US08593255B2

An approach is provided for user interaction via transponders (e.g., near field communication (NFC) tag, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, or contactless card) disposed on a dynamically reconfigurable display. Each transponder corresponds to an area of the display that is associated with one or more actions. The actions are dynamically updated based at least in part on the content presented on the respective area of the display. A user equipment containing a transponder reader detects a signal from one of the transponders to trigger the corresponding action.
US08593254B2

A semiconductor integrated circuit has a rectifying circuit, a switched capacitor, a switched-capacitor drive circuit, a demodulator, and an internal circuit. The switched capacitor executes series charging and parallel discharging to/from a plurality of capacitors using an output rectified voltage. When the current driving performance at the time of supplying a power source voltage is set to a high state, so that a receiving operation in a card is executed reliably even at a long communication distance. Transmission signal data from a card is supplied to a switched-capacitor current driving performance increase disable circuit, and the current driving performance at the time of supplying the power source voltage in the switched capacitor is changed to be low. The change is detected as a magnetic field change in an antenna by an apparatus.
US08593243B2

A pulsed magnet includes a cylindrical coil part having a hollow opening, and amorphous metal modules disposed along an outer circumference of the coil part and extending in a normal direction, which results in facilitation of cooling and minimization of generation of an eddy current.
US08593241B2

An enclosed proximity switch assembly includes a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure that are coupled to form an interior volume. A shaft protrusion upwardly extends from a top surface of the top enclosure, and an interior bore portion having an enclosed volume is defined within the shaft protrusion to form a portion of the interior volume. A first end of a vertical shaft is rotatably disposed within the interior bore portion such that the shaft rotates relative to the top and bottom enclosures. A samarium cobalt target magnet is coupled to the shaft, and the target magnet interacts with a samarium cobalt driver magnet within a proximity switch when the target magnet is rotated within a predetermined distance of a top portion of the proximity switch. The interaction causes a switch to move from a first state to a second state, or vice versa.
US08593229B2

An atomic oscillator includes: a gas cell in which a gaseous metal atom is sealed; first and second heaters heating the gas cell; an exciting light source exciting the metal atom; a light detector detecting the exciting light; a substrate including a temperature controlling circuit for the heaters; a first wiring coupling the first heater and the substrate; a second wiring coupling the second heater and the substrate; and a third wiring coupling the first heater and the second heater. In the atomic oscillator, the gas cell includes a cylinder and windows sealing both ends of the cylinder and constituting an incident surface and an emitting surface on an optical path of the exciting light. The first and second heaters are respectively formed on the windows at an incident surface side and an emitting surface side and are made of transparent heating materials.
US08593223B2

In an automatic gain control circuit, a peak detection circuit detects and outputs the peak voltage of an output signal from a variable gain circuit. An average value detection/output amplitude setting circuit detects the average value voltage of an output signal from the variable gain circuit, and outputs a calculated voltage. An amplification circuit controls the gain of the variable gain circuit by amplifying the difference between the output voltages of the peak detection circuit and average value detection/output amplitude setting circuit. The number of base-emitter junctions of transistors on a path in the peak detection circuit from input ports which receive output signals from the variable gain circuit to an output port which outputs a voltage to the amplification circuit is equal to the number of base-emitter junctions of transistors on a path in the average value detection/output amplitude setting circuit.
US08593220B2

A stereo class-D audio system includes a first die including four monolithically integrated NMOS high-side devices and a second a second die including four monolithically integrated PMOS low-side devices. The audio system also includes a set of electrical contacts for connecting the high and low-side devices to components within the a stereo class-D audio system, the set of electrical contacts including at least one supply contact for connecting the drains of the high-side devices to a supply voltage (Vcc) and at least one ground contact for connecting the drains of the low-side devices to ground, the electrical contacts also including respective contacts for each source of the high and low-side devices allowing the source of each high-side device to be connected to the source of a respective low-side device to form two H-bridge circuits.
US08593198B2

A signal generator includes: an adjusting circuit arranged to adjust a first amplitude of an oscillating signal to generate an adjusted oscillating signal; and a resistor ladder circuit arranged to receive the adjusted oscillating signal to generate a plurality of candidate output oscillating signals having a plurality of different amplitudes respectively and output an output oscillating signal selected from the candidate output oscillating signals.
US08593181B2

A switch may include a MOS transistor alternatively operating in an ON phase and an OFF phase, a first voltage level shifter, and a second voltage level shifter. The MOS transistor may include a source for receiving an input signal, a drain for connecting to a load, and a gate. The first voltage level shifter may be selectively coupled between the source and the gate during the ON phase, and the second voltage level shifter may be selectively coupled between the gate and the source during the OFF phase.
US08593178B2

A CMOS logic circuit includes a resistive element that is connected to a first voltage line at a first end thereof. The CMOS logic circuit includes a first inverter circuit having a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor. The CMOS logic circuit includes a second inverter circuit having a third MOS transistor and a fourth MOS transistor. The CMOS logic circuit includes a fifth MOS transistor that is connected in parallel with the resistive element between the first voltage line and the first end of the first MOS transistor and the gate of which is connected to the second end of the third MOS transistor. The CMOS logic circuit includes a sixth MOS transistor that is connected between the first voltage line and the first output terminal.
US08593177B2

An integrated circuit includes a clock-tree with a plurality of clock buffers, a plurality of clocked storage elements, and a plurality of logic circuits. Each clocked storage element has a clock input terminal connected to one of the plurality of clock buffers and a weight. Each of the logic circuits is associated with two of the plurality of clocked storage elements and is characterized as having a logic depth. The weight of each clocked storage element is equal to a sum of an inverse of a logic depth of each of the plurality of logic circuits associated therewith. A first clocked storage element which has a highest weight and is adjacent to and interacts with a second clocked storage element via one of the plurality of logic circuits. A first clock buffer provides a common clock signal to the first and second clocked storage elements.
US08593175B2

Disclosed are methods and devices, among which is a device that includes a finite state machine lattice. The lattice may includes a programmable Boolean logic cell that may be programmed to perform various logic functions on a data stream. The programmability includes an inversion of a first input to the Boolean logic cell, an inversion of a last output of the Boolean logic cell, and a selection of an AND gate or an OR gate as a final output of the Boolean logic cell. The Boolean logic cell also includes end of data circuitry configured to cause the Boolean logic cell to only output after an end of data signifying the end of a data stream is received at the Boolean logic cell.
US08593169B2

Systems and methods for frequency specific closed loop feedback control of integrated circuits. In one embodiment, a plurality of controllable inputs to an integrated circuit is adjusted to achieve a frequency specific predetermined value of a dynamic operating indicator of the integrated circuit at the desired specific operating frequency. The predetermined value is stored in a data structure within a computer usable media. The data structure comprises a plurality of frequency specific predetermined values for a variety of operating frequencies. An operating condition of an integrated circuit is controlled via closed loop feedback based on dynamic operating indicators of the measured behavior of the integrated circuit.
US08593165B2

A solar generator for spacecraft or satellites, including a solar panel, a detector layer, a first evaluation means and a second evaluation means. The solar panel includes a plurality of solar cells. The detector layer includes first conductors substantially in parallel in a first plane and second conductors substantially in parallel in a second plane. The second plane is substantially in parallel to the first plane such that the first conductors are at an angle to the second conductors. The first evaluation means is for detecting a failure of one or more of the plurality of solar cells. The second evaluation means is for testing electrical status of the first conductors and the second conductors to determine whether the failure detected by the first evaluation means was caused by a space object damaging or severing one or more of the first conductors and the second conductors.
US08593147B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for reducing boundary-related artifacts in logs taken from resistivity logging tools. Such tools often exhibit “horns” at boundaries between formation beds having different resistivities. A boundary indicator signal serves to identify the location of these boundaries. When derived from an azimuthally-sensitive resistivity tool, the bed boundary indicator may have a magnitude and shape that serves to nearly eliminate the horns even in high-dip angle environments. Logs that are processed to eliminate these artifacts are expected to be more accurate and thus easier to interpret.
US08593130B2

A detector is provided that detects a detection signal corresponding to a driving vibration, which excites a vibrator in an oscillation loop, and a physical quantity to be measured. The detector includes an amplifying circuit, a synchronous detection circuit, an impedance conversion circuit, a first low pass filter, and a second low pass filter, wherein each of the first and second low pass filters is formed by a switched capacitor filter circuit, a gain of the first low pass filter is different from that of the second low pass filter.
US08593129B2

A switching power supply includes a switch and a controller for dimming control of the switching power supply. The controller includes a phase angle measurement block and a drive logic block. The phase angle measurement block is coupled to receive an input sense signal. The phase angle measurement block generates a phase angle signal representative of a phase angle of an input voltage of the power supply in response to the input sense signal. The drive logic block is coupled to control switching of the switch. The drive logic block controls the switch in a closed loop dimming control when the phase angle is less than or equal to a phase threshold and in a open loop dimming control when the phase angle is greater than the phase threshold.
US08593124B2

A switching power source apparatus includes a high-side MOSFET 11, a ramp generator 18 to generate a ramp signal, an amplitude signal generator (second feedback controller 2) to generate an amplitude signal Comp corresponding to an amplitude of the ramp signal, and a first feedback controller 1 to control the ON timing of the high-side MOSFET 11 according to the ramp signal, a feedback signal FB, and a first reference voltage REF and control the ON width of the high-side MOSFET 11 according to the amplitude signal Comp. The ramp generator 18 controls the inclination of the ramp signal so that the ramp signal maintains a predetermined amplitude. The first feedback controller 1 controls the ON width of the high-side MOSFET 11 so that the ON width does not become narrower than a predetermined limit value.
US08593123B2

Switching voltage regulator embodiments are provided with hysteretic control to thereby switch between pulse-width modulation and pulse-frequency modulation operational modes. The switching is in response to different levels of an error voltage Verr in the feedback loop of voltage regulators. The hysteretic control is configured to provide a dc hysteretic response to changes in the error voltage Verr and also an ac hysteretic response to these changes. These two responses can be independently set to thereby enhance operational speed of the voltage regulators and also enhance immunity to transient noise signals that are generated by the mode switching. The voltage regulator embodiments facilitate instant return from the pulse-frequency modulation operational mode to the pulse-width modulation operational mode so that the stability of the feedback control of the regulator is enhanced. This feature is especially useful when the feedback loop is configured to include current-mode control as it minimizes the time duration in which the feedback loop operates in a voltage-mode control. The instant return insures that the feedback loop is immediately returned to the greater stability of the current-mode control.
US08593109B2

Methods and apparatus for providing a power supply to a device, including an inductive rechargeable power supply for a data monitoring and management system in which a high frequency magnetic field is generated to provide power supply to a rechargeable power source such as a battery of a transmitter unit in the data monitoring and management system are provided.
US08593108B2

A portable charging system includes a bag configured to receive an electronic device, a battery, a docking station, a charging apparatus and a cord. Another portable system includes a bag, a charging system, and a cord for charging an electronic device. A battery includes a battery cell for storing energy, an external case surrounding the battery cell, and an electrical contact for transmitting electricity therethrough.
US08593102B2

A self-sustaining, portable, power station that may be moved by land, air, or sea to an area that has no utilities. The station is provided with solar panel arrays in communication with at least one electrical distribution and storage means. The derived electricity is used to power various systems including, albeit not limited to, a communications system, a water filtration system, a water distribution system to allow the public to draw potable water and provide basic hygiene. The electricity derived may also be used to run outside systems, such as schools, hospitals, or the like. The solar panel arrays are mounted on roller assemblies that can be easily slide between a stowed and deployed condition. The solar arrays include a plurality of solar panels that are supported by one or more hydraulic actuators to counter balance the weight of the solar panel whereby the solar panel can be easily positioned into the desired tilted orientation.
US08593096B1

Analog control of the pulse width used to control the speed of a voice coil motor may be implemented using a “constant-current-charging-capacitor” configuration where the time needed to charge the capacitor is directly related to how far the actual motor speed is from the target speed. The BEMF voltage, indicative of motor speed, is sampled, and then stored in a storage capacitor, which is allowed to charge/discharge to a target voltage level. The time required to charge/discharge the capacitor to the target voltage is directly proportional to the difference between the BEMF voltage and the target voltage, and may be used directly as the pulse width (i.e., the charging time) in the PWM velocity control system. To avoid larger capacitors, a pulse multiplier circuit can be added, allowing charging/discharging the sampled voltage to the target voltage to be repeated by a number, N, of times.
US08593094B2

A power conversion apparatus of an electric vehicle includes: a power converter for driving an induction machine based on arbitrary d- and q-axis voltage commands Vd* and Vq*, and a control unit for controlling the power converter based on a power running command P and a brake command B from outside. The control unit includes: a dq/three-phase conversion unit for converting phase current information iu, iv, and iw detected from the induction machine into d- and q-axis current detection values id and iq on orthogonal rotating coordinates; a speed determination unit for computing d- and q-axis voltage commands Vd* and Vq* for the power converter and determines that speed of the induction machine is zero based on the power running command P, the brake command B, and the d- and q-axis current detection values id and iq; and a resistance computing unit for computing a resistance value of the induction machine based on the power running command P, the d-axis current detection value id, and the d-axis voltage command Vd* when the brake command B is changed to the power running command P and the speed determination unit determines that the speed of the induction machine is zero.
US08593091B2

A control system for a multiphase electric motor includes inputs for a desired torque output of the motor, a measured torque output of the motor, a signal representative of optimal motor efficiency; a signal representative of a measured efficiency of the motor. The output is a two-dimensional DQ control voltage. A torque feedback control loop minimizes error between the desired and measured torque outputs by controlling an angle of the DQ control voltage, and a motor efficiency feedback control loop minimizes error between the optimal and measured motor efficiencies by controlling a magnitude of the DQ control voltage.
US08593081B2

A power supply device and method for selection of a supply voltage or current to be applied to a lighting system having light-emitting diodes. A processing circuit performs automatic detection of the direction of connection of the lighting system by injecting at least one polarity test current pulse. Monitoring of the supply voltage and current during the polarity test current pulse, and reversal of the direction of the current or voltage for monitoring the direction of current flow for attribution of the direction of the supply voltage or current, are also performed. The device and method also include detection of the type of lighting system to be supplied with regulated voltage or regulated current according to the dynamic resistance of said system.
US08593077B2

A device includes a direct current power circuit configured to convert an alternating current voltage from an alternating current power source into a direct current voltage, an output unit configured to convert a direct current from the direct current power circuit into a square wave alternating current whose polarity is inverted at a prescribed frequency and to supply the square wave alternating current to a high-pressure discharge lamp, a controller, and an anomaly detector configured to detect an instantaneous voltage drop of the alternating current power source. When the anomaly detector detects the instantaneous voltage drop, the controller switches from a normal lighting mode of controlling the output unit to supply the high-pressure discharge lamp with a square wave alternating current to a lighting maintained mode of controlling the output unit to supply the high-pressure discharge lamp with a square wave alternating current having a lower frequency than the square wave alternating current in the normal lighting mode. In this way, it is possible to maintain lighting of the high-pressure discharge lamp even upon occurrence of an instantaneous power failure, an instantaneous voltage drop, and the like.
US08593076B2

An electronic ballast for driving a gas discharge lamp includes a power converter for generating a DC bus voltage, where the bus voltage is controlled to different magnitudes during different operating modes of the ballast. The ballast comprises a control circuit that is coupled to the power converter for adjusting the magnitude of the bus voltage to a first magnitude when the lamp is off, to a second magnitude when preheating filaments of the lamp, and to a third magnitude when the lamp is on. The control circuit is also operable to preemptively adjust the magnitude of the bus voltage prior to changing modes of operation. For example, when turning the load on, the control circuit first adjusts a power-conversion-drive level of the power converter to begin adjusting the magnitude of the bus voltage towards a predetermined magnitude, and then waits for a predetermined time period before attempting to turn the load on.
US08593075B1

A power distribution system includes a selectable gain value to generate a duty cycle modulated control signal to control current supplied to a load. In at least one embodiment, the power distribution system includes a controller and a switch, and the controller generates the duty cycle modulated control signal to control conductivity of the switch. The duty cycle modulated control signal has a period and a pulse width. In at least one embodiment, the controller determines the period of the control signal as a function of a peak allowable link current value (also referred to as a peak allowable output current value) of a switching power converter, an inductor flyback time of the switching power converter, and the gain value. The link current provides current to a load, such as a lighting system that includes light emitting diodes.
US08593063B2

A white light emitting device includes a structure for emitting white light having at least four wavelengths by using two or less LEDs, where the LEDs include a blue/green LED emitting blue and green wavelengths of light. The device also includes means for emitting red wavelength of light.
US08593061B2

An electro-optical device includes a display panel obtained by forming an electro-optical layer, in which a plurality of pixels is formed, on a glass substrate having a thickness of 50 μm or less; and a support frame supporting the display panel, wherein the display panel has at least a display region in which the plurality of pixels is formed and frame regions formed outside the display region, and wherein at least one side of each of the frame regions is bent from the vicinity of a circumference of the display region to the support frame side and is fixed to the support frame.
US08593056B2

An electroluminescent device includes, for example, first to third optical output parts respectively corresponding to red, green, and blue colors and each having a light-emitting layer. A visibility spectrum curve has an inclination value corresponding to the first optical output part, an inclination value corresponding to the second optical output part, and an inclination value corresponding to the third optical output part. Each inclination value corresponds to an emission peak wavelength at which an emission spectrum of a light ray emitted from the light-emitting layer of the corresponding optical output part reaches a maximum intensity value. The inclination values have the following relationship: first optical output part>second optical output part>third optical output part. The emission spectra of the optical output parts have widths in the following relationship: first optical output part>second optical output part>third optical output part.
US08593050B2

A lamp socket has the form factor of a standard Edison lamp socket but works with energy efficient light bulbs with a compatible screw base and not with light bulbs with the standard Edison screw base. This allows the lamp socket to be used in the manufacture of conventional light fixtures but qualify as high energy efficient light fixtures under California's Title 24 or similar lighting regulations from other governing bodies.
US08593039B2

A resonator element capable of improving impact resistance is provided. A quartz crystal resonator element is a resonator element formed by etching a Z plate which is cut at predetermined angles with respect to the crystal axes of a quartz crystal. The quartz crystal resonator element includes a base, a pair of resonating arms extending from the base in the Y-axis direction, and a positive X-axis notch and a negative X-axis notch formed by notching the base in the X-axis direction. The positive X-axis notch is formed by notching the base from the negative side of the X axis towards the positive side so that the width of the positive X-axis notch increases as it approaches the outer circumference.
US08593038B2

There is provided a dielectric composition, including: a basic powder including BamTiO3(0.995≦m≦1.010); a first subcomponent including 0.1 to 0.6 mole of zirconium (Zr) oxide or carbide, based on 100 moles of the basic powder; a second subcomponent including 0.8 to 6.0 moles of oxide or carbide including at least one of magnesium (Mg), strontium (Sr), and barium (Ba); a third subcomponent including 0.2 to 1.8 moles of oxide including at least one rare earth element; a fourth subcomponent including 0.05 to 0.30 mole of oxide including at least one transition metal; a fifth subcomponent including 0.05 to 0.35 mole of oxide including at least one of vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), and tantalum (Ta); and a sixth subcomponent including 0.5 to 4.0 moles of oxide including at least one of silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al).
US08593035B2

A harmonic buckling actuator includes buckling units engaged to a rotational track/gear. Each buckling unit includes two input actuators. One end of each input actuator is constrained to rotate about a rotational joint that is rigidly attached to a common ground. The other end of each input actuator is constrained to move with the other actuator of the same buckling unit along a single output axis via another rotational joint that is the output of the buckling unit. The inactivated, unforced configuration of each buckling unit is such that the input actuators are nearly collinear with the line segment connecting the unit's grounded rotational joints. The buckling units are arrayed around the track/gear such that their outputs are spatially phased within the groves of the track/gear. Harmonic activation of the buckling units generates torque on the track/gear about its output axis.
US08593024B2

A motor for use in a volatile environment includes a rotor exposed to the volatile environment, electronics for rotating the rotor, an impervious ceramic barrier separating the electronics and the rotor, and a flexible seal for preventing the volatile environment from contacting the electronics and for minimizing vibratory and twisting loads upon the barrier to minimize damage to the barrier.
US08593021B2

Embodiments of the invention provide a coolant drainage system including a module housing and a drain pan coupled to the module housing. The module housing at least partially defines a machine cavity and includes an inner wall and at least one end cap at least partially enclosing an electric machine within the machine cavity. The coolant drainage system also includes a plurality of drain holes through the module housing and adjacent to the drain pan. The plurality of drain holes provide fluid pathways from the machine cavity to the drain pan.
US08593018B2

A vibration generator making a closed loop of a magnetic circuit of a permanent magnet to obtain a high vibrating force while kept small in size, including a reciprocating vibrator having a ring-shaped permanent magnet in a center hole of a ring-shaped weight, a first and second plate springs supporting this reciprocating vibrator at a recessed case and end plate to be able to elastically displace in a thickness direction spanning a first and a second end faces, a tubular toroidal coil passing through a center hole of the permanent magnet and generating a reciprocating vibrating magnetic field for reciprocatingly driving the permanent magnet in the thickness direction, and a columnar core passing through this toroidal coil, the ring-shaped permanent magnet being magnetized in the thickness direction, and the toroidal coil having a lower toroidal coil and an adjoining reversely wound series connected upper toroidal coil coaxial with the same.
US08593013B2

A switching control method capable of continuously providing power is utilized for a power supply system having a first power supply unit and a second power supply unit. The switching control method includes generating a first input signal and a second input signal; performing a logical operation process on the first input signal and the second input signal to generate a first control signal; delaying the second input signal for a delay time to generate a second control signal; controlling a coupling relationship between the first power supply unit and a load according to the first control signal; and controlling a coupling relationship between the second power supply unit and the load according to the second control signal.
US08593010B2

The present invention relates to a wind turbine including a tower, a nacelle arranged on top of the tower and a slip ring assembly having at least one slip ring, wherein a first cable is extending from the nacelle to the tower via an interior bore of the slip ring assembly, and at least one second cable is extending from the nacelle to the tower via the at least one slip ring, whereby a shielding distance is formed between an outer periphery of said first cable and an inner circumference of the at least one slip ring. The present invention further relates to use of a slip ring assembly comprising at least one slip ring for shielding cables in a wind turbine.
US08593009B1

A pair of axles is rotatable about parallel axes. Each axle has a plurality of radially extending blades. A space between the axles defines a central passageway. A housing encompasses the blades. The housing has a concave front surface with a front opening and a convex rear surface with a rear opening. The central passageway extends between the front and rear openings. The housing has upper and lower surfaces. The upper and lower surfaces have apertures for rotatably receiving the axles. The front surface has lateral openings. Each opening forms a supplemental passageway. A support for each axle is provided. A lower extent of each axle extends beneath the lower surface of the housing. A generator is coupled to each axle. In this manner wind is moved through the housing. Also in this manner the axles rotate the generators. Further in this manner electrical energy is created.
US08593007B2

An energy conversion system for converting between one form of input energy selected from a mechanical energy and electrical energy, and an output energy selected from a mechanical energy and electrical energy using a linearly displaced magnetic component interacting with an orbitally displaced magnetic component.
US08593006B2

A method for the oscillation damping of a drive train in a wind turbine is proposed. The drive train connects a rotor to a generator. Parameter values representing an oscillation of the drive train are calculated and, on the basis of the calculated parameter values, damping forces which counteract the oscillation of the drive train are exerted in a controlled manner on the drive train by a braking device.
US08593005B2

It is provided to embody as a modularly constructed system, a water wheel for power generation via generators with transversely extending water blades as hinged or folding blades. In this regard it is provided to arrange the water blades over a truss framework. The truss framework for each water blade is formed by a transversely extending prism-like arrangement of plural connected struts as transverse supports, whereby these are connected at node points by longitudinal rods, and at least one strut of the transverse supports is connected with the wheel rim. In that regard, a longitudinal rod located at the top and arranged over the transverse supports is embodied for the rotatable support of a pivotably received water blade via a mounting receiver and a longitudinal rod is allocated as a counter support for the water blade in its working position. Simultaneously this longitudinal rod serves for limiting a pivoting motion of the neighboring water blade in the turbulent region.
US08592999B2

A semiconductor chip includes a first main face and a second main face opposed to the first main face. Side faces connect the first and second main faces. The side faces are at least partially covered with an anti-EBO compound and/or a surface energy reducing compound.
US08592996B2

A semiconductor device wherein a semiconductor element made of Si or Si group material mounted on a substrate, the semiconductor element is mounted on the substrate and the semiconductor element is bonded to a silver bonding material via a oxide film formed on the semiconductor element. The bonding material comprising silver oxide particles having an average particle size of 1 nm to 50 nm and an organic reducing agent is used for bonding in air, which gives a high bonding strength to the oxide on the semiconductor element.
US08592993B2

A monolithic integrated electronic device includes a substrate having a surface region and one or more integrated micro electro-mechanical systems and electronic devices provided on a first region overlying the surface region. Each of the integrated micro electro-mechanical systems and electronic devices has one or more contact regions. The first region has a first surface region. One or more trench structures are disposed within one or more portions of the first region. A passivation material overlies the first region and the one or more trench structures. A conduction material overlies the passivation material, the one or more trench structures, and one or more of the contact regions. The device also has one or more edge bond pad structures within a vicinity of the one or more bond pad structures, which are formed by a singulation process within a vicinity of the one or more bond pad structures.
US08592987B2

One or more embodiments are related to a semiconductor component comprising a supporting structure arranged in a first layer sequence, a second layer arranged above the first layer sequence, and a bonding pad. The layer sequence may comprise a plurality of layers of a dielectric and the bonding pad is arranged above the second layer. The supporting structure may comprise a plurality of supporting substructures and is formed under partial regions of the bonding pad.
US08592984B2

To suppress peeling of an Au pad for external coupling provided in a rewiring containing Cu as a main component. On the surface of a rewiring including a two-layer film in which a first Ni film is laminated on the top of a Cu film, a pad to which a wire is coupled is formed. The pad includes a two-layer film in which an Au film is laminated on the top of a second Ni film and formed integrally so as to cover the top surface and the side surface of the rewiring. Due to this, the area of contact between the rewiring and the pad increases, and therefore, the pad becomes difficult to be peeled off from the rewiring.
US08592982B2

A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of conductive interconnects embedded in the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure also includes a plurality of proximity communication signal input terminals. At least one of the plurality of proximity communication signal input terminals includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are spaced apart so as to be configured to provide proximity communication through capacitive coupling. The first electrode is exposed proximate to a surface of the semiconductor structure.
US08592976B2

A structure. The structure includes: a first dielectric layer which includes a top dielectric surface; an electrically conductive line on the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer and the electrically conductive line; a ball-limiting-metallurgy (BLM) region on the second dielectric layer and the electrically conductive line such that the BLM region is electrically connected to the electrically conductive line; and a solder ball on the BLM region. The BLM region has a characteristic that a length of the longest straight line segment which is parallel to the top dielectric surface and is entirely in the BLM region does not exceed a pre-specified maximum value, wherein the pre-specified maximum value is at most one-half of a maximum horizontal dimension of the BLM region measured in a horizontal direction parallel to the top dielectric surface.
US08592975B2

A semiconductor device has a first interconnect structure. A first semiconductor die has an active surface oriented towards and mounted to a first surface of the first interconnect structure. A first encapsulant is deposited over the first interconnect structure and first semiconductor die. A second semiconductor die has an active surface oriented towards and mounted to a second surface of the first interconnect structure opposite the first surface. A plurality of first conductive pillars is formed over the second surface of the first interconnect structure and around the second semiconductor die. A second encapsulant is deposited over the second semiconductor die and around the plurality of first conductive pillars. A second interconnect structure including a conductive layer and bumps are formed over the second encapsulant and electrically connect to the plurality of first conductive pillars and the first and second semiconductor die.
US08592969B2

A multi-layer substrate has a front face with external pads. An integrated-circuit chip is positioned inside of the multi-layer substrate. An electronic and/or electric component is also positioned inside of the substrate above the integrated-circuit chip. An electrical connection network is formed in the multi-layer substrate to selectively connect the integrated-circuit chip and component together and to the external pads. A first screen is positioned within the multi-layer substrate between the integrated-circuit chip and the electrical connection network, this first screen being connected by vias to the external pads. A second screen is position on a top (external) surface of the multi-layer substrate above the component and electrical connection network, this second screen being connected by vias to the external pads. The integrated-circuit chip is position to be inside the first and second screens.
US08592968B2

A semiconductor device includes an interposer having a base member including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first interconnect formed on the first surface of the base member, a first insulating film formed on the first surface of the base member, a first external terminal and a second external terminal neighboring the first external terminal formed on the second surface of the base member, a second interconnect formed on the second surface of the base member and passing between the first external terminal and the second external terminal, and a second insulating film formed on the second surface of the base member, a semiconductor chip mounted on the first insulating film, a sealing resin formed on the first insulating film and sealing the semiconductor chip. The second insulating film has an opening so that the second interconnect is exposed in an area.
US08592964B2

Devices and methods are described including a multi-chip assembly. Embodiments of multi-chip assemblies are provided that uses both lateral connection structures and through chip connection structures. One advantage of this design includes an increased number of possible connections. Another advantage of this design includes shorter distances for interconnection pathways, which improves device performance and speed.
US08592962B2

A Quad Flat No Leads (QFN) package includes a lead frame, a chip, an encapsulant, and a protective layer. The lead frame includes a plurality of leads. Each of the leads has a lower surface that is divided into a contact area and a non-contact area. The chip is configured on and electrically connected to the lead frame. The encapsulant encapsulates the chip and the leads and fills spaces between the leads. The contact areas and the non-contact areas of the leads are exposed by the encapsulant. The protective layer covers the non-contact areas of the leads.
US08592959B2

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element, a wiring board including a conductor portion formed on a first surface thereof on which the semiconductor element is mounted, the conductor portion being electrically connected to the semiconductor element, and a concave cap provided to seal the first surface of the wiring board, the concave cap being mounted through an adhesive on the first surface of the wiring boardIn the semiconductor device, a sidewall portion of the concave cap includes an inside surface facing toward the conductor portion of the wiring board, an outside surface positioned on an opposite side to the inside surface, and a bottom surface adhered onto the first surface of the wiring board. The sidewall portion of the concave cap is provided so that a thickness thereof becomes thinner at a portion extending from the outside surface to the bottom surface. Moreover, a dam-shaped member is provided between the conductor portion of the wiring board and the inside surface of the sidewall portion.
US08592957B2

Provided is a semiconductor device including a wiring board having a first surface on which a board-side ground terminal and a board-side power supply terminal are provided; a semiconductor chip arranged so as to face the first surface of the wiring board, where the first surface faces an opposite surface of the semiconductor chip; a shield layer provided at the semiconductor chip so as to cover an outer surface of the semiconductor chip except for the opposite surface; a chip-side power supply terminal which is provided on the opposite surface and is electrically connected to the board-side power supply terminal; a chip-side ground terminal which is provided on the opposite surface and is electrically connected to the board-side ground terminal and the shield layer; and a first capacitively coupled part by which the shield layer and the chip-side power supply terminal are capacitively coupled with each other.
US08592953B2

A passivated germanium surface that is a germanium carbide material formed on and in contact with the germanium material. A semiconductor device structure having the passivated germanium having germanium carbide material on the substrate surface is also disclosed.
US08592949B2

The invention relates to a method for texturing the surface of a gaseous phase silicon substrate, and to a textured silicon substrate for a solar cell. The method includes at least a step a) of exposing the surface to an SF6/O2 radiofrequency plasma for a duration of 2 to 30 minutes in order to produce a silicon substrate having a textured surface having pyramidal structures, the SF6/O2 ratio being 2 to 10. During step a) the power density generated using the radiofrequency plasma is greater than or equal to 2500 mW/cm2, and the SF6/O2 pressure in the reaction chamber is lower than or equal to 100 mTorrs, so as to produce a silicon substrate having a textured surface having inverted pyramidal structures.
US08592939B2

In accordance with an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a functional film, first and second trenches, and first and second insulating films. The functional film comprises first and second areas. The first trench is provided in the first area of the functional film and has a first width. The second trench is provided in the second area of the functional film and has a second width larger than the first width. The first insulating film is formed from a polymeric material as a precursor to fill the first trench. The second insulating film has a diameter larger than the first width and is formed from particulates and the polymeric material as precursors. The particulates fill the second trench. The polymeric material fills spaces between the particulates in the second trench and also fills gaps between the particulates and the second trench.
US08592937B2

A pyroelectric detector includes a substrate, a support member and a pyroelectric detection element, which includes a capacitor, first and second reducing gas barrier layers, an insulating layer, a plug and a second electrode wiring layer. The first reducing gas barrier layer covers at least a second electrode and a pyroelectric body of the capacitor, and has a first opening that overlaps the second electrode in plan view. The insulating layer covers at least the first reducing gas barrier layer, and has a second opening that overlaps the first opening in plan view. The plug is disposed in the first and second openings and connected to the second electrode. The second electrode wiring layer is formed on the insulating layer and connected to the plug. The second reducing gas barrier layer is formed on the insulating layer and the second electrode wiring layer and covers at least the plug.
US08592933B2

A photoelectric conversion device has a high S/N ratio and can increase the detection efficiency even under a low luminance. The photoelectric conversion device generates an increased electric charge by impact ionization in a photoelectric conversion unit formed from a chalcopyrite type semiconductor, so as to improve dark current characteristic. The photoelectric conversion device includes: a lower electrode layer; a compound semiconductor thin film of chalcopyrite structure disposed on the lower electrode layer and having a high resistivity layer on a surface; and a transparent electrode layer disposed on the compound semiconductor thin film , wherein the lower electrode layer, the compound semiconductor thin film, and the transparent electrode layer are laminated one after another, and a reverse bias voltage is applied between the transparent electrode layer and the lower electrode layer, and the multiplication by the impact ionization of the electric charge generated by photoelectric conversion is generated within the compound semiconductor thin film. It is also possible to provide a fabrication method for such photoelectric conversion device, and a solid state imaging device using the photoelectric conversion device.
US08592931B2

A photoelectric conversion element is provided and includes: a pair of electrodes; a photoelectric conversion layer between the pair of electrodes; and a charge-blocking layer between one of the pair of the electrodes and the photoelectric conversion layer. The charge-blocking layer is capable of suppressing injection of a charge from the one of the pair of electrodes into the photoelectric conversion layer upon application of a voltage across the pair of electrodes, and the charge-blocking layer contains an insulating material and an electrically conductive material.
US08592926B2

In one embodiment, a semiconductor structure including a first substrate, a semiconductor device on the first substrate, a second substrate, and a conductive bond between the first substrate and the second substrate that surrounds the semiconductor device to seal the semiconductor device between the first substrate and the second substrate. The conductive bond comprises metal, silicon, and germanium. A percentage by atomic weight of silicon in the conductive bond is greater than 5%.
US08592923B2

A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first well region of a first conductivity type overlying the substrate, a second well region of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type overlying the substrate, a cushion region between and adjoining the first and the second well regions, an insulation region in a portion of the first well region and extending from a top surface of the first well region into the first well region, a gate dielectric extending from over the first well region to over the second well region, wherein the gate dielectric has a portion over the insulation region, and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric.
US08592922B2

A transistor device is provided that includes a substrate, a first channel region formed in a first portion of the substrate and being doped with a dopant of a first type of conductivity, a second channel region formed in a second portion of the substrate and being doped with a dopant of a second type of conductivity, a gate insulating layer formed on the first channel region and on the second channel region, a dielectric capping layer formed on the gate insulating layer, a first gate region formed on the dielectric capping layer over the first channel region, and a second gate region formed on the dielectric capping layer over the second channel region, wherein the first gate region and the second gate region are made of the same material, and wherein one of the first gate region and the second gate region comprises an ion implantation.
US08592902B1

Gate cross diffusion in a semiconductor structure is substantially reduced or eliminated by forming multiple n-type gate regions with different dopant concentrations and multiple p-type gate regions with different dopant concentrations so that the n-type gate region with the lowest dopant concentration touches the p-type gate region with the lowest dopant concentration.
US08592896B2

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a second conductive type, a first diffused region of a first conductive type formed in the semiconductor layer, a second diffused region of the second conductive type selectively formed in the first diffused region, a trench formed in the semiconductor layer, a gate electrode housed in the trench with a gate insulator intervening, a top surface of the gate electrode being lower than a top surface of the second diffused region, a first oxide film housed in the trench and formed over the gate electrode, a second oxide film housed in the trench and formed over the first oxide film, a third oxide film housed in the trench and formed over the second oxide film, and a source electrode formed over the third oxide film and electrically connecting to the first and second diffused regions.
US08592874B2

In each of pixels 10 arranged in an array pattern, an insulating isolation part 22 electrically isolates adjacent photoelectric conversion elements 11, and the photoelectric conversion element 11 and an amplifier transistor 14. The insulating isolation part 22 constitutes a first region A between the photoelectric conversion elements 11 where the amplifier transistor 14 is not arranged, and a second region B between the photoelectric conversion elements 11 where the amplifier transistor 14 is arranged. A low concentration first isolation diffusion layer 23 is formed below the insulating isolation part 22 constituting the first region A, and a high concentration second isolation diffusion layer 24 and a low concentration first isolation diffusion layer 23 are formed below the insulating isolation part 22 constituting the second region B. A source/drain region of the amplifier transistor 14 in the second region B is formed in a well region 25 formed simultaneously with the second isolation diffusion layer 24.
US08592864B2

A semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device comprises: a substrate (1); an insulating layer (2), formed on the substrate (1) and having a trench (21) to expose an upper surface of the substrate (1); a first buffer layer (3), formed on the substrate (1) and in the trench (21); and a compound semiconductor layer (4), formed on the first buffer layer (3), wherein an aspect ratio of the trench (21) is larger than 1 and smaller than 10, wherein the first buffer layer (3) is formed by a low-temperature reduced pressure chemical vapor deposition process at a temperature between 200° C. and 500° C., and wherein the compound semiconductor layer (4) is formed by a low-temperature metal organic chemical vapor deposition process at a temperature between 200° C. and 600° C.
US08592862B2

The invention provides semiconductor materials including a gallium nitride material layer formed on a silicon substrate and methods to form the semiconductor materials. The semiconductor materials include a transition layer formed between the silicon substrate and the gallium nitride material layer. The transition layer is compositionally-graded to lower stresses in the gallium nitride material layer which can result from differences in thermal expansion rates between the gallium nitride material and the substrate. The lowering of stresses in the gallium nitride material layer reduces the tendency of cracks to form. Thus, the invention enables the production of semiconductor materials including gallium nitride material layers having few or no cracks. The semiconductor materials may be used in a number of microelectronic and optical applications.
US08592858B2

A light-emitting diode (10) includes a transparent substrate and a compound semiconductor layer that contains a light-emitting part (12) containing a light-emitting layer (133) formed of (AlXGa1-X)YIn1-YP (0≦X≦1 and 0
US08592849B2

There is provided an LED light source whose chromaticity can be adjusted easily without changing its outer shape and suffering damage in the process of chromaticity adjustment. An LED light source includes an LED device, a fluorescent material that absorbs and wavelength-converts a portion of light emitted from the LED device to emit light from itself, a sealing material that includes the fluorescent material and that is disposed around the LED device, and light scattering sections that are formed at a portion of a surface of the sealing material and scatter a portion of the light emitted from the LED device for adjusting chromaticity of the LED light source, and a chromaticity adjustment method for such LED light source.
US08592844B2

A light-emitting diode device includes a light-emitting diode, a power circuit portion for supplying electric power to the light-emitting diode, and a heat dissipating member for dissipating the heat generated from the light-emitting diode. The heat dissipating member is made of a thermal conductive sheet which contains a plate-like boron nitride particle. The thermal conductivity in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the thermal conductive sheet is 4 W/m·K or more.
US08592843B2

Embodiments relate to a light emitting device, a light emitting device package, and a lighting system. The light emitting device comprises: a light emitting structure including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer over the first conductive type semiconductor layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer over the active layer; a dielectric layer formed in each of a plurality of cavities defined by removing a portion of the light emitting structure; and a second electrode layer over the dielectric layer.
US08592832B2

An organic light emission diode (OLED) display device and a method of fabricating the same, wherein the OLED display device includes a substrate including a pixel region and a non-pixel region, a buffer layer disposed on the substrate, a semiconductor layer disposed on the buffer layer, and including a channel region and source/drain regions, a gate electrode disposed to correspond to the channel region of the semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer insulating the semiconductor layer from the gate electrode, source/drain electrodes electrically connected to the source/drain regions of the semiconductor layer, and an interlayer insulating layer insulating the gate electrode from the source/drain electrodes, wherein areas of the buffer layer, the gate insulating layer and the interlayer insulating layer that are on the non-pixel region, respectively, are removed, and the partially removed area is 8% to 40% of a panel area.
US08592826B2

A method of making a semi-insulating epitaxial layer includes implanting a substrate or a first epitaxial layer formed on the substrate with boron ions to form a boron implanted region on a surface of the substrate or on a surface of the first epitaxial layer, and growing a second epitaxial layer on the boron implanted region of the substrate or on the boron implanted region of the first epitaxial layer to form a semi-insulating epitaxial layer.
US08592822B2

Provided are a light emitting device, a light emitting device package, and a lighting apparatus. The light emitting device includes: an n-type semiconductor layer including a first area and a second area in a plane; an n-type contact layer disposed on the n-type semiconductor layer and has a first thickness in the first area and a second thickness in the second area; an undoped semiconductor layer disposed on the n-type contact layer having the first thickness in the first area; an active layer disposed on the undoped semiconductor layer in the first area; a p-type semiconductor layer disposed on the active layer in the first area; a first electrode disposed on the n-type contact layer having the second thickness in the second area; and a second electrode disposed on the p-type semiconductor layer.
US08592818B2

An organic light-emitting display device includes a plurality of sub-pixels each comprising a light-emitting portion, a thin film transistor (TFT), and a capacitor, each of the sub-pixels emitting a different color, wherein the capacitor of at least one of the plurality of sub-pixels extends into at least one adjacent one of the sub-pixels.
US08592815B2

There is provided a light emitting display apparatus including at least a light emitting element and a thin film transistor (TFT) for driving the light emitting element, characterized in that a mechanism is provided in which a semiconductor constituting the TFT is irradiated with at least a part of light whose wavelength is longer than a predetermined wavelength among the light emitted by the light emitting element.
US08592810B2

It is an object of the present invention to stably form an N-doped ZnO-based compound thin film. In the present invention, a gas containing oxygen and nitrogen and a nitrogen gas together with an organometallic material gas are supplied into a low-electron-temperature high-density plasma which is excited by microwave, thereby forming the N-doped ZnO-based compound thin film on a substrate as a film forming object.
US08592806B2

The invention relates to novel quinone compounds and to the use thereof as dopants in organic electronics.
US08592797B2

A variable resistance memory element and method of forming the same. The memory element includes a substrate supporting a bottom electrode having a small bottom contact area. A variable resistance material is formed over the bottom electrodes such that the variable resistance material has a surface that is in electrical communication with the bottom electrode and a top electrode is formed over the variable resistance material. The small bottom electrode contact area reduces the reset current requirement which in turn reduces the write transistor size for each bit.
US08592790B2

A phase-change random access memory (PCRAM) device includes a semiconductor substrate; switching elements formed on the semiconductor substrate; a plurality of phase-change structures formed on the switching elements; and heat absorption layers buried between the plurality of phase-change structures, wherein the plurality of phase-change structures are insulated from the heat absorption layers.
US08592778B2

The objective is to eliminate the effect of the hysteresis of a scanning electromagnet so that, in the raster scanning or the hybrid scanning, there is obtained a particle beam irradiation apparatus that realizes high-accuracy beam irradiation. There are provided a scanning power source that outputs the excitation current for a scanning electromagnet and an irradiation control apparatus that controls the scanning power source; the irradiation control apparatus is provided with a scanning electromagnet command value learning generator that evaluates the result of a run-through, which is a series of irradiation operations through a command value for the excitation current outputted from the scanning power source, that updates the command value for the excitation current, when the result of the evaluation does not satisfy a predetermined condition, so as to perform the run-through, and that outputs to the scanning power source the command value for the excitation current such that its evaluation result has satisfied the predetermined condition.
US08592775B2

A system for efficient neutron detection is described. The system includes a neutron scintillator formed with a number of protruding parallel ribs each side of the scintillator, forming a first set of ribs and a second set of ribs. The ribs have a protrusion height that provides a selected neutron absorption efficiency. The system includes a set of wavelength shifting fibers positioned between each adjacent pair of ribs on both the first side and the second side. Each set of wavelength shifting fibers are in optical proximity to the adjacent pair of the ribs that set of fibers are positioned between.
US08592772B2

An integrated tomosynthesis/molecular breast imaging device having improved sensitivity includes tomosynthesis imaging components and molecular breast imaging components. The imaging components may be used individually or in combination to provide a system with improved sensitivity and specificity. Molecular imaging components may be smoothly advanced or withdrawn depending upon the desired imaging mode. The system supports both PET and SPECT imaging and enables SPECT collimation to be modified in accordance with image capture requirements.
US08592768B1

A fiber optic evanescent absorption sensor. This invention makes use of two sources and one detection system, or one source and two detection systems, or two of each to determine a large range of absorbance with high accuracy for a fixed interaction length.
US08592764B2

Multiple detectors arranged in a ring within a specimen chamber provide a large solid angle of collection. The detectors preferably include a shutter and a cold shield that reduce ice formation on the detector. By providing detectors surrounding the sample, a large solid angle is provided for improved detection and x-rays are detected regardless of the direction of sample tilt.
US08592756B2

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for transferring ions for analysis. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample including an ionizing source for converting molecules of a sample into gas phase ions in a region at about atmospheric pressure, an ion analysis device, and an ion transfer member operably coupled to a gas flow generating device, in which the gas flow generating device produces a laminar gas flow that transfers the gas phase ions through the ion transfer member to an inlet of the ion analysis device.
US08592754B2

A high sensitivity desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry system that employs a heated platform, along with means for directing a liquid stream containing an analyte of interest onto a target location on the heated platform to heat the stream, an electrospray emitter for generating an electrospray and directing the electrospray at the target location on the heated platform to produce an ionized, desorbed analyte, and a mass spectrometer for receiving and detecting the ionized, desorbed analyte.
US08592752B2

Techniques are described for matching a precursor ion with one or more related product ions. Input data sets are obtained from a plurality of injections. Each of the input data sets includes a same precursor ion and one or more product ions. The input data sets are normalized in accordance with a single retention time for the precursor ion. For each input data set, it is determined which product ions are within a predetermined retention time window with respect to the single retention time for the precursor ion. If a product ion is within the predetermined retention time window in at least one of the input data sets, it is determined that the product ion is related to the precursor ion. An apparatus for analyzing a sample includes a chromatography module, a mass-spectrometry module, and a control unit.
US08592751B2

The invention relates generally to ion mobility based systems, methods and devices for analyzing samples and, more particularly, to sample pre-separation and amplification.
US08592749B2

An apparatus and a method for calibrating a source detection device. The apparatus comprises a detector having a known amplification gain, a count rate meter, a means of measuring peak energy of a detected particle, a means of counting the number of particles detected at a given energy range and a means of comparing the number of particles counted over an energy range with an expected value. The apparatus adjusts the gain to cause the measured spectrum to correspond with an expected spectrum.
US08592742B2

A system and method for adjusting the LED current of an optical sensor that does not decrease the effectiveness of the optical sensor or the length of its operating life, or significantly increase the cost due to hardware requirements. The LED current of an optical sensor is adjusted using a high frequency pulse-width modulated signal generated from a microcontroller. Based on feedback provided by the photo-detector, the duty cycle of the signal can be adjusted by the microcontroller. The signal passes through a low pass filter which averages the modulated signal into a DC voltage, which is then used to control a current amplifier circuit that provides current to the LED of the optical sensor. This adjustability enables the system to compensate for variations in sensor LED's and the LED brightness reduction to due aging and/or build-up of contaminants on the photo-detector and/or LED.
US08592739B2

Technology for detecting a change in a configuration position of one or more elements in an illumination system is described. A light source generates an illumination signal, and an element of the system directs a portion of the light of the signal back to a light detector. In one example, the portion of light is reflected back to the light detector. By monitoring an output signal of the light detector based on the directed light, control circuitry can detect that a position of an element of the system has changed. In one example, an off-the-shelf integrated circuit laser diode package including a monitor photodiode can be used with a reflective element. In one example, the reflective element is a tilted optical element. Changes can be detected in the configuration of one or more optical elements of the illumination system which are outside the laser diode package.
US08592734B2

Provided are a heater holder and an electric hob including the heater holder. Both end portions of a tube heater are supported by the heater holder having predetermined elasticity. Therefore, food can be cooked more rapidly, and the tube heater can be easily installed. Furthermore, damages caused by heat generated from the tube heater can be minimized.
US08592732B2

Apparatuses and techniques relating to a resistive heating device are provided.
US08592731B2

A heated hose includes an inner hose (109 covered by a braided support web (20) that fixes heating conductors (30) against the inner hose (10); and further including a protective jacket (40) covering.
US08592726B2

An image heating apparatus includes: an endless belt; a heater, contacted to a surface of the endless belt, provided so that a longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to a generating line direction of the endless belt; and a pressing member for forming a nip together with the endless belt. The heater includes: an elongated substrate; a first heat generating line, provided on the substrate along a longitudinal direction of the substrate, including first heat generating resistors having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance and being electrically connected in series; and a second heat generating line, provided on the substrate along the longitudinal direction of the substrate, electrically connected to the first heat generating line in parallel. The second heat generating line includes a plurality of second heat generating resistors having the negative temperature coefficient of resistance and being electrically connected in series.
US08592720B2

A polarity switching control method is provided for consumable electrode AC pulse arc welding. By the method, a peak current and a base current are applied during an electrode-positive polarity period, while an electrode-negative current is applied during an electrode-negative polarity period. For performing the welding, polarity switching is performed to alternate the electrode-positive polarity period and the electrode-negative polarity period. When a consumable electrode and a base metal are in short circuit with each other, the polarity switching is performed after the short circuit is broken and an arc is generated.
US08592709B2

An apparatus includes an enclosure, a plurality of circuit breaker sub poles, each enclosed within a chamber of the enclosure, and a plurality of arc chutes, each installed on one of the chambers enclosing the circuit breaker sub poles.
US08592707B2

An electrical switch for electrical coupling of an electrical conductor to a busbar may include a contact element and an adjusting device, with the adjusting device moving the contact element during closing and opening of the switch, with the adjusting device rotating or pivoting the contact element, at least when the contact element is being lifted off the busbar.
US08592699B2

A keyboard mechanism for a low-travel keyboard and methods of fabrication are described. The low-travel keyboard is suitable for a thin-profile computing device, such as a laptop computer, netbook computer, desktop computer, etc. The keyboard includes a key cap that can be formed of a variety of materials in the form of a flat slab. The key cap is attached to one end of a support lever that supports it from underneath. In one embodiment, the support lever is formed of a rigid material and is pivotally coupled with a substrate on the other end. In another embodiment, the support lever is formed of a flexible material and is fixedly attached to the substrate on the other end. The portion of the support lever that is attached to the key cap is positioned over a metal dome that can be deformed to activate the switch circuitry of the membrane on printed circuit board underneath the dome.
US08592696B2

Carcass support frame 12 is supported by hanger support pin 38 of hanger 14. When a carcass has been mounted to the mounting hooks 32 and 33 of the carcass support frame, the hunter can move the scale connector lever 18 downwardly so that the scale tends to lift the carcass support frame 12 upwardly off the hanger support pin 38, causing the scale to bear the full weight and indicate the weight of the carcass.
US08592695B2

A system is provided for analyzing a plurality of samples in a furnace. The system includes an upper holder including at least one opening adapted to engage at least one upper crucible. The system also includes a lower holder including at least one opening adapted to engage at least one lower crucible. The system includes a scale adapted to receive a lower crucible and weigh the lower crucible. The scale is further adapted to receive a combination of an upper crucible stacked on the lower crucible and weigh the combination. The system also includes means for moving the upper holder and the lower holder relative to each other and relative to the scale so that the scale selectively receives the lower crucible and the combination of the upper crucible stacked on the lower crucible. A method of testing samples in a furnace is provided.
US08592692B2

A substrate is provided that includes a plurality of substrate layers and a plural diameter via having a first via portion and a second via portion. The first via portion is formed in a first substrate layer, has a first diameter, and extends along a first axis. The second via portion is formed in a second substrate layer, has a second diameter that is different than the first diameter of the first via portion, and extends along a second axis that is offset from the first axis of the first via portion. Optionally, the first via portion and the second via portion may have a common edge that is spaced the same distance from an edge of another via extending through the substrate.
US08592688B2

A package substrate free of malfunction or error even with an IC chip in a high frequency range, particularly an IC chip with a frequency exceeding 3 GHz, is provided. A conductor layer 34P on a core substrate 30 is formed to have a thickness of 30 μm and a conductor circuit 58 on an interlayer resin insulating layer 50 is formed to have a thickness of 15 μm. By making the conductor layer 34P thick, it is possible to increase a volume of the conductor itself and decrease resistance. Further, by employing the conductor layer 34 as a power supply layer, it is possible to improve a capability of supplying power to the IC chip.
US08592680B2

The present invention generally relates to organic photosensitive optoelectronic devices. More specifically, it is directed to organic photosensitive optoelectronic devices having a photoactive organic region containing encapsulated nanoparticles that exhibit plasmon resonances. An enhancement of the incident optical field is achieved via surface plasmon polariton resonances. This enhancement increases the absorption of incident light, leading to a more efficient device.
US08592668B1

A wolf note elimination device for a stringed instrument utilizing a base member which is attachable to the surface of the stringed instrument. An adjuster in the form of a plate slidingly mounts to the base. The slidable plate terminates on one end with two blades having weights. The blades are cantilevered from the base. The other end of the plate extends from the base and contacts an adjuster which exerts a force on the plate to effect sliding of the same relative to the base.
US08592666B1

A novel maize variety designated PH1MD0 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1MD0 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1MD0 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1MD0 or a locus conversion of PH1MD0 with another maize variety.
US08592665B1

A novel maize variety designated PH183H and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH183H with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH183H through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH183H or a locus conversion of PH183H with another maize variety.
US08592647B2

The present invention provides polynucleotides and related polypeptides of the protein AMT. The invention provides genomic sequence for the AMT gene. AMT is responsible for controlling nitrogen utilization efficiency in plants.
US08592645B2

The present disclosure relates to engineered zinc finger proteins that target genes in plants involved in fatty acid biosynthesis. Methods of using such zinc finger proteins in modulating gene expression, gene inactivation, and targeted gene modification are also provided.
US08592640B2

Devices, kits and methods described herein may be for wound healing, including the treatment, amelioration, or prevention of scars and/or keloids by applying and/or maintaining a predetermined strain in an elastic skin treatment device that is then affixed to the skin surface using skin adhesives to transfer a generally planar force from the bandage to the skin surface. Applicators are used to apply and/or maintain the strains, and some of the applicators are further configured to provide at least some mechanical advantage to the user when exerting loads onto the skin treatment device.
US08592639B2

A pad of elastomeric material having a softness of typically no more than about durometer 50 Shore 00. The pad may carry adhesive and/or a housing for adhering the pad to a surface, either manually, or by adhesive tape, or another strap. Such a pad exhibits hemostatic and leak prevention properties against needle puncture holes in the skin or the wall of a hollow medical device. Particularly, hemostasis may be prevented with low pressure application of the pad to the skin. The pad may be previously applied to the skin of the patient or a wall of a medical device such as tubing or a solution bag, and the needle may then penetrate both the pad and the skin or medical device wall, to make a resealable puncture with leakage reduction and hemostasis when the needle is withdrawn.
US08592628B2

An additive comprising a phosphazene compound that has at least two reactive functional groups and at least one capping functional group bonded to phosphorus atoms of the phosphazene compound. One of the at least two reactive functional groups is configured to react with cellulose and the other of the at least two reactive functional groups is configured to react with a resin, such as an amine resin or a polycarboxylic acid resin. The at least one capping functional group is selected from the group consisting of a short chain ether group, an alkoxy group, and an aryloxy group. Also disclosed are an additive-resin admixture, a method of treating a wood product, and a wood product.
US08592611B2

The disclosure provides novel trioxane sulfur dimers having Formula I: methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and methods for treating cancer, proliferative disorders, and/or malaria using these compounds and/or compositions.
US08592609B2

Processes for producing lactide from lactic acid oligomers are described herein. The processes generally include heating a lactic acid oligomer in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of between 150° C. and 300° C. under a pressure of less than 0.01 MPa to form a lactide; distilling the lactide; and condensing and recovering the lactide, wherein the catalyst is a metal salt of the phosphite anion PO33− in which the metal is selected from the group consisting of tin, aluminum, zinc, titanium and zirconium.
US08592608B2

Provided herein are bicyclic compounds and methods of synthesis thereof. The compounds provided herein are useful for the treatment, prevention, and/or management of various neurological disorders. Compounds provided herein inhibit uptake of endogenous monoamines, such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine (e.g., from the synaptic cleft) and modulate one or more monoamine transporter. Pharmaceutical formulations containing the compounds are also provided.
US08592598B2

The instant invention describes a method of producing a crystal of an imidazole compound or a salt thereof, which comprises suspending a solvate of the imidazole compound into a solution containing water, alcohol, and a basic substance.
US08592596B2

The invention provides a crystalline hydrochloride salt of 4-[2-(2,4,6-trifluorophenoxymethyl)phenyl]piperidine. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline salt, processes and intermediates for preparing the crystalline salt, and methods of using the crystalline salt to treat diseases.
US08592591B2

Compounds of formula (I) a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, or a salt thereof, wherein ring B and the imidazole to which it is fused, R4, R6 and R7 have the meanings as given in the description and the claims, are effective inhibitors of the Pi3K/Akt pathway.
US08592589B2

N-(4-{4-amino-7-[1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]thieno[3,2-c]pyridin-3-yl}phenyl)-N′-(3-fluorophenyl)urea free base and crystallines form thereof are suitable pharmaceutical ingredients for pharmaceutical compositions useful in the treatment of disease, for example, cancer.
US08592585B2

The present invention discloses a phosphorescent tris-chelated transition metal complex comprising i) two identical non-conjugated cyclometalated ligands being incorporated into a coordination sphere thereof with a transition metal, and one ligated chromophore being incorporated into the coordination sphere; or ii) one non-conjugated cyclometalated ligand forming a coordination sphere thereof with a transition metal, and two ligated chromophores being incorporated into the coordination sphere, wherein the metal is iridium, platinum, osmium or ruthenium, and the ligated chromophore possesses a relatively lower energy gap in comparison with that of the non-conjugated cyclometalated ligand, the latter afforded an effective barrier for inhibiting the ligand-to-ligand charge transfer process, so that a subsequent radiative decay from an excited state of these transition complexes will be confined to the single ligated chromophore. The architecture and energy gap of the ligated chromophore are suitable for generation of high efficiency blue, green and even red emissions.
US08592576B2

Claimed are unsymmetrical Pyrrolobenzodiazepine-dimers (PBD-dimers) of formula (I), that are unsymmetrical due at least to the values that the variables R12 and R2 represent. Formula (I), wherein: R2 is of formula (II), where A is a C5-7 aryl group, X is selected from the group comprising: OH, SH, CO2H, COH, N═C═O, NHRN, wherein RN is selected from the group comprising H and C1-4 alkyl, and (OC2H4)mOCH3, where m is 1 to 3, and either: (i) Q1 is a single bond, and Q2 is selected from a single bond and —Z—(CH2)n—, where Z is selected from a single bond, O, S and NH and n is from 1 to 3; or (ii) Q1 is —CH═CH—, and Q2 is a single bond; R12 is a C5-10 aryl group, optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group comprising: halo, nitro, cyano, ether, C1-7 alkyl, C3-7 heterocyclyl and bis-oxy-C1-3 alkylene. The other variables are as defined in the claims. The compounds are useful for the treatment of proliferative diseases.
US08592567B2

Nucleic acid molecules that encode IL-15 or fragments thereof, which express protein at a higher level than nucleic acid molecules with native coding sequences for IL-15 are disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules with additional modifications such as the absence of coding sequences for IL-15 signal sequences and/or the absence of IL-15 untranslated sequences and/or inclusion of non-IL-15 signal sequences are also disclosed. Vectors, including plasmids and viral vectors, comprising such nucleic acid molecules; and to host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules are disclosed as well as methods of using such nucleic acid molecules alone or in combination with nucleic acid sequences encoding immunogens which are part of the nucleic acid molecules and/or part of a different nucleic acid molecule. Recombinant vaccines and live attenuated pathogens encoding fusion proteins, and methods of using the same, are disclosed.
US08592564B2

Generally, the present invention relates to lamotrigine analogs that have substituents at the triazine 3-position and on the benzene 4-position and 5-position. The lamotrigine analogs can include immunogenic moieties that can be used to prepare anti-lamotrigine antibodies, or antigenic moieties that can be used in immunodiagnostic assays for lamotrigine. Also, the lamotrigine analog can include tracer moieties for detecting the presence or amount of the analog during an immunodiagnostic assay. Additionally, the lamotrigine analogs can be used in immunodiagnostic assays to compete with lamotrigine for binding with anti-lamotrigine antibodies.
US08592552B2

New antiviral peptides interfering the binding of the virus to DLC8 are provided. A high number of pathogenic agents of viral origin use the dynein based intracellular transport machinery at some point of their infective cycle. The present invention consists of a new antiviral therapy consisting in the inhibition of viral infections produced by those virus that use the dynein system by mechanisms of interference mainly by preventing the interaction between the viral protein and the cellular DLC8 protein. The present invention discloses for the first time the blocking of the function of this interaction by peptides whose sequence comprises or consists of the totality or a partial sequence of the viral protein corresponding to the binding domain with DLC8.
US08592546B2

A polyimide resin including repeating units represented by formula (1): wherein R is a diamine residue or a diisocyanate residue; m is an integer of 2 to 30; any of silicon atoms bonded to norbornane rings is in exo configuration with respect to the norbornane rings; and any of imide rings bonded to the norbornane rings is in exo configuration with respect to the norbornane rings, and a polyamic acid resin including repeating units represented by formula (2): wherein R is a diamine residue; m is an integer of 2 to 30; any of silicon atoms bonded to norbornane rings is in exo configuration with respect to the norbornane rings; and any of amide groups and carboxyl groups bonded to the norbornane rings is in exo configuration with respect to the norbornane rings. The polyimide resin is soluble in general-purpose solvents, has a good transparency and a high molecular weight, and is excellent in mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and elongation.
US08592533B2

A thermosetting composition containing an aluminosiloxane and an epoxy silicone. The thermosetting composition of the present invention is suitably used for, for example, photosemiconductor devices mounted with blue or white LED elements (backlights for liquid crystal displays, traffic lights, outdoor big displays, advertisement sign boards, and the like).
US08592525B2

Provided is a molding composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition, (A) 50.0% by weight to 99.5% by weight of at least one (co)polymer which is a homopolymer or copolymer of at least 80% by weight of methyl methacrylate, (B) 0.5% by weight to 50.0% by weight of at least one copolymer obtained by polymerization of a monomer, and (C) at least one low molecular weight (meth)acrylate (co)polymer having a solution viscosity in chloroform at 25° C. (ISO 1628—part 6) of less than or equal to 55 ml/g.
US08592524B2

The present invention relates to polymer compositions with improved scratch resistance and no or low gloss change of the finished product during heat ageing, methods for making the compositions and useful articles made thereof.
US08592519B2

Powder compositions and articles and methods of forming articles from powder compositions are provided. In one embodiment the powder compositions include at least one polyester polymer powder and an amount of reinforcing particles having an aspect ratio of preferably at least about 5:1. In another embodiment the powder compositions include at least one medium-high melting temperature, aromatic and crystalline polyester polymer powder. In a preferred embodiment, the powder composition is capable of being formed, via a laser sintering process, into a three-dimensional article that exhibits one or more desirable mechanical properties in an elevated temperature environment.
US08592517B2

The invention aims to allow a curable composition to have an extended working phase followed by a short time period in which said compound becomes fully cured. This is achieved by the provision of a curable composition comprising the following components: a) at least one polyether and/or at least one polyacrylic acid ester with at least one reactive silyl group as an end-group; b) at least one organotin compound; and c) at least one compound that does not contain any tin or silicon atoms and that has at least two functional groups. Said groups are selected from the following: carboxy, carbonyl or hydroxy groups, or nitrogen atoms that are part of a ring system with aromatic character. In addition, the invention relates to a method for producing such a composition, and to the use thereof as an adhesive, a sealant or as a coating material.
US08592516B2

A process for producing a water-absorbing polymer by polymerizing a monomer solution and drying the resulting hydrogel by means of a heated gas stream comprises effecting the drying in two or more temperature zones, and/or the gas stream is flowed against the hydrogel upwardly in the upstream sector of the belt dryer and downwardly in the downstream sector of the belt dryer, the direction of flow being reversed at a water content of 15% to 45% by weight for the hydrogel, and/or the hydrogel layer is flowed against in a belt dryer upwardly to some extent at least, the gas velocity being 5% to 30% of the gas velocity required to lift the hydrogel off the belt, also apparatus for carrying out the process and use of the water-absorbing polymers produced by the process to produce hygiene articles.
US08592514B2

The present invention aims to provide a urethane (meth)acrylate composition that forms a coating film with excellent surface-drying property at ordinary temperature through four seasons, slidability, and pinhole resistance (formation of a coating film that is free from pinholes), and a coating material using the urethane (meth)acrylate composition. The present invention provides a urethane (meth)acrylate resin composition including a urethane (meth)acrylate resin (A), a polymerizable unsaturated monomer (B), a paraffin wax (C), and an ethylene-α-olefin co-oligomer (D). The mass ratio of the paraffin wax (C) to the ethylene-α-olefin co-oligomer (D) is 0.05 to 50. The present invention also provides a coating material using the urethane (meth)acrylate composition.
US08592513B2

The present invention provides an elastomer composition comprising a mixture (a) of a hydrogenated block copolymer (a-1) and a hydrogenated block copolymer (a-2); a polypropylene resin (b); and a hydrocarbon oil (c). The hydrogenated block copolymer (a-1) has a specific structure, a specified number average molecular weight and a specified block content. The hydrogenated block copolymer (a-2) has a specific structure, a specified number average molecular weight, a specified block content, a specified vinyl bond content before hydrogenation and a specified MFR. The polypropylene resin (b) has a specified MFR. The present invention also provides a storage cover of airbag devices which is made of the elastomer composition.
US08592510B2

A rubber composition controlling the increase of aging hardness of a studless tire and keeping good performance on snow and ice for long period is provided. A rubber composition for a studless tire including at most 0.5 part by weight of sulfur and 1 to 30 parts by weight of an organic vulcanizing agent satisfying the general formula (1): —(R—Sx)n—  (1) (wherein R is (CH2—CH2—O)m—CH2—CH2, x is an integer of 3 to 6, n is an integer of 10 to 400 and m represents an integer of 2 to 5) based on 100 parts by weight of a rubber component, wherein the content of a natural rubber and/or a polybutadiene rubber is at least 80% by weight in the rubber component, and tan δ peak temperature Tg is at most −50° C. and rubber hardness at 0° C. is at most 64.
US08592508B2

Disclosed is a top coat composition for photoresist, which is characterized by containing a fluorinated polymer having a repeating unit represented by general formula (5). In the formula, R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a fluorine atom, or a trifluoromethyl group; n represents 0 or 1; m represents an integer of 1 to (3+n); and R2 or R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a protecting group. The top coat composition has a proper degree of solubility in a developing solution.
US08592505B2

Addition compounds of a) alkylphosphonous acid derivatives of the formula A-P(═O)(OX)—H (I) and b) diester-forming olefins of formula (II) Methods for the production of the addition compounds and the use thereof are also disclosed.
US08592503B2

The invention relates to an aqueous magenta inkjet ink composition for use in ink jet printers comprising a mixture of a self-dispersed magenta pigment surface modified with functional group and a xanthene dye. The magenta ink of the present invention also contains an aqueous carrier, a polymeric additive, a surfactant, and a specific cosolvent mixture selected from the group consisting of a C2-C8 terminal alkanediol, cyclic amide compound and its derivative, trihydric alcohol and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the magenta pigment is surface modified with bisphosphonate or sulfonate group, most preferably bisphosphonate group. The magenta inkjet ink demonstrates excellent stability, good chroma and maintenance characteristics and high heater reliability in permanent and semi permanent printheads. The ink also reduced post print paper curl without sacrificing print quality.
US08592502B2

A non-aqueous ink composition for inkjet printing is provided, which comprises 0.01 to 10 wt % of at least one ionic substance (A) selected from the group consisting of quarterly ammonium salts, quarterly phosphonium salts, a combination of a fatty acid and/or an alkyl phosphate with an amine compound, and synergists, 0.1 to 20 wt % of an C12-25 alkyl(meth)acrylate copolymer (B) having 1 to 40 wt %, relative to a weight of the copolymer, of urethane moiety, 0.1 to 20 wt % of a pigment (C), and an organic solvent (D). The composition achieves excellent wiping durability and printed image density.
US08592500B2

A composition, apparatus and method for preparing a 3-D impression or replica of small objects. It is particularly aimed at the dental field and provides improved optical texture of an impression or replica of a small object to enable imaging by photogrammetry. The composition comprises a liquid curable polymer; macroparticles having a size greater than about 1 μm in diameter and microparticles present in a size range of less than about 1 μm such that the macroparticles and microparticles are present in a ratio in the range of between 5:1 and 15:1 (by volume); wherein the impression or replica formed from the composition has a surface particle distribution effective to allow imaging by photogrammetry.
US08592486B2

The invention relates to compounds of structural formulas (I), (VII) and (XI): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, wherein X1, X2, X3, Y, Z, L, R1, R2, R3, R18 and n are defined herein. These compounds are useful as immunosuppressive agents and for treating and preventing inflammatory conditions, allergic disorders, and immune disorders.
US08592485B2

The present invention comprises methods and pharmaceutical compositions for intranasal delivery of effective amounts of DFO directly to the CNS, in particular the brain treatments that inhibit GSK3b in patients with psychiatric disorders including, but not limited to, bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD and schizophrenia. In addition a treatment composition is disclosed which comprises DFO and in certain embodiments combines DFO with one or more of the psychotropic drug types, i.e., antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and antidepressants. Moreover, a treatment for treating impairment of neural plasticity through inhibition of GSK3b is provided as well as prevention of apoptosis of cells through inhibition of GSK3b.
US08592484B2

Cosmetic compositions comprising calcium citrate and at least one N-acylated aminoalcohol according to formula (I). Provided is a method of treating aged skin, comprising topically applying to the aged skin a composition comprising a compound of Formula (I) in an amount effective to provide an anti-ageing effect. The compound of Formula (I) is used to prevent skin and/or to help to maintain or improve moisture retention and/or to fight against the signs of skin ageing. The N-acylated aminoalcohol of formula (I) acts as a ceramidase inhibitor. The combination of at least one compound of formula (I) and calcium citrate stimulates keratinocyte differentiation.
US08592480B2

The invention relates to an aqueous liquid composition of calcium acetate, sweetener, and taste masking agent. Also provided is a method for binding phosphorus within the gastrointestinal tract of an individual by administering to the individual an aqueous solution of at least calcium acetate.
US08592468B2

The mechanism of action of Ebselen differentiates between bacterial and mammalian thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). It displays fast oxidation of mammalian Trx and via the NADPH-TrxR catalyzed turnover of ebselen selenol with hydrogen peroxide, and therefore are mammalian antioxidants. Ebselen, and its diselenide, are strong competitive inhibitors of E. coli TrxR with Ki of 0.14 μM and 0.46 μM, respectively. E. coli mutants lacking glutathione reductase or glutathione were much more sensitive to inhibition by ebselen. Since either glutaredoxin or thioredoxin systems are electron donors to ribonucleotide reductase, ebselen targets primarily glutathione and glutaredoxin-negative bacteria, a class which includes major pathogens. Ebselen, and similar compounds are therefore useful as antibacterial agents, even for multiresistant strains. Two major pathogenic bacteria, which previously had not been known to be sensitive to ebselen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis) and Helicobacter pylori (stomach ulcer and cancer), were shown to be excellent targets. Helicobacter pylori was also sensitive to ebsulfur.
US08592466B2

Treatment of humans suffering from conditions caused by higher-than-normal dopaminergic activity in basal ganglia includes administering the compound (2S)-2-{3-[3-({[(2R,4R)-4-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-2-(2-fluorophenyl)]-3-thiazolidinyl}carbonylmethyl)ureido]phenyl}propionic acid and its physiological acceptable salts.
US08592464B2

The present invention relates to nitric oxide furoxan derivative compounds which showed to be active in the treatment of tumors. In addition, they may be used as adjuvants in cancer immunotherapy.
US08592459B2

New substituted benzimidazole compounds, compositions, and methods of inhibition of kinase activity associated with tumorigenesis in a human or animal subject are provided. In certain embodiments, the compounds and compositions are effective to inhibit the activity of at least one serine/threonine kinase or receptor tyrosine kinase. The new compounds and compositions may be used either alone or in combination with at least one additional agent for the treatment of a serine/threonine kinase- or receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated disorder, such as cancer.
US08592450B2

The present invention provides compounds and methods for the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. In particular, LFA-1 antagonists are described herein and these antagonists are used in the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. One aspect of the invention provides for diagnosis of an LFA-1 mediated disease and administration of a LFA-1 antagonist, after the patient is diagnosed with a LFA-1 mediated disease. In some embodiments, the LFA-1 mediated diseases treated are dry eye disorders. Also provided herein are methods for identifying compounds which are LFA-1 antagonists.
US08592439B2

The main object here is the use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (as ethyl esters, hereinafter called “n-3 PUFA”) as a medicament, either alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for reducing mortality for a cardiovascular cause, in particular arrhythmia or for reducing hospitalization for any cause, in particular a cardiovascular cause and for the daily administration to patients with symptomatic heart failure (HF) for more than 3.5 years.
US08592437B2

The present invention discloses a series of pyrimidone derivatives represented by formula (I) or a salt thereof, or a solvate thereof or a hydrate thereof: Wherein X, Z, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, n and m are as defined herein. Also disclosed herein are the methods of preparation of compounds of formula (I), intermediates therefor and their utility in treating a variety of disease conditions.
US08592430B2

Compounds of general formula (I); or a stereoisomers, tautomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or prodrugs thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R8 and R9 are as defined herein, are useful for the treatment of diseases and conditions which are mediated by excessive or inappropriate Hsp90 activity such as cancers, viral infection and inflammatory diseases or conditions.
US08592428B2

The present invention relates to compounds, which are useful for treatment and/or prevention of diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus complications or obesity, since the compounds have glucokinase-activating effects, and are presented in Formula (I): wherein R1 represents a lower alkylsulfonyl group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom; R20 represents, e.g., a hydrogen atom; m represents an integer of from 1 to 3; and n represents zero or 1, or relates to a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US08592423B2

PDE10 inhibitors having the general formula (I) are disclosed. Compositions comprising the compounds and methods for using the compounds to inhibit PDE10 are also disclosed.
US08592418B2

The present invention relates to new isoxazoline compounds of formula wherein the variables have the meaning as indicated in the claims; in free form and in salt form; and optionally the enantiomers and geometrical isomers thereof. The compounds of formula (I) are useful in the control of parasites, in particular ectoparasites, in and on vertebrates.
US08592409B2

This invention relates to novel compounds of the Formula (I), (Ia), (Ic), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which are useful for the therapeutic treatment of diseases associated with the modulation or inhibition of 11β-HSD1 in mammals. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions of the novel compounds and methods for their use in the reduction or control of the production of cortisol in a cell or the inhibition of the conversion of cortisone to cortisol in a cell.
US08592408B2

The present invention relates to a fused aminodihydrothiazine derivative of formula (I): wherein X is hydrogen or fluorine; A is CH or N; Y is methyl, ethyl, monofluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, methoxymethyl or —C≡N; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; which compound has an Aβ production inhibitory effect or a BACE1 inhibitory effect and is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a neurodegenerative disease caused by Aβ and typified by Alzheimer-type dementia.
US08592403B2

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, L and n are as defined in the specification. These compounds are useful as MC4 agonists.
US08592396B2

Compounds are provided which are activators of the enzyme glucokinase and thus are useful in treating diabetes and related diseases, which compounds have the structure wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, Y and X are as defined herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A method for treating diabetes and related disease employing the above compounds is also provided.
US08592393B2

Polysaccharide preparations lacking substantial anticoagulant activity are provided herein. Methods of making and using such preparations are provided.
US08592391B2

We disclose here a method for using Poly-ICLC to prevent and/or treat certain human and veterinary infectious, neoplastic and autoimmune disorders, as well as for regulating a broad variety of genes in humans, consisting of use of poly-ICLC repeatedly and at low doses, alone or in combination with other drugs or vaccines. As such it represents an example of broad spectrum host-targeted therapeutics, in contrast to conventional antibiotics, antiviral or antineoplastic agents that target specific organisms or tumors.
US08592390B2

Methods for enhancing steroid efficacy in a steroid refractory patient afflicted with an inflammatory condition who does not respond or responds poorly or inadequately to steroid anti-inflammatory treatment or a steroid dependent patient afflicted with an inflammatory condition and currently on steroid anti-inflammatory treatment who shows an inability to be weaned off systemic or topical administered steroid treatment comprise administering an oligonucleotide having the sequence 5′-Xm-CG-Yn-3′ wherein X is A, T, C, or G, Y is A, T, C, or G, m is 1-20 and n is 1-20, or the sequence 5′-CG-3′ and from 8 to 40 nucleotides, wherein at least one CG dinucleotide is unmethylated. The oligonucleotide is administered in an amount effective to improve sensitivity of the patient to the steroid anti-inflammatory treatment and thereby induce a clinical response in the steroid refractory patient or improve a clinical response in the steroid dependent patient.
US08592370B2

The invention relates to a composition for use as a medicament comprising insulin in combination with at least one compound of formula (I) wherein the radicals R1 to R6 have the meaning according to claim 1, and/or physiologically acceptable salts thereof. Another object of the invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising as active ingredients effective amounts of insulin and at least one compound of formula (I), together with pharmaceutically tolerable adjuvants, for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment and/or monitoring of physiological and/or pathological conditions that are associated with insulin resistance. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical package comprising insulin in a first dosage unit and at least one compound of formula (I) in a second dosage unit.
US08592356B2

A lubricating oil composition used in an internal combustion engine contains lubricating base oil; a disulfide compound as a component (A), a no-boron-containing ashless dispersant as a component (B), and a boron-containing ashless dispersant as a component (C). The disulfide compound as the component (A) is represented by the following formula (1) and/or the following formula (2). The no-boron-containing ashless dispersant as the component (B) has in its side chain: an alkyl group having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 3,000; or an alkenyl group having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 3,000. The boron-containing ashless dispersant as the component (C) has in its side chain: an alkyl group having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 4,000; or an alkenyl group having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 4,000. R1OOC-A1-S—S-A2-COOR2  (1) R7OOC—CR9R10—CR11(COOR8)—S—S—CR16(COOR13)—CR14R15—COOR12  (2)
US08592353B2

Method of diverting fluids in a subterranean formation including the steps of providing a first fluid comprising an aqueous fluid and a hydrophobically modified water-soluble relative permeability modifier; introducing the first fluid into a well bore such that the first treatment fluid penetrates into a portion of the subterranean formation in a sufficient amount so as to substantially divert a second treatment fluid to another portion of the subterranean formation. Then, a second aqueous fluid is introduced into the well bore and substantially diverted from the portion of the subterranean formation penetrated with the first treatment fluid. In some cases, a well treatment operation, such as acid stimulation operation, a clay stabilization operation, or a scale inhibition operation, is performed using the second fluid.
US08592349B2

Various salt crystal and agglomeration settling inhibiting agents may aid the ability to keep salt crystals of a desired particle size undissolved and dissolved in an aqueous drilling fluid, including, whey, wine-making residues, “steepwater solubles” or an organic liquid formed from the residue of wet processing of grains, sugar cane, sugar beets, and similar plants for the food and beverage industries for consumption by human or animals, and combinations thereof. A fluid so treated has more uniform properties and a reduced tendency for the salt therein to settle out as compared to an otherwise identical fluid absent an effective proportion or amount of the salt crystal agglomeration and settling inhibiting agent, even for saturated salt fluids. The salt crystal agglomeration and settling inhibiting agents are also believed to be useful in inhibiting or preventing the formation of gas hydrates under gas hydrate forming conditions of low temperature and high pressure.
US08592348B2

A method for producing a chip on which biomolecules are immobilized in an aligned state, comprises (a) producing a substrate 1 on which a plurality of biomolecules 1 of a single type are immobilized in an aligned state, (b) adding reaction reagents for synthesizing biomolecules 2 to microreactors on a microreactor chip comprising the microreactors at positions overlapping with the sequence positions of the biomolecules 1 immobilized on the substrate 1 produced in step (a), (c) closely attaching the microreactor chip to the substrate 1 so that the reaction reagents for synthesizing the biomolecules 2 are allowed to come into contact with the biomolecules 1, so as to synthesize the biomolecules 2 in the microreactors, and (d) superposing the microreactor chip on a substrate 2 after completion of step (c) so as to bind the biomolecules 2 onto the substrate 2; and a chip produced thereby.
US08592345B2

Methods of applying dicyclopropene compounds and compositions thereof to block ethylene receptors in plants are disclosed. Methods include applying to the plant an effective ethylene response-inhibiting amount of a dicyclopropene compound or composition thereof. Dicyclopropene compounds, enantiomers, stereoisomers or salts thereof are also provided.
US08592344B2

Provided are pesticidal compositions comprising 4,5-dihydroxyindan-1-one or derivatives thereof for protecting important crops against mites, fungi, and bacteria. The compositions may be manufactured by fractionating fungal extracts.
US08592338B2

A catalyst structure that allows a carbon nanotube having a desired shape and with larger length to be obtained in a stable manner and in high purity as well as a method of manufacturing a carbon nanotube using the same are provided. The present invention relates to a catalyst structure for use in manufacturing a carbon nanotube by means of vapor deposition of crystalline carbon, having a catalytic material that forms a ring or a whirl on its crystal growth surface, and further relates to a method of manufacturing a carbon nanotube using the same. Preferably, the catalyst structure is a columnar body with its upper surface serving as the crystal growth surface, where at least part of the side of the columnar body has a non-catalytic material that has substantially no catalytic activity with respect to the growth of the crystalline carbon.
US08592332B2

The present invention relates to an optical glass with a refractive index nd of 1.89 or higher and an Abbé number v(nu)d of 28 to 36; a preform for precision press molding and an optical element that are comprised of this glass; and a method for manufacturing the optical element.
US08592327B2

A method for protecting an exposed low-k surface is described. The method includes receiving a substrate having a mask layer and a low-k layer formed thereon, wherein a pattern formed in the mask layer using a lithographic process has been transferred to the low-k layer using an etching process to form a structural feature therein. Additionally, the method includes forming a SiOCl-containing layer on exposed surfaces of the mask layer and the low-k layer, and anisotropically removing the SiOCl-containing layer from a top surface of the mask layer and a bottom surface of the structural feature in the low-k layer, while retaining a remaining portion of the SiOCl-containing layer on sidewall surfaces of the structural feature. The method further includes performing an ashing process to remove the mask layer, and thereafter, selectively removing the remaining portion of the SiOCl-containing layer from the sidewall surfaces of the structural feature.
US08592316B2

A nitride semiconductor substrate includes two principal surfaces including an upper surface that is a growth face and a lower surface on its opposite side. An FWHM in a surface layer region at depths of from 0 to 250 nm from the upper surface is narrower than an FWHM in an inner region at depths exceeding 5 μm from the upper surface, where the FWHMs are obtained by X-ray rocking curve measurement using diffraction off a particular asymmetric plane inclined relative to the upper surface.
US08592313B2

A polishing method that carries out a multi-step polishing process with improved polishing conditions (polishing recipe) while omitting measurement of the surface conditions of a substrate, as carried out between polishing steps thereby increasing the throughput. The polishing method for polishing workpieces by repeating the sequential operations of taking a workpiece out of a cassette in which a plurality of workpieces are stored, carrying out multi-step polishing of a surface of the workpiece and returning the workpiece to the cassette, includes carrying out one of the following two polishing processes for the workpiece taken out of the cassette: a first polishing process comprising carrying out the multi-step polishing under preset conditions and measurement of the surface of the workpiece before and after each polishing step; and a second polishing process comprising carrying out a predetermined step of the multi-step polishing under polishing conditions which have been modified based on the results of the measurement.
US08592304B2

A method for filling a metal is disclosed. First, a substrate is provided. The substrate includes a metal material layer, a dielectric layer covering the metal material layer and a hard mask layer covering the dielectric layer. The hard mask layer has at least one opening to expose the underlying dielectric layer. Second, a dry etching step is performed to etch the dielectric layer through the opening to remove part of the dielectric layer to expose the metal material layer and to form a recess and leave some residues in the recess. Then a cleaning step is performed to remove the residues and to selectively remove part of the hard mask to substantially enlarge the opening. Later, a metal fills the recess through the enlarged opening.
US08592302B2

A patterning method is provided for fabrication of a semiconductor device structure having conductive contact elements, an interlayer dielectric material overlying the contact elements, an organic planarization layer overlying the interlayer dielectric material, an antireflective coating material overlying the organic planarization layer, and a photoresist material overlying the antireflective coating material. The method creates a patterned photoresist layer from the photoresist material to define oversized openings corresponding to respective conductive contact elements. The antireflective coating is etched using the patterned photoresist as an etch mask. A liner material is deposited overlying the patterned antireflective coating layer. The liner material is etched to create sidewall features, which are used as a portion of an etch mask to form contact recesses for the conductive contact elements.
US08592301B2

A template wafer fabrication process is disclosed for high density indium bumping of microchips by using an innovative template wafer upon which the bumps are initially fabricated. Once fabricated, these bumps are transferred to the microchip, after which can be hybridized to another microchip. Such a template wafer is reusable, and thus provides an economical way to fabricate indium bumps. Reusability also eliminates nonuniformities in bump shape and size in serial processing of separate microchips, which is not the case for other indium bump fabrication processes. Such a fabrication process provides a way to form relatively tall indium bumps and accomplishes this without the standard thick photoresist liftoff process. The described process can be suitable for bump pitches under 10 microns, and is only limited by the resolution of the photolithography equipment used.
US08592296B2

A quarter-gap p-type field effect transistor (PFET) formed by gate-last fabrication includes a gate stack formed on a silicon substrate, the gate stack including: a high-k dielectric layer located on the silicon substrate; and a gate metal layer located over the high-k dielectric layer, the gate metal layer including titanium nitride and having a thickness of about 20 angstroms; and a metal contact formed over the gate stack. A quarter-gap n-type field effect transistor (NFET) formed by gate-last fabrication includes a gate stack formed on a silicon substrate, the gate stack including: a high-k dielectric layer located on the silicon substrate; and a first gate metal layer located over the high-k dielectric layer, the first gate metal layer including titanium nitride; and a metal contact formed over the gate stack.
US08592293B2

A method for forming a Schottky barrier diode on a SiGe BiCMOS wafer, including forming a structure which provides a cutoff frequency (Fc) above about 1.0 THz. In embodiments, the structure which provides a cutoff frequency (Fc) above about 1.0 THz may include an anode having an anode area which provides a cutoff frequency (FC) above about 1.0 THz, an n-epitaxial layer having a thickness which provides a cutoff frequency (FC) above about 1.0 THz, a p-type guardring at an energy and dosage which provides a cutoff frequency (FC) above about 1.0 THz, the p-type guardring having a dimension which provides a cutoff frequency (FC) above about 1.0 THz, and a well tailor with an n-type dopant which provides a cutoff frequency (FC) above about 1.0 THz.
US08592287B2

A method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate having a first layer and a second layer above the first layer. The first layer haw a plurality of first patterns, vias or contacts. The second layer has second patterns corresponding to the first patterns, vias or contacts. The second patterns have a plurality of in-plane offsets relative to the corresponding first patterns, vias or contacts. A scanning electron microscope is used to measure line edge roughness (LER) values of the second patterns. An overlay error is calculated between the first and second layers based on the measured LER values.
US08592286B2

An ultra-thin wafer system providing thinning a wafer on a protective tape to an ultra-thin thickness and forming electrical interconnects on the thinned wafer on a support plate.
US08592285B2

A method of bonding a semiconductor substrate has a step of pressurizing and heating to bond a substrate 11 with a substrate 12 by eutectic bonding in a state that an aluminum containing layer 31 and a germanium layer 32 between a bonding section 30a of the substrate 11 and a bonding section 30b of the substrate 21 are overlaid and an outer end 32a of the germanium layer 32 is receded inward with respect to an outer end 31a of the aluminum containing layer 31.
US08592283B2

A semiconductor device manufacturing method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a transistor mounted in a wiring of a plural-layer structure includes in manufacturing the semiconductor device that is formed on a semiconductor element and includes a barrier insulating film, a porous interlayer insulating film, a wiring, a via plug formed by embedding a metal wiring material in a wiring trench, and a via hole formed in the porous interlayer insulating film, irradiating an electron beam or an ultraviolet ray onto at least a portion of the porous interlayer insulating film before forming an opening in the barrier insulating film.
US08592280B2

Improved fin field effect transistor (FinFET) devices and methods for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a field effect transistor device comprises the following steps. A substrate is provided having a silicon layer thereon. A fin lithography hardmask is patterned on the silicon layer. A dummy gate structure is placed over a central portion of the fin lithography hardmask. A filler layer is deposited around the dummy gate structure. The dummy gate structure is removed to reveal a trench in the filler layer, centered over the central portion of the fin lithography hardmask, that distinguishes a fin region of the device from source and drain regions of the device. The fin lithography hardmask in the fin region is used to etch a plurality of fins in the silicon layer. The trench is filled with a gate material to form a gate stack over the fins. The filler layer is removed to reveal the source and drain regions of the device, wherein the source and drain regions are intact and self-aligned with the gate stack.
US08592277B2

A method for forming a trench gate field effect transistor includes forming, in a semiconductor region, a trench followed by forming a dielectric layer lining a sidewall and a bottom surface of the trench. The method also includes, forming a first polysilicon layer on the bottom surface of the trench. The method further includes, forming a conductive material layer on an exposed surface of the first polysilicon layer and forming a second polysilicon layer on an exposed surface of the conductive material layer. The method still further includes, performing rapid thermal processing to cause the first polysilicon layer, the second polysilicon layer and the conductive material layer to react.
US08592275B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory cell of a high operation speed and a high rewrite cycle and a nonvolatile memory cell of high reliability. In a split gate type nonvolatile memory in which memory gate electrodes are formed in the shape of sidewalls of control gate electrodes, it is possible to produce a memory chip having a memory of a high operation speed and a high rewrite cycle and a memory of high reliability at a low cost by jointly loading memory cells having different memory gate lengths in an identical chip.
US08592267B2

At least part of a semiconductor layer or a semiconductor substrate includes a semiconductor region having a large energy gap. The semiconductor region having a large energy gap is preferably formed from silicon carbide and is provided in a position at least overlapping with a gate electrode provided with an insulating layer between the semiconductor region and the gate electrode. By making a structure in which the semiconductor region is included in a channel formation region, a dielectric breakdown voltage is improved.
US08592264B2

A method includes forming on a surface of a semiconductor a dummy gate structure comprised of a plug; forming a first spacer surrounding the plug, the first spacer being a sacrificial spacer; and performing an angled ion implant so as to implant a dopant species into the surface of the semiconductor adjacent to an outer sidewall of the first spacer to form a source extension region and a drain extension region, where the implanted dopant species extends under the outer sidewall of the first spacer by an amount that is a function of the angle of the ion implant. The method further includes performing a laser anneal to activate the source extension and the drain extension implant. The method further includes forming a second spacer surrounding the first spacer, removing the first spacer and the plug to form an opening, and depositing a gate stack in the opening.
US08592263B2

A FinFET diode and method of fabrication are disclosed. In one embodiment, the diode comprises, a semiconductor substrate, an insulator layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a first silicon layer disposed on the insulator layer, a plurality of fins formed in a diode portion of the first silicon layer. A region of the first silicon layer is disposed adjacent to each of the plurality of fins. A second silicon layer is disposed on the plurality of fins formed in the diode portion of the first silicon layer. A gate ring is disposed on the first silicon layer. The gate ring is arranged in a closed shape, and encloses a portion of the plurality of fins formed in the diode portion of the first silicon layer.
US08592251B2

An object is to provide a semiconductor device having stable electric characteristics in which an oxide semiconductor is used. An oxide semiconductor layer is subjected to heat treatment for dehydration or dehydrogenation treatment in a nitrogen gas or an inert gas atmosphere such as a rare gas (e.g., argon or helium) or under reduced pressure and to a cooling step for treatment for supplying oxygen in an atmosphere of oxygen, an atmosphere of oxygen and nitrogen, or the air (having a dew point of preferably lower than or equal to −40° C., still preferably lower than or equal to −50° C.) atmosphere. The oxide semiconductor layer is thus highly purified, whereby an i-type oxide semiconductor layer is formed. A semiconductor device including a thin film transistor having the oxide semiconductor layer is manufactured.
US08592250B2

A memory array including a plurality of memory cells. Each word line is electrically coupled to a set of memory cells, a gate contact and a pair of dielectric pillars positioned parallel to the word line. Dielectric pillars are placed on both sides of the gate contact. Also a method to prevent a gate contact from electrically connecting to a source contact for a plurality of memory cells on a substrate. The method includes formation of a pair of pillars made of an insulating material over the substrate, depositing an electrically conductive gate material between and over the pillars, etching the gate material such that it both partially fills a space between the pair of pillars and forms a word line for the memory cells, and depositing a gate contact between the dielectric pillars such that the gate contact is in electrical contact with the gate material.
US08592249B1

A photovoltaic solar cell for generating electricity from sunlight is disclosed. The photovoltaic solar cell comprises a plurality of spaced-apart point contact junctions formed in a semiconductor body to receive the sunlight and generate the electricity therefrom, the plurality of spaced-apart point contact junctions having a first plurality of regions having a first doping type and a second plurality of regions having a second doping type. In addition, the photovoltaic solar cell comprises a first electrical contact electrically connected to each of the first plurality of regions and a second electrical contact electrically connected to each of the second plurality of regions, as well as a passivation layer covering major surfaces and sidewalls of the photovoltaic solar cell.
US08592241B2

A method for fabricating a thin package that encapsulates a capped MEMS device electrically coupled with one or more encapsulated semiconductor devices is provided. A wafer-level packaging methodology is used in which the capped MEMS device is electrically coupled to a package interconnect, which then allows for electrical coupling to the one or more encapsulated semiconductor devices, as well as external connections.
US08592233B2

A method of fabricating a plurality of components using wafer-level processing can include bonding first and second wafer-level substrates together to form a substrate assembly, such that first surfaces of the first and second substrates confront one another, the first substrate having first electrically conductive elements exposed at the first surface thereof, forming second electrically conductive elements contacting the first conductive elements, and processing the second substrate into individual substrate elements. The second conductive elements can extend through a thickness of the first substrate and can be exposed at a second surface thereof opposite the first surface. The processing can include trimming material to produce the substrate elements at least some of which have respective different controlled thicknesses between first surfaces adjacent the first substrate and second surfaces opposite therefrom.
US08592228B2

A method of manufacturing a structure (1100), the method comprising forming a cap element (401) on a substrate (101), removing material (103) of the substrate (101) below the cap element (401) to thereby form a gap (802) between the cap element (401) and the substrate (101), and rearranging material of the cap element (401) and/or of the substrate (101) to thereby merge the cap element (401) and the substrate (101) to bridge the gap (802).
US08592213B2

A first fuel and a second fuel are marked with a marker that can be detected quantitatively in a predetermined concentration range. The second fuel is marked with a binary marker. Decreased concentration of the quantitative marker, presence of a binary marker, or both may be indicative of a fuel that is altered (e.g., mixed, laundered, diluted, or adulterated). Testing a fuel includes testing the fuel for a presence of a first marker in the fuel in a predetermined concentration range, and testing the fuel for a presence of a second marker. The presence of the first marker in the predetermined concentration range and an absence of the second marker may be indicative that the fuel is unaltered. The presence of the first marker in the fuel in a concentration less than the predetermined concentration range or the presence of the second marker may be indicative that the fuel is altered.
US08592208B2

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising of preparations of human embryonic stem (hES) cells and their derivatives and methods for their transplantation into the human body, wherein transplantation results in the clinical reversal of symptoms, cure, stabilization or arrest of degeneration of a wide variety of presently incurable and terminal medical conditions, diseases and disorders. The invention further relates to novel processes of preparing novel stem cell lines which are free of animal products, feeder cells, growth factors, leukaemia inhibitory factor, supplementary mineral combinations, amino acid supplements, vitamin supplements, fibroblast growth factor, membrane associated steel factor, soluble steel factor and conditioned media. This invention further relates to the isolation, culture, maintenance, expansion, differentiation, storage, and preservation of such stem cells.
US08592207B2

The present invention relates to a method for producing transformed earthworms using the gonad-regenerating capability of earthworms, to transformed earthworms produced by the method, and to a method for producing recombinant proteins from the body fluids of transformed earthworms. The method for producing transformed earthworms according to the present invention is a novel biotechnology technique which overcomes the drawbacks of conventional transgenesis techniques, and which has high injection efficiency. The method for producing transformed earthworms according to the present invention uses regenerative blast cells having totipotency, such as embryonic stem cells, and therefore, recombinant genes can be incorporated throughout the entire transformant, and recombinant proteins can be made from the body fluids of the transformant. The method of the present invention injects a target gene directly into a gonad, thus eliminating the need of a surrogate (animal), and uses a fertile transformant, thus continuously producing a plurality of transformants. The method of the present invention is simpler than conventional transgenesis techniques, and does not require expensive equipment or expertise.
US08592203B2

A process for producing a bioreactor using viable immobilized biological material. The process produces a siliceous layer capable of biomass immobilization and selectively cutting off of macromolecules having a molecular weight higher than a selected threshold. The process includes the steps of: (a) supplying a gas flow of a gas carrier saturated by a mixture of silicon alkoxides selected from the group comprising (1) Si(OR)4, (2) SiH(OR)3, (3) R′Si(OR)3 and (4) R′SiH(OR)2 wherein R and R′, equal or different each other, are alkyl and/or aryl groups, wherein said gas flow is prepared by bubbling the gas carrier into a liquid mixture of said alkoxides in the ratio of (1) 40-85/(2) 0-60/(3) 0-60/(4) 0-60 (% v/v), preferably in the ratio of (1) 40-85/(2) 0-50/(3) 0-50/(4) 0-50 (% v/v), more preferably in the ratio of (1) 50-80/(2) 0-20/(3) 5-30/(4) 5-30 (% v/v), at a temperature of from 20 to 180° C., preferably of from 20 to 100° C., and b) exposing a support comprising a biomass to the gas flow of step a), wherein said selected threshold of molecular weight is chosen in the range of between 10,000 Dalton and 150,000 Dalton and wherein the ratio between the (1), (2), (3) and (4) Si derivatives in step a) is chosen as a function of the molecular weight of the macromolecules to be cut off.
US08592197B2

Recombinant influenza virus proteins, including influenza capsomers, subviral particles, virus-like particles (VLP), VLP complexes, and/or any portions of thereof, are provided as a vaccine for influenza viruses. The invention is based on the combination of two vaccine technologies: (1) intrinsically safe recombinant vaccine technology, and (2) highly immunogenic, self-assembled protein macromolecules embedded in plasma membranes and comprised of multiple copies of influenza virus structural proteins exhibiting neutralizing epitopes in native conformations. More specifically, this invention relates to the design and production of functional homotypic and heterotypic recombinant influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) comprised of recombinant structural proteins of human influenza virus type A/Sydney/5/94 (H3N2) and/or avian influenza virus type A/Hong Kong/1073/99 (H9N2) in baculovirus-infected insect cells and their application as a vaccine in the prevention of influenza infections and as a laboratory reagent for virus structural studies and clinical diagnostics.
US08592195B2

Novel fungal endoglucanases Ce15 and Ce112 are disclosed. The endoglucanases are conveniently produced by recombinant technology, and means for their production are described. The endoglucanases are used for treating cellulosic material, especially in textile industry, e.g. in biofinishing or biostoning. They may also be used in detergents, in animal feed and/or in pulp and paper industry, or in hydrolysis of lignocellulosic material for, e.g. bioethanol production.
US08592194B2

The present invention relates to variant glucoamylases wherein the variant has altered properties (e.g., improved thermostability and/or specific activity) compared to a corresponding parent glucoamylase. The present invention also relates to enzyme compositions comprising a variant glucoamylase (e.g., starch hydrolyzing compositions); DNA constructs comprising polynucleotides encoding the variants and methods of producing the variant glucoamylases in host cells.
US08592192B2

A strategy to improve protein stability by domain insertion. TEM 1 beta-lactamase (BLA) and exo-inulinase, as model target enzymes, are inserted into a hyperthermophilic maltose binding protein from Pyrococcus furiosus (PfMBP). Unlike conventional protein stabilization methods that employ mutations and recombinations, the inventive approach does not require any modification on a target protein except for its connection with a hyperthermophilic protein scaffold. For that reason, target protein substrate specificity was largely maintained, which is often modified through conventional protein stabilization methods. The insertion was achieved through gene fusion by recombinant DNA techniques.
US08592188B2

Methods and compositions for the production of oil, fuels, oleochemicals, and other compounds in recombinant microorganisms are provided, including oil-bearing microorganisms and methods of low cost cultivation of such microorganisms. Microalgal cells containing exogenous genes encoding, for example, a lipase, a sucrose transporter, a sucrose invertase, a fructokinase, a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, a keto acyl-ACP synthase enzyme, a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, a fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, a fatty acyl-CoA reductase, a fatty aldehyde reductase, a fatty aldehyde decarbonylase, and/or an acyl carrier protein are useful in manufacturing transportation fuels such as renewable diesel, biodiesel, and renewable jet fuel, as well as oleochemicals such as functional fluids, surfactants, soaps and lubricants.
US08592185B2

The invention provides methods for enriching methyl-CpG sequences from a DNA sample. The method makes use of conversion of cytosine residues to uracil under conditions in which methyl-cytosine residues are preserved. Additional methods of the invention enable to preservation of the context of me-CpG dinucleotides. The invention also provides a recombinant, full length and substantially pure McrA protein (rMcrA) for binding and isolation of DNA fragments containing the sequence 5′-CMeCpGG-3′. Methods for making and using the rMcrA protein, and derivatives thereof are provided.
US08592183B2

The sequence of a target polynucleotide can be determined by: (i) contacting the target polynucleotide with a polymerase enzyme and one of the nucleotides A, T(U), G and C under conditions suitable for the polymerase reaction to proceed; (ii) measuring the time taken for the polymerase to bind to and subsequently dissociate from the target polynucleotide, to thereby determine whether the polymerase has incorporated the nucleotide onto the target polynucleotide; (iii) optionally repeating steps (i) and (ii) with additional nucleotides, to thereby identify the sequence of the target polynucleotide.
US08592182B2

Nucleic acid sequencing methods and related devices, products and kits are disclosed. Methods for sequencing a target nucleic acid comprise providing a daughter strand produced by a template-directed synthesis, the daughter strand comprising a plurality of subunits coupled in a sequence corresponding to a contiguous nucleotide sequence of all or a portion of the target nucleic acid, wherein the individual subunits comprise a probe and a reporter construct. The subunit encodes sequence information in its reporter construct that is less than sequence information in the corresponding portion of the target nucleic acid. The reduced information allows for reduced resolution requirements on the detection system and for increased size of resolvable reporter groups.
US08592178B2

The present invention relates to an industrial process for the reduction of 4-androstene-3,17-dione in order to obtain testosterone using a particularly stable and selective enzyme produced in a recombinant manner.
US08592168B2

The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing neuroendocrine cancers via detecting the presence of N-methyl D-asparate-associated (NMDA) glutamate receptors type 1 and/or type 2. Methods for preventing and treating neuroendocrine cancers are also disclosed.
US08592158B2

Methods of determining the length of a multinucleotide repeat region in a target nucleic acid are provided herein which include labeling amplified target nucleic acids with a target detection label independent of the number of multinucleotide repeats and a repeat-detection label proportional to the number of multinucleotide repeats, wherein the two types of labels are each independently incorporated in the amplified target nucleic acids during the amplifying or after the amplifying; binding the amplified target nucleic acids to a capture probe specific for the amplified target nucleic acids; detecting the target detection label associated with the capture probe to produce a first signal; detecting the repeat-detection label associated with the capture probe to produce a second signal; and determining a ratio of the first signal and the second signal, wherein the ratio is indicative of the length of the multinucleotide repeat region in the target nucleic acid.
US08592144B2

The present invention describes novel beta-sheet proteins having specific binding properties and catalytic properties and also methods for preparing these proteins.
US08592141B2

A mixture of components is flowed through a binding channel region comprising a component-binding moiety, thereby binding at least a portion of a component of interest. The mixture is then flowed through a separation channel region that includes a buffer comprising a detergent, resulting in separated components. Diluent is mixed with the separated components, diluting the detergent, and the separated components are detected. The component of interest is released from the component-binding moiety and flowed through the separation channel region. Diluent is mixed with the released component of interest, diluting the detergent, and the released component of interest is detected.
US08592139B2

The present invention provides a method for performing a biological test under conditions in which an artificially prepared cell pattern with initial position coordinates that can be determined is three-dimensionally cultured within a gelled matrix. The present invention relates to a biological test method that comprises testing a biological indicator with reference to at least one selected from the group consisting of cell proliferation, cell movement, and cell differentiation in a cell pattern substantially embedded in gel. The present invention also relates to a kit for the biological test method.
US08592135B2

A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board, including: applying a conductive paste including carbon nanotubes and a photosensitive binder on a bump-forming area of a circuit substrate having a circuit layer for transferring electrical signals; and patterning the conductive paste, thus forming bumps.
US08592133B2

The present invention relates to: a resist composition such as a chemically amplified resist composition for providing an excellent pattern profile even at a substrate-side boundary face of resist, in addition to a higher resolution in photolithography for micro-fabrication, and particularly in photolithography adopting, as an exposure source, KrF laser, ArF laser, F2 laser, ultra-short ultraviolet light, electron beam, X-rays, or the like; and a patterning process utilizing the resist composition. The present invention provides a chemically amplified resist composition comprising one or more kinds of amine compounds or amine oxide compounds (except for those having a nitrogen atom of amine or amine oxide included in a ring structure of an aromatic ring) at least having a carboxyl group and having no hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to a nitrogen atom as a basic center.
US08592130B2

A photosensitive resin composition comprising: (A) a binder polymer having a divalent group represented by formula (I), (II) and (III); (B) a photopolymerizing compound; and (C) a photopolymerization initiator. [In formulas (I), (II) and (III), R1, R2, R4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R3 is C1-C3 alkyl group, etc., m is an integer of 0-5, R5, R6 and R7 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C5 alkyl group, and at least two among R5, R6 and R7 are C1-C5 alkyl groups.]
US08592129B2

A resin comprises a structural unit derived from a compound represented by the formula (I); wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a C1 to C6 alkyl group that optionally has one or more halogen atoms; X1 represents a C2 to C36 heterocyclic group, one or more hydrogen atoms contained in the heterocyclic group may be replaced by a halogen atom, a hydroxy group, a C1 to C24 hydrocarbon group, a C1 to C12 alkoxyl group, a C2 to C4 acyl group, or a C2 to C4 acyloxy group, and one or more —CH2— contained in the heterocyclic group may be replaced by —CO— or —O—.
US08592127B2

A method for producing a toner, comprising the step of feeding raw materials containing a resin binder and a colorant to an open-roller type kneader, and melt-kneading the raw materials, wherein the resin binder contains a crystalline polyester and an amorphous polyester, and wherein the crystalline polyester and the amorphous polyester fed to the open-roller type kneader are in a weight ratio, i.e. crystalline polyester/amorphous polyester, of from 5/95 to 30/70, and have a ratio of average particle sizes of crystalline polyester/amorphous polyester of from 1.5 to 4.0. The toner obtained according to the present invention is used in, for example, the development of a latent image formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method or the like.
US08592125B2

Provided is a liquid developer containing toner particles and an insulating liquid containing an epoxy modified fatty acid alkyl ester.
US08592123B2

To provide a carrier for electrophotographic developer, capable of realizing a high image quality and full colorization and reducing carrier scattering, and a manufacturing method of the same, and an electrophotographic developer containing the carrier. A carrier core material for electrophotographic developer, with a general formula expressed by MgxMn(1-x)FeyO4 (where 0
US08592119B2

A toner particle having a core and a shell, and a method for making the toner particle. The core includes a crystalline resin and the shell includes an amorphous resin. The shell is substantially to completely free of the crystalline resin. The toner particle permits inclusion of greater amounts of crystalline resin materials in the core, thereby lowering the minimum fusing temperature of the toner formed from the particles.
US08592117B2

A toner including: a binder resin component; crystal nucleating agent; releasing agent; and colorant, wherein the binder resin component contains a crystalline polyester resin and a non-crystalline polyester resin, the crystal nucleating agent is at least one of an aliphatic ester compound and an aliphatic amide compound each having a melting point of 60° C. or higher but lower than 150° C., and wherein the toner satisfies Expressions (I) and (II): Tc>Tp+10  Expression (I) Tm>Tp+2  Expression (II) where Tp denotes lowest exothermic peak temperature [° C.] in 0° C. to 200° C. in DSC curve obtained DSC of the crystalline polyester resin, Tc denotes lowest exothermic peak temperature [° C.] in 0° C. to 200° C. in DSC curve obtained DSC of the crystal nucleating agent, and Tm denotes lowest exothermic peak temperature [° C.] in 0° C. to 200° C. in DSC curve through DSC of the mixture of the crystalline polyester resin and the crystal nucleating agent.
US08592115B2

A toner composition with a novel surface additive package for developing images. The additive package includes sol-gel silica, a PDMS silica, an organic spacer such as PMMA and two HMDS silicas. The toner composition exhibits improved control of voltage, higher print density, lower toner amount remaining on the roll, lower toner usage, and reduced drum contamination. The toner composition also exhibits improved dry rheological properties and improved fix properties. These improved properties make this toner composition useful for higher speed printing while using less toner.
US08592112B2

An orange toner including a binder resin containing a polyester resin having a dodecenyl succinic acid structure as a constituent unit; and C.I. Pigment Orange 38 in a blending amount of from 5% by mass to 18% by mass relative to the whole mass of the toner and a toner storage container for storing the same, an orange developer and a process cartridge for storing the same, a color toner set, and an image forming apparatus.
US08592092B2

Provided is a battery which can prevent deactivation from occurring by avoiding solid deposition at electrodes. The battery includes an anion conductor, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a first aqueous liquid electrolyte layer and a second aqueous liquid electrolyte layer, wherein the first aqueous liquid electrolyte layer and the positive electrode are present in this sequence on a first surface of the anion conductor, and the second aqueous liquid electrolyte layer and the negative electrode are present in this sequence on a second surface of the anion conductor, and wherein the negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material layer, and the negative electrode active material layer includes a negative electrode active material which can release a metal ion upon discharging.
US08592088B2

An electrode assembly for a battery that can improve safety of the ceramic layer and increase lifetime capacity and high rate charge/discharge capacity and low temperature charge/discharge capacity of the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly having a porous ceramic layer coated on at least one surface of the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate to prevent an electrical short between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, where a main peak of pore size of the ceramic layer is in the range of 20 nm to 80 nm, and a secondary battery including the electrode assembly.
US08592084B2

An alkaline secondary cell has an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator, and alkaline electrolyte. The negative electrode includes hydrogen-storage alloy and an oxidation inhibitor that inhibits the hydrogen-storage alloy from being oxidized. The oxidation inhibitor contains a chemical compound, and the chemical compound includes a chemical-bond-formation end that is chemically bonded to the surface of the hydrogen-storage alloy and a water-repellent end having water repellency.
US08592083B2

Negative active materials, negative electrodes, and rechargeable lithium batteries are provided. A negative electrode according to one embodiment includes a non-carbon-based active material, a lithium salt having an oxalatoborate structure, and a high-strength polymer binder. The negative active material may include a non-carbon-based material and a coating layer on the non-carbon-based material. The coating layer includes a lithium salt having an oxalatoborate structure and a high-strength polymer binder. A rechargeable lithium battery including the negative electrode or negative active material has good cycle life characteristics and high capacity.
US08592079B2

Provided is a rechargeable battery capable of easily connecting a terminal and a cap plate to each other. The rechargeable battery includes; an electrode assembly having a positive electrode and a negative electrode; a case receiving the electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled with the case; first and second terminals electrically connected to the electrodes; and a connecting member electrically connecting the first terminal to the cap plate, in which the connecting member may have an elastically deformable structure.
US08592069B1

Systems and apparatus for securing a battery within a vehicle, such as a battery for an electric vehicle. In some embodiments, a vehicle battery system may be provided that comprises a battery frame for housing a vehicle battery. A tray may be provided that is configured for receiving the battery frame housing the vehicle battery. One or more securement members may be coupled with the tray and configured to engage an upper surface of a portion, such as a foot section, of the battery. The securement member(s) may be configured to engage the battery so as to at least substantially prevent the battery from moving relative to the tray. The securement member may thereby accommodate batteries of different sizes to allow for decreased tolerance requirements.
US08592061B2

In order to provide a magnetic recording medium having excellent electromagnetic conversion characteristics, a magnetic recording medium (10) is provided with a substrate (12), and a magnetic recording layer (20) formed on the substrate (12). The magnetic recording layer (20) is provided with a granular layer (32), i.e., a magnetic layer, including magnetic grains and a nonmagnetic material surrounding the magnetic grains in a section parallel to the main surface of the substrate. The ratio of the long diameter to the short diameter of each magnetic grain contained in the granular layer (32) is calculated in the section. In the histogram of such ratio, a half width at half maximum of the histogram is 0.6 or less and the variance of grain diameters of the magnetic grains in the section is 20% or less of the average grain diameter of the magnetic grains.
US08592057B2

Disclosed is an organic electroluminescence element comprising an anode, a cathode and a plurality of organic compound layers between the anode and the cathode, provided that one of the organic compound layers is a light emitting layer containing a phosphorescence emitting compound, wherein at least one of the organic compound layers contains a compound represented by Formula (2): wherein, X represents O or S; three of Y1 to Y4 each are a group represented by Formula (2A), and one of Y1 to Y4 is a hydrogen atom. Formula (2A) is: Ar1L1n1* wherein, L1 represents a divalent linking group derived from an aromatic hydrocarbon ring or an aromatic heterocycle; n1 represents an integer of 0 to 3, provided that when n1 is 2 or 3, a plurality of L1s may be the same or different; “*” indicates a linking position with Formula (2).
US08592055B2

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) for an organic electroluminescent device: wherein X and Y are each independently selected for the group consisting of an alkyl substituted, aryl substituted or unsubstituted carbazole, indolocarbazole, triphenylsilyl and diphenylphosphine oxide represented by formula (A), (B), (C), (D) or (E).
US08592046B2

A surface protective film includes: a polyolefin base material layer; and an adhesion layer, in which the adhesion layer includes: a vinyl-polyisoprene-block-containing styrene elastomer; a polyolefin; and a tackifier, and a hardness (Martens hardness) of the adhesion layer is 1.0 N/mm2 or more and 2.5 N/mm2 or less.
US08592042B2

A coating composition and a method for coating metallic substrates, such as aircraft components exposed to elevated temperatures and/or oxidative conditions. The coating composition includes an aqueous mixture having about 2 vol % to about 50 vol % organosilane, about 0.3 to about 25 vol % metal alkoxide, and about 0.1 to about 30 vol % organic complexing agent. The coating composition may be deposited on a metallic substrate and cured to form a sol-gel coating on the surface of the substrate that is adherent to the substrate, and oxidation and discoloration resistant.
US08592041B2

Provided is a glass ceramic composition which can be fired at a temperature of 1000° C. or lower, and a sintered body of which has a low relative permittivity and a high Q value, stable temperature characteristic and high reliability, and is excellent in plating solution resistance. The glass ceramic composition provides a low dielectric constant layer for inclusion in a laminate glass ceramic substrate in a ceramic multilayer module. It includes a first ceramic having forsterite as the main constituent, a second ceramic having at least one of SrTiO3 and TiO2 as the main constituent, a third ceramic having BaZrO3 as the main constituent, a fourth ceramic having at least one of ZrO2 and MnO as the main constituent, and 3 weight % or more of a borosilicate glass containing Li2O, MgO, B2O3, SiO2 and ZnO, which further contains an additive constituent including at least one of CaO and SrO.
US08592040B2

Polymer emulsion formulations suitable for use as binders or in coating systems generally are provided. The formulations comprise a copolymer derived from one or more vinyl ester monomers of the formula I, one or more copolymerizable surfactants of formula II, and optionally one or more additional co-monomers. Gypsum boards, methods of making gypsum boards, and methods of making the copolymer are also disclosed.
US08592037B2

Compositions containing a nanostructure, preferably a nanocrystal, are provided. The nanostructures have ligands bound to the surface. Such ligands are preferably siloxane containing ligands having at least one —COON group, although ligands having various ═P═O groups are also contemplated. The nanostructures can be embedded into a polymer such as a silicone polymer.
US08592032B2

A coated article is described. The coated article includes an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate and a corrosion resistant layer formed on the substrate. The corrosion resistant layer is a compound silicon-chromium-nitrogen layer. A method for making the coated article is also described.
US08592030B2

A silicone adhesive for a semiconductor element that is suitable as a die bonding material for fixing a light emitting diode chip to a substrate. The adhesive includes (a) an addition reaction-curable silicone resin composition having a viscosity at 25° C. of not more than 100 Pa·s, and yielding a cured product upon heating at 150° C. for 3 hours that has a type D hardness prescribed in JIS K6253 of at least 30, (b) a white pigment powder having an average particle size of less than 1 μm, and (c) a white or colorless and transparent powder having an average particle size of at least 1 μm but less than 10 μm. The adhesive exhibits high levels of concealment, effectively reflects light emitted from the LED chip, and also exhibits favorable chip positioning properties, superior adhesive strength, and excellent durability.
US08592029B2

A corrosion resistant substrate is provided having a Cr(VI) free corrosion resistant two layer coating. The substrate is substantially comprised of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium or a magnesium alloy. A first wet chemical deposited inorganic passivation layer is directly positioned on the substrate and a second organic modified polysiloxane layer is directly positioned on the passivation layer.
US08592024B2

A method of restoring a section of a composite includes the steps of removing an undesirable section of a perforated composite and depositing a repair material in the location of the removed, undesirable section. The repair material is then cured. Before completing the curing step, one or more opening are formed through the repair material to produce one or more perforations through the repair material upon completing the curing step.
US08592014B2

A container for holding food or beverages includes an inner thermoformed sleeve and a molded insulating foam support layer. The inner sleeve and foam support layer each have a circumferential wall extending from a bottom wall. The foam layer is bonded to the thermoformed sleeve on the outside or inside of the sleeve. The container can also include an outer sleeve bonded to an outer surface of the foam support layer. The inner sleeve may be made of thermoformed polystyrene. The outer sleeve may be a paper label.
US08592013B2

The instant invention provides a coated container device, and method of making the same. The coated container device according to the instant invention comprises: (1) a metal substrate; and (2) one or more coating layers associated with the metal substrate, wherein the one or more coating layers are derived from the application of one or more aqueous dispersions to at least one surface of the metal substrate, and wherein the one or more aqueous dispersion comprise: (a) one or more a base polymers; (b) one or more a stabilizing agents; and (c) optionally one or more neutralizing agents, and (d) water.
US08592009B2

A liquid crystal display device superior in mass productivity and improved image quality with a higher contrast ratio by decreasing the occurrence of defective display due to the disorder of the initial liquid crystal alignment and realizing stable alignment of liquid crystals, comprising: a pair of substrates 101 and 102, at least one of which is transparent; a liquid crystal layer 110′ disposed between the pair of substrates; a group of electrodes formed on at least one of the pair of substrates to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer; plural active elements 115 connected to the group of electrodes; and an orientation control film 109 disposed on at least one of the pair of substrates, wherein said orientation control film made of a photosensitive polyimide, a polyamide acid ester and a polyamide acid is given orientation control ability by being irradiated with substantially linearly polarized light.
US08592005B2

A method for forming a film by atomic layer deposition wherein vertical growth of a film is controlled, includes: (i) adsorbing a metal-containing precursor for film formation on a concave or convex surface pattern of a substrate; (ii) oxidizing the adsorbed precursor to form a metal oxide sub-layer; (iii) adsorbing a metal-free inhibitor on the metal oxide sub-layer more on a top/bottom portion than on side walls of the concave or convex surface pattern; and (iv) repeating steps (i) to (iii) to form a film constituted by multiple metal oxide sub-layers while controlling vertical growth of the film by step (iii). The adsorption of the inhibitor is antagonistic to next adsorption of the precursor on the metal oxide sub-layer.
US08592001B2

The invention relates to a polymer-coated Polymer-coated heat-sealable packaging material, heat-sterilized package formed from the material, and use of the packaging material. The material comprises a fiber base 4 (e.g., packaging board made of bleached pulp) with polymer heat-seal layers 1,9 located on both sides thereof. The package comprises, outside the fiber base, first polymer coating layer 2, which contains white pigment for covering the fiber base from sight, and second coating layer 8, which contains light-absorbing pigment. A coating layer pigmented grey inside the fiber base may provide a light shield for the packaged product. Absorbent black pigment may be located outside the fiber base underneath the white layer to stabilize the brightness of the material. A heat-sterilized package is made by providing the packaging material, forming a package containing, e.g., food, and heat-sterilizing the package in an autoclave. Yellowing of the fiber-based material is avoided by means of a white pigment.
US08592000B2

This invention relates to a method of forming multilayer coating film of excellent appearance by 3-coat-1-bake system, comprising successively applying onto a coating object, a water-based intermediate paint, water-based base paint and a clear paint; and then simultaneously heat-curing the resulting 3-layered coating film.
US08591996B2

A method for whisker formation on the surface of aluminum-containing metallic alloy fibers and substrates provides a support structure for many technical, medical and pharmaceutical applications. The novel surface modification of metallic alloy fibers and other metallic substrates involves heating the fiber or substrate in air at temperatures ranging from approximately 800° C. to approximately 1000° C. for a period of time ranging from approximately 10 hours to approximately 100 hours to form whiskers. The use of a metal oxide coating with large ions, such as zirconium oxide, allows the formation of alumina whiskers while preserving the structural integrity of the metallic alloy substrate. Uses of the present invention include, but are not limited to an advanced catalyst support, a highly efficient filter medium, a support for implants and the like.
US08591994B2

The present invention provides a process for coating the surface of a substrate comprises the following steps (i) oxidizing the surface of the substrate (ii) applying a composition comprising one or more quaternary ammonium compounds carrying one or more ethylenically unsaturated groups onto the oxidized surface of the substrate and (iii) curing the composition in order to form a coating layer, and substrates obtainable by the latter process.
US08591990B2

An arrangement of elongated nanowires that include titanium silicide or tungsten silicide may be grown on the exterior surfaces of many individual electrically conductive microfibers of much larger diameter. Each of the nanowires is structurally defined by an elongated, centralized titanium silicide or tungsten silicide nanocore that terminates in a distally spaced gold particle and which is co-axially surrounded by a removable amorphous nanoshell. A gold-directed catalytic growth mechanism initiated during a low pressure chemical vapor deposition process is used to grow the nanowires uniformly along the entire length and circumference of the electrically conductive microfibers where growth is intended. The titanium silicide- or tungsten silicide-based nanowires can be used in a variety electrical, electrochemical, and semiconductor applications.
US08591982B2

The present invention comprises an improved method for refining cellulose that produces a highly refined cellulosic material. The method comprises soaking raw material from primarily parenchymal cell wall structures in an aqueous solution which need not contain an agent to modify the fiber (e.g., a mild alkalizing or alkaline agent and/or solution) using reduced temperatures and pressures, and refining the material with a plate refiner so that a waste water stream is reduced in volume. The mass is dried to produce the HRC fiber. The HRC fiber displays a water retention capacity of about 25 to at least about 56 g H2O/g dry HRC and retains moisture under conditions that are ordinarily used to remove moisture from materials. The highly refined fiber product can also provide excellent thickening properties and can be used in a wide variety of materials, including edible materials.
US08591976B2

A pouch, designed to be attached, either directly or indirectly, to a container, is provided with two end portions, each of which is formed with an elongated slit. When the pouch is directly attached atop a container, the end portions are pulled over the lid and catch a rim portion of the container. When the pouch is placed upon a lid covered container, the end portions of the pouch can catch or engage the lid. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a pair of spaced slits extends from each elongated slit, thereby creating a tab or flap in each end portion. The flap is configured to either directly catch a rim of the container or be tucked under the lid, i.e., between the lid and the container, to attach the pouch to the lid and, indirectly, the container.
US08591973B2

A delivery system for inclusion in an edible composition is formulated to have at least one active component with an encapsulating material for delivering the active component when the active component is included in an edible composition and the edible composition is consumed.
US08591971B2

Methods and apparatus for producing a particulate proteinaceous product are disclosed. Raw animal matter comminuted. Hydrolysing enzymes are added to preheated food-grade oil and added to the ground matter. The resulting suspension is preheated to hydrolysis temperature. Controlled hydrolysis of proteins in the suspension achieves a predetermined partial hydrolysis of the proteins to form a hydrolysate/oil suspension. At the desired level of hydrolysis the enzymes are heat-inactivated. Non-digestible solids are removed from the suspension and the suspension is pasteurized and partially dehydrated to concentrate the hydrolysate. Some of the oil is removed to form the product. The method and apparatus exhibit substantial resistance to equipment clogging.
US08591951B2

Biocompatible non-toxic triblock copolymers having an A-B-A structure wherein each A is a hydrophilic, biocompatible end block and the B middle block is a hydrophobic desaminotyrosyl tyrosine polycarbonate or polyarylate. The copolymers spontaneously self-assemble to form low critical aggregation concentration nanospheres having utility as delivery vehicles for hydrophobic biologically or pharmaceutically active compounds.
US08591948B2

The present invention is concerned with novel pharmaceutical compositions of itraconazole which can be administered to a mammal suffering from a fungal infection, whereby a single such dosage form can be administered once daily, and in addition at any time of the day independently of the food taken in by said mammal. These novel compositions comprise particles obtainable by melt-extruding a mixture comprising itraconazole and an appropriate water-soluble polymer and subsequently milling said melt-extruded mixture.
US08591924B2

Topical compositions comprising at least one matte-finished interference pigment combined with one or more microsphere(s) and elastomer(s) are provided, as well as methods for using such compositions in cosmetics and dermatological products that afford high coverage of flaws or imperfections, while maintaining a natural-looking appearance. These cosmetics and dermatological products can improve the aesthetic appearance of skin, hair, or nails when topically applied thereto.
US08591923B2

The present application relates to cosmetic compositions comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, a copolymer having a (thio)urethane/(thio)urea polymer skeleton, resulting from the reaction: of a first monomer having at least two polymerizable groups, which may be identical or different, chosen from —N═C═O and —N═C═S, of a monomer (b1) having at least two polymerizable groups with a labile hydrogen, of a monomer (b2), different from monomer (b1), having at least two polymerizable groups with a labile hydrogen, with at least one of these monomers comprising at least one junction group (A), capable of forming at least 3 hydrogen bonds. The disclosure also relates to a method of cosmetic treatment of keratinous materials, comprising the application of a cosmetic composition as defined above on said materials.
US08591911B2

A novel ascomycetous Xylogone ganodermophthora strain has antifungal activity. A composition includes the strain as an active ingredient for preventing plant diseases. A method for producing the composition includes culturing the strain, and a method for preventing plant diseases includes using the strain. The strain suppresses the growth of pathogenic fungi, including Phytophthora capsici, in plants. Therefore, the composition containing the strain, or a culture or extract thereof, as an active ingredient for preventing plant diseases has excellent antifungal activity and can thus be used as an environmentally friendly and pollution-free pesticide.
US08591898B2

The present invention relates to the use of an anti-NGF antibody in the treatment or prevention of pain and/or a lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) associated with interstitial cystitis and/or painful bladder syndrome and/or bladder pain syndrome.
US08591895B2

Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases which involve cell proliferation. Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of said diseases, comprising co-administration of a compound 1 of Formula (I) wherein the groups L, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 have the meanings given herein and of an effective amount of an active compound 2 and/or co-treatment with radiation therapy, in a ratio which provides an additive and synergistic effect, and to the combined use of a compound 1 of Formula (I) and of an effective amount of an active compound 2 and/or radiotherapy for the manufacture of corresponding pharmaceutical combination preparations.
US08591883B2

The present invention provides placental stem cells and placental stem cell populations, and methods of culturing, proliferating and expanding the same. The invention also provides methods of differentiating the placental stem cells. The invention further provides methods of using the placental stem cells in assays and for transplanting.
US08591880B2

The present invention relates to supporting weight management, weight loss and/or to the prevention and/or treatment of metabolic disorders. In particular the present invention relates to preventing and/or treating metabolic disorders by modulating, in particular reducing the amount of proteobacteria and/or deferribacteres in the gut. One embodiment of the present invention relates to the use of a primary composition comprising an agent that reduces the amount of proteobacteria, preferably gamma-proteobacteria, even more preferred enterobacteria; and/or deferribacteres in the gut for the preparation of a composition to treat or prevent metabolic disorders, to support weight loss and/or to support weight management.
US08591874B2

The present invention relates to a topical skin care composition containing a safe and effective amount of a skin care active comprising agmatine, and its salt; a safe and effective amount of a first additional skin care active selected from the group consisting of BHT or BHA, hexamidine, cetyl pyridinium chloride, green tea catechins, phytosterols, ursolic acid, compounds derived from plant extracts, their salts and derivatives; and a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the agmatine composition. The present invention also relates to methods of using such agmatine compositions to regulate hair growth and the condition of mammalian skin. The methods generally comprise the step of topically applying the composition to the skin of a mammal needing such treatment, a safe and effective amount of such compositions.
US08591872B2

A process for reducing curl and/or frizziness of hair comprising: (a) providing a composition for reducing curl and/or frizziness of hair, said composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier: (i) at least one non-hydroxide base; (ii) at least one protein denaturant different from (a)(i); (iii) at least one alkoxysilane comprising at least one solubilizing functional group; and (iv) optionally, at least one fatty substance; (b) contacting the hair with the composition in (a) to form treated hair; (c) optionally, rinsing the composition in (a) from the treated hair; (d) optionally, contacting the treated hair with a conditioning agent; (e) smoothing the treated hair using a combination of heat and means for physically smoothing hair to form smoothed hair; (f) optionally, shampooing the smoothed hair; and (g) rinsing the smoothed hair.
US08591868B2

The invention provides a single phase whitening dentifrice that includes (i) a whitening agent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, a bound peroxide and a solid peroxide (ii) an abrasive and (iii) a substantially anhydrous orally acceptable carrier, for example, polyethylene glycol. The bound peroxide may be hydrogen peroxide and a polymer and/or any peroxide compound and a porous cross-linked polymer, such as polymers of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylates, a polymethacrylates, and a polyitaconates. The solid peroxide may be sodium perborate or urea peroxide. The invention also provides methods of whitening the tooth surfaces by contacting the surface with the composition.
US08591865B2

A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate of a mammalian subject comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the vascular system of the mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the glomerular filtration rate.
US08591864B2

Iron oxide complexes, pharmacological compositions and unit dosage thereof, and methods for their administration, of the type employing an iron oxide complex with a polyol, are disclosed. The pharmacological compositions employ a polysaccharide iron oxide complex, wherein the polysaccharide is a modified polyol such as a carboxyalkylated reduced dextran. The complex is stable to terminal sterilization by autoclaving. The compositions are suitable for parenteral administration to a subject for the treatment of iron deficiencies or as MRI contrast agent. The complex is substantially immunosilent, provide minimal anaphylaxis and undergo minimal dissolution in vivo. The pharmacological compositions of the complex contain minimal free iron which can be quantified by a variety of methods.
US08591863B2

Described herein are methods and compositions that can be used for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
US08591860B2

A method for producing a lithium mixed metal oxide, which includes mixing a lithium compound, metallic Ni or a compound thereof, and one or more transition metals selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co, Ti, Cr and Fe or a compound thereof; and calcining the obtained raw material mixture under an atmosphere of the concentration of carbon dioxide of from 1% by volume to 15% by volume at 630° C. or higher.
US08591857B2

The invention relates to a method for preparing a carbon aerogel from agglomerated carbon nanotubes, that comprises the following steps: (A) preparing an aqueous dispersion of carbon nanotubes in water in the presence of a dispersing agent; (B) forming a foam from the nanotubes aqueous dispersion of step (A) by bulking under the action of a gas in the presence of a foaming agent; and (C) freezing the foam obtained in step (B) and removing the water by sublimation. The invention also relates to the carbon aerogels thus obtained, and to their use essentially as partition materials or biomaterials.
US08591856B2

An electrolytic cell includes a container for holding an electrolyte. A conductively doped single crystal diamond anode electrode is positioned to be disposed within the electrolyte, as is a conductive cathode electrode. Conductors are coupled to the electrodes for coupling to a power supply. An electrolyte inlet and an electrolyte outlet are coupled to the container for causing electrolyte to flow past the electrodes. The anode electrode is downstream from the cathode electrode in one embodiment, such that an electrolyte comprising water is purified by generation of oxygen and/or ozone.
US08591845B2

The present invention relates to the use, for the reduction of oxidizing contaminating entities of the NOx type, in particular NO2, present in a gas to be purified, of a catalytic system comprising or composed of an oxide corresponding to the molar formulation: Ce1-y-zO2-xMyNz, in which: Ce is cerium, M is an element chosen from: Gd, Y, Sc, Sm, La, Pr, Nd, Er or Tb, y is between 0.01 and 0.4, N is an element having several degrees of valency chosen from: Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni or Cu, z is less than 0.4, x is greater than 0.05.
US08591843B2

The invention relates to the use of a liquid, containing 0.1 to 100% of an amine or several amines of formula H2N—CH2(CHR2)x—(OCH2(CHR3)y)z—OR1, where R1=C1 to C6 alkyl, R2=H or CH3, R3=H or CH3, x=0 to 3, y=0 to 3, z=0 to 10 and 0 to 99.9% of any further solvent including piperazine and/or water for separating acid gas components from technical gases.
US08591832B2

A multi-channel wellplate filling system has a peristaltic pump for pumping fluid through multiple flexible tubes. The system also includes multiple pipette tip mounting shafts arranged in a linear array and in fluid communication with a respective flexible tube of the tubing set. Disposable pipette tips are mounted on the pipette tip mounting shafts. A controller operates the peristaltic pump in reverse and forward directions respectively in order to aspirate liquid into disposable pipette tips mounted on the pipette tip mounting shafts and dispense liquid in a metered amount from the disposable pipette tips into a wellplate positioned on a wellplate platform in the system. The system can also be converted into a wellplate wash station.
US08591819B2

A combustion-type exhaust gas treatment apparatus is used to treat a harmful exhaust gas by combustion to render the gas harmless. The treatment apparatus includes a combustion treatment section, a cooling section, and a washing section. The combustion treatment section includes an exhaust-gas treatment combustor, a body made from metal and having a roughened inner surface, and a water-film formation mechanism adapted to form a water film on the inner surface of the body. The combustion treatment of the exhaust gas is performed in the body.
US08591810B2

An apparatus (10, 60, 70, 100, 110, 120) for handling specimen slides (21) encompasses a coverslipping module (14) for coverslipping thin sections arranged on the specimen slides (21), the coverslipping module (14) applying first a mounting medium and then a coverslipping means onto the specimen slides (21). The apparatus (10, 60, 70, 100, 110, 120) further has an output unit (18) for outputting the specimen slides (21), which unit encompasses a drying unit (32) for at least partial extraction of at least one solvent from the applied mounting medium of the specimen slides (21) arranged in the output unit (18).
US08591809B2

A substrate transfer container comprises a housing including a plurality of substrate slots positioned within a gas chamber having an interior environment. Each substrate slot accommodates a substrate undergoing a substrate manufacturing process, the interior environment of the gas chamber being selectively sealed from an exterior environment. A detection unit at the housing is constructed and arranged to detect an environmental property of the interior environment of the gas chamber, and to generate a detection signal in response. A signal transmission module at the housing is configured to wirelessly transmit a detection signal received from the detection unit.
US08591806B2

The present invention provides an advanced oxidation system for the treatment of offensive odors and toxic substances of foundry waste, e.g., sand, and a treatment method using the same, which can effectively remove offensive odors and toxic substances produced during a sand reclamation process for reclamation of foundry waste. For this purpose, an advanced oxidation system for the treatment of offensive odors and toxic substances of foundry waste by implementing a spray device for spraying a diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide onto foundry waste; a stirring device for mixing the foundry waste with the diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide sprayed thereto; an ultraviolet irradiation device for activating the hydrogen peroxide mixed with the foundry waste to produce radicals; and a local exhaust system for collecting dust generated when the foundry waste is mixed with the hydrogen peroxide by the stirring device.
US08591802B2

An improved vortex inhibitor 20 for separating slag from molten metal during the discharge of molten metal through a nozzle 14 includes a generally uniform castable refractory body 22 having a generally hemispherical or hemi-ellipsoid shape having a plurality of generally triangular shaped projection elements 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40) defining a plurality of generally constant dimension grooves 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 and 52 extending downward from the top side 26 toward an apex 41 of the vortex inhibitor 20.
US08591794B2

A method of producing a nanopattern on an upper side and a lower side of a disc.
US08591793B2

The invention relates to a press felt for use in the press section of a paper machine. Said felt comprises a nonwoven layer lying on one of its surfaces, the surface of said layer being connected and fixed to the felt by a thermoplastic binding material. According to the invention, the surface of the nonwoven layer is smoothed by the application of pressure from a smooth surface during the cooling of said layer surface from a temperature in excess of the melting temperature of the thermoplastic binding material to a temperature below the melting temperature. To manufacture the press felt, an untreated press felt, which contains the nonwoven layer and the thermoplastic binding agent is first produced, the thermoplastic binding agent being distributed in the nonwoven layer in the form of thermoplastic adhesive fibres and/or a thermoplastic adhesive component of bicomponent fibres. The desired press felt is produced from the untreated press felt by means of the aformentioned temperature and pressure treatment using a smooth surface, thus enabling the press felt to be simultaneously thermofixed.
US08591792B2

A method of molding a resin member formed by solidifying molten resin M on a resin member on which molding is to be performed, includes first to third steps. The first step includes setting, on the member on which molding is to be performed, a first mold having a first cavity for molding a portion corresponding to a base portion of the resin member. The second step includes setting, on the first mold, a second mold having a second cavity for molding a portion corresponding to a main body portion of the resin member. The second cavity is formed so as to communicate with the first cavity. The third step includes pouring molten M resin into each of the cavities of both of the molds that have been set, and solidifying the molten resin M thus poured such that it is bonded to the member on which molding is to be performed.
US08591788B2

A method of forming a hollow composite construction member of the type suitable for use as building material includes providing an elongated inflatable mold assembly having a longitudinal axis. The mold assembly further has a flexible, substantially tubular bladder wall defining an elongated inflatable cavity, wherein the cavity is movable between a deflated condition, an inflated condition, and a plurality of partially inflated conditions. A reinforcing fabric is positioned concentrically around the flexible bladder wall. A flexible air-impervious outer layer is positioned concentrically around the fabric, with the bladder wall and the outer layer defining an elongated annular space. The fabric is positioned within the space. An intermediate member is inserted within the elongated annular space between the reinforcing fabric and the tubular bladder. A fluid is introduced into the cavity to at least partially inflate the mold and shape the fabric. The mold assembly is bent along the longitudinal axis to a curved shape. The elongated annular space is infused with a rigidification material such that the fabric is permeated with the rigidification material. The rigidification material is hardened to form a rigid hollow composite construction member.
US08591787B2

A method of creating a foam pattern comprises mixing a polyol component and an isocyanate component to form a liquid mixture. The method further comprises placing a temporary core having a shape corresponding to a desired internal feature in a cavity of a mold and inserting the mixture into the cavity of the mold so that the mixture surrounds a portion of the temporary core. The method optionally further comprises using supporting pins made of foam to support the core in the mold cavity, with such pins becoming integral part of the pattern material simplifying subsequent processing. The method further comprises waiting for a predetermined time sufficient for a reaction from the mixture to form a foam pattern structure corresponding to the cavity of the mold, wherein the foam pattern structure encloses a portion of the temporary core and removing the temporary core from the pattern independent of chemical leaching.
US08591784B1

A variable-thickness climbing shoe rand may be fabricated by digitally scanning a variable-thickness rand prototype, transmitting scan data to a computer numerically controlled mold fabrication device, creating a rand mold with the mold fabrication device, cutting a slab of uncured high-friction rubber to fit within the mold, and curing the slab within the mold to create a variable-thickness climbing shoe rand, which may then be bonded to a climbing shoe upper and finished with little or no grinding.
US08591773B2

The present application provides a heterojunction nano material, a negative pole piece of a lithium ion battery, and a lithium ion battery, where the heterojunction nano material includes a MoO3 nanobelt and a metal oxide in the alloy lithium intercalation mechanism coated on the surface of the MoO3 nanobelt. The negative pole piece of the lithium ion battery uses the heterojunction nano material as an active material, and the lithium ion battery using the negative pole piece of the lithium ion battery has a large reversible specific capacity and a high cycle stability.
US08591770B2

A process for producing a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen, suitable for production of ammonia, wherein a raw synthesis gas (13) obtained by reforming of a natural gas feedstock is purified in a cryogenic separator (CS), and a portion of purified gas (16) is expanded and used as a cooling medium in the same separator, said expanded portion (16) being then re-introduced in the main stream of purified synthesis gas. A suitable apparatus and revamping of conventional plants according to the invention are also disclosed.
US08591766B2

Continuous process for producing a chlorohydrin, wherein a polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, an ester of a polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon or a mixture thereof is reacted with a chlorinating agent and an organic acid in a liquid reaction medium whose steady-state composition comprises the polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon and esters of the polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon whose sum content, expressed as moles of polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, is greater than 1.1 mol % and less than or equal to 30 mol %, the percentage being based on the organic part of the liquid reaction medium.
US08591762B2

The technology of this invention relates to an aqueous heat transfer solution exhibiting enhanced stability as well as thermal conductivity. The solution comprises silicon oxide nanoparticles, to which a freezing point depressant may potentially be added. The solution provides protection against forms of corrosion for use in applications where cooling is critical. The invention also covers the use of a concentrate as well as the dilution made from the concentrate.
US08591758B2

The present invention provides a method of making a substantially phase pure compound including a cation and an anion. The compound is made by mixing in a ball-milling device a first amount of the anion with a first amount of the cation that is less than the stoichiometric amount of the cation, so that substantially all of the first amount of the cation is consumed. The compound is further made by mixing in a ball-milling device a second amount of the cation that is less than the stoichiometric amount of the cation with the mixture remaining in the device. The mixing is continued until substantially all of the second amount of the cation and any unreacted portion of anion X are consumed to afford the substantially phase pure compound.
US08591746B2

A screening installation includes, provided in a flume (5) conveying a fluid flowing with a total flow QE: a screening device (10) including a screen which includes at least one filter member in order to screen a fraction Q10 of the total flow, at least one first passage (31) in the flume which is adapted to allow a fraction Q31 of the total flow to pass such that QE=Q10+Q31, so long as the head loss between the upstream side and the downstream side of the screening device is less than a predetermined value, and at least one second passage (32) in the flume which is adapted to allow a fraction Q32 of the total flow to pass such that QE=Q10+Q31+Q32 when the head loss is greater than the predetermined value.
US08591745B2

The present invention relates to a system and a process of running the system that allows for the long term filtration of product without loss of filtration capability due to clogging or fouling. The system is a normal flow filtration system having one or more filter cartridges attached to an outlet of a housing in the system. The filter cartridge(s) are contained within a bowl and depend preferably vertically from the outlet. Liquid enters the bowl of the housing and contacts the outer surfaces of the one or more cartridges. Impurities are trapped on or in the surface of the filter and the filtered liquid flows through the filter and through the outlet. One or more parameters such as flow rate, transmembrane pressure drop and/or time are measured and when the desired parameter(s) are met, the filtration ceases. A backflushing occurs back through the filter cartridges so as to remove the trapped impurities on or in the filter surface. This backwashed material is directed to an outlet of the bowl that is connected to a drain. Additionally a port formed in the side of the housing adjacent an outer surface of the cartridge(s) can be used to provide a lateral washing of the filter surfaces. The system is then recirculated in a downstream manner to reestablish equilibrium and filtration is the restarted.
US08591743B2

A portable system for extracting iodine from brine on-site is disclosed. The portable system includes a mobile platform containing a treatment unit for oxidizing iodine ions into elemental iodine, an adsorption unit capable of binding iodine, and may also have an electrolytic cell and/or a gas-liquid separator. The treatment unit and the adsorption unit may be located in the same or different portable operating devices. When transported to a field site containing natural gas wells, the natural gas wells provide a fluid stream containing natural gas and brine. The separators can separate the natural gas from the brine, and the brine is then run through the treatment unit and the adsorption unit to bind iodine present in the brine. The brine is then returned to the natural gas well. Upon saturation, the portable operating device is transported to a second location, where iodine is extracted from the adsorption unit.
US08591742B2

The present invention provides an automated system and method for maintaining compaction, and therefore increased efficiency, of a media bed within a chromatography column. In the preferred embodiment, an adjustment assembly is slidingly engaged inside one end of the column such that it can be moved along the column's major axis. When idle, the force exerted on this end is equal to the compression on the media. When the column is actively processing chromatographic fluid, this exerted force can be expressed as the sum of the compression on the media, and the force of the fluid being processed. This total force and the fluid pressure are monitored using a load cell and a pressure sensor respectively. The compression force operating on the media bed is then computed based on these measurements and compared to the optimal value. The position of the adjustment assembly within the column is then modified in response to changes in the measured compression force.
US08591738B2

In a membrane separation apparatus, a cleaning effect for membrane elements by scrubbing is improved. In the membrane separation apparatus 14 including a separation membrane 5 (membrane element) dipped in treated liquid in a treatment bath 15, and air diffusing means 2 for diffusing air bubbles 6 for cleaning the separation membrane 5, an air bubbles staying plate 3 is provided between the air diffusing means 2 and the separation membrane 5. The air bubbles staying plate 3 is configured to allow air bubbles 6 diffused from the air diffusing device 2 to stay, by which air bubbles 6 gather each other to form air bubbles 6 having large diameters. By causing air bubbles having large diameters to act on the separation membrane 5, air bubbles 6 can be allowed to act whole the separation membrane 5.
US08591737B2

Treatment of waste water from a biomass-to-liquid process, said process comprising producing synthesis gas from biomass and conversion of said synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons by a Fisher-Tropsch process. The waste waters obtained are purified in common with waste waters from another industrial process to which said biomass-to-liquid process is integrated, such as in forestry, power and/or heat generation, waste incineration or a process in a metal-, petrochemical and/or oil refining industry. The biomass-to-liquid. process and said another industrial process may have a common feed water process unit, a common cooling water process unit and a common waste water treatment unit. The waste water treatment process may comprise a biological purification process and said Fischer-Tropsch process may utilize a cobalt catalyst. An integrated factory comprising a biomass-to-liquid plant and another industrial facility in which both plants are connected to a common waste water treatment facility is also described.
US08591727B2

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coal liquefaction using a pipeline crude oil. A method of obtaining a de-ashed coal extract includes exposing a coal to a pipeline crude oil to form a slurry, elevating the temperature of the slurry to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, and separating the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract, wherein the coal extract is suitable for downstream processing.
US08591717B2

This is a process to generate alternating current without an external source for cell-houses in electrowinning or electrorefining of copper or other products in which the electric source consists of a conventional rectifier-transformer group that supplies continuous electrical current to the cell-house, which is connected in parallel to a device characterized by having the capacity to extract an electrical current from the cell-house for a period of time and then return it in another period of time, whether periodically or semiperiodically and without changing the average value of the electrical current, supplied to the cell-house by the rectifier-transformer. This results in a electrical current in the cell-house that is the superimposition of a continuous and alternating current. This process is designed to overcome the barrier of electric potential produced by the presence of the pure continuous electric field in cell-houses through the electric agitation of an ion-rich electrolyte.
US08591712B2

There is provided a gas sensor element, including a solid electrolyte layer, a pair of sensor electrodes arranged on a front side of the solid electrolyte layer, a pair of sensor leads arranged on a rear side of the solid electrolyte layer and connected to the respective sensor electrodes; and insulating layers, one of which is arranged between one of the sensor leads and the solid electrolyte layer and the other of which is arranged between the other sensor lead and the solid electrolyte layer. The sensor electrodes have rear end portions located on the insulating layers and overlapping front end portions of the sensor leads, respectively. The sensor leads are denser than the sensor electrodes and have front ends located in the same positions as or positions rear of front ends of the insulating layers, respectively. There is also provided a gas sensor with such a gas sensor element.
US08591709B1

A shield assembly for a sputter deposition chamber, the shield assembly including an outer sleeve with a gas inlet to conduct a gas through the outer sleeve and an inner sleeve disposed within the outer sleeve, the inner sleeve including gas channels on a surface mating with the outer sleeve to conduct the gas between the inner and outer sleeves. The shield assembly may further include an aperture ring adjacent to a first end of both the inner and outer sleeves, the aperture ring including a plurality of gas outlets to conduct the gas from the gas channels and an inner aperture flange extending from the plurality of gas outlets and adjacent to gas shield flange to form a gas runway for conducting the gas toward a sputter target located within the deposition chamber.
US08591706B2

A sputtering system for depositing a thin film on the surface of a disc substrate in which high precision positioning of an inner mask and an outer mask is facilitated. The sputtering system has a mask member placed on the surface of the substrate mounted on a substrate holder to cover a partial region on the surface of the substrate. A thin film is deposited by sputtering in a region on the surface of the substrate not covered by the mask member. A section for carrying in and carrying out the substrate has mechanically holds and releases the substrate holder mounting the substrate, and mechanically holds and releases the mask member.
US08591703B2

A paper machine clothing (PMC) fabric including a plurality of monofilament yarns, at least some of the monofilament yarns having a composition which includes an additive for detecting a defect on the paper machine clothing fabric.
US08591691B2

Semi-floating floorboards/building panels having mechanical joint systems, a core with curved edge portions so the surface layer on top of the core will be located below the panel surface, and where the edges of the floorboard have a bevel such that in which the joint system, when two floorboards are joined and pressed towards each other, the surface layer 31 and a part of the core 30 of the joint edge portion 19 in the second joint edge 4b overlaps the surface layer 31 that is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the first joint edge 4a of the other floorboard. Further, floorboards/building panels are produced by machining the surface structure with a plurality of core grooves 20, 20′ and applying the surface layer 31 on the upper side of the core 30 to at least partly cover a floor element. A pressure is applied and the surface layer 31 forms around the core grooves 20, 20′.
US08591681B2

The present invention provides a method for producing a mold made of a composite material by using a prepreg material. First, a material 200 of a mold having a long two-dimensional shape and in a semi-cured state is produced from a prepreg sheet by continuous pultrusion molding. Subsequently, the semi-cured material 200 is mounted on a plurality of templates 131, 132, 133, 134, and 135 vertically provided on a base plate 120 of a molding apparatus 100, and thereby plastically deformed into a three-dimensional shape. The entire molding apparatus 100 is heated and pressurized to produce a completely-cured mold.
US08591673B2

A martensitic stainless steel with high hardness and high corrosion resistance consists of, by weight %, 0.35 to 0.45% of C, not more than 0.2% of Si, not more than 0.3% of Mn, not more than 0.02% of P, not more than 0.02% of S, 15 to 17% of Cr, 1.5 to 2.5% of Mo, 0.001 to 0.003% of B, 0.15 to 0.25% of N, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities.
US08591668B2

System for washing and sterilizing endoscopes provided with multiple channels held by a sheath, comprising a machine connected by means of multiple connectors provided with safety valves to at least one case with hermetic closure into which the endoscope is positioned, in which each of the channels of the endoscope is connected by means of a connector, the inner space of the case is connected to at least one additional connector, in such a way as to inject the washing and sterilization liquids and/or the gases for emptying the channels or drying, into each of the channels of the endoscope and into the space of the case, in which the case is also provided with an outlet connector for system circulation, in which the case is detached after the working cycle of the machine and its inner space remains in sterile conditions.
US08591658B2

In a method of cleaning a fiber cap of a laser probe tip, a glass fiber comprising a cap body having an internal cavity and an opening to the cavity at a proximal end is provided. A particulate collecting member is also provided. An electrical charge is applied to the particulate collecting member. A distal end of the particulate collecting member is then inserted through the opening and into the cavity of the fiber cap. Particles located within the cavity are attracted to the particulate collecting member. The attracted particles attach to the particulate collecting member. The particulate collecting member is then removed from the cavity.
US08591653B2

A compound semiconductor single-crystal manufacturing device (1) is furnished with: a laser light source (6) making it possible to sublime a source material by directing a laser beam onto the material; a reaction vessel (2) having a laser entry window (5) through which the laser beam output from the laser light source (6) can be transmitted to introduce the beam into the vessel interior, and that is capable of retaining a starting substrate (3) where sublimed source material is recrystallized; and a heater (7) making it possible to heat the starting substrate (3). The laser beam is shone on, to heat and thereby sublime, the source material within the reaction vessel (2), and compound semiconductor single crystal is grown by recrystallizing the sublimed source material onto the starting substrate (3); afterwards the laser beam is employed to separate the compound semiconductor single crystal from the starting substrate (3).
US08591652B2

The invention relates to a free-standing semiconductor substrate as well as a process and a mask layer for the manufacture of a free-standing semiconductor substrate, wherein the material for forming the mask layer consists at least partially of tungsten silicide nitride or tungsten silicide and wherein the semiconductor substrate self-separates from the starting substrate without further process steps.
US08591651B2

A method of epitaxially growing a SiC layer on a single crystal SiC substrate is described. The method includes heating a single-crystal SiC substrate to a first temperature of at least 1400° C. in a chamber, introducing a carrier gas, a silicon containing gas and carbon containing gas into the chamber; and epitaxially growing a layer of SiC on a surface of the SiC substrate. The SiC substrate is heated to the first temperature at a rate of at least 30° C./minute. The surface of the SiC substrate is inclined at an angle of from 1° to 3° with respect to a basal plane of the substrate material.
US08591648B2

A crystal growing system having multiple rotatable crucibles and using a temperature gradient method comprises a crystal furnace, a plurality of crucibles, a supporting device, and a temperature control device. The crystal furnace includes a furnace body, a heater, and a hearth, wherein the furnace body from outer to inner includes an outer shell, a fiber insulation layer, an insulation brick layer, and a refractory layer. The crucible supporting device includes an elevator, a plurality of crucible guiding tubes, and a plurality of tube holders each capable of supporting a crucible guiding tube, a moving device that is connected to the elevator, a motor with electrical power that is connected to the moving device, wherein there is an affixing device between each pair of guiding tube and guiding tube holder. Each crucible is located in a corresponding crucible guiding tube. The crucible supporting device is a rotatable device. The refractory layer is ⅔-⅚ of the total height of the hearth, and the heater, is located at ¼-½ of the height of the hearth. The present invention promotes doping of crystal and makes doping more uniform.
US08591645B2

A non-aqueous hydraulic cement composition comprises a non-aqueous mixture of (a) β-tricalcium phosphate powder, (b) monocalcium phosphate powder, and (c) non-aqueous water-miscible liquid, wherein (i) at least about 90% of the monocalcium phosphate powder has a grain size in a range of about 200-600 μm and the powder (weight) to liquid (volume) ratio is about 2.5-5.5, (ii) at least about 90% of the monocalcium phosphate powder has a grain size in a range of about 1-400 μm and the powder (weight) to liquid (volume) ratio is about 2-5, or (iii) at least about 90% of the monocalcium phosphate powder has a grain size in a range of about 1-600 μm and the powder (weight) to liquid (volume) ratio is about 2.5-5.5. Methods, hardened cements, articles of manufacture and kits employ such compositions.
US08591638B2

A tin or tin alloy plating film surface treatment aqueous solution that can reduce whiskers on the surface of a tin or tin alloy plating film, and can provide a favorable tin or tin alloy plating film using a simple method for tin or tin alloy plating films that are used on electronic components.
US08591626B2

The invention relates to a method as well as a device for separation of a carbon-dioxide-containing gas mixture (1), whereby carbon dioxide is separated from the carbon-dioxide-containing gas mixture (1) by physical gas washing (W1) and is converted into two product streams (3, 4) that consist primarily of carbon dioxide and have different pressures, and in the event of an operational breakdown, after their pressures are balanced, the product streams are subjected to an after-treatment step (W2) and then are released into the atmosphere. For balancing the pressures of the two carbon dioxide product streams (3, 4), the carbon dioxide stream (3, 7) that has the lower pressure is compressed by a gas jet ventilator (G), whereby the carbon dioxide stream (4) that has the higher pressure is used as a pumping medium (6).
US08591620B2

An arrangement consisting of a cover and a filter element, wherein the filter element has a corrugated bellows with adjacent pleat ridges, wherein the corrugated bellows is hemmed by edge strips, wherein the filter element bears against one abutment side of the cover forming a seal and wherein the filter element is fixed with one side to the abutment side and in that context projects self-supporting from the abutment side of the cover, is in view of the objective to design an arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset and develop it further so that following cost-effective production, a reliable attachment of a filter element on the cover is assured, characterized in that gripping means are arranged on the abutment side which engage around an edge strip on both sides, which bears against the abutment side.
US08591613B2

An uncoated abrasive or superabrasive grain having at least one grain face including three or more features projecting from the grain face wherein the height (h) and the lateral length (l) of each feature is greater than about 0.1 micron.
US08591610B2

A system, for production of high-quality syngas, comprising a first dual fluidized bed loop having a fluid bed conditioner operable to produce high quality syngas comprising a first percentage of components other than CO and H2 from a gas feed, wherein the conditioner comprises an outlet for a first catalytic heat transfer stream comprising a catalytic heat transfer material and having a first temperature, and an inlet for a second catalytic heat transfer stream comprising catalytic heat transfer material and having a second temperature greater than the first temperature; a fluid bed combustor operable to combust fuel and oxidant, wherein the fluid bed combustor comprises an inlet connected with the outlet for a first catalytic heat transfer stream of the conditioner, and an outlet connected with the inlet for a second catalytic heat transfer stream of the conditioner; and a catalytic heat transfer material.
US08591605B2

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for producing biofuel from a feedstock that includes one or more coffee sources, such as green coffee beans, whole roasted coffee beans, ground coffee, or spent coffee grounds. Triglycerides and other materials, such as antioxidants, are extracted from the coffee source. In some example, the triglycerides are then transesterified to produce a fatty acid ester biofuel product. In further examples, the method includes obtaining spent coffee grounds from one or more sources, such as residences or businesses that generate spent coffee grounds. The present disclosure also provides biofuels produced using the disclosed method, including mixtures of such biofuels with other fuels, such as other biofuels or petroleum based fuels. Materials obtained from the disclosed method may be put to other uses, such as cosmetics, medicinal products, food products, or combustible materials.
US08591603B2

The main object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing an all solid lithium battery, capable of easily performing dew point control in a battery assembly step. The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a method for producing an all solid lithium battery, comprising the steps of: preparing a material composition by adding Li2S, P2S5, and P2O5 so as to satisfy a relation of (Li2S)/(P2S5+P2O5)<3 on a molar basis, synthesizing a sulfide solid electrolyte from the above-mentioned material composition by a vitrification means, and assembling an all solid lithium battery in an atmosphere having a dew-point temperature of −60° C. or more while using the above-mentioned sulfide solid electrolyte.
US08591596B2

A semi-constrained ankle prosthesis includes a tibial component configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared surface of the distal end of a tibia, and a bearing insert locked to the tibial component. The bearing insert is rotative relative to the tibial component and has an articular surface formed in an inferior surface thereof.
US08591592B2

A humeral prosthesis includes a stem component and a partial humeral head component. The partial humeral head component has a configuration that is similar to the curvature of the humeral head to allow the head to reconstruct the anatomy of the damaged humerus. The stem component is threaded and cannulated and engages the partial humeral head component. The stem component is configured to be inserted within the humeral diaphyseal channel.
US08591588B2

Spinal fixation plates for maintaining adjacent vertebrae in and fixed position are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate includes opposed superior and inferior portions that are angled in a direction anterior to an anterior face of a mid-portion of the plate. The plate also includes a curvature formed therein about a longitudinal axis in a sagittal plane thereof. In use, when the plate is attached to adjacent vertebrae, the angle of the superior and inferior portions and the curvature in the plate are effective to position one or more thru-bores formed in the superior and inferior portions at the anterior rims of the adjacent vertebrae. In another embodiment, a spinal fixation plate is provided that is adapted to engage and mate to a fusion cage or other vertebral implant disposed between adjacent vertebra. The present invention also provides spinal fixation kits or assemblies, and methods for implanting the same.
US08591584B2

A textile-based plate implant (and related methods) that supports tissue ingrowth within the implanted implant structure and is suitable for use in a variety of surgical applications, including but not limited to anterior, posterior and lateral surgical approaches directed towards the lumbar, thoracic and cervical regions of the spine.
US08591583B2

Various features of spinal implants and systems and methods for implanting the same with or between tissue layers in the human body.
US08591581B2

Methods of using cartilage implant devices are provided. The methods include locating articular cartilage having a lesion, and utilizing an implant having dimensions compatible with the lesion. The method further includes forming a cavity in the articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and cancellous bond, and engaging the implant with the cavity so that the lower face of the articular end of the implant abuts against the subchondral bone, and the stem of the implant abuts against the cancellous bone.
US08591580B2

A method and apparatus for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel by cross-pinning the ligament in the bone tunnel.
US08591574B2

A method of performing an endovascular procedure within a patient can include inserting a filter into the patient's vascular system to restrict the passage of emboli through the filter while allowing blood to flow through the filter. The method can also include inserting a prosthetic valve into the patient's vascular system in a compressed state, and advancing the prosthetic valve to a site of implantation upstream of the filter. Additionally, the method includes implanting the prosthetic valve at the site of implantation by expanding at least a portion of the prosthetic value, and removing the filter from the patient's vascular system.
US08591572B2

A surgical implant is made from biocompatible fiber material as a woven textile fabric, in particular in the form of a vascular prosthesis, the woven fabric being so configured that its permeability to blood is so low that the blood impregnates the textile fabric upon implantation and seals it off by coagulating, but does not flow through it.
US08591560B2

A dynamic fixation medical implant having at least two bone anchors includes a longitudinal connecting member assembly having an elongate core and an outer sleeve. The core is of one-piece construction, elastic, and includes end portions for attachment to the bone anchors. The outer sleeve may include compression grooves. The sleeve surrounds the core and extends between the pair of bone anchors, the sleeve being compressible between the bone anchors.
US08591551B2

Apparatus, methods, systems, procedures and implants for linking two or more anchors engaged to two or more vertebrae of a spinal column are provided. The systems include a plate assembly to stabilize one or more vertebral levels with first and second plate segments pivotally coupled to one another between anchors engaged to respective vertebrae of the vertebral level. The plate segments are manipulated to secure the plate segments to the respective vertebrae and lock the plate segments in position relative to one another.
US08591550B2

Exemplary spinal fixation devices, systems, and method are provided for stabilizing vertebrae in a patient's spine. In one exemplary embodiment, methods and devices are provided for coupling one or more bone anchors, such as hooks, screws, etc., and/or one or more spinal fixation elements, such as spinal rods, cables, plates, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, a cross connector is provided for connecting and stabilizing two bone anchors, a bone anchor and a spinal fixation element, or a bone anchor and bone.
US08591549B2

Medical devices for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. The medical device includes a main body that is adapted to be placed between the L5 vertebra and the sacrum so that the main body acts as a spacer with respect to the L5 vertebra and the sacrum to maintain distraction therebetween when the spine moves in extension. The main body is formed from a material having a gradual variation in modulus.
US08591542B2

A method and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The method and apparatus provide for disengagable automatic tamping and/or cinching of the sealing plug when the apparatus is withdrawn from the puncture site. The disengagable automatic tamping and/or cinching is facilitated by transducing a motive force generated by the withdrawal of the apparatus into a tamping and/or cinching force.
US08591536B2

An ultrasonic surgical instrument including an ultrasonically actuated blade or end effector having a treatment portion. The blade can define a central axis and at least one axis which is transverse to the central axis, wherein the transverse axis can lie within a plane which is perpendicular, or normal, to the longitudinal axis and can define a cross-section of the treatment portion. Such a cross-section can include a central portion and a step extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion can comprise a width, and wherein the step can comprise a cutting edge. In at least one embodiment, the cutting edge can be defined by first and second surfaces which define an angle therebetween. In various embodiments, the position of the cutting edge and/or the angle between the cutting edge surfaces can be selected in order to balance the blade with respect to the transverse axis.
US08591531B2

Biodegradable polymer-coated surgical meshes formed into pouches are described for use with cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMs) and other implantable medical devices. Such meshes are formed into a receptacle, e.g., a pouch or other covering, capable of encasing, surrounding and/or holding the cardiac rhythm management device or other implantable medical device for the purpose of securing it in position, inhibiting or reducing bacterial growth, providing pain relief and/or inhibiting scarring or fibrosis on or around the CRM or other implantable medical device. Preferred embodiments include surgical mesh pouches coated with one or more biodegradable polymers that can act as a stiffening agent by coating the filaments or fibers of the mesh to temporarily immobilize the contact points of those filaments or fibers and/or by increasing the stiffness of the mesh by at least 1.1 times its original stiffness. The pouches of the invention can also provide relief from various post-operative complications associated with their implantation, insertion or surgical use, and, optionally, include one or more drugs in the polymer matrix of the coating to provide prophylactic effects and/or alleviate side effects or complications associated with the surgery or implantation of the CRM or other implantable medical device.
US08591529B2

A suturing device includes a housing, a rod, a ferrule assembly, and a needle. The housing defines a guide lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The rod is engaged with the housing and extends distally therefrom. The ferrule assembly is disposed at a distal end of the rod and is configured to releasably retain a ferrule therein. The ferrule is adapted to retain of a portion of a suture therein. The needle is configured for translation through the guide lumen defined within the housing. A distal end of the needle is configured to engage the ferrule within the ferrule assembly for removal of the ferrule from the ferrule assembly.
US08591516B2

An orthopedic device includes a patient-specific alignment guide operable for preparing a bone of a patient for resection during joint arthroplasty. The alignment guide includes a patient-specific bone engagement surface complementary to a surface of the bone of the patient and imaged from a bone scan of the patient. The alignment guide includes a plurality of guiding bores, and a plurality of alignment pins received through corresponding guiding bores for attaching the alignment guide to the bone. The alignment pins are resorbable and can be cut off during a resection of the bone.
US08591511B2

An open electrosurgical forceps includes a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at its distal end. The jaw members are movable about a pivot assembly from an open position in spaced relation relative to one another to a closed position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing surface for communicating electrosurgical energy through grasped tissue. One or both of the jaw members includes a knife channel defined along its length. The pivot assembly includes a knife slot and is configured to prevent reciprocation of a cutting mechanism when the jaw members are disposed in the open position and to permit reciprocation of the cutting mechanism when the jaw members are disposed in the closed position. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism from a first position to at least one subsequent position.
US08591510B2

An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members movable relative to the to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. One of the electrically conductive surfaces including a channel defined therein and extending along a length thereof that communicates with a nozzle disposed in the jaw housing. The nozzle is configured to direct high pressure fluid from a fluid source into the channel for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.
US08591508B2

An electrosurgical probe having a plenum which prevents contact of the active electrode with tissue, while simultaneously allowing a fluid/interfacing agents to contact the active electrode.
US08591503B2

A gas-based cryotherapy probe is provided with a shaft having a closed distal end adapted for insertion into a body. A supply conduit is disposed longitudinally within the shaft for flowing gas towards the distal end, and a return conduit is disposed longitudinally within the shaft for flowing gas from the distal end. The gas is maintained at a lower pressure within the return conduit than in the supply conduit. A heat exchanger is disposed within the shaft in thermal communication with the supply conduit and return conduit to exchange heat from gas in the supply conduit to gas in the return conduit. A vacuum jacket is adapted to provide thermal isolation of the heat exchanger from the shaft.
US08591495B2

A thin-walled introducer sheath is described. In some embodiments, the introducer sheath includes structural support components, such as wires, used in connection with a polymeric inner coating, a polymeric outer coating, or both. Further, in some embodiments, the wire components are annealed to reduce cold-work-related stresses and hardness. Use of annealed components may enable a reduction in the thickness of the polymeric outer coating in some applications.
US08591494B2

A therapeutic agent delivery device and method for eluting a therapeutic agent to a target location are disclosed. The device may comprise a first conductive element, a second conductive element, an electrochemical composition including an electrolyte and a therapeutic agent, and a permeable membrane covering the electrochemical composition. The first conductive element and the second conductive element are adapted to be connected to a voltage source. When the voltage source is connected to the first conductive element and the second conductive element, an electrochemical reaction occurs causing the therapeutic agent to pass through the permeable membrane and thereby to elute to a target location.
US08591486B2

Systems and methods are provided for moving fluids from a patient to a canister and lowering or eliminating the bio-burden of the canister. In one instance, a method for removing fluids from a patient includes using reduced pressure to remove fluids from a patient, delivering the fluids into a reduced-pressure conduit and into a fluid reservoir, exposing the fluids removed from the patient to a UV light source to kill pathogens to create disposable fluids, and disposing of the disposable fluids. Other systems, devices, and methods are presented.
US08591482B2

The invention presented is a needle system to access a subcutaneous port primarily for the administration of chemotherapy, designed to protect the health care worker from inadvertent needle injury by isolation of the needle tip within base and tower components. A rotating collar is designed to keep the needle immobile until access of the port is desired when it can be rotated to align a cut out with a corresponding cut out of the tower that houses the needle for advancement of the needle downward into the port. On retraction, the collar can be rotated, locking the needle back into a retracted position within the tower.
US08591478B2

A variable hydraulic resistor for use with implantable pumps is disclosed. The variable hydraulic resistor according to the present invention is particularly useful in varying the flow rate of a medication fluid from an otherwise constant flow implantable pump. An implantable pump is also disclosed, which does not require a complicated clinching system or the like, and which may include an undulating membrane and chamber design to reduce the height of the pump.
US08591467B2

A plurality of different vascular access assemblies are described which protect a clinician from accidental needle stick injury upon withdrawal of a needle from a catheter assembly. Each of the vascular access assemblies include a safety device for guarding the needle tip of the needle upon withdrawal of a needle from the catheter assembly.
US08591463B1

An injector device includes an injector body that receives a syringe; and an injection assembly being configured to dispense medicament from the syringe in a dispensation step. Certain types of injector devices include a sudden completion indicator that indicates when the injection is completed. Certain types of injector devices are configured to dispense two different medicament formulations having different viscosities from syringes without making any changes to the injector devices other than to switch out the syringes. Certain types of injector devices include safety arrangements that inhibit firing of the injector device until front and rear housing assemblies are disposed in predetermined rotational and axial positions relative to each other.
US08591458B2

A breast pump provides multiple orientations of the pumping lever with respect to the breast shield. A breast pump includes a liner extending from the breast shield, through the suction chamber, and out of the suction chamber, which liner shields other components of the pump from contamination by the flow of milk through the pump during pumping operation. A breast pumping device includes a pumping lever for manually providing a cyclical vacuum within the suction chamber and an external pumping source, connected to the suction bell, that the user can activate to provide a cyclical vacuum within the suction chamber. A breast pump provides a smaller change in the grip width from when the lever is fully-extended to when the lever is fully-retracted, allowing more comfortable manual pumping.
US08591437B2

An apparatus for maintaining and supplying stable power to a skin care device comprising a DC-DC converting unit (20) for escalating the voltages from a charged battery power source (1), a skin-stimulating unit (50) with a supersonic element or an ion-inducing element, a switch unit (30) having a main switch (SW1) and various functional switches, an LCD displayer (40) for indicating various operating modes, a CPU (2) for controlling each component, a main switch initiating unit having a function when the main switch (SW1) is turned on, the CPS is activated by a switching signal inputted to an analogue input port from said CPU, the first switch unit (31) is activated by the CPU through an analogue output port, then the FET (D4) is switched to supply battery power to the DC-DC-converting unit (20), and a function of the PWM control signal, which prolongs the switching-on stage for gradually increasing the voltage up to the operating voltage during the step-up stage, and inversely shortens the switching-off stage for gradually decreasing the operating voltage during the step-down stage. A strength-adjusting switch (SW3) for controlling the strength of output voltage of the DC-DC converting unit (20), and a mode switch (SW2) for operating various modes of supersonic vibrations controlled by each vibrating frequency. An LED displayer being equipped with a minimum number of connecting pins for indicating various operating modes. Each LED is independently activated to turn on and off according to each signal of the input-output terminal from a controlling unit of the CPU.
US08591433B2

The invention relates to a method to design and generate frequency-specific electrical or acoustical stimuli for the recording of auditory steady-state responses, ASSR, from human individuals, where the stimuli are generated as a combination of a series of three or more spectral components (i.e. pure tones), each having a specified frequency, amplitude and phase and where the frequency difference between the successive pure tones in the series preferably is constant=fs. The invention further relates to a device for detection of ASSR and to a software program for use in such device.
US08591429B2

A method and device for physiological parameter estimation, such as heart rate estimation, use a phase-locked loop to dynamically track a dominant frequency of an acoustic signal within a frequency band for the physiological parameter and estimate the physiological parameter using the dominant frequency. Because the phase-locked loop starts searching for the current dominant frequency near the most recently identified dominant frequency, the method and device rapidly incorporate slow changes in the dominant frequency that likely reflect real changes in the monitored physiological parameter while being slow to incorporate rapid changes in the dominant frequency that are likely caused by large noise. The hysteresis in phase-locked loop tracking allows the method and device to avoid physiological parameter estimation error induced by short-term large noise and quickly reacquire the dominant frequency once short-term large noise abates.
US08591426B2

A light-emitting sensor device is provided with a substrate (110); an irradiating part (120), disposed on the substrate, for applying light to a specimen; a light receiving part (150), disposed on the substrate, for detecting light from the specimen caused by the applied light; a light scattering part, disposed at least one of between the irradiating part and the specimen and between the specimen and the light receiving part, for scattering at least one of light emitted from the irradiating part and the light from the specimen. The sensor device stably detects a predetermined type of information, such as a blood flow velocity, on the specimen.
US08591423B2

Systems and methods for determining cardiac output are disclosed. An illustrative method of determining cardiac output includes sensing an arterial pressure waveform using a pressure sensor located within a pulmonary artery, identifying a valve closure time associated with the pulmonary valve using the sensed arterial pressure waveform, estimating stroke volume using the systolic portion of the arterial pressure waveform and the valve closure time, and obtaining a measure of cardiac output based on the estimated stroke volume.
US08591422B2

An electrical connector is described. In one implementation, the connector includes a female portion including one or more electrical contacts and a male portion including one or more electrical contacts. The female portion and the male portion each have a self-orientating geometry that allows the male portion to be mated with the female portion in any rotational position along 360 degrees of rotation. When mated, the electrical contacts of the female portion mate with corresponding one or more electrical contacts of the male portion to form one or more electrical connections between two electronic components.
US08591420B2

An ultrasound imaging apparatus capable of easily displaying a three-dimensional image included in a region of interest (ROI). A display controller causes a display to display a tomographic image, and further causes the display to display a first marker indicating a three-dimensional scan range and a second marker indicating a range to generate three-dimensional image data, a range subjected to rendering, to be superimposed on a tomographic image. The second marker is rotatable on the tomographic image in accordance with an instruction by an operator. A transceiver causes an ultrasound probe to scan the three-dimensional scan range specified based on the first marker. An image processor executes rendering on, of data acquired in the scan, data included in the range specified based on the second marker, thereby generating three-dimensional image data.
US08591413B2

Technologies adapted for using acoustic pulses to diagnose skin conditions are disclosed. A series of acoustic pulses may be directed at a skin through the speaker of a device. Acoustic reflections may be received at a microphone. The reflections may be sampled and stored as echogram data. The echogram may be analyzed to identify potential skin conditions.
US08591412B2

A method for preventing obesity related to infection by an adipogenic adenovirus includes obtaining a sample from a person, assaying the sample to determine whether the person has been previously infected with an adipogenic adenovirus, and if the person has not been previously infected, providing the person with at least one sensor positioned to detect when a person's hand approaches a predetermined distance from the person's face. By warning the person of undesired hand-to-face contacts, the person is able to reduce the incidence of obesity related infections. Other embodiments are directed to a kit for preventing obesity caused by infection with an adipogenic, adenovirus, such kit including a container for assaying an agent indicating the presence of antibodies to Ad-36, and a sensor positioned on an item selected from the group consisting of one of a hat, a writing instrument, eye glasses, a belt, sunglasses, a bra, a shirt, and a tie.
US08591406B2

An endoscope is provided having an observation port, a fluid supply pipe, a cap, a fluid ejection channel, and a direction adjustment protrusion. The observation port is provided at the distal end of the endoscope, and collects light reflected from an object. The fluid supply pipe transmits gas and/or liquid to the distal end. The cap blocks the distal end of the fluid supply pipe and is configured so that a partially enclosed semispherical space is created between the distal end of the fluid supply pipe and the inner surface of the cap. The fluid ejection channel has an outlet in the direction of the observation port, and extends from the edge of the opening at the distal end of the fluid supply pipe to the outlet and occupies the semispherical space inside the cap. The direction adjustment protrusion extends over the outlet in the lengthwise direction of the fluid ejection channel. When the outlet is projected outward toward the observation port, the plane of projection is parallel to the outlet and its lengthwise direction is parallel to the circumferential direction of the outlet. The direction adjustment protrusion is configured at the center of the outlet in the circumferential direction.
US08591405B2

A bending operation device includes a bending operation knob, a friction plate, two tabular fastening members, an annular member including a cam groove for moving the two tabular members from a first position to a second position, and a fixing lever configured to actuate the annular member.
US08591395B2

Methods and devices are provided for handling data in an implantable restriction system. In general, the methods and devices allow collection, analysis, storage, and transmission of pressure measurements. Pressure measurement data can be compressed before storing it. Additionally, not all pressure data need be recorded or retained, such as data substantially equaling a resting or nominal pressure of an implantable restriction device indicative of little to no pressure variation and data indicative of isolated, non-recurring events. Any pressure measurement data that is recorded can be transmitted to an external device using power telemetrically provided by the external device.
US08591392B2

The present invention provides a system and method for neurological treatment. The system of the invention includes a neurological stimulation (NS) modality that delivers neurological stimulation to a first brain region and a cognitive training (CT) that delivers CT to a second brain region, where activation of the CT modality occurs at a predetermined time relative to the activation period of the NS modality. In one embodiment, the NS and CT are interlaced. The first and second brain regions may be the same brain regions or different brain regions. The invention may be used, for example, in the treatment of dementia, neurological conditions or psychiatric conditions.
US08591391B2

A separation system for separating a multiple component material into at least two fractions. The separation system includes a separation device having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a sidewall that extends between the first end and the second end to define a separation chamber having an interior volume. The system also includes a valve moveable between an open position and a closed position, the valve is mounted at a fixed location within the separation chamber at a position that is closer to the second end than to the first end and is spaced apart from the second end, the valve is operable to isolate a first fraction of the multiple component material having a first density on a first side of the valve from a second fraction having a second density on a second side of the valve that is opposite to the first side.
US08591389B2

A tool transfer system configured to transfer a tool between first and second tool holding devices by causing the first and second tool holding devices to be moved relative to each other. The first tool holding device includes a clamp sleeve forced in a direction toward the second tool holding device so as to be positioned in a clamping position. The second tool holding device includes: a hole defining member defining a receiving hole that is to receive the tool; and a movable engaging member that is movable between a working position and a non-working position depending on movement of the hole defining member. The movable engaging member is engageable with the clamp sleeve, while being positioned in the working position, such that the clamp sleeve can be moved, by engagement of the movable engaging member with the clamp sleeve, so as to be positioned in an unclamping position, during relative axial movement of the first and second tool holding devices toward each other.
US08591388B2

The exercise device of the present invention includes a convex dome on a bottom surface and an arched ridge on the top surface with troughs formed on both sides of the arched ridge. In a first configuration, the bottom surface faces downward where the convex dome rests on the floor and the exerciser is provided an unstable exercise platform. In a second configuration, the top surface and arched ridge face downward where the ends of the exercise device are resting on the floor and the exerciser is provided a stable exercise platform.
US08591386B2

A connection assembly is provided for connecting a user-coupled link to a resistance-bearing cable in exercise apparatus. An inner collar is provided in an axial gap between an outer collar and a barrel trappingly engaging the cable. A removal method is provided facilitating low cost component replacement.
US08591379B2

Methods and systems are provided for restarting an engine in response to a driver's change-of-mind. In one embodiment, the engine is shutdown during an idle stop with the transmission in a higher gear or with the transmission tied-up to a transmission case. In response to a driver change-of-mind restart request, the transmission is downshifted, or released from the tie-up, to return driveline torque.
US08591371B2

A planetary gear mechanism for a wind power plant includes a sun gear, an internal gear and a planetary carrier with planetary gears supported by radial and axial slide bearings. The radial slide bearings include a sleeve made of a slide bearing material and attached as an inner ring to a planetary gear shaft or mounted as an outer ring in a bore in a planetary gear. An outer bearing ring cooperating with the inner ring is formed by the bore in the planetary gear, or an inner bearing ring cooperating with the outer ring is formed by the planetary gear shaft. A slide bearing material of a first bearing element of the axial slide bearings is applied between a planetary carrier cheek and an end side of a planetary gear. The end side of the planetary gear or the planetary carrier cheek forms a corresponding cooperating second bearing element.
US08591365B2

A hydraulic control system for actuating at least one torque transmitting device in a transmission includes a sump, a pump in communication with the sump, and an accumulator. A first control device and a second control device control the communication of hydraulic fluid between the pump, the accumulator, and the torque transmitting device.
US08591364B2

A transmission system is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members a plurality of torque transmitting devices, a launch clutch, and a hydraulic circuit. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes.
US08591361B2

A vehicle drive device includes an input coupled to an internal combustion engine; an output coupled to wheels; first and second rotary electric machines; a differential including at least three rotary elements; a control; and an engagement device. The control determines, when engine stop conditions are established while the engagement device is drivably connected, the engine is operating, and the output member is rotating, whether rotation of the first electric machine when stop conditions are established is opposite to rotation of the first electric machine when rotation of the engine stops; executes torque control where the first electric machine outputs torque to reduce the rotational speed of the engine when the stop establishing rotational direction is opposite to the subject rotational direction; and issues a command to release the drivable connection when the rotational speed of the first electric machine falls within a rotational speed range that includes zero.
US08591348B2

A stand-on swing for suspension from a playset structure includes a platform member presenting an upper surface on which the user may stand. The swing also includes a pair of elongated, rigid suspension bars each presenting upper and lower ends. The bars are pivotally connectable to the structure adjacent the upper ends so as to depend therefrom, with the lower ends being spaced from the ground. The swing further includes a pair of lower pivot joints pivotally connecting the suspension bars to the platform member adjacent the lower ends thereof, with the platform member and bars being swingable in a fore-and-aft direction. The bars are bowed so as to present intermediate sections that are spaced further apart than the upper and lower ends. Further, the bars terminate above or generally at the platform member so that the lower ends are prevented from being spaced substantially downward beyond the platform member.
US08591338B2

In an embodiment of a gaming method, a fee from a player to play in a tournament may be received, and data indicative of a gaming unit on which the player has chosen to play in the tournament may be received. Gaming software may be loaded to the chosen gaming unit after the player has chosen the gaming unit, wherein the gaming software is to configure the chosen gaming unit for playing in the tournament. The chosen gaming unit may be enabled for playing in the tournament. A winning player of the tournament, if any, may be determined and, if the winning player of the tournament is determined, data indicative of a value payout to be awarded to the winning player may be generated.
US08591336B2

Techniques for playing a game of chance providing networking opportunities for large groups of players are described herein. During the game, to qualify for a prize, a player should have one or more partners chosen from the players playing the game. A winner of the prize shares a prize with his/her respective prize partner who would have been selected from at least one partner already chosen by the winner or, based on player's information, by a game computer. The game may be played by groups of on-site players or remote (e.g., online) players, in live and virtual gaming environments or a combination thereof.
US08591329B2

The invention provides a method for processing a frame-recording based video clip without the need of modifying the video clip and/or directly inserting any form of signals into the video clip. The method comprises the steps of: browsing the video clip frame by frame by a video editing software; importing a grid layer into the video editing software such that the grid layer is browsed synchronously with each frame of the video clip; analyzing movement of a character and/or an object in the video clip by the grid layer; generating a series of game data to record the movement; storing the series of game data in a game unit after the generation of the game data; and connecting a game input to the game unit to activate the game, wherein the game unit receives input data from the game input when the video clip is played and synchronously compares the input data with the game data to determine whether they matches with each other. The invention also provides an apparatus for constructing an interactive video game by use of a frame-recording based video clip.
US08591327B2

If a random number is larger than a selection coefficient SF, a room unit RU is given a high priority for disposition in a map area. If the random number is not larger than the selection coefficient, no room unit is disposed on the map area. Also, if a selected open door is a door set in a room unit, the selection coefficient is multiplied by a multiplication factor, and then the multiplication result and the random number are compared. As the multiplication factor is larger, a passage unit is given a higher priority for disposition on the map area. By adjusting the selection coefficient and the multiplication factor, it is possible to generate a map in consideration of a ratio of units of two types to be disposed on the map area and an affinity between these units for connection.
US08591323B2

A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. A game has a feature having non-monetary characteristics which can be won, the non-monetary characteristics being able to be gambled. The gaming machine includes a selector by which a player is able to gamble at least one of the non-monetary characteristics of the feature.
US08591304B2

A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a player. A graphical user interface to the player is provided, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object for selection by the player, and where the branded virtual object corresponds to a real-world brand. Selection and placement of the branded virtual object in the virtual environment by the player is monitored. The virtual environment of the player is updated to include the branded virtual object.
US08591303B2

One object is to provide a device for efficiently displaying cards possessed by a user. In accordance with one aspect, a server device for providing a game according to one embodiment includes an identification unit for identifying, as one card group, a plurality of specific cards satisfying a specific criterion among a plurality of cards, and a control unit for generating a display image including the first information identifying one card group and the second information identifying the number of a plurality of specific cards constituting the one card group. The display image is transmitted to a terminal device.
US08591299B2

An air duct system may employ an HVAC case having an exit air duct and a return air duct, a windshield with an interior surface, an approximately vertical duct, and a horizontal duct. Ducts mount to the windshield and each define an interior passageway with the interior surface of the windshield and a second, return air, passageway. The interior passageway may receive air from the exit air duct and the second passageway may return air to the return air duct. End chambers of each duct reverse air direction 180 degrees. Air of each interior passageway may warm an adjacent area of the windshield that forms part of each interior passageway and a windshield wiper. The first air duct interior passageway may warm a windshield area coincident with a maximum non-park wiper position and the second air duct interior passageway may warm a windshield area coincident with a wiper park position.
US08591298B1

An apparatus and method for deboning a poultry wing including multiple stations. The poultry wing is cut and then placed with bones extending through a plate for engagement by a subsequent rotary disboner. The mechanism includes a convey or with the plates secured thereto and motor and controls for moving the conveyor and plates and rotary deboner.
US08591292B2

A ceiling grinder comprising a drive unit, a grinding wheel, which can be set in rotation by means of the drive unit, a grinding head housing, which receives the grinding wheel and has an opening allowing the grinding wheel access to the surface to be ground and a holding element for holding the grinder. The ceiling grinder also has means for producing a negative pressure within the grinding head housing, by which the ceiling grinder is held on the surface to be ground, wherein the means for producing the negative pressure comprise lamellar elements, which rotate about the axis of the grinding wheel during the grinding operation of the ceiling grinder and thereby cause within the grinding head housing an air flow that induces a static negative pressure.
US08591287B2

Methods for fabricating a honeycomb extrusion die from a die body include the step of machining extrusion slots with at least one grinding wheel to provide a honeycomb pattern of extrusion slots. In further examples, a plurality of the extrusion slots of the honeycomb pattern of extrusion slots can be machined with a wire electrical discharge machining process after machining the plurality of extrusion slots of the honeycomb pattern of extrusion slots with the grinding wheel.
US08591283B2

An action figure with a unitary construction, including a spine, upper torso, rib plates, pelvis, legs, shoulders, arms and a head. The action figure is formed from a flexible material to enhance the natural movement of the action figure.
US08591279B1

A method of making display apparatus includes providing a display having an array of pixels and locating a ground mesh in proximity to the display. The ground mesh includes a plurality of electrically connected ground lines located between the pixels, so that electro-magnetic radiation emitted or received by the display is reduced.
US08591273B2

An LNG fuel tank system for at least one gas engine used for ship propulsion is comprising at least one LNG fuel tank (4) and a gas vessel (8), the LNG fuel tank to be-bunkered from an onshore LNG pressure tank filling facility by means of an LNG filling line (1). According to the present invention the LNG fuel tank (4) is a ship low pressure controlled atmospheric pressure LNG tank, and the gas vessel (8) is a single shell non-insulated pressure vessel arranged to accumulate flashed and boil-off gas during LNG bunkering and pressure relieving the LNG fuel tank, respectively, and the gas engines are fuelled from either the gas vessel (8) or the LNG fuel tank (4), dependent on a predefined gas vessel pressure.
US08591272B2

By using a lead frame as an intermediate member, a contact group of a connector is manufactured. The lead frame includes a plurality of first leads arranged on a plane and spaced from one another, a plurality of pairs of second leads, each pair being arranged on the plane between the first leads, and a connecting portion connecting the first and the second leads on one end side. The second leads have a pitch which is greater on the other end side than that on the one end side to make the second leads approach the first leads on the other end side, respectively. The lead frame further includes bridge portions connecting approached ones of the first and the second leads to each other at a portion where an interval between the first and the second leads is reduced.
US08591271B2

An electrical connection terminal provides secure clamping of an electrical conductor and at the same time has a simple structure. Simple and effective conductor guidance is achieved on account of a funnel-like conductor insertion region being composed of an insulating material housing and a contact frame. The contact frame can be of very simple, compact and material-saving design.
US08591266B2

An electrical wiring structure of connecting between a first component and a second component with at least four lead wires includes the first component provided with first insertion portions in which the lead wires are inserted, and the first insertion portions 15 are arranged in two lines and j columns, and the second component provided with second insertion portions in which the lead wires are inserted, and the second insertion portions are in two lines and j columns. Ends of a pair of lead wires are inserted into the first insertion portions and other ends of the pair of lead wires are inserted into the second insertion portions after crossing at an intermediate part.
US08591265B2

A receptacle connector matched with a plug connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of upper and lower terminals, a locating element and a shielding shell surrounding the insulating housing. The insulating housing defines an accommodating space, and a plurality of upper and lower terminal grooves communicating with the accommodating space. Each upper terminal disposed in the upper terminal groove has a first fastening portion, a first contact portion contacting with the plug connector, and a first soldering portion. Each lower terminal disposed in the lower terminal groove has a second fastening portion, a second contact portion contacting with the plug connector, and a second soldering portion. The locating element positioned in the accommodating space defines a plurality of through-holes aligned with the upper and lower terminal grooves respectively. The first and second soldering portions further pass through the through-holes to be soldered with a circuit board.
US08591260B2

A receptacle assembly includes a front housing configured for mating with a header assembly and a contact module coupled to the front housing. The contact module includes a conductive holder that has a first side and an opposite second side. The conductive holder has a front coupled to the front housing. The conductive holder holds a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a plurality of contacts and a dielectric frame that supports the contacts. The dielectric frame is received in the conductive holder. The contacts extend from the conductive holder for electrical termination. A first ground shield is coupled to the first side, is electrically connected to the conductive holder and has grounding beams and grounding fingers that extend forward of the front of the conductive holder for electrical connection to a corresponding header shield of the header assembly. A second ground shield is coupled to the second side, is electrically connected to the conductive holder and has grounding beams and grounding fingers that extend forward of the front of the conductive holder for electrical connection to a corresponding header shield of the header assembly.
US08591256B2

A wire to board connector assembly includes mating first and second connectors. The board (second) connector is configured for surface mounting to a circuit board and contains a plurality of surface mount terminals with a pair of contact arms defining a mating slot therebetween. The other, mating (first) connector includes a plurality of box-style terminals that are supported and restrained in place within a first connector housing. Projections are dispose in the first connector housing and extend lengthwise along the direction of the terminals and provide support for the terminals. Locking members are formed as part of the first housing and reliably engage the second housing.
US08591255B2

A coaxial cable connector includes a forward outer housing having at least one slot and a rearward threaded portion, the at least one slot configured to receive a corresponding pin of a mating connector; a rear outer housing having a forward threaded portion configured to threadingly engage the rearward threaded portion of the forward outer housing such that the rear outer housing is moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the forward outer housing; and an inner body extending through at least a portion of the forward outer housing and the rear outer housing. The inner body is longitudinally displaceable relative to the forward outer housing when the rear outer housing is in the first position, and the inner body is longitudinally fixed relative to the forward outer housing when the rear outer housing is in the second position.
US08591227B2

A mouthpiece that adjusts manually to accommodate a broad range of different size sets of upper and lower teeth in the mouth and yet seals the treatment area from oxygen exposure. The mouthpiece includes light emitting diodes and heat generating resistors all arranged in an array. A series of parallel texture bands are provides to guide and direct the light from the LEDs to diffuse generally evenly onto teeth to be treated. The seal arises from an inner surface of the mouthpiece titling inwardly so that a seal bead seals in the vicinity of the gum above the teeth to be treated.
US08591223B2

An evaporator for vaporizing an organic material to be deposited on a flexible substrate where the evaporator includes an evaporation tube having a wall encompassing a cavity for vaporizing the organic material, at least one heating device arranged adjacent to the wall and being adapted to heat the evaporation tube, and at least one nozzle assembly protruding from the evaporation tube. The nozzle assembly further comprises a nozzle cover with an opening, and a shutter for selectively opening and closing the opening of the nozzle cover. The shutter is adapted to have in operation of the evaporation tube a temperature within a shutter temperature range of 140° C. such that the temperature of the nozzle cover is within the shutter temperature range.
US08591222B2

A gas-fired air conditioning furnace has a cavity burner configured to combust an air-fuel mixture at least partially within an interior space of the cavity burner. A method of operating a gas-fired furnace by flowing an air-fuel mixture into a cavity burner through a perforated wall of the cavity burner, combusting at least a portion of the air-fuel mixture within an interior space of the cavity burner, and flowing at least partially combusted air-fuel mixture into a heat exchanger. A gas-fired air conditioning device has a cavity burner that has a cylindrically shaped body and a cap on a first end of the body, each of the body and the cap being perforated. The device has a cylindrically shaped heat exchanger inlet tube and the cavity burner is at least partially concentrically received within the heat exchanger inlet tube.
US08591221B2

A forced air furnace may include a pneumatically modulated gas valve that is configured to provide gas to a burner. A pneumatic sampling device may be disposed proximate a combustion blower and may be configured to provide the pneumatically modulated gas valve with a first pneumatic signal and a second pneumatic signal that are representative of fluid flow through the pneumatic sampling device. The pneumatically modulated gas valve may regulate gas flow in accordance with the first and second pneumatic signals. In some cases, the pneumatic sampling device may include a restriction, a first pressure port disposed upstream of the restriction and a second pressure port disposed downstream of the restriction. The first and second pressure ports may provide the first and second pneumatic signals to the pneumatically modulated gas valve.
US08591218B2

A injection device in molding machine is capable of efficiently heating and melting a plurality of charged pellets in a short period of time, and injecting a melting resin with superior quality.The injection device has a cylinder including a pellet supply port, a plunger, a driving unit, a melting instrument with a plurality of melting holes, which are cone-shaped passages, formed in a cylinder-shaped instrument body to communicate from inflow-side large openings to outflow-side small openings, a nozzle provided on an injection side of the cylinder and a heating unit heating the melting instrument. A diameter of the tip-end of the plunger is set to be the same as a diameter of the outflow side face of the melting machine.
US08591203B2

In a pump apparatus having a reduction chamber for reducing pulsation of a hydraulic fluid pressurized in a pump section on the way of a discharge channel having an opening in the outer surface of the housing of the pump section, a remaining fluid inflow prevention pipe having one end fitted into and fixed to the discharge channel between the outer surface and the reduction chamber and the other end positioned in the reduction chamber is provided, and a seal lip for fluid-tightly sealing the space between the inner wall of the discharge channel and the one end is provided on the outer circumference of the one end. The seal lip is formed in a shape tapered toward the discharge side. Further, the outside diameter of the other end of the remaining fluid inflow prevention pipe is made larger than the inside diameter of the discharge channel.
US08591193B2

An article of manufacture having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in TABLE 1. X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches. The profile sections at the Z distances are joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
US08591189B2

A turbine blade includes forward and aft serpentine cooling circuits terminating in corresponding forward and aft impingement channels. Each serpentine circuit has two metered inlets for distributing primary inlet flow to the first passes thereof and supplemental inlet flow to the last passes thereof.
US08591182B2

A device (10) for suspending gas channel elements, in particular for suspending guide blades or guide blade segments or gas channel segments, on a housing of a gas turbines is provided. The device comprises first plate-shaped elements (11, 12, 13, 14) and second plate-shaped elements (15, 16, 17), whereby the first plate-shaped elements (11, 12, 13, 14) and the second plate-shaped elements (15, 16, 17) are connected together by web-like elements (18) which extend in an essentially perpendicular manner in relation to the first and second elements and form a meandering or crenelated profile.
US08591173B2

A control system for controlling at least two variable-geometry devices of a turbomachine, and a turbomachine including such a control system, the system including an actuator that actuates both devices; one of the devices including at least one stage of variable-pitch stator vanes, and the other device being an air-bleed valve for a turbomachine body. The system is configured to control progression opening of the vane stage and progressive closing of the air-bleed valve as an actuation parameter of the actuator increases. As a result, the control system serves advantageously to control two devices using a single control system.
US08591172B2

A containment assembly for a turbo fan engine, has a casing arranged in use around a rotatable fan, to form a duct for the fan and a liner element disposed on an interior surface between the casing and blades of a rotatable fan. The liner element includes a body portion mounted in a recess in the casing and a wall portion arranged to form part of an inner wall of the duct. The wall portion and the body portion being attached and defining a containment cavity therebetween for containment of a detached fan blade fragment in use, wherein the wall portion has a moveable portion movable between a first configuration in which it lies substantially flush with the inner wall of the duct, and a second configuration in which it provides an opening through which a fan blade fragment can enter the containment cavity.
US08591170B1

A directed force turbine device utilizing forces of wind or water current flow featuring a wheel-style rotor assembly having side panels connected via a plurality of curved vanes, the rotor assembly rotates on bearings about a fixed axle shaft, the curved vanes harness the incoming current flow, which drives rotation of the rotor assembly, the vanes surround the fixed axle shaft and form an inner cavity; a stator assembly disposed in the inner cavity of the rotor assembly, the stator assembly does not rotate with the rotor assembly, the stator assembly comprises flow directors wherein entering current flow is directed in between the flow directors which functions to apply a positive force against forward moving vanes of the rotor assembly; a funnel assembly and external flow director for controlling intake of the current flow; and an exhaust port.
US08591164B2

The present combination ladder rack and loader device is designed for use with pickup trucks. This device can function as a typical ladder rack, but also has the ability to lift large and heavy objects both into and out of the truck's bed. In one embodiment, the combination ladder rack and loader device can connect to the pick-up truck primarily through a receiver hitch allowing it to be easily disconnected from the truck when desired. This device can also comprise either a mechanical or an electrical winch to assist in the loading and unloading of large or heavy objects.
US08591162B2

A transfer device for transferring people and/or personal equipment from a first location to a second location, the transfer device being coupled to a lifting device and comprising an outer structure in the form of a cage connected to a base and defining an inner space. Seating elements are disposed on the device's base, arranged radially around its center. The device also comprises shock absorbing means situated on the sides of the outer structure facing each of the seating elements to protect passengers from frontal impacts.
US08591161B1

A maneuvering autonomous rotorcraft cargo attachment system for engaging two mating elements of a coupling mechanism includes a first system on a ship deck to position a first coupling mechanism element in response to positioning commands and a second system attached to a rotorcraft hoist cable to position the second coupling mechanism element in response to positioning commands. A controller calculates and issues the positioning commands to the first and second positioning systems thereby effecting engagement of the two coupling elements.
US08591150B2

A method of detecting RDX in soil includes the steps of: planting a plurality of prickly sida plants in a defined area; remotely monitoring the pigmentation of the prickly sida plants using hyperspectral imaging; and identifying one or more areas within the defined area that are contaminated by RDX based on the monitored pigmentation of the prickly sida plants.
US08591148B2

A flow control system includes a movable riser with multiple flow rate restrictors within a stationary riser that is interfaced to a drainage system. The movable riser is buoyed by float(s) attached to the movable riser. As the fluid level around the flow control system changes, the movable riser tracks the changes, thereby raising and lowering the flow rate restrictors. Since the flow rate restrictors have differing areas in the horizontal plane, an interstitial opening between the outer edge of each flow rate restrictor and the inner perimeter of the stationary riser differs. The flow rate is constant and proportional to the depth of the fluid over the interstitial opening with the least area. The flow rate remains constant until that flow rate restrictor creating the smallest interstitial opening lifts above the upper edge of the stationary riser at which time, the next flow rate restrictor determines the flow rate.
US08591133B2

An automatic switch for a power circuit of a bottle container is provided. The bottle container includes a bottle body, a cover and an electronic unit for allowing an accommodating unit to be assembled between the bottle body and the cover. A liquid is received in the bottle body. A ball is disposed in a mouth at a front end of the cover, and the ball is capable of opening/closing the mouth by means of an elastic body. The elastic body has a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion. The first conductive portion is brought into electrical contact with a positive electrode (or negative electrode) of a power source of the electronic unit. The second conductive portion is located above the negative electrode (or positive electrode) of the power source of the electronic unit by a distance when the elastic body is not pressed.
US08591128B2

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising a first assembly and a second assembly, said first assembly being connected to said second assembly by and extendable mechanism, said extendable mechanism being configured to extend an input area when the first assembly is moved with respect to the second assembly from a first position to a second position.
US08591117B2

A hydraulic bushing having at least two chambers and at least one channel connecting the chambers. The bushing is made of a high durometer rubber or other polymer to increase durability. The bushing further includes a center bearing press fit in the center of the annular bushing. The bushing is further press fit into an annular seal operable to seal the fluid within the chambers and channels. The bearing, bushing, and seal assembly is then press fit into a bracket which is subsequently mounted to the vehicle. The center bearing is operable to hold the prop shaft wherein the center bearing is free to rotate within the bushing thereby allowing the prop shaft to rotate.
US08591116B2

A bearing-isolating seal (40) comprises a metal seal member (50) and a non-metal seal member (60). The seal members (50, 60) comprise radial walls (51-53, 61-62) defining annular slots (55-56, 65) that together form a labyrinth-like path through the seal (40). The spindle-side wall (62) of the metal seal member (50) is sized for press-fit attachment around a spindle and the roller-side wall (51) of the non-metal seal member (60) is adapted to receive a roller therearound.
US08591115B2

A rolling bearing device includes: an outer ring that has outer ring raceway grooves formed on an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring and a counter bore portion that is provided on an outer side of the outer ring raceway grooves in an axial direction; an inner ring member that has inner ring raceway grooves formed on an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring member; and a plurality of rolling elements that are interposed between the outer ring raceway grooves and the inner ring raceway grooves so as to freely roll and that are in contact with the inner ring raceway grooves of the inner ring member and the outer ring raceway grooves of the outer ring at a predetermined contact angle. A lubricant reservoir portion that stores lubricant is formed at a portion in the outer ring raceway grooves adjacent to the counter bore portion.
US08591101B2

Disclosed are an integrally molded type pallet fork (incomplete) with a safety pin and a roller table that are formed with high precision by a simple process, a thin escapement governor including the pallet fork (complete) and the roller table, and a method of manufacturing the pallet fork (complete) and the roller table. The pallet fork (complete) of the escapement governor includes a pair of entry horn and exit horn extending from the rotation axis of the pallet fork (complete) toward the rotation axis of a balance with hairspring and adapted to transmit the power of an escape wheel to an impulse pin; and a safety pin which is provided in a side surface of the pallet fork (complete) between the pair of entry horn and exit horn, which extends from the rotation axis of the pallet fork (complete) toward the rotation axis of the balance with hairspring, which is situated at a position nearer to the rotation axis of the pallet fork (complete) than the pair of entry horn and exit horn, which enters a passing hollow to thereby cause the pallet fork (complete) to make normal rotation or reverse rotation with respect to the rotation axis of the pallet fork (complete), and which abuts a portion of a roller other than the passing hollow to thereby prevent erroneous rotation of the pallet fork (complete); and the roller is formed in a single layer.
US08591099B2

Mixing nozzle fitments and beverage devices containing the mixing nozzle fitments are provided. In an embodiment, the mixing nozzle fitment includes a first shaft defining an inlet passage, a second shaft defining a curved outlet passage and attached to the first shaft, and a coupling member attached to the second shaft. The coupling member defines a passage that leads into the curved outlet passage of the second shaft. The mixing nozzle fitment can be used in any suitable beverage dispensing device.
US08591085B2

An optical fiber light source apparatus, includes a casing, a discharge lamp accommodated inside the casing, a concave reflection mirror, which holds the discharge lamp, and an optical fiber, which receives light from the reflection mirror. The concave reflection mirror, to which the discharge lamp is fixed, is held by a holding member, which has an approximately rectangular flange portion in a front face thereof and a regulating concave portion formed in a side of the flange portion. A guide is provided on the casing in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis, so that the flange portion of the holding member is slidably engaged with the guide. A pressing member, which is pressed with a bias force toward the regulating concave portion of the flange and engages with the regulating concave portion, is provided on the guide, thereby securing the concave reflection mirror.
US08591083B2

A vehicular lamp includes: a light-emitting element arranged face forward; and a translucent member arranged to cover the light-emitting element from its front side. The member has a horizontally oblong shape in a front view, and includes: a direct light control portion located near the optical axis and directly emitting light forward from a front surface of the member; reflected light control portions located both sides of the direct light control portion and internally reflecting the entered light on a rear surface of the member to form substantially parallel light directed forward and emitting the light forward from the front surface; and a curved-surface light incident area formed on the rear surface to allow light from the light-emitting element to enter as substantially parallel light with respect to a cross section parallel to the axis and a longitudinal direction of the member in the direction perpendicular to the cross section.
US08591065B2

An illumination system integrateable into or retrofit onto a circuit panel breaker box. The system may include a light source, a power supply, and a switch to activate a light when the panel cover is removed, or when the line power to the breaker box is interrupted, or when the specific breaker for the light in the area of the panel is tripped. The system may include a light external to the breaker box to provide assistance in locating the box in a power-outage or tripped breaker situation, a light within the panel cover recess with a switch that activates the light when the panel cover door is opened to provide illumination for assessing the status of the breakers, and a light behind the panel cover with a switch that activates the light when the panel cover is removed to access the wiring and breakers within the box.
US08591064B2

A light emitting diode (LED) street lamp includes an LED chip, a ceramic substrate, a lamp shade, a nano-enamel layer and a thermally radiative heat dissipation film. The nano-enamel layer is disposed on the ceramic substrate to provide electrical insulation and isolation for protection, is made from nano-particles to have a surface with the function of self-cleaning due to lotus effect. The thermally radiative heat dissipation film is disposed on the inner surface of the lamp shade and the surface of the ceramic substrate, and has a surface microscopic crystalline structure. The thermally radiative heat dissipation film fastly propagates the heat generated by the LED chip by thermal radiation in some specific direction so as to improve the efficiency of heat dissipation, reduce the total thickness, enhance the efficiency of light emitting and effectively prolong the lifetime of the LED street lamp.
US08591050B2

Disclosed herein is an electronic device including a case having an inner surface and an outer surface thereof; a recess portion recessed at the inner surface of the case toward the outer surface thereof such that a thickness of the case is thinner than that of its surrounding; a light source integrated into the case and disposed to face the recess portion; a circuit board connected to the light source to control power supply for the light source; and an icon generating portion disposed between the recess portion and the light source, and having a transparent pattern corresponding to an icon such that the light of the light source is passed therethrough while forming the icon to be seen at the outer surface of the case.
US08591047B2

An exterior sideview mirror assembly includes a mirror housing and a mirror backing plate element that is movable within the mirror housing by an electrically-operable actuator. A main plano mirror element is fixedly disposed at a first portion of the mirror backing plate element and an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element is fixedly disposed at a second portion of the mirror backing plate element. The main plano mirror element and the auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element are adjacently disposed at the mirror backing plate element and are not superimposed with one mirror element on top of the other mirror element. The first primary field of view of the main plano mirror element may overlap the second auxiliary field of view of the auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element by between about 2 degrees and about 20 degrees.
US08591030B2

Embodiments of the invention refer to a system for registering and tracking the position of a person's eye, in particular for refractive ophthalmic surgery. According to embodiments, the system is structured such that eye images containing at least the iris and the pupil of the eye are made at a first wavelength of light and that eye images containing scleral blood vessels are made at a different second wavelength of light. The invention furthermore refers to a corresponding method for registering and tracking the position of a person's eye.
US08591022B2

A pivotable duplexing unit is attached to the wall of a printer using a hinge having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the base. A latch and catch holds the pivotable duplexing unit in a closed position relative to the wall of the printing apparatus. The wall includes a support member for the hinge, and the pivotable duplexing unit further includes a pin for pivoting in a support member of the hinge. The support member includes a bearing surface that is substantially parallel to the base. The pin member includes an end that makes pivotable contact with the bearing surface.
US08591010B2

The liquid discharge head includes a plate-shaped passage member providing a plurality of liquid pressurizing chambers of identical shape which open into a main surface and are arranged in a matrix shape, a plurality of liquid discharge holes, and a plurality of individual supply paths; and a plate-shaped piezoelectric actuator having a common electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a plurality of individual electrodes laminated on a diaphragm. The plate-shaped passage member and the plate-shaped piezoelectric actuator are laminated one upon another so that the diaphragm and the piezoelectric layer cover the plurality of liquid pressurizing chambers. In a plan view of the liquid discharge head, an opening of each of the liquid pressurizing chambers is a polygonal shape having at least one acute angle shaped corner. A connection electrode led out to outside the liquid pressurizing chamber in the liquid pressurizing chamber and the individual electrode is disposed in a parallelogram shaped region including two sides holding therebetween an acute angle shaped corner of the liquid pressurizing chamber, and two corners adjacent to the corner.
US08591009B2

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a BNT-BT piezoelectric film having a higher crystalline orientation, a higher piezoelectric constant, and a higher ferroelectric property. The present invention is directed to a piezoelectric film comprising a first electrode having only a (110) orientation; a (NaxBi0.5)TiO0.5x+2.75—BaTiO layer having only a (110) orientation, a (Bi,Na)TiO3—BaTiO3 layer having only a (110) orientation, and a second electrode, wherein a value of x is not less than 0.29 and not more than 0.40, and the first electrode, the (NaxBi0.5)TiO0.5x+2.75—BaTiO3 layer, the (Bi,Na)TiO3—BaTiO3 layer, and the second electrode are laminated in this order.
US08591005B2

A liquid ejection head, wherein recessed portions are formed in an ejection face such that, where, in the one direction, a distance D1 is a distance between (i) a one-side portion of an opening end of one recessed portion and (ii) an other-side portion of an opening end of another recessed portion adjacent to the one recessed portion on one side thereof and where a distance D2 is a distance between (i) an other-side portion of the opening end of the one recessed portion and (ii) a one-side portion of an opening end of another recessed portion adjacent to the one recessed portion on the other side thereof, a large-and-small relationship of an average value of the distances D1, D2 of a second recessed portion with respect to that of a first recessed portion is the same as a large-and-small relationship of a cross-sectional area of the first recessed portion with respect to that of the second recessed portion.
US08591002B2

An image forming apparatus includes a carriage movably supported to move reciprocally in a main scanning direction, an image forming unit mounted on the carriage to form an image, a driving pulley disposed at a first end in the main scanning direction, a driven pulley disposed at a second end opposite the first end in the main scanning direction, a driving source operatively connected to the driving pulley to rotate the driving pulley, a carriage drawing member extended between the driving pulley and the driven pulley and partially mounted to the carriage to draw the carriage, a mount disposed on the carriage to mount the carriage drawing member, a holder disposed on the carriage to hook the carriage drawing member extended from the mount during assembly, and a guide member to guide the carriage drawing member extended from the mount and the holder.
US08591000B1

In an inkjet printing machine, an ink reclamation device receives ink emitted from at least one printhead in a purge cycle. The ink reclamation device includes a liquid path member in the form of a thin compliant or flexible sheet configured to contact the face of the printhead proximate to the inkjets to receive purged ink within a trough formed by the sheet. The liquid path member includes a plurality of slots defined in the sheet, the slots having a width sized to promote meniscus formation of liquid ink within the trough. The meniscus hardens to plug the slots so that the trough fills during the inkjet purge. The ink reclamation apparatus may be heated to melt the ink within the trough to return the ink to an ink reservoir in the printhead.
US08590991B2

Drawer guide (1) for furniture drawer parts, comprising a guide track (2) that can be attached to the body of a piece of furniture and a glide track (3) that can be connected to a furniture drawer part, wherein the guide track (2) comprises a profile having a plurality of tracks (2b) for rolling members preferably comprising balls, said profile having mirror-image symmetry in cross section about at least one axis, and that the guide track (2) is attached detachably in form-fitted and/or positive fitted fashion at the end at two supporting moldings (4, 5) at the body of a piece of furniture.
US08590989B2

A linear bearing drawer slide assembly comprised of a spring damper mechanism attached to a fixed member slidingly engaged with a middle member slidingly engaged with a drawer member. The spring damper mechanism is comprised of a base connected to a guide track which includes a longitudinal channel and a pair of opposing catches. A carriage slidingly engages the guide track. A pivotal latch pivots on a column of the carriage and further includes a pair of posts that extend through the carriage to engage the pair of catches in the guide track. The base and the carriage secure a pair of springs providing a balanced closing force against a damper which reduces unwanted wear and prolongs the useable life of the drawer slide assembly.
US08590969B2

Dynamic furniture having platforms in dynamic attachment to an actuator assembly that in turn is in dynamic attachment to a base. Use of motional platforms supported by a motional actuator assembly permits an article of the furniture to conform to the many and varied body positions a user wants, and allows a user to more easily change body positions while remaining within the furniture, and in medical scenarios may obviate most needs to transfer a patient from one article of furniture to another.
US08590953B2

Non-contact manipulating devices and methods can include a fluid distribution member including a first fluid port configured to dispense fluid and create a Bernoulli effect to attract an article to be manipulated by the manipulating device while maintaining a gap between the article and the fluid distribution member. The fluid distribution member can further include a second fluid port configured to dispense fluid to assist in maintaining the gap. The non-contact manipulating devices and methods can further include a controller configured to control a fluid flow through at least the second fluid port to help maintain the gap.
US08590949B2

A cylindrical lock includes a retractor (131) mounted between inner and outer operational devices (10, 12) and operably connected to a latch (779). The inner operational device (10) includes an inner chassis (20), an inner spindle (76), and an inner lining (60) made of a material harder than the inner spindle (76). The outer operational device (12) includes an outer chassis (305), an outer spindle (379), and an outer lining (353) made of a material harder than the outer spindle (379). Inner and outer returning devices (38A, 38B) are provided for returning the inner and outer spindles (76, 379). A torsion spring (50A, 50B) of each of the inner and outer returning devices (38A, 38B) is mounted to a push ring (40A, 40B) before assembly with the inner and outer chassis (20, 305), allowing easy assembly of the torsion springs (50A, 50B).
US08590946B2

A latch including a ratchet moveable between a latched position and a released position, with the ratchet being biased to the released position. A pawl being moveable between a ratchet-engaged position in which the pawl checks the movement of the ratchet and a ratchet-disengaged position, with the pawl being biased to the ratchet-engaged position. An electromechanical actuator having an output member for moving the pawl to the ratchet-disengaged position with the actuator output member moving between a start position and an end position and vice versa. A snowload lever being moveable between a pawl-disengaged position and a pawl-engaged position, wherein, in the pawl-engaged position, the snowload lever blocks the actuator output member from returning to the start position.
US08590936B2

In one embodiment, a snowboard stop device includes a bottom portion having a snowboard-contactable side and a ground-contactable side. The ground-contactable side of the bottom portion has one or more protrusions. The snowboard stop device includes a top portion having a snowboard-contactable side, and a curved edge portion joining the bottom portion of the snowboard stop device to the top portion of the snowboard stop device. The snowboard stop device is clippable on an edge of a snowboard such that the snowboard-contactable side of the bottom portion at least partially contacts a bottom side of the snowboard and the snowboard-contactable side of the top portion at least partially contacts a top side of the snowboard. Friction is caused between the ground and the one or more protrusions on the ground-contactable side of the bottom portion such that the snowboard at least partially stops relative to the ground.
US08590934B2

A three-point automatic belt has an offering arm, which is rotatably mounted by means of a drive, for a seat in a vehicle. A rotatably mounted offering arm is designed as a belt strap part, which is stiffened in one plane, of a belt strap, and can be deflected by means of an electromotive drive. The deflectable, stiffened belt strap part can be deflected into a forward end position, in which the belt strap is offered to a vehicle occupant, into an intermediate or boarding position and into a rearward end position in which access to a storage compartment and/or a rear space and/or a rear seat is enabled.
US08590928B2

A knee airbag installed in a lower portion of an instrument panel has a deployed condition wherein it extends rearward and upward. The airbag has a left lobe, a right lobe, and a central portion between and joined to the left and right lobes. A vent is formed in the reaction surface of each of the lobes to allow inflation gasses to escape from the airbag when, during a crash event, an occupant force applied forwardly against the lobes is below a threshold level. When the occupant force reaches or exceeds the threshold level, the vents are urged against the instrument panel to substantially block the escape of inflation gasses. The threshold level is selected such that a child-sized occupant standing forward of a desired passenger seating position exerts less than the threshold level.
US08590922B2

A ramp bracket for a curtain airbag is constructed so that an open space between a front and a rear is divided into two portions, that is, an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a partition, and the front and the rear are separated from each other at an area defining the lower chamber. Such a ramp bracket allows the airbag to be smoothly deployed between a head liner and a pillar trim, and minimizes the injury to a passenger who collides with the ramp bracket.
US08590915B2

A system for providing support to an articulating trailer hitch used to interconnect a trailer and a towing vehicle. The system includes an adjustable, removable and repositionable link which interconnects the trailer frame and one or more spring bars providing load-distributing forces to the trailer and towing vehicle. The spring bars include an adjustable, rigid link which maintains the vertical position of the hitch assembly when disconnected from the towing vehicle.
US08590906B1

A golf bag dolly assembly attaches to the base of a golf bag to facilitate moving the golf bag. The assembly includes a base plate and a fixed wall coupled to and extending upwardly from the base plate. At least one arm is coupled to and extends from the fixed wall. A strap is coupled to and extends from the fixed wall and around the arm. The strap is configured for coupling the fixed wall and the arm in frictional engagement against a base of a golf bag whereby the base plate is coupled to the golf bag. A plurality of wheels is coupled to and extends from the base plate.
US08590903B2

A dynamic shaft seal assembly is provided including a dynamic seal for engaging a rotary shaft. The dynamic seal includes a mounting portion that is mounted within a casing and has an axially extending barrel portion extending from a radially inner end of the mounting portion. The axially extending barrel portion terminates in a radially extending leg portion which extends inwardly from an end of the axially extending portion. A generally conically shaped seal portion extends from an end of the radially extending portion and the seal portion includes a radially inner face engaging the shaft and a radially outer face having a stiffening bead integrally formed thereon. The mounting portion defines a bumper spaced from the axially extending barrel portion by a gap distance that is designed to prevent the seal lip from inverting under sustained high pressure or pressure spikes.
US08590888B2

A storage device for a franking machine, which storage device comprises: a receptacle for receiving mailpieces ejected one-by-one by the franking machine; a longitudinal referencing wall extending over a longitudinal edge of the receptacle and against which the mailpieces rebound before they accumulate on the receptacle; and a vertical back wall extending along a side edge of the receptacle and that the mailpieces hit before they rebound against the longitudinal referencing wall; the vertical back wall forming an angle β with a perpendicular to the longitudinal referencing wall; and the receptacle being inclined relative to the horizontal and towards the longitudinal referencing wall at an angle φ so that the angle α between the receptacle and the longitudinal referencing wall forms an acute angle.
US08590883B2

According to one embodiment, a sheet handling apparatus includes a conveying path to convey a sheet, a processing portion to perform a predetermined process on the sheet while conveying the sheet on the conveying path, a separable roller pair that is arranged at a certain distance from the processing portion on an upstream side or a downstream side in conveying direction, the separable roller pair being adapted to hand over the sheet between the conveying path and the processing portion by holding the sheet with a nip and rotating, a separating mechanism to separate the separable roller pair, and a controller that controls the separating mechanism such that the separable roller pair is separated before or after processing is started with the processing portion on a sheet that is conveyed on the conveying path.
US08590874B2

A fixing structure (10) of a distribution member has a plurality of pins provided on one of an annular distribution member and a stator in a predetermined arrangement relation in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of holes provided in the other one of the annular distribution member and the stator so that the plurality of pins are fitted thereinto, respectively. In the fixing structure, each pin and a corresponding hole form one fitting set and the tightening margin of each fitting set has a different value.
US08590863B1

A pliers fencing tool includes a wedge having a through slot for engagement with the rotatably mounted ratcheted sprocket teeth of a fence wire strainer suspended between the fence wire looped ends. Through slot engaged caused the teeth to rotate from a first to a second ratcheted position and thereby strain the fence wire. A grip having a thumb receiving recess and thumb guard is provided between the wedge and the means for pivotably connecting the handles, and the handles are gripped at the grip portion with the wedge distally disposed.
US08590858B2

A regulator having a valve body defining a flow-path for a fluid and having a valve seat, an actuator casing coupled to the valve body, a control member disposed within the actuator casing and adapted for displacement relative to the valve body and the valve seat for regulating a flow of the fluid through the flow-path by moving between an open position and a closed position wherein the control member engages the valve seat, and a spring operatively coupled to the control member and biasing the control member toward the open position. The control member includes a surface facing the valve seat that is recessed. The recessed surface may be a counter-bore, or may have a convex shape, conical shape, or other appropriate recessed surface. So configured, the regulator displaced improved stability in high inlet pressure, low output pressure, high flow rate implementations.
US08590857B2

A structure of support frame featuring fast warping up and closing is mountable to a back surface of an electronic device and includes a cover and at least one bendable mechanism. The cover is mounted to the back surface of the electronic device. The bendable mechanism is mounted to the back surface of the cover and includes at least one deformable plate that is curved and shows a circular arc form. The deformable plate is provided with a depression spot. As such, pressing down the depression spot causes the deformable plate that is of a circular arc form to undergo flattening deformation, making ends of the deformable plate fast warping up in an outward direction. With the warping portions of the deformable plate, a function of supporting or clamping can be realized to hold the electronic device on an object or be worn on a human body.
US08590850B2

A screen adjustment device (1) for a motor vehicle has a screen (6) or screen carrier (2) for mounting a screen, and a control cable drive (4) for adjusting the screen or screen carrier between an open (screen-accessible) position (22) and a parked (screen-hidden) position (24). The control cable drive has a control cable (11), which is coupled to the screen or screen carrier by a driver (15) and which at the two ends is guided over two return elements (12, 13) and at least one cable tensioning unit (18, 19) onto a winding reel (14) coupled to a drive motor (21). The control cable drive has a bearing block (30) for supporting the winding reel, the block together with the cable tensioning unit forming a self-contained pre-assembled unit (20) or being capable of pre-assembly to form such a unit.
US08590849B2

A support post for a safety fence assembly. The support post has a floor engaging end that has a number of claws, a shaft coupled at one end to the floor engaging end, a first longitudinally extending telescoping tube, a second longitudinally extending telescoping tube adapted for sliding telescoping engagement with the first telescoping tube, a ceiling engaging end, and an over-center locking lever assembly. Each of the claws has a number of sharp penetrating points for engagement with a supporting surface. The shaft has a free end which is threaded along at least a portion of its length. The first longitudinally extending telescoping tube has an internal nut for threaded engagement with the shaft. The ceiling engaging end is coupled to the second telescoping tube. The over-center locking lever assembly fixes the relative position of the first and second telescoping tubes.
US08590846B2

A device for bridging a cable harness between two aircraft structure elements of an aircraft includes an elongated connecting rod having a plurality of radial snap-in holes and configured to bridge a space between the two aircraft structure elements and affix to at least one of the two aircraft structure elements. The device also includes a cable guiding element having at least one receiving section for receiving the cable harness and at least one attachment section circumferentially surrounding the connecting rod, the attachment section having a resiliently held radially directed locking pin, wherein the locking pin corresponds to one of the plurality of the radial snap-in holes so as to form a clip connection and a positive locking engagement between the at least one attachment section and the connecting rod.
US08590844B2

An overlay track circuit is used to transmit information through a block of railroad tracks. In one embodiment, one of a plurality of codes assigned to a receiver/transmitter pair are used to represent each information segment (which may be one or more bits) of an information signal. In another embodiment, bits of the information signal are transmitted between periodic repetitions of a code associated with the transmitter/receiver pair. The modulation may be performed using a frequency shift key technique. Track circuits may be connected to relay information between adjacent blocks of track.
US08590843B2

The invention provides a control mechanism for controlling flight of an aircraft, the control mechanism comprising a cyclic control stick (1) that is mounted to tilt (B1, B2) on a carrier structure (4) and that is in engagement with remote mechanical transmission members (2, 3). The stick (1) is arranged as a telescopic member provided with locking means (20) for locking it in a normal-use retracted position, and is equipped with deployment means (21). Unlocking of the locking means (20) and use of the deployment means (21) depend on an assistance device (17) associated with the stick (1) being in a defective state. In the event of such a defective state being detected, the stick (1) is suitable for being deployed so as to increase the comfort of the pilot while manipulating it.
US08590842B2

An apparatus and method for an improved morphing flow path. A flexible structure has a plurality of sections which include a first section and a second section. An actuator system is connected to the flexible structure and includes a number of actuators. The actuator system is capable of changing a configuration of the flexible structure. A controller is connected to the actuator system. The controller is capable of changing a position of a number of actuators within the actuator system.
US08590840B2

Systems and methods for aerial refueling are disclosed. In one embodiment, an aerial refueling system includes a first conduit portion moveably coupled to a second conduit portion and moveable relative to the second conduit portion along a longitudinal axis, and a force absorbing assembly operatively coupled to the first and second conduit portions. The force absorbing assembly includes a first absorber portion and a second absorber portion engaged with the first absorber portion. The first absorber portion is configured to compress when subject to a compression force having a longitudinal component at least approximately aligned with the longitudinal axis, the longitudinal component tending to urge the first conduit portion toward the second conduit portion and causing absorption of at least a portion of the longitudinal component by the first absorber portion until the longitudinal component reaches a first limit. The second absorber portion is configured to compress when the longitudinal component exceeds the first limit.
US08590839B2

An aircraft cockpit that includes an information display device with a screen having a display surface and a rear surface opposite the display surface, and a cable harness connected to the screen. The rear surface includes a mechanism for retaining the cable harness substantially wound against the rear surface. The information display device is mobile within the cockpit.
US08590837B2

A device for holding luggage in a passenger cabin of an aircraft is arranged above a seat row in a passenger cabin of an aircraft or a vehicle and fastened to a structure which is fixed to the aircraft. The luggage rack includes an outer housing which is fixed in position and into which a separate inner housing is fit in a positive-locking manner. The inner housing is arranged relative to the outer housing so that the inner housing can move between two end positions about a moving pivot point close to the center of gravity in a force-operated manner. In the closed end position, the luggage rack is visibly integrated into a cabin lining of the passenger cabin.
US08590836B2

An actuator system and a method for assembling the same are provided. An actuator system includes a housing and a cap. The housing includes a cavity defined by the housing and an opening defined in a wall of the housing. The housing encases an actuator within the cavity. The cap is coupled to the housing to facilitate shielding the opening from a surrounding environment.
US08590833B2

An aircraft rotor constant-velocity drive system having a differential mechanism that includes a drive disk configured to be integral in rotation with a mast, an upper member at least partially located above the drive disk, a lower member at least partially located below the drive disk, and at least one link connecting the upper member and the lower member to the drive disk such that the drive disk drives the upper member and the lower member in rotation with the drive disk and that the upper member and the lower member are allowed to rotate differently with respect to the drive disk. The link having opposing end joints and a central joint that pivotally engages the drive disk. The system also having a gimbal device configured to drive a rotor hub and to allow gimbaling of the rotor hub with respect to a mast.
US08590829B2

A method, system and a floating unit. The floating unit includes a propeller, a frame, a propeller motor that is configured to rotate the propeller about a first axis; wherein the propeller motor is coupled to the frame, a movable steering element; a controller, for controlling at least one of the propeller motor and the movable steering unit to affect at least one of a location and an orientation of the floating unit; and an interfacing module for coupling a payload to the floating unit and for receiving power from a connecting element that couples the floating unit to a ground unit; wherein the power received by the power interface is utilized to power the propeller motor and the controller.
US08590826B2

In a winding assembly for winding web rolls, an enveloper assembly is used to initiate winding of a web stream onto a pre-formed core or to initiate winding of a core-forming substrate into an in-line core. The enveloper assembly comprises a first support arm operatively coupled to a second support arm; a third support arm operatively coupled to the second support arm; and an enveloper roller operatively coupled to the third support arm. The enveloper roller is movable along a cylindrical surface from a first position to a second position. The enveloper assembly accommodates a wide range of core diameters. For winding non-adhesive web streams, a tail tucker can be used in conjunction with the enveloper assembly to initiate winding. In conjunction with apparatus for inserting core-forming substrates or adhesive tabs onto a web, the winding assembly can perform high-volume, streaming production of wound web rolls.
US08590803B2

A thermostatic device for selectively opening and closing one of more apertures used for controlling the flow of a coolant fluid includes a housing, at least one fixed element and at least one moveable element. The at least one fixed element is fixedly interconnected to the housing. The at least one moveable is moveably connected to the housing. A fluid path passes through the fixed element and the moveable element. The fluid path is opened and closed in response to movement of the moveable element relative to the fixed element such that when the moveable element is in a first position the fluid path is closed and when the moveable element is in a second position the fluid path is open. A temperature responsive bi-metal element is coupled to the moveable element for moving the moveable element between the first position and the second position.
US08590795B2

In a reading system, a cradle for a coded information reader includes at least one security information interaction device.
US08590789B2

An indicia reader system includes an indicia reader provided at a point of transaction; a controller for controlling power to the indicia reader; a detector for detecting a customer, item or shopping cart at the point of transaction and providing an indication signal to the controller of the presence of customer, item or shopping cart at the point of transaction; wherein the controller interrupts power to the indicia reader during a power save mode and resumes power to the indicia reader upon receiving the indication signal.
US08590783B2

A method performed by a device may include exchanging encryption information with a security card, generating validation information based on the exchanged encryption information with the security card and transmitting the validation information to the security card for display.
US08590774B1

A reusable item shipping container comprises a housing that is configured to retain an item therein and has an opening for inserting or removing the item therefrom. First and second sealing flaps are disposed on the housing adjacent the opening. In a first configuration, the first sealing flap is configured to be folded into the housing or across the opening and the second sealing flap is configured to be folded over the opening to seal the housing. In a second configuration, the first sealing flap is configured to be folded across the opening and to seal the housing after the second folding flap has sealed the opening and the item shipping container has been opened.
US08590767B2

In the method for welding a hollow structure of the present invention, a rib is placed between a first joining member and a second joining member, and friction stir welding and fixing a place where the rib is placed between the first and the second joining member are conducted. Thus, friction stir welding is accomplished without changing the shape of an extrusion part or partly changing the shape of the extrusion part with insertion of a simply shaped rib.
US08590761B2

A single fold system for tissue approximation and fixation is described herein. The devices are advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create at least one fold within a hollow body organ. The system comprises a tissue acquisition and folding device and a tissue stapling or fixation device, each of which is used together as a system. The acquisition device is used to approximate a single fold of tissue from within the hollow body organ and the stapling device is advanced through a main lumen defined through the acquisition device and is used to affix the tissue. The stapling device is keyed to maintain its rotational orientation relative to the acquisition device and to provide the user positional information of the stapling device. The acquisition device is also configured to provide lateral stability to the stapling device prior to the stapling device being clamped onto tissue.
US08590758B2

An apparatus for racking a watercraft on a vehicle, in particular, a Recreational Vehicle comprising: a first end configured to engage a receiver hitch, wherein the first end accommodates a portion of a watercraft; a second end spaced apart from the first end, the second end removably enclosing another portion of the watercraft; and a connecting member connecting the first end with the second end. Also, a method for racking a watercraft on a vehicle comprising: providing a watercraft rack, the watercraft rack including a first end having a lower support frame, a connecting member connecting the first end to a spaced apart second end, the second end having an upper support frame; removably engaging the first end of the watercraft rack with a standard receiving hitch; accommodating a portion of a watercraft with the first end; and removably enclosing another portion of the watercraft within the second end.
US08590756B2

A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of pigmented ink. Its housing defines an interior and a fluid exit port. Users orient the housing to deplete the ink in a downward direction. A float on a surface of the ink suspends an inlet opening of a fluid conduit tube underneath the surface. A height of the opening falls downward as the fluid depletes and the float drops. The tube draws a desired concentration of ink and supplies it to the exit port. The concentration is predetermined relative to an overall height of the fluid. The tube height remains proportional to the height of the fluid, increases/decreases proportionally, or other. The design overcomes settling. The design also avoids mechanical stirring and other complex sediment mixing techniques. Embodiments include float/tube arrangements and testing observations, to name a few.
US08590754B2

To secures a sufficient movement of a moving body, a filling material extruding container (100) has a rotation stop tube (4) engaging with a main body tube (2) in a rotating direction, a moving screw tube (5) engaging with a control tube (3) in a rotating direction, first screw portion (8) having protruding strips (41a) in the rotation stop tube (4) and the protruding strips (52) on the moving screw tube (5) and serving as a click mechanism generating a click feeling by engagement and engagement cancellation, and a second screw portion (9) having a female screw (51) in the moving screw tube (5) and a male screw (66) on the moving body (6), and the rotation stop tube (4) has a through hole (45) engaging with the moving body (6) in the rotating direction, at a front side of the protruding strips (41a).
US08590750B2

A fluid delivery device for discharging a fluid having a housing, a piston pump, a biasing mechanism, and a trigger mechanism. The housing has a fluid discharge outlet. The pump has a pump chamber casing for fluid storage, a piston sliding in the pump chamber, a piston plunger, and a delivery channel leading to the housing outlet. The biasing mechanism biases the piston pump casing towards the housing outlet. The trigger mechanism has a catch member and a restraining member movable by a manually actuatable trigger from a cocked to a triggered configuration. The cocked restraining member engages the catch member to prevent movement and fluid discharge. A triggered restraining member disengages from the catch member for movement of the casing towards the housing outlet to discharge fluid from housing outlet.
US08590744B2

A liquid storage and delivery apparatus utilizing a canister or container which holds a flexible diaphragm supported by a frame. The frame biases the flexible diaphragm against the inner wall of the container and allows expansion and contraction of the diaphragm in certain direction. A seal creates a substantially air tight space within the canister to allow directed pressurized gas to motivate the movement of the diaphragm within the canister. A lid or fitting supports a collapsible bag carrying a liquid within a second space within the canister such that movement of the flexible diaphragm against the collapsible bag forces or squeezes liquid from the same for use.
US08590739B2

The invention concerns the operation of a pneumatic device for the metered delivery of a liquid and a pneumatic device particularly suited for operation in accordance with the invention. The pneumatic device has a pressure tank that can be connected to a compressed air source by means of an inlet valve and with the surroundings by means of an outlet valve. For delivery of the liquid, a pressure pulse is applied to the liquid container containing the liquid in that the pressure tank is temporarily connected to the liquid container via a changeover valve. After the end of the pressure pulse, the pressure prevailing in the pressure tank is increased to a value that is greater than the set value to be achieved during the pressure pulse.
US08590734B2

A child-resistant lift-off cap for a container is adapted to be difficult to unseat independently to open the container. An overlay portion associated with the cap is adapted for use to lift the cap from a container to unseat it. The overlay portion has a thumb tab and is deformable to engage and lift the seated cap only when the thumb tab is lifted. The overlay portion raises independently of the cap when the deformable portion is not deformed into engagement with the cap. Alternatively, a lift-top cap having a slot through it, the slot having a first opening near an edge of the cap to be lifted to unseat the cap and a second opening. A slide in the slot has a first end biased to be flush with or recessed into the first opening and a second end biased to normally protrude out of the second opening. The second end of the slide can be depressed against the bias of the slide to displace the first end of the slide out of the first opening to function as a thumb tab to assist in lifting the cap from a container.
US08590732B2

A package for a food product sampled using a metering device, including a receptacle (2) having a wide top opening (24) and defined by a rim (25), a closure system (3) including a cover (31) that can be moved between an open position and a closed position, and a first levelling element (41) having a top face (41b) and a free edge (41a) situated in the space of the opening. The package also includes a second levelling element (42) spaced apart from the first and also having a top face (42b) and a free edge (42a), wherein the top faces (41b, 42b) of the first and second levelling elements (41, 42) each have a configuration and are mutually arranged in order to form two spaced-apart bearing zones substantially parallel to the plane of the opening for supporting the metering device.
US08590731B2

An insulated container is provided with a lid having a push-button trigger mechanism that operates both a shutter for a drinking orifice and a vent seal for a vent opening. The trigger has an actuation stroke. The vent seal is initially actuated during a first portion of the actuation stroke of the trigger to transition the vent seal from the closed position to the open position, and the shutter is initially actuated during a second portion of the actuation stroke of the trigger to transition the shutter from the closed position to the open position. Further, the shutter remains in the closed position during the initiation of the first portion of the actuation stroke of the trigger.
US08590718B2

A coupling unit for a semi-permanent connection of two wagons of a rail vehicle, which has a first housing and a second housing, which is pivotably and rotatably coupled to the first housing. A bearing outer ring with a hollow spherical inner bearing surface is fastened to the second housing and is guided in sliding fashion on a bearing inner ring with a spherical outer surface. The bearing inner ring is seated with an inner bore on a shaft fastened to the first housing. The shaft has, on a first end, one or two flattened portions and, on a second end, one or two second flattened portions. At least one clamping piece is provided which bears against one of the flattened portions and an opening region in the first housing, thereby preventing the shaft from rotating.
US08590715B2

A rack for carrying or displaying glassware or similar containers holding liquids such as beverages is disclosed. The rack has a planar portion, which may be defined by concentrically arranged wire rings, that supports several yokes around its outer edge. The yokes grasp the containers between outwardly extending arm segments. A straight post handle is joined to the center of the underside of the planar portion of the rack.
US08590707B2

A flat foldable tray having a set of fold lines inscribed therein along which the tray is bent to form a package in which to carry a variety of products (e.g., baked goods). The flat foldable tray includes a base portion, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls, each of which walls being hingedly connected to the base portion, and a folding corner located between each pair of adjacent side and end walls. The pairs of side and end walls are bent upwardly relative to the base portion along with the folding corners at respective fold lines such that the folding corners are located at the exterior of the package and outside the walls thereof. The pairs of side and end walls are retained in locking engagement with one another so that the walls are retained in end-to-end alignment and the package is held in a closed configuration.
US08590705B2

The present invention is a container and a processing for passivating the internal surface of the container to store monochlorosilane in a stable manner without degradation of the monochlorosilane. Various container surface modifications have been identified to reduce surface reactions to acceptable levels. Some of the described surface modifications result in significant reduction in monochlorosilane instability.
US08590704B2

It is a matter of a container assembly with at least one stackable container (1) which has a first engaging structure (48) on its top side (19) and a second engaging structure (49) on its underside (18). The engaging structures (48, 49) are so matched to one another that, when two containers (1) are stacked together, they engage in one another in such a way that the containers are secured against shifting relative to one another at right-angles to the stacking direction and at the same time the upper container is prevented from lifting at least in certain areas. The first engaging structure (48) consists of engaging recesses (54) and the second engaging structure (49) of engaging projections (55). Feet (57) provided on the underside (18) of the container (1) are designed as elements of the second engaging structure (49) and are able to engage the first engaging structure (48) from the rear, to prevent lifting of the upper container at least in certain areas.
US08590698B1

Eyewear cases and collapsible storage cases for use in storing and polishing or cleaning eyewear or other objects with a scratch sensitive surface are disclosed and described. In some embodiments such a case may include a soft and flexible bag having an opening and an internal space sufficiently sized to receive and store a piece of eyewear or other object, and a soft and flexible cover attached to the bag and providing an enclosure with an opening and cavity sufficiently sized to receive and store the bag when the bag is empty. In practice the bag extends out of the cavity through the cover opening for use in either storing, cleaning, or treating eyewear or other object, and retracts back through the cover opening and substantially into the cavity when not in use for storage.
US08590694B2

Apparatus for transporting documents in a paper handling system, comprising: a drive train; a document transport element connected to the drive train for moving documents; and means adapted to apply a relatively high voltage element to generate a high torque when the transport element is not loaded and to reduce the voltage and thus the torque a predetermined time after the transport element engages a document to be moved.
US08590685B2

A dual clutch which has two friction clutches, which have a central pressure-exerting plate and two pressure plates which are axially movable relative to the pressure-exerting plate with the interposition of the friction linings of two clutch disks, which each mesh with a gearbox input shaft of actuating devices. The pressure plates are acted on by transmission elements by the actuating devices directly without a lever action. Furthermore, for the cooling and lubrication of the actuating bearings between the actuating devices and the transmission elements, an annular chamber can be formed which has an increased fluid volume.
US08590683B2

A drive plate that has a ring gear capable of meshing with a gear of a motor, and that transmits power from the engine to an element to which the power is to be transmitted. The drive plate includes a plate member that is fixed to a crankshaft of the engine. A ring gear member is formed as an annular member having the ring gear in its outer periphery. A plurality of fastening portions are each fastened to the plate member on an inner peripheral side with respect to the ring gear. A plurality of extended weld portions each extend from the inner peripheral side with respect to the ring gear to a side of the element, each having a free end that is welded to an outer periphery of a constituent member of the element to which the power is to be transmitted.
US08590682B2

The invention relates to a system for transferring electric energy to a track bound vehicle, in particular to a light rail vehicle, such as a tram, wherein the system comprises an electric conductor arrangement (12) for producing an electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle, the electric conductor arrangement (12) comprises at least one line (1, 2, 3) for carrying one phase of an alternating voltage or current, the line (1, 2, 3) extends along the track, the line (1, 2, 3) is arranged in such a manner that it produces—at each point in time while the alternating electric current is flowing through the line (1, 2, 3)—a row of successive magnetic poles (at sections 5) of an electromagnetic field, wherein the successive magnetic poles have alternating magnetic polarities, the row of successive magnetic poles extends in the travel direction of the vehicle which is defined by the track.
US08590680B2

A shock absorber includes a first passage and a second passage to which a working fluid flows out from one chamber in a cylinder by movement of a piston, a damping valve installed on the first passage and configured to regulate a flow of the working fluid caused by sliding of the piston to generate a damping force, a back pressure chamber applying an internal pressure to the damping valve in a closing direction of the damping valve, a back pressure chamber inflow oil passage introducing the working fluid from one chamber into the back pressure chamber, a pressure chamber provided in-between on the second passage, and a free piston installed in the pressure chamber so as to freely slide in the pressure chamber.
US08590678B2

A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
US08590667B2

A crankcase of an internal combustion engine includes protruding portions formed on an outer surface of the crankcase which are constituted of a pair of left and right wall members, and a vibration isolating rubber is fitted between the wall members. The crankcase configured in this manner prevents the generation of sounds from a protruding portion of the crankcase and is light-weight.
US08590659B2

An automobile having pedals in the footwell, including, but not limited to at least one apparatus for protection of the lower extremities of the driver or this automobile. The apparatus includes, but is not limited to a deflector plate and at least one fastening element, which is connected to the deflector plate and which serves for fastening the apparatus in the footwell of the automobile, and the apparatus is disposed in the footwell of the automobile in such a manner between two pedals that a foot resting on one of the pedals cannot get behind the pedals if it slips from the pedal in the event of an accident.
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