US08445725B2
A process for the preparation of iosimenol comprising reacting 5,5′-[(1,3-dioxo-1,3-propanediyl)diimino]bis[N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6-triiodo-1,3-benzenedicarboxamide] (C-VI) with a 3-halo-1,2-propanediol in an aqueous solvent. A process for the preparation of C-VI comprising reacting 3,3′-[(1,3-dioxo-1,3-propanediyl)diimino]bis[5-(aminocarbonyl)-2,4,6-triiodobenzoyl chloride] (C-V) with 3-amino-1,2-propanediol in the presence of an inorganic base and a suitable non-aqueous polar solvent. A process for the preparation of C-V comprising reacting 3-amino-5-(aminocarbonyl)-2,4,6-triiodobenzoyl chloride (C-IV) with malonyl dichloride in a solvent comprising a suitable ester solvent, a suitable nitrile solvent or mixtures thereof.
US08445722B2
The present invention relates to a method for screening an anticancer compound and an anticancer compound screened using the method, and more particularly, to a method for screening an anticancer compound, the method comprising: culturing cancer cells expressing the oncogenic protein transmembrane 4 L6 family member 5 (TM4SF5), expressed as the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, treating the cancer cells with an anticancer candidate, and determining that the anticancer candidate is an anticancer substance when the candidate exhibits antagonistic activity against tumor formation and metastasis based on several events through the molecular mechanism of TM4SF5. The present invention also relates to chalcone compounds screened to have anticancer activity using the method, and an anticancer composition comprising the compound as an effective ingredient.
US08445720B2
The invention relates to a method for producing α,β-unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and the corresponding saturated dicarboxylic acids, whereby the corresponding cycloalkene and acrylic acid are reacted with a ruthenium catalyst by way of a metathesis reaction at high substrate concentrations until the reaction takes place in substance, the resulting dicarboxylic acid being precipitated.
US08445712B2
A phospholipid derivative represented by the following formula (1) wherein each symbol is as described in the specification; a liposome containing the phospholipid derivative, and the like.
US08445705B2
Described herein are improved methods for the preparation of 5- and 6-membered cyclic mono and diesters of sugar alcohols and anhydrosugar alcohols by reaction with an organic acid RCOOH over a solid acidic substrate. The process is adaptable to a continuous process for simultaneously making and separating the cyclic esters from the sugar alcohols and anhydrosugar alcohols under mild conditions using the solid acid substrate as both the catalyst and a chromatographic bed for separation. The reactions are performed at mild temperatures of 70° C. to 100° C. and the formation of the cyclic esters is nearly quantitative. Also described is a method for making 5- and 6-membered cyclic mono and diesters of sugar alcohols and anhydrosugar alcohols using microwave irradiation in the presence of the organic acid.
US08445701B2
Intermediates and methods of their use in the synthesis of analogs of halichondrin B are provided.
US08445700B2
The present invention relates to a facile, highly efficient and economical process for the preparation of optically active N-benzyl-3-hydroxypyrrolidine in high yield from a naturally occurring alkaloid vasicine. The natural alkaloid vasicine is used as a precursor of (S)—N-benzyl-3-hydroxypyrrolidine and (R)—N-benzyl-3-hydroxypyrrolidines which can easily be sourced from the medicinal plant Adatoda vasica by the method known in the art and transformed to optical isomers (R) and (S)—N-benzyl-3-hydroxypyrrolidine by the method described in the present invention.
US08445699B2
The present invention relates to a phosphoric acid resistant advanced polymaleimide prepolymer composition including a polymaleimide prepolymer resulting from the advancement reaction of a polyimide and an alkenylphenol, alkenylphenol ether or mixture thereof in the presence of an amine catalyst; a solvent and a heteropolyacid. The phosphoric acid resistant advanced polymaleimide prepolymer composition may be used in various applications such as prepregs, laminates, printed circuit boards, castings, composites, moulded articles, adhesives and coatings.
US08445693B2
One embodiment disclosed in the invention is the efficient synthesis of halogenated biaryl starting material via Grignard chemistry and the use thereof. Another embodiment of the invention is the reaction of catalyzed carbonylation of the 3′-(2′-halo-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1,7′-dimethyl-2′-propyl-1H,3′H-[2,5′]bibenzoimidazolyl (TLMH) using either gaseous carbon monoxide in a solvent mixture containing water; or formic acid salts optionally together with acetic acid in anhydrous solvent.
US08445679B2
Compounds which inhibit the activity of anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 protein, compositions containing the compounds, and methods of treating diseases involving overexpressed or unregulated Mcl-1 protein are disclosed.
US08445673B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of sterile doripenem.
US08445672B2
Use of a high shear mechanical device in a process for production of starch hydrolysate by reacting starch with a hydrolytic agent makes possible a decrease in mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing production of starch hydrolysate. A system for production of starch hydrolysate is also provided in which a reactor is configured to receive the output from a high shear device, which is configured to receive a starch and lysing reagent. The high shear device is configured to generate a fine dispersion or emulsion of lysing.
US08445671B2
A method for preparing polyanhydroglucuronic acid and/or salts thereof is described. A polyanhydroglucuronic acid-containing material obtained by oxidation is subjected to partial or complete hydrolysis to form a homogeneous system, subsequent ion exchange in the homogeneous system; and supplemental oxidation in the presence of any one or more of organic and inorganic peroxides.
US08445668B2
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to nucleotide sequences for APOB.
US08445655B2
The present invention relates to a nucleic acid aptamer having a first domain that binds to a fluorescent protein. The nucleic acid aptamer forms a molecular complex whereby the aptamer binds a fluorescent protein at the first domain. A constructed DNA molecule, expression systems, and host cells containing the molecular complex are also disclosed. The invention also relates to a system containing a first DNA molecule encoding the nucleic acid aptamer of the present invention and a second DNA molecule encoding a fluorescent protein capable of being bound by the first domain. Methods of detecting a molecular target and determining location of a molecular target using the nucleic acid aptamer of the invention are also disclosed.
US08445644B2
Peptides, mimetics and antibodies of erbB, TNF, and IgSF receptors and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are described. Methods of using such antibodies, peptides, and mimetics in therapeutic, prophylactic, imaging and diagnostic applications are disclosed.
US08445640B2
The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, DNA constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.
US08445639B2
Recombinant P4 bacteriophage containing modified tail fibers having a base plate attachment region (BPAR) from a P2 bacteriophage gene H product and a heterologous receptor binding domain (RBD) are disclosed. Methods for the use of the recombinant P4 bacteriophage, such as to detect the presence of a target bacterium in a sample, are also described.
US08445638B2
The present invention relates to the combinatorial use of an siRNA targeted against an endogenous gene to knock out or knock down expression of the endogenous gene in a host and a delivery of a polynucleotide encoding the gene in a delivery vehicle/expression vector to the host to provide expression in the host of the protein encoded by the polynucleotide.The present invention also relates to a truncated form of eIF-5A1 that is useful for inducing apoptosis and killing of cells, especially cancer cells in a mammal.
US08445637B2
Disclosed are SPARC and albumin binding peptides for the targeting of disease sites, such as tumors, with therapeutic and diagnostic agents In particular, compositions comprising SPARC binding peptide—Antibody Fc domain fusion proteins and methods of their use are disclosed.
US08445635B2
Modified H2 relaxms which act as antagonists of the relaxm receptor in cells and tissues, in particular, modified H2 relaxms comprising one or more alterations of the ammo acid sequence at positions B 13, B17 and B20 located in the receptor binding domain The antagonists retain affinity to the receptor, but do not substantially activate the receptor once bound thereto The H2 relaxm antagonists are used in compositions and methods for the treatment of cancers wherein a relaxm receptor is expressed.
US08445634B2
Depsipeptides and congeners thereof are disclosed having structure (I), wherein m, n, p, q, X, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined herein. These compounds, including FR901228, have activity as, for example, immunosuppressants, as well as for the prevention or treatment of patients suffering or at risk of suffering from inflammatory, autoimmune or immune system-related diseases including graft-versus-host disease and enhancement of graft/tissue survival following transplant. Also provided are methods for inhibiting lymphocyte activation, proliferation, and/or suppression of IL-2 secretion.
US08445631B2
The present disclosure relates to a process for neutralizing a sulfonated block copolymer with a metal compound, to metal-neutralized block copolymers, and to various articles comprising the metal-neutralized block copolymers, e.g., in form of a water vapor permeable membrane which comprises the metal-neutralized block copolymers. The present disclosure further relates to a means and a method for storing and stabilizing a polar component such as a metal compound in a non-polar liquid phase by immuring the polar component in micelles of the sulfonated block copolymer in the non-polar liquid phase.
US08445626B2
Biaxially-oriented nylon film according to the present invention is biaxially-oriented nylon film made from nylon. In the biaxially-oriented nylon film, an elongation ratio of the film in each of four directions (an MD direction, a TD direction, a 45 degree direction and a 135 degree direction) until a film rupture is 70 percent or more, the elongation ratio being measured in a tensile test (testing conditions: a sample width is 15 mm; a distance between gauge points is 50 mm; and a tensile speed is 100 mm/min), and a stress ratio A (σ1/σ2) between a tensile stress σ1 and a tensile stress σ2 in a stress-strain curve obtained in the tensile test of the film is 2 or more in each of the four directions, the tensile stress σ1 being a value at a point where the elongation ratio becomes 50 percent while the tensile stress σ2 being a value at an yield point.
US08445625B2
A process for producing a polyether having at least one hydroxy group by subjecting a cyclic monomer to ring-opening addition polymerization to an initiator having a hydroxy group in the presence of a double metal cyanide complex catalyst, comprising the following steps: initial step: supplying the cyclic monomer in an amount of 5 to 20 mass percent of the initiator to a reaction system containing the initiator and the catalyst, to carry out reaction, wherein the reaction system temperature when supply of the cyclic monomer is started is from 120 to 165° C., and the maximum temperature of the reaction system after supply of the cyclic monomer is higher by from 15 to 50° C. than the temperature when supply of the cyclic monomer is started; and polymerization step: supplying the cyclic monomer to the reaction system after the initial step to carry out ring-opening addition polymerization.
US08445622B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing polyisocyanates by oligomerization of isocyanates.
US08445621B2
A novel polyimide resin is formed by imidizing a diamine component including an amide group-containing siloxane diamine compound represented by the following formula (1) and an acid dianhydride component including an aromatic acid dianhydride such as 3,3′,4,4′-diphenylsulfone tetracarboxylic dianhydride. This novel polyimide resin utilizes a novel polyimide resin into which a reaction group capable of reacting with a crosslinking agent to form a crosslinking point is pre-introduced before imidization. The novel polyimide resin can confer a comparatively low elastic modulus and heat resistance to a dry film or a photosensitive cover film formed from a photosensitive polyimide resin composition containing the novel polyimide resin. In the formula (1), R1 and R2 are each independently an optionally-substituted alkylene group, m denotes an integer of 1 to 30, and n denotes an integer of 0 to 20.
US08445616B2
The present invention relates to a polymeric material comprising units capable of having a cationic charge at a pH of from about 4 to about 12; provided that said polymeric material has an average cationic charge density from about 2.75 or less units per 100 daltons molecular weight at a pH of from about 4 to about 12. The polymeric material is a suds enhancer and a suds volume extender for hand dishwashing compositions and personal care products such as soaps, shaving cream foam, foaming shaving gel, foam dephiliatories and shampoos. The polymers are also effective as a soil release agent in fabric cleaning compositions. The polymers are also useful in agrochemical foam, fire-fighting foam, hard surface cleaner foam, and coagulant for titanium dioxide in paper making.
US08445604B2
The present invention relates to articles made of a thermoformable resin comprising a biodegradable polymer having polybutylene succinate (PBS) via extrusion using an extruder which comprise: a biodegradable polymer having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 50° to about 150° C.); (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 150° C. (for example, up to about 120° C.); and (c) optionally, a Tm in the range of from about 70° to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 80° to about 150° C.). Thermoformed article such as a food or beverage cup, lid, cutlery item, foodservice item, molded tray, food storage container, etc provide the ability to resist deformation during higher temperature conditions that may occur during storage and distribution.
US08445595B2
A resin composition comprising at least 0.1% by weight of poly(hydroxy carboxylic acid) and at least 50% by weight of polypropylene prepared with a single-site catalyst, preferably with a metallocene catalyst.
US08445592B2
Methods for fabricating a random graft PS-r-PEO copolymer and its use as a neutral wetting layer in the fabrication of sublithographic, nanoscale arrays of elements including openings and linear microchannels utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. In some embodiments, the films can be used as a template or mask to etch openings in an underlying material layer.
US08445589B2
One aspect of the invention relates to a hydrogel comprising a non-natural polymer comprising a plurality of pendant nucleophilic groups and a crosslinker comprising at least two pendant electrophilic groups. Another aspect of the invention relates to a hydrogel comprising a non-natural polymer comprising a plurality of pendant electrophilic groups and a crosslinker comprising at least two pendant nucleophilic groups. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method for reducing lung volume in a patient comprising the step of administering a hydrogel composition as described herein. Further, hydrogels of the invention may be used to achieve pleurodesis, seal brochopleural fistulas, seal an air leak in a lung, achieve hemostasis, tissue sealing (e.g., blood vessels, internal organs), or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the compositions and methods described herein are intended for use in the treatment of patients with emphysema.
US08445584B2
An aqueous polyurethane resin having a Si atom content of 0.05 to 1.5% by weight in a polyurethane resin is produced by at least reacting an isocyanate group-terminated prepolymer which contains 1 to 15% by weight of a polyoxyethylene group in a side chain branched from the main chain and has two or more isocyanate groups at an end of the main chain, with a chain extender which contains at least a compound having two or more active hydrogen groups reactive with the isocyanate group and an alkoxysilyl group.
US08445581B2
The present invention provides a biocompatible prepolymer comprising hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments, wherein the hydrophobic segments have at least one ethylenically unsaturated functional group and at least 5% of the segments have two or more ethylenically unsaturated functional groups and water. The invention further provides a biocompatible prepolymer composition comprising hydrophilic and hydrophobic prepolymers, wherein at least one of the hydrophobic prepolymers has at least one ethylenically unsaturated functional group and at least 5% of the prepolymers have two or more ethylenically unsaturated functional groups and water. The invention further provides use of the prepolymer or prepolymer compositions of the invention in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, as bone substitutes or scaffolds, and in wound treatment.
US08445576B2
Continuous process for preparation of polyalkylene arylates A) comprising highly branched or hyperbranched polymers B) and, if appropriate, comprising lubricants C), by esterifying or transesterifying an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or its ester or ester-forming derivatives, with a molar excess of an aliphatic dihydroxy compound, and polycondensing the resultant transesterification or esterification product, which comprises, on achievement of at least 80% of the desired viscosity number, adding component B) and also, if appropriate, C) to the polymer melt, and, if appropriate, post-condensing the melt and then discharging, cooling, and pelletizing it, and also using, as component B), at least one highly branched or hyperbranched polycarbonate B1) with an OH number of from 1 to 600 mg KOH/g of polycarbonate (to DIN 53240, Part 2), or at least one highly branched or hyperbranched polyester B2) of AxBy type, where x is at least 1.1 and y is at least 2.1, or a mixture of these.
US08445574B2
Disclosed is a molded or extruded thermoplastic article, including a thermoplastic polyamide composition including (a) a polyamide resin having a melting point and/or glass transition; (b) 0.25 to 20 weight percent of one or more polyhydroxy polymer(s); (c) 0 to 3 weight percent of one or more co-stabilizer(s) selected from the group consisting of secondary aryl amines, hindered amine light stabilizers, hindered phenols, and mixtures thereof; (d) 10 to about 60 weight percent of one or more reinforcement agents; (e) and 0 to 20 weight percent of a polymeric toughener; wherein the composition has an air oven aging retention of tensile strength of at least 50 percent, as compared with that of an unexposed control of identical composition and shape.
US08445573B2
A polyphenylene ether resin composition obtainable by melt-mixing a polyphenylene ether (A) comprising a structural unit (a) represented by formula (1): (wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group, and the like), and/or a structural unit (b) represented by formula (2): (wherein R3 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group, and the like), with a nitrogen compound (B) comprising at least one group selected from the group consisting of primary amino groups, secondary amino groups and tertiary amino groups in a single molecule thereof, wherein the polyphenylene ether (A) comprises 0.1% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less of at least one type of aromatic hydrocarbon (C) containing 7 or 8 carbon atoms.
US08445550B2
Disclosed is a method of forming a hybrid Fischer-Tropsch catalyst extrudate for use in synthesis gas conversion reactions. The method includes extruding a mixture of ruthenium loaded metal oxide support particles, particles of an acidic component and a binder sol to form an extrudate. The resulting extrudate contains from about 0.1 to about 15 weight percent ruthenium based on the weight of the extrudate. In a synthesis gas conversion reaction, the extrudate is contacted with a synthesis gas having a H2 to CO molar ratio of 0.5 to 3.0 at a reaction temperature of 160° C. to 300° C., a total pressure of 3 to 35 atmospheres, and an hourly space velocity of 5 to 10,000 v/v/hour, resulting in hydrocarbon products containing 1-15 weight % CH4; 1-15 weight % C2-C4; 70-95 weight % C5+; 0-5 weight % C21+ normal paraffins; and 0-10 weight % aromatic hydrocarbons.
US08445548B2
The invention is related to the preparation of low-tar syngas from organic wastes and optionally to the preparation of methanol from the syngas or from the separated carbon dioxide. The process is characterized by introducing the secondary raw material comprising preferably solid communal waste, sludge and/or biomass waste into a double-flow one-body generator, comprising an inner pyrolysing, oxidizing and reducing zone and converting the obtained pyrolysis coke, pyrolysis water and tar formed by the aid of the heat content of the gas flowing upwards in the outer gas space by blowing oxygen into the fix-bed, to a raw syngas comprising carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen, on the fix bed of the pyrolysis coke and optionally a liquid containing liquid hydrocarbons or a powder of high carbon content are added in order to control the temperature and hydrohalides are removed from the obtained raw syngas on a calcium carbonate bed at 200-700° C., the heat content of the raw syngas is utilized, carbon dioxide is removed by a method known per se, and carbon dioxide is converted to methanol by using an external hydrogen source and optionally the obtained syngas is also converted to methanol by a method known per se.
US08445545B2
Provided are methods and compositions useful for treating/aches and/or pains. The compositions comprise an herbal therapeutic agent and an analgesic agent, wherein the composition is effective when delivered to the mucosal membrane.
US08445544B2
The invention relates to Fmoc (9-fluorenyl-methoxycarbonyl)-based polymeric conjugates. These conjugates are useful for extending the in-vivo circulation of protein and peptide drugs.
US08445540B2
The present invention provides methods for the regulation of osteopontin activity in a subject as well as for treating or preventing conditions associated with an increased activity of osteopontin activity in a subject.
US08445529B2
An indole compound having a carbamoyl group, a ureido group and a substituted oxy group having the following formula (1) or a salt thereof: In the formula (1), R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a hydroxy group, or an alkoxy group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group; R3 represents a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group an alkoxy group, an alkenyloxy group, an alkynyloxy group, a cycloalkyloxy group, an aryloxy group or a heterocyclic oxy group; m represents 0, 1, 2, or 3.
US08445524B2
Novel solid forms of bendamustine hydrochloride are described, as well as methods of their preparation and use.
US08445523B2
SOAT-1 inhibitors of general formula (I) and cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions containing such a compound are described.
US08445518B2
Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR2 or CCR9 receptor. Animal testing demonstrates that these compounds are useful for treating inflammation, a hallmark disease for CCR2 and CCR9. The compounds are generally aryl sulfonamide derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR2-mediated diseases, CCR9-mediated diseases, as controls in assays for the identification of CCR2 antagonists and as controls in assays for the identification of CCR9 antagonists.
US08445516B2
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for promoting angiogenesis, which has an angiogenesis promoting action even in a vascular culturing system without effect of microcirculation. A pharmaceutical composition for promoting angiogenesis of the present invention comprises at least one compound selected from a group consisting of a piperidine compound represented by the general formula (1) or salts thereof: (wherein R represents a benzoyl group which may have, as substituents on the phenyl ring, 1 to 3 groups selected from a group consisting of an amino group, which may have a lower alkanoyl group, and a lower alkyl group; R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; and R2 represents a phenyl lower alkyl group).
US08445513B2
The invention relates to the use of certain alpha-aminoamide derivatives in the treatment of RLS and addictive disorders. The compounds of this invention are able to reduce or even stop the symptoms of RLS and addictive disorders substantially without side effects.
US08445511B2
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) below, to their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and to their isomers or mixtures of isomers: HetAr—X—CHR1R2 (I) in which: —HetAr represents a group chosen from: —X represents a linear, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted by an —NH— or —NH—CO— group, —R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an —OH, —O(C1-C6)alkyl, —OCO((C1-C6)alkyl), —OSO2((C1-C6)alkyl) or —OSO3H group, and —R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a (C2-C6)alkynyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl or (C3-C6)cycloalkyl group. The present invention also relates to a process for preparing the compounds of Formula (I), and also to the use thereof, especially in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
US08445498B2
The present invention provides 4,6-disubstituted pyrimidine compound useful as kinase inhibitors, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, and methods of using the same.
US08445497B2
The disclosure provides compounds of formula I, including their salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may be useful in treating those infected with HCV.
US08445490B2
The disclosure provides compounds of formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may be useful in treating those infected with HCV.
US08445483B1
A new class of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) inhibitors of Formula I: wherein X wherein X is —CF3, Ar is selected from and R is selected from where R′ is L-Lys, D-Lys, β-Ala, L-Lue, L-Ile, Phe, SO2CH2CH2NH2, SO2NH2, Asn, Glu or Gyl, and R″ is methyl, ethyl, allyl, CH2CH2OH, CH2CN, CH2CH2CN, CH2CONH2,
US08445479B2
The present invention relates to the use of staurosporines derivatives for the preparation of a drug for the treatment of diseases involving deregulated FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase activity, especially for the curative and/or prophylactic treatment of leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes, and to a method of treating diseases involving deregulated FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase activity.
US08445477B2
Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating various diseases, syndromes, conditions and disorders, including pain. Such compounds are represented by Formula (I) as follows: wherein Y, Z, R1, and s are defined herein.
US08445472B2
The invention relates to compounds of Formula A: or a salt, solvate, hydrate, or prodrug thereof. The compounds of Formula A are TGR5 modulators useful for the treatment of various diseases, including metabolic disease, inflammatory disease, liver disease, autoimmune disease, cardiac disease, kidney disease, cancer, and gastrointestinal disease.
US08445470B2
Carbonate and carbamate modified forms of glucocorticoids in combination with B2 adrenergic agonists
Compositions containing β2 adrenergic agonists in combination with carbonates and carbamates of the formula. and in combination with related steroid carbonates and carbamates are disclosed. The compositions are useful for treating bronchospasm, for inducing bronchodilation and for treating rhinitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and inflammatory diseases, particularly by inhalation.
US08445464B2
This invention relates to the use of a biomaterial for the treatment, repair and/or enhancement of bodily tissue insufficiencies of the vocal chords, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, post-operative regions, sexual organs and/or weight supporting areas of the feet as well as other conditions of the bones and joints. The biomaterial for use in the invention may comprise an injectable bioresorbable polysaccharide composition wherein the polysaccharide may be succinochitosan glutamate. This invention also relates to the use of a biomaterial comprising an injectable bioresorbable polysaccharide composition in which resorbable particles may be in suspension, the said particles comprising or consisting essentially of chitin and/or chitosan, which may be free of any additional formulation modifying agents, and a process for manufacturing the same. The invention also includes the use of various medicaments in the biomaterial formulations to enhance the treatment of the affected area of the body.
US08445459B2
Composition, especially a cosmetic and/or dermatological composition, containing, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least one of mannose, and rhamnose and at least one additional compound chosen from C-glycosides and C-glycoside derivatives. Use of such a composition, and also a device containing it.
US08445458B2
A composition comprising (a) one or more ω-3 fatty acids selected from DHA, DPA and EPA, (b) uridine or its equivalent, and (c) a methyl donor, useful in the treatment of a person having characteristics of a prodromal dementia patient. The characteristics include e.g. a level of more than 350 ng Total-tau per liter cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and a weight ratio of abeta-42/Phospho-tau-181 of less than 6.5 in CSF.
US08445437B2
The present invention is directed to methods of treating or preventing the development of cardiovascular disease by administering compounds that stabilize mast cells. In addition, it includes pharmaceutical compositions which have both a mast cell stabilizer and instructions regarding the use of the stabilizer in treating or preventing cardiovascular disease. The methods and compositions will be of particular value for preventing aneurysms of the abdominal aorta in individuals with atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension or a family history of aneurysms.
US08445421B2
A solid detergent composition including: (a) detersive surfactant; (b) beta cyclodextrin; (c) essentially free from zeolite builder; (d) essentially free from phosphate builder; (e) optionally, essentially free from silicate; and (f) optionally perfume; and (g) optionally, additional detergent ingredients.
US08445410B2
Disclosed is a method that includes: (i) providing a plurality of initial nucleic acid cassettes that include: a) a first coding region encoding a first immunoglobulin variable domain, b) a second coding region encoding a second immunoglobulin variable domain, and c) a ribosomal binding site disposed between the first and second coding regions for translation of the second polypeptide in a first expression system, wherein the first and second coding regions are in the same translational orientation; (ii) modifying each nucleic acid cassette of the plurality in a single reaction mixture so that it is functional in a second expression system, wherein the first and second region remain physically attached during the modifying; (iii) introducing each modified nucleic acid cassette into a mammalian cell to produce a mixture of transfected cells; and (iv) expressing each modified nucleic acid cassette in the transfected cells.
US08445407B2
The present invention relates to tetrahydrophthalimides of formula I wherein the variables are defined according to the description, processes and intermediates for preparing the benzoxazinones of the formula I, compositions comprising them and their use as herbicides, i.e. for controlling harmful plants, and also a method for controlling unwanted vegetation which comprises allowing a herbicidal effective amount of at least one tetrahydrophthalimide of the formula I to act on plants, their seed and/or their habitat.
US08445397B2
A laminated ceramic capacitor which exhibits excellent lifetime characteristics in a high temperature loading test uses a dielectric ceramic constituting the dielectric layers which contains (Ba1-xCax)TiO3 as its main constituent, and contains a parts by mol of Al, b parts by mol of V, c parts by mol of Mg, and d parts by mol of Re with respect to 100 parts by mol of the (Ba1-xCax)TiO3. The Re is at least one metal element selected from among Y, La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb, and the x, a, b, c, and d respectively satisfy the conditions of 0.050≦x≦0.150, a≧0.15, 0.05≦b≦0.50, c≦0.50, and d≧1.00.
US08445395B2
A method of manufacturing a porous ceramic part, comprising the following steps in succession: a) preparing a mixture M containing a ceramic powder in suspension, at least one gelling agent and at least one foaming agent, at a mixing temperature which is higher than the gelling temperature of the gelling agent; b) shearing the mixture M at a foaming temperature which is higher than the gelling temperature, to obtain a foam; c) gelling the foam by cooling the mixture M to a temperature below the gelling temperature of the gelling agent; and d) drying the gelled foam to obtain a perform. According to the invention, a stabilizing agent is added to the mixture M, which agent has an instantaneous viscosity, in Pa·s, that increases by a factor of at least ten when a shear rate of the stabilizing agent is reduced from 100 s−1 to 0.
US08445394B2
Aluminoborosilicate glasses which may be useful in photovoltaic, photochromic, electrochromic, or Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) lighting applications are described.
US08445393B2
Sheet-like products, such as tissue products made from a low-density web, are disclosed containing an additive composition. The additive composition, for instance, comprises an aqueous dispersion containing an alpha-olefin polymer, and an ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer. The additive composition may be applied to the surface of the web so that it does not thoroughly or even substantially penetrate the web. For instance, the additive may be applied to one or both surfaces of the web by gravure printing, press coating, spraying or the like. The additive composition may improve the strength of the tissue web and/or improve the perceived softness of the web.
US08445392B2
The invention concerns a sheet material, characterized in that it incorporates at least one knitted structure. The invention also concerns a document and a base fabric comprising said sheet material, as well as a method for making said material. The invention further concerns a knitted structure comprising at least one authenticating and/or identifying element, as well as a method for authenticating and/or identifying a document or a knitted structure.
US08445385B2
Memory cells, and methods of forming such memory cells are provided that include a steering element coupled to a carbon-based reversible resistivity-switching material. In particular embodiments, methods in accordance with this invention etch a carbon nano-tube (“CNT”) film formed over a substrate, the methods including coating the substrate with a masking layer, patterning the masking layer, and etching the CNT film through the patterned masking layer using a non-oxygen based chemistry. Other aspects are also described.
US08445381B2
A method of making a semiconductor structure comprises forming an oxide layer on a substrate; forming a silicon nitride layer on the oxide layer; annealing the layers in NO; and annealing the layers in ammonia. The equivalent oxide thickness of the oxide layer and the silicon nitride layer together is at most 25 Angstroms.
US08445376B2
A method for post-etching treatment of copper interconnecting wires that are used to electrically couple an upper interconnecting layer with a lower interconnecting layer includes forming the lower interconnecting layer on a substrate, and forming the upper interconnecting layer on the lower interconnecting layer. The lower interconnecting layer includes a first dielectric layer, a plurality of wire trenches formed in the first dielectric layer and being filled with copper, and a first top barrier layer overlying the first dielectric layer and the wire trenches. The upper interconnecting layer includes a second dielectric layer on the top barrier layer, and a plurality of vias extending through the second dielectric layer and the top barrier layer and exposing the copper in the wire trenches. The method further includes treating the exposed copper using a plasma process comprising NH3.
US08445359B2
To provide a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device using an SOI substrate, by which mobility can be improved. A plurality of semiconductor films formed using a plurality of bond substrates (semiconductor substrates) are bonded to one base substrate (support substrate). At least one of the plurality of bond substrates has a crystal plane orientation different from that of the other bond substrates. Accordingly, at least one of the plurality of semiconductor films formed over one base substrate has a crystal plane orientation different from that of the other semiconductor films. The crystal plane orientation of the semiconductor film is determined in accordance with the polarity of a semiconductor element formed using the semiconductor film. For example, an n-channel element in which electrons are majority carriers is formed using a semiconductor film having a face {100}, and a p-channel element in which holes are majority carriers is formed using a semiconductor film having a face {110}.
US08445358B2
An object of the present invention is to reduce the influence of a foreign substance adhering to a single crystalline semiconductor substrate and manufacture a semiconductor substrate with a high yield. Another object of the present invention is to manufacture, with a high yield, a semiconductor device which has stable characteristics. In the process of manufacturing a semiconductor substrate, when an embrittled region is to be formed in a single crystalline semiconductor substrate, the surface of the single crystalline semiconductor substrate is irradiated with hydrogen ions from oblique directions at multiple (at least two) different angles, thereby allowing the influence of a foreign substance adhering to the single crystalline semiconductor substrate to be reduced and allowing a semiconductor substrate including a uniform single crystalline semiconductor layer to be manufactured with a high yield.
US08445354B2
A method of manufacturing a phase-change memory device comprises forming a contact region on a substrate, forming a lower electrode electrically connected to the contact region, forming a phase-change material layer on the lower electrode using a chalcogenide compound target including carbon and metal, or carbon, nitrogen and metal, and forming an upper electrode on the phase-change material layer.
US08445336B2
A method of fabricating a polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) layer includes providing a substrate, forming an amorphous silicon (a-Si) layer on the substrate, forming a thermal oxide layer to a thickness of about 10 Å to 50 Å on the a-Si layer, forming a metal catalyst layer on the thermal oxide layer, and annealing the substrate to crystallize the a-Si layer into the poly-Si layer using a metal catalyst of the metal catalyst layer. Thus, the a-Si layer can be crystallized into a poly-Si layer by a super grain silicon (SGS) crystallization method. Also, the thermal oxide layer may be formed during the dehydrogenation of the a-Si layer so that an additional process of forming a capping layer required for the SGS crystallization method can be omitted, thereby simplifying the fabrication process.
US08445316B2
A dielectric material layer is formed on a front surface of a photovoltaic device. A patterned PMMA-type-material-including layer is formed on the dielectric material layer, and the pattern is transferred into the top portion of the photovoltaic device to form trenches in which contact structures can be formed. In one embodiment, a blanket PMMA-type-material-including layer is deposited on the dielectric material layer, and is patterned by laser ablation that removes ablated portions of PMMA-type-material. The PMMA-type-material-including layer may also include a dye to enhance absorption of the laser beam. In another embodiment, a blanket PMMA-type-material-including layer may be deposited on the dielectric material layer and mechanically patterned to form channels therein. In yet another embodiment, a patterned PMMA-type-material-including layer is stamped on top of the dielectric material layer.
US08445313B2
A method of forming bit line aligned to a phase change material that includes forming a pedestal of a sacrificial material on a portion of a lower electrode and forming at least one dielectric material adjacent to the sacrificial material, wherein the at least one dielectric material has an upper surface substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the pedestal of the sacrificial material. The pedestal of the sacrificial material is removed selective to the at least one dielectric material and the lower electrode to provide an opening to an exposed surface of the lower electrode. A phase change material is formed on the exposed surface of the lower electrode, and the opening is filled with a conductive fill material. A self-aligned etch back process is also provided.
US08445302B2
One object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device which has excellent productivity and produce a group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device and a lamp, a method for producing a group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, in which a buffer layer (12) made of a group III nitride is laminated on a substrate (11), an n-type semiconductor layer (14) comprising a base layer (14a), a light-emitting layer (15), and a p-type semiconductor layer (16) are laminated on the buffer layer (12) in this order, comprising: a pretreatment step in which the substrate (11) is treated with plasma; a buffer layer formation step in which the buffer layer (12) having a composition represented by AlxGa1-xN (0≦x<1) is formed on the pretreated substrate (11) by activating with plasma and reacting at least a metal gallium raw material and a gas containing a group V element; and a base layer formation step in which the base layer (14a) is formed on the buffer layer (12).
US08445301B2
Provided are a thin-film transistor (TFT) substrate, a method of manufacturing the same, and a display device including the same. The TFT substrate includes a gate electrode formed on a substrate, a gate insulating layer formed on the gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor pattern formed on the gate insulating layer, a source electrode formed on the oxide semiconductor pattern, a drain electrode formed on the oxide semiconductor pattern to face the source electrode, and a pixel electrode formed on the gate insulating layer.
US08445300B2
Disclosed is a method of fabricating a display device that includes: forming an adhesive layer of an inorganic material on a carrier substrate having a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area; forming a plurality of adhesive patterns of a metallic material on the adhesive layer, each of the plurality of adhesive patterns having a width and a height; forming a plastic substrate on the adhesive layer and the plurality of adhesive patterns; forming a plurality of elements for displaying images on the plastic substrate; cutting the carrier substrate and the plastic substrate to divide the display area and the non-display area; and detaching the carrier substrate from the plastic substrate.
US08445286B2
The flow cytometer system of the preferred embodiment includes a flow cell body that functions to contain, protect, and align the components of the flow cytometer system; a flow channel, coupled to the flow cell body, that functions to conduct and focus sample fluid through an interrogation zone; and a sample injection probe, removably coupled to the flow cell body, that functions to provide a uniform flow of sample fluid to the flow channel. The flow cytometer system is preferably designed for the flow cytometer field. The flow cytometer system, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.
US08445285B2
A liquid for ejection includes a bio-specimen, and at least one kind of first compounds expressed by Formula (1), wherein, in Formula (1), m≧8, and 8≦n≦18.
US08445284B2
The formulations, systems, and methods disclosed herein permit automated preparation of specimens (e.g., biological specimens) for examination. The formulations can include a cytological fixative solution including Azure B, a surfactant, methanol, and ethylene glycol. The disclosed formulations, systems, and methods provide fast, efficient, and highly uniform specimen processing using minimal quantities of fluids. The methods include at least a fixing phase for fixing a specimen to a substrate such as a microscope slide, a staining phase for staining the specimen, and a rinsing phase for rinsing the specimen. One or more of the fixing, staining, and rinsing phases include one or more agitation phases for distributing reagents evenly and uniformly across the specimen. The systems can be implemented as a standalone device or as a component in a larger system for preparing and examining specimens.
US08445282B2
A method is provided for culturing cochineal insects. In accordance with the method, a medium is created (101-109) from a mixture comprising a plant or cactus additive and a polymeric material. The medium is then inoculated (111) with a species selected from the group consisting of the genus Dactylopius.
US08445281B2
Compositions and methods are provided for enhancing the survival and promoting the maturation of mammalian oocytes, zygotes and preimplantation embryos. BDNF or BDNF agonists may be administered to an individual, or to cells in vitro, to enhance cellular maturation, embryo growth and fertilization. Accordingly, compositions comprising BDNF are herein presented for use in promoting in vivo oocyte maturation as well as for use as a component in culture media for promoting preimplantation maturation of zygotes and embryos, for instance, for use with in vitro fertilization procedures and for the production of stem cells. Additionally, compounds that interfere with the binding of BDNF to its receptor may be administered to an individual to prevent oocyte maturation, thereby acting as a contraceptive. The BNDF receptor, TrkB, and BDNF also find use in the screening and design of agonists and antagonists for use in the methods of the invention.
US08445279B2
Facing no ethical obstacle and easily to be isolated, multipotent concretely mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the most powerful tools in reconstructive medicine. Here the inventors introduced 3D multicelluar spheroids culture construction based on photolithography and micropatterning techniques to improve multipotent differentiation efficiency of MSCs to adult cells. This invention, the 3D spheroid cultured construction for MSCs, leads to great improve of the differentiation efficiency. This invention relates to a cultured cell construct comprising a support; at least one island on the support; a hydrophilic and cytophobic substance applied on the surface of said support so as to encircle the island; and a spheroid which is derived from MSCs, said spheroid being in contact with the island.
US08445278B2
The present invention provides an electrophoretic system, apparatus, and method of use thereof for the preparation of a tissue-derived bioprosthesis.
US08445277B2
Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, at least one of compositions, methods, devices, systems, kits, or products regarding rejuvenation or preservation of germ cells or gametes. Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, methods of modifying germ cells or gametes, or methods of administering modified germ cells or gametes to at least one biological tissue.
US08445272B2
This invention relates to galactosylceramide compounds.
US08445268B2
The present invention relates to human Her-2/neu expressing plasmid constructs having anti-cancer activity and a DNA vaccine comprising same for preventing and/or treating cancer. The Her-2/neu DNA vaccines of the present invention can be effectively used as a therapeutic vaccine in reducing metastasis after tumor surgery or as a prophylactic vaccine for people with genetic high risk.
US08445265B2
The invention relates to a reaction vessel and a reaction controller, wherein temperature control of a liquid stored within the vessel can be performed with a high accuracy and faithful responsiveness. The reaction container and the reaction controller comprise one or a plurality of reaction chambers in which liquid is storable, and a wall that surrounds the reaction chamber, and the entirety or a part of the wall is formed by a temperature raising and lowering body that can raise or lower the temperature thereof according to a signal from an instructing part provided outside.
US08445263B2
A leakage current on a side surface of a sensor chip of a cell electrophysiological sensor is reduced. In order to do so, a sensor chip having a continuity hole and a chip holding part covering the side surface of the sensor chip are provided. The sensor chip includes silicon as a main component, and the chip holding part is made of glass. The chip holding part is adhesively bonded to the side surface of the sensor chip by glass welding. Thus, in the cell electrophysiological sensor device of the present invention, the airtightness between the side surface of the sensor chip and the chip holding part is improved, so that a leakage current can be reduced.
US08445262B2
In an analyte evaluation method for evaluating an analyte, AC voltage is applied between a substrate electrode on a substrate and a counter electrode, and signals obtained from a marker provided on an analyte bound to the substrate electrode are observed, wherein the frequency of the AC voltage is changed and the behavior of the average value of the marker signals is observed. A novel, highly-selective, low-noise method of evaluating a object of evaluation is thus achieved.
US08445251B2
Disclosed are rationally-designed, non-naturally-occurring meganucleases in which a pair of enzyme subunits having specificity for different recognition sequence half-sites are joined into a single polypeptide to form a functional heterodimer with a non-palindromic recognition sequence. The invention also relates to methods of producing such meganucleases, and methods of producing recombinant nucleic acids and organisms using such meganucleases.
US08445250B2
The present invention relates to a feed supplement comprising a phytase and a lipolytic enzyme, wherein said lipolytic enzyme has lipase activity at a pH in the range of about pH1.5 to about pH3.5.
US08445249B2
This invention provides Sso7-polymerase conjugates that exhibit improved activity in a polymerase reaction.
US08445238B2
The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits comprising snap-back primers used for forming 3′ hairpin structures, 5′ hairpin structures, and double hairpin structures. The hairpin structures may be used for detecting target sequences (e.g., such as small RNA target sequence), for detecting polymorphisms in target sequences (e.g., such as polymorphisms located near the 5′ or 3′ ends of the target sequence), or other nucleic acid characterization methods. In certain embodiments, the hairpin structures form invasive cleavage structures (e.g., in combination with a probe or upstream oligonucleotide) which may be cleaved by structure-specific enzymes in order to detect the presence or absence of a particular nucleotide or nucleotide sequence.
US08445234B2
Disclosed herein are methods of making a VEGF-D polypeptide comprising the steps of culturing a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the VEGF-D polypeptide operably associated with a promoter sequence such that the nucleic acid sequence encoding the VEGF-D polypeptide is expressed; and isolating the VEGF-D polypeptide from the host cell or from the growth medium in which said host cell is cultured.
US08445233B2
The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated PGC-1β nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel PGC-1 related coactivator molecules. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing PGC-1β nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a PGC-1β gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated PGC-1β proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-PGC-1β antibodies. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US08445231B2
The invention features isolated cytochrome P450 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules, as well as expression vectors and transgenic plants containing these molecules. In addition, the invention features uses of such molecules in methods of increasing the level of resistance against a disease caused by a plant pathogen in a transgenic plant, in methods for producing altered compounds, for example, hydroxylated compounds, and in methods of producing isoprenoid compounds.
US08445226B2
Processes to produce microorganisms that can be incorporated into a microbial-based product that results in high viable cell yields and shelf-stable products are disclosed. These microbial-based products are useful for inhibiting pathogenic growth and as a food additive. A preferred microorganism is a lactic acid producing bacteria. In one embodiment, the process comprises inoculating a lactobacillus fermentation medium with lactic acid producing bacterial cells, harvesting the lactic acid producing bacterial cells at mid to late log phase, concentrating the lactic acid producing bacterial cells, and preserving the lactic acid producing bacterial cells at a concentration of at least 5×109 cfu/ml.
US08445219B2
The invention relates to the determination of the degree of membrane receptor binding by specific monoclonal antibodies. This method is notably beneficial for monoclonal antibodies that are used in targeted therapies in order to define a target effective dose (TED). Especially the invention relates to the determination of the saturation degree of receptor binding effected by an anti-EGFR antibody of interest.
US08445215B1
The present invention provides devices and methods for aiding in the diagnosis of Crohn's disease. The devices and methods accurately identify whether a sample from an individual is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or a clinical subtype thereof such as Crohn's disease (CD). The present invention is useful for determining whether a sample from an individual is an IBD sample, or differentiating between CD and ulcerative colitis (UC). Thus, the present invention provides an accurate diagnostic prediction of IBD or a clinical subtype thereof and prognostic information useful for guiding treatment decisions.
US08445211B2
A method for the in vitro diagnosis of colorectal cancer by determining the presence of the I-Plastin tumor marker in a biological sample taken from a patient suspected of having colorectal cancer. Said method can be used for early diagnosis, screening, therapeutic follow-up and prognosis, and also for relapse diagnosis in relation to colorectal cancer.
US08445205B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for tagging nucleic acid sequence fragments, e.g., a set of nucleic acid sequence fragments from a single genome, with one or more unique members of a collection of oligonucleotide tags, or sequence tokens, which, in turn, can be identified using a variety of readout platforms. As a general rule, a given sequence token is used once and only once in any tag sequence. In addition, the present invention also provides methods for using the sequence tokens to efficiently determine variations in nucleotide sequences in the associated nucleic acid sequence fragments.
US08445202B2
It is intended to provide a non-invasive and convenient method of detecting a tumor marker for diagnosing colon cancer which is superior in sensitivity and specificity to the existing fecal occult blood test. More specifically speaking, a method of detecting a tumor marker for diagnosing colon cancer which comprises collecting biological sample which is immediately frozen using liquid nitrogen in some cases, homogenizing the sample in the presence of an inhibitor of an RNA digesting enzyme to give a suspension, extracting RNA from the obtained suspension, subjecting the extracted RNA to reverse transcription to give cDNA. amplifying the obtained cDNA and then detecting the thus amplified cDNA. This method is characterized by involving no procedure of separating cell components from the biological sample.
US08445200B2
The invention provides a method for detection of inflammatory disease in a subject that comprises assaying a test sample of peripheral blood from the subject for a marker of DNA damage. An elevated amount of marker present in the test sample compared to control sample is indicative of inflammatory disease activity, including sub-clinical inflammation. The method can be adapted for quantitatively monitoring the efficacy of treatment of inflammatory disease in a subject. Markers of DNA damage include single- and/or double-stranded breaks in leukocytes, oxidative DNA damage in leukocytes, or a marker of nitric oxide oxidative activity (protein nitrosylation in leukocytes). The inflammatory disease can be inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease). The invention may also be used for detection of other types of inflammatory disease, such as non-immune intestinal inflammatory disease (diverticulitis, pseudomembranous colitis), autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, uveitis, vasculitis), or non-immune lung diseases (asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, and interstitial pneumonitis). This unexpected discovery of markers of genotoxicity present in circulating leukocytes enables detection of inflammation occurring at a localized site with a relatively simple and minimally invasive assay using peripheral blood.
US08445199B2
A composition of matter for use in an immunoassay devices and method comprising a signal antibody, e.g., FAB fragment, covalently linked to a first nucleotide; and one or more signal elements, e.g., signal enzymes such as ALP or fluorescent dyes, each covalently linked to a second nucleotide, wherein the first nucleotide has one or more repeated sequences, and the second nucleotide is bound to one of the one or more repeated sequences on said first nucleotide, and wherein the ratio of the signal antibody to the signal element is controlled by the number of repeated sequences.
US08445193B2
A microwell array chip that has multiple microwells and is employed to contain a single lymphocyte specimen in each microwell and detect antigen-specific lymphocytes in single units; wherein the microwell array chip is of a shape and of dimensions where only one lymphocyte is contained in each microwell. A method of detecting antigen-specific lymphocytes comprising the steps of adding antigen to each microwell in the above microwell array chip, stimulating the lymphocyte specimen, and detecting lymphocyte specimens reacting with the antigen.
US08445188B2
A photolithography method of patterning photoresist involves disposing a two-dimensional array of focusing particles of spherical or other shape on the photoresist and illuminating the particles on the photoresist to generate deep, sub-wavelength patterns on the photoresist. When developed, a positive photoresist layer generates a two-dimensional array of micro- or nano-holes on the developed photoresist. When developed, a negative photoresist layer generates a two-dimensional array of micro- or nano-pillars on the developed photoresist.
US08445186B2
A recessed portion forming method for forming a plurality of recessed portions in a thermally deformable heat mode recording material layer is provided, which method includes: a recessed portion forming step of applying condensed light emitted from an optical system including a light source, to the recording material layer to form the recessed portions; an inspection light illumination step of applying inspection light to the recessed portions during or after formation of the recessed portions in the recording material layer; a detection step of detecting a light quantity of the inspection light reflected or diffracted from the recessed portions; and an output regulation step of regulating an output of the light source based upon the light quantity so that the light quantity becomes a predetermined value. Methods for manufacturing a pit-projection product, a light emitting element, and an optical element, using this method are also provided.
US08445174B2
Disclosed are photo sensitizers that include a polyol moiety covalently bonded to a fused aromatic moiety. Also disclosed is a method for improving UV laser ablation performance of a coating, such as a cationic UV curable coating, by incorporating an oxalyl-containing additive into the cationic UV curable or other coating. Oxalyl-containing sensitizers having the formula Q-O—C(O)—C(O)—O—R1 wherein Q represents a fused aromatic moiety and R1 is an alkyl or aryl group, are also disclosed, as are oxalyl-containing oxetane resins, oxalyl-containing polyester polyols, and cationic UV curable coating formulations that include oxalyl-containing additives.
US08445173B2
A method of producing a heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, having the steps of: conveying a transparent support by web handling; providing at least one receptor layer on the transparent support; and drying the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, in which the at least one receptor layer contains a latex polymer having a weighted average glass transition temperature of 30° C. or more, the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet is dried at a temperature that is higher than the weighted average glass transition temperature by 30° C. or more, and the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet has a lenticular lens on the side of the transparent support opposite to the side on which the receptor layer is provided.
US08445169B2
A toner for hybrid development, comprising toner particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant and being charged when made in friction-contact with a carrier; reverse polarity particles that are charged to polarity reversed to the charged polarity of the toner particles when made in friction-contact with the carrier, and have a number-average primary particle size in a range from 95 to 850 nm; and same polarity particles that are charged into the same polarity as the charged polarity of the toner particles when made in friction-contact with the carrier, and have a number-average primary particle size in a range from 80 to 800 nm and a shape factor in a range from 100 to 160; a developer for hybrid development containing the above toner and a carrier; and an image-forming apparatus provided with the developer for hybrid development.
US08445159B2
Several members make up a joint in a high-temperature electrochemical device, wherein the various members perform different functions. The joint is useful for joining multiple cells (generally tubular modules) of an electrochemical device to produce a multi-cell segment-in-series stack for a solid oxide fuel cell, for instance. The joint includes sections that bond the joining members to each other; one or more seal sections that provide gas-tightness, and sections providing electrical connection and/or electrical insulation between the various joining members. A suitable joint configuration for an electrochemical device has a metal joint housing, a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode, separated from the first porous electrode by a solid electrolyte, and an insulating member disposed between the metal joint housing and the electrolyte and second electrode. One or more brazes structurally and electrically connects the first electrode to the metal joint housing and forms a gas tight seal between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08445153B2
A fuel cell system capable of providing a suitable power distribution is provided. A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell that generates electric power through an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas; a motor that can be driven upon the supply of electric power and can generate regenerative power; a power storage unit which can be charged with power generated from the fuel cell and regenerative power of the motor and can discharge charge power to the motor; an auxiliary apparatus used for operating at least the fuel cell; and a control unit that controls a power distribution between the above components. The control unit determines the power distribution using a power generation command value based on power required to be generated during a normal operation, while the control unit determines the power distribution using a power generation measured value of the fuel cell instead of the power generation command value during a high-potential prevention control that avoids a voltage of the fuel cell becoming equal to or higher than a predetermined high-potential prevention voltage threshold lower than an open circuit voltage of the fuel cell.
US08445144B2
There is provided a lithium secondary battery which has excellent characteristics such as energy density and electromotive force and is excellent in cycle life and storage stability. An electrolyte solution for secondary battery comprising at least an aprotic solvent having an electrolyte dissolved therein and a compound represented by the general formula (1).
US08445135B2
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an active material comprising both α-LiVOPO4 and β-LiVOPO4. The method of manufacturing an active material in accordance with the present invention comprises a hydrothermal synthesis step of heating a mixture containing a lithium source, a phosphate source, a vanadium source, and water and having a pH greater 7 but smaller than 12.7; and a firing step of firing the mixture after being heated under pressure in the hydrothermal synthesis step.
US08445129B2
A cathode active material capable of increasing a capacity and improving high temperature characteristics or cycle characteristics, a method of manufacturing it, a cathode using the cathode active material, and a battery using the cathode active material are provided. In a cathode active material contained in a cathode, a coating layer is provided on at least part of a complex oxide particle containing at least lithium (Li) and cobalt (Co). The coating layer is an oxide which contains lithium (Li) and at least one of nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn).
US08445123B2
A magnetic recording medium having high bonding capability between the surface lubricant and the diamond-like carbon (DLC) protective layer in the surface of the magnetic recording medium is disclosed. The lubricant is a fluorine-containing lubricant for magnetic recording media represented by the following formula (1), (2) or (3), wherein the substituents R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 in the terminal part of the lubricant each independently represent an organic group, and at least one of the substituents R1 and R2, at least one of the substituents R3 and R4, and at least one of the substituents R5 and R6 each have an isocyanate group: Also disclosed is a magnetic recording medium using the lubricant.
US08445121B2
One feature of the present invention is to provide a buffer layer made of a composite material for a light emitting element including aromatic hydrocarbon containing at least one vinyl skeleton and metal oxide in part of a light emitting substance containing layer, in the light emitting element formed by interposing the light emitting substance containing layer between a pair of electrodes. The composite material for a light emitting element for forming the buffer layer of the present invention has high conductivity and is superior in transparency.
US08445103B2
To provide an adhesive composition which shows high adhesion with a glass substrate and has excellent heat resistance, moisture resistance and moist heat resistance, an adhesive optical film comprising an adhesive layer made of the adhesive composition, which shows high adhesion between the adhesive layer and an optical film and effectively suppresses the occurrence of adhesive residue and lack of adhesive and also has excellent heat resistance, moisture resistance and moist heat resistance, and an image display device comprising the adhesive optical film, the adhesive optical film comprises an optical film 1, an adhesive layer 3 made of a water dispersible adhesive composition comprising, as raw monomers, an alkyl (meth)acrylate ester whose alkyl group has 4 to 18 carbon atoms, a carboxyl group-containing vinyl monomer, a phosphoric acid group-containing vinyl monomer, and a copolymerizable vinyl monomer which is optionally copolymerizable with the above monomers, wherein a carboxyl group concentration is from 0.05 to 1.50 mmol/g and a phosphoric acid group concentration is from 0.01 to 0.45 mmol/g in the raw monomers, an under coat layer 2 containing an oxazoline group-containing polymer, and being interposed between the optical film 1 and the adhesive layer 3, and the adhesive optical film is applied onto an image display device.
US08445099B2
The present invention is directed to a polyimide film with a uniform orientation angle in the transverse direction of the film. A polyimide film characterized by the fact that the width of the fabricated film is ≧1.5 m, 2 points positioned inside by 200 mm from both ends of the width of the fabricated film are selected on a linear line in the vertical direction to the machine direction (MD) of the film, 1 point within center part ±200 mm, and 2 optional points are further selected on a linear line that includes said 2 points within the range of the linear line that connects said 2 points, and the orientation angle (θ) is within a range of 90°±23° in at least all of these 8 points.
US08445097B2
The present invention discloses a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film that is useful as a light capture front sheet in solar modules, and more broadly as an antireflection layer. The present invention further discloses a glass shaped article having a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film disposed upon the surface thereof. The shaped article is useful in applications where it is desirable to reduce reflection of incident light.
US08445096B2
A glass substrate is held by a glass substrate holding member in the vertical direction, and a nozzle is used to eject an infrared cutoff liquid onto the upper portion of the glass substrate. The infrared cutoff liquid flows vertically downward so as to be applied onto the glass substrate. The film thickness of the lower portion of an infrared cutoff film is greater than that of the upper portion. The glass substrate is dried for approximately five minutes at room temperature. Then, the glass substrate onto which the infrared cutoff liquid has been applied is placed in an oven preheated to 200° C., heated for ten minutes, and then cooled. The glass substrate having the infrared cutoff film thereon is installed in a railroad vehicle such that the lower portion of the glass substrate is located on the lower side with respect to the railroad vehicle.
US08445089B1
Described herein are compositions comprising (a) 92 to 99 weight percent, of polyoxymethylene with number average molecular weight from 65,000 to 250,000 g/mole; and (b) 1 to 8 weight percent of an imidized acrylic resin obtained by treating an acrylic polymer with a monoalkyl amine, wherein the weight percents of a and b are based on their combined weight, and monoalkyl group has from one to five carbon atoms, the degree of imidization is 20% to 100% and the acid level is from 0 to about 2 weight percent of the imidized acrylic resin. The composition has significantly higher heat deflection temperature than the neat polyoxymethylene.Processes of increasing heat deflection temperature of POM compositions are described herein by blending (a) and (b), wherein the resultant melt-mixed composition has a 200% increase or greater in time to 5% creep strain relative to the same melt-mixed composition lacking (b).
US08445088B2
A flexible food package includes a laminate body defining an internal compartment. The laminate body includes an inner layer and an outer layer that are coupled together. At least one of the inner layer and the outer layer includes green polyethylene having a percent modern carbon value of at least 30 percent.
US08445087B2
The present invention comprises a molding composition comprising at least about 70% wt. polypropylene or polypropylene random copolymer; up to about 30 wt. % of a block copolymer composition comprising at least one selectively hydrogenated block copolymer which substantially matches the index of refraction of the polypropylene or polypropylene random copolymer, and up to about 0.70% by wt. of a clarifying agent, wherein the weight % of the total blend is 100%. The present invention also may be a molded article produced from the molding composition. A molded article formed from such a composition at a thickness of 0.125 inches will have a haze of less than about 50% and an instrumented impact toughness of at least 100 inch-lbs at −20° C. to −30° C.
US08445086B2
Polymer compositions, for example of polyethyleneterephthalate bottles or preforms, include a reheat additive which has reducing transmission/increasing absorbance across the IR region as the wavelength increases. The reheat additive may be a titanium nitride, made by a plasma vapor deposition technique. Advantageously, the material may be used at a lower level than hitherto known materials or may be used at the same levels as hitherto but provide a greater reheat effect. Example 3a shown in the figure illustrates the absorbance of a preferred material.
US08445070B2
A biodegradable waterproof paper coated with PLA film and the manufacturing method for the same are disclosed. The biodegradable waterproof paper includes a PLA film on at least one surface of the paper and the PLA film partially infiltrates into the fibers of the paper.
US08445066B2
Systems and methods for making a monolithic gel body. Some systems can include a substrate, a sol, an ammonia atmosphere. Some methods can include applying a first quantity of the sol to the substrate to form a first coated substrate, and positioning the first coated substrate in the ammonia atmosphere to cure the first quantity of sol to form a first supported gel comprising a first gel supported by the substrate. Such methods can further include applying a second quantity of the sol to the first supported gel to form a second coated substrate comprising the second quantity of sol and the first supported gel. Some methods can include positioning the substrate in the ammonia atmosphere while applying the sol onto the substrate to form a monolithic gel body by a layering process.
US08445065B2
A method and a printing device (6) for decorating glass or ceramic items, wherein a pigment layer (3) is sandwiched between two glass frit layers (2, 4), wherein at least the pigment formulation layer (3) and the upper glass frit formulation layer (4) are, or can be, imprinted by an inkjet printing process.
US08445062B2
The present invention generally relates to a process for making a metal oxide composition. The present invention also relates to a process for making a coated metal oxide substrate.
US08445058B2
Provided is a process for easily producing a wire grid polarizer showing a high polarization separation ability in the visible light region and having an improved transmittance in a short wavelength region.
US08445057B2
There is provided a conductive material comprising a base material made up of a Cu strip, a Cu—Sn alloy covering layer formed over a surface of the base material, containing Cu in a range of 20 to 70 at. %, and having an average thickness in a range of 0.1 to 3.0 μm, and an Sn covering layer formed over the Cu—Sn alloy covering layer having an average thickness in a range of 0.2 to 5.0 μm, disposed in that order, such that portions of the Cu—Sn alloy covering layer are exposed the surface of the Sn covering layer, and a ratio of an exposed area of the Cu—Sn alloy covering layer to the surface of the Sn covering layer is in a range of 3 to 75%.
US08445043B2
A multi-temperature and multi-texture frozen food microwave heating tray includes a first integral compartment defined by at least one sidewall and an upwardly convex bottom, and a second integral compartment defined by at least one sidewall and a bottom and comprising a microwave energy access modulating structure for one of the first and second compartments.
US08445041B1
The present invention relates to a method for improving the fat firmness and meat quality of a meat animal and/or altering the ratio of saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty acids in meat by administering to a meat animal (e.g., pig) a composition comprising an amount of dehydrated castor oil that is effective to improve the quality indices of the animal's meat.
US08445037B2
Disclosed is an adjuvant for improving the bioavailability of bioactive compositions. The adjuvant is prepared from a byproduct of mint flavor production. In vitro and in vivo testing confirms effectiveness. The adjuvant contains a mixture of compounds which is effective to improve the oral bioavailability of a bioactive composition normally having limited absorptivity, and it comprises a mixture of nonpolar compounds and compounds with some polar characteristics. In preferred form the nonpolar compounds comprise compounds selected from a group that includes terpene hydrocarbons and terpene derivatives and the compounds with some polar characteristics comprise compounds selected from a group that includes aldehydes, alcohols and ketones. The preferred compositions will have a ratio of nonpolar compounds and compounds with some polar characteristics is within the range of from 5:1 to 20:1. The adjuvants can enhance delivery of CoQ10 and other bioactive compositions, such as carotenoids (e.g., β-carotene), curcuminoids, lycopene, resveratrol, flavonoids and other phenolic compounds, organosulfur compounds, saponins, sterols, stanols, and mixtures of at least two of these, to the interior cellular environment, including organelles, such as the mitochondria.
US08445033B2
The invention provides a formulation for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections by administering an effective amount of the formulation comprising an extract of at least one plant selected from Allium sativum, Acorus calamus, Alstonia scholaris, Carissa spinarum, Cissampelos pareria, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Moringa olifera, Paederia foetida, Shorea robusta, Piper nigrum, Pueraria tuberosa, Ocimum sanctum, Terminalia bellirica, Tinospora cordifolia and Zingiber officinale, and a combination thereof. The invention also provides a process for preparing and method of using the same.
US08445031B2
A purified tea extract is improved in taste by reducing a percentage of gallates in the non-polymer catechins. A process according to the present invention for the production of a purified tea extract includes subjecting a tea extract to a hydrolysis treatment, causing the tea extract to adsorb on the activated carbon, and then bringing a basic aqueous solution or an aqueous solution of an organic solvent into contact with the activated carbon to elute the non-polymer catechins.
US08445023B2
The present invention relates to solid microparticulate oral pharmaceutical forms whose composition and structure make it possible to avoid misuse of the pharmaceutical active principle (AP) they contain.The object of the present invention is to prevent solid oral drugs from being misappropriated for any use other than the therapeutic use(s) officially approved by the competent public health authorities. In other words, the object is to avoid the voluntary or involuntary misuse of solid oral drugs.The invention relates to a solid oral pharmaceutical form which is characterized in that it contains anti-misuse means, in that at least part of the AP it comprises is contained in coated microparticles for modified release of the AP, and in that the coated microparticles of AP have a coating layer (Ra) which assures the modified release of the AP and simultaneously imparts crushing resistance to the coated microparticles of AP so as to avoid misuse.
US08445017B2
A biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer of linear polyethylenimine (LPEI) wherein the LPEI blocks are linked together by hydrophilic linkers with a biodegradable disulfide bond and methods of making thereof. The biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer may also contain pendant functional moieties which are preferably receptor ligands, membrane permeating agents, endosomolytic agents, nuclear localization sequences, pH sensitive endosomolytic peptides, chromogenic or fluorescent dyes.
US08445012B2
Described herein are compositions comprising one or more embolics attached to an inert, dissolvable matrix as well as kits comprising these novel embolic formulations. Also described are methods of making and using these embolic formulations.
US08445011B2
Methods and compositions for reducing the frequency of urination are disclosed. One method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an analgesic agent formulated in a delayed-release formulation. Another method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising multiple active ingredients. Yet another method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a diuretic followed with another administration of an pharmaceutical composition comprising an analgesic agent.
US08445004B2
Agents mimicking DOPAchrome tautomerase activity are administered, notably topically applied, to protect and/or regenerate the melanocytes of hair follicles, to promote the cyclic renewal of the follicular pigmentation unit, to prevent and/or limit and/or arrest the development of canities, and to maintain the natural pigmentation of gray or white head hair and/or body hair.
US08444998B2
A strain of Enterococcus mundtii has probiotic qualities. The strain of E. mundtii (ST4SA) produces an antimicrobial peptide which exhibits antimicrobial activity against a broad range of bacteria. An isolated nucleotide sequence codes for the antimicrobial peptide (peptide ST4SA). A process is also provided for the production of a peptide which comprises cultivating Enterococcus mundtii strain ST4SA in a nutrient medium under micro-aerophilic conditions at a temperature of between 10° C. and 45° C., until a recoverable quantity of the peptide is produced, and recovering the peptide. The isolated peptide may be used as an antimicrobial agent in a liquid formulation or a gel formulation as a topical treatment and may also be used as an antimicrobial agent following encapsulation in a polymer.
US08444986B2
Monoclonal antibodies and related binding proteins that are specific for conformational epitopes of avian influenza virus K5 subtype hemagglutinin glycoprotein are provided. The antibodies can be used for the detection and treatment of H5 subtype AIV in specimens.
US08444979B2
The invention is directed to purified and isolated novel TSLP polypeptides, the nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, processes for production of recombinant forms of such polypeptides, antibodies generated against these polypeptides, fragmented peptides derived from these polypeptides, and the uses of the above.
US08444977B2
A diagnostic test for preclinical and clinical Alzheimer's disease is based on plasma levels of Aβ40, Aβ42, their ratio, or their rate of entry following administration of antibodies that sequester Aβ. Alterations of any of these parameters from control values identifies preclinical or clinical Alzheimer's disease.
US08444963B2
Clostridium novyi is an obligate anaerobe that can infect hypoxic regions within experimental tumors. We found that mice bearing large, established tumors were often cured when treated with C. novyi plus a single dose of liposomal doxorubicin. The secreted factor responsible for this phenomenon was identified and, surprisingly, proved to be a member of the lipase family. The gene encoding this protein, called liposomase, has the potential to be incorporated into diverse therapeutic methods to deliver specifically a variety of chemotherapeutic agents to tumors.
US08444962B2
A bioremediation method for accelerated biological degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in a sea ice-covered polar region comprising contacting the petroleum hydrocarbons with an inoculum. The inoculum includes a bacterial mixture, nutrients, and an environmentally friendly carrier material. The bacterial mixture includes a plurality of cold-adapted autochthonous bacterial strains, wherein each of the bacterial strains are active at an ambient temperature of −3° C., and wherein each of the bacterial strains has a different temperature tolerance range, a different salinity tolerance range, a different degradation spectrum, and a different potential to emulsify oil. Bacteria of the bacterial strains are immobilized on the environmentally friendly carrier material.
US08444956B2
The present application discloses compositions and methods of synthesis and use of 68Ga, 18F or 19F labeled molecules of use in PET or MRI imaging. Preferably, the 18F or 19F is conjugated to a targeting molecule by formation of a complex with a group IIIA metal and binding of the complex to a chelating moiety, which may be directly or indirectly attached to the targeting molecule. In other embodiments, the 68Ga, 18F or 19F labeled moiety may comprise a targetable construct used in combination with a bispecific antibody to target a disease-associated antigen. In more preferred embodiments, a chelating moiety or targetable construct may be conjugated to a targeting molecule, such as an antibody or antibody fragment.
US08444945B2
A method for removing sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon-containing gas wherein the gas is fed to a desulfurizing bed comprising a desulfurizing agent A comprising zeolite and a desulfurizing agent B comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a metal element, a metal oxide and a metal component-carried oxide, is provided. Hydrogen for a fuel cell is produced by a method, wherein the gas obtained by the described desulfurization method is contacted with a partial oxidation reforming catalyst, an autothermal reforming catalyst or a steam reforming catalyst.
US08444937B2
A method and apparatus for near real-time in-situ soil solution measurements is presented. An outer sleeve is placed in soil where ionic concentrations of organic or inorganic species are to be measured. A porous section connects with the outer sleeve (the porous section initially loaded with distilled water) equilibrates with the solution present in soil pores to form a solution to be measured. The initial distilled water is displaced within the porous section by a removable plunger. After substantial equilibration of the solution to be measured within the apparatus, the plunger is removed and a removable probe replaced. The probe may be an Ion Selective Electrode, or a transflection dip probe. The probe then may be used under computer control for measurement of solution properties. The Ion Selective Electrode may measure nitrate (NO3−) concentrations. The transflection dip probe may be read with spectrometer with an input deuterium light source.
US08444936B2
There is provided a highly reliable autoanalyzer less liable to sample and reagent carry-over and capable of preventing contamination and precisely pipetting samples and reagents. Using a sample pipetting nozzle 27 having water-repellent surfaces, a sample is pipetted from a sample cell 25 to a reaction cell 4 having a hydrophilic bottom face.
US08444935B2
A sample testing system includes a plurality of sample tubes, each sample tube coupled to a pumping chamber, a pressure control subsystem and a flow control subsystem. The pressure control system includes a first dynamic pump equipped to induce pulsatile pressure in a mass of pumping fluid coupled to the pumping chambers. The flow control subsystem includes a mean flow pump equipped to generate a flow of sample fluid in a plurality of flow loops. Each of the flow loops conducts the flow of sample fluid between the mean flow pump and one of the sample tubes. The pumping chamber couples pressure from the pumping fluid to the sample fluid.
US08444930B2
An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector according to the present invention includes a cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connection section, a circulating section and a discharge section, wherein the discharge section communicates with the circulating section and includes a first channel that discharges a fluid R that passes through the circulating section into a pipe sleeve, a second channel that branches from the first channel and discharges the fluid R to the periphery of the pipe sleeve, and an opening/closing section that is provided in a branch section that branches from the first channel to the second channel or in the second channel, is freely expandable/contractible according to a flow rate of a fluid and blocks the second channel when the flow rate of the fluid is a predetermined amount or higher.
US08444924B2
A plasma gliding arc discharge reactor is described. The reactor may include a housing having a plurality of divergent electrodes, a power supply connected to the electrodes, which delivers pulsed power to the reactor, and a nozzle that directs a mixture of a carrier gas and a liquid to a region between the divergent electrodes, thereby generating plasma in the region. The nozzle can include a first inlet for receiving the carrier gas, a second inlet for receiving the liquid and a mixing chamber that is configured to mix the carrier gas and the liquid prior to being directed to the region.
US08444914B2
The invention concerns a process for the polishing of metallic dental prostheses, such as frames. In order to reproducibly obtain a defined surface roughness with no need for additional finishing, it is proposed for the dental prosthesis to be polished by means of plasma polishing.
US08444902B2
A container or tray having various features. Also, the invention is generally directed to a method of forming the container or tray and a tool or apparatus for forming the container or tray.
US08444891B2
A carbon nanotube (CNT) extrusion system includes a carbon source, an extrusion die having a baseplate having a plurality of die sets, each die set has a plurality of through-holes in fluid communication with the carbon source and a corresponding plurality of template tubes connected at one end to the baseplate and coaxial with the through-holes, each template tube includes a catalyst for forming a CNT structure in combination with the carbon source. An oscillating mechanism operatively associated with the free end of each template tube axially oscillates the template tubes to alternately form and release the CNT structure within each template tube in a continuous manner. The oscillating mechanism can be an alternating electric field or magnetic field applied to the template tubes, the frequency of the electric or magnetic field being synchronized with a formation rate of the CNT within the template tubes.
US08444886B2
Controlled geometry particles of thermoplastic polymers are prepared from compositions containing the thermoplastic polymer and two additives, in the molten state, by cooling the molten composition and disintegrating the resulting dispersion of thermoplastic polymer; powders obtained therefrom advantageously have mean particle diameters ranging from 0.1 to 800 μm and are useful additives in, e.g., paints and coatings.
US08444885B2
Provided is a method for making a privacy film. In the method, a nickel mold having desired intagliated patterns are prepared, and a curable resin is then injected into the nickel mold to prepare a master mold. A UV curable resin is injected into the master mold, and then cured to thereby form a film where uneven patterns are formed. A black ink is injected into a concave portion of the film. The method provides advantages such as process simplicity, excellent production efficiency, and low fabrication cost.
US08444877B2
Provided are liquid crystal compounds and mixtures incorporating the same. The liquid crystal compounds of the invention generally comprise a terminal cyclopentene group, along with at least two other ring groups.
US08444873B2
A composition which comprises or consists of more than 75 to less than 80 wt. % of pentafluoroethane (HFC-125); more than 17 to less than 22.7 wt. % of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a); and more than 2.3 to less than 3.0 wt. % of n-butane (R600).
US08444871B2
A slurry composition containing a cracking agent contains paste 1.5-4.0 wt %, oil 1.0-3.0 wt %, a surfactant 0.2-0.5 wt %, a softening agent 0.1-0.5 wt % and a cracking agent 0.005-5.0 wt %. As compared with the formula of known raw slurry for fiberglass yarn, this slurry composition containing the cracking agent facilitates improving desizing efficiency of fiberglass fabric, lowering the required temperature for the second desizing process, shortening desizing time, reducing the loss on ignition, and enhancing the strength of the fiberglass fabric.
US08444860B2
A method for disinfecting hot water, in recirculating systems, includes producing monochloramine directly in hot water, at a temperature higher than 30° C. in a hot water circulating system The method is implemented by an apparatus for disinfecting hot water, in recirculating systems, having a main hot water circuit, one or more water delivery points and a water feed point, adapted to maintain the circulating water volume constant, a drawing point, where a portion of water of the main circuit is drawn and an intake point where water added with monochloramine is reintroduced into the main circuit; and an adding circuit formed between the drawing point and the intake point; the adding circuit has a control and adding system, adapted to add monochloramine producing reagents to the hot water.
US08444854B2
The present invention relates to the treatment of organic liquid and solid waste, comprising a first stage of treatment of the liquid content fraction of the waste by methanization, a second stage of treatment in a thermophilic or mesophilic aerobic phase of the semi-solid content fraction of the waste and a third stage in which said treated liquid and solid content portions are mixed in order to form a substrate, which is further treated by mesophilic or thermophilic aerobic phase treatment, resulting into compost.
US08444851B2
The system is for the reception and transport of dry lime mud from a continuously operating pressurized filter in a causticization process. A tube valve is used as an outlet from the pressurized process. The tube valve has a minimum length that is twice a diameter of the tube. A column of lime mud can be held within it as a pressure lock. The column of lime mud can be caused to descend through the tube valve by controlling a difference in pressure between an inner surface and an outer surface of the tube such that the diameter of the tube expands essentially uniformly along its length by 5-10% or by at least 4-6 millimeters.
US08444847B1
A method is provided for conducting electrolysis at or below 1.23 V. The method comprises filling an electrolysis reactor having an aluminum anode and a copper cathode with a sufficient amount of solution such that at least a portion of the anode and the cathode are immersed in the solution; the solution comprising water, an electrolyte and a catalyst; and applying a voltage across the reactor of less than or equal to 1.23 V. The solution is comprised of water, aluminum sulfate and an ammonium salt. The method allows for total gas to be produced at a rate in excess of the theoretical maximum 1.06 l/min at a current of 93 amps.
US08444833B2
The invention relates to an electrolysis device for cleaning acidic waters which comprises a cathode, an anode, and an ion exchange membrane, wherein the membrane is arranged between the cathode and the anode and is attached at least along the entire circumference of its rim, wherein many inlets and outlets are arranged along the upper and lower rim of the electrolysis device which are linked to the cathode space or to the anode space, in such a way that a plug flow, ideally with a laminar profile, is created in the cathode space and in the anode space.
US08444829B2
Improved methods for carrier-gas humidification/dehumidification [HDH] or dewvaporization enable production of clean water, derived in part from models generated and tested with produced water from the oil and gas industries, which likewise address industrial waste water remediation and generally facilitate the time and cost efficient disposal of waste waters from a plurality of industries ranging from food, wine, and beverage production to novel enhanced efficiencies within the oil and gas industries themselves. High efficiency carrier gas HDH thermal distillation functions without membranes, at ambient or near ambient pressures with no required pre- or post-treatment, and economies of scale to leverage a plastics-based processing platform. Industrial waste water including that generated by the food, wine, and beverage industries, among others, is likewise ameliorated according to the instant teachings.
US08444825B2
A sieve for the wet-end section of a paper machine is described, in which the sieve has been compressed by at least one of increased temperature, pressure and/or moisture. Such a treatment leads to a sieve which has at least one side wherein the thread floats and knuckles are reshaped and the sieve presents at least one substantially flatter surface for the production of paper. This process does not cause any physical damage to the surface of the sieve, as current techniques of abrasively polishing the surface do, and therefore leads to cloths with improved properties and lifetimes.
US08444821B2
Optical radiation sources functioning on different optical bands radiate on different optical bands and focus optical radiation on a region in a web surface as pulses in such a manner that illumination areas of the pulses overlap on the plane of the web. At most one optical radiation band is focused on the web from the direction of the normal. The spatial intensity distribution of at least one optical band differs from the uniform distribution and the intensity distributions of at least two different optical bands differ from one another in a predetermined manner. A camera forms still images of the web surface region on each optical radiation band. An image-processing unit determines the surface topography of the web on the basis of the images. In addition, a controller may control the paper manufacturing process on the basis of the determined surface topography.
US08444817B2
The present invention relates to thermoset and polyareneazole pulp for use as reinforcement material in products including for example fluid seals and friction materials, as a processing aid including its use as a thioxotrope, and as a filter material. The pulp comprises (a) irregularly shaped, thermoset fiber fibrous structures, (b) irregularly shaped, polyareneazole fibrous structures and (c) water whereby thermoset fiber fibrils and/or stalks are substantially entangled with polyareneazole fibrils and/or stalks. The invention further relates to processes for making such thermoset and polyareneazole pulp.
US08444814B2
The invention concerns a paper comprising polypyridobisimidazole floc having a length of from 1.0 to 15 mm, where the apparent density of the paper is from 0.1 to 0.4 g/cm3 and the tensile strength of the paper in N/cm is at least 0.000052X*Y, where X is the volume portion of polypyridobisimidazole in the total solids of the paper in % and Y is basis weight of the paper in g/m2.
US08444807B2
The invention relates to a method for preparing paper pulp from recycled paper containing contaminants characterized in that it comprises a first step of agitating the paper in the presence of water in order to obtain a mixture of fibers and contaminants in suspension, a second step of coarsely screening said mixture in order to separate the coarse contaminants from the rest of the suspension, a third step of fine screening in order to separate the fine contaminants from the coarsely-screened suspension and a fourth step of washing said coarse and fine contaminants in order to separate the reusable fibrous materials from the rest of the non-reusable contaminants. In particular, the invention aims to provide a method for preparing paper pulp that is capable of producing a good quality paper pulp from highly-contaminated recycled paper, especially having a contaminant level in the dry state that is greater than or equal to 15% by weight.
US08444797B2
According to the method, a flexible pad is first adhered to a base plate, and then a front cover made of a soft material is joined to cover the flexible pad. An additional rim section from the front cover is preserved and folded inward to cover and adhere to a back wall of the base plate. Finally, a back cover with a number of magnetic elements installed is joined to the base plate so that the rim section of the front cover is locked and concealed by the back cover. As described above, an earmuff is quickly assembled and could be quickly and detachably attached to and replaced later from the headset for cleaning, greatly enhancing the usability of the headset.
US08444792B2
Method of manufacturing aerogenerator blades that avoids or reduces some formation deficiencies existing in the traditional methods of manufacturing aerogenerator blades. The method comprises: positioning at least one support plate (2) on a plug (3) corresponding to a predetermined shape of at least a portion of the blade; removably fixing the support plate (2) to the plug (3); stacking a plurality of layers (1) of at least one material over the support plate (2); stitching the plurality of layers (1) to the support plate (2); displacing the plurality of layers (1) stitched to the support plate (2) into a mold (4), the mold (4) having a shape corresponding to the counter shape of the plug (3).
US08444776B1
An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to low-alloy steels exhibiting high hardness and an advantageous level of multi-hit ballistic resistance with low or no crack propagation imparting a level of ballistic performance suitable for military armor applications. Various embodiments of the steels according to the present disclosure have hardness in excess of 550 BHN and demonstrate a high level of ballistic penetration resistance relative to conventional military specifications.
US08444769B2
A dishwasher and associated control method are provided wherein a water supply manifold supplies a wash chamber with wash liquid. The supply manifold includes a hot water inlet from an external hot water source and a separate cold water inlet, and is configured to be selectively actuated between the hot water inlet or cold water inlet. A controller is in communication with the supply manifold and is configured to act on a signal that is indicative of an actual or pre-defined high electricity demand period on a power supply to the hot water source. The controller is configured to generate an output control signal to the supply manifold to cause the manifold to direct substantially only cold water from the outlet to the wash chamber during the high electricity demand period.
US08444767B2
A coating device includes a reaction device, a mixing device, a deposition device, a first switching device and a second switching device. The reaction device defines a reaction chamber. The mixing device is connected to the reaction device and defines a mixing chamber that communicates with the reaction chamber. The deposition device is connected to the mixing device and defines a deposition chamber that communicates with the mixing chamber. The first switching device is configured to communicate the reaction chamber and the mixing chamber and separate the reaction chamber from the mixing chamber. The second switching device is configured to communicate the mixing chamber and the deposition chamber and separate the mixing chamber from the deposition chamber.
US08444763B2
The present invention relates to a novel type of noncorrosive geopolymer cement in which said cement comprises a metakaolin or a mixture of metakaolin and non-thermally activated aluminosilicate, in a weight ratio comprised between about 40:60 and about 80:20, and an alkaline silicate solution having a molar ratio M2O:SiO2 comprised between about 0.51 and 0.60, M representing Na or K, and to the use of a superplasticizer comprising a crosslinked acrylic acid polymer in the manufacture of geopolymer cement.
US08444758B2
Disclosed is a low VOC coating additive employing a water-dispersible polymer, a water insoluble plasticizer, cyclohexanedimethanol, and optionally an amphiphilic component. The additive can be added to a coating to improve at least one performance characteristics of the coating, such as, wet-edge time, open time, scrub resistance, wet adhesion, and water resistance.
US08444752B2
A particulate filter may comprise an inlet end, an outlet end, and a plurality of parallel channels disposed and configured to flow fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end, the channels being defined by a plurality of porous walls configured to trap particulate matter. The particulate filter may define at least one filtration region including a first group of channels and at least one bypass region including a second group of channels, wherein at least some of the channels in the first group of channels are plugged at an end thereof, wherein the channels in the second group of channels are unplugged, and wherein greater than or equal to about 70% of the plurality of parallel channels are plugged at an end thereof.
US08444750B2
The present invention relates to the separation of one or more of CO2, N2, and H2S gas components from a gas mixture containing at least a second gas using a swing adsorption process unit. The adsorbent contactors of the swing adsorption process unit are engineered structured adsorbent contactors having a plurality of flow channels wherein 20 volume percent or less of the open pore volume of the contactors is in the mesopore and macropore range.
US08444743B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a steel melt containing up to 30% of Mn, which additionally may comprise up to 5% Si, up to 1.5% C, up to 22% Al, up to 25% Cr, up to 30% Ni, and up to 5% each of Ti, V, NB, Cu, Sn, Zr, Mo, and W, and up to 1% each of N and P, with the remainder being iron and unavoidable steel companion elements.
US08444735B2
An air cleaner having a housing body and a removable cover and a filter element, in which the cover and the filter element rotationally interfere with each other by engagement between an inside surface of the cover and an outer radial periphery of the filter element. A filter element includes a pair of end caps, filter media, and an outer wall on the end cap circumscribing the filter media, in which the outer wall is non-circular. A method of installing a filter element into a housing includes orienting a cover over an element and a housing body by engaging an inside surface of the cover and an outer radial periphery of the filter element to rotationally interfere with each other.
US08444733B2
A filter device has a housing assembled of a housing bottom part and housing top part. A filter element is inserted into the housing and is made of a filter medium. A locking device connects the filter element with the housing bottom part and the housing top part in a mounted position of the filter element inside the housing. The locking device has a locking element connected to the filter element. The housing bottom part and the housing top part each have locking parts, wherein the locking element engages the locking parts on the housing bottom part and the housing top part.
US08444730B2
A motor-vehicle engine system comprises an envelope configured to transmit exhaust. The envelope encloses a first array of filtration cells downstream of a second array of filtration cells. The system further comprises a fuel injector configured to increase a temperature in the envelope when soot is evenly distributed between the first and second arrays in order to address thermal gradients.
US08444719B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the batch preparation of esters of fatty acids obtained from biological sources. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for the batch preparation of methyl esters of fatty acids obtained from waste oil or animal fats for use as biodiesel.
US08444710B2
Compositions for the oxidative dyeing of keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers, comprising (A) a 1-hexyl/heptyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole compound of the general formula (I), its physiologically compatible water-soluble salt, or mixtures thereof and; (B) a m-aminophenol compound of the general formula (II), its physiologically compatible water-soluble salt, or mixtures thereof; and (C) an oxidizing agent. wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are as defined herein and a=1 or 2.
US08444700B2
An elongate hollow body (1) comprising crystalline cellulose has on an inside wall a plurality of protuberances (3, 4) which extend into a lumen of the hollow body (1). A process for the production of an elongate hollow body (1) comprising crystalline cellulose comprises the steps: preparation of a hollow mold (12); cultivation of cellulose-forming organisms in an interior space formed by the hollow mold (12), in order to allow the hollow body (1) to grow in the interior space; demolding of the hollow mold (12). In the step of demolding the hollow mold (12), at least part of the hollow mold (12) is irreversibly deformed.
US08444695B2
A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes a core having upper and lower curved surfaces, upper and lower plates, and peripheral restraining structure on at least one of the upper plate, the lower plate and the core. Each plate has an outer surface which engages a vertebra and an inner curved surface which slides over the curved surface of the core. The peripheral restraining structure serves to hold the core against a curved surface of at least one of the plates during sliding movement of the plates over the core.
US08444662B2
An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes an ultrasonic waveguide and a cordless ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly that has a selectively removable securing connector and an output couple operable to impart ultrasonic movement to the ultrasonic waveguide when the waveguide is connected thereto. The assembly also includes a removable battery and a surgical handle that has a first handle body portion defining therein an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment selectively exposed to the environment, aseptically removably holding therein the battery and electrically connecting the battery therein to the ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly. A second handle body portion is connected to the first handle body portion and has a waveguide attachment dock that is exposed to the environment and has a first couple operable to connect the waveguide thereto and an ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly dock that is exposed to the environment and shaped to removably secure the second handle body portion to the securing connector and connect the ultrasonic waveguide in the attachment dock to the output couple through the second handle body portion.
US08444656B2
Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tool is of a concentric tube configuration comprising first and second elongated bodies, in which the second elongated body can be retracted into the first elongated body. The tool may incorporate retention members and mechanisms configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. Distal fluid or gas delivery may supplement a vacuum in a luminal space to help extract biological units from surrounding tissue.
US08444653B2
A system for implanting a prosthetic device with an opening into a bone includes a plug that is removably received within the opening of the prosthetic device. The system also includes a bone removal tool that advances into the bone from outside the bone and that removes a portion of the bone while advancing into the bone to reveal the plug. The bone removal tool includes a plug engaging portion that engages with the plug. The bone removal tool at least partially removes the plug from the opening of the prosthetic device while engaged with the plug. Moreover, the system includes an alignment system that detects whether the bone removal tool and the plug are substantially axially aligned.
US08444651B2
Presented is a preoperatively designed guidance tool for intraoperative use during bone or joint surgery wherein the guidance tool is specific to the anatomy of the patient being treated. The guidance tool comprises a body portion, a mating surface provided on the body portion for positioning the guidance tool on a corresponding registration surface of a patient's anatomy. The guidance tool further comprises at least one guide mechanism provided on the body portion for guiding a medical instrument at one or more preoperatively defined trajectories relative to a patient's anatomy. In the event of misalignment, the at least one guide mechanism is adjustable to alter the one or more preoperatively defined trajectories if necessary during intraoperative use. Also presented is a preoperative process for designing the guidance tool.
US08444650B2
A spinal spacer system includes a handle member, an extension member including a first and a second end, wherein the first end of the extension member is coupled to the handle member. Additionally, a coupling device configured to selectively couple a spacer to the second end of the extension member is disposed on the extension member including an angular fixation member configured to fix the spacer in an angular position relative to the handle member. The spinal spacer system also includes an actuator configured to selectively actuate the coupling device and the angular fixation member. The spacer of the present exemplary spinal spacer system includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a rotatably coupleable engagement member disposed on the proximal end of the spacer. According to one exemplary embodiment, the coupling device includes a single protruding member extending from the second end of the extension member.
US08444639B2
A cardiac ablation instrument capable of removing blood from a treatment area is provided. The instrument includes a catheter configured to deliver a distal end thereof to a patient's heart. The instrument can also include an expandable element coupled to the distal end of the catheter wherein the expandable member is configured to be positioned adjacent a target area thereby defining a treatment area between the expandable member and the target area. Further, the instrument can include an irrigation mechanism configured to dispense an irrigation fluid from the catheter thereby displacing blood from the treatment area. Additionally, the instrument includes an energy emitter configured to deliver energy to tissue within the treatment area. The instrument can also include a contact sensor configured to determine the presence of such blood within the treatment area. Methods for ablating tissue are also provided.
US08444638B2
An electrosurgical system and method for treating hard and soft tissues in the body comprises a shaft, a distal end section, an active electrode associated with the distal end section, a first fluid supply adapted to deliver a first electrically conductive fluid to the target site, and a second fluid supply adapted to deliver a second electrically conductive fluid to the active electrode. The system is adapted to treat a wide variety of hard tissues such as, for example, bones, calcified structures, calcified deposits, teeth, plaque, kidney-stones, gall-stones and other types of tissue by generating plasma in the vicinity of the active electrode, and applying the plasma to the tissue or structures.
US08444632B2
A method of performing refractive laser eye surgery on a human eye is provided wherein the ablation pattern is centered along the visual axis, rather than along the line of sight. First, a wavefront, either ocular, corneal or a combination thereof, is generated by a wavefront sensor centered along the line of sight. This measured wavefront is centered on and encompasses a patient's pupil. Then, an analysis pupil is determined which encompasses the measured pupil. The analysis pupil is centered along the visual axis at the point of intersection with the cornea. Consequently, the measured wavefront is reconstructed over the analysis pupil only using data taken over the area covered by the measured pupil. This reconstruction is done through a least squares fit of a series of slopes from the measured wavefront and/or through the transformation of aberration coefficients. Finally, an ablation pattern, or a lenticule generation pattern, to be performed by a refractive laser centered on the corneal intersect of the visual axis is produced in accordance with the reconstructed wavefront.
US08444624B2
Devices for the isolation of a selected portion of a vessel are described. In some embodiments, the device comprises an introducer sheath and a sealing catheter that are movable relative to each other to create an isolated volume with adjustable size and location. The methods for the treatment of vascular aneurysms using the devices are described. The treatment is achieved through the delivery of an effective amount of stabilization agent to an isolated volume that encompass the aneurysm. The device optionally has an aspiration means to improve the effectiveness of the treatment.
US08444623B2
A patient hydration method includes administering hydration fluid to a patient, and a hydration fluid measurement device responsible to a source of hydration fluid, a patient urine output measurement device. A controller is responsive to the hydration fluid measurement device and the patient urine output measurement device. The controller operates the infusion device, in response to the patient urine output measurement device and the hydration fluid measurement device, to hydrate the patient based on the patient's urine output.
US08444617B2
A pant-type absorbent article having an absorbent assembly having an absorbent core and a chassis, wherein the front and back portions are joined to each other along two opposite longitudinal side edges to define a waist-opening and a pair of leg-openings, at least one of the front and back portions has an elastic web material, a crotch portion located between the front portion and the back portion in the longitudinal direction of the article, the front portion having a length in the longitudinal direction, the back portion having a length in the longitudinal direction, and the crotch portion having a length in the longitudinal direction, the absorbent assembly overlapping a distance with both the front and back portions, the article having a longitudinal and a transverse direction, wherein the absorbent assembly overlaps no more than 20% of the surface area of each of the front and back portions.
US08444613B2
A therapeutic device includes a fluid mover for one of raising, compressing, or transferring fluid, a therapeutic member operably connected to the fluid mover and actuated thereby, the therapeutic member operably disposably used on a patient in a manner to deliver therapy to the patient as function of actuation of the fluid mover, a controller operably associated with the fluid mover for controlling operation thereof, and a leak, blockage, temperature, voltage or current sensor operably connected to the fluid mover and the controller and to sense a leak, blockage, temperature, voltage or current in the device and send a signal to the controller whereby the controller controls the fluid mover as a function of the sensed signal.
US08444608B2
A balloon catheter having a multilayer catheter shaft is formed to have an inner layer and an outer layer, where the inner layer and outer layer are selected from materials that enhance the pushability of the catheter while preserving the flexibility. Using a combination of a high Shore D duromater value material and a lower Shore D duromater value material, various combinations of multilayer catheter shafts are disclosed utilizing different glass transition temperatures and block copolyamides to obtain the desired characteristics.
US08444607B2
A delivery device includes first and second housing portions that selectively engage and disengage. A reservoir on one housing portion operatively engages a drive device and/or a needle inserting device on the other housing portion. Upon proper engagement of the housing portions, the reservoir operatively couples to the drive device and/or the needle inserting device. A first magnet on the first housing portion and a second magnet (or a magnetically-attractive material) on the second housing portion are positioned to magnetically interact with each other, upon operative engagement of the housing portions. A third magnet on the second housing portion may be opposed to the first magnet to help align the housing portions for connection. A magnet-responsive device may be on one or both housing portions to detect alignment and/or connection of the housing portions.
US08444596B2
A breast milk collection apparatus includes a milk collection bottle, a breast shield, and a suction transfer assembly for mounting on the bottle. The suction transfer assembly includes a housing for connecting to the vacuum pump and the breast shield. Included in the suction transfer housing is a reversible diaphragm made of a deformable elastomeric material configured with a spiral undulatory configuration. The breast shield includes a unitary funnel member from a relatively rigid polymer as well as an annular deformable lip for enhanced comfort. In one preferred construction, a pump enclosure defines a well for receiving a bottle with deformable gripping projections which adapt to changes in bottle size.
US08444583B2
An ankle foot orthosis includes a leg member, a foot member, and a drive member. The drive assembly includes a link member which may be hingedly secured to the foot member at a hinge location adjacent to the posterior end of the foot member. The drive assembly may be operable to selectively impart pivotal movement between the foot member and the link member about a first pivot axis, and pivotal movement between the foot member and the leg member about a second pivot axis at the hinge location. The leg member and the foot member strut may be selectively movable in a medial-lateral direction relative to a base of the foot member and the drive assembly. The inferior-superior location of the second pivot axis may be selectively adjustable for substantially aligning the second pivot axis with an axis of rotation of an ankle joint of the wearer.
US08444582B2
A device determines and displays compression values to be exerted by an orthosis upon the surface of a member and produces digital simulation (10) for simulating the action of the compression on the hemodynamics of venous return furnishing values of blood flow and/or of intravenous pressure at a number of points of a digital model representing the venous network of the leg of the member, which display is a value oriented graph containing a number of interconnected arcs, with each arc assigned a corresponding value of blood flow and/or intravenous pressure, and which compression values are furnished by simulation software based on morphological characteristics of the member and on dimensional and rheological characteristics of the orthosis.
US08444581B1
A combined heating, cooling, and compression therapy system is provided. The system is configured for automated use with a controller. The system can have a core with separate channels for providing cold and heat and compression therapy; a cover for receiving the core; and a skin sensitive temperature node attached to the core cover.
US08444568B2
The invention as disclosed is a non-contact method and apparatus for continuously monitoring a physiological event in a human or animal, such as blood pressure, which involves utilizing a laser-based interferometer system in combination with a laser tracking system and a signal processor to produce a waveform that is representative of a continuous physiological event such as blood pressure or respiration in a subject.
US08444558B2
A sleeping monitoring system includes a first padding layer. A fluid bladder is beneath the first padding layer. A sensor is in fluid communication with the fluid bladder. The sensor is configured to output a vital sign signal.
US08444557B2
Methods and devices are provided for providing access through tissue to a surgical site. Generally, the methods and devices allow adjustment of a surgical access port's longitudinal length. In one embodiment, a surgical access port is provided that includes a housing having a cannula distally extending therefrom. The housing can be configured to cut a proximal portion of the cannula to adjust a longitudinal length of the cannula and hence of the surgical access port. In another embodiment, a surgical access port is provided that includes a cannula formed of a plurality of modular segments removably coupled together. One or more of the segments can be configured to be removable from the cannula to change the cannula's longitudinal length.
US08444550B2
A capsule guidance system includes a capsule including an imaging unit that captures an in-vivo image, a transmitting unit that transmits the image, and a magnetic field response unit; a magnetic field generation unit that generates a magnetic field; a receiving unit that receives the image; a display unit that displays the image; an operation input unit that inputs operation information for magnetically guiding the capsule; a control unit that controls the magnetic field generation unit to guide the capsule in accordance with the operation information; and a selection unit that selects at least two of a liquid surface, a submerged area, and a liquid bottom that is a lower boundary surface between the liquid and the outside as guidance areas into which the capsule medical device is guided. The control unit switches the magnetic field to be generated in accordance with the selected guidance area.
US08444544B1
A radiation modulator is used with a low energy source for breast brachytherapy using a balloon-like catheter. The clinical evaluation of the patient determines the modulator's optimal configuration so as to produce a non-uniform dose distribution to avoid healthy tissue. This modulation may range from a few percent to many tens of percent. A modulating member having predetermined dimensions and materials, i.e., length, width, thickness, is attached to a catheter in close proximity to the intended location of the radioactive source. The modulating member, for example, may be shaped as a rectangular plate, an oval plate or such and be attachable to a catheter.
US08444542B2
A gear apparatus for a solid-bowl screw centrifuge. The gear apparatus includes a shaft, a gear, and a bearing. The centrifuge includies a drum and a screw, both of which are configured to be driven. The screw is further configured to be driven at a different rotational speed relative to the drum. The gear apparatus is connected between one or more drive motors and the screw and the drum. The gear apparatus is continuously filled with a lubricant and includes a hollow drive shaft having two hollow longitudinal channels extending in an axial direction. Also included is a lubricant compensating system having a lubricant compensating container connected via a line and a rotary lead-through for lubricating the bearing through the two hollow longitudinal channels.
US08444538B2
An impression roller for gravure printing for use with an electrostatic printing aid, including an axis member or a shaft, joined axially to a steel core, an electrical inner insulating layer extending radially around the core, an electrically semi-conductive outer layer adjoining the outside of the impression layer, and an electrically highly conductive conductor layer arranged between the two. The conductor layer is encapsulated in an electrically insulated exterior. The impression roller is provided with an electric or electronic encapsulated circuit electrically insulated from the outside and having two poles, which is of low resistance in normal operation when the electric current flows from its positive pole to its negative pole and is of high resistance when the flow direction is opposite. The inner pole and outer pole of the circuit are connected to the conductor layer by an inner and outer connection of the impression roller respectively.
US08444531B1
A safety collar for a vault box reduces the risk of catastrophic injury if the pole vaulter lands directly onto the vault box, but does not make it more difficult for the pole vaulter to plant the pole into the vault box. The safety collar overlies the vault box and an area to the rear and the sides of the vault box. The collar has a front, a rear, a left side, a right side, and an opening extending from the front to the rear that overlies the recess of the vault box. The collar also has a left wing extending downwardly against the left wall of the vault box part way to the bottom surface and part way to the rear wall and a right wing extending downwardly against the right wall of the vault box part way to the bottom surface and part way to the rear wall.
US08444526B1
A transmission comprising a first compound planetary gear set having a first brake engaged with a sun gear, a second compound planetary gear set having a second brake engaged with a ring gear, the first compound planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set axially engagable through a first clutch and a second clutch, and the transmission input and transmission output disposed coaxially and configured to input and output torque from the same side of the transmission.
US08444520B2
A gear device has an outer cylinder fixed to a first mating member and a crankshaft inside the outer cylinder. An external gear is mounted to an eccentric portion of the crankshaft and meshes with internal teeth of the outer cylinder. A carrier is fixed to a second mating member. Rocking rotation of the external gear rotates the carrier coaxially to the outer cylinder. A cylindrical body is inserted in an axial through-hole of the carrier. The carrier has a first portion on one end of the cylindrical body and a second portion on an axially intermediate portion of the cylindrical body. The other end of the cylindrical body extends toward a corresponding mating member while protruding axially beyond the second portion. An outer diameter of remaining portions of the cylindrical body do not exceed an outermost diameter of the portion on which the first and second portions are fit.
US08444518B2
A drive device includes: an input shaft connected to an engine; a first motor-generator; a second motor-generator; a planetary gear unit including three rotating elements; an output gear connected to the planetary gear unit; an output shaft that transmits rotation of the output gear to a driving wheel; and a control device that controls at least one of the first and second motor-generator. The output gear, the planetary gear unit, and the first motor-generator are coaxial with the input shaft. The planetary gear unit is provided radially inside the first motor-generator and is provided at the same position as the first motor-generator in the axial direction. The second motor-generator is provided on an axis different from the input shaft and the output shaft axes. The control device is provided on the side of the output gear, the planetary gear unit, and the first motor-generator that is opposite the input shaft.
US08444515B2
An elevator load bearing assembly includes a plurality of cords within a jacket. The cords are spaced from an exterior surface on the jacket such that the spacing remains generally constant along the length of the belt. The jacket has a smooth, uninterrupted exterior surface for contacting sheaves as the belt moves in the elevator system. A method of making the inventive belt assembly is disclosed. The inventive belt assembly minimizes the possibility for generating an annoying, audible sound and vibration during elevator operation.
US08444508B2
A golf ball includes a core having a diameter, a first Shore D hardness and a compression; and a cover having a second Shore D hardness that is at least 5 points less than the first Shore D hardness. The cover includes an ionomer of an alternate copolymer, the alternate copolymer being formed from the reaction product of a copolymer of ethylene and maleic anhydride monomer in the presence of a suitable base, the maleic anhydride monomer being present in an amount of about 78 wt %.
US08444506B2
A golf club head having a face component, a crown, and a composite sole with one or more weight ports for receiving one or more weight inserts is disclosed herein. At least part of each of the weight ports is integrally formed in the composite sole, and each of the weight ports include a weight receiving region for receiving a weight and a screw receiving region for receiving a screw that secures the weight in the weight port.
US08444501B2
The present invention relates to a set of at least three golf clubs having different club length Lk. The golf clubs 14; 20 comprises a shaft 21 with an upper end and a lower end, a grip section 22 on the upper end of the shaft, and a head 23; 30; 40 with a ball-striking surface mounted on the lower end of the shaft. The club length Lk of each golf club decreasing through the set and a value 61, 65, 75; 62, 66, 76; 63,67,77; 64, 68; 78 of at least one torsional moment PCF; HCF; ICF; GCF for each of the at least three golf clubs when swung by a golfer differs from each other. A linear function 71, 72, 73, 74 of club length Lk is based on the values of at least one torsional moment.
US08444495B2
A constant velocity joint for a drive system includes an outer joint member and an inner joint member, each having a plurality of ball grooves, the ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a first skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, and a second group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a second skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, the second skew angle less than the first skew angle. In addition to the differentiated skew angles, the contact angles of the balls in the first and second group of grooves may also be differentiated.
US08444492B2
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for an online gaming method, where an initiating live participant can invite a friend to join a game as an additional participant. Following the invitation, a wait period is provided for receiving acceptance, and if acceptance is received within the wait period, then they will play as live participants in the game play. If acceptance of the friend is not received within the wait period, then a simulated additional participant based on prior game play data of the friend will be presented in game play with the initiating live participant such that the simulated additional participant appears to be a live participant due at least in part to an inter-game interaction between the initiating live participant and the simulated additional participant.
US08444481B2
In accordance with some embodiments, apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing electronic credits to a player of a gaming device. The electronic credits are provided in response to an occurrence of an event other than an outcome of a game play. Further, the electronic credits are provided without requiring the player to first provide payment therefore. In some, the number of electronic credits may be determined based on information associated with at least one of the player, the gaming device, and a casino associated with the gaming device. In some embodiments, the an offer for the electronic credits is output to the player at the gaming device and the electronic credits are added to a credit meter balance of the gaming device upon the player's acceptance of the offer. In some embodiments, the player is required to provide a payment for the electronic credits at a time subsequent to the time at which the electronic credits are provided to the player.
US08444474B2
A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an accumulation-bonus feature which allows a player to cache awards to a bonus object. A player selects when to use the bonus object in a secondary playfield to enhance the cached awards.
US08444468B2
A gaming system and related methods comprising a gaming device and a voucher mechanism in communication with the gaming device. The voucher mechanism is configured to present various types of vouchers to the player depending on a game outcome. The types of vouchers include, without limitation, a jackpot voucher, a merchandise voucher, a free play voucher, a mystery voucher, a competition entry voucher, and a restricted machine play voucher.
US08444464B2
Presented herein are methods, apparatuses, programs, and systems for prompting a player to perform a series of dance moves. A player is prompted to perform a series of dance moves by providing a timeline comprising at least a first time interval associated with a first dance move, and a second time interval associated with a second dance move; displaying an icon representing the first dance move at a first location on the display for the duration of the first time interval; and displaying an icon representing the second dance move at the first location on the display for the duration of the second time interval, wherein the icon representing the first dance move includes one or more representations of a body and indicates on the one or more representations of the body at least one body part whose position is important during the performance of the first dance move.
US08444461B2
The various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to systems and methods for the detection of anatomical structures and anatomical positions. More particularly, the various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the detection of musculoskeletal elements, such as bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the like, which could be useful for example in poultry processing for bone screening as well as for guidance of machines for processing. For example, a system for detecting a bone in a carcass comprises: a device for supporting a carcass comprising a base and a frame attached to the base, wherein the frame is configured to contact at least a portion of a cavity of a carcass; and an electromagnetic radiation source, wherein the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to irradiate at least a portion of a cavity of a carcass.
US08444456B2
In one embodiment, an electrode polishing assembly may include an electrode securing platen, a plurality of electrode locating fasteners, and an electrode. Each of the electrode locating fasteners may include an electrode spacing shoulder, a variance cancelling shoulder extending from the electrode spacing shoulder, a threaded platen clamping portion extending from the variance cancelling shoulder, and a threaded nut that engages the threaded platen clamping portion. The electrode locating fasteners clamp the electrode securing platen between the threaded nut and the electrode spacing shoulder. The variance cancelling shoulder is at least partially within one of a plurality of variance cancelling passages of the electrode securing platen. A minimum position stack-up is equal to a minimum passage size minus a maximum shoulder size. A maximum position stack-up is equal to a maximum passage size minus a minimum shoulder size. The maximum position stack-up is greater than the minimum position stack-up.
US08444454B2
The present invention relates to an interface pad for use between an abrasive article and a support tool. In one particular embodiment, an interface pad for use between a perforated abrasive article and a support tool is provided. In general, the interface pads described herein contain apertures and at least one channel configured such that an interface pad can be used between an abrasive article having a particular configuration of apertures and a support tool having different configuration of dust collection apertures. In one embodiment, the interface pads described herein contain apertures and at least one channel configured such that the interface pad can be used between any perforated abrasive article and any support tool with dust extraction capabilities. Abrasive tools which include an interface pad and methods for using the interface pads are also described.
US08444453B2
A device for fine or finest processing of a rotationally symmetric work piece surface of a work piece (14), with a drive mechanism (12) for driving the work piece (14) around an axis of rotation (16), two guidance mechanisms (20, 22) acting in radial directions with respect to the axis of rotation (16) and at least one tool (38) acting in a radial direction, and a pressing mechanism (42) for pressing the work piece (14) against the drive mechanism (12), wherein the work piece (14) can be disposed between the drive mechanism (12) and the pressing mechanism (42). The pressing mechanism (42) acts in a pressing plane (74) that is offset from the axis of rotation (16) towards a space (78) in which the guidance mechanisms (20, 22) are disposed.
US08444450B2
A toy comprises a toy element comprising a photochromic layer which contains a photochromic compound having a photo memory function (color-memorizing photochromic property), maintains a coloring state by developing a color through the irradiation of ultraviolet rays or sunlight containing ultraviolet rays and changes into decolorizing state through its decolorization by the irradiation of visible light, and a color-changing means which contains at least one of an ultraviolet ray absorbent and a light-shading pigment capable of shading at least ultraviolet rays, changes the photochromic compound of the coloring state into decolorizing state by cutting off ultraviolet rays of sunlight and thereby effecting irradiation of visible light, and maintains the changed state, wherein a function to memorize and maintain coloring and decolorizing states alternately is expressed by arranging the color-changing means under such a condition that it is contacted or non-contacted with the photochromic layer.
US08444441B2
The card connector, into which an IC card having a plurality of pads arranged in parallel at front and back positions is inserted, includes a plurality of contacts each contacting a corresponding one of the plurality of pads of the IC card and a base member that supports the plurality of contacts. Each of the plurality of contacts has a first and a second elastic piece each having a contact point portion that electrically contacts a pad of the IC card. The first and second elastic pieces are formed such that contact pressures of the respective contact point portions against the pads are different from each other. The plurality of contacts is arranged on the base member in parallel at front and back positions and a first and a second contact piece are arranged in an opposite manner in contacts aligned linearly at front and back positions.
US08444440B2
A connector which makes it possible to facilitate the operation of mounting the connector, and reduce the mounting costs. An upper insulating film is affixed to upper surfaces of first and second contacts, and upper surfaces of carriers. Then, the first and second contacts, are disconnected from the carriers. Finally, a lower insulating film is affixed to lower surfaces of the first and second contacts, and lower surfaces of the carriers.
US08444436B1
A midplane has a first side to which contact ends of a first differential connector are connected and a second side opposite the first side to which contact ends of a second differential connector are connected. The midplane includes a plurality of vias extending from the first side to the second side, with the vias providing first signal launches on the first side and second signal launches on the second side. The first signal launches are provided in a plurality of rows, with each row having first signal launches along a first line and first signal launches along a second line substantially parallel to the first line. The second signal launches are provided in a plurality of columns, with each column having second signal launches along a third line and second signal launches along a fourth line substantially parallel to the third line.
US08444435B2
A male connector has an insulating housing, multiple signal terminals, and multiple grounding modules. The signal terminals are mounted through the insulating housing. The grounding terminal modules are mounted through the insulating housing. Each grounding terminal module is integrally formed into one piece and has multiple grounding terminals. Adjacent grounding terminals are connected integrally to each other so that the grounding terminals of each grounding terminal module are arranged in a line. The integrally formed ground terminal modules reduce a total tolerance of the grounding terminals and increase the production rate of the male connector.
US08444415B2
An apparatus for measuring mandibular position is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first slide operable to adjustably couple to a second slide, such that the second slide is operable to travel in a direction substantially parallel to a long axis of the first slide, and an indicator configured to indicate a location of the second slide relative to the first slide in the direction substantially parallel to the long axis of the first slide. The apparatus further includes an adjustment mechanism coupled to the first slide and the second slide, the adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the distance between the first slide and the second slide in a direction substantially orthogonal to the long axis of the first slide.
US08444410B2
Mold (10) for a blow-molding machine, for molding thermoplastic containers, the mold (10) comprising several mold parts having centering features (36, 38, 50) and complementarily-shaped centering features (40, 42, 44), said centering features (36, 38, 50) and complementarily-shaped centering features (40, 42, 44) being capable of cooperating with one another, characterized in that at least a portion of at least one of the centering features (36, 38, 50) and complementarily-shaped centering features (40, 42, 44) is made or tin anti-friction composite material so as to avoid lubrication thereof.
US08444405B2
A fluid device includes a housing and a rotor assembly disposed in the housing. The rotor assembly includes a core and a coating. The core has a first surface, an oppositely disposed second surface and an outer peripheral surface that extends between the first and second surfaces. The core defines a bore that extends through the first and second surfaces. The coating coats at least a portion of the core. The coating is a water-swellable plastic material.
US08444404B2
The invention relates to a hydraulic machine comprising a housing section with a housing, a commutation section and a gear wheel section, the gear wheel section comprising a gear wheel set with an internally toothed gear ring and an externally toothed gear wheel, which engage each other and form working chambers that are connected to at least one inlet connection and at least one outlet connection via the commutation section that comprises a rotary slide valve and a valve plate. It is endeavored to provide such a hydraulic machine that requires only little space. For this purpose, a sealing is arranged between the rotary slide valve and the housing.
US08444403B2
A self-sealing mechanism for a scroll compressor is disposed inside a frame of the scroll compressor at a position between a back-pressure chamber and a fixed scroll, including an accommodating space; a groove communicating the space with the chamber; a one-way valve disposed at one end of the space adjacent to the groove to maintain communication between the space and the groove in a normally closed state; and a suction port penetrating from the space to an entrance of the fixed scroll. When the pressure of the chamber is increased in an instant, the valve is opened in real time for allowing the lubricating oil inside the chamber to flow into the space, thereby regulating the pressure of the chamber. Moreover, the lubricating oil in the space can be sucked under the suction force from the fixed scroll and fill in positions between the fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll.
US08444395B2
A variable displacement variable pressure vane pump system provides lubrication oil to a mechanical system. The pump system includes a first control mechanism to apply a force to a control slider to counter a biasing force of a biasing spring and urge the control slider away from a position corresponding to a maximum displacement position of the pump. A second control mechanism applies a force to the control slider to alter the displacement of the pump. A control varies the supply of lubrication oil to the second control mechanism to alter the output of the pump to closely correspond to the lubrication requirements of the mechanical system.
US08444385B2
A variable transmission is described having a transmission mechanism and a phase adjustment mechanism. The transmission mechanism has supports that are movable toward or away from one another to vary the effective size of an effective cog. The phase adjustment mechanism has a differential type gear arrangement that creates a phase change to adjust the transmission mechanism. Another configuration is described which includes a subassembly with a phase adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pitch of propellers. Counter-rotating elements to control relative gear phase or pitch are provided externally, internally, distally or proximally relative to the source of mechanical torque in various configurations.
US08444379B2
A sealing device includes a housing rotatably accommodating a rotary shaft, guide parts extending along a radial direction and an axial direction of the rotary shaft, and arranged side-by-side in a circumferential direction of the rotary shaft, a partition part that is a partition between spaces between the guide parts and an outside space, a first seal part that is an annular protrusion, forming a first gap with respect to the rotary shaft or the partition part, and blocking a flow of fluid passing through the outside space, and a second seal part that is an annular protrusion extending in the radial direction, forming a second gap with respect to the rotary shaft or the housing, and blocking a flow of fluid that has passed through the spaces between guide parts and a flow of fluid that has passed through the first seal part.
US08444373B2
A cooling fan module includes a first cooling fan pivotally connected with a second cooling fan. The second cooling fan is rotatable relative to the first cooling fan between a first state and a second state. The second cooling fan is located on the first cooling fan in the first state. The second cooling fan is located at a lateral side of the first cooling fan in the second state.
US08444366B2
Improvements in a forklift adapter to offer a way of double-stacking pallets by a single forklift operator, using an existing forklift equipped with single-double forks using existing forklift controls, which is both unique and superior to using two or three people to perform the same task manually. Double-stacking pallets are accomplished by placing a sheet of material on top of a first loaded pallet of material. The blades of the forklifts slide into rectangular tubes on the forklift adapter. Sheet material is gripped by a plurality of pins on the forklift adapter where the depth of the pins is adjustable. The forklift adapter utilizes a spring that provides the gripping force. Using a spring to provide to grip provides consistent force. The spring material, coils, spring force and spring length all have factors that can change the gripping force.
US08444358B2
A wall anchor is provided and includes a nose cone structure including a body and a primary cone, which is rotatably coupled to the body and manually urgeable to penetrate a substrate, a detent assembly, disposed on the nose cone structure, which is engageable to maintain the primary cone in a first position and a trigger integrally coupled to the nose cone structure and actuatable to selectively disengage the detent assembly such that the primary cone is permissively rotatable about the body into a second position.
US08444345B2
A floatation collar for a sensor package forming part of a detection array comprises two halves that when joined together act as a protective casing that secures and orients a sensor package in an optimal configuration within a water column. The collar comprises a shell tilled with syntactic foam. The cellar top portion includes a series of projections strategically placed to protecting the sensor package transducers against mechanical damage. The base bottom portion of the collar is conical with an integral thimble to allow the collar to ride down and then emerge under a passing trawl net or other fishing lines or cables by presenting a smooth aspect and a secure means of tethering said unit to a bottom anchor.
US08444343B2
A bollard assembly includes a bollard, and a load transfer member disposed in the bollard, and a shock absorber disposed within the load transfer member. A fastener extends through the load transfer member and shock absorber, and secures the bollard, load transfer member and shock absorber to a ground surface. The load transfer member adjoins the bollard so as to be disposed between the shock absorber and the bollard, and the load transfer member is configured so that when an impact force is applied to the bollard, the force is transferred from the bollard to the shock absorber via the load transfer member. The deflection is absorbed by the shock absorber so that the anchor remains undeformed and the ground remains undamaged. Moreover, due to the resilience of the shock absorber, the bollard and load transfer member are returned to a normal, upright orientation upon withdrawal of the impact load.
US08444332B1
A lens barrier device and an image pickup apparatus, comprising a moving barrel, a fixed barrel, a base plate, two vanes and a rotating plate. The base plate has a central window. Two vanes are inserted into the base plate and have a pivot and a control protrusion respectively. The rotating plate has a hollow part and two first grooves. A linking-up body is axially extended from the rotating plate, and has a first guiding protrusion. The moving barrel has a second guiding convex dot. The fixed barrel has a second groove and a third groove. The first guiding protrusion, the second guiding protrusion and the control convex dot are inserted into the first groove, the second groove and the third groove respectively. After the first guiding protrusion is driven, the rotating plate is linked to rotate to open or close the two vanes.
US08444328B2
A flip-chip bonder fabricates an optical assembly by horizontally positioning a flexible portion of a substrate including a waveguide with the waveguide exposed at one end edge of the substrate; bending a portion of the flexible substrate to place the waveguide exposed end in approximately a vertical position; vertically positioning a bond head containing an optical component upon the waveguide exposed substrate edge to optically mate the optical component with the exposed waveguide; and fixably mounting the optical component to the substrate edge.
US08444322B2
A face spline of a toothed rim running in a circumferential direction around a rotation axis on a wheel-bearing arrangement for a driven wheel hub. The face spline is provided for play-free engagement with the counter-spline, facing the face spline and the teeth of the face spline have a wedge-like embodiment such that the geometrical lines of the face spline meet centrally at a common point on the rotation axis and the teeth thus run in the radial direction on the rotation axis.
US08444317B2
Disclosed herein is a multiposition temperature cable, including: a measuring unit that includes a plurality of connectors, each being composed of a plus (+) terminal and a minus (−) terminal, in which each of the connectors measures a thermoelectromotive force; and a plurality of wire couples (thermocouples) that are connected to the plurality of connectors, wherein each of the wire couples includes a plus (+) junction wire, one end of which is connected to the plus (+) terminal, and a minus (−) junction wire, one end of which is connected to the minus (−) terminal, and the other end of the plus (+) junction wire and the other end of the minus (−) junction wire are connected to each other to form a hot junction with respect to each connector to form a closed circuit. The multiposition temperature cable can simultaneously measure temperatures at several positions in real time.
US08444302B1
A pivoting recessed light fixture has a can and junction box mounted on a frame structure. The frame structure is pivotally supported near one of its ends between a pair of telescoping support rails mounted between a pair of support members. The other end of the frame structure is removably attached to each of the support rails so that the frame structure, with its can and junction box, can be pivoted below the rails to allow access for wiring during installation.
US08444292B2
Disclosed herein is a replacement light for a fluorescent tube usable in a fluorescent fixture. The light includes a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A support structure is disposed within the housing. At least one LED is positioned within the housing and is arranged on the support structure. A first seal has at least one aperture and is disposed within the first end of the housing. The first seal is configured to conform to an inner circumference of the first end of the housing. At least one electrical connector extends through the at least one aperture is and connectable to the fluorescent fixture.
US08444291B2
An illuminating device has a transparent body including an electronic components section with at least one circuit board, at least one light emitting diode electrically connected to the at least one circuit board, and one or more switching mechanisms electrically connected to the at least one circuit board. The illuminating device is capable of activation, deactivation, and subsequent reactivation by manipulating the one or more switching mechanisms. A method of using the illuminating device, including activating, deactivating, and reactivating the illuminating device by manipulating one or more switching mechanisms.
US08444290B2
A flashlight has a casing extending along an axis and adapted to hold an electric power supply, a light source fixed at a front end of the casing and electrically energizable to emit an axially forwardly directed light beam, an annular head fitted to the casing and axially shiftable thereon. Stops engaged between the head and the casing limit axial travel of the head relative to the casing. A lens is fixed in the head so that the lens and head can be shifted to focus the light beam. Thus the lamp head is captively attached to the casing. This creates an extremely compact structure that can be assembled quickly, thereby allowing manufacturing costs to be reduced. In addition, damaged components can be replaced quickly and easily.
US08444287B2
A portable flooring having integral illumination devices. The flooring comprises a panel having channels extending along a front portion of the panel. Light strips in the channels are supported by the back portion of the panel. The light strips have a covering that extends along the length of the light strips. A top surface of the covering and a top surface of the panel are on the same plane. The flooring can support large weighted objects.
US08444285B2
A clip light includes a light head, a power source, and a mounting arrangement. The light head includes a light housing having a light window, and a light source supported in the light housing to align with the light window. The power source is supported in the light housing to electrically link to the light source for providing electricity to generate light beam from the light source. The mounting arrangement adapted for detachably mounting the light head at a desired object, wherein the mounting arrangement is movably coupling with the light housing to selectively adjust a light projecting orientation of the light source through the light window with respect to the desired object.
US08444276B2
A light source device includes: a light source section which comprises plural laser diodes; a pulse driving section which divides the laser diodes of the light source section into plural groups, each group having the same number of the laser diodes, and drives the laser diodes of the each group by a pulse having a predetermined period and a predetermined duty ratio; and a light source driving section which controls a phase of the pulse for the each group so that the same number of the laser diodes are emitted in succession when the laser diodes of the each group are driven by the pulse driving section.
US08444266B2
Illuminated eyewear is provided. In one form, the temple arm members have all the lighting components mounted thereto including for each temple arm member a light, power source for the light, and electrical connections including a switch for providing power from the power source to the light. In another form, the cross-frame member has blinder portions integrally formed at either end thereof which are configured to block stray light to avoid glare problems. The blinder portions preferably include surfaces that are inclined to generally extend along the light cone generated by an LED light source mounted to the front end portion of each of the temple arm members. In another form, the temple arm members each have a recessed cavity formed in inner surface portion thereof in which the power source and switch components are received with the switch actuator mounted to the inner surface portion so it is hidden from view when the eyewear is worn for enhanced aesthetics.
US08444265B2
An enhanced performance earstem for eyeglasses is provided that can incorporate one or more flex zones or points along the length of the earstem. In some embodiments, the earstem can comprise an elongate body having an anterior end and a posterior end and at least a first segment and a second segment on the body having a first flex zone or point disposed at least partially therebetween. A center of the first flex zone or point can be within a given range from the anterior end. Further, some embodiments can provide differential flexibility along the length of the earstem. For example, the body of the earstem can have plurality of relatively flexible zones, and each flexible zone can be separated from an adjacent flexible zone by a relatively rigid zone. In this regard, the relatively flexible zones can have different stiffnesses.
US08444250B2
A liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid-ejection head for ejecting image recording liquid; a sealing mechanism for sealing an ejection space; a humid-air supply mechanism storing humidification liquid; and a liquid-discharge portion for discharging the image recording liquid, wherein a controller controls the humid-air supply mechanism to supply an air humidified by the humidification liquid into the sealed ejection space and then controls the liquid-discharge portion to discharge the image recording liquid prior to the image recording, and wherein, where a remaining amount of the humidification liquid is less than a first value, the controller executes a control such that an amount of the supplied humid air and an amount of the discharged image recording liquid are respectively made small and large as compared with in a case where the remaining amount of the humidification liquid is not smaller than the first value.
US08444249B2
A droplet discharge device includes: a discharge unit discharging a droplet and being moved relatively to a discharged object, on which the droplet is discharged, so as to form a predetermined pattern on the discharged object; a discharge amount measurement unit measuring a discharge amount of the droplet discharged from the discharge unit; a temperature acquisition unit acquiring a temperature of the droplet in the formation of the predetermined pattern; a temperature adjustment unit adjusting the temperature of the discharge unit; and a discharge amount adjustment unit adjusting the discharge amount of the discharge unit. In the device, the temperature adjustment unit adjusts a temperature of the droplet in the measurement of the discharge amount by the discharge amount measurement unit to the temperature in the formation of the predetermined pattern.
US08444245B2
An image recording range setting unit is provided on a conveyance path of a recording medium, and estimates a width of the recording medium on the basis of a detection result of a medium side end detecting unit for detecting a position of one side end of the recording medium. A recording range, on which image recording is to be performed, is set on the basis of the estimated width, and an image recording process is executed on the recording range.
US08444228B2
A wheel assembly that may be installed on, and removed from, an axle without the need for tools. The wheel assembly includes a wheel, at least one clip supported by the wheel, and a cover securing the clip in position. The wheel assembly is mountable on an axle including a circumferential groove and is retained on the axle by the extension of the clip into the groove. The clip includes an actuator arm extending away from the plane of the wheel so as to be readily accessible for actuation by one's fingers. Actuation of the arm withdraws the clip from the groove to release the wheel from the axle. Preferably two clips are provided diametrically opposite one another, enabling both arms to be actuated simultaneously in a pinching operation.
US08444227B2
A loose terrain traction assist device for wheeled vehicles includes a generally frusto-conical structure having a proximal portion with a diameter smaller than an overall diameter of a tire of a vehicle, a distal portion that extends outwardly from the wheel, and an outer surface defined between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The traction assist device also includes an attachment arrangement for releasably coupling the frusto-conical structure to a wheel assembly of the vehicle, such that at least part of the frusto-conical structure is adapted to engage with terrain during operation of the vehicle in loose terrain and to not engage with terrain during operation of the vehicle on normal terrain.
US08444226B2
Embodiments of the present invention include a leg-rest assembly comprising a leg-rest pan, a first frame, a slider bar, a second frame, and at least one deployment link. In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least two slides that are coupled to the slider bar. In other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes at least two seat diaphragm mounts, wherein the at least two seat diaphragm mounts are coupled the leg-rest assembly to a seat diaphragm. In some embodiments, a cushion is coupled to the leg-rest pan exterior surface. In yet other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes a foot-rest pan and a single frame with at least two foot-rest slides, where the foot-rest pan is coupled to the foot-rest slides. In these embodiments, the leg-rest assembly may also include a foot-rest bar.
US08444220B2
A vehicle seat has a back frame, an elastic member interconnecting side supports of the back frame, a movable member on the elastic member, and a restriction on the back frame. The movable member and the restriction engage each other in a first mode when a rearward load on the elastic member is less than a given value and are released from one another in a second mode when the load on the elastic member equals or exceeds the given value. The restriction restricts a rearward movement of the movable member in the first mode to limit rearward bending of the elastic member. Rearward movement of the movable member is permitted in the second mode to release the limitation on bending of the elastic member. Thus, the vehicle seat protects an occupant's neck during a rear collision.
US08444215B2
A housing is provided for a radiator blind of a motor vehicle. The housing includes a base section that is configured to accommodate the radiator blind and a prescribed port. The housing also includes an adapter section that is secured to the prescribed port. As a result of this measure, the housing can be used in various installation situations.
US08444213B2
The crop sprayer includes a cab mounting assembly that includes a pair of support plates attached to the main frame of the crop sprayer. The support plates are cantilevered outwardly from the main frame with each support plate including a pair of cab support structures. The frame includes four frame attachment structures. The cab support structures and frame attachment structures have vibration-isolation members positioned therebetween. The cab support structures and frame attachment structures are angled so that the axes of the vibration-isolation members intersect at a vertical and center position within the cab.
US08444191B2
A removable automobile molding has been developed that is an extruded plastic assembly, which attaches to the sides or fronts of the vehicle using a flexible magnetic film and can protect any surface of the automobile from dents or scratches. The flexible-plastic, guard assemblies are sized for each vehicle to allow car doors to be opened or closed with the assemblies attached and can be left on the vehicle either temporarily or permanently. Theft of the extruded plastic assemblies is prevented due to the use of spring-loaded clips attached to the extruded plastic assembly, which attach to the edges of the door and cannot be removed unless the door is open. For some vehicles the theft protection assembly may not be required or cannot be attached to the vehicle.
US08444186B2
An apparatus for restraining plastic pipe against both internal and external forces at a pipe or fitting connection and to join and seal at least two pipes to form a pipeline is shown featuring an improved restraining and sealing mechanism. The restraining and sealing mechanism includes a circumferential housing and a companion sealing ring which are received within a mating groove provided in the belled end of a female pipe. The circumferential housing has an interior region which contains a gripping ring insert. The sealing ring and housing are integrally located within a belled pipe end during belling operations. Either the exterior of the gripping ring or the interior of the housing or both are provided with a low friction coating.
US08444173B1
A foldable frame structure for baby trailer includes a bottom frame, which includes two side bars and a retractable front bar and a retractable rear bar, two vertical side frames each having two bottom frame bars respectively pivoted to the side bars and an arched top frame bar pivoted to the bottom frame bars, a transverse top bar detachably connected between the arched top frame bars of the two vertical side frames, a trailer bar pivoted to the front side of one side bar of the bottom frame and selectively locked between an extended position and a received position. The retractable rear bar has two angled end pieces respectively affixed to the side bars to reinforce the structural strength of the side bars so that wheels can be directly pivoted to the side bars, saving the cost.
US08444170B2
A foldable stroller includes a frame, a seat, and a plurality of wheels. The seat is disposed on the frame. The frame includes two back-frame side rod sections, two rear-leg side rod sections, and two rear-leg connecting members. Each of the back-frame side rod sections is connected pivotally to the corresponding rear-leg side rod section by the corresponding rear-leg connecting member. As such, the back-frame side rod sections are pivotable respectively toward the rear-leg side rod sections to fold the frame. The frame further includes two knuckles disposed respectively on bottom ends of the back-frame side rod sections, and two latch mechanisms disposed respectively on the knuckles. The latch mechanisms are operable to lock the frame in an unfolded or folded state.
US08444168B2
Invention patent application for one Lock Controller (1) made in a cast casing fitted with a closure lid (2) designed with a bearing for the solenoid (3) guiding axle (3a) and one micro-processed control unit (4), being said Lock Controller (1) installed in the free niche (C) of the bottom half of the fifth wheel (5) where the hole (5b) is made through the wall (5c) in order to allow the passage of the extension (1d) of the Lock Controller (1) and one hole (6a) made into the Locking bar (6) face coinciding with the wall (5c) limits the course and one safety ring (8) is welded or glued at section (7a) of the long rod (7), to limit its course.
US08444164B2
A pulsar ring includes a portion to be detected and a pulsar ring mounting portions that project in a radially outward direction from an outer peripheral portion of the portion to be detected. The portion to be detected and a pulsar ring mounting portion are arranged so as to form continuous planar surfaces. The pulsar ring is rigidly mounted on a mounting boss of a wheel using a bolt by fastening a brake disc wherein the pulsar ring overlaps with the brake disc mounting portion. Even when the brake disc thermally deforms at the time of braking so that the pulsar ring mounting portion is pulled radially outwardly, the portion to be detected and the pulsar ring mounting portion are arranged on the same plane thus forming the continuous planar surfaces. Thus, the portion to be detected is hardly twisted with hardly any deformation of the portion to be detected.
US08444158B2
A suspension coupling for use in a vehicle suspension system the suspension coupling including a knuckle and bushing assembly wherein the knuckle member is a cast aluminum piece having a passage for receiving a two-piece bushing having a formed, metal inner member and a molded, elastomeric outer member having extension members at each end. The bushing member is press-fit into the knuckle member and exhibits higher stiffness in the radial and axial directions and lower stiffness in the torsional and conical directions.
US08444152B2
A spring seal assembly includes a first plate and a second plate. One or more spring elements are located between the first plate and the second plate and compressible therebetween. The spring seal assembly is insertable into a gap between two adjacent components such that at least one of the first plate and the second plate at least partially block a flow between the two adjacent components while exerting a force on the two adjacent components to prevent vibration of the seal in the gap. A method of sealing between adjacent components includes at least partially compressing a spring seal assembly. The spring seal assembly is inserted into the gap and allowed to expand in the gap thereby at least partially blocking a flow between the two adjacent components while exerting a force on the two adjacent components to prevent vibration of the seal in the gap.
US08444150B1
A rotatable target for use in a projectile toss game using a projectile such as a bean bag. The rotatable target has a semi-circular main body portion having a base, a rim, and a substantially flat outer surface. A hub is located substantially at the axis of the main body portion. A plurality of shelves project outwardly from the outer surface of the main body portion, preferably at an angle of about 90 degrees. Preferably the shelves extend radially from the hub to the rim. A pendulum extends vertically downwardly below the hub. The pendulum has a vertically adjustable weight associated therewith. A target stand having a pivot pin that extends outwardly therefrom and through the hub of the main body portion in a manner adapted to allow the main body portion to rotate about the pivot pin.
US08444148B1
An automatic poker machine includes a mechanical arm using a suction disk for picking up a poker card, a video recognition device adapted for recognizing the card suit and card value of the poker card carried by the mechanical arm, a display screen for displaying the card suit and card value of each recognized poker card and two card shufflers alternatively used for shuffling poker cards.
US08444142B2
A multifeed processing apparatus includes a control unit and is connected to a multifeed detecting mechanism and an image reading mechanism. The control unit includes (i) a calculating unit that calculates a shape of a peripheral edge of a medium from any one or both of an output of the image reading mechanism and an image of the medium read by the image reading mechanism, (ii) a detecting unit that detects a change in the shape on a boundary of an overlap detected portion, from the shape calculated by the calculating unit and a position of the overlap detected portion detected by the multifeed detecting mechanism, and (iii) a deciding unit that determines a case where the change in the shape is detected by the detecting unit, as a multifeed.
US08444140B2
A sheet size setting device includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a tubular holing portion having a first area and a second area in an axial direction. The second member is assembled with the first member movably in the axial direction of the tubular holding portion and includes a second indicator and a second detectable portion. A movement of the second member in the axial direction is restricted by a restricting portion. The restricting portion restricts the movement of the second member in the axial direction when the tubular holding portion is located at a first rotational position and permits the movement of the second member in the axis direction, thereby causing the second indicator to reach the first area and the second detectable portion to reach the second area, when the tubular holding portion is located at a second rotational position.
US08444136B2
An image forming apparatus which can prevent decrease in useful lives of components for air sheet feeding without bringing about throughput degradation when performing an image forming operation using a plurality of sheet supply units. When a sheet is fed from a first sheet supply unit having a fan that is driven so as to supply sheets, then a sheet is supplied from a second sheet supply unit, and then a sheet is supplied form the first sheet supply unit again, and in a case where a suspension time period over which no sheet is supplied from the first sheet supply unit is longer than a preparation time period from when driving of the fan is started to when the fan is brought into a driving state required to supply a sheet, driving of the fan is temporarily stopped.
US08444127B2
A tool comprises a caul plate having at least one suction hole and a vacuum port fluidly coupled to the suction hole for drawing a patch against the caul plate under vacuum.
US08444117B2
The invention relates to stabilizers for use with a vehicle. The quick release coupling system entails a pair of grooved plates that can easily attach and detach with respect to one another. The top plate of the coupling system is mechanically attached to the frame of the vehicle and a bottom plate is mechanically attached to a conventional stabilizer. These grooved plates create a quick release coupling joint that facilitates attachment and removal of the stabilizers from the vehicle.
US08444113B2
In a screw-in multi-way seat valve V comprising a screw-in housing 1, in which at least one sleeve 21 is positioned axially which sleeve 21 forms a valve seat 20, and a valve member 15 provided inside and having a seat surface 31 with a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the valve seat 20, the sleeve 21 is axially positioned in the screw-in housing 1 by a threaded connection 23 and at the same time is sealed by a press fit zone 24, the press fit zone 24 forming an anti-rotation protection for the threaded connection 23.
US08444105B2
An umbrella anchoring device comprising a support dowel and a generally truncated cone shaped umbrella stop, with two opposing surfaces, an angled wall connecting the outer perimeter of the surfaces, and a hollow passage through the vertical axis thereof which is complementary to the cross section of the support dowel, wherein the umbrella anchoring device is used to support an umbrella with at least a partially hollow shaft. A method of using the anchoring device, where the support dowel is placed generally vertically in the ground, the umbrella stop is placed over the end thereof and slid so that the wider surface is at ground level and the narrower surface is below, and an umbrella is placed over the support dowel, with the end resting on the umbrella stop.
US08444104B2
A portable accessory device includes a housing having a mounting slot, an accessory unit supported in the housing, and two adjustable retainers for adjusting the size of the mounting slot for a shaft of the outdoor umbrella. Each of the adjustable retainer includes a retention arm, having a pusher surface facing towards the mounting slot, slidably mounted at the housing, wherein the pusher surfaces of the retention arms are facing with each other and are arranged for biasing against an outer surface of the shaft of the outdoor umbrella until the shaft thereof being fitted at the mounting slot so as to substantially mount the housing at the shaft of the outdoor umbrella. Therefore, the portable accessory device is adapted to detachably mount at the outdoor umbrella to provide an additional function via the accessory unit for users to have high quality outdoor activities.
US08444099B1
The present invention discloses a back plate of a liquid crystal display (LCD) module and a splice structure thereof. The back plate is assembled at least by a first back plate portion and a second back plate portion, wherein at least one splice structure is defined between the first back plate portion and the second back plate portion, and the shapes of two sides of the splice structure are correspondingly engaged with each other. Besides, the convex portion is provided with a fixing hole thereon, and the concave step portion is correspondingly provided with a fixing pillar therein. The fixing pillar passes through the fixing hole to fix the first back plate portion and the second back plate portion. The present invention can use different type of material to assemble into the back plate, so as to intensify the splicing strength except for decreasing the material cost.
US08444095B2
Couplers for a cable trough system including a spacing defined by first and second guiding surfaces, the spacing being sized to receive the terminal end of a trough member into the spacing. One or more springs are carried on the couplers and may be at least partially disposed within the spacing between the first and the second guiding surfaces. The springs urge the terminal end of the trough member against the coupler upon insertion of the terminal end into the spacing. One or more locking elements are coupled adjacent to the springs to move between a locking position and a released position. The locking elements may slide longitudinally or move perpendicularly to the couplers. A first trough member may be released from the couplers independent from a second trough member coupled to the couplers. Methods for use of the couplers are also provided.
US08444087B2
Composite stringer and skin structures and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a composite stringer and skin structure includes a polymer-based elongated stringer portion having reinforcing fibers positioned in a plurality of adjacent plies, a first portion of the reinforcing fibers being oriented at a relatively shallow angle relative to a selected reference direction, and a second portion of the reinforcing fibers being oriented at a relatively broad angle relative to the selected reference direction. A polymer-based and fiber reinforced skin member adjoins the stringer portion, and an adhesive material is interposed between the stringer portion and the skin member.
US08444076B2
A blender blade or blade for being mounted to an interior base of a blender container for rotation about a vertical axis is described. The blade includes at least two blade wings, such that it may include four blade wings. The blade includes a body, first transition section, second transition section, first blade wing and second blade wing. Body includes an aperture, wherein the body is located on a first horizontal plane. First and second transition sections extend at downward angles from opposite sides of the body. First blade wing extends outwardly from the first transition section, wherein the first blade wing is located on a second horizontal plane. Second blade wing extends outwardly from the second transition section, wherein the second blade wing is located on a third horizontal plane. The blade is a one-piece blade and can process approximately 6-48 ounces of working medium.
US08444074B2
A pepper mill includes a driving member coupled rotatably to a container body and cooperating with the container body to define a receiving space, a grinding unit, a planetary gear mechanism, and an adjusting component. The grinding unit includes a coupling shaft extending rotatably and being movable in the receiving space, a stationary first grinding seat, and a second grinding seat co-rotatable with the coupling shaft. The size of a grinding space between the first and second grinding seats is adjusted when the coupling shaft and the second grinding seat move axially relative to the first grinding seat. The planetary gear mechanism includes a driving gear unit and a driven gear unit driven rotatably by the driving gear unit to drive rotation of the coupling shaft. The adjusting component is connected threadedly to the coupling shaft and is operable to drive the axial movement of the coupling shaft and the second grinding seat.
US08444064B2
A rotary sprayer (10) for fluids (14), has a rotating disc (22), a drive (58) for the disc (22), and a supply device (28) for the application of fluid (14) onto the disc (22). The disc (22) has a distribution plane (30) for the fluid (14), and at least one opening (34) is provided in the distribution plane (30), via which a secondary flow (50) of the fluid (14) is separated from the main flow (48) to another plane (46). The disc (22) has a first spray edge (44) for spraying the working flow (52) of the fluid (14) and a second spray edge (54) for spraying the secondary flow (50) of the fluid (14). Since the main flow is divided into a secondary flow and a working flow, the effective amount of fluid that is used to moisten the workpiece can be reduced without having to therefore reduce the amount of fluid that is supplied e.g. via the pipe conduit. The formation of drops is thereby reliably prevented and a pipe conduit is used that has a cross-section of adequate size to prevent clogging.
US08444062B2
A fluid distribution system and method for mobile applications. The system includes a power source, a pump driven by the power source, and a motor driven by the pump. The system also includes a spray head with a fluid inlet passage, a fluid outlet passage, a fluid piston disposed in a chamber for controlled access between the inlet and outlet passages and defining a variable orifice, and a hydraulic cylinder controllably engaged to the orifice. The fluid piston and the hydraulic cylinder are aligned with a common longitudinal axis, and the inlet passage is offset from the axis in a direction opposed to the location of the outlet passage.
US08444060B2
A fuel injection apparatus with a deterioration detection device that includes a volume changing chamber, the volume of which is determined by fuel pressure inside the injector. After injector nozzle opens, the time for the volume changing chamber to change from an initial volume to a target volume is measured and used for calculating changes in nozzle orifice size. The value of orifice size change can be used for both diagnosing injector deterioration and compensating fuel flow rate in a feedback control. In addition to detecting injector deterioration and failures, the volume changing device also dampens effects of noise in fuel pressure to fuel flow rate control and decreases chances of after-injection and second injection.
US08444057B2
Security labels and tags including elements and methods of making them are disclosed. The elements are in the form of an oriented polymer layer, conductive traces clad to the polymer layer to form an open loop forming a window in the interior of the loop and an open support framework extending into the window to support the polymer layer in the window. In some embodiments the open support framework is in the form of parallel, interleaved linear extensions from the conductive traces which extend into the window. In other embodiments the open support framework is in a pattern of intersecting sections (e.g., a fishbone pattern) located in the window.
US08444053B2
A new credit card system which enables improved reading and other operations. Reading can be done in the short edge of the credit card thereby shortening the aspect ratio and size of the card reader. The reader can be electrical, reading information via contacts, or can be optical readers.
US08444040B2
An apparatus includes a connector and is configured to mount to a machine having multiple axes of control. A control signal on the connector determines a path of a rotating tool holder.
US08444037B2
A device for clamping tissue includes a first jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first wing and a second wing. The device also includes a second jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first slot and a second slot, the first slot disposed between a middle structure and a first lateral structure, the second slot disposed between the middle structure and a second lateral structure. The first jaw is rotatably coupleable to the second jaw with the first wing extending into the first slot and the second wing extending into the second slot.
US08444030B1
An outer case has a lower portion with front, rear and side faces. The side faces couple the front and rear faces. The lower portion terminates in an open lower end and an upper end. The outer case has an upper portion terminating in a closed upper end. The outer case has a lower end. An inner case has front, rear, and side faces. The side faces couple the front and rear faces. The upper portion terminates in an open upper end and a lower end. The inner case has a lower portion terminating in a closed lower end and an upper end. A pair of parallel slots is formed in the rear face of the inner case. The slots are at a central elevational extent of the rear face of the inner case.
US08444027B2
A one way valve assembly flows a sterile flowable substance from a source to an outlet orifice and prevents any backflow of contaminants through the one way valve assembly when the flowable substance ceases to flow. The valve assembly includes an elastomeric membrane which aids in preventing any backflow of contaminants when dispensing of the flowable substance is stopped.
US08444022B2
A pouring device includes a container, a stiffening member with first and second stiffening portions having respective terminating ends spaced from each other. The first and second stiffening portions are coupled to the container with a deformable region of the container being positioned between the terminating ends of the first and second stiffening portions. The deformable region can be more resilient than the stiffening member to form a pour spout at least in part from the deformable region upon application of a force to the container toward opposing sides of the deformable region.
US08444020B1
Assembly for hand held or remote elevated operation of most modern style aerosol cans. The assembly comprises a frame having a handle, a saddle, a swiveling threaded adaptor, and an activating linkage. An aerosol can is held to the device with a clamp. For use in a manual fashion, the user may grasp the handle and depress a lever link of the activating linkage, such with a thumb or palm of a hand. For use in an elevated position, the assembly can be threaded onto a painters' extension pole using an indexing adaptor. The can may then be elevated, and the user can activate the assembly simply by pulling down on a tether.
US08444017B2
A pump-equipped container (10) includes a tubular container body (11) that is made of a sheet material having flexibility and a pump device (13) that includes a pump body (15) and a nozzle portion (14). A one-end section of the container body is closed off, and the pump device (13) is attached to the other-end section of the container body. The pump body (15) has an outer-circumferential-surface section (16) that comes into close contact with an inner circumferential surface of the other-end section (11b) of the container body (11). The pump device (13) is attached to the other-end section (11b) of the container body (11) in such a state that the outer-circumferential-surface section (16) is covered with the container body (11) by being brought into close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the other-end section (11b) of the container body (11). The container body (11) is formed using a sheet material having a gas barrier property.
US08444015B2
A fluid dispensing apparatus is configured to dispense a predetermined volume of fluid, and includes a fluid reservoir to hold a fluid to be dispensed, a dispense tube to dispense the fluid, and an elevator mechanism. The fluid reservoir receives a fluid from a fluid supply. A dispense tube has a dispense outlet, and is connected to an outlet port on the fluid reservoir. The elevator mechanism changes a relative vertical displacement between the dispense outlet and the outlet port. Particularly, a processor controls the elevator mechanism to raise the dispense tube to a raised filling position to prevent fluid flow from the dispense outlet, and lower the dispense tube to a lowered dispensing position to dispense the fluid.
US08444007B2
The present invention provides a dispenser for moisturized sheets in the core of a toilet paper roll. Not only are wet and dry wipes provided coincidentally, the location is particularly handy for toilet use. In a utilization of existing bathroom fixtures, the novel concept offsets the rotational axis of the toilet paper roll to make an aperture available to dispense the moisturized sheets from the volume of the core previously occupied by the conventional spool. The invention further provides a hermetically sealed refill unit and a method of dispensing and refilling.
US08444000B2
A paint tray includes a cavity defined by a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall, and a second sloping end wall. Each of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, and second sloping end wall inclines upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall. The cavity terminates at a top edge. The paint tray also includes a top tray rim adjacent the top edge of the cavity, a perimeter rim that inclines downwardly and outwardly from the top tray rim, a handle disposed at an edge of the perimeter rim proximate each end wall, and a leg panel extending downwardly and outwardly from each of a first side and a second side of the perimeter rim proximate the second sloping end wall. The leg panel has a bottom edge that is co-planar with the bottom wall.
US08443999B1
Caps, containers embodying such caps, and methods of enhancing cap safety. Air flow passages through the cap enable one, who accidentally swallowed the cap, to breathe/pass air through the cap. Some air passages extend top to bottom. Openings in the outer side wall, and an air flow path across the cap, allow air to enter the cap on a first side, flow transversely through the cap, and exit an opposing side. The top-to-bottom air flow passages, and the air flow path across the cap, including the openings in the outer wall of the cap, collectively support air flow through the cap, thus through the person's airway, if/when the cap becomes accidentally lodged in a person's airway. The openings can be used to engage and extract an accidentally swallowed cap. Elements of an optional tamper evident ring remain attached to the cap after the cap is removed from the container.
US08443988B2
An alarm sounding retail display system is provided. The alarm sounding retail display system is operable to provide an audible tone upon the movement of retail merchandise carried within the retail display system. The audible provides an indication of enhanced security and can alert store employees in proximity to the retail display system that merchandise has been added to or removed from the retail display system.
US08443983B2
A separator device comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a magnetic separator rod or element being located within the housing to collect and separate from the flow of fluid through the housing magnetic particles carried by the flow of fluid.
US08443973B1
A receiving device for tool bits includes a receiving body, at least one receiving space defined on one end of the receiving body, each receiving space having a plurality of first protrusions adequately located therein, each of the receiving space having a plurality of position spaces separated by the first protrusions, the position space having two pairs of fourth protrusions abutting against the periphery of the tool bit so that the tool bit is positioned at the position space and would not drop down from the position space.
US08443969B2
An ingredient release spout. The ingredient release spout may include a cap, an ingredient capsule separate from the cap, a capsule nest with the ingredient capsule therein, and a base. The capsule nest and the ingredient capsule being separate such that the capsule nest is engageable with the cap.
US08443968B2
A package for holding a plurality of containers. The package comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the package. The panels comprise a top panel and at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel. A plurality of features in the top panel receives and holds a top portion of the plurality of containers. Each of the plurality of features comprises an opening in the top panel wherein the top panel has at least two edges at least partially forming a respective opening to engage a respective container of the plurality of containers to at least partially attach the respective container to the package. The at least two edges are in contact with an underside of a flange of the respective container.
US08443958B2
A method for exchanging coins, the method including the acts of receiving in a self-service coin exchange machine a plurality of coins, processing the plurality of coins to determine a total value of the plurality of coins, and dispensing currency to the patron from a currency dispenser, the currency having a value related to the total value.
US08443957B2
A package stream indexer device (1) for indexing a stream (S) of packages (P) being displaced thereon within a stream plane includes first and second articulated tracks (24) with live rollers (28) and corresponding lower articulated tracks (50) with depending pressure wheels (58) for maintaining packages (P) in contact with the first and second tracks (24) and within the package path defined there between within the stream plane. Each of the first and second articulated tracks (24) along with corresponding lower track (50) are each composed of a plurality of interconnected links (26,52) frictionally engaged together to allow adjustment in track orientation from one set position to another by means of dynamic movement on the tracks (24,50). The second tracks (24) respectively register upstream arid downstream of a moveable intermediate conveyor (2′) bridging an input conveyor (40) and a reception conveyor (40″ or 40′″), with the respective indexing mechanisms (1′, 1″ or 1′″).
US08443955B2
The invention relates to a device and to a method for controlling a coupling system having a coupling provided with a hydraulic actuation system, which includes an adjustable coupling part for connecting and separating a power transmission path between a coupling input side and a coupling output side, a hydraulic connection that connects the actuation unit to an electrohydraulic actuator that is arranged outside the coupling, and a control unit for controlling the actuator. The hydraulic connection forms a hydraulic system together with hydraulic components of the actuation unit and the actuator. According to the invention, a mechanical stop that delimits the adjustment of the coupling part on the actuation unit is formed. A pressure sensor monitors the pressure in the hydraulic system or a control signal of the actuator. The pressure sensor detects an installation of the coupling part on the stop based on occurring characteristic alterations of the pressure in the hydraulic connection or the control signal and controls the electrohydraulic actuator in accordance therewith and/or produces a diagnosis signal.
US08443952B2
A transmission having at least one shaft, on which a guide sleeve which has a first external toothing system is arranged fixedly so as to rotate with it and at least one slider sleeve which has an internal toothing system is arranged, it being possible to adjust the slider sleeve between a disengaged position, in which the internal toothing system and a second external toothing system on a clutch element are not operatively connected, and an engaged position, in which the internal toothing system meshes with the second external toothing system. The internal toothing system and/or the first external toothing system are/is configured in such a way that there is merely punctiform contact between them in the engaged position. As a result, in particular, an undesired gear disengagement can be suppressed.
US08443948B2
A vibration damper including a cylinder in which a displacer carries out a translational movement. The displacer has a work piston which divides the cylinder into two work spaces. The work spaces outside the displacer for each operating movement direction of the displacer are connected to damping valves by a flow connection. Every flow connection has only one flow direction through a check valve arrangement. The flow connection has a plurality of inflow ports which are offset in axial direction starting from the work spaces and is formed by a bypass channel, and a plurality of damping valves are connected to the bypass channel and admit damping medium via the inflow ports.
US08443944B2
The monitoring method for an elevator installation includes a control unit and at least one bus junction, which bus junction has a receiver, a transmitter and a safety element. The control unit and the bus junction communicate by way of a bus. The monitoring method has the following steps: a digital default signal is transmitted by the control unit to the receiver; the digital default signal is converted by the receiver into an analog signal; the safety element is acted on by the receiver with the analog signal; if the safety element is closed the analog signal is detected by the transmitter; for a detected analog signal, a digital signal of the control unit is provided by the transmitter; wherein on detection of an analog zero signal a digital signal is transmitted by the transmitter to the control unit.
US08443941B2
By using the same liquid for cooling and lubricating a feed shaft, a simpler structure is obtained, thereby allowing easier maintenance. A feed shaft that is rotatably supported at one end thereof moves a slide of a machine tool. The feed shaft is supported by a support member via a bearing. A pipe is fitted to the feed shaft, and a pathway space is provided allowing the reciprocal flow of the cooling/lubricating liquid in the axial direction. Some of the cooling/lubricating liquid supplied via the support member to the feed space passes through the pathway space as cooling liquid, cools the feed shaft, and is held in a discharge space. At the same time, some of the cooling/lubricating liquid flows, as lubricating liquid, into the bearing, is discharged, and is held in a discharge space. The cooling/lubricating liquid in the discharge space that has absorbed the heat of the structure is immediately discharged out of the support member.
US08443937B2
A safety harness and techniques for integrating the safety harness into apparel such as a firefighter's turnout suit. The safety harness may include a waist belt having a fastener (e.g., buckle) for adjustably securing the waist belt around a wearer's waist, first and second leg straps for encircling a wearer's legs, and a continuous support strap fixed to each of the first and second leg straps and slideably attached to the waist belt. The continuous support strap has a front middle portion for coupling to a coupling mechanism (e.g., carabiner, ladder hook, knot, clamp, weld, or a combination thereof) and having sufficient slack so as to not impede access to the waist belt fastener. Under no-load conditions, the front middle portion of the continuous strap may hang down below the waist belt fastener, or may be stowed to one side of the waist belt fastener.
US08443924B2
A pedaling assistance device for a light vehicle, in particular a bicycle, equipped with pedals and a ratio-changing transmission, this device comprising a heat engine (1; 101; 201) equipped with a reducing gear mechanically coupled with an element (26, 46; 146; 227) receiving muscular pedaling power from a user of the light vehicle, the mechanical coupling being effected upstream of said ratio-changing transmission in such a way that the heat engine benefits from said changes of ratios, characterized in that the reducing gear of the heat engine includes a first belt-based reduction stage (6; 286).
US08443922B2
A containment device including a cover defining an internal volume and an opening into the internal volume, the cover being formed as a layered structure including at least a first layer and a second layer, the first layer comprising a woven ceramic fabric and the second layer comprising oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers.
US08443921B2
System and method for increasing operating efficiency of a powertrain by controlling an aero shutter
A method of increasing operating efficiency of a powertrain includes unrestricting a grille opening by fully opening a shutter at or below a first predetermined vehicle speed, and turning a fan off. The method also includes unrestricting the grille opening by fully opening the shutter above the first predetermined vehicle speed and at or below a second predetermined vehicle speed under a high powertrain cooling load, and turning the fan on. The method additionally includes partially restricting the grille opening above the second predetermined vehicle speed via an intermediate position of the shutter, and turning the fan off. A specific size of the fan together with the selected positions for the shutter at the respective vehicle speeds provides sufficient airflow through the grille opening to cool the powertrain, and provides increased powertrain operating efficiency. A system for increasing operating efficiency of a powertrain and a vehicle are also provided.
US08443910B2
A fire extinguishing device comprises a pan with a handle extending therefrom. The pan has a top side and an under side; the under side having a concave portion extending from a perimeter portion. The pan has side perimeter portions extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The under side of the proximal end having a perimeter portion that lies substantially in a single plane and a raised portion of the under side of the distal end of the perimeter portion is raised from the single plane.
US08443902B2
A time controlled release device for down line tools includes an outer housing, a disconnect housing releasably coupled to the outer housing, and a mandrel extending longitudinally within the outer housing and the disconnect housing. In addition, the device includes a locking collet and a trigger sleeve disposed about the mandrel. Further, the device includes a first biasing spring disposed within the outer housing between the locking collet and a first shoulder of the outer housing. Still further, the device includes a release collet forming a portion of the outer housing at the distal end and a disconnect release sleeve mounted on the mandrel. Moreover, the device includes a second spring disposed within the outer housing between a second shoulder of the outer housing and a pressure piston mounted on the mandrel between the second spring and a shoulder of the mandrel. The pressure piston has a metering orifice therethrough.
US08443895B2
A travel joint (100) for space out operations in a wellbore. The travel joint (100) includes a generally tubular mandrel assembly (112) and a generally tubular housing assembly (102) slidably disposed about the mandrel assembly (112). The mandrel assembly (112) included an infinite slot (118) and at least one axial slot (120). A lock assembly (128) is positioned between the mandrel assembly (112) and the housing assembly (102). The lock assembly (128) is operable to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the mandrel assembly (112) and the housing assembly (102). A floating lug ring (140) is positioned between the mandrel assembly (112) and the housing assembly (102). The floating lug ring (140) includes at least one lug (142) and is operable to rotate relative to the mandrel assembly (112) and the housing assembly (102) when the lug (142) travels in the infinite slot (118).
US08443890B2
A method comprising: providing a stimulation fluid that comprises a stimulating gas and a consolidating agent; and injecting the stimulation fluid into a portion of a liquid-sensitive formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance a pathway therein. Suitable consolidating agents include aqueous tackifying agents, curable compositions, and noncurable and nonaqueous consolidating compositions.
US08443888B2
In one embodiment, a device for controlling flow of water from a subterranean formation into a production well may include a flow control member formed from a shape-conforming material and a hydrophilic polymer disposed within the shape-conforming member in an amount sufficient to cause the flow control member to restrict flow of water therethrough.
US08443885B2
Methods are provided that include a method comprising providing a consolidating agent emulsion composition comprising an aqueous fluid, an emulsifying agent, and a consolidating agent; and introducing the consolidating agent emulsion composition into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the consolidating agent emulsion composition may be introduced into at least a portion of a propped fracture that comprises proppant particulates and allowed to at least partially consolidate at least a portion of the propped fracture. In some embodiments, the consolidating agent emulsion composition comprises a resin composition. Additional methods are also provided.
US08443883B2
A method for preventing a downhole tool from getting stuck in a wellbore, includes: monitoring output of at least one friction sensor mounted on an external surface of the downhole tool; and if the output indicates a high friction condition, then reducing the friction to prevent the tool from getting stuck. A tool and a computer program product are provided.
US08443871B2
A temperature control apparatus, for radiating heat from a side door to a vehicle interior, includes components which are provided inside each of the vehicle body and side door, respectively. A heat source is disposed within a peripheral edge part of an opening in a vehicle body. A heat pipe is provided in the side door. When the door opening is closed by the side door, the heat source and heat pipe come into contact, and are thermally connected by a heat transmission mechanism.
US08443870B2
A steam heat exchanger includes a steam heating pipe with a condensation pipe part and a sensible heat pipe part provided on the lower side of the condensation pipe part. In the condensation pipe part, a liquid is heated by latent heat. The drain discharge capacity in a steam trap or an orifice disposed on the drain discharge side equals the amount of condensation at the service temperature of the steam heat exchanger. Condensed water produced after the heat exchange in the condensation pipe part enters the sensible heat pipe part on the downstream side to hold the sensible heat pipe part in a water sealed state. In this sensible heat pipe part, the liquid is heated by sensible heat. Heat exchange efficiency is improved by using latent and sensible heat, the amount of steam used can be reduced, and the load of a steam generation source can be reduced.
US08443869B2
A condenser-type heat exchanger having a set of welded plates that together define fluid systems that interpenetrate each other, comprises at least two modules of welded plates. Each module presenting an independent cooling system (CF1, CF2), fluid (CF2) being preferably colder than fluid (CF1), and a connecting chamber that connects the two modules in series in the system of fluid to be condensed such that the direction in which the fluid to be condensed flows is reversed when it changes from one module to the next module.
US08443854B2
Two components slide with respect to one another, and hold a stack of cards. A first component includes three members extending into a chamber formed by its C-shaped cross-section. When the components are slid apart, the first card in the stack is partially exposed. The card is pushed back past the outer members providing resistance to prevent the cards from moving while allowing only the top card to be pushed past the outer appendages to expose the next card. When the components are pushed together, a bump on an L-shaped component assures that the cards are aligned in a stack. The two outer members include tangs at their terminations that retain a stack of cards within the chamber and prevent them from sliding past. Between the outer members, a central spring extends in an angled configuration into the chamber and presses against the cards and frictionally retains them in position within the chamber.
US08443846B2
The present invention relates to a polyolefin composition with increased resistance to degradation caused by ClO2-containing water and to a pipe made of such a polyolefin composition. The present invention further relates to the use of the polyolefin composition for the production of a pipe and to the use of a combination of particular types of antioxidants for increasing the resistance of the polyolefin composition against degradation caused by contact with ClO2-containing water.
US08443829B2
A solenoid device includes a solenoid assembly (30) including a stator (42, 32, 38), a coil (36) for generating a magnetic field, and first retention structure (64). Armature and seal assembly includes armature structure (14, 16) that moves with respect to the solenoid assembly from a closed position to an open position in response to the magnetic field generated by the coil, seal structure (22) that is coupled with a proximal end of the armature structure and has a sealing edge (28) to seal with a component when the armature structure is in the closed position thereof, and second retention structure (68). A spring (44) biases the armature structure to the closed position. The first and second retention structures engage and retain the armature and seal assembly with respect to the stafor assembly prior to installation of the device.
US08443825B2
A valve system enables use of a standard single line faucet with a water treatment system. The valve system may include a housing having ports for receiving untreated supply water, supplying water to a water treatment system, receiving treated water from the water treatment system and supplying treated water to a dispenser. The valve system includes an automatic shutoff device that prevents water from flowing into the water treatment system when the dispensing faucet is closed and allows water to flow into the water treatment system when the faucet is open. The valve system may include a pressure relief mechanism that removes pressure from the water treatment system when the faucet is closed and a check valve for maintaining a desired amount of pressure within the valve system.
US08443823B1
A flood detection and valve shutoff device which comprises a water sensitive sensor. A mechanism is for retaining the water sensitive sensor on a floor near a water heater. Another mechanism is for biasing a valve in a water inlet pipe of the water heater to a closed position. A lanyard in a taut condition extends between the water sensitive sensor and the biasing mechanism, so as to keep the valve in an open position. When the water sensitive sensor detects water on the floor the lanyard will be released from the water sensitive sensor, causing the biasing means to move the valve from the open position to the closed position.
US08443821B2
A method for sensor operating-state determination of a valve arrangement to control a process medium flow through a pipeline having a valve element, arranged such that it can move axially within a valve housing via a pneumatic actuating drive by application of control pressure, with the control pressure being measured and evaluated in order to determine the sliding friction during the movement. The valve element can be moved at a constant speed over at least a subarea of the travel movement, the value of which speed is measured via a position sensor system for signal processing, with the currently applied control pressure being measured at approximately the same time for signal processing via a pressure sensor system. The current sliding friction of the valve element can be determined as a measure of wear state from both measured values, by an electronic evaluation unit, based on a proportional drive force expressed by the control pressure which occurs when the valve element is traveling at a constant speed.
US08443820B2
A method for distributing fuel in a fuel system of a motor vehicle. The method may be applied in a fuel system having a first fuel tank, where fuel is confined at a first pressure, and a second fuel tank, where fuel is confined at a second pressure greater than the first pressure. The method comprises releasing fuel already resident in the second fuel tank to the first fuel tank, and admitting fuel to the first and second fuel tanks simultaneously.
US08443817B2
A dental floss dispensing unit comprising a housing and a supply spool coupled to the housing and having a length of floss wound thereabout. The supply spool being adjustable between a locked position, where the supply spool is fixed with respect to the housing, and an unlocked position, where the supply spool is free to rotate with respect to the housing.
US08443816B2
A kit for applying a mascara composition comprising several tanks respectively containing different mascara compositions and one or several application device for the mascara compositions, the application device comprising a cap and a rod provided with a heatable applicator element.
US08443810B2
This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.
US08443799B2
A dry powder inhalation system suitable for transpulmonary administration characterized by using a combination of: (1) A vessel housing a freeze-dried composition that contains a single dose of an active ingredient, and has: (i) a non-powder cake-like form, (ii) a disintegration index of 0.015 or more, and (iii) a property of becoming fine particles having a mean particle diameter of 10 microns or less or a fine particle fraction of 10% or more upon receipt of an air impact having an air speed of at least 1 m/sec and an air flow rate of at least 17 ml/sec; and (2) A device capable of applying said air impact to the freeze-dried composition in said vessel and for discharging the powder-form freeze-dried composition that has been made into fine particles.
US08443797B2
An apparatus for maintaining a surgical airway and method for the same includes an elongated body insertable orally into a patient. The elongated body defines leading and trailing ends. An opening is defined through the leading and trailing ends, such that surgical equipment may be insertable through the opening of the elongated body. A securing member is connected to the trailing end. The securing member holds the elongated body in a position such that an airway remains open to treat the patient, while supporting oxygen flow to the patient.
US08443796B2
An active respiratory therapeutic device for clearing breathing passages, loosening and breaking up mucus plugs and phlegm in a patient's sinuses, trachea, bronchial passages and lungs while a patient is breathing normally through the device is disclosed. The apparatus preferably includes a C shaped curved hollow housing having a closed end portion and an open threaded end portion. The open end portion forms at least part of an acoustic coupling chamber. A generally funnel shaped tapered mouthpiece tapers to a small end portion sized to be inserted into a patient's mouth. The mouthpiece forms another part of the acoustic coupling chamber. An acoustic signal generator housed within the hollow housing generates and directs acoustic vibrations into and through the coupling chamber. The mouthpiece preferably includes a valve permitting a patient to breathe through the mouthpiece while at the same time coupling the acoustic coupling chamber into the patient's airways.
US08443792B2
A campfire chimney for placement over a campfire to shield nearby persons from excessive heat, smoke and burning embers. The campfire has a base comprising at least for telescoping legs to adjust the height of the chimney over the fire. The chimney has a bottom conical section for placement over the fire and a tubular top section for exhausting products of combustion. The chimney can be disassembled and can be transported conveniently by a single individual.
US08443790B2
A crossbow having a bowstring cocking winch apparatus, a cocking winch apparatus usable with a crossbow, and a method of operating the apparatus are described. The cocking winch apparatus includes a projecting alignment member having a non-round cross-sectional shape, where the alignment member is removably securable to a butt portion of a crossbow stock by inserting the alignment member into a correspondingly-shaped hole formed in the stock. The cocking winch apparatus provides a straight and balanced draw to the crossbow bowstring, enabling a user to easily cock the bowstring by rotating a handle to draw the bowstring back, and to place it in cocked position in the crossbow trigger mechanism.
US08443786B2
A fuel vapor storage canister for adsorbing fuel vapor evaporated from a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. The fuel vapor storage canister includes a casing provided with charge and purge ports at its first end and an atmospheric port at its second end. At least first and second fuel vapor adsorbent layers are respectively located near the first and second ends of the casing. In this arrangement, the first fuel vapor adsorbent layer is larger in cross-sectional area perpendicular to flow direction of fuel vapor than the second fuel vapor adsorbent layer. The first and second fuel vapor adsorbent layers respectively include first and second granular fuel vapor adsorbents. The first granular fuel vapor adsorbent has a microporous structure, while the second granular fuel vapor adsorbent has a macroporous structure.
US08443783B2
The invention relates to an internal combustion engine that can be operated with different types of liquid fuel, which includes a device that can determine the current type of liquid fuel used. The invention further relates to a method for operating such an internal combustion engine. According to the invention, at least two different paths are provided, by which the liquid fuel can reach the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine comprises a control and regulation device, controlling or regulating the use of the different paths as a function of the type of the liquid fuel that was determined.
US08443782B2
An air intake apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an intake manifold adapted for being connected to an engine head, the intake manifold including therein an intake passage through which a stream of fuel-air mixture passes and a receiving portion formed at an inner circumferential surface of the intake passage, the receiving portion being at a downstream side of stream of fuel-air mixture; a valve open/close mechanism including a cartridge made of resin, an open/close valve accommodated in the cartridge, and a shaft for rotating the open/close valve, the cartridge defining a first clearance with the receiving portion and defining a second clearance with the engine head; and a first elastic member arranged between the engine head and the cartridge of the valve opening/closing mechanism for elastically retaining the cartridge in an upstream direction of the stream of fuel-air mixture.
US08443780B2
A fuel system includes a plurality of fuel injectors each defining a nozzle supply passage, a nozzle outlet and a low pressure space. The fuel system includes a plurality of mechanically actuated pressure intensifiers each including a tappet and being positioned partially within one of the fuel injectors, and a common rail fluidly connecting with each of the fuel injectors. Each of the fuel injectors further includes an injection pressure control mechanism having an injection pressure control valve. Each injection pressure control valve blocks the corresponding pressure intensifier from the common rail and fluidly connects the pressure intensifier with the low pressure space at a first position, and fluidly connects the pressure intensifier with the common rail and blocks the pressure intensifier from the low pressure space at a second position. Injecting fuel via operating the fuel system may include operating the fuel system in a low leakage mode where the pressure intensifier displaces fuel at a low pressure, between high pressure injections.
US08443775B2
A system for controlling temperature associated with an engine is provided. The system includes a first fluid circulating system, including a first fluid pump and a heat exchanger. The engine, the first fluid pump, and the heat exchanger are in flow communication. The system also includes an electric power source. The system further includes a second fluid circulating system, including a second fluid pump and a heating element. The engine, the second fluid pump, the heat exchanger, and the heating element are in selective flow communication. The system further includes a sensor associated with the engine, the sensor configured to sense at least one parameter and to generate a signal indicative of the at least one parameter. Moreover, the system includes a controller configured to control operation of the second fluid circulating system in response to the signal, and to control the heating and cooling of the engine.
US08443773B2
Methods for improving the efficiency of internal combustion engines are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of improving the efficiency of an internal combustion engine comprises controlling the motion of an exhaust valve associated with a cylinder of the internal combustion engine. Camshafts and internal combustion engines configured for performing methods of the instant invention are also disclosed.
US08443770B2
A secondary air supplying system of an internal combustion engine includes secondary air valve chambers to control the supply of secondary air. The secondary air valve chambers are formed in a cylinder-head cover that covers a cylinder head from above. In such a secondary air supplying system, a cam shaft and a rocker-arm shaft are offset from a cylinder axis L and are disposed at respective sides of the cylinder axis L from each other. In addition, the secondary air valve chambers are formed at the rocker-arm-shaft side of the cylinder axis L. With this configuration, it is possible for the secondary air valve chambers formed in the cylinder-head cover to be disposed as close as possible to a cylinder head, and the internal combustion engine can be made more compact in size.
US08443768B2
A cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine and a method of making the same are disclosed. The cylinder liner may generally include a cylindrical body configured to receive a piston assembly. The cylindrical body may further include a main body portion configured for selective engagement with an engine bore, and an upper flange configured to support the cylindrical body within the engine bore. The cylindrical body may also define an undulating cooling gallery adjacent the upper flange. The undulating cooling gallery generally defines a single coolant flow path extending about a perimeter of the cylindrical body.
US08443757B2
A method and system for cleaning of milking systems—creates slugs of cleaning liquid in milking systems in response to the detection of the presence of cleaning liquid. The milking system includes a milk conduit (3), a liquid sensor (4) for detecting the presence of liquid in the milk conduit (3), a vacuum source (7) for applying a suction pressure to the milk conduit and cleaning equipment (12, 13) including elements supplying cleaning liquid into the milk conduit and an air injector (16) arranged to supply air into the milk conduit, the system being adapted to supply cleaning liquid into the milk conduit, apply a suction pressure to the cleaning liquid and supply air so that a liquid slug is created that flushes the milk conduit. The liquid sensor (4) is adapted to sense the presence of cleaning liquid supplied to the milk conduit, and the system is adapted to supply the air based on the detection of the presence of cleaning liquid. The sensing of the sensor (4) is also used for evaluating performance of cleaning operations.
US08443753B2
A film forming apparatus includes a processing chamber defined by walls, an application preparation room in which an applicator is temporary provided, a first carrier transporting the applicator from the application preparation room to the processing chamber, a stage on which a substrate is disposed and a maintenance part disposed adjacent to the application preparation room. A liquid is applied from the applicator onto the substrate to form a film on the substrate.
US08443744B2
A sewing machine includes a control portion that controls a thread tension adjustment portion and a feed portion such that a first stitch and a second stitch are formed alternately on a sewing object. The first stitch includes only a stitch in which an interlacing point of the upper thread and a bobbin thread is lower than a top surface of the sewing object. The second stitch includes at least one set of a first section and a second section. The first section is a section in which the interlacing point and the bobbin thread are pulled out, by the thread tension, in the first direction on the top surface of the sewing object. The second section is a section in which the bobbin thread is pulled out in the second direction, and at least part of the second section overlapping with the first section.
US08443741B2
A process for the treatment of waste, the process comprising either a gasification step or a pyrolysis step to produce an offgas and a non-airborne, solid char material; followed by a a plasma treatment step. An associated apparatus having a plasma treatment unit which is separate from the gasification unit or pyrolysis unit.
US08443731B1
A liner assembly for an explosively formed projectile device may include a reactive material liner and a primary liner configured to form into a projectile responsive to initiation of an explosive material. The reactive material liner may be configured and formulated to increase the velocity of the projectile after formation thereof. An ordnance device for generating an explosively formed projectile may include a case, an explosive material, and a reactive material liner and a primary liner configured, in combination, to form into a projectile. An explosively formed projectile may include a deformed primary liner and a deformed reactive material liner having an ignited portion increasing the velocity of the projectile. Methods of explosively forming a projectile may include explosively expelling a primary liner and a secondary liner and increasing the velocity of the projectile by combusting at least a portion of the secondary liner.
US08443727B2
A weapon and weapon system, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. In one embodiment, the weapon includes a warhead including destructive elements and a guidance section with a target sensor configured to guide the weapon to a target. The target sensor includes a front lens configured to provide a cover to protect the target sensor from an environment and a fast fresnel lens behind the front lens to provide a multi-lens focusing system for the target sensor. In a related embodiment, the weapon includes an aft section including a tail fin having a modifiable control surface area thereby changing an aspect ratio thereof.
US08443724B2
An apparatus is provided for treating a loose fibrous solid organic feedstock. The apparatus includes a reactor vessel and a compressor operable to introduce feedstock at elevated pressure into the reactor chamber. The apparatus includes means for controlling and modulating moisture level within the reactor. The apparatus includes an outflow or discharge assembly that has its own feeder or drive for packing feedstock into a discharge accumulator. The discharge accumulator feeds an outflow valve, in this case a uni-directional rotation ball valve operated by a servo motor. Discharge from the valve may be carried through a diffuser into a settling cyclone. In operation the ball valve is rotated to open and close the outflow passageway, the rate of rotation being variable in real time. The rate of rotation may be a function of the pressure or other parameters sensed in the reaction vessel, and, particularly, in the accumulator immediately upstream of the ball valve, and of proxy sensed values such as discharge feeder motor current.
US08443720B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a continuous curding machine for tofu products, designed to be capable of manufacturing clean tofu products in that it will not cause a leakage of soymilk and seams and/or wrinkles on the tofu, sanitary and simple in mechanism, easy to perform transport of tofu to following processes, and capable of forming a deep coagulation compartment so as to enable “tatedori” (taking the depth of the coagulation compartment to be the longest side of the tofu). The machine is equipped with the conveyor belt C that transports coagulating coagulant-added soymilk as well as with a concave member 10 disposed underneath the belt. The belt C is conveyed as it is shaped into concave in accordance with the form of the said concave member 10 disposed underneath, and forms a coagulating compartment 10a, 10b.
US08443712B2
A gas operating system for a firearm renders the firearm capable of firing a wide range of shot loads by passively or automatically compensating for different shot loads. The firearm includes a plurality of ports formed in the firearm barrel, and corresponding ports formed in a gas cylinder of the gas operating system. The ports tap gases generated during firing which are used to cycle the firearm. When firing different cartridge loads, differing combinations of the ports are selectively at least partially blocked or otherwise obstructed by the cartridge casing according to the size of the cartridge.
US08443704B2
Methods of fly-cutting a workpiece are disclosed, and in methods in which the position of a fly-cutting head or its associated cutting element is known as a function of time. Also disclosed are methods of forming features, such as grooves or groove segments, in a workpiece such as a cylindrical roll. The features may be provided according to one or more disclosed patterns. Articles made using tools machined in the manner described are also provided, such as polymeric film or sheeting that exhibit certain beneficial properties.
US08443703B2
Disclosed is a torque wrench with wireless transmission function, including at least one wrench body having an end to which a tool head is coupled for coupling with a tool piece, such as wrench socket, for application of torque, at least one toque-strain bar, which is coupled to the tool head of the wrench body, at least one torque sensor, which is mounted to the toque-strain bar to detect the value of the torque transmitted to the toque-strain bar, at least one angular position sensor, which is set inside the wrench body to detect a horizontal angle of the body and the tool head, at least one detection and processing circuit, which is arranged in the wrench body and connected to the torque sensor and the angular position sensor to convert detected torque and angle into digital torque and angle data for displaying or issuing an alarm and to transmit the torque and angle data in a bi-directional wireless manner, and at least one control receiver, which receives the torque and angle data from the detection and processing circuit for subsequent applications.
US08443700B2
A tong assembly is disclosed, comprising: a frame having at least a pair of posts spaced laterally from each other to receive a tong between the posts, each post extending vertically and having a lateral stabilizing surface on a side facing inward or outward; and a tong stabilized in relation to the frame by the lateral stabilizing surfaces and by each post being received by respective openings in the tong that have a cross lateral dimension sufficient to permit cross lateral movement of the tong in relation to the frame by at least one half of the cross lateral length of the lateral stabilizing surface.
US08443699B2
A torque control wrench for both a left-hand thread and a right-hand thread is disclosed. The torque control wrench includes a wrench unit having a transmission unit, a movable shaft engaged with the transmission unit, for rotating the transmission unit with external force, and a socket for receiving rotational force at a rotation speed changed by the transmission unit and tightening or loosening a bolt with the received rotational force, a handle for generating the rotational force with which the socket tightens or loosens the bolt, and a torque controller between the wrench unit and the handle, for controlling a torque applied from the handle to the socket, including a clutch for rotating along with rotation of the handle and thus rotating the movable shaft and, if a torque equal to or greater than a preset torque value is applied, rotating idly, and a clutch torque controller for controlling the torque applied from the handle to the clutch.
US08443697B2
A shifter designed to actuate a gear change device of a bicycle by pulling and releasing a control cable. The shifter includes a base plate mountable to the bicycle, a cable spool and cable-pull and cable-release lever assemblies. The cable spool is rotated in a cable-pull direction to wind the control cable thereon and in a cable-release direction to unwind the control cable therefrom. The cable-pull and cable-release lever assemblies are operatively connected to the cable spool to rotate the cable spool in the cable-pull and cable-release directions, respectively. The cable-pull lever assembly includes a cable-pull lever rotated about a first axis and at least two winding pawls received by and rotating with the cable-pull lever about the first axis to transmit rotational movement of the cable-pull lever to the cable spool.
US08443696B2
The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, having a device for absorbing energy in the case of a crash. Such a steering column should be disclosed which is built in a structurally simple manner, produced with few individual components, and requiring no more space in the radial direction than does a steering column which does not have an energy absorption device. Therefore, an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle is suggested, comprising a) a steering shaft which is rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis thereof in an operating element, said operating element having at least one first resistance element; b) a holding element having at least one wall surface, wherein the operating element in the assembled state of the steering column is arranged to be axially guided and displaceable, at least in the case of a crash, inside the holding element, and the first resistance element of the operating element is associated with the wall surface; c) wherein the at least one wall surface of the holding element comprises a crash element which projects in the direction of the operating element, and said crash element can itself be deformed by the operating element and the relative displacement during a crash between the operating element and the holding element, while dissipating energy, and/or the wall surface of the holding element deforms while dissipating energy.
US08443692B2
A steerable multi-linked device may include a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. At least one of the first multi-linked mechanism and the second multi-linked mechanism may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links and a reinforcing member. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link, and the reinforcing member may extend from a first end of a third one of the intermediate links toward a second end of the third one of the intermediate links.
US08443691B2
A vehicle reversing apparatus includes a reverse drive gear, a reverse gear, a shifter gear, a shifter gear slide mechanism, and lost motion mechanism. The reverse drive gear is configured to rotate by a starter motor or an internal combustion engine, and the reverse gear is configured to reverse the vehicle. The shifter gear is configured to be mounted circumferentially rotatably relative to a reverse shaft and to transmit rotation of the reverse drive gear to the reverse gear. The shifter gear slide mechanism is configured to slide the shifter gear through rotation of a shifter motor to enable the shifter gear to engage the reverse drive gear and the reverse gear. The lost motion mechanism is configured to coaxially connect a rotation shaft of the shifter motor and the reverse shaft to each other.
US08443690B2
A speed reduction device for a power seat includes a worm gear, a helical gear, a casing including a casing body and a casing cover, and a motor fixation device. The motor fixation device includes a first fitting portion provided at a housing, a first engagement portion formed at the first fitting portion, a second fitting portion formed at the casing body and to which the first fitting portion is fitted, a second engagement portion formed at the second fitting portion and arranged to overlap the first engagement portion in a direction perpendicular to the output shaft of the motor in a case where the first fitting portion is fitted to the second fitting portion, and an engagement projection formed at the casing cover and engaging with the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion in a case where the casing cover is tightened to the casing body.
US08443682B2
A rotational cup anemometer with an improved design for the cups is herein disclosed. The anemometer has a rotational assembly with essentially identical cups. Each cup is asymmetric to the plane of rotation. Each cup has a central axis parallel to the plane of rotation. Each cup is asymmetric to the central axis of the cup. Each cup may have a lower surface extension that provides a lifting surface, contributes to an upward force as the rotational assembly is rotated or affects presented frontal area at wind angles. A rotation rate of the rotational assembly as a function of wind angle is closer to the ideal cosine curve as compared to a standard anemometer, for a range of wind angles. Rotating the rotational assembly in a wind parallel to the plane of rotation produces a net upward force on the cups that offsets the weight of the rotational assembly.
US08443676B2
Disclosed is a pressure sensor, especially for measuring pressures exceeding 100 bar, with a diaphragm (1, 1′) that can be deflected and/or deformed as a result of pressurization. It has an enclosed hollow volume (6) that is disposed below the diaphragm and in particular is at least partly filled with a gas or a mixture of gas. A supporting frame (2) for the diaphragm sealingly closes the periphery of the diaphragm relative to a base member (3), and at least one pressure transducer converts the deflection and/or deformation of the diaphragm into at least one electric quantity. It uses a capacitive, piezoresistive or any other principle or at least one strain measuring strip, in which case the pressure sensor is sealingly encapsulated on all sides and has no electric contacts or lines leading to the outside.
US08443674B2
The invention relates to an ultrasound inspection device for the inspection of tubular workpieces, where the ultrasound inspection device can be coupled to the workpiece by means of a fluid medium, the workpiece and the ultrasound inspection device can be moved relative to each other, a transducer unit substantially disposed in a cluster housing is provided, where the cluster housing includes a wear sole which is adapted to the respective diameter of the workpiece and which can be placed on an outer lateral surface of the workpiece and is configured such that a chamber forms between the workpiece and the transducer unit, at least one fluid inlet channel, which, with a fluid inlet opening, opens into the chamber, at least one fluid outlet channel for venting and draining the chamber, which opens into the chamber where the mouth of the fluid outlet channel and the fluid outlet channel are configured and disposed such that a filling process of the chamber and of the fluid outlet channel can be carried out starting on the outer lateral surface of the workpiece, and then in a rising manner.
US08443671B2
A micromechanical structure includes: a substrate; a seismic mass movable relative to the substrate along a first direction parallel to a main plane of extension of the substrate; a first electrode structure is connected to the substrate; and a second electrode structure connected to the substrate. The seismic mass includes a counterelectrode structure having finger electrodes situated between first finger electrodes of the first electrode structure and second finger electrodes of the second electrode structure, along the first direction. The first electrode structure is fastened to the substrate by a first anchoring element in a central region of the micromechanical structure, and the second electrode structure is anchored to the substrate by a second anchoring element situated in the central region.
US08443655B2
A method of controlling fuel composition learning includes steps of monitoring changes in airflow within an engine to determine steady state conditions. The method further includes steps of initiating a fuel composition learning process during steady state conditions. A current fuel component concentration factor is updated using a temporary fuel component concentration factor. The temporary fuel component concentration factor is calculated as the average of an air/fuel correction factor. Once the current fuel component concentration factor is updated, the temporary fuel component concentration factor is reset. The air/fuel correction factor is reset to reflect any difference that existed between the temporary fuel component concentration factor and the air/fuel correction factor at the update time.
US08443644B2
A rotary-draw bending die with eccentric clamping for bending elongate workpieces such as pipes, wires, profile strands, etc. The die having a twistable bending mandrel, and an associated clamp die. The clamp die can be moved relative to the bending mandrel and brought from an opened position remote from the bending mandrel. A workpiece to be bent can be inserted between the bending mandrel and clamp die to a clamping position on the bending mandrel or vice-versa and is freely twistable about a swivel axis which is offset eccentrically in relation to the rotational axis of the bending mandrel. The swivel axis is disposed on a rotary plate which is rotatable relative to the bending mandrel. The clamp die is freely twistable about the swivel axis and can be moved between its clamping position and its opened position by twisting the rotary plate relative to the bending mandrel.
US08443640B2
Deadbolt locking devices for preventing a deadbolt from being unlocked from the outside are provided. The deadbolt locking devices may include a connecting assembly, for engaging a door knob to provide leverage to resist turning of the handle of the deadbolt, and a housing member for engaging the handle of the deadbolt when in a locked position. The deadbolt locking devices can accommodate various configurations of door hardware without sacrificing convenience of use and without sacrificing confidence in its correct placement. Various configurations of door hardware can include the position of the deadbolt knob in relation to the door knob, the angular position of the handle of the deadbolt when it is in the locked position, whether the door is hinged on the left or right side and whether the deadbolt knob turns clockwise or counter-clockwise to lock the door.
US08443633B1
A transfer apparatus for transferring a stocking from a knitting machine to a stitching apparatus to close an open-end of the stocking includes strip and transfer members. The knitting machine includes a needle having a hook for forming a loop at the open-end of the stocking, and a latch to move to or away from the hook. The strip member is movable axially upward and downward and radially towards and away from the needle, and is capable of contacting the loop on the needle to push the loop toward or away from the hook. The transfer member is disposed horizontally above the strip member, is movable axially upward and downward and radially toward and away from the needle, and includes a tip region for receiving the loop from the hook when the strip member pushes the loop to the hook.
US08443631B2
A method of making an optical fiber includes the steps of: providing an optical fiber preform; heating an end portion of the optical fiber preform so as to obtain a softened preform end portion; drawing the softened preform end portion to form the optical fiber; applying to the optical fiber a substantially sinusoidal spin having a spin amplitude and a spin period, the substantially sinusoidal spin being transmitted to the softened preform end portion, and determining an actual spin amplitude applied to the fiber, wherein the actual spin amplitude is the spin amplitude applied in correspondence to the softened preform end portion. The spin amplitude and spin period of the substantially sinusoidal spin are selected in such a way that a ratio of the actual spin amplitude to the spin period is in the range of approximately 0.8 to approximately 1.4 turns/m2.
US08443626B2
Disclosed are methods and devices for attaching an ornamental feature to flesh plugs, flesh tubes, flesh piecing posts and rings, and other piecing jewelry.
US08443623B2
A phase change device for controlling temperature within a confined environment, comprising a foam material, a phase change material, the phase change material being absorbed into the foam, and a protective covering encasing the foam material/phase change material. A method for making a phase change device for controlling temperature within a confined environment, comprising providing a phase change material, providing a foam material, absorbing the phase change material into the foam material, and sealing the foam material/phase change material within a protective covering.
US08443620B2
An ice tray assembly for a refrigerator is provided. The ice tray assembly is installed in a door of a refrigerator. The ice tray assembly allows water to be supplied from a water container to an ice tray only when the door is closed. To this end, the ice tray assembly includes a valve for opening and closing a channel through which the water is supplied from the water container to the ice tray which is operated in cooperation with the operation of the door. An inner space of a refrigerator main body and corresponding storage space is increased since the ice tray assembly is installed in the door. Further, because water fed from the water container to the ice tray is controlled according to the operation of the door, water is not spilt from the ice tray when the door is operated.
US08443619B2
An ice making unit and a refrigerator having the same are disclosed. The refrigerator includes an ice making unit to make ice pieces. The ice making unit includes a plurality of ice making trays to form ice pieces, a lever part connected to the ice making trays to simultaneously rotate the ice making trays, and a stopper to prevent one of a pair of rotating shafts of each of the ice making trays from being rotated at a predetermined angle or more so that the ice making trays get twisted when the ice making trays are rotated. Accordingly, ice pieces can be separated from the ice making trays by operation of a single lever.
US08443607B2
An air/fuel premixer comprising a peripheral wall defining a mixing chamber, a nozzle disposed at least partially within the peripheral wall comprising an outer annular wall spaced from the peripheral wall so as to define an outer air passage between the peripheral wall and the outer annular wall, an inner annular wall disposed at least partially within and spaced from the outer annular wall, so as to define an inner air passage, and at least one fuel gas annulus between the outer annular wall and the inner annular wall, the at least one fuel gas annulus defining at least one fuel gas passage, at least one air inlet for introducing air through the inner air passage and the outer air passage to the mixing chamber, and at least one fuel inlet for injecting fuel through the fuel gas passage to the mixing chamber to form an air/fuel mixture.
US08443604B2
A memory alloy spring engine includes a spring (1) made from a memory alloy, a driving stem (6) and a heat resource. The memory spring (1) is connected to the driving stem (6) and configured to move the driving stem (6) when being compressed and deformed by an external force, to restore to an original shape after being compressed and then heated, and to move the driving stem (6) again after being cooled and then compressed and deformed again so as to move the driving stem (6) up and down along therewith in continuous repeating cycles. The memory spring is equipped with a polyhedral glass ball (3), the polyhedral glass ball (3) is configured to collect sunlight from different angles and to conduct solar heat to the memory spring (1) so that the memory spring is heated and thereby restored to the original shape. The engine may utilize natural heat energy (solar energy or geo-heat) and combustible fuel alone or in combination to generate electricity according to different locations or different times.
US08443602B2
An exhaust aftertreatment system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust manifold that is configured for fluid communication with an exhaust port to receive an exhaust gas flow. It also includes a primary turbocharger having a turbine inlet configured for fluid communication with the exhaust manifold to receive the exhaust gas flow and pass it to an outlet. It also includes an exhaust bypass valve that is operable for movement between an open position and a closed position, the exhaust bypass valve having an inlet that is configured for fluid communication with the exhaust manifold in the open position to receive the exhaust gas flow and pass it to an outlet. Still further, it includes an exhaust aftertreatment device configured for thermal communication with the exhaust manifold, the device having an inlet configured for fluid communication with the turbine and bypass outlets to receive the exhaust gas flows therefrom.
US08443595B2
In a structure of an additive-agent diffusion plate in an exhaust passage, the exhaust passage is an exhaust passage for an engine. The additive-agent diffusion plate includes a plurality of collision portions; and a plurality of communication portions that allow exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust passage to flow from an area upstream of the additive-agent diffusion plate to an area downstream of the additive-agent diffusion plate in an exhaust-gas flow direction. The additive-agent diffusion plate diffuses an additive agent injected into the exhaust passage, at a position upstream of an exhaust gas purification device, which is disposed in the exhaust passage, in the exhaust-gas flow direction. Each of the collision portions protrudes toward an upstream side in the exhaust-gas flow direction, and a cross section of each of the collision portions increases from the upstream side toward a downstream side of the exhaust-gas flow direction.
US08443594B2
A method of controlling the temperature of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) in an exhaust system of an engine is provided. The method includes determining the temperature of the heated side of the TEG, determining exhaust gas flow rate through the TEG, and determining the exhaust gas temperature through the TEG. A rate of change in temperature of the heated side of the TEG is predicted based on the determined temperature, the determined exhaust gas flow rate, and the determined exhaust gas temperature through the TEG. Using the predicted rate of change of temperature of the heated side, exhaust gas flow rate through the TEG is calculated that will result in a maximum temperature of the heated side of the TEG less than a predetermined critical temperature given the predicted rate of change in temperature of the heated side of the TEG. A corresponding apparatus is provided.
US08443586B2
A variable area fan nozzle for a high-bypass gas turbine engine includes a first track slider movable relative to the hinge beam along a first interface. A second track slider is movable relative to the first track slider along a second interface that includes a bearing assembly. A VAFN cowl is mounted to the second track slider.
US08443580B2
A pickup for a combine-towed baler. In one embodiment, crop material such as the residue or material other than grain (MOG) from the back of the combine is directly projected toward a target on a baler collection device. A tailboard with deflection panels may be used to alter the direction of the crop residue from the combine. The tongue of the baler is configured to not obstruct the crop material as the crop material is projected toward the baler. One or more knives of a chopper coupled to the combine may be configured to optimally project MOG toward the baler. Also, the stuffer chute of the baler may be configured to facilitate the flow of crop material such as MOG and therefore minimize obstructions. The crop material is transferred from the combine to the baler without the use of a conveyor.
US08443577B2
A portable device that can be taken to the site of biological remains is provided. The device includes means for holding and dispensing one or more types of sealable shielding elements within which to seal remains. The device also includes means to temporarily hold the remains while the sealable shielding elements are placed about the remains and sealed. The device includes means to hold one or more rolls of one or more types of sealable shielding materials to first protect the user and the shielding elements from sharps and then seal, including heat sealing, the body and/or toxic or caustic elements from the population before disposal.
US08443564B2
A clip for a suspended ceiling grid to join a pair of grid runners intersecting a third grid runner from opposite sides of the third grid runner, the clip being bendable sheet metal symmetrical about a vertical plane, having a saddle portion with a seat and generally planar flaps depending from opposite sides of the seat, including a pair of generally planar wings each cantilevered from a respective one of the flaps; the seat width corresponding to a hollow reinforcing bulb of a grid runner, the flaps extend over the sides of the reinforcing bulb and web of the third grid runner, a flap and wing joined at a vertical bend line, weaker than each adjacent area of the flap and wing whereby the wing can be manually bent to a desired angle relative to the flap.
US08443558B2
A support system for a solar panel comprises a plurality of legs configured to receive multiple solar panels. The legs each comprise a base, a plurality of shafts, and a support precipice. The support precipice is divided into two sides by a t-bar. The first side comprises a guiding wing to effectuate modular assembly of the support system. The second side comprises a beveled edge to effectuate secure coupling of a solar panel. The system is able to be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools or implements. The system is also movable.
US08443554B1
A variable size sill pan can be adapted to various widths, lengths, and heights of framed door or window openings. The sill pan assembly includes an extruded base which is typically inclined, window or door supports which can be extruded as part of the base unit, and molded corner elements. Grooves are provided on the front flange of the sill pan base to permit the front flange to be cut to a desired length. Grooves are provided on the rear sill pan wall permit the rear sill pan wall to be cut to a desired length. Grooves or markings are provided on a base and on end cap sections to permit the pieces to the cut to a desired width. An assembled sill pan is formed by attaching the adjusted pieces together, or by snapping and gluing the adjusted pieces together.
US08443553B1
A closure assembly includes a panel that defines an opening. A handle includes a grab bar that is moveable from a retracted position through the opening into an extended position. A cover is coupled to and moveable with the handle. The cover is disposed within the opening and flush with the exterior surface of the panel when in a closed position. When the handle moves from the retracted position into the extended position, the cover moves out of the closed position to allow the handle to pass through the opening. When the handle moves from the extended position into the retracted position, the cover moves into the closed position to close the opening. A closeout is coupled to and moveable with the handle. The closeout moves into an exposed position as the handle moves into the extended position to conceal the remainder of the opening not occupied by the handle.
US08443551B2
A sliding door with a door leaf, which is suspended from two carriages and displaceably guided along a roller rail profile, which is disposed at a wall or at a ceiling, the sliding door having at least one closing device, which is suitable to displace the decelerated door leaf into a closed position. The at least one carriage has a carrier, at or in which the closing device is disposed.
US08443550B1
According to the invention, a window guard having telescoping horizontal bars that have a predetermined minimum overlap of the telescoping bars which cannot be easily overridden by the window guard installer is provided. Such a device can reliably withstand a predetermined pressure when the window guard is extended to its maximum width.
US08443549B2
A door assembly includes a track, a track header, a fixed door panel, at least two sliding door panels, a pivot mechanism, and a lock arrangement. The sliding door panels are slidably movable on the track between (1) a closed position wherein the sliding door panels are extended across the track, and (2) an open position wherein the sliding door panels are constructed and arranged to be in a compact, overlapping relationship with each other and the fixed door panel. The pivot mechanism is constructed and arranged to enable pivotal movement of the track with fixed door panel and the two sliding door panels mounted thereon about a pivot axis from a normal configuration to a breakaway configuration. The lock arrangement is constructed and arranged to releasably lock the track with respect to the track header to prevent pivotal movement of the track away from the normal configuration.
US08443545B2
An automated system for sampling seeds includes a seed loading station for separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds held in a seed hopper, an imaging station configured to receive the separated seeds from the seed loading station and collect image data of the received seeds, and a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue samples from the seeds after the image data of the seeds is collected. And, an automated method for sampling seeds includes separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds, imaging the separated seeds, and removing tissue samples from the imaged seeds.
US08443544B2
A process for the germination and/or modulation of plant development by subjecting plants to simulated hypergravity conditions as a way of increasing efficiency and speed of plant development and/or germination.
US08443542B1
Apparatus and method for a firing pin sight system. At least one rearwardly facing sight is located at a rear contact surface of a firing pin of a firearm. The at least one rearwardly facing sight is viewable to a shooter from the rear of the firearm. The at least one rearwardly facing sight forms a high contrast surface (in respect the rear surface of the firearm) allowing the shooter to align the at least one rearwardly facing sight point with a target located in front of said firearm. An optical alignment signaling indicia indicates to the shooter when the aim line of the handgun is either off-sight alignment or on-sight alignment.
US08443538B1
Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a rear pistol handle on a rifle with a rapidly extendable and height adjustable monopod for enhancing stability and shot accuracy, where the monopod is retracted and concealed inside the rear grip handle when not used, and supports and stabilizes the firearm when the monopod is extended. A spring biased button can be depressed to allow for springs on top of retracted telescoping cylinders to spread apart and extend out from beneath a grip handle on the rifle. The invention can be used to create a triangulation configuration effect when used with a forward bipod, such as a forward grip bipod.
US08443536B1
A dual stage trigger assembly for a firearm. The trigger assembly comprises a spring loaded lightweight hammer, a spring loaded trigger, a spring loaded disconnector, a spring follower for the disconnector spring and two adjustment screws that allow the user the ability to adjust the sear face of the trigger that is engaged with the hammer in the cocked position and adjust the force imparted to the disconnector by the disconnector spring.
US08443532B2
Steam irons with a steam valve that is controlled by an intuitively operated, usually pivotable handle may not provide consistent steam ironing behavior due to the fact that the force exerted on the handle by the user may change over time. To overcome or mitigate the problem, the present invention provides a steam iron (1), comprising a by-pass (9) around the handle-operated valve (7). The by-pass allows a relatively small but continuous water stream to be transported from a water reservoir (6) to steam outlet openings (12) in the soleplate (11) of the iron. Consequently, subject to an ample supply of water, the steam iron provides a minimum of steam ironing comfort throughout a steam ironing session.
US08443528B2
A bottomless rainproof shoe cover assembly includes a shoe cover and a fixture. The shoe cover is formed into one body by injection molding. One side of the shoe cover is provided with a lateral opening. Fastening tapes are provided on both sides of the lateral opening. The lower periphery of the shoe cover is provided with protrusions. The top surface of the shoe cover is provided with protrusions to form a fixing trough. Both sides of the fixing trough are provided with a positioning hole. The fixture is positioned in the fixing trough for keeping the shoe cover in shape. The present invention provides a greater degree of coverage and convenience in use. Further, the manufacturing process, the amount of materials and the cost are reduced.
US08443524B2
A device for determining level of a surface, the device comprising a plurality of level vials configured to indicate orientation of the device, the plurality of level vials disposed at distinct locations on the device. The device including a radius bottom formed in an object contact surface at substantially the latitudinal center of the contact surface and extending longitudinally the length of the surface. The device further including a joint recess disposed centrally along the longitudinal axis of the device and extending latitudinally across the device. The device also includes one or more user controllable light sources coupled to the plurality of level vials for illuminating the level vials.
US08443522B2
Pocket safety cutter devices include ergonomic blade housing and handle portions adapted to be safely folded together into compact closed configurations.
US08443519B2
Supported blades for use in shaving systems are disclosed. The supported blades include a blade support having a surface that is coated with aluminum. The aluminum coating is on a portion of an outer surface of the blade support or on the lower surface of the blade support or covering the entire lower surface of the blade support. The aluminum coating is less than 5 μm thick and is made of substantially pure aluminum. By providing aluminum coating, corrosion is prevented without the need for aluminum clips. The supported blades may be mounted in a blade unit housing without clips within a cartridge which can be mounted on a detachable or permanent handle of a shaving razor.
US08443518B2
An opener for a blister package or for cutting of other planar material is disclosed. A cutter pair is provided adjacent an engagement area. When blister package layers are fed into the engagement area, the cutter pair including a top cutter and bottom cutter rotate to feed the package material through the engagement area. The cutters are closer together than a thickness of the package. At least one of the cutters includes a knife thereon to cause cutting of the material as it is fed between the cutter pair. A handle is provided supporting a head which has the cutter pair thereon. A motor provides power to cause rotation of the cutter pair through a gear set. A hand crank is also provided which can separately deliver power to the gear set to cause the cutters to rotate.
US08443512B2
The present invention provides a small electric blind rivet setting device that is capable of being driven by a battery and that does not require a pathway for recovering the broken mandrels to be provided in the motor shaft. A recovery container 10 is provided in a tool housing 27 forward of an electric motor 13 in the axial direction, and a spindle 14, which rotates because of the rotation of a drive shaft 18 connected to the electric motor circumventing the recovery container, is connected so as to move a pulling head (30) in the axial direction. The positive rotation, stopping of rotation and reverse rotation of the electric motor are controlled by a pulling operation on a trigger and detecting the position of the pulling head in the axial direction.
US08443508B2
A punch down tool, a receiver for a punch down tool, and a work end adapter for a punch down tool, for terminating electrical conductors and turning fasteners, are disclosed. The work end adapter is adapted to receive standard tool bits and standard finned shaft tips. The punch down tool is adapted to receive standard blades and to receive the work end adapter. When installed in the punch down tool, the work end adapter rotates only with the punch down tool, and will not rotate independently of the punch down tool. The punch down tool has an impact mechanism and a lock-out button to prevent the tool's impact mechanism from operating.
US08443505B2
A wiper arm assembly and method of assembly thereof includes a mounting head and a wiper arm configured for relative rotation during assembly from a disassembled position to a shipping position, wherein the wiper arm and mounting head are locked against rotation toward the disassembled position once in the shipping position. The mounting head and wiper arm have locking surfaces configured for locked engagement with one another while in the shipping position. The locking surfaces are brought into engagement with one another by a force imparted by a spring while rotating the mounting head relative to the wiper arm from the disassembled position toward the shipping position. When in the shipping position, the locking surfaces confront each other and prevent the mounting head and the wiper arm from rotating back toward the disassembled position from the shipping position.
US08443485B2
A vacuum electronic power tool sense system senses the operation of a power tool that is plugged into an auxiliary outlet box and the vacuum source is automatically operated to facilitate user clean-up of debris generated by use of the power tool. The auxiliary outlet box can be removably mounted to the vacuum housing.
US08443482B2
Wiper blade materials and methods for forming the same. The wiper blade materials are graphene-polymer composites that have a low coefficient of friction. In forming the grapheme-polymer composites, a relatively small amount of graphene filler is well-dispersed within the polymer and the graphene filler and the polymer favorably interact with one another.
US08443479B2
A multi-positionable manual toothbrush includes a toothbrush body, a toothbrush head, and a spring capable of engaging the toothbrush head at a plurality of angles with respect to the toothbrush body.
US08443476B2
An electric toothbrush with a removable brush section having a transponder communicating with a handle portion of the toothbrush via a non-contacting inductive coupling.
US08443474B2
Example dock levelers installed at a vehicle loading dock include pivotal or otherwise vertically adjustable deck plates with special coatings on the deck's upper surface. In some examples, the coating improves traction and addresses various thermal issues, such as condensation and thermal strain between a polymeric coating and a steel deck plate. In some examples, when indoor and outdoor air create a temperature differential across opposite faces of the deck, the coating is designed such that a median temperature of the temperature differential occurs near an interface where the coating bonds to the steel plate's upper surface. In some examples, the coating includes particles of different sizes and colors embedded within and covered by a polymeric base material. As traffic abrades the coating, the different colored particles become exposed at different levels of wear, thereby providing a visual signal indicating when the coating needs to be touched up or replaced.
US08443470B2
The bathtub safety gate is a two-piece door fabricated from molded plastic and positioned to cover the front or entry of the bathtub. The door parts are mounted for hinged or swinging movement on the end walls of the tub. Overlapping members are provided at the mating ends of the doors to permit a degree of adjustability. Pins or other fastening devices are contemplated for locking the doors in closed position when not in use.
US08443464B2
One possible embodiment of the invention could be a wader retention system comprising of a front leg securing portion and a back leg securing portion, the front leg securing portion attaches to an interior wall of a wader; the back leg securing portion comprises a belt, the belt having two ends, a first end permanently connects to the first leg securing portion while a second end adjustably and reversibly connects to the front leg securing portion to allow the two portions to form a leg channel through which at least a portion of an operator's leg and foot may be reversibly pass though when inserted into the wader; wherein the placement of the belt upon the front leg securing portion adjusts the circumference of the leg channel to allow the portions to reversibly and securely envelope a leg of an operator as located within the leg channel.
US08443463B2
Evaporative cooling clothing system for reducing body temperature of a wearer of the clothing system
The present invention discloses an evaporative cooling clothing system for reducing body temperature of a wearer of the clothing system. The clothing system includes a clothing article configured using a wicking fabric and a hollow transport defining a cavity for transporting a liquid from a liquid reservoir to an upper region of the clothing article. The hollow transport has an intake section and a dispensing section. The intake section is attached to the liquid reservoir for receiving the liquid, and the dispensing section is attached to the upper region of the clothing article. The upper region of the clothing article receives the liquid from the dispensing section and transfers the liquid to a lower region of the clothing article. The lower region of the clothing article exposes the liquid to an environment surrounding the clothing article for evaporation.
US08448258B2
An embodiment of the invention includes a method and system for content management. More specifically, the system includes a user interface for receiving content from a user and a data repository connected to the user interface for storing the content. The user interface also receives a request to access the content from the user. A program processor is connected to the data repository, wherein the program processor determines whether the content includes a security classification. A communications module is connected to the program processor, wherein the communications module sends an alert to the user interface when the content does not include a security classification. The alert includes a request to assign a security classification to the content.
US08448248B2
An apparatus and method of diagnosing whether a program executed in a computer system is malware and repairing the computer system infected by malware. The apparatus includes a receiving unit which receives a first behavior vector for the malware from a malware control server; a determination unit which determines whether a diagnostic target program corresponds to malware based on the received first behavior vector and a second behavior vector for the diagnostic target program; and a repair unit which repairs the computer system based on a result of the determination.A behavior of a computer program executed in the computer system may be modeled in real time.
US08448236B1
A system, method, and device optionally includes a server that is isolated from open networks which assigns secure random socket connections, e.g., communication ports that have randomly selected addresses that are hidden from accessing devices. Optionally, the secure random socket connections are dynamically assigned, i.e., the secure random socket connections are closed and opened with each command to access data secured by the server.
US08448228B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for separating authorization identity from policy enforcement identity. Embodiments of the invention extend the consumption phase for protected information. Two identities, an authorization identity and a policy enforcement identity, are used for acquiring, issuing and enforcing usage license instead of one identity certificate. The authorization identity is used to evaluate against usage policy. The authorization identity is similar to identification information in an identity certificate. The policy enforcement identity is used to ensure the confidentiality of granted permissions and content key. The policy enforcement identity enforces a usage license on an authorization principal's (e.g., recipient's) machine. The policy enforcement identity's enforcement of a usage license is similar use of a cryptographic key in an identity certificate.
US08448224B2
Analyzing network access requests includes: receiving an access request for service from a user; updating a frequency of access requests associated with the user; receiving an analysis result based at least in part on the access request; determining whether the frequency of access exceeds a predetermined frequency; in the event that the frequency of access does not exceed the predetermined frequency, allowing the access request; and in the event that the frequency of access is greater than the predetermined frequency, determining whether to intercept the access request from the user based at least in part on the analysis result.
US08448223B2
A security management program stored in a computer-readable recording medium causes a computer to perform the following steps (1) to (4). (1) A security manager authenticates an authentication target with a prepared authentication method in response to a login request from the authentication target. (2) An application execution unit outputs an authentication request in response to an application execution request which is output from the security manager after the authentication succeeds. (3) A database access unit authenticates the authentication target with the authentication method in response to the authentication request. (4) In response to a database access request from the application execution unit, the database access unit accesses a database in a portable terminal device depending on the authentication performed by the database access unit.
US08448220B2
Various embodiments include a system comprising an interface coupled to a computer network, the interface operable to provide a merge rule wizard operable to generate one or more displayable dialog boxes that include selectable criteria for merging a plurality of sets of security rules into a single security rule base.
US08448219B2
Methods and apparatus involve securely hosting workloads. Broadly, computing workloads are classified according to security concerns and those with common concerns are deployed together on common hardware platforms. In one instance, security tags are bi-modally attached or not to workloads meeting a predetermined security threshold. Those with tags are deployed on a common machine while those without tags are deployed on other machines. Tags may be embedded in meta data of open virtual machine formats (OVF). Considerations for re-booting computing devices are also contemplated as are multiplexing workloads. Computer program products are further disclosed.
US08448216B2
Policies are orchestrated in a service model of service-oriented architecture system, wherein the service model includes at least a plurality of service components and dependency relationships among the plurality of service components, and at least one of the plurality of service components is subject to specified policies. Vertical policy orchestration is performed on each of the plurality of service components in the service model to obtain the effective policies of the service component. Horizontal policy orchestration is performed on an application domain basis to obtain the effective policies of the plurality of service components in each application domain.
US08448215B2
An interactive television program guide system with digital storage is provided. The program guide gives users the ability to store information associated with recorded programs in a directory in the digital storage device thereby providing easy access to program information. The program guide may also provide a global media library for indicating the programs stored on removable storage media used with the program guide. The guide may also allow the user to manage and maintain a user media library to do the same. Non-time-sensitive data associated with recorded programs may be stored in a way that allows the user to interact with the data on playback as if the program were being originally aired. The program guide also allows the user to define “super-programs” for playback of a sequence of stored programs or program segments.
US08448212B2
Provided are apparatuses and methods in a digital broadcast transmission system for receiving, processing and rendering transmitted content. A digital receiver capable of receiving and rendering both DVB-H and DVB-T signals may include a coupling means for connecting to another terminal for receiving program data or parameters. The digital receiver may reconfigure one or more components in order to handle the differing signal types. Such a receiver system allows a user to move seamlessly from a mobile device to a stationary device without significant effort and time. The receiver may further use transmission streams of varying priority to enhance and otherwise modify the displayed content according to a user's selection. Users with small display screens or poor eyesight may benefit from such enhancements features.
US08448207B2
An apparatus for providing an interactive service during a broadcast service includes a transmitting element and a processing element. The transmitting element is capable of communicating broadcast content of the broadcast service to a plurality of receiving terminals. The processing element is configured to at least partially control the transmitting element. The processing element is configured to communicate with a network device in order to request a program specific group for communication of the interactive service to a receiving terminal that is a member of the program specific group. The interactive service is communicated to the receiving terminal that is a member of the program specific group with reception of the broadcast service. The content associated with the interactive service originates from the receiving terminals.
US08448203B2
A disk device includes a disk rotation driving unit 7 provided movably in the direction of the Y axis to a chassis 10 and immovably in the direction of the X axis thereto, a guide rail 1 supported parallel to the X axis by the chassis, and an optical pickup 2 supported by the guide rail 1 and reciprocating in a radial direction of a disk which is rotation-driven by the disk rotation driving unit 7, wherein a positioning part 8 performing the positioning of a rotation center of the disk rotation driving unit 7 by making contact with a rotor unit 7a of the disk rotation driving unit 7 is provided on the optical pickup 2.
US08448201B2
An integrated disk driving module is disclosed, the module including a base unit including an opening-formed upper plate, a lateral surface plate bent from an edge of the upper plate to form an accommodation space, and a stepping motor fixture bent from the upper plate toward the accommodation space, wherein the stepping motor fixture is integrally formed with the upper plate; and a stepping motor including a lead screw and a pivot member arranged at a distal end of the lead screw and coupled to the stepping motor fixture, and wherein the stepping motor fixture is formed with an insertion groove into which the pivot member is secured, where width of the insertion groove is larger than a diameter of the pivot member.
US08448191B2
This invention lightens a burden in development by using a generic device driver and also lightens a burden on a user by automatically performing customization suitable for a model to be installed. A client PC acquires AA from an image forming apparatus as its type ID. A generic device driver to be used is determined by extracting, from the type ID, a series ID determined by the interface. In addition, based on the value of a group ID representing a function group, the generic device driver is reconfigured and installed in accordance with the functions of the image forming apparatus.
US08448190B2
The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for predictively downloading background assets with file-not-present tolerance in a virtual world application. According to one aspect for high reliability downloading of background assets using a manifest in a virtual world application, the method includes compiling a manifest of assets potentially needed for execution by a first instance of a virtual world application (VWA), wherein each of the assets is associated with a priority. Using the manifest and while executing the VWA, assets listed in the manifest are downloaded based on the priorities indicated in the manifest. The VWA is executed for displaying a virtual world by loading at least a subset of the assets listed in the manifest.
US08448183B2
A system for interfacing data between at least a first and a second software program, the system hosting the execution of the software programs and each software program respectively executing computer instruction code, the system including: a computing device operable by a user and with which the user submits authentication data, the computing device indicating the grant of access to the user of the first and second software programs upon independent verification of the user's credentials by the first and second software programs where verification is required; a first selector operable by the user to select data available to the first software program; a second selector operable by the user to initiate a first browser and causing the first browser to post the selected data; a receiver enabling the second software program to receive and process the posted selected data; and transmitter enabling the second software program to return the processed data to a second browser in a form readily receivable by the second browser.
US08448180B2
A distributed task system has a task transaction server and at least one task server. Instead of being merely passively called by the task transaction server for executing a task, the task server performs self-balancing according to task execution conditions and operation conditions of the task server. The task transaction server receives task requests from the task server, records the execution conditions, and provides feedback to the task server, and the task server executes the task according to the received feedback and the operation conditions of the task server. The task transaction server may determine if the task server can execute the task according to the execution conditions of the task, and feedback to the task server. A self-balancing unit of the task server may further determine whether the task server is busy, and if not busy, trigger a task execution unit of the task server to execute the task.
US08448178B2
Systems and methods are provided that schedule task requests within a computing system based upon the history of task requests. The history of task requests can be represented by a historical log that monitors the receipt of high priority task request submissions over time. This historical log in combination with other user defined scheduling rules is used to schedule the task requests. Task requests in the computer system are maintained in a list that can be divided into a hierarchy of queues differentiated by the level of priority associated with the task requests contained within that queue. The user-defined scheduling rules give scheduling priority to the higher priority task requests, and the historical log is used to predict subsequent submissions of high priority task requests so that lower priority task requests that would interfere with the higher priority task requests will be delayed or will not be scheduled for processing.
US08448172B2
A non-transitory recording medium has a scheduler program embodied therein for controlling parallel execution of plural simulation programs, the scheduler program causing a computer to perform a parallel execution procedure by which the plural simulation programs are performed in parallel during a period in which there is no data exchange between the plural simulation programs, and a sequential execution procedure by which the plural simulation programs are sequentially performed during a period in which there is data exchange between the plural simulation programs.
US08448158B2
To obtain a program code generation support device, method, and the like, capable of generating a new program code, in particular, generating in accordance with an incorporating apparatus, by performing a further optimization on a program code.The device includes storage means 6 for storing as data, an optimization rule that is composed of a conversion condition for converting data of a program code and a conversion content thereof, and code optimization means 4 that includes a code analysis unit 4A for analyzing the program code, a condition search unit 4B for search a part matching the conversion condition in the program code through a collation with the optimization rule stored in the storage means on the basis of the analyzed program code, and an optimization unit 4C for generating data of a new program code by converting the part matching the conversion condition on the basis of the conversion content.
US08448155B2
System and method for automatically parallelizing iterative functionality in a data flow program. A data flow program is stored that includes a first data flow program portion, where the first data flow program portion is iterative. Program code implementing a plurality of second data flow program portions is automatically generated based on the first data flow program portion, where each of the second data flow program portions is configured to execute a respective one or more iterations. The plurality of second data flow program portions are configured to execute at least a portion of iterations concurrently during execution of the data flow program. Execution of the plurality of second data flow program portions is functionally equivalent to sequential execution of the iterations of the first data flow program portion.
US08448153B1
A method and system encodes data objects and their metadata. An implementation provides a method and system for rewriting a program to encode metadata in the run-time environment of the program and to add run-time checks to the program. An implementation provides a method for serializing a data object according to the encoding method and a method for deserializing a bit sequence that is generated by the serialization method.
US08448150B2
The present invention is directed to a method and system for translating a high-level language (HLL) code such as C, C++, Fortran, Java or the like into a HDL code such as Verilog or VHDL which requires no modification in the original HLL source code, while supporting a cross call between software and hardware, and even recursive calls in hardware. The system includes: a HLL-to-HLL source translator which reads user programming directive from a translation-targeted high-level language code marked with the user directive, and separates the translation-targeted high-level language code into a hardware code part and a software code part; a main compiler which compiles the software code part; a HLL-to-HDL translator which includes the front-end and middle-end of the main compiler and a HDL backend; a main core which executes the compiled software code part; and a dedicated hardware which executes the HDL code.
US08448146B2
A system and method for generating functional tests to verify code migrated from a first host to a second host. In one embodiment, source code is analyzed in order to generate functional tests that can be used for testing the re-hosted application. In particular, user-input scenarios are extracted from the source code and system output responses are determined based on the user-input scenarios. Functional tests can then be generated using the extracted user-input scenarios and output responses to ensure that the re-hosted application responds in a like manner.
US08448144B2
Computer program products and systems for testing a software application by providing one or more test units. Each test unit is adapted to verify a feature of the software application. A weight is assigned to each test unit. A theoretical sequence of execution of the test units is determined for the assigned weights and the test units are executed for the theoretical sequence.
US08448141B2
A method for software processing includes obtaining change information, which records changes that have been performed in respective locations in software code. The change information is processed so as to assign to at least some of the locations respective priorities, which are indicative of respective likelihoods that the locations contain program faults. The at least some of the locations are presented to a user in accordance with the assigned priorities.
US08448133B2
A method of software evolution, software evolution system and program product therefor. A context specification handler stores context specifications describing requirements on context-adapted software. A Software Part Semantics Specification (SPSS) handler stores software part semantics specifications. A Software Implementation (SI) handler stores SIs. Behavior History handler stores a history of active software behavior analysis results of monitoring previous versions. A software rendering handler combines software behavior history with context specification, software part semantics specifications and SIs and distributes (and optionally deploys) context-adapted software. A software inspector continuously monitors context behavior of deployed versions and selectively identifies active context-adapted software failing to satisfy context specification for reassembly of a new version(s).
US08448128B2
A stand-alone, menu-driven integration system software package is disclosed. The integration system can include a task library, a planning system, a projection system, a comparator system, and a reporting system. The task library can maintain a list of integration tasks for execution after closing of a merger between two or more organizations. Before closing, the planning system receives estimated date related to each task. After closing of the merger, execution of the integration tasks begins. The projection system can receive an action plan for each integration task. The action plans can be updated regularly, such that the projection system can maintain an accurate, current projection of results of the integrations tasks. The comparator system can monitor progression of the integration by comparing planned and desired data, receiving in the planning system, to projected data, received in the projection system. The reporting system can provide reports to monitor the integration.
US08448127B2
According to one embodiment, a software forecasting system includes a software forecasting tool coupled to a user interface and a software cost estimation tool. The software forecasting tool generates a software development metric according to attributes derived from one or more previous software development projects. The software forecasting tool receives a similar software development metric from the software cost estimation tool and calculates a difference between the received metric and that of its own and displays the result on the user interface.
US08448119B1
A system and method for design and modeling of vertical interconnects for 3DI applications. A design and modeling methodology of vertical interconnects for 3DI applications includes models that represent the frequency dependent behavior of vertical interconnects by means of multi-segment RLC scalable filter networks. The networks allow for accuracy versus computation efficiency tradeoffs, while maintaining correct asymptotic behavior at both high and low frequency limits. In the framework of the model it is shown that a major effect is pronounced frequency dependent silicon substrate induced dispersion and loss effects, which is considered in through silicon via (TSV) parallel Y-element parameters, including capacitance and conductance.
US08448117B2
An adaptive mesh of virtual nodes is provided to analyze the performance of a power/ground plane pair having an irregular shape. Plane transmission line characteristics and regional modal resonances can be modeled accurately, and with a significant decrease in simulation time as compared to traditional methods. A variable-sized cell structure is constructed with smaller cells in irregular regions and with larger cells in uniform regions. Grid nodes may thus stay aligned along length and width to allow parameters of equivalent circuit models to be scaled appropriate to the cell size.
US08448112B1
The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for automatically generating a power management verification component. The method may include receiving one or more inputs including a power intent definition. The method may further include automatically generating a power management verification environment based upon, at least in part, the power intent definition, the power management verification environment including at least one of a driver and a monitor.
US08448100B1
A computer implemented system comprises: a tangible, non-transitory computer readable storage medium encoded with data representing an initial layout of an integrated circuit pattern layer having a plurality of polygons. A special-purpose computer is configured to perform the steps of: analyzing in the initial layout of an integrated circuit pattern layer having a plurality of polygons, so as to identify a plurality of multi-patterning conflict cycles in the initial layout; constructing in the computer a respective multi-patterning conflict cycle graph representing each identified multi-patterning conflict cycle; classifying each identified multi-patterning conflict cycle graph in the computer according to a number of other multi-patterning conflict cycle graphs which enclose that multi-patterning conflict cycle graph; and causing a display device to graphically display the plurality of multi-patterning conflict cycle graphs according to their respective classifications.
US08448084B2
Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for providing enhanced user interface mechanics are presented. In one arrangement, a scrollable list of content items may be displayed. Input associated with a scroll command may be received. Then, based on the scroll command, a scrollable refresh trigger may be displayed. Subsequently, the scrollable list of content items may be refreshed in response to determining, based on the scroll command, that the scrollable refresh trigger has been activated. In at least one instance, it may be determined that the scrollable refresh trigger has been activated in response to determining that the scroll command was completed while the scrollable refresh trigger was fully displayed.
US08448074B2
Methods and devices enable displaying selected portions of one or more webpages in user defined view windows presented on a computing device display desktop. A selected webpage may be rendered into a full-sized render buffer in order for a rendering engine to render all the elements properly. One or more view windows are created on the display desktop that show user selected portions of the render buffer. In this manner users can select portions of one or more websites for presentation on their computing device desktop, position the selected portions at their preferred locations.
US08448073B2
An improved group collaboration system providing control and management of multiple cameras for multiple users (members). The system includes a server for system management and a server for video data. Multiple clients, each having multiple cameras, may access the system simultaneously. Each client has a browser interface that allows a user to access multiple member cameras. Each selected camera is displayed simultaneously in the selecting user's interface. A bandwidth distribution algorithm provides quality of service for the multiple camera feeds.
US08448072B1
A wireless communication device comprises a wireless communication interface, a user interface, and a processing system. The wireless communication interface is configured to detect a wireless signal that indicates status update information for a social networking application. The processing system is configured to monitor the social networking application for an attempt to transfer the status update information for delivery to a social networking system, and if the social networking application attempts the transfer, to delay the transfer and direct the user interface to prompt a user to edit the status update information. The user interface is configured to receive edit instructions from the user. The processing system is configured to process the edit instructions to edit the status update information and to direct the wireless communication interface to wirelessly transfer the edited status update information for delivery to the social networking system.
US08448064B2
The present disclosure provides a webpage design system including a storage and a processor. The storage stores a number of ActiveX controls, a number of ActiveX control description files each describing a corresponding one ActiveX control, and a number of modules. The modules include instructions executable by the processor to provide a webpage interface for a user to design a webpage. The webpage interface includes an ActiveX control option for the user to select at least one desired ActiveX control. The modules further include instructions executable by the processor to position the selected ActiveX control in a designed webpage under construction, provide a search interface for the user to input a description of a desired function, and search in the ActiveX control description files according to the description to determine whether at least one ActiveX control having the desired function exists in the storage.
US08448057B1
A user interface for selecting an audience segment from a pool of tracked entities based on an aggregate similarity of the audience segment to an archetypical audience. The user can display a graphical representation illustrating a relationship between a composite index for the audience segment and an audience segment size and indicate the audience segment through the user interface. The user input indicating the audience segment is received by a system and the composite index and the audience segment size associated with the audience segment, are determined based at least in part on the user input. The composite index and the audience segment size associated with the audience segment are displayed.
US08448054B2
An improved mapping policy, signal mapper, transmitter, receiver, and communication system are introduced. The improved signal mapping policy alternates between standard and inverted bit mapping functions at selected phase states to reduce the error coefficient of MSK and other types of CPFSK signals. The proposed policy can more generally be applied to other types of signals with memory as well. Simulations show that the mapping policy can significantly improve performance particularly at lower to moderate SNR values.
US08448035B2
It is provided about a communication system mountable on a car, communication apparatus mountable on a car and a communication method mountable on a car that can perform data transmission under extensive range from a low speed communication to high speed communication, without generating data delay, data dropout and the like, caused by the data sending collision. A gateway and an ECU are connected to each other, in a one-to-one manner, via a communication line different from another communication line for another connection. When receiving a message, the gateway and the ECU reply a receipt response. When having a message to be sent toward the destination for replying at this replying time, the gateway and the ECU sends the receipt response onto which this message to be sent is added. When a message sending collision is generated, the gateway preferentially performs a message re-sending operation.
US08448028B2
A model-match-rate evaluating unit of a transaction monitoring device, which monitors a transaction system, evaluates a ratio of the number of transactions that match any models and respective processing times of all layers in the transaction are each within a corresponding normal range to the number of transactions observed per unit time as a model match rate. When the model-match-rate evaluating unit detects an abnormality of the system based on the model match rate, a suspicious-point-in-suspicious-model extracting unit of a transaction detail analyzing device extracts a point where a processing time deviates from the normal range as a suspicious point, a problematical-point evaluating unit evaluates a problem of each suspicious point as a problematical point, and a detail-analysis-result display unit displays an evaluation result of the problematical point and the suspicious point.
US08448023B2
A system for providing data integrity in an embedded device environment. One approach is operating an embedded control engine with non-battery backup power and providing data backup with inexpensive memory. Just data having changes may be provided to a volatile memory such as an SRAM module. After an accumulation of a certain amount of data, the data may be moved onto a relatively larger non-volatile memory, such as an NVRAM module or other type of flash memory. Non-battery backup power may maintain the SRAM module for a period after a power loss, so as to retain data. After restoration of power, data from NVRAM and SRAM modules may be read by the backup service to recreate the last known state of the control engine before the power loss.
US08448022B1
After execution by a thread of an instruction for invoking a function containing unreliable code, a pointer is stored to thread local storage for the thread in one or more reserved registers. The thread local storage is a portion of memory of the computing device associated with the thread. In the thread local storage, a stack pointer is stored to a position in a call stack associated with the instruction for invoking the function. The function is called, thereby causing the function to execute. In response to a fault occurring in the function, the pointer to thread local storage is used to retrieve the stack pointer in the thread local storage. The position in the call stack is used in a recovery process for the fault.
US08448021B1
A method for storing data. The method including receiving a request to write data. In response the request, selecting, a RAID grid location in a RAID grid to write the data, writing the data to memory, updating a data structure to indicate that the RAID grid location is filled. The method further includes determining, using the data structure, whether a data grid in the RAID grid is filled, where the RAID grid location is in the data grid and based on a determination that the data grid is filled: calculating parity values for the RAID grid using the data, determining a physical address in persistent storage corresponding to the RAID grid location, writing the data to a physical location in persistent storage corresponding to the physical address, and writing the parity values to the persistent storage.
US08448013B2
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for handling a failure condition in a storage controller is disclosed. In certain embodiments, a method may include initially detecting a failure condition in a storage controller. The failure condition may be associated with a specific host and a specific storage device connected to the storage controller. The method may further include determining a failure ID associated with the failure condition. Using the failure ID, en entry may be located in a data collection and recovery table. This entry may indicate one or more data collection and/or recovery processes to execute in response to the failure condition. The method may then execute the data collection and/or recovery processes indicated in the entry. While executing the data collection and/or recovery processes, connectivity may be maintained between hosts and storage devices not associated with the failure condition.
US08448012B2
The network fault manager described herein may include one or more processors configured to detect alarms. For example, the one or more processors may periodically sample rates at which similar events that relate to occurrences on a network arrive, compare the periodically sampled rates to a first threshold, and determine whether a preexisting alarm exists. In response to a number of the periodically sampled rates that exceeded the first threshold within a preceding time window exceeding a second threshold and the preexisting alarm not existing, the one or more processors may assert a first alarm. Otherwise, if the number of periodically sampled rates that exceeded the first threshold within the preceding time window exceeds the second threshold but the preexisting alarm does exist, the one or more processors may maintain the preexisting alarm for a predetermined time period.
US08448002B2
A clock module is coupled in parallel to a number of data processing modules that are coupled in series. The data processing modules can be individually clock-gated. Each of the data processing modules can determine whether or not it can be placed into an idle state. To reduce power consumption, any subset of the data processing modules that are eligible to be placed in an idle state can be clock-gated. The remaining data processing modules can continue to receive clock signals from the clock module and thus can continue to process data.
US08447993B2
A power control system in a data center has a plurality of physical servers, each server having a local controller, at least one virtual server coupled to at least some of the physical servers, and a central controller to control task loading on the physical servers through the virtual servers. A method of controlling power consumption in a data center includes receiving inputs from local controllers residing on loads, the inputs including data about power consumption on the loads, receiving as an input at least one quality of service requirement, and allocating tasks to at least one server based upon the quality of service and the power consumption on the loads.
US08447990B2
A password-encrypted key (PEK) is generated from a user-supplied password or other identifying data and then used to encrypt the user's password. The encrypted password is stored in a user record on a server. At login a would-be user's password is again used to make a key, which is then used to decrypt and compare the stored encrypted password with the would-be user's password to complete the login. The successful PEK is stored in a temporary session record and can be used to decrypt other sensitive user information previously encrypted and stored in the user record as well as to encrypt new information for storage in the user record. A public/private key system can also be used to maintain limited access for the host to certain information in the user record.
US08447989B2
A method and apparatus for maintaining a tamper proof device log are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises maintaining an embedded log in the device, the embedded log being a chain of log entries. In one embodiment, the method may also comprise publishing at least one log entry to a location external to the device.
US08447984B1
A challenge string is sent from a server to an authentication card. The challenge string is encrypted using a private key on the authentication card. Then, the encrypted challenge string is sent as a response from the authentication card to the server. A unique identifier of the authentication card is correlated to a user record residing at the server to obtain an authentication certificate from within the user record. The authentication certificate includes a public key. The public key from the authentication certificate is used to decrypt the response at the server. A determination is then made as to whether the decrypted response matches the challenge string as originally sent from the server to the authentication card. If the decrypted response matches the original challenge string, the authentication is successful. Otherwise, the authentication fails.
US08447983B1
A value is associated with a token within a trust zone. The token is used in place of the value in operations executed within the trust zone. A key is defined for an entity outside of the trust zone. A processor encrypts the token using the key to form an encrypted token that cannot be decrypted by entities outside of the trust zone. The encrypted token is provided to the entity outside of the trust zone.
US08447976B2
Business to business secure mail may be provided. Consistent with embodiments of the invention, a protected message may be received. The recipient may request a token from a trust broker, submit the token to an authorization server associated with the sender, receive a user license from the authorization server; and decrypt the protected message using the user license. The protected message may restrict actions that may be taken by the recipient, such as forwarding to other users.
US08447972B2
An information processing apparatus storing information having an expiration date. If the expiration date of the stored information has passed, the information processing apparatus obtains new information having a different expiration date and updates the stored information with the newly obtained information. In addition, the information processing apparatus transmits the newly obtained information having the different expiration date to another information processing apparatus.
US08447970B2
Securing an out-of-band message from a server to a mobile computing device. After requesting a service ticket from a trusted third party (e.g., via a pre-existing ticketing infrastructure), the requested service ticket and a shared secret are obtained from the trusted third party via a first channel. The mobile computing device thereafter sends the service ticket with the shared secret to a server via a second channel. The server encrypts a message (e.g., an SMS message) using the shared secret. The mobile computing device receives the encrypted message from the server via a third channel that is out-of-band relative to the first channel. The encrypted message is decrypted via the shared secret and the decrypted message is provided to a user of the mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the message includes commands for controlling the mobile computing device.
US08447967B1
A system for the secure transmission of messages that may be included with existing automated message handling software applications. The secure transmission system includes a user interface tool that appears with the user interface of the conventional automated message handling system. A digital key generator and encryption engine is responsive to the user interface tool. Upon creating an addressed message using the conventional user interface of the automated message handling application, the user can select the user interface tool to activate the digital key generator and encryption engine that in turn generates a secure file containing the message content and address. The system further includes a message generator that generates a message to a secure message-handling server. The secure message includes the secure file and the digital signature of the secure file. The secure email, when received by the secure message-handling server, is prepared for secure delivery to the addressee of the message.
US08447961B2
A system to implement a zero overhead software pipelined (SFP) loop includes a Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) processor having an N number of execution slots. The VLIW processor executes a plurality of instructions in parallel without any limitation of an instruction buffer size. A program memory receives a Program Memory address to fetch an instruction packet. The program memory is closely coupled with the instruction buffer size to implement the zero overhead software pipelined (SFP) loop. The size of the zero overhead software pipelined (SFP) loop can exceed the instruction buffer size. A CPU control register includes a block count and an iteration count. The block count is loaded into a block counter and counts the plurality of instructions executed in the SFP loop, and the iteration count is loaded into an iteration counter and counts a number of iterations of the SFP loop based on the block count.
US08447958B2
A configurable instruction set architecture is provided whereby a single virtual instruction may be used to generate a sequence of instructions. Dynamic parameter substitution may be used to substitute parameters specified by a virtual instruction into instructions within a virtual instruction sequence.
US08447955B2
A multiprocessor data processing system (MDPS) with a weakly-ordered architecture providing processing logic for substantially eliminating issuing sync instructions after every store instruction of a well-behaved application. Instructions of a well-behaved application are translated and executed by a weakly-ordered processor. The processing logic includes a lock address tracking utility (LATU), which provides an algorithm and a table of lock addresses, within which each lock address is stored when the lock is acquired by the weakly-ordered processor. When a store instruction is encountered in the instruction stream, the LATU compares the target address of the store instruction against the table of lock addresses. If the target address matches one of the lock addresses, indicating that the store instruction is the corresponding unlock instruction (or lock release instruction), a sync instruction is issued ahead of the store operation. The sync causes all values updated by the intermediate store operations to be flushed out to the point of coherency and be visible to all processors.
US08447934B2
Disclosed herein are a processing unit and a multi-processing unit system that implement a cache-coherency method. Such a multi-processing unit system includes a main memory, a first processing unit, and a second processing unit. The first processing unit and the second processing unit are coupled to the main memory. The first processing unit includes a cache and logic. The cache is configured to store data from the main memory. The logic is configured to maintain an entry in a directory of the cache. The entry indicates whether either of the first processing unit and the second processing unit accesses a data object of a cache line for which the first processing unit is a home node.
US08447923B2
Changes are tracked by tracking a change request which when performed by a disk driver changes a portion of disk storage. The change request is allowed to pass to the disk driver to be performed by the disk driver. Information associated with the change request is stored in an operating system's persistent storage. A differential backup is performed using the information associated with the change request stored in the operating system's persistent storage after a system, which includes the disk driver and the disk storage, has shut down and restarted.
US08447922B2
A memory controller, a nonvolatile storage device, an access device, and a nonvolatile storage system enable the storage architecture to be changed flexibly for intended use that can be changed variously. A nonvolatile storage system (100) sets a temporary area (23) and a normal access area of a nonvolatile memory (22) based on a use condition designated by a use condition designation unit (11) of an access device (1). This structure enables the nonvolatile storage system (100) to change the temporary area (23) and the normal access area (24) to be prepared in the nonvolatile memory (22) by changing the use condition in accordance with intended use. In other words, the nonvolatile storage system (100) enables the storage architecture to be changed flexibly for intended use that can be changed variously.
US08447920B1
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for improving access to non-volatile solid-state storage systems. Embodiments described herein provide a physical chunk number (PCN), or a physical page number (PPN), by which a controller can access the next available chunks (or pages) in a programming sequence optimized by concurrency. By incrementing the PCN, the controller can program consecutive chunks in the optimized programming sequence. In one embodiment, the programming sequence is determined at the time of initial configuration and the sequence seeks to synchronize data programming and data sending operations in subcomponents of the storage system to minimize contention and wait time. In one embodiment, the PCN includes an index portion to a superblock table with entries that reference specific blocks within the subcomponents in a sequence that mirrors the optimized programming sequence, and a local address portion that references a particular chunk to be programmed or read.
US08447915B2
A controller in a flash memory device manages erase count of each physical block and manages the erase frequency of each logical block. The controller allocates a logical block whose erase frequency is high to one or more physical blocks whose erase count is low.
