US08487718B2
A capacitor is provided with a first electrode to which a direct current voltage is applied; a dielectric layer, which is arranged on the first electrode and is composed of an oxide dielectric material; and a second electrode, which is arranged on the dielectric layer, has a first portion where at least a part in contact with the dielectric layer is composed of a conductive oxide material having oxidizing property, and has a direct current voltage lower than that applied to the first electrode applied.
US08487712B2
The invention relates, in particular, to a system for transmitting at least one electric pulse for an apparatus for determining a distribution of charges contained in the thickness of an item (2) made of a dielectric material, said transmission system including a transmitter electrode (1) for transmitting at least one pulse and a generator (3) of said pulse. The system is notable in that said electrode is formed by a transmission line (1) which is substantially level in relation to the item (2) to be analyzed and which includes impedance matching means to keep said impedance substantially constant along said transmission line in the passband of said pulse.
US08487710B2
A pulse width modulator based on a pair of rotary traveling wave oscillators. The first oscillator operates freely or as part of a phase-locked loop. The second oscillator operates at the same frequency as the first oscillator, but with a controllable phase offset from the first oscillator. The phase offset is set by an input voltage. A block takes the outputs of the first and second oscillators and combines them so that the output is a pulse whose width is the overlap of the oscillation signals from the first and second oscillators. The output pulse width is thus a function of the input voltage. When the pulse width modulator receives the input voltage from the output of a switching power supply, it can use the modulated pulse width to control the switching transistor of the power supply to maintain the output at a regulated voltage.
US08487693B2
An oscillator includes N greater than unity gain amplifiers, N being at least two. Each of the N greater than unity gain amplifiers has a pair of differential input terminals and a pair of differential output terminals. The oscillator further includes a first pair of variable resistances, N−1 pairs of variable resistances, N−1 pairs of variable capacitances, and a variable capacitance. The pairs of variable resistances couple differential output terminals of the N greater than unity gain amplifiers. The pairs of variable capacitances couple differential input terminals of the N greater than unity gain amplifiers. Each of the N greater than unity gain amplifiers includes a linearized operational transconductance amplifier stage coupled to a corresponding pair of the differential input terminals, and a unity gain buffer with feedback interconnected between the linearized operational transconductance amplifier stage and a corresponding pair of the differential output terminals.
US08487686B2
In various embodiments, applicants' teachings are related to an active guarding circuit and method for reducing parasitic impedance signal loading on a signal-transmission channel that is shunted by a parasitic impedance. The presence of an electrical signal on the signal-transmission channel causes a leakage current to flow through the parasitic impedance. In various embodiments, the circuit comprises an amplifier and an impedance, one terminal of the impedance is coupled to the signal-transmission channel. The input of the amplifier is coupled to the signal-transmission channel and the output is coupled to the other terminal of the impedance so as to cause a compensation current to flow through the impedance. The gain of the amplifier and the value of the impedance are selected so that the compensation current has a magnitude substantially equal to the leakage current magnitude.
US08487683B1
A circuit for generating multi-phase, non-overlapping clock signals includes a shift register that generates first and second clock signals from an input clock signal. First and second circuit modules generate corresponding first and second interim signals using the first and second clock signals and first and second feedback signals, respectively. The first and second interim signals are non-overlapping by at least a predetermined minimum time difference. The first and second interim signals are multiplexed to generate an output signal. The output signal is delayed by a first predetermined time to generate a first delay signal. The first delay signal is delayed by a second predetermined time to generate a second delay signal. The second delay signal is de-multiplexed to generate the first and the second feedback signals, and the first delay signal is de-multiplexed to generate the set of multi-phase, non-overlapping clock signals.
US08487681B2
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for technique for capturing and storing a level of an input signal using a dual-trigger low-energy flip-flop circuit that is fully-static and insensitive to fabrication process variations. The dual-trigger low-energy flip-flop circuit presents only three transistor gate loads to the clock signal and none of the internal nodes toggle when the input signal remains constant. One of the clock signals may be a low-frequency “keeper clock” that toggles less frequently than the other two clock signal that is input to two transistor gates. The output signal Q is set or reset at the rising clock edge using separate trigger sub-circuits. Either the set or reset may be armed while the clock signal is low, and the set or reset is triggered at the rising edge of the clock.
US08487676B2
A device for generating a clock signal, including a phase-locked loop including: a controlled oscillator to deliver a clock signal; plural phase comparators to compare a phase of the clock signal delivered by the controlled oscillator with plural clock signal phases applied at an input of the phase-locked loop; a mechanism for weighted summation of output signals of the plural phase comparators such that one or more of the weighting coefficients applied to one of the output signals has an absolute value that overrides the absolute values of the other weighting coefficients applied to the other output signals; and a mechanism filtering the weighted sum of the output signals of the plural phase comparators, to deliver at an output a control signal to the controlled oscillator.
US08487673B2
Power-on-reset circuitry is provided for integrated circuits such as programmable logic device integrated circuits. The power-on-reset circuitry may use comparator-based trip point voltage detectors to monitor power supply voltages. The trip point detectors may use circuitry to produce trip point voltages from a bandgap reference voltage. Controller logic may process signals from the trip point detectors to produce a corresponding power-on-reset signal. The power-on-reset circuitry may contain a noise filter that suppresses noise from power supply voltage spikes. Normal operation of the power-on-reset circuitry may be blocked during testing. The power-on-reset circuitry may be disabled when the bandgap reference voltage has not reached a desired level. The power-on-reset circuitry may be sensitive or insensitive to the power-up sequence used by the power supply signals. Brownout detection blocking circuitry may be provided to prevent the output from one of the trip point detectors from influencing the power-on-reset circuitry.
US08487671B2
A delay circuit generates an internal clock signal or a second clock signal by delaying an external clock signal. A detection-potential generation circuit included in a phase-difference determination circuit generates a detection potential corresponding to a difference between a timing of an active edge of an internal clock signal or a third clock signal and a timing of the target external clock signal in a first node. A reference-potential generation circuit included in the phase-difference determination circuit generates a reference potential in a second node. A phase control circuit delays the second clock signal according to the detection potential. At this time, when the detection potential is higher than the reference potential, an adjustment amount of the second clock signal per adjustment changes.
US08487668B2
When there is a short circuit failure between the gate and emitter of a main switching element such as an IGBT, the temperature of a turn-on gate resistor or turn-off gate resistor is detected by a thermistor, and a drive circuit is protected by turning off a turn-on gate drive switching element or a turn-off gate drive switching element. Furthermore, instead of detecting the temperature of the turn-on gate resistor or turn-off gate resistor, a thermistor is connected in series with the turn-on gate drive switching element or turn-off gate drive switching element, the resistance change corresponding to a change in temperature of the thermistor is detected, and the drive circuit is protected by turning off the turn-on gate drive switching element or turn-off gate drive switching element.
US08487667B2
A hybrid power device is formed of a normally-on type SiC-JFET and a normally-off type Si-MOSFET, which are connected in cascode with a source of the SiC-JFET and a drain of the Si-MOSFET being connected to each other thereby forming a hybrid power FET. A gate of the SiC-JFET and a source of the Si-MOSFET are connected via a switching speed regulating resistor. A capacitor is connected to the switching speed regulating resistor in parallel to control a switching speed to a first speed in a former part of the switching period of the hybrid power FET and to a second switching speed in a latter part of the switching period. The second switching speed is lower than the first switching speed.
US08487665B2
Methods and apparatus for providing either high-speed, or lower-speed, flexible inputs and outputs. An input and output structure having a high-speed input, a high-speed output, a low or moderate speed input, and an low or moderate speed output is provided. One of the input and output circuits are selected and the others are deselected. The high-speed input and output circuits are comparatively simple, in one example having only a clear signal for a control line input, and are able to interface to lower speed circuitry inside the core of an integrated circuit. The low or moderate speed input and output circuits are more flexible, for example, having preset, enable, and clear as control line inputs, and are able to support JTAG boundary testing. These parallel high and lower speed circuits are user selectable such that the input output structure is optimized between speed and functionality depending on the requirements of the application.
US08487664B2
In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit for driving a switch includes a driver circuit. The driver circuit includes a first output configured to be coupled to a gate of the JFET, a second output configured to be coupled to a gate of the MOSFET, a first power supply node, and a bias input configured to be coupled to the common node. The switch to be driven includes a JFET coupled to a MOSFET at a common node.
US08487661B2
A zero-crossing gain control system is disclosed herein. The system comprises a gain control unit for amplifying an input signal to an output signal, a zero-crossing monitoring circuit for monitoring the input signal or output signal, and a register for latching the digital control signal and generating a gain control signal that controls the gain control unit. The system may further comprise a maximum write time setting circuit for generating a write signal. The digital control signal is written into the register when a zero-crossing state is monitored or a maximum write time since a change occurred on of the digital control signal is expired. An automatic gain control system is also disclosed herein and further comprises a peak detecting circuit for detecting the level of output signal, a logic circuit for lowering or restoring the digital control signal according to the result from the peak detecting circuit.
US08487651B2
The present invention provides a DQS bus for implementing high speed multiple-data-rate interface architectures in programmable logic devices. The DQS bus has a balanced tree structure between at least one data strobe circuit and a plurality of I/O register blocks.
US08487648B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a macro connected between a first power supply line and a second power supply line to drive a load, and a power-supply-noise cancelling circuit connected between an input and an output of the macro to generate a current for canceling one of a current flowing from the first power supply line to the output of the macro and a current flowing from the output of the macro to the second power supply line, on the basis of a potential difference between the input and the output of the macro. The macro and the power-supply-noise cancelling circuit are mounted in a same chip.
US08487646B2
In a method for reading a programmable anti-fuse block of a high-voltage integrated circuit a first voltage is applied to a first pin of the HVIC, the first voltage being lowered to a second voltage at a first node. Current is shunted from the first node, thereby lowering the second voltage to a third voltage. An isolation circuit block is then activated to couple the third voltage to a common node of the programmable anti-fuse block, the common node being coupled to a plurality of anti-fuses, each anti-fuse having a programmed state. A read signal is generated that causes a voltage potential representative of the programmed state of each anti-fuse to be latched into a corresponding latch element.
US08487638B2
Disclosed is an electrical capacitance sensor comprising: a board 10 having a one main surface and an other main surface; a sensor electrode 26 formed on the one main surface of the board 10 and detecting an electrical capacitance between the sensor electrode 26 and an object; a first guard electrode 25 formed on the one main surface of the board 10 and in a vicinity of the sensor electrode 26; and a second guard electrode 27 formed on the other main surface of the board 10, wherein a first terminal connecting portion 21 for the first guard electrode 25 and a second terminal connecting portion 23 for the second guard electrode 27 are provided at positions opposing each other.
US08487636B2
An ECU executes a program including a step of determining that a pilot wire for transferring a pilot signal CPLT, which is output when a charging cable is connected to a plug-in hybrid vehicle and an external power source, to the ECU is broken, when output of the pilot signal CPLT is currently stopped and a voltage VAC of the external power source (absolute value of voltage VAC) detected by a voltmeter provided within the plug-in hybrid vehicle is greater than zero.
US08487635B1
A system for determining a system charging current in a three-phase power system has a first grounding circuit that joins a neutral of the power transformer with a ground through a first resistor. System charged capacitance voltage in one phase is discharged through a second resistor in a second grounding circuit joining the one phase of the power system with the ground. A magnitude of the currents in the first and second grounding circuits are measured when the one phase is short circuited to ground. The preliminary system charging current is calculated as the root of the difference between the squares of the measured currents grounding circuits. The same procedure may be repeated for different values of the first resistor and for each of the phases, and the calculated preliminary system charging currents may be averaged to arrive at a net system charging current.
US08487630B2
A battery pack includes: one or two or more secondary batteries; a charge control switch that turns on/off a charging current to the secondary battery; a discharge control switch that turns on/off a discharging current from the secondary battery; a current-detecting element for detecting the charging current and the discharging current; a voltage measuring part that measures the voltage of the secondary battery; a control unit that controls the charge control switch and the discharge control unit; and a storage unit that stores an initial internal resistance of the secondary battery. The control unit measures a closed circuit voltage and a charging current during charging, and a first closed circuit voltage after a first waiting time and a second closed circuit voltage after a second waiting time. The second waiting time is longer than the first waiting time.
US08487621B2
An MRI apparatus and method is disclosed comprising a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images. The RF coil assembly comprises an RF tube, a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed around the RF tube and configured to transmit RF excitation pulses, a plurality of electrical components coupled to the electrically conductive members, and at least one thermally conductive substrate mounted upon the RF tube, wherein one of the plurality of electrically conductive members and the plurality of electrical components is mounted to the at least one thermally conductive substrate and is in thermal contact therewith.
US08487612B2
A current sensor including a magnetic detecting bridge circuit which is constituted of four magneto-resistance effect elements with a resistance value varied by application of an induced magnetic field from a current to be measured, and which has an output between two magneto-resistance effect elements. The four magneto-resistance effect elements have the same resistance change rate, and include a self-pinned type ferromagnetic fixed layer which is formed by anti-ferromagnetically coupling a first ferromagnetic film and a second ferromagnetic film via an antiparallel coupling film therebetween, a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and a soft magnetic free layer. Magnetization directions of the ferromagnetic fixed layers of the two magneto-resistance effect elements providing the output are different from each other by 180°. The magnetic detecting bridge circuit has wiring symmetrical to a power supply point.
US08487611B2
A magnetic sensor includes a bridge circuit with a first, a second, a third, and a fourth resistor annularly and electrically connected together in this order, and a compensation resistor. The compensation resistor is connected to a first point between the fourth resistor and the first resistor. The first to fourth resistors include a first to fourth tunnel magneto-resistance element, respectively. Each of the magnetization directions in the magnetization fixed layers in the second and fourth magneto resistance elements is opposite to the magnetization direction in the magnetization fixed layer in the first magneto resistance element. The magnetization direction in the magnetization fixed layer in the third magneto resistance element is the same as the magnetization direction in the magnetization fixed layer in the first magneto resistance element. The resistance of the compensation resistor varies with a period of 180 degrees with respect to a rotation angle of the external field.
US08487610B2
A magnetizer for a pipeline inspection tool. The magnetizer comprises a ferromagnetic base member, a pair of driving magnets mounted at spatially separate locations on the base member and a flux enhancing magnet mounted on the base member adjacent to one or both of the driving magnets. The directions of magnetization of the pair of driving magnets extend in opposite senses to each other, towards and away from the base member respectively to create a magnetic circuit that includes a flux path between the driving magnets which passes through the base member. The flux enhancing magnet has a direction of magnetization substantially aligned with the direction of magnetic flux on the flux path, the flux enhancing magnet being magnetically coupled to the adjacent driving magnets to drive flux around the magnetic circuit and thereby enhance the magnitude of a magnetic field exhibited by the magnetic circuit outside the magnetizer.
US08487602B2
The present invention relates to a switch driving circuit and a driving method thereof. The switch driving circuit according to the present invention is supplied with a first voltage and a second voltage, is driven by a voltage difference between the first and second voltages, controls a switching operation of a power switch according to a switch driving control signal, generates a sense voltage corresponding to the second voltage, compares a predetermined reference voltage with the sense voltage, and stops the switching operation of the power switch according to the comparison result.
US08487601B2
An example power factor correction (PFC) converter includes an energy transfer element, a power switch, and a controller. The controller includes an integrator and on/off logic. The integrator generates an integrator output signal in response to a voltage sense signal and a current sense signal. The on/off logic drives the power switch on and off to control a transfer of energy through the energy transfer element to an output of the PFC converter and terminates an on time of the power switch when the integrator output signal reaches a threshold value. A gain of the integrator is adjusted in response to the voltage sense signal such that the threshold value is substantially constant independent of the magnitude of the ac voltage source when a load condition at the output of the PFC converter is constant.
US08487596B2
Driving circuitry having driving means for driving a load using a first DC voltage, regulator means for receiving an input voltage and deriving a regulated output voltage from the input voltage, and power source switch means switchable between a first state in which the first DC voltage is supplied to the regulator means as the input voltage and a second state in which a second DC voltage, lower than the first DC voltage and higher than the regulated output voltage, is supplied to the regulator means as the input voltage, second voltage deriving means for deriving the second DC voltage from the first DC voltage, and switch control means connected to the power source switch means for causing the power source switch means to switch from the first state to the second state when the second DC voltage is suitable for supply to the regulator means as the input voltage.
US08487591B1
A power control system provides immunity from power supply dropout for a controller without compromising a startup time of the controller. In at least one embodiment, the power control system includes separate startup and dropout immunity capacitors. In at least one embodiment, selection of the capacitance of the startup capacitor is independent of selection of the capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitance. In at least one embodiment, the startup capacitance can be minimized to provide sufficient energy for the controller to normally operate during one missed cycle of an input voltage and, thus, provide a minimum startup time for the controller. The capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitor can be maximized to provide sufficient energy for the controller to operate normally during a time period longer than one cycle of the input voltage.
US08487586B2
A battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules that house a plurality of unit cells in a case; and a protection circuit board that controls the charge and discharge of a plurality of the battery modules at once. The battery pack is highly flexible in series and parallel connection, high in assembly productivity and excellent in energy density.
US08487585B2
An electrical combination including a driver drill capable of producing an average current draw of approximately 20-amps, a circular saw capable of producing an average current draw of approximately 20-amps, and a power tool battery pack operable to supply power to the driver drill and to the circular saw, the battery pack including a plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells each having a lithium-based chemistry.
US08487583B2
An apparatus includes a connector, for providing a physical connection to a USB device, a detection circuit, operable to detect attachment of a USB device; and a charging circuit, for charging a battery of a portable device using current drawn from a USB device, the charging circuit being operable, if it is detected that a USB device is attached, to generate a start-up request signal. The apparatus has a charging mode in which power is provided by the charging circuit to the battery, and a USB connection mode for providing a USB connection. The apparatus also includes a control unit, operable in response to the start-up request signal to determine whether power supplied by the battery meets a predetermined criterion. The control unit is also operable, if it is determined that the predetermined criterion is not met, to control the apparatus to be in the charging mode and prevent the apparatus from entering the USB connection mode and operable, if it is determined that predetermined criterion is met, to control the apparatus to enter the USB connection mode.
US08487576B2
A load drive control device includes a driver that drives a load which is operable by a DC drive and a pulse modulation drive, a protecting section that detects an electric current flowing in the driver, a temperature detecting section that detects a high temperature state of the driver, and a control section that determines whether the load is operated by the DC drive or the pulse modulation drive, based on outputs from the protecting section and the temperature detecting section. The control section switches the driver in the DC drive and measures the electric current flowing in the driver when a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature is detected during the pulse modulation drive.
US08487574B2
A fan rotary speed controlling device includes a base voltage generating circuit, a first voltage generating circuit, a second voltage generating circuit and a compensation controlling circuit. The base voltage generating circuit receives a pulse width modulation signal and outputs a base voltage signal. The first voltage generating circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal and generates a first voltage signal according to the pulse width modulation signal. The second voltage generating circuit receives a fan rotary speed signal and generates a second voltage signal according to the fan rotary speed signal. The compensation controlling circuit outputs a voltage deviation compensation signal according to the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal. Hence, the fan rotary speed controlling device provides a stable rotary speed.
US08487572B2
A control method for a brushless, three-phase DC motor. The motor may include a plurality of electromagnets and a rotor. A voltage induced by rotation of a rotor may be sampled at an expected zero crossing value to produce a first sampled voltage value. An average of a plurality of sampled voltage values, including voltage values sampled at a plurality of prior expected zero crossing values, may be calculated. A delta zero crossing error may be calculated. The delta zero crossing error may be calculated based on a difference between the first sampled voltage value and the calculated average. The plurality of electromagnets may be commutated. Commutation timing for the plurality of electromagnets may be determined based at least in part on the delta zero crossing error.
US08487567B2
A two-phase BLDC motor comprises a stator and a rotor. The stator has a stator core and a two-phase winding wound on the stator core. The stator core comprises a plurality of teeth with slots formed between adjacent teeth. The rotor rotor has a plurality of magnetic poles formed by at least one permanent magnet. The windings are received in corresponding slots in such a way that each winding spans multiple teeth and the direction of current flowing through the windings in any one slot at any one time is the same.
US08487564B2
A brushless motor controller is disclosed. The brushless motor controller includes a control unit and a drive timing generation unit. The control unit detects a load state of the motor. The drive timing generation unit generates a normal energizing timing determined by the rotational position of the rotor. Also, the drive timing generation unit generates an advancing angle energizing timing determined by the rotational position of the rotor and advanced by a predetermined amount from the normal energizing timing, generates a delay amount that changes in correspondence with the detected load state of the motor and the rotational speed of the rotor, and generates a final advancing angle energizing timing delayed by the delay amount from the advancing angle energizing timing.
US08487553B2
A lighting device which lights the discharge lamp, includes: a converting circuit which converts the direct current into an alternating current; a pulse generating circuit which generates a high voltage pulse; and a trigger circuit which causes the pulse generating circuit to generate the high voltage pulse, wherein the pulse generating circuit includes a primary winding and a secondary winding and generates the high voltage pulse by increasing a current input to the secondary winding based on a current input to the primary winding, and the trigger circuit includes a high pass filter; a first capacitor which stores and discharges charges input via the high pass filter; and a third switching element which outputs an output current from a second capacitor connected in parallel to the converting circuit to the primary winding if an output voltage from the first capacitor exceeds a threshold.
US08487549B2
A light-emitting diode (LED) control circuit includes a switch, a control signal generating circuit, a voltage conversion device, and N switching circuits. The voltage conversion device converts a first direct current (DC) power supply to a second DC power supply for supplying power to the control signal generating circuit. The control signal generating circuit outputs different control signals according to the switch to turn on or off the N switching circuits, thus power is supplied to corresponding groups of LEDs.
US08487548B2
A system drives one or a plurality of LEDs, regulating their brightness by controlling the LEDs' average current or voltage. The system includes a switching power converter and an integrated digital regulator with at least one of electrical, thermal, and optical feedbacks. The regulator is constructed as a hysteretic peak current mode controller for continuous mode of operation of the power converter. For a discontinuous mode of operation of the power converter, a pulse averaging sliding mode control is used. Average LED current is measured by integrating LED pulse current at off time and hysteretically adjusting on time of the power switch. An input battery is protected from discharging at abnormally low impedance of the output.
US08487544B2
A lamp assembly adapted to operate as one of a total number of lamp assemblies that are connected together in series and connected to a ballast. The lamp assembly comprises an electrodeless, closed-loop, tubular lamp envelope enclosing mercury vapor and a buffer gas, and a transformer core disposed around a portion of the lamp envelope. An input winding is disposed on the transformer core so that it has a particular number of turns, Ninput. An auxiliary winding is disposed on the transformer core so that it has a particular number of turns, Nauxiliary. The auxiliary winding is adapted to connect to the ballast and to couple with the input winding. The ratio of the particular number of turns Ninput to the particular number of turns Nauxiliary is substantially proportional to the total number of lamp assemblies that are adapted to operate in series together.
US08487533B2
A display apparatus including: a display unit disposed on a substrate; an encapsulation unit facing the display unit, the encapsulation unit including: a metal layer; a complex member; and a reinforcement member formed on an upper surface of the complex member; and a sealing unit disposed between the substrate and the encapsulation unit and apart from the display unit to bond the substrate and the encapsulation unit to the sealing unit.
US08487531B2
An encapsulation sheet, a flat panel display device, and a method of manufacturing a flat panel display device are disclosed. The method includes: forming a getter on a first sheet; forming a sealant having a space corresponding to the shape of the getter on a second sheet; forming an encapsulation sheet by folding the first sheet and the second sheet to enter the getter into the space; and attaching the encapsulation sheet on a substrate on which a display unit is formed. When the flat panel display device is manufactured using the above method, the folded sealant and the getter are simultaneously mounted on the substrate, and thus, a complicated conventional process of mounting the getter in a vacuum state is unnecessary.
US08487525B2
According to the present invention, there is provided a light emitting device that includes at least one laser diode configured to emit light in at least one first wavelength region selected from spectrum regions including ultraviolet light, blue light, and green light; and a light emitting material for emitting light in a second wavelength region by the light emitted from the laser diode, the second wavelength region being different from the first wavelength region. A color-mixed light is made by the light in the first wavelength region and the light in the second wavelength region. Since the laser diode is used as a light emission source, the color-mixed light implemented by the light emitting device has high linearity, so that it may be effectively used for long-distance illumination and flash.
US08487523B2
A reduced wattage gas discharge lamp and method of making same. The gas discharge lamp includes a light transmissive envelope with an inner surface, having a light scattering reflective layer disposed thereon. A phosphor layer is coated on an inner surface of the light scattering reflective layer. A discharge-sustaining gaseous mixture is retained inside the light-transmissive envelope. The discharge-sustaining gaseous mixture includes at least 88% argon, by volume, at a low pressure. An electrode is located within the light-transmissive envelope. The electrode is capable of providing an electric discharge to trigger a reaction within the light-transmissive envelope to cause the lamp to emit light. The remainder of the discharge-sustaining gaseous mixture is substantially neon, at a low pressure. The low pressure is about 3.6 Torr.
US08487516B2
System(s) and method(s) are provided to trigger inter-carrier scanning in a mobile device based at least in part on location thereof. Femto access point (AP) that can serve the mobile device can determine location through cell or sector identifier that is extracted via scan(s) of macro wireless environment of the femto AP. Femto AP can rank extracted sector identifier(s) and establish home macro sector (HMS) identifier(s), and also can generate scanning requirements for idle-mode scan(s) by a mobile device that operates in a HMS and is authorized to access wireless coverage through the femto AP. Scanning requirement(s) can force periodic inter-carrier measurements of a HMS wireless environment, and establish HMS-specific radio link quality threshold(s). Wireless network can receive at least one of HMS identifier(s) and scanning requirement(s) and deliver same to mobile device(s) authorized to exploit wireless coverage through femto AP associated with the HMS ID(s) and the scanning requirement(s).
US08487511B2
A bulk acoustic wave resonator structure that isolates the core resonator from both environmental effects and aging effects. The structure has a piezoelectric layer at least partially disposed between two electrodes. The structure is protected against contamination, package leaks, and changes to the piezoelectric material due to external effects while still providing inertial resistance. The structure has one or more protective elements that limit aging effects to at or below a specified threshold. The resonator behavior is stabilized across the entire bandwidth of the resonance, not just at the series resonance. Examples of protective elements include a collar of material around the core resonator so that perimeter and edge-related environmental and aging phenomena are kept away from the core resonator, a Bragg reflector formed above or below the piezoelectric layer and a cap formed over the piezoelectric layer.
US08487508B2
A sensing system, sensing method, and method of producing a sensing system capable of providing a cumulative measurement capability, such as in the form of a RFID tag capable of measuring cumulative heat and humidity for continuous monitoring of storage and shipping conditions of various goods. The system includes integrated circuitry and a plurality of sensing elements, preferably having cantilevered bimorph beams. Each sensing element is responsive to an environmental condition so as to deflect toward and away from open contacts in response to changes in the environmental condition. Each sensing element produces a digital output when it contacts and closes its open contacts. The integrated circuitry interfaces with the sensing elements so that the digital outputs of the sensing elements are processed to generate a system output of the sensing system.
US08487506B2
A first energy generating system comprises a ferromagnetic generator coupled to a voltage controlled switch. The ferromagnetic generator includes a ferromagnetic element generating a magnetic field and positioned within a pulse generating coil and near an explosive charge. Detonation of the explosive charge decreases the magnetic field and induces a pulse of electric energy in the pulse generating coil. When the magnitude of the electric energy reaches a certain level, the voltage controlled switch closes. A second energy generating system comprises a flux compression generator coupled to a voltage controlled switch. The flux compression generator includes a inductance coil generating a magnetic field within a metallic armature that includes an explosive charge. Detonation of the explosive charge changes the magnetic field and induces a pulse of electric energy in the inductance coil. When the magnitude of the electric energy reaches a certain level, the voltage controlled switch closes.
US08487505B2
There is provided a polymer actuator including a first electrode layer as an active member layer made of a conductive polymer, a second electrode layer opposing to the first electrode layer, and an electrolyte placed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, so that the polymer actuator is driven by a voltage applied between both the electrode layers, wherein the electrolyte is constituted by a first electrolyte layer having a sliding function and a second electrolyte layer having an insulation maintaining function.
US08487501B2
An object of the invention is to provide an armature of an electric motor that provides a maximum of space for winding without causing an increase of the magnetic resistance and reduction of the coil space factor. The armature of the electric motor includes a stator yoke 5 of a stator core 1 wherein a plurality of the stator cores 1 forms a substantially annular shape; and a film insulator 4 formed corresponding to a tooth 6 and a stator yoke 5 of the tooth 6, shoes 2b and 3b being provided at locations corresponding to both side ends of a front portion of a protrusion 6a of the tooth 6, the film insulator 4 being fittingly fixed to grooves 2c and 3c by its being sandwiched between a connection-side insulator 2 and an opposite-side-of-connection insulator 3, the insulators 2 and 3 having grooves 2c and 3c at roots of the shoes 2b and 3b, respectively, along both side ends 6b of the front portion of the tooth 6.
US08487498B2
An electric machine includes a stator disposed about an axis in register with the rotor. The stator has a plurality of slots parallel to the axis. A plurality of windings with generally rectangular cross sections is provided with each winding having a first portion disposed radially inward of a second portion relative to the axis. At least two of the plurality of windings are at least partially inserted into each of the plurality of slots. The plurality of generally rectangular windings in each of the plurality of slots is configured to reduce resistive loss within the stator.
US08487496B2
A retention system in which rotor pole pieces are retained within complementarily shaped channels in a rotor hub, permanent magnets are secured between the pole pieces and within clamp members, and wedge-shaped pieces are used to apply positive locking forces along the axial length of each clamp member and of adjacent pole pieces. A curable resin preferably in disposed within gaps between the permanent magnets and the clamp members.
US08487489B2
Provided is an apparatus, for example, for use with a rotating electric machine, that includes a housing. The housing can include a housing main portion and a housing end portion. The housing main portion can be configured to be disposed proximal to a body portion of a stator section of an electric machine. The housing main portion can define a main fluid channel that is configured to conduct fluid therethrough. The housing end portion can receive fluid from said main fluid channel and direct fluid into contact with a winding end portion of a conductive winding of the stator section.
US08487486B1
In accordance with the embodiment a folded electromagnetic coil comprises an electrically conducting wire looped and folded many times such that two or more semicircular sections are formed with approximately the same centerline and the same coil opening such that a supported-magnet can pass unobstructed though the coil center.
US08487480B1
Described herein are improved capabilities for a source resonator having a Q-factor Q1>100 and a characteristic size x1 coupled to an energy source, and a second resonator having a Q-factor Q2>100 and a characteristic size x2 coupled to an energy drain located a distance D from the source resonator, where the source resonator and the second resonator are coupled to exchange energy wirelessly among the source resonator and the second resonator.
US08487479B2
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for wireless power transfer using resonant ferrite antennas to transmit and receive power. Ferrite structures concentrate magnetic flux lines into the structure, thereby creating a magnetic path and field with less interference and eddy current losses than in device electronics, thereby improving the efficiency of magnetic power distribution. The disclosure describes tuning the resonance frequency by mechanically adjusting the position of the coil on the rod. The ferrite rod antennas described herein may be used to transfer power to handheld communication devices.
US08487470B2
A vertical wind turbine is provided that includes a support base defined about an axis, a bearing assembly, a drive shaft having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, and a multistage axial flux generator. The bearing assembly includes a fixed ring and a rotating ring, wherein the fixed ring is coupled to the support base. The drive shaft is coupled to the rotating ring of the bearing assembly, and a plurality of sails are coupled to the drive shaft. The multistage axial flux generator includes a rotor assembly coupled to the drive shaft and a stator assembly coupled to the support base. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of permanent magnets, and the stator assembly includes a plurality of coils defining at least two voltage output stages. The permanent magnets on the rotor assembly are close-coupled to the coils on the stator assembly.
US08487466B2
Turbo-machine having at least two counter-rotatable rotors and having mechanical torque compensation
A turbo-machine includes at least two rotors which are mounted so as to be rotatable in opposite directions relative to one another about a rotational axis and on which are arranged blades or vanes, having a rotatably mounted machine shaft and having a drive mechanism which connects the machine shaft to the at least two rotors and which converts a rotational movement of the machine shaft into rotational movements of the rotors in opposite directions relative to one another or vice versa. In at least one embodiment, the turbo-machine is designed to utilize the hydrodynamic advantages of counter-rotating rotors yet at the same time have comparatively low mechanical complexity and component density and therefore increased reliability. This is possible according to at least one embodiment of the invention in that the turbo-machine has a housing which forms a duct for a flow of a fluid, wherein the rotors are arranged in series in the duct in the flow direction of the fluid, the machine shaft and the rotors are of annular design and are rotatably mounted in the housing, and wherein the annular rotors have in each case a ring inner side and a ring outer side, wherein the blades or vanes are arranged on the ring inner side.
US08487458B2
A current sensor is installed in a generator set to measure the current being delivered from the generator set to a refrigeration unit. A control is responsive to the current transformer to reduce the speed of the drive engine to a lower speed when the current being delivered to the refrigeration unit is determined to be below a predetermined higher level. Provision is made to override the system when the sensed current is determined to be transient caused or in the event that ambient temperature is determined to be above a predetermined temperature threshold.
US08487456B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.
US08487455B2
A welding generator system, in certain embodiments, has a generally vertical arrangement of a drive and a generator. The welding generator system may include a motor and a generator coupled to the motor, wherein the generator includes a rotor having an axis oriented in a generally upright direction relative to a base portion of the welding generator system. The welding generator system also may include a thrust bearing configured to support an axial load of the rotor, and a welding power system coupled to the generator.
US08487449B2
According to one embodiment, a carbon nanotube interconnection includes a first conductive layer, an insulating film, a catalyst underlying film, a catalyst deactivation film, a catalyst film, and carbon nanotubes. An insulating film is formed on the first conductive layer and including a hole. An catalyst underlying film is formed on the first conductive layer on a bottom surface in the hole and on the insulating film on a side surface in the hole. A catalyst deactivation film is formed on the catalyst underlying film on the side surface in the hole. A catalyst film is formed on the catalyst underlying film on the bottom surface in the hole and the catalyst deactivation film on the side surface in the hole. Carbon nanotubes are formed in the hole, the carbon nanotubes including one end in contact with the catalyst film on the bottom surface in the hole.
US08487446B2
A method of forming a device associated with a via includes forming an opening or via, and forming at least a pair of conducting paths within the via. Also disclosed is a via having at pair of conducting paths therein.
US08487445B1
A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. In one embodiment of the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device, a through electrode is formed on a semiconductor die, and a dielectric layer such as a photopolymer is coated on the through electrode to cover the through electrode. Under exposure is performed on the dielectric layer, thereby partially removing the dielectric layer by development. As a result, a top end of the through electrode is exposed to the outside or protrudes through the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer remaining on the top end of the through electrode may be removed by performing a plasma descum process, if needed.
US08487444B2
A system and method for making semiconductor die connections with through-silicon vias (TSVs) are disclosed. A semiconductor die is manufactured with both via-first TSVs as well as via-last TSVs in order to establish low resistance paths for die connections between adjacent dies as well as for providing a low resistance path for feedthrough channels between multiple dies.
US08487439B2
A circuit board that can decrease thermal stress acting between a semiconductor element and a board in association with temperature alteration and has high mechanical strength (rigidity) as a whole board (including a multilayer wiring layer) is provided. Ceramic base material having a coefficient of thermal expansion close to that of a semiconductor element and inner layer wiring are integrally sintered, and the circuit board is configured so that fine-lined conductor structure corresponding to a multilayer wiring layer in the inner layer wiring has predetermined width, intralayer interval and interlayer interval. Thereby, thermal stress acting between a semiconductor element and the board when the board is exposed to temperature alteration in a condition where it is joined with the semiconductor element is suppressed, rigidity of the board is maintained, and its reliability against temperature cycle is increased.
US08487437B2
An electronic device package includes a substrate assembly, an electronic device disposed to face the substrate assembly, and a sealing ring or rings including a sealing layer and a bonding layer that is disposed between the substrate assembly and the electronic device, wherein the sealing ring(s) has a closed loop shape surrounding a sealing region of the electronic device, and the bonding layer is formed through a reaction of the sealing layer and sealing layer pad with a low-melting-point material layer whose melting point is lower than that of the sealing layer and sealing ring pad. The bonding layer is formed of an intermetallic compound of the sealing layer, sealing ring pad and low-melting-point material that melts at a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the low-melting-point material. The device package also includes electrical connections in the form of joints between the substrate assembly and electronic device.
US08487435B2
Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including a microelectronic device including a die having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a conductive pillar formed on the first surface of the die, and an encapsulant material encasing the die, including covering the first surface, the second surface, and at least a portion of a side surface of the conductive pillar. Methods for making the same also are described.
US08487431B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit having a multi-chip structure includes a plurality of stacked semiconductor chips. At least one of the semiconductor chips includes first and second metal layers separately formed inside the semiconductor chip, a first internal circuit coupled in series between the first and second metal layers inside the semiconductor chip, a first metal path vertically formed over the second metal layer to a first side of the semiconductor chip, and a first through silicon via formed through the semiconductor chip from a second side of the semiconductor chip to the first metal layer.
US08487423B2
In a semiconductor integrated circuit chip including an interconnect layer in which there is a limitation on the lengths of interconnects or areas occupied by the interconnects, empty spaces between power supply interconnect segments having the same potential located in parallel to a priority interconnect direction, are shifted relative to each other within the limits of the lengths and areas of power supply interconnects. As a result, a local increase in resistance is dispersed, whereby an influence on a voltage drop is reduced.
US08487421B2
A microelectronic package may include a stacked microelectronic unit including at least first and second vertically stacked microelectronic elements each having a front face facing a top surface of the package. The front face of the first element may be adjacent the top surface, and the first element may overlie the front face of the second element such that at least a portion of the front face of the second element having an element contact thereon extends beyond an edge of the first element. A conductive structure may electrically connect a first terminal at the top surface to an element contact at the front face of the second element, and include a continuous monolithic metal feature extending along the top surface and through at least a portion of an encapsulant, which is between the top surface and the front face of the second element, towards the element contact.
US08487418B2
According to one embodiment, an LED package includes (2×n) (n is an integer of 2 or more) lead frames, n LED chips and a resin body. The (2×n) lead frames are arranged to be apart from each other. The n LED chips are provided above the lead frames. Each of the n LED chips has one terminal connected to each of n lead frames of the (2×n) lead frames and another terminal connected to each of lead frames of the (2×n) lead frames other than the n lead frames. The resin body covers the (2×n) lead frames and the n LED chips.
US08487413B2
Disclosed are a passivation film for an electronic device having a nitride film formed on a substrate by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method using a silicon-containing gas and a nitrogen-containing gas and a plasma-processed film formed by plasma processing a surface of the nitride film by a PECVD method using an NH3 gas, an N2 gas, and a H2 gas, and a method of manufacturing the passivation film.
US08487409B2
Affords methods of manufacturing InP substrates, methods of manufacturing epitaxial wafers, InP substrates, and eptiaxial wafers whereby deterioration of the electrical characteristics can be kept under control, and at the same time, deterioration of the PL characteristics can be kept under control. An InP substrate manufacturing method of the present invention is provided with the following steps. An InP substrate is prepared (Steps S1 through S3). The InP substrate is washed with sulfuric acid/hydrogen peroxide (Step S5). After the step of washing with sulfuric acid/hydrogen peroxide (Step S5), the InP substrate is washed with phosphoric acid (Step S6).
US08487402B2
The semiconductor device which has an electric straight line-like fuse with a small occupying area is offered.A plurality of projecting portions 10f are formed in the position shifted from the middle position of electric fuse part 10a, and, more concretely, are formed in the position distant from via 10e and near via 10d. A plurality of projecting portions 20f are formed in the position shifted from the middle position of electric fuse part 20a, and, more concretely, are formed in the position distant from via 20d and near 20e. That is, projecting portions 10f and projecting portions 20f are arranged in the shape of zigzag.
US08487395B2
A thin-film transistor array device includes a passivation film above first and second bottom gate transistors. A gate wire is below the passivation film. A source wire and a relay wire are above the passivation film. The source wire is electrically connected to a source electrode of the first transistor via a first hole in the passivation film. A conductive oxide film is between the passivation film and both the source wire and the relay electrode and not electrically connected between the source wire and the relay electrode. The conductive oxide film covers an end portion of the gate wire that is exposed via a second hole in the passivation film. The conductive oxide film is between the relay electrode and a current-supply electrode of the second transistor and electrically connects the relay electrode and the current-supply electrode via a third hole in the passivation film.
US08487374B2
In general, according to one embodiment, a power semiconductor device includes a first pillar region, a second pillar region, and an epitaxial layer of a first conductivity type on a first semiconductor layer. The first pillar region is composed of a plurality of first pillar layers of a second conductivity type and a plurality of second pillar layers of the first conductivity type alternately arranged along a first direction. The second pillar region is adjacent to the first pillar region along the first direction and includes a third pillar layer of the second conductivity type, a fourth pillar layer of the first conductivity type, and a fifth pillar layer of the second conductivity type in this order along the first direction. A plurality of second base layers of the second conductivity type electrically connected, respectively, onto the third pillar layer and the fifth pillar layer and spaced from each other.
US08487373B2
Methods for forming a memory cell are disclosed. A method includes forming a source-drain structure in a semiconductor substrate where the source-drain structure includes a rounded top surface and sidewall surfaces. An oxide layer is formed on the top and sidewall surfaces of the source-drain structure. The thickness of the portion of the oxide layer that is formed on the top surface of the source-drain structure is greater than the thickness of the portion of the oxide layer that is formed on the sidewall surfaces of the source-drain structure.
US08487372B1
A trench MOSFET layout with multiple trenched floating gates and at least one trenched channel stop gate in termination area shorted with drain region is disclosed to make it feasibly achieved after die sawing. The layout consisted of dual trench MOSFETs connected together with multiple sawing trenched gates across a space between the two trench MOSFETs having a width same as scribe line.
US08487371B2
Systems and methods of fabricating Wafer Level Chip Scale Packaging (WLCSP) devices with transistors having source, drain and gate contacts on one side of the transistor while still having excellent electrical performance with low drain-to-source resistance RDS(on) include using a two-metal drain contact technique. The RDS(on) is further improved by using a through-silicon-via (TSV) technique to form a drain contact or by using a copper layer closely connected to the drain drift.
US08487370B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body including a trench with first and second opposing sidewalls. A first electrode is arranged in a lower portion of the trench and a second electrode in an upper portion of the trench. A dielectric structure is arranged in the trench, including a first portion between the electrodes. The first portion includes, in sequence along a lateral direction from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, a first part including a first dielectric material, a second part including a second dielectric material selectively etchable to the first dielectric material, a third part including the first dielectric material, the first dielectric material of the third part being continuously arranged along a vertical direction from a top side of the first electrode to a bottom side of the second electrode, a fourth part including the second dielectric material and a fifth part including the first dielectric material.
US08487361B2
Devices and methods for preventing capacitor leakage caused by sharp tip. The formation of sharp tip is avoided by a thicker bottom electrode which fully fills a micro-trench that induces formation of the sharp tip. Alternatively, formation of the sharp tip can be avoided by recessing the contact plug to substantially eliminate the micro-trench.
US08487360B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate of a first impurity type, a first well region of a second impurity type in the substrate, the second impurity type being different from the first impurity type, a second well region of the first impurity type in the substrate, a patterned first dielectric layer on the substrate extending over the first and second well regions, a patterned first gate structure on the patterned first dielectric layer, a patterned second dielectric layer on the patterned first gate structure, and a patterned second gate structure on the patterned second dielectric layer. The patterned first gate structure may include a first section extending in a first direction and a second section extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first section, wherein the first section and the second section intersects each other in a cross pattern. The patterned second gate structure may include at least one of a first section extending in the first direction over the first section of the patterned first gate structure or a second section extending in the second direction over the second section of the patterned first gate structure.
US08487357B2
Each pixel of a solid state imaging device comprises: a first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer; a third semiconductor layer and fourth semiconductor layer formed on the lateral side of the upper region of the second layer not to be in contact with the top surface of the second semiconductor layer; a gate conductor layer formed on the lower side of the second semiconductor layer; a conductor electrode formed on the side of the fourth semiconductor layer via an insulating film; and a fifth semiconductor layer formed on the top surface of the second semiconductor layer, wherein at least the third semiconductor layer, upper region of the second semiconductor layer, fourth semiconductor layer, and fifth semiconductor layer are formed in the shape of an island. A specific voltage is applied to the conductor electrode to accumulate holes in the surface region of the fourth semiconductor layer.
US08487346B2
A semiconductor device including: a substrate, which has a composition represented by the formula: Ala′Ga1-a′N, wherein a′ satisfies 0
US08487344B2
Disclosed is an optical device including an optical member and a contact layer stacked on at least one of top and bottom surfaces of the optical member. The contact layer has at least one transparent conducting oxynitride (TCON) layer. The TCON consists of at least one of indium (In), tin (Sn), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), gallium (Ga), aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), titanium (Ti), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru), and palladium (Pd).
US08487343B2
A horizontal-type IGBT having a large current density, which is formed on a SOI substrate, has an emitter region, which is made up with two (2) or more of base-layers of a second conductivity-type on an oxide film groove, wherein the base-layers of the second conductivity-type in the emitter region are covered with a layer of a first conductivity-type, being high in the conductivity than a drift layer, and length of a gate electrode on the oxide film groove is reduced than the length of the gate electrode on the collector, and further the high-density layer of the first conductivity-type is formed below the base layer of the second conductivity-type on the collector, thereby achieving the high density of the layer of the first conductivity-type while maintaining an endurable voltage, and an increase of the current density.
US08487327B2
A III-nitride semiconductor device has a support base comprised of a III-nitride semiconductor and having a primary surface extending along a first reference plane perpendicular to a reference axis inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a c-axis of the III-nitride semiconductor, and an epitaxial semiconductor region provided on the primary surface of the support base. The epitaxial semiconductor region includes GaN-based semiconductor layers. The reference axis is inclined at a first angle from the c-axis of the III-nitride semiconductor toward a first crystal axis, either the m-axis or a-axis. The reference axis is inclined at a second angle from the c-axis of the III-nitride semiconductor toward a second crystal axis, the other of the m-axis and a-axis. Morphology of an outermost surface of the epitaxial semiconductor region includes a plurality of pits. A pit density of the pits is not more than 5×104 cm−2.
US08487325B2
A light emitting diode includes a substrate, a plurality of pillar structures, a filler structure, a transparent conductive layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. These pillar structures are formed on the substrate. Each of the pillar structures includes a first type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second type semiconductor layer. The first type semiconductor layers are formed on the substrate. The pillar structures are electrically connected with each other through the first type semiconductor layers. The filler structure is formed between the pillar structures. The filler structure and the second type semiconductor layers of the pillar structures are covered with the transparent conductive layer. The first electrode is in contact with the transparent conductive layer. The second electrode is in contact with the first type semiconductor layer.
US08487322B2
A luminous body comprises a transparent plastic moulding with indentations, and LED DIEs disposed within the indentations. One side of each LED DIE lies approximately flush with an upper side of the moulding, and each LED DIE is connected to an electricity supply via electrical conductors disposed on the moulding. A method for producing such a luminous body is also disclosed.
US08487321B2
An alternating current (AC) light emitting assembly and an AC light emitting device are disclosed. The AC light emitting assembly includes a substrate; a rectifier unit comprising a plurality of rectifier components arranged in a Wheatstone Bridge, for rectifying an AC signal into a direct current (DC) signal, each of the rectifier components having a high breakdown voltage and a low forward voltage; a light emitting unit electrically connected to the rectifier unit and comprising a plurality of light emitting components formed on the substrate, for emitting light when receiving the DC signal outputted by the rectifier unit; and two conductive electrodes electrically connected to the rectifier unit for receiving and transmitting the AC signal to the rectifier unit. The AC light emitting device includes two stacked and electrically connected AC light emitting assemblies.
US08487316B2
An integrated semiconductor substrate structure is disclosed. In one aspect, the structure includes a substrate, a GaN-heterostructure and a semiconductor substrate layer. The GaN heterostructure is present in a first device area for definition of GaN-based devices, and is covered at least partially with a protection layer. The semiconductor substrate layer is present in a second device area for definition of CMOS devices. At least one of the GaN heterostructure and the semiconductor substrate layer is provided in at least one trench in the substrate, so that the GaN heterostructure and the semiconductor substrate layer are laterally juxtaposed.
US08487307B2
A semiconductor arrangement is disclosed. One embodiment includes a first semiconductor layer including a first and second component zone that form a pn-junction or a Schottky-junction. A second semiconductor layer includes a drift control zone adjacent to the second component zone. A dielectric layer separates the first semiconductor layer from the second semiconductor layer. A rectifying element is coupled between the drift control zone and the second component zone.
US08487304B2
An electrical connection includes a first electrical contact made of electrically conductive material. The first electrical contact is formed with a depression therein. Also included are a deformable pad, having a Young's modulus of less than 1,000,000 psi, which bears on the first contact; and a second electrical contact, made of electrically conductive material, which contacts the first electrical contact and is at least partially received into the depression. The deformable pad at least partially causes at least one lateral force on the first electrical contact, so as to induce the first electrical contact to make an electrical connection with the second electrical contact. An array of such contacts is also contemplated, as is an array of cantilevered contacts, which may or may not have depressions, and which are supported by at least one elastomeric pad, having a Young's modulus of less 72,500 psi.
US08487301B2
An organic light-emitting display device including a substrate; at least one thin-film transistor (TFT) formed on the substrate; a planarizing layer covering the TFT; a pixel electrode, which is formed on the planarizing layer and is connected to the TFT; a protective layer surrounding an edge of the pixel electrode; a pixel defining layer (PDL), which has an overhang (OH) structure protruding more than the top surface of the protective layer, covers the protective layer and the edge of the pixel electrode, and exposes a portion of the pixel electrode surrounded by the protective layer; a counter electrode facing the pixel electrode; and an intermediate layer, which is interposed between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode and includes a light-emitting layer and at least one organic layer, where the thickness of the intermediate layer is greater than the thickness of the protective layer.
US08487300B2
The present invention relates to phosphorescent organic electroluminescent devices which contain as a matrix material of emitting layer, metal complexes of the formula (I)
US08487299B2
An organic EL device has an organic EL element provided on a substrate and includes a lower electrode, an organic EL layer, an upper electrode, and a protective layer for moisture protection, and a protective substrate laminated onto the organic EL element via an adhesive layer. The protective layer is a laminated body including first through nth layers, in order, from a side close to the upper electrode (where n is an integer equal to or greater than 3). Each layer of the protective layer includes silicon oxynitride or silicon nitride, and two adjacent layers layer have different chemical compositions. The first layer has a refractive index smaller than that of the upper electrode and the nth layer has a refractive index larger than that of the adhesive layer. The refractive index (k) of the kth layer satisfies a relationship: refractive index (k−1)>refractive index (k).
US08487298B2
An organic semiconductor transistor has plural electrodes and an organic semiconductor layer including at least one compound represented by the following Formula (I). In Formula (I), each R is independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; and n and m are each independently an integer of from 1 to 3.
US08487296B2
Methods, devices, systems and/or articles related to techniques for forming a graphene film on a substrate, and the resulting graphene layers and graphenated substrates are generally disclosed. Some example techniques may be embodied as methods or processes for forming graphene. Some other example techniques may be embodied as devices employed to manipulate, treat, or otherwise process substrates, graphite, graphene and/or graphenated substrates as described herein. Graphene layers and graphenated substrates produced by the various techniques and devices provided herein are also disclosed.
US08487294B2
A nanostructure quick-switch memristor includes an upper electrode, a lower electrode and three layers of nanomembrane provided between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. The three layers of nanomembrane consist of an N-type semiconductor layer, a neutral semiconductor layer on the N-type semiconductor layer, and a P-type semiconductor layer on the neutral semiconductor layer. The nanostructure quick-switch memristor of the present invention has the quick switching speed, simple manufacturing method, and low manufacturing cost.
US08487293B2
A memory array is disclosed having bipolar current-voltage (IV) resistive random access memory cells with built-in “on” state rectifying IV characteristics. In one embodiment, a bipolar switching resistive random access memory cell may have a metal/solid electrolyte/semiconductor stack that forms a Schottky diode when switched to the “on” state. In another embodiment, a bipolar switching resistive random access memory cell may have a metal/solid electrolyte/tunnel barrier/electrode stack that forms a metal-insulator-metal device when switched to the “on” state. Methods of operating the memory array are also disclosed.
US08487280B2
A first species is implanted into an entire surface of a workpiece and helium is implanted into this entire surface with a non-uniform dose. The first species may be, for example, hydrogen, helium, or nitrogen. The helium has a higher dose at a portion of a periphery of the workpiece. When the workpiece is split, this split is initiated at the periphery with the higher dose. The non-uniform dose may be formed by altering a scan speed of the workpiece or an ion beam current of the helium. In one instance, the non-uniform dose of the helium is larger than a uniform dose of the hydrogen.
US08487278B2
The invention comprises an X-ray method and apparatus used in conjunction with charged particle radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. The system uses an X-ray beam that lies in substantially the same path as a charged particle beam path of a particle beam cancer therapy system, has an elongated lifetime, and/or that is synchronized with patient respiration. The system creates an electron beam that strikes an X-ray generation source where the X-ray generation source is located proximate to the proton beam path. By generating the X-rays near the proton beam path, an X-ray path that is essentially the proton beam path is created. Using the generated X-rays, the system collects X-ray images of a localized body tissue region about a cancerous tumor, which are usable for: fine tuning body alignment relative to the proton beam path and/or to control the proton beam path to accurately and precisely target the tumor.
US08487276B2
A scanning photometer and attendant methods are provided. The scanning photometer is generally characterized by first and second fluorophore excitation sources, an objective lens, and a common emission detector for the detection of first and second fluorophore emission originating from the excitation of the fluorophores via passage of excitation energy, via an optical path of the objective lens, from the excitation sources. Excitation energy and emission energy conditioning elements are like-wise provided, operatively interposed before or after the objective lens as the case may be.
US08487270B2
A particle beam device includes a movable carrier element with at least one receiving element for receiving a specimen and in which the receiving element is situated on the carrier element. In various embodiments, the receiving element may be situated removably on the carrier element and/or multiple receiving elements may be situated on the carrier element in such a way that a movement of the carrier element causes a movement of the multiple receiving elements in the same spatial direction or around the same axis. The carrier element may be movable in three spatial directions situated perpendicular to one another and rotatable around a first axis which is parallel to an optical axis of the particle beam device and around a second axis which is situated perpendicular to the optical axis. A method for using the particle beam device in connection with specimen study and preparation is also disclosed.
US08487268B2
The invention relates to a method for the production of a multilayer electrostatic lens arrangement with at least one lens electrode in general, a method for the production of a phase plate in particular as well as the lens arrangement, the phase plate and a transmission electron microscope with the phase plate.The lens arrangement or the phase plate is produced from a thin self-supporting silicon nitride membrane which is fixed in a macroscopic chip with deposition of further layers.The central bore as well as the aperture opening are milled out by means of an ion beam.
US08487262B2
A radiometric for measuring a physical, measured variable of a fill substance located in a container and for outputting a measurement signal, which corresponds to a measured value of the physical, measured variable. The measuring device has available a single line-pair, via which energy supply of the total measuring device occurs, and via which transmission of the measurement signal occurs. The measuring device includes: a radioactive radiator, which, during operation, sends radioactive radiation through the container; a detector having a scintillator and a photomultiplier and serving for detecting, and for converting into an electrical output signal, radiation intensity penetrating through the container dependent on the physical, measured variable to be measured; a measuring device electronics, which serves, on the basis of the electrical output signal of the detector, for producing the measurement signal and for making such available via the line-pair; an energy storer supplied via the line-pair; a controller, which, as a function of energy available via the line-pair and the energy storer, triggers measuring phases, during which the measuring device measures the physical, measured variable, and which places the photomultiplier in operation exclusively during the measuring phases, wherein high voltages required for operating the photomultiplier are produced during the measuring phases by means of a high voltage cascade.
US08487260B2
The invention provides a sensor including a first sensor element formed in a first substrate and at least one optical element formed in a second substrate, the first and second substrates being configured relative to one another such that the second substrate forms a cap over the first sensor element, the at least one optical element being configured to guide incident radiation on the cap to the first sensor element. The sensor also includes a reference sensor element whose output can be used to reference the output of the first sensor element.
US08487252B2
A method for operating a particle beam microscope comprising detecting light rays or particles which emanate from a structure, wherein the structure comprises at least one of: at least a portion of a surface of an object and at least a portion of a surface of an object holder of the particle beam microscope; generating a surface model of the structure depending on the at least one of the detected light rays and the particles; determining a position and an orientation of the surface model of the structure relative to the object region; determining a measurement location relative to the surface model of the structure; and positioning the object depending on the generated surface model of the structure, depending on the determined position and orientation of the surface model of the structure, and depending on the determined measurement location.
US08487246B2
The field of the invention is atmospheric pressure mass spectrometry (MS), and more specifically a process and apparatus which combine infrared laser ablation with electrospray ionization (ESI).
US08487237B2
Provided is a rotary encoder, including: a rotary scale, which has a predetermined pattern including continuous patterns and a rotational angle original point formed thereon with reference to a pattern center, has a polygonal outer shape, and has the rotational angle original point defined with reference to at least one side of sides of the polygonal outer shape; a hub, which includes projections for abutting the sides of the polygonal outer shape of the rotary scale and positioning the rotary scale; a rotating shaft, which is press-fitted into the hub and rotates coaxially with the pattern center of the rotary scale; and detecting units for irradiating the rotary scale with light and detecting the light reflected by the rotary scale.
US08487235B2
A photoelectric sensor and method for sensing a target at a predetermined location. The photoelectric sensor includes a light source that emits light, an output circuit including first and second photodetectors, and first and second receive lenses respectively positioned adjacent to the first and second photodetectors, respectively. If the target is at the predetermined location, then a first portion of the emitted light is received by the first photodetector after being reflected off of the target and passing through the first receive lens, and a second portion of the emitted light is received by the second photodetector after being reflected off of the target and passing through the second received lens. Further, the output circuit produces an output signal indicative of a sensed characteristic of the target based on signals generated by the first and the second photodetectors.
US08487233B2
The invention relates to vision equipment including a translucent optical strip covering all or some of the visual field of the user of the said equipment and a device for projecting images onto the said strip in at least one zone of the visual field of the user, called the image-projection zone. The optical strip includes a plurality of zones covered by a layer of material with a controlled coefficient of light transmission, a zone at least covering the image-projection zone and in that the vision equipment also comprises a means for controlling the coefficient of light transmission capable of receiving status information and of controlling the coefficient of light transmission of each of the zones and independently of one another as a function of the said status information. The invention preferably applies to helmet visor equipment or head-up displays for an aircraft cockpit and to vision equipment in the motor vehicle field.
US08487232B2
A solid state image sensor and an image sensing apparatus incorporated with the solid state image sensor include: pixel arrays each provided with pixels, and an accumulating section e.g. a capacitor CX which sums up and accumulates signal charges obtained by exposure of an object with respect to a corresponding color at different timings when the signal charges are obtained by the pixels of each of the pixel arrays. A reset noise of a converting floating diffusion is outputted after the converting floating diffusion is reset. Thereafter, a summation of the reset noise, and the signal charges accumulated in the accumulating section is outputted.
US08487226B2
Guided airborne weapons fired in a salvo against multiple targets are deconflicted by performing a scene correlation of multiple cued targets to TLOs acquired by the seeker's imaging sensor to track a target package. If the weapon is provided with a multimode seeker, target cues for a common designated target and a common SAL code are provided to each weapon. Each weapon uses its SAL sensor to detect and process a SAL return to verify the common SAL code and augment their scene correlations by fixing the TLO track file of the common designated target to the cued track file associated with the designated target. At terminal, each weapon commits to a particular target by referencing its assigned target to the tracked target package. Correlation to multiple targets in the target package makes the acquisition and tracking process more robust and reduces targeting ambiguity. Furthermore, a single SAL designation can improve the tracking of all the weapons to their respective targets.
US08487225B2
A reusable self-supporting field director for use in a microwave oven is characterized by a plurality of vanes, each extending radially outwardly from a central axis. The vanes are supported in a slotted central support member. Each vane has a predetermined thickness dimension. Each vane comprises a substrate formed from an electrically non-conductive material having a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion and an electrically conductive wrapper having a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the coefficient of thermal expansion of the substrate. The wrapper wraps the substrate so that a portion of the first and second major surfaces are covered and the radially inner end of each vane is wrapped by an electrically conductive material. The wrapper and the substrate are arranged in a laterally symmetric fashion so that thermal expansion effects due to heating are equalized across the thickness of each vane.
US08487222B2
[PROBLEMS] To provide a heating electrode which can uniformly heat a material to be heated having an irregular shape and can stably perform heating/holding-convey of the material to be heated by the heating electrode; and a method for heating food by using the heating electrode.[MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] An assembly of pin electrodes (10) formed by conductive pins are slidably arranged in a through hole (21) of a pin support table (20). A pressure-variable gas chamber (30) whose pressure is variable is connected to the pin support table (20). By applying a plus pressure or a minus pressure to the gas chamber (30), the pin electrodes (10) are displaced relatively to the pin support table (20).
US08487218B2
In a number of practical situations it is desirable to provide consistency with regard to a metering material presentation. For example, with regard to welding and shape metal deposition it is desirable to provide a homogenous vortex free cloud of gas shielding about a work piece prior to and subsequent to processing. Unfortunately, metering meshes are subject to distortion through thermal gradients. By providing a support matrix arrangement comprising a first planar member and a second planar member incorporating ribbon elements and deflector portions bilateral deflection in the plane of the metering mesh can be accommodated whilst outward buckling is avoided. In such circumstances there is consistency with regard to metering mesh presentation and therefore gas flow through shielding.
US08487216B2
The present invention is directed to a remotely controlled welding machine. A remote control uses the welding circuit to transfer information to a welding power source. The information to be communicated to the power source includes welding power source output command information (amperage/voltage control), welding circuit on/off information (power source output contactor control), and power source mode control (constant voltage/constant current). A transmitter transmits the desired welding operational parameters to a receiver disposed in the power source. The transmitter is constructed to use only a small amount of power which, preferably, is supplied by one or two low voltage replaceable and/or rechargeable batteries. Additionally, an open circuit voltage is not created between the power source and an electrode holder when an arc is not present.
US08487212B2
The present invention provides a method of and apparatus for marking or inscribing a workpiece (3) with high-energy radiation, more particularly with a laser beam (1), the workpiece (3) having a light-scattering surface (9) and the material of the workpiece (3) being transparent for the radiation wavelength, and a polymer matrix (7) being disposed on the workpiece (3) in such a way that the radiation passes through the workpiece (3) and its light-scattering surface (9) before impinging on the polymer matrix (7), characterized in that the light-scattering surface (9) of the workpiece (3) is wetted with a liquid or viscoelastic medium (11).
US08487209B2
A laser welding apparatus and method reduce the effect of the fume resulting from a weld. An air injecting nozzle is installed at a laser processing head. The injecting direction of air from the air injecting nozzle is set such that the air flows across a laser beam irradiated from the laser processing head while the air flow avoids direct contact with the laser irradiating point on the work piece.
US08487206B2
Provided is a joint product of a steel product and an aluminum material, the joint product being formed by joining the steel product having a sheet thickness t1 of 0.3 to 3.0 mm with the aluminum material having a sheet thickness t2 of 0.5 to 4.0 mm by spot welding, wherein a nugget area in a joint part is from 20×t20.5 to 100×t20.5 mm2, an area of a portion where a thickness of an interface reaction layer is from 0.5 to 3 μm is 10×t20.5 mm2 or more, and a difference between the thickness of the interface reaction layer at a joint part center and the thickness of the interface reaction layer at a point distant from the joint part center by a distance of one-fourth of a joint diameter is 5 μm or less, and wherein the aluminum material is pure aluminum or an aluminum alloy material.
US08487196B1
A box connector for cable comprises an annular connector in which one or more inwardly extending arms are formed. The inwardly extending arms are formed such that cable may be inserted in one direction, but cannot be pulled out in the other direction until the inwardly extending arms are released. In use, the box connector is inserted into an electrical box prior to inserting cable. Thereafter, cable is threaded into the electrical box. Once the cable is threaded into the electrical box, the cable is fixedly held via the inwardly extending arms.
US08487193B2
A conductive plate includes a substrate, an adhesive, and a conductive layer attached to the substrate through the adhesive. The conductive layer includes a plurality of conductive films, each of which includes a plurality of nanounits.
US08487192B2
A printed wiring board including an insulation layer made of a resin material and having first and second surfaces, the insulation layer having an opening portion opened on the second surface, a conductive circuit having first and second surfaces, the conductive circuit being embedded in the insulation layer such that the first surface of the conductive circuit is formed flush with the first surface of the insulation layer and that the second surface of the conductive circuit is exposed through the opening portion of the insulation layer, a first surface-treatment film formed on the conductive circuit and facing the first surface of the conductive circuit, and a second surface-treatment film formed on the conductive circuit and facing the second surface of the conductive circuit and in the opening portion of the insulation layer.
US08487190B2
A flexible printed circuit board includes a substrate, signal lines, a first reinforcing layer, and a second reinforcing layer. The first surface of the substrate includes a layout zone and a reinforcing zone disposed nearby the layout zone. The signal lines are disposed on the layout zone. The first reinforcing layer is disposed on the reinforcing zone. The second reinforcing layer is disposed on the second surface of the substrate.
US08487185B2
Cable layer including a propylene polymer composition including (a) a propylene polymer (b) an elastomeric copolymer of propylene and at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, C4 α-olefin, C5 α-olefin, C6 α-olefin, C7 α-olefin, C8 α-olefin, C9 α-olefin and C10 α-olefin, and (c) units derived from at least bifunctionally unsaturated monomer(s) and/or at least multifunctionally unsaturated low molecular weight polymer(s), the units being linked to the propylene polymer and/or the elastometric copolymer wherein the gel content of the propylene polymer composition determined as the amount of polymer insoluble in boiling xylene is not more than 1 wt %.
US08487175B2
In a musical analysis apparatus, a spectrum acquirer acquires a spectrum for each frame of an audio signal representing a piece of music. A beat specifier specifies a sequence of beats of the audio signal. A feature amount extractor divides an interval between the beats into a plurality of analysis periods such that one analysis period contains a plurality of frames, and separates the spectrum of the frames contained in one analysis period into a plurality of analysis bands so as to set a plurality of analysis units in one analysis period in correspondence with the plurality of the analysis bands, such that one analysis unit contains components of the spectrum belonging to the corresponding analysis band. The feature amount extractor further calculates a feature value of each analysis unit based on the components of the spectrum contained in each analysis unit, thereby generating a rhythmic feature amount that is an array of the feature values calculated for the analysis units and that features a rhythm of the piece of music.
US08487174B2
A method of instructing an audience to spontaneously create music at an entertainment event is disclosed. The method comprises providing noisemakers to groups of participants, the noisemakers being distinguishable between the plurality of types and each noisemaker sounding a single note. A dynamic display comprising a screen and a notice period shows instructions to the participants. The instructions direct the participants to sound their respective noisemakers at different times. The combined sound from the various noisemakers thereby produces a musical score.
US08487170B2
The present invention relates to a percussion instrument of the type consisting of a box composed of four walls (1) forming the outline, on which a top (2) rests, the lateral end walls (3-4) having a rectangular profile, the front (5) and rear (6) faces having a convex profile (7) in their lower part while in their upper part on which the top rests they follow a line which is firstly rectilinear (8), then continued by a concave part (9), which is itself continued by a rectilinear or very slightly convex part (10), such that the box is divided into three zones: a deep zone (8) for producing bass sounds, continued by a shallower median part (9) for producing middle register sounds, said median part itself being continued in such a way as to form a chamber (10) which is slightly deeper than the median part for producing high pitched sounds, the chamber (10) producing the high pitched sounds being provided with a snare (17) lying against the top.
US08487166B1
A novel maize variety designated X03B501 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X03B501 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X03B501 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X03B501, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X03B501. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X03B501.
US08487161B2
A wild rocket cultivar, designated 40-0801188-B, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of wild rocket cultivar 40-0801188-B, to the plants of wild rocket cultivar 40-0801188-B and to methods for producing a wild rocket plant by crossing the cultivar 40-0801188-B with itself or another wild rocket cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a wild rocket plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic wild rocket plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to wild rocket cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from wild rocket cultivar 40-0801188-B, to methods for producing other wild rocket cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from wild rocket cultivar 40-0801188-B and to the wild rocket plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid wild rocket seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 40-0801188-B with another wild rocket cultivar.
US08487157B2
Transgenic rodents having NGF beta gene mutants in their genomes express NGF beta mutant proteins. The preparation methods of the transgenic rodents, the methods of utilizing the transgenic animals to prepare NGF beta mutant proteins and the resulting NGF beta mutant proteins are provided. The transgenic rodents are useful in preparing human NGF and in the study of the functions of NGF beta mutants and their receptors in the whole animal level, and also useful for screening and purifying NGF beta mutants which have high activity and high security.
US08487156B2
The present invention is directed to hygiene articles comprising nanofibers. The hygiene articles include diapers, training pants, adult incontinence pads, catamenials products such as feminine care pads and pantiliners, tampons, personal cleansing articles, personal care articles, and personal care wipes including baby wipes, facial wipes, body wipes, and feminine wipes. The nanofiber webs can be used as a barrier, wipe, absorbent material, and other uses. Particularly, the nanofiber web is used in a diaper as a barrier-on-core, outercover, and/or leg cuff. It may also be used as a wipe for reducing the gradient of liquid, controlled delivery of materials, and other uses. The nanofibers, having a diameter of less than 1 micron, must comprise a significant number of the fibers in one layer of the web contained by the hygiene article. The nanofibers are produced from a melt film fibrillation process. The process generally includes the steps of providing a polymeric melt, utilizing a central fluid stream to form an elongated hollow polymeric film tube, and using this and/or other fluid streams to form multiple nanofibers from the hollow tube.
US08487148B2
Biomass based feeds are processed under hydrothermal treatment conditions, e.g., to produce a hydrocarbon liquid product and a solids portion. The hydrothermal treatment can be performed in the presence of heterogeneous catalyst particles that can optionally include a catalyst metal or metal salt. The presence of the heterogeneous catalyst can modify the nature of the hydrocarbon products produced from the hydrothermal treatment.
US08487142B2
The present invention discloses a process for producing small molecular weight organic compounds from carbonaceous material comprising a step of contacting the carbonaceous material with carbon monoxide (CO) and steam in presence of a shift catalyst at a predetermined temperature and pressure.
US08487140B2
In a process for producing phenol, cyclohexylbenzene is oxidized to produce cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and then the resultant cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is cleaved to produce an effluent stream comprising phenol and cyclohexanone. At least a portion of the effluent stream is then fed to at least one dehydrogenation reaction zone, where the effluent stream portion is contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to convert at least part of the cyclohexanone in the effluent portion into phenol and hydrogen.
US08487139B2
The invention relates to novel curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives, which have been modified at one phenolic group to incorporate more-reactive groups. The curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives are in the form of monomers, dimmers, and polymers.
US08487138B2
In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to a corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid, the hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide of the general formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or from the groups SO3H, NH2, OH and NO2, or from the atoms H, F, Cl, Br and I provided that R1 and R2 can be linked to one another via a covalent bond; each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from C, CH, N and CR3; each of X and Z is independently selected from C, S, CH2, N, P and an element of Group 4 of the Periodic Table; Y is O or OH; k is 0, 1, or 2; 1 is 0, 1, or 2; m is 1 to 3, and R3 can be any of the entities listed for R1. The contacting produces an effluent comprising an oxidized hydrocarbon product and unreacted imide catalyst of formula (I) and the effluent is treated with an aqueous solution of a base to produce an aqueous phase comprising at least part of the unreacted imide catalyst of formula (I) and an organic phase comprising oxidized hydrocarbon product. The organic phase can then be recovered.
US08487137B2
The invention describes novel crosslinking compounds that include photoactivatable moieties. Several families of compounds are disclosed that can include one or more hydrophilic moieties that help to solubilize the compounds in aqueous environments.
US08487126B2
The objective of the present invention is to provide a process for simple and efficient preparation of an intermediate compound to synthesize a gadolinium complex having a substituent for improving a retention property in blood time and specificity to an intended organ. The objective of the present invention is also to provide an intermediate compound produced by the said production process. The process for preparation of the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid derivative (I): wherein R1 to R5 are independently C1-6 alkyl groups; comprising the steps of: reacting a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid pentaester with a halogenated ally compound in an aprotic solvent; removing the excess halogenated ally compound (III); and reacting a reaction product of the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid pentaester and the halogenated ally compound with a base in a solvent.
US08487124B2
The invention relates to cyclic aza-sila compounds that are made of 4 to 10 units of the general formulas (I) and (II) bonded by means of Si—Si or Si—N single bonds, wherein Y is selected from among —NR1R2, hydrogen, and a halogen, R1 and R2 are selected from among hydrogen and a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and R3 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, with the stipulation that at least two units of the general formula (I) are bonded to each other in the ring by means of an Si—Si single bond, that at most 35 mol % of the groups Y is a hydrogen, and that at most 15 mol % of the groups Y is a halogen, and to a method for the production thereof.
US08487105B2
Processes for preparing pravastatin, intermediates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are provided Crystalline forms of pravastatin, intermediates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are also disclosed.
US08487101B2
A series of thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives which are substituted in the 2-position by a substituted anilino moiety, being selective inhibitors of human MEK (MAPKK) enzymes, are accordingly of benefit in medicine, for example in the treatment of inflammatory, autoimmune, cardiovascular, proliferative (including oncological) and nociceptive conditions.
US08487092B2
The invention relates to certain pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs), and in particular pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimers bearing C2 substitutions, including compounds of formula (T): wherein: R2 is CHR2A, and R2A is independently selected from H, R, CO2R, COR, CHO, CO2H, and halo; R6 and R9 are independently selected from H, R, OH, OR, SH, SR, NH2, NHR, NRR′, NO2, Me3Sn and halo; R7 is independently selected from H, R, OH, OR, SH, SR, NH2, NHR, NRR′, NO2, Me3Sn and halo; R8 is independently selected from H, R, OH, OR, SH, SR, NH2, NHR, NRR′, NO2, Me3Sn and halo; R is independently selected from optionally substituted C1-12 alkyl, C3-20 heterocyclyl and C5-20 aryl groups; or the compound is a dimer with each monomer being of formula (M), where the R7 groups or R8 groups of each monomer form together a dimer bridge having the formula —X—R″—X— linking the monomers; wherein R″ is a C3-12 alkylene group, which chain may be interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, e.g. O, S, N(H), and/or aromatic rings, e.g. benzene or pyridine; and each X is independently selected from O, S, or N(H); or any pair of adjacent groups from R6 to R9 together form a group —O—(CH2)p—O—, where p is 1 or 2, and salts and solvates thereof, and their use as intermediates for the preparation of other PBD compounds.
US08487084B2
In some embodiments, DNA-capped nanoparticles are used to define a degree of crystalline order in assemblies thereof. In some embodiments, thermodynamically reversible and stable body-centered cubic (bcc) structures, with particles occupying <˜10% of the unit cell, are formed. Designs and pathways amenable to the crystallization of particle assemblies are identified. In some embodiments, a plasmonic crystal is provided. In some aspects, a method for controlling the properties of particle assemblages is provided. In some embodiments a catalyst is formed from nanoparticles linked by nucleic acid sequences and forming an open crystal structure with catalytically active agents attached to the crystal on its surface or in interstices.
US08487082B2
The present invention provides a specific binding molecule which specifically binds to a peptide having the amino acid sequence of EDGIKRIQDD and comprises a polypeptide having an immunoglobulin VL domain linked to an immunoglobulin VH domain in which the VL domain comprises Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs) VLCDR1, VLCDR2 and VLCDR3, and in which the VH domain comprises Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs) VHCDR1, VHCDR2, VHCDR3, each having a respective amino acid sequence as follows in which VHCDR1 is GYSFTGYNMN VHCDR2 is NIDPYYGGTTYNQKFKG VHCDR3 is EVDY VLCDR1 is RASKSVSTSTSGYSYMH VLCDR2 is LVSNLES VLCDR3 is QHIRELTRSEG or an amino acid sequence at least 70% identical thereto.
US08487078B2
Compositions, methods, and kits for detecting and monitoring kinase, phosphatase and protein post-translational modification activity are described. The compositions typically include a peptide, a detectable moiety, and a protease cleavage site. Modification of a peptide by a kinase, phosphatase or other protein post-translational modification alters the proteolytic sensitivity of the peptide, resulting in a change of a detectable property of the composition. Panel assays for determining substrates or modulators of kinase, phosphatase or other protein post-translational modification activity are also described.
US08487070B2
A sulfonated poly(arylene ether) copolymer that has a crosslinking structure in a chain of a polymer, a sulfonated poly(arylene ether) copolymer that has a crosslinking structure in and at an end of a chain of a polymer, and a polymer electrolyte film that is formed by using them are disclosed. According to the polycondensation reaction of the sulfonated dihydroxy monomer (HO—SAr1-OH), the none sulfonated dihydroxy monomer (HO—Ar—OH), the crosslinkable dihalide monomer (X—CM-X) and the none sulfonated dihalide monomer (X—Ar—X), the poly(arylene ether) copolymer in which the sulfonic acid is included is synthesized. The formed poly(arylene ether) copolymer has the crosslinkable structure in the chain of the polymer. In addition, by carrying out the polycondensation reaction in respects to the crosslinkable monohydroxy monomer or the crosslinkable monohalide monomer, the crosslinking can be formed at the end of the polymer. Through this, the thermal stability, the mechanical stability, the chemical stability, the film formation ability and the like is the same as or better than those of the Nafion film that is currently commercialized and is used as the polymer electrolyte film, and the proton conductivity and the cell performance are excessively improved. In addition, even though it is exposed to the moisture over a long period of time, since there is no change in the property of the electrolyte film, the dimensional stability is high.
US08487058B2
Ophthalmically acceptably wettable silicone hydrogel contact lenses are described. The lenses are derived from a polymerizable composition including a first siloxane monomer. The lenses have ophthalmically acceptably wettable lens surfaces when fully hydrated. Batches of silicone hydrogel contact lenses and methods of making silicone hydrogel contact lenses are also described.
US08487057B2
Disclosed are a maleimide-a-alkylstyrene-based, heat-resistant bulk tetrapolymer and a preparation process thereof. More specifically, disclosed are a bulk tetrapolymer, comprising 5-60 wt % of an N-substituted maleimide monomer, 10-70 wt % of an a-alkylstyrene monomer, 5-50 wt % of an unsaturated nitrile monomer and 3-50 wt % of an aromatic vinyl monomer, as well as a continuous bulk polymerization process for preparing the same. The disclosed bulk tetrapolymer has a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 70,000-300,000 and a glass transition temperature of 150-200 DEG C., shows excellent high-temperature thermal stability and heat resistance and a remarkably low melt viscosity, and thus is excellent not only in processability, but also in productivity, processability, moldability and blendability, when it is blended with other resins. Also, the continuous bulk polymerization process is equipped with a devolatilizer and enables the bulk tetrapolymer to be produced at low cost and high efficiency.
US08487049B2
A process is described for recycling superabsorbent polymer fines into a process that includes treating the superabsorbent polymer fines with caustic and a polymerization step for making the superabsorbent polymer gel. The process requires treating the superabsorbent polymer fines with a caustic, followed by mixture with polymerizable monomer solution, and polymerizing the mixture of the superabsorbent polymer fines and monomer to form the aqueous fluid absorbent polymer. In the process, the fines are incorporated into the new polymer gel and become indistinguishable there from. The gel may then be comminuted into a particulate dried and then separated into a portion having a desired minimum particle size in a fines portion having less than the desired size. The particulate may then be coated with a surface crosslinking agent and surface additives and heated for surface conversion.
US08487043B2
A phosphorous flame retardant primarily includes hexachlorotriphosphazene (HCP) having poly(oxyalkylene)amine substitutes. The poly(oxyalkylene)amine includes at least two end groups. The phosphorous flame retardant can further include layered silicate clay. The layered silicate clay can be intercalated and modified with the poly(oxyalkylene)amine substitutes of HCP to effectively promote thermal stability. The flame retardant, phosphazene-poly(oxyalkylene)amine adducts, can be applied to a polymer. By the cross-linking between them, the flame-retarding property of the polymer can be improved. Also provided is a method for producing the flame retardant of phosphazene-poly(oxyalkylene)amine adducts and application thereof to a polymer.
US08487036B2
The present invention is drawn to a self-dispersing latex particulate. The self-dispersing latex particulate can include a plurality of polymerized monomers witch form a latex particulate and a latex dispersant. The latex dispersant can include at least one hydrophobic segment adsorbed on a surface of the latex particulate, and a plurality of hydrophilic segments attached to the hydrophobic segment or segments. Such self-dispersing latex particulates can be included in latex dispersions, such as ink-jet inks.
US08487032B2
Provided is a rubber composition that comprises a rubber component of at least one of natural rubber and synthetic rubber and a resin composition containing a novolak-type resorcin resin and a resol-type phenolic resin in which the content of the dimethylene ether group is within a specific range. Not using hexamethylenetetramine or hexamethoxymethylmelamine as a curing agent, the curability and the thermal stability of the resin composition have been enhanced; and the rubber composition has characteristics of high elasticity, large elongation at breakage and low heat generation. Also provided is a tire which comprises the rubber composition in the tire bead part thereof and, therefore, has improved durability in use thereof while concerning for the environmental safety.
US08487023B2
Provided herein are nucleating agent compositions for use in nucleating polymers during processing. Methods for making and using the nucleating agent compositions are also provided. The nucleating agent in dry powder form is wet milled in a liquid carrier, such as a plasticizer, surfactant, or lubricant.
US08487017B2
An implantable orthopedic medical device is disclosed. The medical devices is formed from a biodegradable polymer stereocomplex comprising a biodegradable polymer including a first enantiomer and a second enantiomer, wherein the implantable medical device initially degrades at a first degradation rate and subsequently degrades at a second degradation rate that is faster than the first degradation rate.
US08487009B2
The invention provides novel 1,2-diphenylethene derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, the process for production of these compounds and their pharmaceutical composition and the use of these compounds as modulators of T-cells, neutrophils, macrophages and their associated cytokines as agents for treating immune, inflammatory and auto-immune diseases.
US08487004B2
A method for treating a neurofibroma, e.g. dermal neurofibroma, a subdermal neurofibroma, or a superficial plexiform neurofibroma, in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises locally applying a composition to a neurofibroma either topically or intralesionally. This method does not encompass systemic administration of the composition to the subject to have an effect on the neurofibromas. Compositions useful for such treatments and methods of preparing the compositions are disclosed.
US08487001B2
A composition and method for promoting neutrophil survival and activation such as the treatment of neutropenia arising as an undesirable side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A composition containing medium-chain fatty acids, such as Capri acid or caprylic acid, or salts or triglycerides thereof, or mono- or diglycerides or other analogues thereof or medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) is administered to a human or animal needing treatment in an amount sufficient to reduce or eliminate neutropenia. The composition is administered in an amount effective to treat the disorder. The methods are also useful in the management of bone narrow transplantation and in the treatment of various neutropenic diseases.
US08486999B2
[PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED]It is an object of the present invention to provide a gelator containing a long chain oxyaminopolyol capable of forming a gel with a small amount thereof over a liquid property range from acidic to alkaline, and a gel having high environmental suitability, biocompatibility and biodegradability.[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS]A gelator, characterized by containing a long chain oxyaminopolyol of Formula (I): (where R1 is a C12-16 saturated aliphatic group or a C12-16 unsaturated aliphatic group having one double bond; R2 is a substituent which an amino acid has; and X is an oxygen atom or NH) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; a self-assembly formed by the self-assembly of the gelator; and a gel containing the gelator or the self-assembly, and water, an aqueous solution, a hydrophilic organic solvent or a hydrophilic organic solution, or a hydrophobic organic solvent or a hydrophobic organic solution.
US08486990B2
Compound of formula (I) and methods of treating disorders by administering a compound of formula (I) are described herein. Examples of disorders include neoplastic disorders, fat-cell related disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic disorders.
US08486987B2
Methods for preventing or treating an Apicomplexan parasite infection in a patient administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of Formulas I-IV.
US08486986B2
Compounds of the formula (I), in which the substituents are as defined in claim 1 are suitable for use as microbiocides.
US08486979B2
The invention relates to 1,2,4 oxadiazole compounds and analogs thereof, represented by formula (II), and compositions and methods of use thereof.
US08486978B2
Methods and compositions for treating disorders of the nail and nail bed. Such compositions contain a vehicle in which all components of the composition are dissolved, suspended, dispersed, or emulsified, a non-volatile solvent, a wetting agent, and a pharmaceutically active ingredient that is soluble in the non-volatile solvent and/or a mixture of the vehicle and the non-volatile solvent, which composition has a surface tension of 40 dynes/cm or less and has continuing spreadability, and which composition is effective in treating a disorder of the nail or nail bed.
US08486977B2
The present invention relates to substituted triazole compounds of the formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in medicine. In particular, the invention relates to compounds for modulating SCD activity.
US08486960B2
Described herein are formulations and methods for treating, inhibiting, preventing, delaying onset, or causing regression of a disease or condition relating to vascular permeability.
US08486958B2
The invention provides crystalline solid forms of (S)-4-((2S,3S)-7-carbamoyl-1,1-diethyl-3-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-ylamino)-2-cyclohexylmethyl-butyric acid. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such crystalline solid forms, methods of using such crystalline solid forms to treat diseases associated with mu opioid receptor activity, and processes useful for preparing such crystalline solid forms.
US08486956B2
The present invention relates to Rifaximin polymorphic forms, to their use in medicinal preparations and to therapeutic methods using them.
US08486954B2
The invention relates to novel organic compounds of formula (I) and their use in the treatment of the animal or human body, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I and to the use of a compound of formula I for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for use in the treatment of protein kinase dependent diseases, especially of proliferative diseases, such as in the treatment of tumor diseases and ocular neovascular diseases.
US08486937B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nACh receptors), activation of nACh receptors, and the treatment of disease conditions associated with defective or malfunctioning nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, especially of the brain. Further, this invention relates to novel compounds (e.g., indazoles and benzothiazoles), which act as ligands for the α7 nACh receptor subtype, methods of preparing such compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and methods of use thereof.
US08486936B2
Described herein are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the inhibition of Hedgehog signaling. Said compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods have utility in the treatment of human and veterinary diseases and disorders.
US08486933B2
Described herein are compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutical acceptable salts or solvates thereof, wherein L1, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and m are defined in the description. Methods of making said compounds, and compositions containing said compounds which are useful for inhibiting kinases such as IGF-1R are also disclosed.
US08486930B2
This invention relates to a hydrochloride, malate, oxalate and tartrate salt forms of 1-(4-{1-[(E)-4-cyclohexyl-3-trifluoromethyl-benzyloxyimino]-ethyl}-2-ethyl-benzyl)-azetidine-3-carboxylic acid (Compound I), to pharmaceutical compositions comprising this salt, to processes for forming this salt and to its use in medical treatment. In addition, the present invention also relates to new polymorphic forms of each of these salts, as well as to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these polymorphic forms, to processes for obtaining them, and their use in medical treatment.
US08486926B2
The invention relates to solid state forms of androst-5-ene-3β,7β,16α,17β-triol, formulations containing or prepared from such solid state forms and use of such materials for modulating acute and chronic non-productive inflammation. The formulations can be used to prevent, treat or slow the progression of conditions related to autoimmunity such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis or Type 1 diabetes. The formulations can also be used to prevent, treat or slow the progression of conditions related to metabolic disorders such as Type 2 diabetes.
US08486925B2
The present invention relates to an improved transdermal hydroalcoholic testosterone gel formulation that provides, among other things, a desirable pharmacokinetic hormone profile, and methods of use.
US08486916B2
It is intended to find novel pharmaceutical use of sphingomyelin and to provide preventive or therapeutic agents for various diseases as well as a food and drink product and feed comprising any of these agents. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical agent which contains sphingomyelin as an active ingredient and is any of the following agents: 1) a sialomucin secretion promoter, 2) an agent for preventing drunken sickness (hangover), 3) an antiallergic agent, 4) an antioxidant, 5) an agent for defending against infection, 6) a hair growth agent, 7) a therapeutic agent for demyelinating disease, 8) an anti-pigmentation agent, 9) an anti-inflammatory agent, and 10) an agent for improving learning ability. The present invention also provides a food and drink product or feed, characterized by comprising the agent. It is preferred that the sphingomyelin should be derived from milk.
US08486901B2
Novel sodium channel blocking compounds tetrodotoxm galactopyranosides of formula I were isolated and purified by HPLC and identified further through IR, NMR, GC, and MS. The compounds have a galactopyranosyl moiety attached to C11 of tetrodotoxin and retain the analgesic activity of the latter. Pharmaceutical compositions and medical uses thereof are further disclosed.
US08486900B2
The invention concerns an extract of Centella asiatica comprising more than 75 wt. % of a mixture of madecassoside, terminoloside and asiaticoside, relative to the extract total weight, an extract of Centella asiatica comprising more than 95 wt. % of a mixture of madecassoside and terminoloside relative to the extract total weight and their use for regulating inflammatory mechanisms.
US08486899B2
To provide an antioxidant which is highly safe, inhibits oxidation of a biological component, in particular, a lipid, and is used as a drug, food or drink, a food additive, an external preparation for skin, or the like. The antioxidant contains 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-4-methylergost-7-en-3-ol as an active ingredient.
US08486894B2
The invention relates to synthetic peptide amides that are ligands of the kappa opioid receptor and particularly to agonists of the kappa opioid receptor that exhibit low P450 CYP inhibition and low penetration into the brain. The synthetic peptide amides of the invention conform to the structure: wherein Xaa is a D-amino acid and G is selected from the following three groups: The compounds are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of pain, pruritis and inflammation associated with a variety of diseases and conditions.
US08486883B2
The invention relates to the use of an anionic polymer in a liquid washing or cleaning agent for inhibiting graying when washing and/or cleaning textile web materials, and acrylic acid homopolymers comprising liquid washing and cleaning agents.
US08486881B2
The invention relates to co-granules containing a granule core and a sheath or coating layer surrounding the granule core. Said co-granules are characterized in that the granule core contains a) at least one bleach activator, a2) between 0 and 20 wt. % of the total quantity of at least one bleach catalyst contained in the co-granule, and c) at least one binding agent, and the sheath or coating layer contains d) between 80 and 100 wt. % of the total quantity of the at least one bleach catalyst contained in the co-granule, and e) at least one coating agent. The co-granules are advantageously suitable for producing cleaning products and detergents and especially products for washing crockery in a machine.
US08486869B2
The present invention is directed to plug-and-abandon operations that use plugging compositions comprising cement kiln dust, pumicite, and/or lime. An embodiment includes a method of plugging a well bore for abandonment comprising: placing a plugging composition in the well bore, the plugging composition comprising: cement kiln dust in an amount of about 5% to about 100% by weight of cementitious components, pumicite in an amount of about 5% to about 100% by weight of cementitious components, 0% to about 24% of Portland cement by weight of cementitious components, and water; and allowing the plugging composition to set and form a plug.
US08486853B2
An exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1) according to the present invention includes noble metal particles (6), a first compound (7) supporting the noble metal particles (6), and a second compound (9) disposed not in contact with the noble metal particles (6) and having an oxygen storage capacity. An average distance between the first compound (7) and the second compound (9) is between 5 nm and 300 nm.
US08486851B2
A process for manufacturing a sintered ceramic composite, based on silicon nitride and β-eucryptite, includes a step of producing a first powder blend, consisting of a powder of silicon nitride in crystalline form and a powder of a first lithium aluminosilicate in crystalline form, the composition of which is the following: (Li2O)x(Al2O3)y(SiO2)z, the lithium aluminosilicate composition being such that the set of molar fractions (x,y,z) is different from the set (1,1,2).
US08486841B2
A corrosion resistant component of a plasma chamber includes a liquid crystalline polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) is provided on an aluminum component having an anodized or non-anodized surface. The liquid crystalline polymer can also be provided on an alumina component. The liquid crystalline polymer can be deposited by a method such as plasma spraying. The liquid crystalline polymer may also be provided as a preformed sheet or other shape adapted to cover the exposed surfaces of the reaction chamber. Additionally, the reactor components may be made entirely from liquid crystalline polymer by machining the component from a solid block of liquid crystalline polymer or molding the component from the polymer. The liquid crystalline polymer may contain reinforcing fillers such as glass or mineral fillers.
US08486838B2
A method for forming a fine pattern using isotropic etching, includes the steps of forming an etching layer on a semiconductor substrate, and coating a photoresist layer on the etching layer, performing a lithography process with respect to the etching layer coated with the photoresist layer, and performing a first isotropic etching process with respect to the etching layer including a photoresist pattern formed through the lithography process, depositing a passivation layer on the etching layer including the photoresist pattern, and performing a second isotropic etching process with respect to the passivation layer. The second isotropic etching process is directly performed without removing the predetermined portion of the passivation layer.
US08486833B2
Disclosed herein are a variety of microfluidic devices and solid, typically electrically conductive devices that can be formed using such devices as molds. In certain embodiments, the devices that are formed comprise conductive pathways formed by solidifying a liquid metal present in one or more microfluidic channels (such devices hereinafter referred to as “microsolidic” devices). In certain such devices, in which electrical connections can be formed and/or reformed between regions in a microfluidic structure; in some cases, the devices/circuits formed may be flexible and/or involve flexible electrical components. In certain embodiments, the solid metal wires/conductive pathways formed in microfluidic channel(s) may remain contained within the microfluidic structure. In certain such embodiments, the conductive pathways formed may be located in proximity to other microfluidic channel(s) of the structure that carry flowing fluid, such that the conductive pathway can create energy (e.g. electromagnetic and/or thermal energy) that interacts withy and/or affects the flowing fluid and/or a component contained therein or carried thereby. In other embodiments, a microsolidic structure may be removed from a microfluidic mold to form a stand-alone structure. In certain embodiments, the solid metal structures formed may interact with light energy incident upon a structure or may be used to fabricate a light-weight electrode. Another aspect of the invention relates to the formation of self-assembled structures that may comprise these electrically conductive pathways/connections.
US08486830B2
A via forming method that includes forming via-holes in a substrate is provided. The method includes putting the substrate, having the via-holes, in a first solution to fill the via-holes with the first solution. Metal particles are sunk into the via-holes by supplying a second solution containing the metal particles to the first solution. A first curing process of heat-treating the substrate is performed so as to form vias in the via-holes. A multi-chip package that includes the substrate having the vias is also provided.
US08486814B2
A wafer and a fabrication method include a base structure including a substrate for fabricating semiconductor devices. The base structure includes a front side where the semiconductor devices are formed and a back side opposite the front side. An integrated layer is formed in the back side of the base structure including impurities configured to alter etch selectivity relative to the base structure such that the integrated layer is selectively removable from the base structure to remove defects incurred during fabrication of the semiconductor devices.
US08486810B2
A layer of second semiconductor material is deposited on the layer of first semiconductor material of a substrate. Two active areas are then defined by means of selective elimination of the first and second semiconductor materials. One of the two active areas is then covered by a protective material. The layer of second semiconductor material is then eliminated by means of selective elimination of material. A first active area comprising a main surface made from a first semiconductor material, and a second active area comprising a main surface made from second semiconductor material are thus obtained.
US08486806B2
A wafer having a device region and a peripheral surplus region surrounding the device region is divided into individual devices. The back side of the device region is ground to form an annular reinforcement part on the outer peripheral side thereof. A dicing tape is adhered to the back side of the wafer, and the wafer is irradiated with a laser beam from the face side so as to divide the wafer into the devices and to form break starting points in the annular reinforcement part. The dicing tape is expanded so as to disassemble the annular reinforcement part, with the break starting points as starting points, thereby separating the annular reinforcement part from the device region, and widening the interval between the adjacent devices. Since the annular reinforcement part is intact when the wafer is divided, handleability during the divided process is not spoiled.
US08486804B2
A semiconductor device including a first element including a photodiode and an amplifier circuit which amplifies output current of the photodiode, over a first insulating film; and a second element including a color filter and an overcoat layer over the color filter over a second insulating film is manufactured. The first element and the second element are attached to each other by bonding the first insulating film and the second insulating film with a bonding material. Further, the amplifier circuit is a current mirror circuit including a thin film transistor. Still further, a color film may be used instead of a color filter.
US08486797B1
Bipolar junction transistors are provided in which at least one of an emitter contact, a base contact, or a collector contact thereof is formed by epitaxially growing a doped SixGe1-x layer, wherein x is 0≦x≦1, at a temperature of less than 500° C. The doped SixGe1-x layer comprises crystalline portions located on exposed surfaces of a crystalline semiconductor substrate and non-crystalline portions that are located on exposed surfaces of a passivation layer which can be formed and patterned on the crystalline semiconductor substrate. The doped SixGe1-x layer of the present disclosure, including the non-crystalline and crystalline portions, contains from 5 atomic percent to 40 atomic percent hydrogen.
US08486796B2
A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes: forming a resistor over a substrate; forming at least one first contact in contact with the resistor; and forming at least one second contact in contact with the resistor. The resistor is structured and arranged such that current flows from the at least one first contact to the at least one second contact through a central portion of the resistor. The resistor includes at least one extension extending laterally outward from the central portion in a direction parallel to the current flow. The method includes sizing the at least one extension based on a thermal diffusion length of the resistor.
US08486792B2
A silicon compound gas, an oxidizing gas, and a rare gas are supplied into a chamber (2) of a plasma processing apparatus (1). A microwave is supplied into the chamber (2), and a silicon oxide film is formed on a target substrate with plasma generated by the microwave. A partial pressure ratio of the rare gas is 10% or more of a total gas pressure of the silicon compound gas, the oxidizing gas, and the rare gas, and an effective flow ratio of the silicon compound gas and the oxidizing gas (oxidizing gas/silicon compound gas) is not less than 3 but not more than 11.
US08486786B2
When forming sophisticated gate electrode structures of transistor elements of different type, the threshold adjusting channel semiconductor alloy may be provided prior to forming isolation structures, thereby achieving superior uniformity of the threshold adjusting material. Consequently, threshold variability on a local and global scale of P-channel transistors may be significantly reduced.
US08486782B2
Flash memory devices and methods for fabricating the same are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for fabricating a memory device comprises the steps of fabricating a first gate stack and a second gate stack overlying a substrate. A trench is etched into the substrate between the first gate stack and the second gate stack and a first impurity doped region is formed within the substrate underlying the trench. The trench is filled at least partially with a conductive material.
US08486778B2
A gate dielectric is patterned after formation of a first gate spacer by anisotropic etch of a conformal dielectric layer to minimize overetching into a semiconductor layer. In one embodiment, selective epitaxy is performed to sequentially form raised epitaxial semiconductor portions, a disposable gate spacer, and raised source and drain regions. The disposable gate spacer is removed and ion implantation is performed into exposed portions of the raised epitaxial semiconductor portions to form source and drain extension regions. In another embodiment, ion implantation for source and drain extension formation is performed through the conformal dielectric layer prior to an anisotropic etch that forms the first gate spacer. The presence of the raised epitaxial semiconductor portions or the conformation dielectric layer prevents complete amorphization of the semiconductor material in the source and drain extension regions, thereby enabling regrowth of crystalline source and drain extension regions.
US08486777B2
A technique for manufacturing a microcrystalline semiconductor layer with high mass productivity is provided. In a reaction chamber of a plasma CVD apparatus, an upper electrode and a lower electrode are provided in almost parallel to each other. A hollow portion is formed in the upper electrode, and the upper electrode includes a shower plate having a plurality of holes formed on a surface of the upper electrode which faces the lower electrode. A substrate is provided over the lower electrode. A gas containing a deposition gas and hydrogen is supplied to the reaction chamber from the shower plate through the hollow portion of the upper electrode, and a rare gas is supplied to the reaction chamber from a portion different from the upper electrode. Accordingly, high-frequency power is supplied to the upper electrode to generate plasma, so that a microcrystalline semiconductor layer is formed over the substrate.
US08486770B1
A CMOS FinFET device and method for fabricating a CMOS FinFET device is disclosed. An exemplary CMOS FinFET device includes a substrate including a first region and a second region. The CMOS FinFET further includes a fin structure disposed over the substrate including a first fin in the first region and a second fin in the second region. The CMOS FinFET further includes a first portion of the first fin comprising a material that is the same material as the substrate and a second portion of the first fin comprising a III-V semiconductor material deposited over the first portion of the first fin. The CMOS FinFET further includes a first portion of the second fin comprising a material that is the same material as the substrate and a second portion of the second fin comprising a germanium (Ge) material deposited over the first portion of the second fin.
US08486766B2
The invention relates to thermally contacting a semiconductor component arrangement, wherein at least one of two heat conducting bodies disposed on opposite sides of the semiconductor component arrangement is brought into contact with a contact surface of the semiconductor component arrangement by means of a metal layer under the application of a force, wherein the metal layer melts during solidification of a locking agent, forming an adhesive bond between the two heat transfer bodies over the entire region thereof.
US08486759B2
A semiconductor chip module having high degree of freedom in assignment of a circuit to each semiconductor chip and in position of a connection terminal of each semiconductor chip is provided. The present invention relates to a semiconductor chip module in which a plurality of semiconductor chips, each provided on the side face thereof with a part of a connection terminal coupled with a circuit pattern formed on the front face, have been stacked and bonded. Connection terminal portions on the side faces of the respective semiconductor chips are interconnected by a wiring pattern. The connection terminal on the semiconductor chip is led from the front face to the side face and formed by applying spraying of a conductive material in a mist state.
US08486758B2
Disclosed are a microelectronic assembly of two elements and a method of forming same. A microelectronic element includes a major surface, and a dielectric layer and at least one bond pad exposed at the major surface. The microelectronic element may contain a plurality of active circuit elements. A first metal layer is deposited overlying the at least one bond pad and the dielectric layer. A second element having a second metal layer deposited thereon is provided, and the first metal layer is joined with the second metal layer. The assembly may be severed along dicing lanes into individual units each including a chip.
US08486752B2
A phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having an impurity region and an interlayer dielectric applying a tensile stress formed on the semiconductor substrate and having contact holes exposing the impurity region. Switching elements are formed in the contact holes; and sidewall spacers interposed between the switching elements and the interlayer dielectric and formed as a dielectric layer applying a compressive stress.
US08486746B2
A method of fabricating a solar cell is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a sacrificial layer on a silicon substrate, forming a doped silicon layer atop the sacrificial substrate, forming a silicon film atop the doped silicon layer, forming a plurality of interdigitated contacts on the silicon film, contacting each of the plurality of interdigitated contacts with a metal contact, and removing the sacrificial layer.
US08486741B2
The described process allows trenches to be etched in a structure comprising a support substrate and a multilayer, formed on the substrate, for the definition of wave guides of an integrated optical device and comprises a selective plasma attack in the multilayer through a masking structure that leaves uncovered areas of the multilayer corresponding to the trenches to be etched. Such a masking structure is obtained by forming a mask of metallic material on the multilayer that leaves uncovered the areas corresponding to the trenches to be etched and forming a mask of non-metallic material, for example photoresist, on it that leaves uncovered regions comprising at least part of the areas and an edge portion of the mask of metallic material.
US08486740B1
A method for manufacturing an array substrate of a transflective LCD includes: (1) providing a substrate; (2) forming a transparent electrode layer on the substrate and forming a first metal layer on the transparent electrode layer; (3) applying a first photo-masking operation to form a gate terminal, a pixel electrode, and a reflector section; (4) forming an insulation layer on the gate terminal, the pixel electrode, and the reflector section; (5) applying a second photo-masking operation to form a gate insulation layer on the insulation layer; (6) forming a semiconductor layer on the gate insulation layer and forming a second metal layer on the semiconductor layer; and (7) applying a third photo-masking operation to form a channel layer on the semiconductor layer and also forming a drain terminal and a source terminal on the second metal layer, so as to form a thin-film transistor.
US08486736B2
A method for manufacturing a light-emitting device is provided, which includes a step of forming a light-absorbing layer including an unevenness portion over a first substrate, a step of forming a first organic compound layer over the light-absorbing layer, a step of providing a second substrate over the first substrate with the light-absorbing layer and the first organic compound layer interposed therebetween, and a step of irradiating the light-absorbing layer with light to deposit a second organic compound layer including a material contained in the first organic compound layer onto the second substrate.
US08486735B2
A method of imaging a target using a miniaturized imaging device is disclosed comprising providing a miniaturized imaging device having a stationary lens system and an imaging array, wherein the distance from a distal end of the stationary lens system to the imaging array is fixed. The miniaturized imaging device is advanced near the desired target and a distance from a distal end of the stationary lens system to the desired target is determined. A desired wavelength of light is calculated based on the determined distance from the distal end of the stationary lens system to the desired target and the desired wavelength of light is propagated onto the target.
US08486731B2
A light-emitting device includes: a substrate; a light-emitting section provided on an upper surface of the substrate, the light-emitting section including an LED chip and a sealing resin containing fluorescent material covering the LED chip; and a silicon oxide insulating film provided between the substrate and the light-emitting section, the silicon oxide insulating film being formed directly on an upper surface of the substrate or an alumina insulating film, the sealing resin containing fluorescent material formed directly on an upper surface of the silicon oxide insulating film so as to cover the LED chip. Thus, this invention provides the light-emitting device capable of making the sealing resin difficult to be separated from the substrate and a method for manufacturing the light-emitting device.
US08486727B2
Determining an unknown step coverage of a thin film deposited on a 3D wafer includes exposing a planar wafer comprising a first film deposited thereon to X-ray radiation to create first fluorescent radiation; detecting the first fluorescent radiation; measuring a number of XRF counts on the planar wafer; creating an XRF model of the planar wafer; providing a portion of the 3D wafer comprising troughs and a second film deposited thereon; determining a multiplier factor between the portion of the 3D wafer and the planar wafer; exposing the portion of the 3D wafer to X-ray radiation to create second fluorescent radiation; detecting the second fluorescent radiation; measuring a number of XRF counts on the portion of the 3D wafer; calculating a step coverage of the portion of the 3D wafer; and determining a uniformity of the 3D wafer based on the step coverage of the portion of the 3D wafer.
US08486724B2
An optical emitter is fabricated by bonding a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) die to a package wafer, electrically connecting the LED die and the package wafer, forming a phosphor coating over the LED die on the package wafer, molding a lens over the LED die on the package wafer, molding a reflector on the package wafer, and dicing the wafer into at least one optical emitter.
US08486715B2
Biological fluid samples are deposited by methods that produce a uniform layer of the sample over a reagent-containing surface. In one embodiment, a nozzle having multiple openings is used to deposit a sample over the reagent-containing surface simultaneously. In an alternative embodiment, single droplets of the sample are deposited in a pattern on the surface, preferably in a sequence of parallel lines. The reaction between the biological sample and the reagents is read from a spectrographic image of the reagent-containing surface obtained by optical methods.
US08486701B2
A method for modulating cell differentiation capabilities using heterologous gene expression. Some embodiments of the invention relate to a method for inducing a cardiac progenitor cell by delivering a reprogramming factor to the cell, wherein the reprogramming factor comprises ETS2 or a combination of ETS2 and Mesp1.
US08486700B2
The invention relates to methods and compositions for the differentiation of stromal cells from adipose tissue into hematopoietic supporting stromal cells and myocytes of both the skeletal and smooth muscle type. The cells produced by the methods are useful in providing a source of fully differentiated and functional cells for research, transplantation and development of tissue engineering products for the treatment of human diseases and traumatic tissue injury repair.
US08486683B2
Provided are modified beta-glucosidase enzymes, derived from the Trichoderma reesei Cel3A beta-glucosidase, that exhibit improvements in one or more kinetic parameters (KG, KG2, kcat) comprising amino acid substitutions at one or more of positions 43, 101, 260 and 543. Also provided are genetic constructs comprising nucleotide sequences encoding for modified beta-glucosidase enzymes, methods for the production of modified beta-glucosidase enzymes from host strains and the use of the modified beta-glucosidase enzymes in the hydrolysis of cellulose.
US08486680B2
The invention relates to enzymes having xylanase, mannanase and/or glucanase activity, e.g., catalyzing hydrolysis of internal β-1,4-xylosidic linkages or endo-β-1,4-glucanase linkages; and/or degrading a linear polysaccharide beta-1,4-xylan into xylose. Thus, the invention provides methods and processes for breaking down hemicellulose, which is a major component of the cell wall of plants, including methods and processes for hydrolyzing hemicelluloses in any plant or wood or wood product, wood waste, paper pulp, paper product or paper waste or byproduct. In addition, methods of designing new xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.
US08486679B2
An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US08486676B2
The invention discloses a carrier made from an organic foam having open pores for enzymes or cells immobilization and the methods for preparing immobilized enzymes or cells. The invention uses flocculation and crosslinking technology to immobilize enzyme protein or cells on the organic foam material having open pores. The resultant immobilized products have larger specific surface area, higher specific activity and can be made into various shapes.
US08486673B2
The invention discloses a method for producing 1,3-propanediol, comprising the steps of: using crude glycerol, a by-product during the biodiesel production, without further treatment, as the substrate for production of 1,3-propanediol; inoculating a 1,3-propanediol-producing strain in a seed medium containing crude glycerol, a by-product from biodiesel production; adding the seed culture into a fermentation medium containing crude glycerol, a by-product from biodiesel production, and fermenting; maintaining pH in a range of 6.8 to 8.0; and in the end of the fermentation, isolating and purifying 1,3-propanediol.
US08486664B2
Ethylenically unsaturated glycosides of formula I wherein Y, Y′, m, A, X, R3 and R4 have the meanings given in the description, are produced by reacting an ethylenically unsaturated compound of formula II with a polysaccharide comprising 10 or more monosaccharide units, such as starch, amylose, amylopectin, cellulose, in the presence of a glycosidase, such as an amylase, cellulase, glucosidase or and galactosidase, or a glycosyltransferase, such a cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase.
US08486656B2
Presented is a method of prognosing a patient's response to a cancer therapy wherein prior to the therapy contacting a sample of cells from the patient's tissue or organ being treated for the cancer with a solution of TCPP to permit binding of the TCPP to components of the abnormal dysplastic or carcinomic cells, if any are present; detecting TCPP fluorescence in the sample, the presence of TCPP fluorescence being indicative that the sample contains dysplastic or carcinomic cells; at intervals during the therapy and subsequent to the therapy performing steps a-c on another sample of cells from the patient's tissue or organ being treated for the cancer; and determining if the percentage of abnormal pre-cancerous cells in the samples tested during and subsequent to the therapy are reduced as compared with the sample tested prior to the therapy, the reduction being prognostic of the patients response to the cancer therapy.
US08486655B2
Apparatuses and methods for determining whether a test compound solution induces cell activity, an embodiment of the method of the present invention comprising placing a test compound solution in contact with a cell suspension media containing cells, diffusing the test compound solution into the cell suspension from a point source, and detecting activity in the cells with respect to their distance from the point source. Detecting activity in the cells can involve detecting activity in a first group of the cells proximate to the point source, and detecting activity in a second group of the cells farther from the point source than the first group.
US08486650B2
A method is described for detecting the gamma-glutamyl transferase enzyme isoforms (GGT, EC 2.3.2.2) in a sample of biological fluid, such as for example plasma or serum. The method comprises an HPLC separation step of the sample proteins based on the molecular size and a second step for detecting the GGT isoforms by post-column reaction with a GGT enzyme substrate capable of generating a detectable final product, preferably by spectrophotometric or fluorimetric means. The GGT isoforms can be separated by ultra-centrifugation, thereby obtaining three enzymatic isoforms characterized by molecular weights of approximately 2000, 940, and 140 KDa, respectively.
US08486642B2
The present invention provides a method of synthesizing compounds of Formula I: wherein: R1 is a label (e.g., a detectable groups; an anti-tumor agents); L is present or absent and when present is a linking group; and x represents an integer from 1 to 10; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. the compounds are useful for, among other things, identifying cysteine sulfenic acids in proteins and monitoring oxidative damage in proteins and cells.
US08486634B2
Methods of amplifying nucleic acid are described. Primers on solid support, e.g. a population of beads, are employed. A population of nucleic acid template molecules, wherein the nucleic acid template molecules have been treated with bisulfite, is amplified so as to create loaded beads comprising amplified nucleic acid.
US08486623B2
Releasable tag reagents for use in the detection and analysis of target molecules, particular in mass spectrometric analyzes are provided. Also provided are methods of detection that employ releasable tag reagents.
US08486621B2
Various nucleic acid-based matrixes are provided, comprising nucleic acid monomers as building blocks, as well as nucleic acids encoding proteins, so as to produce novel biomaterials. Methods of utilizing such biomaterials include cell-free protein synthesis.
US08486615B2
A method for preparing sensing devices (biosensors) includes the steps of: (1) applying a photopatternable silicone composition to a surface in a sensing device to form a film, (2) photopatterning the film by a process comprising exposing the film to radiation through a photomask without the use of a photoresist to produce an exposed film; (3) removing regions of the non-exposed film with a developing solvent to form a patterned film, which forms a permselective layer or an analyte attenuation layer covering preselected areas of the sensing device.
US08486614B2
The invention relates to a method and an imagesetter by means of which a photo material comprising a plurality of zones to be exposed individually, such as hundreds of thousands of such zones, can be done in an economical manner and particularly in acceptable exposure times. To this end, a method is provided for exposing a photo material comprising a plurality of zones to be exposed, preferably disposed regularly, particularly line by line, and having a digitally derived image, by means of which method a continuous relative motion is carried out between the photo material and the imagesetter, and the exposition of the individual zones takes place during said motion.
US08486610B2
The dimensions of mask patterns, such as pitch-multiplied spacers, are controlled by controlled growth of features in the patterns after they are formed. To form a pattern of pitch-multiplied spacers, a pattern of mandrels is first formed overlying a semiconductor substrate. Spacers are then formed on sidewalls of the mandrels by depositing a blanket layer of material over the mandrels and preferentially removing spacer material from horizontal surfaces. The mandrels are then selectively removed, leaving behind a pattern of freestanding spacers. The spacers comprise a material, such as polysilicon and amorphous silicon, known to increase in size upon being oxidized. The spacers are oxidized to grow them to a desired width. After reaching the desired width, the spacers can be used as a mask to pattern underlying layers and the substrate. Advantageously, because the spacers are grown by oxidation, thinner blanket layers can be deposited over the mandrels, thereby allowing the deposition of more conformal blanket layers and widening the process window for spacer formation.
US08486606B2
An acrylate derivative represented by the following general formula (1): (in the formula, R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or a trifluoromethyl group; each of R2, R3, R5, R7, R8, R9 and R10 independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or an alkoxy group; each of R4 and R6 independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or an alkoxy group, or R4 and R6 are bonded to each other to represent an alkylene group, —O— or —S—; n represents 0, 1 or 2; and W represents an alkylene group or a cycloalkylene group); an intermediate thereof; a method for producing the same; a polymer compound which is obtainable from polymerization of a raw material containing the foregoing acrylate derivative and which is excellent in solubility in an organic solvent used for the preparation of a photoresist composition; and a photoresist composition containing the polymer compound, an organic solvent and a photo acid generator and having excellent adhesion to substrate and less pattern collapse, are provided.
US08486605B2
A positive resist composition including: a base material component (A) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under the action of acid; and an acid generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure; dissolved in an organic solvent (S), wherein the base material component (A) includes a resin component (A1) having 4 types of specific structural units, and the organic solvent (S) includes from 60 to 99% by weight of an alcohol-based organic solvent (S1) and from 1 to 40% by weight of at least one organic solvent (S2) selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether and cyclohexanone.
US08486596B2
A toner produced by a method including dissolving or dispersing toner components comprising a colorant and at least one of a binder resin and a precursor thereof in an organic solvent to prepare a toner components liquid, dispersing the toner components liquid in an aqueous medium including a surfactant, a particulate resin A having the same polarity as the surfactant and a volume average particle diameter of from 5 to 50 nm, and a particulate resin B having a volume average particle diameter of from 10 to 500 nm to form liquid droplets, and removing the organic solvent from the liquid droplets. The particulate resin B is incompatible with the binder resin and swells in the organic solvent.
US08486595B2
An image bearing member including an electroconductive substrate, a photosensitive layer overlying the electroconductive substrate, and a protection layer overlying the photosensitive layer, the photosensitive layer containing a diamine compound represented by the chemical structure 1, more of the diamine compound being disposed on the photosensitive layer side than the surface side relative to the midpoint in a depth direction of the protection layer: where X represents a substituted or non-substituted arylene group, or a compound represented by a chemical structure 2: where R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, where A1, A2, A3, and A4 independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a substituted or non-substituted aryl group, or —CH2(CH2)mZ, where Z represents a substituted or non-substituted aryl group, a substituted or non-substituted cycloalkyl group, and a substituted or non-substituted heterocycloalkyl group, and m represents 0 or 1, and where B1 and B2 represent —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2—Ara—, —Ara—CH2—, —CH2CH2—Ara—, and —Ara—CH2CH2—, and Ara represents a substituted or non-substituted arylene group.
US08486589B2
A method of splitting a lithographic pattern into two sub-patterns, includes generating test structures corresponding to structures of interest in the lithographic pattern, varying the test structures through a selected range of dimensions, simulating an image of the test structures, determining an image quality metric for the simulated image, analyzing the determined image quality metric to determine pitch ranges for which split improves the image quality metric and ranges for which split does not improve the image quality metric, and generating the two sub-patterns in accordance with the determined pitch ranges.
US08486581B2
A fuel cartridge includes a plurality of chambers and a plurality of supply devices. Each of the chambers is capable of storing a first reactant. The supply devices are respectively corresponding to the chambers; and each of the supply devices is capable of supplying a second reactant to the corresponding chamber so that the second reactant reacts with the first reactant in the corresponding chamber to generate hydrogen gas. In addition, a fuel cell system using the fuel cartridge and a power management method thereof are also provided.
US08486575B2
A fuel cell has a hydrogen flow path adapted to pass hydrogen into communication with an anode catalyst of an MEA. A coolant flow path is adapted to pass coolant through the fuel cell to cool the fuel cell. An enclosure encompasses at least a portion of the hydrogen flow path, the coolant flow path, or both. A hydrogen vent is adapted to vent hydrogen from the enclosure without reliance upon any electrical device. The hydrogen vent can prevent a frame front from passing into the enclosure and can be made of a porous material such as cellulose, plastic (for example, a foamed plastic) or metal (for example a sintered metal). A method of manufacturing a fuel cell includes passively venting hydrogen to maintain a hydrogen concentration level within the enclosure below about 4 percent. Additional enclosures with hydrogen vents may also be provided.
US08486570B2
A drive circuit comprising a DC bus configured to supply power to a load, a first fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a first power output to the DC bus, and a second fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a second power output to the DC bus supplemental to the first fuel cell. The drive circuit further includes an energy storage device coupled to the DC bus and configured to receive energy from the DC bus when a combined output of the first and second fuel cells is greater than a power demand from a load, and provide energy to the DC bus when the combined output of the first and second fuel cells is less than the power demand from the load.
US08486547B2
An electronic device includes a storing unit which is provided on a battery pack and which retains power information of the battery pack, an acquiring unit which is provided in the main unit and which acquires the power information of the battery pack from the storing unit, and a control unit which is provided in the main unit and which controls the operation of the main unit based on the power information of the battery pack.
US08486545B2
Systems and methods for flaw detection and monitoring at elevated temperatures with wireless communication using surface embedded, monolithically integrated, thin-film, magnetically actuated sensors, and methods for fabricating the sensors. The sensor is a monolithically integrated, multi-layered (nano-composite), thin-film sensor structure that incorporates a thin-film, multi-layer magnetostrictive element, a thin-film electrically insulating or dielectric layer, and a thin-film activating layer such as a planar coil. The method for manufacturing the multi-layered, thin-film sensor structure as described above, utilizes a variety of factors that allow for optimization of sensor characteristics for application to specific structures and in specific environments. The system and method integrating the multi-layered, thin-film sensor structure as described above, further utilizes wireless connectivity to the sensor to allow the sensor to be mounted on moving components within the monitored assembly.
US08486540B2
A lead frame sheet made of an electrically conductive material has lead frames integrally formed on it. Spacing members also are formed from the sheet. A first one of the spacing members is proximal to a first longitudinal edge of the sheet and a second one of the spacing members is proximal to a second longitudinal edge of the sheet. The spacing members extend from an underside surface of the sheet and, in use, space the underside surface from a planar support such as a surface of a heating block.
US08486538B2
An electrodepositable coating composition comprising (i) a film-forming polymer, (ii) a corrosion inhibitor, and (iii) a silane that does not contain an ethylenically unsaturated double bond.
US08486524B2
The present invention relates to a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape comprising a nonwoven fabric as a support; one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed on one side of the support; and another pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the other side of the support, wherein the nonwoven fabric consists of Manila hemp and is impregnated with carboxymethyl cellulose. The double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape according to the invention can be produced with a high productivity, does not cause shrinkage wrinkles even when prepared by direct application, and has good blanking workability owing to its small elongation and excellent strength.
US08486521B2
The present invention relates to a microporous polyethylene film for use as battery separator. The microporous polyethylene film according to the present invention is characterized by having a film thickness of 5-40 μm, a porosity of 35-55%, a permeability from 2.5×10−5 to 10.0 10−5 Darcy, a puncture strength of at least 0.10 N/μm at 90° C., a puncture angle of at least 30° at 90° C., and a permeability from 2.0 10−5 to 8.0 10−5 Darcy after shrinking freely at 120° C. for 1 hour. The microporous polyethylene film in accordance with the present invention has very superior puncture strength and thermal stability at high temperature and takes place of less decrease of permeability due to low thermal shrinkage at high temperature, as well as superior permeability. Therefore, it can be usefully applied in a high-capacity, high-power battery to improve thermal stability and long-term stability of the battery.
US08486520B2
By engineering thermal spray parameters, such as temperature and velocity, and engineering feedstock powder size and morphology, ceramic coatings may be produced having desired mechanical and thermal properties. The ceramic thermal spray coating may have a microstructure having about 10-80% by cross-sectional area of a particulate phase based on, surface area of the coating, and the particulate phase is uniformly distributed throughout the coating. The particulate phase is an unmelted portion of the thermal sprayed feedstock, which is highly porous and may be produced by agglomerating nanoparticles of the ceramic. Such coatings can be applied as TBCs or as abradable coatings.
US08486517B2
A helical textile having a substantially uniform thickness from ID to OD having circumferential warp fibers; non-interlaced radially aligned weft fibers having fiber lengths that may vary with the textile diameter to maintain constant textile thickness, the warp fibers and weft fibers not interlaced together; and non-reinforcing binding yarns securing the warp fibers to the weft fibers, thereby forming a helical textile.
US08486512B2
In one embodiment, Hexagonal tiles encompassing a large are divided into three groups, each containing ⅓ of all hexagonal tiles that are disjoined among one another. Openings for the hexagonal tiles in each group are formed in a template layer, and a set of self-assembling block copolymers is applied and patterned within each opening. This process is repeated three times to encompass all three groups, resulting in a self-aligned pattern extending over a wide area. In another embodiment, the large area is divided into rectangular tiles of two non-overlapping and complementary groups. Each rectangular area has a width less than the range of order of self-assembling block copolymers. Self-assembled self-aligned line and space structures are formed in each group in a sequential manner so that a line and space pattern is formed over a large area extending beyond the range of order.
US08486507B2
A mechanically expandable foam sheet has comprising a plurality of discrete slits therein that allow the foam sheet to be expanded from an unexpanded foam sheet configuration to an expanded foam sheet configuration. The expandable foam sheet has a density of from 14 g/liter to 48 g/liter in the unexpanded configuration and a thickness of from 6 mm to 50 mm. The slits are of a kind and of a size and arrangement that the expanded foam sheet locks into the expanded configuration by exhibiting a pressure-to-close of at least 5 gm/cm2. Each of the slits provides only a single free volume in the expanded foam sheet. An expandable foam sheet having serpentine-shaped expansion and locking arms is also disclosed, as are various cushioning articles comprising expanded foam sheet.
US08486503B2
A surgical tape (1) includes a carrier (2, 3), on one side coated with an adhesive (4) and including a layer of non-woven (3). A layer of plastic film (2) is laminated to the layer of non-woven and the surgical tape (1) is tearable in a cross direction relative its longitudinal direction and liquid impermeable.
US08486502B2
A cable jacket includes an extruded polymer made from PVDF, PVC and a compatibilizing agent, where a ratio of PVDF, PVC and a compatibilizing agent is substantially 7:3:1.
US08486492B2
The invention aims at providing a complex oxide film having a high relative dielectric constant and a high voltage resistance, whose film thickness can be arbitrarily controlled, and a manufacturing method thereof, a composite body comprising the complex oxide film and a manufacturing method thereof, a dielectric or piezoelectric material comprising the complex oxide film or composite body, a capacitor or piezoelectric element comprising the complex oxide film advantageous to improve voltage resistance, and an electronic device equipped with the same, without involving any complicated or large scale equipment. The complex oxide film can be obtained by forming a metal oxide film containing a titanium element on a substrate surface and then allowing a solution containing strontium ion to react with the metal oxide film. A capacitor including the complex oxide film as dielectric material and a piezoelectric element including it as piezoelectric material can be produced.
US08486488B2
A web of a polymer film (1) is coated with an oxide layer, in particular with an SiOx barrier layer, by transporting the web with the aid of a rotatable drum (12) through a plurality of flame bands, which are directed in a radial direction from above against the circumferential surface of the drum, which extend at a distance from each other across the width of the web being supported and transported on this circumferential surface, and which are fed with a gas mixture including a combustible gas, an oxidant, and a silicon containing compound. Therein the circumferential surface of the rotatable drum is cooled to a predetermined temperature and the web is transported through the area of the tip of the inner flame region. Polymer films with barrier layers produced in the named way have at small layer thicknesses of less than 10 nm very good barrier properties.
US08486485B2
An imprintable medium dispenser includes a chamber, a nozzle, and an actuator connected to the chamber and configured to be actuated and thereby generate a pressure wave within the chamber such that imprintable medium is dispensed from the nozzle. The imprintable medium dispenser is provided with a control circuit which includes a monitoring apparatus configured to receive a transient oscillation signal generated when the actuator is actuated, and to monitor the operation of the imprintable medium dispenser by monitoring the transient oscillation signal.
US08486482B2
Methods are disclosed to improved adhesion of polymer coatings over polymer surfaces of stents which include plasma treatment, applying an adhesion promoting layer, surface treatments with solvents, and mechanical roughening techniques.
US08486459B2
A method of producing a Bulbine frutescens extract in a stable form by treating juice expressed from the leaves of the Bulbine frutescens plant with hydrogen peroxide, removing the remaining hydrogen peroxide and stabilizing the extract using a suitable stabilizer. The Bulbine frutescens extract is used in the therapeutic or cosmetic fields and has an especially good effect on diseases of the skin and mucous membranes, in particular infections or inflammations such as fungal diseases, in prevention and/or curing injuries to the skin and mucous membranes, in particular burn wounds, as a disinfectant, as an agent to improve the immune defense, for body care, oral care, as an antiperspirants and as an antiaging product. The effect is to some extent far superior to that of commercial products, and there is no damage to the natural microflora of the skin and mucous membranes but instead they remain intact. Furthermore, the appearance of the skin is greatly improved.
US08486456B2
A solid dispersion product comprising itraconazole and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, which satisfies the Formula 0.35>ΔHtr (1) (wherein ΔHtr represents the endotherm (J/g) accompanying a transition at about 240° C). The solid dispersion product shows an improved bioavailability.
US08486453B2
The present invention provides a controlled release pharmaceutical composition which exhibits reduced food effect.
US08486445B2
The invention relates to a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (“SMEDDS”) of mitotane, with enhanced bioavailability. More particularly the invention provides a mitotane oily formulation comprising propylene glycol monocaprylate (10 to 30% w/w), propylene glycol dicaprate (20 to 60% w/w) and polyoxyethylenesorbitanne monooleate (10 to 30% w/w).
US08486439B2
The present invention relates to a kinetic implant comprising(a) biodegradable material comprising opened starch, destructurized starch or a mixture of opened starch and destructurized starch, (b) a biologically or pharmaceutically active substance; and (c) a stabilizing component stabilizing the biologically or pharmaceutically active substance. The biodegradable material comprises about 50 to about 100 wt. % of opened starch, destructurized starch or a mixture of opened starch, based on the total weight of the biodegradable material, the biodegradable material having a bulk density of 1.0 to 1.5 kg/dm3. The kinetic implant has a length :diameter ratio of more than 4, provided that the length of the kinetic implant is between 1 mm to 50 mm. The kinetic implant has a weight such that it can be provided with an amount of kinetic energy in the range of 0.1 to 10 J.
US08486432B2
A method of treating animals to reduce the presence of annoying insects around the animal, help clean the animal's exterior, add luster and sheen to the animal's coat or hide, and provide stain repellency includes the application of a gelled composition to the exterior of an animal. The composition includes a nonionic primary surfactant comprising an ethoxylated sorbitol oleate, a nonionic secondary surfactant, and water. The nonionic secondary surfactant is selected from the group consisting of linear ethoxylated secondary alcohols, polyoxyethylene ethers, ethoxylated sorbitan monolaurates, ethoxylated fatty acid amides and ethoxylated fatty acids that contain about 7 moles to about 26 moles of ethylene oxide and comprise from about 20 to about 36 weight percent of said composition. The water is in a sufficient amount so that the nonionic primary and secondary surfactants together with the water form a gel.
US08486427B2
An antimicrobial wipe that contains a polymer coating having a synergistic combination of ingredients for providing controlled release of an antimicrobial agent and also good antimicrobial efficacy is provided. One such ingredient is a high molecular weight polyamideamine release agent. Due to the polycationic nature of the release agent, it is able to adhere to the wipe, which is generally formed from fibers having a negative surface charge (e.g., cellulosic fibers). In this manner, the release agent can occupy binding sites on the wipe to inhibit the antimicrobial agent from adhering thereto, thus allowing it to be expressed in the germicidal solution to kill microbes on the desired surface. The adherence of the release agent to the wipe is even further enhanced by crosslinking the polyamideamine to increase its molecular weight, thereby enabling it to form a structural network that physically adheres to the wipe and that blocks the antimicrobial agent from binding thereto. Furthermore, the polyamideamine is amidated so that it contains secondary and/or tertiary amides. A cell permeabilizer is also employed in the polymer coating to enhance the efficacy of the antimicrobial agent during use. More particularly, polycationic materials are particularly useful in permeabilizing the outer cell membrane without adversely impacting the ability of the polyamideamine to release the antimicrobial agent within the wipe.
US08486426B2
The present invention comprises methods and compositions for the treatment of pathological conditions of the dermis and dermal structures of animals and humans. In particular, the present invention comprises the use of topical delivery vehicles, including hydrogels, which incorporate active agents such as organic acids, for the treatment of dermal conditions.
US08486420B2
The present invention provides novel self-replicating and self-propagating chimeric viral vectors and chimeric virus particles comprising a modified genome of a carrier RNA virus packaged within structural proteins of a second virus. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations comprising the chimeric viral vectors and virus particles and methods of inducing an immune response by administration of the same to a subject.
US08486411B2
The present invention provides a method of classifying an epitope displayed by a polypeptide; a method of determining the presence of an epitope on a polypeptide encoded by a test nucleotide sequence; and a method of generating a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide that exhibits a selected epitope. The present invention provides antigenic polypeptides that display selected epitope(s); chimeric macromolecules comprising such polypeptides; and compositions comprising the antigenic polypeptides or chimeric macromolecules. The present invention further provides methods of inducing an immune response to a Chlamydia. The present invention further provides arrays of nucleic acids, arrays of polypeptides, and arrays of antibodies, which arrays are useful in identification and/or classification of a Chlamydia.
US08486405B2
The present invention provides methods for diagnosing a patient with emphysema or COPD by detecting the levels of EMAP II in a sample. Alternatively, methods are provided for determining the susceptibility of a patient to develop emphysema or COPD by detecting the levels of EMAP II in a sample. The levels of EMAP II may be determined by immunoassay techniques. The present invention also provides methods for treating patients with emphysema or COPD by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an EMAP II neutralizing compound. The compound may be an antibody, siRNA, antisense RNA or an antagonist of CXCR3.
US08486401B2
Monoclonal antibodies, synthetic and biotechnological derivatives thereof (ScFv or others) are able to recognise the NGF high affinity receptor, TrkA, and act as NGF-antagonist molecules. Pharmacological compositions for therapy, gene therapy, diagnostics of neurological pathologies are also described. Transgenic animal models to study such pathologies are also described.
US08486396B2
A method of reducing an inflammatory response in a subject is provided. The method comprising providing to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of reducing activity and/or expression of a scavenger receptor or of an effector thereof, thereby reducing the inflammatory response in the subject.
US08486395B2
The present invention provides humanized, chimeric and human anti-CD19 antibodies, anti-CD19 antibody fusion proteins, and fragments thereof that bind to a human B cell marker. Such antibodies, fusion proteins and fragments thereof are useful for the treatment and diagnosis of various B-cell disorders, including B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases. In more particular embodiments, the humanized anti-CD19 antibodies may comprise one or more framework region amino acid substitutions designed to improve protein stability, antibody binding and/or expression levels. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the substitutions comprise a Ser91Phe substitution in the hA19 VH sequence.
US08486381B2
The present invention relates to methods for treating intestinal fluid balance disorders and modulating intestinal fluid secretion and absorption using calcimimetics and calcilytics.
US08486379B2
The present invention provides a lip cosmetic that has excellent secondary adhesion resistance effect, good gloss, and excellent stability. The lip cosmetic of the present invention is characterized by comprising the following components (a) to (c): (a) 4.5 to 35 mass % of isostearyl glyceryl ether; (b) 20 to 80 mass % of one or more kinds of methyl phenyl silicones that do not separate when mixed with (a) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane at 90° C. and separate when mixed with (a) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane at 25° C.; (c) 4 to 10 mass % of a wax.
US08486378B1
A Natural oils composition for hardening and strengthening fingernails and toenails in which the natural oils contained therein exhibit ability to self polymerize into a solid film in the presence of oxygen. Oils of this invention are diluted with compatible solvents allowing penetration into the nail. Oils of this invention exhibit an Iodine Value greater than 140 grams of iodine absorbed per 100 grams of oil as measured under the prescribed conditions of a standard method described forthwith. Fingernail strengthening and conditioning compositions with antifungal properties are also disclosed.
US08486376B2
The present invention provides a highly tolerable, hydrating lanolin containing foamable composition for administration to the skin, body surface, body cavity or mucosal surface, e.g., the mucosa of the nose, mouth, eye, ear, respiratory system, vagina or rectum. The foamable composition includes lanolin, a surface-active agent, about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of at least one polymeric additive selected from the group consisting of a bioadhesive agent, a gelling agent, a film forming agent and a phase change agent, water, and a liquefied or compressed gas propellant at a concentration of about 3% to about 25% by weight of the total composition.
US08486375B2
The present invention is related to a foamable composition of matter comprising iodine, water, a foam adjuvant, a surface-active agent and a gelling agent. This foamable composition, which may be provided in a propellant free foaming device, or alternatively may further comprise a propellant, evolves into foam, which is effective in the topical treatment and prevention of various skin disorders.
US08486367B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for generating hydrogen (5), wherein an input (1) comprising carbon is fed longitudinally through a tube-shaped reaction chamber (Z), together with water steam (2), and is thereby converted by steam reforming, and hydrogen (4) formed during steam reforming is continuously drawn off out of the reaction chamber (Z) through a separating wall (T), said wall being selectively hydrogen-permeable at least in segments, and at a pressure less than the pressure in the reaction chamber (Z) and greater than the ambient pressure, having greater purity than product (5), characterized in that a separating wall (T) is used, the selectively hydrogen-permeability segments thereof being disposed such that a hydrogen partial pressure drop exists over the entire surface of each of such segments between the reaction chamber side and the hydrogen extraction side (W).
US08486366B2
Concentrated aqueous hydrogen peroxide or another reactive compound in a liquid carrier is activated by atomization and contact with a suitable catalyst that is concurrently atomized in a carrier liquid. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide and a hydrogen peroxide activation catalyst are atomized into a droplet spray for catalytic activation of the hydrogen peroxide in this invention, useful for treatment of a combustion flue gas containing contaminants such as NOχ and/or Hg.
US08486363B2
A method is disclosed for making graphenic carbon particles. The method includes introducing a hydrocarbon precursor material capable of forming a two-carbon-fragment species into a thermal zone, heating the hydrocarbon precursor material in the thermal zone to form the graphenic carbon particles from the hydrocarbon precursor material, and collecting the graphenic carbon particles. Apparatus for performing such a method, and graphenic particles produced by the method, are also disclosed.
US08486361B2
A flue gas stream processing system includes a fuel reactor for combusting a fuel to generate a flue gas stream including water vapor, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The system includes an oxidation catalyst downstream of the fuel reactor, the oxidation catalyst configured to receive the flue gas stream and oxidize the carbon monoxide to form a carbon dioxide rich flue gas stream, and a processing unit to liquefy carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide rich flue gas stream and generate an exhaust gas.
US08486360B2
A method is provided for producing GeCl4 with or without SiCl4 from optical fibers, the method comprises the steps of: reacting comminuted optical fibers including germanium and optionally silicon oxides with a reagent including a solid carbonaceous reducing agent, chlorine and a boron compound to obtain a gaseous product including gaseous GeCl4, gaseous SiCl4, and gaseous BCl3 in accordance with the reactions: 2BCl3(g)+1.5GeO2=1.5GeCl4(g)+B2O3; 2BCl3(g)+1.5SiO2=1.5SiCl4(g)+B2O; B2O3+1.5C+3Cl2=2BCl3(g)+1.5CO2; and then condensing the gaseous GeCl4, BCl3 and optionally SiCl4 into liquid GeCl4, BCl3 and optionally SiCl4. The invention further provides a method for producing SiCl4 (and optionally GeCl4) from glassy residues obtained from optical fiber manufacturing and wasted optical cables. The method includes the steps of: reacting comminuted glassy residues with a reagent including a solid carbonaceous reducing agent, a salt, a boron compound to obtain a gaseous product including SiCl4, BCl3, and optionally GeCl4; and then condensing the gaseous SiCl4, BCl3 (with or without GeCl4) into liquid SiCl4, BCl3 and GeCl4. There is also provided a method for producing SiCl4 from a SiO2 containing material.
US08486358B2
The carbon dioxide contained in combustion fumes is absorbed by an aqueous amine solution in section B1. The decarbonated fumes are then washed with water in wash section B3. In order to prevent the discharge of amine degradation products with the decarbonated fumes, operation of the method is monitored and a fumes acid wash section U is used when required by the operating conditions of the carbon dioxide capture method.
US08486355B2
A method for leaching cobalt from a non-lateritic oxidized cobalt ore, the method comprising the method steps of: curing the non-lateritic oxidized cobalt ore to be leached through the application of an aqueous solution of a cobalt reducing agent selected from the group: iron (II) salts, sulfite salts, sulfur dioxide, and combinations thereof; at a pressure of between about atmospheric pressure and about 5 atmospheres, at a temperature between about 5° C. and about 65° C.; wherein the pH of the aqueous solution of the cobalt reducing agent is between about 1.0 and 10.0; and wherein the relative volumes of the aqueous solution of the cobalt reducing agent and the non-lateritic oxidized cobalt ore to be leached are such that the combination of the aqueous solution of the cobalt reducing agent and the non-lateritic oxidized cobalt ore to be leached forms a mixture with a solids content not less than about 100 g/L of aqueous solution; substantially retaining the aqueous solution of the cobalt reducing agent in contact with the non-lateritic oxidized cobalt; and leaching the cured ore at a pressure of between about atmospheric pressure and about 5 atmospheres, at a temperature between about 5° C. and about 65° C., through the application of an ammonium carbonate solution containing free ammonia thereby producing a pregnant leach solution; then passing the pregnant leach solution resulting to a means for cobalt recovery.
US08486354B2
A method for extracting rare earth elements from monazite is disclosed. The method includes milling a mixture of monazite including phosphates and rare earth elements and sodium hydroxides inside a mill containing a plurality of balls to form powder by colliding the mixture into balls with each other, converting the mixture into rare earth hydroxides and sodium phosphates through the reaction occurring in the process of repeated collision, and extracting rare earth elements from the powder.
US08486352B2
Provided are a micro-valve structure and a lab-on-a-chip module that include a polymer actuator. The micro-valve structure may include a flexible structure disposed on a substrate, and the polymer actuator inserted into the flexible structure. At this time, the flexible structure has a valve portion defining a microchannel and the polymer actuator is separated from the microchannel by the flexible structure. In addition, the polymer actuator is formed to change a width of the microchannel by controlling a displacement of the valve portion.
US08486342B2
In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a syringe, method and system for delivering a therapeutic amount of ozone are disclosed. An exemplary syringe can have a gas chamber and one or more electrodes. A portion of at least one electrode can be within the gas chamber. Alternatively, singularly or in conjunction, one or both electrodes can be attached to the outside of an exemplary syringe. One or more electrical contact points can be outside the gas chamber. Each electrical contact point can be connected to an electrode. Oxygen gas can provided within the gas chamber of the exemplary syringe. A medical ozone generator can be connected to the syringe via the electrical contact points. Corona discharge can be effectuated via the electrodes, which can result in an amount of ozone gas can being produced from the oxygen gas.
US08486335B2
An automated microscope slide staining system and staining apparatus and method that features a plurality of individually operable miniaturized pressurizable reaction compartments or a pressurizable common chamber for individually and independently processing a plurality of microscope slides. The apparatus preferably features independently movable slide support elements each having an individually operable heating element.
US08486322B2
The invention provides a method of manufacturing golf balls having a core and least one cover layer which involves injecting a molten cover resin material around a core so as to form a cover layer. The cover resin material is a single resin composition made up of (A) a thermoplastic polyurethane, (B) a polyisocyanate compound and (C) a thermoplastic elastomer other than the thermoplastic polyurethane in a weight ratio (A):(B):(C)=100: {2-50}: {0-50}, and is injected with from 10 to 99% of the total number of isocyanate groups in component B remaining in an unreacted state within the cover resin material. The method of the invention provides a high manufacturability and a good amenability to mass production, and the manufactured gold balls thus obtained have a high rebound and excellent scuff resistance.
US08486320B2
A spindle motor tray adhesive dispensing method and supplementary apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base block and a pressure block. The base block supports the tray to be processed, having a blind hole for receiving one end of the center axle of the tray and three adhesive troughs around the blind hole. The pressure block pressed on the tray above the base block and axially movable relative to the base block, having a guide hole for receiving the other end of the center axle of the tray. An open space is defined above the base block around the pressure block within which an adhesive dispenser is movable to dispense a polymer adhesive to the through holes on the tray and the adhesive troughs of the base block to form rubber pads at the tray when cured.
US08486319B2
Super-hydrophobic and self-cleaning articles produced by imprinting exposed surfaces with suitable fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic embossing dies to transfer a dual surface structure, including ultra-fine features less than or equal to 100 nm embedded in and overlaying a surface topography with macro-surface structures greater than or equal to 1 micron are disclosed.
US08486318B2
Provided is a functional fiber and a fiber aggregate for realizing various functions, an adhesive for easily bonding electronic components, and a method for manufacturing the same. Particularly, a fiber extended in a length direction includes a carrier polymer and a plurality of functional particles, wherein the plurality of functional particles are embedded in the carrier polymer and physically fixed to the carrier polymer to be integrated.
US08486310B2
A composition containing fine silver particles which have a uniform particle size, can form a fine drawing pattern, and have a small environmental impact, a method for producing that composition, a method for producing fine silver particles, and a paste having fine silver particles are provided. The fine silver particles are produced by carrying out a fluid preparation step of preparing a reduction fluid, a silver reaction step, and a filtration/washing step. The reaction step is carried out by adding an aqueous silver nitrate fluid to a reduction fluid whose temperature has been increased to a range between 40 and 800 ° C. The aqueous silver nitrate fluid is added at a stretch. The composition containing fine silver particles is produced by dispersing the composition containing the fine silver particles in a polar fluid.
US08486297B2
The present invention relates to thiophene derivatives, to processes and intermediates for the preparation thereof, to the use thereof for optical, electro-optical and electronic purposes, in particular in liquid-crystal (LC) media and LC displays, and to LC media and LC displays comprising same.
US08486295B2
Disclosed are methods of transferring heat comprising providing a device, using a heat-transfer fluid to transfer heat to or from the device, wherein the heat-transfer fluid compositions comprise at least one unsaturated fluoroether having the formula CF3(CF2)xCF═CFCF(OR)(CF2)yCF3, CF3(CF2)xC(OR)═CFCF2(CF2)yCF3, CF3CF═CFCF(OR)(CF2)x(CF2)yCF3, CF3(CF2)xCF═C(OR)CF2(CF2)yCF3, or mixtures thereof, wherein R can be either CH3, C2H5 or mixtures thereof, and wherein x and y are independently 0, 1, 2 or 3, and wherein x+y=0, 1, 2 or 3.
US08486290B2
There is provided an etching apparatus in which, without setting the information of the substance and the chemical reaction, a small number of representative wavelengths can be selected from a waveform at a lot of wavelengths, and an analysis process of etching data which needs large man-hours can be eliminated to efficiently set the monitoring of the etching. The etching apparatus includes: a lot/wafer/step-depending OES-data searching/acquiring function 511 for acquiring a plurality of optical emission intensity waveforms along an etching-treatment time axis; a waveform-change-existence judgment function 521 for judging the existence of the change of the plurality of light emission intensity waveforms; a waveform-correlation-matrix calculating function 522 for calculating a correlation matrix between the optical emission intensity waveforms; a waveform classifying function 523 for classifying the optical emission intensity waveforms into groups; and a representative-waveform selecting function 524 for selecting a representative optical emission intensity waveform from the group.
US08486287B2
Fabrication methods disclosed herein provide for a nanoscale structure or a pattern comprising a plurality of nanostructures of specific predetermined position, shape and composition, including nanostructure arrays having large area at high throughput necessary for industrial production. The resultant nanostracture patterns are useful for nanostructure arrays, specifically sensor and catalytic arrays.
US08486278B2
Embodiments of method of manufacturing an implantable pump, including providing an upper layer comprising a dome structure for housing a drug chamber and a cannula in fluid communication with the drug chamber, providing a middle deflection layer adjacent the drug chamber, providing a bottom layer comprising electrolysis electrodes, and bonding the upper layer, middle deflection layer, and bottom layer to form the pump.
US08486276B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating water and an aqueous system, situated in a pipe, with chlorine dioxide (ClO2), the method including generating ClO2 in a reaction space such that the generated ClO2 is completely surrounded by a system to be treated, and delivering the ClO2 generated in the reaction space to the system to be treated which is situated in the pipe, wherein the system surrounding the reaction space is the system to be treated, the reaction space is a component of a mobile device and the mobile device can be introduced into the pipe, in which the system to be treated is situated, and removed again independently of the pressure state of the pipe containing the system to be treated, and the reaction space is situated in the pipe containing the system to be treated.
US08486275B2
An automated water treatment system and methods for treating raw water to produce potable water are disclosed. The system is a self-contained portable water treatment system having several selectable treatment subsystems and a controller which automatically selects and controls the mode of operation from a transient, normal or backwashing mode, automatically controls the flow of water through a treatment path based upon the selected mode of operation and the measured water quality characteristics of the water at selected locations, automatically determines, based upon the selected mode of operation and the water quality parameter measurements, which of the plurality of the selectable subsystems is needed to produce potable water at the output; and automatically direct the flow of water through a treatment path through the system to bypass the water treatment subsystems and elements that are not needed to produce potable water. The system is configured to fit inside a standard-sized commercial shipping container for transport and during operation.
US08486269B2
A method for generating softened injection water (A) (i) introducing source water having a dissolved solids content of up to 15,000 mg/liter and a multivalent cation content of greater than 40 mg/liter to a bed of cation exchange resin in monovalent cation form, (ii) passing the water through the bed so that at least a portion of the multivalent cations in the water are replaced by monovalent cations from the resin, and (iii) withdrawing the softened injection water having a multivalent cation content of up to 40 mg/liter; (B) regenerating the cation exchange resin by (i) introducing a regenerating brine to the vessel, (ii) passing the brine through the bed and (iii) withdrawing a brine containing displaced multivalent cations, wherein the brine is a naturally occurring high salinity water having a concentration of cations such that the Softening Limit for the source water is up to 40 mg/liter of multivalent cations.
US08486268B2
A method that identifies common peaks among unidentified peaks in the data from different LC-MS or LC-MS/MS runs is provided. The method employs an algorithm, herein referred to as “Precision Peak Matching (PPM).” The different runs can be from different laboratories, instruments, and biological samples that result in a significant variability in the data. PPM allows estimation and control of precision, defined as the fraction of truly identical peptide pairs among all pairs retrieved, in the matching process. PPM finds the maximal number of peptide pairs at a prescribed precision, thereby allowing quantitative control over the trade off between the number of true pairs missed, and false pairs found. PPM finds common peptides from a database of LC-MS runs of heterogeneous origins, and at the specified precision. PPM fills a much-needed role in proteomics by extracting useful information from disparate LC-MS databases in a statistically rigorous and interpretable manner.
US08486266B1
A waste treatment method includes the concentration of selected strains of bacteria in a selected medium in the presence of nutrients and water, under aerobic conditions. This concentrated batch is discharged for downstream applications in wastewater remediation. A cultivation chamber having inlet ports and a circular vent port allows for adequate air introduction and heat release. Aeration is achieved by recirculation of the fluid medium from the top of the apparatus through a pipe that runs the length of the inner wall and is specially configured at the top to minimize cell damage. Fluid can be routed tangentially in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The conical bottom has an orifice allowing for recirculation of the fluid medium tangentially to the sidewalls. Upon completion of batch cultivation, the medium and bacteria are discharged for downstream applications in wastewater remediation of paper mill, chemical plant, oil refinery, and other industrial effluents.
US08486261B2
An aircraft fuel scavenge system incorporates a scavenge pump receiving fuel from a center tank and depositing the fuel in a wing tank. A water separator receives fuel through an inlet tube providing a plurality of momentum changes to incoming fuel, the water separator having a fuel outlet connected to the scavenge pump and a water outlet. A water manifold is connected from the water outlet to an input to a fuel supply line to an engine.
US08486241B2
An exemplary gas supply system, includes a plurality of first input lines for supplying gas, a plurality of second input lines, a plurality of third input lines, a first mixing tank communicating with the second input lines, a second mixing tank communicating with the third input lines, and a plurality of three-way valves. Each three-way valve is communicated with a first input line, a second input line and a third input line such that gas in the first input lines can be selectively introduced into the first mixing tank or the second mixing tank.
US08486237B2
An apparatus for continuously forming thin ceramic coatings on metal sheets, foils or wires. The apparatus has a reaction chamber, perforated nylon sheets, nylon bar guides, copper rods attached to a power supply, nylon collecting rods, and an inlet and an outlet. The reaction chamber is capable of containing an electrolytic solution. The copper rods are separately connected to the R, Y, or B phase of the power supply. Each phase is provided with two thyristors and the output of the thyristors is connected to the copper rods using current transformers. A process for continuously forming thin ceramic coatings on metal sheets, foils or wires is also provided.
US08486226B1
A paper sheet is providing having a basis weight of 50 to 80 g/m2, and having a top surface and a bottom surface, said paper sheet comprising 10%-80% by weight of hardwood kraft pulp; and 10%-70% by weight of sulfite pulp; wherein the paper sheet has an MD/CD TSI ratio of 1.25 to 2.15, and a fiber hygroexpansion stress transfer parameter (ω) of less than 0.1.
US08486225B2
An inventive method includes the steps of: loading a fiber product in an appropriate form into a treatment vessel; wetting the fiber product; forcibly circulating an ozone-containing liquid in contact with the wetted fiber product to thereby bleach the fiber product; and forcibly circulating an ozone decomposing chemical agent liquid in contact with the ozone-treated fiber product to decompose ozone. This method ensures efficient bleaching of the fiber product with the ozone. Further, the method is advantageous in that the resulting bleached fiber product is less liable to be yellowed over time.
US08486223B2
A falling film evaporator having a shell pass, multiple tubes parallel to each other, a condensed steam outlet, an inlet for an aqueous solution on the top of the tube pass, an outlet for the aqueous solution at the bottom of the tube pass, a distributing assembly having a plurality of distributing trays arranged vertically from top to bottom in incremental diameters and each having multiple holes, and a plate for collecting the aqueous solution below the distributing assembly. The tubes are straight and installed vertically in the evaporator; inner wall of the tubes is smooth, and the top portion of the tubes is protruded above a horizontal plane of the plate. The evaporator is particularly useful for concentrating an aqueous solution containing thermosensitive materials.
US08486219B2
The present disclosure pertains to a process for preparing a laminate comprising: providing a dried overlay and a base sheet wherein at least one of the dried overlay and the base sheet comprises a resin-impregnated, opaque, cellulose pulp-based sheet; applying a fluorourethane to the dried overlay to form a treated overlay; drying the treated overlay; and laminating the treated overlay to the base sheet. The disclosed process hereby produces a laminate whose outer surface is modified with the fluorourethane and the cleanability, oil repellency, and abrasion resistance of such a laminate is improved.
US08486218B2
A method of manufacturing a bonded body of a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor device to be mounted on the semiconductor substrate are provided. The method includes: preparing a first base member and a second base member; imparting liquid repellency for a liquid material to at least a part of a bonding film non-formation region of the first base member to form a liquid repellent region thereon; supplying the liquid material onto the first base member to selectively form a liquid coating on a bonding film formation region of the first base member; drying the liquid coating to obtain a bonding film on the bonding film formation region; and bonding the first base member and the second base member together through the bonding film due to a bonding property developed in a vicinity of a surface of the bonding film to thereby obtain the bonded body.
US08486217B2
A method of producing a packaging material including a temporary bonding which temporarily bonds a first sheet including a thermoplastic resin non-oriented film layer and a thermoplastic adhesive resin layer laminated on one surface of the thermoplastic resin non-oriented film layer and a second sheet including a heat resistant resin oriented film layer and an aluminum foil layer laminated on one surface of the heat resistant resin oriented film layer by passing the first and second sheets between a pair of rolls in a state in which the thermoplastic adhesive resin layer and the aluminum foil layer are brought into contact with each other to press them while heating in a state in which the thermoplastic adhesive resin does not melt to obtain a pre-laminated sheet, and a complete bonding which integrally bonds the first and second sheets by heating the pre-laminated sheet to melt the thermoplastic adhesive resin.
US08486216B2
A process for placing at least one fiber element on a surface is disclosed so as to provide a deposited fiber element having a width that varies longitudinally. The process may provide a step in which the width of the fiber element is modified upstream of the deposition step using a width control device. A device for performing the process is also disclosed. Further, fibrous sheets containing one or more deposited fiber element having a width that varies longitudinally are also disclosed. Preforms formed from one or more of the fibrous sheets are also disclosed.
US08486210B2
An apparatus for producing an elastomeric nonwoven laminate including a plurality of elastomeric strands joined to a nonwoven web in a controlled distribution is provided. The apparatus includes an extruder for extruding a plurality of elastomeric strands onto a cooled surface of a rotating drum, which transports the strands in parallel alignment to a nip formed between two rollers rotating about parallel axis. The drum transfers the plurality of strands to the nip in a controlled distribution where it is bonded with the nonwoven. The apparatus also includes elements which automate the apparatus for creating the elastomeric nonwoven laminate.
US08486205B2
A high-strength hot-rolled steel sheet containing C: 0.05 to 0.15%, Si: no more than 1.50% (excluding 0%), Mn: 0.5 to 2.5%, P: no more than 0.035% (excluding 0%), S: no more than 0.01% (including 0%), Al: 0.02 to 0.15%, and Ti: 0.05 to 0.2%, which is characterized in that its metallographic structure is composed of 60 to 95 vol % of bainite and solid solution-hardened or precipitation-hardened ferrite (or ferrite and martensite) and its fracture appearance transition temperature (vTrs) is no higher than 0° C. as obtained by impact tests (% in terms of % by weight).
US08486200B2
The present invention discloses a method of washing ware, in particular in an automatic domestic or institutional ware washing machine, using a detergent composition containing a cationic starch. This eliminates the need for a surfactant in the rinse step. The cationic starch provides a layer of cationic starch on the ware so as to afford a sheeting action in an aqueous rinse step without any added rinse agent.
US08486197B2
A method of saccharification and separation for plant fiber materials is provided. The method includes hydrolyzing cellulose contained in the plant fiber materials using a cluster acid catalyst in a pseudo-molten state to produce saccharide. The method further includes a first separation step of separating a mixture containing an aqueous saccharide solution in which at least a portion of the saccharide produced is dissolved, a cluster acid organic solvent solution, and residues into a solid content containing the residues and a liquid content containing the aqueous saccharide solution and the cluster acid catalyst solvent solution. The method further includes a second separation step of dehydrating the liquid content by a dehydration means capable of absorbing water through chemical absorption to deposit the saccharide in the aqueous saccharide solution, and separating a solid content containing the saccharide from a liquid content containing the cluster acid catalyst and the organic solvent.
US08486188B2
The invention relates to a method for production of polyhydroxyfunctional polysiloxanes with branched polyglycidol polyether groups, in which firstly at least one allylic or methallylic starting material is reacted with at least one glycidol, such that an allyl polyether or methallyl polyether is formed, and then the allyl polyether or methallyl polyether thus produced is added to a Si—H functional alkyl polysiloxane in the presence of an acid buffering agent. The invention further relates to polysiloxanes, which may be obtained by said method and the use of the polysiloxanes in coating agents, polymeric coating masses and thermoplastics.
US08486180B2
A concentrated carbon dioxide stream is produced during a hydrogen pressure swing adsorption unit cycle by fractionating the carbon dioxide removed from the adsorbent in the adsorption beds during the regeneration of the adsorption beds. Thereby providing a cost efficient process for producing merchant carbon dioxide.
US08486178B2
A membrane cartridge is manufactured by repeatedly folding and joining two strips of membrane to form a cross-pleated cartridge with a stack of openings or fluid passageways configured in an alternating cross-flow arrangement. The cartridge can be modified for other flow configurations including co-flow and counter-flow arrangements. Methods for manufacturing such cross-pleated membrane cartridges, as well as apparatus used in the manufacturing process are described. Cross-pleated membrane cartridges comprising water-permeable membranes can be used in a variety of applications, including in heat and water vapor exchangers. In particular they can be incorporated into energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) for exchanging heat and water vapor between air streams being directed into and out of buildings.
US08486173B2
A collapsible underhood container for mounting under a vehicle hood with a portion of the collapsible underhood container extending into an area between the hood and an underhood safety plane when in an extended position, the container comprising: a lower housing, an upper container portion and a locking feature. The lower housing is fixed relative to the vehicle and has a bottom and side walls. The upper container portion has walls adjacent to and telescopically slidable on the side walls of the lower housing and a top, with the top located in the area between the hood and the safety plane. The locking feature maintains the upper container relative to the lower housing when in the extended position and releases the upper container portion to slide downward relative to the lower housing to a collapsed position when the hood contacts the upper container.
US08486170B2
A filter apparatus comprises first and second filters, each having an upstream surface and a downstream surface. At least one bypass channel extends from a position upstream of the upstream surface of the first filter to a position upstream of the upstream surface of the second filter.
US08486160B2
A rechargeable battery comprises: an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of positive electrode plates, a plurality of negative electrode plates, and a plurality of separators; and a case enclosing the electrode assembly; wherein each separator in the plurality of separators comprises a central portion facing at least one of the positive and negative electrode plates, and an extended portion that extends past the positive and negative electrode plates, and wherein each of the extended portion comprises an adhered portion that is adhered to adjacent extended portions.
US08486159B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing simply a positive electrode active material which can further increase charge-discharge capacity of secondary batteries when the positive electrode active material is used for positive electrode of secondary batteries, particularly non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries. A method for producing a positive electrode active material includes the step of heat-treating a lithium mixed metal oxide represented by the formula Li2MO3 in the presence of a hydride wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni.
US08486156B2
Prosthetic feet having a split feature are described. The prosthetic feet can include a plate-like upper element and a plate-like lower element connected to the upper element. The plate-like upper element can include a split that separates the upper element into a medial blade and a lateral blade. A portion of the split can curve in a medial or lateral direction. Portions of the split can also be straight, but askew, from a longitudinal axis of the upper element. The plate-like lower element can also include a similar curved split that separates the lower element into a medial blade and a lateral blade. These features, among others, are designed to provide multi-axial movement capabilities of a natural human foot and enhance roll-over properties while in use.
US08486153B2
Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the pyloric portion of the gastrointestinal system and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device in the pyloric portion and a flexible sleeve that extents into the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.
US08486144B2
The invention relates to an endoprosthesis, particularly for the at least partial replacement of a long bone, comprising a plug-in connection for connecting a shaft (2) to another part (1) of the prosthesis, wherein the plug-in connection (3) comprises an axial projection (33) and a socket (34). According to the invention, provision is made that a radial transverse channel (53) is provided on one part of the plug-in connection (3), said radial transverse channel (53) engaging behind the plug-in connection and having a center axis (55) that is offset (d) relative to the axis (56) of a transverse bore (52) arranged on the other part of the plug-in connection, and a clamping element (6) which is to be inserted into the transverse channel (53) and whose point (62), in the inserted state, engages in the transverse bore (52). In this way, it is possible to achieve an effective securing action even in the event of an unfavorable tolerance pairing, without adversely affecting the sensitive projection itself.
US08486141B2
A multi-zonal monofocal opthalmic lens comprises an inner zone, an intermediate zone, and an outer zone. The inner zone has a first optical power. The intermediate zone surrounds the inner zone and has a second optical power that is different from the first power by a magnitude that is less than at least about 0.75 Diopter. The outer zone surrounds the intermediate zone and has a third optical power different from the second optical power. In certain embodiments, the third optical power is equal to the first optical power.
US08486138B2
A method and apparatus for facilitating transapical removal of a prosthetic heart valve, i.e., percutaneously implantable valve (PIV), without open-heart surgery. The apparatus includes a holding tool for holding the PIV, a cutting tool for separating the PrV from fibrotic tissue accumulating around the PIV, and a removal tool for extracting the PIV from the heart.
US08486136B2
A heart valve implant may include a shaft and an anchor configured to be coupled to an end of the shaft. A spacer may be coupled to a portion of the shaft and comprise a plurality of individual segments including a first and at least a second individual segment. The first segment may be coupled to the shaft. The second segment may be coupled to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the first segment and may have at least one cross-section dimension which is greater than an internal cross-sectional dimension of a delivery lumen. Additional segments may be coupled to an inner, adjacent segment. The segments may include a collapsible body portion to facilitate percutaneously delivery through a lumen. The segments may define an outer surface of the spacer configured to interact with at least a portion of at least one cusp of a heart valve to at least partially restrict a flow of blood through the heart valve in a closed position.
US08486134B2
A catheter assembly configured for treatment of a vessel bifurcation. The catheter assembly includes a catheter shaft and first and second balloons. The second balloon extends radially outward relative to the first balloon when expanded. A valve arrangement controls expansion of the second balloon. Portions of the valve arrangement can be positioned at proximal and distal end portions of the catheter shaft. Typically, the first balloon is expanded followed by expansion of the second balloon. A stent having a lateral branch opening is operatively mounted to the first balloon. The second balloon is configured to extend through the lateral branch opening when the second balloon is expanded.
US08486133B2
An expandable stent comprised of a plurality of helical segments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stent is generally cylindrical in shape having a cylindrical axis, and the comprises at least two a first and second set of helical segments. The helical segments in the first set are substantially parallel and have a first pitch forming a first helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. The helical segments in the second set are also generally parallel to each other and form a second pitch that differs from the first pitch, thereby forming a second helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. In an alternative embodiment, the stent comprises one set of helical segments and a plurality of circumferential elements that are joined together by the helical segments to form a plurality of cylindrical elements which are joined together to form a stent body. The stent may also have endzones.
US08486132B2
A catheter for delivering a prosthesis to a treatment site in a body lumen comprises an elongate flexible member and a sheath slidably disposed thereover. A plurality of self-expanding tubular prostheses are carried in axially spaced apart locations along the elongate member, within the sheath. The prostheses may be selectively interlocked with one another and are constrained by the sheath in a radially contracted configuration. The prostheses are separately releasable from the sheath when the sheath is retracted relative to the elongate member. The catheter also has a pusher member slidably disposed along the elongate member within the sheath. The pusher is adapted to move past the prostheses in a first direction without displacing the prostheses, while in a second direction the pusher engages a selected prosthesis so as to move the prosthesis with the pusher to interlock the selected prosthesis with a second prosthesis.
US08486128B2
The invention is directed to a delivery system for delivering a medical device. The delivery system includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end. The inner member defines a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end. A tip is formed at the distal end of the inner member. A bumper is freely disposed on the inner member. The bumper has a proximal end and a distal end. A seat is defined between the tip and the distal end of the bumper. Additionally, a sheath is disposed about the inner member, the sheath having a proximal end and a distal end. The sheath is movable from a first sheath position substantially covering the seat, and a second sheath position axially offset to expose the seat. The invention also includes a handle in contact with the proximal end of the inner member.
US08486127B2
A method is described for preventing breast cancer recurrence after surgical removal of a breast cancer mass. Specifically, the method is thermal treatment of breast tissue surrounding a cavity after lumpectomy for breast cancer. Delivery of a heated fluid is through a balloon catheter to the cavity generated after lumpectomy with the goal of ablating the surrounding tissue, including transformed cells that were not removed through surgery. A balloon and controller were designed for this application.
US08486117B2
An orthopedic bone plate system having a bone plate for placement adjacent one or more vertebral bodies. The system further includes a locking element including a compression member and a fixation member wherein the compression member includes an aperture and at least one deformable portion. A bone fastener is also included in the present system which includes a bone engaging portion and a stem portion. The stem is capable of being slidably received within the aperture of the compression member while the locking member is capable of being received within an aperture of the bone plate. As the compression member is brought into proximity of a vertebral body along the longitudinal axis of the bone fastener, an increasing force is exerted against the fixation member and translated to the bone plate. The resultant force translated back to the fixation member to the compression member which causes the deformable portion of the compression member to clamp the bone fastener relative to the bone plate.
US08486114B2
Cerclage system, including methods, devices, and kits, for stabilizing bone, such as a sternum. The cerclage system may include a wire or cable that encircles bone, and a bone plate to which segments of the wire or cable lock. The cerclage system also or alternatively may include a tensioner for applying tension to a wire or cable.
US08486111B2
A dynamic fixation device is provided that allows the vertebrae to which it is attached to move in flexion within the normal physiological limits of motion, while also providing structural support that limits the amount of translation motion beyond normal physiological limits. The present invention includes a flexible portion and two ends that are adapted for connection to pedicle screws. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the normal axis of rotation of the vertebrae is substantially duplicated by the dynamic fixation device. The flexible portion of the dynamic fixation device can include a flexible anterior-posterior segment, an anterior-posterior segment bounded by one or more zones with cuts in the rod portions, a flexible accordion-like segment, and/or a hinge portion.
US08486104B2
This is a surgical device usually delivered through an intravascular catheter. It may be used in several ways. It may, for instance, be used to open a clear passageway adjacent thrombus to allow both blood and medication to bypass the clot. It may be used to pierce and to remove thrombus. These thrombus are often found in tortuous vasculature. The device includes several sections. The device has a core element, typically a core wire. Placed around the distal end of the core element is a collapsible but preferably self expanding proximal cage assembly and a distal filter, preferably a self-expanding cage assembly or other filter component. The various portions of those components are preferably radio-opaque. The proximal end of the proximal cage is typically is affixed to an actuator in such a way as to allow expansion of the cage after deployment. The proximal cage assembly may be used for collecting emboli or for displacing them to allow blood flow to resume, either with or without concurrent clot-dissolving drug treatment. The distal sector, whether a self-expanding cage or fan, is placed distally of the thrombus to collect portions of the thrombus which may loosen during the treatment or removal procedure.
US08486102B2
The present invention provides an aortic valvuloplasty catheter which, in one preferred embodiment, has a tapered distal balloon segment that anchors within the left ventricle outflow track of the patient's heart and a rounded proximal segment which conforms to the aortic sinuses forcing the valve leaflets open. In addition, this embodiment of the valvuloplasty catheter includes a fiber-based balloon membrane, a distal pigtail end hole catheter tip, and a catheter sheath.
US08486096B2
In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that has an ultrasonic blade that protrudes from an ultrasonic transducer assembly. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic blade coaxially extends through a rotatable tissue cutting blade that is rotatably supported by a housing that supports the ultrasonic transducer assembly. In other embodiments, the ultrasonic blade and the tissue cutting blade are both selectively rotatable relative to the housing. In yet other embodiments, the tissue cutting blade and the ultrasonic blade are supported relative to each other in separate sheaths attached to the housing.
US08486083B2
Instruments for inserting an implant in a space between adjacent bony portions include upper and lower guide members separated by a spreader with the implant positioned forwardly of the spreader. The spreader is movable forwardly between the guide members with a drive member to position the implant in a space between the bony portions. The spreader contacts the adjacent bony portions to facilitate withdrawal of the inserter instrument when the implant is positioned in the space.
US08486080B2
Bone material delivery devices and methods of using the devices are provided. The bone material delivery devices and methods comprise thermochromic material disposed on the exterior of the syringe, the thermochromic material configured to provide an indication of temperature, viscosity, and/or age of bone replacement material in the interior of the syringe. In some embodiments, a time indicating label is disposed on the exterior of the syringe, the time indicating label comprising a label substrate having a first surface comprising an acid-base indicator and a second surface comprising an activator, wherein when the first surface is brought into contact with the second surface or when the second surface is brought into contact with the first surface, at least a portion of the label changes color indicating elapsed time. In some embodiments, the devices and methods allow the practitioner to know the dough time, working time, and setting time of the bone replacement material when it is in the syringe.
US08486078B2
The present invention features new methods, apparatuses and devices for fixing adjacent bone segments, segments of a bony structure and adjacent vertebrate of a spine. The methods, apparatuses and devices utilize an apparatus for forming a channel in a surface of the bone or bony structure segments or adjacent vertebra or a channel submerged within the bone or bony structure segments or adjacent vertebra. In more particular embodiments such apparatuses and methods including forming an arcuate channel and which channel can receive therein a curved rod or implant member. Also featured are systems, apparatuses and methods for removably suspending a spacer in the intervertebral space while forming such a channel as well as systems, apparatuses and methods for use of dynamized implant members.
US08486077B1
A method, tools, and system for performing a percutaneous or minimally invasive spine fusion procedure are provided. A trocar and then dilator are used to create a channel for a hollow and longitudinally slit delivery tube. The method includes inserting a decorticator, such as a rasp, via a delivery tube, decorticating a first region of a first bone associated with a spine, and pushing a bone fusion substance via the delivery tube to the region to fuse the first region with a second region of a second bone associated with the spine. The spine fusion may be a posterolateral fusion and the first region may be a transverse process region of a lumber spine. The bone fusion substance may be pushed using a pusher instrument inserted into the delivery tube, and the delivery tube may be removed while the pusher instrument is held in place to direct the bone fusion substance.
US08486072B2
An intramedullary pin for treating a proximal fracture of the humerus, the pin having at least one distal and at least one proximal part which can be moved in relation to one another in order to modify the length of the implant and which have co-operating guide surfaces. The proximal and the distal part have co-operating stops for limiting the axial relative movement, the proximal part and distal part being capable of relatively free movement within the delimitations defined by the stops and each being provided with at least one transverse bore for receiving and/or fastening fixing means. The implant is also provided with a mechanism for locking the relative movement of the two parts about the implant axis.
US08486070B2
An instrumented orthopaedic implant, such as an intramedullary (IM) nail, is disclosed. The implant has the capacity to provide an accurate measurement of the applied mechanical load across the implant. The implant includes sensors and associated electronic components located in recesses on the outer surface of the implant. The implant houses the sensing apparatus, the interface circuitry, the data transmitter, and the power receiver. The hermetically sealed housing is adapted for implantation in the body of a patient. The implant is used with a controller which communicates with it by telemetry, and there is an acting unit connected to the electronic components which is adapted to carry out a function based upon a condition detected by the sensors.
US08486064B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electrosurgical device that include one or more floating electrodes and are specifically adapted to remove, cut, resect, ablate, vaporize, denaturize, drill, coagulate and form lesions in soft tissues, with or without externally supplied liquids, preferably in combination with a resectoscope, particularly in the context of urological, gynecological, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and ENT procedures. Specific adaptations for urological and gynecological applications, for example kidney stone removal and BPH treatment, are also described.
US08486062B2
A curved ablation catheter imparts ablative energy to target tissue, for example, along a trabecular slope, e.g., in the right atrium along the isthmus between the ostium of the inferior vena cava and the tricuspid valve. The catheter is formed with a preset curvature that, when deployed, both translates linearly and increases in radius to aid in the formation of spot or continuous linear lesions. A method of treating atrial flutter employs the curved ablation catheter.
US08486055B2
A method for modifying the refractive index of ocular tissues. The method comprises irradiating select regions of ocular tissue with a visible or near-IR laser. The irradiation results in the formation of structures in the ocular tissue, characterized by a change in refractive index, and which exhibit little or no scattering loss.
US08486024B2
A safety IV catheter assembly is disclosed which includes a catheter assembly, a needle assembly and a needle guard assembly. The needle guard assembly includes a needle guard, a biasing member and a bushing. The bushing is slidably positioned about the needle and includes an inner diameter which is smaller than an enlarged diameter portion of the needle such that the needle cannot be withdrawn through the bore of the bushing.
US08486016B2
An apparatus for shielding a hypodermic needle after use may include a device adapted to accommodate a needle extending from an end thereof, a guard element coupled to the device, a lock element, and an indicator element. The guard element may slide axially with respect to the device and may include a slider portion and a shield portion. The shield portion may include an open slot to accommodate the needle. Upon sliding the guard element to a designated position, the lock element may automatically secure a position of the guard element relative to the device, such that the shield portion obstructs access to the needle tip. The indicator element may provide visual, audible, and/or tactile feedback to indicate that the lock element has been actuated to shield the needle tip.
US08486012B1
Embodiments of a method and apparatus to prevent reperfusion injury. In one embodiment, blood flow proximal to a lesion is occluded. An infusion catheter is advanced to a region distal to the lesion and an anti-reperfusion injury drug is delivered. The lesion may then be treated with a dilating device to reintroduce blood flow to the region distal to the lesion.
US08486006B2
A medical injector is provided herein which includes a body; a slidable button at least partially disposed in the body; a displaceable plunger disposed in the body; a spring disposed to advance the plunger; and, a releasable retainer for retaining the plunger in a first state against force of the spring. Upon a predetermined extent of sliding movement of the button, the button engages the releasable retainer so as to cause the releasable retainer to release the plunger thus allowing the spring to advance the plunger. Advantageously, the subject invention provides a medical injector having an automated plunger drive which is triggered upon button activation, thereby minimizing premature or failed activations.
US08486003B2
The invention relates to an inserter for a medical device e.g. an infusion set or the like for intermittent or continuous administration of a therapeutical substance, such as e.g. insulin. The inserter comprises a needle hub comprising an insertion needle and two elastic elements assuring automatic insertion and automatic retraction of the insertion needle. Activation of the first elastic element (11) cause a penetrating member (6A) to be inserted sub- or transcutaneously into the skin of a patient, and the second elastic element (12) cause the penetrating member (6A) to be retracted from the skin of the patient. The first elastic element (11) is in an unloaded state before activation and upon activation the first elastic element (11) energizes the second elastic element (12).
US08485996B2
A method and system are presented for improving the object's motion. Data indicative of a measured motion of the object is processed, and a relation between the measured motion and a predetermined correct motion is determined. This relation is indicative of an error in the measured motion. Based on the determined error, an operating signal may be generated to be used to apply an effecting force to the object. The operating signal is such that the effecting force, when applied to the object, will increase a value of the error in the object's motion.
US08485991B2
A method of masking pain resulting from a lancing system can include moving a first portion and a second portion of a lancing assembly in a first direction, stopping the first portion from further moving in the first direction, thereby causing a first vibration, allowing the first portion to move in a second direction while the second portion continues moving in the first direction, and lancing a surface with the first portion while the first vibration is occurring. A system for lancing a surface and masking resulting pain may include a device body having an end adapted to sealingly engage the surface, structure for creating a first portion of a vacuum, structure for causing a vibration, and a lancing mechanism adapted to lance the surface while the first portion of the vacuum and the vibration are acting on the surface.
US08485990B2
A lancing system can include a device body having a lancing end, a lancing mechanism including a lancing shaft slideably coupled with the lancing end of the body, a main shaft slideably coupled with the body and having an actuating end disposed inside the body, a piston coupled to the main shaft and disposed within the body, a spring coupled to the piston, a release mechanism adapted to selectively couple with the main shaft, and a depth controller removably coupled to the lancing end of the body. A method can include coupling a lance having a needle and a base to the lancing shaft, choosing to use a depth controller having a spacer with a top surface and an opening, engaging a lancing surface with the depth controller, actuating the lancing mechanism, penetrating the lancing surface, and contacting the top surface of the spacer with the base.
US08485989B2
A biopsy apparatus includes a biopsy probe having a biopsy cannula and a sample basket arranged coaxially about a longitudinal axis. The sample basket is movably disposed relative to the biopsy cannula along the longitudinal axis from a tissue harvesting position to a tissue sample retrieval region. The sample basket has a sample notch formed as an elongate recessed region for receiving a tissue sample. A tissue sample retrieval mechanism includes a sample collection tank configured for removable insertion into a sample tank receptacle. The sample tank receptacle permits movement of the sample collection tank in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and prohibits movement of the sample collection tank in a direction along the longitudinal axis. The sample collection tank is configured to retrieve the tissue sample directly from the sample notch as the sample basket is moving along the longitudinal axis at the tissue sample retrieval region.
US08485987B2
A tissue handling system includes a biopsy device having an invasive unit with tissue-receiving and tissue-severing components being capable of harvesting and bringing at least one tissue sample to a point outside the body of a patient. The tissue handling system further includes a tissue collecting device adapted to be brought in detachable operative engagement with the tissue-receiving components of the biopsy device to remove the at least one tissue sample. Additionally, the tissue handling device comprises a tissue storage container configured to receive the at least one tissue sample, the entire tissue collecting device, or the part of the collecting device that contains the at least one tissue sample. The tissue storage container further is configured to receive a volume of preserving agent. The tissue handling system also comprises a vessel including the preserving agent adapted to be gas-tightly mated or coupled to the tissue storage container.
US08485985B2
An intravascular sensor delivery device for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient, such as blood pressure, within a vascular structure or passage. In some embodiments, the device can be used to measure the pressure gradient across a stenotic lesion or heart valve. For example, such a device may be used to measure fractional flow reserve (FFR) across a stenotic lesion in order to assess the severity of the lesion. The sensor delivery device has a distal sleeve configured to pass or slide over a standard medical guidewire. Some distance back from the sensor and distal sleeve, the device separates from the guidewire to permit independent control of the sensor delivery device and the guidewire. The sensor delivery device can be sized to pass over different sizes of guidewires to enable usage in coronary and peripheral arteries, for example. The sensing mechanism (sensor) can be a fiber optic pressure sensor, such as a MEMS-based Fabry-Perot fiber optic pressure sensor, for example, or could employ some other technology, e.g., MEMS capacitive or piezoresistive sensor.
US08485982B2
A method is provided for analyzing respiration of a subject (20). Using a non-contact microphone (22), a raw signal indicative of airflow sounds of the respiration is generated. The raw signal is analyzed to determine a first set of one or more parameters of the respiration. An algorithm is applied to the first set of parameters to derive a second set of one or more estimated parameters of the respiration that are not generally directly measurable in the raw signal. Other embodiments are also described.
US08485979B2
An implantable neurostimulator device for implantation in a head of a patient includes a housing adapted to be implanted beneath a patient's scalp, and a cardiac monitoring element, a brain monitoring element, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a cardiac signal from the cardiac monitoring element, identify cardiac events in the cardiac signal, receive a brain signal from the brain monitoring element, identify neurological events in the brain signal, and indicate a relationship between the neurological events and the cardiac events.
US08485978B2
Systems and methods for noninvasively monitoring baroreflex response and nominal blood volume are disclosed herein. Software and methods for evaluating morphological features of a photoplethysmogram (PPG) obtained using a pulse oximeter allow for the affirmative detection and quantification of the baroreflex response from data obtained during orthostatic stress tests, lower body negative pressure chamber tests and treadmill stress tests.
US08485975B2
A computer-implemented system and method for fast, reliable, and automated embodiments for using a multi-resolution edge flow approach to vascular ultrasound for intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement. Various embodiments include receiving biomedical imaging data and patient demographic data corresponding to a current scan of a patient; checking the biomedical imaging data in real-time to determine if an artery of the patient has a calcium deposit in a proximal wall of the artery; acquiring arterial data of the patient as a combination of longitudinal B-mode and transverse B-mode data; using a data processor to automatically recognize the artery; using the data processor to calibrate a region of interest around the automatically recognized artery; automatically computing the weak or missing edges of intima-media and media-adventitia walls using edge flow, labeling and connectivity; and determining the intima-media thickness (IMT) of an arterial wall of the automatically recognized artery.
US08485974B2
An apparatus for sonicating a patient includes an ultrasound array having a plurality of transducers; a driving module for driving said transducers; and a control kernel for causing said driving module to drive said transducers concurrently at two different frequencies.
US08485969B2
Improved medical filaments for use with dilators to be inserted into a patient, for example into the vascular lumen, are provided, as well as combinations of filaments and dilators. Methods for use of such filaments and filament-dilator combinations are also described. The filament includes a proximal segment and a distal segment. The diameter of the distal segment is greater than the diameter of the proximal segment. The change in diameter is abrupt, providing a discrete step transition at a point along the filament which presents a proximally-facing surface on the distal segment. When the proximal segment of the filament is fully inserted into a dilator having a distal tip adapted for insertion into a patient, the dilator distal tip firmly abuts the proximally-facing end surface of the distal segment. The relative dimensions of the dilator tip and the discrete stepped transition of the filament provides full shielding or over shielding of the dilator tip, thereby facilitating passage of the dilator tip along the tissue track, through the puncture hole and into the orifice.
US08485967B2
An endoscopic imaging device includes an objective optical system, an imaging element, a transmissive protective substrate, an optical member, and a circuit board. The objective optical system imports observation light from a subject. The imaging element captures an image of the observation light. The transmissive protective substrate is disposed on an imaging surface of the imaging element with an air gap interposed therebetween. The optical member is disposed between the objective optical system and the transmissive protective substrate to guide light from the objective optical system to the imaging surface. The circuit board is disposed so that an area where an electronic component is mounted faces the optical member and the electronic component is brought into contact with an outer surface of the optical member.
US08485957B2
A chuck for rotating around a rotation axis XA a centrifugal separation bowl secured thereto includes a vat-shaped body for receiving a lower end portion of the separation bowl secured therein with a peripheral rim of the chuck surrounding an outer flank of the separation bowl. The chuck includes a plurality of clutching systems to cooperate with the flank of the separation bowl in securing it to the chuck. The clutching systems include a channel formed in the chuck body with an arcuate path in the peripheral rim of the chuck body. A chain of translatory bodies arranged within the channel includes a proximal translatory body and a distal translatory body in the chain.
US08485956B2
A system is provided for bifolding disposable absorbent articles on a high speed production line on which the disposable absorbent articles are moved along a predetermined path. The system includes the use of one or more vacuum conveyor assemblies to engage and transfer the leading end portion of the article from the surface of a peel-roll to a folding drum. Thereby potentially reducing the occurrence of undesirable misalignment between opposing edges of an article during a bifolding process.
US08485953B2
An exerciser includes a board, a frame, a swing rod, an upper foot rest, a lower foot rest and a resilient rope. An upper end of the swing rod is articulated to an upper end of the vertical support and a lower end of the swing rod is fixed to a central portion of the lower foot rest. The resilient rope is connected between the swing rod and the vertical support. The board is fixed on the lengthwise beam of the frame. The lengthwise beam and the vertical support of the present invention form a triangular support. The board installed on the lengthwise beam is arranged obliquely.
US08485937B2
The present application provides a clamping device for a cutting member having a rotating sleeve and a quick clamping body. The clamping device has a first sun gear arranged in the center of the rotating sleeve, a first stage planetary gear having multiple planetary gears cooperating with the first sun gear, and a second stage planetary gear having multiple planetary gears cooperating with a second sun gear arranged on the planetary carrier. An inner ring gear may also be arranged outside of the first and second stage planetary gears and the head of the quick clamping body. Also, the clamping device of the present application does not need a special tool to remove the saw blade, which may lower the required effort to allow for the clamp to clamp the saw blade more quickly and more reliably.
US08485930B2
A transmission includes an input member, an output member, and a planetary gear set having a first, a second, and a third member. A first electric motor/generator has a first rotor connected for rotation with the first member. A second electric motor/generator has a second rotor connected for rotation with the second member. A first set of intermeshing gears has a first gear ratio, and a second set of intermeshing gears has a second gear ratio different than the first gear ratio. A first torque-transmitting mechanism is engageable to establish torque flow between the planetary gear set and one of the input member and the output member through the first set of intermeshing gears. A second torque-transmitting mechanism is engageable to establish torque flow between the planetary gear set and the one of the input member and the output member through the second set of intermeshing gears.
US08485929B2
A motor vehicle power train includes a main drive engine with an output shaft for driving the drive wheels of the motor vehicle, an electric motor which includes a rotor and a stator, also for driving the drive wheels of the motor vehicle, an automatic transmission, with a plurality of selectively settable drive connections, a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft, the rotor of the electric motor being disposed in a drive connection between the output shaft of the main drive engine and the transmission input shaft, and can be disengaged from the output shaft with a clutch, and at least one ancillary unit which can be driven by the main drive engine. The rotor of the electric motor includes an exterior drive having a gearing of friction surface which has a driving connection to the at least one ancillary unit.
US08485926B2
A sealing arrangement used to create a seal between a first (12) part of a chain and a second (14) part of a chain, wherein said second part can at least be pivoted in relation to the first part, exhibiting the following features: a sealing ring (40) with an annular sealing lip (42) for sealing a lubricant area between parts which can be pivoted towards each other, an elastic ring (60) which can be fixed to one of the parts and which can be used to exert pressure on the sealing ring; in addition to a supporting ring (50) which is arranged between the sealing ring and the elastic ring; and link of a chain provided with said sealing arrangement.
US08485916B2
An apparatus and method for forming a reminder rib on a hand grip using an improved core bar having an axial groove extending lengthwise on a molding portion of the core bar for forming a rib on an interior surface of the hand grip. When the hand grip is installed on a shaft or handle, the interior rib forms a reminder rib on an underside of the hand grip.
US08485907B2
Gaming systems, methods, and devices for determining or verifying the outcome of a card game, for example the card game of Baccarat. The systems, methods, and devices can be used in conjunction with the card game to enhance security by optically imaging the hands of playing cards dealt or by optically reading a set of cards to determine the outcome of each game that can be played from that set of cards. The playing cards each have at least one encoded symbol comprised of machine-readable indicia. The gaming system can include a card shoe-reader alone, a card shoe-reader in combination with at least one card hand-reader, or various other embodiments to include other devices such as a discard reader or a bet recognition device. The optically imaged playing cards can be processed within a computing system to allow the authentication of the playing cards.
US08485900B2
In a game program for a multiplayer game, when a player character receives damage and the strength level reaches a certain level, the player character goes into an extension state before death, in which the character is weakened but is able to recover. If a friendly player character performs a recovery action within a certain time from the weakened state having been reached, the player character in the weakened state recovers to a normal state. On the other hand, if the player character in the weakened state is attacked by an enemy character, or if the certain time has elapsed, the player character in the weakened state is caused to die and the game is ended.
US08485891B2
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a disbursement of potential awards in a wagering game that have not been fully awarded yet. In a wagering game that comprises multiple states, a value of a favorable state relative to a prior state can be banked for later redemption by a player.
US08485889B2
A method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and distributes playing cards according the pseudo-random playing card sequence. For example, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and prints playing cards in order of the pseudo-random playing card sequence. Further, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence based on a house advantage. Yet further, the method, apparatus and article can generate a promotional message on one or more playing cards.
US08485886B2
A gaming device including a plurality of symbol generators with a plurality of symbols associated with each symbol generator. In operation, after providing the player any award based on the symbols generated on any wagered on paylines, the gaming device determines if at least one designated symbol is generated on at least one of the wagered on paylines. If at least one designated symbol is generated on at least one of the wagered on paylines, the gaming device forms a supplemental payline in association with the generated designated symbol. The gaming device determines if an award is associated with any of the symbols or symbol combinations generated on the supplemental payline and provides any determined award to the player.
US08485882B2
A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game includes a game similar to the well-known game of BEJEWELED.
US08485880B2
Card game system and device having supplemental awards based on consecutive non-terminating outcomes
A card game includes a plurality of rounds playable upon at least one base wager and at least one supplemental wager. Each one of the rounds results in an outcome, where a base award is associated with at least one of the outcomes. A pattern condition is fulfillable when a pattern of the outcomes corresponds to one of a plurality of designated patterns. Different supplemental awards are provided based on the fulfillment of the pattern condition.
US08485877B2
This invention provides a method and system for administering and playing a mixed martial arts fantasy sports game. The game is based on the statistical performance of mixed martial artists fighting in real-world sporting events. Game play occurs by means of a database configuration supporting an electronic listing of fighter information, fantasy game player and team information, and fantasy game scoring information, as well as one or more electronic user interfaces for game participation and fantasy team selection. The game proceeds by selecting a team of mixed martial arts fighters whose fights are predicted to end prior to a judge's decision. The game is scored based on the speed of the fights of each of the winning fighters on each team, where the shorter the fight duration, the greater the scoring value to the team, and, in certain embodiments, is also scored based on the manner of the conclusion of the fights.
US08485876B2
A capability for monitoring the progress of a sports draft is provided that automatically determines, during the sports draft, the best available player(s) for the personnel needs of a sports team having a current selection in the draft. The capability may automatically update the draft order to take into account any trades that occur during the sports draft.
US08485869B2
The present invention relates to a polishing material having polishing particles and a method for making the same. The polishing material having polishing particles includes a base material, a plurality of polishing particles and a polymer elastic body. The base material has a plurality of fibers for defining a plurality of grid-spaces. The polishing particles are distributed in the grid-spaces. The polymer elastic body covers the base material and the polishing particles. Whereby, the polishing particles are uniformly distributed on a surface of a polishing workpiece during the polishing process. Furthermore, the base material prevents the polishing particles from contacting the polishing workpiece so as to avoid the scratch of the polishing workpiece. Also, the base material provides effects for sweeping the small grinded pieces.
US08485867B2
An improved structure of a honing apparatus includes a body, a suction unit, a control unit, a driving unit, a connecting unit and a upper cap, wherein a base is formed at circumference of the body and a trough is formed in the middle of the base, and a sliding trough is formed at one side wall on the other side of the body and a first hone is formed at a top surface of the body. At center of one lateral surface of the suction unit has an extended pulling stick and an eccentric protruding portion is formed in the control unit, while the other lateral surface has an extended manipulating portion. The driving unit has a threaded stick that has a rotating button at one enlarged end. The connecting unit has a through opening at a closer end of a lateral surface and a threaded unit is inside the connecting unit and aligned with the through opening. A second hone is hingedly formed at a top surface of the connecting unit close to the other end. A bottom surface of the upper cap corresponding to the sliding trough has a recessed portion, and a hole is formed to enable the first hone to penetrate upward.
US08485858B2
A toy gun having a laser sight includes a gun body, a laser sight and a trigger assembly. The laser sight is selectively located in a first position or a second position. The laser sight includes a light-emitting element for aiming a beam toward the front of the gun body and an activating element for controlling the ON/OFF state of the light-emitting element. The trigger assembly includes a trigger and a connecting rod driven by the trigger to bias the activating element. When the laser sight is in the first position, the trigger is pressed to drive the connecting rod to move forwards, thereby biasing the activating element to turn on the light-emitting element. When the laser sight is in the second position, the activating element is located farther away from the connecting rod and unable to be biased by the connecting rod, thereby turning off the light-emitting element.
US08485855B1
Apparatus and methods for restoring buoyancy to a buoy, such as a cylindrical regulatory buoy, which has an intended waterline. A buoyant body generally of ring configuration includes an axial central aperture and has a buoyant body inside diameter corresponding to the diameter of a cylindrical portion of the buoy. The buoyant body is attached to the buoy generally in the vicinity of or below the intended waterline, with the buoy cylindrical portion extending through the central aperture of the buoyant body.
US08485850B2
A telecommunications connector (10) comprises an array of contacts (12) connectable to telecommunications wire pairs, the contacts being of a first type or a second type. The first type of contact is shaped so that its contact region (12B) extends in a first direction and the second type of contact is shaped so that its contact region extends in an opposing direction. In an embodiment in the form of an RJ45 jack, to introduce crosstalk compensation, the contacts “3” to “6” in the inner zone of the array are alternately of the first and second types; and the contacts “1”, “2” and “7”, “8” of each pair in the remainder of the array are respectively of the same type but different from the adjacent contact in the inner zone.
US08485849B2
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector with a connector housing is provided with at least one soldering part and at least one reinforcement part around its circumference. The USB connector includes: a connector housing; one or more soldering parts formed by cutting and unfolding predetermined areas around the circumference of the connector housing; and one or more reinforcement parts, each of which is formed by bending an end of the connector housing. The reinforcement parts being engaged with the soldering parts to support and reinforce the soldering parts, respectively.
US08485848B2
An apparatus and method are disclosed for manufacturing an electrical connector. A mold is presented having a pair of opposing dies that each define a mold pocket. The mold pockets of each die can be joined to form a mold cavity. Plastic can be injection molded into the mold cavity to form an electrical connector housing.
US08485839B2
A serial interface connector and corresponding method electrically connects to a storage cartridge that has a housing enclosing a serial communications device. The serial interface connector has a first plurality of electrical contacts and a retainer. The retainer operably contactingly engages the housing to impart a bias that retains the electrical contacts of the serial interface connector seated in electrical connection with a respective second plurality of electrical contacts of the serial communications device.
US08485833B2
A substrate connection part (4) of each of a plurality of press-fit terminals (3) pulled out of a housing (1) is inserted into a positioning hole (12) of a terminal arrangement member (11) to adjust alignment of the press-fit terminals (3) with respect to through-holes (7) of a substrate (6). The terminal arrangement member (11) is made of a thin resin sheet material. Each positioning hole (12) is sized so that the press-fit terminal (3) is placed in position by inserting a guide portion (9) of the press-fit terminal (3) therein. Slits (13) extend radially out from an opening edge of the positioning hole (12). When a press-fit portion (8) passes through the positioning hole (12), both slits (13) and the positioning hole (12) expand so that the press-fit portion (8) passes smoothly through the positioning hole (12).
US08485829B2
The present invention deals with a system (1) for simulating a manual interventional operation by a user (2) on a simulated body with at least two real instruments (3, 4, 5), comprising a longitudinal track (8), a plurality of carriages (9, 10, 11) moveable along said track, each carriage having clamping means (25), and means for rotating and moving longitudinally said real instrument. It also comprises feed back means (18) for receiving and transmitting to the user hand (19) a feed back force from said real instrument with respect t simulation characteristic, means (17) for recognizing a real instrument to be fit within said clamping means, said clamping means (25) comprising first electromagnetic means (26) with an hollow part for receiving the real instrument to be secured therein, second electro-magnetic means (27) with a protruding part for pressing at least a part of said real instrument within said hollow part while said electromagnetic means are actuated and electric means for supplying or not electric current to the first and second magnetic means to be actuated accordingly, whereby said real instrument can be secured within said clamping means to be moved longitudinally and rotated by the user.
US08485828B2
Certain examples provide systems/apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for blood collection/processing instrument operator training and troubleshooting. Certain examples provide a system for platelet resuspension training. The system includes an interactive training application, provided via a mobile device, to train a user to resuspend platelets in a liquid medium prior to its storage and/or transfusion to a patient. The training application is to instruct the user regarding an appropriate motion and vigor for resuspension of platelets in a blood container associated with a blood processing instrument. The system includes a sensor to detect the user's motion of the mobile device. The system includes a processor to compare the user's motion of the mobile device to the appropriate motion and vigor for resuspension of platelets in a blood container and provide feedback to the user regarding the comparison.
US08485826B2
A portable terminal device (1) capable of easily evaluating mental fatigue comprises: an operation unit (4); an imaging unit for measuring ambient light (5); a display screen (2) or a light-emitting element (3) for presenting a flashing image or light while a flicker frequency of the flashing source is being monotonically changed from a start frequency to an ending frequency; and a recording unit for, when a user operates the operation unit (4) as the user perceives a flicker, recording the flicker frequency at the time point as a measured frequency, wherein: a first frequency datum, which is the measured frequency measured when the user is in a healthy condition, is associated with a first luminance datum, which is a measured ambient luminance, and the associated datum is stored in the recording unit, a proportion of decrease of a second frequency datum, which is the measured frequency measured when the user is not in a healthy condition, from the first frequency datum recorded in the recording unit and associated with the first luminance datum which has the same or similar order of magnitude to a second luminance datum, which is a measured ambient luminance, is calculated to evaluate a degree of fatigue of the user.
US08485823B2
An obstacle device for vehicle driving experience is provided which includes a support arm (3) disposed outside a path (P) of a vehicle (V), a support rod (4) supported on the support part (3) and capable of swinging back and forth along the path (P), and an obstacle (5) attached to a tip of the support rod (4) and positioned within the path (P) of the vehicle (V), swing control means (30) being provided between the support part (3) and the support rod (4), the swing control means (30) making resistance to a return swing of the support rod (4) from a forward swing position to a rear larger than resistance to swinging of the support rod (4) to a front due to collision of the vehicle (V) with the obstacle (5). Thus, during vehicle driving experience, even if the vehicle collides with the obstacle, it is possible to mitigate the collision impact effectively and to place the obstacle at a fixed position easily and quickly after the collision.
US08485817B2
An orthodontic device includes a generally U-shaped metal wire whose two ends are at different vertical heights and which therefore has a 3-dimensional recumbent S shape in front view. The U-shaped metal wire is secured, by an elastic band or a cover, to each of a plurality of orthodontic brackets cemented respectively to a patient's teeth, and due to the difference of height between the two ends of the U-shaped metal wire, a resilient restoring force is generated to individually adjust the row of teeth on the upper or lower jaw to the normal heights and thereby correct the occlusal cant and craniofacial anomalies.
US08485802B2
Disclosed is a pump for generating at least two volume flows having a different pressure. Said pump comprises a pump cover, a pump housing, and a wheel set that is eccentrically mounted therein. The pump housing is provided with a suction slot and a pressure slot which are separated from each other by means of a first sealing web and a second sealing sew that is located opposite therefrom. The pressure slot is subdivided into a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber with the air of at least one additional sealing web, each pressure chamber being provided with a delivery port.
US08485792B2
A method for increasing compressed air efficiency in a pump utilizes an air efficiency device in order to optimize the amount of a compressed air in a pump. The air efficiency device may allow for controlling the operation of the air operated diaphragm pump by reducing the flow of compressed air supplied to the pump as the pump moves between first and second diaphragm positions. A sensor may be used to monitor velocity of the diaphragm assemblies. In turn, full position feedback is possible so that the pump self adjusts to determine the optimum, or close to optimum, turndown point of the diaphragm assemblies. As such, air savings is achieved by minimizing the amount of required compressed air.
US08485791B2
A heating element can comprise a ceramic material doped with various elements. The heating element can be heated by forcing a fuel to flow through the ceramic material, where the fuel interacts with the dopants. The interaction can produce energy in the form of heat. Inventive aspects of the present material include apparatus and methods for modulation of the heat energy, physical features providing for an increase in the rate of heat release, optimization of materials and material morphology for quantity and efficiency of heat release and provision for fueling and maintenance.
US08485790B2
A fuel-supply unit for a motor vehicle has a fuel container (2) that has several chambers (6, 7). The unit has a transfer pump (5) that is located inside the fuel container (2) for exclusively supplying ejector pumps (9, 10), which are positioned in the chambers (6, 7), with fuel as the pumping fluid. A primary fuel pump (4) that is located outside the fuel container (2) supplies an internal combustion engine (1) of the motor vehicle with fuel. The transfer pump (5) is operated discontinuously to prevent unnecessary power consumption.
US08485789B2
A system and method for modulating capacity of a scroll compressor having a motor includes determining a target capacity of the scroll compressor, operating the motor at a first speed when the target capacity is within a first predetermined capacity range and at a second speed when the target capacity is within a second predetermined capacity range, determining a pulse width modulation cyclic ratio based on the target capacity and the first or second speed, and periodically separating intermeshing scroll members of the compressor according to the pulse width modulation cyclic ratio to modulate the capacity of the scroll compressor.
US08485786B2
The present invention relates to a reinforced blade for a wind turbine, and in particular to a wind turbine blade comprising a shell having a section with an aerodynamic profile, and at least one internal reinforcing floor connected inside the shell and extending substantially along the profile chord in order to increase the strength of the blade and to prevent or reduce deformations of the surface of the blade caused by edgewise and flapwise loading of the blade structure.
US08485780B2
A pump assembly is provided with a pump (6) having one or more pump stages (10), wherein at least one of the components (12, 14) of the pump assembly, whose axial length depends on the number of pump stages (10). On at least one of its axial ends, the component has no connection configuration which is formed in the component (12, 14) itself and which is limited to the axial end. Instead, it is connected at this axial end with a friction fit and/or a positive fit to a connection element (20) which is coupled and/or connected to adjacent parts of the pump assembly, or is provided for coupling to adjacent parts of the pump assembly.
US08485778B2
A variable nozzle system can comprise a gas inlet ring, an opposing gas outlet ring, an actuation ring, guides, and vanes circumferentially spaced about and disposed between the gas inlet ring and the gas outlet ring. The gas inlet ring, the gas outlet ring, and the vanes can form nozzles, the nozzles being variable by rotation of the vanes about a pivot axis. The plurality of guides can extend from the gas inlet ring, the gas outlet ring, or the actuation ring, and the vanes can be connected to the actuation ring, so that each vane can be rotated by rotation of the actuation ring and by sliding against a respective guide from the plurality of guides. The actuation ring can have a gear rack and can be rotated by rotatable engagement of the gear rack with a pinion attached to the end of a rotatable gear shaft.
US08485777B2
A blower fan unit includes a housing, an impeller, an outlet, and a positioning mechanism. The impeller is mounted in the housing. The impeller rotates around a rotation center axis and generates an air current in a centrifugal direction from the rotation center axis. An outlet is formed in the housing and located in a centrifugal direction from the rotation center axis. A positioning mechanism is connected to the housing and makes the position of the housing change along the rotation center axis at each angular position around the rotation center axis.
US08485776B2
A wind energy system 10 comprises a wind tunnel module 12 having openings 14a and 14b at opposite ends. The openings have substantially the same cross-sectional area although the cross-sectional area of the wind tunnel module 12 decreases from the openings 14a and 14b in a direction toward an intermediate portion 16 of the tunnel module. The intermediate portion 16 has a substantially constant cross-sectional area. One or more wind turbines with equal or different number of blades may be mounted in the wind tunnel in or adjacent to the intermediate portion 16. The intermediate portion 16 is bendable to enable the module 12 to conform to a roof 20 of any pitch.
US08485773B2
Devices and methods of using such devices to move containers are disclosed herein. A device may include a first piece with a wheel adjacent one end and a second piece attached to the first piece at a pivotal connection. The second piece may include a lift portion on one side of the pivotal connection and a handle on an opposite side of the pivotal connection. The handle may be adapted to be pivoted about an axis of the pivotal connection to cause the lift portion to lift a portion of the container.
US08485771B2
In a load port apparatus, a door driving mechanism that supports a door through a communication opening portion leading to a mini-environment is housed in a housing chamber that is in communication with the mini-environment through the communication opening portion. Exhaust opening portions are provided in the upper portion of a wall of the housing chamber that is opposed to the communication opening portion and a bottom wall of the housing chamber. Thus, gas passages from the mini-environment to the housing chamber and then to the external space are formed. Thus, dust in the load port apparatus is removed.
US08485769B2
A self-tapping screw is disclosed. The screw includes a shaft which has a first end and an opposing second end with a load-engaging structure, and a thread that extends at least in sections over the length of the shaft. Several wear indicators are provided on the thread. Identifiers are provided on the screw for identifying the wear indicators.
US08485767B2
A cutter-tooling assembly has a tool holder and a cutter. The tool holder has an inserted section and a through hole axially formed through the inserted section. The through hole has a fixing segment. The fixing segment has an inner surface and multiple recesses formed around the inner surface of the fixing segment at intervals. The cutter is inserted into the through hole of the tool holder and has a fixing end. The fixing end has an outer surface and multiple corners formed on the outer surface of the fixing end and abutting the recesses. Because the fixing segment has the multiple recesses which the corners of the cutter abut, the combination of the recesses and the corners can prevent a relative rotation between the tool holder and the cutter and make the cutter securely connected with the tool holder.
US08485765B2
An indexable insert for solid drills has four identical cutting edges (30) arranged at a distance above a supporting base (42) and each extending between two cutting-edge corners (28′, 28′). The cutting edges are each bounded by a cutting face (46) and a clearance face (48), with the inclusion of a wedge angle (b). Of the cutting edges (30), one in each case is in an active operating position during the drilling operation. To permit optimum adaptation to the cutting conditions and drilling characteristics, varying over the length of the cutting edge of the drilling tool, it is proposed according to the invention that the height (h) of the four cutting edges (30), measured from the plane of the supporting base (42), and/or the clearance angle (a) varies over the length of the respective cutting edges (30).
US08485756B2
A motorized vehicle comprises a vehicle frame with a forward and rearward end. A rotary degradation drum is connected to an underside of the frame. A moldboard is disposed rearward to the rotary degradation drum and forms part of a milling chamber. The moldboard comprises an end disposed opposite the underside. A plurality of nozzles are disposed proximate the end of the moldboard and are configured to direct a fluid into the milling chamber. A heating mechanism is configured to heat the fluid.
US08485755B2
In a ground working machine (1) for milling soils (2) or traffic areas, it is provided that a controller (18) for terminating the milling process controls the milling depth of a milling device (8) along a specified trajectory (24) in conjunction with simultaneous forward and reverse travel (5,7), thus enabling the milling device (8) to be raised into the upper position (9) disengaged from the ground without a depression (22) resulting from raising the milling device (8) remaining in the worked ground surface (3).
US08485751B2
A latching device for insertion into a tube provides two large flat buttons one on each side to lock the tube relative to an outer tube or to two parallel plates. A tubular housing with open ends slides into the tube between the side walls of the tube with the ends of the housing substantially butting inside surfaces of the side walls. The buttons are mounted on respective slide members mounted in the housing spring biased apart so that the buttons can be depressed. One or two set screws acting as stop members can be inserted after the housing is moved to the required location in the tube to prevent depression of the buttons to a position inward of the inner surface of the tube so that the housing is held in place.
US08485747B2
Provided is a printer capable of minimizing paper jam with a simple configuration, preventing a recording sheet from being caught around a platen roller, and quickly performing removal of the recording sheet. The printer includes: a main unit (10) including a platen roller (5); and a detachable unit (11) including a recording head (6). The main unit includes: a wall portion (130) provided on a downstream side in a feeding direction of the recording sheet with respect to the platen roller; a guide member (131) supported at an upper end of the wall portion; and a stopper portion (132) which is provided on a downstream side in a rotating direction of the platen roller with respect to the guide member, and defines, between the platen roller and the wall portion, a retention space (C) in which the recording sheet having passed through a gap between an opposed surface (131b) of the guide member and the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller is retained. The stopper portion includes a claw portion (132a) for pulling the recording sheet having passed through the gap between the opposed surface and the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller apart from the platen roller and for retaining the pulled-apart recording sheet in the retention space.
US08485745B2
A thermal printer includes a first thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with one side of a paper, a second thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with the other side of the paper, and a controller. The first thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on one side of the paper. The second thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on the other side of the paper. The controller is configured to shift the energization times between the first thermal head and second thermal head.
US08485738B2
An optical fiber connector is disclosed. The optical fiber connector comprises a form having a curved surface with a first end near the bottom surface of the form. The curved surface is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the form at the first end. A first plurality of active optical fibers are positioned along the curved surface of the form in a side-by side arrangement with the tips of each of the first plurality of optical fibers adjacent to the first end of the curved surface. The ends of each of the first plurality of active optical fibers have been striped down to cladding and the cladding of each optical fiber contacts the cladding of the adjacent optical fibers. An inner cover is attached to the form thereby capturing the first plurality of active optical fibers between the curved surface of the form and an inside curved surface in the inner cover.
US08485735B2
A clip holds a plurality of optical fibers in an array to be inserted into a fiber optic ferrule. The clip has a base member and a lid to hold the optical fibers therebetween. A stacker block assists in making the array by aligning them in a single plane. The optical fibers are then held in alignment for stripping, cleaving and inserting into the fiber optic ferrule.
US08485728B2
A package including a package body having closed ends, at least one of the closed ends being openable. A reclosable member including a band disposed on the package body, the band being adjacent to and encircling the openable closed end. The reclosable member maintains the at least one of the openable end in a closed condition after opening thereof. The openable end is selectively and repeatedly openable and reclosable upon manipulation of the package body.
US08485723B2
One-time, single-use sensor elements (22, 46) are provided for detecting the occurrence of predetermined conditions such as temperature and elapsed time-temperature. The sensor elements (22, 46) preferably comprise elongated, glass-coated, metal alloy, amorphous or nanocrystalline microwires (30, 48), which can be placed in a position to detect the predetermined condition of interest. An alternating magnetic field detector (28) may be used to continuously or periodically interrogate the sensor elements (22, 46) to determine if the predetermined condition has occurred. In one aspect of the invention, the microwires (30, 48) experience a change in configuration upon the occurrence of the predetermined condition, and have correspondingly different induced remagnetization responses. In another embodiment, a static microwire is provided having an initial bi-stable single domain; when a predetermined time-temperature condition is experienced, multiple domains are established in the microwire, and this can be detected by the detector (28).
US08485708B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for shaping an annular focal spot pattern to allow for more efficient optical coupling to a small gauge optical fiber. An embodiment of the present invention can include an illumination source operable to transmit an optical beam along an optical path, an optical fiber, and a correcting element positioned in the optical path between the illumination source and the optical fiber, the correcting element configured to reshape the optical beam to increase an amount of light received by the optical fiber.
US08485707B2
Disclosed is a headlamp assembly for a vehicle. The headlamp assembly may include an LED module arranged in a housing of the headlamp, a reflector disposed in the housing and receiving a light from the LED module, wherein the reflector has uneven parts to disperse and reflect the light in a forward direction of the reflector, and a lens arranged in the front of the reflector.
US08485706B2
A securing device for connecting a reflector to an adjustment unit includes a connector connected to the reflector and a holding member is connected to the connector. The holding member includes a space and a slot defined axially through a wall of the holding member. Two notches are defined in two ends of the slot respectively. A securing member includes a frame which includes two upright portions and two transverse portions connected between the two upright portions. The two upright portions are engaged with the notches and one of the two transverse portions has a gap which is expanded when the neck of the adjustment rod of the adjustment unit passes therethrough. The sphere on the adjustment rod is located in the space and the securing member clamps the two ends of the slot to prevent the sphere from disengaged form the space.
US08485704B2
A lamp unit includes at least one light source that emits light in a predetermined direction, and a light guide body including at least one incident surface where light emitted from the light source enters, a first emission surface that emits light entering from the incident surface in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of second emission surfaces that emits light entering the incident surface in a horizontal direction and emits light entering the incident surface to the upper side of the horizontal direction. The second emission surfaces are formed above the first emission surface at different positions in an up-down direction, and are positioned on the back side of the first emission surface so as to be spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction.
US08485702B2
A multi-workstation for use in a work area of a garage having a vertically oriented pole with an upper end and a lower end and a light fixture mounted between the upper end and the lower end of the vertically oriented pole. The light fixture is capable of sliding up and down along the pole, rotating about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of the pole, moving horizontally toward and away from the pole, and rotating about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of the pole. Locking means is provided to lock the light fixture at a desired height and angle relative to the pole and mounting means is provided to hold the pole in a vertical position.
US08485700B2
A low-profile luminaire has a planar light source comprised of one or more planar organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The OLED light source is supported by a low-profile OLED support structure that lies in a plane. The support structure has a maximum height (H) of about two inches and preferably a height of about one inch or less. It also has perimeter dimensions that allow the luminaire to fit within and to be supported by the T-bar grid of a grid ceiling system. Electrical components for driving and controlling the OLED light source can be provided within the support structure or externally of this structure.
US08485694B2
An apparatus for an illuminated electrical enclosure lid is provided. The lid has a lid body comprising a front face, a rear face, and at least one translucent edge. The translucent edge projects rearward from the rear face and is configured to be fit onto an electrical enclosure. The lid also has a reflective surface coincident with the rear face. The reflective surface reflects light back into the electrical enclosure. The translucent edge is configured to direct light from the illuminated electrical enclosure lid at a plurality of angles.
US08485693B2
A backlight module includes a chassis, a printed circuit board, a light source, and a light guide plate. The chassis includes a bottom plate and a sidewall. The sidewall is disposed on at least one side of the bottom plate. The sidewall has a recess therein. At least one part of the printed circuit board is located in the recess. The light source is electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The light incident side of the light guide plate is opposite to the light emitting side of the light source.
US08485692B2
A luminaire with an LED based illumination device having at least one LED includes a transmissive lens element that in combination with reflector is able to generate an output beam with a sharply defined large angle intensity profile. The reflector element is mounted to the LED based illumination device. The transmissive lens element includes first and second interior surfaces and third and fourth exterior surfaces. A portion of light emitted from the LED passes through the first interior surface and the third exterior surface and refracts towards an optical axis of the LED based illumination device, and the reflector element without interacting with the reflector element. Another portion of light emitted from the LED passes through the second interior surface and fourth exterior surface and refracts away from the optical axis to be reflected by the reflector element.
US08485686B2
A multi-spectrum emitting device including one or more emitters configured to emit in a first non-visible light spectrum and a second visible light spectrum, and a switching mechanism with at least two switching elements. The switching mechanism is configured to require simultaneous activation of the at least two switching elements in order to change emissions from the first spectrum to the second spectrum. A tactile feedback mechanism is included to provide different tactile feedback for different emission modes of the device.
US08485675B2
An illumination assembly for a scanner according to one example embodiment includes a light source, a first reflector and a second reflector. The first reflector has a curved structure and is positioned directly in the optical path of the light source. The first reflector has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the first reflector is positioned to reflect light received from the light source toward a target area to be scanned. The second portion of the first reflector is positioned to reflect light received from the light source toward the second reflector. The second reflector is positioned to reflect light received from the first reflector toward the target area.
US08485658B2
An eyewear retainer includes a flexible elongated arm and a flexible leg extending downwardly from the posterior end of the arm. Elastic bands on the arm receive and engage a wide range of temple arms of eyewear. The leg extends behind a wearer's ear when the temple arm of the eyewear is engaged by the elastic bands. The retainer is buoyant and may include a bulbous buoyancy cell containing a buoyant object on the lateral side of the leg. Thermal medium compartments are attached to the medial side of the retainer arm and retainer leg. Each thermal medium compartment removably contains a thermal medium, such as a cooling medium or a heating medium. A pressure sensitive skin-contacting adhesive is provided on the outer skin-contacting side (i.e., the medial side) of the thermal medium compartment located on the retainer leg. The retainer leg and arm may be comprised of a material including a thermochromic additive and/or a hydrochromic additive configured to change color when the retainer is submerged in water.
US08485657B2
An ink jet printing process for sublimation printing of arbitrary textile fiber substrates, wherein the fiber materials are pretreated with an aqueous coating composition, enabling ink jet printing of natural and regenerated cellulosic fibers and blends thereof with synthetic fibers, by direct sublimation or sublimation transfer printing, applying to said fibers a novel textile coating or fabric pretreatment composition, wherein said textile coating or fabric pretreatment includes: an aqueous dispersion of fluoropolymer particles and a non-fluoropolymer binder.
US08485645B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus which can reduce transportation failure, enhance device safety, and consume lower power in an apparatus including a liquid electing head, an absorbing member, an electrode, and a potential difference creating unit, by controlling the duration of a high voltage application period by controlling the voltage from the potential difference creating unit using a liquid collection control unit.
US08485644B2
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording an image by jetting inks in a plurality of colors includes a plurality of recording-head modules for jetting inks in the plurality of colors, and a carriage for mounting the plurality of recording-head modules, wherein each recording-head module includes a plurality of recording heads for jetting ink in the same color and constructs a unit capable of integrally attaching and detaching the plurality of recording heads to and from the carriage.
US08485641B2
Provided is a nozzle plate and methods of manufacturing the nozzle plate. The nozzle plate may include a substrate having a nozzle. The nozzle plate may also include a permittivity reducing area in an upper portion of the substrate around the nozzle, wherein the permittivity reducing area includes a plurality of porosities and a plurality of walls between the plurality of porosities. Additionally, the nozzle plate may include a protection layer on the substrate, wherein the protection layer covers the plurality of porosities and the plurality of walls.
US08485639B2
An inkjet print head and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The inkjet print head includes: an upper board having a pressure chamber; and a lower board including an upper silicon layer, an insulating layer, and a lower silicon layer, wherein the lower board includes a projection formed of the upper silicon layer and protruded into the interior of the pressure chamber in order to reduce the space of the pressure chamber, and a lower surface of the upper board and an upper surface of the lower silicon layer are fixed.
US08485637B2
A carriage for conveying an inkjet printhead in a printer, the carriage including a holding receptacle for the inkjet printhead, the holding receptacle includes a first sidewall; a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall; and a bottom wall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the bottom wall including a frame surrounding an opening, wherein the frame is configured to be sealingly engageable with a face of the printhead.
US08485635B2
In a method to regenerate during operation ink in nozzles of at least one inkjet print head operating according to drop on demand in an inkjet print apparatus, nozzles of the print head that generate print dots on a printing substrate are activated such that the nozzles output first ink droplets of a predetermined volume in a direction towards the printing substrate. Nozzles that are not being currently used to generate print dots on the printing substrate are activated such that they output at least one second ink droplet of a smaller volume in comparison to the first ink droplets volume. During at least the outputting of the second ink droplet, a suction flow is generated between the inkjet print head and the printing substrate of such strength that the second ink droplet is deflected so it does not arrive at the printing substrate.
US08485620B2
The inkjet printer can discharge a bubble in an ink flow path while suppressing ink consumption. Ink in an ink tank is supplied to a printing head through a flow path and filter. Bubbles in the flow path and printing head are discharged by applying a negative pressure to an ejection port of the printing head. At this time, after a first negative pressure has been applied to the ejection port with an on/off valve provided between the ink tank and the filter being closed, the on/off valve is opened to discharge the ink from the ejection port. Further, after that, a second negative pressure at a level that makes it difficult for a bubble to pass through the filter is applied to the ejection port to discharge a bubble present at a location, which is closer to the printing head than the filter is to printing head, from the ejection port together with the ink.
US08485610B2
A method for making a paint brush includes placing a plurality of bristles inside a sleeve. A resin is applied into the sleeve to contact the plurality of bristles. A handle is inserted into the sleeve to contact the resin. An extension integrally formed in one of the handle or the resin is fitted into a recess formed in the other of the handle and the resin.
US08485605B2
A gear assembly may include first and second gear wheels meshing with each other and having a meshing line. The meshing line is formed as a combined line that is positioned between first and second curves to determine a meshing range of the meshing line, so as to extend from a point on the first curve positioned radially inside the second curve in a circumferential direction in which the second curve is radially outwardly spaced from the first curve and to reach a point on the second curve. The combined line is composed of a combination of a plurality of line portions.
US08485599B2
An arrangement for a vehicle seat includes an inner element (11c, 11d), an outer element (9, 16a), which has an opening (16b) having an edge (9c, 16c) and receives the inner element (11c, 11d), and a weld seam (20) which connects the outer element (9, 16a) to the inner element (11c, 11d). The edge (16c) of the opening of the outer element (9, 16a) is interspaced from the inner element (11c, 11d) over the largest part of its circumference and defines a radial gap (G) having a defined maximum width, the weld seam (20) being introduced into the gap (G).
US08485598B2
A pitch adjusting mechanism for a bicycle saddle is arranged between a saddle and a seat post of the bicycle and includes: a base beneath the saddle; a connecting member being fixed to the seat post; a washer being removably assembled to a top or a bottom of the connecting member; and a fastener combining the connecting member, the washer and the base as a whole. When the washer is arranged on the top and beneath the bottom of the connecting member, a pitch of the saddle with respect to the seat post is different.
US08485592B2
A front connection structure for a vehicle body may include a bumper back beam provided in a front portion of the vehicle body and connected to a side member in a traverse direction of the vehicle body, an apron upper member positioned on a side surface of the vehicle body in parallel to the side member, and a back beam side member mounted on an end portion of the bumper back beam in the traverse direction of the vehicle body and connected to a front end portion of the apron upper member.
US08485591B2
A front structure of a vehicle body includes left and right front side frames, a dashboard lower panel, and left and right floor frame. The dashboard lower panel has a rear surface with a cross member provided thereon, and a lower part inclined downwardly rearwardly of the vehicle body. Front end of each of the left and right floor frames extends forwardly upwardly along the lower part of the dashboard lower panel and is joined by an adapter to a rear end of a respective one of the left and right front side frames. The adapter is joined to the cross member with the dashboard lower panel sandwiched therebetween.
US08485588B1
A vehicle hood or a panel covering an object includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface faces the object and is offset from the object by a basin depth. The outer surface is substantially opposite the inner surface. A local energy absorber is operatively attached to the inner surface or is disposed between the inner surface and the object. The local energy absorber has a singly-connected structure, which includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion. The first wall portion is operatively attached to the inner surface. The singly-connected structure also includes a curved connector portion joining the first wall portion and the second wall portion.
US08485587B2
An upper roller assembly for a sliding vehicle closure system includes a first bracket secured to a sliding vehicle closure. A ball-type roller is secured to the first bracket at a location spaced apart from the sliding vehicle closure for engaging and moving along an upper guide rail during opening and closing of the sliding vehicle closure. The ball-type roller is fixed in position relative to the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. A second bracket is connected to first bracket. The second bracket is moveable relative to the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. Guide rollers guide movement of the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. The guide rollers are rotatably connected to the second bracket for engaging and moving along the upper guide rail during opening and closing of the sliding vehicle closure.
US08485581B2
A holding fixture operable to secure differing pluralities of positioned objects having differing geometric shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions, including an active material element configured to selectively enable, cause, or retain the securing engagement and/or return the fixture to a ready state when not in use.
US08485579B2
Vacuum pickup assemblies for picking up articles and minimizing contamination of the articles are described. One such vacuum pick up assembly includes an end effector configured to contact the article, the end effector coupled to a vacuum section and a purge section, the vacuum section including a vacuum filter pneumatically coupled to the end effector, and a vacuum source pneumatically coupled to the first filter and, in a pick up mode, configured to generate vacuum pressure at the end effector at a preselected vacuum pressure to pick up and retain the article, the purge section including a purge filter pneumatically coupled to the end effector, and a purge source pneumatically coupled to the second filter and, in a release mode, configured to expel a purge gas at the end effector at a preselected purge pressure to release the article.
US08485577B2
A gripper having contact members arranged to be positioned against the sides of a roll to be lifted. A gripping force is provided on the contact members at substantially gripping height against the roll to be lifted by tensioning a binder connecting the contact members.
US08485576B2
A robotic gripping apparatus includes one or more constraining plates each having a plurality of holes formed therethrough and a plurality of elongate members. The elongate members are independently movable relative to one another. Each elongate member extends through a respective hole or set of aligning holes in the constraining plate(s). A distal end portion of one or more of the elongate members is capable of exerting a force for drawing an object against the distal end portion to thereby hold or grip the object.
US08485569B2
A lock assembly (1) comprises a rotary latch member (3) rotatable between a first, locking, position and a second, released, position, an actuator (23) for effecting rotation of the rotary latch member, and a rotary-drive mechanism between the actuator (23) and the rotary latch member (3) for transmitting a rotary drive to the rotary latch member. The rotary drive mechanism includes first and second members (3, 5) mounted for rotation about substantially parallel axes and having overlapping peripheral portions with sets of interengaging formations (19A, 20A and 19B, 20B), each set of interengaging formations comprising a recess (19A, 19B) extending radially inwardly from a peripheral portion of one of the first and second members and a post (20A, 20B) projecting in a direction generally parallel to the axes of rotation of the members and engagable in the recess. A first set of interengaging formations is arranged to interengage over a first part of the movement of the rotary latch member (3) from the first, locking, position to the second, released, position and a second set of interengaging formations is arranged to interengage over a second part of the movement of the rotary latch member (3) from the first, locking, position to the second, released, position. The first and second parts of the movement of the rotary latch member (3) are different from one another and continuous or overlapping.
US08485567B1
A sterilization cassette has a slide latch system to secure the lid of the cassette to the body of the cassette. A finger tab on the outside of the cassette moves a latch arm on the inside of the cassette along a slot. A tension spring secures the position of latch components whether the latch is open or closed. Spacers between the cassette and latch parts facilitate smooth gliding action. The latch arm engages an angled bracket on the lid of the cassette. Alternating notch depths on instrument rails within the cassette work with opposing rails that likewise have alternating depths of notches to capture and hold instruments. This notch configuration causes the handles of adjacent instruments stowed in the cassette to stagger in height so that a clinician can access the handles of the stowed instruments.
US08485555B2
A structural joint in a truck tractor frame includes a first frame member having an interface plate permanently mounted thereon, the interface plate having an interface surface contoured with a plurality of protrusions and depressions, which may be grooves and ridges. A second frame member has an interface surface contoured with a plurality of protrusions and depressions complementary to the plurality of protrusions and depressions of the interface surface of the interface plate. The second frame member is mounted to the first frame member with the interface surfaces in contact, with a plurality of releasable fasteners fastening the second frame member to the interface plate, wherein, the contoured interface surfaces interengage to resist linear and torsional shear forces.
US08485545B2
The invention refers to a trailer coupling (10) for a towing vehicle (26), comprising a base body (12), a coupling unit (14) with a coupling element (16), that works with a counter-coupling element (18) of a trailing towing vehicle (22), whereby the coupling unit (14) relative to the base body (12) is adjusted between a coupling position and a release position, and a securing device (40), with a securing element (42), that can be adjusted between a securing position and a release position, whereby, in its securing position, it secures the coupling unit (14) in its coupling position. According to the invention, the securing element (42), in its release position, allows a transfer of the coupling unit (14) from its coupling position into its release position, and if the securing element (42) is pivoted by the coupling unit (14) in the course of its movement from the release position and into a coupling preparatory position, and then goes, when the coupling unit (14) has reached the coupling position, by itself into the securing position.
US08485536B1
The automated actuating shock mount for improved vehicle cornering preferably includes at least one linear actuation device and a control system. The linear actuation device includes a drive lug and a linear actuation device. The drive lug is modified to form an upper shock mount for the upper end of the vehicle shock. The linear actuation device is attached to the vehicle in the same place as the upper shock mount. The control system controls the actuation of the at least one linear actuation device. The control system may receive a steering input to raise the linear actuation device or input through at least one actuation switch.
US08485532B2
A composition for a gasket, including about 100 parts by weight of a hydrogenated styrene-based block copolymer, about 70 to 99 parts by weight of a petroleum-based softener, about 10 to 25 parts by weight of a polyolefin-based resin; about 10 to 25 parts by weight of an inorganic filler, and about 10 to 25 parts by weight of a heat-resistant polymer, based on 100 parts by weight of the hydrogenated styrene-based block copolymer. The thermoplastic elastomer composition has superior physical properties, such as tensile strength, heat resistance, high-temperature restoring force and chemical resistance, while being applicable to injection-molding and recyclable, like general thermoplastic resins.
US08485530B2
An axial face seal arrangement, which is arranged for joint rotation with a drive shaft in a rotary machine, includes a base element and a moving part, wherein the base element is connectable to a drive shaft for joint movement therewith, the moving part presenting a sealing end face and being axially movable in relation to the base element and biased from the base element by a spring, wherein the moving part and the base element include at least one torque driver pin and at least one corresponding aperture into which the torque driver pin is displacably inserted for joint rotational movement of the moving part with the base element. At least one wear protection pin is arranged between the torque driver pin and the aperture at a force transmitting interface of the torque driver pin and the aperture.
US08485528B2
A wagering game is disclosed. In one embodiment, the wagering game is a poker-style game in which players may designate their hands as predicted winning hands according to a predetermined standard and players may alternatively designate their hands as qualifying hands entitled to at least a portion of the wagers at stake according to an alternative standard, in which a qualifying hand is awarded at least a portion of the wagers at stake unless the winning hand is a predicted winning hand. In another embodiment, the wagering game is a poker-style game in combination with a lottery-style game in which players may win the poker-style game according to a predetermined standard and players may also win the lottery-style game according to a jackpot standard.
US08485526B2
An air game apparatus. The apparatus comprises a table. The table comprises a horizontal top surface and peripheral side walls. A plurality of manual pneumatic mechanisms projects air in a substantial manner from each outlet, across the top surface of the table. The plurality of manual pneumatic mechanisms are positioned between top surface and bottom surface and have outlets and handles. One play object is positionable on the top surface of the table. The projected air streams move the play objects on the top surface of the table under the control of opposing players manipulating each of the plurality of manual pneumatic mechanisms with manual pumps, manipulating the direction of the air streams by rotation of outlets and produced the compressed-air necessary to move the playing object.
US08485522B2
A transfer device for mail items with a transfer unit which has an ejection point for transferring individualized mail items to an item carrier is provided. Further, the transfer device includes a transport device for transporting the mail items to the ejection point in a direction of transport. The transport device includes two belts for holding the mail items on both sides and for transporting the mail items and further has means for adapting a space between the belts to the thickness of a mail item. The means for adapting is a belt tilt means which is pivotal about an axis of rotation, the pivotal movement pivoting one of the belts and therefore a distance between the belts is variable.
US08485518B2
A sheet media feeding device comprising a media feed path for feeding sheet media; and a media separator for separating sheet media that are overlapping when advanced into the media feed path. The media separator includes a separation roller, a retard roller that is pressed against the separation roller and applies a torque load, and a media offsetting member for feeding the sheet media to a nipping part of the separation roller and the retard roller with the sheet media offset to the separation roller side.
US08485517B2
A method and apparatus for feeding sheets of media from a media stack in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include fluffing a stack of media with a predetermined amount of air flow, sensing a number of fluffed media sheets in the media stack, determining if the number of fluffed media sheets equals or exceeds a predetermined value, wherein if it is determined that the number of fluffed media sheets equals or exceeds the predetermined value, feeding the fluffed media sheets to an image production section of the image production device.
US08485500B2
A cradle for supporting and installing a rolled curtain door comprises rollers configured to support, and permit rolling, of a rolled curtain door thereon. Extensions with rollers permit the cradle to support rolled curtain doors of varying length. A motor may be connected to the rollers to assist in rotating the door. The cradle may be mounted on the tines of a fork on a lifting device. A lift assembly having a tower and base may be attached to the cradle for manually positioning, and mechanically elevating the cradle and door when installing the door. The tower is extended by a piston-and-cylinder unit. A winch motor and cable, or a boom hoist attached to the tower may be used to load a door onto the cradle.
US08485490B1
A holding device used to temporarily hold a container of popcorn in an upright position using a nearby beverage cup holder. The holding device includes a planar main body with a forward extending, transversely aligned curb with a planar receiving space formed below the curb. Formed on the receiving space is a line of raised teeth separated by indentations and at least one spike. Mounted on the main body is a biased, pivoting clip with a lower serrated edge that forcibly presses into the indentations formed between the raised teeth on the receiving space. Located on the rear surface of the main body is a downward extending beverage cup edge engaging structure. Attached to the main body or the cup edge engaging structure is a handle. During use, the serrated edge on the clip is forced against the edge of the popcorn container to prevent its dislodgement.
US08485487B2
An easy-mount in-ceiling speaker mount has multiple fastening units mounted on an in-ceiling speaker. Each fastening unit has a base frame, a torsion spring securely mounted on the base frame, a pivoting member pivotally mounted on the base frame, a slider plate longitudinally movable on the base frame, and a spring holder receiving the torsion spring, pivotally mounted on the base frame and blocked by the pivoting member. When the speaker mount is moved upwardly through a ceiling, a bottom of the ceiling holds a ceiling support formed on the slider plate and the pivoting member is pushed and pivoted. After being unblocked from the pivoting member, the spring holder is pivoted to hold a top of the ceiling in completion of the mounting of the speaker mount. Accordingly, the mounting procedures of the speaker mount can be easily achieved by simply pushing it upwardly through a ceiling.
US08485478B2
Some methods include rotating a crossing gate actuator around a vertical swing pivot of a crossing gate mount, along a vertical swing path and into a down position to block a path such that a crossing gate coupled to the crossing gate actuator blocks the path, with a spring biased crossing gate release mechanism maintaining the crossing gate in a center position blocking the path and decoupling a bar segment from the crossing gate to decouple a spring from biasing the crossing gate into the center position such that the crossing gate is free to swing around a horizontal swing pivot, perpendicular to the vertical pivot, and out of the path.
US08485474B2
Apparatus and methods described herein provide for a boom/receiver-type aerial refueling system having a pressure regulator integrated into the system at the tanker boom nozzle. During refueling operations, pressure of the fuel at the interface between the nozzle at the distal end of the boom assembly and the fuel receptacle of the receiving aircraft is maintained by an integrated pressure regulator integrated into the nozzle or located inline of the fuel flow between the boom assembly and the nozzle. The integrated pressure regulator maintains the pressure of the fuel at the nozzle within a defined range regardless of the elevation azimuth of the boom assembly, the extended length of the telescoping extension, the temperature of the outside air or surfaces of the boom, and other factors that may affect the flow of fuel through the boom.
US08485470B2
There is provided an aircraft seat cubicle that has a seat convertible to a bed, a foot rest or ottoman, a table and a light, each movable lengthways of the cubicle. One of the items of furniture is received on a track. The item of furniture can be driven towards or away from the seat via a pulley, a cable, and a drive motor. A tension spring in the run of the cable stretches and releases its tension in order to allow the cable to slip on a capstan at one end of the track for driven movement of the furniture.
US08485469B2
An aerodynamically controlled grapple assembly includes a frame member secured to an associated load line and a streamlined body mounted to the frame member. The streamlined body includes a main lifting surface extending away from the body in a first direction and a vertical stabilizer extending away from the body in a second direction. A pair of grapple arms are movably connected to the frame member.
US08485468B2
An apparatus for the take-off, landing and taxiing of an aircraft without undercarriage system or with retracted undercarriage, wherein the apparatus comprises a ground-based undercarriage, the speed of which can be matched to the speed of the aircraft when landing, the ground-based undercarriage (10) is releasably connected to a slide system, which can be driven in a direction of movement, the ground-based undercarriage (10) has at least two coupling means, which enable interfaces of the aircraft (4) on the ground-based undercarriage (10) to be coupled, the ground-based undercarriage (10) can be moved along the slide system transversally to the direction of movement of the slide system to match the ground-based undercarriage (10) to the position of the aircraft (4).
US08485465B2
Apparatus and method for a continuous replenishing of the lift gas and maintaining the proper pressure and lift of a tethered medium altitude aerostat utilizing a novel feed tube running the entire length of the tether. A first end of the feed tube is connected to the aerostat while a second end is connected through a novel slip ring means to a pressure controlled helium ballast chamber and scrubber on the ground to maintain pressure and lift by a reversible compressing pump. A plurality of pressure and temperature sensors and tension gauges strategically placed inside and around the airship continuously monitor the temperature and pressure changes in the aerostat. A data retrieval and communication unit mounted on the aerostat collects measurement data from the pressure, temperature and tension sensors which is relayed to the ground station and the data is used to regulate lifting gas pressure inside the aerostat.
US08485449B2
The described embodiments relate generally to devices, methods and systems for managing access to a memory card, such as a smart card, by a plurality of accessing devices. Certain embodiments relate to a smart card reader (SCR) for managing concurrent access to a smart card by a plurality of accessing devices, the SCR comprising: a processor; a channel manager responsive to the processor for interfacing with the smart card; a communication interface responsive to the channel manager for communicating with the plurality of accessing devices; and wherein, when a session is open on a first channel between a first accessing device and the smart card and the channel manager is configured to issue an open channel command to the smart card to cause the smart card to open a second channel between the smart card and the second accessing device in response to the session request.
US08485448B2
A tamper-proof identification device is characterized in that it includes a non-stretchable band and an electrically-conductive loop having a first gap bridged by an electronic identification chip and a second gap defined by a pair of electrical terminals for connection to a data processor, such that the identification device protects against removal by stretching as well as by severing.
US08485445B2
The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the electronics media industry, such as cable television (CATV), home shopping services, on-line computer services and computer memory applications. These methods and apparatus allow a user to access and make use of electronic media input and output devices by reference to and/or utilization of standard printed matter, such as magazines, textbooks, or any other printed matter that can be correlated to electronic media.
US08485430B2
A data decoding system that includes a server-side proxy component and at least two back-end computers, where the server-side proxy component is configured, when it receives a decoding request from a client, to select a back-end computer to forward the decoding request to, based on either a pre-defined rule, load estimates for the at least two computers, estimated network throughputs across network paths to the two computers. In response to receiving this request, the back-end computer that is selected is configured to decode the request, which is an image of decodable indicia, by locating the decodable indicia within the image and decoding it into a decoded message. The decodable indicia was provided by a raw image byte stream, a compressed image byte stream, or a partial compressed image byte stream.
US08485414B2
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent sections of tissue is provided. The apparatus includes a body portion; an actuation assembly operatively supported at a proximal end of the body portion; an anvil assembly movably mounted at the distal end of the body portion for movement toward and away from the body portion; an approximation assembly extending between the body portion and the anvil assembly for moving the anvil toward and away from the tubular body portion; a dispersion assembly operatively associated with the approximation assembly, the dispersion assembly including at least one angled surface defining at least one channel interposed between the anvil assembly and the body portion and being configured to dispense a fluid therefrom; and at least one conduit for conducting wound treatment material to the dispersion assembly.
US08485411B2
Embodiments include a surgical device and a method. An embodiment of the surgical instrument includes at least one grasping jaw, the at least one grasping jaw being adapted to deliver surgical staples by a force generated from a force generator mechanism that is contained within the at least one grasping jaw or is in a proximity to the at least one grasping jaw. Another embodiment includes at least one grasping jaw, at least one actuation mechanism adapted to deliver surgical fasteners, the actuation mechanism being located in a proximity to or contained within the at least one grasping jaw, the surgical fasteners containing at least one shape-transforming material, at least one sensor, at least one chemical tissue sealant and at least one cutter. A method includes: grasping a body organ/tissue with at least one grasping jaw, adjusting a configuration of the grasping in response to a signal or a datum or an image, and releasing a surgical staple/fastener in response to the signal, datum or image.
US08485408B2
A cylinder head 14 is provided above a cylinder 7 for slidably accommodating a piston 8. A cylindrical movable sleeve 32 is disposed movably between the cylinder 7 and the cylinder head 14. A connecting portion is provided above the cylinder 7, and the cylinder 7 and the cylinder head 14 are connected via the connecting portion. A body cover 2 covers an outside of the connecting portion.
US08485402B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for holding an archery bow in a ready, near shooting position. A harness is worn around a hunter's chest. A sling also attaches to the hunter for holding a lower cam/pulley or lower limb of a compound archery bow. A bow string holder is carried by the harness. The bow string holder attaches to a string portion of the compound archery bow and allows the archery bow to hang therefrom to maintain tension on the bow string holder. The tension prevents the bow string holder from releasing the string until the tension is released upon the hunter's lifting of the archery bow from the sling for shooting an arrow.
US08485399B2
A slide valve assembly is provided for selectively dispensing dry goods from a hopper. The slide valve assembly is readily attached and detached from the hopper and is readily disassembled and reassembled to facilitate cleaning and/or servicing. Preferably, the slide valve assembly includes a panel secured to spaced support rails, a movable valve panel for opening and closing of the dispensing portion of the hopper, and a collar retainer for releasable attachment to the dispensing portion of a hopper. The slide valve assembly may be attached, detached, assembled, and disassembled substantially without the use of tools or separate fasteners, to minimize the risk of creating a contamination hazard for the goods dispensed from the hopper, while still allowing for secure attachment to the hopper.
US08485390B2
A hinged connector for joining a metal lid and metal bottom to form a hinged container is provided. The metal lid and metal bottom have generally matching formed edges preventing interfitting of the container lid and bottom. The hinged connector is formed of plastic and includes a pair of ring members that are pivotable relative to one another via an integral hinge. The two ring members are continuous about a periphery that is generally shaped to the periphery of the lid and bottom. The ring members form seats for engaging the formed edges of the lid and bottom. The ring members securely grip the formed edges of the lid and body to form the container. By connecting the lid and bottom through the living hinge, the hinge connector allows the lid and bottom to pivot relative to one another between open and closed positions.
US08485389B2
An assembly mountable to a fuel tank and connectable to a carbon canister includes a housing defining an internal cavity. A vapor vent valve is configured to permit fluid communication from the fuel tank through the vapor vent valve from an inlet to an outlet, and in all cases is isolated from the internal cavity so that fluid flows through the vapor vent valve from the inlet to the outlet without fluid communication with the internal cavity. A first vent line connects the outlet of the vapor vent valve with a first port of the housing. A second vent line connects a second port of the housing with the carbon canister. At least a portion of the first vent line is above a predetermined liquid fuel level within the tank when the assembly is mounted to the fuel tank and tilted at up to a predetermined angle.
US08485382B2
A refuse container has a lid rotatably coupled to a bin. A locking mechanism for the lid includes a latch including a handle and is moveable between a locked lid position and an unlocked lid position. A detent acts between the bin and the lid and cooperates with the latch so as to effect locking of the lid to the bin when the latch is in the locked lid position, and permit movement of the lid, relative to the bin, from the closed position to the open position when the latch is in the unlocked lid position.
US08485378B2
Food packages having features such as multiple containers in a single package and multiple pieces for a package, wherein the packages can contain multiple food products such as cereal and milk, but not necessarily cereal and milk, for consumption together in a convenient manner. One food package includes a lower container and an upper container, wherein the upper container includes an interior space that is defined by a three-dimensional bottom having at least one aperture, and sidewalls, with a reservoir formed in the three-dimensional bottom and including a volume at the bottom of the reservoir located below the at least one aperture.
US08485373B2
The invention relates to a plugging device (1) that comprises a base (10) secured around the neck (2) and a cap (20) supported by the base and capable of movement between a closed and an open position. In order to improve the tamper-proof characteristic of the device, the invention comprises using, on the one hand, a breakable thread (30) having at least one longitudinal end permanently connected to a first portion (211) of the cap or the base and extending, before breaking, lengthwise along the periphery of said portion and, on the other end, a lug (40) permanently connected to another portion, respectively, of the base or the cap, and protruding towards the outside from said second portion. The lug is adapted to press at least on the free part of the thread until the thread is broken at a breaking area along the thread when the cap is moved for the first time from the closed position to the open position thereof, and to be interposed between the edges of said breaking area when the cap is then placed back into its closed position.
US08485370B2
A shelving display system formed from a single blank of corrugated material. The display system including a plurality of shelves formed from a first shelf component and a second shelf component.
US08485367B2
Embodiments, presented herein are directed to a filtration system including an outer pipe, an inner pipe and a stirrer. The outer pipe is configured to receive a working fluid from a filter inlet. The outer pipe includes a venturi neck and an outer channel. The venturi neck is located downstream of the filter inlet. The outlet channel is located downstream of the venturi neck, wherein the outlet channel is configured to provide an outlet for a first type of impurity. The inner pipe is co-axially positioned with the outer pipe, wherein the inner pipe is configured to receive a second type of impurity. The stirrer is positioned inside the outer pipe, wherein the stirrer rotates with the inner pipe to substantially separate at least the first and the second types of impurities from the working fluid.
US08485353B2
A cap assembly mounted on a neck of a container for containing an ingredient different from that accommodated in the container includes a cap body having an inner housing formed with a chamber for storage of a secondary ingredient and a working member adapted to open a low end opening of the chamber to allow the secondary ingredient in the chamber of the inner housing to be mixed with a primary ingredient in the container. The mixed ingredients may be discharged through an opening.
US08485348B2
A suction belt (1) for transporting tobacco in the manufacture of cigarettes has a fabric (5) comprising warp threads (6) and weft threads (7), the ends (2,3) of which suction belt are connected in a connecting region (4) to form a continuous suction belt (1). The weft threads (7) and/or the warp threads (6), at least in the connecting region (4), have a light-absorbing material (8). The continuous suction belt (1) is laser welded in the connecting region (4).
US08485346B2
A checkstand includes a cabinet, an electrically actuated conveyor, and an electrically actuated rotatable turntable. The electrically actuated conveyor is mounted on a portion of the cabinet. The conveyor is structured to convey items from a first end to an opposite second end when actuated. The electrically actuated rotatable turntable is mounted on the cabinet proximate the second end of the conveyor. The turntable is structured to receive items from the conveyor.
US08485343B2
In a transport system, a plurality of carriers are attached to an endless belt configured to rotate in a circulating manner. At a station, a hand, a driver configured to move the hand in a rotation direction and a vertical direction, a first carrier sensor configured to detect the carriers at a predetermined position upstream of the hand along the rotation direction of the endless driving medium, and a second carrier sensor configured to detect the carriers at a position downstream of the first carrier sensor are provided. When the carriers pass through the second carrier sensor, it is checked whether the moving distance of the belt matches the distance between the two carrier sensors. In this manner, before starting loading or unloading, for example, whether the encoder is operated normally or not can be confirmed.
US08485339B2
When depositing processing is performed, a banknote guide section and a bill press are separated from each other such that a banknote accommodation space formed between the banknote guide section and the bill press is positioned below a banknote depositing and dispensing port, a upper guide section is moved towards a pickup roller side and a input port shutter is opened. After the input port shutter has been closed, the upper guide section is moved towards a bill press side, and by moving the banknote guide section and the bill press towards the pickup roller side, the pickup roller, which is projected out into the accommodation space through a cutout in the banknote guide section, and which makes contact with the banknote, feeds the banknote out towards a conveying path.
US08485334B2
A clutch mechanism with overload protection provided between a power input shaft and a power output shaft of an actuator includes a magnet set including at least a first magnet and a second magnet that are arranged as magnetically attractive to each other and are attached to the power input shaft and the power output shaft, respectively; and a friction assembly including a first friction member and a second friction member arranged adjacent to each other and between the first magnet and the second magnet, so as to provide a constant friction between the magnets. The magnet set and the friction assembly jointly set a limit of a torque between the power input shaft and the power output shaft. When the torque exceeds the limit, the power input shaft and the power output shaft are disconnected, so as to achieve overload protection.
