torn resin blocks RX are placed and remained to the top force for molding 104, thereby closing the mold and compressing.
US08394295B2

An oxynitride fluorescent material includes a JEM phase as a mother crystal and a luminescence center element Ce. The oxynitride fluorescent material has a fluorescence spectrum with a maximum emission wavelength of 420 nm to 500 nm inclusive and an excitation spectrum with a maximum excitation wavelength of 250 nm to 400 nm inclusive.
US08394287B2

A non-aqueous, reduced toxicity polyhydric alcohol based heat transfer fluid is provided comprised of at least one polyhydric alcohol that acts as an ADH enzyme inhibitor, such as for example propylene glycol, thereby reducing the toxicity of ethylene glycol if ethylene glycol. The heat transfer fluid may also include corrosion inhibitors that are soluble in the polyhydric alcohols used for the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid may be used as a coolant in internal combustion engines such as automobile engines, a coolant for cooling electrical or electronic components, as a heat transfer fluid for solar energy heating systems, or a heat transfer fluid for maintaining temperatures in industrial processes. A low toxicity preparation fluid for absorbing water from heat exchange systems prior to installation of the heat transfer fluid is also provided that is comprised of ethylene glycol and at least one polyhydric alcohol, preferably propylene glycol, that acts as an ADH enzyme inhibitor.
US08394265B2

A visual bilgewater quality indicator for use in a bilgewater filtration system which includes a filtration stage for removing oily contaminants. The quality indicator utilizes one or more filtration status chambers which are provided with a fluorescent or phosphorescent dye or pigment treated filtration media. The status chamber has a transparent outer wall. Flow through the status chamber is from the outer lateral wall toward its central axis, whereby oily contaminants in the flow collect selectively at the outer portions of the filtration media which are highly visible to an observer. Oil droplets as small as one micron, are captured and immobilized by the primary filter and are instantly visible against the background of the exemplary dye. If two status chambers are used in series, the second chamber is always kept transparent until complete loading and supersaturating breakthrough at the primary chamber.
US08394261B2

Catalysts amenable to oxidizing sulfur compounds and systems and methods of using these catalysts to effect the removal of sulfur from crude oil and crude oil distillates are disclosed. The catalyst is disposed with a titanyl moiety which serves to selectively coordinate sulfur compounds and affect their oxidation. The titanyl may be bound within a polymer or on the surface of a polymer or on the surface or in the pores of an inorganic support. The resulting oxidized sulfur compounds are readily separated from the initial crude oil or crude oil distillate streams by traditional separation techniques arrayed as described in the systems and methods disclosed.
US08394254B2

A crude product composition is provided. The crude product composition contains from 0.001 wt. % to 5 wt. % residue. The crude product composition contains hydrocarbons having a boiling point in the ranges of at most 204° C., from 204° C. to 300° C., from 300° C. to 400° C., and from 400° C. to 538° C. The hydrocarbons boiling in a range of at most 204° C. comprise paraffins, where the paraffins comprise iso-paraffins and n-paraffins, and the weight ratio of iso-paraffins to n-paraffins is at most 1.4.
US08394248B2

There is provided a control device for a gas sensor. The gas sensor is formed with first and second oxygen pumping cells to define first and second measurement chambers. Under the control of the sensor control device, the first and second oxygen pumping cells effect oxygen pumping actions against the first and second measurement chambers, respectively. The sensor control device is configured to detect currents through the first and second oxygen pumping cells, calculate a correction coefficient by comparison of a detection value of the first oxygen pumping cell current at a known oxygen concentration period with a previously stored reference value, correct the first oxygen pumping cell current by the correction coefficient and determine the concentration of nitrogen oxide in the gas under measurement based on the corrected first oxygen pumping cell current and the detected second oxygen pumping cell current.
US08394247B2

The present invention aims to simplify the structure and a fabrication method of an ion-selective electrode in an ion concentration measuring device that measures an anion, particularly a chloride ion, in a biological component. To this end, in a potential difference measuring unit, a quaternary ammonium salt derivative serving as a ligand for an anion is immobilized to the surface of a gold electrode by using as a linker an insulative molecule forming a self-assembled monolayer. The potential difference measuring unit measures an electromotive force generated with anion binding, as an interface potential change on the surface of the gold electrode. In order to reduce the influence of adsorption of impurities on the electrode surface, a high-molecular weight polymer is physically adsorbed on the gold electrode and thus used when a biological component is measured.
US08394245B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a production apparatus for electro-deposited metal foil or the like that can reduce thickness fluctuation of electro-deposited metal foil. To achieve the object, a production apparatus for electro-deposited metal foil or the like in which a cathode and an insoluble anode apart from each other, supplying an electrolytic solution through a gap between the cathode and the anode, making the cathode move along to the insoluble anode, electrodepositing a metal component on an electro-deposition surface of the moving cathode is applied. Wherein the insoluble anode is a thin plate insoluble metal electrode provided with a conductive electrode material coating layer on a surface of a substrate made of a corrosion-resistant material, and detachably mounted to an electrode base by using predetermined fixing means, and the conductive electrode material coating layer of the thin plate insoluble metal electrode is provided with a conductive electrode material stripped belt in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the cathode, and the fixing means is provided in the conductive electrode material stripped belt.
US08394244B1

A method is provided for laser patterning an integrated circuit (IC) etching mask. The method provides an IC packaged die with a first region underlying a backside surface of a bulk silicon (Si) layer. An etch-resistant film is formed overlying the backside surface. Alternately, the entire IC die package is conformally coated. A semi-transparent film is formed overlying the etch-resistant film, semi-transparent to light having a first wavelength. In response to irradiating the semi-transparent film with light having a first power density, an IC die first region is located. In response to irradiating the semi-transparent film with a laser light having a second power density, greater than the first power density, an area of etch-resistant film overlying the first region is decomposed. More explicitly, an area of semi-transparent film overlying the first region is ablated, and the etch-resistant film underlying the ablated semi-transparent film is heated.
US08394240B2

A process for treating bituminous coal includes providing dried, pulverized coal, and treating the pulverized coal in a vessel with a gas stream having an oxygen content sufficient to form oxides on surface of coal particles. The treated coal is transferred into a pyrolyzing chamber and passed into contact with an oxygen deficient sweep gas, the sweep gas being at a higher temperature than the temperature of the coal so that heat is supplied to the coal. The process further includes providing additional heat to the coal indirectly by heating the chamber, wherein the heating of coal by the sweep gas and by the indirect heating from the chamber causes condensable volatile components to be released into the sweep gas. Some of the oxides are converted into paramagnetic mineral components, which are removed from coal to form a coal char having reduced ash and sulfur.
US08394233B2

A mechanism for adjusting an orientation of an electrode in a plasma processing chamber is disclosed. The plasma processing chamber may be utilized to process at least a substrate, which may be inserted into the plasma processing chamber in an insertion direction. The mechanism may include a support plate disposed outside a chamber wall of the plasma processing chamber and pivoted relative to the chamber wall. The support plate may have a first thread. The mechanism may also include an adjustment screw having a second thread that engages the first thread. Turning the adjustment screw may cause translation of a portion of the support plate relative to the adjustment screw. The translation of the portion of the support plate may cause rotation of the support plate relative to the chamber wall, thereby rotating the electrode with respect to an axis that is orthogonal to the insertion direction.
US08394229B2

A one-piece susceptor ring for housing at least one temperature measuring device is provided. The susceptor ring includes a plate having an aperture formed therethrough and a pair of side ribs integrally connected to a lower surface of the plate. The side ribs are located on opposing sides of the aperture. The susceptor ring further includes a bore formed in each of the pair of side ribs. Each bore is configured to receive a temperature measuring device therein.
US08394226B1

A composite friction unit of a three dimensional composite body is formed of a substantially uniform array of predominately glass strands of primary reinforcing fibers in matrix of phenolic resin material, the reinforcing fibers in the form of fabric distributed throughout the body forming a friction unit having a predetermined size and configuration and uniform distribution and alignment of fibers throughout. An alternate friction unit includes a substantially rigid or rigid backing co-pultruded in forming the unit. The units are produced in a pultrusion process wherein the reinforcing fibers and matrix are pulled through a forming die.
US08394216B1

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for detecting features on billets of laminated veneer lumber (LVL). In some embodiments, an LVL billet is provided and passed through a scanning assembly. The scanning assembly includes an x-ray generator and an x-ray detector. The x-ray generator generates a beam of x-ray radiation and the x-ray detector measures intensity of the beam of x-ray radiation after is passes through the LVL billet. The measured intensity is then processed to create an image. Images taken according to the disclosure may then be analyzed to detect features on the LVL billet.
US08394215B2

A process for repairing cracks in a workpiece, such as a turbine engine component, comprises the steps of: providing a workpiece having a crack to be repaired; applying a nickel or cobalt base alloy material to a root of the crack in an amount sufficient to fill a portion of the crack; subjecting the workpiece with the nickel or cobalt base alloy material to a first heat treatment at a temperature in the range of from about 1950 to 2300° F. for a time period in the range of from about 5.0 to 30 minutes; applying a weld material to the crack; and subjecting the workpiece with the weld material to a second heat treatment.
US08394210B2

A nickel-base alloy having favorable toughness and thermal fatigue resistance comprises, in weight percentages based on total alloy weight: 9 to 12 chromium; 25 to 35 iron; 1 to 3 molybdenum; 3.0 to 5.5 niobium; 0.2 to 2.0 aluminum; 0.3 to 3.0 titanium; less than 0.10 carbon; no more than 0.01 boron; nickel; and incidental impurities. Also disclosed are die casting dies, other tooling, and other articles of manufacture made from or comprising the nickel-base alloy.
US08394201B2

An atomic layer deposition apparatus and an atomic layer deposition method increase productivity. The atomic layer deposition apparatus includes a reaction chamber, a heater for supporting a plurality of semiconductor substrates with a given interval within the reaction chamber and to heat the plurality of semiconductor substrates and a plurality of injectors respectively positioned within the reaction chamber and corresponding to the plurality of semiconductor substrates supported by the heater. The plurality of injectors are individually swept above the plurality of semiconductor substrates to spray reaction gas.
US08394200B2

A vertical plasma processing apparatus for a semiconductor process includes an airtight auxiliary chamber defined by a casing having an insulative inner surface and integrated with a process container. The auxiliary chamber includes a plasma generation area extending over a length corresponding to a plurality of target substrates in a vertical direction. A partition plate having an insulative surface is located between a process field and the plasma generation. The partition plate includes a gas passage disposed over a length corresponding to the plurality of target substrates in a vertical direction. A process gas is exited while passing through the plasma generation area, and is then supplied through the gas passage to the process field.
US08394193B2

The invention relates to a hydraulic binder, comprising K, Ca, aluminosilicates, as well as optionally Li, Na, and Mg, wherein the binder comprises the following components: a) a latently hydraulic aluminosilicate glass with a ratio of (CaO+MgO+Al2O3)/SiO2>1 and b) an alkali activator of the empirical formula (I) a(M2O)*x(SiO2)*y(H2O)  (I) wherein M=Li, Na, K, a=0-4, and x=0-5 and y=3-20, wherein the molar ratio of Ca/Si is <1, the molar ratio of Al/Si is <1, and the molar ratio of M/Si is >0.1. Furthermore, it relates to binder matrices, mortars, concrete adhesives, and metal anodes made of such binder.
US08394191B2

A cementitious composition including cement, water, and a rheology modifying additive (RMA) is provided. The inclusion of the RMA improves the cementitiuous composition's response to vibration, and dampens out differences due to minor fluctuations in initial slump of the composition. The RMA may include a dispersant for cementitiuous compositions. The cementitious composition may optionally include other admixtures or additives known in the industry. A method for making the cementitious composition is also provided.
US08394190B2

The invention relates to carbon black granulates having an APC value, measured at a conveying speed of 8 m/s and a solid load of 27 g/kg, less than or equal to 20 and a 25 [mu]m pressure filter value of less than 5 bar cm2/g. The carbon black granulate is produced by carbon black powder being pre-granulated in a first mixing granulator with addition of a granulation liquid with or without binders and being granulated to a finished state in a second mixing granulator without further addition of granulation liquid. The carbon black granulate can be used as a filler, reinforcing filler, UV stabilizer, conductive carbon black, pigment, or reducing agent.
US08394186B2

The present invention relates to a porphyrazine coloring matter represented by the following formula (1) or a salt thereof (wherein, the rings A to D are each independently a benzene ring or a 6-membered ring nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic ring, the number of said heteroaromatic rings is more than 0 and less than 1, E is alkylene, X is an anilino group or the like having at least one sulfo group or the like as a substituent, Y is a substituted monoalkylamino group or the like, b is 0 to 3, c is 0.1 to 3, and the sum of b and c is more than 3 and less than 4). By the present invention, a copper porphyrazine coloring matter suitable for inkjet recording which has a good hue as an cyan ink, is excellent in light fastness, ozone fastness and moisture fastness and does not cause bronze phenomenon can be provided.
US08394185B2

A non-aqueous inkjet ink comprising a coloring material and a water-insoluble solvent, wherein the coloring material is water-soluble or water-dispersible, and the amount of water within the ink is less than the amount of water required to dissolve or disperse the coloring material.
US08394172B2

A method for rapidly emptying an activated carbon filter while using an HC sensor (concentration change). A device for a tank system, for a motor vehicle having the device for a tank system and to a method for emptying an activated carbon filter for a tank system. The concentration of volatile components which are flushed from the activated carbon filter is detected by a concentration sensor. The concentration sensor is used as an early warning sensor to prevent any disturbances of mixture production of an engine.
US08394170B2

One aspect is a method for producing an alloy, whereby the alloy consists of a first metal, a second metal, a third metal, and a fourth metal, and the first metal, the second metal, the third metal, and the fourth metal are selected from the group consisting of the metals, niobium, zirconium, tantalum tungsten. The method includes the steps of grinding the first metal to form a first metal powder and grinding the second metal to form a second metal powder; mixing the first metal powder and the second metal powder to form a first blended powder; generating a first blended body from the blended powder by a powder metallurgical route; and generating the alloy by melting the first blended body and the remaining metals by a melt metallurgical route.
US08394168B2

A process for manufacturing Ti alloy structures using a SFFF manufacturing process with a welding torch as a high energy source, which comprises using as a feed a feed wire made from Ti sponge and alloying powders, or forming a Ti alloy in-situ in the melt.
US08394166B2

The disclosure concern air cleaners. Preferred air cleaners are shown which include a housing and a removable and replacement primary filter cartridge. Optional and advantageous features are shown. The preferred primary filter cartridge is conical in shape. A preferred optional safety or secondary filter cartridge is shown. Preferred methods of assembly and use are provided.
US08394154B2

A process for preparation of synthesis gas and/or hydrogen by counter-currently providing an oxidation reactant stream through an oxidation chamber and a reforming reactant stream through a steam reforming chamber is described. Also provided is a reactor for conducting the reaction.
US08394149B2

The invention relates to a cap-shaped implant for implanting on a prepared stump of a femoral head. The implant is in the form of a ball section, having a flat base surface and a polar axis which is arranged in a perpendicular in relation to the base surface. According to the invention, a cavity is arranged in ball section which protrudes from the base surface, said cavity is rotationally symmetrical and comprises a hollow spatial axis which is arranged below an angle (a) which is different form zero in relation to the polar axis.
US08394147B2

Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. In a preferred embodiment, such prostheses include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component preferably featuring among other things a reversely contoured posterolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes. Other surfaces can also be specially shaped to achieve similar results, preferably using iterative automated techniques that allow testing and iterative design taking into account a manageable set of major forces acting on the knee during normal functioning, together with information that is known about natural knee joint kinetics and kinematics.
US08394146B2

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to tissue anchors and methods of delivering same to the intervertebral disc or other sites within the body. In some embodiments, the anchors provide pull-out resistance, stability and/or maximize contact with tissue involving a minimum amount of penetration. In some embodiments, delivery methods are minimally invasive and include linear, lateral, and off-angle implantation or driving of anchors along, against or within tissue surfaces.
US08394136B2

A stent graft (1) with an internal tube (15) extending from the fenestration (11) within and towards an end of the tubular body (3) of the stent graft. An end of the tube remote from the fenestration is flared into a funnel or elliptical shape (17) to facilitate access into the internal tube from a main lumen of the stent graft. The flared portion is fastened (19) to the wall of the stent graft. The flared portion is held open with a resilient wire ring (21).
US08394129B2

A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.
US08394122B2

An apparatus for sealing a puncture includes a cartridge, a pusher member, a sealant, and a tamping device on a proximal end of the cartridge. During use, the cartridge, sealant, and pusher member are advanced over a positioning member and into the puncture by advancing a cartridge hub carrying the tamping device. When further distal advancement of the cartridge is limited, the cartridge hub is further advanced, activating the tamping device, and causing the pusher member to advance relative to the sealant to compress the sealant within the puncture.
US08394119B2

A stent including a mesh made of strands. The mesh has at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and the at least one radiopaque strand and the at least one non-radiopaque strand each have different diameters. Each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I). The EI of all strands in the mesh is no more than five times the EI of the strand having the smallest EI of any of the strands.
US08394116B2

A surgical tool and monolithic frame therefore are disclosed. The monolithic frame defines a longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends thereof, and is adapted to receive the flexible drive shaft of a surgical tool, and to support at an end thereof the rotary cutting tool of a surgical tool. The monolithic frame is characterized by greater flexibility in opposite directions along a first axis defined normal to the longitudinal axis than in opposite directions along a second axis defined normal to both the first axis and the longitudinal axis.
US08394105B2

An apparatus for dispensing bone cement includes a cartridge for containing the bone cement. The apparatus also includes a plunger insertable into the cartridge. An impedance sensor is coupled to the plunger and configured to produce an output signal indicative of an impedance of bone cement contained in the cartridge. The apparatus may also include a processing circuit configured to determine an impedance value of bone cement contained within the cartridge based on the sensor signal. The processing circuit may activate a visual indicator based on the impedance value to indicate that the dough time, the end-of-work time, and/or setting-time of bone cement contained in the cartridge has been reached.
US08394100B2

An surgical apparatus and method are described for manipulating one or more osteochondral plugs, including, but not limited to, extracting and/or impacting the one or more osteochondral plugs.
US08394093B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide an irrigated catheter having irrigation fluid directed at target areas where coagulation is more likely to occur so as to minimize blood coagulation and the associated problems. In one embodiment, , an irrigated ablation electrode assembly for use with an irrigated catheter device comprises a proximal member having at least one passageway for a fluid with an outlet disposed at an external surface of the proximal member; and a distal member connected with the proximal member and having an external surface. The distal member includes an electrode. The external surface of the proximal member and the external surface of the distal member meet at an intersection. The at least one passageway of the proximal member is configured to direct a fluid flow through the outlet toward a region adjacent the intersection.
US08394087B2

An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device adapted to direct energy to tissue and a fluid path leading to the electrosurgical device. The system also includes an optical sensor unit operably associated with the fluid path. The optical sensor unit includes a light-emitting element to generate light output and a light-receiving element to collect light outputted from the light-emitting element. The light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are disposed such that light output from the light-emitting element passes through the fluid path to the light-receiving element. The optical sensor unit is capable of detecting an air bubble in the fluid path passing through the optical sensor unit using a sensed characteristic of light collected at the light-receiving element.
US08394086B2

An isolation apparatus for reducing radiated emissions of a microwave energy delivery system including an isolation circuit board and a shield coupling, the isolation circuit board and shield coupling configured to capacitively couple a microwave generator and a coaxial transmission cable and the isolation circuit board further configured to pass energy at a fundamental frequency between the microwave generator and the coaxial transmission cable.
US08394085B2

A laser perforation device that has a simple structure and with which pain to a person in skin perforation is reduced. In the device, a laser beam emitted from a laser emitting device is branched into laser beam paths by splitters and mirrors and pierces skin by applying the split beams to the same position on the skin. Since the skin is pierced by a laser beam with a low output, pain to the person can be reduced.
US08394083B2

A wavefront sensor is integrated with a surgical microscope for allowing a doctor to make repeated wavefront measurements of a patient's eye while the patient remains on an operating table in the surgical position. The device includes a wavefront sensor optically aligned with a surgical microscope such that their fields of view at least partially overlap. The inclusion of lightweight, compact diffractive optical components in the wavefront sensor allows the integrated device to be supported on a balancing mechanism above a patient's head during a surgical procedure. As a result, the need to reposition the device and/or the patient between measuring optical properties of the eye and performing surgical procedures on the eye is eliminated. Many surgical procedures may be improved or enhanced using the integrated device, including but not limited to cataract surgery, Conductive Keratoplasty, Lasik surgery, and corneal corrective surgery.
US08394071B2

In renal haemodialysis there is a condition whereby the patient can by at serious risk of harm if the venous line becomes disconnected or the venous needle becomes dislodged and the haemodialysis machine does not detect this condition. The invented device is designed to safeguard haemodialysis patients from serious losses of blood through venous line disconnection or venous needle dislodgement. The invented device is designed to clamp the venous line automatically before venous needle dislodgement or venous line disconnection becomes a serious problem and to make the haemodialysis machine stop drawing blood from the patient This will cause the haemodialysis machine to alarm in the normal way so as to alert the patient or healthcare worker to the problem. The invented device will have to be manually reset before therapy can continue.
US08394067B2

A securement device, system, and method for use with a medical article. The securement device, system, or method may include a body that has a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has an adhesive compound thereon. A resilient retainer formed from a soft, tacky elastomeric gel or foam is supported by the bottom surface of the body. The resilient retainer receives and secures a medical device. The medical device is secured to the skin of a patient upon affixing the bottom surface to the patient via the adhesive compound.
US08394065B2

A medical line securement device holds a medical article such as a connector fitting for a catheter or a catheter adaptor in position upon the body of a patient and inhibits axial motion of the medical article. The securement device includes a retainer with a base and a cover. The cover is hinged to the base such that it may be moved between an open and closed position. The base and cover each have a groove which cooperate when the cover is in the closed position to form a channel through the retainer. The medical article includes an elongated body which is received within the groove of the retainer, the elongated body lying between at least a pair of regions of larger radius of the medical article. By receiving the portion of the elongated body of the medical article between the regions of larger radius, axial motion of the medical article through the groove is inhibited. The retainer may also include one or more slots to receive any radial projections of the medical article within the retainer.
US08394058B2

An insertion device, generally used with an infusion set, including a needle being adapted for puncturing at one end and including at the opposite end a hub. The hub includes a handle part and a guard part that are capable of securing the needle through the use of locks. Locking structures are used to secure the insertion device in a position where the needle is covered in a locked position, avoiding unintended contact with the needle.
US08394057B2

A safety syringe has a barrel, an inner needle hub, an outer needle hub, a plunger. The barrel has a distal end and a spout. The spout is formed axially on and protrudes the distal end. The plunger is mounted in the barrel and has a mounting protrusion being formed axially on the distal end of the plunger. The outer needle hub is mounted on the spout of the barrel and has a mounting chamber formed in the outer needle hub. The inner needle hub is mounted in the mounting chamber of the outer needle hub and has multiple resilient wing sections that are mounted in the mounting protrusion. Therefore, the inner needle hub may be withdrawn without touching the needle or outer needle hub and disposed of safely.
US08394055B2

A balloon catheter having a multi-layered balloon which has a first layer and at least a second layer, and which has noncompliant limited radial expansion beyond the nominal diameter of the balloon. By selecting the polymeric materials forming the balloon layers, and arranging and radially expanding the multiple layers of the balloon in accordance with the invention, a balloon is provided having an improved low compliance, preferably in combination with high flexibility and softness.
US08394053B2

A medication injection site is provided that includes a medication port and an identification sensor. The medication injection site, when coupled to a medication container, can wirelessly transmit data characterizing the contents of the medication container to a remote data collection system. The housing of the medication injection site has a shape and size enabling it to be held by a first hand of a user while the user administers medication from the medication container via the medication port using his or her second hand. In some implementations, the medication injection site can be placed on an IV drip line. Related apparatus, systems, and kits are also disclosed.
US08394052B2

A plunger-barrel apparatus is adapted for use within a syringe-in-syringe mixing system for mixing a two-part composition (e.g., a dental composition). A hollow plunger-barrel body has a continuous cylindrical wall defining an internal chamber for containing a first component. The body includes a plunger receiving end and a dispensing end. An integral sealing plug and rupturable membrane is disposed at the dispensing end of the body and include a sealing plug portion and a rupturable membrane portion that are integrally formed together as a single piece (e.g., formed of a single piece of elastomeric material). An associated syringe-in-syringe mixing system includes a first plunger, the hollow plunger-barrel body as described above adapted to contain a first component, and a syringe barrel configured to contain a second component. When assembled, the first plunger is slidably disposed within the hollow plunger-barrel body, and the plunger-barrel body is slidably disposed within the syringe barrel. The two components are initially separated by the rupturable membrane.
US08394036B2

In a method for determining the angle of anteversion and/or the angle of inclination of an acetabulum in a pelvic bone, in order to achieve a simplification, a method is proposed, wherein prominent points on the pelvic bone are non-invasively determined, these prominent points are joined by an individual plane, and this individual plane is respectively rotated through predetermined, specific angular magnitudes for the angle of inclination and the angle of anteversion, respectively, and the angle between the rotated individual plane and a main plane of the pelvic bone is determined in order to determine the angle of inclination and the angle of anteversion.
US08394032B2

A multimedia user interface for an automated diagnostic hearing test allows a patient to interact with the automated hearing test in order to conduct various hearing related tests. The patient is given instructions and guidance for every test, and can call the operator at any time for help. Warning messages and progress indicators are provided to help the patient gauge his progress. This allows the patient to test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professional. The user interface also allows the operator to configure and customize the automated hearing test as needed. The results of the hearing related tests are summarized in a single report that is concise, convenient, and thorough. The report may include interpretive comments that point out possible inconsistencies, asymmetries, or areas of concern in the test results and, where appropriate, also recommend certain types of medical treatment.
US08394023B2

A method for determining a time to aortic valve closure comprises receiving data corresponding to an imaged region of a left ventricle of a heart. A plurality of points within the data is identified. A peak negative strain is determined for each of the points and the peak negative strain comprises a maximum contraction value and a time from onset to maximum contraction value. A weight value for each of the points is determined based on the peak negative strain. A time to aortic valve closure is determined based on the weight value and the time from onset to maximum contraction value for each of the points.
US08394022B2

There is provided a selectively permeable biointerface membrane, permitting selective diffusion of analyte therethrough, for use in an analyte sensor comprising a nanoporous substrate and a coating, on the nanoporous substrate, comprising a plurality of polymer chains whereby each polymer chain is attached at one chain end thereof to a surface of the nanoporous substrate. There are also provided methods for the preparation of the selectively permeable membrane and an analyte sensor comprising the membrane.
US08394017B2

A laryngoscope adaptor cap for use with existing government issue military flashlights designed for use in night time battlefield conditions. A filter disc filters out visible light and a light seal design prevents leakage of visible light from an assembled laryngoscope. The adaptor cap is crush resistant, impact resistant, has a high melting temperature, is disposable and allows the attachment of conventional laryngoscope paddles. It allows for night time endotracheal intubation in conjunction with military issue night vision goggles in the absence of visible light.
US08394014B2

An endoscope comprises a shaft with an outer tube and with an inner tube extending inside the latter, the outer and inner tubes being radially spaced apart from one another such that they form between them an axially extending channel, which provides space for receiving a light guide. An intermediate tube having flexural strength is arranged between the outer tube and the inner tube, which intermediate tube at least partially surrounds the inner tube.
US08394009B2

A portable external device for a mechanical circulation support system includes first and second power sources, e.g. batteries and control electronics for redundant uninterrupted operation of an implantable blood pump. The control and power source module may be configured to accommodate a variety of wearable configurations for patient convenience and comfort.
US08394001B2

A control device controlling a vehicle's automatic transmission. The automatic transmission engages first and second friction engagement elements by fluid pressure from a pump operating using motive power from the vehicle's motor when a shift position is at a reverse traveling position, places the first friction engagement element on standby at a predetermined pressure that is higher than a stroke starting pressure by which a piston stroke is started and lower than a complete engagement pressure or engages the first friction engagement at the complete engagement pressure when the shift position is at a non-traveling position, and engages a third friction engagement element as a starting shift speed when the shift position is at a forward traveling position. When the shift position is at the forward traveling position, the first friction engagement element is placed on standby at the predetermined pressure if a vehicle speed is lower than a predetermined vehicle speed, or releases the predetermined standby pressure if the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined vehicle speed.
US08394000B2

A method for operating a vehicle drivetrain (1) having a drive motor (9), a transmission (10) and a drive output (2). When a gear ratio change is called for in the transmission (10), between an actually engaged gear and a target gear, one of a frictional or an interlock-type shift element is engaged in a flow of force in the vehicle drivetrain (1) and the other of an interlock-type or a frictional shift element is disengaged from the flow of force in the vehicle drivetrain (1). An actual speed that is at least equivalent to a transmission input speed is monitored and an actuation pressure of the frictional shift element involved in the shift operation and/or a torque of the drive motor (9) is/are varied to change the actual speed to a nominal speed.
US08393998B2

A hybrid electric vehicle has a first mode in which slippage of a clutch between an electric motor and a driving wheel is allowed and controlled by rotational speed control of the electric motor and a second mode in which the slippage of the clutch is allowed and controlled by rotational speed control of an engine. When the vehicle is stationary in the first mode, a controller reduces a control setpoint of hydraulic pressure of the clutch from an initial point. The controller identifies a reference point of the control setpoint with which actual output torque of the electric motor is substantially constant with respect to the reduction of the control setpoint. Then, the controller increases the control setpoint to a precharge point, and reduces the control setpoint to a corrected point that is lower than or substantially equal to the initial point and higher than the reference point.
US08393997B2

Method for controlling the functioning of two heat engines connected to a torque distributor (5) in a fire-fighting vehicle, each engine being provided with automatic transmission and with a first clutch (K1) connecting the first (A) of said engines to a delivery pump of a liquid; with a second clutch (K2) connecting the first engine (A) to the vehicle's traction; with a third clutch (K3) connecting the second engine (B) to the vehicle's traction. The control has an activation or a deactivation step of said delivery pump, by closing or opening said first clutch (K1) at a vehicle speed lower than a threshold higher than zero, and in a condition of decelerating vehicle, with the simultaneous opening or closing of said second clutch (K2), and if said conditions are verified within an interval of time from an activation or deactivation request.
US08393992B2

To prevent a differential lock status during operation, in a differential gear with a differential lock. A locking piece which rotates along with rotation of a differential case is attached to the differential case. A contact piece contactable with the locking piece is formed in a fork member that moves a lock pin to set the differential lock status. When the number of revolutions of the differential case becomes a predetermined number of revolutions, the locking piece moves to a position facing the contact piece, to regulate actuation of the fork member. Accordingly, the differential mechanism section is prevented from entry into the differential lock status.
US08393989B2

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for electric traction drives employing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a variator provided with a plurality of tilting traction planets and opposing traction rings. In one embodiment, an electric traction drive is provided with an electromotive device configured to transfer power to or from a traction sun of a CVT, In other embodiments, an electric traction drive is provided with an electromotive device that couples to certain components of a CVT such as a traction ring, a carrier assembly, and a main axle. Various inventive shifting assemblies having shift cams and shift cam cages can be used to facilitate adjusting the transmission speed ratio of a CVT. Various related devices include embodiments of, for example, a power input apparatus, a speed ratio shifter, a shift cam actuator, a shift nut, and a carrier assembly configured to support the tilting traction planets.
US08393984B2

An IVT machine includes an input shaft, a drive wheel on the input shaft, an output shaft, a ratio changing device which is mounted on the output shaft, an endless belt which passes over the drive wheel and in an open loop on the ratio changing device, control elements for enlarging and reducing the belt loop dimension about the output shaft axis, belt guide elements providing a throat through which the belt enters and leaves its loop on the ratio changing device, and a drive arrangement on the ratio changing device for the transmission of drive power to the output shaft and is engaged with the belt in a portion of its loop on the device and engageable with the belt on both sides of the throat in its transition across the throat during rotation of the ratio changing device.
US08393978B2

The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a solid core, at least one intermediate layer and a cover. The core has a hardness which gradually increases from a core center to a core surface, with the golf ball having specific values for the hardness difference between the core center and the core surface; the hardness difference (I)-(II) in JIS-C hardness units being not more than ±2; the (hardness of intermediate layer material)−(hardness of core surface); the (initial velocity of sphere composed of core encased by intermediate layer)−(initial velocity of core); the (deflection of sphere composed of core encased by intermediate layer)/(deflection of core); and the (hardness of cover material)−(hardness of intermediate layer material).
US08393972B2

A torsional vibration damper which has a hub and a flange disposed radially outside the hub. For axial fastening of the flange on the hub, a fixing element and a holding element attached to the hub are provided, which limit movements of the fixing element caused by radially oriented centrifugal force.
US08393968B2

The disclosed gaming system, gaming device and method provide a game including a plurality of awards, each of the awards associated with a plurality of award characteristics, including an award value and a level of difficulty. Based at least in part on the award characteristics associated with the awards, a player strategically chooses which award or awards to play for (i.e., which award or awards to attempt to collect) in the game. In certain multiplayer embodiments, two or more players can work together to obtain awards.
US08393960B2

A controller of gaming machines includes an input/output module adapted to receive signals that represent a current status of a parameter of the gaming machines. A microprocessing unit generates for each gaming machine(s) an icon having variable visual indicia indicative of a value of the parameter being monitored. The microprocessing unit automatically changes in substantially real-time the visual indicia associated with the icon to reflect a change in the status of the parameter of an associated first gaming machine in accordance with a first received signal.
US08393956B2

A method of operating a wagering game comprises detecting receipt of a primary wager for playing a primary wagering game, and activating a first bonus feature in response to one or more first eligibility criteria, the first bonus feature having a first bonus payback percentage. The method further comprises activating a second bonus feature in response to one or more second eligibility criteria, the one or more second eligibility criteria including activation of the first bonus feature. The second bonus feature has a second bonus payback percentage higher than the first bonus payback percentage. The method further comprises displaying a randomly selected outcome of the primary wagering game, and in response to at least one triggering event associated with the first and the second bonus features, conducting the first or second bonus feature if the first and second bonus feature is active.
US08393953B2

Before the start of a free game, a slot machine displays a selection screen on a variable display portion and accepts a selection made by the player with respect to the first choice image and the second choice image. The first special reel band or the second special reel band including a larger number of condor symbols than the normal reel band is associated by lottery to the first choice image and the second choice image. The main CPU changes the normal reel band associated to each reel display portion to a special reel band based on the selection made by the player. Then, the main CPU executes a free game using the special reel band that was changed.
US08393952B2

A gaming system and method enables a player to assign at least one amplifier to at least one accumulator. In one embodiment, the amplifier causes an increase in the rate of advancement for the accumulator. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides the player any awards associated with the level of one or more of the accumulators.
US08393951B2

According to a gaming system 300, when BET information has been received from a gaming machine 1, it is determined either no offer of a special payout to the gaming machine 1 of a transmission source of the BET information, or a size of the special payout to be offered to the gaming machine of the transmission source of the BET information is determined, in the external control device 200. When the size of the special payout has been determined, a numeric symbol is displayed to each of display regions from a first display region 500a to a fifth display region 500e in a lower image display panel 141. A sum of numeric values corresponding to a predetermined number of these numeric symbols is a total point value corresponding to the size of the determined special payout.
US08393946B2

The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In certain embodiments, the existing lottery infrastructure is used in conjunction with electronic remote game play. A player receives a ticket identification number (TIN), optionally via lottery game play, and then plays an electronic game based upon the TIN. The remote system contains information associated with the TIN, for example, identification of which game will be played, and in a predetermined context, whether the player is to win or lose, and if they win, the form of the prize.
US08393938B2

An abrasive tool includes an assembly of tool precursors. At least one of the tool precursors has a continuous polycrystalline diamond, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, or ceramic material cutting element formed into a blade shape. The abrasive tool can additionally include a setting material, which is configured to attach the tool precursors and form a single mass. The selection, arrangement, and setting of the tool precursors can result in an abrasive tool having a predetermined cutting configuration. Methods for forming such an abrasive tool are also disclosed.
US08393936B2

The edge effect or variation in polishing edge profile on a substrate undergoing CMP is reduced by structuring a retaining ring, housed in a carrier head for retaining the substrate, such that the polishing edge profile shifts back and forth with respect to the center of the substrate. Embodiments include structuring the retaining ring such that the width between inner and outer surfaces varies by an amount sufficient to compensate for polishing edge profile variation. Embodiments also include structuring the retaining ring such that the distance from the outer surface to the geometric inner surface varies. Embodiments further include structuring the retaining ring such that the distance between the outer surface to the perimeter of the substrate retained by the inner surface of the retaining ring varies.
US08393935B2

A polishing apparatus polishes a periphery (a bevel portion, a notch portion, an edge-cut portion) of a substrate by bringing a polishing tool into sliding contact with the periphery of the substrate. The polishing apparatus includes a substrate holder configured to hold the substrate, and a polishing head configured to polish the periphery of the substrate held by the substrate holder using the polishing tool. The polishing head includes a press pad for pressing the polishing tool against the periphery of the substrate, and a linear motor configured to reciprocate the press pad.
US08393925B2

In a steering device for an outboard engine, a drive shaft of a helm mechanism and an output shaft of an electric assist mechanism are disposed orthogonally to a steering output shaft of a steering operation member. Where the steering operation member is a tiller handle, a torque sensor, provided between an outboard engine body and the tiller handle, detects, as steering torque, a difference between steering angles of the engine body and the tiller handle, and the helm mechanism, drivable by the assist mechanism, operates to compensate for the difference between the steering angles. The assist mechanism and the helm mechanism are provided on the body of the boat.
US08393922B2

A screw terminal with creep compensation comprises a pressure device enabling a clamping energy of the terminal to be stored. According to the invention, means for detecting the tightening torque enable the user to identify the force required for connection and to check that the creep is in fact compensated. The means for detecting comprise an element securedly affixed to the pressure device and an element securedly affixed to a wall of the housing in which the terminal is fitted, the distance between the two elements being determined by means enabling indicating means to be actuated when the distance is smaller than a threshold corresponding to a predetermined tightening torque.
US08393919B2

A coaxial connector provided with an increasing diameter compression sidewalk A grip ring is seated within the coupling body bore and is provided with a plurality of coupling spring fingers extending from the grip ring. An inner diameter of the coupling spring fingers has a grip surface and an inward projecting cable stop is provided at a connector end of the grip ring. The connector body and the coupling body are coupled together via threads, the grip ring dimensioned for axial advancement of the coupling body along the threads to drive the coupling spring fingers against the compression sidewall to exert a compression force radially inward upon the outer diameter of the outer conductor seated in the coupling body bore abutting the cable stop.
US08393910B2

A card connector comprises a housing, connection terminals, a card guide mechanism and a cover member. The housing is configured to accommodate therein a card which is provided with terminal members. The connection terminals are mounted in the housing and configured to be capable of coming into contact with the terminal members of the card. The card guide mechanism is provided with a slide member configured to slide while holding the card inserted into the housing, and an urging member configured to urge the slide member in a direction opposite to an insertion direction of the card. The cover member mounted on the housing and configured to cover at least the slide member and a portion of the card inserted into the housing.
US08393905B2

The invention is a medical simulation system having a system computer, at least one output display device, at least one input device an instructor terminal and a mannequin. The invention includes scenarios that execute on the computer system and output simulated physiological values to the display devices. The invention includes a means to communicate between multiple executing scenarios to allow integration of the executing scenarios. The invention includes a control panel interface displayable on the instructor terminal to provide a user friendly input means for the instructor.
US08393902B2

The invention relates to a method to control the movements of a flight simulator involving linear and angular accelerations perceived at a pilot's seat and involving mathematical transformations of a lateral position y and a roll angle φ for said accelerations, wherein mathematical transformations are used with at least one of the following corrections: —Feed-forward of a specific force error due to the y-position wash-out into a roll angle transformation function; —Decomposition of specific force at pilot's position and addition of complementary filters to reproduce suitable side forces in the pilot's seat due to lateral accelerations; —Mathematical transformations linking a pilot's position in an aircraft and flight simulator to a motion base centroid.
US08393899B2

An endodontic instrument with an elongate shaft and a plurality of inverted frusto-conical sections with radial cutting edge disposed along a working portion of the shaft.
US08393894B2

A cement product is disclosed. The cement product includes clinker defined by a feedstock material and a ladle metallurgical facility slag material derived from a ladle metallurgical facility steel production system. A system and method for manufacturing clinker is also disclosed.
US08393883B2

A burden of exchanging ejector rods is reduced in an injection molding machine when exchanging rods during exchange of a die. A plurality of rod insertion holes are formed so as to pierce through a movable platen. A plurality of ejector rods are inserted into rod insertion holes so as to slide freely therein. An ejector plate is disposed at the rear side of the movable platen. In a plurality of the ejector rods, a plurality of base rods are inserted into rod insertion holes so as to slide freely therein. Their base end portions are fixed to the ejector plate. Detachable rods are removably stuck with magnetism to the base rods by first and second magnets.
US08393879B2

A peristaltic pump includes opposing occlusion surfaces and a rotor between the occlusion surfaces. The rotor carries a set of occluding surfaces. At least one of either the set of occluding surfaces or the opposing occlusion surfaces are linearly movable relative to the other of the set of occluding surfaces and the occlusion surfaces.
US08393871B2

A wind turbine blade has upper and lower shell members with a respective spar cap configured on an internal face of the shell members. A shear web extends between the spar caps along a longitudinal length of the blade. A connection assembly is configured between the transverse ends of the shear web and the spar caps. The connection assembly includes a spacer member configured on the spar cap. A male/female engagement interface is defined between transverse end of the shear web and the spacer member, and includes an axial extension length to accommodate for variances in shear web length.
US08393868B2

According to embodiments described in the specification, a support spine for a wind turbine blade is provided, comprising an anchor member having a proximal end and a distal end, a transition member extending from the distal end of the anchor member, the transition member having a distal end, and a blade support member extending from the distal end of the transition member. At least a portion of the anchor member can be configured for coupling to a rotor drum. The support spine has a reduced cross-sectional area at the distal end of the transition member than at the distal end of the anchor member. The support spine can support one or more wind turbine blades.
US08393867B2

An airfoil assembly includes an airfoil with at least one cavity that is in communication with a source of cooling air. A baffle is disposed within that cavity and includes a plurality of openings for directing cooling air against the hot wall. A plurality of dividers extends between the baffle walls and the internal cavity to direct cooling air toward one of a leading edge chamber and a trailing edge chamber.
US08393859B1

A card seal with an annular arrangement of cards that form the card seal, where the cards are interweaved and staggered to increase a sealing capability of the cards. The card seal is formed from leading edge cards staggered with trailing edge cards, and the cards have a thicker outer end and a thinner inner end where the interweaving occurs. Because of the varying thickness of the staggered cards, each card has a taper on the lower outer end that decreases from a high to a low on the inner side in order that a foot print for the card is constant across the bottom surface that floats on the rotating part.
US08393834B2

A machining method for machining a superficial portion of a laminate using machine tool having a depth limiter which restricts a maximum depth of the machine tool. A guide frame having an inner guide contour restricts a maximum dimension of the superficial portion, and is secured over the superficial portion. The superficial portion is machined while the machine tool is guided by the guide contour. From another point of view, a machining apparatus for machining a superficial portion of a material is provided. The machining apparatus comprises a guide frame, an inner guide contour for guiding a machine tool, an attachment member for securing the guide frame to an attachment member, adjacent to the superficial portion, of the material.
US08393827B1

Systems, devices, apparatus, and methods of locking and unlocking a door that is slidable through tracks, over an entry port to a storm water type vault or storm water structure. Locking the door in place can be accomplished by rotating upwardly protruding bolt type heads that are fixably attached to cams. Rotating the bolt type heads causes the cams to press the door against one side of the tracks. An elongated sealing strip can be compressed between the door edges and the one side of the track and seal and prevent water from passing about the sides of the door. Alternatively, removable wedges can be used to compress door edges in place. Furthermore, a hinged pressure relief door can be attached over a small opening in the slidable door. Opening the small pressure relief door by an elongated tool allows for water on both sides of the sliding door to equalize. Once water has equalized on both sides the tool can be used to rotate the bolt type heads on the top of the slidable door and make it easier to next pull the sliding door from the tracks. The vault/structure can be sealed so that a vacuum truck can then remove water and debris contents inside of the vault/structure at the beginning of the treatment service.
US08393817B2

An electric toothbrush is disclosed. The tootbrush includes two elements to be driven, wherein the first element is a movable brush head and the second element is a pump; an electric motor; and a device that drives the movable brush head in both directions of rotation of the electric motor and drives the pump in one direction of rotation.
US08393814B2

A retractable instrument in accordance with the disclosure advantageously has a simple construction and fewer pieces or sub-assemblies than known retractable instruments. The retractable instrument includes a barrel that encloses a tool holder. The tool holder has an extension, and a tool extending from the distal end of the extension. A valve selectively covers the tool to protect the tool from environmental conditions. A biasing element is disposed between the valve and the tool holder, the biasing element biases the valve away from the tool holder. A movable closure assembly retains the valve on the extension and selectively allows the lid to open and close. The closure assembly includes a closure ring and a retention ring connected by one or more closure arms. The retention ring is disposed on the tool holder and the retention ring is prevented from sliding off of the tool holder by a retention stop.
US08393810B2

The present invention provides a media guide system for guiding media unwound from a roll of a roll assembly along a direction of roll feeding in a printer. The guide system includes a guide base including a datum edge guide surface and a plurality of edge guide receivers. The datum edge guide surface is aligned along a direction of roll feeding. The plurality of edge guide receivers is formed in the guide base and extends along the direction of roll feeding. When the roll assembly is loaded into the guide base by engaging an edge guide of the roll assembly into at least one of the plurality of edge guide receivers, the datum edge guide surface of the guide base and the edge guide of the roll assembly serve as edge guides to guide the roll through the printer during a printing operation.
US08393809B2

A printer includes a carriage movable between first and second ends of a reciprocating path; and a driving force-transmitting, path-selecting mechanism provided at the second end. The force-transmitting, path-selecting mechanism includes a driving force outputting member; force receiving members; a selecting member; and a position retainer. The selecting member connects the driving force outputting member to one of the force receiving members, and moves with the carriage when the carriage moves in a vicinity of the second end in a first direction from the first end to the second end. The position retainer keeps the position of the selecting member when the carriage moves in a second direction from the second end to the first end. The force receiving member connected to the driving force outputting member is selected in accordance with a movement of the carriage along the reciprocating path.
US08393804B2

A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. In one embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. In a second embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through the central bore of the ferrule. Next, a cap sleeve with a lens therein is slid over and attached to the ferrule such that the lens abuts or is attached to the optical fiber. In either embodiment, an inspection slot may optionally be formed in the ferrule and/or the cap sleeve to allow a technician to inspect the state of the attachment and/or abutment and/or spacing of the optical fiber and lens.
US08393800B2

Needle roller bearing includes an outer ring having first outer ring member having center angle larger than 180° and second outer ring member having center angle smaller than 180°, needle rollers, a retainer having ring section pairs and column sections arranged between the pair of ring sections, d
US08393791B2

A method of providing conditional electrical isolation for a bearing is disclosed. An inner race coupled to a first structure and an outer race coupled to a second structure are provided. An isolative means is provided for conditionally electrically isolating the first structure from the second structure.
US08393789B2

A radiographic image capture managing system includes an information storage unit for storing image information acquired by a radiation detector in chronological order, a usage status acquirer for acquiring information concerning a usage status of the radiation detector, a deterioration information acquirer for acquiring information concerning an extent of deterioration of the radiation detector based on the image information, a service life predictor for predicting a service life of the radiation detector based on the acquired information concerning the extent of deterioration and the acquired information concerning the usage status, a service life prolongation information setter for setting service life prolongation advice information required to prolong the predicted service life based on a preset relationship between the usage status and the extent of deterioration of the radiation detector and history information, and a service life prolongation advice output unit for transmitting service life prolongation advice information to at least a console.
US08393784B2

A method for identifying types of flaws in a composite object includes: a) rapidly heating the surface of the object; b) recording pixel intensities in a sequence of IR images; c) determining temperature-versus-time data for each of the pixels from the IR images; and d) determining what type of flaw if any corresponds to each of the pixels using the temperature-versus-time data determined in step (c). A contrast curve derived from the temperature-versus-time data may be used in determining what type of flaws if any corresponds to each of the pixels. The contrast curve may be determined by subtracting a synthetic reference curve from a temperature time curve from the temperature-versus-time data. The types of flaws may be determined from size and/or shapes of peaks in the contrast curves. Some flaws are delaminations, layers of porosity, and uniformly distributed porosity.
US08393779B2

Generally, existing LED lamps often use robust metallic cases since each of the cases functions as a heat sink. Various shapes for increasing the heat dissipation properties of the case have been employed; there is no unified shape. Existing LED lamps therefore have a problem that they cannot be easily disassembled at the time of recycling. Thus, an object is to provide a lamp which can be easily disassembled at the time of recycling. A lamp includes: a case having a certain shape; an LED module including a semiconductor light-emitting device; and a power supply circuit provided inside the case, for driving the semiconductor light-emitting device to emit light, wherein on an outer side of the case, a step for splitting the case is formed.
US08393778B2

A backlight module and a wire positioning/holding device for the frame structure thereof are disclosed. The backlight module mainly includes a frame and a light source module. The light source module is disposed on the lateral side or on the bottom of the frame. The wire holding device mainly includes a main body and a winding pillar. A first guide slot is disposed on the main body, and the first guide slot has an inlet end and an outlet end. The winding pillar extends from the main body and is situated at one side of the first guide slot. The winding pillar and the main body together form a wire holding portion. The wire holding portion is disposed corresponding to the outlet end of the first guide slot to receive the wires of the light source module coming out of the outlet end.
US08393765B2

A luminaire includes a light-emitting unit, a main body frame, a support frame, and a lighting unit. The light-emitting unit mounts light-emitting elements. The main body frame supports the light-emitting unit, and is formed rectangular having a hook-shaped engaging piece on one side. The support frame is formed rectangular surrounding the outer periphery of the main body frame, and has a groove-shaped receiving place to engage with the engaging piece of the main body frame, on one internal side. The lighting unit turns on the light-emitting elements.
US08393757B2

Provided is a light-bulb type LED lamp 10 including a plurality of LEDs 67-78, a base 12, a lighting circuit unit that converts commercial power provided through the base 12 into power for lighting the LEDs 67-78, and a heat radiation member 16 that includes a bowl-shaped portion 42. Two stages 46 and 48, extending inwards from an inner circumferential surface 44 of the bowl-shaped portion 42, are provided in a direction of a central axis X of the bowl-shaped portion 42. The LEDs 67-78 are mounted on the stages 46 and 48 in a circumferential direction around the central axis X.
US08393754B2

Disclosed herein is a laser navigation module, including: a light source radiating laser beam; a housing having a window mounted thereon and having a transparent or semi-transparent part formed therein in order to radiate light radiated from an inner portion of the housing to an outer portion thereof, the window transmitting the laser beam radiated from the light source therethough and reflecting the laser beam therefrom and blocking inflow of a visible ray; a lighting device mounted in an inner portion of the housing; a light diffusion member transferring light radiated from the lighting device to the housing; and a printed circuit board including a first printed circuit board having the light source mounted thereon and a second printed circuit board having the lighting device mounted thereon, the first and second printed circuit boards being formed in a stacked structure.
US08393752B2

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, wherein said wavelength selective filters are high pass or low pass filters.
US08393750B2

The extendable strobe light device (1) comprises a telescoping light mount (10) bearing a strobe light (11). By manual operation or by power to an antenna drive motor (23) the telescoping light mount (10) is extended or retracted. An insulated electrical conductor (28) provides power to the strobe light (11). The insulated electrical conductor (28) is wound on a negator reel (46). A negator spring reel assembly (32) contains a negator spring (400) retracts the insulated electrical conductor (28) when the telescoping light mount (10) is retracted. An electrical brush assembly (43) comprises a brush assembly insulated housing (52) composed of a rigid material including metals and plastics. The brush assembly insulated housing (52) is affixed to the case by screws or bolts (34).
US08393749B1

A free-standing and adjustable tri-fold mirror preferably includes a tri-fold mirror having first, second and third reflective surfaces, a mounting bracket statically attached to a rear side of the tri-fold mirror, a swivel device pivotally mated to the mounting bracket, a stand attached to the swivel device and extending away from the tri-fold mirror, and a base member attached to a bottom end of the stand. Advantageously, the tri-fold mirror is freely pivotal along an x-axis and a y-axis while the stand remains stationary and further while the tri-fold mirror is freely adjusted between folded and unfolded positions respectively.
US08393745B2

The invention relates to an illumination device and a method adapted for illuminating applications. The illumination device (5) with a phosphor (1) comprising at least one light emitting surface which is adapted for emitting phosphor light in a predefined solid angle, a light source (2) being adapted for emitting optical radiation directed to the phosphor (1), a waveguide (3), and a reflector (4), wherein the phosphor (1) is optically coupled to the waveguide (3), the exit surface of the illumination device (5) from which light is emitted is larger than any single light emitting surface of the phosphor (1), and the reflector (4) is adapted for reflecting at least a part of the optical radiation emitted from the illumination device (5) by a surface different from the exit surface of the illumination device (5). In this way, a high light extraction efficiency from a single surface of a luminescent material and at the same time a high quantum efficiency of the illumination device is achieved.
US08393740B2

Keystone correction for a projector. An uncorrected graphic is displayed on a display unit utilizing pixels. The uncorrected graphic is projected from the display unit onto a projection screen to form an uncorrected image. An orientation of the uncorrected image relative to the projection screen is captured. The uncorrected graphic is transformed into a pre-distorted graphic for projection from the display unit onto the projection screen so as to form a corrected image with an orientation more aligned with the projection screen than the orientation of the uncorrected image and such that the pre-distorted graphic utilizes more pixels in the display unit than a second pre-distorted graphic, wherein if formed, would be formed by transforming the uncorrected graphic such that the second pre-distorted graphic forms a second corrected image with a maximum rectangular area inside the uncorrected image when projected from the display unit onto the projection screen.
US08393732B2

More appropriate evaluation, design, and manufacture are made feasible by taking visual performances into consideration more appropriately. In order to achieve this object, in the present invention, spectacle lenses are evaluated using a visual acuity function including a factor representing physiological astigma. The physiological astigma herein means astigma in the phenomenon that an improved visual acuity is yielded when slight astigma is present in the region where the accommodation power is lower than the region indicating the range of positive relative accommodation power in which the accommodation power increases among the relative accommodation power as adaptable accommodation power in a state that convergence does not change.
US08393723B2

A method and system for purging bubbles from a fluid ejection head comprising a plurality of fluid flow channels including a first plurality of fluid flow channels flowing a first ink to a first actuator device and a second plurality of fluid flow channels for flowing a second ink to a second actuator device. During a bubble purging operation the first and second actuator devices are pulsed with different energies that depend on the viscosity of the first ink and the second ink. Heating the inks with different energies, results in the viscosity of the first ink to be same as the viscosity of the second ink. In one embodiment, a test pattern that includes a plurality of dots is printed to determine a clogged fluid ejection nozzle. Based on the determination, an actuator device corresponding to the clogged fluid ejection nozzle is pulsed.
US08393716B2

A liquid ejection head is disclosed. The liquid ejection includes a flow channel plate, the flow channel plate being formed from one thin plate, the flow channel plate being formed with one or more pressure generating chambers, a fluid resistance section which supplies liquid to the pressure generating chamber, and a nozzle hole which opposes the pressure generating chamber. The flow channel plate is made of a metal material, and wherein the flow plate includes the pressure generating chamber which is formed of a groove-shaped indentation; the nozzle hole which is formed at one end in a longitudinal direction of the groove-shaped indentation; and the fluid resistance section which is formed at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the groove-shaped indentation. The pressure generating chamber, the nozzle head, and the fluid resistance section are formed such that they deform the thin plate in a thickness direction.
US08393714B2

A printhead is provided having a plurality of ejection nozzles defined on a substrate, each nozzle having a fluid chamber and ejection port, a plurality of supply channels defined through the substrate, a plurality of feed channels connecting the supply channels to the chambers thereby supplying fluid from the supply channels to the chambers, and a plurality of ejection actuators positioned in respective ones of the chambers for causing ejection of the supplied fluid from the ejection ports. Each feed channel is long and narrow relative to the dimensions of the ejection nozzles such that the fluid in the chamber is restricted from flowing into the feed channels during fluid ejection by viscous drag generated in the feed channels.
US08393707B2

A substrate patterning method including the steps of spraying ink on a surface of a substrate, the spraying of the ink resulting in an overspray of excess ink past an edge of the substrate; changing a temperature of the excess ink to cause a change in a viscosity of the excess ink; and removing the excess ink having the changed viscosity.
US08393703B2

A method of generating half tone print data is disclosed. The method starts by determining an extent of overlap caused by temperature variations of overlapping end portions of a pair of consecutive printhead segments. A dither value is also generated from a dither matrix, and the dither value is combined with the extent of overlap to produce an output value. A mathematical operation is performed on continuous tone print data based on the output value, to produce the half tone print data.
US08393700B2

An inkjet recording apparatus is presented. The inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink head configured to move in left and right directions, comprising a plurality of nozzles arranged in a front-rear direction for discharging ink on a recording medium, wherein the ink is curable when irradiated with light from a first light emitting device or a second light emitting device, and a conveyor device configured to feed the recording medium in a direction, wherein the first light emitting device is configured to move integrally with the ink head and to apply light to the recording medium, and wherein the second light emitting device, disposed offset from the plurality of nozzles in the front-rear direction, is configured to turn on independent of the first light emitting device and to apply light to the recording medium.
US08393693B2

A return device for a drawer employs an actuator to drive a slide block, when the drawer is pulled open, the slide block is moved into a positioning concave and positioned therein while stretching an elastic member. Or pushing the drawer back can make the slide block slide out of the positioning concave, meanwhile, the elastic member pulls the drawer back to its original position. Furthermore, since the angle between the slide surface of the positioning concave of the positioning member and the track is obtuse, it is easy for the slide block to slide in and out, so that the drawer can be easily positioned and unlocked from the positioned state.
US08393686B2

A vehicle includes a vehicle chassis, a load support body connected to the chassis and movable between a lowered position and a raised position, and a hoist operable to forcibly move the load support body from the lowered position to the raised position. The hoist includes a cylinder and a pressurized drive fluid supply system. The cylinder includes a housing assembly and a shaft assembly. The housing assembly defines first and second cylinder chambers separated by a center cap. The shaft assembly is slidably mounted in the housing assembly and includes a shaft and first and second pistons affixed to the shaft at axially spaced apart locations along the shaft. The first piston is disposed in the first cylinder chamber and the second piston is disposed in the second cylinder chamber. The pressurized drive fluid supply system is operable to supply a pressurized fluid into each of the first and second cylinder chambers to forcibly extend the shaft assembly relative to the housing assembly in an extension direction to forcibly move the load support body from the lowered position to the raised position. The cylinder is configured such that, when the shaft assembly is fully extended, a volume of the pressurized drive fluid in the second cylinder chamber exerts an offset force on the center cap in a direction opposite the extension direction to offset axially expansive counter-forces on the cylinder housing.
US08393683B2

An automotive seat headrest supporting apparatus includes headrest supporting members and stay locking units 20 which are incorporated into the headrest supporting members 10 to lock stays 4. The headrest supporting member 10 has a stay guiding hole 13 into which the stay 4 is inserted and an incorporating recess 14 which is opened to an outer surface and which communicates with the stay guiding hole 13 within the headrest supporting member 10 from a direction intersecting the stay guiding hole 13. The stay locking unit 20 includes a stay lock body 30 which is slidably fitted in the incorporating recess 14, a locking bar 21 which is incorporated into the stay lock body 30 and a coil spring 22 which biases the stay lock body 30 in a direction in which the locking bar 21 is brought into engagement with a locking portion 4a of the stay 4. The stay lock body 30 is configured so that, after the locking bar 21 is accommodated and disposed in accommodation grooves 36, a locking bar holding member 41 is set to hold the locking bar 21 within the accommodation grooves 36.
US08393680B2

In seat rows, in particular in aircraft, the individual seats thereof being able to be adjusted in their usable seat width, and comprising seat dividers with support legs, which are held by spars running transversely to the seat direction, at least one seat divider may be adjusted in the direction of the spars.
US08393678B2

A novel infant child restraint system that includes a base having a height adjustment to allow the base to assume one of a plurality of positions and inclinations when mounted to the vehicle seat. Additionally, in certain embodiments the base is formed to have a recessed knee-receiving area, into which the user can place their knee when tightening the vehicle's restraint system around the base. The base and car seat are removably attached in interlocking relation using a novel connection mechanism that is not susceptible to premature or improper release due to forces, regardless of the direction of such forces. This mechanism is independent of the car seat handle. Furthermore, this connection mechanism includes a simple manual disconnect or release system, to allow quick removal of the seat from the base.
US08393669B2

A vehicle frame structure includes a tunnel portion provided in a floor and left and right side members. Each of the side members includes a front side member, an inner member, and an outer member. The inner and outer members branch off from the front side member in a direction toward the rear of the vehicle. The inner member extends toward the rear of the vehicle along the tunnel portion. The inner members of the left and right side members are connected together by a plurality of connecting portions in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at least at a location corresponding to a front portion side of the tunnel portion. These connecting portions break when a front impact load is input to at least one of the side members.
US08393660B2

A gripping member for a work tool is provided such that in one embodiment, the gripping (or cutting) member includes a top and bottom surface, and a first gripping edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces, and a overbite block located proximate to the first gripping edge.
US08393652B2

An SMA actuator includes an SMA element having a first end, a second end, and a central portion therebetween, the SMA element being oriented so that the first and second ends are adjacent one another and attached to one of an anchor interface or payload interface, and so that the central portion of the SMA element is attached to the other of the anchor interface or the payload interface. An electrical shorting device electrically connects the first and second ends, whereby electrical potential may be provided between a first point located between the first end and the central portion and a second point located between the second end and the central portion, thereby causing the SMA element to activate reducing the length of the SMA element. Related latches are disclosed including such actuator, or other simplified or more complex actuators.
US08393651B2

A safety device with a push-push type latch device latching and releasing a movable body to a main body by a push operation, has a circulation cam groove provided in the movable body; a responding member provided in the main body, and having a pin for tracing the circulation cam groove and a balancer; and an urging member for urging the responding member. When the responding member receives a load, the responding member turns and the circulation cam groove allows the pin to irreversibly move from a reciprocation groove portion to a latch groove portion through a latching guide groove portion. When the movable body retained in the fixed position receives the push operation, the circulation cam groove allows the pin to move from the latch groove portion to the reciprocation groove portion through the returning guide groove portion, thereby releasing the movable body from the fixed position.
US08393649B2

A flange of a first pipe and a flange of a second pipe are connected via the flanges. An annular seal groove is formed in the flange surface of the flange. A sealing liquid is poured and placed in the seal groove from a sealing liquid pouring section via a pouring passage. The sealing liquid placed in the seal groove forms a liquid seal structure to improve sealing ability. Further, the sealing liquid is placed also in a discharge passage and a discharge pipe. When gas in the pipes enters the seal groove, the gas can be discharged from a discharge device and detected by a gas sensor to enable the user to take safety measures.
US08393638B2

A knee airbag for a motor vehicle is described. This knee airbag extends in its installed state along a longitudinal direction (X) from a rear end to a front end. The airbag skin (5) of the knee airbag exhibits a front section (20) and a rear section (22) and a connecting line for contouring of the airbag is located on the rear section (22). In order to simplify the assembly of the knee airbag, the connecting line mainly extends transverse to the longitudinal direction (X) and shortens the rear section (22) in longitudinal direction.
US08393633B2

A golf bag cart foldable device includes a bottom cart stand having a rear wheel frame at each side to link a rear wheel. The bottom cart stand has a bag base to link a front wheel. An upper cart stand is in pinned connection with the bottom cart stand. A linkage set, including plural linkages, forms links between the upper cart stand and the bottom cart stand and between the upper cart stand and the rear wheel frame. A folding joint enables release of the folding joint first. By the link between the linkage set and the rear wheel frame, simultaneous unfolding or folding of the upper cart stand, the bottom cart stand and the rear wheels can thus be accomplished. The folding joint is secured to have the upper cart stand and the bottom cart stand locked to each other, to achieve handiness in use.
US08393616B2

A sheet collecting apparatus includes a sheet discharge outlet for sequentially carrying out a sheet, a sheet collecting device to load and store the sheet from the sheet discharge outlet, a stopper device for regulating a front end position of the sheet loaded on the sheet collecting device, a stopper driving device for shifting a position of the stopper device, and a carry-in guide member for guiding the sheet from the sheet discharge outlet onto an uppermost sheet collected on the sheet collecting device. The carry-in guide member includes a pivot point, a slide-contact guide surface that swings on the pivot point corresponding to a load amount of the sheet collecting device to guide a sheet front end fed from the sheet discharge outlet onto the uppermost sheet, and a sheet pressing portion continued to the slide-contact guide surface and pressing the uppermost sheet on the sheet collecting device.
US08393608B2

A substrate finishing system includes a sheet input that feeds sheets to a compiler for compiling. The sheets may be stapled at the compiler. A trail edge support of the compiler is movable from a first position to a second position. The compiler is configured to drop a sheet or set of sheets to build compiled set stacks at the first and second positions on a stacking tray positioned beneath the compiler.
US08393605B2

A positioning fixture for positioning a workpiece includes a base, a support mounted on the base and for receiving the workpiece, two toggle clamps mounted on two opposite sides of the base and the support and an upper cover placed on the support. The upper cover cooperates with the two toggle clamps to position the workpiece on the support.
US08393604B2

In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a device comprising a platform and a handle end seat coupled to the platform. The handle end seat is configured to seat therein a handle end of a handle of a hand-held tape dispensing gun. The device includes a gun handle cradle coupled to the platform and spaced from the handle end seat. The gun handle cradle is configured to secure the handle of the hand-held tape dispensing gun. In operation, the device securely holds the tape dispensing gun vertically or horizontally so that the user's hands are freed to dispense various lengths of tape from the roll of tape in the gun.
US08393601B2

A vibration isolation fastener insert comprising: a rigid cylindrical hub having an externally extending flange and a through longitudinal opening to receive a fastener. An elastomeric bushing around the hub has a slot therein receiving the external flange. An upper housing is disposed around the side of the bushing and has a flange over the top of the bushing. A lower housing is disposed around the external side of the upper housing and has a flange extending below a lower surface of the bushing.
US08393595B2

The device (1) includes a housing (2) in which an electric motor (5) is secured, the shaft (6) of this motor being coupled to a rotary control member (11) having on one surface a cam profile (11c) cooperating with a coordinated profile (20d) of a controlled member (20) which may move in translation in the housing (2) such that when the motor (5) is actuated, the rotation of the rotary control member (11) is adapted to cause the controlled member (20) to move in translation into a first position remote from the control member (11) or to enable this controlled member (20) to move in translation into a second position close to the control member (11). The housing (2) further bears a first and a second electrical switch (31, 32) connected to the motor (5) and comprising respective fixed contacts (31b, 32b) and a single common moving contact member (33), made from an electrically conducting material, with which two integral feeler members (33a, 33b; 50, 51) are associated and cooperate directly with associated cam profiles of the rotary control member (11).
US08393587B2

A method for installing an accessory for a bath includes attaching a first mounting bracket to a structure; placing the accessory on a first side of a system wall that is visible after installation; placing a second mounting bracket on a second side of the system wall that is not visible after installation; attaching the accessory to the second mounting bracket through the system wall; and attaching the second mounting bracket to the first mounting bracket.
US08393585B2

The present invention relates to a framework for supporting pieces of equipment or other objects, and in particular to a variable position workstation for supporting work surfaces and/or electronic equipment such as computers, video displays, keyboards and the like. The workstation structure in one embodiment generally comprises a stand having a pair of spaced apart upright supports, a lateral support extending between the upright supports and having mounting means for mounting equipment from the stand. The mounting means typically allow for the positioning of a work platform or other piece of equipment at one of a plurality of different horizontal and vertical positions on the stand, thereby providing flexibility for the user. In addition, stand can comprise at least two foldable feet for maintaining the workstation in an upright position. The feet may be folded when the workstation is not in use to reduce the overall footprint of the workstation.
US08393575B2

A rib post (10) has a hollow substantially triangular cross-section comprising composite material. The rib post (10) can form a structural member to join two adjacently placed components together, for example a spar and internal rib in a wing of an aircraft. The rib post (10) can be formed from first (12), second (14) and third (16) walls. The first wall (12) can abut a surface of one component and the second wall (14) can abut a surface of a second component. The first and second walls (12, 14) can be attached to the respective components, such as a rib and spar, to join them together. The third wall (16) joins together the first and second walls (12, 14) to form the hollow triangular section.
US08393570B2

The invention relates to a device for moving a trailing edge flap of an aircraft wing, in which device the trailing edge flap comprises one or several flap segments, wherein a first flap segment is movably mounted on the wing and is connected to a first toothed movement element that is moved by means of a first pinion.
US08393569B2

A breakable coupling device for coupling together first and second main transmission shafts stationary in translation along a longitudinal axis of rotation of the device comprises a blocking device having a discontinuous first housing and a continuous second housing forming a closed loop; a compression device; at least one drive device connecting the blocking device and the compression device together in rotation about the longitudinal axis below a predetermined torque, wherein the discontinuous first housing is configured to receive the at least one drive device below the predetermined torque; and a shifting device configured to shift the at least one drive device non-reversibly from the discontinuous first housing towards the continuous second housing when the torque exerted on the at least one drive device is greater than the predetermined torque.
US08393557B2

A method for manufacturing fine mineral powders using systems that include one or more air classifiers, dust separators like cyclones and/or filters, at least one ventilator and instruments connecting tubes or pipes for the transport of air. The relative humidity of air in the air classifier is kept in a range between 15% to 35%.
US08393556B2

Disclosed is a method of preparing a composition, comprising a micronized insoluble organic UV absorber, which method comprises grinding the insoluble organic UV absorber, in coarse particle form, in a grinding apparatus comprising yttrium-stabilized zirconium oxide grinding beads, in the presence of alkyl polyglucoside having the formula CnH2n+1O(C6H10O5)xH, in which n is an integer ranging from 8 to 16 and x is the mean polymerisation level of the glucoside moiety (C6H10O5) and ranges from 1.4 to 1.6, or an ester thereof and in the presence of an antifoam agent as dispersingagent auxiliary.
US08393555B2

A moistening nozzle of a paper web comprises a frame into which air and water are fed. Inside the frame there is arranged a water nozzle wherewith water is conducted to an outlet of the moistening nozzle and an air nozzle wherewith air is correspondingly conducted to the outlet. The air nozzle and the water nozzle are arranged one within the other such that the air and the water form water mist that is sprayed out from the moistening nozzle. The air nozzle is provided with a thread that brings the air in swirling motion. The air nozzle comprises a sleeve part with an opening through which air is discharged and in said opening there is arranged a piece that is an integral part of the frame of the moistening nozzle, whereby a part of the moistening nozzle frame forms an inner edge of the air gap provided by said piece and the sleeve part.
US08393541B2

An automobile auction system to receive scanned automobile bar codes and function bar codes along with location data and to process the scanned bar codes. The system includes a first interface for receiving scanned bar codes, GPS coordinates, scanner ID, and time of scan from a custom scanning device. A second interface is to receive a map of an auto auction facility from a map source. A server is to process the bar codes and the GPS coordinates received from the scanning device and to associate the GPS coordinates to the map of the auto auction facility received from the map source. The system may process bar codes associated with functions, such as employees, shops or staging operations, specific tasks, and work orders. The function bar codes may, for example, assign scanners to employees, record tasks being performed, record employee performing the tasks, and record shop or staging operations opened/completed.
US08393539B2

The present invention describes methods for programming trigger time of a projectile (60) based on remaining flight time to a target (P) after the projectile (60) is airborne. The actual muzzle (Vo) and flight speeds (V1, V2, etc.) are independently determined and compared to those used by the ballistic computer (30), and a better estimate of trigger time is accordingly used to activate detonation of the projectile (60). In one embodiment, a Kalman algorithm is used to provide a better estimate of the projectile's flight speeds obtained by independent methods to provide the better estimate of the trigger time.
US08393538B2

According to one embodiment, a self checkout terminal includes a reading section, a main display, a ticker display and a controller. The reading section reads identification information of a commodity from the commodity. The main display displays information relating to the commodity whose identification information is read by the reading section to an operator. The ticker display displays information in the same direction as the main display and is provided at a position closer to the reading section than the main display. The controller controls the ticker display and causes arbitrary information to be selectively displayed.
US08393531B2

A method includes, but is not limited to: obtaining and coordinating the one or more sequences of two or more conformations of one or more portions of one or more regions of the flexible electronic device with one or more commands. In addition to the foregoing, other related method/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US08393530B1

Relative ranking of items is performed based on a subjective attribute of the items. A user interface that displays the relative ranking of the items includes an axis that corresponds to the subject attribute. The user interface further includes a display section that displays representations of the items along the axis according to rankings relative to the subjective attribute. The display section is also to present one or more additional items in response to customer input.
US08393524B1

A counter-rotating spindle includes a shoulder tool, a pin tool inserted in the shoulder tool, a first motor that is connected with the pin tool and rotates the pin tool, and a second motor that is connected with the shoulder tool and rotates the shoulder tool. The direction and the speed of the rotation for the pin tool may be selected independently from the speed and direction of rotation of the shoulder tool enabling optimization of the friction stir welding process. Counter-rotating the pin tool and the shoulder tool may improve the mixing abilities and efficiency of the pin tool and may prevent the galling effect between the pin tool and the shoulder tool. The counter-rotating spindle may be used, for example, for continuous path friction stir welding and spot welding of aluminum and its alloys, including cast alloys, as well as joining similar and dissimilar alloys.
US08393521B1

A method of producing a welded assembly from a first metal part and a second metal part includes bringing the first metal part and the second metal part into contact with one another at a joint region while providing a flash ring separator adjacent the joint region configured to intercept and separate flash. After heating the joint region, the first and second metal parts are forced together to join the first metal part to the second metal part, extruding metal flash from the joint region. The extruded flash impinges on the flash ring separator, forming a flash ring having at least one indentation. During subsequent machining of the welded assembly to remove the flash ring, the flash ring may fragment at the indentation, so that it does not cause damage by becoming hung around the assembly.
US08393517B2

Surgical stapling methods and tools which allow a surgeon to create several different predetermined amounts of tissue constriction using the same staple (11) loaded in such a tool (31). A stapling tool (31) holding one or more staples in an effector section (35) contains a mechanism for spreading the pointed ends of a staple to one of several spaced apart distances as controlled by an actuator-indicator (43). Depending upon the distance the pointed ends have been spread when the staple is implanted into tissue (51), the amount of constriction accomplished by the staple is varied. An improved staple construction (61) of increased rigidity is also shown.
US08393510B2

A staple refill includes a refill body accommodating sheet-type connected staples. The refill body includes a bottom wall, a right wall provided on a right side of the bottom wall, a left wall provided on a left side of the bottom wall, and a front wall provided on front sides of the right and left walls. A pressing member is provided in the refill body in a movable manner to press the sheet-type connected staples, the pressing member including a first guide projection at a front end of the pressing member configured to contact an inner surface of the front wall.
US08393509B2

An adapter for a support enclosure bin for a roll of thermoplastic bags is described. The bin has a half round cylindrical wall, first and second vertical side walls attached to a supporting rim. The rim has spaced apertures for mounting the bin to a surface that has an opening that permits passage of outer surfaces of the walls but not the rim. The side walls have integral channels that provide support for a rod for a wide roll of bags. The adapter includes first and second bag dispensers for vertically folded coreless roll mounted bags. Each of the dispensers has first and second side panels that are attached together with a connecting link that aligns the front edges and bottom edges of the dispensers. First and second axles are mounted adjacent the outer side panels of the dispensers with positioning wheels that engage the integral channels of the bin.
US08393489B1

Waste disposal device includes a container, a lid, and a rotation mechanism that rotates a waste-containing member when present in the container. A slide mechanism enables opening movement of the lid to cause the rotation mechanism to rotate the waste-containing member or prevent the rotation mechanism from rotating the waste-containing member depending on its setting. A foot pedal assembly includes a foot pedal and a spring, and causes both opening of the lid when the foot pedal is depressed and closure of the lid when the pressing force is removed. The spring is moved against its bias upon depression of the foot pedal and returns to its original state when the pressing force is removed to cause closure of the lid and rotation of the waste-containing member. The device may be used for medical waste from hospitals, doctors' offices, home health care personnel and facilities, nursing homes, and biohazard laboratories.
US08393486B2

A floating modular cover for a water storage consisting of a plurality of modules in which each module includes a chamber defined by an upper surface and a lower surface there being openings in the upper surface to allow ingress of water into said chamber and openings in the upper surface to allow air to flow into and out of said chamber depending on the water level within said chamber to provide ballast for each module floats. The modules prevent water evaporation from the area covered and the shape and size is selected to ensure that the modules are stable in high wind conditions and don't form stacks. The modules may be made from identical hexagonal or octagonal halves by blow molding or thermoforming.
US08393485B2

There is provided a food container for use in freeze storage of a food portion. The food container comprises a body defining a compartment for receipt of the food portion; a sealing lid for reversible sealing of the compartment; and provided to the body, one or more connectors, each connector arranged for reversible mating connection to a mating connector provided to a second body of a second similar food container.
US08393481B2

A clothing display fixture includes a sleeve having an inner surface, an outer surface, a pair of opposing edges defining a top and a bottom, a joint, a first cross member and a second cross member. The first and second cross members have first lengthwise edges and opposing second lengthwise edges and first widthwise edges and opposing second widthwise edges. The first and second opposing widthwise edges are located adjacent to the inner surface of the sleeve such that the second widthwise edges span across the joint and wherein the first and second support members extend through a center of the sleeve.
US08393480B2

A manufacturing facility includes a storage facility and a production facility. Workpieces are located in the storage facility in temporary storage accommodations, and are moved between the storage facility and stations in the production facility by mobile carrier units. The temporary storage accommodations may be units having a generally circular lading envelope, and an hexagonal optimal packing density. The mobile carrier units may be automated guided vehicles and may include self-navigating software, and interactive communication with other guided vehicles to permit suitable routes to be chosen, or to permit obstacles to be avoided. The facility may include a workpiece retrieval apparatus used for transferring workpieces between the storage accommodations and the automated guided vehicles, or to other locations. The workpiece retrieval apparatus may be mounted on a bridge, and may include a multi-element raising and lowering array that is biased to oppose torsional deflection of the lifting member.
US08393478B2

An inorganic membrane having an improved pore structure. The membrane has a mean pore size of up to about 100 nm and a mean particle size in a range from about 10 nm to about 100 nm. In one embodiment, the membrane comprises α-alumina and is formed by providing a coating slip comprising δ-alumina; applying the coating slip to a support surface to form a coating layer; drying the coating layer; and firing the dried coating layer at a temperature of at least about 1000° C. to convert at least a portion of the δ-alumina to α-alumina and form the inorganic membrane.
US08393476B2

A machine enabling automatic sorting of defective gelatin capsules based on the diameter and the weight of the capsule. The machine enables the automatic selection and rejection of the gelatin capsules having assembly and metering defects. The device consists of a rimmed selection disk rotating on an inclined plane of about 20 degrees relative to the horizontal direction. The disk has one or two rows of suitably sized apertures drilled about its circumference for holding the defective gelatin capsules until the defective gelatin capsules are automatically expelled by a blast nozzle. The properly assembled gelatin capsules pass freely through the sized apertures. While falling, the gelatin capsules individually pass a blast screen which expels the flawed gelatin capsules. Acceptable gelatin capsules are not deflected by the air blast and are discharged from the machine via the outlet chute.
US08393473B2

The invention relates to a flotation process for removal of slimes from potash ores which includes a step in said process wherein a collector is used which is a mixture of ethoxylated fatty amines having the formulae (I) wherein R1 and R2 are, independently, a hydrocarbyl group having 1-22 C-atoms, and n is on average above 15 and less than 100, and (II) wherein R3 is a hydrocarbyl group having 8-22 carbon atoms; z is a number 1-3; X, Y and Y′ are, independently, an alkyl group with 1-4 carbon atoms or the group -(EO)sH, wherein EO is an ethyleneoxy unit and s is on average 5-50, and the sum of all s is on average 15 or more, and less than 100; provided that at least one of X, Y and Y′ is a group -(EO)sH; and where the molar ratio of I to II is 1:5 to 5:1. The invention also relates to said mixtures of collectors where the molar ratio of I to II is 1:5 to 5:1. The invention further relates to a process wherein the above process step of flotation of slime is followed by a step of flotation of KCI using a different type of collector.
US08393461B2

A car wash roller assembly is provided. The assembly includes a metal frame member having a body portion and an extension portion. The body portion has a first aperture having a shaft disposed therethrough. The assembly further includes first and second plastic cover members holding the body portion therebetween. The first plastic cover member has a second aperture, and the second plastic cover member has a third aperture for receiving the shaft therethrough. The assembly further includes first and second plastic sleeves disposed over first and second portions of the shaft, and first and second plastic wheels rotatably coupled to the sleeves. The first plastic cover member restricts movement of the chain link in a first direction relative to the metal frame member.
US08393458B2

A guide arrangement for guiding moving containers, includes at least one guide element which extends in a predefined extension direction at least in some sections along the transport path of the containers, and at least one holding device which holds the guide element at a predetermined position relative to the transport path. The holding device has a clamp element which clamps the guide element, wherein the clamp element bears against the guide element in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction, and the guide element has in its cross-section two holding sections and a wall section which is formed between these holding sections and in one piece with these holding sections, wherein these holding sections are curved at least by 90° and an outer circumference of the holding sections is in contact with the clamp element at least in some sections, and the guide element has a recess which is formed by the wall section and the hold sections and by which a further guide device can be held.
US08393445B2

A valve (1) comprises a spring arrangement comprising a stiff (5) and a weak spring (6). The weak spring (6) has the form of a thin, circular disc having a first spring surface (6′) and a second spring surface (6′), and an inner spring part (6a) and an outer spring part (6b) substantially separated from each other with cavities (6c), yet at two points, at least, connected with legs (6d). The effect of the connection is that the outer spring part (6b) and the inner spring part (6a) can deflect in relation to each other.
US08393440B2

Disclosed is a brake device, particularly a disc brake, comprising a caliper, brake drum, or similar, and energy accumulator, especially an accumulator spring. The energy accumulator rests on the caliper or similar while being supported on an abutment by means of a lever arm. A mechanism for transmitting resilient forces between the energy accumulator embodying one spring element is created with the aid of a lever arm via the abutment. The brake device is characterized in that the lever arms can take at least two or more different angular positions relative to each other in relation to the abutment.
US08393439B2

A scaffold system and method having a hollow horizontal member with an internal wedge head at each end thereof, and internal wedge assembly with an external handle, and a vertical member having affixed in coaxial alignment therewith at least one grid patterned rosette. Each internal wedge head at the end of the horizontal member is configured to couple to the grid patterned rosette coupled to the vertical member substantially simultaneously using the wedge assembly mechanism.
US08393435B2

This trailing edge is of the type with moving chevrons (9a, 9b, 9c). It comprises actuating means able to cause these chevrons (9a, 9b, 9c) to move from a passive position in which they are directed substantially in the direction of the airflow leaving the said engine, into an active position in which at least part of each chevron is inclined with respect to this direction. This trailing edge is notable in that the said active position is derived from the said passive position by pivoting, possibly combined with a translational movement, of at least part of each chevron about an axis (Aa, Ab, Ac) substantially parallel to the said direction.
US08393429B2

A motor grader with an adjustable wheelbase. The motor grader may include front and rear wheels supporting a chassis and a main frame. A working blade may downwardly depend from the main frame between the front wheels and rear wheels to perform work on the ground below. The motor grader may also provide an adjustable wheel base to allow the center of gravity of the motor grader to better match the work load being addressed. The adjustable wheel base may also provide more swing clearance for the blade relative to the rear wheels, allow for an adjustable articulation angle, and minimize structural loads on the motor grader, particularly during ripping operation. The wheel base may be adjustable by providing structure through which the relative positions of the rear wheels can be altered automatically, manually, and dynamically.
US08393425B2

In a large-sized radiator core support manufactured by filling a mold cavity 2 with a resin material through injection, polypropylene (PP) containing carbon fiber in a range of 15 to 30 wt % is used as the resin material, and an average fiber length of the carbon fiber remaining after molding is set to 1.5 mm or more. Moreover, a spiral flow length L/D of the carbon fiber is set to 200 mm or more.
US08393416B2

There is provided a drilling rig for use on a drilling platform, comprising a drilling mast having at least two segments and a feed carriage, said drilling mast being adapted to be constructed in such a manner that at least one segment is displaced upwardly by means of the feed carriage. A mounting method in accordance with the invention for a drilling mast having at least two segments comprises the following steps: fixing of a feed carriage, providing of a mast segment below the feed carriage, and displacing the mast segment upwardly by means of the feed carriage. Due to this, additional auxiliary devices for constructing the drilling mast are not required, and space may be saved.
US08393412B2

A system and method of closed loop control whereby groupings of surface sonic transmitters disposed along the planned path of a well send sonic wave energy to a downhole sonic receiver (or alternatively a downhole sonic transmitter signalling to grouping of surface sonic receivers) in a manner that facilitates the downhole positioning of the well. Subsequent offset well positioning, relative to the first well, may be achieved in a similar manner.
US08393406B2

An improved spreader/grader system, which includes a frame having a pair of parallel sidewalls; a plurality of spreader/grader blades positioned between the sidewalls and secured within a slot along the length of each of the sidewalls, each blade having a lower edge for spreading or grading a surface upon which the spreader/grader rests; a hydraulic cylinder attached to each end of each blade to allow each blade to be moveable along the length of the sidewall in a parallel or non-parallel relationship as desired by the operator; and a hydraulic cylinder system for attaching the frame to a vehicle, such as a tractor, for pulling the spreader/grader during the spreading/grading process. The blades of the spreader/grader may alternatively be secured in fixed positions between the sidewalls of the frame with a bolt/nut combination.
US08393402B2

A position reference system (100) for multilateral exit construction in a wellbore (32). The system (100) includes a casing string (34) having a window joint (106) and a pair of latch couplings (102, 104) interconnected therein and positioned in the wellbore (32). The first latch coupling (102) has a first inner profile operably engagable with a mating profile of a first latch assembly (114) to anchor and orient the first latch assembly (114) relative to the window joint (106). The second latch coupling (104) has a second inner profile that is different from the first inner profile of the first latch coupling (102). The second inner profile is operably engagable with a mating profile of a second latch assembly (124) to anchor and orient the second latch assembly (124) relative to the window joint (106).
US08393399B2

System and method for controlling a blowout preventer (BOP) stack and a tree attached to a wellhead of a well. The system includes at least a MUX pod configured to receive electrical signals and a fluid under pressure, and to provide a first set of functions to the LMRP part, and a second set of functions to a lower BOP part; a pod extension module configured to receive the fluid under pressure from the MUX pod, and to provide a third set of functions to the tree based on the received fluid under pressure; and a control part configured to be attached to the tree and to communicate with the pod extension module. The third set of functions for the tree is different from the second set of functions provided to the lower BOP part.
US08393393B2

A method of mitigating perforating effects produced by well perforating can include causing a shock model to predict perforating effects for a proposed perforating string, optimizing a compliance curve of at least one proposed coupler, thereby mitigating the perforating effects for the proposed perforating string, and providing at least one actual coupler having substantially the same compliance curve as the proposed coupler. A well system can comprise a perforating string including at least one perforating gun and multiple couplers, each of the couplers having a compliance curve, and at least two of the compliance curves being different from each other. A method of mitigating perforating effects produced by well perforating can include interconnecting multiple couplers spaced apart in a perforating string, each of the couplers having a compliance curve, and selecting the compliance curves based on predictions by a shock model of shock generated by the perforating string.
US08393392B2

A bottom hole assembly for one trip perforating and treating a wellbore, the bottom hole assembly including: a tool body including an outer surface and an upper end; a fluid passage extending into the tool body from the upper end; a valve to provide (i) in one orientation fluid access from the fluid passage to an outlet port opening to the outer surface and (ii) in another orientation fluid access from the fluid passage to a perforating gun actuation fluid supply channel while sealing fluid access from the fluid passage to the outer surface; an annular sealing member encircling the outer surface below the outlet port; and a perforating gun carried below the resettable, annular sealing member and hydraulically actuable to detonate by fluid communication through the perforating gun actuation fluid supply channel.
US08393385B2

A heat exchanging device includes first and second disk members coupled together to form a disk unit having a chamber. The first disk member has an inlet and the second disk member has an outlet. At least one of the disk members has first and second connecting members coupled to the other disk member. The connecting members are arranged on opposite sides of a line extending axially through the inlet and outlet to define therebetween an inlet flow path above the line and outlet flow path below the line. A medium directing member is disposed within the disk unit. The medium directing member, the first and second connecting members and the chamber are arranged such that heat exchange media is directed to flow from the inlet, through the inlet flow path, through the chamber, through the outlet flow path, and into the outlet.
US08393384B2

The invention relates to a stacked-plate heat exchanger, in particular a charge-air cooler, having a plurality of elongate plates (1-3;21-23;51-53) which are stacked on top of one another and are connected, in particular soldered, to one another, which plates (1-3;21-23;51-53) delimit a cavity (55-57) for conducting a medium to be cooled, for example charge air, in the longitudinal direction of the plates, and a further cavity (63-65) for conducting a coolant, wherein the plates (1-3;21-23;51-53) have in each case one inlet port and one outlet port for the medium which is to be cooled. In order to provide a stacked-plate heat exchanger which can be produced cost-effectively and has a long service life even at high temperatures, according to the invention, at least one coolant port (14-16) extends partially around a port (12) for the medium to be cooled.
US08393382B2

A heat exchanger comprises a shell comprising a hollow shell body and separate shell end members attached thereto. A number of tubes is disposed within the shell body which is sized to permit both ends of the tubes to project outwardly therefrom to facilitate access for attaching the tubes ends to respective tube header plates, after which time the shell end members are slid over the shell body towards the shell body ends for attachment to respective header plates. The heat exchanger can include an expansion element attached between a shell end member and the shell body, wherein the expansion element is positioned adjacent a slidable joint formed by an overlapping section of the shell body and shell end member. Together, the expansion element accommodates axial movement and the slidable joint carries vibration loads between the shell body and shell end member.
US08393381B2

A cast metal article is formed with an internal cavity. The internal cavity is formed by a ceramic core which is removed from the cast metal article to leave the cavity. The ceramic core is formed with a cavity to facilitate removal of the core from the cast metal article. To remove the core from the cast metal article, the cavity in the core is filled with a leaching liquid.
US08393376B2

A drywall trim application device that can hold a large role of drywall flex corner trim material and, as the material is being dispensed, pre-crease or form the material for use on an inside or outside corner, or any angle within the range of the trim material, apply a mastic material (drywall mud, adhesive or any other bonding medium) to the flex trim material, and cut the material at any desired length automatically. Measurements may be either input by hand or downloaded from an electronic measurement tool into this device. This invention can generally store multiple measurements such as length and angles, measure the length of flex trim material as it is dispensed from the device, crease the material, apply predetermined amount of mastic, and automatically cut the flex trim material to each length previously input.
US08393373B2

A binding printer is provided which has a media transport assembly configured to transport individual sheets of media along a media path, a printhead assembly configured to print on the sheets transported along the media path, and a binding assembly configured to bind together the printed sheets transported along the media path. The binding assembly has a binding platen configured to press each printed sheet transported onto a support platen to preceding sheets supported on the support platen to bind the printed sheets together, and a chassis defining an inlet for receiving the transported printed sheets and an exit hatch from which the bound printed sheets are removable.
US08393371B2

A system for processing a composite material may comprise a chamber, a mandrel, an upper ramp, and an upper diaphragm. The chamber generally provides structural support while a vacuum is applied to the system and may have a six-sided generally rectangular box shape. The mandrel generally provides support for the composite material, and may be located within the chamber. The upper ramp generally provides a path for the upper diaphragm to follow under vacuum, and may be located adjacent to the mandrel and tilted at approximately 45 degrees downward thereto. The upper diaphragm may be placed over an opening along one side of the chamber. During processing, a vacuum may be applied to chamber and the upper diaphragm may be pulled inward through the opening to press the composite material against the mandrel.
US08393360B2

A portable system for transferring liquids such as fuels from a first tank to a second tank. The first tank may be, for example, a railcar and the second tank a transport trailer. The portable system is separated into multiple compartments with an engine compartment and a pump compartment. A wall separates the engine and pump compartments and may be sealed to prevent the passage of air or vapor therethrough. The pump is utilized to transfer liquid from the first tank to the second tank.
US08393355B2

A short stroke flow control device or valve which is adapted to provide velocity control trim in a short stroke. The valve constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises multiple disk stacks or cages which are separated from each other by intervening spacers, and are placed axially in a valve gallery clamped between a seat ring and bonnet of the valve. The fluid passageways in the cages are throttled in a controlled manner by a plug which defines multiple throttling elements or plug lobes, the number of plug lobes defined by the plug preferably being equal to the number of cages included in the valve. The plug lobes of the plug control the flow of fluid through the disk stacks or cages in tandem. All of the throttling elements or plug lobes of the plug, with the possible exception of the plug lobe which contacts the seat ring for closure, is larger in diameter than the remainder of the plug and has at least one kidney bean shaped flow passage extending therethrough. The flow area of such flow passages in the plug lobes is designed to satisfy prescribed seat bore velocity criteria.
US08393341B2

An outdoor umbrella includes an umbrella frame and an audio system. The umbrella includes a supporting frame and an awning frame supported by the supporting frame to define a shadowing area under the awning frame. The audio system includes at least a speaker unit supported by the umbrella frame and an audio input operatively linked to the speaker unit such that when the audio input sends an audio signal to the speaker unit, the speaker unit is adapted for producing audio effect within the shadowing area as an additional function for the outdoor umbrella.
US08393339B2

A hair roller designed to divide the curl into layers allowing for better penetration of air throughout the hair. This, in turn, leads to shorter drying times.
US08393335B1

A smoking article provides one or more sheets of material that can be rolled to a tube or shell or tube-like shape and then packaged in an unfilled or partially filled condition, one end portion of the tube or shell or tube-like shape being at least partially closed. In one embodiment, multiple sheets are rolled layers that can optionally be wrapped around a form casing (or pre-rolled inside) and then packaged with one end closed or partially closed. In another embodiment, a rod that assists in loading tobacco into the shell cavity is provided. In one embodiment, the plug takes the form of a mouthpiece.
US08393330B2

A hand held device generates a predetermined number of pulses of electromagnetic radiation having a predetermined electromagnetic spectrum, a predetermined duration, a predetermined inter-pulse interval, and a predetermined total energy. The pulse sequence is delivered to a skin surface to reduce or eliminate Xray or ultraviolet radiation damage to the skin surface.
US08393314B2

A circuit for cooling exhaust gas being recirculated through an EGR system (36) of an engine (10) from an exhaust system (20) successively through first and second heat exchangers (38, 40) to an intake system (16) for entrainment with intake air. Each heat exchanger has a respective coolant inlet through which liquid coolant enters and a respective coolant outlet through which liquid coolant exits after having absorbed heat from recirculated exhaust gas. The circuit has a third heat exchanger (32) to which coolant coming from the outlet of one of the first and second heat exchangers rejects heat, and parallel branches (84, 86) through which coolant enters the inlet of the other of the first and second heat exchangers. One of the parallel branches has a fourth heat exchanger (34) to which coolant flowing through that branch rejects heat, and one or more devices (50, 50A) for controlling the quantity of coolant flowing through each branch.
US08393313B2

A control apparatus and control method is provided for an internal combustion engine that includes a vaporized fuel tank in which vaporized fuel is stored, and a normally-closed vaporized fuel supply valve that opens and closes a connecting portion between the vaporized fuel tank and a surge tank. This apparatus and method produce vaporized fuel by injecting fuel into the tank while the vaporized fuel supply valve is closed while the engine is operating, then open the vaporized fuel supply valve at engine startup and supply the vaporized fuel stored in the tank to the surge tank. If there is no vaporized fuel remaining in the vaporized fuel tank when the engine stops, vacuum is generated in the vaporized fuel tank by temporarily opening the vaporized fuel supply valve before the engine stops. Vaporized fuel is then produced by injecting fuel into the vaporized fuel tank in this vacuum state.
US08393307B2

A variable compression ratio device including a piston, a crankshaft, and a connecting rod may include an eccentric bearing that contacts an exterior circumference of the piston pin, wherein an exterior circumference of the eccentric bearing contacts an interior circumference of a ring formed at the small end of the connecting rod, a ratchet rod slidably coupled inside the piston pin and movable along a longitudinal direction, a variable slider that selectively contacts one of both ends of the ratchet rod, and that is disposed at both sides of a cylinder for pushing the one of both ends of the ratchet rod in an opposite direction, and a guide plate for reciprocally moving both variable sliders along a vertical direction of the ratchet rod.
US08393305B2

A control valve (10) for a fluid circulation circuit comprises a valve body (12) having a bottom wall into which an axial orifice emerges and a side wall (16) into which side orifices (20, 22, 24) emerge, the valve body delimiting a housing of revolution for a regulating member (26) capable of rotating about a rotation axis XX and of taking various angular positions to control the distribution of the fluid through the orifices. The regulating member (26) is surrounded by a sealing segment (42) in the shape of an open ring and elastic means are provided to separate two ends (44, 46) of the sealing segment in order to deform it radially outward and thus ensure that the sealing segment is pressed against the valve body housing. Application particularly to the fluid circuit of motor vehicles.
US08393302B1

The present invention provides a retractable leash system which provides for walking one, two three or four pets with a single, handheld unit. In overall appearance, the device is a single unit composed of two roughly symmetrical halves, configured in an hourglass shape and formed in a tough and durable, injection-molded thermoplastic. The upper component is surmounted with an arcuate, ergonomically contoured and textured rubber handgrip or handle, and features a sliding control release and locking lever to be manipulated by the thumb to allow the leash or leashes to be unreeled or locked in place. A separate control-button operates a battery-powered light-emitting diode light, this light placed below the upper arc of the handle and oriented to shine toward the ground. The light provides either continual illumination or repeated flashing illumination, depending on the sequence with which the user presses the control button.
US08393299B1

A toy gun is described. The toy gun includes a firing ram configured in a toy gun barrel to be capable of shifting from a first, pre-firing configuration to a second, resting configuration. The barrel comprises a tapered portion capable of holding balls of variable size substantially within the barrel, and a portion of the firing ram is capable of contacting a ball held within the tapered portion when the firing ram is in the resting configuration.
US08393298B2

An aquarium suitable for keeping, maintaining and displaying jellyfish is described. The aquarium has a container having a first and second exterior wall and a panel connecting the first and second exterior wall and defining an interior of the container, an interior wall having an upper and lower side, an upper and lower end, a first and second side, wherein the first side of the interior wall is connected to the first exterior wall of the container and the second side of the interior wall is connected to the second exterior wall of the container, and further wherein the interior wall is positioned parallel at least a portion of the panel along at least a side of the exterior wall to form a channel therebetween, an air pump positioned in communication with a lower end of the channel and a power supply.
US08393290B2

This disclosure relates to systems and associated methods for applying a surface treatment to a part and curing the surface treatment without reorienting the part in the process. The systems include a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a system for applying a surface treatment, such as a powder coating application system, and a system for curing the surface treatment.
US08393276B2

A cable transportation system has a pull cable; at least one transportation unit moving along a given path and connectable selectively to the pull cable by a coupling device; at least one passenger station where the transportation unit is detached from the pull cable; and an auxiliary drive device having a linear electric motor extending along a portion of the given path to move the transportation unit along the passenger station.
US08393272B2

Disclosed is a system for cleaning a print media sheet and, more particularly, for cleaning a specific portion of sheet that is less than the entire length of the sheet. A device moves a cleaning roller between standby, cleaning fluid receiving and cleaning positions. Timing of cleaning roller movement into the cleaning position is controlled to ensure proper positioning of the cleaning roller with respect to the sheet during cleaning. In the cleaning position, the cleaning roller rotates so as to clean only the specific portion. In the cleaning fluid receiving position, the cleaning roller rotates to receive, from a cleaning fluid dispenser, a predetermined amount of cleaning fluid. Optionally, a retractable shutter can be selectively retracted to expose an opening in a sheet transport path guard and, thereby allow the cleaning roller to move into the cleaning position.
US08393262B1

A pressure cooking vessel has a lid and a container. A handle is coupled to the lid and not the container. A pressure relief mechanism is integrated in the handle. Various other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08393259B2

A cartridge gas port selector mechanism for a firearm barrel having a plurality of gas ports extending from the barrel bore and having a gas block with gas passages in communication with a gas tube. A selector valve member is movable within the gas block between an open condition permitting flow of cartridge gas from one or more ports of the firearm barrel to the cartridge gas passage and a closed condition blocking flow of cartridge gas from the barrel bore to the cartridge gas passage. A valve selector or actuator is connected with the valve member and is selectively moveable to position the valve member at the open condition or the closed condition to select the volume and timing of cartridge gas communication from the barrel bore to the gas energized autoloading mechanism of the firearm.
US08393258B2

A retractable turret rotatable on a platform, including an active system orientable in vertically extendable elevation, and in azimuth, a protective cowling for the active system and for closing a caisson, wherein the turret includes, for vertically extendable deployment and rotation of the active system, first and second arms forming a deformable quadrilateral on either side of the active system, a first manual means for controlling deployment of the active system by activating the first arm, and a second manual means for controlling the orientation in vertically extended elevation and in horizontal azimuth of the active system by moving the second arm.
US08393256B2

A glass plate cutting machine 1 includes a cutter wheel 4 for forming a cut line 3 on a glass plate 2; a moving means 5 for moving the cutter wheel 4 along a cut line 3a which has been preset and is to be formed on the glass plate 2; a resiliently pressing device 6 for resiliently pressing the cutter wheel 4 against the glass plate 2; and a control unit 7 for controlling the resiliently pressing device 6 so as to alternately change over the intensity of a resiliently pressing force of that cutter wheel 4 with respect to the glass plate 2 in the movement of the cutter wheel 4 by the moving means 5.
US08393246B2

An aerobar assembly for a bicycle that generally includes an aerobar, an adaptor and a control cable guide. The aerobar includes proximal and distal portions and proximal and distal ends. The aerobar has a generally hollow interior. The adaptor mounts an actuator assembly to the aerobar. The adaptor includes an interiorly-disposed portion and an exteriorly-disposed portion. The interiorly-disposed portion is disposed in the hollow interior of the aerobar and is bonded to the distal portion of the aerobar. The exteriorly-disposed portion is configured to receive the actuator assembly. The control cable guide is configured to slidably receive a control cable therethrough. The control cable guide is coupled to the adaptor such that the control cable enters the distal end, extends through the interior of the aerobar, and exits the proximal end of the aerobar.
US08393245B2

A vehicle operation pedal includes: a pedal arm disposed on a pedal support so as to be pivotable about a support axis, the pedal support being fixed to a vehicle; and a pedal sheet to be depressed by a driver, the pedal sheet being integrally fixed to a lower end portion of the pedal arm so as to extend from the pedal arm on both sides in a vehicle width direction, a pair of sheet attachment portions being integrally provided at the lower end portion of the pedal arm by bending the pedal arm so as to be enlarged apart from each other on both sides in the vehicle width direction, the pair of sheet attachment portions extending along the pedal sheet, and the pedal sheet being integrally fixed to the sheet attachment portions at two positions that are laterally spaced apart from each other in such a manner that a center of the pedal in the vehicle width direction sheet is located between the two positions.
US08393244B2

A bicycle operating device is provided with a base member, a brake operating lever and a shift operating member. The base member is configured to be attached to a bicycle. The brake operating lever is pivotally coupled to the base member about a pivot axis to perform a braking operation when the brake operating lever is moved in a first direction. The shift operating member is movably arranged to move from a rest position in a second direction to perform a gear shift operation. The shift operating member is further movably arranged to move from the rest position to a full stroke position in a third direction different from the first and second directions without causing the gear shifting operation.
US08393236B1

A modular drive system for a zero turn radius vehicle having a central gear box with a vertical input shaft, a central drive train that powers a variety of left and right side drive mechanisms, and a power take off mechanism having a clutch and brake assembly. The vertical input shaft is a through-shaft design that allows the central gear box to be mounted with either end of the through-shaft oriented in an upward direction. A screw-on filter acts in conjunction with a charge pump to remove debris from the central gear box's hydraulic fluid.
US08393235B2

A testing device for a vehicle part having an interior space is disclosed. The testing device includes a conduit, a test material source, and a controller. The conduit includes a first end and a second end, the first end operable to be disposed within the interior space of the vehicle part and the second end operable to be disposed outside the vehicle part. The test material source is in fluid communication with the conduit to provide a test material to the conduit. The controller is configured to direct the test material from the test material source through the conduit to the interior space in a predetermined manner.
US08393234B2

An apparatus for arranging at least one sample container inside an optical measuring device includes a carrier for arranging the sample container and a ventilation device. The ventilation device is arranged adjacent to the carrier and is provided with at least one air outlet arranged above the carrier. The ventilation device includes at least one heating element for generating an airflow and heating up the airflow.
US08393228B2

A method is described for measuring a flow of gas passing a flow meter device. The device causes a pressure drop when a gas flows through it. The pressure drop across the device is a measure of the gas flow. The device is configured as a gas permeable tube that has a flow channel on the upstream side along the tube configured so as to decrease the cross-section of the channel downstream of the gas permeable tube. This provides for a minimum volume in the channel upstream of the device's pressure-drop-generating component.
US08393223B2

A pressure sensor micromachined by using microelectronics technologies includes a cavity hermetically sealed on one side by a silicon substrate and on the other side by a diaphragm that is configured to be formed under the effect of the pressure outside the cavity. The sensor includes at least one resistance strain gage fastened to the diaphragm and has resistance that varies as a function of the deformation of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is fastened to the resistance strain gages. The gages are located inside the sealed cavity. The diaphragm has an insulting layer deposited on a sacrificial layer and may cover integrated measurement circuits in the silicon substrate.
US08393219B2

An ultrasonic transducer has an integrated memory for storing a post-pulse oscillation time of the ultrasonic transducer in the uninstalled state.
US08393217B2

The present invention has a structure capable of detecting the scattered-type penetrator having oxides each with the size of several μm sparsely and widely dispersed. Specifically, the structure includes a wave transmission unit 6 for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the welded surface of the welded portion 2 in a pipe axial direction of the pipe 1 such that the beam width of a transmission beam 8 is brought into a range from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, and a wave reception unit 7 for receiving at least a portion of the reflection wave (reception beam 9) at the welded surface. The wave transmission unit 6 and the wave reception unit 7 include transmission/reception units formed of different groups of transducer elements on at least one or more array probes 5 arranged in the circumferential direction of the pipe.
US08393215B2

A micromechanical acceleration sensor having a substrate, a suspension, a seismic mass, and stationary capacitive electrodes, in which the seismic mass is suspended over the substrate with the help of the suspension, the seismic mass has a mass center of gravity, the suspension has at least two anchors on the substrate, the two anchors are situated on opposite sides of the mass center of gravity, the distance between the two anchors being small compared to a horizontal extension of the seismic mass, the two anchors determine a central axis, the seismic mass have recesses which are situated on opposite sides of the central axis and are laterally open outward on the sides facing away from the central axis, and the stationary electrodes at least engage in the recesses of the seismic mass.
US08393208B2

An apparatus and method for measuring a level of a liquid is provided. Generally, the apparatus contains a first coaxial cable section including a first center conductor, a first outer conductor and a solid dielectric between the first center conductor and first outer conductor. The apparatus also contains a second coaxial cable section including a second center conductor, a second outer conductor and an air dielectric between the second center conductor and second outer conductor. Further, a coupling is provided between the first and second coaxial cable sections, wherein the second coaxial cable section is disposed in a liquid for determining a level of the liquid.
US08393199B2

This invention is to provide a diffusion testing device to facilitate determination of diffusivity of prolonged release of drugs from transdermal therapeutic preparation.The diffusion testing device is characterized by a receptor liquid reservoir; a diffusion testing cell having a receptor chamber functioning to be full of receptor liquid and within which a stirrer be placed, a receptor liquid supply unit, a thermostat bath to hold the diffusion testing cell, a stirring apparatus located beneath the thermostat bath to cause the rotation action of the stirrer set in the receptor chamber, a sampling unit permitting sampling and storage of receptor liquid dissolving permeated drugs. Said receptor liquid reservoir, said receptor chamber, said receptor liquid supply unit and said sampling unit are connected with each other via infusion tube. Said thermostat bath comprises aperturees or through-holes functioning to hold the diffusion testing cells, and metal block which has temperature regulation unit to be installed.
US08393198B2

An apparatus and method to determine analytes in a fluid. One aspect of the present invention is for the determination of the oil content of water using UV, near-IR, IR or Raman spectroscopy or radiometry. In certain embodiments, a solid membrane material absorbs analytes from fluid brought into contact with it. The membrane is subsequently placed in a FTIR spectrometer, which spectrometer is enabled to determine the concentration of analytes in fluid by calibration. Certain embodiments can determine the type of hydrocarbon present, and thus can differentiate Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) from Total Oil and Grease (TOG), without any separate sample preparation.
US08393195B2

A method and apparatus for capturing a chemical compound, typically an impurity, and for accumulating said chemical compound on a capture mass CAPT included in at least one removable adsorbent cartridge MC over a period exceeding 2 days, with a view to the external chemical analysis thereof. The apparatus ST suitable for capturing at least one chemical compound in a fluid flow for its detection and/or quantification comprise, downstream of said cartridge or cartridges, at least one device for measuring the cumulative flow which has traversed the cartridge or cartridges over a set time period. In a preferred variation of the invention, the capture mass CAPT is fragmented into a plurality of elementary masses CAPTi which allows for the spread of an irreversible adsorption front or the displacement of a chromatographic zone.
US08393191B2

A wire forming apparatus which feeds out a wire (W) from a distal end portion of a wire guide (402), forcibly bends, curves, or winds the wire by using a forming tool (T1-T5) and forms the wire into a part with a desired shape by using a cutting tool (T0), wherein the forming tool includes a coiling tool of which a coiling spindle rotates about its central axis, a coiling tool unit (T1, T2) which rotatably supports the coiling tool and a cutting tool unit (T0) which supports a cutting blade (506) and a receiving portion (507) constituting the cutting tool so as to allow the cutting blade and the receiving portion to relatively reciprocate are attached to the tool selection table (210), and a common driving source is provided to apply driving force to the coiling tool unit and the cutting tool unit attached on the tool selection table.
US08393185B2

Fastening plastic drivers in a washing machine drum having at least two domes on the inside, which comprise a cavity extending along its center line, and are oriented perpendicular to the sheet casing of the drum and which serve to fasten the driver. A hole pattern corresponding to the arrangement of the domes of a driver is punched into the sheet casing of the drum. The driver is placed with its dome ends, which project beyond the contact surface of the driver with the sheet casing, onto the sheet casing so that the dome ends pass through the holes of the hole pattern. Counter holders are inserted from the opposite side into the cavities of the domes. From the fastening side, hold-down elements are driven against the sheet casing. Heated form punches are driven against the dome ends until the dome ends have mushroom-shape ends.
US08393181B1

The present invention discloses a fiber guide that can be used to feed delicate fibers into a machine, for example, the feeding of hollow fibers into a knitting machine. The disclosed guide utilizes dynamic friction and provides for horizontal and front-to-back positioning of the delicate fiber, keeping the delicate fiber vertically aligned while being fed into a machine. Utilizing dynamic friction and maintaining vertical alignment prevents damage to the delicate fiber. The guide also provides for the delicate fiber to be fed from a plurality of overhead angles from a feeding mechanism.
US08393179B2

Method for producing a semifinished product from synthetic quartz glass Methods for producing a semifinished product from synthetic quartz glass by plastic deformation of a softened SiO2 mass in a melt mold are known. Starting from this, to avoid fusion defects as much as possible and to obtain semifinished products of quartz glass in a reproducibly high quality, a method is suggested that comprises the following steps: (a) providing a porous SiO2 soot body, (b) zonewise sintering of the SiO2 soot body in the melt mold at a sintering temperature and during a sintering period with formation of a completely sintered transparent quartz glass body, and directly thereafter (c) shaping the sintered quartz glass body by softening in the melt mold with formation of a viscous quartz glass mass which fills the volume of the melt mold entirely or partly, and (d) cooling the quartz glass mass and removing the mass from the melt mold with formation of the semifinished product.
US08393170B2

A capacity control system for a variable capacity compressor includes target suction pressure setting means for setting, based on external information input from external information detection means, a target suction pressure for controlling the pressure in a suction pressure region as a control target, suction pressure estimation means for estimating, based on the external information, a pressure that is estimated to prevail in the suction pressure region if the variable capacity compressor is operated with a maximum discharge capacity, and discharge capacity determination means for determining, based on the suction pressure estimated by the suction pressure estimation means and the target suction pressure set by the target suction pressure setting means, whether the variable capacity compressor is operating with the maximum discharge capacity or with a controlled discharge capacity.
US08393169B2

A system is provided and may include a compressor having a motor and a refrigeration circuit including an evaporator and a condenser fluidly coupled to the compressor. The system may further include a first sensor producing a signal indicative of one of current and power drawn by the motor, a second sensor producing a signal indicative of a saturated condensing temperature, and a third sensor producing a signal indicative of a liquid-line temperature. Processing circuitry may processes the current or power signal to determine a derived condenser temperature and may compare the derived condenser temperature to the saturated condensing temperature received from the second sensor to determine a subcooling associated with a refrigerant charge level of the refrigeration circuit.
US08393168B2

Disclosed is a method of operating a refrigerator, including: providing a plurality of usage environment information which includes national information; selecting the usage environment information corresponding to a nation or region where the refrigerator is used among the plurality of usage environment information; and controlling operation of the refrigerator based on the selected usage environment information.
US08393154B2

A gas turbine engine fuel supply assembly which includes a fuel manifold mounted to a casing surrounding a combustor of the engine, and a plurality of fuel nozzles mounted to the fuel manifold. A mating interface between the fuel nozzles and the fuel manifold has at least one sealing element, and at least one aperture defined in the fuel nozzle proximate to the mating interface. The aperture is a non fuel conveying passage, and reduces conductive heat transfer to the sealing element by preventing a direct conductive heat transfer path between a hot region of the fuel nozzle and the sealing element.
US08393142B2

A reductant dosing manifold is disclosed. The reductant dosing manifold may have a housing with a pump interface configured to directly connect the reductant dosing manifold to a reductant pump, and a reductant supply passage in fluid communication with the pump interface. The housing may also have a reductant outlet port, and a pressurized reductant passage connecting the pump interface to the reductant outlet port.
US08393141B2

A method is provided for monitoring of the functionality of an After Treatment Injector (ATI) for injection of a fluid in an engine exhaust gas system upstream of an exhaust gas treatment unit. The monitoring is performed by using a pressure sensor which detects the pressure of the fluid delivered to the ATI for a specific condition or injection cycle. The pressure sensor is located downstream of a flow regulator and upstream of the ATI in a conduit for supplying of a substance from a container to the ATI. An ECU is programmed to perform a predetermined sequence of opening and closing commands for the flow regulator and the ATI in order to monitor the functionality of the flow regulator, the ATI and the pressure sensor. The can be used in connection with an On Board Diagnosis (OBD) system.
US08393140B2

A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes controlling the engine to a preferred air/fuel ratio to generate an engine-out exhaust gas feedstream including preferred concentrations of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen, converting the nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen to ammonia across a first catalytic device; and storing the ammonia on an ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device fluidly serially connected downstream of the first catalytic device.
US08393128B2

The present invention encompasses a process for initially combining and thereafter uniting two or more modular units to one another in order thus combined to be able to form a house body, for instance a cellar-adapted house body. A liquid-resistant layer is advantageously wholly or partly to be able to cover a base slab and in any event lower wall sections allocated to the wall portion, proximal the base slab, in order principally to prevent damp permeation. A first modular unit, with in any event a first open wall portion, is placed on a substrate prepared within a building site, a second modular unit, with in any event a second open wall portion, is placed on the substrate prepared within the building site, so that an open wall portion allocated to the first modular unit will connect to an open wall portion allocated to the second modular unit. The base slab of the one modular unit and the base slab of the second module form a free space defined by the mutually facing edges of the base slabs. The base slab of the one modular unit is connected, with the aid of a tractive force absorbing reinforcement, to the base slab of the second module over the free space and that the free space is filled with concrete or the like. The present invention also encompasses a house body thud produced.
US08393127B1

A relocatable restaurant, method of assembly, and method of use are provided herein. The relocatable restaurant includes a slab positioned at a desired site, a plurality of modules, including in an exemplary embodiment one module for each of a kitchen, a dishwashing and bar, and bathroom facilities. The modules are positionable atop the slab adjacent exterior edges thereof. In an embodiment, a slab can be provided by an existing structure, such as a parking lot. The relocatable restaurant further includes a plurality of partitions sufficient for bridging the modules, at least one partition having a door structure, to create a substantially continuous exterior wall therearound. A roof is provided for the relocatable restaurant with the use of a substantially planar flexible element affixable about the exterior wall. A blower can be used to retain the roof in an upwardly extended state.
US08393115B2

Some aspects relate to weather seal systems for forming water barriers and air barriers. Some air barriers include a sill portion, a frame portion, and a transition portion extending between the sill and frame portions, where the transition portion extends inwardly and downwardly from the frame portion of the air barrier, toward an interior side of an associated door assembly, to the sill portion of the air barrier. The transition portion optionally provides a buffer zone, or transition zone of air at a greater spacing from the water barrier. In some embodiments, the transition zone is equilibrated to external pressures and supplies substantially dry air to air leaks in the air barrier.
US08393107B2

A firearm assembly including a first weapon having a first receiver is disclosed. The first receiver includes a front end with a barrel attached to the front end and a front sight attached to the barrel. A second weapon is selectively mounted to the first weapon and movable between an engaged and disengaged position. The second weapon includes a second receiver and a mounting system having a first portion attached to the second receiver and a second portion coupled to the second receiver. The first portion is coupled to the front sight to define a first attachment point when the second weapon is in the engaged position. The second portion includes a first end coupled to the front sight to define a second attachment point and a second end coupled to the first receiver to define a third attachment point when the second weapon is in the engaged position.
US08393105B1

A floating side rail clamp weapon accessory mount adaptor includes a stationary side rail clamp, a floating side rail clamp, and a leaf spring system that replaces prior art biasing plates. The floating side rail clamp moves as a single unit under evenly increasing influence provided by the leaf spring system coupled to the floating side rail clamp. The floating side rail clamp moves as a single unit such that a floating side rail clamp engagement surface of the floating side rail clamp remains substantially parallel to corresponding portion of a stationary side rail clamp engagement surface of the stationary side rail clamp as the floating side rail clamp moves, as a unit, towards the stationary side rail clamp in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stationary side rail clamp engagement surface.
US08393093B2

A method and tool for forming decorative picots is provided. The tool comprises a triangular substrate having a base and two sides intersecting at an apex, indicia defining a centerline extending from the apex to the midpoint of the base, and indicia defining one or more guidelines extending from one side of the substrate to the other, parallel to the base. The method comprises placing the substrate on a rectangular strip of fabric having a width twice its height, aligning the substrate on the fabric such that the apex is positioned at the midpoint of the top edge of the fabric and the bottom edge is positioned parallel to the base of the substrate, folding the top edges of the fabric over the substrate to align with the centerline and applying an iron to the folded fabric to crease the fold.
US08393090B2

A clothes dryer having an improved configuration to allow a user to safely pull out a water tank is disclosed. The clothes dryer includes a body having a water tank housing, a water tank detachably mounted into the water tank housing and serving to store water collected from an object to be dried, and a safety guide to limit movement of the water tank in a first direction when the water tank is separated from the water tank housing in the first direction, so as to allow a user to guide movement of the water tank in a second direction. The safety guide includes a first stopper provided at the water tank housing, and a second stopper provided at the water tank to correspond to the first stopper when the water tank is separated in the first direction.
US08393088B1

A parking lot painting template for determining the location of successive parking stall stripes or curb stripes accurately and subsequently painting a straight line in the desired location includes a main member, a rail member, and a pair of curb members. The main member and the rail member combine to form a frame which is of a length corresponding to the width of the parking stalls such that a user may align an end of the main member with a stripe and accurately determine the proper location of the next stripe. The main member and the curb members combine to form a frame designed to slide securely along a corner edge such as an existing curb and accurately paint in the proper location.
US08393074B1

A method of manufacturing a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes: providing a light source unit including a laser diode; providing a slider having a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head section thereon, the thermally-assisted magnetic recording head section including a magnetic pole, an optical waveguide, and a plasmon generator, the magnetic pole and the optical waveguide both extending toward an air bearing surface, the plasmon generator being located between the magnetic pole and the optical waveguide; driving the laser diode to allow a light beam to be emitted therefrom, the light beam including both a TE polarization component and a TM polarization component; performing an alignment between the light source unit and the thermally-assisted magnetic recording head section, based on a light intensity distribution of the TE polarization component in the light beam which has been emitted from the laser diode and then passed through the optical waveguide; and bonding the light source unit to the slider after the alignment is completed.
US08393072B2

A method of producing a stator for a rotary electrical machine comprising a body in which axial recesses are produced and comprising a plurality of conductors arranged in the recesses, which comprises a step of depositing conductors on a linear support that comprises transverse recesses, comprising a first phase of depositing conductors in the recesses in the support in order to form a first layer of conductors, and a second phase of depositing conductors in the recesses, in order to form a second layer of conductors that is arranged vertically above the first layer; the first deposition phase and the second deposition phase consists of depositing one and the same conductor on the linear support.The invention also proposes an arrangement of a set of conductors on a linear support obtained at the end of the deposition step.
US08393066B2

An apparatus for assembling a miniaturized device includes a manipulator system including six manipulators operable to position and orient components of the miniaturized device with submicron precision and micron-level accuracy. The manipulator system includes a first plurality of motorized axes, a second plurality of manual axes, and force and torque and sensors. Each of the six manipulators includes at least one translation stage, at least one rotation stage, tooling attached to the at least one translation stage or the at least one rotation stage, and an attachment mechanism disposed at a distal end of the tooling and operable to attach at least a portion of the miniaturized device to the tooling. The apparatus also includes an optical coordinate-measuring machine (OCMM) including a machine-vision system, a laser-based distance-measuring probe, and a touch probe. The apparatus also includes an operator control system coupled to the manipulator system and the OCMM.
US08393064B2

An installation device for installing a windshield in a vehicle. The device includes a pivot assembly including a pair of suction cups that attach to the door glass of a vehicle door, and a depending member that extends upwardly and forwardly adjacent a windshield opening. A support assembly includes a pair of suction cups that attach to a windshield, and a support rod that is axially and rotatably moveable with respect to the suction cups. The support rod includes an end that pivots on the depending member of the pivot assembly. The device moveably supports the windshield such that a single technician can install the windshield on a vehicle.
US08393063B2

A tool for spreading disc brake pads and compressing pistons of a disc brake caliper assembly includes a manually operated handle to drive a rod attached to a pusher plate. An arm assembly also connects the back end of the drive rod to the pusher plate. The plates thus extend in cantilever fashion from the drive rod and may be maintained in alignment by the arm assembly which also serves to reinforce the cantilever arrangement of the plates.
US08393052B2

An upright vacuum cleaner having dual cleaning motor and fan units is provided having a cleaning head engagable with a floor and a suction nozzle and a brush roller rotatably mounted therein. A first motor and fan unit is mounted in the vacuum cleaner for producing suction in the suction nozzle and is operatively connected to the brush roller for rotating it. An upright housing is connected to the cleaning head, the housing having a handle for moving the vacuum cleaner along the floor during floor cleaning use. Contained in the housing are a dirt storage container, a passageway leading from the suction nozzle in the cleaning head to the storage container and a second motor and fan unit operatively associated with the storage container for drawing dirt laden air from the cleaning head through the passageway and into the storage container simultaneously with operation of the first motor and fan unit.
US08393050B2

A cyclonic portable vacuum cleaner/dust collector for workshop or other use has a conic body that is supported on a hand cart or dolly. A funnel shaped divider plate within the conic body divides it into a cyclonic chamber between the divider plate and the lower nose, and a filter chamber between the divider plate and a motor plate that closes the upper mouth of the conic body. The filter chamber contains a filter cartridge. A vacuum air pump is mounted on the motor plate, and is covered by a shroud or housing. Clean, filtered air is exhausted into the ambient. Process dust settled into a dust collection drum supported beneath the nose of the conic body. A pulse cleaning arrangement serves for periodic filter cleaning. The supporting cart can be wheeled or can use a wall bracket for wall mounting.
US08393046B2

A wiper protector fits over a rear window wiper to prevent damage to the wiper from a mechanized or automated car wash. The wiper protector is open on one end for slipping over the wiper blade, arm and wiper motor components if exposed. The sleeve includes a cutout at the open end to fit over the wiper motor components. A drawstring near the open end passes through the sleeve guided by non-marring grommets near the sleeve open end. A drawstring lock maintains tension on the drawstring during use.
US08393045B2

A hand-held tool for removal and scraping of matter, such as mortar, drywall and the like from surfaces such as containers, buckets and the like, thereby perhaps salvaging the matter for reuse as well as salvaging the container. A hand-held tool may include, in the various embodiments, a curved blade having at least one straight side edge; a flat bottom edge; and a top surface that may be used a handle, a hanging shelf, and perhaps even reinforcement of the integrity of a blade. A hand-held tool may be made of stainless steel, galvanized metal, plastic and the like.
US08393035B2

Detailed is a device for cleaning an immersed surface including a body and members for driving the body over the immersed surface in a main direction of advance; a filtration chamber which is provided in the body and which has: a liquid inlet conduit which extends inside the body and which has a lower end which forms a liquid inlet and an opposing upper end which opens into a filtering device; a liquid outlet out of the body; a hydraulic circuit for the flow of liquid between the inlet and the liquid outlet through the filtering device, wherein the inlet conduit has a regular cross-section whose surface-area varies from the lower end thereof up to a maximum value at the upper end thereof which opens in the filtering device.
US08393029B2

Detailed is a device for cleaning an immersed surface including a body, members for driving this body over the immersed surface in a longitudinal direction, including a wheel, a device for brushing the immersed surface, a mechanism for rotating the brushing device about a brushing axis, wherein the driving mechanism of the brushing device includes: an internally toothed ring which is fixedly joined to a wheel, a brush pinion which is fixedly joined to the brushing device and which is engaged in the ring of this drive wheel in such a manner that a rotation of this drive wheel brings about a rotation of the brushing device about the brushing axis thereof in the same rotation direction.
US08393024B2

An adjustable bed skirt for use between a mattress and a box spring that is comprised of a top strip portion having a vertically extended, downwardly draped side skirt portion connected to the top strip portion outer perimeter edges. Alternatively, the adjustable bed skirt can be attached to an existing bed skirt. The top strip portion is formed by one or more strips, therefore creating a bed skirt simple to install, adjust, and remove. The top strip portion has a left strip, right strip and a foot strip. An outer edge extends along an outside of the left strip, right strip and foot strip and an inner edge extends along an inside of the left strip, right strip and foot strip. The width of the top strip portion and a height of the side skirt portion is adjustable when the elastic portions are expanded or retracted.
US08393021B2

A non-flexible floor covering adaptor is provided for use with a shower tray (10) having a peripheral trough (18) and means for engaging flexible floor covering material in the trough (18). The adaptor (30) comprises a first profiled portion (32) locatable in the trough (18) of the shower tray (10); a second profiled portion (34) which matches or substantially matches a peripheral edge of the shower tray (10), and a floor flange (36) for engagement with non-flexible floor covering material, such as tiles or boards.
US08393020B2

Bath and shower support systems for a bath or shower enclosure have adjustable grab bars bearing on adjustable lower supports and laterally connecting to a parallel tiled wall by suction cups clamped to the tile by locking means. An adjustable length upward extending grab bar attaches to the lower grab bar with its upper extremity attaching to the tiled wall by connection means that includes a suction cup.
US08393017B2

An apparatus to be worn on an individual's shoulders, chest and back below a full face helmet to limit the occurrence of cervical spinal cord injuries in the event of a crash.
US08393014B1

A sweat absorption assembly for protecting headwear from sweat includes a clip that is configured to receive a sweatband of a baseball cap. A mount is removably coupled to the clip. An absorbing member is elongated and is positionable on the mount.
US08397297B2

Systems and methods for protecting from harmful software on a computer are disclosed. The systems and methods may include observing potentially harmful software on the computer at runtime, determining that at least part of the potentially harmful software is harmful software and removing effects of the harmful software from the computer based on at least the observing and the determining, despite attempts by the harmful software to resist the removing.
US08397292B2

The invention discloses a method for an online secure logging-on, comprises steps of: determining a correlation between at least one of processes and a logging-on operation; sorting the at least one of processes to two classes, that is, processes related to the logging-on operation and processes unrelated to the logging-on operation; running at least one of the processes related to the logging-on operation, when the logging-on operation is performed and a number of the processes related to the logging-on operation is one or more; and suspending at least one of the 1o processes unrelated to the logging-on operation, when the logging-on operation is performed and a number of the processes unrelated to the logging-on operation is one or more. The scheme of the present invention utilizes a real-time protection, needs less monitoring on the operating system and is easy to guarantee the stability. Since most processes of the operating system are suspended, the protection is more reliable. Corresponding to the method, the present invention also provides a device for an online secure logging-on.
US08397290B2

Embodiments provide a security infrastructure that may be configured to run on top of an existing operating system to control what resources can be accessed by an applications and what APIs an application can call. Security decisions are made by taking into account both the current thread's identity and the current thread's call chain context to enable minimal privilege by default. The current thread context is captured and a copy of it is created to be used to perform security checks asynchronously. Every thread in the system has an associated identity. To obtain access to a particular resource, all the callers on the current thread are analyzed to make sure that each caller and thread has access to that resource. Only when each caller and thread has access to that resource is the caller given access to that resource.
US08397286B2

A bidirectional gateway with enhanced security level between a high-security communication network and a low-security communication network. The return pathway from the low-security network to the high-security network comprises a low-speed link. The physical layer of the low-speed link differs from the physical layers involved in the high-security network and the low-security network. The low-speed link having a linking layer according to a protocol differing from the protocols used on the linking layers used on the high-security network and the low-security network. The linking layer of the low-speed link has an authentication protocol to guarantee the data's origin.
US08397283B2

Roles and policies are used to provide display and access to data in a flexible manner. Users and/or web applications can be mapped to user roles that dictate which displays or other application resources are available to the user or application. Roles are assigned to web applications individually, allowing for user roles to be used without requiring an independent mapping of users to roles. In some cases, application roles can be centrally managed, so that presentation systems also avoid the need for an independent mapping of user or application roles.
US08397282B2

A system, method, and computer program product for controlling data through a firewall which may be dynamically configurable. The method may comprise defining at least one node, wherein the at least one node is associated with two or more network interfaces; associating a set of firewall rules with the at least one node; receiving a packet at a first node of the at least one node; and accepting or denying the packet based on the set of firewall rules. The firewall rules include dynamic chains of rules having defined places where firewall rules may be dynamically inserted into or deleted from the firewall while the firewall is operating on one or more machines connected to network segments where the nodes reside.
US08397281B2

A method for providing a secret that is provisioned to a first device to a second device includes generating a One-Time Password at the first device using the secret and obtaining an identifier of the secret. The method also includes providing the One-Time Password and the identifier to the second device and sending the One-Time Password and the identifier to a remote provisioning service. The method also includes verifying that the One-Time Password corresponds to the secret, and sending to the second device an encrypted secret and a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted secret. The encrypted secret and the decryption key may be sent using different communications methods. The method also includes decrypting the encrypted secret using the decryption key to provide the secret and storing the secret at the second device.
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