US08420680B2

Provided are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment or prophylaxis of disorders associated with NMDA receptor activity, including neuropathic pain, stroke, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, and related neurologic events or neurodegeneration. Compounds are of the general Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, prodrug or derivative thereof are provided: wherein: each (L)k-Ar1 is a substituted or unsubstituted, mono or bicyclic aryl or heteroaryl; W is a bond, alkyl, or alkenyl; X is a bond, NR1 or O and each R1 and R2 is independently H, alkyl, alkenyl or aralkyl or R1 and R2 taken together form a 5-8 membered ring; R3−R6 are selected from certain specific substituents or a carbonyl; Y is a bond, O, S, SO, SO2, CH2, NH, N(alkyl), or NHC(═O); and Z is OH, NR6R7, NR8SO2(alkyl), NR8C(O)NR6R7, NR8C(O)O(alkyl), NR8-dihydrothiazole, or NR8-dihydroimidazole or wherein Z can fuse with Ar2 to form selected heterocycles.
US08420679B2

Substituted 4-phenyl-2-aminothiazole derivatives, processes for preparing the same, and the use thereof as corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) antagonists.
US08420678B2

Pleckstrin homology domain binding compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds, and methods for their use are described herein.
US08420671B2

The present invention relates to a stabilized monomer composition comprising at least 50 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the stabilized monomer composition, of a thiophene derivative monomer having the general formula (I) in which R1 and R2 stand, independently of one another, for hydrogen, for an optionally substituted C1-C20-alkyl group or C1-C20-oxyalkyl group, optionally interrupted by 1 to 5 oxygen atoms and/or sulfur atoms, or jointly for an optionally substituted C1-C20-dioxyalkylene group or C6-C20-dioxyarylene group, and 0.001 to 10 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the stabilized monomer composition, of a stabilizer. The present invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of a capacitor, a capacitor obtained by this method, the use of a stabilized monomer composition and to the use of a stabilizer.
US08420659B2

The invention encompasses compounds having formula I and the compositions and methods using these compounds in the treatment of conditions in which modulation of the JAK pathway or inhibition of JAK kinases, particularly JAK3, are therapeutically useful.
US08420656B2

The present application relates to novel substituted 5-fluoro-1H-pyrazolopyridines, to processes for their preparation, to their use alone or in combinations for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, and to their use for producing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cardiovascular disorders.
US08420650B2

A compound having the structure set forth in Formula (I) and Formula (II): wherein the substituents Y, Z, A, B, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined herein. Provided herein are inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase activity. Also described herein are pharmaceutical compositions that include at least one compound described herein and the use of a compound or pharmaceutical composition described herein to treat diseases, disorders and conditions that are ameliorated by the inhibition of PARP activity.
US08420641B2

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I): wherein the variants R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 are as defined herein, and wherein said compound is an inhibitor of CETP, and thus can be employed for the treatment of a disorder or disease mediated by CETP or responsive to the inhibition of CETP.
US08420636B2

The present invention relates to pyrrolidinyl-alkyl-amide derivatives of formula (I) or (IA) wherein the variables are as defined herein, to their preparation and to their therapeutic use as CCR3 receptor ligands.
US08420634B2

Amidine, thiourea and guanidine derivatives of appropriately substituted 2-aminobenzothiazoles, 2-amino-3,1-4H-benzothiazines and 3-amino-1,4-3H-benzothiazines, as understood from formula (I), the related pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof: and the use of the products and the corresponding pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of neurodegenerative pathologies such as cerebral ischemia, neurodegeneration induced by cranial trauma, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
US08420631B2

The present invention provides 6-substituted 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[d]azepines of Formula (I) as selective 5-HT2C receptor agonists for the treatment of 5-HT2C associated disorders including obesity, obsessive/compulsive disorder, depression, and anxiety: where R6 is —C≡C—R10, —CH═CR11R11′, or —(C0-C8)alkyl-Ar2 optionally substituted on the alkyl moiety with 1 to 6 fluoro substituents and other substituents are as defined in the specification.
US08420628B2

Disclosed herein is a compound comprising or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug or a metabolite thereof; wherein Y is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an ether thereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolyl functional group; A is —(CH2)6—, cis —CH2CH═CH—(CH2)3—, or —CH2C≡C—(CH2)3—, wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms may be substituted with S or O; or A is —(CH2)m—Ar—(CH2)o— wherein Ar is interarylene or heterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 4, and wherein one CH2 may be substituted with S or O; and D is aryl or heteroaryl.
US08420623B2

The present invention provides a pyrrolidine compound of General Formula (1) or a salt thereof, wherein R101 and R102 are each independently a phenyl group or a pyridyl group, the phenyl group or the pyridyl group may have one or more substituents selected from halogen atoms and lower alkyl groups optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, etc. The pyrrolidine compound or a salt thereof of the present invention is usable to produce a pharmaceutical preparation having a wider therapeutic spectrum and being capable of exhibiting sufficient therapeutic effects after short-term administration.
US08420621B2

Disclosed are methods of producing a blunted postprandial glycemic response in an individual, and/or reducing postprandial insulin secretion, said methods comprising administering to the individual a nutritional or other product comprising gamma-cyclodextrin. Also disclosed are similar other methods directed toward the use of such products to provide weight and appetite control, to normalize blood glucose levels in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance, to minimize nighttime hypoglycemia in diabetic and non-diabetic patients, to prevent reactive hypoglycemia in susceptible non-diabetics, to normalize blood glucose levels in individuals with gestational diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance during gestation, and/or to provide a prolonged glycemic response during exercise. The methods are based upon the discovery that gamma-cyclodextrins are rapidly metabolized and absorbed in the small intestine, but subsequently result in a surprisingly blunted postprandial glycemic response and reduced insulin secretion.
US08420619B2

The invention provides methods for treating ocular diseases using a recombinant vehicle to express a protein useful in the treatment of ocular disease, with particular preference for use of neurotrophin-4 (NT4) for targeting subpopulations of cells in the retina. A genetically engineered gene transfer vector containing sequences encoding a growth factor such as neurotrophin-4 (NT4) is used to transduce cells of the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) layer, in situ, via administration of the vector intravitreally. Accordingly, methods are disclosed for treating subjects in need thereof by therapeutic protein delivery via a recombinant expression vector, including rescue of photoreceptors by targeting the RGC layer subpopulation of retinal cells.
US08420615B2

The invention provides an immunostimulatory nucleic acid. In certain embodiments according to this aspect of the invention, the sequence of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and/or immunomer is at least partially self-complementary.
US08420606B2

A method of utilizing the physiological activity of a rare saccharide, wherein physiological-activity sensitive cells are treated with the rare saccharide to modify the function of the cells. A composition containing, as an active ingredient, a rare saccharide which is introduced into physiological-activity sensitive cells and has an effect of modifying the function of the cells. The cells are human cells. The composition is a functional food, a drug, or a cosmetic. The rare saccharide is a rare saccharide belonging to aldose and/or ketose. The aldose is D-allose, and the cells are selected from the group consisting of cancer-cell proliferation inhibitory activity sensitive cells and active-oxygen production inhibitory activity sensitive cells. The ketose is D-psicose, and the cells are selected from the group consisting of chemokine secretion inhibitory activity sensitive cells, microglia migration inhibitory activity sensitive cells, and hypoglycemic activity sensitive cells.
US08420602B2

A compound provided by the present invention includes an endocannabinoid, endocannabinoid derivative, or endocannabinoid analog moiety covalently bonded to a biologically active peptide. One example of an inventive compound described is a conjugate of an endocannabinoid, endocannabinoid derivative, or endocannabinoid analog moiety covalently coupled to an opioid peptide, such as an endorphin, enkephalin, dynorphin or endomorphin. Also detailed are processes for making the described conjugates and pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds.
US08420598B2

Disclosed herein are exendin singly modified with polyethylene glycole or a derivative thereof, a method for the preparation of the same, and uses thereof. Exendin modified at lysine (27) with polyethylene glycol shows biological activity similar to that of natural exendin, but is improved in half life. In addition, the modification position and the number of PEG or its derivative are restricted so as to minimize the side effects caused by a variety of combinations of such factors. The exendin is useful in the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by the over-secretion of insulin, or diseases caused due to a decrease in plasma glucose level, the inhibition of gastric or intestinal motility, the promotion of satiety, or the inhibition of food intake, especially diabetes, obesity and irritable colon syndrome.
US08420592B2

Glycopeptide antibiotics, such as oritavancin, demonstrate significant activity against a wide range of bacteria. Methods for the treatment, prophylaxis and prevention of bacterial infection and disease in animals, including humans, using a single dose of oritavancin over the course of therapy, are described.
US08420591B2

The invention provides methods of identifying and making compounds that inhibit the interaction between MUC1 and galectin-3. Also embraced by the invention are in vivo and in vitro methods of inhibiting such an interaction and of inhibiting the expression of galectin-3 by a cell.
US08420584B2

A non-toxic enzymatic detergent for use in cleaning surgical instruments and the like which have a large build-up of bio-residue thereon and which need specialty cleaning in order to avoid both hardened bio-residue and certain fluid traces from the instruments for both operating accuracy as well as sterilization requirements.
US08420574B2

N-(phenylethyl)succinamic acid or its salts is applied as a seed treatment or applied directly on or near the root zone of the seedling or growing plant to protect plant growth in the presence of selected herbicides.
US08420573B2

This invention concerns novel dispersants that are the reaction products of succinic anhydride-containing resins with certain amines. These water soluble dispersants have been found to be unique and highly effective dispersants for water insoluble agricultural suspension concentrate formulations.
US08420564B2

A method of producing a MoS2 catalyst. The method begins by the decomposition of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate in an organic solvent. This decomposition is done in the presence of a solution comprising: a solvent and a promoter, and done under gaseous pressure.
US08420562B2

Improved process for the preparation of an unsupported, heterogeneous olefin polymerization catalyst system, comprising an organometallic compound of a transition metal of Group 3 to 10 of the Periodic Table (IUPAC) or of an actinide or lanthanide in the form of solid particles comprising the steps of a) preparing a solution of catalyst components, including an aluminoxane, a compound being effective to form stable, liquid clathrates with aluminoxane and an organometallic compound of a transition metal of Group 3 to 10 of the Periodic Table (IUPAC 2007) or of an actinide or lanthanide, in a hydrocarbon solvent, yielding a two phase system with an upper solvent layer, which is separated, b) preparing a liquid/liquid emulsion system comprising a continuous phase in which said solution of the catalyst components forms a dispersed phase in the form of droplets, c) solidifying said dispersed phase to convert said droplets to solid particles and optionally recovering said particles to obtain said catalyst system, the catalysts system itself and its use for olefin polymerization.
US08420560B2

A dielectric ceramic includes a main component and a minor component. The main component includes a BaTi4O9 crystal phase and a Ba2Ti9O20 crystal phase, is represented by BaO.xTiO2, has a molar ratio x of TiO2 to BaO of 4.6 to 8.0, and in X-ray diffraction, and has an X-ray diffraction peak intensity ratio I29/I14 of a maximum diffraction peak intensity (I14) of the BaTi4O9 crystal phase to a maximum diffraction peak intensity (I29) of the Ba2Ti9O20 crystal phase of 1 or more. The minor component includes a boron oxide and a copper oxide, in which the boron oxide content is in the range of 0.5 to 5.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the main component, and the copper oxide content is in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the main component.
US08420557B2

The present invention concerns a nonwoven fabric the fibers of which have polyethylene on at least part of their surface, where the fibers are thermally bonded and the non-woven fabric exhibits an abrasion of less than 0.5 mg/cm2, in particular of less than 0.4 mg/cm2, and an embossed area fraction of less than 35%, in particular of less than 28%. Furthermore a device is made available for the manufacture of a non-woven fabric, using a polyethylene-containing polymer, with a take-down system underneath a spinning plate that causes the take-down of the polyethylene, where the spinning plate has an L/D ratio of between 4 and 9.
US08420546B2

In the manufacturing method of a GOLD structured TFT having a gate electrode of double-layered structure, in which, compared to a second layer gate electrode, the first layer gate electrode is thinner in film thickness and longer in dimension of the channel direction, by controlling the density of the photo-absorbent contained in a positive type resist such as diazonaphthoquinone (DNQ)-novolac resin series, the taper angle of the side wall is controlled to a desired angle range so that the angle thereof becomes smaller. Owing to this, it is possible to control the retreat amount of the resist when carrying out dry etching and the dimension of Lov, area to a desired dimensional range so that the dimension thereof becomes larger.
US08420544B2

A method for fabricating an interconnection structure includes the following steps. Firstly, a substrate having a first conductive layer thereon is provided. Next, an ultra low-k material layer is formed on the substrate. Next, a portion of the ultra low-k material layer is removed, so as to form an opening to expose the first conductive layer. Next, a dry-cleaning process is performed by using gas, so as to clean a surface of the first conductive layer exposed by the opening. The dry-cleaning process is performed at a temperature in a range from the room temperature to 100° C.
US08420535B2

A copper interconnection structure includes an insulating layer, an interconnection body including copper and a barrier layer surrounding the interconnection body. The barrier layer includes a first barrier layer formed between a first portion of the interconnection body and the insulating layer. The first portion of the interconnection body is part of the interconnection body that faces the insulating layer. The barrier layer also includes a second barrier layer formed on a second portion of the interconnection body. The second portion of the interconnection body is part of the interconnection body not facing the insulating layer. Each of the first and the second barrier layers is formed of an oxide layer including manganese, and each of the first and the second barrier layers has a position where the atomic concentration of manganese is maximized in their thickness direction of the first and the second barrier layers.
US08420519B1

Methods are provided for fabricating integrated circuits having controlled threshold voltages. In accordance with one embodiment a method includes forming a gate dielectric overlying an N-doped silicon substrate and depositing a layer of titanium nitride and a layer of tantalum nitride overlying the gate dielectric. A sub-monolayer of tantalum oxide is deposited overlying the layer of tantalum nitride by a process of atomic layer deposition, and oxygen is diffused from the tantalum oxide through the tantalum nitride and titanium nitride.
US08420518B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes: forming a trench in a back side of a substrate; depositing a dopant on surfaces of the trench; forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure in a top side of the substrate opposite the trench; forming a deep well in the substrate; out-diffusing the dopant into the deep well and the substrate; forming an N-well and a P-well in the substrate; and filling the trench with a conductive material.
US08420514B2

It is an object to provide an epitaxial silicon wafer that is provided with an excellent gettering ability in which a polysilicon layer is formed on the rear face side of a silicon crystal substrate into which phosphorus (P) and germanium (Ge) have been doped. A PBS forming step for growing a polysilicon layer is executed on the rear face side of a silicon crystal substrate into which phosphorus and germanium have been doped at a high concentration to execute a baking treatment. After a surface layer of the silicon crystal substrate is then polished up to a predetermined amount, a silicon epitaxial layer is grown by a CVD method. By the above steps, the number of LPDs (caused by an SF) that occur on the surface of the epitaxial silicon wafer due to the SF can be greatly reduced.
US08420510B2

Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device wherein the space between semiconductor elements that are three-dimensionally mounted can be filled easily and securely. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device of the present invention includes preparing a semiconductor wafer with a plurality of members for connection formed on both first and second surfaces; preparing a laminated film including a dicing sheet with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer laminated on a base material, and a curable film that is laminated on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and has a thickness equivalent to or more than the height of the member for connection on the first surface; pasting the curable film of the laminated film to the semiconductor wafer while facing the curable film to the first surface so that the members for connection are not exposed to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; and dicing the semiconductor wafer to form a semiconductor element.
US08420501B2

A method includes arranging a first bonding layer on a first functional region on a first substrate, or a region on a second substrate, bonding the first functional region to the second substrate through the first bonding layer, subjecting a first release layer to a first process to separate the first substrate from the first functional region at the first release layer, arranging a second bonding layer on a second functional region on the first substrate, or a region on a third substrate, bonding the second functional region to the second or third substrate through the second bonding layer, and subjecting a second release layer to a second process to separate the first substrate from the second functional region at the second release layer.
US08420499B2

A method of forming a concave-convex pattern according to an embodiment includes: forming a guide pattern on a base material, the guide pattern having a convex portion; forming a formative layer on the guide pattern, the formative layer including a stacked structure formed by stacking a first layer and a second layer, the first layer including at least one element selected from a first metal element and a metalloid element, the second layer including a second metal element different from the first metal element; selectively leaving the formative layer only at side faces of the convex portions by performing etching on the formative layer; removing the guide pattern; and forming the concave-convex pattern in the base material by performing etching on the base material, with the remaining formative layer being used as a mask.
US08420498B2

An alignment method of chips that are formed on a surface of a semiconductor wafer with alignment marks corresponding to the chips includes the steps of irradiating an alignment mark corresponding to a predetermined alignment chip in a predetermined area including the chips with a laser light; detecting reflected waves from the alignment mark of the predetermined alignment chip to obtain a position of the alignment mark of the predetermined alignment chip; irradiating an alignment mark of an alternative chip different from the predetermined alignment chip with the laser light in case of not being able to obtain the position of the alignment mark of the predetermined alignment chip; obtaining a position of the alignment mark of the alternative chip by detecting the reflected waves from the alignment mark of the alternative chip; and aligning the chips in the predetermined area based on positions of alignment marks including the position of the alignment mark of the alternative chip.
US08420493B2

A lateral heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) is formed on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The HBT includes a base including a doped silicon-germanium alloy base region, an emitter including doped silicon and laterally contacting the base, and a collector including doped silicon and laterally contacting the base. Because the collector current is channeled through the doped silicon-germanium base region, the HBT can accommodate a greater current density than a comparable bipolar transistor employing a silicon channel. The base may also include an upper silicon base region and/or a lower silicon base region. In this case, the collector current is concentrated in the doped silicon-germanium base region, thereby minimizing noise introduced to carrier scattering at the periphery of the base. Further, parasitic capacitance is minimized because the emitter-base junction area is the same as the collector-base junction area.
US08420492B2

The invention provides a MOS transistor and a method for forming the MOS transistor. The MOS transistor includes a semiconductor substrate; a gate stack on the semiconductor substrate, and including a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode on the semiconductor substrate in sequence; a source region and a drain region, respectively at sidewalls of the gate stack sidewalls of the gate stack and in the semiconductor; sacrificial metal spacers on sidewalls of the gate stack sidewalls of the gate stack, and having tensile stress or compressive stress. This invention scales down the equivalent oxide thickness, improves uniformity of device performance, raises carrier mobility and promotes device performance.
US08420491B2

A structure and method for replacement metal gate (RMG) field effect transistors is disclosed. Silicide regions are formed on a raised source-drain (RSD) structure. The silicide regions form a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) stopping layer during a CMP process used to expose the gates prior to replacement. Protective layers are then applied and etched in the formation of metal contacts.
US08420482B2

A nonvolatile memory device and a method of forming the nonvolatile memory device, the method including forming a tunnel insulating layer on a substrate, wherein forming the tunnel insulating layer includes forming a multi-element insulating layer by a process including sequentially supplying a first element source, a second element source, and a third element source to the substrate, forming a charge storage layer on the tunnel insulating layer, forming a blocking insulating layer on the charge storage layer, and forming a control gate electrode on the blocking insulating layer.
US08420472B2

Systems and methods for integrated circuits comprising multiple body biasing domains. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor structure comprises a substrate of first type material. A first closed structure comprising walls of second type material extends from a surface of the substrate to a first depth. A planar deep well of said second type material underlying and coupled to the closed structure extends from the first depth to a second depth. The closed structure and the planar deep well of said second type material form an electrically isolated region of the first type material. A second-type semiconductor device is disposed to receive a first body biasing voltage from the electrically isolated region of the first type material. A well of the second-type material within the electrically isolated region of the first type material is formed and a first-type semiconductor device is disposed to receive a second body biasing voltage from the well of second-type material.
US08420467B2

A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor fin which is formed on the semiconductor substrate, which has a long side direction and a short side direction, and which has a carbon-containing silicon film including an impurity and a silicon film formed on the carbon-containing silicon film, a gate electrode which is formed to face both side surfaces of the semiconductor fin in the short side direction, source and drain regions which are respectively formed in the semiconductor fin located in the direction of both sides in the long side direction of the semiconductor fin so as to sandwich the gate electrode, and an element isolation insulating film which is formed on the side surface of the semiconductor fin and between the gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate.
US08420460B2

A design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design. The design structure includes a high-leakage dielectric formed over an active region of a FET and a low-leakage dielectric formed on the active region and adjacent the high-leakage dielectric. The low-leakage dielectric has a lower leakage than the high-leakage dielectric. Also provided is a structure and method of fabricating the structure.
US08420458B2

A semiconductor device has a planarizing layer that is made of an inorganic film, and has a recessed portion formed in a region thereof in which a conductive film is disposed. A first contact hole penetrating through at least an interlayer insulating film is formed on a first wiring layer, while a second contact hole penetrating through at least the interlayer insulating film is formed on the conductive film so as to run through the inside of the recessed portion.
US08420457B2

A thin film transistor, including a transparent channel pattern, a transparent gate insulating layer in contact with the channel pattern, a passivation film pattern disposed on the channel pattern, a source/drain coupled to the channel pattern through a via hole in the passivation film pattern, and a gate facing the channel pattern, the gate insulating layer interposed between the gate and the channel pattern, wherein the passivation film pattern includes at least one of polyimide, photoacryl, and spin on glass (SOG).
US08420451B2

Performing electrolysis plating to a wiring is made possible, aiming at the increasing of pin count of a semiconductor device. Package substrate 3 by which ring shape common wiring 3p for electric supply was formed in the inner area of bonding lead 3j in device region 3v of main surface 3a is used. Since a plurality of first plating lines 3r and fourth plating lines 3u for electric supply connected to common wiring 3p can be arranged by this, the feeder for electrolysis plating can be arranged to all the land parts on the back. Hereby, it becomes possible to perform electrolysis plating to the wiring of main surface 3a of package substrate 3, and the back surface.
US08420437B1

Disclosed is a method for forming an EMI shielding layer on all surfaces of a semiconductor package in order to enhance EMI shielding effect on all surfaces and to prevent electrical short to external terminals of the semiconductor package. According to the method, a temporary protective layer is formed on the external terminals where the temporary protective layer is further in contact with a plurality of annular surface regions of the semiconductor package surrounding and adjacent to the external terminals. Then, the EMI shielding layer is formed on the top surface, the bottom surface and the side surfaces of the semiconductor package without forming on the external terminals.
US08420426B2

To provide a light-emitting device using a nitride semiconductor which can attain high-power light emission by highly efficient light emission, a method of manufacturing the light-emitting device involves forming a first AlGaN layer of a first conductivity type on a side of a first main surface of a nitride semiconductor substrate, forming a light-emitting layer including an InAlGaN quaternary alloy on the first AlGaN layer, forming a second AlGaN layer of a second conductivity type on the light-emitting layer, and removing the nitride semiconductor substrate after forming the second AlGaN layer.
US08420420B2

A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor array substrate and a structure of the same are disclosed. The manufacturing method merely requires two steps of mask fabrication to accomplish the manufacture of thin film transistor array, in which the manufacturing method utilizes a first mask fabrication step to define a pattern of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the thin film transistor, and a partially-exposed dielectric layer, and utilizes a second mask fabrication step to define an arrangement of a transparent conductive layer. The manufacturing method and structure can dramatically reduce the manufacturing cost of masks and simplify the whole manufacturing process.
US08420416B2

In the present invention, disclosed is a method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescent element in which at least an anode, a light emission layer and a cathode are laminated, wherein at least one light emission layer possesses two kinds of light-emitting dopants, the method comprising the step of conducting a process in which the organic EL element is subjected to an annealing treatment after forming at least the anode, the at least one light emission layer and the cathode as an element structure. By the method of the present invention, a stably manufacturable organic electroluminescent element exhibiting high light emission efficiency and long lifetime is possible to be prepared, and a white light-emitting organic electroluminescent element is suitably prepared.
US08420405B2

The present disclosure relates to a carbon dioxide detector having a borosilicate substrate. It may also have a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution disposed on the borosilicate substrate. The carbon dioxide detector may be part of a carbon dioxide detector system also including an air intake operably connected to the housing to allow air to reach the carbon dioxide detector. The carbon dioxide detector may include a borosilicate substrate and a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution disposed on the borosilicate substrate. This detector may be part of a further system, such as a resuscitation system. The detector may be made by wetting a borosilicate substrate with a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution and drying the indicator solution to immobilize it and form a dried carbon dioxide detector. It may be used to detect the concentration of carbon dioxide in an air sample by exposing the detector to the sample.
US08420400B2

A method for authenticating and verifying a pharmaceutical item to be genuine is described. The method for authenticating a tablet comprises applying a particular nucleic acid material associated with a particular sequence of nucleic acid bases to a tablet or capsule. The method also comprises collecting a sample of the tablet and verifying the tablet is genuine by detecting the particular nucleic acid material.
US08420399B2

A method for analyzing hemoglobin in a sample by separation analysis while suppressing the denaturation of the hemoglobin includes separating hemoglobin in the presence of at least one of a sulfurous acid compound and a dithionous acid compound.
US08420387B2

A method of predicting an intein insertion site in a protein that will lead to a switching phenotype is provided. The method includes identifying a plurality of C/T/S sites within the protein; selecting from the plurality of C/T/S/ sites those that are ranked 0.75 or higher by a support vector machine, within ten angstroms of the active site of the protein, and at or near a loop-β-sheet junction or a loop-α-helix junction. A method of controlling protein activity and hosts including proteins with controlled activity are also provided. Also, intein modified proteins and plants containing intein modified proteins are provided.
US08420386B2

The present invention relates to a targeting system comprising, preferably as distinct components (a) a transposon which is devoid of polynucleotide encoding a functional transposase comprising (aa) a polynucleotide of interest and; (ab) a DNA sequence specifically recognized by a DNA binding domain; and (ba) a fusion protein comprising (i) said DNA binding domain; or (ii) a (poly)peptide binding domain binding to a (poly)peptide comprising said DNA binding domain; and (iii) a DNA targeting domain; or (iv) a (poly)peptide binding domain that binds to a cellular or engineered (poly)peptide that comprises a DNA targeting domain; or (bb) a polynucleotide encoding the fusion protein of (ba); and (ca) a transposase or a fragment or derivative thereof having transposase function; or (cb) a polynucleotide encoding the transposase or fragment or derivative thereof having transposase function of (ca).
US08420382B2

An acoustic wave biosensor comprises a plurality of spaced apart electrodes disposed on a substrate of piezoelectric material and having a biolayer matched to a specific type of autoinducer signaling molecule to be detected. The biolayer comprises a layer of heterobifunctional molecules disposed on the electrodes and on the piezoelectric material between the electrodes, and a plurality of bioreceptor molecules which bind exclusively with the specific type of autoinducer signaling molecule to be detected. The bioreceptor molecules are supported by the layer of heterobifunctional molecules, and a hydrogel layer surrounds the bioreceptor molecules to support a three-dimensional structure thereof. The bioreceptor molecules can bind with the specific type of autoinducer signaling molecule to be detected, and the biolayer is reactive thereto such that corresponding autoinducer signaling molecules bind to the biolayer and detectably vary acoustic characteristics of the acoustic wave biosensor.
US08420376B2

The present technology relates to the use of at least one strain of probiotic bacteria selected from Lactobacillus for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment and/or prevention of a virus infection.
US08420371B2

A crystal comprising an isoform of an N-terminally truncated glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) chosen from the group consisting of a monoclinic P21 space group with unit cell dimensions of a =84.05±2.3 Å, b=62.74±2.3 Å, c=101.35±2.3 Å and β =106.69° (GAD67) or an orthorhombic C2221 space group with unit cell dimensions of a=78.25±2.3 Å, b=99.05±2.3 Å and c=120.01±2.3 Å(GAD65).
US08420352B2

A novel protein delivery system to generate induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells is described. The delivery system comprises a construct with a receptor binding domain that recognizes a receptor in a somatic cell, a translocation domain that allows the transfer of an inducer into the cytosolic space, and a cargo bearing domain to which the inducer is attached and facilitates transfer of the inducer into the cell.
US08420348B2

The invention relates to antibodies that are capable to bind the extracellular domain of integrin. Another object of the invention concerns the use of said antibodies for detecting integrins in archival formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue. The invention also relates to methods for preparing monoclonal rabbit antibodies, wherein the immunogen is an insect expression culture-derived recombinant extracellular integrin domain, and another method for screening anti-integrin antibodies that discriminate between closest integrin homologues and that are especially suited for immunohistochemistry in FFPE material.
US08420343B2

A simple low-invasive method for acquiring information about a biological rhythm of a bion is provided. In the method, the information on a biological rhythm of the bion is acquired based on variation with time of the activity of a biologically active agent, particularly alpha-amylase, extracted from oral mucosa epithelial cells of the bion. According to the method, an activity variation curve showing the variation of the activity of the biologically active agent with time may be utilized as a molecular timetable for estimation of the biological rhythm, whereby a deviation (lag) of the biological rhythm of the bion can be detected.
US08420340B2

Antibodies, polypeptides, and polynucleotides are provided for the detection, prevention, amelioration and treatment of diseases caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.
US08420337B2

The invention provides methods of screening a mammalian subject to determine if the subject is at risk to develop, or is suffering from, cardiovascular disease. The methods comprise detecting an amount of at least one biomarker in a biological sample, or HDL subfraction thereof, from the subject, and comparing the detected amount of the biomarker to a predetermined value, where a difference between the detected amount and the predetermined value is indicative of the presence or risk of cardiovascular disease in the subject. In some embodiments, the biomarker comprises at least one of ApoC-IV, Paraoxonase 1, C3, C4, ApoA-IV, ApoE, ApoL1, C4B1, Histone H2A, ApoC-II, ApoM, Vitronectin, Haptoglobin-related protein, and Clusterin, or combinations thereof.
US08420334B2

The present application relates to the isolation and analysis of populations of microvesicles, such as populations of microvesicles that are shed by tumor cells and contain the protein ARF6. Invasive microvesicles from tumor cells contain a variety of specific proteins, including ARF6.
US08420333B2

A method for determining whether early stage cancer is present in a subject comprises detecting the expression level of GASP-1 in the subject by detecting the amount of GASP-1 peptide fragments present in a biological sample of the subject. Because cancer can be detected at an early stage, therapeutic targeting may be initiated before cancer reaches late stage (e.g., before the development of overt symptoms). A method for treating early stage cancer in a subject comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of a GASP-1 inhibitor to inhibit the progression of early stage cancer to late stage cancer. A Competitive ELISA capable of detecting GASP-1 peptide fragments at a concentration of less than 1 ng/ml was developed.
US08420330B2

Provided herein are, inter alia, methods of diagnosing and treating autoimmune cardiomyopathy in subjects, based upon the detection of IgG4 autoantibodies to cardiac troponin I (cTnI).
US08420328B2

A reusable nanowire field effect transistor for detecting biomolecular interactions. The field effect transistor contains nanowire covalently linked to a docking molecule, which is capable of binding to an anchor molecule in a reversible manner, i.e., at an association constant of 105 to 109 M−1.
US08420327B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for analyte sensors, methods for producing and using the analyte sensors, methods of detecting and/or measuring analyte activity, methods for characterizing analyte cellular activity, methods of detecting pH change in a system, method of controlling the concentration of an analyte in a system, fusion proteins, polynucleotides, and vectors corresponding to the analyte sensors, kits, and the like.
US08420317B2

Method of processing a biological sample to yield nucleic acid appropriate for use in a subsequent in vitro nucleic acid amplification reaction. The method involves a rapid, transient exposure to alkaline conditions which can be achieved by mixing an alkaline solution with a pH-buffered solution that includes a detergent and the biological sample to be tested for the presence of particular nucleic acid species using in vitro amplification. The invented method advantageously can improve detection of some target nucleic acids without substantially compromising detectability of others. The method is particularly useful for simultaneously preparing RNA and DNA templates that can be used in multiplex amplification reactions.
US08420312B2

Described herein is a combination containing polynucleotide molecules that are differentially expressed in osteoarthritis. Also described are methods that may be used for diagnosis and prognosis of osteoarthritis, as well as methods that may be used to screen test substances for effectiveness in treatment modalities for osteoarthritis. Also described are devices and kits that may be used with the described methods.
US08420305B2

The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for generating periodic patterns by step-and-align interference lithography, wherein at least two coherent light beams with a pattern are controlled to project onto a substrate to be exposed to form an interference-patterned region on the substrate. Thereafter, by means of moving the substrate or the light beams stepwisely, a patterned region with a large area can be formed on the substrate. According to the present invention, the optical path and exposure time may be shortened to reduce defect formation during lithographic processing and to improve the yield.
US08420301B2

A method for forming a wiring pattern by laser irradiation includes the steps of coating a light-sensitive material on a substrate to form a light-sensitive layer, irradiating a laser beam on the light-sensitive material of the substrate to form a pattern including an exposed region exposed to laser irradiation and an unexposed region unexposed to laser irradiation, and forming a metallic wiring pattern by immersing the substrate into a solution having a plurality of metallic nano-particles. The metallic nano-particles are easily bonded to the straighter molecular structure of the light-sensitive material in the exposed region for forming a conducting wiring pattern. The laser irradiation method has advantages such as high-power, high-density, high-directionality and monochromaticity, such that product quality can be effectively controlled. Moreover, the laser irradiated light-sensitive material can form a molecular structure that is easily bonded to the metallic particles. As a result, the chemical wastes are substantially reduced.
US08420297B2

A color contrast image in imaged lithographic printing precursors can be obtained by contacting the imaged precursor with a coloration solution containing a colorless form of a photochromic compound. Residual amounts of this compound attached to the oleophilic surface of the imaged precursor can be changed to its colored form when exposed to UV light. The coloration solution can be an alkaline or acidic developer or an alkaline or acidic solution used separately after development. The coloration solution can also be a gum solution.
US08420278B2

A solid oxide fuel cell stack having a plurality of cassettes and a glass composite seal disposed between the sealing surfaces of adjacent cassettes, thereby joining the cassettes and providing a hermetic seal therebetween. The glass composite seal includes an alkaline earth aluminosilicate (AEAS) glass disposed about a viscous glass such that the AEAS glass retains the viscous glass in a predetermined position between the first and second sealing surfaces. The AEAS glass provides geometric stability to the glass composite seal to maintain the proper distance between the adjacent cassettes while the viscous glass provides for a compliant and self-healing seal. The glass composite seal may include fibers, powders, and/or beads of zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), or mixtures thereof, to enhance the desirable properties of the glass composite seal.
US08420271B2

A system and method for detecting a low performing cell in a fuel cell stack using measured cell voltages. The method includes determining that the fuel cell stack is running, the stack coolant temperature is above a certain temperature and the stack current density is within a relatively low power range. The method further includes calculating the average cell voltage, and determining whether the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is greater than a predetermined threshold. If the difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage is greater than the predetermined threshold and the minimum cell voltage is less than another predetermined threshold, then the method increments a low performing cell timer. A ratio of the low performing cell timer and a system run timer is calculated to identify a low performing cell.
US08420270B2

A fuel cell system capable of restraining temperature change in a fuel cell caused by a refrigerant. The fuel cell system has a refrigerant circulating system for circulating the refrigerant. The refrigerant circulating system has flow control means for restraining the inflow of the refrigerant, which has a predetermined difference in temperature from that of the fuel cell, into the fuel cell.
US08420269B2

A fuel cell system is turned off without using up the electric power of a secondary battery in the case where a fuel cell fails to start up, while reducing the startup time of the fuel cell system. When an ignition key is turned on, a controller calculates allowable waiting time for a fuel cell to start up on the basis of the electric power stored in a secondary battery. If the fuel cell fails to start up during the period of time from the instant the ignition key was turned on until the allowable waiting time elapses, then the controller turns on an alarm lamp which indicates the startup failure of the fuel cell. Meanwhile, in the case where the fuel cell starts up, the controller begins a normal operation in which a traction motor and the like are actuated by using the electric power generated by the fuel cell and the electric power stored in the secondary battery.
US08420265B2

Disclosed is an electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery that includes a lithium salt, a phosphine compound having at least one trialkylsilyl group and organic solvent, and a rechargeable lithium battery including the electrolyte. The phosphine compound may be tris(trialkylsilyl)phosphine wherein the alkyl groups are the same or different and are each independently selected from C1 to C6 alkyl.
US08420263B2

An electrode collector manufacturing apparatus (50) includes a chamber (51), the inside of which can be reduced in pressure, a substrate retaining mechanism (55) that retains a conductive substrate (12), and a gas introducing mechanism (54) that introduces a fluorine gas and an inert gas into the chamber (51). Inside the chamber (51) are provided an etching portion (52) that etches a surface of the substrate (12), and carbon film forming portions (56a) and (56b) that form a carbon film on the surface of the etched substrate (12). The gas introducing mechanism (54) is structured to create in the chamber a mixed gas atmosphere in which the fluorine and the inert gas are mixed at a predetermined molar ratio.
US08420257B2

A cap assembly is provided. The cap assembly comprises a main gasket surrounding the outer circumference of a safety vent and an auxiliary gasket surrounding the outer circumference of a current interrupt device (CID). The main gasket is supported by the auxiliary gasket, leaving no space between the main gasket and the safety vent. The cap assembly is constructed such that the auxiliary gasket prevents the main gasket seated on a beading portion from sagging. This construction makes the cap assembly effective in preventing an electrolyte from leaking. Further provided is a cylindrical secondary battery comprising the cap assembly.
US08420248B2

An electrode assembly and a secondary battery including the same. The electrode assembly includes: a positive electrode plate including a positive electrode active material applied to a positive electrode collector; a negative electrode plate including a negative electrode active material applied to a negative electrode collector; a separator disposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate; and a ceramic layer disposed on a portion of the positive or negative electrode plate, adjacent to an outer surface of the electrode assembly. The positive electrode plate, the negative electrode plate, ceramic layer, and the separator are wound together. The ceramic layer prevents a short-circuit between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and extends along between about 40% and 90% of the length of the positive or negative electrode plate, from a winding end thereof.
US08420246B2

An electronic device with sliding battery cover includes a housing, a battery holder formed in the housing, a fixing element rotatably connected to the battery holder, and a battery cover slidably connected to the fixing element to cover or uncover the battery holder. The battery holder is for placing at least one battery. The fixing element includes at least one conductive elastic element. When the battery cover covers the battery holder, each conductive elastic element contacts an electrode of one of the at least one battery placed in the battery holder, and the battery cover is locked to the battery holder; when the battery cover is to uncover the battery holder, a force applied to the battery cover makes the battery cover slide along the fixing element to unlock the battery cover from the battery holder.
US08420245B2

Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery pack case in which a battery module having a plurality of stacked battery cells, which can be charged and discharged, is mounted, wherein the battery pack case is provided with a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port, which are disposed such that a coolant for cooling the battery cells can flow from one side to the other side of the battery module in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells, and the battery pack case is further provided with beads formed in a concavo-convex shape for improving the structural stability of the battery pack case against an external force, the beads being constructed in an outwardly-protruding structure to allow the coolant to be uniformly introduced into the battery module from the coolant inlet port in the advancing direction of a fluid in a flow space (“inlet duct”) defined between the coolant inlet port and the battery module.
US08420241B2

A sealed cell includes a sealing body that includes an iron-based terminal cap and an aluminum-based safety valve. The terminal cap includes an external terminal, a flange in a periphery of the external terminal, and a hole in the flange. The hole has a diameter smaller on an inner side than on an outer side of the sealed cell. The safety valve includes a conductive contact portion projecting toward an inside of the sealed cell, a peripheral portion in a periphery of the conductive contact portion, and a pin projection in the peripheral portion. The sealed cell has a riveted portion in which the pin projection and the hole of the terminal cap together are riveted by inserting the pin projection into the hole and crushing a tip of the pin projection. A diameter of the terminal cap is larger than a diameter of the safety valve.
US08420238B2

A tungsten bronze structured ceramic material as a thermal barrier coating is described wherein the tungsten bronze structured ceramic coating material has the formula AO—BvOw—CyOz where O stands for Oxygen, A stands for a 2+ or a 1+ cation, B stands for a 2+ or 3+ cation and C stands for a 4+ or a 5+ cation. The thermal barrier coating may be applied for gas turbine components.
US08420237B1

An adherent coating for carbide and ceramic substrates employs a thin layer of hafnium nitride (HfN) between the substrate and a subsequent layer or layers. The thin layer may be employed without thermal cracking due to heat during use, such as for the insert of a cutting tool, because the upper layer or layers provide a gradual transition of material properties to a harder, less thermally conductive material on the outermost layer. A particular arrangement of layers on the carbide or ceramic substrate and hafnium nitride layer may be, from innermost to outermost layer, titanium carbide, aluminum oxide, and titanium nitride.
US08420226B2

A structural member comprising at least two aluminum alloy parts displaying different property balances, said at least two parts being welded and wherein one of said parts either is (i) selected from an aluminum alloy different from the other of said at least two parts and/or (ii) is selected from an initial temper different from the other of said at least two parts, and wherein at least one of said at least two parts has been pre-aged prior to being welded, and, wherein said structural member has undergone a post-welding thermal treatment conferring a final temper to each of said at least two parts. The parts are advantageously welded by friction stir welding. Another subject of the invention is a method for manufacturing a structural member.
US08420225B2

A metallic laminate composite having a first alloy layer having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, and a second alloy layer having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion. Additional and optional layers may be included in the laminate composite.
US08420224B2

A zinc or zinc alloy plated steel sheet expressing a performance provided with both corrosion resistance and surface conductivity is provided. The zinc or zinc alloy plated steel sheet of the present invention is a zinc or zinc alloy plated steel sheet having an arithmetic average roughness Ra of a zinc-plated layer surface defined by JIS B 0601, obtained by a stylus-type surface roughness meter defined by JIS B 0651, of 0.3 μm to 2.0 μm and a maximum peak height Rp of 4.0 μm to 20.0 μm, wherein the arithmetic average roughness Ra (peak) obtained by measuring a range of evaluation length of 20 μm of peak parts of 80% or more of the Rp by an electron beam 3D roughness analyzer is 70% or more of the arithmetic average roughness Ra (average) obtained by measuring a range of evaluation length of 20 μm of parts of a height of ±20% about an average line, obtained by a stylus-type surface roughness meter, by an electron beam 3D roughness analyzer.
US08420222B2

A laminate of laminae of uniform rectangular cross-sections or depths and lengths arranged randomly or otherwise in the laminate, such laminae having been derived from a feedstock comprising a population of logs (single or multigrade) wherein the population of laminae comprises all of the laminae that can be derived from the population of logs (exclusively only of laminae or material for laminae that are not of acceptable rectangular cross-section and/or length), and where each cross-section of each laminae represents a maximum of one thirtieth of the log cross-section, or the thickness of each lamina represents a maximum of one fifteenth of the small end log diameter.
US08420216B2

The thermosetting resin composition according to the present invention includes a resin (A) containing two or more carboxyl groups and having a polyurethane structure, a strongly basic nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having pKa of 10.0 to 14.0 as a curing accelerator (B) and a curing agent (C). A cured product of the thermosetting resin composition is used as an insulating protective film for printed wiring boards, flexible printed wiring boards, chip-on-films, etc. The thermosetting resin composition of the invention has improved low-temperature curability and instantaneous curability, can realize tack-free property, can simultaneously realize low warpage property and electrical insulation property, does not contaminate a curing oven and the like by outgassing during heating, has a sufficient pot life, can form excellent cured products and insulating protective films, and can form solder resists and insulating protective films at low cost with good productivity.
US08420212B2

Silane coupling agents which are high in heat resistance, and which are high in durability, releasability, and antifouling properties. The silane coupling agents have a biphenylalkyl group and are represented by the following general formula (1).
US08420209B2

In order to enable non-shrinkage firing, the strength of a multilayer ceramic substrate is increased by a method including alternately stacking a base material layer and a constrained layer which is not sintered at the sintering temperature for the base material layer, and allowing the material of the base material layer to flow into the constrained layer while subjecting the base material layer to sintering, thereby achieving densification of the constrained layer. The base material layer and the constrained layer each include celsian, and less celsian is provided in the base material layer than in the constrained layer. In order to increase the strength of the base material layer, the addition of a Ti component, rather than an increased content of Al component which interferes with sintering of the base material layer, causes fresnoite to be deposited in the base material layers.
US08420205B2

A method of making mixed media artwork includes cutting a metal sheet; applying an adhesive layer to an outer surface of the metal sheet; applying one or more polymer layers to the adhesive layer, wherein the one or more polymer layers create an image on the outer surface; and deforming the metal sheet to create a three-dimensional outer surface.
US08420204B2

Provided is a building board having non-flammability and being excellent in designability. In the building board, an impregnated coating film, an aqueous coating film, a solvent-based clear coating film and a top clear coating film are formed, in this order, on a surface of a base member. The aqueous coating film is formed of a synthetic resin and a fireproofing agent; the top clear coating film is formed of a UV-curable type resin and a fireproofing agent; the amount of fireproofing agent in the aqueous coating film is 10 to 50 wt % with respect to the solids of the aqueous coating film; the amount of the fireproofing agent in the top clear coating film is 5 to 20 wt % with respect to the solids of top clear coating film; and the total calorific value measured in accordance with ISO 5660, for 20 minutes using a cone calorimeter, is smaller than 8 MJ/m2.
US08420198B2

An optical recording media includes a substrate, a cap layer opposite to the substrate, at least one first stacked recording structure, at least one second stacked recording structure, and a space layer. The first stacked recording structure including a first recording layer disposed between the substrate and the cap layer and a reflective layer disposed between the substrate and the first recording layer is disposed between the substrate and the cap layer. The second stacked recording structure including a second recording layer disposed between the substrate and the cap layer and an Nb2O5 interface layer disposed between the substrate and the second recording layer is disposed between the substrate and the cap layer. The spacer layer is disposed between the first and second stacked recording structures, the first stacked recording structures, and the second stacked recording structures. One of the first stacked recording structures is disposed directly on the substrate.
US08420197B2

A two-shot or multi-shot multi-material injection molding process is provided. The process allows dissimilar materials to be injection molded to form a single, injection molded part by creating a structural interlock between the materials to prevent the materials from separating. The structural interlock is formed by forming at least one interlock cavity adjacent to a interfacial surface of a first portion of a molded part molded from a first material, and injecting a second, different material into the mold so that the second material flows into the interlock cavity and fills it. Solidification of the second material in the interlock cavity formed by the first material creates the structural interlock between the two materials.
US08420182B2

Example embodiments relate to a method of manufacturing a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) display device including dichroic dye. The method may include filling a mixture solution including liquid crystals, a photopolymerizable material, dichroic dyes, and liquid crystalline polymers in a space between a first electrode and a second electrode that face each other; applying an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode; and arranging the dichroic dyes in the mixture solution.
US08420177B2

A functional multilayer anisotropic conductive adhesive film, capable of bonding and package 0.18-0.13 micron IC chips and high density COF, includes a monomer layer, a reinforcing layer, a low-temperature, hot-melt resin layer, and a conductive particle layer, successively bonded by coating and drying processes. The monomer layer comprises a copolymer of butyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, glycol acrylate, and tetramethyl butyl peroxy-2-ethyl hexanoate. The reinforcing layer comprises long chain imidazole derivatives. The hot-melt resin layer comprises polymer of tocopheroxyl, novolac epoxy, acrylic rubbers and elastic mixture of acrylic rubbers and styrene-butadiene rubbers. The conductive particle layer comprises conductive particles and micro-encapsulating resin for receiving the conductive particles. Diameter of the conductive particles is selected from the group consisting of 3.00 μm ±0.05, 3.25 μm±0.05, 3.50 μm±0.05, 3.75 μm±0.05 and 4.00 μm±0.05.
US08420174B2

The present invention relates to a composition for coating metallic surfaces, comprising a binder component; a corrosion inhibitor polymer based on an ethylenically monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acid and, if appropriate, further ethylenical monomers, a solvent component, and, if appropriate, crosslinkable components, and also pigment/filler components. The invention further relates to processes for its preparation and also to methods of coating a metallic surface using the composition, to coated metallic surfaces thus obtained, and to the use of the composition as a primer, particularly in coil coating or in atmospheric corrosion control. After drying, the applied layer preferably has a thickness of at least 3.1 μm and is therefore thicker than a typical pretreatment layer.
US08420164B2

The present invention relates to a solid type rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, which is prepared by adding a tackifier, a softener, and an isocyanate-based crosslinking agent reactable with active hydrogen into an acrylic rubber containing a monomer having an active hydrogen-containing functional group as a copolymerization component to thereby obtain a solventless and nonaqueous pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, and particularly it relates to a solid type rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive composition having the above-mentioned constitution, in which the above-mentioned acrylic rubber includes a copolymer containing butyl acrylate as a main component, and as the copolymerization component a monomer having a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group as the active hydrogen-containing functional group.
US08420163B2

The present invention relates to self-cleaning surfaces having improved mechanical stability and a process for the production thereof. The present invention is achieved by producing self-cleaning, hydrophobic, structured surfaces having mixtures of particles, which are fixed on their surface and which comprise structure-producing particles selected from semimetal or metal oxides, silicas and metal powders, and wax particles. Structured surfaces that are structured by such mixtures of particles are distinguished by substantially higher mechanical stability of the structure and are therefore especially suitable for the production of self-cleaning surfaces, which are exposed to relatively high mechanical loads, such as, for example, the surfaces of tarpaulins, awnings, greenhouse elements, conservatories or truck tarpaulins.
US08420159B2

The method of fabricating a magnetic head slider includes steps of: forming a first protective film on an air bearing surface of a magnetic head slider on which either a recording element or a reproduction element is formed or on which both a recording element and a reproduction element are formed; removing a portion of the first protective film to reduce the thickness of the first protective film and forming a second protective film over the first protective film that has been reduced in thickness; and forming an uneven portion for controlling the flying characteristics of the magnetic head slider on the air bearing surface of the magnetic head slider; wherein the formation of the uneven portion is carried out after the first protective film has been formed and before the second protective film is formed, or after the second protective film has been formed.
US08420158B2

A process for making an electrode sheet for lithium electrochemical cells is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: a) admixing a polyether polymer or copolymer soluble in water, at least one lithium salt, at least one electrochemically active material, water and an organic solvent miscible with water in a water/organic solvent ratio of a maximum of 50% organic solvent by volume to form a water-based solution/suspension containing by weight at least 20% active electrode material, at least 5% of a polyether polymer or copolymer, and at least 1.5% lithium salt; b) coating the water-based solution/suspension in the form of an electrode thin film onto an electrode support; and, c) drying the electrode thin film to obtain an electrode thin sheet having less than 1000 ppm of residual water.
US08420157B2

An electroluminescent device comprises a hole injecting electrode, an electron injecting electrode and at least one organic light emitting layer disposed between said hole injecting electrode and said electron injecting electrode wherein a layered metal chalcogenide layer is disposed between said hole injecting electrode and said light emitting layer.
US08420155B2

An alloyed semiconductor quantum dot comprising an alloy of at least two semiconductors, wherein the quantum dot has a homogeneous composition and is characterized by a band gap energy that is non-linearly related to the molar ratio of the at least two semiconductors; a series of alloyed semiconductor quantum dots related thereto; a concentration-gradient quantum dot comprising an alloy of a first semiconductor and a second semiconductor, wherein the concentration of the first semiconductor gradually increases from the core of the quantum dot to the surface of the quantum dot and the concentration of the second semiconductor gradually decreases from the core of the quantum dot to the surface of the quantum dot; a series of concentration-gradient quantum dots related thereto; in vitro and in vivo methods of use; and methods of producing the alloyed semiconductor and concentration-gradient quantum dots and the series of quantum dots related thereto.
US08420151B2

The present invention relates to a mixture comprising or consisting of: (a) one or more inorganic salts which are suitable for nutrition and are not sodium chloride, (b) one or more mono- or polyvalent salts of polybasic food acids, (c) one or more amino acids, or salts thereof, which are suitable for nutrition.
US08420141B2

Fading of synthetically colored beverages is prevented using botanically derived color stabilizers which are C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compounds which contain both (i) unsaturation and (ii) oxidation at a carbon atom.
US08420140B2

A package for fruits and vegetables having galvanic functionality is formed by using two or more metals with different galvanic activity properties on the surface of a nonmetallic substrate. The metals may be deposited electrolytically, by vacuum, autocatalytically, or by other methods. The metals are selected to create a galvanic reaction after the package is filled with a low pH food product and its associated liquids, juices, brine, etc. The package may extend the shelf-life of the food product contained therein, for example, by making metal ions available to the food product.
US08420136B2

A herbal extract for anemia is obtained by a process including steps of drying, by providing a herbal material comprising dry mulberry and dry Acanthopanax senticosus in a weight ratio of 2:1 to 1:2, with the water content of the herbal material lower than 10%; extracting, by soaking the herbal material into a solvent to obtain a liquid extract, with the weight ratio between the herbal material and the solvent being 1:10 to 1:5; and condensation, by condensing the liquid extract to obtain a herbal extract.
US08420127B2

An injectable bone mineral substitute material composition with the capability of being hardened in a body fluid in vivo, which comprises at least one calcium phosphate component and at least one calcium sulfate component as a dry mixture mixed with an aqueous liquid, and at least one accelerator, the at least one calcium sulfate component being particulate hardened calcium sulfate, which has a specified particle size that is in order to confer injectability to the composition. The invention also concerns the bone mineral substitute material produced from the composition as well as methods and uses thereof.
US08420124B2

The presently disclosed subject matter describes the use of fluorinated elastomer-based materials, in particular perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-based materials, in high-resolution soft or imprint lithographic applications, such as micro- and nanoscale replica molding, and the first nano-contact molding of organic materials to generate high fidelity features using an elastomeric mold. Accordingly, the presently disclosed subject matter describes a method for producing free-standing, isolated nanostructures of any shape using soft or imprint lithography technique.
US08420117B2

A patch formulation for external use where a basic drug, an organic acid and an organic acid salt are combined as essential components is disclosed. The basic drug is preferably in the form of its acid addition salt. The organic acid is preferably a carboxylic acid having carbon atoms of 2 to 7, and more preferably at least one acid selected from the group consisting of acetic, lactic, tartaric, citric, malic, benzoic and salicylic acids. The organic acid salt is preferably a metal salt of a carboxylic acid, and more preferably sodium acetate.
US08420115B2

Disclosed herein are oral preparations and their production process. The oral preparations are each composed of a complex and a coating composition applied on the complex. The complex has been obtained by dispersing or dissolving a drug having an unpleasant taste and a gastric high-molecular compound in a low melting-point substance heated to and molten at its melting point or higher and granulating the resulting mixture. The coating composition is composed of an insoluble high-molecular compound and a disintegrator at a weight ratio of from 80:20 to 99:1. In the form of microparticles or the like that contain the drug having the unpleasant taste, each oral preparation according to the present invention can maintain the masking of the unpleasant taste of the drug and the release profile of the drug even under acidic conditions.
US08420112B2

A retrievable, sustained release, solid dosage form is provided for implanting into cranial bony canals and for prolonged release of an anesthetic, whereby treating neurovascular conditions, such as migraine. The dosage comprises an anesthetic contained in a polymeric carrier, and a retrieval member, the anesthetic being gradually released from the carrier.
US08420111B2

A method for reducing the symptoms of peripheral vascular disease and for improving peripheral circulation wherein a progestin is administered to a subject in need thereof.
US08420109B2

The present invention provides an oily base for a cosmetic comprising an ester compound made from a multivalent alcohol and a fatty acid, characterized in that the ester compound is made from dipentaerythritol and at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of fatty acids having 5 to 16 carbon atoms and a molar ratio of a dipentaerythritol residue to a fatty acid residue having 5 to 16 carbon atoms in the ester compound is 1.0:3.0 to 1.0:6.0. The aforesaid oily base for a cosmetic has proper oily feeling with moistness, no uncomfortable sticky feeling, excellent safety to the skin and adhesion to the skin, excellent gloss-holding ability after application to the skin, and excellent compatibility with various oil agents. In addition, upon blending the ester compound in various cosmetics, the cosmetics also have proper emollient property.
US08420103B2

A nucleic acid molecule encoding at least one papillomavirus E2 polypeptide, or a vector, an infectious viral particle or a therapeutic composition thereof is formulated into a drug product useful for treating a patient suffering from a persistent papillomavirus infection caused by at least one papillomavirus; particular such vectors are nucleic acid molecules containing a first nucleotide sequence encoding a papillomavirus E1 polypeptide and a second nucleotide sequence encoding a papillomavirus E2 polypeptide wherein the 3′ portion of the first nucleotide which in the natural content is 100% identical to the 5′ portion of the second nucleotide is modified so as to exhibit a percentage of identity between said portions of at most 75%.
US08420093B2

The present invention relates to antibodies that differentially recognize multi-dimensional conformations of Aβ-derived diffusible ligands, also known as ADDLs. The antibodies of the invention can distinguish between Alzheimer's Disease and control human brain extracts and are useful in methods of detecting ADDLs and diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease. The present antibodies also block binding of ADDLs to neurons, assembly of ADDLS, and tau phosphorylation and are there useful in methods for the preventing and treating diseases associated with soluble oligomers of amyloid β 1-42.
US08420090B2

Isolated and/or recombinant adhesin polypeptides from Burkholderia pseudomallei are provided, which are used as vaccines. Genetic constructs comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding such polypeptides are also provided. Vectors comprising such constructs have been prepared and used for transforming host cells for producing the polypeptides of the invention. Antibodies to such polypeptides are also provided. Such antibodies can be used to detect the presence of B. pseudomallei or B. mallei and in methods of treating or preventing Burkholderia infection.
US08420089B2

The present invention is directed to therapeutic methods using IL-6 antagonists such as antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity for IL-6 to improve survivability or quality of life of a patient in need thereof. In preferred embodiments, the anti-IL-6 antibodies will be humanized and/or will be aglycosylated. Also, in preferred embodiments these patients will comprise those exhibiting (or at risk of developing) an elevated serum C-reactive protein level or a reduced serum albumin level prior to treatment. In another preferred embodiment, the patient's Glasgow Prognostic Score will be increased and survivability will preferably be improved.
US08420088B2

The present invention is directed to fusion polypeptides comprising Klotho protein or an active fragment thereof and FGF23 or an active fragment thereof.
US08420077B2

The present specification provides for methods for purifying fibroins, purified fibroins, methods of conjugating biological and synthetic molecules to fibroins, fibroins conjugated to such molecules, methods of making fibroin hydrogels, fibroin hydrogels and fibroin hydrogel formulations useful for a variety of medical uses, including, without limitation uses as bulking agents, tissue space fillers, templates for tissue reconstruction or regeneration, cell culture scaffolds for tissue engineering and for disease models, surface coating to improve medical device function, or drug delivery devices.
US08420071B2

An anti-cancer pharmaceutical composition includes a herpes simplex virus (HSV) vector into which a nucleic acid sequence encoding for an anti-cancer agent selected from interleukin-12, GM-CSF, and CD has been inserted. A method of treatment of a patient suffering from cancer includes administering to the patient the anti-tumor pharmaceutical composition including a HSV vector having a nucleic acid sequence encoding for an anti-cancer agent selected from interleukin-12, GM-CSF, and CD inserted therein.
US08420070B2

Methods for controlling sugar feeding insects by a chemical compositions which includes mixing an extract of flowers and of fruit, or their components in water with predetermined amount of sugar mixture and oral toxin. The methods also concern applying an effective amount of the insect bait to an area to be controlled and trapping or killing the insects by a bait stations. Methods of applying and the parameters of choosing a suitable location for applying the bait are disclosed.
US08420069B2

A polymeric material, methods of making the polymeric material, articles that include the polymeric material, and compositions that contain the polymeric material are provided. The polymeric material has a plurality of different pendant groups that include a first pendant group containing a —COOH group or a salt thereof, a second pendant group containing a poly(alkylene oxide) group, a third pendant group containing a silicon-containing group, and a fourth pendant group containing a quaternary amino group. The polymeric material can be used, for example, to provide coatings that can be antifouling, antimicrobial, or both.
US08420060B2

Pharmaceutical formulations comprising beclometasone dipropionate and a salt of formoterol exhibit improved stability and are useful in pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs).
US08420056B2

The invention relates to a dosage form that is thermoshaped without being extruded and that is safeguarded from abuse, comprising at least one synthetic or natural polymer having a breaking strength of at least 500 N in addition to one or more active substances that could be subject to abuse and optionally physiologically acceptable adjuvants. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for producing said dosage form.
US08420053B2

Improved compounds for use in diagnostic imaging or therapy having the formula M-N-O-P-G, wherein M is an optical label or a metal chelator (in the form complexed with a metal radionuclide or not), N-O-P is the linker, and G is the GRP receptor targeting peptide. Methods for imaging a patient and/or providing radiotherapy or phototherapy to a patient using the compounds of the invention are also provided. Methods and kits for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent from the compound are further provided. Methods and kits for preparing a radiotherapeutic agent are further provided.
US08420038B2

A method for removing at least one contaminant from a fluid stream includes filtering the fluid stream with a filtration medium. The filtration medium includes an impregnate. The impregnate includes an organic amine and an inorganic metal salt. The inorganic metal salt includes magnesium oxide, calcium oxide or combinations thereof. The medium has from about 0.1 to about 25% by weight of impregnate. The impregnate contains from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight organic amine, and the organic amine includes aqueous urea, solid urea, melamine or mixtures thereof. The impregnate contains from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight metal salt. The impregnate optionally further includes a surfactant such as polyacrylic acid. In some embodiments, the method includes removing at least two contaminants from the fluid stream.
US08420037B2

An air pollution control system includes a desulfurization apparatus 13 that reduces sulfur oxide contained in flue gas 12 supplied from a boiler 11; and a CO2 recovery apparatus 15 including a CO2 absorber 21 that reduces CO2 contained in flue gas 12 that has been desulfurized by the desulfurization apparatus, with the aid of an amine absorbent and an absorbent regenerator 22 that regenerates the amine absorbent. Part 14a of desulfurized flue gas 14 containing SOx is supplied to treated flue gas 16, from which CO2 has been reduced and which is discharged from a top portion of the CO2 absorber 21, so that remaining mist amine accompanying the treated flue gas 16 is neutralized to amine sulfate or amine sulfite.
US08420030B2

A well plate (1) for holding samples of a bodily fluid during analysis thereof, typically in an analytical apparatus, comprises a plate (2) having a plurality of first wells (3) extending downwardly therefrom for holding a sample during optical analysis of the sample, and a plurality of second wells (4) for holding samples during mechanical analysis of the samples. A plurality of holding wells (8) are provided for initially receiving and holding samples of the bodily fluid to be analysed so that samples of relatively accurate size can be pipetted from the holding wells (8) to the first and second wells (3,4).
US08420020B2

A honeycomb filter includes a plurality of porous partition portions each forming a cell, which is open at one end and closed at the other end and serves as an exhaust gas flow path, and a trapping layer, for trapping and removing solid components contained in the exhaust gas, formed on each of the partition portions. At least part of each of the partition portions is loaded with a catalyst. The amount of catalyst a (g/L) in an upstream partition portion and the amount of catalyst b (g/L) in a downstream partition portion satisfy 1.05≦a/b≦3.00. A method for limiting a/b to this range includes the entire honeycomb structure, including the partition portions, into contact with a catalyst component to form a catalyst, and subsequently bringing only an upstream region of the honeycomb structure into contact with a catalyst component to form a catalyst.
US08420013B1

Pure water is sucked from an acid adding flow line into a syringe and discharged from a drain flow line to clean the acid adding flow line, and then a carrier gas from a gas pipe is supplied to the acid adding flow line by the syringe to dry the acid adding flow line. A sample water collecting flow line is also cleaned and dried in the same manner. A TOC measurement flow line is cleaned with cleaning water sucked from a cleaning water flow line into the syringe, then a carrier gas from the gas pipe is supplied to the TOC measurement flow line by the syringe to clean and dry a flow line through which sample water flows in an organic matter oxidative decomposition unit from the TOC measurement flow line.
US08419999B2

Provided is by the present invention is a method for producing an EVOH resin having sufficient long-run workability in melt molding and enabling prevention of coloring such as yellowing, an EVOH resin obtained by this method for production, and a laminate obtained from this resin.The present invention is a method for producing an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin, the method including a step of saponifying an ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer to obtain an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, in which the method is characterized by further including a step of irradiating the ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer or the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer with an infrared ray.
US08419996B2

A print head assembly that includes a print head carriage and multiple, replaceable print heads that are configured to be removably retained in receptacles of the print head carriage.
US08419986B2

A light guiding device and in particular to a light guiding device that can be used for illumination, backlighting, signage or display purposes is described. The light guiding device comprises a transparent base substrate, upon a first surface of which are mounted light sources, and a guide substrate arranged so as to encapsulate the light sources upon the first surface. In this way the guide substrate provides a means for guiding light produced by the one or more light sources over the first surface. The incorporation of scattering structures along with appropriate choice of the refractive indices of the various layers provides a highly flexible light guiding device that is typically less than 1 mm thick. The described light guiding device provides particular application as a seven segment display.
US08419973B2

A polymerizable liquid crystal composition is provided that can contains a mixture of polymerizable compounds containing a compound represented by the formula (1-1), a compound represented by the formula (2), a compound represented by the formula (3-1) and a compound represented by the formula (4), and a amine silane coupling agent. The composition can form a polymerizable liquid crystal layer exhibiting a uniform homeotropic alignment by coating the composition on a supporting substrate, independently from the kind of the supporting substrate without a special alignment film. Examples of each of the components are shown below, in which ring T represents triptycen-1,4-diyl.
US08419971B2

A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution in a gas phase surrounding the droplets, wherein the particle surface is coated at least partly with at least one polymer and/or wax.
US08419965B1

A method for texturing a glass substrate includes cleaning the glass substrate with at least one surfactant and etching the glass substrate using a caustic solution. The percentage of caustic solution is provided by controlling a fluid flow and temperature to control the depth of the etching. The method also includes acid cleaning the etched glass substrate to remove glass residuals and surfactants.
US08419960B2

A plasma processing apparatus performs a process on a substrate by using plasma. The plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber; a mounting table which is located in the processing chamber and on which a substrate is mounted; a gas shower head formed of a conductive material provided to face the mounting table and having at the bottom surface thereof a plurality of gas injection openings for supplying a processing gas into the processing chamber; an induction coil to which a high frequency current is supplied to generate an inductively coupled plasma in a region surrounding a space below the gas shower head; a negative voltage supplying unit for applying a negative DC voltage to the gas shower head to allow an electrical field, which is induced by the induction coil, to be drawn to a central portion of the processing region; and a unit for evacuating the processing chamber.
US08419958B2

Apparatus, systems and methods for plasma etching substrates are provided that achieve dissipation of charge build-up on a substrate being plasma etched to avoid notching or twisting in high aspect ratio contents and similar features. Charge build-up on a substrate being etched by plasma etching can be dissipated by a method for etching a substrate, the method comprising: providing a plasma processing chamber comprising a chamber enclosure and a substrate support adapted to support a substrate within the chamber enclosure; supporting a substrate on the substrate support; forming a plasma within the chamber enclosure such that a surface of the substrate is in contact with the plasma; etching the substrate by generating a negative bias on the substrate surface relative to the plasma; and intermittently changing the bias on the substrate surface to positive relative to the plasma. The present method can be integrated into known plasma processing systems.
US08419953B1

A method for fabricating a transducer on a substrate is described. The transducer includes an antiferromagnetic seed structure. The antiferromagnetic seed structure includes a first NiFe layer, a first multilayer including a first Ru layer, a second NiFe layer, and a second multilayer including a second Ru layer. The second multilayer, the second NiFe layer and part of the first Ru layer are removed using a first wet etch, which uses a first etchant combination to remove NiFe and in which Ru is insoluble. The second Ru layer is removed through lift-off due to etching of the second NiFe layer. A remainder of the first Ru layer is removed through a second wet etch, which uses a second etchant combination to remove Ru. A remaining portion of the first multilayer and the first NiFe layer are removed through a third etch, which uses a third etchant combination that removes NiFe.
US08419946B2

A method and adsorbent composition for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, comprising passing a stream of water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals through an adsorbent comprising granules of a mixture of from about 1 wt % to about 15 wt % clay and a thermoplastic polymer matrix; and collecting water having a reduced concentration of said heavy metal(s) downstream of said adsorbent.
US08419939B2

A spherical dialysis chamber with a heavier cap (the density of cap material is higher than that of the dialyzer) or the distribution of weight is such that it is higher weight distribution is towards the cap, so that it tilts always towards the bottom of the container containing the dialysis buffer.
US08419938B2

An endcap including a first plate member including a radial inner portion, a radial outer portion, and defining a longitudinal axis. The endcap also includes a flange disposed between the radial inner and outer portions of the first plate member and projecting axially along the longitudinal axis in a first direction. The endcap also includes a first seal member disposed adjacent the flange. The first seal includes a first portion thereof engaged with an axial facing surface of the first plate member and a second portion thereof engaged with a radially facing surface of the flange. The endcap further includes a second plate member disposed radially outward of the radial outer portion and a second seal member disposed adjacent the second plate member including at least a portion thereof axially spaced from the axially facing surface of the first plate member in a second direction along the longitudinal axis opposite the first direction.
US08419932B2

A centrifuge operative in successive low speed and high speed modes serves to remove surface cooking oil from a continuous stream of fragile snack food products wherein the oil removal occurs in the high speed mode and products are discharged from the centrifuge with relatively low kinetic energy in the low speed mode.
US08419928B2

Hydrocarbon fuel oil with paraffins as the main constituent for use in fuel cell systems is provided having (1) paraffins of less than 13 carbons constitute not less than 60% by mass; (2) isoparaffins of 15 or more carbons constitute from 0.01 to 9% by mass; and (3) normal paraffins of 13 or more carbons constitute not more than 2% by mass. Also, in addition to the aforementioned compositions (1) to (3), it is preferable if isoparaffins of 17 or more carbons constitute not more than 3% by mass.
US08419927B2

In vitro analyte sensors and methods of analyte determination are provided. Embodiments include sensors that include a pair of electrodes to monitor filling of the sample chamber with sample.
US08419921B2

It is a task of the present invention to provide an electrolytic apparatus for producing fluorine or nitrogen trifluoride by electrolyzing a hydrogen fluoride-containing molten salt, the electrolytic apparatus being advantageous in that the electrolysis can be performed without the occurrence of the anode effect even at a high current density and without the occurrence of an anodic dissolution. In the present invention, this task has been accomplished by an electrolytic apparatus for producing fluorine or nitrogen trifluoride by electrolyzing a hydrogen fluoride-containing molten salt at an applied current density of from 1 to 1,000 A/dm2, the electrolytic apparatus using a conductive diamond-coated electrode as an anode.
US08419920B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing a sulfuric acid base copper electrolytic solution used for formation of an electro-deposited copper film comprising a surface excellent in smoothness and gloss when formed by using the solution just after preparation and is prepared by using mono-sulfides. To achieve the object, a sulfuric acid base copper electrolytic solution is made to contain a sulfonated active sulfur compound, the bis(3-sulfopropyl)disulfide which is recommended for formation of a glossy electro-deposited copper film. And the bis(3-sulfopropyl)disulfide contained is obtained by converting a 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid into the bis(3-sulfopropyl)disulfide in an aqueous solution of the 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid by an oxidation reaction. In the oxidation reaction, an air bubbling method is preferably used to prevent oxidative decomposition of the 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid.
US08419919B1

A method may include the steps of supplying current to the electrodes of an electrochemical cell according to a first charging profile, wherein the electrochemical cell has an anode, cathode, and electrolytic solution; maintaining a generally constant current between the electrodes; exposing the cell to an external field either during or after the termination of the deposition of deuterium absorbing metal on the cathode; and supplying current to the electrodes according to a second charging profile during the exposure of the cell to the external field. The electrolytic solution may include a metallic salt including palladium, and a supporting electrolyte, each dissolved in heavy water. The cathode may comprise a second metal that does not substantially absorb deuterium, such as gold. The external field may be a magnetic field.
US08419911B2

A deposition apparatus includes a processing chamber internally having a reduced-pressure space for deposition process to be carried out therein, a base material holding member for holding a base material to be subjected to the deposition process, a target support member for supporting a target thereon, and a power supply unit for applying electric power to the target support member to generate a plasma in the reduced-pressure space. In the deposition apparatus, deposition process is carried out by using the target, which has a recess portion in its surface and in which a powder target formed of a powder material is placed in an inner surface of the recess portion. Thus, the in-plane uniformity of deposition rate is improved and a stable film deposition is fulfilled.
US08419904B2

Systems and methods for solar water purification are described. In one exemplary aspect, the system includes a sun-tracking reflecting mirror unit, and a two-axis Fresnel concentrator mirror unit to collect sunlight reflected from the sun-tracking reflecting mirror unit and focus the sunlight. A central water purification boiler module includes a heating zone upon which the sunlight is focused by the two-axis Fresnel concentrator mirror unit. The focused sunlight heats the water contained therein to create steam which is redirected to heat water coming into the boiler and to condense as purified water.
US08419898B2

The present invention relates to cationic polymers, such as polyaminoamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), that are derived from renewable resources and can be used to produce wet strength resins suitable for a variety of applications, such as in absorbent paper articles.
US08419893B2

A shielded lid heater lid heater suitable for use with a plasma processing chamber, a plasma processing chamber having a shielded lid heater and a method for plasma processing are provided. The method and apparatus enhances positional control of plasma location within a plasma processing chamber, and may be utilized in etch, deposition, implant, and thermal processing systems, among other applications where the control of plasma location is desirable. In one embodiment, a shielded lid heater is provided that includes an aluminum base and RF shield sandwiching a heater element.
US08419889B2

A package for securing a card is disclosed where the card is retained between two panels that are secured together by a heat-activated adhesives and/or a combination of polymeric and adhesive constituents to drastically hinder surreptitious access to the contents of the package. The package may include additional features for activating or accessing the card and increasing the aesthetic appeal of the package.
US08419884B2

A method for manufacturing a multilayer wiring substrate processes a via hole without unnecessarily increasing the diameter thereof and which can easily achieve the formation of fine wiring. A first resin layer in a cured state is prepared in which at least one first via hole including a bottom made of a conductive pattern is formed by laser processing, a second resin layer in an uncured state is prepared in which at least one second via hole is formed to penetrate therethrough at a position corresponding to the first via hole, and the first resin layer and the second resin layer are laminated to each other so that the first via hole and the second via hole communicate with each other. After a conductive paste is simultaneously filled in the first via hole and the second via hole, a metal foil is pressure-bonded to the second resin layer, and the second resin layer and the conductive paste are simultaneously cured. Subsequently, the metal foil is patterned.
US08419883B2

A fiber reinforced core panel is formed from strips of plastics foam helically wound with layers of rovings to form webs which may extend in a wave pattern or may intersect transverse webs. Hollow tubes may replace foam strips. Axial rovings cooperate with overlying helically wound rovings to form a beam or a column. Wound roving patterns may vary along strips for structural efficiency. Wound strips may alternate with spaced strips, and spacers between the strips enhance web buckling strength. Continuously wound rovings between spaced strips permit folding to form panels with reinforced edges. Continuously wound strips are helically wrapped to form annular structures, and composite panels may combine both thermoset and thermoplastic resins. Continuously wound strips or strip sections may be continuously fed either longitudinally or laterally into molding apparatus which may receive skin materials to form reinforced composite panels.
US08419878B2

Laminates and methods of making them are generally provided. The methods of making a laminate for use as a clothing tag can include laminating a first fibrous web to a second fibrous web. Both the first and second fibrous webs can include cellulosic fibers and a binder composition present in the respective fibrous web from about 10% by weight to about 100% by weight of the dry weight of the fibrous web. Both the first and second binder composition can include a curable latex polymer and a crosslinker. The second fibrous web can be creped and can have a thickness less than 10 mils. The laminate can be aged for at least about 1 hour at an aging temperature of greater than about 150° F. The resulting laminated and their use in clothing are also provided.
US08419873B2

The invention can surely accomplish lamination without the generation of voids in building a tire constructed to comprise a plurality of rubber members for a tire when a ribbon-shaped rubber strip (R) is spirally wound and laminated, and uses holding rolls (30) and two sets of stitching rolls (40a), (40b) arranged in parallel with a center of a rubber strip width (W) therebetween to enable performing of an independent pressing motion, such that the rubber strip (R) is pressed and bonded by the holding rolls (30) in a position, in which the rubber strip (R) is wound, and the stitching roll (40a) or (40b) positioned fore in an advancing direction of traverse movement, out of the two sets, is caused to perform a pressing motion in a regional part just after the press whereby a fore part of the rubber strip in the advancing direction is pressed and bonded.
US08419871B2

A method of manufacturing a decorative surface of a furniture body or building structure comprises: manufacturing a layer of an art release sheet, depositing an uncured artificial stone mix on the art release sheet, compacting, and wrapping the art release sheet around a central core. The uncured artificial stone mix is allowed to partially or fully cure, wherein the art units in the art release sheet are embedded in the artificial stone mix. The decorative surface may be manufactured by loading an art deposit frame with art particles of a predetermined quantity and size, placing and vibrating the loaded art deposit frame on a base layer to create an art unit, and depositing an uncured artificial stone mix on the base layer comprising the art unit. Pressure is applied on the uncured artificial stone mix to compact and allow the artificial stone mix to partially or fully cure.
US08419863B2

A method for removing painted markings is provided that includes the step of applying a paint removal agent to a painted marking on a surface. A covering may be applied to the paint removal agent. Further, a fluid may be applied to the covering as the covering covers the paint removal agent to effect removal of the painted marking, the paint removal agent, and the covering.
US08419859B2

A method of cleaning a plasma processing apparatus for processing a target in a process container, which is vacuum-evacuatable, using plasma, includes performing a first cleaning process by supplying a cleaning gas into the process container to generate plasma and maintaining the pressure in the process container at a first pressure, and performing a second cleaning process by supplying a cleaning gas into the process container to generate plasma and maintaining the pressure in the process container at a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure. Accordingly, the plasma processing apparatus can be efficiently and rapidly cleaned without damaging at least one of the group consisting of inner surfaces of the process container and members in the process container.
US08419857B2

An electron beam vapor deposition apparatus includes a coating chamber including a coating zone for depositing a coating on a work piece. A coating device includes at least one crucible for presenting at least one source coating material. The coating device includes a first deposition mode of depositing the at least one source coating material and a second deposition mode of depositing the at least one source coating material. At least one electron beam source evaporates the at least one source coating material for deposit onto the work piece. A controller is configured to control a speed of movement of the work piece in the coating zone during the coating operation in response to the first deposition mode and the second deposition mode.
US08419856B2

Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus in which a plurality of rod-like ceramic heaters are arranged in the form of islands and affixed to the top plate of a process chamber so as to face a wafer, and the lower end portion of each ceramic heater is provided with a metal catalyst layer in such a manner that the metal catalyst layer faces a gas discharge hole of a gas diffusion plate. Consequently, the metal catalyst layer is indirectly heated by the ceramic heater (a resistance heating wire), thereby activating a processing gas.
US08419855B2

Methods and apparatus for processing substrates are disclosed herein. The process chamber includes a chamber body, a substrate support pedestal, a pump port and a gas injection funnel. The chamber body has an inner volume and the substrate support pedestal is disposed in the inner volume of the chamber body. The pump port is coupled to the inner volume and is disposed off-center from a central axis of the substrate support pedestal. The pump port provides azimuthally non-uniform pumping proximate to a surface of the substrate support pedestal and creates localized regions of high pressure and low pressure within the inner volume during use. The gas injection funnel is disposed in a ceiling of the chamber body and opposite the substrate support pedestal. The gas injection funnel is offset from the central axis of the substrate support pedestal and is disposed in a region of low pressure.
US08419853B2

A stacked semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the stacked semiconductor device are disclosed. The stacked semiconductor device includes a first insulating interlayer having an opening that partially exposes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes single crystalline silicon, and a first seed pattern that fills the opening, wherein the first seed pattern has an upper portion disposed over the opening, and the upper portion is tapered away from the substrate. The stacked semiconductor device further includes a second insulating interlayer formed on the first insulating interlayer, wherein a trench that exposes the upper portion of the first seed pattern penetrates the second insulating interlayer, and a first single crystalline silicon structure that fills the trench.
US08419849B2

A compound of Formula (1) or a salt thereof: wherein: X is N or C(CN); Z is optionally substituted naphthyl; Ar is an aryl group carrying at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of an acetyl group, an acetate ester group, an amide group, a sulfonamide group, a sulfoxide group, a sulfone group, a phosphonate group, a nitrile group, an isonitrile group, a quaternary amine, a carbonyl group (other than a carboxylic acid), a polyhaloalkyl group or a halogen atom; and Ar may optionally be substituted with one or more further substituents.
US08419827B2

Ion transport membrane oxidation system comprising (a) two or more membrane oxidation stages, each stage comprising a reactant zone, an oxidant zone, one or more ion transport membranes separating the reactant zone from the oxidant zone, a reactant gas inlet region, a reactant gas outlet region, an oxidant gas inlet region, and an oxidant gas outlet region; (b) an interstage reactant gas flow path disposed between each pair of membrane oxidation stages and adapted to place the reactant gas outlet region of a first stage of the pair in flow communication with the reactant gas inlet region of a second stage of the pair; and (c) one or more reactant interstage feed gas lines, each line being in flow communication with any interstage reactant gas flow path or with the reactant zone of any membrane oxidation stage receiving interstage reactant gas.
US08419826B2

The invention provides a process for the regeneration of at least one adsorbent bed, comprising at least the steps of: (a) contacting a first adsorbent bed (B1) with a gaseous stream (10) such that at least a portion of adsorbed species in said first adsorbent bed (B1) are released; (b) cooling a second adsorbent bed (B2); wherein a bypass (20) is provided around the second adsorbent bed (B2) and the gaseous stream (10), before contact with the first adsorbent bed (B1), is directed to at least one of (i) the second adsorbent bed (B2), and (ii) the bypass (20) around the second adsorbent bed (B2), wherein the proportion of gaseous stream (10) flowing through the bypass (20) is controlled.
US08419812B2

A reactor for the recovery of carbon and hydrocarbons from organic input material through pyrolysis includes a vessel with a chamber that is limited outwardly by an outer jacket and by an upper and a lower end-wall section, and in which chamber input material in fragmented form is to be placed; an inlet which for the introduction of heated inert gas into the chamber for passage through the input material comprises several inlet units arranged in areas in the chamber; and an outlet which for the passage out from the chamber of gas that has passed through the input material that has been placed in the chamber comprises number of outlet units arranged in areas in the chamber.
US08419808B2

The present invention relates to a dye compound represented by the following formula (I), or a salt thereof: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, D1, D2, B, and n are defined the same as the specification, and also relates to a photoelectric component using the same. The dye compound of the present invention is suitable for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC). Hence, the photoelectric characteristics of the DSSC can be improved by using the dye compound of the present invention.
US08419804B2

Hybrid terrain-adaptive lower-extremity apparatus and methods that perform in a variety of different situations by detecting the terrain that is being traversed, and adapting to the detected terrain. In some embodiments, the ability to control the apparatus for each of these situations builds upon five basic capabilities: (1) determining the activity being performed; (2) dynamically controlling the characteristics of the apparatus based on the activity that is being performed; (3) dynamically driving the apparatus based on the activity that is being performed; (4) determining terrain texture irregularities (e.g., how sticky is the terrain, how slippery is the terrain, is the terrain coarse or smooth, does the terrain have any obstructions, such as rocks) and (5) a mechanical design of the apparatus that can respond to the dynamic control and dynamic drive.
US08419784B2

A stent delivery device includes a distal-side tube having a guide wire lumen; a proximal-side tube whose distal portion is fixed to a proximal portion of the distal-side tube; a cylindrical member which encloses a distal side of the distal-side tube and is slidable toward a proximal end of the distal-side tube; a stent accommodated in the cylindrical member; and a pulling member 6 for moving the cylindrical member toward a proximal side of the stent delivery device. The distal-side tube has a proximal-side opening which is open at the proximal side of the distal-side tube; and a stent-locking portion for preventing the stent from moving to the proximal side of the stent delivery device. The outer diameter of the proximal-side tube is set smaller than that of a portion, having a maximum diameter, which is disposed in a region of the stent delivery device which is distal from the proximal-side tube.
US08419776B2

An assembly for reducing a fracture between an epiphysis and a diaphysis of a bone has a bone plate having a fan-shaped outer end formed with a plurality of outer holes and a bar-shaped inner end extending along a longitudinal axis from the outer end and formed with a plurality of inner holes. The plate further is formed on the bar-shaped inner end with a longitudinally extending throughgoing guide slot and between the guide slot and the outer holes with an aperture. A slide has a longitudinally extending leg with an inner end formed with a guide formation engaged into and longitudinally slidable along the guide slot and a crosspiece overlying the aperture and engaging the bone plate to both transverse sides of the aperture. The crosspiece is formed with a transversely elongated slide slot, and a slide screw engaged through the slide.
US08419770B2

Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.
US08419763B2

A safety needle comprising a handle; a hollow needle; a trigger carriage; an obturator; a spring; a trigger; a first latch and a second latch; the first latch, second latch and trigger being configured so that when the trigger carriage is in a distal position and the first latch set, and the trigger is thereafter pulled proximally, the first latch is released and the trigger carriage moves proximally into a proximal position, and thereafter releasing the trigger causes the trigger carriage to move into an intermediate position and set the second latch; and further wherein, when the trigger carriage is in its intermediate position and the distal end of the obturator engages tissue, the trigger carriage is moved proximally so as to release the second latch.
US08419744B2

The disclosure relates to a device for establishing an anatomical reference point of an intervertebral disc for the attachment of at least one instrument Intended for the implantation, through a posterior or posterolateral approach, of a disc prosthesis or osteosynthesis cage as a replacement for the intervertebral disc. The device includes at least two means for bone anchorage each intended to be attached to a vertebra adjacent to the disc, a coupling element for the instrument and elements for adjusting the position of the coupling element relative to the position of the disc.
US08419743B2

An assembly tool comprises in an assembled configuration a proximal implant fastener, a distal implant fastener, and a compression member. The assembly tool is operable to hold in the assembled configuration a proximal implant partially engageable with a distal implant during implantation and axial impaction. Axial impaction is exerted through the compression member of the assembly tool. The assembly tool is also operable to securely lock the tapers of proximal and distal implants after impaction by rotating the compression member.
US08419731B2

Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. The modulation may be performed by a neuromodulation device (e.g., an energy delivery device).
US08419726B2

The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.
US08419720B1

A laparoscopic device that includes an outer rod having a end connected to a handle and an end having an articulated section formed from links joined with non-diametrical hinges; an actuation rod within the outer rod, having an end connected to the handle and an end connected to a tension element within the articulated section, configured to cause the articulated section to bend when tension is applied; and an attachment rod within the actuation rod having an end connected to the handle and an end having a flexible section connected to a tool. The handle includes an actuator configured to apply tension to the attachment rod such that the tool is activated; a rod actuator configured to apply tension to the actuation rod such that the articulated section of the outer rod bends; and a lockable rotator, configured to rotate the outer rod with respect to the handle.
US08419715B2

According to one embodiment, a medical device may include an energy supply. The energy supply may include a lithium-ion polymer battery including at least two battery stacks and a control unit. One of the at least two battery stacks may be a backup energy source. The control unit may monitor and control the energy supply such that when the control unit detects a fault in the at least two battery stacks, the control unit disconnects a faulty battery stack. The energy supply may be rechargeable. Each of the at least two battery stacks may include a positive potential terminal, a negative potential terminal and one or more battery cell.
US08419711B2

Structurally supportive material is implanted or injected into cardiac veins as discrete masses at various sites in the cardiac venous system to reinforce the myocardium for the purpose of preventing, moderating, stopping or reversing negative cardiac remodeling due to various adverse cardiac conditions, both acute and chronic, or for the purpose of treating localize anomalies of the heart, or for both purposes. The sites may be arranged in a pattern about one or more chambers of the heart such that the masses cooperatively reduce stress in the chamber wall and reduce chamber size. Some patterns also cause a beneficial global reshaping of the chamber. These changes occur quickly and are sustainable, and have a rapid and sustainable therapeutic effect on cardiac function.
US08419703B2

An absorbent article is disclosed. The article includes a first portion having at least two target strips located on opposite ends of the first portion, at least one visual sizing indicator positioned on the first portion of the article between the at least two target strips, the visual sizing indicator including indicia for indicating that the article is too large for a wearer, a middle portion contoured inwards such that an hourglass shape is formed, and a second portion having at least two fasteners located on opposite edges of the second portion. The absorbent article is formed of several layers including a moisture-impervious outer layer, an inner layer substantially co-extensive with the outer layer, and a filler interposed between the inner layer and the outer layer.
US08419691B2

Methods and devices for micro-dosing a liquid are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, a method for a time controlled micro-dosing of a liquid from a liquid reservoir includes: receiving the liquid reservoir with a structure wherein the structure is portable; securing the liquid reservoir to the structure; connecting a second end of a drive unit to a piston disposed within the liquid reservoir; activating a drive motor; displacing the drive unit with respect to the structure towards the piston in an axial direction with the drive motor; moving the piston axially within the liquid reservoir; and micro-dosing the liquid from the liquid reservoir.
US08419690B2

In one aspect, a medical device is provided which includes flexible tubing having a distal end and a proximal end and at least a first lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end; a first needle cannula having proximal and distal ends, said first needle cannula being mounted at said distal end of said tubing and in fluid communication with said lumen; a second needle cannula mounted at said proximal end of said tubing and in fluid communication with said lumen; a shield disposed over said tubing, said shield extending substantially the entire length of said flexible tubing, and said shield being movable relative to said first needle cannula from an initial proximal position wherein said first needle cannula is exposed to a distal position wherein said distal end of said first needle cannula is covered by said shield; and an actuator for actuating the shield at a location spaced from the first needle cannula, preferably closer to the second needle cannula than to the first needle cannula.
US08419689B2

A securement device for securing a catheter to a patient is provided. The securement device includes a base including a support member and at least one securement arm extending away from the support member. The support member defines a cradle portion, the cradle portion of the support member being configured to receive at least a portion of a catheter. The at least one securement arm being movable over the cradle portion to a position to secure a catheter within the cradle portion. The securement device further includes a cover member configured to be received over the base and dimensioned to secure the base to a patient.
US08419681B2

A balloon catheter comprising an elongate tube having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lumen therebetween, and a balloon at the distal end of the tube, in fluid communication with the lumen. A magnetically responsive element at the distal end of the device sized and shaped to orient the distal end of the device in an operating region in a subject upon the application of a magnetic field from an external source magnet.
US08419671B2

The present invention relates to an appliance for cannulation of a blood vessel with a cannula which, after introduction into the vessel, is in fluidic communication with the vessel. At least one means is also provided to permit a controlled division of the blood into a first subsidiary stream which leaves the vessel through the cannula, and a second subsidiary stream which continues to flow through the vessel.
US08419664B2

The invention relates to a massaging device in the shape of a rod having an essentially cylindrical end element, a shell forming the outer surface of the end element made of a rubber-elastic material and a drive unit for generating a motion on the end element, the drive unit forming a plurality of bearing and support surfaces, against which the shell bears and the bearing and support surfaces being designed for an oscillating deformation of the shell relative to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the end element radially outward and inward by means of radial stroke motions of the bearing and support surfaces. The massaging device features a first and second operating mode (T, W), in the first operating mode (T) the oscillating deformation along the longitudinal axis (LA) being in phase and in the second operating mode (W) out of phase.
US08419653B2

A method for locating neural tissue in a patient body may involve: advancing a probe along a natural tissue interface between the neural tissue and another tissue in the body, the probe having a first surface oriented toward the neural tissue and a second surface oriented away from the neural tissue; delivering a first electrical current to a first electrode along the first surface of the probe; delivering a second electrical current to a second electrode along the second surface of the probe; and verifying that the first surface of the advanced probe remains oriented toward the neural tissue and the second surface remains oriented away from the neural tissue by monitoring neural response to the first and second electrical currents.
US08419647B2

A method of measuring blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of a stenosis in a vessel carrying blood includes the steps of providing a guide wire having both a pressure sensor and a velocity sensor disposed on a distal region of the guide wire, introducing the guide wire into the vessel, advancing the guide wire to position the pressure sensor and the velocity sensor proximally and distally of the stenosis, and measuring the blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of the stenosis with the pressure sensor and the velocity sensor.
US08419644B2

The present application discloses a cordless charger for a wearable patient monitor. When a patient (10) is diagnosed with a heart condition, or suspected heart condition, they are prescribed a patient monitoring system. The system includes monitors (12) that the patient (10) wears to collect the data of interest. Each day, the patient swaps the monitor (12) he or she is wearing with a fully charged monitor (12) from a cordless charger (14). In this manner, a fresh monitor (12) is always available for monitoring the patient (10). The cordless charger (14) includes a battery (50) that powers the processes of the charger and recharges batteries (34) of the monitors (12). Data from the monitors can be either offloaded to the charger memory (70), or transmitted to a remote database (32) via the patient's Bluetooth enabled cellular phone (30) or other like device.
US08419642B2

A device configured to measure the viscoelastic properties of biological tissues using a processing of ultrasound waves reflected by these tissues when a shear wave runs across them is presented. The device includes memories for forming lines of data such that each line comprises data relative to the ultrasound waves reflected from the same shot and a calculator for determining a parameter relative to the displacement between the tissues and a transducer emitting the shots, a calculator for calculating an intrinsic displacement of the medium from a set of lines forming an acquisition, and a processor for processing the first ultrasound lines, by using the relative parameter, before or during the formation of second ultrasound lines from this same acquisition, in order to determine the intrinsic displacement of the biological tissues from these first lines.
US08419641B2

Disclosed is a medical image display method for displaying a tomographic image obtained by scanning an image of a cross-section of an organ of an object and finding the volume of an inner cavity region surrounded by the inner wall surface of the inner cavity of the organ on the basis of the displayed tomographic image, comprising a step that segmentizes the inner cavity region into a first inner cavity region and a second inner cavity region, a step that calculates volume of the first inner cavity using the disk method, a step that calculates volume of the second inner cavity region using the pseudo disk method, a step that calculates the entire inner cavity volume by summing the calculated volumes of the first and the second inner cavity, and a step that displays the first and the second inner cavity volumes and/or the entire inner cavity volume.
US08419633B2

A light source apparatus includes a first rotational filter section that can place a blue filter, a green filter and a magenta filter in a light path, a second rotational filter section that can place a yellow filter in the light path and a band selection filter section that can place an NBI filter that limits blue and green light to a narrow band, wherein the first and the second rotational filter sections are controllable so that in the case of normal light imaging, the yellow filter is placed in the light path when the magenta filter is placed in the light path and in the case of narrow band imaging, the NBI filter is placed in the light path LP and the yellow filter is placed in the light path when the green filter is placed in the light path.
US08419630B2

An endoscope system including an endoscope which acquires a front field-of-view image and a lateral field-of-view image of an object of observation; a detecting section which has a function capable of detecting whether a treatment instrument is used or not in the endoscope based on a notification signal which is outputted when the treatment instrument is inserted into the endoscope; and an image processing section. The image processing section generates an observation image including the front field-of-view image and the lateral field-of-view image within the same screen, displays a magnified image of one field-of-view image out of the front field-of-view image and the lateral field-of-view image on a display, and performs adjacent part display processing of displaying only a part of the one field-of-view image which is adjacent to the other field-of-view image or image compression processing of displaying a compressed image of the other field-of-view image on the display.
US08419624B2

A flow guide directs a fluid flow across a surface of a device, for example a lens surface of an endoscope, in a controlled manner to facilitate flow attachment to the surface. Embodiments include features that impart a non-uniform velocity profile and/or include guide surfaces for facilitating flow attachment and/or coverage.
US08419623B2

Disclosed herein is a portable endoscope and kit for performing multiple medical procedures. The portable endoscope comprises a detachable operator control section assembly and one of multiple detachable and interchangeable flexible insertion shaft assemblies with a flexible distal end. The proximal end of a detachable and interchangeable flexible insertion shaft assembly is detachably connected to the detachable operator control section assembly. The detachable and interchangeable flexible insertion shaft assembly accommodates principal cable wires, proxy cable wires, an optical imaging system, and an illumination system. An internal cable wire control system integrated with the detachable operator control section assembly utilizes an adaptable drive transmission system for controlling the orientation and angular position of the flexible distal end using the principal cable wires or the proxy cable wires. The proxy cable wires may be engaged in an event of failure of the principal cable wires.
US08419622B2

A first fiber stub incorporating a first GI fiber is connected to a first optical fiber by a PC connection. The first GI fiber expands a beam diameter of light transmitted by the first optical fiber and collimates this light. A second fiber stub is connected to a second optical fiber by the PC connection. The second fiber stub, facing the first fiber stub across a predetermined gap G therebetween, converges the light transmitted from the first fiber stub using a second GI fiber incorporated therein. The second fiber stub transmits the converged light to the second optical fiber. When the first fiber stub or the second fiber stub is damaged, the first fiber stub or the second fiber stub is pulled out from a first sleeve or a second sleeve, respectively for replacement.
US08419619B2

An endoscopic form detection device includes a posture detecting section configured to detect a posture of each of sensor units based on measurement data in the sensor unit, and a linear form detecting section configured to detect a detected linear form of an inserting section on an assumption that a form between the respective sensor units is a linear link whose dimension is equal to an inter-sensor dimension based on the detected posture of each of the sensor units. The endoscopic form detection device includes a curve form detecting section configured to perform curve interpolation with respect to the detected linear form detected on an assumption that a form between the respective sensor units is an arc whose arc length is equal to the inter-sensor dimension, and configured to detect a detected curve form.
US08419608B2

In the process of generating high frequency magnetic fields for treating living organisms, an apparatus for limiting undesirable interference and disturbance that may be caused by electromagnetic radiation from said fields.
US08419603B2

A folding machine and a folding method perform overlapped folding of sheets of paper, paperboard and the like. The folding machine has at least one first and one second folding station each having driven folding rolls, a transport device disposed between the first and second folding stations, a drive and a common control unit connected to the drives. The products are transported between the first and the second folding stations in an overlapping manner.
US08419591B2

In a drive system of a vehicle, the drive power of an engine is divided by a planetary gear set to drive two power transfer shafts. One of the two shafts includes a continuously variable transmission unit and a clutch. The output sides of the two shafts are coupled to a common power output shaft, which is coupled to an AC motor. In a power transfer condition of the clutch, the vehicle is driven with only the output drive power of the engine or both drive powers of the engine and the AC motor. In a power interruption condition of the clutch, the vehicle is driven with only the drive power of the AC motor. The kinetic energy generated at deceleration of the vehicle is converted into electric energy by the AC motor thereby to perform regenerative braking.
US08419588B2

A planetary gear set includes a carrier assembly. The carrier assembly includes a carrier member having a carrier member body that defines an inner carrier portion. The carrier member body includes a planet gear support surface and a carrier plate support member that extends substantially perpendicularly from the planet gear support surface. The carrier plate support member includes an edge portion having a mounting element. A carrier plate is arranged, at least in part, within the inner carrier portion at the edge portion. The carrier plate includes a carrier plate body having first and second opposing surfaces that define an outer edge section. The outer edge section includes a mounting member. A locking member is arranged in the mounting element and the mounting member to operatively coupling the carrier member and the carrier plate.
US08419585B2

A transmission is has an input member, an output member, a stacked planetary gear set arrangement, a planetary gear set, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The stacked planetary gear set arrangement has a first, second, third, fourth and fifth member and the planetary gear set has a first, second and third member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08419584B2

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, two planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08419583B2

A front differential for a four wheel drive vehicle, includes: a switching mechanism that switches the vehicle between rear-wheel drive and front- and rear-wheel drive by selectively interrupting or allowing the transmission of power between one of a pair of side gears and one of a pair of front wheels; and an urging mechanism that urges at least one of the pair of side gears in a drive shaft axial direction toward at least one of the front wheels.
US08419580B2

An electric wheel for electric vehicles includes a rim, connecting members, a hub motor, a battery, and a control device. The connecting members are connected to an inside of the rim and the hub motor is connected to the connecting members. The hub motor includes a shaft, a rotor and a stator. The shaft is located on a central axis of the rim and two ends of the shaft are fixed to a vehicle frame. The battery is located on the rim and the control device receives a wireless command signal and generating a control signal to control the battery to provide power to the hub motor, and to allow the hub motor to operate. The rim is equipped with the battery and the hub motor and directly connected to the vehicle frame without wires connected to the vehicle frame.
US08419579B2

A transmission device, for a motor vehicle, with at least two drive output shafts and two multi-shaft planetary gearsets in active connection with one another. A shaft of a planetary gearset is actively connected with an output shaft and is shifted, between first and second power paths, such that in the first power path, torque of an electric machine is transmitted in equal parts and with the same sign to the output shafts, and in the second power path, torque is transmitted in equal parts but with different signs. One of the two planetary gearsets is made as a four-shaft, reduced coupling transmission with two sun gears and a common planetary gear carrier with radially inner and outer planetary gears that mesh with one another, and which are engaged, on the one hand, with the sun gears and, on the other hand, with a rotationally fixed ring gear.
US08419576B2

A tensioner for a belt, a chain or the like, which has a tensioning lever that is in operative connection with a helical spring, is pivotable about a fixed axis and on the tensioning lever a receptacle for a tensioning element that bears against the belt, chain or the like is arranged. The helical spring is held at its ends by spring receptacles with the helical spring being screwed to at least one of the spring receptacles. This construction ensures a reliable and easy-to-assemble connection between the helical spring and the spring receptacle is achieved.
US08419574B2

An isolator comprising a shaft (10), a pulley (20) journalled to the shaft on a first bushing (40) and a second bushing (50), the shaft comprising a shaft stop (12) disposed on a shaft radially outer surface (14), the pulley and the shaft rotationally moveable relative to each other, the pulley comprising an inner hub (23), the inner hub having a pulley stop (24) disposed to cooperatively engage the shaft stop, a torsion spring (30) engaged with the shaft and the pulley, the torsion spring exerting a contractive force parallel to an axis of rotation (A-A) in order to retain the pulley on the shaft, a cover member (60) fixed to the shaft, the pulley urged into engagement with the cover member by the torsion spring axial contractive force, and a rubber member (80) disposed on the shaft stop for engaging the pulley stop.
US08419568B2

A muscle-back iron golf club head includes a blade-like upper mass, a muscle-like lower mass, a planar front surface, a top surface, a sole surface, a heel surface, a toe surface, and a rear surface having a first contour. A recess is in the rear surface, the recess having a first portion in the blade-like upper mass and a second portion in the muscle-like lower mass. An insert may be provided in the recess, and such insert may substantially fill the recess and may include a back surface having a second contour which is different from the first contour of the club head rear surface.
US08419561B1

A club head can include a front end having a front face, a toe end, a heel end opposite the toe end, a rear end opposite the front face, a crown surface having a front crown end and a rear crown end, and an alignment aid at the crown surface that extends between the front crown end and the rear crown end. The club head can be a wood-type club head. Meanwhile, the front crown end can be closer to the front end than to the rear end, and the rear crown end can be closer to the rear end than to the front end. The alignment aid can have an alignment aid width approximately equal to a golf ball diameter and can include two or more alignment aid stripes.
US08419557B2

The present disclosure provides a waterslide that may include a flexible slide portion and an anchor portion. The anchor portion may secure the slide portion to a surface and may include a tab element, a stake element, and an adhesive element.
US08419555B2

A spline telescopic shaft includes an inner shaft having an outer tooth surface, and a cylindrical outer shaft having an inner tooth surface and arranged to fit to the inner shaft slidably in an axial direction of the inner shaft. Either one of the outer tooth surface and the inner tooth surface includes a first resin coating. The other of the outer tooth surface and the inner tooth surface includes a second resin coating. The second resin coating is formed by processing for sliding an intermediate member for manufacturing the inner shaft and an intermediate member for manufacturing the outer shaft in the axial direction, to transfer a part of a resin material provided in the intermediate member for manufacturing the shaft including the one tooth surface for forming the first resin coating to the intermediate member for manufacturing the shaft including the other tooth surface.
US08419547B1

A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving a packet of gaming data. The packet includes data units and exclusive-OR check bytes. The data units and exclusive-OR check bytes are organized in the packet to correspond to vectors (e.g., columns and rows) of a matrix. Each of the exclusive-OR check bytes represent a result of a logical exclusive disjunction operation on a sequence of the data units contained in each of the vectors. The operations can further include detecting that some of the data units have data corruption and selecting one of the exclusive-OR check bytes that corresponds to one of the vectors. The one of the vectors includes only one corrupted data unit. The operations can further include recovering the one corrupted data unit using the one of the exclusive-OR check bytes that corresponds to the one of the vectors. In some embodiments, the operations further include repeatedly selecting groups of the vectors that have only one corrupted data unit and recovering the one corrupted data units from the groups of the vectors.
US08419544B2

The present invention is systems and methods for interactive wagering using multiple types of user interfaces. Preferred embodiments of these systems and methods incorporate a wagering data hub which controls the flow of data relating to wagers, wagering events, and wagering account and facilitates the use of a variety of user interfaces such as graphical user interfaces and interactive voice response interfaces. For example, a user of the present invention may use a television set-top box, a computer, a telephone, and/or any other suitable device. To communicate with the wagering data hub, television set-top boxes preferably use a two-way cable system, computers preferably use a computer network, and telephones preferably use a telephone network, although each may use any suitable mechanism or combination of mechanisms to communicate with wagering data hub.
US08419528B2

A gaming system and method are disclosed that include anonymous and identified player tracking, wherein gaming data is collected over one, two, or more gaming sessions, the data is analyzed to determine whether a selected criterion or selected criteria have been met, and if so, then initiating a response, such as triggering a flag or transmitting a notification to an operator.
US08419527B2

A wagering game account management system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations include determining that a trigger condition for an account rule has occurred, wherein the account rule specifies an account action to be performed upon satisfaction of the trigger condition, and wherein the account action is associated with a wagering game account and other financial accounts. In some embodiments, the operations also include initiating the account actions and indicating a result of the account actions.
US08419520B2

A tournament game, gaming machine, gaming system and method are disclosed wherein a player-interactive bonus feature is triggered and displayed simultaneously with a tournament game presentation and a bonus award is paid responsive to a player selecting a displayed bonus target, such as a balloon. The bonus award is paid in addition to any award payable based on the tournament game outcome.
US08419516B2

A game system guides operation timing of the operating section through a monitor by displaying an operation instructing indicator corresponding to the respective operation timings and an operation reference indicator corresponding to the current time in temporal order along a predetermined path on the game, and producing a relative displacement, which is along the predetermined path and is according to the progression of the time on the game, between the operation reference indicator and the operation instructing indicator in order that the operation instructing indicator agrees with the operation reference indicator at the operation timing that should be indicated by the operation instructing indicator, and changes at least either one of a starting position and a reaching position of the predetermined path.
US08419505B2

An invention is provided for creating smoothed, heat-treated glass fragments. The invention includes placing a plurality of heat-treated glass fragments into a tumbling or vibrating apparatus. Each heat-treated glass fragment is formed from glass that has been heated to a temperature of at least 1000° Fahrenheit and rapidly cooled to a temperature below 700° Fahrenheit. The plurality of glass fragments are then tumbled or vibrated for a predetermined period of time such that surfaces of the heat-treated glass fragments are smoother than prior to tumbling. The glass fragments are thereafter removed from the tumbling apparatus, resulting in smoothed, heat-treated glass fragments that are suitable for direct handling without hand protection.
US08419490B1

The present application discloses a device designed to be used on board of ships, vessels, boats. The device consists of a retractable tether having two ends a first end and a second end. Said first end to be securely connected to the body of said ship. Said second end to be securely connected to a personal floatation device. Said retractable tether thus connects the seaman wearing it to the body of the ship or vessels. During normal operations the seaman can enjoy additional room to move by extending a retractable reel from a retractable reel assembly. When an out of the ordinary tension is applied as when the seaman is ejected by the ship, the tether breaks dispersing in the water an high visibility dye in the water. A portable floatation device then helps the seaman to be kept afloat while waiting for aid to come.
US08419488B2

Support arms are disposed on a tilting shaft on a bracket of an outboard motor. An electric actuator is mounted between the support arms. The electric actuator includes a cover member, first and second electric motors disposed individually on the opposite ends of the cover member, a feed screw configured to be rotated by the electric motors, a nut member configured to move along an axis as the feed screw rotates, a drive arm configured to move integrally with the nut member and transversely relative to the boat body, and protective boots. The drive arm is connected to a steering arm through an engaging member. If the drive arm moves in the direction of the axis along the cover member, the steering angle of the steering arm changes depending on the degree of movement of the drive arm.
US08419486B2

A receptacle terminal includes a terminal body with a cable end configured to be terminated to a cable and a mating end configured to be mated with a blade terminal. The terminal body includes a receptacle at the mating end. The receptacle has a first wall and a second wall generally parallel to, and spaced apart from, the first wall. The receptacle has a receiving space between the first and second walls configured to receive the blade terminal. A contact spring is separately provided from, and coupled to, the terminal body and has a spring wall received in the receiving space that is positioned between the first wall and the blade terminal. The spring wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is spring biased against the first wall. The outer surface is configured to be spring biased against the blade terminal.
US08419485B2

A bulkhead connector assembly is provided having an outer housing that has an internal chamber. The outer housing has a sealing section configured to seal an exterior of the outer housing within an opening. A terminal housing is configured to hold a plurality of terminals. The terminal housing is received in the internal chamber. The terminal housing has primary locking mechanisms configured to secure the terminals in the terminal housing. An independent secondary lock (ISL) is separately provided from, and coupled to, the terminal housing. The ISL is configured to secure the terminals in the terminal housing and assure they are properly seated.
US08419476B1

An electrical connector for connecting a cable includes an insulating housing with power contacts and signal contacts received therein, a power bus bar connecting with one power contact, and a spacer receiving the power bus bar. The insulating housing includes a mating face, a mounting face opposite to the mating face and defines first and second passageways extending therethrough. Each power contact forms a first engaging portion and a first contacting portion. Each signal contact forms a second engaging portion and a second contacting portion. The power bus bar has a main section extending along a first plane, a middle section extending from the main section, and a connecting section extending along a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.
US08419474B2

A connector defining a receiving opening for receiving a corresponding plug, includes an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts attached to the insulative housing, and a grounding tab. The contacts include a pair of differential signal contacts. Each differential signal contact has a first retaining portion retained in the insulative housing, a first contact portion extending to the receiving opening for contacting with the corresponding plug and a first tail portion for connecting with a circuit board. The first tail portions of the differential signal contacts define a distance which is larger than that of the corresponding first contact portions. The grounding tab is retained between the first tail portions of the pair of differential signal contacts.
US08419472B1

A receptacle assembly includes a contact module that includes a conductive holder and a frame assembly received in the conductive holder. The frame assembly includes a plurality of contacts and a dielectric frame supporting the contacts and disposed between the conductive holder and the contacts. The contacts extend from the conductive holder for electrical termination. A front housing receives the contact module therein. The front housing has a plurality of clip supports at a rear of the front housing. A rib clip is held by the clip supports. The rib clip has a plurality of grounding fingers that extend therefrom that are configured to engage corresponding header shields of a header assembly. The rib clip includes a plurality of mounting tabs that extend therefrom for engaging the conductive holder to electrically connect the rib clip to the conductive holder.
US08419469B2

A phone plug style audio jack connector device having an audio jack and a connector, the audio jack having a socket adapted to receive the tip end of the phone style audio plug. The device is movable between an unassembled position and an assembled position. When the device is in the unassembled position, a prepared coaxial cable end can be inserted into the rear end of the device. When a user moves the device into its assembled position, a fastener is driven to clamp around the cable in the radially inwards direction, thereby forming a connector/cable assembly. The electrical connections, or conduction paths, that run through the connector device are preferably coaxial, and connectors according to the present invention also provide good coaxial shielding within the connector device itself.
US08419456B2

In a contact member for a gas sensor configured to fix a sensor element by sandwiching the sensor element in an insertion port defined by a pair of housing members to thereby obtain electrical connection with the sensor element, a restraint member provided at an outer circumference of the pair of housing members and having a restraint function for restraining a displacement of the pair of housing members within a predetermined range is used. The restraint member includes: two pressing surface portions to which a compression force that occurs when the annular member shrinkingly deforms is applied; a first side portion coupled perpendicularly to the two pressing surface portions; and a second side portion having an upper side portion coupled perpendicularly to one of the pressing surface portions and a lower side portion coupled perpendicularly to the other of the pressing surface portions.
US08419450B2

The invention relates to: a conductor line (2) for powering at least one device (11) that can travel along the conductor line (2), comprising a first elongated conductor lane (5b) and at least one other, second elongated conductor lane (6b), wherein the first (5b) and second (6b) conductor lanes comprise a first (5f) and a second (6f) contact opening, respectively, running along the length of the respective lane, for holding a part (15a; 16a) of a first (15) and a second (16) respective conductor contact of a collector (14) of the device (11); a collector (3) comprising at least one first conductor contact (15) provided for engaging into a first contact opening (5f) running along the length of a first conductor lane (5b) of the conductor line (2) and for electrically connecting to the first conductor lane (5b); and a conductor line system (1) formed therefrom. The invention accomplishes the objective of enabling a simple, fast, but non-mistakable connection of a specific conductor contact to a specific conductor lane of a conductor line, using a conductor line (2), a collector (14) and a conductor line system (1), wherein the second contact opening (6f) of the second conductor lane (6b) is adapted so that the first conductor contact (15) provided for connecting to the first conductor lane (5b) cannot engage into the second contact opening (6f) and cannot be connected to the second conductor lane (9).
US08419445B1

A memory card with a connector includes a card main body for storing data and a connector including multiple terminals and an insulation main body. Multiple terminal soldering sections are disposed on the card main body. The multiple terminals are integrally connected with the insulation main body to form the connector. In manufacturing, the connector integrally composed of the terminals and the insulation main body is directly rested on the card main body. Then, in a one-time soldering process, all the terminals are soldered on the terminal soldering sections of the card main body. Accordingly, the manufacturing process is simplified and the manufacturing cost is lowered. Also, the ratio of good products is increased.
US08419440B2

The present invention relates to a system device and method for teaching an individual, such as a child, a series of educational items such as numbers or the alphabet. Each item is placed on a card and then each card placed in an upright card holder which has a wind tolerant base. There is one holder for each of the items in the educational series and a plurality of card holders in a wind tolerant stand are positioned around the yard for observation and thus, learning by the child.
US08419436B2

My boxing punching combination system is the idea of identifying specific numbers to represent specific punches and having them placed at the proper location for those punches. By placing these numbers appropriately on any given apparatus, any user can easily execute boxing punching combinations regardless of the user's level of experience in boxing.
US08419422B2

The method of the invention is used for monitoring the state of a smoke duct connecting each suction rail of a baking furnace (FAC) for carbonated blocks, of the rotating fire type and preferably with open chambers or covered chambers, to a smoke processing center (CTF) for purifying the baking smoke from the FAC, wherein said smoke is drawn through at least one suction rail of the FAC and collected in the smoke duct feeding said smoke to the CTF, the method including at least the step of detecting a leak in the smoke duct consisting of parasitic inlets of ambient air into said duct and/or at least the step of detecting a fire in said duct.
US08419414B2

An exemplary molding insert core used in an insert mold includes two first molding bars, two second molding bars, two first support members, and two second support members. Each first molding bar is partially arranged on one first support member. Each second molding bar is partially arranged on one second support member.
US08419410B2

The present invention relates to a material supply for a tablet pressing machine with a rotor which comprises a matrix disc. A plurality of matrices is arranged within the matrix disc. The material supply is provided to supply material which is to be tabletted to the matrices formed in the matrix disc. A further subject of the invention is a tablet pressing machine which comprises a material supply according to the invention.
US08419408B2

The invention discloses an extrusion mold for non-pneumatic multi-hole hollow tires, which can be used for producing the hollow tires which are non-pneumatic, highly elastic and materials-saving and is characterized by consisting of the mold frame (1) and the mold core (2), with one end of the mold frame (1) connected with the extruder's feeder and the other end connected with the mold core (2); inside the mold frame (1) is provided a feeding via (3), one end of which communicates with the feed inlet of the extruder's feeder and the other end communicates with the discharge hole (4) of the mold core (2); the discharge hole (4) is provided with several mold blocks (5), which match the shape of the hollow holes in the tires and are directly or indirectly connected with the wall of the discharge hole (4) through a thin-wall connection strap (6).
US08419401B2

A nozzle head for dispensing sealant within a gap is provided. The nozzle head includes, but is not limited to, a body section and a port connected with the body section. The body section forms a primary channel through which sealant is dispensed. The primary channel forms an entrance through which sealant enters the body section and an exit through which sealant is dispensed from the nozzle. The port is connected with the body section and surrounds the exit. The port forms a chamber having a tip portion opposed to a rear opening. The chamber forms an angled path from the tip portion to the rear opening to trap and guide excess sealant within the chamber to the rear opening.
US08419393B2

A compressor may include a shell, a compression mechanism, a drive shaft, and first and second bearing housing assemblies. The compression mechanism may be supported within the shell and the drive shaft may have a first end drivingly engaged with the compression mechanism. The second bearing housing assembly may be located within and fixed to the shell. The second bearing housing may include a radially extending base portion defining an aperture rotatably supporting a second end of the drive shaft therein. The second bearing housing may additionally include a wall portion extending axially from the base portion and having a first region coupled to the shell at a first location, a second region coupled to the shell at a second location and a third region extending from the first region to the second region.
US08419389B2

A reciprocating compressor in which a piston is linearly reciprocated inside a cylinder, for sucking a refrigerant into a compression space, and compressing and discharging the refrigerant. More particularly, a reciprocating compressor which can reduce the number of inverter switches required to apply power to a motor (coil section). The reciprocating compressor having a stationary member and a movable member connected by a plate spring, and having an outer stator consisting of blocks encompassing an inner stator, wherein a length of a lower pole of each block is varied.
US08419388B2

A coolant compressor (1), comprising a piston-cylinder unit (2) that compresses a coolant, said piston-cylinder unit comprising a cylinder housing (4) and a piston (3) held in a piston bore (5) of the cylinder housing (4), wherein the cylinder housing (4) is sealed in an axial direction by a valve plate (6) and a cylinder cover (7). In order to facilitate the simple and flexible mounting of the valve plate (6) at the cylinder housing (4), it is provided according to the invention that the valve plate (6) is countersunk in its operating position in the piston bore (5) of the cylinder housing (4) and is fastened in the piston bore (5) of the cylinder housing (4) by way of a material bond connection, so that an end stop provided especially for the valve plate (6) in the cylinder housing (4) can be omitted.
US08419380B2

A noise reducing device for a hermetic type compressor is provided that includes a plurality of cylinders disposed at upper and lower portions thereof, a communication path that provides for communication between inlets of the plurality of cylinders, and a suction pipe coupled to an inlet of one of the plurality of cylinders. Such an arrangement may reduce a number of components and simplify the fabrication process. Accordingly, fabrication costs may be reduced, and vibration due to resonation of a plurality of suction pipes may be avoided. Further, such an arrangement may provide enhanced performance by optimizing a specification of the suction pipe and a suction path thereof.
US08419363B2

A deformable trailing edge section (3) of a wind turbine blade (1), at least part of said section (3) being formed in a deformable material. The blade section (3) comprises one or more cavities (5) being in connection with or connectable to a fluid source in a way that allows fluid to stream from the fluid source to the cavity or cavities (5), so that the shape of the deformable trailing edge section (3) and thereby the camber of the blade cross-section (3) is changeable by the pressure of fluid in the cavity or cavities (5) with insignificant changes of the thickness and chord wise length of the deformable trailing edge section. Furthermore a wind turbine blade (1) is described, having at least one of such trailing edge section (s) (3) and to a system (11) for mounting a blade section (3) on a main blade (2) of a wind turbine. In addition a method of manufacturing a deformable trailing edge section (3) of a wind turbine blade (1) is disclosed.
US08419360B2

A multi-blade centrifugal fan for preventing circular flows in the end portions of an impeller in the axial direction is provided in a simple structure. The multi-blade centrifugal fan is formed of a fan casing of a scroll type and a multi-blade centrifugal impeller. The fan casing has a bellmouth which becomes an air intake. The multi-blade centrifugal impeller has a number of annularly arranged blades inside the fan casing. The centrifugal impeller draws in air through the intake, which faces the bellmouth, and blows out the air in the centrifugal direction through the blades. A retainer ring is provided in an outer peripheral end portion of the impeller. A cylindrical body is integrally provided in such a manner as to extend from the outer end of the retainer ring, so that circular flows toward the intake side are prevented in the end portions of the impeller.
US08419358B2

A flow outlet for a pump includes a pocket section which defines a pocket section diameter. A throat section downstream of the pocket section, the throat section defines a throat section diameter less than the pocket section diameter.
US08419356B2

A seal assembly that limits gas leakage from a hot gas path to one or more disc cavities in a turbine engine. The seal assembly includes a seal apparatus that limits gas leakage from the hot gas path to a respective one of the disc cavities. The seal apparatus comprises a plurality of blade members rotatable with a blade structure. The blade members are associated with the blade structure and extend toward adjacent stationary components. Each blade member includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge of each blade member being located circumferentially in front of the blade member's corresponding trailing edge in a direction of rotation of the turbine rotor. The blade members are arranged such that a space having a component in a circumferential direction is defined between adjacent circumferentially spaced blade members.
US08419353B2

A water pump includes an impeller provided at a first end of a rotational shaft supported by a body via a bearing, a mechanical seal provided between the impeller and the bearing, a draining hole introducing a water drop leaked from an impeller side via the mechanical seal to a reservoir provided at a bottom of the body and having a side opening, a plugging member provided at the side opening of the reservoir for liquid-tightly sealing the reservoir, and an opening portion provided at the plugging member for communicating the reservoir and an atmosphere side.
US08419347B2

A fluid pump comprising a pump body, a low pressure impeller, a high pressure impeller, impeller seal means separating the inlet side of the low pressure impeller from its pressure side, a pump priming system, and a pump priming conduit provided through the low pressure impeller radially inboard of the impeller seal means. The high pressure impeller is preferably provided within a cavity, defined by an impeller recess and a cover plate. A wear ring is preferably provided between the low pressure impeller and the inboard end of the cover plate. The pump priming conduit preferably comprises: first and second axial bores through the pump body; a radial bore and two axial holes through the cover plate; an axial hole through the rear wear ring; a cavity between the wear ring and the low pressure impeller; and axial holes through the low pressure impeller, connecting the cavity to the suction side of the low pressure impeller.
US08419335B1

A pipe handling apparatus for moving a pipe from a stowed position to a position deployed above a wellhead has a main rotating structural member pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, an arm interconnected to the main rotating structural member, a gripper affixed to an end of the arm opposite the main rotating structural member, and a tensioner connected to the gripper for applying a tension to the gripper when the arm is in the extended position. The gripper grips a surface of a pipe. The arm is pivotable between a home position and an extended position. The tensioning means has a guy wire connected at one end to the gripper. The guy wire has an opposite end connected to the arm. Alternatively, the opposite end is connected to the main rotating structural member.
US08419334B2

A magnetized nut for fastening a compressor wheel of an exhaust turbocharger to a turbo shaft. The nut has a base body made of a non-magnetic material forming a hollow space for accommodating a magnetic material, and a method for the production of the magnetized nut. In order to provide a magnetized nut that is produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and ensures as equal a distribution of mass as possible with regard to the rotational axis of the nut, the magnetic material is introduced into the hollow space using injection molding.
US08419330B2

A clip includes a pin having at at least a part thereof a noncircular cross-section, and a grommet having an insertion hole into which the pin can be inserted, wherein a part of the grommet is adapted to be expandable by insertion of the pin into the insertion hole. The grommet has slope surfaces provided at an entrance-side hole edge of the insertion hole to lead the pin into the insertion hole when the pin is displaced from a normal position to be in contact with the entrance-side hole edge of the insertion hole.
US08419327B2

A rail freight train is configured for transporting long welded rails. The train has a device for anchoring the rails disposed on the end of the rail freight train and composed of a number of insertion devices, each provided for anchoring an individual rail. A first clamping jaw is securely connected to the device, while a second clamping jaw is adjustable by way of a clamping wedge displaceable in the longitudinal rail direction.
US08419320B2

Disclosed is a cutting tool for milling works which employs a cutting insert. The cutting tool for milling works employs a cutting insert. By forming a concave nick cutting edge on the lateral surface of the cutting insert, it may cut a chip in a short form in case of high depth of cutting to shorten the effective cutting edge, so as to reduce a friction and a cutting resistance, thereby increasing the life span of the cutting tool as well as to facilitate a chip disposal and reduce the cutting resistance, so as to increase a feed rate at a high depth of cutting, thereby enhancing the productivity of the cutting works. By forming concave recesses on the upper and lower surfaces of the cutting insert it may reduce the cutting resistance between the chip being short cut by the concave nick cutting edge and the upper and lower surfaces. By forming a concave nick cutting edge at a major cutting edge of the cutting insert it is possible to perform a nick cutting edge function without deforming the seat lateral surface of a seat portion to couple the cutting insert with a cutter body.
US08419318B2

The present invention concerns a method of milling ball races which are of an approximately elliptical profile which has a first semi-axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the base of the ball race and a second semi-axis extending perpendicularly to the first semi-axis and perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the ball race, wherein a side milling cutter is used to produce the ball race, the peripheral cutting edges of which produce the elliptical profile of the ball race, wherein the cutting edges of the side milling cutter in a section containing the axis of the milling cutter are also of an elliptical profile whose first semi-axis extends perpendicularly to the milling cutter axis and whose second semi-axis extends parallel to the milling cutter axis.
US08419299B2

In one embodiment, a coating and developing apparatus is provided with a processing block including a liquid processing block disposed on the carrier block side and a heating processing block disposed on the interface block side. The liquid processing block includes a first unit block, a second unit block, and one or more of developing unit blocks overlying or underlying a stack of the first unit block and the second unit block. The first unit block includes antireflection film-forming modules and resist film-forming modules disposed on both sides of the transport passage thereof. The second unit block includes upper film-forming modules and hardening modules disposed on both sides of the transport passage thereof.
US08419297B2

An apparatus for mechanically splicing two optic fiber cores, including two holder bodies, moveable relative to each other, each of which includes a retaining device configured to receive, and hold, end sections of said optic fiber cores; and a scoring device coupled with the holder bodies and operable to move along a trajectory relative to the holder bodies, each retaining device being arranged so that said end sections extend therefrom through said trajectory, wherein the scoring device scores the end sections of said optic fiber cores upon movement along the trajectory, and further movement of the scoring device along the trajectory forces the holder bodies away from each other to cleave the end sections of the optic fiber cores; and relative movement of the holder bodies brings cleaved end sections together to affect mechanical splicing of the optic fiber core.
US08419295B2

In a photoelectric conversion/connection device (100) including an optical element (320), a mounting board (310) on which the optical element is mounted, and an optical connector (400) which is connected to the mounting board so as to be optically connected to the optical element, the optical connector (400) is arranged on a surface (310a) opposite to a mounting surface (310b) of the mounting board (310) and the optical element (320) is exposed. The photoelectric conversion/connection device (100) includes a motherboard (210) having a main surface (210a) and an electric connector (220) to be mounted on the main surface of the motherboard. The electric connector (220) is detachably connected to the mounting board (310).
US08419292B2

Provided is a multi-fiber connector and a method of providing a secure fiber network, where the multi-fiber connector includes a housing; a multi-position ferrule disposed within the housing, the multi-position ferrule including a plurality of fiber holes arranged in a predetermined pattern; and at least one fiber. Each of the plurality of fiber holes is configured to receive one of the at least one fiber and each fiber is selectively inserted within one of the plurality of fiber holes at a selected position among the plurality of fiber holes. Additionally, only a portion of the plurality of fiber holes are populated with the at least one fiber and a remaining portion of the plurality of fiber holes are not populated with fibers.
US08419288B2

A hub unit bearing H1 includes a rotational speed detector 9 which is made up of an encoder 6 and a sensor 8. A seal 5b on a side facing a center side of a vehicle includes a primary seal 5bp and a secondary seal 5bq which are disposed in that order in an axial direction from rolling elements 32 on a side facing the center side of the vehicle towards the center side of the vehicle so as to define a primary sealed space portion I between the vehicle's center side facing rolling elements 32 and the primary seal 5bp and a secondary sealed space portion II between the primary seal 5bp and the secondary seal 5bq, with the rotational speed detector 9 disposed within the secondary sealed space portion II.
US08419285B2

Disclosed is a sliding bearing consisting of a pair of semi-cylindrical bearings for supporting a crankshaft or a crank pin in an internal combustion engine. The sliding bearing is incorporated in a split-type bearing housing. One of the semi-cylindrical bearings being incorporated in at least one of the pair of housing halves, which one housing half has a relatively higher stiffness, is provided with a number of circumferential grooves on an inner surface of the semi-cylindrical bearing so as to extend circumferentially along the inner surface of the semi-cylindrical bearing. The circumferential grooves existing at least one circumferential end region of the inner surface of the semi-cylindrical bearing have a depth of not less than 10 μm, the circumferential end region including a circumferential bearing end face orientating a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the shaft or pin.
US08419284B2

A bearing system for reducing end clearance and axial vibrations includes a bearing housing and a bearing. The bearing is a thrust bearing and may be of any type, such as a flat thrust face, a taper land thrust bearing or a tilt pad thrust bearing. The bearing housing includes a cavity to hold the bearing. A fluid cavity is formed between the bearing and the bearing housing. At least one fluid passageway extends through the bearing housing to feed fluid to the fluid cavity. As fluid is introduced to the fluid cavity the pressure in the cavity moves the bearing outward, away from the bearing housing and towards the rotating thrust collar, reducing the clearance, or space, between the face of the bearing and the thrust collar, reducing or eliminating the vibrations.
US08419274B2

A fully on-chip temperature, process, and voltage sensor includes a voltage sensor, a process sensor and a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor includes a bias current generator, a ring oscillator, a fixed pulse generator, an AND gate, and a first counter. The bias current generator generates an output current related to temperature according to the operating voltage of chip. The ring oscillator generates an oscillation signal according to the output current. The fixed pulse generator generates a fixed pulse signal. The AND gate is connected to the ring oscillator and the fixed pulse generator for performing a logic AND operation on the oscillation signal and the fixed pulse signal, and generating a temperature sensor signal.
US08419271B2

A system for compensating a thermal effect is provided and includes a substrate structure and a microcantilever. The substrate structure includes a first piezoresistor. The first piezoresistor is buried in the substrate structure and has a first piezoresistance having a first relation to a first variable temperature. The microcantilever has the thermal effect and a second piezoresistance having a second relation to the first variable temperature, wherein the thermal effect is compensated based on the first and the second relations.
US08419263B2

A light source module including a light guide plate (LGP) and a light source device is provided. The LGP has a light exiting surface, a light reflecting surface opposite to the light exiting surface and at least one light entering surface connecting the light exiting surface and the light reflecting surface. The LGP has light reflective structures disposed on the light reflecting surface and each including a closed light active region and protrusions disposed in the light active region. The light active region and the light reflecting surface are not coplanar. The protrusions extend outward from the LGP. The light source device is disposed corresponding to the light entering surface. The light source device provides a light entering the LGP from the light entering surface and exiting the LGP from the light exiting surface after the light is redirected by one of the protrusions on the light reflecting surface.
US08419262B2

A light guide apparatus for a backlight module is disclosed, which includes a light guide plate, a circuit having a plurality of circuit contacts integrated with the light guide plate, and a light source disposed on the light guide plate and electrically contacted to the plurality of circuit contacts.
US08419259B2

A backlight unit does not show decrease of brightness for the frontal direction even when made thin-shaped. An edge light type backlight unit 1 includes a light conducting plate 14, a light source 13 disposed along at least one end portion of the light conducting plate 14, and a light diffusing film 15 disposed on a light projecting surface of the light conducting plate 14. The light conducting plate 14 has a thickness of 1.0 mm or smaller, the light diffusing film 15 has a light diffusing layer formed from a binder resin and a light diffusing agent, wherein the coefficient of variation of particle size distribution of the light diffusing agent is in the range of 30% or smaller.
US08419258B2

A light guide plate and a backlight device are provided. The backlight device may include a guide plate include a first light guide having a first inclined plane and a second light guide having a second inclined plane facing the first inclined plane. A refractive index of the second light guide may be different from that of the first light guide. An optical device may be provided on the light guide plate. A first light emitting module may be provided at a lateral surface of the first light guide and a second light emitting module may be provided at a lateral surface of the second light guide. A reflective device may be provided below the second light guide.
US08419246B2

An illumination device for a vehicle configured to illuminate an armrest on a door trim of the vehicle includes a light source and a light directing member. The light source is arranged above the armrest and has a light emitting portion configured to emit light toward the armrest. The light directing member is arranged so as to cover the light emitting portion from below. The light directing member is configured to direct the light emitted from the light emitting portion toward the armrest toward a front of the vehicle.
US08419245B2

There is provided an on-board interior illumination unit which is so strong as to withstand vibration, high temperatures and low temperatures, and tensile load, to thereby be superior in contact reliability and which can be made small in size. Thus, there is provided an on-board interior illumination unit comprising a design portion 10 and a function part 20 which is disposed on a side of the design portion 10 which lies on an outer side of a passenger compartment, wherein the function part 20 has a function part main body 21 which has a switch portion 24 and a lamp installation portion 25 and a terminal exposure portion 21a in which a plurality of press-contact terminals 27 are exposed which are electrically connected to the switch portion 24 and the lamp installation portion 25 and a protection cover 30 which is installed in the function part main body 21 so as to cover the terminal exposure portion 21a, and wherein a protection cover side connector 32 is provided in the protection cover 30 which fits on a wiring harness side connector 40, the protection cover side connector 32 including a connector housing portion 33 which is formed integrally with the protection cover 30 and a plurality of terminals 34 which are fixed in place in the protection cover 30 and which fit individually in the press-contact terminals in a process of the protection cover 30 being installed in the function part main body 21.
US08419238B2

Lighting fixtures having an enhanced heat sink performance are provided. A heat sink member is a unitary ring member. An outside surface of the heat sink member is disposed exterior of the lighting fixture and includes a plurality of outwardly extending fins. An inside surface of the heat sink member is disposed inside of the lighting fixture and includes a plurality of surfaces configured for mating engagement with a respective light source board. The heat sink member joins upper and lower globe portions of the lighting fixture. A reflector or a light pipe optionally is provided interior of the light fixture, providing illumination directional control. A polygon shaped lighting fixture provides a LED light output to cross in a plane proximate to a light center of the fixture.
US08419230B2

A lens and a lamp using the same are provided. The lamp includes a lampshade, a base, a lens and a light emitting diode light source. The lampshade is assembled to the base, and the lens is disposed on the base and located in the lampshade. The lens has a first surface, a second surface, a third surface and a fourth surface. The second surface surrounds the first surface to form an accommodating space conformally, and the third surface surrounds the fourth surface and is located on an outer side of the second surface. The first surface is located between the accommodating space and the fourth surface. The light emitting diode light source is disposed in the accommodating space of the lens.
US08419226B2

An LED unit includes an LED and a lens receiving the LED. The lens includes a first light-incident face confronting the LED to refract the light emitted from the LED with a small angle into the lens, a second light-incident face surrounding the LED to refract the light emitted from the LED with a large angle into the lens, a light-reflecting face to reflect the light from the second light-incident face towards a top of the LED, a first light-emergent face to refract the light from the first light-incident face out of the lens, and a second light-emergent face to refract the light from the light-reflecting face out of the lens.
US08419223B2

Presented is an LED light tube in the general configuration of a prior art fluorescent tube. The LED light tube includes end caps with electrodes at each end, with the electrodes providing physical mounting structure to mount the LED light tube in an existing LED light fixture. The end caps of the LED light tube are not electrically active, but merely provide physical mounting structure to mount the LED light bulb in an existing fluorescent light fixture. This allows existing LED light fixtures to be utilized without replacement, by merely replacing the tubes and ballast with LED based equipment.
US08419219B2

A light emitting apparatus includes solid light-emitting elements being assorted into light emission groups each of which includes the solid light-emitting elements arranged adjacent to one another; transparent encapsulating members arranged in a corresponding relationship with the light emission groups to cover light emission surfaces of the solid light-emitting elements belonging to the corresponding light emission groups; and wavelength converting members arranged in a corresponding relationship with the transparent encapsulating members to cover light projection surfaces of the transparent encapsulating members, the wavelength converting members serving to wavelength-convert light beams emitted from the solid light-emitting elements to light beams having different colors, each of the wavelength converting members having a trough shape.
US08419210B2

A lamp structure for light steel frame comprises a lamp tube and two connectors respectively disposed at two ends of the lamp tube. The connectors have opening portions and snap-latch portions disposed to sides of the opening portions. The opening portions are fit to ends of the lamp tube. The snap-latch portions are used for clamping trusses of the light steel frame so that the lamp tube can be quickly and easily fastened to any position under the light steel frame without support of any tool. The structure adopts a single lamp tube to have light weight and modernity and improves the shortcoming of a light steel frame lamp in great volume.
US08419206B2

The structural wall of a luminaire has one or more light source retention cavities for holding area light sources such as OLED panels, and a wire chase or chases that extend from one light source cavity to another light source cavity in the structural wall, and/or from a light source cavity to a wire feed point for the structural wall. The wire chase or chases have a wire retaining bottom channel and a constricted wire entry opening at the top of the wire chase that is narrow in relation to the wire retaining bottom channel for capturing the wires therein. In another aspect of the invention, the wire chase or chases can be manufactured as separate parts, which can be inserted into the structural wall of the luminaire.
US08419205B1

A step light fixture includes an enclosure for retaining one or more socket and lamp combinations, a light transmissive lens, a cover for sealing the enclosure, and a mounting plate for attaching the fixture on an underside of a stair tread overhang. In a first embodiment, the cover is attached to the enclosure by a removable hinge at a first end that permits the cover to pivot its second end outward away from the enclosure to provide access to the interior of the enclosure. The second end of the cover includes a latch that mates with a corresponding catch on the side of the enclosure to releasably close the enclosure.
US08419204B2

A ring has a sphere on a band and is worn on the finger of a sports fan. An electrical circuit includes a power source and two LEDs. An antenna allows the ring circuit to receive signals sent wirelessly. A three position switch changes the settings of the circuit. When the switch is in a middle position, the ring is disconnected from its power source. When the switch is in one or the other of the other two positions, the wireless receiver components can receive signals from a transmitting unit. The ring is preferably worn by a sports fan at a sporting event, and upon switching the switch to the position associated with the team the fan supports, the ring can receive signals. Signals will be transmitted from the transmitting unit, and will cause the ring to flash the LED. Rings worn by fans flash in support of the fans' team.
US08419197B2

The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
US08419187B2

An adaptive optics apparatus includes a first light modulating unit configured to perform modulation in a polarization direction of one of two polarized light components in light emitted from a light source, a changing unit configured to rotate the light modulated by the first light modulating unit by 90 degrees, a second light modulating unit configured to modulate the light changed by the changing unit in the polarization direction, and an irradiating unit configured to irradiate a measurement object with the light modulated by the second light modulating unit.
US08419181B2

Curved lenses configured to decode three dimensional content and method of fabricating the same. The lenses comprise a polyvinylalcohol polarizer film or similar type of material laminated with triacetate or similar type material on one or both sides, wherein the polarizer film has a polarizing efficiency equal to or exceeding 99% and a transmittance percentage equal to or exceeding 35% and a retarder film (e.g., norbornene copolymer resin) laminated on a front surface of the polyvinylalcohol polarizer film laminated with triacetate and aligned to produce a desired circular polarization responsive to specified retardation wavelengths. Thermoforming and press polishing techniques may be used to fabricate/curve the blanks into lenses. The lenses (optical elements) may be used in an injection molding process to add thickness.
US08419179B2

A radiation curable gel ink leveling method for digital direct-to-substrate radiation curable gel ink printing includes depositing radiation curable gel ink directly onto a substrate, irradiating the gel ink to increase a viscosity of the gel ink, adding sacrificial release fluid to a hydrophilic leveling roll surface, the leveling roll surface including metal oxide, and leveling the ink with the leveling roll. UV gel ink printing systems and leveling apparatus include a leveling roll having a metal oxide surface suitable for use with water based release fluids that contain a surfactant and/or polymer.
US08419178B2

By using an ink-jet application method, a solid content having a desired thickness contained in an application solution is formed in a desired region of a substrate by repeating an applying process and a drying process more than once. In the applying process, the application solution is sprayed and applied on the substrate. In the drying process, the application solution is dried to generate the solid content.
US08419176B2

A process for printing inkjet ink and other aqueous compositions through silicon-based microelectromechanical printer structures is disclosed that suppresses the normal dissolution of the silicon device components in contact with the aqueous composition. Inkjet ink and other aqueous compositions used in the process contain the soluble salts of organic aromatic azo compounds in sufficient concentrations to inhibit silicon corrosion. The useful lifetime of microelectromechanical fluidic devices based on silicon fabrication is extended.
US08419175B2

A printing system includes a filter, a printhead including nozzles through which liquid is emitted, and a liquid supply system in liquid communication with the printhead through the filter. The filter, an electroformed metal structure, includes a plurality of first recesses, a plurality of second recesses, a plurality of first pores, and a plurality of second pores. Each of the plurality of first recesses includes a first recess diameter and a first recess center-to-center spacing relative to each other. Each of the plurality of second recesses includes a second recess diameter and a second recess center-to-center spacing relative to each other. Each of the plurality of first pores is in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of first recesses and each of the plurality of second pores is in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of second recesses. In the filter, the first recess diameter is not equal to the second recess diameter and the first recess center-to-center spacing is not equal to the second recess center-to-center spacing.
US08419173B2

An ink cartridge adopts a construction in which an air seal and an ink seal are arranged on the cartridge side and in which sealing between the ink cartridge and the recording apparatus is performed with a radial seal.
US08419172B2

The liquid jet head (1) includes: a piezoelectric substrate (4) including a plurality of grooves (5) which are formed therein from a front end (FE) to a rear end (RE) of a surface of the substrate and separated from one another by side walls (3), the piezoelectric substrate having lead-out electrodes (8) formed on top surfaces of the side walls (3); a cover plate (11) which includes a manifold (9) and is bonded to the surface of the piezoelectric substrate (4); and a sealing material (14) for blocking, of channels formed by the cover plate (11) and the grooves (5), openings of rear channels (10) formed on the rear end (RE) side with respect to the manifold (9).
US08419163B2

An inkjet drawing apparatus includes a head module which holds a droplet jetting head provided with a nozzle for ejecting droplets, and which is unmovable in a horizontal direction, and a drawing table which supports a recording member on an upper surface, and which is movable in the horizontal direction. The inkjet drawing apparatus executes a prescribed drawing by ejecting the droplets onto the recording member from the droplet jetting head. A maintenance unit transfer mechanism is movable within a prescribed region including a position under the head module, and transfers a maintenance unit for conducting a maintenance of the droplet jetting head toward the position under the head module, and executes positioning of the maintenance unit with respect to the droplet jetting head. A maintenance unit selecting/arranging mechanism selects one of a plurality of kinds of maintenance units, and places the selected maintenance unit on the maintenance unit transfer mechanism.
US08419157B2

An apparatus controls dissipation of heat from melted ink within a component storing melted ink within a solid ink imaging device. The apparatus includes a housing, a passage within the housing that is configured to store melted ink, and a temperature control connector mechanically coupled to the housing and passage, the temperature control connector being configured to mitigate void formation in melted ink as the melted ink cools in the passage.
US08419149B2

The liquid droplet spraying apparatus of the present invention includes a nozzle body which comprises a chamber for containing a predetermined amount of fluid supplied from an exterior, and a nozzle communicating with the chamber and spraying a liquid droplet of the fluid contained in the chamber to one side of the material to be printed; an electrode module unit which is arranged to be attached to or spaced apart from an outside of the nozzle body; an alternating current signaler which applies an alternating current signal to the electrode module unit; and a signal control unit which controls intensity and frequency of an output signal from the alternating current signaler.
US08419146B2

An image recording apparatus of the present invention includes an image data storage unit, a record head, a head controller, an image data changing unit, an edge detection unit, a thin-line image portion judging unit, and a thin-line blank region judging unit. The image data changing unit changes an image data such that an amount of reduction in a recording droplets ejected onto a region including a dot region where an image dots constituting at least an edge of a thin-line image portion are formed is large when the thin-line image portion neighbors a thin-line blank region, as compared to a case where the thin-line image portion does not neighbor the thin-line blank region.
US08419145B2

A printhead and a method of ejecting liquid droplets are provided. The method includes providing a printhead operable to eject liquid drops having a plurality of drop volumes Vi, for i equal to 1 through n, where n≧2, with Vj>Vi when j>i. One of the plurality of drop volumes is a minimum drop volume Vmin, and a difference in drop volumes between successively larger drops equals (Vk+1−Vk) which is less than Vmin, for k equal to 1 through n−1. The method also includes ejecting liquid drops through the printhead.
US08419126B2

A seat-back frame of a seat-back comprises at least a pair of right and left side frames, a pressure receiving member disposed between the side frames, and wires for connecting the pressure receiving member to the side frames, respectively; wherein the wire is connected to the side frames through link members which are operable relative to the side frames, respectively, and wherein the link members are so configured that the wire is urged toward a forward side of the seat-back frame by tension springs.
US08419123B2

An aircraft seat has a chassis (21), fixed to a pallet which is fixed to the floor of the aircraft. The chassis has two load bearing sides (23) and opposite ends (24, 25). Fixed along the top edge of the sides (23) and facing outwards are pins (26) supporting bearing wheels (27). These on each side engage with a rectangular S form interconnection beam (28) having an inside groove (29) for receiving these wheels. On the outside, the beam has another groove (30) receiving similar wheels (31), on pins (32) fixed to the inside of side plates (41) of a sub-frame (42), these side plates being interconnected by front and rear beams (43, 44). Thus the sub-frame can move back and forth, with the wheels acting as rolling element bearings. The beams move half the distance of the sub-frame, in analogous manner to the bearing of filing cabinet drawers.
US08419121B2

A folding device is configured at the pivot between the rear leg frame and the front leg frame of a high chair and allows a user to complete folding process by pressing a driving member. When the driving member is pressed, an engaging member of the folding device moves correspondingly to an unlocked position, so that the rear leg frame disengages from and pivots about the front leg frame. The high chair can then be folded easily for the user, and the structure of the invention is simpler than the prior art.
US08419115B2

A vehicle body (12; 12A; 12B) including: left and right side sills (15, 15) extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (11); and rear wheel wells (17, 17) located behind the left and right side sills and covering the left and right rear wheels (16, 16). The left and right side sills are formed in a closed cross-sectional shape continuous from the front ends to the rear ends thereof. The rear end sections (35, 35) of the left and right side sills are joined, with the closed cross-sectional shape maintained, to the left and right rear wheel wells by joining members (18, 18; 18A, 18A; 18B, 18B).
US08419103B2

A panel assembly includes an audio panel and a finisher panel. The audio panel has a base portion, a support portion, and an accent portion. The accent portion is adjacent to the base portion and the support portion. The finisher panel is connected to the audio panel such that a lateral edge of the finisher panel is adjacent to the base portion of the audio panel, a side edge of the finisher panel is adjacent to the accent portion of the audio panel, and the support portion is concealed by the finisher panel.
US08419101B2

A receiving element is provided, in particular for motor vehicles, with a housing open at the top for accommodating at least one container. The housing has at least one lateral clamping element. In such a receiving element, it is proposed that the housing incorporate at least one foldable support, which in a first lockable position is spaced apart from and arranged parallel to the floor, and in a second position is arranged essentially perpendicular to the floor, and further that the respective clamping element is arranged above the support relative to its first position. Such a receiving element has a relatively large, variable tray area. It is also used for reliably accommodating at least one container, which can vary in size.
US08419094B2

A non-contact transport apparatus includes a housing and a plate which is fitted into a circular recess formed at a central portion in a lower surface of the housing. The housing is formed in an octagonal shape corresponding to the shape of a workpiece to be transported. In the plate, a plurality of nozzles are arranged radially at equal angular intervals. The nozzles include first nozzle grooves and second nozzle grooves having cross sectional areas that are determined in proportion to distances between a principal side of the housing and the nozzle and between an oblique side of the housing and the nozzle for making the flow rates of the pressure fluid through the first nozzle groove and the second nozzle groove different.
US08419090B2

A vehicular metal absorber for efficiently absorbing by a short stroke the impact energy received from legs of a pedestrian at the time of a collision between a pedestrian and an automobile, reducing the residual crush, and protecting the legs of the pedestrian, that is, a long vehicular metal absorber comprising a center flange, a top web and bottom web connected to the two sides of the center flange, a top flange connected to the top web, and a bottom flange connected to the bottom web and formed overall into a hat shaped cross-section, wherein an internal angle α1 formed by the top web with a flange plane including the top flange and bottom flange and an internal angle α2 formed by the bottom web with the flange plane are respectively over 0 degree to less than 90 degrees, and in that one or both of the top web and bottom web are provided with a recessed or projecting bead substantially parallel to a front-back direction of a vehicle.
US08419088B2

A status indicating latch comprises a housing having a flange, and the flange has a plurality of apertures transversing the flange. A plurality of attachment means attach the housing flange to a panel. The panel further comprises an activation tool port that an activation tool is inserted into. The activation tool rotates a rotatable lock mechanism disposed within the housing. The lock mechanism comprises a shaft, an activation tool engagement member, a plunger disposed within the shaft and connected to the activation tool engagement member, a cam operatively connected to said plunger, and a plunger biasing means that biases the plunger upwards when the lock mechanism is locked. A guide operatively connected to the cam operates upon a pivot arm that is pivotally connected to the housing and slidably connected to the guide.
US08419085B2

A case locking device is provided. For example, an outer case and an inner case used for various types of electronic devices, such as set-top boxes (STB), are connected by a lock using a resilient force from an elastic material, such as a spring, so that the outer case and the inner case may be separated from each other using only a separately provided jig. Accordingly, the outer case and the inner case may be connected to each other more easily and any general user may be prevented from separating the case arbitrarily, thus making it possible to effectively prevent catastrophic failures from occurring at the electronic device due to a user's arbitrary manipulation.
US08419080B2

A drawer safety latch that is securable, preferably releasably so, to a top surface of a drawer side structure, such as a sidewall, in one of two different orientations. The safety latch is quickly installed without modifying the drawer, is easily aligned, and can be oriented so that children shorter than the drawer cannot see the release mechanism. The drawer safety latch is preferably of one-piece, injection-molded construction, but other materials and manufacturing methods may be used. The drawer safety latch is preferably secured with releasable adhesive fabric, and so is portable for travel. In some embodiments, the drawer safety latch may have aesthetic and/or traction enhancements. The drawer safety latch has right-handed and left-handed versions that may be used alone or together, in the same or different orientations.
US08419079B2

A latch mechanism including a housing, a first device, a first sliding member, a second sliding member, a stopping portion and a second device is provided. The first and second devices and the first and second sliding members are disposed on the housing, wherein the first sliding member is located between the first device and the second sliding member. The stopping portion is disposed on at least one of the first device and the first sliding member for restricting a sliding distance of the first sliding member relative to the first device. The first sliding member is not allowed to drive the second sliding member to slide relative to the housing along a first direction to disengage the second device when sliding until the first device is detached from the housing and the engagement between the first device and the first sliding member is released.
US08419078B2

An installer, securing radiant heat tubing to wire mesh while standing, uses an apparatus with an adjustable telescoping housing. The installer, by actuating a power drill, or other electrically driven device, rotates a shaft that is attached to a drive roller in close proximity to an idler roller. These rollers frictionally engage an end of a preformed plastic binding coil. The preformed plastic binding coil end is advanced through a feeding tube that allows the end of the preformed plastic binding coil to wrap around the intersection where the radiant heat tubing and wire mesh meet. As the preformed plastic binding coil resumes its coiled configuration, the tying operation is complete. A cutter blade actuated by the user frees the apparatus from the tied radiant heat tubing and wire mesh.
US08419076B2

Plug connection arrangement for connecting a first hollow body, such as a pipe socket, to a second hollow body, such as a hose, by means of a clip. The first hollow body has a pre-assembly portion, on which the clip can be pre-assembled in a pre-assembly position. The first hollow body has a final assembly portion to which the clip is secured in a final assembly position. The pre-assembly portion and the final assembly portion are offset in the peripheral direction of the first hollow body, so that the clip can be transferred from the pre-assembly position into the final assembly position by twisting relative to the first hollow body.
US08419069B2

In order to produce a data carrier, a substrate is printed with a printing ink and personalized by means of a laser. The printing ink is laser-active and is converted at least in regions during the personalization in such a way that, for example, a silver-grade pigment is formed which is readily visible only when the substrate is inclined. In particular, the printing ink has a comparatively small proportion of carbon black that is converted by the laser essentially without disturbing combustion and overall formation.
US08419065B2

A drop deck trailer frame includes a front section having a first upper surface, a rear section having a second upper surface lower than the first upper surface, and an improved connection between the front and rear sections which tends to reduce cracking which commonly occurs in drop deck trailer frames due to the stresses in the region of the connection. The connection preferably includes a semicircular weld. In addition, heat treated bent flanges are typically used to provide additional strength. Fasteners such as bolts are also typically used to connect various flanges.
US08419064B2

An apparatus for adding weight to a work vehicle includes a receptacle and at least one arm projecting from the receptacle. The receptacle and the at least one arm are configured to receive weights. The apparatus for adding weight to a work vehicle also includes at least one connecting point configured to attach the apparatus to a three-point hitch of the work vehicle.
US08419052B2

An airbag device includes an airbag, an inflator, and a mounting plate. A steering wheel includes a wheel main body and a core member as a central member. A mounting member is provided to any one of the mounting plate side and the core member side, and a locking body is provided to the other thereof. The mounting member includes a column part and a locking protrusion provided in a protruding manner to a distal end portion of the column part. The locking body is locked with an inner corner portion between the column part and the locking protrusion, whereby the airbag device is mounted to the steering wheel. A locking abutment surface of the locking protrusion, which faces a proximal end portion of the column part, includes a slip-off prevention protrusion that holds the locking body on the proximal-end-portion side of the locking protrusion.
US08419041B2

A hitch, which can be rigidly yet removably attached to a vehicle-mounted sleeve, comprises a longitudinally extending member which is configured to slide into the sleeve and which locks therewith with a transverse locking device in a conventional manner. The member is divided into two sections along a plane which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the member. The sections are connected together by a bolt threading into one section while being operable from the outside of the other section. Due to the inclined plane separating both sections, tightening of the bolt causes the sections to slide in opposite directions within the sleeve until they abut and press on opposite inner walls of the sleeve, thereby eliminating play between the member and sleeve. The hitch is conceived such to prevent a user to drive without the locking device in place.
US08419037B2

A fifth wheel travel trailer chassis includes a front frame member, a first inner side frame member substantially perpendicular to the front frame member, a first outer side frame member substantially perpendicular to the front frame member, and a first brace member. The first inner side frame member has a forward end connected to a first end of the front frame member. The first outer side frame member has a forward end that is rearward of the front frame member. The first brace member has a first end connected to the first inner side frame member rearward of the front frame member and a second end connected to the forward end of the first outer side frame member.
US08419031B1

A new and novel suspension link for the suspension system of vehicles, which is easily removed and replaced in a repair mode. More specifically, there is an vehicle sway bar stabilizer link that has angle capability for replacing prior art suspension links having ball-type devices which comprise a polished steel ball surround by a steel liner, or a polished steel ball surrounded by a plastic liner. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.
US08419016B2

An electromechanical card-handling apparatus and method creates or generates a plurality of sets of cards from a group of unshuffled cards wherein each set contains a predetermined number of randomly selected or arranged cards. Sets of cards are provided in a step-wise fashion, with first initial cards provided and then subsequent cards provided in a single step or in multiple steps in a preprogrammed mariner. The apparatus is controlled by a programmable microprocessor and may be monitored by a plurality of sensors and limit switches. The apparatus can be programmed for the number of players, the number of cards to be provided in each segment of play, and the dealing intervals among the various segments of card delivery and play.
US08419015B2

An image recording device includes a first roller, a plurality of second rollers, a tray, and a recording portion. The tray includes a pair of thick-walled sections, a thin-walled section, and an accommodation portion. The pair of thick-walled sections extends in a lengthwise direction and protrudes from the first surface. The thin-walled section is positioned between the pair of thick-walled sections. The thin-walled section is thinner than the pair of thick-walled sections in a thickness direction of the tray. The accommodation portion is formed by a recess in the thickness direction in the thin-walled section. When the first roller and the plurality of second rollers nip the tray therebetween, the first surface of the tray does not contact any of the first roller or the plurality of second rollers, except at the pair of thick-walled sections of the tray.
US08419014B2

An image reading apparatus includes a multifeed detecting mechanism including an ultrasonic sensor, and a control unit. The control unit includes (i) a detecting unit that detects an attached portion on a paper from an output of the ultrasonic sensor for the paper fed, and (ii) a determining unit that ignores, when it is detected as “Occurrence of multifeed” by the multifeed detecting mechanism and if an amount of variation in the output within the attached portion detected by the detecting unit is equal to or more than a first predetermined value, a result of detection as the occurrence of multifeed by the multifeed detecting mechanism, and determines the detection as “No multifeed”.
US08419005B2

There is provided a paper sheet handling apparatus capable of processing a deviated banknote in a banknote storage bin so as to displace the banknote to an optional position. The banknote handling apparatus incorporates a deviation processing means making contact with at least one side of a banknote in a paper sheet storage bin in which banknotes are stacked one upon another, for applying a force to the banknote at least in a direction of deviation of the banknote. The deviation processing means falls, during operation thereof, either in a condition in which it makes contact with a paper sheet in the paper sheet storage bin or in a condition in which it does not make contact therewith.
US08419003B2

A creasing device, that forms a crease on a sheet, includes: a first member, extending in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction, on which a convex blade is formed; a second member on which a groove-like concave blade is formed such that the convex blade can be fitted into the concave blade by interposing the sheet therebetween; a drive unit that causes the first and the second members to interpose, therebetween, the sheet to form a crease on the sheet; a sheet-information acquiring unit that acquires first sheet information of the sheet to be creased; an adjusting unit that adjusts a pressing force exerted by the drive unit; and a control unit that sets the pressing force to an optimum pressing force for the sheet and that causes the drive unit to drive the first and the second members for creasing the sheet at the optimum pressing force.
US08418998B2

A damper includes a vessel; a partitioning member which partitions the interior of the vessel into two chambers for accommodating a viscous fluid, and which rotates together with the vessel in a direction and is movable in an axial direction; a moving force imparting structure for imparting to the partitioning member a moving force in a direction by the input of rotation in a direction; a resilient structure for resiliently urging the partitioning member in a direction; a through hole for allowing the chambers inside the vessel to communicate with each other; and an allowing/limiting member which allows the viscous fluid to flow reciprocally between the chambers through the through hole, and which limits the flow of the viscous fluid in one chamber into the other chamber in the direction through the through hole.
US08418995B2

A sanitary fitting includes a fitting housing; a cartridge disposed in a recess of the fitting housing, the cartridge having a control arm which, for an adjustment of a temperature of water, is rotatable about a rotation axis of the cartridge and, for an adjustment of water flow, is pivotable about a pivot axis running at right angles to the rotation axis, between an off setting and a maximum setting; an actuating lever disposed on the control arm, the actuating lever rotating and pivoting the control arm; and a cap covering the recess and the cartridge, the cap limiting a pivot motion of the actuating lever, and thus of the control arm, between the off setting and the maximum setting in an economy setting.
US08418993B2

A system and method of Touch Free Automatic faucet controlled by electronic sensors provides a Primary-Water-Flow-Mode, a Continue-Water-Flow-Mode, a Temperature-Control-Mode, a Faucet-Pause-Mode, an Adjust-Water-Flow-Mode and a Flow-Temperature-Default-Setting-Mode for users to control faucet water flow and water temperature without touching any parts of faucet body. The system comprises at least three electronic sensors (infrared sensors), a logical processor circuit board, an electricity power supply package, a water flow control valve assembly, a temperature control valve assembly, at least one faucet body housing and at least one inlet fluid line. From the outputs of the sensors, the logical processor responds to the flow control valve assembly and to the temperature control valve assembly to control water flow and temperature to the faucet spout. This Touch Free Automatic faucet hence provides an easy-convenient operation, water conservation and personal hygiene protection for commercial and residential applications.
US08418989B2

Disclosed are a fluid control system and method of controlling operating pressures within a fluid system, where the fluid control system includes a choke assembly, a pressure generating device, and a linear motor. The choke assembly may include a housing and a choke member adapted for movement in the housing, controlling the flow of a fluid from an inlet passage to an outlet passage. The fluid applies a force on a first end of the choke member. The pressure generating device may be fluidly connected to a chamber and may contain a control fluid that applies a first force on a second end of the choke member. The linear motor may apply a second force on the second end of the choke member. The difference between the forces applied to the first and second ends of the choke member may affect the movement of the choke member in the housing.
US08418980B2

A suspending unit and a medium holding member used therefor, which suspending unit enables the installation and removal operations of information displaying medium to be easily carried out even when the suspending unit is placed on a base such as an unreachable ceiling or wall, and can also firmly hold the information displaying medium.
US08418979B2

A rigging device includes a fixture having opposed first and second ends, opposed upper and lower faces, and a bracket extending away from the upper face of the fixture between the opposed first and second ends of the fixture to engage a hoist line of a crane. A support is mounted to the fixture proximate each of the opposed first and second ends on either side of the bracket extending away from the lower face of the fixture terminating with an engaging element movable between a disengaging position and an engaging position.
US08418977B2

Provided herein is an item holder assembly that includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the assembly to an object such as a laptop computer, an item support or holder, and a member for connecting the attachment mechanism to the item holder or support.
US08418974B2

A mounting assembly for mounting a piece of equipment, such as a power distribution unit to a rack. The mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket attached to the rack, a mounting plate attached to the equipment and a hinge assembly connecting the mounting plate to the first end of the mounting bracket while an attachment mechanism connects the mounting plate to the mounting bracket. A method of accessing the interior of the rack is also disclosed.
US08418970B2

A swing nose crossing has the swing nose housed in an insert component which itself is mounted within the wing rails of the swing nose crossing. The cradle provides the lateral faces against which the swing nose abuts.
US08418968B2

An apparatus comprises a structure having a first side, a second side substantially opposite to the first side, a flexible skin, and a plurality of deformable assemblies. The flexible skin is attached to the first side and the second side of the structure. The plurality of deformable assemblies is moveably connected to the structure, in which each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies has a vertex and a base. The each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies has a height that is capable of changing to change a shape of the structure and a shape of the flexible skin.
US08418958B2

A hydraulic control system for an aircraft landing gear system has a hydraulic pressure source connected to a hydraulic fluid pressure transmission line, and at least one hydraulic actuator for extending and/or retracting a landing gear. A supply valve and a direction valve are arranged in series along the hydraulic fluid pressure transmission line. The supply valve and direction valve are adjustable to control the hydraulic pressure supplied to the at least one hydraulic actuator. The control system also controls uplock actuators.
US08418957B2

A crash attenuation system for an aircraft, the system having an airbag carried by the aircraft and inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft. The airbag has at least one vent for releasing gas from the interior of the airbag. A gas source is in fluid communication with the interior of the airbag for inflating the airbag with gas generated provided by the gas source. A vent valve is provided for controlling a flow of gas through each vent, each vent valve being selectively configurable between an open state, in which gas can pass through the associated vent from the interior of the airbag, and a closed state, in which gas is retained within the interior of the airbag. The gas source is provided for at least partially re-inflating the airbag after venting of gas through the at least one vent.
US08418941B2

The invention relates to an injector for a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, particularly in a motor vehicle, with an injector body which has a pressure booster section and a needle section. At least one injection hole is provided in the needle section. A nozzle needle which has an adjustable stroke is disposed in the needle section for controlling an injection of fuel through the at least one injection hole. A pressure booster is provided for increasing a fuel injection pressure relative to a system pressure. For this purpose, the pressure booster has a double-diameter or stepped piston, a control rod, and a pressure booster bottom which together form the boundary of a coupling chamber. A coupling path extends into the control rod and connects the coupling chamber, over a valve device which is located outside or within the injector, to a high-pressure supply of fuel.
US08418940B2

Spray nozzle comprising a front wall, an outlet channel delimited by a lateral surface substantially of revolution about an axis perpendicular to the front wall, an intake conduit supplying fluid product to the outlet channel, said intake conduit extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis, substantially tangentially to the lateral surface of the outlet channel, between an upstream and a downstream end opening out into the lateral surface of the outlet channel, the lateral surface of the outlet channel comprising a relief arranged radially relative to the axis and suitable for forming a static surface layer of fluid product.
US08418939B2

A shower having a shower area changed with variation of water pressure includes: a holding unit, in which a water channel is designed and a feed-water valve is added on the top of the water channel; a spraying water unit, which is sealed with the holding unit, comprising at least two spraying water groups that are a main spraying water group and at least one branch spraying water group; and at least one movable unit, whose number is equal with the number of branch spraying water groups, assembled with the branch spraying water groups in one to one correspondence. In order to change the shower area, we could regulate the opening and closing of the feed-water valve to control water pressure.
US08418937B2

A jet regulator for accommodating a water flow, comprises, a distributor surface having a plurality of through-flow holes for distributing the water flow; a rebounding surface arranged in a central region of a flow cross-section; and a plurality of flow guiding walls connected downstream of the distributor surface, and oriented in a flow direction.
US08418934B2

A micro-electromechanical (MEM) synthetic jet actuator includes a semiconductor substrate having a cavity extending therethrough, such that a first opening is formed in a first surface of the semiconductor substrate and such that a second opening is formed in a second surface of the semiconductor substrate. A first flexible membrane is formed on at least a portion of the front surface of the semiconductor substrate and extends over the first opening. The first flexible membrane also includes an orifice formed therein aligned with the first opening. The MEM synthetic jet actuator also includes a second flexible membrane that is formed on at least a portion of the second surface of the semiconductor substrate and that extends over the second opening, and a pair of actuator elements coupled to the flexible membranes and aligned with the cavity to selectively cause displacement of the first and second flexible membranes.
US08418933B2

A fragrance bearing liquid, visible in a transparent container, supporting a floating colorized liquid bubble that is maintained in a substantially centered position. A wicking system transfers the fragranced liquid to the atmosphere.
US08418928B2

A wireless IC device includes a wireless IC chip, a coupling electrode, and a radiation plate. The coupling electrode includes coupling portions arranged to be coupled to the wireless IC chip and a pair of opposing ends. The pair of opposing ends are capacitively coupled to each other and oppose the radiation plate to be coupled to the radiation plate. The wireless IC chip uses the radiation plate as an antenna to transmit and receive signals having certain frequencies to and from an RFID system.
US08418924B2

The present invention provides a novel optical reader device and method for calibrating the device. The device executes a calibration module that locates the actual coordinates for a targeting symbol in a captured image. The coordinates are stored as calibration coordinates in the memory. During normal operation of the reader device, the stored calibration coordinates are used to locate a target, such as a bar code. In order to locate the targeting symbol, the calibration module may overlay a template on clusters that may be the targeting symbol. A reasonable accurate comparison identifies the cluster as the targeting symbol. Alternatively, the calibration module may approach a cluster from four frames of the image and identify the cluster's tangents and perimeter. Geometrical calculations are used to identify the center of an identified targeting symbol.
US08418921B2

The invention relates to an apparatus (10) and a corresponding process for identifying an object (20) with an article dependently upon a piece of barcode information detected from a barcode (30) with which the object (20) is identified. Here a number of article numbers are stored in a memory (60) which are assigned, on the one hand, to a number of articles and on the other hand to a number of different article number types. According to the invention, the piece of barcode information detected is compared with article numbers stored in the memory (60) dependently upon a specified sequence of article number types. In the case of the piece of barcode information detected corresponding with one of the stored article numbers, the object (20) is identified with the article assigned to this article number.
US08418918B2

A system and method for securing a financial transaction using a proxy code, which is assigned a transaction account number. An account issuer permanently assigns the proxy code to a transaction account correlated to the transaction device. The proxy code is uploaded onto the transaction device for later use in completing a transaction request. During transaction completion, the proxy code is provided to a merchant system in lieu of any sensitive account information. Since the proxy code is permanently assigned, the number need not be changed or updated on the merchant system once uploaded into a payment device or merchant database. The account issuer may manipulate the sensitive account information without need to alter the information stored on the merchant database. Since the proxy code contains no sensitive information, the sensitive information related to the transaction account is secured from theft.
US08418913B2

A method and apparatus for generating an options enablement sheet to activate options for an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a request to generate an options enablement sheet, receiving options enablement and image production device information, encoding the options enablement and image production device information into one or more machine-readable markings, generating an options enablement sheet that includes the one or more machine-readable markings, receiving a transmission mode selection, and transmitting the options enablement sheet to a user of the image production device using the selected transmission mode. The options enablement sheet may be received by a user and scanned by the image production device to activate the options.
US08418911B2

The invention allows for the contacting of preferably microcomponents using electrical wires. By growing metallic microdepositions on cut surfaces of microcables, a contact region is generated which simplifies the dosing and application of a contact auxiliary and allows ultrasonic bonding, comprising a defined size of the electrically conductive area and allowing the contacting of very stably insulated wires. The application of this method in a panelized manner and in series is inexpensive.
US08418910B2

An electro-conductive bonding material includes: metal components of a high-melting-point metal particle that have a first melting point or higher; a middle-melting-point metal particle that has a second melting point which is first temperature or higher, and second temperature or lower, the second temperature is lower than the first melting point and higher than the first temperature; and a low-melting-point metal particle that has a third melting point or lower, the third melting point is lower than the first temperature.
US08418904B2

A surgical stapling device for sequentially applying a plurality of fasteners to body tissue and simultaneously incising tissue is provided. The surgical stapling device is adapted to receive disposable loading units having staples in linear rows whose length can be between about 30 mm and 60 mm. The disposable loading unit includes a proximal body portion, a mounting assembly and a tool assembly. The mounting assembly is secured to the proximal end of the tool assembly and pivotally mounted about a pivot axis to the distal end of the proximal body portion. A support member or blow-out plate assembly is positioned on opposite sides of the pivot avis and extends between the proximal body portion and the mounting assembly.
US08418883B2

A packet comprises at least two opposing sidewalls comprising a more rigid flat and a film pouch; and an expressing-shaped first closure end and a second closure end; the sidewalls and closure ends defining an enclosure; wherein at least the more rigid flat comprises a rigid material that can be folded or rolled to compress the enclosure to express a content through the expressing shaped closure end.
US08418882B2

An applicator is provided with a volume for receiving one or more disposable or refillable container containing a hair treatment composition. The applicator is provided with opposed arms that are configured such that, when the arms are brought towards each other, the hair treatment composition is dispensed.
US08418878B2

Provided is a packaging container that simplifies the opening operation. The packaging container includes a front cover member and a back cover member, which are attached to each other to form a housing space for accommodating an article therein. The back cover member is integrally molded from a sheet-shaped plastic. The back cover member includes an opening portion, which is surrounded by an opening assisting line portion formed in a linear form and opened by tearing the opening assisting line portion when the packaging container is opened. The back cover member is formed so that its surface is recessed at the opening assisting line portion.
US08418871B1

A hybrid thermoformed/pulp container comprising a pulp tray with a rim that includes an ear; and a thermoformed frame with a rib that includes a protrusion, wherein the pulp tray can be attached to the thermoformed frame by snapping the ear into position above the protrusion. Alternative embodiments of the invention include a kit for building the hybrid container, and a method of assembling the hybrid container.
US08418866B2

The invention relates to a stopper, provided with an obstructor for a can. Said stopper comprises a cap provided with a central opening and an annular skirt, and an annular shaft extending around the opening, in addition to a capsule which is detachably fixed, by means of a tear element, to a free edge of the shaft opposite the opening. The tear element joining the shaft to the capsule is placed in an entrance area at an angle in the free edge of the shaft. At least one sealing lip is disposed on the inner surface of the shaft, and the cap, skirt and capsule of the stopper are moulded in a single piece without any welding or the addition of another component or detachable part. The invention also relates to a method for the production of said stopper by offset injection in a region which is outside the cap.
US08418865B2

A bottle containing two kinds of materials separately in two spaces in a bottle body and communicates the separated spaces with each other as necessary so that the two materials can be mixed together. This bottle has a bottle body having a mouth; an additive storage container including an insertion part inserted into the mouth, an exposed part exposed outside the mouth and an additive storage space defined therein; an opening unit tightened to the mouth; and separation means for separating the additive storage container from the bottle body. The bottle saves resources and prevents deterioration in the properties in the material and additive. A user can mix the material and additive at a precise ratio, thus preventing their chemical and physical properties from deteriorating. The additive storage container can be completely removed from the bottle body.
US08418856B2

The present invention relates to a vibratory screening apparatus which comprises a vibratable screen element (2) mounted in a basket (4), which basket (4) is mounted over a reservoir (6) which contains and holds a pool of liquid slurry (8). A first end (10) of the screen element (2) is disposed within the reservoir (6) such that it is submerged in the body of liquid slurry (8). The reservoir has a deep end (12) in which the first end (10) of the screening element (12) is disposed and a second shallow end (14) above which a median portion (16) of the screening apparatus is disposed. The second end (18) of the screen element (2) is disposed above a portion (20) of the reservoir which extends above the surface of the body of liquid slurry held within the reservoir (6). Vibration means are provided for vibrating the screen element such that oversized solids in the liquid slurry in use of the operation are dewatered on the screen element and are discharged from the second elevated end of the screen element and underside solids pass through the screen element, where they may be collected. A vibratory screening machine is also described.
US08418855B2

A method and apparatus for separating solid particles of different densities, using a magnetic process fluid. The solid particles are thoroughly mixed in a small partial flow of the process fluid. The small turbulent partial flow is added to a large laminar partial flow of the process fluid, after which the obtained mixture of the respective partial process fluids is conducted over, under, or through the middle of two magnet configurations, wherein the particles are separated into lighter particles at the top of the laminar process fluid and heavier particles at the bottom of the laminar process fluid, each of which are subsequently removed with the aid of a splitter. After that furthermore the particles of low density and the particles of high density are separated from the respective process streams, dried and stored. Finally, the process fluid from which the particles have been removed is returned to the original starting process stream. The method according to the invention is especially suitable, for example, for separating a mixture of polypropylene particles and polyethylene particles.
US08418851B2

An apparatus houses a plurality of surgical elements, such as needles and sutures, both before and after use. The largest cross-sectional dimension of the housing is preferably less than about 12 mm. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a substantially rigid housing having a first section that holds a plurality of unused needles and a second section that receives the plurality of needles after use. In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a flexible panel having a plurality of pockets therein, wherein each pocket is configured to house a single needle.
US08418850B2

A presentation device for a bicycle handlebar grip (12a) comprises an plane base element (14) and an elongate elastic holding element (16a). The holding element (16a) is provided for holding the grip (12a) on the base element (14). Thus, a first portion (16a′) of the holding element (16a) emerges from a first opening (18) on the first end of the grip (12a) and a second portion (16″) of the holding element (16a) emerges from a second opening (20) on the second end of the grip (12a). Further, a connection means (22a) is provided for mechanically connecting the first and second portions (16a′,16a″) of the holding element (16a), to the base element (14). This allows the grip (12a) to be pulled away from the base element (14) against the tensile force of the holding element (16a), so a person can full fully grip around the bicycle handlebar grip (12a).
US08418834B2

Method and apparatus for prefeeding corrugated boards to a box finishing machine wherein a stack of rectangular boards are moved to a first conveyor with the long dimension of the boards extending transverse to the direction of movement of said first conveyor. The stack is then rotated to place the long dimension of the boards in alignment with the direction of movement of said first conveyor, and then moving the rotated stack to a second conveyor for feeding to a box finishing machine with the long dimension of the boards in alignment with the direction or path of movement of the boards through the box finishing machine. The stack is transferred to the first conveyor from an elevator which contains a supply of boards larger than the stack. Three different types of apparatus are disclosed for rotating the stack. One is a plurality of conveyor belts whose speeds may be varied to rotate the boards. Another is a turntable with a set of belt conveyors and a set of rollers. The third is a vertical chute whose guides rotate the boards as they descend through the chute.
US08418830B2

At present, the removal the sticks from the mineral feeding lines, as a result of the mineral extraction, is carried out manually or using mechanical equipment, which means a loss of efficiency of the grinding and crushing system, high exposure to the risks associated to the removal of foreign elements of grinding material, this method does not guarantee problems from this cause in the subsequent stages in the grinding and crushing process. Due to the above, a robot system and method have been developed for the removal of sticks from the conveyor belts.The robotic system is composed mainly of an anthropomorphous robotic manipulator of at least 5 degrees of freedom, and a gripping mechanism which is supported by a vision system allowing, in a sequential and programmed way, to remove the sticks. In this regard, most of the problems associated to the safety of the personnel and the productivity of the current manual and/or mechanical process are eliminated.
US08418823B2

An electric vehicle can run with power supplied from a power supply facility on the outside of the vehicle. A resonator for power reception is disposed under a metallic under body and configured to receive power from a resonator for power transmission in the power supply facility by resonating with the resonator through an electromagnetic field. A power storage device stores power received by the resonator for power reception. A power cable is laid under the under body along with the resonator for power reception, and configured to transmit power received by the resonator for power reception.
US08418821B2

Piston-cylinder unit includes a piston rod guided with freedom of axial movement in a cylinder, where at least part of the piston rod is enclosed by a piston rod protector, which is designed with at least limited axial elasticity. At least one retaining surface of the piston rod protector enters into a positive connection with at least one stop surface on the cylinder side, and an auxiliary assembly bevel allows the piston rod protector to buckle over a certain stroke range of the piston rod during the installation of the protector, so that the retaining surface snap-locks onto the stop surface on the cylinder side.
US08418817B2

A brake assembly having a hub, a rotor, and a mounting clip. The hub has a mounting boss and first and second pockets disposed on opposite sides of the mounting boss. The rotor is disposed on the hub and has a first tooth and a second tooth disposed in the first and second pockets, respectively. The mounting clip has a first arm that is disposed in the first pocket between the first tooth and the mounting boss and the second arm is disposed in the second pocket between the second tooth and the mounting boss.
US08418815B2

An exemplary system for monitoring an elevator arrangement includes a detector arranged to detect conditions or events in, on or near an associated elevator car. A monitoring device monitors a status of the associated elevator car. The monitoring device communicates with the detector for receiving data indicative of any event or condition detected by the detector. The monitoring device provides an output that associates the status of the elevator car at a time of any detected event or condition with an indication of the detected event or condition including a reproduction of the detected event or condition.
US08418812B1

A drain hole sealing system has a ribbed drain plug that includes a shaft for engaging the drain hole of a fluid container, a head portion for engaging a tool, and at least one annular rib or ridge or projection extending from the head portion in the same direction as the threaded shaft and concentric therewith. The annular rib or ribs provide compressive and biting engagement with an annular deformable seal positioned concentrically around the drain hole that is engaged by the shaft of the drain plug. At least one annular rib moves into biting engagement with the annular deformable seal so that the seal deforms at least partially around the annular rib when the drain plug is tightened.
US08418804B1

Multiple Helmholtz resonators are combined serially and dynamically to mitigate and/or overcome acoustic noise filtering problems. One Helmholtz resonator is attached to a duct having an acoustic flow path channel containing undesired acoustic signals (noise) and is considered to be an immovable Helmholtz resonator with respect to that flow channel, while at least one movable Helmholtz resonator is movably and acoustically coupled to the immovable Helmholtz resonator. The immovable and movable Helmholtz resonators are acoustically coupled together to adjustably filter two resonant frequencies in the flow path channel with a feedback control system that adjusts the position of the movable Helmholtz resonator in response to the differences in pre-filtered noise versus filtered noise.
US08418802B2

A phase plugs or acoustic lens improves the directional audio performance of a loudspeaker. Application of the improved directional audio performance to a sound system in a listening area may improve the performance of the audio system. Configuration of the acoustic lens or phase plug may include both symmetrical and asymmetrical features to provide an improved frequency response and directivity. The improved loudspeaker may provide improved an improved listing location, for example, in a vehicle.
US08418790B2

An air flow system is disclosed. The system is for use with a vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a heat exchanger, a cover, and a compartment baffle separating an engine compartment from a cooling compartment. The system includes a side air intake including a side air intake baffle. The side air intake baffle configured to inhibit air heated by the engine from mixing with ambient air used with the heat exchanger. In another embodiment, the system includes a side air duct. The side air duct includes a side air duct, wherein the side air duct tubing is at least partially located within the engine compartment. The side air duct tubing is configured to inhibit air heated by the engine from mixing with ambient air used with the heat exchanger.
US08418789B2

A fan motor is controlled via a switching circuit from the moment when a cooling fan control routine is started until the moment when the rotational speed of the fan motor reaches a control-switching speed so that the higher the detected auxiliary battery voltage is when the cooling fan control is started, the lower the command duty ratio that is set. Accordingly, it is possible to activate the fan motor more reliably and to avoid generating excessive operating noise by the cooling fan when the fan motor is activated.
US08418785B2

A drill bit for drilling a borehole in earthen formations, the bit comprising: a bit body having a bit axis and a bit face including a cone region, a shoulder region, and a gage region; a first primary blade extending radially along the bit face from the cone region to the gage region; a plurality of cutter elements mounted to the first primary blade, wherein a first of the plurality of cutter elements has a planar cutting face and a second of the plurality of cutter elements has a convex cutting face; and wherein each cutting face is forward-facing.
US08418784B2

In one aspect of the invention, a drilling assembly comprises a head located on a rotational axis of the assembly and comprises at least one head element. At least one blade extends distally from the head. A plurality of blade degradation elements are rotationally supported on the blade. Each degradation element comprises an attack angle that affects the penetration rate of each degradation element and a laterally offset angle that primarily affects the rotational rate of each degradation element within their holders. The drilling assembly comprises a central cutting region. The blade degradation elements within the central cutting region form an attack angle of 15 to 20 degrees with the rotational axis of the drilling assembly.
US08418781B2

A pneumatic impact device and method provide a high powered striking force against a target object. The device includes a core shell that houses a piston sub-assembly and a sear arm sub-assembly, and that further defines a forward gas chamber and a rearward gas chamber. The rearward gas chamber is loaded with compressed fluid via a handle actuator. A mostly external sear trigger assembly responds to the impact of a striker plate against the target object, thereby releasing a sear arm that then releases a piston, which is then accelerated forward by the compressed fluid charge. The device can be re-set manually via compressed fluid (e.g., air) in one embodiment, or automatically via a spring mechanism in another embodiment.
US08418775B2

The invention relates to a powder spreader device including a sealed tank (1) with a tapered bottom wall (5), a vessel (2) containing a pressurised spray gas connected to the tank (1) via a feed line (27), control means (20) connected to the vessel (1), and a powder dispensing nozzle (10) connected to the tank, wherein the elongate nozzle (10) includes at least two pressure relief stages (11, 12) for breaking up the dispensed powder jet and forming a uniform and homogenous jet with a relatively low flow rate.
US08418771B2

A method and apparatus for releasing a coiled tubing internal line from a bottom hole assembly. The internal line may not have strength sufficient to permit the application of a tension force at the surface to disconnect the internal line from the bottom hole assembly. The bottom hole assembly may include a ball seat adapted to retain a ball permitting the application of a pressure differential above and below the ball seat. An anchor assembly connected to the internal line may be adapted to disconnect from the bottom hole assembly upon the application of predetermined pressure differential. A predetermined pressure differential may be used to shear a portion of the internal line releasing an upper portion of the internal line from the bottom hole assembly.
US08418767B1

The present invention is a blowout preventer including a large frustoconical funnel. The large end of the funnel is placed over a well pipe (or other pipe) through which oil (or gas or other fluid) is blowing out. The small end of the funnel is connected to a return pipe. A high pressure pipe with a smaller diameter is inserted into the well pipe. Air is pumped under high pressure through the high pressure pipe, separating the oil and forcing the oil, that is not kept down in the well pipe by the pressure, up through the return pipe. The funnel can be moved into alignment with the well pipe using jets. There are sensing devices on moveable arms. A stopper is forced into the well pipe. There are one-way valves in the stopper. There are stacked turbines in the return pipe. There is a gasket with pivoting overlapping plates.
US08418754B2

The invention is generally directed to the novel and unique water pump system that is for manual operation, such as when there is a power failure and electrical pump systems are inoperable. When air is delivered into the air input port of the air line conduit, the air pushes water residing in the static chamber and water conduit up through the main water line and into an optional expansion tank for use. An electrical air compressor may be used to deliver the air. The water pump system may be provided in a parallel configuration for continuous operation and also in a stacked series configuration for deep well environments.
US08418752B2

A plate heat exchanger with a plurality of separating walls stacked one above the other, which alternatingly define a first and second flow space for a first and second medium, includes at least one turbulence generator being positioned in at least one flow space, which comprises a plate with a number of parallel-running band-like rows of alternating elevations and depressions mutually connected by bridges, where the elevations and depressions of each row are shifted with respect to each immediately adjacent row, and where each row is provided with at least one transition area for the medium to pass to the immediately adjacent row, such that the depressions of each row are flow-connected with the immediately adjacent elevations of at least one immediately adjacent row. To achieve high heat transfer performance in a simple manner it is provided that the bridges of each row are essentially parallel and equally inclined relative to the separating walls, with an acute angle being formed between a separating wall and the bridges.
US08418750B2

A heat exchanger radiating fin structure and a heat exchanger thereof. The radiating fin includes a main body and at least one rib. The main body has a first plane face and at least one lateral side. Multiple depressions are formed on the first plane face. The rib is disposed on a portion of the first plane face, which portion is free from any of the depressions. The rib obliquely extends in a direction neither normal nor parallel to any lateral side of the first plane face. The heat exchanger includes a radiating fin assembly composed of multiple piled up radiating fins. Each two adjacent radiating fins define therebetween a flow way having at least one inlet and at least one outlet. With the depressions and the rib, the structural strength of the radiating fin is increased and the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger is enhanced.
US08418743B2

A brazing system for brazing component members of a workpiece has a brazing chamber an inside of which is made a heating space of a volume corresponding to the workpiece, a radiant heating means provided with a plurality of heating sources which are positioned so as to correspond to a plurality of regions into which two facing surfaces of the workpiece are respectively divided, a convection heating means for circulating a heated inert gas to the heating space so as to heat the workpiece, and a control means for controlling the operation of the heating sources and the circulation of the inert gas. Each heating source is independently controlled by the control means, and the convection heating means circulates the inert gas so as to reduce a temperature difference of the workpiece caused by the heating sources.
US08418742B2

A shade for architectural openings incorporating a single cord drive featuring automatic braking of the shade when the user releases the drive cord. In a preferred embodiment, an automatic tilt-open mechanism is provided to tilt the shade open when the shade is in the fully extended down position.
US08418740B2

Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and other structures, and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections, are disclosed herein. A method for manufacturing a shell structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes applying composite material to an interior mold surface of a tool to form a skin extending 360 degrees around an axis. The method can further include positioning a plurality of stiffeners on an inner surface of the skin. After the stiffeners have been positioned, a vacuum bag can be installed over the stiffeners and evacuated to press the stiffeners and the skin outwardly against the interior mold surface of the tool. Next, the skin/stiffener combination can be cocured to bond the stiffeners to the skin and harden the shell structure.
US08418737B2

The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of apexes, flippers and chippers, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 50 phr of an epoxidized polyisoprene having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 to 100000.
US08418736B2

There are provided a rubber composition for coating a steel cord, containing 100 parts by mass of diene-based rubber; 0.5 to 5 parts by mass of a metal salt of an organic acid; and 30 to 100 parts by mass of a filler, wherein the filler contains 3 to 30 parts by mass of glass beads having a particle diameter of 10 to 100 μm, relative to 100 parts by mass of the diene-based rubber, and a tire reinforcement belt and a pneumatic tire using the rubber composition. The rubber composition reduces heat generation and improves adhesiveness with a steel cord. A pneumatic tire having a tire reinforcement belt using the rubber composition has excellent steering stability and rolling resistance.
US08418732B2

Compressed gas delivery system and process for use thereof wherein compressed gases are withdrawn from compressed gas storage vessels, passed through pressure regulated flow control valves and critical flow venturis to control the mass flow rates of the compressed gases forming the blend of the compressed gases prior to dispending the blend.
US08418729B2

A seamless convoluted hose assembly. The assembly includes: a tubular inner liner having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inner liner wall therebetween which defines a passageway. The assembly further includes a helical coil or a plurality of annular loops which produce convolutions in the outer surface of the tubular liner when the tubular inner liner is forced through the helical coil or plurality of loops under heat and pressure.
US08418722B2

The invention relates to a pressure-regulator servo-valve comprising a body having a utilization port, a pressure feed port, and a return port, a distributor spool movably mounted in the body to put the utilization port into communication either with the feed port or with the return port, the spool co-operating with the body to define at least one pilot chamber connected to a nozzle that is arranged to open out into a cavity connected to the return port, a vane extending in the cavity facing the nozzle and being mounted to be moved in controlled manner. According to the invention, the pilot chamber is connected to the utilization port.
US08418718B2

A double-walled above-ground storage tank includes a primary tank and a secondary tank, and an interstitial space; an containment chamber formed by a primary chamber wall and a secondary chamber wall, forming a chamber interstitial space therebetween, and an exterior door assembly; and at least one pipe and valve assembly wherein the pipe originates in the tank interior volume and the valve is disposed within the chamber.
US08418713B2

A mobile tire inflator includes a control panel, multiple air passages, an inflation valve, a discharge valve and a pressure sensor. The user can control the operation of the inflation valve and the discharge valve automatically or manually by through a control panel, and switch between the automatic mode and the manual mode during operation. Matching with the operation of the pressure sensor, the mobile tire inflator achieves accurate tire pressure inflation and discharge and has the advantages of operation flexibility and high mobility.
US08418712B2

The present invention provides an air discharge implement for a portable pressurized sprayer comprising a cylindrical main body of discharging duct, an external hood jacket, a conical moving plug and a compression spring. Wherein the main body of hollow discharging duct includes a cylinder bore, a cylindrical discharging mount for containing conical moving plug, and an air passage interposed between hollow discharge chamber and cylinder bore. The external hood jacket is a hollow holder to contain compression spring. The conical moving plug includes a top cone and a planar base with plural footing legs so that a water flow gap is created between the planar base and the air passage at the cylinder bore. If the present invention is properly connected to a water outtake hose of a portable pressurized sprayer, either no air or certain air mingled in the compressed water, it can achieve the air-discharging effect completely.
US08418709B2

Embodiments of the invention are generally related to a mobile shelter. In particular, several embodiments relate more particularly to a movable storage container configured for interconversion between various configurations. In several embodiments, the mobile shelter is configured as a shelter adequate for protection of its occupants against the elements. In several embodiments, the shelter optionally converts into a collapsed configuration suitable for transportation.
US08418699B2

Disclosed herein is a hair iron having upper and lower casings, a heat generating unit and a hinge connection unit. The hinge connection unit includes a hinge box secured to either of the upper and lower casings. First and second movable members each having a hinge shaft are provided in the hinge box, and move between a hinge coupling position and a hinge releasing position. An elastic member is elastically provided between the first and second movable members, and exerts an elastic force so that the hinge shaft moves to the hinge releasing position. A hinge-coupling retaining means is manipulated on an outside of the hinge box to move the hinge shaft to the hinge coupling position and simultaneously retain the hinge shaft in the hinge coupling position. A hinge-shaft connection lug is provided on a remaining one of the upper and lower casings, and has a hinge hole.
US08418697B2

The invention relates to a method of producing cut tobacco material, whereby a tobacco starting material is heated and brought to a first increased pressure in one method stage; whereby the tobacco material is pumped to a second increased pressure in the second method stage which is higher than the first increased pressure; and whereby the tobacco material, heated and placed under pressure, is expanded and fed through a forming tool (23). It further relates to a device for producing cut tobacco material comprising a heatable pressure chamber (1) with a tobacco material inlet, a tobacco material outlet and a conveying mechanism (5) for conveying the tobacco material from the inlet to the outlet and for increasing the pressure of the material to a first increased pressure, and with a forming tool (23) by means of which the tobacco material, heated and placed under pressure, is conveyed and expanded, and a mechanical pump (7) is integrated between the pressure chamber (1) and the forming tool (23) which pumps the tobacco material to a second increased pressure which is higher than the first increased pressure.
US08418695B1

An eyeglass patch which is comprised of an optical occluding cup for correcting dominant eye vision problems is disclosed. One embodiment of the inventive eyeglass patch has an interchangeable exterior portion, wherein the wearer can interchange the exterior appearance of the eyeglass patch, at will. This embodiment is comprised of two cutouts, which thread and interlock together, wherein one of the cutouts has a decorative exterior.
US08418685B2

A barbecue grill provides a top cooking level and a central cooking zone located below the top cooking level. Lateral heat panels warm the central cooking zone. A food basket is configured to be opened and loaded with foodstuff when in an approximately horizontal position at the top cooking level. An elevator mechanism lowers the filled food basket into the central cooking zone while converting the food basket to an approximately vertical position. The food cooks while the basket is vertical. The elevator mechanism raises the basket of cooked food to the top cooking level while converting the food basket to approximately horizontal position. A user-operated control selectively actuates the elevator mechanism to move the food basket in either direction.
US08418682B2

The plural option loading system for a pneumatic gun. The pneumatic gun has a receiver with the first and second loading port disposed to permit loading either by gravity or forced loading such as from a magazine. The barrel can be locked to the receiver to permit loading through only one of the two ports depending on the orientation in which it is locked to the receiver and permits selective loading through only a selected port at any time.
US08418678B2

Disclosed is a fuel system for a traveling vehicle having an engine mounted on a vehicle body and a ROPS extending upward from the vehicle body. The fuel system includes a fuel tank accommodating an amount of fuel, a canister, an evaporating hose including a first evaporating hose portion and a second evaporating hose portion for sending fuel vapor generated inside the fuel tank to the canister. The first evaporating hose portion is connected to the fuel tank and extending upward from the fuel tank along a vertical post of the ROPS. The second evaporating hose portion extends downward along a vertical post of the ROPS and is connected to the canister.
US08418671B2

A system and method are disclosed for reducing the fuel consumption of an engine, particularly during a cold start or an engine warm-up period. A magnetorheological fluid having a low viscosity is used to lubricate the engine. When viscosity is to be increased, a magnetic field is applied to the magnetorheological fluid. The magnetic field can be selectively applied to electromagnets proximate engine bearings.
US08418668B2

To provide a plasma igniter capable of generating a discharge such as a pulse streamer discharge in a large region even by application of a low voltage, implementing powerful ignition by pulse voltage application in two or more stages, improving an air-fuel ratio (A/F), and reducing a CO2 emission amount.A plasma igniter includes an igniter part having a combustion chamber, and a discharge part arranged in such a manner that its discharge tip end is exposed to the combustion chamber. The discharge tip end has a column-shaped anode, an annular cathode arranged to be a predetermined interval away from an anode tip end part, and an annular floating electrode arranged between the anode tip end part and the cathode.
US08418663B2

A novel device for controlling the compression pressure of an internal combustion engine is disclosed.The combustion chamber of each cylinder of the engine is divided into two virtual spaces, a gas exchange space and a control space. The intake and exhaust valves move in a plane substantially perpendicular to the cylinder centerline and open into the gas exchange space.The position of a preferably toroidal volume control slider determines the control space volume and subsequently, the geometrical compression ratio of the engine. At least one actuation cam bidirectionally drives said control slider, by means of a slot and captive roller arrangement.The device further comprises actuator means to rotate the cam to a predetermined angular position, as a function of engine load.Thus, the device of the invention is capable of maintaining a constant compression pressure, under varying load, by altering the geometrical compression ratio of the engine.
US08418662B2

An apparatus that visually inspects a state of sludge and foreign substances found between steam generator bundles positioned at an upper portion of a tube sheet of a steam generator of a nuclear power plant using a visual inspector mounted in a robot moving on an inner wall surface of the steam generator for removing the foreign substances.
US08418661B2

A combustion apparatus 51 includes a plurality of burners 58, a plurality of fuel supply channels 89, a blower 53, an air supply passage 37, and a pressure regulator 56. The burners 58 are divided into a plurality of burner groups 71. The pressure regulator 56 is branched at a portion located immediately after a gas outlet 31 at downstream of the regulator 56 and connected to the respective fuel supply channels 89, so as to regulate gas supplied at a primary pressure to gas at a secondary pressure in response to a predetermined signal pressure sensed from one selected from a part of the air supply passage 37 and the blower 53 and to discharge the regulated gas through the pressure regulator 56. The fuel supply channels 89 each are configured to perform fuel supply to the respective burner groups 71 and are provided with a switching valve 75 for either shutting off or reducing the fuel supply to at least a part of the burner groups 71.
US08418660B2

Assembly comprising a passageway for livestock, the passageway being delimited by side delimitations, for passage of the livestock from a first space to a second space. The assembly comprises a gate system mounted in the passageway, the gate system comprising at least one self-closing gate leaf which is movable between a closed position and one or more open positions which include a pass position wherein passage to the second space is possible for an animal from the livestock, and wherein the gate leaf is moveable to an open position by pressure exerted by an animal from the livestock for passing through the passageway to the second space. The assembly also comprises a device for determining an ID of an animal from the livestock, and a device for blocking the gate leaf from moving to the pass position, wherein the blocking device can be activated to a blocking position in response to data from the ID determining device.
US08418655B2

The present invention provides an improved structure for a cat scratch board, which is structured to include an abrasive surface and at least one fastening structure, and claw filing wire material is horizontally arranged to cover the abrasive surface and an appropriate surface of a plate. A plurality of fastening units fasten the claw filing wire material to the plate to form the abrasive surface. The fastening structure is installed to the other surface from the abrasive surface of the plate, and the fastening structure is structured from a locking member and a connecting member. The locking member functions in coordination with the connecting member for clamping. A clamping space is formed between the fastening structure and the plate.
US08418651B1

A trough has a vertically disposed open front and a parallel rear panel and a horizontally disposed bottom panel. A front edge is located beneath the open front. The trough has an angled panel between the rear panel the bottom panel. Vertically disposed side panels create a chamber there between with a horizontally disposed rectangular open top. A vertically disposed divider panel is located within the chamber. The divider panel is parallel with and spaced between the open front and rear panel. In this manner a major chamber is formed rearwardly and a minor chamber forwardly. A passageway is formed between the divider panel and the bottom panel. In this manner food in the major chamber will move to the minor chamber upon depletion of food from the minor chamber.
US08418649B2

A showerhead electrode for a plasma processing apparatus includes an elastomeric sheet adhesive bond between mating surfaces of an electrode and a backing member to accommodate stresses generated during temperature cycling due to mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion. The elastomeric sheet comprises a thermally conductive silicone adhesive able to withstand a high shear strain of ≧300% in a temperature range of room temperature to 300° C. such as heat curable high molecular weight dimethyl silicone with fillers. The sheet form adhesive has bond thickness control for parallelism of bonded surfaces over large areas. The sheet adhesive may be cast or die cut into pre-form shapes that can conform to irregularly shaped features, maximize surface contact area with mating electrode surfaces, and installed into cavities of the mating assembly. Installation can be manually, manually with installation tooling, or with automated machinery. Composite layers of sheet adhesive having different physical properties can be laminated or coplanar.
US08418638B2

A combination floating pontoon boat and air-cushion supported hovercraft having a frame and a plurality of pontoons pivotally and retractably mounted to the frame for pontoon boat mode, and a second position extending laterally outward from the frame in hovercraft mode. A skirt is attached to and extends from the frame, the skirt on a first position being retracted against the bottom of the frame. In a second position, the skirt extends downward from the frame and forms an air-receiving pocket beneath the frame for hovercraft operation. A first power system moves the frame through water when the pontoons are in their first position. A second power system drives air into the air-receiving pocket when the skirt is in the second or hovercraft position, and a third power system propels the frame in a longitudinal direction when air is driven into the air-receiving pocket.
US08418632B2

A structurally reinforcing pallet having an insert exhibiting a three dimensional shape with a top, sides and bottom. A plasticized material is applied over the insert according to a selected thickness and in order to encapsulate the insert. A first plurality of upper edge projecting and positional locating rim portions are exhibited about a periphery of an insert incorporated into a first pallet and, in combination with a second mating plurality of recessed underside edge extending locations exhibited about a periphery of a further insert incorporated into a second pallet, enable multiple stacking of pallets in laterally stabilized fashion.
US08418630B2

A pallet made up of plural hollow sections of generally rectangular transverse profile formed from metal tubes, the sections having upper walls facing in the same direction and being secured together in side-by-side and/or end-to-end array to constitute a load-bearing platform. The lower wall of each section may have a longitudinal central rib projecting toward the upper wall for additional strength. The tubes can be hollow transversely corrugated cylinders of metal such as aluminum, used as cores for winding strip material. A method of making the pallet includes the steps of deforming plural metal tubes with generally radially directed pressure to produce the pallet sections, and securing the sections together.
US08418615B2

A method for individualizing security documents provides that high security quality, application-neutral printed image 1 identical for a group of security documents is overprinted with second printed image 2 individualizing the security document, whereby the printing ink of second printed image 2 is repelled by the printing ink of first printed image 1. The printing ink of the second printed image is therefore deposited only in the areas of the first printed image where no printing ink of the first printed image is present. Preferably, the first printed image is produced by intaglio printing and the second printed image by means of liquid printing ink, in particular by the ink jet method.
US08418614B2

A method for calibrating a rotary printing press, in which a bearing structure for a printing cylinder is adjusted relative to another component of the printing press, and positions of the bearing structure are measured, including the steps of mounting a calibration tool on a mandrel that is supported in the bearing structure, the calibration tool having at least one contact sensitive switch, moving the bearing structure until the at least one switch contacts the other component, and upon detection of a signal from the at least one switch, storing a measured position of the bearing structure as a reference position.
US08418608B2

The invention relates to a printing system for printing bottles or similar containers, having at least one electrical print head operating according to the inkjet principle and displaceable along a transport route for the containers for printing the containers disposed at a printing position, and having a supply system for supplying the at least one print head with printing paint or ink.
US08418606B2

A device for reducing the press angle control error caused by press load variation, where the device includes: a reference value output unit that outputs a press angle reference value, a press angle detection unit, a speed command unit, and a driving unit. The press angle detection unit detects a press angle of the corresponding press machine and outputs a press angle detection value. The speed command unit outputs a command speed value of a motor of the corresponding press machine based on the press angle reference value and the press angle detection value. The driving unit controls the motor speed of the corresponding press machine based on the command speed value. The device further includes a correction unit that corrects the press angle reference value or the command speed value so the difference between the press angle reference value and the press angle is within a predetermined range.
US08418601B2

A method for controlling heating processes in a coffee machine which is particularly suitable for preparing coffee on the basis of coffee pads. The coffee machine comprises a continuous flow heater and a pump used to convey water through the continuous flow heater. According to the inventive method, the temperature is measured in the region of the continuous flow heater and/or water which is conveyed by the pump. In order to avoid steam overpressure and to ensure a sufficient, constant temperature during the entire steeping process, the amount of water which is conveyed by the pump is influenced according to temperature. The invention also relates to an electronic control device.
US08418593B2

The invention relates to an improved deformable downstream disc (56; 156; 256) to be fitted on the bottom of a container (15) for a missile (16) and including a stack of elastic blades (63) clamped between at least an upstream and a downstream thermal protection membrane and sealing membrane (70, 71, 72, 73), and maintained between an upstream bearing frame (61) and a downstream bearing frame (64), characterised in that the downstream bearing frame includes an inner edge (80) having an extension so as to provide the disc with an abutment means defining a position of maximum deformation of the elastic blades.
US08418590B2

A miter saw includes a base, and a table disposed on the base, the table having a top surface extending between a front end and a rear end of the table. The miter saw also includes a cutting assembly overlying the table, the cutting assembly including a rotatable cutting blade having a peripheral cutting edge, and a motor for driving said cutting blade. At least one guide rail is connected with the table and coupled with the cutting assembly for guiding sliding movement of the cutting assembly over the table between a rear-most position and a forward-most position. The miter saw includes a locking assembly coupled with at least one of the cutting assembly and the at least one guide rail for locking the cutting assembly in an intermediate position located between the rear-most position and the forward-most position.
US08418583B2

A bush bearing 1 is comprised of: a synthetic resin-made bush 15 including a flexible semi-split cylindrical body 5 having an abutment portion 3 for slidably abutting against a rack shaft 25 and including a flexible open-ended annular body 14 which has a portion 6 formed integrally at one end face of the semi-split cylindrical body 5 and circular arc-shaped extended portions 12 and 13 whose distal ends 9 and 10 are opposed to each other with a clearance 11 in a circumferential direction R; and an elastic member 22 including an elastic body 21 for abutting against an outer surface 20 of the semi-split cylindrical body 5 and retained portions 16 and 17 which are respectively retained by both end portions 23 and 24.
US08418575B2

Method for shifting a neutral state of an automatic multi-stage transmission of a motor vehicle, where, to engage and to disengage gear stages of the transmission, shift couplings, at least one of which is equipped with a synchronizing device, can be actuated by a transmission actuator.
US08418573B2

A ball-screw spline includes: a screw shaft; a ball-screw nut engaged with the screw shaft via balls; and a spline nut assembled to an outside of the ball-screw nut via balls to reciprocate in an axial direction of the ball-screw nut. The ball-screw nut includes a screw portion and an extended portion formed integrally, with the same outer diameter. The screw portion has an inner peripheral surface including a load-rolling groove forming a load path for the balls together with a ball rolling groove on the screw shaft side; and a ball return path coupling adjacent valley portions of the load-rolling groove to form a circulation path corresponding to one loop around the screw shaft. The ball-screw nut has an outer peripheral surface including a ball rolling groove for the spline nut, the ball rolling groove being formed over a range corresponding to the screw portion and the extended portion.
US08418569B2

A variable torque-rate test point for the performance testing of rotary tools for threaded fasteners comprises a screw-threaded bolt (1) having a moment of inertia comparable to that of a bolt to be tightened using the rotary tool. The bolt (1) is tightened in the test joint against a torque-rate adjustment device (6) which can be adjusted to simulate a hard or a soft joint. The adjustment device (6) comprises a washer portion (7) beneath the bolt head (4), at least one spring beam (8) extending from a reaction point (9) radially outwardly of the bolt (1), and a pivotal bearing member (10) or other pivot at a mid portion of the beam (8). The beam (8) flexes as it extends in cantilever over the pivot point, and that flexure can be adjusted to vary the torque-rate of the test joint by varying the distance between the pivot point and the rotary axis of the bolt (1).
US08418551B2

A retractable assembly for a sensor, which determines a physical and/or chemical, process variable in a process medium. The retractable assembly has a housing, in which a tubular holder for accommodating the sensor is arranged such that it can be moved linearly by a drive unit. At least one cascaded cylinder is provided for the linear shifting of the tubular holder, wherein the cascaded cylinder comprises at least two cylinders arranged one after the other in the direction of the stroke movement. Furthermore, the cascaded cylinder is, or the cascaded cylinders are, embodied and/or operable in such a manner that the sensor is movable into at least two different positions.
US08418550B2

A method and apparatus for sensing the top level of a material in a vessel is disclosed. A method and apparatus for sensing changes in the top level of a material in a vessel is disclosed.
US08418519B2

The invention relates to a hand tool comprising handles and jaws, where the jaws are operated by the handles, and where an anti-slip device is arranged on the outer side of the distal end of a tool handle. The tool handle has a hard surface with low friction enabling the users fingers to slide on the surface of the handle when squeezing the handles together, and the anti-slip device is arranged to be supported against a support surface in order for the user to be able to press the tool handles together in a controlled manner using a force (F) in excess of hand force.
US08418516B2

To obtain a positioning reference portion with good processing accuracy, which is formed of a newly-formed surface, a blank is press-molded by an upper mold, whereby a vertex portion abuts on an inner wall portion of a lower mold. In such a way, an oxide film that covers the vertex portion is broken by an internal pressure of the blank, and a raw material without oxide is moved by viscous flow from an inside thereof as illustrated by arrows. The raw material without oxide moved by viscous flow is thrust against the inner wall portion of the lower mold, whereby a newly-formed surface is formed, and this newly-formed surface serves as a positioning reference portion of an optical element. The newly-formed surface has surface roughness of the inner wall portion of the lower mold transferred thereto, and the positioning reference portion having good roughness is formed.
US08418514B1

A tablet protector includes a main frame, a matching and a lock, wherein the main frame and matching frame are engaged with each other to protect the periphery of the tablet. The lock is provided to lock and further restrict the position of the main frame and matching frame as to the tablet. Also, the steel cable extends from the lock to lock the tablet at any predetermined location and prevents the tablet (along with the main frame and matching frame) from being stolen and provides a better anti-theft result.
US08418512B2

A security lock for clamping a structure may include a lock housing having a barrel portion that mounts an adjustable band-type clamp. The clamp is adjustable using a lock screw that is rotatable in the housing and has threads that adjustably engage a ridged thread pattern on the clamp. The lock screw has a head that is recessed in a guideway of the housing. The lock screw head has a security lock pattern that requires a matching security key to rotate the lock screw.
US08418511B2

A laundry machine includes a first laundry treating device, and a second laundry treating device arranged adjacent to the first laundry treating device. The second laundry treating device is operable independently of the first laundry treating device. A first draining pipe guides water discharged from the first laundry treating device, and a second draining pipe guides water discharged from the second laundry treating device. A joining pipe is connected to the first and second draining pipes at a joining point.
US08418507B2

A method of knitting a sock with a bulbous heel and a square toe is disclosed. A circular sock knitting machine is controlled in four phases to alternately narrow and widen the heel and toe by actuating only some of the needles in the knitting machine. The result is a sock with an expanded Y-gore and a heel and toe of increased size.
US08418501B2

An open-ended ring is configured for being secured to the cartilage at the base of the outer ear, above the ear lobe. Means are provided for suspending ornamental pendants from the ring.
US08418490B2

A method for controlling a vehicular air conditioning system including: setting up a target indoor temperature of a vehicle determined by a user; inputting inside and outside temperatures of the vehicle and solar radiation with reference to a sensor mounted on the vehicle; calculating a target discharge temperature of a vent (t1); inputting the maximum evaporator temperature (t2); setting up a target evaporator temperature by comparing t1 and t2; calculating the opening degree of a temperature control door; measuring actual evaporator temperature while controlling the discharge capacity of a compressor; calculating the opening degree of the temperature control door by using the actual opening degree of the compressor discharge capacity control valve and the actual evaporator temperature.
US08418479B2

A two-stage pulse tube refrigerator having a compact design, low vibration and low heat loss is provided where at least the 2nd stage is co-axial but preferably, both stages are co-axial with the second stage pulse tube being central and the first stage pulse tube occupying the annular space between the second stage pulse tube and the first stage regenerator. Convection losses associated with different temperature profiles in the pulse tubes and regenerators are minimized by shifting the thermal patterns in the pulse tubes relative to the regenerators by one or more of spacers in the regenerators, physical differences in length with gas channel connections, adjustment of dc flow, and thermal bridges.
US08418472B2

A method of operating an integrated gasification combined cycle power generation system is provided. The method includes compressing air in an adiabatic air compressor to produce a compressed heated air stream, heating a nitrogen stream using the compressed heated air stream to produce a heated nitrogen stream and a cooled compressed air stream, and channeling the cooled compressed air stream to an air separation unit.
US08418469B2

A fuel nozzle assembly is disclosed. The fuel nozzle assembly comprises an outer burner tube and an inner burner tube defining a pre-mixing annulus therebetween. The fuel nozzle assembly further comprises a swirler assembly, the swirler assembly comprising a plurality of swirler vanes disposed in an annular array about the inner burner tube and configured to interact with primary air upstream of the pre-mixing annulus. The fuel nozzle assembly further comprises an air injection feature configured to flow secondary air into the pre-mixing annulus downstream of the swirler assembly such that the secondary air flows in a generally linear path longitudinally with respect to the pre-mixing annulus and adjacent at least one of the outer burner tube and the inner burner tube.
US08418467B2

A system is disclosed including a low pressure steam turbine; an air-cooled condenser (ACC) in fluid connection with the low pressure (LP) steam turbine, the ACC for receiving a portion of steam from an exhaust of the LP steam turbine; a feedwater heater in fluid connection with the low pressure steam turbine via a conduit, the feedwater heater for receiving a portion of supply steam from the LP steam turbine; and a condensate pump in fluid connection with the ACC and the feedwater heater, the condensate pump for receiving condensate fluid from the ACC and drain fluid from the feedwater heater.
US08418459B2

The present invention relates to an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, more preferably of a motor vehicle, with an exhaust gas turbine, with an exhaust pipe, whose inlet is fluidically connected with an outlet of the exhaust gas turbine, with a flange connection for connecting the exhaust gas turbine with the exhaust pipe which comprises a flange fastened to the exhaust pipe and attached to the exhaust gas turbine, and with a shielding apron which is so arranged and/or incorporated in the flange connection that in the operation of the exhaust system it protects a transition region between the flange and the exhaust pipe from direct admission of exhaust gas.
US08418444B2

Temperature range enabling combustion of high concentration hydrocarbon is enlarged, or high temperature gas is rapidly supplied to a latter part catalyst. Provided is a method for purification of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, by using a catalyst for increasing temperature of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, wherein hydrocarbon from 1,000 to 40,000 ppm by volume, as converted to methane, to the exhaust gas, is introduced at the upstream side of the catalyst for increasing temperature, along flow of the exhaust gas inside a passage of exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine.
US08418437B2

A jet flow discharge nozzle includes a tubular partition wall, a tubular casing which covers an outer periphery of the tubular partition wall, and a bifurcation which extends in an axial direction of the tubular partition wall and the casing so as to support downstream ends of the tubular partition wall and the casing from outside. Inside of the tubular partition wall is defined as a flow path for a high-speed core flow. A space between the tubular partition wall and the casing is defined as a flow path for a low-speed bypass flow. A pair of first projections is provided at a downstream edge of the tubular partition wall near the bifurcation at positions symmetric about the bifurcation. One of ridges of each of the first projections faces an upstream side. The invention reduces noise by avoiding adverse effects of the presence of the bifurcation on an increase in noise.
US08418431B2

A method of folding a rectangular sheet of packing material about a parallelepiped-shaped article; the method providing for: bringing an end wall of the article into contact with the flat sheet of packing material, so that major transverse edges of the article are parallel to the short sides of the sheet of packing material, and minor transverse edges of the article are parallel to the long sides of the sheet of packing material; folding the sheet of packing material into a U about the major transverse edges of the end wall, so that the sheet of packing material completely covers both the major lateral walls of the article; and folding the sheet of packing material about longitudinal edges of a major lateral wall and onto minor lateral walls of the article, before folding the sheet of packing material about minor transverse edges of the end wall.
US08418428B2

Systems and methods for securely attaching a screen or mesh to a pre-stressed or precast concrete wall panel are provided. A screen or mesh is embedded in a concrete form when the concrete form is poured. Portions of the concrete form can be stripped and the wall panel can be easily removed from the form without binding on the form itself and without requiring removal of the portion of the form which creates the window opening.
US08418425B1

A tubular beam for construction of temporary structures preferably includes a rectangular tube, a first end plate and a second end plate. A plurality of tube access openings are formed through each side of the rectangular tube. A fastener hole pattern is formed around each tube access opening. The first and second end plates are attached to each end of the rectangular tube. A plate access opening is formed through the first and second end plates. The fastener hole pattern is formed around the plate access opening. Two or more adjacent tubular beams may be assembled to each other in “I,” “L,” “T” or “double T” configurations by inserting a plurality of threaded fasteners through the fastener holes in each adjacent tubular beam. The plurality of threaded fasteners are secured with a plurality of nuts. A fastening plate may also be used to join two adjacent tubular beams.
US08418424B2

An end wall panel for an arch-style steel building is disclosed. The end wall panel is fabricated from metal sheet and consists of a plurality of upper flanges spaced apart from one another. The upper flanges are connected to lower flanges by a web section extending at an angle from the upper flange. Flange stiffeners also extend at an angle from the outermost upper flanges. The end wall panel provides increased strength in an arch-style steel building and can withstand critical wind loads without additional stiffeners. The end wall panel is also inexpensive to manufacture and install into an arch-style steel building.
US08418415B2

The present invention relates generally to photovoltaic devices, and more particularly to photovoltaic roofing products in which photovoltaic elements are affixed to roofing substrates. In one embodiment of the invention, a photovoltaic roofing panel comprising a roofing panel substrate having a top surface; and at least six discrete photovoltaic elements affixed to the roofing panel substrate with their photovoltaically-active areas exposed at the top surface of the roofing panel. Another embodiment of the invention is a photovoltaic roofing assembly comprising: a plurality of discrete photovoltaic roofing elements, each comprising one or more photovoltaic elements affixed to a roofing substrate; and a joining member, wherein the plurality of photovoltaic roofing elements are disposed on and affixed to the joining member and are electrically interconnected.
US08418407B2

A safety gate has two frame assemblies, a shaft fixing assembly and a stretcher assembly. A relative distance between the two frame assemblies is fixed by the shaft fixing assembly first. The stretcher assembly further pushes the two frame assemblies outwardly so that the two frame assemblies tightly abut against two walls of a mounting premise and can be held on the walls securely. When the safety gate is not in use, the stretcher assembly is released to loosen the safety gate from the walls and the stretcher assembly can be moved to elsewhere. As the safety gate can be repeatedly mounted without having to readjust the relative distance between the two frame assemblies with the shaft fixing assembly, the operation of the safety gate is easy and convenient.
US08418406B2

In an acceleration and deceleration device which includes at least one energy storage device and a cylinder with at least one piston movably disposed in the cylinder and moved therein by a carrier element and a sliding door including a slidable door panel provided with an acceleration and deceleration device, a second carrier element is provided guiding either the first piston or the second piston for movement in the cylinder so as to control the movement of pistons and of the sliding door near its end positions.
US08418402B2

A cover for a crop, wherein the cover includes a framework and a flexible cover supported by the framework. The framework includes side members provided with a first part of a Velcro fastening, and the flexible cover is divided into sections with edge areas that follow the first part of the Velcro fastening and are provided with an interacting second part of a Velcro fastening for attaching the edge area of the section on the side member.
US08418401B2

A photovoltaic greenhouse includes a house structure having upstanding walls and a roof thereover to enclose a greenhouse space therein, and at least one thin-film solar cell module mounted on the roof for converting solar energy within a pre-selected light band of sunlight into electricity, wherein light not absorbed by the thin-film solar cell module passes through and enters the greenhouse space, which can be utilized by plants or crops for photosynthesis. The thin-film solar cell module has high transmittance of light in the wavelength intervals, for example, 400-450 nm and 640-700 nm, required by the cultured plants or crops inside the greenhouse space for photosynthesis.
US08418400B2

A liquid herbicide applicator includes a length adjustable handle member and a reservoir removably coupled to the handle member, the reservoir defining an inlet for receiving a liquid and an outlet from which to dispense liquid. The applicator includes a valve assembly coupled to the reservoir outlet operative between an open configuration that allows the liquid to flow through the outlet and a closed configuration that prevents the liquid from flowing through the outlet. The valve assembly is biased toward the closed configuration. A dispenser assembly having a cap portion is operatively coupled to the valve assembly and includes an application portion connected to the cap portion, the cap portion being selectively movable closer to the valve assembly so as to urge the valve assembly to the open configuration and away from the valve assembly so to allow the valve assembly to return to the closed configuration.
US08418398B2

An electronic mouse trap is provided having multiple kill and automatic killing chamber clearing capabilities. The trap includes an elevated killing chamber rotatably mounted on a base that houses a collection bin positioned under the chamber and which has an entrance pathway that provides mice with access to the chamber. Upon completion of a killing cycle and the killing of a mouse, the chamber is automatically rotated by a gear motor about a longitudinal axis that is slightly below the floor of the chamber. The chamber rotates approximately 180 degrees so as to be inverted, allowing the dead mouse to fall downwardly into the collection bin. Once the chamber has been inverted and the mouse removed by gravity, the gear motor reverses the rotation direction and returns the chamber to its upright position where it is ready to reinitiate the killing cycle for another mouse.
US08418377B2

A dryer with a drying chamber that includes a process air duct for guiding process air through the drying chamber, a heat pump with a heat sink in the process air duct and through which air can flow in an outlet air direction for cooling down the process air, and a heat source arranged in the process air duct and through which air can flow in an inlet air direction for heating up the process air. The outlet air direction and the inlet air direction are substantially parallel to one another. The heat sink and the heat source are in a plane substantially perpendicular to the outlet air direction and to the inlet air direction alongside one another.
US08418371B2

A kit for retrofitting a grass trimming apparatus with a spinning support guide includes a base mount disc, a semispherical base, a guide fastener having a head with a hexagonal opening, one or more spacer discs, one or more disc fasteners, and a hex key. Furthermore, the base mount disc is adapted to affix to the semispherical base with the one or more disc fasteners and define a chamber for partially housing the guide fastener therein, and the hex key is adapted to rotate the guide fastener to threadably attach to a threaded receptacle on an underside of the grass trimming apparatus.
US08418366B2

An internal gear manufacturing method capable of manufacturing time reduction and easy core removal, and a metallic glass internal gear manufactured thereby. A carbon core formed into a shape of an external gear is arranged in a thin, long tubular mold of a length equal thereto with a space extending longitudinally therealong. A molten metal material is pressure-injected under a temperature higher than a melting point thereof into the space between the mold and the core. The molten metal material is resolidified by rapid cooling at or above a critical cooling rate thereof together with the mold and the core. After resolidification of the molten metal material, the core is removed by pulverization or dissolution. Along internal gear formed of the resolidified metal material is cut into a plurality of segments of a prescribed length.
US08418358B2

A wiring board with a built-in component includes an insulating board, a first wiring pattern on an upper surface of the insulating board, plural electrodes on the upper surface of the insulating board, a solder resist on the upper surface of the insulating board, plural solders on the electrodes, respectively, an electronic component joined to the electrodes with the solders, a sealing resin provided between the insulating board and the electronic component, a component-fixing layer provided on the upper surface of the insulating board and the first wiring pattern and having an insulating property, a second wiring pattern on the component-fixing layer, and an interlayer wiring connecting the first wiring pattern to the second wiring pattern. The solder resist surrounds the electrodes. The sealing resin entirely covers the solders and the solder resist. This wiring board can be efficiently manufactured by simple processes.
US08418352B2

A multi-curvature antenna comprises a radiation conductor and a support element. The outer rim of the radiation conductor is fabricated into an outer ring having an arc-shape surface, and the arc-shape surface has a notch. The central portion of the radiation conductor is patterned to form a conduction path. The support element carries the radiation conductor. A method for fabricating a multi-curvature antenna comprises providing a plane metallic sheet; pressing or stamping the metallic sheet to form a radiation conductor having an outer ring with an arc-shape surface; pattering the central portion of the radiation conductor into a predetermined conduction path and punching the outer ring to form a connection member; and cutting off the connection member to complete a multi-curvature antenna.
US08418350B2

A method for forming a secondary for a motor, for instance a linear drive motor, includes providing a sheet of highly magnetic permeable material with a plurality of slots extending through the sheet spaced along a length of the sheet. The slots define a plurality of teeth in the sheet and enable the sheet to be conformable to a mounting surface when forming the secondary of the motor. The top surface of the sheet has a plurality of pockets formed adjacent the plurality of slots. The pockets extend parallel to the width and are spaced along the length of the sheet. The pockets form a sensor operatively connected to a control of the motor. The sensor may be an encoder, and/or operatively connected to a control for controlling commutation of the motor, and/or setting positional limits, absolute positional information, and/or providing information about the sheet.
US08418349B2

A method for assembling an ultrasonic surgical device includes the steps of providing a proximal end of an ultrasonic waveguide at an ultrasonic surgical handle body, removably coupling an ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly having a ultrasonic-driving-wave-signal generating circuit to the ultrasonic surgical handle body, mechanically coupling an ultrasonic transducer rotationally freely and substantially longitudinally fixedly to the ultrasonic surgical handle body to place an ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of the ultrasonic transducer opposite and adjacent the proximal end of the ultrasonic waveguide, and rotating the waveguide and the ultrasonic transducer with respect to one another to removably fixedly couple the waveguide to the ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of the ultrasonic transducer and to electrically couple the ultrasonic-driving-wave-signal generating circuit to the ultrasonic surgical handle body.
US08418339B2

A method for constructing a support ring in a curved wall, in particular around an opening in a curved wall of a hot blast stove, where the method includes providing a plurality of standardized wedge-shaped bricks with side faces having tongue and groove profiles for cooperating with the side faces of the neighboring bricks, the thickness of the brick in the axial direction being in excess of the desired end thickness of the brick, and determining the intended location of each individual brick in the curved wall and determining, based on the intended location, the location of a front cut line and a rear cut line for shaping the front and rear faces of the brick, where the front and rear faces of the brick are then shaped in accordance with the above determined front and rear cut lines by a cutting tool.
US08418338B2

A method of recycling by reusing protective details that are removed in the course of manufacturing assembly operations is disclosed. The protective details are provided to protect subassemblies prior to final assembly operations. The protective details are collected, washed, inspected and re-certified. The re-certified parts are then reused.
US08418335B2

The present invention includes a baluster assembly system comprising: (a) a first baluster portion comprising a first tubular section and having a first attachment adapted to be attached to a surface, and a first engagement end; (b) a second baluster portion comprising a second tubular section and having a second attachment adapted to be attached to a surface, and a second engagement end; the first tubular section adapted to slidingly engage the second tubular section, and (c) a locking fixture adapted to fix the position of the first baluster portion with respect to the second baluster portion after the first tubular section and the second tubular section have been engaged.
US08418330B2

The invention relates to a water bar comprising nozzle parts for a suction chamber to apply jets to fabrics, knitted fabric webs, or nonwoven fabrics copoosed of staple fibers, endless filaments, or cellulose fibers, also in several layers, or mixtures thereof, and a suction area which is located on the bottom side of the suction chamber and is used for sucking off spraying water. The aim of the invention is to largely prevent spraying water or spraying mist in the region of the water jet that is discharged from the water jet beam. Said aim is achieved by assigning an air supplying device to the water bar and/or the suction chamber, said air supplying device being provided with at least one outlet which is located in the region of the water bar and extends to the region of the nozzle ports of the water bar.
US08418329B2

A cremation urn includes a base and a lid. The base has a wall defining an opening through the wall. The wall has an internal surface and an external surface. The wall defines a rim. The lid includes a cover for engagement with the base and an integral catch. The catch includes a protrusion extending from the cover and sized to fit into the opening to selectively secure the lid to the base. The protrusion includes a wall engaging surface for engaging the wall and an external surface extending from the wall engaging surface in a direction opposed to the cover, the wall engaging surface having a width less than a length of the external surface in a direction opposed to the cover.
US08418328B2

An apparatus for processing a fabric has a drum with an elliptically-shaped cross-section having a pair of narrow sides and a pair of broad sides. Each of the narrow sides have an impact edge. Each of the pair of broad sides has a sliding surface. The drum has a differential helical expander formed on an outer surface thereof. A bearing and drive shaft set are affixed to the drum so as to impact rotational motion to the drum.
US08418323B2

A buckle includes a coupling block engaged with a body of swimming/diving goggles. A pressing block is mounted to an outer side of the coupling block. A pin is mounted to an inner side of the pressing block and has a spacing to a pressing edge of an insertion hole of the coupling block. The inner side of the pressing block includes first and second surfaces. A fulcrum is located between the first and second surfaces and abuts a pressing face on the outer side of the pressing block. A section of a head strap is received in the insertion hole and wound around the pin. The pressing block can be pivoted about the fulcrum to move the pin away from the pressing edge of the coupling block to increase the spacing between the pin and the pressing edge, allowing loosening of the head strap.
US08418317B2

A hinge includes a base, an arm, a mounting member, a hinge spring, a fixing pin member, and a damping device. Two ends of the arm are pivotably connected to the base and the mounting member, with the hinge spring exerting elastic force on the base and the arm. The damping device is mounted in the base and includes a fixed seat mounted in the base, a sliding block movably received in the fixed seat, a damping member mounted between the sliding block and the fixing pin member and abutting the base, and an elastic element. The sliding block includes a front portion facing the arm and a rear portion connected to the elastic element pressing against the fixed seat.
US08418315B1

A combination castor brake system includes a linking device, and a plurality of castor assemblies connected with the linking device. Each of the castor assemblies includes an operation unit, a braking unit connected with the operation unit, and at least one roller connected with the braking unit. The operation unit of each of the castor assemblies includes a mounting seat, a slide, and at least two limit rods. The braking unit of each of the castor assemblies includes a housing, a top cap, a control shaft, an elastic member, and a braking member. The roller of each of the castor assemblies is rotatably mounted on the housing of the braking unit. Thus, the linking device can drive and operate the castor assemblies to brake and position the castor assemblies simultaneously.
US08418314B2

A wheel assembly includes a base frame having a chamber and a stem in the chamber, a mounting frame for mounting, a wheel pivotally mounted in the base frame, and a wheel lock structure consisting of a holder frame, a lift frame, a crank arm, a control knob and a compression spring and operable to lock/unlock the wheel.
US08418305B2

An optical connector cleaning tool which wipes to clean a joining end face of an optical connector by a feeding movement of a cleaning body. It includes a tool body which incorporates a feeding mechanism that supplies and takes up the cleaning body, and an insertion part which inserts into a connector housing hole of a positioning housing for connectors. The insertion part has a head member on which is formed a pressing face that presses the cleaning body against the joining end face within the connector housing hole, and is capable of moving in a direction of extension or contraction relative to the tool body. Movement of the tool body in an insertion direction relative to the insertion part in a state where the cleaning body is in contact with the joining end face causes the head member to axially rotate while the state of contact is maintained.
US08418293B2

Disclosed is a travel pillow for providing the head and neck alignment of a human user resting against a seat back. The travel pillow has an interior shell of a semi-stiff unitary construction. There is a head support region defining a head supporting space for supporting the user's head, a neck support region defining a neck supporting space for supporting the user's neck posteriorly, an enlarged portion bridging together the head support region and the neck support region, the enlarged portion varying in radius from the head support region to the neck support region all elements functioning together as a single unit to maintain the columnar alignment of the user's head directly above the user's neck, and lobes extending upwardly on either side of the head support region to support the head at the intersection of the occipital bone, parietal bone and temporal bones on either side of the head to prevent lateral bending of the neck. The pillow is placed between the user and the seat back, wherein the pillow is held in place during use by the user's weight resting against the seat back. The head support region may be sized and shaped to match the approximate shape of the back of the user's head. The head support region may be transversely curved about the user's vertebral axis and is cut away at the user's occiput such that the user's head rests directly against the seat headrest.
US08418291B2

A patient support is provided. The patient support is configurable to support a patient in a horizontal position and a seated position. The patient support includes a back section, and a thigh section coupled to the back section. The patient support also includes an adjustment member coupled to the thigh section. The adjustment member is movable to lengthen the thigh section.The patient support also includes a foot section coupled to the adjustment member. The foot section is pivotable into a first position substantially parallel to the thigh section to a second position substantially perpendicular to the thigh section.
US08418286B2

According to certain arrangements, a climate controlled bed includes an upper portion comprising a core with a top core surface and a bottom core surface. The core includes at least one passageway extending from the top core surface to the bottom core surface. The upper portion of the bed further includes at least one fluid distribution member positioned above the core, wherein the fluid distribution member is in fluid communication with at least one passageway of the core. The fluid distribution member is configured to at least partially distribute fluid within said fluid distribution member. The upper portion of the bed further comprises at least one comfort layer positioned adjacent to the fluid distribution member.
US08418282B2

“The Fold Up Dormitory” is intended for use in situations where living and working quarters for a small or large number of people are required on short notice or irregular intervals. The apparatus is made of wood, steel and premanufactured hardware, and comprises components for sleeping, working and storage of small items. It is mobile, simple to operate and offers many options to those who use it. The apparatus comprises: a central core; a pair of folding frames, each pivotally connected to the central core on opposite sides thereof, for rotation about vertical frame-to-core axes of connection; a bed platform pivotally connected to a first side of the central core, for rotation about a horizontal bed-to-core axis of connection; a desk surface pivotally connected to a second side of the central core, for rotation about a horizontal desk-to-core axis of connection; and storage shelving within the central core.
US08418281B2

An under counter mount sink sealing surface and method of making that provides a watertight interface between an under counter mount sink and a laminate counter as well as a simplified and more dimensionally accurate method of field installing the sink below the counter. The water impervious seal is tightly chemically bonded to the cutout lip of the laminate as well as to the entire area on the bottom face of the laminate countertop that contacts the entire profile of the top face of the under counter mount sink. The seal also aligns the sink into the correct location and contacts the entire surface of the as it is deck aligned or completely parallel to the sink top flange.
US08418279B2

The invention relates to a device for covering a surface such as a swimming pool, a sports field, a glazed surface, a vehicle body, including: (a) a drum rotatingly mounted and capable of winding or unwinding a cover, said drum being mounted on longitudinal translation mechanisms including rails provided on either side of said surface; (b) an attachment system for said cover at one transverse end of the surface to be covered so that the translation and the rotation of the drum results in the winding/unwinding of the cover above the surface to be covered; (c) a system for continuously locking the longitudinal edges of the cover onto said rails that is progressively fitted during the unwinding operation.
US08418274B2

A vacuum drainage system for unclogging a clogged drain comprises a source of vacuum, a hose having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion of the hose being connected to the source of vacuum when the system is in use, and a drain clean-out device being received on the distal end portion of the hose when the system is in use. The drain clean-out device comprises a hollow tubular structure, a sealing member receiving portion located on the exterior surface of the hollow tubular structure at the first end portion of the structure, and a sealing member mountable on the sealing member receiving portion for creating a seal between the sealing member and the exterior service of the structure and between the sealing member and a clogged drain when the hollow tubular structure, with the sealing member mounted thereon, is positioned over a clogged drain, with the sealing member being in contact with an entrance to the drain or with a surface surrounding the entrance to the drain.
US08418271B2

Left and right ear shades that are connectable to the bottom of an ordinary baseball cap, etc. Each ear shade removably attaches to the side of the hat and can be moved forward or backward along the hat to accommodate the wearer. Each ear shade includes an attachment member for releasably connecting the ear shade to the hat. Connected to the attachment member is an arcuate cover, which is ideally shaped to fit around the at least part of the back, the top, and part of the front of the ear. The cover extends laterally from the wearer's head to shade the ear. The attachment member may include an integral clip, a serrated projection, a wedge, or a tab and removable clip, for example.
US08424098B2

A method for protecting data stored in a data repository. The method includes verifying authenticity of a user at each of a plurality of levels. Furthermore, the method includes directing the user to one of a first path or a second path based on the verification of the authenticity of the user at each of the plurality of levels. Systems and computer-readable medium that afford functionality of the type defined by this method are also contemplated.
US08424090B2

An apparatus and method for detecting an obfuscated malicious web page are provided to find a malicious web page by deobfuscating an obfuscated malicious code. The apparatus includes an obfuscated code detector that detects whether an obfuscated code is included in a source code of a web page, a deobfuscation function inserter that reconfigures the source code by inserting a function for deobfuscating the obfuscated code into the source code, a deobfuscator that is called by the function inserted into the reconfigured source code and deobfuscates the obfuscated code, and a malicious code detector that detects a malicious code using the deobfuscated code.
US08424087B2

In some embodiments, techniques may include receiving an email message; determining a non-recipient email addressee associated with the email message, wherein the non-recipient email addressee has an address that is unaffiliated with a recipient for which the email message has been received; receiving a directive to whitelist the non-recipient email addressee; and responsive to receiving the directive to whitelist the non-recipient email addressee, adding the non-recipient email addressee to a whitelist.
US08424086B2

An Internet Service Provider (ISP) node is configured to suppress malicious session initiation protocol (SIP) messages. The ISP node is coupled to receive a new session initiation protocol (SIP) message from a user agent client associated with the ISP. If the SIP message includes a resource priority header (RPH) indicating the new SIP message should be given priority within the network, the ISP node determines whether the user agent client previously sent an initial SIP message with an RPH that has not yet been authorized, and if so, places the new SIP message in a buffer.
US08424079B2

The described embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for user authentication for a computing device. In one embodiment, the method comprises: enabling receipt of input in relation to selection of a plurality of authenticators for consecutive use by the computing device to authenticate a user; and storing reference information identifying the selected plurality of authenticators in a memory of the computing device. The computing device may comprise a mobile device.
US08424078B2

A computer implemented methods data processing system, and computer program product for configuring a partition with needed system resources to enable an application to run and process in a secure environment. Upon receiving a command to create a short lived secure partition for a secure application, a short lived secure partition is created in the data processing system. This short lived secure partition is inaccessible by superusers or other applications. System resources comprising physical resources and virtual allocations of the physical resources are allocated to the short lived secure partition. Hardware and software components needed to run the secure application are loaded into the short lived secure partition.
US08424067B2

A system and method for dynamically adjusting or modifying the password expiration period for a given user based upon how a user accesses the password-protected resource. The tighter the physical control of how a user can access a resource results in a loosening or maintaining of the password expiration period to be a relatively long period of time, whereas the looser the physical control of how a user can access a resource results in a tightening of the password expiration period to be a relatively short period of time. The password expiration period is adjusted based on both actual usage patterns as well as variances in such usage patterns.
US08424066B2

An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a first user identifier that identifies respective users in the information processing apparatus, and plural second user identifiers stored in respective authentication apparatuses and identify the users in each authentication apparatus, so as to correspond with each other; a first authentication request unit that transmits authentication information input by a user to at least one of the authentication apparatuses and requests authentication of the user; a first user identifier acquisition unit that, when authentication of the user has been successful, acquires the second user identifier of that user stored in that authentication apparatus; and a use allowing unit that specifies the first user identifier stored in the storage unit corresponding with the second user identifier acquired by the first user identifier acquisition unit, and allows the user identified by the specified first user identifier to use the information processing apparatus.
US08424061B2

A method, system and program product for authenticating a user seeking to perform an electronic service request is provided. The method includes verifying user identity data received from a user requesting an electronic service, detecting whether or not any variances are found based on the set of user profile data associated with the user seeking to perform the electronic service requested, identifying the risk level for the electronic service based on whether or not any variances are found and any characteristics thereof, if any variances are found, applying one or more business policies or rules for handling any variances that are found. The method further includes issuing to the user, using a customer relationship management system, a challenge corresponding to the risk level identified for the electronic service requested, and authorizing the user to perform the electronic service requested only if a correct response is received to the challenge issued.
US08424059B2

A method for assigning tenants of users to offering instances of an application or middleware includes representing a set of offerings as respective offering instances of the application or middleware available from a server, determining server resource capacity of the server, representing constraints associated with the tenants and the offering instances, generating a mapping of the tenants to the offering instances based on the server resource capacity and constraints, and assigning a tenant to an offering instance according to the mapping, wherein the offering instance is made accessible to the users of the assigned tenant.
US08424047B2

A method for controlling transmission of messages in an interactive television system comprising a network and a plurality of receiver units connected to the network; the method comprising: transmitting to the receiver units an trigger inviting a response from each receiver unit and indicating that a delay procedure is to be applied to the responses; and at each receiver unit: accepting from a user of the receiver unit data in response to the trigger; forming a response message for transmission to the network in response to the trigger, the response message including the data received from the user; determining the length of a delay interval to be applied to the response message; and transmitting the response message to the network after the delay.
US08424046B2

A method of providing video on demand to a set-top box includes sending playing parameters of a video file to a video on demand server, and receiving information of the video file and predetermined quality of service parameters of the set-top box. The method further includes receiving updated quality of service parameters input by a user, and sending the updated quality of service parameters to a worldwide interoperability for microwave access client module of the set-top box, and sending the updated quality of service parameters to a worldwide interoperability for microwave access base station. The method also includes sending a playback instruction to the video on demand server, and receiving video streaming data of the video file based on the updated quality of service parameters from the video on demand server.
US08424036B2

A method and apparatus utilizing a fast channel change mechanism to insert targeted/addressable advertisements into video streams delivered to users.
US08424035B2

Enhanced television broadcasts including triggers with expires attributes may be utilized in a variety of situations where the expires attribute may adversely affect the utilization of the trigger. For example, in situations where the broadcast is recorded, playback may be enabled even after the trigger expiration. Similarly, local affiliates or FNOCs may rebroadcast enhanced television content by adjusting the expires attributes of the original trigger.
US08424032B2

A spindle motor is disclosed, wherein a spindle motor includes a rotating shaft coupling to a rotor yoke for supporting an optical disc, a clamp case disposing on the rotor yoke and coupling to the rotating shaft; and a chucking member including a rim portion combined with the clamp case, a plurality of extension portion radically extruded from an edge portion of the rim portion, and chucking arm portions formed at each of the end portion of the extension portions to chuck an inner face of the optical disc.
US08424018B2

Executing an accelerator application program in a hybrid computing environment with a host computer having a host computer architecture; an accelerator having an accelerator architecture, the accelerator architecture optimized, with respect to the host computer architecture, for speed of execution of a particular class of computing functions; the host computer and the accelerator adapted to one another for data communications by a system level message passing module, where executing an accelerator application program on an accelerator includes receiving, from a host application program on the host computer, operating information for an accelerator application program; designating a directory as a CWD for the accelerator application program, separate from any other CWDs of any other applications running on the accelerator; assigning, to the CWD, a name that is unique with respect to names of other CWDs of other applications in the computing environment; and starting the accelerator application program on the accelerator.
US08424016B2

Briefly, techniques to manage interrupts and swaps of threads operating in critical region. In an embodiment, a thread is to be interrupted during a first critical region with an interrupt routine. The thread may be set to restart at a beginning of the first critical region in response to an indication that the thread is working in a critical region. Other embodiments are also claimed and disclosed.
US08424015B2

Mechanisms for executing a transaction in the data processing system are provided. A transaction checkpoint data structure is generated in internal registers of a processor. The transaction checkpoint data structure stores transaction checkpoint data representing a state of program registers at a time prior to execution of a corresponding transaction. The transaction, which comprises a first portion of code that is to be executed by the processor, is executed. An interrupt of the transaction is received while executing the transaction and, as a result, the transaction checkpoint data is stored to a data structure in a memory of the data processing system. A second portion of code is then executed. A state of the program registers is restored using the data structure in the memory of the data processing system in response to an event occurring causing a switch of execution of the processor back to execution of the transaction.
US08424014B2

A system and method employing the system for pushing work request associated contexts into a computer device includes issuing a request to a device in a computer system. Context data is fetched from a data storage device for the device. Context is determined for specified data requests, and context misses in the device are predicted. The system and method then initiates a context push and pushes the context into the device using a controller when a context miss is detected. Thereby, reducing the context miss latency time or delay in retrieving context data.
US08424009B2

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for resolving lock conflicts. For a state persistence system, embodiments of the invention can employ a logical lock clock for each persisted state storage location. Lock times can be incorporated into bookkeeping performed by a command processor to distinguish cases where the instance is locked by the application host at a previous logical time from cases where the instance is concurrently locked by the application host through a different name. A logical command clock is also maintained for commands issued by the application host to a state persistence system, with introspection to determine which issued commands may potentially take a lock. The command processor can resolve conflicts by pausing command execution until the effects of potentially conflicting locking commands become visible and examining the lock time to distinguish among copies of a persisted state storage location.
US08424002B2

An information output method for displaying information of a computer system executing a plurality of tasks including: reading out task construction information corresponding to a task executed by the computer system from a storage device and displaying by an output device the task construction information in a task construction display area inside an output area; reading out logical construction information associated with the task construction information from the storage device and displaying by the output device the logical construction information in a logical construction display area inside the output area; and reading out physical construction information associated with the logical construction information from the storage device and displaying by the output device the physical construction information in a physical construction display area inside the output area.
US08423999B2

In a computer system according to the background art, when a request to halt a virtual processor was detected, the virtual processor was blocked. In the blocking method, latency of virtual halt exit of the virtual processor was so long that a problem of performance was caused. A virtual machine monitor selects either of a busy wait method for making repeatedly examination until the virtual halt state exits while the virtual processor stays on the physical processor and a blocking method for stopping execution of the virtual processor and scheduling other virtual processors on the physical processor while yielding the operating physical processor and checking off scheduling of the virtual processor to the physical processor, based on a virtual processor halt duration predicted value of the virtual processor which is an average value of latest N virtual processor halt durations of the virtual processor.
US08423990B2

The present invention relates to a method and system for installing software onto a client in the NIM environment and corresponding client. Said method includes: initializing said client, wherein a virtual mapping device associated with a memory driver of the client is created, the virtual mapping device for scheduling between the client's memory driver and the remote NIM server with respect to the I/O operation for running the software so as to direct the I/O operation for running said software to the client's memory driver or the remote NIM server; running said software on the client; acquiring the resources desired for running software; and conducting data migration operation from the NIM server to the client while running said software, wherein the migrated data is the resource data obtained from NIM server and desired for installing said software; and the software installation being completed when all the data desired for installing said software are migrated to the memory driver of the client. It is unnecessary for the present invention to copy all the installation images to the local client before installing software, therefore time delay of installing OSs or application programs can be shortened or even eliminated.
US08423980B1

While optimizing executable code, compilers traditionally make static determinations about whether or not to inline functions. Embodiments of the invention convert dynamic hardware-event sampling information into context-specific edge frequencies, which can be used to make inlining decisions for functions.
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