US08975500B2
A display area, in which a note is displayed on two-axis coordinates configured by a tone pitch axis and a time axis, is displayed on a display device. A display magnification ratio used in the display area is variable. A note image of a given note is displayed in the display area to be arranged in correspondence with a tone pitch and a tone generation time of the note. The size of the note image is varied with the display magnification ratio. Relevant information is displayed in association with the note image displayed in the display area in such a manner that the relevant information is arranged inside the note image of the note in a first display state and the relevant information is arranged outside the note image of the note in a second display state with a display magnification ratio lower than that of the first display state.
US08975487B2
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 11R159B2R2. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 11R159B2R2. Also provided by the invention are methods of using cotton variety 11R159B2R2 and products derived therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 11R159B2R2 with itself or another cotton variety and plants and seeds produced by such methods.
US08975486B1
A soybean cultivar designated S130097 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S130097, to the plants of soybean cultivar S130097, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S130097, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S130097. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S130097. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S130097, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S130097 with another soybean cultivar.
US08975473B2
The novel constructs and methods of this invention improve tolerance in plants to environmental stresses and senescence. Nucleic acids encoding a plant farnesyl transferase are described, as are transgenic plants and seeds incorporating these nucleic acids and proteins. Also provided are non-naturally occurring mutations in the gene encoding farnesyl transferase which enhance drought tolerance in the plants, improve resistance to senescence and modify growth habit.
US08975461B2
The present invention in its various embodiments is directed to methods for preparing a renewable jet fuel blendstock, and blendstocks prepared by such methods, comprising fermenting a biomass-derived feedstock to form one or more C2-C6 alcohols such as isobutanol, catalytically dehydrate and oligomerize the alcohols to form higher molecular weight olefins (e.g., C8-C16 olefins), hydrogenating at least a portion of the higher molecular weight olefins to form a renewable jet fuel blendstock comprising C12 and C16 alkanes which meet or exceed the requirements of ASTM D7566-10a for hydroprocessed synthesized paraffinic kerosene (SPK).
US08975456B2
The present invention provides a method for purifying HFO-1234yf, comprising the steps of (1) cooling a liquid mixture containing HFO-1234yf and HF to separate the mixture into a upper liquid phase having a high concentration of HF and a lower liquid phase having a high concentration of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; and (2) subjecting the lower liquid phase obtained in step (1) to a distillation operation to withdraw a mixture containing HFO-1234yf and HF from a top of a distillation column, thereby obtaining substantially HF-free HFO-1234yf from a bottom of the distillation column. According to the present invention, HF and HFO-1234yf contained in a mixture containing HF and HFO-1234yf can be separated under simple and economically advantageous conditions.
US08975451B2
The process involves esterifying ethanol and acetic acid to produce an esterification product that is in a single phase that is directly reduced, by hydrogenolysis, to produce ethanol. The single phase is not capable of separating. Feeding a single phase feed stream reduces the separation of the esterification product. Hydrogen may be fed to the esterification reactor that operates at a high pressure that is substantially similar to or greater than the hydrogenolysis reactor.
US08975450B2
Ethanol production processes using a mixed feed comprising from 20 to 95 wt. % acetic acid, from 5 to 80 wt. % acetic anhydride, and from 0 to 20 wt. % esters selected from the group consisting of methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, or mixtures thereof are disclosed herein. The process comprises contacting the mixed feed with hydrogen in the vapor phase in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising tin, cobalt, platinum, and combinations thereof to form a crude ethanol product having an ethanol to water molar ratio of greater than 1 and separating the crude ethanol product in one or more distillation columns to yield an ethyl acetate stream and an ethanol stream. The process may be integrated with an acetic anhydride production process to obtain further economic savings.
US08975448B2
Process for preparing 2,2-difluoroethanol, comprising the following steps: reacting 1-chloro-2,2-difluoroethane with an alkali metal salt of formic acid or acetic acid in a suitable solvent to give the corresponding 2,2-difluoroethyl formate or 2,2-difluoroethyl acetate, and transesterifying the 2,2-difluoroethyl formate or 2,2-difluoroethyl acetate from step (i) in the presence of an alcohol and optionally of a base.
US08975446B2
A process of contacting an alkylene oxide with 2-methoxy-1-propanol (PM1) in the presence of an oligomeric Schiff base metal complex catalyst is disclosed. Further, a process involving contacting an alkylene oxide with an alkyl alcohol using an oligomeric Schiff base metal complex as a catalyst is also disclosed. Additionally, novel compositions which can be used as catalysts in processes involving the contacting of an alkyl alcohol with an alkylene oxide are also disclosed.
US08975445B2
A process for the manufacture of a functional (per)fluoropolyether derivative comprising at least one triazole group, such process comprising: (1) reacting a (per)fluoropolyether hydroxyl derivative having at least one hydroxyl group [derivative (PFPE-OH)] with an activating agent, to yield an activated (per)fluoropolyether hydroxyl derivative comprising at least one activated hydroxyl group [derivative (a-PFPE-OH)];(2) reacting said activated (per)fluoropolyether hydroxyl derivative [derivative (a-PFPE-OH)] with at least one azide salt to yield a functional (per)fluoropolyether derivative comprising at least one azido group [derivative (PFPE-N3)] ; and (3) reacting said functional (per)fluoropolyether derivative comprising at least one azido group [derivative (PFPE-N3)] with a hydrocarbon compound having a terminal alkyne group to yield a functional (per)fluoropolyether derivative comprising at least one triazole group [derivative (PFPE-azole)].
US08975443B2
The disclosure is directed to: (a) phosphacycle ligands; (b) catalyst compositions comprising phosphacycle ligands; and (c) methods of using such phosphacycle ligands and catalyst compositions in bond forming reactions.
US08975442B2
The invention relates to a polymorphic form of (−)-modafinil that produces a powder X-ray diffraction spectrum comprising intensity peaks corresponding to interplanar spacings of about 14.14, 10.66, 7.80 and 4.02 Å, and a process for the preparation thereof.
US08975439B2
The present invention provides a compound of formula (I): said compound is inhibitor of MMP-2, and/or MMP-8, and/or MMP-9, and/or MMP-12 and/or MMP-13, and thus can be employed for the treatment of a disorder or disease characterized by abnormal activity of MMP-2, and/or MMP-8, and/or MMP-9, and/or MMP-12 and/or MMP-13. Accordingly, the compound of formula (I) can be used in treatment of disorders or diseases mediated by MMP-2, and/or MMP-8, and/or MMP-9, and/or MMP-12, and/or MMP-13. Finally, the present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition.
US08975438B2
A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I): which is useful as an intermediate in the preparation of pharmaceutically active compounds.
US08975430B2
Disclosed herein is a single step catalytic process for the production of enantiomerically pure α-Aryloxy-α′-Azido/Alkoxy alcohols of formula (A). The invention, in particular discloses phenolytic kinetic resolution of racemic anti and syn azido/alkoxy epoxides to generate two stereocentres of high optical purities of formula (A).
US08975426B2
A method of forming a product from an oil feedstock, such as a biodiesel product, and a heterogeneous catalyst system used to form said product is disclosed. This catalyst system, which has a high tolerance for the presence of water and free fatty acids (FFA) in the oil feedstock, may simultaneously catalyze both the esterification of FAA and the transesterification of triglycerides present in the oil feedstock. The catalyst system is comprised of a mixture of zinc oxide and a second metal oxide. The zinc oxide includes a mixture of amorphous zinc oxide and zinc oxide nanocrystals, the zinc nanocrystals having a mean grain size between about 20 and 80 nanometers with at least one of the nanocrystals including a mesopore having a diameter of about 5 to 15 nanometers. Preferably, the second metal oxide is a lanthanum oxide, the lanthanum oxide being selected as one from the group of La2CO5, LaOOH, and combinations or mixtures thereof.
US08975425B2
Provided herein are processes for preparing estolides and estolide base oils from fatty acid reactants utilizing catalysts. Further provided herein are processes for preparing carboxylic esters from at least one carboxylic acid reactant and at least one olefin.
US08975424B1
A silver-based ethylene oxide catalyst is provided that has enhanced stability. The enhanced stability is obtained in the present invention by providing a silver-based ethylene oxide catalyst that includes from 100 ppm to 1000 ppm of zinc, and from greater than 450 ppm to less than 800 ppm of cesium. Zinc and cesium are promoters that are introduced to a finished carrier either prior to, coincidentally with, or subsequent to the deposition of the silver. The silver-based ethylene oxide catalyst can be used in the epoxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide.
US08975416B2
Disclosed are compounds of formula (I), which are of use in the treatment of bacterial diseases and infections, to compositions containing those compounds and to methods of treating bacterial diseases and infections using the compounds. In particular, the compounds are useful for the treatment of infection with, and diseases caused by, Clostridium difficile.
US08975413B2
This invention relates to a method of preparing a radioisotope nanostructure having a ligand-metal framework, and a radioisotope nanostructure prepared thereby. The method of preparing the radioisotope nanostructure of the invention has a simple preparation process and can thus be applied to mass production of a radioisotope nanostructure. Also, because this radioisotope nanostructure is nano-sized spherical particles and has no reactive group, it can be easily dispersed in a fluid, and this nanostructure is physically and chemically stable and thus can be utilized as a radioisotope tracer in the fields of refineries, chemistry, cement, agriculture, water resources, marine, etc. Furthermore, this nanostructure can be used for diagnosis and/or treatment in medical fields, and can be applied to checking whether a nanomaterial is harmful. In addition, this nanostructure is expected to be applicable in a variety of fields using radioisotopes.
US08975412B2
Compounds of the formula (I) or salts thereof, in which (R1)m, (R2)n, R3 and R4 as defined in Claim 1 are suitable as herbicides for the control of harmful plants or as plant growth regulators. The compounds can be prepared by the processes of Claim 7.
US08975411B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical agent useful for treating and preventing neurological disease, having satisfactory solubility and oxidative stress-mediated cell death suppressive activity as well as capable of exhibiting excellent blood-brain barrier permeability. The present invention is directed to an acylaminoimidazole derivative represented by general formula (I) or a salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical and a therapeutic or preventive agent for neurological disease containing the same, as an active ingredient.
US08975410B2
This invention relates to novel polymorphs of (HO)2NO2(C6H)—(C2N2O)—(C5N)(CH3)2Cl2O, to processes for their preparation, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing said novel polymorphs as active pharmaceutical ingredient.
US08975403B2
A simple process for producing v-coelenterazine compounds has been desired. Described is a process for producing a v-coelenterazine compound represented by general formula (II) comprising (1) the step of reacting a compound of general formula (VIII) with a methyltriphenylphosphonium salt in the presence of a base to give a compound represented by general formula (IX), (2) the step of performing a ring-closing metathesis reaction on any one selected from the group consisting of the compound represented by general formula (IX) and a compound of general formula (X) which is the compound of general formula (IX) wherein the amino is protected with R5, and then deprotecting R4 and, if any, R5 to give a v-coelenteramine compound represented by general formula (XIV), and (3) the step of reacting the compound of general formula (XIV) with a compound represented by general formula (XV) to give the compound of general formula (II).
US08975402B2
The present invention relates to a new HPLC method for the analysis of the drug substance bosentan and related substances and to the use of said substances as reference standards and markers.
US08975398B2
Disclosed are compounds which inhibit the activity of NAMPT, compositions containing the compounds and methods of treating diseases during which NAMPT is expressed.
US08975397B2
The instant invention relates to novel solid forms of the compound of formula (I) as well as solvates, inclusion complexes with other suitable compounds, processes for their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing these solid forms, and their use as pharmaceuticals.
US08975392B2
The invention includes methods for isolating crystalline Form I of 5-azacytidine substantially free of other forms, wherein 5-azacytidine is represented by the formula: The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising Form I of 5-azacytidine.
US08975383B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a protein which has a restored native higher-order structure by bringing a protein which has lost its native higher-order structure into contact at pH 6.5 to 9.0 with a 1 to 3% aqueous solution of a specific surfactant, such as lauroylglutamic acid to obtain a solubilized solution of the protein; and then adding the solubilized solution to a buffer with pH 6.5 to 9.0 containing arginine or an arginine derivative at a concentration of 0.1 to 1.2 M to lower the concentration of the specific surfactant, such as lauroylglutamic acid, in the obtained mixture solution down to 0.02 to 0.275%. According to the present invention, it is possible to easily restore the native higher-order structure of a protein while smoothly removing the surfactant from the protein.
US08975373B2
Provided is a protein quantitation standard having polypeptides of different molecular weights that functions as a mass quantitation standard in one lane of an electrophoretic gel. The protein quantitation standard includes unstained polypeptides having different electrophoretic mobilities that are present in different quantities, such that the bands in the gel have different intensities when visualized. The protein quantitation standard can also contain prestained polypeptides that function as visual molecular weight markers. Also provided are methods of determining the mass of a target polypeptide or protein using the protein quantitation standard.
US08975369B2
The present invention relates to a novel protein skeletal module which increases the binding affinity or binding specificity of active polypeptides. More particularly, the present invention relates to a protein skeletal module comprising polypeptides consisting of the 1st to 19th amino acids of the amino acid sequence expressed in sequence number 1; polypeptides comprising active polypeptides; and polypeptides consisting of the 29th to 86th amino acids of the amino acid sequence expressed in sequence number 1. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the protein skeletal module. The protein skeletal module of the present invention increases the binding affinity or binding specificity of active polypeptides embedded therein, and therefore is effective in diagnosing and treating diseases.
US08975366B2
An organic semiconductor compound may be represented by the above Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2, and an organic thin film may include the organic semiconductor compound according to Chemical Formula 1 or 2.
US08975361B2
The present invention relates to water and solvent-free polymers, in particular water and solvent-free synthetic rubber products like styrene butadiene rubber products and butadiene rubber products as well as a process for the production thereof. The invention further relates to a device suitable to accomplish said process.
US08975360B2
Nanocomposites comprising a sulfonated telechelic polycarbonate and an organically modified clay are disclosed. The polycarbonate nanocomposites have improved physical and mechanical properties.
US08975348B2
A solvent-based non-aqueous fluorinated methacrylate polymer comprising repeating units in any sequence from (1) at least one fluorinated methacrylate, and (2) at least one non-fluorinated alkyl acrylate and (3) at least one non-fluorinated hydroxyalkyl methacrylate, provided that a) the repeating unit of fluorinated methacrylate is present in a range of about 40%-80% by weight of total monomers added, b) the repeating unit of non-fluorinated alkyl acrylate is present in a range of about 10%-35% by weight of total monomers added, and c) the repeating unit of non-fluorinated hydroxyalkyl methacrylate is present in a range of about 5%-25% by weight of total monomers added, and d) the total of all repeating units is 100% by weight.
US08975343B2
A hydroxyl-functional polyester resin composition including the reaction product of (a) a divinylarene dioxide, and (b) at least one dicarboxylic acid; a process for making the hydroxyl-functional polyester resin composition; and a curable hydroxyl-functional polyester resin composition made therefrom. The cured product made from the above curable hydroxyl-functional polyester resin composition is thermally stable and offers improved properties such as a lower viscosity and a high heat resistance compared to known cured products prepared from known epoxy resins.
US08975339B2
Provided is a surface treatment method for a water-absorbent resin having excellent production efficiency, absorption capacity against pressure, fluid permeability or the like. Provided is a method for the surface treatment of a water-absorbent resin which comprises a) a step for mixing 0.1 to 20 parts by weight of an acid group-containing radically polymerizable compound and 5 to 20 parts by weight of water, relative to 100 parts by weight of a water-absorbent resin; and b) a step for polymerizing the acid group-containing radically polymerizable compound, wherein neutralization ratio of the acid group-containing radically polymerizable compound is 0 to 60% by mol, and is lower than neutralization ratio of the water-absorbent resin.
US08975337B2
A molding compound comprises a copolymer (I)a), produced by polymerization of 90-100% by weight methylmethacrylate, styrene and malic acid anhydride, and optionally 0-10% by weight additional monomers which can be copolymerized with methylmethacrylate, a (co)polymer (II)b), produced by polymerization of 80-100% by weight methylmethacrylate and optionally 0-20% by weight additional monomers which can be copolymerized with methylmethacrylate, and has a solution viscosity in chloroform at 25° C. (ISO 1628 Part 6) of 50 to 55 ml/g, as well as c) optional conventional additives, auxiliary agents and/or fillers. The molding compound is characterized in that the copolymer (I) has a solution viscosity in chloroform at 25° C. (ISO 1628 Part) of 55 ml/g or less. Also disclosed are moldings produced by thermoplastic processing of the molding compound and their uses.
US08975328B2
An aqueous liquid medium for analyzing, purifying or separating species in an element having walls or for treating the walls of an element. The medium includes at least a polymer consisting of several polymeric segments. The polymer is of the irregular block-copolymer or irregular comb-like polymer type and has on the average at least three junction points between polymeric segments of different chemical or topological nature. The medium may be used in methods for analyzing, purifying or separating species and methods for treating an element to be contacted with a fluid and/or species contained in the fluid during preservation, transport, analysis, purification or separation of the fluid.
US08975319B2
Described herein is a method for producing a nanocomposite material, including nanofillers dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a starting thermoplastic polymeric material, having a crystalline structure; b) providing one or more precursors of the nanofillers; c) bringing the starting thermoplastic polymeric material into the molten state and dispersing the precursor or precursors therein; d) subjecting the precursor or precursors to in situ thermolysis, thereby generating the nanofillers directly within the melted material; and e) causing solidification of the molten polymeric material including the nanofillers, thereby obtaining the nanocomposite material. The precursor or the precursors are selected from among carbonates and acetylacetonates and the thermoplastic polymeric material is isotactic polypropylene.
US08975308B2
The present invention is directed to a coating composition including a (meth)acrylate binder resin, a UV initiator, an organic solvent, and silica particles surface-treated with a (meth)acrylate compound, a coating film including a cured product of the coating composition, and a method of producing the coating film. The present invention makes it possible to provide a coating material having high transmittance and a low level of haze, and excellent scratch resistance and self-healing capabilities.
US08975299B2
The subject invention thus provides a composition comprising at least one triglyceride, at least one phospholipid and at least one poly-unsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA); wherein at least about 1% of the LC-PUFA in the composition is conjugated to said at least one phospholipid and uses thereof.
US08975292B2
The present invention relates to a method for controlling arthropods comprising the application of an aqueous gel which contains an insecticide, an attractant and a thickener, wherein the aqueous gel is applied in the form of spots on fruit trees. The invention further relates to an aqueous gel comprising an insecticide, an attractant, a thickener, a humectant and a feeding stimulant. The invention also relates to a concentrated gel for preparing the aqueous gel.
US08975288B2
A compound or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, as well as a pharmaceutical, composition containing that compound or salt dissolved or dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a method of using that compound or salt in an antibacterial treatment. A contemplated compound corresponds in structure to structural Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of that compound, wherein V is O or NR9, Y is halogen, OR10, C1-C4 hydrocarbyl or NHR10, Z is NR2—X—R1 or CH2—R8, n is 1-6, X is H, S(O)2, C(O), C(O)NR7, C(NH)NR7 or C(O)O, and R1, R2, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are defined within.
US08975286B2
The present invention is directed to ether benzotriazole derivatives which are potentiators of metabotropic glutamate receptors, particularly the mGluR2 receptor, and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction and diseases in which metabotropic glutamate receptors are involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which metabotropic glutamate receptors are involved.
US08975273B2
A solid oral controlled-release oral dosage form of hydrocodone is disclosed. The dosage form comprising an analgesically effective amount of hydrocodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a sufficient amount of a controlled release material to render the dosage form suitable for twice-a-day administration to a human patient, the dosage form providing a C12/Cmax ratio of 0.55 to 0.85, said dosage form providing a therapeutic effect for at least about 12 hours.
US08975267B2
The present invention relates to tricyclic pyrrolo derivatives of Formula (I), which modulate the activity of protein kinases and are therefore useful in treating diseases caused by dysregulated protein kinase activity. The present invention also provides methods for preparing these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of treating diseases utilizing such these compounds or the pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US08975265B2
Compounds of formula (I) which are effective inhibitors of the Pi3K/Akt pathway, processes for their production and their use as pharmaceuticals.
US08975262B2
The present invention provides arylamide compounds and methods of making and using them as antibiotics.
US08975251B2
Methods and articles of manufacture for use in improving a cognitive function, utilizing a conjugate comprising a first moiety having GABA agonist activity and a second moiety having CNS activity being covalently linked to the first moiety, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods and articles of manufacture of preventing onset or inhibiting progression of a cognitive impairment or dysfunction utilizing the disclosed conjugate.
US08975246B2
A method for treating a disease or disorder associated with altered glucose metabolism or insulin action in a subject in need thereof. The method includes administering to the subject a BAFAC (bile acid or bile salt fatty acid conjugate) of general formula II: W-X-G in which G is a bile acid or bile salt radical, which is optionally conjugated in position 24 with a suitable amino acid, W stands for one or two fatty acid radicals, each having from 14-22 carbon atoms, and X is a suitable bonding member or a direct C═C bond between G and each W, said suitable bonding member being selected from the group consisting of NH, O, P and S. The disease or disorder associated with altered glucose metabolism is selected from the group consisting of hyperglycemia, diabetes, insulin resistance and obesity.
US08975242B2
The present invention relates to novel tigecycline compositions with improved stability in both solid and solution states and processes for making these compositions. These compositions comprise tigecycline, a suitable carbohydrate, and an acid or buffer.
US08975237B2
Treatment of fibrosis and fibrotic diseases, disorders, and conditions, and associated methods, compositions, formulations and articles.
US08975231B2
A cyclized peptide designated BMP Binding Peptide (BBP) is a synthetic peptide that avidly binds rhBMP-2, as do endogenous forms of BBP, and sequence conservation between species results in a variety of useful BBP compositions. BBP increases the over-all osteogenic activity of rhBMP-2, increases the rate at which rhBMP-2 induces bone formation, and BBP induces calcification alone. Compositions and substrates including BBP, and methods of using BBP are useful in therapeutic, diagnostic and clinical applications requiring calcification and osteogenesis.
US08975221B2
The use of sugars in a stabilization matrix and solid detergent compositions is disclosed along with methods of making and using the solid detergent compositions.
US08975213B2
Biocontrol agents are provided, which protect plant and plant material from pests and pathogens, and promote the growth of plants. Also provided are compositions comprising the same, methods for protecting plant and plant material and promoting growth in plants, and uses of said biocontrol agent in the preparation of a pesticidal composition and a growth-promoting composition.
US08975210B2
The present invention relates to a web substrate comprising an activatable colorant and at least one deformed region. A first activated color region is produced in the web substrate upon exposure to a first external stimulus and a second activated color region is produced within the first activated color region upon exposure to a second external stimulus. The second activated color region coincides with the deformed region.
US08975208B2
The present invention provides an adsorbent for removing sulfur from cracking gasoline or diesel fuel. The adsorbent has excellent abrasion-resistance and desulfurization activity. The adsorbent comprises from about 5 to about 35 wt % of alumina, from about 3 to about 30 wt % of silica, from about 10 to about 80 wt % of at least one oxide of metal selected from Groups IIB and VB, from about 3 to about 30 wt % of at least one metal accelerant selected from Groups VIIB and VIII, and from about 0.5 to about 10 wt % of at least one oxide of metal selected from Groups IA and IIA, based on the total weight of the adsorbent.
US08975204B2
The present invention relates to a catalyst for purifying exhaust gases emitted from the internal combustion engines.The exhaust-gas-purifying catalyst in this invention, comprising: a catalyst support substrate and a plurality of catalyst layers formed on a surface of the catalyst support substrate and having an exterior-surface layer for forming a surface of the plural catalyst layers, and the exterior-surface layer including a loading layer formed by fireproof inorganic oxide; at least one catalytic metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium and rhodium, and supported on the loading layer; stabilized zirconia loaded on the loading layer; and cerium-zirconium composite oxide loaded on the loading layer, and the stabilized zirconia including zirconia and oxide formed by at least one additive member selected from the group consisting of yttrium, neodymium, praseodymium and lanthanum. The durability of the exhaust-gas-purifying catalyst was improved by having the stabilized zirconia and cerium-zirconium composite oxide in the exterior-surface layer.
US08975201B2
A matrix for a thermostructural fibrous composite material obtained by geopolymer synthesis based on nanocrystalline cristobalite resulting from the crystallization of geopolymer micelles of potassium polysiloxonate K—(Si—O—Si—O)n. The nanocrystalline cristobalite is in the form of micelles and/or microspheres having dimensions of less than 1 micron, preferably of less than 500 nanometers, connected together by an amorphous phase. The matrix contains at least 85 percent by weight of oxide SiO2 with at most 15%, preferably at most 10%, by weight of alkali metal oxide K2O. The nanocrystalline cristobalite results from the crystallization of geopolymer micelles of potassium polysiloxonate by a heat treatment at a temperature preferably between 600° C. and 800° C., for a time of less than 30 minutes. The fibrous composite material impregnated with this matrix is thermostructural.
US08975192B2
A method is provided for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a heat-resistant resin film with flip-chip connection structure using a solder bump or a gold bump and an epoxy resin compound laminated thereon, in which adhesiveness is improved particularly after exposure to high temperature and high humidity environments for a long period of time, thereby enhancing the reliability of the semiconductor device. The method, in accordance with the present invention, for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a heat-resistant resin film formed on a semiconductor element and an epoxy resin compound layer laminated thereon, comprises the steps of carrying out a plasma treatment on a surface of the heat-resistant resin film on which the epoxy resin compound layer is laminated using a nitrogen atom-containing gas containing at least one of nitrogen, ammonia, and hydrazine.
US08975181B2
A semiconductor device and manufacture method thereof include a silicide material formed on a source region and a drain region on opposite sides of a gate, wherein the gate having sidewalls on both side surfaces is formed on a substrate. The gate has a first sidewall spacer and a second sidewall spacer on each sidewall, the first spacer has a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, the horizontal portion is located between the second sidewall spacer and the substrate, the vertical portion is located between the second sidewall spacer and the sidewalls. A protecting layer is selectively deposited on the silicide material.
US08975172B2
[Object] To provide a method for manufacturing a solar cell element including a semiconductor substrate that includes a high-concentration dopant layer located near the surface of the semiconductor substrate and a low-concentration dopant layer located more inside the semiconductor substrate than the high-concentration dopant layer.[Solving Means] A method includes heating a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type in a first atmosphere which contains a dopant having a second conductivity type and which has a first dopant concentration; heating in a second atmosphere the semiconductor substrate heated in the first atmosphere, the second atmosphere having a second dopant concentration less than the first dopant concentration; and heating in a third atmosphere the semiconductor substrate heated in the second atmosphere, the third atmosphere having a third dopant concentration greater than the second dopant concentration.
US08975168B2
A SOI substrate layer formed of a silicon semiconductor material includes adjacent first and second regions. A portion of the silicon substrate layer in the second region is removed such that the second region retains a bottom portion made of the silicon semiconductor material. An epitaxial growth of a silicon-germanium semiconductor material is made to cover the bottom portion. Germanium is then driven from the epitaxially grown silicon-germanium material into the bottom portion to convert the bottom portion to silicon-germanium. Further silicon-germanium growth is performed to define a silicon-germanium region in the second region adjacent the silicon region in the first region. The silicon region is patterned to define a first fin structure of a FinFET of a first (for example, n-channel) conductivity type. The silicon-germanium region is also patterned to define a second fin structure of a FinFET of a second (for example, p-channel) conductivity type.
US08975166B2
Methods and apparatus for generating and delivering atomic hydrogen to the growth front during the deposition of a III-V film are provided. The apparatus adapts HWCVD technology to a system wherein the Group III precursor and the Group V precursor are delivered to the surface in isolated processing environments within the system. Multiple HWCVD units may be incorporated so that the atomic hydrogen parameters may be varied in a combinatorial manner for the development of III-V films.
US08975164B2
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method at least comprises the following steps. First, the semiconductor device, which comprises a gate, a gate dielectric layer, an active layer, a source and a drain, is manufactured. However, the semiconductor device has a plurality of defects, and the active layer is a metal oxide thin film. After annealing the semiconductor device, it will be transferred into a chamber. A final step of injecting a supercritical fluid carried with a co-solvent into the chamber is then performed to modify the abovementioned defects.
US08975161B2
A dicing/die bonding integral film of the present invention includes a base film, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer which is formed on the base film and to which a wafer ring for blade dicing is bonded, and a bonding layer formed on the adhesive layer and having a central portion to which a semiconductor wafer to be diced is bonded, wherein a planar shape of the bonding layer is circular, an area of the bonding layer is greater than an area of the semiconductor wafer and smaller than an area of each of the base film and the adhesive layer, and a diameter of the bonding layer is greater than a diameter of the semiconductor wafer and less than an inner diameter of the wafer ring, and a difference in diameter between the bonding layer and the semiconductor wafer is greater than 20 mm and less than 35 mm.
US08975156B2
A method of sealing a first wafer and a second wafer each made of semiconducting materials, including: implanting a metallic species in at least the first wafer, assembling the first wafer and the second wafer by molecular bonding, and after the molecular bonding, forming a metallic ohmic contact including alloys formed between the implanted metallic species and the semiconducting materials of the first wafer and the second wafer, the metallic ohmic contact being formed at an assembly interface between the first wafer and the second wafer, wherein the forming includes causing the implanted metallic species to diffuse towards the interface between the first wafer with the second wafer and beyond the interface.
US08975154B2
A method for producing at least one deep trench isolation in a semiconductor substrate including silicon and having a front side may include forming at least one cavity in the semiconductor substrate from the front side. The method may include conformally depositing dopant atoms on walls of the cavity, and forming, in the vicinity of the walls of the cavity, a silicon region doped with the dopant atoms. The method may further include filling the cavity with a filler material to form the at least one deep trench isolation.
US08975153B2
A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a hard mask layer over a substrate comprising a semiconductor material of a first conductivity type, and forming a plurality of trenches in the hard mask layer and extending into the substrate. Each trench has at least one side wall and a bottom wall. The method further includes forming at least one barrier insulator layer along the at least one side wall and over the bottom wall of each trench, removing the at least one barrier insulator layer over the bottom wall of each trench, and filling the plurality of trenches with a semiconductor material of a second conductivity type.
US08975151B2
One aspect includes a method for forming a buried material layer in a semiconductor body, including providing a semiconductor body having a first side and having a plurality of first trenches extending from the first surface into the semiconductor body. Each of the plurality of first trenches has a bottom and has at least one sidewall and the plurality of first trenches is separated from one another by semiconductor mesa regions. A first material layer is formed on the bottom of each of the plurality of first trenches such that the first material layer leaves at least one segment of at least one sidewall of each of the plurality of trenches uncovered. Each of the plurality of first trenches is filled by epitaxially growing a semiconductor material from the at least one uncovered sidewall segment. After filling the first trenches, second trenches are formed in the mesa regions.
US08975142B2
Performance of a FinFET is enhanced through a structure that exerts physical stress on the channel. The stress is achieved by a combination of tungsten contacts for the source and drain, epitaxially grown raised source and raised drain, and manipulation of aspects of the tungsten contact deposition resulting in enhancement of the inherent stress of tungsten. The stress can further be enhanced by epitaxially re-growing the portion of the raised source and drain removed by etching trenches for the contacts and/or etching deeper trenches (and corresponding longer contacts) below a surface of the fin.
US08975135B2
An analog floating-gate electrode in an integrated circuit, and method of fabricating the same, in which trapped charge can be stored for long durations. The analog floating-gate electrode is formed in a polycrystalline silicon gate level, and includes portions serving as a transistor gate electrode, a plate of a metal-to-poly storage capacitor, and a plate of poly-to-active tunneling capacitors. A silicide-block film comprised of a layer of silicon dioxide underlying a top layer of silicon nitride blocks the formation of silicide cladding on the electrode, while other polysilicon structures in the integrated circuit, such as polysilicon-to-metal capacitors, are silicide-clad. Following silicidation, a capacitor dielectric is deposited over the remaining polysilicon structures, followed by formation of an upper metal plate.
US08975132B2
A semiconductor device with an isolation layer buried in a trench includes an interface layer formed on the surface of the trench, a buffer layer formed in the interface layer at a bottom corner of the trench, a liner layer formed over the interface layer, and a gap-fill layer gap-filling the trench over the liner layer. The trench includes a micro-trench formed at the bottom corner thereof, and the buffer layer fills the micro-trench.
US08975114B2
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to memory devices and methods for fabricating such memory devices. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a resistive switching memory device includes depositing a metallic layer on a lower electrode disposed on a substrate and exposing the metallic layer to an activated oxygen source while heating the substrate to an oxidizing temperature within a range from about 300° C. to about 600° C. and forming a metal oxide layer from an upper portion of the metallic layer during an oxidation process. The lower electrode contains a silicon material and the metallic layer contains hafnium or zirconium. Subsequent to the oxidation process, the method further includes heating the substrate to an annealing temperature within a range from greater than 600° C. to about 850° C. while forming a metal silicide layer from a lower portion of the metallic layer during a silicidation process.
US08975108B2
An optical proximity sensor module includes a substrate, a light emitter mounted on a first surface of the substrate, the light emitter being operable to emit light at a first wavelength, and a light detector mounted on the first surface of the substrate, the light detector being operable to detect light at the first wavelength. The module includes an optics member disposed substantially parallel to the substrate, and a separation member disposed between the substrate and the optics member. The separation member may surround the light emitter and the light detector, and may include a wall portion that extends from the substrate to the optics member and that separates the light emitter and the light detector from one another. The separation member may be composed, for example, of a non-transparent polymer material containing a pigment, such as carbon black.
US08975093B2
The instant disclosure relates to a device and method for recrystallising a silicon wafer or a wafer comprising at least one silicon layer. The silicon wafer or the at least one silicon layer of the wafer is totally molten.
US08975089B1
The present invention is directed to a method for forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memory element comprising the steps of providing a substrate having a bottom electrode layer thereon; depositing an MTJ layer stack on top of the bottom electrode layer; forming a composite hard mask comprising a bottom conducting mask disposed on top of the MTJ layer stack and a top conducting mask with a dielectric mask interposed therebetween; etching the MTJ layer stack with the composite hard mask thereon to form a patterned MTJ while consuming the top conducting mask, thereby exposing the dielectric mask on top; and trimming the patterned MTJ with the bottom conducting mask and the dielectric mask thereon by ion beam etching to remove redeposited material and damaged material from surface of the patterned MTJ while consuming most of the dielectric mask.
US08975088B2
Various embodiments of the invention relate to etching processes used in fabrication of MTJ cells in an MRAM device. The various embodiments can be used in combination with each other. The first embodiment adds a hard mask buffer layer between a hard mask and a top electrode. The second embodiment uses a multilayered etching hard mask. The third embodiment uses a multilayered top electrode structure including a first Cu layer under a second layer such as Ta. The fourth embodiment is a two-phase etching process used for the bottom electrode to remove re-deposited material while maintaining a more vertical sidewall etching profile. In the first phase the bottom electrode layer is removed using carbonaceous reactive ion etching until the endpoint. In the second phase an inert gas and/or oxygen plasma is used to remove the polymer that was deposited during the previous etching processes.
US08975086B2
The present invention provides therapeutic agents and methods for treating cancer using the polypeptides composed of an amino acid sequence which includes a polypeptide fragment of DEPDC1. The polypeptides of the present invention can be introduced into cancer cells by modifying the polypeptides with transfection agents such as poly-arginine. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods of screening for therapeutic agents or compounds useful in inhibition of the DEPDC1/ZN-F224 complex formation or the treatment of cancer. The present invention also provides siRNAs targeting the ZNF224 gene, which are suggested to be useful in the treatment of bladder cancer.
US08975085B2
An extraction system for distributing a test product in an extraction fluid, the system including a flow cell and a pump The flow cell has walls defining an internal passageway having an extraction region for holding the test product and also an upstream end and a downstream end between which the extraction region extends. The internal cross-sectional area of the upstream end is larger than the internal cross-sectional area of the downstream end the and extraction region tapers from the upstream end to the downstream end. The pump has an inlet in fluid communication with the downstream end and an outlet in fluid communication with the upstream end. The pump re-circulates extraction fluid from the downstream end back to the upstream end so as to progressively erode the test product and distribute the test product in the extraction fluid.
US08975084B2
A method for the determination of the aromatic cores or building blocks of a vacuum resid by controlled fragmentation. Molecules can be generated from these building blocks.
US08975079B2
Provided herein are biodegradable copolymers and nanoplex delivery systems comprising the same and a cargo molecule, such as a nucleic acid, a polynucleotide or other biomolecule. The biodegradable copolymers may comprise a reducible polymer linearly modified with lysine, such as a linear lysine-modified N,N′-cystamine bisacrylamide. The biodegradable copolymers also may be conjugated to a sequestering moiety, such as dietheylamine. The biodegradable copolymers also may comprise one or both of a targeting moiety and one or more moieties to facilitate endosomal escape. Also provided are methods for treating a pathophysiological condition and for increasing biocompatibility of a polymeric delivery system upon delivery to a subject using the biodegradable copolymers and nanoplexes.
US08975077B2
Methods and devices for dispersion of clusters of somatic plant embryos suspended in a liquid are disclosed. The methods comprise i) subjecting the clusters of embryos to fluid dynamics forces causing axially extensional strain and radially compressional strain and ii) subjecting the clusters of embryos to fluid dynamics forces causing axially compressional strain and radially extensional strain fluid dynamics and iii) repeating said steps in sequence until the individual embryos are separated from each other. The devices may comprise a flow channel including at least one constriction, such that clusters of embryos flowing through the flow channel are first subjected to axially extensional strain and radially compressional strain, and then to axially compressional strain and radially extensional strain from fluid dynamics forces.
US08975075B2
A hemostatic device, method of making, and method of using for internal and external applications to wounds in the body of a patient to induce hemostasis at an anatomical site.
US08975073B2
A microfluidic device includes, in one embodiment, a first silk film coupled to a second silk film with at least one microchannel therebetween.
US08975072B2
Provided are: a method for producing an immortalized human erythroid progenitor cell line, enabling efficient and stable production of enucleated red blood cells; and a method for producing human enucleated red blood cells from a human erythroid progenitor cell line obtained by the aforementioned production method. An expression cassette capable of inducing expression of HPV-E6/E7 genes in the presence of DOX was introduced into the genomic DNA of blood stem cells. Then, the blood stem cells were cultured in the presence of DOX and a blood growth factor. Thereby, immortalized cell lines of human erythroid progenitor cells were established. Further, it was revealed that culturing the cell lines under a condition where the expression of the HPV-E6/E7 genes was not induced enabled differentiation induction into enucleated red blood cells at a high ratio.
US08975071B1
The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating cancer in a human. The invention includes relates to administering a genetically modified T cell to express a CAR wherein the CAR comprises an antigen binding domain, a transmembrane domain, a costimulatory signaling region, and a CD3 zeta signaling domain.
US08975062B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US08975061B2
The present invention relates to the regulation of a toxin and/or antitoxin genes in a genetically engineered microorganism, such as cyanobacterial or eukaryotic algal strains, in particular for preventing unintentional and/or uncontrolled spread of the microorganisms. The present invention also includes methods of controlling the growth and/or survival of the engineered microorganism
US08975059B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US08975058B2
The present invention relates to production of fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic material by enzymatic conversion. The fermentable sugars are useful e.g. in the production of bioethanol. Novel polypeptides having endoglucanase activity, polynucleotides encoding them and vectors and host cells containing the polynucleotides are disclosed. A method for treating cellulosic material with the novel endoglucanase as well as uses of the enzymes and enzyme preparations and a method of preparing them are described.
US08975050B2
Described is a method for generating conjugated dienes through a biological process. More specifically, the application describes a method for producing conjugated dienes (for example butadiene, isoprene or dimethylbutadiene) from light alkenols via enzymatic dehydration, in particular by making use of an alkenol dehydratase.
US08975038B2
Presented is a method of determining the presence of carcinomic cells in a sample by contacting a sample of cells with a solution of TCPP to permit binding of the TCPP to components of the abnormal dysplastic or carcinomic cells, if any are present; detecting TCPP fluorescence in the sample, the presence of TCPP fluorescence being indicative that the sample contains dysplastic or carcinomic cells.
US08975037B2
The invention provides compositions comprising one or more isolated factors from a microenvironment of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), including, but not limited to, Lefty and inhibitors of Nodal. The invention also provides methods of utilizing factors derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and their microenvironment to treat and prevent tumor formation and progression and to inhibit tumor cell aggressiveness. The invention further provides methods of inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or treating aggressive tumors in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, having at least one tumor cell present in its body, an effective amount of an inhibitor of Nodal activity.
US08975033B2
In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a novel biomarker which provides a link between a distinct clinical phenotype and a biochemical effect of an autoantibody on an enzyme implicated in disease pathogenesis. In particular, the present invention provides an isolated or purified human autoantibody to PAD3 protein. Methods of diagnosis of subjects for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using these antibodies as well as diagnosis of the severity of RA in the subject, and methods for monitoring treatment of a subject with RA are also provided. The biomarkers provided herein are also useful in the diagnosis of connective tissue-interstitial lung disease (CT-ILD) in patients having or suspected of having RA.
US08975032B2
The object of the present invention is to provide: a test kit for an antibody titer or an antibody against a periodontal disease-causing bacterium in a blood sample, which enables the testing on a periodontal disease in patients having a wide scope of immunotypes with high accuracy and can be treated by an automated device at a high speed; a periodontal disease-causing bacterium antigen protein which can be suitably used in the kit; a method for testing an antibody titer or the presence of an antibody in a blood sample using the kit; and a kit for typing strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis. The present invention discloses: a test kit comprising a set of polypeptides respectively having the acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 9, 15, 19, 31, 41, 43, 63, 65 and 67; a modified polypeptide having the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 67; and a method for determining an antibody titer or the presence of an antibody against a periodontal disease-causing bacterium in a blood sample separated from a human body, comprising bringing the blood sample into contact with the above-mentioned set of polypeptides.
US08975019B2
A technology is described that is capable of generating high-throughput sequencing (HTS) read length DNA products to accurately and reliably provide exon connectivity information for alternatively spliced isoforms. The method is not limited by the initial size of the isoform as the technology removes the template oligonucleotide sequence and a newly formed full length ligated product provides an HTS-compatible read length sequence that comprises information that corresponds to the consecutive order of the exons in the original template oligonucleotide.
US08975015B2
The compounds disclosed herein are isoxazole derivatives that are useful as antimicrobial compounds, particularly as anti-bacterial compounds. The disclosed methods comprise incubating at least two different substrates in the presence of at least one oxygenase to provide the disclosed compounds, or to prepare and identify compounds that have antimicrobial activity.
US08974999B1
Toner compositions that having spherical particles and provide stable density. The toner compositions also comprise and deliver a silicone oil to the cleaning subsystem in the image forming apparatus by incorporating an inorganic fine powder additive package that has been mixed with silicone oil in a manner such that the toner is blended with the inorganic fine powder and silicone oil.
US08974994B2
Provided is a magnetic carrier satisfactory in terms of the suppression of leakage and solid carrier adhesion, charge-providing performance, and developability. The magnetic carrier is a magnetic carrier, including filled core particles of which pores of porous magnetic core particles are filled with a filling resin composition, and having a surface coated with a coating resin composition, in which the coating resin composition comprises a coating resin and a carbon black, an amount of the coating resin composition is 2.0 parts by mass or more and 5.0 parts by mass or less with respect to 100.0 parts by mass of the filled core particles; and a particle diameter of the carbon black in the coating resin composition Pv at a maximum frequency in a particle size distribution based on a volume of the carbon black is 1.0 μm or more and 10.0 μm or less.
US08974992B2
Provided is an electrophotographic photoreceptor including an electroconductive substrate, an undercoat layer that is provided on the electroconductive substrate, contains a binder resin, metal oxide particles and an electron accepting compound having an acidic group and has an AC impedance of from 1×105Ω to 1×108Ω under the measurement condition in which a temperature is 22° C., a humidity is 50% RH, an AC voltage is ±1 V, and a frequency is 1 Hz and an AC impedance of from 1×103Ω to 1×108Ω under the measurement condition in which a temperature is 22° C., a humidity is 50% RH, an AC voltage is ±1 V, and a frequency is 100 Hz, and a photosensitive layer that is provided on the undercoat layer.
US08974987B2
The present invention provides a halftone mask comprising an assist pattern and a manufacturing method of the halftone mask, which uses an ArF excimer laser as an exposing source, is used for a projection exposure by an off axis illumination, does not resolve the assist pattern while keeping the focal depth magnification effect as the assist pattern, and may form a transferred image having high contrast of a main pattern. A photomask is a photomask comprising the main pattern which is transferred to a transfer-target surface by the projection exposure and the assist pattern which is formed nearby the main pattern and not transferred, characterized in that the main pattern and the assist pattern are each constituted from a semi-transparent film made of the same material, a retardation of 180° is generated between the light transmitting through the main pattern and the light transmitting through a transparent region of a transparent substrate, and a predetermined retardation within the scope of 70° to 115° is generated between the light transmitting through the assist pattern and the light transmitting through the transparent region of the transparent substrate.
US08974986B2
A method for producing metal-supported carbon includes supporting metal microparticles on the surface of carbon black, by a liquid-phase reduction method, in a thin film fluid formed between processing surfaces arranged to be opposite to each other so as to be able to approach to and separate from each other, at least one of which rotates relative to the other.
US08974984B2
A power generation system includes an alkaline fuel cell provided with an electrolyte membrane which is an anion exchange membrane and a pair of electrodes (an anode and a cathode) arranged on the both sides of the electrolyte membrane. The alkaline fuel cell can generate an electric power by supplying a fuel gas and an oxidizing agent gas to the anode side and the cathode side, respectively. The power generation system uses a hydrogen gas containing a basic compound such as ammonia as the fuel gas to be supplied to the anode side.
US08974981B2
The present invention includes a fuel cell system having a plurality of adjacent electrochemical cells formed of an anode layer, a cathode layer spaced apart from the anode layer, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the anode layer and the cathode layer. The fuel cell system also includes at least one interconnect, the interconnect being structured to conduct free electrons between adjacent electrochemical cells. Each interconnect includes a primary conductor embedded within the electrolyte layer and structured to conduct the free electrons.
US08974975B2
A method for determining a rate of accumulation of nitrogen in an anode side of a fuel cell stack. The method includes determining a concentration of nitrogen in an anode loop and determining a number of moles of nitrogen in the anode loop. The method also includes determining a rate of accumulation of nitrogen in the anode loop and determining a permeability factor of nitrogen through fuel cell membranes in the fuel cell stack using the determined rate of accumulation of nitrogen in the anode loop.
US08974974B1
A solid-state electrolyte for rechargeable lithium batteries. The solid state electrolyte comprises a large unsaturated aromatic anion and a lithium charge carrier. The large unsaturated aromatic anion is selected from a di-lithium phthalocyanine and a di-lithium porphyrin, wherein one of the lithium ions of the unsaturated aromatic anion is replaced with a nitrogenous cation.
US08974971B2
A positive electrode for a rechargeable lithium ion battery includes a mixture layer including a positive-electrode active material, a conducting agent, and a binder and a collector having the mixture layer formed on the surface thereof. The positive-electrode active material is a composite oxide having an olivine structure expressed by a formula LiaMxPO4 (where M represents a transition metal including at least one of Fe and Mn and a and x satisfy 0
US08974964B2
An oxygen reduction electrode, e.g., an air cathode, comprising manganese oxides having octahedral molecular sieve structures as active catalyst materials and use of such an electrode as a component of a metal-air cell.
US08974962B2
Disclosed are an anode active material for secondary batteries, capable of intercalating and deintercalating ions, the anode active material including a core including a crystalline carbon-based material, and a composite coating layer including one or more materials selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon, and a hydrophilic material, wherein the composite coating layer includes a matrix comprising one component selected from one or more materials selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon, and a hydrophilic material, and a filler including the other component, incorporated in the matrix, and a secondary battery including the anode active material.
US08974957B2
Provided is a cathode active material having a composition represented by the following Formula I: LiFe(P1-XO4) (I) wherein a molar fraction (1−x) of phosphorus (P) is in the range of 0.910 to 0.999, to allow operational efficiency of the cathode active material to be leveled to a lower operational efficiency of an anode active material and improve energy density of the cathode active material. Furthermore, a cathode active material, wherein a molar fraction (1−x) of phosphorus (P) is lower than 1, contains both Fe2+ and Fe3+, thus advantageously preventing structural deformation, improving ionic conductivity, exhibiting superior rate properties and inhibiting IR drop upon charge/discharge, thereby imparting high energy density to batteries.
US08974954B2
Disclosed is a battery having an improved life. Specifically disclosed is a battery which comprises an electric power generating element in which one or more unit cell layers are stacked, each being constituted by sequentially laminating or stacking a positive electrode, an electrolyte and a negative electrode; a first collector plate which is provided on the outermost positive electrode surface of the electric power generating element; a second collector plate which is provided on the outermost negative electrode surface of the electric power generating element; a convex or protruding portion provided on the first collector plate and/or the second collector plate with a width that is not less than a half of the width of the end edge of the collector plate; and a terminal which is attached to the convex portion for retrieving electric current from the convex portion.
US08974951B2
A battery pack includes a plurality of unit batteries disposed in a spacer and connected via electrode tabs in a case so as to facilitate assembly of the battery pack and to prevent movement of the unit batteries when the battery pack is used, thereby increasing performance and efficiency of manufacture of the battery pack.
US08974950B2
A connection structure for a battery module includes a fastening member and a space forming member. The fastening member presses a connecting portion of a bus bar against an electrode of the battery module to fasten the bus bar to the electrode. The space forming member has an elastic member disposed between the connecting portion of the bus bar and the electrode. The space forming member is configured to provide an insulating space between the connecting portion of the bus bar and the electrode. The elastic member is elastically deformed with a pressing force applied from the fastening member to the connecting portion of the bus bar to cancel the insulating space.
US08974949B2
One example includes a plurality of substantially planar electrodes disposed in a stack, in alignment, the stack being at least partially disk-shaped with a first major face opposing a second major face, with an edge extending between the first major face and the second major face, a pocket, with a covered portion of the stack disposed in the pocket, the pocket shaped to conform to the stack with a first portion of the pocket covering a first segment of the first major face, a second portion covering a second segment of the second major face opposite the first segment, and an edge portion covering the edge of the stack, wherein a remaining portion of the stack extends out of the pocket and a film disposed over the remaining portion of the stack, substantially covering the remaining portion.
US08974942B2
In certain embodiments, a battery thermal management system includes at least one battery, at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one battery, and a conduit comprising an inlet configured to allow a working fluid to enter and flow into the conduit and into thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The conduit further comprises an outlet configured to allow the working fluid to exit and flow from the conduit and away from being in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The battery thermal management system can further include a first flow control device which directs the working fluid through the inlet of the conduit and a second flow control device which directs the working fluid through the outlet of the conduit. The first flow control device and the second flow control device are each separately operable from one another.
US08974940B1
An energy storage system includes a cell having a flow chamber for receiving electrolyte, and an electrode positioned in the cell. The electrode includes a base plate having a generally planar portion and a plurality of partially cutout portions partially cut out from the generally planar portion to define a plurality of openings in the base plate. Each cutout portion is attached to the generally planar portion and has a projecting part that extends away from the generally planar portion. Furthermore, the openings and the cutout portions are configured to enhance mixing of the electrolyte when the electrolyte is received in the flow chamber.
US08974939B2
An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface, which may employ a surface energy effect to maintain a position of the fluid surface and/or to modulate flow within the fluid. Fluid-directing structures may also modulate flow or retain fluid in a predetermined pattern. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.
US08974934B2
A battery module is provided. The battery module includes a battery cell and a heat exchanger disposed adjacent to the battery cell. The battery module further includes a cooling manifold having a tubular wall, a first fluid port, and a ring shaped member. The tubular wall defines an interior region and having first and second end portions. The first fluid port extends outwardly from an outer surface of the tubular wall and fluidly communicates with the interior region of the tubular wall. The ring shaped member is disposed on an outer surface of the first fluid port a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the tubular wall.
US08974927B2
An apparatus for producing hydrogen from an electrolyte solution, in particular an aqueous solution, is described. The apparatus includes a hydrogen-developing body having an electrolyte-contacting surface. The electrolyte-contacting surface of the hydrogen-developing body includes regions formed from magnesium, Mg, zinc, Zn, aluminium, Al, or alloys thereof alternating with regions formed from ferrum, Fe, or a ferrous alloy, Fe alloy. The apparatus may further include means for accumulating hydrogen which has developed on the surface of the body.
US08974922B2
Provided are an organic light emitting device including: a substrate; a first electrode; a second electrode; and an organic layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and including an emission layer, wherein one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a reflective electrode and the other is a semitransparent or transparent electrode, and wherein the organic layer includes a layer having at least one of the compounds having at least one carbazole group, and a flat panel display device including the organic light emitting device. The organic light emitting device has low driving voltage, excellent current density, high brightness, excellent color purity, high efficiency, and long lifetime.
US08974919B2
The present invention relates to a novel anthracene derivative and an organic electronic device using the same. The anthracene derivative can act as a hole injecting, hole transporting, electron injecting and transporting, or light emitting material in an organic light emitting device and an organic electronic device. In particular, the anthracene derivative can act as a light emitting host. The organic electronic device according to the present invention has excellent characteristics in views of efficiency, the driving voltage, and the stability.
US08974903B2
Porous cross-linked polyimide-urea networks are provided. The networks comprise a subunit comprising two anhydride end-capped polyamic acid oligomers in direct connection via a urea linkage. The oligomers (a) each comprise a repeating unit of a dianhydride and a diamine and a terminal anhydride group and (b) are formulated with 2 to 15 of the repeating units. The subunit was formed by reaction of the diamine and a diisocyanate to form a diamine-urea linkage-diamine group, followed by reaction of the diamine-urea linkage-diamine group with the dianhydride and the diamine to form the subunit. The subunit has been cross-linked via a cross-linking agent, comprising three or more amine groups, at a balanced stoichiometry of the amine groups to the terminal anhydride groups. The subunit has been chemically imidized to yield the porous cross-linked polyimide-urea network. Also provided are wet gels, aerogels, and thin films comprising the networks, and methods of making the networks.
US08974899B1
A flexible hybrid coverglass for spacecraft solar panels comprised of small beads of either fused silica or ceria-doped borosilicate glass embedded in a matrix of conventional coverglass adhesives. These beads may also be used in a matrix of Kapton as the solar panel's substrate which may be combined with flexible solar cells to form flexible solar panels.
US08974895B2
An inkjet ink that contains at least water; a water-soluble organic solvent; a pigment; and a copolymer or a salt thereof. The copolymer or the salt thereof has at least a structural unit represented by Formula 1, a structural unit represented by Formula 2, and a structural unit represented by Formula 3 or 4.
US08974893B2
An artificial microstructure comprises two “I” shaped metal wire structures. The two “I” shaped metal wire structures are separated to each other. The present invention also discloses an artificial electromagnetic material using the artificial microstructures. The artificial electromagnetic material has high resonance frequency, wide effective frequency band and has a wide application range.
US08974888B2
An enhanced substrate for making a printed circuit board (PCB) includes a silane applied to the ends of glass fibers in via holes. In one embodiment, during a plated through-hole (PTH) via fabrication process, glass fiber bundles exposed in a drilled through-hole are selectively sealed. For example, after the through-hole is drilled in a substrate, the substrate may be subjected to an aqueous silane bath (e.g., an organo trialkoxysilane in an aqueous solution of an acid that acts as a catalyst) to deposit a layer of silane on the exposed glass fiber bundle ends. For example, trialkoxy groups of the silane may react with exposed silanols on the glass to form a siloxane, which is further polymerized to form a silane polymer barrier layer on the exposed glass fiber ends. The barrier layer effectively seals the glass fiber bundles and eliminates the conductive anodic filament (CAF) pathway between PTH vias.
US08974887B2
A folded paper napkin includes paper sheet panels interconnected by fold lines. The folded paper napkin is for dispensing from a paper napkin dispenser having a dispenser opening. A grasping tab is presented to the user at the dispenser opening to retrieve the paper napkin therefrom whether the paper napkin is positioned frontwards or backwards in the dispenser.
US08974882B2
Provided is a hollow foamed blow-molded article having a high heat resistance, employing a thermoplastic resin composition containing a mixed resin of a polyphenylene ether resin and a polystyrene resin, as a base resin. The foamed blow-molded article, may be produced by extruding a foamable molten resin composition obtained by kneading the thermoplastic resin composition and a blowing agent to form a foamed parison, and blow molding the foamed parison. A glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic resin composition is 110° C. or higher. A melt viscosity of the thermoplastic resin composition at a temperature of the glass transition temperature+80° C. and at a shear rate of 100/sec is 3000 to 9500 Pa·s. The physical blowing agent is a blowing agent containing a hydrocarbon compound having 3-5 carbon atoms. A blending amount of the physical blowing agent is 0.4 to 1 mol per kg of the thermoplastic resin composition.
US08974880B2
The invention relates wax blends containing long-chain hydrocarbons and alcohols, to printing ink compositions and thermal transfer ribbons containing the wax blends, and to the use of said wax blends as additives in printing inks.
US08974867B2
A method for making a strip shaped graphene layer includes the following steps. First, a carbon nanotube structure on a surface of a metal substrate is provided. The carbon nanotube structure includes at least one drawn carbon nanotube film. The at least one drawn carbon nanotube film includes a number of carbon nanotube segments, each of the number of carbon nanotube segments being substantially parallel to each other and separated from each other by a strip-shaped gap. Second, carbon ions are implanted into the metal substrate through the strip-shaped gaps. Third, the metal substrate is annealed to obtain the strip shaped graphene layer.
US08974859B2
Methods of pressure coating a target surface of an article comprising one or more grooves formed in an outer surface of an article include fluidly connecting a pressure masker comprising a pressurized masking fluid to one or more coolant supply holes on a first side of the article. The one or more coolant supply holes in fluidic communication with the one or more grooves. Passing the pressurized masking fluid through the one or more grooves from the first side to a second side comprising the target surface at a pressure less than the coating pressure of the coating material, and, coating the target surface with the coating material to allow the coating material to bridge over the one or more grooves and form one or more micro-channels. The pressurized masking fluid passing through the one or more grooves prevents the coating material from permanently altering a cross sectional area of the one or more grooves along its length.
US08974856B2
The present invention provides a method for fabricating a ceramic film on a copper foil. The method comprises applying a layer of a sol-gel composition onto a copper foil. The sol-gel composition comprises a precursor of a ceramic material suspended in 2-methoxyethanol. The layer of sol-gel is then dried at a temperature up to about 250° C. The dried layer is then pyrolyzed at a temperature in the range of about 300 to about 450° C. to form a ceramic film from the ceramic precursor. The ceramic film is then crystallized at a temperature in the range of about 600 to about 750° C. The drying, pyrolyzing and crystallizing are performed under a flowing stream of an inert gas. In some embodiments an additional layer of the sol-gel composition is applied onto the ceramic film and the drying, pyrolyzing and crystallizing steps are repeated for the additional layer to build up a thicker ceramic layer on the copper foil. The process can be repeated one or more times if desired.
US08974853B2
A tire dressing composition is provided that includes at least one silicone fluid having a viscosity of between 40 and 500,000 centiStokes at room temperature. An amine functionalized silicone fluid having a viscosity of between 40 and 500,000 centiStokes at room temperature is also present. A thickener is present to yield a coating from the composition has limited sag, low tack upon coating formation, and desirable durability properties. An organic solvent is present in which the at least one silicone fluid and the amine functionalized silicone fluid are soluble or suspended. A process is provided for dressing a tire having a previous silicone coating thereon, the process including applying the tire dressing composition and allowing a solvent to evaporate from the composition to form a tire dressing coating. The coating producing an initial gloss of great than 200 units. A gloss of greater than 110 units is maintained for at least four weeks subsequent to the application under normal vehicle operation conditions.
US08974849B2
The present invention is directed to a technique of producing an ultra-concentrated liquid coffee that is shelf-stable at ambient temperature without the need for refrigeration or freezing. This invention further relates to a process for manufacturing ultra-concentrated stabilized liquid coffee with enhanced freshness, aroma and flavor retention without acidity or bitterness.
US08974847B2
[Object] To provide a food product that exhibits excellent solubility, such as solid milk.[Means] The above purpose is achieved by a food product having a top surface (4) including a flat area (2); a bottom surface (8) including a flat area (6) parallel to the flat area (2) on the top surface; and a recess (10) formed on the top surface (4) and a recess (12) formed on the bottom surface (8), wherein when the food product has both the recess (10) formed on the top surface (4) and the recess (12) formed on the bottom surface (8), the total of the largest depth du (14) of the recess (10) on the top surface and the largest depth dd (16) of the recess (12) on the bottom surface is 30% or larger of the thickness w (18) of the food product.
US08974846B2
A method of operating a beverage preparation machine, the beverage preparation machine being of the type comprising a brewer comprising: a reservoir containing water; a delivery head for receiving in use a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients; a pump for pumping water from said reservoir to said delivery head; a primary heater for heating the water contained in said reservoir; a secondary heater in between the reservoir and the delivery head; a controller for controlling energization of the primary heater and the secondary heater; and wherein the controller operates to prevent energization of the primary heater simultaneous with energization of the secondary heater. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed and methods and apparatus utilizing first and second brewers.
US08974840B2
The present invention discloses a novel milk-fermented product comprising a group of peptides. The peptides are composed from no. 1 to no. 7 of the figure that is selected from the group consisting of FIG. 11 to FIG. 18. And the novel milk-fermented product is used for suppressing the reduction of bone mineral density. Therefore, the novel milk-fermented product could be a component of foods, nutrient supplement or medicine for treating or preventing osteoporosis.
US08974838B2
A new composition and method are described for male fertility therapy. In one particular embodiment, the composition comprises Lepidium meyenii, carnitine and Coenzyme Q10. When it is administered to males as fertility therapy following the recommended therapeutic regimen, enhanced sperm count, sperm quality, and sperm motility results.
US08974833B2
There is provided a wound healing composition which comprises at least one oxidant, at least one photoactivator capable of activating the oxidant and at least one healing factor chosen from hyaluronic acid, glucosamine and allantoin in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In addition, a method of topically treating wounds using at least one oxidant and at least one photoactivator capable of activating the oxidant followed by illumination of said photosensitizer is disclosed.
US08974830B2
A particle includes a copolymer of lactic acid and glycolic acid, and at least one compound selected from silicon naphthalocyanine and derivatives of silicon naphthalocyanine, in which the particle has a particle size of 10 nm or more and less than 1000 nm.
US08974829B2
A particle includes a ferromagnetic material, a radiopaque material, and/or an MRI-visible material.
US08974826B2
A therapeutic or bioeffecting film delivery system which includes nanoparticles having actives bound to or associated with the nanoparticles and which when administered allow the active to perform a therapeutic or bioeffecting function.
US08974824B2
The present invention discloses stable, solid oral pharmaceutical composition comprising Lanthanum carbonate having more than 6 molecules of water per molecule of lanthanum carbonate and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents, wherein said carrier or diluent excludes monosaccharide/s or disaccharide/s, such that the composition has comparable in-vitro dissolution profile similar to that of FOSRENOL®.Also disclosed is a wet granulation process for making the same.
US08974822B2
The subject invention relates to a variety of formulations of bipolar trans carotenoids including pharmaceutical compositions for oral delivery of a bipolar trans carotenoid comprising i) a bipolar trans carotenoid, ii) a cyclodextrin, and iii) a coating. The invention also relates to preparation of such formulations and their uses.
US08974809B2
An implantable or insertable medical device is provided which includes as components: (a) a substrate component comprising a depression that is at least partially filled with a therapeutic agent-containing material that comprises a first therapeutic agent, and (b) a pre-formed filter insert disposed in the depression such that it regulates transport of chemical species between the depression and the exterior of the device upon implantation or insertion of the device in vivo.
US08974807B2
The novel active compound combinations of extracts from seeds of the neem tree and the active compounds of groups (B) to (F) listed in the description have very good insecticidal and acaricidal properties.
US08974805B2
The present invention relates to a dental cleanser composition for improving adhesion to teeth, and more particularly to, a dental cleanser composition which functions to remove not only a smear layer from the dentin surface of an exposed tooth root, but also oral bacteria, and thus is effective in improving adhesion to teeth in periodontal surgery. The present invention provides a dental cleanser composition containing sodium ethylene diaminotetraacetate and octyl phenol ethoxylate which is a surfactant. Sodium ethylene diaminotetraacetate in the composition functions to remove a smear layer on the tooth root surface and has antibacterial activity, and octyl phenol ethoxylate in the composition functions to lipopolysaccharide. Thus, the composition improves adhesion to teeth in periodontal surgery.
US08974801B2
Pharmaceutical compositions for long-term sustained release of bisphosphonate drugs are provided. In one embodiment, the composition includes an aqueous suspension of a solid which includes a salt of a bisphosphonate drug and a salt of pentavalent phosphorus oxoacid. The compositions can be used to treat a variety of bone diseases, including osteoporosis.
US08974791B2
Provided herein are methods and compositions for treating a subject suffering from a deficiency in α-L-Iduronidase in the CNS. The methods include systemic administration of a bifunctional fusion antibody comprising an antibody to a human insulin receptor and an α-L-Iduronidase. A therapeutically effective systemic dose is based on the specific CNS uptake characteristics of human insulin receptor antibody-α-L-Iduronidase fusion antibodies as described herein.
US08974779B2
A method of providing a pancreatic, lymphoid/hematopietic or pulmonary organ and/or tissue function to a mammalian subject is provided. The method comprises transplanting into the subject a developing mammalian pancreatic, lymphoid/hematopietic or pulmonary organ/tissue graft, respectively, thereby generating a functional pancreatic, lymphoid/hematopietic or pulmonary organ and/or tissue, respectively, for providing the pancreatic, lymphoid/hematopietic or pulmonary organ and/or tissue function, respectively, to the subject.
US08974773B2
In some example embodiments, there is provided a method for sunless tanning. The method may include applying a sunless tanning solution to the skin and applying, during a drying stage of the sunless tanning solution, a powder to at least dry the tanning solution. Related compounds and methods may also be disclosed.
US08974769B2
The present invention proposes a magnetic nanocomposite with multi-biofunctional groups, which comprises a core and a shell wrapping the core, wherein the core contains magnetic nanoparticles, and wherein the shell is made of a conductive polymer with multi-biofunctional groups where a medicine, an antibody or a fluorescent label can be attached.
US08974764B2
A composition is described that includes a perovskite of the formula LaMO3, where M is at least one element selected from among iron, aluminum or manganese, in the form of particles dispersed on an alumina or aluminum oxyhydroxide substrate, wherein after calcination at 700° C. for 4 hours, the perovskite is in the form of a pure crystallographic phase, and in that the size of the perovskite particles does not exceed 15 nm. The described composition can be used in the field of catalysis.
US08974763B1
A system for the production of ammonium sulfate granules including a pipe cross reactor (PCR) configured to contact concentrated sulfuric acid with anhydrous ammonia to produce a PCR product comprising ammonium sulfate; and a granulator fluidly connected to the PCR, whereby PCR product extracted from the PCR can be introduced into the granulator, an inlet for ammonium sulfate seed material, an ammonia sparger configured to spray liquid anhydrous ammonia directly onto a bed of ammonium sulfate granules within the granulator, a granulator vent configured for extraction of a vapor comprising unreacted ammonia from the granulator, and a granulator product outlet configured for extraction of granulator product comprising ammonium sulfate granules from the granulator. A method of producing ammonium sulfate granules is also provided.
US08974761B2
Methods and systems for producing silane that use electrolysis to regenerate reactive components therein are disclosed. The methods and systems may be substantially closed-loop with respect to halogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal and/or hydrogen.
US08974760B2
There is provided a hydrogen chrolide gas ejecting nozzle 1 used in a reaction apparatus for producing trichlorosilane in which metal silicon powder is reacted with hydrogen chloride gas to generate trichlorosilane. The member is provided with a shaft portion extending in the longitudinal direction and a head portion that is provided on an end of the shaft portion and extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the shaft portion. A supply hole extending in the longitudinal direction is formed in the shaft portion, a plurality of ejection holes are formed in the head portion, and each of the ejection holes is communicatively connected to the supply hole and opened on the outer surface of the head portion toward a direction intersecting the direction to which the supply hole extends.
US08974754B2
The method for obtaining an acid solution containing nickel is obtained by treating a positive electrode material of a nickel-metal hydride battery. The method includes a water-washing step, wherein a positive electrode material of a nickel-metal hydride battery is water-washed by adding water, and then separated to form a positive electrode material after water-washing and a water-washed slurry. An acid-washing step then is performed, wherein an acid is added and mixed into the positive electrode material obtained after water-washing in the water-washing step, and, separation is performed to form a positive electrode material after acid-washing and an acid-washed slurry. A dissolution step is performed wherein the positive electrode material obtained in the acid-washing step is separated into a nickel solution and a dissolution residue by adding any one of an acid and an oxidizing agent.
US08974752B2
Methods of treating of stannous oxide particles having at least a partial surface crust of stannic oxide by contacting the particles with a reducing agent for a period of time sufficient to produce stannous oxide are provided. The stannous oxide particles produced are readily soluble in organic sulfonic acids.
US08974749B2
There is disclosed an analysis device for the analysis of a liquid sample, said device comprising a substrate, said substrate at least partly having projections substantially vertical to the surface of said substrate, and having a height (H1), diameter (D1) and center-to-center distance (x1, y1) such, that lateral capillary flow of said liquid sample is achieved, wherein that said substrate comprises at least one substrate zone comprising projections substantially vertical to the surface of said substrate, and having a height (H2), diameter (D2) and center-to-center distance (x2, y2), such, that lateral capillary flow of said liquid sample is achieved and wherein at least one substance is applied at least partly between the projections in said at least one substrate zone. Moreover there is provided a method for the analysis of a sample. The device and method provide for instance improved control of the dissolution of a substance.
US08974739B2
An improved method for producing an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) porous film or tape supporting catalyst particles.The method for producing an expanded PTFE porous film or tape supporting catalyst particles according to the invention comprises a step of preparing tape-like porous PTFE, a step of impregnating the tape-like porous PTFE with a solution or dispersion of catalyst particles, a step of substantially removing the solvent or dispersing medium, and a step of further stretching the tape-like porous PTFE containing the catalyst particles in the machine direction (MD) and/or the transverse direction (TD).
US08974732B2
A method for determining the area of an analysis chamber covered by a biologic fluid sample quiescently residing within the chamber is provided. The chamber has a first panel with an interior surface, and a second panel with an interior surface, both of which panels are transparent. The method includes the steps of: a) illuminating the sample residing within the analysis chamber at one or more wavelengths operable to highlight interfaces between the sample and air, and to highlight a constituent within the sample; b) imaging the sample along the one or more wavelengths, and producing image signals representative of the interaction of the one or more wavelengths with the sample; c) determining a location of at least one interface between the sample and air, using the image signals; d) determining a location of one or more constituents within the sample relative to the at least one sample-air interface using the image signals; and e) determining an area of the chamber containing the sample, using the location of the one or more constituents and the at least one sample-air interface.
US08974729B2
Provided are resin-based and metal-based anti-thermally-expansive members each having small thermal expansion. More specifically, provided are an anti-thermally-expansive resin and an anti-thermally-expansive metal, each including a resin or a metal having a positive linear expansion coefficient at 20° C. and a solid particle dispersed in the resin or metal, in which the solid particle includes at least an oxide represented by the following general formula (1): (Bi1-xMx)NiO3 (1), where M represents at least one metal selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y, and In; and x represents a numerical value of 0.02≦x≦0.15.
US08974725B2
A method for producing a brake assembly (22) including friction material (24) molded to a backplate (26) using an improved receptacle plate (20) is provided. The backplate (26) includes openings (30) each having an opening diameter (Do). The receptacle plate (20) includes pins (28) extending transversely from a receiving surface (34). The method includes aligning the openings (30) of the backplate (26) with the pins (28) of the receptacle plate (20). Each pin (28) has a pin diameter (Dp) less than the opening diameter (Do) of the aligned opening (30). The friction material (24) is molded to the backplate (26) by heating the friction material (24) and the receptacle plate (20), and forcing the friction material (24) through the openings (30) of the backplate (26). The pins (28) extend into a center portion (32) of the friction material (24) and improve the degree of curing of the friction material (24).
US08974719B2
A method of forming nano-structure composite materials that have a binder material and a nanostructure fiber material is described. A precursor material may be formed using a mixture of at least one metal powder and anchored nanostructure materials. The metal powder mixture may be (a) Ni powder and (b) NiAl powder. The anchored nanostructure materials may comprise (i) NiAl powder as a support material and (ii) carbon nanotubes attached to nanoparticles adjacent to a surface of the support material. The process of forming nano-structure composite materials typically involves sintering the mixture under vacuum in a die. When Ni and NiAl are used in the metal powder mixture Ni3Al may form as the binder material after sintering. The mixture is sintered until it consolidates to form the nano-structure composite material.
US08974717B2
In addition to working curves, other equally important, but previously not understood, relationships exist for both the green strength and the cured line width of ceramic-loaded resins. These characteristics of cured parts are strongly affected by the dose rate, a parameter usually controlled with laser power. Multiple smaller doses are used to produce a total integrated dose. Multiple exposures benefit from using high power to produce a fast process. However, since the dose for a given layer is broken into several smaller doses, the negative effect of high power on strength and cured linewidth is reduced.
US08974706B2
Provided is a composition comprising a polymeric material, a filler material dispersed in the polymeric material, the filler material comprising inorganic particles and a discontinuous arrangement of conductive material wherein at least a portion of the conductive material is in durable electrical contact with the inorganic particles, and conductive material dispersed in the polymeric material.
US08974703B2
A conductive paste may include a conductive powder, a metallic glass including a first element having a heat of mixing value with the conductive powder of less than 0, and an organic vehicle, and an electronic device and a solar cell may include an electrode formed using the conductive paste.
US08974699B2
The invention relates to a cyclic process for producing synthesis gas comprising: a first step of oxidation of an oxidizable oxygen-carrying solid; a second purge step; a third combustion step with production of CO2; a fourth step of production of synthesis gas; a fifth purge step.
US08974695B2
Energy down conversion phosphors represented by the chemical formula Ca1+xSr1−xGayIn2−ySzSe3−zF2 where (0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦2, 0≦z≦3) doped with rare earth and/or transition metal elements is disclosed. Dopant impurities may be one or more species such as Eu, Ce, Mn, Ru, and/or mixtures thereof present as activators. The molar fractions x, y and z, the dopant species and the dopant concentration may be varied to tune the peak emission wavelength and/or the width of the emission peak.
US08974690B2
Compositions and methods based on the use of fluoroalkene containing from 3 to 4 carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond, such as HFO-1214, HFO-HFO-1233, or HFO-1354, having properties highly beneficial in foaming and blowing agent applications, articles and methods.
US08974688B2
Heat transfer systems, methods and compositions which utilize a heat transfer fluid comprising: (a) from about 30% to about 65% by weight of HFC-134a; (b) from about 0% to about 70% by weight of HFO1234ze; and (c) from about 0% to about 70% by weight of HFO-1234yf, provided that the amount of HFO-1234ze and HFO-1234yf in the composition together is at least about 35% by weight, with the weight percent being based on the total of the components (a)-(c) in the composition.
US08974683B2
A method of reducing roughness in an opening in a surface of a resist material disposed on a substrate, comprises generating a plasma having a plasma sheath and ions therein. The method also includes modifying a shape of a boundary defined between the plasma and the plasma sheath with a plasma sheath modifier so that a portion of the boundary facing the resist material is not parallel to a plane defined by the surface of the substrate. The method also includes providing a first exposure of ions while the substrate is in a first position, the first exposure comprising ions accelerated across the boundary having the modified shape toward the resist material over an angular range with respect to the surface of the substrate.
US08974679B2
A method of producing an optoelectronic component comprises the steps of: A) providing a radiation-emitting layer sequence (1) having an active zone (13), which emits electromagnetic primary radiation when in operation, B) providing a first wavelength conversion layer (2), which converts the primary radiation at least partially into electromagnetic secondary radiation, and C) arranging the first wavelength conversion layer (2) on the radiation-emitting layer sequence (1) in the beam path of the primary radiation.
US08974676B2
Methods and apparatus relate to treating fluid to at least reduce selenium content within the fluid. The treating includes conditioning stages to alter a composition of the fluid prior to removal of the selenium content from the fluid. The composition of the fluid after the conditioning stages facilitates the removal of the selenium content or at least limits detrimental impact to selenium removal efficiency.
US08974672B2
A self-contained water polishing system includes at least a first containment basin that has an inlet for inflow of water from a collection source and contains calcium carbonate for treatment of water flowing through the system; at least a first polishing basin in communication with the containment basin and that contains at least a first pollutant collection substrate for treatment of water flowing through the system; and a vacuum pumping system in fluid communication with the containment and polishing basins that draws water through the polishing system.
US08974669B2
Novel methods and systems for efficient and economic treatment of wastewater, and other fluidized and solid organic wastes, comprise heating the aerobic digestion process with waste heat given off by the generation of power fueled by the biogas by-product of a co-located anaerobic digestion process. Other power generation processes may be utilized for supplying supplemental waste heat.
US08974666B2
A solution containing a target compound is passed through a trap column (14) to capture the target compound in the column (14). Thereafter, wash water is introduced in the trap column (14). Then, the setting of a six-port valve (7) is changed and an on/off valve (6) is opened to introduce nitrogen gas through a supply-side passage (8) in the trap column (14). In this stage, the nitrogen gas is warmed by means of a heat-exchange block (10), and the trap column (14) is warmed via a column rack (15). Any water remaining in the trap column (14) is initially thrust upwards by the nitrogen gas, to be extruded from an exit edge (14b) and discharged through a discharge-side passage (20). Furthermore, any water adhering to adsorbent or the inner wall surface of the trap column (14) is quickly vaporized and carried away by the nitrogen gas. In this manner, any water remaining in the trap column (14) can be rapidly removed, so that no water will be included in an eluate in the subsequent stage where a solvent with a strong elution power is introduced into the trap column (14) to collect the eluate. Thus, the eluate is rapidly vaporized and dried, so that the target compound in solid forms can be efficiently collected.
US08974664B2
A procedure for treating rain water run-off includes forming a swale for the capture, treatment, and re-use of the storm water to improve the overall quality of the water before discharge.
US08974657B2
Amperometric ceramic electrochemical cells comprise, in one embodiment, an electrolyte layer, a sensing electrode layer comprising a ceramic phase and a metallic phase, and a counter electrode layer, wherein the cell is operable in an oxidizing atmosphere and under an applied bias to exhibit enhanced reduction of oxygen molecules at the sensing electrode in the presence of one or more target gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) or NH3 and a resulting increase in oxygen ion flux through the cell. In another embodiment, amperometric ceramic electrochemical cells comprise an electrolyte layer comprising a continuous network of a first material which is ionically conducting at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C.; a counter electrode layer comprising a continuous network of a second material which is electrically conductive at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C.; and a sensing electrode layer comprising a continuous network of a ceramic phase and a metallic phase which is electrically conductive at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C., which sensing electrode is operable to exhibit increased charge transfer in the presence of one or more target gas species. These electrochemical cells and additional electrochemical cell embodiments are suitable for use in gas sensors and methods of sensing or detecting one or more target gases.
US08974652B2
Disclosed are apparatuses, systems, and methods for programmable fluidic processors. In one embodiment, the invention involves manipulating droplets across a reaction surface of the processor substantially contact-free of any surfaces. The reaction surface and the electrodes of the processor may include a coating repelling the droplets. Further, the present invention provides for a suitable suspending medium for repelling droplets away from fixed surfaces.
US08974649B2
In some embodiments of the present invention, a shield is provided wherein the shield comprises a ceramic insulation material. The ceramic insulation material fills the space between the shield and the substrate surface and maintains a gap of less than about 2 mm and advantageously, less than about 1 mm. The shield may further be connected to ground through a low-pass filter operable to prevent the loss of high frequency RF power through the shield to ground but allow the dissipation of charge from the shield to ground through a low frequency or DC signal. In some embodiments, the ceramic insulating material further comprises a removable ceramic insert. The ceramic insert may be used to select the size of the aperture. The ceramic insert further comprises a slot operable to isolate the bottom lip of the ceramic insert from the upper portion for a PVD deposition.
US08974648B2
The present invention provides a reactive sputtering method and a reactive sputtering apparatus which suppress a film quality change caused by a temperature variation in continuous substrate processing. An embodiment of the present invention performs reactive sputtering while adjusting a flow rate of reactive gas according to the temperature of a constituent member facing a sputtering space. Specifically, a temperature sensor is provided on a shield and the flow rate is adjusted according to the temperature. Thereby, even when a degassing amount of a film adhering to the shield changes, a partial pressure of reactive gas can be set to a predetermined value. For a resistance change layer constituting a ReRAM, a perovskite material such as PrCaMn03 (PCMO), LaSrMnO3 (LSMO), and GdBaCoxOy (GBCO), a two-element type transition metal oxide material which has a composition shifted from a stoichiometric one, such as nickel oxide (NiO), vanadium oxide (V2O5), and the like are used.
US08974641B2
A preload mechanism for a memory alloy wire actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the memory alloy wire actuator such that contraction of the memory alloy wire actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot. The offset distance has a first value when the rotating element is in the first position and a second value when the rotating element is the second position, the second value being smaller than the first value.
US08974640B2
The present invention relates to a feed distribution device in separation columns and a method of operation. In particular it relates to distillation columns in which the feed stream is substantially liquid phase, or a mixture of gas and liquid upstream of the column, but where the feed vaporizes or vaporizes more when it enters the column. More specifically, the feed distribution device contains a plurality of opening which allow the feed to vaporize inside the column and where the openings are maintained in critical condition during operation. Significant advantage is achieved through the implementation and use of the present feed distribution device.
US08974639B2
Improved height and angle adjustment mechanisms and methods for producing paper includes a plurality of height and angle adjustment mechanisms arranged in the forming or wet section of a Fourdrinier. Glide shoes and cam-blocks having sloped grooves are arranged to be driven within a recess of an upper pultrusion assembly to change the angle or height of a particular foil blade. Actuators extend or withdraw a connecting rod, coupled to the cam-blocks, to influence heights and angles of various foils blades.
US08974638B2
A device for retaining doctor blades a bottom plate and a top plate, said plates being pivotally connected together by means of a pivot bearing and the doctor blade is fixed to the top plate. An expandable tube is arranged respectively on both sides of the pivot bearing between the bottom plate and the top plate, said pivot bearing consisting of a radially supported bearing shaft and a receiving element for the bearing shaft. The bearing shaft is fixed either to the bottom plate or the top plate and the receiving element is fixed to either the top plate or the bottom plate.
US08974632B2
A method and device for processing wafer-shaped articles comprises a closed process chamber. A rotary chuck is located within the process chamber, and is adapted to hold a wafer shaped article thereon. An interior fluid distribution ring is positioned above the rotary chuck, and comprises an annular surface inclined downwardly from a radially inner edge to a radially outer edge thereof. At least one fluid distribution nozzle extends into the closed process chamber and is positioned so as to discharge fluid onto the annular surface of the fluid distribution ring.
US08974626B2
A method of manufacturing a micro structure, includes the steps of: preparing separate first and second substrates, the first substrate having a first surface on which a first structural body having a first height and a second structural body having a second height greater than the first height of the first structural body are arranged, the second substrate having a second surface; then placing the first and second substrates to cause the first and second surfaces to face each other across the first and second structural bodies; and then bonding the first and second substrates to each other while compressing the second structural body in a height direction thereof between the first and second surfaces to cause the second structural body to have a height defined by the first structural body.
US08974619B1
A method of making a decorated extruded profile. An exemplary method includes the steps of extruding the profile, decorating at least one surface of the profile, coating the decorated surface of the profile, embossing the decorated surface of the profile, and cutting the profile into a plurality of profile members having a predetermined length.
US08974618B1
Systems and methods for assembling a skin of a composite structure on an outer surface of an inner mold line layup mandrel. The systems and methods include receiving a plurality of ply kits, assembling the plurality of ply kits to form a skin segment that defines a portion of the skin, and affixing the skin segment to the outer surface of the layup mandrel. The assembling includes transferring a respective ply kit of the plurality of ply kits to a non-planar transfer tool, compacting the respective ply kit on the non-planar transfer tool, and repeating the transferring and the compacting for each ply kit in the plurality of ply kits to form the skin segment.
US08974613B2
A method of quenching a ring shaped article includes heating the article to a quenching temperature; primarily cooling the article down to a deformation correction initiating temperature, which is higher than a martensitic transformation point; and secondarily cooling the article down to a temperature lower than the martensitic transformation point by, while a pair of receiving rolls are held in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the article for rolling motion about an axis of rotation parallel to a center of the article, pressing a press roll, rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the center of the article, against the outer peripheral surface of the article from one side of the article opposite to a point intermediate between the receiving rolls.
US08974612B2
An object of the present invention is to provide at a low cost a low-alloy steel having a high strength and excellent high-pressure hydrogen environment embrittlement resistance characteristics under a high-pressure hydrogen environment. The invention is a high-strength low-alloy steel having high-pressure hydrogen environment embrittlement resistance characteristics, which has a composition comprising C: 0.10 to 0.20% by mass, Si: 0.10 to 0.40% by mass, Mn: 0.50 to 1.20% by mass, Ni: 0.75 to 1.75% by mass, Cr: 0.20 to 0.80% by mass, Cu: 0.10 to 0.50% by mass, Mo: 0.10 to 1.00% by mass, V: 0.01 to 0.10% by mass, B: 0.0005 to 0.005% by mass and N: 0.01% by mass or less, and further comprising one or two of Nb: 0.01 to 0.10% by mass and Ti: 0.005 to 0.050% by mass, with the balance consisting of Fe and unavoidable impurities.
US08974604B2
A sewer pipe is cleaned of collected solids by providing a water supply hose at a first location on the pipe and by driving a jet nozzle head to a second location along the pipe using jets directed along the pipe. At the second location the head is changed for a second head attached to a cable and is pulled back to the first location by the hose. The nozzle is then pulled back to the second location by pulling the cable while nozzles directed along the pipe toward the second location drive the solids forwardly to the second location for extraction.
US08974601B2
Provided is an apparatus, system and method for treating a substrate, and more particularly, a substrate treating apparatus having a cluster structure, a substrate treating system, and a substrate treating method using the substrate treating system. The substrate treating apparatus includes a load port on which a container containing a substrate is installed, a plurality of process modules treating the substrate, a transfer module disposed between the load port and the process modules, and transferring the substrate between the container and the process modules, and a buffer chamber disposed between neighboring ones of the process modules, and providing a space for carrying the substrate between the neighboring process modules.
US08974600B2
A deposit protection cover and a plasma processing apparatus provide a simple solution to deposits adhered to a portion originally considered to be unreachable by plasma without increasing manufacturing cost. The deposit protection cover is detachably installed within a processing chamber for processing a substrate by generating plasma therein so as to cover a preset portion of the processing chamber. The cover includes an aluminum plate having a surface on which an anodic oxidation process is performed. Further, the anodic oxidation process is performed by using an electrode part protruded from a cover main body, an exposed area of an aluminum base surface is reduced by removing the electrode part after the anodic oxidation process is performed, and a cut surface formed after removing the electrode part is positioned at a region that is not directly exposed to the plasma within the processing chamber.
US08974598B2
A binder premix includes from 0.2% to 63% of a material of an ultrafine particle size category, including individual particles with a D90 value less than 1 μm and/or with a BET specific surface greater than 5 m2/g; from 8% to 63% of selected Portland cement including particles with a D90 value less than 30 μm and from 25% to 85% of a material, other than the cement, of a fine particle size category, including particles for which the D10 and D90 values are from 1 μm to 120 μm and with a BET specific surface less than 5 m2/g. A binder mix including, in addition to the premix, a material of a medium particle size category, including particles for which the D10 and D90 values are from 120 μm to 5 mm is disclosed.
US08974591B2
This invention describes an adhesive composition that forms the basis of a heat-resistant, fire resistant, and water resistant polyurethane adhesive suitable for applications in the manufacture of wood products, and the method of making the adhesive. The wood finger-jointed studs produced using an adhesive derived from this invention can meet or exceed the fire rating of a period of 60 minutes according to ASTM E 119 and ASTM D 7374. The heat resistance of the adhesive is a result of incorporating thermally stable aromatic polyol molecules into the polymeric structures of the wood adhesive system, which is composed of the reaction products of a poly(methylene diphenyl diisocyanate), at least one of a polyether polyol and a polyester polyol; and the aromatic polyol that is a hydroxyl phenol in a preferred embodiment. Furthermore, this novel wood adhesive system possesses high water-resistance, making it suitable for the manufacture of highly durable engineered wood products. It is fast moisture-curable at ambient temperatures. It is also formaldehyde-free.
US08974589B2
The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods of use for an automotive protectant composition and/or automotive cleaning composition. The protectant composition and/or cleaning composition includes silicone, organic solvent, rheology modifier and water. The composition also optionally includes other components. The weight ratio of the silicon to the organic solvent is at least 0.5:1 and generally no more than 3:1. The organic solvent generally is or includes mineral oil.
US08974583B2
A swirl element is provided for an inlet valve of a brewing vessel for introducing a liquid, in particular a mash, a wort, a yeast suspension, a sparge water or the like into the brewing vessel, in particular into a mash tun, a mash vat, a combined mash/wort tun, a combined mash/wort/stripping tun, a wort tun, a combined whirlpool tun, a whirlpool, a clarifying device, an evaporating vessel or the like, comprising at least one flow-directing element by means of which an angular momentum can be imparted to the liquid flowing through the inlet valve. An evaporating device comprises a brewing vessel, also for evaporating highly volatile substances/gases, in particular highly volatile flavor substances, DMS, carbon dioxide, oxygen or the like from the aforementioned liquids. The brewing vessel comprises the swirl element and/or an inlet valve admitting the liquid. A brewing process evaporates highly volatile substances/gases from the aforementioned liquids.
US08974570B2
A retaining seal material includes inorganic fibers, inorganic particles adhering to surfaces of the inorganic fibers, a first principal surface, and a second principal surface. A mean particle diameter of the inorganic particles in a vicinity of a center in a thickness direction of the retaining seal material is smaller than at least one of a mean particle diameter of the inorganic particles in a vicinity of the first principal surface and a mean particle diameter of the inorganic particles in a vicinity of the second principal surface.
US08974569B2
Disclosed is multi-flow filter cartridge assembly that includes an elongated housing that has axially opposed proximal and distal ends and defines an interior cavity and first, second and third flow paths which extend from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end. The cartridge assembly also includes first, second and third filter elements. The first filter element is disposed within the interior cavity of the housing and conditions fluid that traverses the first flow path from a first inlet port to a first outlet port. The second filter element is disposed within the interior cavity of the housing and conditions fluid that traverses the second flow path from a second inlet port to a second outlet port. Lastly, the third filter element is also disposed within the interior cavity of the housing and conditions fluid that traverses the third flow path from a third inlet port to a third outlet port. The first flow path is isolated from the second and third flow paths and the second flow path is isolated from the third flow path.
US08974565B2
An air filtration and air purification apparatus comprising: a first air channel; a second air channel; a divider that separates the first air channel from the second air channel; a first filter located in first air channel; a first filter located in the second air channel; a first air blower configured to pull air from the ambient environment generally into the first air channel, moving said air through the first filter, and returning said air into the ambient environment, creating generally a first air stream; a second air blower configured to pull air from the ambient environment generally into the second air channel, moving said air through the second filter and returning said air into the ambient environment, creating generally a second air stream; a control system that controls the activation and deactivation of the first and second air blower.
US08974559B2
PDC is made using a solvent catalyst that has a melting point below that of the cobalt which is used to cement the tungsten carbide supporting substrate. The lower melting temperature allows control of the amount of catalyst that remains in the interstices after HPHT sintering since the process can be done without melting the cobalt in the substrate which would flow into and completely fill the pore volume of the diamond mass.
US08974558B2
Described is a method for producing a fuel containing carbon, wherein the fuel is formed by compressing raw material containing a carbon and adding an additive that promotes thermal utilization of the fuel at a specified amount. The additive contains a chemical compound made of the elements calcium and/or magnesium and having or not having carbon. In a first method step, the raw material containing carbon is pressed and in this way a pressed article is produced. Then the additive is fed to at least one area of said pressed fuel article.
US08974554B2
Provided are a fluidized-bed combustion furnace 1, a separator 8 for separation into bed material 11 and an exhaust gas, a fluidized-bed gasification furnace 40 into which the bed material 11 is introduced through a downcomer 46 and into which raw material is introduced, a circulation passage for circulating char and the bed material 11 to the combustion furnace 1, a dispersion section 43 extending along a width of a bed-material-introduction-side wall 41 of the gasification furnace 40 to receive the bed material 11 from the downcomer, fluidizing-gas introduction means 47 for blowing fluidizing gas into the dispersion section 43 to fluidize the bed material 11 in the section 43, and a supply section 48 for supplying the bed material 11 in the dispersion section 43 to the fluidized-bed gasification furnace 40 substantially evenly throughout the width on the bed-material-introduction side.
US08974552B2
A liquid fuel composition suitable for use in an internal combustion engine is provided containing (a) from 50 to 90 % v/v of a C1-C4 alcohol; (b) from 10 to 50 % v/v of a Fischer-Tropsch derived naphtha; and optionally (c) up to 10 % v/v of a C3-C6 hydrocarbon component. A process for preparing a liquid fuel composition and a method of operating an internal combustion engine is also disclosed.
US08974547B2
The present application relates to encapsulated benefit agents, compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents and processes for making and using compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents that do not require or require a reduced amount of scavenger materials. Such encapsulated benefit agents, compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents are processed such that no or lower levels of scavenger materials are required.
US08974537B2
A humeral prosthesis includes a stem component and a humeral head component. The 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 humeral head component. The stem component is configured to be inserted within the humeral diaphyseal channel. When engaged the humeral head component and the stem component form an articulated joint allowing the humeral head component to articulate with respect to the stem component.
US08974529B2
An artificial disc includes an upper joint (3) and a lower joint (7) which fit each other in a corresponding upper and lower relationship, and a removable fixed connection structure for fixedly connecting the upper joint (3) and the lower joint (7).
US08974528B2
Apparatuses and methods for single disc arthroplasty and multi-segmental spine replacement recreating the anterior and middle columns of the subaxial spine complete with adjacent motion segments are disclosed. The surgical implant assembly includes a first cage adapted to be rigidly attached to a first vertebra, a second cage adapted to be rigidly attached to a second vertebra, and a spinal disc replacement prosthesis positioned between the first and second cages. The spinal disc replacement prosthesis preferably includes a resilient plastic or elastomeric body having two or more adjustably fluid-filled compartments therein, the fluid-filled compartments each being adjustably fluid filled by a respective port defined in the prosthesis body.
US08974527B2
Systems and devices for minimally invasively treating an air leak in a lung comprise the steps of detecting an air leak in a lung; locating an airway in fluid communication with the air leak, introducing a bronchoscope into a patient's airway to a position adjacent the target section and occluding an airway upstream of the air leak for a period of time. The airway occlusion device is preferably removed after the air leak has substantially permanently healed. The occluding device may be a one-way valve. The occluding device may also comprise strut members and anchors that penetrate an airway wall.
US08974523B2
A stentless support structure capable of being at least partly assembled in situ. The support structure comprises a braided tube that is very flexible and, when elongated, becomes very long and very small in diameter, thereby being capable of placement within a small diameter catheter. The support structure is preferably constructed of one or more thin strands of a super-elastic or shape memory material such as Nitinol. When released from the catheter, the support structure folds itself into a longitudinally compact configuration. The support structure thus gains significant strength as the number of folds increase. This radial strength obviates the need for a support stent. The support structure may include attachment points for a prosthetic valve.
US08974519B2
The invention provides a system, device and method for localized application of therapeutic substances within a biological conduit. In various embodiments, a dissolvable bag or bolus of at least one therapeutic agent is introduced and pressed and/or sealed against the wall of conduit. In other embodiments, dissolvable barbs formed from at least one therapeutic agent are ejected from a catheter by fluid pressure, embedding in the wall of conduit.
US08974513B2
An implant assembly comprises an elongated pusher member, and an implantable device (e.g., a vaso-occlusive device) mounted to the distal end of the pusher member. The implant assembly further comprises an electrolytically severable joint disposed on the pusher member, wherein the implantable device detaches from the pusher member when the severable joint is severed, and a return electrode carried by the distal end of the pusher member (e.g., a coil disposed about the pusher member) in proximity to, but electrically isolated from, the severable joint. The implant assembly further comprises a terminal carried by the proximal end of the pusher member in electrical communication with the severable joint.
US08974512B2
Devices and methods for treating vascular defects, such as, for example, balloon-type aneurysms, are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an insertion portion and an expandable implant. The expandable implant is configured to be deployed in an aneurysm and is coupled to the insertion portion. The expandable implant has a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The expandable implant is movable between a first configuration in which the first portion and the second portion are substantially linearly aligned and a second configuration in which the second portion at least partially overlaps the first portion.
US08974511B2
The present invention generally relates to methods for treating closed angle glaucoma. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve inserting into an eye a deployment device configured to hold an intraocular shunt, using the device to re-open an at least partially closed anterior chamber angle of an eye, and deploying the shunt from the device.
US08974495B2
An adjustable anchor system for securing tissue to bone, including an anchor having at least one passage extending from a proximal end toward a distal end. The passage defines a restriction such as a restricted opening. The anchor has at least one bone-engaging feature disposed between the proximal and distal ends. The system further includes a first material formed as a closed loop and capable of being placed through a portion of the tissue, and a second filament having a terminal end, a post limb and a sliding knot tied between the terminal end and the post limb to establish an elongated, adjustable-length loop which extends beyond the proximal end of the anchor and captures the closed loop of the first material. The knot of the second filament is restrained by the restricted opening when tension is applied as desired to the post limb to shorten the elongated loop to draw the tissue toward the anchor.
US08974485B2
A surgical guide wire or K-wire and method of use are provided. The K-wire, or guide wire, has opposite end portions and a shank portion in between. One end portion has a deformable end portion that, once outside of a confining guide passage, can be deformed to present a projected forward facing area that is larger than the transverse cross section of the K-wire, or guide wire, while in the passage. The increased area will provide increased resistance to additional forward axial movement into the surgical site.
US08974482B2
A device for steering J-tip guidewire through true lumen of artery to puncture site where an occlusion abuts artery wall and stylet wire in lumen of J-tip guidewire provides axis for screwing it between intimal and medial layers of artery wall and stiffens it sufficiently to transform J-tip to loop that dissects a false lumen between intimal and medial layers around occlusion to its end where tamping balloons push aside intimal layer and occlusion so false lumen and true lumen coincide allowing intimal layer to be safely pierced by stylet wire allowing blood flow through previously occluded artery segment.
US08974479B2
An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. A first jaw member disposed at a distal end of the shaft is movable between open and clamping configurations. A pair of second jaw members disposed at the distal end of the shaft are movable between open and clamping configurations. A cutting blade extending to the distal end of the shaft is operably coupled to the housing. The pair of second jaw members and first jaw member are moveable to the clamping configuration to compress tissue of interest for removing moisture therefrom prior to the tissue of interest being treated.
US08974473B2
Methods and apparatus for closing a left atrial appendage are described. The methods rely on introducing a closure tool from a location beneath the rib cage, over an epicardial surface, and to the exterior of the left atrial appendage. The closure device may then be used to close the left atrial appendage, preferably at its base, by any one of a variety of techniques. A specific technique using graspers and a closing loop is illustrated.
US08974470B2
A snare device having multiple loops is described. The loops may be configured having various sizes or shapes and may be configured for use within a single outer sheath. Each loop provided in connection with a single snare device may have a different size, shape, disposition, or orientation than other loops associated with the same snare device.
US08974467B2
A system and method for detecting and measuring changes in angular position with respect to a reference plane is useful in surgical procedures for orienting various instruments, prosthesis, and implants with respect to anatomical landmarks. One embodiment of the device uses dual orientation devices of a type capable of measuring angular position changes from a reference position. One such device provides information as to changes in position of an anatomical landmark relative to a reference position. The second device provides information as to changes in position of a surgical instrument and/or prosthesis relative to the reference position.
US08974435B2
Administration devices for supplying an injectable or infusible product into an organism include a reservoir for storing the product, a supply device for supplying the product from the reservoir into the organism, a controller to control operation of the administration device, a button communicatively coupled to the controller to initiate at least one action of the administration device and a touch sensor that generates an activation signal, wherein the touch sensor is incorporated into the button or is disposed in the vicinity of the button and is communicatively coupled to the button and/or the controller.
US08974434B2
Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system include an anchor device that receives a catheter (or other medical instrument) and secures the catheter in place relative to a skin penetration point. In some embodiments, the anchor device can secure the catheter in an operative position relative to the skin without the use of sutures or skin tapes. In particular embodiments, the anchor device can be adjusted to a folded condition so that subcutaneous anchors are partially rotated prior to removal from the skin penetration point.
US08974431B2
A fastening member having a reinforced region is disclosed. The fastening member may have a first layer formed of a nonwoven and a second layer at its reinforced region formed of either a polymeric film or another nonwoven, bonded to the first layer by a plurality of bond sites arranged in a pattern. The polymer(s) forming the fibers of the first layer and the polymer(s) forming the film or fibers of the second layer may be of like chemistry to enhance thermal bonding between the layers at the bond sites. The fastening member may be imparted with enhanced appearance and tear resistance attributes and may be suitable for use as a fastening member of a wearable article such as a disposable diaper.
US08974427B2
A tracheostomy support apparatus incorporates a folded sheet of fabric into a pocket formed at one end of the folded sheet. The support apparatus includes a cradle on an outer surface for holding tubes, hoses, and medical equipment connected between a tracheostomy and adjacent equipment, such as a ventilator. The support apparatus cushions and supports the hoses and tubes associated with a tracheostomy but also absorbs fluids emanating from the tracheostomy.
US08974421B1
A catheter strain relief clip includes a body having an upper surface, and a plurality of arm members extending upwardly from the upper surface. Each of the arm members defines an undercut region for receipt of a catheter. The arm members are disposed so as to define a bent path for a catheter threaded under each of the arm members from a first side to an opposite side of the body.
US08974418B2
A forwardly directed fluid jet crossing catheter having a distally directed cylindrical flow fluid jet stream to cross a chronic total occlusion is set forth. The distal end of the device includes a formable catheter tip region having flexible internal components. Low and high pressure cavities are formed substantially by joined proximal and distal catheter tubes having an adhesive plug seal in common therebetween which partially defines one end of each of the low pressure and high pressure cavities. A guidewire tube and a high pressure tube are aligned along and within the low pressure and high pressure cavities and through the adhesive plug seal. The high pressure tube openly terminates in the high pressure cavity, whereby pressurized fluid transfers from the high pressure cavity in the guidewire tube entry hole to subsequently pass along the guidewire lumen and co-located guidewire to exit as a cylindrical fluid jet stream.
US08974415B2
An embodiment is directed to pressure plate for attachment to an infusion pump, where the pressure plate includes a tubing support surface at least partially surrounded by a raised perimeter support. The pressure plate includes a plurality of guide structures extending from the raised perimeter support that define a passageway for an infusion pump tube. Additionally an attachable flow stop assembly is included that includes an attachable occlusion arch and an attachable flow stop arm. The attachable occlusion arch includes a plurality of tab structures that couple to the raised perimeter support. The occlusion arch further includes an aperture configured to surround an infusion pump tube threaded therethrough. The attachable flow stop arm is operatively coupled to the raised perimeter support adjacent the attachable occlusion arch in a spring-biased fashion such that the aperture in the occlusion arch may be selectively occluded by the flow stop arm.
US08974407B2
A syringe for dispensing anesthetic from a cartridge having an interior wall defining a hollow interior sized and shaped for receiving a dose of anesthetic, and a piston. The syringe includes a tubular plunger slidably received in the hollow interior of the tubular cartridge. The plunger has a hollow interior extending between a distal end shaped for engaging the piston and an open proximal end. The syringe includes a plunger rod slidably received in the hollow interior of the tubular plunger. The rod has a sharp distal end adapted to penetrate the piston, a proximal end, and a length extending between the distal end and the proximal end sized so a delivery portion of the rod extends through the piston into the cartridge when the rod is driven through the piston. The delivery portion includes a recess for receiving a buffering agent to reduce acidity of the dose of anesthetic.
US08974403B2
The present invention provides and apparatus for distinguishing falls from activities of daily living (ADLs). First, the human movements and muscle activities would be obtained by an electromyography measuring unit and/or an inertia measuring unit to record ADLs, and falls would be distinguished from ADLs to trigger the protecting devices in time to prevent or decrease injury. In addition, the apparatus would be preset for different operational conditions to adapt different users by a setting unit to increase accuracy. Finally, the moving distance and the direction of the user would be obtained by the electromyography measuring unit and/or the inertia measuring unit to obtain the location thereof in an interior space.
US08974398B2
A transmitter unit with an attachable energy source is provided for a sensor guidewire. The transmitter unit is adapted to be connected to a proximal end of a sensor guidewire provided, at its distal end, with a sensor to measure a physiological parameter inside a patient. In some embodiments, the transmitter unit is adapted to wirelessly communicate by a communication signal with a communication unit, arranged in connection with an external device, in order to transfer measured physiological data to the external device. The attachable energy source can be a battery pack or battery holder provided with connecting electrical connecting surfaces. Preferably, the connection is protected from penetrating fluids by a protective seal.
US08974396B1
A mobile plethysmographic device for detecting a premature atrial contraction event is disclosed herein. The mobile plethysmographic device generates a pleth waveform, which is automatically screened by algorithms that measure the waveform to correlate, detect and store aberrations related to heart anomalies. A premature atrial contraction event for a patient is determined based on an identification of a time interval of the pleth waveform that is below the threshold minimum time interval followed immediately by a time interval that is above the threshold maximum time interval.
US08974394B2
A device and method for determining intravascular pressure and irregular needle placement in a hemodialysis procedure include analyzing means for automatically deriving venous access pressure (VAP) at a location of venous needle insertion into the patient and determining a ratio of VAP to mean arterial pressure, where the analyzing means determines multiple VAP values over multiple time periods and determines multiple ratios, one for each VAP value. Detecting means compare each ratio to a predetermined standard ratio derived from a moving average of prior VAP ratios, where the detecting means detects irregular needle placement when elevation of the ratio above the standard ratio is indicated.
US08974393B2
An ultrasonic probe, from which heat generated in an integrated circuit which is bonded to a cMUT is released, is provided. The ultrasonic probe includes a transducer which is configured to generate ultrasound radiation, an integrated circuit which is installed on the rear surface of the transducer, a printed circuit board which is installed on the rear surface of the integrated circuit and has an opening via which the rear surface of the integrated circuit is at least partially exposed, a heat spreader which has a protrusion inserted into the opening of the printed circuit board and is configured to absorb heat generated in the integrated circuit, and a heat dissipation module which is configured to release heat absorbed by the heat spreader to the outside.
US08974388B2
An ultrasound elasticity imaging apparatus includes an elastic data processing section which processes a received signal detected by an ultrasound probe and generates elastic frame data, a display evaluation section which evaluates a display value of the elastic frame data based on various data in the generation of the elastic frame data, a display processing section which performs image processing of the elastic frame data according to the evaluation result by the display evaluation section, and a display section which displays an elastic image based on the elastic frame data processed by the image processing section.
US08974384B2
A data processing device is provided for processing measurement values provided from a medical measurement device. The device generally comprises an input unit, a data input interface configured for communication with the medical measurement device, a memory unit for storage of data sets, a calculation unit, and an audible data output interface configured for communication with a data output unit. The input unit is configured for making a first selection of the data sets stored in the memory unit. Second selections based on or within the first selection may also be made. The audible data output interface is provided for generating an audible output of the selected data sets. The audible data output interface may also be configured to generate distinct audible signals before the audible output of each different selection of data sets.
US08974380B2
A surgical retractor and a method of minimally invasive surgery, wherein the surgical retractor includes ribs and a mechanism for microns-resolution transferring of linear and rotational movements of the ribs and wherein each rib can be easily replaced without use of any additional tools.According to an embodiment of the present invention the transmission is simpler. Likewise, an auxiliary handle is added to facilitate the insertion of the ribs into the body of the operated patient, and the vast majority of components of the surgical retractor are made with biocompatible, and FDA approved material ULTEM HU 1000 RESIN transparent (radiolucent) to X-ray radiation and are designated for single use.
US08974367B2
Systems and methods for implanting a surgical sling in a patient by a transobturator approach are disclosed. A sling delivery device couplable to a sling assembly with the surgical sling includes a guide tube and an extendible shaft section movable inside the guide tube. At least a portion of the shaft may be made of a shape memory material and can, when extended, assume a shape different from the shape of the guide tube in which the shaft is housed. This allows the extended shaft to navigate along a path that tracks close to bone structures, in particular the ischiopubic ramus, and prevents damage to surrounding tissue.
US08974363B2
New photodynamic, topically-applicable medicaments and certain medical uses of such photodynamic medicaments for treatment of human or animal tissue are described, wherein a primary active component of such medicaments is a halogenated xanthene. The halogenated xanthenes constitute a family of potent photosensitizers that become photoactivated upon illumination of the treatment site with visible wavelengths of light. In preferred embodiments, such medicaments are used for treatment of a variety of conditions affecting the skin and related organs; the mouth and digestive tract and related organs; the urinary and reproductive tracts and related organs; the respiratory tract and related organs; various other internal or external tissue surfaces, such as tissue surfaces exposed during surgery; and for treatment of a variety of conditions related to microbial or parasitic infection. In another preferred embodiment, such medicaments are produced in various formulations including liquid, semisolid or aerosol delivery vehicles.
US08974362B2
Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
US08974359B2
A food tray adapted to be removably located in a predetermined position in a compartment is provided having a tray body and a fixed movable stop member. The tray body includes a first end and a second end, a bottom and a sidewall structure defining a volume. The fixed movable stop member is located at one end of the tray body and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When the tray is inserted in the compartment in the predetermined position, the fixed movable stop member is in the extended position and restrains further insertion of the tray into the compartment. A method of making a food tray in accordance with the invention is provided. Also provided is a method of storing food within a food tray to be contained in a pass-through compartment.
US08974346B2
Methods and systems are provided for performing a multiple gear downshift of a transmission gear by transiently operating in an intermediate gear. In response to ambient humidity and a condensate level in a charge air cooler, the transmission gear may be downshifted from a higher gear to an intermediate gear, and then to a requested lower gear. Downshifting through an intermediate gear may also be controlled based on the gear shift request.
US08974336B2
A power transmission belt (10) includes: a belt body (11) including a part (14) which is in contact with a flat pulley and which is made of a rubber composition containing an ethylene-α-olefin elastomer with an ethylene content of less than or equal to 60% by mass as raw rubber. The rubber composition forming the contact part (14) with the flat pulley has a storage modulus of 20-60 MPa at 25° C. and a storage modulus of 12 MPa or more at 100° C., short fibers are not blended into the rubber composition, and the grain direction of the rubber composition corresponds to a belt lengthwise direction.
US08974334B2
A tensioning assembly having a drive pulley, a tension pulley and a tension adjustment system is provided. The drive pulley has a first drive pulley channel and a second drive pulley channel. The tension pulley has a first tension pulley channel and a second tension pulley channel. The second tension pulley channel is aligned with the first drive pulley channel. The first drive pulley channel and the second drive pulley channel of the drive pulley and the first tension pulley channel and a second tension pulley channel of the tension pulley are configured and arranged to engage and route an endless looped member. The tension adjustment system is coupled to adjust the distance between the drive pulley and the tension pulley to adjust the tension in the endless looped member in relation to the drive pulley.
US08974327B2
An arrowhead having a combination of fixed and expandable blades is provided. The new arrowhead has three mechanically expandable blades and six fixed blades. An expandable blade is snug fitted in between two fixed blades, eliminating the need for a mechanism to hold the expandable blade during the flight. In one embodiment of the present arrowhead, the expandable blades pivotally open from the front end of the arrowhead. And in the second embodiment of the present arrowhead, the expandable blades pivotally open from the rear end of the arrowhead.
US08974323B2
An apparatus for characterizing a golf swing proximate a mat formed of an engineering material may include a shank having a cup shaped to receive a golf ball at an upper end and a lower end; an articulated joint connected to the lower end of the shank, wherein the articulated joint is configured to allow the shank to bend along at least two axes; a base connected to the articulated joint and having a spike at a lower end; a motion control device operatively engaging the articulated joint, the motion control device maintaining the shank in a nominal position before the golf swing and in a deflected position after the golf swing; and an adapter configured to engage a mat, the adapter having a pliant portion and an opening in the pliant portion for receiving the spike.
US08974322B1
A golf tee has a head contoured to balance a golf ball thereon, a point for insertion into a ground surface, and a stem joining the head to the point, the stem providing an enlarged medial portion relative to a proximal portion near the head and a distal portion near the point. The stem has a continuous curvature between the head and the point and joins the head to the point such that the point inserts into the ground surface at an angle that facilities ejection of the tee from the ground surface when the curvature is placed outward relative to a direction of a ball strike force.
US08974319B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which travels a great distance on the driver shots and stops quickly on the green on the approach shots. The present invention is directed to a golf ball material having a shear loss modulus G″ of 2.11×107 Pa or less, and a ratio (E″/G″) of a tensile loss modulus E″ to the shear loss modulus G″ of 1.78 or more, when measuring the shear loss modulus G″ in a shear mode and the tensile loss modulus E″ in a tensile mode at conditions of a temperature of 0° C., oscillation frequency of 10 Hz using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus.
US08974307B2
A system for allowing a user to remotely access a game includes: a game console; a remote console client configured to receive a game control signal; and a remote console server. The remote console server includes an audio and video encoder configured to receive an audio output and a video output from the game console and to convert the audio output and the video output to a network packet. The remote console server also includes: a game controller emulation unit and a network interface configured to send and receive the network packet. The game controller emulation unit is configured to receive a game controller signal from the game console and to send the game controller signal to the remote console client and to receive a game controller input from the remote console client and send the game controller input to the game console.
US08974299B1
An approach to facilitating metric-based conformance by character units to specified formations is provided. An instance of a game space may be executed. The game space may have character units (including a first group of character units) that are controllable by a user to perform in-space actions. Values for one or more dynamic cohesiveness metrics associated with one or more of the user or character units of the first group may be determined. Responsive to reception of a first action request specifying a formation for the first group and a second action request specifying a first in-space objective for the first group, the first group may attempt to perform the first in-space objective in the instance of the game space with a level of conformance (that is based on the determined values of the dynamic cohesiveness metrics) to the specified formation during the attempted performance of the first in-space objective.
US08974289B2
Described herein are processes and devices that integrate social contact identifiers into wagering games. Some embodiments include providing game play elements configured for use in presentation of possible outcomes for a wagering game, wherein the wagering game is associated with a first player account stored on an account server. Some embodiments further include selecting, via one or more processors, a second player account indicated in the first player account as a social contact of a player associated with the first player account. Some embodiments further include, via at least one of the one or more processors, providing a social contact identifier of the second player account for use in the wagering game to represent at least a portion of at least one of the game play elements.
US08974284B2
The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. The system may trigger a wager opportunity based on external information. The external information may include, without limitation, social profile information, location information, partner-provided information, content consumption information, timing information, and/or other information that may be used to trigger a wager opportunity. The triggered wager may include a real-world wager or other wager such as a virtual or simulated wager.
US08974282B2
An electronic gaming system configured for executing an electronic game on a plurality of terminals, each terminal having a corresponding monitor the electronic game having a public portion and a private portion, wherein when the electronic gaming system is executed by the terminals, it causes the terminals to display the public portion of the game on one of the terminal's monitor; display a private portion of the game to on the other terminals monitors; enable wireless communication between the terminals; and manage flow of the game according to game rules and the wireless communication.
US08974278B2
A game show may be played online or may be played online while being simultaneously broadcast on television. The contestants of the game show are internet users who may use a web camera to connect to the online game. The host of the game show may be transmitted to the online game as well as to the television audience. A web-only (non-televised) based game may be used to get qualifying contestants to play in the online/televised game. The object of the game is to be the “last cam standing” by, for example, answering trivia questions correctly and eliminating other players.
US08974268B2
A method of preparing an edge-strengthened article comprises polishing of an edge of an article having a first edge strength using magnetorheological finishing, wherein after the polishing the article has a second edge strength and the second edge strength is greater than the first edge strength.
US08974262B2
An apparatus for providing enhanced traction for an inflatable device is disclosed. The apparatus includes an inflatable gear assembly attachable to the inflatable device. The inflatable gear assembly defines an outside diameter that is greater than the largest cross-sectional distance of the inflatable device. The inflatable gear assembly and the inflatable device may be configured as totally integrated, partially integrated, or totally separated air chambers.
US08974254B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a connector. The connector may include a connection body and an engagement structure. The connection body may include a first support member, a second support member, a base from which the first support member and the second support member extend, wherein the base includes a beveled portion for connecting the connection body to the structure, and a slot defined between the first support member and the second support member and configured to receive a ground line. The engagement structure may be configured to engage the first support member and the second support member and move relative to the base along the first support member and the second support member.
US08974251B2
An electrical connector assembly comprises: a metallic housing having a receiving space extending along a longitudinal and two openings respectively formed on top and bottom surfaces thereof and communicated with the receiving space; a pair of flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) received into the receiving space and arranged in a back-to-back manner. Each of the FPC defines a protuberant portion extending into the corresponding opening. And each of the protuberant portion has a plurality of contacts formed on one side thereof and communicated with an exterior. A pair of supporting pieces are received into the receiving space and attached to another side of the protuberant portion. And a spacer is received into the receiving space and sandwiched between the pair of flexible printed circuit boards and supporting pieces.
US08974246B2
A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal includes a case having a battery loading part to load a battery thereon, a printed circuit board mounted in the case, a terminal connection accommodating space formed in a predetermined portion of the battery loading part and extending in a first direction, a connection terminal comprising a fixing part configured to be connected to the printed circuit board, a connecting part extending toward the battery loading part via the terminal connection accommodating space, and a flexible part having a plurality of curved portions arranged between the fixing part and the connecting part and a stopper extending in the terminal connection accommodating space to restrict contraction of the flexible part in the first direction by coming into contact with one of the curved portions when the flexible part is contracted.
US08974243B2
A cable for the transmission of signals, includes a plurality of leads, on whose inner conductors an electrically conductive end piece is affixed. At least one of the end pieces includes a first latching element. The cable includes a coupler element, and the coupler element has a body having a longitudinal axis. In addition, the body has parallel feed-throughs, electrically insulated from each other, to accommodate the end pieces. At least one of the feed-throughs includes a second latching element. The end piece is inserted into the feed-through such that the first latching element locks into place with the second latching element. The body furthermore has a first surface and a second surface to guide a mating piece of the coupler element, the first surface having a radially outwardly directed normal vector, and the second surface having a radially inwardly directed normal vector.
US08974235B2
A relay box is provided with: a main housing; and a mounting section, which is provided in the main housing, and has selectively mounted thereon a relay block having a plug-in relay mounted thereon and removable therefrom, and a relay module which houses, in a module case, a circuit configuring body having a switching element mounted thereon.
US08974222B2
A nozzle-locating insulator (300), comprising: a body assembly (302), having: a spring-facing surface (304) including: spring-contact sections (306); and spring-noncontact sections (308) interposed between the spring-contact sections (306).
US08974219B2
A modular tool for imparting profile characteristics into fluent cementitious material. The tool has an elongated base forming a permanently fixed blade, and at least one handle. The blade is configured to act as a dovetail to which any of several modular blades may frictionally fit in removable fashion. The fixed blade forms a deflector disposed to deflect removed cementitious material away from the handles. Other blades may fit by peg and socket engagement. The tool may have detachable rollers enabling the tool to advance at a controlled elevation along a wall being formed and shaped. A slide block may be arranged to engage the rollers so as to adjust their position on the tool. The tool may have integral bubble levels.
US08974209B2
An underwater cutting and pelletizing apparatus includes: a cutting device that cuts, with a cutter in a water chamber, molten resin, extruded from a die, into pellets; a separation device that separates, from carrier water, pellets sent from the water chamber of the cutting device to downstream with carrier water; a tank that is disposed below the separation device and stores carrier water discharged from the separation device; and a circulation path formed so as to circulate carrier water between the tank and the water chamber, wherein a hydroelectric power generator is provided on a return side of the circulation path formed on a downstream side of the water chamber, and generates electricity from the energy of the carrier water flowing downward in this path. According to such a configuration, the underwater cutting and pelletizing apparatus is made so as to achieve energy savings by recovering and reusing potential energy accompanying carrier water pumped up to a higher location.
US08974207B2
This invention relates to a gear pump (1) for delivering a fluid, comprising an externally toothed gearwheel (3) rotatably mounted on a journal (4), and an internally toothed annular gear (2), the gearwheel and gear meshing so as to produce a delivery action, and arranged together with an electrically commutatable stator (7) inside a housing (5). The stator (7) extends concentrically around the annular gear (2) and cooperates with a magnetic ring (6) in order to generate an electromotive force and the magnetic ring (6) together with the annular gear (2) rotate in order to produce the delivery action. The annular gear (2) is mounted by means of a sliding bearing (25).
US08974201B2
As described in detail below, the disclosed embodiments include a rotating compressor valve having stationary front and rear plates (e.g., guards) and a rotating plate configured to rotate relative to the stationary front and rear plates. The stationary front and rear plates and the rotating plate all include a plurality of slots which, when aligned, allow a process fluid (e.g., natural gas) to flow through the rotating compressor valve. In certain embodiments, the slots of the rotating plate include an arc radius that is smaller than an arc radius of the slots of the stationary front and rear plates.
US08974198B2
A counterweight cover for a compressor is provided and may include an annular body having a recess at least partially defined by an outer circumferential portion, an inner circumferential portion, and an upper portion connecting the outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion. A suction baffle may be disposed on the annular body and may direct a flow of suction gas within the compressor.
US08974195B2
A fan includes a housing and a motor. The housing has a compartment, at least one lateral air inlet and at least one lateral air outlet. The lateral air inlet and lateral air outlet communicate with the compartment. The motor has a stator and an impeller. The impeller is coupled with the stator and includes a hub and a plurality of blades coupled with a top face of the hub. Each blade has first and second ends. The first ends of the blades face outwards, and the second ends of the blades define an air-guiding room encompassed by a virtual geometric pattern formed by a virtual line linking the second ends of the blades. The virtual geometric pattern has a maximal diameter. A gap is formed between the second ends of two adjacent blades. The gap is smaller than the maximal diameter of the virtual geometric pattern.
US08974194B2
An impeller of an advection-type fan includes a metal base plate, a shaft and a plurality of plastic blades. The metal base plate includes a shaft-coupling portion and a peripheral portion, with a first plane facing in a first direction and a second plane facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction arranged between the shaft-coupling portion and the peripheral portion. The metal base plate is in a plane form between the shaft-coupling portion and the peripheral portion. The shaft has a fixing end and a free end. The fixing end is coupled with the shaft-coupling portion, and the free end extends in the first direction. Each plastic blade has a coupling portion and an air-driving portion. The coupling portion is coupled with the peripheral portion, and the air-driving portion extends in the second direction.
US08974193B2
A synthetic jet equipment is provided, including a base, a frame fixed to the base, a first member, a pump diaphragm, a second member, and a valve diaphragm. The pump diaphragm connects the first member to the frame, and the valve diaphragm connects the second member to the frame. The base, the frame, the first member, the pump diaphragm, the second member, and the valve diaphragm define a chamber forming an intake and an outlet. When the first member moves in a first direction, the second member moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction and the external air flows into the chamber through the inlet. When the first member moves in the second direction, the second member moves in the first direction, such that the air is exhausted from the chamber through the outlet.
US08974183B2
A core die for creating an airfoil includes a first section, a second section mating with the first section, and an insert for creating a slot. The first section and the second section define a body having an outer dimension. The insert is disposed at an angle to the outer dimension. A trip strip includes a first portion disposed in the second section. The first portion is in register with the insert and a thickness is maintained between the first portion and the insert along a length of the insert. The first portion tapers towards the outer dimension and the thickness is filled by the ceramic material between the slot and the first portion.
US08974178B2
A disclosed centrifugal boost pump volute includes normal to flow cross sectional surfaces distributed over the length of the passage. The volute includes a volute proper, an exit bend and a diffuser fluidly interconnecting the volute proper to the exit bend. The cross sectional surfaces are defined as dimensions set out in one set of data, which includes Tables N-1 and N-2 for the volute proper and Table N-3 for the volute exit bend, where N is the same value.
US08974172B2
A boom has a central connection plate attached between a pair of side plates, and a rear portion side of a cover plate on a front boom portion and a front portion side of a cover plate on a rear boom portion are connected thereby. A pivoting support for a working tool cylinder used to move a working tool connected to a foremost portion of the front boom portion is provided on a front side of a top portion on each of the left and right side plates. The central connection plate is formed with a connection plate projection projecting from a front portion attached to the rear portion of the cover plate toward a midway portion so as to approach the pivoting support.
US08974169B2
A fork lift, and especially a fork lift for a truck, may have structure on a forklift carriage for selectively receiving any of a variety of attachment tools. Alternatively, an assembly may be secured to the carriage and the assembly may provide the structure for selectively receiving the attachment tools. The structure may include a bolt and lever mechanism for selectively securing and releasing the attachment tools. A method may include selectively securing any of a variety of attachment tools including, but not limited to, a trencher, an auger, a backhoe, and a hydraulic breaker. These attachment tools may be connected to a hydraulic system for control of the attachment tools. The method may include the preliminary steps of locking the forklift against movement along a mast and insertion of fork tips in pocket(s) supported in the truck.
US08974164B2
A polymeric fastener includes a body having multiple sides adapted to accept a tool for applying torque to the body to axially rotate the body with respect to a body longitudinal axis. A flange integrally connected to the body extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A wave-shaped washer integrally connected to the flange has multiple valleys interposed between multiple oppositely directed peaks. Multiple triangular shaped frangible connectors integrally join the flange to the wave-shaped washer. Each frangible connector is integrally connected at a first end to the flange, and is integrally connected at an opposite connecting tip to an individual one of the peaks. The connecting tip has a reduced thickness compared to the first end to induce fracture of each frangible connector at the connecting tip.
US08974160B2
A rail mounting system includes a mounting rail that has a channel profile. The mounting rail is secured to a cargo area surface. Further, the rail mounting system includes a slide member that has a securement receiving area for securing a cargo product and the slide member within the channel profile of the mounting rail. The slide member is received within the channel profile.
US08974157B2
An adjustable cargo storage press for organizing and securing cargo items stored in a cargo storage area of an automobile. The adjustable cargo storage press is disposed within or integrated with a cargo area of an automotive vehicle such as a trunk, bed or bed liner of a car, truck, or sport utility vehicle. The press prevents movement of cargo items and potential damage to the cargo items during transport. The press also maintains the position of the cargo items for easy removal from the cargo storage area. The press includes one or more hinged walls that lock in a vertical position and move towards each other along guide tracks. The one or more hinged walls compress the cargo items between the hinged walls, and fold flat when not in use so as not to limit cargo storage capacity of the cargo storage area.
US08974154B2
A cutting tool includes a polygonal cutter body and an end cutting insert for chipforming machining mounted in a serrated seat disposed at an axial end of the cutter body. A bottom surface of the insert has a plurality of parallel serrations meshing with corresponding serrations of the seat. The serrations extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis for resisting axially rearward cutting forces applied to the insert. The seat is formed directly by the cutter body, or by a shim disposed beneath the insert. The shim is provided with a downward lip to transfer axial forces to the cutter body. The insert can be square or triangular, wherein the serrations are in the form of a plurality of sets of parallel serrations disposed adjacent respective cutting edges.
US08974146B1
Disclosed is an apparatus for purifying asbestos-contaminated soil capable of increasing the removable efficiency of removing the soil by applying a drop method, facilitating the scattering of asbestos by extending the drop time of soil, and improving the separation efficiency of the asbestos from the contaminated soil by preventing the generation of eddies in the soil. The apparatus includes a blowing unit 100 including a blowing case 110 provided with a vertical portion 111 and horizontal portions 112 and blowers 120; a drop unit 200 including a drop case 210, a storage hopper 220, a discharge device 230, shock absorbing plates 240, and guide plates 250; a transfer unit 300 including a plurality of transfer cases 310 and screens 320; and a discharge unit 400 having a third opening 401 and a vent hole 402.
US08974136B2
A connection arrangement for connecting two tube pieces of a crossmember for a vehicle has a first attachment element made of a first material, wherein the first attachment element is provided for a solid material-bonded connection to at least a first tube piece which comprises the first material. Furthermore, the first attachment element has a second attachment element which is fastened to the first attachment element, wherein the second attachment element consists essentially of a second material differing from the first material, wherein the second attachment element is provided for a solid material-bonded connection to a second tube piece which comprises the second material. Furthermore, a crossmember has such a connection arrangement.
US08974123B2
A rolling-element bearing cage (12) having two lateral rings (2) and a plurality of cage webs (1), wherein the laterals rings (2) and the cage webs (1) form a plurality of cage pockets (8). In order for the rolling-element bearing cage (12) to have an especially light and stable design, a respective recess (3) is formed in each of the corners (10) of the cage pockets (8). This recess is tapered or reduced toward the radial center (7) of the recess without forming a running surface for the associated rolling element (9). A method for producing the rolling-element bearing cage (12) is also provided, wherein a plurality of cage pockets (8) are milled into a solid cage blank, wherein the corners (10) of the cage pockets (8) are milled in such a way that a respective recess (3) is formed in each of the corners of the cage pockets, which recess is tapered or reduced toward the radial center (7) of the recess without forming a running surface for the associated rolling element (9).
US08974122B2
A roller bearing having a tolerance compensation function, which is capable of being properly deformed and absorbing a processing tolerance within a range of an elastic region even when a distance between MEMS structures is changed due to the processing tolerance of the MEMS structures, being deformed to a minimum and rolled while maintaining a smooth contact with the MEMS structures by uniformly dispersing vertical loads applied from the MEMS structures through a plurality of the bearings, and thus minimizing the occurrence of abrasion and preventing damage to the bearing, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The roller bearing includes a roller bearing having a C-shaped section structure in which a gap having a specific interval is formed on one side of the roller bearing.
US08974121B1
A thrust plate is provided. The thrust plate includes a first side surface and a second side surface. The thrust plate also includes an inner surface and an outer surface extending axially between the first and second side surfaces respectively. Further, the inner and outer surfaces of the thrust plate define an inner diameter and outer diameter respectively. The thrust plate further includes a number of mounting apertures extending between the first and second side surfaces. The number of mounting apertures is defined proximate to the outer diameter of the thrust plate. A wear layer is positioned radially inward from the mounting apertures. The wear layer is integrated into a stepped portion defining a wear prone area on the first and/or second side surfaces. Further, the wear layer is made of a material different from that of a core of the thrust plate.
US08974118B2
A zipper for use in a reclosable bag including an elongated groove profile having two arms which form a general U-shape to define an opening to a channel, and an elongated rib profile opposing the groove profile. A plurality of first segments of the rib profile alternate with a plurality of second segments of the rib profile to create a structural discontinuity along a length thereof. The first segments have larger cross-sections and shorter lengths than the second segments such that interlocking the groove and rib profiles creates the audible clicking sound when the groove and rib profiles are engaged.
US08974116B2
There is provided a heat sink for measuring temperature of electronic component. The heat sink includes a heat radiating plate, a fin, a heat receiving plate, and a temperature detector. The heat radiating plate has a first surface that receives heat from the electronic component. The fin is for radiating heat energy conducting through the heat radiating plate and is connected to the heat radiating plate. The heat receiving plate arranged apart from the heat radiating plate has a second surface movable to be parallel to the first surface. The temperature detector that detects a temperature is disposed on the heat receiving plate.
US08974114B2
Apparatus and methods for verifying temperature measurements in an ultrasonic flow meter. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, a temperature sensor, and an ultrasonic flow meter. The temperature sensor is disposed to measure temperature of fluid flowing in the passage. The ultrasonic flow meter includes a plurality of pairs of ultrasonic transducers and control electronics. Each pair of transducers is configured to form a chordal path across the passage between the transducers. The control electronics are coupled to the ultrasonic transducers. The control electronics are configured to measure speed of sound between each pair of transducers based on ultrasonic signals passing between the transducers of the pair. The control electronics are also configured to determine, based on the measured speeds of sound, whether a measured temperature value provided by the temperature sensor accurately represents temperature of the fluid flowing in the passage.
US08974112B2
The invention relates to a barrel. According to the invention, the barrel further includes a device for increasing the torque of said at least one spring including additional elastic energy accumulating means provided in addition to the spiral shape of said at least one spring, said elastic means being added to said at least one spring so that the barrel torque is personalized according to the winding tension of said at least one spring.
US08974110B2
The present invention provides a kneading device 1 including a hopper 2 having a hopper body 4 that stores raw powder, and a mixer 3 that kneads material to be kneaded, which contains the raw powder, wherein the hopper 2 includes a stirring device 5 that stirs the raw powder in the hopper body, and a temperature-controlled air supply device 6 that supplies temperature-controlled air into the hopper body 4. This kneading device can stably prepare high-quality kneaded dough.
US08974103B2
A light-emitting device includes a light source, a panel and a light guiding structure. The light guiding structure includes a first light guiding tunnel and a second light guiding tunnel. The first light guiding tunnel includes a first end and a second end. A first opening is formed at the first end and close to the light source. The second light guiding tunnel includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the second light guiding tunnel communicates with the second end of the first light guiding tunnel. A diameter of the second end of the second light guiding tunnel is greater than a diameter of the first end of the second light guiding tunnel. A second opening is formed at the second end of the second light guiding tunnel. A diameter of the second opening is greater than a diameter of the first opening.
US08974098B2
A bicycle light for securing to a handlebar or other part of a bike, or to a rider's helmet, has an angled front face that allows use of a single, flat LED circuit board with one or more deep conic or parabolic reflectors positioned in front of the upper part of the board and one or more shallow reflectors in front of the bottom part of the board. This provides for both a spot beam produced by the deep reflector and flood light produced by the shallow reflector, in a compact and efficient assembly. Another important feature of the device is side lighting which can be independently controlled, important in affording the rider side lighting while in street traffic but the option to pulse or switch off the side lighting when riding on a trail.
US08974087B2
A luminous device with a semiconductor light source and a light-transmissive converter element including a wavelength-converting phosphor sensitive to the light emitted by the semiconductor light source is disclosed. The semiconductor light source can be at least partly covered by the converter element and the converter element is movable such that the proportion of light which is wavelength-converted by the converter element is adjustable depending on the position of the converter element.
US08974079B2
A lighting system has a receptacle for a light source disposed on a light fixture. The receptacle couples to a first power source, such as standard alternating current available in a building. An electroluminescent (EL) panel is disposed adjacent the light fixture and couples either to the same first power source or to a second power source, such as a direct current emergency power source of a battery or a building. For the EL panel also coupled to the first power source, circuitry illuminates the electroluminescent panel with power from the first power source when the receptacle for the light source is disconnected from the first power source. For the EL panel connected to the second power source, the circuitry illuminates the EL panel with power from the second power source during a failure of the first power source.
US08974071B2
A lighted accessory for a planter includes a flexible split ring that has first and second adjustably spaceable ends that define a ring of variable diameter. The flexible split ring has a curved cross-sectional shape and is fittable on an upper edge of a planter. A light source is mounted on the annular ring providing illumination of the planter. The lighted accessory is fittable on a range of sizes of planters.
US08974069B2
A diffuser is configured to diffuse radiation from multiple light sources. The diffuser includes a substrate having optical structures that exhibit both microvariations and macrovariations along the substrate. For example, an array of microlenses may be provided that include at least one feature that varies as a function of the spacing between the light sources. Lighting systems using these diffusers may also be provided.
US08974051B2
A system and method are provided for producing Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) characters on image receiving medium substrates using a variable digital data offset lithographic architecture which provides for varying lithographic images between cycles of a marking device. MICR inks are provided with a solid particle magnetizable pigment components in a proportion of at least 20% by weight suspended in solution in the ink composition. MICR inks are provided with a solid particle magnetizable pigment components having particle sizes in excess of one micron suspended in solution in the ink composition. The disclosed systems and methods provide for MICR characters to be formed on an image receiving medium substrate over background images applied using other inks in a single device, and/or in a single pass of the image receiving medium substrate through the device.
US08974049B2
A fixer composition is disclosed herein. An example of the fixer composition includes from about 5 wt % to about 25 wt % of a co-solvent, from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % of a calcium salt, from about 0.01 wt % to about 0.6 wt % of a sulfonated chelating agent, and a balance of water.
US08974048B2
A printing method including: ejecting an ink which includes a designated compound is ejected from a first nozzle row which is relatively move in an intersection direction intersecting a direction along the nozzle row with respect to a medium, ejecting the ink while relatively moving in the intersection direction to the medium, from the end portion of a second nozzle row which is overlapped with the end portion of the first nozzle row in a direction along the nozzle row direction, wherein when nozzles of the nozzle rows which are partly overlapped with each other in a direction along the nozzle row share with each other to form a common dot line, the amount of ink ejected per unit area in the partly overlapping region is larger than the amount of ink ejected per unit area in a non-overlapping region.
US08974039B2
A circuit substrate includes: a substrate body and an electrode. The substrate body has four sides including first and second sides extending in a first direction and opposing each other in a second direction. The substrate body has a top surface on which the electrode is mounted. The electrode has first and second outer points positioned closest to the first and second sides in the second direction respectively. The top surface has: a first area between the first side and a first imaginary line extending in the first direction and passing through the first outer point; a second area between the second side and a second imaginary line extending in the first direction and passing through the second outer point; and a third area interposed between the first area and the second area in the second direction, the substrate body being formed with a first opening in the first area.
US08974035B2
A recording apparatus including a recording head that discharges UV ink onto a recording material and an ultraviolet light irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet light to the discharged UV ink so as to harden the UV ink; further includes a failure diagnostic unit that diagnoses a failure condition of the ultraviolet light irradiation unit and a controller that controls operations of the recording head, the ultraviolet light irradiation unit, and the failure diagnostic unit. Further, the controller is so configured as to change the operation mode of the recording apparatus to a failure-state mode when the ultraviolet light irradiation unit has been diagnosed as a failure by the failure diagnostic unit.
US08974034B2
An ink-jet recording apparatus, including: a head having nozzles arranged in at least one row along an arrangement direction; a conveyor mechanism; and a controller including a pattern forming portion to form a pattern for detecting inclination of the at least one nozzle row with respect to the nozzle arrangement direction, the pattern including (A) a first inclination detect pattern including parallel two lines formed by ejection respectively from: a first nozzle group located at a first section of one of the at least one nozzle low and a second nozzle group located at a second section different from the first section, when the head moves in one direction in a scanning direction, and (B) a second inclination detect pattern including parallel two lines formed by ejection respectively from: the first nozzle group; and the second nozzle group, when the head moves in another direction opposite to the one direction.
US08974031B2
An inkjet printer including a body, a carriage, a recording head, a bendable connecting member, and a controller is provided. The controller executes a moving step to move the carriage in an orientation after the carriage is halted for a length, a measuring step to measure the period, and a discharging step to manipulate the recording head to discharge ink at a sheet. In the discharging step, if the measured period is within a first length, the recording head is manipulated to discharge the ink at a first discharging timing, and if the measured period is within a second length which is longer than the first length, the recording head is manipulated to discharge the ink at a second discharging timing, which is advanced to be earlier than the first discharging timing.
US08974010B2
The electric brake system for vehicles includes a pressure supplier connected to a reservoir through a hydraulic passage to receive the oil, the pressure supplier outputting a brake will of a driver as an electric signal through the pedal displacement sensor, when the driver pushes the brake pedal, to operate a motor and convert a rotational force of the motor into linear motion, a hydraulic control unit including a first circuit including at least one first vehicle wheel and a second circuit including at least one second vehicle wheel to receive a hydraulic pressure with a force generated by the pressure supplier and thereby perform braking, a blocking valve to control the hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder to a wheel cylinder disposed in each vehicle wheel, a simulation device connected to the master cylinder, to provide a reaction force response to the pedal effort of the brake pedal, and an electronic control unit to control the motor and the valves, based on pressure information and pedal displacement information.
US08974004B2
A vehicle seat including: a seat component such as a seat cushion and a seat back, the seat component including, a cushioning material constituting an outer shape of the vehicle seat, a through-hole penetrating the cushioning material in a thickness direction thereof, and a skin material configured to cover the cushioning material, wherein a reinforcing wire is embedded into the cushioning material at both sides of the through-hole, respectively.
US08973999B2
A reclining seat for a vehicle includes a seat and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat. The reclining seat also includes an actuator for adjusting the inclination of the seat back relative to the seat. The actuator includes a lockable reclining mechanism, a motor for selectively unlocking the reclining mechanism and permitting manual adjustment of the inclination of the seat back, and an actuator switch electrically coupled to the motor for selectively energizing the motor.
US08973996B2
The congregational prayer chair is designed to provide needed support for certain worshipers participating in Muslim prayer services. The chair is constructed with a seat and seat-back supported between two connecting arms. The connecting arms are mounted on chair legs. Grooves and tracks are provided on the arms that permit the seat and the seat-back to be moved in a predetermined manner so that a worshiper can attain the required prayer positions without disturbing the alignment of the prayer rows and the other worshippers.
US08973994B2
A variable lumbar support assembly for a seatback of a vehicle seat assembly includes a support bracket and a lumbar member. The support bracket has an upper end, an opposite lower end, and a pair of side rails extending between the upper end and the lower end. The support bracket has a curved central portion positioned between the upper and the lower end. The lumbar member is slidingly attached to the pair of side rails of the support bracket. The slidingly attachment of the lumbar member along the pair of slide rails provides both a vertical displacement and a fore and aft displacement of the lumbar member.
US08973993B2
A cushion set for use with a seat having a seat back with an upper portion and a lower portion includes an upper back cushion and a lower back cushion each having a forward surface and an opposing aft surface, each forward surface including at least one back cushion forward attachment device, and each aft surface including at least one back cushion aft attachment device; and an inflatable lumbar support having an aft surface that includes at least one lumbar support attachment device. The aft surface of the upper back cushion is attachable to the upper portion of the seat back, via the at least one back cushion aft attachment device of the upper back cushion. The aft surface of the lower back cushion is attachable to the lower portion of the seat back, via the at least one back cushion aft attachment device of the lower back cushion.
US08973988B2
In a vehicle seat that has a seat back and a headrest attached to an upper portion of the seat back, the seat back has an upper frame member that extends in the width direction at an upper portion. The upper frame member and the headrest are structured such that a second distance is greater than a first distance. The first distance is a horizontal distance, between a front surface first portion of the headrest and a head of a head restraint measuring device (HRMD) that is attached to an H-point device seated in the seat, that has been measured by the head restraint measuring device. The second distance is a horizontal distance between the front surface first portion of the headrest and a front surface of the upper frame member that is positioned to the rear of the front surface first portion.
US08973983B2
An underbody guard is mountable under an underbody of a motor vehicle for extensive covering of regions at risk including at least one of an engine, a transmission unit, an axle, a differential, a gas tank, an exhaust system, or sills. The underbody guard including a recess and a dimensionally stable shaped part configured to be inserted into the recess so as to substantially close the recess. The dimensionally stable shaped part is made from materials that do not block radio signals.
US08973982B2
A motor vehicle chassis includes two lateral floor supports and a seat-cushion support part positioned between two lateral raisers fixed on top of the lateral floor supports and assembled with the lateral floor supports. The chassis further includes two seat-cushion support reinforcements each assembled with a lateral floor support and with a lateral raiser, each seat-cushion support reinforcement including: a substantially horizontal plate extending the seat-cushion support part laterally, assembled with the lateral raiser along a substantially vertical mating edge of the plate, and a single support leg extending downwards from the plate, assembled with the lateral floor support, and the assembly end of which is positioned vertically below the plate, some distance from a projection onto the horizontal of the mating edge.
US08973976B2
A bulldozer includes a cab and an engine hood. The cab has a foremost surface, and left and right front surfaces. The engine hood has an upper surface, left and right side surfaces, and flat first, second and third inclined surfaces. The first and second inclined surfaces contact the rear side of the upper surface and rear sides of the left and right side surfaces, and are inclined more obliquely to the right rear and left rear than the left and right side surfaces, respectively. The first, second and third inclined surfaces are inclined to face downward to the rear. The third inclined surface contacts the first and second inclined surfaces, and the upper surface. A window attached to the foremost surface is arranged in a vertical direction above first and second sides closest to the foremost surface out of sides constituting the first and second inclined surfaces, respectively.
US08973975B2
A structure for the front portion of a vehicle body includes both an under load path member and a front load transmission member. The under load path member is extended toward the rear of the vehicle body from a lower bulk member to a sub-frame. The front load transmission member is provided at a position closer to the front of the vehicle body than the under load path member and closer to the rear of the vehicle body than the front end of the bottom of the lower bulk member, and transmits to the under load path member a load which is inputted from in front of the vehicle body. A gap is formed between the front load transmission member and the under load path member.
US08973973B2
A trailer skirt includes a plurality of panel modules attached under and along sides of a trailer. Each panel module comprises an outwardly angled flat panel with upper edge attached to a trailer undercarriage frame and a forward edge tabbed to slots in an inward-stepped rear edge of an adjacent identical panel module. The stair-stepped surface and leak-free connection provides excellent low air drag, and also provides good orientation of reflectors for lights when passing another vehicle. A modularity of the panel modules and their low weight allows them to be molded in an efficient and low cost manufacturing operation, shipped in a very compact and dense arrangement, quickly installed, and allows individual panel modules to be replaced without total disassembly of the skirt.
US08973972B2
A rear spoiler device for a vehicle, such as a utility vehicle or a trailer, includes at least one adjustable air guiding element for aerodynamically guiding air and extending the contour of the lateral region of the rear of the vehicle. The guide element is adjustable between a travel position, in which it extends rearwards in a lateral region of the rear for aerodynamically guiding air and extending the contour, and a stowed position. The air guiding element is spring pre-loaded into the extended travel position and is adjusted into the stowed position by pressing the guide element from the rear side counter against the spring pre-load.
US08973971B1
A door for selectively opening and closing at least a portion of an opening in a vehicle includes an outer door panel and an inner door panel. The inner panel is attached to the outer panel thus defining a space between the inner and outer panels. The door also includes a tubular reinforcement beam disposed in the space between the inner and outer door panels. The tubular reinforcement beam is attached to the door and has varying material thicknesses. A vehicle having a vehicle body that defines an opening and a subject door configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the opening is also disclosed.
US08973964B2
A connector for use with an animal barrier. The connector includes a locking member configured to lock corresponding horizontal and vertical members when the locking member is in the locked position, and release the corresponding horizontal and vertical members to allow for length adjustment of both the horizontal and vertical members when the s is in the release position. Therefore, separate s are not needed for the corresponding horizontal and vertical members. Thus, the connector simplifies adjustment of the animal barrier to allow the animal barrier to be easily adapted to the specific size of the vehicle.
US08973943B1
A scissor fence having a top end, a bottom end, a plurality of alternating front legs and back legs, each leg having an outer section, a plurality of center pivots joining the front legs to the back legs, a mount comprising a final center pivot at the bottom end, wherein the mount is configured to affix to an existing dolly, a plurality of lateral pivots sequentially joining the outer sections of the front legs to the back legs, a hinge disposed on each leg, the hinges disposed most proximal the lateral pivots, a pair of spaced apart hooks affixed to the existing dolly, the scissor fence selectively expanded, the top end front leg and back leg removably hooked over the hooks, forming a barrier against the dolly, the scissor fence selectively collapsed and the outer sections folded to parallel the font legs and back legs.
US08973942B1
An active bolster mounts at an interior trim surface of a passenger compartment in an automotive vehicle. A plastic-molded, expandable front wall deploys toward a passenger in the passenger compartment. A plastic-molded back wall is joined around a substantially sealed perimeter with the front wall to form an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes an inflator receptacle defined by a raised recess wall having an inflator aperture. An inflator with a gas outlet end and an electrical connector end is received in the inflator aperture with the gas outlet end inside the inflatable bladder. The recess wall has a predetermined thickness for substantially retaining shape during inflation of the bladder. The inflator receptacle includes a flexible seal disposed around an inner edge of the inflator aperture comprised of a flashing edge bearing against the inflator and having a thickness less than the predetermined thickness of the recess wall.
US08973940B2
The present invention is a wagon that can be folded along a middle plane that bisects the wagon between a front and rear portion. The folding wagon comprises of wheels, a folding frame, a support structure, a front panel a handle connected to the frame, wheels, and a bag hanger that are detailed herein. The folding frame includes a top rail formed of a top rail front portion and a top rail rear portion, a middle rail formed of a middle rail front portion and a middle rail rear portion, a bottom rail formed of a bottom rail front portion and a bottom rail rear portion. The top rail, the middle rail, and the bottom rail are connected by a hinge means. The top rail front portion is mounted to the top rail rear portion.
US08973929B1
A caster active control system that is mounted on a suspension including a strut assembly for automatically adjusting a cater angle of a wheel of a vehicle, may include a fixed frame that is fixed to a vehicle body, a movable frame slidably mounted on a bottom of the fixed frame and configured to reciprocate in a front-rear direction of the wheel, a strut mount unit fixed to the movable frame and connected with an upper end of the strut assembly, and an operation module disposed between the fixed frame and the movable frame and engaged with the movable frame, wherein the operation module is driven by a motor to move the movable frame in the front-rear direction of the wheel.
US08973926B1
The invention includes a rolling chair for mechanics and the like to use on a floor to move around a work area. The rolling chair has a rigid frame with legs extending outwardly from a central riser housing an adjustable cylinder supporting a padded seat. The frame supports a rotary platform with a large section and a smaller walled section for storing tools or parts. The rolling chair is suspended above the ground by castered wheels secured to a leg terminal end. The castered wheels rotate vertically and horizontally. The castered wheels may be large and the central riser may protrude above and below the frame. The platform has an outer perimeter above the vertical axes of the castered wheels.
US08973924B2
The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the vertical position of the boot support holder (P) for a ski fastening system comprising a base (E) and a plate (Cr) forming a cover, said support holder comprising a vertically movable support element (1) and at least one ramp (11) cooperating by contact with a wedge (2) that can move in longitudinal translation under the action of a maneuvering member (3), characterized in that said maneuvering member (3) can rotate relative to the base while being connected to said wedge (2), which bears a push-piece (21) forming a lever designed to come into bearing contact against said ramp to modify the vertical position of the support element (3) by pivoting.
US08973923B2
A truck assembly having a mounting plate with a first mounting bracket with a first arm, a second arm and a ridge; a cushion with a front surface that defines a concave segment, a rear surface that defines a notch that receives and seats the ridge, and a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface; an axle assembly having a wheel shaft and a truck support with a first cushion support arm and a second cushion support arm; and a swing pin releasably joining the cushion and the axle assembly to the first mounting bracket.
US08973920B2
A conveying apparatus including a conveying path with a curved path through which a sheet is passed, a main conveying roller provided downstream of the conveying path in a conveying direction of the sheet, the roller being rotated in a first direction to perform a conveying operation of conveying the sheet in the conveying direction and being rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to perform an skew correcting operation of forming a loop of the sheet, and an auxiliary guide member which supports the sheet using an inner side of a curvature of the conveying path and which is tilted toward the conveying direction side during the conveying operation when subjected to a force of the sheet which is stronger than during the skew correcting operation.
US08973919B2
A double-feed detection apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect double feed of transfer materials conveyed along a conveying path, and a control unit configured to execute detection of the transfer material under conveyance plural times with the sensor, and to determine the double feed of the transfer materials based on detection results. The control unit determines a detection timing based on both a distance along the conveying path from the sensor to an image forming unit which forms an image on the transfer material and a length of the transfer material in the feed direction.
US08973918B2
A sheet conveying apparatus including: a skew feeding correcting portion configured to correct skew feeding of a sheet, the skew feeding correcting portion including: a rotary member pair configured to convey the sheet; a shutter member configured to abut against a leading edge of a sheet being conveyed, and having a home position; and a moving member arranged with a gap formed between the moving member and the shutter member positioned in the home position, such that the shutter member is moveable independently from the home position up to a point of engagement with the moving member, when the gap is closed, and such that the moving member is movable integrally with the shutter member while the gap is closed, wherein the rotary member pair is arranged to nip a sheet during a period in which the shutter member is configured to move integrally with the moving member.
US08973914B2
A sheet-supply cassette includes a main member open upward and adapted to store a plurality of recording sheets stacked on each other, each of which is separated from the other recording sheets, and is fed in a sheet-feed direction, by a sheet feeder, an inclined sheet-separate plate provided in a downstream-side portion of the main member as seen in the sheet-feed direction, and which cooperates with the sheet feeder to separate the each recording sheet from the other recording sheets, and a plurality of back-surface support portions which are formed integrally with the downstream-side portion of the main member, such that the back-surface support portions are distant from each other in a perpendicular direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet-feed direction. The inclined sheet-separate plate is detachably attached to the back-surface support portions such that a back surface of the inclined sheet-separate plate is supported by the back-surface support portions.
US08973913B2
To easily replace a retard roller (that is a media separation roller) while minimizing the required installation space, a printer 1 has a first media conveyance path 12 that conveys sheet media; a second media conveyance path 29 that conveys media and can open and close; a media conveyance roller 17 and a retard roller 16 disposed opposite each other with the first media conveyance path 12 therebetween; and a roller installation unit 70 to which the retard roller 16 is installed removably from the second media conveyance path 29 side. The retard roller 16 can be easily replaced from the open second media conveyance path 29. Compared with a configuration having a dedicated opening, a smaller opening and space for replacing the media separation roller are required.
US08973908B2
The present invention relates to a fabrication of rectangular shape string-thick-plate and square columnar string-thick-plate pack fabricated by joining a multiplicity of string-thick-plates for use as fill media in cooling towers. The string-thick-plate consists of two vertical-string-screens, on both sides of plate, fabricated by winding one long string over semicircular holes on the top and bottom frames of the string-thick-plate. Intervals between adjacent strings of the vertical-string-screens are designed to preserve a maximum optimized surface area of the strings being able to obtain a maximum cooling efficiency of the string-thick-plate pack. The string-thick-plates are designed to be assembled into upright and tilted string-thick-plate packs, which are installed uprightly and slantly in cross- and counter-current cooling towers, respectively. The string-thick-plates of the present invention tremendously reduce the fabrication cost of a large square columnar string fill pack in one structure.
US08973901B2
A double drum traction winch supporting a first and second rotatable drum is provided. The circumferential surface of each drum is provided with circumferential grooves perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drum. The grooves of each drum are subdivided in a first set of grooves for guiding a first wire and a second set of grooves for guiding a second wire. The grooves of the first set alternate with grooves of the second set such that the circumferential surface of each drum is provided with multiple grooves of the first group, each interpositioned between two grooves of the second group. Therefore the traction winch is capable of cooperating with a first wire in the first set of grooves or with a second wire in the second set of grooves, wherein both wires differ in type of material and/or cross section and/or maximum tensile strength.
US08973884B1
An improved lower anchor strap tension adjusting mechanism for varying tension in a restraint connected to a vehicle. The mechanism comprises first and second adjuster ends and a length of web spanning therebetween. One end of the web is attached to one of the adjuster ends. A guide is provided on one or both adjuster ends enabling the web to be looped around the guide(s) and between the ends in multiple passes. A web lock device is connected one of the ends to engage the web and allow the length of the web spanning between the first and second adjuster portions to be fixed. The number of loops of web spanning between the adjuster ends determines the mechanical advantage in the tension force applied to the anchor strap by the adjuster compared to the tension applied to the free end, improving ease and security of safety seat installation.
US08973881B2
A modular support assembly is provided for supporting a useful and/or decorative article. Each module of the assembly adheres to adjacent module(s) via a magnetic force attraction. The height of the modular assembly can be adjusted, as desired, by the addition/removal of various modules to/from the assembly.
US08973875B2
The universal heavy bag hanger is used to secure a heavy bag to an overhead horizontal support member. The bag hanger includes a flat pad that has a length along a length direction to wrap around a support member. The pad includes a slip resistant material that engages the support member when mounted thereon. A strap is secured to the outside surface and extends beyond the longitudinal ends of the flat pad. A D-shaped ring is attached to one free end of the strap suitable for attachment to a heavy bag or the like. The other end of the strap is provided with a rectangular closed ring dimensioned to allow the D-shaped ring to pass through it to form a slip joint for tightening the strap about the pad, when increased load is applied to prevent or inhibit relative sliding movements between the hanger and the support member.
US08973864B2
According to one embodiment, a radial fluid device includes a cylinder block having a plurality of radially extending cylinders, a plurality of pistons, and a cam disposed about the plurality of radially extending cylinders. A first linear control is coupled to the cam and operable to reposition the cam along a first axis. A second linear control is coupled to the cam and operable to reposition the cam along a second axis. A third linear control is coupled to the cam and operable to resist movement of the cam along a third axis.
US08973862B2
An aerial vehicle includes independently controlled horizontal thrusters and vertical lifters to provide design and operational simplicity while allowing precision flying with six degrees of freedom and use of mounted devices such as tools, sensors, and instruments. Each horizontal thruster and vertical lifter can be mounted as constant-pitch, fixed-axis rotors while still allowing for precise control of yaw, pitch, roll, horizontal movement, and vertical elevation. Gyroscopes and inclinometers can be used to further enhance flying precision. A controller manages thrust applied the horizontal thrusters and vertical lifters to compensate for forces and torques generated by the use of tools and other devices mounted to the aerial vehicle.
US08973861B2
Described herein is a vertical take-off and landing aircraft comprising: an upper enclosure comprising a first upper arm and a second upper arm; a lower enclosure comprising a first lower arm and a second lower arm; wherein the first upper arm and the first lower arm comprise a first upper buckle and a first lower buckle, respectively; wherein the second upper arm and the second lower arm comprise a second upper buckle and a second lower buckle, respectively; wherein the first upper buckle engages the first lower buckle and the second upper buckle engages the second lower buckle, thereby securing the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure.
US08973860B2
A method, apparatus, system, and computer system to facilitate aerial recovery of an air vehicle are disclosed. In various embodiments, a drogue is established in a drogue recovery orbit and an air vehicle is recovered with the drogue. Establishment of the drogue in a drogue recovery orbit may include establishment of a mothership in a mothership recovery orbit or actuating control surfaces on the drogue. Recovering the air vehicle may include maneuvering the drogue and the air vehicle in a cooperative manner to facilitate recovery of the air vehicle or utilizing a homing device on the drogue to guide the air vehicle. The various techniques disclosed may be modified to compensate for wind.
US08973856B2
The invention relates to a handling apparatus for handling a roller of a roller crusher. The handling apparatus comprises a movable base, a carrier pivotably attached to said base and adapted to carry the roller, at least one carrier pivoting device pivotably attached to said base and attached to said carrier, said carrier pivoting device being extendable, and at least one roller pivoting device pivotably connected to said base, said roller pivoting device being adapted to releasably engage said roller. The invention also relates to a method for mounting a roller to a roller crusher and a method for dismounting a roller to a roller crusher.
US08973855B2
A food homogenizer is provided, including a base with a driving motor and a homogenizer assembly removably coupled to the base. The homogenizer assembly includes a homogenizing chamber, an inlet chute, and an exit spout. A shredder is disposed within the homogenizing chamber and is driven by the driving motor to homogenize food ingredients into a soft texture with a similar consistency as ice cream or sherbet.
US08973854B2
The present invention provides a food grater comprising a body; a cutting means adapted for cutting the food removably mounted inside the body; the body comprising a cutting means aperture adapted for receiving the cutting means and allowing the cutting means to be rotated inside the cutting means aperture; a first food receptacle being defined between the inner walls of the body; a pushing means adapted for pushing the food onto the cutting means being mounted to the body; a driving means adapted for rotating the cutting means mounted to at least one end of the cutting means and the driving means comprising a driving wheel adapted for moving along a surface and a first cover adapted for covering an aperture of the driving wheel.
US08973849B1
Embodiments of the invention relate to an attachment for a pressure washer to facilitate cleaning of secondary surfaces. The attachment includes a body with three walls, two of the walls are in a parallel relationship and a third wall is substantially perpendicular to the two parallel walls. A single rolling element is in communication with the two parallel walls and spaced apart from the third wall. The single rolling element may be applied to a secondary surface so that the attachment rolls along the surface thereof while liquid is ejected from the pressure washer to clean the secondary surface.
US08973837B2
An electronic card including a first substrate, a control unit, a display unit and a driving circuit is provided. The control unit is disposed on the first substrate, receives an external voltage so as to convert the external voltage into an operation voltage, and selectively receives or provides display data. The driving circuit is disposed on the first substrate, coupled to the control unit and the display unit, and outputs a driving signal to the display unit to drive the display unit according the operation voltage and the display data.
US08973835B2
In various embodiments, methods and systems are provided for capturing primary and secondary data associated with a product in a container or placed on a pallet. For example, a method may include (a) retrieving a primary data from a first data source physically associated with the product or container; (b) gathering secondary data using a second data source physically associated with the product or container, wherein the secondary data relates to at least one condition experienced by the product or the container; (c) retrieving the secondary data from a second data source, wherein the secondary data and the primary data are retrieved at substantially the same time; and (d) determining whether the at least one condition has transcended a limit. If a condition has transcended a limit, at least one alert may be generated and transmitted.
US08973833B2
An RFID tag substrate on which an RFID tag that performs wireless communication with a reader/writer is disposed includes a substrate layer, and a functional layer laminated or stacked on the substrate layer. The functional layer includes a plurality of layers laminated together including a high-dielectric-constant layer having a predetermined dielectric constant, and a high-permeability layer having a predetermined permeability. A product of the predetermined dielectric constant and the predetermined permeability is not smaller than 250.
US08973829B2
Systems and methods for managing access to electronic products are described. In an embodiment, a system implemented method includes receiving, from a source, a first code associated with an item; receiving, from another source, another first code and a second code associated with the item; evaluating the first code with the another first code; associating the second code with the first code based on a result from the evaluating; identifying an access key, and transmitting the access key to the second source, the access key is for accessing one or more rights associated with the item.
US08973822B2
A method and apparatus for vending a containerized fluid includes placing a machine-readable indicia on the container identifying the base fluid. The container may be filled and then distributed or distributed prior to filling through various distribution channels to consumers. When a consumer wishes to fill or re-fill the container, the consumer places the container adjacent a reader that interprets the indicia to identify the base fluid to be dispensed. A dispenser then fills the container through a movable fill probe that elevates as the liquid within the container rises. In some embodiments, and prior to filling, the dispenser apparatus may also query the consumer about options are provided at the time of dispensing for further dispensing various optional ingredients, including scents, flavors, colors, nutritional supplements or other additives together with the base product. In further embodiments, the dispenser may also print discount tickets or coupons that may discount the purchase of the containerized fluid or other promotional merchandise. The machine-readable indicia may include affiliate codes that permit crediting or compensating various affiliates in relation to the container filling.
US08973817B1
An apparatus for feeding a plurality of stacked currency bills into a currency handling device. The apparatus may comprise an input receptacle being configured to receive a plurality of stacked currency bills, the receptacle having a first side and a second opposing side, a front end, and an opposing back end. The apparatus further may comprise a first paddle rail disposed adjacent the first side and a first paddle assembly slidably coupled to the first paddle rail, the first paddle assembly having a portion configured to contact a stack of a plurality of bills residing in the input receptacle. The apparatus further may comprise a first resilient member coupled to the first paddle assembly, the first resilient member being configured to bias the first paddle assembly towards the front end of the receptacle, the first resilient member being configured to cause the first paddle assembly to move in a direction toward the front end of the input receptacle at a first average rate of speed when unrestrained and undamped. The apparatus further may comprise a first damping mechanism configured to slow the unrestrained, average rate of speed the first paddle assembly from the first average rate of speed to a second average rate of speed which is less the first average rate of speed.
US08973816B1
Some implementations provide a connector element that may be movable from a retracted position within a cavity to an extended position for contacting an external contact element that may be positioned proximate to an exterior end of the cavity. In some implementations, at least one of the external contact element or the connector element may include a magnet for causing the connector element to extend from the retracted position into contact with the external contact element for forming an electrical connection. In some implementations, a mechanical actuator may be provided for extending the connector element into contact with the external contact element. In some implementations, an actuator having a motive element may extend the connector element into contact with the external contact element based on a detected proximity or an identification of an accessory associated with the external contact element. Some implementations may also include an optical connection.
US08973815B2
A data collection apparatus and unit are provided. The apparatus includes a probe configured to measure one or more operating conditions of a machine, and a tag reader configured to receive a tag identifier transmitted by a tag positioned proximal to the machine. The apparatus also includes one or more processors configured to communicate with the probe and the tag reader, and a memory system including one or more computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the apparatus to perform operations. The operations include determining that the apparatus is physically proximal to the machine, and reading a tag identifier from the tag of the machine. The operations also include storing a measurement received from the probe, and associating the measurement with the tag identifier.
US08973808B2
A method for making a cellular seal member for a turbine is disclosed. The method includes, in sequence, forming a diffusion aluminide coating on a surface of a cellular seal to form a coated cellular seal. The method also includes brazing the coated cellular seal to a seal substrate.
US08973803B2
A surgical stapling apparatus may comprise a handle assembly, a shaft, an end effector, an articulation joint, and an articulation actuator. The handle assembly comprises a first portion and a second portion moveable relative to the first portion. The end effector, connected to the shaft by the articulation joint, is configured to perform an end effector function when the second portion is actuated. The articulation actuator, which is configured to move the end effector relative to the shaft, and the second portion may be moveable in an actuation plane.
US08973802B2
A wire-processing machine or apparatus includes a wire-feeding apparatus for guiding a wire, wherein the wire-processing machine or apparatus contains a wire drive for forward movement of the wire and a guide pipe with an entry opening and an exit opening. The wire-processing machine or apparatus contains a swivel unit with drive and a wire-gripping apparatus which is arranged on a swivel arm, wherein an exit side end of the guide pipe is fastened to the swivel arm. The wire drive and the guide pipe are arranged in such manner that the wire can be shot-in through the guide pipe. The wire-feed apparatus further contains a length-compensating unit which is arranged in the area of the guide pipe and which, in a first state, shortens an effective length of the guide pipe and, in a second state, lengthens the effective length of the guide pipe.
US08973801B2
A buffer store for a flat web material includes two roller registers having freely rotatable rollers movable relative to one another in a direction radial to a roller axis, thereby forming loops of the web material between the rollers, a piston-cylinder arrangement having a chamber containing a compressible medium and acting as a spring between the registers to generate web tension in the material, and a control-valve arrangement that switches between a first condition, for normal operation, and a second condition, for operation during a fault. In the first condition, the control-valve arrangement connects the cylinder chamber of the piston-cylinder arrangement to a device for providing a constant operating pressure. In the second condition, the control-valve arrangement closes the cylinder chamber of the piston-cylinder arrangement and connects it to a relief valve that relieves pressure therein to a residual pressure significantly smaller than the operating pressure.
US08973799B2
A hanger bracket is attached to any existing gun holster with the existing holster belt clip removed from the holster and attached to a top of the bracket. The bottom of the bracket is attached to the holster at the previous attachment location of the belt clip to the holster. The belt clip is attached over the outside of a belt of a user and the bracket, holster and gun are inserted down inside the pants of the user for complete concealment. The shape, spacing, orientation, and number of holster attachment openings through the bracket make it adaptable to a variety of holsters and adjustable to various vertical heights of the holster attachment to the bracket.
US08973793B2
The present invention relates generally to infant support garments configured for supporting and maintaining an infant against a wearer of the garment. In one exemplary embodiment, the garment provides a first pocket suitable for placement and securing of an infant. The garment further provides a second pocket that is adjustable to provide further securing and support of the infant. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the garment further provides a third pocket for added securing and support.
US08973792B1
A rotating rod in combination with a retractable concave/convex tape creates pairs of folds on a fabric article on a horizontal platform. A machine and method are described. The tape extends outward and downward to hold the article at a first fold location, while the rotating rod moves from below, then over and across the tape, pulling the fabric with it to create a second fold at the farthest motion of the rod. These motions are typically repeated on the other side of the article, then at right angles, created a finished, folded article of a generally rectangular shape.
US08973782B2
An apparatus for dispensing elongated articles such as straws, including: a container for holding the elongated articles; a hopper to receive some of the elongated articles, where the hopper is reversibly movable between a closed state and an open state; and a manipulator for performing a cycle to release a single elongated article by isolating a single article and then moving the hopper from the closed state to the open state, thereby releasing only the single elongated article.
US08973777B2
A beverage can (1) having a base (10) defining a re-entrant bead (17) in which a resilient disc (50) is held captive. The maximum dimension of the disc (50) is designed to be larger than the internal diameter of the re-entrant bead (17) and thus, when the resilient disc (50) is fitted into the re-entrant bead (17), the disc (50) adopts a concave, domed shape. The degree of doming can accommodate any variance between the dimensions of the disc (50) and that of the reformed base (10) of the can (1). One or more drainage ports may be provided on the periphery of the resilient disc (50) so that any liquid trapped between the surfaces of the base (10) and the resilient disc (50) may drain.
US08973774B1
Waste container including a base defining a waste-receiving compartment, a lid movably attached to the base and movable between a first position covering a waste insertion opening and a second position in which it does not obstruct the waste insertion opening and a support portion including an aperture through which a bag is placed into the compartment. An obstruction mechanism includes an actuator and an obstruction member having at least one part that selectively engages with the bag at a location below the support portion. The actuator is manually and/or automatically rotatable to cause rotation of the obstruction member between a first position in which the obstruction member is in a first plane not obstructing insertion of waste into the bag and a second position in which the obstruction member is in a second plane obstructing insertion of waste into the bag.
US08973772B2
Pliable thermal containers interchangeably serve for containing cold or hot items, and are manufactured in polyurethane or EVA foamed materials, are struck resistant, and maintain a structure that allows them to remain upright and resist certain loads. The containers solve durability issues, A foamed material is used, and comprises unicellular air bubbles that provide thermal isolation properties and at the same time, during molding, this material attaches to a plasticized textile inner coating located at a mold piston for forming an interference zone. The lid may be directly hinged to the cavity using a textile hinge submerged in the material or independent thereof, with the lid being capable of being locked with embedded fasteners. with The pliable thermal containers solve brittleness problems of current containers shaped monolithic containers, are also provided.
US08973769B2
The invention relates to a cargo holding device, in particular cargo container or pallet, for loading aircraft, comprising a bottom element and a plurality of profile elements and corner elements, wherein a bottom element edge portion is connected to the profile elements and corner elements, wherein the profile elements are connected to the corner elements via push-fit connections, wherein at least one profile element is connected to at least one corner element via a push-fit connection which comprises a push-fit connection recess and a corresponding push-fit connection pin, wherein the push-fit connection recess and the push-fit connection pin are configured such that the profile element and the corner element can be connected together by push-fit by a translational movement, wherein a translational movement direction has an angle in relation to a profile longitudinal axis of the profile element.
US08973768B1
A gantry robot system includes a bridge assembly and a carriage assembly. The bridge assembly and/or a mounting plate supported by the carriage assembly can be rotationally skewed.
US08973767B1
A sturdy, wall mounted indoor firewood rack which includes a detachable tray capable of catching and retaining dirt, wood chips, residue, snow, and water.
US08973753B2
An apparatus and system for housing a device include a housing that is configured such that a device may be fitted within the housing and thereby be protected, such as from shocks and/or liquid. The housing may include top and bottom members that may be removably coupled together so as to form the housing. Each top and bottom member optionally includes front and back surfaces surrounded by a perimeter. The perimeter is defined by proximal and distal ends as well as opposing sides. The top and bottom members may include respective clasping mechanisms that extend along the perimeter of the top and bottom members. The clasping mechanisms are configured for coupling the top and bottom members with one another thereby sealing the housing, for instance, in a shock-proof and/or water tight seal.
US08973749B2
A reagent preparation assembly includes a body and a reaction chamber adjacent the body, the reaction chamber includes a reagent therein, such as a lyophilized reagent. An access port extends into the reaction chamber, and the access port is configured to receive an instrument. A seal extends across a portion of the reaction chamber and the access port. A reconstitution assembly is movably coupled with the body. The reconstitution assembly includes a plunger, a syringe and a piston. The plunger is movably coupled with the body. The syringe is selectively engaged with the plunger. The syringe includes a solution reservoir containing a solution, and movement of the syringe pierces the seal. The piston is selectively engaged with the plunger, and the piston is movably coupled within the syringe. Movement of the piston pushes the solution into the reaction chamber.
US08973748B2
Medical device packaging, medical device packaging assemblies, and methods for preparing and packaging medical devices. An example medical device packaging assembly may include a packaging pouch including a front pouch portion and a back pouch portion. The front pouch portion may include a first sheet of material having a plurality of layers. The back pouch portion may include a second sheet of material having a plurality of layers. A medical device may be disposed in the pouch. At least one of the plurality of layers of first sheet of material and the plurality of layers of second sheet of material may include a moisture scavenging layer. In addition, at least one of the plurality of layers of first sheet of material and the plurality of layers of second sheet of material may include a barrier layer that is configured to maintain the oxygen concentration within the packaging pouch.
US08973746B2
A hydrogen storage apparatus includes a canister and at least one hydrogen storage unit. The canister has at least a hollow rod. The hydrogen storage unit is disposed in the canister. The hydrogen storage unit includes a housing, a heat-dissipating channel and a plurality of heat-dissipating partitions. The periphery of the housing is configured with a plurality of grooves, and each groove has a plurality of first holes. The heat-dissipating channel is located within the housing. Each heat-dissipating partition has a plurality of second holes and connects to the housing and heat-dissipating channel. The heat-dissipating partitions divide the space inside the housing. The first holes and the second holes connect to the inner space of the housing.
US08973734B2
A device for aligning and transferring articles including: a counter 3 for aligning, at a gathering position P, an article set W composed of a predetermined number of uncompressed articles; a discharger 4 for discharging the article set W aligned at the gathering position P to a receiving position P0; and at least one transfer bed for supporting a bottom surface of the article set W and reciprocating between the receiving position P0 and a hand-over position P1, P2, thereby receiving the article set W at the receiving position P0, transferring the article set W to the hand-over position P1, P2, and returning to the receiving position P0. The transfer bed L1, R1 and the second support section 20 for compressing the article set W are driven by first and second motors, respectively.
US08973730B2
A paper sheet processing apparatus includes: an insertion slot through which a paper sheet is inserted; a sensor which detects insertion of the paper sheet; a traveling route through which the paper sheet is conveyed; a light emitting part which irradiates the traveling route with light; a light receiving part which receives light from the traveling route; a black calibration part which sets a reference value for the lowest brightness in a state that the emission of the light emitting part is ineffective; and an authenticity judgment processing part which judges an authenticity. The black calibration part can set the reference value before the authenticity judgment processing part judges the authenticity after the sensor detects the insertion of the paper sheet at every time when the paper sheet is inserted.
US08973718B2
A caliper parking brake including: caliper housing having one end on which a cylinder is formed and the other end on which a fork is formed to face the cylinder; brake force input terminal rotatably mounted on an end of the cylinder by a parking cable; brake force switching terminal installed within the cylinder on a common axis so as to rotate together with the brake force input terminal; brake force output terminal directly connected to the brake force switching terminal on a common axis; and a brake terminal that is disposed between the fork and the brake force output terminal and stops rotation of a brake disc using the brake force output by the brake force output terminal, wherein the brake force output terminal compensates for abrasion that occurs in the fork and a frictional pad of the piston by moving an initial position of the piston forward.
US08973717B2
The present invention relates to an elevator wire rope braking apparatus, and more particularly, to a rope braking apparatus which prevents partial abrasion of the wire rope while increasing braking efficiency by preventing a deviation in the pressure applied to the wire rope by a pressure plate moving in a straight line to apply pressure to the wire rope. Since the pressure application is based not on a hydraulic method but on a purely mechanical structure using only a spring elastic force, environmental pollution caused by hydraulic oil may be prevented and product cost may be reduced.
US08973712B2
A vehicle lift includes a carrier and a pair of arms. The arms comprise a pair of segments and an adapter pilot slidably disposed in one of the arm segments. The arm segments are slidable relative to each other and define slots to accommodate sliding of the adapter, providing various positions for the adapter along the length collectively defined by the arm segments. The adapter pilot is configured to receive an adapter to engage a vehicle. The arms are pivotable relative to the carrier and present a low profile to provide clearance for low vehicles. The carrier comprises a low profile superstructure. The superstructure includes a pair of substantially horizontal plates with substantially vertical web members extending between the substantially horizontal plates. The superstructure further includes a yoke portion pivotally coupled with the arms.
US08973708B1
A tree stand includes an upper support ring formed of a pair of separable, semicircular sections, each having a plurality of brackets depending therefrom. Each bracket includes a slot for receiving an adjustable strap, and a tooth on an inner surface for penetrating a tree trunk. The stand further includes a lower platform likewise formed of a pair of separable, semicircular sections that are fastened to a tree trunk, beneath the support ring. A chair includes pulleys that roll on both the upper ring and the platform to allow a hunter to move the chair a desired position.
US08973706B2
The present invention relates to a life-saving apparatus and method for escaping from a second floor or a third floor of a burning building, wherein the life-saving apparatus includes a container, a set of wheels, an inflatable pillow, an inflatable slide, a set of canisters full of compressed gas, and a set of activators operatively connected to the canisters.
US08973702B2
Seismic wave sources and related methods are provided. A seismic wave source includes a housing, plural pillars and an excitation system. The housing is split in two halves along a plane including a longitudinal axis of the housing. The plural pillars are made of piezoelectric elements and are positioned inside the housing to have one end in contact with a semi-cylindrical middle portion of one half of the housing and another end in contact with a semi-cylindrical middle portion of the other half of the housing. The excitation system connected by wires to the plural pillars and is configured to provide electrical signals to the piezoelectric elements. Upon receiving the electrical signals from the excitation system, the pillars generate forces on the housing thereby generating seismic waves.
US08973693B2
A utility vehicle comprises at least one front ground engaging member; at least one rear ground engaging member; and a frame extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The frame includes a front portion, a rear portion, and a channel member extending in the longitudinal direction between the front and rear portions. The vehicle further comprises a floor board coupled to the channel member and a powertrain assembly having a drive shaft operably coupled to at least one of the front ground engaging member and the rear ground engaging member. Additionally, the vehicle comprises a plurality of transport lines configured to transport at least one of a fluid and an electrical connection between the front portion and the rear portion of the frame. The channel member is positioned intermediate the drive shaft and the transport lines and is configured to support the transport lines.
US08973688B2
A suspension system for cold planer with four tracks is disclosed. The suspension system includes a hydraulic cylinder for each track, an additional bypass valve for each hydraulic cylinder and an additional bypass valve that bypasses the operation of the front control valves that control the elevation of the front tracks during a cutting operation. During transport or roading of the cold planer, the bypass valves are energized by a controller and the energized bypass valves provide communication between the head ends of the left side cylinders and the head ends of the right side cylinders. During roading, the energized bypass valves also provide communication between the rod ends of the front cylinders and between the rod ends of the rear cylinders.
US08973686B2
A cutter insert assembly for a drill bit for boring into the earth, comprising a super-hard structure clampable to a support body by means of a clamp mechanism; the clamp mechanism comprising opposed or opposable compression members connected or connectable by a tension member capable of sustaining a clamping force between the compression members when the cutter insert assembly is in a clamped condition, in which condition the compression members exert opposing compressive forces on the super-hard structure and the support body, operable to clamp the super-hard structure to the support body, and in which condition the cutter insert assembly is self-supporting and capable of being mounted onto a drill bit body.
US08973679B2
A downhole reaming system includes a tubular body having a drill bit disposed on a distal end thereof, and a central bore therethrough, wherein the tubular body is attached to a drillstring, an expandable reamer having cutter blocks coupled thereto and configured to selectively expand radially therefrom, a near-bit reamer disposed proximate the drill bit, the near-bit reamer having cutter blocks coupled thereto and configured to expand therefrom, and a measurement sub configured to measure at least one characteristic of an interior wall of an enlarged wellbore.
US08973677B2
A housing, mandrel and bearing assembly positionable in a wellbore includes a torque transmission member adapted to connect to a source of rotational torque (e.g. a downhole motor power output) and a tubular mandrel adapted to connect to a drill bit. A lower tubular housing is adapted to contain a lower bearing and catch sleeve assembly. The catch assembly is adapted to retain the mandrel in the lower housing if the mandrel breaks. An upper tubular housing contains an upper bearing and is adapted to connect to a housing of the downhole motor. A method of assembling the downhole housing, mandrel and bearing assembly is disclosed.
US08973674B2
A drilling system (10) including a drill string (13) which extends from a floating drilling rig to a well bore, and a tubular riser (12) which surrounds at least part of the portion of the drill string (13) between the well bore and drilling rig, the riser (12) having a telescopic joint (20) between a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion of the riser, the first tubular portion extending down to a well head at the top of the well bore and the second tubular portion extending up towards the drilling rig, the telescopic joint (20) comprising an inner tube part (20b) which is mounted within an outer tube part (20a), the drilling system (10) further including a riser closure device (26) which is mounted in the second tubular portion of the riser (12) and which is operable to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the riser (12) and the drill string (13) whilst permitting the drill string (13) to rotate relative to the riser (12).
US08973672B2
A device is provided for triggering a fire extinguishing system by a sprinkler, the device being arranged between the pipe for the extinguishing agent and the sprinkler and including a multiple-armed toggle-lever joint acting between a load axis of the triggering element and a sealing element that is arranged at an angle of 80 to 120° thereto. The device has the advantage that dry pipe sprinklers whose glass bulbs can only absorb low mechanical forces can also be arranged for use with pipes that exhibit large entry cross-sections, large volume flows and high pressures as the forces from the pipe that arise have to be absorbed only in part by the sprinkler glass bulb. It is further advantageous that the sealing force of the sealing element can be adjusted by means of an actuator.
US08973670B2
A fire suppression system for a container including a first tank containing a first liquid component of a two-part foam and a second tank containing a second liquid component of the foam. The system also includes at least one liquid component release device configured to be selectively capable of releasing the first and second components from their respective containers upon receipt of a signal from a fire detector upon detection of a fire. The two-part foam components are propelled through the system by a pressurized propellant that, upon release of the release device, causes the exit of the foam components from their respective tanks, through a mixing conduit to at least one nozzle. The nozzle is configured to spray the liquid component foam mixture into the container wherein the foam cures into a substantially semi-rigid, closed cell foam that is substantially impermeable and may have charring and/or intumescence properties.
US08973662B2
A downhole tool for removing debris from a wellbore comprises a body having a bore, a collection member, and a means for creating a hydraulic barrier within a wellbore annulus. The hydraulic barrier within the wellbore annulus restricts upward movement of a debris laden fluid within the wellbore annulus causing the debris laden fluid to be directed toward the collection member. Thus, the hydraulic barrier facilitates removal of debris from the wellbore.
US08973657B2
An apparatus for obtaining fluid samples in a subterranean wellbore comprises a carrier assembly configured to be disposed in a subterranean wellbore; a sampling chamber operably associated with the carrier assembly; a pressure assembly coupled to the sampling chamber and configured to pressurize a fluid sample obtained in the sampling chamber, wherein the pressure assembly is configured to contain a pressure generating agent; an activation mechanism configured to activate the pressure generating agent; and a power device operably associated with the carrier assembly and configured to provide an impulse for activating the activation mechanism, wherein the power device is not disposed on the pressure assembly.
US08973656B2
Systems and methods for using very small devices, “McNano devices,” to facilitate and enhance operations in the oilpatch. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
US08973655B2
A multistage process for producing mineral oil from mineral oil deposits by injecting aqueous flooding media into a mineral oil formation through injection boreholes and withdrawing the mineral oil through production boreholes, in which the mineral oil yield is increased by the use of microorganisms in combination with measures for blocking highly permeable zones of the mineral oil formation.
US08973650B2
A system, including a superconductive heat transfer assembly, including, a first superconductive heat transfer pipe, a second superconductive heat transfer pipe, and a superconductive heat transfer contact switch configured to open and close a gap between the first superconductive heat transfer pipe and the second superconductive heat transfer pipe.
US08973648B2
A tubesheet anchor for suspending a tool from the underside of a heat exchanger tubesheet that inserts one end of two fingers into corresponding openings in the tubesheet and leverages one finger off the other to apply a frictional force to the sides of the tubesheet openings in which the fingers are inserted to clamp the fingers to the tubesheet.
US08973647B2
A heat exchange fin in a heat exchanger is disposed between two refrigerant pipes spaced apart from each other includes a guide protrusion including first inclined planes inclined upward along opposite sides of a center line of a refrigerant pipe row in a symmetric fashion and second inclined planes inclined downward from upper ends of the first inclined planes, and the first inclined planes and the second inclined planes are provided with louver members, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency.
US08973645B1
A wind-resistant portable traffic screen assembly comprising a screen to visually occlude matter behind the screen for the purpose of preventing traffic jams and generally blocking accidents, crime scenes, and other distractions from public view. The traffic screen comprises a substantially vertical member for maintaining the screen and a removable fastener with the screen that removably attaches the screen to the vertical member upon exposure to sufficient wind pressure. The screen partially disengages from the vertical member for the purpose of reducing wind pressure exerted upon the entire assembly to reduce the chance that the assembly topples over due to windy conditions.
US08973643B2
The multipanel sliding door comprises at least two panels which are supported for travel in substantially parallel planes along runners, and is characterized in that a rack and wheelwork arrangement is provided for the movement of the door panels.
US08973642B2
A display assembly 10 in the form of at least two interconnected display stands 12A, 12B. Each of the stands 12 includes a spaced pair of vertically extending support members 14 mounted on feet 16. A flexible display member 18 extends between the support members 14 and is held taut thereby. A support arrangement 20 in the form of five pivotally interconnected link members 36, extends between the support members 14 immediately above the feet 16. For adjacent display stands 12, a common support member 14 forms part of each display stand 12.
US08973637B2
A pneumatic tire is described having a triangular shaped apex which extends radially outward of the bead core, and wherein the apex is formed of at least two zones. Each zone is formed of a different material, wherein the first zone extends from the base of the apex to the tip of the apex, and the second zone is located adjacent the ply. The zones are preferably formed by extrusion to form one cohesive apex. The first zone is formed of a material having a G″/G′ ratio in the range of about 0.155 to about 0.183. The second zone is formed of a material having a G″/G′ ratio in the range of about 0.125 to about 0.133.
US08973633B2
A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply source in fluid communication with multiple tires of the vehicle. A pneumatic conduit extends between and is in fluid communication with the air supply source and the tires. Means are fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit for enabling selective inflation and deflation of the tires. The means include a first pneumatic circuit for inflation of the tires, and a second pneumatic circuit for deflation of the tires. The second pneumatic circuit is discrete from the first pneumatic circuit and is common to more than one of the tires. The means provides controlled deflation of the tires in the second pneumatic circuit based upon a predetermined condition, preventing deflation of the tires until the vehicle is parked, or limiting the deflation of the tires, which in turn enables the tire inflation system to accommodate a desirable increased pressure in the tires.
US08973626B2
A method for detecting the three-dimensional structure of a log comprises the operating steps of: making the log (2) rotate axially, leaving it free to translate during the rotation; during said rotation repeating the step of detecting the relative surface structure of the log (2) at least at one log surface portion (13), so that the relative surface structure of substantially all of the points of at least the log (2) lateral surface is detected at least once; and combining the relative surface structures detected to reconstruct an overall surface structure for at least the log (2) lateral surface, the detection steps being carried out in such a way that each detection step result shares at least several points with at least one other detection step result, while the step of combining the relative surface structures is carried out in such a way that the shared points are made to coincide with each other.
US08973621B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for the sterile filling of a disposable injector with a defined dose of an injection solution, wherein the disposable injector comprises a cylinder/piston unit with a cylinder and with a piston that can be pulled back manually. The defined dose of the injection solution is stored in an interior of a container of a needle syringe held in a bored stopper. The cylinder interior is connected to the container interior in a gas-tight and liquid-tight manner through the bored stopper. The cylinder/piston unit is filled by pulling back the piston or by pressing the needle syringe piston. With the present invention, a method and a device for filling a disposable injector are developed in which, without intermediate weighing or risk of inaccurate readings, the disposable injector can be filled with a defined dose of an injection solution from a syringe with a fused-in needle.
US08973610B2
A pneumatic control valve includes a first valve body, a pushing block, a rotating block, a second valve body, an end cover, and a piston. The first valve body defines a first gas inlet and a receiving hole. The first valve body forms a plurality of guiding ribs evenly positioned on the inner surface of the receiving hole away from the first gas inlet, and each of the guiding ribs forms an inclined surface at a distal end thereof. The pushing block and the rotating block are slidably received in the receiving hole. The second valve body is connected to an end of the first valve body adjacent to the receiving hole of the first valve body. The end cover is fastened on an end of the second valve body away from the first valve body. A pneumatic control system using the pneumatic control valve is also provided.
US08973608B2
The amplifier includes a housing containing a chamber with a delivery outlet containing a non-return delivery valve. An inlet pipe projects into the chamber and a resilient obturator ring is engaged with and located about the pipe to be resiliently-movable in the chamber. An annular exhaust aperture surrounding the pipe can be sealed by the obturator ring, the obturator ring being responsive to fluid flow in the inlet pipe such that fluid flow causes the obturator ring to oscillate between conditions which alternately permit and prevent fluid from leaving the chamber through the exhaust aperture thereby causing a pulsed pressure increase in the fluid flowing through the delivery outlet. An adjuster is provided for adjusting the distance by which the fluid inlet pipe projects into the chamber and moves the pipe using co-operably inclined faces. The obturator ring and the delivery valve are shaped to create a venturi effect.
US08973597B2
A water supply system that supplies water to a plumbing system from either a mains supply, or an auxiliary supply. In a default state, a shuttle valve is pressure balanced and couples water from the mains supply to the plumbing system via mains inlet port and outlet port, and in another state the shuttle valve is pressure unbalanced and moved so that auxiliary water is coupled to the plumbing system via an auxiliary inlet port and the outlet port of the shuttle valve. Water is drawn from an auxiliary tank and coupled to the plumbing system when two conditions exist, namely when water is demanded, as sensed by flow sensor, and when water is available from the auxiliary supply, as sensed by float system. Water pressure at the auxiliary inlet port causes the shuttle to move from the default state and couple water from the auxiliary inlet port to the outlet port and thus to the plumbing system. When either of the two conditions are not met, the shuttle valve remains in the default state and couples mains water from the mains inlet port to the outlet port and thus to the plumbing system.
US08973580B1
A portable, compact closed circuit ventilation device for manual ventilation of a patient undergoing a surgical or medical procedure that requires sedation as well as emergency management of respiratory failure. One example embodiment includes a closed breathing circuit having a manually squeezable bag, a carbon dioxide absorption canister, a plurality of valves, a gas port and a plurality of sensors for measuring Tidal Volume (TV), Peak Airway Pressure (PAP) and End Tidal CO2 (ETCO2). Another example embodiment includes an open breathing circuit having a bag, valves and sensors. A monitor displays the sensor measurements during the respiratory phases. In a spontaneously breathing patient the device may be used to assess the adequacy of patient's respiratory efforts. During manual or assisted ventilation, the monitor assures safe and efficacious ventilation by the closed breathing circuit.
US08973576B2
A blower includes a housing including an inlet and an outlet, a stationary component provided to the housing, an impeller positioned between the inlet of the housing and the stationary component, and a motor adapted to drive the impeller. The housing and the stationary component cooperate to define a volute that directs air towards the outlet. The housing includes a separating wall constructed and arranged to divide the volute into a high speed airpath region and a low speed airpath region.
US08973558B2
Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a fuel vapor recovery system including a fuel tank isolation valve coupled between a fuel tank and a canister. During selected conditions, the valve is modulated and pressure pulsations in the fuel vapor recovery system are monitored. Valve degradation is identified based on correlations between the valve modulation and the resultant pressure pulsations.
US08973553B2
A multi-sensing fuel injection system for internal combustion engines. The system includes a fuel injector for injecting fuel into the internal combustion chamber. The fuel injector is electrically insulated from an engine body of the internal combustion engine by way of a first electrically insulated member. A second electrically insulated member is provided for fixedly disposing the fuel injector within the combustion chamber. The electrical insulation of the fuel injector, in conjunction with the integration of an ion sensing circuit including a resistor and a power source for supplying voltage to the fuel injector, allows for a full measurement of the ionization current.
US08973552B2
An oil management system includes an engine housing assembly which defines a first rotor volume and a second rotor volume. An oil cooler assembly arranged between the first rotor volume and the second rotor volume.
US08973551B2
An apparatus includes a connecting rod having a surface that defines an opening to receive a pin for coupling the connecting rod to a piston at a first end of the connecting rod. The surface includes a groove arrangement to collect, retain and distribute lubrication fluid in the space between the pin and the inner surface. The surface can be formed by the connecting rod or a bushing in an opening of the connecting rod.
US08973533B2
A wall panel for a livestock confinement pen made of a hollow plastic twin sheet thermoformed body with a grid divider received in an opening of the body between the two sides of the body. One side has flanges by the opening to receive a cover cut from the other side over the opening.
US08973532B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums having features and functionality enabling a person to easily access the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lighting apparatus comprises an arm member fixedly attached to the panel, a clamp member for attachment of the device to a wall of the aquarium, a hinge member for hingedly attaching the arm member to the clamp member, and at least one light element disposed on the at least one panel such that at least one lighting element illuminates a side common to all panels.
US08973511B2
A fleet of autonomous sailing vessels that are equipped with monitoring and communication equipment for reporting environmental and other conditions. For optimal stability, the autonomous sailing vessels are multi-hulled vessels (catamarans) with self-righting capabilities. Each sailing vessel sends and receives information via one or more satellite links, using solar power to power the communications equipment as well as the monitoring equipment. Each sailing vessel includes an auto-sailtrim system to maintain a desired attack angle with the wind, and electric propulsion for use as required to maintain a desired heading. A modular design is used to support mission-specific payloads.
US08973504B2
The present invention relates to a bullet including an air-guiding recess, comprising: a head 20; and a tail 30 disposed behind the head 20, and including an odd number of air-guiding recesses 32 formed so as to be curved in the bottom and outer circumferential surfaces thereof. The air-guiding recess 32 is characterized by having a sloped bottom that increases in depth while progressing to the bottom surface of the tail 30. Accordingly, vortex is prevented from being generated at the rear side of the bullet, so as to significantly increase the effective range thereof and simultaneously improve accuracy when shooting same.
US08973500B2
A method for controlling an amount of dampening solution in a printing unit of a printing press using a computer and a measuring device, includes setting an amount of dampening solution in the printing unit based on data of a current print job, reducing the amount of dampening solution towards a smearing threshold with the computer, recording color measurement values with the measuring device in at least one full tone area with low area coverage and in at least one halftone area with high area coverage on a printing material of the current print job, and stopping the reduction of the amount of dampening solution with the computer when a dot gain of the halftone in areas with high area coverage increases significantly and a density of the full tone in areas with low area coverage increases significantly.
US08973499B2
An apparatus includes a mobile control device for safe operation of machines for processing printing materials. The machine is divided into a plurality of spatially delimited zones and the position of the control device can be detected in relation to the plurality of zones. It is possible to determine the zone in which the control device is located by using the position of the control device. Certain functions of the machine are enabled or disabled depending on the determined zone. A printing press having the device and a method for safely operating a machine for processing printing materials, are also provided.
US08973498B2
There is provided a roll paper storage cassette and a recording apparatus which do not need a roll paper storage cassette according to the size of roll papers, and prevent a roll paper, a roll-paper shaft, and a roll paper storage cassette from being erroneously loaded. A roll paper storage cassette for housing a roll paper wound around the core portion of a roll paper shaft includes a pair of openable and closable cases, an attachment which can be attached and detached to and from the inside of both ends of the case according to the size of the roll paper, and a regulation member configured to prevent the roll paper shaft of a specific type from entering and allow the roll paper shaft of another specific type to enter in a state where the attachment is detached and configured to be moved from a position where the roll paper shaft of the specific type is prevented from entering in a state where the attachment is attached.
US08973490B2
A cooking apparatus including a pan and a detachable support and a method for using the same to cook and flavor food are provided. The pan includes a bottom and a plurality of perforations arranged therein. The detachable cylinder includes a bottom surface, a generally circular sidewall extending upward from the bottom surface, and a plurality of fasteners formed on the bottom surface. The plurality of fasteners are sized and arranged to correspond with a sizing and arrangement of a subset of the perforations. The detachable cylinder is optionally secured to the pan by coupling the fasteners to the subset of perforations and by rotating the detachable cylinder in a first direction to move the fasteners into a locked position. The detachable cylinder is optionally disengaged from the pan by rotating the detachable cylinder in a second direction to move the fasteners into an unlocked position.
US08973489B2
A device (1) has: a cartridge seat (10) arranged to receive an ingredient cartridge (2) for extraction; a beverage outlet (35) connected to this cartridge seat for dispensing beverage during extraction; and a liquid injection arrangement (50, 60, 61, 70, 80, 81) comprising a pump (60) for pressurizing and circulating liquid from a source (50) via the cartridge seat into the beverage outlet. The liquid injection arrangement further comprises a valve (80′) between the pump and the cartridge seat. The liquid injection arrangement is configured to release via the valve (80′) pressure from this pressurized liquid in the injection arrangement and maintain liquid in the injection arrangement from the pump (60) to the cartridge seat (10) after the pump is stopped, so as to inhibit dripping from the beverage outlet (35).
US08973488B2
A device (1) for receiving an ingredient cartridge (2) and extracting the ingredient by passing heated liquid through the cartridge, has a cartridge seat (10) and a liquid injection arrangement (50, 60, 61, 70, 80, 81) for injecting heated liquid into the cartridge seat. The cartridge seat comprises a first cartridge support (20) and a second cartridge support (30) facing the first support. The first and second cartridge supports are arranged to be movable relative to one another from an open position for insertion or removal of a cartridge into the seat to a closed position for passing heated liquid through such a cartridge. At least one support (20) of the cartridge supports (20, 30) is hydraulically actuatable and movable into the closed position by the liquid injection arrangement. The liquid injection arrangement is configured to: pressurize and circulate unheated liquid to the at least one support (20) for actuating and moving said at least one support (20) by the circulating unheated pressurized liquid; and guide this circulating unheated pressurized liquid under pressure from the at least one support (20) via a heater (70) into the cartridge seat (10) for extracting the ingredient contained in the cartridge (2).
US08973486B2
The brewing unit comprises: a support (5); a drawer (7), presenting at least a seat for a single serving package (C), slidable with respect to the support and movable between a loading position of the single serving package and a brewing position; a dispensing member (23) to dispense pressurized water to the single serving package. A control lever (9) is provided to control the movement of the drawer (7). A mechanical connection is also provided between the lever and the drawer and between the lever and the dispensing member, so that operation of the lever causes the drawer to move from the loading position to the brewing position and the dispensing member to rest against the single serving package.
US08973484B2
An exemplary piston assembly and method of making the same are disclosed. An exemplary piston assembly may include a piston crown and skirt. The crown may include radially inner and outer crown mating surfaces, and the crown may define at least in part a cooling gallery extending about a periphery of the crown. The skirt may further include an inner collar wall disposed radially inwardly of a radially inner interface region and extending upwards to a free end. The collar wall may generally enclose the radially inner interface region from the central region.
US08973479B2
This invention relates to an apparatus for cutting food comprising a rack and a knife rest set on the rack and further comprising: a nipper for gripping food. A slideway is designed on the rack, provided with a slide rail and a guide rail that match each other between the slideway and the bottom of the nipper. The nipper for gripping food of the food cutter avoids sliding along the slideway with hands directly holding food to effectively prevent hands from being scratched by the knife rest and provide safer and more labor-saving use. Moreover, the slide rail and the guide rail that match each other between the slideway and the bottom of the nipper prevent the nipper from deviating when sliding along the slideway for more labor-saving use. This invention further discloses that it is a food cutter that can cut food into more shapes.
US08973476B2
A new ratchet wrench has a slide gear that is laterally enclosed within the head. Shoulders on the slide gear are curved and outwardly flanked by a single recess. The distance from the top of the shoulder to the base of the recess is no more than half the difference between the outside diameter and the root diameter of the teeth on the ratchet. Those teeth have essentially planar faces, top lands that traverse at least one quarter of the pitch, and bottom lands that extend continuously from the faces, have essentially constant radius, and traverse at least one quarter of the pitch. A pin projects out the back and enables a user to shift the wrench between clockwise and counterclockwise ratcheting. All cavities for the ratcheting assembly are recessed from the face in an arrangement that can be machined in a single set-up on a computer-controlled vertical mill.
US08973473B2
An insert bit includes a connecting component and a driving component. The connecting component includes a connecting end and a receiving end. The receiving end includes first and second receiving sections. The driving component is adapted to be inserted into the connecting component. The driving component includes first and second engaging sections. The first engaging section is tightly fit in the first receiving section such that the first engaging section includes an outer periphery including a flange that is formed after the first engaging section is forced into the first receiving section, and is extended radially outwards to abut against the first receiving section. The second engaging section is fit in the second receiving section. The second engaging section has a shape corresponding to the second receiving section.
US08973468B2
A tool for mounting or removing a container of energy that powers an engine or motor that propels a motor vehicle, fixed to the motor vehicle using a lock on which there acts a piston that loads the lock. The tool includes at least one tool attachment device, a device for releasing the load on the lock by acting on the piston, and a device for locking and/or unlocking the battery.
US08973462B2
The pedal assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle having a mounting bracket and a stationary cross member. The pedal assembly includes a swing bracket, a striker plate, and a pedal arm. The swing bracket is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket about a pedal pivot axis. The striker plate is pivotally connected to the swing bracket. The pedal arm includes a primary pivotal connection to the swing bracket at a first pivot axis. The pedal arm includes a secondary connection to at least one of the striker plate and the swing bracket, to allow the entire pedal assembly to pivot about the pedal pivot axis upon depression of the pedal pad. During a vehicle collision of sufficient magnitude, the cross member collides against and forcibly rotates the striker plate which disengages the secondary connection to allow the pedal arm to freely pivot about the first pivot axis.
US08973461B2
The primary object of the present invention is a jointed and instrumented limb for robot or haptic interface comprising at least first (2) and second (4) rigid segments and a joint (6), said joint (6) comprising fibers and at least one measurement element (101, 102) and being fixed in each of the rigid segments (2, 4).The present invention also has for object a robot or a haptic interface comprising at least one such jointed limb.
US08973451B2
A subsea electric actuator comprises an electric motor and a telescopic drive connection (8) from the motor to a drive unit (10, 11, 12) which can be moved to and fro and converts rotary motion of the connection to linear motion of an actuating stem (5). A return spring (14) is operable on the drive unit to urge the actuating stem towards a datum state. An electromagnetic latch (15) is operative when set to maintain the drive unit in a predetermined position so as to decouple the action of the return spring whereby the stem can be advanced and retracted relative to the drive unit free from the action of the return spring. De-energization of the latch allows the return spring to operate on the drive unit to return the actuating stem to the datum state. Various forms of electromagnetic latch are described.
US08973450B2
The present invention controls rolling motion of a vehicle by eliminating the detrimental influence of gyro moment on the motion of the vehicle and actively using gyro moment generated by a flywheel constituting an energy storing device. The invention relates to an attitude control device for a vehicle mounted with a flywheel as an energy storage device, the flywheel being pivotally supported about first and second axes mutually orthogonal with each other, the flywheel being mounted on a body of the vehicle such that the first axis extends in a front-rear direction of the body, the attitude control device comprising locking means for locking movement of the flywheel about the first axis, wherein a rolling motion of the vehicle is controlled by locking the movement of the flywheel about the first axis using said locking means.
US08973445B2
A holographic pressure sensing apparatus includes a first optical fiber with a diffractive element at its end face, and a light-coupling component for receiving from the first optical fiber end face first and second images respectively formed by interaction with the diffractive element of a first light of a first wavelength and a second light of a second wavelength. Displacement of the light-coupling component, toward or away from the first optical fiber end face, will adjust an overlap of the first and second images, such that a change in a measurement of said overlap will indicate a change of the pressure in the fluid surrounding the casing.
US08973443B2
The present invention relates to an ultrasound therapy system using high-intensity focused ultrasound. The ultrasound therapy improves ultrasound and heat release characteristics and provides an ultrasound probe which easily performs manufacturing and maintenance processes. According to the present invention, a housing is recessed on the inward side around the upper-part edge. A plurality of mounting holes is uniformly formed from the outside at a constant radius to the edge in the center of the upper part. A plurality of probe units is respectively installed in the plurality of mounting holes to form a sphere on the upper part of the housing. And a grounding film covers the sphere which the plurality of probe units forms.
US08973436B2
A method and apparatus for sensing levels of insoluble fluids within a storage vessel utilizing an array of main capacitive sensors having differing geometries. The array of main capacitive sensors gives the ability to measure the levels of insoluble liquids in a vessel. Each of the main capacitive sensors include at least one pair of conductive plates capable of submersion in the at least three insoluble fluids, and the geometries of the pair of conductive plates differ and are distinct, such as in distance or in width, in each of the main capacitive sensors. In addition, the apparatus and method may include at least one reference sensor placed intermittently along the height of the vessel to provide input as to the permittivities of the insoluble fluids.
US08973434B2
A system for use in a wellbore, comprises a length of casing, a structure that is configured to deform with deformation of the casing, said structure being affixed to the length of casing at substantially the same radial position along the length of casing, and a sensing device that is configured to measure deformation of the structure, said device comprising a plurality of sensors that are distributed with respect to at least one of the length of said structure and the periphery of said structure.
US08973433B2
A flow meter and method of determining a parameter of a downhole multiphase fluid is disclosed. Multiphase fluid flows through a downhole tubular member having first section, second section and third section, wherein the second section is disposed between the first section and the third section and an inner diameter of the second section is greater than an inner diameter of the first section and an inner diameter of the third section. Absolute pressure measurements of the multiphase fluid are obtained at each of the first section, second section and third section using absolute pressure gauges. The parameter of the downhole multiphase fluid is determined from the absolute pressure measurements.
US08973430B2
A diesel particulate filter (“DPF”) system is provided with temperature sensors at an entrance side and an exit side of a diesel oxidation catalyst, an SV ratio determining device that determines an exhaust gas SV ratio by measuring flow rate of exhaust gas during the DPF forcible regeneration, and an injector diagnosing device including a heat-generation region determining unit to which detection values of the temperature sensors and a determination value of the SV ratio determining device are input to determine whether or not these values are within a theoretical heat-generation region, and an actual injection amount diagnosing unit that diagnoses a decrease amount in an actual injection amount of an exhaust pipe injector, when the detection values of the temperature sensors and the determination value of the SV ratio determining device are within the theoretical heat-generation region.
US08973421B2
A competence diagnosis system for a urea water temperature sensor that can prevent a misdiagnosis when urea water is replenished in a urea tank. The system includes a urea water level condition determination unit that stores a urea water level, which is measured by a level sensor provided in the urea tank, in a storage unit immediately before key-off, obtains a level difference between the urea water level stored in the storage unit and a current urea water level after key-on, and allows a diagnosis by the competence diagnosis unit through temperature comparison when the level difference is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.
US08973419B2
The present invention discovers that a rolling direction force occurs even with conventional adjustment by the kiss roll state, pinpoints that the rolling direction force does not affect the roll thrust force, and thereby enables more precise initial roll gap position adjustment of a rolling mill (rolling zero adjustment).That is, this is based on the fact that high precision rolling zero adjustment becomes possible without being affected by any thrust force acting between rolls if performing differential asymmetrical roll gap zero point adjustment of the work side and the drive side so that the difference of the rolling direction forces acting on the roll chocks of the work side and the drive side of the work roll at the work side and the drive side (in practice, within ±5% of the sum of the rolling direction forces at the work side and the drive side).
US08973412B2
A plastic liquor container for a washing machine, the plastic liquor container including a laundry drum with a shaft journal and a rear wall that is made of at least two plastic components of different strengths. The rear wall has reinforced regions and a bearing receptacle for the shaft journal of the laundry drum, and the bearing receptacle is made of a high-strength material. The rear wall is manufactured as a single piece by injecting the at least two plastic components into an injection molding mold with a time offset. The reinforced regions of the rear wall are structured as a sandwich component having an inner edge layer and an outer edge layer. The inner edge layer and the outer edge layer of the sandwich component are made of high-strength plastic and enclose a region made of plastic that is less strong than the high-strength plastic.
US08973408B2
An optical fiber production system and method are provided for producing optical fiber. An optical fiber is drawn from a preform in a furnace and passes through a treatment device under a controlled reduced pressure or partial vacuum in the range of 0.01 to 0.8 atm. The treatment device cools the bare optical fiber as it cools to a temperature range of at least 1,600° C. to 1,300° C. A non-contact fiber centering device is located near an exit of the treatment device to provide linear centering of the optical fiber as it exits the treatment device.
US08973402B2
An apparatus for making a glass sheet using overflow fusion down-draw process comprising an inlet assembly having an elliptic cylindrical section coupled to a transition section which is, in turn, coupled to an open end of an open channel of an isopipe, and an overflow fusion down-draw process for making glass sheet. The glass melt flow has a high surface velocity profile conducive to the formation of a glass ribbon over the surface of the weirs and the wedge side surfaces with the desired mass distribution.
US08973401B2
The disclosure is directed to a chemically strengthened glass having antimicrobial properties and to a method of making such glass. In particular, the disclosure is directed to a chemically strengthened glass with antimicrobial properties and with a low surface energy coating on the glass that does not interfere with the antimicrobial properties of the glass. The antimicrobial has an Ag ion concentration on the surface in the range of greater than zero to 0.047 μg/cm2. The glass has particular applications as antimicrobial shelving, table tops and other applications in hospitals, laboratories and other institutions handling biological substances, where color in the glass is not a consideration.
US08973399B2
A charm for a chain and/or ribbon and/or belt in the form of a necklace, a bracelet or the like, characterized in that this charm is provided with a time-rendering device and optionally an insert to facilitate securement of the charm to the chain.
US08973395B2
A cold storage heat exchanger includes multiple refrigerant tubes, a cold storage container that is bonded to the refrigerant tube and defines a compartment receiving a cold storage material, and an inner fin arranged inside of the cold storage container. The cold storage container has a portion that stops and fixes the inner fin, and the cold storage container has a space where air is sealed. The space of the cold storage container is located at an upper side of the member that stops and fixes the inner fin. Accordingly, a stress applied to the cold storage container in the expansion of the cold storage material can be reduced.
US08973394B2
In an evaporator unit, a first evaporator is coupled to an ejector to evaporate refrigerant flowing out of the ejector, a second evaporator is coupled to a refrigerant suction port of the ejector to evaporate the refrigerant to be drawn into the refrigerant suction port, a flow amount distributor is located to adjust a flow amount of the refrigerant distributed to the nozzle portion and a flow amount of the refrigerant distributed to the second evaporator, and a throttle mechanism is provided between the flow amount distributor and the second evaporator to decompress the refrigerant flowing into the second evaporator. The flow amount distributor is adapted as a gas-liquid separation portion and as a refrigerant distribution portion for distributing separated refrigerant into the nozzle portion and the second evaporator. Furthermore, the flow amount distributor and the ejector are arranged in line in a longitudinal direction of the ejector.
US08973393B2
An aircraft system for improved cooling efficiency comprises at least one air conditioning pack, coupled to an aircraft, having at least one air compression device powered by at least one power source and having an air compression device inlet. The system further comprises at least one air flow path for redirecting a first portion of a first volume of aircraft interior outflow air from an aircraft interior to the air compression device inlet. The air flow path includes a shutoff valve to enable the air flow path during ground operation of the aircraft and to disable the air flow path for flight operation of the aircraft. The air compression inlet mixes the first volume of aircraft interior outflow air with a second volume of aircraft exterior inflow air to form an air mixture. The air conditioning pack conditions and circulates the air mixture into the aircraft interior.
US08973392B2
A locking apparatus of an ice bucket of a refrigerator capable of simplifying the structure of the ice bucket while preventing the cool air of the ice making compartment from leaking and the ice bucket from being shaken, the refrigerator including a locking apparatus accommodating portion formed at a lower portion of the ice making compartment, a lever hingedly coupled to the locking apparatus accommodating portion, and an elastic member configured to elastically bias the lever, wherein the lever is configured to interfere with a locking projection of the ice bucket, and a button portion configured to adjust the position of the locking protrusion by rotating the lever, wherein a gasket mounting portion formed around an opening portion of the ice making compartment is formed to be extended to the inner side of the ice making compartment to make contact with the gasket mounting portion in a two-area contact manner.
US08973386B2
An electric traction vehicle having: at least one pair of driving wheels; at least one reversible electric machine which can be mechanically connected to the driving wheels; an electronic power converter which pilots the electric machine; a storage system, which is aimed at storing electric energy, is connected to the electronic power converter and comprises at least one storage device; a passenger compartment; an air conditioning system of the passenger compartment which fulfills the function of regulating the temperature inside the passenger compartment; and a cooling system, which is completely independent and separate from the air conditioning system of the passenger compartment and uses a compression refrigeration cycle to cool at least one of the electric components, i.e. the electric machine, the electronic power converter and the storage system.
US08973382B2
An air heating, air conditioning and water heating system includes a multi-communicative valve unit, a compressor arranged for compressing the refrigerant in a state of superheated vapor, a condenser communicated with the compressor through the multi-communicative valve unit, a heat exchanger communicated with the condenser through the multi-communicative valve unit, an expansion valve, and a water heater communicated with the heat exchanger and the compressor through the multi-communicative valve unit, wherein the multi-communicative valve unit is arranged to be operated to selectively establish at least an air conditioning route, an air heating route, and a water heating route for the refrigerant so that the air heating, air conditioning and water heating system is capable of selectively providing air conditioning, heating and delivering hot water for a predetermined premises.
US08973379B2
A controller for a modular compact chiller unit configured for integration into a refrigeration system utilizing a plurality of modular compact chiller units is shown and described. The controller includes a processing circuit configured to provide startup control, operational control, and shutdown control for the modular compact chiller unit.
US08973368B2
A mixer assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided, including a main mixer with fuel injection holes located between at least one radial swirler and at least one axial swirler, wherein the fuel injected into the main mixer is atomized and dispersed by the air flowing through the radial swirler and the axial swirler.
US08973366B2
A system includes a mixing assembly configured to mix a liquid fuel and a water to generate a fuel mixture. The fuel mixture is configured to combust in a combustor of a gas turbine. The mixing assembly includes a liquid fuel passage disposed in an integrated housing. The liquid fuel passage is configured to flow the liquid fuel and to exclude liquid traps. The mixing assembly also includes a water passage disposed in the integrated housing. The water passage is configured to flow the water and to exclude liquid traps. The mixing assembly also includes a mixer disposed in the integrated housing and coupled to the liquid fuel passage and the water passage. The mixer is configured to mix the liquid fuel and the water to form the fuel mixture.
US08973365B2
A combustor liner may include an annular inner liner and an annular outer liner with a plurality of air holes thereon. The outer liner may be positioned circumferentially around the inner liner such that an annular cooling space is defined between the inner and the outer liner. The combustor liner may also include at least one resonator coupled to the outer liner such that a base of the resonator is separated from the outer liner to form a gap with an external surface of the outer liner. The combustor liner may also include a throat extending from the base of the resonator penetrating the inner liner and the outer liner. The combustor liner may further include a grommet assembly that allows for relative thermal expansion between the inner liner and the outer liner proximate the throat.
US08973364B2
A high-bypass gas turbine engine includes a variable area fan nozzle with an acoustic system having an acoustic impedance.
US08973363B2
The invention relates to an electric motor, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (9), a shaft (8) having an axle (30), a stator and a rotor, at least one channel (11) for conducting a coolant for cooling the electric motor (5), wherein the geometry of the alignment of at least one section (12) of the at least one channel (11) is designed such that the coolant flows in the direction of the axle (30) of the shaft (8) through the at least one channel (11), having a deviation of less than 40°.
US08973359B2
A wave powered generating device includes a floating vessel with onboard pendulum mechanism, an anchor with a mooring chain connected with the vessel, a lever arm, an upstanding post having a tip connected with the lever arm and a foot coupled with a universal coupler, a pendulum moveably mounted on the lever arm being erected above a platform deck of the vessel by the upstanding post, a gear mechanism incorporating with a centrifugal flywheel coupled with the universal coupler via a transmission mechanism for delivery of momentum of the pendulum, and a power generating mechanism driven by the gear mechanism. Under undulating waves, the pendulum, being mounted on the lever arm, sways laterally around an axis of the upstanding post, causing the upstanding post to rotate hence delivering the momentum of the pendulum to drive the power generating mechanism via a transmission shaft and the gear mechanism.
US08973354B2
An exhaust system for a variable cylinder engine for assuring purification of exhaust gas without increasing the number of catalysts and an intake system for purifying blow-by gas. The exhaust system includes an activation side exhaust pipe connected to an activation cylinder group that operates normally. A deactivation side exhaust pipe is connected to a deactivation cylinder group wherein fuel supply is stopped under a particular condition. A gathering section is connected to downstream ends of the activation side exhaust pipe and the deactivation side exhaust pipe with a sub-catalyst disposed in the activation side exhaust pipe and a main catalyst disposed at the gathering section. The main catalyst is formed wherein gas passing therethrough is partitioned into flows independent of each other in a flow path direction. The activation side exhaust pipe and the deactivation side exhaust pipe are connected in a mutually independent state to the main catalyst.
US08973351B2
A work machine includes a diesel engine; a gas emission cleaning device having a filter for trapping particulate matter included in gas emissions emitted from the diesel engine; and a filter regenerating device for performing automatic regeneration to automatically combust and eliminate particulate manner that has accumulated in the gas emission cleaning device, when the accumulated amount of the particulate matter has exceeded a predetermined value. The filter regenerating device has an automatic-regeneration-allowing device for allowing the automatic regeneration to be carried out by an external command; and, at startup, the automatic-regeneration-allowing device disallows carrying out automatic regeneration.
US08973344B2
An agricultural harvester (100) comprises a self-propelled vehicle (102); a feederhouse (104); a driveshaft (114) supported on the feederhouse (104), the driveshaft (114) having a first coupler (116) fixed to one end of the driveshaft (114), the first coupler (116) comprising a coupler body (420), a piston (416) disposed in the coupler body (420), and a first key (302) mechanically coupled to the piston (416) to be extended or retracted by the piston (416) to engage a mating coupler on a second driveshaft (120) of an agricultural harvesting head (106) that is supported on the feederhouse (104).
US08973328B2
A floor tile expansion joint accommodates differential thermal expansion or contraction of modular floor tiles used in flooring applications. One or more rows of floor tile expansion joints may be connected to modular floor tiles for various floor tile applications.
US08973322B2
A masonry unit for constructing built structures includes a rectangular shaped base having a front edge and a rear edge. The front edge and the rear edge each include a recess formed therein configured for disposal of a vertically disposed reinforcing material. A pair of spaced apart sidewalls extends perpendicularly from the base and along a length of the base. The sidewalls and the base together define a cavity configured for disposal of a fill material. A pair of spaced apart bridges is supported on the base configured for disposal of lengths of a horizontally disposed reinforcing material. The bridges extend transversely between the sidewalls and each have a height less than a height of the sidewalls. The base defines a hole therethrough disposed adjacent one bridge of the pair of spaced apart bridges.
US08973313B2
Buildings which include rudimentary plumbing can be transported as a set of disassembled modular parts and then assembled on site. The assembled building includes a water reservoir in the roof and a sewage reservoir in the base, so as to enable gravity-based water supply and sewage disposal in the absence of traditional plumbing and sewage infrastructure. Building envelope elements having internal reservoirs, and methods for constructing such building envelope elements are also described.
US08973311B1
A mobile elevated building assembly is configured to be compactly transportable in a transportation mode yet readily reconfigured to an installed mode after set-up with a building held many meters off of the ground by a tower supported off of the ground by outriggers. A flat-bed trailer is used to transport the assembly while in its transportation mode, and the trailer can optionally remain attached to the bottom of the tower in the installed mode. A foldable stairway and top-of-stairs platform can form a subassembly that can be pivotally attached where they connect to one-another, and this connection can be supported by a horizontal upper member of the tower. The platform can include one of at least two horizontal support members for holding the building on top of the tower. Methods are provided for reconfiguring the assembly and subassemblies between their transportation mode and their installed mode.
US08973305B2
A shutter panel and an installation including a shutter panel in an architectural opening. The shutter panel has mitered corners without exposed end grain. The shutter panel is connected directly to structures defining the architectural opening.
US08973300B1
An insect trap for use in trapping and exterminating crawling insects including bed bugs. The trap includes a pit fall trap assembly with sidewalls defining a pit or well and a heat source positioned within the pit. The trap includes a controller assembly with a controller selectively operating the heat source, which includes a base plate provided at a bottom of the pit. In this way, the base plate provides the floor or lower surfaces of the pit upon which insects fall and also to which the insects are attracted by the thermal lure of the heat source. The inner surfaces preferably include a layer of anti-traction material (such as UHMW tape or the like) such that the insects cannot climb back out of the pit. The controller operates to alternate the heat source between a lure temperature mimicking a blood host and a higher temperature to exterminate trapped insects.
US08973296B1
An accessory rail adaptor includes an adaptor body having a first attachment surface and a second attachment surface; an adaptor rail carried by the first attachment surface of the adaptor body; an adaptor roller carried by the adaptor body adjacent to the second attachment surface; and an adaptor flange carried by the adaptor body adjacent to the second attachment surface and in spaced-apart relationship to the adaptor roller, the adaptor flange selectively moveable relative to the adaptor roller.
US08973295B2
This invention includes an adaptive mechanism for activating a firearm's trigger comprising a bite-activated trigger assembly, a cable assembly, an actuator assembly, lanyard, and a storage assembly. When properly assembled, the actuator is mated adjacent to the firearm's trigger in such a manner that the actuator is not exerting a force significant enough to activate the firearm's trigger. One end of the cable assembly is attached to a bite trigger assembly. The bite trigger assembly includes two bite plates that are pivotally joined together near the centerline of the bite plates. The bite trigger assembly also includes a feature to mount with the lanyard assembly. Finally the bite-activated trigger assembly includes a storage assembly that is used to stow the bite trigger assembly when the firearm is not in use.
US08973292B1
An interactive greeting card which contains a moveable object attached to a motor and a sound module operative to store and playback at least one pre-recorded audio file. The moveable object is contained on an inside panel of the greeting card concealed beneath a curtain. The curtain contains a pull string cord which when pulled, opens the curtain revealing the moveable object while also triggering playback of the pre-recorded audio and triggering activation of the motor module, causing movement of the mobile object.
US08973290B2
An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot and a sole component fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole component may include a baseplate having a bottom surface. The sole component may also include an arrangement of ground engaging members extending downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate. The baseplate may further include a reinforcing shank arrangement including a plurality of reinforcing strips formed of a different material than portions of the baseplate adjacent the reinforcing strips, wherein at least one of the reinforcing strips forms at least a portion of a base platform from which at least one of the ground engaging members extends.
US08973289B2
An object includes a body with a first portion having first eyelets and a second portion having second eyelets. The body includes a first surface and a second surface that face in opposite directions. The first surface includes an opening into a void that is defined between the first surface and the second surface. A first lace extends continuously through the plurality of first eyelets and continuously through the plurality of second eyelets. The first lace has a first bridge portion defined between a first pair of the first eyelets and a second bridge portion defined between a second pair of the second eyelets. The first lace includes an end that passes through the opening to be disposed within the void. A second lace engages both the first bridge portion and the second bridge portion.
US08973287B2
A shoe midsole has a sole plate, a plurality of blades integrally standing on the sole plate, a cover bonded to the circumference of the sole plate, and a fluid sealed between the sole plate and the cover. A first concave part in a shape equivalent to a sole of a foot is formed on the surface of the sole plate, on which the plurality of blades stand, wherein the plurality of blades are accommodated within the first concave part. The plurality of blades are aligned at a predetermined interval in a direction nearly orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sole plate, and some of the plurality of blades are tilted toward the toe.
US08973282B2
A secondary lint trap couplable between a laundry dryer and a building-embedded vent duct. The trap has an elongate housing. Aligned inlet and outlet apertures are formed in bottom and top sides of the housing's rearward ends. A tray is removably insertable within the housing. A screened aperture in the tray is aligned between the inlet and outlet apertures when the tray is inserted within the housing. The housing is mountable above the dryer such that the inlet and outlet apertures extend rearwardly of the dryer. This facilitates coupling of the dryer's exhaust outlet to the inlet aperture through one 90° elbow via a first short, substantially straight, elbowless conduit; and facilitates coupling of the vent duct to the outlet aperture through one other 90° elbow collar via a second short, substantially straight, elbowless conduit.
US08973277B2
A bow sight that decouples the shooter's bow cant from elevation adjustments. A segmented support assembly includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion is configured to attach to the bow. The distal portion is rotatably attached to the proximal portion and configured to rotate around a Y-axis relative to the proximal portion. A micro-adjust controls the rotational position around the Y-axis of the distal portion relative to the proximal portion. An elevation assembly is attached to the distal portion. A bezel assembly is attached to the elevation assembly. The elevation adjustment moves the bezel assembly along a substantially vertical axis while the bow is held at a bow cant greater than zero. The micro-adjust decouples the shooter's bow cant from operation of the elevation assembly. A windage assembly is optionally located between the elevation assembly and the distal portion.
US08973275B1
Portable saw includes a housing and a continuous saw blade provided in the housing. A throat in housing is shaped and sized for exposing a portion of a continuous saw blade so saw blade contacts and cuts an object brought into contact with the saw blade, in use. A power unit detachably attached to housing includes a drive for driving the saw blade. A side handle is provided on housing, and an end handle is detachably attached to the housing. The housing, saw blade, power unit, and handle are sized so user can carry and use the portable saw. Housing includes two halves detachably attached to each other so the user can take them off and replace them with a different housing having different handles and a different throat to provide a different throat having a different size and shape than the throat of the removed housing.
US08973273B2
A chisel includes a blade and a first handle and second handle that are each rotatably coupled to the blade. The first handle forms a first channel adapted to receive a first side of the blade and the second handle forms a second channel adapted to receive a second side of the blade opposite the first side. The two handles are rotatable between an open and a closed position. In some cases, the two handles comprise a rotatable coupling such that the first handle and the second handle rotate with one another in opposite directions between the closed and open positions. The chisel further can have an over-center structure configured to impede rotation of the two handles from the closed toward the open position. In some cases, the two handles each form an interlocking component adapted to releasably couple the two handles when they are rotated to the open position.
US08973269B2
A method of making a biometric dental appliance. A first article can be formed of a first material based on a first digital surface representation having a desired outer shape of the dental appliance. A portion of the first article can then be removed to form an outer layer of the dental appliance comprising a cavity dimensioned to accommodate an inner layer. A second article can be formed by filling the cavity of the first article with a second material. The second material can have at least one different structural and/or optical property than the first material. The second article can be further processed, as desired. For example, a desired inner shape can be formed in the second article. Such a desired inner shape can be based on a second digital surface representation of a dental object configured to receive the dental appliance.
US08973264B2
A method of manufacturing a turbine disk involves machining to an initial form a slot in a turbine disk using a firm cutting tool. An intermediate form is then machined using a second cutting tool different from the first cutting tool. A final form using a third cutting tool different from the first cutting tool and the second cutting tool is then machined.
US08973254B2
A system and method for the rapid exchange of batteries in an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle contains a removable battery housed in the vehicle's undercarriage. The electric vehicle moves through the exchange system either by propelling itself or by being propelled by the system. As the vehicle is propelled forward, the removable battery within the vehicle is unlocked from the vehicle and replaced with a charged battery. The charged battery forces the removable battery out of the rear of the vehicle as the vehicle moves forward through the exchange. The vehicle remains powered throughout the exchange process. Once the charged battery is aligned in position under the vehicle and connected to the vehicle through corresponding contacts, the charged battery is located into place in the vehicle's undercarriage and the vehicle is ready for additional driving.
US08973249B2
Test fixtures for automotive parts, methods of fabricating test fixtures for automotive parts, and methods of heat testing automotive parts are disclosed. A method of fabricating a test fixture for supporting an automotive part may include forming a plurality of vertical support blades. Each of the plurality of vertical support blades comprises a support portion contoured to correspond to at least a portion of an underside of the automotive part. The method further includes assembling the plurality of vertical support blades such that each vertical support blade is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from an adjacent vertical support blade. The method further includes attaching the plurality of vertical support blades to a base such that the support portion of each of the plurality of vertical support blades is positioned to engage the corresponding portion of the underside of the automotive part.
US08973240B2
A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.
US08973238B2
Medical device components and processes are disclosed. For example, tube-shaped catheter components and processes of making tube-shaped catheter components are disclosed. Devices and systems, including medical devices and systems, such as catheters, containing tube-shaped catheter components are also disclosed.
US08973234B2
An assembly for collapsing a prosthetic heart valve includes a compression member and a pusher member. The compression member has a first open end with a first diameter, a second open end with a second diameter less than the first diameter, and a tapered wall between the first open end and the second open end. The pusher member has a base adapted to engage an end of the valve. The pusher member and the compression member are movable relative to one another between an initial position in which the base of the pusher member is relatively far from the first open end of the compression member and an operative position in which the base of the pusher member is relatively close to the first open end of the compression member. Movement of the pusher and compression members from the initial position to the operative position radially compresses the valve.
US08973229B2
A method for manufacturing a composite piezoelectric substrate in which a piezoelectric substrate and a supporting substrate are prepared, ions are implanted in the piezoelectric substrate to form a defective layer at a predetermined depth in the piezoelectric substrate, impurities that are adhered to a surface of the piezoelectric substrate or a surface of the supporting substrate are removed to expose the constituent atoms thereof and to activate the surfaces, the supporting substrate is bonded to the piezoelectric substrate to form a bonded substrate body, the bonded substrate body is separated at the defective layer so that a separation layer between the surface of the piezoelectric substrate and the defective layer is separated from the piezoelectric substrate and bonded to the supporting substrate to form a composite piezoelectric substrate, and the surface of the separation layer of the composite piezoelectric substrate is smoothed.
US08973223B2
Embodiments provide a weather resistant slide fastener with a modified slider body including a top control rib and tightly controlled inner dimensions. In embodiments, a water-resistant coating and/or an adhesive may be applied to the zipper tape, resulting in a highly water-resistant zipper and finished garment. Embodiments further provide a slider body that may accommodate longitudinal edge portions of the outer layer of fabric, allowing the edges of the fabric to be brought into close proximity/contact, substantially covering the zipper teeth and minimizing ingress of water and/or wind through the zipper tape. Additional embodiments provide methods of manufacturing and installing weather resistant slide fasteners.
US08973222B2
A retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus is provided, including a frame and a hub rotatably mounted within the frame. A ratchet wheel is mounted to the hub and interfaces with a pawl to selectably prevent motion of the hub relative to the frame. A single tie down strap extends between two attachment members and winds around the hub. An operable means for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel is included to wind the single tie down strap around the hub. Tension between the two attachment members is transmitted directly through the single tie down strap and transitions between segments of the single tie down strap at the windings of the single tie down strap about the hub. In further examples, the operable means for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel is removable. The tie down apparatus can also move freely along the single tie down strap.
US08973213B2
Disclosed herein are a dust collection unit and a vacuum cleaner with the same. The dust collection unit includes: a container formed in an empty cylindrical shape and filled with water to a predetermined height above a lower wall, the container having an inlet and an outlet formed in an upper wall; and a water flow pipe whose top is joined to the inlet and whose bottom is submerged in water in such a manner that the bottom of the water flow pipe is spaced apart from the lower wall. The water flow pipe includes: a first pipe, a second pipe having a second inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter and extending downwardly from the bottom of the first pipe; and a water channel formed in a body of the second pipe defining the second inner diameter in such a way as to fluidably communicate with the inside of the second pipe.
US08973211B2
An apparatus for cleaning a detector comprising a housing and a bowl connected to the housing having a detector chamber adapted for enclosing a detector to be cleaned, a contacting surface positioned on the bowl, and one of more air nozzles positioned within the detector chamber for directing one or more bursts of compressed air at a detector to clean the detector, and a fan positioned within the housing operable to draw air within the detector chamber into a filter, and a dust collector for containing dirt and debris dislodged from a detector during the cleaning operation.
US08973204B2
A cleaning tool comprises a cleaning body in which non-woven fabrics and fiber bundles are laminated onto each other. In the cleaning body, the fiber bundles disposed on the outer surface of a cylindrical part in which the holding part of a holder is stored include fiber extending areas in which a plurality of fibers extend parallel with each other in a predetermined direction. These fiber extending areas form a second cleaning portion.
US08973200B2
An ergonomic sweeping device that can be used with one hand while providing a user with proper biomechanical alignment and support, which can reduce muscular strain, fatigue, and the potential for injury.
US08973199B2
A photomask cleaning device includes a stage, a fluid dispenser, a scrubbing unit, a cover and a fixing unit. The fluid dispenser includes a direct dispensing unit disposed correspondingly to the scrubbing unit, and an oblique dispensing unit obliquely spraying water onto a photomask. Majority of the particles can be removed with the combined application of the oblique dispensing unit and the scrubbing unit.
US08973196B2
A wet and dry vacuum cleaner system is disclosed, wherein the system includes a debris container having an inlet and outlet, a filter support having a filter and being adapted to situate at least a portion of the filter within the container and intermediate between the inlet and outlet, a vacuum unit adapted to be coupled to the container, and a housing. A wet/dry vacuum appliance system is also disclosed, which includes means for housing a vacuum unit, means for slidably receiving a debris container, and means for releasably holding the container in sealed engagement with the vacuum unit. In addition, methods of removing debris from such a vacuum cleaner and vacuum appliance systems are described.
US08973188B1
A pelvic positioning system for positioning a patient's pelvic area for a pelvic or rectal exam featuring a base with an indentation disposed in the front end for providing the physician access to the patient's pelvic region. Two peaks for the patient's thighs are disposed at the front end of the base and are separated by the indentation. An inward curvature is disposed in the top surface of the base between the indentation and the back end of the base. The system functions to position a patient's pelvic region comfortably and effectively.
US08973186B2
A patient-support apparatus according the present disclosure includes a source of pressurized air, a plurality of bladders, a plurality of pressure sensors, and a controller. The controller is configured to execute instructions to adjust pressures in the bladders based on information from the plurality of pressure sensors.
US08973184B2
A bedding skirt is configured to be rapidly inserted upon a mattress frame. The bedding skirt includes a front panel sufficiently long to hang from the mattress frame to ground. A back panel is attached to the front panel and sufficiently long to hang from the mattress frame to the ground. A plurality of magnets are attached to the back panel and configured to connect the bedding skirt to the mattress frame. The bedding skirt can be rapidly connected to the mattress frame for use and rapidly removed from the mattress frame for cleaning.
US08973179B2
The portable camping sink includes a hollow rectangular housing with top, bottom, left, right and rear walls and an open front. A basin is hinged to the front of the bottom wall and is movable between a closed position where it closes the front and an operative position lying at a right angle to the front where it can function as a sink. Locks and straps maintain the basin in its inoperative or operative positions. A water container has a size and shape allowing it to be inserted into the housing and includes a spout overlying the basin when the basin is in its operative position. Racks or shelves are hinged to the housing sides. Straps allow the portable sink to be suspended from the trunk of a tree during use. Shoulder straps allow a person to carry the camping sink on his back.
US08973177B2
A drop-in mounted bath tub has a peripheral rim that is uniquely shaped to both support the tub on a mounting platform and provide integral handgrips used to assist the bather in entering and exiting the tub. The rim curves out from the top of the basin downward toward the mounting platform. The rim extends down further at the end walls of the basin than at the side walls so that it contacts the mounting platform only at the end walls while being spaced up from the mounting platform at the sides. The contoured rim provides a stable, comfortable surface for the bather to grasp. One or more partition walls extending from the rim between the basin side walls and the outer edge of the rim provides for sealing the basin to the mounting platform as well as keeping items from falling between the tub and the mounting platform and preventing the bather from touching or viewing the rough unfinished outer shell of the basin.
US08973173B2
The environmental system for motorsports helmets includes a helmet and backpack containing various components of the system. The helmet includes an inlet and air passages for forced air ventilation, a tube conducting drinking water from a helmet inlet to the mouth of the helmet wearer, and a radio communications headset. The helmet is a full-face helmet having an openable transparent face shield and visor formed with the face shield as a unit. A backpack is provided with the helmet, the backpack containing a motor driven fan to supply air to the helmet. The air is filtered through an external filter on the pack, before entering the fan and ventilation system. A water tank is also included in the backpack, allowing the helmet wearer to draw water from the supply. A conventional communications transceiver is also provided with the backpack, the transceiver connecting to the headset within the helmet.
US08973172B2
An apparatus comprising: a mount plate and at least one noise reduction element connected the mount plate. An article of head wear comprising: a shell having an upper portion and a lower open portion, at least one aperture located near the lower portion, and a noise reduction plate obstructing the at least one aperture. An article of head wear comprising: a shell having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a noise reduction element connected to the shell. A noise reduction element comprising: a frame having a framework, and a soundproofing element covering the framework. An apparatus comprising: a mount plate, and at least one aperture in the mount plate, wherein the aperture is formed to accommodate a noise reduction element.
US08973168B2
Athletic pants including a compression garment made of a stretchable fabric configured to substantially conform to the contours of a person wearing the compression garment. The compression garment includes a hollow torso section having an opening at its upper end and a pair of hollow legs extending in a direction away from the opening and terminating in a cuff. Cover portions are disposed over and surround at least a portion of each leg. Each of the cover portions having attached and free ends, with the cover portions being attached at their attached ends to the compression garment and otherwise being unattached to the compression garment such that the free ends are selectively positionable respectively along the length of the leg over which the cover portion is disposed.
